You could land on the west coast of Borneo at the base there that is already a size 3 AF and is across from Kragen. It has a Dutch BF and small infantry there. It is not Balikpapan, but begins with a "B." You could use your Oscars to LRCAP into Java and/or base some Lt bombers there.
I'm trying to think of ways to use more of your IJA fighters vs. relying more on your IJN fighters (Zeros). You have some small 12 plane Chotai in Saigon and Camranh Bay that can go over to Oscars.
Forgot about that base......Benjamisn (or something like that). If they could para drop into Kragen the day before, they can always move massive Oscar support into the base.
Sounds like in some ways, they are stretching thin.
I like the idea of trying to grab Kragen with Paras prior to landing. It just makes so much more sense to do that. IF it is undefended we could use a portion of one of the Para Reg flown to Kuching and then stage the drop.
I Brad--I think we may have a pair of Engineering Regiments at Samah. Maybe--we have moved so much around it is difficult to keep track of things.
I noticed that there are a sizable number of units headed for Jolo. Why not use them to take Tarakan and then jump all the way to Bandjermasin? We could skip Balikpapan for the moment and then backfill once we are ashore in Java.
I would prefer to use the Oscars because we don't have enough Zero Daitai. There are two Claude Chutai that we could convert and then deploy them forward with a couple of Snetai of Oscars. Figure about 100 Fighters for CAP. You can add the Baby-KB on top of that. Those little Vs would be somewhat vulnerable though. Of course you simply park them at Bandjermasin and add their planes to the ones already at the AF. That might be a lot safer...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Forgot to mention that I converted the 6th Reserve Tank Regiment in Osaka to Southern Army and it is prepping for Soerabaja.
We should be able to buy out the 2 Engineering Regiment and Tk Reg moving to Moppo within 3 days. They would certainly help.
We also have to decide on these conversions if they should be to Burma Area Army? Will it make any significant impact which command they assigned to when we move into India?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I would prep the unit for India....6th Tank that is. I doubt it will be needed in Java.
I just hate leaving a big air base in your rear......Balikapan is level 4 IIRC. That could be scary. But it will take about 2 weeks to take all of Borneo. That will slow you down too much.
Even though Balikpapan is a size 4 AF, there is a shortage of Aviation Support. The Allies have most of their BF with over 1/2 the Aviation Support disabled in the SRA. They could move in a large force of LBA for one strike, but anything that got damaged would be at risk of never making it out if the Japanese launch a counter strike.
I like the idea of trying to grab Kragen with Paras prior to landing. It just makes so much more sense to do that. IF it is undefended we could use a portion of one of the Para Reg flown to Kuching and then stage the drop.
I Brad--I think we may have a pair of Engineering Regiments at Samah. Maybe--we have moved so much around it is difficult to keep track of things.
I noticed that there are a sizable number of units headed for Jolo. Why not use them to take Tarakan and then jump all the way to Bandjermasin? We could skip Balikpapan for the moment and then backfill once we are ashore in Java.
I would prefer to use the Oscars because we don't have enough Zero Daitai. There are two Claude Chutai that we could convert and then deploy them forward with a couple of Snetai of Oscars. Figure about 100 Fighters for CAP. You can add the Baby-KB on top of that. Those little Vs would be somewhat vulnerable though. Of course you simply park them at Bandjermasin and add their planes to the ones already at the AF. That might be a lot safer...
There is a small para unit at Saigon, one of the Yokosukas. That's plenty to take an empty base, if the invasion is on the way. Pretty good idea.
The units heading to Jolo are prepped for Tarakan; that was the plan. A base force is trailing it. Phase 2 was to pick up the Nav Gd that took Jolo, and land it at Balikpapan; but we could skip it for Banjermasin. Need a base force for that, but there is one available at Saigon. Shortly there will also be the shipping there to move it.
We will be a bit stretched out, but that's the risk. On the
other hand, the faster we move, the less ready they will be.
RE: Tanks, 2nd ACR is probably right, we don't necessarily need the tanks for Java, but we had to move them to the SRA anyway, may as well get that going.
Since both of you command different areas and ships, I think you need to time a joint strike at Batavia from Kuching and Soerabaja from CV Div 2 to hit the AF when possible. You need to take out the Martins and whatever else they have there. Plus, you need to work on them NOT getting 20k supply into Java. Once they do that, they can then take on replacement aircraft. If they stay below 20k, then they would need to spend those valuable PP to change command and send them to Singapore or somewhere else to take to so.
With Kendari soon to be invaded, they may have not gotten out any supplies (start around 14k). Therefore, they would have to load up from Colombo and sent them at full speed to land on the west coast of Java. So, a possible run into the IO to hunt AKs may need to happen eventually.
I can unload the Reserve Regiment at Osaka and order it to prep for elsewhere instead of Soerabaja. What town should it be set for?
I like the raid into the IO with CarDiv2. They should be able to depart on the 15th for their raid. This should put them easily in the area for any action needed. Hitting those AF shouldn't be a problem. This could also be done as soon as Bandjermasin is taken. That Sz-3 AF will enable a decent Strike Force to be used there prior to the Kragen landing.
When should I release the troops at Rahaeng for the drive into Burma?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The war takes a semi-lull in naval operations as numerous Japanese TF return to base to refuel and replennish from their First Phase Operations. That they have been successful cannot be denied and there have only been a few unpleasant surprises to this date.
North Pacific Attu The 51st Aviation Unit finishes loading at Ominato and depart for its destination on the 14th.
Paramushiro Jima When the transports are done at Attu they will backtrack to Etorofu to pick-up that Base Force and move it to PJ to speed up base expansion.
Central Pacific Wake Thankfully the Americans have chosen to not send out CV to attack the shipping clustered here. By the 14th, the 2 CA Bombardment Force also has around it the TF carrying a large Base Force and two large SNLF. The 15th will see the CA Bombard one last time and depart for Kwajalein while the 3 new units Shock Attack the atoll. THIS should finish the base off.
Tarawa
Captured on the 13th by a Naval Guard unit. An Aviation Regiment will begin unloading tomorrow.
Nauru Captured on the 14th by an NLF. This small assault unit will move directly from here to Tulagi.
KB The Japanese Kido Butai will reach Kwajalein on the 16th to refuel and reprovision. I wll also bring my Zeros up to full strength. Once they have done this, the KB is going to head due south and try to raid the Pago-Pago and Suva area. With 6 AOs following they even move as far south as the Society Islands to catch loaded TF moving about.
South Pacific Admiralty Islands
These fall on the 13th.
Kavieng Occupied the same day.
Madang and Lae These targets will be occupied no later then the 16th.
Rabaul The Rabaul Invasion Force will hit this are about the 16th and land directly after that. First units ashore will be South Seas Force and a Special Base Force. My 2 BC will bombard on the 15th and then loiter in the area. If it looks like I cannot take the base then the 56th Inf Div will unload as well.
Port Moresby If Rabaul falls without the 56th being used, then they will IMMEDIATELY move on this base. Lae should be fully operational by then and be able to provide LR CAP if needed. Course I need fighters to do that...
Philippines Laoag Captured on the 13th.
Cotabato Falls on the 14th.
Legaspi Landing on the 14th with capture on the 15th. There are no defenders present here.
Baguio
It appears that the Luzon Defenders will make a stand in this hex. There are 6 Philippine units present. I believe the the IJA General-in-Charge plans to flank the position. The troops are being hit by Lilys flying from Aparri.
Manila
Bad weather prevents strikes at the shipping still in the bay and the AF on the 13th. A strike from Formosa does hit the area on the 14th. The Americans put up 14 P-40 versus 23 Zero, 89 Betty/Nell, and 34 Sally. The Americans lose 2 P-40 and 3 PBY on the ground in exchange for a stiff 4 Zero, 1 Betty, and 1 Sally. The AF takes pretty decent damage.
Jolo The Japanese gather forces here for the upcoming thrust down through the central DEI.
DEI Eastern DEI The Kendari Invasion Force departs on the 13th from Amboina.
CarDiv2 is refueling and waiting for escorts to strengthen its screen before going on an IO raid.
Central DEI 1st Naval Battle of the War--Balikpapan! December 13th...
A trio of Japanese tincans--Kawakaze, Umikaze, and Yamakaze sweep into the Balikpapan anchorage hoping for damaged AK/TK from earlier in the week. What do they find? A Dutch STF: CL De Ruyter and Tromp lead 7 Dutch DD!! Does the Destroyer Division prudently retreat? NO! Banzai--they charge in...
Phase 1
For 3 gunnery rounds (6--8--10,000 yards) the forces spar with each other. The japanese DDs come off really well taking little damage in exchange for hits on both CLs and 4 DDs. The frustated Dutch break off the engagement...
Phase 2
Spurred on by their success the Japanese come in again and gain a surprise attack on the Dutch TF. Unfortunately they are all out of Long Lances. This time the exchance is much more even. DD Banckert is sunk by a Long Lance and 2 more Dutch DDs are badly shot up in exchange for Tromp crippling Kawakaze. Several telling hits are also scored on Yamakaze at this point. This time the Japanese retreat under the cover of a smokescreen.
Phase 3
Not to be detered by having two criplees out of 3 DD, the Japanese commander turns his units around AGAIN and gains surprise AGAIN agaisnt their foe. Two more Dutch DD are criplled but the Yamakaze is sunk under a hail of fire from the CLs.
How about TOO aggressive of Japanese Commander??!! Kawakaze is sunk by Dutch LBA the following day. Thus, for the cost of 2 DD, the Japanese bang-up 2 CL (minor damage), sink a DD, and cripple 3 more.... These are NOT the type of victories we need to have! [8|]
Western DEI Kuching Though held up in their first attack, the Japanese drop the Forts to 0 on the 13th with a victorious attack scheduled for the 15th.
Dutch SS KXVII puts a Torp into CA Mogami here! This SS hit BB Nagato, an AK AND CA Mogami. Wow. PROMOTE this SS Commander...
Saigon Though not part of this area, I need to note that Brad is gathering his forces for the Java Invasion here. LOTS of TF moving back and forth.
Malaya Alor Star The Imperial Guards arrive here to raise the total to 3 Inf Div attacking this position. Three Brigades are holding it. The 14th sees a 3-1 attack drop the Forts to 0. It will fall tomorrow. Hopefully the units will retreat into Georgetown, be cut off, and then wiped out.
Singora Our 4th Inf Div is nearly unloaded and will join the attack within days. At that point it should go pretty quickly down the peninsula.
Mini-KB These CVs have been effectievly shooting down bombers trying to get through at Kuching and the Kates get some activity on the 14th when they sink AP President Madison.
Burma Tavoy The Brits try to evacuate the BF here by a couple of AP. One is sunk on the 14th with another soon to sink on the 15th.
Port Blair By the 14th an entire Construction Btn is based here and working to expand the AF. I'll fly in 2 NLF and then pull out the 500 or so Paras that are presently there.
Rahaeng Nearly all of my forces are ready to move from here. When I give the 'go' order, I will detail the exact invasion force.
Home Islands Brad will detail our initial economic moves later but I thought I would mention what we have converted Political Points-wise:
1. 6th Tk Reg at Osaka
2. 23rd Engineering Reg at Moppo
These units are headed for Saigon.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
With the exception of ALL Dutch SS, the war goes well for the Japanese Empire. Brad and I are requesting that all Dutch Commanders get promoted and be replaced with less capable leadership! The SS are EVIL! We'll detail in a bit...
Northern Pacific Attu Invasion Force is plodding along towards its target.
Central Pacific Wake This pesky garrison lives up to history by holding against the initial Japanese attack. They cannot withstand the assault launched on the 15th.. The Marines surrender and Japan begins shifting its troops.
Problem is that the 2 Nvl Guard that initially landed are wrecked. I will leave them at Wake to rebuild. The base Force that also landed shall begin expanding the AF and rebuild the Forts. The additional pair of SNLF that landed are picked up and sent towards Tarawa for future operations.
KB The KB will arrive at Kwajalein on the 17th. It will replennish and then move out heading due south shortly afterwards.
South Pacific Rabaul The STUPID part of this two-player alliance (that being John) forgets to tell the 56th Inf Div TF to NOT land! Ahhhhhh... The 56th begins landing on the 16th. The assualt is lead in by 2 BC who bombard the base on the 15th. I order the SSF to NOT unload unless needed. The first attack on this important base shall occur on 18th.
Madang A small NLF Landing Force begins to unoad here on the 15th. While still unloading on the 16th, they TF is rudely surprised by HMNZS Leander and HMNZS Achilles. The brave PG Choko Maru moves out to attack and actually lands 3 shells on the first CL and 6 shells on the second. For protecting its charges, the PG sinks. Later in the day the Allied CL attack again and they manage to sink another PG as well as MSW.
Lae A TF will begin landing tomorrow here. I assume that the CLs will move down here and try to interdict the landing. I order my 2 BC to cover the landing and SINK these two ships.
Philippines Dadjangas
This base is neatly taken by Brad on the 15th forcing the surrender of 4,200 troops.
Cagayan The Japanese send a large air strike against this base hoping to hit some Allied planes. The strike of 16 F and 85 Sally do solid damage and destroy 1 B-17, 3 B-18, and 4 PBY.
Manila The P-40s here are shooting down too many bombers. I rest the Betty at Formosa and the load shifts to Aparri's planes. There are still ships sitting formed into TF in Manila Bay. Aparri is ordered to conduct a shipping strike and the Baby-KB moves in as well to finish this irritant.
Legaspi The base falls on the 15th and a large Invasion Force is now solidly ashore and moving north.
DEI Kuching Falls on the 15th with 1600 POW. Betty/Nells move in ASAP.
Menado Falls on the 16th
Kendari The Landing here shall occur on the 17th. The rant I started earlier comes through here as KXIV hits BB Yamashiro with a single Torp. This makes 2 BB and 1 CA hit by Dutch SS!
Kendari has Dutch Pts guarding it. In addition to the BB TF we detach from CarDiv2 a CL and 2 DD to sweep the harbor first.
CarDiv2 At Brad's request I move CarDiv2 out from Amboina to cover the Kendari Landing. It appears that the Dutch CL TF that hit those 3 Jap DDs earlier is still at Balikpapan. Yamaguchi will go after them!
Malaya Alor Star The base fals to 3 Inf Div on the 15th. Troops immediately move on Georgetown.
Georgetown Brad hits this base on the 16th with 49 F and 69 Bombers. They shot down 5 of 6 Brewsters and destroy 3 Blenheims on the ground.
Burma Burma Area Army Composition:
Burma Area Army HQ--Dohihara
14th Army--Itagaki
3rd Air Division--Akiyama 33rd Infantry Division 55th Infantry Division
I would like to commend our Allied Opponents in the fact that they are actually FIGHTING the Japanese Offensive. Many Allied players, in my honest opinion, make a HUGE mistake in not fighting the Japanese at the start.
The Allies can afford to lose ships and planes and the Japanese CANNOT! It is to my sad experience that you can kick some Allied Butt and still LOSE in 1944! Look at the massive swing in Dan and I's game with Forlorn Hopes. That campaign has swung from one extreme to the other in only 6-8 months.
Fight....Fight...FIGHT should be the Allied mantra...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I would think a sweep over Singapore with your Zeros would be good. They will meet CAP, but the Buffalo I's are no match. Bombers can go in a few days later.
I haven't been on in a few days, but wanted to chime in with the latest. John will likely add more comments.
Malaya
Alor Star fell on the 16th, and Georgetown fell instantly on the 18th. There are now 4 divisions, 5th, 18th,16th, IG marching down the West Coast. I expect to be in Johore Bharu by the New Year. Still no sign of troops in Khota Bharu moving, if they don't start running they will be cut off on the East Coast. Malaya is going well.
Phillipines
We split 56th Bde and forced the surrender of a PA Div at Dadaganjas a couple days back. On Luzon, 2 divisions (4th and 2nd)will reach Naga tommorow with support troops, and the day after, 2 Divisions (48th and 65th Bde) plus tanks and support will reach Lingayen from San Fernando.
The PI is interesting. (Maybe John can post a screenie, I don't know how). 6 units are at Baguio, only 2 at Lingayen. 2 are at Naga. I am sure I can take both quickly; what then? Can I cut those Baguio units off? We intended to not clean out the PI, but if we split the USAFFE, we will have to reassess that. We'll know more in a couple days, but I will be surprised if the Allies maintain a forward defense while I attack the flanks.
12 Aircraft were destroyed on the ground today at Cagayan, the third day of bombing attacks from Jolo. About 16 each of B17 and Bolos have been destroyed on the ground, that's probably about it for that base. We are not going to attack Cagayan; it will become a self-guarding POW camp.
DEI
Kendari fell today. Tarakan should fall tommorow. In a couple days, invasions will sail for Koepang, Lautem, Dili, and Balikpapan. Dutch PTs and Subs put TTs into Yamashiro and Ise at Kendari, our first setback. They will live, but look like they will need a few months in the shop. WE HATE THE DUTCH! I don't know how they can handle torpedos wearing wooden shoes, but somehow it happens!
We hope to have all airstrips between Derby and Java clear by the New Years. At that point, we invade Java. About 1000 AV is already prepping, and we will add 38th division from Hong Kong, and possibly 56th bde from Mindanao.
Solomons
I would rather John comment, but there is a ton of Allied shipping in the Bismarck sea. Today, several cruisers linger off Madang, and came under attack from Nells at Truk; very risky for the Allies. We need to capture Rabaul to put a stop to this nonsense there.
NY GIANTS: We shot down alot of Buffalos over Georgetown in the last few days, nearly 20 in total, and even captured 6 Blenhiems when the base fell. I am betting the RAF bugged out of Malaya. Haven't seen a flying plane in a couple days. I may give Singapore a shot soon, though the ships are all gone. We did a port raid on Balikpapan on the 16th, sinking AD Black Hawk and putting a bomb onto a heavily damaged DD Evertsen. At this point don't see alot of shipping in port, which is smart on their part.
Well, if he does not pull the troops back from Baguio, jump over to Clark with one Div. Leave the other to secure your rear. That should cut him off. Might want to check the map to be sure.
Get to manila as fast as possible. Break a div if you have to.
Dutch subs can be a pain in the rear. Since your invasion of Java is still a week or 2 away, you might think about flying a few recons with Mavis from Kuching........hit every base. Place a sub in Kragen. At least then you will be able to see if they are even trying to defend Kragen. I would recon Batavia, Soreb and really recon Merak.......that might throw them off the trail some. But fly a recon over all the bases slowly.
Once you form up the invasion fleet, take the CVE out of Baby KB, place 27 Zeros on it and place it inside the invasion fleet. That will give the fleet some CAP capability so you do not have to fly as much LR CAP. You can jack up the CAP to 70% without undo ops losses.
Hit and run surface forces.......they went to Madang to replenish......bet on it. I would think about making a short speed run with KB into the area to help clean out the shipping.
Well, if he does not pull the troops back from Baguio, jump over to Clark with one Div. Leave the other to secure your rear. That should cut him off. Might want to check the map to be sure.
Get to manila as fast as possible. Break a div if you have to.
Dutch subs can be a pain in the rear. Since your invasion of Java is still a week or 2 away, you might think about flying a few recons with Mavis from Kuching........hit every base. Place a sub in Kragen. At least then you will be able to see if they are even trying to defend Kragen. I would recon Batavia, Soreb and really recon Merak.......that might throw them off the trail some. But fly a recon over all the bases slowly.
Once you form up the invasion fleet, take the CVE out of Baby KB, place 27 Zeros on it and place it inside the invasion fleet. That will give the fleet some CAP capability so you do not have to fly as much LR CAP. You can jack up the CAP to 70% without undo ops losses.
Hit and run surface forces.......they went to Madang to replenish......bet on it. I would think about making a short speed run with KB into the area to help clean out the shipping.
Thank you Sir!
Moving the KB into the Rabaul area is already ordered. We could use some more Cruisers for an appetizer!
Q-Ball could we move an SS to Kragen as he suggests? Makes a bunch of sense to me.
In a move based entirely on having no FAITH in Japanese damage control, I order the two damaged BBs to move back and disband in Kendari. They were at 50 and 43 Flooding respectively and I feared steaming them to Davao or Palau.
The problem as Q-Ball raised are those dratted Dutch SS! Formed an ASW TF of 5 DD and 2 PG at Kendari in an attempt to sweep the SS out of the hex. It won't happen because the ASW score of the TF is like -18 but at least it is worth a try.
The Philippines are interesting. We want to get to MANILA! If our force in the south can blast through Naga then we might have a chance to get there and take it. Doubt it with the Urban bonus but it is worth a try.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Never trust IJN damage control.......my ship crews use can openers to open the opposite side of the ship to let the water out.......or so it seems.
Naga can be a pain.......run bombardment's into the base to weaken the defenders.......2-3 CA's if you have them available. Anything to run up his disruption before you attack. He really should have defended north of Naga in that wooded hex. Once you attack, use a shock attack with everyone on pursue and keep shock attacking until he hits Manila.
Check those DD's......alot of IJN DD's at the start do not have depth charges. Use the APD's for ASW....they are rated an 8-10 each.
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