Command Decisions: Samurai vs. Yeomen RA 6.4

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Fumble! [:D]

I bet that last Betty strike hurt from the Allied perspective. When your OOB is tiny to begin with and you lose most of a precious unrestricted unit at sea the ouchie factor must be high.

Yep. Getting a shot at a Transport TF is marvelous and it looks like we sank the entire TF. LOTS of Vehicles, Guns, and about 4,000 troops.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Dec 16-20, 1941

My opponent's play is somewhat puzzling. They're acting aggressive with their aircraft and warships but having next to no luck in achieving anything presently. I'll wager that they are TRULY frustrated. Spoke with Michael earlier today and told him the biggest change I've made in this game is in escorting warships. Through the first two weeks I have made sure that EVERY troop-filled convoy is escorted with enough strength to, hopefully, keep the bad guys away. Several times there have been small Allied STF approach a TF only to be intercepted for no gain on their part. Got to admit that this has been very comforting to see. Am bold as HELL but do have little details fall through the cracks quite often. Not so far this game...

North Pacific
The ships are all assembled in Paramushiro Jima. Time to load everyone up and head for the Aleutians!

Central Pacific
Midway
The SNLF ASsault Brigade that took Guam is NE of Wake. The SNLF unit that took Wake rested for a week and will now load and rendezvous with the first TF. A pair of BBs, 2 CLs, and 8 DD protect the Invasion Force. The two CVE's will provide CAP and trail by several hexes.

Line Islands
The Palmyra Invasion Force just passed Wake heading SE. The 2nd ID, at Tabitueau, is now combat loading for Christmas Ilse.

I intend to have some synchronicity within these attacks. Within just a day or two's difference the American player will be faced with a three-fold attack seeking to encircle Hawaii. Course we have no intention of taking Hawaii but we don't him to know this!

Canton
December 17th sees Canton fall. A pair of Base Forces immediately begin unloading and 18 Mavis fly in to begin Air Search. They spots LOTS of targets!

KB-1
The four CVs of KB-1 swing into serious action a big convoy SE of Christmas Isle. Over two days, CL's Raleigh and Detroit are sunk as well as 3 DD, three AP, and two AK. Think I have now sunk FOUR of the President AP Line currently. While moving through the Line Islands heading for these TF spotted by Canton, a trio of 3 DM are run into. DM Montgomery is blasted by a 14" shell and the others are driven away. NO REPEATS of Dec 8th!

Got to go to DINNER and will continue the update.

[John 3rd]

Con't...

SE Pacific
SS continue nailing shipping around Pago Pago. The fall of Canton allows for Air Search and I send in a pair of 4 DD STF. Both score a few ships (5 AK) working their way towards PP. There should be fireworks here tomorrow. NO ALLIED AIR SEARCH!

South Pacific
Have taken Kavieng, Buin, Shortland, Manus, Fincshhaven, and am about to have Lunga and Lae.

Philippines
Luzon
Manila--No Shipping left in the Port.

Have taken Clark and all points North. He is fighting in Manila. GREAT. Order my ID in Clark to grab Bataan. This will open up Bombardment possibilities.

Land 33rd ID at Mauban and the rest of an ID at Lucena. Two ID headed for Manila.

They are allowing me to force surrenders of all troops at Iba, that hex next to it, and Bataan. Gotta like that.

Mindanao
Troops are closing on Cagayan. He has been operating his B-17s from there and yesterday I began bombing the AF. Should be in the Cagayan hex in two days.

Eastern DEI
Very Quiet. The capture of Palembang leads to a bugout of shipping from Soerabaja and I have a BC, 2 CA, and 2 DDs who are rushing to meet-up with CARDIV2. They are, conveniently, within easy steaming of these targets. The 21st sees Kongo and companions sink 3 AP and 3 AK. Have yet to see those damned A-24. I'll bet they are over here. Will operate cautiously until I can rustle up some air support.

Central DEI
The 65th Brigade and an Air Division will land at Balikpapan in two days. NO ALLIED AIR SEARCH.

Western DEI
Take Palembang with 4th ID on the 18th for no appriecable damage. YES!

Get Palembang and have an Air Flotilla present on landing. Bring in 36 Zero and 81 Betty--Nell. They begin whooping A** on the 19th.

With Singkawang mine and Palembang, we now shoot the gap. A Birgade of Infantry is assigned to Oosthaven and Merak. The Merak IF lands tomorrow and the Oosthaven IF lands the day after that. Traveling three days behind these is another Regiment tasked with taking Cocos.

CARDIV2 hung in this area until the 17th and then headed for CRB to resupply and replennish the CV sorties. Not wanting to slow the action, I choose to fly the Vals and Kates to Kuantan where they continue the carnage. The CVs get things reloaded on the 19th and will be back in action on the 22nd.

Malaya
How does one describe this?

Singapore
The enemy is keeping there warships HERE! Prince of Wales dodge TTs for two days until CARDIV2 arrives at Kuantan. The 19th sees Prince of Wales hit by 8 bombs and 2 TTs. She is now crippled in the Port. YUMMY! Several cruisers and DDs are present as well. We sink CL Danae on the 18th and crippled a DD on the 19th. WHY are they staying here? Makes ZERO sense to me. I'll take ducks in a shooting gallery but am curious as to the hows and whys.

Kloung and Mersing are mine.

The Imperial Guards will take Alor Star tomorrow.

Is it weird to be talking about MOPPING UP in Malaya on December 20th? I'll reform the 5th and 18th ID in a day or two and the 38th ID will be down from Hong Kong in two days. We'll take Johore Bharu and crossover ASAP. I'll put down even money the base falls on the first attack.

Burma
Four TK Reg are entering the area around Moulmein. We'll have that shortly and move north.

China
Offensive going well in Central Plains and we're driving on Yenan right now. Like to use Jehol as a major Air Base and then fly my Manchurian Bombers from there. Presently it is AF-4 and there are five Sentai of Army Bombers flying from here hitting targets (concentrating on Yenan).

SS Operations
Dec 16th
I-2 SINKS TK Herborg near Brisbane
I-4 SINKS PC Hermes near San Diego

Dec 17th
I-2 SINKS AK Yochow near Newcastle
I-173 SINKS TK Eidsvold near Palymra

Dec 18th
I-4 SINKS an unknown PC near San Deigo

Dec 19th
I-123 hits AP Ville de Verdun
I-153 hits AP Hong Peng near Sepandjang

Lose I-6 after it was severely Depth Charged near the West Coast six days ago.

Summation
1. My opponents are doing strange things (like keeping warships in Singers) and paying for it.
2. With my offensive reaching everywhere, I think they are thoroughly befuddled as to my main/future thrust. Once Midway and the Line Islands fall they will think it is Hawaii. NOT!
3. Am looking at a map where there is solid chance of no major speed bump occurring on the ground whatsoever.
4. Once we have toeholds in Java, Cocos, and Line Islands I will pull the CVs back to rest a bit. They deserve it!

[Cribtop]

So far, so good!

[John 3rd]

Just bagged a nice collection of valuable ships on the 21st. They came from Pago Pago and Singapore:

[John 3rd]

DRAT! I have to jinx things by saying I haven't allowed the Allies to get a single punch in and then I get smacked off Oosthaven. Had BB's Nagato and Mutsu close escorting an Infantry Regiment bound to land at Oosthaven. Pair of CAs and 3 DDs swept in ahead of them to find CA Exeter and 4 'K'-Class DDs. OK. Fighting begins at 1,000Yds! Exeter pummels CA Takao with 6 8" Shells and a Torp BEFORE she even shoots. The Brits are driven off (I lose the CA---CRAP!) and the Invasion Force moves in. The BBs spot a large AK and AP and sink them. As soon as they get drawn away back swing in Exeter and friends. The Invasion Force is crushed losing 9 of 11 AKs and 80% of the Inf Regiment.

Ooops.

These thing happen and just serves to remind me about lessons in humility.

The Brits do get hit by a few shells and Exeter takes a pair of TTs during the day from Kates at Palembang. Might sink. Another of the DDs get clobbered with 3 Bombs. Bad to lose the ships and troops but if we bag yet another cruiser then it was not a total loss.

On the bright side Merak will fall tomorrow!

[ny59giants]

CARDIV2 hung in this area until the 17th and then headed for CRB to resupply and replenish the CV sorties. Not wanting to slow the action, I choose to fly the Vals and Kates to Kuantan where they continue the carnage. The CVs get things reloaded on the 19th and will be back in action on the 22nd.

I wonder after they have escorted in invasion TF to Cocos that a trip down to Perth is a possibility?!? I wonder if the "Thundering Herd" from Manila and the Dutch may still be here. At least send down a Glen equipped I-boat to see what is in port. The Allies can afford to lose some transports, but Jim and Larry are losing too many, IMO. Remember, Australia has almost NO fighters until they come from USA or the groups arrive on Jan 15th with very poor experience.

[ny59giants]

CV Sorties - Where are your AEs and AKEs?? I thought you gave Japan more at start in RA. If so, then move some over to Singkawang to keep CarDiv 2 on station longer and reload their TTs.

[John 3rd]

Hey Michael!

There is a modest addition to the Japanese Replenishment Fleet: 2 AO, 1 AE, 1 AR, and 1 AKE. Have just moved an AKE and an AR to Singkawang (great minds think alike) to keep everyone on station longer.

I only have four of the 8,000T AOs supporting CARDIV2 but they are available at Singkawang as well. Once I have Merak and divert a Brigade to grab Oosthaven (since that Regiment was basically destroyed by Exeter's TF) then we'll punch through and go on a serious raid.

I'll pull up the game and Post some screenshots of Allied ship losses. The number are getting to be fairly impressive.

[John 3rd]

I ran a 4 DD STF into Pago Pago to see what I could stir up and found this:

[John 3rd]

These are cruiser losses. I am certain you can add Houston, Boise, Raleigh and Detroit to this list. Exeter should join it next turn:

[John 3rd]

The Allies have lost 19 SS. There is a Dutch sub (actually sunk by Japanese ASW at Singakwang) not shown on the screenshot:

[John 3rd]

A total of 28 AP are sunk. Here are the high value ones:

[John 3rd]

VP Screen with 229+ Allied ships sunk.

Up until last turn Japan had lost just an old CL. Unfortunately, Exeter BLASTED CA Takao and that added 58 VP...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 21-22, 1941

Already detailed some pieces of action above so we'll work our way fully around the board.

North Pacific
TF are headed for Umnak, Amchitka, and Attu. Follow-On TF are loading presently at Paramushiro Jima.

Central/South East Pacific
Tomorrow the Guam and Wake Invasion Forces will combine while on the way to Midway. This means two complete SNLF Assault Brigades (10,000 troops) are about to smack this important base. Escort is provided by Ise--Huyga and DDs. The two CVE's are providing distant cover.

The Palmyra Invasion Force is now about 4 days from target.

The 2nd ID is reloading at Tabitueau and heading for Christmas Isle.

KB-1
The four CVs are heading to Pago Pago to cash in on all the shipping down there.

Pago Pago
A group of 4 DDs enters the anchorage and sinks 2 AMC, 1 KV, and an AK before running into the Escorts from the Pensacola TF: CA Pensacola, CLV Charlotte, and 3 DDs. Am inconclusive engagement is fought but it is great to know these ships are present as KB-1 bears down upon them.

South Pacific
Very calm.

Philippines
Luzon
With having Clark, I order the 48th ID to move and take Bataan. The Allies are going to fight for Manila. There are two units at Iba and two more at Subic Bay. Will destroy them prior to investing Manila.

Mindanao
Closing in on Cagayan. Have nearly all the rest of this island presently.

Eastern DEI
I've left this region alone with the emphasis being placed on Mindanao and Western DEI/Sumatra/Java.

Central DEI
Without being spotted the Balikpapan Invasion Force arrives on the 22nd. No aerial resistance. Will take the base tomorrow. The 65th Brigade and an Air Division make-up this landing group. The Air Division will swing into action the moment we have the base.

Western DEI
As detailed earlier, the Japanese land at Merak on the 22nd and have their Invasion Force at Oosthaven destroyed by CA Exeter. Luckily no high profile APs in that TF.

Will take the Brigade following and headed for Cocos and drop it off at Oosthaven.

The 4th ID (Palembang) will then load and move up to help finish Singapore.

Malaya
What a LOVELY situation:
1. Take Temoluh on the 21st.
2. Alor Star falls on the 22nd.
3. Johore Bharu is hit with a 2-1 on the 22nd and shall fall on the 23rd

Singapore
Keep the Hiryu--Soryu Vals on Naval Attack and switch the Kates over to Port Attack. The 21st sees CL Mauritius sunk, 2 AMC, and a PG. Damage done to DD's Express and Isis. The 22nd has an AK sunk and (in Port) the Prince of Wales is struck by 6 Bombs while BC Repulse has 3 hit her. These ships are now heavily damaged and will be scuttled in harbor if I can take the base quickly. Wouldn't that be COOL!

Burma
Three TK Reg will take Moulmein tomorrow.

China
Central Plains
More unexplainable events. The guys are allowing me to surround Loyang and the other town to the east of it. We're about 3-4 days from having total hexside control and then we'll destroy the units within.

Moving around and smacking Chinese troops here and there.

SS Operations
12-21
I-173 hits AP Raranga near Palmyra

12-22
I-168 SINKS AK Silksworth near Ta'u
I-164 hits AK Nirvana near Rangoon

TACTICS
1. Having read all of the "The Little Ship That Could" I am trying to emulate those successful STF Tactics spoken of in there. I am attacking with lots of little TF and seeing great success. Even when they find something much bigger they appear to, generally, get out of trouble faster then they got into it. Am going to keep working on this.

2. My Landings have been done in such a way that the ships always get their troops unloaded on the first day and then I have stopped unloading, pulled back, and then come back in when the base falls. This appears to be working pretty well too...

[Sangeli]

Well if the Allies are just going to limit themselves to Manila and let you take Bataan maybe you should pull some units out go at some deeper targets. You can use the downtime to bombard the base from sea and whittle down the Allied defenses. Anyways good job so far. I think by going deep into the Allied LOC you're really going to hurt him given how many APs he's lost. It can be difficult getting units where you want in the Pacific with limited transports that have to take circuitous routes. Really makes getting units in the SWPac difficult.

[John 3rd]

Their losses are getting to be considerable. I've never tried striking into the SE and I've never truly thought about all this shipping heading for the West Coast. Intuitively have always KNOWN the Allied player moves A BUNCH of shipping this way, however, I've never tried to do anything about it.

[John 3rd]

After the nice little victory sinking those AKs, the Allies screw the pooch by STAYING at Oosthaven. Revenge is swift! The Exeter TF (w/4 K-Class DDs) is jumped by a killer STF of 4 CA, 2 CL, and 9 DD. Exeter goes down under a hail of shells. Each of the four DDs take 1-3 hits each. As dawn opens, Japanese strikes come in from Palembang. RESULTS: DD Kelvin and DD Kingston SUNK with DD's Kipling and Kimberely almost certainly sunk. A good British CA and 4 excellent DDs GONE: NICE!

As CARDIV1 makes its way towards Pago Pago they find a juicy set of targets as well. Air Search spots Americans cruisers trying to get SW from Pearl Harbor. A strike by 33 Zero, 38 Val, and 28 Kate manages to place multiple bombs onto CA Minneapolis, CL Helena, and DD Cummings. How ABOUT that??!! Unfortunately part of the morning strike goes after a small group of AKs sinking them and nothing more goes after the American TF. Bad weather SAVES this TF as no strikes can be flown. Move the CVs SW towards Tabitueau to try and finish the job...

[EHansen]

It appears that it will be a long time before they are able to mount a creditable counter assault.

[John 3rd]

The rate Cruisers are sinking is highly disturbing to say the least.