Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Wonder if I could arrange for everything to land within days of each other? Interesting thought. I should clarify that I don't usually land AT Darwin. Usually I land west of there and drive across the road going to Katherine.

I love how easy the game makes it for you to do this. IRL in 1941, any force landing at Pt Hedland, Broome or Wyndham are there for the duration unless highly mechanized. In 1980 in a 4 vehicle patrol it beat the stuffings out of the machines to cover this strech, the bitumen for Katherine to Whyndham was only opened in 1983-4.

If you could find sufficient force i would hit Darwin with 2-3 Divs, then take them out and leave enough to garrison the road down to Tennant Ck, he cant ignore it and must defend AS with enough, then you could pick up your invasion force and coose which flank to attack.

If you are trying a Blitzkreig, go straight for Sydney (via Pt Kembla or Newcastle), a longer term I would take Perth so as to block that line of reinforcement. OZ needs supply and oil which usually comes from Cape Town plus the 2 excellent AIF Divs need to be kept out of OZ for as long as is possible. Its harder to blockade the East Coast unless you take NZ as well.

Well, I'm no JFB and haven't played a full game, but in doing my research I'd have to say either rebuild the 1st (most elements at Sunwu on the border), the 8th Div (most elements at Changchun) or the already built 9th division (111, 43 on the border) are a no brainer.  These are all ~80 xp divisions so they'll have the strongest combat potential.  9th Division starts off with some disabled squads, so it may be the cheapest, plus no movement required.  The 1st and 8th both have an arty unit at 45 xp/morale and an engineer unit at 50/50 so they might benefit from a bit of extra training time, though you may not have time for that as they start with no prep.

I have two questions John. I can't find a Imperial Guards Brigade in the OOB for RA 4.0. What gives?
How did you manage the more than 2-1 over stacking at Truk? Truk has a SL of 25,000 and there are 53,000+ there at start.

ORIGINAL: Schlemiel

Well, I'm no JFB and haven't played a full game, but in doing my research I'd have to say either rebuild the 1st (most elements at Sunwu on the border), the 8th Div (most elements at Changchun) or the already built 9th division (111, 43 on the border) are a no brainer.  These are all ~80 xp divisions so they'll have the strongest combat potential.  9th Division starts off with some disabled squads, so it may be the cheapest, plus no movement required.  The 1st and 8th both have an arty unit at 45 xp/morale and an engineer unit at 50/50 so they might benefit from a bit of extra training time, though you may not have time for that as they start with no prep.

Great choices. I will look and buyout the cheapest. It can fillout while sitting. I had seen the 9th and was thinking about the 8th. Heck: Didn't even notice the 1st!

ORIGINAL: Dan Nichols

I have two questions John. I can't find a Imperial Guards Brigade in the OOB for RA 4.0. What gives?
How did you manage the more than 2-1 over stacking at Truk? Truk has a SL of 25,000 and there are 53,000+ there at start.

Hi Dan.

Guards Brigade starts at Tokyo. There are just enough PP to buy it out on Turn One, place it on the 'warp speed' TF in Tokyo, and shot it somewhere. It is a strong unit and so should really help in the early moves down in Luganville--Noumea--Rabaul.

2-1 overstacking in Truk? Ahhhhhhhh...the answer is....ahhhhhh...TALENT! When JWE overlaid the Stacking feature to the Mod I didn't even look at the numbers there. Something to fix with that. Do you think they built a bunch of highrise bamboo towers to house those boys? I shoot the SNLF Assault unit to Wake Turn One and begin loading the southward Invasion Forces immediately so that overstack decreases pretty darned fast.

If you notice anything else like that let me know. It is an excellent catch!

ORIGINAL: JeffK

ORIGINAL: vicberg

Have to offer this while you can still change your plans.  If you land on Darwin late December/Early January you will be telegraphing your intentions.  You will see every US reinforcement moving towards OZ and every northern OZ unit moving south, while gaining very little in the form Darwin itself.  If you can hide your intentions, perhaps take SoPac close to OZ and secure Java, a late January/Early February invasion could achieve surprise on both sides of OZ, while securing your fuel supplies in Java/Sumatra and watching US Troops will be distributed amongst India/SoPac/OZ.

Or you could suck the US troops and Australian army into the Northern Territory and out of position for an East or West Coast landing. Feb could see the CMF units at a higher level of strength, 6 & 7 Divs due and depending on other threats, a couple of US Divs anyway.

A comment on your plans, you started out with confidence but are now "pulling in some CV for support at Palembang" or "getting some BB for Sinkawang landings" Dont get too cautious, your very long range search assets should find anyone within threat range and Netty sink anything they can reach.

Thanks for the commentary Jeff. I concur on how the geography is NW Australia cannot be well modeled in AE.

I don't want to be cautious, however, I must not squander my units either. I got ashore at Singkawang and my long range recon picked up what appear to be Prince of Wales and Repulse plus two other STF near Batavia. This is good due to it becoming an opportunity. I want to SINK those ships. The addition of 3 A-24 Squadrons cannot be overstated as to their changing some of the equation right now. Since the war began they have accounted for 3 AK, 2 AKL, damage to a CA, and hits on two more AK. Aircover is NEEDED ASAP.

I'm at work now, I'll look at lunch, but I could not find the Imperial Guards Brigade on the list of LCUs at all.

Combat Report
December 11, 1941

The ground action really begins to heat-up this turn as landings start to occur with greater frequency. I'm going to shift into Regional Reports to make it easier:

North Pacific
The various Invasion Forces for Attu, Adak, and Umnak are loading and should move out tomorrow.

Central Pacific
Wake Invasion Force should land tomorrow and easily takeout the Marines there.

In a sign that Lew probably hasn't changed his patterns, a STF of USS Indianapolis and a couple of DMS appear at Tarawa. Luckily my convoy had dropped off troops and departed, however, the ships stayed there and were attacked by 20 Z and 27 Betty. Unfortunately no hits were scored. DRAT! In our first campaign Lew loved to raid with a strong ship plus a few DDs and this tactic really cost him then. Let's hope he continues this...

South Pacific
The Manus and Shortlands IF will land tomorrow. Rabaul is two days out. There are now IF heading for Lunga, Luganville, and Efate. CarDiv2 should be there at that point to cover the landings.

Have a shortage of shipping down here and so I have to wait a bit before I load the South Seas Force to hit Koumac at New Caledonia. This will be lightning fast work getting this region by the end of December.

Planning Ahead:
Once I have the above bases, I will be prepared to move against the east coast of Aussieland as well as Port Moresby.

1. I've got nearly 300,000 fuel at Truk and it must be shuttle forward. Have 6-8 TK at Truk to begin that process once I have the available Ports.

2. Am picking up two Fleet HQ to move to Rabaul and Noumea. Additionally, Combined Fleet will move forward to at least Rabaul (from Saipan).

3. The new 9th Air Fleet (Kyushu) will be lifted to this region to provide strong Base Force/Air Support. It comprises the 9th Air Fleet HQ, 3 Air Flotilla, and 3 large BF. The aircraft of this unit will move with it bringing 81 Zero, 54 Betty, 27 Val, 27 Kate, 36 Emily/Mavis, and 36 Jakes.

4. An Army Air Division will move as well plus a few Army Fighter and Bomber units.

Damn...a LOT of shipping is needed for all this. I have about 20 large, fast AK being converted in the Home Islands presently. Will probably add at least another dozen to that total.

Eastern DEI
Boela and Sorong fall.

Landings at Ambon go well and I am glad the 3 CVL were nearby as their LR CAP (25 Zero) intercepted 3 raids coming and damaged them nicely. Got about 12-15 planes shot down for only 1 loss.

A landing at Lautem is only 4-5 days away.

CVLs ordered to rendezvous with CarDiv1 ASAP.

Central DEI
CarDiv1 sinks a pair of AKLs South of Balikpapan. In a fun thing to watch, a pair of B-17 attack the TF and are met by 33 Zero. One B-17 is shotdown by the Sea Eagles and the second one is blasted apart by AA. NICE! Ordered to rendezvous with CVLs.

A small 2DD TF is split of CarDiv1 and they finish off 2 large AP and an AK at Tarakan.

The Brigade that starts up in Hanoi reaches Cam Rahn Bay this turn. It will be loaded and form the Invasion unit for Tarakan and Balikpapan.

My STF that raised HELL through the Philippines are returning to Babeldoap and CRB presently. They will be resupplied and refueled then move out to support the upcoming Operations.

Eastern DEI
Miri falls with everything intact and ready to use. Move in 18 Zero and 70 Nate/Oscars.

Land at Singkawang for little to no loss. Two AK are hit by A-24 flying from Singapore. Those A-24 are getting some serious miles on them!

Spot several STF approaching from Batavia. Order the Landing Force and its Escort to retreat to Kuching. I think there are enough troops to take Singkawang next turn.

The Palembang TF links up with the TF bringing in 2 TK Regiments. I am now ready to hit Palembang but need LR CAP.

Malaya
Troops arrive at Kota Bharu from Patani. Will take the base tomorrow.

Troops move out from Singora heading for Alor Star.

The second wave of TF are now unloading at Singora where I should then be able to form-up full Inf Div. Imperial Guards will arrive by rail tomorrow.

My aircraft have done well but are getting tired. Begin a rotation of rest for the units.

Philippines
A Tank Regiment drives two units out of Tuquegarao in Luzon and takes the base.

A unit reaches Aparri that will be kicked out by 48th ID which will then begin driving south. 2nd ID isn't too far away from landing and aiding the assault.

Move fighters, Recon assets, and some Vals/Kates to Naga to recon the Central Philippines.

China
Haven't mentioned anything about this area of operations for my simple standard answer: I HATE CHINA!

Trying something different with a direct and immediate attack on Changsha. Aircraft have hit the AF everyday and I have already driven Chinese troop down the two roads leading into it. Be nice to take that quickly and gain the economic benefits of having the city.

Capture Kweiteh on the Central Chinese Plains.

That is the Regional Info!

How's Chokai doing?

It took two 1000lb bombs from those damned A-24s but made Port with ease. Has 31 SYS Dam though and will head home in a couple of days. FIRST ship to enter the yards I guess...

edited to eliminate clutter.

It is the Guards Mixed Brigade starting in Tokyo on Dec 7th.

Just did Dec 12, 1941 and it is a pretty tough turn for the Japanese...until the end!

The Lady LEX has been spotted due east of Tulagi...

Combat Report
December 12, 1941

This is a day that really belongs to the Allies but the end result is a substantial victory for Japan within the DEI. As the turn unfolded I was becoming slightly depressed but that turned to a mild elation as I saw the end. Ready? OK. Let us start:

North Pacific
Most of the TF for Attu, Adak, and Unmak have just departed.

The main TF that will take Dutch Harbor is about to start loading the 1st China SNLF Assault Brigade. With winter rules in effect I will not try to land at the defended base, however, I will deposit this unit at Adak where it can move the moment the weather penalty lifts.

I've gathered 15 of the older Japanese DDs to Cover all this. It is not much and they shall be reinforced by a pair of CAs to provide a little bit of teeth.

Central Pacific
The Wake Island Invasion occurs without an issue. One CA provides a bombardment while another parries the Marine CD from the actual Landing Force. The SNLF Brigade storms ashore and, as hoped, immediately overwhelms the defense. The Americans surrender and I am surprised to see the Wildcat Squadron still present. All of them are destroyed. NICE!

The 2 CAs and 1 CL depart to reload at Kwajalein while the troops immediately begin reloading into their transports for Midway.

CarDiv2 will dock at Kwajalein tomorrow and refuel/reprovision before moving south to deal with the Lexington.

South Pacific
Manus and Shortlands are invaded.

The Lunga Landing gets a nasty surprise while still about 5 hexes from its target. A force of 11 Buffalo and 9 SBD attack it from the USS Lexington. This landing group was only carrying a small Base Force in 5 AKL so I get very lucky to only lose a pair of ships in return for discovering the presence of the CV. Why only this many planes flew to attack I do not know but I shall not complain about that.

Recall the Luganville and Efate IF since they might get involved with Lexington if she retreats towards Pago Pago--Suva.

The Shortlands TF is redirected by way points into the Coral Sea.

The Imperial Guards Brigade plus support units (9,000 men) are only a day from Rabaul and the TF has been spotted. Lexington is within attack range of Rabaul if she moves towards the base. Crap! Fine. Order the TF back above Manus and out of range.

If Lex moves off then I will redirect and make the Landing at Rabaul.

Lae Invasion Force is two days out and allowed to close their target.

BBs Nagato and Mutsu arrive at Rabaul. Rabaul--thanks to the comments from our good player earlier--is overstacked by about 12,000 men. I have to load them up and get them out. If I do any changes to RA after this release this is a place where I MUST take care of a problem.

PLAN: Perhaps I can keep Lew interested by keeping some shipping in the Coral Sea while I get CarDiv2 into the area. Since Lex has those Buffalo for fighters, I will bump my CV CAP up to 70% to crush anything coming in from a Strike and attempt to sink this CV with the battle tested veterans of Hiryu/Soryu Air Groups (68 and 63 planes). Would prefer not to meet at 2-1 but want the chance to score a major early war victory.

Eastern DEI
At Ambon, a surface fight occurs between CA Myoko, 2 CL, and 3 DD vs. CLs Marblehead and Tromp and 4 DDs. The battle is inconclusive with 1 Jap DD taking moderate damage while Marblehead and 2 DDs receive the same. Myoko still delivers a bombardment to help the attack upon Ambon which then succeeds at the end of the day. During the day the Ambon AF is loaded with planes and Hudsons, 139WH-3, and a few PBY harass Japanese forces but cause no damage. The Base resoundingly FALLS to the Japanese attack and nearly 2 dozen Allied aircraft are destroyed! YES!

The CVLs move west to rendezvous with CarDIv1.

Reload the Boela Force to land at Dili, Timor. Other landing forces are shooting the breach to head for Lautem and Koepang.

Central DEI
CarDiv1 ends up a little south of Makassar and delightfully PLASTERS CA Houston with a strike of 19 Zero and 21 Val. The Dutch Fighters flying Cover are swept aside as 6 bombs sink the cruiser making our total TWO US CA sank in the opening days. BANZAI! CarDiv 1 now moves slightly SW to conduct anti-shipping strikes, join the CVLs, and do a Port Strike against Soerabaja tomorrow. CAP is lowered on all 5 carriers so the strike has enough Escort to punch through the Dutch fighters that are certain to be flying CAP over that base. Perhaps we'll see that Squadron of British Hurricanes?

Western DEI
Damned Allied aircraft cause some trouble as a pair of AK are sank (one by A-24 and the other by Vildebreest). Another pair are hit during the day as well. Lastly two damaged by A-24 yesterday also go down. Allied STF did sweep into Singkawang but found nothing for their efforts. All the TF retire towards Miri during the day.

Everything rests with the Battalion of Infantry offloaded yesterday. I ordered a Shock Attack HOPING they would be enough. If not then the timetable is badly damaged as I have to wait 2-3 days for the CVs to arrive. The Japanese Infantry prove UP TO THE TASK as they take the base in a brilliant 3-1 assault! (Thank Goodness) This is one of the things that truly drives me nuts with Allied players. The Japanese Opening is really not so much a case of mass but a combination of dash and audacity. A single defeat can unhinge things significantly. Here the case is perfect. IF I could not take Singkawang then Palembang would get 3-4 more days to set-up a stiffer defense. At least one of those STF should have bombarded my troops to disrupt them. Some of the aircraft could have done the same. A repulse (no pun intended) would have been pretty serious.

DOESN'T HAPPEN Baby! Add to the victory another massed destruction of planes on the Allied AF. several Fighters, 5-6 139WH-3,and--HUGELY IMPORTANT--a full Squadron of those dratted A-24! Yaaaaaa....just what the Japanese Witch Doctor ordered! Move 18 Zero and 30 Oscar there to provide CAP, add a small Chutai of Nells, and order all the TF back to the base to finish unloading and prepare for Palembang. The 4th Inf begins its run to the target...

Malaya
Nearly all of the 2nd Wave TF have unloaded their cargo at Singora. Imperial Guards arrives by train adn begins to redeploy and move west. Two Independent Regiments move into the next hex between Singora and Alor Star while the rest of the column will begin moving tomorrow. Will have to watch out for hex stacking limits!

Two large TF--destined to land at Mersing--are about 4-5 days away from their target.

I've chosen this strategy of a late Mersing Landing in the hopes of making Lew think I am simply coming down from the north in a one dimensional assault. We'll see if this works at all.

Order the 1st Raider Force (Victoria Point) to land at Medan so I can grab the AF there.

Philippines
At Vigan a Philippino Inf Div is routed out of the hex and the 48th ID is given orders to move south. My reinforcements for driving the Allies back into Bataan will be landing over the next couple of days.

From Naga I have 3 Recon units begin checking the Central Philippines looking for any 'hidden' surprises.

China
No developments.

SS Action
Have 3 different attacks on shipping near Batavia fail. Grrr...

I-166 does score a nice victory as she sinks Dutch DD Van Nes as she is returning from the Singkawang sweep.


Summary
The turn was rough to watch because I did not know what the Infantry Attacks would yield. Taking Wake, Singkawang, and Ambon all with planes at the bases is HUGE! I started a Japanese victory dance while watching from the terminal. (You probably don't want to visualize that! [:D] ). Tracker states that the following Allied aircraft were destroyed in the turn: 12 139WH-3, 26 A-24 (BANZAI!), 7 B-339D, 13 F4F-3, 7 Hudson, 6 PBY, and 5 Buffalo----71+ planes. THAT puts a serious dent into Allied capabilities at this early stage.

Perhaps my Soerabaja Raid tomorrow can truly further the cause by crippling the Dutch Air Force? We'll see about that...

How is that for a pretty wild and hairy turn that breaks BIG for the Japanese at the end??!!

Lew has promised a rare morning turn so I am hoping we can get one more in today!

Just so you know our turn rhythm...I, currently, work mostly nights and he works during the day. I generally do the turn at 10pm and send it to him by 11pm r so and shoots it back by 5-6pm.

BANZAI - big "get" with the A-24s.

They are a true addition to the Allied OOB in the DEI. I like that we placed them here and HATE IT!

Here is the current shot of shipping in the Solomons area.

Forgot to mention 2 CA, 1 CL, and 4DD are in the process of taking a swipe at PM. They run some risk in doing this if the CV enters the Coral Sea...

The Eastern flood of Imperial TF is rolling forward:

The CVLs move east to add to CarDiv1's Port Attack.

The CVEs move into a Supporting Role.

Everything else moves towards Timor...

The two CTF move to link-up and hit Soerabaja. After hitting shipping and the Port they will scoot due west--drawing fire--to get ready to Support Palembang:

The TF begin a rapid move back to Singkawang to get under CAP. The Palembang IF holds there for one more day before moving out...