Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

I did not. Surabaya is not a production or manpower urban area.

[Peek101]

ORIGINAL: eskuche

Oh, did you not need to take Surabaya for the DEI surrender?

I think you only need to take Batavia for the DEI to surrender.

[eskuche]

Whoops I'm a dumbo. You can probably upload on imgur for now and just link to images.

[Remington700]

Fiji
In the Coral Sea the Japanese are reinforcing Rabaul for a push to the Solomans or New Guinea. The garrison at Port Moresby is put on high alert and will be reinforced.

The New Zealand naval air group will receive priority reinforcements and will fly naval air patrols. Not only is Fiji a victory objective, but it may also be the key to controlling the south pacific.

[Remington700]

Australia
The Australian 1st Corp is tasked with protecting the East Coast from attack. It is spread thin. The third division of 2nd Corp is railed to Alice Springs on its way to Darwin. The rest of 2nd Corp will protect the southeast coast. General Blamey has moved his Australian command to the northwest coat to be closer to the coming action.

The 1st RAAF will receive priority reinforcements and will fly naval patrols around Port Moresby. The USS Houston escapes from Malaya to the Coral Sea, heading to Fiji.

[Remington700]

Pearl Harbor
Air groups from six carriers hit Pearl meeting little resistance. Four battleships were sunk however my carriers were not present, so they remain at full strength.

[Remington700]

The Japanese fleet is way too strong to strike with the weakened American navy. From a game mechanics viewpoint, the Kido Butai are out of supply meaning they cannot attack and defend at 50%. Even at the reduced rate they have more than enough firepower to sink the US carriers.

The Swordfish is sent to scout the Marshall Islands and a viable escape route for the CV Strick force if it heads to Truk. Knowing the location of enemy carriers is important. The disadvantage in playing hotseat is finding a way to counter the built in “perfect knowledge” exploitation. Since this is true for both sides there is less surprise but still enough to make the game fun.

[Remington700]

South China
China has retreated from the Minjiang pocket and is securing the rail line south of Changsha. The Flying Tigers are held back from the front, but within range to help defend Changsha if needed. China will focus on filling the ranks of their armies and flying CAP over key locations. Air will not be used for combat support as China has an abundance of manpower.

[Remington700]

UK Convoys
The UK is sending the max production and oil to India. This should require 18 merchant marines (MM) so would only require 5 escorts for maximum coverage. I am assigning all UK escorts to the Indian Ocean convey route to guard against air attack. There is no limit to the amount used in anti-air defense.

UK production is 65 so nothing is built, and reinforcements are set to 35.

[Remington700]

UK Advancements
The UK is taking a more balanced approach to researching technology. They too will focus on Naval air, but also look to build strong defensive positions. Giving ground slowly, fighting a war of attrition with Japan.

[Remington700]

US Convoys
The US has 43 MM available so 3 oil and 20 production points (PP) are sent to New Zealand. And 20 PP is sent to Australia. This will be increased as soon as possible. 12 escorts are assigned to the South Pacific convoys for maximum air protection.

The US has 269 stockpile so 2 MM and 2 ground supply groups were requested. Production is 369 so with 40 PP going to allies, 208 is set to reinforcements. This should add about 120 PP to my stockpile.

[Remington700]

US Advancements
Based on the lessons learned at Pearl, the US doctrine will mirror that of the Japanese. Naval air will rule the seas and dictate logistics. All possible Scientific research is now focused on improving Naval Air Training and Carrier Operations. The US plans to get on the offensive as soon as possible which will include Amphibious Operations and Assault. Heavy focus in this area too. For support, longer range fighters are being researched to protect land-based dive bombers and torpedo planes.

The plan is to strangle Japan by cutting off its supply of oil. The current doctrine of Long-Range subs helps with this objective as they gain a large surface bonus through tech advancements. This should increase Japanese MM losses. However it could be a mistake stopping the warship research as this may have a negative effect in 1943-44.

[Remington700]

Japan Dec 21st - Philippines
The Imperial 12th army pushes the Philippine division out of Manila. Cut off with little supply the American division and Luzon armies will soon surrender.

[Remington700]

Malaya
While dug in, the Indian 3rd Corp is close to full strength, but supply is low. There is no escape as the noose tightens.

[Remington700]

Lae
Japanese troops capture Lae. No other substantial action took place in the Coral Sea and Soloman Islands.

[Remington700]

North China
Recruits are arriving in the Harbin sector. I switched the unit statistics in Options to make it easier for me to count total strength for the area. It must not drop below 160. There is a 20 strength Army unit on the northern boarder with the USSR that is not showing in the picture.

[Remington700]

South China
Switching unit statistics back to Attack/Defense. The Japanese South China army group advances slowly towards the Changsha rail line. Bad weather is hampering progress.

[Remington700]

Japanese builds
Oil is still a concern. Upkeep is twice as much as what is imported. However, stockpiles will last for another month and a half at this pace. Cutting upkeep until oil production can be improved is necessary. This will be hard to do with a concerted push towards Fiji. The reinforcement rate has been decreased to grow stockpiles. Builds are 20 landing ships this turn.

[Remington700]

Philippines
Luzon forces surrender in mass. The US Philippine division holds on in the jungle south of Manila, soon to be unsupplied. The USAFFE tactical group is stranded outside of Davao unsupplied with nowhere to fly.

[Remington700]

Malaya
3rd Corps is low on supplies. They may hold out for a month but unlikely.