Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

New Guinea

The 17th Army at Lae is resupplied by air. The transports are escorted by zeros from New Ireland which intercept enemy fighter-bombers attempting to shoot down the soft targets. Losses are high on both sides with four P-47 and three A6m3 SPs shot down during the furball. An additional supply drop to the 27th Division in the Owen Stanley mountains was successful.

Allied aircover is too heavy for Naval Air operations so the Bettys at Rabaul are temporary grounded for repairs and resupply. The fighters will stand down until another airdrop of supplies are needed.

Scattered elements of the 19th Army reorganize in the Bismarck mountains and push down through the jungle to launch one last Banzai charge in the Wewak area. The goal is to cut supply to the forward US corps.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: No builds.

Convoys
Merchant Marines are becoming a concern. There is not much cushion left. Upkeep can be kept in the low 20s but has never been blow this number. At some point they may start running less, and on a random basis. However we still have time to build oil stocks before cutbacks are necessary.

[Remington700]

Allied: March 12th 1944

Thailand
The 3rd and 4th Corps continue their push down the Malayan Peninsula to Tavoy. The Japanese 28th infantry division is dug in around the port with no intention of going anywhere. The British Main Fleet arrives offshore launching an airstrike on the enemy positions. Additional airstrikes from SBD and Fairey dive-bombers and Boston medium bombers tear up the enemy. The US corps assault the dug-in enemy causing heavy damage and eventually shattering the division. 4th Corps occupies the port which is now in allied hands.

The Indian and British armies push forward to maintain contact with the enemy line along the Ping River and then bending to the northeast. Supply is weak in this area so continuous combat may be tough on effectiveness making the iron mines in Thailand harder to take.

[Remington700]

China
The Chinese 1st Army continues their advance to the central plains in East China. The Japanese independent 1st Brigade is caught in a pocket but holds their ground losing 4 SPs. Losses were slightly less for the attackers so the enemy is expected to retreat next turn. Up north, a joint operation with Red China pushes the enemy division back to the Wei River. This has caused a 100-mile gap in the line and should force a general retreat in the area. However there are not enough Chinese forces in the area to exploit the opportunity.

Convoy Attacks
Heavier convoy activity continues as four air soties are flow against enemy shipping resulting in the sinking of two Merchant Marine. Submarines launch six additional attacks and sink another two MM. This is starting to add up.

Borneo
Strategic bombing resumes pounding the oilfields at Palembang in Sumatra. Enemy fighters contesting the sorties get mauled by P-38s but do manage to down a few bombers. Losses were high on both sides with 8 SPs of zeros shot down and 7 SPs of damage spread amongst the allied fighters and bombers. (I am not sure this is the best use of allied resources)

[Remington700]

New Guinea
The Japanese 19th Army attacks out of the hills to the south of Wewak. The 77th infantry division crosses the Sepik River to meet the enemy before they can set up a Banzai charge. Losses are light but the enemy’s advance is checked. The US 7th Corps responds and attempts to roll up the 19th army’s flank however are too late, facing only a small rear guard. The enemy escapes retreating back into the hills. It is amazing the unit is still operating as a cohesive force.

To the south, down the coast the US 5th Corps attacks the positions of the 8th Brigade causing a four SP loss and easily pushing them back across the Ramu River into the foothills of the Bismarck mountains. US losses were light in the assault. Four ground and carrier airstrikes pound the Imperial 17th Army in Lae. The enemy suffered a SP hit and what is expected to be an extensive effectiveness loss. This is followed up by a coordinated assault from the 5th and 6th corps supported by land and carrier-based dive-bombers and a naval bombardment. The 17th army breaks and routes down Huon Peninsula. Operation Postern is a success. Lae has fallen and all that remains is the mop-up of scattered Japanese units.

[Remington700]

USA
B-24s arrive in Los Angeles for refueling and then head on to Australia.

Builds
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: 1 Large Corps. 4 Oilers. 2 Supply units. 6 Landing ships.

Convoys
USA: 10 OPs to India
USA: 25 OPs to UK
UK: 20 PPs to USA

The USA tech is way behind. I don’t know if it is luck or if I am researching too many items.

[John B.]

I do think Japan has to do something with its navy or just have it sit around watching the allies mop up points in Indochina and Malaya. But, Japan is doing a good job of tying down large US forces in New Guinea. The allies might want to consider leaving Rabual/Truk to just wither away and go after bigger game in Java or head north to for landings in the Phillpines/Indochina/Formosa (or even in China) to get set up for bombing Japan and invading the Home Islands.

[Remington700]

Japan: March 26th 1944

Indochina
The Japanese 6th Army crosses the Hong River and secures the port at Haiphong. The 33rd Army moves north out of Vinh and links up the 27th and Imperial Guards divisions. Supported by Nell bombers from Quang Ngai they assault the positions of the Chinese Long Range recon unit in the deep jungle to the east of Luang Prabang. Losses were light on both sides and after two assaults the LR recon unit slips away to the north. MTBs patrolling the coastline along the South China Sea return to port for refueling.

[Remington700]

East China
Three brigades are moved forward to patch up the hole to the east of Sian. Farther south the breakthrough along the Yangtze River is contained. Strong defensive positions in the hills of East China are abandoned as the entire line pulls back to eliminate gaps. This area is very weak, but so is the enemy’s supply.

[Remington700]

South China Sea
The Combined Air Fleet leaves port in Manila and steams to the Gulf of Thailand to engage the British Main Fleet. Failing to trigger an interdiction the air fleet steams full speed back to port. With just six CVs they cannot afford to hang around like sitting ducks.

[Remington700]

New Guinea
Two attempts to resupply the trapped 17th on the Huon Peninsula fail. (I found out later that fail = destroyed. Bad move on my part.) It is now clear that all is lost in this area. Rabaul will soon be under blockade by US carriers and there is nothing that can be done to slow it down. The G4M naval air bombers relocate to Aparri in the Philippines. Followed by the 7th SNLF which lands in Legaspi. The evacuation will continue next turn if possible.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: 1 Infantry Army

Advancement: Naval Air Training is maxed out 1944 – I started the game using version 1.00.01 so there are no increases beyond this point. I moved the tech points to Warships as I am not sure what else to work on at this point.

[Remington700]

Allied: March 26th 1944
The British CVs Illustrious and Formidable (with 1942 tech) leave the coast of Africa heading in separate directions across the Indian Ocean. The HMS Formidable will steam to Sydney for refit and taking on the newer Submarine Seafire carrier-based fighters. The HMS Illustrious will do the same in Colombo. (The Seafire fighters will be represented by an upgrade to 1943 Carrier Operations, somewhat matching the timeline of the planes first use aboard British Carriers.)

[Remington700]

Indochina
The monsoon season will start in June which leaves about 5 turns to capture Bangkok and Singapore. Indian forces will attack from the north and push towards the important Iron mines in the Udan Thani area. British Forces will attack across the Ping River to capture Bangkok.

Three Indian Corps supported by Boston and Fairey dive-bombers launch multiple assaults on the dug in 16th Army, holding the apex of the line. Losses are high on both sides; each losing 8 SPs. The enemy holds the line but is heavily weakened.

To the north, Chinese forces in the 3rd War Area continue to push south of Haiphong and meet up with the Indian 4th Corps. The enemy’s line is weak in this area however Haiphong is well defended by the full-strength 6th Imperial Army.

[Remington700]

China
In East China offensive operations are launched at the north and south of the line. Losses are minimal in both attacks but does cause a total of 4 enemy SPs destroyed. These attacks will continue too attrit Japan’s armies in an attempt to drain their economy.

Convoy Attacks
Air units based in Borneo continue to hunt convoys. A-20 Havocs (naval air) out of Balikpapan and SBD dive-bombers from Kuala Belait area each sink a merchant marine. SS-292 Devilfish sinks a MM but is caught by escorting destroyers. The sub takes damage and must return to Sydney for repairs. It had a very successful patrol being on station for six turns sinking five MM and two unconfirmed escorts. The Bonefish successfully starts their second war patrol with a kill.

[Remington700]

Southwest Pacific Area
The US forces in Thailand are reassigned to the SW Pacific Area. General Patch and the US 4th Army will now report to MacArthur, commander of the area. As will General Short in Borneo. This will consolidate US forces under one umbrella to aid in mutual support in the theater. (US forces in this area are tasked with capturing Singapore and Rabaul. And possibly the port at Bandar Lampung to cut Japan’s oil supply.)

The 4th Army HQ moves down the coast to set up in the port of Tavoy. The 2nd Corps will remain on the line just outside Bangkok until they can be replaced by British forces. The 3rd and 4th Corps, supported by P-47s and SBD dive-bombers assault the port of Chumphon. The Japanese 110th Division is forced to retreat to the south. The 3rd Corps occupies Chumphon and continues the attack with support from carrier-based planes on the Hermes. After two assaults the enemy resumes their retreat to the south towards the airfield at Makhon. They are chased by the US 4th Corps moving south along the rail line.

Borneo
B-24 bombers hit Manila doing very little damage. The Japanese Air Fleet was not located in the area. A-20 Havocs out of Sarawak strikes the Port of Singapore sinking a squadron of torpedo boats. During the heavy rain in the last two turns 5 AA batteries have been set up around the Palembang oil fields. Targeting the tank farms is not worth the cost at this point as the PPs are needed elsewhere. Airstrikes have been redirected to Singapore and other targets.

[Remington700]

New Guinea
The US 7th Corps cross the Ramu River and hits the ragged Japanese 19th Army in the Bismarck mountains. The attack is supported by Mitchell bombers with P-47s flying escort. Zeros from Rabaul flying CAP over the mountains are jumped by “Jugs” which shoot down 5 enemy SPs with no losses. The 19th Army takes a hit and slips away to the north. They cannot have much left and I would not be surprised if they evaporated next turn. The 7th Corps supported by SBD dive-bombers out of Port Moresby continues their attack hitting the Japanese 8th Brigade which retreats across the Kikori fighting a delaying action. The 117th Division then splits from the 7th Corps to cover the coast road out of Wewak.

After a massive bombardment from carrier-based planes and B-25 Mitchells the US 5th Corps assaults the remnants of the Japanese 17th Army on the Huon Peninsula. The enemy is soon overrun and wiped-out. The only remaining organized resistance is the Imperial 20th Division in the Bismarck mountains southwest of Lae.

After refueling from oilers, the US 5th Fleet leaves the Huon Gulf and steams through the Solomon Sea to blockade Rabaul. The enemy’s “bugout” is stopped. Two ground units and a beat-up squadron of A6m3s are trapped on the island. To support a future landing, under the cover of F6F Hellcats from the carriers, (represented by 1944 Carrier Operations) the 8th Australian division lands unopposed at Kavieng capturing the port.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 2 Landing ships. 6 AA.
India: 1 Air Transport
USA: 1 Strategic Bomber

Convoys
USA: 10 OPs to India
USA: 80 OPs to UK
UK: 20 PPs to USA

Victory Points
With the fall of Lae, Victory Points per turn are now even at 19 a side. This is a major turning point in the war. Without the Kido Butai challenging US carriers, no island is safe from blockade. And land-based air has not been an effective deterrent which models history. This dynamic creates a historical feel to the game as Japan is forced into one last carrier battle – much like the “Turkey Shoot”. Even the timing is about right as my game is now into April ‘44, just two months ahead of history.

[Remington700]

ORIGINAL: John B.

I do think Japan has to do something with its navy

I agree. The failed attempt at forcing an interdiction was a small, safe play. Japan needs to go "all in". I have been keeping the CVs in the Philippines to force a naval battle within range of multiple land-based air units. However the US is just avoiding the area and focusing on other Victory Point locations - which I am surprised at how easily they are falling. In retrospect I think I should have forced the CV battle early on in the invasion of New Guinea.

The US advance on Singapore will be the next opportunity. I don't think it can fall without the help of the US Navy. And it is within one operation point of Manila which leaves a second operation point for the IJN to either attack or retreat after a probable interdiction.

[kennonlightfoot]

Speaking of Victory Points, how do the two sides stand VP wise?