Use your flying boats to pick up units, then APDs if the unit is not that far away and can be given air cover. Once you get two SSTs, they should be just right for the job. Only convert the Argonaut when you are out of mines for that ship.
As far as pulling back at with the Chinese units, if they are dug in with another unit behind them, let the Japanese take casualties removing the roadblock. Also have weakened partial units ready to cut the road network behind the Japanese spearheads.
A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia ChildRe: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thanks Ranger Joe,
I'm waiting until the Japanese reach Lanchow before I'll cut the road; I've got some cavalry available for the job.
I'm waiting until the Japanese reach Lanchow before I'll cut the road; I've got some cavalry available for the job.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
It’s time, I think, for an overview of how the war is progressing from the Allied point of view.
To recap and summarise, Allied strategy is to:
Preserve India/Australia and the Central Pacific as future bases of operations and maintain adequate communications between them..
Draw as many Japanese forces as possible into the southern DEI area, and try to pin them there and wear down Japan’s ability to respond to the Allies’ main offensive when it comes.
Launch the main offensives from the Central Pacific with the ultimate aim of cutting Japan off from the SRA, probably by seizing Luzon and Formosa.
Finish Japan off by aerial bombardment and if necessary by invasion.
My impression of Japan’s strategy so far is that the Japanese are aiming to expand to a relatively tight, well defended perimeter (rather than aim for a knockout blow against say India or Australia) and perhaps aim for auto-victory in 1944, or at least to deny the Allies a decisive victory later in the war. I’ve based this assessment on Japan’s advance being a slow, methodical one and appearing to prioritise minimising losses over speed of advance. I think this suits the Allied strategy in the short-term, as it allows the Allies secure and build up their key bases and communication lines relatively unhindered, but in the longer term may have advantages for the Japanese in not having over-extended lines to defend, and in avoiding too many irreplaceable naval losses early on.
Theatres so far:
CENTRAL PACIFIC
The main tasks for this theatre are to defend Hawaii, protect communications between the USA and the South Pacific/Australia, and prepare for offensive operations in the Pacific.
So far there has been hardly any Japanese activity in this theatre, allowing the Allies to develop here unhindered. Canton Island is defended by an infantry regiment, Christmas Island has a regiment, some coastal artillery and an expanding air presence, and Midway has started operating as a forward submarine base. As other theatres become more secure the pace of buildup will increase.
NORTH PACIFIC
The main roles for this theatre are to protect the Central Pacific theatre’s northern flank and to provide forward submarine bases for operations in Japanese home waters.
Up to now the only Japanese activity has been occasional reconnaissance flights (presumably submarine-based).
The main Allied logistic base in theatre is Prince Rupert, which is developing nicely. The Aleutians are only very lightly defended at the moment; Adak has just a single infantry Bn, although I’m planning on sending the remainder of the regiment there. A few submarines are operating out of Dutch Harbor and once port facilities are up and running at Adak they’ll transfer there.
SOUTH PACIFIC
This theatre’s primary aim is to help protect sea communications between the USA and Australia. This entails defending Fiji, Samoa, Pago Pago and the surrounding Islands, New Zealand, and the Society Islands.
So far the Japanese haven’t pushed any farther than the Gilberts, Nauru Island and Ocean Island.
Suva is defended by a Marine regiment, some US Army artillery and a New Zealand Bde. New Zealand itself has the restricted New Zealand forces only. Bora Bora is an expanding refuelling base on the trans-Pacific route and has a US infantry regiment en route.
One common theme among the above Pacific theatres is that nowhere (with the exception of Pearl Harbor) is really capable at the moment of standing up to a serious Japanese assault, although the South Pacific theatre could be reinforced from Australia fairly quickly.
To recap and summarise, Allied strategy is to:
Preserve India/Australia and the Central Pacific as future bases of operations and maintain adequate communications between them..
Draw as many Japanese forces as possible into the southern DEI area, and try to pin them there and wear down Japan’s ability to respond to the Allies’ main offensive when it comes.
Launch the main offensives from the Central Pacific with the ultimate aim of cutting Japan off from the SRA, probably by seizing Luzon and Formosa.
Finish Japan off by aerial bombardment and if necessary by invasion.
My impression of Japan’s strategy so far is that the Japanese are aiming to expand to a relatively tight, well defended perimeter (rather than aim for a knockout blow against say India or Australia) and perhaps aim for auto-victory in 1944, or at least to deny the Allies a decisive victory later in the war. I’ve based this assessment on Japan’s advance being a slow, methodical one and appearing to prioritise minimising losses over speed of advance. I think this suits the Allied strategy in the short-term, as it allows the Allies secure and build up their key bases and communication lines relatively unhindered, but in the longer term may have advantages for the Japanese in not having over-extended lines to defend, and in avoiding too many irreplaceable naval losses early on.
Theatres so far:
CENTRAL PACIFIC
The main tasks for this theatre are to defend Hawaii, protect communications between the USA and the South Pacific/Australia, and prepare for offensive operations in the Pacific.
So far there has been hardly any Japanese activity in this theatre, allowing the Allies to develop here unhindered. Canton Island is defended by an infantry regiment, Christmas Island has a regiment, some coastal artillery and an expanding air presence, and Midway has started operating as a forward submarine base. As other theatres become more secure the pace of buildup will increase.
NORTH PACIFIC
The main roles for this theatre are to protect the Central Pacific theatre’s northern flank and to provide forward submarine bases for operations in Japanese home waters.
Up to now the only Japanese activity has been occasional reconnaissance flights (presumably submarine-based).
The main Allied logistic base in theatre is Prince Rupert, which is developing nicely. The Aleutians are only very lightly defended at the moment; Adak has just a single infantry Bn, although I’m planning on sending the remainder of the regiment there. A few submarines are operating out of Dutch Harbor and once port facilities are up and running at Adak they’ll transfer there.
SOUTH PACIFIC
This theatre’s primary aim is to help protect sea communications between the USA and Australia. This entails defending Fiji, Samoa, Pago Pago and the surrounding Islands, New Zealand, and the Society Islands.
So far the Japanese haven’t pushed any farther than the Gilberts, Nauru Island and Ocean Island.
Suva is defended by a Marine regiment, some US Army artillery and a New Zealand Bde. New Zealand itself has the restricted New Zealand forces only. Bora Bora is an expanding refuelling base on the trans-Pacific route and has a US infantry regiment en route.
One common theme among the above Pacific theatres is that nowhere (with the exception of Pearl Harbor) is really capable at the moment of standing up to a serious Japanese assault, although the South Pacific theatre could be reinforced from Australia fairly quickly.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
AUSTRALIA/SWPACIFIC
The aim here is to defend Australia and build up for future offensive operations against the Japanese in the DEI.
The Japanese have seized Rabaul, Buka and Shortlands in the Solomons, and some of the bases on the northeast coast of New Guinea.
On the Allied side Luganville and Noumea are both held by reinforced Marine regiments. Port Moresby has two reinforced Australian Brigades, and with 6th AIF Division starting to arrive there I’m thinking i’ll probably have more than I’ll need. Forces available to defend eastern Australia are weak at the moment, but expanding.
Given the (I think deliberate) slow pace of the Japanese advance I think a Japanese invasion of eastern Australia is unlikely, but for now I’m proceeding on the basis that it is still a possibility. Once the risk of a Japanese invasion has passed a further objective for this theatre will be to keep the Torres strait open to Allied shipping, or to reopen it if closed. This will facilitate sending supplies and reinforcements to Darwin.
The aim here is to defend Australia and build up for future offensive operations against the Japanese in the DEI.
The Japanese have seized Rabaul, Buka and Shortlands in the Solomons, and some of the bases on the northeast coast of New Guinea.
On the Allied side Luganville and Noumea are both held by reinforced Marine regiments. Port Moresby has two reinforced Australian Brigades, and with 6th AIF Division starting to arrive there I’m thinking i’ll probably have more than I’ll need. Forces available to defend eastern Australia are weak at the moment, but expanding.
Given the (I think deliberate) slow pace of the Japanese advance I think a Japanese invasion of eastern Australia is unlikely, but for now I’m proceeding on the basis that it is still a possibility. Once the risk of a Japanese invasion has passed a further objective for this theatre will be to keep the Torres strait open to Allied shipping, or to reopen it if closed. This will facilitate sending supplies and reinforcements to Darwin.
- Review SWPAC.png (1.91 MiB) Viewed 1072 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
ABDA Area
The plan here is to try and draw as many Japanese units as possible into the southern DEI area and to keep them there. This will be achieved by delaying the Japanese advance long enough to enable sufficient force to be put in place to mount a serious defence of Timor, Saumlaki and, if attacked, northern Australia.
Things are going fairly well here so far, I’ve successfully drawn the Japanese into invading the DEI and sucked them into seizing Palembang early, so I feel that I am well on track to manoeuvring the Japanese into exactly where I want them.
The Japanese have overrun northern Borneo, Malaya, Singapore, southern and central Sumatra (and are about to take northern Sumatra), Luzon (apart from Bataan) and several Philippine Islands, Manado and Ternate.
At Singapore the British had two realistic options:
a) Prolong the defence of Singapore but lose the units, or
b) Rescue some decent units but at the expense of Singapore’s early capture.
Ingeniously, the British found a third option - allow the quick fall of Singapore and lose the units at the same time. However, the Americans at Bataan are showing the Brits how it’s done and the general slow pace of the Japanese advance has allowed the Allies to recover from the early loss of Singapore. Australian forces sent to Kendari and Ambon have now been withdrawn to Saumlaki, as delaying there are no longer considered necessary. Koepang is held by the British 18th Division, and US Army reinforcements are en route to Saumlaki, Darwin and Babar.
Tarakan, Balikpapan and Ambon are only lightly held by local Dutch forces. Makassar is being evacuated. Java is held by local Dutch Forces supported by Allied fighters and light bombers.
I’m thinking that the Japanese plan might be to capture Java and link up with forces driving down from Manado/Ternate before backfilling southern Borneo and Celebes.
The plan here is to try and draw as many Japanese units as possible into the southern DEI area and to keep them there. This will be achieved by delaying the Japanese advance long enough to enable sufficient force to be put in place to mount a serious defence of Timor, Saumlaki and, if attacked, northern Australia.
Things are going fairly well here so far, I’ve successfully drawn the Japanese into invading the DEI and sucked them into seizing Palembang early, so I feel that I am well on track to manoeuvring the Japanese into exactly where I want them.
The Japanese have overrun northern Borneo, Malaya, Singapore, southern and central Sumatra (and are about to take northern Sumatra), Luzon (apart from Bataan) and several Philippine Islands, Manado and Ternate.
At Singapore the British had two realistic options:
a) Prolong the defence of Singapore but lose the units, or
b) Rescue some decent units but at the expense of Singapore’s early capture.
Ingeniously, the British found a third option - allow the quick fall of Singapore and lose the units at the same time. However, the Americans at Bataan are showing the Brits how it’s done and the general slow pace of the Japanese advance has allowed the Allies to recover from the early loss of Singapore. Australian forces sent to Kendari and Ambon have now been withdrawn to Saumlaki, as delaying there are no longer considered necessary. Koepang is held by the British 18th Division, and US Army reinforcements are en route to Saumlaki, Darwin and Babar.
Tarakan, Balikpapan and Ambon are only lightly held by local Dutch forces. Makassar is being evacuated. Java is held by local Dutch Forces supported by Allied fighters and light bombers.
I’m thinking that the Japanese plan might be to capture Java and link up with forces driving down from Manado/Ternate before backfilling southern Borneo and Celebes.
- Review DEI.png (1.62 MiB) Viewed 1070 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
INDIA
The objectives here is to defend India with as few forces as possible whilst tying down the maximum number of Japanese - a neat juggling act for the British.
A delaying action will be fought in Burma to allow time for the defences of India to be established.
7th AIF Division and 7th Armoured Bde were sent to secure Akyab. In hindsight I think this was a mistake - they are the best units in theatre but are now in something of a no-man’s land. They’re too far forward to be available should the Japanese mount a seaborne invasion of India, but not forward enough to be of any use in the fight for Burma.
Eastern Fleet’s primary tasks are to secure the Africa/Middle East/India Australia Sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, and to protect India from seaborne invasion. A secondary mission is to contest control of the Bay of Bengal. If the Japanese make their main effort against India then I don’t think Eastern Fleet is up to any one of these task, let alone all three.
I’m not expecting a seaborne invasion of India, but I can’t exclude the possibility. If Eastern Fleet is not up to stopping an invasion, and if the Army’s best units are out of position, then this could be a serious problem. British High Command in India has identified three possible solutions:
a) Call for temporary reinforcements from elsewhere - possibly from the US, and hope they arrive in time.
b) Bring back 7th AIF and 7th Armoured rgt, although this means admitting making mistakes and suffering all the taunts about staff wallahs not knowing their backsides from their elbows
c) Rely on their usual pig-headed refusal to face facts to get themselves through (to paraphrase General Melchiot).
Decisions, Decisions……I expect option ‘C’ is the most likely……
70th Division arrives in theatre soon, so that’s something.
CHINA
China’s task is simple enough - stay in the fight!
Here the Japanese have been clearing out the 11th War Area around Tsinan and Suchow. Elsewhere they’ve made limited advances west of Hangchow in the south, and west of Chengting in the northeast. In the north there were two main thrusts, one towards Lanchow and the other towards Hami and/or Kiuchuan. I assume the Japanese did not expect the level of resistance they met heading for Lanchow, as the Hami/Kiuchuan advance has been abandoned and the units used to reinforce the Lanchow push. I don’t know if I can hold Lanchow, but I’m confident I can put up a decent fight.
As for the rest of China the Japanese appear to be keeping their cards pretty close to their chest, so I’m just going to make sure I’m as prepared and organised as possible and await events - for now.
The objectives here is to defend India with as few forces as possible whilst tying down the maximum number of Japanese - a neat juggling act for the British.
A delaying action will be fought in Burma to allow time for the defences of India to be established.
7th AIF Division and 7th Armoured Bde were sent to secure Akyab. In hindsight I think this was a mistake - they are the best units in theatre but are now in something of a no-man’s land. They’re too far forward to be available should the Japanese mount a seaborne invasion of India, but not forward enough to be of any use in the fight for Burma.
Eastern Fleet’s primary tasks are to secure the Africa/Middle East/India Australia Sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, and to protect India from seaborne invasion. A secondary mission is to contest control of the Bay of Bengal. If the Japanese make their main effort against India then I don’t think Eastern Fleet is up to any one of these task, let alone all three.
I’m not expecting a seaborne invasion of India, but I can’t exclude the possibility. If Eastern Fleet is not up to stopping an invasion, and if the Army’s best units are out of position, then this could be a serious problem. British High Command in India has identified three possible solutions:
a) Call for temporary reinforcements from elsewhere - possibly from the US, and hope they arrive in time.
b) Bring back 7th AIF and 7th Armoured rgt, although this means admitting making mistakes and suffering all the taunts about staff wallahs not knowing their backsides from their elbows
c) Rely on their usual pig-headed refusal to face facts to get themselves through (to paraphrase General Melchiot).
Decisions, Decisions……I expect option ‘C’ is the most likely……
70th Division arrives in theatre soon, so that’s something.
CHINA
China’s task is simple enough - stay in the fight!
Here the Japanese have been clearing out the 11th War Area around Tsinan and Suchow. Elsewhere they’ve made limited advances west of Hangchow in the south, and west of Chengting in the northeast. In the north there were two main thrusts, one towards Lanchow and the other towards Hami and/or Kiuchuan. I assume the Japanese did not expect the level of resistance they met heading for Lanchow, as the Hami/Kiuchuan advance has been abandoned and the units used to reinforce the Lanchow push. I don’t know if I can hold Lanchow, but I’m confident I can put up a decent fight.
As for the rest of China the Japanese appear to be keeping their cards pretty close to their chest, so I’m just going to make sure I’m as prepared and organised as possible and await events - for now.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Chittagong is on the rail line, just make sure that the rail line is secure and build up the forts. That would be a good defensive base. Make sure that the Imphal to Ledo line is secure and by that, I also mean that you have decent infantry battalions on the rail line bases so they can't be taken by paratroopers too easily. Have your armoured units in strategic mode on the rail lines to rush in. Have engineers build forts on those bases but not necessarily airfields early, maybe later for your counterattacks in the area. Make sure that your coastal cities between Madras and Calcutta are defended and build the forts but NOT the airfields so the Japanese can't capture a good airfield quickly. If your opponent can get ashore and possibly surround Calcutta, it is too easy to have your units trapped there and destroyed. Make sure that Karachi is being built up and strongly defended even if it is just by having units rebuild there. Karachi is more defensible than Bombay because the distance from the off map area is a lot shorter.
To support Port Moresby, build up Milne Bay's port to a level 2 so you can unload radar. Build up the airfield and the forts. Have a good defensive position there. You can have PT Boats operating from there and his Naval Attacks might divert to those PT Boats where your defending fighters can shoot them down.
To support Port Moresby, build up Milne Bay's port to a level 2 so you can unload radar. Build up the airfield and the forts. Have a good defensive position there. You can have PT Boats operating from there and his Naval Attacks might divert to those PT Boats where your defending fighters can shoot them down.
Last edited by RangerJoe on Mon Jul 15, 2024 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child-
CaptBeefheart
- Posts: 2601
- Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:42 am
- Location: Seoul, Korea
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
I'd say there's no need to defend Akyab with anything more than a base force. If your opponent invades Chittagong, they'll be cut off. Unless you really don't think your opponent is aggressive.
Ranger Joe has good ideas for defending the subcontinent. If you have some free time you can find AARs where serious attempts were made to take India.
Cheers,
CB
[EDIT: Grammar.]
Ranger Joe has good ideas for defending the subcontinent. If you have some free time you can find AARs where serious attempts were made to take India.
Cheers,
CB
[EDIT: Grammar.]
Last edited by CaptBeefheart on Tue Jul 16, 2024 6:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Some good advice on defending India there.
I agree, the deployments to Akyab were far from ideal. If my assessment of Japanese strategy is correct….IF……. then I think an invasion of India is unlikely. It took some time and effort to deploy to Akayb - pulling back overland to Chittagong will take time, and the sea route is more risky now Japan hold Rangoon, so my inclination is to leave the units at Akyab now they’re there. 25th AIF Bde is still at Calcutta waiting transport; instead of joining the rest of the division it will remain in India.
From memory 19th Indian Div is at Madras and all the bases between Madras and Calcutta are garrisoned, although not in any great strength. 7th Indian Div is at Bombay, 23rd Indian Div is en route to Chittagong, Karachi has two brigades. Held in reserve are 20th Indian Div, 50th Tank Bde and 255th Armoured Bde, soon to be joined by the British 70th Div. Just don’t ask about or mention the phrase ‘combat readiness’ - that’s really frowned upon at GHQ India at the moment….
It has crossed my mind that if Japan is going to make a large seaborne effort to take India, he might just as well strike directly at the west coast (cutting India off from outside reinforcements) rather than land on the Bay of Bengal, and if it has occurred to me it will have occurred to others…
I really don’t think the Japanese are going to invade India, but it doesn’t hurt to make some more preparations all the same. Obviously, when the Japanese invasion fleets turn up off of Karachi I’ll just have to edit this post to reflect that I knew all along this was the Japanese plan.
I agree, the deployments to Akyab were far from ideal. If my assessment of Japanese strategy is correct….IF……. then I think an invasion of India is unlikely. It took some time and effort to deploy to Akayb - pulling back overland to Chittagong will take time, and the sea route is more risky now Japan hold Rangoon, so my inclination is to leave the units at Akyab now they’re there. 25th AIF Bde is still at Calcutta waiting transport; instead of joining the rest of the division it will remain in India.
From memory 19th Indian Div is at Madras and all the bases between Madras and Calcutta are garrisoned, although not in any great strength. 7th Indian Div is at Bombay, 23rd Indian Div is en route to Chittagong, Karachi has two brigades. Held in reserve are 20th Indian Div, 50th Tank Bde and 255th Armoured Bde, soon to be joined by the British 70th Div. Just don’t ask about or mention the phrase ‘combat readiness’ - that’s really frowned upon at GHQ India at the moment….
It has crossed my mind that if Japan is going to make a large seaborne effort to take India, he might just as well strike directly at the west coast (cutting India off from outside reinforcements) rather than land on the Bay of Bengal, and if it has occurred to me it will have occurred to others…
I really don’t think the Japanese are going to invade India, but it doesn’t hurt to make some more preparations all the same. Obviously, when the Japanese invasion fleets turn up off of Karachi I’ll just have to edit this post to reflect that I knew all along this was the Japanese plan.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
When 6th AIF Div completes its move to Port Moresby this will free up one or two of the Australian Bdes for a possible move on Milne Bay. I also have 2nd Marine Rgt available Sydney, although I want to keep it in reserve for now. If I land in Milne Bay I’ll want to do so with sufficient force to be able to keep it - I’ll have a think about this.RangerJoe wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:10 pm To support Port Moresby, build up Milne Bay's port to a level 2 so you can unload radar. Build up the airfield and the forts. Have a good defensive position there. You can have PT Boats operating from there and his Naval Attacks might divert to those PT Boats where your defending fighters can shoot them down.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
10th March 1942.
CHINA
If the Japanese failed to learn their lesson at Laiwu, then so did the Chinese, with their counterattack suffering heavy casualties for no gain. It was the usual story…..ineffective artillery support, poor planning and coordination, troops couldn’t find their start lines, unclear objectives, poor leadership, rain etc….etc… turning a surefire success into a dismal failure. Nothing to do with the counterattack being a really bad idea in the first place, oh no, of course not!
ABDA
BB Nagato plus at least 3 DDs and 2 CLs has been spotted northeast of Sorong. At Port Hedland Hermes and Force Z have been ordered to sea to cover Koepang and Saumlaki. If the Japanese are heading for Kendari and/or Ambon I won’t interfere, but I won’t allow them to push any farther south without a fight.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The mood among HMNZS Achilles’s crew is sombre, some might say dark - the word ‘cowardice’ might have been mentioned, as the rumours spread below deck.
CLs Achilles and Leander have been operating together out of Suva for some time now, patrolling the Gilberts, probing the Marshalls; their task has been to make a nuisance of themselves and generally look for trouble. Returning via the Santa Cruz Islands from their latest foray, it was trouble that found them. More specifically, trouble found HMNZS Leander in the shape of a Type 95 torpedo courtesy of SS I—173. Flooding aboard Leander is serious [40], but the engines and other systems are still intact [system damage 3, Engines 1]. She should be able to make it back to port okay, provided she is left unmolested - unfortunately because of the flooding her maximum speed has been reduced to 9 knots, leaving her very vulnerable if unprotected.
Of course, Leander won’t be unprotected - she has her sister and companion, Achilles, to watch over her, to shepherd her home. Both crews know that. However, the senior officers of both ships know different. Now, with Leander reduced to a barely discernible smokestack on the horizon, the harsh reality is starting to sink in; this is going to be a long, brutal war with little room for sentiment…..
Achilles is heading back to Suva as planned; Leander is going to try and make it to Luganville, but at that speed and with at least one enemy submarine about….I’m not confident Leander is going to make it; there’s no point in risking Achilles as well.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-159 sinks AVP Orion off of Batavia
CHINA
If the Japanese failed to learn their lesson at Laiwu, then so did the Chinese, with their counterattack suffering heavy casualties for no gain. It was the usual story…..ineffective artillery support, poor planning and coordination, troops couldn’t find their start lines, unclear objectives, poor leadership, rain etc….etc… turning a surefire success into a dismal failure. Nothing to do with the counterattack being a really bad idea in the first place, oh no, of course not!
ABDA
BB Nagato plus at least 3 DDs and 2 CLs has been spotted northeast of Sorong. At Port Hedland Hermes and Force Z have been ordered to sea to cover Koepang and Saumlaki. If the Japanese are heading for Kendari and/or Ambon I won’t interfere, but I won’t allow them to push any farther south without a fight.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The mood among HMNZS Achilles’s crew is sombre, some might say dark - the word ‘cowardice’ might have been mentioned, as the rumours spread below deck.
CLs Achilles and Leander have been operating together out of Suva for some time now, patrolling the Gilberts, probing the Marshalls; their task has been to make a nuisance of themselves and generally look for trouble. Returning via the Santa Cruz Islands from their latest foray, it was trouble that found them. More specifically, trouble found HMNZS Leander in the shape of a Type 95 torpedo courtesy of SS I—173. Flooding aboard Leander is serious [40], but the engines and other systems are still intact [system damage 3, Engines 1]. She should be able to make it back to port okay, provided she is left unmolested - unfortunately because of the flooding her maximum speed has been reduced to 9 knots, leaving her very vulnerable if unprotected.
Of course, Leander won’t be unprotected - she has her sister and companion, Achilles, to watch over her, to shepherd her home. Both crews know that. However, the senior officers of both ships know different. Now, with Leander reduced to a barely discernible smokestack on the horizon, the harsh reality is starting to sink in; this is going to be a long, brutal war with little room for sentiment…..
Achilles is heading back to Suva as planned; Leander is going to try and make it to Luganville, but at that speed and with at least one enemy submarine about….I’m not confident Leander is going to make it; there’s no point in risking Achilles as well.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-159 sinks AVP Orion off of Batavia
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
11th March 1942
CHINA
The Japanese capture Loufan, west of Chengting, forcing out the Chinese defenders and inflicting heavy casualties.
Chinese aerial reconnaissance has detected the apparent movement of Japanese forces west from Canton. This could be a Japanese force sent to clear out Pakhoi, or it could be the start of a move to outflank Wuchow. I’ll keep an eye on this and see how it develops.
ABDA
Disaster over Batavia as sweeping Zeros shot down 9 Warhawks, 4 Dutch Hawks and 4 Dutch Buffalos in return for just one Zero claimed. Unsurprisingly the morale of the Warhawk squadron has plummeted. The Allied fighters were on CAP over Bandoeng, but were diverted in ones and twos to Batavia - where they were shot down as they arrived. I’ve made sure that fighters with an escort role have the appropriate range set and CAP set to 0, and that those on CAP now have their range set to 0, so now nothing should be diverted.
On the positive side, according to my notes the last Japanese sweep over Java was on 3rd March, and it appears the Japanese are waiting to achieve air superiority before invading Java. If so then although Allied air forces are suffering heavy losses they look like they are achieving their objective of delaying the Japanese advance through the DEI.
The Nagato surface group northeast of Sorong seems to be in about the same location as yesterday.
SWPAC/SOPAC
Finally! 5th Marine Rgt reaches Tulagi and starts to move ashore.
The Japanese land at Wewak, which is undefended.
Sadly but not unexpectedly, Leander is torpedoed again and sunk off the Santa Cruz Islands.
USA
164th Rgt (Americal Div) begins embarking aboard Queen Mary bound for Sydney.
NORPAC
I haven’t forgotten I’m supposed to be developing an airbase on Unmak Island; I never seem to have the units or shipping available to make a start; or more precisely, what I have got ends up being tasked elsewhere….
CHINA
The Japanese capture Loufan, west of Chengting, forcing out the Chinese defenders and inflicting heavy casualties.
Chinese aerial reconnaissance has detected the apparent movement of Japanese forces west from Canton. This could be a Japanese force sent to clear out Pakhoi, or it could be the start of a move to outflank Wuchow. I’ll keep an eye on this and see how it develops.
ABDA
Disaster over Batavia as sweeping Zeros shot down 9 Warhawks, 4 Dutch Hawks and 4 Dutch Buffalos in return for just one Zero claimed. Unsurprisingly the morale of the Warhawk squadron has plummeted. The Allied fighters were on CAP over Bandoeng, but were diverted in ones and twos to Batavia - where they were shot down as they arrived. I’ve made sure that fighters with an escort role have the appropriate range set and CAP set to 0, and that those on CAP now have their range set to 0, so now nothing should be diverted.
On the positive side, according to my notes the last Japanese sweep over Java was on 3rd March, and it appears the Japanese are waiting to achieve air superiority before invading Java. If so then although Allied air forces are suffering heavy losses they look like they are achieving their objective of delaying the Japanese advance through the DEI.
The Nagato surface group northeast of Sorong seems to be in about the same location as yesterday.
SWPAC/SOPAC
Finally! 5th Marine Rgt reaches Tulagi and starts to move ashore.
The Japanese land at Wewak, which is undefended.
Sadly but not unexpectedly, Leander is torpedoed again and sunk off the Santa Cruz Islands.
USA
164th Rgt (Americal Div) begins embarking aboard Queen Mary bound for Sydney.
NORPAC
I haven’t forgotten I’m supposed to be developing an airbase on Unmak Island; I never seem to have the units or shipping available to make a start; or more precisely, what I have got ends up being tasked elsewhere….
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Here is one of those 164th Infantry National Guardsman, the last that I had heard, his medals are at the University of North Dakota, in the city of Grand Forks, in the state of North Dakota, in the United States of America. He was literally a "Fighting Sioux" which used to be the nickname for the athletic teams from that University until Political Correctness ran amok.
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble
https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/keeble/
If you read more about him, he was mistreated by the US Army and the US Government during his lifetime.
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble
https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/keeble/
If you read more about him, he was mistreated by the US Army and the US Government during his lifetime.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child-
CaptBeefheart
- Posts: 2601
- Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:42 am
- Location: Seoul, Korea
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Good story, Ranger Joe. My folks went to that uni and my dad told me how a lot of Sioux, including the assistant hockey coach, of which UND has one of the top programs, were quite upset they dropped the nickname.RangerJoe wrote: Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:48 pm Here is one of those 164th Infantry National Guardsman, the last that I had heard, his medals are at the University of North Dakota, in the city of Grand Forks, in the state of North Dakota, in the United States of America. He was literally a "Fighting Sioux" which used to be the nickname for the athletic teams from that University until Political Correctness ran amok.
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble
https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/keeble/
If you read more about him, he was mistreated by the US Army and the US Government during his lifetime.
Before I derail this, MPeaston, keep up your spirits. Figure your starting forces in the DEI are dead from the beginning and savor every small victory they manage as a bonus.
Cheers,
CB
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thanks guys, yes, great story Ranger Joe.
Fun though this game is, it never hurts to be reminded that this game represents things that happened all those years ago to real people with real lives, real stories - whether or not they got to tell them.
In this digital version of reality 164th Rgt is ultimately bound for Darwin. I hope Keeble and his comrades fare well - I think they’re pretty likely to see action.
Fun though this game is, it never hurts to be reminded that this game represents things that happened all those years ago to real people with real lives, real stories - whether or not they got to tell them.
In this digital version of reality 164th Rgt is ultimately bound for Darwin. I hope Keeble and his comrades fare well - I think they’re pretty likely to see action.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
12th March 1942
CHINA
Allied intelligence has identified a new unit on the road to Ningsia - 26th Recon Rgt. The current tally of forces at or moving to Ningisa (and presumably on to Lanchow):
37th Division
12th Independent Infantry Rgt
26th Independent Engineer Rgt
3rd Tank Rgt
9th Tank Rgt
15th Tank Rgt (Probable)
26th Recon Rgt
Farther south, it looks like the Japanese may be reinforcing Anyang ahead of the Chinese attack, possibly with at one or two detachments of 35th Division based at Kaifeng
INDIA/BURMA
Since the fall of Rangoon ariel reconnaissance has consistently failed to detect any Japanese units at Pegu. If Pegu really is unguarded then I sense an opportunity to throw a spanner in the works. 13th Indian Bde has been ordered to advance on Pegu with 17th Indian Division following on. B Squadron 3rd Hussars would have been the ideal unit to scout out Pegu but it was off in the wilds somewhere on some pointless errand and is now some way behind everyone else, which is not the most useful place for a recce unit to be. 44th Indian Bde at Shwebo has been put on notice to move, should an opportunity develop.
ABDA
It’s all quiet in the air over Java today, giving my fighters an opportunity to recover.
In the eastern DEI contact has been lost with the Nagato surface group.
A convoy carrying 125th Rgt and 223rd Field Artillery Bn arrives at Darwin, the first US combat units to reach northern Australia.
At Pontianak West Borneo KNIL Bn and West Borneo Commando valiantly hold off a shock attack by 6th Tank Rgt.
Despite the daily air and artillery bombardment, and the lack of supply, Bataan still holds.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The remainder of 6th AIF Division starts embarking at Townsville bound for Port Moresby. 5th Marine Rgt is still unloading at Tulagi, but too slowly for my liking - I knew it would be too slow with xAPs, but that’s all that is available right now. Elements of 1st Marine AmphTrac Engineer Bn are at Tulagi, but the remainder of the Bn is at Luganville with insufficient fuel available to move them. A fuel convoy is en route but will be a few days yet. Unfortunately the Japanese have at least two subs operating off of Luganville, and at least one more between Luganville and Tulagi; by now they must suspect something is up.
A small Japanese force captured Wewak.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-28 torpedoed and sank xAK West Ira east of Dutch Harbor; part of a convoy returning to Prince Rupert after delivering supplies to Dutch Harbor.
APDs Kennison and Crane claimed a hit on I-21 off Luganville.
CHINA
Allied intelligence has identified a new unit on the road to Ningsia - 26th Recon Rgt. The current tally of forces at or moving to Ningisa (and presumably on to Lanchow):
37th Division
12th Independent Infantry Rgt
26th Independent Engineer Rgt
3rd Tank Rgt
9th Tank Rgt
15th Tank Rgt (Probable)
26th Recon Rgt
Farther south, it looks like the Japanese may be reinforcing Anyang ahead of the Chinese attack, possibly with at one or two detachments of 35th Division based at Kaifeng
INDIA/BURMA
Since the fall of Rangoon ariel reconnaissance has consistently failed to detect any Japanese units at Pegu. If Pegu really is unguarded then I sense an opportunity to throw a spanner in the works. 13th Indian Bde has been ordered to advance on Pegu with 17th Indian Division following on. B Squadron 3rd Hussars would have been the ideal unit to scout out Pegu but it was off in the wilds somewhere on some pointless errand and is now some way behind everyone else, which is not the most useful place for a recce unit to be. 44th Indian Bde at Shwebo has been put on notice to move, should an opportunity develop.
- Pegu.png (2.64 MiB) Viewed 826 times
It’s all quiet in the air over Java today, giving my fighters an opportunity to recover.
In the eastern DEI contact has been lost with the Nagato surface group.
A convoy carrying 125th Rgt and 223rd Field Artillery Bn arrives at Darwin, the first US combat units to reach northern Australia.
At Pontianak West Borneo KNIL Bn and West Borneo Commando valiantly hold off a shock attack by 6th Tank Rgt.
Despite the daily air and artillery bombardment, and the lack of supply, Bataan still holds.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The remainder of 6th AIF Division starts embarking at Townsville bound for Port Moresby. 5th Marine Rgt is still unloading at Tulagi, but too slowly for my liking - I knew it would be too slow with xAPs, but that’s all that is available right now. Elements of 1st Marine AmphTrac Engineer Bn are at Tulagi, but the remainder of the Bn is at Luganville with insufficient fuel available to move them. A fuel convoy is en route but will be a few days yet. Unfortunately the Japanese have at least two subs operating off of Luganville, and at least one more between Luganville and Tulagi; by now they must suspect something is up.
A small Japanese force captured Wewak.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-28 torpedoed and sank xAK West Ira east of Dutch Harbor; part of a convoy returning to Prince Rupert after delivering supplies to Dutch Harbor.
APDs Kennison and Crane claimed a hit on I-21 off Luganville.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Pegu is interesting case.
Either it's mistake from opponent's part or it is a trap, can go either way.
Rangoon is just fine on it's own, so it's not essential to IJA to maintain supply route to there. Thus beware of your flanks.
Either it's mistake from opponent's part or it is a trap, can go either way.
Rangoon is just fine on it's own, so it's not essential to IJA to maintain supply route to there. Thus beware of your flanks.
"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von Bülov, 1870-
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Hi Sardaukar, thanks for the advice and apologies for my delay in replying.
I hadn’t thought about Rangoon being self-sufficient in supplies.
If it is a mistake on the Japanese part I don’t really have much force available to exploit it. Pegu is, as you say, easily outflanked which is one of the reasons I abandoned it in the first place.
My intention is to capture and hold Pegu for a few days, make a show of…..ahem…’force’ with the 17th Indian Div, then bug out back to Toungoo before things get nasty, hopefully avoiding any trap and hopefully causing a little delay and disruption to the Japanese advance.
It could be neither a mistake nor a trap on the Japanese part, but rather my opponent sensing an opportunity to press on faster than anticipated and accepting a gap appearing between the spearhead and follow on forces as a calculated risk.
The trouble is I have no idea of the size of the Japanese follow-up forces; there are a number of Japanese units from the Malayan campaign, including the Imperial Guards Div, whose whereabouts are unknown and could be earmarked for Java, or Burma, or elsewhere.
I hadn’t thought about Rangoon being self-sufficient in supplies.
If it is a mistake on the Japanese part I don’t really have much force available to exploit it. Pegu is, as you say, easily outflanked which is one of the reasons I abandoned it in the first place.
My intention is to capture and hold Pegu for a few days, make a show of…..ahem…’force’ with the 17th Indian Div, then bug out back to Toungoo before things get nasty, hopefully avoiding any trap and hopefully causing a little delay and disruption to the Japanese advance.
It could be neither a mistake nor a trap on the Japanese part, but rather my opponent sensing an opportunity to press on faster than anticipated and accepting a gap appearing between the spearhead and follow on forces as a calculated risk.
The trouble is I have no idea of the size of the Japanese follow-up forces; there are a number of Japanese units from the Malayan campaign, including the Imperial Guards Div, whose whereabouts are unknown and could be earmarked for Java, or Burma, or elsewhere.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
13th March 1942
INDIA/BURMA
Units of 13th Indian Bde cautiously enter Pegu, reporting that the place appears empty of Japanese.
In the Andaman Islands xAP Kelantan evacuates the Port Blair RN Base Force, which will go to Akyab.
DEI
Elements of the Japanese 5th Division destroyed the Palembang Commando north of Benkoelen.
The two small Dutch Commandos at Pontianak continue to hold off the 6th Tank Rgt.
132nd Rgt and 181st Field Art Bn start embarking at Perth bound for Saumlaki.
There’s no sign of the imminent Japanese invasion of the southern DEI that was expected. Force Z is being stood down and is heading for Darwin for the moment; Hermes will remain on patrol between Koepang and Saumlaki.
PHILIPPINES
The Japanese capture Gingoog, eliminating the remnants of the US defenders from Cagayan who had fled there, and completing the conquest of Mindanao.
The defenders at Bataan endure yet another day of intense air and artillery bombardment.
CENPAC
Yorktown and Saratoga reach Alameda where Saratoga will go into refit; she should be available again on or about 10th April.
NORPAC
5th Port Maintenance Bn has arrived at Adak, the transports are now returning to Dutch Harbor to collect 259th Coastal Art Bn.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-166 torpedoed and sank PC Yandra off of Soerabaja, but Yandra did her job in protecting the small convoy she was with.
STRATEGIC/OPERATIONAL MATTERS
I’m trying to keep my eye on the bigger picture - two things I’ve been thinking about this turn.
Firstly, logistics in the southern DEI/Australia. Since the fall of Palembang and with the looming threat to Balikpapan and Java I’ve been fuelling operations in the DEI from Perth. I was concerned how this might affect fuel levels in Australia, but at the moment the situation seems to be on an even keel. Diverting fuel from Australia to the DEI has stopped me from building up stocks at the moment, but they’re not going down and I hope I can continue to gradually ramp up fuel deliveries from Abadan and the USA.
Supply to Australia, some from Cape Town and the majority from the USA, has not been an issue. Stocks in Darwin and Koepang are building up and I’m still able to send convoys via the Torres Strait.
I think I may have mentioned this before, but I do wonder about the long-term logistic feasibility of sustaining an offensive in the southern DEI from Australia, and the amount of pressure I can apply here will probably be dependent on what logistics allow. If I can keep the Torres Strait open…if....then that will certainly help.
Secondly, the whereabouts of the Japanese carriers. Mini KB has been operating out of Babeldaob, the last definite sighting was west of Babeldaob on 2nd March, with a probable sighing on 9th March southwest of Peleliu. With KB the intelligence picture is even worse, it was last seen on 23rd February between the Solomons and Nauru Island, and quite frankly could be almost anywhere by now.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining that I’ve been able to progress with my plans relatively free from interference by the Japanese carrier fleets, I’m actually pleased by this…..but……it would be nice to know where they are.
What I really want is for my opponent to show me where his carriers are from time to time for me to use as a guide to work out his intentions, as long as he refrains from actually using them.
INDIA/BURMA
Units of 13th Indian Bde cautiously enter Pegu, reporting that the place appears empty of Japanese.
In the Andaman Islands xAP Kelantan evacuates the Port Blair RN Base Force, which will go to Akyab.
DEI
Elements of the Japanese 5th Division destroyed the Palembang Commando north of Benkoelen.
The two small Dutch Commandos at Pontianak continue to hold off the 6th Tank Rgt.
132nd Rgt and 181st Field Art Bn start embarking at Perth bound for Saumlaki.
There’s no sign of the imminent Japanese invasion of the southern DEI that was expected. Force Z is being stood down and is heading for Darwin for the moment; Hermes will remain on patrol between Koepang and Saumlaki.
PHILIPPINES
The Japanese capture Gingoog, eliminating the remnants of the US defenders from Cagayan who had fled there, and completing the conquest of Mindanao.
The defenders at Bataan endure yet another day of intense air and artillery bombardment.
CENPAC
Yorktown and Saratoga reach Alameda where Saratoga will go into refit; she should be available again on or about 10th April.
NORPAC
5th Port Maintenance Bn has arrived at Adak, the transports are now returning to Dutch Harbor to collect 259th Coastal Art Bn.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-166 torpedoed and sank PC Yandra off of Soerabaja, but Yandra did her job in protecting the small convoy she was with.
STRATEGIC/OPERATIONAL MATTERS
I’m trying to keep my eye on the bigger picture - two things I’ve been thinking about this turn.
Firstly, logistics in the southern DEI/Australia. Since the fall of Palembang and with the looming threat to Balikpapan and Java I’ve been fuelling operations in the DEI from Perth. I was concerned how this might affect fuel levels in Australia, but at the moment the situation seems to be on an even keel. Diverting fuel from Australia to the DEI has stopped me from building up stocks at the moment, but they’re not going down and I hope I can continue to gradually ramp up fuel deliveries from Abadan and the USA.
Supply to Australia, some from Cape Town and the majority from the USA, has not been an issue. Stocks in Darwin and Koepang are building up and I’m still able to send convoys via the Torres Strait.
I think I may have mentioned this before, but I do wonder about the long-term logistic feasibility of sustaining an offensive in the southern DEI from Australia, and the amount of pressure I can apply here will probably be dependent on what logistics allow. If I can keep the Torres Strait open…if....then that will certainly help.
Secondly, the whereabouts of the Japanese carriers. Mini KB has been operating out of Babeldaob, the last definite sighting was west of Babeldaob on 2nd March, with a probable sighing on 9th March southwest of Peleliu. With KB the intelligence picture is even worse, it was last seen on 23rd February between the Solomons and Nauru Island, and quite frankly could be almost anywhere by now.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining that I’ve been able to progress with my plans relatively free from interference by the Japanese carrier fleets, I’m actually pleased by this…..but……it would be nice to know where they are.
What I really want is for my opponent to show me where his carriers are from time to time for me to use as a guide to work out his intentions, as long as he refrains from actually using them.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Darwin is not a good place to send Force Z. It is a trap if the IJN comes in from East and West with KB and Mini KB, and it does not have the size to rearm or repair big ships. And of course fuel is scarce in OZ. I send Force Z first to Colombo and, if that looks unsafe, up to Bombay or west to Capetown to get their refits done. Note that in March 1942 Real Life, KB raided Darwin!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth