KDonovan vs Miller41 Scenario 13-Nik Mod 5.0 (Allies)

[KDonovan]

maybe i've got a little too much Stalin in me...but i probably would have left the 30th Brigade to defend Morosby and make the Japanese work as hard as possible (and shed as many combat squads in the process) for PM. From my own experiences vs. jungle type hexes, a small but entrenched defensive force can hold out for quite a long time. Never forget my first assault on Rabaul....only two weak battalions there held up 5 SNLF type units for over a month before i finally took the base.

There was definitely some internal debate with myself as to whether i should hunker down with everything, prolonging the inevitible, OR steal away a LCU for use later and shorten the inevitible.

I'm not a big fan of evac'ing a small portion of a unit by sub so it can rebuild later, so that option was off the table. It was either the whole unit...or none at all. .

Anyways, both strategies had their strengths and weakness's, but in the end i decided to withdrawl the 30th Aus Bde, and here's why.....
- 1st was the supply situation. It was very low. It was currently around 1000 points last turn. I was starting to build some supply with my air mission, but Miller's bombardment TF's and 200 plane attacks were soaking up a lot more supply than i could've flown in.
- 2nd was the fort level, with the 30th Bde still in theatre i was only at level 3...very sad in my opinion, with no chance to build it up.
- 3rd were the numbers, the japanese had 30,000 troops in the battle and i had about 20,000 troops. Not a bad defence ratio, but with my troops so low on supply, their effectiveness seemed to be cut in 1/2.....
So with these 3 factors in play, i figured it was next to impossible to hold out longer than 2 weeks if i kept the 30th Aus Bde in PM. Not enough time to seriously give Miller any headaches. I figure having that extra Bde around will help my offensive's later, than losing it in PM to prolong 2 more weeks of battle.

Then again i could be wrong, cause that Rabaul defence early on always seems to give the japanese trouble...and they are usually at a 5:1 disadvantage in terms of troops, and with very little supply on hand. But then again, Japan usually doesn't send around 4-5 BB bombardment TF's to suppress the troops, as i believe those BB's were to deciding factor in this fight

Thanks for the comments though Nik...but i do have 1 question for you concerning your mod...i was looking at the production for the Allies and i notice that i'm producing Hurricanes IIc's. I was just wondering what upgrade path leads to them???

[Nikademus]

do have 1 question for you concerning your mod...i was looking at the production for the Allies and i notice that i'm producing Hurricanes IIc's. I was just wondering what upgrade path leads to them???

If your UK fighter squadrons are not showing a path to the IIc, you'll need to upgrade your mod to the latest sub-version from Spooky's site. I'd forgotten that you need at least one airgroup to be assigned the plane either as a reinforcement or on map otherwise PDU's won't acknowledge it. I probably should have renumbered the updated/corrected version but the small changes/corrections didn't seem to warrent a new official version (unoffically you can call the latest version 5.02)

[KDonovan]

quote:


do have 1 question for you concerning your mod...i was looking at the production for the Allies and i notice that i'm producing Hurricanes IIc's. I was just wondering what upgrade path leads to them???


If your UK fighter squadrons are not showing a path to the IIc, you'll need to upgrade your mod to the latest sub-version from Spooky's site. I'd forgotten that you need at least one airgroup to be assigned the plane either as a reinforcement or on map otherwise PDU's won't acknowledge it. I probably should have renumbered the updated/corrected version but the small changes/corrections didn't seem to warrent a new official version (unoffically you can call the latest version 5.02)

Is it possible to upgrade to 5.02 whilst in a PBEM??

[KDonovan]

Here are the results of the Battle of Port Moresby (May 20th --> June 18th)

- The battle raged for 29 days

- Japanese Planes Lost - 30 (mostly to A2A)
- Allies Planes Lost - 150 (40 lost due to bombardment's...the rest A2A)

Japanese Ships sunk/damaged
- BB Nagato - moderate to heavy damaged
- CS Chiyoda - moderate damage
- 2 DD - sunk
- 2 MSW - sunk
- 1 PG - sunk
- 1 PG - heavy damage
- 2 AP - sunk
- 2 AK - sunk
- 2 AK - heavy damage

Allies Ships Sunk
- 2 S-boats - sunk
- 1 PT - sunk

Port Morseby
- Base loss
- 10,000 troops lost
- 5,000 saved

Thoughts - very pleased with the work of my S-boats and mines as they accounted for all the sinkings. However, my airforce was thrashed. Discounting the bombardment losses, my plane losses were 4:1 in favor of the enemy. All my pilots were of poor experience, so this explains the loss rate (exp levels were in the upper 50's, lower 60's). Needless to say i would call the outcome a victory (neither major or minor) for the Japanese, as they were able to accomplish their goals without that much loss. The BB Nagato will be missed for a few months, but with the Yamato just coming on line the slack will be easily taken up.

The only thing that prevented this from being a major victory was the lack to US ship's being sunk by the the Japanese, as i was careful not to bring them into action with such a concentrated Japanese naval presence in the area. In all i believe Miller brought to bear ALL is major navel assests to the threatre leaving nothing to chance.

on to the next battle!!!!

[Nikademus]

I'm afraid not. [:(]

[KDonovan]

June 20th - my Night Fighter's out of Kohima struck again, this time they destroyed an Oscar on the ground.....woohoo!. In the same theatre i've been doing daily raids on Akyab with my bombers. Strategically its of unimportance to me, but i just need some place to train my pilots without taking any losses. In China miller has continued his training attacks on my units...however, my AVG is currently in Chungking resting up...ready for the next trap. Speaking of "traps", i had planned a strike on Canton airfield with my chinese AF, out of Wuchow, about 1 week ago. They still haven't flow and i just attributed it to bad weather. Upon closer expection i realized Wuchow is only a level 1 airfield, therefore my SB-2s couldn't fly from there. Bone head mistake on my part. So i've moved them to that level 3 airfield a little north of Wuchow (think its Kweilin). After i regroup there, i'll attempt that raid on Canton. There was some good new out of China today though, as my 60,000 troops outside Nanning, attack the Japanese brigade there, driving it back 60 miles to Nanning. The assault on the city itself will begin once i bring up additional forces.

June 21st - nothing of note, except more training missions over Burma and China

Plan - I've decided to send a B17 strike on the newly japanese captured base of Port Moresby as a little house warming gift. Unfortunately, i should've done this last turn, as now Miller has moved fighters to the base. Therefore i'm relying on the bomber's armor to get them through.

Elsewhere i've decided to attempt another Bombardment mission on Tarawa with my CA TF out of Canton. It will be a few days before the force arrives.

Regarding my 10,000 stranded troops in New Guinea, i've decided to leave them there as its impossible for any type of rescue mission

Thats about it for now, as i mull over what Miller's next move will be. I'll post something later on possible area's of his advance.

[KDonovan]

I believe Miller as 1 or 2 major operations left in him. He still has all 12 of those divisions to play with, as he didn't use any of them to take Port Moresby. His KB is intact. He still has plenty of experience pilots. So here's a map of possible area's he may go...



1) India - while i think its next to impossible for him to conquer all of India at this point in the game, hey may make a move for a limited invasion to control a few key base's. Ceylon would be the most probable area for a limited invasion, as he can control the sea lanes from there with his betty's, making it difficult to retake. A limited invasion of the Calcutta/Dacca area seems less likely with so many level 4 airfields in the area to pound his invasion force. The overland burma route looks impossible for him with nik's mod.

2) Perth - now here is an interesting move for Miller. Currently there's only 1 Bde there for defense, so it can be easily taken. Not much air assets in theatre, so the KB wouldn't be needed. If taken, the base is self-sufficent in supply..so little support would be needed. However, a limited invasion would be crushed later as i can move massive amounts of troops overland to retake the place. Miller would have to show that he can threaten the east coast of Australia, preventing me from moving the much needed Div's from the east coast to retake Perth

3) NW-Australia - here's an area with high probability of attack. Miller started the game with most of his Div's in the SRA area. so they would be primed for attack. Darwin would give him trouble as there is a Div and a Bde there..but the other base's are a walk over. Once taken, the supply lines are short, so the base's can be easily sustained.

4) NE-Australia - not a good area of Miller, with so many good airbase's in the area. Charter Towers would prove the most headache, as it can't be bombarded, allowing free range over his invasion fleet.

5) Noumea/Espirato - looks promising on paper to Miller. He can neutralize reinforcements with the KB. The base is susceptible to BB's. Huge PP score. Once taken, the Australian lifeline is cutoff. However with 2 Div's and a Tank Btn on Noumea and 2 Bde's at Espirato. It would take one hell of a commitment. It still can be accomplished though, if well planned.

6) Canton Is - here's another area where the island can be taken..but maximum effort would be needed with 2 USMC div's on the island. However, unlike Noumea, it doesn't sit astride the Australian lifeline as well, therefore strategically Noumea is a better target if he's gonna make a huge push

7) Midway - here's a high probability area of attack. Only 1 RCT there to defend, and easy to isolate. Wouldn't need a major commitment here, just the KB. Once taken..that level 6 AF will cause me trouble

8) Aluetions - its still the summer, so this is on the list of possible targets. Most likely he'll use this as a diversionary attack, as he wouldn't need much assets to take a few islands. Major campaign to take Anchorage seems unlikely. Would probably only use the Aluetions as a seaplane base

9) China - Miller may decide that he's had enough of the pacific and may hunkerdown at his current line of advance. Instead he may pour some Div's into China. However, this seems unlikely as he distastes land combat, from prior adventures vs other PBEM oppenents.

In summary i feel campaign number 3, 5, 7 are Miller's next move...and will be moving forces to those area's

[Rob Brennan UK]

9) China - Miller may decide that he's had enough of the pacific and may hunkerdown at his current line of advance. Instead he may pour some Div's into China. However, this seems unlikely as he distastes land combat, from prior adventures vs other PBEM oppenents.

HEHE .. I actually found him very very good in ground operations. Used a lot of manouvre units that i berely countered to be honest.

As to your future ideas on kens plans.. personally i think ceylon is a prison camp and worthless.

India is probably safe BUT a heavy invasion of chandpur /diamond harbour and massive inland thrust would give him burma in a bag.

Perth .. dont forget if he takes it the res 1/2 and then 1/2 again when u recapture so t may well not be self sufficient for large jap force.. good spoiling move though.

Australia .. doubtful imo as autralia command units are useable here and will be a force multiplier for you.

AH Noumea .. yeah that would be a significant capture but canton is too isolated imo. good for an early take to deny it to the allies but it would be unsupportable now.

so for my 2p i'd put a small wager on noumea .. but i could very well be wrong

good luck KD .. may the force be with you .

[Nikademus]

My Guess is Noumea. High value target......isolated in comparison to NE Oz with it's Oz LCU's and interconnected airbases.

Look for a buildup of Lunga as a possible tip point. Also Luganaville would be a good pick in support of a SE drive.

[KDonovan]

Yeah i believe Noumea will be his main target also.....

Here's the defense set up for the area as of now...lots of work still needs to be done

[Nikademus]

Normeau looks very strong. Too strong for KB to wear down the base attritionally...would leave him vulnerable to a midway. (and yes...it can happen in this mod...sort of happened to me in a way with my CV's having been attacked a day after heavy ops leaving many planes unservicable and the servicable planes in a state of high fatigue) He'll need LBA support.

[Nikademus]

Of course another option is that Miller may not do any of these actions....he might turn over to a strategic defense.

[KDonovan]

Normeau looks very strong. Too strong for KB to wear down the base attritionally...would leave him vulnerable to a midway. (and yes...it can happen in this mod...sort of happened to me in a way with my CV's having been attacked a day after heavy ops leaving many planes unservicable and the servicable planes in a state of high fatigue) He'll need LBA support.

agreed..thats why i'm gonna reinforce Espiritu Santu and Efate, cause without those base's taking Noumea will be impossible

[KDonovan]

June 22nd - today 36 B17's roared over Port Moresby, bent on destruction. Only 17 Zero's were on CAP. The heavy guns of the B17's easily put a world of hurt on the zero's downing 3 to no lost of their own. The bomber's then hit the airfeild causing minor damage, but still manage to knock out a Betty on the ground.

June 23rd - my bombers returned to Port Moresby to finish what they started. Once again they easily took care of the Zero's on CAP...downing 3 of them. Moderate damage was done to the airfield, destroying 2 Betty's and 1 Emily, capping a successful 2 day air battle over PM.

Plan - good turn for my B17's as they destroyed 11 japanese planes, losing none of their own. Lots were damaged however, and fatigue was high, so they will rest this turn. Elsewhere the bombardment of Tarawa will commence tommorrow by the CA Vincennes, CL Helena, and CL Phoenix. Other than that....all is quite

[kkoovvoo]

I was afraid that defensive fire of bombers will suck as Nik halved accuracy ratings of their guns too. Seems I was wrong.

[Nikademus]

B-17's are extremely tough targets. Build up your AA as well as your fighter. You can break their routine if you knock em around enough causing lots of damages, high fatigue and low morale. AA in particular will force bombing runs at higher alts which will reduce the carnage on the ground

[KDonovan]

not a busy turn...so i combined the 2 days...

June 24th/25th - My CA TF shelled Tarawa, causing minor damage. The defenders there threw everything at the TF...but their puny shells caused no damage to my ships. Elsewhere i launched a 32 Hudson plane attack on Timor, cuasing minor damage. Wasn't trying to accomplish anything but force Miller to station some fighters there...which i succeeded.

Plan - 1) My CA TF that just shelled Tarawa, will now be sent to Makin to bombard the base there next turn. 2) My B17's out of Cooktown will be sent on a air raid over Gili Gili next turn, as intel said there may be some shipping in the area. The base has no fighter cover, so it should get plastered. 3) In China things are starting to get interesting. Miller now has 20 units in the Nanning area. Also he's reinforced Canton the last few turns. Not sure if this is all defensive in nature...or offensive. In any case, i've moved over 4 squadrens of Wellingtons from India to Chungking and Yunan. From there they will conduct raids on the Japanese troops in Nanning. Also my SB2's from Kweilin will strike 2 japanese units move from Nanning towards Canton on the railroad. On the ground i have 75,000 Chinese troops just west of Nanning, and 45,000 troops on the railroad east of Nanning, b/t Nanning and Canton. The 45,000 troops there will be getting another 85,000 troop reinforcements from the north. I still unsure of Miller's objective, but the best guess is he's try to hold onto Nanning, and keep the rail line there open b/t Nanning and Canton. So far its not looking like a major offensive..but only time will tell

Here's a screen shot

[KDonovan]

June 26th - my bombardment of Makin Is went as planned, taking out a supply dump on the island. The CA TF then escaped unharmed....well be sent back to PH for minor repairs. Later in the day my B17's hit Gili Gili, but low cloud cover ruined their aim...as barely any damage was done to the base.

June 27th - the B17s return to Gili Gili, but once again low cloud cover prevented any major damage from being done. Elsewhere in China, miller continues to do his "training" attacks. I was planning on moving my now rested AVG in...but a last i forget

Plan - Nothing in the works, just moving around LCU's and supplies, as the May 1st 1942 start leaves the allies in a precarious position in the south pacific...as i'm just now making up for it.

Of note though..my Wellingtons in China failed to take off due to poor weather....hope things change next turn..as i need to start hitting back..

[KDonovan]

not much action once again....

June 28th/June 29th - sporadic air attacks througout China today, with planes from both side's hitting troop concentrations. My planes hitting the troops in Nanning, Miller's planes hitting troops near Changsha.

Plan - 1) to heat up the airwar a little in that theatre i started to move in some P40E's from India (50 planes to be exact). These will reinforce the AVG already there, in order to bag me some bombers. So far no Zero's have been seen in the theatre, so i'm hoping to take advantage...will take a few turns to get it all in place. 2) Over in India, i'm gonna launch a 30 Liberator raid on Moulien (sp?) resources. With so little resources in the Burma area, a major hit on the factories here will seriously impeed his operations. 3) Lastly my B17s out of Cooktown will launch a major raid on PM airfield. The strike will be twice as large as the last one, so i'm hoping for a major victory.

[Nikademus]

What are your supply levels like with the more active air war in China?