Beer made me do it.

[Bradley7735]

Yayyyyy!!! I'm glad this one is back on-line.

It definitely a fun one.

[Wolfie1]

I've been hoping to see this continued[:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

Then, the IJA has a “brainfart”, at least in my opinion, dropping a paratroop unit on the airfields at Portland!! The combat engineer regiment stationed there, combined with airstrikes and an RCT that showed up in 2 days renders this attack to the trashbin of history….one presumes that it was an attempt to delay the arrival of reinforcements to the front line.

Seems to me a risk worth taking. A thousand men is not much considering the massive numbers Mog has, and seizing an airbase south of Seattle would really mess up the Allies' defense. How was it that you defended with 24,000 men? that seems like more than just a base force.

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Then, the IJA has a “brainfart”, at least in my opinion, dropping a paratroop unit on the airfields at Portland!! The combat engineer regiment stationed there, combined with airstrikes and an RCT that showed up in 2 days renders this attack to the trashbin of history….one presumes that it was an attempt to delay the arrival of reinforcements to the front line.

Seems to me a risk worth taking. A thousand men is not much considering the massive numbers Mog has, and seizing an airbase south of Seattle would really mess up the Allies' defense. How was it that you defended with 24,000 men? that seems like more than just a base force.

That's quite right....let's see....11th AF Hq, small BF (30AV), an Aviation Rgt, an Engineer Rgt and something like 6 EAB/CB batts....oh, and 3 AAA regiments.
Was somewhat dissapointed in the AAA; only shot down a couple of handsfull of transports, but it did damage about 6 for every one shot down though.

There was nothing to be gained at this point; a landing like this might work in the first two weeks of the war, but not this late. It would have taken a much larger force than he could put down there to grab and hold on, much less overtake the garrison. That is not even counting the divisions that were driving by at the time.

The fighting will get really hairy for him once he gets further south and outruns the effective range of his long range cap from Prince Rupert.

[PzB74]

Got a map? [:)]

[tabpub]

The title of the post will explain itself later in the post. Let it suffice to say that the Brits took a page out of the German Raider Handbook....[8D]

It was quiet for a while, but now some more things are starting to happen here in the weird alternate game…..

On the front lines, 180 miles north of Vancouver, about 80000 American infantry and artillery are being confronted with about 250,000 Japanese by latest estimate. The mountains and the trench system seem to be holding the line for now, but a new assault seems imminent. Reinforcements are rushing to the front as we speak, but are anticipating fighting on the Vancouver line soon and are preparing that position for defense.

11th Air Force has around 1100 aircraft at it’s command, with another 500 in reserve with the 5th and 400 with the 7th in the LA/SD area. Horrible weather is limiting air strikes vs. the Jap ground effort in addition to Jap fighters over the battle ground. Chennault and the 11th are sitting tight for the moment, waiting for a favorable opportunity.

The main battle fleet watches the Japanese maneuvering off the BC coast. They are trying to tempt us out under their LBA cover; it won’t happen, this will be fought on our ground, not theirs.

Cruiser warfare in the Aleutians got a bit of a change the other day; the PRINCE OF WALES showed up and smacked around a 12 DD flotilla in a running day battle near Atak Island. One British DD was scuttled after the action and the POW expended all her main battery ammo in the fights. Losses to the IJN were estimated at 4-5 DD damaged severely enough to limit their usage for the near future. SAN FRANCISCO and DETROIT continue to lead their groups against the enemy shipping in the island chain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Atka Island at 98,37
Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Namikaze
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 27
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Electra, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express
DD Nestor, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Atka Island at 98,37

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sagiri, on fire
DD Minekaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze
DD Hakaze
DD Yakaze, on fire
DD Yukaze, on fire
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nokaze, on fire
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 7
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Electra, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express
DD Nestor, Shell hits 2

DD EXPRESS was busy dodging shell splashes and torpedoes, thus avoiding any hits.
The 34 claimed hits on the POW resulted in some small fires and dents on the belt armor. The fires mainly were started by the destruction of the 2 Walrus spotter planes by gunfire.

South of Dutch Harbor, PBYs detected a tanker group making it’s way west about 600 miles south of there. Captain M. Mitscher led his HORNET task group in on the ships and got some favorable results.

03/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 106,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 36
TBD Devastator x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
TK Gen'yo Maru
TK Akatuki Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Fujisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Chitose Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Akatsuki Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Hoyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Amatsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
=============================================
03/07/42
Day Air attack on TF at 106,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBD Devastator x 13
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
TK Hoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Chitose Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Fujisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Akatuki Maru, on fire
TK Akatsuki Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Some badly needed practice for these raw flyers at this point in the war……

The only other action of note is some fighting in the DEI; 3 Dutch battalions have landed at Mendano in the Celebes. They are holding a beachhead there, but the supporting ships have withdrawn under persistent Betty/Nell attack. The Dutch are regrouping to support and reinforce this effort.

No enemy shipping of note of the PI lately and the British report the South China Sea quiet also. Other than the POW’s exploits, the British/Australians are quiescent for the moment.

I will get you a map of the North Pacific on the next installment; thought I had one, but was wrong.

Tabpub

[Capt. Harlock]

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we want more of this AAR! I have to wonder how the POW managed to sneak into the Aleutians (and how is she going to replenish her magazines?)

Time is a problem for both sides now. Obviously the Japanese cannot win a war of attrition: the Americans have virtually unlimited manpower reserves. On the other hand, as the weather clears, the Japanese superiority in pilots and fighters will be a major problem. I expect the Allied surface forces up north will have to flee in a month or less.

What a shame the game doesn't reflect the massive disruption these events would cause to the "Europe first" strategy. Maybe a scenario could be generated showing a cost in political points?

[Nikademus]

Its a good thing Mog's soldiers dont surrender. Tabpull would be hard pressed to find enough space to set up all the POW camps [:'(]

Anyone got the current bookie odds? [:D]

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we want more of this AAR! I have to wonder how the POW managed to sneak into the Aleutians (and how is she going to replenish her magazines?)

Time is a problem for both sides now. Obviously the Japanese cannot win a war of attrition: the Americans have virtually unlimited manpower reserves. On the other hand, as the weather clears, the Japanese superiority in pilots and fighters will be a major problem. I expect the Allied surface forces up north will have to flee in a month or less.

What a shame the game doesn't reflect the massive disruption these events would cause to the "Europe first" strategy. Maybe a scenario could be generated showing a cost in political points?

Captain:

I guess I can tell some things to "tweek" the reading populace that won't hurt me operationally.....
POW and REPLUSE started their voyage from Batavia back in early FEB as I recall. With all the forces that Mogami has tabbed for the West Coast, he has made no real move on the DEI or PI. Menado in the Celebes and Davao are his only gains in this area; this allows the Dutch to base fighters along the North Borneo coast. So far, this has allowed surface combatants and freighters to move with some security along that route to the Manila area, timing their moves with bad weather in the area.

POW and REPLUSE arrived Manila about the 3rd week of February; after allowing some time for the escorts to fix up a bit, POW and 4 DD departed during a period of heavy weather and transited around the north of PI and sailed east. They passed thru the area of Ie Shima and the Bonins; I think that this was the only time they were detected, but at a low level (no ship ID's as I recall). They then passed north of Marcus Island and rendezvoused with an AO north of Midway Island and topped off their tanks. She then drifted north for a couple of days, when we detected a surface group heading west toward the Adak Island area and she sailed there to the fight.

REPLUSE was not sent with her, as she has less bunkerage capacity and I was worried about her endurance on the long trip. Nothing has been determined as to whether she will proceed on the same course or remain in the Western Pacific.

As to the question of replenishing her magazines, she will either go to PH or to the WC. I briefly thought about docking at one of the Aleutians that have some supply, but nixed that as utterly gamey. I can rationalize that she can reammo at PH; she uses 14"/45 ammo and there would be shells of that caliber available there (early American caliber used in the Nevada's and Pennsy's). Or, one can say that with an advance knowledge of the movement, that proper ammo could have been shipped to her in advance; I have been sending AK's to the Hawaiian waters for the last 2 months.

Now, my raiders have been re-ammoing in the Aluetians, but I sent an AK up there with supplies to reflect the need to send proper shells and powder for them. So, they can hang out there for some time, barring a major effort by Mog to evict them; which I would welcome, as I would delay/weaken his efforts further East along the coast.

I don't fear his planes one whit. He is operating from a single base that is currently about 6 hexes from the "front"; as he moves south he merely comes closer to 3 bases with over a 1000 planes and further from his own. It will be interesting to say the least to see what happens; I think that this scenario has some of the largest concentrations of firepower (both land and air) that one could see other than an American landing in Japan in 44/45.

Regarding manpower/airplanes: Unfortunately, the program is not totally realistic in this regard. He has undoubtedly used the last 2 months to ship in vast amounts of supply in addition to troops. This supply will allow him to "replace" lost airframes in theater, instead of flying or shipping them in, as the supply will transform itself to the required item. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, his supply is safe in the rear. I would like to strike it, but haven't the reserve of heavy bombers that would be needed in this type of attritional attack. Without the PDU, I can't switch bomber types between groups and have to work with what I have. Example, a B24D group will be arriving shortly due to the accleration, but there won't be any replacements for it for another 3 months. So, B24's will be used and withdrawn as losses mount on them.

Now,as to replacement of his troop losses, he is at the end of a pretty long supply line with only one or two bases to draw on; so, losses to his "pointy end of the stick" will be slow to recover from. I though, sit on rail lines that connect 7 huge bases chock full of supplies; not as big a problem for me.

As to the question of the "Europe First" situation, in this setup, other Allied positions are not being threatened right now, freeing them to do things like the POW escapade. Additionally, the troops & planes that I received were acclerated, not pulled out of the Europe pool so to say. I did receive some LCU's that were way in the future queue for the Pacific to represent Eastern US troops; so, the most you might say would be no "TORCH" offensive; but, that was off in November 42. If we are still fighting this out in July/August, then we can come back to the effect of this on the Europe front.

Oh, almost forgot.....when "sneaking about" you must do these things to have a successful penetration.
1. Path of least resistance....don't sail right next to the main bases, find a route that has the least airbases near it
2. Use cruise control...only sprint to move quickly through a heavy base patrol zone.
3. Be aware of the weather....use the '3' key to show weather forecast and try to run along a "seam" in the zones; that way, you can plot your move to be in the weather zone that has the "worst" weather forecast. this was probably the most important in the POW trip.
4. Turn off you search planes...you are hiding, not looking.....
5. Pray a lot and cross your fingers and toes.......[:'(]

Any other questions? taking requests for screenshots/maps at this time!! Feel free to ask, I only want to post things that everyone is interested in. Will try to accomodate as many as I can. Won't be back on until late Wednesday here, so will look in then to see what is up.

Tabpub

[mogami]

Hi, I think this AAR is going to end in another turn or two. No point in going on once the Japanese advance is stopped. If by some miracle the next attack works then I will push on. I'll go till it is clear Japan can't advance further.
I have no even issued an order west of Kiska in months

[witpqs]

Let's have a screenshot of Mogami surrendering![:D]

[;)]

[mogami]

Hi, Don't worry about supply magicly becoming whatever item is needed at the front.
One of the best things about WITP is a players does not have to load transports with items. Airframes do not magicly appear on West Coast for japan they are shipped there on AK in the form of supply. New airplanes, guns tanks cost their load value in supply. So it is exactly as if Japan had sent spare aircraft guns, tanks without the headache of actually loading these things onto ships. When you load supply you are loading all the spare parts and replacement items as well. Only a portion of supply can be used and the units have to be within HQ control. It works out exactly right. (one of my favorite abstractions in WITP because it produces the desired result without the player having to spend hours with a calculator loading ships.)

If we had to track spare barrels and replacement morters the game would be a nightmare

[witpqs]

I think you're right. This abstraction makes the game playable.

[PimpYourAFV]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

If we had to track spare barrels and replacement morters the game would be a nightmare

Ya but putting together selected parts into a custom designed airplane and then tooling the factories to make them would be fun. At least until someone discovers the optimal mix and everyone copies it forever after.

[mogami]

Hi, Japanese forces blew the blocking forces right off the road. (well almost... half retreated and half are still there)

Ground combat at 132,36

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 285871 troops, 2926 guns, 656 vehicles

Defending force 75091 troops, 755 guns, 23 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
7722 casualties reported
Guns lost 183
Vehicles lost 34

Allied ground losses:
2123 casualties reported
Guns lost 73
Vehicles lost 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating

[Wolfie1]

Do I take it that this means you are continueing? This has been one of my favourite AAR's so hope it carries on.

[Capt. Harlock]

As to the question of replenishing her magazines, she will either go to PH or to the WC. I briefly thought about docking at one of the Aleutians that have some supply, but nixed that as utterly gamey. I can rationalize that she can reammo at PH; she uses 14"/45 ammo and there would be shells of that caliber available there (early American caliber used in the Nevada's and Pennsy's). Or, one can say that with an advance knowledge of the movement, that proper ammo could have been shipped to her in advance; I have been sending AK's to the Hawaiian waters for the last 2 months.

Now, my raiders have been re-ammoing in the Aluetians, but I sent an AK up there with supplies to reflect the need to send proper shells and powder for them. So, they can hang out there for some time, barring a major effort by Mog to evict them; which I would welcome, as I would delay/weaken his efforts further East along the coast.

I don't fear his planes one whit. He is operating from a single base that is currently about 6 hexes from the "front"; as he moves south he merely comes closer to 3 bases with over a 1000 planes and further from his own. It will be interesting to say the least to see what happens;

Very well thought out move with the POW. I applaud your decision not to re-ammo her at the nearest possible base but at a more realistic one. (HMS Warspite was re-fitted extensively in the Seattle area, so it is entirely believable that British warships could be served at the major American ports.)

As for air combat, I often find that Allied air units are simply meat on the table for the Japanese pilots until April or May. But you've had a little time to train and equip your boys with the best aviation hardware you can scrape together (you don't have to worry about crating and uncrating P-40's as they did in the DEI).

I am a bit curious as to why you chose to draw your line in the sand 180 miles north of Vancouver -- wouldn't it have been better to fight closer in for supply and air support? Was the terrain the key factor?

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

As to the question of replenishing her magazines, she will either go to PH or to the WC. I briefly thought about docking at one of the Aleutians that have some supply, but nixed that as utterly gamey. I can rationalize that she can reammo at PH; she uses 14"/45 ammo and there would be shells of that caliber available there (early American caliber used in the Nevada's and Pennsy's). Or, one can say that with an advance knowledge of the movement, that proper ammo could have been shipped to her in advance; I have been sending AK's to the Hawaiian waters for the last 2 months.

Now, my raiders have been re-ammoing in the Aluetians, but I sent an AK up there with supplies to reflect the need to send proper shells and powder for them. So, they can hang out there for some time, barring a major effort by Mog to evict them; which I would welcome, as I would delay/weaken his efforts further East along the coast.

I don't fear his planes one whit. He is operating from a single base that is currently about 6 hexes from the "front"; as he moves south he merely comes closer to 3 bases with over a 1000 planes and further from his own. It will be interesting to say the least to see what happens;

Very well thought out move with the POW. I applaud your decision not to re-ammo her at the nearest possible base but at a more realistic one. (HMS Warspite was re-fitted extensively in the Seattle area, so it is entirely believable that British warships could be served at the major American ports.)

As for air combat, I often find that Allied air units are simply meat on the table for the Japanese pilots until April or May. But you've had a little time to train and equip your boys with the best aviation hardware you can scrape together (you don't have to worry about crating and uncrating P-40's as they did in the DEI).

I am a bit curious as to why you chose to draw your line in the sand 180 miles north of Vancouver -- wouldn't it have been better to fight closer in for supply and air support? Was the terrain the key factor?

"best aviation hardware available"....right....about 1/4 of my fighters are in P36's and will be for the duration...oops, forgot the 39's also...the F4F is my "best" fighter for the moment.
As to the choice of location there were several factors.

1. Was in normal range of Vancouver allowing for P40/F4F LR cap and normal escort.

2. Is at the junction of the coastal road to Vancouver and the "RR"/improved highway. Wanted to hold that to limit him from a two axis advance on Vancouver.

3. Until he acclerated the reinforcements, I didn't have the plethora of engineers that I have now. Vancouver forts were lower than desired and I didn't want to send more engineers north than absolutely necessary; feared that the land advance was a ploy and wanted SF as secure as possible soonest.

4. Whole path to Vancouver shows as mountainous, wished to use that to my advantage. It worked until he massed a huge number of troops there. Will screenshot the battle screen when I get to the turn ( I was out all day moving a friend to a new house and just got back).

5. Finally, I never anticipated that he could put up a 100+ fighter LR cap that far away from his base. They chewed up some 40's and F4F's badly that day and have been inhibiting ground support missions since then.

There were a sufficient number of troops 1 day away from this fight to have probably dropped it 1 to 2 odds numbers; to either 2-1 or 1-1, depending on status of new units and rounding by the combat program. Simply put, I lost this buildup race here.

Now, on to the next position and the campaign continues.

[tabpub]

tried to take a picture of the screen here....might have to do again at lower resolution.
Seemed to work. There are 30 Jap units listed; there were over 40 in the attack.

I have my settings set pretty fast; all I caught was that my defense was 1100 or so, modified up to 3400. That would say that he has over 10000 AV in this group! They're ringing the bells in every little town in America today....sign up! Sign up!
<edit to Mog---turn back sometime tomorrow>

[tabpub]

March 10, 1942

The CL DETROIT met her match today and from the most unexpected source; a nice fat convoy of AO/TK escorted by two DDs and a corvette:

03/10/42
Night Time Surface Combat at 103,34
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 3
PC Kunashiri
AO Erimo
AO Hayamoto
AO Iro
AO Naruto
AO Ondo
AO Sata
AO Shiretoko
AO Shiriya
TK Akebono Maru
TK Ken'yo Maru
TK Kokuyo Maru
TK Kyokuto Maru
TK Nihon Maru
TK Shinkoku Maru
TK Toei Maru
TK Toho Maru
Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Crane, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Humphreys, Shell hits 2
DD Gilmer, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

And before anyone says anything, it was the 2 DD alone that did it. I think I saw one shot from a merchie during the whole thing. Those two DD need medals and parades, I tell ya…..
HUMPHREYS dashes to the south and home to give a report to the board of inquiry.

But, where there is death, there is birth also. Detached from Mitscher’s screen a new raiding group is formed and finds the last undamaged TK from that convoy heading home.

03/10/42
Night Time Surface Combat at 98,44
Japanese Ships
TK Gen'yo Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CL Helena
DD Anderson
DD Mustin
DD Russell
DD Morris

In other news:
B17’s from Laoag hit oil tanks in Taipei, causing minor damage.
3 supply ships dock PI, bringing steaks and beer for Mac.
The Eastern Fleet is sailing en masse, location undisclosed for the moment.
Scattered bombing of troops to rear of the Jap advance (they ain’t covered by fighters….)
cause a couple of hundred casualties.

And on the British Columbia front, some of the final defenders of the ‘Powell River’ line have moved out, under bombardment of the Japs. High Command was curious as to why there was not a follow up attack after the success of the prior day. Perhaps they were more beat up than they thought originally. Plans for the next line are in place and 50% of it is manned and ready.