Back and Better Than Ever Vettim 89(A) vs Greasylake(J)

[RangerJoe]

Instead of upgrading your PBY units to the latest and greatest models, use up the older ones since they have a slightly greater range. Also, Allied aircraft production is limited so get the most use out of every model and air frame before relegating the rest to the stockpiles.

[vettim89]

A IJN CVTF remains in the Coral Sea about 350 nm NNE of Townsville. Not really a lot of MS for him to poach at this time. The convoy with the USAAF II Fighter Command has arrived at Melbourne. Will take a few days to get the fighters unpacked but I will actually have some units available to protect Oz's east coast soon. Also 75 and 76 SQN RAAF are due soon. This CVTF does pause my moving of units from Auckland to Noumea until it departs. This just feels like Larry is trying to bait me.

IJA continues to unload at Menado without attacking. A SCTF is slipping into the Macassar Strait with a CVTF close behind. My spidey sense was correct in not sending the Dutch SCTF to Menado.

More SCTF bait.jpg (221.03 KiB) Viewed 257 times

Bataan daily results

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3127 troops, 242 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 1648

Defending force 48521 troops, 764 guns, 732 vehicles, Assault Value = 1261

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (7 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Oh, and he sent a SCTF to Bombard Bataan that did almost nothing

Night Naval bombardment of Bataan at 78,77 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
CL Kashii
DD Isonami
DD Shirakumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Arashio

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

Well I shouldn't say nothing

TF 180 encounters mine field at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, Mine hits 1, on fire

[vettim89]

Curiously, Larry switches back to bombing Rangoon's AB. No visible IJA units moving towards Burma as of yet.

Manado falls. RNN subs take a couple of swipes at units in the area but all miss.

Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9325 troops, 85 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 291

Defending force 1663 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 192

Allied adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1104 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 82 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment
62nd Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
39th JNAF AF Unit
40th JNAF AF Unit
43rd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force

Still heavy IJN activity in the DEI but no air attacks today. B-17s on Naval Attack go for transports in NW Borneo ignoring the CV TF right off the coast of Java. COWARDS!!!!!!

DEI is Hot.jpg (235.77 KiB) Viewed 213 times

Anything near Java is running away to the south.

Bataan today

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3130 troops, 242 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 1770

Defending force 47616 troops, 747 guns, 727 vehicles, Assault Value = 1197

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

[vettim89]

IJN withdraws from the Java Sea. Two separate RNN subs take a shot at Hiryu on the way out but both miss. My B-17 pilots put on their big boy pants and try there luck at the IJN CVs for no hits. The CVTF north of Ambon is also withdrawing

Nuisance attacks at Rangoon continue. The bombers have yet done enough damage to even show in the base screen. Contemplating a trap here but AS is spread out.

Deliberate Attack at Bataan reduces forts to 3. Larry is playing in blood for this base

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58768 troops, 778 guns, 608 vehicles, Assault Value = 1808

Defending force 47253 troops, 735 guns, 724 vehicles, Assault Value = 1182

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 364

Allied adjusted defense: 589

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
6357 casualties reported
Squads: 270 destroyed, 270 disabled
Non Combat: 53 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 61 disabled
Guns lost 89 (43 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 90 (44 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1335 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 47 (27 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 54 (18 destroyed, 36 disabled)

[RangerJoe]

Hopefully you are having at least one submarine unloading supplies each turn at Bataan.

[vettim89]

Ranger Joe, I wrote Bataan off at the beginning of the game. Sub transport yields so very little

Map goes quiet. A few TF around Manado, Singapore and Rabaul is all I see at the time. Lots of fighters at Manado now which is no surprise as he brought two units with AS.

TF just left PH with damaged BBs from 7 December. Here is what is left there now

PH 342.jpg (99.45 KiB) Viewed 155 times

Bataan

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3140 troops, 244 guns, 180 vehicles, Assault Value = 1315

Defending force 45263 troops, 702 guns, 704 vehicles, Assault Value = 1050

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

At sea 7th Aus DIV is nearly unloaded at Karachi. The 6th Aus DIV is nearing Perth. I need to get some engineers to Cooktown to start building that base. Lexington is at Mare Island and starting her 26 day long March refit. Enterprise is at San Diego awaiting Hornet. Letting some ships start their upgrade now after the loss of two CVs. Don't expect I am going to another bold in the near future

[RangerJoe]

Yes, sub transports yield so little.

Yet they can do so much since the defending units receive some supplies and those that have those supplies will defend so much better. This prolongs the action and will require more time for the enemy forces to defeat your forces. Early on, you need to delay the enemy as much as is possible especially during the early invasion phase. That is the benefit far greater than the amount of supplies used. Also, your submarine Mark 14 torpedoes are not very effective so it is a good use for those submarines. Plus the submarines can refuel there using up any fuel even if it is a relatively small amount so the enemy doesn't capture that fuel.

[vettim89]

Well, I got plenty of fleet boats nearby so it couldn't hurt I guess

Only action of note is Nells out of Rabaul sink an xAKL and a PG trying to get into PM. Fortunately the units are in place to provide air cover in a short time. PM has enough supplies that it can hold for a while before I need to sweat it

[vettim89]

Not a lot going on this turn.

Bataan AV falls below 1000

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3160 troops, 244 guns, 182 vehicles, Assault Value = 1461

Defending force 44188 troops, 679 guns, 695 vehicles, Assault Value = 981

Allied ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

[Sardaukar]

I'd not detract fleet boats too much from their main job, which is to sink ships.

While mk 14 has atrocious 80% dud rate, they do get sinkings. Also, every attack they perform, they have chance to increase experience.

But using them to supply transport and mine laying (don't forget that) is good use where it might matter.

[vettim89]

I have successfully nearly drained all my mine pools to near zero. The Dutch minelayers (both CM and subs) are unable to lay mines for lack of reloads.

I failed to mention that CA Louisville made PH last turn and is now in the yard. It doesn't take the sting off losing the two CVs but at least the remaining capital ships were saved.

I forgot I dumped the Pensacola convoy at Suva at the beginning of the game. There is a lot of unused AS sitting there. That is being rectified

Bataan

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3167 troops, 244 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 1493

Defending force 43600 troops, 668 guns, 692 vehicles, Assault Value = 950

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Only 47 days of the amphibious bonus remains. Tick, tick, tick.....time is winding down

[vettim89]

After weeks of feckless play on my part, I finally accomplish something. Small and insignificant, but still something.

The RNN gets some

RNN gets some.jpg (297.23 KiB) Viewed 82 times

Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Hagi, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
TB Hayabusa, Shell hits 1
DMS W-9, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS W-19, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Ryuyo Maru, Shell hits 3
xAK Nihonka Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Zyuyo Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 1
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1
CL Tromp
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent

Then they bombard Singkawang for good measure

Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Sumatra
CL Java

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

Japanese appear at Medan and land 12k troops but not without cost

Pre-Invasion action off Medan (46,76) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
xAK Keisyo Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
TB Hiyodori
TB Kasasagi
xAK Nissan Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AK Kinka Maru

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

more

Invasion Support action off Medan (46,76)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nissan Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
TB Hiyodori
TB Kasasagi
AK Kinka Maru
DD Yuzuki

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

and Bataan

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3167 troops, 244 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 1369

Defending force 43136 troops, 655 guns, 686 vehicles, Assault Value = 919

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

[vettim89]

Seemed to have skipped a few turns.

Tired to get clever and sneak the Houston SCTF around what I thought was an IJN SCTF. Actually had carriers with them. Not bad results. I am going to be a bit daring and send this TF home via Manado then Tarakan

Morning Air attack on TF, near Loewoek at 71,101

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A1 Val x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Houston
DD Paul Jones

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

and

Morning Air attack on TF, near Loewoek at 71,101

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 32
D3A1 Val x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 3
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart
CA Houston, Bomb hits 1

and

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Loewoek at 71,101

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Houston

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Bataan

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15456 troops, 368 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 1426

Defending force 41921 troops, 619 guns, 679 vehicles, Assault Value = 856

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

[vettim89]

In real life, this date would have been my father's first birthday.

Allied SCTF go prowling. The Dutch kill a PT and then bombard Singkawang

Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Sumatra
CL Java

Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 17
Port hits 6

IJN eludes the Houston TF but it still hits Manado

Night Naval bombardment of Manado at 75,99

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 9 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston
DD Stewart
DD Parrott
DD Paul Jones
DD Bulmer
DD Barker

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 26

Amazingly both TFs make it out without air or naval intervention. There is however an invasion convoy nearing the Macassar Strait. Heading says SW which would mean Balikpapan but that intel could be misleading

First air raid on Batavia occurs this turn. All the ships except the AGP were already Damaged.

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M2 Nell x 29

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 19
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Mijer, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc Djampea, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS S-38, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AGP Aldebaran, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Batavia Raid 1.jpg (105.48 KiB) Viewed 15 times

An actual successful sub attack occurs

Sub attack near Jolo at 73,94

Japanese Ships
PB Fuji Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Fukko Maru
xAK Nissen Maru
xAK Santos Maru
xAKL Kokuei Maru
xAKL Chosen Maru
PB Hakozake Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-36

and Bataan

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15509 troops, 368 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 1448

Defending force 41323 troops, 597 guns, 672 vehicles, Assault Value = 824

Allied ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

[vettim89]

The RNN TF that bombarded Singkawang last turn is attacked by IJN air out of Singapore

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G3M2 Nell x 23

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Java
DD Kortenaer
CL De Ruyter

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Previously noted potential invasion TF instead went to Manado. IJN CVTF spotted north of Ambon likely chasing USS Houston and her cohorts

IJA chases down the units fleeing Medan and destroys both units

Ground combat at 45,75 (near Medan)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3934 troops, 20 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 285

Defending force 380 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 100

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 100 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
421 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Bataan AV falls below 800

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15514 troops, 368 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 1465

Defending force 40779 troops, 576 guns, 669 vehicles, Assault Value = 793

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)