Pauk's corner: sake break for Japanese fanboys

[pauk]

As you probably know, Andy Mac and me lost formidable opponent (String) due education obligaitons. Andy kindly agreed for a PBEM, and I will be Japan (what else?) in this game. This AAR will be off limit to Andy...

Scenario 15 and common house rules (no teleport invasions on turn one, no creation of the new allied TFs on turn one, Japan can invade only historical places on turn one, etc...)

You will see some "borrow stuff" from other AAR's (thanks Cap. Mandrake and Feinder!) but i will keep good old fashioned things (combat reports) in AAR as well...

more to come....

[String]

Ooh, wonderful, got something to entertain myself when I grow bored with drawing and planning [:D]

[pauk]

All negotiations with USA failed due uncoperation of white imperialists! Imperial HQ ordered:

1. preventive strike on PH
2. Liberation of the Philipines and Malaya peninsula
3. Liberaton of DEI

1. Based on my experience, PH attack always result with worst than historical results. I'm considering to detach Zuiho and Hosho from mini KB and reinforcing KB. In this case, CVE will join my remaining CVL at Camrah Bay. What do you think guys?

2. Operations on Phi must be finish before February. Imperial HQ approved opperation Thunder. 56th division is attached to "Phi group army", and IJAAF gathering strong air forces which will bomb enemy airbases at Manila and Clark field. IJN will provide air cover with Zeros. When Luzon is cleared these divisions will be used for DEI or somewhere else.

[pauk]

Liberation of Malaya (Ish-proch-go)





Ish-proch-go is weakened because 56th division will be used in operation Tunder, but gen. Yamashita can count on 55th division and, if it will be needed, 33th division from BAA. You may notice that Ish-proch-go is pretty conservative and have two possible weak points:

1. reaction of the British fleet from Singapore
2. temporarily Allied air superiority in Malaya. Of course, I'm not worried about Buffalos and such "planes", i'm worried about AVG.

However, i decide it to risk with #1, if Mac decide to intercept my invasion fleet that will be the end of the Z force.

#2. Well, Imperial HQ clearly stated that Phi have priority. If Andy keeps Warhawks on PHI, then those W-hawks will be destroyed and i will have less problems with Java.

Anyway, I'm pretty easy going player, dont like planing for hours. Sometimes (mostly) this is a really disadvantage, but there is one advantage: flexibility to change my plans. So, depends on Andy's playstyle i will undertake needed measures.

Burma

2 tank regiments and one mix regiments. If Andy allow me i will take Rangoon. But it is not a must.

China

No playing "smart-ass" game there anymore. I'm massing division for the Changsha operation. China Command will later develop plans for capturing Sian-Yenen line.

mini KB

As i mentioned before, Zuiho and Hosho can be used for PH attack. Remaining CVL + CVE will provide cover for Kuching invasion (10-12th dec). Borneo invasion is scheduled for 15th dec (app)

[Gen.Hoepner]

I'd keep the baby Kb united. The PH affair is an old issue unfortunately. You can hope to damage all of his BBs but to sink none of them on day 1. If you stay there for few more days you can have some better results( i know i know...the lack of pilot issue).
I'd bypass Luzon. Keep there only the minimum indispensable to hold Legaspi and Clark and let him dig in in Manila. Use some 100 IJA bombers to drain his supplies there and bring everything else attched to the Southern Area Army to Malaya( the 21st and the 38th divs included). Singapore can be a problem with the river assault rule. Be sure to have overwhelming forces when you move from jahore Baru...

[pauk]

thanks, GH...

Probably i'm to big coward but don't like camping at PH. What if he catch me with PT's and DDs around PH during night phase? What about weather? Also not sure what kind of orders to give my pilots (only port attack is very dangerous if he move his CV's to PH). I don't like naval + port attack either (he can form unimportant fleets, or in the worst scenario my pilots can attack single AVD or something)....

Any suggestion appriciated....

[String]

ORIGINAL: pauk

thanks, GH...

Probably i'm to big coward but don't like camping at PH. What if he catch me with PT's and DDs around PH during night phase? What about weather? Also not sure what kind of orders to give my pilots (only port attack is very dangerous if he move his CV's to PH). I don't like naval + port attack either (he can form unimportant fleets, or in the worst scenario my pilots can attack single AVD or something)....

Any suggestion appriciated....

Keep Akagi and Kaga on port/naval and the rest on pure port. With their high exp squadrons those two should be enough to sink both lex and enterprise together should they show up.

[pfnognoff]

ORIGINAL: pauk

Liberation of Malaya (Ish-proch-go)
...
Anyway, I'm pretty easy going player, dont like planing for hours. Sometimes (mostly) this is a really disadvantage, but there is one advantage: flexibility to change my plans. So, depends on Andy's playstyle i will undertake needed measures.
...

Perhaps, now that you found time to do the nice pictures with arrows and stuff, you can devote some time to that planning thing you hate so much [:'(]

Also, I'm very pleased with the operation "Ish-Proch-Go" name, but then I'm from Croatia too, and I can understand your Japanese [:D][&o]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Amazing how many croatians are on this board[X(]

[rogueusmc]

Are we gonna have to start beating you off with sticks?...[:D]

BTW GH, did you get the graphic I mailed you?

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: rogueusmc



BTW GH, did you get the graphic I mailed you?

Not at all. I thought you had forgotten and did not want to bother you any further with my requests....can you e.mail it to me again?

[Honda]

Good luck Pauk! I hope you get to use some of my ideas. I only hope you remember them seeing as we didn't drink any beer discussing them[:(]

[PimpYourAFV]

I like the map diagrams going along with. Its a lot easier to understand than words cause I don't know place and unit names. The attack on Philippines looks different from the usual north/south invasion I see usually, noting the westside landings and use of paratroopers.

Please continue including the strategic maps, even it they do take hours to make. [:'(][:)]

[pauk]

Thanks you guys for the kind words (and advices)!

GH: sometimes I am suprised too how many Croats are here (six of us posted here plus at least two who doesnt). Tokyo, i will try and do my best, but sometimes you just cant find the map and/or you dont have enough free time for that.

Anyway, back to the war. Another miserable performance at the PH and I'm certantly not suprised. I've tried everything even divide kate groups, but no why the hell i should sink even just one BB? It seems that new attack on PH is must. Is it clever sending KB E of PH just two hexes?

Other operations proceeding smoothly. No major opposition in the Malaya skies, and my LR CAP from Songhia done his job (protecting invasion fleets at Khota Baru)

I'm pleased with succesful paradrops on Legaspi and Appari. I got this bases turn earlier, and my forces are going to unload in friendly port (no disabling squads). Wake captured.

Other than that i can not cheer but didn't expect miracles when Imp HQ chosed pretty conservative plan. Yes, i can be pleased with numbers of destroyed allied planes (218 total, 42 A2A and 174 on the ground) but this is thanks to Andy - he did not moved planes from Clark and Wake although i did not request that in house rules.

Invasion fleets approach Jolo and Davao. They will start invasion tommorow. Mini KB is at Camrah Bay (i've upgraded Claudes to Zeros, he,he)


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
G4M1 Betty x 50
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 3 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 45

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
-------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 112,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 66
D3A Val x 135
B5N Kate x 143
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-26A x 2
P-36A Mohawk x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 6 destroyed, 27 damaged
B5N Kate: 19 destroyed, 60 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 13 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 37 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 7 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 8 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 18 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 1
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AO Ramapo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DM Breese, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1


Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 130

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
23 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
8 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
8 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 3000 feet
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N Kate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 7
Buffalo I x 27
Blenheim IV x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naval bombardment of Khota Bharu, at 24,45


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio
CL Jintsu
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
911 casualties reported
Guns lost 19

Airbase hits 32
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 235
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 6
CA Furutaka
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba


Allied ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 16
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


55 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Kongo Maru, Shell hits 2
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 2
AP Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Legaspi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 941 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 652 troops, 6 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi base !!!



Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Aparri

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 485 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 652 troops, 6 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri base !!!



Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1387 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1475 troops, 25 guns, 2 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1522 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 1

Batan Islands fall in Japanese hands too.

SE PACIFIC:

Have no big plans there yet, especially because i transfered South East Detachment for DEI (Kendari). I will take Kaveing and nearby bases and keep there long range Mavis. Rabaul can wait. Am I right String?[:)]

DEI: Invasion forces gathering at Palau - NLFs /with BF support and bombardment group/ will take Amboina, 2 SNLFs will take Menado, Kendari is scheduled for app 23. december.







No need for rush. Brunei will be captured but not before Kuching and Jolo.

[Gen.Hoepner]

How many forces for Ambonia? NLF units could have some troubles....

Rabaul can wait? sure of that? I mean...the S.S.D won't make any real difference in SRA and DEI, while it can easily master Rabaul. IMHO, the soonest you take the solomons and NG, the soonest you start fortyfying and dig in ( building mutual-supporting AFs and ports).

How many divisions for Malaya?


for PH...seems that you had a real bad dice and roll...very few Kates using torpedoes...will you try another run? Normally i do not do that beause i like to keep my crack pilots alive... Under a certain point of view PH is usefull just because it disables the american pacific fleet. These BBs won't get into combat any sooner than 4/6 months...the objective is already achieved IMHO.

[pauk]

all NLF's (including one from Guam) so it's 4 or 5. in my experience that should be enough (+SBF and naval bombardment)

Rabaul will wait, but not for to long. I've tranfered SEE into SAA because i want these operations finished ASAP. When I secure Kendari SEE will go to Kupang. You are right, it is certantly better to fortify Solomons and NG soon as possible, but i want to see how other operations going. I'm focused on PHI right now.

For Malaya: 18th div, 5th div, Imperial Guard, 55th, 33th and 21th will join latter. Also, all except one mix brigade (35th - Kuching) are assigned for Singapore.

I've just send Andy turn and after long thinking i decide not to go for another run. I also want to keep my crack pilots alive, especially when you dont have guaranty that some of BBs will be sunk in next run (made two tests and in both only bombs were droped from Kates[:(]).

PH, as you mentioned, is old issue. It is really sad that very rarely you get even one BB and what is even more dissapointing is that all BBs will be into action well before history. Well, our Allied fanboys friends are pretty quiet about PH[:D]: I guess they are occupied with rant against to low night exp of the American ships....[;)]

I'm considering to send KB on PH-San Francisco line, maybe i will be lucky....

[invernomuto]

Hi Pauk, glad to see you back in action [;)] Good luck for your AAR.

PH, as you mentioned, is old issue. It is really sad that very rarely you get even one BB and what is even more dissapointing is that all BBs will be into action well before history. Well, our Allied fanboys friends are pretty quiet about PH : I guess they are occupied with rant against to low night exp of the American ships....

You're right. After discovering the "double strike bug" the devs toned down PH strike a lot. Now the results are absolutely not historical.

Bye

[pauk]

thanks inver. You are right, but who cares[;)]?



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/41







Philippines

Situation is pretty clear from the picture, I hope. However, i would like get input form you guys. Do you think that 4 divisions (+ 2 big SNLFs+Eng+tanks) will be enough to capture Manila? 21th div is send to the Malaya, and Philippine Group Army waiting for 38th and 2nd div (2th preparing for Manila, 38 will start preparing for CF after fall of HK)

DAVAO and JOLO: shock attack ordered for tommorow.

China

It seems that Andy will put pressure on the Canton. I have only one big Naval Gaurd, but send 2 SBF there. Hope that will be enough until reinforcement division (from east of Canton) arrive in the city.

Malaya

18th div and mix brigade unloaded at Khota Baru. Shock attack is ordered for tomorrow. Let's hope for the best. AVG shows in Singapore and escorted bombers on naval attack mission (my fleets at KB and Songhia) Fortunatly, no big loses to my beloved Oscars[:)] Also, harrasment air attack come form Kuatan. Fast BB TF ordered to bombard Kuatan and withdraw to the safe waters. Transports from KB are also order to withdraw except few of them (unloading supplies). Unloading at Songhia proceeding and one Zero daitai in Songhia is on the LR CAP mission.

Right now, i can't do anything special against AVG, i have to wait until i have at least 2:1 advantage (with Zeros) against AVG. At least, it was good decision to start Malaya campaign conservativly.

What is the best way to deal with those american mercenaries?


COMBAT HIGHLIGHTS

at DavaO

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CL Natori
DD Minazuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AK Mauban, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Montanes, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 26,45

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
DD Uranami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Isonami
DD Usugumo
DD Shinonome

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 18
Blenheim IV x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 39,53

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AVD Childs
PG Isabel, on fire, heavy damage
PG Asheville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,55

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 3

auxilary carrier force is formed. It consist of three AV and one CS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Guam

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 751 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam base !!!

[PzB74]

Very nice maps and a good execution so far Pauk! Will follow your exploits... I hope this is a game that will be
played to the end!? Too few of them on this forum really. I'm going into late 1943 without knowing what's around the corner,
but that's just how I like it [8D]

What about a second round of Hangover if you finish your business in the PI and DEI quickly!? [;)]

[pauk]

thanks, Conqueror[;)] (or it is Defender of the Crown?).

I'll do my best and i'm planing to play to the bitter end. That's why i play pretty carefully - i want to keep morale (my, not my soldier's morale) high and preserve my naval and air forces for future defense.

So, no rush for now although i will try to deal with white imperialists quickly. As i mentioned before, Imperial HQ has "elastic offensive" plan, which means that new target will be choosed depending of my opponent moves. My intention is strong hit at his weakest point.

But, i have one intersting idea. Attacking Townsville! If i took this base (and nearby Charters Town) early in the game i will divide Australian troops and after that i can invade Darwin. Also, it is nice to know that in Cairns are points for strategic bombing (300 (x2)=600 VP[:D].

But India stays at first place for now....