The problem is that all Allied players know that the Japanese will try to grab Palembang early (Ditto Singkawang)
Its the perfect place to commit what limited air and naval assets that the allies have.
Maybe some variations on Japanese play are required?
True. Must be less obvious... The only positive effect is that we're forcing the allies to fight...now the philippine fleet is gone along with Force Z. We should be able to move faster now in the DEI.
I noted a page ago your descriptions of what you are "prepping" for. Beware that you actually need the prep since in my experience Ultra will usually give the Allied player an excellent warning of what you are up to. Quere whether it is gamey to set a couple units to prep for Kodiak or Winnipeg....not that anybody would want the latter anyway!
I know. Ultra is a PITA for Japan. But without preparation my troops will never achieve their phase 2 objectives, so it's a risk we need to run. Can't do much about it anyway unfortunately
Could you pull back or try landing at Djambi instead? Short walk from there to Palembang.
Also not to beat a dead horse on NOPAC, but I think those of us advocating for a move up there were presuming it would occur after the end of phase 1. I could see you pulling something up there in March to threaten any bases he's developed in an effort to force a naval battle.
PS don't think we haven't noticed how coy you are being about your phase 2 objectives. [;)]
Djambi is a land base afaik!
In fact it's one of those bases i'll try to max out in order to have a very strong innerland airbase for 1943-44...
My phase 2 objs are still uncertain to be honest. It will all depends on how fast we can take on Singapore and Java.
Could you pull back or try landing at Djambi instead? Short walk from there to Palembang.
Also not to beat a dead horse on NOPAC, but I think those of us advocating for a move up there were presuming it would occur after the end of phase 1. I could see you pulling something up there in March to threaten any bases he's developed in an effort to force a naval battle.
PS don't think we haven't noticed how coy you are being about your phase 2 objectives. [;)]
Djambi is a land base afaik!
In fact it's one of those bases i'll try to max out in order to have a very strong innerland airbase for 1943-44...
My phase 2 objs are still uncertain to be honest. It will all depends on how fast we can take on Singapore and Java.
I hope you have shipping moved up though to act quickly when they fall?
Could you pull back or try landing at Djambi instead? Short walk from there to Palembang.
Also not to beat a dead horse on NOPAC, but I think those of us advocating for a move up there were presuming it would occur after the end of phase 1. I could see you pulling something up there in March to threaten any bases he's developed in an effort to force a naval battle.
PS don't think we haven't noticed how coy you are being about your phase 2 objectives. [;)]
Djambi is a land base afaik!
In fact it's one of those bases i'll try to max out in order to have a very strong innerland airbase for 1943-44...
My phase 2 objs are still uncertain to be honest. It will all depends on how fast we can take on Singapore and Java.
I hope you have shipping moved up though to act quickly when they fall?
More than 300 transports are ready, along with several minesweeper.
20 support units (among them two fleet HQs, several AA units and base forces) are waiting in the gulf of Siam....[:)]
Very nice. May I suggest a possible strategy to consider? I haven't played WITPAE for a while now so I'm not too sure how viable it is. But.
1. Establish your perimiter and be finished with any adventures by July-August42 the latest.
2. Gather an operational reserve of troops and shipping and be prepared to support it with most of the combined fleet
3. Gather it near a sector that is left weakly garrisoned and inviting to the opposing player
4. Identify the allied bases where an offensive towards that area can be launched from.
5. When/if such an offensive occurs do not just counter-invade but counter invade/strike in depth in order to capture and destroy his set up area with all the precious logistics units, ships and transport that the allied player needs and is so short of in 42-43. Most players move their assault shipping to the rear after a landing but not too far.
6. Assault shipping is the bottleneck for allied player and this should be your center of gravity as it is less risky to hunt than the carrier fleet.
Very nice. May I suggest a possible strategy to consider? I haven't played WITPAE for a while now so I'm not too sure how viable it is. But.
1. Establish your perimiter and be finished with any adventures by July-August42 the latest.
2. Gather an operational reserve of troops and shipping and be prepared to support it with most of the combined fleet
3. Gather it near a sector that is left weakly garrisoned and inviting to the opposing player
4. Identify the allied bases where an offensive towards that area can be launched from.
5. When/if such an offensive occurs do not just counter-invade but counter invade/strike in depth in order to capture and destroy his set up area with all the precious logistics units, ships and transport that the allied player needs and is so short of in 42-43. Most players move their assault shipping to the rear after a landing but not too far.
6. Assault shipping is the bottleneck for allied player and this should be your center of gravity as it is less risky to hunt than the carrier fleet.
The problem is that, with stacking limits, that way doesn't work very well anymore. You cannot simply overwhelm the defenders landing 5 divisions anywhere.
The allies may easily get every base to lvl 6 forts in a couple of months in late 42-early 43 and with those nasty marine CD guns, even a single regiment can hold its own.
Take a base like Lunga for example... it can guests only 2 IJA divisions and a couple of support units...everything more would mean overstacking...
Think the best way is to set up a very deep and well guarded perimeter, with several strongpoints that cannot be easily bypassed. Once the allies decides to bypass and get into the bottleneck, strike with everything you have and hope to inflict several blows to their navy. More or less the same I've done against QBall and what Mr.Kane has done against me in our last game. I have learnt a lot in those two games with SLs and DBB in place. Hopefully i'll be able to learn from those experiences and set up a good defence.
One other thing I've learnt is how strong the IJA can be with forts and SLs... even in 1945. I'll be building lots of forts in this match, much more than what I've done so far
Pilots:
Lost too many pilots lately. more than 200. Damn!
Planes:
the air war is being won by the allies so far. They are managing to contest the air space in China and in Sumatra, while they abandoned the skies of Malaya and Luzon after the first defeats. But that's strategy is paying off so far for them. Hopefully, with PDU-OFF, we should be able to beat them in terms of production numbers...but the cost will be high!|
Palembang is finally invaded!
After the recent battles, our mighty fleet manages to suppress the neverending series of PT boats that infest that area and the amphib TF manages, in the afternoon, to put all the troops ashore. Despite losses due to CD fire and mines, the landings went really fine. Tomorrow Palembang will be conquered. Hopefully without too much damage...
In the air we finally got the upper hand. More than 50 ducth bombers are shot down over Palembang thanks to our LRCAP provided by the Kaga.
Sweeps over Rangoon (where 45 Zeros and 27 Oscars tangled against the AVG) provided us some more kills.
In China the 7 experimental Tojos did wonders against the AVG again.
Tomorrow, Christmas 1941, the 25th Army should enter Singapore, which is pounded every day by more than 100 bombers (losses to flak are very very high tough).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sansapor at 83,107
Japanese Ships
xAK Kanko Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXIV, hits 1
xAK Kanko Maru is sighted by SS KXIV
SS KXIV attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
TB Chidori
TB Manazuru
TB Hatsukari
TB Hato
Allied Ships
TM-10
TM-11
TM-12
TM-13
TM-14
TM-15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
TB Chidori
TB Manazuru
TB Hatsukari
TB Hato
Allied Ships
TM-10
TM-11
TM-12
TM-13
TM-14
TM-15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 6,000 Yards
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Van Geel Kerken D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 20,000 yards
AV Sagara Maru screened from combat
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 49,90, Range 22,000 Yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 96 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DMS W-19, Shell hits 6, on fire
DMS W-11, Shell hits 6
DMS W-6, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS W-5
PB Eiko Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sagami Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire
DMS W-19 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
Palembang ML Base Force firing at DMS W-19
Palembang ML Base Force firing at DMS W-11
DMS W-11 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
DMS W-6 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
Palembang ML Base Force firing at DMS W-6
DMS W-5 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
13 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 49,89, Range 15,000 Yards
Allied Ships
TM-10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-11
TM-14, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
F1M2 Pete x 4
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 7
CW-21B Demon x 3
75A-7 Hawk x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 5
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kanhsien , at 81,57
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 6
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 4 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 15000 feet *
CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
F1M2 Pete x 6
Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 30
B-339D x 4
75A-7 Hawk x 1
Japanese Ships
xAK Eihuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AK Sagami Maru, on fire
xAK Ryuyo Maru
Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
3 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
F1M2 Pete x 1
Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
B-339D x 1
CW-21B Demon x 1
75A-7 Hawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 10 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 3 on standby, 9 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Palembang (48,91)
TF 96 troops unloading over beach at Palembang, 48,91
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 41st Guard Bn /5
75mm T41 Rgt Gun lost overboard during unload of Yokosuka 4th SNLF /4
Type 97 Medium Tank dropped into water during unload of 6th Tank Rgt
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 6th Tank Rgt /2
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 23rd AA Rgt /5
It seems to me that mine sweepers in any task force will sweep mines if present in the hex. This then will bring the minesweepers under fire from coastal defense batteries if present --in this case the coastal guns targeted the sweepers pretty well.
I wonder if the minefields chance of getting hits depends a lot on mission type of the opposing task force? Amphibious would have a much larger chance of encountering the minefield than say surface combat? No surface combat groups seems to have run into the minefields.
I know that the bombard distance doesn't seem to have any impact on hitting minefields.
GreyJoy -- did any of the surface task forces clear minefields too?
It seems to me that mine sweepers in any task force will sweep mines if present in the hex. This then will bring the minesweepers under fire from coastal defense batteries if present --in this case the coastal guns targeted the sweepers pretty well.
I wonder if the minefields chance of getting hits depends a lot on mission type of the opposing task force? Amphibious would have a much larger chance of encountering the minefield than say surface combat? No surface combat groups seems to have run into the minefields.
I know that the bombard distance doesn't seem to have any impact on hitting minefields.
GreyJoy -- did any of the surface task forces clear minefields too?
To me the bombard distance means a lot! Above 20K it's very difficult to get into minefields.
No, my SAGs didn't detect or hit any minefields at Palembang. I guess because the ships were fighting in the gulf and nor exactly at the harbour approaches...or at least that's what I get. Amphib TFs always get the minefields, bombard TFs sometimes, surface TFs very seldom
Today we also got our first semi-ace killed.
T.Aioi Cpt, with 4 kills, 29 missions, from Ryuho-1 fighter group.
Dead with honour in the skies of Palembang
ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
To me the bombard distance means a lot! Above 20K it's very difficult to get into minefields.
I read a post by a developer or guru saying that it didn't. I wonder where I read that, and if it has changed since written...or if my memory is faulty. The latter most likely.[:)] I will see if I can't find it...
My destroyer escorts for bombardments seem to hit minefields with startling frequency even when the task force is set to bombard at 39. Not so much the battleships, but that does happen too. Could be bad ship captains too.
Occasionally, the bombardment group will clear minefields, probably has to do with op points & detection levels & leadership, and still make the bombardment.
ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
To me the bombard distance means a lot! Above 20K it's very difficult to get into minefields.
I read a post by a developer or guru saying that it didn't. I wonder where I read that, and if it has changed since written...or if my memory is faulty. The latter most likely.[:)] I will see if I can't find it...
My destroyer escorts for bombardments seem to hit minefields with startling frequency even when the task force is set to bombard at 39. Not so much the battleships, but that does happen too. Could be bad ship captains too.
Occasionally, the bombardment group will clear minefields, probably has to do with op points & detection levels & leadership, and still make the bombardment.
I'm in the "distance doesn't make a difference for minefields" crowd.
Distance is to avoid CD gunfire, IMO. You can outrange the little guns if you want to. I generally don't bother, unless I'm concerned about a high level of defense and a weak commitment on my part (tin cans, CLs, etc.).
Yes Tom, heavy AA units. Those with 10cm guns and, hopefully, also some 8cm guns too.
Well, I know I can search this LCU by myself, but ask is much more simple [:D]
You mean the little AA Gun Co, or the bigger AA Rgt like the 25th located at Nagasaki?
I ask because I like to know my forces better in detail. Thanks.
Singapore is invested.
4 Divisions but results aren't that good.
One Division is completely mauled (the 5th). Will need to rest few more days. However the big city is about to fall. Air poundings will continue.
Palembang is captured without a single damaged point!!!!
More allied cruisers and destroyers on the bottom.
Japanese CVs attack Port Moresby, while more CVs move further south towards Noumea.
Tarakan is indirectly invested. Menado will be invested in 3 days.
Mindanao is falling easier than what I had hoped.
The 2nd, the 38th and the 56th IDs are already in the Gulf of Siam, waiting for developments
In China a couple of bloody noses, but nothing serious.
Burma is being evacuated[:D]
Heavy allied activity in NOPAC...lots of stuff up there!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Carnarvon at 47,135
Japanese Ships
SS I-123
Allied Ships
AGP Eridanus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AGP Eridanus is sighted by SS I-123
SS I-123 launches 4 torpedoes at AGP Eridanus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 9,000 Yards
Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Peary, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Pope, Shell hits 2
DD Jupiter, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 9,000 yards
CL Isuzu launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CL Isuzu launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
DD Jupiter sunk by CL Isuzu at 9,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Palembang at 49,90
Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KIX
AK Sagami Maru is sighted by SS KIX
SS KIX launches 2 torpedoes at AK Sagami Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 49,90, Range 10,000 Yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 11,000 Yards
Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
DD Edsall, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Peary, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Pope, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 11,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Asashio
DD Uranami
DD Tachikaze
DD Urukaze
DD Kyukaze
Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Peary, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Pope, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 11,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 49,90, Range 5,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DMS W-5, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Chuginadak Island at 167,50
Japanese Ships
SS I-9
Allied Ships
AMC Prince Robert, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage[8D]
KV Edmundston
xAP Baranof
KV Dawson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Palembang at 49,91
Japanese Ships
SS I-165
Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage[:D]
CL Tromp is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 launches 4 torpedoes at CL Tromp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Centaur, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 49,91
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 14
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Amchitka Island at 158,52
Allied Ships
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CL Phoenix
CL Detroit
DD Tucker
DD Reid
DD Cassin
DD Downes
DD Shaw
DD Conyngham
DD Case
DD Cummings
Japanese ground losses:
4393 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 309 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 57 disabled
Guns lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
2601 casualties reported
Squads: 65 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 61 (17 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
5th Division
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Division
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
18th Division
33rd Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Defending units:
2nd Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
SSVF Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
27th Australian Brigade
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
Malaya Army
AHQ Far East
112th RAF Adv Base Force
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
III Indian Corps
113th RAF Adv Base Force
111th RAF Adv Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Field Regiment
So, by 25th Dec 1941 we've secured Palembang, Brunei and Miri. Half of the first targets in the DEI are taken. Balikapan, Samarinda and Tarakan shouldn't be much of a problem right now. We can get there safely without rushing.
Cayegan (Mindanao) should be conquered tomorrow. Then only one base in the middle of the island will remain in allied dirty hands. Again, a good result with minimal efforts. Now, in a couple of weeks the KB will swing to southern DEI, giving enough assets to prevent any further intervention of the allied assets in the Japanese advance towards Timor, Darwin etc.
Now the next objectives will be Batavia, Cocos Island and northern Java. As soon as we get Singapore (probably in 4/5 days) we'll relocate some assets and divert them for the invasion of Java.
The 56th and the 2nd ID will attack from the north. The 16th ID will be used against Sosarbaja as soon as Clark is conquered. 3 weeks I'd say.
GreyJoy, it seems you are a prolific player who moves very fast with his games.
I have an idea for Japan and maybe you could try it out (I am still bogged in December 1941 in all my games against AI).
Basically, me idea is to create a MTB/SSX festung on Umboi Island. This island sits between New Guinea and New Britain in the Solomons. The purpose of the festung is to continually harass Allied shipping with MTBs and SSXs, even if the Allies bypass you in the Solomons by hugging the cost of New Guinea. Even though Japanese MTB have torpedoes with ranges of just 2,000 yards they should still get close enough to release their torpedoes, even in 100% moonlight, provided the weather is Overcast.
Basically, build forts on Umboi, put Naval HQ (with 223 NavSupport) for torpedo rearm, some unit with DP guns (possible canidates are Combined 8th SNLF, 13th BF or 3rd Special BF - all three units are reinforcements). Put lots of AA units on Umboi to create a flak trap. Put two divisions on Umboi, some crack fighter unit for added protection and hold out. The Allies can be even in the Phillipines but if you hold DEI islands and Rabaul, their only ship route should be through Finschafen - Umboi Island hexes.
Granted, the MTBs will be useless during the day, but you could still harass the Allies with SSXs during the day and MTBs during the night.
I would love to try this strategy myself, but with the sluggish pace I play WITP:AE, that would be 2017 at earliest.
Am I correct in reading the last page that you faced both P-40Bs and P-40Es at Palembeng?? If so, then this mod allows the Allies to use PP to buy out some of those from Luzon and you will face them again. Be prepared!?!
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