The yellow have no garrisons as of about 2 months ago or no noticeable building work going on so I think there's a good chance they are ungarrisoned.
No garrison on Guam? You'd think there would be a native uprising. . .[;)]
Defeating the Devil !!! ( aka Damian )
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
No garrison on Guam? You'd think there would be a native uprising. . .[;)]
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
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Rob Brennan UK
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RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
ooh nemo your a sly one [:-]. Great AAR as always
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit 
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Historiker, we are ALL the greatest flaws in our plans. No surprise there.
Well, while the US Navy heads back to CONUSA for refitting and to be ready for the final push during the 2nd quarter of 1943 the British navy continues to push forward. In the absence of serious Japanese opposition ( all the G4M groups are busy elsewhere and much attrited ) the Royal Navy task forces take more risks and push deeper into enemy-held territory with even lighter escort groups.
Today, 28th October sees the beginnings of the assault on Northern Borneo. Kuching and Miri are invaded. With exploitation from Miri into Brunei and the base already at Jesselton this will allow me to prevent the evacuation of the rearguard from Java as well as exploiting quickly and cleanly into the Phillipines. I have decided to devote a small RN TF to coastal-hopping along the southern Chinese coast. The possibility of unhinging the entire enemy position in depth is too good to pass up - especially since coastal base hopping in southern China will allow me to really speed up the pace at which my Chinese forces can push deeper into the centre of China/threatening the backs of the Japanese facing the Soviets.
The Allied air force is really getting into the swing of things. By the end of next month P-38s and P-51s should be able to be maintained on the front line ( which will give me a much greater LRCAP capability for my invasion fleets ) but even now the Allied bombers are fully in action. I'd say that every day no fewer than 500 Allied four-engined and twin-engined bombers take off to hit targets over the DEI and being hit by that many bombers a day is just an unsustainable proposition for anyone.
I've had a good few days of aerial transport bombing over the past two days with about 150 aerial transports being destroyed on the ground around Balikpapan recently. Now that the aerial capacity to evacuate Borneo is a little stiffled it is time to begin hitting shipping again. Today about half a dozen Japanese ships ( including a few Mls and a DD ) are hit by bombs and that should continue apace.
Well, while the US Navy heads back to CONUSA for refitting and to be ready for the final push during the 2nd quarter of 1943 the British navy continues to push forward. In the absence of serious Japanese opposition ( all the G4M groups are busy elsewhere and much attrited ) the Royal Navy task forces take more risks and push deeper into enemy-held territory with even lighter escort groups.
Today, 28th October sees the beginnings of the assault on Northern Borneo. Kuching and Miri are invaded. With exploitation from Miri into Brunei and the base already at Jesselton this will allow me to prevent the evacuation of the rearguard from Java as well as exploiting quickly and cleanly into the Phillipines. I have decided to devote a small RN TF to coastal-hopping along the southern Chinese coast. The possibility of unhinging the entire enemy position in depth is too good to pass up - especially since coastal base hopping in southern China will allow me to really speed up the pace at which my Chinese forces can push deeper into the centre of China/threatening the backs of the Japanese facing the Soviets.
The Allied air force is really getting into the swing of things. By the end of next month P-38s and P-51s should be able to be maintained on the front line ( which will give me a much greater LRCAP capability for my invasion fleets ) but even now the Allied bombers are fully in action. I'd say that every day no fewer than 500 Allied four-engined and twin-engined bombers take off to hit targets over the DEI and being hit by that many bombers a day is just an unsustainable proposition for anyone.
I've had a good few days of aerial transport bombing over the past two days with about 150 aerial transports being destroyed on the ground around Balikpapan recently. Now that the aerial capacity to evacuate Borneo is a little stiffled it is time to begin hitting shipping again. Today about half a dozen Japanese ships ( including a few Mls and a DD ) are hit by bombs and that should continue apace.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Time marches on and the next wave of small-scale invasions continues to roll out. Targets for this phase are Kuching, Hainan Island, Hong Kong and Taytay. As you can tell the idea is to allow a coastal base-hopping strategy along the Chinese coast on the way to Shanghai. This will both give me major bases for my four-engined bomber raids on the Japanese Home Islands ( the ban on strategic bombing is coming to an end in January 1943 and I want to be ready to go with some serious raids at that stage ) and also dislocate the Japanese front in Southern China.
The second prong ( Kuching/Taytay) will aim a dagger thrust directly at the Phillipines and secure my SLOCs. I will then gather all of my shipping and make a landing somewhere in the Phillipines. I should be able to bring 3,000 AV to bear in 2 waves of shipping ( separated by about 2 weeks ) and due to the enemy's focus on Cagayan that should prove sufficient.
A subsidiary thrust northward from Australia will accompany these thrusts but will, of necessity, be a much smaller affair as the Australians have barely 20 transports to carry what they need.
Once the Phillipines are in full swing and the enemy CVs have been lured into combat to prevent the fall of the Phillipines on the cheap I will attack in the East. Unfortunately for me it seems that the Marcus garrison has been strongly reinforced. I amn't sure yet but it looks to me as though what was a lightly held atoll with an engineer unit, an SNLF and a Base Force has now had a Division added to it. Suddenly it becomes about 10 times more difficult to take. COming just a week after I outlined my plans for Marcus Island this is disquieting. Still, Damian was bound to see this weakness at some stage, it is just annoying that he felt it required a full division to make safe. Still, the invasion will go ahead although I am having GREAT difficulty figuring out how many load points will unload from my APs and AKs in the first day.
Does anyone know? And before you ask, no, I don't have any LSTs or APAs or AKAs at all. I just have ordinary APs and AKs.
By the beginning of 1943 I should be in the Phillipines proper and be leapfrogging my way towards SHanghai with Java in my pocket and Kendari isolated and bombed to quiescence.
That's a pretty good platform from which to build.
The 800lb gorilla in the room is still Kido Butai. The IJN CVs still have the strength to smash any base or fleet I gather even if I put every fighter I have up in the air to defend it. I don't see why Damian isn't using KB more aggressively. I think he should pick a crucial base and then use KB to smash it. If he did this he could delay my advance by a month easily. Instead he is trying to pick off cripples around the edges but that's never going to stop me or slow me sufficiently.
The second prong ( Kuching/Taytay) will aim a dagger thrust directly at the Phillipines and secure my SLOCs. I will then gather all of my shipping and make a landing somewhere in the Phillipines. I should be able to bring 3,000 AV to bear in 2 waves of shipping ( separated by about 2 weeks ) and due to the enemy's focus on Cagayan that should prove sufficient.
A subsidiary thrust northward from Australia will accompany these thrusts but will, of necessity, be a much smaller affair as the Australians have barely 20 transports to carry what they need.
Once the Phillipines are in full swing and the enemy CVs have been lured into combat to prevent the fall of the Phillipines on the cheap I will attack in the East. Unfortunately for me it seems that the Marcus garrison has been strongly reinforced. I amn't sure yet but it looks to me as though what was a lightly held atoll with an engineer unit, an SNLF and a Base Force has now had a Division added to it. Suddenly it becomes about 10 times more difficult to take. COming just a week after I outlined my plans for Marcus Island this is disquieting. Still, Damian was bound to see this weakness at some stage, it is just annoying that he felt it required a full division to make safe. Still, the invasion will go ahead although I am having GREAT difficulty figuring out how many load points will unload from my APs and AKs in the first day.
Does anyone know? And before you ask, no, I don't have any LSTs or APAs or AKAs at all. I just have ordinary APs and AKs.
By the beginning of 1943 I should be in the Phillipines proper and be leapfrogging my way towards SHanghai with Java in my pocket and Kendari isolated and bombed to quiescence.
That's a pretty good platform from which to build.
The 800lb gorilla in the room is still Kido Butai. The IJN CVs still have the strength to smash any base or fleet I gather even if I put every fighter I have up in the air to defend it. I don't see why Damian isn't using KB more aggressively. I think he should pick a crucial base and then use KB to smash it. If he did this he could delay my advance by a month easily. Instead he is trying to pick off cripples around the edges but that's never going to stop me or slow me sufficiently.
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John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Well since the last post things have proceeded apace.
1. I have taken Taytay and am flying troops in. Taytay is both a threat to the Japanese and a great distraction for them. If they don't bomb it then I'll exploit it to leap further into the Phillipines. If they bomb it then all my other TFs farther west, north and south don't get attacked by the bombers committed to Taytay. In the medium term this helps speed up my advance also.
In short Cagayan and Taytay are win/win propositions for me.
2. Two Japanese divisions have pulled back from Jesselton and are on their way to Sandakan. As a response I have landed troops ( by FT TF ) at Sandakan and am thus trapping these IJA divisions in the jungle. At the cost of a Bde I am removing two divisions from his ORBAT. That's quite a high level of efficiency and thus something I'm happy with.
3. I've also landed half a division at Taan. Unfortunately the cost was a bit higher than I wanted to bear so I moved one hex away from it and am landing the rest of the troops over the beach. I was asked about this and then spoke with Damian about it and it seems that it is a source of "disquiet" in his thread so I thought I'd address whether it is cheating or not which it seems some people have said it is in his thread.
a) "It can't be defended against." Well, that's wrong, if he has a unit in the hex I'm unloading in his CD guns etc will fire at my ships and troops and cause casualties. So, it can be defended against. If you don't garrison something then don't expect me to avoid it.
b) "Troops don't take losses unless they unload at a base hex" Well, that's wrong, I have many men disabled each turn during unloading. I haven't run any specific tests but it seems to me that I am suffering the same losses as I would suffer unloading at a dot hex or a 0 port hex without defenders.
I'd also point out that Gallipoli and countless other invasions during history occurred over the beach ( I'm looking at YOU Normandy ) so I can't see that there's any historical reason to disallow them and neither is there a game reason to disallow them since the game allows them to be defended against and applies the appropriate unloading losses.
I would like to point out also that Damian's fine about this. It seems he never considered non-base hex landings ( although I imagine any future opponent of his will face them from now on [8D] ) but is happy enough that they occur given that I suffer losses in unloading and he can seed his non-base hexes to prevent such invasions in the future.
4. I've taken Amboina and another base north-east of it. I am now making my move on Menado. Once that's done I'll have complete Beaufort coverage of ALL routes out of Java and that should make the evacuation of the 1000+ AV he has trapped there and at Balikpapan impossible.
What else is happening?
a) Well I'm manoeuvring on Mindanao and should be able to land there within the fortnight. Once that happens then I'll bomb the Phillipines into the stone age.
b) My Chinese forces are almost at Canton. I hope to force the Japanese back into Hong Kong and will then bomb THAT into submission while my Chinese troops extend along the Chinese coast to Wengchow, isolating Formosa.
c) The USN is gathering around Pearl Harbour. I have about 6 divisions ready to go in the invasion and about 6 CVs to protect this landing. I don't have nearly enough CV fighters to CAP my force but, hell, life is risk. KB, if it strikes, could still win a great victory here. Marcus HAS been reinforced ( which sucks ) but I'm still going ahead. if I amn't hitting Marcus in the end then I'll just hit an island near it and follow roughly the same plan.
d) Java is opening up nicely but supplies are a problem for me...
I'm also following a new strategy with the bombers. What I'm doing now is akin to a creeping barrage wherein B-17s and Pe-2s hit the nearest base to my front and then move to the 2nd-nearest base while B-24s and B-25s take over hitting the nearest base. When the 2nd-nearest base is closed the B-17s move onto the 3rd-nearest base while B24s and B25s move to the 2nd-nearest. B-26s, Beauforts, Avengers and Dauntlesses then hit the nearest. Lastly the Il-2s move onto the nearest base while everything moves up one, except the B-17s which are freed up to hit targets in the strategic depth of the enemy position - e.g. Ki-264 bases, major ports etc. These B-17 raids have been successful in forcing the Japanese far enough back that in the operational area around DEI they are now only mounting harrassing raids ( except for Cagayan and Taytay, which I'm allowing since it serves my purposes ).
1. I have taken Taytay and am flying troops in. Taytay is both a threat to the Japanese and a great distraction for them. If they don't bomb it then I'll exploit it to leap further into the Phillipines. If they bomb it then all my other TFs farther west, north and south don't get attacked by the bombers committed to Taytay. In the medium term this helps speed up my advance also.
In short Cagayan and Taytay are win/win propositions for me.
2. Two Japanese divisions have pulled back from Jesselton and are on their way to Sandakan. As a response I have landed troops ( by FT TF ) at Sandakan and am thus trapping these IJA divisions in the jungle. At the cost of a Bde I am removing two divisions from his ORBAT. That's quite a high level of efficiency and thus something I'm happy with.
3. I've also landed half a division at Taan. Unfortunately the cost was a bit higher than I wanted to bear so I moved one hex away from it and am landing the rest of the troops over the beach. I was asked about this and then spoke with Damian about it and it seems that it is a source of "disquiet" in his thread so I thought I'd address whether it is cheating or not which it seems some people have said it is in his thread.
a) "It can't be defended against." Well, that's wrong, if he has a unit in the hex I'm unloading in his CD guns etc will fire at my ships and troops and cause casualties. So, it can be defended against. If you don't garrison something then don't expect me to avoid it.
b) "Troops don't take losses unless they unload at a base hex" Well, that's wrong, I have many men disabled each turn during unloading. I haven't run any specific tests but it seems to me that I am suffering the same losses as I would suffer unloading at a dot hex or a 0 port hex without defenders.
I'd also point out that Gallipoli and countless other invasions during history occurred over the beach ( I'm looking at YOU Normandy ) so I can't see that there's any historical reason to disallow them and neither is there a game reason to disallow them since the game allows them to be defended against and applies the appropriate unloading losses.
I would like to point out also that Damian's fine about this. It seems he never considered non-base hex landings ( although I imagine any future opponent of his will face them from now on [8D] ) but is happy enough that they occur given that I suffer losses in unloading and he can seed his non-base hexes to prevent such invasions in the future.
4. I've taken Amboina and another base north-east of it. I am now making my move on Menado. Once that's done I'll have complete Beaufort coverage of ALL routes out of Java and that should make the evacuation of the 1000+ AV he has trapped there and at Balikpapan impossible.
What else is happening?
a) Well I'm manoeuvring on Mindanao and should be able to land there within the fortnight. Once that happens then I'll bomb the Phillipines into the stone age.
b) My Chinese forces are almost at Canton. I hope to force the Japanese back into Hong Kong and will then bomb THAT into submission while my Chinese troops extend along the Chinese coast to Wengchow, isolating Formosa.
c) The USN is gathering around Pearl Harbour. I have about 6 divisions ready to go in the invasion and about 6 CVs to protect this landing. I don't have nearly enough CV fighters to CAP my force but, hell, life is risk. KB, if it strikes, could still win a great victory here. Marcus HAS been reinforced ( which sucks ) but I'm still going ahead. if I amn't hitting Marcus in the end then I'll just hit an island near it and follow roughly the same plan.
d) Java is opening up nicely but supplies are a problem for me...
I'm also following a new strategy with the bombers. What I'm doing now is akin to a creeping barrage wherein B-17s and Pe-2s hit the nearest base to my front and then move to the 2nd-nearest base while B-24s and B-25s take over hitting the nearest base. When the 2nd-nearest base is closed the B-17s move onto the 3rd-nearest base while B24s and B25s move to the 2nd-nearest. B-26s, Beauforts, Avengers and Dauntlesses then hit the nearest. Lastly the Il-2s move onto the nearest base while everything moves up one, except the B-17s which are freed up to hit targets in the strategic depth of the enemy position - e.g. Ki-264 bases, major ports etc. These B-17 raids have been successful in forcing the Japanese far enough back that in the operational area around DEI they are now only mounting harrassing raids ( except for Cagayan and Taytay, which I'm allowing since it serves my purposes ).
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
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ChickenOfTheSea
- Posts: 579
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:38 pm
- Location: Virginia
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
ORIGINAL: Nemo121
3. I've also landed half a division at Taan. Unfortunately the cost was a bit higher than I wanted to bear so I moved one hex away from it and am landing the rest of the troops over the beach. I was asked about this and then spoke with Damian about it and it seems that it is a source of "disquiet" in his thread so I thought I'd address whether it is cheating or not which it seems some people have said it is in his thread.
a) "It can't be defended against." Well, that's wrong, if he has a unit in the hex I'm unloading in his CD guns etc will fire at my ships and troops and cause casualties. So, it can be defended against. If you don't garrison something then don't expect me to avoid it.
b) "Troops don't take losses unless they unload at a base hex" Well, that's wrong, I have many men disabled each turn during unloading. I haven't run any specific tests but it seems to me that I am suffering the same losses as I would suffer unloading at a dot hex or a 0 port hex without defenders.
I'd also point out that Gallipoli and countless other invasions during history occurred over the beach ( I'm looking at YOU Normandy ) so I can't see that there's any historical reason to disallow them and neither is there a game reason to disallow them since the game allows them to be defended against and applies the appropriate unloading losses.
I would like to point out also that Damian's fine about this. It seems he never considered non-base hex landings ( although I imagine any future opponent of his will face them from now on [8D] ) but is happy enough that they occur given that I suffer losses in unloading and he can seed his non-base hexes to prevent such invasions in the future.
Nemo,
Here are my comments on Damian's thread.
"You are to be commended for toughing this one out. It reveals a lot of character on your part and it has been an enyoyable game to follow.
The reason given for the standard house rule against landing on non-port, non-dot hexes is that the game engine allows such landings to occur with no damage to the landing unit while, landing even at an undefended port will result in attrition and damage to the landing unit. I have never actually tested this assertion, however. Certainly such landings were historical and the game engine should have a way to deal with it, but since WITP appears not to, most consider it an exploit of the game engine. I don't know if this has been addressed in AE. "
My comments were based on reasons that some had given on the thread for a house rule in this regard, but, as mentioned I had never tested it. Your experience would indicate that these concerns are unjustified. Based on what you have written, I see no problem with doing this, especially in mods with plenty of LCU's available. It is historical and does not seem to be an exploit of the engine. Furthermore, Damian is fine with it, so I withdraw my comment. Carry on, gentlemen, with what has been a fun game for those of us reading your AAR's.
Empirical evidence should always trump hearsay.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is. - Manfred Eigen
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Empirical evidence DOES trump hearsay but when you don't post the question to my thread but in a thread I don't have access to all I have to go on is hearsay.
As to withdrawing the comment... No, I think it is a reasonable and fair question and I think it is right you should ask about it. I just think it might have been better to ask me in this thread where I could have answered directly rather than me finding out about it when someone mailed me asking me about the specifics of beach landings and whether or not I was breaching my own expressed desire to not exploit game mechanics. I gave them the answer I gave above and they were satisfied so I figured I should post it here just in case it was a contentious issue in Damian's thread.
I'm pretty relaxed about answering questions about game mechanics so maybe next time ask me first? It'd make it easy to keep things focussed and constructive.
BTW I offered to Damian to avoid any future non-base landings if he was uncomfortable with them but he stated that while unexpected he felt they were fair game... So I have the option of continuing them. I dislike them though as there are many, many disadvantages.
FWIW I agree that Damian's been a dream opponent. Sure, occasionally the losses get him down a bit but he really jsut keeps plugging away, learning and improving. I'd definitely play him again when AE comes out.
As to withdrawing the comment... No, I think it is a reasonable and fair question and I think it is right you should ask about it. I just think it might have been better to ask me in this thread where I could have answered directly rather than me finding out about it when someone mailed me asking me about the specifics of beach landings and whether or not I was breaching my own expressed desire to not exploit game mechanics. I gave them the answer I gave above and they were satisfied so I figured I should post it here just in case it was a contentious issue in Damian's thread.
I'm pretty relaxed about answering questions about game mechanics so maybe next time ask me first? It'd make it easy to keep things focussed and constructive.
BTW I offered to Damian to avoid any future non-base landings if he was uncomfortable with them but he stated that while unexpected he felt they were fair game... So I have the option of continuing them. I dislike them though as there are many, many disadvantages.
FWIW I agree that Damian's been a dream opponent. Sure, occasionally the losses get him down a bit but he really jsut keeps plugging away, learning and improving. I'd definitely play him again when AE comes out.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
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ChickenOfTheSea
- Posts: 579
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:38 pm
- Location: Virginia
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
ORIGINAL: Nemo121
Empirical evidence DOES trump hearsay but when you don't post the question to my thread but in a thread I don't have access to all I have to go on is hearsay.
As to withdrawing the comment... No, I think it is a reasonable and fair question and I think it is right you should ask about it. I just think it might have been better to ask me in this thread where I could have answered directly rather than me finding out about it when someone mailed me asking me about the specifics of beach landings and whether or not I was breaching my own expressed desire to not exploit game mechanics. I gave them the answer I gave above and they were satisfied so I figured I should post it here just in case it was a contentious issue in Damian's thread.
I'm pretty relaxed about answering questions about game mechanics so maybe next time ask me first? It'd make it easy to keep things focussed and constructive.
Fair enough. I didn't consider it such a contentious issue at the time. I was just restating the reason that some have given for such a house rule in response to Damian. Everything I posted in Damian's thread is posted above, so I think the intent and level of discussion is clear and was certainly not intended to be hostile.
I am pleased to learn that this is not an issue, since that would indicate that it is not an issue for AE to be concerned about. I would prefer that things that were historical practice be allowed within the game mechanics. I prefer minimum house rules myself.
By the way, I added your empirical findings to my posting in Damian's AAR, so there should be no misunderstanding in either thread.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is. - Manfred Eigen
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Well, its time for another update.
Basically I've just been phasing operations to draw attention away from areas I plan actions in and towards areas I don't plan anything in quite yet. In addition I've been hitting non-HI aeroengine, airframe and HI centres with a view to:
a) reducing the number of Ki-264s which can be built. Damian can't have a huge reserve of engines as he seems to be producing about 120 or so bombers per month and another 50 or so transports. That turns into a need for 720 + 250 = 970 engines. I could see about 600 engines being produced on-map and recent bombing raids have reduced that to about 500. So, it isn't going to prevent production entirely but it will mean he'll stop having to make the transports and will be building a few less bombers than otherwise.
b) Ki-44 III airframe factories. Again, just trying to reduce the number of these he can get into service. Due to our agreement that I won't strategically bomb the Home Islands before January 1943 ( if I had bombed them then I would have prevented fighter production entirely by now and this game would already be over ) Damian is going to be able to build some 500 Ki 44 IIIs before I get my first Corsair. As a result he is going to be able to prevent me making high-altitude raids over the Home Islands almost entirely once I'm actually allowed to make them. This is OK though as it will keep the game competitive.
c) reducing HI available such that Damian has to begin turning various production facilities off in order to make HI savings for the coming months.
In other news preparations for the Pacific offensive are coming along nicely. Right now I'm trying to decide between Wake and Marcus or somewhere else. The goal will still be to link up with the Aussies driving north through Amboina ( who, in turn, will link up with the brits via Cagayan and Northern Borneo ) but I may take a slightly longer route there if it means having more, and better, airfields to take the pressure off my CVs.
So far my invasion fleet comprises: 6 CVs, 5 CVLs, 6 CVEs, 8 BBs, 6 CAs, 8 CLs, 8 DDs ( the vast majority of my DDs are back getting their October and November upgrades and I don't foresee a need to bring them forward as this invasion will either be over quickly with lots of land-based air to bolster my CVs OR it will fail massively and DDs won't be of much help to me if that happens ), about 50 MSWs, 60+ APs, 120+ AKs and about 100 other support ships ( DMS, PC, PGs, DEs, ARs, MLEs etc ). I have about 2,000 AV and enough aviation support to run 3 x full airbases with 250 AV at each. There are enough engineers to build anything I need up to whatever level I need it at.
Right now Damian is focussed on bringing troops into the Phillippines and evacuating Java through a narrow corridor. He is also very much focussed on withdrawing troops from his farflung Pacific Ocean holdings and consolidating them along the Marianas. So far he hasn't done much to fortify the islands running east-west from Palau to the Marianas --- which is an error I plan to take advantage of.
So, he is forming a useful defensive line in the Pacific and has definitely strengthened both Marcus and Wake but he hasn't done much with China... This is good as I've been making the long, slow march toward China for the past month or so with all of my Chinese forces and they are finally ready to go. I have, roughly, 7,500 AV ready and in position to move on Canton and Hong Kong. He has 1,200 defending AV but they are in urban terrain and undoubtedly have Level 9 forts. So, rather than taking him on head-on I'm planning to use these forces to show him the hopelessness of this exposed position and if he still refuses to leave I'll just siege him out while I bypass Canton and move on down the coast. From there it shouldn't prove too difficult at all to either hop into Wengchow or Formosa and begin the tasks of:
a) dislocating his position in the Phillippines and rendering it strategically isolated and unimportant,
b) getting more bomber bases within range of the Home Islands ( and, importantly mainland China, there's quite a bit of HI tied up in China which it'd be nice to destroy ),
c) hopping along the island chain from Formosa to the Home Islands.
In the end I would hope to threaten invasion in:
1. the north and north-east from either Sakhalin or the island chain running from Petropavlovsk to the Home Islans
2. the west via the island chain running from Formosa to the Home Islands and
3. the centre of the country via the Marianes to Iwo Jima island chain.
Basically my invasion plan for the Home Islands is pretty much the same as what I'm doing now... Spread him around, make him defend everything so that, actually, he defends nothing and then nip in and take something on the cheap ( relatively speakin ).
On an interesting aside... I've been plugging away at the IJA over the past few months in a rarely remarked upon manner. What I've been doing is drawing them forward, dislocating them, pushing them back into a non-base hex and then leaving them ( or capturing them if they're in a base hex ). In any case the whole idea has been to write down the IJA such that the Home Islands aren't just stuffed to the gills with experienced, uncommitted troops by the time I get there. I've been pretty successful with about 2,000 AV trapped behind my lines in Burma/Malaysia and Java right now and total IJA army losses on the "information screen" coming to some 4,000 points. Some of the AARs which are in 1944 don't even have this loss level for the IJA so I'm pretty happy with the amount of damage I'm doing.
I still need to do more though and one big part of that is going to be putting a serious amount of hurt on his forces in China... That's going to take most of the attention of the Chinese Army for the next 3 months or so.
Basically I've just been phasing operations to draw attention away from areas I plan actions in and towards areas I don't plan anything in quite yet. In addition I've been hitting non-HI aeroengine, airframe and HI centres with a view to:
a) reducing the number of Ki-264s which can be built. Damian can't have a huge reserve of engines as he seems to be producing about 120 or so bombers per month and another 50 or so transports. That turns into a need for 720 + 250 = 970 engines. I could see about 600 engines being produced on-map and recent bombing raids have reduced that to about 500. So, it isn't going to prevent production entirely but it will mean he'll stop having to make the transports and will be building a few less bombers than otherwise.
b) Ki-44 III airframe factories. Again, just trying to reduce the number of these he can get into service. Due to our agreement that I won't strategically bomb the Home Islands before January 1943 ( if I had bombed them then I would have prevented fighter production entirely by now and this game would already be over ) Damian is going to be able to build some 500 Ki 44 IIIs before I get my first Corsair. As a result he is going to be able to prevent me making high-altitude raids over the Home Islands almost entirely once I'm actually allowed to make them. This is OK though as it will keep the game competitive.
c) reducing HI available such that Damian has to begin turning various production facilities off in order to make HI savings for the coming months.
In other news preparations for the Pacific offensive are coming along nicely. Right now I'm trying to decide between Wake and Marcus or somewhere else. The goal will still be to link up with the Aussies driving north through Amboina ( who, in turn, will link up with the brits via Cagayan and Northern Borneo ) but I may take a slightly longer route there if it means having more, and better, airfields to take the pressure off my CVs.
So far my invasion fleet comprises: 6 CVs, 5 CVLs, 6 CVEs, 8 BBs, 6 CAs, 8 CLs, 8 DDs ( the vast majority of my DDs are back getting their October and November upgrades and I don't foresee a need to bring them forward as this invasion will either be over quickly with lots of land-based air to bolster my CVs OR it will fail massively and DDs won't be of much help to me if that happens ), about 50 MSWs, 60+ APs, 120+ AKs and about 100 other support ships ( DMS, PC, PGs, DEs, ARs, MLEs etc ). I have about 2,000 AV and enough aviation support to run 3 x full airbases with 250 AV at each. There are enough engineers to build anything I need up to whatever level I need it at.
Right now Damian is focussed on bringing troops into the Phillippines and evacuating Java through a narrow corridor. He is also very much focussed on withdrawing troops from his farflung Pacific Ocean holdings and consolidating them along the Marianas. So far he hasn't done much to fortify the islands running east-west from Palau to the Marianas --- which is an error I plan to take advantage of.
So, he is forming a useful defensive line in the Pacific and has definitely strengthened both Marcus and Wake but he hasn't done much with China... This is good as I've been making the long, slow march toward China for the past month or so with all of my Chinese forces and they are finally ready to go. I have, roughly, 7,500 AV ready and in position to move on Canton and Hong Kong. He has 1,200 defending AV but they are in urban terrain and undoubtedly have Level 9 forts. So, rather than taking him on head-on I'm planning to use these forces to show him the hopelessness of this exposed position and if he still refuses to leave I'll just siege him out while I bypass Canton and move on down the coast. From there it shouldn't prove too difficult at all to either hop into Wengchow or Formosa and begin the tasks of:
a) dislocating his position in the Phillippines and rendering it strategically isolated and unimportant,
b) getting more bomber bases within range of the Home Islands ( and, importantly mainland China, there's quite a bit of HI tied up in China which it'd be nice to destroy ),
c) hopping along the island chain from Formosa to the Home Islands.
In the end I would hope to threaten invasion in:
1. the north and north-east from either Sakhalin or the island chain running from Petropavlovsk to the Home Islans
2. the west via the island chain running from Formosa to the Home Islands and
3. the centre of the country via the Marianes to Iwo Jima island chain.
Basically my invasion plan for the Home Islands is pretty much the same as what I'm doing now... Spread him around, make him defend everything so that, actually, he defends nothing and then nip in and take something on the cheap ( relatively speakin ).
On an interesting aside... I've been plugging away at the IJA over the past few months in a rarely remarked upon manner. What I've been doing is drawing them forward, dislocating them, pushing them back into a non-base hex and then leaving them ( or capturing them if they're in a base hex ). In any case the whole idea has been to write down the IJA such that the Home Islands aren't just stuffed to the gills with experienced, uncommitted troops by the time I get there. I've been pretty successful with about 2,000 AV trapped behind my lines in Burma/Malaysia and Java right now and total IJA army losses on the "information screen" coming to some 4,000 points. Some of the AARs which are in 1944 don't even have this loss level for the IJA so I'm pretty happy with the amount of damage I'm doing.
I still need to do more though and one big part of that is going to be putting a serious amount of hurt on his forces in China... That's going to take most of the attention of the Chinese Army for the next 3 months or so.
- Attachments
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- china.jpg (168.11 KiB) Viewed 211 times
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
I've been hitting the HI a little from Nikolaevsk na Amur and over recent days the Japanese have been flying recon over the base and the airbases in northern Japan have been getting very full.
I've been shifting some fighters into Nikolaevsk ( about 80 ) but have prepped another 200 just one hop away in the Soviet Union. I've taken a chance on this last turn as the bases in northern Japan really appear quite full and for the first time in a long time I am seeing Japanese planes at Okha ( just 1 hex from Nikolaevsk )... It doesn't appear to have occurred to Damian that the reason I let Okha repair is that I thought it would serve as an excellent early warning indicator for a major raid on Okha.... and moved those fighters into Nikolaevsk.
If he comes this turn then I think we'll see the sort of massive aerial combat we haven't seen since Burma and it's going to be damned nasty. I think he'll probably close Nikolaevsk as there's nothing that can stop 200 to 300 Ki-264As when they enter their attack runs but I think I should be able to kill enough of the escorting fighters and enough Ki-264s to make the sacrifice worth it. Nikolaevsk will pop open again in a couple of days even if he closes it anyway so all I'll lose will be a lot of outmoded airframes and a few P-51s and P-38s ( I have 48 of each at the base ).
This should also be the first time I get to see the Ki-44 III in action against my best next generation fighters. I think they'll eat P-38s alive but the P-51s will still have the measure of them.
If I'm wrong then I'll have tipped my hat, will keep the fighters there for a couple of days until the IJA bombers redeploy and then fly my B-17s in again to try and lure him into the trap again.
I've been shifting some fighters into Nikolaevsk ( about 80 ) but have prepped another 200 just one hop away in the Soviet Union. I've taken a chance on this last turn as the bases in northern Japan really appear quite full and for the first time in a long time I am seeing Japanese planes at Okha ( just 1 hex from Nikolaevsk )... It doesn't appear to have occurred to Damian that the reason I let Okha repair is that I thought it would serve as an excellent early warning indicator for a major raid on Okha.... and moved those fighters into Nikolaevsk.
If he comes this turn then I think we'll see the sort of massive aerial combat we haven't seen since Burma and it's going to be damned nasty. I think he'll probably close Nikolaevsk as there's nothing that can stop 200 to 300 Ki-264As when they enter their attack runs but I think I should be able to kill enough of the escorting fighters and enough Ki-264s to make the sacrifice worth it. Nikolaevsk will pop open again in a couple of days even if he closes it anyway so all I'll lose will be a lot of outmoded airframes and a few P-51s and P-38s ( I have 48 of each at the base ).
This should also be the first time I get to see the Ki-44 III in action against my best next generation fighters. I think they'll eat P-38s alive but the P-51s will still have the measure of them.
If I'm wrong then I'll have tipped my hat, will keep the fighters there for a couple of days until the IJA bombers redeploy and then fly my B-17s in again to try and lure him into the trap again.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
-
Capt. Harlock
- Posts: 5379
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
I think he'll probably close Nikolaevsk as there's nothing that can stop 200 to 300 Ki-264As when they enter their attack runs but I think I should be able to kill enough of the escorting fighters and enough Ki-264s to make the sacrifice worth it. Nikolaevsk will pop open again in a couple of days even if he closes it anyway so all I'll lose will be a lot of outmoded airframes and a few P-51s and P-38s ( I have 48 of each at the base ). This should also be the first time I get to see the Ki-44 III in action against my best next generation fighters. I think they'll eat P-38s alive but the P-51s will still have the measure of them.
Sound like interesting times in the near future. Do you have any P-47 squadrons handy?
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Harlock,
It is too early for P-47s. At present I am working off pre-production models of the P-51 ( I get 30 per month ) and about 45 x P-38s per month. These numbers allow me to keep about 2 squadrons of each in action per month but that's it.
We're now up to December 3rd 1942 and in January I begin to receive about 340 first-line planes per month ( 150 or so Hellcats and about 160 Corsairs - 50 of which can be flown by USN pilots off my CVs ). which, in addition with the new Soviet fighters ( 400 mph fighters ) and the old standards of the Spitfire and the Hurricane II should help attrit Ki-44 III numbers.
So, what's new? Well, Batavia fell and I am currently expecting to have that cleared by mid-month. I am also manoeuvring against Canton slowly and deliberately and drawing great numbers of enemy ships, fighters and troops into Canton ( which suits me perfectly ). His main CV force is also stuck between Canton and the Phillipines trying to prevent me spreading along the southern Chinese coast or lunging across to the Phillipines. This is great as this puts them 6 days or so away from the area where my next seaborne invasion will actually come.
My forces for the invasion are marshalled and about 6 days out. My plan is to land at Kwajalein and the surrounding atolls almost simultaneously and take a 5 to 6 island chunk out of the enemy island chain. By taking so many islands I expect to have sufficient airfields to withstand even a concentrated Ki-264 + CV counter-attack.
What have I brought to the party? About 8 division-equivalents which should be more than enough to take these islands and strongly threaten to advance on Truk - from which my long-term goal of linking up with the Ozzies and Brits via Palau Island should finally be realised.
One other benefit from this attack is that the daily Ki-264 raids on the Soviet airbases will stop and I'll be able to begin fortifying them again in preparation for a bomber offensive in 1943.
So, all in all, in about 7 days time there's going to be one hell of an upsurge in activity and massive losses for both sides. I'll begin posting proper AARs again at that stage as there should be some interesting tactical manoeuvring going on by then.
It is too early for P-47s. At present I am working off pre-production models of the P-51 ( I get 30 per month ) and about 45 x P-38s per month. These numbers allow me to keep about 2 squadrons of each in action per month but that's it.
We're now up to December 3rd 1942 and in January I begin to receive about 340 first-line planes per month ( 150 or so Hellcats and about 160 Corsairs - 50 of which can be flown by USN pilots off my CVs ). which, in addition with the new Soviet fighters ( 400 mph fighters ) and the old standards of the Spitfire and the Hurricane II should help attrit Ki-44 III numbers.
So, what's new? Well, Batavia fell and I am currently expecting to have that cleared by mid-month. I am also manoeuvring against Canton slowly and deliberately and drawing great numbers of enemy ships, fighters and troops into Canton ( which suits me perfectly ). His main CV force is also stuck between Canton and the Phillipines trying to prevent me spreading along the southern Chinese coast or lunging across to the Phillipines. This is great as this puts them 6 days or so away from the area where my next seaborne invasion will actually come.
My forces for the invasion are marshalled and about 6 days out. My plan is to land at Kwajalein and the surrounding atolls almost simultaneously and take a 5 to 6 island chunk out of the enemy island chain. By taking so many islands I expect to have sufficient airfields to withstand even a concentrated Ki-264 + CV counter-attack.
What have I brought to the party? About 8 division-equivalents which should be more than enough to take these islands and strongly threaten to advance on Truk - from which my long-term goal of linking up with the Ozzies and Brits via Palau Island should finally be realised.
One other benefit from this attack is that the daily Ki-264 raids on the Soviet airbases will stop and I'll be able to begin fortifying them again in preparation for a bomber offensive in 1943.
So, all in all, in about 7 days time there's going to be one hell of an upsurge in activity and massive losses for both sides. I'll begin posting proper AARs again at that stage as there should be some interesting tactical manoeuvring going on by then.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
-
Capt. Harlock
- Posts: 5379
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Should you want to tweak this mod further it would not be unrealistic to have P-47's available: according to Wikipedia the first production run of 171 P-47B's was completed by the end of September '42.It is too early for P-47s. At present I am working off pre-production models of the P-51 ( I get 30 per month ) and about 45 x P-38s per month. These numbers allow me to keep about 2 squadrons of each in action per month but that's it. We're now up to December 3rd 1942
Massive losses on both sides? Sounds like your kind of game![;)]
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Good to see you still in action!
I have an feeling you will all over HI before 1944 begins! [:)]
As always good reading and AAR.
I have an feeling you will all over HI before 1944 begins! [:)]
As always good reading and AAR.
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
Harlock,
I'm not too sure about adding the P-47s too much earlier. I had underestimated the Japanese ability to bring Ki-44 IIIs into production earlier than planned so I may just delay the Ki-44 IIIs a bit or else look at bringing the P-47s in a bit earlier... In fact that's a pretty good idea as it would fix the weakness of the USAAF --- which is stuck flying P-40Es when the Japanese can utterly outclass those planes.
Aztez,
Oh I'd be disappointed if this game is still a going concern by 1944. I'm hoping to have the Japanese pinned back into the Home Islands ( plus a bit of China and Manchuria/Korea ) by mid-43 and at that stage strategic bombing of the Home Islands should make any resistance utterly ineffective.
That's the plan anyways. If it goes into 1944 then it will have lasted beyond the period of time I specified to Damian when I picked up this game and that would be highly disappointing.
I'm not too sure about adding the P-47s too much earlier. I had underestimated the Japanese ability to bring Ki-44 IIIs into production earlier than planned so I may just delay the Ki-44 IIIs a bit or else look at bringing the P-47s in a bit earlier... In fact that's a pretty good idea as it would fix the weakness of the USAAF --- which is stuck flying P-40Es when the Japanese can utterly outclass those planes.
Aztez,
Oh I'd be disappointed if this game is still a going concern by 1944. I'm hoping to have the Japanese pinned back into the Home Islands ( plus a bit of China and Manchuria/Korea ) by mid-43 and at that stage strategic bombing of the Home Islands should make any resistance utterly ineffective.
That's the plan anyways. If it goes into 1944 then it will have lasted beyond the period of time I specified to Damian when I picked up this game and that would be highly disappointing.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
ALARM! ALARM! WE LAND AT 0600
Well, there's no denying it anymore, the invasion fleet is on its way in and the IJN and IJA response is mobilising.
So, let's run through the forces I have brought ( the short version is that I've brought the kitchen sink, the long version is that while I've brought the kitchen sink that sink has seen far better days and, quite frankly, is far outclassed by my neighbour's snazzy new bathroom [:D] )
Naval force:
5 CV ( Enterprise, Hornet, Wasp, Formidable and Indomitable ) - The British armoured flight decks should be invaluable vs dive and level-bombers.
5 CVEs + Hermes
2 CVL Transports ( AKs outfitted to carry 120 single-engined planes each - Historically these were the Kittyhawk and Hammondsport - They cannot fly CAP or offensive missions.)
8 USN BB,
8 CA,
4 CL,
10 DD,
12 DMS,
8 DM,
11 APDs
300 or so APs, AKs and MSWs, PCs, PGs.
Ground forces:
Wotje: USMC 2nd Raider Bn is tasked with taking this base. It has a Level 3 airfield and appears to be undefended. If it is defended then I can throw my reserves ( 2 divisions ) in there. If it isn't then I will unload my ground support aerial forces there and begin support raids on other elements of the Marshall defences - I want to free my CVs up to fend off any onrushing IJN fleets as soon as possible.
Maloelap: This is defended by a single unit ( probably an IJN base force with some heavy CD guns but limited combat power ) and has a Level 4 airfield. It is being attacked by the 37th Infantry division. Lack of APs and AKs means that I have been unable to combat-load this force. Consequently it will slowly unload from fully loaded 4500 ton APs. I am relying on sheer numbers ( and support from the CVEs and ground support planes I plan to base at Wotje ) to help grind Maloelap's defenders into the dust and make this highly sub-optimal invasion work.
Kwajalein:
Main Force: USMC 2nd Division, 32nd Infantry Division, 5 Tank Bns, 2 Parachute Bns and USMC 3rd Raider Bn. These forces are combat loaded so as to be able to unload over the course of 2.5 days. Obviously this is sub-optimal also but I'm banking on hitting a relatively lightly-defended base and thoroughly suppressing it with massed aerial ground support.
112th, 135th and 147th Infantry Regiments loaded aboard the BBs,CAs,CLs etc outfitted as Fast Transport forces. These are tasked with unloading with the main force at Kwajalein and supporting the initial assaults.
Eniwetok: Defended by a single unit and targetted by 102nd Infantry Regiment. This will be taken first as it is a Level 4 airfield and will be used to support attacks on Ponape.
Ponape: Defended by 4 enemy units and thus targeted by 53rd and 58th Regiments.
Floating Reserve: Two additional Infantry Divisions comprise my floating reserve. They are not combat-loaded as I simply didn't have the shipping available but if needs be they will just be tasked with swamping enemy defences irrespective of cost.
Aerial forces:
I have about 120 F4F Wildcats ( utterly inferior to the Ki-44 III which I expect to be outfitting IJN CVs by this stage ) and 30 Seafires ( a good match for the Ki-44 III ) on my CVs and about 350 Dauntless divebombers. The Dauntlesses are NOT for sinking enemy shipping but purely there in order to conduct the 2 days of ground support to support each invasion. I have split my CVs into two groups ( one group comprising all 5 CVs which will operate around Eniwetok and Ponape and hit those islands, while the CVEs and Hermes provide support to the invasions of Maloelap and Kwajalein itself.
My plan is to hit Wotje first, take it, and unload the 42 Pe-2s, 50+ fighters and 50 or so Dauntlesses I've brought along on my Kittyhawk and Hammondsport and use them to support the CVEs in their attacks on Maleolap and Kwajalein.
A word on aerial support:
This is one of the areas which is most misunderstood and most under-used by most WiTP players. If you read AARs you will see people talking about using air support to aid attacks but you will rarely actually see synchronicity - which is, according to any doctrine you read, absolutely essential.
Without synchronicity you require far larger forces applied over a far larger time to achieve the same effect. With synchronicity a relatively small force can be applied over a short period of time ( but, crucially, this period of time must be the temporal fulcrum ) to weaken a key enemy sector and allow a decisive breakthrough operation at precisely that point in time. This not only speeds up operations but also lowers the overall cost of the operation.
How is that being shown in these operations?
Instead of prolonged operations what you are seeing is:
1. A two-day raid on Wake by heavy bombers with the limited objective of closing the airfield and protecting my SLOCs during the period of time of maximal Japanese reaction.
2. Two-day ground support raids by carrier-based and land-based dive-bombers on each invasion site. The first day of raids will focus on lowering the enemy ability to attrit landing troops and will occur one day prior to invasion, the second day of raids will occur on the day of invasion and will be aimed at lowering the adjusted AV and maximising the opportunity to take the island (/ conversely, minimising the amount of damage done to friendly forces should they fail to take the island on day 1 ( which is likely in many of these invasions ) ).
Short, sharp shocks at the most crucial point at the crucial time can avoid the "requirement" for long-term, costly, attritional bombing raids to wreck ports, airfields and reduce enemy supply levels to zero over many months which one often sees espoused as the acme of amphibious invasion doctrine. Sure it will work but it is slow and costly and one reason so many games continue on into 1944.
So, let's run through the forces I have brought ( the short version is that I've brought the kitchen sink, the long version is that while I've brought the kitchen sink that sink has seen far better days and, quite frankly, is far outclassed by my neighbour's snazzy new bathroom [:D] )
Naval force:
5 CV ( Enterprise, Hornet, Wasp, Formidable and Indomitable ) - The British armoured flight decks should be invaluable vs dive and level-bombers.
5 CVEs + Hermes
2 CVL Transports ( AKs outfitted to carry 120 single-engined planes each - Historically these were the Kittyhawk and Hammondsport - They cannot fly CAP or offensive missions.)
8 USN BB,
8 CA,
4 CL,
10 DD,
12 DMS,
8 DM,
11 APDs
300 or so APs, AKs and MSWs, PCs, PGs.
Ground forces:
Wotje: USMC 2nd Raider Bn is tasked with taking this base. It has a Level 3 airfield and appears to be undefended. If it is defended then I can throw my reserves ( 2 divisions ) in there. If it isn't then I will unload my ground support aerial forces there and begin support raids on other elements of the Marshall defences - I want to free my CVs up to fend off any onrushing IJN fleets as soon as possible.
Maloelap: This is defended by a single unit ( probably an IJN base force with some heavy CD guns but limited combat power ) and has a Level 4 airfield. It is being attacked by the 37th Infantry division. Lack of APs and AKs means that I have been unable to combat-load this force. Consequently it will slowly unload from fully loaded 4500 ton APs. I am relying on sheer numbers ( and support from the CVEs and ground support planes I plan to base at Wotje ) to help grind Maloelap's defenders into the dust and make this highly sub-optimal invasion work.
Kwajalein:
Main Force: USMC 2nd Division, 32nd Infantry Division, 5 Tank Bns, 2 Parachute Bns and USMC 3rd Raider Bn. These forces are combat loaded so as to be able to unload over the course of 2.5 days. Obviously this is sub-optimal also but I'm banking on hitting a relatively lightly-defended base and thoroughly suppressing it with massed aerial ground support.
112th, 135th and 147th Infantry Regiments loaded aboard the BBs,CAs,CLs etc outfitted as Fast Transport forces. These are tasked with unloading with the main force at Kwajalein and supporting the initial assaults.
Eniwetok: Defended by a single unit and targetted by 102nd Infantry Regiment. This will be taken first as it is a Level 4 airfield and will be used to support attacks on Ponape.
Ponape: Defended by 4 enemy units and thus targeted by 53rd and 58th Regiments.
Floating Reserve: Two additional Infantry Divisions comprise my floating reserve. They are not combat-loaded as I simply didn't have the shipping available but if needs be they will just be tasked with swamping enemy defences irrespective of cost.
Aerial forces:
I have about 120 F4F Wildcats ( utterly inferior to the Ki-44 III which I expect to be outfitting IJN CVs by this stage ) and 30 Seafires ( a good match for the Ki-44 III ) on my CVs and about 350 Dauntless divebombers. The Dauntlesses are NOT for sinking enemy shipping but purely there in order to conduct the 2 days of ground support to support each invasion. I have split my CVs into two groups ( one group comprising all 5 CVs which will operate around Eniwetok and Ponape and hit those islands, while the CVEs and Hermes provide support to the invasions of Maloelap and Kwajalein itself.
My plan is to hit Wotje first, take it, and unload the 42 Pe-2s, 50+ fighters and 50 or so Dauntlesses I've brought along on my Kittyhawk and Hammondsport and use them to support the CVEs in their attacks on Maleolap and Kwajalein.
A word on aerial support:
This is one of the areas which is most misunderstood and most under-used by most WiTP players. If you read AARs you will see people talking about using air support to aid attacks but you will rarely actually see synchronicity - which is, according to any doctrine you read, absolutely essential.
Without synchronicity you require far larger forces applied over a far larger time to achieve the same effect. With synchronicity a relatively small force can be applied over a short period of time ( but, crucially, this period of time must be the temporal fulcrum ) to weaken a key enemy sector and allow a decisive breakthrough operation at precisely that point in time. This not only speeds up operations but also lowers the overall cost of the operation.
How is that being shown in these operations?
Instead of prolonged operations what you are seeing is:
1. A two-day raid on Wake by heavy bombers with the limited objective of closing the airfield and protecting my SLOCs during the period of time of maximal Japanese reaction.
2. Two-day ground support raids by carrier-based and land-based dive-bombers on each invasion site. The first day of raids will focus on lowering the enemy ability to attrit landing troops and will occur one day prior to invasion, the second day of raids will occur on the day of invasion and will be aimed at lowering the adjusted AV and maximising the opportunity to take the island (/ conversely, minimising the amount of damage done to friendly forces should they fail to take the island on day 1 ( which is likely in many of these invasions ) ).
Short, sharp shocks at the most crucial point at the crucial time can avoid the "requirement" for long-term, costly, attritional bombing raids to wreck ports, airfields and reduce enemy supply levels to zero over many months which one often sees espoused as the acme of amphibious invasion doctrine. Sure it will work but it is slow and costly and one reason so many games continue on into 1944.
- Attachments
-
- marshall.jpg (65.2 KiB) Viewed 211 times
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
ALARM! ALARM! WE LAND AT 0600
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wenchow [S China], 50,41, firing at TF 131
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Wenchow [S China], 50,41
44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,58
Japanese Ships
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sandakan [BrNBno] at 36,58
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
Allied Ships
SS Seal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,64
Japanese Ships
AK Zinzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 29
PC Ch 27
Allied Ships
SS Shark, hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sandakan [BrNBno] at 36,58
Japanese Ships
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Minegumo
DD Natsushio
DD Kagero
DD Makinami
Allied Ships
SS Seal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wenchow [S China], 50,41, firing at TF 131
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Wenchow [S China], 50,41
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,59
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Minegumo
DD Natsushio
DD Kagero
DD Makinami
CA Ashigara
Allied Ships
SS O20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 38
Ki-49 -I Helen x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44III Tojo x 35
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 14
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 23
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 3
Mosquito NF x 8
Hurricane IIc x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-II Lily: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito NF: 1 damaged
Hurricane IIc: 2 damaged
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja [Java] , at 23,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 19
Ki-43-II Oscar x 15
Ki-109E Mike x 32
Allied aircraft
Pe-2 x 119
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-II Oscar: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 11 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Pe-2: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai [NEI] , at 43,68
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 -I Helen x 15
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 3
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein [Nanyo] , at 81,84
Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 5
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 163
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-FF: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 17 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 55
This isn't a ground support raid, just an attempt to keep the airfield closed. I don't need G4Ms running riot over all my unprotected bombers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island [USA] , at 85,72
Closing the airfield to protect my SLOCs
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 106
B-24D Liberator x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA 2nd Rpd Fire Gun Battalion, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 24
B-24D Liberator x 32
B-26A Marauder x 3
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson IV x 6
IL-4C x 6
SB-2M x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Prepping Kiungshan as I'm moving on that within the next week or so.
Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 53
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 73
B-26A Marauder x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 7
Blenheim IV x 6
Hudson IV x 14
IL-4C x 12
SB-2M x 4
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
IL-4C x 26
Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on RTA 2nd Division, at 32,36
Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 43
Lancer x 40
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 10
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 3
Vengeance I x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
AK Akagane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Toten Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 84
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
My forces over-ran these MLs on the way to Eniwetok. Well, I'll be facing mines at Kwajalein for sure [8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 39
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 39
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 46
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 8
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-FF: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 46
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 8
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Haiphong [Tonkin] at 37,38
Japanese aircraft
G9M1 Marlina x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Demodocus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,64
Japanese Ships
AK Nittei Maru
Allied Ships
SS Shark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1105 troops unloading over beach at Wotje [Nanyo], 84,85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 25954 troops, 556 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849
Defending force 67112 troops, 1044 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 1831
Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,41
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1366 troops, 12 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 52
Defending force 261 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Japanese max assault: 104 - adjusted assault: 106
Allied max defense: 14 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 106 to 1
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 49949 troops, 923 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1828
Defending force 136710 troops, 1823 guns, 823 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849
Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kragen [Java]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 11513 troops, 46 guns, 983 vehicles, Assault Value = 406
Defending force 3933 troops, 53 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Allied max assault: 492 - adjusted assault: 125
Japanese max defense: 96 - adjusted defense: 44
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kragen [Java] base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 8
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bankha [Sumatra]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1769 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Defending force 5433 troops, 1 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 171
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,44
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4981 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
Defending force 7501 troops, 38 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3642 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 3088 troops, 0 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 926 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
Defending force 5548 troops, 16 guns, 446 vehicles, Assault Value = 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 416 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55
Defending force 926 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
Japanese max assault: 24 - adjusted assault: 22
Allied max defense: 53 - adjusted defense: 14
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Wenchow has been kept nicely safe. I'm only doing this to annoy and discomfit Japanese planning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wenchow [S China], 50,41, firing at TF 131
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Wenchow [S China], 50,41
44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,58
Japanese Ships
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sandakan [BrNBno] at 36,58
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
Allied Ships
SS Seal
Lots of work being put into evacuating two divisions I trapped in Western Borneo. That's fine by me though, I'm killing a few ships here and that's a good exchange for these troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,64
Japanese Ships
AK Zinzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 29
PC Ch 27
Allied Ships
SS Shark, hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sandakan [BrNBno] at 36,58
Japanese Ships
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Minegumo
DD Natsushio
DD Kagero
DD Makinami
Allied Ships
SS Seal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wenchow [S China], 50,41, firing at TF 131
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Wenchow [S China], 50,41
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,59
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Hitachi
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Minegumo
DD Natsushio
DD Kagero
DD Makinami
CA Ashigara
Allied Ships
SS O20
As you can see there are a lot of subs around Borneo but this is nothing compared to the sub barrier I've create between Saipan and Truk/Kwajalein.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 38
Ki-49 -I Helen x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44III Tojo x 35
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 14
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 23
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 3
Mosquito NF x 8
Hurricane IIc x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-II Lily: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito NF: 1 damaged
Hurricane IIc: 2 damaged
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
A little ambush to kill some trainees.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja [Java] , at 23,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 19
Ki-43-II Oscar x 15
Ki-109E Mike x 32
Allied aircraft
Pe-2 x 119
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-II Oscar: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 11 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Pe-2: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai [NEI] , at 43,68
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 -I Helen x 15
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 3
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein [Nanyo] , at 81,84
Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 5
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 163
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-FF: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 17 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 55
This isn't a ground support raid, just an attempt to keep the airfield closed. I don't need G4Ms running riot over all my unprotected bombers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island [USA] , at 85,72
Closing the airfield to protect my SLOCs
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 106
B-24D Liberator x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA 2nd Rpd Fire Gun Battalion, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 24
B-24D Liberator x 32
B-26A Marauder x 3
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson IV x 6
IL-4C x 6
SB-2M x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Prepping Kiungshan as I'm moving on that within the next week or so.
Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 53
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 73
B-26A Marauder x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 7
Blenheim IV x 6
Hudson IV x 14
IL-4C x 12
SB-2M x 4
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
IL-4C x 26
Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on RTA 2nd Division, at 32,36
Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 43
Lancer x 40
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Training
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 10
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 3
Vengeance I x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
AK Akagane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Toten Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 84
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
My forces over-ran these MLs on the way to Eniwetok. Well, I'll be facing mines at Kwajalein for sure [8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 39
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,83
Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 39
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hirashima, on fire, heavy damage
ML Sokuten, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 46
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 8
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-FF: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 46
F1M2 Pete-FF x 4
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 8
Allied aircraft
Beaufort VII x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VII: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Haiphong [Tonkin] at 37,38
Japanese aircraft
G9M1 Marlina x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Demodocus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,64
Japanese Ships
AK Nittei Maru
Allied Ships
SS Shark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1105 troops unloading over beach at Wotje [Nanyo], 84,85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 25954 troops, 556 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849
Defending force 67112 troops, 1044 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 1831
Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,41
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1366 troops, 12 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 52
Defending force 261 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Japanese max assault: 104 - adjusted assault: 106
Allied max defense: 14 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 106 to 1
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 49949 troops, 923 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1828
Defending force 136710 troops, 1823 guns, 823 vehicles, Assault Value = 2849
Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kragen [Java]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 11513 troops, 46 guns, 983 vehicles, Assault Value = 406
Defending force 3933 troops, 53 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Allied max assault: 492 - adjusted assault: 125
Japanese max defense: 96 - adjusted defense: 44
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kragen [Java] base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 8
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bankha [Sumatra]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1769 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Defending force 5433 troops, 1 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 171
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,44
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4981 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
Defending force 7501 troops, 38 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3642 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 3088 troops, 0 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 926 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
Defending force 5548 troops, 16 guns, 446 vehicles, Assault Value = 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 416 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55
Defending force 926 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
Japanese max assault: 24 - adjusted assault: 22
Allied max defense: 53 - adjusted defense: 14
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Wenchow has been kept nicely safe. I'm only doing this to annoy and discomfit Japanese planning.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
-
Historiker
- Posts: 4742
- Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:11 pm
- Location: Deutschland
RE: And the plan for the next 6 weeks...
I was just provocing you [;)]Historiker, we are ALL the greatest flaws in our plans. No surprise there.
I'm usually a relativly unbeaten strategist in tabletop or computer games. But I've already noticed that witp isn't usual. I'm pretty sure here a dozends that can kick my ass and you're pretty sure one of them.
Nevertheless, it might be big fun and the possibility to learn a lot!
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
-
Capt. Harlock
- Posts: 5379
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
RE: ALARM! ALARM! WE LAND AT 0600
A word on aerial support:
This is one of the areas which is most misunderstood and most under-used by most WiTP players. If you read AARs you will see people talking about using air support to aid attacks but you will rarely actually see synchronicity - which is, according to any doctrine you read, absolutely essential.
Without synchronicity you require far larger forces applied over a far larger time to achieve the same effect. With synchronicity a relatively small force can be applied over a short period of time ( but, crucially, this period of time must be the temporal fulcrum ) to weaken a key enemy sector and allow a decisive breakthrough operation at precisely that point in time. This not only speeds up operations but also lowers the overall cost of the operation.
Insightful analysis as usual. How are the airstrikes being coordinated with naval bombardments?
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
RE: ALARM! ALARM! WE LAND AT 0600
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,77
Japanese Ships
AK Fukoku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 26
PC Ch 25
Allied Ships
SS Scamp
The sub cordon around DEI continues to take a toll.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 72,78
Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Ikazuchi
DD Arashi
Allied Ships
SS S-34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein [Nanyo], at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete-FF: 1 destroyed
132 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Trenton
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville, Shell hits 9
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 12, on fire
CL Emerald
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 8
CA Portland, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City
CA Indianapolis
BB Arizona
BB Idaho
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4
BB California
BB Maryland
BB Wyoming
BB Washington
BB Indiana, Shell hits 10
Japanese ground losses:
708 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 10
Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4
This bombardment isn't really expected to achieve much but the ships were already in the hex and I won't be landing there for another two days so I figured I might as well do a little something to keep the airfield unrepaired. I managed to kill quite a few guns so that bodes better for my landings.
Sharp-eyed readers will notice the Allied ground losses... Those are due to the fact that ALL of these ships are being used as FAST TRANSPORTS thus their decks are full of troops.
Of note: In this mod I've removed nuke bombardments so thats the reason why this bombardment isn't as efective as some of you might be used to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1052 troops unloading over beach at Wotje [Nanyo], 84,85
Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1088 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)
TF 1088 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84
Allied Ships
APD Waters
AV Pocomoke, Mine hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1088
196 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
APD Paul Jones, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kalk
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 18
Ki-49 -I Helen x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44III Tojo x 3
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 30
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44III Tojo: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
LaGG-3: 1 destroyed
The first clash with Ki-44 IIIs of the war.
Basically over the next couple of days there should be a ramping up of pressure in Java, China and Northern Japan in an effort to overstretch the Japanese fighter and bomber force. At present it appears to be stretched to absolute breaking point... I just want to stretch it a little more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 29
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
Ki-27 Nate x 41
Ki-15II Babs x 3
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 5
D3A2 Val x 14
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 30
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 16
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 72
Ki-48-II Lily x 51
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja [Java] , at 23,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 11
Ki-43-II Oscar x 15
Ki-109E Mike x 27
Allied aircraft
Pe-2 x 104
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-II Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Pe-2: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9
More attrition of the enemy's fighter frames. This isn't really useful to me as the Ki-43 II and Ki-109 are both definitely second fiddle to the Ki-44 III. On the other hand for a short period of time I'm willing to accept even unfavourable losses elsewhere in order to increase the pressure on Damian and complicate his strategic picture.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai [NEI] , at 43,68
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 -I Helen x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 43
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taytay [Palawan] , at 40,54
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 5
B5N2 Kate x 5
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-48-I Lily x 4
Ki-48-II Lily x 9
Ki-49 -I Helen x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island [USA] , at 85,72
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 87
B-24D Liberator x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 83
Closing Wake and protecting my SLOCs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJN Maloelop Base Force, at 85,86
I land here tomorrow.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 136
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
IL-4C x 22
Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA 3rd Tank Brigade, at 32,36
Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 43
Lancer x 40
No Allied losses
Purely a training mission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on JAAF 11th AirSect HQ Engineer Aviation Battalion, at 41,74
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
Wirraway CA-1 x 9
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kiungshan [Hainan] , at 39,41
Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 5
LaGG-3 x 3
Allied aircraft losses
B-26A Marauder: 1 damaged
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 7097 troops, 78 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
Defending force 1239 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 25879 troops, 555 guns, 492 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848
Defending force 67086 troops, 1046 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 1827
Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 49913 troops, 923 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1826
Defending force 136637 troops, 1824 guns, 822 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848
Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,41
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24281 troops, 623 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 1394
Defending force 2107 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madicen [Java]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 9407 troops, 42 guns, 797 vehicles, Assault Value = 396
Defending force 2912 troops, 43 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 100
Allied max assault: 394 - adjusted assault: 142
Japanese max defense: 68 - adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Madicen [Java] base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
And tomorrow I'll bring bombers in and kill the last of the ships trying to evacuate Java.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bankha [Sumatra]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1769 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Defending force 5415 troops, 1 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 169
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,44
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4981 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
Defending force 7501 troops, 38 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3642 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 3098 troops, 0 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wotje [Nanyo]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 399 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Allied max assault: 44 - adjusted assault: 90
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 90 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje [Nanyo] base !!!
Time to fly in my reserve SBDs ( about 100 ) from Johnson Island and begin really plastering Maloelap.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
Defending force 6041 troops, 34 guns, 445 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1215 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Defending force 17632 troops, 167 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
Allied max assault: 36 - adjusted assault: 2
Japanese max defense: 115 - adjusted defense: 227
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)
Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Guns lost 40
For some reason about 3 of my ships decided to unload some men while the rest did nothing. This is most assuredly a bug ( they were ESCORT TFs and had do not unload orders ). Ah well, tomorrow the real deal goes in and 500 men one way or the other won't change it greatly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 911 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
Defending force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
Japanese max assault: 32 - adjusted assault: 7
Allied max defense: 51 - adjusted defense: 24
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,77
Japanese Ships
AK Fukoku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 26
PC Ch 25
Allied Ships
SS Scamp
The sub cordon around DEI continues to take a toll.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 72,78
Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Ikazuchi
DD Arashi
Allied Ships
SS S-34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein [Nanyo], at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete-FF: 1 destroyed
132 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Trenton
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville, Shell hits 9
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 12, on fire
CL Emerald
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 8
CA Portland, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City
CA Indianapolis
BB Arizona
BB Idaho
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4
BB California
BB Maryland
BB Wyoming
BB Washington
BB Indiana, Shell hits 10
Japanese ground losses:
708 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 10
Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4
This bombardment isn't really expected to achieve much but the ships were already in the hex and I won't be landing there for another two days so I figured I might as well do a little something to keep the airfield unrepaired. I managed to kill quite a few guns so that bodes better for my landings.
Sharp-eyed readers will notice the Allied ground losses... Those are due to the fact that ALL of these ships are being used as FAST TRANSPORTS thus their decks are full of troops.
Of note: In this mod I've removed nuke bombardments so thats the reason why this bombardment isn't as efective as some of you might be used to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1052 troops unloading over beach at Wotje [Nanyo], 84,85
Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1088 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)
TF 1088 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84
Allied Ships
APD Waters
AV Pocomoke, Mine hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1088
196 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
APD Paul Jones, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kalk
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 18
Ki-49 -I Helen x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44III Tojo x 3
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 30
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44III Tojo: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
LaGG-3: 1 destroyed
The first clash with Ki-44 IIIs of the war.
Basically over the next couple of days there should be a ramping up of pressure in Java, China and Northern Japan in an effort to overstretch the Japanese fighter and bomber force. At present it appears to be stretched to absolute breaking point... I just want to stretch it a little more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 29
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
Ki-27 Nate x 41
Ki-15II Babs x 3
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 5
D3A2 Val x 14
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 30
No Japanese losses
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 16
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 72
Ki-48-II Lily x 51
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja [Java] , at 23,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 11
Ki-43-II Oscar x 15
Ki-109E Mike x 27
Allied aircraft
Pe-2 x 104
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-II Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Pe-2: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9
More attrition of the enemy's fighter frames. This isn't really useful to me as the Ki-43 II and Ki-109 are both definitely second fiddle to the Ki-44 III. On the other hand for a short period of time I'm willing to accept even unfavourable losses elsewhere in order to increase the pressure on Damian and complicate his strategic picture.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai [NEI] , at 43,68
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 -I Helen x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 43
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taytay [Palawan] , at 40,54
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 5
B5N2 Kate x 5
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-48-I Lily x 4
Ki-48-II Lily x 9
Ki-49 -I Helen x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island [USA] , at 85,72
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 87
B-24D Liberator x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 83
Closing Wake and protecting my SLOCs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJN Maloelop Base Force, at 85,86
I land here tomorrow.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 136
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41
Allied aircraft
IL-4C x 22
Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA 3rd Tank Brigade, at 32,36
Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 43
Lancer x 40
No Allied losses
Purely a training mission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on JAAF 11th AirSect HQ Engineer Aviation Battalion, at 41,74
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
Wirraway CA-1 x 9
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kiungshan [Hainan] , at 39,41
Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 5
LaGG-3 x 3
Allied aircraft losses
B-26A Marauder: 1 damaged
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 7097 troops, 78 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
Defending force 1239 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 25879 troops, 555 guns, 492 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848
Defending force 67086 troops, 1046 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 1827
Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 49913 troops, 923 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1826
Defending force 136637 troops, 1824 guns, 822 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848
Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,41
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24281 troops, 623 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 1394
Defending force 2107 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madicen [Java]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 9407 troops, 42 guns, 797 vehicles, Assault Value = 396
Defending force 2912 troops, 43 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 100
Allied max assault: 394 - adjusted assault: 142
Japanese max defense: 68 - adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Madicen [Java] base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
And tomorrow I'll bring bombers in and kill the last of the ships trying to evacuate Java.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bankha [Sumatra]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1769 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Defending force 5415 troops, 1 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 169
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,44
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4981 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
Defending force 7501 troops, 38 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3642 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
Defending force 3098 troops, 0 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wotje [Nanyo]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 399 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Allied max assault: 44 - adjusted assault: 90
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 90 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje [Nanyo] base !!!
Time to fly in my reserve SBDs ( about 100 ) from Johnson Island and begin really plastering Maloelap.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
Defending force 6041 troops, 34 guns, 445 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1215 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Defending force 17632 troops, 167 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
Allied max assault: 36 - adjusted assault: 2
Japanese max defense: 115 - adjusted defense: 227
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)
Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Guns lost 40
For some reason about 3 of my ships decided to unload some men while the rest did nothing. This is most assuredly a bug ( they were ESCORT TFs and had do not unload orders ). Ah well, tomorrow the real deal goes in and 500 men one way or the other won't change it greatly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 911 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
Defending force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
Japanese max assault: 32 - adjusted assault: 7
Allied max defense: 51 - adjusted defense: 24
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.