March of the Penguins: Onime vs. Fabertong

[Onime No Kyo]

Yeah, like maybe there will be more AAR and less spam. [:@]

[Yava]

Hmmm should be MORE AAR than SPAM [:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

Well, I was planning to spend this evening making this AAR all nice 'n pretty for ya'll...but as Murphy would have it, I got called into work. Yep, thats right folks, another overnight and no pretty pictures, no inside info no nuthin! [:@]
 
(PS...if you feel as strongly about this as I do, please do not hesitate to send a stern letter to my management) [:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: fabertong

I'm out of here gents.......enjoy the game.......godspeed...............

Awww, too bad. I kind of like reading each player razz the other about how magnificently their units are performing (or how brilliant their tactics must be to put up a good fight with such shoddy units).

[LittleJoe]

This thread is so barely an AAR [:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

You got that right, brother. It started off well enough, but now that the action has settled down, or at least can be boiled down to "SSDD", theres really not that much to write about. My hope is that by being able to write about rear area movements of units, planned operations and such, this AAR will actually become interesting.

[Yava]

C'mon Onime it's interesting when you do post something like the Mutsu action or post nr 194 from this page[:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

Well, now that the action seems to be dying down and stabilizing, ther arnt too many exciting things to talk about. Hopefully, I'll be able to fill in the gaps with other things. Either way, you guys will get a much fuller picture of what goes on on the allied side.

[Yava]

China, Burma?[;)]
Many things happening there for sure [:)]

[Onime No Kyo]

I couldnt talk about that. That would be letting out more information than I thought prudent.

[Yava]

But now you can, since you agreed with the Penguin to make it a closed AAR[;)]

[Onime No Kyo]

Yep. Now all that stands between me and a full update is spending more than 4 hours at home and hopefully a nap.

[Onime No Kyo]

SITUATION ON THE WEST COAST

This theater of operations has been stripped of usable assets to the best of my ability. Pretty much anything that can move, is moving. The ground units have been reduced to a few CentPac CD AA units and the WC command stuff.

The air units left are:

47th BG a half strength WC unit in LA flying Bostons.
VP-12 in SF (a SoPac unit that will be moved soon. I am considering byuing one of the Stranaer units out of Canada).
54th FG. Also a WC unit at half strength. Flying Aircobras.
Also, 3 units of WC Dakotas.

#1 is carrying the 161st RCT, 144th Coast Arty and 9000 units of fuel to Midway via PH.
The TF South of SF is carrying the 42nd BG, consisting of 64 B-26s to the SWPac.
The TF in SF is loading the 56th Coast Arty bound for one of the northern SoPac islands.
The TF in LA is loading the 808th EAB for the SWPac.

[Onime No Kyo]

SITUATION IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC

Since the destruction of the wounded battle line by the KB, CentPac has been quiet. I have been busying myself with bringing the PH air units up to strength and reinforcing Midway. Supplies have been delivered to PH (~70k) and Midway (7000).

In addition to the units headed for Midway from the West Coast, TF at #1 is carrying the 45th FS, consisting of 24 Mohawks. The TF at #2 is transporting the Lahaina BF to Midway.

The PH air strength currently stands at:

11th BG. Currently consists of 7 Bolos. This unit will be upgrading to B-25s as soon as the stocks allow. It will the move south. Currently on ASW duties.

46th and 47th FS having 24 Mohawks each.

58th BS armed with 16 B-25s. Currently on ASW duties.

VMF-211 has just completed conversion from Buffalos to F4Fs. Currently, about half the squadron is operational. This unit is also being slated for transfer to Midway once the support facilities are in place.

[Onime No Kyo]

THE SITUATION IN THE MID-OCEAN AREA BETWEEN THE WEST COAST AND AUSTRALIA

Since the area is too large to snapshot no pics. For administrative purposes, the Mid Ocean (MO) area covers the entire ocean area from the West Coast to Pago Pago inclusive. I am mentioning it in order to tell what units in transit from the West Coast.

Militarily this region is still very weak. The only babses I plan to seriously fight for, should the situation arize, will be Pago Pago, Suva and Noumea.

So, from East to West:

-42nd BG (already mentioned on the WC map).

-27th ID, a Cent Pac unit being moved to Pago Pago. Because of the HQ house rules in effect, I am still considering what to do with this unit. It is being moved forward in order to be in position to block any moves Faber might make towards Pago Pago, but it might ultimately end up either in PH or OZ, as the situation dictates.

-49th FG consisting of 72 P-40Bs. Headed to OZ, thence possibly to PM or Darwin.

-8th FG consisting of 72 P-39Ds. Also headed to OZ, although I am reluctant to commit it to A2A as it would probably be slaughtered. I will figure out what to do with it once I get it on the ground and reassembled.

-2nd Marine Division and 2nd USMC Paras. Currently headed to Noumea to provide security. If Faber had waited any longer with attacking Rabaul, I would have considered dropping the Marines there. As it is, they will probably act as the first speed bump in the SoPac until I can get some strength fucused there.

-90th BS with 16 B-25s. Slated for Darwin.

-VMF-221. A CentPac unit slated for Noumea. Currently armed with F2As. Will receive its Wildcats and be converted to SoPac on arrival.

-41st BG. Another CentPac unit. Currently consists of 65 Bolos. Will be converted to
SWPac and be located to Darwin.

-VMSB-232 of 16 SBD. Headed for PM.
78th FS of 24 Mohawks. Possibly PM, although I would prefer RAAF fighters there. We'll see.
18FG at about half-strength at 34 P-40Bs. Another candidate for PM, although given the low production numbers of the P-40B, coupled with the demands of the AVG (which I plan to keep in Bs), I'm not certain how much combat they can stand. In a pinch, I will locate them to PM, and fight them until they are no longer combat capable. Desperate times...

Also, located in Eastern Australia out of the scope of the next map......

5th BG at Rockhampton has just been brought up to strength of 48 B-17Es. When assembly of the newly received bombers is completed, it will move to Darwin to releive the 7th BG.

Finally, TF 5 (1005, I hate Allied TF numbers) docked at Brisbane.

CVs Lexington, Saratoga and Enterprise
CAs Salt Lake City, Astoria, New Orleans, Mineapolis
CLs St. Louis, Helena
10 DDs

Under the Command of Adm. William Halsey.

The USN carriers are located here for the sole purpose or engaging any thrust Faber makes towards either PM, Noumea, Pago Pago or any part of Australia. If either of these thrusts materializes, I will fight those carriers for all theyre worth. Until then, they'll sit in port and not show their nose outside. Also saves on having to pay them combat pay.

[Onime No Kyo]

SITUATION IN THE PNG

This is the first theater first any action in it. Faber took Lae early in the war, followed by Buna, followed by the Admiralties. His assault on Rabaul came in about a week ago and about 2 days ago Rabaul fell after a heroic fight by its Australian garrison. The Shortlands fell yesterday.

Of the two Japanese TFs on the map, the southernmost one is probably carrying an NLF bound for one of the empty bases here. Last turn it got mercilessly beaten by the PM Hudsons, suffering about 2 bomb hits to a transport (seemingly the only one in the TF) and one to a PG. Sadly, the AP will probably live to drop its troops.

The other TF is likely also carrying troops, but as I have not attacked it yet, I dont know what it consists of.

The Allier TF between OZ and PM consists of 6 DMSs on ASW which have just plastered the IJN sub last turn. I expect that she's not long for this world.

Port Moresby air strength currently stands at:

2/6 RAAF with 5 Hudsons
6 RAAF with 6 Hudsons
24 RAAF with 4 Whirraways, refugees from Rabaul who had put up a good fight there, but whom I would like to more out of PM as soon as possible.
VP-23 with 12 Catalinas.

No new LCUs have been moved in, but the NZ Bde. which will arrive in about a week and a half is slated for here.

Operationally, I intend to fight for PM to the best of my ability. The primary reason for this is that I want to keep it as a springboard to move against Faber in about 6 months time. The PM bomber force is also expected to harrass his shipping south of Rabaul and out of Lae. The defense of PM presents a problem at this time because of the acute shortage of ground troops. Aside from the NZ Bde, I also intend to move an Australian Bde there at some point later (once it arrives). any other reinforcements will have to come from the US. The 27th ID is one possibility, but the ammount of PP I will have to spend on redeploying it to SWPac is a dillema.

The Solomons can rot for all I care. I do not intend to waste one ship or one man for these Thread forsaken islands. One possible exception is some carrier raids much later in the war, when I need to tweak Faber's tail.

In short, I do not plan any offensive action in this theater in the near future. Once I will, however, I envision that any thrust will be launched straight up the road, over the Owen Stanleys. While the going will be slow, it gives me two advantages. Firstly, I will be able to use my superiority in numbers as the SWPac OOB will grow quite hefty in the future. Secondly, it will allow me to transport supply and reinforcements overland, largely out of Faber's reach, while he will have to transport his by sea, at the mercy of my LBA. At least thats where my thoughts stand now.

[Onime No Kyo]

SITUATION IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

This is the theater that I the most hope for. The reasons for this are as follows. Firstly, OZ can be kept well defended by the Australian units without use of PP. Secondly, there are plenty of good harbors (or bases that will become good harbors with a little development). Thirdly, supply will be easier to come by than some other areas, such as CentPac, where they have to be shipped in under fire. Fourthly, it is very close to an area that if extremely important to Faber.

Thus, my plan is to begin the war here. The first period will be taken up by a large buildup of forces, land, naval and air. As I no longer have any major naval forces in the area, I can't do much against Faber doing as he pleases with rest of the DEI, but sorties by my remaining forces are a strong possibility if Faber sticks his head out too far.

After a credible force has been assembled, I will begin phase two. This will be a series of reconaisances in force, sizable, but not major amphib ops against smaller bases and general air ops, all designed to atrite the Panguin Airforces into fine powder.

The third phase will be the general assault, probably at the western side of Java and possibly with the cooperation of the RN/India forces.

As I said, I forsee this theater to be my major base of operations. There will, of course, be other theaters where action will take place. For one, I do not intend to stick USN CVs here. But I do envision this as my major thrust, right into the guts of Faber's evil empire.

As things stand now, I have the following assets at the following bases:

DARWIN:

-7th BG, currently with 35 operational B-17Es and a few more in the shop. This is actually an Indochina unit on its way to India (a sideways nod at "Support Your Local Sheriff", if anyone needs a reference [;)]). I'm in to hurry to get it there, however. After this unit is releived by the 5th BG, it will probably go to Soerabaja and thence to India via wither Bankha or Khota Bharu (which I still hold, complete with BF, and which Faber seems to be content to let wither on the vine).

-2/2 RAAF equipped with Beaufort V-IXs. This is a former Norht OZ Hudson unit that is completing conversion to the new aircraft type. Once completed, the unit will be sent north to help the Dutch.

-2/23 RAAF with 8 Beauforts V-IX. An OZ Command unit. Incidentally, I should mention that I just LOOOVE the IX Beaus, just cant get enough of them.

-2, 13, and 14 RAAF with 8, 6, and 12 Hudsons respectively.

-23 RAAF squadron is about halfway through its conversion to Huris.

-5, 22 and 25 RAAF squadrons flying Whirraways. All three of these units are in varying states of disrepair, some from engaging Fabers strikes, some after being transferred by RR. In any event, I plan to get them into Huris as soon as practicable.

The land strength in Darwin is as follows (pityable as it is):

-1st Australian ID had just arrived overland a few days ago. It is currently at 62/96 and rather tired. It is also the only LCU worthy of the name in the entire NorOZ.

-Gull Force/Sparrow Force. Both Gull and Sparrow were engaged in my ill fated attempt to defend Lautem, which I could not write about in an open AAR for fear of letting too many cats out. So, here's the short version. Gull force was moved first and was fully in place in Lautem when Faber struck, thus it fared better than Sparrow. Sparrow was about 1/3 unloaded when Lautem, fell. The AP carrying the other 2/3 of Sparrow was then attacked and heavily damaged by Nells. It made it to Darwin, but capsized within sight of land, taking most of Sparrow down to the briny deeps with it. After the fall of Lautem, I undertook a major submarine evacuation operation. As a result, all that remains of Gull are now back in Darwin. The unit now stands at 36% effectiveness and 40% of OOB. Sparrow is divided between Darwin, several subtran TFs at sea and Timor, but I do not expect that I will salvage even 40% of OOB. There is also a DAF BF and an AA unit still on Timor that I would like to get out.

-Darwin Brigade and Darwin Coast Arty.

-6th, 12th, 16th and 17th DAF and the 107 RAN BF were evacuated in their entirely (no more than 50% of OOB at any rate).

-1st and 22nd DAF, 106th RN and 103 USAAF BFs are here only in spirit. The luckiest one of these is the 16th RN from Northern Borneo which is at perhaps 20% OOB.

Other notables for Darwin are th 2 AVDs, refugees from the PI, of course, and 5 ASs and an AD, also from the PI and DEI.

WYNDHAM:

...is home to the B5/II squadron of the DAF, with one surviving Martin...I hope to get these fellows into some B-25s at some point...and the 11th RAAF with 11 catalina 1s.

The 26th USA FA Bde. has just completed unloading and will be moving out for Darwin shortly.

DERBY:

Three refugee squadrons of FK 51 recce planes are based here. These units will be of supreme importance once I get them into some decent hardware and begin my 2nd attack phase.

TF 1125 (did I mention that I hate Allied TF numeration?), aka "All that remains of ABDA and Force Z and friends". Under command of Adm. Ray Spruance (who is doing what he should be doing, ie commanding cruisers, instead of mucking about with things he doesnt understand). It consists of:

CAs-Indianalpolis, Louisville, Pensacola and Canberra
CLs-Leander, Anchilles, Perth, Adelaide and Marblehead (which has ween more action than any other allied ahip and survived pretty much unscathed).
as well as 11 DD

There are also 12 DDs in TF 1004.

I will have to reorganize these guys at some point, like if Faber makes a stab at Koepang.

OTHER NOTES:

The 2nd Australian ID is currenly marching north and is somewhere around Alice Springs. This will most likely go to either Derby or Wyndham.

The 13th Australian Bde. is moving to Derby.

The 6th Australian Cav Bde. is moving to Wyndham.

With these movements I will still have the 3rd Inf. Bde. in the Adelaide area and the 3rd and 4th Australian IDs in the Melbourne area.

[Onime No Kyo]

THE SITUATION IN THE DUTCH EAST INDIES

As might be expected, the DEI is now a tottering shambles. I lost Northern Borneo in the first few days of the war. The southern bases Kendari, Macassar and Menado followed soon after. The latest development was the invasion of Sumatra at Jambi, where Force Z died bravely but failed to impact Faber's plans. In retrospect, I should have left that invasion alone and saved Force Z. But maybe there is something of Charge of the Light Brigade in me or something. Following the successful landing at Jambi, Faber marched 2 divisions south and took Palembang with virtually no oposition.

As it stands now, these are the assets I have in the area:

KOEPANG (on the previous map):
3 Do24s, 12 Demons and 9 Falcon recce planes.

BALI:
GVTs 5 and 8 with 3 Do24s apiece.

TARAKAN:
2 Do24s

BALIKPAPAN:
No aircraft but 4 of the small colonial INF LCUs and 2 BF. Hope the Penguins choke before they take it.

SINGKAWANG:
B1/I with one operational Martin and one in the shop is being moved out, probably to OZ. They've had their war, for now.
B2/I with 4 Martins will stick around.

BATAVIA:
B3/I with 5 Martins, B3/II with 4 Martins, 2/13 RAAF with 6 Hudsons and F1/V with 16 339s. The Australian Beau units will head here from darwin as well as soon as it finished working up.

MALANG:
F5/III with 6 339s

BANJARMASIN:
GVT 17 with 3 Do24s.

SOJERABAJA:
All of the rest of the DAF units are here, as well as all of the INF units originally on Java. My thinking is that while I cant stop Faber from landing on Java, I can give him one good fight at the opne base with plenty of supply. We shall see.

The two TF at the southern Sumatra base (say it 3 times fast! I dare ya!) are just loading fuel and supplies before Faber gets there.

There is an IJN BB force at Palembang and me with nothing to hurt it with. [:@]

That IJN sub at Tilitjap has been there since day 1 of the war. Hasnt moved, hasent dome anything. If anyone can explain to me wth its doing there,I'd like to hear it. Maybe Faber just forgot about it.

Basically, as much as I'd like to, there is nothing I can do to save this place. I will give as good

[goodboyladdie]

Thanks for the comprehensive strategic picture. A lot of things make sense now!

Which map are you using? What do the coloured dots by some of the bases mean?

[Onime No Kyo]

SITUATION IN MALAYA

This is a sad, sad place. I know that there is nothing I can do for it, but I was hoping to put up a better fight. The war began with a landing at Kuantan. I withdrew all movable forces from northen Malaya and Kuantan and made a stand at Malacca which held Faber up for perhaps a week. Unfortunately, although the order had been given very early, the units at Khota Bharu could not make it to Kuantan before Faber took it. The FMSV, 8th Indian and the 48th Lt. AA are now stuck in the hills and the 3rd ISF BF is still at Khota Bharu.

A new line has ben set up at Johore Bharu, where I had several brigades and BFs use the time bought them by the Malacca line to build fortifications. After Faber's first assault, which took the forts down 1, Johore stands at 4 and 69%. These are the units currently engaged on the line:

1st and 2nd Malaya
22nd and 27th Australian
6th, 12th, 15th and 28th Indian
1st and 2nd ISF, 19th RN and 111th and 113th RAF BFs as well as the 223 RAF HQ.

At Singapore, engaged in fort building, are:

101st, 109th, 110th, and 112th RAF BFs, MAF, Malaya HQ, 224 RAF HQ, Singapore Fort and the 22nd Indian Bde which was one of the units Faber caught on the road between Malacca and Johore and hurt pretty badly. I've moved them to Singers to give them a bit more time to recouperate before the last fight. Singapore is at 6 fort.

There are 6 surviving Dutch PTs at Mersing which will soon be making their perilous way south to Java and then OZ.

I expect that Johore will be the last good fight I will be able to put up, using my last fresh units, the Australians. Once Faber gets the fort down to 2, I will retreat across the causeway and hope it takes Faber some time to crack that last nut, although by that time I expect that my infantry will be in no shape to put up any sort of fight. By my best estimates, Malaya has 2 weeks left at most.