Matrix Games Forums

11th of October 42'

China
A division is attacking towards the North of the country, only some brigades in the way. Seems like quite a useless outing so far from the main action, though I will have to withdraw some of my Chinese squadrons training there.

Around Changsha another abandoned base is taken.

Burma
Some night bombing of Akyab. The Allied air force has been standing down the last couple of days, but soon another day or two worth of sorties will be flown to keep Magwe closed. The reinforcements are marching up slow but steadily. All but one division and a motorised brigade have already left Imphal and are now doing the all jungle hex. There are some small indications that the jungle areas (Bhamo and Lashio) are getting reinforced. This would suit me well, I'm planning the next strike in the plains anyway. On the coast Ramree Island is taken by the Japanese. Too bad, if I had wanted to break the coastal line, outflanking it at Ramree would have been nice. The question is whether it will actually get built up and defended though.

Northern Oz
Fenton has recently been bombed as well, though only shortly. Darwin remains well and truly closed for the time being.

Subs
O20 becomes the first ace sub in the pacific. The Dutch sub was retiring back to its home base when it spotted sub chasers in the Luzon straight. The commander saw his chance to finally use some of his torpedoes and obliterated the little CHa-26. This is the subs 5th confirmed kill, with one more "damaged, presumed sunk" on the books. The skipper holds a special grudge against smaller ships though, her total tonnage confirmed sunk is 6294 tons, only the 6th highest tonnage for Allied subs.

12th of October 42'

China
The first attack on Changsha is launched, the defenders are heavily outnumbered (1200 vs 2600 AV), but the 6 forts and heavy urban terrain make it a 1-2 attack. Over 500 Japanese squads get disabled and the forts are untouched.

Burma
The 5th division moves into the mountains again and threatens the Chinese corps, more reinforcements might be moving up from Lashio. Interesting move, on the one hand a defeat here could quickly become painful. I have few reserves to throw into the line, so a Japanese breakthrough could easily reach Kunming. On the other hand, a division or two that's won't be able to respond to an attack in Burma is a big advantage.

Subs
KXV attacks a PB, but misses and is moderately damaged. She's retiring to Carnaravon.

13th of October 42'

Burma
Quiet day, tomorrow a follow-up raid against Magwe will be launched to keep the airfield suppressed. The first of the British brigades has made it's way through the jungle, with more following behind. The Japanese have another division East of Lashio, so slightly out of position to react to an attack in the plains, but it does increase the risk of an attack against the Chinese.

SWPac
Reloading the marine regiment is atrociously slow, the defence battalion will attack to take the island, with an unprepared USMC para Bn in support in fast transports. Lunga did go to level 3 today, making it more likely that there will be some air attacks against landings at Ndeni. Luganville has some B-17E which will harass the field at Lunga, and a P-38 squadron will LRCAP over Ndeni as no carriers are available. 2 AVD will support the invasion by establishing a seaplane base at Duff islands to search for any naval reaction.

A little bonus map of the invasion of Ndeni. Erromango is the island where the marine regiment is taken an unscheduled vacation. The APD bringing in the extra USMC paras are still at Noumea.

The game has been temporarily halted due to a bug. The 2nd British division suddenly lost all of it's combat engineers, so we are waiting for feedback and a possible fix from Michealm before continuing.

Joseph is still a bit hesitant to use any of the beta patches, so we brewed up a little home remedy for the bug. As 2nd British division lost it's combat engineers, we made sure the division didn't exist any more. Orders for the 13th where changed by splitting the 2nd Division up and this seems to have worked.

14th of October 42'

Burma
Medium bombers attacked Magwe again, but came in before the sweep, a couple of Blenheims are lost to a 10 plane CAP. When the fighters finally arrived the CAP was gone. Decent damage was done to the field. The base is very low on troops, 1 AF Bn and a SNLF para battalion.

Ndeni invasion
We had finished the 15th (giving orders for the 16th) when I noticed the bug, at the time the Ndeni invasion was one hex out. Obviously this was spotted, but Joseph will not send out any reaction forces before he actually spots the TF again. A BB was spotted at Rabaul, which is 2 to 3 days out from Ndeni. Lots of little convoys are running around the Solomons, so surface cover from those might react even faster. I'm hoping that enough ops points remain to unload (almost) completely on the 16th and then getting all the precious AP out of dodge on the 17th already.

Subs
KXVII has a busy day, first she hits a DD escorting a troop convoy, but unfortunately she has a dud. Later on she attacks an E-class ship in an ASW group, but misses.

15th & 16th of October 42'

Ndeni Invasion
The Ndeni invasion has gone ashore, and again nothing is working as it should. 1st USMC Para has gone ashore, but is half disabled. 8th Marine Defence is still sitting on its ships, despite unload cargo checked. Wherever the enemy is concerned there is good news though. The troops of 1st USMC para were not bombarded, meaning no artillery tubes are on the island. In the air a small 3 betty raid was intercepted and shot down by the LRCAP. The B-17 flying to Guadalcanal shot down 3 defending fighters, though damage to the field was light. On sea a small CA led force is spotted by USS Thresher, but it's still some 15 hexes out.

Plans for the 17th are to give explicit orders to the 8th Defence Bn to unload, a deliberate attack by the paras and 36 SBD-3 are moved to Luganville to attack shipping if the opportunity arises.

Burma
2 division are attacking into China, the Chines corps on the border holds but I'm retreating none the less to positions near Paoshan.

Subs
As mentioned before, USS Thresher spots and attacks an enemy SCTF near Shortlands. A dud is registered on an escorting DD. Later in the night she also shoots duds at an xAK.

17th of October 42'

Ndeni Invasion
Two destroyers attacked at Ndeni, but were driven back by the surface escorts. No more air attacks were launched and so the 8th Marine Defence Bn landed unmolested. The paras did not attack, but the island appears empty. Even the little company that took it in the first place has been evacuated. The next order of business is getting engineers, aviation support and stronger garrison there.

Burma
The IJAAF launches a strong sweep over Shwebo today, a total of 117 Oscars, 58 Tojos and 40 Sallies strike at the base, which is only defended by 75 Warhawks (25 K, 50E). The early battles are roughly equal, but later in the day the CAP is worn down and destroyed piecemeal. The P-40E claim 14 kills for 30 downed, the P-40K, 6 for 15. It is obvious that defending forwards airfields is a dangerous strategy, there isn't enough aviation support in Burma to put up a CAP capable of taking on a full strike of the IJAAF.

18th of October 42'

Ndeni Invasion
Ndeni is taken by a joint attack of the paras and the defence battalion. No Japanese reaction this turn and the transports got away, the only losses in the operation are one B-17 lost operationally and some squads of the regiment lost while loading. So far I'll classify this as a success, but in the replay of the 19th there are indications that the Japanese aren't yet finished with the island.

Burma
The Japanese launch a new deliberate attack against the Chinese border. Despite a 1-2 modified AV the casualty ration favours the Japanese and more troops are moving to the border and towards Bhamo, it's looking like an true Japanese offensive.

Subs
USS S-18 hits the troop transporting xAK England Maru
USS Seal shoots a dud at a DD near Wotje

19th of October 42'

Ndeni Area
A Japanese cruiser force is sitting at Ndeni and severe storms prevented attacks by the SBD stationed at Luganville. APD are reported in the TF, but there are no troops landing, nor is there a bombardment. Pickets are sighted halfway between the Solomons and the Santa Cruz Islands.

Burma
The Chinese have pulled back from the border, but are being chased. Reinforcements are under way, but still far off. The river and some reserves at Paoshan will probably delay the Japanese enough.

China
The Japanese are advancing in the North of the country, an undefended Hami falls.

Subs
Guardfish attacks twice, once with duds, but in its second attack a functioning torpedo hits a DD.
Sealion attacks an E on ASW duty near Rangoon, but gets a dud.
Snapper attacks a PB between the Solomons and Ndeni, duds are recorded.

20th of October 42'

Ndeni Area
The cruisers have departed, but the picket remains. It does look like everything is over here.

Subs
Guardfish shadows the destroyer crippled yesterday. First some duds hit the target, but with a second salvo another hit is scored and the DD sinks.
KXI is damaged by a destroyer on ASW duty near Shortlands.

Burma Offensive

I know there must be some readers still out there, so for there benefit, a couple of plans still in contention for the upcoming Burma offensive.

First off, the total Japanese strength in the North of the country is estimated at 8 divisions and supporting units. The location of 6 of these divisions is almost certainly known and shown on the following maps. The two other divisions are suspected in the centre of the line, from the hex just East of Mandalay to the hex East of Lashio. This gives a total of some 3400 AV in divisions, with probably a bit extra more in small infantry units, tank regiments and RTA units. The Allies have about 5800 AV in the country, (skip if you don't like detail) a mix of good (Tank bde, Ozzies, Elite Brits) and bad units (Burmese, Chinese, weak Indian).

The main objective is still to open up a supply route to China, for which I'll need Bhamo and preferably Lashio. However, I'm still ruling out an attack straight at these targets. Bhamo is a strongly fortified position, an engineering regiments has been observed there for some time. If the attack at this target gets bogged down he can bring up reinforcements easily and I lose the surprise of having 2700 AV moved into the country unnoticed. This would also be a bit too much WWI, even if it succeeds it's a long hard slog for one base and I'll have to attack the Mandalay-Lashio line later. Instead, I will use the strategy I tried to employ earlier (which failed due to large amounts of reinforcements that I hadn't anticipated on), of attacking around the plains, threatening to cut off his flank around Taung Gyi and thus forcing a retreat. It might even be possible to actually bag a lot of troops making the rest of the Burma campaign that much easier.

There are 3 possible plans still in contention, one is a clear favourite for me, but I'm interested in any other opinions.

1. Plan Pirate - The Big Hook
This one is by far the most ambitious plan, threatening to surround all 8 divisions in one fell swoop, it is of course high risk.



Charging over the river next to Mandalay and pushing straight on towards the plains and Taung Gyi. This plan completely denies the Japanese any strong defensive positions. In the initial attack weakly defended bases are taken and the Japanese are surrounded. There is an open invitation to try and break the encirclement, I'm counting on the fact that Mandalay will be held by at least 1000 AV, as otherwise an attack from Shwebo becomes feasible, leaving a small 3000 AV to fight the surrounding force of equal strength. This is going to lead to a number of clashes, but I'm counting on superior Allied firepower and bombers to swing the balance to my side. If he keeps his force together, I'll do the same and he won't get through. If he splits up, he'll get through, but his split up forces will be roughed up by my stack.

End state: He has to retreat out of the jungle to provide the troops to break my encirclement, I advance up to Lashio. His forces suffer far more from the battles out in the open, that coupled with an exposed flank forces a retreat to central Burma.

Dangers : I lose the battles in the centre, seriously delaying follow up offensives. Reinforcements are brought up from the South so he doesn't even need to pull his division from Bhamo. My own force gets cut off.

2. Plan Plow - Push him aside
There are 3 divisions in Mandalay, I've got 5000 AV in Shwebo ....


The plan is simple, charge across the river, break through in Shwebo, follow up towards Lashio to cut off enemy troops and exploit Southwards until Joseph brings in reinforcements. A move to the hex just East of Mandalay is threatened so he can't reinforce Mandalay with the unit stationed there before the crossing is made.

Endstate : His jungle forces try to force their way out of the encirclements, Bhamo is abandoned. 3 of his divisions are shattered, others surrounded or facing a long jungle trek back to their lines.

Dangers: 5000 AV vs 2000 AV and forts. There is a good chance I don't push through before Mandalay is reinforced and that would be the end of the offensive. I can go back to my lines to lick the wounds though.

Plan Pioneer - A short jungle push
Split the Japanese line



Forces will move simultaneously towards Mandalay and the hex just East of the city. The move towards Mandalay is a diversion however, and the garrison of the Eastern hex is swept aside (either 1 rgt or 1 div). A blocking force is left in place and the main force moves to Lashio, cutting off the Japanese to the East and North.

Endstate: The Japanese must abandon their positions to defend Lashio and their lifeline and retreat from there further South. Mandalay loses it's flank protection and becomes untenable. The Japanese must move back to the centre of Burma. Some divisions are surrounded ?

Dangers: I get bogged down crossing the river, my forces are split up between the Shwebo, blocking and Lashio force and defeated in detail.

Any thoughts are very welcome.

 

21st & 22nd of October 42'

China
The Japanese are active, with attacks at both Changsha and Sining (North)

At Changsha the forts are brought down to 5, but losses favour the Chinese. 3200-1700, it will serve as a roadbump a bit longer.

Sining is a special place, with 300 daily supply production it is swimming food and ammunition, and the 800 AV worth of defenders make good use of this. 3 Japanese divisions charge, bring the forts down, but lose 250 squads disabled in the process.

Subs
USS Kingfish shoots the small PB Daitei Maru North of Babeldaob.

SWPac
Some strange moves by the Japanese, ships are sighted deep in the Coral sea and between Baker and South of the Ellice Islands. Both TFs are small, no info on the Coral sea one, but the other one are either CL or DD.

The Coral sea TF may be close enough to Koumac to attack, a trained naval attack squadron flying the B-25C is put on alert. If the other TF stays under my air search cover, I might send in Long Island with some marine DB

I know there must be some readers still out there, so for there benefit, a couple of plans still in contention for the upcoming Burma offensive.

Bart, I am still reading and watching. Keep it up please. Be careful in Burma. I am not sure I would do any river crossings due to shock attacks. Continuous pressure there will start to affect his supply situation.

We're still playing the pre-supply cap version, so he shouldn't have any problems bringing supply to Burma. If he wanted to, he could supply his whole army over the trails from Thailand, so I won't defeat him that way. The situation in China is getting worse by the day, every city on the jungle line is out of supply, making it harder to defend, so I need a breakthrough soon to get supplies into China. I'll be opting for the third plan. Recent recon suggest a division is deployed to guard against it, but even with the terrain advantage that shouldn't stop a crossing of 3000AV.

Not much to report on the 23rd by the way.

24th of October 42'

We went really slow last week. RL swamped me a bit with my master's thesis due this week, but most of it is finished now so we can pick up the pace again.

China
Most of the action is here now, with another attack at Changsha repulsed and forts going down again. Really frustrating that the forts keep suffering despite 1-2 attacks, but c'est la vie.

A large stack that suddenly retired is likely spotted again, marching North from Nanning. The plan seems to bypass the defences at Tuyun and break the Kweiyang - Kunming road. 2000 AV is reacting to this.

In front of Paoshan another beating is administered. While the mountains prevent a rout the losses are awfully one-sided and my troops are melting away.

Burma
19th Division is in the North of the country ..... That's number 9. At least 4 of those divisions are out of position though, on the trails East of Lashio. I'm diverting one of the newly arriving divisions to Katha in case the Japanese would launch an offensive towards Mytkyina/Katha.

Subs
USS Tarpon damages Genzan Maru North of Eniwetok.
I-29 misses an APD landing troops at Ndeni, subs lay mines here as well.

25th of October 42'

China
The Japanese halt their advance on Paoshan, at least one unit is even moving back. With that Chinese beat up they may consider this flank secure and move the bulk of their troops back to Burma to counter the Allied moves.

SWPac
A small AP TF that was supposed to drop a Seabee unit at Ndeni arrives at the base but doesn't unload. The convoy is moving out again, the ships are spotted and I won't risk them to Betty attacks and cruiser raids. The base is going to be reinforced exclusively with APDs and SST until I can get an airbase up and running to give a modicum of safety to ships unloading.

26th of October 42'

China
Another attack goes in against Changsha and the forts are coming down fast now. The first attack on the place was launched half a month ago and the Chinese are still holding out despite overwhelming odds.

Burma
Japanese forces attack a Burmese battalion in a recon position South of Katha and rout them. The regiment responsible is now marching West to the Katha/Shwebo road. Another group (most likely another regiment) is moving from Bhamo towards the Mytkyina-Katha road.

Most forces for the Allied offensive have assembled and are marching south to Shwebo to start the offensive. The Japanese will spot my forces in about a week, the river crossing should happen in about 2.

SWPac
Zeroes sweep Luganville, but the Lightnings there are off on a LRCAP mission, so no combat.

27th of October 42'

China
In the far North another attack is launched on Sining, but it's easily repulsed with heavy Japanese losses. Unfortunately the Japanese did manage a 1-2 lowering the forts.

SWPac
A BB and 2 CA are spotted at Lunga, seems like a strange TF for a forward base, but no heavy ships are spotted at Rabaul.

Carriers on the move
Today USS Lexington and USS Saratoga finally finished their upgrades in San Francisco. They are moving to SoPac to meet the other 4 CV now leaving Pearl Harbour. Together with the 4 USN CVE now operational that gives over 600 carrier aircraft operational, a potent force. Their main objective will be to support landings in SoPac and SWPac, but if possible they are going to pick a fight with the KB. With the sinking of Hiryu early in the war, the Allied carriers now have the advantage unless the Japanese scrape together every little CVE and even then they barely outnumber the Allied planes with a max of 650 to 700 carrier aircraft spots on 7 CV, 4 CVL and 4 CVE.

Subs
A Japanese sub misses a DD on ASW duty near Noumea.