Matrix Games Forums

Revenge Exeter and 3 CLAA's joined up with force Z at Batavia last turn that gives me a strong (if slow) surface action TF covered by most of the Dutch Fighters.

Options options.........

Repulse/ POW and Revenge backed by the 8" Cruisers Houston and Exeter and Cornwall, the 6" CL's Boise, Danae, Glasgow and Enterprise and 13 DD's (Mostly RN and Dutch)

Thats about the best mix of good ships and good xp crews that I have anywhere on the map. Only the CV gps have more hitting power

Its powerfull and I would love to send them at Kuching but I would be betting on the weather Im not sure its worth it.

The IJN seems to be sending a heavy TF to cover Kuhing AF.

I would have liked to keep the AF closed for another week but it is not always possible to have what we want.

I am starting a fort and supply watch on Singapore/Johore

Johore lvl 5 30% with 3,997 tonnes of supplies
Singapore lvl 6 15% with 48,997 tonnes of supplies
Oil 3800
Resource 2800

I have about 9,000 tonnes of supply unloading in harbour at moment.

Japanese are about to attack Taiping and are marching on Kuantan.

I will try to delay at Malacca for a few days.

2 Australian Inf Bns have arrived as reinforcements as has 1 US Base Force and a Dutch Bn.

It is my intent to hold as much strength in Singapore recovering for as long as possible.

Every day that goes by my soldiers get stronger so I need to buy time to get supplies in let my troops recover disrupted squads and get the war faces up. Every extra day I can fight for Singapore is one days less exposure for my rear areas

Andy

My plan in this game is to use my Carriers as aircraft transports. As a result Lexington will move to Australia and offload her full strike group that I will then move toward Singapore/ Java these aircraft are the only types that I have plentifull replacements for.(Wildcats/ Dauntless) In fact 1 squadron of Dauntless's based at Amboina/ Kendari could cause real problems for the IJN.

If this isn't the ultimate criticism of the air combat model (Uber Cap vs uncoordinated naval strikes and strikes vs multiple targets...either TFs, base components or LCUs), I don't know what is! Imagine how the war would have gone if reality were like the combat model??? Using fleet CVs as transports...says it all, eh?[X(][8|]

Not to mention that you can take SBDs from a CV, fly them to Ambonia and perform ops without end. You never have to worry about spare parts becasue a supply point is anything you want it to be(even another SBD). [:(]

Hey I play the game as it is not how I would wish it to be.

Unloading that airgroup makes sense unfortunately. Anyway no raid on Singapore today which was weird p.s. Im only going to use lex and wasp in that role. (My main gripe is how weak F4F's are against Zeros even after the bonus wears off why waste my CV's in a battle I know I will lose ?)

Invasion fleet spotted approaching Amboina Lex's offloaded airgp is at Darwin but has just moved by rail so none available looks like my cunning plan is going to be a few days late....

Singapore 50721/ 3500/ 2012 S/O/R 33% now on forts at Johore and 18% in Sing so 3% per day.

I have a TF with Canberra and a few CL's DD's at Kendari its moving to be in position to raid Amboina

No sign of KB my scouts MSW's and Subs have not spotted KB North or South of Pearl I am risking Arizona on the route back.

Every week or two I will send 1 BB back to the West Coast.

Slow but safe

Andy

I'd suggest against such a big surface combat TF. It will surely get detected. Instead, use Pow, Repulse,2 slower CA's 2 Cl's (D' class or other british with good night exp) and 4 crack DD's (british with good night exp) to make a fast interception force. Another 30+ knot CA/CL/DD TF of similar numbers 8-10 can also be formed. With less than 10 ships your tf's can go undetected, especially when the weather is bad and when they are away from japanese bases with search planes.

You might want to stand down those walruses as they give away your position usually (subs and other small tf's detected) and you have plenty of search capabiltiy in the form of your dutch floatplanes anyway

Aye you are correct String.

I have enough surface forces to form 3 or 4 SCTF's

I would like to have had 2 or 3 more CA's or CL's down supporting Canberra as I am sure that the invasion force near Amboina will be well covered.

Andy

OK today was a good day !!!!

Any day where I shoot down as many Japs as I lose is good.

He sends unescorted Nells and Betties into Singapore CAP I shoot down 40 !!!!!!! I wonder why he did that its a tad weird but I aint complaining

He then sent in a huge raid against Singapore I lost 50 fighters bversus 20 zeroes but the AF is undamaged so all in all its a good day.

AVG is a tad gutted down to 30 P40B's but still 50 pilots and 1 sqn will be upgradeable to P40E's next turn (22 in the pool)

BUT i dont think the Japanese will be back for a few days. I could be wrong but losing 20 zeroes on one raid is quite a lot isnt it ? The Japanese dont have that many zeroes that they can afford to lose 20 and hopefully 20 pilots this early.

I then retaliate and bombers from Singapore carefully range set to avoid any possibility of bombing Kuching maul a convoy off of Khota.

All in all a good day for the allies

Oh and KB was sighted waiting in ambush off of Pearl I think Arizona will get through although it will be a close run thing

Andy




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/19/41

TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 47
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
Buffalo I x 21
Hurricane II x 6
P-35A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 37
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 34 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead


Day Air attack on TF at 122,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
G3M Nell x 62
G4M1 Betty x 29

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
Buffalo I x 28
Hurricane II x 5
P-35A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 37
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 20 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 4 destroyed
Buffalo I: 17 destroyed
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 22 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Blenheim I x 3
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 5
B-17C Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 17
LB-30 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Hukuyo Maru
AP Manzyu Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
PG Chosa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PC Ch 8
AP Izan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyokusei Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported

Day Time Surface Combat, near Brunei at 32,57

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba
PC Shimushu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukari
MSW W.2
AP Eihuku Maru
AP Hakka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hakusika Maru
AP Hikade Maru
AP Josho Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Meiu Maru
AP Mexico Maru, Shell hits 2
AK Tetsuzan Maru

Allied Ships
PT PT-44
PT PT-45, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT PT-46
PT PT-47, Shell hits 74, and is sunk
PT PT-48, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

p.s. Singapore 54,726, 4904, 3200 Supply/ Oil/ Resource Fort 18%

Johore is now 37% towards lvl 6

I hope having gone to this effort to reinforce I can actually hold when the time comes for at least a few weeks

Wow, impressive!!

[:D] Have you brought in any ground units too? Historically I think we brought in two Indian Brigades (44th and 45th?) and a chunk of the 18th UK Div.

I'll be interested to see how long you can hold.

Gull and Lark, plus best part of 2 Dutch Bn's and cadres of about 6 US Base Forces and the EAB Regt from PI.

I want to rebuild them to the extent that I get the AA guns Singapore is going to fall but I want to thin out his Air if I can.

I will try to get a few more Bn's in but its hard with Kuching hostile.

I am not bringing anything from outside of DEI.

Andy

p.s. when I say cadres I am bringing in 5 USN subs worth its a good chunk of each base force not just 1 squad.

When (if sing gets to level 9 port ill use my USN subs as ML ers) until then they are doing sterling service sucking in forces from all over the PI and DEI to the place I have decided to make my stand.

Andy

KB hunts the arizona will she escape to San Diego.....

PT Boats do ok !!!! and are holding the line.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 32,56

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 2
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsukari
MSW W.2
AP Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Hakusika Maru
AP Josho Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Meiu Maru
AP Mexico Maru
AK Tetsuzan Maru

Allied Ships
PT PT-44, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-46
Ground combat at Manila


1st Assault on Manila is held I wasnt relying on forts anyway next attack will be decisive if the bonus due to Urban is enough I will hold on for a while otherwise PI could be all over pretty dammed quick !!!

Andy

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 127136 troops, 1442 guns, 178 vehicles

Defending force 60290 troops, 539 guns, 135 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
2769 casualties reported
Guns lost 90
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1160 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 2

OK Short update my units are withdrawing from Moulmien every time they do they shock attack at the river which is a complete pain.

I managed to re open the Chungking Road from Changsa by Shock attacking a Jap force back off the road. (those troops now 50 xp which is dammed good for Chinese)

Singapore 22% Johore now 48%

68k supplies 30k oil and 10k resources.

I need to hold for the supplies to become an issue and 4 of my Bsdes have now been retreated which may be a problem

Slightly longer feedback i have trimmed it down to the highlights

IJN Cruiser sinks an AP.
Subs are active
May Dauntless's scattered all over the DEI get off to a good start a 1000lber hits on a CA near Amboina
Managed to clear my back route from Changsa I would pursue but I dont want to get off the Road Network to early.

So far at Singapore I have the full EAB Bn, the USMC AA Regt and the 200th USAA Regt has almost arrived.

Add cadres of 3 USAAF Base Forces.

If I can hold for a while I hope to use the Flak effectively to shoot down enemy Aircraft.

I have 65k of suppplies in Sing/Johore and an additonal 30k in the harbour as we speak if I can unload them and hold the line at Johore I have a shot to extend this fight for a while.

No sign of 33rd/ 55th or 56th Div yet so Im worried as to where they are.

Andy



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AP Royal T. Frank, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
AK Surigao
AK Wawa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
AK Kota Radja, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Brunei, at 32,57

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Hibiki
CA Atago
CA Takao


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,55

Japanese Ships
AK Nissyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Fusemi Maru
PC Ch 15
PC Shonan Maru #6
PG Shinko Maru #3
PG Muro Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 41,71


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
Ground combat at 45,35

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 59918 troops, 354 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28550 troops, 329 guns, 134 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
578 casualties reported
Guns lost 34


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

My stratrgy with the two sqn of dauntlesses is to keep the headline fragment on Java but have 4 or 5 bombers scattered on front line bases.

I dont want to take the chance Wobb took and put them all in one place where they can get flattened.

I just want to scatter them to numerous bases in penny packets.

If I do this I hope it will keep Pauk honest about trying to launch deep raids on places like Bali as he will know I have aircraft that can hurt him.

I want and need to slow him down I figure PI will be over by mid January I dont think I have done anythong stupendously stupid or that Pauk has been brilliant I just dont know how to fight for the PI to the historical date. It seems to fall very quickly in every game.

Every day I delay is one more day to fortify rear areas but I expect him to be able to attack North or South by April

Andy

How did you get dauntlesses there? Marine sqdns i assume?

I took Lady Lex's sqns off of her she is now offically a barge on the West Coast to SOPAC run.

Wildcats just stink to much v KB for me to risk any kind of a carrier battle so Im converting 2 or 3 Fleet Carriers into aircraft transports.

Even after Zeroes lose the bonus 80xp Wildcats dont do well toe to toe with 90 xp A6M2's to make it worthwhile.

Its sad but untill Hellcats come along I am avoiding anything that looks like a CV battle

Andy

p.s. one exception I will form a CV fleet around my RN Carriers using Seafires for Escort and CAP they at least have a shot against the zeroes.

But I will not risk a CV Battle without at least 2 Seafire Equipped RN CV's to head up the fleet my USN ones will be there purely as bomber bird farms. I will probably consolidat 3 or 4 Seafire Sqns onto 2 RN CV's and use them as floating Fighter platforms,

Andy

I have misplaced the combat replay but key points are Brunei fell, Kuching has 20 Zeroes on CAP and we are skirmishing near Kendari/ Amboina.

I am going to try something sneaky.

I have spotted some auxilliary aircraft at Alor Star. As a result I am going to hit it with an effort strike. Pauk will shut down Singapore soon so I need to hit while I can.

I figure (trying to second guess him) that he will move zeroes to Brunei and Kuching assuming that I will hit either of them oil or airfields.

So I won't everything I have will hit Alor Star with the full AVG on escort.

Now this is a massive risk he could hit Singapore while my CAP is down BUT I think he will try to mousetrap me at Kuching or Brunei. At this stage its all about throwing the dice.

Andy