Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 2 Landing ships. 2 Oilers. 2 Supply units.
India: 1 Large Infantry Corps.
China: 1 Infantry Army.
Red China: 1 Supply unit.
USA: 10 Supply units.

Convoys
USA: 50 PPs to UK
USA: 10 OPs to UK
USA: 50 PPs to India
USA: 30 OPs to India

[John B.]

I don't think the IJN trading CVLs will really help much. Given that there are no more VP hexes in Indochina, perhaps they should save their fleet for the battle for Manila.

[Remington700]

That's a good point. At this stage in the game it is all about delaying the allied capture of VP locations. And without the carriers, Manila will fall fast, regardless of the number of land and air units on defense. As demonstrated in Indochina, without supply, any force (large or small) cannot last more than a few turns.

The IJN is down to four CVLs but with the high level of experience and effectiveness they still pack a powerful punch. However they cannot go toe to toe and survive against allied massed carriers. So that leaves hit and run tactics. The question is when and where to do so. German use of a "fleet in being" was a factor during WWI and is in this game too. I just have a hard time not striking when the opportunity presents itself. Despite knowing better.

[John B.]

I guess the next question is whether or not it's worth it to Japan to use the Navy for Manila. Assuming the ground can hold out for a few turns does the current Japanese lead mean the allies still need to conquer more, and, if so, does it make sense for the Japanese to continue to hoard their fleet to maintain a fleet in being and then use it for later battles?

[Remington700]

The hit and run attacks are working. They provide a reasonable chance of success and do cause delays. Due to damage, loss in aircraft and in effectiveness the allied carriers have to keep returning to port and rotate out with other fleets. While the Japanese fleet recovers most of the effectiveness lost in the combat. The only way to stop this is to sink the ships or run them out of oil.

Now I am wondering if it is better to save the fleet to defend the home islands or to keep up the limited attacks. The allied VP situation is poor and a lot of things need to fall into place for them to win. However the sure way to an allied victory is to sack the Japanese mainland. So I guess for now I will keep it simple and keep doing what works until it doesn't. I think the game will come down to the wire for a victory determination.

[Remington700]

Japan: February 11th 1945

Indochina
The 42nd Division is the only unit that has enough supply for offensive action. G4M bombers provide covering fire to screen the Recon and Surveillance action of the 42nd Division as it infiltrates the enemy’s positions at Vinh. The Chinese 32nd Army is on alert and immediately counterattacks. Supported by P-38s and land-based SB2C Helldivers the enemy quickly destroys four strength points before the 42nd can extract from the area.

The intel shows the combat odds to be well below one. Even with the arrival of the unsupplied 22nd Army, the only chance at capturing Vinh will be with naval resupply and bombardment. However, with active dive-bombers and medium bombers in range the success of a resupply attempt is questionable. And the risk in having the Combined Fleet sit offshore of Vinh is way too high with 20 enemy carriers in the area. The proposed relief mission is suspended to act on other intelligence reports – which will seal the fate of the remaining Imperial forces in Indochina.

British carriers are spotted off the coast north of Saigon. The Combined Fleet sorties on a hit and run mission to engage the enemy fleet, however they are intercepted by the Helldivers out of Cam Ranh. The ensuing air battle sees the loss of two carrier-based SPs and two Helldivers. With the loss of surprise, the Combined Fleet returns to Manila for repair and return of effectiveness.

(Last turns mistake of not resupplying with destroyers has all but doomed the trapped armies. However, it is doubtful a successful resupply would change the outcome without the aid of the Combined Fleet. The goal is now to hold Haiphong for as long as possible.)

[Remington700]

Philippines
The 16th light cruiser squadron is dispatched to resupply Palau and Yap. Arriving in the area the fleet is surprised by British subs patrolling the area. Successful ASW measures work with no ships taking damage plus a sub is put out of commission. Supply will begin to flow to the islands next turn.

[Remington700]

Builds
Japan: 12 AA guns. Replacements remain at 200.

Lack of oil and air units could be a problem so AA is needed to defend the home islands.

[Remington700]

Allied: February 11th 1945

Indochina
The Japanese Southeast Asia Army is destroyed. Twelve Anglo-Indian infantry corps launch eleven attacks across the area taking a total eight SP loss. The out of supply Japanese force lose 5 Corps, 2 Divisions and a HQ unit. A total of 102 strength points are lost and can never be replaced. This is a big win for the allies!

I knew a lack of supply could be a problem, but I am surprised by how fast things fell apart. I planned to remove forces by sea. That was a big mistake. I should have kept stronger forces in the north. By the time I could see what was happening it was too late to respond. This might become an issue if the Japanese homeland is invaded.

[Remington700]

Haiphong
Helldivers of the 5th Bomber Group out of Cam Ranh attack the airfields at Haikou doing little damage and probably little hit to effectiveness. But it still seems like the right thing to do. B-25s and dive-bombers attack the Japanese 3rd Division south of Haiphong. Task Force 57 steams into the Gulf of Tonkin unopposed by the enemy air units (maybe the bombing did help). They are on station to support the 32nd and 16th armies in their attack on enemy positions south of Haiphong. After multiple attacks the Japanese 3rd Division takes a total of seven hits and is forced retreat across the Hong River. The Chinese 16th Army moves into their positions, further enveloping the enemy unit in Haiphong.

Convoy Attacks
The SS Pike is the only sub hunting the convoy lanes. The rest are back in Rabaul for repair. Splitting up the subs once again fails so the plan going forward will be to hunt in larger packs. The Pike is spotted by escorting destroyers and takes heavy damage. They too will have to retire to Rabaul for repair. However four submarines return in a large wolfpack and saturate a section of the convoy route to Japan. The Devilfish, Bonefish, Skipjack and Wahoo are fully repaired and on the hunt!

[Remington700]

Mindanao
The 3rd Marine Division leaves Davao to support operation Causeway. The 11th Corps pulls back from the Surigao Strait returning to Davao. A-20 Havocs of the 7th Bomber group arrive at the port and will protect against naval intrusion and support ground attacks in Palau or Leyte. The occupation of the southern Philippines will expand once units are freed up from other operations.

Palau
Coast watchers on Palau relay medium level intelligence on enemy shipping in the area. The 16th light cruiser and destroyer squadron are attempting to break the blockade to resupply both Palau and Yap. The Uproar fails to locate the destroyers but the pack of the Unruly and the Canadian attack sub engage the enemy failing to sink a ship. The Unruly is damaged and must return to Rabaul for repairs. Undaunted, the Canadian sub continues to attack and sinks the enemy fleet. The blockade remains in place!

Task Force 58 containing the US carriers patrol the body of water between Palau and Yap islands. They will aid the blockade and will defend against enemy resupply attempts. (Set to Fleet mode to trigger interdiction.) Enemy CVs may be sent to this area which could be a problem based on the lower effectiveness of the US carriers.

The hit and run tactics of the IJN is dangerous as their ships are recovering effectiveness each turn. This in turn nullifies the advantage of friendly oilers since our carriers weaken each turn they face combat. Which explains why enemy CVLs with high experience and effectiveness are clobbering my Fleet Carriers.

[Remington700]

Formosa
Operation Causeway is launched. The invasion of Formosa starts off with a rough start. Two carrier taskforces of the British Pacific Fleet arrive off the north coast of the island. Both groups are targeted by bombers from Luzon. Neither takes damage but lose 3 air SPs a piece. The enemy loses a total of 6 SPs of bombers.

Believing air superiority has been achieved the US 1sth Corp begins to land on the western plains. Additional bombers from Luzon contest the landing tearing up the 1st Corps. After taking six hits the chewed-up corps moves off the beach and takes another hit moving into to the mountains of the Chungyang Shanmo. While this cuts the island in half, the unit is wearing out with efficiency being greatly reduced. The US 6th Corps lands behind its sister corps and wheels left to attack the key port at Taihoku. Supported by naval bombardment and carrier ground support both units attack the Japanese 47th division doing a total of six SPs in damage. The enemy is beat up but still holds the port.

With the failure of the initial landings, marines held in reserve are committed to the battle. The 3rd Marine Division hits the beach east of the city to engage the enemy. Eventually the 47th Division breaks and surrenders. The 1st Marine Division lands in time to mop up any remaining stragglers and secures the port. The VP city of Taihoku has fallen to the allies!

In the end, two large corps and two marine divisions are landed on the island. The VP city of Taihoku has been captured and troops are poised to clear the rest of the island. Air units will be brought in as soon as possible to pound the north end of Luzon. With the troops onshore, the BPF awaits the inevitable air and naval attacks to come.

In game terms the invasion was half the size (160,0000) of the 400,000* ground troops that were targeted for use in the initial plan. Regardless, this operation felt like a rushed mess using way too many Landing Craft. And it will take multiple turns to sort out this hairball before the marine units can be used again. Not my best work.

*Robert B. Sheeks, Major, USMCR Retired. (US Marine intelligence officer- WWII Veteran)

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 2 Landing ships.
India: No builds.
USA: 12 Landing ships.

Convoys
Stopped all convoys.

[John B.]

Nice Island hopping! Now the Japanese need to worry about you bypassing all the forces they've poured in the the Philippines and the allies instead heading for the inner VP hexes (the loss of the unit in indochina feeds that worry!).

[Remington700]

Agreed. The capture of Formosa has opened up a lot of options for the Allies.

[Remington700]

Japan: February 25th 1945

China
Five enemy carriers and two battleships remain off the coast of Haiphong and interdict all supply to the port. This causes units along the You River and south towards the Hong to be unsupplied. G4Ms from Haikou attack the fleet doing little damage while taking a 7 SP hit to strength. This is too costly to fly an additional sortie.

The 64th infantry division evacuates from Tainan before being cutoff and overrun by allied troops. The unit safely arrives in Hiroshima and awaits redeployment. Formosa has been conceded and the arrival of enemy bombers may cause multiple problems in the future.

[Remington700]

Philippines
G4Ms Bettys form Aparri and Manila fly four airstrikes against the British fleet off the east shore of Formosa. One carrier is damaged and eight enemy SPs are shot down. However, the G4Ms take serious damage losing at total of 15 SPs between the two units. This is disappointing but mirrors the performance of land-based air in the Philippines late in the war.

To the southeast enemy carriers have stopped supply to Palau and Yap. The Combined Fleet mobilizes and leaves Manila on another hit and run mission. A hundred miles northwest of Palau aircraft are launched before the fleet is jumped by a massive wave of bombers and fighters from the American carriers. Zeros give as good as they get in air-to-air combat. Enemy bombers slip through the air screen but are unable to penetrate the flak to get to the carriers. The BBs Fuso and Ise take multiple hits and the CA Tone is lightly damaged. Despite their carriers being in good shape, the Combined Fleet will return to Manila as soon as they can land their returning aircraft.

Somewhere between Palau and Yap Japanese torpedo and dive-bombers locate the US carriers and prepare to strike before the enemy can respond. Amazingly enough the bombers face little CAP and light flak. The battleship Missouri pounds away at the incoming bombers until she is hit by multiple torpedoes, eventually catching fire and sinking. The US carriers are now sitting ducks as bombs and torpedoes damage the Wasp and sink the Enterprise! Returning to their carriers, the fleet lands the aircraft and moves at flank speed to the safety of the Philippine Islands. News of the victory is broadcast throughout Japan and there is celebration in the streets. The news also makes its way to American where it is received with alarm. Clearly the war is not over.

[Remington700]

Builds

Japan: 1 Infantry Army unit. Replacements remain at 200.

[Remington700]

Allied: February 25th 1945

Indochina
With the fall of Indochina, Anglo-Indian troops begin to pull back towards main supply along the Irrawaddy River. Air units and a small covering force will remain in place to protect the area. This should eventually help stabilize supply in the region.

[Remington700]

Haiphong
After seven straight days of Anglo-Indian bombing with close to 2,000 aircraft, the British Pacific Fleet begins a massive shore bombardment on positions around Haiphong. The Japanese 2nd Army is dug-in and weathers the storm. The Chinese 14th, 16th and 23rd armies launch their assault. The first wave is immediately driven back, which is soon followed by a second attack yielding the same results. A third attack is launched as Chinese forces show noticeable fatigue. However, the enemy is also worn down to nothing. A fourth and final attack dislodges the 2nd Army from Haiphong. The Chinese 6th Army advances into the city and takes control of the port. The VP city is now under Allied control!

Convoy Attacks
Not a lot of convoy activity in the East China Sea. However, the Wahoo spots and sinks a freighter getting her eighth kill. The Skipjack splits from the pack and joins the returning Finback and Tang a hundred miles to the east. The subs will continue to hunt in large packs to aid with their defense.