War across the Atlantic - Smeulders (Allies) vs. SqzMyLemon (Japan)

[khyberbill]

You will never get enough!

[Smeulders]

12th-13th of December 42'

China
Joseph tries to get some units into my rear along the whole Chinese line. No way to ID them so far, no bombers want to drop intel bombs on them. There are still large Japanese reserves, so they might try to find one of those cracks in my lines.

Gilberts
A small convoy is spotted at Tarawa on the 12th and SBD fly into Tabiteaeu to take a shot at it. Only an xAKL and small PB are found and these are quickly sunk.

[Smeulders]

13-31 December 42'

China
The Japanese tried a quick crossing early in the month, but have retreated since. The front seems rather stable at the moment.

Burma
A tri-division attack on Bhamo stalls, the bad terrain allows a single Japanese division and a brigade to hold off the attack. Air raids in support don't go particularly well, the fighters usually win their sweeps over the LRCAP, but bad weather kept them down for a couple of days on which the 2E bombers suffered.

Pacific
Tabiteau is being built up into a decent base, a resupply convoy moved in without problem dropping off more engineers and CD guns.

[khyberbill]

Merry Christmas Bart!

[Smeulders]

A Merry Christmas to you too and New Year's will follow soon, both in the game and real life.

[Smeulders]

1 - 5 January 43'

Oz
Bombers start operating against strategic targets from the Darwin region. A first attack is launched to good effect against the small oil fields at Babo (40% down). I'm going to wait a couple of days before going in again, Lemon has a nasty habit of sending in LRCAP if I return to a base and it's out of escort/sweep range.

SWPac
A CL raid against Ndeni kills a couple of SC, AM and xAKL. I didn't notice detection going up so thought the convoys there were safe. PT boats did engage the enemy, but CL and DD aren't the favourite enemies of the little boats. I'll be going for a more active defensive strategy with DD patrolling my forwards bases at night. The first Fletchers have arrived in theatre and this should be a role they excel at.
 
Pacific
Not much happening, but an 8 ship TF is spotted 1 day out from Tabiteau. I'm somewhat in the dark as to the composition, except that 2 DD are spotted. SBD are in position in case they come into range.

[Smeulders]

These things are hard to keep track off once you get out of rhythm. I was surprised it hadn't fallen to the third page by now though.

China
The main action is here, a Japanese stack of 4000 AV (8 divisions, including a Tank Division) is once again approaching the jungle line and shocked a 2000 AV Chinese stack out of the way near Chikiang (?). They do not seem to want to cross the river though, instead attempting to block the road between Chikiang and Changteh. Worst is that the adjusted AV of the Chinese ended up little over 50% of their original strength. There isn't so much a shortage, as an absence of supply in the Chinese army, there is also at least another 10 division stack unaccounted for.

I'm seriously considering my options, if the line falls, do I fall back to Chungking ? Or towards the mountains and Burma ? I'm seriously leaning towards the latter, once a supply path from Burma is opened (fall of Shwebo or Lashio) I could ship in enough to get my army in fighting form again and to try to liberate China. Chungking on the other hand would become a prison camp.

Burma
Related, an offensive towards Shwebo failed. Of the 3 division involved in the attack the Indian division got mangled quickly. 2 Japanese divisions have taken up position in the jungle terrain so a quick breakthrough isn't feasible. An attack in the plains is starting to look more and more appealing again. Though Mandalay is a veritable fort with 3 Divions and strong forts behind a river, the other two bases are only weakly held, think SNLF units. There are divisions hiding in Taung Gyi (Tank), Tongou and in the jungles East of Mandalay, but in the open the Allied firepower should prevail by now. Having some 150 4E in India, together with the RAF mediums and a lvl 9 field in Shwebo also gives me some trumps. I'll have to think carefully about the plan though, the last 2 offensives here were aborted before they even began in earnest, I really want to avoid another failure.

SWPac
Attempting to get this moving soon. I want to get an offensive in before the 3/43 upgrade in which my AP become APA.

Pacific
Tabiteaua is a lvl 4 airfield by now, with supply for a modest bombing campaign. In about a week I'll start closing down Tarawa with mediums. Since LSTs (read, less-valuable amphibs) are arriving more troops and supply will be shipped it. From Tabit some short-range amphibious landings will be staged (Beru, Abemama), to strengthen my positions and gain airfields for LRCAP over Tarawa.

[Smeulders]

16-17th of January 43'

China
More Japanese stacks are arriving at various points in the line, I'll try to get a map update in later today.

SWPac
Interesting message from Joseph this turn "Lot's of activity around Noumea the last week, you must be close to your next move." Coincidentally, carriers left Auckland last turn (AFAIK unspotted) and I've ordered loading to commence at Noumea today. As far as I can tell he got the radio SigInt for Noumea today (detection at 1/0) and maybe once or twice before this week. However, I'm pretty sure he either just fishing for an answer from me that gives him information, or is in no position to counter an invasion in that area. He is perfectly aware that I am very risk-averse, so by hinting at the possibility of an ambush he might try bluff me into delaying or aborting the invasion. If he is in a condition to counter and has solid information, he'd likely have kept quiet and just pounced on my invasion forces and/or carriers. Anyway, more information on this invasion will come in a couple of turns. Don't get too impatient though, due to RL there will be a (+/-) 10 day break starting on Wednesday. And for those interested, my reply to his e-mail was the following "I see you just got 1/0 detection over Noumea. Those responsible for the radio chatter will be punished, enjoy the turn." Would anyone be able to learn anything from that ?
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[Smeulders]

Above is a map of China, with some recent moves by Joseph. About 7 division are up North, guarding Ankang, Sian and the crossroads North of the mountain. Another 12 divisions worth of troops should be in the South, deployed opposite our jungle line. As you can see Changteh is abandoned, it's retreat line can now be cut and the city itself is a deathtrap as well due to the absence of supply.

[Smeulders]

Last update before a holiday. As I don't have my gaming PC now Joseph is keeping the turn for the next week and a half. I'm sure he'll be finetuning orders for every LCU, squadron and PB across the pacific.

18th of January 43'

SWPac
Catalinas from Ndeni spot a 10 PB task force North of Guadalcanal, heading Southeast. Supply run, pickets, or something more deadly than PBs staging another raid against Ndeni. Whatever it is, he'd better not be too close to the island come the morning, because a DB squadron is stationed there.

ASW
"You must be up to something. Quite a lot of ASW about, clearing the way for an amphibious operation maybe . Those mousetraps are nasty pieces of work!"

2 SC groups that have been operating between Luganville and Ndeni for some time found targets today, and moderately damaged two I-boats. A third Japanese sub was reported sunk near Baker island, as it tried to engage a cruiser force I had patrolling in the area. The escorting DD were having none of that and hit it with a DC. I do doubt the report though, one direct hit usually isn't enough.

Also another not so subtle hint about invasions, but I'm not going to abort, I stand by my reasoning of last turn. Carriers are at sea and transports are loaded.

[Smeulders]

19th-20th of January 43'

China
Fairly quiet for the past couple of days. One division that was part of an earlier mega-stack was spotted, guarding the river crossing on the middle dirt road. There are only about 10 units there so it's unlikely that it's actually that stack (which had about 10 divisions + HQs + Tanks + Artillery).

Burma
Intel bombing reveals a single division on the coastal road. This one has been transferred here from the plains. It's been a couple of months since new divisions have popped up here.

SWPac
My carriers (or at least their planes) have been spotted between Suva and New Caledonia. I'm swinging them past Luganville into the Coral Sea to try and lose the subs. There they will also be in a position to cover transports and surface groups until D-Day.

The target of the invasion is Guadalcanal. The island is only lightly defended by some SNLF and Naval Guard units, they should be easily brushed aside by an American ID supported by combat engineers and a Tank Bn. Air resistance should be slight, there is a level 3 base at Munda and level 4 at Shortlands. 75 CVE fighters should be able to protect against raids from them. The main threat is surface ships against which a CA and a CL groups will be guarding. KB is also a danger, for which reason the Allied CV fleet is also in action. They will take up position either in the Coral Sea or to the North of Guadalcanal.

[khyberbill]

Good luck.

[Smeulders]

Bill: Thanks for the encouragement

21st of January 43'

China
A division has marched through the jungle just South of my mountain stronghold (2nd arrow from the top on my previous map) and pushed back a scouting corps. I'm keeping a close eyes on its further movements and any reinforcements it may get.

SWPac
My carriers are now to the SSW of Luganville, they're slightly more inconspicuous there. Again no detection and only 2 SBD that spotted subs (and were probably spotted in return). Tomorrow the landing force should be about 5 hexes from Lunga after which they'll do a high speed run to unload as much as possible during the first day.

Enemy forces spotted; 2 subs patrolling just of the path my invasion force will take and a possible small SCTF at Munda (3 ships, 1 CA and 2 DD reported).

I'm quite sure Joseph is now truly aware of my invasion plans. He can't have missed that my carriers were at sea yesterday and will likely notice SBDs today as well. On top of that there seems to be a lot of chatter over in Joseph's AAR. There are going to be a number of very exiting days ahead.

[Smeulders]

22nd of January 43'

SWPac
And the battles begin, a dozen zero escort even fewer betties against my transports. A couple of CVEs are cruising in the same hex and it's fighters take up the defence (75 fighters, 25 Avengers in the TF). Not all that happy with them though, half the zeroes are shot down for only 2 wildcats, but 7 out of 8 Betties make their attack runs. Luckily there are no hits.

Meanwhile a complete sub line is discovered between Luganville and Guadalcanal, but no attacks are made against the allied task forces, the mass of CV air seems to be keeping their heads down.

Plan for the next turn(s) is outlined below. Subs will be moving to interdict enemies coming from Munda, while the CVs will take up station close to Guadalcanal so they can provide some leaking CAP to the defence of the invasion forces. Today 2 SCTF will be guarding the transports, with 2 more coming up behind for the following days. Generally, they consist of 2 CA/CL and 4-5 DD, not enough to stop BB, but hopefully enough to protect the transports adequately. See the map below for the plans.

[Smeulders]

And as I forgot to add this in the previous post, I won't be able to watch the replay until tomorrow evening, so Joseph helpfully gave me a little hint on the coming turn. Nothing major should have gone wrong for the Allies and the AI reacted strangely, probably leading to some losses for Joseph (or lack of losses on my end). Interested to know what happened exactly, but I guess my amphibious forces and CVs are OK, maybe a couple of banged up cruisers though.

[khyberbill]

Meanwhile a complete sub line is discovered between Luganville and Guadalcanal, but no attacks are made against the allied task forces, the mass of CV air seems to be keeping their heads down.

In my games I have been disappointed in my sub picket lines. They all appear to be watching the movie on the mess deck instead of what is going on up above.

[Smeulders]

I've found subs to be next to useless* as well in my game, probably has something to do with the way I handle them. At least the Japanese have been even worse. By now I'm mainly using my subs as scouts, put them in loose lines on shipping lanes and see if they can spot any carrier planes flying overhead. Hopefully the Solomons campaign will give me a chance of using them a bit more.

*Except for mighty HMS Truant and the sinking of Hiryu of course.

[Smeulders]

Short update on the days battles;

Very small SCTF led by a CL tries to interdict landings but is beaten off by Allied SCTF, no meaningful damage.
Air raids against the CVs take heavy losses (75 vs 25), but a Betty puts one torp in USS Yorktown. Moderate damage, but she will be retiring.
The amphibs didn't start unloading yet .... Troops are very spread out over the ships though, so I hope I can land most tomorrow.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

I've found subs to be next to useless* as well in my game, probably has something to do with the way I handle them. At least the Japanese have been even worse. By now I'm mainly using my subs as scouts, put them in loose lines on shipping lanes and see if they can spot any carrier planes flying overhead. Hopefully the Solomons campaign will give me a chance of using them a bit more.

*Except for mighty HMS Truant and the sinking of Hiryu of course.

In my opinion that is exactly what the USN submarine force accomplishes. 1) A threat forcing the IJ to escort stuff. 2) every once in awhile they get lucky; and 3) on a rare event it is catestrophic .. For you a Brit sub put a torp into something .. but I have sank 50 xAK's and 4 TK's with USN submarines and put a CV out for 3 months ..[;)] I look at it as a freeroll ..

[Smeulders]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

I've found subs to be next to useless* as well in my game, probably has something to do with the way I handle them. At least the Japanese have been even worse. By now I'm mainly using my subs as scouts, put them in loose lines on shipping lanes and see if they can spot any carrier planes flying overhead. Hopefully the Solomons campaign will give me a chance of using them a bit more.

*Except for mighty HMS Truant and the sinking of Hiryu of course.

In my opinion that is exactly what the USN submarine force accomplishes. 1) A threat forcing the IJ to escort stuff. 2) every once in awhile they get lucky; and 3) on a rare event it is catestrophic .. For you a Brit sub put a torp into something .. but I have sank 50 xAK's and 4 TK's with USN submarines and put a CV out for 3 months ..[;)] I look at it as a freeroll ..

Can't argue with that opinion. My USN subs have had their successes as well, but so few and far in between. By now there is a strong LBA ASW asset in most places as well, and Joseph routes close to his shores, so most hunting grounds have become too dangerous because of that as well.