Guadalcanal, or a tale of bumbling mishaps and success - Noob PBEM

[Anachro]

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Guadalcanal is no longer merely a name of an island in Japanese military history. It is the name of the graveyard of the Japanese army.

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Thus spoke Major General Kioytake Kawaguchi, commander of 35th Infantry Brigade, reflecting on the impact of the pivotal battle at Guadalcanal, a landmass that can be said to represent both the high water mark of the Japanese Empire and its fatal over-extension. Due to surprise, indecision, and logistics, the Japanese were outfought, outmaneuvered, and ultimately defeated, leaving behind a irreplaceable trove of men and equipment. But what if this had not been the case? Might the Japanese have held their ground and recovered from their initial setbacks?

Read along as my newbie friend, azura987, and the newbie I, Anachro, attempt to re-fight this crucial engagement. He shall be the Allies, I the Japanese. The hope is that you, dear readers, can help me develop strategy, criticize my moves, or offer pointers as I go along. Please laugh as we wade our way through a morass of errors to ultimately reach our goal of at least learning something about this vast jungle we call War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition.

We do not know much about house rules, or if they are needed for a scenario, nor do we know how much realism settings, etc. matter. For now (and subject to change):

Scenario: Guadalcanal DBB with Stacking Limits

Rules:

1. Units with perm restricted HQs must no cross national borders
2. Units with temp restricted HQs must pay full PP to transfer to non-restricted HQs
3. No switching land unit HQs to unrestricted air HQs, or other gamey variation
4. No 4E naval bombing below 10,000 ft
5. Maximum altitude for fighters restricted to 20,000 feet.

Settings:
PDU: Off
Realiable USN Torpedoes: Off
Fog of War: On
Reinforcement: Variable (+/- 15 days)
1 day turn cycle

Anything I should add, take away? Looking forward to hearing from all of you. We are planning on starting later in the week. I'll state again that we are both complete newbies, so maybe you'll have some fun watching us mess up and bungle many operations and events. [:D]

Any tips or suggestions for me as Japan? *whisper* Don't tell Azura you're helping me.

[JocMeister]

Good luck with your game and welcome to the forum! [:)]

PS. I would scrap the altitude restriction completely or simply set a max altitude of 20-25k. Basing the altitude on MVR rating can lead to strange results. Personally I prefer a fixed max altitude.

[GetAssista]

This title reminds me of Dwarf Fortress [:)] May your game be as fun to play too. Good luck!

[BBfanboy]

Anachro: 5. Maximum altitude for fighters restricted to band with maximum maneuverability (what does this mean?)

Maneuver bands change as an aircraft gains altitude. Typically, they maneuver best at low altitude where the air is thicker but rate of loss of maneuverability is different for different aircraft. In your air unit screen, click on the text down on the bottom left area that says "Aircraft Data". In there will be a small chart showing altitude "bands" of about 5000 feet, and a number given for the maneuverability of the aircraft within that band. The number is used by the game engine to determine air combat results.

But I agree with Jocke's suggestion to use a firm altitude rather than figure out what maximum altitude each aircraft type can be assigned.

[BBfanboy]

Anachro: PDU: Off?

PDU means Player Defined Upgrades. In the Grand Campaign with this setting "off" the pre-set historical upgrade path for aircraft upgrades is in place and you cannot alter it. But if the setting is "On", both players can change the type of aircraft their units will upgrade to. The Allies do this with an eye on their pools of aircraft as they cannot change production of aircraft, but the Japanese have an economy to run and can shift their aircraft production to whatever models they think they will need. This is not stuff for newbies!

The Guadalcanal scenario is short with little time to change aircraft in the pools so PDU off is fine.

[BBfanboy]

A couple of final comments:

In a short scenario the +-15 day reinforcement seems a bit much. See if your partner will agree to cut it to seven days or even 0 variable. As the Japanese player your two key carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku arrive late to the scenario as it is, and a delay of a week or two would be very bad for chances of repelling the allies.

In general, this game is a microcosm of the Grand Campaign in that there are tempting targets all around and not enough strength to take all of them. You must not over-extend yourself by trying to take on New Guinea at the same time as Guadalcanal/Tulagi. Look at the victory conditions for the game in the scenario summary and the points for taking various bases, then plan where your efforts will be and stick to it as much as possible.

[Anachro]

Thanks for the replies, guys. BBfanboy, Joc, I'll change the rules based on your recommendations. The only thing I'm unsure of its the (+/- 15 days) reinforcements. I like the uncertainty it provides, even if it can make my situation worse. BBfanboy, you mentioned cutting it to 7, but is that possible? I can only seem to get 15 days as the smallest variance in options.

Thanks!

[Anachro]

NO AZURA FROM HERE ON

First turn orders have been sent!

I have opted to go for a strategy of CV fleet first, BASES later. Meaning, I will begin pooling my LBA in Rabaul for eventual transfer to a forward base in the Solomon Islands. The goal being to use LBA in combination with CVs to destroy the allied fleet. In support of this, I am amassing supplies and fuel from extraneous areas, as well as laying down groundwork for a buildup of an airport at Buin and a port at Shortlands.

After this, I believe I will focus on taking Lunga (despite marine resistance), anticipating the successful destruction of or significant damage to the US CV fleet. If that doesn't happen soon enough, plans might need to change for an assault on PM before Australian reinforcements can be sent over.

For now, we are in a "Prep, gather info, sub patrol phase."

Good luck to my fellow noob.

[Anachro]

Running into hex and game version issues. In the process of ironing out.

[BBfanboy]

Hex issues? Is one or both of you using the extended map? This does not work with the stock scenarios, only with the mods that have been developed like DBB.
If that is the case, simply create a new folder called "extended map" an move your map files over there, then reinstall the game to recreate the standard map (or have someone zip up the map files and send them to you to put in the correct folders AE Stock Map Data and subfolder Stock Map Art.

[Anachro]

We're using DBB Guadalcanal scenario so the extended map is needed. However, I just noticed the save he sent over was the grand campaign, so he might have saved his orders incorrectly or sent over the wrong save. We'll iron it out.

[Anachro]

August 6th, 1942

Today is a momentous day for Japan. It appears the the Americans have decided to strike back after many months of ceaseless retreat in the face of endless Japanese victory and superiority in military action (Midway was a victory after all, according to headquarters). Forces have made landings at both Tulagi and Lunga, where we have presently been building an airfield to threaten the Allied position at Noumea. Surprised by this unexpected assault, lightly defended Japanese construction workers and SNLF troops were caught unaware by supporting bombardments and suffered grievously. Nonetheless, those in Tulagi offered a robust defense, inflicting immense loss among the assaulting Marines, with 621 casualties reported (or so they say). Taking decisive action, parts of Tulagi's air

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Additionally, allies subs are hard at work and appear to be operating deep within the Japanese-occupied portions of the Solomon Island area. A light cargo ship, Tatibana Maru, reported what appeared to be two torpedo wakes directed towards it. Luckily, neither hit its target.

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More worryingly, an American carrier task force containing 2 carriers (yet to be identified) has been sighted by naval patrol east of Tulagi. We suspect it is providing air cover for the landings at Tulagi and Lunga. Presently, Japanese forces are not sufficient to engage. Past battles have shown the need for air power; and we have not yet the strength to cover a surface force in the south. Nonetheless, we are responding to the Allied attack and positioning land-based aircraft strategically north of Guadalcanal at Shortlands and Buin. We are also currently building up an airfield at Buin and a port at Shortlands.

We have diverted troops on their way to Rabaul towards Buin and Shortlands to reinforce those areas.

Worryingly while conducting recon, we have noticed significant Allied air power stationed Port Moresby, with 34 fighters, 5 bombers, and 20 auxiliary. While we know not their intention at the moment, we suspect this is merely air cover to prevent any Japanese bombing sorties from having free reign. Apart from initial moves at Lunga, Tulgai, and their environs. We cannot discern any extraneous Allied efforts. Although we hope to not be for long as we hate being reactive, currently we are still in a wait-and-see position.

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The situation is as currently follows:

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Discussion

I'm conflicted, guys. I don't want to just wait. I want to inflict some damage to his invasion force. I could try sending a night sorty down, but as long as his CVs are there its probably not worth it. What do you think? I'm also worried he will continue sending his CVs farther north to wreak havoc using his knowledge of my current lack of CVs. How should I deal with this? I'm thinking if he does, he will play my hand and I'll be forced to use LBA as a deterrent prior to the arrival of my own carriers.

One other big problem I'm running into, supplies run out fast, especially with all those ships in Rabaul (it didn't help that initially I am moving a good amount of Rabaul's supply to Shortlands and Buin). It will take a few days for more supply to come from Truk and its surrounding islands, but in the mean time I'm short. How do I minimize hemorrhaging or supply?

[DanSez]

It is been a couple of years since I played the stock game Guadalcanal scenario. I have not played the DBB version so these comments are based on my previous campaign.

Look around at some of the islands to the Southeast of Truk (Ponape?). Unoccupied but with a good amount of supply. Also islands Northwest of Rabaul (Manus?) might have some supply you can suck up in small xAKLs and move to a more useful place.


You have limited force.

Don't throw it away just trying to 'do something'.
Until your carriers show up, you can't challenge the invasion at Lunga with anything other than your subs, which you should be using to try and intercept traffic between Noumea and Lunga.


You should concentrate supply into Rabaul because you need 10k plus supply to get air replacements, but those are also pretty limited so be sure to turn OFF replacements on all units to better control which units get them and which ones you hold back. As a general rule it is better to have one fully stocked unit and one depleted than have two half strength units.

Banzai.

[Anachro]

August 7th, 1942

Allied Forces continue bombarding Tulagi and Lunga throughout the night (causes damage to the airfield and port, which I'm fine with) and proceed to take both the following day in quick attacks. Luckily, our transports managed to extricate pieces of the construction and air battalions stationed there. They will be more useful at Buin and Shotlands. Nonetheless, our forces currently on Guadalcanal are decimated. We also made a mistake in leaving transport planes there, thinking they would move once captured. 11 search planes were stupidly lost. Leadership is most displeased.

Attack on Lunga

Attacking force 9335 troops, 150 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 382

Defending force 2021 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Allied forces CAPTURE Lunga !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1805 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (6 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disable

Attack on Tulagi

Attacking force 4057 troops, 26 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Defending force 543 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 11 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
705 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Additionally, it seems that Allied bombers are concentrating on the Japanese forces currently stationed in Kokuda. We are fine with this, as we do not anticipate land as an adequate means for attacking Port Moresby. The major question is if we should focus fighters on providing air cover in Kokuda or reserving them for defense of Rabaul, Shortlands, and Buin. Japanese leadership is inclined towards the latter, especially as current bombing efforts aren't too harmful.

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In other news, American subs are operating close to Rabaul and Buin. One even managed to hit one of our cargo ships. Luckily, the torpedoes both turned out to be duds and harmlessly battered the sides of the vessel. In subsequent ASW operations, DD Tachikaze managed to locate this enemy sub and attack it, but no oil, wreckage, or air bubbles were discerned on the surface. Unfortunate.

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The situation remains in a quiet state for the IJN. We don't quite have the means to respond yet. We are currently reinforcing Buin and Shortlands. To do this quickly so that there would be ample supplies for planned facilities, we've had to precariously reduce availability at Rabaul, but this should be alleviated over the next coming days. Additionally, we are moving cruisers down to Buin and eventually Shortlands for quick night action, if needed, Lunga.

We have lost sight of the enemy CV force, but we suspect it remains in position providing air cover. As of now, no CV airplanes have been used in operations. He might be holding them in reserve.
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Some Questions

If I have a cargo task force undocked, but set to loading, will it load up its capacity in full before heading to its destination for unloading?

Should I commit any of my air forces to protecting Kokuda?

[BBfanboy]

1. Cargo TFs will load the full load, but very slowly. Open your base data window and look at the max docking limit vs. what is currently docked.
- If there is room there to dock some of the ships from your cargo TF, create a new cargo TF with the largest ship that is within the current remaining docking tonnage (ship displacement, not cargo capacity tonnage).
- Dock the new TF and tell it to load. Select "Transfer Ships to TF" and see if any of the other ships from your original cargo TF can transfer to dockside.
- When the docked cargo ships are full, transfer out the full ones to the original cargo TF and transfer in some that are still loading. You may have to undock the gaining TF to do the swap, and re-dock it afterward. Set the original cargo TF to "Do Not Unload" so it will not unload its cargo while waiting for the other ships to finish loading.
- When all loading is complete, transfer all ships to the original TF, set the destination for delivery FIRST, then remove the "Do Not Unload" command.

2. If you do not have the resources to cover everything, commit them where your main effort will be and accept that there will be some hurt elsewhere.

3. Airplanes do not automatically transfer unless they are in the air when their ship becomes unusable. If you think the enemy will take a base, move the aircraft at least one turn before. If it turns out the enemy goes to a different base, you can always transfer the airplanes back and assign missions in the same turn.

[Anachro]

August 8th, 1942

Allies submarine action strikes a first blow of attrition against the Japanese merchant marine, with the light cargo ship, the Kenkai Maru, being sunk by an unknown enemy submarine during the night. Luckily, this vessel was unburdened by the crucial materials of war, but nevertheless Japanese leadership wishes to be more careful with our shipping, loathe as we are to sacrifice any vessel in this war against such a juggernaut of economic might as the Americans. Meanwhile, Japanese submarine SS I-121 encounters what appears to be an Allied surface fleet north of Guadalcanal, but is unable to penetrate its defensive ASW screen. Why is is so far north!?

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This question is quickly answered the next morning, as Japanese leadership is flabbergasted to find itself under attack by carrier-based aircraft at Shortlands. It seems the enemy CV task force has not remained south of Guadcalcanal. 14 SBD-3 Dauntless and 18 F4F-4 Wildcats sweep down to bomb the port, but they are quickly intercepted by local land-based air protection, ultimately suffering heavy casualties as 7 Dauntlesses are down at the cost of only 1 Zero. Meanwhile, the enemy surface fleet sighted during the night is also bearing down on Shortlands, threatening a smaller surface fleet and supply convoys currently there.

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This situation described above puts the Japanese leadership in a quandary. It needs to head off and deter this strike force bearing down on its crucial bases of Buin and Shortlands, but it would also prefer to preserve its land-based naval strike aircraft until they have the greatest chance of success with the reinforcement of what's left of the Kido Butai after Midway. If it attempts to withdraw its vessels to safety, not only would they still remain vulnerable to attack by the enemy's CV force, but the build-up of Buin and Shortlands, crucial to retaking Lunga and Tulagi, would be delayed. Thus, leadership is pre-disposed to use its landbased aircraft on hand, in combination with its surface fleet, to at least deter the enemy's larger surface fleet. The question remains: what is to be done with the CVs?

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