Invasion Russia III

[moses]

The third installment in the series this time with a human, Admiral Laurant, playing the allies. (He wanted to do it so I'm not just being mean).

Basis of the test is that Japan has tranfered 5 SRA divisions and 5 Chinese Divisions to Russia for a lightnig attack.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/27/41--All units are in position and crossed the border 26 Dec. It therefore took less than 3 weeks to transfer the divisions from China to Russia.



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Ground combat at 63,33--This is the fort west of Vladastok. He has pulled out the Division and only the fort remains. It will fall next turn.
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 188608 troops, 2250 guns, 86 vehicles

Defending force 5630 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 270 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1017 casualties reported
Guns lost 47


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Ground combat at Blagoveshchensk--He has pulled some of his units out but one infantry division and 3 other support units remain to get destroyed. The Yak's are left at the base and annihilated.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 342062 troops, 3906 guns, 98 vehicles

Defending force 23791 troops, 282 guns, 161 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Blagoveshchensk base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Yak-1: 46 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
814 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
10093 casualties reported
Guns lost 133
Vehicles lost 21


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Ground combat at Oboto

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4488 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 43 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Oboto base !!!



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Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 47774 troops, 592 guns, 159 vehicles

Defending force 18266 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 4




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/41

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Ground combat at 63,33--The fort falls.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 188443 troops, 2243 guns, 84 vehicles

Defending force 4095 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1500 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
5126 casualties reported
Guns lost 34


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Ground combat at Tamsag

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4530 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 47 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tamsag base !!!



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Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 33978 troops, 422 guns, 161 vehicles

Defending force 18168 troops, 220 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


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Ground combat at 66,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 18100 troops, 214 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 34714 troops, 444 guns, 161 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Russian forces are moving down from the North toward Borzya. Another Russian force has moved into Mishan from Imam. I think these attacks even if they succeed will have no impact. The sole priority for Russia has to be to prevent his cities from being overrun in the initial rush.

[AmiralLaurent]

Well,

with such forces I don't hope to win this war. My point was that Japanese forces will take more than two months to take Siberia.

First time I played Soviet (or Allied for that matter) in PBEM.

The only unexcepted failure so far has been me forgetting to move the Yaks the first turn.

[moses]

Oh it will take more than two months to take every city. It takes a while to march everything north once the south is under control. But you will see how fast all effective resistance is ended. You have a truly great challange but it will be fun and something to do while waiting for 1.5.[:)]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/41


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Ground combat at Kuysyshevka

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 213845 troops, 2444 guns, 73 vehicles

Defending force 636 troops, 3 guns, 24 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese assault odds: 9454 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuysyshevka base !!!



Allied ground losses:
237 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 8


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 31818 troops, 410 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 18146 troops, 215 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 10


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Ground combat at Hailar--Here is his attack from the north. Only a construction Bn was in the city. To continue south he must go into the mountains.


Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19695 troops, 291 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 1362 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 306 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hailar base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
196 casualties reported


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Mishan--This counterattack fails to make progress.
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11801 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4203 troops, 23 guns, 136 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Guns lost 10


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Ground combat at 66,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17920 troops, 206 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 34705 troops, 437 guns, 162 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

[moses]

I lost the combat report for the 30th.

The russians took Mishan. They have 2 divisions involved in the attack and there is not much worth taking there so I still believe this is a waste of effort. But we will see.

Two horrible mistakes on my part. My troops in the north were plotted to move south to Khabarovsh. When I checked them at the beginning of the turn they were moveing NW!!! I reset the movement and sure enough when you plot them south they head NW. So I have to move them hex by hex. Now they are going south but I'll see at the end of next turn if they are still moving. So Admiral Laurant gets a extra two days of breathing room in the north.

My other mistake I cannot blame on the computer and I will not reveal it for 5 or 6 days or AL might be able to use the info.

My troops have moved into Vladavostock on day 4 of the campaign. Pretty good. A 180 mile march through the Russian winter in 4 days. And two days were spent reducing the forts.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: moses
Two horrible mistakes on my part. My troops in the north were plotted to move south to Khabarovsh. When I checked them at the beginning of the turn they were moveing NW!!! I reset the movement and sure enough when you plot them south they head NW. So I have to move them hex by hex. Now they are going south but I'll see at the end of next turn if they are still moving. So Admiral Laurant gets a extra two days of breathing room in the north.

That is probably because there are troops between the last city you took and Khabarovsh. Computer finds somewhere a road free of enemy units and decided to take it.

ORIGINAL: moses
My other mistake I cannot blame on the computer and I will not reveal it for 5 or 6 days or AL might be able to use the info.

Soviet spies are really not that good now...

ORIGINAL: moses
My troops have moved into Vladavostock on day 4 of the campaign. Pretty good. A 180 mile march through the Russian winter in 4 days. And two days were spent reducing the forts.

No comment here. We both knew the land move in WITP is fairly unhistorical but both of us can use it.
What bugs mre is to see Soviet units on the Japanese border uanble to move back (well they did but will probably reach the road once the campain is over). Would be far better in my own opinion if a move from one hex to another will take into account the road/railway status of both hexes. So going in and out a hex will take the same time.

[ADavidB]

No comment here. We both knew the land move in WITP is fairly unhistorical but both of us can use it.
What bugs mre is to see Soviet units on the Japanese border uanble to move back (well they did but will probably reach the road once the campain is over). Would be far better in my own opinion if a move from one hex to another will take into account the road/railway status of both hexes. So going in and out a hex will take the same time.

I've been testing the "stand versus run" approach in one of my PBEMs (not in Russia) and I'm finding that it delays the Japanese a lot more if they have to clear troops out of the way first before letting them beseige cities. It would be interesting to see what difference it would have made if you left those troops in that fort. (Hint, hint - why don't the two of you replay those first couple of turns with your troops standing pat so that the rest of us can see if any difference occurs...[;)])

Thanks -

Dave Baranyi

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: ADavidB

I've been testing the "stand versus run" approach in one of my PBEMs (not in Russia) and I'm finding that it delays the Japanese a lot more if they have to clear troops out of the way first before letting them beseige cities. It would be interesting to see what difference it would have made if you left those troops in that fort. (Hint, hint - why don't the two of you replay those first couple of turns with your troops standing pat so that the rest of us can see if any difference occurs...[;)])

Thanks -

Dave Baranyi

I will stand rather than run latter. With 16-18 Div in this main attack I can't see how I would be able to resist in the first days.

[Andrew Brown]

Another very interesting test. I also have a request: Is there any chance of repeating this test using my map mod and my scenario 115 (converted scenario 15)? I would be happy to participate but I am too busy to do so at the moment.

Andrew

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Brown

Another very interesting test. I also have a request: Is there any chance of repeating this test using my map mod and my scenario 115 (converted scenario 15)? I would be happy to participate but I am too busy to do so at the moment.

Andrew

Not possible for me right now.

[moses]

ORIGINAL: ADavidB

No comment here. We both knew the land move in WITP is fairly unhistorical but both of us can use it.
What bugs mre is to see Soviet units on the Japanese border uanble to move back (well they did but will probably reach the road once the campain is over). Would be far better in my own opinion if a move from one hex to another will take into account the road/railway status of both hexes. So going in and out a hex will take the same time.

I've been testing the "stand versus run" approach in one of my PBEMs (not in Russia) and I'm finding that it delays the Japanese a lot more if they have to clear troops out of the way first before letting them beseige cities. It would be interesting to see what difference it would have made if you left those troops in that fort. (Hint, hint - why don't the two of you replay those first couple of turns with your troops standing pat so that the rest of us can see if any difference occurs...[;)])

Thanks -

Dave Baranyi

I've tested it in head-to-head. See the Invasion Russia II thread. It takes a few more days but it does fall fairly quickly. I don't believe it is possible to get added divisions there before the collapse. As admiral Laurent posted, those good divisions along the border are essentially worthless as by the time they can move the war will be won or lost.

[moses]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Brown

Another very interesting test. I also have a request: Is there any chance of repeating this test using my map mod and my scenario 115 (converted scenario 15)? I would be happy to participate but I am too busy to do so at the moment.

Andrew

Whats different about you're map??

[moses]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/31/41


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Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 31889 troops, 403 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 17876 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


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Ground combat at Vladivostok

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49130 troops, 760 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 184276 troops, 2202 guns, 82 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
1838 casualties reported--The first bombardment always really hurts. Its good to know that most all of these losses are just disruptions.
Guns lost 68
Vehicles lost 12


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Ground combat at 66,32

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 17435 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 34826 troops, 430 guns, 164 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
875 casualties reported--An attempted shock attack fails.Guns lost 42


Next turn will be interesting as his northern counterattack is in place in the mountains to try and drive me out.

[AmiralLaurent]

The failed attack is in the hex on the road north of Vladivostok. It was a bad idea.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Brown

Another very interesting test. I also have a request: Is there any chance of repeating this test using my map mod and my scenario 115 (converted scenario 15)? I would be happy to participate but I am too busy to do so at the moment.

Andrew

I have moved recently from town and I have still no ADSL so can't load you map at snail pace.

Anyway from the actual map/OOB I think these changes are necessary:
1) increase Soviet fort
2) reduce the road network between Japanese and Soviet countries... so far it is far too good.

[moses]

2) reduce the road network between Japanese and Soviet countries... so far it is far too good.

Yes I agree. One of the easiest changes to fix the land theaters is just to remove the rail hexes from the game entirely. The speed at which large forces can advance is just insane. In China its almost like fighting a tactical calvery battle the way forces can rapidly move from city to city.

Just remove every single rail hex except for those in Japan, west coast, and maybe Malaya (no need to force them to rebalance the Singapore campaign). This would also take car of the non-historical rail lines to Darwin.

[moses]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/42


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Ground combat at Vladivostok

Japanese Deliberate attack--First try fails. The reason is simple. I PUT ALL THE HQ'S IN THE NORTH!!!! This was the other mistake I alluded to earlier. When setting up the scernario I neglegted to ensure I had a HQ in the stack for my thrust to Vladavostck. AAAAAAARG!!! Anyway this will be corrected soon and I have no worries about the eventual outcome.

Attacking force 180594 troops, 2035 guns, 66 vehicles

Defending force 78638 troops, 828 guns, 183 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

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


Japanese ground losses:
3550 casualties reported
Guns lost 167
Vehicles lost 12

Allied ground losses:
1219 casualties reported
Guns lost 55
Vehicles lost 3


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Ground combat at Choybalsan--A couple mongolian divisions try their luck. Nope, one of the russian divisions is there.
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8313 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12218 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
1257 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


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Ground combat at 66,32--Here is the fort location where the Russian tried to shock attack last turn. Now their division is routed and only the fort remains.
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34123 troops, 401 guns, 163 vehicles

Defending force 15988 troops, 121 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
485 casualties reported
Guns lost 27


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Choybalsan

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12131 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6675 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!--Mongol cav retreats.

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Ground combat at 64,23

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 32712 troops, 479 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 31686 troops, 335 guns, 7 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1486 casualties reported--Here is the attack in the northern mountains. Nothing doing. I have a division dug in and another mongol division supporting.Guns lost 67


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Ground combat at Vladivostok

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 48131 troops, 686 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 176757 troops, 1856 guns, 53 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[AmiralLaurent]

This was a day without any air raid at all, only some recon flights. Right now Soviet fighters have suffered against Zeroes but are clear winners against Nates and Sallies.

OK, there is a Japanese division N of Tsilahar so my northern attack is stopped. I was thinking they were all more east or south. North front should be quieter now. I can't advance in mountains and Mongol Cavalry can't either.
Note: what decided me to launch a schock attack was that my airmen attacked this hex last turn and targeted an AA unit. I was thinking moses was sending all available troops to the hex but that they had no assault value, as the more interesting target was an AA unit.... I was wrong (or reinforcements arrived just in time ?).

Southern attack advances one more hex. Japanese troops are away, retreating to cities.

In the east, Japanese troops reach the roadblock S of Kubulysha (?) and will probably desintegrate it tomorrow.

In the south, I'm happy there is no Japanese HQ here. Number of casualties suffered by the Japanese under my artillery fire fell from 1838 tomorrow to 49 today...

[moses]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/42

Ground combat at Vladivostok

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 171683 troops, 1836 guns, 53 vehicles

Defending force 76585 troops, 752 guns, 178 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported


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Ground combat at 70,25

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 170605 troops, 2003 guns, 50 vehicles

Defending force 157 troops, 5 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 12034 to 1 --The road south is now clear.



Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at 66,32--Attacking the fort unit. You never know for sure when these things will collapse. I suspect in the next turn or two they will be destroyed. When they do they go all at once. I'll get 4500 kills in one turn.
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 33817 troops, 387 guns, 159 vehicles

Defending force 4709 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 43 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Guns lost 8


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Ground combat at 64,23

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27178 troops, 374 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 31317 troops, 328 guns, 6 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2


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Ground combat at Vladivostok

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 50801 troops, 694 guns, 133 vehicles

Defending force 177161 troops, 1859 guns, 53 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
2585 casualties reported--Because I forgot my HQ unit I must endure a few more turns of this. Russian artillery is truly awesome. You cannot bombard with them but must attack.Guns lost 101
Vehicles lost 2


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Ground combat at 66,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4406 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 34448 troops, 405 guns, 159 vehicles

[Andrew Brown]

ORIGINAL: moses

ORIGINAL: Andrew Brown

Another very interesting test. I also have a request: Is there any chance of repeating this test using my map mod and my scenario 115 (converted scenario 15)? I would be happy to participate but I am too busy to do so at the moment.

Andrew

Whats different about you're map??

In the area of the Soviet Union, there are several new Soviet bases, the rail net has a few minor alterations, some of the bases have had their positions adjusted, there are a small number of additional Soviet ground units (mainly corresponding to the new bases) and most Soviet units start with 100 prep points.

I hope to get around to this test myself one day, when I have more time, but that could be a while away. If anyone is interested in helping to do this test using my map in PBEM, I am happy to play the Soviets.

Andrew

[AmiralLaurent]

Very few air activity the two last days.

In the north, Mongolian cavalry is gathering around Choybalsan. Probably a second round will take place here in some days.

In the east, a Soviet unit approaches north of Blagoveshchensk and sees a Japanese unit north of the town on the railway.