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Why risk losing a CV to get 1 squadron of planes?? Not a great risk reward.....[:-]

Hi Morejeffs,

You are right of course, this was a very silly idea. I believe that at the beginning of the game, with very little to do, that huge reinforcement list and the near certitude that you’ll win in the end, just a few toys to play with, and the general contempt on sir Robin and other passive approaches, it is all too tempting for newbie allies like me to take ridiculous risks.

And on the seventh day (December 13th 1941)

A relatively calm day today. Maiana, the island south of Tarawa, and Hwaiyin, north of Shanghai, were the only base captured by the Japanese today. Troops are landing in Brunei, which should fall soon, and Guam is being reinforced with infantry.

In the air, we lost eleven planes (fighters, mostly) to nineteen Japanese (some fighters, some bombers). So far, we lost 239 planes and the Japanese 233.

Underwater follies

Beta version or different deployment, submarines are very active in this game, and account for a large part of sunk ships so far. Most of the Asiatic Fleet subs are cruising between Formosa and Luzon, and torpedo two or three ships every day.

Today SS Snapper torpedoed the Soyo Maru, which didn’t sink but lost a couple squads. S-36 sank Satsuma Maru and DMS W-17 in Vigan. In return, I-154 sank AS Holland in the Celebes sea.

So far, Dutch submarines claim four Japanese ships, US submarines four, and Japanese subs six Allied ships, including BB Pennsylvania.

Mischievous Kaga

Kaga, and perhaps one light carrier, is North of Kuching, off the range of my Singapore bombers. Her Kate squadrons sank AVP Poolster and AVD Childs near Pontianak. More importantly, her Vals did more damage on Repulse.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tandjoengpinang at 52,85
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A1 Val x 22
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tandjoengpinang at 52,85
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage

My brave little ship is still afloat, but barely. She’s now fighting the fires, speed down to two knots, with 85 float and 60 system damage, a hundred miles off Singapore… We need a miracle, in short order.

A week into the war

This was the seventh day of the war, and my first impression is that it is nice to be the Allies… As Japan, this part of the game is hell : you need to land in short order, sink as much of the Asiatic fleet as you can, shuffle garrisons in China, and intercept KMT troops before they retreat, sweep the AVG and the USAFFE, set up convoys, move fuel off Hokkaido. In comparison, the Allies just have to react, try to do mischief, and save their ships. I could probably react a bit more, but then, I’m supposed to be surprised, and stunned by that daring raid that will live in infamy (even if it didn’t quite succeed).

I now need to begin planning for the defense of the Indies. I plan to buy a few units from Java and transfer them into Sumatra, to try and complicate the situation in Palembang (unless my opponent lands there very soon). I also want to supply Singapore, and prepare the defense of Burma. I have a few weeks before my opponent arrives in Moulmein. I also need to look at the troops in the US and Canada, and see whether I can reinforce the Aleutians, dispatch a few guys to the South Pacific, and move stuff to Cape Town, and from there into India. And then, there are convoys, and pilot training, and…

From his actions this week, my opponent seems to be moderately comfortable with Japan. With mini KB and Kaga around, I believe he could have afforded a few more invasions during the first week. This suggests a slow and methodical approach, which would then mean a relatively small perimeter. I would rather have him extend deep into the Pacific, which would probably suit better my “India first” approach to reconquest. Let’s see if I can tempt him, there.

You may have seen this in other AARs, but in case you did not or forgot I will reiterate the point: build Prince Rupert as the main supply base to the Aleutians. This is easily done as each Canadian base comes with a BF with some engineers and there is no need to build those other bases at this time. There are also no Canadian aircraft that need to be supported there initially. So - rail all the BFs to Prince Rupert and start building, port first.

There may also be a Canadian Brigade at Vancouver that can go to PR to help build, and provide a little security. Start the aircraft at PR training on Nav T., or if you are worried about subs, on ASW.

Increase the Supply draw with the + button so it will have lots of supply for building and shipping to the Aleutians.

Also note that PR has a 10K repair shipyard - very handy for repairing the frequent engine breakdowns in Arctic waters and upgrading the ships you assign to the region.

It is now December 19th, and this AAR has fallen back. Here is a catch-up installment, I will now try to keep apace.

Slow buildup (December 14th to 18th, 1941)

My opponent definitely belongs to the slow and methodical school of Japanese play. On Luzon, the southern landings seem to have been cancelled, and the Japanese are advancing from Vigan and Appari. Mindanao is a bit more active, as Butuan was invaded and captured. But apart from that, there were no new invasions in Borneo (apart from Miri and Brunei) and nothing yet in the Celebes, or the Philippines islands. In the south Pacific, the only bases invaded are Hollandia and Kavieng. China is relatively calm.

Naval losses were amazingly low, too. Almost all the Asiatic fleet made it to safety, and the slow enemy advance provides little targets for my navy. BC Repulse made it to Singapore. I suspect my opponent thought she had been sunk, and gave up the chase. She is not saved yet, as she still needs to leave Singapore for safer moorings, once she is a bit patched up.

Building Burma

The Singapore reinforcements (44th, 45th indian and 48th Gurkha) arrived safely in Rangoon, and the 46th Indian is unloading. Once this is done, I will have about 900 AV in Burma, which should be enough to fend off the first wave (intelligence suggests japan committed the 33rd division and a few small units).

So far, the AVG managed to protect convoys arriving in Rangoon, but their numbers are being reduced, and I still don’t have enough Warhawks in the pool to replace their H81-A3. They do get priority, though.

The defense of Burma is my main strategic goal for the beginning of the war. To achieve this, I need to slow Japan in Malaysia and northern DEI, and keep the Singapore-Rangoon line open for as long as I can. I am diverting the SSVF Brigade to Port Blair, to prevent a paradrop capture. I am also reinforcing Sumatra from Java, to try and force my opponent to commit troops there. This will be done in two phases. First, I want to reinforce Palembang, and be very obvious about it, so that he needs troops there, at the time he is fighting for Singapore, which means Burma has to wait… Second, I want to position troops in northern Burma, to keep the straits of Malacca dangerous for as long as I can.

Several experienced players have urged that Cocos Island be taken ASAP and reinforced with at least a regiment. It may not seem that critical to Allied plans, but you definitely do NOT want the Japanese holding it. The search range of a Mavis from Cocos takes it very close to the Aus. coast.

Hi BBFanboy,

Cocos Islands and Christmas IO are high on my priority list, but I don’t think he can jump there right now (especially as his first moves are very methodical).

More of the same (December 19th 1941)

Wake fell today. The SNLF force tasked for the task had been reinforced by a naval guard unit, and the two ate my marine detachment for breakfast. So far the pacific invasions are minimal, Makin and Tarawa were captured, together with Guam and Wake, but that is all, and no invasion fleets were detected. Same goes for the Southern Pacific. KB is probably refueling in Truk, so this will probably change soon.

In the Indies, an SNLF unit landed in Jolo today, and a large task force was detected off Tarakan. Mini KB is covering that one, so I am sending submarines in, but no surface force. Another task force was detected near Singkawang, the Prince of Wales and friends are ready to jump on them if they turn south. Let’s see if we can liven up those invasions.


On Luzon, Bayombong fell. I am a bit perplexed by the composition of the advancing column:

Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 735 troops, 42 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 519 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bayombong !!!
Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
16th Recon Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion

Just tanks and artillery? I am beginning to wonder whether some of the infantry wasn’t on the southern task force Boise and Houston sent back home. This opens a possibility for a counter attack.

Finally, the 46th brigade landed safely in Rangoon. We now have over 700 AV there, and will soon have level four forts. Some of those troops will be sent to Moulmein. I am detaching small units on the road to Rahaieng and around Pegu, to serve as flank guards.

Unfortunately, this game has ended, Richard III is now welcome to this AAR.

Francois