WitP mod v903 Ngineer(Japan) vs. Feinder(Allies)

[Feinder]

July 27th, 1944

National Morale and Strategic Map

National Morale - Davao just fell this turn. Looking forward to finally doing a hit to Japanese NM due to objectives.

Forgot to annotate the Strategic Map. Basically, with Fighters(4) and Range(4), I've ported CV/CVLs wherever possible, and will take upgrades next turn.

[Feinder]

July 27th, 1944

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - Nothing new spent on research. But I did get confirmation that Fighters(4) and Range(4) completed.

Production - Nothing new spent on Production. I'm actually still upgrading for NavWeap(3), lots of MPPs needed (and even more next turn for Fighters+Range).

Losses - None for me (yay!). SNLF-Div at Balikpapan lost for Japan.

Economy - Recall that I forgot to record Japan's income from last turn. So, whatever his current income actually is, it's "normalized" to 374. Capturing Balikpapan should take about -15 points off the top of that.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

India

Hm. You can see that he's moved up an SNLF-Div to support his Inf-Corps, and did in fact attack my Armored Division, holding the town north of Mandalay. His results were inconclusive. I then counter-attacked and did 5x SP damage to his SNLF-Div.

Frankly, at this stage of the war, I would be digging in, letting me expend troops (which need replacements = MPP), and otherwise looking to buy time. Or it could be that he simply under-estimated the situation. Either way, his counter-attack thrown back with heavy losses. I continue to re-build my Indian units along the border, and RCAF fighters make their way into/thru China.

Also, I sent my Mari-Bmbrs to harass the CVL parked at Rangoon. He had expended his intercepts vs. my LBA strikes against his SNLF-Div. My Mari-Bmbrs were not molested and did 1-2 SPs of damage to his CVL. All tolled, not a bad day for a secondary theater.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

China

In a rather interesting development in China...

I was (as usual) looking for "opportunistic attacks" along the line in China (basically, ones that give me at least 1-1 estimated losses, presuming that at this point, exchanging Chinese steps for me is a favorable exchange vs. the cost for him to replace). I can only guess that he pulled back a well-rated HQ, because I was surprised to find good odds at Chengchow (long held by the Japanese).

My initial attack at Chengchow was very successful, his Inf-Corps losing 3x SP, mine losing 2x SPs. Subsequent attacks continued to erode the Japanese Corps, and then even liberating the city became possible. Continued attacks destroyed the IJA Inf-Corps and liberated the city. I decided to continue to push on this rare opportunity, and poured more troops into the breach, driving back another Inf-Corps and a colonial Inf-Div.

It'll be very interesting to see what develops in the center, as this was entirely un-expected. I had noted that his LBA was absent (more to come on that), but I expect that he'll be recalling it or otherwise needing to shuffle his troops to hold his line. That being said, if he does recall his LBA, at least this time, he'll be met with a mixture of (substandard) Chinese fighters and a Canadian squadron.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

Dutch East Indies

Japanese naval assets pursued USN subs north of Bornea, several Destroyers, CVL and a CV included. He was especially fixated on my sub docked on North Port of Mindanao. I do have fighters there to intercept, and did a few steps of damage to his carrier strikes. My subs did take a few hits, but I'll take it as a success that he is expending significant resources chasing two submarines.

With that, I decided to keep my damaged sub in Mindanao, to take repairs there. It will be covered by CAP at Davao, and additional protection from the port. He also sent a few strikes from his Strat-Bmbrs and a CVL against my base at Balikpapan, and I was pleased that I included a AAA-Div in my invasion package. AAA and local CAP from CVs and Celebes did their job, however the base was again reduced to a single supply point. His Inf-Div also attacked my US Army Inf-Div, trading losses. Supply at Balikpapan is complicated by the fact that port-bug seems to keep the port in his control. Multiple attacks by my own Med-Bmbrs and carrier-based bombers added to the misery of the IJA Inf-Div, which triggered interceptors from a CVL in a near-by port. The 8th USMC-Div wiped out the IJA AAA-Div at the oil fields, and will turn its attention towards the remaining defenders (Inf-Div).

In response, we continue to take steps to isolate Java, and erode/encroach towards Manilla.
Allies landed troops at Jolo (island off Philippines), and little base on NE Borneo. After a heavy naval bombardment and amphibious assault, the defending garrison at Tarakan (oil) was wiped out, and the base and oil fields were secured.

With prior intel on the Fighters based in Java, I moved up the HMS Hermes to draw up his fighters into skirmish there. Results were inconclusive, but did occupy his fighters. Meanwhile several USN CVs and HMS Formidable launched strikes against his CVL in port. After many sorties, the wreckage of the CVL was seen with many fires and capsized at its berth, deemed beyond salvage. Having occupied his fighter (and sunk is CVL), I sent my remaining Mari-Bmbrs against his CL docked in Java, inflicting 3x SPs damage, it should motivate him to withdraw it next turn.

Knowing that "most" of remaining Western Fleet assets were occupied chasing sub, and a little bit of luck, I decided to push forward with invasions along the west coast of Borneo. I skipped the one in the swamp with this SNLF-Div, didn't seem worth the effort. The three bases on Western Borneo will be a little exposed, and will likely trigger a reaction given the close proximity to Sarawak and his convoy line for DEI and Palembang (I never understood why that went from Palembang,Sumatra and not from the capital at Batavia, but I'm not going to spend my blood-pressure on it).

Anyway, latest moves continue to fulfill objectives to isolate Java and encroach Philippines. I'm also getting better intel on the troops that he has in Java: at least 2x Inf-Corps, 1x Inf-Div, 1x HQ. I expect 2 more Inf-Corps and probably a AAA-Div tucked in there somewhere. The map is zoomed-in; if your eyes are like mine and want a bigger size, you can r-click on the image and "open in a new tab" which will allow you see better details and further zoom.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

Solomons

His "missing LBA" from China. I guess I found them. He's got 3(!) Medium Bombers in the Solomons, pounding my Paras and a CVL to provide escorts. Granted, he "almost" killed my Paras (down to 1x SP). But I do have some USAAC fighters which are inflicting losses in return, and have also moved up some 2-line RAAF fighters to help with CAP. It seems like a lot of assets to allocate to killing a Para-Div, esp in a theater that I haven't done anything in for months.

With that in-mind, I do think there's a bit "emotional blinding" in the Solomons. I know he's working on his own Solomons-only mod, and was very adamant about the defenses surrounding Truk and Rabaul. Of which (Truk and Rabaul), just like the Allies historically, I have no intention of attacking either of them for that very reason. I think that represents a fair part of his apparent fixation. With that, he's welcome to allocate as many assets to their defense as he is so inclined.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

National Morale and Strategic Map

National Morale - I took these numbers from the beginning of the turn. You can see the tidy hit (-3500) to Japanese National Morale. That should keep him under the 95% mark for quite some time, and thus keeps me only one step below parity.

His modifier (x .95), my modifier (x .90). A +5% for Japan, is much better than a +10% as previous.

Strategic Map - I'm rotating my USN thru ports to take upgrades and repairs, so I'm a little scattered about. Most everything concentrated around Oz and Celebes. Also several CV/CVLs on West coast and en-route, taking upgrades as well. I updated the "line of control", and included some Japanese hold-outs or otherwise block/pivot points along the line. If I had to guess, that "corner" where Malaya-Sumatra-Borneo all converge is going to see some action. In my opinion, he can't afford to lose control of it, and I'm poking at it's edges.

[Feinder]

August 14th, 1944

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - No new research funding. You can see that AAA, Logistics, and Industry are getting close to completion.

Production - No new units purchased. Upgrades, esp now with Fighters(4) and Range(4) are expensive.

Losses - No Allied losses. IJA Garrison destroyed at Tarakan. Inf-Corps destroyed in China. AAA-Div destroyed north of Balikpapan. And CVL sunk in port in SW Borneo.

Economy - You can see the -15 MPP hit to Japan for their loss of Borneo. I like it.

[Elessar2]

Another map bug/question(?). The port that appears to attach to Balikpapan, and would seem correct to allow for the convoy. However, having captured Balikpapan, the control of the port did not flip to me. It appears to be attached to Samarinda.

We've run into this before (c.f. Tulagi & Honaria)-going to get a dev over here because this seriously bugs me (heh) just as much as it does you. But it is clearly oriented to be "joined" to Balikpapan, including the road leading to the port thru B. (note I forgot to switch the tag-originally it was indeed 1 hex N, which made it landlocked except for the port and thus immune to ship bombardment-note someone was bugged by this on the vanilla map in another AAR recently).

[Elessar2]

OK, looks like I'll have to redraw that section of coast in Borneo, disconnect the part of the coast which also impinges on the other town so that the latter doesn't prevent the port from flipping (or just delete the town). Vanilla very rarely has two towns which both are adjacent to a given port, so it hasn't been an issue there.

In the Solomon's I'll examine my options there and do some tests.

[Feinder]

Maybe if you put the port on SE hex of Balikpapan? I have no idea if/how difficult that is.

September 1st, 1944

India

Heavy fighting along the India Burma border. An IJA Infantry Corps, supported by Thai Inf-Div, Heavy Artillery, and even an SNLF division attack the Indian Tankers at Schwebo. Indian defenders hold with heavy casualties.

Meanwhile, the Tankers strike along the flank of SNLF-Div, with much ground support by nearby RAF squadrons and additional attrition attacks by Chines Inf-Divs, inflicting severe losses on the SNLF-Div (8x SP, down to 2), forcing it to retreat. Allied forces however, lack the momentum to pursue.

Meanwhile, attacks on the IJN CVL docked at Rangoon continue. Damaging the vessel and its air-group.

[Feinder]

September 1st, 1944

China

Japanese Army forces execute a general retreat away from immediate front-line positions in China.

Harassing attacks by artillery and Japanese LBA attack our positions at Hangkow. Enemy bombers are intercepted by Fighters of re-constituted Chinese Air Force, with losses on both sides.

Along our own main line of advance in China, our ground units are able to surround an IJA Inf-Corps and will begin its "reduction" next turn.

[Feinder]

September 1st, 1944

Dutch East Indies

Ok. Big map this time.

Ground forces completed mopping up in Borneo and Mindanao.

Japanese naval forces (including a CV), continued to hound my sub in port at Mindanao. My Fighter squadron earns there hazardous duty pay, intercepting several strikes.

We did spot an enemy submarine attempting to move thru Celebes/Borneo straight. We damaged it heavily (down to 2x SP), but it managed to submerge and escape.

I threw A LOT of stuff at the fighter on Java (everything in the blue circle). There must have been a mistake in the ordinance allocations because evidently everything was loaded with marshmallows. I probably did 7x SP damage to it, losing probably 20(!) steps of air-craft in return. Frankly, it became one of those things where, "This bastard has got to be close to dying... Just one more thing... Nope... One more thing... Nope. One more thing... Damn." And then it wouldn't / didn't die. Anyway. So that was VERY frustrating, but it happens.

I've also shown tentative plans for invasion of Java. Landing points. I'll have a north and central invasion. Still need more intel on what's actually defending the capital.

I also moved up some Mari-Bmbrs to patrol that "corner-conjunction" of Sumatra-Malaya-Borneo.

It's a big map, open in new tab if you need to.

Also, screen cap of North Oz, lots of transports being loaded (8 thus far).

[Feinder]

September 1st, 1944

Solomons, National Morale, Strategic Map

Solomons - Ok. Dogged determination (at least his) to destroy my Para-Div was rewarded. 3x Med-Bmbrs, and escorts by 2x CVLs got thru my 2x Fighters on CAP, and destroyed my Para-Div. Bugger. RIP.

National Morale - Pretty big hit for both of us. Offensive operations (and vigorous defense) are expensive in terms of MPP and NatMorale.

Strategic Map - With the possible exception of his Titanium Fighters in Java, he really should be feeling the weight of the Allied onslaught. He does seem to be keeping his fleet spread out, again kinda surprising to me, but such as it is.

[Feinder]

September 1st, 1944

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - No new funding on Research. But I did get completion messages on AAA(2) and Logistics(3). Fingers crossed that Industrial Tech (5) will complete this coming turn. Not only is a tidy MPP boost, but the 150pt refund will be welcome as well.

Production - Nothing new produced. Lots of MPPs being spent on upgrades of NavWeaps, Fighters, and Range. Also loading 8x AV/AVLs, etc etc etc.

Losses - USA Para-Div lost, RIP. IJA Garrison at Mindanao destroyed, IJA Inf-Div in Borneo destroyed. And he was trying to attack "something" with his Strategic Bombers out of Java; they were intercepted by my Fighters and destroyed.

Economy - Not much change. Good to see his numbers (slowly) diminishing.

[Elessar2]

It's often hard to balance supply levels vs. terrain defense bonuses. You'd think the low supply would figure into it more than any Jungle bonuses, but apparently the game engine begs to differ.

[Feinder]

September 19th, 1944

India

Japan counter-attacked again at Schwebo, heavy casualties to my Arm-Div, and they inflicting heavy losses in turn against Japan. Arm-Div held, and launch a departing attack against the IJA Inf-Corps, before retreating towards the border with India. The attack managed to inflict like casualties against the IJA Inf-Corps.

Further supported by Fighter-Bombers and Attack-Bombers, a combined assault by Indian ground forces in the West, and Chinese forces in the North, over-whelmed and smashed the IJA Inf-Corps.

That was a quite unexpected victory, as it leaves just his Thai Inf-Div and Art-Div at Mandaly, plus a supporting HQ. If he wants to hold Mandalay and those Mines, he'll have pull something in by rail.

[Feinder]

September 19th, 1944

China

China continues push hard in the Japanese Center. The IJA Inf-Corps that was surrounded last turn, was soundly clubbed to death. Chinese units continue to advance, and destroyed a IJA Garrison, and inflicted heavy casualties on the IJA Arm-Div on the northern flank.

A Japanese Inf-Div was also destroyed on the southern flank of the break-thru. You can also see where we are (attempting) to surround 2x Inf-Divs, one in Communist China, and another at the southern edge of our flank.

Meanwhile, the road to Nanning is open. He will most certainly rail some units to defend it. But he has definitely weakened China, and I intend to exploit that for as long and as far, as I can. Should I be optimistic that Nanning and Haichow (the coast!) are in sight!

[Feinder]

September 19th, 1944

Dutch East Indies

Japan continued it's attacks on my submarines at Mindanao and at "The Corner". He run my sub into port at The Corner, and then pounded it with CV-air and repeated Destroyer attacks. After days of bombardment, USS Tambor was declared a total loss in port, and it's crew provided rifles for duties to defend the base.

Japan also landed an additional Inf-Div at the NW corner of Borneo; I have pulled back my own Inf-Divs so that they are not separated. I can land more troops and reinforce them soon. He also evacuated the base on South Borneo (was occupied by SNLF-Div), and moved them to Java.

The Japanese efforts against Tambor however, did extend his units beyond sufficient cover. Combined attacks by LBA, several fresh Carriers, and surface units, 3x IJN Destroyers were sunk.

We also landed/captured the islands between Borneo and Sumatra. They'll make a movie, "A Hex Too Far", starring the AVL that should have just landed at the clear hex before the town and moved in. But rather moved another hex, and got clubbed by the enemy CL in Port there. I expect that I'll lose the Inf-Div on the AVLs, but I should maintain control of the islands.

At this point, I have very good intel on almost every ship in his navy (see strategic map on next post). I also have full-vis on Java, he's got quite a bit there. I'm actually considering just leaving Java alone for now, and concentrating on his Navy for the next turn or 3, see if I can pick off some of CVs. I'm also looking to capture those islands between Manila and Mindanao, and the ones off the west cost of Philippines.

Sinking 3x of his destroyers, will also do well as, I have six more subs coming into theater soon. So I get benefit from sinking Destroyers (less against my subs), and/or I can can sink his Carriers, also good. Basically, anything that I can get bombs into, works well.

[Feinder]

September 19th, 1944

National Morale, Strategic Map

National Morale - Well, we both went down, because we're killing each other. That's pretty much the way it works.

Strategic Map - I marked locations of either known, or "very high probability" of his fleet units. At this point, we have almost his entire fleet spotted. Cool.