Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[John B.]

It seems that Japan has been trading blows with the USN rather than getting in a knockout and that spells bad news for the Empire of Japan! Do you think you can win with the allies if you never head north from Borneo?

[Remington700]

edit: ****spoiler alert**** I moved my response to below as it was out of order.

[Remington700]

Japan: July 2nd 1944

Indochina
The rain slows but continues to fall. The line is firm and should hold against enemy attacks in the rain. We are seven turns away from good weather, five if the enemy is lucky. The Imperial 12th Army will head towards Saigon to help with the defense. This will free up two divisions to beef up the defense somewhere else. A second set of coastal defense positions has been finished outside of Saigon. A third, in the marsh will take a little longer.

East China
The weather remains clear, and the enemy keeps pushing in the north. Two light armies are sent from the mainland to help put a stop to their advance. The loss of the agriculture facilities will boost the enemy’s growth in PPs which will help their replacement problem but should continue to slow them down until winter.

The “May Incident”
Senator Andrew May shares with the world the IJN were setting their depth charges to explode at too shallow of a depth. Vice Admiral Lockwood (Commander US Submarine Fleet Pacific) felt the breach in security may have caused the loss of 7 submarines and 800 crewmen. He was quoted as saying, "I hear Congressman May said the Jap depth charges are not set deep enough. He would be pleased to know that the Japs set them deeper now." (Clair Blair and Tuohy, William).

I inadvertently recreated this event a year later than history by not restarting research on Japan’s ASW. I stopped it long ago to push something else to the next level and forgot to change it back. The tech is still 1941 with 38 days left from 1942. This is what I get for min/maxing. The 1942 tech will provide a “+1” to Anti-Sub so ASW may start to sink the US subs.




edit: Posted the wrong turn.

[Remington700]

Dutch East Indies
The US submarine Mingo is spotted offshore 100 miles north of Bandar Lampung. G4Ms sortie to sink the boat before it can resupply the Marines onshore. While our oil supply has been shut down, two US Marine Divisions are trapped along the rail outside of Palembang. Without the oil I am not sure what value the DEI provide now that the Malacca Strait has been opened. And the defending units are needed elsewhere. However, if there is a chance to wipeout two US divisions it is worth the effort to hold on for a couple of turns. A wake has been spotted 550 miles (11 hexes) south of Bandar Lampung however it is unknow what vessels lurk in the area. The G4M bombers are set to fly CAP over the sea approaches to the Sunda Strait.

Malaya
The 15th Army has been resupplied by destroyers. However, supply cannot reach the 13th Army or the HQ in Singapore. Regardless, all units remain strong with enough supply for two more turns. By then the Combined Fleet should be ready to return.

Manila
Japanese carriers continue to receive Judys, Jills and Zeros and may be ready to return to combat next turn. This would give us a turn advantage as it appears the US carriers moved to Colombo for resupply. (US carriers have disappeared and a wake trail can be seen leading into the Ceylon port.)



edit: updated to show the correct turn

[Remington700]

Reports

Japan: No builds. Replacements are increased to 350.



edit: Updated to show the correct turn.

[Remington700]

Allied: July 2nd 1944

Indochina
Rain continues, but with less intensity. Supply is flowing but at a minimal rate. Replacements are not pushing to the front lines so units will have to be rotated when the combat starts again in the fall. Bangkok is well defended so a frontal assault is ruled out. However, it does look susceptible to an invasion supported by attacks from the front line. Something to think about for the future. Additional Marines and Landing craft will be needed. A better approach may be to capture Quang Ngai and Cam Ranh to cut supply to the large Japanese line in Thailand. Either way it is a lot of resources that could probably be better used elsewhere.



edit: updated to show the correct turn

[Remington700]

China
The breakthrough to the north is expanding along the Wei River. Losses have been light as the 27th and 34th armies push forward. The biggest constraint to further expansion is manpower. There are not enough armies in this area.

Convoy Attacks
Convoy attacks remain down from prior months. Enemy destroyer escorts have increased in the East China Sea. The Pike lines up on a target but is immediate swarmed by destroyers equipped for ASW. The sub crash dives but not fast enough. Two hits of damage force the boat to head to Rabaul for repairs. The Finback successfully sinks a freighter and disappears before they can be located by escorting destroyers. And with the “May Incident” the damage may increase in the future.

An unfortunate benefit of solo Hotseat is you know each sides tech. It is an important part of the game and I want to give it attention but that does remove the fog regarding opposing advancements.

[Remington700]

Malaya
With a decrease in rain air operations can resume. Despite the improving conditions the Japanese 9th light cruiser squadron continues operations landing supply to their ground forces. Repeated airstrikes from Borneo over a two-week period finally shut this down. Enemy Zeros from Saigon shot down 6 SPs but lose 8 SPs in the action. This will be hard for Japan to replace. The blockade is now 100% in effect but there are still holes that can be exploited in bad weather.

All US ground units remain on the defensive as conditions will not support and all-out attack. The flow of supply to the front remains weak despite the efforts of the Navy. Food and ammo continue to arrive on a regular basis however replacement troops and parts are nowhere to be found. And with the continued rainy season, this could go on for a couple of months. The key will be to keep up the blockade and starve out the enemy.

The 5th Fleet sees the return of a couple carriers from Colombo and remains on alert as the Japanese Combined Fleet is expected to make a reappearance. Air units on Borneo continue to fly CAP over the area for as long as the weather holds. However, there is a 25% chance of another storm hitting the area which would provide many avenues of attack for the Japanese air fleet.

Dutch East Indies
The US 1st Corps hits the beach to the west of Bandar Lampung and meet up with the Marine divisions. Lacking air and naval support the US force does not attack the partially surrounded city. With air units freeing up from blockade duty off Malaya and the arrival of supporting naval units the assault is expected to launch in a week.

In northern Sumatra the 20th Indian Division lands and moves inland towards the small port in Dumai. This should improve supply and ground movement in and out of the area.

[Remington700]

Kwajalein
Bombers fly into Tarawa and Wotje to support operation Flintlock – the invasion of Kwajalein. The blockade continues around the island and the defenders must be weakening. The BB Missouri arrives from the West Coast to aid with the operation. Weather permitting the assault will launch in a week.

West Coast
A full group of B-24 Strategic Bombers leave the west coast stopping over in Johnston Island. They will be available to support Operation Catchpole – the invasion of Enewetak. The atoll is needed to support future operations in the Caroline Islands. The 25th Division arrives at Canton Island for use in Operation Catchpole.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 4 Oilers.
India: No builds.
USA: 10 Landing ships. 2 Oilers.

Convoys
USA: 25 OPs to UK.
USA: 10 OPs to Australia.
USA: 10 OPs to New Zealand.
UK: 20 PPs to Australia.

[Remington700]

Japan: July 16th 1944

Indochina
Saigon is secure. A6m3s continue to fly combat air patrols over the carriers of the Combined Fleet and the light cruisers/destroyers running supplies to the Malayan coast. The air units have received extra supply but are still worn out. The line to the north remains quiet as the rain continues to fall through Thailand and Indochina.

[Remington700]

East China
The enemy continues their push toward the Yellow River. The understrength 17th Army arrives at the front setting up a firm defense on the east side of the river. The 23rd Army is still 150 miles from the combat zone. Chenchow is abandoned as troops pull back to better defensive positions. The situation is not yet under control.

[Remington700]

Malaya
Task Force 1 leaves Manila with six carriers, four battleships and supporting cruisers and destroyers. Their mission is to jump the US carriers patrolling off Singapore. Two hundred and fifty miles from the last known location of the US carriers the taskforce is spotted by A-20 Havocs from Borneo. Zeros from Saigon intercept the enemy bombers shooting down two SPs and a third is splashed by naval CAP flying over the carriers. Japanese losses were minimal.

After the sun sets a US taskforce launches star shells and moves to intercept the Combined Fleet. The Yamato firing shells the size of tree trunks from her 18-inch guns at 25 miles away come crashing down on the US ships. The BB Alabama and the CA Houston are lit up like a Christmas tree. As the other Japanese battleships come into range multiple destroyers and light cruisers are hit. With the US ships on fire, they are easy targets for the CA Nachi and her “long-lance” torpedoes. By first light, the entire US taskforce is either sinking or has already sunk. The complete group is destroyed.

Come morning Task Force 1 strikes first hitting the US carriers before they can respond. Judys and Jills supported by carrier-based zeros sink the CV Intrepid and damage three battleships. The US taskforce moves out to sea launching planes on the go. Enemy torpedo planes following Jill bombers returning to ship manage to find the light carrier Zuiho. She is hit twice but is still seaworthy.

With the loss of the US blockading force, Task Force 3 consisting of a light cruiser and destroyers slip into the Malayan coastline and resupply the entire ground force. This round of the sea battle ends decisively in the favor of Japan.

Dutch East Indies
While US forces are struggling for supply, it is only a matter of time before Japanese forces are overcome. The 3rd Army evacuates from Batavia followed by the garrison force at Surabaya. G4M Bettys leave Bandar Lampung and fly to Okinawa, on their way to Pagan Island in the Marianas. The 18th Division pulls back through Bandar Lampung and sets up a defense along the Sunda Strait. The mines are the only thing keeping the allied ships in the outer ring of islands and out of the major naval battle for Singapore.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: 1 COMINT. Replacements are reduced to 110 to save for naval repairs.

South China convoy route reopened to grab some extra PPs from Saigon.

[Remington700]

ORIGINAL: John B.

It seems that Japan has been trading blows with the USN rather than getting in a knockout and that spells bad news for the Empire of Japan! Do you think you can win with the allies if you never head north from Borneo?

****Moved from the top of this page****

IMO the US is not winning fast enough although they are slightly ahead of schedule. They have a large Victory Point deficit to overcome. Depending upon timing, the US needs to capture Kwajalein, Singapore, Truk, Guam, Iwo Jima, Saigon, Haiphong, Manila, Taihiku and possibly Shanghai. This is a lot to capture however the British Pacific Fleet joins the fray in late November 1944. They receive 10 carriers and two battleships on November 21st and 22nd. This will give full naval control to the Allies. Islands like Turk, Guam and Iwo will fall quickly, regardless of weather. Manila is a tough nut to crack but once it falls, Formosa goes down easily. Supply has made a hash of Indochina and the Malayan Peninsula. I am hoping once Singapore falls supply will flow freely once again.

Playing Japan, their biggest problem is the loss in Production Points. China is falling apart and that may open a VP city or two to capture. The delaying action in Malaya is going very well, although not by masterful play, but by limited Allied supply. I thought hard about pulling the IJN back to Manila after sinking the supply taskforce, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to sneak a destroyer in to supply all ground forces. So, I forced the CV battle which has started off well. However the Japanese carriers are now sitting ducks for allied air units.

****I removed the rest of my response as it applies to an outcome that has yet to be written up. Moving to fast I posted the turn in the incorrect order and had to correct as mentioned above. Sorry for the confusion - I do much better when I post as I go.****

[John B.]

No problem at all! I appreciate the in depth AAR!! It seems to me as if the IJN has been pretty lucky in the last two sea battles. It really should be wiped out given what seems to be an allied air advantage but it keeps ducking in and out. Awaiting the allied response!

[Remington700]

Allied: July 16th 1944

Indochina
The rain continues and supply remains enough to cover basic needs. Replacements cannot make it to the front and unit effectiveness increases by a small amount. Something must be done about the lack of supply. To the south the Saigon warzone is heavily defended. With the Mekong River, Saigon urban area and the coastal forts heavily defended this area will require a lot of units to capture. The city has a level 4 port meaning it will create 80 units of supply which is enough to fully supply two large armies and a HQ. Either port interdiction (causes basic supply) or a blockade could help if the area can be isolated. Not an easy task.

Intelligence assets pass on intel of the area and specifically the Japanese fleet 150 miles offshore. It is at low level which means the Allies should put more work into cracking the enemy code. However, it is enough to cause a very high recon level of the enemy fleet.

[Remington700]

China
To the north, three Red China armies attack the 11th Brigade pushing them back 50 miles as the advance continues along the Yellow River. A hundred and fifty miles to the south the Chinese 27th Army overran a garrison unit trapped on the west side of the river. Continuing to move forward the 27th is joined by the 34th Army attacking the 1st Brigade pushing them across the Yellow to the rail line. The 34th attacks across the river pushing the 1st Brigade back towards Suchow. Unable to cross in strength the bulk of the 34 Army remains on the west side of the river. Farther south the 33rd Army moves through open ground heading north to the fighting.

[Remington700]

Convoy Attacks
Only one convoy attack this turn with three subs in the East China Sea. The Finback finds a target but is spotted before they can acquire a decent angle to launch torpedoes. “Ashcans” are dropped all around their location and do enough damage to force the sub to cut their war patrol short and head to Rabaul for repairs.

After doing some digging, I realized that Production Points (or Oil) must be transported along the convoy route for convoy raiding to work. Two of my subs were on the active East China Sea convoy lane but not on an active section. Therefor they did not find targets. That makes total sense, and I should have seen it earlier. In the example below Production Points are flowing from the Iron mines, Nanking and Shanghai so my farthest north sub sees action while the other two do not. I decide to mix things up a bit and move subs into the Sea of Japan which is the route most of the enemy’s PPs are taking. It is worth a test to see if the rate of Merchant Marine loss can be increased.

[Remington700]

Malaya
The Combined Fleet is caught in the open. Allied plans go all in with five air units flying ten missions to attack the fleet. Losses are high with 15 bomber SPs shot down while the enemy loses 21 SPs during the combat. The first strikes do less damage than expected with the heavy cruisers Aoba and Nachi taking two hits apiece. Finally on the sixth mission B-24 bombers with Naval Air specialty get a single hit on a CVE. However, with the destruction of the enemy CAP A-20 Havocs (Naval Air spec) slip through the net and sink the CVL Zuiho! Another group of A-20s target the BB Hiei doing 2 SPs of damage. Ablaze and stopped dead in the water the battleship is an easy target. The CA Nachi hit hard early in the attacks is now hit again and immediately sinks. A late arriving eleventh airstrike comes from Indian bombers flying out of Rangoon. The Boston bombers are unable to hit a ship but do shoot down 3 fighter SPs. After the massive pounding the allied air units are spent and will stand down for rest, repair and resupply. The multiple attacks sink a carrier and heavy cruiser, damage another carrier, a battleship and cruiser.

Low on aircraft the two US battle groups join as one and launch airstrikes against the Japanese air fleet. The first wave hits in early afternoon and failing to locate a carrier the small group of planes swarm the crippled BB Hiei and finish her off. Enemy CAP is weak as air units on both sides are heavily depleted however AAA shoots down three US SPs. The second wave is ineffectual resulting in two more air SPs destroyed with no damage to enemy naval units. The US carrier force is spent.

Arriving from the Singapore coast the British battlegroup reinforced by the carriers USS Saratoga II and Independence join the battle. Launching planes late in the day, dive-bomber and torpedo planes escorted by Hellcats seek find the enemy fleet and pounce on the carriers. The Chitose is hit hard and takes heavy damage. The previously damaged CVE is hit again and immediately sinks. The enemy loses another carrier! Attempting to escape the carnage the battleship Yamato is spotted steaming to the east. The few remaining dive-bombers still loaded out attack the ship doing two SPs in damage. While slowing noticeably the wounded battleship escapes to the west. The battle is winding down.

Sumatra
The CVs Wasp and Bunker Hill plus the BB Arizona join US and British cruisers offshore from Bandar Lampung. They will support ground attacks on the city. The 1st US Corps pushing forward from their beachhead hits the dug-in enemy around the port. They are supported by naval bombardment and the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions attacking from the North. The 2nd SNLF takes heavy damage losing 6 SPs but hold their ground. A second attack does another 3 SPs in damage, forcing the enemy across the Sunda Strait retreating towards Batavia. The ragtag 2nd SNLF is no longer a cohesive fighting unit.

Capturing Bandar Lampung, the 1st Corps attacks the weakened Japanese 18th Division. Supported by naval bombardment the enemy takes a 2 SP loss but holds. A second attack does minor damage however the third attack forces the enemy to retreat. The 1st Corps is used up and pulls back into the city to open the port for supplies.

Java
The 10th Australian Division hits the beach to the west of Batavia. They are unsupported by naval or air but are strong enough to push inland. The intent is to cut off newly captured Sunda Strait for naval passage. This will be very important if the air fleet battle off Singapore continues. Pushing forward the 10th Division hits the 2nd SNLF in the flank causing a collapse and destruction of the enemy unit. The 10th will dig in and hold the line. In east Java the Australian 9th Division lands unopposed and captures Surabaya. The Dutch East Indies may fall within a couple of weeks. This will provide additional air bases to pound Singapore.