Supplement to Zuluhours To young to die..

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The Marshalls mid-January 1945
Lately the allied has taken Makin and Mile. They have had to use only regimental units as the Marshall´s are only lightly defended.

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PNG mid-January 1945
Rabaul is still defended by the 48th IJA Div. Most other units (support units) there have been destroyed by allied bombardments. The Div seems to endure though.

The allied tried to grab Biak in November. Covered by an immense allied armada they landed an inf div with some supporting units but defenses held. A few days prior to the landing my naval search sighted the allied armada and guessing at the allied intensions I started airlifting in the 6 IJA Div. – again the Emily´s saved the day for the Japanese. I held back all air attacks on this armada as I was sure it would have been chewed up with no or little gain against I do not how many CV TF´s.
Since then it has been a stalemate here with both parts not strong enough to dislodge the other.

I know Kurt is now planning a massive move, but has run into some issues with his carrier groups resizing while at sea. He has told me that his some 500+ ships have returned to port to fix this. So another week bought for the empire. I am (almost) sure that his move will come out of the SW Pacific, but less so on what the target is. It could be the Marianna´s, DEI up along PNG or he maybe will be going for the Philippines and by pass the try forward Island defenses.

Anyhow I look forward to see what the allied can do in 1945. The KB is almost done with the Jan. 1945 upgrade, but for the 4 carriers still upgrading with a month to go.

Then nearly all Japanese ships will be in their final upgrade and even with missing 4 carriers I can still field 1.000 carrier planes. Nothing compared to the allied I know. I will try not confront Kurt´s major fleet carrier forces, but go for whatever open flank I may find.

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Overall situation

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Geography

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Airlosses

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Air production

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Japanese naval losses

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Economy

[Sangeli]

Are you kidding me!? How have you managed to keep every CA, CV, CVL, CVE, CS, BB afloat except one CA at the start of 1945? Your ship VP losses are incredibly low given this advanced date. What's your secret? Would LOVE to see them concentrated and committed for an enormous battle.

[Bif1961]

Cudos to the Japanese player good thing the Emperor didn't have access to you and chose Tojo instead.

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Would LOVE to see them concentrated and committed for an enormous battle.

I do plan to commit the navy in concetrated force when the moment is right. It will be defeated eventually as the allied
Navy has not been crippled at any point, but a strong japanese Navy in being helps put some cauition into allied moves.

Losses have been kept down by first of all luck, but also by the very nature of this game. All in all I have fought somewhat defensivly - perhaps a bit timid for many likings. Capital ships have mostly only been commited in concentraded force, the exception being in the Aleutians where I tried strike back at the allied with no gain, this cost me CA Atago and took BB Yamato out for 269 days.

When commited it has been mostly close to Japanese bases so as to have the benefit of landbased air support, and always with lots of destroyers covering. This also had the benefit of damged ships have been close to a port with naval support. When commited away from own bases it has been hit and run things with no lingering.

Still luck is the keyword.

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It is not one sided that Naval losses are low. It will be a hard stretch to say that the allied fleet has been hurt.
Their loss in Carrier and Battleship strenth is as low as it can be.

Allied losses is fresh from Japanese Intel. - so if anything they could be even lower.

[Bif1961]

How did you only lose 3 Tankers?

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How did you only lose 3 Tankers?

In the early part of the war my allied opponent chose to use his subs in a tactical way, i.e. on defensive patrols around contested areas. Due to the defective allied torpedoes in the early war, this I find to be a valid
Deployment, as the subs can if not sink anything they can at least act as scouts. .. and there is the off chance to get a torpedo into a carrier. My opponent succeeded in doing on several occasions, but luckily (biased opinion) I was able to get
my carriers back into port and eventually back to the HI for full repairs.

When the allied got better torpedoes in mid war I had my defenses in place. Particular well trained bomber units with 70 in ASW. In addition I try to carefully route my important convoys i.e. tankers and these will have heavy escorts.
The less important convoys make do with PT´s and an occasional E type craft. By mid-1943 it was difficult for my opponent to keep any sub on station for long in areas where I had the intense air cover. I think many of the allied Sub losses
comes from trying to operate inside my important sea-lanes.

...

It is often said that the game is unrealistic in this aspect, as historically the Japanese did badly when it comes to anti sub warfare. Which I true, but then again they did not put in any effort until it was too late.

The allied historically also started badly when it comes to channeling air power into anti-sub warfare; new bombers invariably went to bomber command, and costal command had to do with obsolete type - and too few of those on top.
When they finally put in a greater effort from mid-1943 and onwards, then allied air power made it difficult for German submarines to operate near allied air bases.

Point is that if you put in an effort into anti-sub warfare then there must be some sort of payoff. The Japanese were excellent sailors and by no mean incompetent when it came to handling navy vessels or aircraft. Their problem was one of
a dismissive attitude towards tasks such as convoy duties. A samurai is not to heard cattle. Well this is a game where we get to "play" with attitudes and war dogmas. There will be no belief in a decisive battle where the Imperial navy bring the allied to heel
- if we as supreme commanders choose to believe so.

Is Anti-sub warfare overpowered in the game. Maybe so, but it also goes for 1944+ allied anti warfare. Few Japanese subs will survive encounters with 1944 DE´s ..and these fellows need no air support what so ever.


Sorry for the lengthy answer.

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Update Start March 1945

The lines are holding, but with an eerie creaking sound.


In late January a mighty US armada was spotted moving NW from the Kavieng area. As it moved up NW the most likely target became Balbeldaob. In a hopeful attempt to make a CAP trap I flew in more then 300 fighters. That was a dumb move I made. No air attack came in to soften up the shore defenses (CD unit). Instead allied BB TF´s brushed aside my feeble PT boats and gave damn in CD guns and lay waste to the air field. More than 120 fighters destroyed on the ground.
Rest were damaged an unable to get away. Only bright side was that pilot losses were light. I can still wonder at why I do stuff like that.

Kurt then landed three US Army ID´s and lots of base and support units, but no armor or artillery. No attack came after the landing though. It seems that for once allied intelligence had failed. I guess that allied intelligence had overlooked and entire JID, and had thought Island was only defended be an Inf. Brigade + base troops. Kurt remark was short as always " I thought...."

When the allied armada headed south again I could start salvage the damaged fighters and they flew of the Island over the following week. Incoming was the Emily's. This wonderful workhorse. Onboard they had the veteran 22nd ID.

Kurt then quickly gathered forces to invade and take Peleliu. The Island fell on the first attack as three US Marine Div. overran the defenders which was one inf. regiment and a few base troops.

Over the next weeks the allied returned to Balbeldaob with artillery, artillery and then more artillery. Now the beleaguered defenders are pommeled daily by an artillery concentration that could make a Russian general envious.

With such an artillery concentration I wanted to fly out some of the base forces, as I think the airfield under Japanese management airfield will never become operational again. In came the Emily's again and flew out some base forces, but at one point I missed seeing an allied CV TF heading up from the south. CAP from this TF ending up at Peleliu shot down no less the 98 Emily´s. That required a shot of Fernet Branca to wash down.

Last development is that Kurt has started deploying Marines. I wonder how long I can now hold here now.

Ground combat at Babeldaob (90,97)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 51055 troops, 1067 guns, 692 vehicles, Assault Value = 1736

Defending force 32863 troops, 244 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 854

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 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:
3rd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
6th Infantry Division
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
773rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
21st Base Group
31st Port Maint Engineer Battalion
475th Base Group
23rd US Naval Construction Battalion
XIV US Corps
21st Fld RAA Regiment
2nd Fleet Advn Base Force
168th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Pioneer Battalion
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
VII US Bomber Cmnd
14th US Naval Construction Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
532nd Field Artillery Battalion
12th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Base Group
226th Field Artillery Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
531st Field Artillery Battalion
27th US Naval Construction Battalion
4th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3/534th Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
380th Base Group
312th Base Group
841st Aviation Engineer Battalion
VII US Fighter Cmnd
854th Aviation Engineer Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
16th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Defending units:
22nd Division
6th Ind.Infantry Brigade
68th Division
Babeldoap Naval Fortress
63rd JNAF AF Unit
22nd JNAF AF Unit
30th Special Base Force
21st JAAF AF Bn
51st Air Div /1

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In the West the British took another island (Great Nicobar)in the Andaman's. To try put a break on allied seaborne threat from the Indian Ocean I sent the bulk of the Imperial navy to set a trap; 22 Carriers and 12 Battleships with accompanying cruisers were deployed.

First I wanted Kurt to believe the Japanese Navy was defending the Philippines and DEI, so shortly after the invasion of Balboa I sent in all 12 BB´s and 10 CA´s with destroyers in 3 TF´s to bombard the allied that had landed on Balboa.
Night bombardments of troops in jungle hexes is mostly a waste of ammunition but purpose was for the allied to see the Imperial Navy in force around the Philippines.

At the same time the carriers went south though the Sundra strait and up along the western Sumatra coast to an Island where I had set-up a refueling point earlier on with AO´s and AKE´s for just such a contingency.

The Battleships retreated from their bombardment up towards Philippines and then doubled back down the Sundra strait to join the Carriers.

As the Battleships drew close to the refueling point the British carriers Force hooved into sight of the Andaman´s. The Japanese Carriers set out into the Indian Ocean to get behind the British, and the BB´s continued to the fueling point.
Then a set-back! Dutch subs were prowling the western Sumatran coast and spotted two of the BB forces - what the #^+*@ hell are Dutch subs doing here, was my first reaction. Will the allied now skedaddle and I will have burnt fuel for nothing?

As it was only some of the BB´s that has been spotted then maybe Kurt would think this is another Bombardment mission. So I sent some of the BB´s straight up along the coast to a point where they ought to be range of the PBY´s flying from the allied held island.
If spotted maybe they could bait the allied CV´s to stay or even move closer to Northern Sumatra, while the Carriers and the rest of the BB´s went around and behind the Brits.

Next day the PBY´s spotted the BB´s moving up the coast. Orders were now given for a rush in to try trap the allied between the BB´s coming up south and the carries moving in behind them.

Next morning search found the allied CV´s to have moved a bit south - maybe to get at the BB´s coming up along the coast, and they had an allied SC TF just north of them. BB Richelieu was identified.
All my attack aircraft were Grace bombers and all were set as bombers - no torpedo runs. It was a mistake. The 250 kg bombs from the Grace´s smashed up CVL Unicorn and Hermes but the armored decks of the British fleet carriers withstood all bombings. Fires were started but no penetrations.

During the night the Japanese BB´s made a run in for the kill. First the four Kongo sisters ran into the TF build up around BB Richelieu. Now BB Richelieu is a magnificent fighting ship. It was bouncing off 15" shells at medium range The fours sisters were unable to knock out this resilient French. Next came the two Japanese mammoths accompanied by two older sister Nagato and Mutsu. Again Richelieu was bouncing off shells at medium range. This time 16" shells. At the same time She managed to make penetrations hits on Yamato and Nagato. Having been raked by 5",8", 15" and 16" she kept fighting - However the heavy 18" shells were her doom and she slipped beneath the waves.

What a fight that was!

Richelieu is a ship I will watch out for in the future - It can wreck havoc under the right circumstances.

Daylight found the British carriers inside range of the Japanese carriers, This time the Grace´s flew with a mix of bombs and torpedoes. Only 1 torpedo struck true - with minimla effect it seemed -, which is one reason why I am wary of sending torpedo bombes late in the war after undamaged fast warships. It seems like the late war AAA throws off the attackers if not downing them - if not first decimated by CAP. The bombs again raked the flight decks from bow to stern - no penetrations. Cruiser and destroyers were sunk but the fleet carriers withstood the hail of bombs.

During the next night Kurt outthought me and managed to slip the fleet carriers through the net at flank speed. 20+ bombs hits had not slowed a single fleet carrier down.

I like the Grace, it is fast and has a nice range, but it lacks the punch to deal with armored decks. Next engagement will find me having Judy D4 with the 800 kg bombs flying of the decks.

The whole enterprise I deem a limited success. I did bloody the British but it was not a decisive battle. How much it will slow down a seaborne advance here still is to be seen.


(not the best editing of a picture - I know)

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Richelieu fight off the 4 Sisters - 36cm hit on her

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Next she fights the 4 heavies and bounch of 40cm hits on deck and Tower armor.

In the end the deluge of shells pulls her down.

In the process her main guns danmaged 4 Japanese BB´s . including penetrating hits on Yamato that has send her to 97 days in the yards.


What a ship

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The Japanese fleet has now gone back into the shadows. Here they have been joined by 4 carriers that were upgrading so I now field 26 assorted carriers that can take on everything but major US Fleet CV TF´s

Where the allied put in massive Fleet CV TF´s I can do very little, they can put up an air umbrella that I can not penetrate with any gainful result, I need try dance around these. I am trying to harass allied flanks with small CL and DD TF´s.
It is risky business however. Such a TF strayed into range of allied carriers. Price 3 CL´s and a couple of DD´s.

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In Burma the allied has fallen back from the inland area. They are now concentrating on the Jungle hex next to Moulmein. This is probable a wise move. Supply can faster reach his forces here as they are now only 1 hex away from the road from Pegu.
The airfields in Burma are very close and I can do little in the air to contest this hex. Last turn endless bomber streams bombed the hex - including hundreds of B-29´s. the Japanese units does not look hard hit, but it can wear and tear at them and may clinch the issue when the allied attack.

If this hex fall., it will undermine the Moulmein position and I believe Moulmein to be the key position to get into Thailand. In my opinion it is one of the most important hexes to hold late war as the Japanese.