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

[Lokasenna]

Isn't the penalty steeper, the more you fail to meet the garrison requirements? A garrison of 228 out of 320 is a bit on the low side.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Isn't the penalty steeper, the more you fail to meet the garrison requirements? A garrison of 228 out of 320 is a bit on the low side.

No idea. I sure though, that like everything else in Gary's games, that there is a large random component. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

March 5/42:

New Guinea:

A second deliberate attack against Port Moresby goes well. I won't have to reinforce after all. In fact, if Port Moresby falls sooner than anticipated, I may decide to keep four IJA divisions in Australia for the short term, while three divisions are withdrawn to reinforce the DEI. AAR at Port Moresby follows:

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Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13544 troops, 101 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 440

Defending force 6736 troops, 85 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 126

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 170

Allied adjusted defense: 67

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
583 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 13 (6 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
2nd Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
NG Vol Rifles Battalion
30th Australian Brigade
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force
13th RAAF Base Sqdn
Darwin RAAF Base Force
13th Fld RAA Regiment
Papuan Inf Battalion
Rabaul Base Force

IJA 146th Infantry Regiment was landed at Buna today. It faces the Australian Lark Bn. IJA 133rd Infantry Regiment recently captured an undefended Lae. Once Lae and Buna are secured, these two regiments will reinforce Australia, specifically to allow two IJA to reform in the continent.

China:

A couple of deliberate attacks in China also go well.

A Chinese Corps left the safety of Pucheng and was caught by IJA 34th Division. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 86,55 (near Kiukiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13043 troops, 104 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 395

Defending force 8143 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 175

Japanese adjusted assault: 363

Allied adjusted defense: 83

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
426 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2492 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps

The Chinese roadblock near Wuchow will not delay Japanese forces for much longer now that IJA 15th Division has arrived. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22568 troops, 162 guns, 197 vehicles, Assault Value = 749

Defending force 9577 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 249

Japanese adjusted assault: 650

Allied adjusted defense: 364

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
963 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
15th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Army

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force

IJA 23rd Army will arrive at Wuchow tomorrow and will assault on the 7th. I expect the base to fall on the first attack.

Three Japanese divisions have arrived in the wooded hex northwest of Changsha. They face three Chinese Corps. I will assault in a day, or two, as supply needs to top up. If the first assault goes well I will clear the hex. If it does not, I will withdraw the main force and march directly for Kweilin. Chinese forces are withdrawing from Ichang and moving to reinforce Changteh. It may be time to push hard against Kweilin before the Chinese can set up a defence in depth.

Java:

There are a large number of Allied ships at Batavia and fighter strength at the base fluctuates from 16-30 aircraft according to recon. I've ordered two large Oscar sweeps and a 50 bomber port attack escorted by 30+ Zero fighters for tomorrow. Providing the sweeps go first, I hope to catch the Dutch napping in port against a degraded CAP.

Australia:

I'm going to try and recombine IJA 1st, 2nd, 16th, and 56th divisions before I withdraw. If I can consolidate a better defensive position, I may be able to remain on the continent in time to get the Nick and Tojo. I still want to get out of the country, but I've decided to try a gradual withdrawal and see if I can engage the Allied air force on more favourable terms. I need to address Mindanao and Java soon though, not to mention Burma. I have four divisions still at Singapore. I may decide to get them on Java and take Soerabaja before moving against Burma. I worry that if I send them to Burma, the Allies will reinforce Java. I definitely don't want that to happen, because once I commit to Burma, I won't be able to redeploy troops to Java. I could have seven divisions in Java before the end of March, then use most of them to finally move against Burma. I think I have to deal with Java first to keep the initiative. Java also allows me to put pressure on Darwin and Perth. Ugh, so many options!

[SqzMyLemon]

March 6/42:

China:

Zero fighters sweep near Changsha to catch bleeding CAP. On paper this looks good with a 6:1 numerical superiority, in reality the Zero got clobbered, losing six against two. So far whenever I've swept with the Zero at a lower altitude than the CAP, it's been handled roughly. AAR follows:

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Morning Air attack on 8th Chinese Corps, at 81,51 , near Changsha

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 21000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.605 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

Java:

Sweeps against Java fly. However, the Betty port attack and Zero escort don't fly. AAR's follow:

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet *

CAP engaged:
2e-1-VI.G.V Groep with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

Sumatra:

Japanese forces close in on Sabang. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 45,72 (near Sabang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8744 troops, 43 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 280

Defending force 1424 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese adjusted assault: 327

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 46 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
808 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
Medan Cdo
223 Group RAF
HQ TC Sumatra

New Guinea:

Japanese forces capture Buna: AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4462 troops, 31 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 149

Defending force 1282 troops, 16 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese adjusted assault: 64

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buna !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment
10th Port Unit

Defending units:
Lark Force

Australia:

Two days of strategic bombing against resource centres at Cloncurry record no hits. This officially ends any further attempt on my part to garner strategic victory points in Australia. The only viable targets remaining are heavily defended with Allied fighters and I'm not going to shred my air force trying.

Light Allied forces capture Canberra. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Canberra (87,169)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1620 troops, 12 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 36

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 36 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Canberra !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
2/11th A/Car Regiment
25th Cav Recce Regiment

[SqzMyLemon]

March 7/42:

Sumatra:

The 139WH-3's are back over Palembang during the night. I guess Francois figured he'd take advantage of my fighters performing sweep missions against Batavia. AAR's follow:

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Night Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 1

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
City Attack: 1 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
City Attack: 1 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
City Attack: 1 x 300 kg GP Bomb

New Guinea:

Nighttime naval bombardment of Port Moresby. Good results, but it isn't enough to support the next ground assault. AAR follows:

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei

Allied Ships
AM Bunbury, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
537 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 3

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at Port Moresby
BB Fuso firing at Port Moresby
BB Kirishima firing at Port Moresby
BB Hiei firing at Port Moresby

I miss 3:1 odds by 1 AV, nothing comes easy for Japan in this game. Even at 2:1 no retreat occurs. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13429 troops, 101 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 422

Defending force 5778 troops, 75 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 104

Japanese adjusted assault: 180

Allied adjusted defense: 61

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
767 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (5 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Darwin RAAF Base Force
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th Fld RAA Regiment
NG Vol Rifles Battalion
13th RAAF Base Sqdn
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force

Java:

Sweeps against Batavia find only one Dutch fighter on CAP. Most of the Japanese bombers finally fly, but weather is of course severe storms. I'll take it, but this crappy weather all the time when I launch an important raid is really getting old. At least it serves notice to not leave 40+ ships in port within seven hexes of one my airfields. AAR's follow:

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Aldegonda, Bomb hits 1
xAK Bintang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc MMS D, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Kajang, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS KXII, Bomb hits 2
AMc Endeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL De Klerk, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CMc Pro Patria, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ARD Tandjong Kv-2, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Sibolga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AG Deneb, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

China:

The Chinese roadblock near Wuchow holds, but it doesn't matter as I can flank the position now. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22495 troops, 162 guns, 196 vehicles, Assault Value = 740

Defending force 8869 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183

Japanese adjusted assault: 650

Allied adjusted defense: 451

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1017 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Division
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Army

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at Wuchow (76,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29718 troops, 259 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 894

Defending force 2903 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Japanese adjusted assault: 913

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 228 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wuchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1802 casualties reported
Squads: 117 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 44 (19 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
51st Division
104th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps

On to Liuchow!

I test the waters in the wooded hex northwest of Changsha. Not good. I don't want a long battle here, or to reduce my combat ability in a hex that doesn't matter right now. I'll withdraw instead and march on Kweilin which was plan B. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 81,51 (near Changsha)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 465 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1045

Defending force 42680 troops, 191 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1136

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
41st Division
22nd Division
60th Division
5th Armored Car Co
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps

[SqzMyLemon]

March 8/42:

Not much to report these days. Only action of note today was in China.

I decide to repeat the deliberate attack against the roadblock near Wuchow and achieve 2:1 odds. The way should be clear along the secondary road to Kweilin. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22190 troops, 161 guns, 196 vehicles, Assault Value = 705

Defending force 8181 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Japanese adjusted assault: 402

Allied adjusted defense: 184

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
386 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3172 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 95 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Army

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force

[SqzMyLemon]

A note on the economy.

The resource pool in the Home Islands is holding its current level after increasing the number of ships and ports allocated to resource exportation.

Supply stockpiles are growing after 40+ days of growth. Roughly 8k is gained per day and one million supply is now present in Japan.

Fuel and oil are still a concern, but measures are being taken to set up a secure shipping route to the Home Islands.

Engine production is aggressive with the goal of having 500+ Ha-33 and Ha-35 power plants stockpiled by May/June. Air combat has tailed off somewhat, and may allow some aircraft production to be reduced which will increase the rate of engine stockpiling.

Militarily, I'm still struggling, but I'm working on getting my act together.

[SqzMyLemon]

March 9/42:

The big news today was the capture of Port Moresby. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13309 troops, 101 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 427

Defending force 5159 troops, 70 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 76

Japanese adjusted assault: 305

Allied adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (3 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1199 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 152 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 41 (33 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (33 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
33rd Division
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
26th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th RAAF Base Sqdn
Darwin RAAF Base Force
13th Fld RAA Regiment
NG Vol Rifles Battalion
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force

It's official. The withdrawal from Australia is underway. I've ordered the evacuation of Sydney and the surrounding bases. All units have been in strategic mode for days, so there should be no problem getting away quickly. I'm sure Francois will not be kind in his AAR, but there is absolutely no reason for me to stay at Sydney any longer. Other than China, the Empire is a mess and needs to be consolidated if I'm to last for any length of time in this game. There is no way I can achieve an auto-victory in light of how poorly I've played, which was the whole point of invading Australia in the first place. With that off the table, it's foolish to undermine my war effort further by clinging to temporary base VP's in Australia for no gain. Letting the defenders of Sydney escape was a huge strategic blunder on my part. I'm not in a good position to defend in Australia, or apply further pressure for that matter, because I no longer have freedom of action. I need to free up troops to deal with the many problems I face, and the only ones available are in Australia. I have to leave.

I think I needed the extra troops of Scenario 2 to lock down the DEI in order to make this one work. I had enough for Australia initially, but that meant there were not enough forces to consolidate the Philippines, Java and Burma quickly. Lack of fuel was my biggest problem throughout the entire operation. I definitely know what I would do differently if I ever tried this again.

[pontiouspilot]

At some point when you have time give us all your final thoughts on a Japanese adventure to capture Australia. How to do it and how not to...or I suppose whether it is worthwhile at all.

Good try regardless!!

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi all,

Just a quick update. We're still plugging away, but turn pace has slowed dramatically with both Francois and myself starting new jobs. I've logged a total of six days with my new company so far and this week will be my first full work week in almost 3 months. Needless to say, after being a bum and staying up late and sleeping in, it's been an adjustment to the early mornings again. I have a much longer commute now which means I'm up early and I'm usually pretty tired in the evenings now. The turn pace should increase once we get used to our new positions.

I've just sent the March 14th turn. I'm still struggling to get moving again, but the evacuation from Australia is going well. Next up is a planned assault against Horn Island. I'm not fully prepped and it's an atoll, so it could be costly, but I don't have the luxury of taking my time. I must secure northwestern Australia so I can quickly transition the bulk of my forces against Darwin and Timor.

A note on my attitude towards the game these days. Having a job is sure helping. I can't help wonder where I'd be in this game right now had I not lost my job and all the associated stress. I know it definitely had an impact on my enjoyment and performance in the game. I wish I could have the first two months of game time back though, the transition to DBB was too much of a shock and the reduced naval support really threw me for a loop. However, that is in the past and I think the tantrums have run their course. I have to refocus on what needs to be done and I'm feeling more comfortable with how the game plays now. I'm confident I'll get things in order, but the next two months will be crucial for Japan. I must lock down the perimeter and get after Francois again. I'm sure he's wondering what the heck I'm doing, because my position isn't that great right now and nothing close to how I've played Japan in the past.

[SqzMyLemon]

Also, I haven't heard from or seen Andre on the forums for some time now. Unfortunately, it seems my Allied PBEM is officially dead in the water. I'm tempted to start another, or see if I can pull a Lowpe and pick up the Allied side in an existing PBEM.

[PaxMondo]

Employment does have a VERY positive impact upon your morale. Nice to see you in good spirits again!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Also, I haven't heard from or seen Andre on the forums for some time now. Unfortunately, it seems my Allied PBEM is officially dead in the water. I'm tempted to start another, or see if I can pull a Lowpe and pick up the Allied side in an existing PBEM.

Ask Obvert if you can pick up his game as Allies. There the KB got savaged on Dec 8th, but it is a very interesting game sometime in 1943 now.[:)]

what a pity...you had such a neat strategy, but I think you failed your personal morale check there in Oz. Oh, soo close! Well done for a very creative and threatening strategy.[&o]

[SqzMyLemon]

Aircraft R&D question.

Is it worth throwing any R&D at the Ki-84b, or should you put all your effort into the Ki-84a and then upgrade to the Ki-84r?

[PaxMondo]

In stock, it is one of my favorite planes. Heaviest armament, longest range Frank.

BUT, if I decide to go for it, I make that decision on day 1 and invest heavily. With a 3/45 arrival, almost 1 year later than the Frank 'a', you have to invest very heavy in RnD to make it worth getting. In your game, I doubt you have the ability to invest enough as you have already committed RnD to other models.

Further, the Frank 'b' is an offensive fighter ... it can escort Helen to max range. So it replaces the Oscar. Thus you need to ask yourself: "Am I going to be on the offensive with the Frank 'b' arrives and for how long?" Then you can decide if it is worth the investment.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

In stock, it is one of my favorite planes. Heaviest armament, longest range Frank.

BUT, if I decide to go for it, I make that decision on day 1 and invest heavily. With a 3/45 arrival, almost 1 year later than the Frank 'a', you have to invest very heavy in RnD to make it worth getting. In your game, I doubt you have the ability to invest enough as you have already committed RnD to other models.

Further, the Frank 'b' is an offensive fighter ... it can escort Helen to max range. So it replaces the Oscar. Thus you need to ask yourself: "Am I going to be on the offensive with the Frank 'b' arrives and for how long?" Then you can decide if it is worth the investment.

Thanks Tony,

I hedged my bets with both models.

Ki-84a 7x30 1x55
Ki-84b 6x30

I haven't really invested much in bomber R&D so the focus is on fighters. I'd have no problem taking the supply hit to transfer even more factories to either of these fighters.

Here's the rest of my JAAF fighter R&D

Ki-61-Ia 3x30
Ki-100-I 2x30 (I misunderstood the upgrade path so could switch these to the Ki-61-Ia and take the supply hit)

Ki-43-IIa 4x30

Ki-44-IIa 4x30

Ki-83 4x30 ( I always wanted to try and get the Ki-83, but in this game I went light so these could be converted)

JNAF

A6M3 Zero 4x30

A7M2 Sam 4x30

J2M2 Jack 1x40 1x30

J7W1 Shinden 1x10 1x12 1x30 (I should convert all these to another model)

N1K1-J George 2x30 2x40

I am going hard on the Ha-43 and Ha-45 research, currently gaining 4% and 5% per day respectively. I'm not researching the Kawasaki Ha-60, Tony research is pushing straight through to Ki-100-I.

So I have at least seven R&D factories I can switch over to Frank or any other model. I'm not concerned with the supply hit to make up for any lost ground. I will have the engine bonus for both Ha-43 and Ha-45 to push things along.

[FeurerKrieg]

No Ki-94 or Ki-201?! Where's the fun!

You probably made the right choice - the odds of getting the engines and planes done in time is probably not worth the usage of the R&D factories. But there's always that hope of getting the 'good' rolls on the the R&D repair really often....

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
Ki-100-I 2x30 (I misunderstood the upgrade path so could switch these to the Ki-61-Ia and take the supply hit)
...
I'm not researching the Kawasaki Ha-60, Tony research is pushing straight through to Ki-100-I.

I think the earlier you switch to Ia the better. Supply hit is negligible, both with switching and with repaired factories lost (hardly have any repaired, right?). And you need to use this remaining time to Ia arrival to make most of repairs cause you would have to switch to next model to continue as R&D factory, making repairs slower

[FeurerKrieg]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
Ki-100-I 2x30 (I misunderstood the upgrade path so could switch these to the Ki-61-Ia and take the supply hit)
...
I'm not researching the Kawasaki Ha-60, Tony research is pushing straight through to Ki-100-I.

I think the earlier you switch to Ia the better. Supply hit is negligible, both with switching and with repaired factories lost (hardly have any repaired, right?). And you need to use this remaining time to Ia arrival to make most of repairs cause you would have to switch to next model to continue as R&D factory, making repairs slower

I agree with this. Not many repairs should have happened to the -100 factories yet, so I would switch them back to Ia to get them repaired faster.

[PaxMondo]

Given where you are at in your game, I would move the Ki-84b RnD to the 'a' model. If you do, conceivably you can get the 'a' model in Q3Y43 ... that would be a big deal. Shift 6x30 to the 'r' model to get it in early '44 while you would still have ~200/month production of the 'a' model right away. Splitting RnD between the a and b models just delays when you get both. better to get one earlier. That's why I really focus. YMMV.