Matrix Games Forums

October 9-11:

Although the action should be very heated - it is actually very calm... we are proceeding a lot faster than anticipated - our air strikes go in almost unopposed and our ground troops are making excellent progress.

At sea we are cleaning up the remaining MTBs... I have no ideas how many he has of those - but eventually he must be running low...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sapporo at 120,51, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-151, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-152
MTB G-226, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-227, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-228, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-229, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-230
MTB G-231

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
CL Helena
DD Hale
DD Halligan
DD Longshaw
DD Ringgold
DD Robinson
DD John Rodgers
DD Ross
DD Rowe
DD Schroeder

-------------------------------------

On the other side of the globe we are finally wearing down LRCAP over Palembang - making our bombing runs easier every day... obviously he has also realized that every squadron fighting here is missed 10 times more over Honshu...
So far he has been able to concentrate a critical mass of fighters over key targets preventing me of doing day bombing. This will change with the capture of Sapporo and Hakodate - both already lvl 9 AFs.. Asahikawa will be a lvl 9 within a few days with over 3000 engineers and 500 vehicles working on it soonish - this will be one of our main bases as it is completely safe from shore bombardment.

Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

does he really not have any radar in Palembang?


----------------------------


As before at Sumatra he is again trying to go for night torpedo runs with his highly experienced bombers... in anticipation of that I decided to night bomb a few of his "suitable" airfields...

Night Air attack on Hachinohe , at 118,55

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 3

-----------------------------------------

I wish I could report anything more impressive and exciting, considering we just landed on Hokkaido two days ago - but no - we are just trying to catch up with the retreating Japs - attempting to keep them from making a nuissance of themselves by being behind my lines. Furthermore we land more and more troops going back and forth from Shakalin in order to have critical mass for the anticipated fight for Sapporo...

other than that - we launch our 2nd attack onto Palembang - forts down to 6:

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 116424 troops, 1987 guns, 2973 vehicles, Assault Value = 4232

Defending force 36223 troops, 538 guns, 324 vehicles, Assault Value = 946

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 6

Allied adjusted assault: 2588

Japanese adjusted defense: 8575

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2874 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 211 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 88 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 101 (8 destroyed, 93 disabled)
Vehicles lost 48 (18 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5311 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 532 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 105 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 88 disabled
Guns lost 105 (4 destroyed, 101 disabled)
Vehicles lost 141 (9 destroyed, 132 disabled)

Assaulting units:
40th Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
16th Chindit Brigade
Guides Cavalry Regiment
268th Motorised Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Australian Division
193rd Tank Battalion
11th Australian Division
44th (Support) Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Para Battalion
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
82nd (West African) Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
IV Corps Engineer Battalion
2nd Australian Division
24th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
3rd Australian Division
2nd Regiment
15th NZ Brigade
37th Infantry Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
22nd (East African) Brigade
763rd Tank Battalion
8th Australian Div /3
37th USN Naval Construction Battalion
56th Heavy AA Regiment
103rd RN Base Force
II Australian
88th Medium Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
1st RAA Jungle Regiment
IV Indian Corps
8th Medium Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
1st Indian Medium Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
226th Field Artillery Battalion
122nd British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
21st Division
14th Tank Regiment
25th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Ind.Mixed Brigade
18th JAAF Base Force /1
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
23rd Special Base Force
25th Army
35th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
112th AA Regiment
27th JAAF AF Bn /1
1st Air Defense AA Regiment
31st Field AA Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
42nd Road Const Co
1st RF Gun Battalion
35th JAAF AF Bn /1


--------------------

I should perhaps use this combat result above to mention the staggering difference between Commonwealth troops and US Troops when it comes to any sort of ground combat vs the Japanese. Not only is their artillery astonishingly inferior (always losing in bombardments in comparison to excellent results with the Long Toms) but also the infantry per see appears to perform worse. I am not an expert on the topic but I remain sceptical if the results should be this different.
still - with the addition of US troops it appears Palembang will be ours soon enough.

It's not that the men or training were inferior, it's their equipment. The US was the only country with a semi-automatic rifle as standard issue. Not only was it fast loading and shooting, it kept its range and accuracy, unlike the SMGs carried by some troops of other nations. Similarly, the BAR was a better LMG than the Bren gun. The bazooka had better range and accuracy than the PIAT. And of course the US had more vehicles to carry equipment, communicate between HQ and the front line, etc. No question the US troops were more effective by having more stuff to work with!

October 12:


First of all I would like to share the total number of casualties as far as naval forces go for the entire invasion of Hokkaido (meaning - the ones that didn't sink - as I mentioned before nothing as large as a DD was actually sunk - I believe one PF and a few AMs were the largest ones lost):
All of these ships would make it back to the West Coast to be repaired entirely and are already back in action a month later.


Additionally we are slowly but surely finding our way when it comes to head-to-head engagements in the air during daylight.
It is rather obvious that the only way of winning this game is to bomb Japan into dust - equalize the points AND fullfill my dream of invading Honshu as an Allied player at the same time - I know my opponent is quite fond of points - so I don't just want to "proclaim" victory without actually fullfilling that part of the game as well, although I am rather of the oppinion that any game should not be dictated by some random "point" system in the first place - but I am aware it is an abstract way of judging a "winner" in a game - so let's stick to it. Equaliziing a 3:1 advantage on Jan 1, 1944 is tough - but we are already up to 61000 points to 80000 points still in favour of the Japanese - already downgraded to a "minor" victory... so it should be possible to achieve a "minor Allied victory" - if I abstain from dropping more than 2 Atom bombs etc etc. (I never dropped one of these before either - so I might just go for at least one ^^)

Therefore we need to be able to grind the Japanese economy into dust. I will not be able to cut off Honshu from ressources completely - as many can travel via land since China is completely taken.
This leaves actually making it impossible for the Japanese to produce - which in turn means bombing, bombing - and more bombing.

Thus far we concentrated on slowing down his R&D to only have to deal with Franks and Sams before late '45. Once we conquered Hokkaido this will have to change again. Conclusively we started getting a feel for A2A combat with the latest models of Japanese planes now.
We are already drawing a few conclusions which we will not share here now - but I believe it is no surprise that certain models work better in drop-tank sweeps than others.

------------------------------------------------

We are still losing the bombardment in Palembang - but not as badly as before we brought down forts to lvl 6:

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4767 troops, 232 guns, 340 vehicles, Assault Value = 3779

Defending force 33873 troops, 533 guns, 309 vehicles, Assault Value = 795

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
40th Infantry Division
1st Australian Division
2nd Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
24th Infantry Division
15th NZ Brigade
1st Australian Para Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
766th Tank Battalion
22nd (East African) Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
Guides Cavalry Regiment
82nd (West African) Division
193rd Tank Battalion
16th Chindit Brigade
3rd Australian Division
44th (Support) Battalion
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
2nd Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
IV Corps Engineer Battalion
8th Australian Div /3
8th Medium Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
IV Indian Corps
56th Heavy AA Regiment
1st RAA Jungle Regiment
II Australian
226th Field Artillery Battalion
37th USN Naval Construction Battalion
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
88th Medium Regiment
103rd RN Base Force
1st Indian Medium Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
122nd British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
21st Division
14th Tank Regiment
25th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Ind.Mixed Brigade
31st Field AA Battalion
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
18th JAAF Base Force /1
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
112th AA Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
23rd Special Base Force
25th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Air Defense AA Regiment
42nd Road Const Co
5th Mortar Battalion
27th JAAF AF Bn /1
35th Field AA Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
35th JAAF AF Bn /1

--------------------------

on October 12 we again spotted the Combined Fleet in Tokyo Bay - only a few days too late... I guess our math calculations aren't that terrible after all considering I am a historian and have little to nothing to do with any natural sciences

SolInvictus202 wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 3:31 pm
Therefore we need to be able to grind the Japanese economy into dust. I will not be able to cut off Honshu from ressources completely - as many can travel via land since China is completely taken.
This leaves actually making it impossible for the Japanese to produce - which in turn means bombing, bombing - and more bombing.

Any thoughts about shore bombardment once you have the airfields for LRCAP over part of Honshu?

I am unsure, to be honest, Capt. Harlock.

very few "useful" targets of strategic importance are in range of ship to shore bombardment, I believe. all aircraft factories on the shore line have already been demolished and/or are of little importance.
The moment I step onto Honshu there will be a huge naval clash, as by that point even my very cautious opponent will realize: What is the point in having a fleet if the Allied troops fight on Honshu. Although I am unsure of the outcome, I believe it will be more one sided than my opponent currently believes - a few Yamatos will not deter the entire might of the Allied fleets - even in a Dreadnought battle of old.

After that I will definitely be more bold when it comes to bombardments - but until then - what would be the point of risking ships in undoubtedly mined hexes when I can destroy those factories from the air with easily replaced losses. The few bases worth bombarding are in hexes that have fortresses in them - and I have no interest in sending even BBs in range of 30cm Howitzers unless there is no other way.

Recent changes in my approach have shown that I can punch through his fighter cover even in daylight raids - leaving Hamamatsu and Gifu rather trashed - more to follow soon. And that without the arrival of massed Mustangs and later model Thunderbolts. Why risk a ship with 1000 men on it, when I can achieve the same result or better risking a 1000 men in planes, where I maybe lose 50-100.

October 13-14:

Nothing major to report on the 13th, besides the fact that we are really getting some very nice coordinated strikes in - as below. Since hardly any of my games went into this late in the war, I am very happy and surprised at the same time that thsi can be achieved:

I figured it would be nice to give an update on our conquest of Sumatra - although it is quite obvious that noone really cares about this theatre, due to obvious reasons. It was a diversion - it succeeded I believe in this goal - up to a point, at least that the Japanese kept quite a few planes in the area that could have annoyed the heck out of me in Shakalin - but now - it is just a mop up operation, neither me nor my opponent really invest a lot of time in.

I have over 1000 planes there - mostly Commonwealth - and they control the skies whenever I choose to. Palembang will take time - Singers and Indochina will be next.



At the same time I figured we should probe how much the Japanese left in Burma. from what I can see almost nothing so far.
I believe this to be a great example of outmaneuvering someone on the strategic level - and I don't mean this in a condescending way - but this was the main front - the main area of war when I took over the game. I was amazed on how much the Allied had invested here - all to fight a highly superior Japanese force - since they had moved all their Chinese divisions here.
And now- I will basically just march into Burma with only Commonwealth Troops and capture the plains within a few weeks with little to no fighting at all.

Had I not moved the focus of this campaign to somewhere else I would have still been fighting in the jungle in '46....




On the 14th we still spot Combined Fleet in Toyko.. what is he up to? I could even attempt to touch him there - he only has some 800 fighters over Tokyo... I have 2000+ in the AO - most capable of flying this far, once we have Hokkaido...

Last but not least I would like to mention a personal goal of mine. Most campaigns you see on the forum, in the AAR section or even the ones I played in my years of service to this game - all of them usually have highter Japanese plane losses than ALlied - simply because they can afford it...

In this game - the ALlied even lost more planes to FLAK than the Japanese... I mean COME ON!!!!!!

So one of the goals I set myself was to ensure that more Jap planes were lost than ALlied - and it was after the Hokkaido landings happened so smoothly that I started working towards that - just so I could take a screenshot and mention it to my opponent...

So let us take this moment to post a screenshot to show the current situation... the last few 100 planes would be a lot tougher than you'd think - but it WILL have a positive outcome
I am unsure what the difference was when I took over - but I believe I made up some 2000 planes already - but it might not have been that much - not sure.
perhaps my opponent can enlighten us on that? How did it look like in August '44?

for some reason I could not edit to attach the correct screenshot - here it is:

October 14-16:

Another misclick we presume sees a few Betties go in at Kuhiro on the 14th - we down the lot of them:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M2a Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 19
F4U-1D Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
F6F-5 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2a Betty: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

------------------------

the general situation is looking like this at the moment - no enemy defenses - basically just doing our thing on Hokkaido - bombing every troop concentration into dust - keeping the airfields shut down and advancing towards Sapporo:
on the 15th we decide to invade Wakkanai - why? well to be honest the troops were already on the ships - and I figured - why not - I wanted to see how my amphib ships would do vs a fortress that has been under constant ground and port attack for a month - and as you can see - it was just like any other landing..
at least my troops won't have to walk that far now - which surprisingly is the only thing slowing us down on Hokkaido - the hikes....

Pre-Invasion action off Wakkanai (122,48)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
DD Norman Scott
APD Weber
APD Bunch
APD Cofer
APD Kephart
APD Newman
APD Lloyd
LCI-84
DD Taussig
DD Roe
LST-277
LST-226

Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

------------------------------------

Additionally we attack Palembang again and bring forts down to 5:
almost 1:1 by now - not bad!
-----------------------------------

the 17th has us venture south for the first time, which is actually promplty noted that this was "too close to Tokyo" by our opponent - apparently he is worried about Sendai as an invasion spot - as he should be!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sendai at 117,58, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Hirashima, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
E Hoko, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
E Niizaki, Shell hits 23, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Columbia, Shell hits 1
DD Bradford
DD Braine
DD Bryant
DD Bullard
DD Burns
DD Capps
DD Charrette
DD Chauncey

------------------------------------------------

One noteworthy thing is the fact that we FINALLY managed to intercept one of his LB-"convoys" from Ominato to Hakodate... and we bagged what appears to be some retreating engineer units...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Ominato at 120,54, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-101, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-102, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-103, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-104, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-105, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-106, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-107, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-108, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-109, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-110, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-112, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Dashiell
DD DeHaven
DD Pringle
DD Taylor
DD Wadleigh
DD Wadsworth
DD Walker
DD Shaw

Japanese ground losses:
1037 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 111 destroyed, 96 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


---------------------------------------------

The enemy sets up a cap trap over Wakkainai which bags him quite a number of planes as they - as per usual - go in before the sweeps - (even sweeps launched from closer airfields than the bombers usually arrive late by now... oh well - WITP AE is a game you love and hate for its shortcomings)
but this does not change the outcome - we capture Wakkanai the day after the landing

Ground combat at Wakkanai (122,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24154 troops, 616 guns, 373 vehicles, Assault Value = 947

Defending force 5719 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 149

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 629

Japanese adjusted defense: 63

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wakkanai !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2290 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 80 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 41 (37 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

October 18-20:

Two major things happened on the 18th:

1) We brought down forts to 4 in Palembang - again with an "almost 1:1"

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112630 troops, 1975 guns, 2967 vehicles, Assault Value = 3735

Defending force 30871 troops, 525 guns, 272 vehicles, Assault Value = 557

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 3473

Japanese adjusted defense: 3538

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3139 casualties reported
Squads: 218 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 114 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 137 (69 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2052 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 261 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 126 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 65 (11 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 139 (10 destroyed, 129 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
763rd Tank Battalion
22nd (East African) Brigade
16th Chindit Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
Guides Cavalry Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
3rd Australian Division
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Australian Division
82nd (West African) Division
766th Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
37th Infantry Division
IV Corps Engineer Battalion
1st Australian Para Battalion
40th Infantry Division
1st Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
15th NZ Brigade
44th (Support) Battalion
11th Australian Division
24th Infantry Division
2nd Regiment
8th Australian Div /3
1st Indian Medium Regiment
1st RAA Jungle Regiment
103rd RN Base Force
226th Field Artillery Battalion
8th Medium Regiment
II Australian
37th USN Naval Construction Battalion
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
IV Indian Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
109th Tank Attack Regiment
88th Medium Regiment
56th Heavy AA Regiment
122nd British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
21st Division
25th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Mortar Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
42nd Road Const Co
25th Army
1st RF Gun Battalion
18th JAAF Base Force /1
1st Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
23rd Special Base Force
112th AA Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Fld AA Gun Co
35th JAAF AF Bn /1

----------------------------------------

Secondly we reached Sapporo with our avant garde - this would be an easier fight than anticipated (again... )

Ground combat at Sapporo (120,51)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3690 troops, 282 guns, 262 vehicles, Assault Value = 3253

Defending force 50864 troops, 390 guns, 326 vehicles, Assault Value = 1427

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
5th Marine Division
762nd Tank Battalion
XI Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
96th Infantry Division
775th Tank Battalion
710th Tank Battalion
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
81st Infantry Division
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
XIV US Corps
XI US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
IX US Corps
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
X Corps Artillery
249th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
10th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I Corps Artillery
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
85th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
62nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
107th Division
7th Division
77th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit
5th Area Army
134th AA Regiment
1st Air Division
20th JAAF Base Force
35th Const Co
27th JAAF Base Force
141st AA Regiment
Maizuru 1st SNLF
5th Fleet
21st Field AF Construction Battalion
12th Field AF Construction Battalion
27th Army
1st JAAF AF Bn
49th JAAF AF Bn

----------------------------------------------------

Additionally I took up BBFanboys advice and set a layered LRCAP over Sapporo - bagging a few transports
------------------------------------

Bihoro facilitates all our needs on Hokkaido - with a few Nav Support units present
on the 19th we launch our first attack on Sapporo - great success already:

Ground combat at Sapporo (120,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76099 troops, 1392 guns, 2697 vehicles, Assault Value = 3680

Defending force 50464 troops, 389 guns, 326 vehicles, Assault Value = 1408

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied adjusted assault: 1784

Japanese adjusted defense: 980

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
7297 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 447 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 135 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 68 disabled
Guns lost 87 (8 destroyed, 79 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (5 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
1552 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 80 disabled
Guns lost 62 (1 destroyed, 61 disabled)
Vehicles lost 60 (3 destroyed, 57 disabled)

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
775th Tank Battalion
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
5th Marine Division
41st Infantry Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
81st Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
96th Infantry Division
XI Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
6th Infantry Division
710th Tank Battalion
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
X Corps Artillery
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV US Corps
4th Field Artillery Battalion
IX US Corps
10th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I Corps Artillery
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XI US Corps
XIV US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
85th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
107th Division
62nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Division
77th Division
35th Const Co
12th Field AF Construction Battalion
27th Army
20th JAAF Base Force
21st Field AF Construction Battalion
49th JAAF AF Bn /1
56th JNAF AF Unit /1
1st JAAF AF Bn /1
141st AA Regiment
1st Air Division
5th Area Army
134th AA Regiment
5th Fleet
27th JAAF Base Force /1
Maizuru 1st SNLF /1

----------------------------------------

On the 20th we continue with another attack on Sapporo - also we capture the last base in our rear with an airborne assault - Kunashiri.
The extensive bombing campaign has proven most efffective - we have complete control of the skies and are able to bomb enemy troops, such as at Sapporo, on a daily basis with over 2000 bombers.

Ground combat at Sapporo (120,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 86358 troops, 1640 guns, 2953 vehicles, Assault Value = 3964

Defending force 41501 troops, 384 guns, 280 vehicles, Assault Value = 914

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 1743

Japanese adjusted defense: 302

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
8871 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 251 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 113 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 50 disabled
Guns lost 73 (9 destroyed, 64 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
880 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 81 disabled
Vehicles lost 93 (2 destroyed, 91 disabled)

Assaulting units:
711th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
775th Tank Battalion
710th Tank Battalion
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
5th Marine Division
6th Infantry Division
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
44th Tank Battalion
XI Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
43rd Infantry Division
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
716th Tank Battalion
81st Infantry Division
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
96th Infantry Div /1
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
85th Medium Regiment
249th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
10th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I Corps Artillery
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV US Corps
IX US Corps
III US Amphib Force
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
X Corps Artillery
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XI US Corps
XIV US Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
134th (East Ang) Regiment

Defending units:
107th Division
7th Division
62nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
77th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit /1
141st AA Regiment
1st JAAF AF Bn /1
20th JAAF Base Force
27th Army
5th Area Army
134th AA Regiment
21st Field AF Construction Battalion
12th Field AF Construction Battalion
Maizuru 1st SNLF /1

----------------------------------

Ground combat at Kunashiri (125,52)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 425 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 5

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kunashiri !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
11th Airborne Div /1

Defending units:
57th JNAF AF Unit /1

------------------------------

last but not least our advance in Burma is steady and without opposition

the next few turns will get a bit more interesting again - especially since I will reveal a secret to my opponent here in this AAR which might be funny to him

Combined Fleet will sortie and make a move... and all my CVs are somewhere else....

October 21:

These couple of turns were highly interesting. KB was about to make a move - and I prepared for a counter-attack towards Hokkaido.
From the beginning I was completely surprised that he would even try to make a move against an island that has basically been already taken - so I frantically tried to come up with an idea WHY he would risk his ships now..
I literally saw no operational or even any tactical value in sortiing his fleet now that all my valuable shippping had left Hokkaido already.

As it turns out it, he wasn't ready to commit after all - I am unsure why he wasted the fuel, as it didn't impact our operational speed in any way.
Only thing I can think of is that he may have been trying to get at my supply convoys arriving daily on Hokkaido and Shakalin - but would he really move past his LRCAP from Honshu to maybe sink a few xAKs and Tankers? I highly doubt that.

From this day onwards he actively tried to set CAP Traps for us using sub chasers and other low value targets - following the big air brawl SE of Toyohara however I decided to only leave a few expenable Beaufighters on NavAttack, because I know he is never going to counter-attack Hokkaido - what would be the point - and he knows the outcome of it anyway.

but enough of my ramblings - let us look at the October 21 Situation:

This is what I saw on October 21st - his CVs SE of Yokohama with plenty of ASW TFs creating a line towards Hokkaido - obviously trying to clear the way for KB as well as trying to see if I flew planes on NavAttack.

I had a minor issue at the time: most of my CVs and CVEs were in upgrade and repair mode -unavaible - all I had was abot 500 planes on carriers - that was it - speed of this TF was down to 6 hexes - as I had to combined CVEs and CVs...
I opted to move those towards the EAST - towards Adak and attempt to catch the Jap Fleet in the flank - if at all possible.

As you can see below he concentrated what appears to be most of the Japanese Air Force around Tokoy and Yokohama..

to ensure that both any shot down pilots would have a bigger chance of being picked up as well as making moving closer to Hokkaido for him more costly I sortied my available submarine force and blanketed the entire area. In a 2nd step I would enlarge the patrol zones towards the SE - ensureing that any flanking move towards Adak would be covered as well..


While these events developed we continued our ground attacks in Palembang and Sapporo - both being very successful.

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 111708 troops, 1973 guns, 2968 vehicles, Assault Value = 3598

Defending force 28155 troops, 463 guns, 270 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 2267

Japanese adjusted defense: 1396

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2643 casualties reported
Squads: 100 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 139 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 90 (58 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2266 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 336 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 63 (3 destroyed, 60 disabled)
Vehicles lost 80 (8 destroyed, 72 disabled)

-------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sapporo (120,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69471 troops, 1411 guns, 1943 vehicles, Assault Value = 6216

Defending force 34226 troops, 373 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 423

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1246

Japanese adjusted defense: 164

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sapporo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
11341 casualties reported
Squads: 452 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 695 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 177 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 270 (267 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 197 (197 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 10
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1087 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

-----------------------------------

Additionally to making my moves at sea I decided to withdraw all non-essential planes from the coastal AFs on Hokkaido and prepare everything for a large scale attack to get at my bombers. I deliberately left them where they were, as I wanted this particualar fight to happen!

With everything prepared (rerouting shipping goes without saying) it was time to await the Japanese move - indeed - I had handed over the initiative on this one - but in my view all the cards were in my favour - so I was happy to let him make the next move!

I must apologize for the delay in the reports - I am currently enjoying the summer and spend most of the spare time on the driving range, the golf course or some mountain top...

the game is progressing nicely - I am currently playing the December 18th, 1944 turn and only 2 aircraft production centers remain untouched - Tokyo and Yokohama - both have 600+ Fighters in them.

The rest has either been "hurt" or totally destroyed... he is still repairing some of the factories - which is great - but I do not think he will be able to keep it up for long.

We are concentrating all shipping and land forces for the final push onto Honshu - I cannot provide an exact date for the landing, although it has been set for over 2 months game-time now.

On the rest of the map we have retaken all of Burma without a fight - Rangoon is Allied again - the Japanese are defending the Moulmein line- which we have already outflanked.

on other news Port Moresby has been retaken as well - pushin points towards the Allies again.

The score currently is 73000 to 81000 in favour of the Japanese- which is considered a draw but still an achievement in my book since we started with an autovictory....

Enjoy the summer. Sounds like the progress has been good. Perhaps you can pull off 2:1 in VP points by August.

Cheers,
CB

quick update: the game has been progressing at a steady if somewhat slower pace - I simply did not have the time to get a turn in every day and jrsdae has been very understanding! Thanks a lot for that.

Today, however, the landings in Honshu have commenced with a maximum effort of all available arms of the military being made.

it is January '45 - my land forces finally finished prepping for their targets 3-4 days ago and I simply didn't want to wait any longer.
Weather is terrible, planes hardly ever fly and the sea state causes lots of collisions etc - but waiting until the ideal moment around August or smth would have meant swapping back turns for probably more than 6 months IRL.

by then the industry would have been trashed completely and both of us would only have hit "end turn", waiting for proper conditions.
Therefore I have opted to take the risk - foolish as it may be - and simply hit "go"

Reports will return almost in real-time as secrecy no longer is the issue here - but as I mentioned above - pls keep in mind that it was more of a "let's get this over with" than a "prudent" decision to go now as only the bare minimum of parameters had been fulfilled to enable a proper landing.

We shall see how much Japan has left - I am specifically worried about the Surface Combat Vessels still afloat and therefore have concentrated every single Combat vessel of note on the map in this region to ensure my amphibs get maximum possible protection. The Royal Navy is present in full force - and even the French have spared a battleship

On the other hand, lots of amphib shipping was still in the queue or is en-route - therefore I was not able to bring everything in one go - it should be enough however to gain a foothold, which is all I need to go from there...


let's see what my opponent takes away from this intel I just provided and let us begin

what a turn...

January 21, 1945

preceeding the long planned landings at Hachinohe, Akita and Hirosaki - supported by sub-invasions cutting the rail lines towards Tokyo and Maebashi (which shows 3500 AFVs - ie. most likely the tank divisions) we flooded both sides of Honshu with a grand total of over 150 submarines.

My opponent expected this and sent forward a huge flotilla of Escorts, Sub Chasers etc which should apparently clear the way for his main fleet.

the initial turn yesterday saw 2 subs sunk and lots of others damaged. I decided to counter this maneuver with about 20 Destroyers in small 2-4 Ship TFs. I ordered them in at Full speed - to ensure they would get there at night, only face night attacks - and then withdraw by morning.
I have to admit - the plan worked a lot better than expected as we sunk about 15 Escort class ships and damaged a few more - in return we lost 3 DDs (no Fletchers were used for this - only older Bristols etc) - one of them to the very first Kamikaze attack!

Enemy Night Air attacks were numerous (as expected), but not a single hit was recorded at the landing zones at Hachinohe (which happened today - Akita and Hirosaki will happend this turn) - We managed to offload a grand total of 3400 AV into the base and will attack this turn supported by a few surprises
The enemy has about 1200 AV in the base - a lot less than feared - and casualties suffered from the ship to shore bombardment as well as the initial bombardment by the Japanese were horrendous - so either Forts are very low, or even worse - the troops there have no punch.
3 of the divisions ashore are Marines - supported by plenty of tanks and artillery.

------------------
Ground combat at Hachinohe (118,55)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20239 troops, 320 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 1263

Defending force 96500 troops, 1961 guns, 2904 vehicles, Assault Value = 3475

Japanese ground losses:
992 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
47th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Combined 8th SNLF
45th Ind.Mixed Brigade
61st Division
44th Ind.Mixed Brigade
49th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Ind.AA Gun Co
31st Army
78th Field AA Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Medium Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
12th RF Gun Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
31st Ind.AA Gun Co
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
166th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
5th Marine Division
98th Infantry Division
112th Cavalry Regiment
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
713th Flame Tank Battalion
81st Infantry Division
298th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
124th Cavalry Regiment
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
11th (East African) Division
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
17th Indian Light AA Regiment
855/868th EAB /1
XI Corps Artillery
VII US Amphib Force /1
694th Field Artillery Battalion
14th Army /1
611th Coast AA Regiment
Sixth Army EAB /1
608th Coast AA Regiment
7th USMC FA Bn /5
207th Coast AA Regiment
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
86th Coast AA Regiment
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
738th Coast AA Regiment
X Corps Artillery
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
5201st Eng Con Bde /2

-------------------------------------------------


I was worried about the absence of any combat vessels larger than a DE in ANY of the amphib TFs - but so far the ability of all those neat little support landing ships with rockets, mortars etc etc to suppress the present 12 and 14 inch CD gun units did not disappoint!
This gives me the ability to concentrate all my combat vessels into TFs standing by to fight the oncoming Japanese fleet - which is surprisingly still around Tokyo and no closer!

-----------------------------------

The other event of note was a very successful attack by my B-29 fleet of about 160 bombers, which were ordered to attack a lvl 9 AF near the Russian border along the coastline (Rashin). I had a hunch that the Japanese would attempt to hit the landings on the northern coastline from there- since I stopped using recon in this area (on purpose...)
The attack went in unescorted and was very much high risk - but it was a grand success... as we bagged about 100 bombers, type Frances 2 - on the ground! I am particularly happy about this, since replacing these bombers will take time - taking these units completely out of the fight for now (I am sure he still has a healthy pool for all his units, but to repair those replacements even on a lvl 9 AF will take plenty of time - more than he has for this landing, which will be over by this turn )

January 22, 1945

Again - what a turn. the expected slaughter happened. it just wasn't amongst my landing ships - but rather amongst the Japanese Air Force. But first things first:

AMPHIB OPERATIONS:

both landings at Hirosaki and Akita went through without any opposition. All troops are ashore and the amphib ships will depart for rear areas this turn - it is one of the most potent abilities of late game Allies to be able to offload some 10k AV within 1 turn without disruption and fatigue and then be able to just leave to bring more
CD guns or mines do not appear to have been present in these hexes - unlike on Hokkaido I sent in multiple "volunteer" minesweepers and every single Amphib TF had at least 2 AMs or their equals in it - but not a single report of cleared mines ever happened.
We now have 3400 at Hachinohe, 3000 at Hirosaki and 4000 at Akita. I expect to take Hiro and Akita this turn, with Hachinohe probably as well - or not - it is the least important hex and is more of a roadblock to keep units in Ominato tbh.

an attack on Hachinohe today was highly successful but failed to take the hex - reinforcements might arrive in Hachinohe this turn - which might keep me from taking it.

NAVAL OPS:

the slaughter amongst the Escorts continues - with more sunk in return for 2 DDs which failed to move during the full speed run.
What is more important is that this skirmish kept the main battlefleet of Japan to interfere with the amphib landings. a circumstance which I simply do not understand: I am aware that my opponent likes his "toys" - more than he probably should, but after the uncontested landings at Hokkaido I was convinced that he would adapt when it comes to the defense of Honshu.
I was sure he would sacrifice his ships in order to hinder me from landing on the mainland. but he didn't - so I wonder: what is the purpose of having all his BBs still afloat, when my troops are ashore?
I have now concentrated my Surface ships under 3000 fighters at Hokkaido, presenting him with the opportunity for a fun fight - it is not a fight I would HAVE to take - but I want to see some action - so let's go for it and see if he takes the offer.
He will however have to fight through hordes of PT Boats, submarines and destroyer pickets - eventually finding TFs with 2 BBs on average under commanders such as Arleigh Burke, Lee Willis Ching and the Lord, Duke or whatever Somerville

AIR OPS:

Here comes the real surprise:

1) CVs: I restricted my attack planes to 4 hexes - ensuring that only the landings would be covered. this meant that no attacks would be conducted against KB, which was in a position to do a 8 hex strike against my CVs. I know, some would argue that I was wrong in doing so - but my reasoning is simple:

WHAT DO I CARE ABOUT CVs at this stage... the only thing I need is my amphib shipping - I could see every single CV sunk and the result on Honshu would still be the same. with 4 Mio Supplies in Shikuka I can even sever connections to the West Coast and still take Tokyo - or at least advance in Japan to the gates of it.

Therefore my only concern were my beachheads. every available plane was on CAP except a few that supported sweeps to ground pound Hachinohe in support of the assault. (which was probably a mistake - or not -but results proved my right to support the attack)

2) land based Air Ops: Waves of attacks went in against the landings at Akita. only very few planes made it through and even more importantly: most were supported by Georges - and not all by the latest model either: how bad have I depleted Japan's airpools? I expected to see results of my strategic bombing sometime in Summer of 45 - with either being able to NOT see planes like the Ki-49 II by that time or ensuring that very few would be available. While knowing that he probably still had thousands of Franks and George 5s in his pool...
but now - he sends in George 2s and the likes... just a clever deception for escort planes? I wonder.
A few LSTs were sunk - a few AKAs damaged I believe - but not to the extent of actually being harmed in any serious way. most of the APAs (the most precious ships) have already made it out and if a few TFs get mauled this turn during their withdrawal it doesn't really matter as enough shipping is already safe and secure in the rear to bring up the follow on forces. This is one of the reasons why I did not detach any damaged ships from their amphib TFs this turn - neither from Akita nor Hirosaki - so that they would present a huge target for more planes to be soaked into the meat grinder!

We are past the time where I need to preserve forces and most of all shipping... 10,000 AV are on the beaches in Japan - we have entered the phase where I need to just deplete what is left of his air force and land force in order to ensure the possibility of a victory by taking Tokyo!
This may sound delusional - but any way I can attrite his forces now makes the next few months easier - if it means seeing a few allied ships sunk - that is fine, with bases in Honshu taken I can basically use xAPs to move in troops - as their presence will only lure in more planes and ships - all under the cover of the unsinkable carrier of Hokkaido and its land-locked air fields

3) KB ATTACKS: KB or what remains of it, launched one strike in the afternoon - which got me once again annoyed with the engine. the strike saw some 250 Sams escort 140 Judies and 80 Graces or smth like that. I had over 800 planes on CAP.
The 100 Fire passes kicked in and only the Sams were engaged with not a single plane getting to the point of attacking the bombers in any way.
Pissed me off real good - but what can you do - anyone playing this game in 44 or 45 expects this pain and is annoyed that nothing will (or in fact can) be done about it.

results of the bombing attacks were not as bad as I expected in any shape or form.
CVL Bataan was obliterated by torpedoes and a Kamikaze attack. (it appears no specific Kamikaze units were trained or at least used in today's attack. I expectd to see hundredss of Oscar IIIs or smth like it, but none showed)
several other CVs were hit and damaged, but only ONE, the Hornet II has any significant chance of sinking without further attacks - as it has a fire of 76 going - it has been ordered to withdraw under Cruise speed. let us see if she makes it.
All other CVs are either operational or have been ordered to withdraw at speed to facilitate repairs. funnily enough replacements CVs are on their way to take theirr place

all in all we shot down 1000 Jap planes for the loss of 300 of our own. Considering that these are probably his best pilots - pilots my opponent has been training for 4 years - sinking countless ships of the former commander of Allied troops, I'd have to say we did pretty damned good!

It appears to me that he has been trying to CAP-trap you over KB, so has not moved to strike. He may have kept his best fighters over KB - he must have far more than the 250 that flew in that strike against your carriers. I also think he wants to use his BBs and CAs to attack your carriers once they are damaged so he is holding back for now. Your priority is the amphibs, he is still considering carriers top priority.
Anyway, it was good to grind away 1100 aircraft from Japan's arsenal without too many losses on your side. It's looking good for your plans so far!

thanks for your reply BBFanboy.

I agree - he may have secured his ships first and foremost - keeping his best fighters there. recon reports most of the fighters gone from the AFs however - so I am not sure exactly where they went - but it is impossible to keep track of all his airfields and fighter strengths.
ad KB Fighter Strength. I am unsure how many CVs, CVLs are present - but I am fairly certain that I sunk at least 5 - if not 6 CVs at Hiroshima in Port - so it has to be the newer CVs and all CVLs.
sighting reports put the strength at 450 fighters and 200-300 bombers all types in two TFs.

I did not provide a map from where his ships are and where mine are - because of OPSEC - but his strike went in one hex SW of Iwaki - in the one shallow hex - as he is so afraid of my subs - and my CVs were two hexes NW of Hakodate. it was an 8 hex strike and the attack missed the 50 or so CVEs one hex to the south completely as well. both CVs and CVEs are now combined and will cover the withdrawal of all amphib assets this turn. (Now that I think of it - I missed that opportunity - as the shallow hex was most likely considered a coastal hex, thus hurting his CAP effectiveness.. DARN IT!!!)

I am quite worried my BBs might be squashed today, but if I do not position them in Hakodate in full force they might get smashed piecemeal or my Airfield there with over 1000 fighters might get bombarded into oblivion - so I need to defend there. maximum efforts are being made to ensure their survival - which is all anyone can do if the decision is made to take a risk.
At the same time I also prevent him from attacking my CVs with surface vessels as all his combat ships larger than an Escort are on the EAST COAST of Japan, while my route of withdrawal is on the NW side - with Hakodate blocking access unless he wants to parade to the east of Hokkaido in reach of 1000 bombers

Since his factories are mostly smashed by now (I know, I failed to provide these reports due to time constraints) - I believe that 70% of all fighter factories and probably 40-50% of all bomber factories are no longer operational - both R&D and current ones - replacing 1100 planes HAS to cut into his reserves.

JANUARY 23, 1945:

What should I say - the landings in Japan have been completed within 2 days - and everything went a lot better than even dreamed about.
Not a single ship larger than an LST was sunk by enemy action - and not a single ship larger than an LST was sunk - period. (only talking amphibs here - as we all know I lost CVL Bataan to Kamikazes")
The fires on Hornet II went out completely and it is now repairing the worst damage. repair time is looking like 250 days - so in all likelyhood it will not longer see combat before this game is over.

Today, we have captured both Akita and Hirosaki in a deliberate attack, supported by the brave men of both 1st and 2nd Fiji Cdo Bn turning the attacks into shock attacks.
The results were suprising as casualties are negligable - which means that 7000 AV are rdy to continue combat operations to enlarge the beachhead almost immediately.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Hirosaki/Aomori (118,54)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 81571 troops, 1810 guns, 2293 vehicles, Assault Value = 3116

Defending force 6811 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 219

Allied adjusted assault: 5109

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 1021 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hirosaki/Aomori !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
5088 casualties reported
Squads: 234 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 97 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 84 (84 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
25th Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
31st Infantry Division
6th Marine Division
7th Infantry Division
5th USMC Tank Battalion
77th Infantry Division
38th Infantry Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
1st Fiji Commando Bn /1
39th Aviation Base Force
XIV Corps Artillery
4th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV US Corps
70th Coast AA Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
428th Coast Coast AA Regiment
Wake (Det.) AA Battalion
134th Medium Regiment
43rd USN Naval Construction Battalion
147th Field Artillery Regiment
77th RAAF Wing
3rd RNZAF Base Force
I US Corps
49th Aviation Base Force
6th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
251st Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
Tenth US Army
2nd Eng Amph Bde
XI US Corps
101st Heavy AA Regiment
7th USN Naval Construction Regiment
114th USAAF Base Force
86th Medium Regiment
5202nd Eng Con Bde
IX Corps Artillery
25th USN Naval Construction Battalion
20th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
14th RAAF Base Force
87th Medium Regiment
2/2nd Heavy AA Regiment
8th RAAF M/W Sqn
Seventh USAAF Engineer Aviation Battalion
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
910 Wing
I Corps Artillery
III US Amphib Corps
15th RAAF Base Force /3

Defending units:
57th Depot Division
165th JAAF AF Bn


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Akita (117,55)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 106620 troops, 1870 guns, 3196 vehicles, Assault Value = 4269

Defending force 17523 troops, 184 guns, 192 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 4495

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 236 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Akita !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
13791 casualties reported
Squads: 420 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 511 destroyed, 155 disabled
Engineers: 270 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 215 (195 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 162 (151 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Allied ground losses:
642 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (1 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Assaulting units:
775th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Ranger Battalion
4th Marine Division
44th Tank Battalion
6th USMC Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
XI Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
710th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
96th Infantry Division
711th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Regiment
6th Infantry Division
716th Tank Battalion
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
33rd Infantry Division
2nd Fiji Commando Bn /1
70/100th Coast AA Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
193rd USAAF Base Force
113th Australian Lt AA Regiment
4th Eng Amph Bde
85th Medium Regiment
9th RAAF M/W Sqn
462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
10th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
IX US Corps
1st USN Naval Construction Regiment
14th RAAF M/W Sqn
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
10th USN Naval Construction Battalion
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
134th (East Ang) Regiment

Defending units:
70th Division
54th Field AA Battalion
58th Construction Battalion
33rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
31st Air Defense AA Battalion
108th JAAF AF Bn
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Field AF Construction Battalion
21st Field AF Construction Battalion
30th Ind. Engineer Regiment
17th Army
2nd Medium Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
164th JAAF AF Bn
Masuda JAAF Base Force



-----------------------
Hachinohe was a different story - as both reinforcements arrived from Ominato as well as a large amount of the Japanese surface action fleet decided to go in and bombard the troops from the shore.

I have to see I was midly grinning when I saw cause both Yamato and Musashi less than 60 casualties amongst the troops - the other battleships did no better, while a number of mine hits were scored amongst the ships - as I had deployed over 800 mines in the hex, expecting such a move.

Conclusively we still do not own Hachinohe, as we failed to achieved 3:1 odds - the attack was still highly successful and reduced the troops of the enemy even further.
Today we will rest and let the other forces catch up to ensure a swift victory in the field - unnecessary casualties are to be avoided so we have as much strength as possible to march on Tokyo.

Ground combat at Hachinohe (118,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 87188 troops, 1626 guns, 2271 vehicles, Assault Value = 3309

Defending force 61367 troops, 704 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 1589

Allied adjusted assault: 1224

Japanese adjusted defense: 807

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
9452 casualties reported
Squads: 365 destroyed, 400 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 269 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 140 (98 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (23 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2199 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 169 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 77 (2 destroyed, 75 disabled)
Vehicles lost 63 (2 destroyed, 61 disabled)

Assaulting units:
124th Cavalry Regiment
298th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
11th (East African) Division
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
713th Flame Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
81st Infantry Division
98th Infantry Division
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
5th Marine Division
112th Cavalry Regiment
11th Airborne Div /1
17th Indian Light AA Regiment
694th Field Artillery Battalion
855/868th Engineer Aviation Battalion
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
207th Coast AA Regiment
738th Coast AA Regiment
611th Coast AA Regiment
VII US Amphib Force
XI Corps Artillery
608th Coast AA Regiment
X Corps Artillery
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
5201st Eng Con Bde
86th Coast AA Regiment
Sixth Army Engineer Aviation Battalion
14th Army
7th USMC FA Bn /5

Defending units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
45th Ind.Mixed Brigade
70th Ind.Mixed Brigade
61st Division
49th Ind.Mixed Brigade
66th Ind.Mixed Brigade
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
44th Ind.Mixed Brigade
54th Naval Guard Unit
31st Ind.AA Gun Co
Northeast Area Fleet
39th Const Co
51st Air Flotilla
40th Field AA Battalion
38th Const Co
31st Army
32nd Ind.AA Gun Co
23rd JAAF AF Bn
51st Construction Battalion
47th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th JNAF AF Unit
2nd RF Gun Battalion
50th JNAF Coy
51st Base Force
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Combined 8th SNLF
131st AA Regiment
12th RF Gun Battalion
78th Field AA Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Medium Mortar Battalion
50th JAAF AF Bn
166th JAAF AF Bn

-------------------------------------------------------
Above is the current situation.
now on to both Naval and Air operations:

AIR OPS:

I believe my opponent moved forward his CVEs even closer to my air force in order to enact yet another CAP trap - which I again declined to fall for. several smaller raids went in on the remaining ships near Akita and Hirosaki and were all mauled - today we shot down 200 airplanes to our 40 IIRC. so again a good day.

HOWEVER: over 1000 bombers failed to take off from every airfield on Hokkaido to attack the ships at Hachinohe well within range of the attack parameters - while they attacked a few stragglers one hex to the east, not a single plane went in... this is the real disappointment of the turn, as we could have turned Yamato and Musashi into artifical reefs just then and there..
I do not know why - since the weather showed either only light clouds or even clear skies over more than 50% of the AFs - and I deliberately dispersed both bombers and fighters to ensrure at least some take off.
all in vain.

as a result we will have decided to make a full speed run with the majority of my battleship fleet stationed at Hakodate to attempt and catch the now depleted battleships (due to bombardment) at Hachinohe. if this works it could be a slaughter - let us hope it does - if it does not, the settings should ensure that all ships are back in Hakodate by the morning - as it is only a 3 hex trip. let us hope and pray.

NAVAL OPS:

while we managed to kill a few more escort ships just like the turn before, yet the blood toll was a lot higher - as we lost I believe some 6-10 DDs today - due to several reasons - mostly because the full speed run did not work the way it should have or as it did last night.
no matter however - who wants those old DDs anyway.

at the same time we have to admit that both the PT Boats - which we have about 150 of in the area I believe - as well as the submarines were a failure of the utmost level.
I believe not a single torp hit was scored by the hordes of PT Boats - despite them being able to close to 2000 yards at almost every engagement - and pretty much the same goes for the subs, which sank a damaged Agano CL and hit a DD I believe - that is it - while losing 4-5 of their own to ASW action.



to sum up the day however: Operation "Sol needs to land in Japan at least once in his WITP AE career" was a huge success and despite numerous setbacks, where things could have turned out a lot better. I believe things could have also turned out a lot worse.
The landings are officially concluded and now we are completely focused on marching onto Tokyo.

Wish us luck for that, as the Jap army is very much still present in Honshu. and my ground attack bombers are all waiting for them

Well done! The only surprise is the red and yellow exclamation marks on your bases.

Your CV TFs work fine everywhere, including coastal hexes, except in base hexes. I also think the malus from base hexes is limited to air strikes. As far as I can tell, CV TFs put up all their CAP in a base hex. CVE TFs have no malus in base hexes. Feel free to consult the manual, of course.

Good luck getting to Tokyo. Only a handful of AARs have gotten that far.

Cheers,
CB