ALLIED ONLY: aztez (A) vs erstad (J) ...2nd ROUND

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

Maybe and it's a big maybe, the problem is that you put "supplies required" higher then the supplies you have. The system might be trying to get up to that 30000+ supply, but can't find any supply from other bases to pull in so the base saves supply the only way it can, by not giving out any to the units present.

beat me to it ! .. only conclusion i could draw too

[aztez]

Smeulders & Rob: Hmmm. Ok, I will start doing the turn as soon as the kids are at sleep.

However that really doesn't make much sense since I don't see what harm could extra supplies do in any situation!

Really odd and if it down to this than this feature really is not working correctly and with common sense

[seydlitz_slith]

The supply issue is interesting and concerning. I wonder like Smeulders if the base is holding the supplies instead of passing them out because you have the required number high. I would do the following:

1. Reduce the supplies requested targets to minimum for Clark, Manila, and Bataan.
2. Make sure that you have manually set the industry and resources in Manila to "do not repair". Double check in case patch reset.

As an alternative, it might be time to fall back on Manila. In that case, leave your supplies requested high for Manila and drop it at Clark so tht any supplies not issued to the units will hopefully flow back to Manila and not be lost when Clark falls. On the plus side, supply cost factor is only 10 in light urban against 25 in the jungle + rough of Clark. Of course, your defensive bonus is only X2 in Manila instead of the X3 in Clark, but it looks like Clark is about to fall anyways. Keep in mind that that the supply movement phase does not occur until after the combat phase of the turn. That means that you can set the supply requested triggers to move the supply back to Manila but if you lose Clark during the next turn you will also lose all of the supply being held there. Sequence of play is on page 31 of the manual.

[Sardaukar]

Might be useful to post that on Tech support forum too, so they could check if it's an issue for next patch.

*edited for spelling*

[aztez]

seydlitz: Definately odd thing and really didn't help that the current situation is not good anyway. It could be just as you reasoned and it actually would make a lot "sense".

I have already reduced the supply needs to minium at Bataan.

Now I did the same thing in Clark Field and Manila. I guess we shall see whether or not it did any good. Another thing I did was that I turned the replacements ON in most of infantry/armour units there.

I always set industry repairs off from the beginning. Something I learned the hard way in the old Witp.

The withdraw towards Manila is close but decieded againts it. It only has low level 3 fort and it seems to be suffering from the same kind of supply draw problem as did Clark Field. Also the forts are still up at Clark Field so the reduction was 100% FOW.

I think I can hold it for few more days and than withdraw supplies/infantry into Manila. Currently building up forts 40 miles south of Manila too. It is closing into level 3 now.

Lets just say that if he does not capture the base within next 2 days than time to start organized withdrawal. I like those supply cost "odds".

Sardaukar: Yeah, that might not be an bad idea. At least I can't figure out what is happening here.

[aztez]

This is combat replay summary of events of 18th and 19th of January 1942.

A lot of bad things took place in past two days. It really is japanese blitzkrieg all the way at the moment. I don't have the actual turn yet but these are not FOW reports. That is almost 100% certain.

It is only january 20th and IJN/IJA have seized following "objectives":

- Tarawa, Noumea, Luganville and most of the solomons islands in the southern pacific.
- IJA is advancing with is shock assaults + armoured units in lightning speed at northern china.
- Northern part of the borneo is lost.
- Celebes is lost since Davao was overrun swiftly. This includes Menado and Ambona too.
- In Malaya Johore Baru forts could not resist the enemy and our troops were routed. Now only Singapore stands.
- Bulk of US BB's are done. Only BB Colorado operational.
- US fleet have 2 operational carriers. 3rd one is coming into service too.
- The merchant fleet was slaughtered near Balikpapan early on fleeing from Manila.
- KB is at full strenght are yet to be committed. No doubt it will enter DEI within couple weeks at most.
- At Luzon only Manila holds and I'am in no doubt it will toasted within an week or two.
- IJA has gained total airsuperiority in China since I really do not have anything in terms of fighters to contest it.
- The first enemy units are reaching into Burma. No doubt it will be overrun swiftly just as Luzon was and Johore Baru was.

Overall, I'am amazed!!! I haven't given anything for free. Nope, I have fought all the way with troops and tools I got available.

The poor ground unit commanders have been sacked and replaced. These haven't helped that much againts those shock ground offensives. I'am beginning to think that these were waste of PP and that only level 7+ forts make any diffrence at all.

Things are looking very bad. It seems he might be able to focus his full hammer on DEI as early as february 1942 and with those forces available there I think allied are done within an months time. Eventhough I intend to fight it out with everything I got there.

...shock assaults + blitzkrieg = doomed. That the mental feeling right now. Things have developed way faster than it would have been in the old Witp. In my opinion largely due to the new ground combat model and the japanese "loading" bonus which stands last for the first 4 months.

A lot have been talked about the japanese airpower. Well, allies really don't have much againts determined assaults. IJA has control over the skies above Luzon, China, Malaya, Burma and Borneo. Once these focus againts DEI it will be swift affair no doubt.

Here is an reports from all over the map. I'am not going into too much details since the above explains and summarizes it all quite nicely.



Luzon (18th and 19th of january 1942)

We did resist the onslaught at Clark Field last turn but not this time around. IJA launched yet another 2 shock assaults here and not many were left to tell the tale.

Here is the combat summary of 2 x shock assaults againts our depleted units behind lvl 3 forts.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 94251 troops, 915 guns, 649 vehicles, Assault Value = 2639

Defending force 30407 troops, 543 guns, 510 vehicles, Assault Value = 847

Japanese adjusted assault: 1814

Allied adjusted defense: 877

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3791 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 256 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 225 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 126 (14 destroyed, 112 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1266 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 97 destroyed, 93 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 68 (41 destroyed, 27 disabled)


Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
I./33rd Inf Regt
113th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kanno Detachment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
33rd Division
148th Infantry Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
Tanaka Detachment
22nd Recon Regiment
65th Brigade
21st Division
2nd Tank Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
4th Division
7th Tank Regiment
I./4th Infantry Bn /4
56th Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
12th JAAF Base Force
26th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field AA Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
6th Naval Construction Battalion
31st Fld AA Bn /1

Defending units:
Subic Bay Defenses
4th Marine Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
192nd Tank Battalion
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
41st PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
I Philippine Corps
201st PA Construction Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
202nd PA Construction Battalion
Provisional Field Artillery Regiment
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st USMC AA Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 90416 troops, 915 guns, 635 vehicles, Assault Value = 2434

Defending force 27629 troops, 544 guns, 467 vehicles, Assault Value = 707

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1272

Allied adjusted defense: 502

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
3676 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 222 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 78 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Vehicles lost 93 (15 destroyed, 78 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
14436 casualties reported
Squads: 555 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 429 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 169 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 262 (257 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 357 (357 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 24
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
I./33rd Inf Regt
4th Tank Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kanno Detachment
65th Brigade
22nd Recon Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
33rd Division
21st Division
4th Division
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
16th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
Tanaka Detachment
I./4th Infantry Bn /4
12th JAAF Base Force
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field AA Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
6th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co
56th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
31st Fld AA Bn /1

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
4th Marine Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
Subic Bay Defenses
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
Provisional Field Artillery Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment


..that was that. I could not have withdrawn in time anyways since he made 4 x shock assaults here so Manila is going to be next. It has level 3 forts at the moment since with AE you seem to be starting from 0 which in some cases is diffrent approach what I had in mind.

[aztez]

Malaya (january 18th and 19th 1942)

IJA troops entered the Johore Baru forts last turn. There were immediate 2 x shock ground assaults made.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 58071 troops, 449 guns, 99 vehicles, Assault Value = 1819

Defending force 15947 troops, 118 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1486

Allied adjusted defense: 759

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3365 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 206 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 149 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1483 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 78 destroyed, 83 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (3 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
I./4th Infantry Battalion
41st Guard Battalion
12th Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
41st Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Engineer Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
34th Field AA Battalion
93rd JAAF AF Bn
35th Field AA Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Fld AA Gun Co
32nd Field AA Battalion
17th JAAF AF Bn
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
22nd Air Flotilla
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
25th Army
5th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
1st Hyderabad Battalion
1st Mysore Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
6th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
111th RAF Base Force
5th Field Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 55214 troops, 449 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 1777

Defending force 13357 troops, 117 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1148

Allied adjusted defense: 265

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
3358 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 138 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
6023 casualties reported
Squads: 88 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 220 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 49 (47 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
I./4th Infantry Battalion
41st Infantry Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
Imperial Guards Division
12th Engineer Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Recon Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Engineer Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
41st Guard Battalion
91st Naval Guard Unit
34th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
32nd Field AA Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
17th JAAF AF Bn
Southern Army
21st Fld AA Gun Co
35th Field AA Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
93rd JAAF AF Bn
25th Army
22nd Air Flotilla
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
5/14th Punjab Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
6th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
111th RAF Base Force
5th Field Regiment

..and that was that. We last only 2 days here and now it is time for the Singapore to fall.

I had 520av points behind lvl 3 (40%) forts here. The lacked a bit of support but were well supplied.

I have supplies there and have upgraded leaders. By looking at the above this will be over within 2 weeks time for sure. The city only has +3 level forts in place.

[aztez]

Borneo (january 18th and 19th 1942)

There were several landings and bases seized here.

Next to fall will be Tarakan since he has a lot of troops on the beaches already.

I expect the landings to start againts Java by early February 1942.

[aztez]

Southern Pacific (20th january 1942)

IJN has conducted several unopposed landings in this region.

There is no chance of contesting these when you consider our losses so far in the game.

[aztez]

China (18th and 19th january 1942)

There were several ground combats here. I have marked them on the map.


Ground combat at 85,55

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 0 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Defending force 1237 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese adjusted assault: 34

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
572 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 87,32

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1452 troops, 0 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 162

Defending force 1867 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Japanese adjusted assault: 67

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
1198 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 6 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese/C Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 87,45

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4280 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Defending force 4747 troops, 32 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 166

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), morale(-)
supply(-)


Allied ground losses:
2060 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 158 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 105 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled


Assaulting units:
55th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
35th/A Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 87,45

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4747 troops, 32 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 2424 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese adjusted assault: 142

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 142 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)


Allied ground losses:
929 casualties reported
Squads: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th/A Division

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps


... I really do need to put an stop to this. The problem here is that forts do build up slowly, infantry have bad exp and not much in terms of armour.

IJA also totally controls the skies above china. Even AVG has made no diffrence at all.

[seydlitz_slith]

My guess is that he is going after Sian and Lanchow in North China. That is where the Chinese oil is located. Knock them out and you shut down China's heavy industry.

1. He doesn't have large enough air fields and base units in northern china to bomb your oil at this phase of the game. Otherwise he would probably be bombing it to shut off your oil.
2. He has obviously went all out to take Luzon as quickly as possible. For him to get on with the next phase of the war he will have to move the troops off Luzon. The only port to do this will be Manila as all of the other ports are too small and will take too long. You can make this work to your advantage.

3. His repeated shock attacks are causing additional unnecessary casualties for him and he is taking a huge gamble that he can get all his conquering done before the units get so understrength that they can no longer advance.

I would move my Dutch subs up to patrol just south of Bataan (but not in the hex due to the mines). That way you can hit the transports while they are at sea, loaded with troops.

In China, his garrison requirements are going to limit his movements somewhat. You can fight delaying actions in the rough, mountain, and wooded areas. Try to hit multiple hexes and make him spread his troops. By interdicting multiple points along the rail lines but not in the city, you will slow him down. If he is foolish enough to keep shock attacking you, then you will bleed him down to your level.

[Sardaukar]

Well...I don't wonder about the results in Clark. Or in Malaya. He is coming in with quite massive amount of troops, 100k and 60k is LOT. With no real way to replace your casualties there quickly or reinforce, resistance will be quite difficult. 

[aztez]

It was an bug that caused those supply points to freeze up. Damn, that cost me a lot of valuable units and most importantly move his timetable ahead quite a lot.

Those bases were "competing" for those supplies at Clark Field causing it not to be distributed into ground combat units. Argh, the penalty for under supplied troops is severe. As manual states it is -25% of defensive av value and it has caused my troops not to fire againts the enemy!!! Oh, well this was bad as it gets.

Now I have reset all the "supply needed" orders at bases and seen immediate increase on the supplies given to ground combat units! This really is not happening just in Luzon either. Basically, increase the supply needed... once supplies arrive than RESET this function or you are going to be in world of trouble just as I was.

Dave offered an redo. That shows that he really is gentleman and good lad. I declined the offer eventhough this basically destroyed my defense setup at Luzon. Instead I asked that his troops at Clark Field rest and than he will give me an extra turn to gain some strenght before moving them into Manila. That is the agreement.

seydlitz: Those armoured units are definately moving towards Lanchow and without an doubt there is infantry units following them.

As Sian. That is definately target too and I'am already reacting to at least put and dent to these plans. I will post an pic from china later on showing the current av values on the map.

I think he could bomb my resources without too much opposition. Thankfully we have an houserule which forbids anykind of an resource bombing runs for either side. If this wasn't agreed I will be in world of trouble due to the lack of fighters.

Yeah. There will be a lot of transports coming into Luzon soon. I know he has huge amount of them placed at Takao. I just wish my subs would actually hit something worth to report. They are firing dud torpedoes and most of them are missing the targets all together. I might place some mines into manila harbour in order to do some damage there. The problem with this is that I need those dutch subs elsewhere. At the moment they are trying to sink the mini KB lurking just outside of Tarakan.

My infantry units are still on motion but I agree that you are correct. The only downside to this is that he really haven't given me any easy pickings here either so engaging the enemy is not going to be easy if I want to do it in my terms. We shall see what the next few weeks brings here.

Dave really is an careful opponent. Very few mistakes... only the BB episode at Bataan can be labeled as such.

Sardaukar: Yeah, I concur but without the supply episode I doubt he would have seized Clark Field yet. At least those casualty levels would have been up a notch.

The battles for Manila and Singapore are going to start soon. My estimate is that it is going happen before february 1942 begins. Only way to do any harm is to wish for some good dice rolls.

[aztez]

Chinese army positions on 20th of January 1942

Here is an pic from china. It shows the assault values on some key hexes and also what the fortification levels are currently.

Keep in mind that there are quite a few infantry units still on motion but this should give you an overview on what's to be expected here.

[aztez]

China (january 20th and 21st 1942)

Overall terms it was an quiet turn.

Most action was reported happening in china. I used the pic posted earlier since it summarizes our positions best. So, I just added few "remarks" there.

IJA has been conducting regular bombing of chenchow, Last turn maybe 40 bombers paid their visits. Notice the unit just south of the city, It is basically blocking the road there and if he wants he could slip pass and start heading towards Nanyang. (Green arrow)

This would be bold move indeed and I have an feeling he is just trying to encircle our troops here so he could concentrate his main units againts Sian. That really seems to be the key base in many ways.

The armoured units continued their push towards Lanchow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 86,33

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1512 troops, 0 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 813 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 68

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese/C Corps

The good thing is that the road into Lanchow is long and it takes a lot of time to reach it. This should also put an strain to anykind supply routes towards it. Thus I think that this will be an secondary target in the north while Sian really needs to be the main target taking all into consideration.

Oh, and we actually recieved the first ground combat victory last turn!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 85,56

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 19608 troops, 146 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 506

Defending force 20221 troops, 127 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 464

Japanese adjusted assault: 468

Allied adjusted defense: 604

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1853 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
827 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled


Assaulting units:
11th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
1st RGC Route Brigade

Defending units:
16th Construction Regiment
88th Chinese/A Corps
88th Chinese/B Corps
28th Chinese/A Corps
50th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese/B Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/B Corps
25th Group Army

This happened near Pucheng where he is trying to cut off several Chinese infantry units.

It kind of feels nice to see this kind of an effort after all the hard times we have gone through. This should mean that he is low on supplies or such and thus hopefully these brave remnants can reach the friendly base,

I would love to counterstrike but he has "vehicles" here so propably not worth it since it would propably fail miserably anyways.

[sval062]

ORIGINAL: aztez


It kind of feels nice to see this kind of an effort after all the hard times we have gone through. This should mean that he is low on supplies or such and thus hopefully these brave remnants can reach the friendly base,

I don't think that low ammo is the explanation. Jap AV was 506 adjusted to 468 --> He maybe does not have all supply required, but he is still far away from starving IMHO

What are your Lvl here?
Does these jap units already fight before this one? According to your combat report, these units suffered disruption --> Maybe a too fast advance and not enough time to recover could be the main reason.

[jrlans]

It realy looks like Dave is intent on capturing both Manilia and Singapore as quickly as possilble this may mean he diverted forces from java/burma to acomplish this it could also be why you have not seen an invasion of midway and jhonston already.

[seydlitz_slith]

My suggestions for China:
East of Lanchow: He is probably using the two Mongolian Cavalry units that start up there in the lead. They have good experience (about 60) and morale (~70). If fresh, they are 36 AV each. The trail units would probably be 3 foot infantry units of about 20 AV each with very low experience and morale (20 ex & 25 morale). The road is gretaly helping his supply path. Tracing supply from Paotow to the red dot hex (84,83) would be 50 points. If he continues to Lanchow along the road he will have no trouble with supply. I would defend in hex 84,34, the rough+desert hex just southeast of the red dot hex. Good defensible terrain plus the river hexside to cause further disruption....As he approaches, use your Chinese air force on ground attack and fighters on strafe to hit his lead units. Odds are he won't have any fighters with the range to provide LRCAP over his units. You should be able to slow him and probably stop him there.

East of Sian: Your unit in 87,41 needs to sidestep up to 87,40 and hold up. He will probably keep going west and bypass it. If he does, then you can recross the river and cut his supply. If not, he has to attack you in wooded rough (x3 defense) and across a water hexside.
Your Sian defense line should be along the road/rail line in hexes 84,42 85,42 86,42 & 85,41. He will probably try to cross at 85,42 as he wants your rail line. If he doesn't and continues up the clear valley to Sian, you can threaten and crush his flank. He won't have enough units to cover all the hexes.

I would leave a partial defence in Nanyang and pull most of the units back into the woods in 85,44 (woods+rough). Your defense will be better there. Nanyang is clear (x1) and the wooded rough areas are (x3). If he his going for Sian he will be attacking up the road through the woods. You should be able to stall him out and make him pay, especially if you are able to spread even light units into the adjacent wood hexes (85,43 & 84,44) to force him to spread his front.

For what it's worth, Sian is also not very defensible as it is also clear. Your key will be to spread your weak units to interlock zones of control and threaten him. Focus your good units in the key defensible hexes. You can stop him. You have to make too many targets for him to be able to hit. He still has to garrison every objective that he takes and he does have a limited number of units.


Use the "1" key to check terrain for the hexes and the "R & Y" keys to see the road/rail networks. They will tell you a lot about how and where he will be attacking.

Good luck.

[medicff]

wow nice AAR and much learned from your "supply" lesson. I have found very similiar to witp vs determined jap you must fall back to one base, build forts and hold out as long as possible in Phil and Malaya. You cannot affort to be retreated as you take extreme losses even when attempting to combat move out of hex. Once you decide you need to retreat, it is too late.

I really like reading your posts against a very competent human player. Interesting insights and sorry for you to have taken such early losses. Really puts you behind the eight ball.[:(] You have had several good surprises for him though. AFAIK those mines work (FOW doesn't let you know), however per the manual once the field is discovered then the ships attempt to avoid and you get less successes.

I have learned this vs AI and these boards so far. A whole new game really vs witp.

China is all about supply. You must retreat, secure inner perimeter with very hi AV (1000+) bases, rest while awaiting their attack esp in rear areas, turn off replacements and base bldg except where needed. Cant make many attacks with such bad supply, however, if he blunders into a high AV base without much quickly attack to drive him out and cause him the massive loss from retreat.

If you get to 100 prep points, slowly your inept chinese, australian and indian forces will train up to their country minimum experience. realize of course that will take 3-6 months or more depending on starting prep and supply/hq at those bases.

The other thing in ground as allies is to wait for the replacement squads namely Aus 42, and Ind 42 and fill out those militia units to create a fighting force. Better squads (firepower) and trained to country minimum. However this requires patience and to avoid fighting at disadvantage before your ready.

[traskott]

Very interesting !!

I'm about to begin a Campaign against a human, so the trouble with supplies is a very important date. Thanks. I'll use the supplies button VERY carefully.