Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Detection is 2/3 on all TFs at Ndeni

Zero everywhere else... except Luganville which is at 9/10 [&:] he has a recon squadron fixed on Luganville; he had been sending recon missions for at least 6 turns if not more. Of course I have nothing there [;)] Maybe he was planning to invade there? maybe he thought any Allied invasion forces would need to be gathered there before... which of course I didn't; Noumea and Vanua Lava were better choices

And Netties are too far away; that is the reason I ended choosing Ndeni instead of Tulagi (airbase still L1). LBAs are out of range

EDIT: Actually he has Rossel Island at L2... which is in extended range for Betties. Still too far away, too small airfield and too risky; he won't do it

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I don't have the turn yet, only the combat replay.

Ndeni invasion went according to plan with little yet to report:
- Enemy identified: I/66th Naval guards. It's starting statistics are:
EXP 90, Morale: 90
Cmd: Kawamura: Lead=66, Insp=65, Admn=48, Land=61
TOE: 12 SNLF Inf, 3 HMG, 1 81mm mortar, 1 37mm AT, 1 AAMG, 18 support

These are good troops, but very few. Moreover, no engineers means no highly fortified position.
The raiders should be capable of taking them after some naval bombardment. I will try not to use the carriers, until they are spotted.

- That recon squadron fixed to Luganville before is now pointing to Ndeni; so he will have a good idea now on what I have there
- Carriers not yet spotted [:)]
In other news:
- He is sending recon missions to Darwin, and the KB is somewhere near Singapore; I think he will strike and invade Darwin before soon; just before the end of the early Japanese amphibious advantage

All he needs is a beach head before the end of the advantage; then he can wait until Java/ Luzon are finished and then many good divisions (at least 4) will be free to roam Australia

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Turn arrived; and no big news; I think I surprised him with the invasion. I don't think it worries him too much as this is very underdeveloped land, but everything counts.

I noticed "heavy radio volume at Kwajalein" [:D] is he coming?? I estimated a window of 4 to 5 turns to finish the business, afterwards I will have to withdraw.

In Ceylon: tomorrow and the day after, I will try a second major evacuation (1st succesfully moved most of two Australian Brigades). Tomorrow I will try to evacuate 70% of an AA brigade, the day after all leftovers.
Anything else will be abandoned.


I don't expect carriers, as they are all moving back to the Pacific, but he might try to send some cruisers/ destroyers. I have one weak cruiser TF and two torpedo bomber squadrons in Colombo; hopefully they won't be needed
Key is that as long as Trincomalee resist, I don't need to worry about LBAs; Jaffna airbase is level 1 and therefore he can't do offensive missions.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Today I want to discuss the main thrust of my Pacific offensive: Amchitka in the Aleutians; this is not a raid like the one down south at Ndeni. No, this is a real invasion and I plan to capture and hold it, closing the Aleutians for once and forever to the Japanese; or at the very least make it so strong as to make it a big commitment

But first, some other highlights:

- Ceylon evacuation: 2nd wave's 1st day went according to plan. Only submarine tried (and failed) to stop it.
Tonight the 222 RAF HQ and all leftovers of the 16th and 17th Australian brigades + leftovers of 23 AA brigade will leave

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Colombo at 28,47

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
xAP Aorangi

xAP Aorangi is sighted by SS I-153
SS I-153 launches 2 torpedoes


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Sub attack near Trivandrum at 27,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Enterprise
DD Norman

SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Enterprise
DD Norman attacking submerged sub ....
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And this is an update on India:
BFF brigade had been pounded by LBAs from a long time; I think it is time to try a little surprise [:D]
I moved 2 fighter squadrons to Benares, a L1 airbase without support; so he is not expecting opposition; hopefully I will catch some bombers without escort

Things are quiet here; I plan to defend Hyderabad, Madras and Cawporne
Nagpur and Benares are speed bumps, with armor guarding, so it can withdraw quickly if needed

[Jorge_Stanbury]

One last update before moving to the main invasion of Amchitka:

Ndeni: all according to plan so far; no opposition at all, nothing.
- CA Salt Lake City, CL Phoenix + 7 DDs will naval bombard tomorrow, and remain on Ndeni
- CA Exeter + 2 DDs will bombard again, the leave to ream
- I have 2nd Marine raider battalion and 2nd USMC Parachute battalion recovering from the amphibious assault. they will assault in 2 or 3 turns
- Carriers not spotted [:D] I will keep them doing search; no strikes as long as they are undetected

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Amchitka:

This is not a raid, but a fully planned invasion. Ndeni was only a diversion; if I can't capture it in the next 3 or 4 turns, I will evacuate it
Moreover, if I capture Ndeni in 3 or 4 turns, I will still evacuate it before KB arrives.

Once I capture Amchitka, then Japan will be completely evicted out of the Aleutians theatre. Then any attempt to get back into this secondary theatre will be significantly more costly for Japan. [:)]

The original plan was to have carriers supporting. but that assumed KB (or part of it) in the Pacific. With the KB supporting the invasion to Ceylon, I preferred to send the carrier south, and they are now supporting Ndeni
That means I had to rush to build Adak to L1 to have at the very least CAP capabilities (50 P-40s will provide it). I also have 8 LB-30s in Umnak.. that is all the air support I can count



Lacking on air meant I had to go heavy on naval support. I have committed 4 battleships and 6 good cruisers to this operation. Surprise is critical as Amchitka is L2 and therefore capable of operating LBAs. Surprise has been achieved so far [:D]
Tonight there will be a heavy naval bombardment (4 BBs, 2 CLs), so hopefully it will heavily damage the airbase
Tonight also the full invasion will start, 1 Inf Reg, 1 ART, 2 Combat engineeers will assault. The Inf regiment and one combat engineer are fully embarked on navalized ships (APDs, AKs, AMCs, APs) the rest are on xAPs.

[IdahoNYer]

Nice to see the Allies striking back in March '42!!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks! yes, I had a short window of opportunity before :
a) KB arrives
b) Japan's early amphibious bonus ends
Which means he have now more places to invade or recapture while the window of oportunity is slowly closing

Highlights of Mar 19th:
- I recaptured Tarakan!!! [:D] pure Japanese negligence really, I simply marched defeated Dutch troops back into Tarakan, expecting to see either a base force or some naval guards; instead I got it for free... A pitty I have few engineers, but that is another place he will need to strike again, hopefully he will bomb and damage the oil. I just ordered all submarines in the vicinity to refuel at Tarakan.. free fuel!!

- CAP trap in India worked wonderful, I counted 18 Ki-21 IIa shot down..[:D] [:D] he will now avoid unescorted bombing missions so close to my bases [:D]

- Colombo's evacuation was a success: I was able to withdraw 2 Australian brigades, 1 AA brigade and 1 Air HQ! [:)]
I have more transports ready in Colombo. I might keep them there to do a final evacuation of Indian troops (I will need to pay PP), but not yet, I want to see at least one or two engagements

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Amchitka:
LB-30s didn't fly due to weather; everything else according to plan:

Tomorrow:
- battleships will bomb again, then withdraw to Adak for rearming
- LB-30s will hopefully fly this time; I changed leader (previous one was awful) just in case
- 25 P-40s will be doing LRCAP over Amchitka
- AKs/ APs will finish unloading
- xAPs will need more time; but by end of day, the most critical equipment will be unloaded
- Troops will recover disruption, the day after they will fight
- ART will start bombing




Notice the airbase losses:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Amchitka Island at 158,52

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Colorado
CL Honolulu
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 4

BB Warspite firing at Amchitka Island
BB Mississippi firing at Amchitka Island
BB New Mexico firing at Amchitka Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Amchitka Island
CL Honolulu firing at Amchitka Island
CL Helena firing at Amchitka Island



--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Amchitka Island (158,52)

TF 169 troops unloading over beach at Amchitka Island, 158,52

Allied ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Engineer Vehicle lost from landing craft during unload of 151st Cmbt Engr Bn

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Ndeni
Everything according to plan:
- Good naval bombing results.
- Enemy submarines are getting close; but no attacks yet.
- No enemy TFs spotted.
- My carriers were finally spotted; that means next turn Halsey will strike [;)]

Tomorrow:
- 2nd USMC Para and 2nd Raiding Battalions will attack
- Cruiser TF1 (CA Salt Lake City, CL Phoenix): will naval bomb again then withdraw to Vanua Lava for rearming
- Cruiser TF2 (CA Minneapolis, CL Tenton): will move to Ndeni and bomb, remaining there afterwards
- CA Exeter: fully rearmed at Vanua Lava, it will go back to guard Ndeni


Results:
Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
DD Van Ghent

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Exeter firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CL Phoenix
DD Ellet
DD Benham
DD Craven
DD Patterson
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Russell

Japanese ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

CA Salt Lake City firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Phoenix
CL Phoenix firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Ellet firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Benham firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Craven firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Patterson firing at Ndeni
DD Ralph Talbot firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Mugford firing at Ndeni
DD Russell firing at Ndeni

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Other highlights:

- Bloody day at Bandoeng: he attacked with 4 Inf Divisions + 1 Inf Reg + ART.
Thanksfully Bandoeng still holds: 1-to-2 and no fort reduction

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

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 56971 troops, 489 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 1718

Defending force 12122 troops, 139 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Japanese adjusted assault: 619

Allied adjusted defense: 730

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
3495 casualties reported
Squads: 127 destroyed, 223 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 26 (5 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
14th Division
10th Division
21st Division
146th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
31st Fld AA Gun Co
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Bn /3

Defending units:
XV KNIL Battalion
IV KNIL Battalion
6th Cav Sqdn
Tjilitjap Cdo
4th KNIL Regiment
IX KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Battalion
II Marechausse Cdo
HQ II KNIL Division
VkA-3 Sup Afd
VLG-IV Sup Groep
Andir ML Base Force
VkA-1 Sup Afd
VkA-4 Sup Afd

Colombo:
He has only one division, so no need to evacuate yet the Indian troops, as he has too few troops to assault

Ground combat at Colombo (29,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13801 troops, 194 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 408

Defending force 12914 troops, 93 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
16th AA Regiment


Defending units:
Colombo Fortress
100th Indian Brigade
6/15th Punjab Battalion
Ceylon Command
Ceylon Base Force

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The million dollar question: where is the KB??
I have lost it for too many turns; only 2 clues so far:

I)
AIR OPERATIONS PHASE : PM
B5N2 Kate attacking SS Seal at 53,86
B5N2 Kate attacking an Allied SS at 52,89

This of course doesn't mean a lot; he has land based Kates and both locations are close to major airbases. Still, better than nothing


II)
The second clue is Rabaul. It is not that KB is in Rabaul; it is that he is building significant forces there. Offensive forces including 4 battleships.
He is building the kind of offensive forces that requires KB involvement. He knows I have my carriers in the SW Pacific, and it will be foolish to do any major offensive without carriers.

I don't know where the carriers are, but at least I have a good idea of where they are heading to:



What will be the objective of the upcoming Japanese offensive? I think there are 4 good candidates; these are:

1) Port Moresby/ Horn Island:
This is by far the easiest objective; very close to LBA support. Besides, PM had been a torn in his side, with 2 LCUs lost, multiple bombers, etc. He definitively wants to get PM. Battleships will be good for closing that airfield that had given him so much pain.

2) Townsview/ Cairns:
He might decide for a deeper offensive thrust, if he lands in Cairns or Townsview, then PM becomes irrelevant. However I am in a much better shape to defend there.

3) Ndeni:
He might want to defend it; or attempt a carrier engagement. He knows the USN carriers are there; worth to try to catch them; although he might have guessed that I will withdraw as soon as KB arrives.

4) New Caledonia/ Luganville:
Another deep thrust; I am not too concern here. New Caledonia and Luganville are abandoned, he knows Luganville is, he doesn't know New Caledonia is also abandoned. Other than the fact that it can't be assaulted before the amphibious bonus ends, it will be easy to get them.
I just don't see a lot of value on holding these islands, so I will be happy if he chooses them

5) Fiji:
This is the least likely to happen, I don't think he can do it before the end of the amphibious bonus. And I am prepared to defend it in any case, lots of troops, airplanes, mines, coastal guns


If I have to bet; I will go option 1) PM as the most likely, followed by option 2) Cairns.

We will see

[BBfanboy]

Your opponent has left a lot of holes in his preparations - a sign of inexperience, or haste in trying to take everything at once.

You have done a good job at finding the weaknesses and exploiting them. Hope your good guesses and good luck continue!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks!

I think leaving Tarakan unprotected was a major mistake; although of little consequence, as no oil/ refinery have been, so far, damaged.
Amchitka was a mistake in a sense of building a level 2 airbase and leaving it without air cover or nav search. It might be that heavy airframe losses changed priorities.

I don't have the turn yet, but I got the combat replay:

Amchitka
Everything according to plan:
- This time the LB-30s bomb, with some minimal results... better little than nothing
- I confirmed the identity of the enemy: 25 Ind Eng Regiment

Tomorrow:
- All LCUs will deliberate assault
- Cruisers on amphibious TF will detach and go into Surface Combat TF. Initially I was planning to use them to bomb; but as things are working fine; I prefer to keep them in reserve.
- LB-30s will change to ground bombing

By the way, I bought a new computer and got most of the art mods: thanks to the modders!! game looks more beautiful than ever!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Amchitka Island at 158,52

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Colorado
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Dunlap
DD McCall
DMS Hopkins
DMS Elliot
DMS Boggs
AVD Gillis

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

BB Warspite firing at Amchitka Island
BB Mississippi firing at 25th Ind Engineer Regiment
BB New Mexico firing at Amchitka Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Amchitka Island
CL Honolulu firing at Amchitka Island
CL Helena firing at 25th Ind Engineer Regiment
DD Dunlap firing at Amchitka Island
DD McCall firing at Amchitka Island
DMS Hopkins firing at Amchitka Island
DMS Elliot firing at Amchitka Island
DMS Boggs firing at Amchitka Island
AVD Gillis firing at Amchitka Island



Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 138 troops, 17 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Defending force 591 troops, 0 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Assaulting units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
102nd Cmbt Engr Rgt /1
168th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
25th Ind Engineer Regiment

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Ndeni was recaptured

- 2 naval bombings went as planned
- Halsey sent a full +200 plane strike afterwards
- No Japanese left by the combat phase; either the bombings destroyed it or most likely a mix of bombing + air evacuation

What is next?
- Carriers will leave the area

- Cruiser TFs will rearm and provide distant cover to supporting vessels (AKE, AOs, transports) while they retreat

- Should I evacuate Ndeni?
I am still debating:
Why yes: I have no chance against a determined attempt to recapture it once KB arrives
Why not: The Raiders and Paras are scheduled to leave anyway... letting them die defending Ndeni will have little consequence in the longer term



The enemy vanishes... or it is destroyed before combat!

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1466 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 34

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 34 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ndeni !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion

and the bombings:


Afternoon Air attack on I/66th Naval Guard Unit, at 120,143 (Ndeni)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 27
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 13
SBD-2 Dauntless x 52
SBD-3 Dauntless x 108
TBD-1 Devastator x 60

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
DD Dale
DD Farragut
DD Lamson
DD Walke

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
DD Dale firing at Ndeni
DD Farragut firing at Ndeni
DD Lamson firing at Ndeni
DD Walke firing at Ndeni


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
DD Ellet
DD Benham
DD Patterson
DD Mugford
DD Russell

Port hits 11
Port supply hits 2

CA Salt Lake City firing at Ndeni
DD Ellet firing at Ndeni
DD Benham firing at Ndeni
DD Patterson firing at Ndeni
DD Mugford firing at Ndeni
DD Russell firing at Ndeni

[BBfanboy]

Where did you get the art for the bombardment animation? Looks much better than stock!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Where did you get the art for the bombardment animation? Looks much better than stock!

Check post 11

tm.asp?m=2405660&mpage=31

And many thanks to Jace11 [&o]

Edit: Also to
Halsey and DRW61 for the patch art
Chemkid for the amazing map
and Symon/ DaBabes team for the great mod

[IdahoNYer]

- Should I evacuate Ndeni? I am still debating: Why yes: I have no chance against a determined attempt to recapture it once KB arrives Why not: The Raiders and Paras are scheduled to leave anyway... letting them die defending Ndeni will have little consequence in the longer term

I'd leave at least one there - see what his reaction would be. I'd also place an AVD/AVP and some PBYs to extend range. As you said, no chance against a determined attempt to recapture - but I'd rather have that determined attack be at Ndeni than perhaps Noumea or Moresby. Gives him more problems/decisions to solve.

[HansBolter]

A few posts back you mentioned having a Marine Para aboard 6 APDs.
Try adding an AVD or 2 to your FT TFs. The APDs have very little cargo capacity and their lift capacity is likely filled with troops.
The AVDs add 170 cargo capacity with no troop capacity so they will deliver the full 170 capacity in supply.
This helps get a bit more supply ashore with the troops in the initial lift.
The AVDs are the same speed and approx. endurance of the APDs and thus make for a perfect team.