Who is Sir Robin? - Daniel (A) vs Ale (J)

[huda0816]

11 days after the Japanese attack on PH things don't look good. I was not prepared for that onslaught.

I think this picture shows clearly why I am a little bit desperate



His Zeros are sweeping Singapore and the Philippines at about 23,000 feet each day and if I try to resist this happens. 1 Oscar and one Zero for 24 Buffalos in Singapore or a similar amount of Warhawks in the Philippines.

I already gave up to defend the airspace in the Philippines. At first, my plan was to defend Manila and Clark, to keep 2 airfields open. By now I moved almost everyone from Manila to Clark as I cannot do anything against his air superiority anyway.

With damaged airfields and ports, it is impossible to build up fortifications. (It would be great if I just could tell my engs, to ignore the airfield damage.)

Situation in Malaya



In Malaya, I could not get 2 of the larger Indian brigades from Alor Star to Singapore and the 6th Indian Brigade from Kuantan won't probably make it to Singapore as well.

That is about 300AVs which I cannot use in the defense.

The 44th and 45th Indian Brigades almost reached Oosthaven but I am not sure if they can dodge the Japanese submarines and bombers from Singkawang.

I am wondering if I even can withstand his first shock attack with this meager force.

KB in Rabaul & Tabi I am coming

There was not much activity in the Central Pacific since now. Guam was invaded but Wake is untouched. This changed the last turn.

The KB or at least parts of it are covering a landing in Rabaul at the moment. I am just happy that I could fly out Lark BN in time. I think he is probably moving one of his carriers to SEA right now.



Nauru Island was also taken which does not bother me too much (no airfield).

At the same time, I launched an amphibious TF to land on Tabiteuae. This is risky and I am thinking about turning around or use the units to reinforce one of the closer islands.

China

In China, he is advancing rapidly. I am not sure if I am more worried about his 40,000 troops in Changsha or his unstoppable forces in the north which are racing towards Sian. If he can keep up this tempo China will be gone in 2 months.

I need some advice (again)

I am thinking about changing leaders of LCUs in the PI and Singapore. Do I have to change all leaders or is there someone in charge of all LCUs in a hex?

Does it make sense to keep some troops in Bataan (like the 4th marines) or shall I move everyone to Clark if I want to defend there?

[BBfanboy]

A Command HQ would be an overall leader. Otherwise, the leader of the LCU has the most influence on the way it fights.

An experienced player once changed the dud leader of ABDA Command (Brook-Popham or something like that) for a really good one at a heavy cost in PP. But he did that knowing the Japanese had not prioritized Singapore so he was able to get in reinforcements and supply. Without those things, a new Command HQ leader would not have been much help. I can't recall if he managed to hold Singapore throughout or just give it another six months of use. Either way that is a real PITA for the Japanese seeking to support Burma ops or raid India.

In your situation, it is too late to get enough into Singers to help. Better to airlift out cadres of key units so you don't have to rebuild them from scratch.

[huda0816]

Our game progressed slower than expected during the holidays. It is the 1st of January now and a lot of things happened in the last couple of days. I will try to give an overall impression of the situation and point out some highlights.

DEI & Malaya

Current situation:



As I wrote in my last posts, I was retreating with my navy in this area as I expected a fast offensive in the Java Sea which did not come.

What surprised me most was his Palembang invasion on the 24th. Unfortunately, my bombers and Cats could not hit any ships even if his invasion force was hanging around there for two days before he started unloading. After he captured the base with a full division I switched to bomb the oil wells but my bomber force was a bit exhausted at this time and I did only manage to destroy about 90 points of Palembang's oil.

The good thing about this situation was that he had to focus his fighter squadrons on Palembang and Singkawang. As I finally found out how land-based torpedoes work I moved the Vildebeests to Singapore and attacked his ships in Mersing. The bombers managed to hit Ise and Hyuga with one Torpedo each.



I think he got a little bit annoyed by my bombers and he was sending a strong bombardment taskforce to Batavia. As I saw the ships coming I evacuated my torpedo-bombers and fighters to Bandoeng. The B17s in Soerabaja are fortunately out of his reach.

Night Naval bombardment of Batavia at 49,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 48 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed on ground
Do-24K-1: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 damaged
B-339D: 6 damaged
B-339D: 1 destroyed on ground

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CL Jintsu
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Asashio

Allied Ships
AVP Fazant, Shell hits 1
xAK Boero, Shell hits 1, on fire
AVP Valk, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
632 casualties reported
...

Manpower hits 1
Fires 357
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 27

In Singapore, I could bolster the defense with the 44th and 45th Indian Brigades and a small portion of the 22nd Indian Brigade which I picked up by ship from the Malayan coast. My total Assault Strength is 1101 and I will soon reach level 4 fortifications. I also replaced the leader of the Malaya Army HQ for 150 PPs.

The air war over Singapore is lost. I managed to move two squadrons from the AVG to Singapore and had one day where I was able to shoot down a lot of his bombers but this did not last long and I had to evacuate most of my fighters from Singapore. The good thing is that he cannot effectively penetrate my AA defenses anymore. For the 2nd of January, I have a little surprise as I moved all my Buffalos (35) back to Singapore to fly CAP. I am hoping that he uses his Zeros elsewhere as he did the last few turns.

I am not planning to give up this area without a fight. Repulse is anchored in Tjilatjap with a small TF and my B17s and torpedo bombers should do some damage. In the meantime, I sent my already evacuated Tankers back to Balikpapan to pick up some oil for Australia and built up Cocos Islands and Christmas Island.

China & Burma

I have the impression that China is doomed. He is pushing hard in the northeast and is moving a lot of troops towards Changsha at the same time.

Situation in northeastern China:



He almost managed to encircle my forces in Chengcha but I could break out and destroy 3rd Tank Regiment in the process.

Ground combat at 87,44 (near Chengchow)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 25146 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 703

Defending force 690 troops, 0 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Allied adjusted assault: 711

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 711 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 150 (150 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
590 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

My deliberate attack in Changsha on the next day was a little bit too optimistic.

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 126472 troops, 721 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3372

Defending force 40530 troops, 474 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 1258

Allied adjusted assault: 2331

Japanese adjusted defense: 2435

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1119 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 139 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6716 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 524 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 61 disabled

In Burma the 1st Burma Division reformed in Pegu and the 2 AVG Squadrons are back in Mandalay for R&R. I am trying to move as many supplies as possible to Rangoon to feed them into China. Moulmein and Tavoy are already lost and I am wondering if he is going for Burma early.

Philippines

In the Philippines, Clark is ready for an assault. As his bomber attacks can no longer damage the runway the fortification level reached almost 4. With an assault strength of 1677 I am not sure if I can withstand his 33 Units which started moving towards Clark on the 30th of December. In Mindanao everyone retreated to Malaybalay.

The Pacific & Australia

In my last entry, I was not sure if I should proceed with the landings in Tabiteuea. The final decision was made when the KB showed up to support his (late) Wake Island invasion and none of my submarines and fleets in this area had a detection level. I was calculating that I will have enough time and I almost managed to unload everything. Unfortunately, his next target is Tarawa and the KB will be in striking distance to my remaining ships in Tabiteuea which are two xAPs and two xAKs. The Destroyers, Cruisers, AKs and APs are already out of his reach.



As the KB is engaged somewhere else this also gave me the chance to reinforce Port Moresby against my original intentions. Also, I am moving troops towards northern Australia and Perth as Sigint-Reports indicate that some forces are preparing for a landing there. I am not sure if this is just a trick.

The first convoys will reach Australia in a week and the 8th marines arrived in Pago Pago.

Need some advice

As Yorktown arrived I have a considerable amount of carriers. Is it wise to keep them back or use them in an area where the KB is not?

[btd64]

As far as Yorktown is concerned I think that you answered your own question....GP

[BBfanboy]

There is some hope for China. First you need to understand the Chinese units are full of raw recruits, poorly led, low on supply and lacking in heavy weapons. They need time to build experience and get a stable supply line flowing from Rangoon.
The only way they can face the Japanese is to fall back to very good defensive terrain - mountains, wooded rough, desert rough. That reduces the damage from Japanese heavy weapons and bombing. Also set the Chinese infantry squads to stockpile (In the Intel Report - Troops screen) so that the unit experience can grow instead of being diluted by raw recruits. It also helps with the grocery bill!.

Once they are in good defensive terrain, look at each unit's squads and other devices. If they have a lot disabled, I prefer to set the unit to rest and get some of those devices recovered rather than try and build field forts (which takes a while). And pick a few units with the best AV/morale/experience and spend the PP to get them a good leader.

Later on, consider airlifting in some 40MM AA guns and 34MM anti-tank guns if you get the chance. You might need to use Catalinas to airlift the 40mms until you get some heavier lift transports.

Above all, never attack with the Chinese unless the Japanese have just shattered themselves on your defences and they have no other units about to enter the hex.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: btd64

As far as Yorktown is concerned I think that you answered your own question....GP

I am not sure if I understand your comment.

I just started up the game to inspect Yorktown and she has decent experience with formidable pilots.

I know my four carriers are no match for the KB at the moment but I am not sure if I want to park them somewhere until Hornet and Wasp will arrive.

I read some AARs where the carriers were moved to the DEI and another one where the carriers were used to strike the Japanese home islands.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

ORIGINAL: btd64

As far as Yorktown is concerned I think that you answered your own question....GP

I am not sure if I understand your comment.

I just started up the game to inspect Yorktown and she has decent experience with formidable pilots.

I know my four carriers are no match for the KB at the moment but I am not sure if I want to park them somewhere until Hornet and Wasp will arrive.

I read some AARs where the carriers were moved to the DEI and another one where the carriers were used to strike the Japanese home islands.

Your carrier pilots need to gain experience, as do all the vessels in the TF. If you know where KB is and there are opportunities to strike where LBA is not too strong, go for it.

[btd64]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: huda0816

ORIGINAL: btd64

As far as Yorktown is concerned I think that you answered your own question....GP

I am not sure if I understand your comment.

I just started up the game to inspect Yorktown and she has decent experience with formidable pilots.

I know my four carriers are no match for the KB at the moment but I am not sure if I want to park them somewhere until Hornet and Wasp will arrive.

I read some AARs where the carriers were moved to the DEI and another one where the carriers were used to strike the Japanese home islands.

Your carrier pilots need to gain experience, as do all the vessels in the TF. If you know where KB is and there are opportunities to strike where LBA is not too strong, go for it.

Exactly what I meant. Sorry I wasn't more clear....GP

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

There is some hope for China. First you need to understand the Chinese units are full of raw recruits, poorly led, low on supply and lacking in heavy weapons. They need time to build experience and get a stable supply line flowing from Rangoon.
The only way they can face the Japanese is to fall back to very good defensive terrain - mountains, wooded rough, desert rough. That reduces the damage from Japanese heavy weapons and bombing. Also set the Chinese infantry squads to stockpile (In the Intel Report - Troops screen) so that the unit experience can grow instead of being diluted by raw recruits. It also helps with the grocery bill!.

Once they are in good defensive terrain, look at each unit's squads and other devices. If they have a lot disabled, I prefer to set the unit to rest and get some of those devices recovered rather than try and build field forts (which takes a while). And pick a few units with the best AV/morale/experience and spend the PP to get them a good leader.

Later on, consider airlifting in some 40MM AA guns and 34MM anti-tank guns if you get the chance. You might need to use Catalinas to airlift the 40mms until you get some heavier lift transports.

Above all, never attack with the Chinese unless the Japanese have just shattered themselves on your defences and they have no other units about to enter the hex.

Thank you for this roundup of how to wage land war in China. I hope it is not too late.

This is my planned defensive line with strongpoints at the red circles:



I am also trying to get the 7th Hussars into China but they are still in Aden.

[huda0816]

Overview:



Planes lost:



Warships lost Allied:



Warships lost Japan (Probably only the destroyers did sink and every other ship is chilling in a Japanese repair yard):

[BBfanboy]

Our MIA game Guru Alfred (I meant that respectfully) held that building a defence line was not a good plan because it spreads the Chinese too thin, is too hard to supply, and the Japanese can concentrate their tanks and artillery at any point to achieve a breakthrough. Instead he advocated strong points at strategic movment crossroads, and mobile Chinese units to cut supply routes to any Japanese thrust before it can break through. See this link, Post 1304 for a direct copy of Alfred's advice:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.a ... 4&#4587254

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Warships lost Japan (Probably only the destroyers did sink and every other ship is chilling in a Japanese repair yard):

If that Mk 10 mine was the only thing that hit BB Ise, unless you got a fluke Magazine Explosion! it will not have sunk. The AI puts anything hit by a mine or torpedo on the sunk list, no matter how unlikely it is that they sank. The best way to confirm during combat replay is to listen for sinking sounds right after a mine hit sound. Loss of float planes that normally operate from big ships is another clue.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Warships lost Japan (Probably only the destroyers did sink and every other ship is chilling in a Japanese repair yard):

If that Mk 10 mine was the only thing that hit BB Ise, unless you got a fluke Magazine Explosion! it will not have sunk. The AI puts anything hit by a mine or torpedo on the sunk list, no matter how unlikely it is that they sank. The best way to confirm during combat replay is to listen for sinking sounds right after a mine hit sound. Loss of float planes that normally operate from big ships is another clue.

You can also immediately tell that BB Ise has not sunk through the intel screen. When a ship actually sinks and is displayed on the loss list, then it's points will be added to the 'points for Sunk Japanese Ships' section. Unfortunately the ships lost window is highly unreliable though and often will list a ship of the same class but a different ship nonetheless as lost. The Ultimate confirmation of a sinking is what your receive in the ops report, but this can often appear many months after the event.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Warships lost Japan (Probably only the destroyers did sink and every other ship is chilling in a Japanese repair yard):

If that Mk 10 mine was the only thing that hit BB Ise, unless you got a fluke Magazine Explosion! it will not have sunk. The AI puts anything hit by a mine or torpedo on the sunk list, no matter how unlikely it is that they sank. The best way to confirm during combat replay is to listen for sinking sounds right after a mine hit sound. Loss of float planes that normally operate from big ships is another clue.

You can also immediately tell that BB Ise has not sunk through the intel screen. When a ship actually sinks and is displayed on the loss list, then it's points will be added to the 'points for Sunk Japanese Ships' section. Unfortunately the ships lost window is highly unreliable though and often will list a ship of the same class but a different ship nonetheless as lost. The Ultimate confirmation of a sinking is what your receive in the ops report, but this can often appear many months after the event.

are those numbers in the intelligence screen correct and are not subject to FOW? And what is the ops report?

The thing with Ise seems definitely off.

There was a report that Ise hit a mine at Singkawang on the 22nd:

Dec 22, 41
TF 141 encounters mine field at Singkawang (56,88)
Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Mine hits 1

And another report from the 27th, that my TBs put a torpedo into it:

Dec 27, 41
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 5
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Vildebeest III x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1
DMS W-5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 1
...

So one of those ships could have been another ship. On the other hand, 2 Alfs were recorded as op losses after the 27th. Originally Ise has Daves but Alfs have better range and maybe he changed them?

[huda0816]

How do you deal with withdrawal symptoms?

I got no turn for three days and am refreshing my email inbox every 10 minutes. My opponent told me that he has to do his monthly unit review. Hopefully, he won't visit Bougainville during his troop inspection.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

How do you deal with withdrawal symptoms?

I got no turn for three days and am refreshing my email inbox every 10 minutes. My opponent told me that he has to do his monthly unit review. Hopefully, he won't visit Bougainville during his troop inspection.

Always a good idea to keep a copy of a recent turn to hand. Gives you the chance to do a little longer term planning etc.

For the present, worth spending some time looking at the 1/42 and 2/42 upgrades and planning for them. Some are essential, some you can skip, best to decide now.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: huda0816

How do you deal with withdrawal symptoms?

I got no turn for three days and am refreshing my email inbox every 10 minutes. My opponent told me that he has to do his monthly unit review. Hopefully, he won't visit Bougainville during his troop inspection.

Always a good idea to keep a copy of a recent turn to hand. Gives you the chance to do a little longer term planning etc.

For the present, worth spending some time looking at the 1/42 and 2/42 upgrades and planning for them. Some are essential, some you can skip, best to decide now.

Thank you, I almost forgot about this.

I fear my opponent went missing as he does not respond to my emails. I hope he is OK and it is just a timeout because of work and family.

[huda0816]

Got mail from my opponent that he is sick and needs some time to recover. So our game will be paused for about two weeks.