Matrix Games Forums

Um not sure it probably helps allies more certainly in terms of playability I have no idea why he chose that option.

The main benefit for the allies is 7th Armoured Bde and the HQ of 70th Brit Div

The japanese never lose the Thai army so its probably a wash in terms of who benefit on land early for the allies and later for Japan.

Some of the Aus armour hangs around as well but its tight on replacements so not sure how much help that end up being.

De facto a lot of the units that keep are stuck on the US West Coast and in India restricted to India comand so unless he attacks US net net I probably gain about 2 Divs out of this option - PZB gains 4 or 5 Divs but all weak Thai forces.

In the air you still need to withdraw units to get the new version and I dont have the replacements to make the keeping of the units decisive - again it probably favours the allies a littel but mostly late war.

At sea its a help to the allies because it simplifies my management and gets me a few specials - e.g. keeping the Queens is a big help

Andy

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Ultimately I cannot stop KB with aircraft alone but I dont need to

Flak when concentrated is murderous to DB's and TB's and its the one thing I get a lot of early so I need to think how best to use it.

Colombo will get plenty as will PM apart from that I need to think where else

This is a great point I haven't seen made elsewhere. I pretty much ignored flak in WITP. In AE it's very important for the Allied player, especially to holding the line at the northern Burma border. It makes up a lot for weak Allied fighter opportunities in the first half of 1942. Any dead Japanese pilots in that period, by whatever means, pays dividends later. You really do get large waves of flak coming into Aden, etc. early on.

As said down-thread, I also did not grasp the utility of focused disbanding in this, my first AI game. When I play again I'll spend a lot more time on early pool management.

Your fighters are not great and are not numberous early days of the war but you do get a lot of AA units that historically were sent to Malaya/Java

HAA Regts

1st RM HAA, 6th HAA, 77th HAA

LAA Regts

1st Indian, 21st and 35th and 48th LAA Regts

Mixed Burma Aux AA Regt

Plus in Malaya 4 HAA and 1 LAA Regts

And the 4 big RAF Group base forces have a LAA Regt and HAA Regt organic to their TOE so the allies in India do get a lot of AA - to much which is why they started to cannibalise them from infantry replacements in 44

Good luck Andy Mack.
This will be a good fight ill bet. [:)]

Defending India ok how am I going to do it.

There are five areas that need to be covered and damned few combat units to do it.

1. Assam Sector

Very few troops available I will pull one of the fragmented Indian Base forces into the area and the Assam Bn's plus possibly a Chinese Div when bought via PP's for Ledo.

In total thats all I can spare for that sector but as long as BurCorps is still in the fight then thats probably enough.

2. Calcutta Sector

I can spare more troops for this sector but despite the fact that I would love to hold Akyab I dont want to commit forces off the rail network.

Initially all I have is the two Bde Groups of 14th Indian Div - and that aint a lot. Add to that a pretty much useless Armoured bde equipped with trucks and in Dec 41 I am weak....

3. The coastline between Calcutta and Madras

Will get a fragment of a base force and a couple of Bns of infantry and an Indian Cav Regt as well as a newly mechanised 16th light Cav regt as a reaction support.

Enough to stop a raid but not an attack in strenght

4. Madras Sector

Madras itself is covered by 19th Indian Div which is doing double duty as COIN and anti invasion and an

5. Colombo Sector

I have the 3 Bdes of 34th Indian Div scarttered across the island and will reinforce when I can

Reinforcements

7th Indian Div will eventually be freed up from garrison duty in the north but it needs time to rest and train
255th Armoured Bde same
254th Armoured Bde same

These three formations if trained and at full strength are powerfull as they are now they are weak and untrained.

The issue I face is that most of my dcent forces are deployed overseas

3 Div equivalents in Burma another 3 in Malaya with only 18th Brit not committed

I get 23rd Indian Div and 7th Armoured Bde soon but even with them India will remain weak for months and its a difficult balancing act to worry about for the next few months

This may indicate just how bad things are so far.....

Discovered one issue with no disbands - I will still need to disband some units.

I only get 12 Vickers MMG Squads a month and only 16 Bren Sections - these between them have a hhuge amount of the firepower of all CW forces and they are shared by all CW forces.

I will probably have to cannibalise some of the Indpt Vickers Bns to fill up my Divs.

So no disbandments is of limited use as the replacement rates of devices was set taking account of these 'extra device' that return to the pool.

In reality I would prefer to know where PZB is going then I can direct the shared devices in that direction

Its a difficult balancing act knowing which way to send my limited munitions need to pay carefull attnetion to sig int and try to find a pattern

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 14, 41



Fecjk feck feck these torpedoes are starting to get annoying....

Submarine attack near Catanduanes at 84,81

Japanese Ships
AS Nagoya Maru

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack



AS Nagoya Maru is sighted by SS Skipjack
SS Skipjack launches 4 torpedoes




Thank god for the pigboats

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hong Kong at 77,61

Japanese Ships
DMS Sureko, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41



SS S-41 launches 4 torpedoes
S-41 bottoming out ....
Escort abandons search for sub


I had to pull out 3 Sqns of B17 out of PI they had no operational aircraft and they are getting destroyed ont eh ground,

Nothing I can really exploit - yet....

SIG INT REPORT FOR Dec 14, 41

Radio transmissions detected at Saipan (108,93).
Yura Fortress is located at Kobe(108,59).
6th Tank Regiment is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Singora.
8th Armored Car Co is located at Wuhu(89,53).
2/2nd Tank Regiment is loaded on xAK Arimasan Maru moving to Vigan.
5/48th Field Artillery Regiment is loaded on a To'su Cargo class xAKL moving to Vigan.
a Ansyu xPB class PB is moving to Jolo (74,90).
1/6th Tank Regiment is located at Singora(51,72).
2/1st Formosa Inf. Regiment is located at Vigan(80,73).
8861 men are based at Toyohara (124,46).
44th Ind.AA Gun Co is located at Fusan(103,55).
62nd Infantry Group is located at Chiba(114,61).
4/33rd Division is loaded on a Keihuku Maru class xAP moving to Bangkok.
2/2nd Tank Regiment is loaded on xAK Arimasan Maru moving to Vigan.
11th JAAF Base Force is located at Pescadores(84,63).
1/48th Recon Regiment is planning for an attack on Lingayen.
23rd Fld AA Gun Co is located at Niigata(114,57).
13th JAAF AF Coy is located at Taichu(86,64).
II./90th Infantry Battalion is located at Rashin(110,46).

OK while waiting for th enext turn I have made a few decisions

The MLR in Malaya is goign to be the yellow hex.

I chose it because PZB appears to following the Temuloh axis and its deceptively slow.

11th Indian Div is now en route and concentrated 9th will follow as soon as the remnants of 8th Indian Bde get out of the trap at Kota baru.

I chose that hex for the following reasons

Good defensive ground
Not a base hex so no airbase to bomb he will have to send his air units in on groubnd attack missions and yes you guessed it my AA will be waiting.

I will concentrate 3rd HAA Regt and 1 of the HK&S HAA Regts and a LAA Regt there there giving me a mixed force of up to 48 HAA and 36 LAA Guns plus the organic guns I will turn on replacements in these formations to ensure they get the valuable arty.

That should go a long way to negating his air superiority - if my troops can dig in and concentrate I should be able to delay for a while.

Mersing will need to be garriosoned but thats a small price to pay and if it forces him to mount a naval operation so much the better its all about delay.

I will mass my best combat units there to try and delay for at least a week on this line

Andy

ps I have picked a diferent strategy v string

OK going to draw attention to a few things that happened today



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 15, 41

1stly Houston Group did get into a Japanese SCTF - PZAFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 15, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 98 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-14



18 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Urukaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3
DD Scout, Shell hits 1
DD Thanet
DD Thracian



Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards
CL Nagara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Urukaze launches Torpedoes at CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Urukaze fires at DD Thanet at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Scout at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Houston at 2,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Umikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Scout engages DD Suzukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Scout at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Nagara at 3,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Urukaze at 3,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Scout at 3,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Scout at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Thracian at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Thracian at 6,000 yards
DD Scout engages DD Umikaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Nagara at 9,000 yards
DD Urukaze engages DD Thracian at 9,000 yards
DD Urukaze engages DD Thanet at 9,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Scout at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Vigan at 80,73

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
SS S-39



SS S-39 is sighted by escort
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ikazuchi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Legaspi at 82,82

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7
CS Mizuho
DMS W-8
AO Hayamoto
TK Matsumoto Maru
AMc Ataka Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
PB Showa Maru #5
PB Showa Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack



SS Skipjack launches 4 torpedoes at DMS W-7
Skipjack bottoming out ....
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #3 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hong Kong at 77,61

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinkyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41



xAK Sinkyo Maru is sighted by SS S-41
SS S-41 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Sinkyo Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Vigan at 80,73

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 15

Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 10



SS S-39 is sighted by escort
S-39 bottoming out ....
SC Ch 15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 15 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 15 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 15 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 98 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-14



19 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 112 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-13



20 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 128 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-16
DMS W-15



43 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manila at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manila at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G4M1 Betty x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Whippoorwill, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manila at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Lark
AM Tanager, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 55


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 10 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on SSVF Brigade, at 49,75 (Taiping)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-27b Nate attacking from 100 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 45
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
23 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Indian Brigade, at 51,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 28



No Japanese losses


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


Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking FMSV Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking FMSV Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Indian Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Indian Brigade, at 51,79 (Kuantan)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st ISF Base Force ...
Also attacking 22nd Indian Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-15-II Babs x 1
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ichang , at 83,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 7
DB-3M x 3
SB-III x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
DB-3M: 3 damaged
SB-III: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x DB-3M bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 100 kg GP Bomb
5 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
54th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
54th Sentai Det A with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Legaspi , at 82,82

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 7



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-15-II Babs x 1
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 30th Chinese/C Corps, at 85,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 6



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged


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


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Groot Natoena at 60,83

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 3
B-339D x 2


Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Jesselton

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Fuji Maru #3



PB Fuji Maru #3 firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Jesselton

TF 219 troops unloading over beach at Jesselton, 68,86





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kweiteh (90,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12126 troops, 140 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 753

Defending force 2421 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89

Japanese adjusted assault: 418

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 139 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
1697 casualties reported
Squads: 98 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
32nd Division
26th Engineer Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps

B is takign it slow and steady and covering everything and never getting off balance - damnation !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Urukaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3
DD Scout, Shell hits 1
DD Thanet
DD Thracian



Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards
CL Nagara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Urukaze launches Torpedoes at CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Urukaze fires at DD Thanet at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Scout at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Houston at 2,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Umikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Scout engages DD Suzukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Scout at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Nagara at 3,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Urukaze at 3,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Scout at 3,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Scout at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Houston at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Thracian at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Thracian at 6,000 yards
DD Scout engages DD Umikaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Nagara at 9,000 yards
DD Urukaze engages DD Thracian at 9,000 yards
DD Urukaze engages DD Thanet at 9,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Scout at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Numerous misses or duds and then thank gawd for the Pigboats



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Hong Kong at 77,61

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinkyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41



xAK Sinkyo Maru is sighted by SS S-41
SS S-41 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Sinkyo Maru


This was significant because of the damaged aircraft I suffered I think I set the Buffalos to be to high they really struggled agaonst the Oscars whats the opyimum height for a Buffalo to try and fight ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 55


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 10 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

Follow up raid no CAP [:@][:@]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 45
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
23 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Indian Brigade, at 51,79 (Kuantan)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st ISF Base Force ...
Also attacking 22nd Indian Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-15-II Babs x 1
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 18000 feet *
5 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet *

There were more uncontested fights as well

Something else to think about guys the scale of this game is really Div/Bde there are a lot of Bns scattered about at start for the allies which are usefull garrison but a Bn of Inf v a Regt will lose more often than not.

Take a long hard look at what you have in Australia and India - if you want to accelerate getting other forces ready for the fight and more importantly up to strength so they are not being diluted by replacements think long and hard about cannibalisation

The reality is a Bn sized force even a Bn group sized force is not going to do you much good.

The Aus Light Horse Bns were cannibalised int his fashion later in the war so its not gamey to make that decision now to accelerate getting other units up to speed.

Its harder to do in India because of the need for garrisons but even there a one off exercise to reduce a few Bns can greatly strengthen your Divs and make them combat ready.

looking that the Australian candidates for this activity

22nd Motor Bn - probably not worth it unless you are short of militia replacements - more worth it after they upgrade to AIF 42 squads.
17th, 19th and 25th MG Bns on the other hand are strong candidates for a disband to the pool - those three MG Bn's can pretty much bring every Aus Militia Div more or less up to strength in MMG Sections - vital as so much of the Divs firepower is in the MMG's - if you have some to spare you can always rebuild the Bns in 6 mon ths time.

Andy, good AAR. Couple things:

In MALAYA, I am very interested in your defensive plan. I think defending forward in Malaya is foolish, since it takes a long time just to walk down the peninsula, but curious if that hex is better than Singapore itself. I chose to just move everyone to Singapore, not sure if that was the best choice or not.

On GROUND DISBAND, doesn't that cost VPs though? I see the logic otherwise.

Hi Andy,

Great to see you guys back at it[:)]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Something else to think about guys the scale of this game is really Div/Bde there are a lot of Bns scattered about at start for the allies which are usefull garrison but a Bn of Inf v a Regt will lose more often than not.

Take a long hard look at what you have in Australia and India - if you want to accelerate getting other forces ready for the fight and more importantly up to strength so they are not being diluted by replacements think long and hard about cannibalisation

The reality is a Bn sized force even a Bn group sized force is not going to do you much good.

The Aus Light Horse Bns were cannibalised int his fashion later in the war so its not gamey to make that decision now to accelerate getting other units up to speed.

Its harder to do in India because of the need for garrisons but even there a one off exercise to reduce a few Bns can greatly strengthen your Divs and make them combat ready.

looking that the Australian candidates for this activity

22nd Motor Bn - probably not worth it unless you are short of militia replacements - more worth it after they upgrade to AIF 42 squads.
17th, 19th and 25th MG Bns on the other hand are strong candidates for a disband to the pool - those three MG Bn's can pretty much bring every Aus Militia Div more or less up to strength in MMG Sections - vital as so much of the Divs firepower is in the MMG's - if you have some to spare you can always rebuild the Bns in 6 mon ths time.

am I interpreting your comment right in that I can now also disband ground units and that their squads and equipment will go back into the pool? [X(]

Yes if a unit is manually disbanded at a key city (Delhi/Sydney/Tokyo etc) then all the active devices in the unit are sent to the pool and you have the option of the empty shell unit returning in 6 months.

Be carefull you only get 50% of the disabled devices.

It costs 0 VP's if you do it at a key city to allow reorgs to (despite what the screen says)

If you do it under the this base has 200k supply plus a command HQ rule then you pay a VP penalty (this stops for example disbanding the Malayan garrison if you get Singapore to 200k supply)

This is really usefull because a lot of allied units start understreght and pool sizes are small and replacements low in 42 sometimes I am tempted to disband an entire Div on day 1 for replacements but I usually talk myself out of it ont eh grounds that it takes so long to rebuild - a Bn or even a Bde on the other hand can be rebuilt quite quickly.

Re my point of defence - ok this is suopposition built on supposition but here is my logic.

I dont think PZB realises how slow the Temuloh axis of attack is I see no sign of units on the Alor Star axis and I dont think PZB realises how much faster things go once you get Taiping. In many ways Taiping is the key to Malaya its the first railhead on the west coast road. Once Japanese armour get there they roll down the West coast at speed and every base they take brings the railhead further forward.

It can be offputting the amount of time it take to get to Alor Star as thats slow going but after you get Taiping its game over.

My impression of PZB is he is throwing everything into the Temuloh axis - I normally have Alor Star by now and even Taiping if I use paras so he is slow on the West Coast route.

What this means is that defending further forward is an option because I will get to dig in.

Why defend a Jungle hex 90 miles from Singapore.

Well

1. Its a delayiong hex nothing more I dont expect to hold it but it will force PZB to concentrate before attacking not just at Singapore but also at this hex - double the concentration double the delay.
2. PZB cannot stop my units digging in via air attacks on AF or port and he will start pounding Singers AF and Port soon he is no mug and will know he needs to stop me digging in.
3. Defending a non base hex means if he wants to disrupt my troops fromt eh air he needs to get down and dirty right into my AA guns envelope [:D][:D]
4. Jungle is the same terrian defensive bonus as light urban.
5. If PZB does get bogged down on the Temuloh axis I can sprint a couple of Divs forward to Temuloh and force a third delay on him
6. PZB cannot prep for a non base hex neither can I but at least this way neither of us gets the advantage
7. I am on the road so even a combat mode withdrawal will be relativelly fast and if I time it right i can bug out before he gets to attack.

This is all theory because I have never tried it but I have a shot at delaying him and I wanted to try a new tactic.

The one thing the allies need to be is flexible so we shall see how it goes

p.s. just so everyone is clear this is all about delay

44th and 45th Indian Bdes are en route to Rangoon and will reinforce BurCorps

63rd bde is en route as well as round out for 17th Indian Div

18th British Div now that is the question where do I commit the 18th.....

I am really really tempted to send it to PM actually as it could make a real difference there.

My logic for sending it to PM is as follows

If I get a strong allied Corps organised on NG its going to be tough for the Japanese to shift me.

So lets say I have

PM Bde
30th Aus bde
and 3rd Motor Bde (Mechanised)

all on PM

if I add 1 LAA and 1 HAA Regt RA to the mix plus 18th British Div that makes ita damned tough objective to take for the Japanese especially if I keep feeding more LA and HAA into the defence.

Even without air superiority thats a tough nut to crack...