RIDERS ON THE STORM-THANK YOU

[jumper]

Hi,
I would land smaller army in Mannargudi (3+ divs). Then I would land main forces in Pangrim (5+ divs) and march as fast as possible to Poona.
Or I would land everything in Mannargudi and with the 8 divisional juggernaut I would hope to roll over everything you would put in my way..

But certainly I wouldn´t go directly for any base with urban bonus..

[Gen.Hoepner]

And that's exactly my guess jumper....or at least, that's what seems to me more logical.

[Gen.Hoepner]

A look into the Chinese theatre

[Gen.Hoepner]

The score at 25th Jan 42

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/25/42

Hi, turns went in a bit slowly due to some problems Trollelite had in RL. Now the pace should come back at normal levels.
Nothing much happened today. My subs on the intercepting route between Singapore and Tricomale managed to intercept 2 different TFs heading towards Trico. Argonaut failed to hit the transports, while O20, a ducth sub, after several attempts of the ASW escort to localize it, managed to put two fishes into an AP.In returns he got some hits but nothing serious.
Now my subs will be redeployed in the waters between Bombay and Aden. I've already spotted a TF moving southwestwards from Tricomale...that can mean he's already planning an invasion on the western coasts of India!
Colombo hasn't been attacked today...probably tomorrow will be his final day.

Tomorrow a 23k supplies TF will start unloading at Manila....completely unspotted[:D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,40
 
Japanese Ships
AP Nichiren Maru
PG Santo Maru
PG Keiko Maru
DD Fumizuki
 
Allied Ships
SS Argonaut
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Nicobar Island  at 20,38
 
Japanese Ships
AP Meizan Maru
PG Santo Maru
PG Keiko Maru
DD Fumizuki
 
Allied Ships
SS O20
 
-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nicobar Island  at 20,38
 
Japanese Ships
AP Meizan Maru, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Joban Maru
PG Santo Maru
PG Keiko Maru
DD Fumizuki
 
Allied Ships
SS O20, hits 2
 
Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
 

[Gen.Hoepner]

The first 24 P-40Bs are ready to move from China to Manila. Within the next week more 48 P-40s (1st and 2nd AVG ) will fly towards our stronghold in the PI. They will be followed by some more 80 Bombers and probably onother P-40 group.
With these forces present in the PI he will be forced to move some consistent air-frames to face the threat. A pair of zero daitais won't be enough because if he wants to close Clark or Manila he will need now hundreds of bombers, due to the presence of a ready and well supplied flak.
If the operation in the PI goes well i'm also considering sending an AS to Manila, in order to be ready to operate with my subs again right in the middle of his supply routes.
 
At the same time a NZ bde is unloading at Canton Island. This unit, along with a RCT that is moving from Panama, will conduct the conquest of Tarawa and will rapresent the southern part of the jaw that will be closed on the Marshalls. Logistic is still a problem for the allies at this stage of the war. Simply i do not have enough ships to bring everybody in at the same time. Wake is taking really too much time to grow to level 4 AF, altough i brought in Eng units and base forces...i have to wait untill it reaches that level before starting any operation in the Marshalls. My BBs are already on their way to PH...the Pacific fleet is really impressive!![X(]

[okami]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

The first 24 P-40Bs are ready to move from China to Manila. Within the next week more 48 P-40s (1st and 2nd AVG ) will fly towards our stronghold in the PI. They will be followed by some more 80 Bombers and probably onother P-40 group.
With these forces present in the PI he will be forced to move some consistent air-frames to face the threat. A pair of zero daitais won't be enough because if he wants to close Clark or Manila he will need now hundreds of bombers, due to the presence of a ready and well supplied flak.
If the operation in the PI goes well i'm also considering sending an AS to Manila, in order to be ready to operate with my subs again right in the middle of his supply routes.

At the same time a NZ bde is unloading at Canton Island. This unit, along with a RCT that is moving from Panama, will conduct the conquest of Tarawa and will rapresent the southern part of the jaw that will be closed on the Marshalls. Logistic is still a problem for the allies at this stage of the war. Simply i do not have enough ships to bring everybody in at the same time. Wake is taking really too much time to grow to level 4 AF, altough i brought in Eng units and base forces...i have to wait untill it reaches that level before starting any operation in the Marshalls. My BBs are already on their way to PH...the Pacific fleet is really impressive!![X(]

As a dedicated Japanese player I find his India at all costs strategy to be foolish. You have time to establish a victory early and I think you should crush him. But I would go for Marcus Island and not Tarawa.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi Okami.
Tarawa is just a small part of a bigger operation that will include a major landing (3 divisions) at Maloep (near Kwalajein) and some other minor bases around Kwalajein, in order to get the major japanese base in the Marhsalls isolated and bombed back to stoneage.
Marcus isn't that important imho at this stage of the war. The real alternative would be going directly to the Mariannas that at this stage are still almost undefended, but i fear that it's a too long journey from PH-Wake to Saipan only counting on 4 CVs. While in the marshalls i can bomb directly Kwalajein from Wake and have 2 close-enough bases that will support my operations (Canton Isl. in the south and Wake in the north.).
Few pages back the general plan for the Marshalls operation is explained. I talked only about tarawa in the previous post just because i added a new Bde to the OOB

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/26/42

Today Colombo fell. The Japanese Horde has finally conquered the whole of Cylon.Now it's only a matter of days for the invasion of India...

A combat TF (didn't understand weather it's the KB, baby KB or a SC TF) is moving from Tricomale towards DH...i evacuated most of my planes from eastern India...it's going to be a painfull retreat...i know[:o]

In the PI the first fighters arrived at Manila. Soon the PI will be crowded of allied planes...
The problem is that, after weeks of complete absence of japanese patrolling, now suddenly appear some Jakes in the skies over Manila that spotted my Supply-TF unloading there...i'm quite unlucky[:(] my ships arrived completely unseen till Manila and now that they're there they get cought...[:@] I only hope to unload enough supplies to support future operations in this area...

Another TOP-SECRET operation has been approoved today.It's called "Operation Frisco" and will be both very risky and very edged...but it can make some difference.... details will be given shortly.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Colombo

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 73004 troops, 286 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 1425

Defending force 14736 troops, 157 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 114

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 2580 - adjusted assault: 883

Allied max defense: 116 - adjusted defense: 217

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Colombo base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
2020 casualties reported
Guns lost 24
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
18382 casualties reported
Guns lost 56

[String]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

The first 24 P-40Bs are ready to move from China to Manila. Within the next week more 48 P-40s (1st and 2nd AVG ) will fly towards our stronghold in the PI. They will be followed by some more 80 Bombers and probably onother P-40 group.
With these forces present in the PI he will be forced to move some consistent air-frames to face the threat. A pair of zero daitais won't be enough because if he wants to close Clark or Manila he will need now hundreds of bombers, due to the presence of a ready and well supplied flak.
If the operation in the PI goes well i'm also considering sending an AS to Manila, in order to be ready to operate with my subs again right in the middle of his supply routes.

At the same time a NZ bde is unloading at Canton Island. This unit, along with a RCT that is moving from Panama, will conduct the conquest of Tarawa and will rapresent the southern part of the jaw that will be closed on the Marshalls. Logistic is still a problem for the allies at this stage of the war. Simply i do not have enough ships to bring everybody in at the same time. Wake is taking really too much time to grow to level 4 AF, altough i brought in Eng units and base forces...i have to wait untill it reaches that level before starting any operation in the Marshalls. My BBs are already on their way to PH...the Pacific fleet is really impressive!![X(]

Watch out that you don't delay your operation too much. Set a realistic date and stick to it. Delaying the operation to expand it (Kursk) gives more time to your oppoent to react and build up defenses. I know from personal experience that the marshalls can be turned into a pretty nasty fortess quite early if the japanese player wants to.

Ofcourse, it goes without saying that being too hasty is bad also.



Ofcourse,

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/27/42

Hi String. No, don't worry, we're almost ready to go for the Marshalls. As i said few pages early, mid feb 42 will be the starting date. 2 more weeks to go so.

Today he started to pound my troops at Mannargudi, Bangalore and Trivandum...all those places that are likely to be invaded...i cannot do anything right now to defend my poor men there. They must stay there in order to delay his advances and sacrifice themself while the bulk of my forces are falling back to the planned places.
I've lost two subs today in India...it's becomming hard to keep up a decent sub force...most of my subs are damaged in ports and i've now only 5 operative subs in Indian waters...[:@]
However his subs seems to have ended their golden time[:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,36
 
Japanese Ships
AK Kazuura Maru
AK Kurama Maru
PC Showa Maru #5
PC Nichi Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2
PG Shinko Maru #3
 
Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 2
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 17,33
 
Japanese Ships
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13
PC Ch 3
PG Myoken Maru
PG Kantori Maru
 
Allied Ships
SS S-39
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 19,39
 
Japanese Ships
PG Hong Kong Maru
 
Allied Ships
SS Argonaut
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 19,39
 
Japanese Ships
PG Hong Kong Maru
 
Allied Ships
SS Argonaut
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 17,33
 
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 32
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 17
PC Ch 13
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Takunan Maru #7
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Shonan Maru #6
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Gamitsu Maru #1
PC Fumi Maru
APD Patrol Boat No. 39
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
 
Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks*[:(]
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 99th Indian Brigade, at 13,21
 
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 28
E13A1 Jake x 9
E7K2 Alf x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-49 Helen x 40
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 44th Indian Brigade, at 15,22
 
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 9
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st British Field Artillery Regiment, at 15,19
 
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 16
E7K2 Alf x 14
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-21-II Sally x 125
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 221 RAF Aviation , at 16,19
 
Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 1
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 6
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
 

[String]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

However his subs seems to have ended their golden time[:)]

You know, it is strange. I've long suspected some early game hardcoded advantage for japanese subs or something similar, as they are often wildly successful in the first month(s) of the war with the sub doctrines on, but after that, even with the same circumstances created, they fail to do anything spectacular, with a few exceptions here or there.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Yes, i do agree. In my game with Cantona2 (which is still going on at a good pace...i just have not the time to update 2 different AARs..) my subs are doing a great job in the first month of the war...they're simply hitting everything they see...quite impressive...It really seems there's something hard-coded here...

[cantona2]

bloody hard code [:-]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Oh Com'on! Do not whine now that you've just sunk 2 of my subs with no mercy[:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/42

Oh guys, the Indian situation looks as grimm as it could be...i'm afflicted by a great doubt now.
He going for Madras. He bombed the hell out of it last turn, both from air and from sea. I know what he wants: a level 4 AF asap, so that he can move forward without his KB covering...my doubt now is if it's safe to try to defend Bombay or not.
Problem is that if i leave Bombay easily to him i will have Betties and Zeros covering the access to the guld of Aden, thus prevening me from sending any supply/men to Karachi for the last stand. But if i try to defend it, once he's landed in India with all his forces, the risk is to be outflanked and sorrounded...mmmmmm....it's really a tough decision to take. Plus every base that i leave without fighting simply accelerates his advance....Oh God, what a harsh situation!

At PH everything is ready. Next week we'll start loading our guys on ships for operation "Retribution".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras, at 17,21 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami


Allied ground losses:
621 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 99th Indian Brigade, at 13,21 (Mannargudi)

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 19
E13A1 Jake x 16
E7K2 Alf x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-49 Helen x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Bangalore , at 15,19

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A2 Val x 50
B5N2 Kate x 208[X(][X(]

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 118

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/29/42
 
Madras is invaded as predicted...already 50000 men ashore...there won't be any chance to stop him on the beach...simple and plain.
However my VH2 mines are making him pay a nasty price also here at Madras...a lot of troops blown up along with their boats[:D]
His planes are roaming in the skies of Southern India...i feel really impotent!
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 108 encounters mine field at Madras (17,21)
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Asahi Maru No. 2
MSW W.16
MSW W.15
MSW W.9
MSW W.8
MSW W.7
MSW W.6
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2
MSW W.1
MSW Wa 19
PG Takunan Maru #8
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Busho Maru
AK Tenryu Maru, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage[:D]
 
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras, at 17,21 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
 
 
Allied ground losses:
520 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
 
Runway hits 17
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 5
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras, at 17,21 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
BB Kongo
 
 
Allied ground losses:
444 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 2
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 108 encounters mine field at Madras (17,21)
 
TF 108 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 17,21
 
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Asahi Maru No. 2
MSW W.16
MSW W.15
MSW W.9
MSW W.8
MSW W.7
MSW W.6
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2
MSW W.1
MSW Wa 19
PG Sozan Maru
PG Iwate
AK Tenryu Maru, Mine hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage[:D]
PG Takunan Maru #8
PG Idzumo
PG Shoei Maru
PG Zuiko Maru
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Busho Maru
 
Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 
Japanese ground losses:
2148 casualties reported[:D][;)]
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 108 encounters mine field at Madras (17,21)
 
TF 108 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 17,21
 
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Asahi Maru No. 2
MSW W.16
MSW W.15
MSW W.9
MSW W.8
MSW W.7
MSW W.6
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2
MSW W.1
MSW Wa 19
PG Sozan Maru
PG Zuiko Maru
PG Takunan Maru #8
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Busho Maru
PG Iwate
AK Tenryu Maru, Mine hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage[:D][8D]
 
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
 
Japanese ground losses:
1010 casualties reported[;)]
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Carabineers Regiment, at 11,21[:(] (Trivandum)
 
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 56
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 10
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hyderabad , at 19,17
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A2 Val x 65
B5N2 Kate x 153
 
Allied aircraft
no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 20 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 3 destroyed
 
 
Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 85
 

[cantona2]

How goes the PI buld up?

[Gen.Hoepner]

Quite well i'd say. I managed to get ashore those 25k supplies and now i'm almost ready to place there my fighters and bombers. I guess 5/6 more days will be necessary...but we're ready!

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
my doubt now is if it's safe to try to defend Bombay or not.

Hi G.H.,

No matter what you do, you can only delay his advance along the railroads by a day every now and then when he stops to attack you. Also he’ll attack pursue, so I doubt fighting him for every inch will do much except shatter several units you desperately need to defend your redoubt with.

The critical time for your redoubt is the period of time where your units are below 70 experience. He can overcome them easily as their morale will plummet when in combat at such low experience. If you can survive to see 70 experience and recover your low morale, I doubt he’ll ever be able to take the place then, but the key is to survive.

If you get a lot of strength shattered along the rail lines trying in vain to slow him down, your final redoubt may not be strong enough to hold him. The hardest part of playing the allies is letting go. Your gamesmanship makes you want to fight for every inch of ground, but you simply cannot do that and ultimately survive.

If you assume Japan can move 3 hexes along the railroad every 2 days, it’ll take him just 12 days to reach Delhi from Madras (14-15 days at most if you stay to fight him) and effectively cut everything east of there off from Karachi.

Nothing you have has a chance of surviving combat in India unless you totally commit. The problem is if you totally commit, he can easily bypass and surround your units due to the speed and abundance of rails in the country.

If you want to survive, let go of the urge to fight a forward defense and withdraw to your redoubt as soon as you see 4-6 divisions ashore.

Karachi produces 200 supplies a day even if he’s in the hex with you, so getting supply convoys in won’t be as important as it was at Singapore or Manila. 200 supplies a day can feed a decent sized army, and with all your AAA in one hex, it’ll chew through his bombers like paper.

Just remember to turn off accept replacements for all units except your AAA. You cannot afford replacements until you’re strong enough to forcibly escort large resupply convoys into the base.

It might be possible to hold both Karachi and Bombay (both produce 200 supplies a day) if he didn’t bring more than 6 divisions. But given the all out nature of this attack, my guess is he’s bringing the kitchen sink, so one base is the best you can probably hope for.

Jim