Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[John B.]

I think that attempt on the Brits was a good shot and jumping only part of the Allied fleet and thus having air superiority in the naval battle and sinking some capital ships for little or no real loss. Too bad it did not work. If you can get some land based air down to Singapore to help out in the naval battle that can help a great deal. I'm sure it will take a lot of losses but it only takes one torpedo to take out a CV.

[John B.]

ORIGINAL: kennonlightfoot

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

It looks like the Axis has 1336 and the Allies are at 944. The VP total is at the bottom of the allied production screen.

[Remington700]

Allied Path to Victory
I realize my spreadsheets are confusing however I do not know a better way to present the data. I have been using this for an operational timetable and am pretty much on schedule. The VP cities have not been falling in the order I predict but this does show when something must change hands.

I have listed what appears to be the weather based on the chart and actual weather on the map. (There is a little discrepancy in the Monsoon zone.) Singapore needs to fall or something else in the Monsoon area before the rains start. Otherwise the Allies could be in trouble. I also plan to play "Weather Roulette" and see if I can slip in another VP location this coming summer.




***** edited a half a dozen times trying to make this more readable *****

[kennonlightfoot]

That is what I was looking for. It looks like early 44 the Allies took back enough VP hexes to make it even which probably represents all the easy to take VP hexes out in the Pacific. Then took most of 44 to fight their way into the inner defenses of Japan to get at those land based VP hexes and start taking them.

I don't know if the game changes have yet fixed the problem of Japanese being able to take India. But once India is relatively secure from being overrun the Allies should end up with 14 to 16 solidly held VP hexes. If we say 15, then the Japanese have 23 or a 8 point advantage for accumulation. Of those 4 to 7 are easily retaken Islands which should be done by end of 43 making things even.

[Remington700]

Currently, on turn 62 both sides hold 19 VP locations, for a total of 38 VPs before the USSR enters the war. I assume when they do, two more VPs will go to the Allies, possibly three if they can take Harbin.

The approaching summer in 1944 will be interesting. It will be my first with Allied superiority and I am not sure how the rainy season will effect things. In my experience with WPE and with Japan having the initiative, it has been difficult to do much in rain and snow. However one hex islands may face much less impact from weather due to the lower number of SPs involved.

From the Allied point of view, in my current game Singapore must fall before the wet Monsoon season hits. Otherwise the 2 point differential for an additional 10 plus turns will make things very tight. Which means the Allies need to hold 21 VP locations by June of 1944 and Japan must keep this from happening.

[Remington700]

Japan: April 9th 1944

Indochina
A6m3 Zeros relocate to an airbase across the river from Saigon. They will fly CAP over the Gulf of Thailand and portions of the South China Sea, protecting the wing of land-based Judy dive-bombers. A group of B4M Betty bombers will fly in as soon as an airfield can be constructed to further the defense around Saigon.

The 6th Army moves south from Haiphong with the 27th Division takes over their positions. The 6th supports an attack by the 33rd Army against the Chinese 5th Army. Losses are heavy on both sides and the enemy falls back. The 33rd moves into the vacant position strengthening the flank of the beat-up Imperial Guard Division.

East China
Rain has hit East China slowing the enemy offensive but also making defensive movement difficult. The enemy advance to the north has been checked however the area is still very weak. Eventually reinforcements need to be pushed to the north.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The used up 110th Division continues it retreat down the Malayan Peninsula. Engineering elements from the 15th Army complete construction of a new airfield just south of Kuala Lumpur and fighters from Kota Bharu immediately rebase to this new location.

[Remington700]

8th Army Area
New Guinea is lost. New Britain is now cutoff and isolated. General Kanda remains on the island and will lead a last stand. A hand full of fighters slip through the US carrier “net” and land at Munda for refueling in a futile attempt to leave the area.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: 1 Landing Ship. Increased replacements to 220

[Remington700]

Allied: April 9th 1944

Indochina
Three sorties of medium and dive bombers pound the dug-in Japanese 16th Army at the apex of the line causing an effectiveness loss. This is followed by two assaults from three Indian corps causing a 6 SP loss to the enemy. Two fresh corps are rotated in and with a third assault causing 2 additional SP in damage, the 16th Army is forced to retreat. Indian forces are spent and fail to move into the abandoned positions, leaving a 50 mile stretch of “non-mans” land.

To the northeast along the Mekong River the Indian 4th Corps probes the positions of the Imperial Guards Division. Fearing a full scare assault, the enemy retreats to the east. Wisely the 4th Corps does not advance into the pocket. To the south, the UK 10th Division replaces US forces across the river from Bangkok. They are supported by a detachment of heavy artillery.

China
Rain throughout the operational area hampers movement. No attacks were launched this turn however in the far north there is some movement from Red Chinese forces.

Convoy Attacks
Twelve attacks on enemy convoys result in two Merchant Marine being sunk by six separate airstrikes. In the South China Sea SS-306 Tang resumes her war patrol. Hunting is good and two freighters are soon sunk along the route. The Tang then slips away before escorting destroyers can respond. In the East China Sea, the Bonefish spots and sinks a Merchant Marine.

The loss of another 5 MMs must be close to impacting Japan’s supply of PPs and oil. Damage to subs seems to be less since the unconfirmed sinking of 4 escorts – I think the reports are off, but the engine is working correctly, so I will not make a manual adjustment to the assigned escort protection.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The US 4th Corps keeps up the pressure on the enemy 110th Division. Under the cover of D4Y Judy dive-bombers the enemy slips away south to the Taiping airfield. The US 3rd Corp advance along the east coast reaching the outskirts of Kota Bharu. The Japanese 21st Brigade is dug-in around the port and urban area. Under the cover of rain, the US 32nd Division arrives in Chumphon to take over the defense of the port. P-47 fighter-bombers arrive to provide support to the battle raging to the south. General Patch moves his 4th Army HQ south of Chumphon and the 2nd Corps arrives from the Bangkok front, pushing south towards Makhon. Reaching the end of US supply lines, the offensive has temporarily ground to a halt. It will need to resume soon as the Wet Monsoon season is 4 turns away.

[Remington700]

New Guinea
With the fall of Lae, Operation Cartwheel (neutralization of Rabaul) moves forward with the US 6th Corps embarking in landing ships, headed to New Britain. 5th Corps moves into Lae to prepare for a push through the Owen Stanley mountains. They are joined by the 7th Corps out of the Wewak area. Mop-up should continue for another turn or two. B-25 Mitchells (close support) fly into the airbase at Wewak to help with gaining total control of New Guinea.

Mitchell, Boston and SBD dive-bombers pound Rabaul. The 5th Marine Division hits the beach south of the port taking heavy losses (2 SPs). To the north, the US 6th Corps lands taking a SP loss. Suported by land and carrier-based planes plus a large preattack naval bombardment, both forces hit the Imperial 2nd Army doing 4 SP in damage. The enemy breaks and retreats towards the western point of the island. General Kanda’s exposed HQ is then hit with overwhelming force from Naval, Air and the 5th Marine Division. Giving as good as they got, the enemy HQ retreats after both sides took a 2 SP loss. (Playing Japan, I should have put in two coastal defense positions in these landing areas – it is a low-cost way to make a difference).

With US forces unable to advance into Rabaul, the 77th Division lands unopposed to block the enemy from retaking the port. Once ashore, supported by air and naval units, the division overruns what's left of the Japanese 2nd Army causing their destruction. (Because the unit was out of supply, and with nowhere to retreat, the 2nd Army surrendered rather than shattered – this means they will not reappear as reinforcements.)

The CVL Boise with expanded supply capabilities leads a small Task Force to resupply US forces on New Britain. This will supplement existing stocks until a supply line can be established. To the south a wolfpack of three UK submarines blockade the port of Munda attempting to trap an escaping enemy air unit.

West Coast
The CV Hancock and a squadron of A-20 Havocs arrive in the west coast and continue on to Australia. Since “loops” are still in play they should arrive next turn.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds. Replacements increased by 50 to 300.
India: No builds.
USA: 8 Landing ships. 1 HQ. 1 COMINT.

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

[John B.]

I wonder if the allies are getting the best use for their CV fleet. They have been awfully quiet and not gone out to do damage to the Empire of Japan. Perhaps go out convoy raiding or something to tempt Japan into countering? Each turn the Japanese CVs don't have to sail they get to neutralize the US fleet and not use any oil. A win for Japan.

[kennonlightfoot]

Currently, on turn 62 both sides hold 19 VP locations, for a total of 38 VPs before the USSR enters the war. I assume when they do, two more VPs will go to the Allies, possibly three if they can take Harbin

I think the Allies receive all the accumulate VP from Russia instantly when they enter the war. Since it is like for only two turns, capturing Harbin is insignificant. But the almost four years of accumulation of VP from their two controlled VP hexes gives the Allies a big 200+ VP boost. I haven't verified this but if I remember correctly from one of my first games against the AI that I did run to the end that is the way it works.

[Remington700]

ORIGINAL: John B.

Each turn the Japanese CVs don't have to sail they get to neutralize the US fleet and not use any oil. A win for Japan.

I agree. That is the strategy I have been using with Japan - maintaining a "fleet in being" to keep the US from splitting their carriers and to defend their holdings in the Philippines. All of this is may change as a Allied supply problem just came up in the Malayan Peninsula.

[Remington700]

ORIGINAL: kennonlightfoot

Currently, on turn 62 both sides hold 19 VP locations, for a total of 38 VPs before the USSR enters the war. I assume when they do, two more VPs will go to the Allies, possibly three if they can take Harbin

I think the Allies receive all the accumulate VP from Russia instantly when they enter the war. Since it is like for only two turns, capturing Harbin is insignificant. But the almost four years of accumulation of VP from their two controlled VP hexes gives the Allies a big 200+ VP boost. I haven't verified this but if I remember correctly from one of my first games against the AI that I did run to the end that is the way it works.

Thanks for the mention of your earlier game. I tracked down the post and read Alvaro's response. It answered my question from the version 1.00.02 release notes speaking to a change in VPs. The 200+ VP boost worries me. If the Allies can hit the operational plan I laid out it will be a close game (Axis:1832 & Allies:1858). With the Axis remaining in the lead until the last two months of the war. If there is a 200 point bonus this greatly changes things.

[Remington700]

Japan: April 23rd 1944

Indochina
With the retreat of the 16th Army the apex of the line falls to the 12th Army. The line to the north pulls back to tighten up any gaps, buying time until the rains hit. The 19th Division arrives in Haiphong to garrison the city. General Tanaka moves his HQ into Vinh. This area of the line is relatively strong even though Chinese armies are within 50 miles of the important VP city.

East China
Heavy rain hits the whole area. This will bring enemy action to a standstill. Only slight adjustments to the line have been made.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
A decision is made to hold Singapore at all costs. The 21st Brigade moves from Kota Bharu to the airfield south of Kuala Lumpur. The 15th Army moves north to the Pahang River to dig in. General Adachi moves his HQ to the east coast just north of Singapore. Coastal defenses should be complete in a month. If we can hold this position into June the key port and VP city can be kept from Allied use until late in the year.

The beat-up 110th Division moves into Kota Bharu to delay the enemy advance. Air units stand down to save SPs and effectiveness for the major battle coming soon. All that is left to be done is to hope for bad weather.

[Remington700]

8th Army Area
All is lost in this area. The enemy will occupy Rabaul this turn and what few forces remain are scattered in the jungles of New Ireland, New Britain and New Guinea. A squadron of Zeros at Munda launch all flyable planes and seek out the US carriers around Rabaul. Following the code of Bushido the pilots are ordered to crash their planes into the high-value targets. The tactic fails as the planes are not equipped with bombs and were not in sufficient number to penetrate the enemy CAP. However the idea of Kamikaze or “Divine Wind” takes hold and may impact future operations.

In game, according to the specialty selection tab this is simulated by doing double damage but taking double causalities. Which differs a bit from the manual which states Kamikazes double Naval Damage but cut strength in half. This is something I look forward to trying as it accurately portrays the higher level of damage done by inexperienced pilots flying obsolete aircraft. In game terms I think it might change the 2 SP damage outcomes to sinking the ship. But with great loss of aircraft.