Shattered Vow

[Chickenboy]

Toot your horn all you want, Canorebel. You deserve it! Nice catch at Tarakan. I hereby consider this notice for all those out there saying that you cannot successfully employ Allied carrier power to the DEI against a human and get away with it. Doom on the IJN when they overlook their own early game limitations.

If Soerbaja still has AV HQ support with torpedo supply, you may prefer that port to Batavia for a resupply run due to the larger port size / torpedo resupply availability. Hermes only has a torpedo capacity of 12, IIRC, so you'll likely be out. You may wish to check your other CVs as well. I'd recommend re-programming Hermes' aircraft to bombs, since the torpedo function is likely to be in the red (disabled due to out of supply). Port reload of torpedoes in this game is vastly different from WiTP-just a word of warning.

[ny59giants]

Full speed can be used only in the most extreme cases due to the amount of fuel they use in this mode. KB would be running on fumes before it go there with most of the DDs out of fuel if they could do so.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Full speed can be used only in the most extreme cases due to the amount of fuel they use in this mode. KB would be running on fumes before it go there with most of the DDs out of fuel if they could do so.

That is definitely true, the burn rate is MUCH higher than in WITP at Full Speed. The burn rate for Kaga alone (the largest bunkers in the IJN IIRC), would be staggering.

[Chickenboy]

Not to mention the rapidly accumulated SYS damage by such speeds.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/42 to 2/4/42'

A heck of alot of important things happened during this interval:

American Carriers: The Allied carrier TFs approached Batavia in order to keep as much distance between them and the KB in case the Jap carriers moved in from the east. On the 2nd, Bettys sortied from somewhere to the west. A morning raid of 11 Bettys and 12 Zeros faced 4 F3F and 8 Buffalo - I can't explain the meager CAP, which nevertheless splashed 8 Bettys while losing one of each kind of fighter. The Japs didn't score any hits. An evening raid by 12 unescorted Bettys faced a similar CAP, which shot down 6 of the bombers; again, no hits scored. Miller did NOT move the KB from the Coral Sea, so I sent the carriers back to Soerabaja where they refueled. Meanwhile, Miller had orchestrated an ambush of his own - on the 4th, a carrier TF with at least four CVLs (showing nearly 200 aircraft, so there's more there than that) scooted down the South China Sea all the way to the straits between Sumatra and Borneo. Had the Allied carriers continued to Batavia instead of turning for Soerabaja, a bloody battle would have ensued. As it was, a Kate/Zero strike force got one small AO and Bettys another - both near Batavia. I have accomplished everything I wanted to do with my carriers here - Miller will have to bring alot the next time he wants to stick his nose down this way. So, the Allied carriers will head SE, rendezvous with an RN CV south of Bali, and from there likely head for Perth.

American combat ships: On the 2nd, the Boise/Marblehead TF found two damaged transports at Tarakan and dispatched both. The previous day six Bettys missed this TF. On the 3rd, Boise/Marblehead and PoW/Repulse bombarded Tarakan, inflicting about 300 casuatlies to the small Jap force there. Just another message intended to convince Miller that there's a hornet's nest down here that will require his full attention. All of the combat TFs will pull back to Darwin or other Aussie ports until I'm sure the Jap CVL TF doesn't pose a threat.

Soerabaja: Allied tankers and oilers have removed nearly all oil stored at this port. Tankers and replenishing carrier TFs has lowered fuel stores to 187,000 (from somewhere around 240,000). Will this diminution in oil and fuel affect the Japs? I dunno, but it sure feels good.

Tarakan: The Allies still hold this base. A 1:2 Jap shock attack cost the Japs 204 to 103. Miller will have to bring reinforcements.

Philippines: The Japs have taken Cagayan, but a tiny Allied force recaptured Dadjangas, which was vacant. The bad news is that Manila is about to fall. To my utter dismay, the first Jap deliberate attack, which occured on the 3rd, came off at 2:1 and inflicted 2k Jap casualties and 3.5k for the Allies. The following day another Jap attack reduced forts to zero, came off at 1:1, and inflicted 1.8k to 1.6k. I think Manila will fall tomorrow, thus proving that my strategy here was bad. In WitP, I held Manila until late June in both my PBEM games. I am embarrassed by my failure here. The Japs took Taytay.

Malaya: The Japs haven't moved on Singapore yet, but are bombing it daily. The Japs took a vacant Kuala Lumpur.

Burma: Absolutely nothing happening here. I don't see a Jap unit closer than Tavoy or Bangkok. I still hold Moulmein/Rangoon.

China: Utter mayhem here, too. A stout Chinese force in woods across from Ichang outnumbered a Jap force in raw AV 1348 to 849. The Japs attacked on the 3rd and inflicted 2,153 to 19,449. Holy cow! Allied losses in China seem exhorbitant to the point of being ridiculous. Two Jap divisions have arrived at Changsha, where the Allies have about 1500 AV behind either 3 or 4 forts. If this post falls I'm going to be pretty irritated, becuase if the Chinese can't hold a place like this, then they can't stand anywhere on the map.

Coral Sea: The Japs have landed at Port Moresby, but I don't think Miller brought enough. 144th Regiment tried a shock attack on the 3rd. It came off at 1:2, didn't touch three forts, and cost the Japs 530 to 345 in casualties. The KB is posted to the SE and launched a mammoth strike of 133 Kate and 140 Val that managed to sink the three AMCs in port. Two regiments of 41st Infantry Division embarked at San Diego on transports headed for Noumea by way of Pago Pago. This critical convoy is escorted by Yorktown and Saratoga.

SoPac: RO-33 showed up at Pago Pago, underwent depth charging, and missed shots at a minelayer and an AP. A U.S. Army regiment is about to leave San Diego bound for Suva.

[Mynok]

The Japs attacked on the 3rd and inflicted 2,153 to 19,449. Holy cow!

Sounds like he is putting some tanks on Reserve and pursuing you when he forces retreats. That can be devastating. Something's reducing your final AV significantly in these battles, be it supply, op mode or other causes.

[ny59giants]

Look at your Chinese experience levels, leaders, prep levels, and supply situations. What you had in WITP is less effective in AE where you start out with hordes of Chinese troops, but little combat power. The idea is to survive and strike back in later years.

[Canoerebel]

2/5/42 to 2/8/42

The Allies are satisfied that recent carrier operations in the DEI have accomplished the purpose - to draw full Japanese attention to this theater in order to buy time to reinforce SoPac and SWPac. The Japs are flooding the DEI with subs and have a stout Mini-KB (Ryujo, Zuiho, Shoho and probably one other) near the southwestern tip of Borneo. To the east, the Jap failure to take PM should serve as another speed bump that will require further attention. With those things in mind:

Allied Carriers: CVs Enterprise, Lexington, and Indomitable, and CVL Hermes are withdrawing to Perth. I believe they made their escape unobserved. They will eventually move to New Zealand where I hope to link up with CVs Saratoga and Yorktown. I think Miller has his sights set on Noumea/Suva/Pago Pago and other key bases in this theater and I intend to try to hold at least those three.

DEI: I-170, RO-66, RO-62 are in action, sinking AO-Tan 6 and an AKL. I will keep some Allied CAs and DDs in the DEI both to provide ASW and to contest any lightly guarded incursions. I-170 claimed a crippled CL Ceres that was trying to make good its escape from the DEI (after having taking heavy damage near Singapore early in the war). The Allies will continue devoting a few AKs and tankers to the extraction of fuel and supplies from Soerabaja. Two Aussie regiments just arrived at Colombo. They are prepping for Perth/Darwin, but I will consider inserting them at Koepang (thanks for the suggestion Q-Ball) or possibly Java. The Allies still hold Tarakan, but it will soon fall.

Malaya: The Japs finally crossed into Singapore. Two recon regiments came across on the 6th and lost 885 casualties to 59. The Allies booted them the following day, inflicting 420 casualties and taking just 5. On the 8th, a larger Jap contingent including 33rd Division and 21st Division and four regiments (113, 16, 24, 148) crossed, attacking at 1:30 odds and taking 4,022 casualtie to 151. It will take the Japs awhile to crack this nut, I think. The Allies have been extracting a few remnants from units cut-off and isolated at Malacca.

Philippines: Somehow, the Manila defenses held against deliberate attacks on the 5th and 6th. Bombardment ensued on the 7th and 8th. Manila will definately capitulate on the 9th. The defense of Manila was an abject failure. As Q-Ball noted I made a mistake in splitting my defenses between Bataan and Manila. It worked in WitP, but not in this game.

SoPacSWPac: Two subs showed up at Pago Pago. I-175 got and AKL but was clobbered by ASW. RO-34 claimed a small minesweeper at Suva. Lots of reinforcements departed or preparing to depart San Diego for Suva and Noumea, but they have a long way to travel and the sudden appearance of so many Jap subs suggest the Japs are looking this way. The KB has pulled back from Port Moresby and apparently rounded the New Guinea cape. I *think* the KB will have to retire to Rabaul to refuel, but there is a chance it could raid Noumea. I've pulled my ships back from there temporarily. As soon as I think the Oz coast is clear, the CA/DD force at Rockhampton will strike the Japs besieging PM. I want to persuade Miller to send the KB back this way.

Burma: Jap units nearing Moulmein. The Allies will contest the crossing of the river near Pegu, but after that it'll just be a fighting retreat to Schewbo, where they'll make a more determined stand. The Allies will strongly defend Ceylon (550 AV at Colombo will likely remain in place) and Calcutta/Diamond Harbor, if necessary.

China: The Japs took a base (Kukong) near Kanhsien. The Allies are preparing to make their main line of defense along the chain of cities with Changsha in the center. Several of these cities already have AVs exceeding 2,000, but a few need reinforcements badly. If any of the bases on this MLR should fall to the Japanese, the Chinese are in big, big, big trouble.

[Chickenboy]

Canorebel,

Are you checking your sigint regularly? I have found that it is much more useful and 'actionable' than sigint from WiTP. This may help you identify units that are en route to some of your identified destinations.

Enjoying the AAR and your writing style.

[JeffroK]

Also look at Air & Ship withdrawals a few months ahead, you might find a key unit (Like all of Hermes air units) are slated to dissapear.

[Canoerebel]

2/9/42 to 2/12/42

Jap Victories: The Japanese took Manila on the 9th and Tarakan and Moulmein on the 11th. A remnant Allied unit recaptured Davao on the 9th, too, but that's just a nuisance conquest. As detailed previously, the defense of Manila and Luzon was bungled by the Allied commandrer. A 600 AV defense force holds Bataan, but the Japs should take that in a week or two. The Japs only devoted one division (4th) and a bunch of regiments and tons of artillery to Manila; the city's fall should free up lots of troops. I suppose Miller will send some to Singapore and others to the main DEI region. The Jap force that took an essentially vacant Moulmein appears fairly weak; I think he'll have to bring more to crosss the river successfully.

Allied Carriers: Having accomplished their job in the DEI, the Allied carriers are sailing south and will round Oz and probably make for New Zealand. The Allied high command thinks SoPac will be the next hotly contested region. The Allies badly wish to hold Noumea, Suva, and Pago Pago. Alot of transports are on the way from the United States, but it will take weeks for them to arrive. I did free up the final of the 41st Divison regiments and began loading it on Queen Elizabeth. She'll make a solo, high speed run south from San Diego. The Allies still hold Port Moresby, which I think has thrown Miller off his timetable. He sent a mammoth bombardment TF there on the 10th (BBs Kirishima and Hiei, and CAs Kako, Furutaka, Kinugasa, Aoba, Chikuma, and Tone) and followed with a raid by 25 Betties; yet the defenses held and forts remain three. We hope PM can hold longer delaying Miller's projected probes into SoPac, allowing the Allied carriers and transport troops to get where they need to go.

KB: No sign of it since it departed the Port Moresby area around the 6th. The Mini-KB was near Singkawang on the 10th, but then withdrew north into the South China Sea.

Jap Subs: I-17 got an AK near Brisbane; I-168 got an AK near Dili.

China: The Chinese defenses in the key cities on the MLR are beginning to show improvement. Miller hasn't arrived at any of these MLR cities, with the exception of Changsha, in big numbers yet. He has two divisions at Changsha, but that shouldn't be enough to even try a probing attack against 2,000+ AV behind four forts.

Assessment: Despite the early fall of Manila and big concerns in China, the Allies are satisfied with the handful of stings and speedbumps inflicted in the game to date. Jap troubles invading PM and Tarakan, and the whipping applied by the Allied carriers to the invasion fleet at Tarakan, slowed Jap momentum in the DEI and New Guinea and should force Miller to be more cautious in his advances. This has bought time for the Allies to plan and get underway the troop movements to reinforce the critical SoPac bases. I still need about three more weeks to stiffen up the key bases of Noumea, Suva, and Pago Pago.

[Canoerebel]

2/13/42 to 2/16/42

The KB showed up in the middle of the Timor Sea, unleashing waves of bombers against scattered Allied transports and some combat ships at Darwin, but surprisingly the Allied high command is pleased. This was an immediate payoff on the risky, protracted effort to stir up a hornet's nest in the DEI to buy time elsewhere. I could not be more pleased....

DEI: On the 15th, the KB shows up about 240 miles NW of Darwin. I had no real warning - Miller had employed them at PM, moved them east around Gili Gili, and I assume he then circumnavigated New Guinea's north coast to spring his ambush. He was seeking all the powerful Allied TFs - Enterprise, Lexington, Prince of Wales, Repulse, Houston, Boise, Marblehead, that sailed these waters just a week ago. But the Allied high command suspected this move and moved the big ships well to the south - the combat ships are at Port Headland, Australia, and the carrier TFs off Perth. The Japs did catch a combat TF anchored at Darwin and some ASW TFs near Timor, sinking at least three DDs (Vampire and Vendetta included) and damaging CL Java. Three tankers at Darwin also went under. On the 16th, the KB moved NNW toward Kendari; I figure Miller may sniff around Soerabaja next or cover a Japanese invaision force perhapws heading for Balikpan or one of the other vital bases. (P.S. Moving PoW and Repulse from Koepang, Timor, to SW Australia was a last second - and fortuitous - decision).

SWPac/SoPac: Employment of the KB in the DEI frees the sea lanes from the West Coast to CenPac, SoPac, and SWPac at a propitious moment. These lanes are choked with transports carrying units to Noumea, Suva, and Pago Pago, and, on a smaller scale, to Tahiti, Palmyra, Johnston, and Christmas. In fact, the first transport TFs just arrived at Noumea and Suva, carrying 205th Field Artillery Batallion to the former and a P-39D squadron to the latter. It will take several weeks to get the first big infantry reinforcements in place, but the Allies are optimistic that they now have a bigger window to work with. CVs Yorktown and Saratoga are south of Palmyra escorting one transport convoy, and Hornet is on the way to Panama City from the East Coast. I strongly suspect that Miller has offensive plans in SWPac and SoPac, and by the time he's ready to move the Allies should have six fleet carriers (including CV Indomitable) in the theater.

Port Moresby: Under repeated bombardment by a battleship TF and daily bombings by LBA, the defenses are cracking. PM could fall as soon as the 17th. The lengthy defense here was an effective speed bump.

China: More constriction along the outer perimeter as the Japs advance toward the Chinese MLR. Nanning, Hengchow, Changsha, and Nanyang are cities that must be held. Others, too, but those are four that come to mind immediately.

[Q-Ball]

What was your garrison at Port Moresby? What did Miller bring? Either you reinforced it, or he didn't bring enough guys.

[Canoerebel]

Miller brought 144th Regiment plus part of a construction battalion. The Allies had the organic defense force that starts the game at PM, plus some remnants airlifted in from Rabaul/New Georgia. I think the defensive AV was about 110 with three forts. Not much, but enough to slow Miller.

Q-Ball, I'll be watching your defense of Luzon to see if I can learn something!

[Q-Ball]

So far it is I that is learning from you. My opponent gave me a break by landing at Legaspi instead of further north, but as soon as the 4th Division finishes unloading at San Fernando, I am sure he is moving.

I need to decide NOW between Manila and Clark. I don't think splitting the defenses works; although in AE those two bases can support each other, in practice the Japs can roll one before the other. In my other PBEM as Japan, I just took Clark pretty easily from from 1/2 of the Luzon forces, forcing them into Bataan. I will now reduce Manila, which should fall easily. The problem is that Clark forces will retire to Bataan it seems, so pretty much I think you have to go all-in to Clark or Manila..........

Which brings it back to..which one? In WITP, I think the answer was Manila by far. Now I'm not sure. I'll have to look at the terrain in Clark, I think it's Rough Jungle, which give more defensive value (x3), than Manila (x2). Aside from that, I think Manila is the more important hex; that's where all the VPs are, and it has a port.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

So far it is I that is learning from you. My opponent gave me a break by landing at Legaspi instead of further north, but as soon as the 4th Division finishes unloading at San Fernando, I am sure he is moving.

I need to decide NOW between Manila and Clark. I don't think splitting the defenses works; although in AE those two bases can support each other, in practice the Japs can roll one before the other. In my other PBEM as Japan, I just took Clark pretty easily from from 1/2 of the Luzon forces, forcing them into Bataan. I will now reduce Manila, which should fall easily. The problem is that Clark forces will retire to Bataan it seems, so pretty much I think you have to go all-in to Clark or Manila..........

Which brings it back to..which one? In WITP, I think the answer was Manila by far. Now I'm not sure. I'll have to look at the terrain in Clark, I think it's Rough Jungle, which give more defensive value (x3), than Manila (x2). Aside from that, I think Manila is the more important hex; that's where all the VPs are, and it has a port.

Qball,

You may think this gamey, but the non-malaria sword can cut both ways. If malaria is not enacted in your current game (don't know if it will be in patch II or not...), the defensive terrain of Bataan is much more useful than WiTP. No malaria means those guys can hold out much much longer without that detriment. Plus, you get to hold the entrance to Manila via Correigodor, thereby denying him the port facilities in Manila.

Just a thought.

[Canoerebel]

1. Damaged Ships - I've held my "Surprise Attack" damaged BBs at Pearl Harbor into mid-February '42. I just sent BB Tennessee toward the West Coast with damage of 24 44 3 0. Just outside Pearl, I recieved a "temporary flotation device failure" message and FLT increased from 44 to 46. I have no idea how serious this is - do I return to Pearl or proceed to the West Coast?

2. Damage Control - In WitP, Allied merchant and combat ships could absorb a great deal of damage, but in AE they appear to have hulls made of paper. One torpedo is almost always sufficient to get any non-combat ship including AKs and TKs. Miller just got two TKs with one TT hit apiece. What gives?

3. Australia - The off-map sea lanes from Capetown make Australia much more secure for the Allies.

4. India/Burma - I don't see any way for the Allies to contest Burma if the Japs want it; the Allied MLR will be Calcutta/Diamond Harbor and other major cities/bad terrain hexes in NE India. This is not a bad thing - it should allow the Allied player to concentrate more troops at these bases and also Madras/Colombo since they won't be required so far to the front.

5. China: Chinese troops in early '42 are absolutely worthless in open terrain unless they happen to be up in a mountainous hex. In forest and plain, they take amazingly disproportionate casualties. Whether they can hold urban hexes with good forts remains to be seen - Miller hasn't tried an attack at Changsha, yet. If the Chinese defenses in Changsha (2600 AV, four forts, urban terrain) isn't effective, then I don't know how I'll hold China.

6. Pacific: The addition of scads of additional bases and potential (dot-hex) bases in the SE corner (Societies and adjacent island groups) spreads out the map so far that it would be tough (impossible?) for the Japs to take a choke-hold on this area as they could in WitP. In WitP, a Jap player who took Papete/Bora Bora could close off that entire section of map to all but blockade runners. The additional bases all over the Pacific should also make the Allied comeback somewhat easier. Even if the Japs take a base and fortify it greatly, there are often many other bases/dot hexes nearby that the Allies could take and build into decent sized airfields.

[cantona2]

1. I would send her back to PH. I've had an AP (Australian Star) and a DD (Pillsbury) sink because I ignored those messages.

2. I read in a thread during the developmental stage of the game that the damage model was being revamped. IRL a torpedo was often enough for most merchant ships.

3. But it takes longer.

4. Make the MLR Khoima/Imphal and have a mobile reserve at Dacca and Comilla (build it up size 5 AF)

5. Currently pondering the same issue.

6. Would still take time and be under the aerial threat of the bases the Jap has already developed here.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

1. Damaged Ships - I've held my "Surprise Attack" damaged BBs at Pearl Harbor into mid-February '42. I just sent BB Tennessee toward the West Coast with damage of 24 44 3 0. Just outside Pearl, I recieved a "temporary flotation device failure" message and FLT increased from 44 to 46. I have no idea how serious this is - do I return to Pearl or proceed to the West Coast?

2. Damage Control - In WitP, Allied merchant and combat ships could absorb a great deal of damage, but in AE they appear to have hulls made of paper. One torpedo is almost always sufficient to get any non-combat ship including AKs and TKs. Miller just got two TKs with one TT hit apiece. What gives?

3. Australia - The off-map sea lanes from Capetown make Australia much more secure for the Allies.

4. India/Burma - I don't see any way for the Allies to contest Burma if the Japs want it; the Allied MLR will be Calcutta/Diamond Harbor and other major cities/bad terrain hexes in NE India. This is not a bad thing - it should allow the Allied player to concentrate more troops at these bases and also Madras/Colombo since they won't be required so far to the front.

5. China: Chinese troops in early '42 are absolutely worthless in open terrain unless they happen to be up in a mountainous hex. In forest and plain, they take amazingly disproportionate casualties. Whether they can hold urban hexes with good forts remains to be seen - Miller hasn't tried an attack at Changsha, yet. If the Chinese defenses in Changsha (2600 AV, four forts, urban terrain) isn't effective, then I don't know how I'll hold China.

6. Pacific: The addition of scads of additional bases and potential (dot-hex) bases in the SE corner (Societies and adjacent island groups) spreads out the map so far that it would be tough (impossible?) for the Japs to take a choke-hold on this area as they could in WitP. In WitP, a Jap player who took Papete/Bora Bora could close off that entire section of map to all but blockade runners. The additional bases all over the Pacific should also make the Allied comeback somewhat easier. Even if the Japs take a base and fortify it greatly, there are often many other bases/dot hexes nearby that the Allies could take and build into decent sized airfields.

1. If the MAJOR floatation damage is 44 (or 46 now), the ship stands a good chance of sinking en route to CONUS. I'd return to port at PH and get that down below 20.

2. I think enough people complained about titanium triple hulled IJN AKs for the team to reassess the durability of these ships. I'm in favor of the changes. A torpedo hit on a merchant ship was a grave prognosis.

4. Several players have held for a time at Pegu. Not a bad idea to keep the IJ out of the road and rail hexes leading away from Rangoon. The terrain at Pegu necessitates a shock attack (river crossing), so this will require more than a piecemeal commitment by the IJA to enter Burma.

6. The maximum island garrison numbers make the central Pacific picture much more interesting. Now, unlimited capacity islands (e.g., Christmas, Pago Pago, Suva, New Caledonia, etc.) are more important and the myriad smaller capacity islands (e.g., Johnson, Canton, Palmyra) that used to hold more sway are trickier to value and defend accordingly.

[Streptokok]

2. I think enough people complained about titanium triple hulled IJN AKs for the team to reassess the durability of these ships.

I play IJN and I have no idea whatsoever what are you talking about. None, and i repeat NONE, IJN AKs hit by torpedo in my game ever survived trip back to port. Only ship that is still afloat and was hit by a torpedo is Haruna, hardly a AK ship type [&:]