12/17/41
West Coast
A few more reinforcements distributed around. Forts 3 at Seattle and SD!
Pacific
Canton fell... expected it, but never saw it. The KB was spotted last 2 days ago a couple hundred miles SW of Johnston heading west. He may be covering the Canton assault, may be heading to SOPAC to raid commerce shipping (not much there), or my guess is he is heading to reload.
I have yet to see most of the land divisions. Still nothing in the PI, very little in SOPAC. I am preparing for a move on Hawaii, and I think I can expect it as soon as he can get rearmed and return - about a week or so. That said, I don't think he will go straight for Pearl, but rather some of the easy outlaying islands. I have moved some USMC defense units (with coastal guns) and some battalions to Lihue and Kona. If he wants it, I won't stop him, but I'm hoping to sink some shipping and make it a general pain in the butt for him. I've also stashed PTs around the islands as sleepers to be activated when necessary (I've also done this with a cruiser or 2). My hope is that the bulk of his surface navy won't attend if he comes soon (they are busy in the DEI). Maybe, with luck, I can slap around a few transports.
For air defenses, Enterprise will arrive in SD in 2 days and start ferrying fighters from the west coast.
Arizona and California are away, one day SE of Hilo heading for Panama. West Virginia is one day short of Hilo, but will have to stop for some dewatering. Maryland is leaving Pearl today.
Philippines
Marblehead gets tagged by Kates [thankfully] carrying bombs. She is hit 3 times and is of no more use. She made Soerabaja, but I don't think it is safe enough there to stay. She will leave for western Oz. Boise is being repaired in Manila, take about 2 weeks. Most of his surface groups appear to be retiring to Babeldaob. One group with some cruisers is lagging behind. Let’s see if Houston (not yet seen by him) can make some noise.
A pair of xAKLs sneak past heading north with supplies.
Sigint suggests that his targets will be Lingayen and Mauban. Mauban is x2 terrain. I'm running out of room in the triangle, so I'm sending a pair of Philippine divisions and a coastal defense battery to Mauban. They won't stop him, but maybe surprise and delay him. PT boats are also hidden at both locations.
Another hero of the allied war was just born. S-36 sails into Takao harbor on the surface. Guns blazing (even the .30s!) and fish flying manages to put down a large AK before getting away clean.
Malaya
Nothing good here. The Indians will surrender Alor Star today or tomorrow. Everything else reaches Singapore and buttons down the hatches. Still debating if I want to start changing leadership. Forts should make 3 before he attacks, assuming he doesn't start bombing (he seems reluctant, probably due to the large amount of AA).
B17s fly from Singapore and hit the undefended port of Saigon. They sink a sub and probably a xAK. 2 tankers are hit, but they must have been dry. Pity.
DEI
What appears to be over half the Japanese navy is on a collision course with Palembang. Currently they are just west and north west of Singkawang. Subs vector in, SS Salmon gets a transport, but with only 1 fish. It doesn't matter though, even if torpedoes worked there are just too many targets.
The British CL force from Kuantan fame is hiding at Muntok. If he gets sloppy they may sortie. Chances are though, they just die. Both ships withdraw though, so I don't really care. Churchill can go find other ships.
The large force that came in from the east is sitting at Kendari. Not sure what he is waiting for. Nothing I can do about it (except send a few subs after him). Dutch Heffalumps manage a few hits on some transports, but nothing too serious. They make it away in decent shape though, and will try again later.
China
Mostly both of us are doing our opening moves. Some action around Kweiteh as a broken corps in 3 sub-units cycles in, gets kicked out, than repeat with the next sub-unit. They are tying down 2 divisions.
An attack on the small rail line in the mountains has the Chinese hold. Reinforcements are on their way to stiffen the defenses on that approach. Otherwise the bulk of his units are vectoring toward Nanyang. He can have it as I withdraw to Sain and Ankang. Hopefully I can get the time to set up a nasty defense in the nasty terrain there.
tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
12/24/41
West Coast
Little going on here (except digging). I'm freeing up the 3rd regiment of the 24th Division and sending it to Hawaii along with a tank Bn. Subs show up off SD and SF and play cat and mouse with some DDs. Otherwise, all quiet.
Pacific
KB has not shown itself now for over a week. They can be close to anywhere now, I must assume.
He shows his missing divisions. A good news / bad news situation, I suppose. Good news is I don't see anything big heading toward Hawaii. I'm not going to let my guard down though. The previously mentioned west coast troops will be sent. Enterprise is flying off fighters today (including P38s) to aid in the defense.
Only 3 BBs remain at Pearl. Arizona and California exit stage right enroute to Panama. Maryland had a flooding casualty 2 days out of Pearl, but has since made good on nearly all the additional damage. She is about half way to the exits. West Virginia is about a day behind her. Tennessee has finished de-watering and is preparing to move. Now that those other divisions have shown up on the wrong side of the world, I may reconsider and let her repair more before moving.
He landed on Palmyra, but the initial landings weren't enough to take the base. Forts have now gone to 2. He has brought another unit in (now a Naval Guard Unit and a SNLF), but still not enough. USN DDs ran in to bombard, and managed to get 2 damaged ships from the second landing as well. We also finally hit a sub!
I don't want to commit reinforcements here, but I'm also not going to give it up. The more we tie him up here, the longer it takes to move somewhere else.
Philippines
Still no land action up north. About 20 xAKLs leave Borneo carrying supplies. Maybe some make it?
He lands at Davao, but will need to bring more. I'll have a full divisions reassembled in a few days. He only brought 1 regiment.
Houston gets tagged by some bomb toting Kates at long range on the 20th. The damage isn't too bad, but the fires just won't go out. She burnt up after making Hollandia. Dang. Marblehead makes Oz
Malaya
Nothing new here. He took Alor Star, but doesn't seem to be moving. I only count 2 divisions currently still here along with a pair of regiments from a 3rd (the other regiment is at Ambon). It doesn't seem like enough. Too bad I didn't get that pair of Indian Brigades out of Alor Star in time, or I might be able to counter attack. I'll just keep building forts.
Buffalos from the RAF hit the airbase at Alor Star torching a Mary. I was hoping for a tad more.
DEI
His navy turned away from Palembang, and has hit Java full on. I currently count 5 divisions here. Seems like extreme overkill for Java, so my biggest question is where will they go next?
I've tried hitting this force a few times, but all of my attempts looked like allied efforts in the real war. I've only lost 1 British CL (and a few Dutch DDs) though... so I can't complain too much. The Dutch CLs are all in good shape. They snuck in and wacked one of his new captured airfields good. They will pick around the edges until they die.
He has started landing on Sumatra. I have nothing there that can oppose him. I have stalled him at Ambon, though he has taken several other nearby bases denying me any safe space. The Dutch have been harassing him from here and even hit a few xAKs, but by and large have been ineffective.
China
He appears to be going all in on the northern route to Chungking. I am racing AT guns there as quickly as I can.
Perhaps I can convince him to focus on Wenchow for a bit?
(first need to see how he reacts to a DL on the home islands)
Overall
My concern now is to figure out where he is going next. With all that firepower in Java I would guess he is going to either Oz or India.
I am currently racing AA guns to Oz (5 regiments total) to prevent too much strat bombing (I hope). I'm turtling up at Sydney and Melbourne, with some left over at Kalgoorlie. I don't know what else I can do.
In India, I'm turtling up at Bombay and Karachi. I don't want to give him Madras or Calcutta, but I just don't have enough troops to cover them all.
Thoughts?
West Coast
Little going on here (except digging). I'm freeing up the 3rd regiment of the 24th Division and sending it to Hawaii along with a tank Bn. Subs show up off SD and SF and play cat and mouse with some DDs. Otherwise, all quiet.
Pacific
KB has not shown itself now for over a week. They can be close to anywhere now, I must assume.
He shows his missing divisions. A good news / bad news situation, I suppose. Good news is I don't see anything big heading toward Hawaii. I'm not going to let my guard down though. The previously mentioned west coast troops will be sent. Enterprise is flying off fighters today (including P38s) to aid in the defense.
Only 3 BBs remain at Pearl. Arizona and California exit stage right enroute to Panama. Maryland had a flooding casualty 2 days out of Pearl, but has since made good on nearly all the additional damage. She is about half way to the exits. West Virginia is about a day behind her. Tennessee has finished de-watering and is preparing to move. Now that those other divisions have shown up on the wrong side of the world, I may reconsider and let her repair more before moving.
He landed on Palmyra, but the initial landings weren't enough to take the base. Forts have now gone to 2. He has brought another unit in (now a Naval Guard Unit and a SNLF), but still not enough. USN DDs ran in to bombard, and managed to get 2 damaged ships from the second landing as well. We also finally hit a sub!
I don't want to commit reinforcements here, but I'm also not going to give it up. The more we tie him up here, the longer it takes to move somewhere else.
Philippines
Still no land action up north. About 20 xAKLs leave Borneo carrying supplies. Maybe some make it?
He lands at Davao, but will need to bring more. I'll have a full divisions reassembled in a few days. He only brought 1 regiment.
Houston gets tagged by some bomb toting Kates at long range on the 20th. The damage isn't too bad, but the fires just won't go out. She burnt up after making Hollandia. Dang. Marblehead makes Oz
Malaya
Nothing new here. He took Alor Star, but doesn't seem to be moving. I only count 2 divisions currently still here along with a pair of regiments from a 3rd (the other regiment is at Ambon). It doesn't seem like enough. Too bad I didn't get that pair of Indian Brigades out of Alor Star in time, or I might be able to counter attack. I'll just keep building forts.
Buffalos from the RAF hit the airbase at Alor Star torching a Mary. I was hoping for a tad more.
DEI
His navy turned away from Palembang, and has hit Java full on. I currently count 5 divisions here. Seems like extreme overkill for Java, so my biggest question is where will they go next?
I've tried hitting this force a few times, but all of my attempts looked like allied efforts in the real war. I've only lost 1 British CL (and a few Dutch DDs) though... so I can't complain too much. The Dutch CLs are all in good shape. They snuck in and wacked one of his new captured airfields good. They will pick around the edges until they die.
He has started landing on Sumatra. I have nothing there that can oppose him. I have stalled him at Ambon, though he has taken several other nearby bases denying me any safe space. The Dutch have been harassing him from here and even hit a few xAKs, but by and large have been ineffective.
China
He appears to be going all in on the northern route to Chungking. I am racing AT guns there as quickly as I can.
Perhaps I can convince him to focus on Wenchow for a bit?
(first need to see how he reacts to a DL on the home islands)
Overall
My concern now is to figure out where he is going next. With all that firepower in Java I would guess he is going to either Oz or India.
I am currently racing AA guns to Oz (5 regiments total) to prevent too much strat bombing (I hope). I'm turtling up at Sydney and Melbourne, with some left over at Kalgoorlie. I don't know what else I can do.
In India, I'm turtling up at Bombay and Karachi. I don't want to give him Madras or Calcutta, but I just don't have enough troops to cover them all.
Thoughts?
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RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
The AVG raids Haiphong. 1LT Petach becomes the first ace of the war
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RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Subscribed.
Good luck !
Good luck !
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Reading as well!
Good luck!
Good luck!
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
1/11/42
West Coast
Still nothing. First construction units start arriving in a few days. One will go to Pearl, the rest will start in So-Cal and work their way north.
Pacific
Arizona and California make Panama. Maryland and West Virginia are off the map and about 3 weeks out (moving slow). Fingers crossed. Tennessee and Oklahoma should be ready to move to the West Coast by the end of the month. Nevada is the only one lagging significantly behind.
ADM King is pleased to report the Japanese adventure at Palmyra is at an end. Tanks were landed at night on the island, and after a good working over by several cruisers, the tanks push through and drive the uninvited guests back into the sea. Problem is I can't really afford to keep the heavy garrison here. The tanks will leave for Pearl leaving the atoll exposed to a future attack, but for now, the day is good in the eastern Pacific.
Philippines
Laoag is taken by paratroopers. I lost a handful of recon A/C to them. Otherwise quiet. The 3 Dutch CLs have taken refuge at Manila, along with Boise. All are ready for action. I've sent a Cav regiment to investigate the landing site. The cruisers will support and perhaps we can give him another bloody nose.
Malaya
He seems to be waiting for something. A lot of units at JB, but no movement on Singers just yet.
DEI
He cut through here like a hot knife through butter. Java is gone, as is nearly all of Sumatra. He hasn't put much (if any) effort into Borneo yet, but it is just a matter of time.
China
Sian falls. He is fully committing to pushing everything through this northern route. I withdrew in good order, but I need to get some road blocks up to slow him down. A Chinese AT gun unit is digging in now, and some British AT guns landed at Bombay a few days ago. They are moving now and will be air-lifted in. Fresh troops from the south are starting to fill in defensive positions, but I don't think it is enough.
He isn't serious about the Wenchow pocket. I sent B17s over Nagasaki. The bounce several bombs off a pair of BBs. I'm looking for an opportunity to hit someplace else now, but the lack of recon assets is killing me.
India
He lands 2 divisions (that were on Java at one time) at Trincomalee. I had nothing but the fort there so he easily took the base. I doubt I'll get the troops off Ceylon, but maybe I can delay him.
KB raids along the western coast finding little.
6th Australian arrives in a few days. The Queen is waiting, but I'll need to make sure the KB is gone before I try to push them in.
Currently I have about 900 AV at Bombay and Karachi, but little to nothing anywhere else. I can only hope it is enough. The experience levels really frighten me. Those Aussies will be very welcomed.
West Coast
Still nothing. First construction units start arriving in a few days. One will go to Pearl, the rest will start in So-Cal and work their way north.
Pacific
Arizona and California make Panama. Maryland and West Virginia are off the map and about 3 weeks out (moving slow). Fingers crossed. Tennessee and Oklahoma should be ready to move to the West Coast by the end of the month. Nevada is the only one lagging significantly behind.
ADM King is pleased to report the Japanese adventure at Palmyra is at an end. Tanks were landed at night on the island, and after a good working over by several cruisers, the tanks push through and drive the uninvited guests back into the sea. Problem is I can't really afford to keep the heavy garrison here. The tanks will leave for Pearl leaving the atoll exposed to a future attack, but for now, the day is good in the eastern Pacific.
Philippines
Laoag is taken by paratroopers. I lost a handful of recon A/C to them. Otherwise quiet. The 3 Dutch CLs have taken refuge at Manila, along with Boise. All are ready for action. I've sent a Cav regiment to investigate the landing site. The cruisers will support and perhaps we can give him another bloody nose.
Malaya
He seems to be waiting for something. A lot of units at JB, but no movement on Singers just yet.
DEI
He cut through here like a hot knife through butter. Java is gone, as is nearly all of Sumatra. He hasn't put much (if any) effort into Borneo yet, but it is just a matter of time.
China
Sian falls. He is fully committing to pushing everything through this northern route. I withdrew in good order, but I need to get some road blocks up to slow him down. A Chinese AT gun unit is digging in now, and some British AT guns landed at Bombay a few days ago. They are moving now and will be air-lifted in. Fresh troops from the south are starting to fill in defensive positions, but I don't think it is enough.
He isn't serious about the Wenchow pocket. I sent B17s over Nagasaki. The bounce several bombs off a pair of BBs. I'm looking for an opportunity to hit someplace else now, but the lack of recon assets is killing me.
India
He lands 2 divisions (that were on Java at one time) at Trincomalee. I had nothing but the fort there so he easily took the base. I doubt I'll get the troops off Ceylon, but maybe I can delay him.
KB raids along the western coast finding little.
6th Australian arrives in a few days. The Queen is waiting, but I'll need to make sure the KB is gone before I try to push them in.
Currently I have about 900 AV at Bombay and Karachi, but little to nothing anywhere else. I can only hope it is enough. The experience levels really frighten me. Those Aussies will be very welcomed.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Can you strat bomb him? Many have rules against start bombing until 43, if not you can use your B-17s to start bomb from China into HI. You could also go after some aircraft factories and slow down his R&D or AC production.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: Bif1961
Can you strat bomb him? Many have rules against start bombing until 43, if not you can use your B-17s to start bomb from China into HI. You could also go after some aircraft factories and slow down his R&D or AC production.
I can... I have held off because I didn't want him getting any ideas around Oz if he came to play. But now that he is in India, I think I may start. First need to get some better recon. He is placing some fighters to cover the home islands (a minor win I suppose).
I don't think I want to hit is A/C (unless I can find a R&D factory). I'd rather he builds zeros than franks later.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: tiemanj
1/11/42
<<snip>>
Malaya
He seems to be waiting for something. A lot of units at JB, but no movement on Singers just yet.
India
He lands 2 divisions (that were on Java at one time) at Trincomalee. I had nothing but the fort there so he easily took the base. I doubt I'll get the troops off Ceylon, but maybe I can delay him.
KB raids along the western coast finding little.
6th Australian arrives in a few days. The Queen is waiting, but I'll need to make sure the KB is gone before I try to push them in.
<<snip>>
1) Curious and curiosity.
You are playing Dababes with stacking limit restrictions / extra penalties (??)
So what have you got in Singers ? What kind of supply are you eating through ?
Essentially is he simply convinced its easier to wait you out till you have no water i.e. real life surrender of Singers.
2) Wow..
I am under the impression/ personal opinion that a Ceylon invasion requires some back stream base support for long term IJN success and is best not completed 'early because its possible'
That back stream support primarily being; (1) Port Blair and (2) Akylab / Cox Bazar for example. Supply lines and retreat lines. AF bases for squadron transfers.
I could of course be completely wrong.
Your opinion ?
What is your situ specifically at Port Blair / Akylab ?
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
-
poodlebrain
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:14 pm
- Location: Comfy Chair in Baton Rouge
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
No troops, but I would think some still had supplies aboard that the Japanese will have to replace to support their invasion.Were there any troops still aboard those transports?
Never trust a man who's ass is wider than his shoulders.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: Macclan5
ORIGINAL: tiemanj
1/11/42
<<snip>>
Malaya
He seems to be waiting for something. A lot of units at JB, but no movement on Singers just yet.
India
He lands 2 divisions (that were on Java at one time) at Trincomalee. I had nothing but the fort there so he easily took the base. I doubt I'll get the troops off Ceylon, but maybe I can delay him.
KB raids along the western coast finding little.
6th Australian arrives in a few days. The Queen is waiting, but I'll need to make sure the KB is gone before I try to push them in.
<<snip>>
1) Curious and curiosity.
You are playing Dababes with stacking limit restrictions / extra penalties (??)
So what have you got in Singers ? What kind of supply are you eating through ?
Essentially is he simply convinced its easier to wait you out till you have no water i.e. real life surrender of Singers.
2) Wow..
I am under the impression/ personal opinion that a Ceylon invasion requires some back stream base support for long term IJN success and is best not completed 'early because its possible'
That back stream support primarily being; (1) Port Blair and (2) Akylab / Cox Bazar for example. Supply lines and retreat lines. AF bases for squadron transfers.
I could of course be completely wrong.
Your opinion ?
What is your situ specifically at Port Blair / Akylab
Argh...post eaten.
Short answer, I think he is using the troops he needs for singers elsewhere. I have about 65k supply, not sure of the burn rate. Forts approaching 4.
Port Blair is his. Akyab is mine, but unoccupied.
He just landed at the 2 bases halfway between Madras and Calcutta with 2 rgt, at madrass with 2 div, and the second base from the southern tip on the west side with 1 div (from Ceylon)
Still working on what I think of it all.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Hmmm ...
2 Division at Madras / 2 Regiments on the coastal roads of India / 2 more Divisions and support in Ceylon / 1 Regiment and support Port Blair occupied AND the IJN KB patrolling the west coast of India trying to sink merchants and troop transport ships.
Troops in Malaya sitting in bases close to rail lines into Burma.
No troops on the doorstep at Singers.
Just speculation on my part but I might hazard a guess on an all Japan / China / India greater prosperity sphere.
If he is waiting you out in Singers counting on supply burn rate - and the KB and other vessels are in the Indian Ocean - you should be able to sneak some low value xAKs / TK into port. Combine whatever brigades / divisions you have / supply up / counter attack to lessen his momentum in India.
[8D]
You must have opportunity at Canton / Baker / Tarawa / Malleope and or Guadalcanal / Shortlands / Rabul ?
Maybe even Wake / Guam ? Albeit these are an uncomfortable stretch.
2 Division at Madras / 2 Regiments on the coastal roads of India / 2 more Divisions and support in Ceylon / 1 Regiment and support Port Blair occupied AND the IJN KB patrolling the west coast of India trying to sink merchants and troop transport ships.
Troops in Malaya sitting in bases close to rail lines into Burma.
No troops on the doorstep at Singers.
Just speculation on my part but I might hazard a guess on an all Japan / China / India greater prosperity sphere.
If he is waiting you out in Singers counting on supply burn rate - and the KB and other vessels are in the Indian Ocean - you should be able to sneak some low value xAKs / TK into port. Combine whatever brigades / divisions you have / supply up / counter attack to lessen his momentum in India.
[8D]
You must have opportunity at Canton / Baker / Tarawa / Malleope and or Guadalcanal / Shortlands / Rabul ?
Maybe even Wake / Guam ? Albeit these are an uncomfortable stretch.
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: Macclan5
Hmmm ...
2 Division at Madras / 2 Regiments on the coastal roads of India / 2 more Divisions and support in Ceylon / 1 Regiment and support Port Blair occupied AND the IJN KB patrolling the west coast of India trying to sink merchants and troop transport ships.
Troops in Malaya sitting in bases close to rail lines into Burma.
No troops on the doorstep at Singers.
Just speculation on my part but I might hazard a guess on an all Japan / China / India greater prosperity sphere.
If he is waiting you out in Singers counting on supply burn rate - and the KB and other vessels are in the Indian Ocean - you should be able to sneak some low value xAKs / TK into port. Combine whatever brigades / divisions you have / supply up / counter attack to lessen his momentum in India.
[8D]
You must have opportunity at Canton / Baker / Tarawa / Malleope and or Guadalcanal / Shortlands / Rabul ?
Maybe even Wake / Guam ? Albeit these are an uncomfortable stretch.
Rabaul is still mine... though he has just dropped troops there. It will be close, but may not be enough. The first attack failed to drop down the puny size 2 forts.
I have just raided the marshalls with my CVs - managed to sink a couple of xAKLs. Though on their way back they managed a CL and a pair of DDs. I ran them hard though and they need a few weeks of upkeep. Sara and Lex are enroute to Pearl now to take over.
Australian cruisers have taken up residence around Rabaul. One TF managed to beat up a few DDs (none will sink, but probably a mission kill) for one DD mission killed on my side.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
1/11/42
West Coast
Convoys forming up to send gas and supplies to Pearl. About 100k just arrived, and another 100k gas just left LA.
Pacific
Yorktown and Saratoga hit the Marshal Islands managing to sink a couple of unlucky xAKLs off Jaluit. A moment of terror on the way home as a RO sub launches 6 fish at Yorktown, but we get away clean.
I attempted to strike Johnston enroute back to Pearl and got way more adventure than bargained for. First the CVs run into a lone CL. The cruiser escorts manage to pound him down for no hits to me. Later in the day SBDs manage to put him down for good along with a pair of DDs that were "dead in the water". Curious. Is he out of gas in the area? And why can't my SBDs barely hit what is in effect nothing more than a target barge?
California is nearly finished with its system damage. I'll have to move her to a proper shipyard soon. Arizona is a few months away. Maryland is 4 or 5 days out of Balboa... and suffers another flooding causality. She is the most stressful boat. Every few days she goes up 10 points of minor flood damage, then slowly repairs it - followed by another 10 point causality. Just a few more days. Fingers crossed. West Virginia is a few days behind Maryland (8 days out, I think).
Philippines
The paratroopers that took Laoag have been evicted. Otherwise nothing.
Malaya
Still nothing.
DEI
Same
China
He is pushing toward Lanchow from both the east and south. Tienshui falls. Lanchow is moderately defended. They won't win, but maybe will destroy some of the oil.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Fukuoka were all hit causing light damage to the facilities and some minor shipping from B17s flying from Wenchow. He finally tired of this and sent some Betties over. The don't do much... the real shame is the AGV was already enroute here, but got there a day late. The next day he does massive sweeps. The AVG goes a bit better than 1:1 shooting down nearly 20 zeros, but losing just shy of that number themselves. Only 2 pilots lost on the day (and I don't know if either were AVG), so not too bad.
For now, I need to abandon Wenchow until I can get some AA there. I am disturbed to find that I can't airlift Chinese guns from the Changsha area (size is fine, I can't even select the unit), so they have to walk. I am also sending in a British AA unit that I can airlift from India. I am also toying with sending one from the PI via PBYs, but haven't even looked to see if that is possible yet.
India
His India adventure puzzles me. After taking Trincomalee and Jaffna on Ceylon, he is moving very cautiously toward Colombo. I haven't been able to get anything off the island yet, so Colombo is reasonably well defended.
On the subcontinent he has landed at Madras, Goa, and the 2 bases between Madras and Calcutta. So far no movement that I've seen on Calcutta. He has mostly cut off the southern tip, but I don't have much of anything down there - I'm not concerned.
He has used paratroopers to land on the many unoccupied bases north of Madras, creating a long thin line of bases connected by rail. This is the part that confuses me the most. Why do this? Sure it creates a rail head deep in India, but it is vulnerable from both flanks. To that end, I've already started sending forces to the bases behind his bow wave. Warangal is the first to be reached, and will be attacked this turn.
I'll try to get a picture up in the next day or so.
West Coast
Convoys forming up to send gas and supplies to Pearl. About 100k just arrived, and another 100k gas just left LA.
Pacific
Yorktown and Saratoga hit the Marshal Islands managing to sink a couple of unlucky xAKLs off Jaluit. A moment of terror on the way home as a RO sub launches 6 fish at Yorktown, but we get away clean.
I attempted to strike Johnston enroute back to Pearl and got way more adventure than bargained for. First the CVs run into a lone CL. The cruiser escorts manage to pound him down for no hits to me. Later in the day SBDs manage to put him down for good along with a pair of DDs that were "dead in the water". Curious. Is he out of gas in the area? And why can't my SBDs barely hit what is in effect nothing more than a target barge?
California is nearly finished with its system damage. I'll have to move her to a proper shipyard soon. Arizona is a few months away. Maryland is 4 or 5 days out of Balboa... and suffers another flooding causality. She is the most stressful boat. Every few days she goes up 10 points of minor flood damage, then slowly repairs it - followed by another 10 point causality. Just a few more days. Fingers crossed. West Virginia is a few days behind Maryland (8 days out, I think).
Philippines
The paratroopers that took Laoag have been evicted. Otherwise nothing.
Malaya
Still nothing.
DEI
Same
China
He is pushing toward Lanchow from both the east and south. Tienshui falls. Lanchow is moderately defended. They won't win, but maybe will destroy some of the oil.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Fukuoka were all hit causing light damage to the facilities and some minor shipping from B17s flying from Wenchow. He finally tired of this and sent some Betties over. The don't do much... the real shame is the AGV was already enroute here, but got there a day late. The next day he does massive sweeps. The AVG goes a bit better than 1:1 shooting down nearly 20 zeros, but losing just shy of that number themselves. Only 2 pilots lost on the day (and I don't know if either were AVG), so not too bad.
For now, I need to abandon Wenchow until I can get some AA there. I am disturbed to find that I can't airlift Chinese guns from the Changsha area (size is fine, I can't even select the unit), so they have to walk. I am also sending in a British AA unit that I can airlift from India. I am also toying with sending one from the PI via PBYs, but haven't even looked to see if that is possible yet.
India
His India adventure puzzles me. After taking Trincomalee and Jaffna on Ceylon, he is moving very cautiously toward Colombo. I haven't been able to get anything off the island yet, so Colombo is reasonably well defended.
On the subcontinent he has landed at Madras, Goa, and the 2 bases between Madras and Calcutta. So far no movement that I've seen on Calcutta. He has mostly cut off the southern tip, but I don't have much of anything down there - I'm not concerned.
He has used paratroopers to land on the many unoccupied bases north of Madras, creating a long thin line of bases connected by rail. This is the part that confuses me the most. Why do this? Sure it creates a rail head deep in India, but it is vulnerable from both flanks. To that end, I've already started sending forces to the bases behind his bow wave. Warangal is the first to be reached, and will be attacked this turn.
I'll try to get a picture up in the next day or so.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Feb 8, 1942
Sitrep in India
Attached is a map of India along with my best guess as to who is where.
Not showen is about 1000 AV at Bombay including the British 18th (with a womping 42 experience!) and the 2 large armor brigades that are still rebuilding. Also not showen is his forces that landed at Chittagong and are moving roughly to Calcutta.
Basically, Calcutta has been written off. There is a defense there that will hopefully tear up some of the industry. But I won't be able to hold it, and I don't want to risk sending any additional forces.
Up at Allahabad, the 6th Australian is assembling (one bde just arrived and should be unpacked tomorrow) as well as the 48th Gurkhas. These are most of my experienced forces in theater.
In this area the bulk of the Japanese 42nd Regiment has chased a small Bn into Allahabad. My hope is that he continues to pursue and runs smack into a dug in reinforced division. Should this come to pass, I will counter attack to smash the regiment before railing off. I have no issues letting him have the plains (good counter attack country when I get some more forces!), but it would be nice to smash his nose in a bit first.
Back over by Bombay, the 4th Division just took Poona, and now appears to be heading east. To the east my other experienced troops of the 7th Armor Bde just ambushed his 1st Tank Rgt and sent them reeling back into the rough. I am pursing for now hoping to smash them good. I'll go as far as the junction of the major rail line with the yellow road, where they will dig in and wait the 4th Division to do something. Hopefully, I can get some of forces currently in Allahabad up here to support. At any rate a nearly full TO&E and some actual experience in x3 terrain should make a rough go for him if I can get there.
In the middle, the rail line from Bezwada to Jubbulpore has been taken by small fragments of a SNLF. I have since pushed back with a rag tag group of "armored units" headlined by the 43rd Cavalry and their now impressive 6 (6!) experience. The rail has been cut in several places, which should slow supplies moving north. He will need to clean this area back out before he can reliably push further north. Nothing I have here can give him any trouble once he brings some guns to bear, but he will have to bring them, and hopefully keep them, as I dodge in and off the rail line.
At sea, the KB currently has taken up residence off Oman preventing any reinforcement from Aden or Abadan. Previously, he came up with a CL and pair of DDs. They got an empty xAP West Point retiring from bring in the 6th Australian and damaged a few others. However a prowling cruiser squadron of mine found him and put the CL down. The Indomitable, also providing over watch for the move, joined in and got 1 of the DDs. Knowing the KB would return soon, we then scattered like cockroaches back to Aden and Abadan, which is where we sit now. I need to get the ships at Abadan over to Aden to move the 7th Australian when they arrive in a week or so, but right now I can't risk it.
In other news
He has finally tired of my antics from Wenchow. Now he is sweeping and bombing every day, and even sending in a pair of BBs a few times a week for good measure. I guess there is no kill like overkill! Most of my A/C have been flown out, though there are still about half a dozen B17Ds I'd still like to get out. I'm always happy when the empire is forced to use BBs.
The remaining B17s flew off to Singapore where they have been set to LowN bombing (we agreed it is acceptable in this game). So far they have managed to put down a loaded tanker and an xAK or 3. Shame I can't buy out the Dutch Heffalumps and send them there. They will die in Borneo.
Off Luzon, Boise along with 3 Dutch CLs get into a scrap with some Japanese cruisers. They trade inconsequential hits and move on. He has started sweeping central Luzon. An air battle yesterday goes 2:1 in his favor - the first true engagement in the air here. He has also taken a pair of northern bases with paras. Needing to release the stacking limit around Clark, I send a division up here to investigate. I haven't seen any ships bringing in reinforcements yet, so I'd like to dis-establish this beach head if possible.
At Rabaul, a pair of commonwealth cruiser squadrons managed to get some licks in on a Japanese one. One even got in among some transports, but somehow they escaped with minimal damaged (after dropping off reinforcements! Damn bonus, 1 phase lands a whole Rgt). The reinforcements were enough to put him over the top and take the base. Now that he has uncontested air cover, I'll have to pull back and let him have the upper Solomon’s.
Sara and Lex are one day from their jump off position, so far unspotted...
Sitrep in India
Attached is a map of India along with my best guess as to who is where.
Not showen is about 1000 AV at Bombay including the British 18th (with a womping 42 experience!) and the 2 large armor brigades that are still rebuilding. Also not showen is his forces that landed at Chittagong and are moving roughly to Calcutta.
Basically, Calcutta has been written off. There is a defense there that will hopefully tear up some of the industry. But I won't be able to hold it, and I don't want to risk sending any additional forces.
Up at Allahabad, the 6th Australian is assembling (one bde just arrived and should be unpacked tomorrow) as well as the 48th Gurkhas. These are most of my experienced forces in theater.
In this area the bulk of the Japanese 42nd Regiment has chased a small Bn into Allahabad. My hope is that he continues to pursue and runs smack into a dug in reinforced division. Should this come to pass, I will counter attack to smash the regiment before railing off. I have no issues letting him have the plains (good counter attack country when I get some more forces!), but it would be nice to smash his nose in a bit first.
Back over by Bombay, the 4th Division just took Poona, and now appears to be heading east. To the east my other experienced troops of the 7th Armor Bde just ambushed his 1st Tank Rgt and sent them reeling back into the rough. I am pursing for now hoping to smash them good. I'll go as far as the junction of the major rail line with the yellow road, where they will dig in and wait the 4th Division to do something. Hopefully, I can get some of forces currently in Allahabad up here to support. At any rate a nearly full TO&E and some actual experience in x3 terrain should make a rough go for him if I can get there.
In the middle, the rail line from Bezwada to Jubbulpore has been taken by small fragments of a SNLF. I have since pushed back with a rag tag group of "armored units" headlined by the 43rd Cavalry and their now impressive 6 (6!) experience. The rail has been cut in several places, which should slow supplies moving north. He will need to clean this area back out before he can reliably push further north. Nothing I have here can give him any trouble once he brings some guns to bear, but he will have to bring them, and hopefully keep them, as I dodge in and off the rail line.
At sea, the KB currently has taken up residence off Oman preventing any reinforcement from Aden or Abadan. Previously, he came up with a CL and pair of DDs. They got an empty xAP West Point retiring from bring in the 6th Australian and damaged a few others. However a prowling cruiser squadron of mine found him and put the CL down. The Indomitable, also providing over watch for the move, joined in and got 1 of the DDs. Knowing the KB would return soon, we then scattered like cockroaches back to Aden and Abadan, which is where we sit now. I need to get the ships at Abadan over to Aden to move the 7th Australian when they arrive in a week or so, but right now I can't risk it.
In other news
He has finally tired of my antics from Wenchow. Now he is sweeping and bombing every day, and even sending in a pair of BBs a few times a week for good measure. I guess there is no kill like overkill! Most of my A/C have been flown out, though there are still about half a dozen B17Ds I'd still like to get out. I'm always happy when the empire is forced to use BBs.
The remaining B17s flew off to Singapore where they have been set to LowN bombing (we agreed it is acceptable in this game). So far they have managed to put down a loaded tanker and an xAK or 3. Shame I can't buy out the Dutch Heffalumps and send them there. They will die in Borneo.
Off Luzon, Boise along with 3 Dutch CLs get into a scrap with some Japanese cruisers. They trade inconsequential hits and move on. He has started sweeping central Luzon. An air battle yesterday goes 2:1 in his favor - the first true engagement in the air here. He has also taken a pair of northern bases with paras. Needing to release the stacking limit around Clark, I send a division up here to investigate. I haven't seen any ships bringing in reinforcements yet, so I'd like to dis-establish this beach head if possible.
At Rabaul, a pair of commonwealth cruiser squadrons managed to get some licks in on a Japanese one. One even got in among some transports, but somehow they escaped with minimal damaged (after dropping off reinforcements! Damn bonus, 1 phase lands a whole Rgt). The reinforcements were enough to put him over the top and take the base. Now that he has uncontested air cover, I'll have to pull back and let him have the upper Solomon’s.
Sara and Lex are one day from their jump off position, so far unspotted...
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RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
In a game I had to shelve back in 2013 njp72 did exactly the same thing .. I huddled in Karachi .. I did get the reinforcements from Aden in ..
But things never really developed to the mid game due to my commitments ....
A demonstration elsewhere while the KB is committed to prevent reinforcement will move the KB away ..but you know this
This strategy does preclude a Burma invasion but .. it leaves the rest of the world wide open ..
But things never really developed to the mid game due to my commitments ....
A demonstration elsewhere while the KB is committed to prevent reinforcement will move the KB away ..but you know this
This strategy does preclude a Burma invasion but .. it leaves the rest of the world wide open ..
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: Crackaces
This strategy does preclude a Burma invasion but .. it leaves the rest of the world wide open ..
You certainly echo my thoughts Ser Crackaces.
I am unfamiliar with many AARs this committed to an Imperial Co-prosperity sphere in the orient (other than an Auto-victory where everything went bad).
I would 'think' that such an overarching strategy requires two critical components (??)
1) Still needs Singapore.
Perhaps even more so to protect the southern flank.
2) A shallow Pacific Line of defense must be incredibly strong / interlocked.
Does India produce enough HI LI and Oil Fuel supplies to supplement the HI if the southern flank is exposed ? Don't you need Calcutta / Chittatong / et al in an all in India plan ?
To allow the Allies to hold the Pacific i.e. Rabul into 1942 or through 1942 gives an Allied command incredible flexibility at attack at points. Its sets up very forward sub bases as the Allied subs get stronger and better. It sets up allowing the Allied player to get into the Mariana's 'too early' i.e. within strategic bombing range or strong Carrier base range to the HI is incredibly dangerous. Or it sets up attacking through DEI to have bases to decimate oil / supply shipping to the HI.
An all out India may be a nice prize from a "tactical victory point' of view but... at what cost to the Pacific ring of defense ?
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
Problem is, this doesn't seem to be an India only gambit. njp has a very good understanding of the allied OOB. He is attacking in areas that the allies simply can't defend - and doing it quickly. The only 2 places the allies can put up any kind of a fight this early would be Singapore and Luzon - and he is not wasting time or resources on them. He knows he can just starve them out. I got some supply into both, but nothing he can't wait out.
India appears to be his big "phase 2" objective, but:
I've only spotted 3 divisions plus about 2 more worth of regiments... is he planning something else? I dare not strip the west coast or Pearl just in case.
He has taken all the DEI except Singapore and Luzon. He also has taken northern Oz and just got Rabaul. He still owns Johnston. He also has Amchitka up in the Aleutians.
So it is hard to see what he is ignoring. Sure he is slow rolling New Guinea and the Solomon’s... but with Rabaul lost he can afford to take his time here. There are no airbases I can use (except PM), so I can't protect surface forces. Even if I did have bases, I have no fighter force to speak of any way. And it is too far from everything to sustain any kind of forces until I can set up a logistics chain.
Gilberts are moving slow, but same issue there. Plus he has Canton, Baker, and Johnston to early observe my movements.
So what does this cost him? Nothing if I can't make him pay. And making him pay is very difficult. Without air cover, I can't support naval forces. Without naval forces, I can't prevent landings.
Of course, it doesn't come without costs to him. India has plenty of industry, but no gas. He can't get to the ME, so he will have to ship it from the DEI. Any supply produced will have to then be shipped back to the empire. This would be less efficient than shipping gas directly from the DEI to the HI. He is also using a lot of gas for his navy operating off Karachi.
He has also has a large front in India to cover. This can make him vulnerable to a concentrated counterattack once I can get some forces in theater.
And if he doesn't build up in the Solomon’s, Gilberts, Wake, etc, he can end up in real trouble in '43.
Sadly, my gambit to bomb Truk comes to nothing as my CVs are spotted 1 day out (in the PM phase!). The really sad part was that had I planned the logistics better, I could have done a full length speed run and hit it this past turn, but I simply don't have the gas to do that. I'll pull back for now and try again once the tankers arrive (in about a week).
As for other ways to make him pay, some options I'm considering (assuming the KB stays near India):
Move on the Gilberts in March, back fill to Baker and Canton
CV raid on Hokkaido
Kurile adventure in spring
Any thoughts?
India appears to be his big "phase 2" objective, but:
I've only spotted 3 divisions plus about 2 more worth of regiments... is he planning something else? I dare not strip the west coast or Pearl just in case.
He has taken all the DEI except Singapore and Luzon. He also has taken northern Oz and just got Rabaul. He still owns Johnston. He also has Amchitka up in the Aleutians.
So it is hard to see what he is ignoring. Sure he is slow rolling New Guinea and the Solomon’s... but with Rabaul lost he can afford to take his time here. There are no airbases I can use (except PM), so I can't protect surface forces. Even if I did have bases, I have no fighter force to speak of any way. And it is too far from everything to sustain any kind of forces until I can set up a logistics chain.
Gilberts are moving slow, but same issue there. Plus he has Canton, Baker, and Johnston to early observe my movements.
So what does this cost him? Nothing if I can't make him pay. And making him pay is very difficult. Without air cover, I can't support naval forces. Without naval forces, I can't prevent landings.
Of course, it doesn't come without costs to him. India has plenty of industry, but no gas. He can't get to the ME, so he will have to ship it from the DEI. Any supply produced will have to then be shipped back to the empire. This would be less efficient than shipping gas directly from the DEI to the HI. He is also using a lot of gas for his navy operating off Karachi.
He has also has a large front in India to cover. This can make him vulnerable to a concentrated counterattack once I can get some forces in theater.
And if he doesn't build up in the Solomon’s, Gilberts, Wake, etc, he can end up in real trouble in '43.
Sadly, my gambit to bomb Truk comes to nothing as my CVs are spotted 1 day out (in the PM phase!). The really sad part was that had I planned the logistics better, I could have done a full length speed run and hit it this past turn, but I simply don't have the gas to do that. I'll pull back for now and try again once the tankers arrive (in about a week).
As for other ways to make him pay, some options I'm considering (assuming the KB stays near India):
Move on the Gilberts in March, back fill to Baker and Canton
CV raid on Hokkaido
Kurile adventure in spring
Any thoughts?
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
ORIGINAL: tiemanj
As for other ways to make him pay, some options I'm considering (assuming the KB stays near India):
Move on the Gilberts in March, back fill to Baker and Canton
Sounds like a very good idea.
The IJN holding Johnston Island cuts off direct SLOC to Tarawa, Aielingling (spelling??) and every good island in between >> to/from Pearl Harbor.
However if you are able to grab them, hold them, supply them, and get your Hawaiian / Marine air-forces in operation you in turn have cut off Johnson and any deep run into the south east Pacific. Further your supply task forces to Australia from the West Coast get 'just that little bit easier'. Base Forces / USAAF Base forces / Defense Battalions / and some Inf / Arm should be available to get 3-4 of the better islands ? i.e. the ones with 30000 stacking limits.
While he is taking his time in New Guinea - you probably have Port Moesby and Milne Bay locked up? Rabul can be a fortress but those bases make a Coral Sea advance easier on 'both sides' i.e. Buna/Lae and Guadalcanal/Shortlands...
Nicely written by the way - nice to see your new game perspective.
Please drop me a PM if I am "too busy" in you AAR. [8D]
Warm regards
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
RE: tiemanj (A) vs njp72 (J) - Allied AAR
The IJN holding Johnston Island cuts off direct SLOC to Tarawa, Aielingling (spelling??) and every good island in between >> to/from Pearl Harbor.
Johnston is only 6k stacking, and (assuming his CVs stay away), will be assaulted shortly after Lex and Sara get back from bombing Truk.
However if you are able to grab them, hold them, supply them, and get your Hawaiian / Marine air-forces in operation you in turn have cut off Johnson and any deep run into the south east Pacific. Further your supply task forces to Australia from the West Coast get 'just that little bit easier'. Base Forces / USAAF Base forces / Defense Battalions / and some Inf / Arm should be available to get 3-4 of the better islands ? i.e. the ones with 30000 stacking limits.
It's still only Feb. I still don't have forts big enough yet to scrounge up too much without risking a move on Hawaii or the west coast. I have started prepping units for some operations though. I hope to start moving some stuff out in a month or so.
While he is taking his time in New Guinea - you probably have Port Moesby and Milne Bay locked up? Rabul can be a fortress but those bases make a Coral Sea advance easier on 'both sides' i.e. Buna/Lae and Guadalcanal/Shortlands...
Problem is there is nothing there. I bought out the 2nd Australian division to occupy Noumea. I would love to get something further north to establish an air base to provide figther cover to some good Australian / British naval units in the area, but alas, I have no fighters yet. And I'm hesitant to put something small and exposed that he can take.
No, SOPAC is going to be slow. I'm still in the process of setting up my logistics, so it will be a while. I'm going to occupy Noumea and build it up into a fort. Fiji will be next. In the mean time I will clean up the eastern Pacific, and if possible, occupy the sourthern Gilberts.
But this is secondary. Unless the situition changes, my move will be north. I'll occupy one or two Kurile islands, then withdraw all but a token garrison plus some engineers and av support. CVs will wait in the wings if he chooses to resist with BBs. Should he send over CVs, he can have it all back (but it will buy me time in the IO).
If he lets me build, I get a base to strike Hokkaido and get some VPs. If he goes in with just surface forces, CVs should be able to extract a toll. If he brings his CVs back to contend, I can reclaim the IO and help releave the pressure in India.