Pauk's corner: sake break for Japanese fanboys

[PzB74]

Don't be too cautious with your pilots Pauk! It's possible to train replacements in China you know.
Strike hard and vicious now as your planes are superior both in number and quality.

India is such a big gamble that it is wiser to look another way if you can't land in force by April 42.
(If you and your opponent hasn't agreed to ban the 'backdoor' approach that allows troops to be shifted
by changing their HQ, you should also think twice about invading India!)

Townsville is an 'old UV' target and as far as I can remember it seldom resulted in divine victory [8|]
Perhaps a very bold move against Brisbane? Gather as many divisions as you can and feint
an invasion of Townsville and Darwin - preferably after an early capture of New Caledonia!?

My Jap opponent in my Allied scen 15 game invaded Perth!!..and almost captured it *phew*. If Japan holds this
base it's possible to deny this sea route to India, destroy large amounts of Allied industry and resources
and divert their troops. The base force there can only accomodate 30 ac and it's a looong way from anywere.
You should have at least 2 and perhaps as many as 4 weeks to capture the place before reinforcements can
arrive in strength.

Accomplish this and it could become possible to conquer all of Australia! That would make you immortal [:D]

[Honda]

Oh NO!!! Don't go for the ego! Easily inflatable goods[:D]

[PzB74]

He has already joined the dark side Honda...it's his dessstiny! [:D]

[pauk]

What interesting idea PzB! Perhaps you know if Japan get stragic victory points if he take base with ground units? (I don't play for victory points, but i think it is a good way to make pressure on Andy and force him to make "divine" mistakes. Of course i will continue if i achive 4:1 ratio). Main problem is that Perth is far away and it would require a presence of KB (or reinforced mini KB with Akagi, Shoho and Kaga?). What is your oppinion about schedule for this un-ortodox operation?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/09/41

Operation Ish-proc-go proceeding smoothly. Troops are continue unloading at Songhia and Bandou without loses. What is more pleasing is that my BB TF caught his planes in Kuatan. Obviously he transfered them last turn and it was mistake. Personally i would put them in inland bases. But i won't complain about that. 22 planes destroyed on the ground (7 vildebeests 6 precious T-hawks (AVG i think) and 2 swordfish). Unforutnatly i have not additional force to finish his damaged planes on the ground.

Of course it isn't decisive victory, but such a things can impact opponents morale. Especially when he haven't to show anything in return.

My only concern is B17 in the Singapore. When they can be in Singapore? What to do now. I don't want start air bombing campaign of Singapore before i have 100 Zeros for escort...

KB refuleled and sent into ambush NE of PH.

Jolo and Davao captured. Both bases are operational now. Kaveing will fall next turn.

Philippines

16th div finished unloading and marching towards Naga. Air strike ordered on Manila.

China



First assault on HK went more than good, but i ordered to rest my troops before final assault. Andy moving their units towards Wuchow and Nanning, but if he want this base, i will let it. Canton is weak point for now and i need to secure this base. Meanwhile i'm massing divisions at Wuhan for Changsha operation. I will try isolate Changsha troops, but it will be difficult.

COMBAT HIHGLIGHTS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,49, near Lingayen

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Murasame
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 2, on fire

good, ASW is working

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kuantan, at 24,47


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio
CL Jintsu
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 26

so far 4 swordfish are destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack at 25,45

Japanese Ships
AK Nagara Maru
PC Ch 7
PG Tatsumiya Maru
MSW W.2
MSW W.1
PC Shimushu
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
SS KXVII, hits 2, on fire

another good hit. Yupee!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack at 40,56

Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
AS Canopus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

she sinks little later

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 38,59 form Tarakan


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami


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

Day Air attack on TF at 26,46


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3
P-26A x 11


No Allied losses

they did not attack???
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 41,58

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Elcano, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Escalante R, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Day Air attack on TF at 41,58

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3
E13A1 Jake x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Elcano, on fire
AK Escalante R, Bomb hits 3, on fire


Day Air attack on TF at 41,58

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3
E13A1 Jake x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Sarangami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


look at that lovely float plane carrier force!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Celebes Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,46


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
Vildebeest IV x 11


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyo Maru
PG Eiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sanura Maru
PG Uji, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Eifuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

aux ships done their job-protecting the AP's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 40,61

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AS Holland, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Don Jose, Bomb hits 2, on fire


Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 42,59

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Magallanes, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Luzon, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Day Air attack on TF, near Bacolod at 42,57

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Governor Wright, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

you just have to love them
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-157

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 54217 troops, 534 guns, 17 vehicles

Defending force 12492 troops, 117 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
505 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
596 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


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


Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 30024 troops, 355 guns, 15 vehicles

Defending force 7361 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
663 casualties reported
Guns lost 17

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

[PzB74]

Brisbane and Sydney will each give you some 2700 victory points I think, Noumea another 1500 or so.
Put on the thumb screws in this area and I promise you that you will get all the attention you want [:'(]

Perth is worth about 250 points but it's strategic and psychological value is much higher. Yes, you need to
send a carrier division to protect a landing force. 2 divisions, 2 engineer regiments and a large base force
would be suitable I think. If you could expand the base and place 40 Zeros and 40 Bettys here it would be
veery difficult for the Allies to wrest the place back from you.

I'm pretty sure that this is what Mike wanted to achieve in our game. He landed a full division, engineers and
eventually 1-2 tank regiments at Perth. The Australian brigade and base force behind 7 forts managed to repell this
attack, but it was a close call. At one point the Japs achieved a 1-1 odds.

It's a pretty wild idea, but it certainly surprised me and holds some promise...

[pauk]

Hmmm, lot's of points but looks it will be hard. Well, we shall see...

10th December, 1941

Small detachment of 65th brigade couldn't hold Lingayen aganinst 21th PA division and Lingayen is in Allied hands. Enemy forces will have 150 or so supply more and i have to live with this, for now. Air strike on Manila aborted due bad weather - i'm hoping that tomorrow my samurais will be able to fly. Kaveing captured.

recon reported 47 fighters and 23 bombers in Singapore. They don't have valuable target because my troops disembarking out of their range. No sign of Dutch fleet or Z force, but i have to be very careful...



NOTE: some ships are sank, but all of them are heavily damaged and i don't expect that any of these enemy ships will survive.

[pauk]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/11/41

Slow BB TF (protection fleet for Kuching invasion) intercepted (just as i hoped) and sank 2 MSWs, PG and AVD Childs north of Kuching. During the daily phase, Kates from mini KB caught precious reward - Pro Patria done with her duty. But she managed to mine Kuching port and i have to expect some hits on my transports (having 3 MSW in my invasion fleet). Andy finally know where is my baby KB. So far, i have to be pleased with decision of placing baby KB in South Chinese sea instead of classic solution - Celebes sea.

"Auxilary carrier force" scored some hits against enemy AK's. This force will continue pursue enemy ships north of Borneo. Betty's from south PI bases were succesful too. All in all 8 AK's, 1 PG 2 MSW and AVD are sunk yesterday.

Tarawa captured.

Philippines

Air strike from Legaspi worked perfectly - 11 enemy planes shoted down for one zero. All in all, he lost 30 planes and me 8 (mainly from ops loses, phew!)

I've ordered combined strike (from Appari and Legaspi) for tomorrow - Manila and Clark will feel divine wrath! I desperatly need to free three Zero groups assigned to the Philipine group Army for Malaya. Saigon are in the danger of air strike from Singapore with B-17.

16th division came to Naga with Eng rtg, Shuzan NG and Kure 1st SNLF, but i will wait for tomorrow when 56 div and Tank rtg joins the bulk of my army. It is better to wait one day then get 0-1 odds and lose time to recuperate (3 days?), don't you think?

Hong Kong falls and 38th division starts preparing for CF (65 Bde also preparing for this base). I'm not sure what to do with 2th div? This units traveling to Legaspi (PP-Manila) but i can assign division for CF? what do you think, do I have enough forces on the south for Manila? see map from post #3

Khota Baru will be liberated tomorrow, but i will mainly use Alor Star and Georgetown for air strike missions on Singapore. Air support (aviation rtg and Air Div HQ) embarks on the transports. I will disembark troops in Songhia and send them to Alor when i captured this base.

In my ideal plan i will strike at the same day. First (primary mission) with Army bombers from the Alor and Georgetown and with Betty/Nells with secondary mission although i'm reluctant about using my precious toys for ground targets. Strong escort will be provided, of course. But, i will start Divine Wrath-go only if i see opportunity to catch his torp bombers on the ground. What do you think guys?



COMBAT HIGHLIGHTS

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

Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
G3M Nell x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 85
Ki-48 Lily x 26

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 2 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged (actually, only 6 W-hawks were destroyed)
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 20


All bombers bombing at 15000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 49539 troops, 522 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 11876 troops, 93 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
11566 casualties reported
Guns lost 83
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 29374 troops, 329 guns, 15 vehicles

Defending force 7362 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
410 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

[PimpYourAFV]

Pauk, what a brutal campaign. I don't envy your allied opponent. I do hope you go on a major conquest of Australia. I'd really like to see the effect of Perth getting captured. Would putting a big pile of planes there not drain you from other areas? I'm thinking if the IJN expands too much they can get overextended and weakly defended? I'm not sure about this. Please help with advice. [:)]

You sure got things worked out pat in every area. I wonder how your prowess would do against an allied brute like Tom Hunter or Fiender.

Anways, just wondering... are your Petes and Jakes based out of Davao? Sorry for dumb question. I didn't know those little fellows could dish out the hurt so well.

I may have to reread this AAR again sometime. My slow brain had trouble taking in all that info. [:(]

Kick some butt dude. Thanks for the nice maps. [8D]

[pauk]

Hi Tokyo, thanks for kind words, but i'm sure that I don't deserve it. Although it's look like Japan doing great job, actually it is a normal situation, or better to say, me as Jap player here did not achive any *real* success here. Like I said it is normal in the first couple of month (if you want to see how much good job can Allies do, check in my previous AAR European Clash: String vs pauk).

As you probably know, Andy Mac (my esteemed opponent) have AAR of this PBEM too (we can not look at each other AAR's and appriciate not giving us advices BASED on knowledge gained by reading other AAR[:)])... so you can check there and i'm pretty sure that Andy is not scared at all....

So, i'm not good player as you can think (just ask my opponents), probably these drawnings impressed you[;)]. I'm sure that Andy will be formidable opponent, but you are right TH and Feinder are killers!

Australia is tough nut to crack. IMO, offensive on Australia is worth only because you are delaying offensive on Dutch East India (called SRA). Defense of SRA and protecting your oil fields is #1 priority! So you are right - Japan can easily overextend and that is a big problem. So, i'm sure that most players go for major offensive in 42, conquer everything they can but then fortify on the the "historical" defensive perimeter (Marshall islands etc)...

PETES AND JAKES: They are based on "auxilary carrier force" (what a pretentious name for that, it isn't wierd that you are abashed (?)[;)]). This so called ACF consists of one CS Mizuho, and three AV's (seaplane tenders). If you look again at the picture you will see transport designation - this is so-called ACF. I'm using this ACF because i know there is no allied opposition in the air so early in the game + transports don't have significant AA rating. Soon as finish transports fleeing form Manila i will assign them to the normal missions : naval search and ASW.

And there is no dumb question. I often find myself that i don't know some stuff that i should know after more than year of playing WiTP. Keep on going, ask questions on the forum and you will be master of this game in less than a year. Of course, only if you join the dark side[;)][:D]

[AmiralLaurent]

Hi Pauk, as for the Australian operation, seizeing Perth should IMOO be a major operation. I would send at least 3 divisions in first wave and some Tk Rgts that will then go along the road to see Allied units coming.
The trick is that I will have 3 other divisions and transports in the area. As soon as the Allied are coming to Perth, I will load several divisions and land on their rear in Sidney/Canberra sector.
Problem is that both operations need KB support and that will leave KB in the SW corner of the map for a long time.

Same plane works probably better in Brisbane/Townsville area. Draw Australian units where you want them and then board ships and land behind them. On this coast you can have CV at Lunga or Rabaul, close enough to sail to the Pacific if needed.

The next question is: where do I find 6-8 divisions ? And the shipping to carry them ? And the supplies to fight there ? Basically the supplies are allready there and the factories too. But the main problem in invading Australia is that you will then fight a lot of troops that usually are stuck there.

IMOO the best use of Perth for Japan is as a raid target. Send the whole KB with a hord of cruisers and BB and then pound the base for 3-4 days. The ships bombard the airfield and the plane bomb the factories, oil and ressources. In summer 1942 you should be able to score more than 1000 points in one of this raid. Then landing 4 divisions and taking the town is even better as you will half the HI here (and then half it again when the Allied took back the place).
In this case you can use troops that usually garrison Timor, Java and so on. With the mighty Japanese fleet around the probability of an Allied landing is not so high. The idea being to retire after taking Perth and routing the garrison. And to bring back the troops in Timor and Java.

[pauk]

thank for advices Amiral... im pretty reluctant to turn Australia into battlefield for the reasons you mentioned. So i have to agree with you - offensive raid (combined hit (from air, sea and invasion) and run mission is probably best solution for me.

One is for sure: for any kind of invasion on the Australian ground (or India) i need to finish the job in SRA pretty quickly. But i don't want lose my air and naval striking forces, so i have to find balanced approach bettwen time and acceptable losses (I'm genius, right[8|]?)

IMO, one of the key factor will be Koepang... here is current situation in DEI:




Menado inv group will be used for Koepang, while South sea detachment is going to occupy Kendari. I have to be fast, but cautious (another smart move by me[8|]), don't want to find light inv force faced with Z force or combined allied fleet.... so far, Andy uses even dutch subs for evacuating, but you never know....

[PzB74]

When Mike hit Perth in our game he landed 1 division, 1 engineer regiment - and later 1-2 tank regiments.
This force was supported by a heavy cruiser TF that bombardet Perth several times. The forts were only reduced once, to lvl 6
and a 1-1 odds was achieved before he decided to retreat.

So I would say that 2 divisions, 2 engineer regiments and 2 tank regiments would be sufficient.
A full division + engineers would be sufficient as a garrison - and it is possible that even such a modest force could tie up
a large number of Allied troops for quite a while and open up numerous possibilities.

So there would be both a tactical and strategic value to capturing Perth...especially if you want to land other places in Oz and perhaps
New Caledonia.

But I agree with you Pauk, finish your business in the DEI and on the PIs and then decide where to go next.
Territory shouldn't be a goal in itself, it's the destruction of Allied war materiel and the reduction of their ability to wage war that
should be your main objective.

[PimpYourAFV]

I like the strategic talk from the crusty veterans. [:)] Good food for the brain and very interesting. Pauk, do it man! Smack down Perth so we can enjoy the carnage too. You got the goods dude. [:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

I'd follow Admiral on this. The raiding option is the way to go for Japan. You need to mantain a certain degree of Flexibility with your crack divisions. Garrisoning Perth and western Oz will mean expose your eastern flank to an earlier US pacific advance. Better to go there, distrupt everything and then go back, keeping a strong mighty force at your disposal for every possible scenario that may arise.
Same goes for Pacific. If you see that your opponent is massing his troops somewhere ( Canton Island...Palmyra or whatever)....go there with 4 divisions, take all those yankees as POWs and then go back, leaving there a small garrison just to be sure.
it worked well in my game with MC...i manage to wipe out of the war 2 entire us divisions and some 3 regiments/Bdes[:D]

[pauk]

Not so eventful turn, but i've decide to post screen because i accidentaly, just before i've ended turn, saw allied naval force. My air search did not reported it, so Andy probably thinks he is unspoted. Of course, it could be something else (transport fleet) but i don't believe... too many ships together....



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/12/41

Another MSW and couple of enemy transports were sunk. My I-force have a good turn - 5 succesful attacks[:D].

Manila and Clark Field were attacked and Emperor can be pleased with results: 25 enemy planes destroyed on the ground. Allies lost 39 planes while i lost 7 planes (4 of them were ops loses).

Andy lost 12 ac in A2A during opposing Kuching invasion (shock attack ordered for tomorrow). My samurai's did it well, but when i saw that two T-IV got trough CAP and attacked Hyuga my heart start pumping faster. These crappy planes can be really nasty. I'm well known as most unfortunate player, but this time no reason to cheer for Andy....

Back to the Philippines. Andy reinforced Naga with one tank unit and two base forces. I've ordered deliberate attack (two divisions+SNLF+naval guard+eng rtg). Lets hope that i will get 2-1 odds because i have only one division preparing for Naga.... If i can take Naga in next two days, bulk of Philipine group army will enjoy Christmas eve in Manila... oh, wait...[:D]

Kido Butai is now located NNE of PH. Subs spoted one ship. Andy probably reconing area looking for my KB. I've ordered KB to move further (north). Don't want to see 140 Kates attacking single AP....heh...

81nd and 91nd naval guards embarking on ships together with BF for Brunei invasion. Fuel transport fleet (58.000) protected with 6 DD's heading for Jolo. Lot's of fuel and supply transports going to Palau. I don't want to found myself without fuel and supply for upcoming operations


COMBAT HIGHLIGHTS


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 3
T.IVa x 2
Martin 139 x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
T.IVa: 2 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii
CL Yura

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 2
T.IVa x 2
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
T.IVa: 2 damaged
Martin 139: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
AP Kaika Maru
PC Shonan Maru #7
PC Shonan Maru #6
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
MSW W.4

Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 115 encounters mine field at Kuching (28,56)

TF 115 troops unloading over beach at Kuching, 28,56


Japanese Ships
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
MSW W.4
PC Shonan Maru #7
AP Kaihei Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Kuching, 28,56, firing at TF 115
164 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #7, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Kashii, Shell hits 2
AP Haisho Maru
AP Meisho Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Kaihei Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Gosei Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Yura

Japanese ground losses:
1075 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28887 troops, 312 guns, 13 vehicles

Defending force 6871 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Khota Bharu base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 4 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

[PimpYourAFV]

Pauk dude...

Landing at Kuching always guarantees the IJN a bloody nose from the coastal guns doesn't it? The cost in damaged ships and damaged & disrupted infantry seems very high. Is there any alternative to just sailing up and taking your your kick to the nads like a man? Like how about a bomber raid on the port? I guess that would involve long range naval bombers which are too valuable to use on land targets? Would a heavy duty preparatory bombardment from a BB/CA TF be worth it or just get bigger ships damaged? [&:] Please advise.

Sorry if I missed something earlier in this AAR but what kind of fighters do you have on the baby KB north of Borneo? You seem to have zeros in your combat reports with no claudes so did you upgrade the claudes on your CVs in Japan and Paulu before departing? Seems unlikely cause they need time to repair after the upgrade. I need advice for Japan so I don't make another big sticky mess like last time. [:o]

[pauk]

You are learning fast[:)]. BB bombardment is welcomed if you don't need AF imediately. But i need Kuching AF operational when i capture it. That's why i don't bomb bases at the begining of the game (i will bombard Batavia but Kuching is extreme valuable base for Japan at the start of the game (air threat to Palembang, Batavia and Soerbaja and surrounding waters). So i would rather have some disrupted squads (i can rest them in malaria free bases) and couple of small AP sunk - have plenty of them) then un-operational AF (allies can use B-17 to keep this AF closed for longer because i don't have nearby AF for LR CAP over Kuching).
I've had situations that obsolete swordfish's and T-IV put torpedo in my BB's so i don't want to risk them if it not neccesary + i've lost contact with enemy fleet which was located on the east shore of Borneo.

For now, it seems that Andy playing Sir Robin defence, but he can suprise me and kick my $ss. If he continue to flee from PI, DEI, there is nothing much i can do it about. I can not catch him, so there is no reason to risk.

KB - i've upgraded Claudes to Zero on turn 1. Then i waited two or three turns for repairing damaged zeros. Then i've send baby KB to the south. No need for waiting until all Zero become operational, allied players don't have long range fighters at the start of a game. Now mini KB is fully operational, as we can see[:D]

MORE:

Always put at least one CL and couple of DD's in your invasion fleet - it will reduce effect of enemy fire during invasion.

- BB's and CA will not suffer any damage on bombing mission - only the bigger guns can damage CA's and BB's and they are (guns) located in Singapore, Manila, Batan, PH....

[pauk]

Gen Hoepp, couldn't agree more about exposed eastern flank in the Pacific during Perth campaign. I'm assume that Andy will be catiuos with his carriers, so i certainly can live with one or two raids on Marshalls while i executing (for now imaginary) east Austrailia operation. But, on the other side, what if I can trapped Andy and destroy his carriers. It could be done in this way. One or two unimportant landings in Pacific without (visible) air support from KB and after that going for Canton? I have feeling that Andy would react, but can't play expecting something like this.... I guess i have "classic" IJN officers character - i'm coveting (?hope) "decisive battle" but i'm wobbler at the same time[:D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/13/41

ok, back to job...Not so eventful turn but pretty interesting..

DEI

Some of my AP's at Kuching suffered heavy damage from the mines and coastal guns, but nothing serious. 35bde with support unit (SBF) easily kicked out Dutch soliders form base. I've moved one recon and one mavis chutai into Kuching and Oscar daitai.


My brave marines unloading at Tawi tawi and Menado. Strong PT flotilla (10 pt reported) approaching Menado waters so i've formed SC TF (5 PC/PG) from escort for protection. Also i want to see if these aux ships can fight against PTs.

"Aux carier force" again scored plenty of hits on enemy AKs and TKs. To be honest, not so many transports from PI survived...heh...

Unfortunatly, i've lost contact with enemy fleet but suprisingly i've found three enemy DD's in Kuching wathers during day phases. Kates from baby KB attacked AK's (!?) but forutnatly Betty's from Kuching caught them. So far I can't count on LBA from Saigon - due the bad weather they did not attacked yet! Baby KB heading for Saigon (refuel&rest)and after that will support Tarakan invasion...

Allies launched several strikes from Singapore, but with no results. Mutsu was hit with two bombs - klonk, klonk.... 7 enemy planes lost due to AA fire.


TF 115 troops unloading over beach at Kuching, 28,56


2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
MSW W.4
PC Shonan Maru #7, on fire

Coastal Guns at Kuching, 28,56, firing at TF 115

98 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #7, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Kashii, Shell hits 2
AP Neikai Maru
DD Natsushio
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
AP Gosei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Choko Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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


Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pillsbury, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pope

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

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Peary, on fire
DD Pope, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1

HEHE

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

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



PHILIPPINES

Manila and CF again raided!(7 destroyed ac on ground) No significant resistance over these bases and two zero daitais transfered to the Camrah Bay. With upgrading F2 Yamada daitai soon i will have 4 zero daitais for Malaya.

Well i got 1-1 odds at the Naga, but fort is coming down. Tomorrow will arrive additional force and then we will get through Naga with brutal force... I'm interested where will Andy make last stand: Manila is not going to be fortified more than level one (and 4 div approaching M.), so i would choose CF....

Ground combat at Naga

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58773 troops, 600 guns, 77 vehicles

Defending force 12416 troops, 121 guns, 60 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
832 casualties reported
Guns lost 39
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Guns lost 16
Vehicles lost 5

CHINA

Im still gathering forces for Changsha, but already started limited offensive:

Japanese Shock attack (my division crossed river north of Changsha and easily defeat chinese peasant corps:)

Attacking force 20141 troops, 239 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7093 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese/A Corps, at 41,39 (SW of Wuchow)

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 28
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet


Well i have opportunity to train Nates, so why not?[:D]

PS... i often changes AAR format (im disorganised person:)but hope that you can follow action despite that....

[PimpYourAFV]

Hi pauk, thanks for the lesson so far. [:)] I didn't know Kuching had an airbase so not bombarding makes sense now. About the claude upgrades on the CVEs at game start, leaving them in Japan & Paulu for several turns to repair some of the new Zeros misses the big 20 move bonus on Dec 7 so is it possible to move the CVE's to another port closer to the SRA like in Taiwan or Saigon if reachable and then do the upgrade and refit period? That would reduce the time to get there later by using the bonus move, no? I'm probably making a mistake of some sort here.

How do you use paratroopers at the start? You dropped them on the Philippines like in Legusi (spelling?) and Aparri which was nicely done but I didn't know the air transports can reach that far. [&:] I've never used paratroopers so I don't know. How do you get them to shock attack on the same turn?

I notice in AARs that Wake Island can also be taken by shock attack on the first turn. Is that done with the default troop transports already set up to go there? (I do know about sending the 'Guam' cruiser force to bombard Wake but that's all). In my game now which is my first ever, some ships landed soldiers on Wake without my orders and they all starved and were bombarded to death. [:@]

About the AV's and jakes/petes. How do you get the Jakes and Petes to load onto the AVs at gamestart before moving to a combat area? I heard for CV's you have to like use a transport and put the planes on them and then ship them to the CVs I think so do AV's work the same way? Do they have to be in port to do this? Can they get the bonus move with the seaplanes on board?

Hehe, that's a lot of questions. [:o][&o] I'll have to start paying tuition soon. [;)]

[pauk]

Yes, that's lot of questions. Maybe we could start new thread in the main forum section.

1. I send CVLs to the Camrah (you can send them to the Saigon too) on the first turn. There i've upgrade them on turn 2.

2. paras: didn't know that too before. It seems that you can drop them futher than max range; same goes for transporting LCU units from base x to base y. Paras always shock attacked when they dropped.

3. If you using Guam bomb. TF Wake will always fall on turn one. I'm using historical troops for Wake (no additional force)

4. AV's have their own float planes (at least those you have at the start). They are working like CS (carrier for float planes)

of course, the best way to learn mechanics and lawa of the WiTP is own-making tests. hope this helps