Defeat into Victory - Godefroy(A) vs Deaniks(J) - finish

[JanSako]

Well done sir, this will hurt them for sure, it will be a while until you see that unit again!

[godefroycz]

Jan 13, 1942

The wheel of war is starting to spin really fast. Several old submarines patrol north of Luzon and are now concentrating in the Aparri area. The USS S-37 approached Japanese ships and torpedoed Ayato Maru and Huso Maru. The ships seem to have been empty.

Submarine attack near Aparri at 83,72

Japanese Ships
xAK Ayato Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Submarine attack near Aparri at 83,72

Japanese Ships
xAP Huso Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37

The main events are concentrated in the Pacific and a mosaic of major Japanese units is slowly forming. The Japanese shoot and land at Lihue. Specifically, the entire 4th Division. This therefore precludes her deployment to Port Moresby. On the Midway, the Japanese ran out of patience and landed powerful forces, and the defense is broken after a hard fight.

Ground combat at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12021 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 624

Defending force 1440 troops, 32 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Japanese adjusted assault: 249

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Midway Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1245 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1627 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 38 (38 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
61st Infantry Group /1
II./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Engineer Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
24th Infantry Rgt /1
III./4th Infantry Battalion
16th Infantry Rgt /1
I./4th Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
116th USAAF Base Force
6th Marine Defense Battalion

After a short rest, PT boats also go into battle and the result is above expectations. Unfortunately, I can't do anything better yet. Pearl Harbor is bombed every day and now Kido Butai has reappeared nearby.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Pearl Harbor at 181,107, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Tone, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Sanae
DMS W-16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS W-18, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT-24
PT-27, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-37
PT-43
PT-44, Shell hits 3
PT-47, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

In other areas, ground fighting is raging. The Japanese attacked Rangoon and, surprisingly for me, has survived so far. Likewise, the attack on Singapore is not successful and another 2,200 Japanese are eliminated from the fight. Finally, the attack south of Sian is also repulsed. Here I can only hope that the Japanese run out of tanks before the Chinese run out of soldiers.

Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16586 troops, 112 guns, 671 vehicles, Assault Value = 665

Defending force 56093 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1483

Japanese adjusted assault: 437

Allied adjusted defense: 2269

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 156 (42 destroyed, 114 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1100 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 134 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
15th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
Mongol Garrison Army

Defending units:
47th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
7th Construction Regiment
31st Group Army
4th Group Army
34th Group Army

Telegraphic:
Japanese occupied Kudat (Borneo) and Tunna (New Hebrides)
USS Stuart has flt 96 and no chance of rescue
BB Prince of Wales report - Speed 10 knots, Ftl 66 (-1)
Today air losses (J:A): 7:3
VP ratio: 0,649 (7635:11756)

[BBfanboy]

You are inflicting some painful losses on him - very good for so early in the war. Congratulations!

[JanSako]

Indeed! Actually destroying a regiments worth of tanks instead of just disabling them will hurt. Japanese industry cannot churn out infinite numbers of them, especially not that early.

[godefroycz]

Thanks, I'm trying my best. I'm thinking of sending some reinforcements to Burma. I already have one Chinese corps here and I can send more troops from India. He does not seem to have enough free forces for any Indian adventure. Suplies will be a problem.

[godefroycz]

Jan 14, 1942

Nothing to report. Good for me.

Telegrafic:
Japanese landing in Onotoa, Beru, Arorae, Maiana (Gilbert Islands) and occupied
Lihua occupied
Aircraft carriers from Noumea disappeared
Submarines O21, O23, O24 sailed out to sea with the new commanders
USS Finback, USS Gato, USS Silversides entered service, change commanders and move to combat areas
BB Prince of Wales report - Speed 9 knots, Ftl 67 (+1)
Today air losses (J:A): 6:2
VP ratio: 0,652 (7701:11805)

[godefroycz]

Jan 15, 1942

Both sides are resting so telegraphically:
USS S-37 torpedoed xAK Lisbon Maru near Aparri
USS S-38 torpedoed xAK Enju Maru north from Luzon. Ship confirmed sunk.
Japanese landing in Manado and Abemama
Intelligence reports that CVE Taiyo has not been sunk and CV Kaga is heading to Truk
BB Prince of Wales report - Speed 10 knots, Ftl 65 (-2)
Today air losses (J:A): 5:8
VP ratio: 0,655 (7740:11822)

[godefroycz]

Jan 16, 1942

There are not many combat actions. After a long time, the Japanese are trying to break through the mountain gorges north of Kaoping. The defense is balanced and still holds.

Ground combat at 88,41 (near Kaoping)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23374 troops, 214 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 714

Defending force 20218 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 590

Japanese adjusted assault: 590

Allied adjusted defense: 673

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
923 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 126 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled

Allied ground losses:
305 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
34th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army

The attack on Manado is also strange. Yesterday a huge fleet, supported by battleships, arrived and today I find that one small unit has landed, which is easily repulsed. The defenders didn't even have to get up from lunch. Good news for me, of course.

Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 950 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 1908 troops, 2 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Japanese adjusted assault: 12

Allied adjusted defense: 199

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 16 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Miura Det

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force

Intelligence reports that the enemy is embarking at Midway, and I assume Johnston will be the next target. I'm moving submarines there. I also have a report that more forces are on their way to Mersing. The enemy seems to be calling in reinforcements because he cannot break the defense. The chances that I will last until February are increasing. It would be great.

Telegraphic:
Japanese landing in Kuria, Nanumea, Tabiteuea and Nikunau (Gilbert Islands)
BB Prince of Wales last report - Ftl 64 (-1) The battleship docked and began emergency repairs
Today air losses (J:A): 4:2
VP ratio: 0,658 (7790:11838)

[godefroycz]

Jan 17, 1942

The last PT boats attack the transport ships loading the 4th Division at Lihue. One of the ships is sunk, but the last boat remains in the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 178,106, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akikaze
PB Chitose Maru
xAK Akagisan Maru
xAK Chile Maru
xAK Havre Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Yamahuzi Maru
xAK Nansin Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Mansyu Maru
xAK Syunsei Maru
xAK Yuri Maru
xAK Kiyo Maru
xAP Huzi Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 5
DD Kyukaze

Allied Ships
PT-37
PT-44, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
1669 casualties reported
Squads: 76 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (29 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Another attack on Singapore is repulsed. But the defenders are weakened again, I'll see how long we last.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44700 troops, 509 guns, 351 vehicles, Assault Value = 1321

Defending force 41446 troops, 557 guns, 434 vehicles, Assault Value = 491

Japanese adjusted assault: 936

Allied adjusted defense: 1061

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1652 casualties reported
Squads: 129 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 29 (1 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (8 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
697 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (37 destroyed, 7 disabled)

More news by telegraph:
USS Gar damaged near Pearl Harbor.
AVG in combat over Hengyang. Several bombers shot down.
Japanese occupied Meiktila (Burma)
Today air losses (J:A): 17:1
VP ratio: 0,660 (7844:11881)

[godefroycz]

Jan 18, 1942

The only activity of the opponent in recent days is the occupation of undefended atolls and "points". Since I have no information on where the Japanese aircraft carriers are located, I leave it at that.

Telegraphic:
The last hero PT-37 is sunk near Pearl Harbor.
Landing in many places in the New Hebrides and Canta Cruz.
The Allied convoy loaded 15k supplies in Balikpapan and sailed to Australia. A little cheeky.
Today air losses (J:A): 3:0
VP ratio: 0,663 (7877:11882)

[godefroycz]

Jan 19, 1942

I would like to write longer reports, but there is nothing about it yet. The Japanese occupy every pile of sand in the Pacific. I will not intervene against this. I focus on the essentials, and when I decide something needs to be defended, I will defend it.

Telegraphic:
Japanese shoot hard and land on Johnston Island. Defense has no chance.
Landing in Funafuti and Baker Island. No defence.
Japanese occupied Rangoon. The rest of the defenders have no way to retreat north. I'll buy time.
Japanese occupied Beaford. The north coast of Borneo is in Japanese hands.
Today air losses (J:A): 9:10

[godefroycz]

Jan 20, 1942

We are continuing a boring program:
xAK damaged by PT boats near Aparri
O24 damaged xAK Zenyo Maru. Probably sunk.
Japanese reinforce Manado.
Today air losses (J:A): 5:0
I find that my troops have done a good job of retreating from Rangoon.

[godefroycz]

Jan 21, 1942

Today we can summarize the "nothing" that usually happens. There is a calm at sea that only disturbs the daily shelling of Pearl Harbor. I did not suffer any significant damage, but the Japanese certainly consume ammunition. Today I sent PT boats to attack again and the Japanese completely ignore me. The result is a few damaged and sunken ships.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Aparri at 82,73, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PC Nire, Shell hits 1
PC Take
PC Ashi
PB Choun Maru #8, Shell hits 1
PB Hakata Maru #7
PB Kyo Maru #3, Shell hits 1
PB Kyo Maru #5
PB Seki Maru
PB Shintohoku Maru
PB Togo Maru
PB Toshi Maru #7
PB Kenkon Maru
PB Shosei Maru
PB Akagane Maru
PB Chitose Maru #2
PB Sinko Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Senyo Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Borneo Maru
xAK Brasil Maru
xAK Erie Maru
xAK England Maru
xAK Genoa Maru
xAK Meisan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Yamayuri Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Heian Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Utide Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Yamahagi Maru, heavy damage
xAK Saiho Maru
xAK Toho Maru
xAK Ryuzan Maru
xAK Syokyu Maru

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-33
PT-34, Shell hits 1
PT-35
PT-41

It's similar in the air. Regular air raids on Palembang and Pearl Harbor, where I shoot down a plane every day and many others are damaged. Today, the Japanese land in Hilo, again in action 4th Division. They also managed to conquer Mandalay and China push my troops out of Sinyang.

Today air losses (J:A): 14:7

[godefroycz]

Jan 22, 1942

After a long time, I am sending the British and Dutch air forces into action. The target is regular air raids on Palembang. I was hoping for a better result, but it's not bad. AVG is also going into battle to make it easier to withdraw troops from Syniang. Here, too, several Japanese planes go to the ground.



The Japanese are active today. They attack Singapore again and break the defense zone for the first time. The result is 1: 1. I don't think I can handle more than one attack and it will be over by the end of January. In China, they are expected to attack across the river in order to get behind my troops and at the same time be able to attack Sian from the east. Assault value is a little over 500 and that shouldn't endanger Sian. So I want to block the roads further and I will not retreat with the main forces.


The current attack is a solid line. Dashed arrows predicted moves.

Intelligence announces that DD Asagumo has not been sunk. Furthermore, the 14th Division is embarking. It is the second large division transferred to the battlefield. Since each costs about 1600 PP and we have about the 45th day of the war + 500 PP at the beginning of the game, it is not possible for an opponent to have such a number of PP even if he does not convert anything else (which did not happen). The only way I know of has transferred some unrestricted HQ under the Kwantung Army and divisions are converting for a third. Is this a common procedure or should I take it as a gamey?

[Nomad]

first, it costs 25% to change a units HQ within the same command tree.

Second, he gets 60 PPs per day and starts with 500, so he would have 3200 PPs to use.

Third, some people do move HQs around so they only pay 25% and some do not. I have no idea what he did, but he could have done either.

[godefroycz]

Jan 23, 1942

Currently without Japanese activity, so telegraphic:
Landing in Efate
Japanese expedition over Palembang and Batavia
Today air losses (J:A): 5:21

[godefroycz]

Jan 24, 1942

I'm trying to maneuver a few TFs around Celebes, but the Japanese reconnaissance is working well and I'm constantly being checked out. Tomorrow I will try to attack the ships at Manado. The opponent regularly attacks the PH from the sea and from the air, but so far I have no major losses. Palembang is now only controlled by fighters, but the bombers are on the ground. That was exactly my goal and I can build more fortifications.

I haven't reported any aircraft carriers in a long time, and I'm worried about what's planned. I'm consolidating my strength and waiting. Reinforcements have been marching on Johore for several days, and a final attack comes every day. It won't be a nice sight. Efate was occupied.

Today air losses (J:A): 5:3

[godefroycz]

Jan 25, 1942

The attack on the ships at Manado did not turn out exactly as I had imagined, and the Allies suffered a heavy defeat. Apart from this battle, nothing happened, but nothing at all.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 8,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
C.XI-W: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CL Isuzu
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Hokaze
DD Tsuta
DD Yomogi

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Vampire
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Scout, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tenedos
DD Thracian
DD Encounter, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

[godefroycz]

Jan 26, 1942

At Manado, the survey reports a suspicious number of aircraft carriers. I'd rather move Force Z from Balikpapan to Surabaya.



Otherwise, there is the usual calm. I'm taking another 10k of supplies from Balikpapan to Australia. The only activity is another attempted attack on Singapore, which was repulsed this time. The fighting power of the defenders decreased again.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45045 troops, 595 guns, 399 vehicles, Assault Value = 1307

Defending force 41121 troops, 556 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 465

Japanese adjusted assault: 949

Allied adjusted defense: 1171

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3294 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 327 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 49 (4 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1294 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 26 (3 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (7 destroyed, 19 disabled)

[godefroycz]

Jan 27, 1942

Today, destroyers also began shelling the PH, and one of them was damaged by coastal artillery. I hope that this will discourage the enemy again and limit it to BB Hiei and CA Chikuma. That doesn't bother me much. I've uncovered two invasion fleets approaching my bases. The first sailed from Manada and the target is probably Kendari. The Dutch submarine KX tried to attack her, but was severely damaged (56/72/2) and trying to get to the nearest port. I'm moving PT boats and submarines closer to Kendari. I expect the enemy to have strong air support and my air force will not intervene.



The second invasion fleet is discovered north of Palmyra Island. I originally considered strengthening the area, but given the forces moving in the Pacific, it's a waste of power. For me, a meaningful line starts between Noumea - Suva - Pago. On Hawai the enemy has conquered Kona, but my troops are running back to Hilo. We play such a roundabout until the enemy divides the 4th Division. Unfortunately, it was not enough for my troops to retreat in China, and the Japanese crossed the river in the direction of Ankang. Fortunately, they have relatively large losses and I will be away in the next move.

Ground combat at 84,46 (near Ichang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 22678 troops, 190 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 673

Defending force 19116 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Japanese adjusted assault: 174

Allied adjusted defense: 111

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2150 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 107 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2185 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 48 (28 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Assaulting units:
116th Division
20th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
48th Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
85th Chinese/A Corps
98th Chinese/A Corps
12th Chinese/B Corps
48th Chinese/B Corps
84th Chinese/A Corps
84th Chinese/B Corps
7th Chinese/C Corps
84th Chinese/C Corps
85th Chinese/B Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
48th Chinese/C Corps
12th Chinese/A Corps
85th Chinese/C Corps
98th Chinese/B Corps
98th Chinese/C Corps
7th New Chinese/B Corps
12th Chinese/C Corps
3rd Group Army
21st Group Army