More Variants - The End of Western Imperialism - No Nomad please (Feb 1944)

[Xargun]

Java:
The road to Soerabaja is clear !! My units pushed the beatup base force out of the way, forcing it back to Soerabaja leaving the way free. I have about 3 divisions worth of troops descending on Soerabaja and expect it to fall quickly once my troops actually enter the city.


Borneo:
Troops wade ashore at the undefended Sampit base. We should take it tomorrow, leaving only a single enemy base on Borneo.


China:
My attack at Wenchow only achieves 1:1 odds, but inflicts 3 times the losses on the defenders. The base should fall any day now.


SRA:
More allied troops come ashore at Ndeni. I briefly spoke to Nomad about this invasion and he was under the impression that I had no troops there -- apparently his recon failed miserably in detecting my Naval Guard Unit. I am hoping my troops can hold for a few days just to slow him down, but I have no illusions of them holding out against a full US division.

This turn some cruisers came by and said hi - lobbing shells all over the place. Then some SBD-3 DBs showed up and dropped a few tons of bombs. Since none of this happened before the landing, or during the initial landing, I am inclined to believe Nomad's story of thinking the island was devoid of Japanese troops.

IJN troops come ashore at Roti, Pantar and Koepang. I have to retake Pantar due to it flipping back from the troops at Koepang


Xargun

[Xargun]

I don't believe I have posted much economic information so here goes a brief update. I will post a bunch of data and then explain it. Please asked any questions you have.


Heavy Industry 1,441,662 [+1,741] Manpower 0,233,360 [-15,342]
Armaments [720] 0,152,170 [-0,977] Vehicles [150] 0,049,135 [-7,741]
Naval Shipyard 0,685,011 [-2,705] Merch Shipyard 0,001,534 [+0,017]

Empire Stats
Supply 05,691,883 [+16,948] [+36,027]
Resources 11,250,926 [+9,245] [+8,865] (+315,680; -146,660 HI; -160,155 LI)
Oil 05,128,657 [-2,880] [-2,860] (+28,650; -31,510)
Fuel 07,014,850 [+10,910] [+16,844] (+31,510; -14,666 HI)

Japan Stats
Resources 04,019,514 [-15,464] (47 days)
Oil 03,621,010 [-0,130] (516 days)
Fuel 03,044,870 [-3,563] (243 days)


Ok - the first 3 lines are fairly self explanatory - these are my current pools with the numbers in brackets the daily change. Overall I am increasing around 1700 HI per day with normally only the Naval Shipyard points being negative. My Merchant shipyard has been negative since turn 1, but after halting some ships it has flipped to a positive. As this maintains I will begin releasing the ships I have halted.

Empire Stats: Also fairly self explanatory. These are the numbers for my entire empire - so every little base on the map I own. The number in the first bracket is my daily change, the numbers in the second set of brackets are the daily totals used by industry.

My supplies are increasing approximately +10k a turn right now. My Resources are increasing just over 9k a day. Oil is being consumed at just under -2900 a day (but this is decreasing as I repair more oil wells). Fuel usually increases by +10k a day -- but some days its much less when I have to refuel the big drinkers -- CVs, BBs, etc...


Japan Stats: This is the totals of these items in the Home Islands only - and in reality the only numbers that matter economically. These are the real numbers that are driving my economy - I track these very closely. The numbers in brackets are the daily change and I keep the number of days at full consumption. So I have 47 days of resources left in Japan if all convoys stopped right now - same with oil and fuel.

I have 5 convoys hauling resources from Hokkaido - once sapporo's port is larger I will add 2 more. I have 4 convoys hauling resources and oil from Sakhalin. I have 2 convoys hauling resources from Port Arthur and 1 convoy hauling from Hong Kong.

I have just filled my first convoy of resources at Singapore and its on its way home - eventually I will be running 4-5 convoys from Singapore hauling resources back to Japan. I am also sending my first tankers to Palembang to being hauling oil / fuel. I have been waiting until I had enough escorts and was able to setup some ASW patrols in the area. I have been hauling fuel/oil from Brunei / Miri almost since I took them. As I clear up the SRA and can organize better ASW protection I will be opening up Tarakan / Balikpapan to convoys as well.

I am not listing the small 1-2 ship convoys I have hauling resources to larger ports, nor have I begun to setup larger convoys from places like Kendari or Sorong - though I am hauling oil from Babo / Boela to Sorong already.

A lot of the hauling is done in rotation as I don't have enough midsized tankers (approx 8k capacity) to handle all the locations yet - I tend to keep the larger 10k+ ships to Palembang and occasionally Balikpapan.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Here is a quick rundown on my R&D priorities...

Engines:
Nakajima Ha-45 12/42 [9/43]
Mitsubishi Ha-43 1/45 [9/45]
NE Turbojet 5/45 [7/45]

Aircraft:
A6M5c Zero 8/44 [10/44]
A7M2 Sam 1/45 [9/45]
B6N1 Jill 11/44 [11/44]
D3A2 Val 8/42 [8/42]
D4Y4 Judy 2/45 [2/45]
N1K5-J George 10/45 [10/45]
J1N1-S irving 10/43 [10/43]
J7W1 Shinden 10/45 [12/45]
Ki-44-IIc Tojo 3/44 [3-44]
Ki-84a Frank 4/44 [4/44]
Ki-84r Frank 1/45 [9/45]
Ki-49-IIb Helen 6/43 [9/43]
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy 9/44 [9/44]
Ki-102c Randy 7/45 [10/45]
Ki-201 Karyu 1/46 [3/46]
P1Y2 Frances 11/44 [11/44]

As expected I am Researching the Ha-43 and Ha-45 engines but have also added the NE Turbojet to the mix - and I bought R&D factories to support it -- I want to try jets !! The first date is the current arrival date and the one in brackets is the original arrival date - so you can see how far I have advanced the engine or aircraft.

The only real aircraft being accelerated is the A6M5c Zero and Ki-49-IIb Helen. I have 5 and 4 factories accelerating them currently. I have the engine bonus for the Ha-34 so the Helen is getting 8% a day. I am borderline on the engine bonus for the Ha-35 so I get anywhere from 5-10% for the zeros daily.

Several others get the 2% a day from the factories I have purchased but nothing else is close. The next aircraft will be the Tojo but thats still a few weeks away from the factories being fully repaired.


Xargun

[Mike Solli]

It's easy to determine all the units in a larger formation. Just pick any one you can find of the division and open it. In the bottom left, you'll see "Unit Organization of [higher formation]".

Open that and you'll see all of the formations of that division, and where they are on the map or when they arrive. If a formation is destroyed, you'll see that as well. You can either rebuild it or form the division without it. It'll then disappear from dead unit list.

2 Div.jpg (122.84 KiB) Viewed 555 times

[Xargun]

It's easy to determine all the units in a larger formation. Just pick any one you can find of the division and open it. In the bottom left, you'll see "Unit Organization of [higher formation]".

Open that and you'll see all of the formations of that division, and where they are on the map or when they arrive. If a formation is destroyed, you'll see that as well. You can either rebuild it or form the division without it. It'll then disappear from dead unit list.

2 Div.jpg

Correct... What I meant is, I write all the units down and where they are so I can plan how to move them all together and what HQ they need to reform into the larger division.


Xargun

[Xargun]

China:
My subterfuge may have worked Nomad has reinforced Changsha but my troops arrive in Siangtan next turn and will trigger a shock attack across the river. Approximately 3000 assault strength will attempt to force their way across the river against 5 Chinese units. I also have a horde of tanks and artillery forming east of Changsha over the next few turns to attack the city in support.

I have ordered as much air power to hit the defenders of the Siangtan as possible in an attempt to soften them up for my river crossing. Crossing my fingers - a bad result here will set me back 1-2 months in China easily. Whereas a good result will give me central China.


SRA:
My attack at Koepang failed but achieved 2:1 odds and lowered the forts to 1. I have ordered them to defend while I land the rest of the unit fragments - all together I should have plenty of assault strength to take the base.

My troops capture Pantar, Rota and Sampit.

The American troops attacked at Ndeni and easily took the base. My Naval Guard is cutoff and surrounded at Ndeni - I expect them to be wiped out next turn.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
A pair of PBs on ASW patrol near Palembang pounced on a Dutch sub causing minor damage.


Java:
West of Soerabaja my troops wipe out the fleeing Madioen Base Force opening another route. Troops will wait a couple days to recover some while a regiment will head to Malang to cut off escape from Soerabaja.


Luzon:
Bombers have switched back to hitting the airfield as the troops attacked again.


China:
My Shock Attack across the river was successful but did not capture the base. We got 2:1 odds, but it wasn't enough with the forts.

Ground combat at Siangtan (81,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 87175 troops, 826 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 3102

Defending force 62680 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2191

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2484

Allied adjusted defense: 938

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
3397 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 305 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4887 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 442 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 33 (1 destroyed, 32 disabled)



SRA:
My Guard Unit at Ndeni was wiped out by the American forces.

The rest of my troops went ashore at Koepang this turn and an attack is ordered for next turn.


On June 1st I get the first of my new units - 4 large Brigades with upgraded TOE. They will be shipped to the South Pacific as soon as possible to take up locations at Milne Bay, Woodlark Island, Somewhere in the Solomons and possible Port Moresby to free the division there for duty elsewhere.

I want to have two full divisions in reserve in this theater so when Nomad attacks into the Solomons with a division sized force, I can counter attack with two and destroy his troops.



Xargun

[Mike Solli]

I want to have two full divisions in reserve in this theater so when Nomad attacks into the Solomons with a division sized force, I can counter attack with two and destroy his troops.

Just curious, what type of transports are you going to keep there to move them? xAPs are always nice, but in short supply. I tend to use Tohos in the troop carrying configuration. They're pretty fast at 14 kts, and 2 of them with an Ansyu PB escort will easily fit in a size 2 port. Two of them carry 2320 troops and 5290 cargo. You'd need a lot to carry 2 divisions though...

[Xargun]

I want to have two full divisions in reserve in this theater so when Nomad attacks into the Solomons with a division sized force, I can counter attack with two and destroy his troops.

Just curious, what type of transports are you going to keep there to move them? xAPs are always nice, but in short supply. I tend to use Tohos in the troop carrying configuration. They're pretty fast at 14 kts, and 2 of them with an Ansyu PB escort will easily fit in a size 2 port. Two of them carry 2320 troops and 5290 cargo. You'd need a lot to carry 2 divisions though...

I converted (via points) 68 Daigen class xAKLs to LSD which carry 2200 troops each and have an 18 speed (if I remember correctly). So far I have lost 1 of these. So 6-8 LSDs can carry a full division and unload very quickly.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Luzon:
All IJA bombers have switched back to hitting the airfield at Bataan while the army attacks. My attack here only achieved 2:1 odds - not enough to take the base, but we lowered the forts and inflicted 2.5 times the casualties on the defenders. I do not think I need any more troops here.


China:
I kept all my bombers focused on hitting troops at Siangtan and Nomad put up 20ish warhawks on cap. My sweeps / escorts managed to whittle this down (but without really killing any) and my bombers hit their targets with minimal losses - but my Nates and Oscars took a beating.

The attack here only achieved 1:2 odds, but we lowered the fort level and killed nearly as many enemy troops as we lost. One of the five defending Corps is combat ineffective already. Nomad looks like he is moving reinforcements from Changsha here, while my troops gathering east of Changsha. This may take longer than I wanted, but I think I will be able to push through the Changsha - Siangtan line, breaking his defense of the rail.


SRA:
IJN troops land at Saumlaki and should capture it tomorrow.

The attack at Koepang captures the base and all enemy units there surrender.


Xargun

[Xargun]

China:
LR Naval Bombers hit the fleeing troops from Wenchow inflicting good damage in disabled and destroyed squads.

An additional attack at Siangtan reduces the forts to 0 and inflicts half again as many losses on the Chinese defenders. Nomad has move some more units into the fight here, but not sure it will be enough. I am resting my troops this next turn and trying to build up supplies for one more good push which may be enough to take the base.

1 hex east of Changsha I have 500+ Assault Strength in tanks waiting for the rest of the artillery and infantry to catch up before plunging into Changsha.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Luzon:
My feeble artillery attack at Bataan inflicts minimal losses on the defenders.


China:
My LR Naval Bombers inflict heavy losses on the Chinese troops in the open SW of Wenchow.
My Artillery strike at Siangtan causes more losses than we inflict as we are outnumbered 3:1 in guns here. In good news, supplies increased a bunch and my troops are getting one more day of rest and if supplies are good we will attack.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Luzon:
Bombers have been diverted to attack enemy troops at Bataan and the troops there have been ordered to attack.


China:
Continuous bombing of fleeing Chinese troops new Wenchow continues to pay off. My troops have arrived this turn and have been ordered to attack - hopefully the enemy units won't move out of the hex before I attack.

Another feeble artillery attack at Siangtan. But supplies are up - not full - but good enough and an attack has been ordered. More units are on the move at Changsha and I have ordered my troops to the east to invade the city. The units are mostly armor and artillery with a single Infantry Regiment leading them. Half a dozen brigades are moving towards here, but they are days away yet. I am not sure if he is reinforcing Siangtan as the moving troops appear to be moving NW.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Java:
My troops at Soerabaja performed an artillery attack to gauge the strength of the defenders. Roughly 300 Assault Strength of allied troops are holed up in Soerabaja. I don't have enough at Soerabaja to attack yet, but once the two divisions arrive I should be able to take the base.


Luzon:
Bombers were switched to land targets and my troops ordered to attack. It was a wonderful day on Luzon as the IJA troops overwhelmed the US and Philippine troops short on food and ammo at Bataan. Over 33,000 enemy troops were killed or captured. Luzon is now completely liberated - just need to clean up the minefield and Manila port will be open--- did I mention I just ordered upgrades on all my DMS in the area 7 days until they are upgraded and can be sent to start clearing mines...


Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45342 troops, 510 guns, 504 vehicles, Assault Value = 1382

Defending force 25789 troops, 232 guns, 362 vehicles, Assault Value = 345

Japanese adjusted assault: 611

Allied adjusted defense: 163

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bataan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1329 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
33212 casualties reported
Squads: 589 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2133 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 103 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 303 (303 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 401 (401 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 27


China:
LR Naval Bombers continued to hit fleeing Chinese troops SW of Wenchow and they did not escape as my troops attacked them in the open. Over 7,000 casualties were inflicted but they fled into the jungle to the southwest. My troops have been ordered to pursue.


South Pacific:
A bad day I sent two xAKs loaded with supplies, each escorted by a PB, to my southern islands to resupply them. They were due to arrive this turn and they did - only to be set upon by SBDs from the US CVs one hex east of Kirakira. Both TFs were sunk with 30 SBDs attacking each TF with 60 Wildcats escorting one strike and 30 the other.

Intel on the TFs show them moving west and consisting of 5+ CVs and escorts. Not sure how much I believe of that report, but I am guessing at least 3 CVs plus escorts. They may be escorting troops to Kirakira. TBH I hope they are. As KB is only 11 hexes to the north and has been ordered south - stopping within range of Kirakira and the US TFs. If the US CVs stay in their hex, or in the immediate area we will have an engagement next turn. I double checked all aircraft on KB to be set how I wanted so lets get a little excited !!


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
Another Dutch sub appears near Muntok (Palembang) firing a pair of torpedoes at my PB ASW TF. The fish missed, and the little PB turned around and pounced on KXIII dropping its entire load of depth charges on the enemy sub, inflicting several near misses and one control room damage. Total reported was 6 hits... Not bad for a little PB with old crappy depth charges.


Java:
The bulk of my troops have entered Soerabaja and they have been ordered to attack next turn. Roughly 2.5 divisions worth of troops are here in decent shape. Not sure I will take the city on my first attack, but it should fall soon.


China:
My Bombers are still following the fleeing Chinese Troops and bombing them in the jungle depths. Not nearly as effective here, but bombs are cheap in 42 and I need to slow / damage these troops so my troops can catch and kill them.

My attack at Siangtan was repulsed but we inflicted good casualties. My earlier belief that I would take the base is no longer true as he has moved a bunch of reinforcements there and he now outnumbers me.

In good news, my tanks arrived in Changsha which will limit his options now. They are awaiting the rest of the artillery and infantry before making any attacks. Several divisions worth of infantry are on their way here.


South Pacific:
Well no CV encounter - but it was all my fault. I only ordered KB to move within 6 hexes of Kirakira and nothing was there The US CV TF is still one hex east of Kirakira just sitting there. Makes me a little worried, but its May 1942 and I should still have CV superiority in terms of aircraft so I'm playing aggressive (which is not like my normal MO) and taking the chance to cripple or kill some allied CVs early. KB has been ordered several hexes South down my Lunga - if he stays there we should have some action this next turn - though the weather is bad in the area -- Moderate Rain over KB and Severe Storms over the US CVs...


Xargun

[Xargun]

SRA:
IJN troops come ashore at Dobo and Taberfane - the last two enemy bases (non dot) north of OZ. They are undefended and should fall next turn.


China:
More troops arrive in Changsha and I have ordered an attack to test the waters. Several Brigades will arrive over the next two days to bolster my troops here.

A Chinese Corps came across the river from Hengyang and attack my two units defending the beachhead on this side. Unfortunately the two units were smaller and he sent one retreating and mauled the second one. I expect that unit to be wiped out or retreat next turn, trapping my men at Siangtan - which is why the attack at Changsha is more important now.


South Pacific:
Well the US CVs are gone Not sure if he spotted me or was just done in the area, but no enemy ships are in the area around Kirakira that I detected. KB has been ordered home. Next decision is whether or not to send KB back to Japan for the 6/42 upgrade or simply do it at Truk - it only requires a size 25 yard and Truk has a size 30. Doing it at Truk would save me 2 weeks travel time plus a lot of fuel to go to Japan and back.


Xargun

[Xargun]

China:
My attack at Changsha failed with 1:28 odds - against level 6 forts. But the surprising thing is they lost 50% more casualties than I did. 1355 vs 1989. I am guessing my tanks played a part. Problem is it seems I cannot get supplies forward fast enough here and the attack used half the available supplies and now all the units are showing in red - so we have to wait for supplies to catch up.

My troops at Siangtan are surrounded now I am not sure how I'm going to break them out. Luckily they have a lot of supplies with them so they should last a bit. I am thinking my best chance is to take Changsha or open up a whole to them and retreat out. I am just very upset with myself at allowing this.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Java:
Soerabaja falls !!!! My troops take the city wiping out 16,665 enemy troops and capturing the last major base in the SRA.
The base is in decent shape and I plan only to repair the oil thats damage (33 oil). The industry and such will not be repaired.


Not much else happened this turn - more troops moving in China, but he did not attack my trapped men at Siangtan.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
Another Dutch sub surfaces and attacks a lone xAK carrying resources bound for Singapore. One of four torpedoes hit and 11 shells from the sub's deck gun send the hapeless merchie to the bottom.


Luzon:
DMSs begin clearing the Bataan minefield.


Xargun

[Xargun]

China:
IJA Artillery is shelling the enemy at Changsha inflicting decent losses on them.

I am going over a couple plans to try to free the 6 Divisions trapped at Siangtan. I definitely need to free them and not lose them. That would give Nomad the strength to take back a lot of China if he wanted.


Xargun