Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: 1 Army. 1 COMINT.
Replacements reduced from 220 to 180.

[Remington700]

Allied: April 23rd 1944

Indochina
Boston and land-based dive bombers target the positions of the reduced strength 16th Army. Following the bombardment, the Indian 7th Corps continues to push the enemy south to the Ping River. The road is open to Udan Thani. To the west, the newly created Indian 6th Corps crosses the Irrawaddy River heading for the front.

East China
The intensity of rain increases along the line. Movement is greatly impaired and no action is taken. Equipment and war supply continues to flow from India, both over the hump and along the Burma Road. The Chinese army has filled out but is still using obsolete equipment.

Convoy Attacks
Nine attacks are made against enemy convoys sinking 4 Merchant Marine with four airstrikes responsible for two of them. In the South China Sea the Mingo gets its first kill. The Skipjack on war patrol in the East China Sea sinks another freighter raising her total kills to eleven MM and one Escort, matching the performance of the Devilfish.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The US 3rd and 4th Corps assault the beat-up 110th Division in Kota Bharu. The enemy, supported by Judy dive-bombers from Saigon, is soon surrounded and destroyed. The port is now in allied control, which is a very good thing as Murphy's law strikes again. Allied supply has drastically reduced in the area.

US units on the Malayan Peninsula have basic supply only, which means effectiveness will only increase by 3 percent per turn. This will bring the offensive to a halt unless a solution can be found. And with the rainy season starting in a month, the setback could not have happened at a worse time. Rather than return to port as planned, the US carriers refuel from Oilers and steam full speed ahead through the Java Sea. They will be offshore of Singapore in a week. The British Main fleet is refueling and refitting in the port of Colombo in Ceylon. They will steam to the west coast of the Malayan Peninsula and should arrive offshore of Kuala Lumpur in a couple of weeks. Joining the US 5th Fleet, the intent is to shut down supply to all Japanese forces in the area.

[Remington700]

Coral and Java Seas
With the 5th Marine Division occupying Rabaul the island is all but secure. General Kanda has retreated to Cape Gloucester and the US 77th Division prepares for the final assault. The CVL Boise leading a small Task Force continues to land supplies on the northern beachheads to beef up the readiness of the Marine and Army units. With matters well in hand, the US 5th Fleet leaves the area heading to the Malayan Peninsula. They are spotted by the enemy and prepare for enemy air attack.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds. Refitting CVs.
India: No builds. Heavy replacements to line units.
USA: 10 Supply units. 4 Landing ships. 3 Oilers.

Convoys
UK: 20 PPs to India
USA: 10 OPs to India
USA: 25 OPs to UK

Advancements
US technology research is very poor this turn with a total gain of 26 days. This is down dramatically from last turn’s 81-day increase. The US remains behind the curve with 1943 tech as we enter the second quarter of ‘44.

[Remington700]

Japan: May 7th 1944

Indochina
The depleted 16th Army regroups in Udan Thani and pushes back into their old positions before the enemy can consolidate in the area. Reinforcements are on the way from the Vinh/Haiphong area. The Thai Army creates another division to help with the defense of Bangkok. They are in the process of receiving upgraded equipment and plan to join the front line within a week. General Tanaka has been transferred to the Mekong Delta area to take charge of the newly created Saigon Defense Force. Japanese air units are massed in nearby airfields secured by the 11th army and two divisions.

East China
The weather has cleared in eastern China. The line is very weak in the north and a couple of divisions need to be scraped up to help in this area. (I made a mistake not filling out the divisions I used to protect the supply lines during the period of offensive operations. Failing to do so has caused the line to be weaker than it should be. And now I am playing catchup when the SPs are drastically needed elsewhere.)

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
With the full US CV force in the Java Sea, Singapore braces for attack. A6m3s relocate from the peninsula to Sumatra and Indochina. Betty bombers (Naval Air) leave Singapore to rebase at Bandar Lampung. All forces in the battle zone switch to garrison mode and dig-in to fixed positions. There is no plan to retreat - all are expected to hold to the end. (I doubt the new garrison change adding +2 to guns will take effect on an older version of the game. It will be a bonus if it does. However, by switching to garrison and not retreating, the PPs gained from the switch will not be lost. The tradeoff is there will be no counterattacks.)

Utilizing a strategy first tried in the Solomons, some Betty bombers are loaded with extra ordinance and used as Kamikazes to strike the US Fleet. Approaching from the west the sortie is intercepted by P-38s from Borneo which causes a loss of 4 SPs with no enemy causalities. Continuing towards their targets the planes encounter heavy CAP and Ack-Ack over the enemy fleet. An additional 4 SPs fall from the sky before they can hit a carrier. (Instead of a “Divine Wind” this was more like a “soft breeze”. I will try to rebuild the Kamikazes giving them another shot.)

New Britain
General Kanda and the last remaining troops are dug-in around Cape Gloucester. They are out of supply and down to 29% effectiveness. If not attacked they might last a month.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: No builds. Increased replacements from 180 to 300 prioritizing air units.

Advancements
Technology improved by 56 days in all advancements. Five items are maxed with two unused research points. Rather than assign them out, I am limiting the categories to just what is needed. It will be interesting to see if this helps the advancement rate. Japan is already ahead of the US, using six items from the start of the game as opposed to the Allies seven. It is probably more effective to focus on less advancements.

[Remington700]

Allied: May 7th 1944

Indochina
Multiple Anglo-Indian airstrikes target positions of the dug-in Japanese 12th Army at railroad bend in the apex of the line. The British 11th Corps with the Indian 1st and 7th Corps launch the first of many assaults and are easily pushed back. Three more attacks are necessary before the enemy defense crumbles, with what's left of the 12th Army retreating to the Ping River. Losses are very heavy on both sides with a total of 14 Anglo-Indian SPs lost compared to the 13 SPs of the 12th Army. Tactically this is an Allied win as the enemy unit is all but destroyed. Strategically Japan is two turns away from the rainy season. Bangkok and Saigon should hold until late in the year.

[Remington700]

China
The good weather continues and will probably do so for months. The Red Army to the north goes on the offensive pushing the enemy back 50 miles along the Yellow River. West of Kweiyang the 7th and 10th Armies hit positions of the Japanese 11th and 12th Brigades. The enemy is stubborn and holds their ground. After four assaults the Chinese successfully push back the Japanese infantry. Four SPs are lost by each side, with the causalities spread among the two Chinese armies. The 12th Army moves into the breach and puts the Japanese 13th Brigade in a pocket. This is important as the enemy unit is securing the important agriculture facilities along the Hongshui River.

Convoy Attacks
Ten convoy attacks happened in the last turn. Four from air units sinking 4 Merchant Marine. In the South China Sea, the Tang sinks two freighters and has an unconfirmed kill on an escorting destroyer. Two hundred miles north the Pike sinks a freighter escaping unharmed. In the East China Sea the Bonefish successfully sinks a Merchant Marine without taking damage.

That is five kills including the escort with no damage to the subs. I think the Escorts are sinking as indicated even if they still show as protecting the convoys.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The US 5th Fleet arrives offshore of Singapore blockading the port. They have resupplied from Oilers and are ready to face the Japanese Combined Air Fleet. The British Main Fleet now assigned to the 5th Fleet, moves down the Malacca Strait to blockade Kuala Lumpur. They will provide naval bombardment in support of the coming ground attack. Tensions are high as the IJN is expected to respond and this may be their “Last Full Measure”.

The US 4th Army continues their push down the Peninsula reaching the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Supply is good with an attack planned for the next turn. If the port can be taken before the rain hits, the enemy can be starved out and assaulted during poor weather. However, this is dependent upon US sea control.

New Guinea
Supported by preliminary airstrikes and close support the US 6th Corps attacks the ragged defenders under General Kanda. The enemy is defeated, and the surrounding area is now under Allied control.

West Coast
The US 10th Corps arrives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ten US supply units (100 trucks) arrive in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 2 Airfields.
India: No builds.
Canada: 3 Supply units.
Red China: Change replacements from 50 to 100
China: Change replacements from 100 to 150
USA: 1 B-24 Strategic Bomber.

Convoys
USA: 10 OPs to India
USA: 25 OPs to UK
UK: 20 PPs to USA

[John B.]

I sense a carrier battle looming!

[Remington700]

Japan: May 21st 1944

Indochina
The 21st and 16th Armies pull back across the Ping River resulting in the retreat of the whole line. Supply in the area is vulnerable and may suffer when the rains hit. The new Thai division joins the Royal Army in Bangkok further strengthening this key city. There is worry that the heavy amount of air units in the Mekong Delta will drain resources for the entire front.

East China
The weather remains clear and further enemy attacks are expected. No real movement on the line other than a small withdrawal from the Jinsha River to remove gaps in the line.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The Combined Fleet steams through the South China Sea to attack the US carriers from the north. The CV Taiho is spotted by PBYs from Kota Bharu followed by a squadron of SBD dive-bombers that appear out of nowhere. Caught unaware as CAP was focused to the south in the direction of the US carriers, the enemy planes target the CV Taiho hitting her once in the forward elevator. Undamaged, the ship stays in formation while repairs are undertaken on the flight deck. However, aviation tanks are fractured resulting is fumes spreading throughout the ship. An attempt to ventilate makes things worse and eventually the fumes ignite. “A senior staff officer on the bridge saw the flight deck heave up, and the sides of the ship blew out. Taiho dropped out of formation and began to settle in the water, clearly doomed.” - Albacore, DANFS. Ahlberg, Lars and Hans. Dull, Paul S.

Land-based air attempts to even the score attacking the US fleet off Singapore. Kamikazes from Bandar Lampung attack the carriers in the south of the formation but cannot get through the screen. Zeros flying escort from Palembang mix it up with P-47s allowing the bombers to pass however once on target fierce triple-A destroys the threat before the carriers can be hit. G4M bombers from the Mekong Delta fail to penetrate the screen taking heavy losses but do manage to score of hit on the cruiser San Francisco, although the ship remains in fighting condition.

Failing to draw the US carriers into combat the Combined Fleet slips away to the safety of the air umbrella on the Indochina coast. While this is not a good start the battle is far from over.

[Remington700]

Reports
Japan: No builds.

Convoys
The plan is to leave the convoys running while the Combined Fleet is at sea. Then depending upon the outcome, shutdown the South China Sea convoy route. Since I am not sure how many escorts are left, all of them will be assigned to the East China Sea next turn.

[Remington700]

Allied: May 21st 1944

Indochina
The battle for Thailand rages on. The Indian 5th Corps reaches the Ping River with their left flank secured by the advancing 1st Indian Corps. Four airstrikes hit the positions of the recently exposed right flank of the Japanese 18th Army. Following the bombardment a combined attack of the British 10th and 12th Corps plus the Indian 5th hit the 18th Army from three directions. With dug-in guns the enemy infantry smashes assault after assault until the Anglo-Indian forces are spent. Allied losses were heavy losing 7 SPs while the 18th Army took a single hit. However the effectiveness of the enemy is greatly reduced. Slowly but surely the noose is starting tighten around Bangkok.

The Mekong Delta and Saigon is loaded with air units. French plantation owners provide intel on the enemy units. There is confirmation the Japanese Combined Fleet is offshore of Saigon plus multiple wings of bombers and fighters. The 1st Marine Division in Sarawak is put on alert as they may be called upon to raid the rail lines to either the east or west of Saigon.

China
Five attacks are launched against the Japanese 13th Brigade dug in at the agriculture facilities on the Hongshui River. The enemy holds. Causalities are light on both sides, but the enemy does lose effectiveness. Other isolated attacks happen up and down the line making little progress but causing the enemy a loss in SPs and effectiveness. The war of attrition will continue for as long as Chinese replacements hold out.

Convoy Attacks
Air attacks on convoys continues to be highly successful. Five airstrikes result in four Merchant Marine being sunk. The Mingo gets its third kill and the 10th for the Bonefish, for a total of 6 MMs sunk this turn. Again, no damage to any of the subs so they all remain on war patrol.

[Remington700]

Malayan Peninsula
The 4th Marine Division embarks on landing ships and with the British 11th Destroyer flotilla head to the east coast of Malaya. They land north of Singapore and find a gap between the Japanese 15th Army and the area Headquarters. They are caught on the beach by enemy air taking three SPs in damage and loss of effectiveness. Undaunted, the Marines push west and cut the rail line to Singapore on their way to the coast. They will be resupplied and supported by the British Fleet in the coming turn. It is a daring mission as the Marines will remain cutoff and surrounded until the US Corps to the north can breakthrough and relieve them. The unit cuts the retreat path of the 30th Army to the north. There will be no retreat for the enemy.

B-24s and P-47 fighter bombers pound the Japanese 30th Army in Kaula Lumpur. Following the airstrikes, the US 2nd and 4th Corps assault the position and soon bottle up the enemy in the city. Trapped with nowhere to go while being pounded relentlessly by Naval bombardments and airstrikes, the 30th Army is systematically slaughtered. Kaula Lumpur falls to the US 4th Corps. The 4th Army is now within 50 miles of the Marines with only the Japanese 21st Brigade separating the two groups. It looks like the gamble is paying off.

Supply has become a major problem on the peninsula. All units have basic supply only. Something went wrong. I think as the allied units entered Malaya the supply source became too far away. That and the additional air units put a major drain on what little supply can trickle through. I hope by taking Kuala Lumpur the situation may resolve itself – but I expect not. I will use a lot of supply trucks and naval supply to try to keep the push going. The weather is due to change next turn so that will make things worse. However, the enemy is cutoff from supply for as long as the 5th Fleet can keep up the blockade of Singapore. I expect the Combined Fleet will hit hard next turn as their forces are running out of time. If supply cannot be improved, we will have to starve out the enemy while holding on as best as we can.

West Coast
The 11th Corps arrives in LA where they await orders. In addition to training divisions, there are now two full Corps on the West Coast ready to attack the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: 10 Supply units. 2 Oilers.

Convoys
USA: 10 OPs to India
USA: 25 OPs to UK


Advancements
The US finally hits 1944 Escort Fighter technology which frees up 7 research points. They are spread across multiple advancements, reducing the total from seven to six items. Hopefully this will speed up the process.

[Remington700]

Japan: June 4th 1944

Indochina
Heavy rain hits the area halting all combat actions. The Imperial 12th Army is regrouping while held in reserve. Air units in the Mekong Delta are grounded due the weather. The line is growing stronger and will further strengthen with the lapse in fighting. Supply remains good in all areas which should help with effectiveness recovery.