Banzais Don't Make Victories - Anachro (A) vs John 3rd (J) BTS 5.7

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: Anachro

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Was the TF that didn't react "sitting" or patrolling a one hex pattern?. If it was sitting, that why it didn't react.

A TF sitting in it's home port, or in a target location hex with a Remain on Station order will Not react.

It needs a patrolling order or to be in route to a patrolling destination to react.

It wasn't set to "remain on station" but I did have it sitting in homeport, which probably automatically makes it so. So I learned something. It still might be possible to hit his damaged ships tomorrow based on their location in the air strike by my banshees. We'll see. He seems to have 2 destroyers sitting in port. Ill try to bomb or bombard these too.

If they were docked in port they won't react; were they?

They would have undocked and fought when the Japanese landed, so they could not have been docked.

[Anachro]

Dec 17. 1941

A decent day down by Rabaul. I begin the night by bombarding the port where I expected him to have stashed his damaged ships; he does put them in there. What I was not expecting and what came as quite a surprise is he seems to have really over-stacked the airfield, resulting in a number of Japanese planes destroyed on the ground. I then bomb the port with whatever is near at hand; hopefully, I can sink some of his cruisers. I have the 2 American BC's nearby and they will run in to bombard Rabaul again tomorrow, with the plan being to destroy more planes and hit his ships if I can. Given the results today, I eagerly anticipate the results of my BCs tomorrow. Really, I do. Eagerly.



In Hawaii, KB moves south of Midway with no strikes - most likely will strike Midway over the next few days to soften it up and provide air cover. The IJN Midway invasion fleet finally appears west of Midway. What he might not expect is I have 350 mines at Midway. [:D]



In the DEI, KB3 appears once again off of Palembang. They probably moved down to intercept British CAs/DDs that were spotted near Batavia. These will be moved out of harms way if they can tomorrow. No harm suffered today. Force Z is in Sorabaja. Not sure what to do here yet. He is moving KB2 east towards Truk, so I think there will be opportunities for intercept of unescorted convoys at some point given that he cannot saturate the area with air coverage using just KB3.



On the Malayan Peninsula itself, its looking increasingly likely I won't be able to take Malacca, I will move forced north to a port where I can and try to fly out as much as I possible. Let's see how long Singers can hold. Any ideas what I should do here?

Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 72 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 73 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 5 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 33 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 10 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 29 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Kai Nell: 52 damaged
G3M2 Kai Nell: 3 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CL Furutaka, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Louisville
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
CL Perth
CL Leander

Japanese ground losses:
405 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 116
Port hits 2

Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Kai Nell: 3 damaged
G3M2 Kai Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 1 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
DD S.P. Lee
DD Trippe

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 3

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 1

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 1
CL Furutaka, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Furutaka, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsuharu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Kako, Bomb hits 1

The bad results at Malacca, better results at Khota Baru

Ground combat at Malacca (49,81)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5861 troops, 35 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 341

Defending force 4237 troops, 61 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Allied adjusted assault: 20

Japanese adjusted defense: 51

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Indian Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
3rd SSVF Battalion
6th Indian Brigade
28th Gurkha Brigade
110th RAF Adv Base Force
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
1st Raiding Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit
Imperial Guards Div /1
35th JAAF AF Bn /1

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4254 troops, 36 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Defending force 1164 troops, 26 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 40

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 7 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), morale(-)

Japanese ground losses:
375 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (8 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
347 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
FMSV Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force

Defending units:
36th Field AA Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn

[Lecivius]

I have no idea why anyone would overload an air field, in contention and shore bound, that heavily. I would be willing to bet he is NOT a happy camper [;)][8D]

[Anachro]

Dec 18. 1941

The invasion fleet sits just off of Midway, as does part of the KB (I would imagine the other half of KB is moving back towards the DEI or SoPac to help with invasions there). Will try to get some good sub hits in tomorrow if possible and we'll see how well the mines do. Will probably station most of my subs to hit ships in his invasion fleet; not sure if its worth it to try and get lucky hit on a CV. I want to delay his taking of Midway if I can by causing some of his troops to drown in the sea. I believe the unit being transported is a full SNLF assault division, which apparently exists in this game (probably an attempt to make the SNLF in the game more like their Marine counterparts then they were in reality).



In the North Pacific, heavily superior USN forces manage to find and sink Japanese AMC raiders. However, based on the after action report of the commander, an inquiry is already being opened into how a USN surface force can be "surprised" in daylight by mere armored merchants. One DD was heavily damaged and will most likely need to be scuttled due to heavy fires.



In the SoPac, Rabaul will be bombarded again tomorrow, but it seems he has fled with most of his ships back towards Truk. CL Kitakami and Furutaka are listed as sunk near Emirau Island, but there are no Pete's destroyed on the ground, so I doubt it. I would imagine they make it back to safer ports, but there's always the chance they will sink along the way. CL Kinugasa is still in port in Rabaul with heavy damage and heavy fires, suffering additional bombing attacks; I would guess she sinks eventually. I could try to chase the ships fleeing with my BCs, but I think they are too far away.

In Singapore, I am going to hold with the troops available and build up defenses as much as I can; all troops trapped north will push north to cause havoc in his rear. and get some north to Burma if possible. Force Z has fled south just in time, as KB3 seems to have moved south towards Sorabaja.

As for future plans, I have some possible targets in mind for trying to wrest the initiative away from John eventually, preferably earlier rather than later. I am using any delays achieved in the SoPac to build up the Suva/Noumea/Efate/Luganville line. Indian defenses are being built up on Ceylon, the coasts, and the Burmese border.

[Bearcat2]

Thanks for the AAR!

[Uncivil Engineer]

Have you given any consideration to airlifting troops north of Malacca into Singapore? You have plenty of airfields up there, but I don't know how much good it would do. Most of the stuff up north only serve as speed bumps, so their strength is not that important. Can you put air cargo transports in Singapore and pick up from the northern fields?

I'm somewhat surprised he let you re-take Kota Bharu, but as he already has Kuantan and Mersing I guess it doesn't matter. But, that does give you use of 3 units that are usually worthless after they retreat from Kota Bharu.

[BBfanboy]

I think getting the surprise (initiative) roll means better Naval Skill in the TF leader. My guess is you had a dog for a leader and the IJN had a pretty good one. Remember that the ships cannot open fire until they get visual sighting on the enemy, so with the constant bad visibility in the Aleutians it is possible for AMCs to emerge from the mist with their guns aimed first. BTW, AMCs are Armed but not Armoured.

As for Kitakami, depending on the configuration in this mod she might not have had a FP. At one stage of their lives Oi and Kitakami were fitted with 40 TT and called Torpedo Cruisers. John may have liked that idea for this mod.

[Anachro]

@Bearcat2 You're welcome. Let's hope John starts updating his AAR more so I have something to read in a few years.

@Uncivil Engineer He had moved in with weak forces from somewhere. I simply sent my troops back to take it (might as well damage his air support units and some AA if they are there for the taking). Most of his troops are either in Kuantan or Mersing/Malacca. I am going to move my northern troops north to see if I can damage more of his air support and AA units left unprotected up there. After that, I might try to fly the restricted units into Singers and the extractable ones north to India where they will be more useful.

@BBfanboy You are right. The starting commanders for the forces up there seem to be pretty bad. I was just creating the jibe towards the commander for flavor more than anything else. The captains/commander will be replaced once more PPs are available. Regarding AMCs, simple misnomer mistake on my part from writing too quickly without thinking. The CL Kitakami is the 40 torps version with no FP; I guess when writing my post I was more focused on the Furutaka and the catapult planes she carries.

[Anachro]

Dec 19. 1941

Not much happens this turn, but something interesting is developing once again around Rabaul. My BCs arrive at Rabaul, but not to bombard as I elected to chase his fleeing ships. Don't catch up to them, but my floatplanes DO spot a Japanese CVE task force 2 hexes away. I will detach my faster BC/CAs to attack this force. One slower BC and a DD will remain and bombard Rabaul, which still has a sizable complement of fighters. As for the CL remaining in Rabaul, it seems to have disappeared and I suspect has been sunk; there are 2 Petes listed as destroyed "on the ground" for the day. Intelligence estimates this as the Suzuya, but it's probably the Kinugasa.



At Midway, John elects to send in some DDs to bombard the island first. They spot and clear some mines, but one is hit and heavily damaged. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Not much to report elsewhere for the moment.

[BBfanboy]

Kinugasa is the smaller Furutaka class and could have two FPs vs the three for the Mogami class. But even Kinugasa is a very useful CA for the hard-pressed Japanese - he will miss her. Well done!



EDIT - edited to correct my goof in conflating Kinugasa with Kumano!

[adarbrauner]

Why so many airplanes at Rabaul evades completely my understanding.

[Anachro]

@adarbrauner He hasn't made the same mistake; he seems to have extracted his planes.

Dec 20. 1941

A day of infamy for the the US military. First, north of Rabaul the BC Constellation and her escorts are humbled and come off worse against a far inferior force of escort carriers, light cruisers, and destroyers - in a surface engagement! It seems there are to be many reprimands and demotions of acting captains and admirals before the USN is to become the superior fighting force it was meant to be. While a number of escort carriers take shells and are reported to be on fire, the little real damage reported as seen (and John's elation in his email) makes intelligence estimate that no enemy ships were sunk.

Day Time Surface Combat, near New Hanover Island at 104,123, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
CVE Ibuki, Shell hits 2
CVE Taiyo, Shell hits 1
CL Yura, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Ushio
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1
DD Reid, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tucker, Shell hits 1
BC Constellation

Now, with all USN forces retreating back south to safer waters in Australia, it appears the the easy early pickings of the South Pacific and Guinea are over. KB2 has been sighted far north heading down towards Rabaul. John will have his bases! But does he know that the USN will soon have 4 carriers operating in the vicinity, I wonder...


The embarrassed USN task force built around the BC Constellation...

At Midway, the garrison falls in one turn to the SNLF assault division. Rough stuff. Tokyo Rose goads Allied troops elsewhere over the radio. Mines were mostly ineffectual with only 2 DDs suffering hits. I had hoped Midway would put up a greater fight. Other than the destroyed planes and troops, I think the strategic importance of Midway is minimal. I wonder though what larger plan it'd be part of. Is he going for Hawaii eventually?

Ground combat at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5810 troops, 95 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 191

Defending force 3536 troops, 70 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Japanese adjusted assault: 77

Allied adjusted defense: 18

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Midway Island !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 6 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 13 destroyed
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 destroyed
PBY-4 Catalina: 5 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4152 casualties reported
Squads: 117 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 214 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 83 (83 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division

Defending units:
1st/298th Infantry Battalion
6th Marine Defense Battalion
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion
116th Base Group

[Bif1961]

It looks like disruption was what caused the result what caused all the disruption to you forces there?

[Anachro]

A number of bombardments + bombing.

[Bif1961]

By the way congrats on making his life miserable around Rabual, looks like he put a lot of eggs in one basket and you stomped on the basket.

[Anachro]

@Bif1961 Thanks! I got an email from John with the latest turn as well. We're trying to do one more turn tonight.

Sean,

Coming from me, this is a high compliment. You are a born Japanese player Sir. Your aggressiveness is stunning, bold, and brassy as all HELL. I love it! BANZAI for you Sir. I would put a letter of reprimand in the folder of the Admiral Commanding the US Scouting Force and, specifically, and leader of the Constellation TF.

I should note that my real name is Sean, which is the Gaelic version of the French name Jean, which is, of course, French for John. So, in a way, this match is between John and John. Perhaps John is playing his own aggressive self? [:D]

[jwolf]

Looks like both players are having fun, and that makes for a great match! Congratulations and keep hitting him where he isn't expecting you!

[durnedwolf]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Dec 20. 1941

At Midway, the garrison falls in one turn to the SNLF assault division. Rough stuff. Tokyo Rose goads Allied troops elsewhere over the radio. Mines were mostly ineffectual with only 2 DDs suffering hits. I had hoped Midway would put up a greater fight. Other than the destroyed planes and troops, I think the strategic importance of Midway is minimal. I wonder though what larger plan it'd be part of. Is he going for Hawaii eventually?

A place to refuel and fly PA out of. The only way to counter allied radar is eyes-in-the-sky and sub reports. It's all about increasing the detection levels. [;)]

Have you already implemented a pilot training program?

[ny59giants]

Midway - John will use it for a sub refuel/rearm base to send them to the USA. AS and Emily/Mavis to be following soon.

[Capt. Harlock]

A day of infamy for the the US military. First, north of Rabaul the BC Constellation and her escorts are humbled and come off worse against a far inferior force of escort carriers, light cruisers, and destroyers - in a surface engagement! It seems there are to be many reprimands and demotions of acting captains and admirals before the USN is to become the superior fighting force it was meant to be.

Looks like the fortunes of war to me -- specifically, a very lucky long-range torpedo hit.