The Italian Job 2- Gen.Hoepner(J)-vs.-Mc3744

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ORIGINAL: kaiser73

Burma has few resources and few oil. You will spend more (in units/supplies/fuel/ship losses) to take Diamond and Chandpur and to defend them than what you lose in Burma.

Just ignore Burma is my advice. Conquer it and then let the allies bomb the resources if they wish to. after all, Burma is important only to cut China from supplies.
Committing 4 divisions to conquer Diamond and Chandpur and then have them there for the rest of war to defend from UK...it seems to me a lot for the goal.

For the KB, it depends what you plan to do in Pacific. i always thought KB should be used to support operations rather than go looking for Allies CV. But why you think you need the entire KB for Philippines? you have plenty of AIrcrafts and Baby KB.

Baby KB can be overwhelmed.. and who says that the allies won't bring their own fleet carriers in and sink the baby KB in a surprise raid?

[kaiser73]

Allies bringing their CV fleet in the Philippines???? it's suicide.

I am saying Baby KB can be used for Philippines Operations, no need to use KB for that.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

I agree with you in most of your analyzis, but i can say that KB raids against BIG allied convoys can be a real pain for the americans. In the last pbem match in 3 different raids i managed to sink 300 allied cargho ships, 2 CVs, 10 CAs/CLs and 20 DDs....including 3 bombers squadrons and some troops..... but now he knows this tactic, so i won't use it anymore.

Experienced Allied players will have their big convoys sailing behind their Pacific Bases that will be full of patrol planes. I have never managed to surprise more than a small convoy with Japanese CVs (and has never lost more than a few ships to Allied CVs raids). But you were quite successfull. Is the 300 cargo ships a typo for 30....

I was speaking of long-range raids (PH style). Having CVs based in Truk and raiding PM or based in Kwajalein and raiding Canton Island is not a raid in my mind. But my Allied opponents will never send a big convoy in 1942 near the frontline.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
If i will take Canton Island in the first weeks of operations, i plan to leave there a small base force, 2 naval guard units and a CD unit. Nothing more. The point is that to defend Canton you need to build up Tarawa and fulfill it with troops, as you said. At the same time if you place 2 or 3 divisions in this area, the solomons will be uncovered....so i think it's a matter of choices.

In fact, my divisions are in Kwajalein and I don't build up Tarawa, only patrol planes are based here (and sometimes fighters). The IJN ships are the main defence in the area, with mines and CD guns.
And if you're active in the Pacific, the Allied will find hard to settle in the Solomons.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
I prefer to let New Caledonia alone. Those loooooooooooong supply lines really scares me!

My supply hub for all S Pacific operations is Truk, that is supplied by huge convoys from Japan. Then supplying Tarawa or Noumea from Truk is the same for me. And Noumea is much more valuable.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
The more i think about an early conquest of Northern Oz, the more i like the idea.....
But it's impossible to do everything at the same time.

You have 12 divisions, 5 brigades, 3 regiments at start. In my current PBEM, for phase 1 (until the end of January) I use them like that:

Malaya: 4 Div (Imp, 5, 18, 55) + 1 Rgt
Objectives: take all Malaya (completed around the 20th January).

Burma: 1 Div (33) + 1 Bde + 1 Rgt
Objectives: take S Burma, reach Mandalay and lay siege (completed around the 15th January)

Sumatra: 1 Div (38th after HK) + 1 Bde
Objectives: take Palembang (game is currently 28th January and town will fall before the end of the month)

Borneo: 1 Bde (35th) + naval troops
OBjectives: take Brunei + Miri, later expanded to take Kuching + Singkawang with 35th Bde and Tarakan with naval troops. Both operations completed but I don't like to take Kuching as it is a little too far away from my airfields and was right another time. Force Z attacked at night, sank a BB and very heavily damaged one. It lost the Repulse, 2 CL and 4 DD to naval fire and aerial torpedoes.

Celebes: 1 Bde (56th)
Objectives: take Amboina quickly, so convoys for Australia may transit and refuel here. Then take Kendari to turn it into a powerful airbase. Completed in December. The Bde has since sailed for Mindanao, taking Menado on the fly.

Australia & Timor: 4 Div (all troops starting around Japan)
Objectives: take the whole of Timor and the 4 bases in NE Australia. Destroy as much troops as possible. Completed around 20th January.

PI: 1 Div (48th) + 1 Bde (65th)
Objectives: seizing N of Luzon up to Lingayen, then turn Lingayen into a powerful airbase. Completed in mid-January. Now waiting for reinforcements. Secondary operations in Mindanao with naval forces and (lately) 56th Bde. Davao will fall in some days.

Pacific: 1 Rgt (South Seas) and naval troops
Objectives: take Guam and Wake. Completed in December. Now waiting more troops and the return of CVs to do more.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
For the second phase ( after the fall of Singapore and Manila and the conquest of Borneo and of Macassar Straight) i will have to decide where to go.....
the possibilities are :
- Mini Hangover ( Eastern India ), and so go for Java and Sumatra in a second time
- Timor and Northern Oz ( Darwin ), and so going for DEI in a second time
- Port Moresby,( this probably can be done simultaneously with the conquest of Java)
- Java and Sumatra first, then think about the other possibilities...

My own view is that Japan needs Borneo, Java and Sumatra before the end of April, and in the best shape possible, so it is safer to take them before. By this date the oilfields should be out of range of Allied bombers so you should have also Timor and S Burma.

Any other operation is only useful if you kill lots of troops/planes/ships or if it increases the security of the SRA (like seizing NW Australia).

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
And what about the Aleutinas? Is it worth to get there soon? In our last match he built up Siska quite soon and started to threaten my positions on Paramushiro Jima...

I see Aleutians like S Pacific: a killing ground. Allied troops can't retreat from islands so you can easily kill them here. Let them come first. Aleutians are also closer from Japan and probably easier to supply.
Like in Pacific I don't want to hold any place, just to kill Allied troops/planes/ships and delay their advance.

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent


[
My supply hub for all S Pacific operations is Truk, that is supplied by huge convoys from Japan. Then supplying Tarawa or Noumea from Truk is the same for me. And Noumea is much more valuable.]

I disagree here. Tarawa has Kwalajein quite close, while Noumea needs Lunga or Lungaville...and if you do not take out PM at the same time your flank will be threatened by allied heavy bombers from PM or Thursday island.

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent
[

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
The more i think about an early conquest of Northern Oz, the more i like the idea.....
But it's impossible to do everything at the same time.

You have 12 divisions, 5 brigades, 3 regiments at start. In my current PBEM, for phase 1 (until the end of January) I use them like that:

Malaya: 4 Div (Imp, 5, 18, 55) + 1 Rgt
Objectives: take all Malaya (completed around the 20th January).

Burma: 1 Div (33) + 1 Bde + 1 Rgt
Objectives: take S Burma, reach Mandalay and lay siege (completed around the 15th January)

Sumatra: 1 Div (38th after HK) + 1 Bde
Objectives: take Palembang (game is currently 28th January and town will fall before the end of the month)

Borneo: 1 Bde (35th) + naval troops
OBjectives: take Brunei + Miri, later expanded to take Kuching + Singkawang with 35th Bde and Tarakan with naval troops. Both operations completed but I don't like to take Kuching as it is a little too far away from my airfields and was right another time. Force Z attacked at night, sank a BB and very heavily damaged one. It lost the Repulse, 2 CL and 4 DD to naval fire and aerial torpedoes.

Celebes: 1 Bde (56th)
Objectives: take Amboina quickly, so convoys for Australia may transit and refuel here. Then take Kendari to turn it into a powerful airbase. Completed in December. The Bde has since sailed for Mindanao, taking Menado on the fly.

Australia & Timor: 4 Div (all troops starting around Japan)
Objectives: take the whole of Timor and the 4 bases in NE Australia. Destroy as much troops as possible. Completed around 20th January.

PI: 1 Div (48th) + 1 Bde (65th)
Objectives: seizing N of Luzon up to Lingayen, then turn Lingayen into a powerful airbase. Completed in mid-January. Now waiting for reinforcements. Secondary operations in Mindanao with naval forces and (lately) 56th Bde. Davao will fall in some days.

Pacific: 1 Rgt (South Seas) and naval troops
Objectives: take Guam and Wake. Completed in December. Now waiting more troops and the return of CVs to do more.

Interesting....let me understand juts a thing: you do not go for Manila and Clark at the beginning? And for all these DEI operation you do not use KB but just mini KB? Even when attacking northern Oz?
The more i study the Oz map ( andrew's Mod), the more the idea is getting sweeter...... I only see some difficulties in using only 1 Div and 2 littler unit to conquer the whole Burma....If Rangoon is well defended can be a tough nut to crack. In our last match, where he overcommitted in Burma, the 15th Army, with 3 divisions and 3 Engeneers wasn't able to break through Mouleim's defences....i needed a Big landing at Rangoon to force him to let that defensive line.
BTW, AmiralLaurent: thanks a lot. Northern Oz is now officially in my operational plans[:D] Merci beaucoup. Ton aide a etè vraiment fantastique!
Are those few units really enough for Singapore?

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ok, i made some attempt following AmiralLaurent's Strategy.

I found some problems. Here some questions about them.

1- I understood that the siege of PI is only partial: Conquests up to Lyngayen and then switch to defence, building up a series of Strong Air Bases from where pound Manila and Clark to dust and at the same time train your crappy pilots.
But what about Legaspi in the south? Would not it be better to get it on the first couple of turns, in order to close any exit gate for the sieged allied garrisons? And if yes, will a single SNLF unit be enough? I do not think so....

2- I tried to take Ambonia on the first turn, with the air cover of Ryuho CVL....but the question is: isn't that a risky gamble? Naval forces from Java or Darwin can easily engage my unescorted TFs and the dutch have some nasty bombers and fighter groups down there, against which those Claudes can do nothing serious...

3- Darwin: i managed to get 3 out of 4 divisions, 2 Engeneers Rgts, 1 HQ and some Art and AA units near Palau on the first day, along with some BBs, CLs and DDs. The mini KB has too many claudes to be yet effective in its role of Aircoverer. Darwin has 137 Assault points at the beginning and some 9.2 inches Costal Guns..... gotta say that it scares me a bit without my KB around.
Another question is: First Timor or Darwin?..and what to do with the lack of supplies in the area? Palau has very little stock of them and there's none friendly base around....



Then Malaya, without those divisions, committed for the Oz operation,...the conquest of Singapore seems to be a long long way home......Does Japan have all this time?

[Gen.Hoepner]

Few more thoughts...
How many divisions will be necessary to secure Northern Oz after the conquest? I'd say i could leave 1 division + some engeneers plus an aviation rgt at Darwin..but only naval garrisons in the other 3 bases west of it. Cannot efford more if i want to land at PM, Diamond Harbour and Canton Island and in the meanwhile conquer Manila, Java, Sumatra and Borneo.................[:D] ok, just dreaming i know[;)] If i concentrate in my left side of the map ( DEI,OZ and BURMA) i'll be forced to leave the Gilberts as a light defensive screen. probably PM and NG, after Oz, would be a possiblity...but again...i have to forget about eastern India....too bad 'cause i want the whole world[:D]

[AmiralLaurent]

First I use historical first turns or only slighty modified. Modifications are cancellations of ops and rerouting troops to other historical sites.

I don't land in Legaspi. Or if I use historical first turn, I reload immediatly troops at the end of the first turn. I fully agree with you that one SNLF is not enough, as there is a Div in Naga and tanks in Manila just some days away. I use these troops in one game to take quickly Cagayan. I caught half a dozen B-17 on the ground and a SNLF is enough to hold the city against the only Div available on the island. And if this Div comes to Cagayan, I will seize Davao easily with a SNLF based in Palau. The bad side of this strategy is that Luzon forces continue to use the ressources from Naga.

As for Australian operations, 56th Bde in Palau boards ships in Palau on Dec 8th and lands in Amboina about one week later. At the same time fast transports load the divisions in Japan and sail towards Palau (with a lot a fuel-laden TK and supply-laden AK). Arrival around Palau between 20-25 Dec, off Australia in the beginning of January. At this date KB is there. And PI is no more an active air theater, so Taiwan air units are available in Amboina.

In both games I landed:
_ a division or brigade in Lautem & Koepang (at the same time or one day after the other). And paras to take Dili.
_ a division in Derby
_ a division and a Tk Rgt in Wyndham
And kept a division and ENG Rgts in reserve in ships. KB and BBs are used to shut down Darwin airfield and during raids, Allied here are counted.
In one game, I saw only 4 Allied units, in another 9. I landed directly in Darwin my reserve division in the first, while I landed it in Wyndham and then marched all the way with 2 Div, 1 Tk Rgt and support units in the second.
Those 9.2in can be nasty but I don't lost any warship sunk or heavily damaged, only 2 AP and 3 MSW sunk in the direct landing. Anotehr reason to do a quick assault what that my opponent heavily commited planes, including B-17E, and I wanted to destroy as much as possible on the ground before they may be repaired and fly away.
One game is a team game and I have no control of the mini-KB, neither of most of the BBs and Kendari was out of my bounds and wasn't taken. I had 3 Div and 1 Bde and use the brigade in Timor. In the other I had four Div for Timor and Australia and use 56th Bde to take Kendai with mini-KB support (also supporting Timor operations at the same time).

I won't go there without KB. And I think hitting PH is worth it. So Australia operations won't start until Jan 1942. Allied can then reinforce the area but not enough to hold coastal cities against 4 Div supported by several BBs and the KB.

As for Malaya and Burma, I have never had an opponent sending everything on the frontline in Dec 1941 so had only to crush troops starting there. I think 4 Div, and all ART, Tank and ENG starting in Taan, and a part of those starting in Pescadores, is enough to take Singapore.
Burma forces are a secondary thrust. Their objective is to advance until they met firm resistance. By the way my main advance axis is from Rahaeng so Moulmein is cut from Rangoon. That is with the official map. There were almost no battles. Rangoon was only defended by ENG troops instructed to destroy as much as they can. These forces are enough to stay in the same hex than the whole Burma Army (at start) and resist a shock attack. They are not enough to push them away from a fortified base, but nobady asked them to do it. They currently are in Mandalay to stop the supplies production here, so Allied troops will eventually run out of it (or it will come via the India trail and most will be lost in route)

As for securing northern OZ, I don't plan to do so. I will let enough troops so my opponent will need to send a strong force and so risk another landing in another part of Australia. That is when I have still air and sea superiority. I will probably evacuate these bases in early 1943 if I still own them at the time. Or to be more honest let behing kamikaze units, just to destroy most of the bases when I will lose them. I don't repair ressources damaged when I took the bases. Allied will have to pay the supply if he wants to. These ressources and supplies are only bonuses for Japan.
By the way, the first convoy carrying oil and ressources back to Japan are the supply convoys for supporting Amboina/Oz operations, that came back with the plundered ressources. The area is pacified far earlier than Palembang/Singapore/Borneo.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Few more thoughts...
How many divisions will be necessary to secure Northern Oz after the conquest? I'd say i could leave 1 division + some engeneers plus an aviation rgt at Darwin..but only naval garrisons in the other 3 bases west of it. Cannot efford more if i want to land at PM, Diamond Harbour and Canton Island and in the meanwhile conquer Manila, Java, Sumatra and Borneo.................[:D] ok, just dreaming i know[;)] If i concentrate in my left side of the map ( DEI,OZ and BURMA) i'll be forced to leave the Gilberts as a light defensive screen. probably PM and NG, after Oz, would be a possiblity...but again...i have to forget about eastern India....too bad 'cause i want the whole world[:D]

I will have aviation support in all NW Australia bases. The main defence here are planes, as Allied can't cover operations with CAP, or only with CVs.

In my phase 1 plan, 9 Div are reserved for Malaya, Australia & Palembang operations. It's now 30 of January and these 3 ops are now over. Palembang fell today and more of 90% of it is undamaged.... it is always an uneasy moment for the Japanese commander before he can check the state of the ressources. But I pounded the base for ten days and waited to have several ENG regiments to be sure it will be OK.

Anyway I now have those 9 divisions for the phase 2. The phase 2 objectives are :

_ Java & Balikpapan (now totally surrounded)
_ cleaning Sumatra with a reinforced Bde
_ Burma
_ PI
_ holding NE Australia

At the same time the first new Japanese Div will be created in China in February and I will have enough PP to release an experienced Div from China Army to use it elsewhere.

So I will still have about 1000 AS available in February and later to use elsewhere. Also the five operations above need few naval support.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Merci Amirallaurent!

I think i'm going to do some tests about a very early landing directly at Darwin. As we're going to play with Andrew'sMap mod, the northern Oz street system is far less efficient that with the normal map, so Darwin remains the real key of defence for the allies.
I'm going to try to take Ambonia ,with the brigade startin at Palau, at the first day of operation, while enrouting here form Japan a base force.
At 8th Dec i can have 3 divisions loaded up on transports just 2 hexes north of Palau, along with 3 BBs and several more DDs and CLs.
Also thinking of committing directly the baby-KB just to provide some CAP over the landing forces ( darwin should not be full of planes by the 15th of Dec.
I'm planning to land 3 divisions at Darwin, with 2 Eng rgts, 2 Tank Rgts,2 Arty units, 1 AA and 90 aviation support Base force.
The other division, divided in 3 regiments, will take Timor on the last week of December, while the Brigade that took Ambonia will capture Kendari.
The other cities on the northern coast of N.Oz will be taken with fast transports, as they are connected to Darwin only by trails...so a march will be endless!!
The tanks will go south towards Alice Sprigs, in order to expand the perimeter.

Well, it's just an idea...gotta see if it's too risky!

still thanks for your priceless suggestions![&o]

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Thanks guys. I really appreciate this school-like discussion[:)]

With 1.4 we all know that it's a tough job for the japs to conquer China. I'll try to do something different from our last game, where i engaged a sequence of encirlement battles around Changsha. This time i'll try to send a decoy force to Changsha, with the only pourpouse to force him to mass his forces in the south . The same attempt will be done at Yenen, where another decoy Army will fake-siege the city. At the same time all my remanant forces will be deployed in the middle of China, ready for a deep push forward Ichang and then Chungking ( using Andrew Map Mode i hope). If i manage to get this deep penetration in the heart of the Chinese Empire , his forces will be cut in 2 ( north and south) and this should unbalance his whole defence.

I've tried similar strategy in China - conquering the Ichang, then advancing north to cut Yenen and put Ch. in the danger. But my opponent counters this strategy with pulling off some troops from the Ch. and Y. and sends them to the crossroad hex between those two cities. I was unable to win "time race" because he uses his bombers and attacks my advancing LCU units (toward crossroads).
So it seems this strategy can be rebuff with air attacks. I can't said it could be done, you have to ensure air support (bring zero daitais and support units) to the china and provide CAP over your LCU's.

IMO, you should build up AF Ichang fastest as possible, because you have only one bigger AF suitable for this offensive (Wuhan). Also, nice idea would be to transfer some base forces and Air HQ to China...

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: pauk

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Thanks guys. I really appreciate this school-like discussion[:)]

With 1.4 we all know that it's a tough job for the japs to conquer China. I'll try to do something different from our last game, where i engaged a sequence of encirlement battles around Changsha. This time i'll try to send a decoy force to Changsha, with the only pourpouse to force him to mass his forces in the south . The same attempt will be done at Yenen, where another decoy Army will fake-siege the city. At the same time all my remanant forces will be deployed in the middle of China, ready for a deep push forward Ichang and then Chungking ( using Andrew Map Mode i hope). If i manage to get this deep penetration in the heart of the Chinese Empire , his forces will be cut in 2 ( north and south) and this should unbalance his whole defence.

I've tried similar strategy in China - conquering the Ichang, then advancing north to cut Yenen and put Ch. in the danger. But my opponent counters this strategy with pulling off some troops from the Ch. and Y. and sends them to the crossroad hex between those two cities. I was unable to win "time race" because he uses his bombers and attacks my advancing LCU units (toward crossroads).
So it seems this strategy can be rebuff with air attacks. I can't said it could be done, you have to ensure air support (bring zero daitais and support units) to the china and provide CAP over your LCU's.

IMO, you should build up AF Ichang fastest as possible, because you have only one bigger AF suitable for this offensive (Wuhan). Also, nice idea would be to transfer some base forces and Air HQ to China...

Hi mate,


Yes, it's true: i need air superiority for this operation. I can say that my opponent is really very cautious in committing his air forces early in the game. He usually follows "bunker tactic". But i know how deadly can be the AVG if used in China. The final objective , however, is to force him to move back his units from Whucow-Changsha-Kweilling ( sp?) and Sian-Yenen. To do this i need to threaten his center ( Chungking) . It will all depends on how he will react to my first fake-Sieges at yenen and Changsha...
I'm planning to bring 1 Zero daitai in China and some 3 Oscars Sentai ( after 1.5 will be possible to convert early those nates...)

[AmiralLaurent]

I think taking Ichang is a good move as the Chinese forces should then send reinforcements to this crossroad while Japanese troops can remain on the center and may attack both there or at Changsha with the same forces.

[Gen.Hoepner]

About Palembang..... i'm still quite unsure what is needed to capture a base with very few destruction to the resources present. Do i need a 100% preparation points, or more engeneers or a great Air bombing campaign..??

[pauk]

sure, it is good move (capturing Ichang). As you stated this pulls pressure on the Ch.-Y. line.

to the General: hmph, i'm afraid that one daitai of zeros wont be enough (if your opponent transfer whole AVG in China). Oscars are hopeless, they are just cannon fodder for AVG.

If your opponent play Sir Robin, you will have opportunity to transfer more Z-daitais to the China...

just my liras

[;)]

[tsimmonds]

Do i need a 100% preparation points, or more engeneers or a great Air bombing campaign..??

All of the above. Everything you add to this mix, makes success more likely. Bring some artillery and armor as well. Bombard with your LCUs for a few turns after you land before you assault. This will mean that you need to bring plenty of supply as well. Do a BB bombardment or two to disable support squads, thus reducing the ability of the combat and engineer squads to recover from disablement and disruption. The goal is to maximize disablements among his engineer units before you take the base, and to make the assault as overwhelming as possible when you finally do launch it. Definitely use a shock attack. But that is the final stroke, the key is in thoroughly preparing the objective beforehand.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks. So i will have to plan very carefully the conquest of Palembang ,Tarakan,Kendari etc.

good

[tsimmonds]

Actually the best thing you can do is to prevent the Allied player from bringing in any additional engineer units. Easier said than done however. Bettys/Nells and Zeroes at Kuching can isolate Palembang, if you can get the Allied air at Singapore shut down. Could get expensive though if he decided to make a serious reinforcement effort.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Well, with the brand new strategy, created with the huge help of AmiralLaurent[:D], i think i'm not that hurry about resources centers. In my last match i got all of them very soon, but Palembang was captured with only 90 out of 900 oilplants[:@]...so first i will isolate the area of DEI , and only in a second moment, after a strong preparation, i will land there and get that oil( let's say March 42...)

[Tom Hunter]

I have run a successful defense of China and I did the opposite of Sir Robin. I often sought battle though I tried to make sure it was on my terms. This was not always possible but things have gone my way often enough to make me happy with the over all result.

If your opponent uses Sir Robin tactics in China I think you can beat him. China is dangerous if it tries to throw the Japanese off balance which means offensive moves.

Basically the Chinese can win if they suprise the Japanese in enough places to keep the Japanese from exicuting a carefully prepared plan. If they do this a bloody stalemate is the result. But its not a static world war I stalemate, its a constantly moving stalemate.

Its very important for the Chinese to make the main rail line kind of useless for the Japanese. Sure the Japanese can clear it with a big army, but if a big army is clearing it then its not taking any important Chinese bases, its taking train rides.

If your opponent does not realize this then you should take advantage and try to score a lot of points in China. Basically its up to the Chinese to take away Japans mobility, if he leaves you with the use of the rail line then concentrate superior force, smash up his armies and take his cities.

Your opponents fabian tactics may help his comback in the Pacific but they will certainly hurt him in China and you should take advantage of that help you in your goal of winning the game. Don't listen to people who say this is gamey, if your a good player you should always take advantage of your opponents mistakes even if he makes them in an area that was historically quiet like China in 42-43.

Now I have a question for the group. I have recently wiped out about 60,000 Japanese troops in the Kwieyang battles. Does this give me a real advantage in China now? How many troops did the Japanese start with? Since July the Japanese army losses have goen up 626 points and the only major land combat is in China.

So do you Japanese veterans think that I can push harder as China and maybe win something back or get the Japanese to pull troops back from the Pacific into China? Or is it still a stalemate with the Japanese down 60,000 men?

In the larger picture the Chinese army is as strong as its ever been. A lot of my units have 70 or 80 experience and I even found one with 93. So I think Japan may be significantly weaker and China significantly stronger than they were in December 41 but it would be very helpful to hear from people who have knowledge of the Japanese army.

[AmiralLaurent]

Ouch... only 90 oil in Palembang. Gen, you were very right to surrender in your last game. Throw everything you can to take Palembang in good shape and you will then not care at all about the tiny oil and ressources in Burma.

My last Palembang operation was the following:

_ landing of 38th Div (preparing for Palembang since the fall of HK) and a Bde (preparing for somewhere else) roughly the day Singapore fall. Supported by 3 surface TF (one with 3 BB+2 CL, two with 4-5 CA/CL, all with 6-10 DD). I landed in Jambi (to the north) at the same time with 2 NLF, a Const Bn and a Base Force. I seized the undefended Jambi and flew two units of fighters here. Just ordering them flying CAP over Jambi is enought to intercept some raids over TF in the area and score some victories.

Then for a week, Palembang was bombarded roughly every day by a surface TF (roughly at each time I had one refueling/rearming in Singapore, one bombnarding, one sailing to the spot). To be sure no Allied warship will appear I had the super-mini KB (all CVL and CVE and Kaga) cruising from Koepang to Victoria Point at this time, sinking a convoy W of Java on the way. By the way, Force Z is now out of the game (Repulse, two CLs and 4 DD sunk).... after sinking BB Kongo and wrecking Haruna in a night battle. Revenge has taken an aerial torp off Rangoon, the Dutch Navy was seen by a submarine in Indian Ocean (propably fleeing), so naval danger was probably limited.

I had also Malaya airfields full of Ki-21/Ki-48 (6-7 Sentais) and Betties in Kuching bombing the base, while my troops were pounding it with artillery.

At the end of the week, all the ENG Rgts I had at Singapore landed in Palembang (it took two days, I used too big APs). And they were ashore, I shock attacked. At this time 38th Div had 60 prep points for Palembang. It was the only unit prepared for the target.

The plan was to send the NLFs and the Const Bn from Jambi to Palembang once the airfield was taken but I forgot to do it in time and so these troops arrive after the battle. The numerous Japanese engineers were able to repair the airfield so it is allready usable.

As soon as Palembang fell, 4 fighters units flew in and transport aircraft begin to carry aviation personnel from Malaya.

There was a 'B' plan. All units in Singapore (4 Divs) were waiting for the first land actions in Palembang to see if the place had been reinforced. There were more BFs than at start but no more troops so my reserve weren't needed and sailed/left for other places.

Having many ENG available when the city fell may do the trick. They don't need to be prepared for the place IMOO.

I now plan to keep this ENG force together and will use it successively (is this word English ?) in Soerabaja, Batavia and Balikpapan. Maybe also in Toboali (even if this place seems to be empty). That means that fewer ENG troops are available in Burma and PI but I hope it won't be a problem.