ALLIED ONLY: aztez (A) vs erstad (J) ...2nd ROUND

[aztez]

That is it for the night. I will post DEI and Malaya maps/plans tomorrow.

As said hopefully get the turn finished up too so the war can begin in full force.

Allthough China really is one huge mess to sort out.

The bright side is that the pace of the turn will increase dramatically very soon.

[Laxplayer]

IMO, don't waste time waiting for the Marine Division in San Diego to become whole (about 5-6 months). Send those regiments to SoPac as soon as you can. I've found Suva to be far more connected to Noumea on this map, in terms of proximity and support as compared to WITP stock map. Also, don't waste the marine defense battalions on Midway/Johnston/Palmyra (all atolls with a 6k man limit)... and get them to Suva/PagoPago/Noumea quickly.

If you can build up Cooktown/Cairns airfields (both are (7) potential, so big enough for heavies), PM is not that important. If he wants PM, he can take it no matter how well you reinforced it. The only problem is finding the engineers to build up the airstrips and the AV support to keep the sqds in the air.

[devoncop]

Hi.

Still loving this AAR....It is very much the case that AE seems to throw up multiple dilemmas in many more areas than stock.The Burma situation is a very fine line between a delaying operation and leaving things too late to rescue the max amount of forces.It is always good to remember that the Allies can play the long game as time is SO much on your side and that is why thinking in WITP is so different from many games and why I am so impressed with it.

Looking at the Pearl situation, three CL's will be back and functional before too long which will give you at least some more options.

I am particularly looking forward to your decision re reinforcing and fortifying Ceylon and how you see things in Malaya.

I am reading Spectors book at the moment (just got past the Philippines disaster.... boy does Mcarthur look bad!) and the DEI looks to be another wobbling domino so good luck [:D]

Best wishes
ian

[fmonster]

Reading and looking forward to how this plays out, especially your initial plans! Thanks for the effort! [:)]

[Sardaukar]

I would also garrison (at least lightly) Espirito Santu (Luganville) and Efate, putting patrol planes in them. They form excellent early-warning screen in front of Noumea and Suva. They are also pain in butt if in enemy hands... Both have quite big potential airfield sizes and one needs only lvl 2 AF with Air HQ to operate Betties/Nells with torpedoes.

[Grollub]

I chime in with the others and say thank you for the effort of writing this AAR!

Whatever happens it will seriously reduce my own "fumbling around"-time [:)]

[aztez]

Nice to have new readers. I have been busy today.. first with daughters and after that with the TURN!

The good news is that the monster turn is finally "done". I tried to triple check everything but this game really is an beast and most likely forgot a lot of stuff.

I actually checked the calendar and tuning the turn + keeping AAR updated I have spent anywhere between 23-25 hours! (today it took 8 1/2 hours alone) [:D][X(]

At least it is not Japanese side who has a lot of things to do in the beginning.

Laxplayer: Definately not wise to wait months for that USCM division. It will be needed immediately.

We seem to think a like when it comes to Port Moresby affairs. As said I did send all I could out of southern Oz. Now we will see whether it was enough to get the job done.

devoncop: There are dilemmas for sure! [:D] ...the last thing I did was China and it had few "challenges". More about this later on the update post.

Philippines and DEI.. wobbling dominos!!! [:D] I guess that about sums it up nicely.

More about DEI later on tonight too... it sure was something but hopefully made most of it.

I did send the convoy assigned to Singapore into Colombo. The base will have a lot of traffic soon too since most of transports are heading that way too out of the harms way. It will be easier to divide them from an single base. I need to have decent amount of transports on all the key off map bases so operations will go smoothly.

Yes. I do have few CL's operational soon enough. Also I think 2 CA's will be fit too. Add BB Colorado + BB Warspite.. at least I have something to fight it out if necessary.

I opted for northern defense in Burma... not much but jungle there so we shall how briliant of an idea this was soon enough!

fmonster: Welcome! I'am intrested on the same thing. However I have an feeling we will some disastrous events and some plans will hold out.

I learned from playing PBEM in the Witp that even most well thought plans are not necessary the best ones. Sometimes you need some luck.

It is important though to think through what you are trying to accomplish. Without this kind of thinking you are overwhelmed. Personally I will try to think months ahead... and it actually helps.

Sardaukar: Agreed! Both of those are nice bases. Thankfully I think Japanese player have his hands full with new map around solomons island chain and add the reduced tranport capacity = If allied hold Noumea those bases are safe at least for an while.

Grollub: Thank you and nice to see quite an few scandinavians around these forums.

I think that we all will "fumble".. it is just an matter of when and where! [:D]

I will post some pics tonight... as said the turn is done and sent!

[aztez]

Malaya plans

The first thing to do is court marshall Percival. His stats are horrible to put it mildly. He was replaced immediately.

Force Z (or what's left of it) will try to sail into Batavia via Palempang. Hopefully it will make it since Royal Navy really seem to lack everything at the beginning. I will be sending POW into India as soon as possible.

Now the key question whether to fight it out in North and try to delay. The simple answer is NO. The reasons are following...

1) If my units get routed for desperate trouble and get routed than they no use to me.
2) I did take into serious consideration about the armour / tank dilemma which was suggested. Only way I see even remotely possible to resist the enemy is to gather all the AT units into single place. This will be Singapore.
3) I think the enemy needs to bring in very substantial troop deployments. Without the "sir Robin" defensive perimeter I think he could use 2/3's what he is forced to use now.

The plan is to gather sizeable force into Johore Baru which will serve as an buffer zone. Once things get too hot (before any units surrender or get routed) they will move into Singapore.

Hopefully I have build up some forts by then. Another thing to remember is to use preparation orders.

RAF will not conduct any unescorted naval strikes. I have reduced the range for most bombers in order to give them at least some sort of an fighter escort shield.

I'am also sending supplies from DEI into Singapore. If these ships will be sunk than so be it. Just hoping to get few of them through.

All the factory etc repairs are on OFF mode. Similar orders are given into Burma, Philippines and DEI too.

Here is an pic from Malaya...

[jackx]

Really liking this AAR, keep fumbling! [:D]

[aztez]

The ABDA plans

What this area spoils down to is resources and materials. The longer I can hold out the better position I'am at. Really no chance of victory here but at least lets try make him pay for it.

As in Witp the main bases for defense are Batavia and Soerebaja. These will serve as an last line of defense when the day comes.

When we discussed houserules Dave asked that DEI resource centers would not be bombed on december. That leads me to an conclusion that he is coming early on.

Two things I decieded to do. The first was to mine Palembang and Balikpapan with everything I got at my disposal. If he chooses an early landings than mines will come into play.

Second thing I did is to send surcafe combat TF past Balikpapan. It has couple of ABDA CL's with it and if he tries to swing into Tarakan and Jolo area immediately than an interception is possible. I know mini KB is lurking in the area but this is the risk I'am willing to take. Sometimes you júst have to trust your instincts.

I will also start shipping out all the resource matérials I can into Oz. It might cost me few ships but well worth the losses.

Also I did immediately sent ships towards Singapore and Manila carrying supplies. Lets see how many of those vessels will survive.

Here is an pic from DEI...

[aztez]

Finally an picture from China.

I did already post the plans there but you can see how bad it is from the start.

I never payed enough attention here previously but hoping to get better results this time around.

I think it took 2-3 hours get this "organized".

Few thoughts after that clicking marathon:

a) The map is huge. Just look all the roads going on around this vast landscape.
b) This is actually tied to above issue. How on earth I'am able to at least avoid flanking movements. I decieded split many Chinese infantry units into 3 units. This way I could send in additional reinforcements to many bases. It took time and it could end up badly but the only sensible approach I came out with.
c) The artillery/ morfar units need to be sent out quickly from Chungking. I did send them to few key bases I want to contest.
d) You have few small av value infantry units scattered around the map. I did divide these into 3 too thus giving me guerilla units which are deployed behind enemy lines.

The picture itself is an mess from now but you will see later on how I at least tried to build up an defensive system here... this is 50/50 theatre which can turn out either way.

Here is the initial troop deployment pic...

[aztez]

jackx: [:D] ... thank you! Now the only question is where the 1st fumble will be reported!

Damn this turn took forever to complete though! At least nomore "historical" battles to be expected. Very curious what Dave is up to... and if I have guessed at least somewhat correctly his moves.

I have read on these forums that people recommend obtaining Witp first before jumping into AE. It help with GUI and some mechanics of the game. Than again when you jump into AE after Witp it will be hard to forfeit many strategies, ideas etc from the old game. It is actually hard to think freshly and you need to do this since so many things have changed.

Now we just have to wait for erstad to send in the combat reports.

[aztez]

The turn is in and it wasn't pretty to watch at all.

Those 2 US CV TF's got mauled near Johnston Island.

KB was lurking around Laysan Island. Unfortunately for the allied side we got nothing positive out of this encounter.

I have read several threads on how the Japanese CAP/Flak is such and such. To be honest that is bs. Nothing wrong with it at all. Here is how the cv vs cv battle took place. This directly from combat report.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 161,107

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 71
D3A1 Val x 95



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 15
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Astoria
CA Portland, Bomb hits 2
DD Porter, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Drayton
DD Lamson
DD Mahan
DD Flusser



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
20 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
21 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
21 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-3A Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-2 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 161,107

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F4F-3A Wildcat x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-3A Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
VF-2 with F2A-3 Buffalo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead

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


This is what was written down in the combat report. I think this FOW in action since the replay itself had another big KB strike entering againts US carriers. This resulted into CV Saratoga being sunk.

It also had and mildly fighter escorted SBD Dauntless strike againts KB. It doesn't show up here so I guess it mounted to nothing at all.

Dave confirmed that he lost 40+ carrier trained pilots in past few days. No mention of any carriers being damaged though.

I can confirm that CV Saratoga is sunk and CV Enterprise is heavily damaged. I doubt she will make it into safety either.

Basically this means that my offensive power is very limited indeed around CenPac. Only operational carrier being the CV Hornet.

This is definately an bad start for me but I need to suck it up.

More on the action later on tonight.

[aztez]

..an pic showing badly mauled CV Enterpise.

[Sardaukar]

Big E might have a chance, since system damage is low. That means pumps and damage control are working OK...major flooding is troublesome, though. As jwilkerson adviced in one thread, reduce speed to cruise, if possible. Anyway, she'll be out for a while. 

[Rob Brennan UK]

I'm usually an optomist but that flooding will imo kill off enterprise in a very short space of time. [:(]. Kepp an eye open for messages like "uncontrolled flooding increase"
or some such .. i tried sending the BB nevada back to SF with 50 flood (all major) after
doing what i could at PH. she lasted 2 days than sank ! .. whoops ..

[aztez]

Sardaukar: I think the chance is small when it comes to survival.

I could not lower the movement to cruise speed since it would only be 3 knots. Instead I opted to go for mission speed orders and hope for the best.

Fingers crossed but I'am not too optimistic about it.

Rob: Yeah, there are much more variations on "commentary" in AE.

I'am not an pessimistic guy but I think your assumption is correct. There is very slim chance of survival.

[aztez]

Philippines (december 9th and 10th)


Ok. The initial landings where not too hard to predict.

Dave did land troops into Vigan and Aparri. The good thing for us is that the harbour is now filled with mines so if I'am lucky we will see some results next turn.

I was somewhat suprised to see that no enemy landings were made at southern Luzon. Than again it is long journey towards Manila via land.

I'am expecting more troop transports entering northern Luzon area. He might even try to grab another base at San Fernando or Lingayen.

US DD's did try to intercept landings but were repulsed by enemy destroyers and cruisers. This effort pretty much amounted to nothing.

PT Boats however did intercept and damaged / sunk few AK's. Nice, but now these guys are low on ammo. Thus meaning they will need to refit their torpedoes before going out again. (Full combat report regarding PT boat action action at the end of this post.

Our P40E's didn't cause much harm to imperial airforce. Some Zero's were sweeping the skies above Clark Field and Manila. The sweeping order seem much more effective than just an escort mission.

US submarines did not do much either. (If you count out those minefields) I had these guys on the following orders. Sub Patrol, Max react 6 and patrol/retire. Now most of them are heading towards Manila so I changed this to "remain at station" setup. Hopefully these guys manage to hit something valuable.

Here are the PT Boats on action:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,72, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Bisan Maru #3
AMc Choun Maru #7, Shell hits 1
PB Choun Maru #18, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Sydney Maru
xAK Anyo Maru
xAK Kumagawa Maru
xAK Tatukami Maru
xAK Okiyu Maru
xAK Kosei Maru
xAK Kotoku Maru
xAK Keisho Maru
xAK Hokuan Maru
xAK Maya Maru
xAK Takaoka Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Kamoi Maru
xAK Shinyubari Maru
xAK Shirogane Maru
xAK Tenzan Maru
xAK Yamadori Maru
xAK Karachi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Pacific Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kuwayama Maru
xAK Siraha Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Chuko Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
PT-33
PT-34
PT-35

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 37 (18 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (31 destroyed, 19 disabled)



Reduced sighting due to 57% moonlight

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 80,71, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Bisan Maru #3, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Choun Maru #7, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Sydney Maru
xAK Anyo Maru
xAK Kumagawa Maru
xAK Tatukami Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Okiyu Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Kosei Maru
xAK Kotoku Maru
xAK Keisho Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Maya Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Takaoka Maru
xAK Atlas Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kamoi Maru
xAK Shinyubari Maru, Shell hits 5
xAK Shirogane Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Tenzan Maru
xAK Yamadori Maru, Shell hits 4
xAK Pacific Maru, Shell hits 5
xAK Kuwayama Maru
xAK Siraha Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT-41, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PT Q-111
PT Q-112
PT Q-113, Shell hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
835 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (6 destroyed, 9 disabled)


...now these guys are out of ammo and head out to refit.

IJN did mine coast of Bataan and I'am conducting heavy MSW efforts to open the harbour yet again for business.

[aztez]

..and an pic from Malaya. Pretty much what we expected it to be.

Too early to go into greater analysis about the situation here or China.

[jrlans]

Ouch sorry to hear about the Big E and the Saratoga they are probably both lost. Did any of thier air groups manage to divert, they are by far your most experienced and valubable air groups. Also by my count you should have 3 fleet CVs left, Hornet, Yorktown, and Lex. Those three might be able to go toe to toe against Shokaku and Zuikaku but i wouldnt risk them against anything larger than that. In my game v. the AI I had a 4 CV group ambush those two with only moderate damage to 1 CV so it is doable to inflict decent damage if your oppenent gets a bit slopy