Fortunately for me, no! If they were, I would suffer greatly, as I don't have significant AA assets there.
Michael's bombers are massed against the 15th Army, mainly bombing my troops at Rahaeng, which makes retreat very slow.
Olorin (J) vs NY59Giants (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
June 22, 1944
The Soviets launch Operation Bagration! But that is another game.
Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, a comprehensive plan is drawn. The defense line shown in the screenshot above will only be temporary, held until the combined British-Indian-Chinese Army puts enough pressure into it. Then the army will be split into two formations, the 7th Area Army, responsible for the defense of Malaya and Sumatra, and the Indochina Area Army. A major stand in Bangkok will be feinted by the 25th Army, forcing the enemy to spent time to prepare a major part of his forces for siege warfare. Then, the 25th Army will fall back along the Skra peninsula, fighting a delaying action, all the way down to Chumphon, which will be the main Japanese fortress barring the way into Malaya.
The Indochina Area Army will fall back to positions shown in the following screenshot. The 16th Army especially must conduct a skillful withdrawal in open roads. The key to Indochina, imho, is Battambang, which will be held to the last man. The strategic rational is to deny the Allies the use of southern Indochina as a submarine base interdicting the Japanese SLOCs in the South China Sea, and as a heavy bomber base attacking the Borneo oil fields. Preventing the opening of China is not equally important and/or feasible imho, because a) the Chinese must already be in a relatively good supply situation since the opening of the Burma road and b) the Hanoi-Hong Kong road is controlled by the Chinese, so whatever forces are committed north of Vihn will be essentially cut off. Therefore, only the battered 15th Army (with one division, the other was destroyed) and 3 militia regiments will be committed to north Indochina.
Eastern DEI:
A Fast Transport mission to resupply Obi refused to withdraw in day time and was attacked by allied dive bombers from Boela. CA Kumano is seriously damaged but reached Kendari and will survive to fight another day, but CL Kitakami was lost. Pity, it would be interesting to see how its 40 torpedo tubes fared in a surface battle.
The air transports completed the transfer of the 46th Division to Obi and Batjan. It is the turn of the 2nd Exp Force at Babo to be transfered to Mangole.
Meanwhile, some 35 subs are busy transporting supplies to forward bases. The combination of submarines, air transports and level bombers is enough to keep forward bases in supply. The general supply situation however is rather bleak, only 1.6 million tons remaining. The Home Islands are still making a surplus, but we are playing an older version of DBB in which refineries do not produce supplies, so the SRA is losing supplies every day.
The Soviets launch Operation Bagration! But that is another game.
Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, a comprehensive plan is drawn. The defense line shown in the screenshot above will only be temporary, held until the combined British-Indian-Chinese Army puts enough pressure into it. Then the army will be split into two formations, the 7th Area Army, responsible for the defense of Malaya and Sumatra, and the Indochina Area Army. A major stand in Bangkok will be feinted by the 25th Army, forcing the enemy to spent time to prepare a major part of his forces for siege warfare. Then, the 25th Army will fall back along the Skra peninsula, fighting a delaying action, all the way down to Chumphon, which will be the main Japanese fortress barring the way into Malaya.
The Indochina Area Army will fall back to positions shown in the following screenshot. The 16th Army especially must conduct a skillful withdrawal in open roads. The key to Indochina, imho, is Battambang, which will be held to the last man. The strategic rational is to deny the Allies the use of southern Indochina as a submarine base interdicting the Japanese SLOCs in the South China Sea, and as a heavy bomber base attacking the Borneo oil fields. Preventing the opening of China is not equally important and/or feasible imho, because a) the Chinese must already be in a relatively good supply situation since the opening of the Burma road and b) the Hanoi-Hong Kong road is controlled by the Chinese, so whatever forces are committed north of Vihn will be essentially cut off. Therefore, only the battered 15th Army (with one division, the other was destroyed) and 3 militia regiments will be committed to north Indochina.
Eastern DEI:
A Fast Transport mission to resupply Obi refused to withdraw in day time and was attacked by allied dive bombers from Boela. CA Kumano is seriously damaged but reached Kendari and will survive to fight another day, but CL Kitakami was lost. Pity, it would be interesting to see how its 40 torpedo tubes fared in a surface battle.
The air transports completed the transfer of the 46th Division to Obi and Batjan. It is the turn of the 2nd Exp Force at Babo to be transfered to Mangole.
Meanwhile, some 35 subs are busy transporting supplies to forward bases. The combination of submarines, air transports and level bombers is enough to keep forward bases in supply. The general supply situation however is rather bleak, only 1.6 million tons remaining. The Home Islands are still making a surplus, but we are playing an older version of DBB in which refineries do not produce supplies, so the SRA is losing supplies every day.
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
ORIGINAL: Olorin
June 22, 1944
The Soviets launch Operation Bagration! But that is another game.
Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, a comprehensive plan is drawn. The defense line shown in the screenshot above will only be temporary, held until the combined British-Indian-Chinese Army puts enough pressure into it. Then the army will be split into two formations, the 7th Area Army, responsible for the defense of Malaya and Sumatra, and the Indochina Area Army. A major stand in Bangkok will be feinted by the 25th Army, forcing the enemy to spent time to prepare a major part of his forces for siege warfare. Then, the 25th Army will fall back along the Skra peninsula, fighting a delaying action, all the way down to Chumphon, which will be the main Japanese fortress barring the way into Malaya.
The Indochina Area Army will fall back to positions shown in the following screenshot. The 16th Army especially must conduct a skillful withdrawal in open roads. The key to Indochina, imho, is Battambang, which will be held to the last man. The strategic rational is to deny the Allies the use of southern Indochina as a submarine base interdicting the Japanese SLOCs in the South China Sea, and as a heavy bomber base attacking the Borneo oil fields. Preventing the opening of China is not equally important and/or feasible imho, because a) the Chinese must already be in a relatively good supply situation since the opening of the Burma road and b) the Hanoi-Hong Kong road is controlled by the Chinese, so whatever forces are committed north of Vihn will be essentially cut off. Therefore, only the battered 15th Army (with one division, the other was destroyed) and 3 militia regiments will be committed to north Indochina.
Eastern DEI:
A Fast Transport mission to resupply Obi refused to withdraw in day time and was attacked by allied dive bombers from Boela. CA Kumano is seriously damaged but reached Kendari and will survive to fight another day, but CL Kitakami was lost. Pity, it would be interesting to see how its 40 torpedo tubes fared in a surface battle.
The air transports completed the transfer of the 46th Division to Obi and Batjan. It is the turn of the 2nd Exp Force at Babo to be transfered to Mangole.
Meanwhile, some 35 subs are busy transporting supplies to forward bases. The combination of submarines, air transports and level bombers is enough to keep forward bases in supply. The general supply situation however is rather bleak, only 1.6 million tons remaining. The Home Islands are still making a surplus, but we are playing an older version of DBB in which refineries do not produce supplies, so the SRA is losing supplies every day.
Pax
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
June 24, 1944
Slow pace during the week, but we played two turns yesterday and I hope we can do the same today as well.
SE Asia:
Due to incessant bombing, the Indochina Area Army movement to its forward line of defense has become near impossible. Besides, if the line should break, chances were that the "withdrawal" would have turned into a complete rout. Therefore, the plan of defending deeper into Indochina is adopted (as per screenshot above).
Tavoy is abandoned to the enemy. The 28th Army is withdrawing through the forests southwest of Bangkok. Two Siamese divisions will cover the withdrawal.
At Uttradicht, three trashed Siamese divisions are almost cut off, their only escape being the eastern road to Vihn.
DEI:
Airfields at Ambon (4), Namlea (3) and Sorong (8) are kept closed by allied bombers.
Biak is also continuously being attacked by heavy bombers and cruisers.
No Japanese ship has been seen in these forward areas for weeks. The last that dared to do so is now a reef.
Forward bases are supplied by 30 submarines, 150 Emily, 200 Helen and 100 Nells, operating from Makassar (9), Koepang (9), Kendari (8), Ternate (1), Manado (3) and Morotai (1).
ASW:
Allied subs are operating on the Palembang Singapore route for the first time in the war. I am adjusting accordingly.
More problematic is the Makassar Strait. One big AO was sunk and two were damaged only yesterday.
Slow pace during the week, but we played two turns yesterday and I hope we can do the same today as well.
SE Asia:
Due to incessant bombing, the Indochina Area Army movement to its forward line of defense has become near impossible. Besides, if the line should break, chances were that the "withdrawal" would have turned into a complete rout. Therefore, the plan of defending deeper into Indochina is adopted (as per screenshot above).
Tavoy is abandoned to the enemy. The 28th Army is withdrawing through the forests southwest of Bangkok. Two Siamese divisions will cover the withdrawal.
At Uttradicht, three trashed Siamese divisions are almost cut off, their only escape being the eastern road to Vihn.
DEI:
Airfields at Ambon (4), Namlea (3) and Sorong (8) are kept closed by allied bombers.
Biak is also continuously being attacked by heavy bombers and cruisers.
No Japanese ship has been seen in these forward areas for weeks. The last that dared to do so is now a reef.
Forward bases are supplied by 30 submarines, 150 Emily, 200 Helen and 100 Nells, operating from Makassar (9), Koepang (9), Kendari (8), Ternate (1), Manado (3) and Morotai (1).
ASW:
Allied subs are operating on the Palembang Singapore route for the first time in the war. I am adjusting accordingly.
More problematic is the Makassar Strait. One big AO was sunk and two were damaged only yesterday.
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
July 2, 1942
SE Asia:
The Allies are taking their time advancing toward Bangkog.
The Thai Army is involved in delaying battles at Tavoy and Uttradicht, taking a toll on the enemy:
Eastern DEI:
The Allies are making their next move at Biak. No CVs or BBs are spotted. The 2nd Marine Div is the only ground unit identified so far.
The garrison consists of the 54th Div and the 35th Ind. Bde, but the last months sea and air bombardments have deprived them of their supplies. So, I don't expect much resistance from them.
Overall Situation:
I did some math and I concluded that the Japanese economy with its current reserves can support war making at maximum efficiency for 18-20 months after the SRA oilfields are lost or destroyed. From now on, any tanker convoys reaching the Home Islands will simply be a bonus. Which means that the DEI is gradually losing its strategic value to Japan. The primary mission of the IJA now is to delay the enemy from acquiring bomber bases in range of Japan.
Accordingly, a series of withdrawals from certain outposts has been ordered. Cocos, Christmas island, northern Sumatra, all islands west of Sumatra and the Sunda island chain will be stripped of their garrisons. That will provide a reserve of 5 division equivalents. Eventually, the 2nd Area Army defending Timor and Celebes will also be withdrawn, if enough pressure is applied by the enemy.
The KB main base from now on will be Okinawa. From there, it's two days to the Philippines and the Marianas, and three days to the Kurilles.
The preparation of the Decisive Battle Area of the Philippines continues apace. The 14th Area Army has been reinforced by a multiple of newly built brigades, which will be used to bolster the defense of Mindanao and the island chain west of it (Jolo etc). Forts and airfield expansion is continuing.
SE Asia:
The Allies are taking their time advancing toward Bangkog.
The Thai Army is involved in delaying battles at Tavoy and Uttradicht, taking a toll on the enemy:
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30030 troops, 681 guns, 521 vehicles, Assault Value = 904
Defending force 11207 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 363
Allied adjusted assault: 885
Japanese adjusted defense: 427
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
2748 casualties reported
Squads: 107 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Allied ground losses:
874 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
25th Indian Division
5th Indian Division
2nd Indian Field Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Heavy AA Regiment
IV Indian Corps
8th Mahratta AT Gun Regiment
Defending units:
1st RTA Division
1st INA Subhas Regiment
2nd RTA Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 53,61 (near Tavoy)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25188 troops, 478 guns, 491 vehicles, Assault Value = 806
Defending force 8876 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 283
Allied adjusted assault: 436
Japanese adjusted defense: 697
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
619 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
779 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Assaulting units:
Lushai Brigade
28th (East African) Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
5th Indian Division
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Indian Field Regiment
IV Corps RIASC Base Force
Defending units:
1st RTA Division
1st INA Subhas Regiment
2nd RTA Division
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Uttaradit (59,56)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 29652 troops, 149 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1095
Defending force 11207 troops, 132 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 346
Allied adjusted assault: 852
Japanese adjusted defense: 179
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Japanese ground losses:
1034 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (12 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
2162 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 233 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Assaulting units:
BFF Brigade
3rd New Chinese Corps
48th Light AA Regiment
Defending units:
3rd RTA/A Division
7th RTA/B Division
6th RTA/C Division
7th RTA/C Division
7th RTA/A Division
6th RTA/A Division
6th RTA/B Division
3rd RTA/B Division
3rd RTA/C Division
3rd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Uttaradit (59,56)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 10680 troops, 144 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1277
Defending force 10357 troops, 121 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 293
Allied adjusted assault: 55
Japanese adjusted defense: 41
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
784 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (6 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Assaulting units:
BFF Brigade
81st (West African) Division
3rd New Chinese Corps
48th Light AA Regiment
Defending units:
6th RTA/A Division
6th RTA/B Division
6th RTA/C Division
3rd RTA Division
7th RTA/A Division
7th RTA/B Division
7th RTA/C Division
3rd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
Eastern DEI:
The Allies are making their next move at Biak. No CVs or BBs are spotted. The 2nd Marine Div is the only ground unit identified so far.
The garrison consists of the 54th Div and the 35th Ind. Bde, but the last months sea and air bombardments have deprived them of their supplies. So, I don't expect much resistance from them.
Overall Situation:
I did some math and I concluded that the Japanese economy with its current reserves can support war making at maximum efficiency for 18-20 months after the SRA oilfields are lost or destroyed. From now on, any tanker convoys reaching the Home Islands will simply be a bonus. Which means that the DEI is gradually losing its strategic value to Japan. The primary mission of the IJA now is to delay the enemy from acquiring bomber bases in range of Japan.
Accordingly, a series of withdrawals from certain outposts has been ordered. Cocos, Christmas island, northern Sumatra, all islands west of Sumatra and the Sunda island chain will be stripped of their garrisons. That will provide a reserve of 5 division equivalents. Eventually, the 2nd Area Army defending Timor and Celebes will also be withdrawn, if enough pressure is applied by the enemy.
The KB main base from now on will be Okinawa. From there, it's two days to the Philippines and the Marianas, and three days to the Kurilles.
The preparation of the Decisive Battle Area of the Philippines continues apace. The 14th Area Army has been reinforced by a multiple of newly built brigades, which will be used to bolster the defense of Mindanao and the island chain west of it (Jolo etc). Forts and airfield expansion is continuing.
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
A small change in my plans for the defense of SE Asia:
The 16th & 15th Armies will swap places. The 16th, which is the stronger army with 3 divisions, 5 brigades, 4 militia regiments and two tank regiments, will block the approaches to Hanoi, while the 15th, with one reinforced division will delay the enemy at Paksie.
The rational is that I want to prevent the connection of China with another, better source of supplies through Hanoi. Essentially, it comes down to choosing between strategic bombing of the SRA or strategic bombing of the HI (based from China). Obviously, the former is preferable. If the 16th Army dies in the process, so be it. But I think I will be able to extract it in any case.
R&D:
Kido Buttai:
B7A2 Grace - already in service. Monthly production = 65, rising to 120.
A7M2 Sam - mid September. Monthly production = 180 initially.
D4Y4 Judy - October. Monthly production = 180.
NextGen Fighters:
Ki-84r Frank - just became available for service. Monthly production = 450.
N1K5-J George - August. Monthly production = 390.
Night Fighters:
No progress in this front. Main models will be the P1Y2-S Francis and Ki-202c Randy, available in November and July '45 respectively. Until then, I have to make do with the Ki-45 KAI Nick and other models.
Late war Fighters:
Ki-83 - May '45
Ki-94II - September '45
Ki-201 Karyu - September '45
J7W1 Shinden - October '45
The 16th & 15th Armies will swap places. The 16th, which is the stronger army with 3 divisions, 5 brigades, 4 militia regiments and two tank regiments, will block the approaches to Hanoi, while the 15th, with one reinforced division will delay the enemy at Paksie.
The rational is that I want to prevent the connection of China with another, better source of supplies through Hanoi. Essentially, it comes down to choosing between strategic bombing of the SRA or strategic bombing of the HI (based from China). Obviously, the former is preferable. If the 16th Army dies in the process, so be it. But I think I will be able to extract it in any case.
R&D:
Kido Buttai:
B7A2 Grace - already in service. Monthly production = 65, rising to 120.
A7M2 Sam - mid September. Monthly production = 180 initially.
D4Y4 Judy - October. Monthly production = 180.
NextGen Fighters:
Ki-84r Frank - just became available for service. Monthly production = 450.
N1K5-J George - August. Monthly production = 390.
Night Fighters:
No progress in this front. Main models will be the P1Y2-S Francis and Ki-202c Randy, available in November and July '45 respectively. Until then, I have to make do with the Ki-45 KAI Nick and other models.
Late war Fighters:
Ki-83 - May '45
Ki-94II - September '45
Ki-201 Karyu - September '45
J7W1 Shinden - October '45
RE: Japanese Defense, '44-'45
July 14, 1944
Eastern DEI:
Biak was lost, but I managed to extract about 100 AV to Manado. The Allies are landing in the dot hex next to it (Naomfoor?), which is defended but another division of the 18th Army.
Southeast Asia:
The Siamese Army is all but destroyed.
Mergui was lost and the 28th Army is marching through the jungle back to safety.
The CBI army is marching to Bangkok and I decided to board the 25th Army on trains and transfer it to Chumphon.
Chumphon and Port Blair are pasted by 80 B-29s. Fortunately, the infantry brigade at Port Blair was transfered by air to Victoria Point, before the B-29s attacked.
The Andaman Islands are also emptied.
Meanwhile, two Chinese Corps' entered Indochina and are marching on Luangprabang from the west. A bomber group is trying to slow them down until the 16th Army arrives to defend the hex.
Air group withdrawals:
About 1200 aircraft were withdrawn from the Japanese OOB [:@] They will be eventually replaced, but it will take a few months.
Eastern DEI:
Biak was lost, but I managed to extract about 100 AV to Manado. The Allies are landing in the dot hex next to it (Naomfoor?), which is defended but another division of the 18th Army.
Southeast Asia:
The Siamese Army is all but destroyed.
Mergui was lost and the 28th Army is marching through the jungle back to safety.
The CBI army is marching to Bangkok and I decided to board the 25th Army on trains and transfer it to Chumphon.
Chumphon and Port Blair are pasted by 80 B-29s. Fortunately, the infantry brigade at Port Blair was transfered by air to Victoria Point, before the B-29s attacked.
The Andaman Islands are also emptied.
Meanwhile, two Chinese Corps' entered Indochina and are marching on Luangprabang from the west. A bomber group is trying to slow them down until the 16th Army arrives to defend the hex.
Air group withdrawals:
About 1200 aircraft were withdrawn from the Japanese OOB [:@] They will be eventually replaced, but it will take a few months.