Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[SqzMyLemon]

Feb. 20/42 Update:

Just a teaser, but my whole northern China strategy has failed to lack of recon on my part. The 30 unit Chinese army I had cut off around Sian is 2/3's across the river to safety. I had no clue it was moving, no movement ticks had appeared until this turn. I thought supply was an issue and that's why it wasn't moving. I'm crushed that a good strategy has unravelled due to my ignorance of the game mechanics. I'm sure Smeulders is patting his back for a brillant withdrawal [8|], but on my end it never would have happened had I known he was withdrawing. Lesson learned, recon everthing, every day! [:@] That puts 45 Chinese units around Sian, no way I can take it now. I will pull back, rethink what to do next and try to stop making these mistakes which are killing me, and bailing out my opponent time after time.

[PaxMondo]

Very interesting to watch you pursue china here.  Too many AAR's leave this alone.  I've tripped over myself so many times in this area, so watching this with considerable interest. 
 
Thanks!

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Feb. 20/42 Update:

Just a teaser, but my whole northern China strategy has failed to lack of recon on my part. The 30 unit Chinese army I had cut off around Sian is 2/3's across the river to safety. I had no clue it was moving, no movement ticks had appeared until this turn. I thought supply was an issue and that's why it wasn't moving. I'm crushed that a good strategy has unravelled due to my ignorance of the game mechanics. I'm sure Smeulders is patting his back for a brillant withdrawal [8|], but on my end it never would have happened had I known he was withdrawing. Lesson learned, recon everthing, every day! [:@] That puts 45 Chinese units around Sian, no way I can take it now. I will pull back, rethink what to do next and try to stop making these mistakes which are killing me, and bailing out my opponent time after time.

Just got caught up on your AAR. As for the 30 unit army. It would still have taken plenty of supply via the northern hex over the river. Supply flows fairly liberally in the game. If you click on the R button you would see that the adjacient hex to the north has a road network. He would have had to been much further away to feel a supply pinch. They have toned it down but supply (IMHO) flows too easy over rough, wooded and mountain terrain for my liking. Course it works both ways so it is a wash.

[SqzMyLemon]

Wow, has it been this long since I've updated? There is a black hole consisting of a week in game time, think of it as the dark ages of WitPAE. I should be back on track, so I will start posting regular updates again.

We have just completed the turn for Feb. 27/42. A few things have happened in the meantime, but I will use screenshot updates to bring who's been following this AAR back up to speed. A quick synopsis. Sumatra has been invaded, Palembang is in Japanese hands. The Ambon invasion force is 3 days out. China is quiet except in the south, where I am pushing Chinese forces back. I'm probing much more with air units in the DEI, but Smeulders looks like he's holding his air assets close to his chest in preparation for the defence of Java. I'm consolidating the Solomon's and troops continue to press on towards Port Moresby. All will be much clearer in the screenshots.

I will start posting first of the month production figures from now on, starting with March 1/42. Production expansion of some aircraft is really starting to kick in, building up my pools nicely.

The naval yard expansion program is roughly a month away from completion. Tokyo now sits at (27) x 167 and Hiroshima at (36) x 198.

Vehicle assembly expansion at Yokohama sits at (8) x 12 an increase of +10

I've started a modest HI expansion program, repairs are as follows:
Wenchow 11(4) an increase of +5
Shanghai 121(4) an increase of +5
Saigon 20(5) an increase of +5
Singapore 24(11) not really an expansion, but I had turned off repair previously to build up supply. I'm also repairing the shipyard which sits at 34(16)

I'm looking for the transports that can be converted to tankers to save them from being sunk. I haven't gone through them all yet, I need to head back to Mike Solli's AAR to find out which ones they are. I've been coverting the 170 and 795 capacity xAKL's to either ACM's or PB's depending on my needs. Most of my destroyer upgrades for 1/42 are completed. Increases in my ASW assets will significantly improve protection for my important transport TF's.

Submarine losses are down markedly, due to changing routes and using bombers for ASW. I may not be sinking any Allied subs, but the aircraft are significantly suppressing them now and getting in some bombing attacks.

Initial Screenshots...more to follow later this evening.

Burma Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Northern Sumatra Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Southern Sumatra and Northen Java Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

The Celebes Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Northern China Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Southern China Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Hokkaido Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

The Solomon's Feb. 28/42:

[SqzMyLemon]

Feb. 28/42 Update:

Burma:

Bassein fell unoccupied, but again I'm getting hit with a 1VP point loss until I can get a garrison unit there.

Sumatra:

Allied ground troops at Medan were bombed by Betty's and Nell's today in preparation for a ground assault that will be launched tomorrow. 36 casualties were inflicted. Praboemoelih was assaulted by deliberate attack and fell to Japanese troops. Losses were light, 114 casualties compared to 1015 for the Allies, most of which were destroyed. I'm starting to shift AO's and tankers to Singapore for operations in Sumatra. I'm very concerned with Allied subs, so all tanker TF's will be heavily escorted. Sumatra is not heavily defended and should fall quickly.

Java:

Batavia was swept by Zero's and no allied CAP responded, although there are Allied bombers based there. Sally's followed up again bombing the airfield, damage was light, inflicting 2 AB and 18 Runway hits.

Celebes:

Makassar and Kendari were both swept and bombed today. No Allied CAP over either base and damage to Makassar was only 2 Runway hits while Kendari suffered 6 AB, 2 ABS (Air Base Supply) and 26 Runway hits.

The Ambon invasion force will land tomorrow. I've brought a large number of forces to support the landings. As much as I want to be sinking Allied ships, I feel it's best to just keep the Allied surface force at bay for now. If I can take Ambon at little cost I'll be very happy. Smeulders won't risk his fleet if the odds are not heavily in his favour, I figure, why oblige him? I want him fighting on my terms not his.

Madjene will be assaulted in conjunction with the Ambon landings, also supported by a strong surface fleet. I thought about hitting Makassar directly, but I only have the 144th Inf. Rgt. and a JAAF AF BN available. I'll march to Makassar and land additional units in support at Madjene.

KB is supporting the Ambon landing, once it lands I will shift it west to support the invasion of Java. However, if any Allied fleet units do appear, KB will stay to try and inflict some losses on the Allied fleet.

China:

Daily bombing of Chinese units in range continued, and Pingsiang reached a Fort level of 1. Japanese forces continue to rebase and reorganize. I'm tryng to come up with a new strategy here. I'm going to push in the south and see how Smeulders reacts, if any openings present themselves I'll see if I can exploit them.

Home Islands:

All reinforcing LCU's get transported by rail to Nagasaki, which will be my port of embarkation for units deploying to forward areas. Maizur expanded to a level 6 port today. It's important to get this port built up to be a major destination for my resource TF's. It saves me using Tokyo, as that route is exposed to Allied submarines.

[SqzMyLemon]

Mar. 1/42 Update:

The Celebes:

The Ambon invasion force runs the gauntlet of Allied subarines and I end up losing the DMS-17 to torpedo attack from the SS Gudgeon. Two other Allied submarines, SS KVIII and SS KIX, take cracks as well. Both miss and 1 DC hit is recorded on the KVIII. All that aside the troops are ashore and I lose no ships to coastal gun fire. My BB and CA's pour on suppressing fire in support of the landings. KB is lurking northwest in range of Ambon in case there is an interdiction by Allied naval forces. I will assault tomorrow.

I'm hitting Loewoek this turn as well with troops that embarked from Garontolo. I thought about hitting Kendari directly, but feel I'm overreaching with only 2 DD's as escort for this TF. Makassar's airfield was bombed again causing 3 AB, 4 ABS and 16 runway hits. The Madjene assault force will land tomorrow.

Sumatra:

Medan falls easily. The defenders numbered roughly 6k while my total force is roughly 16k. I suffered 295 casualties to the Allies's 1023. The remaining Allied units are fleeing north.

Java:

Batavia's airfield was bombed again scoring another 2 AB, 1 ABS and 6 Runway hits.

Various expansions:

In China, Pingsiang expanded to a level 2 Fort. Cagayan on Mindanao expanded to a level 3 port. In research news, the Ha-45 was accelerated to 7/43.

[SqzMyLemon]

Mar. 2/42 Update:

The Celebes:

Ambon fell today by deliberate attack, a great victory for Japanese forces! Japanese ground losses were 57 compared 4767 Allied losses with all three LCU's surrendering. However, the coastal guns had a much better showing today as troops and supplies were unloaded. Over 120 coastal gun shots were fired in defence and my tranports took some hits, in fact I lost two AMC's, which took the brunt of the shelling. Overall, I'm very happy taking Ambon this cheaply, this late in the expansion period. Shipping losses were 1 DMS and the 2 AMC's with the chance of a xAK sinking tomorrow. Ambon's airfield is heavily damaged so I'll have to wait awhile before I transfer most of the air units. I will transfer one for appearances sake and hope it will scare off Smeulders from launching an air raid.

Loewoek fell today and the insavion forces are ashore at Madjene. The base is undefended and I'll capture it tomorrow. I've also already dropped off some mines in anticipation of Allied subs trying a few shots at some of the tranpsorts.

Of note was the lack of any Allied fleet presence to interdict the landings. As predicted, the large Japanese fleet presence supported by KB kept the Allied ships away. Smeulders confirmed in an e-mail that he had a SCTF on hand to contest the landings, but the size of the Japanese TF's and KB's presence kept him away. He implied that I need to bring less force in future invasions if I hope to sink any of his fleet [8|]. I'm worried about the next turn though, he'll be looking to hit my transports unloading supply. I will not remove any of the covering surface ships until things are completely unloaded, no free attack for Smeulders like the previous one at Balikpapan. However, KB has already been withdrawn out of harms way. Allied subs converged on KB's last postion like moths to a flame, and I won't risk a lucky torpedo hit.

Burma:

My DMS has reached Rangoon and swept 17 mines today. Meiktila was captured today by the 33rd Div. and company. Japanese losses were 9 to the 425 suffered by the Allies. My RTA units conitue to march north to take over garrison duties, but they are weeks away from arriving.

China:

Elements of the 21st Div. attacked the Chinese forces in my rear at 88,47 today. Chinese losses were 238 and 4 guns to 0 Japanese losses. This force in the future will be dealt with by an Inf. Rgt. on hand, while the 21st Div. units pull out for tranpsort by rail to Shanghai for redeployment at Bataan.

The Philippines:

A note on Bataan. I've just been resting my combat units there the last few days, no bombardment attacks of any kind. I'm reducing my fatigue and disruption levels while I bring in additional artillery and the 21st Div. from China. When I bring sufficent force, I will assault by deliberate attack until Bataan falls. As long as I continue to take the Celebes with the forces on hand I can afford to delay somewhat. Northen Java will be hit by forces from Malaya and Sumatra in a week or two, and by then Bataan should have fallen. Then I'll have troops free to support in southern Java and invade Timor.

Various expansions:

Buna and Haiphong expanded to airbase levels of 1 and 4 respectively. Aichi HA-60 was accelerated to 5/42.

That's all for now. I'm up to date other than forgetting to post air production levels from March 1. Which I have no clue of now [:D]. I'll post some numbers next turn. Pools are increasing nicely to offset losses I'll incurr in Java. Java is where I anticipate Smeulders is drawing the line. He'll commit naval and air units to it's defence. With my few losses to date, I hope to bloody him quite badly with overwhelming force in naval and air power. It's time to make the Allies bleed.

Thanks for following along!

[SqzMyLemon]

March 3/42 Update:

Sub Ops:

SS Gudgeon is busy north of Ambon, but having little success today. It launches two separate 4 torp salvos at an escort and a xAK (see below) but all 8 torpedos miss.

I finally get a sighting of a lone Allied xAK and it is attacked off the west coast of Ceylon by the I-165. One torpedo hit, but no outright sinking. With my luck the xAK Lulworth Hill will make port and repair, being only 3 hexes away from Columbo (SP?). I'll have to wait till the next turn to find out.

Burma:

19 mines were swept, the harbour is now clear.

Java:

Batavia's airfield was bombed again today, 1 AB and 10 Runway combined hits were recorded in separate raids, with one Catalina reported destroyed on the ground.

The Celebes:

The xAK Lyons Maru evades a torpedo salvo from our friend the SS Gudgeon, but sinks from previous coastal gun damage suffered at Ambon.
Madjene is captured by the 144 Inf. Rgt. and I've also landed a JAAF AF Bn.

New Britain:

I've been bombing the remaining Australian unit southwest of Rabaul with Val's stationed there to little effect. The air unit is composed of rookies getting on the job training, so I'm not worried about the lack of casualties. The longer is survives, the more training my pilots will get.

New Guinea:

Buna gets a visit from 4 B17's today and they are intercepted by 4 Zero's from Lae. All four 4E's are damaged, but none downed outright. I don't know about historically, but the Allied 4E's in the game seem almost invincible to me, even when unescorted. This doesn't bode well for the future when their numbers will be substantially higher.

[SqzMyLemon]

March 4/42 Update:

Sub Ops:

The British SS Trusty launches 2 torpedoes at the xAK Shinsei Maru and scores one hit. Float damage is 86%, she'll sink next turn. That being said, xAK Lulworth Hill that I-165 hit yesterday, must have made port, I received no confirmation today. So much for uber Japanese subs, I can't even sink one unescorted Allied transport when I find one.

The xAKL Ayaha Maru is attacked southwest of Takao by an Allied sub on the surface and takes 10 shell hits. The TF consists of a number of unescorted 795 ton xAKL transports heading to Singapore for conversion to PB's. I guess I could have converted them at Takao first [:D].

New Guinea:

Buna again is treated to morning Allied air attack, but this time from SB2U-3 Vindicators and P40E escorts, 14 and 17 respectively. Some reinforcing TF's had just arrived and Buna had just expanded to a level 1 airbase last turn, but I had not sent any Zero's yet. Costly mistake. Two transports, the xAK's Suribaya Maru and Ryuzin Maru are hit with one 1000lb bomb each. 1 Zero from the CAP at Lae responds and is shot down, Allies suffer no losses. I lose some Naval Guard troops that were unloading. 2 more Vindicators follow unescorted and are met by 4 Zero's from Lae, one Vindicator is destroyed. Then 3 B17's appear right after, but score no hits and all three are damaged.

In the afternoon another raid of 12 SB2U-3's and 15 P40's strikes again, another Zero is downed to no Allied losses. Another two transports are hit, the xAK's Tomahoko Maru and Saiho Maru receive 2 bomb hits each. I lose 280 more Naval Guard troops. The Tomahoko sinks.

Lae is then attacked by 2 SB2U-3's, 12 Zero's on CAP respond and one Vindicator is destroyed.

Burma:

Meiktila was bombed today by 45 Blenheim bombers. The 33rd Div. suffered 103 casualties. I'll move Oscars up next turn to provide CAP.

China:

A small ground attack at 76,55 resulted in a Japanese victory. 684 Chinese casualties to my 6.

[SqzMyLemon]

March 5/42 Update:

Sub Ops:

Or lack thereof. 6 Japanese subs patrolling off the coast of Madjene fail to spot, or react, to a 7 ship Allied SCTF that bombards the base during the night. This is par for the course so far in this entire game for me. It's getting old.

xAK Shinsei Maru sinks post SS Trusty's previous days torpedo attack.

Java:

Batavia's airfield is bombed again by 35 Sallys and 19 Betty's. Damage is only 1 ABS and 12 Runway hits, while I lose 1 Betty to flak. The damage seems very low, but what do I know.

The Celebes:

As mentioned earlier, an Allied SCTF comprised of the CA Houston and company bombarded Madjene today causing only 9 Japanese casualties. Smeulders continues to be extremely fortuitous in his endeavours. As mentioned the 7 ships (1 CA, 2 CL's and 4 DD's) ran a gauntlet of 6 submarines and a minefield of 40 mines at Madjene, suffering no sub attack or mine hits. [:@]

China:

Sally's pound on a Chinese force east of Sinyang that should be having supply troubles. Casualites are 199 of which almost all are destroyed.

New Guinea:

After the previous days attack by Allied DB's I diverted a small DD force to bombard Port Moresby's airfield. They were attacked just south of the base by 11 Vindicator's escorted by 14 P40's. I moved a fighter unit to Buna and CAP of 4 Zero's intercepted. 1 P40E was reported shot down as was 1 SB2U-3, 6 more DB's were damaged, while I lost another Zero. No bomb hits were recorded.

Again 2 Vindicators showed up unescorted over Buna this time and intercepted by 10 Zero's. One SB2U-3 was destoyed. and no bomb hits recorded, however the xAK Saiho Maru sinks from the previous days damage.

The Celebes:

Kendari was bombed by Betty's escorted by Zero's, only 1 AB and 4 Runway hits recorded.

Sumatra:

25th Army units continue to push Allied forces back along the east coast, north of Medan. A deliberate attack caused 985 Allied casualites to Japanese losses of 53.

[bklooste]

How is PM going ? They still going up Kakoda

[SqzMyLemon]

bklooste,

Half of my assault troops are in the hex directly northeast of PM, where they are waiting on the arrival of reinforcements from Buna which have recently landed. My total assault force will consist of:

24th Inf. Rgt.
146th Inf. Rgt.
51st Naval Guard
82st Naval Guard
83rd Naval Guard
8th Tank Rgt.
2nd FA Rgt.
17th Med. FA Rgt.

I hope this will be suffucient, the last recon I had of PM showed 12k Allied troops. Airbase support units will be airlifted in once PM falls.

[SqzMyLemon]

I just wanted to throw out some of the latest air production figures. I'm still trying to get production numbers up early in order to hit production of new aircraft running, as it comes online. I don't want to be expanding factories later in the game, and I want to have good pools of reserve aircraft built up. Here are the latest numbers as of March 8/42:

Aircraft:

A6M2 Zero - Pool (116) Bld/Mth 162x(78)
B5N2 Kate - Pool (39) Bld Mth 60
D3A1 Val - Pool (63) Bld/Mth 58
E13A1 Jake - Pool (32) Bld/Mth 54
G3M2 Nell - Pool (8) Bld/Mth 44
G4M1 Betty - Pool (8) Bld/Mth 55
Ki-21-IIa Sally - Pool (2) Bld/Mth 25 I will be increasing this to 50
Ki-27b Nate - Pool (73) Bld/Mth 10 PDU is off, so that's why I'm still producing these.
Ki-43-Ic Oscar - Pool (43) Bld/Mth 142x(10)
Ki-48-Ib Lily - Pool (13) Bld/Mth 34

Engines:

Ha-31 - Pool (214) Bld/Mth 45x(0)
Ha-32 - Pool (41) Bld/Mth 211x(0)
Ha-33 - Pool (3) Bld/Mth 154x(76)
Ha-34 - Pool (41) Bld/Mth 10x(0)
Ha-35 - Pool (6) Bld/Mth 294x(11) I know this is an important engine, I will expand to 400+. What amounts do others usually produce?
Ha-5 - Pool (110) Bld/Mth 45x(0)

Are there any suggestions for different production numbers?