When Animals Attack - Threadwar 3x3: Humans Strike Back

[rtrapasso]

Miller groped at his dispatch case awkwardly, trying to extricate it from the folds of his raincoat, and finally let his fouled shoe drop to the floor with a CLUNK! Both Loggman and his dog gave a start. “Never mind the coffee - here’s the dispatches, though. I’ll need a receipt.” Loggman took the soaked dispatch case, and took them into the corner where a safe was partially open. He tossed in the dispatch case, gathered up some loose papers on his desk and through them in haphazardly and then slammed the safe shut and spun the dial.

After that, he poured himself a steaming mug of coffee, sipped it, smacked his lips appreciatively and said “Ahh, great coffee... they don’t call this stuff Java for nothing! Man, it’s great being in the most caffeinated place in the world!” He took a deep swallow, sat down, and started rooting through his desk, finally locating a receipt pad, and carefully started filling it out.

Suddenly it started raining hard again, or at least that’s what it sounded like at first... except the noise wasn’t coming from outside, but rather...

Miller turned around and saw the dog was squatting over his shoe (which had landed right side up) and peeing into it furiously. It had already filled and was overflowing. Loggman shot to his feet, ran over and grabbed the dog by its collar and the scruff of its back. “STUPID DOG” he shouted, dragged the dog over to the door, kicked the door open, picked the dog up bodily and flung it out into the night. Miller heard the dog land with a splash in what sounded like a rather large pool, and also heard a “yipe” of surprise. The door was slammed closed, and a few seconds later there was scratching at the door.

“Ah, I’m REALLY sorry about that!” Loggman said, picking up the shoe gingerly, and carefully pouring the urine out into a metal garbage can. He offered the shoe back, and Miller, not knowing what else to do, took it.

“Look, let me buy you a drink or two to make this up to you. She’s a good puppy, but she is a bit slow and still isn’t housebroken. Whataya say?” Loggman looked like a puppy himself, trying to please his visitor.

“Well, all right, I guess. But maybe before we do that you can tell me something that has been bothering me. We sent a message about this from the Repulse, but haven’t heard a reply. When we we raided Kuching and sank a ship or two, there were feathers all over the water in the harbor, and I can’t for the life of me think of what they mean. Have you chaps figured that out yet.”

Loggman scratched his head and looked thoughtful, and then his face split into a smile. “Oh yeah - the kapok shortage!”

“Kapok shortage? What are you talking about?”

“Kapok is a tree, and that’s where you get kapok for life jackets, insulation, and all that good naval stuff. But, it only grows in places like here in the Dutch East Indies, and in Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, places like that. Well, all those places are controlled by the Allies, and so Japan has run out of kapok... or at least that’s the theory. Anyway, since they don’t have kapok, they started putting some sort of seabird feathers in their life jackets... greasy smelly feathers, mostly black and white, but he aren’t quite sure what kind. Maybe seagulls, maybe puffins or something.” Loggman took a deep swig of his coffee.

“What about that drink? Let me make this mess up to you!”

“Well... all right... but I’m due back at the ship by midnight...”

“No problem!! I’ll take you there myself!” Loggman grabbed an electric lantern off a shelf, put on a hat and picked up a length of rope, and doused the single dim lightbulb. He went open to the door and opened it, and the dog bounded up and almost knocked over Loggman with her muddy paws. “ACK!! DOWN girl, DOWN!!” He pushed the dog down and hurriedly tied the rope to her collar, opened the door again, and strode out, dragging the dog who was not happy to return to the wet. Miller followed, still carrying his shoe, and Loggman SLAMMED the door, then locked it. “Follow me” he said, and lurched off into the night.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[DuckofTindalos]

How do you "pee furiously"? Can you take an "angry dump"? Have a "bad-tempered bowel movement"?[:'(][:D]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

How do you "pee furiously"? Can you take an "angry dump"? Have a "bad-tempered bowel movement"?[:'(][:D]

Everyone's a critic!! [:'(] [:'(]

In this case, the meaning derives from ONE of the several meaning of "furious": "c : marked by noise, excitement, activity, or rapidity"


i stand by my characterization of this particular instance of canine micturition!!! [:'(]

[rtrapasso]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/19/41 - COMPRESSED
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Well, the long awaited turn is finally backed, and as Admiral Penguinmoto Fabertongo reportedly quipped (translated from Penguinese): “The Allied pilots seemed to have remembered their glasses.”

It wasn’t a good day to be on an IJN merchie, nor was it a really good day to be on an Allied one, nor to be an Allied groundpounder. A few ships damaged in previous turns sank: AP Meisho Maru, damaged by Trusty last turn sank, as did the Allied AK Thedens (damaged last turn by a sub at Columbo) and another small AK that had limping her way towards Columbo.
Howland was occupied by the Japanese.
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The IJN had been lining up to smack this pesky base, and so they finally invade it this turn:
Coastal Guns at Manado, 39,67, firing at TF 109
TFs 109,153 troops unloading over beach at Manado, 39,67
23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 2
ML Shirataka, Shell hits 3
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
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The landing at Lae continues:
Coastal Guns at Lae, 56,90, firing at TF 129 x 2
TF 129 troops unloading over beach at Lae, x 2 56,90
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
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My British ML, severely wounded at Hong Kong in the opening hours, sortied and laid some eggs at Canton before being hit again and sunk. The IJN finally sees the threat and hurries to sweep the mines... but not quite fast enough as we shall see.
TFs 92, 157 encounters mine field at Canton x 3 (43,41)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.13
MSW W.15
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Some barges making their way North are struck by a sub in a surface action:
Sub attack near Muntok at 21,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-166
Allied Ships
LCVP LCP(L) No. 180, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage - SINKS
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Still trying to hit resources - without notable success.
Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,39
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 8
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
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The Achilles sorties into the invasion fleet at Nauru without much success, but does succeed in damaging a few IJN warships, most notably the Yunagi. In return, she is struck several times - most shells bouncing off her armor, but she did lose her radar and one turret:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 77,95
Japanese Ships
AV Kinagawa Maru
CL Katori, Shell hits 5
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Kinryu Maru
AP Kongo Maru
AP Tatsuta Maru
Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Shell hits 11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Admiral Niceguy revealed that last turn the two four-stacker DDs weren’t supposed to be anywhere near where they ended up, and this time ordered a deliberate attack with his DDs - and it was much more successful. The attack was broken off somewhat prematurely after Parrott took a hit:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sandakan at 36,58
Japanese Ships
AK Imizu Maru
AK Keizan Maru
AK Koshu Maru
AK Kenryu Maru
AK Kinrei Maru
AK Shin'yo Maru #5, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toyohara Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1
DD Stewart
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Admiral Speedy’s subs score again:
Sub attack near Namlea at 38,73
Japanese Ships
AP Horai Maru, Torpedo hits 1
MSW Wa 19
MSW Wa 14
Allied Ships
SS Stingray
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
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And again:
Sub attack at 37,58
Japanese Ships
AK Kenryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
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While the IJN subs come up short this time, I-155's torpedoes missing Raub again:
Sub attack near Lombok at 25,70
Japanese Ships
SS I-155
Allied Ships
PC Raub
PC Circe
MSW Bendigo
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The IJN bombards Lae in support of their troops - said bombardment being LEGAL under house rules (Admiral Bruce Powers of the Animals was afraid it had broken a rule:)
Naval bombardment of Lae, at 56,90
Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze
DD Yugumo
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 16
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3
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Another Animal landing commenses:
TF 97 troops unloading over beach at Namlea, 38,73
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
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Animal TFs had been converging on Kendari, and now they start to land troops as a Dutch VH2 mine takes a toll:
TF 98 encounters mine field at Kendari (33,71)
TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Kendari x 2, 33,71
Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Ataka Maru
PG Saiko Maru
Japanese ground losses:
314 casualties reported
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The Minesweepers at Canton decides to move back to Hong Kong. This turns out to be a bad move, as we shall see:
TFs 92,157 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (43,42)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.13
MSW W.15
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A new batch of minesweepers move into Canton, but they don’t work fast enough:
TF 19 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (43,42)
Japanese Ships
MSW Seki Maru
MSW Kyo Maru #5
MSW Kyo Maru #3
MSW Kyo Maru #1
MSW Himejima Maru
AV Kunikawa Maru, Mine hits 1
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More minesweeper “excitement”:
TF 101 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (81,84)
Japanese Ships
PC Shonon Maru #3
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kyo Maru #6
PC Fumi Maru #3
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and still more, as Pillsbury finds a little present left by the IJN:
TF 1033 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
Allied Ships
DD Pillsbury
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Some Nates conduct a sweep at Tavoy in Northern Malaya, but the few Buffalos there give a pretty good account despite being outnumbered almost 4:1:
Day Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37 Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 damaged
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The IJNAF supports the drive on Borneo:
Day Air attack on Pontianak , at 24,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M Nell bombing at 15000 feet
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And they also conduct a sweep in the PI which was disappointing for them:
Day Air attack on Cagayan , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
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The dreaded Wirraways (and friends) attack from Port Moresby:
Day Air attack on 14th Base Force, at 56,90
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 10
Hudson I x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 5 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The IJAAF uses its Heavy Sentais in China:
Day Air attack on 100th Chinese Corps, at 48,39
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 10
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
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And for good measure throws in some Light Sentais:
Day Air attack on 49th Chinese Corps, at 52,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Ki-30 Ann x 24
Ki-48-I Lily x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
20 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 10000 feet
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Heavy Sentais also pound the Brits in Malaysia:
Day Air attack on 2nd ISF Base Force, at 22,49
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 14
Ki-21-II Sally x 59
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 12000 feet
46 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
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And the IJNAF reinforces their Bettys at Rabaul to hammer Lae:
Day Air attack on NGVR Battalion, at 56,90
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
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The Dutch keep plugging away, and manage to hit a PG:
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 2
T.IVa x 8
Martin 139 x 16
Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
PG Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CS Chitose
AK Yasukawa Maru
AK Shinano Maru
ML Yaeyama
CS Mizuho
AK Myoko Maru
AP Hie Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 3000 feet
8 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Brewster 339D bombing at 2000 feet
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But then: a surprise! Admiral Niceguy has moved up some American divebombers to Port Moresby, and these boys are using 1000 pound bombs:
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 56,90
Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Myogi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Michiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Karimo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Two divebombers decide to take on the IJN battleline:
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 56,90
Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 2
Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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American Heavies from the PI try to stem the flow, but miss, again:
Day Air attack on TF at 41,51
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Goyo Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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A second attack by the Dutch is even more feeble than the first. Coming in at multiple altitudes apparently is confusing the IJN AAA gunners, though:
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
T.IVa x 6
Martin 139 x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
ML Ikitsushima
ML Yaeyama
CS Mizuho
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Brewster 339D bombing at 2000 feet
6 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
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The B-17s finally score some hits, nailing a troopship, unfortunately AFTER she has unloaded:
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Sanpuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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The Dauntlesses return to action later in the day, but the IJN is now expecting them, and the pilots are tired.
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 56,90
Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
PG Tamo Maru #6
AK Chifuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Holland Maru
AP Taganoura Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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The IJNAF flies across Borneo to hit shipping at Balikpapan:
Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
G3M Nell x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
TK P. J. Duinker, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage - SINKS!!
TK Benakat, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage SINKS!!
Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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The RO-64 is detected, but escapes damage:
ASW attack at 52,97
Japanese Ships
SS RO-64
Allied Ships
PG Yarra
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Another instance of an Allied ship providing target practice. Despite going in to a known invasion site, and NOT being surprised, the Allied ship fails to fire a shot:
Day Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 91,35
Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
AK Matsumoto Maru
AK Tajima Maru
AK Tsuruga Maru
Allied Ships
AVD Teal, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
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Seadragon is found but escapes:
ASW attack near Manado at 39,67
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
DD Oboro
Allied Ships
SS Seadragon
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Unoccupied Attu is now occupied:
Ground combat at Attu Island
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 705 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese max assault: 5 - adjusted assault: 3
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Attu Island base !!!
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And Clark Field is hammered again:
Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4144 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2144
Defending force 44986 troops, 325 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 1153
Allied ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
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Two full IJA divisions shock attack, and the Fortress garrison surrenders, but the single British brigade retreats:
Ground combat at Georgetown
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 46820 troops, 225 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 1057
Defending force 4650 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96
Japanese max assault: 2182 - adjusted assault: 3028
Allied max defense: 86 - adjusted defense: 83
Japanese assault odds: 36 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Allied ground losses:
3281 casualties reported
Guns lost 16
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
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The Animals attack at Lae, but the struggle is equal:
Ground combat at Lae
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1214 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
Defending force 726 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Japanese max assault: 35 - adjusted assault: 7
Allied max defense: 19 - adjusted defense: 5
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A surprise for this Chinese commander... last turn the results indicated that the Chinese troops had a good superiority in assault value, but it seems to have evaporated. Perhaps it is time for a siege:
Ground combat at 48,36
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25111 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 772
Defending force 34036 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 666
Allied max assault: 693 - adjusted assault: 52
Japanese max defense: 429 - adjusted defense: 1330
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Allied ground losses:
1614 casualties reported
Guns lost 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The small garrison at Manado attempts to stem the tide, but a mortar tube bursts, injuring two men:
Ground combat at Manado
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1291 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Defending force 4829 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported

TO BE CONTINUED...

[rtrapasso]

Batavia, Dutch East Indies
11 December 1941 20:00 Local Time.

Miller followed the American Sergeant Loggman through the muddy streets the best he could, but having only one shoe on slowed him down. He finally decided to wash the dog piss and, well, whatever that was off his shoe in a large puddle, but was afraid to lose Loggman in the murk and rain, and so only did a perfunctory job of it. The receipt he had for the dispatch case was already a sodden mess, and probably illegible.

Loggman had stopped, and motioned for him to come up. They were outside a large, rather decrepit looking building, and the murmer of voices came from inside. Miller caught up and Loggman knocked a complicated knock on the door. A small vision slit in the door slid open, but it seemed as dark inside as it was outside. Suddenly apparently recognized Loggman, though, because a moment later, the sound of a sliding latch was heard, and the door was opened a few inches. Loggman exuberantly pulled it open, and beckoned Miller to follow.

It turned out to be mostly darker inside than outside, but that was only for a vestibule that acted as a trap for the light and sound inside the, well, “joint” was the only word that came into Miller’s mind. It reminded him of some of the descriptions he had read of American Speakeasies, but it wasn’t exactly like them either. There was a bar, and tables, and a small stage on the left that had a blue spotlight on it. Some woman was up there, rather provocatively dressed in a skimpy leather outfit. She had a whip, and was demonstrating her ability with it, CRACKING cigarettes from the lips of an apparent volunteers of men in uniforms of various nationalities and service who were standing in a line. CRACK...CRACK...CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... five cigarettes gone in as many seconds. Miller thought they could use someone like her on the gunnery crew. A three piece band highlighted the action with drum rolls and a clarinet and trumpet flourish.

Loggman wasn’t paying much attention to this, and elbowed his way through the crowd to the bar. It was awfully loud in there, much louder than the murmuring conversation heard on the street would have led him to believe. Miller heard Loggman order a VENTE LATTE (whatever that was) and a shot of bourbon. Miller yelled at Miller to order and that he was paying. Miller ordered a double whiskey. A moment later, it was shoved in front of him, and he sipped it with a bit of trepidation. It wasn’t half bad... nor half good, but it was a change from the cut-rate rum provided by His Magesty’s Royal Navy. He sipped it carefully.

He looked around the room as the woman on the stage continued her performance. Most of the youngish serviceman in the room stared at her with rapt attention. Miller noticed the little Air Raid Warden in the corner, earnestly conducting a conversation with two shady looking chaps.

Miller looked at Loggman, who had just set down a bowl of beer in front of his dog. He nudged him in the ribs. “Hey, Loggman, isn’t that your friend Scavanger over there?”

Loggman looked around uncertainly and finally saw the Warden. He looked puzzled and then said “Oh, the SCAVENGER... or at leasts that’s what I call him. He is always trying to scavenge stuff for his government, or at least that’s what he says he is doing. He is always trying to find “used” P-38s. I keep telling him that they are the hottest fighter out there, and he isn’t going to find any used ones, but it doesn’t seem to discourage him.”

“Why does he wear that French helmet with the brush glued to it?” Again, Loggman looked puzzled, but then the penny dropped. “Hah - that’s not French, he should be so lucky! There’s a shortage of equipment here since the war started. Everyone in the KNIL (that’s the local Army boys here) took all the good equipment, as well as the crummy stuff. Nah, the Scavenger found some old ROMAN helmet in a shop somewheres, and decided that was better than nothing... I think the shopkeeper must have owed him money or something, and fobbed it off on him.”

Loggman seemed to be having a good time, drinking shots of bourbon and alternating with mugs of coffee. Miller thought the dog had was looped, as it kept bumping into things. Loggman pushed another double whiskey at him. Miller hadn’t eaten much all day, and that combined with the whiskey probably is what led to a fateful decision...

TO BE CONTINUED....

[DuckofTindalos]

So, Logboy, Leaky Pitbull, Mynok and Lacrimosa... Wonder who'll be next to guest star...?

[rtrapasso]

Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies
11 December 1941 22:30 Local Time

It was getting on in time, and Miller decided he’d best be getting back to his ship. He swallowed the double whiskey hastily, and then nudged Loggman again.

“HEY!” he yelled in Loggman’s ear. “I NEED TO GO BACK SOON, AND YOU SAID YOU’D TAKE ME!”

“Ah, we’ve got plenty of time...” Loggman slurred in reply. “You said you’re on the Repulse, right? It’s only a few minutes from here. “ Miller could barely hear him through the din of voices and the intermittent CRACK of the whip from the stage.

“I have to be back and take the duty by midnight... I shouldn’t have drunk so much as it is!”

After a moment, Loggman replied “Look, I’ll tell you what! I’ve always wanted to see a battlecruiser. How’s about you take me on a tour of your boat?”

“It’s a SHIP... I dunno... I don’t think it would be a good idea...”

“Hey, I’ll tell you what... I’ll buy you a bottle of some good whiskey if you’ll do that... I should be off the boat by midnight! Hey, nothing will go wrong!”

Miller’s synapses were now thoroughly befuddled. The lack of food combined with a total of four shots of whiskey had done their damage, and suppressed the caution circuits in his brain. “Well, OKAY!” he shouted.

“GREAT” said Loggman, who then quickly huddled with a barman. After a few moments of conversation, and some bills pushed across the bar, the barman came back with a bottle, gave it to Loggman who in turn presented it to Miller with some pride. “ONLY THE BEST!!” he shouted over the clamour.

Miller wasn’t familiar with the “Old Overcoat” brand of whiskey, but wasn’t in any real shape to examine Loggman’s assertation that it was "the best" in too great of detail. He tried to push the bottle into his raincoat pocket before he realized his probably ruined shoe was already in there. He bent down and tried to put it on, but the leather had swollen, and his foot had swollen, and it was a no go. He loosened the laces, jammed his foot in as far is it would go, and then mashed down the heel. He tightened the laces again, and then straightened up. “LET’S GO!!” he shouted.

Loggman tried coaxing and then dragged his reluctant pooch out of the building into the rain. Miller followed with his shoe-induced limp, and they splashed their way back towards the dock. Fortunately, Loggman knew where he was going. As they neared the docks, they both could see streams of men going up gangplanks onto the battlecruiser. Miller remembered that they might be hauling some men evacuated from Singapore with them - apparently it was true.

Loggman stared up at the ship through the pouring rain as they walked out onto the dock. Suddenly a nearby loud SPLASH alerted the sightseer before he was pulled off his feet: his dog had walked straight off the pier into the harbor, almost jerking Loggman in as well. Loggman cursed under his breath. Fortunately, his makeshift leash was long enough to allow him to guide the beast back to the shore. It emerged with the same sheepish demeanor that Miller had seen in the office. Then it shook itself vigorously, spattering harbour water and oil onto Loggman’s and Miller’s uniforms.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Report from CIC US Armed Forces - 19th December 1941
------------------------------------------------

SS Stingray reported damaging AP Horai Maru with a torpedo near Namlea. She will relocate to the SE.

SS KXVIII heavily damaged AK Kenryu Maru with a torpedo 60 miles east of Sandakan. She will remain on station for further Japanese Merchants fleeing from Sandakan.

CV Saratoga will be at PH tomorrow. CV Yorktown shuld be at PH within 4-5 days.

AVD Teal was obliterated by 4 x DD at Attu Island. Other PC/PG/MSW/AVD craft may molve to intercept in the coming days.

No news convoys left WC today.

From tracking enemy signals it seems KB MAY BE near Truk.

[rtrapasso]

OK - here is the Intel Screen from this turn:



VP are + 32 for Japan
VP are +4 for Allies

[DuckofTindalos]

My Thread, that dog is dimmer than a three-watt bulb...

[rtrapasso]

Yes, the pooch is not the world's brightest pet, but she is affectionate! [:D]

Anyway, back to the action:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/41 - COMPRESSED!
Well, it wasn’t a really good day for the Allied cause. Speedy’s subs missed the mark repeatedly, Allied air power came up short, and the Animal landings were all successful, pushing the defenders into the boondocks:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We start with continued Animal landings at Kendari, which aren’t taking many casualties now:
TF 98 encounters mine field at Kendari x 2 (33,71)
TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Kendari x 2, 33,71
Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Ataka Maru
PC Showa Maru #5
PC Showa Maru #3
Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we know what that sub was doing at Columbo
TF 1164 encounters mine field at Colombo (11,25)
Allied Ships
AK Bintoehan, Mine hits 1, on fire - Type 88 mine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first Allied attack has faulty detonators. The IJN fails to find the Seawolf;
Sub attack at 44,48
Japanese Ships
AK Hayo Maru
PG Aso Maru
MSW W.11
Allied Ships
SS Seawolf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second Allied attack also has faulty detonators. Again, the IJN couldn’t find Speedy’s subs:
Sub attack at 39,74
Japanese Ships
AP Horai Maru
MSW Wa 19
MSW Wa 14
Allied Ships
SS Stingray
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Animals get ready to assault Lae;
Naval bombardment of Lae, at 56,90
Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze
DD Yugumo
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Runway hits 4
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
as well as Manado:
Naval bombardment of Manado x 2, at 39,67
Japanese Ships
DD Kiji
DD Kari
CL Oi
CL Yura
DD Oboro
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The IJN continues cleaning up the waters around Hong Kong:
TF 157 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (43,42)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.13
MSW W.15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the Allies start sweeping at Darwin:
TF 1007 encounters mine field at Darwin (36,84)
Allied Ships
MSW Warnambool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A fighter sweep in the Philippines comes up dry:
Day Air attack on Cagayan , at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The crack Wirraway force hammers the Animal landing at Lae:
Day Air attack on 14th Base Force, at 56,90
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 9
Hudson I x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike keeps hammering the Chinese:
Day Air attack on 57th Chinese Guer. Corps, at 53,33
Japanese aircraft - from Port Arthur - 58th Heavy Sentai, 6th Heavy Sentai,
Ki-21-II Sally x 38
Ki-15 Babs x 3 - R3 / 81st Rec Chutai
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
38 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some attacks were less successful than others:
Day Air attack on 99th Chinese Corps, at 48,36
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-51 Sonia x 10 - 8th Light Chutai
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They also went after forces in Malaya:
Day Air attack on 2nd ISF Base Force, at 22,50
Japanese aircraft from Kuantan
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13 - 1st Fighter Sentai
Ki-21-II Sally x 11 - 60th Heavy Sentai
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unit cut off last turn takes some licks:
Day Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 24,44
Japanese aircraft from Singora
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-21-II Sally x 13 - 62nd Heavy Sentai
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Indian Brigade, at 24,44
Japanese aircraft from Kuantan
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12
Ki-21-II Sally x 12 - 12th Heavy Sentai
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 22nd Brigade AIF , at 22,50
Japanese aircraft from Kuantan
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21-II Sally x 9 - 60th Heavy Sentai
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bettys from Rabaul soften up the defenses at Lae:
Day Air attack on NGVR Battalion, at 56,90
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10 - G4/Yokosuka Datai A and C
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Animal dive bombers get into the act:
Day Air attack on 9th Chinese/B Corps, at 50,30
Japanese aircraft from Chengting
Ki-51 Sonia x 10 - 71st Light Sentai
Ki-15 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nells from Borneo sinks another ABDA ship:
Day Air attack on TF, near Toboali at 21,57
Japanese aircraft from Singkawang
G3M Nell x 28 - G1/Mihoro Datai, G1/Genzan Datai
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
PG Scorpion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage - SINKS!!
Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s Nates vs. Buffalos in the battle of the bad fighters!
Day Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ryujo once again dodges the proverbial bullet - in this case several 500 pound bullets:
Day Air attack on TF at 39,63
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sole Allied success from the air finally hit the CS Chitose:
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
T.IVa x 7
Martin 139 x 20
Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged
Martin 139: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Hakone Maru
ML Ikitsushima
AP Astuga Maru
AK Hakubasan Maru
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CS Mizuho
AP Chinko Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Martin 139 bombing at 3000 feet
7 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An ASW attack is avoided:
ASW attack at 42,49
Japanese Ships
PG Aso Maru
Allied Ships
SS Permit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A third sub attack also has faulty torpedoes - but this time they run deep:
Sub attack at 34,46
Japanese Ships
AP Kuroshio Maru
Allied Ships
SS Shark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pike is found and hammered:
ASW attack at 32,46
Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushimo
DD Hatsuharu
Allied Ships
SS Pike, hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Animal land offensive starts to roll:
Ground combat at Manado
Japanese Deliberate attack
Kure 1st SNLF
Kure 2nd SNLF
3rd NLF
Attacking force 4945 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134
Defending force 2101 troops, 11 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Japanese max assault: 129 - adjusted assault: 68
Allied max defense: 40 - adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado base !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And rolls on some more. Actually, this might be about the high spot of the turn for the Allies - the attack bleeds the IJA and all their forces in central China are cut off from outside supply. This attack fails to break the Chinese stranglehold, and the attack uses up valuable supplies.
Ground combat at 48,34
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 26724 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 644
39th Division
18th Mixed Brigade
Defending force 16577 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501
Japanese max assault: 690 - adjusted assault: 362
Allied max defense: 496 - adjusted defense: 115
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
811 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The usual cast of characters bombards Clark Field again:
Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
4th Division, Shuzan Naval Guard, 16th Division, 48th Division, 4th Tank Regiment, 7th Tank Regiment, 15th Mortar Battalion, 3rd Engineer Regiment, 21st Engineer Regiment, 21st Engineer Regiment, 1st Heavy Field Artillery Regiment, 8th Heavy Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Engineer Regiment, 17th Heavy Field Artillery Regiment.
Attacking force 4124 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2238
Defending force 45051 troops, 316 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 1145
Allied ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Animal offensive keeps a rollin’ on:
Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7343 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 78
1st NLF
3rd Special Base Force
21st NLF
Defending force 1686 troops, 13 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
Japanese max assault: 73 - adjusted assault: 77
Allied max defense: 12 - adjusted defense: 9
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari base !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and on:
Ground combat at Lae
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 8768 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 70
14th Base Force
14th NLF
Defending force 620 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19
Japanese max assault: 128 - adjusted assault: 62
Allied max defense: 11 - adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lae base !!!
Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These cut-off Guerilla Units are surrounded but have a lot of supplies:
Ground combat at 53,33
16th Mixed Brigade
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3684 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98
Defending force 1029 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was (alas) a mistake - I thought the orders had been changed... but they crossed a river into the enemy hex, initiating the shock attack. The only good thing is that the IJA unit wasn’t as big as I had thought:
Ground combat at 50,30
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2689 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 167
Defending force 6864 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 185
4th Independent Brigade - 177
Allied max assault: 78 - adjusted assault: 1
Japanese max defense: 196 - adjusted defense: 225
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
329 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

[rtrapasso]

Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies
11 December 1941 22:45 Local Time

Leftenant Geoffrey Miller looked down at himself ruefully. His raingear had absorbed some of the oil and water the bedraggled looking hound had distributed upon his person, but his pants were now an unattractive polka-dot pattern. His shoes were a mess, and one shoe was now urine soaked and caked with who-knew-what. Loggman looked surprisingly good in comparison, probably because he had ducked behind Miller when he realized what his dog was likely to do once it emerged from the water. Miller caught Loggman grinning, and Loggman immediately changed to a contrite expression and scolded the dog “Bad Cheato!”

Miller looked towards the gangplanks of the ship and saw a steady stream of men carrying boxes and duffels up onto the Repulse and realized most of these men were wearing British Army uniforms. He beckoned for Miller to follow.

The Naval Rating acting as guard at the base of the gangplank saluted Miller. Miller recognized the man, but couldn’t come up with his name in his current alcohol-soaked condition. He was careful to stand well back so that the man couldn’t smell his breath.

“What’s going on with all these chaps?” Miller asked.

“Headquarters Staff being evacuated to the rear, sir. Most of them have come from Singapore, sir.” Miller motioned to Loggman and said “This man is with me. Official business.” The guard looked at Miller dragging his recalcitrant pet on his long rope leash, and Miller detected the guard’s eyes opening wider. Salutes were exchanged again, and Miller led Loggman up the gangplank. This took some doing, as the HQ refugees were quite crowded and the dog was very reluctant to walk up the steep gangplank, and Loggman finally had to carry the canine.

The rain had let up some, and Miller realized that with this particular dog, it was going to be a chore trying to lead it (well, her) around the battle cruiser at night. It probably wouldn’t do to meet another officer with a dog in tow. God forbid they should run into the Captain’s orderly who might be walking George, the Captain’s terrier. Miller knew there were also a couple of cats rumoured to be on board.

After a brief explanation, Loggman agreed to tie “Cheato” to a stanchion under an overhanging projection on the outboard side of the ship. Fewer people would be likely to see her there, and she would be protected once the rain started again (which it surely would).

Miller led Loggman on an abbreviated tour of the ship - he had duty starting at midnight, and he needed to change. They practically ran as Loggman peered, apparently fascinated at the guns and fittings, starting at the bow and working there way back towards the stern.

Unfortunately for Loggman, the ship was too large, and time ran too quickly. They had just about worked there way to where Cheato had been tied up, when Miller said “Look, I really have to go now. Untie your dog, and I’ll get you back to the gangplank and you can go ashore. I’m really sorry I couldn’t give you a more proper tour, but perhaps next time we are in port...” Loggman looked a trace disappointed, but untied the dog. Loggman followed to the nearest gangplank, still congested with men coming aboard. Brief farewells were said, and Loggman picked up his dog, and struggled into the mass of men.

Miller quickly fled back to his quarters and stripped off his soaked uniform and hung it the best he could in his locker. He doubted if a proper laundry could save it. He put on some tropical fatigues, and hurried up to the Wireless Room, arriving almost at the stroke of midnight and relieved Leftentant Theodore Smythe-Jones of the duty.

Not much was going on except filing some routine messages received earlier in the day. Miller learned from Rumour Central, a.k.a.Able Rate Fredericks, that the HQ types had come off a convoy from Singapore that had included H.M.S. Prince of Wales and other warships. Miller had just finished his second cup (of hastily consumed coffee) when the Executive Officer, looking annoyed came in. He saw Miller, crooked a finger and said “I think you’d best come with me.”

The Exec didn’t offer any explanation, and Miller, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, didn’t ask for one. The Exec strode through the bowels of the ship and the finally reached the shell hoist for A turret, where several ratings were pulling on the legs of a man apparently caught in the hoist of the lift for the 15" shells. A steady stream of semi-drunken profanity issued from the unseen head of the trapped man, and the profanity had a distinctly American accent and phrasing... and the uniform pants appeared to be those of the American Army.

The Exec came to an abrupt halt in front of the hoist, and said. “Right. Now, Miller, what in Bloody HELL is going on here?!!”

TO BE CONTINUED...

[DuckofTindalos]

Got stuck in an ammunition lift... Yup, that sounds like Loggman, alright...[:D]

[rtrapasso]

CHINA TALK:
i haven't got the turn yet, so i am not sure on the exact dispositions of the units right at the moment, but here is what we have (below).

The tenuous supply line that the Animals had out of Ichang (that went 13 hexes across forests, fields, and roads) was CUT this turn. That means the forces in the cauldron are without supplies, except for some coming from Hankow (20/turn) and from Nanchang (10/turn).

EDIT: OOPS - i switched (somehow) resources and industry numbers, and this gives Hankow 200 resources, not 20 - see below...

This is not nearly enough to keep the 38 enemy units in the "Cauldron" supplied - i have marked the number of enemy units in yellow.

EDIT - well, since there are 200 supplies coming in per turn, not 20, this is going to mess things up considerably. i will have to figure a way to get into Hankow to stop supply production. Otherwise, the supplies from Hankow alone are enough to keep all of these units afloat - minimum esimated supplies need are around 13,000 (for 2 weeks), and Hankow alone produces 14,000 every 2 weeks.

Now, the enemy probably started out with about 2 weeks supply buffer in each city, and each enemy unit also probably had about 2 weeks supply on hand. That means, if they
(a) just sat there and didn't move;
(b) didn't have any air ops;
(c) didn't replace anyone;
(d) didn't make any attacks;
(e) didn't get attacked...
(f) didn't fortify

That they would run out of supplies (pretty much totally) in 4 weeks or so.

EDIT: This discussion below assumes that Hankow is invaded, and the supplies from there cut off (a big assumption!)

However, they have also moved a couple of units INTO the cauldron, so there is an additional supply load... possibly the unit numbers are inflated due to splitting units.

We also know that
(g) they are fortifying (you really can't stop it in non-city hexes);
(h) they have been running air ops;
(i) they have been attacking;
(j) they have been attacked.

Let's assume the Animal commander is actively running supplies into the Cauldron by air. This might (at best) even out the losses of supply due to factors i-j above.

So, with some luck, the enemy will run dry of supply in about 4 weeks... sooner if i keep up the pressure, or if he is replacing units, or keeps running air ops.

At that time, things should begin to collapse unless he does something.

Perhaps the enemy does not yet realize the predicament... he has other things to occupy his mind, including enveloping attacks in the North, and the rest of the IJ economy.

Comments (especially by my co-commanders)?

[DuckofTindalos]

I wonder what other Thread brothers we can expect to see in here...[;)]

[rtrapasso]

OK - while we wait for comments from co-commanders and other folks, i'll post the Intel Screen for this turn... i've annotated for comparison to last turn:



EDIT - That's +148 VP points for Japan -17 for net increase of +165 for the bad guys... [:(]

REEDIT - something slightly odd is going on with the scoring... i tried checkng the points lost in the score with the points loss by totalling up the subcategories, and it is off by 1. [&:]

RE-REEDIT - if you add up the categories, the Allied score comes to 6965, not the given score of 6969.

The only thing i can think of is some F.O.W. score that is not counted (a small AK, perhaps?)

if you add up the categories for the IJ side, the score is 3135 - which is the given score.

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

CHINA TALK:
i haven't got the turn yet, so i am not sure on the exact dispositions of the units right at the moment, but here is what we have (below).

The tenuous supply line that the Animals had out of Ichang (that went 13 hexes across forests, fields, and roads) was CUT this turn. That means the forces in the cauldron are without supplies, except for some coming from Hankow (20/turn) and from Nanchang (10/turn).

EDIT: OOPS - i switched (somehow) resources and industry numbers, and this gives Hankow 200 resources, not 20 - see below...

This is not nearly enough to keep the 38 enemy units in the "Cauldron" supplied - i have marked the number of enemy units in yellow.

EDIT - well, since there are 200 supplies coming in per turn, not 20, this is going to mess things up considerably. i will have to figure a way to get into Hankow to stop supply production. Otherwise, the supplies from Hankow alone are enough to keep all of these units afloat - minimum esimated supplies need are around 13,000 (for 2 weeks), and Hankow alone produces 14,000 every 2 weeks.

Now, the enemy probably started out with about 2 weeks supply buffer in each city, and each enemy unit also probably had about 2 weeks supply on hand. That means, if they
(a) just sat there and didn't move;
(b) didn't have any air ops;
(c) didn't replace anyone;
(d) didn't make any attacks;
(e) didn't get attacked...
(f) didn't fortify

That they would run out of supplies (pretty much totally) in 4 weeks or so.

EDIT: This assumes that Hankow is invaded, and the supplies from there cut off.

However, they have also moved a couple of units INTO the cauldron, so there is an additional supply load... possibly the unit numbers are inflated due to splitting units.

We also know that
(g) they are fortifying (you really can't stop it in non-city hexes);
(h) they have been running air ops;
(i) they have been attacking;
(j) they have been attacked.

Let's assume the Animal commander is actively running supplies into the Cauldron by air. This might (at best) even out the losses of supply due to factors i-j above.

So, with some luck, the enemy will run dry of supply in about 4 weeks... sooner if i keep up the pressure, or if he is replacing units, or keeps running air ops.

At that time, things should begin to collapse unless he does something.

Perhaps the enemy does not yet realize the predicament... he has other things to occupy his mind, including enveloping attacks in the North, and the rest of the IJ economy.

Comments (especially by my co-commanders)?

Rob, if Hankow generates 200 supply/day, that would be 1400/week, or 2800 for 2 weeks, not 14,000. Am I missing something, or are you using some fuzzy math? [;)]

[rtrapasso]

Oops - you are entirely correct*... so, perhaps the IJA Commander in China will even notice the supplies are not flowing.

This of course assumes that the supply numbers listed for the units are for 2 weeks... i'll have to recheck the rules to make sure.


EDIT: OK - here is something odd. The rulebook says that the number given in the base information screen is the number of suplies needed PER DAY (page 157). If you add up the supply requirements of all the units at a base (assuming no air units present), then this number comes out to the same number as the supply requirement of the base.

Air units add considerably to the supply burden.

So, if this is true, then he will rapidly be running out of supplies...

i'm going to have to figure this out in more detail to see what is going on.


*this is what comes of trying to copy things off of the back of envelopes, scrap paper, etc.

[rtrapasso]

OK - i've checked 2 units that are totally cut off so are not getting any supplies, nor are they moving, nor accepting replacements. Here are the numbers:

Unit A
Date....Supplies...Supplies Req
12/18....575..........66
12/19....570..........96
12/20....567..........72
12/21....557..........95 - underwent bombardment this day.
In 4 days used up 18 supplies.

Unit B
Date....Supplies...Supplies Req
12/18....548..........55
12/19....543..........76
12/20....541..........58
12/21....537..........83 - underwent bombardment this day.
In 4 days used up 11 supplies.

So clearly, the "Supplies Required" isn't for 1 day.
The numbers seem to be fluctuating for no real reason that i can see, except for the last day requirements went up due to combat, i guess.

Even so, if Hankow is making 200 supplies per day via resouces, that might rule out the success of any siege until that supply flow is interrupted. This can be done if i can keep my units in the hex... easier said than done.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Report from CIC US Armed Forces - 20th December 1941
------------------------------------------------

Not a lot to report today from my side.

CHS does recreate the time it takes to gear up for war on the Allied side. Factoties are repairing, LCU's are filling out and training, planes are slowly rolling off the production line to fill out skeleton squadrons.

I also need ships. Mostly freighters and troop transports to haul the vast amounts of supply, fuel and troops from America to where they are needed.

I have another 2 x convoy loading up the final supplies on the WC.

3 of my 4 CV's are at PH now anmd will wait there until I know where KB is.

As Bob mentioned 3 failed submarine attacks today. 2 x faulty torps and 1 miss.

I relocated about 10 submarines today.