Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[SqzMyLemon]

July 8/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Growler hits the xAK Hohuku Maru with a dud near Saishu To, no ASW attack is launched from the escorting PB's.
SS O19 is spotted near Sandakan by the SC CHa-20, but no ASW attack is launched.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 13 Runway and 1 Port Supply hits.

China:

Sian bombed for 0(32) infantry, 2(25) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 170 casualites. An artillery bombardment followed inflicting a further 2(14) infantry, 7(18) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 265 casualties. Ground forces have recovered from the first attack so another deliberate attack against the base will be launched tomorrow. I hope to reduce the fort level again at best, although I do believe lack of supply for Chinese forces may factor into a favourable outcome for my assault. I've ordered the 40th Inf Bde., 78th Inf. Bde and the 39th Division to reinforce Sian. I just realized the 1st army HQ and 78th Inf. Bde. are still in move mode and should arrive prior to the attack on Sian, I hope I haven't provided a (-) modifier for my attack needlessly.

Miscellaneous:

Rangoon expands fortifications to size 3
Nanyang expands airfield to size 2
Yenan expands fortifications to size 1
Palembang expands fortifications to size 3
Waingapu expands airfield to size 2
Waingapu expands fortifications to size 3

CV Kaga beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure

I've bought out the 54th Division from the Home Islands and assigned it to the 2nd Army and is en route for Saipan. I have not decided on it's final deployment as yet. The next PP buy outs will be to establish my 1st and 2nd Tank Division's for deployment in Burma.

[d0mbo]

Very interesting AAAR!

How's the resource situation? You mentioned a while back you were running a deficit?
Does singapore/malaya produce supplies on its own? Is this not enough to suplly your forces?

Curious to know, as i am not that far in my PBEM.

[SqzMyLemon]

July 9/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Sturgeon hit the xAK Hokkai Maru near Kavieng with one torpedo. The transport is still afloat, but damage is 35,60,12,19. I suspect she'll go down tomorrow with Japan's damage control being so poor.
SS Herring is still at large near Wakkanai and despite being spotted again by subchaser's no ASW attack is launched.

China:

Sian was bombed for 0(30) infantry, 0(22) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squad losses totalling 249 casualties.

The second deliberate attack at Sian was launched and casualties on the Japanese side were again heavy. Strength comparison was Japan's 4633AV to China's 4389AV which resulted in 1:1 odds and the fort level was reduced to 3. Japanese casualties consisted of 34(945) infantry, 17(346) non-combat and 4(118) engineer squad losses including 1(50) vehicles totalling 15579 troops [X(]. Chinese casualties amounted to 42(386) infantry, 91(1219) non-combat and 7(49) engineer squad losses totalling only 5181 troops. Japanese strength is reduced to 3813AV.

Compared to the first deliberate attack my casualties are heavier, but I lost less AV strength. I will recover disruption and take troop replacements then launch the 3rd assault in 4-5 days. It's an expensive operation, but there is no avoiding it. Chinese reinforcements are looming to the Northwest and time is not my ally. The casualties are heavy, but I have not tapped into using my replacement pools much yet, so I should have no problems replenishing the units.

The 53rd Inf. Bde. was bombed by A-29A Hudson's (8) at 82,43, but no losses were incurred. The bombers were at 10k.

Paoshan was bombed by Ki-21-IIa Sally's (26) inflicting 2 AB, 3 ABS and 15 Runway hits on the airbase.

Miscellaneous:

Kumamoto expands fortifications to size 3
Paramushiro-jima expands airfield to size 2
Kanoya expands fortifications to size 3

d0mbo:

Thanks for following along and I'm glad you finding the AAR interesting. Resource wise I'm slowly increasing what is stored in the Home Islands. I've been supplying so many outlying bases with fuel and supplies that I'm still running a deficit, but that is changing as I focus now on everything going to the Home Islands. I've been meaning to post what is happening there, but that's another beast completely. I am ok for supply in Burma, but I find bases run in the red with the expansions I'm doing, so I send supplies to Singapore to keep everything going. This will only increase as my units eventually will be in combat. China also gets massive infusions of supply on a regular basis. I have an ambitious fort expansion program and it consumes a lot of supplies, not to mention just keeping my frontline units in fighting form. I do mean to post in more detail on my industry, but I'll wait till I have everything in place and pools begin to rise.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

China:

Bombing of the 35th Chinese Corps resulted in 1 infantry, 1 non-combat squads and 7 guns destroyed. This Chinese force is almost wiped out. I've included a few screenshots of the Chinese theatre as well in this update. It's the only place of interest at the moment.

You are doing him a favor by bombing this unit. If destroyed completely, it will return in Chunking in 30 days as a very strong unit. Better to leave it be. It takes forever to rebuild a Chinese fragment and eats up precious supply as well.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

You are doing him a favor by bombing this unit. If destroyed completely, it will return in Chunking in 30 days as a very strong unit. Better to leave it be. It takes forever to rebuild a Chinese fragment and eats up precious supply as well.

Whether I destroy them or not won't they still die of attrition anyway? I can't stop deliberate attempts to wipe out their own units either, as a small Chinese unit with no AV value was sent northwest out of Sian across the river into a Japanese held hex a few turns ago in what I believe was a deliberate attempt to wipe the unit out to achieve it respawning.

Is it true that a Chinese unit destroyed comes back at the same experience level as when it was destroyed? If that's the case, doesn't that reward an Allied player for being reckless with Chinese units, sacrificing them needlessly in order to get a better unit in return? I understand the respawing at 1/3 unit strength as it represents the huge manpower available to the Chinese, but they should be at the lowest experience level and it should have to come out of their monthly replacement rate. Otherwise there's no point for a Japanese player to try and eliminate a Chinese unit outright, even though the Allied player is free to do so by sending them behind the lines in the first place.

Am I seeing this right or missing something?

[crsutton]

No, I have never seen a Chinese unit die of attrition. It is 4/43 in my game and I still have some Dutch units sitting around in the bush. Seems like only the real low exp units die off. My oppponent is careful about not killing units and I have a few Chinese units with no squads and only some guns. These units can run behind enemy lines and block supply but a unit without any squads cannot advance into an enemy owned hex. Kill them off and they come back at 1/3 strength which for a Chinese Army Corps is about 250 squads-generally about as strong as most start the game. Exp is good 45-50, but morale will be in the 30-50 range when they come back so they have to sit another month or two.

The most annoying thing is that you just can't kill off your own units. A 300-1 attack vs a fragment sometimes just pushes it back a hex and kills nothing. This is actually very frustrating for the Allies as you cannot disband any Chinese units that I have seen.

If the Allied player had to rely solely on the 200 squad a month replacement rate, a decent Japanese player would own China before 1942 ends. Sometimes the Chinese will lose 1,000 or more squads in a retreat. And sometimes the supply situation is so critical that you have to turn off replacments as it eats up too much supply. I am playing scen#2 and would have to say that I have been sweating China since our game started. Every turn brings a crisis. It really is the only theater that I am worried about but think it is almost impossble for Japan to now take all of China since the patches.

[SqzMyLemon]

July 10/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Trusty surfaces near Singkep and pummels the xAKL Meiko Maru with 36 shell hits! Down she goes.
SS Herring is still at large and avoids an ASW attack once again near Toyohara.
SS KIX near Donggala is spotted by the SC Ch 27 and takes damage from one near miss DC attack.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB and 13 Runway hits.

New Guinea:

Two 4E raids against Lae occurred today. B-17E's (12) paid a visit in the first raid and bombed the airbase. A6M2 Zero's (9) intercepted and were treated roughly, in all I lost five fighters to A2A and Op's losses. Eight bombers were damaged and Lae took 7 AB and 7 Runway hits and I lost a further Ki-57-1 Topsy and Ki-46-II Dinah destroyed on the ground. In the second raid B-17E's (6) were intercepted by Zero's (4) and one bomber was shot down to three Zero's damaged. Damage to the airbase was 1 AB, 1 ABS and 5 Runway hits with a Zero and Topsy destroyed on the ground.

China:

Paoshan's airbase was hit by Ki-21-IIa Sally's (25) escorted by Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (20) and caused 2 AB, 2 ABS and 27 runway hits.

Sian received no air attack today due to weather, but an artillery bombardment caused 5(13) infantry, 1(8) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squads losses totalling 240 casulties to the Chinese, 0(6) non-combat squad disablements totalling 16 casualties were suffered by Imperial forces. The ground troops continue to reat and recover disruption/fatigue before the next attack. It's appears that the Chinese are attempting to move further troops out of Sian, to what purpose I do not know yet. I plan another ground attack in 2-3 days.

Miscellaneous:

Cocos Islands expands airfield to size 1
Sabang expands fortifications to size 1
Soerakarta expands fortifications to size 1

CV Soryu beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
CV Akagi beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
CV Shokaku available for service in damaged state at Singapore (refit is complete and will be available in 4 days after repairing)

July 11/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Herring just won't go away and hits the xAK Bingo Maru with a dud near Wakkanai. No ASW attack is launched by escorting PB's.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB, 32 Runway and 5 Port hits.

China:

Sian bombed for 1(21) infantry, 1(16) non-combat squad losses totalling 249 casualites. Another artillery bombardment against the defenders of Sian resulted in 1(10) infantry, 1(6) non-combat squad losses totalling 131 casualties, Japanese suffered 0(2) non-combat squads disabled. AV comparison is 3911 vs. 3819 in Japan's favour. Movement ticks still indicate Chinese troops are attempting to leave Sian to the East and Northwest.

A-29A Hudson's (8) bombed the 53rd Inf. Bde. at 82,43 but inflicted no losses.

My secondary army has reached Kungchang in Northern China and a shock attack will be launched tomorrow, only one Chinese unit is defending and I expect the base to fall easily. I hope it's capture will stop the flow of fuel/oil from Lanchow and Urumchi. I expect the Chinese supply situation to start getting worse when the base falls, unless the fuel is able to be transported through rough terrain into Central China somehow. I don't even know if Sian's fuel has stopped flowing into Central China either considering I block the road and railway to the Northwest.

India:

Recon of Kalemyo show a level one airbase has been completed. I launched an attack by Ki-21-IIa Sally's (25) escorted by Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (9) and hit the airfield for 4 Runway hits. No Allied CAP was encountered.

Miscellaneous:

Kusaie Island expands port to size 1
Singkawang expands fortifications to size 3
Madjene expands fortifications to size 1
Buitenzorg expands fortifications to size 2

DD Shiratsuyu beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Shigure beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Yudachi beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Yamakaze beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Kawakaze beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Umikaze beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
DD Suzukaze beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure

July 12/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Herring launches 4 fish at the SC CHa-6 near Toyohara and hits with a dud, an ASW attack is launched by the SC Cha-33 which quickly runs out of DC's. No hits are recorded. Back to port to replenish...sigh.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 2 AB, 31 Runway and 1 Port hits.

China:

Sian bombed for 0(25) infantry, 2(21) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 283 casualties. Following the air attack was another artillery bombardment. Chinese casualties were 71 troops of 0(4) infantry and 1(3) non-combat squad losses. Movement now indicates the Chinese are just attempting to move Northwest. I will launch the next ground attack tomorrow. Reinforcements of almost 600 AV will arrive in two days.

Kungchang Falls! The shock attack carried the base and routed the defending 6th Chinese BF. Chinese casualties were 58(0) infantry, 142(0) non-combat and 11(0) engineer squads lost including 2 guns destroyed totalling 2113 troops. Japanese losses were 1(14) infantry, 0(5) non-combat and 0(3) engineer squad losses. China again received a (+) modifier for leadership. I'm guessing the leadership ratings of my units are being averaged or something, because otherwise it seems Chinese leadership is consistently better than the Japanese...

India:

Kalemyo's airbase was bombed again for 5 AB, 2 ABS and 9 Runway hits. No Allied CAP once again, but there are 5 auxilliary aircraft based there now according to recon.

Miscellaneous:

Jolo expands fortifications to size 4
Kukong expands fortifications to size 2
Talaud Island expands fortifications to size 3
16th Sentai converting to Ki-48-IIa Lily

8th Fleet arrives at Truk

Screenshot of Northern China to follow.

[SqzMyLemon]

July 13/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Herring is still active around Wakkanai, but elects not to launch torpedoes. There is no ASW attack from the hunting SC's.
SS O23 is spotted near Kuching in shallow water and is aggressively attacked by DD's Uranami and Murakumo. The ASW attack scores 2 direct DC hits and 6 near misses that inflict damage to the fuel tanks and the forward tubes. Unfortunately the DD Murakamo ran out of DC's, otherwise one more direct hit might have forced the sub to surface.

Burma:

Kalemyo was bombed and the airbase suffered 3 AB, 2 ABS and 6 Runway hits. The RAF still won't commit CAP in the area.

Lashio was hit hard by Blenheim IV's (59) and Wllington Ic's (28) inflicting 1 Resource, 4 AB, 3 ABS and 18 Runway hits. I had no CAP at Lashio. [:(] I will move a unit of Nick's there incase another unescorted raid hits tomorrow.

Australia:

Darwin bombed resulting in 1 AB, 18 Runway and 1 Port Fuel hits.

China:

Poor weather grounded the daily bombing of Sian which was unfortunate, as I launched the 3rd deliberate ground assault today. Oucho! Japanese casualites were 89(395) infantry, 18(773) non-combat and 1(36) engineer squad losses totalling a whopping 16277 casualites. The Chinese defenders suffered 56(220) infantry, 80(540) non-combat, 9(34) engineer squad losses including 1(1) guns lost totalling 8557 casualties. The odds and modifiers broke down like this:

Ground combat at Sian (83,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 123996 troops, 1342 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 4002

Defending force 126858 troops, 700 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3816

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 3558

Allied adjusted defense: 2246

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

At least the forts are down to 2. Every attack has been very costly, but the forts have been reduced by one every attack. I'll be able to make good the losses, but it's turning out to be a Verdun of sorts for my troops.

Miscellaneous:

Repairs completed on PC Nire at Cagayan, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on PC Take at Cagayan, ship returned to service

19th Tank Regiment arrives at Fukuoka
18th Tank Regiment arrives at Kagoshima
1st Ind.Tank Co arrives at Truk
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion arrives at Fushun
55th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo

July 14/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Trusty is spotted near Singkep and is attacked by the escorting DD Numakaze scoring 3 near miss DC hits that lightly damage the submarine. This was a tanker transport TF, so a brief moment of panic and luckily no torpedoes were launched.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB, 1 ABS, 19 Runway, 1 Port, 2 Port Fuel and 1 Port Supply hits.

Burma:

Kalemyo was hit again for 1 AB and 5 Runway hits.

No sign of RAF bombers today. I guess Smeulders is just trying to practice coordination and seeing how his operations go before he commits to any kind of sustained operations, otherwise I have no idea why he never follows up. I did move fighters to Lashio, which I'm sure he spotted, so I'm guessing that was enough of a deterrent.

China:

Sian was bombed for 0(15) infantry, 2(18) non-combat squad losses totalling 258 Chinese casualties. I followed up yesterday's ground assault with another artillery bombardment today. Chinese defenders suffered 4(11) infantry, 3(4) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 175 casualties. Only three Chinese units have moved out from Sian to the Northwest. It's not a complete withdrawal. Smeulders informed me that an entire Chinese Corps spawned at Sian so that freed him to move some units out. That sucks for me of course. I don't think a contested hex should be able to allow reinforcements to spawn there.

Miscellaneous:

Chiang Mai expands airfield to size 2
Kusaie Island expands fortifications to size 2
Meiktila expands airfield to size 2
Donggala expands airfield to size 3

SC Ch 10 taken out of commission to begin refit at Rabaul
SC Ch 11 taken out of commission to begin refit at Rabaul

AMc Wa 4 arrives at Tokyo
AMc Wa 5 arrives at Tokyo
DMS W-21 arrives at Tokyo
CM Niizaki arrives at Tokyo
CMc Ma 3 arrives at Tokyo
SC CHa-38 arrives at Ominato
55th I.F.Chutai arrives at Hailar

July 15/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Tarpon spots a tanker TF near Foochow and hits the TK Koho Maru with a dud...whew! One direct DC hit from the escorting PB Kongo Maru is recorded.
SS Thresher hits the xAK Yamazato Maru with one torpedo resulting in heavy damage, although float damge is 53 so the transport may still make port. The escorting DD's launch an ASW attack, but no hits are recorded. This TF is an amphibious one heading to Kobe to pick up the 54th Div.
SS Sealion launches a torpedo attack against the SC Ch 16, but all miss. An ASW attack is launched scoring no hits.
SS Trusty is spotted near Lingga and escorts launch an ASW attack, no DC hits are recorded.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 4 AB, 14 Runway and 1 Port hits.

Burma:

Kalemyo is bombed for 2 Runway hits.

China:

Ki-21-IIa Sally's (41) bomb the 56th Chinese Corps that now occupies the hex diretly Northwest of Sian. Casualties are 0(2) infantry, 0(3) non-combat squad losses totalling 34 troops.

Sian is bombed by Ki-49-Ia Helen's (18) inflicting 0(2) infantry, 0(11) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 74 casualties. Another artillery bombardment hit the defenders for 1(11) infantry, 2(12) non-combat squad losses totalling 182 casualites. The reinforcing Chinese Corps now makes the AV comparison 3484 to 3265 in the Chinese favour. This should be offset tomorrow with the arrival of a new Japanese division and brigade totalling 500+ AV as reinforcement.

My secondary army continues to push towards Lanchow and launches a shock attack against the 6th Chinese BF at 81,35. Japanese troops suffer 0(2) non combat squad losses totalling 9 casualties while the Chinese lose 2 guns and retreat into Lanchow. I should be in Lanchow in 2 days at "move" mode and the assault on the base will be launched immediately.

Ankang is retaken by the 48rd Chinese Corps. This may be a mistake on my part as it could allow supply to flow into Sian. I'm going to try and scrape up some more troops to retake the base, but that will take weeks. The small number of Chinese units to the Southwest of Sian are causing me grief, but I only have the 53rd Inf. Bde. to counter right now.

Miscellaneous:

Ichang expands fortifications to size 3
Kolaka expands fortifications to size 1
Saumlaki expands fortifications to size 4

July 16/42:

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB, 19 Runway and 1 Port hits. I will stop the bombing tomorrow for a few days to rest my crews.

Burma:

Kalemyo bombed for 1 AB, 1 ABS and 8 Runway hits. I'll stop this bombing tomorrow as well for a few days.

China:

Ki-21-IIa Sally's (42) again hit the Chinese forces Northwest of Sian inflicting 2(22) infantry, 0(20) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 225 casualties.

Sian bombed again by Helen's (18) for 3(11) infantry and 0(4) non-combat squad losses totalling 118 casualties. The artillery bombardment was very effective today. Chinese defenders suffered 17(17) infantry, 2(21) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squad losses totalling 450 casualties. AV comparison is now 4066 to 3477 in Japan's favour. I will launch another ground assault tomorrow.

Miscellaneous:

Uttaradit expands airfield to size 1
Eniwetok expands fortifications to size 3
Tavoy expands fortifications to size 3

[SqzMyLemon]

Northern China - July 17/42.

[SqzMyLemon]

It's been awhile since I've updated the AAR, real life took precendence for a few weeks. I'll only go over the major developments to get things back up to speed quickly.

July 18/42:

Burma:

Unescorted Ki-21-IIa Sally's (25) were mauled over Kalemyo by Hurricane IIb Trop's (11) with 10 bombers destroyed and a further 3 damaged. This was a special guest appearance of the RAF in Burma as otherwise they've kept a low profile.

China:

Lanchow fell to the first deliberate attack and routed the Chinese defenders. AV comparison was 2299 to 720 in Japan's favour and the fort level was zero. Japanese losses were light at 4(97) infantry, 0(133) non-combat and 1(9) engineer squad losses totalling 1822 casualties. The Chinese suffered 223(187) infantry, 272(134) non-combat, 48(1) engineer squads lost including 18 guns totalling 8302 casualties. Disappointingly, Lanchow's industry was completely trashed, both oil and refinery capacity at 0%. A huge let down. I had no specific engineer units involved in the assault, so I wonder if that was the major contributing factor to the devastation of the base.

July 19/42:

China:

The fourth deliberate attack was launched at Sian and the defence is starting to weaken substantially. AV comparison was 4298 to 3429 in Japan's favour and the forts were reduced to level 1 at 2:1 odds. Japanese and Chinese casualties were roughly even in terms of numbers, but not destroyed squads. Japanese forces suffered 22(53) infantry, 20(468) non-combat and 1(43) engineer squad losses totalling 8349 casulties. Chinese forces sustained 114(440) infantry, 70(799) non-combat and 11(29) engineer squad losses totalling 7837 casualties.

Chinese forces still apear to be leaving the base to the Northwest and in light of the increased casulties to air attack and the last assault, I have decided to launch another attack tomorrow and not rest to reduce disruption.

July 20/42:

China:

Sian falls! [&o] After 5 deliberate attacks Japanese forces were finally successful in forcing out the remaining Chinese defenders of the base. Contributing to the fall was that roughly 1000+ AV withdrew to the Northwest prior to the assault. The remaining defenders did not have a chance at 3:1 odds and the forts reduced to zero. Japanese forces lost a further 12(341) infantry, 17(188) non-combat and 13(14) engineer squad losses totalling 4513 casualties. The Chinese suffered heavily with 1174(168) infantry, 1538(254) non-combat, 231(2) engineer squad losses including 42(3) guns lost totalling 28594 casualties.

Sian's industry is heavily damaged, but not completely trashed so oil and fuel will start being produced immediately. However, the tactical situation is not good. With a major Chinese force to the Northwest and the defenders retreating Southwest into rough terrain, a movement due East could threaten my forces at Sian. I've sustained heavy casualties to capture the base and I may in the end have to abandon it. The plan right now is to leave one division as a garrison and withdraw the remaining forces one hex to the Southeast. I cannot pursue Chinese forces to the Northwest without fear of having the Chinese move right back into Sian. There are now roughly 200k+ Chinese troops between Sian and Lanchow and I can't advance until my forces have rested and replenished anyway. I need a few days to sort out the situation and determine what the Chinese forces will do now. If Chinese forces try to retake Sian, I will counterattack and catch them in open terrain with no fortifications and defeat them.

July 23/42:

Akyab is retaken by a British recon force and Cox's Bazaar now shows some enemy forces there. I think the Allies may begin to push back here first as it requires no fleet committment and is the safest bet for little to no risk.

July 25/42:

Sub Ops:

[X(] SS I-166 spots and torpedoes the xAK City of Manchester off the Southwest coast of Australia at 48,166. One torpedo explodes while another one is a dud. I heard the tell tale sinking sound effect later in the turn so I can only surmise she went down.

To offset my recent success, the SS I-28 was spotted near Christmas Island and suffered 3 near miss hits from DC attack by an Allied ASW TF inflicting a severe fuel leak.

July 26/42:

China:

A suicide assault by a small Chinese force shock attacked across the river into Sian soley defended by the 35th Division. The 5th New Chinese Corps was wiped out with 12 infantry, 22 non-combat and 3 engineer squads destroyed totalling 126 casualties for no loss to Japan. Granted, the majority of my forces just withdrew from Sian, but this shows that whether I destroy them or not, my opponent will undertake operations seeking to eliminate his own forces in order for the unit to respawn at greater strength, there's no other explanation for it. [:-]


That brings things up to date. I'll post a few screenshots and start to go over how things are in the Empire soon. The last e-mail from Smeulders indicates he is about to go on the offensive somewhere, so I need to start thinking about where that first strike may come and in what strength. There's not much I can do at the moment and to be frankly honest I'm not prepared for an Allied counterthrust. I've been digging in for months, training air units and upgrading fleet units, but really until I know where the Allies will strike I find it impossible to be prepared everywhere.

My initial thoughts are Attu in the Aleutians, Ndeni or Tulagi in the Southeast Pacific, or Port Moresby in New Guinea. I also think I may see an appearance of the British Navy in the IO, as they have been untouched and Port Blair could be a target. I've two CV's at Saipan, with three more at Hiroshima/Kure upgrading. The remaining CV and CVL's are in Soerabaja and Singapore. Right now I plan on increased naval search to try and spot something and react from there. Betty and Nell units are set strictly to naval search, as I don't want them blundering into an Allied CV TF to get slaughtered. The experienced torpedo bombers crews are like gold and I won't sacrifice them needlessly. Until I get a clear idea of what may be up, there will be no knee jerk reaction from Imperial forces.

I truly am intrigued to see how the Allies will respond when finally putting their forces into harms way and what the loss tolerance will be. I decided a long time ago to not recklessly seek combat for little or no gain, so I hope to surpise the Allies with a tenacious defence and inflict some severe losses on them with an essentially intact Imperial Fleet, minus the Hiryu of course.

[SqzMyLemon]

July 27/42:

Burma:

It seems the Allies are getting restless in this theatre. With the recent recapture of Akyab, the Allies now have stepped up air operations somewhat. Allied recon had picked up on the 112th Inf. Rgt. at Katha and deduced the unit was in strat mode heading west. Hurricane IIb Trop's (16) set on ground attack raced in at 9k before dropping to 100' to bomb Japanese forces. Leaking CAP from 1st Sentai's Oscar's (3) based at Myitkyina interdicted the Hurricanes and downed one fighter and damaged 3 more for the loss of one Oscar. The 112th suffered 40 casualties from disrupted squads.

July 28/42:

Burma:

The Hurricane IIb Trop's (14) were back today, and once again leaking CAP from Myitkyina interdicted. Oscar's (4) damaged 8 Allied fighters while one Japanese plane was downed. The 112th suffered one non-combat squad lost and a few disablements totalling 30 casualties. The troops will be safely on their way now and out of danger.

China:

The 15th Chinese Corps is wiped out from air attack northwest of Sian.

July 29/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Truant (sunk the Hiryu) entered Singapore waters and launched 6 torpedoes at the DD Sanae escorting a large tanker TF. All missed and the DD Kurukaya responded with a DC attack scoring one direct and 2 near miss hits. I'm disappointed though, actually catching an Allied submarine in shallow water is rare and to only score one hit was a poor effort. Perhaps I just want revenge for the Hiryu too badly to have the Truant get away once again.

SS Permit was spotted by ASW air search near Saipan and an ASW TF was dispatched. The SC Ch 28 launched a sustained DC attack, sadly no hits were recorded.

Burma:

I've been sweeping most Allied air bases in Burma/India periodically with no luck actually engaging Allied CAP as the majority of the bases have been empty or no CAP has been assigned. That changed today [:D]. Japanese recon over Dimapur on the 28th indicated a sizable force of Allied fighters at home and I decided to sweep the base. Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (24) from Myitkyina at 18k engaged layered Allied CAP of P-40E Warhawk's (30) from the 23rd FG divided into 3 units patrolling at 20k, 15k and 10k respectively. I'm glad to report 11 P-40E's were downed for the loss of only one Oscar. My pilots are all in the 70's and between the height advantage, experience level and operating within a good maneuver band for the Oscar's it was a one sided engagement. Allied losses could have been much worse, but the number of Oscar's having to abort for various mechanical problems was shockingly high and ended the fight prematurely.

It's been so hard to nail the Allies down to actually engage them so today felt good. Even after months of training the Allies took it on the chin. Tomorrow is another day of course, but today I'll enjoy the result.

I need to do a strategy and industry update soon. With more Allied activity of late it's time to start getting more aggressive and interrupt their movement and preparations. I've dispatched a small cruiser force to Rangoon to start bombarding Allied troops along the coast of Burma. Perhaps this will draw out more Allied air units, or even forces of the British Fleet.

More Allied activity in the Southeast Pacific is not going unnoticed either. Another cruiser SCTF is en route to Kwajalein for operations in the theatre. I'm not commiting much at this stage while my carriers continue their upgrading in the Home Islands (another 12 days till completion). Now that I'm starting to see some hard targets I can begin to respond in a more offensive nature, before it was like chasing ghosts. Perhaps the inactivity has the Allies chomping at the bit to do something and maybe I can put myself in a position to give them a bloody nose somewhere.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sorry everyone, life's been hectic these days and the updating has taken a back seat. There's not much happening anyway so my updates will consist of just bringing everything up to date visually and focus more on strategy and production. To start is China once again as it's been the most active theatre for me at least. Enjoy and as always comments are welcome.

Aug. 9/42:

Northern China:

[SqzMyLemon]

Aug. 9/42:

Southern China:

[cookie monster]

Probably the best written AAR on the forum.

I guess you don't get many comments due to the early stage of the game, where everyone else has been there done that.

Regards cookie

[SqzMyLemon]

I wouldn't go that far cookie monster [;)], I think of this AAR more in terms of the ramblings of an inexperienced player and what Japan's war effort might have looked like being run by Charlie Brown [8|]. Rather indecisive and wishy washy [:D]. Thanks for the compliment though and it's appreciated. I try to find the time to update, but lately there just aren't enough hours in the day. It's great to hear you are enjoying the read and it makes the effort writing it worthwhile.

[SqzMyLemon]

The war is still Sitzkrieg and I've decided to skip updating July 30th to Aug 8th to spare everyone the boredom as nothing of note happened. The primary focus is still on China and the movements there as the remainder of the Empire goes about it's daily routine of preparing defences and increasing the flow of raw materials to the Home Islands.



Aug. 9/42:

Australia:

Allied LRCAP of (15) P40-E Warhawk's surprised the Darwin air attacks today and shot down 3 A6M2 Zero's and 4 Ki-21-IIa Sally's for no loss. I'll sweep Katherine tomorrow for payback. Darwin still received 15 Runway hits.

Aug. 10/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Stingray spots a small tanker TF near Toboali, but DD Yakaze does its job and suppresses the submarine scoring a near miss DC hit.

SS I-164 torpedoes the AM Mirimichi and presumably sinks her inflicting heavy damage and fires. I-164 slips away unscathed. A rare successful Japanese submarine attack.

Australia:

Japanese bombers get the day off from the Darwin routine after being mauled the day before. Recon of Katherine indicated Allied fighters still at home so the Zero's got a break from tedious escort duty to sweep instead. In two separate waves, 30 A6M2 Zero's engaged 20+ P-40E Warhawk's on CAP. 3 Zero's were downed against 7 Warhawks. I believe the Allies lost more than indicated according to the air loss table at days end.

Miscellaneous:

Soerakarta expands fortifications to size 3
Sidate expands fortifications to size 3

E Ishigaki beginning refit at Kobe

Aug. 11/42:

Australia:

Japanese bombers get another day off.

China:

In a rare mistake by the Allies the 56th Chinese Corps shock attacks across the river at 83,44 and is handled roughly by the Japanese 6th Division and the 53rd Inf. Bde. For 0(1) non-combat squad disabled, the Japanese defenders cause the Chinese 9(137) infantry, 8(157) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 2043 casualties. Japanese forces will shock attack the hapless Chinese tomorrow.

Miscellaneous:

Madang expands airfield to size 2

Aug. 12/42:

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB, 2 ABS, 34 Runway and 1 Port hits.

China:

12th Army launches a shock attack against the 23rd Chinese and 3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps at 84,42 and routs the enemy. Japanese losses include 5(31) infantry and 1(46) non-combat squads lost totalling 664 casualties. Chinese casualties are 84(32) infantry, 30(12) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squads lost including 2(0) guns totalling 2155 troops. One Chinese unit is destroyed while the survivor retreats due west leaving control of the main road in Japanese hands. Mission accomplished. 12th Army troops will rest and replenish at Sian.

The 56th Chinese Corps is shock attacked by Japanese forces and Chinese troops suffer 52(0) infantry and 60(0) non-combat squads destroyed totalling 838 troops. Japanese losses are light at 0(2) infantry and 1(0) non-combat squads lost totalling 41 casualties.

Miscellaneous:

Takamatsu expands port to size 5
Yokohama/Yokosuka expands fortifications to size 2
Uttaradit expands airfield to size 2
Truk expands fortifications to size 5
Paotow expands fortifications to size 3

Aug. 13/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Pollack near Den Passar elects to not target an ASW TF. SC Ch 26 attacks and scores one direct DC hit.

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 1 AB, 2 ABS, 21 Runway and 1 Port hits are recorded.

China:

The ordeal of the 56th Chinese Corps ends as it surrenders after another shock attack by Japanese forces. Chinese casualties are 202(0) infantry, 211(0) non-combat and 4(0) engineer squads destroyed including 61(0) guns totalling 2454 troops.

Miscellaneous:

Uttaradit expands fortifications to size 3
Padang expands fortifications to size 3

3rd Raiding Regiment arrives at Kagoshima
4th Raiding Regiment arrives at Kagoshima
Sasebo 6th SNLF arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
Yokosuka 6th SNLF arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
51st Base Force arrives at Ominato

Aug. 14/42:

China:

Tienshui is captured for the disablement of one Japanese infantry and four non-combat squads totalling 12 casualties. The defending 13th Chinese Corps loses 8 guns destroyed and retreats.

Miscellaneous:

Hong Kong expands fortifications to size 2
Rabaul expands port to size 6

DMS W-22 arrives at Tokyo
SC Ch 32 arrives at Okayama
SC CHa-40 arrives at Takamatsu

Aug. 15/42:

SS RO-60 hits a mine at Luganville and sinks.

Miscellaneous:

Meiktila expands fortifications to size 2
Great Nicobar expands fortifications to size 2

Strategy and Production of late:

My carriers have completed their latest upgrades at Kobe and are ready for redeployment. As there is absolutely no action anywhere I'm at a loss as to what to do with them. I am thinking of maybe an incursion into the Southeast Pacific to disrupt Allied base building efforts in the region, but I have to admit this doesn't excite me. I am loathe to risk a lucky torpedo hit on a carrier for the possible sinking of a few support and transport ships. I still feel it's best to just hunker down and await developments in light of no strategic opportunities at the moment.

China is going well. I think my planned offensive in Central China will go ahead as planned and my forces are weeks away from joining up at Pingsiang for moves against Hengyang and Changsha. Northern China is quiet with only local Japanese actions to shore up the line while the Chinese continue to do nothing. The capture of Tienshui will allow the rail line to be utilized to expedite movement of troops and resources in the area. Lanchow continues to repair and has reached 26(64) with oil and fuel moving as there is no stockpile building up.

I'm reorganizing Manchuria's defences and starting to buy out some garrison units to free up frontline units in China currently stuck on garrison duty. Air units continue to train and as they upgrade aircraft I will begin to redeploy them to the Pacific. I hope to reinforce China with another 1000 AV for frontline duty.

Raw material wise I am not doing so good. I have primarily shipped a lot of fuel to outlying bases for future fleet use and have neglected getting the oil/fuel back to the Home Islands. Japan's reserves in the Home Islands of fuel and oil are down to 123 and 175 days respectively. Resources are at a reserve of 165 days. Fuel dipped to as low as 1209567, but with renewed efforts I'm back up to 1518186. I use small tankers to ship fuel from Borneo and Sumatra to Singapore and have now created a mega fuel/oil TF that ships 200k worth of the black gold back to the Home Islands every trip. I mix it up between fuel and oil as I want as much of both not sitting idle and somewhere more protected and useful...Japan!

I've reduced my major resource outlets to Singapore, Port Aurthur, Fusan and Hakodate. Takao is a major hub for resources shipped from Singapore. I use the transports that can carry both resources and oil from Singapore to supplement the dedicated oil/fuel TF's. I figure an extra 8k of oil every trip heading towards the Home Islands a good thing. Shikuka will only provide an oil TF on occasion as it's a favourite hunting ground for Allied subs and I have a feeling a carrier raid will occur one day and I want them to find nothing. The priority right now is the maximum amount of fuel/oil/resources transported to the Home Islands and conserve fuel by avoiding major fleet movements unnecessarily and reducing the number of small inefficient resource TF's.

Engine and aircraft production is often turned off as non-existent air losses have allowed a great pool of engines and airframes to be built up. I turn the production off to ensure I don't waste further HI expenditure when I don't have to.

I have a question about Naval Shipyard Points. I currently have a pool of 34843 points built up and the Musashi is 90 days away from completion. I produce a surplus of almost 300 points per day. Question, should I start reducing Naval Shipyard activity to save the HI or is it important to keep a large pool built up and start accelerating ship production?

One expansion of note, I'm expanding Singapore's repair yard to 100k capacity in anticipation of the large numbers of ships I'll have damaged in that theatre when the Allies move. I think it will be strategically important to have that capacity in that theatre and not have to sail all the way to the Home Islands to repair the larger BB's and CV's. It may be a bit of a shock for the Allies to see them back in action sooner than anticipated [:D]. Does anyone else do a similar thing with other repair yards in other ports?

In conclusion, I muddle along and continue to prepare for the Allied opening moves while trying to maximise my production and resource flow.

A few screenshots of Ha-33 and Ha-35 use to get an idea of the pools built up and any possible suggestions for redirection of resources. I'll update China with screenshots once my offensive is ready to be launched in a few weeks.

Engine production to date:

[SqzMyLemon]

Ha-33 key airframes:

[SqzMyLemon]

Ha-35 key airframes:

[SqzMyLemon]

Just a follow up to my question posted earlier for JFB's out there.

I currently have 34843 naval points in the pool and am wondering what to do with them. The Musashi is still under construction and is about 90 days away from completion. I have the Taiho and two other CV's currently accelerated. Should I be reducing the number of points I'm producing? Should I begin to accelerate more surface ships? Do I need to have this many points in the pool, or should I be using them up regularly to eventually reach a zero balance? Mike, Q-Ball, cap_and_gown...anyone? Bueller? [:D]

Thanks in advance!

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Just a follow up to my question posted earlier for JFB's out there.

I currently have 34843 naval points in the pool and am wondering what to do with them. The Musashi is still under construction and is about 90 days away from completion. I have the Taiho and two other CV's currently accelerated. Should I be reducing the number of points I'm producing? Should I begin to accelerate more surface ships? Do I need to have this many points in the pool, or should I be using them up regularly to eventually reach a zero balance? Mike, Q-Ball, cap_and_gown...anyone? Bueller? [:D]

Thanks in advance!

Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

Economics Teacher: "In [1942], the [Japanese High Command], in an effort to alleviate the effects of the... Anyone? Anyone?... [the glut of Naval Points], passed the... Anyone? Anyone? [The acceleration bill]? The [Sqz-Lemon Act?] Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?... [lowered the avail naval points], in an effort to [gain more CV shipping quickly]. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the [Japanese] sank deeper into the Great [HI]Depression. Today we have a similar debate over this. Anyone know what this is? Class? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone seen this before? The Laffer Curve. Anyone know what this says? It says that at this point on the [HI] curve, you will get exactly the same amount of [Naval Points] as at this point. This is very controversial. Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. "Voodoo" economics. "

Seriously though ... 2 options - Cap would tell you to accelerate late war CV's; others to shut down production to save HI ... without a detailed look I'm not calling it (although I prefer the former)... And I was an economics teacher [;)]