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

[DesertWolf101]

March 7, 1942

Bay of Bengal

The British SAG, made up of the battleship Royal Sovereign and nine light cruisers, heads straight at the troop convoys a few hexes away, and every Japanese warship available throws itself in its path!

The first encounter is with a Japanese destroyer squadron composed of the light cruiser Nagara and seven Japanese tin cans. In a ferocious and long night fight, the vast bulk of which takes place between 2,000 and 3,000 yards, the Nagara is severely pummeled with 27 6inch shells and goes down shortly after the engagement. The gallant Japanese punch back hard however, using their long lances to good effect. CL Colombo takes 5 torpedoes and immediately sinks, CL Caledon takes one fish and is heavily damaged, and the big beast, BB Royal Sovereign, is slowed down with another torpedo.

Somehow the night battle where Nagara made its last stand was enough to keep the British force from moving more than a hex or two towards the convoy. During the day, a Japanese composite force of cruisers and destroyers, sent at flank speed from further south, encounters the British SAG. In another long engagement at very short range (mostly 4,000 to 5,000 yards), events start off badly for the Japanese when the light cruiser Naka takes a single shell hit and immediately blows up with a magazine explosion. This was the worst of it for the Empire’s fleet however, as a flurry of long lance torpedoes take their toll on the British. CL Ceres is hit with three and sinks like a rock, while the Royal Sovereign goes down to another two torpedoes before it gets a chance to open up with its main guns. The previously wounded CL Caledon is also sunk.

Next, the British SAG, now battered and likely with low ammo, encounters the heavy cruiser Ashigara and three destroyers. Ashigara does a fantastic job, sinking CL Glasgow with two fish and CL Danae with one, and wrecking CL Enterprise with 20cm gunfire.

At the end of the turn, the once mighty British SAG is kept away from the troop convoys and is much reduced. Of the three remaining light cruisers, Hobart and Durban are relatively intact, and the light cruiser Dragon is heavily damaged.

During the air phase, 13 Nell bombers finally find a break in the bad weather and head towards the British cruisers only to be intercepted by Hurricanes on LRCAP and annihilated.

Unfortunately, more bad news arrived when the heavy cruiser Maya, who I had sent towards the retreating British carriers in the hopes of finding and finishing of the Hermes, is instead seen by the British and hit with two bombs and two torpedoes and rendered in sinking condition.

-----------

The tally so far is 2 CVLs, 1 CA, and 2 CLs lost on the Japanese side and 1 BB and 7 CLs lost on the Allied side. A compelling Allied naval victory I would say, but the most important thing at this stage is that the Japanese forces are landing largely intact.

[RangerJoe]

Well, sink those "R" class BBs when you can since they disappear later. Whether or not it is a strategic victory depends upon how well you accomplish your mission.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Well, sink those "R" class BBs when you can since they disappear later. Whether or not it is a strategic victory depends upon how well you accomplish your mission.

Exactly, hopefully the land phase will be yield better results.

[Lowpe]

Do you think then the Naval phase is over and won?

[Bif1961]

If you heavily damage RN ships which must soon withdrawal due to schedule, they will have to choose between scuttling, if they can or rack up negative PPs for not withdrawing on time. I have had this happen to me more than once with large RN surface vessels.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Do you think then the Naval phase is over and won?

I don't know if won is the right term given the loss of some significant assets, but overall I think that for now at least I have regained the upper hand. I will have to be vigilant for any new attack that could materialize however, but at least the actual invasion force should largely make it ashore ok.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

If you heavily damage RN ships which must soon withdrawal due to schedule, they will have to choose between scuttling, if they can or rack up negative PPs for not withdrawing on time. I have had this happen to me more than once with large RN surface vessels.

Excellent point. I will find the time to go through the withdrawal dates of the key Allied units in the area again.

[DesertWolf101]

March 8, 1942

Submarines

Truant finishes off the crippled heavy cruiser Maya.

I-7 finds and sinks AKL Wosang east of Ceylon.

Bay of Bengal

12 Fulmar II aircraft sortie out of Chittagong and sink AK Toei Maru. My first destroyed LCU of the game, an AA battalion, goes down with the ship.

A dozen Blenheim bombers are shot down on an attack on another convoy that was within range of fighter cover.

New Guinea

Zero fighters shoot down two B-17E bombers and damage several others over Port Moresby.

China

The second Japanese attack on Chungking reduces for levels to 4. Now for another day of rest before the next attack.

[DesertWolf101]

March 9, 1942

Submarines

A Japanese ASW task force of DMS warships hunts down and sinks Truant near Diamond Harbor.

Bay of Bengal

CVL Ryujo finally succumbs to its wounds and slips beneath the waves.

India

The last troop convoy arrives and begins unloading forces at Diamond Harbor.

Burma

Oscar fighters shoot down a B-17E over Mandalay.

[RangerJoe]

Always put units on multiple ships so if one is sunk, the entire unit does not get destroyed. But maybe escorts can pick up surviors in the water.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Always put units on multiple ships so if one is sunk, the entire unit does not get destroyed. But maybe escorts can pick up surviors in the water.

Yes indeed. Somehow though even though I got the message that 180 survivors were picked up the AA unit still appeared as destroyed. Maybe I misread something though

[RangerJoe]

Those survivors should reform the unit when the rescuing ships reach port.

[Alamander]

I hope you brought some anti-tank capabilities. If not, you will want to reinforce quickly with some AT guns or armor regiments. In many games, the allies like to move several asrmored regiments into India in the early going. The type 1 is not available until June, so you will have to make do with the type 97s, which have a low-velocity anti-infantry gun. The type 1s have a high-velocity 47mm anti-tank gun, which is not very effective against infantry, so the type 97s might serve you better until you encounter Sherman and Valentines. I think most of the tanks that you will encounter are lighter and the low-velocity 47mm might be sufficient. Expect to take some losses in your type 97s though.

I took Auckland and the North Island in my game. There were no U.S. reinforcements present, unfortunately, and only a litte supply: about 50K. Tactically, the operation went very smooth with 4 divisions, some light artillery and mortar support, 3 tank regiments, and some Betties in support, once I had Wellington. I could have done it with 3 divisions, maybe even 2 and a brigade, but I was expecting some U.S. reinforcements. Strategically, Mike seems to think it a devastating move. I am not so sure. I will advise as the war wears on the long-term consequences become more clear whether I see this as a viable Japanese strategy or not. Whatever the case, it is not appropriate for every game, only those that encounter a full-blown Sir Robin.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Those survivors should reform the unit when the rescuing ships reach port.

It might be possible that the survivors "dispersed" once all the equipment was lost. I think with that message the 180 men would go back into the pools and be reallocated to squads and ready to join other units. Will be interesting to see if the unit does resurrect itself.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Those survivors should reform the unit when the rescuing ships reach port.

It might be possible that the survivors "dispersed" once all the equipment was lost. I think with that message the 180 men would go back into the pools and be reallocated to squads and ready to join other units. Will be interesting to see if the unit does resurrect itself.

I just got the latest turn and it doesn't seem to have resurrected itself now that all my forces are ashore. I did however repurchase the unit before the convoy landed however, so maybe I preempted the whole thing.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Alamander

I hope you brought some anti-tank capabilities. If not, you will want to reinforce quickly with some AT guns or armor regiments. In many games, the allies like to move several asrmored regiments into India in the early going. The type 1 is not available until June, so you will have to make do with the type 97s, which have a low-velocity anti-infantry gun. The type 1s have a high-velocity 47mm anti-tank gun, which is not very effective against infantry, so the type 97s might serve you better until you encounter Sherman and Valentines. I think most of the tanks that you will encounter are lighter and the low-velocity 47mm might be sufficient. Expect to take some losses in your type 97s though.

I took Auckland and the North Island in my game. There were no U.S. reinforcements present, unfortunately, and only a litte supply: about 50K. Tactically, the operation went very smooth with 4 divisions, some light artillery and mortar support, 3 tank regiments, and some Betties in support, once I had Wellington. I could have done it with 3 divisions, maybe even 2 and a brigade, but I was expecting some U.S. reinforcements. Strategically, Mike seems to think it a devastating move. I am not so sure. I will advise as the war wears on the long-term consequences become more clear whether I see this as a viable Japanese strategy or not. Whatever the case, it is not appropriate for every game, only those that encounter a full-blown Sir Robin.

Yes, anti-tank guns are certainly a must in India. My opponent has at least sent in the British armor reinforcements. Will have to see if he sent American ones as well.

Good progress on your game. Hopefully the operation is worth the invasion package your opponent got.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Those survivors should reform the unit when the rescuing ships reach port.

It might be possible that the survivors "dispersed" once all the equipment was lost. I think with that message the 180 men would go back into the pools and be reallocated to squads and ready to join other units. Will be interesting to see if the unit does resurrect itself.

I just got the latest turn and it doesn't seem to have resurrected itself now that all my forces are ashore. I did however repurchase the unit before the convoy landed however, so maybe I preempted the whole thing.

Sea rescue is not retrieving fragments.

A ship itself can only carry one LCU, be it the entire LCU (if the ship has sufficient capacity) or a named fragment. The ship cannot carry two named fragments.

Alfred

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy



It might be possible that the survivors "dispersed" once all the equipment was lost. I think with that message the 180 men would go back into the pools and be reallocated to squads and ready to join other units. Will be interesting to see if the unit does resurrect itself.

I just got the latest turn and it doesn't seem to have resurrected itself now that all my forces are ashore. I did however repurchase the unit before the convoy landed however, so maybe I preempted the whole thing.

Sea rescue is not retrieving fragments.

A ship itself can only carry one LCU, be it the entire LCU (if the ship has sufficient capacity) or a named fragment. The ship cannot carry two named fragments.

Alfred

Ah, so the picked up troops (if the ship already has a unit aboard) are like a device pool that is added to the national pool when it is landed?
That would also preclude the unit resurrection - buying it back immediately was the right move.

[RangerJoe]

I was thinking of escorts with no units on board picking up the survivors.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101




I just got the latest turn and it doesn't seem to have resurrected itself now that all my forces are ashore. I did however repurchase the unit before the convoy landed however, so maybe I preempted the whole thing.

Sea rescue is not retrieving fragments.

A ship itself can only carry one LCU, be it the entire LCU (if the ship has sufficient capacity) or a named fragment. The ship cannot carry two named fragments.

Alfred

Ah, so the picked up troops (if the ship already has a unit aboard) are like a device pool that is added to the national pool when it is landed?
That would also preclude the unit resurrection - buying it back immediately was the right move.

It is only squad and support "devices" which are eligible to be rescued. Artillery, tank, radar etc devices are not eligible for rescue.

Alfred