Ncc1701e (Allies) Yue Jin (Axis) - Pacific 1941 small fleet (1.00.07)

[ncc1701e]

In the DEI, I am trying a move to reinforce Batavia once more. And it works. If I can merge this infantry division with the small corps already there, the defense of Batavia will be quite strong.

Also, just for the victory points, I am sending one infantry division to Jayapura. At the end, every points count.

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[ncc1701e]

In the news, US subs are starting a campaign of supply interdiction in the Mariana and the Palu islands.

Around New Caledonia, reinforcements are coming, planes, ships, ... but will it be enough?

We will see next turn...

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[ncc1701e]

January 4, 1942:

Just to say first that you are free to comment or ask questions, there is no problem at all.

The situation in the south is not better. In New Caledonia, the Australian cruiser has been sunk and another port blockade is starting. Port Vila has been captured.

Reconnaissance near Rabaul is clearly showing that the Kido Butai is now in the Solomon islands. Next turn, I am expecting another rush against Noumea. With USA nearly out of oil, honestly I don't know what can I do.

Alas, our infantry division in Jayapura has been repulsed. And, Manila is about to fall.

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[ncc1701e]

In the DEI, I am pleased to slow down the capture of Batavia.

Also, the air force there is obtaining the first victory of the war against the Japanese navy. The 2nd Torp. Boat division is sunk. However, the air force is less successful against subs.

This is funny to see a Japanese land unit rushing for Sarawak in the first screen. This is sure that the Japanese oil stockpile is used with all these naval operations.

In China, the front line holds but for how long?

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[ncc1701e]

USA subs are doing a superb job. If I am counting well 40 + 40 + 40 + 20 = 140 stockpile (?!) has been destroyed in the Mariana and the Palu islands.

The Australian Canberra cruiser is sunk. But, Noumea garrison was able to hold. This is good news.

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[ncc1701e]

Now, I have options. But, I must fear the Japanese carriers that must be in Rabaul right now for refitting.

First, I have a fleet of two USA carriers, plus 2 CA and 2 DD, in range of Port Vila. When I say in range, I mean the fleet will consume 1 operation point to get there. As such, it may then move again if needed.

Then, I have one DD in range in Brisbane. One DD at 2 operation points of Noumea as well as one sub.

The problem is that if I am attacking and leave the fleets near Noumea, thus with no more operation points, I am sure that next turn, the Kido Butai will sunk everything. So, I must be very cautious.

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[ncc1701e]

Thus, I will move cautiously. First, I will do an air resupply of Noumea with no risk since there are still no Japanese planes around.

Second, this naval stack of 6 ships including 4 BB is the real threat. I am quite sure it is in Fleet mode ready to welcome any naval help from the Allies. I will use the Tactical Air in Espirito Santo, even if it is not completely repaired, to try to soften them a bit. And, this is not a success. At least, I know the name and class of the Japanese ships.

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[ncc1701e]

I am now moving my CVs near Port Vila just in case the coastal fleet there is in Fleet mode. If it is intercepting, I may have the advantage and destroy it.

But, it is in Raider mode since no interception was done. I can attack it. But, for what purpose? If I am doing this, my CVs will spend the last operation point and will remain at sea. Next turn, all the Japanese carriers will be around.

I prefer to withdraw to a secret place.

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[ncc1701e]

I am just moving my fleets, one by one, in Raider mode. And strangely enough, my opponent left the 4 BB stack in Raider mode since no interception was one.

Noumea is trying to hold, the port blockade is cancelled once more. In the meantime, I am threatening Port Vila.

Regarding convoys, everything is fine. The count is good. All MM are used except 2 MM in the UK stockpile as expected.

See you next turn...

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[ncc1701e]

January 18, 1942:

The report screen is exactly what I was expecting. I have lost one BB and 4 DD around Noumea. Quite sure that the Kido Butai is on the move.

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[ncc1701e]

But before going there, in Batavia, I can form a large infantry corps with the remaining DEI troops. This is a success.

In China, the line is holding surprisingly. Buin is invaded by Japan. And Manila will fall next turn.

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[ncc1701e]

But, the big battle is still around New Caledonia. Japanese carriers are showing up.

The USA tactical bomber in Noumea did performed two naval air interdictions against them without success. A submarine interdiction, that achieved surprise (not always the case, bug solved in this patch), was not more successful.

Japanese carriers were then able to launch two strikes against the Warspite BB and one DD, all lost.

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[ncc1701e]

Then, a surface fleet of 2 BB, 2 CA and 2 DD did performed two surface combats, with the infamous Torpedo specialty, to destroy another DD group.

So, let's assess the situation. There are 6 Japanese carriers around with 2 battleships and with surface and sub surface protection. However, the Japanese land based planes are still not there. The nearest one is a fighter group in Namuga.

My oil stockpile is critical.

UK has 63 oil points.
USA has 22 oil points.
Australia has 9 oil points.
New Zealand has 7 oil points.

As such, my defense can only be limited.

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[ncc1701e]

Since carrier based planes are just bombers, I can do an air resupply mission without any risk of air interception. The mission is a success and Noumea garrison is once again supplied.

Tactical bombers are using 3 oil points (Oil Use) per mission. With my stockpile, I will be able to flight four naval air strikes.
All the ships of my carrier fleet are consuming 1 oil point each, thus 6 oil points to move it out of port.

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[ncc1701e]

Reconnaissance in Rabaul is showing 10 ships including 4 battleships. Thus, I need to pay attention of this fleet too before moving.

Another important thing to check is the reconnaissance level of the hexes where the Japanese fleet is located. The best CV fleet to strike is the one where the reconnaissance level is high. I don't have COMINT yet to improve this since Allies are very weak early 1942.

Decision is made. I am attacking this CV fleet. The New Zealand tactical bomber is striking first but the two strikes are not doing any damage.

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[ncc1701e]

This is the turn of the USA tactical bomber to attack the same CV fleet. The first strike is not doing anything but the second strike is putting 2 damage points on the Kaga CV. This is a success since it will have to fallback for repair (hopefully not in Noumea )

I have a sub well placed but the Swordfish is too much damage. I prefer to withdraw it.

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[ncc1701e]

On the other hand, the Grayling is not damaged and I will perform an attack against the surface fleet. But, this is not working very well. I am withdrawing this sub as well for repairs.

Checking USA oil stockpile, I have enough for sailing. I am heading my CV fleet at a three hexes distance of the targeted CV fleet hoping it is in Fleet mode and to trigger a carrier interdiction.

But it is not and this is the other CV fleet that is doing the carrier interdiction. And I can say I am lucky. The Entreprise and the Lexington are both damaged but, on the other side, the Akagi CV is sunk. I couldn't have imagined a better success.

New Caledonia will not be cheap for the Japanese. Since the CV fleet has still one operation point, I am able to escape, heading back to port for repairs.

Final situation for this turn around Noumea. The Japanese fleet is still impressive and I am not sure I can resist any longer. But with the Saratoga and the Yorktown coming around, I still have some teeth.

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[ncc1701e]

February 1, 1942:

News are bad today. A Japanese army has landed in New Caledonia and the garrison in Noumea has been destroyed. Singapore has fallen generating the Indian national army for the Axis. Manila surrenders but I have anticipated this by moving a small corps in Guadalcanal.

The problem now is that it is under port blockade and with the lost of Noumea, a port level 6, Japanese will be able to do plenty of port blockades with night moves all around. This is clearly a strategic victory for the Japanese.

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[ncc1701e]

With the introduction of effectiveness loss at sea, the Allies fleet will be weaker than the Japanese fleet in the area. A port level 6 is a huge blow. I am wondering why Noumea is not an upgradeable port like the others to avoid this catastrophic loss early on.

I am still trying even if I can't resist an army. Tactical bombers are performing one strike against the surface fleet with no results. I can't do another strike because I am out of oil.

I am doing another risky move with a damaged Enterprise to see if the surface fleet is in Fleet mode and engage it. But, it is in Raider mode, so I am heading back to port to finish the repairs.

The USA tactical bomber is escaping but I can't remove the AAA guns located there. A gift for the Japanese.

Finally, my two subs are trying to attack but are both damaged.

This is a defeat.

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[ncc1701e]

February 15, 1942:

DEI surrenders this turn. The large infantry corps in Batavia has been finally destroyed. But, at least, the 17th army was not elsewhere.

In South Pacific, the overall situation is not good. Guadalcanal is isolated and the Santa Cruz Islands will surely be the next target of the Empire of Japan.

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