War in the Pacific as the Japanese Planned It

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: ADB123

What I'm doing to sustain PM is flying about 50-60 planeloads of supply in each day plus a fast TF every three or four days.

He's not trying to intercept your transports? Does he have any level 2 airfields near by?

He'd like to, but everything he does is done under the protection of the combined fleet, and taking and building up those secondary bases is not part of his planning.

[ADB123]

ORIGINAL: herwin

ORIGINAL: ADB123

What I'm doing to sustain PM is flying about 50-60 planeloads of supply in each day plus a fast TF every three or four days.

He's not trying to intercept your transports? Does he have any level 2 airfields near by?

He'd like to, but everything he does is done under the protection of the combined fleet, and taking and building up those secondary bases is not part of his planning.

Hmmm - that's not a good move on his part. The same shortsightedness caused me no end of grief in my first Japanese pbem.

Thx

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: herwin

ORIGINAL: ADB123

What I'm doing to sustain PM is flying about 50-60 planeloads of supply in each day plus a fast TF every three or four days.

He's not trying to intercept your transports? Does he have any level 2 airfields near by?

He'd like to, but everything he does is done under the protection of the combined fleet, and taking and building up those secondary bases is not part of his planning.

He just squatted on the fast TF with the massed KB. I need to learn how to time my fast transport visits to ports to occur during the night. I tried to use waypoints to do that, but the APDs entered PM during the day while the KB was lurking off Buna. Something like two dozen APDs sunk in PM harbor.

I play the game to learn about why things occurred historically, but I'm not sure learning how to play the game effectively teaches me the right lessons.

[herwin]

July 18/19 1942

I'm thinking about abandoning the South Pacific until I have overwhelming force. The game does not reward 'right-sizing' your forces, and it really, really loves overwhelming mass. Logistics, other than tactical logistics, feh!

Koepang is being invaded. My opponent is apparently not aware of the heavy SAG lurking in the vicinity.

Port Moresby:

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 23
      G3M2 Nell x 23
      G4M1 Betty x 32
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      7 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      11 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      18 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 101
      B5N2 Kate x 138
      D3A1 Val x 116
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      APD King, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Sands, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Manley, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Gregory, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      APD Humphreys, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD McKean, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Kilty, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Rathburne, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      APD Ward
      APD Colhoun, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
      APD Litchfield, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Fox, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Crosby, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Schley
      APD Little, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Waters, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Kane, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
 
 
 
Port hits 1
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      27 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      17 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Manley
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Crosby
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Rathburne
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Litchfield
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Gregory
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Colhoun
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD McKean
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 8
      B5N2 Kate x 54
      D3A1 Val x 30
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      APD Rathburne, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      APD Schley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      APD Colhoun, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Ward, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
       9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied AM
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Ward
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Colhoun

I do have a small question in my mind about the realism of port strikes with torpedoes on little or no notice.

[ADB123]

I do have a small question in my mind about the realism of port strikes with torpedoes on little or no notice.

I was under the impression that you were aware of the KB's location in the region. Were you trying to sneak that rather large TF into Port Moresby and get away in one night, in a Tokyo Express type fashion? If so, be aware that the Game has never handled that well.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: ADB123

I do have a small question in my mind about the realism of port strikes with torpedoes on little or no notice.

I was under the impression that you were aware of the KB's location in the region. Were you trying to sneak that rather large TF into Port Moresby and get away in one night, in a Tokyo Express type fashion? If so, be aware that the Game has never handled that well.

It operates out of Rabaul. It pops out to Buna when my opponent thinks I'm trying something.

[herwin]

July 21/22 1942

Life gets interesting near Koepang and Port Moresby.

(He's invading at Koepang, and I'm trying to hit the invasion with a heavy SAG.)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,119
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 165 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 12
      G4M1 Betty x 22
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      BB Warspite
      CL Ceres
      BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 1
      CL Newcastle
      BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 2
      BB Revenge
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      20 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,119
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 15
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M2 Nell: 12 damaged
      G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      BB Warspite
      BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
      BB Royal Sovereign
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      14 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Nothing sunk and I shot down three torpedo bombers. I'm about to hit the landing force with three battleships, four cruisers, and a bunch of destroyers. God willing, I'll be out of range in the morning. I'll bring some fighters over to provide air cover if I don't escape.

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 23
      G3M2 Nell x 24
      G4M1 Betty x 32
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 146 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 62 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 71
      B5N2 Kate x 147
      D3A1 Val x 104
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 11 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      44 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Port hits 3
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      17 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
       9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 8
      B5N2 Kate x 44
      D3A1 Val x 15
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Port hits 1
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      26 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
       9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby  ...

I lost six VPs of ships.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 21467 troops, 196 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 570
 
Defending force 16376 troops, 279 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 402
 
Japanese ground losses:
      46 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      7 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

I love the friendly fire casualties.

I'm looking at ways to attract him towards Ndeni, where I can put torpedoes on my PBYs.

[herwin]

BTW, I'll have torpedoes on 8-10 squadrons of PBYs operating out of Townsville in a week. The main delay is moving the HQ there. Wish I had known earlier.

[herwin]

July 22/23 1942

My opponent continues to poke a stick at Port Moresby.

[herwin]

July 23/24 1942

The KB hits Horn Island in mass...

Allied carriers hit Tulagi.

[herwin]

Hmm...

It looks like he's pulled his troops out of PM.

[herwin]

July 24/25 1942

No important actions.

[herwin]

July 25/26 1942

Indian armoured columns occupy Prome.

Allied CVTF continues bombarding Tulagi.

[herwin]

July 26/27 1942

Dutch sub sunk off Soerabaya.

Japanese air operations concentrate on suppressing PM, Ramree Island, and Ambon.

[herwin]

July 27/28 1942

Major battle on the Nanyang-Sian Road.

Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 187053 troops, 1639 guns, 772 vehicles, Assault Value = 6025
 
Defending force 84029 troops, 498 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2570
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 3613
 
Allied adjusted defense: 5047
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      18121 casualties reported
         Squads: 151 destroyed, 845 disabled
         Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 809 disabled
         Engineers: 6 destroyed, 48 disabled
      Vehicles lost 101 (6 destroyed, 95 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6962 casualties reported
         Squads: 14 destroyed, 391 disabled
         Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 451 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled

Continuing action at Tsuyung

Ground combat at Tsuyung (68,46)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 29140 troops, 226 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 919
 
Defending force 19010 troops, 54 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 395
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 567
 
Allied adjusted defense: 544
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1218 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 61 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      808 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 60 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    33rd Division
    Imperial Guards Division
    112th Infantry Regiment
 
Defending units:
    88th Chinese Division
    54th Chinese Corps
    10th Construction Regiment
    12th Construction Regiment
    NCAC
    51st Base Group

[herwin]

July 28/29 1942

The IJN SAG reappears at Koepang. The RN heavy SAG is within range to react (cross fingers).

[herwin]

July 29/30 1942

Time for one of my cunning plans!

Bombing Rangoon at night--1 light industry hit.

Looks like the Japanese are back at Koepang. Once resupplied, my heavy SAG may pay a visit.

[herwin]

July 30/31 1942

Japanese landings at Koepang likely to be successful. I'm sending my heavy SAG in to disrupt them, but it appears he may be establishing a foothold on Timor. I need to develop some tactics to block his torpedo bomber operations.

Japanese attack at Tsuyung unsuccessful. Chinese reinforcements arriving tomorrow, which should stabilise the situation.

Ground combat at Tsuyung (68,46)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 28832 troops, 226 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 892
 
Defending force 18620 troops, 54 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 373
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 522
 
Allied adjusted defense: 841
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1258 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 59 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 90 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      246 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled

[herwin]

July 31/August 1 1942

My opponent suffered a power supply failure, and is only now coming back on line.

My coastwatchers are reporting Rabaul is packed with shipping. My opponent seems to be concerned about the places he's finding my troops in strength.

[herwin]

August 1/2 1942

US Army lands at Kirakira.

Japanese A6M2s encounter superior Chinese fighters at Tsuyung.