Tilting at Windmills - Adm Bonnie (& ctangus) vs. Quixote

[ctangus]

Java

The Dutch air force is down to 3 fighters & 29 other planes. 2 USAAF P-40E squadrons helped out for a bit but have now been ordered to Australia.

The Japanese are mostly rolling over eastern Java but there was one good moment when Dutch troops routed a Japanese para unit.

I did not want to fight here so early. Kudos to my opponent. Quixote's offensive against the SRA has been masterful. Either that or my defense has sucked... [:'(]

[ctangus]

Burma

After taking Rangoon the IJA is driving. I think we've established a couple good roadblocks in the area however.

[ctangus]

South China

I've successfully surrounded two Japanese brigades east of Nanning. I'm getting nowhere in eliminating them but the Chinese did just thwart a Japanese relief effort.



Edit: next turn is in. Central China & the Gobi desert deserve updates but will have to wait...

[ctangus]

2/9 - 2/10/42

So Pac

On the 9th Kido Butai sprinted west and attacked shipping in port at Brisbane, Newcastle & Sydney. I had some P-39Ds training at Brisbane and had them on CAP, just in case:

Afternoon Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A1 Val x 58

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 48 These guys hold their own

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAKL Bidelia, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Prusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Malaita, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Nevadan
xAK Momba, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PG Isabel
xAP Lycaon, Bomb hits 1
xAP Morinda, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Ormiston, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port supply hits 1

The Newcastle attack damages 1 of 3 xAKs there. I didn't recognize that Sydney was in range of KB - no CAP with a few warships in port - the attack there was more significant:

Afternoon Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 88

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CM Bungaree, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Java, Bomb hits 3
DD Alden, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Houston, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Centaur, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

2 xAKs & 1 xAP were lost to the raids. Barring further attacks all other ships will survive but will be in port longer than I had been preparing for.

In the meantime on New Caledonia Japanese naval infantry continue to march on Noumea. USAAF & USMC air has just been staged back in to hopefully disrupt Japanese reinforcement/resupply. We'll see...

[ctangus]

SW Pac

On the 9th the Japanese send an air raid against Horn Island which destroys an alarmingly large portion of the remaining supplies there. On the 10th USAAF fighters were staged in. My crafty opponent seemed to anticipate that - a night bombardment & a daytime fighter sweep killed @ 10 planes and left 17 damaged on the runway. I'm preparing to defend further - Horn Island has given the Japanese two bloody noses so far.

Java

Dutch forces are "consolidating". Not retreating, dammit! [:'(]

Burma

Prome falls. More of an update later.

South China

Quixote is trying to surround my forces currently investing Canton. I was a little slow to react to this - the next turn or two could be decisive.

Central China

A few turns ago 4 IJA tank regiments took Ankang and seem to be marching forward - either towards the Chungking area or the oilfields at Lanchow. Trying to prepare against both. In about a week I should have enough forces at Sian to launch a counter-offensive against Ankang (right now intel reports only one unit there).

[ctangus]

Gobi Desert

I'm not sure who is surrounding who here! We're both blocking each other's supply lines. I mostly like my position here: the IJA has stopped advancing for a while, I might even be able to launch Operation Vodka.

One weak link is a Chinese roadblock just north of Paotow:

Ground combat at 92,33 (near Paotow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7022 troops, 40 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 241

Defending force 4337 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Japanese adjusted assault: 54

Allied adjusted defense: 201

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

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

Allied ground losses:
368 casualties reported Chinese "win" the battle but still take more casualties [:(]
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Recon Regiment

Defending units:
11th Chinese/B Corps
11th Chinese/A Corps
11th Chinese/C Corps

Despite good odds the Chinese are taking more casualties than the IJA. The IJA appears to be bringing in reinforcements as well.

[ctangus]

2/11/42

South Pac/SW Pac

Kido Butai sprinted 16 hexes southwest to threaten shipping in the Sydney/Melbourne area. Fortunately there wasn't much. One lone Dutch destroyer was spotted by KB planes but wasn't attacked.

Anyone have any idea how the KB will be doing for fuel and on system damage? It's been hanging around New Caledonia/Australia for @ 2+ weeks now & from the best I can tell has done 2 full-speed sprints.

In the meantime an ad-hoc USAAF/USMC group at Noumea does not launch against nearby Japanese shipping. They remain on naval/port attack. At Sydney 40+ B-26s are also ordered onto naval attack and some escorts are scraped up in case KB stays within 6 hexes or so.

I re-read some old combat reports. I think KB is currently only operating with 4 carriers. (Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Suikaku.) Both Kaga & Zui have eaten sub-launched torpedoes. @ 80 fighters & 170 bombers. Baby KB certainly has less than that though combined they may have 100-120 fighters & 300 bombers. The 4 USN CVs are carrying @ 140 fighters & 240 bombers when considering the USMC squadrons aboard. If I can engage either separately from the other I think I have good odds. While Task Force 16 is still 2-3 days distant they've been ordered to approach.

[ctangus]

Sumatra

The Japanese are starting to mop up bases on North Sumatra. (West Sumatra? Northwest Sumatra?) Dutch forces here have mostly been evacuated to reinforce Port Blair and more recently Little Andaman. The last two Dutch squads will load & leave tonight.

South China

IJA forces have launched a credible threat to surround the Chinese at Canton. I probably should have started to withdraw a couple turns a ago - we'll see what happens. AVG did stage a successful intercept over the critical hex - for the day the Japanese lost 50 planes to 20 allied. A2A was 38 Japanese vs 12 allied. 2nd Lt J.G. Bright of 2nd Squadron AVG just became the first allied triple ace of the war.

[viberpol]

ORIGINAL: ctangus
I re-read some old combat reports. I think KB is currently only operating with 4 carriers. (Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Suikaku.) Both Kaga & Zui have eaten sub-launched torpedoes. @ 80 fighters & 170 bombers. Baby KB certainly has less than that though combined they may have 100-120 fighters & 300 bombers. The 4 USN CVs are carrying @ 140 fighters & 240 bombers when considering the USMC squadrons aboard. If I can engage either separately from the other I think I have good odds.

Chuck, if so and it isn't a bait itself, I say: ATTACK KB.
Position your CVs close to your port to achieve extra CAP + possibility of LBA's strike against KB, that will surely engage and react closing to the trap.
This way you have the opportunity to damage all 4 carriers. Add your SS well positioned both on the path towards your TF AND possible retreat route.
If you can choose the time of encounter, choose bad weather conditions 'cos you don't want a mutual annihilation here... [;)]
With the leaking CAP as it is half of your bombers shall get through no matter what.
Your CVs will surely be damaged too, but being close to your major port brings you great benefit!
Imho better use more DBs than TBs to damage the deck and let them burn...

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: viberpol

Chuck, if so and it isn't a bait itself, I say: ATTACK KB.

Hi! Thanks for the advice - after our game I'm always nervous about using USN CVs! [:D]

I had confirmation this turn that KB only has those 4 CVs (Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku) - my B-26s launched. No hits but they broke through KB's CAP - mutliple attacks vs only those 4 CVs. The only CAP was from the 4 CVs + a small land-based group. KB also launched an attack against a transport TF - attack planes were all from those 4 CVs.

Zuikaku might be with Baby KB - certainly her fighters are beacuse they were flying LRCAP over Koumac this last turn.

Position your CVs close to your port to achieve extra CAP + possibility of LBA's strike against KB, that will surely engage and react closing to the trap.
This way you have the opportunity to damage all 4 carriers. Add your SS well positioned both on the path towards your TF AND possible retreat route.
If you can choose the time of encounter, choose bad weather conditions 'cos you don't want a mutual annihilation here... [;)]
With the leaking CAP as it is half of your bombers shall get through no matter what.
Your CVs will surely be damaged too, but being close to your major port brings you great benefit!
Imho better use more DBs than TBs to damage the deck and let them burn...

I might be able to lure KB towards Noumea by landing reinforcements there. Noumea's only a level 2 port but Auckland isn't far away & is level 7 & expanding. I have at least one AR nearby. I still don't have many subs but I'm sending a lot of them to the area. More of an update once I get the turn back to my opponent.

[ctangus]

2/12/42

Only time for a short update.

South Pac

2 USMC DB squadrons launch from Noumea against Koumac. SBD-1s are escorted - don't accomplish much but mostly live. A squadron of Vindicators goes in and is slaughtered. One good bit of intelligence: Zuikaku's fighters were flying LRCAP over Koumac. I'm not sure if Zui is still around or the fighters were transferred to Baby KB:

Afternoon Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 9 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Near Sydney B-26s escorted by P-39Ds launch in several uncoordinated attacks against KB. I lose roughly half of the 44 B-26s I had. I don't start receiving replacements until next month.

Not a single hit against KB. Overall air losses this turn were 52 allied vs 13 Japanese. [:(] Hopefully I scared my opponent though. Some good intelligence too: as mentioned just above I've confirmed that KB is now operating with only 4 fleet carriers.

Baby KB has disappeared but at the very least it's within LRCAP range of Koumac.

After standing off for a few turns Task Force 16 is ordered into the area. Perhaps I'll have a chance to tangle with a small KB. At the very least TF 16 should be able to successfully escort some reinforcements & supplies into Noumea.

[ctangus]

2/13/42

Just got the replay for 2/15 and should get the turn soon - I'll try to do an update or two before I see the turn. The main allied attention remains on...

South Pac

Baby KB remains unspotted and for the first turn in many turns so does KB. A Jap cruiser TF that was with KB was spotted 17 hexes from Noumea - possibly in range of a bombardment there in two turns. Not knowing exactly where KB is I ordered TF 16 9 hexes SE of Noumea. The SAG attached could be in range to intercept a bombardment.

A P-40E sweep over Koumac nets 8 A6M2s for 2 P-40s, however the airfield does expand to size 1. 6 Japanese units enter Noumea. Queen Elizabeth arrives at Auckland and will start unloading the lead elements of the Americal Division. The question remains - can I get them to Noumea safely?

[ctangus]

2/14/42

South Pac

I have a ton of naval search covering the area but weather remains bad & the only IJN TF spotted consists of BBs heading southwest. Sent to provide fuel for KB maybe? It did two 16-hex sprints without refueling. Oh - there's also a transport TF heading towards Koumac. USMC dive bombers are ordered to Noumea to attack the transports.

Task Force 16 remains unspotted. Task Group 16.5 (cruiser SAG) is ordered to bombard Noumea and/or maybe intercept encroaching Japanese. The rest of TF 16 will head to within 6 hexes of Noumea. Each CV has one slow BB escorting. This will put the BBs within sprinting distance of Noumea of I decide to split them off.

Japanese infantry does a recon bombardment against Noumea:

Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1471 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 334

Defending force 6079 troops, 128 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

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

I have level 3 terrain & level 3 forts here. I can hold with what I have if I can get in supplies and if the Japanese don't bring in reinforcements. We'll see...

[ctangus]

2/15-2/19/42

I've been remiss in updating this.

South Pac

Events proved anti-climactic. Looking back I had a chance of engaging KB on favorable turns on the 14th. However my intel was spotty & I probably only had a one-day window where my CVs were both close enough to engage & I could also outnumber KB. By the 15th KB started sailing with Baby KB again & I now believe Kaga has repaired & rejoined Combined Fleet.

The bombardment TF I had ordered to Noumea ended up in disaster on the 15th. Instead of retreat orders I had left them on patrol/do not retire orders. For some reason they never bombarded - & KB air devastated them while they were loitering around. I lost two Brooklyn class CLs & 2 modern destroyers. ARRRGHH!!!

KB also launched 2-3 airstrikes against Noumea & there was one ground attack on the 16th:

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8974 troops, 101 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 336

Defending force 5910 troops, 128 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Japanese adjusted assault: 256

Allied adjusted defense: 256

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

How close is that? If my cruisers had actually performed their orders & bombarded I'm sure they would have reduced the Japanese adjusted AV by at least 1 point. C'est la guerre.

Supply is very problematic on Noumea right now. I had a number of troop reinforcements on ships ready to reinforce Noumea but I'm going to let them disembark for the moment. I will try to fight some supplies through & if that's successful I'll send in some reinforcements one unit at a time.

I'm far from certain but I believe KB is finally going back to port in order to resupply.

[ctangus]

SW Pac

Horn Island has frustrated the Japanese so far & some Aussie cruisers tried to escort a supply TF there. With low moonlight an IJN TF avoids the Aussie cruisers & sinks all the transports without anything unloaded:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Horn Island at 91,128, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CL Kitakami
CL Tatsuta
CL Yubari
DD Urakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
AM Mildura, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Karuah, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Kindur, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAKL Mulubinda, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

The Aussies eventually catch up & extract a small bit of revenge:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Horn Island at 91,128, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari, Shell hits 35, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Urakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Perth
CL Hobart
DD Stuart
DD Napier
DD Nestor
DD Nizam

Canberra will probably need about a month of yard time.

[ctangus]

Java

Ugh. It deserves a detailed update but since it's so ugly I don't really want to. [:D] More detailed report sooner or later.

China

Perversely China remains the lone allied theater that I'm really happy about. In the Gobi desert the glorious Chinese route an IJA recon regiment. Near Canton the Chinese not only escape an encirclement attempt but put some hurt on the IJA division that was trying to do so:

Ground combat at 77,58 (near Canton)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 51696 troops, 387 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1590

Defending force 12450 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 454

Allied adjusted assault: 1061

Japanese adjusted defense: 273

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
6870 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 263 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 36 (8 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
2536 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 317 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

[ctangus]

2/20 - 2/21/42

Mostly quiet turns. I'll try to catch up on some other theaters.

South Pac

KB has now been out of sight for 3 turns. It must be going back to port to replenish. I'm not sure how far back the IJN needs to go - Tulagi is now port size 3. Is that enough to replenish air sorties if there's an AE there? Might be going to Rabaul or even Truk too. May even intend to use it somewhere else. Dunno, sending out subs to scout & maybe provide some intel.

More reinforcements have been landed at Samoa & Fiji. Noumea's essentially out of supply now but more is close by: an amphib TF is 2 days out with 7200 supply, a fast transport TF is 3 days out with 1500 and a transport TF is 5 days out with 9600. 2 SAGs will provide night naval cover. I'm not going to try to provide air cover. Quixote has no offensive airfields nearby. So I either won't need aircover or will likely be overwhelmed by a KB/Baby KB combination again.

If I can get some supply in and if my opponent doesn't continue to use KB in this area I think I can hold Noumea. We'll see. The last ground combat on the 21st was a cause for modest optimism:

Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8554 troops, 100 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Defending force 5896 troops, 128 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 161

Japanese adjusted assault: 263

Allied adjusted defense: 310

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
983 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Java

As in Malaya & Luzon Quixote has done a good job in chopping my troops to pieces. A current sit map is below. I'm hoping to consolidate at Bandoeng but I don't think it's likely:

[ctangus]

Burma

IJA troops have approached my delaying line south of Mandalay. The western flank is weak. With an attack suspected tomorrow 3 RAF squadrons are flying LRCAP but that's about all I can do.

Burma Corps has a Pyrrhic victory as an empty Prome is re-taken by Rangoon refugees.

[ctangus]

South/Southeast China

This is going relatively well. In the south Chiang Kai Shek's forces route an IJA Div outside Canton. I might reinvest there - haven't decided yet. The Chinese also continue to surround two IJA units & the last deliberate attack gets the best odds to date:

Ground combat at 73,55 (near Nanning)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19692 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 634

Defending force 6928 troops, 72 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 200

Allied adjusted assault: 327

Japanese adjusted defense: 219

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
457 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
31st Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
9th Group Army

Defending units:
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment

It will take a while to destroy them though.

Further east things are mostly stalemated which I consider good: more training opportunity for the Chinese. An IJA unit shows up near Changsha - not much of a threat. 4 units pop up near my troops outside Nanchang. That could be more problematic.

[ctangus]

Central China

Quixote has sent several tank units west of Nanyang to sweep into my rear. I think I'll be ok here. 3 tank units just entered Kungchang but they'll be faced by 130 AV already there plus another 240 AV & one of the two Chinese AT Regts. (The latter 2 will still be in move mode next turn.)

Closer to Sian 240 AV of Chinese & the second Chinese AT Regt just met up with another IJA tank regiment in clear territory. A shock attack is ordered. If that goes well I'll try to close the door behind the Japanese at Kungchang.