JFB in charge of the USN??? BtS Lite ver. 4.5 Kitakami (A) vs Falken (J)

[Kitakami]

Bases Lost:

Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Tarakan. Did my esteemed opponent choose which bases to take based on the first two letters of their names?


The DEI:

As expected, Tarakan did not last long. Also, it seems there was no damage done to either the oil fields or the refineries, both at 90(25).

Japanese Deliberate attack at Tarakan (67,91) and CAPTURE Tarakan!!!

Japanese ground losses:
* 31 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 357 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Guns lost 33 (33 destroyed, 0 disabled)
* Units retreated 3

Retreating units are now in Tanjoengselor, with half-decent supplies. Will my esteemed opponent risk a river crossing, or will he reload his transports and do an amphibious invasion? Either way, that SNLF Assault Div is getting delayed, and will be unavailable for other duties for about a week.

What was unexpected was that Falken attacked Palembang again. I thought he would let his troops rest for a few days. The result was not what he expected:

Japanese Deliberate attack at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese ground losses:
* 2226 casualties reported
*** Squads: 84 destroyed, 55 disabled
*** Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 68 disabled
*** Engineers: 21 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Guns lost 31 (26 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 778 casualties reported
*** Squads: 9 destroyed, 39 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied AV went from 509 to 462. Forts from 1.76 to 2.13


Malaya:

I thought I would have 1-2 more turns before the Japanese would cross into Singapore. I was wrong.

Japanese Shock attack at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese ground losses:
* 5192 casualties reported
*** Squads: 16 destroyed, 346 disabled
*** Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
*** Engineers: 8 destroyed, 32 disabled
*** Guns lost 39 (1 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 56 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied AV went from 893 to 893. Forts from 3.59 to 3.62

IJA Imperial Guards decided to cross the river by itself. Little was destroyed, but that number of disabled squads is not to be taken lightly. More Japanese units are to follow. This is the beginning of the end, but Fortress Singapore will sell their lives dearly. My only regret is that I did not reconstitute the 9th Indian Inf Div, as bigger units are more resilient. On the other hand, at least one of the attacking divisions will not be able to do the same either, as its Recce element was destroyed.


The Philippines:

Manila was attacked, and it was not a pretty picture either (for Japan, that is):

Japanese Deliberate attack at Manila (79,77)

Japanese ground losses:
* 3537 casualties reported
*** Squads: 146 destroyed, 157 disabled
*** Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 57 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
*** Guns lost 46 (26 destroyed, 20 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 16 (13 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 103 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
*** Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied AV went from 1516 to 1532. Forts from 2.07 to 2.40

In Mindanao, the remaining Allied troops are awaiting the next, possibly final, attack, which did not come last turn.


Burma:

All sighted Japanese units in the theater moved to the hex east of Pegu, but the 17th Indian Inf Div is staring them down from the other side of the river. Will they attempt to cross? Will they try to continue northwards?

China:

Trying to get used to the fact that supplies will be low for the duration of the war. Still, the Chinese can defend themselves with dadaos if need be (look them up, nasty close combat weapons). This is what happened:

Japanese Deliberate attack at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese ground losses:
* 2031 casualties reported
*** Squads: 44 destroyed, 92 disabled
*** Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 84 disabled
*** Engineers: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
*** Guns lost 18 (13 destroyed, 5 disabled)
*** Vehicles lost 50 (22 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
* 748 casualties reported
*** Squads: 30 destroyed, 67 disabled
*** Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
*** Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied AV went from 1316 to 1225. Forts from 2.39 to 2.05. This battle will be lost, but the longer it takes, the better for me. The stars of the show are the Chinese engineers. Fort level comes down? They build it back up!

Japanese Deliberate attack at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese ground losses:
* 3471 casualties reported
*** Squads: 6 destroyed, 424 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
*** Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
*** 75 casualties reported
*** Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied AV went from 1030 to 1027. Forts from 3.00 to 3.02. Wenchow will take far more than has been sent after it, if it is going to be taken any time soon.


The Solomons, Papua New Guinea, and islands nearby:
Nothing much there, and at this point no news are great news. I need time for my carrier air to train and get newer, better planes.

[Lecivius]

I bet Palembang was an error on his part, probably forgot to set them to Bombard or something. Nice victory there, for the AFB in us [;)]

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius
I bet Palembang was an error on his part, probably forgot to set them to Bombard or something. Nice victory there, for the AFB in us [;)]

Don't know... might have been on purpose. But one more of those, and he will need a third IJA Inf Div to take the place.

It was a nice victory, yes. We will see what comes next.

[Kitakami]

Jan 24th, 1942

My esteemed opponent has decreased the tempo of his ground attacks, but increased his air attacks by including his carrier planes. Air losses were high on both sides, but it almost feels as if he's losing too much for what he is gaining. Let's begin with pilot losses. They were the heaviest so far. At least most were wounded:

[Kitakami]

For once, I am glad for Allied AAA effectiveness (and will try not to get too many of my AAA units in harm's way... they are far too useful). Japanese CV DB losses were heavy! The one thing I am doing terrible at is in fighter losses. 26 to 14 is almost 2 to 1 against.

The reason for the high Japanese losses was that, besides the usual sweeps, Singapore, Soerbaja and Batavia were bombed by CV DB and TB. Dive bombers don't do too well when diving against Allied 40mm AAA.

[Kitakami]

Bases Lost:

Dumaguete, Thousand Ships Bay, and Kendari. The noose is closing.


The DEI:

Tanjoengselor was amphibiously invaded, much quicker (and probably cheaper in losses) than crossing the river. Over 4k troops have been downloaded, so I expect the base to fall next turn.

Malaya:

21st IJA Inf Div and 41st IJA Inf Rgt crossed into Singapore, which prompted another shock attack. This time Japanese losses were higher:

Japanese Shock attack at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese ground losses:
* 5922 casualties reported
*** Squads: 93 destroyed, 374 disabled
*** Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
*** Engineers: 13 destroyed, 27 disabled
Allied ground losses:
* 52 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied AV went from 893 to 887. Forts remained at 3.62 due to air bombing. With airfield damage not being repaired during the turn, I wonder if it is time to start puling air units out.


The Philippines:

Both Manila and Oroquieta were bombarded, and Manila was on the receiving end of IJA bombers, but not much happened.

Allied AV in Manila went from 1532 to 1556. Forts from 2.40 to 2.52. There is a large concentration of enemy troops in Clark Field, so this is the calm that precedes the storm.


Burma:

A very honourable sitzkrieg with 12 Japanese units staring at Commonwealth troops from the other side of the river.


China:

Nothing much. Besides an artillery bombardment here and there, all was quiet on the Chinese front.


The Solomons, Papua New Guinea, and islands nearby:

A KB CarDiv has arrived!

Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130
Japanese aircraft
*** A6M2 Zero x 43
*** B5N2 Kate x 22
*** D3A1 Val x 44
Japanese aircraft losses
*** D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
*** D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied ground losses:
* 9 casualties reported
*** Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
*** Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
*** Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 3

I wonder if, with other IJN flattops busy elsewhere, this might be a good time to contest the region. We will see how things are after the coming turn.

All in all, a somewhat quiet turn. I am sure it will not remain so for long though.

[ny59giants]

Fighters: The Allies flow becomes a small trickle in Feb with the Dutch getting their Hurricanes and then the P-40s in March. The American P-400s are really just P-39s, but you get 36 monthly (72 total) of them for two months. I hope you set up fighter training in the UK for your Brit fighters. Unless your opponent cranked up Zero production, destroying 5 or more per day helps you. There is just not enough Zero groups to go around and the Oscars can only take on the worse of the Allied fighters (non-P39, 40, Hurr). Chin up, mate!! [:)]

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Fighters: The Allies flow becomes a small trickle in Feb with the Dutch getting their Hurricanes and then the P-40s in March. The American P-400s are really just P-39s, but you get 36 monthly (72 total) of them for two months. I hope you set up fighter training in the UK for your Brit fighters. Unless your opponent cranked up Zero production, destroying 5 or more per day helps you. There is just not enough Zero groups to go around and the Oscars can only take on the worse of the Allied fighters (non-P39, 40, Hurr). Chin up, mate!! [:)]

To tell you the truth, I am rather hopeful that I'm doing OK... Training programs are in place, and I know the future won't be grim. But the present is... complicated, to say the least!

One thing all those reading our AARs should understand is that we have never played the sides we are playing. It makes for a very interesting learning experience for us, and most probably an exercise in frustration for our readers. In a very real sense, we DO NOT KNOW what we are doing

I am having a blast, that is for sure and, from what Falken writes to me, so is he, even if he finds himself in a tight spot here and there. This will improve our understanding of the game lots.

Thanks for the cheering up

[ny59giants]

Please post your CV disposition and the last known positions with dates of each part of KB. Its good for you to keep track of that info and your readers informed as their whereabouts.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Please post your CV disposition and the last known positions with dates of each part of KB. Its good for you to keep track of that info and your readers informed as their whereabouts.

With pleasure!

Here were a Hvy CarDiv and the Lt CarDiv last turn. They have been responsible for my dwindling number of fighters. Falken needs to fine tune his DB use (he is used to Japanese AA basically doing nothing), but he will learn soon.

[Kitakami]

Here is another Hvy CarDiv. The CVE CarDiv retreated from the area 1-2 turns ago. Only one heavy CarDiv is out of radar at this point.

[Kitakami]

As for the location of the Allied flattops, they are all in Australia, with the exception of the CVEs and the British carriers.

[ny59giants]

So off Borneo he has the 3 CVLs in TF. Soryu and Hiryu with a CVL in the other TF. A third TF is near Port Moresby. So that leaves just one more to locate. Not too bad at this point in time.

How are your PBYs positioned from Pearl to Australia for NavS? Any major gaps?

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
So off Borneo he has the 3 CVLs in TF. Soryu and Hiryu with a CVL in the other TF. A third TF is near Port Moresby. So that leaves just one more to locate. Not too bad at this point in time.

How are your PBYs positioned from Pearl to Australia for NavS? Any major gaps?

Agreed. I would be much more anxious if I did not know where those were.

As for PBYs, there are active squadrons in Pearl Harbor, Midway, Johnston Island, Palmyra, Canton Island, Suva, and Port Moresby, plus some in the Aleutians, the Dutch in the DEI, and several in the Indian Ocean. Filling up one more squadron to be sent to Pago-Pago.

[ny59giants]

Pair up and load two AVDs to operate at forward bases in SoPac to give you earlier warnings with your PBYs.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Pair up and load two AVDs to operate at forward bases in SoPac to give you earlier warnings with your PBYs.

Will do.

BTW, the last Hvy CarDiv appeared in the last combat replay. It bombed Midway. Fortunately it was set on ground attack, so the Fast Transport TF I had there kept unloading over the two days

I don't have much in the way of naval power in the region, but that means KB's CarDivs are spread in 3 places that can't be easily reinforced. Hmm...

[ny59giants]

Hmm... Indeed!! 😁

What do each of your CVs have aboard for planes and how is your fuel in Aussie land? Don’t overlook how good Allied damage control is.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Hmm... Indeed!! 😁

What do each of your CVs have aboard for planes and how is your fuel in Aussie land? Don’t overlook how good Allied damage control is.

Each fleet CV carries a compliment of 45 fighters and 45 dive bombers, plus spares, with one exception: one of my carriers only has 30 fighters, due to production shortages. All fighters in the big four are F4F-3 of some kind.

Torpedo planes are defensive weapons at this point. They will become offensive weapons from May onward (or so is the plan at least).

[Kitakami]

Jan 24th, 1942

An interesting turn that reminded me of the old 80's movie "Wargames". In the case of last turns war in the air, I quote: "Strange game. The only winning move is not to play". I did much better in the air by simply not contesting it.

It does have its drawbacks, of course. The first is airfield and runway damage, which will not let fortifications go up until repaired. That is the case in Batavia (too few engineers) and Singapore (too many bombers). The second is supply consumption. Both hurt, but I had to choose the lesser of two evils.

My esteemed opponent did not know that dive bombers get attacked by AAA twice, so his carrier bomber losses the last two turns have been notable. I am glad I was not on the receiving end of those 3.7" and 40mm shells!

I lost Oroquieta, Roxas, Renell Island, Maiana, and Tandjoengselor. Oroquieta was the last Allied stronghold in Mindanao, so Falken will be able to redeploy those troops now.

Anyway...

[Kitakami]

The previous turn Japanese DB losses were important. This turn it was TB losses. Somehow the dice were kind to me, and even though the TB attack over Soerbaja was escorted, I guess I got the bounce on the bombers. You can see the results. Total losses for the day are reported as 63 to 7.