Sailing in harms way: InHarmsWay (J) vs Andav (A) Scen2

[InHarmsWay]

Stepping even further back. I fully expect that Adm Wa will accelerate his upcoming offensive actions either down near Port Morsby or more likely at Ceylon. As hindsight is 20/20, I should have invaded the Aleutians about 2-3 months earlier, however I was worried that Adm Wa would take Ceylon so kept the KB in the area. At this point in the war, I am happy to trade Ceylon for neutering his northern attack to the Home Islands from the Aleutians. I believe this was his plan given the highly developed bases at Attu, Adak and Amchitka. My long term plan of hobbling his counterattack by targeting LCUs and devices may benefit from this if I can kill alot of units trapped here in the various island bases. Currently the score has over 21,000 points from allied land units killed.

Just sent back to Adm Wa the latest turn. As expected, he mobilized ~10 PT boats at Amchitka, however they performed very poorly, and I think the game must have a mechanism for instant building PT boats with an enemy TF in hex. The PT boats were surprised, and did not get a single Torpedo off. Also they then retreated out of hex. I was able to sink 6. No indication of any counter attacks from either Midway, PH or the west coast. Both KB and mini KB have refueled this turn, and will continue to bomb the ground forces while waiting for the rest of the invasion force to actually land! Looks like it will take 3 days total!

[InHarmsWay]

Feb 11th, 1943 and things continue to heat up! Looking at each area:

India/Burma : Admiral Wa must have been in the process of moving to land in Ceylon. He landed the 6th and 7th Aus Divsions and the Americal division at Colombo. Colombo will fall next turn as I had mostly abandoned it. He dropped the 77th Chindit Bgde at Dambulla in the interior of Ceylon. I have a rgmt of the 4th Guards Div there, and he was chewed up. I will attack tomorrow to try and wipe him out. Clearly this is the attack I had feared. I hope to tie him up here for a bit. I have three rgmts of the 4th Guards Div here, and the 14th rgmt. They will move to Trincomalee to hold out as long as possible. Supplies are ok, with ~10k on the island now. Hopefully he has a few CVs here in this area to support, as they will be out of the fight over in Alaska.

Australia : Things have gone quiet here, I expect both of our attentions are elsewhere! I am trying to cause michief south of Darwin but he has a couple divisions (somewhat depleted) there so need to be careful.

China : Continuing to grind towards Kunming, Adm Wa has several large infantry units that are slowing me, and I am not in a rush to get to the city just yet, as I want that to be the city all his other units retreat towards. I am making good progress on the dirt road towards Tsuyung and should be in that city in ~8 days or so. In north China, moving on Ansi, while slowly training up units on his trapped units in Ankang.

Main event - Aleutians : My southern Glen equipped sub line spotted his response from Pearl Harbor. From how far they have come, it looks like they have been sailing for 4 days (28 hexes out of Pearl). They are still 24 hexes from KBs current location. I have vectored in several subs, hoping for a lucky shot or two. However the main goal of my subs are early warning, and to be ready to pounce on any cripples in the event KB and Deathstar tangle. At this point in the war, I think I can win the fight as I have A6M5's Jills, and Judys, as well as every CV/CVL and CVE platform I still have afloat... Invasion wise, I have taken two small undefended bases, and have a deliberate attack going in on Amchitka tomorrow. Also I will be one hex out from invading Attu with ~100 AV. He has not seen that invasion force yet as they are coming from the northwest. recon has consistently shown 2 units an a small number of troops (200-400). Adak has been mined. His PT boats have only been a nuisance as well, which is a relief! Next turn will be interesting to see if he continues to close with the deathstar now that he has been spotted...

Banzai!!!

Feb 11 1943 Strategic picture.jpg (338.86 KiB) Viewed 767 times

[PaxMondo]

Feb 11th, 1943 and things continue to heat up! ...

Banzai!!!

Enemy CV's - I always do an "over/under" assessment of where the Deathstar could be. Assuming 34kts, that's 14 hexes each turn compared to the 8 normally moved at 15kts (pretty standard cruise speed for the allies). Further, unlike the IJN, the allies have unlimited fuel and RSY, so they can easily do 2 turn speed runs, so on the "over", the Deathstar could be in range in 2 days, the "under" is 3 days.

Ceylon - Do you still control the air over Ceylon? If yes, then shift some air units into Tricomalee and remind him of that. If not, It looks like you control Little Andaman and Port Blair. The G3M3 is within normal range (full bombload) from either base to Ceylon ... some night bombing of his airbases on Ceylon might be helpful.

OZ: if you want to harass him and cause real mischief, take Rawlinda and build it up. Then you can strat bomb Adelaide at night with G3M3's and rack up VP's ... to get there you will need to do airdrops using the H6K4-L from Derby to take Rawlinda. Then air in support units and .... it's a suicide mission unless you can get force down from the north to block his reaction from Perth, but you can rack up a fair amount of VP's in the meantime ....

just all thoughts (tactical options), based upon your stated intentions (strategies). use only as you see fit ... they are just all ideas ...

[InHarmsWay]

Admiral Harmasaki paces the room in his HQ. Orders are being sent to the sub force to interdict the American CVs that look to be steaming north to the KB's location. Does Adm Wa realize the size of the Japanese force arrayed against him? Is Adm Wa willing to close and initiate battle? Is pushing a battle at this time beneficial to the Japanese? If Adm Wa does accept battle, will he go to flank speed or continue at his current rate? How much is he counting on use of the large Adak anchorage for his support. Did he know that almost 200 mines will be sown at Adak this very evening? So many questions. Rarely does Adm Wa go to flank speed with CVs, so with that assumption, Adm Harmasaki issues his final orders.

Almost as an afterthought, additional orders go out to begin loading the second wave assault on Amchitka, consisting of the 54th Division, and 8th Tank Rgmt. The initial assault on the base was repulse at a 1/3 odds attack. The defenders were whittled some, but that base must be taken.

Feb 12 1943 Aleutians CV dance.jpg (300.35 KiB) Viewed 711 times

KB and entourage will go to the Red X after much hemming and hawing by high command.... . Intel has continuously held with both the Lexington and Yorktown being sunk back in June of 1942. Assuming that is the case, this leaves the likely lineup of US CVs at Enterprise, Hornet, Saratoga, Wasp, and 2-4 CVEs? Are the Brit CVs here, my gut says they are over near India. Worst case is the Yorktown is still here so that assumes 5 CVs... With the way he is moving north, I am not sure CVE's would be able to keep pace.

No US BBs have been sunk, and only 4 CA to date so there likely will be a large surface threat which I need to be very aware of. Adm Wa does like to send them out to try and catch the KB at night... That was what he did back in the June '42 coral sea battle.

[PaxMondo]

<popcorn emoji>


can't wait to see how this develops!!!

[InHarmsWay]

Me too! Unfortunately Adm Wa has a busy weekend so need to wait till Monday...

[InHarmsWay]

Admiral Harmasaki took the report in hand and relaxed slightly. It looked like the KB and her escorts would not be involved in a carrier fight in the near future. Admiral Wa did not push the allied forces any further north than what was sighted yesterday, in addition, there was a report that the I-2 was able to make a successful attack on one of the US CVs. Given all this, the Aleutian invasion will continue. Currently the largest hiccup seems to be the pesky PT boats that materialized throughout the islands as well as the strong defense by the infantry regiment at Amchitka. Already they have claimed several coastal minelayers and a couple AKs.

The staff has already issued orders to the other subs to try and prosecute the USS Wasp, however damage is unknown so likely she will escape. Good news though is that with the damage to the Wasp, Adm Wa will likely not continue to move north as he would only have ~3-4 CVs (unless Churchill allowed Brit carriers to be in Pearl Harbor).

A second deliberate attack has been ordered for Amchitka, as well as an initial attack at Attu. The Ichiki Detachment and the 44th Nav Gds both landed unopposed, so I am thinking he only has a base force and seabee force there. We will see.

Feb 13 1943 Wasp sub attack.jpg (157.31 KiB) Viewed 653 times

During the combat replay, I got a message for ammo storage and fuel storage explosions, however did not see any associated plane losses so she did not sink. Unless she is really burning and damaged, I expect Adm Wa will not scuttle her but try and get her back to Pearl. I have about 5-6 subs that can interdict and will do so. Also sending a few to Seattle and San Francisco in the chance he tries to go there. Admiral Wa looks like he did not move anything further north than the previous day, so it now feels like a feint on his part.

I really debated going after her with KB, but kept thinking about Halsey off Leyte Gulf. So I stayed to protect the landings and not expose my carriers to a night surface action as I would have to go high speed to catch him and may get caught by the large number of surface units it looks like he has there.

Hopefully history does repeat itself with the Wasp as well!

[InHarmsWay]

Looking at the wider world, slow progress continues in China. I expect it will take another month to fully invest Kunming, however the writing is on the wall as my northern pincer to Tsuyung has made quick progress along the dirt road. On the main paved road approach, there are alots of ground attacks from airbases in Kweiyang and elsewhere while putting in a ground attack every 4-5 days.

Over in Ceylon, The allies took back the ruins that were formally known as Colombo. The 4th guards rgmt did wipe out the remnants of the Chindit bdge that dropped on Dambulla. All remaining Japanese units are retreating toward Trincomalee.

Feb 13 1943 China front.jpg (841.52 KiB) Viewed 653 times

[InHarmsWay]

Well, Adm Wa is in full retreat after the damage the Wasp took thanks to the fine work of I-2. The multiple TFs of the Deathstar are now 34 hexes from the KB and I am not as worried. It looks like he did a speed run of sorts as the DS went about 12 hexes and looks to have met up with his AO TF?? Multiple Glen equipped Subs are shadowing. One interesting note is that one TF veered to the west a bit at a slower speed and seems to be making for Midway. I do not know the composition of it. He may be up to some shenanigans.

The instant PT forces that he sprouted in the Aleutians continue to be an annoyance. I lost several more AKs to torpedoes, and am having a difficult time killing them off. Currrent count is I have sunk 23, with latest recon showing another ~45 floating around in the area. I have parked a small surface TF in Adak island with order to stay or sink. I hope that will keep him from replenishing torpedoes and maybe fuel??

Admiral Wa did fly in some B-18 Bolos last turn to attack my land units at Amchitka. Gotta give him credit for using all the tools in the toolchest there! I put a squadron of A6M5s on LRCAP, maybe that will help, as the CAP from the KB didnt quite get there in time.

Curated combat replays below:
-----------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Division, at 158,52 (Amchitka Island)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-18A Bolo x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Attu Island (153,49)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2566 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Defending force 2641 troops, 12 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 42

Allied adjusted defense: 39

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
Ichiki Det.
44th Naval Guard Unit
70th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
1st USMC Engineer Aviation Battalion
140th USA Base Force
-----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13185 troops, 121 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 441

Defending force 7218 troops, 212 guns, 182 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Japanese adjusted assault: 125

Allied adjusted defense: 223

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 41 (12 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
53rd Division
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
4th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
151st Combat Engr Rgt /1
154th FA Bn
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
112th USA Base Force
95th Coast AA Regiment
808th Engineer Aviation Battalion

NOTE I think he is flying in the 151st Combat Engr Rgt, so I have put a couple A6M5 squadrons on LR CAP over the base as well....

[PaxMondo]

Admiral Harmasaki took the report in hand and relaxed slightly.
...
During the combat replay, I got a message for ammo storage and fuel storage explosions, however did not see any associated plane losses so she did not sink.

So, did you see any Naval planes show up as ground losses? Most of her aircraft could have gone to other CV, putting them over their limit for aviation ops and forced him to turn around. This kind of damage on the Wasp could very well have sunk her ... so you're looking for just a few (3 - 6 would be enough for me) ground losses on that turn or the next one ... and then back check your total VP's to see if they popped up by 300.

[InHarmsWay]

Saw nothing in the plane loss catagory, have been watching that closely! A day later, she was "reported" sunk, which I feel is highly doubtful. I am certain Adm Wa has her heavily escorted by ASW TFs right now on the way to Pearl. Was a great opportunity, unfortunately if she does not sink this turn, allied damage control will get her home safely. Drat!

[PaxMondo]

Saw nothing in the plane loss catagory, have been watching that closely! A day later, she was "reported" sunk, which I feel is highly doubtful. I am certain Adm Wa has her heavily escorted by ASW TFs right now on the way to Pearl. Was a great opportunity, unfortunately if she does not sink this turn, allied damage control will get her home safely. Drat!

Dang, I agree, if no planes lost in ground category, then very doubtful she's gone.

[InHarmsWay]

OK, heading on a family vacation for 2 weeks out to the Grand Canyon and points beyond!, so back early June. For you gentle readers out there, this will be my last post till early June. The invasion of the Aleutians has gone slower than expected. I had hoped to have an airbase by now but the Americans are not cooperating at all! I have the 11th Tank rgmt and 12th Inf Division two days out from an additional landing at Attu. That SHOULD do it, as there is only a USA base force and USMC Engineer aviation battalion there. I have another division about 5 days from Amchitka Island as well. I am hoping that will help with that invasion. I landed at Agattu, and they are about half disrupted. Initially the island looked difficult, however it has 4 construction btns, two base forces, an aviation btn, and the 197th Infantry Battalion. I began loading a division out of Toyko that is at 45% prepped for the location. I am hoping to have Agattu well softened up by the time they arrive.

KB will now move back a bit further west, but I have ordered a strike on Adak (at 9k) as Adm Wa has just now based ~90 airframes on the base. I have sent in a 3 DD surface TF to clear the PT boats, and repurposed the surface TF that has covered the KB up to date as a Bombardment TF to hit the base as well.

Feb 17 1943 Aleutians.jpg (255.39 KiB) Viewed 555 times

There was only one sign of the deathstar, a single TF SE of Midway, heading to PH. My guess is with the Wasp heading to the repair yards, he knows I do not fear the Death Star at this point. I do need to watch my avaiation usage as I will be running below 50% on the KB. I will likely send the KB to the HI to refuel and replenish air missions while keeping the mini KB around as a show of airpower, combined with surface units bombarding his bases.

[InHarmsWay]

Good day gentle readers, back to the war. Adm Wa has been getting more frisky the past few days and the first surface ships showed up in the Aleutians, only two days after KB headed back to replenish air sortie stocks. I do not like the pre war USN CLs. They are quite the bullies! During a daylights fight, the allies closed to within 5k yards and were able to penetrate the armor of the BB Hyuga. I doubt she will survive as she has 70 sys damage and 91 fires. In a forlorn hope, I have ordered her to auto disband at Ulak. The Aoba and Shiranui both sank shortly after the fight.

Mini KB has been ordered to attack Adak Port as I believe the St. Louis is more damaged than shown. She took at least 3 36cm shells, and numerous others.

What is disconcerting is that Adm Wa was able to get close. This was a wakeup call that I need to stop dilly dallying around and take these islands!
--------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Adak Island at 162,52, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Aoba, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asashio, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 13, on fire
CL Nashville, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

[InHarmsWay]

Short update from the surface action in Aleutians. The day after the CL ambush of the peaceful IJN BB TF, the BB Hyuga ran over a small PT TF and sank one of two PT boats. Not 30 minutes later IJN damage control took over and extinguished all fires by flooding the ship and sinking her. The attached DD also sank shortly thereafter as the DD captain clearly followed his orders to the letter and sank is DD in order to escort the BB home (to the bottom of the sea). Oh well, it was a forlorn hope anyway. At least Adm Wa may think the BB still is afloat for another day or two. One of my subs had a shot at the CL Detriot, the following day but came up empty.

The day after that, another sub was able to put two fish in the Detroit, and although I did not see or hear her sink, I did see I got 5 kingfishers credited as destroyed on the ground. I will take that as likely confirmation that none of Adm Wa's nasty prewar CLs got away. Small satisfaction as they sank a CA, BB, and a DD. Those 6"/47 Mk 16 guns on the CLs are not fun!

Good news however as I finally took Attu, and will be landing mulitple airbase units and a Air HQ over the next 2 days. Finally some land air cover. The KB will dock in the HI next turn and replenish aviation fuel and bombs. I do have another infantry Division that is 2-3 days from landing at Agattu. I am hoping that will be enough there.

Over in China, progress is slow but steady. Adm Wa has starting bombing my land units approaching Tsuyung with enthusiasm. I have 5 tank units and two infantry divisions with assocated arty that will shortly attack the city. The hope is to push him out and towards Kunming (farther from Burma). To do that I am not yet moving into Kunming. Will know how much he has in Tsuyung shortly, and from that will provide a better update for the gentle readers out there.

Finally a word or wisdom, always check you airplane orders when flying nights. I had moved in another Nell formation to strategic bomb down in Australia, and missed that they reset (likely operator error, but I am blaming the staff) to a day attack. They were slaughtered... oh well.

[InHarmsWay]

Admiral Harmasaki looks over the wall map and wonders just what it will take to dislodge the pesky Americans from their imperialistic bases in Alaska. Attu has fallen and the second wave of troops are currently approaching Agattu and Amchitka. Thankfully after disabling the Wasp by a sub attack, an air threat to the invasion force is not expected and the KB will be reprovisioning in the next day. Two additional BB led bombardment TFs will then sail with the KB to hopefully progress the liberation of the grizzly bears in the Aleutian island chain.

Feb 24 1943 Aleutians status.jpg (271.06 KiB) Viewed 314 times

Lessons learned for those future IJN commanders. As Pax Mondo said, bring everything you can!, then add to that even more, and finally double that just for good measure. Also, I should have invaded Adak as well right off the bat, but was intimidated by the size of the base, figuring Adm Wa had garrisoned it appropriately. Looking at recent recon, it seems to be very under garrisoned. I will have another Division loading out in 3 days that is prepped at 100% for Adak. Wish I had bought it out earlier! Taking Adak is key for the entire venture and I lost sight of that by first going after what I thought was easy bases! Always learning!

[InHarmsWay]

Quick question as I could not find it in the manual. Some of the air formations are required to be removed from the game. The options seem to be disband and withdraw. I always choose Disband as that seems to imply the formation returns after 180 days. Is there any benefit for choosing Withdraw outside of gaining some Political points? Does the withdrawing formation ever return? I could not find anything definitive. Formations of concern are my betty's (701 and 703 KuK-1). Thanks in advance!

[PaxMondo]

Quick question as I could not find it in the manual. Some of the air formations are required to be removed from the game. The options seem to be disband and withdraw. I always choose Disband as that seems to imply the formation returns after 180 days. Is there any benefit for choosing Withdraw outside of gaining some Political points? Does the withdrawing formation ever return? I could not find anything definitive. Formations of concern are my betty's (701 and 703 KuK-1). Thanks in advance!

The answer: It depends!

Truly, in the scenario design you are able to determine what happens for each outcome. In the stock scenarios, the designers use all outcome possibilities at least once, so in each one, not sure, look at both and see what the options are and choose what you want.

Withdraw, generally means that they will return, but it will be stated in the selection. Disband generally means no return (but not always, sometimes the unit returns as different name).

(All of the options have a confirm step, so you can always back out. Save game before your choice so you can revert if you get an outcome that you don't want.)

PS: If you don't disband in time, the PP penalty is rather extreme.

[PaxMondo]

Finally a word or wisdom, always check you airplane orders when flying nights. I had moved in another Nell formation to strategic bomb down in Australia, and missed that they reset (likely operator error, but I am blaming the staff) to a day attack. They were slaughtered... oh well.

We've (at least I have) done this about once per game. The concept is: only ONCE per game.
(Oh, and try and do it with Ida's or Sonia's!)

[InHarmsWay]

March 1st, and the latest attack just went in at Agattu, with a mostly disabled 52nd Division. Achieved a 1-2 attack, lost little, and damaged little, but the IJA can afford to lose equal amounts. I have paused the attack for a day while a bombardment TF approaches and will attack again on the next day. This will allow the troops to to reduce disruption. Hoping the next attack will yield results. I currently have Sallys and Betties bombing as well. Here was the attack results:
-------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Agattu Island (154,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10860 troops, 152 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

Defending force 8062 troops, 28 guns, 108 vehicles, Assault Value = 76

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 103

Allied adjusted defense: 155

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Tank Regiment
3rd Infantry Regiment
52nd Division
Yokosuka 5th SNLF

Defending units:
197th Infantry Battalion
821st Engineer Aviation Battalion
18th USN Naval Construction Battalion
137th USA Base Force
15th USN Naval Construction Battalion
139th USA Base Force
13th USN Naval Construction Battalion
12th USN Naval Construction Battalion

The KB is also back in the area, spelling the mini KB which is now headed back to the HI for replenishment.

Adak invasion forces are gathering, and are probably a week+ from landing. I should have attacked Adak first, lessons learned, at least I have cut off Adak from any meaningful resupply / reinforcements.