JFB in charge of the USN??? BtS Lite ver. 4.5 Kitakami (A) vs Falken (J)

[Kitakami]

Airframe losses were consequently low. Due to the need of continued air operations, my esteemed opponent's losses are higher than mine, even when I do not contest the skies. I will do so, in my terms, not his, and not right now.

[Kitakami]

Naval losses were the product of Japanese aggressive moves with carriers and my forgetting that we were doing two day turns. So, a number of invaluable ships and their crews paid the price. AV Wright will be sorely missed.

[Kitakami]

The DEI:

Japan has been slowly making gains in both Borneo and Celebes. As I wrote above, I decided not to contest those, in favor of a stronger position in Java. Java's defense is centered around three fortresses:

- Batavia, the obvious one, and the one Falken has been bombarding with ships and planes. AV of 219 with forts of 2.05. It will do its job, but it will not last long against a determined attack. Airfield is damaged and basically unuseable.
- Bandoeng, unreachable by BB bombardment, is a bit harder to crack. AV of 278 with forts of 2.27. The lack of engineers in Java is dire.
- Soerbaja, reachable by BBs should they care to pay the price. AV of 705 with forts of 2.99. This will be the island's last stand, I guess.

The Lt CarDiv in the area seems to be screening Soerbaja. My esteemed opponent does not want me to fuel ships there, I guess.

[Kitakami]

Malaya:

Intel reports indicate that Japanese force levels in Singapore are lower than expected (see map). The also indicate 26 units in Johore Bharu. Could it be that Falken is pulling out? Allied AV in Singapore is 933, with no residual airfield service damage. Fort level remains at 3.62

[ny59giants]

First 6 months of war the Allies need construction engineers everywhere.
May '42 the first of many SeaBees arrive. [:)]
Jan '43 the Allied player is asking where to build the beach side condos! [:D]
*Note* - wait to you see the size and engineering power of a full SeaBee Rgt.

My general rule of thumb is for the SeaBees (naval construction) stay in Pacific. The EAB units go to India.

[Kitakami]

The Philippines:

Manila was swept, bombed, and attacked, and I did not fare that badly. If things continue like this, the city will last a bit longer than expected:

Japanese Deliberate attack at Manila (79,77) DAY ONE
Japanese ground losses:
* 4008 casualties reported
*** Squads: 128 destroyed, 306 disabled
*** Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 65 disabled
*** Engineers: 5 destroyed, 58 disabled
*** Guns lost 49 (3 destroyed, 46 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 97 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Japanese Bombardment attack at Manila (79,77) DAY TWO

Japanese ground losses:
*** Guns lost 22 (15 destroyed, 7 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 15 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Burma:

There are now 5 Japanese units totaling 26k troops, 154 guns and 67 AFVs on my side of the river. The 7th Armoured will arrive a but late, but them be the breaks. Moving troops that way to compensate. We will see what can be done.


China:

Japanese attacks have come down, but Chengchow is still a target. I am sure it will fall soon.

Japanese Deliberate attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY ONE

Japanese ground losses:
* 830 casualties reported
*** Squads: 4 destroyed, 191 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
*** Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
*** Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 1581 casualties reported
*** Squads: 26 destroyed, 117 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 54 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
*** Guns lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Japanese Bombardment attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY TWO

Japanese ground losses:
* 60 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 42 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


SW Pacific:

The KB CarDiv that sank Lady Lex is not to be seen. Did it turn back, or is it prowling unseen by the Catalinas?


Central Pacific:

The final IJN Hvy CarDiv is 6 hexes NW of Palmyra. Could be screening an invasion of Baker and Canton. We will see.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
First 6 months of war the Allies need construction engineers everywhere.
May '42 the first of many SeaBees arrive. [:)]
Jan '43 the Allied player is asking where to build the beach side condos! [:D]
*Note* - wait to you see the size and engineering power of a full SeaBee Rgt.

My general rule of thumb is for the SeaBees (naval construction) stay in Pacific. The EAB units go to India.

That sounds like a rule of thumb that is worth following!

[Kitakami]

Feb 1st, 1942:

It is now February, and I have started to feel the crunch. I have been able to plug the dike with my finger so far, but when it breaks, it will not be nice. These are things I expect to happen this month:

- A fresh IJA Inf Div reinforcing Palembang. I have no more troops to pur in, and it would be too dangerous to do so anyways, with heavy enemy forces in the area.

- Continued naval bombardment of Manila, which will erode at my supply levels until my forces are forced to surrender.

- The loss of Chengchow, Loyang, Wuchow, and Liuchow.

- The loss of the southern half of Burma.

- The loss of Singapore.

It will not happen all at once, but I am fairly certain that all of it will happen. But if I am lucky, my esteemed opponent will bleed his invading divisions badly, and his attack will begin to lose steam.

Airframe losses picked up due to the naval bombardment of Manila, courtesy of Nagato and Mutsu. Those ponderous battlewagons were tailor-made for such a task.

[Kitakami]

No Allied naval losses and, for a change, a maru is reported sunk.

[Kitakami]

Lost Bases:

Wau, Melak, Palopo.


The DEI:

Not much action here, with the exception of largely ineffectual Japanese artillery bombardments in Palembang, which is fine by me. There is a large concentration of Japanese ships in Samarinda, though, including a surface task force. All three CarDivs that have been sighted in the region are nowhere to be seen.


The Philippines:

Manila was bombed, bombarded, bombed again, and then the kitchen sink was thrown at it:

Japanese Bombardment attack at Manila (79,77) DAY ONE

Japanese ground losses:
*** Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 18 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Naval bombardment of Manila at 79,77 DAY TWO

Allied aircraft losses
*** P-40B Warhawk: 16 damaged, 3 destroyed on ground
*** Stearman 75M: 7 damaged, 1 destroyed on ground
*** O-47A: 2 damaged, 1 destroyed on ground
*** SOC-1 Seagull: 6 damaged
Japanese Ships
*** BB Mutsu
*** BB Nagato
Allied Ships
*** SS Sealion, hits 1, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
* 696 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
*** Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 47 disabled
*** Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Guns lost 16 (8 destroyed, 8 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 28
Port supply hits 1

Japanese Bombardment attack at Manila (79,77) DAY TWO

Allied ground losses:
* 36 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Taking into account that Manila is being attacked by 65th Bde, 16th Div, 48th Div, and 7th Rgt, the last artillery bombardment leads me to think that those units are disrupted, depleted, or both.


Burma:

There are 24k Japanese troops in the hex NE of Pegu, along 160 guns and 5 AFVs. There is an additional unit crossing the river. In the hex I have the 17th Indian Inf Div, 46th Indian Inf Bde, and British 7th Armoured Bde. My AV is 487, and the British tank boys are both experienced and in good spirits. We will see.

Japanese Bombardment attack at 56,52 (near Pegu) DAY ONE
Japanese ground losses:
* 23 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 23 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Japanese Bombardment attack at 56,52 (near Pegu) DAY TWO
Japanese ground losses:
* 8 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 229 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Disabled squads on day 2 were high because the 7th and 46th arrived that day in movement mode (only way to get them there fast). They should not take so many losses from now on.


China:

Three Japanese units arrived at Wuchow, but did not attack. They probably will next turn. Chengchow was not as lucky, but combat there has been bloody:

Japanese Deliberate attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY ONE
Japanese ground losses:
* 3178 casualties reported
*** Squads: 47 destroyed, 192 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
*** Guns lost 35 (4 destroyed, 31 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 2358 casualties reported
*** Squads: 22 destroyed, 161 disabled
*** Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 35 disabled
*** Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled

Japanese Deliberate attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY TWO
Japanese ground losses:
* 2302 casualties reported
*** Squads: 97 destroyed, 57 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
*** Engineers: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 1723 casualties reported
*** Squads: 11 destroyed, 176 disabled
*** Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
*** Engineers: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled

Every turn I fear the city will fall, and every turn those Chinese troops surprise me and keep hanging on, while bloodying the enemy. 144 IJA squads destroyed last turn!


SW Pacific:

The Japanese CarDiv is npowhere to be seen, but I am not risking it. Ships are doing only critical missions in the area.


Central Pacific:

There is a Japanese CarDiv 5 hexes west of Jarvis Island. All Allied shipping has been ordered to flee for their lives.

[Kitakami]

A question for the peanut gallery:

Can local commanders disobey combat orders? I ask, because Japanese forces in Chengchow changed from bombard to shock attack in the second day of the turn. The result was a hefty Chinese victory. But it has Falken and I wondering the why of it.

Thanks!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Kitakami

A question for the peanut gallery:

Can local commanders disobey combat orders? I ask, because Japanese forces in Chengchow changed from bombard to shock attack in the second day of the turn. The result was a hefty Chinese victory. But it has Falken and I wondering the why of it.

Thanks!

Yes, a leader with very high aggression will sometimes initiate an attack without orders. I am not sure if any other conditions (like the AV ratio) contribute to the change of ops orders.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Kitakami
A question for the peanut gallery:

Can local commanders disobey combat orders? I ask, because Japanese forces in Chengchow changed from bombard to shock attack in the second day of the turn. The result was a hefty Chinese victory. But it has Falken and I wondering the why of it.

Thanks!

Yes, a leader with very high aggression will sometimes initiate an attack without orders. I am not sure if any other conditions (like the AV ratio) contribute to the change of ops orders.

Thanks!

[Kitakami]

Feb 3rd, 1942

Both Falken and I have had very busy weeks, so this past turn took longer than usual. Still, the war goes on, with a bit of good news for the allies:

Dutch sub attack near Terempa at 55,85
Japanese Ships
* CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
* CA Atago
* CL Abukuma
* DD Shinonome
* DD Yudachi
* DD Murasame
* DD Asagumo
Allied Ships
* SS KVIII

I don't think she will sink, but she will be out of commission for a few months, which is very good news at this stage. Lt. Cdr. Caspers received the Military William Order, 4th Class, for the action.

On less satisfactory news, the USN S-37 sank off the coast of Bataan, as her pumps failed to keep up, and she flooded. She was trying to escape the continual bombardments of Manila Port.

Baybay, Donggala, and Misool fell to the enemy last turn.

[Kitakami]

Pilot losses continue to be light, even though the air war over Burma has started. I still have to twink my orders, but I am working on it.

[Kitakami]

Air losses will begin to mount once again, as I try to keep pressure on IJA units in Burma. Some bombers flew unescorted, and paid the price for their foolishness, and I am not certain why. Have twinked fighter squadron orders. Let's see what happens... especially when the P-38s arrive.

[Kitakami]

The DEI:

Two events of note. The first, that IJA units in Palembang attacked, and my esteemed opponent says they did not have orders to do so. It was not pretty for the attackers:

Japanese Deliberate attack at Palembang (48,91) DAY ONE
Japanese ground losses:
* 2421 casualties reported
*** Squads: 55 destroyed, 87 disabled
*** Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 45 disabled
*** Engineers: 13 destroyed, 5 disabled
*** Guns lost 40 (36 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 313 casualties reported
*** Squads: 14 destroyed, 22 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

The loss of those combat squads and artillery pieces will hurt Japan, and not only in Palembang. The base is now at 483 AV and 3.05 forts.

The second event of note was the two torpedoes swallowed by CVL Ryujo. This makes for a much diminished Lt. CarDiv, which helps me breathe easier.

[Kitakami]

The Philippines:

Manila's defenders are having a rough time, but they are still dishing it out on the ground. Problem is, supply will eventually run out, and that is when things will get tough.

Japanese Night Naval bombardment of Manila at 79,77 DAY ONE

Allied aircraft losses
* P-40B Warhawk: 20 damaged
* O-47A: 3 damaged
* Stearman 75M: 2 damaged
* SOC-1 Seagull: 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
* BB Mutsu
* BB Nagato
* DD Murakumo
* DD Shirayuki
* DD Isonami
* DD Shirakumo
Allied Ships
* SS Sealion, hits 2, heavy damage
* ARD YFD-1 Dewey, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
* 222 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Manpower hits 1
Fires 37
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 52
Port hits 4

I just wished those battlewagons would hit the industry for a change. At least they only bombarded on day one, and then left.

Japanese Bombardment attack at Manila (79,77) DAY ONE

Japanese ground losses:
* 188 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
*** Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 7 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Japanese Bombardment attack at Manila (79,77) DAY TWO

Japanese ground losses:
* 153 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 15 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Kitakami]

Burma:

IJA 33rd and 55th Inf. Divs. plus a few Art. units, ship eng. coys. and 15th Army HQ are at 56,52. They are currently bombarding 17th Indian Inf. Div, 46th Indian Inf. Bde, and British 7th Arm. Bde. Some allied reinforcements are moving that way, but I do not think they will be able to break the line without at least one more division. The grind has started.

[Kitakami]

China:

With the exception of Chengchow, it was a quiet turn in China. But some Japanese general o other decided that bombarding the Chinese was too slow, and lead a banzai charge against the Chinese lines. For his performance, GeneralissimovChiang Kai-shek sent the Commander of the China Expeditionary Army, who was leading the attack, the B-2 Medal of Victorious Garrison, for his contributions to the defense of the Middle Kingdom.

Japanese Bombardment attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY ONE

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

Japanese Shock attack at Chengchow (88,44) DAY TWO

Japanese ground losses:
* 6014 casualties reported
*** Squads: 60 destroyed, 355 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 51 disabled
*** Engineers: 5 destroyed, 35 disabled
*** Guns lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 113 casualties reported
*** Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Those Chinese defenders keep astonishing me with their resilience!