Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
September 6-18, 1942
 
The entire campaign for the Pacific War--from the Japanese point-of-view--revolves currently around SE Australia.  Things are happening elsewhere but the focus is entirely here!  The battle in Australia has nearly gone entirely Japan's way. 
 
Beyond the great land battle that is shaping up there, the KB and vast majority of the Comined Fleet are currently off the coast of Sydney blasting the pogees out of it!
 
Australia
 
Whyalla
We last left off with the Japanese invading Whyalla with a force of 2 Inf Div, 1 Aviation Reg, and 1 Eng Regiment as well as 2 Parachute Reg adding their firepower.  This town falls on September 7th and the Japanese rapidly move east to cutoff retreating units from Alice Springs.
 
In a TERRIBLE move by my opponent, Dan chooses to attack my unloading AP/AK instead of the Level One AF.  The Japanese furiously work to expand the field and succeed in doing so (Lvl-2) on the 18th.  As I pull the AP/AK out it dawns on me that I WANT to have him swing at them instead of the AF.  To that end, I lose 1 PG, 8 AP, and 3 AK over a period of 10 days.  These attacks are upon repeatedly damaged ships and serve to provide the Japanese Engineers time to grow the AF. 
 
The Aerial battle goes on everyday between the 2 Daitai of Zeros there against an assortment of P-40, Liberators, and B-25s.  Air losses favor the Japanese and only get better when the first operational Sentai of Tojo deploys there on the 16th.  On the 18th alone, the Japanese CAP shoots down 10 Hudson and 3 B-25 for 1 Tojo and 1 Zero...
 
Adelaide 
In another mistake by my view, retreats his battered forces into Adelaide by the 12th.  There are now 25 units within this city.  I have 4 TK Regiments blocking the NE exit and no less then 6 Infantry Divisions, an Army HQ, and 4 Art Reg beginning to invest the city.  As long as I can block the road from Melbourne to Adelaide, I have a REAL chance at wiping out a sizable section of the Aussie Army.  It will take some time but will only help the VP score!
 
I bombard Adelaide twice during this time with 3 BB (Nagato, Fuso, and Yamashiro).  The second bombardment see Beauforts put a TT into Nagato but she makes it to Albany without issue.  NOTE TO SELF----DON'T GET COCKY!  Despite the results of the second bombardment, I decide to do it again with Fuso and Yamashiro.  BIG mistake...the BBs are crushed by 36 TB (Beauforts/TIVa) and 38 B-25!  [:@][:@]  Down go the two old BBs.  Veyr dumb of me to do this.  Lesson relearned...
 
Broken Hill
I grab this small town with Paratroopers on the 13th and 2 Engineering Reg reach the town on the 17th.  Two Brigades arrive there on the 18th.  I immediately begin to expand that AF as well.  This town serves as my left flank while I reduce Adelaide.  There will be an Infantry Division stationed there within a couple of days.
 
NE Australia
On the 18th, my invasion force for NE Australia departs Noumea.  An Inf Div, Inf Brig, 2 Eng Reg, and 2 Art Reg depart.  Their target is yet to be determined.  I am doing recon from Norfolk Island EVERYWHERE along the coast.  Want to land in aplace that will not be TOO costly.  Am eyeing Rockhampton...
 
The KB Sails!!!
In all my previous campaigns I have never done the following.  Starting September 5th I order a concentration of ALL my large CVs at Noumea.  On the 8th these CV fuel and they set sail on the 9th.  Target:  Sydney!  I devide the Combined Fleet into 4 TF:  KB-1 3 CV(Akagi/Kaga/Junyo), 2 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD, KB-2  3 CV(Hiryu/Soryu/Hiyo), 3 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD, KB-3  2 CV/1 CVL (Shokaku/Zuikaku/Ryujo), and a STF of all 4 BC, 2 CA, 2 CL, and 9 DD.  A total of 603 aircraft accompany this massive fleet!  Thanks to various reader's imput, I order the Vals/Kates on Naval Attack and then naval Port/AF as secondary. 
 
Events:
Sept 12th  Several small TF of AK/AP test my blockade of New Zealand-to-Australia.  My planes sink 2 AP and 3 AK who are all carrying troops.  Don't know what Dan was thinking but it hurts him.
 
Sept 16th  Order the KB to a range of 6 hexes from Sydney.
 
Sept 17th  The KB is not spotted when it launches 74 Zero and 185 Kates!  These planes encounter 27 various fighters flying CAP over the target.  For a loss of 5 Zero and only 3 Kates, the Japanese shoot down or destroy on the ground 31 Fighters and a Transport as well as hit 3 CA, 3 CL, 2 TK, 3 AK and crush the AF to 35% damage.
 
Sept 18th  The KB closes to a range of 4 hexes away.  A morning strike of 76 Zero, 24 Val, 23 Kate sink an AK and fight a very tough group of 28 Wirraway, 15 Hurricanes, and 10 P-40.  The Japanese lose 20 Zero (but only 11 Pilots) for TWICE that number of Allied fighters (42 total)! 
 
A second strike in the afternoon is MASSIVE:  59 Zero, 171 Val, and 184 Kate fight their way easily through 12 mixed Allied fighters.  For a coast of only 1 Zero, 2 Val, and 4 Kate, the Aussies lose (in the air and on the ground) 22 more fighters and a Transport plane.  As the AF is hit (damage now 53%), the 800 KB bombs, 250 Kg Bombs, and TTs slam into Allied shipping!  Ships hit include 3 CA, 3 CL, 2 DD, 6 MSW, DMS, 3 AK, 1 AS, 1 AP, 3 TK.  An AK and CL Achillies sink!
 
More are soon to follow!  I order the KB to close to range 3 for a final day of strikes!  BANZAI!!!  [:'(][:'(][:'(]
 
Not To Make Hitler's Mistake...
It has dawned on me that the key to winning Australia is destroying Allied airpower.  I will not make Hitler's mistake of changing tactics.  Allied air losses have been pretty massive.  In fighters and bombers, I am consistently taking 2/3/4-1.  The Sydney Action alone has cost the Aussies 95 CONFIRMED Fighters!  Dan has been flying his bombers everyday and they are consistently losing 1 or 2 or 3 planes a strike.  Those bombers MUST be tired...
 
Hobart Invasion Force
I have an entire Inf Div planning to land at Hobart on about the 25th.  Once they have that town then they will march overland to take Devonport...an Aviation Reg is following about 3-4 days laters...
 
This is the Aussie News!
 
I'll finish this update and cover the rest of the Pacific in a few minutes since I just got another turn from Dan...
 

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: (unnamed)

Strafing chinese or other unfortunate guys could help training them up to about exp 65, you need sink some ships to improve further. But, u see, very high exp didn't really help, you still got more than 100 bombers coming through last time, but they failed to sink Hornet.

Another thing is I would never choose BB mod as Japs, too weak, you simply give all fun to your allied opponent. This A2A result normally not happened in other mods. I judged this mod too unbalanced for a good game between 2 players with about equal skills.

Really?
John is overrunning Australia, and ..."In fighters and bombers, I am consistently taking 2/3/4-1. The Sydney Action alone has cost the Aussies 95 CONFIRMED Fighters!" and you think this is an AFB & unbalanced mod? Just because he lost one CV battle?

OK...

[John 3rd]

Just played the September 19th turn and more good news!
 
KB
The Carriers of Japan close to only 120 miles from Sydney and launch a devastating final aerial assault.  Over the city come 68 Zero, 162 Val, and 169 Kate.  A ragged collection of Allied fighters rise to meet the attack and are easily brushed aside by the Sea Eagles!  When the attack wave leave, Commander Fuchida gleefully reports the following:  AF hit again (Dam 61%), 20 Allied Fighters destroyed, and 25 Allied ships hit by bombs and TT.  Within the choas of the Harbor down goes CAs Indianapolis, Louisville, and Australia plus the CL Leander and 3 MSW.  Many other ships are in a sinking condition...
 
It is time to pull away and assess the damage from 3 days of attacks.  Total plane losses (with pilots lost in parantheticals) 29 Zero (18), 5 Val (3), and 13 Kate (10).  Not TOO bad considering what was accomplished in shooting down and/or destroying over 100 Allied planes and inflicting massive damage upon over 40 vessels.
 
Adelaide
Dan is trying to flee his own trap.  I didn't realize that the hex due east of the city was assessible by the Aussies.  Two units were spotted there and I immediately order my 4 Tk Regiments to cut off this line of retreat.  To fix the remaining Aussie troops I order a Deliberate Attack on the city by my troops present.  I don't expect anything other then to prevent the withdrawal that Dan is attempting.
 
Whyalla
In two air attacks upon that base, Dan losses another P-40, 4 Hudson, 2 B-25, and 2 Liberators in exchange for 1 Zero and 3 Tojo...
 

[John 3rd]

This screenshot says it all! BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

Hey Brian!  What do you think of all this?  Let me know your thoughts...
 

[ny59giants]

Unless it is KB, NEVER get ships of any sort within 4 hexes of an unsurpressed (heavily) damaged AF that is level 4 or above. [:-][:-]    Our game never got that far, but in Big B's mod, the Allied player gets Beauforts in spades. [&o] 

In my brief game with Damian that I took over he lost a huge amount of shipping (AP/AK) and warships around India as he did not follow this advice. [:D]

By all means , keep those LCUs at Adelaide surrounded (just saw your map - you need to get across the river and not leave him a retreat route) and then finish them off at your leasure. If he stays and fights, then there will be less at Melbourne/Sydney.  [;)] You may have to sent KB over to Adelaide to close it down and then use it briefly to hit those LCU's across the river as your LCU's assault it to prevent his troops from leaving Adelaide and retreating to Melbourne. keep up a daily ground bombardment there to prevent his units from leaving the hex.

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Brian! What do you think of all this? Let me know your thoughts...

Hey John,

I think you are doing an amazing job![:D]

My previous post was of course in reply to someone who said that it's basically a bad mod for the Japanese and unbalanced. For the life of me I fail to see how it's unbalanced against the Japanese...as I think you are proving.

As regards to the air battle of June 1942 ..."The Alaskan Turkey Shoot", well- it was 51 zeros lost against 34 P-40s, P-38s, and Wildcats, but a number of things went against the KB that day - and I am curious to know how many of the Japanese losses were due to flak.

As for your operations overall to date - you are delivering a real whipping - that's for sure! I have read the other sides' AAR too, and he is feeling he's literally fighting for his life right now and hoping to survive until the Pacific Fleet gets new hardware....I don't blame him either.

What do you think so far?

[John 3rd]

Brian,
 
I have thoroughly enjoyed your Mod.  The air-to-air is not nearly so lethal as stock.  There are serious losses when one side gets the jump on the other but it is much more realistic.  The air battle over Whyalla is a good example.  Dan hits the base with a few fighters and 30-40 bombers.  My 15-25 fighters brush through his fighters and manage to shot down--perhaps--4-5 bombers and damage 2-3 times that.  That is pretty realistic to me. 
 
I agree with Michael's comment about the 4 hex range of Beauforts.  Those are damned fine TB.  I don't like them at all!  Moved the KB close because I KNEW Dan wouldn't try to put any bombers near Sydney to hit my KB.  Those darned planes managed to sink my two old BB due to my stupidity of letting those ships get too close to Adelaide.  Thankfully they were not essential ships.  It hurts to lose them--YES--but better them then a CVL or CVE...
 
 

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
September 20-23, 1942
 
While needing to update the battle for Adelaide and Australia as a whole, I have been remiss in doing any update on the rest of the map.  Let me do a regional update and then shift to Aussieland.
 
North Pacific
Have scaled back as far as I plan to up in the North.  All warships have been pulled southwards and only 6 SS remain to conduct operations.  I have a decent aerial presense of 2 Daitai of Zero, 1 Sentai of Oscar, 1 Sentai of Helens, 2 Chutai of Betty, 2 Chutai of Emily, and 3 Chutai of Recon/Float planes.  There is the equivalent of about 350 Assault Points worth of defence at both Cold Harbor and Dutch Harbor. 
 
Central Pacific
With me TOTALLY committed to the Australian Campaign, it is only a matter of time before Dan tries something here.  I have decided to TRY to sucker him into a trap.  He has sent some poor AK into the seas around Kwajalein and I have had all my planes set on ASW.  Little does he know that there are 3 Daitai of Betty as well as a like amount of Zero!  These planes are tan, rested, and ready for a fight!
 
Should also note that the Central Pacific Army reserve is at Kwajalein.  Two full strength, large Brigades plus a pair of Artillery Regiments rest there.
 
I've done the same with aircraft at Midway.  There are 2 Daitai of Zero, 2 Daitai of Betty, 1 Daitai of Val, and 2 Chutai of Emily.  The combat planes are set to range 5.  He has an AP TF nose towards the islands but not to range 5.  If he tries again, it will be a surprise.  Midway is tough with nearly 475 Assualt Points--2 China Brigades, 2 CD units, and an Aviation Reg.
 
Through the Eastern Marshalls, Tarawa, Baker, and Canton, I have at least 250 Assault Points at each base.  Usually this means a China Brigade as well as support units.  They are decently supplied and have enough BF to take at least 90 planes each.
 
South Pacific
Continuing the above paragraph description for troop and aerial strength, Somoa, Papeate, Bora Bora, and Suva have the same rough levels. 
 
Papeate is the toughest at about 400 AP there.  If Dan is to shorten the life line to NZ and Australia, he will HAVE to take Papeate.  There are about 200 planes at Papeate's AF looking for trouble.
 
New Caledonia is pretty bare at the moment since I launched my Rockhampton Invasion Force.  Dan will not strike here anytime soon...
 
Burma
The advent of the Tony and Tojo have really leveled the playing field here.  I have 5 Sentai of Tony and 2 Chutai of Tojo operating from my three major AF in Burma.  Add another 4 Daitai of Zeros and one can understand why Dan doesn't control the air over this theatre anymore.  For most of September I have been bombing the heck out of Imphal and Mandalay.  It is to the point that he doesn't fly planes there anymore.
 
I know this won't last but things look pretty good right now.
 
China
I have been doin recon over this dorment theatre and spotted a HUGE number of Chinese units at Changsha!  Nearly 50 units are there!  [:o][:o]  This has raised all sorts of alarm bells and I have moved a large portion of the available Chinese Army to Nanchang and SW of there.  There are currently almost 3000 AP there with Lvl-9 Forts.  SHOULD be able to hold...
 
My Chinese Air Force has been quite active as well.  All my DB units have upgraded to Lily and I am wielding nearly 150 Lily within the country.  They are protected by 3 Sentai of Oscars and 2 Daitai of Zeros.
 
 
Since I just got the next turn in from Dan let me hold off on my Aussie update until I run it...
 

[John 3rd]

I forgot to mention that Broken Hill has 2 Para Reg. 4th Inf Reg, 2 Eng Reg, and an Aviation Reg with a Daitai of Zeros in support.

[John 3rd]

Wake and Midway

[John 3rd]

Arc of Islands

[Big B]

John, a very stout defense indeed.

It seems to me your game will ultimately revolve around autvictory in 1943.  I "think" your window for victory will be the next few months.  If you get autovictory before summer of 43 - that's it.
If Canoerebel can survive past then, I think the USA industrial machine will make the game a long bloody struggle until "The Bomb", mass B-29 groups, and advanced fighters decide it.

An excellently played game - and I believe one of the relatively few that may see Oz conquered.

[John 3rd]

The Marshalls

[John 3rd]

Thank you Brian.
 
I have been trying to figure out why I have done so well in Australia?  It seems to me that Dan's decision to not really FIGHT anywhere really provoked the Grand Campaign.  I wanted ti simply protect the DEI by taking those NW Aussie towns but when they fell so easily, I committed more troops and more and more...
 
Adelaide will take a while to reduce.  This will give Dan time to figure out his next Fortress.  I will take Hobart and Devonport within two weeks.  Taking Rockhampton will occur at the same time and that force will move NORTH grab everything above that town.  Barring a powerful counterattack--Dan's ONLY real hope I think, I will be poised to move on Melbourne or Sydney by October 20th or so.
 
We'll see...
 

[USSAmerica]

I need to go refill my popcorn and soda. 
 
Don't take Sydney until I get back.  [;)]

[ny59giants]

I have been trying to figure out why I have done so well in Australia? It seems to me that Dan's decision to not really FIGHT anywhere really provoked the Grand Campaign. I wanted ti simply protect the DEI by taking those NW Aussie towns but when they fell so easily, I committed more troops and more and more...

Adelaide will take a while to reduce. This will give Dan time to figure out his next Fortress. I will take Hobart and Devonport within two weeks. Taking Rockhampton will occur at the same time and that force will move NORTH grab everything above that town. Barring a powerful counterattack--Dan's ONLY real hope I think, I will be poised to move on Melbourne or Sydney by October 20th or so.

If Dan did not try to evac any BF and/or engineeer units from PI and Java, then he did not have enough organic units on Australia to build up his fort levels. Second, you cut off his LOC from USA and thus no moving BF to Australia made a bad situation worse. I don't know how much supply and oil he moved from Aden down the western map edge to Perth and beyond. In his game against Miller it was easy for him to hold onto northern Oz and launch attacks from there. You try to isolate that area and attack it shortly after Luzon falls. [;)]

Right now, you need to ensure Adelaide is isolated and begun to be reduced while you shift your attention to the east coast. Eliminate all units north of Rockhampton and then take Brisbane before moving further south. I would isolate Sydney first as you have more bases to base your LBA from and then do so with Melbourne. Finally, you can decide which of the two urban bases to concentrate on first. Encouarge him to continue the a2a battles as that will decrease his supplies faster if he uses his bombers to try to keep you busy. Just stay away from those Beauforts. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Cogent advice as always!  I look forward to our travails as opponents Michael!
 
For the true assault to begin with at Adelaide I need 2 things:
1.  More supply--I have a TF with 40,000 supply due to arrive at Whyalla in about 4 days.
2.  Bigger AF--Whyalla just went to Sz-3 and Broken Hill is almost Sz-2.  I need Sz-4 and Sz-3 to stage large groups of bombers.  At Alice Springs and Kalgoorlie I have over 250 Sally and Helen tan, rested, and ready for the job.
 
The KB blocks the door to the east and NZ.  Perth blocks the door in the west to India.  What Dan has in theatre is ALL he will get for the foreseeable future!
 
Once I have Hobart and Devonport I will shift the 2nd Inf Div to Rockhampton to strengthen my Northern attack.
 
I have decided to move the 4th Mix Reg out of Broken Hill and advance it aways to see if there is ANYTHING blocking my path.  I will recon the smaller towns around Melbourne and Sydney and--probably--begin to pick them off with my Paras. 
 
Other Threats:
1.  Burma  Dan has a good amount of troops up there and now he has realized that I am not going to attack there.  This will mean more reinforcements moving into this theatre.  I have the 38th Inf Div from Manila unloading in Rangoon as we speak.  It with another Brigade will form my tactical reserve.  SHOULD be able to hold!  Having aerial superiority here helps a TON!
 
2.  DEI  The chances of a coutnerattack here are quite slim but I am keeping a reserve of aircraft at Singapore just in case.  Roughly 2 Sentai of Fighters, 100 Lily, and 2 Daitai of Betty are located here refitting and resting up.
 
3.  Cent Pac  You have seen my deployments.  I am gradually moving Betty and Zero into the Kwajalein area.  I pulled 3 Daitai of Zero from Burma just last turn.  They will train for a week to 10 days in the Central Philippines and then move out.
 
4.  Papeate  To save Australia Dan MUST come through here.  It is a tough nut to crack and has strong airpower within it as well.
 
5.  China  I think Dan will attempt something here as a distraction.  He knows I have pulled a number of troops from this area and Manchuria to support my Pacific and Aussie attacks.  Logical target is Nanchang.  I think I am ready for that chance.  There is 3,500 A.S. there, with an ambush detachment of 1,500 A.S. waiting SE of the city and I have aerial supremacy...
 
I will post Screen Shots of Burma, China, and Papeate later today with the details.    

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
September 26-29, 1942
 
I am going to focus on Australia in this update.  My 16-month old son in headed for sleepy time and my 4-year old is doing his puzzles prior to his sleepy time so I will try to make this quick!
 
I cannot begin to describe the sense of doom that Dan must be feeling in Australia.  While I haven't taken any of the big three cities (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney), the Aussies must feel like they are being totally hemmed in.
 
Sitrep
 
Engineering  The key is getting my AF expanded so I can bring in 250+ bombers to begin pounding the Aussies.
Whyalla--AF 3 headed towards AF 4 within a week or so.
Broken Hill--AF 2 headed towards AF 3 with a day or two.
 
Adelaide
Completely hemmed in by 6 Inf Div, an Inf Brig, an Eng Reg, and 4 Brig of Artillery.  I haven't tried anything exciting because my supplies are very low.  I have 4 Tk Regiment to the east and SE of the city preventing escape to Melbourne.
 
Hobart
Began landing with the 2nd Inf Div on the 25th and the city falls on the 26th.  Immediately move 2nd ID towards Devonport to finsh the job.  Once Devonport is gone, the 2nd ID will be picked up and moved to Rockhapton to join the northern arm of my offensive.  An Aviation Regiment is being airlifted from Whyalla to Devonport so aircraft can be operated in larger numbers (AF-3).  Mini-KB docks there and replennnishes its sorties on the 27th.  A Replennishment TF of 4 AO starts unloading there on the 29th.
 
Rockhampton
The Invasion Force for this location begins to unload the day that Hobart falls to NO OPPOSITION from the air.  I have a BB Bombardment TF hit it.  Mutsu, Ise, and Hyuga sink 2 MSW and an AP in port and the base falls on the 27th.  In grabbing thsi base, I bisect eastern Australia.  Nothing can pass southwards to link up with the garrisions of Sydney and Melbourne!  The landing comprised the 56th Inf Div, a Brigade, Art Reg, and an Eng Reg.  Follow-on TF will begin landing on the 30th adding 2 small BF, an Army HQ, and another Art Reg.  In about 10 days another five units will land there from Manchuria.
 
Cooktown
A small TF lands an Aviation Regiment there on the 29th.  It will fall on the 30th.  I will pick that unit back up and drop it off at Rockhampton so I can fly 150+ planes out of there ASAP!
 
Aerial Fighting
Throughout these days, the Aussie AF continues to try to interdict.  Dan--finally--changes his bombers over to ground attack and they start hitting my units at Adelaide and Broken Hill.  It is rough but shant last long once I get my AF beefed up.  His bombers are getting REALLY tired as some are starting to turn away when they lose a plane or two.
 
The KB
I spread my CVs out in a long arc to catch ships that are trying to flee this trap.  dan sends them out in 2-3 ship TF and they are pounced on!  Down go 1 DMS, 3 TK, 2 MSW, 2 DD, and an AP.  I don't get all of them but he stops this after the second day.
 
The CVs need fuel and replennishment.  I send Hiryu/Soryu/Ryujo to Noumea where they do just that on the 27th.  An immediate turn around occurs and once they take up station on the 30th, I will bring 3 more CVs back to that base.  There are 3 AO with each TF right now so fuel isn't TOO big of a concern.
 
I'll post a screen shot of all this in a few minutes.
 

[John 3rd]

After 8-10 hours--instead of a few minutes--here is Southern Australia. I'll provide eastern Australia in a bit.