Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut (A)

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Japan shocked at Loyang, and quite frankly I was surprised by how drastically my AV (and his, for that matter) was reduced.

If you look closely you'll see his losses were rather insignificant. Mostly disablement's, and a lot of those will probably recover 'overnight'. He may have one unit that's somewhat out of it for now. Your retreated guys OTOH look like they're pretty beat up.

Don't try to sugar coat it.[:D]

What I meant to say is that I was a little surprised that 1100 "Raw" AV was knocked down to 200 AV, when my only negative was "experience". Usually, the Chinese raw av isn't knocked that much. Then, I lost the base on a 2 to 1 attack, but somehow I always thought you needed at least 3 to 1 to capture a base. Oh well.

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I can move a stack into "east" china relatively quickly.

East China I see as a lost cause. North and Northeast are a bit easier. Good defensive terrain, and something of a road network. To the east, too much clear terrain, and no real road network. You don't want to fight Japan in that location.

East China is a lost cause, but there's still some fight in it, and Iachang is only valuable until Sian falls. Right now, there's about 8-10 enemy divisions marching into NE China. I'll have to go through my notes and get the exact number of divisions. I think I might start moving a stack through Iachang and "up the backside" of the enemy. I hope that, while I may not be able to defeat these units on the field, I can disrupt their supply which would impede their ability to fight and also cause a bigger supply drain on this offensive than necessary. Gotta keep the eye on the prize and that's "run him out of supply in 45"

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I'm torn between trying to reinforce Noumea or Tabiteuea (sp). I'm leaning towards Tab since controlling that makes the "West Coast to OZ" journey much shorter than if I have to go to Tahiti, then west to OZ.

I get what you're trying to do here, but I think Noumea is more important. You may still get Tab later since its a bit exposed on the fringe of the 'Empire'. Just set the op up and when you know the KB is away, grab it.

Patience 'Grasshopper'.[:D]

Remember time is on your side.

It may be a moot point. Koumac (that base about 4 hexes NW of Noumea) was just invaded. I have a unit at Sydney, OZ - an Ozzie Cav Regiment of about 130AV, with tanks in it - that would cost me 300 PP to release... that I could, possibly, get to Noumea in time.

That's probably what I'm going to do, not so much that I will be able to "hold" Noumea if CB comes there "with extreme prejudice", but more so to "not" give him a freebie. Also, if CB is just doing this invasion to see if he can get it on the cheap, but doesn't really plan to fight it, this will dissuade him, I hope. Also, there aren't any surrounding, built-up, japanese airfields, so I'm safe from LBA for a while. This could force CB to use his KB and other "big boy" ships, at the far end of a long chain of fuel and supply depots. This would tie his forces to Noumea for a while, letting me know where they are, and freeing me up for other moves that may be "on hold" due to an in-situ KB.

Speaking of - no sign of the KB - but I do have about a 4-5 hex gap north of Noumea that I can't reach with search planes. If the KB was covering the Koumac invasion, this is where it would be. Proceed accordingly.



Also - If I can get Tab and hold it, I'm in a good position to threaten/reinforce the Santa Cruz islands (which haven't been touched by CB yet), which would cut-off Lungaville, Efate, and Noumea.



So as I look at it, I can have the Ozzie Cav Regiment in Noumea in about 7-8 days, and some units in Tab in about 2-3 weeks.



Also, in this latest turn - my LRCAP of Canton bagged about 15-20 IJA bombers. Multiple IJN fleets are headed towards Palembang. The RN Eastern Fleet will arrive in Perth tomorrow and it's got a barrelload of Naval Support

[AcePylut]

Jan 3rd (I missed a couple days, but not much to note):

The turn is in the books. On my email sending the turn to CB, I mentioned “oh, landings at Koumac ‘eh? You must want Noumea.” On his response, he said “Spoiler Alert: it’s one of the bases Japan must have and I’m coming for it.” If only he knew the discussion being had on this AAR, he wouldn’t have given this info away. I’m still going to try and push a unit or two into it. It will be a sacrifice, but a sacrifice for time.

Going around the horn – yesterday’s LRCAP “victory” at Canton in China led CB to stand down nearly all his Chinese bombers, except for 60 Sally’s that went after my units at Chengchow, the base SE of Loyang (sp). Not much I can do there except suffer.

I accidentally forgot to stand down some A-29’s at Chungking, and lost three of them to CAP on a ground attack.

Numerous small echelons of Dutchie 139WH-3’s sortied out of Palembang at the various shipping (at least 4-5 tf’s), but came up empty in their attacks. 3 DMS’s tried sweeping mines at Palembang, and 2 of them got hit by coastal fire for doing so. 21 mines were cleared, though.

A sub of mine patrolling Port Moresby watched a Jap DMS enter the hex and take a shell hit from a BF I have at PM. My sub did nothing.

Milne Bay – Gili Gili was invaded. My 2 subs sitting on this base did nothing but watch some slow arsed xAK’s skate right by their patrol zones and into the bay.

Tarakan was invaded – my CD unit there managed to park 14 shells of 75mm to 120mm into an xAK. That should sink it.
----
After re-jiggering my search arcs, a couple of enemy TF’s showed up north of Noumea. DL of 1 only, and no aircraft spotted or anything heavy, but this situation bears watching. If I grab that Ozzie Cav regiment and get it shipped to Noumea, it should arrive in 6-7 days. I would hope this is that sweet spot of timing that lets me get the unit on base after the IJ retires. We shall see.

I’m moving my A-24’s and perhaps another air group back into PM. Perhaps they can tag a couple of ships at GG/Milne. We shall see.

---
Koumac, as expected, fell to the enemys assault. I figure on a day or two for that unit to recoup disruption from landing ,then it will begin marching down to Noumea.


The big event of the day was action at Wenchow. Over the last few turns, it’s undergone LBA attacks every turn. I’ve been hesitant to move a Flying Tiger squadron into it, as I didn’t want to have “bad timing” and lose the base on the day this group flies into Wenchow. I’ve been waiting for the IJ to Deliberate Attack the base and get repulsed, as that should mean at least 2-3 days of “freedom” from another delib attack… that’s the time to move in an airgroup and shoot down some unescorted IJA bombers. Today – Wenchow was attacked, and held. Ergo – I’m moving in an AVG group and will cap the base for a turn or two.


“Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 59418 troops, 536 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 1947
Defending force 28954 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 988
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1187
Allied adjusted defense: 1048
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
4101 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 446 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled

Allied ground losses:
579 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Division
22nd Division
41st Division
32nd Division
15th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
32nd Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force”

[rustysi]

It may be a moot point. Koumac (that base about 4 hexes NW of Noumea) was just invaded. I have a unit at Sydney, OZ - an Ozzie Cav Regiment of about 130AV, with tanks in it - that would cost me 300 PP to release... that I could, possibly, get to Noumea in time.

That's probably what I'm going to do, not so much that I will be able to "hold" Noumea if CB comes there "with extreme prejudice", but more so to "not" give him a freebie.

Yeah, not being an AFB I don't know what you can throw in here, but I wouldn't give it up without a fight. Remember its a game of air and sea, the land crap is 'secondary', more or less. Not that its a non-factor, but... Land only really counts toward building your next base/platform to advance your position.

So what size is the airfield at this point? Any engineers there or in range to build up fortifications? Can you 'fly' any into the base? Don't forget you may use PBY's to do this. Can you get any other troops into the base, say an infantry brigade that's decent? Can you build up your supply in the locale? Again fly some in if necessary.

Remember you can slow his infantry moving down from Koumac with ground bombing. If its a large enough (and it doesn't take too much) attack it'll flip his movement mode from 'move' to 'normal'. Could cut his speed in half, even on the paved road. Gives you some time. Don't forget to hit Koumac directly to keep his building of the base to a minimum. You could even destroy some of his supply there, thus complicating things for him. Its a long haul for him to get anything there, and TBH unless he's moved massive supplies there's not much in the region as a whole. BTW what did he land at Koumac?

[rustysi]

On his response, he said “Spoiler Alert: it’s one of the bases Japan must have and I’m coming for it.”

He and I disagree here, and he could just be 'bluffing'. Either way the base is important to you so whatever you push into it won't be a loss. I do feel that its an over extension for Japan. Even if he eventually takes it he'll only hold it as long as your forces are insufficient. You'll get it back before long.

[rustysi]

Also - If I can get Tab and hold it, I'm in a good position to threaten/reinforce the Santa Cruz islands (which haven't been touched by CB yet), which would cut-off Lungaville, Efate, and Noumea.



So as I look at it, I can have the Ozzie Cav Regiment in Noumea in about 7-8 days, and some units in Tab in about 2-3 weeks.

You seem fixated on 'Tab'. While I agree its a good jumping off point into the Gilberts and Marshalls you still can't hold it at this point of the game if he wants it back. I'd push the units into Suva before I'd go for 'Tab'. Its along your SLOC and Suva could be your jump off point to recover Noumea, if need be.

[rustysi]

Also, in this latest turn - my LRCAP of Canton bagged about 15-20 IJA bombers.

Nice one. Small victories at this point. Death by a thousand cuts.[:D]

[rustysi]

Milne Bay – Gili Gili was invaded. My 2 subs sitting on this base did nothing but watch some slow arsed xAK’s skate right by their patrol zones and into the bay.

I’m moving my A-24’s and perhaps another air group back into PM. Perhaps they can tag a couple of ships at GG/Milne. We shall see.

Another reason I liked the A-24's there in the first place. Even with lousy stats they still may get a hit on a lowly merchie. One thousand pounder should do the job. Hopefully you hit it before everything is unloaded as a bonus.[:D]

The KB can't be everywhere at once. In the SRA you want to give him pause by putting in some opposition. Do the same here as well.

[rustysi]

Tarakan was invaded – my CD unit there managed to park 14 shells of 75mm to 120mm into an xAK. That should sink it.

This was inevitable and the fact you roughed up a merchie is a bonus. As you say it'll probably sink.

[rustysi]

After re-jiggering my search arcs, a couple of enemy TF’s showed up north of Noumea. DL of 1 only, and no aircraft spotted or anything heavy, but this situation bears watching. If I grab that Ozzie Cav regiment and get it shipped to Noumea, it should arrive in 6-7 days. I would hope this is that sweet spot of timing that lets me get the unit on base after the IJ retires. We shall see.

Do what you can to keep 'eyes' in this area. He's gonna need to get stuff through here if he wants Noumea, and the harder you make it the better. Any subs in 'da hood'?[:D] If not get some there ASAP.

[rustysi]

The big event of the day was action at Wenchow. Over the last few turns, it’s undergone LBA attacks every turn.

Against the airfield or ground troops? If its against the troops, again I disagree with CB's approach. Its much better to hit the airfield. He wastes your supply this way, and the good terrain in the hex will limit the effects on your ground troops anyway. So if he's hitting the AF, I would recommend against the move. Either way don't keep it there too long.

BTW, now that's a good result. CB took heavy 'losses' and gained little.

21st Division

I know this unit to be an unrestricted one. The fact that its mucking about here in China is a good thing from my standpoint. It not causing mischief in the main theater of operations.

Yes, Japan needs to conquer or at least lay China prostrate, but to leave unrestricted units here at this point of the game is fruitless IMHO.

[rustysi]

except for 60 Sally’s that went after my units at Chengchow, the base SE of Loyang (sp). Not much I can do there except suffer.

Its why I advocate giving up these bases, especially when there's such good defensive terrain just back of the area.

[rustysi]

Overall no real disasters so far.[:D]

[AcePylut]

January 4th:

Today was a relatively “happy” day, in a sense.

My air ambush at Wenchow worked. (2) AVG groups intercepted a host of incoming Sonia’s and Lily’s and splashed 16 of them, with another 15 damaged. (Rustysi - they are bombing the airfield, not troops). I will now pull these groups back to the Changsa region lest they get swamped by a concerted sweep effort, then stuck by the airfield being closed down, then lost when the IJ army takes the base.

At Tarakan, my Dutchie CD unit has laser cannons… over multiple Amphib Assaults, the following mixed bag of 75mm and 120mm hits were recorded: xAK Tamon Maru (2 shell hits), xAK Hakusika Maru (13 hits, heavy fires), xAP Kongo Maru (1 hit), xAK Kinryu Maru (11 hits, heavy fires), xAK Hakodate Maru (7 hits, on fire), xAP Hikawa Maru (2 hits, on fire), APD Tsuta (6 hits). Some of these ships should sink. CB should attack tomorrow and take the base – lets hope he left more units to land at the base, so I can get in more CD hits 😊

The first bit of Major news is the invasion of Palembang. Multiple TF’s landed troops here (at least 2 inf regiments, 4-5 aviation units, about 15 AA units among others). During the invasion, the CA Mikuma struck a mine. She didn’t sink, but she’s burning pretty well. She’ll be out of the war for a couple of months. Palembang should fall on the first attack, if I’m lucky, the second attack.

The second bit of major news – IJ Carriers! At least 2 IJ carriers show up in the PM phase, about 3 hexes NE of Townsville. They catch 2 AM that were escorting 1 CM and sink them. I smell bait. No way CB would expose 2 CVL’s or CVE’s so far from home, all alone. Search arcs will be revisited this turn and see if I can sport anything else out there.

At PM, my A-24’s sortied against the ships at GG/Milne Bay. The xAK Tenryu Maru eats 1000 pounds of explosive, as does the xAK Yuzan Maru.

My units in the open near Iachang continue to get pounded by IJ bombers, as does Palembang.

In ground combat – Milne Bay Gili Gili falls to the IJ. My units in Canton, China take their first deliberate attack and hold. It came off at a 1 to 1 though. I also notice that CB cut off those troops in Canton, so I’m going to march a unit down a large road and try and open a supply path. I’m also going to use my transports to try and transport some supply into them, which will be preceded by an AVG sweep to clear any IJ fighters.

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

It may be a moot point. Koumac (that base about 4 hexes NW of Noumea) was just invaded. I have a unit at Sydney, OZ - an Ozzie Cav Regiment of about 130AV, with tanks in it - that would cost me 300 PP to release... that I could, possibly, get to Noumea in time.

That's probably what I'm going to do, not so much that I will be able to "hold" Noumea if CB comes there "with extreme prejudice", but more so to "not" give him a freebie.

Yeah, not being an AFB I don't know what you can throw in here, but I wouldn't give it up without a fight. Remember its a game of air and sea, the land crap is 'secondary', more or less. Not that its a non-factor, but... Land only really counts toward building your next base/platform to advance your position.

So what size is the airfield at this point? Any engineers there or in range to build up fortifications? Can you 'fly' any into the base? Don't forget you may use PBY's to do this. Can you get any other troops into the base, say an infantry brigade that's decent? Can you build up your supply in the locale? Again fly some in if necessary.

Remember you can slow his infantry moving down from Koumac with ground bombing. If its a large enough (and it doesn't take too much) attack it'll flip his movement mode from 'move' to 'normal'. Could cut his speed in half, even on the paved road. Gives you some time. Don't forget to hit Koumac directly to keep his building of the base to a minimum. You could even destroy some of his supply there, thus complicating things for him. Its a long haul for him to get anything there, and TBH unless he's moved massive supplies there's not much in the region as a whole. BTW what did he land at Koumac?

There's very little in the area that can reinforce the base. Most of the Oz and NZ units are all militia, however, I just paid 290PP to release an OZ Cav unit that has regular infantry, tanks, guns, and other stuff. It's av is 120, and should make a decent roadblock. I'm moving an AVD into the base (2 turns out) to get some search planes, but other than that, it's too far to be supported by OZ, NZ, or Suva. Noumea is a level 2 airfield, with no ENG units, and no bombers, so I can't really do anything to the unit coming down at this point. Perhaps had I anticipated this move on Dec 7th, I could have had something more substantial there, but that's behind me now, and really a mooot point considering what my plan was "for this game"... and that is to get some US-Oz supply hubs built.

In every game I've played, the IJ has always gone for Noumea, Suva, and Pago Pago... so I came into this game "not" wanting to build these bases up for the Japanese, and that's why I've left them alone, so far.

[AcePylut]

PS - didn't know that about the 21st - so thanks for the info!

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Overall no real disasters so far.[:D]

There's plenty of time for that to happen.[:D]

[bradfordkay]

"The second bit of major news – IJ Carriers! At least 2 IJ carriers show up in the PM phase, about 3 hexes NE of Townsville. They catch 2 AM that were escorting 1 CM and sink them. I smell bait. No way CB would expose 2 CVL’s or CVE’s so far from home, all alone. Search arcs will be revisited this turn and see if I can sport anything else out there. "

Where is the Repulse now? Is she threatened by this carrier group?

[AcePylut]

The Repulse, the PoW and various assorted CA/CL/DD's from the DEI are repairing minor damage at Melbourne.

Oh, by the way, I have 2 US CV's and the Hermes on the south side of Oz too