Aussies v Aussies - Clubbing baby seals (no AOFFEN or Mark)

[jrcar]

Well a few weks ago AOFFEN and Mark challenged Tony and I to a 2x2 game.

AOFFEN, Tony and I managed to catch up in Brisbane to meet in Person, Mark is overseas.

Andrew and Mark have played AE a bit but are relatively new players. Tony and I have a bit of experiance, as a consequence we are the Japanese

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

Strategy
To win

There are two fundamental approaches, a force approach and a terrain approach. In the force approach you bring the enemy to battle and destroy their ability to wage war, then take what land you want. The terrain approach focus on capturing the ground.

We intend the former. We have determined the enemy's centre of gravity is their ability to generate a multi divisional amphibious attack. To stop them doing that we intend to target:

Medium and heavy bombers.
Ground combat units.
Amphib ships.

While we are required to capture the SRA our primary aim will be to destroy these forces. Actions will be undertaken to achieve that mission, rather than to seize ground.


Having said that we expect to achieve the following:

Clear Burma of enemy ground troops,
seize and Defend the Dutch East Indies,
Threaten Ceylon and India (an invasion may be carried out)
Rabaul
Port Moresby (highly desirable)
Fiji (raid and retire)
Midway (raid and retire)


We are still truggling with how to divide up the areas.

At this stage I will have malaya, Burma, China and probably the nth coast of Burma and into Sumatra.

Tony will have Phillipines, DEI, south, SW, cent and Norpac.

I'll probably manage the convoys.

More to follow later.

Cheers
Rob

[modrow]

jrcar, Tony,

thanks for doing another AAR = another must-read for me. Lots to be learned from your realistic approach.



Hartwig

[Nemo121]

Interesting... Methinks we can expect some SLOC raiding to catch amphib-capable and amphib support ships.

[jrcar]

Thanks guys, yes Nemo that will be an outcoe of our strategy

It has been a while since I played Japanese, gettng my head back into the ORBAT.

The following are some of my operational thoughts, advice and comments very welcome!

Burma
It is important to make progress here early. The initial problem is a lack of troops, even an addition regiment can make a big difference, and armour is very important. We want to well and truely trash the forces in Burma.

I'm currently looking around to see where I can free up units. I have my eyes on the 21st Ind Bde at Hanoi. If I fly in some SNLF for the garrison from SAMAH I can free that bde up and move across country. This will save shipping. I'd also like to free up a regt out of Korea to commit here.

By going into Burma early we can cut off escape from Malaya, in particular the short legged aircraft, and reduce their flexibility to redeploy. The problem with doing it is that it encourages them to stay at home in India, whereas we really want them to deploy forward...

So I think the answer is to move as much to Bangkok as we can, then strike in a masive force. This means the initial offensive will be delayed a bit (hopefully encouraging them to commit), but when we do come it will be unstoppable... and over quickly and decisively.

[jrcar]

Enemy Comd Analysis
It was good for us to meet a few weeks ago. Based on that, emails and other intelligence we have made the following assements.

They are both relatively inexperianced, but are intelligent, have been following AARs (Including our one against Nik and Joe) and have been following the game for a long time.

We think they are likely to be generally cautious, employ the "Sir Robin" strategy but will look for some aggrisive options.

They are aware of the weakness in Allied aircraft numbers until 1943. But have also seen a number of games where the Allies have done quite well.

We expect them to learn quickly though through the game.


Friendly Comd Analysis
Tony and I are agresive without being rash. Tony in particular has excellent "battle sense". I'm the better logistician. Tony seeks to get every tactical cent of value, where as I tend to be more operational and strategic.

We communicate well and usually logically come to a similar conclusion independently, but as we look at things from different perspectives the resulting plan becomes more robust as a consequence (the benefit of team play).


The challange for us in this game will be to bring the enemy to battle early and decisively, to destroy the bomber force and attrit their ability to conduct simultaneous amphib operations (therefore we can concentrate on one avenue of approach).

They are likely to pull back as soon as we commit.

So we won't rush, but methodically work our way through their forces. By destroying their forces we aim to be able to be capable of offensive action until the end of 1942, but we will culminate and dig in well before then.

Cheers
Rob

[Nemo121]

Are you giving thought to an OMG ( Operational Manoeuvre Group ) type amphibious force?

Basically what I am talking about is something I have implemented a few times to good effect. Create the operational gap in the enemy line ( e.g. taking Oosthaven and thus opening up the straits there for the transit of Japanese shipping ) and then insert a multi-divisional force into the enemy's strategic depth - Ceylon/Burma etc while the fighting is still ongoing in either Burma ( if going for Ceylon ) or Malaysia ( if going for Burma ). By doing this you could trap significant Allied forces forward-deployed and in between two fires as it were. Generally once the strategic exploitation is done the escorts etc sweep backwards as your previous MLR transitions into a pursuit.

Obviously the same thing can be done in other theaters and is even more effective when done in areas where they only egress is via air or ship....


The reason I mention it explicitly is that it seems to me to be the best way for you to trap significant amphibious-capable/support forces in the face of a Sir Robin. It isn't quite as simple as just advances faster than they can run but it promises to be more effective if they truly do "Sir Robin" as you'll simply leapfrog intermediate objectives in favour of deeper ones trusting that the dislocation and withdrawal of their forces/pursuit by yours will lead to an overall speeding up of the timetable whilst also trapping those precious amphibious capable/support ships between two fires and also just gutting hard to replace ground formations.

[jrcar]

The aim is to create a mixed tempo game and exploit opportunities like this, basically whet we have done with Joe and Nik as well, maintain contact, look for gaps, exploit.

It is difficult maintaining a force capable of doing this, and can be high risk, but has high payoff

Cheers
Rob

[jrcar]

China Operations
The initial operation is to free up combat power by reassigning forces.

Phase two is to clear Nanyang, Loyang, Chengchow in the mid north area.

Forces will then be reassigned to the south.

Operations from Hainan against the Free French city and Pakhoi are being carried out concurrently with the first phase using forces originally assigned to Manado and Ternate.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

North Borneo
Miri will be the initial target, the forces from Cam Ramh Bay and Samah will assemble in the south china sea.

Kuching is the main game though, forces will also assemble in the south China Sea before heading in.

We discussed going to Singkawang but feel it is too exposed to start with. It will be a subsequent objective after Kuching.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

Malaya
Will be very boring here, not modifying the initial assaults.

But airunits will be bought forward quickly, the 3rd Air Division is directed to Patani immediately. Netties will then be based out of here to close the straits.

[jrcar]

Philipines
The landings will be concentrated at Vigan, at least two additional divisions will be committed to here to take the place ASAP.

DEI
Manado will be taken early as a "cork in the bottle". But then there will be an operational pause.

[jrcar]

SWPAC
The 144th regt will take Guam then move to take Rabaul under cover of KB.

PM will be targeted, timing depends on if they reinforce or not.

SOPAC
Probably not much will happen here initially.

Fiji and Pago Pago will probably be raided.

CENTPAC
The invasion of Wake will be delayed and use KB in support.

Midway will be prepped for. Other attacks will occur as raids only.


The SOPAC/CENTPAC raids require a 2 div assault force with shipping to be maintained (Maybe at TRUK?).

[jrcar]

Logistics
A hub and spoke system will be setup. Initially TRUK and BABELDOAB.

Fuel will be sent laterally from the DEI to TRUK.

Many PB's are being created.


Production
With detail hopefully to follow from Tony... initial plans are:

More Zero, Kate, Val.

Oscars - lots. We intend to bleed ourselves and the enemy air hard. We aim to kill medium/heavy bombers wherever they are. Our planes and ships will be expended to achieve this aim. We are happy to rebuild our air units from scratch if needed in late 42/early 43.

We really haven't discussed ship options much, mny just end up being points for the Allies...

Armaments and AFV's need to be increased.

[jrcar]

Sequencing
KB will almost certainly raid for Day 2, with the main targets on day 2 being the airfields and minor vessels (wish sometimes we could set the ship size ), rather than capital ships.

KB will then transition to support WAKE.

Refuel KWALJELON/TRUK.

Support landings at RABAUL.

Transit PM-DARWIN dishing out love.

Retire north.

[Cribtop]

Subscribed. Welcome to the dark side. Will be very interested to see how you play as Japan.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: jrcar


Burma
It is important to make progress here early. The initial problem is a lack of troops, even an addition regiment can make a big difference, and armour is very important. We want to well and truely trash the forces in Burma...


...By going into Burma early we can cut off escape from Malaya, in particular the short legged aircraft, and reduce their flexibility to redeploy. The problem with doing it is that it encourages them to stay at home in India, whereas we really want them to deploy forward...

So I think the answer is to move as much to Bangkok as we can, then strike in a masive force. This means the initial offensive will be delayed a bit (hopefully encouraging them to commit), but when we do come it will be unstoppable... and over quickly and decisively.

That of course is a sensible plan but...

There is a great benefit in striking early at Rangoon, bypassing Tavoy etc. Capture Rangoon early, even if you then have to make an operational pause to await the second echelon before moving into the interior, and you stop the Allies from push/pulling substantial supplies into China.

Being able to launch early major offensives in China against starving Chinese units can overall reap more benefits than destroying the Burmese units with their limited replacement rates and slated 1942 withdrawal. It is a long march back to India for the weak Allied units in Burma and you do have other opportunities to catch them before they become useful roadblocks.

Alfred

[ny59giants]

I'm currently looking around to see where I can free up units. I have my eyes on the 21st Ind Bde at Hanoi. If I fly in some SNLF for the garrison from SAMAH I can free that bde up and move across country. This will save shipping. I'd also like to free up a regt out of Korea to commit here.

The 90th Rgt in Manchuria has experience level of 90. If your going to pull just one, this is the one I would go with.

[jrcar]

Thanks!

Cheers
Rob

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I'm currently looking around to see where I can free up units. I have my eyes on the 21st Ind Bde at Hanoi. If I fly in some SNLF for the garrison from SAMAH I can free that bde up and move across country. This will save shipping. I'd also like to free up a regt out of Korea to commit here.

The 90th Rgt in Manchuria has experience level of 90. If your going to pull just one, this is the one I would go with.

[jrcar]

Ok after a false start (we are playing the game with test versions of BETA6, and we found an issue on day one, a pain for us but at least we found it before it went public!) we have done the first turn.

Overall combat results are quiet favorable for us.

We start well with a midget getting into PH...

Midget Sub attack inside harbor of Pearl Harbor!!!

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-18, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PC Taney
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits

A TF sweeping the south China Sea reacts in against the Brit DD's

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kwangchowan at 74,64, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Thanet, Shell hits 1
DD Thracian, Shell hits 21, and is sunk

Fubuki subsequently sinks.

The Important PH strike goes in...

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 136 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 135



Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 1
P-40B Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 23 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 1 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 4 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 9 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 7 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 4 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 2 destroyed on ground
C-33: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AV Tangier
AV Wright
xAKL Hirondelle
CM Oglala
BB California, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1
DM Gamble, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DM Ramsay, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1
AK Alchiba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PT-22, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Perry, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Narwhal, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Conyngham, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PG Sacramento, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 180
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

None of the BB's are reported sunk, and no float planes are listed as lost, so while we have banged up the fleet nicely no capital ships appear lost. We did get a nice collection of smaller ships...

The rest of the turn is as you would expect with nothing out of the ordinary.

Cheers

Rob