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Bataan has fallen. Finally.

My troops crossed into Singapore, but I made a simple misstake, that cost alot. I had to rush the turn to get it out before I had to leave the computer, and as a result, I accidentally moved a command hq into Singapore, and I forgot to do several things that would have caused less losses in the crossing. As a result, two divisions are completely trashed, and a command hq is in a combat hex. I asked Canoe not to attack while I get my command hq out of the way. Annoying misstake, I had set all units to follow, then cancelled the move orders for the command hq, but then I changed to let a hvy art unit lead the march, and forgot to reset the movement orders for the hq. On top of that I forgot to order several hundred bombers to attack, and paras to jump.

In China, Canoe is pulling back to Sian. Amazingly he is leaving his easy to defend positions in WR-hexes.. I dont know where he is pulling back to..

Scene at the Imperial HQ.

Chief of Staff:
Sir, there seems to be a massive counterattack mounting south of Changsa. As much as 36 units might be about to attack our 4 divisions cutting the Changsa railline. Intelligence estimates are sketchy but there are as many as 300 000 Chinese soldiers reported in that area.

Hortlund:
Those troops are in terrain that prevents a retreat in time to avoid the threat, they must stand and fight.
[turns to IJAAF and IJNAF commanders]
You two, all airunits are to be committed to this defensive battle. Bring everyone.

Chief of IJAAF:
Everyone?

Hortlund:

[:D]

..

After watching Dan's last game, I konw he like the "super sized" Chinese stack. It would leave me to believe its two reinforced Army Groups. He has got to have a very "tender" spot somewhere. Reco by fire, ac, anything. Find it. It's there.

Two days have passed. The stacks should arrive soon. My airforce is causing a little over 1100 casualties per day. I hope it is enough. Waiting for them are about 1800 AV in open ground, with perhaps fort lvl 1.

What kind of combat power do you have? guns? tanks?

Just 4 infantry divisions

Still no crossing. Im setting up an air-bridge to make sure the supplies stay in the white. I have roughly 300 bombers and 100 transports flying support for these troops now.

In India we are about to close the trap around Calcutta. It seems there will be a battle for the city. After Singapore I might have to move in more troops.

If Dan thinks he may lose "big" on the Yangtze he will not cross and of course he may be trying to make you commit to one area so he can.....If he is still coming, I asked Alfred about river crossings last night because I am looking at several in Burma, and heres what he shared with me ( this does not include some degree of disruption also):

If both the hexes that the attacker is moving from and to, are controlled by the attacker, and the river hexside is also controlled by the attacker, then wouldn't the attacker be free to move into the hex.

Or stepping thru the process.
1. Attacker crosses river hexside into the enemy controled hex - shock attack
2. Hex control stays with defender as he was not forced out of hex. River hexside controled by attacker.
3. Attacker moves more units into hex over river hexside - possible shock attack based on AV comparison (1/3)
4. Defender forced out of hex - hex control goes to attacker.
5. Defender moves back into hex.
6. Attacker moves units into hex across river hexside - no attack forced as attacker controls both hexes and river hexsides (NEW).

Can anyone see any flaw in this logic? All steps but (#6) is how it is now.


ps. (Zulu) I don't get #5.


Just changed 'ownership' to 'control'
< Message edited by michaelm -- 8/25/2011 3:21:18 AM >

The short answer is that a shock attack does not always ensue for subsequent crossings. But for the initial crossing a shock attack should ensue, provided the units in the initial crossing have some AV.

PH, I should mention that I followed Dans last game closely and have decided to view a game against him. I visited his AAR in the beginning but have no idea of his intentions or dispositions. I am only in my first PBEM so lack experience to help you in any meaningful fashion but if I can bring Alfreds or Michaelm's comments to bear when relevent to save your brain power for more important matters, so be it, if it's ok by you.

Supreme Allied Comander
TWIT Zuluhour CnC

One clarification based on Micahel's past posts:

ORIGINAL: zuluhour


Or stepping thru the process.
1. Attacker crosses river hexside into the enemy controled hex - shock attack
2. Hex control stays with defender as he was not forced out of hex. River hexside controled by attacker.
3. Attacker moves more units into hex over river hexside - possible shock attack based on AV comparison (1/3) This AV comparison uses the Attacker AV ALREADY IN THE HEX (that is, not counting the Attacker troops that are crossing the river that same turn). The rationale is that the comparison determines if the attacker already has a sufficiently-sized bridgehead to avoid further mandatory shock attacks.
4. Defender forced out of hex - hex control goes to attacker.
5. Defender moves back into hex.

Canoe is moving into the hex now. In doing so, he has more or less abandoned Changsa. I really must risk a shock attack here, there are not many opportunities like this. I will be facing lvl 4 forts or higher. But still, we must attack.

If I fail to defend the river and lose at Changsa, I will have to move large parts of the Manchurian army into China. So, we might see a soviet activation...

This is what it looks like

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4564 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1608

Defending force 31437 troops, 235 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 979

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Assaulting units:
58th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
10th Division
19th Division
24th Division
13th Army

Defending units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
41st AA Regiment

So, for tomorrow. Every avaliable bomber will sortie for Changsha, after that, our troops there will perform a shock attack.

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

So, for tomorrow. Every avaliable bomber will sortie for Changsha, after that, our troops there will perform a shock attack.

Just curious - no combat engineers or arty? Do you have any HQs available that might contribute positively to the die rolls? Can I also ask how the supplies are for the troops you'll be attacking with? Plenty of beans, bullets, and bandages seem to make a big difference in combat... <grin>

No engineers or arty except organic. Supplies in the whites, support is green and a command HQ in range.

I think the combat modifiers are still against you on this... Cities R X3 - right? Plus level 4 forts... Even with good weather and multiple air groups hitting the target to pound in some disruption, I think your odds are still on the short end of the stick.

What's your GOTH plan?

GOTH?

Ah - when things GO To Hell plan...