Beware the Dorniers! Scen 17 Tier 3 (Lowpe vs AI (Spoilers))

[RangerJoe]

I would call the Surcouf a submersible cruiser. Think of her on the surface in battle with an under escorted tanker convoy . . .

I guess that my next game I will try VH.

Another way to play would be to do the expansion AND build up the bases. Then switch sides . . .

[Lowpe]

Malaya Front

With ammunition running low, the SAGs will retire to Cam Ranh Bay, Carrier Division 1 & 2 will attempt strikes along the north eastern coast line above Singers.

Miri invasion is very high risk as there is no naval search around North Borneo at all and No air protection. Should the KB move to cover this invasion first and then move back to Malaya and let ground bases Nells and Betties cover eastern Malaya? Perhaps.

[Lowpe]

Manado...a sweet forward airbase, but can it be taken? There was intelligence for lots of unaccounted American shipping in the area, plus Dutch.

Carrier Division 3 will be re-organized today in a cohesive task force, rather than split out among the different task forces as pictured here. It is a weak Carrier Division comprised of one light carrier and seaplane carriers.

We desperately need better search in this area.

[Lowpe]

The Makin invasion is unloading supplies and and the Tarawa invasion is set for tomorrow...but this Allied fleet can't bode well for operations.

24 Claude Fighters are at Kwaj, protecting a lot of shipping.

[Lowpe]

A look at the naval pilot training program. Not many pilots in training...

[traskott]

Suscribed!!

Oooh boy! You are gonna have a tough time!!

[apbarog]

Looking forward to seeing how your war plays out.

[Lowpe]

December 10th, 1942

Enemy Carrier in the Marshall Islands, but the Wake Island invasion goes off perfectly! That is the planned expansion in the Central Pacific.[:)] Tarawa, south of Makin, is taken too.

The coastal defense guns at Wake Island did a good job on several warships, inflicting close to 20 system points on three or four.

[Lowpe]

American SAG spotted, and we have 2 heavy cruisers out of action already....small task force of 2 PG near Laoag, our destroyer squadron at Laoag didn't react.

[Lowpe]

Going ahead with the very risky Manado invasion, especially with the spotting of the large American SAG at Luzon. Could be the first major mistake of the war...or should I hold off and get Mavis established at Morotai?

[Lowpe]

Malaya...

Moving the KB to cover the Miri Invasion probably was a mistake...should have hit the British shipping concentration at Kuantan.

There is around 100 fighters split between Tavoy and Victoria Point, another 100+ at Singers, dozens in other bases.[:(]

[Lowpe]

December 11, 1941

Two more carrier strikes from the unexpectedly aggressive American task force...steaming due west!

[Lowpe]

Hong Kong and Luzon:

First attack at Hong Kong reveals big forts and what will likely be a longish struggle. IJAAF bombers inflict minor damage on the runway whose planes have mysteriously disappeared.

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23324 troops, 321 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 633

Defending force 8832 troops, 117 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 289

Japanese adjusted assault: 465

Allied adjusted defense: 445

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
1682 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled

Allied ground losses:
495 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

[Lowpe]

The Hong Kong air forces must have relocated to the French controlled base of Kwangchowan, as they they hit Samah, Pakhoi is too small...

Afternoon Air attack on Samah , at 69,63

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Vengeance I x 21

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Vengeance I bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Afternoon Air attack on Samah , at 69,63

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 21

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 4 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed by flak

[Lowpe]

Dorniers' attack!!! There were mad rumors that the Dutch might attempt something like this...and the Manado garrison is much stronger than anticipated. All but 96 troopers landed, and a heavy cruiser bombarded soften the defenses so our troops landed in good order. But there is no idea of the fortifications present yet.

Our attempt to organize the 3rd Carrier Division failed, as the CSs' are loaded with supplies to support the invasion.

[Lowpe]

The aggressive British attacked aerially six times at Patani and twice at Singora, but all raids were fought off by Nates, Claudes, and a small squadron of Zeroes.

[Lowpe]

The Miri invasion may be in trouble, as now there are 7,000 enemy spotted here...

With the concentration of bombers at Singapore, I doubt a Mersing invasion could be pulled off without large losses.

Rushing reinforcements to this critical area...

[Lowpe]

The air war is extremely heavy, Japanese production is now cranking out 1 Oscar Ic and 2 Zeroes a day, but it won't be enough to replace losses.

21 Zeroes lost thru the first few days...ugh.

[Lowpe]

In China, the Chinese Air Forces have been bombing Hankow, and there are 50,000 Chinese heading for Kaifeng, and the 35th Division diverted to the South East is hastily recalled.

Ichang seems secure though.

[Lowpe]

Dec 12, 1941

The 2nd, 3rd, and now 4th invasion waves are off towards Malaya.

Miri is awaiting reinforcements too.

The KB has been tasked with killing Task Force Z, which has eluded us so far. Could they be at the large concentration at Kuantan? A morning strike has been ordered...and a iboat concentration is coordinated.