Act II - Uncivil Engr (J) vs. christopher1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

This may be the last update on Mindanao (until 1944) -



The Empire controls the entire island, except Surigao in the northeast (vacant) and Malaybalay; the first attack at Malaybalay reduced forts to 0; the base will be captured on Dec 20 with the defenders either retreating to the east toward Surigao, or surrendering. If they retreat they will never reach Surigao and will be bombed into oblivion.

Naval stragglers heading SW from Luzon will be intercepted by a cruiser TF and sunk, hopefully, since Netties don't do well against small craft such as those, in my experience.

Conquest of Mindanao frees up 16 Div for the southeastern coast of Borneo - Tarakan, Samarinda, and Balikpapan. Regiments of 2 Div are reloading transports at Babeldaob for Ambon; other parts of 2 Div on Mindanao will be picked up to support ops on Borneo or Ambon, as necessary (or both sequentially).

[Uncivil Engineer]

South of Mindanao two US CVs showed up on Dec 20 -



The US carriers attacked the 2 southernmost amphib task forces, sinking the one at Sorong completely. The Japanese CVLs responded -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 79,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 14
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N1 Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1

Ammo storage explosion on CV Enterprise

In return CVL Zuiho took 1 bomb hit -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waigeo at 83,103

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 14
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
SBD-2 Dauntless x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Ryujo

[Uncivil Engineer]

The question is - where will Enterprise go for initial repairs? Sydney or Soerabaja? Soerabaja would be safest for now, but longer term Sydney may be a better choice. So, the opportunity presents itself to send KB from its current position supporting a landing at Tulagi, thru the strait between Australia and New Guinea (I know it has a name, just can't think of it), and intercept Enterprise and(?) Lexington.

But, it seems the question is moot, as the following intel via email details -

Ouch!
I was trying to ambush what I thought was just Ryuho and her escorting cruiser divisions.
Although I had excellent reconnaissance in the area for some reason your invasion convoy wasn't spotted.
Admiral Halsey who had only enough hitting power to perhaps cripple Ryuho, chose to first attack the invasion fleet twice and then turn his attention to what turned out to be Ryuho and Zuiho - way beyond his power.
Oh boy.
Scratch one flattop.

[jdsrae]

Torres Strait. I hope your ships charts are up to date!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torres_ ... ssages.png

[Uncivil Engineer]

Just in case anyone is following this - the game hasn't ended, but we're moving along at the glacial pace of about 1 turn a week. Not my choice. I've been told each of the past 2 weeks that I'd have the turn tomorrow - still waiting. Whatever!

[Uncivil Engineer]

Malaya

Since the previous map, the Imperial Guard Div landed at Mersing (by sea from Bangkok) to reinforce the assault on Johore Bharu. Elements of 18 Div captured Temuloh on Dec 19 via shock attack across the river. A tank regiment captured Taiping on Dec 21 unopposed. The initial defenders of Alor Star found their way into Georgetown, were surrounded and attacked by tanks, and surrendered on Dec 22; the heavy industry sustained no damage.

Ground combat at Georgetown (49,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3536 troops, 25 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Defending force 3795 troops, 27 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 18

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4629 casualties reported
Squads: 250 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 190 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 51 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
22nd Recon Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
34th Road Const Co
18th JAAF Base Force
92nd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
6th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
Penang Fortress
3rd SSVF Battalion

In the south, 5 Div has alternated between deliberate attacks and bombardments at Johore Bharu, while waiting for the IG Div reinforcements. 6 Tank Rgt, NW of Johore Bharu, pushed the Brits back NW to Malacca, preventing those units from reinforcing Singapore or Johore Bharu.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Sumatra

Lead elements of 48 Div landed at Palembang on Dec 16 and captured the base and oil fields, largely intact, on Dec 17; oil was 883(17) and the refinery 1001(19). Only the oil will be repaired. Praboemoelih was captured on Dec 20 and Djambi was captured by 4 Tank Rgt on Dec 21; oil was 245(5). 33 Div (-) has also landed at Palembang, but as it's not needed to capture southern Sumatra, it will soon be extracted for the conquest of northern Sumatra. Zeroes and Oscars fly CAP over Palembang while waiting for bigger AA guns to arrive.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Merry Christmas

We haven't quit - my Allied opponent was struggling with computer issues and then he got "the virus" - him, not the computer. We have resumed with the Dec 24 turn, where the Empire captured Johore Bharu (resources trashed), Tulagi, Lahat (dot base near Benkoelen on Sumatra), and Sandakan (dot base on east coast of Borneo). Chengchow, China will be entered from the SW and NW (Loyang) on Christmas day. Mopping up on Mindanao continues and troops there are loading transports for points south. 38 Div, resting at Hong Kong, will load transports by brigade as the ships arrive in the next day, or two, and head for Tarakan, Samarinda, and Balikpapan. KB is supporting a Christmas day landing at Milne Bay by 144 Rgt, after which it will head for the DEI to support the invasion of Java.

[RangerJoe]

That was bad news about the corona virus, good news that he is better. Wish him well from me.

[Bif1961]

Glad to hear he is on the mend best wishes to him and for a long rewarding game.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Dec 25 - 29

Quick update - we are on a slight pause again, due to power outage in Connecticut from the tropical storm. Those of us on the west coast of Florida felt no effects of the storm as it moved up the east coast.

Dec 25 - Tawau and Malacca were captured (resource 97(3)). Several Allied units north of Malacca are now out of supply and have no retreat route.

Dec 26 - Milne Bay, Laoag, and Jesselton were captured.

Dec 27 - Kofiau was captured (vacant dot base somewhere between Babeldaob and Ambon).

Dec 28 - Namlea and Tandjoengselor were captured (both vacant).

Dec 29 - Mauban flipped back to the Allies; Chengchow, Ambon, Kuala Lumpur, and Sidate were captured. Resource and light industry at Chengchow is totally trashed. The defenders at Kuala Lumpur surrendered with no retreat available. The capture of Sidate removes the retreat route for Allied units at Manado.

I'm not expecting a turn back until the weekend, as the forecast for power restoration up north is Friday.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Malaya (0200 Dec 30, 1941)

[Uncivil Engineer]

Dec 30, 1941 - Jan 2, 1942

Dec 31 - Manado was captured; the surrounded defenders surrendered. Vacant Mergui was captured; the 10 resources undamaged. Vacant Namatanai was captured. San Fernando flipped to Japan, even though Vigan is occupied by an Allied force!

Jan 1 - Lucena flipped to Japan. Vacant Sawahloento was captured; resources are 60(20). Sorong was captured; the defending base force surrendered. Pontianak was captured with the 20 resources intact. Sambas was captured; one defender surrendered, the other five retreated SE into the bush.

Jan 2 - CA Chokai took 2 sub torpedoes near Palembang. Vacant Tarawa was captured. Oosthaven was captured; the defending base force surrendered.

[Dante Fierro]

Seems like the IJ is doing very well here. Everything going like clockwork. And the US Enterprise likely sunk already! Your opponent seems to also have the poor habit of transmitting Intel in his emails to you, whether he is conscious of it or not.

I'm wondering, have you thought about taking on some additional risk (or unusual gambits) given how well the IJ campaign is going so far?

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: Dante Fierro

Seems like the IJ is doing very well here. Everything going like clockwork. And the US Enterprise likely sunk already! Your opponent seems to also have the poor habit of transmitting Intel in his emails to you, whether he is conscious of it or not.

I'm wondering, have you thought about taking on some additional risk (or unusual gambits) given how well the IJ campaign is going so far?

The only "stretch" target currently planned is Noumea. 4 Div (at Rabaul and Tulagi currently) has been prepping for Noumea since Dec 7.

18 Div will form at Johore Bharu in a few days, joining 5, 33, Imperial Guard, and elements of 56 Div; all to jump into Singapore. 38 Div is taking the rest of the oil ports in Borneo (Tarakan, Samarinda, and Balikpapan); when done there (by mid-January), they'll be ready for Java. 48 Div has mopped up southern Sumatra and will be available to assist in Java. 2 Div components are in and around Ambon and will take major Timor and Celebes bases before joining the Java invasion. 16 Div (on Mindanao and going into the Philippine Islands [Cebu, Baybay, Iliolo, etc]) is prepped for Manila, but will likely join the Java invasion BEFORE going back to Luzon. One of the divisions going into Singapore may be withdrawn before it's captured to also join in on Java (4 divisions on Java should definitely speed up the conquest). In my view, the main reason events in the DEI are proceeding so quickly is because Luzon has been bypassed, freeing at least 2 divisions for other objectives. Currently, only 65 Bde (at Aparri), and a brigade of 21 Div (at Laoag, moving to Vigan), plus tanks, engineers, and aviation support are on Luzon.

[Dante Fierro]

the DEI are proceeding so quickly is because Luzon has been bypassed

I've done that often when playing the IJ in Mark Herman's Empire of the Sun game. Even bypassing Singapore works (in that game) because you cut off all supply to Singapore and the units there wither on the vine. Go straight for the DEI and the rich oil sources first. I've often wondered if bypassing Singapore could also work in WiTP? Probably not.

Like your concept of 'stretch' plans, and options. Something to incorporate in my own campaigning.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 3 - 7

Jan 3 - A midget sub was launched into Townsville, putting a torpedo into CA Portland. Tavoy was captured with the 10 resource intact. Tarakan was captured with the 90 oil and refinery intact.

Jan 4 - Cebu was captured with the 20 resource and light industry intact. Vigan was captured. Cabanantuan, which earlier had flipped to the Empire, was recaptured by the Allies. We were ambushed at Ambon by a light Allied naval force, losing several transports (they had just delivered an Air HQ):

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ambon at 76,109, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio
xAKL Hakuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAKL Heiku Maru
xAKL Hanakawa Maru, Shell hits 3
xAKL Kamishima Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Keizan Maru

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CL Boise
DD Craven
DD Ellet
DD Barker
DD John D. Ford

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ambon at 76,109, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Shonan Maru #17, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kidokawa Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Taiyo Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CL Boise
DD Craven
DD Ellet
DD Barker
DD John D. Ford

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 44 (21 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (11 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ambon at 76,109, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Arizona Maru, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
xAP Takatiho Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAP Baikal Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CL Boise
DD Craven
DD Ellet
DD Barker
DD John D. Ford

Japanese ground losses:
1320 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 36 (21 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight

Jan 5 - Vacant Baybay was captured with the 20 resource intact. Bengkalis was captured with the 40 oil intact. The Allied navy returned to Ambon, expecting to sink more ships, but were met this time by an Imperial Naval force:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ambon at 76,109, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CL Natori, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Umikaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 4
CA Australia, Shell hits 3
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1, on fire

Poor visibility due to Rain with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 89% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards

Jan 6 - Padang was captured.

Jan 7 - Palembang's oil was fully repaired.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jan 7 - 10

Jan 7 - Samarinda was captured by a brigade of 38 Div; the oil is 81(19). Vacant Tuguegarao was captured by 65 Bde. Vacant Catbalogen was captured by paradrop; resource is 20(0). The siege of Singapore began -

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 60943 troops, 625 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 2086

Defending force 30964 troops, 416 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 579

Japanese adjusted assault: 1416

Allied adjusted defense: 1373

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
6141 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 309 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 50 disabled
Guns lost 47 (2 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1893 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 156 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 138 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 71 (14 destroyed, 57 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (8 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th Division
148th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
5th Division
33rd Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Loyal Battalion
SSVF Brigade
28th Gurkha Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Argylls Battalion
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
11 Battery/3 HAA
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
AHQ Far East
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
223 Group RAF
III Indian Corps
Malaya Army
30 Battery/3 HAA
109th RN Base Force
112th RAF Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
110th RAF Base Force
Singapore Fortress
111th RAF Base Force
224 Group RAF /2
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
137/155th Field Regiment
109th RAF Base Force /1

Japanese casualties seem high, but the important factor is the fort reduction. More tanks and engineers are enroute. 18 Div and the 2 separate regiments took the brunt of the casualties; a couple days of bombardments to heal disablements and we'll go at it again.

Jan 8 - Lunga was captured by a brigade of 4 Div.

Jan 9 - Tassafaronga was captured by a brigade of 4 Div; the third brigade is at Tulagi; all 3 are prepping for Noumea. Nanyang was captured; resource is 16(4).

Jan 10 - Saigon's port reached level 6.

[Uncivil Engineer]

North China before running the Jan 10 turn -

[Uncivil Engineer]

South China before running the Jan 10 turn -



The January reinforcements can't arrive soon enough!