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Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10707 troops, 151 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Defending force 10618 troops, 174 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 338

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

I am monitoring my supply levels and will run another TF in when necessary if the relief invasion force (still to come) does not arrive in time.

You truly need the benefit of both an Army/Corp HQ and a Command HQ passing the magical die roll to get both bonuses. Do you have any young children to offer up to the 'dice gods?' [:D]

Players that know me, know I'm pretty OCD when it comes to ensuring that you use your Command HQs in tandom with Corp/Army HQs when attacking to get all those bonuses. What is Southern Command prepping for??

The other mobile Command HQ is 5th Fleet up in northern Japan. Is she prepping for some base in the DEI or what??

Jan 29th, 1942

Bad News of the Day:
I have been kicking subs fairly hard from Kuching to Ambon, lots of 1-2-3 hits reported in ASW reports, but finally the dice gods frown on the forces of the Empire:

Loss of DD Kyukaze on Jan 29, 1942 is admitted [:(]

More Rat Killing:
From CarDiv2:
Morning Air attack on Kalidjati , at 50,99

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A1 Val x 36

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 16

From KB:
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
B5N2 Kate x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AMc Alor, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Pieter de Bitter, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Pesky Allied Air Units from Manado
Morning Air attack on TF, near Davao at 79,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 2
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 damaged
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 10

This was trying to strike a task force unloading more units staging in the area - transport unload in bulk that will be going to different locations as they are secured.

Looks like Manado needs another intervention.

Rabble Rats Attack!!!
Action around the invasion of Kaladkati - most of the force was unloaded, had a little shore bombardment, and then the rat pack evaded my intercepting forces to get into the landing area - again....

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalidjati at 50,99, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Okuyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Terukuni Maru, Shell hits 1
xAP Husimi Maru, Shell hits 3
xAP Kamo Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Fuji Maru #4
DD Katsutade

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-5
PT TM-6
PT TM-7
PT TM-8, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT TM-9

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalidjati at 50,99, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Akikaze
DMS W-6
DMS W-12
DMS W-18
CM Kamome
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Manzyu Maru
DD Kyukaze

Allied Ships
PT TM-10
PT TM-11
PT TM-12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-13
PT TM-14
PT TM-15

And Then...
Sub attack near Kalidjati at 51,98
Japanese Ships
DD Kyukaze, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage (ship sunk)
Allied Ships
SS O21

This is a good time to work on my operational tempo.
A few worrying aspects - Ambon is still holding out. The end is not in doubt but each turn where I have another TF waiting around to unload base forces makes me concerned that some allied kami-unit will show up to blow up my plans, again.

Also the KB and CarDiv2 are over half way spent (missions). I have one shot of torps still on board in case something dangerous show up, but if the full Allied Carrier force raids thru the Oosthaven gap, it could destroy CarDiv2 before the KB could react in retribution.
As soon as I can land this next invasion force (next turn), then both will be pulling back to refuel/refit.

A China overview will follow soon - good progress to report there.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10707 troops, 151 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Defending force 10618 troops, 174 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 338

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

I am monitoring my supply levels and will run another TF in when necessary if the relief invasion force (still to come) does not arrive in time.

You truly need the benefit of both an Army/Corp HQ and a Command HQ passing the magical die roll to get both bonuses. Do you have any young children to offer up to the 'dice gods?' [:D]

Players that know me, know I'm pretty OCD when it comes to ensuring that you use your Command HQs in tandom with Corp/Army HQs when attacking to get all those bonuses. What is Southern Command prepping for??

The other mobile Command HQ is 5th Fleet up in northern Japan. Is she prepping for some base in the DEI or what??

Southern Command and 25th Army - preping for and close to Singapore
I could send 2nd Fleet, still in Samah. Not sure what Army HQ I could steal.
Question: In that case is it important that the units be in the chain of command or that they just be within range. Switching big units between commands is expensive. I just spent over 500 pts moving one big fat rgt over to reform the 55th Division in Burma.

thanks for the advice

Those PT boats can be surprisingly effective. I don't have a good feel for them -- I think it's a roll of the dice in some way -- but they can slip through the big boys and get at your transports if you are unlucky.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Those PT boats can be surprisingly effective. I don't have a good feel for them -- I think it's a roll of the dice in some way -- but they can slip through the big boys and get at your transports if you are unlucky.

I believe he sends them 'Direct' and 'Absolute' and 'Full Speed'.
If they are going to die, what does some system/engine damage mean?

I don't like that kind of play as it is treating them like chess board pieces instead of a unit of men and machines whom have been trained and are valued for other things than dying for their leader. Funny coming from the Japanese player - right?

Oh well, this is a good learning process -- and challenging. I have learned more about the game in this 6 weeks or so of Campaign game than I had the previous year and a half playing short scenarios and dinking around against the AI.

So for that I salute Allied High Command.

HQs - No need to be in chain of command. Only be in range and prepping for same base. Double check ALL your HQs to find which are Command and are non-restrictive. Those you will want to have teamed up with an Army or Corp HQ prepping for the same objective. Potential adjust AV is 10% for Army or Corp and I think 80 or 90% 'if' the big Command HQ passes die roll in conjunction with lower HQ. They can make a big difference when the stars are all aligned. [;)]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

HQs - No need to be in chain of command. Only be in range and prepping for same base. Double check ALL your HQs to find which are Command and are non-restrictive. Those you will want to have teamed up with an Army or Corp HQ prepping for the same objective. Potential adjust AV is 10% for Army or Corp and I think 80 or 90% 'if' the big Command HQ passes die roll in conjunction with lower HQ. They can make a big difference when the stars are all aligned. [;)]

2nd Fleet has been preping for Palembang for some time.

IIRC 16th Army is still around Babeldaob/Davao - preping for Balikpapan, will do a full review of HQs.

thanks again

Jan 30, 1942

Ominous Noise
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Pearl Harbor (180,107).

also last turn and this turn - Heavy Volume of Radio out of Perth and Sidney

Back to Rat Killing in the DEI
From CarDiv2:
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N2 Kate x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AMc Djampea, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Thracian, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Scout, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AVP Merel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc MMS D, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 1

From KB:
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
B5N2 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Otus, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AM Jan van Amstel, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AMc Djombang, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Smeroe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ardjoeno, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Kawi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ceram, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Djember, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Aroe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Merbabo, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Bogor, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Gedeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 3

Amphibious Actions:
This force fled from the Rabble Rats attack last turn
Pre-Invasion action off Kalidjati (50,99)

Japanese Ships
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Manzyu Maru
DD Minegumo

xAP Hikawa Maru firing at Kalidjati Base Force
xAP Hikawa Maru fired at enemy troops
xAP Manzyu Maru fired at enemy troops
DD Minegumo fired at enemy troops
xAP Hikawa Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

and then finished off loading the unit
Amphibious Assault at Kalidjati (50,99)

TF 235 troops unloading over beach at Kalidjati, 50,99


The majority of the unit already ashore did a Bombard Recon
Ground combat at Kalidjati (50,99)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4383 troops, 50 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 160

Defending force 446 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Assaulting units:
5th Amphibious Brigade

Defending units:
Kalidjati Base Force




And FINALLY - relief force lands to march inland toward Palembang
Amphibious Assault at Oosthaven (48,96)

TF 250 troops unloading over beach at Oosthaven, 48,96

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Landing with no opposition - still a few casualties in landing the 38th ID


In Other Actions:
The Battle of Ambon
Troops were a bit fatigued and disrupted, so I rested them a turn by Bombarding
The Allies bombarded back

no casualties...

and one of the rare Sub on Sub actions:
Sub vs Sub: SS I-122 attacking SS KXV at 54,97 - near Sampit

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
SS KXV, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS I-122 launches 2 torpedoes at 4,000 yards

KXV had already taken 3+ hits from depth charges. Gurgling sounds confirm this boat will float no more.

SitRep South China:

Hong Kong Det is in Canton building up the Airfield until it has to leave.

Strong blocking force in Canton awaiting developments further East.
Once Wenchow falls and the isolate units destroyed, units will return to the Canton Area to push North.

104th ID with ART has moved to block Kanhsien which will be the first block to fall in the movement back toward Canton.

Wenchow under siege, more units moving to assist from Chuhsien.

A few units have escaped the trap but are taking heavy loses as they flee.

ORIGINAL: DanSez
and one of the rare Sub on Sub actions:
Sub vs Sub: SS I-122 attacking SS KXV at 54,97 - near Sampit

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
SS KXV, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS I-122 launches 2 torpedoes at 4,000 yards

KXV had already taken 3+ hits from depth charges. Gurgling sounds confirm this boat will float no more.

The previous damage on KXV was probably the reason why your sub was able to attack it at all. But good work just the same, and nice to get one of the Dutch boats -- with torpedoes that actually work -- sent to the bottom.

SitRep Central China

Building up a large force to march on Changsha next month.
Currently parked just to the East of Changsha:

3rd ID
34th ID
40th ID
11th Ind Mixed Bde
8th Armored Car Co
9th Armored Car Co
22nd AA Rgt

I would like to get a bit more ART here before the march.
Recon tells me at Changsha there are:
155k Troops (how many are HQ and other worthless - Don't know)
331 Guns
0 AVs

The Chengchow/ Loyang/ Tsiaotso triangle is liberated. Units are being rested, replacements for losses.
12 Army HQ sits in Chengchow helping with the process.

The march on Sian is next for this group but I think it will take a couple of weeks to fully rebuild the units.

A couple of isolated units remain to be destroyed.

SitRep North China

29th Jan, the last two Chinese Corps are now just that corpse - on the road to Lanchow.

Some INF units need a little rest but I am rushing Cav/Armor down the road, opening up the hexsides as quickly as I can. The Mongol Garrison Army HQ is tagging along behind in case support and replacements are needed.

Recon at Lanchow said there are:
22k troops
45 guns.

It will take a couple of weeks here to get units rested and in place.
Maybe this will draw off a little of the forces around Sian making that nut a bit easier to crack.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: DanSez
and one of the rare Sub on Sub actions:
Sub vs Sub: SS I-122 attacking SS KXV at 54,97 - near Sampit

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
SS KXV, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS I-122 launches 2 torpedoes at 4,000 yards

KXV had already taken 3+ hits from depth charges. Gurgling sounds confirm this boat will float no more.

The previous damage on KXV was probably the reason why your sub was able to attack it at all. But good work just the same, and nice to get one of the Dutch boats -- with torpedoes that actually work -- sent to the bottom.

I think 5 of the Dutch subs are sunk so far.
Allied High Command has been mobbing big ports, landing sites and large task forces with his subs making it easy for me to find them with search vectors and patrols.

A lot of hits, not as many confirmed sinkings as I would like. I am keeping an eye toward upgrades and in my production, trying to favor SCs with the Type 95 Mod-2 depth charges.

ORIGINAL: DanSez

A lot of hits, not as many confirmed sinkings as I would like.

I think this is accurate vs subs for both sides. They are easy to hit but very hard to sink. As long as they survive back to a shipyard, they will repair even major damage very quickly.

Malagant requested some additional information on how I have been building and managing factories and supplies.

I don't know if I am doing it right, but I have read a lot of cautionary advice to not build out too fast and crash the economy. These following post are a snapshot of a first timer trying to understand the deeper part of this game.

First - here is a chart of the Overall Economy.
This shows how I have tried to keep the 'Repair Bill' down to manageable levels.
My emphasis was this:
1. Get supplies up in the cities.
2. Get the Airframes (Production and R&D) close to where I want them.
3. Monitor airframe numbers and turn production on/off
4. Increase engines as airframes become stable
5. Add a few NavSys/Vehicle/Armament factories as supply permits - but go slow.

The Yellow Cells are a note to me for the next turn to find out those Oil/ Resource/ Manpower/ Light Industry factories that are repairing and make a decision to let them repair or turn repairs off.

I should have already caught this - and is a good note for other noobs of the future to monitor this as well.

More detailed info on the Engines - in Production or not and R&D
Only <<EDIT - 4>> engines have any factories under repair. Slow roll...

At least until I know better [;)]

<<EDIT>>
Green is Production/Active
Blue is R&D

And forgot to highlight the Repairing Mitsubishi Ha-33 Engines.

Air Frames - in production (Any aircraft with 1+ in pool)

The Green/Grey bars are those planes I think I have enough of and have turned production off.
The Blue are those who have factories in repair

The A6M2 Zero is doing pretty well on total pool numbers. I just have to monitor the factories to keep up a decent level and watch for the next upgrade (not get caught with a bunch of old airframes late in the game).

The Ki-43-1c Oscar is really low, I have been upgrading units and am monitoring this. I really don't want to build any more of these factories as you will see next I have a ton of factories invested (5x30 in R&D plus these 60).

And Final Frame - Airframe R&D

Green is Army
Dark Green is Fully Repaired R&D Factories

Blue is Naval
Dark Blue is Fully Repaired R&D Factories

Lowpe said I need to add a future Army Fighter -- still thinking about that. It will have to come about thru 1942 as I switch successful R&D factories over to a 'new and undecided' line.

Army R&D Notes:
Tony's will upgrade to the Ki-100 once fully repaired
Oscars trying to rush the first armored model, then they will upgrade to the -IV model.
3 of Helen's 4x(30) factories will upgrade to the end model as well.

I have some NF going, plan on adding factories in the future.

Naval R&D Notes:
Why R&D the float fighters? I hate Catalinas...[:@]
Why the Jake-2? Radar Ready (ASW).
Those are answers, probably not the best, but I am learning.

An early and late NF in R&D - need to add more as soon as I can.
Heavy push for George (6x30).
Late War Fighter choice made: J7W1 Shinden.
B6N1 - color error. Should be light blue.
Armored Zero fully repaired. I need to get the engine bonus (next couple of months).
Armored Betty in fully repair.

Jan 31st, 1942

Big News of the Day
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ambon !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalidjati !!!

Not much left in the way of naval threat and only small air units remain through the DEI to oppose any landings.

More Rat Killing in the DEI
From CarDiv2
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Endeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS B, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Salak, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Thracian, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Digoel, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2

Morning Air attack on Merak , at 48,97

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AG Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Battle of Ambon
Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4070 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 2162 troops, 34 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Japanese adjusted assault: 95

Allied adjusted defense: 37

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ambon !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2767 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 206 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
Bandasan SNLF
Kure 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
9th JNAF Coy

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Morning Air attack on Merak , at 48,97

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AG Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Amphibious Invasion of Kalidajati
Ground combat at Kalidjati (50,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4379 troops, 50 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Defending force 446 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 37

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalidjati !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
FK-51: 8 destroyed
Do-24K-1: 2 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed

Other Suppression Attack
Night Naval bombardment of Manado at 75,99

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Nachi

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 9

CA Furutaka firing at Manado
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Nachi
CA Nachi firing at Manado

/*********
General Plans:
East Java Sea
CarDiv2 is about spent but will hold a couple of more turns for forces to establish at Oosthaven. I will leave 1 Battleship Division and 2 Cruiser Divisions in the East Java Sea and send CarDiv2 to CRB to resupply/minor refit.

West Java Sea
Target Balikpapan. Invasion force is closing in. The KB, a Battleship Division and Cruiser Division will provide cover. A Minesweeper task force will proceed the rest of the invasion fleets into Balikpapan. Mines were detected earlier.