Greyjoy(J) vs. Obvert(A) - The air war in China- DBB, SLs, PDU OFF

[GreyJoy]

July 12-17, 1943

The war goes on.

BURMA: the allies keep on attacking my retreating army at Kalemyo. My guys are really doing wonders in keeping the allies at bay, but superior quality of the allied tank army is really starting to show.
I have the 55th Division which is down to 80 AV, while the 33rd is at 250...facing more than 950 allied AVs of Tanks and Marines (3rd USMC ID present)... luckly my army should be 4 or 5 days from moving out of the Kalemyo hex, so we may be able to retreat safely...even if we need to leave behind a couple of smaller units that will be destroyed (made a couple of errors in resetting the moving orders and now I cannot wait anymore).
For the rest he keeps on reconning the bases in mid-Burma, Ramree and Akyab. I fear a coup de main with his paras, but I should have enough divisions now in central Burma to be able to guard my back.
No sign of any attempt of threatening my air space in Burma till now.

CHINA: good news here. We finally managed to push out the Chinese from the hex immediately south of Chungking, so now the capital is isolated. To do that I needed to use the bombers to preceed a last shock attack by my troopers...and what did the bombers meet? P-47s, P-40s and Corsairs on LRCAP! P-47s in China?!?! Already?! That's pretty scaring... the beasts didn't do as much damage as they could have cause I had set my bombers at 2000 and the enemy fighters were at 25,000...but still, they did take a toll on our guys, downing 59 planes (but half were fighters).
Wenchow remains under siege. More units are arriving. Hope to be able to launch an attack soon.

CENTPAC: here in the Marshalls things are worsening fast. Kwajalein is invaded. Maloap is falling. Roi-Namur is bombed daily. Eniwetok and Wake are reconned... and I have no chance to stop this steamroller..

SOPAC/SWPAC: The allies are massing artillery units at Buin, while some 25,000 men are marching from Lae to Finshhafen. nothing much more happened.

SUMATRA: the first two divisions arrived at Benkoleng and Padang from Burma/India. Good. More air search is moved in this area.


Haruna finally made to Japan. Working on 18 fld damage from a torp..will take until late septemeber considering the update she's going to get.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
CENTPAC: here in the Marshalls things are worsening fast. Kwajalein is invaded. Maloap is falling. Roi-Namur is bombed daily. Eniwetok and Wake are reconned... and I have no chance to stop this steamroller..

SOPAC/SWPAC: The allies are massing artillery units at Buin, while some 25,000 men are marching from Lae to Finshhafen. nothing much more happened.

Even if the Allies are moving forward here, you still have them at arms distance. Until the Allies have landed in the DEI or the Marianas, you have breathing room. I'm really interested in seeing what you can do with the IJA when you can start pulling it out of China. Your position overall is very strong I think.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
CENTPAC: here in the Marshalls things are worsening fast. Kwajalein is invaded. Maloap is falling. Roi-Namur is bombed daily. Eniwetok and Wake are reconned... and I have no chance to stop this steamroller..

SOPAC/SWPAC: The allies are massing artillery units at Buin, while some 25,000 men are marching from Lae to Finshhafen. nothing much more happened.

Even if the Allies are moving forward here, you still have them at arms distance. Until the Allies have landed in the DEI or the Marianas, you have breathing room. I'm really interested in seeing what you can do with the IJA when you can start pulling it out of China. Your position overall is very strong I think.

The whole strategy, since 1941,has always been to force the allies to take the centpac vector. So far is working, but i now see the dangers of having them so deep into the pacific.

Units are now flowing to the Mariannas and the Kuriles. Should have quite a lot of divisions there ready for late 1943. I need to delay the allied advance till that moment and i think it's doable. From now on, in centpac, Erik will only find fortresses not easily bypassed.

The real weak spot is in the DEI...that's why i'm keeping the KB there. The weakness of this strategy is that Japan needs to limit itself in the use of the KB...cause i can't defend everything.
I am sending some forces to Sumatra and Java but there are simply too many bases to cover there to be able to defend against a landing op without the KB. I need it there and at its full strenght.
Currently the KB is composed of 950 planes. Barely enough to face the better allied equipment...and i fear the moment of the allied CVs is arriving...

In CENTPAC i can easily abbandon Rabaul and the whole SOPAC/SWPAC area without losing anything strategically really important. But i need to stay and fight there as long as possible, slowing him down as much as possible. Not an easy balance to achieve.

[witpqs]

The whole strategy, since 1941,has always been to force the allies to take the centpac vector. So far is working, but i now see the dangers of having them so deep into the pacific.

[:D]

"Oh, no! He took the bait!" [:D]

[JohnDillworth]

I really like your defense, particularly the way you have cut off Northern Australia. You have all the right fortresses in all the right places. I suspect you can't be in all places and there are weak spots, but that is for your opponent to figure out. I find the lack of his CV's.....disturbing. Where are his "good" divisions? The 2 Australian ones and any Marine Divisions? None of his best divisions, no CV's, no AKA's, no APA's...Hmmmmmmmm

[Lowpe]

It is a question of supplies, fuel and oil.

Did Japan burn too much early on, or by burning so much insure longer production in the HI in 45.

Only time will tell.

[GreyJoy]

July 18-19, 1943

INDIA: the allies keep on pushing at Kalemyo. Another DA breaks the forts down to 1 and the 33rd ID is no more (12AVs remaining[X(]). I need two more days to evacuate the biggest part of my army... hope I can get there...

The allies land at Attu with 2 American Regiments and 1 artillery unit. The units there have been starving for 5 months now and can't hope to pose any resistance. The small atoll is easily conquered...now he has Diego Garcia in sight.

CHINA: he keeps on reconning the bases in the plains of chungking...I suspect he's thinking about a para-drop operation...mmmm.....

Wenchow is now about to be invested...in 4 days we'll start the attacks

CENTPAC: more successes for the Jakes! Another low level strike catches a company of LCIs full of supporting troops (a base force probably) and sinks 5 transports, causing more than 50 squads destroyed or disabled...not bad for those float planes!

SOPAC: 2 allied units reached Finshtafen. Now we'll see if my strategy works here.
He continues to pound Buin and Torokina and started to recon Buka, Green Island and Feni Island... the flanking movement will now begin?

OZ: quiet. Deadly quiet

NOPAC: Quiet

DEI: Quiet

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

I really like your defense, particularly the way you have cut off Northern Australia. You have all the right fortresses in all the right places. I suspect you can't be in all places and there are weak spots, but that is for your opponent to figure out. I find the lack of his CV's.....disturbing. Where are his "good" divisions? The 2 Australian ones and any Marine Divisions? None of his best divisions, no CV's, no AKA's, no APA's...Hmmmmmmmm

The 3rd USMC ID is at kalemyo, pushing out the japs from india back to Burma.
Another USMC ID was fighting (divided in regiments) in the Marshalls
So only 2 Marines IDs are missing

Where could he be striking with his CVs? My guesses are: Kuriles or Sumatra.
Don't think the MArshalls are doable yet.

My fortresses are now: Exmouth, Port Hedland, Derby, Horn Island, Mereuake, Finshhafen, Umboi Island, Rabaul, Kavieng, Ponape-Kusiae-Truk, Sarmi and Biak.

This is my southern line.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

It is a question of supplies, fuel and oil.

Did Japan burn too much early on, or by burning so much insure longer production in the HI in 45.

Only time will tell.

Oh I spent a lot...way too much.

HIs is what really doesn't bother me. I don't care about it, while I care about supplies. And supplies is what I wasted too much during the first year, trying to compensate for the PDU OFF with a deep RnD program and with the failure of the indian adventure.

However, things are improving a bit.

Supplies are now at 3.5 Millions (if tracker is to be believed), while fuel is at 7.9M (bunkers included).
HIs are still at 900K, but, again, I don't care much until fuel flows.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
My fortresses are now: Exmouth, Port Hedland, Derby, Horn Island, Mereuake, Finshhafen, Umboi Island, Rabaul, Kavieng, Ponape-Kusiae-Truk, Sarmi and Biak.

You need to start preparing some fortresses in central and southern Sumatra. You are probably correct that you will be unable to stop a landing near Sabang. But the geography of Sumatra starts becoming an advantage as the Allies advance SE. You can rely on support from Malaya and the terrain starts getting worse. Goal in Sumatra is to keep Palembang out of P-47 range. The western flank of Sumatra is the most difficult to defend I think; there are a handful of bases within range of Palembang, including some offshore islands that are certainly not defended. Difficult choices to make here...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
My fortresses are now: Exmouth, Port Hedland, Derby, Horn Island, Mereuake, Finshhafen, Umboi Island, Rabaul, Kavieng, Ponape-Kusiae-Truk, Sarmi and Biak.

You need to start preparing some fortresses in central and southern Sumatra. You are probably correct that you will be unable to stop a landing near Sabang. But the geography of Sumatra starts becoming an advantage as the Allies advance SE. You can rely on support from Malaya and the terrain starts getting worse. Goal in Sumatra is to keep Palembang out of P-47 range. The western flank of Sumatra is the most difficult to defend I think; there are a handful of bases within range of Palembang, including some offshore islands that are certainly not defended. Difficult choices to make here...

Already thought about that. My only answer to this strategical question is to create some strongpoints that have a strategical value.

Siberoet (the only island on the western side of Sumatra that can go to lvl 9 AF) will be guarded by a reinforced division, while it will be backed up by Padang, with a division and a level 4/5 AF.

Benkoleng will have a division (the 41st) and a couple of heavy arty units.

Sebang is already a good fortress, with nearly 35,000 men well dug in behind 5 forts.

Can't do much more than that. Can't defend everything. Need to cover the most valuable spots and pray.

However with KB in position and some decent AFs for the LBA, it can be a tricky trip for the allies to come out of India and get here without the Adamans...

Doable, yes, but risky? I guess so

[crsutton]

Yes, Siboret is a key base. It has to be defended.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
My fortresses are now: Exmouth, Port Hedland, Derby, Horn Island, Mereuake, Finshhafen, Umboi Island, Rabaul, Kavieng, Ponape-Kusiae-Truk, Sarmi and Biak.

You need to start preparing some fortresses in central and southern Sumatra. You are probably correct that you will be unable to stop a landing near Sabang. But the geography of Sumatra starts becoming an advantage as the Allies advance SE. You can rely on support from Malaya and the terrain starts getting worse. Goal in Sumatra is to keep Palembang out of P-47 range. The western flank of Sumatra is the most difficult to defend I think; there are a handful of bases within range of Palembang, including some offshore islands that are certainly not defended. Difficult choices to make here...

Already thought about that. My only answer to this strategical question is to create some strongpoints that have a strategical value.

Siberoet (the only island on the western side of Sumatra that can go to lvl 9 AF) will be guarded by a reinforced division, while it will be backed up by Padang, with a division and a level 4/5 AF.

Benkoleng will have a division (the 41st) and a couple of heavy arty units.

Sebang is already a good fortress, with nearly 35,000 men well dug in behind 5 forts.

Can't do much more than that. Can't defend everything. Need to cover the most valuable spots and pray.

However with KB in position and some decent AFs for the LBA, it can be a tricky trip for the allies to come out of India and get here without the Adamans...

Doable, yes, but risky? I guess so

Seems decent prep, however keep in mind that Sabang is out in the open. Not even forts will really save you here. Allied engineers can and will drop those, while they can't do the same to terrain (I know you already know this).

If you could bring in another division, and maybe some arty... perhaps as a reserve?

[Sangeli]

Yes, even though Sabang has a decent fort I just don't know if defending it with 35k soldiers is the best move. Allies will have full prep for the base and the stacking limit is a lot higher than 35k. Personally I don't think the solution is to reinforce it; I think it's to pull a lot of it back. Let the Allies have Sabang and concentrate defenses further south. The initial moves of invasions are always easy to pull off and Sabang is target #1. It's the subsequent moves after you have reacted that become more difficult. Concentrate on stopping the Allies at that point.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Yes, even though Sabang has a decent fort I just don't know if defending it with 35k soldiers is the best move. Allies will have full prep for the base and the stacking limit is a lot higher than 35k. Personally I don't think the solution is to reinforce it; I think it's to pull a lot of it back. Let the Allies have Sabang and concentrate defenses further south. The initial moves of invasions are always easy to pull off and Sabang is target #1. It's the subsequent moves after you have reacted that become more difficult. Concentrate on stopping the Allies at that point.

Sebang is alreay a key base for me. Cannot be abbandoned. It is a lvl 9 AF with Air HQ and plenty of AA. I may be trying to add a base force with some CD guns if i can. However it is a beast to take on if you ask me. Every allied advance will be spotted long before they arrive and, even with the full DS, they will be facing full complement of the japanese LBA, along with the KB that could be lurking around. Medan and Georgetown and the supporting bases.Not exactly an easy move.

If China goes well in the next months i may be able to add another ID to the base. I would go there if i was him, that's for sure.

Imagine the arriving allied DS escorting 5 infantry divisions and their transports... they get close to Senbang... they cannot put the planes on Nav attack bcause they will get butchered by my LBA CAP while targetting the ships anchored there (at least a SAG). Would you risk to get close without Naval attack set for your planes knowing the KB could be around?

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Yes, even though Sabang has a decent fort I just don't know if defending it with 35k soldiers is the best move. Allies will have full prep for the base and the stacking limit is a lot higher than 35k. Personally I don't think the solution is to reinforce it; I think it's to pull a lot of it back. Let the Allies have Sabang and concentrate defenses further south. The initial moves of invasions are always easy to pull off and Sabang is target #1. It's the subsequent moves after you have reacted that become more difficult. Concentrate on stopping the Allies at that point.

Sebang is alreay a key base for me. Cannot be abbandoned. It is a lvl 9 AF with Air HQ and plenty of AA. I may be trying to add a base force with some CD guns if i can. However it is a beast to take on if you ask me. Every allied advance will be spotted long before they arrive and, even with the full DS, they will be facing full complement of the japanese LBA, along with the KB that could be lurking around. Medan and Georgetown and the supporting bases.Not exactly an easy move.

If China goes well in the next months i may be able to add another ID to the base. I would go there if i was him, that's for sure.

Imagine the arriving allied DS escorting 5 infantry divisions and their transports... they get close to Senbang... they cannot put the planes on Nav attack bcause they will get butchered by my LBA CAP while targetting the ships anchored there (at least a SAG). Would you risk to get close without Naval attack set for your planes knowing the KB could be around?

I would take Port Blair and some of the Andamans first, and use my own (superior) LBA to harass or possibly suppress Sabang. It would also give me eyes on the immediate surrounding waters, as well as bases via long range recon planes. I might even do this and then hit you somewhere else, after making you think I'm coming for Sabang and all those troops... As for not being able to set the CV planes to naval attack to deal with any SAGs due to your LBA CAP, why couldn't he send in a SAG of his own to clear it out, covered by LBA or CV CAP and let your LBA fly into his wall of planes/flak? I'm not saying you shouldn't defend Sabang, I just don't see the extreme strategic importance of it and I think it being an open hex makes it weaker than desired for such a strong level of defense.

[GreyJoy]

Yes, the Adamans are the key to Sebang imho. I have a plan for the adamans, but it will all depend on how much Erik decides to commit there.

Will surely be intresting times to come. Tense ones.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Sebang is alreay a key base for me. Cannot be abbandoned. It is a lvl 9 AF with Air HQ and plenty of AA. I may be trying to add a base force with some CD guns if i can. However it is a beast to take on if you ask me. Every allied advance will be spotted long before they arrive and, even with the full DS, they will be facing full complement of the japanese LBA, along with the KB that could be lurking around. Medan and Georgetown and the supporting bases.Not exactly an easy move.

Yes, if it is level 9 it cannot be abandoned; I was not aware of this. It's not the strategy I would have pursued but it's clearly too late. Now I guess your strategy HAS to be to fight a decisive battle if/when Allies land. In that case I guess it makes sense to stack your defenses on the coastline and make the landing as difficult as possible. I can certainly imagine a scenario where a large battle takes place and a handful of transports get sunk but the Allies force a landing anyway. For now this strategy is OK, but I think you may grow to regret building up Sabang to level 9 should the Allies not land in Sumatra and continue their CentPac approach. Because once you have to keep the KB close to the Marianas it is going to be a lot easier for the Allies to land in Sumatra and take Sabang; right now your strategy is banking on the Allies simply hitting a brick wall there.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Yes, even though Sabang has a decent fort I just don't know if defending it with 35k soldiers is the best move. Allies will have full prep for the base and the stacking limit is a lot higher than 35k. Personally I don't think the solution is to reinforce it; I think it's to pull a lot of it back. Let the Allies have Sabang and concentrate defenses further south. The initial moves of invasions are always easy to pull off and Sabang is target #1. It's the subsequent moves after you have reacted that become more difficult. Concentrate on stopping the Allies at that point.

Sabang is a base that can be built to a level 9 airfield and pretty decent port. For that reason alone you want to deny it to the Allies for as long as possible. Basically after mid 43, once the Allies get their foot in a door, it won't come out. Yes, they can take Sabang but you almost have to fight for it anyways. Edit..Oh, I see that Master GJ has already built it up. Has to be fought for now...[;)]

[Encircled]

Its all part of the fun playing the Japanese

Don't build up the base, and you lack the air support and infrastructure to challenge the allies when they come, do build up the base and you have to fight for it.

I don't think he's done a bad thing with Sabang, especially if he can reinforce it but I guess time will tell.