Icechuck's Round 2 AAR - New Player Japan Experience

[RangerJoe]

Singkawang can field Betties and Nells. If there is an Air HQ, then they can carry torpedoes otherwise on Naval Strike with torpedoes selected they will carry a full load of bombs.

[Icechuck]

Singkawang can field Betties and Nells. If there is an Air HQ, then they can carry torpedoes otherwise on Naval Strike with torpedoes selected they will carry a full load of bombs.

I was definitely thinking of that. How large do you figure the AF should be prior to staging Betties or Nells there?

[RangerJoe]

Singkawang can field Betties and Nells. If there is an Air HQ, then they can carry torpedoes otherwise on Naval Strike with torpedoes selected they will carry a full load of bombs.

I was definitely thinking of that. How large do you figure the AF should be prior to staging Betties or Nells there?

Since they are classified as Torpedo Bombers, a size 2 AF is sufficient.

[Icechuck]

Singkawang can field Betties and Nells. If there is an Air HQ, then they can carry torpedoes otherwise on Naval Strike with torpedoes selected they will carry a full load of bombs.

I was definitely thinking of that. How large do you figure the AF should be prior to staging Betties or Nells there?

Since they are classified as Torpedo Bombers, a size 2 AF is sufficient.

Super helpful as always Ranger Joe! I appreciate it. IDK why but I was thinking they would require a larger one to handle, so I'll probably start the transfer process soon.

[RangerJoe]

I was definitely thinking of that. How large do you figure the AF should be prior to staging Betties or Nells there?

Since they are classified as Torpedo Bombers, a size 2 AF is sufficient.

Super helpful as always Ranger Joe! I appreciate it. IDK why but I was thinking they would require a larger one to handle, so I'll probably start the transfer process soon.

Probably because you were thinking that they are twin engine medium bombers but they are classified in the game as torpedo bombers since that is their primary naval armament in normal range. Medium bombers would normally require a size 4 AF to operate normally.

[Icechuck]

December 31st, 1941

Subs

Some end-of-year parting gifts from the IJN were delivered today. In the Makassar Strait, I-162 torpedoed Gouden Leeuw, a Dutch CM. Sinking sounds were heard in the aftermath. Near the Torres Strait, RO-64 torpedoed xAK Lancaster, and more sinking sounds were heard. In return, the Allied submarine Pickerel fired at the DD Sagiri as it fled Borneo, and missed.

Philippines

In Mindanao, the Miura Detachment bombarded the 102nd PA Infantry Regiment and the 3rd PA Constabulary Regiment. AV is in the enemy's favor, so I'll be holding off from attacking. On the road to Cagayan, Japanese troops encountered light resistance and will attack tomorrow.

Mauban is occupied.

Borneo Area

Another attack at Kuching is repelled, but the Japanese suffer light losses and reduce forts to 0. An assault at Manado also drops the forts, and I only suffer 63 losses to 203 enemies.

At Singkawang, the Asiatic Fleet sprints from Sumatra to bombard, confirming my suspicions that the fleet was lurking near Palembang and convincing me to delay the invasion. The Heavy Cruiser Houston, Light Cruisers Boise, Marblehead, Durban, Dragon, Tromp, De Ruyter, and Java, alongside 4 destroyers of British and American make bombard, registering dozens of hits and damaging the base, but not as severely as they could've. About 90 men are made casualties, which is a mild annoyance. They report damaging 41 Nells, despite only 30 being present, and only 1 Nell is written off entirely. Bombers from Vietnam will be going on alert to strike out in retaliation, and a CA flotilla from Vietnam will follow behind.

Rabaul

Kido Butai continues to recon Rabaul and starts to steam eastwards to avoid submarines. A sub is sighted north of Rabaul, but shouldn't be a huge issue. KB is detected, but the invasion fleet (which is less than 48 hours away) remains unspotted.

A flight of Mavis aircraft is transferred to the Shortlands, where a seaplane base has been set up.

China

As I await the final group of units to arrive at Sinyang, I bombard the Chinese there to determine AV is 932:990 in their favor, but that will soon shift.

Reinforcements arrive at Loyang and a bombardment tomorrow will determine AV. At the same time, a large force of troops have reached Changsha, and will also bombard.

Malaya

Nothing major occurs, but a 6 plane flight of Bettys bomb Georgetown, reportedly destroying 4 HDMLs based there.

[Icechuck]

January 1st, 1942

Welcome to the new year. The Empire intends to start with a bang, and we do.

Submarines

The new year kicks off with I-9, off Brisbane, torpedoing the xAP Maori. Maori was hit once, and sinking sounds were heard in the replay.

Near Singapore, the xAKL Sinai is gunned by I-153.

At Pearl, I-173 is suppressed by an ASW patrol.

Philippines

There was no fighting in Luzon, as both sides were recovering from the headaches induced by New Year's celebrations, or something to that effect. In Mindanao, however, the Japanese attacked and destroyed a subcomponent of the 101st PA Battalion.

Borneo

A Japanese attack kicked off the New Year for the Indian Forces present at Kuching, but only a dozen or so men are lost on either side.

At Manado, the Japanese attack and suffer 36 losses to the enemy's 55, and the decision is made to go in again tomorrow.

At Ternate, Dutch air bombed the empty airfield to no effect.

Rabaul

Kido Butai does one final recon sweep of the surrounding waters. We're clear, and the order is given to proceed on course for landings tomorrow.

Gilbert Islands

An invasion sets off for Nauru Island and Ocean Island. Nauru will arrive first.

China

The army reaches Changsha, observes the sheer number of enemy arty, and decides to withdraw until more men can be freed up.

The enemy is bombarded at Loyang to reveal an AS of 1614 to their 2130, but more divisions are en route and the enemy is being encircled.

Bombardment at Sinyang reveals an AS of 1335 to the Chinese 989. An attack will be launched to see if we can reduce their supply state and free up this crucial rail-line.

Malaya

All quiet on the Western Front.

[Icechuck]

January 2nd, 1941

The overkill of Rabaul begins today, alongside some other nice wins for the Empire.

Submarines

SS I-19 sights the xAK Aeon off Townsville and strikes her with 3 torpedoes. Massive detonations below the waterline are reported, but I-19 wants to be sure. The skipper orders the ballast tanks be blown, emerges from the water, fires one shot from the deck gun and 3 volleys from the AA gun, raking the ship.

Elsewhere, the Captain aboard the SS Dolphin is awoken when the Watch Officer shouts a contact report over the bridge intercom. The Captain groggily climbs to the O-Scope and is horrified to see an armada of IJN warships, led by a Nagato Class Battleship approaching his patrol zone outside Rabaul. He tries to maneuver into a firing position against the capital ship, but instead takes a shot at the DD Nenohi as it detects him. He dives, knowing that his fish are doomed to miss and braces as he is hugging the shallow bottom of Rabaul's shoals. The boat shudders with near misses, until an electrical fire breaks out in the bridge, and a Type-95 DC bomb detonates alongside the hull, breaching it.

Aboard Akikaze, the hydrophone operator reports having lost contact with the Submarine, and reports it sunk despite no visual indicators.

Rabaul

Following the attack of Dolphin, the Rabaul invasion force arrives, shelling the base. 60 men from the Lark Battalion are reported casualties, and the army storms ashore. Minimal losses are taken and the Japanese prepare for an assault tomorrow after consolidating. The 33rd Division will make the Emperor proud tomorrow.

The Port Moresby invasion force departs Truk, and the Mutsu bombardment group starts to head for Truk to resupply. Kido Butai sails further towards Moresby to recon the base.

Nearby in the Gilbert Islands, 2 destroyers shell Nauru Island as men of the 52nd Naval Guard storm the atoll. A fierce charge takes place, and surprisingly no IJN men are lost, and the 111 men of the Wren Detachment surrender.

Philippines

Nothing of note today, just maneuver. Troops do come ashore at Appari.

Borneo

Extra, Extra, read all about it. Kuching finally falls.

Manado holds, but it is a pyrrhic victory at best. 12 Japanese men are lost, and 165 of the defenders are down. A third attack will break the base tomorrow.

Ryujo moves to scout Ambon and Kendari in preparation for SNLF assault.

Malaya

An armored advance force consisting of the 1st and 14th Tank Regiments, and the 5th Recon Regiment reach Malacca today. They conduct an assault, and ambush the FMSV Brigade and the 8th Indian Brigade as they're in ops mode to race for Singapore. No Japanese losses are taken, and 631 of the 2747 allied troops are lost. As a side question, what is an FMSV brigade historically? I can't find any info about them.

China

The attack at Sinyang is repelled, with a 2:1 loss ratio favoring the Chinese. 2,500 Japanese men are casualties, but we're in good supply and can replenish while the enemy cannot. Forts are at level 2.

At Paotow, the Chinese are repelled again.

[Platoonist]

As a side question, what is an FMSV brigade historically? I can't find any info about them.

FMSV stands for the Federated Malay States Volunteers. A British territorial unit made up of volunteers from the Malaysian states of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang. Sort of like a Guard unit, these were local civilians of mixed nationalities (European, Malay, Chinese, Indians) who had received their military training at night and on weekends.

[Icechuck]

January 3rd, 1942

Submarines

SS Plunger has a PB ASW TF vector onto it after being sighted by aircraft off Sendai. No shots are fired by either side as Plunger flees.

I-175 takes a shot at an escorted AK, the Castor, but misses and is suppressed by 3 destroyers off Hawaii.

Tambor is located by ASW forces off Nagasaki and is suppressed by depth charges before fleeing.

Akagi aircraft sighted O19 in the Solomon Sea and attacked it, but reports are not clear if the sub was hit.

Philippines

The noose continues to tighten on Manila as more and more Japanese troops move on the city. No action yet. Batangas is occupied after being abandoned.

Appari expands to a size 2 port to facilitate more supply loading and unloading.

Borneo

Manado falls after a long struggle.

5 Blenheims conduct a thunderstorm night raid against Singkawang, hitting nothing.

SNLF depart Badeldaob for Ambon and Kendari.

Solomon Theater

Rabaul falls to a shock attack. No Japanese losses are taken, and the enemy is soundly defeated.

KB recons Port Moresby, and reports 5,000-ish men present. Kido Butai will push south in the evening, do another recon flight, and then egress towards the open water to the east. Submarines are also moving to ensure nothing can enter Port Moresby in preparation for the attack. I anticipate the initial 1 division will be sufficient to take the base, with the 33rd working to occupy the smaller bases.

A relief force for Wake Island is being prepared, with a group of APDs, a CL, and 2 DDs to bombard the remaining Marines and resupply the SNLF survivors.

Convoys are loading to depart from Truk and supply Rabaul, and convoys are inbound to Truk from the Home Islands to bring more base forces, JNAAF forces, and AA units. The process of building up Rabaul begins now.

China

The 41st Division conducts a DA against the 48th, 51st, 69th, and 89th Chinese Corps on the road to Nanyang. The Corps in total consist of 6400 men, and they're soundly beaten with 12:1 odds. 139 men are casualties with no destroyed squads for the Japanese, while the enemy suffers 2244 losses, mostly in the form of destroyed squads (over 140 between combat and non-combat). Armor and armored cars are racing to join the 41st and put pressure on Nanyang and Sian, to hopefully prevent the Chinese from forming an organized line. It looks like Gorilla is mounting a very forward defense and may be vulnerable to being cut off and have insufficient depth to stop me.

Bombardment at Tsiaotso reveals that the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade is a peer to the 43rd and 61st Corps and the 8th Group Army HQ. AV is 208 to 180 in my favor, but I'm awaiting another unit prior to attacking.

[Icechuck]

January 4th, 1942

Submarines

O20 is sighted off Cam Ranh Bay and attacked by a PB. No hits.

Dolphin is sighted by Kido Butai's ASW screen in the Coral Sea, limping home. She manages to evade an attack.

Seal is sighted south of Formosa, and suppressed by ASW.

Philippines

Boac is occupied, troops continue to converge towards Manila.

Borneo

Blenheims continue night raids over Singkawang with little effect.

Solomon Theater

Another recon flight indicates 3,000 men at Moresby. The invasion order continues. No indication of enemy activity.

An AKE is on approach to Truk to support the Battleships based there.

China

More Japanese troops are reinforcing Loyang and Sinyang, in preparation for the assaults.



January 5th, 1942

Submarines

No sub-actions.

Philippines

The Allies continue to withdraw towards Manila.

Lubang is occupied.

Cotabato is also captured.

Borneo Area

Allied air attempts to disrupt the SNLF approach to Ambon and Kendari. 6 Hudsons and 3 39WH-3s attack Ternate and detect the invasion forces. 2 CVLs and 1 CVE are covering them.

Malaya

The hex nearest to Johore Bahru is overrun by Japanese armor, with the FMSV Brigade surrendering.

To the north, on the Temuloh rail line, the 22nd Indian Brigade is cutoff and attacked by the 42nd Infantry Regiment. The Japanese are repelled, but with 1:1 odds and another Regiment coming to reinforce, I expect the Indian troops to fail.

Miscellaneous

DMS W-20 is clearing mines near Hong Kong. Or, better, she was clearing mines until she became a perfect minesweeper by colliding with one.



January 6th, 1942

Submarines

Nothing again. A shameful display for both silent services.

Philippines

More of the same in the Philippines. Gorilla has decided to avoid combat wherever possible after early losses in Luzon.

Borneo Area

More bombs on Ternate, but this time 2 Zeroes intercept the enemy and they lose 1 Hudson and 1 139WH for their trouble.

Malaya

In Bangkok, a Nell squadron sights enemy ships approaching Moulmein. It sorties, but Buffaloes engage and I lose 5 aircraft for my trouble. Range will be restricted moving forward to prevent getting into Buffaloe range.

Solomon Area

Not directly related to the Solomon theater, but as we approach go-time an enemy carrier is sighted by Wake Island. The SNLF survivors who were awaiting relief are savaged by 37 Dauntless Dive Bombers, 15 Devastators, and a Wildcat escort. 200 casualties are reported, and the Wake Relief Mission is scrapped. Submarines are being vectored to try and catch the carrier.

China

The 41st Division, with lots of armor support, launches a DA against Chinese troops at Nanyang, expecting to find survivors from the earlier battles in poor condition. Instead, a huge array of understrength Chinese Corps appear to have rallied here, and cause heavy losses to the infantry (600) while only suffering 200. No armor is lost. The enemy had triple my AV, so I'm definitely alarmed. More troops are being dispatched to assist.



January 7th, 1942

Submarines

A Japanese submarine lays mines on the approach to Palembang.

Submarines get tantalizingly close to the enemy CV near Wake, but fail to enter the same hex.

Philippines

More maneuver, no combat.

Borneo Area

Catalinas attack the Ryujo's TF, with 3 Catalinas facing 5 Claudes. The Claudes shoot down 1 Catalina, and 1 attacks. It misses and is damaged. Later in the day, Hudsons attempt the same, losing 1 of their number for no hits. A final Hudson attack comes in mid-afternoon, and 1 more plane is lost for no hits.

SNLF forces land at Ambon, with minimal resistance from coastal gunfire.

Malaya

Allied air ineffectively sorties today against Japanese troops which have expanded outside LRCAP ranges. The 22nd Indian Brigade are bombarded today, and more Japanese troops arrive. AV is 243-83 in my favor, so an assault will go in tomorrow.

Port Moresby

2 Allied Ships are sighted in Moresby, so KB sorties with just the aircraft from Akagi. the xAK Beltana and Momba are struck and doomed, no troops are lost. In doing so, the Vals and Kates report 15,000 Allied Troops, which is a significant departure from estimates 48 hours ago. Tomorrow, all of KB's Vals and some Kates will sortie against the base and ground troops. The division at Rabaul is awaiting transport incase they need to reinforce Moresby, as I'm determined to succeed in this operation.

China

Japanese troops attack at Sinyang, trading negatively but reducing forts to level 2 and draining lots of enemy supply. Another division is en route, and the men will rest while bombing the daylight out of the Chinese.

Miscellaneous

Another minesweeper hits a mine in Hong Kong, but is able to disband safely in port. The mines are declared cleared.


January 8th, 1942

This is finally caught up with the game.

Submarines

Near Fiji, I-10 fires at AP Barnett. 2 torpedoes impact, with 1 dudding, and she is reportedly on fire with heavy damage. 4 vehicles are lost. I-10 attacks again later in the day, landing 2 more hits on Barnett.

Philippines

Nothing.

Borneo Area

The escorting carriers bomb Ambon, inflicting minor losses. In response, Hudsons sortie out and attack the SNLF, but are intercepted by Zeroes and 2 of the 3 sent out are shot down. Catalinas also try to disrupt my ships, as I ordered them to withdraw today, but 1 is lost to a Zero and the other misses. All appeared to be well, with Zero CAP being used heavily today and gradually fatiguing, but scoring kills. That ended when at the end of the air phase, only 1 Zero remained on LRCAP and 12 Swordfish attacked the convoy. the xAKL Nanko Maru is sunk, and the DD Murasame is torpedoed once. 1 Swordfish is lit up by a Zero but escapes. Later in the day, with no CAP remaining, 8 Swordfish attack and land 3 bombs on the CL Natori, causing engine damage but leaving her alive for the time being. 1 Swordfish is lost to flak.

I believe this to be HMS Hermes, and the 3 lighter carriers will close the range and try to attack tomorrow.

On Ambon itself, the SNLF suffered 114 casualties, all being disabled rather than destroyed, and only inflicted 26 on the Allies, but they destroyed a squad. They'll attack again given our superior AV, and try to attrit the enemy. If Hermes is sunk or forced away, the Kendari force will reroute to reinforce the Ambon force.

On Borneo proper, 2 base force units resist elements of the 124th Infantry Battalion but lose their forts. Tomorrow will seal their fate hopefully.

Malaya

The now properly range limited Nells attack today, sighting a convoy approaching Rangoon or Moulmein. 13 Nells with bombs and 11 Oscars descend on a 4-ship convoy of xAPs, and the Talma is hit once causing 182 losses. Another attack will go in tomorrow if possible.

Johore Bahru is taken today by 2 Japanese tank regimens, with the 11th RAF Base Force withdrawing to Singapore. They leave behind 329 losses to no Japanese losses. To the north, the Indian Brigade repels another attack, but suffers double my losses with 201 to my 81. Another attack should break them more.

Moresby

The Kido Butai struck today. In the mountains north of Moresby a small force of Vals bomb the A Coy/NG Rifles and inflict 20 losses. At the base itself, unexpected bad weather limits our striking potential and no hits are registered. The enemy is reportedly the 49th Australian Battalion, 278th Australian Brigade, and 15th RAAF Base Force. The enemy reportedly has 18,000 men according to latest estimates. I believe the attack should resume given my ability to maintain air superiority and deploy a second division. The landing force is one hex away so I must decide today.

China

No attacks today, but an assault is planned for Sinyang. 2 Mixed Brigades are marching to Nanyang from Chengcha.




As an aside, thanks to everyone, but especially Ranger Joe for the input thus far. I hope you guys are enjoying this rather scuffed Japanese playthrough, and despite the total lack of optimization going on here, I'm really falling in love with this game. I'm very glad I decided to PBEM my first grand campaign, and going in blind to this has been exhilarating. I'll be sending the turn later today so any tactical advice would be appreciated given the complex situation.

[RangerJoe]

You are welcome!

I suggest that you try to take China even though it is hard. With tanks and paratroopers coming in from the South, you can cut off the Changsha from a direct connection to Chungking. If you minimize destroying Chinese units until Chungking and Chengtu (the other replacement city where unit will appear) are captured, you can make it easier on yourself. There is a way to knock the forts down at Chungking without taking too much damage. (PM me for details!)

Once you hold China and have bought out wrecked units from China cheaply, you can make SEAC, the DEI, and the Central Pacific harder for the enemy to make progress until the Allied have carrier superiority. Of course, you could consider wrecking the USSR . . .

[Icechuck]

January 9th, 1942

The landings at Port Moresby have begun, and the die is cast for control of the Torres Strait.

Submarines

SS Trout is sighted north of Tsushima, and suppressed by the DD Fuyo.

Japanese submarines position to block the Torres Strait approach and major Australian harbors.

Philippines

More quiet.

Borneo Area

Allied air continues to harass Singkawang from Singapore at night, with minimal effect.

At Ambon, 4 Kates from Zuiho attack, and are escorted by 10 Zeroes. 2 Buffaloes sortie, and one is lost.

Japanese troops seize Beaufort on Northern Borneo. Ambon repels a probing attack from the SNLF.

My CV force here did approach Hermes' last known position, but she is nowhere to be found.

Malaya

To the north at Temuloh, Indian survivors are pinned by Japanese detachments but hold. Near Kuantan, the 22nd Indian Brigade is beaten and the 300 survivors limp to Kuantan.

Even further north, at Tavoy, the 55th Cavalry Regiment nearly takes the base, but despite 2:1 odds in my favor, the Allies hold.

Heavy artillery units are being railed to the staging areas north of Singapore, and are preparing to cross in the coming days.

Moresby

The ASW screen, and then the invasion force encounter small minefields, clearing dozens and suffering only 1 hit. The DD Hayate ran afoul of a mine. She is badly hurt, but can still make 13 knots and is steaming for Rabaul. Following this, bombardment begins and the 4th Division comes ashore. As this is ongoing, 77 Vals descend on the base, inflicting losses and taking none of their own.

They encounter the 53rd Australian Battalion, B Coy of the New Guinea Rifles, the 39th Battalion, the PM Brigade, 22nd Brigade, 49th Battalion, 27th Brigade, and the 15th RAAF Base Force. The AV is in my favor, but only by 50. I will bring the 33rd Division from Rabaul to reinforce, and then overwhelm the enemy.

China

A Japanese DA is repelled at Sinyang, but we continue to trade well with enemy losses, and are able to maintain supply. I am content to continue to wear the enemy down in order to free up this rail-line. No other new encounters take place, and instead more daily bombardments resume.

[Icechuck]

It lives!

I apologize for not updating this AAR, to any who may have been following. I have been exceedingly busy in the real world (got my degree, moved, started a new job, and got engaged jeez), and the game had to go on a long hiatus. Over the next few days, I'll be updating to the current game date of January 28th, 1942. The game has resumed again with my same opponent, and we're once again moving quickly so hopefully I can keep the tempo going.

As a quick sitrep to the current date - The siege of Singapore is ongoing after British attempts to cut the rail leading to the city. The Sinyang battle, alongside offensives in Northern China have concluded. Port Moresby now flies the flag of the Empire, and large-scale preparations are being made to seize Mersing with reinforcements for Singapore and move on to Palembang before mid-February. I'll read over my old notes to make good posts, and then expect an update tomorrow.

Thanks for all the patience.

[MBF]

Congrats on the degree and engagement !

[RangerJoe]

Congratulations!

Have fun and enjoy life while you still can.

These are in jest:

One thing about when men marry. The wedding should take place on his birthday. After all, it is the day that he was born so it might as well be the day that he dies.

Also, my sympathy in regards to your impeding loss of your bachelorhood.

[Icechuck]

January 10th, 1942

Submarines

S-37 is attacked by DDs escorting an engineering unit to Singkawang, with no hits on either side.

RO-67 torpedoes the xAKL Bidelia, striking her twice and then gunning her 10 times. She is presumably sunk. This is off the eastern coast of Australia.

Philippines

The Siege of Manila continues as more IJA units arrive.

Borneo Area

Night raids continue, but still no impact. In the morning, air attacks the TF unloading at Singkawang, but Zeroes rise to the occasion and shoot down 5 enemy aircraft with no losses or hits.

10 Kates attack the xAP Koolinda and Koolama, landing bombs on both.

The DD Van Ghent is attacked by 8 Kates, but no hits are scored. The ship is dead in the water, however.

Solomon Theater

A bombardment at Port Moresby reveals an AV of 453-396 in favor of the Attackers. A second division is en route from Rabaul. Recon puts the enemy numbers at 12446 with 103 guns and 11 vehicles.

Malaya

Temuloh falls to a Japanese attack, with 57 losses on my side to 971 on the Allies.

Tavoy falls to Japanese cavalry, no losses are taken.

Moulmein is bombarded, with no losses on either side.

Oscars and Zeroes sweep Singapore and shoot down a handful of Buffaloes. 1 Oscar is lost to 7 enemy aircraft.

China

Sinyang is attacked, although the Chinese take heavy losses they hold.

Loyang and Tsiaotso are both shelled.