Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[kennonlightfoot]

I am going to start an AAR like yours but with the view of making it the "best tactics" for each turn. But it will depend on how much help other players give me in coming up with "best". I am hoping to try to shift my role as both sides in hot seat play to being more of a "dudgeon master" role.

But please keep this one going. Beside my using it as a template we also need to see what happens in 43 when the US player can become aggresive.

[Remington700]

I look forward to reading your AAR. I am very interested in seeing how the recent changes work out.

[Remington700]

Japan May 23rd

Burma
The Japanese 21st Army moves north from Rangoon to defend the Yenangyaung oil fields. The 21st Brigade follows the coast road and takes up a defensive position. They are suffering from low cohesion and will take time to recover to fighting form. The 59th Army is transported from Haikou to Moulmein. They will be followed by the 12th Army. That makes three battle hardened corps that are transferring from the SE Army Area. And will bring the Southwest Army Area up to six armies and seven standalone divisions. Plus a bomber and fighter wing. The Burma line must hold.

South China
G3M Nells from Changsha hammer the Chinese 9th Army 50 miles north of the Agricultural facilities on the Hongshui River. The bombers approach flying low along the Yaun River and are met by P-40s flying CAP at low elevation which shoot down two SPs, losing one. A6m3 Zeros surprised by the low-level approach of the enemy fighters jump the Warhawks from above, shooting down five SPs losing two.

Another wave of Nells from Haiphong approach from the south while the Warhawks are tied up in the furball. Zeros shoot down an additional two SPs as do the P-40s. The bombing runs are a success with limited losses of Japanese aircraft while 50% of the 23rd fighter group is destroyed. Japan will now have uncontested air superiority for a couple of months, if not longer.

The 13th and 16th armies, supported by the 40th Division attack the dug in defenders. After two attacks the Chinese 9th army retreats through the 12th Army’s position on the Kweiyang railway. The enemy army defending the Agricultural facilities is now trapped in pocket.

[Remington700]

South China Sea
Groups of destroyers are dispatched for ASW in both the South and East China Seas. Increased enemy submarine activity in both zones sink a total of four Merchant Marine and one Escort destroyer. One enemy sub is thought to be damaged.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
With the invasions of Espiritu Santo and New Caledonia naval bombers cannot leave the islands. However they can still fly missions and more importantly, they can fly aerial supply. Resupply is a problem with the US naval power in the area. Supplies are flown into Noumea to resupply the Shudan Brigade.

The 2nd Air Fleet is steaming full speed ahead and will arrive in the area next turn. Our single remaining submarine waits for a chance to resupply once we can challenge the US Carrier presence. They have taken multiple air losses and should be weakened. If we can strike fast enough before our land-based drop below 50% effective the odds may be slightly in our favor.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
Even though our forces are cutoff we can still resupply by air. This could provide another five or six turns to hold out. At worst, this is an additional 10 or 12 victory points for the Axis.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan Builds: 3 Oilers.

[Remington700]

Allied May 23rd

Burma
Fairey Barracudas strike the positions of the Japanese 4th Brigade along the coast road. A dogfight ensues with three P-38 and two Fairey SPs lost while 4 Zero SPs were shot down. The US 2nd and 3rd Corps simultaneously hit the left and right flank of the brigade. The Hermes send bombers and a large Naval Bombardment pummels the position. The enemy calls for air support and Val dive-bombers approach with Zeros flying escort. P-38s meet the challenge losing two SPs with two Zeros and a Val SP lost. The 4th Brigade breaks after losing four SPs and retreats down the Coast Road. (Odds were 15:1).

The 3rd Corps pursues the retreating brigade while a naval bombardment attempts to slow them down. The enemy routs and heads south along the Irrawaddy River. (Odds were 18:1 but no damage). The 1st Marines pass through 3rd Corps and makes contact with the Japanese 21st Division.

Just north, uncontested air strikes hammer away at the positions of 28th Division along the Irrawaddy River. The enemy is assaulted by three US corps and is pushed across the river. The US 2nd Corps reaches the river followed by the Indian 3rd Corps. Losses were light on both sides.

[Remington700]

South China
The 7th Army is resupplied and awaits the attack on their dug in positions. They are instructed to hold at all costs. The beat-up P-40s of the 23rd Fighter Group are patched up and resupplied, reading to support the defense of the Agricultural facilities on the Hongshui River. Poor weather next turn would be a big help.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
The 4th Destroyer group joins the 25th Taskforce off offshore of New Caledonia but are caught by Bettys from Noumea. No ships were hit but a SP was shot down. The CV Bunker Hill joins the taskforce but take a SP air loss from planes launched from Espiritu Santo. The 27th Destroyer group slips into the New Hebrides archipelago to blockade the Japanese 14th Division at Port Vila.

The 2nd Marine Division is resupplied on the beach and then, supported by naval air and bombardment, they assault the harbor at Espirito Santo. Losses were not substantial on either side however the Marines are not able to push inland.

Per the turn report Axis air units resupply the ground unit at Noumea. The 9th Corps is supplied on the beach, but no attacks are ordered this turn. We may be here for weeks waiting for the air units in the area to die off. The siege is on.

The ability for a blockaded air unit to resupply a blockaded ground unit is bothersome. I wish I had figured this out earlier as I might have been able to hold on to New Caldonia. After running some tests, it appears you can use air supply regardless of effectiveness or supply status of the units.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 1 small Assault Corps. 2 Airfields
India: No builds.
US: 1 supply unit

Convoys
US: No Change. 50 OPs to Canada. 50 PPs and 30 OPs to India.

[Remington700]

Japan June 6th - China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater

Burma
The Japanese 59th Army takes its place in the line south of the oil fields at Yenangyaung. The 12th Army lands in Moulmein and will move forward next turn. The beat-up 4th Brigade continues their march towards the Salween River. The 121st Division remains dug in on the west side of the railroad bridge at the Irrawaddy River.

South China
G3Ms from Changsha and Haiphong supported by Zeros bomb the Chinese 7th Army at the Agricultural facilities. The remaining P-40 Warhawks put up resistance but are clearly over matched, losing a total of 11 SPs. Japanese air losses were 2 fighter and a bomber SP. Japanese air power reigns supreme in China.

The 13th and 20th armies, supported by the 116th Division and Nell bombers attack the Chinese positions at the Agricultural facilities. Losses are light while the enemy loses four SPs and retreats to the west. The 20th Army advances and captures this key resource. It should increase Japanese base production by an additional 1% each turn.

[Remington700]

China Sea
Submarine warfare intensifies as US submarines sink a total of four Merchant Marine and an Escort. The losses are starting to add up.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
G4Ms from Namuga air base attack the US CV group off Espiritu Santo doing little damage but shoot down two SPs of carrier-based plans while losing three of their own. Air resupply continues on New Caledonia and at Espiritu Santo. There is not enough transport capacity to resupply the 14th Division at Port Vila. And supply is running out for the air units on the blockaded islands. Once the planes are gone the ground units will weaken fast.

The 2nd Air Fleet arrives at Rabaul to refuel and resupply. Weather permitting a relief force will be sent into the Coral Sea to meet the US CV force.

[Remington700]

Builds
Japan: No Builds.

With the new success of US submarines Japanese Merchant Marine is starting to feel the losses. Currently there is only an excess of 33 MM with no ability to replace them. Escorts are down to 8 which means less protection. Standard Destroyer groups are not equipped with enough ASW measures. And Japanese technology is falling behind even though maximum resources are applied to make gains.

At the current rate of loss oil supply will become restricted in eight months. Now is the time to be aggressive and take our best shot at crippling the US CV groups. With both fleets in the east Coral Sea there is a chance to do some serious damage.

[Remington700]

Allied June 6th

Burma
Rain. Offensive operations are stopped. Air units will regain some effectiveness. Land units adjust the line a bit. The British Main Fleet returns to port in Calcutta. Even with the arrival of three new oilers there is no advantage in using them at this time.

General MacArthur’s temporary assignment to the CBI theater is over. He is heading back to Australia to fulfill his duty as Commander of the SW Pacific Area (COMSWPA). General Stanley Geiger takes command of the US CBI Army

[Remington700]

South China
The weather is clear in South China but will hopefully change next turn. No adjustments are made to the line in the south. P-40s of the 23rd Fighter Group are grounded for repairs. They will not resume flying CAP until the situation is critical. For now we will trade losses with the enemy, draining their strength and buying time. Both Kunming and Chungking are not in immediate danger however the Chinese armies could be split by losing Kweiyang.

[Remington700]

Solomon Sea
Air strikes continue against Port Moresby however intel gained from bombing Rabaul is very disturbing. Five fleet carriers, five light carriers and ten battleships gather for a relief of New Caledonia. If they are going to strike it must be within the next couple of turns because air units on the islands will be out of supply next turn (third turn of being cutoff).

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
With such a large enemy fleet sitting in Rabaul trouble is right around the corner. However at this point there is no going back. The Allied carriers are prepared as much possible and await the attack. There were no CV strikes this turn to avoid air losses. We can be hit from many directions as the IJN has a lot of options. Air cover does not reach from Fiji however there will be no attack from the east; that would require two turns of Japanese movement.

SS-212 Gato slinks off towards Fiji waiting for a shot at a damaged enemy carrier. I keep them out of the way as I want my carrier fleet(s) to intercept. The CV Wasp II returns to Taskforce 25 offshore of New Caledonia. This could get ugly fast.

This naval battle is developing similar to Guadalcanal as I will be at a carrier disadvantage. The Japanese can field ten CV/CVLs against a stack of six US carriers. Unlike the historical action of Vice Admiral Ghormley, I am not going to pull out my carriers and leave my invasion force unsupported. I may well find he was correct. However, I do have a second fleet with which to counterattack the he did not have.

Or I could be totally off base and the Japanese will attack each of my carrier groups with separate CV strike forces – although this seems unwise. While battleships are not taking the lead, I tend to agree with Alfred Thayer Mahan on the use of blockades and concentrated naval forces in a decisive battle.

West Coast
The CVL Cowpens arrives in San Diego along with a squadron of B-25 Mitchells. They will head to Australia.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
US: 1 large infantry corps.

Convoys
US: 50 OPs to Australia. 50 PPs and 30 OPs to India.