The Turning Point: floydg (A) & Coach Z (J) -- Luganville liberated

[floydg]

Thanks for the info.
I'm not sure I want to give him four poor units (about 100 AV?), since my Chinese are no over-achievers.

Last question: does occupying an enemy base (with the enemy still in control) stop the industry from producing? If so, it may be worth it anyhow...

[n01487477]

Last question: does occupying an enemy base (with the enemy still in control) stop the industry from producing? If so, it may be worth it anyhow...

Finally got around to testing this a little...

1. HI is still produced. Adding Supplies = HI.
2. Res and Oil are not. No supplies added.
3. Arm / Veh are.
4. Engines and Airframes are not.
5. ShipPoints / Repair - I never tested.

Not sure about on map movement of res/oil into the base either,(I would guess that nothing comes into the hex, cause otherwise supplies would). So given that they are not, then this situation can simulate a siege, once Res/Oil are used up, HI here stops, no added Supplies to the base. And no supplies from Res C, from Day1.

--Damian--

[ny59giants]

I would guess that nothing comes into the hex, cause otherwise supplies would

So if Canton is under seige by the Chinese, I cannot land supplies at Hong Kong and have the AI move them to Canton??

[n01487477]

So if Canton is under seige by the Chinese, I cannot land supplies at Hong Kong and have the AI move them to Canton??

I would assume no, but as Benny Hill once said. " When you assume, you make and "ass" out of "u" and "me".

So it's definitely worth a test [;)] --  I'll also test with them both occupied and see what happens.

Seems like I don't see you around much these days Micheal, hope all is well.

--Damian--

[n01487477]

After extensive testing [:D]

Supplies will move into Canton from Hong Kong, if only Hong Kong is occupied. With both occupied, then no supplies move from Canton to HKG. But supplies will move into Canton from other locations ...

So two tests I've not done yet:
1. See if when all hexes surrounding are under Allied control, if supplies can still leak in.
2. Will supplies move out of an occupied base to another with higher demand.

Bed time now, any other Q's ?

--Damian--

[floydg]

I'm good. Thanks!

Perhaps invading Thailand isn't such a good idea... but I may still try it just for kicks.

[floydg]

December 15, 1942

Highlights: More sweeps at Mandalay

• Japanese MSW clear out some of the minefields at Nanomea Atoll.
• A miscommunication with air group commanders in Burma leads to two more Allied sweeps of Mandalay. These did not go well: in the first, 73 Japanese planes downed 23 of 24 P-40E's, losing only 6 Tony. And in the second, 16 P-38G's mixed it up with 57 fighters, taking down 11 to only 9 of their own. Total losses: Allies: 32, Japan: 17.
• Chinese spies report that the Japanese expanded the airfield at Nanchang to level 6 and the newly captured field at Kungchang to level 2.
• Allied engineers expand the port at Wellington to level 8 and the port at Suva to level 5. The airfield at Ogliuga Island expands to level 2.

Analysis: I forgot to turn off the sweeps for two of four air groups. [:-] This cost me quite a bit, as I knew he'd be reinforcing. Drat. And I'm still in trouble because my Air HQ is at a base with less than 20K supply, so I can't replenish lost planes. [:@] Things are not going well for me in Burma now, since I need to clear the air over Mandalay so I can start making bombing runs. I guess I'll just make the runs with as much escort as I can muster.
I now have a higher AV at Nanomea than he does, so it could be slow going for him. I'll get those CA's in position to bombard now.
I now have two divisions loaded on transports and getting under way for Luganville. That should be fun.

[floydg]

December 16, 1942

Highlights: More PT boats become flotsam at Nanomea Atoll

• In another series of brief naval engagements with PT boats at Nanomea Atoll, some Japanese DD's take a few shell hits, but four PT boats are sunk.
• The PT PT-45 hits a Japanese mine at Nanomea Atoll and sinks.
• The port at Lunga expands to level 3.

Analysis: I'm keeping the CA Kumano and her DD's busy sinking PT boats at Nanomea Atoll. Maybe he's running out of bullets and it'll be time to hit him with my CA task force. They were supposed to hit this turn, but the TF didn't end up where I needed them to be last turn, so I'll try it next turn.
My convoy is 3 hexes out of Luganville with two infantry divisions, ready to invade. I've been pounding the troops there for over a month, so hopefully he's massively disrupted already. I see that there are 7 units there, but none seem to be infantry (but I've only spotted directly 4 units). I have some P-38's for LR CAP, but I expect that being in Betty and Zero range from Lunga, I'll lose a few transports. But the troops are well spread out among 60-some-odd AKs, so my losses should be minimal. In theory.
Still not enough supply for my HQ in Burma, so I've been shuttling the air groups back to Calcutta to rebuild them... [:(]

[floydg]

December 17, 1942

Highlights: Naval engagements around Nanomea; Luganville invaded

• The Allies enter the waters around Nanomea Atoll with the CA Indianapolis, CA Northampton, CA Pensacola, CA Quincy, CLAA Juneau, CL Concord, CL Honolulu and 6 DD, looking for the Japanese.
  • Starting off poorly, the CL Condord hits a Japanese-laid mine.
  • They find the CA Kumano and her escorts, The CA Kumano is pounded by shells and is sunk, along with the DD Hayabusa. The Allies take very little damage.
  • Then, three Japanese DD's are pounded, with the DD Satsuki and DD Kiji sunk; but these DD's put up a decent fight and CA Northampton and DD Laffey are hit with torpedoes.
  • The CA Takao and its' escorts are located and the CA is pounded, but was not reported sunk. The CA Quincy suffers a torpedo hit.
  • The CL Kashii and two DD are found and the CL Kashii is reduced to a charred heap and sunk. The DD Laffey takes a second torpedo hit.
  • The DD Inazuma was found alone and easily sunk.
  • Two of four Japanese MSW were quickly sunk as the other two fled.
  • The Allies then bombard the Japanese beachhead and retire back towards Funafuti. No Allied ship is sunk, but some suffer heavy damage.
• Allies make a few attempts to attack Japanese ships by air around Nanomea, but the CAP is too effective and no aircraft can penetrate the defenses.
• Allied air forces continue their non-stop bombardment of Japanese troops at Luganville. Then the invasion fleet arrived at the shores. Betty's from Lunga attack, putting a torpedo into the AK Coquina and AK Waimea, but this speed bump is brushed off. Troops begin to unload, the AK John Hart hits a mine, and the transports and escorts suffer varying coastal gun damage, but the troops make it to shore and establish a beachhead. Initial reports show very few Japanese combat troops remain on the island.
• Japanese attack at Lanchow, but are beaten back by the Chinese, who are well-emplaced with fortifications.
• Americans clear some of the remaining Japanese from Amchitka Island.
• Allied engineers expand the airfield at Perth to level 6, Wallis Island to level 5; and the ports at Umnak Island to 5 and Adak Island to 2.

Analysis: My engagements around Nanomea went very well. Of course, my ships got banged up quite a bit and this will put a dent in my CV escorts, but I think this was necessary to scare him away from Nanomea. None of my ships were sunk, but some are in bad shape (DD Laffey) and will be out of action for a while.
Lots of ships spotted just west of Funafuti, so this must be his second wave. I'll divert some of my airlifted forces to Funafuti now and shuffle some PT boats back there. I don't have decent AV, so my level 9 forts will be all my defenses will hinge on.
I hit the beaches at Luganville with two divisions, only to find it lightly defended by base foces and engineers (AV 60?) compared to my AV over 500. Talk about over-kill... But at least I should secure the base quickly now.
And in Burma, my mess continues, as he now has over 60 fighters back on CAP over Mandalay and I'm still rebuilding my decimated air groups. [:(]

[ny59giants]

As a novice Japanese player, the one thing you don't want to lose are your CAs. You only get what you started with and any losses now will effect his CV TF and SC TF composition. KUDOS!!
 
Identifiy a LCU that you can tranport in to Funafuti by either transport planes and/or patrol planes. If memory serves me right [;)], Wallis Island is less than 9 hexes away and you can move in about 5 squadrons of patrol planes there.  Send all those seaplane tenders there to support them.

[floydg]

Thanks. He's lost about 8 CA's so far, I think.

I have an RCT at Wallis Island that was about half-way airlifted to Nanomea, so I diverted them to Funafuti. I've also been moving in a New Zealand Brigade from Suva.

I also have a 64-transport group at Wallis Island, so the airlift has been smooth. [8D]

Next turn proved my plan was good. It could have gone a little better, but also could have gone a lot worse...

[floydg]

December 18, 1942

Highlights: Luganville liberated; Funafuti invaded

• Allies continue to unload troops at Luganville. Coastal guns score a few hits, but the bulk of the troops safely complete unloading. Betty's attack, scoring three torpedo hits on the AK San Simeon and one on the AK Puerto Rican. The American attack is met with great success and the Japanese quickly retreat into the jungle.
• At Funafuti, the CA Tone, CA Chikuma CL Oi and two DD encounter some PT boats. In a series of engagements, the PT boats score a torpedo hit and some shell hits on the DD Makinami (later sinks) and shell hits on the DD Muasame in exchange for four PT boats. The Japanese then proceed to sink four subchasers.
• Japanese troops begin to unload at Funafuti. Coastal guns do some damage, but a decent number of Japanese reach the shores. The CVE Chuyo is covering the invasion and some SBD's attack, scoring two bomb hits on the ship. The Japanese troops attack, but the defenders are very well dug-in and the Japanese barely hold their beachhead.
• West of Attu, the SS S-45 puts two torpedoes into the AK Kusuyama Maru.
• The Japanese bomb Lanchow. The CAP downs 5 Japanese fighters and 5 bombers for 5 of their own. The airbase takes minor damage.
• At Attu, Japanese carrier planes attack the six DMS sweeping mines. The DMS Long is hit twice with bombs, DMS Chandler twice, DMS Lamberton five times, DMS Perry once, DMS Elliot eight times (sinks) and DMS Dorsey five times (sinks).
• At Efate, the SC SC-642 takes a torpedo from a Betty, sinking her.
• Allies root out almost all of the remaining Japanese at Amchitka Island.
• Spies report that the Japanese expand the airfield at Toyohara to level 2 and Changsha to level 6.

Analysis: Phew, I did quick work at Luganville, thank goodness. I guess it really was over-kill, but that's fine with me. The base is a little bit of a mess, but I hope to clear that up quickly. I have an MAW in route, which should give me some Air support to start harrassing him up to Lunga.
And now he landed at Funafuti, as I expected. My level 9 forts and some flown-in troops held him off, but now I see some BB's coming, so the bombardments could be his key. I'll move some B-24's over to Wallis Island to counter-bombard.
My DMS's at Attu got plastered by the Akagi and maybe others. I guess he doesn't want to lose Attu just yet...

[floydg]

December 19, 1942

Highlights: Allies hold in Central Pac

• Japanese troops continue to unload at Funafuti. Coastal guns do some damage, but are not as effective as previously.
  At Funafuti, the CA Tone, CA Chikuma, CS Nisshin, 2xCL and DD encounter three PT's and sink two. They then bombard the base, doing slight damage. The BB Hyuga, BB Yamashiro CA Suzuya and 2xDD then bombard twice and do moderate damage each time.
• 168xB-24D bomb the port at Attu. They don't do much damage, but they do sink the SS I-171 and AP Daitei Maru in port.
• The Japanese make an all-out attack at Nanomea Atoll, but the defenders have been able to rest a bit and the Japanese make no progress. The 52nd and 84th Naval Guard Units are wiped out by attrition.
• At Funafuti, the Japanese attack is just as bad and they make no headway.
• Allies attempt to root out Japanese troops at La Foa and Luganville. The last Japanese at Amchitka Island are eliminated.
• The Japanese expand the port at Swatow to level 5 and the airbases at Nauru Island to size 1, Apamama to size 2, Kavieng to size 3 and Derby to size 5.

Analysis: He continues to get awful luck at Nanomea and Funafuti with a pair of 0-on-1 attacks. At Nanomea, he lost two Naval Guard units, which leads me to believe he's not going to be able to take it. At Funafuti, my level 9 forts have been making the difference and his second wave of troops unloading wasn't able to make a dent. I have about 100 B-24's at Wallis Island, but they didn't bombard. And I also had the CV Saratoga and CV Wasp parked outside Funafuti and they also didn't attack. Drat. I'll move in the CV Lexington and CV Enterprise tomorrow and see if that works.
Looks like I moved too much supply out of Noumea, so I'm recalling some (oops).

[floydg]

December 20, 1942

Highlights: Japanese invasion fleet hit

• Some stragglers from the Funafuti invasion force unload at Funafuti. The Japanese attack again, but again cannot make any headway.
• In another series of engagements, the Japanese take on several PT boats at Funafuti. Some of the Japanese ships take some damage (CA Chikuma takes two torpedo hits and DD Arashi takes one) and seven PT boats are sunk.
• Japanese carrier planes (32 Val) attack the troops at Funafuti and the Allies counter with 59 x B-24D's.
• Allied carriers then unleash on the Japanese invasion fleet. Planes from the CV Lexington, Saratoga, Enterprise and Wasp hit in several waves. 16 transports, 2 escort are hit. Six transports sink and one escort sinks. Allied aircraft losses are light and escorts down 15 Zero's patrolling over the transports.
• At Luganville, Betty's torpedo the SC SC-637 and sink her.
• The SS O21 just outside the port at Tarawa locates the DD Uzuki, puts a torpedo into her and she sinks.
• The Japanese attack at Lanchow and reduce the fortifications (to 3). The Japanese suffer just over 1000 casualties and the Chinese just under 1200.
• Allies attack again at La Foa and Luganville, making some headway in both places.

Analysis: He still cannot make any progress at Nanomea and Funafuti. I'm thinking that he will soon abandon those invasions. He's had some pretty miserable luck in his invasions. Not that I'm complaining... [:D]
My four carriers were positioned 4 hexes east of Funafuti and I hit quite a few of his transports there. Too bad I didn't hit the capital ships, but maybe some other time (hitting the Chikuma with two PT boat torpedoes was probably enough for now).
Now I'll start attacking with my troops at Nanomea and Funafuti to seal his fate.
His carriers were parked west of Funafuti and never made any advance. I'm not sure how many flight decks he has there, as I saw air groups from five different carriers up on CAP and attacking. [&:]
Elsewhere, China and Burma go slowly.

[floydg]

December 21, 1942

Highlights: Nanomea Atoll cleared of Japanese

• Allied aircraft soften up the Japanese troops at Nanomea Atoll. The Japanese CAP loses three fighters for three American bombers. The ground forces attack and wipe out the last of the Japanese invaders.
• Hudsons from Funafuti score three bomb hits on the AP Tatuwa Maru, just north of Nanomea Atoll.
• The Japanese attack again at Lanchow, but the Chinese defend well, causing almost 1500 Japanese casualties to under 500 Chinese.
• Allies press the Japanese further into the jungle at Luganville.
• Allied engineers expand the airfields at Diamond Harbor and Auckland to level 9. The Japanese reportedly expand the airfield at Ponape to level 3.

Analysis: So now that Nanomea Atoll is clear, time to focus on Funafuti. Of course, Coach Z made it easy for me, since he was evacuating troops from Nanomea and I suppose Funafuti is next. I pulled my carriers back for refuelling, but now I'll move them in range to either ravage his transports, ravage his carriers, or get my own ass whupped. Either way, it should be exciting... [8D]
In China, his advance on Lanchow seems to have slowed down, getting a series of 0-on-1 attacks, which gives me time to rest and get some relief in. I'm moving some troops up from Sian to seige Kungchang, which may distract him a bit.
I may make a move for Hanoi in early January, depending on if I can get enough supply for 6-7 Chinese Corps.
At Attu, I made the mistake of letting him repair all of the airfield damage, and now he has 60+ fighters back there. But it's no big deal, since I'm not planning to move on Attu for a while (winter invasion rules).
I am planning a 90-plane sweep of Mandalay, so hopefully that is another highlight (for one of us).

[ny59giants]

I may make a move for Hanoi in early January, depending on if I can get enough supply for 6-7 Chinese Corps.

Make sure you spend the PP on them to avoid conflict with your opponent.

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I may make a move for Hanoi in early January, depending on if I can get enough supply for 6-7 Chinese Corps.

Make sure you spend the PP on them to avoid conflict with your opponent.

That's not one of our HR. A good number of Chinese units start the scenario out in the SE Asia HQ and I have them in Burma right now (but also some in China Command). I may have enough PP to do it for this incursion, but I'm not sure I want to discuss it with Coach Z, which will tip him off...

[floydg]

December 22, 1942

Highlights: Nanomea cleared of Japanese

• Allied aircraft soften up the Japanese troops at Nanomea Atoll. The Japanese CAP loses three fighters for three American bombers. The ground forces attack and wipe out the last of the Japanese invaders.
• Hudsons from Funafuti score three bomb hits on the AP Tatuwa Maru, just north of Nanomea Atoll.
• The Japanese attack again at Lanchow, but the Chinese defend well, causing almost 1500 Japanese casualties to under 500 Chinese.
• Allies press the Japanese further into the jungle at Luganville.
• Allied engineers expand the airfields at Diamond Harbor and Auckland to level 9. The Japanese reportedly expand the airfield at Ponape to level 3.

Analysis: His invasions of Nanomea and Funafuti are now losses for him. Nanomea he was able to pull out some troops (maybe half, I'm guessing) and I cleared out the rest. I don't think he'll be trying to pull out his troops from Funafuti, as I may have taken out too many of his transports and with my carriers in the area, it may be too risky. I narrowly survived that one... Phew.
In Northern China, he seems to be slowed down, which gives me time to bring in some reinforcements and recoup some disruption for those troops.
Next turn, I plan a big sweep of Mandalay, now that I've rested up and recovered my aircraft strength.

[floydg]

December 23, 1942

Highlights: Mandalay sweep

• Near Broome, the SS Sailfish takes a depth charge hit from Japanese ASW and must return to Perth for emergency repairs.
• Japanese search planes hit the SS Seawolf by Port Moresby and the SS Saury by Broome.
• Allies sweep Mandalay with 63xP-38G, 27xP-40E and 12xBeaufighter VIF. The Japanese put up 23xTojo and 28xTony. 14xTojo and 24xTony are downed to 14xP-38 and three others. Then 40xWellington strike the airfield, taking out about 15 more Japanese planes and doing moderate damage to the airbase.
• Allied troops then attack at Mandalay, but the Japanese defend better than expected and no progress at all can be made.
• Allied forces press the Japanese further at Luganville and Funafuti.
• Spies report that the airfield at Hanoi expanded to level 3.

Analysis: My subs took a beating this turn with three subs suffering at least moderate damage and all must return to port.
My sweep went well and I took out quite a few of his planes. I took a bit of a dent in my P-38 numbers and my pool is somewhat depleted. I may need to downgrade some units elsewhere to build these groups back up. But I'll come in again tomorrow since he's been beaten down a bit.
At Mandalay, I took a big 0-on-1 (more like 0-on-18) and he has level 6 forts there. This may take quite a while to beat down now... [:(]
In the central Pacific, I pulled back my carriers, as their fuel is low and the oilers don't seem to be properly refuelling them.
In the Aleutians, I made the mistake of letting him repair the airfield at Attu and now he has loads of fighters back. So I'll need to go back to that bombing campaign. I'm still afriad to invade there with the massive winter penalty. But I may end up doing it anyway now that I have 2 divisions, 3 RCTs and a brigade ready for this. Just to find enough transports...

[floydg]

December 24, 1942

Highlights: Another sweep at Mandalay; bombs fly over Attu again

• The SS Dolphin maneuvers for a good position to lay some mines at Wake and finds that a Dutch sub found the same good place. The Dolphin hits a mine and retires back to Pearl Harbor immediately.
• South of Apamama, the O21 locates the DD Arashi and sinks her with two torpedo hits.
• Allies sweep Mandalay again with 78 fighters. The Japanese meet them with 91 fighters. The Allies lose 30 and the Japanese lose 34.
• Allies bomb Attu and do moderate damage.
• 3xHudson attack some transports fleeing from Nanomea and score two bomb hits on the troop-laden AP Dainiuyo Maru.
• More Japanese troops are rooted out at Funafuti.
• Allied engineers expand the airfield at Imphal to level 5. The Japanese reportedly expand their airfield at Paramushiro Jima to level 4.

Analysis: I hit my own mine at Wake. Drat! [:@] At least the sub will survive...
My sweep over Mandalay wasn't as good as I had hoped, but I'm making headway. Too bad by P-38 and P-40 pools are way down and I'll need to make do with what I have on the map now.
He's on his last bits of defensive ground at Funafuti, so I think I'll have him rooted out in a few more days of shock attacks. Luganville others in that area will take a lot longer. His Central Pacific campaign has cost him around 40 ships and maybe 4-5 LCUs and he has very little to show for it (I lost about 40 PT boats and a DD, but it was worth it).
Expanded the airfield at Imphal, so many planes will move up closer to the front lines. His expansion of Paramushiro Jima means my Attu invasion will now be met by Betty torpedoes... [:(]