Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[Alfred]

Speedy,

Take this with a grain of salt as it is quite possible I am mistaken.

It is my understanding that ownership of hexsides only affects the movement of of LCUs, not the movement of supply. That being so, then the 600 AV Japanese pocket cannot retreat nor move voluntarily to another hex because all 6 hexsides are coloured green but supply could still reach them.

This might be an issue you should raise on the main forum as it seems no one else reading this AAR feels sufficiently motivated to jump in.

Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi Alfred,
 
Feels like an empty vacuum with just you and me talking[;)]
 
Why oh why do I labour on this AAR for hours I ask? [;)]
 
I'm fairly sure it does block supply coming in. Main reason I say that is that my units at Chengting had no supply going to them when they had red hexsides all around them.
 
In all seriousness regarding the AAR - I'm thinking of stopping it. It does take a fair bit of time each day to update and there seems little interaction on it coupled with the fact Faber may well not have time to get back into his.

[Alfred]

Well, I for one will be disappointed if you do stop this AAR.

It might be that the subject matter (ie China) is responsible for the lack of third party posting. I suspect that most Allied players just want to ignore China, at least in 1942, and therefore probably feel unable to provide much usefull advice. I on the other hand view that as a great Allied mistake. China is just as important a theatre as any other and there is no valid reason why it cannot substantially contribute to overall Allied success. The problem is that China is not sexy, it does not allow for sweeping cavalry charges to show off how "good" a player is and due to its difficulties, it allows poor play to be dismissed as the result of the structural handicaps imposed upon an Allied player and thus largely being out of the player's control.

Regarding supply to Chengting. There are other possible explanations for the non delivery of supply other than all 6 hexsides being red. So in the absence of other relevant factors, I wouldn't view your experience at Chengting as being determinative. But again I hasten to add that I may be wrong.

Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi Alfred,
 
Thanks.
 
I will mull it over whether to continue or not. I will probably do so but I'll see. It is time consuming to keep this up and if others aren't enjoying massively then there's not much point. Maybe I should re-start when the US start counter attacking [;)]
 
You could well be right though. I for one have always enjoyed the challenge of China and I try to take quite a bit of time over it on moving forces around and maximising the chances I have there or not......sorry if it's boring for others to read[;)]
 
Chengting - hmm. We'll see. I'm attacking the Japanese bunch surrounded tomorrow so I'll see if they're out of supply. If so then we know the hexsides do control supply as he has a base 120 miles away.

[nicwb]

Speedy,

I think you'll find that there are a lot of "quiet readers", like myself, who dip into your AAR on a regular basis (we just don't leave too many tracks !)

Honestly, I not only find your AAR entertaining but also instructive.

nicwb

[ckammp]

I'll add my support for you to continue this AAR.
I also find it informative and instructive; certainly not boring!
 
As for China - I believe Alfred has offered excellent advice. I, too, feel that China is an important, but often ignored theatre. Properly utilized, China can reflect it's historical use - acting as a vast quagmire for Japan.
IMO, the Allied player should not aim for a decisive victory, but rather adopt an aggressive, bend-but-don't-break defensive posture. Absorb the Japanese attacks, then persue local, limited counter-attacks.
As for lack of interest in China, I think it stems from 2 sources:
 1) Most players are fans of naval/aerial combat, rather than the land-only slugfest of China. This preference was reflected in WitP thru the popularity of the option to give the computer control of China. If such an option was available in AE, I believe it would prove to be equally as popular.
 2) Early, pre-patch experience in China in which artillery was out of whack. While the artillery problem has been mostly addressed, I belive it left a lingering sour taste for action in China.
 
I also believe your thinking about ending this AAR is somehow the result of a plot by your evil opponent. Flying penguins are well known to be masters of subliminal pyschological warfare. Writing this AAR will focus your attention even more on your game; Fabertong knows this, and thus seeks to break your will to continue.
Don't give in! and Good Luck!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Thanks nicwb and ckammp.....that's good to know[8D] Ckammp - don't I know it. Penguions are lethal....lethal I tells you....I'm trying to encourage Faber to start up his AAR again but I know he's snowed under time wise so it may not happen but we'll see. I'm sure it would be more fun for readers for both AAR's to be up and running!

Alfred - I've had confirmation from Nik that an LCU in a hex with all hexsides being enemy controlled is out of supply. At least they're out of the supply routine unless airdropped supply is being provided.

--------------------------

As 'per norm' of late China was the main focus.

My attack on the Japanese pocket SE of Nanyang failed....they clearly still have some supply stockplie or are getting it by air as I faced heavy resistance. Either way with the Japanese army 46 miles east of Nanyang now I have ordered my men back into Nanyang to await reinforcements from the SE.

This reinforcement will be slightly delayed as the Japanese successfully attacked the Chinese forces moving NW near Sinyang causing 4000 casualties. Weirdly they retreated to the SW of Sinyang rather than NW (nearer my supply source). Stupid routines. It means there's an extra 90 miles of country to cross before we get to Nanyang now.

The 11th appears tto have been a general Japanese offensive in China as attacks were also reported further south at Hankow (massive Japanese failure - 980 AV vs 980 AV = 4000 Japanese casualties vs 200 Chinese - I counter attack tomorrow), south of Nanchang (stalemate at both locations 2500 casualties each) and at Chuhsien (Japanese failure costing 1000 Japanese casualties).

----------------------------

Burma -

A fighter sweep on the 10th over Myikyina was a massacre. This unplanned sweep (my fault with orders) led to the loss of 13 x P40 for no enemy loss. A planned sweep goes over tomorrow with 80 x P40 and 16 x Hurriane. 33 x enemy fighters reported by Recon.

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Submarine warfare -

The 10th saw a potential major coup for the Japanese when SS I-21 found the slightly damaged BB Oklahoma in her sights (1 of 3 x BB's moving to the US for R&R). She remained undetected and 2 torpedoes hit home. DD Downes rapidly located the hinter as became the hunted. Downes reportedly sank the bugger. Oklahoma shoudl be fine (8/30/18).

The 11th saw SS Sculpin blow up the small escort Taikei Maru with a torpedo near Wakkanai. I don't think these PB blighters re-spawn liek small craft would in WiTP which is good...........

[crsutton]

Speedy,

I read every word. Only post when I have something brilliant to say....[;)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

crsutton - LOL......glad to hear it[:D]

--------------------------

CBI -

A fierce series of battle took place over Myitkyina's airspace today. A series of Squadrons entered the fray throughout the morning encountering Oscars. Tallies look even with 15 losses reported each.

China also saw 2 notable actions today. 1 good 1 bad.

First the bad - Hankow. My counter-attack here failed miserable against stubborn Japanese fire. I lost almost 6000 casualties vs 281 Japanese! The complete opposite of yesterday. I now attempt to withdraw to Ichang.

The good - an all out attack by 23rd Group Army SE of Nanchang achieved notable success against 17th IJA Division + 2 Bde's causing over 6600 casualties (of a force total of 17207) smashign the Japanese back to their stronghold of Nanchang. We did take 2990 casualties of our own though. Well done men! We now advance west to help our comrades there before pressing on Nanchang. Hopefully thsi will take some pressure off the north!:

Ground combat at 85,55

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 26971 troops, 236 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021

Defending force 17207 troops, 140 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 565

Allied adjusted assault: 829

Japanese adjusted defense: 310

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
6690 casualties reported
Squads: 172 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 175 destroyed, 97 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Allied ground losses:
2990 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 153 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 186 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

A sitrep of China:

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Main action is again focussed on China.

A Japanese counter-attack to my counter-attack at Hankow failed on the 13th with another 1500 Japanese casualties. I'm still moving my troops out to Ichang for R&R.

I feel like we're 2 battered boxers both slugging it out and taking chunks out of each other.

Further south the Japanese attacked my positions SW of Nanchang before my victorious troops from the east could arrive. The smashed my 3 battered corps to the SE with heavy loss (6000 casualties vs 2000 Japanese (mainly wounded for them)).

A small operation of mine up north (near Kweisui) came off on the 14th as 3 x Bde's supported the Chinese 11th Corps in routing 3 x poorly trained Cavalry Bde's. My men have been ordered to advance on Kweisui to support my forces outside the city.

--------------------------------

Burma -

An Allied air raid on Katha encountered a few Zeroes on CAP. By boys inflicted modeate damage on the airfields and hangars whilst the Hurri's kept the Zeroes off their back. Air losses were 5 x Hurris' for a reported 3 x Zeroes.

Soem good air reinforcements will be coming in soon - P40E FG has just arrived at Ledo, 2 x Hurri Squadrons, 2 x Blenheim Squadrons + the first of the C47 transport groups for China re-supply.

---------------------------------

Submarine warfare -

Still slim pickings for me with the, now, increased transit times to and from patrol and my subs upgrading their RADAR sets.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

With all the talk on China recently I thought i'd update you on Australia and my plans there. It's been relatively quiet after I withdrew from northern Aus. I have slowly been forming a defensive line stretching Alice Springs, Cloncurry to Normanton. About 1/2 of the force alotted to these strongpoints is in place with the other half there within 2 weeks.

I feel quite comfortabel with this for now but it's so hard to say if it's enough sicne Ihave no idea what Faber has bought into northern Aus. There's at least 2 divisions worth that landed initially but more or less may be there/advancing (if they're advancing in strength at all!) I know recon spotted a Jap unit where the cursor is on the map.

The map shows my deployments and plans for defence. I still have several Bn, Bde's etc in eastern/southern Aus just in case....

Western Aus is pretty secure unless Faber lands at least 5 experienced 5 divisions - 7th Aus Division, 14th Brit Bde, 16th Brit Bde, 23rd Brit Bde and 13th Aus Bde are in defence amongst Perth, Geraldton, Albany and Esperance.

Any thoughts/comments?

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Any thoughts/comments?

Surrender?[:D]

[BrucePowers]

Speedy I read the AAR. I don't post a lot because you are a better allied player than I and are usually way ahead of me in tactics.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

Speedy I read the AAR. I don't post a lot because you are a better allied player than I and are usually way ahead of me in tactics.

I know. Thanks. Dumbass[:D]

[Mynok]

I read, but post little since I'm primarily a Jap player.

[BrucePowers]

See my post number 295 on page 10 of this AAR[:D]

[Ketza]

I came, I saw, I read, but I didnt post.
 
Well until now.  [:D]

[ckammp]

Looks like a good defense in Australia.

If Fabertong is content to hold what he has taken so far, I would suggest builing up Tennant Creek, bring in some b-17s, and get some easy training by bombing Daly Waters.
If you are adventurous, do the same thing at Groote Eyelandt.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Good to see a few more posters....except Bruce of course[:'(]

ckammp - too right my friend! I now have plenty of fighters in Australia (with the 41st USA Division convoy, that's just unloaded at Sydney, was a P39/P38 FG....4 more squadrons to the fray. I'm prepping 3 x B17E Squadrons at PH who will ultimately fly down to Australia in preparation for attacks against Japanese held teritory in north Australia. Good call ckammp.

---------------------------------

In general a quieter few days with a few notable actions.

CBI -

Lots of movements in China with Chinese forces moving west from Chuhsien and now advancing en masse to Nanchang where the Japanese have holed up.

Further north the Japanese army that was nearing Nanyang has now moved NE towards Loyang.

A Chinese attacked at Kweisui in the north failed miserabley. Looks like another stalemate up there...........

An Allied fighter sweep on the 17th over Myitkyina met heavy Japanese resistance from Oscars and Zeroes. 27 Allied fighters were lost against a reported 7 Japanese.

Medan was taken by the Japanese. One of the few last Allied bases in the SRA........

----------------------------

Submarine warfare -

2 dud attacks over 4 days and 1 confirmed sinking of AK Yamayuri Maru by SS S-39 west of Pontianak.

[BrucePowers]

By the way in BOB, Bob and I are up to October 7, 1942[:D]. He gave me notice last night that he has an op on[X(][:D]