Never Thought I'd Start Another One - tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J)

[Mike Solli]

24 May 42

Sub War

Got an interesting message today: Engine room open to sea aboard SS I-171. Never saw that before. Here's the damage from yesterday: 13-33(26)-0-0
and today: 13-43(38)-0-0
Unless something like that happens again, there's little chance that she will sink at sea. She is still 6 days from Truk though.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Today's nightly bombing of Pt. Moresby netted 7 enemy damaged planes. I see 75 enemy fighters at Pt. Moresby. I wonder why Ted doesn't put a squadron on night CAP just to throw off my bombers? Not really complaining though.

It looks like PoW is 3 hexes east of Townsville still creeping along. I have 4 subs in or west of her, but on attacks today. One sub launched torpedoes at an escorting DD, which missed. Another escorting DD that's out of DCs though.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Another nice attack at Paoshan. I'll show this one:

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 0 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 13403 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Japanese adjusted assault: 46

Allied adjusted defense: 172

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

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

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
54th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
7th New Chinese Corps

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Tanaka]

The July 42 air unit changes I referred to are when the Japanese fleet carriers change the composition of the air units. In about all the cases, the number of fighters increases and the dive and torpedo bomber numbers also change. I am hoping that at that point I can change the composition to what I want. Basically, with the exception of Akagi and Kaga, I'll increase the number of fighters on each carrier to 50% of the max. I'll change the Kates to 1/3 to 1/2 of the torpedo complement and fill out the rest with Vals. Akagi and Kaga's fighters will be around 36 or 39. My reserve of IJNAF fighters with exp of 70+, A2A of 70+ and def of 70+ (mostly) is increasing to be able to meet this change.

Hmm can't you just resize the units to whatever you want the next time you are near a large port? Not having KB as a threat because it is heading back to Japan to wait for air composition changes is risky as those British carriers showing up might prove...

I think it was only CV Furious and she disappeared. Hopefully sunk, but that is doubtful.

The only options I have for the CVs is no resize or resize to a specific number in July 42. There is no other option. If I remember correctly, in July, they will resize to the specific number and then I should have the option to set the size.

Ah gotcha I am confusing air group resizing with CV resizing. I did not realize you could resize the Japanese CV's on a specific date will have to check that out!

[Mike Solli]

Hmm can't you just resize the units to whatever you want the next time you are near a large port? Not having KB as a threat because it is heading back to Japan to wait for air composition changes is risky as those British carriers showing up might prove...

I think it was only CV Furious and she disappeared. Hopefully sunk, but that is doubtful.

The only options I have for the CVs is no resize or resize to a specific number in July 42. There is no other option. If I remember correctly, in July, they will resize to the specific number and then I should have the option to set the size.

Ah gotcha I am confusing air group resizing with CV resizing. I did not realize you could resize the Japanese CV's on a specific date will have to check that out!

All 8 CVs (including Junyo and Hiyo) air groups change in size in July 42 to specific sizes. The CVLs and Hosho can be changed to whatever size you want from day 1.

[RangerJoe]

The damaged increased because the damage control individual could not keep up. If you have a port closer than Truk, you might want the submarine to stop there for a couple of turns to eliminate the temporary flooding. Just make sure that her speed is at the slowest setting.

[Mike Solli]

25 May 42

Sub War

The I-175 used the last of her forward torpedoes to put another (number 4!) into the side of PoW. It happened one hex east of Townsville. She has only a single load for her rear torpedo tubes so she's headed back to Truk for replenishment and minor (4 sys) repairs. There's no sign of the enemy TF at all. I suspect they made it to Townsville and disbanded. No sign of PoW sinking but she's got to be in sorry shape with 4 torpedo hits.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Other than the excitement around Townsville, there wasn't much going on other than Ted's daily air bombing of my troops.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

I bombarded at Shwebo to see what I'm up against. Same troops that were in Mandalay.

China

I finally gathered enough strength to try a deliberate assault against Lanchow. Even though the raw AV was 1.5:1 in my favor, the attack ended up being 1:2 with level 4 forts. It's going to be awhile. I do have 5 tank regiments there. I'll try the next attack with just the tanks.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
52 JNAF AF Unit - headed to Pt. Blair.

[Mike Solli]

26 May 42

Sub War

Lots of DCs wasted on both sides.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Nothing to report.

SRA

Palembang's oil is 894(6) and Miri's oil is 235(65).

Burma

The deliberate assault on Shwebo netted 1:2 odds with fort level 2. I lost a bunch of disablements and the Allied troops lost a fair number killed. This will be awhile, but I have 7 artillery units there with another 8 enroute, but some are pretty far away. At any rate, I'll wear down the enemy with artillery shells.

China

Six enemy units are surrounded at Kanhsien. They'll slowly starve.

Other Stuff

The Ha-45 R&D advanced to 1/43. The engine is expected to become operational in August 42.

[RangerJoe]

Townville can't repair major damage to the POW. You can try night port bombing if you have the aircraft within range. You should also consider putting minefields in chokepoints in the shallows where the POW might travel to Sydney, going from port to port. You could even bring some minisubs and park them in the chokepoints, leaving them on patrol.

[PaxMondo]

Chungking took me forever to take last game.

CK takes everyone a long time. If you read "In Harm's Way" AAR he just took CK, 91 units were there ...

[Mike Solli]

27 May 42

Sub War

Looks like the Greenling ate a mine at Hakodate. Maybe trying to drop some mines there? She's reported to have sunk but I'm not sure. At any rate, I don't see her anywhere in the area.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I sent some Anns escorted by Zeros to attack some troops at Terapo. Not sure why I did that. They went in too high (around 10k ft) and half a dozen Warhawks were flying CAP much higher. They dove on my planes shooting down a Zero (KIA) and 4 Anns. My planes were too high.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

My tanks, reinforced with artillery and engineers, attacked Paoshan again. I took a couple of engineer disablements but the Chinese lost 49 squads destroyed and 39 more disabled. They're getting weaker. My troops will rest and gather more supply tomorrow.

China

A few minor attacks. Still mainly maneuvering.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

Chungking took me forever to take last game.

CK takes everyone a long time. If you read "In Harm's Way" AAR he just took CK, 91 units were there ...

Yep, I know. In my previous game I took CK in the beginning of January 44. Took forever.

[Mike Solli]

28 May 42 - Quiet turn today.

Sub War

The I-170 put two torpedoes into an xAK and sank her south of PM.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Just ineffective Allied bombing of my troops on the front line.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

More ineffective bombing here. My 7 arty units are doing good work on the Allied troops at Shwebo. I have 8 more arty units that will get there eventually.

China

Just bombing and maneuvering.

Other Stuff

I started a 2E bomber unit on Kamikaze pilots today.

[Mike Solli]

29 May 42

Sub War

The I-21 put a torpedo into an xAK off San Francisco. No report of her sinking though.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Today, some Wildcats showed up as night CAP over Pt. Moresby. Been waiting for that. Fortunately, they were at 30k feet and my bombers were at 10k feet, so they weren't spotted. I destroyed a couple of planes on the ground and caused some damage to the airfield.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Another attack at Paoshan killed 41 enemy squads and disabled another 29. I did lose an engineer squad.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
AMc Kenkai Maru - will convert to an ACM.

[Mike Solli]

30 May 42 - Quiet turn today.

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I put some Zeros over Milne Bay today. I lost 2 (2 KIA) and shot down 5 P-40Es.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
2 Ku S-1 (12 Claudes) - 13 Air Flotilla - Training
2 Ku K-1 (12 Vals) - 13 Air Flotilla - Training
1 Air Army HQ - General Defense
2 Air Army HQ - Kwangtung Army
Majoro Base Force - at Majoro
88 JAAF AF Bn - Kwangtung Army

[Mike Solli]

31 May 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The night Nells met some Wildcats again, and again the Wildcats were at 30k feet so there was no engagement. There was little damage, unfortunately.

My LRCAP of Milne Bay met a number of Wildcats and Warhawks. At a cost of 3 Zeros (1 KIA, 1 WIA) they shot down 2 Warhawks. Lackluster.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The tanks attacked Paoshan again today, destroying 29 squads and the 7 New Chinese Corps. The survivors are in poor shape. Paoshan should fall soon.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
I-32 - Glen sub - headed to SE Fleet AO.

[Mike Solli]

1 Jun 42 - Quiet turn, for the most part.

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Today, 6 Zeros flew LRCAP at high altitude over Milne Bay to try and whittle down the enemy fighter force stationed at Pt. Moresby (in conjunction with the night bombing Nells). They found 27 B-26s escorted by 6 Wildcats. They were successful in shooting down 3 Wildcats for no loss.

Later, 2 P-40Es swept the base and ran into a single Zero (probably damaged from the previous combat) and shot down the Zero (WIA). Overall, it was a successful mission for my Zeros.

I swapped out the Zeros for a fresh unit and will do it all over again tomorrow.

SRA

Palembang's oil is completely repaired! Only Miri is still repairing and is at 241(59). I've finally turned the corner on the supply drain in the SRA and can start to regularly ship supply to Burma.

Burma

As mentioned above, a lack of supply is preventing me from pushing out the Brits that are 1 hex east of Cox's Bazaar. I have some fast transport TFs dropping off supply at Akyab (Cox's Bazaar is too close to enemy bombers at Chittagong). Now that I can start to drop off major supply TFs at Rangoon, I can start to push more at Cox's Bazaar.

Also, 25 Army HQ is headed to Paoshan. I need another army HQ in Burma. I get 2 Army HQ at the end of June. It's part of 2 Area Army (coming with 2 Army) and then 19 Army HQ comes in December 42 and rounds out 2 Area Army. That should allow me to probably withdraw 25 Army from that theater.

China

I finally got enough AS at Kweilin to base some Zeros and Lilys there to begin bombing of Chungking. Today, 17 Lilys escorted by 24 Zeros bombed Chungking's airfield. There is now 5 airfield damage on the base. Nice! It'll take supply to repair it. Kweilin's airfield is only level 3, but working on level 4, so the Lilys were carrying only 2x 100 kg bombs. Soon, I'll station some Sallies there too, to intensify the bombing.

Other Stuff

The 17 Std-C xAKs began conversion to TKs, with a 2850 capacity. It doesn't sound like much but it amounts to over 48k capacity. They will complete in 21 days and will head to places like Medan and Palembang. That will allow me to shift 4x 11.6k TKs from hauling from those ports to transferring oil/fuel from Singapore to Hong Kong. Right now those big TKs. (and others) are transferring oil directly from Palembang to Hong Kong. It's slow. There's a lot of oil, resources and fuel building up in Singapore that need to be moved. I just don't have enough hulls to move the stuff.

I currently have 2x 11.6k and 6x 8150 TKs accelerating.

[RangerJoe]

Remember that if you stockpile oil, fuel, and resources at Jahore Bahru then you can just dump those elsewhere on the Malay Peninsula and they will make it to Indochina. Georgetown would be a good place to dump those items and then they will move to Saigon and/or Cam Ranh Bay for transport elsewhere. If you stockpile resources at Haiphong, then you can ship those to Hong Kong or anywhere on the Chinese coast.

I hope that you are enjoying the snowy weather during your retirement.

[Mike Solli]

Remember that if you stockpile oil, fuel, and resources at Jahore Bahru then you can just dump those elsewhere on the Malay Peninsula and they will make it to Indochina. Georgetown would be a good place to dump those items and then they will move to Saigon and/or Cam Ranh Bay for transport elsewhere. If you stockpile resources at Haiphong, then you can ship those to Hong Kong or anywhere on the Chinese coast.

I hope that you are enjoying the snowy weather during your retirement.

I stockpile everything except supply at Johore Bahru. I'll need to look at Haiphong. I'm also going to ship to north of Johore Bahru instead of to Singapore from now on.

[hpalmer]

Mike, really enjoying the AAR and genuinely missed you during your lengthy sojourn away from your last game. Thanks for the enjoyment you offer and keep it coming!

[Mike Solli]

Mike, really enjoying the AAR and genuinely missed you during your lengthy sojourn away from your last game. Thanks for the enjoyment you offer and keep it coming!

Thanks. I really appreciate that. Ted and I have gotten a renewed love for this game, and since we're both retired, the pace is much quicker. That's part of the reason I'm unable to update here more frequently. I'm a week ahead of the last posted turn. The game is quiet in many places but some interesting developments are occurring.

[Mike Solli]

2 Jun 42

Sub War

The Dutch sub XIV took a depth charge hit off Truk. She didn't sink, but hopefully she went home.

The RO-33 put a torpedo into the DD Hughes off Unmak. Sinking sounds were heard immediately after the attack.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I had spotted some Allied ships at Ndeni a couple of days ago and sent a CA TF to investigate (from Truk). I don't see the ships anymore, but the CAs are still headed to hang out north of there just in case something else appears. The Dinah II chutai stationed at Tulagi is doing good work down there providing naval search to the south.

Troops have arrived at Kokoda and are probably going to try and push my troops out of there at some point.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The 56 Division landed at Akyab and is marching to the front to reinforce the 3 divisions that are just east of Cox's Bazaar.

Another attack will go in at Paoshan tomorrow.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

The Ki-44-IIb R&D advanced to 5/43 and is estimated to become operational in 10/42.