Andy Mac v PZB ....The Allies Fight Back

[Andy Mac]

Tarakan and Brunei are destroyed Balikapan Sorong and Amboina are neutralised.
 
My campaign against the oil fields goes well
 
Next up a loooong range strike on Taipei and its 50 oil that should worry him.
If I can cut him off from India and Burmese Oil and destroy or sieze DEI oil fields and then get in range of Chinese oil fields I think PZB will be out of oil (except for stockpiles of which lets say 2.5 - 3.0 mill)
 
Now the question is if I am on the attack and he is losing saay 2,000 - 3,000  aircraft a month how hot does he need to run his industry and how quickly does 2.5mill stockpoile go.
 
i.e. am I wasting my time
 
Andy 

[Andy Mac]

p.s. my fleet is gathering  at Banja where I am concentrating Engineering assets when it hits lvl 6 Palembang is going extra crispy !!!!

[ChezDaJez]

Now the question is if I am on the attack and he is losing saay 2,000 - 3,000 aircraft a month how hot does he need to run his industry and how quickly does 2.5mill stockpoile go.

i.e. am I wasting my time

No, Andy. I don't think you are wasting your time. At the very least you are stopping him from stockpiling more oil and resources.

Once he is cutoff from the SRA, the only oil/resource imports he will have are those from China and Manchuria which is nowhere near sufficient to run his economy. He will begin having to tap his reserves and while it may take some time to draw them down, it is still worth the effort.

One other thing to consider: Depending upon where he has his reserves (i.e stockpiled in one or two places or spread throughout the home islands), various parts of his industry may or may not receive enough reserve each turn to keep them fully functioning. This is especially true for those on Hokkaido. He will probably have to divert transport assets to move those resources/oil to where they are needed as the AI does a very poor job of distributing it.

Personally, I think the important thing now is to get those B-29s within range of the home islands fairly quickly to begin targeting industry. That will force him to divert air assets back home and leave other places more lightly defended. I think that this tactic will have even a more rapid impact than the isolation of the SRA.

Anyways, just my thoughts.

Chez

[BLurking]

ChezDaJez is right, once I got cut off from the SRA various sectors of my economy started going haywire - even though stockpiles were present. The AI does a lousy job of distributing it, and I'd have factories failing to produce for days at a time. The level of micromanagement required to keep this from happening is staggering, especially when you're trying to fend off a furious Allied assault - it's hard to focus on the home front.

As Japan, I dread the port and airfield strikes just as much - if only because keeping frontline bases under supply is so difficult. Hit random ones all the time, and he'll have fits.
You just can't keep those engineers from repairing the bases - and that eats up supplies.

Then again, at this stage of the war everything hurts...

[String]

Chinese HI (provided he repaired it after he captured it) consumes more oil than China and Manchuria produce.

Long range random strikes will be very hard for him to deal with, especially if they are massed strikes against which a small cap will be ineffective

[Sneer]

no chance for him to have 2.5 mil stockpiled oil
1.5 mil is more probable

[Andy Mac]

Hmmm interesting I will do a full Oil review in the next few turns and see what I can see......
 
Andy

[Mike Solli]

I find resources to be more limiting rather than oil. Resources are used for manpower in addition to everything oil uses.

Andy, when you research your oil reserves, note that what's on tankers isn't counted. Count them separately.

[String]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I find resources to be more limiting rather than oil. Resources are used for manpower in addition to everything oil uses.

Andy, when you research your oil reserves, note that what's on tankers isn't counted. Count them separately.

Never had trouble in my jap game with resources. HI is almost self sufficient in them, china produces an excess (just enough to support HI) and SRA produces HUGE excesses of resources.

[Andy Mac]

OK Guys its getting close to decison time again.
 
My fleet is about 180 miles from the two connected bases at the NW of Borneo.
 
I have 3 seperate amphib TF's each covered by a carrier TF (Trying to limit Ubercap slightly by not stacking to many carriers together at moment)
 
The amphib TF's have 9th Aus and 4th Aus Div assault loaded plus seabees, base forces armour etc.
 
I have elements of a parachute Bde (327th Glider) air bridging into Banja at present with soem LR PB2Y's ready to drop them if I can find an empty base.
 
A 3rd Div the US 7th is loading at Banja plus a lot of armour
 
Now where to strike is the real question.
 
I can go North and land on either side of Malaya probably capture 1 or 2 bases and begin a malaya Campaign
I can go West and land at Batavia or the lvl 1 base below Palembang
I can go East and land at the lvl 1 base connected by road to the big lvl (6)3 AF on the NW coast of Borneo
 
The ideal option would be to secure a port with Paras and then unload my Divs to avoid disruption.
 
I THINK I am just going to sail a little bit further North into position to go either way and then pick one depending on what my recon tells me.
 
A landing onto Malaya direct is sooooo very tempting while the force I have would not be enough to secure Singapore I could almost certainly capture 2 or 3 big bases in Malaya that would open up so much territory to attack. 
 
The safe option is probably Borneo but now that my forces are soo close I am so very tempted to just go for it.
 
Banja is almost lvl 5 which will allow Superforts to support whatever move I make.

[Andy Mac]

I will post a sceenshot tonight when I get home from work

[BLurking]

If he decides to make a fight of it in Malaya, multiple divisions could soon be rushing down the rail lines from across Asia.
Question: Do you really want to get bogged down in a major slugfest if he decides to make it so?

A quick diversion could turn into a major quagmire. Plus, he's probably resting the most combat effective units in non-malarial bases, so readiness and moral would be high to counter your invasion.

Go for isolated bases, where the troops have been sucking it down in the jungle for months. They'll cave quickly, and you can build them up to what you need - which is hitting the next base down the line.

Don't get distracted, remember where Japan is.

I'm a Feb. '45 in my game, and would love an Allied invasion of Malaya. 3-4K AP of tanned, rested, and ready IJA troops with nothing better to do would fight to the death. Even losing, I'd be wrecking many Allied combat units - and that's the best Japan can hope for at this stage...

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Now where to strike is the real question.

I can go North and land on either side of Malaya probably capture 1 or 2 bases and begin a malaya Campaign
I can go West and land at Batavia or the lvl 1 base below Palembang
I can go East and land at the lvl 1 base connected by road to the big lvl (6)3 AF on the NW coast of Borneo

You'll soon need a malaria-free base in this theatre to rest your troops for further operations (I think Batavia is in malaria zone?). What about Soerabaja?

[Andy Mac]

Southern Java appears to be strongly held or else I would consider it.
 
Dont forget PZB has to garrison India in this game and also has 400,000 men on the Marianas he doesnt have masses of Divisons to play with.
 
Singapore is probably to strongly held for 3 Divisions to take but Johore/Malacca/Mersing/Alor Star plenty of bases that have to be vulnerable.
 
No decision yet but I am watching all options and checking my recon very carefully.
 
If any of the bases in Malaya are unguarded a para drop followed by troops unloading in a port would be a VERY attractive option.
 
Andy

[anarchyintheuk]

Either take Singers or forget about Malaya and if you have enough troops to take it why wouldn't you go for Karachi (other than time)? I don't remember if/how the UK reinforcement list was affected. With how many divisions do you think you would have reinforce a lodgement on Malaya? I admit it would be interesting to see PzB's reaction. Your nw Borneo idea seems best to me, if you could take it quickly. Any idea on the garrison? Just my two cents.

[Andy Mac]

I think he has about 30k men in Singers
 
Re Karachi its just not worth it.
 
Its an urban hex with lvl 9 forts.
 
I would need 10 Divs and it would be a long fight.
 
It would take most of my amphib assets for 6 months when time is precious
 
There are only about 5 Divs waiting to come onto the map plus HQ's and engineers and 6 Armoured Bns
 
Ships countdown has stopped so the RN Carriers would not arrive  in time for Korea never mind WW2
 
Another 1,000 aircraft would be nice but I already have thousands I cannot forward deploy because of lack of airbases
 
Overall just not worth it. A 3 - 4 Divisonal assualt on South India to try and recapture Calcutta is a possibility if I capture Singers but other than that its a waste of resources.
 
Andy

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Southern Java appears to be strongly held or else I would consider it.

Dont forget PZB has to garrison India in this game and also has 400,000 men on the Marianas he doesnt have masses of Divisons to play with.

Singapore is probably to strongly held for 3 Divisions to take but Johore/Malacca/Mersing/Alor Star plenty of bases that have to be vulnerable.

No decision yet but I am watching all options and checking my recon very carefully.

If any of the bases in Malaya are unguarded a para drop followed by troops unloading in a port would be a VERY attractive option.

Andy

Hi,

I see no good reason for a landing in Malaya if Singapore is not the goal. But you'll need a malaria-free base in the west, thus Soerabaja seems to be the best choice. And once Soerabaja is taken, you easily can attack Batavia with its level 7 AF. And once you have a level 7 AF within range of Singapore, you can bomb the troops there to dust (imagine, 40x 500lb bomb on a Superfortress[X(]).
And no island hopping, no battle for the PI, the route to Formosa will be open within three months!

If it seems reasonable to take Java within one month you should go for it!

K

[Andy Mac]

Malaya is worth landing in because its lightly defended and it has lots of AF's a giant unsinkable advanced aircraft carrier able to operate B29's.

I have discovered that Malacca down to ALor Star appears to be lightly garrisoned and that Singapore is not overly defended (30k men).

Malacca itself appears to be totally undefended [&:][&:]

I am going to hit Palembang tomorrow to try and distract attention

My units are not prepped for that side BUT if I can take a port by Coup De Main then my troops are unloading not assaulting.....

It means entering the Malacca straight which I didnt want to do and it is a risk but hey risk is what its all about.

I was going to land at Pontianak but I am soooo tempted to try a 3rdCoup de main .....3rd time lucky !!!!

My Carriers hit hard at a surface Gp at Singapore yesterday I was hunting Tankers but I found a jucier prize I nevcer thought PZB would keep forces that close.

Malaya is sooooo tempting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 16
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 20
Ki-102a Randy x 17

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 33
SB2C Helldiver x 51
TBM Avenger x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 8 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 8 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 6 destroyed, 20 damaged
TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Maki, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kaya
DD Kashi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hayashio, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiri

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 51

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
FM-2 Wildcat x 200
F6F Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 40 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee
CVE Nassau
CVE Sitkoh Bay

[Andy Mac]

Guys I am convinced its malaya all the way rightly or wrongly I am going for it !!!! (This could be blinded by opportunity)
 
I have assault loaded 2 Divs near Singapore (4th Aus and 9th Aus) and have follow up forces at sea of I think 3 more Divs (Not assault loaded) off the Borneo coast
 
Japs appear to have only 25 - 30k men at Singapore ? hmmmmm
 
I could actually land straight onto the island.
 
Had I assault loaded all 5 Divs I would not hesitate my options are
 
1. Johore/Mersing/Singapore - All garrsioned and I only have 2 Divs Assault loaded
2. Khota bahru/Kuantan - Garrison unknown and in range of masses of airbases
3. Malacca - Georgetown - Garrisons 'appear' light - Dare I risk the Malacca Straight - its dammed dangerous one MLer could ruin a lot of future plans.
 
Choices choices (my intel could stink PZB could have 150,000 men in the interior)
 
2 or 3 have the advantage of surprise - its sufficiently risky/stupid that he would never expect it

[frank1970]

You are right, it is so stupid, PzB might not think one would do it. [:-]

Might I paint the negative picture for you?

Your TfS WILL HIT ENORMOUS MINEFIELDS; destroying masses of your precious landingcrafts. Bombers, torpedoeplanes and fighters from all India and Asia will get after you. They can use those level 7 airfields instantly. So you will have to fight, say 4000 fighters and 2000 bombers, all with 6 carriers. Your Hellcat pool will be empty very fast and kamikazes will damage several of your important battleships and carriers.
This whole thing looks like an enormous trap, if you ask me. PzB doesn´t beg for an invasion without having a plan. He could bring in all divisions from India and several divisions from China, all very fast along the rail lines. If you do not conquer Malaya in two weeks you will be stuck with 3/4 of the Japanese army stepping on your feet and 2/3 of the Japanese LBA above you.
If you win (I estimate your chances 1:9) you have defeated Japan´s Asia army, won Malaya and lost parts of your precious troops and ships. But, as a matter of fact Japnese Asia Army is useless because there is nothing in Asia to fight against. Do you think your 2 divisions would hold out against 30 Japanese divisions (most of them prepped for Singers?
Attack islands.There are lots of islands in the Phillippines and along the Chinese coast. These are waiting for you. Trying Malaya is not the most clever idea, imho.