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Damn, I was thinking of using the Australian commandos the same way. It would be pretty weird to give them troop capacity and then not allow them to carry troops though, so maybe ask someone on the AE team ?

I did move troops by submarine (pre patch 2 game) - as always, unrestricted command, and I think strategic move rather than combat, but no longer sure about that. I would have to try and dig out a corresponding save from my PBEM.

Naturally, this makes sub invasions a bit more... difficult... I think you need to get into combat mode at the target before you can attack, which spoils a bit of the surprise.

Hartwig

Combat Report, July 18-21, 1942

These 4 days featured almost no combat, other than bombing milk runs on Noumea, and sub attacks. The raid on Northern Australia didn't materialize, and there have been no attacks at Noumea, where my troops continue to hold out.

I am beginning to think about offensive operations. I will update the status of my forces, and potential targets.

Burma: I have several Indian divisions building strength. Monsoon season is now in the new patch (I think, readers confirm), through September, so I plan some sort of attack in the Fall or Spring of 1943; perhaps the Spring, once I accumulate more replacements. Either way, I would like an attack to coincide with a move elsewhere.

Northern Australia/DEI: I plan an offensive in this area in late 1942. I need to flesh out the operational plan, but in broad strokes, I plan multiple landings at Waingapu and Timor, basically a cluster of bases that don't have signficant Japanese troop presence. I will need at least 5 divisions for this, because although I feel I can grab a couple bases with this force, I expect a very strong Japanese response.

For this reason, I need more forces; planes, troops, ships, etc. I plan to use the entire RN to support this operation, with perhaps CV support from the USN.

I am transferring signficant British troops to Australia. I think India is secure, Burma is sort of a limited space to operate, the Brits don't have the CV support or shipping for an amphib landing. Therefore, I am borrowing some British troops.

2nd UK Infantry is headed to Australia, along with an Indian Bde, and 22nd West African Bde. I am also sending some RAF base force units, which the Brits have an excess of, and the Aussies don't. 32nd US Inf. Div. is moving to Perth. This will add to the AIF forces I already have, basically the whole mobile Australian Army.

I need more USAAF flighters, because they will need to do the heavy lifting with the inevitable Japanese coutnerattacks. I also need some US tanks to augment the Aussie tanks, and some Seabee units are also needed.

Overall, this operation will take some time to flesh out, and it's not easy to get stuff to Perth from the USA, but I really like an offensive in this area.

SW Pacific: I will also launch an offensive in the SW Pacific. I am unsure yet of the target; maybe Noumea if that's gone, or maybe Milne Bay, I don't know yet. What I do know is that it won't hurt to stockpile Marines, Base troops, everything I can down there, so that's what I am doing.

A few questions, Q-Ball:
 
1)  You guys are keeping a blistering pace!  Me and Miller are blistering too and we're only in October '42, yet we started before you guys and we're playing two-day turns.  How many turns are you doing a day and how does it affect your home/business life? 
 
2)  I like your plans, but how can you prevent your RN carriers tangling with the KB?  Will you rely upon brute strength, a diversion, or both?

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

A few questions, Q-Ball:

1)  You guys are keeping a blistering pace!  Me and Miller are blistering too and we're only in October '42, yet we started before you guys and we're playing two-day turns.  How many turns are you doing a day and how does it affect your home/business life?

You are right, we usually do 4-5 turns a day. I usually only spend 5 minutes on a turn; load up a few convoys on the West Coast, check the subs, etc. Every day or two I will sit in front of the TV at night and spend 1/2 hour to hour checking everything, setting sub patrols, etc. I have sent back turns sometimes where I issue no orders whatsoever. I also don't look at all the replays, which I know is a no-no, but saves alot of time; I read the combat report,and load the replay if things are looking interesting.

Cuttlefish, he is semi-retired and has a sugar momma apparently. (wife works)

I suspect I will slow down once I have to attack. 

2)  I like your plans, but how can you prevent your RN carriers tangling with the KB?  Will you rely upon brute strength, a diversion, or both??

Not sure. A couple options:
1. Hope KB is near Truk, and time the whole thing so I can land in 3-4 days from sighting, about the time it would take KB to intervene.
2. Bring the USN CV's around Australia to support
3. Accept losses

Probably combination of 1 and 3. I think I can do it before KB reacts, but I am guaranteed to have a pile of losses regardless. We are the Allies, we can affort it.

The raid on Northern Australia didn't materialize, and there have been no attacks at Noumea, where my troops continue to hold out.

I am beginning to think about offensive operations. I will update the status of my forces, and potential targets.

Do you have a submarine presence around Noumea? At the least you can force Cuttlefish to keep the KB moving and burn fuel.

It looks like the Japanese expansion has been pretty much brought to a halt. Cuttlefish got further into the South Pacific than historically but not quite as far into India/Burma. (I forget whether you managed to keep a route into China open.)

Wow, Q-Ball, that information does not compute.  It's like hearing a radio DJ for years.  When you finally bump into him on the golf course, he doesn't look anything like he "should."  Well, you are such a thoughtful and meticulous player that I envision you spending six hours just adjusting search arcs each turn before getting really serious to devote the weekend to pilot training matters. 
 
You've blow my mind, but it's encouraging to know that somebody else out there (and a very fine player to boot) can fly through turns. [&o]

I'm probably on the other end of the "bell shaped curve" and spend too much time during turns. [:D]

FYI - I just got a 5 page letter from John III today. I'll call his wife in the next few days and discuss some things with her. He now has one month left until he's out (9 Jan 2010).[:)]

Thanks Dan and Michael, it's a good question on how much to spend on turns.

I think you have to spend a half hour to hour every few game days to double-check everything. But the new Sub Patrol Zones is a massive time-saver; you can fire and forget on the subs, just check every couple weeks of game time to see if any are low on fuel, or if a particular patrol zone seems dry. Same for Waypoints, you can set the convoys, then just quickly check the ports to see if any arrive.

The only thing that requires daily maintenence are forces in combat. When there isn't alot of combat, all I do is check a few key ports, load up a convoy if it's ready to load, and send the turn back.

Gentlemen!

With little major action over the last few days, it is time to reveal to you the broad outlines of our Fall 1942 offensive efforts. The brave garrison on Noumea is still holding, and affixing the attention of the Empire on it's conquest. Their sacrifice shall not be in vain. Although we remain on the alert and digging in on the coasts of Australia and Fiji, we feel that the time is right to reveal our operational plans...........

The Fall 1942 Offensive shall consist of 3 timed thrusts, designed to confuse, bemuse, and then deliver a devastating blow to Japan. We will discuss the tactical outlines in other notes, but here are the broad outlines.

First, in October 1942 (after Monsoon), we shall launch OPERATION FORAGER, an offensive into Burma. The primary objective is Myiktinya, though the strategic objective is to draw Japanese ground troops and airpower into this region.

FORAGER will consist of a 3-pronged attack; one Indian Corps will move from Akyab to threaten the Lower Irriwaddy. This is a diversion. The main effort will be conducted by 5 Divisions from Kalemyo and Ledo; infiltrators and units from Kalemyo will occupy Katha, threaten Shwebo, and block reinforcements to Myiktinya. 2-3 divisions will march overland from Ledo toward Myiktinya, establishing an airbase at Wazarup for air supply. Finally, fresh Chinese Units (we have been resupplying by air and rebuilding at Paotang), will march toward Lashio, to draw attention, and block a retreat from Myiktinya toward Lashio.

Once FORAGER is firmly under way, we will launch OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT. This is a purely fake invasion effort on the Marshalls. We will send several Transport TFs and some older cruisers toward the Marshalls. The purpose of this operation is to draw IJN Naval assets, particularly Japanese Carriers, to the Marshall Islands. We expect to lose 20-30 transports and perhaps some cruisers in this effort.

Their sacrifice will not be in vain, for as those ships are being attacked by Japan, our Third operation, and most important, will reveal itself off the coast of Timor, OPERATION REPRISAL. REPRISAL will be supported by all CVs in the US and RN Pacific Fleets, at least 10 BBs, most of our cruisers. Landing forces will be the AIF, 2 UK Division, 3 US Army INfantry Divisions, plus tanks and artillery. Support forces will consist of at least 15 Base Force Units and 10 Construction Battalions. Our initial landings will be on Waingapu (which should be lightly defended), and Timor (which will have more oppossition). We expect a strong Japanese response and heavy combat. But if we can get 3 days of peaceful unloading, we should be able to uncork enough troops to establish a foothold in the Southern DEI and begin a war of attrition. Ships will sail from the expanded ports at Perth, Port Hedland, and Exmouth.

Gentlemen, Major Stecker is distributing your breifing documents, and we await your comments.

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
Once FORAGER is firmly under way, we will launch OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT. This is a purely fake invasion effort on the Marshalls. We will send several Transport TFs and some older cruisers toward the Marshalls. The purpose of this operation is to draw IJN Naval assets, particularly Japanese Carriers, to the Marshall Islands. We expect to lose 20-30 transports and perhaps some cruisers in this effort.

One recommendation for this op. I'd put some ash 'n trash troops on the ships. When Cuttlefish sinks one and no troops show up swimming, he'll probably realize that something is up. Those troops may not like it, but it's all for the greater glory of the empire, uh, I mean, democracy, right?

So basically you're trying to say that the goal is this:

Cuttlefish =

Great AAR and detailed plan Q-ball. And best of Luck!

Is that Major Jack (NMI) Stecker? Wouldn't you rather have him out in the field?[:D]

The purpose of this operation is to draw IJN Naval assets, particularly Japanese Carriers, to the Marshall Islands. We expect to lose 20-30 transports and perhaps some cruisers in this effort.

20-30 transports?? I guess you must have enough to spare.

Looking forward to execution!

He's playing the Allies.  Given time, he'll have enough of everything. [:'(]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
One recommendation for this op. I'd put some ash 'n trash troops on the ships. When Cuttlefish sinks one and no troops show up swimming, he'll probably realize that something is up. Those troops may not like it, but it's all for the greater glory of the empire, uh, I mean, democracy, right?

So basically you're trying to say that the goal is this:

Cuttlefish =

I see you have read the brief, General Solli. Excellent suggestion; clearly you are skilled in the ways of subterfuge. You are ordered to command OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Seriously, I have already prepped a Bn at Pearl for Wotje, in the unlikely odds they actually get ashore. To make the subterfuge complete, I think forces will consist of the following:

1. Cruiser TF of 4 Cruisers will bombard Wotje first; chances are they can actually get away, but just in case, we'll use mostly Omahas.
2. CVE Long Island will provide cover with a handful of Wildcats; enough for CF to know that a flattop is present. I don't think he'll suspect it's just Long Island.
3. I will form a couple surface TF's of an Omaha and some old DDs; they will flash larger on the intel screen
4. Finally, gobs and gobs of the oldest Aks I have, organized into about 6-8 TFs of 6-8 ships each

The troops might not have to actually die; I just need KB to be sailing that way to make this work.

For REPRISAL, I have detailed the 32nd, 40th, and elements of the 37th Divisions, US Army, to join the Australian and UK contingents. Everyone is starting to prep and study for their targets. I am prepping 3 divisions plus all my tanks and artillery for Koepang, where I expect the most resistance. The Brits are prepping for Waingapu and the other base on Soemba Is. 1 Division is prepping for Maumere. I also plan to grab the rest of Flores is resistance is light. 10 Construction units are on the way to Perth. I will need to build all these bases fast.

Within 2 weeks of landing, I hope to have 3-4 operational airbases. Too late for the Japs to kick me out.

Q-Ball, you're sneaky. [:-]

37 ID, that's the Ohio National Guard. I spent 17 years in the brigade that used to be the 37 ID. Please take care of my predecessors. [:D]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Q-Ball, you're sneaky. [:-]

37 ID, that's the Ohio National Guard. I spent 17 years in the brigade that used to be the 37 ID. Please take care of my predecessors. [:D]

That's up to the Japanese, isn't it? [:D]

Combat Report, July 22-29, 1942

Not a great deal of new activity these days, but a quick summary:

Burma: There has been some air war in Burma. The RM Viper Force is on the railway between Shwebo and Myiktinya, so the 33rd IJB Division is moving to clear it. I set all my bombers to bomb it on the move, which worked for a day, until Cuttlefish ambushed my planes and shot down about 20 (for 6 Zeros lost). After that, they disappeared, and I resumed bombing. I guess the Japanese will do hit and run.

I am also bombing Myiktinya. I may have alerted Cuttlefish to the danger up there and he might reinforce, which won't help FORAGER. Oh well. The primary objective of FORAGER is to draw air and troops to Burma, so we'll know if we see more troops there.

Northern Australia: I am hoping to quietly build up this area ahead of REPRISAL. Cuttlefish knows Port Hedland is a major installation, I hope he considers that defensive in nature.

A Japanese TF appeared off Carnarvon on the 28th. I didn't get enough intel on it, other than it's "ships", but has to be warships. Next turn, they disappeared. I only had a couple supply convoys at risk, but that makes me think I need to be careful moving ground troops around there.

Noumea: Siege continues. No new attacks, Japanese bomb every day. Probably, Cuttlefish is getting more troops. KB disappeared.

USN CVs: Enterprise is FINALLY repaired, and heading toward Perth, where she will drop anchor in about 3 weeks. That will be about a 7-month torpedo hit, pretty serious damage. Big E is still carrying obsolete airplanes, so we will upgrade that when we get to Perth.

Within 30 days, the last Devastator should be retired from the fleet. The other 5 USN CVs are at Pearl, and they will shortly move to Pago Pago. I am planning an interim operation before REPRISAL, a landing on Nukufetau, and they will support that landing before heading to Australia. Accompanying them will be pretty much most of the US Fleet. I will probably leave a couple BBs and older cruisers at Pearl.

For REPRISAL, I have detailed the 32nd, 40th, and elements of the 37th Divisions, US Army, to join the Australian and UK contingents. Everyone is starting to prep and study for their targets. I am prepping 3 divisions plus all my tanks and artillery for Koepang, where I expect the most resistance. The Brits are prepping for Waingapu and the other base on Soemba Is. 1 Division is prepping for Maumere. I also plan to grab the rest of Flores is resistance is light. 10 Construction units are on the way to Perth. I will need to build all these bases fast.

Since I am temporarily unemployed from General Staff work for another 30 days (John III getting home), I can offer you some advice and feedback. [:D]

1) Derby - I would add this to help protect your right flank and isolate Broome. It will make getting aircraft to and from Timor easier and allow you to CAP your TF in the follow up phase of this operation (I expect you to have suppressed Broome via your 4e bombers). [;)]

2) Soemba and Flores - I'm glad you have added these targets.[:)]

3) Subs - You will need to stockpile mines that go on your subs starting now. I would use them to block the various straits between Soerabaja to Timor to help you protect your left flank. I would time them to lay mines just a day or two before your invasions. This is to be done mainly by your American Fleet subs while your Dutch, Brits, and S-boats flood the rest of the area and cover approaches.

Postpone the attack until early November '42. You get 3 CVEs (they carry 2 squadrons of replacement aircraft, but you could remove the SBDs and use just the Wildcats for CAP) in the second half of October, more P-38s, and some B-24s at Karachi.

Michael, good suggestions. Taking more than one base is key, you need mutually supporting airbases, if you establish that it's impossible to shut down my air.

I don't think I'll wait for the CVEs. I should have a couple by early November, but there is a 3-pack that will probably come after D-Day for REPRISAL.

I am concerned about not tipping anything off ahead of time. Flooding the area with Subs in this case shouldn't tip him off; I have alot of subs anyway in the SRA, it's a target-rich environment. I will shift the subs to watch passages, particularly north of Ambon, where anything coming from Truk will transit.

Derby is a key base, but I fear if I build it up too much, he'll suspect something. I am marching a base force unit overland to Wyndham, and I do plan to get a unit to Broome, but I don't want to put more than 2 units in any of those bases yet.

Wow, I have to BUMP my own AAR!

Combat Report, July 31, August 1, 1942

Noumea: Not much combat, though Japanese ships are sighted at Koumac, probably bringing in reinforcements. Still only 3 divisions identified. We are approaching 2 months of siege, so I think I am accomplishing what I wanted to.

Burma: I am halting the air campaign over Burma. We were sweeping and bombing troops, but to not too much effect, and sooner or later we would probably get ambushed. Besides, I am resting and training all my units for FORAGER, which has a launch date of September 28, about 59 days away.

Searchlight Prep: I have prepped a single Bn for Wotje. I am moving CVE Long Island, 4 Omahas, 2 Leanders, and about 12 DDs to Pearl. These are the "forces" for Searchlight. I will scrape up about 100 AKs and xAKLs to provide "transport".

Reprisal Prep: The US Fleet is moving to Pago Pago, interim step to Australia. I have a bunch more units heading to Australia. D-Day will be approx. 10/15/42 to 11/1/42. Anyone not prepped by mid-August won't be in an invasion wave, so I need to double-check all my troops and set the Combat OOB. Support forces need to be on a ship and headed to Australia by 9/1/42 if they are currently on the West Coast.

Operation Seeker: We are going to land in about 30 days on Nukufetau, where the Japanese have an SNLF Co. and seaplanes, basically a small observation post. The 22nd Marine Regt is prepping for Nukufetau, and has been for 45 days. This operation has a couple objectives:

1. Secure Nuku for MY eyes.
2. Fix CF's gaze on Central Pacific as the focal point of US Operations (which it won't be)
3. Practice for invasions; I have yet to see how quickly US troops unload from xAPs so I want to check it out. Nothing like live combat to see right?