Rematch: Ragnarök - mind_messing (J) vs Lokasenna (A)

[Bif1961]

I can't blame the Allied player for trying to attack the Home Islands, as I did earlier in the war with my current game. I have an issued with the timing. This is during the Japanese July 42 refit cycle, unless he thought he could sneak within range of a carrier strike against a major naval base, possibly hosting a carrier or two under going upgrades, I would think he would attack further to the east of the Home Islands to pick off some easy merchant shipping, ASW TFs and get some strat points from hitting cities with HI and LI. You taught he a lesson and for little loss, just in aircraft and some aircrews. If luck favors the bold, he was out of luck. [&o]

[RangerJoe]

The Allies were chastised . . .

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I can't blame the Allied player for trying to attack the Home Islands, as I did earlier in the war with my current game. I have an issued with the timing. This is during the Japanese July 42 refit cycle, unless he thought he could sneak within range of a carrier strike against a major naval base, possibly hosting a carrier or two under going upgrades, I would think he would attack further to the east of the Home Islands to pick off some easy merchant shipping, ASW TFs and get some strat points from hitting cities with HI and LI. You taught he a lesson and for little loss, just in aircraft and some aircrews. If luck favors the bold, he was out of luck. [&o]

Going further north was his MO in our last game. His timing to go south of Tokyo was also tied to operations around Fiji - I'd estimate an effort to jump a big convoy or two transiting from Tokyo to Truk.

It was a good plan, but it had a deficit of luck: unlucky it got spotted in the manner it did, unlucky I had CV's ready to chase, unlucky weather made it such a one-sided affair.

Still, I've maintained that it is always better to be lucky than good...

[mind_messing]

Yikes, I've let this lapse quite severely. I will try to update it later today!

[mind_messing]

July 23rd to August 28th, 1942

More than a month has passed in-game without an update, so I'll try to give as full an update as I can.

North Pacific

Nothing up here worth reporting.

I moved some engineers from Manchuria to Shikuka. They're currently bringing the port up to size 9. Once that's done, they'll develop Shikuka and Toyohara to size 9 airbases to serve as backstops for the Kuriles.

South-West Pacific

From late July into early August, the Allies mount a air and naval campaign against Japanese positions around Fiji. Off the back of this, they are able to funnel supply in to Suva and close IJ airbases in the region.

The KB responds, and with the aid of a large reinforcement effort from air units across the Empire, the situation is stabilized. B-17 raids from Pago-Pago are now effectively opposed by the new Ki-45 Nick.

This then enables a large effort to reinforce Fiji with IJA troops freed from Luzon. Current IJA strength on Luzon is 6 divisions plus change. Opposing them is still the same battered collection of Allied troops:

Ground combat at Suva (132,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2944 troops, 203 guns, 176 vehicles, Assault Value = 1449

Defending force 42194 troops, 824 guns, 889 vehicles, Assault Value = 1047

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

With the Allies have being able to resupply Fiji, the clock is turned back on the eventual Japanese seizure of Fiji. Given the current situation, it has proven difficult for me to close Suva's airbase (and keep it closed) in the face of increasing Allied resistance in the air. On two occasions bombers have been ambushed, and naval assets are unable to bombard due to other commitments elsewhere, combined with a general fuel shortage in the Pacific Area.

There were a number of losses over the fighting in this area. The crusiers Takao, Maya and Chokai were sunk by Allied carrier aircraft in the opening days of the Allied re-supply effort, along with two destroyers.

In exchange, the Allies likely lost the CL Enterprise (the British light cruiser, sadly) and a smattering of smaller ships when the KB arrived to sweep the region clear.



An attempt was made to hunt a squadron of battleships operating in SWPAC, but the KB was unable to get in to a position to attack. Some consolation comes from a IJN sub putting two torpedoes in to the battleship Revenge.

In an effort to harvest easy VP's, I've been using the G3M3 Nell from bases on New Caledonia to bomb Australian industrial centres. I plan to ramp this up going forward in an effort to build a cushion for 1944 and onwards.

Central Pacific

Following events in SWPAC, the Allies responded by embarking on an all-out offensive into the Gilberts.

Japanese commitments here were slim, a few Naval Guards, a collection of floatplanes and a pair of seaplane tenders.

A strong Allied force lands and takes Tabiteuea from a weak garrison, as well as the adjacent bases. Airbases are rapidly developed on Arore and Nikunau.

The IJN is quick to respond, over the month of August, with a good toll of troop and cargo ships sunk by warships, the KB and land-based air flying from the Marshalls. This culminates with the 3 remaining Kongo-class battleships bombarding Arore to great effect.



With the large-scale fleet movements and numerous reinforcement convoys dashing to and fro, the strategic fuel reserves for the Pacific Ocean are completely exhausted. The KB is parked at Kwajalein for the next week, pending an oiler convoy from the DEI. A large number of ships are parked at Truk waiting more fuel as well.

For now, there will be an operational pause to enable fuel stockpiles to recover, at which point the IJN will hit back hard!

Engineers and aviation support is being rushed to the Marshalls in anticipation of a campaign of attrition in the air here.

Northern Australia

Darwin is completely evacuated. The only Japanese position in Australia is a small seaplane base at Broome.

Timor will now become the first line of defence for the Lower DEI, as engineers have work well in hand to make this a formidable bastion.

Burma

Magwe falls, and the oil is taken intact.



Besides some attempts to strike Allied coastal shipping with fighter-bombers, this theatre is remarkably quiet. That may change in the foreseeable future, however!

Allied infiltrators have activated all of the Viet Mihn divisions. I'm actually quite glad of this, as although they are static units and essentially a waste of supply, they free up units for garrison duties and have embedded engineers!

China

Chungking has fallen, and with it China is out of the war!

Well, besides a large number of troops who were able to escape to India.



The IJA forces that were present at Chungking have split in to roughly three parts.

One will remain in China for to recover losses and mop up, before being bought out for Pacific and DEI garrison duties.
One will head to northern China and take control of the oil centre at Urumuchi.
The last part is fighting through the mountains to Northern Burma, where it will become a defacto part of the Burmese Area Army.

A large part of the engineers, aviation support and air units are in the process of being redeployed to the Pacific, where they will be most welcome!

Miscellaneous

All matters industrial seem to be ticking over nicely. Fuel and supply are climbing, and resource stockpiles are nearing the 10 million mark.

Oil continues to fall, but it is manageable for the medium term, and oil exports from Burma and the Eastern DEI have yet to ramp up.

R&D is starting to make some progress. The A6M5c is ticking along nicely, as is the Tony.

VP's are at 3.258:1. This is good, but it could be better.

[PaxMondo]

Magwe intact and Chungking are both very good news … congrats!!!

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Magwe intact and Chungking are both very good news … congrats!!!

Very happy about Chungking - bet my record of Oct '42 from the last game.

Less sanguine about events elsewhere, plenty of troops now, and the best way to use them isn't always clear...

[PaxMondo]

Well, in general keep the initiative for as long as you can, but don't let your troops get cut off. i.e. be prepared to pull back to defensible perimeter fairly quickly. create a few speedtraps to buy some time … yeah, that's about it. [;)]

[mind_messing]

29th August to September 21st, 1942

I was in a great position for this game, then I threw a large part of it away.

Allied resistance in around Fiji has escalated rapidly. 4E strikes from Tonga, Pago Pago and other islands close Japanese bases at Nadi and Kandavu Island.

After spotting an amphibious force attempting to relieve Suva in mid-September, I sortie the KB. The Allied scatter, and I split the KB in an attempt to chase down loaded amphibious transports. (Mistake 1)

On September 18th, the Allies find the weaker half of the KB as it withdrew back to Luganville (without escort Mistake 2) with a fast CL force. This is an extract from several surface combats:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kandavu Island at 130,169, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Junyo, Shell hits 6
CV Hiyo, Shell hits 8
CV Akagi, Shell hits 3
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
CVL Zuiho, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CS Nisshin, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
CS Chitose, Shell hits 14, heavy fires
CS Chiyoda, Shell hits 13, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Shell hits 3
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
DD Meredith, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 2
DD Mugford, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Wilson
DD Balch, Shell hits 2, on fire

The end result is Shoho, Zuiho, Chitose and Nisshin are all sunk. Kaga is damaged slightly and manages to limp away.

The bulk of the KB never launches a strike this day [:@]

The following day, I have a very rare and unexplained fit of aggression. Allied carriers are spotted North of Tongatapu, and given recent attrition to the Allied carriers, I feel comfortable in taking them on.(Mistake 3.)

The end result is...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kabara at 138,164

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 62
D3A1 Val x 68

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 25
F4F-4 Wildcat x 88

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 9 destroyed, 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 20 destroyed, 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CV Yorktown
xAP Khandalla, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Wallingford, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Houston
xAP President Tyler, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
xAP Santhia, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
1010 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (11 destroyed, 2 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tongatapu at 137,166

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 9
Swordfish I x 12
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29
TBF-1 Avenger x 45

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 2
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 1
CV Zuikaku

Weather swings it in a big way for the Japanese, but overall it is a dismal performance. A large section of the KB went after the CVE Long Island (in Tongatapu hex) and was murdered by a buzzsaw CAP.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tongatapu at 138,168

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 24

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 81
P-40E Warhawk x 86

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 13 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 1

At least they planted a bomb in her, but I would have preferred a real carrier sunk instead.

I really do pay the price on the following day, September 20th. My carriers are battle-scarred, low on ammo and planes and under-escorted and a few hexes away from serious USN war fleets. The swift Japanese exit from the area has Allied warships fast on their heels...

One extract:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kabara at 135,165, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Shell hits 2, on fire
CV Soryu
CV Zuikaku, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Idaho
BB Mississippi
BB Resolution
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Morris
DD Bagley
DD Farragut
DD MacDonough

Shokaku and Zuikaku don't make it out.

My run of amazing luck continues on the 21st September...

Sub attack near Niuatoputapu at 144,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Taney

Hornet took two bombs previously, so I'm inclined to think she's gone.

However, the Allies have managed to force at least one amphibious force through to Suva, with additional troops offloading there. With the KB down for at least a week (and ZERO fuel between Luganville and Balikpapan), the future looks dim for Japanese prospects of taking Suva.

Currently considering the costs/benefits of an evacuation of Fiji entirely. Currently 6 IJA divisions (plus change) on the island.

Input on this issue is welcomed!

Major Losses (as per sunk ships list)

Japan
CVL Shoho
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Kaga (limping home with fires building, chances are slim)
CS Chitose
CS Nisshin
CA Aoba
CA Haguro
CA Nachi

Allied
CV Illustrious
BB South Dakota
CV Lexington
BB Oklahoma
BB Idaho
BB Missisippi
sundry smaller ships (some with troops!)
CV Hornet (took two torps and Wildcats reported as ground losses)

Summary

A draw.

In effect, that means a big win for him.

Loka deserved a true Midway here. I made several serious mistakes, and was allowed off very easily each time.

At the same time, I'm irritated by the fact that a more measured, considered and sensible approach on my part would have likely resulted in a much better exchange ratio for me in terms of carriers and airframes.

Reflecting on these turns, this has been valuable experience in understanding what turns you need to "sit" on for a few hours (or days) to really think about what the best course of action is.

On the strategic level, I now feel as if my foothold in Fiji is unsustainable. Part of me is inclined to really double down, using the rush of units freed from China to solidify my position, but I am concerned about throwing good money after bad.

Meh [8|]

[obvert]

As Allies those losses will also hurt, and could delay things moving forward. It's still better to fight when the odds are more even than later, and I think in VP terms you might have come out ahead.

As for Fiji, it's too far South to risk more valuable assets there.

For Kaga, get as many other ships moving with her as you can and hopefully the fires reduce. Of course at cruise speed. Anything with naval support nearby she could put up for a bit?

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: obvert

As Allies those losses will also hurt, and could delay things moving forward. It's still better to fight when the odds are more even than later, and I think in VP terms you might have come out ahead.

As for Fiji, it's too far South to risk more valuable assets there.

For Kaga, get as many other ships moving with her as you can and hopefully the fires reduce. Of course at cruise speed. Anything with naval support nearby she could put up for a bit?

I think this leaves Loka with just the Lexington, the Long Island and maybe a British CV until the Essex.

I am inclined to agree, preparations to withdraw from Fiji are already underway. First priority is to get the cripples away. Second is to get some sort of control over the skies above Fiji. Then we'll start loading up troops.

Kaga is disbanded in a level 1 port south of Luganville. An AR is heading for her at full speed, as is a convoy with a Naval HQ.

Fires in the 40s, Sys Damage in the 80s. I think she'll burn up. If by some miracle I save her, getting her back will be extremely difficult.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: obvert

As Allies those losses will also hurt, and could delay things moving forward. It's still better to fight when the odds are more even than later, and I think in VP terms you might have come out ahead.

As for Fiji, it's too far South to risk more valuable assets there.

For Kaga, get as many other ships moving with her as you can and hopefully the fires reduce. Of course at cruise speed. Anything with naval support nearby she could put up for a bit?

I think this leaves Loka with just the Lexington, the Long Island and maybe a British CV until the Essex.

I am inclined to agree, preparations to withdraw from Fiji are already underway. First priority is to get the cripples away. Second is to get some sort of control over the skies above Fiji. Then we'll start loading up troops.

Kaga is disbanded in a level 1 port south of Luganville. An AR is heading for her at full speed, as is a convoy with a Naval HQ.

Fires in the 40s, Sys Damage in the 80s. I think she'll burn up. If by some miracle I save her, getting her back will be extremely difficult.

Crap. As you say some mistakes, and some bad luck. Crap.

Kaga is gone. High sys and any fire is deadly, and she has more than a little fire. Crap.

Buy those CV groups out, especially the fighters. Size them as big as your HR will allow and get them into George/Jack ASAP.

[PaxMondo]

I had to check your game rules and HR's real quick before I could continue.

PDU On
So, this is the type of event where I do a major re-assessment of my IJN RnD. I'm gonna want to look at shifting my fighter RnD to George or Jack (I only choose one) and then Shinden. Without KB, and you don't have a KB any more, then I don't think the A7M worth while. J7W is a much more troublesome plane for the allies and the very best the IJ gets.

Judy/Jill also get back burner to a great extent and Grace is even more relevant because of range and ability to run TB or DB missions. Also Grace is as effective as Frances at 50% the cost.

[mind_messing]

Writing off those 6 divisions on Fiji. Hard decision, but the right one in the long term.

Turning Luganville and New Caledonia in to front-line bases from this point on.

Pulling the IJN back to Truk - we'll fight from there from now on...