Tristanjohn vs ChezDaJez: Lemur's Scen 15

[ChezDaJez]

4. SRA
Palembang and Teloekbetoeng have been captured on Sumatra. Batavia, Merak and Kragen have fallen as my forces continue to tighten their grip on Java. Kendari has also fallen, following the strategy of grabbing every level 3 port and level 4 airfield in the area. B-17Ds operating from Darwin have begun to show themselves in the skies over Kendari but initial reports indicate there is only 1 squadron there. As I get closer to Australia, I feel they will become substantial threat to any base within range.

[ChezDaJez]

After Action Report for Period 1 March 1942 through 7 March 1942

3/1/42
- A Japanese Bombardment force encountered 3 US PT boats at Baker Island. In a sharp fight, PT61 was sunk and with the other escaping damage. However, DD Uzuki was struck by 2 torpedoes and sank. 2 IJN BBs and 2 CAs subsequently bombarded the island inflicting 1875 casualties to the defenders. A second bombardment netted an additional 99 casualties.
- 3 IJN BBs bombarded Andaman Island near Rangoon destroying 1 Swordfish and 2 Catalinas. 101 defenders were killed.
- IJA air forces continued their bombing of Batavia, Soerabaja and Madieoen. 1 T.IVa was destroyed.
- IJN naval forces returned during daylight to bombard Baker Island once more. 2 PT boats attempted to engage but both were quickly sunk. A further 107 casualties to the defenders were reported. Unfortunately, DD Hato struck a mine and was severely damaged.
- IJA forces assault the beach at Baker Island and were engaged by over 10k defenders there. The much smaller IJA forces were roughed up sustaining 640 casualties while inflicting 200.
- IJA forces in Chunking attempted to break the deadlock by conducting a shock attack however, it was easily defeated by Chinese forces. 7400 IJA troops were killed. Only 178 Chinese troops were killed.
- A strong IJA army near Canton forced the retreat of several corps of Chinese troops that had cut the road to Nanning. Supplies are flowing once again to Nanning.
- At Iliolo, an IJA attack reduced fortifications from level 3 to level 2. Casualties were low.

3/2/42
- Japanese battleships again bombarded Baker Island in support of my landings there. 7 PBYs were destroyed and over 1100 casualties inflicted.
- Japaneses air attacks continue throughout Java. 2 Brewsters were destroyed on the ground for the loss of 4 bombers.
- A British air strike against Rangoon was badly battered by 21 Oscars. 6 Blenheim IVs and 4 Hudsons were shot while losing none of our own.
- A Japanese air strike inflicted 63 casualties on the 18th UK ID in Rangoon.
- Fierce fighting continues at Iliolo as Japanese forces reduced the fortifications to nothing. Casualties were low.
- 2200 IJA shock troops attempted to displace the 8100+ defenders of Baker Island. Resistance is much higher than intelligence had anticipated. High level consideration is being given to quickly withdrawing the troops.
- IJA ground forces bombarded the surrounded British troops in position 24,46. No casualties were reported.

3/3/42
- IJN ASW forces attacked the SS KXIV in position 34,64 but no hits were obtained.
- A second IJN ASW TF conducted three attacks in position 65,78 against the SS Grampus which escaped unharmed. A counterattack by the Grampus was equally frutiless.
- Strong IJA forces, led by the Imperial Guards Division, invaded Batavia on the island of Java. Over 3000 casualties were sustained during landing but comprise less than 5% of the force landed. PC19, MSW Toshi Maru and APs Tofuku Maru and Kozui Maru were damaged by shore batteries but none seriously.
- An Allied ASW TF engaged the I-169 without result in position 111,78.
- IJA air attacks continue throughout Java. 1 T.IVa and 1 CW-21B were destroyed.
- 5 Zeros intercepted a Chinese bombing formation enroute Chunking and downed 9 Chinese bombers. The bombers turned back before reaching their target.
- 29 Oscars downed 3 of 9 Blenheim IVs attempting to bomb Rangoon.
- A second air attack against Rangoon saw the Oscars engage 13 Blenhein IVs and 5 Hudsons. A total of 14 bombers were downed.
- Ground combat continues at Iliolo. Stiffer than expected resistance is blamed for the delay.

3/4/42
- Troops continue to unload in Batavia. MSW Toshi Maru received 2 additional hits from shore batteries and is retiring.
- A IJN CA bombardment force bombarded Kragen in Java as IJA troops began landing there. Moderate damage was inflicted however it appears that the base is deserted. The Imperial flag is being raised as we speak.
- Air strikes carry on against airfields in Java. 3 T.IVa were destroyed.6 IJA bombers were destroyed.
- British air forces returned to Rangoon and were once again intercepted by a large force of Oscars. 4 bombers were shot down and no friendly fighters were lost.
- Iliolo continues to hold out but intelligence says that it should fall any day.
- 33k troops bombarded Batavia, softening up the defense before launching a major attack.
- At Baker Island, Japanese troops re-embarked on their transports and are returning to base. Survivors indicate that the island was much more heavily defended than they were led to believe and have no wish to return.
- In Chunking, IJA troops have begun the evacuation of that city. Chinese attacks however, have slowed the process, as only 3 units have been able to leave to date. Retreating troops have taken to calling the city, “Tojo’s Stalingrad.” Casualties are heavy.
- In Changsha, troops are putting together a force sufficient enough to reopen the road to Chunking in order to affect supplies and keep a pathway open for them during the retreat.
- 2 additional IJA divisions are being rushed from Manila to counter Chinese aggression near Canton.

3/5/42
- Kragen falls as troops continue to unload. Dutch forces had evidently evacuated the area prior to our arrival.
- A fierce clash south of Wuchow forced the retreat of 4 Chinese Corps as an IJA army continues to move NW of Canton.
- Troops are still streaming ashore at Batavia. Once all troops are ashore, they will storm the city.
- IJN ASW forces in position 65,80 attacked the SS Tautog, which escaped.
- Air attacks continue to rain down at virtually every enemy airfield in Java. 1 T.IVa and 3 CW-21Bs were destroyed on the ground.
- Iliolo remains in US hands as fighting increases in intensity there.
- Dutch survivors from Palembang were forced to retreat once again as IJA forces press the attack in position 20,54.

3/6/42
- Japanese troops were diverted from their planned attack and have landed at Iliolo to bolster the attack there. Intense fighting was reported but the city is now in Japanese hands.
- Kendari was revisited by Japanese battleships. Minor damage to the base was reported.
- 11 US B-17s operating from Darwin struck at the bombarding forces, striking the CL Nagara with a bomb. 5 B-17s were observed trailing smoke.
- IJA Bettys struck at the island of Andaman again. British CAP, reinforced by recently arrived Hurricanes shot down 4 fighters and 9 Bettys while 2 Hurricanes went down and 2 Swordfish were destroyed on the ground.
- Java air strikes destroyed another T.IVa and 3 CW-21Bs on the ground as airfields were once again bombed there.
- 71 Japanese bombers with strong escort returned to the skies over Rangoon. 8 IJA bombers were destroyed by flak but defending troops were severely shaken by the bombing.
- 7 Blenheim IVs were shot down during a British air strike against Rangoon.
- Chinese bombers have been active over China, however IJA CAP accounted for 4 of them.
- The IJA relief force engaged Chinese units NW of Changsha, forcing their retreat. They are continuing to march NW in order to reopen the road to Chunking.
- In Chunking, strong Chinese forces pushed the remaining IJA defenders from the outskirts of that city. The IJA is now retreating in good order. This is the first actual defeat in battle of IJA forces.
- Japanese troops continue to retreat towards Changsha from Chunking. Even though these units have been severely battered, hope is now high that they will be able to return to Changsha without further damage.
- Batavia falls! Triumphant IJA forces marched into the city after a sharp attack dislodged the defenders. 12 Brewsters were destroyed on the ground. Dutch casualties are estimated to exceed 1600. IJA losses numbered less than 450.

3/7/42
- AP Daitai Maru finally sank after having been previously damaged by coastal defense forces.
- Chinese forces have entered Indochna near Hanoi. Several Vietnamese regiments have been activated to defend their country from the aggressors.
- Kendari was once again bombarded as Japanese troops pour ashore. The base is deserted.
- Japanese LBA struck at Andaman Island once again. 91 bombers escorted by 59 fighters were engaged by a CAP of 29 Hurricanes. 15 fighters and 13 bombers failed to return. 5 Hurricanes were shot down and 4 Swordfish destroyed on the ground.
- 2 additional T.IVAs were destroyed by Japanese bombers in Java.
- 21 Oscars intercepted a British airstrike against Rangoon. 5 Blenheim IVs were downed without loss.
- B-17s struck our naval forces near Kendari. 5 B-17s were shot down by flak. No ships were hit.

Chez

[Tristanjohn]

In reply to you, Mogami, to date the Allied strategy has been one of conservative buildup in the central and south Pacific areas, combined with a strong reinforcement of Australia. We've committed modest resources to PM and Milne Bay on New Guinea, and pretty much pulled back in most areas of the Dutch East Indies.

In Malaya, Rangoon has been materially reinforced. How long it might hold out is still to tell, but it has plenty of supplies and a good fort level. In China, the object of the defense has been to allow the Japanese to push forward as far as they cared to; Chungking, however, was a line drawn in the sand, and the Japanese have paid thus far for extending themselves so far into the interior.

In the main, we the Allies have made it policy to keep the possessions we've made commitments to. This has been seen at both Rangoon and Chungking as well as Baker Island, where again the Japanese found they had just not brought enough to the party. It is our hope that by the summer of 1942 we will be strong enough to push off from our consolidated positions, modest as they might appear to be, and begin to make some real progress toward our ultimate goal, which is the total submission of the Japanese Empire. Whether we can move so quickly or not is still to be seen, but we have complete confidence that that day is coming.

[Tristanjohn]

For the past few days the Japanese have busied themselves with a buildup of their positions around Rangoon, sealifting in what appears to be another full division of troops. Yesterday they launched a full assault on the capital of Burma.

[Tristanjohn]

Here's another look at the same battle, with casualties mounting on both sides. Notice how the first Japanese in "line" (or series, if you will) takes the biggest hit. Always the case, hardly realistic. [&:]

Whatever . . .

[Tristanjohn]

Final result of the attack on Rangoon:

[mogami]

Hi, How can you tell that the first unit is taking the biggest hit?

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, How can you tell that the first unit is taking the biggest hit?

This is fact. In our battle over Yenen, my guys prepped for Yenen were at the back of the line so to speak and were always in tip top shape. The units farthest to the left on the unit menu always get hit hardest. The game hits the units with the highest or lowest unit ID number, not sure which, pretty sure they have lower ID number.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Tristanjohn

Here's another look at the same battle, with casualties mounting on both sides. Notice how the first Japanese in "line" (or series, if you will) takes the biggest hit. Always the case, hardly realistic. [&:]

Whatever . . .

I have seen exactly the same thing.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, You guys are making good progress. I can't tell what date it is in the game can you post dates? Seems like you just started but if the Japanese are landing on Java and have reached Chunking you must be further along then I am. (Or I am the slowest Japanese player on record)

They are cruising at about the same pace as us...roughly one month of game time per week. Insane but hey, WTF?[:D]

[mogami]

Hi, Well I could not tell from the picture he posted because the first Japanese unit is much smaller then the rest so it could not be taking all the loss. (The reported Japanese loss is more then that Regt contains)
I think unit experiance/morale and leadership decides where the loss goes. (The least experianced worst lead unit gets more then the most exerianced best lead unit)
And of course if the unit begins a long battle in the rear of attacks it will over time evolve into one of the better units present lowering loss in future battles.

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, How can you tell that the first unit is taking the biggest hit?

I can't be sure, but it suffers the biggest hit visually on the list, and my first units (in line) always suffer the greatest hits re fatigue and disrution and actual casualties, so I figure it's the same for the other guy. How much exactly they suffer is, of course, something unknown.

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, Well I could not tell from the picture he posted because the first Japanese unit is much smaller then the rest so it could not be taking all the loss. (The reported Japanese loss is more then that Regt contains)
I think unit experiance/morale and leadership decides where the loss goes. (The least experianced worst lead unit gets more then the most exerianced best lead unit)
And of course if the unit begins a long battle in the rear of attacks it will over time evolve into one of the better units present lowering loss in future battles.

Maybe so, but here's another example. Ron's combat engineer regiment is at the back of the queue and has not shown any losses thus far that I can discern. In reality it ought to be taking huge hits because it's always reducing my forts.

Just another hole.

By the way, we're at 13 March 1942 as of the last turn I recycled to Ron a few minutes ago.

[Tristanjohn]

13 March 1942

The Japanese continue to pound Rangoon with everything they have and it is considered doubtful this port can hold out much longer. Its fortifications have been reduced to a mass of rubble and the troops inside the city, though fighting bravely, face terribly long odds.

Meanwhile, the British continue to reinforce the Andaman Islands, hoping to turn them into a breakwater against the tide of Japanese ambitions for Burma, India and beyond.

[Ron Saueracker]

I'm just waiting for Mogami to send his Malaya vets into Burma! I've had it way too easy there.

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

I'm just waiting for Mogami to send his Malaya vets into Burma! I've had it way too easy there.

I'll be curious to see what the Japanese can do there. Supply problems ought to slow their progress to a snail's pace, but from what I've read maybe that's not the case.

[ChezDaJez]

The only problem I'm having with supply is getting it to where its needed in a timely manner. I have more supply now than I did when the war started. It's just a little more "scattered". In fact, I have at least 20K at every production center except one and that's in China. The only reason its low is because some idiot moved troops out of the city and the partisans did a number on the supply and industry there.

After the disaster at Chunking along with the heavy losses at Rangoon, re-arming will be the big problem for these divisions. I have one division that has a remaining AV of 19 out of the 470 it had when it went into Chunking. I'm having to ramp up armament and vehicle production. Obviously, that's going to take some time and will cost lots of supply but I have tons of HI in the bank, even after increasing fighter production. At least 6 divisions in China are at less than 1/2 strength not too mention many smaller units also hurting.

Thankfully the troops in Rangoon aren't hurt too bad material wise. Lots of fatigue and disruption so it will be awhile before they are rested and ready to go again.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

After Action Report for Period 3/8/1942 through 3/11/1942

3/8/1942
- Japanese airstrikes continue to hammer airfields throughout Java. Several T.IVa's have been destroyed. As of yet, no Allied fighters have appeared in the skies over Java. I have complete air superiority there. Intel indicates that the flyable aircraft have probably been withdrawn to safer areas.
- The British struck at IJA forces in Rangoon once again. 19 Oscars engaged a small bombing force of 19 planes and shot down 4 Blenheim IVs and 2 Hudsons without loss.
- Japanese bombers struck back at Rangoon inflicting numerous casualties on the 18th UK Division. 2 bombers out of a force of 74 were lost.
- 6 B-17s from Darwin attacked my transport TF offloading at Kendari. The AP Meiten Maru was heavily damaged by a bomb but thankfully she had very few troops remaining onboard.
- The IJA conducted numerous land bombardments throughout China most notably in the area NW of Changsha as remanants of the IJA divisions stream back to Changsha from Chunking. Other bombardments NW of Canton and near Hanoi disrupted Chinese land unit movement as they appear to be gathering for an attack. Chinese forces have entered the city of Kaifeng but strong IJA forces are preparing to throw them out.
- Kendari falls to the IJA. The base was not defended.

3/9/1942
- A Japanese invasion force has landed at the undefended base at Lunga. APD Sawakaze and Nokaze struck mines entering the port. Sawakaze is severely damaged.
- IJN ASW forces launched a concentrated attack against the SS Tuna in posit 64,80 however no hits were observed.
- Addtional troops, a full division, has begun offloading at Rangoon as the Japanese forces prepare to resume their assault there. 1 DE, the PB-46, received minor damage from coastal defenses.
- Air attacks rsume throughout China, in addition to land bombardments.
- In Java, 26K IJA troops defeated 7k Dutch troops, forcing another humiliating defeat on them. They are retreating very quickly towards Beodang.
- IJA forces launched a shock attack against the intruders at Kaifeng, forcing the Chinese to hastily retreat with heavy losses.

3/10/1942
- Fresh troops continue unloading at Rangoon however PCs Shinan Maru #6 and #7 each received minor damage from shore installations. Both sides traded land bombardments here without substantial effect.
- IJN ASW forces again attacked the SS Tuna without result in postion 64,90.
- The I-123 sighted and torpedoed the AK Deslock in postion 41,125 starting fires. When last seen, the ship was listing heavily.
- Air attacks throughout China continue as Chinese forces prepare for an offensive near Nanning. The retreat from Chunking is going smoothly so far. Strong IJA forces are attacking Chinese forces NW of Changsha in an attempt to reopen the road from Chunking. 68K IJA struck 50K defenders in position 45,35. The battle still rages. IJA forces launched an attack against a small Chinese unit in position 43,40 just SE of Wuchow, forcing their retreat. Nearly have the Chinses force of 900 men were killed for no loss of our own. Near hanoi, IJA forces, inconjunction with Vietnamese units struck hard at Chinese forces gathering east of that city. The enemy was last seen running for their lives.

3/11/1942
- APD Sawakaze finally sank 180 miles NW of Lunga from damage sustained from a mine 2 days earlier.
- B-17s caught the RO-60 operating on the surface near Noumea and hit her with a bomb.
- Air and land bombardments continue throughout China.
- IJA forces struck hard at the defenders in Rangoon, reducing fortifications to level 2 from 4. 82K IJA troops fought a pitched battle with the 38K defenders. 3300 IJA and nearly 1700 UK casualties were sustained. Odds were 2:1.
- Japanese troops planted the flag at Lunga. It was undefended.

China is heating up as Chinese forces are on the move and Rangoon continues to hold out. Both of these events are causing headaches within the Japanese GHQ staff. Java is going as planned as IJA troops steam roll the defenses there. The Allies have placed a strong fighter force at Andaman Island off the coast of Burma. Troop numbes are uncertain but it appears that the British are planning on turning it into an unsinkable aircraft carrier.

Chez

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

The only problem I'm having with supply is getting it to where its needed in a timely manner. I have more supply now than I did when the war started. It's just a little more "scattered". In fact, I have at least 20K at every production center except one and that's in China. The only reason its low is because some idiot moved troops out of the city and the partisans did a number on the supply and industry there.

Yes, keep everything garrisoned in China!

After the disaster at Chunking along with the heavy losses at Rangoon, re-arming will be the big problem for these divisions. I have one division that has a remaining AV of 19 out of the 470 it had when it went into Chunking.

[:D]

I'm having to ramp up armament and vehicle production. Obviously, that's going to take some time and will cost lots of supply but I have tons of HI in the bank, even after increasing fighter production. At least 6 divisions in China are at less than 1/2 strength not too mention many smaller units also hurting.

It's gonna get worse in China if you don't move faster. (I know you're moving as fast as the program allows. Just teasing you. [;)])

Thankfully the troops in Rangoon aren't hurt too bad material wise. Lots of fatigue and disruption so it will be awhile before they are rested and ready to go again.

Chez

Well, your assault on Rangoon has been slower than I thought it would be but terribly destructive to Allied hopes there even so. I still want to see how you move meaningful supply over those Burmese roads, though. If you can turn that trick I'll be mightily impressed.

[Tristanjohn]

15 March 1942

In China, the Japanese continue their embarrassing retreat from Chungking, and it is still unclear what the final consequences of this will be. Supply routes to the beleaguered Imperial forces have been severed as more and more Chinese forces move down into the area, and a giant pocket of isolation is beginning shape itself.

The key fighting is taking place around the critical road junction in hex 45,35 some 100 miles northwest of Changsha, which Chinese forces have had blockaded for the past two and a half weeks. Subsidiary forces of the Chinese army have managed to sever the rail and road links around the greater area of Changsha, running as far back as Nanchang and Hsinyang, in their effort to exterminate the Japanese forces trapped in this pocket.