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Nicely done Francois. With the fall of Chengtu, that means Chungking is the only base left that Chinese respawns or reinforcements will appear (unless otherwise noted). Then you can begin to destroy Chinese units at will since they'll never return until either base is recaptured.

I'd hold off finishing Changsha until you capture Chungking, unless you decide to destroy them, have them respawn at Chungking and destroy them again?
That's worth the VP's alone. [:D]

P.s. I understand your reasoning behind PDU off and how that affects your R&D and production levels. I just wanted an idea of the numbers you were setting for yourself as a benchmark to determine my own needs.

I'm like you. Even though I wanted PDU on, there are a number of aircraft I still want to produce, not just the best ones, and have some variety. For that reason alone, I won't simply be producing thousands of the best aircraft, but a nice mixture that can provide many different tactical uses.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
I'd hold off finishing Changsha until you capture Chungking, unless you decide to destroy them, have them respawn at Chungking and destroy them again? That's worth the VP's alone. [:D]

Chinese recruit farming... Now, that might be a little too naughty for an old, evil but dignified, empire like ours.
Seriously, after seeing the 1000+ VP increase I got from the surrender of Surabaya yesterday, I am quite convinced that the methodical destruction of all KMT units left after the fall of Chungking is worth a lots in VP. Chinese devices are only worth 1/12th of a VP, but there are lots of them, and whereas you'll eventually lose you base VP (to lack of supply or capture), LCU VP are here to stay.

I will discuss my plane production in a later installment.

Francois

Agreed.  You have a lot of potential VP in Chinese LCU's.  Much like the IJ merchant fleet for the allies ... just future VP's waiting to be harvested.  [:(]

May 2nd, 1942

Silent service

So far, the submarine war was a bit disappointing. On average, we are doing just fine: 40 enemy ships are claimed over about five months, or about two ships per week. But in reality, half of those happened during the first month of the war, and my submarines found very little from the beginning of February to mid-April.

During the last week of April, after spotted several ships in the coastal waters of Australia, submarines were deployed there, between the coast and the reef, and we seem to be successful again. We caught a Dutch light cargo near Horn Island on the 27th, then two l arger British cargoes near Townsville on the 30th, and another Dutch cargo today near Maryborough.

I still need to define and implement a submarine doctrine. Right now, I am deploying lurkers in coastal waters, in the hope that I can get a cargo from time to time, but I would also like to set up front line submarine bases, with air searches and packs of subs ready to jump on anything detected.

The last base

With Timor, Java and Sumatra under Japanese control, and Port Blair and Port Moresby not being invaded anytime soon, the only base in the Pacific where I am waging war is Bataan. Today, our AV surpassed that of the enemy for the first time. I want to try another deliberate attack while I am sweeping Surabaya. If it succeeds, I might not need to reinforce Luzon (or just lightly). If it fails, I will load one or two divisions from Java, and finish the job.

I would like to clear Luzon by the end of the month.

Stranglehold

In China, 300 more combat squads were destroyed today. We are slowly pushing towards Chungking, where new reconnaissance found back the 58 units we were used to see there. In Neikiang, my armored regiments were repulsed by a 300 AV strong KMT corps. This is good: the more enemies I fight before Chungking, the less I need to dig out of their pillboxes.

All the artillery that bombarded Changsha is now packing. They will march to Changteh, Chihkiang, Kweiyang, and Chungking.

My last reinforcements from Lanchow have arrived in Kienko. I now have over 3000 AV in Sichuan.


A look at VP

I now have 24222 VP, against 8582 for my opponent, a 2.8:1 ratio. Base VP are 8675:4918, Air losses 2000:1900, and LCU losses 10700:600. This ratio will improve as Bataan falls, and then as China is conquered and KMT units destroyed, but I doubt auto-victory can be achieved in 1943.

As others have mentioned, unless Japan can keep its losses (and especially its air losses) at a very low level, capturing China will not bring enough VP to trigger auto victory.

Still, I am quite curious about the VP total once Chungking fall. The capture of Surabaya brought Japan about 1000 VP. I expect the fall of Bataan to achieve the same. As for Chungking, the bases itself is worth 1600 VP (and a loss of 800 for the allies), and the units there are probably worth more than another thousand, or 1500. All other things being equal, capturing Bataan and Chungking would probably make the VP ratio : 30000 / 7500, very close to 4:1… Air losses will probably make it closer to 3.5:1, but the destruction of the KMT armies and the campaign in Burma should bring more.

May 3rd, 1942

Air battles

Today was a bad day for the empire. Over Magwe, a large unescorted night bombing raid was unopposed. I had forgotten to set night CAP the last time I rotated my squadrons. Fortunately, the damage was light, two fighters destroyed on the ground, and a few hits on the runway.

Over Port Blair, after several days of unopposed bombing of the air base and port, the enemy managed a CAP trap that cost me about two dozen planes. I will be sweeping Port Blair tomorrow. If the CAP is still there, they should have a bad day because of fatigue.

My air loss advantage is shrinking very fast. I used to lead by about 250 points a month ago, we’re below 100 now.

Land wars

In Sichuan, a first attack in Neikiang revealed a 300 AV strong Chinese corps, behind level two forts. I have two divisions on the way, and Neikiang will fall, but this suggests my opponent still has a few good units in Sichuan. I will probably be in Chungking in a week, and wonder about what I will find there.

North of Kweiyang (mapwise) we are clearing all the remnants on the major roads between Kweiyang, Chungking and Patung. This means the southern pocket (Tuyun to Kukong) is now cleanly cut off from the rest of the KMT, and that Kunming will soon be cut off as well.

A lot of small intensity battles are taking place all over China. In Paotow, two regiments are in the process of eliminating a Chinese corps that tried to take the city. Once this is done, they will turn to the last KMT stack reported in the north east, just north of Taiyuan. We are also fighting a large stack of defeated troops on the secondary road from Nanyang to Ankang. Finally, the battle for Tsuyung is slowly wearing the defenders away. It might take another week, but Tsuyung is toast. This is good, because another column, marching yet undetected from Lao Cai, will reach the secondary road to Mengtze in a week, too.

Plane research

I now have twelve repaired factories (all 30 unit strong), researching five models.

The Helen IIa (two factories) have advanced to August, and will be available in July. At this rate, the Helen IIb should be available in April 1943.

The Tojo IIb (three factories) should be available in December or January 1943, which means the IIc might be available by August 1943.

The Zero 3a (3 factories, one more researching the Zero 5) should be available in September 1942, perhaps August, even. This means the Zero 5 should be available by December, the 5b in September 43, and the 5c in April 1944.

The Nick 1c should be available by January 1943.

Eight more factories, researching Oscars, Tonies, and Vals, are half repaired.


Preparing for the inevitable…

September, in France, is the month of wine fairs. Vineyards market their recent production, supermarkets fill with all kinds of bottles, people start making room in their cellars, and plan their buys just like your typical JFB plans his economy. I am going tomorrow, and thought I might as well get the bottle I will drink after Japan capitulates. If I can hold until 1945, and at the current rate of play, this should happen in five or six years.

After months of firebombing, and perhaps a couple of A-bombs, Côte Rotie, a vineyard in northern Côtes du Rhone, that could translated into English as “roasted coast” sounds like a good idea.

On the other hand, as this will be a defeat, and the wine will be here for comfort, a Chateau Chasse Spleen (meaning “dispel sadness”, that’s a Moulis, a region in Bordeaux) might be in order.

ORIGINAL: fcharton

May 3rd, 1942

Plane research

I now have twelve repaired factories (all 30 unit strong), researching five models.

The Helen IIa (two factories) have advanced to August, and will be available in July. At this rate, the Helen IIb should be available in April 1943.

The Tojo IIb (three factories) should be available in December or January 1943, which means the IIc might be available by August 1943.

The Zero 3a (3 factories, one more researching the Zero 5) should be available in September 1942, perhaps August, even. This means the Zero 5 should be available by December, the 5b in September 43, and the 5c in April 1944.

The Nick 1c should be available by January 1943.

Eight more factories, researching Oscars, Tonies, and Vals, are half repaired.

Will you use the Nick Ic? Most think it's not as good as the Ia, so I haven't tried it. I have been having good results with the Tojo IIb though which I'm only making due to a mistake letting the factory upgrade. It is doing as well or better than the IIa at least.

Preparing for the inevitable…

September, in France, is the month of wine fairs. Vineyards market their recent production, supermarkets fill with all kinds of bottles, people start making room in their cellars, and plan their buys just like your typical JFB plans his economy. I am going tomorrow, and thought I might as well get the bottle I will drink after Japan capitulates. If I can hold until 1945, and at the current rate of play, this should happen in five or six years.

After months of firebombing, and perhaps a couple of A-bombs, Côte Rotie, a vineyard in northern Côtes du Rhone, that could translated into English as “roasted coast” sounds like a good idea.

On the other hand, as this will be a defeat, and the wine will be here for comfort, a Chateau Chasse Spleen (meaning “dispel sadness”, that’s a Moulis, a region in Bordeaux) might be in order.

A fine idea. I like the connection to the meaning of the name.

I have thought of this as well. I am leaning toward a good bottle of Japanese Single Malt. Hibiki 17 yr. 'Hibiki' means 'resonance' according to the site. Not sure yet if that will fit with the end of the game, but we'll see. I do know it will taste very good.

http://www.suntory.com/whisky/en/hibiki/index.html

ORIGINAL: fcharton

After months of firebombing, and perhaps a couple of A-bombs, Côte Rotie, a vineyard in northern Côtes du Rhone, ...

A very NICE vinyard ... I should have to plan a visit there upon your victory to assist you! [:D]

May 4th 1942

In the air

We had a pretty good day over Port Blair. The enemy, fatigued from yesterday, lost a dozen Hurricane IIb and Warhawk 40E. My fighters operate from three bases, Moulmein, Bangkok and Victoria Point.

Over Magwe, Oscars on night CAP failed to intercept another bombing run. They probably flew too high. I will try again tomorrow.

Over Buna, I am on the receiving end: we’re trading a few fighters every day, a couple bombers get damaged, the garrison gets disrupted and repairs an equivalent number of squads…

In China, the goal is to reduce KMT numbers, so I am going for the easier gains, targeting troops in the open.

Mopping up

We had another costly battle in Bataan. Forts are now level one, and we managed 2:1 odds. Yet losses were high. Two divisions are on their way from Surabaya, I might try another attack in a week, though.

In China, today was the last bombardment in Changsha. All my artillery is moving west tomorrow, towards Chungking. I am leaving three divisions that will keep the defenders in place. The city is too far behind our lines to be taken back, anyway.

In Neikiang, forts are down to level one. I am resting, and the city will probably fall the day after tomorrow. Two divisions and artillery from Kweiyang will cross the river between Neikiang and Chungking today, three more are attacking in the woods south (mapwise) of the city, clearing the defenders from Kweiyang. The siege of Chungking is about to begin…

Nicks and PDU Off

Hi Obvert,

PDU off is a world of its own, with a very specific logic. According to Tracker, I have 140 planes that can use the KAIa, and 250 that can upgrade to KAIc. As some of the 110 belong to Sonia or Nate Sentais, this makes the KAIc worth producing.

Another important point is that a squadron needs to go through all past incarnations before it can upgrade to the better, late war models. Some KAIc squadrons convert to Frank, and most late war night fighters (randies) were KAIc at a point. In other words, with PDU off, the question is not “should you produce” (you almost always should) but “how many”.

Once more, I haven’t really studied the question, looking at all groups, their upgrade paths, and production dates. I believe it is possible to devise a general upgrade plan, which would the drive research, and production.

To our women, our horses

Well, I did not find Côte Rotie, or Chasse Spleen, after all. They had small stocks, which probably sold fast. Next year, maybe… But all this raises another interesting question: how should I celebrate the fall of Chungking? As China is an attrition war, something strong and heavy is in order. That would be red wine, obviously, Burgundy, or perhaps Cornas is we stay in the Côtes du Rhone, or a Spanish wine (or French close to the border). And cheese too, something manly, Brie de Melun, perhaps. Food when I win, food when I lose, I am beginning to enjoy this war!


@Obvert: Japanese whisky is an interesting idea. I know Japan produces some wine, but I have never tried it. I hope they are better than Chinese wines…

@Pax: Côte Rotie is a great wine, it is getting a bit too famous these days, and prices, which always were high, are becoming unreasonable (like some famous Bordeaux). If you like it, you might also enjoy its white counterpart, Condrieu. And just PM if you plan to be in the area (Paris, I mean). I know places…

Côte Rotie - I know ... out of my budget now.  [:(]
 
As for Paris, prolly be  a couple more years before a trip ... hopefully about the time you declare VICTORY!!!!

Well, I did not find Côte Rotie, or Chasse Spleen, after all. They had small stocks, which probably sold fast. Next year, maybe… But all this raises another interesting question: how should I celebrate the fall of Chungking? As China is an attrition war, something strong and heavy is in order. That would be red wine, obviously, Burgundy, or perhaps Cornas is we stay in the Côtes du Rhone, or a Spanish wine (or French close to the border). And cheese too, something manly, Brie de Melun, perhaps. Food when I win, food when I lose, I am beginning to enjoy this war!

I like your ideas more and more!

Being the son of a wine merchant, Chiang most likely had some good stores of French wine in his house in Chungking there. Probably classic Bordeaux and Burgundy. For cheese maybe Bleu d'Auvergne for the Chinese colors?

May 5th, 1942

Port Blair

After two days of battle, enemy fighters were nowhere to be seen, but Nells from Georgetown found two light cargoes in the port.

xAKL Honolulan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Kalgan, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Over Magwe, another night bombing run was met by CAP. I did not shoot any of them, but they did not do much damage either. I believe this is how night combat should be.

Remnants

In Paotow, the 41st Chinese corps was destroyed. Nach Taiyuan!
In Sibolga, the last Dutch unit on Sumatra surrendered today. I think this concludes the capture of the DEI. I am satisfied with the tempo.

South of Chungking, the former garrison of Kweiyang was defeated once again. Chungking now sports 77 units, but a lot of them, like those twelve, are empty shells.

Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25123 troops, 265 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 1162
Defending force 6577 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2051 casualties reported
Squads: 102 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 193 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 21 (17 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 12


Units retreated from Chengtu were defeated as well.

The next phase, and questions for you, dear reader

We are in May 1942. The DEI has fallen, without too much damage to the oilfields, and the war in China is going well. In the Pacific, save perhaps Port Moresby and southern New Guinea, I don’t intend to expand. I might land in Northern Australia, in Luganville, in Cooktown even, but those would be spoiling operations, meant to delay enemy reconquest. From now on, China and India are my prime targets.

So far, I have not seriously garrisoned my empire. Most of my possessions in the Pacific are lightly defended, partly because most units were committed to Sumatra, or Java, partly because I lacked an overall plan for defense.

I realize I need to send units to the front lines, and organize my bases in the Pacific and the Indies. I will try to make a list of available units over the week end, assign them to various area, and then to specific bases.

So here’s the question... Most of my combat units come in five sizes. I have divisions, about 450 AV at full strength, then regiments, about 150 AV, then again battalions/SNLF units, around 60, base forces around 30, and independent companies around 15. I understand independent companies are only useful are recon asset, to make sure the enemy cannot move unnoticed, or occupy a base without bringing combat troops, and that a division makes a base very difficult to capture.

But what about the three others? When do you use regiments, battalions and base forces/30 AV units?

What I am trying to figure out is: what should I leave (behind forts) in Tarawa, or Tulagi, or Lae, if I want to just delay the enemy, or force him to bring large units, or turn those bases into potential meat grinders?

A brigade behind lvl 6 forts on a small atoll requires the allies to launch a full assault to take ...  think Iwo.   3 x SNLF's are about the same.  The more full assaults you force the allies to have to execute, the better for you.

A brigade behind lvl 6 forts on a small atoll requires the allies to launch a full assault to take ...  think Iwo.   3 x SNLF's are about the same.  The more full assaults you force the allies to have to execute, the better for you.

May 6th 1942

The boat with a weird name

A few weeks ago, I sent submarines mine coastal hexes near enemy bases. North of Brisbane, the enemy cleared the minefield, but damaged a sweeper in the process. Cool things, those mines…

Allied Ships
AM Wollongong, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AM Lithgow
AM Echuca
AM Kalgoorlie

Misfortunes at sea

A week ago, a large enemy task force, headed towards the Samoa, was detected as it moved from the west coast to Hawaii. Submarines were sent on their path.

Today, my path calculations were proven right, but the sub captain missed his target, a nice troop transport.

ASW attack near Jarvis Island at 169,146

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
DMS Zane
AP Thomas Jefferson
DD Blue
DD Morris

SS I-20 launches 4 torpedoes at DMS Zane
I-20 diving deep ....

I will try to chase the transport, but it is probably too late (those AP sail fast).

Clearing the plains

The Sichuan basin is almost all Japanese. Today, the last unit on the road from Chungking ot Kienko was pushed back into Chungking, and Neikiang fell to a deliberate attack.

Ground combat at Neikiang (75,44)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14712 troops, 118 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 619
Defending force 7862 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 175
Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Neikiang !!!

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1220 casualties reported
Squads: 132 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 76 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (18 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1

This unit is now northwest (mapwise) of Chungking. One or two more are due east of the city, but the rest of the basin is ours.


May 7th 1942

Silent service

Lots of enemy submarines patrol around Truk, probably in the hope of catching KB which I badly need to rebase… But so far, all those subs had little luck. Today SS Gar was attacked by one of my many ASW task forces in the area, unconclusively. Around Sumatra, where DD Inazuma damaged SS KXVIII near Sibolga. Off Medan, we had less success, and DD Isonami was sunk by SS O-19, which she was chasing.

Finally, it seems that we found the coastal routes along Australia. Today, a light cargo was torpedoed near Horn Island, and a cargo was sunk off Rockhampton.

My submarines are not as effective as I’d wish, but they are getting better.


Reinforcements

The more I look at the map, the more I realize how weak my current position is. My front lines are not garrisoned, but, worse still, I don’t have units in second line bases, ready to intervene, with transports, supplies, and escorts.

I don’t believe in rushing naval guards to all my forward bases right now. If the enemy attacks, I will lose those bases anyway, for lack of support. I want to set up my rear area depots first.

Where should those be? I already have Singapore, acting as a hub for Malaysia, Sumatra, and northern Java. Macassar used to be my depot in the Celebes, but I think I will use Surabaya from now on.

In the Pacific, I will most certainly use the Marianas as my rear area depot. They are central enough. So all the naval guards, AA units, and some of my navy is being transferred there as we speak. Once the Marianas are reinforced, supply and fuel stocks established, I will set up two forward depots, in the Marshalls and around Rabaul (I already have air HQ in both places).

I am late, though, and if my opponent decides to strike now, I will be in trouble.

ORIGINAL: fcharton

I am late, though, and if my opponent decides to strike now, I will be in trouble.

That sounds familiar. [:D]

Manus is a good base too. It's a little close to Northeast Australia, but it draws less attention than Rabaul. Depending on how thorough your opponent will search, this might be an ideal location for basing counterinvasion forces specifically for the Solomons. If you plan on defending them. And LRCAP from the surrounding bases can provide adequate air cover.

ORIGINAL: fcharton

What I am trying to figure out is: what should I leave (behind forts) in Tarawa, or Tulagi, or Lae, if I want to just delay the enemy, or force him to bring large units, or turn those bases into potential meat grinders?

I had two Naval Guard or SNLF equivalent sized units on Lunga behind level four forts. In total roughly 130 AV. The Allies landed a full division, a Tank Bn. and a BF and my troops were blown away on the first deliberate attack. Mind you this wasn't an atoll, but I expected a little more resistance.

I think if you plan a counterinvasion strategy, you need to keep division sized units in your reserve and rely on forts and Bde. sized units to buy you the time needed to deploy. My personal opinion is, if it can be bypassed don't garrison with divisions as they may become stranded. Must have key bases, I'd make sure I have AT units to offset enemy armour and enough support to sustain effective combat operations. Supply is key too, but I'd be leary of having too much as bases that could fall easily.

I'd definitely grab Darwin, it is important to deny that base, or any of the other bases along the coast of Northern Australia, to prevent early 4E intervention. I tried keeping Darwin closed by air attack and that failed. If the Allies bring enough engineers and a few bad weather days occur, the base can be up and running again in no time.

I think planning the defence of Japan's perimeter is one of the hardest things to do in this game. You simply can't defend everywhere in strength and it's impossible to know exactly where the Allies will hit. I think a counterinvasion type strategy is the best early, when you can still go toe to toe, after mid 1943 I think you dig in and grind it out once the Combined Fleet has lost it's teeth. So I'd concentrate building up bastions in your second and third lines of defence, don't waste much forward as it's easily bypassed.

Just my thoughts. [8D]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: fcharton

What I am trying to figure out is: what should I leave (behind forts) in Tarawa, or Tulagi, or Lae, if I want to just delay the enemy, or force him to bring large units, or turn those bases into potential meat grinders?

I had two Naval Guard or SNLF equivalent sized units on Lunga behind level four forts. In total roughly 130 AV. The Allies landed a full division, a Tank Bn. and a BF and my troops were blown away on the first deliberate attack. Mind you this wasn't an atoll, but I expected a little more resistance.

I think if you plan a counterinvasion strategy, you need to keep division sized units in your reserve and rely on forts and Bde. sized units to buy you the time needed to deploy. My personal opinion is, if it can be bypassed don't garrison with divisions as they may become stranded. Must have key bases, I'd make sure I have AT units to offset enemy armour and enough support to sustain effective combat operations. Supply is key too, but I'd be leary of having too much as bases that could fall easily.

I'd definitely grab Darwin, it is important to deny that base, or any of the other bases along the coast of Northern Australia, to prevent early 4E intervention. I tried keeping Darwin closed by air attack and that failed. If the Allies bring enough engineers and a few bad weather days occur, the base can be up and running again in no time.

I think planning the defence of Japan's perimeter is one of the hardest things to do in this game. You simply can't defend everywhere in strength and it's impossible to know exactly where the Allies will hit. I think a counterinvasion type strategy is the best early, when you can still go toe to toe, after mid 1943 I think you dig in and grind it out once the Combined Fleet has lost it's teeth. So I'd concentrate building up bastions in your second and third lines of defence, don't waste much forward as it's easily bypassed.

Just my thoughts. [8D]

Francois,

I certainly agree with SML that the island defense is quite difficult. OTOH, don't overlook your goal in this: delay. The allies are good for about 6 full amphib assaults per year. My goal is to get them to burn as many of them on non-critical targets as I can. Non-critical is anything outside of the PI -> Guam area ... meaning I want to delay B-29 range on the HI. Sure, the allies can bypass bases, but if they do, I want them to be ones that I can punish them if they do.

So enough stopping power to allow my mobile forces to get into the area to punish the allies, and maybe even counter attack. As SML notes, 2x SNLF with Lvl4 forts will not stop a reinforced div ... at that is pretty standard allied landing force. A BDE with lvl6 will stop a div most of the time for a few turns. A reinforced div will require a bde with a garrison or SNLF unit at least. Always remember that if the allies can prep with more than a day or two of bombardment, it can swing the odds to their favor rapidly.

Anyway you need a stopping force and then a large reaction force. I like about 400 fighters, 400 2E bombers, and 200 1E strike ac along with 3 - 5 ID's as my reaction force. This is in addition to whatever I have left of the KB. The 2E's are going to do night bombings until I have air superiority for them to switch to day. I could augment those numbers depending upon how things are going.

Read Pzb's AAR for the ultimate "how to" for reaction forces. He was able to mass huge forces within a few turns ... I've never been able to be that good yet ... but he did it several times so it is possible to do ... somehow. [;)] Still working out how he did it! [&o][&o][&o]

May 8th 1942

Doolittle aborted

Today, a troop transport convoying an air support unit from Japan to the Marshalls, was sunk off Chichi-Jima, by Wildcats!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Chichi-jima at 115,81
Weather in hex: Light rain

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

Japanese Ships
xAP Huzi Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kasumi

Intelligence reveals at least two Allied carriers and assorted cruisers and destroyers. All bombers in Japan have been put on alert, and several squadrons transferred to the Marianas and Bonin. If the enemy task force proceeds towards Japan, or just remains in the area, and interesting battle might occur.

But it is very likely that my opponent, after being detected, will choose not to push forward. KB was dispatched towards Wake, and submarines cruising around Hawaii were sent on an intercept course from Pearl to Chichi Jima. It is a small chance but worth running anyway.

What was KB doing in this area? I am pretty sure my opponent intended to raid Japan. I don’t think this would have worked so nicely. Many squadrons based around Tokyo were training, but some were on alert, and I have quite a bit of flak in those cities. But damage would have been done, for sure, and one xAP is a very low price tag for such an aborted raid.

More importantly, the fact that enemy carriers, with their squadrons on naval attack, could pass undetected through a good number of garrisoned islands, reveals the failure of my naval search network.

Yet another thing I need to correct, and fast!

Preparing for Chungking

Two divisions and several artillery units have arrived in Chungking. I am bombarding tomorrow, to assess enemy strength. I have about 3500 AV within shouting distance of the city, and the artillery from Changsha is now west of Changteh, and should be here by the end of the month.

Having troops in the city means resources cease being produced. I doubt the supply situation is good, as the enemy has more than 75 units in town, which should eat a lot every day. The base will fall, how long it takes is anyone’s guess.

Talking of which, I think I have found the wine I will drink when the city falls. A very strong Spanish wine (15.5% alcohol, whereas most reds are around 13.5), from a small region near Castille, known as Toro. The vintage is called Campo Elyseo, which means Champs Elysées, the perfect name for the fall of China (and it is pretty old, too). If the victory isn’t that clear, a bit pyrrhic, I will switch to something less flashy. I have a Alcorta Rioja, yet another Spanish wine, more typical.

Garrisons, maneuver mass, and delays

Pax and Lemon, thanks a lot for the comments. Regarding garrison levels, I understand that a division (400+AV, with guns and devices, and engineers, and forts, and lots of support) is quite a formidable opponent. A brigade (half that), will hold against an invasion of less than a division, and will resist a reinforced division, but fall eventually.

Below, a regiment (say 120 AV, less guns and devices) or a battalion (60 AV, very few guns) are only useful insofar they force the Allies to commit a large number of troops. But they can be deadly against small forces, or if the invasion force is attacked before it lands or finished unloading.

Very small forces, companies, isolated base forces, and the like, just prevent Japanese possessions from becoming free lunches.

I am in the process of reading PzB’s AAR, and understand that atolls, defensive terrain, and low stacking areas work as natural defenses. This means it could be interesting to prefer them for infrastructure (airfields notably). A 6000 men atoll with decent facilities (like Kwajalein or Roi Namur) with a garrison close to stacking limits, is difficult to invade.

Your point on delaying is well taken, Pax. If China falls this summer, I can probably force the Allies to commit more troops to India, and free a lot of units to reinforce my inner perimeter (Kuriles, Marianas, Philippines and the “inner Indies”. But this will only work if I can keep the enemy in the Solomons and New Guinea for most of 1943.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I certainly agree with SML that the island defense is quite difficult. OTOH, don't overlook your goal in this: delay.

I just wanted to clarify that my suggestion to not put much forward was in regards to a garrison, not defending overall. Rather than trying to guess on Allied targets and maintain large garrisons, I'd maintain small garrisons to delay, but use my strategic reserve to counterinvade. It's a forward defence, but one based on mobility rather than static island garrisons. I hope this makes sense.

The best example I can give is what I did when Lunga was invaded by the Allies in my other AAR. I counterinvaded with five divisions and wiped out the entire Allied force, but my initial garrison was less than 140 AV. If I had my airbases organized and expanded beforehand the initial Allied landings would not have gone well, so don't forget to have the infrastructure for a strong LBA response. Against an aggressive Allied player, you won't have the time to build up bases after the fact.

Hi Joseph,
You make perfect sense, and I believe I am reaching the same conclusions: almost all your island garrisons will not resist a serious offensive, but they will force your opponent to mount that offensive, which means delays, risks, losses…

I am still a bit uncertain on how to conduct counteroffensives. I feel very incompetent in naval matters, but I can hope to learn and progress.

May 9th 1942

Empty Bonins, fun in Timor, bad day in Bataan

Enemy CV were nowhere to be seen. I have left my bombers on alert, but chances are that the carriers are gone for good. Here’s hoping for a chance encounter with my subs, or the KB.

On Timor, Lautem was reinforced yesterday. The SNLF arrived quite disrupted (that’s May for you, gaijin), but the unloading transport attracted Hudson III from Darwin, which flew in unescorted (I suspect most of the Australian chasse is in Port Moresby). I had Zeroes on long range patrol from Ambon, and eleven Hudsons were shot down. No hits were scored on the transports…

Two divisions are on their way to Bataan, but I thought it might be a good idea to attack again today…

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 32217 troops, 470 guns, 239 vehicles, Assault Value = 824
Defending force 36776 troops, 518 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 749
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 56 (7 destroyed, 49 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (3 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1107 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 52 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

We’re getting there, but it is a bit expensive.

So? Chungking?

So we bombarded Chungking, and found 76 units, and 2570 AV. Enemy losses were very low, which suggests good forts (or bad recon, or both). Overall, this is a pretty good piece of news, as I have more than 3000 AV around Chungking.

Chinese supply situation in Chungking seems worse than I expected. Bombers hardly get shot at, even when they fly low, and today, Allied VP went down by more than 300 points. The only way this can happen is when a large base gets unsupplied, and Chungking is the most likely suspect.

My hunch is that the 76 units were barely supported by local production and stocks, but the counter-bombardment disrupted the balance. 300 point out of 800 lost is a lot : it suggests the city has about a third of its needs.

Now, now, where have I put that corkscrew?