Hokushin-ron/Northern Road NJP72 vs TiemanJ

[njp72]

China- before I go the Soviets I want to completely crush the Chinese.

After a good start, Jeff has fought well and slowed me right down. I have no interest in slugging it out with the Chinese in rough terrain, so I am currently looking for an opening.

Down south is wide open though I doubt I have the combat power to fully take advantage of this- at least not in the short term.

Reasonably happy with progress but I need to achieve a decisive breakthrough in the next month. I think armour will be the key.

[njp72]

Stragglers-An issue that is slowing down progress in Burma, India and China is the sheer amount of cut off allied units that still retain a degree of combat power. They can't be fully ignored as they can still attack bases, weak support units and cut off supply/rail lines.

Probably one of the very few mistakes Jeff has made was the initial deployment of quite a few units to far forward in Burma. This has allowed me to cut off quite a few including the 1st Burma Div, but destroying all of these stragglers is very time consuming and occasional not easy.

I think the way Jeff is playing is a good example to many Allied players in early 42- no matter how dire the potential situation may be, don't panic and calmly look at hurting the Empire at every opportunity. All because you are cut off doesn't mean you are beaten [:)]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72



The naval blockade of Karachi is finally fully in place and sustainable.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72

China- before I go the Soviets I want to completely crush the Chinese.

...
I think armour will be the key.

+1

The last few AAR's, it seems that the allied player is defending well against an anticipated IJ attack from the Xian axis. It would appear that a feint to Xian and a main axis of advance North from Kweiyang would be the better choice these days.

The allied player cannot defend both well, so the IJ player cannot allow his axis of advance to be so well anticipated. As you note, defense in x3 terrain in depth can take a long time to crack, costs a lot of supply, and ties up too many units too long ... ie accomplishing all of the allied goals of the early war

Just an observation ....

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72



I think the way Jeff is playing is a good example to many Allied players in early 42- no matter how dire the potential situation may be, don't panic and calmly look at hurting the Empire at every opportunity. All because you are cut off doesn't mean you are beaten [:)]

+1


Very Nemo-esque ... [;)]

[njp72]

Thanks Pax for your excellent comments

28th Mar 42- crunch time is nearing in India [:)]

Every 8 to 10 days the Allies sortie minor naval forces to check if KB is still blockading Karachi. Sometimes I snare the odd DD. Last turn they came out in stronger numbers and the old KB nailed about 5 of them.

Quite a number of Allied SS are also chasing KB around but luckily for me, with limited success.

[njp72]

But it is on the ground that the critical month looms.

Bombay has about 50K of Allied troops surrounded by 8 IJA divisions. The Aussie 6th appears to be making a break for the north but I have strong forces cutting off its escape route.

I really don't want it to retreat back into Bombay because I want to avoid a lengthy siege. Killing the Australian division would be a bonus but the goal is to take Bombay in one piece and slaughter the service troops trapped in there.

I'm not after a hard or fair fight at all.[:D]

[njp72]

China- also quite fascinating.

Jeff has played well here and really delayed and held me up. Still the sheer weight of numbers and the firepower of the IJA is slowly starting to crack the front open.

I always prefer to manoeuvre when I can around his formations rather than slugging it out in good defensive terrain. There is a critical hex which I have identified (blue star) which should provide me with strong leverage to wedging open his defensive line. Well that is the plan[;)]

[njp72]

Burma- next to none Allied troops escaped here. The Allies deployed a little too far forward in the first couple of months and paid the price.

Will finish off the trapped inf div when I can spare the troops.

Only downside- Calcutta was trashed during the fighting.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72


Quite a number of Allied SS are also chasing KB around but luckily for me, with limited success.

I like CS in this role with the KB. Jakes on ASW have good range (4) teamed with 3 x 3xDD ASWTF's can do a good job of killing the allied subs at this point. Not only can you blockade Karachi, but you have a opportunity to kill off a significant portion (how ever many he would care to lose) of his early sub force.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72
I always prefer to manoeuvre when I can around his formations rather than slugging it out in good defensive terrain. There is a critical hex which I have identified (blue star) which should provide me with strong leverage to wedging open his defensive line. Well that is the plan[;)]

Agreed. Once you can get behind him and cut off his supply from CK, those units in x3 terrain become more 'maleable'. And more importantly, they are not in CK, so then when you kill them after you take CK they don't come back. You look to be in the CK valley before 4/42 ... you look good.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

China- before I go the Soviets I want to completely crush the Chinese.

...
I think armour will be the key.

+1

The last few AAR's, it seems that the allied player is defending well against an anticipated IJ attack from the Xian axis. It would appear that a feint to Xian and a main axis of advance North from Kweiyang would be the better choice these days.

The allied player cannot defend both well, so the IJ player cannot allow his axis of advance to be so well anticipated. As you note, defense in x3 terrain in depth can take a long time to crack, costs a lot of supply, and ties up too many units too long ... ie accomplishing all of the allied goals of the early war

Just an observation ....

The Southern route through Nanning and up is also a good secondary spot to hit once the majority of Chinese forces have been shifted and dug in to the North and East. After troops from Singers and the DEI are freed using them here can really speed things up and avoid big grinding campaigns in the centre.

[GetAssista]

Do guerilla attacks mess up with supply flow through the base? I'm not sure. They certainly mess up with stocks (as well as usual damage to base facilities and +1 vp each turn). Nanyang does not have a garrison and is on the main supply route for all the China push

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
And more importantly, they are not in CK, so then when you kill them after you take CK they don't come back.

Chengtu is the other spawn point except CK. Cutting off major Chinese formations then taking those cities then mop up everybody is what ideal China campaign would be

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72


Quite a number of Allied SS are also chasing KB around but luckily for me, with limited success.

I like CS in this role with the KB. Jakes on ASW have good range (4) teamed with 3 x 3xDD ASWTF's can do a good job of killing the allied subs at this point. Not only can you blockade Karachi, but you have a opportunity to kill off a significant portion (how ever many he would care to lose) of his early sub force.

Good Idea- I will implement

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

China- before I go the Soviets I want to completely crush the Chinese.

...
I think armour will be the key.

+1

The last few AAR's, it seems that the allied player is defending well against an anticipated IJ attack from the Xian axis. It would appear that a feint to Xian and a main axis of advance North from Kweiyang would be the better choice these days.

The allied player cannot defend both well, so the IJ player cannot allow his axis of advance to be so well anticipated. As you note, defense in x3 terrain in depth can take a long time to crack, costs a lot of supply, and ties up too many units too long ... ie accomplishing all of the allied goals of the early war

Just an observation ....

The Southern route through Nanning and up is also a good secondary spot to hit once the majority of Chinese forces have been shifted and dug in to the North and East. After troops from Singers and the DEI are freed using them here can really speed things up and avoid big grinding campaigns in the centre.

Yep makes sense. I have started to shift troops now from the north to threaten the south. Really want to crack him open in the next month.

[njp72]

Apr 42- Dawn of the critical battle of the game has arrived [:)]

5 IJA inf divs are now besieging Bombay and are just waiting for additional reinforcements before they commence their assault.

6th Aussie, 18th British and quite a few of their Indian friends, are attempting a major breakout from North. Blocking them are 2 IJA divs and a couple of inf regts, KB flying ground support missions and daily bombardment runs with a mixture of heavy and light naval units. This is a dangerous battle and more than just a breakout. If the Allies gain the ascendancy and capture the position, the 2 IJA divisions would be cut off and their life expectancy short.

It will be fascinating to see whether Jeff cuts his losses here or goes all in.

[njp72]

The starting line ups for the Bombay battle [:D]

2 more IJA inf divs will arrive in the next 4 days.

I am thinking that should be enough despite the forts and the urban terrain- thoughts from my ablest advisers?????[:)]


Ground combat at Bombay (36,24)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1002 troops, 52 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1695

Defending force 38426 troops, 344 guns, 543 vehicles, Assault Value = 783

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment
54th Division
21st Division
4th Division
56th Recon Regiment
6th Guards Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Indian Division
255th Armoured Brigade
19th Indian Division
Bombay Fortress
3rd Hyderabad Base Force
1st Bengal Construction Battalion
AHQ India
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Bombay Construction Battalion
225 RAF Base Force
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Cochin Base Force
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Indian Light AA Regiment
1st South India Base Force
1st West Coast Base Force
Southern Command
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
221 RAF Base Force

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72


Quite a number of Allied SS are also chasing KB around but luckily for me, with limited success.

I like CS in this role with the KB. Jakes on ASW have good range (4) teamed with 3 x 3xDD ASWTF's can do a good job of killing the allied subs at this point. Not only can you blockade Karachi, but you have a opportunity to kill off a significant portion (how ever many he would care to lose) of his early sub force.

Good Idea- I will implement

you need 2xCS ... one on day and one on night ASW/NS

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72




Ground combat at Bombay (36,24)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1002 troops, 52 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1695

Defending force 38426 troops, 344 guns, 543 vehicles, Assault Value = 783

Don't do any more ground bombardments. All it does for me is increase the EXP of the defenders. Based upon what can be seen, you should be able to grind through. A Naval Bombardment at the right time with a Shock attack can end things quickly ... the right time though is a tough call to make ...

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72




Ground combat at Bombay (36,24)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1002 troops, 52 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1695

Defending force 38426 troops, 344 guns, 543 vehicles, Assault Value = 783

Don't do any more ground bombardments. All it does for me is increase the EXP of the defenders. Based upon what can be seen, you should be able to grind through. A Naval Bombardment at the right time with a Shock attack can end things quickly ... the right time though is a tough call to make ...

Thanks Pax, the first assault will go in over the next 2 days.

A win here shatters the Allies pretty hard at least for the next 2 months until reinforcements come in from Karachi.

From a logistics perspective (fuel), maintaining the blockade is pretty tough.