Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Walker84]

Jan 29 - Feb 1, 1943


Other theatres

A US sub, SS Saury, encounters a mine field at Banjoewangi near Java. Mine hits 1, on fire. I have been pretty diligent at laying mines at various sub choke points and other positions that I will need to defend as the war moves closer.

Sub attack near Perth as SS I-9 misses APD Parrott and takes a DC.

Allied sub attack on some tankers near Sorong.

That's about all the combat - did I say it was a quiet end to the month?

The Parrott does not appear to be part of any larger movement right now, but it does bring into question my plan for the defence of the DEI which is where all the oil is, of course. If Apbarog decides to start moving up the coast of W Australia, he could take back my forward observation post at Port Hedland and start threatening Koepang and the bases beyond.

I have been keeping a strategic land reserve at Soerabaja, with enough transports to provide a rapid reaction force, but this needs greater protection than the two cruiser and destroyer groups that are currently positioned a) at Singapore to cover the Burma approaches; and b) somewhere west of Horn Island to support the base.

I have therefore decided to reposition the KB and mini-KB where, between them, they can react in support of the DEI as well as Rabaul, the Solomons and the Marshalls. I know that's a lot of ocean to cover but I need greater flexibility and, now that Rabaul has been built up I no longer feel the need to keep basing KB there to supplement the land-based fighters. Anyway, so much for the theory, I guess the coming months will prove the efficacy or otherwise of the new deployment plan.

[Walker84]

Feb 2 - 4, 1943


Here is the AAR for Feb 02:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 02, 43
[>:]

Ditto the next two days, probably the quietest this war has been so far.

I pick up some Allied activity at Baker Island, south of the Marshalls & Gilberts. Baker has been a spotter base for some time now and there appear to be a few tenders and PT boats there, nothing more substantial. Heavy SigInt at Pago Pago again. Something big may moving down there - either towards Oz, the Solonons, or perhaps preparing to strike north. The guessing game continues.

Carrier report

On Feb 5, Zuikaku comes out of repair mode in the Home Islands and will shortly rejoin KB, together with a batch of DDs which have had their ASW upgrade (all of 4 points now - wow[8|]). Ryujo, which was torpedoed last month by an Allied sub near Kusaie, has managed to limp back to Truk with 43 float damage having rested at Ponape. Ryujo enjoyed a massive ASW escort for that one, and will also need shepherding back home for repairs.

I've been lucky not to lose any major carriers in a slew of actions over the past year, touch wood. On the other hand, I've had at least one or two carriers under repair consistently for several months due to battle damage. At least their upgrades are up-to-date and, as I suggested above, the plan is for KB to disappear again into deterrent mode.

[Walker84]

Feb 2 - 4, 1943


Here is the AAR for Feb 02:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 02, 43
[>:]

Ditto the next two days, probably the quietest this war has been so far.

I pick up some Allied activity at Baker Island, south of the Marshalls & Gilberts. Baker has been a spotter base for some time now and there appear to be a few tenders and PT boats there, nothing more substantial. Heavy SigInt at Pago Pago again. Something big may moving down there - either towards Oz, the Solomons, or perhaps preparing to strike north. The guessing game continues.

Carrier report

On Feb 5, Zuikaku comes out of repair mode in the Home Islands and will shortly rejoin KB, together with a batch of DDs which have had their ASW upgrade (all of 4 points now - wow[8|]). Ryujo, which was torpedoed last month by an Allied sub near Kusaie, has managed to limp back to Truk with 43 float damage having rested at Ponape. Ryujo enjoyed a massive ASW escort for that one, and will also need shepherding back home for repairs.

I've been lucky not to lose any major carriers in a slew of actions over the past year, touch wood. On the other hand, I've had at least one or two carriers under repair consistently for several months due to battle damage. At least their upgrades are up-to-date and, as I suggested above, while KB has made its presence known at Rabaul for a while now, the plan is for it to disappear into deterrent mode again.

[Walker84]

Feb 5 - 9, 1943

The pattern of light combat activity continues with nothing on the combat report every other day. I read the Sig Int runes each day to try and divine what, if anything, might be happening out of sight of my spotter planes. SigInt still favours the east coast of Australia: reports cover Sydney, Rockhampton, Townsville et al.

As each day goes by, I am increasing my stake money on Horn Island. Apbarog attacked here before, and it occupies a strategic position, controlling the straits beyond Port Moresby on the way to Darwin. I say control, but I only hold the island, being unable to base any planes there due to airfield damage. Still, its a symbolic hold for Japan at present.

Assuming that Horn will fall at some point, I am in the process of backfilling some of the PNG and DEI bases in closer proximity to Horn. I just hope that I can get something meaningful established before the pressure builds on this side of the map. A quicker way to project some power is to add more substantial air and naval assets to DEI and this is happening, as it was always my plan to start building the defences here as '43 arrived.

Loaded up with the latest naval air models, A6M3a Zero fighters and D4Y1 dive bombers, Zuikaku is fully repaired and is leaving the Home Islands to rendezvous with other carriers at a secret location far to the south.

Not much going on in the air war these last few days, although it was pleasing when a unit of Rufes 'blooded' themselves on Feb 5, shooting down three Mitchell bombers over Tarawa. Apart from that, sporadic US bombing of my bases continues...

[Lowpe]

Just some general thoughts on 1943...

Really look at the supply stockpiles of you island fortresses...you are rapidly approaching the end of easy convoy shipping. If in fact you aren't already there.

Take a look at your defensive lines, and realize the Allies have perfect information, and will choose to bypass strong points if they can and pound you with a really heavy club and a weakspot. Often times they will try to distract you from one edge of the Empire to the other. Often times in 1943 the Allies push here and there just looking to cause you to fight/disperse/waste fuel and supplies.

Try not to defend too far forward where the bypass can really hurt.

These are the days to really figure out your defenses and get engineers and supplies set.

Also, look at TOE upgrades, especially for engineer bases that get CD/DP guns. You need to figure out how to get them their upgrades.

The more your perimeter shrinks the easier it becomes to hurt the Allies.

Start training lowNav if you haven't already.

If you have upgraded your KB with good Zeroes and Judies, 1943 becomes a time when you can use her to good effect again. In 1944 the Allies will have carrier capable Corsairs and then it gets really hard to use. Some basic rules to follow using your KB....don't wander outside your own land based search patrol arcs without really good forward recon. And then, think twice before doing it. Plan on using the KB half the month, the other half it sits idle in port to avoid huge fuel drains (rule of thumb there).

The Allies normally always advance faster than you think.[:(]

These quiet turns are where you are preparing, gathering your forces, and preparing for the worst.[;)]

Don't fritter away your mines.

[Walker84]

Thanks Lowpe, your thoughts are much appreciated as always.

The possibility of being bypassed by bold Allied thrusts is certainly an ongoing concern. There are not enough resources to defend every base adequately so the best I can hope for is to delay my opponent where it is most critical and/or to channel him in certain directions.

DBB-B Scen 28 sure puts a premium on engineers - for both sides I think - but you really notice it as Japan. Nevertheless I have been assiduously building up the bases behind the lines for a year now - all of the oil ports and bases like Ambon, Kendari, Cagayan and the like.

In the SW theatre, I have centred my defences around Kwajalein, Shortlands, Rabaul and Lae and the plan is to hold any advances towards Truk and ultimately the Marianas as long as possible. Port Moresby and Buna should hopefully prove to be more than just speed bumps (although they could also be bypassed, I guess).

Apbarog has threatened Horn Island but so far made no move to retake Darwin, either coming from the west or the east. I will not fight too dearly to hold the many isolated bases of northern Australia, but locations such as Koepang and Boela are being built up, and I am starting to station significant naval assets at Soerabaja and other bases in DEI so that I can respond more rapidly to any incursions.

My front line in Burma is strongly defended with units holding jungle hexes in forts in many places. I am now focused on backfilling base to the south in case my opponent decides to go around and flank the Burma line. This also means garrisoning the Andamans, plus bases on Sumatra and Java ultimately.

China has a very stable front at the moment as neither of us are that interested in the theatre, it seems. I have been reinforcing the lines so that I can safely withdraw more units to serve with the Southern Army, plus using China as a training ground for pilots.

As you say, it is all about getting my engineers and supplies in the right places and the relative quiet of the last month has helped with this objective.

[Walker84]

Feb 10-11, 1943

Edit - see next post.

[Walker84]

Feb 10-11, 1943

Allied sub SS Pompon encounters the Zuikaku TF steaming south of the Home Islands and takes 4 hits for its pains. It appears that Zuikaku remained unspotted. More sub attacks on transport convoys near Truk and Victoria Point fail to hit anything.

Port Moresby airfield had repaired, so the B-17s duly arrived and cratered it again. I thought of putting fighters up there but it would have involved weakening the CAP at Lae and Rabaul.

I tested the water at Vangunu, south of Munda, letting two escorted Val units dive bomb the shipping there. Turns out it was all PT boats so nothing was hit.

My Dinahs and Irvings are still making a rolling recce of the NE Australian coast. Quite a lot going on at Townsville and Cooktown. Preparations for the next Allied advance, I'll wager.

[Walker84]

Picture from yesterday's post that got detached somehow...

[Walker84]

Feb 12, 1943

Shock and Awe (?!)

SS Whale sinks a small xAK near Babeldaob and Betties flying from Rangoon attack 54th Chinese/B Corps at Tsuyung. I bet that confuses my opponent but the simple reason was that I set the unit to ground attack for training purposes and some of them flew unexpectedly to a Chinese base within range.

But the main events unfold with a series of heavy Allied bombing raids on many of my bases to the north, east and west of Horn Island: Merauke, Port Moresby, Gasmata, Katherine, Fenton.
For good measure, B-17s also attack Magwe in Burma.

Multiple Allied TFs are also on the move north and east of Cooktown, although most appear relatively small and I can't identify many of the ships as yet. I fully expect to see the Allied death star appear on tomorrow's naval search report. In the meantime I can only wait to determine how best to reshuffle the deck of cards that are my mobile air and naval intervention forces. What fun!

[IdahoNYer]

Walker84 - been enjoying your game for while, especially since both sides have solid AARs going.

Was wondering how your aircraft R&D is going? What have been your latest new planes and what(and when) is on the horizon?

[Walker84]

Thanks IdahoNYer, I'm glad that you're enjoying reading both sides of this little war!

I'll post my current air production below, with the caveat that I have been quite conservative around air production due to this being my first PDU-off game. I could still have gone a bundle on accelerating various models but have not really done so, although production runs of key planes have been ramped up significantly.

I will be getting the first Jills next month, and the A6M5 in April. Franks have not advanced much, if at all but I will have plenty when they finally arrive. However, Apbarog and I are both constrained by being unable to always upgrade squadrons when and where we would like to, and, on the whole, we enjoy playing a game that is closer to historical.

[IdahoNYer]

Thanks Walker84. Good intel for my game against L_S_T; we're doing DBB-C with PDU-Off as well.

[Walker84]

Feb 13, 1943

Two-pronged offensive?

Not a lot of combat action today but I manage to down a couple of B-17s when they return to Magwe for the second day and find that a crack unit of Tojos has moved in. I expect they will not reappear again tomorrow as quite a few bombers were damaged. Apbarog will probably bomb other Burmese bases in rotation to keep me on my toes and distract me from whatever he's got cooking in the Pacific.

And something really is cooking! I finally get some good naval search intel on possible Allied intentions. Carriers are sighted in two locations: one hugging the Australian coast a few hexes south of Horn Island; and a different task force steaming to the south of the Gilberts, Tabiteuea being my closest and most exposed base.

Horn Island again?

[Walker84]

I can't tell how big these attacks are at the moment - either they are raids, or something bigger, however I haven't spotted any large groups of transports yet.

One thing is clear: this has been coordinated carefully and cleverly, as I can't divide my already depleted carrier forces between both locations without taking on some risk. I'm not going to risk losing a carrier over Tabiteuea, or even Horn Island, but if Apbarog has other targets that might trigger something bigger. We'll have to see.

Just to summarise today's other actions, B-25s attack my Marshalls rapid reaction cruiser force near Jaluit twice during the day but miss on both occasions. A timely reminder that my opponent can now mount naval attack missions from Nauru.

Wildcats also sweep Merauke in strength but I had moved my fighters out as the base was heavily damaged in yesterday's B-17 raid. I don't have sizeable operational bases now until Darwin, Ambon and Koepang, too far away to influence what might be coming next to Horn Island.

Raid on the Gilberts?

[Lowpe]

Once Tabiteuea falls, the Marshalls are pretty hard to defend from massed 4E bombing.

One thing to look out for, is the direct route to the Marianas thru the Marshalls. He can get there with very few landings and really be knocking on the door of Guam before you are ready. Allied pace of invasions can be really scary.

I think you are going to be in for a tough 1943 unfortunately.[:(] But you are in good company, almost every JFB! [:D]

[Crackaces]

Once Tabiteuea falls, the Marshalls are pretty hard to defend from massed 4E bombing.

Actually 4E from Tabiteua and 2E's from Beru, Nikunau, Nonouti .. making 4 bases in close proximity with the right air support very coordinated attacks ..

Picking off one atoll at time where the IJ find it difficult without the KB to defend. The fact that the
target hex is any cap the LRCAP / leak over .. up the chain fighter bases to sweep first then the bombers come

In terms of putting maxium Allied force on a loney IJ outpost in 1943 .. the Marshalls offer the best opportunities

[Walker84]

Feb 14, 1943

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Once Tabiteuea falls, the Marshalls are pretty hard to defend from massed 4E bombing.

One thing to look out for, is the direct route to the Marianas thru the Marshalls. He can get there with very few landings and really be knocking on the door of Guam before you are ready. Allied pace of invasions can be really scary.

I think you are going to be in for a tough 1943 unfortunately.[:(] But you are in good company, almost every JFB! [:D]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces


Once Tabiteuea falls, the Marshalls are pretty hard to defend from massed 4E bombing.


Actually 4E from Tabiteua and 2E's from Beru, Nikunau, Nonouti .. making 4 bases in close proximity with the right air support very coordinated attacks ..

Picking off one atoll at time where the IJ find it difficult without the KB to defend. The fact that the
target hex is any cap the LRCAP / leak over .. up the chain fighter bases to sweep first then the bombers come

In terms of putting maxium Allied force on a loney IJ outpost in 1943 .. the Marshalls offer the best opportunities

Thanks guys, its nice to get a handle on some of the potential pain in store, as well as a little sympathy.[8|]

Horn island falls today after a shock attack preceded by air and naval bombardments. It was a foregone conclusion really, as Kure 2nd SNLF was the only effective unit there, and it was badly disrupted.

Allied naval dispositions now look interesting: at least 5 CVs/CVLs in two separate TFs have moved west of Horn and there is at least one xAP in the stack, which could be heading to other bases further west. Merauke suffers a cruiser-led bombardment so could be next in line for invasion.

Two of my subs in the area are damaged by DCs but otherwise there are no naval casualties.

Merauke and Port Moresby are bombed, and Liberators hit my new size 5 airbase at Hansa Bay for the first time.

[Walker84]

Marshalls and Gilberts

Allied naval forces have reached a point 5 hexes south of Tabiteaeu. About 10 TFs are holding position in the same hex which is Apbarog's standard MO. I can count 7 CVs/CVLs/CVBs/CVEs so I guess it is mostly fleet carriers that are supporting the Horn Island operation. I might just be able to do something down positive here, if I can reinforce my light surface units close to Tarawa in time...

[Lowpe]

Usually when a base is bombarded it is to destroy/deny the runway. Sometimes it is to pre-invade; damage ships in port; or hurt the ground forces there. My guess, not knowing what lvl the air field is, that the Allies were being thorough and wanted to degrade the runway or catch planes on the ground there.

If you can figure out his motus operandi, then you can use that against him. Inside his OODA loop so to speak.