Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[witpqs]

1942 October 25

The Empire sent one unit west of Kweiyang, perhaps to block or perhaps to scout our deployments.

[Macclan5]

Still lurking [8D]

Cannot find a thread discussing air dispositions in China ?

Sorry looked back a few pages but may have missed it ?

Reason I ask; complete Combat Report shows a number of bomber runs on Chungking and no CAP in place ?

There are Chinese units - possibly ineffective and already eliminated - but still on CAP range zero you may still benefit from the occasional 'CAP bounce' of a raid incoming ?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Still lurking [8D]

Cannot find a thread discussing air dispositions in China ?

Sorry looked back a few pages but may have missed it ?

Reason I ask; complete Combat Report shows a number of bomber runs on Chungking and no CAP in place ?

There are Chinese units - possibly ineffective and already eliminated - but still on CAP range zero you may still benefit from the occasional 'CAP bounce' of a raid incoming ?

I pulled all air groups out of China to preserve them a) for later, and b) to deny those VP.

I got IIRC 4 2EB shot down by flak over Chungking this last turn!

[Lowpe]

We have so many games right around this date, it makes commenting upon dispositions dangerous.

What are our fort levels like in the woods rough terrain there around Chungking and on the road to Kunming?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

We have so many games right around this date, it makes commenting upon dispositions dangerous.

What are our fort levels like in the woods rough terrain there around Chungking and on the road to Kunming?

Middling to not so good. I'll have to remember to check tomorrow night when I have a turn.

On the road to Kunming I have units in multiple places both to give defense in depth and avoid supply penalties. The terrain is only x2. Closer to Kunming is mountainous, which - I think - penalizes armor on attack. Anybody know for sure?

On the road to Chungking the position holding the vector from the east is OK but would gradually be worn down. That won't happen because the vector from Kweiyang to Chungking will go first. Close in to Chungking there are zombies in the x3 terrain, and they dig in pretty slow. As more zombies arise they will join that position. Just across the river from Kweiyang are all the troops retreated from Kweiyang, plus some (forget details) who were marching up when the city fell. It's possible that position with break with the river-crossing shock attack, and that will happen any turn now.

Have good units pulling out of positions in the good terrain east of Chungking/west of Sian and streaming to the mountains. Chungking will fall, the idea is to frustrate the Empire by continually not yielding to an ultimate, total cleanup of China and thereby tying up units in perpetuity.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Have good units pulling out of positions in the good terrain east of Chungking/west of Sian and streaming to the mountains. Chungking will fall, the idea is to frustrate the Empire by continually not yielding to an ultimate, total cleanup of China and thereby tying up units in perpetuity.

+1 - very very sound advice.

There was such a recent thread / question on the general forums and of course - here you are providing advice and real examples.

Ultimately these are troops you 'don't want to face' at Chittatong for example.

Other question / issue:

To earlier posts - about bombardments in Burma - and Rangoon Port cannot resupply BB.

Do you have recon on Port Blair? Have you considered sweeping there ? Bombing ?

Having read a number of AARs - it is my educated guess that there are IJN scarce AKE and lots of supply - support at Port Blair.

i) Its an island and has intrinsic defense as such - can be supplied well from northern DEI i.e. Medan.

ii) can be well built up Port Size / AF base size


Port Blair seems to represent the "left shoulder" every Japanese player covets / requires if they have any aspirations in staying defensively long term in Burma - invading India or Ceylon - a strong campaign in CBI

[witpqs]

Mine in color.

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Have good units pulling out of positions in the good terrain east of Chungking/west of Sian and streaming to the mountains. Chungking will fall, the idea is to frustrate the Empire by continually not yielding to an ultimate, total cleanup of China and thereby tying up units in perpetuity.

+1 - very very sound advice.

There was such a recent thread / question on the general forums and of course - here you are providing advice and real examples.

Ultimately these are troops you 'don't want to face' at Chittatong for example.
Oh, heck yes! Whatever he could pull out after garrison would overwhelm NE India.

Other question / issue:

To earlier posts - about bombardments in Burma - and Rangoon Port cannot resupply BB.
Yeah, IIRC only the one participation by a battleship so far in bombarding Chittagong.

Do you have recon on Port Blair? No, not sure if the longest range recon can make it but in any event husbanding those aircraft for the pivotal points on land at the moment. Recon assets will improve of course. Have you considered sweeping there ? Definitely no range for that! Bombing ? No range unless the B-24D's could make it from Chittagong, but they would be vulnerable to naval bombardment and they are needed for other duties for now.

Having read a number of AARs - it is my educated guess that there are IJN scarce AKE and lots of supply - support at Port Blair.
From the sub contact(s) with what I think was a bombardment group my guess is the cruisers are reloading at Rangoon. If Moulmein had AE/AKE maybe they could rearm the battleship too? Dunno. At any rate Moulmein might be just as attractive a rearming spot at Port Blair and it is much better protected currently.

i) Its an island and has intrinsic defense as such - can be supplied well from northern DEI i.e. Medan.

ii) can be well built up Port Size / AF base size


Port Blair seems to represent the "left shoulder" every Japanese player covets / requires if they have any aspirations in staying defensively long term in Burma - invading India or Ceylon - a strong campaign in CBI
I agree. I just can't do anything about it at the moment. The RN has too little air power to challenge the IJN outside of strong Allied LBA and another carrier will withdraw within - forget - 50 to 70 days. Things get worse for RN resources here before they get better.

[witpqs]

Fortifications on the road from Kweiyang to Kunming are from 0 to 1 near Kweiyang, and 1, 2, and 3 near Kunming.

[witpqs]

1942 October 26

INVADED
Paoshan, Mengtze, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Allied forces CAPTURE Wyndham !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Lihue, Kona, Pearl Harbor, San Francisco.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• The battle continues.

Sub attack near Lihue at 177,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Sterett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stack

Magazine explodes on DD Sterett
SS I-18 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sterett
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack cannot reach attack position over SS I-18
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Lihue at 177,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD McCall
DD Craven
DD Maury

SS I-24 is located by DD McCall
I-24 diving deep ....
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Lihue at 177,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Reid
DD Downes
DD Tucker

SS I-24 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Reid
I-24 diving deep ....
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
DD Smith
DD Fanning

SS I-172 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Smith
I-172 diving deep ....
DD Fanning attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-172 eludes ASW attack from DD Fanning
DD Fanning loses contact with SS I-172
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fanning attacking submerged sub ....
DD Fanning is out of ASW ammo
DD Fanning is out of ASW ammo
DD Fanning is out of ASW ammo
DD Fanning is out of ASW ammo
DD Fanning is out of ASW ammo
DD Fanning fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• Sterett sank; an IJN sub was claimed as sunk on the way home from attacks on prior days.

• BB South Dakota came ready.


Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Troops and supply unloading at Suva.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• No enemy sub activity detected. Enemy sub activity near Brisbane.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Supply unloading at Noumea; fuel and supply unloading at Melbourne.

• No air strike on our troops, so we seem to have achieved surprise.

Ground combat at Wyndham (70,127)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4646 troops, 17 guns, 347 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Defending force 1019 troops, 8 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 140

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wyndham !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
508 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/11th A/Car Regiment
2nd Tank Battalion
3rd Tank Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/7th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
91st JAAF AF Bn

Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• The expected conversion from rear guard to zombies of the apocalypse.

Ground combat at 81,41 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20761 troops, 177 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 575

Defending force 1234 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 563

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 563 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
1394 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
34th/B Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Armored Car Co
61st Infantry Brigade
41st/A Division
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
47th Chinese Corps

• Movement over the river NE of Kweiyang no longer seen, but that could simply be poor scouting as is often the case with inexperienced troops.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Karachi.

• I think this is the cruiser bombardment TF.

Sub attack near Rangoon at 53,55

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
SS O24

SS O24 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hatsushima
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ariake fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• Here come the big guys.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Lysander II: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (7 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Manpower hits 1
Fires 1945
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 36
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at Chittagong
BB Fuso firing at Chittagong

• The base is busted up, support and artillery at Chittagong is shattered, line combat units had to be awoken to hear the news of another bombardment.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.

[BBfanboy]

Hoorah! Wyndham Estate is back in Allied hands! I hope they didn't take all the product with them:

[BBfanboy]

And the Estate itself ...

[witpqs]

But it says southeast! [:D]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

But it says southeast! [:D]

Well of course it does. Australia is below the equator so they hold their maps with South at the top! That's the way their compasses point. [8D]

[witpqs]

Oh, duh! Why didn't I think of that?!

[witpqs]

1942 October 27

INVADED
Paoshan, Mengtze, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Lanai, Pearl Harbor, San Francisco.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• More.

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DD Shaw
DD Cushing

SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shaw
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Craven
DD Maury

SS I-172 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Craven
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD Maury cannot reach attack position over SS I-172
DD Maury cannot establish contact with SS I-172
SS I-172 eludes ASW attack from DD Maury
DD Maury fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• Lexington is back on line.


Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Supply & fuel unloading at Melbourne.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• This is the big position near Chungking.

Ground combat at 77,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33408 troops, 365 guns, 936 vehicles, Assault Value = 1072

Defending force 38822 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 695

Japanese adjusted assault: 639

Allied adjusted defense: 1213

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
705 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 48 (2 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1002 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 139 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
15th Division
39th Division
13th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
68th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
72nd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
51st Chinese Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment

• Movement is again seen from Kweiyang to cross the river to the NE.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Karachi.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 October 28

INVADED
Paoshan, Mengtze, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• In November, beginning in a few days, battleships North Carolina and Washington get pretty significant AA upgrades which require 15 days. About 9 destroyers in/around Pearl Harbor get upgrades in November too, some for 14 days others for longer and they are significant.

Do we wait until November 15 to commence with Cantankerous Olfactory or start loading up now?


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• No enemy sub activity detected. Enemy sub activity near Kona, Pearl Harbor, Kodiak, San Francisco.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• The major battles continue.

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-171, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Maury
DD Gridley

SS I-171 is located by DD Maury
I-171 diving deep ....
DD Gridley attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gridley loses contact with SS I-171
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gridley is out of ASW ammo
DD Gridley is out of ASW ammo
DD Gridley is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD McCall
DD Craven

SS I-18 launches 2 torpedoes at DD McCall
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
DD Mahan
DD Smith

SS I-170 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Mahan
I-170 diving deep ....
DD Smith fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DD Craven

SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Craven
I-171 diving deep ....
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven attacking submerged sub ....
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DD Perkins
DD Cushing

SS I-171 is located by DD Perkins
I-171 diving deep ....
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-171 eludes DD Cushing by diving deep
DD Cushing cannot establish contact with SS I-171
SS I-171 eludes ASW attack from DD Cushing
DD Cushing loses contact with SS I-171
Escort abandons search for sub

• Saratoga is back on line.

• Again a 2-small ship TF is between Wake Island and French Frigate Shoals.


Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Redeploying most of the S-boats from Darwin to Perth.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• Nearly a rout, but 4 units remain to slow them down by a day and there was a cost extracted for their crossing.

Ground combat at 75,48 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 34456 troops, 448 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 823

Defending force 62189 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1061

Japanese adjusted assault: 289

Allied adjusted defense: 139

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2436 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 226 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
18805 casualties reported
Squads: 678 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 868 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (19 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 29
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Division
19th Division
51st Recon Regiment
104th/C Division
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
57th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
59th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
89th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
48th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/A Corps
4th War Area
2nd Chinese Base Force
9th Chinese Base Force
7th War Area
75th Chinese/C Corps
33rd Group Army
9th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
70th Chinese Corps
12th Group Army
1st Group Army
16th Group Army
75th Chinese/B Corps
99th Chinese/C Corps

• The withdrawal continues with the rear-guard getting pummeled.

Ground combat at 81,40 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27192 troops, 281 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 1287

Defending force 24133 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 298

Japanese adjusted assault: 316

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1492 casualties reported
Squads: 133 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
37th Division
9th Armored Car Co
3rd Division
17th Division
25th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
36th Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
39th Group Army

• The horses, oh, the horses!

Ground combat at 78,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20136 troops, 140 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 635

Defending force 1929 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Japanese adjusted assault: 575

Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 57 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1382 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

• Finally a result in our favor.

Ground combat at 80,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16749 troops, 154 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 533

Defending force 9799 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Japanese adjusted assault: 409

Allied adjusted defense: 208

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
581 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
32nd Division
138th Infantry Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps

• Some enemy units are heading west from Kweiyang to our first defensive position on the road to Kunming.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Karachi, Bombay.

• ML ML No. 245 scores big.

ASW attack near Karachi at 39,6

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
ML No. 230
ML No. 245

SS I-27 is located by ML No. 230
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Karachi at 39,6

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 7

Allied Ships
ML No. 245

SS I-27 is sighted by escort
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 attacking submerged sub ....
ML No. 245 attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-27 eludes ASW attack from ML No. 245
ML No. 245 cannot reach attack position over SS I-27
ML No. 245 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 245 attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-27 eludes ASW attack from ML No. 245
ML No. 245 cannot establish contact with SS I-27
ML No. 245 is out of ASW ammo
ML No. 245 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia

Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1942 October 29

INVADED
Paoshan, Mengtze, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.

• I am going to upgrade the three fast battleships, but only wait for two of them to finish before saddling up and heading out. South Dakota will require 30 days so she will join up later.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Niihau, Pearl Harbor, Kona.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• And more.

ASW attack near Kona at 179,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Downes
DD Tucker

SS I-18 is sighted by escort
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Kona at 179,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Shaw
DD Cushing

SS I-18 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shaw
I-18 diving deep ....
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Kona at 179,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Downes
DD Tucker

SS I-18 is sighted by escort
I-18 diving deep ....
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tucker fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Enemy sub activity near Brisbane.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Fuel unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• Zombies!

Ground combat at 81,40 (near Ankang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39319 troops, 383 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 965

Defending force 13365 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 670

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
290 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2050 casualties reported
Squads: 108 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 65 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
3rd Division
37th Division
17th Tank Regiment
25th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
98th Chinese Corps
8th Group Army

• Pushing toward the Chungking plain.

Ground combat at 80,43 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 16046 troops, 154 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 465

Defending force 9444 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 321

Japanese adjusted assault: 637

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
645 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1734 casualties reported
Squads: 92 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
32nd Division
138th Infantry Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps

• It looks like this shattered unit is now making its way back out the way it came.

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3041 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 563

Defending force 21811 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 606

Japanese adjusted assault: 1

Allied adjusted defense: 490

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 490 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
993 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
2nd Division

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division

India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Karachi

• Trivial base damage.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Haguro, Shell hits 2

Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Nachi
CA Nachi firing at 268th Motorised Brigade
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Haguro
CA Haguro firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at CA Haguro

Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• Tankers!

Sub attack near Ishigaki at 90,68

Japanese Ships
TK Manei Maru
AO Naruto
TK Ayazono Maru
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
SS Trout

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at TK Manei Maru
Trout diving deep ....
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Complete combat report attached.

[Lowpe]

So, what are you thoughts on the game progress so far?

I sort of disagree with your tactic in China...I need to play an Allied game just to see how wrong I am...but I think that China needs to defend the x3 & x4 terrain off base, and cede pretty much everything else. No fort building. However,
I think with stacking limits you might end up in a snowball attack where units forced to retreat back wipe out the supplies in the next layer of defense. In addition, airlift supplies if possible.

So no changing of prep targets, just either rest in big cities, or dig in off base.

I am always amazed, by what I consider to be extremely high value x3 terrain not being defended by a Chinese Corp or two dug in with level 4 forts.

The other real valuable tactic is to figure out how to defend a roadblock, where the Chinese have no valid retreat path. Those guys can really stall an advance.

I guess in the end it doesn't make too much of a difference, If Japan wants China, they will take it. Especially once the 1st and 2nd Tank Divisions form up and the heavy artillery makes it to the front from Manchuko.

No criticism is intended, and I am very curious to see if your tactic will work in the end. Perhaps it is the best route after all. I don't know.

[witpqs]

"No criticism is intended..." - Bah! We love healthy criticism, discussion, and analysis! [:)]

Mine in a different color.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

So, what are you thoughts on the game progress so far?
I very deliberately chose a different general tactic this time around for the purpose of throwing off much of Walter's ability to anticipate what I was doing, at least in the early game. For those who don't know, around 11 months prior to starting this game we had just finished one after 5 years and 2 months, same sides. The early style in this game has not been aggressive enough for my taste, but I really felt it good - let's say aggressive in a different way - to mix it up trying to throw off his game.

The change-up is to come with Cantankerous Olfactory where, without being plain reckless, we start pushing as hard as practicable and sustainable. We almost got that in before the autumn carrier upgrades but did not, so it will start in mid-November. The PP I am banking and using right now are for units in India to ramp up the pressure in SE Asia as early as possible. Having lots of Chinese Army combat power in India/Burma will aid this greatly. All of the IJ units in the Burma jungle are faced by Chinese units, and they are not all deployed. A big (~976 AV) unit has just finished filling out and is heading for the frontier, the Katha vicinity. The first 2 LRP Bdes are preparing for Katha, but depending on what is there maybe they can even go in without full preparation. The current strategic objective there is not capturing upper and central Burma, it is tying up IJ combat power and inciting reallocation of resources. The second strategic objective is the capture, but even that might wind up coming after seaborne operations farther south; it all depends on progress. The current movements are meant to be in harmony with operations in China.

The Chungking plain is basically cracking right now. I could hold a little longer by committing the strong, good units which are now streaming into the mountains, but what I learned last game is that it's very difficult (at least with stacking limits) for the IJ to crush the mountain redoubt if it is supplied by air. But: stoutly defend the mountain redoubt or lose it. If I get enough combat power into the mountains I hope to turn the tables in the Paoshan area by pushing out from there
when/as the Empire reacts to movement from India into Burma by pulling some resources from the Paoshan area. At the moment I have to be careful I don't lose Paoshan!

I sort of disagree with your tactic in China...I need to play an Allied game just to see how wrong I am...but I think that China needs to defend the x3 & x4 terrain off base, and cede pretty much everything else.
I completely agree about defending in x3 and x4 terrain where there is a choice. Alfred disagrees with you about abandoning cities, and I listened to him and moderated my approach back when/just before defending Sian and Changsha. Hence while I agree with you it might seem otherwise only because of the resulting hybrid approach.

We all three agree it's all about time. Make the Empire be committed in China as much as possible for as long as possible.

No fort building.
I have built forts in cities. Worth the trade-off? I don't know. Certainly in some places, and in some I thought not so did not build them. One consideration is supply will be destroyed by air strikes but in the form of fortifications it must be destroyed in ground assaults.

However, I think with stacking limits you might end up in a snowball attack where units forced to retreat back wipe out the supplies in the next layer of defense.
It happens. Until there are no supplies anyway. [:D]

In addition, airlift supplies if possible.
Doing so.

So no changing of prep targets check - I do not change preparation in inexperienced units, just either rest in big cities for unit recovery I do that, or dig in off base as much as possible, but as mentioned some cities get defended.

I am always amazed, by what I consider to be extremely high value x3 terrain not being defended by a Chinese Corp or two dug in with level 4 forts.
Yes.

The other real valuable tactic is to figure out how to defend a roadblock, where the Chinese have no valid retreat path. Not sure what you mean. I have several examples in the current game where Walter has taken away retreat paths but the units could withdraw. Sometimes they do and sometimes I leave them in place. I try to get them into the best terrain possible. Those guys can really stall an advance. Agree.

I guess in the end it doesn't make too much of a difference, If Japan wants China, they will take it. Time. Especially once the 1st and 2nd Tank Divisions form up and the heavy artillery makes it to the front from Manchuko. Beasts!

No criticism is intended, and I am very curious to see if your tactic will work in the end.
Pfft. See above. Criticize away!

Perhaps it is the best route after all.
No best; always varies by opponent's actions.

I don't know.
Me neither!

Thanks! [8D]

[witpqs]

1942 October 30

INVADED
Paoshan, Mengtze, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Lihue, Pearl Harbor, San Francisco

• All convoys report no contacts.


Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Fuel unloading at Melbourne.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• Don't... want... to.. become... zombies!

Ground combat at 81,40 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 39446 troops, 412 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 1103

Defending force 11871 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Japanese adjusted assault: 1251

Allied adjusted defense: 31

Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
352 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1309 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
9th Armored Car Co
17th Tank Regiment
3rd Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
25th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
11th Chinese Corps
8th Group Army

• Our roadblock had to be cleared by force.

Ground combat at 75,48 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1557 troops, 148 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 669

Defending force 63 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
9th Division
51st Recon Regiment
19th Division
104th/C Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
23rd Army
1st Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
75th Chinese/C Corps

India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• Enemy sub activity near Karachi.

• Cleaing the lanes.

ASW attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
ML No. 269
ML No. 303

SS I-19 is located by ML No. 269
I-19 bottoming out ....
ML No. 303 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 269 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 303 fails to find sub and abandons search
ML No. 269 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 269 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 269 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 269 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• The cruiser bombardment TF for sure.

Sub attack near Rangoon at 53,55

Japanese Ships
DD Kiku
DD Susuki

Allied Ships
SS O21

SS O21 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Kiku
O21 bottoming out ....
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• Naval search has found the cruisers at Moulmein. A sub with 40 mines is already on the way (good guessing).


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.