Empire of the Sun - DesertWolf101 (J) vs Andy Mac (A)

[DesertWolf101]

January 8, 1942

Submarines

Near Formosa, the Permit hits TK Eiyo Maru with a torpedo but the Mk14 thankfully duds.

I-21 sinks AK San Anselmo off the Californian coast. Nearby, I-20 sinks AKL White Wing.

North Pacific

As US troops continue to land at Adak, four battleships pound the resident Japanese base force. SBD and TBD bombers join in on the fun from the American carriers.

Malaya

Japanese tank regiments capture Kuantan, the last Allied base in Malaya besides Singapore.

Borneo

Once again my opponent snuck in Swordfish aircraft into Bandjermasin from where they hit one of my AKs with two 500lb bombs, damaging her so heavily I was forced to scuttle her.

China

Japanese troops take over Kukong.

-----

I'm not thrilled by the Allied push in the North Pacific but I trust the weather to slow things down while I try to gather up some reinforcements.

[DesertWolf101]

January 9, 1942

Submarines

I-7 sinks AK Clevedon near Canadian waters.

Near Tokyo, Trout suffers a torpedo malfunction against AK Kamikaze Maru.

Singapore

The Japanese forces at Singapore, having recovered enough from the high disruption suffered during the crossing, attempt a deliberate attack. Despite 2 to 1 odds in my favor, Japanese casualties were relatively high with 115 combat squads destroyed and 207 disabled. The Singapore garrison lost 117 with 85 disabled.

Philippines

I try another attack at Manila with slightly better results of 1 to 1 odds. Additional Japanese reinforcements are coming in to hopefully finally take the city.

New Guinea

Japanese troops land at Lae.

Meanwhile, a Japanese parachute operation attempts to take Merauke but is surprised to find a Dutch aviation unit there.

Sumatra

Japanese troops take Lahat.

Philippine Sea

Japanese destroyers Uzuki and Yuzuki find and sink the 6 surviving British MTBs from Hong Kong that were out of fuel and slowly attempting to make it to allied lines.

Burma

Japanese naval bombers vaporize a Burmese rifle battalion that was attempting to block the Japanese river crossing north of Pegu, paving the way for an unopposed move into the hex next turn.

China

Japanese paratroopers land at an ungarrisoned Ankang and seize it.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

I'm not thrilled by the Allied push in the North Pacific but I trust the weather to slow things down while I try to gather up some reinforcements.

You should be thrilled. Those slow BB have like 35 night experience, and are very vulnerable to small destroyer squadrons. The bad weather makes them especially vulnerable. The fleet carriers aren't much better.

Allies got to play with their toys before they are ready.

I have sunk so many ships in the North Pacific because AFB's don't think and instead feel they have to hit hard with everything they have somewhere. No better place for Japan to fight in early 1942 the USN.[:)]

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

I'm not thrilled by the Allied push in the North Pacific but I trust the weather to slow things down while I try to gather up some reinforcements.

You should be thrilled. Those slow BB have like 35 night experience, and are very vulnerable to small destroyer squadrons. The bad weather makes them especially vulnerable. The fleet carriers aren't much better.

Allies got to play with their toys before they are ready.

I have sunk so many ships in the North Pacific because AFB's don't think and instead feel they have to hit hard with everything they have somewhere. No better place for Japan to fight in early 1942 the USN.[:)]

Yes, feed the King and Snow crabs. [:D]

If you put DDs on low aggression, they should go in and launch torpedoes then withdraw if faced with combat vessels. Make sure that you have an AD available for reloads if the ports are not large enough to handle torpedo reloads. Two or Three DDs in a task force would be optimal for such raids.

Don't forget MTBs and minisubs either. [;)]

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

I'm not thrilled by the Allied push in the North Pacific but I trust the weather to slow things down while I try to gather up some reinforcements.

You should be thrilled. Those slow BB have like 35 night experience, and are very vulnerable to small destroyer squadrons. The bad weather makes them especially vulnerable. The fleet carriers aren't much better.

Allies got to play with their toys before they are ready.

I have sunk so many ships in the North Pacific because AFB's don't think and instead feel they have to hit hard with everything they have somewhere. No better place for Japan to fight in early 1942 the USN.[:)]

Yes, feed the King and Snow crabs. [:D]

If you put DDs on low aggression, they should go in and launch torpedoes then withdraw if faced with combat vessels. Make sure that you have an AD available for reloads if the ports are not large enough to handle torpedo reloads. Two or Three DDs in a task force would be optimal for such raids.

Don't forget MTBs and minisubs either. [;)]

Hmmm interesting. Might try to be more active in this area in the future. My opponent is covering his back though, extensive night and day search in the area from what I can tell.

[DesertWolf101]

January 10, 1942

Submarines

AK Arizonian goes down to I-26 east of Hawaii.

S/SW Pacific

5 Allied destroyers shell the Japanese Raiding Regiment at Marauke. At the same time, my opponent flew in elements of the 53rd Australian and the Sparrow Battalions (likely by PBY). The resulting Japanese shock attack by the Raiding Regiment therefore fails.

Kavieng finally falls with the arrival of an SNLF unit.

Philippines

Another Japanese deliberate attack at Manila with the arrival of reinforcements takes down the fortifications to 0. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel here, but really can’t see a way to tackle Clark anytime soon.

Java

The first sweep over Java goes in from Palembang. Zero fighters dominate, shooting down the few Buffalos on CAP. Betty bombers follow the sweep and destroy a couple of Vildebeests on the ground.

Burma

20 Oscars intercept a dozen B-17Ds over Burma, hitting them numerous times which if the intel report is to be believed led to the loss of 5 of the bombers.

Japanese and Thai troops finally make it into the hex north of Pegu, arriving just before the 1st Burma Division.

[DesertWolf101]

January 11, 1942

Submarines

Despite the malfunctioning of a torpedo, I-21 takes down AK Harpoon off the coast of California.

North Pacific

I rush reinforcements to Attu and Amchitka islands with fast transports, set up a float transport plane operation to supply the 7th base Force at Adak (now entirely deprived of supply), and dispatch submarines to the area, which finally begin to arrive.

Philippines

Despite being hit by more than 100 Japanese bombers, the garrison at Manila survives yet another Japanese attack. Hopefully the next one gets through.

Borneo

Tarakan finally falls to the Japanese. Thankfully despite the numerous attacks the oil is completely intact.

[DesertWolf101]

January 12, 1942

Submarines

I-1 attempts to interfere with the Allied operations around Adak but is sighted and damaged by escorting destroyers.

Philippines

Finally, Manila falls to the Empire! The defending garrison, principally composed of five Filipino infantry divisions and associated HQ and base force units, is wiped out.

China

The 38th division finally arrives at Liuchow and attacks but does not succeed against the strengthened Chinese garrison. The division settles in and awaits reinforcements.

[DesertWolf101]

January 13, 1942

Submarines

Near Kodiak, I-5 sinks AKL Mapele with its deck gun.

Despite the damage sustained in the previous turn, I decide to keep I-1 around Adak in the hopes of getting in a successful strike. This turned out to be a bad decision as the submarine is sighted again and suffers even more damage. Time for the sub to head back home.

New Guinea

Amateur hour – I accidentally dump the 144th Regiment in the adjacent hex instead of at Merauke. Mortified by the misclick, I scramble to load up the transports again. [8|]

Sumatra

Oosthaven is taken by the 2nd Tank Regiment.

Burma

Aided by airstrikes and fast moving units, I successfully corner the 1st Burma Division as it attempts to withdraw to the north.

[DesertWolf101]

January 14, 1942

Submarines

Thanks to I-21, AK Mormacmar becomes a reef near the U.S. West Coast.

North Pacific

The 34th and 161st Infantry Regiments attempt a deliberate attack but the 7th Base Force holds on despite high disruption and low supply.

Singapore

The third attack does the trick; the fortress city falls to the Empire! 33 units along with thousands of squads and devices are eliminated. Unfortunately, all the light and heavy industry, the resources, and the shipyard are entirely wrecked.

Java

Finding no more resistance over Batavia, Zeros sweep over Kalidjati and knock out half a dozen Buffalo fighters.

Burma

Despite several Oscar sweeps going in and cleaning the CAP over the 1st Burma Division in the morning, the afternoon strike by a Nell formation on the divison met more AVG resistance. 8 Nells are lost during the day.

------

With Singapore under Japanese control, I start preparations for the next target: Java.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Singapore

The third attack does the trick; the fortress city falls to the Empire! 33 units along with thousands of squads and devices are eliminated. Unfortunately, all the light and heavy industry, the resources, and the shipyard are entirely wrecked.

What are you planning on rebuilding?

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Singapore

The third attack does the trick; the fortress city falls to the Empire! 33 units along with thousands of squads and devices are eliminated. Unfortunately, all the light and heavy industry, the resources, and the shipyard are entirely wrecked.

What are you planning on rebuilding?

I know it's a lot of supply, but I am rebuilding at least the HI and a substantial portion of the repair shipyard. Bad idea?

[RangerJoe]

Once you take Manila, just pound Clark to make him use his supplies and keep him from fortifying any more. Unless he brings in supplies, he won't get any more.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Once you take Manila, just pound Clark to make him use his supplies and keep him from fortifying any more. Unless he brings in supplies, he won't get any more.

Yup, that's the plan! Supply hits are unfortunately quite rare for some reason. I am getting about a single supply hit for every 50 runaway ones. But I figure at least I am using up his supply through the AA fire I receive, as well as the bombardments.

[RangerJoe]

Every attack increases the supply consumption 10%.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

I know it's a lot of supply, but I am rebuilding at least the HI and a substantial portion of the repair shipyard. Bad idea?

Both are a good idea. In fact, you may consider EXPANDING HI in Singapore; having supply production there is handy, and it's also close to fuel sources. It also gives you supply in case Singers is cut off from Home Islands by a landing in Luzon

The shipyard is very useful, though no need to expand

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

I know it's a lot of supply, but I am rebuilding at least the HI and a substantial portion of the repair shipyard. Bad idea?

Both are a good idea. In fact, you may consider EXPANDING HI in Singapore; having supply production there is handy, and it's also close to fuel sources. It also gives you supply in case Singers is cut off from Home Islands by a landing in Luzon

The shipyard is very useful, though no need to expand

Thanks, that was my line of thinking as well but wanted to see if I was missing something.

[Alamander]

Tough break with Singapore razed. Such is the life of the Japanese player, and it seems to me that at least one key industry site is mostly destroyed every game, so if you are able to take some other key sites, like Manila, Bankok, and Wenchow intact, you'll be par for the course. At least Palembang came through in good condition, and if Balikpapan does as well, you will be fine. 100K supply fixing some things up is not going to break the bank.

Keep the divisions with disabled devices broken down into 3 parts in Singapore with 20K+ supply and at least 1 HQ. Lots of support devices and supply at a large base will have them all back in the fight at 100% in a couple weeks.

Have you formulated a plan for Luzon or still weighing the options? You can probably expect the allies to remain in supply there until sometime in August if you do nothing else. Controlling the south of the island and having units on Manila, even withot controlling the base, will result eventually in a deficiency of resources for Manila's industry, because resources do not produce if enemy combat units are in the hex (though industry will continue to produce so long as it does have resources).

You are doing very well and have yet to fall into any the traps that first-time Japanese players often fall into: such as not moving quickly enough on Palembang or committing enough to Singapore. Whatever you decide about Luzon, whether to heavily reinforce your position and have at it now or wear it down slowly, it will probably not make an enormous difference long-term. I suspect that you will have time and initiative for one major move beyond the historical conquest area regardless to Ceylon, or a push into India, or something more daring.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Alamander

Tough break with Singapore razed. Such is the life of the Japanese player, and it seems to me that at least one key industry site is mostly destroyed every game, so if you are able to take some other key sites, like Manila, Bankok, and Wenchow intact, you'll be par for the course. At least Palembang came through in good condition, and if Balikpapan does as well, you will be fine. 100K supply fixing some things up is not going to break the bank.

Keep the divisions with disabled devices broken down into 3 parts in Singapore with 20K+ supply and at least 1 HQ. Lots of support devices and supply at a large base will have them all back in the fight at 100% in a couple weeks.

Have you formulated a plan for Luzon or still weighing the options? You can probably expect the allies to remain in supply there until sometime in August if you do nothing else. Controlling the south of the island and having units on Manila, even withot controlling the base, will result eventually in a deficiency of resources for Manila's industry, because resources do not produce if enemy combat units are in the hex (though industry will continue to produce so long as it does have resources).

You are doing very well and have yet to fall into any the traps that first-time Japanese players often fall into: such as not moving quickly enough on Palembang or committing enough to Singapore. Whatever you decide about Luzon, whether to heavily reinforce your position and have at it now or wear it down slowly, it will probably not make an enormous difference long-term. I suspect that you will have time and initiative for one major move beyond the historical conquest area regardless to Ceylon, or a push into India, or something more daring.

I already took Balikpapan on January 4 and Manila on January 12 [:)]

There was some destruction in Manila but not too bad. Balikpapan had 60 oil wells damaged but I can live with that. Singapore is the one that has been smashed, but like you say, it seems that some level of destruction during the conquest is inevitable.

As for the plan for Luzon, I am mostly attempting a starve them out strategy. With Manila in my hands they shouldn't be drawing supply anymore but I have no idea how long their stockpiles will last. I guess I can only keep hammering at them with bombings and bombardments and hope they run out sooner than later. With the forces at hand I can't seriously entertain direct attacks though, especially the way my opponent has built up his defense in Clark. If they run out of supplies by late April, I will be very happy!

[DesertWolf101]

ASW Altitude

Hey guys, a newbie question for you -

My opponent is starting to really encircle the Home Islands with subs, and I am bringing in ASW Air into play to help out. Assuming the air crew is well experienced and with high ASW skill, what is the optimal altitude for carrying out air ASW patrols?

I came across a thread where it was suggested to go as low as 100 feet - is that the correct recommendation?

Thanks!