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Since my esteemed opponent has decided to make an AAR, and since I've enjoyed reading so many other folks' AARs (notably Pauk and PZB) I've decided to make one myself, and share my fate with you all.

House rules are:
"Non-negotiable:

I like AB's extended maps (will NOT go back to stock map) and prefer a game using CHS, if possible. If you would like to try another using AB's extended maps, I'm game!!
I like 2 day turns as they add in some more FOW and help the game get through in less than actual game time. Plus, one day turns allow too much micro-management.
Non-historical 1st turn: The Japanese "may" move LCU's from their historical start positions to "major" bases throughout the Pacific (Truk, Kwajalein, Palau, Saigon, Camranh Bay, Formosa, Home Islands, etc.) From there they can be sent on turn 3 invade where ever.

Negotiable:These are suggestions and are not set in stone. Please offer your own or possible changes.

Multiple port attacks allowed on turn 1 & 2, but must be based on a CV/CVL/CVE. Thus, KB & mini-KB may be used in combinations non-historical.

450 planes total in one hex from CV/CVL/CVE's. No Allied "death stars" in late war stages, nor the KB plus "death star" by mid-42 when they get more CV's. OR may have CAP set to 50% instead of a plane limit.

ASW TFs cannot exceed 8 ships

PT Boats may not be included in TFs with other ships (exception: when transferring between bases - using the extra ships as portable fuel sources. PT TF may have a max of 6 ships in it

No creating Barges/PT at bases smaller than size 3

No Allied CV Capable air units on CV's until 1/44 - designed to keep Marine Fighter groups off CV's

Allied player may only give orders to Allied warships (not AK/AP) already at sea on turn 1

No units of the Kwangtung HQ may be moved out of the area without first paying the applicable PP costs (Land or Air units)

AF size equals the number of 1e & 2e times 50. Thus, a AF(4) can hold 200 1e & 2e planes. However, 4e level bombers count double!!. Thus, that same field would hold only 100 4e level bombers. They can be mixed. Hopefully, this will reduce the Uber-Bombers.

No 4e level-bombing below 11,000' when set for naval attack. B-29's are not allowed to be set on naval attack.

Invasions only on base or dot hexes.

Cadre evacuations allowed.

Single-ship TFs are allowed to the end of 12/41. Afterwards, there must be two or more. This is to compensate for the game mechanics usually allowing 1 ship TF not being attacked

"Training" your squadrons in China is fine. The Allies may use "same-hex supply training" of bomber squadrons

No Japanese LCU naval invasions north of Tavoy until Singapore falls.

"Be realistic" with cutting off troops for surrender. A whole Btn would be sufficient to cut off a unit, but a few squads = no.

If you don't attack the Soviets on turn 1, please give 2 weeks lead time before attacking the Soviets (if you're going to do it), so I can come up with my own defensive posture. If you want to surprise the Soviets as well, you're welcome to beat the snot out of them with surprise on turn 1.

If you don't attack the Soviets on turn 1 (and also ambush their fleet), Stalin requires that he be allowed to relocate the Soviet fleet in a few weeks (when things have calmed down a little, you'd need to have nothing set to NavAtk around the Soviet ports so that I can move the fleet).

Allied TFs at sea at start may issue new orders, but may not load troops.

Sub evac = ok. Sub invasion = not ok.

No city attacks in China for either side. I have not played much as the Chinese and don't want this area to be the main focus of the game.

No "shock with pursuit" attacks.

Limit of 10k troops and lvl 6 forts on Atolls.

There's a 2 hex "free zone" on the western map edge expiring after row 81

And...if you've gotten this far: There is NO Rule 6! [:)]

Current game date is January 20, 1942. This is my first experience with CHS and some of the changes have come as a bit of a shock coming from the stock world. [:@]

The Pearl Harbor attack went fairly well with two battleships sunk. It was a two-day effort, and unfortunately, it ended up costing us in terms of Zeros and Vals. Submarines stuck around west coast and Pearl for a bit trying to hit cripples, and convoys coming to the Pacific from the West Coast with minimal success. initial attacks were directed at the Philippines, Malaya, with little action occurring in China for the time being.

It seems that NYGiants has taken the Sir Robin approach. Most bases in Borneo, Philippines and Malaya have been very lightly or not garrisoned at all. He has fallen back on significant bases such as Manila, Palembang, and Singapore. Batavia and Soerbaja can be expected to be well garrisoned also. This has made my life fairly easy, as I've been able to grab up outlying bases at minimal cost. The bad news. Yes, there is bad news. It seems that my attack into Burma from Malaya has encountered the realities of the map and has bogged down in the trails. Currently, 2nd Guards Infantry Div. And two tank battalions have made it to Moulmein. The remaining forces are strung out in the trails of Burma and Malaya. When when 55th and 53rd divisions arrive on scene, I will commence my attack on Burma.

My attack on the Philippines has bogged down in face of the reality of the sheer number of troops stationed there. I don't seem to recall that there were this many (and that effective) LCUs in stock. In either case, I'm going to bomb his airfields until he is forced to use his last can of Spam to resurface the runway for my Betties.

I made what is in retrospect and early or too soon grab for Sumatra. Although heavily supported by bombardment group, 2nd Mixed Brigade and 4th Mixed Regiment proved unequal to the task of taking Palembang after I wrecked 2nd Mixed in shock attacks against the forts while the 4th drank tea[:@] I am now in the process of throwing whatever units I can scrounge up quickly into the fray so that my opponent does not seize upon this to further delay progress.

Malaya has been taken. The last bastion there is Singapore. My troops and air support are currently resting for the offensive is likely to be costly.

On the water, our efforts have been reasonably successful, however, we have not managed to find the bulk of the Allied surface forces which started in the Pacific. Repulse and Prince of Wales were both sunk by little KB after what I'm told was an attempt to bombard Jolo island shortly after I invaded. I've made significant reconnaissance efforts over Java, and Kendari as well as Darwin to locate more of the surface ships, but have not been successful. Last turn however, one of his DDs hit a sub laid mine in Darwin harbor and then another cruiser, probably in the same task force had a pot shot taken at by the sub skipper who just dropped the mines. I'm sending further reconnaissance to the area, and hope to track them down soon. I suspect that he has withdrawn back to Perth or Brisbane, or possibly even Sydney. It is also possible he escaped "out the back door", and fled to India.

The Imperial Navy has sunk, what I think is a considerable number of small transports, and their escorts, many of which were carrying troops likely to form cadres in Australia. Currently, little KB (which has been supplemented by Shoho) is resting in Saigon. Hosho somehow ran into a bomb dropped from a Dutch plane. She has suffered minor damage (14 sys) but has been sent to Hong Kong for repairs. Since this unit has used only Kates in the past, I will likely substitute in a Val Daitai and ship this group, off to the South/Central Pacific to support the upcoming Borneo invasion. Hopefully, he will consider this to be KB, and I can use a real KB to ambush them elsewhere. The real KB is currently refitting and restocking aircraft in Palau.

That there is the situation. As for future plans, I've not quite made up my mind. Clearly, Borneo and the Admiralty's and the Solomons must fall. However, after that. I'm not quite sure if I should push further south to cut supply lines were least make life difficult or if I should attempt an invasion of India, or as a third alternative, attempted invasion of Australia. In the near term, I will be sallying KB within the week to have a go at the various ports and airfields in Java. Hopefully, NYGiants has kept some surface forces around, and we can deal with them appropriately.

Notably absent are B-17s. Used early against convoys in the Philippines, and then once again against a surfac task force, they have not been seen in probably two weeks. They are last known whereabouts was Java, possibly Soerabaja, which partially dries my reason for sending KB. I don't want to find out the wrong way, and too late where those B-17s are [:-]

Attached is a screenshot showing most of the relevant positions. Feel free to question/grill/criticize

Not a real Sir Robin, unless he takes the forces to India and Australia.

Could you try and get rid of the white on the right side of your picture next time? That will let the post fit properly.

That last movement into Singapore can be a killer. I hate crossing rivers.

If you sank PoW and Repulse, you are doing fine. Now, see if you can find CL Boise, she is one tough ship.

Game date 1/22/42

Not a really busy turn. NYGiant's subs are generally well positioned, and giving me fits, as I try to move ships and reinforcements around for the next wave of invasions.

I keep "finding" units I can use all over [:)] I just found two whole divisions in China that are part of the Southern Area. They will be assigned to the upcoming invasion of Java. Three large convoys have just left Tokyo carrying men and supplies for the upcoming invasion of Borneo, the Admiralites and the Solomons. I really need to have these operations underway by mid-February I think.

Invasion of Java will depart port on 2/1/42, with the two Army divisions from China, 35th Brigade, a couple of NLFs, and some engineering units.

I've just pulled 1st and 2nd Parachute Regiments out of the Phillipines siege, and am shipping them to Bankok, with an eye to using them either in Burma, or northern Sumatra. Recon indicates that forces have been concentrated and Kuala, and other bases have been abandoned.

Little KB is leaving Saigon, and will be taking a short tour into the Andaman Sea, simply to see what kind of attention it gets. I will need this route soon to bring supplies into Moulmein and Rangoon, so it's better to see now what type of nasties he has on Naval Attack.

I have begun rotating my surface TFs into the HI to get their SYS damage down. None are above 10, but I'd rather not have to pull them in another month, when I'm in the middle of a campaign. [:(]

I believe I have a solution to my China Problem. The problem being that it's not under control [;)] It seems that the bases of Homan and Changsha represent significant supply chokepoints. I'm hoping that I can force them to eat the supplies destined for the forward (and guerilla) units by continually bombing their airfields. Sadly, the forces at hand are not up to the task. 100 Sallies have been allocated to Changsha, and half that number of Lily I have been allocated to Homan. Methinks Kwantung will be losing some bombers[8D]

[Today will be a quick, at-work update}

Game date 1/24/42

In the last four days, Palembang, Moulmein, and Balikpapan have fallen. Fortunately, little damage to resources has been done in the process. Also, Palembang had ~175K([X(]) of oil sitting on the piers waiting to be loaded! Tankers are on their way to bring some of this precious cargo to Bankok, where it is desperately needed (Brunei has already enabled our stocks to extend beyond the 30 day window[8D]).

NY59giants has broken out the 4E bombers[:@], and is using them to Strat bomb my oil fields in Balikpapan at the moment, causing the loss of 12 over two days for the ~25 bombers he sent over. He's flying them out of Soerjbaja, and I'm guessing won't keep them still, but maybe move them to Batavia to try to keep me guessing.

I'm moving KB out of Palau, having replentished it with planes and (not so good) pilots. Little KB was headed to the Indian Ocean for some recce in force, but has been turned around, and will, with KB, be tasked with supressing airfields on Java. Little KB will also be covering the west coast of Java, looking for "wayward" allied vessels[:)]. These two TFs will be assisted by ~75 Nells out of Kuching, with Zeros flying escort.

I planned on invading Java with 2 infantry divs, and 1 inf Brigade (whose names escape me at the moment, sorry), plus support units. Unfortunately, this usage of 4Es is disconcerting. 4th Inf. Div. is currently loaded on transports, and was just about to disembark to assist with the Palembang debacle, but has been held on board, and will likely (final orders will be given tonight) be sent to Batavia, supported by two Bombardment TFs, and then following them with the rest of the forces ASAP. One dif is in HK, and the inf Brigade is in Kuching. Support units will come from Formosa. I hate to attack in penny-packets, but I feel like I'm way behind where I need to be, and need to step things up. I can also take the less risky route, and drop 4th Inf. at Medan (or Merak?) north of Batavia, secure the beachhead, and then move from there. That base only has a lvl 1 port, and it will take quite a while to drop all of the units I need. Of course I can wait as well. Suggestions are welcome [:)]

Forces at Truk are gearing up for the upcoming South Pacific invasion. Convoys are bringing troops and supplies, and South Seas detachment is being released from Guam. Objectives for this Operation will be Rabaul, Lae, Port Morseby, Lunga, and all points between. KB will be detailed to support this operation before it's refit. Also detailed for this operation are 3BB 2CA, 4CL, and a myriad of DDs. 2/15/42 is the estimated launch date, though an op to secure Rabaul may be launched within a week. One issue for this area now is fighter cover. I have only managed to scrape together 27 Zeros. I will have 81 Betties/Nells on hand though.

Paradrops are being examined as a means to quickly secure northern Sumatra, as this appears to be very lightly garrisoned.

Burma and India are currently being reccce'd for upcoming ops.

Game Date 2/7/42

Progress securing the SRA has not proceeded quite as quickly and as smoothly as I had hoped. I am still tied down with sieges in Singapore and Manila, and both opposition armies appear to be gaining [&:] AV while I bombard and bomb them. I can only assume that NYGiants has replacements turned on. I can't see how this will effect the siege time (supply consumption of replacements and reducing strengthened units versus minimal supply consumption).

In any case, I have a force of 3 divisions, and 35th Brigade, as well as 4 Engineering regiments that I had to determine how to implement. I have decided to move forward with Operation Go-Go, and invade Java, bypassing Singers and Manila for the time being. 4th Division and 35th Br. are on their way to Batavia now, supported by two Bombardment TFs (TF 47: Kongo, Haruna, Takao, Chokai, Atago, 2xCL, 6xDD, & TF 49: Nagato, Ise, Hyuga, Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano, 2xCL, 6xDD), and KB. In the area only as a threat is Little KB, however, after it's encounter with the British Carrier TF, (more in a bit on this) it is retiring to Hong Kong for a refit and much needed pilot/plane replacements. Also in support is a MSW TF and two small DD surface TFs. Air support will come from Kuching, with 5 Diatai of Nells flying Naval/Port raids and 2 Daitai of Zeros at 40% CAP. Batavia looks to be lightly defended, with speed bumps placed at the bases on the way towards Soerbaja. Hopefully Soer. won't end up in a siege also [8|]

The invasion of Burma has gone smoothly, primarily because NYGiants has decided to make his stand at Mandalay. Accordingly, I have been able to gobble up without loss, all of the bases in lower Burma, with the exception of Lashio and Tang Gui. Tang Gui will fall this turn, but Lashio will need to wait for infantry support, which has just broken out of the trail. Rangoon has fallen, but does not have air or engineering support. Air support will be flown in, but AA and construction units will take some time to come by boat. Supplies are landing at Moulmein, and 2nd (Guards) Infantry, 55th Infantry, and 33d Infantry are resting up in Rangoon for the push on Mandalay. It looks like the AVG is stationed at Mandalay, so I'm bringing in some Zeros, as well as a couple of crack Daitai of Oscars to take them down to size. I'm starting to see LBA support from India, which is regrettable, but forseeable.

I'm also taking a bit of a gamble, and I'm launching my invasion of NG the Bismarks, the Admiralties and Solomons with only LBA cover. I'm hoping to catch him off-guard, as I have not seen or smelled a single warship in the area in weeks. LCUs from Truk (including SouthSeas detachment) will land at Wewak, Admiralities, Kavieng, Rabaul, Gasmata and Lae all in rapid succession or simultaneosly in some cases. After taking Rabal, units will then re-embark and ship out for PM. I currently have a submarines blockading/scouting the Coral Sea, and between PM and Australia I also have a Mavis Chutai based in Hollandia which should help give me early warning. This unit will be upgraded to Emilys ASAP.

My biggest issue right now is the fact that my factories are not expanding quickly enough to keep up with needs, particularly, of Aircraft. If it were not for the startup stash of Sally IIs, I would be in deep trouble now, as I'm unable to build enough Helens, partially because my engine factories are not growing quickly enough. This appears to be because supplies are not flowing to the bases that are below 10K, yet right next door, is a base with 20k and no factories expanding[:@] Any suggestions on how to make supplies flow other than dragging several divs of infantry to the base?

Aircraft Losses to date. Note the HUGE losses to Flak [8|]

Good reading.

One question. You mentioned that you're playing CHS. Is this a variant that incorporates the Nik mod? If so, does that explain the relatively high flak losses?

Yes, this is Nikmod. Sorry I didn't make that clear earlier.