Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 1/28/42

Eastern USA: The second Eastern US to Australia off-map convoy (Convoy EX-2) is departing the Eastern US this game turn for Australia via Capetown.

Convoy EX-2 consists of 16 ships, including 14 AK/xAK, one AP, plus AS Sperry. EX-2 was formed as a “fast” convoy with all ships in the convoy rated at 16 kts speed or higher.

Cargo being transported aboard convoy EX-2 includes 1016 fuel, 55200 supply and ten LCU’s. Ground units embarked on the convoy include 1/102 Infantry Bn, 193 & 754 Tank Bns, 198 FA Bn, 57 Coast Artillery Rgt, 70 Coast AA Rgt, 1/198 Coast AA Bn, 43 & 46 Construction Rgts, 136 USA Base Force.

A “slow” convoy (convoy EX-3) is scheduled to be formed in the Eastern USA from ships already in port plus other transport ships now enroute to the Eastern USA from Capetown and Panama.

47 transport ships are currently in port at the Eastern US base (these exclude the 16 in convoy EX-2) with an additional 187 transports now enroute to the Eastern US via off-map routes. Most of the transport ships bound for the Eastern US have been sent from Capetown – these ships including nearly all US transports located in Australia, NZ and India on 12/8/41, most large Australian transport ships, a small number of British transports, also larger Allied transport ships successfully evacuated to Capetown via Perth from the DEI, Singapore, and Philippines.


Canton Is: KB remains stationary off Canton Is. Jap carriers (now identified as including Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku) launched two fighter sweeps against Canton plus a ground attack air strike. A separate Japanese TF has now been detected NW of Gardner Is, composition of the TF and its movement heading unknown. My estimate is this TF is most likely an amphibious force heading for Canton Is.

Two undetected US carrier task groups (CV Enterprise and Lexington) plus replenishment ships are on location 2-3 days’ sailing from Canton Is. I have no immediate plans to send them into Canton, but if Pillager moves the KB away from Canton and leaves me an opening to attack an invasion force with US carriers without undue risk, the opportunity will be taken under consideration. I’ve had these two carriers stationed at and near Penhryn Is for several weeks just for this contingency. I may or may not use CV Enterprise and Lexington at Canton, but if an opening to use them occurs, they’re at least in position and available for action.

Current situation map follows. AAR’s of today’s Jap carrier air activity over Canton are almost identical to what occurred on 1/27 and have been omitted from this report.



Ed Note: In our last CHS match, Pillager captured Canton Is on 1/5/42. He’s at least 23 days behind his CHS schedule in AE. May or may not mean anything…


Marianas: US sub Saury torpedoes a Jap ammunition transport (AKE) due east of Guam. The ships shown in the AAR below are part of a spotted Jap TF with four ships, the other two detected ships in the TF include one AP and one AV. The Jap TF is reported moving on a SE heading. Perhaps we torpedoed part of the replenishment force for the KB now playing off Canton.

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Sub attack near Saipan at 115,95

Japanese Ships
AKE Tatuha Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Kosin Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Saury

SS Saury launches 4 torpedoes at AKE Tatuha Maru

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New Guinea: Japanese amphibious landing reported underway at Aitape.


DEI: Scattered light Jap air bombing strikes at several locations, including Palembang and Bandjermasin. No significant damage or Allied casualties reported.

Elements of Dutch level bomber squadrons remaining in Bandjermasin with damaged planes (15-20 planes total) were disbanded to save pilots of these planes that were stranded in Bandjermasin ahead of a Japanese capture of this base. The current situation at Bandjermasin longer supports recovery of damaged planes for evacuation to bases on Java.


Philippines: Six US S-class submarines replenished and are now departing from Luzon southward to the DEI.


Malaya: AAR’s for 1/28 indicate Japanese minesweeping operations underway in Singapore base hex. Jap CVL task force previously operating in the Java Sea is now detected in Singapore base.


China: Japanese capture Kukong unopposed. Chinese ground forces had previously evacuated Kukong 4-5 days earlier and are withdrawing to the NW (towards Hengyang) after road communication into Kukong from the north and south were cut by advancing Japanese forces on both flanks. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Kukong (79,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1471 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 47
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 47 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kukong !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

[johnjohn]

To wneumann and Alfred,

I am a NOOB to AE and presently engaged in the same struggle against AI (Senario 6). I am at Jan 7 and am experiencing the same challenges, having lost Tulagi, Rabaul, and Canton Is. I have held Singapore (for now), am evacuating the chinese to defensible positions, and just released all the p-40s in PI to engage (they were set to training--don't know why). Held Wake with two SAGs, and week long patrol of all three carriers. KB went elsewhere. Have reinforced Wake, have enemy bottled up on island, have 5K supply and 1K fuel in place, 18 Buffs, (took VMF 221 off and relocating it to Suva) with one patrol sqd of cats on Wake. Found out about moving Patrol cats from US West coast to theater from your comments, now doing that.

None of the above matters to this post. Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your posts and how much I am learning from them. I at first was overwhelmed with the detail of AE. But now it is falling into place. I look forward to your future experience. And maybe I will avoid a disaster from what you both are sharing. Glad to be a new part of this experience. Will just observe in future. Thanks.

[Alfred]

johnjohn,

I can't speak about my own contribution but wneumann clearly goes to a lot of trouble to set out in a clear and logical manner issues which crop up. As a tutorial exercise for new players to AE, IMHO it is one of the best around. It is just a pity that after all the effort which is expended, based on the number of posts from third parties, this AAR is not as popular as other, not as well organised AARs.

You should certainly not hesitate to post on the main/war thread forum asking for advice. You will quickly get replies from experienced players who maybe do not regularly read this AAR.

Alfred

[johnjohn]

Thx. I have read a number of threads, and played WiTP for 18years, so I am not a NOOB to pacific strategy. The technical aspects of the game are daunting. But this thread helps alot. I am sure others do as well. Plus, the impact of assistance from experienced players is obvious. Thanks for the encouragement!

[wneumann]

johnjohn,

Welcome. As you've seen, playing Allies in the early war period of AE (or WitP) isn't exactly the most exciting experience in wargaming. This is my second PBEM as the Allies against Pillager, our first match in WitP ended in early 1944 before we took a short break, then switched to AE and started over again. I've played him since 2005 and have yet to sink a single Japanese carrier. On the other side of the ledger... Pillager's yet to sink a US one. That will end in due time. Hopefully I'll get one of his first.

Early war for the Allies is often frustrating. You're on the defensive with not a lot of resources you can effectively defend anything with. Not that what the Allies have isn't any good... your forces are perfectly good, it's just that in the early war you don't have enough of them and too many places you need to have them. There are things you can do. There are things you can't do. And things you don't want to do.

What you can do... Putting it in one word, patience. Many of most important actions to be taken by an Allied player in 1941 and 42 often occur far behind the front lines. To name a few...

(1) Pilot training. Until you train your pilots, they're cannon fodder, along with the planes they're flying in. The more training your pilots have, the more likely it is that your front line air units are going to perform whatever you have them set to do later on. And you'll accumulate planes in the replacement pools while your pilots are training.

(2) Eventually the Allies will be able to take the offensive. Planning for that begins now. Granted, there's no way an Allied player can work out all the details in 1941-42 for what will happen in 1943-45, but the early game is where you start working some of the basic stuff out. In order to take the offensive, you have to build up and prepare. That build up is going to take place somewhere. An Allied build up will require one or more key rear-area base(s) to act as central location(s). Now is the time to pick and choose the most likely central location(s) that will be used later. These bases themselves need to be built up - supply, fuel, command structure (HQ's), engineers for construction to build ports and airfields at these bases to their optimum capacity, etc. Haven't even mentioned the troops and planes. That's only the start of the process. A build up for 1943-45 starts in the rear and creeps forward. During the early war, what you're doing in Sydney is every bit as important as what's going on in Singapore, not to mention Waikiki as compared to Wake Is.

(2a) Set up the infrastructure... Along with the base(s) you select and establish as central locations around which you develop future offensives, there are routes of communication to those central locations, bases to support and cover those routes of communication. You need to collect transport shipping to move supply, fuel, planes, LCU where those ships are needed. And the forces to cover and protect the transport ships. Plus developing the "organization" under which all this is going to work.

(3) Establish a presence. The Allied player isn't going to stop a determined Japanese advance in 1941-42, no matter what or how much you send in to stop them. So much for reinforcing the front lines... You had your the US carriers out on patrol, perfectly good. It's good the KB went elsewhere, you don't want to be taking on the KB. What you do want to be is a deterrent, forcing your opponent (be it AI or human player) to use the KB as an escort or cover for every major Japanese operation. And when your Japanese opponent fails to cover their operations is when you send in Allied forces to punish the mistake - making sure, of course, your Jap opponent isn't setting up a trap. As stated before, you can't stop the Japanese advance but you can clog it up at a few locations and for a little while with the same Allied forces that you're going to lose anyway. An Allied player can be a pain in the ____ for his Japanese opponent. You have until 1945 (or 46) to win the war, lots of time to do that.

(4) Scorched earth. All those nice oil wells in the DEI ripe for the picking by your Japanese opponent... the Allied player can take measures to ensure the Japanese capture them in less than "pristine" condition. Deploying your engineers to blow them up when the Japanese arrive. Bombing said oil facilities with "useless" Dutch level bombers after the Japanese capture them. Do as much damage as you can, the more the better. In order for your Japanese opponent to have all the oil, he will have to fix the damage.

(5) Save whatever you can that may be useful to you later. Especially true in the DEI, Philippines and Malaya. What ships, planes, LCU's starting the game in these locations could be useful? Can you get them out? Are you allowed to get them out (i.e. they are static or in a restricted command)? If there is something you can use later and it's possible to get it out, then do so. Some of it you will get out. It won't be a lot and not everything you send out will make it.


What you can't do... Stop the Japanese in their tracks (at least in 1941-42).

Your Japanese opponent can only advance so far without overextending his forces or (worse yet) making an error the Allies can exploit (providing you conserved and have the forces to exploit said error).

As for how far the Japanese can advance in AE, probably farther than historical. Both you and a human Japanese opponent possess 20-20 hindsight, you both read the books, you both saw the movies. Guadalcanal and Midway probably aren't going to happen at Guadalcanal and Midway, they probably will happen somewhere else. One of your tasks as the Allied player is figuring out when and where the turning point occurs, there will be one and you will see it when it happens. Let the game come to you.


What you don't want to do... Get impatient. The more that an Allied player gets impatient in 1941-42, the more likely the Allies will make costly mistake(s), the more Allied ships, planes, etc that will be lost in the process of making those mistakes. And the end result of those mistakes will delay the start of the Allied offensive in 1943-45 and will reduce the forces an Allied player has to conduct said offensive.

Three US fleet carriers vs the KB (six carriers) in 1/42 is a mismatch. You probably lose three carriers, your Japanese opponent (human or AI) probably loses none, maybe one or two if you're very lucky and if you are lucky you won't know that for a long time. This is where patience comes in... Look at your reinforcements. The Allied player gets 20 (give or take a few) US fleet carriers, your Japanese opponent gets two or three. The numbers speak for themselves. But in order for an Allied player to have the numbers work in his favor, the Allied player has to be patient and conservative enough for those numbers to happen. Those 20 carriers don't appear overnight.

There are things an Allied player can do in 1941-42, just be a little careful out there.


A closing point... The early war in the Pacific (1941-42) has much in common with the war in Russia that went on during the same time period. In both cases, the Axis opponent (German or Japanese) launched an offensive against relatively unprepared Allied forces, brushed aside what Allied forces where in their path and gained a considerable amount of ground early. In both cases, the Axis wore down and ground to a halt, were eventually stopped and then driven back. Wearing Stalin's "hat" can be potentially as useful to an Allied player in AE as wearing FDR's. Paint the picture with a broad brush. AE is a game based on history but not completely historical, it's as historical (or otherwise) as players make it. You're not required to follow history, nor is your Japanese opponent. Just try not to play the system and become "gamey".

And finally... The AI is a training tool, remember that. Human opponents are a considerably different experience. Look at the AAR threads in the forum. These will provide insight into what Allied players are doing vs human opponents and also what human Japanese players are doing.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 1/29/42

Japanese Home Islands: SS Plunger reporting contact with Jap transport off the entrance to Kobe and Osaka. AAR follows.

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Submarine attack near Wakayama at 108,62 (SW of Kobe)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kogyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

xAK Kogyo Maru is sighted by SS Plunger
SS Plunger launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kogyo Maru

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Canton Is: No reported detection, sighting or contact with KB or other Japanese TF’s around Canton Is.


New Guinea: Japanese landing force captures Aitape. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Aitape (95,118)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 15
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aitape !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

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Port Moresby: Jap LBA bombers (10 G3M Nell) launch ground attack air strike on Allied LCU in Port Moresby. Seven Jap bombers hit by flak, no Allied LCU casualties reported.


DEI: Dutch patrol planes (Do-24’s and PBY) continue air troop transport missions to bring elements of Dutch combat LCU’s from outlying bases into Palembang and Soerabaja.

The Allied garrison defending Palembang now has a 187 assault strength level plus 43 engineer squads. Nearly all available Dutch LCU’s in eastern Sumatra, SW Borneo and the surrounding islands containing significant combat and/or engineer elements have been air transported into Palembang. Fortifications in Palembang are now built up to level 3. It won’t stop Pillager in the end, but it could prove to be at least a small delay for the Japanese if the Allied defense of Palembang proves to be stronger than what Pillager is expecting to find there.

A similar process is underway at Soerabaja with Dutch patrol planes flying air transport to collect Dutch combat and engineer LCU elements from outlying bases to the east of Java. Current Allied ground forces holding Soerabaja have a 471 assault strength including 173 guns and 86 combat vehicles. Engineer strength in Soerabaja is now at 73 squads. Soerabaja now has fortifications built to level 3.

At this point I would consider success in the DEI is creating one or two difficult situations for Pillager as the Japanese complete their conquest, plus performing significant demolition of oil production and other facilities in Palembang and Soerabaja with engineer elements now in these locations. Construction of additional fortifications in Palembang, Soerabaja, and Batavia will continue right up until a Japanese attack.


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues.


Malaya: AAR’s for 1/29 indicate continued Japanese minesweeping operations in Singapore base hex.


China: Japanese launch multiple ground attacks westward from Changsha, capture Siangtan and adjacent hex. AAR’s and situation map follow.

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Ground combat at Siangtan (81,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 35736 troops, 442 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1138
Defending force 29624 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 738
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 796
Allied adjusted defense: 179
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Siangtan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2588 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 111 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4976 casualties reported
Squads: 291 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 525 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 53 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division
3rd Division
40th Division
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
74th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
19th Group Army
9th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at 81,51 (N of Siangtan)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10562 troops, 132 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 301
Defending force 8140 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 267
Japanese adjusted assault: 398
Allied adjusted defense: 73
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3602 casualties reported
Squads: 131 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 168 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
73rd Chinese Corps

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 1/30/42

Japanese Home Islands: SS Tambor in night engagement with Jap transport ESE of Okinawa. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 102,68

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 6 torpedoes at xAP Yoshino Maru
Tambor diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

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Central Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine detected due W of Johnston Is. The Jap sub’s hex location corresponds with a Sigint report entry for 1/30 indicating radio transmissions intercepted from the same hex.


Canton Is: Japanese landing and capture of Canton Is. AAR’s follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Canton Island
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force (multiple shore bombardments of Canton from this Jap TF, this AAR iincludes only the initial bombarment attack)

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta (appeared to have minor damage, damage to this ship could have not occurred at Canton)
CL Tenryu
DD Yunagi
DD Mutsuki
PB Nagata Maru
PB Heijo Maru
PB Choan Maru #2
PB Chitose Maru
AMC Kongo Maru

CL Tatsuta firing at Canton USN CPNAB
CL Tenryu firing at Canton USN CPNAB
DD Yunagi firing at Canton USN CPNAB
DD Mutsuki firing at Canton USN CPNAB
PB Nagata Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Heijo Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Choan Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
PB Chitose Maru fired at enemy troops

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Amphibious Assault at Canton Island

TF 288 troops unloading over beach at Canton Island, 153,143
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 52nd Nav Gd

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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2754 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Defending force 252 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 63
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 63 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units: (Yokosuka 1 & 3 SNLF’s brought in from Takao)
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
52nd Nav Gd /2

Defending units:
Canton USN CPNAB

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Location of KB task forces unknown, no sighting or detection reported. US carrier task groups (CV Enterprise and Lexington) still too far from Canton to launch a timely attack on the Jap amphibious TF. In any event, given the current situation on Canton and the KB’s current whereabouts unknown, a move by US carriers against Jap ships now at Canton Is would not be prudent, the reward simply not worth the risk.

The two US CV’s and their escorts have been at sea patrolling the areas near Canton and Pago Pago since mid 12/41 along with several replenishment TF’s. A number of ships in both carrier TF’s have minor system damage and now due tor repair. Orders to return to base have now been issued for the carrier task groups. The replenishment TF’s have been dispatched to nearby friendly bases to unload fuel cargo into base stockpiles, then return to either Hawaii or the US West Coast.


South Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine detected between Suva and Pago Pago. No Allied shipping in the immediate area of this contact. Location of the Jap sub corresponds with a Sigint report entry for 1/30 indicating radio transmissions intercepted from the same hex location.


Port Moresby: Jap LBA bombers (11 G3M Nell) once again launch a ground attack air strike on Allied LCU in Port Moresby. Four Jap bombers hit by flak, no Allied LCU casualties reported.

Current status of Port Moresby base – runway damage 14, airfield service damage 55, no port damage, 5500 supply on hand.


Australia: Jap LBA bombers attack Darwin airfield. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14

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DEI: Japanese landing at Ambon underway. Two Jap transports in the landing TF were hit by Dutch CD gun fire. AAR’s follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Ambon
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Seian Maru, Shell hits 3
PC Sumire
PC Kaki
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PB Seikai Maru
PB Saiko Maru
xAK Taihei Maru
AV Kunikawa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Amphibious Assault at Ambon

TF 295 troops unloading over beach at Ambon, 76,109

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt

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Invasion Support action off Ambon
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Imizu Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AV Kunikawa Maru
PC Kaki
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PC Sumire
PB Seikai Maru
PB Saiko Maru
xAK Taihei Maru

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Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 456 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69
Defending force 3761 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
146th Infantry Rgt /5

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Several Jap LBA airfield strike attacks occurred against Palembang. Moderate damage reported. No land-based Allied planes are based in Palembang, though a number of Dutch patrol planes (Do-24, PBY) are flying from Palembang on transport missions bringing Dutch LCU elements from outlying bases into Palembang. Jap airfield strikes are not impacting air transport operations into Palembang by Dutch planes.


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues.

Construction of fortifications halted on Bataan to conserve remaining supply point stocks. Fortifications on Bataan now built to level 4. Supply point stocks on hand in Bataan are at 34K.


Malaya: AAR’s for 1/30 indicate ongoing Jap minesweeping operations in Singapore base hex.

Also a detected status on the Jap occupied base in Singapore – heavy industry 2(34), light industry 2(39), repair shipyard 2(49), 136 Jap aircraft (45 fighters, 30 bombers), 54 Jap LCU’s, 56 ships in port plus a 10-ship TF (believed to be the CVL TF previously operating in the Java Sea). If correct, this status is showing the British engineer elements in Singapore properly completed their demolitions before surrendering.


Burma: Detected status of Rangoon base shows the Japanese captured it largely intact – refinery 201(0), light industry 41(0), resources 21(0), I had no British engineers in Rangoon to blow up things when the Japs arrived.


China: Japanese capture Nanyang unopposed. Chinese forces defending Nanyang withdrew to the NW to evade Japanese attempts to encircle them. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5851 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2392
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 204
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 204 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
20th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division
27th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
16th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
36th Division
32nd Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

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[johnjohn]

Thx for the good advice. Like I said earlier, I am new to this version and its detail, but not to Pacific war strategy. I agree, being gamey is no way to play this game (or any other). I did not know about withdrawing the engineers and troops in DEI to put the hurt on oil production. Too late for me now, they are running for their lives in the jungle. Did pay attention to combining parts with parents, so some LCUs are in better shape than otherwise. As you said, the AI is for learning, and that is exactly what I am trying to do. Since logistics is at the heart of survival, most, if not all, the AK, AO, Tankers, AKLs, AVs, APs and so on have been collected, most at SF and Columbo where they are committed to the auto convoy feature.

I am importing supplies like crazy, especially for the indian theater. I have withdrawn most bombers to Darwin with some logistical ships, but those both will move on. Darwin is too exposed. The PI subs are basing out of Perth, while Midway will get the Pacific Fleet subs, but not until 43. Again, too exposed. Wake remains mine, but we both have troops on the island. I have three times what the enemy has, but I am not able to dislodge them--yet. I am running a cruiser SAG patrol around the island and likely will send Yorktown out there to get some Exp for her air group.

I was totally surprised by the raid on Canton Is. Now I have patrols (air and SAG) in area and have sunk all enemy supply ships. Enterprise and Lex are moving that way next, but I am trying to beef up Nuomea before the IJs go there. May move Big E and Lady that way to dissuade all but a determined effort. Sara took a torp off wake and is laid up for three months at Pearl. Am still trying to get the damaged BBs to the west coast, but have not figured out how. They just remain in damaged readiness statis and will not allow formation of TF. Am repairing the DDs and ACR as quickly as possible. Have Sara's air group training at EWA while Sara is in Shipyard. Am training everything I can outside of active areas.

KB went to DEI and shot up most of the Dutch fleet. The Brits did yoman's work (Esp a RAdm Reed who took out several cruisers and tin cans while losing only one CL) Remnant on the way to Trincomolee. Force Z got bombed and POW damaged while in Java Sea. Force Z, augmented by Houston, nearing Columbo. POW on way to South Africa for repairs.

So far the enemy is proving aggressive in China and I have most of the Chinese forces pulling back to defensible positions. I am holding, if it can be called that, in the PI. But that is a forgone conclusion--just trying to slow them down.

I am withdrawing most of the Burma force near Rangoon, but not those in Rangoon. So far the Enemy is not moving in that direction. I am holding the Malay Pennisula about 120 miles north of Singapore. Singapore has received LCU reinforcement. I am hoping to hold out for quite a while.

Presently I am withdrawing as much oil resource as I can from Java. I am also yanking the supply line and hauling as much as I can to Darwin. I am going to fly as much of that as I can to rear areas in Australia, in range to fly it back when needed.

The Solomons look like a goner and I have written them off. I am going to try and hold at Ndeni, but realistically that is not possible. The one thing I will not do is risk the carriers. I have four, Hornet will arrive in a few months and Wasp after that. Then I can think of a determined defense. In the meanwhile, I am compiling what I can for the day when I can take to the enemy, probably in late 43, early 44.

I am also utilizing a strategy to jump on unsuspecting enemy TFs trying to take the undefended islands and attolls around Canton Is. If the KB comes back, I am going to run. What else can one do? I have reinforced Johnson Is, and have mines laid at Johnson, Palmyra, Christmas, Pago-Pago, and Suva.

One question before I go dark again, how do I move MacArthur to SWPAC? Sure don't want to lose him in PI.

Thanks for your guidance and advice. I look forward to how well you make Pillager's day.

[Blackhorse]

One question before I go dark again, how do I move MacArthur to SWPAC? Sure don't want to lose him in PI.

johnjohn,

You don't have to. Mac is a special case. Even if you don't evacuate Mac, he will still pop up again as commander of SWPAC when it arrives in April, 1942.

For other commanders, just pay the PP cost to replace them. They will go into the unassigned leader pool, and you can then assign them (again, paying PP) to command any unit for which they are eligible.

[johnjohn]

Thx Blackhorse. Good to know.

[wneumann]

... most, if not all, the AK, AO, Tankers, AKLs, AVs, APs and so on have been collected, most at SF and Columbo where they are committed to the auto convoy feature.

The auto convoy feature is something you're not likely to use extensively if used at all against a human Japanese player. Another point being... you want to have hands-on control over your logistics chain. Controlling where you want to send supply, fuel, LCU's, etc and the specific cargoes going to each location, prioritizing which bases and theatre areas you want to build up first, when you want these transports to run, not to mention where you don't want your transports to be going and what you don't want or need aboard them. Auto convoy isn't going to let you have the control. Logistics and transport need to be centered around your plans and strategy, especially over the long term. Auto convoy isn't going to know what you want to do, it just does it's thing.

Wake remains mine, but we both have troops on the island. I have three times what the enemy has, but I am not able to dislodge them--yet. I am running a cruiser SAG patrol around the island and likely will send Yorktown out there to get some Exp for her air group.

Any defense of Wake is suicidal, definately so against a human opponent.

I was totally surprised by the raid on Canton Is.

No surprise. I just lost Canton Is in this game, see last game turn. I lost it last time against Pillager too.

Am still trying to get the damaged BBs to the west coast, but have not figured out how. They just remain in damaged readiness statis and will not allow formation of TF.

It'is a good idea if properly planned and done. You will need to have the BB's out of any repair status in order to include them in a TF. In this game, I've already removed four BB's from Pearl and got them safely to the US West Coast. Some guidelines on doing this...

(1) Wait. Let the KB go home from the Pearl Harbor strike and the Jap submarines around Hawaii to scatter. No need to rush, the BB's aren't going to repair quickly and there's little or nothing (that isn''t suicidal) for you to do with the BB's in the meantime.

(2) While you're waiting, start initial repairs on the BB's to the point where they have at least 10 kts of speed and their damage level is at a point where having them sink while enroute to the US is not a significant concern. Making light to moderately damaged BB's your best candidates.

(3) Escort them. Better yet bury them in a convoy. Escorts can keep the Jap subs away. What I did in this game was add the BB's (one or two at a time) to convoys of empty transport ships returning from Pearl Harbor to the US. All of them quietly reached the US West Coast or Panama (yes, three of the four are mending on the US East Coast) by early 1/42.

...am withdrawing most of the Burma force near Rangoon, but not those in Rangoon.

Rangoon is a trap, both against the AI and a human Japanese player. Hold Rangoon with a bare minumum. Most Allied ground units in Burma should either be deployed for a delaying action in the interior part of Burma (even here using as little as possible) or on their way to India either overland or by sea transport.

So far the enemy is proving aggressive in China and I have most of the Chinese forces pulling back to defensible positions.

Not like you can do much else with the Chinese.

Presently I am withdrawing as much oil resource as I can from Java. I am also yanking the supply line and hauling as much as I can to Darwin. I am going to fly as much of that as I can to rear areas in Australia, in range to fly it back when needed.

Only send to Darwin what you actually need in Darwin. Send the rest to Perth. Perth has good rail links to Sydney and Melbourne. Also Perth is far more likely to be beyond the range of a serious Japanese advance or attack. Once whatever you're evacuating from the DEI reaches Perth, you can dispatch it elsewhere. Any oil, resource, supply, fuel, etc you get to Australia will certainly be useful there.

Singapore has received LCU reinforcement.

Sending reinforcements into Malaya from the outside is generally not prudent. Historically, the British 18th Division (that one comes to mind, maybe others too) safely reached Singapore just in time to march off to the PW camps. They didn't save Singapore but did help the Japanese build their bridge across the Kwai.

The PI subs are basing out of Perth...

My view has been to base the US S-Class subs (both from the PI and Hawaii) out of Australia or New Zealand which are closer bases to possible operating areas for them especially given their relatively short operating range. Same for the shorter range Dutch subs, though these can go to either Australia and Colombo as you see fit. US fleet subs can go most anywhere.


One final piece of "philosophy" about playing with the AI... Approach it as if you're playing a human opponent. Many of the AAR threads (both Allied and Japanese) in the forums will give you some ideas as to what you can reasonably expect from playing a human Japanese opponent. Practice in the AI what you'd most likely be doing against a human opponent.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 1/31/42

Central Pacific: Japanese landing and capture of Ocean Is. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Ocean Island

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Akasisan Maru
xAK Monji Maru
xAK Shanghai Maru
DD Yugiri
DD Wakatake

xAK Akasisan Maru firing at Heron Det.
xAK Akasisan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Monji Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Shanghai Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Akasisan Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Ocean Island

TF 124 troops unloading over beach at Ocean Island, 130,130

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

6 troops of a SNLF HMG Squad lost in surf during unload of 51st Nav Gd
13.2mm T93 AAMG dropped into water during unload of 51st Nav Gd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1462 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60
Defending force 82 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 49
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
51st Nav Gd /3

Defending units:
Heron Det. (eliminated by surrender)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unidentified Jap TF(s) detected at Tabituea (Gilbert Islands). Sigint report entry for 1/31 indicates Jap DD Michishio is located at Tabituea.

No sighting or detection of KB task forces at or near Canton Is. Location of KB remains unknown. US carrier forces and replenishment TF’s are now completely departed from this area.

Japanese landing and capture of Funafuti (Ellice Islands). AAR;s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Funafuti

TF 48 troops unloading over beach at Funafuti, 138,147

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 3rd Garrison Unit
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 3rd Garrison Unit /2
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Garrison Unit /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 3rd Garrison Unit /4
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 3rd Garrison Unit /5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Funafuti (138,147)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2935 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 101
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 101 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Funafuti !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
3rd Garrison Unit /1

(Note on 3 Garrison Unit: Pillager transferred this LCU to the Pacific from the Kwantung Army. Previous known location of 3 Garrison Unit was in Port Arthur on 12/27/41.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Port Moresby: Jap LBA bombers (13 G3M Nell) launch a ground attack air strike on Allied LCU in Port Moresby. One Jap plane reported destroyed, 3 others hit by flak. No Allied LCU casualties reported.

Current status of Port Moresby base – runway damage 7, airfield service damage 55, no port damage, 5300 supply on hand.


Australia: Jap LBA bombers (9 G4M Betty) attack Darwin airfield. Six bombers hit by flak, no significant airfield damage reported.

Dutch CL Sumatra reaches Perth. Sumatra is continuing movement to Melbourne for shipyard repairs (ship entered the game in Soerabaja as a reinforcement with 20 system damage) and to join other Dutch surface naval ships.


DEI: Japanese 146 Infantry Rgt appears to be completely landed on Ambon. Jap amphibious TF that disembarked 146 Regiment on Ambon also appears to have departed (no longer detected in Ambon base hex). AAR of Dutch ground bombardment follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 450 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68
Defending force 3815 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several contacts in various locations reported between Allied subs and Jap surface ships. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Toboali at 51,93 (western Java Sea)

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi

Allied Ships
SS Seal

SS Seal launches 4 torpedoes at APD Aoi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala, at 67,98 (Makassar Strait)

Japanese Ships (Jap TF detected moving southward)
xAK Zyuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk)
xAK Izumo Maru
xAK Nanrei Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru
PB Showa Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Zyuyo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bandjermasin at 59,99

Japanese Ships
xAK Norway Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Shonan Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS KVIII

Japanese ground losses: (possibly LCU reinforcements for the stalled Jap ground attack against Bandjermasin)
48 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SS KVIII launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Norway Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jap LBA air strikes continue against Palembang. AAR’s that follow pretty closely represent typical Jap air activity over Palembang through the last several game turns.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking Palembang Base Force ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 10

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remaining USAAF B-17’s based on Java launch bombing attack on Jap-controlled oil production facilities in Samarinda. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 1 (no indication of any additional damage to oil production from detected status of Samarinda base)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.

Several contacts between US fleet subs still operating off the W and NW coasts of Luzon and a Japanese surface ASW task force. The Jap TF appears to be making some kind of “sweep”, this possibly a probe to determine the level of US submarine activity off Luzon. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Laoag at 81,71

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Yugao
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise

SS Porpoise launches 4 torpedoes at DD Tachikaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Fernando at 79,72

Japanese Ships
DD Nokaze
DD Yugao
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at DD Nokaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jap carrier (CVL) planes attack Iba. AAR follows. Jap CVL task force is detected SW of Iba.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Iba at 78,75

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 7
B5N1 Kate x 6

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 7 (no operational US planes remain at Iba)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Malaya: AAR’s for 1/31 indicate Jap minesweeping operations continue in Singapore base hex. Detected status of Singapore base shows presence of at least 50-60 Jap transport ships (including AP’s) in Singapore. It’s likely that Pillager has now or is about to start the process of embarking the 50-60 or so Jap LCU’s involved in the capture of Singapore aboard transport ships for deployment elsewhere.

Four Dutch submarines now on patrol near Palembang and western entrances to the Java Sea have been ordered to patrol near Singapore and attack targets of opportunity leaving Singapore (and there will be some). The subs are expected to reach Singapore within 2-3 game turns. A US fleet submarine is also being dispatched to cover the Malacca Straits exit from Singapore.


China: Japanese capture Kweilin. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12767 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 464
Defending force 1671 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 106
Allied adjusted defense: 19
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweilin !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
751 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
104th Division

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[johnjohn]

Thanks for the update and advice.  My laptop is in the shop for the next two weeks so I am offline with the game  (this desktop is too old to load it on).  I am at Jan 13 with some interesting developments.  1.  I have no idea where the KB is.  It split into two groups earlier and hit the DEI.  That was the end of the Dutch fleet.  Since then it has disappeared.  2.  However, yesterday (Jan 13) a cruiser force "Australia and three us CLs, with 5 US DDs patrolling Efate surprised the IJN at Tanna, sinking that force before it invaded.  It then sank the force still at Efate, which it did invade (that invasion is what put this force on patrol).  It then hit Luganville and sank a good sized IJN force reinforcing Espiritu Santo.  9,000 combat troops and two engineer BNs took a swim.  It then caught and sank a retreating force--all told 12 ships sunk, 9,000 plus casualties.  Meanwhile Enterprise and Lex sweep the seas around Canton, sinking five supply vessels, but not before Baker fell.  Yorktown is approaching Wake while the enemy attacked on Wake and lost 95% of its personnel on the island. 
 
Yes, the Wake strategy is/was risky.  Any aggresive early moves are risky.  In this case, the KB and subs bailed out and I went in two weeks after PH.  Don't know that I would do that again, but I have pulled it off in WiTP on occasion.  My thought is a base close to their supply lines would cause them grief and slow them down.  Not sure it is doing either, but for now it is fun.  Meanwhile my hand is on the throttle to hit reverse in a moments notice.  Obviously, if the enemy wants Wake (or anything else for that matter) and makes a determined effort to attack, I am outta there.  But if they are only going to run in a few hundred troops on unopposed islands, I am for making that difficult.  So far I am causing them trouble.  But I know that I am the gnat here.   
 
I greatly appreciate your comments.  I know you have much better things to do against Pillager, nonetheless, thanks.  Now to quote Halsey..."Kill Japs, Kill more Japs!"

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/01/42

Ship upgrades for 2/42 are now underway in shipyards at various locations. Ships entering upgrade this game turn include CA Louisville, 14 DD (all US), 5 AP, 18 AK, 2 AKL. While many of these ships do not have the highest priority for upgrading, they were all in port on 2/1 and available to start upgrade immediately.

Ship upgrades on all except CA Louisville are expected to complete within 7-10 days. As these ships complete upgrading, additional ships due for upgrade now located in or arriving at ports with shipyard facilities will be re-assigned to the upgrade process as individual ships can be spared from other activities.


Central Pacific: Sigint report entries for 2/1 indicates Jap radio transmissions in hexes 147,139 (SW of Baker Is) and 129,134 (S of Ocean Is). No spotted or detected Jap task force is shown on-map at either location.

If the Jap contact at hex 129,134 is moving south or southwest, it is likely heading from Kwajalein with possible destinations including Tulagi, Luganville, Suva or Noumea. Depending on composition and destination of this contact, Force N is positioned for a possible intercept under favorable conditions.


South Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine detected between Suva and Pago Pago. No Allied ships currently in its immediate area.


Noumea: A quantity of resource points (20K) is stockpiled at Noumea. A small group of AKL’s have been running a continuous shuttle between Noumea and Auckland since 12/8/41 to transport as much of this stockpile as possible to New Zealand. So far the transport of resource points from Noumea has proven useful in production of supply points by light industry at Auckland.


Australia: Formation of several Australian (non-AIF) divisions from sub-units has been underway.


DEI: Japanese landing and attack to capture Ambon appears to be stalled for the moment. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3838 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 156
Defending force 2288 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 85
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 445 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65
Defending force 3711 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese amphibious landing underway on Java at Kalidjati (near Batavia). AAR of landing ops follows. The landing ops AAR below, presence of two detected Jap LCU’s in Kalidjati, and Sigint report entries from 1/31 and 2/01 indicate two Jap divisions (5th and Imperial Guards) are now disembarking in Kalidjati.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kalidjati

TF 108 troops unloading over beach at Kalidjati, 50,99

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 5th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My situation estimate here is leaning toward Pillager moving these LCU’s out from Kalidjati to cut Allied positions on Java in two, then advancing to attack and capture Batavia.

Contact again reported between Dutch sub O-23 and Japanese surface ships in Makassar Strait. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
E Tsuta, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (confirmed sunk)
PB Hakata Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV launches 4 torpedoes at E Tsuta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese LCU landing underway at Bandjermasin to reinforce stalled ground attack from earlier amphibious assault. AAR follows.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Bandjermasin

TF 213 troops unloading over beach at Bandjermasin, 60,99

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 4th Infantry Rgt
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Infantry Rgt /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 4th Infantry Rgt /4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.


Malaya: AAR for 2/01 indicate Jap minesweeping operations still continue in Singapore base hex. Several contacts reported with Japanese ships near Singapore. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengpinang at 51,86

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
TB Kamo
TB Kiji
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
SS O19, hits 1 (no significant damage)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Tandjoengpinang at 51,86

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda, Torpedo hits 1 (reported sunk, unconfirmed)

Allied Ships
SS O19

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

SS O19 launches 4 torpedoes at CS Chiyoda

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Japanese ground attack east of Sian. AAR follows. Japanese control of hex 83,44 creates additional difficulties for withdrawal of nearly cut-off Chinese ground forces withdrawing westward from Nanyang (towards Sian).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 83,44

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5915 troops, 50 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 218
Defending force 944 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Japanese adjusted assault: 213
Allied adjusted defense: 16
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/02/42

Japanese Home Islands: SS Tautog practices gunnery on Jap AKL in a night action south of Kobe. After firing all its 3” ammunition, the AKL remains afloat. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Kochi at 107,64

Japanese Ships
xAKL Daitei Maru, Shell hits 5 (mostly superstructure, probably light to moderate damage)

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

xAKL Daitei Maru is sighted by SS Tautog
SS Tautog attacking xAKL Daitei Maru on the surface
SS Tautog low on gun ammo, Willingham, J.H. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SS Sargo reports contact with large Jap AP southwest of Iwo Jima.


South Pacific: Unidentified Jap submarine detected NE of Pago Pago. No Allied ships currently in its immediate area.


Australia: Jap airfield bombing attack on Darwin. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEI: Japanese continue their attack to capture Ambon. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3716 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 145
Defending force 2234 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66
Japanese adjusted assault: 122
Allied adjusted defense: 73
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several reported contacts between Dutch subs and Japanese TF’s around the northern entrance to Makassar Strait. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV is sighted by escort

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
xAK Yuri Maru
xAK Hokusei Maru
xAK Zuiko Maru
xAK Toei Maru
DD Isonami

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV launches 4 torpedoes at CL Isuzu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dutch sub O-23 in the northern entrance to Makassar Strait also had a detected contact with a Japanese task force (4 ships, including 3 light escort type, possible ASW TF) that did not result in combat.

Japanese capture Bandjermasin (SE Borneo). AAR follows. The capture of Bandjermasin now puts Japanese air forces within fighter range of Java.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandjermasin (60,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5159 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158
Defending force 764 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Japanese adjusted assault: 54
Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandjermasin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
428 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st Guard Battalion
4th Infantry Regiment (brought in to reinforce second attack)
18th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
SE Borneo KNIL Battalion
Bandjermasin Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The small remaining force of USAAF B-17’s operating in the DEI bomb Jap-controlled oil facilities at Samarinda. AAR follows. Preparations are underway to withdraw the last B-17’s from the DEI in the next several game turns as the remaining planes are now too few in number to perform an effective role in the DEI. In addition, the fall of Bandjermasin this last game turn now places the B-17’s base in Soerabaja within range of Jap LBA airfield strikes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Samarinda , at 65,96

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged

Oil hits 1 (detected status of Samarinda base shows no additional damage to oil production)

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese forces capture Kalidjati, establishing a beachhead on the northern coast of west-central Java between Tjilatjap and Batavia. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kalidjati (50,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14086 troops, 123 guns, 148 vehicles, Assault Value = 521
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 262
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 262 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalidjati !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
5th Division (sub-units of 5 Division previously in Malaya have been combined to form the parent formation)
14th Tank Regiment (also brought here from Malaya)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kalidjati base contained no supply points on hand when it was captured. Virtually all supply point stocks from the outlying bases on Java have already been drawn into Soerabaja or Batavia, results of this action pretty much ensuring Pillager will need to transport his own supply into Java in order to adequately pursue a land campaign to capture Batavia and Soerabaja.

Batavia and Soerabaja have both been fortified and reinforced with Dutch LCU’s transferred from elsewhere on Java and also Dutch LCU’s airlifted to Java from nearby islands.


Japanese air strikes resumed against airfield facilities and Dutch LCU’s in Palembang. Moderate airfield damage reported, no significant casualties to Dutch LCU’s.

Japanese air strikes and amphibious landing reported underway at Bengkalis (Sumatra, on Malacca Straits opposite Malacca base in Malaya). AAR of landing ops follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Bengkalis

Japanese Ships
xAK Kansai Maru
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Aobasan Maru
AMC Saigon Maru

xAK Kansai Maru firing at Bengkalis Base Force
xAK Kansai Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kashii Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Aobasan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kansai Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Bengkalis

TF 235 troops unloading over beach at Bengkalis, 48,82

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /2
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /2
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.


Malaya: Dutch and US subs reach positions in Malacca Straits and off Singapore to intercept Jap transport TF’s departing Singapore with Jap LCU’s that Pillager is in the process of re-deploying from Malaya to other fronts after the fall of Singapore. Several contacts were reported in the 2/02 AAR’s but no hits on Japanese ships recorded.


Burma: Japanese ground forces capture Bassein (adjacent hex NW of Rangoon). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bassein (54,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12805 troops, 120 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 443
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 465
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 465 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bassein !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
33rd Division (advanced into Bassein from Rangoon)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/03/42

South Pacific: Two New Zealand infantry brigades (7 and 8) are now based on Suva. Plans are underway to combine the sub-units of 1 NZ Brigade on Suva, one battalion is already located on Suva with the two remaining battalions of 1 Brigade prepping for transport to Fiji.


Australia: Continued Jap airfield bombing attack (9 G4M Betty) on Darwin airfield. AAR reports one Jap bomber destroyed, four others hit by flak.

Sub-units of 1, 2 and 3 Australian Divisions are now combined into their parent formations. All three divisions continue recovering disabled elements, with 1 and 3 Divisions also drawing replacements to build up to full TOE strength.

Most sub-units of Australian 4 Division are concentrated in Melbourne, with one infantry battalion of this division now stationed at Suva and assigned to South Pacific command. Combining sub-units of 4 Division is on hold for now with several options under consideration. Options include leaving 4 Division as sub-units, also under consideration is a possible eventual transfer of all 4 Division sub-units to South Pacific command and then forming the parent formation of 4 Division to operate in the South Pacific theatre.

Orders have been issued to airlift Australian 49 Infantry Bn from Port Moresby to mainland Australia to create the parent formation for 30 Australian Brigade.


DEI: Second Japanese amphibious landing on Java now reported underway at Merak. Once both Japanese beachheads are secured, Pillager’s next objective on Java certainly appears to be capturing Batavia.

Pillager’s invasion of western Java could also serve as part of a move to isolate Palembang prior to launching a Japanese operation to capture it. A possible purpose of isolating Palembang would be to prevent Allied bombing attacks on oil facilities in Palembang after its capture by Japanese forces (which is what I had been planning to do as the final significant offensive combat action of the Dutch air force).

Pontianek remains in Allied hands and is the only other useable base to support air bombing operations against Palembang, though it’s garrisoned only by base force LCU’s and would be easily captured by a Japanese attack.

Current Allied garrison in Batavia has an assault strength of 448, artillery strength 82 (145 guns) and 81 vehicles. Batavia has fortifications built to level 3 and 34K supply on hand. At the very least, Batavia will require several Japanese ground attacks before its fall. Pillager also has the additional problem of providing his own supply points to support a Japanese ground attack on Batavia as all Allied supply point stocks in outlying bases in western Java were drawn into Batavia (as close as I could get to “scorched earth”).

AAR of Jap landing operations at Merak and a situation map of the area around western Java follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Merak

TF 222 troops unloading over beach at Merak, 48,97

Japanese ground losses:
683 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /2
20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Imperial Guards Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /3
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of Imperial Guards Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of Imperial Guards Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /4
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 48th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 48th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 48th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 48th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /5
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of Imperial Guards Div /6
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /6
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /6
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /6
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of Imperial Guards Div /7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Several Allied air and submarine attacks against a Japanese transport TF returning from Java (reported moving on NW heading). AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 53,93

Weather in hex: Light rain

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Liverpool Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire (this ship was hit again in a second afternoon bombing attack by PBY’s)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 53,93

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9


Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Naples Maru
xAK Liverpool Maru, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Liverpool Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Billiton at 53,93 (day attack)

Japanese Ships
xAK Naples Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Shonan Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS Salmon, hits 1

SS Salmon launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Naples Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Six US S-class submarines from the Philippines arrived this game turn at Soerabaja. Four of these subs are now repairing system damage in Soerabaja shipyard. A decision is pending on whether to keep these subs in the DEI to reinforce Allied sub operations against Jap TF’s in the Java Sea or continue transit of these subs as soon as possible to Australia.


Japanese continue their attack to capture Ambon. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3637 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 141
Defending force 2117 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
Japanese adjusted assault: 62
Allied adjusted defense: 40
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The five remaining USAAF B-17’s operating in the DEI bomb transferred by air to Darwin this game turn.

Japanese air strikes and landing operations continue at Bengkalis (Sumatra).


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.


Malaya: Dutch and US subs in patrol areas off Singapore. US submarine Seawolf attacked and damaged by Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Singapore at 51,84

Japanese Ships
DD Sawakaze
xAK Hukuyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 6 (system damage 21, float 17 – now heading to India for shipyard repair)

SS Seawolf launches 4 torpedoes at DD Sawakaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: All sectors reporting quiet again this game turn.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/04/42

Gilbert Islands: Sigint report entry for 2/04 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio activity at Tabituea. Japanese ships detected at anchor in Tabituea, number of ships and composition unknown.


South Pacific: Sigint report entry for 2/04 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio activity at Truk.


DEI: Japanese fighter sweeps (18 A6M2 Zeroes total) reported over Soerabaja. Zeroes flying these sweeps are operating from Bandjermasin.

Japanese capture Merak. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Merak (48,97)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25199 troops, 242 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 887
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 532
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 532 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Merak !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units: (both Jap divisions were brought into Java from Singapore)
48th Division
Imperial Guards Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total strength of Japanese ground now landed on Java includes three divisions (5, 48, Imperial Guards) plus 14 Tank Regiment. One Jap LCU is now detected at Bandoeng – this LCU appears to be possibly 14 Tank Rgt advancing into Bandoeng from Kalidjati. A Japanese capture of Bandoeng cuts off Batavia from the remainder of Java.

Japanese continue their attack to capture Ambon. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3596 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 136
Defending force 1978 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Japanese adjusted assault: 55
Allied adjusted defense: 67
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jap airfield attack strikes against Palembang resume. Current status of Palembang base – runway damage 42, airfield service damage 47, port undamaged, 80K supply on hand.

Japanese air strikes and landing operations continue at Bengkalis (Sumatra).


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.


China: Japanese launch ground offensive towards the W and NW from Changsha. In this sector, Pillager is advancing Japanese ground forces faster than I can withdraw Chinese.

Two large groups of Chinese LCU’s attempting to withdraw (one group shown here in the Changsha sector near Hengyang withdrawing from Kukong, plus a second group of Chinese LCU’s southwest of Nanyang) are already outflanked with the possibility looming of either or both Chinese groups being encircled and wiped out – these two groups together representing at least 50-60% of the “mobile” Chinese field army that started the game.

If China can't be defended, I can at least require Pillager to garrison it until the arrival of the Tibetan Monks as reinforcements or the second coming of Genghis Khan. Either of these having at least as much if not more mobility and combat value than the Chinese Army.

AAR’s and situation map follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shaoyang (80,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22472 troops, 226 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 689
Defending force 31983 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1088
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 200
Allied adjusted defense: 299

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
3752 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 169 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled

Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
40th Division

Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 235 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 298
Defending force 33335 troops, 193 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1051

Assaulting units:
39th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[johnjohn]

Well, I decided to upgrade to a gaming computer. Now AE does not work. I hope Tech Support can assist. Meanwhile, my last move in the game is to RUN!!! The Imperials decided to go west and showed up in force. Enterprise barely escaped from Noumea while everyone else is running to the hills. That explains why PI, DEI, and Malaya are holding out so well. Everything they have is going west. I never experienced this in the old game. Wow!! What a difference in this AI. Now I get why New Zealand and Tahiti look so good as bases. Anyway, all my attention is going to trying to get the game to work on my new computer. Thanks for the help, and I will be following along.

[wneumann]

johnjohn,

Actually I'm getting ready to switch AE to run on two new computers - one desktop, one laptop, both running Windows 7. I'll continue running AE and playing our PBEM on my old desktop until I'm sure everything works. For now and the next several weeks or so, I'm doing everything in parallel (running things on both the new and old machines) until I have everything on the new computers set up and running the way I want it. It's a pain jumping back and forth between three computers but it makes for a cleaner transition.

As you probably seen in our game, Pillager had deployed a large part of the IJ Army in Malaya to concentrate on Singapore, even sending into Malaya Jap ground units that historically went to the Philippines and DEI (much the same as you're seeing in your game). With Singapore in Japanese hands, Pillager is now turning his attention toward Java and Palembang. While he has not bothered at all with the Philippines, that too, will come in good time. Once all that is out of the way, Pillager will likely move on to NW Australia (Darwin) along with reinforcing Japanese efforts in Burma and the Pacific theatres.

One thing I mentioned little of, and I've done this both in my last PBEM vs Pillager in CHS and again this time in AE, is the use of intelligence as a central part of Allied strategy and general planning. Intel can play a major role provided you look at information AE makes available, and collect and maintain records of it.

My practice with regards to the latter is giving considerable emphasis to tracking locations and movement of Japanese LCU's, this information readily obtained from Sigint and combat AAR's, etc. It's simply a matter of keeping a record of Jap LCU's as they appear in Sigint and AAR reports and other sources, and track the times (game turns) when they appear in these reports. I do this using a spreadsheet but any other means will do as well. Over time, you will accumulate a rather extensive order-of-battle listing of Japanese LCU's, their last known locations and when (the game turn date) they were detected or reported there.

What a record of Japanese LCU's provides can include a number of things...

(1) The number of, locations and identities of Jap combat LCU's (infantry, armor, artillery) can indicate where a Japanese opponent is building up for an offensive, or the geographic points and areas where he is assembling a defence. Likewise it can tell you where your Jap opponent is not going.

(2) Locations of Jap engineering LCU's can indicate the base hexes where your opponent is constructing or upgrading port and/or airfield facilities - i.e. locations being developed as major or auxiliary bases (beyond the obvious spots for Japanese bases). This information can also indicate locations where your opponent is constructing fortifications.

(3) Location and identities of Jap base force LCU's can indicate where your opponent is operating his air and naval bases and to what extent these bases are being used.

The information is not 100% accurate (especially for information that is not recent), but it is useful in the sense that it is a "trail of bread crumbs". It may not tell you everything, and it may not tell it completely accurately, but it does provide trends on what a Japanese opponent is doing, and often a considerable part of the detail. However to do this, an Allied player has to keep a long-term, day-to-day track of known Jap LCU's in the game. The effort required adds about 10-15 minutes or so when going through each game turn.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/05/42

Not much at all going on the Pacific end of the game map this game turn, at least anything worth reporting.


DEI: Dutch air and submarine attacks against Jap landing TF’s at Merak. AAR’s and current situation map of Java follow.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Merak at 48,97

Japanese Ships
xAP Huso Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

xAP Huso Maru is sighted by SS KXVI
SS KXVI launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Huso Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF at Merak - 48,97

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
CW-22 Falcon x 13
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho
DD Amatsukaze
xAP Brazil Maru
CVE Taiyo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
4 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
8 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Training flight from Hosho-1 has been caught up in attack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF at Merak - 48,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 3
CW-22 Falcon x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho
CL Tama

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
4 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jap light carrier force (CVL’s Ryuho & Zuiho) operating in the western Java Sea launches air strikes on Batavia. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
B5N1 Kate x 4
D3A1 Val x 3

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
B5N1 Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed on ground
FK-51: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current status of Batavia base – 22 runway damage, 10 airfield service damage, port undamaged, 32K supply on hand.

Japanese capture Bandoeng, Batavia is now cut off from areas in central and eastern Java still under Dutch control. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 477 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 41
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment (advancing from Kalidjati)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese fighter sweeps continue over Soerabaja.

US S-class subs at Soerabaja are now moving to engage Jap task forces off western Java (Merak and Kalidjati landings).

Jap air strikes against Palembang continue.

Japanese capture Bengkalis (Sumatra). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bengkalis (48,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3273 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125
Defending force 47 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 122
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 122 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bengkalis !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units: (both Jap units sent into this action from Singapore)
148th Infantry Regiment
53rd Const Co

Defending units:
Bengkalis Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Philippines: Light Jap LBA ground attack air strike activity continues over Luzon.


China: Japanese ground offensive continues to the W and NW of Changsha. Latest AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1520 troops, 112 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 438
Defending force 18031 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 710
Japanese adjusted assault: 33
Allied adjusted defense: 234
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 41 (2 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
34th Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50) – repeat attack

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 545 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 299
Defending force 33358 troops, 193 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion (joining this attack this game turn as reinforcement)

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

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