Scen026 BabesLite-A Me against Imperial AI Emperor

[Lawless1]

SITREP Solomon Island

All LCU transferred to Horn Island. 30 fighters providing CAP for Horn. Chewing up the un-escorted bombers.

Armor, Inf AA artillery and plenty of ENG to build up the island

[Lawless1]

SITREP Fiji area

Off to the west

Norfolk Is AS6, P 1(0), A 1(3), F 1 (9). Norfolk Is BF
Lord Howe Island AS6, P 1(0), A 1(3), F 1 (9). Lord HoweIs BF

Map is only of the Fiji area. Off to the east around Pago Pago is the following

Vava'u AS9, P 4(3), A 1(4), F 1(9), 4 ENG units
Nine AS9, P 2(1), A 0(4), F 1(9) Nine RANBF

Savaii AS24 P 3(4), A 1(3), F 1(9) 3 ENG units, i Inf Det, 25 P-40B, 11 PBY-5
Upolu AS9, P 2(1), A 0(3), F 1(9) Upola RANBF
Pago Pago AS 349, P 3(2) A 2(4) F 1(9) 1 USNBF, 1 Port Service, 1 USAAF BF, 2nd and 8th Marine Rgmt, 2nd USMC Para

[Bif1961]

The basic problem you will have in the South Pacific for the next 6 months at least is he will be able to take any island complex you build up if he wants it. In my game I just took Noumea in mid July 42. He had 3 RGTs, 1 Marine and 2 Separate Army ones, 1 Marine Tank BN, 2 triple A units, port service, engineers and base forces. You might be slightly better off because you plan to use full divisions, which fighter better than 2 separate Rgts, but the basic premise is still true. So be aware just because you have a division there behind 3-5 level forts that you are safe and he won't come a knocking. SIGINT will be your friend and possibly tip you off to his future operations in time for you to save forces or reinforce.

[Lawless1]

Bif1961,

Absolutely correct that a human play can take whatever it wants in the first six months. Not sure about the AI, so far the invasion efforts have been lackadaisical on the AI side.

Still no ground troops in Singer. Major effort to take Kendari on going.
Mostly small AMP-TF have been dropping of troops for the last week. These may be follow on units after my SCTF destroyed the initial invasion force.

[Lawless1]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 31, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Midway Island at 158,91, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
DD Asagao, Shell hits 1
DD Fuyo, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Concord
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 1
CL Detroit
CL Trenton, Shell hits 3
DD O'Brien
DD Walke, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Mahan
DD Drayton
DD Lamson

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Wagner D. crosses the 'T'
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 157,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1 (Belt armor penetrated)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 157,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires All four hits were penetrated the armor
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Fuyo
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 157,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fuyo, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Asagao

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Fuyo
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Invasion Support action off Ambon (76,109) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AMC Kiyosumi Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Seattle Maru, Shell hits 1

AMC Kiyosumi Maru firing at 4th Coastal Gun Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion firing at AMC Kiyosumi Maru
150mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Seattle Maru at 9,000 yards
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Japanese forces CAPTURE Surigao !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!
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Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 768 troops, 9 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 2976 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

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

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ternate Det. Base Force
Sorong Det. Base Force
Ambon Base Force
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Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 570 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Defending force 762 troops, 9 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Sorong Det. Base Force
Ternate Det. Base Force
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF


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[Lawless1]

ABDAFLOAT has performed very well, intercepting and disrupting various AMP attempts. Of course the juggernaut which is the Japan forces still rolled in and captured many bases. However I believe their timeline is behind schedule, as only Borne, Luzon, most of Mindanao and the area between Victory Point to north of Mersing has been captured.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 01, 42
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Invasion Support action off Tandjoengselor (68,92)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Mansyu Maru, Shell hits 2
SC Ch 33

75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Mansyu Maru at 10,000 yards
SC Ch 33 fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Part of the LCU that retreated from Tarakan. Still has a little bit of a bite

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Pre-Invasion action off Tandjoengselor (68,92)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Liverpool Maru, Shell hits 1
SC Ch 12
SC Ch 3
xAK Kyokko Maru

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

75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Liverpool Maru at 11,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Liverpool Maru at 11,000 yards
SC Ch 12 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 3 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
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Ground combat at Tandjoengselor (68,92)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 0 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 2417 troops, 19 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Assaulting units:
Tarakan Coastal Gun Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
Tarakan Base Force

Defending units:
5th Ind. Engineer Regiment
III./124th Infantry Battalion
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Air attacks have started against Soerabaja, while Singer and Clark Field being bombed day and night

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ASW attack near Molokai at 180,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 1

Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey
DM Gamble
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Morning Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 155,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CA

Once again CA Atago reported sunk
This time I did hear sinking sound
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Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,133

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 1

SS Stingray attacking xAKL Kaijo Maru #2 on the surface
Lamb, R.S. decides to submerge SS Stingray due to damage

Dislike it when aggressive sub CMDRs attack on surface
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Pre-Invasion action off Ambon (76,109)

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Midori Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

150mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Midori Maru at 8,000 yards
150mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Midori Maru at 8,000 yards
150mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Midori Maru at 8,000 yards
xAK Midori Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
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Amphibious Assault at Ambon (76,109)

TF 580 troops unloading over beach at Ambon, 76,109

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Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 570 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Defending force 1061 troops, 11 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Sorong Det. Base Force
Ternate Det. Base Force
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF

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Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5370 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Defending force 13493 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 258

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
15th Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment
24th Group Army
1st War Area
39th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force
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[Lawless1]

The end is nigh for Bataan. Less than 2k supplies left.

[Lawless1]

What the numbers after the units mean on the ground combat display. Is it related to the attack strength of the unit

[Lawless1]

FLASH MESSAGE


DTG: 03 FEB 42

FM: CINCPAC
TO: COMINCH

Unoccupied Bakers Island has fallen.

We can now start training our bombardment TF and air units on live targets.

END MESSAGE

[BBfanboy]

Nice job hitting that Amphib TF near Ambon. The troop losses appear to be a tank/armoured car unit, which could be a big setback to his plans to land with superior firepower.[:)]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Lawless1

What the numbers after the units mean on the ground combat display. Is it related to the attack strength of the unit

The numbers after the unit are the raw AV before adjustments by the combat calculations. You can watch the AV change during combat as an indicator of losses. Use that info in conjunction with the Combat Report to estimate how much of that is FOW. The game rewards watching the animations and noting what happens during them.

[Lawless1]

Thanks BBfanboy. I always watch the animation.

[Lawless1]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Nice job hitting that Amphib TF near Ambon. The troop losses appear to be a tank/armoured car unit, which could be a big setback to his plans to land with superior firepower.[:)]

Thank you, yes it was some kind of tank/armored unit.

Unfortunately all sueface ships attached to this theather have damage that requires a refit from several days to weeks. All have been sent to various ports in Australia for repairs

[Lawless1]

Major lost in PI, IJ LCU attack Mauban before going to Bataan.

Map shows area around Ambon

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 05, 42


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Ground combat at Mauban (80,78)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1768 troops, 71 guns, 190 vehicles, Assault Value = 106

Defending force 7458 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Japanese adjusted assault: 116

Allied adjusted defense: 57

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mauban !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10963 casualties reported
Squads: 274 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 589 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 112 (112 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
14th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion

Defending units:
71st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
PAF Aviation


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Japanese forces CAPTURE Madjene !!!

[Lawless1]

Greetings All

Some update statistics

Ship loses to date:

IJN Most of the IJN loses due to surface raiding by ABADA forces
Allied loses mostly by aircraft

IJN Allies

CVL Ryujo BC Repulse
CA Takao 3 DD
1 TB 2 xAP
5 DD 9 xAKL
1 AO 4 xAK
2 xAP 2 TK (1 YO)
6 xAKL 1 ARD (so sad the Dewey didn't make it)
34 xAK (7 12 pointers) 2 AVP
2 SSX 2 CM
1 SS (probably FOG 2 CMc
3 AMc 15 Amc
3 CM 2 YMS
2 SC 6 PC (4 AU, 2 USN)
2 E (both in surface combat) 7 MTB
6 PB 4 ML
1 LSD 11 HDML

Satisfied with the performance of ABADA forces. Most have damage of some sort and have retired for refit and upgrade for a few of the ships. Of course the IJN is now doing a full press court with landings all over the DEI.

First air raid on mainland Australia at Nomanton. Normaton is being built up to provide support to Horn Island
17 P-40E have been transferred to Normanton

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 11, 42
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Afternoon Air attack on Normanton , at 86,138

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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[Lawless1]

Major Japan air loses

[Lawless1]

Major Allied air loses as of 12 Feb 42

[Lawless1]

After thee days of AMP landing and a week of bombing attacks Makassar has fallen.

A LCU took the empty port.base of Watampome, possible by para drop, as I had a lot of subs and patrol crafts around Makassar and no indication of ship going to Watampome. However the unit got there it started marching towards Makassar. I shifted a light Dutch bombing unit to Makassar for ground attacks against the invading LCU.

Makassar was reinforced with units from Bandjarmsin and Samannda. Dutch fighter were assigned there but became combat ineffective and were withdrawn.

All the major bases on Celebes have been captured.

[Lawless1]

Major patrol craft locations 14FEB42

PC set to NAVSCH day ops unless there is either two PC units located at AF or there are bombers also located at the AF.
In that case night ops are conducted. I have the range set between 8-12 hexes and alitude from 3-7k. Lower level for ASW
and night ops.

Location Aviation Support Patrol Crafts

Kure Island 28 12
Midway 69 12
Lihue 25 12
Peal Harbor 640 12
Hilo 30 12
Johnson Is 25 12
Palymra Is 25 12
Fanning Is 16 12
Christmas Is 58 24
Penrhyn Is 42 12
Canton Is 92 24
Ta'a Is 37 24
Pago Pago 121 12
Savaii 50 12
Nadi 16 12
Sava 78 12
Noumea 36 12
Cairns 28 12
Horn Is 94 10
Townsville 112 06
Deiago Garcia 22 12
Columbo 80 04
Chittagong 136 06

[Lawless1]

Currently reading Ian W. Toll's book Pacific Crucible, Volume 1 of the Pacific War Trilogy, interesting background of the mover and shakers of WW2.

Am alreadky following the hold and build by building up bases and air fields to support the long logistic trail to Australia. Also concentrating on building up Marine Defense Base Forces before upgrading TO&E of other units.

I'm thinking of following Admiral Kings order to hit them hard, where the ain't. Spedificaly the 1 Feb 1942 raid on the Marshal Islands. No indication of any KB or mini-KB near the Marshal Islands. All IJN air TF are in the DEI or around Philippens.

MY plan is to creat two CVTF, using the Enterprise, Yorktown, and Saratoga and Lexington.

Question-- the CVTF will travel together, but showld they be in the same hex, of should one follow one hex behind the other? I may also include a Bombardment TF, but have not made up my mind about that.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appriciated. I am aware that this raid would probably not work against a human player.


Thanks to all who have taken their time to view my AAR