Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

Iwo Jima
B-24 bombers from Naha airbase in Okinawa fly multiple airstrikes against Iwo Jima. The enemy puts up fighters from Chichi Jima contesting the skies. Loses are about even at 3 SPs a piece. The specially trained, elite US 9th Corps hits the beach supported by a massive barrage from battleships, heavy cruisers and carrier-based planes. The enemy is stunned and soon suppressed. The island is quickly captured except for a few stragglers dug in on Mount Suribachi. With the 9th Corps used up the 2nd Marine Division lands and roots out the remaining defenders. The raising of the US flag at the top of the mountain shows to the world the key island base is now under Allied control. Heavy bombers will be brought in as soon as the airfields can be cleaned up and expanded for use. This may take a month. Meanwhile, Chichi Jima will soon meet the same fate.

[Remington700]

Philippines
Five days straight of airstrikes pound the positions of the weakened Japanese 3rd Army. This is the last organized enemy unit south of Manila. The 2nd Corps joined by the fresh 4th Corps launch a major assault against the 3rd Army. Supported by heavy naval bombardment and B-25 Mitchells the enemy takes a pounding. Dug deep into concrete pillboxes the defense slowly gives way losing 7 SPs before being forced from the area.

The US 4th Corps exploits the breakthrough and advances on Manila. Defended by only HQ forces the city soon falls to the US advance. G4M Bettys are found hidden beside airfields with no aviation fuel in sight. Had these planes been in the air, US casualties in the Philippines would have been much greater.

The US 2nd Corps continues their drive to the north and catch the retreating 3rd Army in the jungle in much the same area where the Japanese 14th Army was destroyed two weeks earlier. Surrounded, hungry, out of ammunition and their leader dead, the enemy surrenders in mass.

A hundred miles to the west the 4th Marine Division, supported by the US 4th Corps, overruns the 5th SNLF on the Bataan Peninsula. Driving forward the marines catch the trapped Japanese 7th Army and destroy the last enemy unit on Luzon. The Japanese 5th Division is still defending Cebu and gives no indication of surrendering. They will soon be dealt with as General MacArthur declares the Philippines are liberated!

[Remington700]

Production
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: No builds.

Convoys
No Convoys.

[Remington700]

Japan: July 1st 1945

Manchukuo
The defense in Manchukuo is set. The Russian bear is rearing its ugly head and may well violate their agreement and attack. With the end of the war in Europe the Soviet Union is eying rightful Japanese territory like a before dinner snack. The plan is to hold Harbin until a peace settlement can be reached with the Anglo invaders.

[Remington700]

Hokkaido
The beat-up 46th Division pushes their way back into Sapporo. This will set back enemy plans by a week or two. The unit is determined to fight to the end protecting their homeland. The small unit has done a fine job waging guerilla warfare throughout the island. One would think the western powers would see the folly of fighting a land war in Japan.

[Remington700]

Honshu
The experienced 13th Army in Tokyo receives additional anti-tank guns to be dug-in along their perimeter. On their right flank the 36th Army in Yokohama completes their training in urban warfare tactics. Both units await the approach of the enemy.

To the west the 10th, 11th and 37th armies complete their training on urban warfare. They too are dug-in and await orders to fight to the last man. And in Kitakyushu the battle-hardened 12th Army receives additional anti-tank guns that can be highly effective in urban combat. The longer the enemy waits, the worse it will be on them.

The additional training is simulated by the use of the “Elite” specialty and the guns by the “Anti-Tank” specialty. There is not much left to do at this point but wait for the final conflict.

[Remington700]

Production
Production is down to 103 with the loss of Sapporo.

Convoys
Convoys resume in the East China Sea. With only 42 Merchant Marine, raw production points will be limited to this amount. However, at a 2.07 economic factor this will convert into an additional 86 PPs. Convoys will continue until the merchant marine is destroyed or Japan is defeated.

[Remington700]

Allied: July 1st 1945

Hokkaido
The enemy 46th Divisions slips back into Sapporo but not with enough strength to hold it for long. Supported by naval bombardment and carrier-based air, the 5th Marine Division pushes north into the city and forces the remaining IJA stragglers to surrender.

The US 7th Corps moves forward capturing the iron mines and then wheels left and pushes hard towards Hakodate. They run into stubborn resistance from the Japanese 66th Division which holds their positions outside the city. However, the heavy artillery attachment is a factor (Heavy Artillery specialty) and a second attack forces the enemy across the Tsugaru Strait with 40% casualties. Hokkaido is now secured!

[Remington700]

Honshu
The Japanese defense looks strong in the center and the south of Honshu. The plan is to force our way down from the north and then to land offshore of Tokyo. Assuming the landing does not turn into an Anzio fiasco we should be able to surround the major cities of Yokohama and Tokyo, and then slowly constrict the pocket.

Convoy Attacks
Three carrier taskforces steam deep into the Sea of Japan to attack enemy shipping. Since they will not be there long the intent is to strangle the last of the enemy convoys. However Japan has a bunch of production points banked at this point in the game (as do the allies) so it may not be worth the effort.

[Remington700]

Bonin Islands
Airfields on Iwo Jima are repaired and B-24s of the 8th Bomber Group arrive to perform missions in the coming weeks. To the northeast long-range bombers pound the positions of the Japanese 51st Division on Chichi Jima with pre-invasion airstrikes. Under the screen of naval bombardment, the 2nd Marine Division hits the beach but is topped in their tracks. Pinned down, the marines make a second attempt at a breakout and fail. For now, they will dig in and hold out until morning. More air and naval bombardments are needed.

[Remington700]

COMINT
Both British and American codebreakers fail to make gains with the new Japanese encryption.

I took one more shot at breaking these codes. The last four attempts have failed, which costs the same number of resources as six Intelligence Agents. However, I still believe it is worth having a higher level of intel, so I keep trying to make progress. I guess I just got lucky in the early game with breaking codes – this has been a long dry spell.

[Remington700]

Production
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: No builds.

Convoys
No Convoys.

[Remington700]

Japan: July 15th 1945

Hokkaido
The Northern Army District has fallen. Marines roam throughout Hokkaido and the enemy 7th Corps sits in Hakodate with very little keeping them on their side of the Tsugaru Strait. The beat-up 66th Division has made its way across to the mainland and will defend the crossing against enemy incursion. The full strength 34th Army is dug in at Aomori and will secure the port at all costs. The Americans must be stopped here.

[Remington700]

Honshu
The defense remains as is. For now, the armies defending major cities will remain in active status to retain their mobility. If things pickup in their area the units may dig in with Garrison mode to get the extra guns. However, it will mean the loss of the ability to counterattack.

Chichi Jima
The stubborn 51st Infantry division hangs on a little longer. The US 2nd Marine Division is stuck on the beach but will probably take the island next turn. The 51st is down to 2 strength points and sits at 21% effectiveness. It is surprising they held out this long. Each two-week (1 turn) delay contributes towards a Japanese victory.

[Remington700]

Production
Japan: No builds.
Reinforcements: I am not sure if this is working correctly. When I capture an out of supply island I overrun the aircraft, which is then returned to the schedule of reinforcements. The rules say they return in a turn. However, the Japanese have planes that are returning twelve turns later. It may make a difference that they are unsupplied. This is something I will test down the road when I have more time.

Convoys
Convoys continue despite the presence of the enemy. They will run while the merchant marine continues to exist.

[Remington700]

Allied: July 15th 1945

Hokkaido
The US 7th Corps supported by naval bombardment and land-based Helldivers force the crossing of the Tsugaru Strait. The worn-down enemy 66th Division takes three hits of damage and continues their retreat to the south. Advancing, the 7th Corps runs headlong into the dug-in 34th Army in Aomori putting a stop to their advance. The American unit will need to regroup before then can attack again in a week.

Convoy Attacks
B-25 Mitchells from Naha sink a freighter in the East China Sea. In the Sea of Japan three carrier groups are on the hunt and sink a total of nine Merchant Marine. It is questionable how long the carriers should remain on patrol in the convoy routes.

[Remington700]

Bonin Islands
The 2nd Marine Division is resupplied on the island of Chichi Jima and push inland. Hammered by naval bombardment and carrier ground support the used-up Japanese 51st Division quickly surrenders. The Bonin Islands are under allied control!

[Remington700]

Mariana Islands
B-24 bombers based in Yap pound the enemy positions on Guam. The enemy strength is unknown however they must be near starvation after weeks of blockade. A landing force is due to arrive in a week and should easily seize the island.

[Remington700]

COMINT
American codebreakers fail to break the Japanese encryption once again.

This was the last chance to break the code. I am not sure if Intelligence Agents will be needed, but if so then we will have to get by with the low-level returns.

[Remington700]

Production
UK: No builds.
India: No builds.
USA: No builds.

Convoys
No Convoys.