Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

Etorofu: L-Day begins with an effective bombardment. The preceding graphic indicates Japan doesn't have much in the way of guns, but I'm not sure yet. In previous invasions, Erik possibly had his CD units in Reserve mode on L-Day and then activated them later. This bombardment and subsequent amphibious action, including fire by LCI gunships, indicates the garrison consists of a division and two mixed brigades. Those may be lacking heavy weapons, per the preceding graphic.

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

Etorofu: The primary amphibious TF arrives and begins unloading against minimal shore gun opposition. This TF consists of 100 ships, mostly APA, AKA and LCI gunships.

The troops include 1st Marine Division. This unit departed Pearl Harbor about one month ago, 100% prepped for Marcus. Northwest of Midway, the amphibious TF diverted from Marcus to the Kuriles. I had made a final decision to focus all Allied efforts on this single vector, rather than trying to create a second front to the south. The division (and other units) landed at Shikuka a week or two ago and changed prep to Etorofu, so prep is mostly in the 30s.

Based upon this graphic, disablements are relatively modest. I'll know for certain when I open the turn file and check the assault units.

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

Etorofu: The first of many air strikes against the invasion target. The 2EB are targeting the airfield; the 4EB are targeting ground troops. This raid includes a lot of B-29s, but damage inflicted to the ground troops is slight, reflecting the 3x terrain and (most likely) elevated forts - at least 6.

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

Etorofu: Encouraging news here. Allies outnumber Japan 3 to 1, Japanese auto-bombardment is self-destructive, and Allied troops look to be in fine shape, even for those with low prep numbers.

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

Wakkanai: Enemy resistance collapses. This is important, because it means the Allied army in the woods hex can retreat now into Wakkanai (though I don't expect Erik to attack there, at this point).

[Canoerebel]

1/11/45

1st Marine Div.: This unit comes ashore with just 10% disablements and minimal fatigue/disruption despite low prep. An Army division with similar prep had identical results. The units (including an Army division) with 100% prep came ashore in pristine condition.

[jwolf]

Your Marine div with just 34 prep landed in much better shape than my divs that are 100 prepped! How do you do it? [&:]

[Canoerebel]

Amphibious Force HQ at 100% prep.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Amphibious Force HQ at 100% prep.

And, I think it needs to be situated on an AGC for best effect.

[Canoerebel]

That's a necessity, so far as I know: The HQ aboard an AGC in a TF in the invasion hex and set to "do not unload." In this instance, the TF consists of an AGC, a DMS and two DE (in a hotly contested zone, I'd add some DDs).

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

That's a necessity, so far as I know: The HQ aboard an AGC in a TF in the invasion hex and set to "do not unload." In this instance, the TF consists of an AGC, a DMS and two DE (in a hotly contested zone, I'd add some DDs).

I have used an Amphib Force HQ aboard an xAP (when an AGC was not available) and it did help, but only about half as much as it does on an AGC. The extra radios on the AGC make a big difference in coordination of landings/suppression bombardments, I suppose.

[Canoerebel]

The Allies get three Amphib Force HQs during the course of the game, if memory serves. Losing one would be a real blow.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Allies get three Amphib Force HQs during the course of the game, if memory serves. Losing one would be a real blow.

You can always rebuild it, but it would delay using it again for 3+ months.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Allies get three Amphib Force HQs during the course of the game, if memory serves. Losing one would be a real blow.

Yes the III, the V and the VII.

However, they get many more AGCs and I embed the unused ones in amphib TFs.

[BillBrown]

What I got from michaelm's comments was that an amphip force HQ in a AGC will help all amphip TFs in the hex.
Empty AGC's in a TF will help that TF unload.

[Canoerebel]

1/12/45

Every turn begins with uncertainty about whether this is the day that Erik will spring some surprise here or there. Most days he doesn't, but when he does, he usually strikes effectively. With that always in the background, each turn has more specific things I'm looking at. Today I'm not anticipating any fireworks. The item of biggest interest is wrapping up the amphibious ops at Etorofu in good order.

Etorofu: A lot more unloading today - mainly supply and the balances of several units. Enemy shore guns fire effectively, damaging some 10 small vessels (LSTs, LCI gunships) but leaving the more valuable ships alone.

[Canoerebel]

1/12/45

Etorofu: Effective bombardment for a cruiser TF.

Eventually, I'll re-establish the usual rotation of BB TFs. Several are still repairing minor damage from the Wakkanai campaign. Until they're ready to go, I'll use a variety of TFs to apply some pressure each day.

A bunch of highly-prepped troops are available at Uruppu - just two or three hexes away. They'll come in one at a time to trigger Japanese bombardments regularly.

[JohnDillworth]

BTW, you have been doing a bunch of amphibious invasion and garrison reductions. Are ant of your ground units picking up significant experience? Same question for your fleet

[Canoerebel]

1/12/45

Sea of Japan: A few USN subs are patrolling in the Sea of Japan. Erik has had a bit of detection. Now this little operation. I don't know if there's enough merchant traffic in the Sea to matter one bit, but the subs help keep tabs on enemy air patrols. There may come a day for major ops in this region.

[JohnDillworth]

BTW, you have been doing a bunch of amphibious invasion and garrison reductions. Are ant of your ground units picking up significant experience? Same question for your fleet as you have been doing plenty of night bombarments