Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut (A)

[Anachro]

Not to mention you having a BB instead of a BC slows your TF down a bit I think, which also increases risk of torps/damage. I think.

[rustysi]

however this is a stock Scen 2 game, so if it's 18, then 18 it is

Just an FYI Scen 2 is a beefed up scenario for Japan. Don't know what all has changed, but I'm aware it has.

[rustysi]

Tenryu and Tatsuta were WWI designs - small, under gunned and under-armoured

That may be, but early on they'll have the opportunity to convert to CLAA's.

[AcePylut]

Here's what he gets (18 CA's) and there are none available to build the rest of the war. Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead Cap'n!

[AcePylut]

So in the last turn (not the turn we've been talking about) not much happened...

My PT's at Manila finally struck and sunk a Jap DD. The lone IJ CL by Christmas Island sank one of my AVP's. Another AVP was sunk at Baker Island by a sub.

About 30 Dutch bombers sortied out of Koepang and attacked the Japanese fleet in discussion the previous few posts.

Changsa was deliberate attacked -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47885 troops, 554 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1629

Defending force 56179 troops, 313 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1606

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 864

Allied adjusted defense: 3159

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
6464 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 232 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled

Allied ground losses:
608 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Division
13th Division
39th Division
40th Division
22nd AA Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Road Const Co

Defending units:
72nd Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
6th War Area
9th War Area
27th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force


And this turn, movement dots show on the Japanese moving out of Changsa. i'm moving another 300-500 AV into the hex, and am withdrawing around 200-300 that will move a hex back and rest to restore disablements.


As noted, in the next turn, I'm sending in Force Z.

[rustysi]

About 30 Dutch bombers sortied out of Koepang and attacked the Japanese fleet in discussion the previous few posts.

And? Dude, don't leave us hangin'.[:D]

Changsa was deliberate attacked -

Yeah, Changsha can be a tough nut for Japan to crack early on, but if he does it kinda takes away your central position.

[AcePylut]

I'm waiting to get the turn back then I'll see what happened. Probably a tactical disaster for me, but it all adds up.

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

About 30 Dutch bombers sortied out of Koepang and attacked the Japanese fleet in discussion the previous few posts.

And? Dude, don't leave us hangin'.[:D]

Changsa was deliberate attacked -

Yeah, Changsha can be a tough nut for Japan to crack early on, but if he does it kinda takes away your central position.

This is the recap of the turn that led to question of "attacking the Japs with the Brit surface fleet"... I had to short order travel for work and just got the "Send in the Brits" turn sent out last night. I'll keep you posted!

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

Here's what he gets (18 CA's) and there are none available to build the rest of the war. Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead Cap'n!

Yep, those are the historical CAs.

[rustysi]

Yep, those are the historical CAs.

Yeah, I was wondering if he gets anything else in scenario 2. I guess I should look when I get home.

[AcePylut]

He had no other CA's available in the future.

Just got the turn, the email said:

"Ouch!

Enjoy the turn."

Ouch for me, or ouch for him? About to find out.

[AcePylut]

In a very long battle, I lost the 4 Dutch CL's and did light damage to 4 CA's and heavy damage to 2 DD's. I also lost 1 DD. POW has 14 sys damage, but out of 14" and must retire.

Tactically a defeat,... operationally I hope it slows the expansion, if so then it's a victory... strategically he got the VP.

[AcePylut]

To recap the last days events...

Not a whole lot happened around the world on this day, the Japanese CL harassing Christmas Isle S of PH ran into an AV and 2 AVDs. The AV is heavily damaged, but was able to port, the 2 avd's are fine, the Jap CL took 3 minimal shells. A US 2 CA 2 CL sctf is inbound...

Earlier I had said about the action in the DEI: "I figure when all is said and done, I’ll lose the Brit BC, 2 CL, and maybe 3-4 DD’s"
Sidate

In the DEI, my intercept at Sidate, 1 hex sw of Manado worked. We clashed in the first night phase, neither side had a 'cross the t' advantage.

I had the Prince of Wales, 4 CL and the aforementioned 10DD. The IJ brought the CA'S Tone, Myoko, Haguro, and Nachi. They were escorted by 6 DD. It was a very long battle, where my CL's and DD's constantly threw themselves in front of what ever was attacking the PoW. Naturally, they soaked up the brunt of the CA's and DD's. All 4 of my CL's sank, and 1 DD was lost.... it looked a lot worse during the replay though, I thought I had lost 5-6 DD's with a heavily damaged PoW...

So my small boats soaked up the full force of the IJ fleet, opening the door for the PoW to come in unopposed with her 14" guns. Sadly, the gunnery control on the PoW was terrible, and only a few shots of hers landed. They were spread across the IJ fleet, and only 1 IJ DD will probably sink. Had the PoW been up to task, 1 maybe 2 of his CA's sink.

As it was, when I opened the game turn, the PoW only had 14 sys, 2 Eng damage and could make 26 knots. As the PoW is out of ammo, she will retire. My DD's, I had thought I lost more, but I only lost 1 DD and there was mere light damage to the rest of my DD's. They should be able to escape also.

All in all, I lost 4 CL and 1 DD to one IJ DD.... none of my ships are in danger barring any full speed jaunt by the KB...

It looked a lot worse in the combat than it turned out. But sill...

This I hope will ensure that Chickenboy makes sure his invasion fleets are covered adequately, but also tells him that 4 CA's can overcome "anything" I throw at it, and he can spread out his heavies to cover an extra invasion fleet...

[rustysi]

He'll probably also realize the PoW is out of action for lack of ammo and will be no threat for some time.

[AcePylut]

There may be a chance that he believes the POW is sunk. It did take “a lot of damage” on the combat replay, and completely disappeared from his screen right after that battle (none of his day search detected the big ship). But you’re right, at the very least he should know that it’s going to re-arm… but he doesn’t have eyes and ears on the Repulse. I’ll keep the wagon “in situ” for a while (mainly because she’s down by Melbourne at the moment haha)

In the last turn – not much of note happened. Changsa’s IJ bombardment showed that 1 of the 4 Japanese Inf Divisions has left the hex. I’ll keep an eye posted to see if this initial thrust was a feint to draw my troops away from elsewhere (Sian region perhaps)? Good thing is that with IaChang in my hands, I have those units which can go either towards Sian or towards Changsa. I don’t have a lot of troops west of Changsa, and will have to remedy that.

The BB’s Yamashiro and Mutsu showed up to bombard Port Moresby.

Hong Kong underwent another deliberate attack and again, holds. These guys are going great!

Clark Airfield in the PI fell, and I’m making my stand at Manila. Manila is at level 3 forts.

[rustysi]

Clark Airfield in the PI fell

That's gonna hurt. Best defensive terrain and large airfield now in Japan's hands.

[AcePylut]

Dec 25th, 1941. Merry Christmas to my beleaguered garrison in Hong Kong. I hope you enjoyed your respite from the evil Japanese this day…. for even though your demise is imminent, continue fighting hard!

Another day of “not much going on” other than the usual bomber training missions in China. I’ve been using 2 AVG Groups to play cat-an-mouse and pick up some KIA’s here and there. I now have 500AV in Canton, a heavy urban hex. It should hold out a while, as the only reinforcements I see for the IJ is currently besieging Hong Kong.

Both of my Dutch KNIL Aviation Regiments are in OZ. One is marching to Brisbane, the other is going to Charters Towers. In 2 days, the RNAF Eastern Fleet will arrive in OZ with mucho mucho naval support... and I'll probably locate her to Brisbane. A smattering of Brit and Indian units are trickling into Oz. Now, all I need are airplanes, and about 10 groups are inbound on transports. They should arrive around 2 weeks from now.

A supply tf to Johnston Island encountered a Japanese sub. My 2 DD’s drive it under the ocean but didn’t sink it, and it didn’t sink anything of mine. This makes clear a pattern in how CB is using his subs, early war. Typically, my opponents put their subs in the convoy lanes, hoping to strike units far out to sea. CB is putting his subs in my base hexes. He knows when I have ships show up at bases and has gotten a couple of free xAK’s here and there but he hasn’t been able to touch any of my covered convoys. I wonder how long this strategy will be used. As a result of CB’s use of subs, I’ve put together a couple of hunter-killer DD groups and are making rounds on the “more obvious” islands in my empire.

I have a number of subs approaching Townsville. They will refuel and head into the Solomon Sea region, looking for targets heading to PM.

[rustysi]

I now have 500AV in Canton, a heavy urban hex

Good, just don't get cocky and attack him,[:D] make him push you out.

I wonder how long this strategy will be used.

About as long as you let him get away with it. Once you start damaging/sinking his subs I suspect it'll stop.[:D]

[AcePylut]

Dec 26th 1942:

In Hardcopy - -I hope this shows up as I downsized the troops a little... if not, I'll know for next time.

Nanyang has 6 Japanese full strength divisions.

Changsa has 3, and 1 just left 2 turns ago on it's way easterly.

Canton has 1 division + change. HK had 1 div and change.

[AcePylut]

Meh, doesn't really show up, I downsized too much.

To round up China,

Changsa: IJ has three divisions and a few arty units. I can rotate corps in and out as needed, he will have to do something else to win Changsa, as the one-line-frontal assault won't work.

Nanyang: The following IJ units are here: 36th, 63rd, 110th, 35th, 37th, and 26th Division.
--- that's 6 divisions of troops. Also - the 1st Ind.Mixed Brigade, 15th Tank Regiment, 7th Ind.Mixed Brigade, and 6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment


Hong Kong fell to a Shock Attack.