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Enjoy the weekend Joc!

The big unanswered question;

Does the missus know yet ?



Its still 1941, take any crumbs of a good result, knowing they will be few and far between.

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

The big unanswered question;

Does the missus know yet ?

Its still 1941, take any crumbs of a good result, knowing they will be few and far between.

Not yet! I´m delaying until I can find something really positive to tell her at the same time! [:D]

Managed to get two turns done. More bad news in China. Update coming during the day.

[font="Verdana"]December 24th and 25th - 41 [/font]
______________________________________________________________________________

Not much happening. Japanese landings on smaller objectives. Another disaster in China as another push is discovered in the worst possible way.

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Malaya
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The Swordfish takes a pounding in the shallows from DCs and have to head for Colombo. My subs are not doing well.

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Cocos Island
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Japanese forces land on the 24th and easily secures the island.

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Philippines
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My attempt to strike out with the B17s cost me another one as Japanese bombers hit Clark again. A previously damaged B17 burns up on the runway. I still have three of the precious beasts damaged at the base.

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CENTPAC
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A big convoy is spotted leaving Truk heading SW. No doubt going for Rabaul. Most likely Tom has merged Small KB and Even smaller KB giving protection. Can´t do anything to stop this.

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Allied CVs
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I´m torn how to deploy my CVs. At this stage I can´t even take on Small KB. My first instinct was to send them all to the IO. But a big Japanese operation in the IO will see the full KB in the theater. Against that there is nothing I can do anyway. Ent/Lex is moving to replace their Buffaloes for Kittens. Sara is sitting at Panama until I reach a decision. Thoughts?

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China
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Another big disaster as a major Japanese push towards Ankang is discovered. I knew he had troops moving but intel has shown only 3 units. Having two of the 350 AV Corps I was hopeful I could at least stand my ground if I failed to leave the hex in time. One more day and I would have been in x3 terrain. Now both Corps are completely shattered.

The entire Japanese airforce pound the troops during the day causing over 1500 casualties. Disruption was probably close to 100 in both Corps when Toms troops cross the river...

Ground combat at 84,46 (near Ichang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14410 troops, 242 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 417

Defending force 9545 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Japanese adjusted assault: 591

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 39 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3647 casualties reported
Squads: 159 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 179 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 23 (15 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
13th Division
9th Armored Car Co
11th Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps

I was relying on these troops to form a defensive in the x3 terrain up to Ankang. But not only did they retreat in the wrong direction they are almost completely wiped out. I don´t have much to throw in against this force and the artillery and tanks will make short work of any defenders. I´m in deep trouble here.

But there is some opportunity. This thrust will must have a very problematic supply situation. And I have lots of troops on the flanks. Perhaps I can do something.

I came across a map mod in Cannonfodders AAR. It looks absolutely beautiful. All credits to chemkid who created this incredible mod. [&o]

I´m not sure I should use this though? The map is a lot less detailed then the original map and I´m worried it will be harder to follow the AAR with the mod. What do you guys think? Here is the same screen as in the above post but with the map mod.

Allied CVs - You get Yorktown at end of month. That will give you 4 heavy and the first thing I would do is combine all of them in 4 separate TFs (CV, 3 CA/CL, 8 DDs each). Then, place a 18 plane Marine fighter group on each. Thus, 45 fighters on each CV equals 180 even with some still as Buffaloes. Survivability is the word of the day here.

What to do with them is up to you??

Hi Joc,

I think the map looks awesome! Adds to the immersion of the game.

Cheers,
Guy

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Allied CVs - You get Yorktown at end of month. That will give you 4 heavy and the first thing I would do is combine all of them in 4 separate TFs (CV, 3 CA/CL, 8 DDs each). Then, place a 18 plane Marine fighter group on each. Thus, 45 fighters on each CV equals 180 even with some still as Buffaloes. Survivability is the word of the day here.

What to do with them is up to you??

No way I can spare that many CAs/DDs. I´ll probably just mash them into two TFs though. The USMC are already aboard. [:)]

ORIGINAL: guytipton41

Hi Joc,

I think the map looks awesome! Adds to the immersion of the game.

Cheers,
Guy

I love it too. I think I will continue using the DBB map though. Not being able to see terrain type was quite annoying after a while. Perhaps it takes some time to get used to!

[font="Verdana"]December 26th to 28th - 41 [/font]
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A Japanese armada shows up outside Rabaul.

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DEI
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Big KB show up outside Balikpapan. It pummels two previously damaged US 4 stackers trying to sneak through to Darwin. A CA TF is spotted coming down from the North.

Zeroes sweep Batavia clearing the meager defense shooting down 6 Buffaloes for no losses.

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China
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I decided to send the only recon Squadron I have available here. I can think of no other place where it can be more useful. I now spott 14 units moving on Ankang. LOADS of arty. Tom will blast through here. Its not a question of "if" but rather "how fast". Bad news.

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CENTPAC
------------------------
I now have "confirmation" on 2 different IDs heading to Truk. 33rd and 38th. Question is if its "real" or if Tom is circumventing the allied Intel or not. And if it IS real. Whats the target(s)? I would say Suva to start with or he wouldn´t bring a full ID.

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New Guinea
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An armada arrive on the doorstep to Rabaul on the 27th. On the 28th the Japanese land at Rabaul and Kavieng. As I suspected the landing are covered by Small KB and Even smaller KB (from now on MKB). Several BBs and CAs are also spotted (Haruna confirmed). I did the right think by not trying anything here.

Maybe he's tired of India.

Australia? [:)]

I say, Mr. Kane does know his business. Hang tough, but wow, what a focused opening by Japan.

ORIGINAL: obvert

Maybe he's tired of India.

Australia? [:)]

Not impossible!

ORIGINAL: Cribtop
I say, Mr. Kane does know his business. Hang tough, but wow, what a focused opening by Japan.

Indeed he does. I watch this unfold in a kind of morbid fascination. [X(] All I can hope for now is a mistake on his part or I think he will get that AV.

24/21st Division is loaded on a Aden Cargo class xAK moving to Cam Ranh Bay.

Huh? [&:]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

24/21st Division is loaded on a Aden Cargo class xAK moving to Cam Ranh Bay.

Huh? [&:]

That one starts at Shanghai.

What that intel is telling you is that he (probably) moved some cheap AV there to meet the garrison requirement, then pulled the division out. It's also telling you that it's in at least 24 fragments.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I came across a map mod in Cannonfodders AAR. It looks absolutely beautiful. All credits to chemkid who created this incredible mod. [&o]

Map looks great.
Is this map Scen 1 compatible? If Yes, can You link me to it?

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

24/21st Division is loaded on a Aden Cargo class xAK moving to Cam Ranh Bay.

Huh? [&:]

That one starts at Shanghai.

What that intel is telling you is that he (probably) moved some cheap AV there to meet the garrison requirement, then pulled the division out. It's also telling you that it's in at least 24 fragments.

Well I know THAT! [:)]

The huh was the destination. Why is he sending them to CRB?

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I came across a map mod in Cannonfodders AAR. It looks absolutely beautiful. All credits to chemkid who created this incredible mod. [&o]

Map looks great.
Is this map Scen 1 compatible? If Yes, can You link me to it?

It's stock map compatible [:)] It's on the mod forum somewhere. I can dig it up when I get home.

Chemkids amazing map

Here it is

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: JocMeister



Huh? [&:]

That one starts at Shanghai.

What that intel is telling you is that he (probably) moved some cheap AV there to meet the garrison requirement, then pulled the division out. It's also telling you that it's in at least 24 fragments.

Well I know THAT! [:)]

The huh was the destination. Why is he sending them to CRB?

Oh.

Well, for staging, obviously! He probably loaded them up onto xAKs from Shanghai, especially if it's in 24 fragments. Almost all (all?) of the assault shipping (AK, LSD, APD, etc.) is in the SRA and presumably doesn't have time to schlep all the way up to Shanghai to pick these guys up. So they're on the Shanghai-CRB shuttle service.

[font="Verdana"]December 29th to 30th - 41 [/font]
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A small breather in China

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DEI
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A extremely rare sub success outside Singers.

Sub attack near Mersing at 52,82

Japanese Ships
xAK Manyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Nagoya Maru
xAK Nihonka Maru
xAK Kotohira Maru
xAK Koto Maru
xAKL Kaisho Maru
SC Ch 23

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin

Sinking sound are heard at the end of the turn. With most of the subs sunk at Manila port I have less then 10 subs in total around the DEI. So any sinkings are a welcome event.

A 40 plane Zero Sweep hit Batavia completely obliterating the air defense there. Whats left of the British/Dutch fighter force is either disbanded or pulled further back. Yuck. Not even a single zero shot down. [:(]

Japanese land at base south of Medan unopposed.

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Philippines
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I try to sortie the P26s against naval targets again. But Tom doesn´t do any mistakes and a big Oscar CAP is up shooting down every single attacker. Was worth a try.

Bombardments continue at Clark. Tom has brought more in but its still not enough.

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Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2751 troops, 203 guns, 196 vehicles, Assault Value = 945

Defending force 26002 troops, 415 guns, 238 vehicles, Assault Value = 800

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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CENTPAC
------------------------
Allies begin to reinforce Christmas Island. Give me 2 more weeks and he will need 2-3 IDs to clear it out. Pago Pago is next.

Yorktown arrives at San Diego. [&o]

Rabaul is lost in the first attack. Like a true IDIOT I forget to fly out the Catalinas based there. Stupid, stupid stupid! [:@]

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China
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A miracle happens at the lone Chinese Corps manages to hold against the Japanese force moving for Ankang! [&o]

Ground combat at 83,45 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14500 troops, 242 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 427

Defending force 15961 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Japanese adjusted assault: 211 [X(]

Allied adjusted defense: 262

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
502 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division
13th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
33rd Group Army

On the 30th another Corps enter the hex and boosts the AV to almost 800. But considering the Arty Tom has brought he will break through here soon.

A Japanese Panzeer Armee wrecks some a Chinese stack caught in the open. I hate stuff like this but if I can make it to 43 the roles will be somewhat reserved.

Ground combat at 86,43 (near Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2048 troops, 4 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 375

Defending force 45897 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 960

Japanese adjusted assault: 80

Allied adjusted defense: 233

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 30 (2 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1379 casualties reported [:(]
Squads: 6 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
35th Division
1st Recon Regiment

Defending units:
93rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
27th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment
36th Group Army
1st War Area
15th Group Army
39th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
10th Chinese Base Force

Overall the situation is absolutely critical. I have no reserves to fill any gaps or plug any breakthroughs around the Sian sector. Tom used his knowledge of the Chinese starting positions to the fullest. I have already sent whatever reserves was at the Central plains towards Sian. They are already on the frontlines. I have pulled a lot of troops from the Changsha sector but they are weeks if not months away.

The feeling of doom is strong right now! The only positive thing is that except 2 very small Corps and 2 HQ units ALL Chinese units managed to escape entrapment. Thats a first...