Hoplosternum vs Przemcio231: War in the EU Part 2

[Hoplosternum]

Well we have decided on a restart after some pesky Chinese partisans ran riot and destroyed all industry and supply there [;)] Again this is an allied only thread and Przemek is not allowed to look so if you see him peeking be sure to see him off [;)]

The old, now dead thread is here: Old War in the EU Allied Thread

This time we have some more House Rules and they are not the ones the allies are going to like. Which is a shame because I'm the allies again [:D]

From last time we have the limit on 4E bomber upgrades and the 30 aircraft per level of base (except back area bases).

But we also now have a no more than 1 4E bomber group per base and no US in India / Burma until '43 rule [X(] Except for the AVG that I usually send to China anyway.

Przemek has said he won't invade India and I expect a good clean fight. I will resist the temptation to empty India and use those forces elsewhere [;)]

But the worst one is that my esteemed foe has used the first turn Japanese moves [X(] Only one port strike (Manila - not Pearl) but he's landed in many places and of course there are his ships everywhere.

So this is going to be a far less interesting game for me in the first few months. No defense of the Solomons or DEI can really be gathered as is forces are already there in large numbers. At least not with ships. Hopefully he will run out of steam and I can make some moves around Java later. But huge numbers of troops and ships are being put under by his forces that are already in amongst my defenses.

We've played a few days now and below are the positions as of 11th December. Please add any comments and advice. Przemek will probably be setting up one too like last time.

[Hoplosternum]

Well he struck Manila not Pearl.

This has caused me some problems. Not least because I have started three gammes as the allies in the last few weeks. One against LtFighter and another against Przemek, General Hoepner and Marian Kovak with Wobbly and BLurking. All have used the first turn Japanese move and this game and the 3v3 have both hit Manila.

But I keep forgetting where I am in each game as the starts are all so simillar. So I have charged out my ASW in my LtFighter game only to get hammered by KB [:D] And in this one I keep forgetting where his CVs are and if I know. It has already nearly cost me Repulse. Hit by 27 bombs at range 5 she has since fled the DEI [:D]

Well the news in the PI is that KB has not continued to hit Manila but has split up and is paralysing all allied movement in the DEI area [X(]

Heres a shot:



He has landed in force at Legaspi. A nice level 4 airbase. I have managed to get the two Naga divisions there and have another from Manila about to arrive. But there are nearly 40K troops ashore and it looks hopeless [:(]

He has another 20K at San Marcelaneo (sp??) but I have reinforced the divison there and it may hold. His northern Aparri, Lingayan and Vigan forces seem fairly small and I have abandoned Tuguegarao as I'll need those divisions elsewhere and the attack does not seem to be coming from the north.

Hes also moving in on Davao and Jolo has already fallen as you can see [:(]

Houston hit a transport fleet as she tried to flee. Did some damage but was then sunk off Tarakan by KB in the morning. Many crippled ships are fleeing Manila (inc Subs). His bombers are still striking Manila but not KB. In the 3v3 game Manila was hit repeatedly and it's confusing to remember which game manila is not safe. Anyway the ships are away [:D]

[Hoplosternum]

Not much action here. He has grabbed Lae, Kavieng and Guadalcanal. The transport is fleeing and crippled. Adalaide (1) is at Gasmata. Leander and Achilles are on their way.

[Hoplosternum]

Well Tarakan, Brunei and Kuching have gone. Plus part of KB is off Batavia [X(]




Shokaku and Zuikaku (1) are hunting Repulse. They found her and hit her with over 25 250KGs. Range 5 [;)] Not even in the pink [;)] Repulse fled south where KB cannot "path" quickly and is now heading for Broome. But quite frankly there is no where safe for allied ships in the DEI now. Amboina has fallen also and he has shelled but not landed at Kendari yet.

There is another section of KB at 2 (I think!) while 3 contains transports. Balikpapan looks like falling in a couple of days. It's just so easy for the IJ with the first move and impossible (especially with no gamey air 'massing' by the allies) for the allies to do any counter moves.

At 4 are more transports heading south [:(]

[Hoplosternum]

Well he has captured Khota Bharu and Kuantan.




But there is no movement into Alor Star this time. Well I am retreating to Singapore a few extra brigades this time. So we will see how that works out.

He is hitting Singapore everyday and it's taking a toll. But my Wilderbeasts and Blenheims are getting a few hits on hit transports.

[Hoplosternum]

OK last one for December 11th.

Well I've sunk nothing [:D] But he has clobbered me, especially the subs at Manila. 16 died and many others are sinking [:(]




Hopefully I'll even the score a little later on. At least nothing vital is hit. Repulse and PoW are away.

I intend to send the Pearl airforce down to the DEI as soon as possible and the lack of opportunities to grab fragments at least means I have the PPs to start sending some of the west coast airforce too. Hopefully Java and Timor will be tougher nuts to crack than Borneo and the PI are proving [:D]

[kkoovvoo]

Why are you trying to hold Legaspi? He has plenty of size 4 airfields around, one more or less doesnt matter. Your units at Naga have 50 prep. points for Naga IIRC (yes i studied allied forces before Multiplayer PBEM [;)]), so they will be much more useful there.

Was Kuantan landing costly for him? He was in range of torpedo bombers from Singapore.

[Hoplosternum]

Your right Marian! Maybe I'll pull back. Although I expect I am going to be thrown back anyway [:(]

My Torpedo bombers have got some hits on transports but not at Kuantan. They start with poor experience. They get better quickly though [:)] My Dutch Torpedo bombers have been mauled around Balikpapan.

I have also had quite a few bombing runs on mini KB. But no hits yet. A 250lb bomb on Zuiho does not do much damage but it does cheer you up [:)]

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

OK last one for December 11th.

Well I've sunk nothing [:D] But he has clobbered me, especially the subs at Manila. 16 died and many others are sinking [:(]

OW!

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

Your right Marian! Maybe I'll pull back. Although I expect I am going to be thrown back anyway [:(]

Try to avoid forced retreat when you can. Even if the combat report doesnt look bad, forced retreat means you will loose another app. 20% of retreating units (losses not included in combat report).

Well, i have email from Blurking in mailbox...so I stop solving Allied problems [;)]

[BLurking]

Thought I'd take a peek into your AAR, to see how you were doing Will - while waiting for our opponents to reply in our 3x3 PBEM. Who do I find lurking about, but those very same opponents! And Marian seems to know our Phillipine troop dispositions better than I do!

At least he's giving you good advice [;)]

[Hoplosternum]

December 13th dawns.

Marblehead and Boise caught by KB [:@]

I had forgotten I'd left them there at Flores [:(] They had plenty of time to flee if I'd remembered them....

But Legaspi looks to be holding at the moment and San Marce'. Plus my 80K Chinese have got into Cantion and I am 'shocking' the 30K Japanese there tonight. More are coming but I doubt I'll take it. Would be nice to hold Hong Kong though if they do [;)]

Balikpapan should fall today when his forces attack (they have been landing for 2 days). Mini KB is off the coast and has now dodged dozens of Torpedos and bombs. Surely the game will give me a hit? Even Hosho would be fine [:)] My British bombers from Malaya are now finding the range though and I struck a few transports today.

He has begun landing in Rabaul (but very weak forces) and Shortlands. A burst of speed by Leander may catch the transport at Shortlands. We shall see.

More screen shots when I find something worth taking [;)]

[Hoplosternum]

Well Christmas has come and gone. Along with the IJ's first period of expansion.

I had my Christmas present. The one I asked for - a hit on Hosho [:)] Plus two more a couple of days later [:D] She is limping home East of the PI, but I am still after her [

Day Air attack on TF at 46,55

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

KB left the DEI after a few days and zoomed across to the Gilberts. I saw her at the last moment and ordered my Cruiser and Destroyer pickets to flee. Unfortunately 3 DDs decided to refuel and were lost [:(] But KB seems to have withdrawn. Vanished in fact [X(]

[Hoplosternum]

Malaya

Well it's all gone a bit wrong [:D] I only hold Alor Star and Singapore and it's still December [X(]



At least my transports are lifting off quite a few troops from Alor Star.

[Hoplosternum]

Burma / China

3 Divisions are blitzing through Burma. I have abandoned Rangoon and will try and make a stand at Mandalay but the Chinese SEAsian forces will not get there in time [:(]



In China I have pulled back from Canton. He is not really attacking anywhere. I have large forces but cannot comit to any offensives until I know he is being passive in China.

[Hoplosternum]

SE DEI

This place has been overrun by the Japanese. A combination of his carriers and his First Move have crushed all the important bases. Now most of his CVs are away there may be some opportunities but he has the ability to put scores of Betty/Nells here at a days notice [:(]



I have tried to get out a few fragments for later but it has to be by air as ships still sink quickly round here [:)]

[Hoplosternum]

Timor Sea

Well I finally have a few ships who could make a counterstrike against the IJN. I think KB is still around Truk but to be honest I really can't be sure. Still a bold stroke may give him a shock....



I just hope neither Kendari or Amboina has many Nells. Plus he has been reconning Darwin and some F4s flew CAP [X(]