RIDERS ON THE STORM-THANK YOU

[kfmiller41]

great AAR  Gen Hoepner. I have been readin this with interest seeing as we are playing a version of this scenario in our 2 x 2 game.  You have much more patience with trollite than i would[:D] and I hope you win.  Did you by chance ever play combat mission? Your name sounds so familure for some reason.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi Miller, no i haven't played CM...maybe we've played a witp PBEM some time ago....i remember a "Miller" back in my first days of WITP....
 
Thanks for reading [;)]

[kfmiller41]

thats what it was, I am getting old and forget things easily, your much better at this now[:D] as I have regressed to a pure target for people to practice on[;)] I spent 3 years in Italy many years ago, in Gaeta[8|]

Oh what do you use to take your screenshots with

[Gen.Hoepner]

I simply use "print" key then i paste it in Paint and voilà!
 
 
However guys, i really do not understand Trollelite's strategy here.
I mean: he will need at least 1/2 more months to reduce Karachi and conquer India (without Aden). Then at least some more 4 weeks to bring his major assets back to the pacific...by that time (April 42 at least) i should be already well stationed in the Marshalls, whith tons of bombers and fighters threating Truk... isn't that too risky for him to let the allies so early so close to the Mariannas??[&:]

[kfmiller41]

I would think so, if for no other reason than he has suffered very heavy aircraft and pilot losses and digging you out of those islands without alot of LBA is going to get expensive. Will he get an auto victory if he finishes India and loses nothing else besides what you have already taken? It is still early enough that he may be able to push you out of there even if your dug in. 

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: miller41

I would think so, if for no other reason than he has suffered very heavy aircraft and pilot losses and digging you out of those islands without alot of LBA is going to get expensive. Will he get an auto victory if he finishes India and loses nothing else besides what you have already taken? It is still early enough that he may be able to push you out of there even if your dug in. 

mmm...By the end of March in the Marshalls i'll have deployed 4 full divisions (24th,25th, 2nd USMC and the Americal Div - the latter is en route to PH from Panama in these days), plus 4 US RCTs, 2 NZ Bdes, 5 CD Marine units, tons of AA and Arty units plus some 500 LB planes and the entire Pacific Fleet...sincerly i think it's enough not to fear a japanese coming back.
It will be more likely that after/when/If India is conquered he will send all his crack divisions to the Mariannas and to the PI, trying both to neutralize the McHartur armies and to defend the Mariannas which are the gates for Japan...

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/21/42

The retribution operation keeps on going as scheldued.
Our BBs bombed Kwajalein and Maloleap today, followed by the SDBs that ruined Wotje Airfield again.
Our Transport TFs are just 3 days away from Maloleap and Wotje. There isn't sign of enemy activities in the area. Only a single sub is spotted fleeing away.
Tomorrow will be time for my cruisers bombing TFs to open the door...enemy defences have been easily annihilated.


In India Pangim base falls, after 2 weeks of heavy bombings...1 full jap division and 3 more strong SNFL units were simply too much to handle...now he has a level 4 port very close to Bombay.... sub-minelayin operations are ordered from Aden...

The Kb remains out of range for my bombers at Karachi today...but still lingers between Karachi and Aden, stopping me to send any cargo to Karachi...wonder the shape of those CVs now...they've been around for 3 months without any pause...


In the PI, Cayegan finally falls, after a long siege of 2 months...now the Whole Mindanao is in Jap's hands...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Maloelap, at 85,86

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham
DD Case
DD Lamson
DD Drayton
DD Mahan
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
BB Mississippi
BB California
BB Oklahoma
BB West Virginia

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 25
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

85 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 17
CA New Orleans
BB Warspite, Shell hits 14
BB New Mexico
BB Tennessee
BB Arizona, Shell hits 5

Japanese ground losses:
2662 casualties reported
Guns lost 38

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 12,2 *near Aden Channell*

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage[:@]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pangim

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 17285 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 508

Defending force 3180 troops, 19 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Japanese max assault: 928 - adjusted assault: 341

Allied max defense: 18 - adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pangim base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cagayan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11541 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 330

Defending force 5373 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 163

Japanese max assault: 278 - adjusted assault: 228

Allied max defense: 115 - adjusted defense: 82

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cagayan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
573 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
6656 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

[ny59giants]

Great AAR to read as this is something that I have not seen before.
Questions about Karachi: What level forts do you have now??  How many engineers do you have there to repair damages from repeated AF attacks??  Looks like he is willing to sacrifice his KB pilots to keep you from building up Karachi for a prolonged siege. This may continue until he feels he has enough LBA to take over. If he can prevent your buildup, the actual siege may be shorter than you want.  [:(]
 
If you don't consider it "gamey" send some of the high capacity Amercian subs to Aden to be used to evac fragments from Karachi (when it gets close to falling).  In the meantime, they can be used to mine his ports and some of the coastal hexes.  

[TenChiMato]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
It will be more likely that after/when/If India is conquered he will send all his crack divisions to the Mariannas and to the PI, trying both to neutralize the McHartur armies and to defend the Mariannas which are the gates for Japan...

Talking about the Mariannas can you put some subs around now and start a sub mining op around to slow him down in his future reinforcement attempts?

[aztez]

Nice AAR!
 
I think Marshalls will be safely on your hands soon. Marianas would be great bonus to have and I can imagine how much gray hairs that would raise in Trollelite head! [:D]

[FeurerKrieg]

I don't exactly agree with his strategy either, although I do think if he can get those assets from India into the Marianas and the Bonins he will be in good shape for a long time.

That is a significant 'if', though. If I were you, I'd run hard for the Mariannas, even if it puts your assets at unusual risk. You can replace your losses, and if he gets to the Mariannas before you, you'll have to wait for significant reinforcements anyways. But if you are lucky, and take them before he reinforces, then Japan will be dead very early in this war.

My 2 cents.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

I simply use "print" key then i paste it in Paint and voilà!


However guys, i really do not understand Trollelite's strategy here.
I mean: he will need at least 1/2 more months to reduce Karachi and conquer India (without Aden). Then at least some more 4 weeks to bring his major assets back to the pacific...by that time (April 42 at least) i should be already well stationed in the Marshalls, whith tons of bombers and fighters threating Truk... isn't that too risky for him to let the allies so early so close to the Mariannas??[&:]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/22-23/42

Ok, 2 very important days.

First of all, Trollelite told me that Aden and Panama, along with their access channell won't be invaded by japanese ships. So that's a new HR, not requested by me and simply offered by my opponent. That's a good news for me, cause it means that Aden will be a constant threat for the Japs once India will be fallen...he will be forced to keep a good seizing force in India...[:)]

However KB is still lurking there, near Karachi....I'm ready to try to send 1-single-ship TFs to Karachi with the Indian III HQ and with the tank bde just arrived, but i need that damned KB to get back to refuel...


Finally the first of my subs operating from Manila managed to damage a jap AK in the Malacca straight...[;)]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
AK Shozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tamo Maru #6

Allied Ships
SS Gar


In China things are getting worse...he managed to mass his units and pushed me back from Kiukiang...now the front is open again...gotta put myself in a defensive mode by now...At the same time he started a massive air bombing campaign in China, using also some of his best experienced navy bombers...that can mean his attention is now driven to china for a possible new offensive...gotta pay attention!

Ground combat at Kiukiang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 164617 troops, 741 guns, 240 vehicles, Assault Value = 6492

Defending force 31441 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 784

Japanese max assault: 4003 - adjusted assault: 7351

Allied max defense: 734 - adjusted defense: 328

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1598 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
833 casualties reported
Guns lost 20


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

In India he's advancing fast...in probably two weeks he'll be at the door of Malir...he dropped a para unit near Delhi, in order to close the door that led Burma to Delhi...i'll have to drive my Burmense units to Calcutta for a last stand...

Ground combat at Agra

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 118 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 12 - adjusted assault: 8

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Agra base !!!



In the Marshalls...well, we landed!!!! Maloleap is conquered! and tomorrow Wotje will be ours. Everything is going as planned.
I agree on the fact that i must rush for the Mariannas...gotta study a plan as soon as Einewok(sp?) will fall...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wotje, at 84,85

Allied Ships
CL Boise
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CA Houston

Japanese ground losses:
385 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wotje, at 84,85

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham
DD Case
DD Lamson
DD Drayton
DD Mahan
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
BB Mississippi
BB California
BB Oklahoma
BB West Virginia

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 20

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Maloelap, at 85,86 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 3
CL Perth
CL Achilles, Shell hits 3
CL Leander

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 3
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wotje, at 84,85

Allied Ships
CL Boise
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CA Houston

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 11
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Maloelap, 85,86, firing at TF 1028
TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 85,86


70 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Taney


Allied ground losses:
877 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Maloelap, 85,86, firing at TF 1028
TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 85,86


139 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 13
AVD Thornton, Shell hits 4

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
810 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Maloelap, 85,86, firing at TF 1030
TF 1030 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 85,86


48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Cummings

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
409 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Maloelap, 85,86, firing at TF 1046
TF 1046 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 85,86



Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Maloelap, 85,86, firing at TF 1085
TF 1085 troops unloading over beach at Maloelap, 85,86



Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelop Base Force, at 85,86


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 142


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 28 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

97 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 13
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 11
BB Maryland, Shell hits 19

Japanese ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Maloelap

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12858 troops, 104 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 5221 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied max assault: 428 - adjusted assault: 188

Japanese max defense: 3 - adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 62 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Maloelap base !!![:D][:D][:D][:D]


Japanese ground losses:
711 casualties reported
Guns lost 31

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maloelop Base Force Wiped Out at Maloelap by attrition!!![;)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Here you can see what happened in China...he managed to push me back from Kiukiang and Anking so now the front is open again and fluid too....

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

I don't exactly agree with his strategy either, although I do think if he can get those assets from India into the Marianas and the Bonins he will be in good shape for a long time.

That is a significant 'if', though. If I were you, I'd run hard for the Mariannas, even if it puts your assets at unusual risk. You can replace your losses, and if he gets to the Mariannas before you, you'll have to wait for significant reinforcements anyways. But if you are lucky, and take them before he reinforces, then Japan will be dead very early in this war.

My 2 cents.

Yes, i agree Feurer...i'd try to rush...Let's see if a fast move can put him in real trouble

[Gen.Hoepner]

So, by the end of Feb 42 we'll have in our hands Maloleap, Wotje and Jaluit. In 3 days we'll start bombing Kwalajein from Maloelap with planes and BBs
By the first half of March 42 i'm planning to invade Eniwetok...run run run run!!!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/24/42


Here we go!
We've conuqered Wotje! Now Jaluit is the next step. Already organizing 3 fast transport to bring a small invasion force to Enitwok...
Some more bombings at Kwalajein from Wake...the last ones cause in one week the Wake air force will be transfered to Maloleap

At the same time our subs managed to hit some transports at Pungim in India...nothing serious but this should force him to deploy some ASW assets on his bases in the west coast of India...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wotje, at 84,85

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
BB Pennsylvania
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 11



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pangim at 16,14

Japanese Ships
AK Kosei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*[;)]

Allied Ships
SS O19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 81,84

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 28
F-4 Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,51

Some more headhaces for him in the Malacca straight...

Japanese Ships
AK Hozan Maru #5
MSW Toshi Maru #5
MSW Fuji Maru
MSW Chitose Maru

Allied Ships
SS Thresher



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wotje[8D]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12864 troops, 134 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 503

Defending force 1281 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied max assault: 462 - adjusted assault: 212

Japanese max defense: 7 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 212 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje base !!![;)]


Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
2566 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/25/42

Ok guys...2 days of drama.
Every day in this game you learn something....today i learnt that the paras can be dropped even in non-dot-hexes.... he dropped 3 different paras units that cut the retreat ways to Malir and catapulted, cause the idiot land movement system, 2 of my best indian bdes in the middle of nowhere...[:(] Now i have some 500 AVs trapped beyond enemy lines...that means that Karachi will be defended only by 1800 AVs....[:(]
Hi KB at the same time started to maul my retreating troops and his zeros are already intercepting my transports trying to pick up troops that remained stuck in the cut-off bases south of Malir...[:(]
Meanwhile, the first fast AP managed to unload a fragment of the Indian III HQ....let's see if i can manage to sneak some more fast APs to Karachi....

In China his offensive campaign goes on. He massed a huge number of bombers all over this theatre...

In the Marshalls we're consolidating our positions, trying to open the Maloleap and Wotje AFs asap!
4 fast transports TF are already on the route for Eniwatok...111 US RCT and a base force are scheldued to land here.
BBs keep on pounding Kwalajein, whose resistance however is still very strong!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 81,84


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
LB-30 Liberator x 6
F-4 Lightning x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Batan Islands at 46,47

Despite his oscars, my B-25s from Manila managed to put 2 bombs on an AK...[:D]

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Syozin Maru
AK Fukkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 24,8 *para landing south of Malir*[:@]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1316 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Defending force 2732 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Japanese max assault: 28 - adjusted assault: 24

Allied max defense: 35 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,9 *Para landing south of Malir*[:@]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1802 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 724

Defending force 1716 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 18 - adjusted assault: 18

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1



Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/26/42




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 48th Gurkha Brigade, at 23,7 *my best Bde is stuck in the middle of the desert and now is pounded by the KB...[:@]*

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 172

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
441 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

194 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.[X(][X(][X(]
Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 24
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 1
BB Warspite, Shell hits 30
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 22
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 13
BB Arizona, Shell hits 12

Japanese ground losses:
673 casualties reported
Guns lost 20


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cuttack* more para-drops that cut the way from Diamond Harbour to Delhi...*

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2538 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 76 - adjusted assault: 36

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 36 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cuttack base !!!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rangpur*another para-drops near Dacca...*

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 52 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 8 - adjusted assault: 10

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rangpur base !!!

[Gen.Hoepner]

Situation in the Marshalls...

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ok, the idea is the following:
 
2nd Marine Div, 24th Division and Americal Division will be prepping for Tinian, in the Mariannas, along with base forces, tons of planes, AA guns, CD units and whatever will be needed to defend the place from a japanese coming back...
First we'll have to obliterate Truk with my 4Es from Eniwatok, or at least to force him to keep his forces there. So we must build up Eniwatok ASAP!...
 
will be a race against time...wow, this game is really running fast!!