Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesesteak v. RADM Yamaguchi

[aaffins]

VAC has done a nice job of documenting our naval misadventures but he overlooks the Keystone Kops routine going on in China, some highlights over the first 10 days of March:

1. Yamaguchi learns how hexsides and rivers work:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 04, 42

Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6268 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1843

Defending force 55711 troops, 417 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1344

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 1693

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
4673 casualties reported
Squads: 226 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 35 (2 destroyed, 33 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
34th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
13th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Armored Car Co
12th RGC Ind. Brigade
13th Tank Regiment
7th RGC Temp. Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
21st Group Army
2nd Group Army
31st Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps

2. Attacking again a day after taking a 1:2 thrashing

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 06, 42

Ground combat at 85,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22410 troops, 253 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 630

Defending force 10270 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 337

Japanese adjusted assault: 258

Allied adjusted defense: 433

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2003 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 179 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Division
26th Division
1st Army
North China Area Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
38th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
4th Group Army

3. Active Defense!

Ground combat at Loyang (87,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11352 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 361

Defending force 420 troops, 12 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 39

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Loyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (38 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
27th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
14th Group Army

Defending units:
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

4. I'm not sure what the idea was here

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 09, 42

Ground combat at Nanchang (85,54)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11694 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 683

Defending force 21476 troops, 183 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

Japanese adjusted assault: 124

Allied adjusted defense: 269

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2513 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 220 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 15 (3 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Division
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
30th Group Army

5. Why shock attack?

Ground combat at 85,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 58309 troops, 561 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 1876

Defending force 18262 troops, 123 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 583

Japanese adjusted assault: 1994

Allied adjusted defense: 1102

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3020 casualties reported
Squads: 133 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 34 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1630 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 196 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Division
35th Division
36th Division
32nd Division
26th Division
North China Area Army
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
4th Group Army

[HansBolter]

Is he not reconning the strength of these hexes with bombardment attacks before he commits to deliberate and especially shock attacks?

Following a shellacking on an ill considered shock attack with a deliberate attack the next day is shear folly.

One suspects he has not learned to use the yellow highlighted text in the upper right corner of the LCU interface for toggling between 'soft' and 'hard' values.

The second, often overlooked, page of this interface is where one monitors the fatigue, disruption and morale of every unit in the stack. A look at that page on the day after the shock attack would be enough to convince anyone to stand down and rest for at least 3-5 days before mounting a second attack.

And never, never, never mount a shock attack against a heavily defended hex that hasn't been reduced first.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Is he not reconning the strength of these hexes with bombardment attacks before he commits to deliberate and especially shock attacks?

Following a shellacking on an ill considered shock attack with a deliberate attack the next day is shear folly.

One suspects he has not learned to use the yellow highlighted text in the upper right corner of the LCU interface for toggling between 'soft' and 'hard' values.

The second, often overlooked, page of this interface is where one monitors the fatigue, disruption and morale of every unit in the stack. A look at that page on the day after the shock attack would be enough to convince anyone to stand down and rest for at least 3-5 days before mounting a second attack.

And never, never, never mount a shock attack against a heavily defended hex that hasn't been reduced first.

I think it's one part Fins being a better General than he lets on, three parts Yamaguichi being far more interested in other theaters. I think it was Greyjoy's first run as Japan where the comment was made that China isn't something Japan just wins; it requires some investment and care on their part.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS S-38 attacking SS I-121 at 48,142 - near Geraldton

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

SS S-38 launches 4 torpedoes at 4,000 yards


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sub on sub action! Commander of the S-38 is now in line for promotion. Historically, this would come with a pay-raise. We opt to take a page from 21st Century corporate life: put in him in charge of a CL for a month to make sure he is ready, then give the rank and pay increase.

What I have always seen sub vs sub as:

hahahaha yes! this is the quality type of posting I come to the forums for.

My mental image focused on the sub size disparity:

[CaptBeefheart]

The old WITP had an option where you could put China on AI, and I always played it that way. Not an interesting theater for this guy, although last night I did have an interesting discussion over beers about Vinegar Joe with a Taiwanese pressman.

Cheers,
CB

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

The old WITP had an option where you could put China on AI, and I always played it that way. Not an interesting theater for this guy, although last night I did have an interesting discussion over beers about Vinegar Joe with a Taiwanese pressman.

Cheers,
CB

We're just me playing, I'd vote for quiet China every time. That sounds like quite the evening. Assuming you're talking about the band, I'll have to check them out.

[aaffins]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

The old WITP had an option where you could put China on AI, and I always played it that way. Not an interesting theater for this guy, although last night I did have an interesting discussion over beers about Vinegar Joe with a Taiwanese pressman.

Cheers,
CB

We're just me playing, I'd vote for quiet China every time. That sounds like quite the evening. Assuming you're talking about the band, I'll have to check them out.

Google Joseph Stillwell, please.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: aaffins

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

The old WITP had an option where you could put China on AI, and I always played it that way. Not an interesting theater for this guy, although last night I did have an interesting discussion over beers about Vinegar Joe with a Taiwanese pressman.

Cheers,
CB

We're just me playing, I'd vote for quiet China every time. That sounds like quite the evening. Assuming you're talking about the band, I'll have to check them out.

Google Joseph Stillwell, please.

Google originally gave me two options to go with; does which I picked surprise you?

[aaffins]

Ha, it does not. I feel a little bad for thinking you didn't know who he was.

March 11, 1942:

We have been playing aggressively with some smaller SCTFs between Raoul I. and Samoa, hunting small enemy TFs attempting to secure the small bases in the area. The KB shows up and punishes us, sinking CLs Leander and Achilles along with DDs Hughes, Sims and Cunningham.

An enemy TF lands the IJA 90th Inf Regt at Cairns.

Our CVs remain west of Java, protecting Cocos I. awaiting arrival of a TF carrying the 44th Indian Brig.

[CaptBeefheart]

There's a band called Vinegar Joe? You learn something new every day.

Cheers,
CB

[aaffins]

March 12, 1942

IJA pushes us out of a key blocking position in the wooded hills SW of Sian, we lose about 170 squads and more importantly the door to Sian is open. Didn't have any illusions about being able to hold it long term, but was hoping to hold out a bit longer than this.

Enemy goes 1:2 at Kukong. Not a lot we can do here, but hoping the enemy is struggling to bring in reinforcements.

In Burma the IJA 48th Div launches a shock attack on our main force between Prome and Bassein (over the river). They go 1:2 and take heavy casualties - 260 disabled/destroyed squads

Enemy captures Wyndham

KB remains near Raoul I.

[aaffins]

March 13, 1942

A poorly routed TF (idiot staff!) sails a bit too close to Noumea and the CAs Australia and Louisville are torpedoed. Damage to the Australia is light, but the Louisville will laid up for some time with 48 FLT damage.

The enemy's 90th Inf Regt captures Cairns, but does not have any support units with it. We begin bombing with a mix of USAAF B-17s and RAAF squadrons flying from Townsville and Charter Towers.

[aaffins]

March 14, 1942

Essentially nothing happened.

KB is 7 hexes east of Auckland with heavy overcast coating the region. Opponent claims this is why no strikes were flown. I'm cynical...I would have preferred he have a go, we have 4 squadrons of USAAF fighters on CAP at Auckland.

Meanwhile, what on earth is this? A rufe shooting down a flying fortress? Every dog has his day, I guess.

Morning Air attack on 8th JNAF AF Unit , at 100,169 (Lord Howe Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: aaffins

March 13, 1942

A poorly routed TF (idiot staff!) sails a bit too close to Noumea and the CAs Australia and Louisville are torpedoed. Damage to the Australia is light, but the Louisville will laid up for some time with 48 FLT damage.

The enemy's 90th Inf Regt captures Cairns, but does not have any support units with it. We begin bombing with a mix of USAAF B-17s and RAAF squadrons flying from Townsville and Charter Towers.

Consider using the Wirraway for bombing his troops. With some experience and low level (2000 to 4000 feet) attacks they should begin to achieve something, and they help tire the CAP if there is any present.

[aaffins]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: aaffins

March 13, 1942

A poorly routed TF (idiot staff!) sails a bit too close to Noumea and the CAs Australia and Louisville are torpedoed. Damage to the Australia is light, but the Louisville will laid up for some time with 48 FLT damage.

The enemy's 90th Inf Regt captures Cairns, but does not have any support units with it. We begin bombing with a mix of USAAF B-17s and RAAF squadrons flying from Townsville and Charter Towers.

Consider using the Wirraway for bombing his troops. With some experience and low level (2000 to 4000 feet) attacks they should begin to achieve something, and they help tire the CAP if there is any present.

We have one squadron in action along with 10 Hudsons. You guys recommend using the planes with limited bomb loads against troops or the airfield?

[aaffins]

March 15, 1942

The KB pulls back to the North without flying a strike over NZ. Kind of a waste of time for your most valuable asset IMO, but I guess he did take out nearly 100 VPs of warship with this little foray so perhaps I'm harsh to judge.

We hammer an enemy Hvy Arty Regt and capture Tsiatoso with its handy supply generation.

We shock attack across the river from Ichang and rout the IJA 57th Brigade

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4108 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92

Defending force 195 troops, 10 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 80

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
27th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 46623 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1807

Defending force 5838 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 209

Allied adjusted assault: 1443

Japanese adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 26 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2614 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 140 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 14 (6 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
1029 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 238 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
59th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
33rd Group Army

Defending units:
57th Infantry Brigade

[aaffins]

March 16, 1942

Enemy lands at Christmas I. (IO)

IGD mops up the last of our forces at the southern end of Java.

Enemy Paras took Akyab, RAF begins raids from Chittagong and Calcutta. This is a problem because they are cutting off the retreat of our two divisions in lower Burma.

March 17, 1942

We lose a tanker and AVP to Betties flying from Noumea...poor routing on my part, rookie mistake.

The IJA 16th Div joins the 48th at the hex between Prome and Bassein and they dislodge our two divisions with a shock attack. Not ideal. Somewhat luckily for us the 46th Indian Brig takes the brunt and is essentially destroyed, the actual divisions retreat in ok order.

Ground combat at 54,51 (near Bassein)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 27228 troops, 352 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 747

Defending force 15477 troops, 159 guns, 53 vehicles, Assault Value = 617

Japanese adjusted assault: 644

Allied adjusted defense: 161

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2780 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 231 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3340 casualties reported
Squads: 286 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 253 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 27 (14 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (22 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Division
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Division
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
46th Indian Brigade
1st Burma Division
17th Indian Division
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
3rd Burma Rifles Battalion
77th Heavy AA Regiment

[aaffins]

March 18, 1942

Enemy troops are one hex south of Cairns moving down the road, harassed daily by RAAF Wirraways and Hudsons. B-17s join them this turn.

Derby falls to a small enemy force.

The 46th Indian Brig and 77th Heavy AA Regt are wiped out in Burma.

[aaffins]

March 19, 1942

Dutch warships led by CL Java intercept APDs operating off the coast of Northern Oz near Derby, I think they were moving out some of the troops that took the base last turn. We sink two, but three get away.

Our retreat south from Daly Waters (units we pulled out of Darwin) is being hit hard by IJA Sallies, units are not going to make it out in very good shape. This is representative:

Morning Air attack on Gull Battalion, at 76,132 , near Daly Waters

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Mandalay, mostly evacuated but for a small rearguard, falls to the IJA 5th and 56th Divs.

The IJA Paras from Prome launch a shock attack across the river to cut the coastal track, but are held off by the BFF Brigade fairly easily. This keeps the route of retreat open for our two divisions.

Cairns is now showing search a/c, not sure if he has AV support though?

[aaffins]

March 20, 1942

IJA 65th Brig lands at Cooktown

Our opponent has set up a bombardment run with BBs Mutsu and Nagato from Shanghai to Wenchow. Obviously doing a lot of damage, but not a great deal we can do about it. Moving some subs to try for a shot.

Zeroes flying from Adak sink our YPs at Dutch Harbor...interesting.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Dutch Harbor at 171,50

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
YP-74, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
YP-73, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
YP-92, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
YP-72, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb


SigInt indicates both the 38th and 33rd IJA Divs are embarked, apparently heading to Tricomalee, so that's the one place we can confident they are not heading based on past shenanigans.