A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) vs. USS Mike (A)

[RangerJoe]

Don't forget the night naval search as well to raise the DL on the subs. Those Kingfisher units from the damaged ships should work fine as long as their pilots are above the 50 skill level.

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Don't forget the night naval search as well to raise the DL on the subs. Those Kingfisher units from the damaged ships should work fine as long as their pilots are above the 50 skill level.

Yes, I always offload the kingfishers. There useless on a damaged ship....GP

[USSAmerica]

December 9, 1941

There are planes, troops, and ships moving EVERYWHERE! [:D] There was plenty of action this turn, but not a lot of significance. I lost about a dozen ships over the turn, mostly AK's with a couple of small TK's and AM's. My bombers flew from Singapore and did manage to put a torpedo into a DD at Mersing, but no other hits were scored there.

In perhaps the most significant event of the day, the 4 tank and recon regiments that pursued my retreating Aussies from Mersing into Johore Bahru shock attacked my troops holding the door to Singapore open. They just managed a 2-1 attack and dropped the forts there, but my boys held for one more day and handed the tankers a bit of a bloody nose. No severe damage, except some sore pride on their part, but the result may allow about 6 more of my LCU's to slip into Singapore on the railroads before the door is slammed closed. The troops in the North of the Malayan Peninsula aren't even going to try to get into Singapore, but are all attempting to gather at George Town, where I've also pulled in about 25k supply. Perhaps they can hold out there for a bit and distract Mike's troops from making a bee line for Rangoon and cutting the Burma Road.

My subs from Manila have mostly reached their patrol positions to the north of Luzon. I am hoping they can have some success while I still Naval Search air cover in the region to detect some enemy TF's.

[USSAmerica]

Dec. 10, 1941

Another early game transitional turn. Some ships and LCUs are starting to arrive at their destination but there is still movement all over the map. Lots going on, but not very many interesting things for observers.

No bombers flew from Singapore again today. It seems that the ships at Mersing have all departed, 2 hexes out and heading to the NE. I may not get a crack at them tomorrow.

Mike sank around another dozen various AKs and a couple of small TKs that are still scattering from Hong Kong and the PI. There are still plenty more ships that have not yet escaped the net. All of them are in single ship TFs so at least each interception is not costing me more than one ship.

KB is still spotted, moving west, to the south of Midway. I imagine they will support the Wake invasion in a couple of days. My CVs have managed to circle around them to the south and are now heading back toward Pearl.

Way down at Tahiti, the two Japanese AMCs that start in the area found a couple of small AKs that had gathered there to pick up the base force. I'll need to send some more AKs. [:D]

[BBfanboy]

Your Carriers are the best weapon to intercept and destroy those AMCs near Tahiti. The pilots can use the practice.

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Your Carriers are the best weapon to intercept and destroy those AMCs near Tahiti. The pilots can use the practice.

Agreed. In the beginning of a game I always send the carriers south....GP

[USSAmerica]

Dec. 11, 1941

Has it really only been 4 days since Pearl Harbor? [:D] Ships, planes, and LCU's still moving everywhere.

Mike bagged about another 6-8 small AKs fleeing the PI today. One of his SC TFs that chased and sank a couple of small AKs has strayed into the SRA around Ternate. I'm going to see if I can surprise them tomorrow. There is no spotted IJN air cover in the area yet, but I'll have to keep a sharp lookout for the Baby KB.

Cats from Manila found a troop transport heading for the Legaspi area and hit two AKs. One sunk and the other was left on fire, along with some men in the water. Any little damage I can cause for no cost on my part is a victory.

The first two of many single ship supply deliveries arrived at Rangoon today. I'll keep feeding supplies here as long as I can. With the AVG and an additional Brit fighter squadron here, Mike will need to do some work before he can threaten my ships from the air.

No Naval Attacks launched from Singapore again today. The day ended with some more transports and escorts at Mersing, so perhaps I'll get in a few licks here tomorrow.

Mike emailed that I'm making him sweat because he doesn't know where my combat ships are in the SRA. I haven't landed any counter punches yet, but at least I'm in his head a bit. [:D]

[USSAmerica]

Since there hasn't been much excitement in the game to report yet, Wendy says, "Stay tuned." [;)]

[btd64]

I can smell the sweat from here.[:D]. Hi Wendy....GP

[BBfanboy]

I was just thinking it is time to throw another wench into the machine ...

Here is a Woodland Wench for when you feel lost and can't see the forest for the trees. Ask her for guidance ...[;)]

[btd64]

Hooowwwww....GP

[USSAmerica]

Bravo! [:)]

[USSAmerica]

Dec. 12, 1941

There are still ships, planes and troops moving all across the Pacific but there was a bit more of interest in today's combat replay than the last few days. We actually had shooting on both sides today. [:D]

Wake Island's defenders accounted themselves quite well today, although they are still destined to fall. In pre-invasion action the 1st Marine Defense Bn gave better than they got to a bombardment force led by 4 Japanese CL's.

Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island (136,98) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

105 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 3
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 3
CL Katori, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Oite, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yayoi
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Hayate
PB Kaiun Maru
PB Kaikei Maru
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Fukui Maru
AMC Kongo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

The ensuing Shock Attack barely reached 1 to 1 odds and the invaders are now short of supply since no shipping stuck around to unload any more. There are still too many invaders for me to consider a counter attack. That is exactly what Mike would hope for. I'll be content with bombarding them until Mike has to ship in reinforcements and supply, giving me more ships to shoot at.

In the PI, Mike is moving deliberately but landed at Mauban this turn. 3 Vildebeests who escaped Hong Kong sank a small AKL, but no reports of troops going swimming so it must have been unloaded already or carrying supply. Intel (mouse over) shows no escorts for significant AA fire, so all 3 Beests and both PBY-4 squadrons are ordered on short range Naval Attack for tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be able to ventilate a few more ships here without my PBY's straying too far and running into CAP.

Outside Singapore, Japanese ground forces have moved into Johore Bahru. This didn't cut off my troops trying to reach the fortress, but did halt their progress as they were trying to catch the last train into town. I have them ordered to Combat mode and to march into the city, but I fear they will likely take some abuse before they can get there in good order. The only effective defensive force here is the Aussie Bde that starts in the hex and the beat up remnants of the Mersing Bde that retreated there.

No Naval Attack missions flew again today, despite more transports with escorts being spotted at Mersing. Looking at the mouse intel for the next turn, there are 30+ fighters reported at the Mersing AF. My fighter numbers at Singapore have been worn down by a lot of Japanese sweeping. Not enough that the base is wide open to bombardment from the air yet, but no where near enough of them remain to send any significant Escort for TB's to attack the shipping. I'm afraid that window has now closed. If the TB's don't find any enemy TF's to attack away from CAP next turn I'll likely move some of them up to Burma and some down to Java or Darwin, where I'll soon have an Air HQ to provide torpedo ammo.

I went fishing in the Southern DEI to try to catch the small SC TF hitting my fleeing AK's around Ternate. Marblehead and a squadron of DD's were patrolling the area, while Houston and Boise with some DD's patrolled off of Sorong, where a couple of small TF's were spotted inbound. The Japanese invasion TF got to Sorong first and managed to unload some troops, but then the Houston/Boise TF caught them unloading. Reduced visibility from thunderstorms helped.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PB Gamitsu Maru #1, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAKL Ujigawa Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Alden, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Edsall
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 2
DD Whipple, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms

The two Japanese DD's made a good show of it, hitting Whipple with a single shell which caused her to catch fire and sink later, and quickly sinking Alden with a Long Lance, before Houston and Boise found the range. It was quick work after that, although no troops went swimming from the sunk transports. After detaching John D. Edwards, who only ended up with 5 system damage, Houston and Boise caught the second wave heading for Sorong. They were apparently carrying a base force. I hope those support guys can swim. [:D]

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 83,106, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Saiko Maru, Shell hits 36, and is sunk
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 31, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Edsall

Japanese ground losses:
1033 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 12 (10 destroyed, 2 disabled)

While this was unfolding, remember the Marblehead TF that was fishing around Ternate? It turns out they were actually bait. A CV TF that was un-spotted last turn cruised just into range to be able to hit the Marblehead TF. Two attacks resulted in 3 bomb hits on DD Bulmer, ending her war. I was fortunate that I didn't receive more damage as the small AK's scattered all over this part of the Pacific distracted 2 waves of Kates. The tally for the day in the region is 3 of my DD's sunk for 2 of Mike's DD's, 2 PB's, and 5 transports, one of which took troops down with it. I'll trade 1 for 1 or better every day!

Both USN SC TF's will return to Ambon to rearm while I decide if I want to try for one more counter punch. PoW and Repulse are both finished repairing the small amount of damage from their Full Speed evacuation run out of Singapore at Soerabaja, so I have some tools to work with. My suspicion is that Mike will be more cautious probing the Southern DEI now, which will slow him down just a bit and accomplish my objective for now.

[btd64]

All in all a good day for the allies....

[USSAmerica]

Dec. 13, 1941

The Japanese forces continue to advance and Mike gave better than he got this turn.

I mentioned CV Kaga moving toward the southern DEI yesterday. She is paired up with a CVL as well and today they moved far enough into the DEI to strike at a TF stationed at Balikpapan. They took out the Dutch CL Java and a Dutch DD, Piet Hein. The dynamics in the DEI have now changed, even though Kaga will soon have to replenish her sorties and Torpedoes. I have to assume she can do this from AE support as close as Jolo. The KB is also making it's way in this direction, but is still a few days out. They plastered the Wake Island defenders from the SW today, on their way to Truk and then to the DEI, I'm sure. I may have a couple of days left to be able to do something with my DEI surface forces, but they are all ready to bug out now.

The rear guard defenders at Johore Bahru were swept aside today by well over 60k enemy troops. Mike didn't have any of his tank units set to pursue, so there are not yet any enemy forces in Singapore, but the siege started today. Because of his early Mersing Gambit I have less defenders and less supply and resources in Singapore than I like to have. This siege won't take as long as it might have. Depending on how soon Mike crosses the causeway and attacks, it could be over here by January 1st. I hope not. The troops who had no chance of reaching Singapore are gathering to make a stand at Georgetown. They will amount to around a division's worth of AV and I've pulled around 30K supplies into the base, so they could be at least a bit of a speed bump on the road from Singapore to Rangoon for Mike. I don't have the engineer numbers here to keep ahead of the base damage Mike is raining from the air, so I won't get the fortifications built any higher than possibly Lvl 2.

I also ordered the Vildebeests and a squadron of Blenheim IV's to Java, where they will eventually head toward Darwin. I think one of the fighter squadrons was also ordered out. They can't hold the line at Singapore anymore so I hope these guys can do some damage a little later on from Koepang or Darwin.

Hong Kong fell today, which wasn't much of a surprise. I don't know if the troops usually allocated to that early mission are restricted or not. Either way, I expect some pressure to build in the South of China soon.

In the PI, Mike has not yet advanced on Clark or Manila. I don't mind as it's given me a chance to get more of the B-17D's there repaired and flown out. Most of the troops who will be defending Bataan are there or close to there from Clark. I wouldn't be surprised it it is Mike's plan to let me “corral myself” in Bataan. [:D]

[rustysi]

Hong Kong fell today, which wasn't much of a surprise. I don't know if the troops usually allocated to that early mission are restricted or not.

I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying this, but IIRC there's a ID sized unit in that group that's unrestricted.

[SuluSea]

Mike, your Hurricanes are killing it!

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: USSAmerica

Dec. 13, 1941

I mentioned CV Kaga moving toward the southern DEI yesterday. She is paired up with a CVL as well and today they moved far enough into the DEI to strike at a TF stationed at Balikpapan. They took out the Dutch CL Java and a Dutch DD, Piet Hein. The dynamics in the DEI have now changed, even though Kaga will soon have to replenish her sorties and Torpedoes. I have to assume she can do this from AE support as close as Jolo.

In Scenario 1, the only AE Japan has at-start is in Hiroshima; not enough time to get to Jolo. He will not be able to replenish KAGA there. He can in Cam Ranh for sure, and I think Babeldoab, though not 100% sure on that one.

Hong Kong fell today, which wasn't much of a surprise. I don't know if the troops usually allocated to that early mission are restricted or not.

38th Division and all the Artillery are not restricted; you'll see them soon!!!! The other infantry units are restricted.

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

Mike, your Hurricanes are killing it!

Thanks, Eddie! Yeah, it's been a fantastic start so far. Last year's team was excellent and I think they are overall a little better this year.

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: USSAmerica

Dec. 13, 1941

I mentioned CV Kaga moving toward the southern DEI yesterday. She is paired up with a CVL as well and today they moved far enough into the DEI to strike at a TF stationed at Balikpapan. They took out the Dutch CL Java and a Dutch DD, Piet Hein. The dynamics in the DEI have now changed, even though Kaga will soon have to replenish her sorties and Torpedoes. I have to assume she can do this from AE support as close as Jolo.

In Scenario 1, the only AE Japan has at-start is in Hiroshima; not enough time to get to Jolo. He will not be able to replenish KAGA there. He can in Cam Ranh for sure, and I think Babeldoab, though not 100% sure on that one.

Hong Kong fell today, which wasn't much of a surprise. I don't know if the troops usually allocated to that early mission are restricted or not.

38th Division and all the Artillery are not restricted; you'll see them soon!!!! The other infantry units are restricted.

Thanks, Q-Ball! I assumed I'd be seeing some of those troops on a beach somewhere soon. [:D]