Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[ny59giants]

Luzon - I like to slowly move in my BFs to Manila and base my air units here as it is only one hex to both Clark and Bataan. Cut down on those op losses. [:)]

I suggest that you form up 3 x TF consisting of 7 x Daigen Class xAKLs and 2 x To'su PB (11,980) to haul Resources from the Philippine Archipelago (Iloilo, Bacolad, Cebu, Baybay, Catbalogan, and Mindanao)to Naga. I build up Naga to size 4 port and AF. Aden Class xAKs will eventually finish the trip back to Japan from Malaya later. Most of these bases listed have a size 2 port. Thus, these TFs nicely fit under the 12k limits. [8D]

You can later form up small CS convoys of TKs (the small 1250 capacity or some of the Std-x conversion over to TKs) to move Oil and Fuel from Miri to Manila. Again, eventually it will get to Honshu.

As you are learning, Japanese economics is a game within a game. [:D]

OT - Who is the true "counselor" within your household??

[Cribtop]

Thanks, apretzo. CF and I both thought it would be good to have an AAR of the course of the broader war to go along with the "destroyer eye view" from Gridley. I will break into first person accounts of any really important battles, but we haven't had any since Pearl that qualify. I was planning a Stalingrad-esque entry had we bagged the LCUs at Loyang, but it was not to be. I suspect we will find his long absent navy and air force as we push aggressively in the eastern DEI over the coming weeks.

Nygiants, thanks for the info. Both in the PI and Borneo we are getting closer to sounding the all clear and beginning to haul material back to the Home Islands. A base force is already en route to Manila, having landed at Aparri a few days ago. However, I got careless and only just realized this base force has a few 8cm coastal guns, so it won't stay at Manila forever.

As to holding Manila, as I've mentioned there could be an element of historical role play to CF's decision. Operationally, the units were two base forces, 1AA unit and four Philippine Army units, not exactly the cream of his crop. He did hold onto the supply generating industry at Manila as long as possible, too. However, he could have achieved the same supply draw minus about four days with a token defense.

[Cribtop]

PS - the counselor is Mrs. Cribtop a/k/a my wife Lisa. She currently only practices her trade on me and our four year old daughter, but previously worked in several local children's shelters.

Those of you wondering about this question should drop into Canoerebel's AAR for a hilarious off topic discussion of just how far some of us take the AE addiction. [:D]

[ny59giants]

I'm now in NE Tenn working as a mobile crisis counselor for children. I imagine I could have an interesting conversation with her about children's issues.

[Canoerebel]

Another coincidence, Dwain. My wife's name is Lisa.

[Cribtop]

Even though it's a common name, Dan, given all the other similarities it's getting spooky.

[Cribtop]

Jan 8, 1942

We re-orient after the fall of Manila and Loyang. Lots of action in the coming days and weeks in the eastern DEI. VP count is getting closer to 1:1, for whatever that's worth.

Subs

The daily harassment of enemy subs near Formosa continues, this time aimed at Porpoise. Our subs are on active patrols but see nada. We will initiate a second round of deep recon in the coming weeks looking for his rear area bases.

4th Fleet

Maiana occupied by rowboat.

SE Fleet

Tulagi invaded, no sign of enemy activity anywhere in this AO. Recon of PM and other New Guinea targets will commence soon in preparation for the next phase.

14th Army

We are preparing to ship arty left over from Hong Kong to Clark field. All troops save two small tank units head for Clark, which is also visited by the IJAAF. We are considering pulling the Oscars for use at Singapore. The two tank LCUs will seize Batangas (still held by a base force). Then one will push on to capture the unoccupied balance of southern Luzon. We will soon order two small LCUs to commence "dot base cleanup" operations. Clark and Bataan will last a while under siege but in a few more days 14th Army will become an area of less intense operations, allowing us to shift forces to more decisive fronts.

16th Army

Operation KS is about 48 hours out from D-Day. We will commence port attacks at Ambon and Kendari to soften up the CD guns.

25th Army

Marching and bombing our way down the Malay Peninsula. We now turn attention to the next line of bases with an eye to using Kuala Lumpur and perhaps Malacca as fighter bases. It is time to reduce Singapore's air defenses.

15th Army

DA Moulmein takes the base, odds 119:1, casualties 596(50) vs 40(0) as one enemy LCU surrenders, one retreats. 21st Bde crosses the river north of Moulmein tomorrow with 33rd Div right behind. Cribtop HQ believes this will come as a surprise to CF as these units have not been reconned nor adjacent to the enemy at any point during their approach. So far he has seen one infantry Regt and one cavalry Regt of 55th Div, the units that took Moulmein.

China

DA near Nanyang forces the last trapped enemy LCU to surrender, odds 237:1, casualties 1741(322) vs nil.

Other

Aparri makes level 4 airfield, Kota Bharu makes level 5. We didn't really want to increase Kota past four, but the airfield is over stacked with IJAAF bombers needed to pound Singapore.

[Cribtop]

PS - forgot to mention that Haruna made Hiroshima/Kure and her repair time in the bigger shipyard dropped from 131 days to 77. Well worth the 96 hours to move her.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

PS - forgot to mention that Haruna made Hiroshima/Kure and her repair time in the bigger shipyard dropped from 131 days to 77. Well worth the 96 hours to move her.

Good news indeed.

[Cribtop]

Jan 9, 1942

Subs

K XIII elects not to attack a PC in a leading ASW TF for Operation KS, then misses a DD in Indes Fleet that is following behind. CA Chokai is spotted by the sub, so CF knows we are moving here in strength. Near Formosa, an Ann from our ASW Daitai is reported hit by sub AA fire. Never seen that report before! The Ann makes it back home and is ok for ops on the 10th.

4th Fleet

The Nauru and Ocean Island invasion launches. Cribtop HQ approves planning for seizure of Baker and Canton.

SE Fleet

Tulagi is captured and New Hanover Island is occupied. We are pleased that KB remains unspotted. This may make CF more cautious in the DEI, but may not. Either way, we'll keep the CVs the silent watchdog in SE Fleet if at all possible. The invasion fleet departs for Munda, the next target in the chain invasion.

Small convoys leave Truk to collect two base forces and a Nav Guard unit that arrived at Saipan. These forces will be loaded and used in the invasion of the Papuan peninsula of New Guinea, which will commence as soon as the Solomons Op concludes. KB is then likely to head for the DEI to cover invasions of Java and Sumatra.

14th Army

An LCTF raids the enemy's PT hideout at Legaspi and sinks all six enemy boats for no loss. This was a mission of opportunity as this DesDiv transited from Cam Ranh Bay to Babeldoab. The enemy PT threat in the PI has not amounted to anything, and we credit the choice of Aparri as the exclusive landing site for this outcome.

Bombers hit Bataan. Starting tomorrow, the Oscar Sentai will depart for Malaya and the IJAAF will begin daily hammering of both Clark and Bataan airfields.

This move is made possible because we seize the enemy's secret airbase at Batangas with armor, odds 34:1, casualties 169(8) vs nil. Ten Philippine air force fighters are destroyed on the ground. No sign of any P-40s left in Luzon. He may have a few stashed at Cebu or some other base, but given the need in Burma and Singapore for Oscars and the paucity of resistance in the PI, we make the decision to rely on escorting Nates until we see an enemy fighter again. As planned, the 16th Recon Regt will handle cleanup in the south of Luzon.

The bulk of 14th Army will arrive at Clark Field tomorrow and begin the siege. Two LCUs got there a bit early, so we put the marching units into combat mode just in case the enemy decides to risk an attack. If he does we will catch him by surprise as our army is only two miles short of entering the Clark hex.

16th Army

All eyes are on Operation KS. The fleet transits the tight straits between the Moluccas and New Guinea and is spotted. Small air attacks by Hudsons and Dutch bombers result in no hits and about four kills for KBL Zeros. Tomorrow we invade Sorong and Boela with small forces while the main invasion moves closer to Ambon, which will come under heavy preparatory air attack. Kendari is port attacked today in a deliberate attempt to confuse CF as to the target of the invasion.

We have done everything possible, other than wait for KB, to protect this invasion. 18 Mavis have been searching out to 20 hexes and 36 Nells out to 14 from Manado. Subs patrol the waters between Ceram and Timor. We have LBA and KBL providing air support, and heavy surface forces protecting the transports. Could Force Z or the enemy CVs intervene? Perhaps, but they didn't get a lot of warning of our approach. One regret is that moving into Ambon is tough in these tight waters, so D Day will not occur until the 11th. There is nothing to do but watch and wait.

25th Army

An annoying "feature" bites us today. We had ordered ground attacks at Temuloh, but the enemy wisely evacuated by rail. This resulted in IJAAF bombers following an enemy ground unit all the way to Johore Baru and into the arms of waiting CAP. 13 Lily and 1 Sally are shot down. Ugh. We've seen this before, apparently bombers pre-select LCU targets and that overrides orders to focus on a given hex. Fortunately air losses have been so light that we can easily replace both air frames and pilots.

DA 1 hex NW of Kuala Lumpur by our advance guard of armor again thrashes the poor survivors of Taiping, odds 71:1, 5 LCUs retreated, casualties 583(181) vs nil.

15th Army

Marching on Pegu from multiple directions. We are actively reconning central Burma bases and so far the enemy appears to be standing pat with pre-war dispositions or something close thereto. Cribtop HQ is preparing for the inevitable air war and to that end withdraws 1st Sentai from Malaya to Saigon to upgrade from Nates to Oscars. This air group plus the lone Tojo Chutai will be the foundation of our fighter strength here. We anticipate brining in another Oscar Sentai once air superiority is established at Singapore.

China

Marching and bombing, trying to catch the former Loyang garrison before it reaches the forest.

5th Fleet

The Operation AA fleet closes in on its final way point before D Day. No sign of enemy activity from screening subs or our picket ship, which will take position just off Adak tomorrow.

[ny59giants]

PS - forgot to mention that Haruna made Hiroshima/Kure and her repair time in the bigger shipyard dropped from 131 days to 77. Well worth the 96 hours to move her.

It wasn't repair shipyard size, but port size that effects the repair time. Check to see if you have a Naval HQ in Honshu to move here. It will also help.

[Cribtop]

Once again, you learn something new every day. Thanks! Looks like some of our naval brass will get a seaside vacation in Kure.

[anarchyintheuk]

I thought it was both. A repair check based upon port size and a repair check based upon accumulated repair points. The more I know about this game the less I remember.

[ny59giants]

It is nice to expand one repair shipyard to twice the size of your largest BB (except Yamato). Do so in a size 9 or 10 port. Then all but the largest BBs can go in there solo and you can increase the repair rate from "Normal" to High" or "Critical."

[Cribtop]

Jan 10, 1942

Subs

Our screening DDs chase off KX near Ternate in the night phase. During the day phase, the *&$#%## Dutch sub sinks an xAK carrying part of 21st/A Division in the Kendari invasion TF. DDs put two "real" hits into her and she is shown as sunk in Tracker. Interestingly, this event validates a little known Cribtop doctrine of "lifeboat" xAKs. For big invasions, we have toyed with keeping some of the "supply only" xAKs at about 75% supply load, hoping the excess capacity will allow the empty ships to rescue survivors of sub and air attacks when merchants are inevitably sunk. In this case, the combat report noted 804 men rescued. Given that only 20% of the unit was in the lost xAK, perhaps this is validation of the lifeboat doctrine? Not really sure, but an interesting data point.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Tulagi falls and the invasion force moves on to Munda. Due to lack of enemy activity, we order the simultaneous invasion of Munda and Shortlands tomorrow. Tassafaronga is occupied.

14th Army

The bulk of the army arrives at Clark Field. No attack by CF's forces, so the siege will settle in. Unfortunately, weather scrubs the Clark Field air attacks.

16th Army

Other than the unfortunate incident with KX, so far so good. Sorong and Boela are invaded without incident, Ambon tomorrow. Small enemy air raids provide 2 more Hudson kills for our LRCAP. KBL's Kates bomb Ambon's port. Unfortunately, the Nell bombing from Manado is scrubbed by storms. We are hopeful that tomorrow will go well, but always worried about ambushes. Kendari invasion force and Celebes Sea Sqdn line up to hit their target as soon as the Ambon landings are complete.

Shoho arrives at Babel without incident and will join KBL very soon.

25th Army

No change.

15th Army

As 21st Bde moves to cross the river above Pegu, recon picks up the fact that the enemy is moving a unit to block it. Given that only 3 LCUs are defending the base in the first place, this may create opportunities for 33rd Division to bull its way into Pegu directly somewhat ahead of schedule.

China

No change. We should catch the Loyang stack tomorrow. Whether we actually get to attack them in the plains is another matter.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Jan 10, 1942

Subs

Our screening DDs chase off KX near Ternate in the night phase. During the day phase, the *&$#%## Dutch sub sinks an xAK carrying part of 21st/A Division in the Kendari invasion TF. DDs put two "real" hits into her and she is shown as sunk in Tracker. Interestingly, this event validates a little known Cribtop doctrine of "lifeboat" xAKs. For big invasions, we have toyed with keeping some of the "supply only" xAKs at about 75% supply load, hoping the excess capacity will allow the empty ships to rescue survivors of sub and air attacks when merchants are inevitably sunk. In this case, the combat report noted 804 men rescued. Given that only 20% of the unit was in the lost xAK, perhaps this is validation of the lifeboat doctrine? Not really sure, but an interesting data point.

Will you get a look at the TF before it unloads? It would be interesting to see if the did indeed wind up on that xAK.

[thegreatwent]

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Jan 10, 1942

Subs

Our screening DDs chase off KX near Ternate in the night phase. During the day phase, the *&$#%## Dutch sub sinks an xAK carrying part of 21st/A Division in the Kendari invasion TF. DDs put two "real" hits into her and she is shown as sunk in Tracker. Interestingly, this event validates a little known Cribtop doctrine of "lifeboat" xAKs. For big invasions, we have toyed with keeping some of the "supply only" xAKs at about 75% supply load, hoping the excess capacity will allow the empty ships to rescue survivors of sub and air attacks when merchants are inevitably sunk. In this case, the combat report noted 804 men rescued. Given that only 20% of the unit was in the lost xAK, perhaps this is validation of the lifeboat doctrine? Not really sure, but an interesting data point.


Will you get a look at the TF before it unloads? It would be interesting to see if the did indeed wind up on that xAK.

Curious about that myself.

[Cribtop]

Gentlemen, I'm glad you asked. I think the Cribtop Lifeboat Doctrine just graduated to capital letters (and is a fully protected trademark of M&M Enterprises, of course). [&o]

Here is the situation of 21st/A Division on board ship on Jan 10th (actually points out a failure in my loading routine as I meant to have them spread over 4 or 5 ships, not 3 [:-]):


- Anzan Maru (1/3 of unit, led by 36 IJA Infantry sqds, this is the parent)
- Kinkai Maru (1/3 of unit, led by 36 IJA Infantry sqds)
- Ume Maru (1/3 of unit, led by 36 IJA Infantry sqds)
- Nittai Maru is one of two "supply only" xAKs, 81% full and a big mother

And the situation on Jan 11, after the "unfortunate incident:"

- Anzan Maru - SUNK
- Kinkai Maru (1/3 of unit, led by 36 IJA Infantry sqds)
- Ume Maru (1/3 of unit, led by 36 IJA Infantry sqds)
- Nittai Maru (1/3 of unit, all disabled, 20 IJA Infantry sqds, 8 IJA HMG sqds, 14 support), Nittai Maru now 100% full

Total Status of 21st/A Div on 1/10/42: 103/103
Total Status of 21st/A Div on 1/11/42: 61/78

Thus, instead of losing an agonizing 33% of the unit, we lose 22%, with a very significant force stuffing itself into the Nittai Maru "lifeboat."

Wow, you really learn something new in this game every day. We just tried this with no idea it would work, but it does! The lifeboat doctrine can be expanded upon further by actually including 1-3 EMPTY xAKs or xAPs in a major invasion. Presumably even more of the unit would be saved. Cool. [&o]

[Canoerebel]

Dang clever lawyering work that is.

[Cribtop]

Jan 11, 1942

We are feeling all awesome for having added the lifeboat doctrine to the game. Shame it took losing a good portion of an infantry unit to do it. From now on, all major Cribtop invasions will include at least two empty ships for lifeboat duty (assuming we have the lift capacity). We are rewarded by the gaming gods with a successful turn to boot.

Subs

Porpoise duds on an ASW TF SC near Formosa, Pike duds on an SC in the same channel. The crews of our SCs and their subs are practically on a first name basis in this area. However, we haven't seen the S-boat an Ann claimed a hit on in a while, so maybe we got her or sent her back to the yards. I-9 is harassed by enemy ASW off CONUS, but evades by diving deep.

4th Fleet

D-Day at Nauru tomorrow. Taiyo arrives in Japan tomorrow, the Claudes fly off to Tokyo today for upgrade to Zeros. The CVE will now begin a new career re-sizing and training carrier capable air groups.

SE Fleet

Lunga occupied by rowboat. Munda Point and Shortlands are invaded. Both bases will fall tomorrow. KB will move back to the north side of the Solomons chain in a continuing effort to provide air cover while remaining unspotted.

Convoys begin loading elements of the Papuan Peninsula invasion, now dubbed Operation LPM, in the Marianas. The main body of the invasion is at Truk and will load soon (with lifeboats [:'(]).

IJNAF bombers finish off the small enemy LCU recently kicked out of Kavieng, saving us the trouble.

14th Army

Our forces prepare for siege warfare on Luzon, as arty units from Hong Kong unload at Aparri. The IJAAF begins its daily milk runs over Clark and Bataan and get good results, with numerous supply and runway hits on both bases. One annoying success is that IJNAF Zeros at Jolo keep insisting on trying to escort IJAAF bombers to Bataan. They never link up but perform useless and fatigue inducing sweeps over the place. Hell of a co-ordination roll boys, but knock it off. [:-] We could cut their range but want as much Netty umbrella as possible. They should re-base to Kendari soon (we hope).

Elsewhere, the Mindanao force is closing in on Cagayan at long last.

DA Lucena takes the base from the doomed PA Air base force, 27:1, casualties 22(4) vs nil.

16th Army

We invade Ambon and it goes well. Chokai and Maya again serve as flagships and CD suppressors in the invasion fleet and do good work, assisted by Kates from KBL on port attack as their secondary mission. Indeed, by the PM unloading phase, the CD guns are virtually silenced, firing only 5 shots compared to 69 in the first unloading phase of the turn. DD Sanae takes one penetrating hit but still can make 20 kts. The troops unload completely and in good order. DA tomorrow. Allied BA shows raw AS at 258:53.

We experimented with having float planes from Chokai fly recon over Ambon in hopes of improving suppression fire (as it helps with bombardments), but there is no evidence this did one iota of good. We scanned the combat report for "Dave spotting for CA Chokai" but no dice.

DA Sorong takes the base with 15:1 odds, casualties 31(4) vs nil. An xAK in the Sorong invasion force runs aground while unloading supplies but takes negligible damage (although the Captain's pride takes appreciable damage).

Boela falls. Facilities suffer nominal damage and are at 20(5). Capturing Boela first means the Ambon Dutch usually surrender, which is just one less headache to deal with.

Cribtop HQ issues a warning order to forces scheduled to participate in Operation SM, the seizure of Samarinda, Balikpapan, Badjermasin and Makassar. An FT TF loads the 21st Air Flotilla HQ at Jolo for immediate shipment to Ambon once it falls. 11th Air Fleet HQ is planning to move from Manado to Kendari. We are looking to establish conditions necessary for the invasion of Timor asap.

25th Army

Marching and bombing Kuala Lumpur. The IJAAF bombers now have their ranges limited to KL in hopes of preventing another "ride along the rails."

15th Army

No change. Slogging on Pegu.

China

Our army enters the hex containing the Loyang survivors in force. DA tomorrow assuming our bombers can continue to slow their attempt to escape to the forest.

5th Fleet

Operation AA goes in with no opposition other than the frigid temperatures. Attu and Amchitka islands are invaded without incident and should fall tomorrow.