Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

South China
The beat-up Chinese 10th Army continues their retreat towards the Kunming Road. The 25th Army pulls back to dig in at Kweiyang. The ground is not great for defense outside of Nanning, so the units are not asked to hold their positions. I think a fighting withdrawal towards better supply will slow the enemy and buy some time for additional replacements. I want to hold Kunming for as long as possible.

Edit: corrected the date

[Remington700]

Central Pacific
The light cruiser Cleveland with accompanying destroyers arrive offshore of Johnson Island to end the blockade by Japanese MTBs. The torpedo boats are caught off guard but have time to scatter and avoid damage. However, during the evasive action planes from the USS Princeton locate and fire upon the lightly armored boats. The small Japanese flotilla is soon put out of action.

Edit: corrected the date

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
Air attacks continue against Port Moresby attempting to lower effectiveness. No material losses.

After looking at the recon report for Rabaul I finally understand. The intelligence is good because the allies still hold most of New Ireland creating a “high” recon in the area. It has nothing to do with COMINT.

West Coast
The weakened Mitchell bomber squadron, a group of P-47s and A-20 Havocs are transported to Australia. They are followed by a US submarine.

Edit: corrected the date

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 3 supply Oilers.
India: No builds. Bumped replacements to 101.
Red China: 1 supply unit.
US: 1 Transport. 1 Merchant Marine.

Convoys
US: 50 OPs to Australia. 30 PPs and 30 OPs to India




Edit: corrected the date

[Remington700]

Japan April 11th

India
The Japanese 23rd Brigade pulls back toward Ledo creating a front of three divisions. The line is weak but may hold long enough for the 25th and 15th armies to withdraw down the Central Road. Unfortunately, the divisions are spread out and have too much territory to cover. (Represented in game by the ability to have up to a large corps in a single hex, or something as small as a weakened division). The battered 22nd Army heads south to join up with the 1st Army, bringing it back up to full strength. Supply is not bad except in the far north by the Brahmaputra River. If the line can hold for a turn Japanese forces should be able to dig in along the Chindwin River.

[Remington700]

South China
Clear weather brings success in South China. G4M “Betty” bombers soften up the Chinese 12th Army. Following the air strikes, the 12th IJA and Indian National armies, supported by the 4th Division assault the position causing a 2SP loss and forcing a retreat. Losses were extremely light. The Japanese 12th Army advances to within 50 miles of the key agricultural facilities on the Hongshui River.

G3M “Nells” pummel the dug-in Chinese 16th Army east of the Jinsha River causing a loss in effectiveness. After two assaults the 16th and 11th armies inflict a 6SP loss and practically destroy the enemy defenders, while losing just 2SPs. Unable to cross the river, the Chinese 16th Army retreats southwest towards Kweiyang.

South China Sea
A US sub attacks shipping in the East China Sea but does no damage. They slip away before destroyers can locate targets.

[Remington700]

Southwest Pacific area
Allied Coastwatchers are creating a major intelligence risk in the Bismarck and Solomon Seas. Patrols are sent out to regain control of New Ireland, New Britain and Bougainville. Hopefully this will eliminate the steady supply of intel on Rabaul.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: No builds. Bumped up replacements to 180.

[Remington700]

Allied April 11th

India
Breakthrough! Fairey Barracudas bomb positions of the Japanese 23rd Brigade outside of Ledo. The 10th UK and 1st India Corps launch a full-scale attack driving the enemy back, southeast towards Myitkyina. The 23rd Brigade escapes losing 4 SPs. This leaves the door open and 10th Corps liberates Ledo! The Japanese 10th Division is trapped in the foothills of the Himalayas. Supported by SBD dive-bombers, the Wasiristan, 10th and 1st Corps attack the enemy 10th Division pinned against the Brahmaputra River. Out of supply and forced to retreat, the enemy unit surrenders unconditionally. The Waziristan Corp moves through Ledo down the Myitkyina Road, turning the flank of the battered 23rd Brigade. Supply to China is open!

With the withdrawal of Japanese infantry the US 2nd Corps brushes aside small delaying patrols to link up with forces at Chittagong. The supply will flow. Unsupported by air, the US 3rd Corps and the 1st Marines assault the Japanese 4th Brigade along the coast road. The attacks are repulsed. 3rd Corps loses 2SPs and weakens to 51% effective. All US units are given the command to hold at all costs as the beachhead is still fragile.

I leave Chittagong open in case one of my US Corps get pushed back. I don’t want them to shatter. The chance of two Corps being pushed back is slim to none.

[Remington700]

South China
The Chinese 23rd and Reserve armies pull back to straighten the line. Breakthroughs have been closed off along the Jinsha River however the ground and supply are not good. The P-40 Warhawks are sent to fly CAP over the defensive line, but it is not enough. It is just a matter of where the Japanese choose to breakthrough.

I expect the enemy will assault the agricultural facilities at the rail crossing on the Hongshui River. And then continue towards Kweiyang. This could cut my forces in half. But if they do push that hard, Japanese forces in Burma will be left unsupported. An army or two may leave the South China front to prop up the defense of the Irrawaddy River and Rangoon. Which will make this line a little stronger

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
US air presence has greatly increased in eastern Australia. Bombers, Fighter Bombers and Fighters dominate the coastline. Airfields are built in the north and will soon launch dawn to dusk sorties to isolate Port Moresby. Under this umbrella, the US CV Naval groups can safely patrol the waters of the western Coral Sea.

[Remington700]

Central Pacific
Five US carriers form taskforce 25 at Hawaii awaiting their first mission as a cohesive CV Naval group.

West Coast
The Southwest Pacific Area HQ leaves the west coast heading to Australia. They are accompanied by the 2nd US Marine Division.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds. Waiting for 1943 assault technology to hit next turn.
India: No Builds.
US: 2 Submarines. 4th Marine Division.

Convoys
US: 50 OPs to Australia. 50 PPs and 30 OPs to India

[Remington700]

Japan April 25th

Burma
The Imperial Japanese Army retreats across the Chindwin River and heads to defensive positions along the Irrawaddy River basin. A few divisions are acting as a rear guard but will not be able to do much to slow down the enemy advance. The objective now is to maintain control of Rangoon and Bangkok. If they fall, the door to Malaya will be left wide open.

South China
Heavy rain puts a stop to all offensive operations. Taking advantage of the weather the 12th, 21st and 59th armies are pulled off the line to aid with the defense of Burma. The Indian National Army receiving Japanese replacements and officers are redesignated the Imperial 59th Army.

Three divisions are railed to Manchuria replacing the 20th Army which has relocated to South China. The intent is to replace the armies pulled from the theater to fight in Burma. This is part of a major army reorganization to centralize command and control.

Building divisions was a mistake. I should have built more armies and split them. Or left divisions in Manchuria replacing the armies. All thoughts for a future game. The lack of a zone of control is killing me. Except during the early game, I think Divisions might be best used for Partisan control and the garrisoning of small islands. It is probably too late to fix this, but I will give it a shot.

[Remington700]

Andaman Sea
The 2nd Air Fleet leaves Singapore and steams to the Andaman Sea to provide defense to the key ports in the area. The 9th MTB patrols along the coast north of Rangoon.

South China Sea
US submarines unsuccessfully attack merchant marine in the South China Sea. The Growler takes heavy damage but was not confirmed as sunk. GM4s from Saigon fail to locate the damaged sub.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
The process of shutting down allied Coast Watchers continues. Malaita Island will soon be under control. New Ireland is proving to be more difficult as the locals to the south are loyal to the enemy spies. Since patrols cannot locate them, a landing may be necessary. Rabaul must be freed from prying eyes. Choiseul is also a problem but sits in a less strategic location.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japanese Builds: 22nd Army. Supply unit.

[Remington700]

ORIGINAL: John B.

I looks like Japan is in danger of having two armies surrounded!

It was close but they managed to slip away.

[Remington700]

Allied April 25th

Burma
The US 3rd Corps and 1st Marines attack the Japanese 4th Brigade after a preliminary air strike. The enemy is supported by D3A dive-bombers, which are immediately jumped by Indian Hurricanes, smoking two of the boogies before they can scatter and leave the area. Allied air cover remains in place. Failing to dislodge the enemy, a second attack is launched which forces a Japanese retreat. The beat-up 3rd Corps heads to the rear area for a little R&R in Chittagong. The 2nd Corp takes their place in the line and immediately goes on the offensive. Following a preliminary air strike by SBDs, a coordinated attack with the 3rd and 4th Corps plus the 1st Marines push the Japanese 121st division back to the Irrawaddy River.

Farther north, three Indian corps chase the retreating Japanese. But in the words of Jimmy Driftwood, “They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em”. The enemy has escaped to the safety of the Irrawaddy River.

[Remington700]

South China
Heavy rain is a wonderful site. The enemy has slowed the attack. Two large formations are located south of the line on major transportation routes. They are headed to the Burma front. However, I imagine the enemy offensive will resume as soon as weather permits. The P-40s will resume flying CAP as soon as possible.

South China Sea
SS-215 Growler launched a spread of torpedoes targeting a Japanese Merchant Marine. The Skipper made the call to deactivate the magnetic exploder and go with a “contact” hit. Now it appears the firing pins are crushed when striking the ship and once again fail to detonate. Nearby enemy destroyers drop “ash-cans” at an alarming rate finding their target. The heavily damaged sub manages to escape and heads to Sydney for repairs. An AAR will bring to light the problem with the contact detonators, which until recently was masked by other problems with the Mark 14 torpedoes.

I can't tell if the enemy anti-sub defense is getting better or not. My subs are not hit often, but when they are, 2SP damage seems to be automatic. 3 SP damage may be right around the corner. I think it is time to start stacking them in wolfpacks again to spread out the damage. Hopefully the torpedoes will start doing damage on a regular basis.