Icechuck's Round 2 AAR - New Player Japan Experience

[Icechuck]

December 20th, 1941

A black day for the Empire.

Submarines

S-36 fires an effective torpedo, striking Patrol Boat Aso Maru #3, and most likely dooming her off Formosa.

I-155, not to be outdone, lands 3 hits on the Tanker at the Makassar peninsula.

Philippines

A recon regiment in the south of Luzon probes the Philippino forces blocking my advance. For the cost of 1 vehicle, I learn that 7,000 Philippino troops of the 41st and 51st infantry divisions stand in my way. The main body will be arriving soon to engage them.

Borneo

Singkawang DA by the SNLF brings forts down to level 0 and nearly beats the defenders, another attack tomorrow will finish them.

B-17s bomb Miri ineffectively.

Japanese search planes from land bases give me a total failure of intelligence. A TF reported to be a CL and 2 DDs moved to engage the landing force at Balikpapan. I had seen this being a potential event, and bolstered the force with a screen of the CAs Haguro and Nachi, alongside a handful of destroyers. Before they can arrive, they're bypassed by a second, as of yet unseen allied TF. This TF consists of the CA Houston, CLs Java, De Ruyter, Tromp, Dragon, Durban, Marblehead, and Boise, and 11 destroyers. This is effectively the whole Asiatic fleet. In a night action, they engage the landing force, claiming the AMC Saigon Maru and heavily damaging (and probably dooming) the xAP Baikal Maru. 2024 Japanese men are doomed to sink in the Makassar Strait, and the survivors link up with my CA squadron. The CA squadron engages the enemy the following afternoon, registering only 2 hits, one on Parrott and one on Whipple, both destroyers. In return, a few transports are hit, Nachi takes a glancing and ineffective blow, and the Tokitsukaze is hit twice, igniting her and forcing her to withdraw. The intact landing ships and the main force will attempt to withdraw north, and submarines are vectored to close the strait. Kido Butai is racing back to the area, but is too far away to arrive in time to respond. I was clearly overzealous in my pursuit of Lexington and lost sight of broader operational goals. This serves as an important and humbling lesson in maintaining focus on strategic objectives rather than tactical wishes. Fortunately, the landing force here was not huge and can be replaced with relative ease. What really matters is what will happen tomorrow, as I'm most likely going to order the surface ships to evacuate, abandoning the few survivors of the landing force to try and preserve my heavy cruiser force.

Ryujo is trying to replenish her sorties, but after 2 days at Badeldaob, is unable to and will attempt again tomorrow. If she can get back in the fight I can potentially score big here. I need to keep my head in the game though, and if I can't avenge the force here, need to maintain my emphasis on securing my operations elsewhere.

Japanese troops land on Ternate and will storm the base tomorrow, taking control of the airfield.

The landing at Manado, in face of this new threat, is ordered to withdraw out of harms way incase the enemy decides to try and pursue me further.

3 Heavy Cruisers at Cam Ranh Bay, alongside a CL + DD Squadron, are being sent down to the region in order to retaliate if the opportunity arises.

Singapore

Japanese sweeps go in disrupted, rather than in their normal unified fashion and suffer for it today. 5 Oscars are lost for 1 Buffalo dead and many others damaged. I will cease the sweeps for now.

[RangerJoe]

Is there an AKE with enough supplies to replenish sorties? Are there enough supplies with Naval Support and Port Size to replenish?

You were not wrong for trying to chase and sink the Lexington. Just think of how you can do it the next time. Also consider reconing bases in the area to see if there are ships in port. However, live and learn as it is only a game.

Use the mini-KB and land base air to cover your attack vectors. Then also have night naval search plus keep an eye on the weather and moonlight,

[Icechuck]

Is there an AKE with enough supplies to replenish sorties? Are there enough supplies with Naval Support and Port Size to replenish?

You were not wrong for trying to chase and sink the Lexington. Just think of how you can do it the next time. Also consider reconing bases in the area to see if there are ships in port. However, live and learn as it is only a game.

Use the mini-KB and land base air to cover your attack vectors. Then also have night naval search plus keep an eye on the weather and moonlight,

The bast is a level 3 port with 809 support. I was under the impression if I hit that criteria I didn't need a tender.

[RangerJoe]

Is there an AKE with enough supplies to replenish sorties? Are there enough supplies with Naval Support and Port Size to replenish?

You were not wrong for trying to chase and sink the Lexington. Just think of how you can do it the next time. Also consider reconing bases in the area to see if there are ships in port. However, live and learn as it is only a game.

Use the mini-KB and land base air to cover your attack vectors. Then also have night naval search plus keep an eye on the weather and moonlight,

The bast is a level 3 port with 809 support. I was under the impression if I hit that criteria I didn't need a tender.

Is there enough supplies and is the TF set on full refuel? Otherwise, I don't know because I never had that problem there.

[Icechuck]

Is there an AKE with enough supplies to replenish sorties? Are there enough supplies with Naval Support and Port Size to replenish?

You were not wrong for trying to chase and sink the Lexington. Just think of how you can do it the next time. Also consider reconing bases in the area to see if there are ships in port. However, live and learn as it is only a game.

Use the mini-KB and land base air to cover your attack vectors. Then also have night naval search plus keep an eye on the weather and moonlight,

The bast is a level 3 port with 809 support. I was under the impression if I hit that criteria I didn't need a tender.

Is there enough supplies and is the TF set on full refuel? Otherwise, I don't know because I never had that problem there.

There is a ton of supplies, well over 15,000, and every other ship in the TF refueled and resupplied. I detached Ryujo into her own TF but still no luck.

[RangerJoe]

What version of the game are you playing? I suggest contacting someone on the development team to look and see if there is a bug somewhere.

[Icechuck]

Playing 26b. I'll reach out if I can't get it on this next turn, I didn't realize that Ports had their own ops points, and had lots of TFs either refueling or reloading there.

[RangerJoe]

Playing 26b. I'll reach out if I can't get it on this next turn, I didn't realize that Ports had their own ops points, and had lots of TFs either refueling or reloading there.

That is probably the situation, rearm the carrier first.

[Icechuck]

December 21st, 1941

I'm behind by 2 turns, so I'll be doing both here.

Submarines

No action.

Philippines

Nothing new, reinforcements are 2 days out in the south of Luzon to engage.

Borneo

Singkawang falls with no SNLF losses.

Ternate falls.

The surviving transports are jumped by the Asiatic Fleet, but my surface combatants withdraw south and disengage. Friendly forces are approaching from the north and east, so the enemy will be forced to retire.

Malaya

More movement. The Imperial Guards arrive in Taiping.

China

4 understrength Chinese Corps work to cut the railline in the north at Kweiteh, reinforcements are arriving to destroy them.

Divisions enter Chengchow and will bombard to gauge assault value.



December 22nd, 1941

Submarines

No spots are made in the Makassar Strait. No engagements or attacks.

Philippines

DA is ordered in the south to break through, results will take place tomorrow.

San Fernando falls.

Borneo

No sighting on the Asiatic Fleet. More flying boats are deployed to search.

PBYs lash out all over the region, striking at Japanese cruiser groups. No hits are scored, and many are damaged.

Ryujo will be the only ship to reload at Badeldaob tomorrow, so hopefully she gets reloaded.

China

The enemy force in Chengchow is large, and consists of well equipped divisions. The opportunity to deprive them of their material is huge, and more divisions are streaming in to reinforce.

Home Islands

A CVL task force of Zuiho and Hosho load up on Kates and Zeroes, and move to reinforce the Borneo area.

[BBfanboy]

If you do not have an AKE there, you likely have to dock that CVL to replenish sorties.

[Icechuck]

If you do not have an AKE there, you likely have to dock that CVL to replenish sorties.

Ryujo has been docked, and after receiving the next turn is still unable. I'll be transferring her to Truk for replenishment. Just to make sure this isn't user error, Badeldaob has 811 Support, 18971 supply, and a level 3 port. Ryujo is docked, and full on fuel. Her sorties haven't gone up for 3 days.

[RangerJoe]

If you do not have an AKE there, you likely have to dock that CVL to replenish sorties.

Ryujo has been docked, and after receiving the next turn is still unable. I'll be transferring her to Truk for replenishment. Just to make sure this isn't user error, Badeldaob has 811 Support, 18971 supply, and a level 3 port. Ryujo is docked, and full on fuel. Her sorties haven't gone up for 3 days.

Make sure that you right click to replenish ammo . . .

[Icechuck]

If you do not have an AKE there, you likely have to dock that CVL to replenish sorties.

Ryujo has been docked, and after receiving the next turn is still unable. I'll be transferring her to Truk for replenishment. Just to make sure this isn't user error, Badeldaob has 811 Support, 18971 supply, and a level 3 port. Ryujo is docked, and full on fuel. Her sorties haven't gone up for 3 days.

Make sure that you right click to replenish ammo . . .

Everytime I've clicked replenish TF from port I get the message TF 96 could not be fully rearmed. She has been docked.

[RangerJoe]

Ryujo has been docked, and after receiving the next turn is still unable. I'll be transferring her to Truk for replenishment. Just to make sure this isn't user error, Badeldaob has 811 Support, 18971 supply, and a level 3 port. Ryujo is docked, and full on fuel. Her sorties haven't gone up for 3 days.

Make sure that you right click to replenish ammo . . .

Everytime I've clicked replenish TF from port I get the message TF 96 could not be fully rearmed. She has been docked.

Remove Ryujo from the TF, replenish it while at the port screen using a right click.

[Icechuck]

Make sure that you right click to replenish ammo . . .

Everytime I've clicked replenish TF from port I get the message TF 96 could not be fully rearmed. She has been docked.

Remove Ryujo from the TF, replenish it while at the port screen using a right click.

She was in a one ship TF. I disbanded the TF and sent her to port, I filter to CVL so she's the only ship on the list and get the message "No ships on this list were rearmed in port"

[RangerJoe]

Everytime I've clicked replenish TF from port I get the message TF 96 could not be fully rearmed. She has been docked.

Remove Ryujo from the TF, replenish it while at the port screen using a right click.

She was in a one ship TF. I disbanded the TF and sent her to port, I filter to CVL so she's the only ship on the list and get the message "No ships on this list were rearmed in port"

Something is wrong then and I don't know what it is.

[Icechuck]

I've got a handful of updates coming, and the game has continued. I was out of town for Easter and am now prepping for final exams and graduation from uni, so expect a bit of a delay on updates. However, we're nearing the end of December and the end of 41.

[BBfanboy]

Remove Ryujo from the TF, replenish it while at the port screen using a right click.

She was in a one ship TF. I disbanded the TF and sent her to port, I filter to CVL so she's the only ship on the list and get the message "No ships on this list were rearmed in port"

Something is wrong then and I don't know what it is.

At game start, Truk may not be able to load torpedoes because of port size. You need an AKE or Naval Support. Compare the load cost of the required torps with the port's load table.

[Icechuck]

Ryujo made it to Truk and was able to replenish torpedoes.

[Icechuck]

December 23rd, 1941

Submarines

No sub-actions, but Glen-equipped subs are positioning across the Australian coast, suspected lines of supply through Fiji, and other key areas for surveillance.

Philippines

In the south at Atimonan, the 41st and 51st PA Infantry Divisions are assaulted, and with odds of 2:1 I reduce forts to level 1. Japanese casualties are high at 500, but most are disabled.

Sweeps across the Philippines are unopposed.

Tulagi

Troops unload.

Borneo Area

2 PBY-5s attack Chokai, both are struck by flak but a bomb hits her superstructure, igniting her. The damage is minimal.

Brunei is attacked but holds. Forts are dropped to level 0. Kuching repels another attack.

China

Kweiteh is bombarded by Chinese troops.

A Japanese DA at Tsiaotso is repelled, 6,000 Japanese troops are beaten by 3000 Chinese, but losses are extremely light on both sides.

Kukong falls to the Japanese.


December 24th, 1941

Submarines

The Glen scouts near Fiji bump into some ships and pounce. I-20 sights the xAKL Fiona and strikes her with a torpedo. Later in the day, she strikes her with 3 more. The ship is doomed. I-20 also sights the xAKL Caledon, and surfaces to engage with the deck gun. I-20 registers 16 hits, reports a massive explosion on the target and dives.

I-5 sights an unknown TF near Pearl Harbor of 3 DDs and 2 AVPs. She fires at a DD and is forced to dive.

Philippines

The Philippino divisions in the south are shelled. The northern march continues southbound. Troops begin loading at Taiwan to prepare to land at Aparri.

Borneo Area

A DD screen south of Celebes is attacked by 2 PBY-5s. Both are damaged and register no hits.

Naval guards and an AF company land at what recon called an empty base at Manado. It was in fact, not empty, so assaults will begin tomorrow.

China

Chinese troops theater-wide are bombed with minimal resistance. No signs of the AVG have been detected yet.

At Chengchow I misjudged how much AV I needed to cross a river without a shock, and a brigade shocks over the river, suffering heavy losses. The Chinse also suffer some losses.

December 25th, 1941

Submarines

S-36 lands a torpedo on PB Kiso Maru off Batan Island.

Philippines

More unopposed sweeps and bombardments against enemy defenders. I chose to wait for fatigue to go down before engaging again.

Borneo Area

At Manado, the enemy repels an attack with 1:2 odds and 73:66 AV in my favor. I opt to withhold attacking again and bring in more supplies while draining theirs with bombardments.

Brunei holds against another attack but lose their forts and inflicts no Japanese casualties. Next time they'll fall.

Malaya

As the Japanese continue the march south to Singapore, Nells savage Johore Bahru, knocking out some Hudsons on the ground despite poor weather.

Tulagi

The landing force is beset upon in the night by the CLs Leander and Achilles. In a furious night action, the xAK Yae Maru is sunk (with nothing aboard), and Achilles is hit twice. Yubari is hit 5 times and Kashima is hit once, neither suffering major damage. An unfortunate setback, but no vital ships were lost and no personnel aboard were lost. I was disappointed to see such poor gunnery from the IJN in a night action, however.

China

Chinese troops take Kweisui, routing the Ching An Tui forces up there.

Japanese troops attack the Chinese at Kweiteh, causing heavy losses but failing to break them.

December 26th, 1941

Submarines

A scout submarine watching the Torres Strait stumbled onto the AMC Westralia and hit her with 2 torpedoes. After the strike, I-24 submerged and reported a kill.

Philippines

After rest, the Japanese troops assaulted Atimonan yet again, this time with some reinforcements and lots of sleep. 500 men are lost, mostly wounded, and 3,000 enemy troops are casualties. The enemy withdraws after abandoning all of their artillery. This leaves the southern approach almost entirely unguarded, and the Japanese are quick to pursue.

Borneo

Brunei falls with no losses.

Manado is bombarded, I still have an AV advantage but it is insufficient to attack.

Hudsons attack Ternate, striking nothing.

The CA Ashigara is attacked by 2 PBY-5s. Both are damaged and no hits are scored on the ship.

China

Kweiteh falls to the Japanese, and the Chinese suffer 50% losses. The survivors rout towards Chengcha and are being pursued.

December 27th, 1941

December 27th was a quiet day, with no naval activity to report. Kuala Lumpur fell after the enemy abandoned it, and Kuching repelled (barely) another attack. The only major news for the day was the action around Chengchow.

In Chengchow, the Japanese assaulted and took the base. 1,700 Japanese losses are sustained to the Chinese losses of 13,000. The enemy withdraws, and attempts to regroup south of Loyang on the road. At that hex, the 110th Division found the 36th Chinese Corp and routed them.

In Mindanao, Cotabato falls to a Japanese assault. 9 losses on my side to 411 on the Philippino side.

December 28th, 1941

Submarines

A Glen from a sub off Australia sights a handful of ships headed to Brisbane from the north.

Philippines

Cabanatuan falls.

Lingayen is taken and 100 men from a Coastal gun battalion are killed.

Borneo Area

No developments on land. At Manado, 4 Catalinas bomb the xAK Rokko Maru, landing 1 hit and sinking her. An attack later in the day tries again, but hits nothing. The TF unloading there will depart immediately to prevent further attacks. The CVE TF entering the area is almost on station.

Solomon Islands

Perth bombards the Shortlands, hitting 8 shells on the unused island.

Canberra and Australia bombard Tulagi, hitting very little.

December 29th, 1941

No sub activity, but Emirau Island is taken by passive Japanese forces.

Philippines

Japanese troops continue to close in on Manila. Some resistance is cropping up in the north and will be bypassed.

Borneo

Kuching holds yet again, but suffers high casualties.

CVL Zuiho is attacked near Moluccas by 3 Catalinas. Zeroes intercept and shoot one down, the other 2 withdraw.

As the TF unloads at Manado, the CA Myoko moves to cover them. She is attacked by 12 Swordfish Is, carrying bombs rather than fish. This indicates that the British CVL (I think Hermes) is in the AO. A TF is sighted just outside Torpedo range for the Swordfish, in the Makassar Strait. Submarines are covering the exit to the strait, so hopefully we can catch her.

China

The AVG reveals itself over Changsha, shooting down 1 Nate and 1 Sonia in a strike.

December 30th, 1941

This is finally catching us up to the present day.

Submarines

KXVIII attacks an Escrot, the Shimushu off Singkawang, and lands a hit, probably dooming her. She is then set upon by Asashio and Sagiri, and reportedly hit 10 times by DCs.

Seadragon fires on Hosho and misses.

I-154 strikes the AVP Bellatrix in the Makassar strait twice, most likely dooming her.

Philippines

Nothing besides sweeps. B-17s out of Cagayan attack Badeldaob, hitting nothing except a Jake and suffering one loss.

Borneo Area

Manado holds again. Kuching is so close to falling I can taste it.

Catalinas attack Myoko and miss.

CLs Danae and Mauritius attacked the landing force at Singkawang. 2 JNAAF companies were unloading, and successfully had done so. They were already departing so weren't caught at anchor. Isuzu, the CL escorting is hit 4 times with minimal damage. Both escort class ships are lost. the xAKL Hakozake Maru and xAK Fukko Maru are lost. Danae is hit 11 times and torpedoed and is reported sunk. Mauritius is hit 6 times with moderate damage reported. Gorilla is showing a high degree of willingness to disrupt my landings, but fortunately hasn't struck gold since Balikpapan.

This willingness to attack from Singapore in short-ranged dashes has me reconsidering my Palembang plans, and I will most likely unload the invasion force until more air cover can be assured.

China

Lots of movements today towards Lingayen, Singkawang, and Changcha, but no major battles. The AVG attacks an escorted Sonia strike and no losses are had on either side.

Solomon Area

The invasion force for Rabaul departs, escorted by Kido Butai and a large surface task force. The PM invasion force begins loading. Recon from KB indicates 800 enemy troops on Rabaul.