Sailing in harms way: InHarmsWay (J) vs Andav (A) Scen2

[InHarmsWay]

I will not be shooting for Autovictory on Jan 1 1943, but for victory either through Autovictory of 3-1 in 44 or Adm Wa bowing to my brilliance (very doubtful). Failing that, I will play for a draw in late 45 to 1946. To do this I feel I need to be successful in the following:
1) Attrit allied plane strength through early 43, and from that maintain air superiority until mid ’43, and parity locally where I chose until early/mid 44.
2) Maintain fleet strength while whittling down allied fleet strength. I feel this means aggressive play, while not being overly aggressive. For me this will mean to be cognizant of his traps, don’t fall into a predicable routines and when setting my own traps, not do the same thing several times in a row. Also dont let mini KB off the leash unless I know where the allied CVs are...
3) Never lose sight that the war was started over access to oil/resources and maintaining/growing the Japanese Empire. First order of business (Phase 1) is forceful negotiations (Diplomacy by other means) to obtain what is rightfully the divine right of the Emperor, and ensuring it can be safely transported back to the HI on his behalf.
4) Significantly handicap the Allies in their inevitable counterattack likely starting early/mid 43, after 6 months of sparring. Goal is to delay the allies reaching the MLR by early / mid 44, and the Line of Death (LOD), but late ’44, preferably early ’45. To me the LOD is to keep 4Es from hitting my cities. This can be done either through acquiring real estate or destruction of allied LCUs / Navy. I have a tentative plan here for real estate, but want to maintain flexibility depending on how Phase 1 plays out… As someone much smarter than me once said, “no plan survives contact with the enemy”.

[InHarmsWay]

Wrote this down a while back to keep me aligned.
Philippines Area ( 14th Army)
Major Units 16th Division, 48th Division, 65th Bgde. – Plan is to invest the allies at Clark or Manila and bring in lots of Arty and bombing to drive supplies to zero before doing much there. I want to take Davao, Jolo, Zamboanga, and Cebu to stop all supply production and own the local Area of Operations. After initial assault and herding of allied units, backwater until we get to March/April/May.

Burma Area (15th Army)
Major Units are 33rd Division, 55th Division and anything I can buy out quickly out of Korea. I want to push to take Rangoon and play an initial strong (with both Divisions) but conservative push up to Lashio and Myitkvina to cut the Burma road and expect Adm Wa to commit to defending Chittagong / Akyab. He did that in the previous game and I was too timid here. I am hoping for some opportunities here in phase 2

Singapore and Malaya Area (15 and 16th Army) – key focus area
Order of the day is speed. Take Singapore ASAP without being crazy. Thought about Mersing Gambit, but will likely just land in Patani, and push hard. Will land in Kuantan initially to hurt those inf units and Mersing later with followon waves. DEI Area will be supported by both Divisions of KB. I want to minimize casualties while quickly moving forward. Key focus areas are as follows:

Palembang will have 6th Tank, 21st mixed bde and 4th Ind mixed bde tagged to it. This will also allow a quick investment of Palembang. I want to land at Oosthaven early, and march up to stop reinforcements. I will bomb and ground attack there fairly quickly to stop any fortress or even small improved positions by Adm Wa.
Key bases are Singkawang, Billiton (Air HQ?), Patani (will get 22nd Air Flotilla HQ from Saigon) – HQ will move to Georgetown and then Singapore, finally to Rangoon once all the allied ships are long gone. Other key bases to be taken are Kendari, Balikpapan, Miri, Sorong, and Ambon.
Phase 1 ends once Singapore, Palembang, Ambon, Kendari are taken and the Empire begins the consolidation of the five thousand other small bases and dot bases that grow sneaky float planes. The Empire is modest and does not like allies getting free peaks behind the curtain….

Southern Area and Cent Pac
I will not move much in this area, as the US CVs will initially have it to themselves with KB suppressing the DEI area. Once KB goes dark, I will start moving on the usual areas, wake, Rabaul, Lae, Tarawa, etc… The Wake landing force with repurpose for Guam. The Guam Inf Rgt will go to Singapore to fill out the 55th Div. I will probably not move on PM until Jan/Feb but not sure here how fast I can safely / reasonably push. This will be an area to watch closely

China
Initial housecleaning here with first axis of advance being towards Sian. I want to conquer all of China as I was able to do so in our previous game. One of the few bright spots… I am going to do a “Harmasaki sail by” of Wenchow, landing 3 divisions (4th, 21st and 33rd) to grab it by coup de main. Really good to get rid of a base in my backfield there. I believe this is an acceptable delay of 4-6 days of these divisions to reset the china front much more favorably. I have not seen this done in other AARs???, but it worked well the first game and there is little the allies can do to stop it.
Will try to pocket troops in Chengchow and Loyang on way to Sian but that probably is low odds as Adm. Wa is tricky… initial thrust up the good road from Nanyang to Sian, but will also threaten with a push on the northern road into the open area east of Sian. Hoping to have him commit, which will allow a push through Ichang to get behind Changsha. Will watch and see how this plays out.

Home Islands / Aleutians
Cannot neglect this, I expect some raiders as Adm Wa knows how to be a nuisance up in the Sakhalin area. I lost the last game by not paying attention here and he took Sakhalin, then Hokkaido… 4Es out of the North HI was fugly…

India and Australia
Nothing on land, but will actively interdict shipping lanes. Thinking of a commerce raider, floatplane AV and 3 to 4 fleet subs in each group. I never did that in the first game and expect I can catch the allies a few times, then will have mini KB backing up one or two of them with comms / search off. Thoughts?

[InHarmsWay]

Plane Research
Initial plans have the following research paths: I counted 106 Factories…
• 10 factories covering the zero line (3 A6M2, and 7 on A6M3) – some will move to A7M3-J in late ’42 early 43 once I have enough built out
• 7 factories covering the Sam (A7M2)
• 4 factories on Jills, and 4 on Judy lines
• 2 factories on Shinden… may move but holding for now
• 2 factories on Oscars
• 6 factories on Tojos
• 6 factories on Ki-83s
• 12 factories on Franks – Ki-84a (plan on skipping Ki-84b)
• 12 factories on Nik1–J George (plan on skipping NiK2 and go to NiK5)
• 4 factories on Helen 49- Ia
• 3 on P1Y1 Frances
• Lots of planes with 1-2 planes each
All of the research factories will be built out to 30. Gambling I will not need a lot of the first generation Vals, Kates, oscars, Nells and Bettys, so will only have 1-2 factories for each…. Hoping to run lean initially here. Last game I over produced a bunch of the first gen planes…

Engines: I count 30 factories:
1 * Aichi Ha-60 -0 Initial target build out of 80/mon
1 * Mits Ha-31 - Initial target build out of 45/mon
3 * Mits Ha-32 - Initial target build out of 110/mon
4 * Mits Ha-33 - Initial target build out of 120/mon
4 * Mits Ha-43 - Initial target build out of 120/mon
2 * Nakaj Ha-34 - Initial target build out of 20/mon
7 * Nakaj Ha-35 - Initial target build out of 250/mon
2 * Nakaj Ha-44 - Initial target build out of 60/mon
6 * Nakaj Ha-45 - Initial target build out of 180/mon

I may need more Nak Ha-35s as I want the 500 engine research bonus. One of my key strategies is to get the later war fighters quickly to minimize experienced pilot losses and keep the attrition levels favorable. I am also going to build the late war kamikaze planes this time around, seem to remember reading a post recently by Lowpe or Obvert? that talked about the Ki-115a/b as being underappreciated. In game 1, I used old zeros and other early war planes... my Kami's were not that successful!

Initial build out of the factories will be gradual, depending on supplies, HI and just making sure I do not crash the economy.

Thoughts / comments are welcome. The Japanese economy and plane/engine build is really an art form!

[InHarmsWay]

Admiral Harmasaki wakes up in a cold sweat…. His first thought is that was a really bad dream! It must have been a dream, but it felt like 4 long years of pummeling by his soon to be opponent sitting across the Pacific chessboard… that talented, cagey and thorough Admiral Wa of the USN. He had seemed to know all my tricks and had a uncanny feeling of where to strike! The dream must have been sent by the Emperor’s divine providence to ensure the coming necessary war against the decadent allies will be successful! Yes, learn from the dream mistakes he thinks as he ponders the strategic plan. Even now, orders are being given to crack troops, planes are in the air and ships sailing under wartime conditions after a long preparation in secret. Soon it will be war to secure Japan’s rightful place among the first tier of nations, as is her rightful place! The die has been cast, no going back!

Turn 1 has been sent. Update on how it goes tomorrow!

[InHarmsWay]

Initial results of the Dec 7 KB strike are in and Adm Harmasaki is pleased. It looks like at least 15 allied subs are lost in port in Manila, lots of other hits on the remaining ships in port. The port and airfields at Manila and Clark are well damaged. The allied P40E's foolishly parked up in Iba were hit as well. Key landings along the NW coast of the PI occured. Will consolidate here and move on Clark.

Dec 8 1941 KB attack at Manila.jpg (381.01 KiB) Viewed 694 times

Need to decide where KB goes, I am leaning towards Singapore as there has been no spotting of Force Z. Also do not want Boise showing up and having her way with any innocent amphibious TFs on their way around Borneo. Real question is what will Adm Wa do with the allied warships now that KB is in the area. I expect him to flee when pushed but don't think he will not do a sir Robin, and will fight when he can.

[InHarmsWay]

December 8th - Strategic Sit Rep:
China
Initial movement of troops to garrison more efficiently is underway. I have started bombing every Chinese unit I can find in open ground. I am also trying to catch a few in open ground and shock attack before they flee to the hills. Adm Was has them moving on day one. Will post a map in a few days as things play out. I do need to watch for those flying Tigers...
Philippine Islands
See map above. Started landing on the main Island, need to keep watch out for sneaky raiders. I am trying something new, hopefully will catch Adm Wa's raiders in a trap early... stay tuned gentle readers....
Singapore Area
Landed at both Kota Bharu and Patani in force. Zeros sweeping the area with Nate on CAP! Who knew how effective that would be!!!

Dec 8 1941 Nate pilots.jpg (141.78 KiB) Viewed 690 times

Will shock attack the next turn at Kota Bharu, and drive to Georgetown asap. Imperial Guards are boarding trains on the way to the Singapore front. Last game I did not shock attack much as was worried about losses... Adm Wa brutally drove home the lesson that shock attacks can be very good.... (Lesson #1 of many)
DEI
Will move on Singkawang in 2-3 days, once KB is on station to support, this will be followed by landings on Sumatra to invest Palembang quickly and stop any fortress shenanigans… I also want to take Toboali and set up a nice airfield there soon.
Burma / India
Just harassing Rangoon with sweeps (last game I neglected sweeps for the first year, not this time around... Lesson #2) and port attacks at the moment. Will start marching units up there and build an air base in Chiang Mai to support operations.
North and Central Pac
Nothing yet, in next few days I need to set up Home Island defenses and Wa may raid there, knowing KB is elsewhere…
South Pac / Australia
Nothing at the moment

[RangerJoe]

For Palembang, bring in AAA units immediately and if you don't have air support, bring in a CVE full of fighters to protect the base. Be ready for minefields one hex away where the river meets the sea.

[InHarmsWay]

RangerJoe,
Thank you for the advise. I had begun loading up my troops for Oosterhaven, with Palembang troops loading out of CRB in a few days. I will make sure to bring some AAA, as I can see Adm Wa bombing it right off the bat. Should I wait on assaulting Palambang directly once my troops get to 100% prep? What is the best way of ensuring minimal refinery/oil damages? My plan was to isolate it quick and bomb the troops there while bombarding it for a week or two. Clean out the neighboring bases and then assault to take it. I doubt Wa will bring any good infantry units with KB in the area before I can isolate it, one of the reasons KB started at Manila.

[InHarmsWay]

Got the turn back, Adm Wa complained about carpal tunnel syndrome from all the pilot training clicking, etc.... No chance he is getting any sympathy!

Here is the situation Dec 9. I think I found Boise and/ or Houston (TF says 2 ships...). She is just outside of my KB range this last turn. The KB moved west of Manila to clear out allied shipping, and hoping to catch a warship or two... No such luck, but got some juicy APs. I am setting up a pincer here to squeeze the allied shipping out the PI area. See map, I have placed 30 Nells with Torps in Babeldaob hopefully as a rude surprise, may move another Chutai of Nells there as well.

Big decision is whether to split KB at this time to both head south to support Manado and Ternate invasions as well as the upcoming Palembang invasion. I am leaning towards that.

Dec 9 South PI situation.jpg (389.96 KiB) Viewed 629 times

[InHarmsWay]

This was a nice surprise during the combat replay... I wonder what unit Wa was pulling out of Singers or somewhere close??? Any thoughts gentle readers? It seems to be a combat unit... It was nice to have my Nells catch something, I expect Adm Wa will not be happy!

So far no sighting of Force Z or any other combatant outside of CL Mauritius catching a single torpedo in the same area.

Dec 9 fleeing unit from Singers.jpg (166.63 KiB) Viewed 627 times

[RangerJoe]

This was a nice surprise during the combat replay... I wonder what unit Wa was pulling out of Singers or somewhere close??? Any thoughts gentle readers? It seems to be a combat unit... It was nice to have my Nells catch something, I expect Adm Wa will not be happy!

So far no sighting of Force Z or any other combatant outside of CL Mauritius catching a single torpedo in the same area.

Dec 9 fleeing unit from Singers.jpg

He pulled them out the wrong way. Or they could be from the Georgetown area.

[InHarmsWay]

I will take any mistake on Adm Wa's part.... they are very few and far between.... decided to split the KB... better hunting and there is nothing that can stand up to her at this point in the DEI, just need to be careful not to get a night action against force Z....

[InHarmsWay]

Here is the initial attack in Malaya.. pretty much the standard conservative opening. Will know more in a few days if force Z has moved on or is trying to set up an ambush... Adm Was is a sneaky opponent....

Dec 9 1941 Malaya invasion area.jpg (523.47 KiB) Viewed 601 times

[InHarmsWay]

Dec 10 was a day of consolidation with the 5th and 18 Div pushing towards Georgetown and Alor Star to cut the Malaya peninsula. Sharp eyed naval search found the CL Mauritius near where she was spotted yesterday. Prompt action heroic IJN pilots succeeded in finishing her off. First warship of CL size or larger lost in the war. Saki ordered for the Patani airbase.

Dec 10 got Mauritius.jpg (157.93 KiB) Viewed 572 times

I may have gotten lucky and bottled up the LCUs north of Georgetown... Will find out in a day or two as more ground attacks have been ordered at Alor Star. Elsewhere in this theatre, many sweeps were conducted, beginning to reduce Singers air capability before I send in valuable betty/nell pilots... I may just use sally / Lily for the airfield bombing once I have a base closer and set up.

[InHarmsWay]

Elsewhere the northern side of Luzon is being consolidated. I missed putting the 65th Bde onto ships on Dec 7 so now they are afloat and will land at Aparri. I do not have a whole lot of troops on Luzon yet, but Adm Was seems to be retreating to the main fortress area around Manila/Clark. I trashed one PI Div at Lingayen and have trapped a second one at San Fernando... hopefully that will shorten the siege some.

PI Dec 10 1941.jpg (297.96 KiB) Viewed 569 times

I hope the gentle readers out there are ok with maps, I find it much easier to follow. Adm Wa had about a dozen Catalinas on naval attack trying to hit my transports at Aparri and Vigan. Luckily I had transferred zeros to Aparri and they had a field day. I think I got about a half dozen, and he will think again of trying that trick. However it wasn't all gravy as a single torpedo found an AK, currently at 93 flt damage and now docked there.... may get lucky and she makes it???

[RangerJoe]

Unless she is hit again or there are fires, she will make it.

When you state docked, is it still in a TF or disbanded? If in a TF, 5 smaller ships in an escort TF will help her but she is probably best left disbanded there for some dewatering. For quicker repairs and unloading, especially if this is going to be your major port for offloading TFs, then Naval Support will help the unloading and the repairs.

[RangerJoe]

RangerJoe,
Thank you for the advise. I had begun loading up my troops for Oosterhaven, with Palembang troops loading out of CRB in a few days. I will make sure to bring some AAA, as I can see Adm Wa bombing it right off the bat. Should I wait on assaulting Palambang directly once my troops get to 100% prep? What is the best way of ensuring minimal refinery/oil damages? My plan was to isolate it quick and bomb the troops there while bombarding it for a week or two. Clean out the neighboring bases and then assault to take it. I doubt Wa will bring any good infantry units with KB in the area before I can isolate it, one of the reasons KB started at Manila.

During the amphibious bonus phase, you don't need preparation for landings.* But instead of an amphibious landing, how about a Fast Transport TF and land with a regiment of infantry? The fast TF will bombard, you will probably have to order an attack the next turn but you can always have another Fast Transport bring in AAA units, a Base Force of some kind with air support, engineers to repair damage, plus they will also bombard the enemy troops again before the attack is done.

*So now is a good time to misdirect the enemy by having units prepare for targets that you want your opponent to defend but you aren't planning on landing there. I mean, plan for PORTLAND!

[InHarmsWay]

Never tried a fast TF, will try that on some future landings. Good idea! Here is the status in Malaya, looks like I cut the rail line and trapped a few units north. That should help with Singapore some.

Dec 11 1941 Malaya.jpg (484.36 KiB) Viewed 539 times

Half of KB is escorting the Singkawang and other landings as force Z is still out there. I am moving south here with KB and associated "heavy cover", to clear the sealanes. Once Nell and Betties get in operation, it will really help.

Pretty standard opening from looking at other AARs. I want to push the pace but be deliberate, hoping for Adm Wa to commit the meager Brit/ Commonwealth land units to a defense, then will try and bypass and destroy. Goal here is kill land units and delay any later war counterattacks from the brits. I expect this will be either in Aus or India depending on how things play out. Not sure where I am going just yet.

[InHarmsWay]

Dec 11 1941 China.jpg (788.92 KiB) Viewed 537 times

And here is the first view of China. Slow going but that is China. I jumped on a few land units in the open, for a quick attack and retreat by the Chinese. Each retreat will effectively trash (mission kill) that unit until supplies are abundant, and the plan is for supplies to always be short in China!

[RangerJoe]

For the Chinese, try not to destroy their units until you have captured Chengtu and Chungking so you don't have to face them again. Bomb, bombard, and corral them into holding areas if you can.