Where the Chrysanthemums Grow - DesertWolf101 (J) vs ITAKLinus (A)

[DesertWolf101]

In the Philippines Francesco had moved up the bulk of his P-40 squadrons to Cabanatuan to get them within normal range of Aparri where my ships were disembarking troops and supplies. I surmised that many of these planes would be on naval attack settings which provided a perfect opportunity for a full strike on Cabanatuan's airfields. Sure enough, I plastered the said airfields, facing no resistance in the process, and also moved up some sturdy battleships within range to take the attention of any survivors which they successfully did without receiving any damage. The only thing that marred an excellent turn in the area was a sub attack that sank one of my cargo ships carrying a damaged fragment from a Zero squadron. Luckily I had already removed the pilots before it sailed.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You need to look at where Force Z, really any SAG, can rearm...and refuel.

These aggressive Allied fleet moves come at a cost, fuel and rearming minor sys and engine damage. They are usually very vulnerable after the raid.

Since you can predict their next movement, then you can hit them hard under very favorable conditions.

I think Force Z is very likely completely out of ammunition and my guess is the ships will be heading to Soerabaja for repairs/replenishment. I am increasing the number of subs around the port in the hopes of scoring a hit on his battleships if/when they head there. Francesco has already lost approximately 20 destroyers thus far, many in the SRA, so that could create more of an opening for my subs.

[George Patton]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You need to look at where Force Z, really any SAG, can rearm...and refuel.

These aggressive Allied fleet moves come at a cost, fuel and rearming minor sys and engine damage. They are usually very vulnerable after the raid.

Since you can predict their next movement, then you can hit them hard under very favorable conditions.

I think Force Z is very likely completely out of ammunition and my guess is the ships will be heading to Soerabaja for repairs/replenishment. I am increasing the number of subs around the port in the hopes of scoring a hit on his battleships if/when they head there. Francesco has already lost approximately 20 destroyers thus far, many in the SRA, so that could create more of an opening for my subs.

I agree with you. At this time and in this area, only Soerabaya has the capabilities to support constantly the Force Z. Other ports will allow only limited ammo/refuel.

[DesertWolf101]

December 17, 1941

The turn started well enough when one of my well escorted convoys ran across the American submarine Seal north of Luzon and promptly sank her with three direct depth charge hits. I also ordered a battleship bombardment of Clark airfield but all but one battleship decided to engage the Subic Bay defenses instead of the base itself so the damage was minor.

In the Ceram Sea a new Japanese heavy cruiser force surged into the area to reassert Imperial dominance and encountered some lagging remnants from the former battle. Three Dutch destroyers and the light cruiser Tromp were promptly sunk. By my count, of the Dutch destroyers and cruisers that are available at the start, only one of the destroyers is still afloat.

My Netties picked off a few more cargo ships and motor launches near Rangoon but I am having pretty bad luck with the Netties in Rabaul. Francesco has been overly brazen in the area with a couple of light cruisers and although they did nothing but pick off a couple of xAKLs, it's frustrating to see my Nells refuse to fly to engage and miss in the one time they actually do.

It's also getting pretty interesting in China. I'm fairly pleased with progress in this theater. I have inflicted significant damage to numerous Chinese Corps and have already pushed forward quite well. Francesco left the road to Ankang pretty open and I am seeking to exploit the opportunity. I have parachuted in and captured the base and have airlifted a complete naval guard unit. Other Japanese forces are racing forwards from north of Sinyang and I am fairly confident I should make it at least all the way to Ankang. Combined with another force successfully advancing down the road north of Tsiotso, large Chinese armies south of Sian are under threat of being caught between the two pincers at/around Sian.

[rustysi]

I also ordered a battleship bombardment of Clark airfield but all but one battleship decided to engage the Subic Bay defenses instead of the base itself so the damage was minor.

Just an FYI, in case you're unaware. Use the F6 key and you should see you can't hit Clark w/o going past the defensive naval guns of Subic Bay. Its got something to do with it being one of those straight hexes or something like that, its in the manual.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I also ordered a battleship bombardment of Clark airfield but all but one battleship decided to engage the Subic Bay defenses instead of the base itself so the damage was minor.

Just an FYI, in case you're unaware. Use the F6 key and you should see you can't hit Clark w/o going past the defensive naval guns of Subic Bay. Its got something to do with it being one of those straight hexes or something like that, its in the manual.

I do believe that it is considered a narrow strait. [;)]

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I also ordered a battleship bombardment of Clark airfield but all but one battleship decided to engage the Subic Bay defenses instead of the base itself so the damage was minor.

Just an FYI, in case you're unaware. Use the F6 key and you should see you can't hit Clark w/o going past the defensive naval guns of Subic Bay. Its got something to do with it being one of those straight hexes or something like that, its in the manual.

I do believe that it is considered a narrow strait. [;)]

Interesting, thanks lads.

[DesertWolf101]

December 18, 1941

Somewhat of a shorter update this turn.

Three bases fell in rapid succession in China. Nanyang, Chengchow, and Tsiaotso all fell into Imperial hands.

In the Central Pacific, one of my subs had spotted a large force of Francesco's Destroyer Minesweepers heading southwestwards. I was surprised to see him sail around with such little caution with the KB barely having left the area. I took the opportunity though to circle back and position the KB within close proximity of where I calculated the DMS force would end. The plotting was excellent and the KB ended up three hexes away from the DMS group, but the weather scrubbed all flight missions except for a small strike against an unrelated resupply mission to Johnston Island. Curse thee Poseidon! [:@]

[DesertWolf101]

December 19-20, 1941

The war goes on at considerable intensity.

Over the last two turns, the Japanese have continued to advance forward in China and Malaya. In the former some Japanese divisions are racing to catch some Chinese Corps before they enter jungle/rough terrain on the secondary road leading to Ankang, a race that will likely be decided next turn. In Malaya, Japanese forces have cleared the rail all the way to Johore Bahru, which likely means I will meet my timetable of crossing into Singapore before the end of the year.

There has also been plenty of air action over China and Singapore, most of which I got the short end of the stick on due to good play from Francesco and some bad luck with weather/coordination. Overall though I still lead by a significant margin in air victories/losses which I hope to widen some more soon.

Finally the big news is that it looks like Francesco is going for some sort of Palembang gambit. His naval search has been a bit sub par in the DEI which made me think he was probably using his patrol aircraft as transports. Sure enough my recon is showing 9 units already at Palembang. Now the fortress Palembang tactic is something I never us when playing as the Allies due to it being a fantasy scenario, but we have no HR about it for this game so fair enough! I am debating either going in and taking Palembang straight away or perhaps doing something even more risky like landing directly in Java. I anticipate a hot reception either way!

[DesertWolf101]

Staking Limits - Singapore Assault

It's my first time playing with stacking limits as the Japanese and I have a question with regards to the assault on Singapore. I am currently massing my troops at Johore Bahru (stacking limit 75,000) for the crossing but if I bring all the troops I have available forward the stacking limit will be exceeded by some 20,000.

Question: Do I bring these troops forward regardless and cross into Singapore with all of them together or will exceeding the stacking limit handicap me even if the actual battle is on the next hex? Should I cross with the 75,000 and then reinforce with the rest?

[mind_messing]

As Japan, anything that incurs additional supply expenditure is to be avoided as best as possible.

Beyond that, not much experience playing with stacking limits so can't offer much in the way of tactical advice.

[Lowpe]

My rule of thumb is to prevent forts and hit Singers with only fully formed out divisions in the shock crossing, or better yet maneuver in such a way that tanks pursue into Singers creating a bridgehead and no shock attack is needed.

I wouldn't worry too much about that amount of overstacking at Johore...the fighting will be in Singers.

[Lowpe]

Fortress Palembang...you don't want the British showing up there in Brigade to Division strength. Flying in soldiers and some engineers doesn't really bother me...but there are 250+ AV there now.

[RangerJoe]

Move into Singapore with full divisions only unless your armoured units can chase them without have a shock attack. But if you have to do an initial shock attack, full divisions only. You can relocated any trashed divisions to reform while also moving in your armoured and artillery units plus the engineers. Otherwise, you might have a unit destroyed during the initial crossing in a shock attack. It really hurts with an armoured regiment to rebuild when it finally returns.

[DesertWolf101]

Yup, definitely planning on going in with full divisions (I have five of those for this op) before sending in follow up forces (another division's worth + armor and artillery). Was more wondering if exceeding stacking limits would erode my morale or cause disruption before my troops actually crossed over into Singapore. If it is just a supply penalty I am willing to pay some of that for the few turns it will take me to cross over.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Fortress Palembang...you don't want the British showing up there in Brigade to Division strength. Flying in soldiers and some engineers doesn't really bother me...but there are 250+ AV there now.

I don't think the Brits have arrived just yet but I am not sure. Either way I am afraid he has left me no real choice except to go in now. I would have preferred to stick to my own time timetable and wait for the aa units to arrive in position but oh well I will have to improvise

[DesertWolf101]

December 21, 1941

Two weeks into the war...

In China the Japanese forces have won the race and swept aside a couple of Chinese Corps on the road to Ankang. Now I am very confident my advance here will reach at least to Ankang and perhaps a few hexes further before encountering serious difficulties.

Besides China were things are going pretty well, as mentioned in previous posts I am gearing up for the crossing into Singapore (should be less than a week's game time) and some critical naval/amphibian ops south of Singapore. I expect fireworks.

[DesertWolf101]

December 22-23, 1941

Surprisingly enough, I was able to land substantial forces at Palembang with virtually no interference from Francesco. I did raise a big raucous in the Timor area so maybe that served as a good enough distraction.

Interestingly enough though, it looks like the fortress Palembang process is not as advanced as I feared. Francesco is definitely getting units in, but I think I still have some leeway with regards to time. I will hold off attacking the base for a few more turns while I get my aa assets closer into position. I also want to free up some more fighter units for the inevitable Palembang onslaught.

[DesertWolf101]

December 24, 1941

Having effectively suppressed Clark/Manila airfields and gathered sufficient fighters, I decided to finally take Miri this turn. We will see if I can keep the oil there intact. Of course, it already starts at 50% damage.

In the Central Pacific a Naval Guard unit stormed and took Canton Island on the cheap.

Finally in the Solomons/New Britain area Francesco keeps risking his cruisers in these mad dashes to take down 1-2 point xAKLs (it's the third or fourth one he has gotten) that carry tiny fragments for island occupation duties. Numerous strikes by Nell and Betty bombers have missed his cruisers both here and near Timor, so maybe he now feels invulnerable? Definitely not a tactic I would try though, as good fortune cannot last forever and he is putting valuable ships at risk for minimal gain.

[RangerJoe]

Maybe try with Low Naval with torpedoes but with no torpedoes the bombers will carry a full load of bombs on Low Naval.