A Japanese Debacle - Sqz (J) vs. fcharton (A)

[PaxMondo]

+1
You need to keep bombing and your next attack needs to be shock.

He's gonna be down to ~250 unadjusted AV ... with a shock, you should take it.

[PaxMondo]

dup

[SqzMyLemon]

KB is off for Rabaul. Had weather cooperated during the last two deliberate assaults I might be in a better position, but that was completely out of my control.

I had good leaders, support and supply. I had acceptable levels of disruption/fatigue for my main divisions, the smaller units were what they were and considering they make up only roughly 25% of the total force, if they determined the adjusted AV that is just wrong.

I can't bomb anymore and two carriers can't even put up CAP now. Sydney is on it's own. I did everything I could and only got one good ground attack in. KB was grounded for 2 of the 3 deliberate attacks and had weather (luck) not interfered, who knows. If Sydney doesn't fall is was not meant to be.

However, it appears Francois thinks Sydney is done, the relief force has changed direction. I might have the time now so, it's a good time to get KB out. I need to secure Rockhampton and move on Brisbane and the northeast to secure my LOC.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

KB is off for Rabaul. Had weather cooperated during the last two deliberate assaults I might be in a better position, but that was completely out of my control.

I had good leaders, support and supply. I had acceptable levels of disruption/fatigue for my main divisions, the smaller units were what they were and considering they make up only roughly 25% of the total force, if they determined the adjusted AV that is just wrong.

I can't bomb anymore and two carriers can't even put up CAP now. Sydney is on it's own. I did everything I could and only got one good ground attack in. KB was grounded for 2 of the 3 deliberate attacks and had weather (luck) not interfered, who knows. If Sydney doesn't fall is was not meant to be.

However, it appears Francois thinks Sydney is done, the relief force has changed direction. I might have the time now so, it's a good time to get KB out. I need to secure Rockhampton and move on Brisbane and the northeast to secure my LOC.

FYI, CAP doesn't burn sorties.

Can you transfer their air wings to Kembla or the one SW of Sydney to bomb?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna


FYI, CAP doesn't burn sorties.

Can you transfer their air wings to Kembla or the one SW of Sydney to bomb?

+1

Kembla or New Castle.

[SqzMyLemon]

Can't do it. [8D]

Port Kembla is already at capacity. Aviation support is moving to Newcastle, but will be awhile yet.

Plus, I really don't like KB as vulnerable as it is, but I didn't realize CAP didn't use sorties. Thanks for that nugget. [&o]

Another reason I want KB on the move is to be in position to support my reinforcements bound for Rockhampton. Three American heavy cruisers just bombarded Rockhampton last turn. I want those cruisers.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Three American heavy cruisers just bombarded Rockhampton last turn. I want those cruisers.

Understand your desire, but keep your priorities. How will you feel if you get the 3 CA's but fail to take Sydney?

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 12/42:

This is starting to get old. Two Allied cruisers are spotted northeast of Rockhampton by CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho at a range of 5 hexes. Both carriers launch morning and afternoon airstrikes, but both fail to find the target due to weather.

This is becoming nothing short of BS. It's really hard to enjoy this game when you can't even get the weather on your side occasionally. Allied surface ships continue to enjoy a free pass.

Quiet turn otherwise with the usual B-17 raids in China. Japanese bombers are inflicting no sustainable damage against targets in this game, so I'm unable to suppress fort construction pretty much anywhere.

I've ordered a shock attack against Sydney. I don't believe the troops are ready, but at this stage I figure since nothing else is going well I might as well take chances now.

As far as I'm concerned, this has become a multiplayer PBEM. Myself vs. Francois and the AI.

[PaxMondo]

Ach, lost another reply.

Sydney: Clear now that your first roll was a VERY good one. You will need to Shock to get the odds. Get them rested ...

Hosho/Zuiho are not the KB. Unless you did some serious upgrades to their starting complements, you're looking at less than 24 total strike and search aircraft. That means your spotting was a one time hit, low DL, and low odds to prosecute.

You are spread too thin and you are counting on far too many long odds situations. Consolidate your forces, focus your power, achieve your critical goals. Right now those are Sydney and the 3 critical oil fields in the DEI. You can't afford to be anywhere else for the next 3 - 4 weeks. Ex: you shouldn't be in the Solomon's ... you took Rabaul as a staging point .. the rest you can't afford the diversion .... You can't be looking at Ambon ... you need Palembang, Bali, and Miri ... Just my opinion, use as you see fit.

[SqzMyLemon]

Those cruisers were spotted, a strike launched and weather prevented an attack. It's a tactical situation that arose during the turn. I'm disappointed that I couldn't get an attack in, it runs no deeper than that. It's been happening all game and it's frustrating.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Those cruisers were spotted, a strike launched and weather prevented an attack. It's a tactical situation that arose during the turn. I'm disappointed that I couldn't get an attack in, it runs no deeper than that. It's been happening all game and it's frustrating.

Yes, but it wasn't a 70 plane strike package ... it would have been a dozen or so planes. Even in clear weather, not high probability of finding at hitting. Ryujo alone has more planes than those two combined. Plus your TF commander can't be that good because you don't have that many good ones to start.

Don't let it get you down. As I say, you're trying to do too much.

IJ's strength in the beginning is that you can focus and at the point of attack you will be stronger. Spread out, plays to the allies strengths and only works if your opponent is totally Sir Robin back to the West Coast. Francois doesn't play that and you have to adjust.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 13/42:

Three successful ground assaults in Australia today. The shock attack against Sydney being the most important and it was successful. Despite disruption in the mid-teens and fatigue in the 20-30's for most units, I get enough for a 2:1 against the defenders. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sydney (90,167)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 51928 troops, 464 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 1462

Defending force 26276 troops, 399 guns, 338 vehicles, Assault Value = 183

Japanese adjusted assault: 1315

Allied adjusted defense: 629

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sydney !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1325 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
6822 casualties reported
Squads: 348 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 761 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 109 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 287 (275 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 177 (172 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 16
Units destroyed 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
4th Division
24th Infantry Regiment
21st Division
2nd Recon Regiment
1st Raiding Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
113th Infantry Rgt /1
16th Army
11th Air Flotilla
56th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
148th Infantry Rgt /2

Defending units:
8th Australian Brigade
28th Australian Brigade
14th Australian Brigade
5th Australian Brigade
1st LH MG Regiment
6th Australian Brigade
9th Australian Brigade
6th LH Motor Regiment
Sydney Fortress
16th Fld RAA Regiment
1st Australian Army
RAAF Command
Sydney RAN Base Force
Sydney OTU Base Force
New Guinea Force
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
2/4th Ind Coy
21st Fld RAA Regiment
4th Aus Lt AA Regiment

Canberra is captured. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Canberra (87,169)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4263 troops, 40 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 151

Defending force 2636 troops, 46 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Japanese adjusted assault: 113

Allied adjusted defense: 33

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Canberra !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1167 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 51 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Australian Brigade
Canberra OTU Base Force

Remnants of 1st Australian Bde. attacked near Sydney. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 90,165 (near Sydney)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4488 troops, 24 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Defending force 1361 troops, 29 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese adjusted assault: 73

Allied adjusted defense: 17

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment

Defending units:
1st Australian Brigade

Thoughts:

Sydney is captured with 100k supply and 11k fuel. The industry is completely intact with the exception of the aircraft factory, which is no longer present. The garrison requirement is 320 and will require a division to be taken out of the line. Sydney starts the game with 400 mines present. I'd like to send KB to Sydney's port to replenish sorties, but I don't think I can risk the mines.

The Australian defenders retreated into an awkward position for me, but of my own making, so I'll deal with it as best I can.

I need to secure the east coast of the country now to secure my LOC and allow future troop reinforcement or withdrawal to be unimpeded.

Now the hard work begins. The next few months will be crucial to trying to get my train wreck of an expansion back on track. I can only imagine how different my situation might be had Ambon and Balikpapan fallen when I also achieved 2:1 odds against both bases.

[BBfanboy]

Congratulations! First time I recall seeing Sydney captured.

SML: The industry is completely intact with the exception of the aircraft factory which is no longer present

Aircraft factories are supposed to convert to vehicle factories (mostly damaged). Sometimes the icon does not appear on the industry line but if you click on the industry button at the bottom left of the screen when you are on Sydney hex, you should see if there are some factories in the industry list for the hex.

I am conquering Japan's cities in my game and have hordes of vehicle factories. I repair them because I have supply but I have seen no clear indications they are actually producing vehicles for me. To find out I would have to run parallel games and view the vehicle pools or something like that.

[FeurerKrieg]

Excellent news to see Sydney go down - nice work!

[JocMeister]

Told you to stop worrying so much... [:)]

[Encircled]

Congratulations!

I'd take a Sydney in Jan '42 over Ambon and Balikpapan every day of the week!

[PaxMondo]

Whoo-Hoo!!!!

Great job!!!

[&o][&o][&o]

[PaxMondo]

And those aussie units are just wrecked! [X(]

[Lowpe]

Been away for a few days, and eventful days they were!

Well done.[&o]

You are too funny! After, accomplishing the almost impossible, you complain now the hard work begins![:D][:D][:D]

With Japan, brother, it is all hard work!

[Lecivius]

Well done. As the others have said, it will be interesting to see the 'hard work' [;)]