Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

Home Islands
The defense of the homeland is looking better as the Imperial Army prepares for invasion. General Yamashita has recently arrived and is already making changes and organizing resistance. With the lack of oil AAA will be produced as fast as possible to aid with air defense. All key cities will be defended at all costs. Two Infantry armies continue to train and will be ready for action in late April and early May. This will be the last units formed as all future recruits will act as replacements in the coming invasion. The army is ready to make their last stand. Many units are going through special training to improve their expertise. Six hundred specialty points will be used on six units to aid with defense. They will probably be a mix of anti-tank guns and extra training experience.

The Combined fleet sets out to sea for the last time. Supplied by multiple oilers with most of the remaining stockpile, the 1st Air Fleet leaves Yokohama and will stay at sea until they are sunk or run out of fuel. The 6th cruiser breaks from formation and rushes towards Okinawa. They will attempt to resupply the beleaguered 7th Special Naval Landing Force.

[Remington700]

Philippine Sea
The islands in the Philippine Sea are all well supplied and defended except for very low amounts of aviation fuel. Preparations continue as units are dug-in and await the arrival of the invaders. With the lack of oil, the air units will have a 50% chance to fly CAP within their range but will not be able to attack or change base.

Five allied airstrikes targeted the airfields at Manila. Aircraft effectiveness went up 2% from 70 to 72 since the attack. Since the increase should have been around 7% to 8% for the unit at this level, it looks like each enemy air unit reduced effectiveness by 1% per attack. That is not a lot but can add up fast if supply is impeded.

[Remington700]

Builds

Japan: No builds. Replacements reduced to 150.

[Remington700]

Allied: April 8th 1945

South China
After four days of non-stop air strikes against positions of the Japanese 22nd Division the 7th and 32nd Chinese launch their assault. The enemy holds so a second attempt is thrown at the enemy and again gains little ground. Frustrated, the units await more supply to resume the attack. By the end of the week leadership in the south receive orders from Chiang Kai-shek to stop all offensive action and hold their ground. Something is not right.

[Remington700]

East China
After the failures in the south and the rioting in production cities China has agreed to a ceasefire with Japan. Bringing back memories of 1918, this causes great concern among the allied western powers. The ceasefire could easily turn into a separate peace agreement. Which will free up an enormous number of enemy troops to defend elsewhere. There is talk VP cities will be returned to China. Nothing good can come from this.

I expected basic supply problems with China created by capturing the southern ports. However, the loss of production cities caught me by total surprise. In future games I will either attack in the north or set a house rule for Japanese garrison requirements in China (like in Manchukuo) and ignore this area entirely. Which would be a real disappointment.

I honestly don’t know the mechanics of how this happened. It appears the change from Main Supply has caused all production centers to quit producing in the Port Supply areas. This effectively removes China from the war. While an interesting twist ONCE, having no production totally changes the balance of power. Another oddity is that Main Supply has been slowly moving east from India, just now crossing the Salween River. Very odd.

[Remington700]

Okinawa
Intelligence agents spot an enemy light cruiser squadron running the blockade of Okinawa. Attempting to land supplies off the north shore they are attacked by a British wolfpack, however the subs can do no damage. The Unruly takes major damage in the attack and limps back to Singapore for repairs. After the failed attempt to stop the resupply, Task Force 57 of the British Pacific Navy is sent to get the blockade under control. Completing a two-leg journey the taskforce arrives and under the rules of “pursuit” light up the 6th light cruiser squadron sinking all enemy ships before they can escape. The blockade remains in place. The taskforce is in Fleet mode so await another hit and run attack by enemy carriers. They are determined to put a stop to this menace.

Convoy Attacks
Able force is again skunked. Unable to sink enemy shipping the subs start to push their luck and the Tang receives damage forcing her return to Rabaul. The Finback and Pike remain on station looking for kills. Fifty miles west Baker force returns to the hunt and sets up ambushes along the convoy lanes. And to stir things up a bit Task Force 58 arrives with six carriers, two battleships and two heavy cruisers plus a couple of destroyer squadrons. They are patrolling convoy lanes coming out of China. Depending upon results it may be time to go back into the Sea of Japan to search for more plentiful targets.

[Remington700]

Philippine Sea
The softening up of the area continues. Five days of airstrikes (represented by 5 separate attacks) are flown against airbases in Manila. One enemy air SP is destroyed and effectiveness is reduced by an estimated five plus percent. Battleships in Palau and Yap continue to recover effectiveness and will soon be used to support a landing in Okinawa or elsewhere.

West Coast
The carrier Boxer with intrinsic supporting ships escorts the 9th Marine Division towards Truk. They should be in the area in another two weeks (1 turn). Medium bombers arrive in Ponape stopping over on their way to Mindanao. They are equipped with special long-range technology to increase their effective distance, with some loss to payload. (I simulated this by building the medium bombers with the strategic bombing specialty to increase range by 4 hexes in 1944 and an additional 5 with 1945 technology. The tradeoff is a loss in tactical value by 1 in 1944 and 2 in 1945.)

[Remington700]

Victory Points
This is my first game of WPP, and I am not exactly sure how the Victory Point system works. However, with the China mess I know there is no chance for the Allies to end the game with the larger amount. I also know there are comparisons to history for individual country victories, but I do not think it applies to the overall winner. The timetable shown below would have kept the score close, but it is no longer a viable plan. With China removed from the game the only chance of an Allied victory lies in the total occupation of Japan forcing an unconditional surrender. Which is something I have been playing towards with both sides for quite a few turns now. In my opinion the loss of supply in China does not change the path to victory in my game.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: 3 Landing ships. 3 Supply units.
India: No builds.
China: No builds. Replacements reduced to 50.
USA: 5 Landing ships. 5 Supply units.

Convoys
No Convoys.

China
Production is at 5 production points per month. With no idea this reduction was coming there is not enough stockpile to continue with offensive operations.

[Remington700]

Japan: April 22nd 1945

China
Japan accepts the ceasefire. All is quiet across the front. There will be no movement unless it is to move an unsupplied unit. Per the agreement all units will remain in their current status, either active or garrison.

East China Sea
The 1st Air Fleet steams southwest at flank speed past Okinawa to take a shot at the British CV fleet from an unexpected southernly direction. The enemy strikes first sinking the Yamato and damaging the Ise. Japanese bombers are very successful sinking the CVs Ark Royal and Victorious! The bad news is the loss of six planes is higher than desired as they cannot be replaced. Responding before the enemy can bring to bear the full weight of their carrier forces the 1st Air Fleet steams away to hide in the Korea Bay. Offshore of Dang Dong the fleet will wait for another opportunity to strike.

[Remington700]

Builds
Japan: No builds. Replacements remain at 150 for now.

[Remington700]

Allied: April 22nd 1945

Okinawa
Rain hits the East China Sea and impacts operations. Following the loss of the two CVs, Task Force 57 is redirected from Okinawa to aid with operations in the Philippines. This leaves four British submarines blockading the Port of Naha. Which should be more than sufficient to maintain the unsupplied status of the enemy island. The weather is predicted to clear up in a couple of weeks and offensive operations can resume. The island will serve as a key airbase supporting the invasion of the Japanese home islands.

Convoy Attacks
Task Force 58 in the East China Sea takes a large bite out of enemy shipping. They sink five freighters plus two more are sunk by the subs Pike and Finback. However, the Finback does take damage and must return to Rabaul. She is replaced by the Skipjack and Tang to keep up the pressure. The loss of seven Merchant Marine should have negative impact on Japanese production points at this point in the game.

[Remington700]

Philippine Islands
S-day arrives! The long-anticipated invasion of Luzon has begun. The attack starts out with four days of continuous airstrikes against positions of the dug-in 45th Japanese division at Legaspi. As the US 2nd Corps lands south of the port and prepares to attack, two more days of airstrikes pound the enemy. Upon the arrival of Task Force 57 the first assault against the 45th Division is launched causing 50% casualties (5 SPs), but the unit holds. Allied losses are light. A second assault causes another 2 SPs in damage, forcing the enemy to retreat to the north. The arrival of an Australian Marine division is timely as they land on the secured beach and push into the Port of Legaspi. This will soon be a key airbase to support the advance on Manila.

Two hundred miles to the south, in preparation of a crossing of the Surigao Strait a small battle group consisting of light cruisers and destroyers arrive offshore of Baybay to blockade the port. The force includes the CVL Boise carrying additional supply that will be used to resupply the US 7th Corps before their attack.

I made a mistake with my move as the Port of Baybay is on the west side of the island opening to the Camotes Sea, while the blockading force is in Leyte Gulf. However due to the scale of the game the blockade will still be in place. Personally, I like naval hex movement and am more than willing to put up with these small issues rather than going to a “zone” approach. I am looking forward to WP2 to see how Alvaro’s use of hexes within zones (if I understand it correctly) works out. I think it is a wonderful idea. Regardless, I am disappointed in my sloppy play with the blockade.

On the norther tip of Luzon, the US 6th Corps and the 4th Marine Division land under cover of carrier-based aircraft. Following an airstrike from B-24s of the 5th Bomber group, the US ground forces move inland and assault the 6th SNLF around the port at Aparri. Surprisingly the enemy puts up little resistance and soon surrenders in mass. The port is now in allied control.

Following the capture of the two key ports at both ends of the island, the focus is now on cutting off all supply to the enemy. Task Force 58, consisting of six US carriers moves offshore of Lingayen and blockades the port. The size of the US force ensures nothing will get through to the enemy. To the south, a battle group comprised of the heavy cruisers Glasgow and Canberra supported by light cruisers and destroyers move into Manila Bay to shut down the key port. Luzon is now shut down and all enemy movement on or off the island is terminated!

The first step in securing the naval facilities in Manila has been successful. The port is needed for naval repair and effectiveness recovery in support of the invasion of Japan. It will need to fall soon as the Wet Monsoon season is due to start in June.

[Remington700]

Builds
This is pretty much the last chance to start 90 day builds before the end of the game.

UK: 5 Supply units. 5 Landing ships.
India: 5 Supply units.
Australia: 5 Supply units.
Canada: 1 Supply unit.
USA: 18 Supply units. 12 Landing ships.

Convoys
No Convoys.

[Remington700]

Japan: May 6th 1945

East China Sea
The 1st Air Fleet sorties again from the Korea Bay to take a shot at hitting the British fleet off northern Luzon. Enemy aircraft spot the Japanese fleet however responding bombers from Formosa cannot locate targets. Arriving off Aparri the air fleet fails to engage the enemy so is forced to return to their lair in Korea Bay. They just do not have the strength to stay and fight.

In Okinawa the 7th special naval landing force is out of supply and losing strength. The A6m3s fighters are grounded from lack of fuel. It is surprising the enemy has not arrived to sweep away the defenders. With the blockade remaining in place the unit cannot hold out much longer.

[Remington700]

Honshu Island
The Japanese 10th Army is now ready to function as a fighting unit. They still need to receive updated equipment to replace their training weapons but should be ready by the time the enemy arrives. If they ever do. Who knows, with the talk of Germany surrendering in Europe the allies may grow weary of war and end the conflict. Japan will fight to the end. With aircraft turned into pigeon coops due to the lack of aviation fuel, anti-aircraft weapons are being rushed through production.

I am surprised by the lack of defensive air response due to the lack of oil. I thought they would respond 50% of the time based on the rules. This does not appear to be the case however I will test for sure once this game is done. Also, I built the 10th Army as 1939 tech so Japan could afford the cost. There should be enough time and Production Points to build up their tech before the allies can launch an attack.

[Remington700]

Builds

Japan: 10 Anti-Aircraft gun. Replacements remain at 150.

COMINT: none.

[Remington700]

Allied: May 6th 1945

Convoy Attacks
Able Force cannot find enemy targets, so the SS-173 Pike splits off to hunt on her own. This leaves the Skipjack and Tang in the pack. Baker Force has a little more success with the Devilfish sinking a freighter. With enemy contacts so light Baker Force is reassigned to blockade duty in the Bonin Islands.

Okinawa
The British subs leave Okinawa to head to the Bonin Islands to stop enemy resupply. Task Force 58 with six US carriers arrives offshore to continue the blockade. They are in fleet mode ready for a fight. While lacking in fighter experience, they should have superior effectiveness, or at least be close to even. I am tired of the hit and run crap and just want to crush the enemy. We will see how this goes.

The British 10th Corps prepares to leave Quang Ngai as Operation Iceberg (the invasion of Okinawa) is poised to begin. A-20s (Naval Air spec) will provide air support as will a force of battleships, all under cover of the US 5th Fleet.

Bonin Islands
The allies are about two months behind in both Victory Points and invasion prep for Japan. Clear weather hits the Japanese mainland and there are no allied air bases in the Bonin Islands. However, all is not lost and opening moves of Operation Detachment – the invasion of Iwo Jima has begun.

Submarines from the British wolfpack and Baker Force arrive in the “Jimas” to blockade the islands. If the Japanese CV force attempts to intervein Task Force 58 will be sent to finish them off.

[Remington700]

Philippine Islands
In Luzon the blockades of Lingayen and Manila continue. The Naval units involved in the operation will stay on station until the ports can be captured by allied forces. The British Pacific Fleet joins the light cruiser De Ruter to provide protection to a large resupply attempt. The specially equipped light cruiser resupplies both the US 6th Corps and 4th Marine Division before they push inland towards Lingayen. I used the fleet with the Logistics Specialty for resupply as it not only saves two trucks, more importantly it returns 6% effectiveness instead of the 4% provided by the trucks. Every little bit helps.

The 7th Division arrives by transport to protect the port at Aparri. Supply will be a little light however all units should receive what is needed to be combat ready. Total supply through the port is 60 and the max required by the US units is 61. As I write this, I realize I should have landed MacArthur’s HQ instead of the US division. Oh well, I can clean this up next turn.

To the south Australian marines catch the retreating Japanese 45th Division and destroy the unit. The marines then pull back through Legaspi and push towards the bauxite mines in Leyte. The US 2nd Corps moves into Legaspi and sets up defensive positions. With the airfield cleared, B-24s from the 10th Bomber Group arrive to join bombing runs on Lingayen. Six days of pounding (represented by six airstrikes of various groups) softens up the Japanese 14th Army in preparation for an assault on the port in the coming week.

Leyte
After four days of intense bombing, the Japanese 19th Division in Baybay takes as SP hit and suffers loss in effectiveness. The US 8th Corps crosses the Surigao Strait and engages the 19th Division. The enemy takes two hits and is forced out of Baybay. Advancing into the city the US corps hits the Japanese division while on the run doing another four SPs in damage. After taking 70% casualties the remaining enemy troops retreat into the bauxite mines. The Australian marine division advancing from the north surrounds the beleaguered unit. The remnants of the 19th division soon surrender ending the combat on Leyte.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: 2 Large Infantry Corps.

Convoys
No Convoys.