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

[DesertWolf101]

February 19, 1942

North Pacific

Bolo bombers start hindering airfield construction efforts at Adak with almost daily bombing runs.

South Pacific

Ancient Vincent bombers from Pago Pago hit the airfield at Savaii.

Attempting to march down to Noumea from La Foa, the 144th Infantry Regiment is blocked by the arrival of the American 193rd Tank Battalion in the hex. The regiment attempts to push back the armored battalion but fails. Interesting to see how my opponent has moved in some tough units to block my progress in the South Pacific.

Philippines

The 73rd PA Infantry Regiment is crushed and Bacolod is taken.

Burma

I sneakily land a large chunk of the 4th Tank Regiment at Akyab from the sea to support the paratroopers there just in time for the arrival of the British 7th Hussars Regiment in the hex.

[DesertWolf101]

February 20, 1942

Submarines

Near Karachi, I-166 takes down TK British Trader with two torpedo hits.

North Pacific

Adak is once again hit by a night bombardment from three American heavy cruisers and two light cruisers.

Philippines

Japanese troops land at Baybay on Leyte.

North Australia

Further Zero sweeps go over Darwin, this time encountering resistance from P-40E fighters. The Zeros clear the skies however, allowing Betty bombers to hit the port and eliminate the remaining four coastal minesweepers there. 6 Zeros are lost today for 11 Warhawks.

China

Tojo fighters intercept six Chinese bombers that were harassing one of my armored car units south of Chungking and shoot down or damage all of them.

The main Japanese army arrives at Kweiyang and prepares to assault the base. In its wake, the Japanese have isolated and besieged three major concentrations of Chinese troops. These are at Wenchow, Changsha, and most recently Tuyun. The plan is to deal with these later and instead prioritize the drive on Chungking. As it is, my supply lines are fairly well established and secure so these three garrisons should have considerable trouble interfering with my operations.

If all goes well, the siege of Chungking should begin in early March, which should hopefully give me enough time to reduce its defenses before the end of the year. In the meantime, operations in northern China will continue with less priority towards Sian and Lanchow.

[Alfred]

Scarcely a day goes by with report of an Allied merchantman being sunk by a Japanese submarine. Is your opponent sailing without convoy escorts?

Alfred

[DesertWolf101]

He is certainly using convoy escorts. But between the heavy escort he is providing to some of his big tanker and troop convoys, (unfortunately, despite several attempts, I have yet to hit any of these), and the ASW task forces he is using to cover some critical areas, it seems not many escorts are left to protect the smaller marine traffic.

Along with a dose of good fortune, I have also found some success by prioritizing the targeting of merchantmen, regularly shifting my patrol areas, and going after different theaters entirely to keep him reacting with his sparse escorts as much as possible.

It certainly is getting harder though as he gets more assets though. Previous fertile waters near California are now much more difficult, and my success near Karachi has already come with severe damage to a couple of subs.

[DesertWolf101]

Operations Alpine Dingo and Bengal Tiger

Time to divulge my plans for the next operations after the SRA is conquered.

I have listed several reasons why I have placed a considerable amount of focus on the South Pacific area of operations. These include the destruction of Allied sealift at Australian ports, hampering my opponent’s ability to build up in the region and supply Australia for the inevitable counterattack, and seeking a decisive battle with the main American fleet. One aspect I have not mentioned is that these operations also figure prominently in an expansive effort to misdirect my opponent as to where the next Japanese blow will fall.

Operation Alpine Dingo

The focus of the operation is to convince my opponent that I planned to attack southeastern Australia in an attempt to go for an AV. Several elements have gone into this already. The KB attack on the area, combined with the operations thus far in New Caledonia and Fiji and the early presence of the KB in support of those operations, were the first elements. I have also taken the risk of ordering all my free divisions conducting operations in Java to prep for objectives in and around Sydney in an attempt to throw off his SIGINT. I have simultaneously ordered a number of other units to plan for ops in the Aleutians and Western Australia as the fake deception plan, hopefully further convincing my opponent that the main effort is indeed Australia. Needless to say, the lack of preparation is a serious gamble that could affect the success of the operations at my real objective. If the gamble works however, and my opponent does divert significant forces to Australia, then it would be worth it.

Operation Bengal Tiger

The real objective I am aiming for is to strike at the Calcutta area. This was not a concrete objective from the start. I vacillated between Calcutta and a Ceylon operation, and even briefly considered a big effort in the Perth area. Given the good progress I have made in the SRA however I increasingly leant toward the Calcutta operation, as I wanted to do something a bit bigger and potentially more rewarding. Judging by my recon of the area, the potential certainly exists to bag a number of Indian units in the area while their experience is low. Along with the damage I could inflict to the commonwealth pools, this could greatly help in reducing or at least seriously delaying a potential overland threat into Burma and further into the SRA.

The risk of course is that Bengal Tiger is hugely dependent on Alpine Dingo. If Alpine Dingo has failed and my opponent has sent significant forces to India, I could be in a world of trouble, especially since this is Scenario 1. I am in particular hoping that he has sent the 6th and 7th Australian Divisions back home or even elsewhere. Nevertheless, I am excited to see how things transpire – at least the high risk involved is making this a lot more fun!

[RangerJoe]

Well, taking SW Australia to Darwin and on to Horn Island will help protect your SRA. But you paratroopers don't need preparatiion to invade if I remember correctly.

[Lowpe]

I guess you are probably aiming for the clear bases to the west of Diamond Harbor?

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I guess you are probably aiming for the clear bases to the west of Diamond Harbor?

I would have loved to land there but we have a rule that says that we can't land troops in non-base or dot hexes. That narrows it down to me to at least the main landing on Diamond Harbor.

[RangerJoe]

Land farther south, between Madras and Calcutta.

Consider taking Ceylon and trashing it. It has a shipyard that can be vital to any Allied push in the area.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Land farther south, between Madras and Calcutta.

Consider taking Ceylon and trashing it. It has a shipyard that can be vital to any Allied push in the area.

It's probably a safer bet to go for the Vizagapatnam area between Madras and Calcutta as you mention, but I am concerned that will give too much time to my opponent to prepare his defenses further east where my main effort is going to be focused. As much as I dislike its dangers, Diamond Harbor looks like the best option I have in the interest of speed.

Ceylon would be great, but one bite at a time. First I have to see what's left of my army after I go to the Calcutta area [:D]

[RangerJoe]

It could work as a feint, to draw away the reserves . . .

It could also work as a paratrooper base to run all over central India . . .

Mavis(L) dropping paratroopers how far away? [:D]

The paratroopers might even be able to cut the rail lines to Calcutta and Ledo . . .

It would also allow LBA naval air search which, combined with Port Blair, would cut that part of India off from the Allied Navies unless they wish to run the wrath of your Naval SCTFs, carrier TF, and LBA naval air strikes.

[mind_messing]

Operation Alpine Dingo

The focus of the operation is to convince my opponent that I planned to attack southeastern Australia in an attempt to go for an AV. Several elements have gone into this already. The KB attack on the area, combined with the operations thus far in New Caledonia and Fiji and the early presence of the KB in support of those operations, were the first elements. I have also taken the risk of ordering all my free divisions conducting operations in Java to prep for objectives in and around Sydney in an attempt to throw off his SIGINT. I have simultaneously ordered a number of other units to plan for ops in the Aleutians and Western Australia as the fake deception plan, hopefully further convincing my opponent that the main effort is indeed Australia. Needless to say, the lack of preparation is a serious gamble that could affect the success of the operations at my real objective. If the gamble works however, and my opponent does divert significant forces to Australia, then it would be worth it.

A further (fairly easy measure) would be using the KB to raid Australian industrial centres.

This will really alarm the Allied player, and force relocation of fighter squadrons to defend, and net you some VP's in the process.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Operation Alpine Dingo

The focus of the operation is to convince my opponent that I planned to attack southeastern Australia in an attempt to go for an AV. Several elements have gone into this already. The KB attack on the area, combined with the operations thus far in New Caledonia and Fiji and the early presence of the KB in support of those operations, were the first elements. I have also taken the risk of ordering all my free divisions conducting operations in Java to prep for objectives in and around Sydney in an attempt to throw off his SIGINT. I have simultaneously ordered a number of other units to plan for ops in the Aleutians and Western Australia as the fake deception plan, hopefully further convincing my opponent that the main effort is indeed Australia. Needless to say, the lack of preparation is a serious gamble that could affect the success of the operations at my real objective. If the gamble works however, and my opponent does divert significant forces to Australia, then it would be worth it.

A further (fairly easy measure) would be using the KB to raid Australian industrial centres.

This will really alarm the Allied player, and force relocation of fighter squadrons to defend, and net you some VP's in the process.

On a plus side, if you target manpower and start fires, you could destroy industries which the Allies can not replace.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Operation Alpine Dingo

The focus of the operation is to convince my opponent that I planned to attack southeastern Australia in an attempt to go for an AV. Several elements have gone into this already. The KB attack on the area, combined with the operations thus far in New Caledonia and Fiji and the early presence of the KB in support of those operations, were the first elements. I have also taken the risk of ordering all my free divisions conducting operations in Java to prep for objectives in and around Sydney in an attempt to throw off his SIGINT. I have simultaneously ordered a number of other units to plan for ops in the Aleutians and Western Australia as the fake deception plan, hopefully further convincing my opponent that the main effort is indeed Australia. Needless to say, the lack of preparation is a serious gamble that could affect the success of the operations at my real objective. If the gamble works however, and my opponent does divert significant forces to Australia, then it would be worth it.

A further (fairly easy measure) would be using the KB to raid Australian industrial centres.

This will really alarm the Allied player, and force relocation of fighter squadrons to defend, and net you some VP's in the process.

On a plus side, if you target manpower and start fires, you could destroy industries which the Allies can not replace.

Which was what I was meaning by to "raid Australian industrial centres".

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing



A further (fairly easy measure) would be using the KB to raid Australian industrial centres.

This will really alarm the Allied player, and force relocation of fighter squadrons to defend, and net you some VP's in the process.

On a plus side, if you target manpower and start fires, you could destroy industries which the Allies can not replace.

Which was what I was meaning by to "raid Australian industrial centres".

Okay. But they usually end up damaged if you just target the industry. The fires may destroy them - which is a lot better for the Japanese! It will also reduce Australia as a supply base until any damaged factories get repaired which can use a lot of supply as well. So SCTFs bombarding may be quite useful.

[DesertWolf101]

February 21, 1942

South Pacific

The heavy cruiser Pensacola and two light cruisers shell Savaii during the night, inflicting a large number of airbase and runway hits. The timing was pretty bad for me since I had just dispatched a dozen Zeros to the island to run interference with my opponent’s sweeps. The 8 or so zeros that did rise up to meet the P-39Ds during the day were roughly handled, losing 4 Zeros for 2 P-39Ds.

Burma

The 7th Hussars Regiment, supported by the Rangoong BAF Battalion, does stellar work, driving the Japanese 4th Tank Regiment and 3rd SNLF paratroopers off the base in Akyab. These Imperial units are now completely isolated and will undoubtedly be destroyed. Unfortunate, but at least I retained cadre formations to build back up without using PPs to purchase them again.

China

Japanese forces assault and seize Kweiyang, destroying 245 Chinese combat squads in the process. The last stretch in the march towards Chungking commences.

[DesertWolf101]

February 22, 1942

South Pacific

Attempting to preempt the arrival of the reinforcements that I was brining up to La Foa, the 193rd Tank Battalion attempts a deliberate attack but is repulsed.

Japanese troops land on Wallis Island.

Java

Japanese troops begin boarding troop convoys at Soerabaja for Operation Bengal Tiger.

[DesertWolf101]

February 23, 1942

Submarines

DE Jumna heavily batters I-166 near Karachi.

North Pacific

Some more Allied cruiser shelling of Adak during the night.

South Pacific

Recon flights from Baker Island have shown Canton Island to be weakly held. Several turns ago, I dispatched the Sasebo 8th SNLF in a wide arc south of the island to avoid the Allied search there that seems to be focusing west and north. Next turn the SNLF unit will attempt to land and catch the Allied air contingent on the ground.

Burma

Advancing north of Shwebo, the 14th Tank Regiment encounters the Chinese 96th and 200th Divisions in Burma. Interesting – my opponent must have bought them out from China.

Japanese forces take Taung Gyi.

[DesertWolf101]

February 24, 1942

Submarines

I-18 attempts to hit AK Betelgeuse with two torpedoes near California but misses.

South Pacific

Sasebo 8th SNLF successfully lands on Canton Island and catches the Allies by surprise. The Japanese marines seize the atoll and destroy 10 Catalinas, 15 P-39Ds, and 10 Vincent I aircraft on the ground.

Burma

I place a Zero CAP over the 14th Tank Regiment that was getting a lot of attention from B-17 raids recently. The B-17s came with an escort of AVG fighters however, who despite being eliminated by the Zeros did their job of keeping the Japanese off the bombers.

The last Japanese remnants at Akyab are eliminated.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

February 24, 1942

Submarines

I-18 attempts to hit AK Betelgeuse with two torpedoes near California but misses.

South Pacific

Sasebo 8th SNLF successfully lands on Canton Island and catches the Allies by surprise. The Japanese marines seize the atoll and destroy 10 Catalinas, 15 P-39Ds, and 10 Vincent I aircraft on the ground.

Burma

I place a Zero CAP over the 14th Tank Regiment that was getting a lot of attention from B-17 raids recently. The B-17s came with an escort of AVG fighters however, who despite being eliminated by the Zeros did their job of keeping the Japanese off the bombers.

The last Japanese remnants at Akyab are eliminated.

Nicely done.[:)] It should have taken you a full division to take it and several days fight.

Canton is an Atoll, there is no reason to give it away for free in late Feb of 1942.