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

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Encourage the Chinese to attack your divisions with artillery in a city. Can't think of anything I would like better.[;)]

I can't believe his 4E are that painful in urban terrain with forts.

I don't think Francois would risk an attack. I'm starting to think this is just a way to harass me and burn up my supply. Then again, how much supply is he using to burn up mine? It would be interesting to see a comparison.

[SqzMyLemon]

March 29/42:

Francois continues to be able to avoid paying for mistakes when he puts naval assets at risk. Here's why.

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Night Naval bombardment of Lord Howe Island at 100,169

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Colorado

Port hits 26
Port supply hits 2

BB Warspite firing at Lord Howe Island
BB Mississippi firing at Lord Howe Island
BB New Mexico firing at Lord Howe Island
BB Colorado firing at Lord Howe Island

Why? Without conducting recon over the base, he bombards an empty island. Japanese troops have been withdrawn for months. Here's why he continues to be lucky. AAR follows:

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Sub attack near Newcastle at 95,168

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Warspite
BB Colorado
DD Humphreys
DD Fox
DD Hatfield
DD Sands
DD Gilmer

SS I-8 launches 6 torpedoes at BB New Mexico...and DUDS! I think this is the third time I've had a dud, and I'm not exactly lighting it up here.

For those Allied players that claim Japanese submarines are overpowered. Go over any of my AAR's and see how they suck game after game. Yeah, overpowered my ass. [:D]


China:

I guess wrong with the B-17's. They hit my armour at Liuchow instead of Changsha. Oh well, but I learned something from this. Francois loves to bomb my armour, so I'm going to set a trap using an armoured unit for bait.

There is some great news in China though. Great leaders and 100% prep paid off big time. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38207 troops, 367 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 1162

Defending force 33697 troops, 161 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 608

Japanese adjusted assault: 2126

Allied adjusted defense: 445

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweilin !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1707 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled

Allied ground losses:
15061 casualties reported
Squads: 375 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 537 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 75 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 49 (30 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Units retreated 11
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
15th Division
60th Division
1st Mortar Battalion
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
7th War Area
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th War Area
13th Chinese Base Force

On to Tuyun and Kweiyang!

[SqzMyLemon]

March 1942 is in the books. The April 1st turn is away.

I'm not happy with my progress as everyone knows. April must be a productive month.

I've assigned IJA Imperial Guards Division and IJA 5th Division to seize Pegu by amphibious assault. Both divisions are loading up at Georgetown and Singapore respectively. I'm bypassing Port Blair for the moment. Dangerous I know, but Burma is the priority.

IJA 55th Division will embark transports at Sabang and reinforce the landings at Pegu.

IJA 18th and 38th Divisions will march overland from Chang Mai to Toungoo. RTA divisions will be tasked with moving against Moulmein. Supply for the entire operation will be based from Pegu. I want to cut off the forces in Moulmein and Rangoon for elimination if possible, rather than simply push them back.

I will not be assigning any carriers to support these operations. LBA is tasked with providing all air support.


Java:

With three divisions now in the DEI supported by KB, it's time to get a foothold on Java. I've opted to not land at Darwin at this time. I want to secure Java and the fuel/oil facilities and secure this theatre before turning my attention to Timor, Darwin and the Philippines.


China:

IJA 13th and 23rd Armies have begun the advance on Tuyun. Four divisions initially, followed by two more once the flank at Kweilin is secure.

I keep guessing wrong on catching the 4E's. The day I rest my CAP over Changsha is the day the bombers return [8|]. Francois switches from Changsha to targets of opportunity often. As mentioned before, I'm going to set a CAP trap if I can to try and neuter the 4E's temporarily. Nick's will go into production soon, and I plan on producing 60/month initially to try and take the fight to the heavy bombers. The Nick can't be available soon enough in China. Luckily, Francois uses the 4E's to target ground troops and leaves my airbases alone.

There has been no reaction to the fall of Kweilin that I can see. Tuyun, Kweiyang and Chihkiang indicate no movement of troops.

I continue to advance in the north against Lanchow with two divisions. A third has begun the long trek along the secondary road to join them. I'm putting together four divisions to move on Yenan.

[SqzMyLemon]

April 1/42:

Allied 4E's are proving to be an elusive target these days. Francois is changing the target daily, but at least he's not targeting airfields or troops of my main advance towards Tuyun.

I've begun a slight redeployment in China. I have two good divisions tied up at Chusien and Pucheng. I'm going to rotate in some less experienced and lower strength divisions to maintain the sieges, and free up the better divisions for frontline service.

I almost succeeded in cutting off the Chinese forces retreating from Kweilin. Instead, both forces reached the hex at the same time so it's contested. I'm not worried, as my division should easily rout the already weakened Chinese, but there's no chance to isolate the enemy force now. Depending on where it retreats, it may turn out alright anyway.

Still muddling along everywhere else.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

...Depending on where it retreats, it may turn out alright anyway.

be nice to be able to predict this ... not very realistic, but nice. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

...Depending on where it retreats, it may turn out alright anyway.

be nice to be able to predict this ... not very realistic, but nice. [;)]

I'll post a screen to show the positions later, but I think the Chinese will retreat towards Tuyun. This means a retreat into x3 defensive terrain alongside my LOC. I'll reassess attacking, because it may be better to 'let' these troops withdraw so they don't cause me problems later. Combat wise they are no longer a threat, but they could be a pain to chase down if they're allowed to roam around.

[ny59giants]

Night Naval bombardment of Lord Howe Island at 100,169

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Colorado

Port hits 26
Port supply hits 2

BB Warspite firing at Lord Howe Island
BB Mississippi firing at Lord Howe Island
BB New Mexico firing at Lord Howe Island
BB Colorado firing at Lord Howe Island

Why? Without conducting recon over the base, he bombards an empty island. Japanese troops have been withdrawn for months. Here's why he continues to be lucky. AAR follows:

Gain useful night experience. [;)] If there is one thing that truly hurts the Allies in '42, its poor night experience. Its why that island to the west of Puerto Rico is so important to the USN now.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

For those Allied players that claim Japanese submarines are overpowered. Go over any of my AAR's and see how they suck game after game. Yeah, overpowered my ass. [:D]

I'm not one who has ever claimed they are overpowered so please don't take this to be a rebuttal.

You and I would seem to be kindred spirits. Yes I know how uncomfortable that claim must make you feel, but please hear me out.

If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any at all.

For many years of boardgaming I played against my best friend who was blessed with exquisite good luck.

If there was one bad result on the odds column of a combat results table I would roll that result EVERY time.

If there was only one good result in the odds column he would roll that result EVERY time.

When I managed to win a game it was NEVER because of good luck, but in spite of bad luck.

He mostly won, but more often than not it was attributed to his good luck and not good game play.

It becomes very frustrating for people like us to persevere in the face of our consistent bad luck.

Thought a little commiseration from some one who understands your plight might help lift your spirits. [:)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Gain useful night experience. [;)] If there is one thing that truly hurts the Allies in '42, its poor night experience. Its why that island to the west of Puerto Rico is so important to the USN now.

That may be true, but the crews should have also gained practical experience on how to prevent flooding from torpedo damage if not for a dud. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I'm not one who has ever claimed they are overpowered so please don't take this to be a rebuttal.

No worries Hans. I won't go down this path again though. When last I was 'complaining' about bad luck I was called a poor sport, so I won't elaborate further.

It's a complex game and the better you understand the mechanics, the better you can issue orders to increase your chance of things going right. I always strive to improve my play to get better results, but as you mention and I agree, sometimes you can do everything right and still come up empty due to a bad roll. I'll leave it at that. My opponent can't be lucky all the time...or can he? [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

We've reached April 5/42 and I continue to advance in stops and starts.

An amphibious landing by 65th Bde. against Kendari today. Complete overkill against the weak Dutch defence and the base should fall tomorrow to deliberate attack.

I was about to pull the trigger on the Port Blair amphibious operation, but bailed at the last minute. I'll probably regret doing so, but I felt I had to better organize my task forces involved. I also need to conduct the Pegu landings soon, before Francois reacts to my overland movements in Burma. I'm nervous about conducting this operation purely under LBA coverage. I need to decide quickly before I'm spotted.

I'm in fuel trouble and need to get the DEI sorted out. I'm going to launch the amphibious operation against Java as soon as Kendari and Makassar are secured, so that I can refuel from Balikpapan relatively risk free. I've got KB in support and just waiting to have one of my carriers torpedoed.

In China, Allied fighters have massed at Kweiyang with 44 being shown present. I suspect they are to provide escorts for bombers and sweeps against my troops moving on Tuyun. I've noticed Ichang has half the garrison is did awhile ago with two big Chinese Corps being redeployed. The forts will be high, I left the base with level 3 which was stupid of me, and suspect they could be around level 5 now. I have 12th Army HQ and three divisions fully prepped for the base though. I'll start concentrated bombing raids against the base to see if I can wear down the defence a little and try a river assault in a month.

It's ugly overall. I mentioned in another AAR this has to be my worst game yet as Japan. I hope to feel better once I'm ashore in Burma and Java, but I fear the Allied defence is going to be tough to deal with after all this time. All my own fault.

[obvert]

Don't worry about timing as long as you get the oil in tact. If he's defending forward that's great for you. Just land behind him and slowly envelop his troops. Don't measure your game against the kind of game where players are going for AV. A sow start is fine and if it makes the Allies want to fight, all the better. Smash them! [:D]

[pontiouspilot]

Damm...next time I look for opponent I will have to make sure it is someone who is unlucky. I actually had a friend as a kid who played lots of AH games with me...god he was unlucky....I often thought he had a 3 sided dice! 2 x exchange and attacked elim!!!!

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Don't worry about timing as long as you get the oil in tact. If he's defending forward that's great for you. Just land behind him and slowly envelop his troops. Don't measure your game against the kind of game where players are going for AV. A sow start is fine and if it makes the Allies want to fight, all the better. Smash them! [:D]

No, I've really pooched myself here. The Allies aren't even really defending forward at all. I just bungled my advance so badly it seems like an Allied forward defence is causing me problems, it hasn't, my own inept play has.

I'm landing divisions against small base forces and acting so timid it's laughable. I'm more embarrassed than anything else, and will continue to beat myself up until I rectify the situation. I threw away a fantastic opportunity in Australia, because I didn't do my homework or put much effort into understanding the changes in DBB.

There will be opportunities moving forward, but I really let Francois off the hook early in this one. I expect extremely aggressive Allied play soon to apply pressure to my positions in the Central Pacific. If he reinforces Java with any of the emergency package that campaign could turn into a nightmare.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

Don't worry about timing as long as you get the oil in tact. If he's defending forward that's great for you. Just land behind him and slowly envelop his troops. Don't measure your game against the kind of game where players are going for AV. A sow start is fine and if it makes the Allies want to fight, all the better. Smash them! [:D]

No, I've really pooched myself here. The Allies aren't even really defending forward at all. I just bungled my advance so badly it seems like an Allied forward defence is causing me problems, it hasn't, my own inept play has.

I'm landing divisions against small base forces and acting so timid it's laughable. I'm more embarrassed than anything else, and will continue to beat myself up until I rectify the situation. I threw away a fantastic opportunity in Australia, because I didn't do my homework or put much effort into understanding the changes in DBB.

There will be opportunities moving forward, but I really let Francois off the hook early in this one. I expect extremely aggressive Allied play soon to apply pressure to my positions in the Central Pacific. If he reinforces Java with any of the emergency package that campaign could turn into a nightmare.

I'm not so sure. I see Allied moves like that in 42 as self-protecting POW camps. [:D]

Yo u can isolate any part of the map you want to with the KB for the next year. I understand you're not happy with your play. That's different. Mistakes, as I tell photography students, are just opportunities waiting to be discovered! [;)]

Hard to keep track of which of your AARs I am trying to get into here! I have to be careful!!

[SqzMyLemon]

I'll just see how things develop over the next month. I don't think KB is as potent a weapon in DBB and I wouldn't be surprised to see Francois take it on sooner than later.

Right now the priorities are Burma and Java, then the Philippines. If Francois takes advantage of my absence in the Solomons, then I'll counterattack when I'm able. If he goes for the Gilbert's or Marshall's I probably won't contest. I hate both those areas and won't lose ships defending them. He could grab them for a song right now if he wanted, I have no defence to speak of there. Heck, even the Solomons have no defence set up. Yes, I'm playing that bad. [8D]

[SqzMyLemon]

April 6/42:

Kendari is captured today. I'll use this base to organize my Java invasion taskforces. There will be a delay before I launch to bring forward aviation support.

Nanning is captured today in China. Japanese forces should reach Tuyun in three days. Recon indicates four Chinese units, but less than 10k in troops with a 9/10 DL. I don't know if I can believe this reporting. If it's true though, two divisions and two armoured regiments should be able to take the base quickly. Kweiyang shows only three Chinese LCU's. Did Francois leave the back door open?

Allied heavy bombers targeted an armoured tank and two recon regiements near Kukong today. If they come again tomorrow, I'll have 130 Oscar fighters set to 50% LRCAP over my forces.

I've pulled the trigger on the Pegu invasion in Burma. I've decided to pass on Port Blair. Invading Pegu right now is the better option, because it coordinates well will my ground forces movements. One big downside is, no prep and disruption could be very bad. Opposition is expected to be light, but still, it's clear terrain and if the Allied bomber weigh in it could get messy.

[SqzMyLemon]

April 7/42:

Pretty quiet turn. Just Allied bombings in Burma and China.

4E's target my troops approaching Tuyun. I bet the cavalry is on the way and slowing my advance is the order of the day.

There will be fireworks in Burma tomorrow. I've ordered naval bombardments of both Pegu and Moulmein. I suspect mines at Moumein. See screen.



Also spotted a small Allied TF approaching Ndeni. With KB in the DEI, I expect to see a flurry of Allied activity in the SoPac theatre.

[SqzMyLemon]

Another missed opportunity. Too timid!

[SqzMyLemon]

April 8/42:

The big news today is that the landings against Pegu went according to plan. Most of two divisions have unloaded with little disruption (I used a large amount of transports) and will assault the base tomorrow, which is lightly defended. Prior to the landings, a small heavy cruiser TF bombarded the base for minimal damage.

A battleship bombardment of Moulmein had good results with a number of Blenheim bombers being destroyed on the field. Damage to the airbase was moderate.

Both bombardment TF's withdrew successfully and are not in range of air attack. I've left the invasion shipping a little vulnerable to a full speed enemy surface attack, but I didn't want my BB's and CA's caught by air attack tomorrow. Allied torpedo bombers based from Rangoon did try to attack my amphibious taskforces, but the LRCAP I set performed well, shooting down 7 H81-A3's and 7 Swordfish. AAR follows:

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pegu at 55,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
Swordfish I x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 3 destroyed
Swordfish I: 5 destroyed


In Burma, Allied 4E's continue to target my troops moving to Tuyun. Despite a moderately large raid, very little disruption to my forces. Two divisions and three heavy artillery regiments attack tomorrow against what appears to be a weak garrison.

I expect a bloody turn tomorrow at Pegu.