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In early October 2011 a group of players decided to embark on a "Most Excellent Adventure" and started a 3x3 multi-player WITP AE game. We are a bit late in starting the AAR (it's mid January 1941)

Ooops, Thank you Gridley 380. That would be mid January 1942. Good thing I'm in charge of coordinating the timing of Japanese plans huh.

but better late than never I suppose. At any rate, here-in will lay all of the dirty secrets (and dirty tricks) of the intrepid band of players. It will be an open AAR so either side are welcome to post as they see fit. As such there may be an understandable lag between game time and posts.

For those interested readers here is a link to a webpage that contains the player roster, organization, house rules ect.

http://www.regimentaldepot.com/WITPAE/WITPAE%20Main.htm

Here is to the enjoyment of an absolutely superb game with a great group of guys !!!

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

We are a bit late in starting the AAR (it's mid January 1941)

Wow! I didn't know the GC started that early!

[font="arial"]Sir, staff reports from the field indicate Balik oil and refineries captured w/ zero damage.  Unfortunately the infantry from the 16th division did take some casualties because of lack of air or sea bombardment.

Note some problems on Mindano.  After clearing the adjacent hex to balik the 16th division plans to return to mindano for final clearing operations.[/font]

Tokyo HQ: [font="arial"]That is one nice job !!!  13 days ahead of historical too !!  [/font]

Let me know how Dropbox is working for you guys, as we're currently in a 2x3...

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

Let me know how Dropbox is working for you guys, as we're currently in a 2x3...

Jeff, we've been using it for our 2x2 game for a year, and it's great! I like the idea these guys are using of individual subfolders for each player, moving the save file into your folder when you are working on it. [8D]

Yep Dropbox works really well.

Onto more important things:

Report from Commander in Chief ABDA and PI January 10 1942

Philippines:
Last night a sub patrolling out from a classified base put two torpedoes into an enemy cargo ship of the coast of Luzon. The captain was unable to confirm if the vessel sunk. A sister sub from the same base encountered three Japanese destroyers nearby to the first attack and four torpedoes were launched but all failed to hit. The sub escaped detection from the enemy.
60+ enemy aircraft attacked Manila in a night bombing raid but caused minimal damage.
70+ aircraft attacked Cagayan in a daytime raid causing minimal damage. This was followed by an enemy ground attack that was repelled comfortably.
Clark Field continues to be bombarded by enemy ground troops.

Borneo:
A seaborne invasion took place at Balikpapan after a pre-invasion bombardment in which coastal artillery damaged several enemy vessels. Troops fought a tactical withdrawal before abandoning the base in the face of overwhelming opposition. Claims of casualties made by 'Tokyo Rose' were grossly exaggerated.
Two brave Catalina pilots attacked a Japanese battleship assisting in the invasion. Both pilots returned home unhurt with their planes in tact.

Sumatra:
Forces withdrawing from the recent captured Palembang were attacked by 50+ aircraft. Despite this they continue to make progress towards their classified destination. The north of the island holds firm and is fully prepared for any enemy action.

Java:
Java continues to be untouched by the war at present. All units are on high alert but confident the enemy will think twice before invading such a well fortified and prepared island. There are signs of carrier activity in the area (see Celebes below).

Celebes:
Cargo and tanker ships evacuating civilians were mercilessly attacked at Makassar by aircraft that would appear to come from a carrier force patrolling nearby. Information as to the damage caused is classified at present but such a cowardly act by a ruthless enemy has only strengthened the resolve to exact revenge.

May I take this opportunity to publicly thank the other Allied Commanders. Their professional approach to such unprovoked attacks across the whole of the Pacific region will undoubtedly result in a swift victory against the evil empire known as Japan.

That is all.

Celebes:
Cargo and tanker ships evacuating civilians were mercilessly attacked at Makassar by aircraft that would appear to come from a carrier force patrolling nearby. Information as to the damage caused is classified at present but such a cowardly act by a ruthless enemy has only strengthened the resolve to exact revenge.

From Commander: Southern Fleet
To: Commander, IJN

Subject: War Crimes committed by ABDA forces. 

Sir, be advised AAR reports from pilots of CAR Div #1 indicate strong possibility allied forces are using The Red Cross emblem on ammunition transports as shields to deceive our pilots.   I have issued orders to disregard these ploys and to sink any ship not flying the Rising Sun.  Big Red

ORIGINAL: bigred

Celebes:
Cargo and tanker ships evacuating civilians were mercilessly attacked at Makassar by aircraft that would appear to come from a carrier force patrolling nearby. Information as to the damage caused is classified at present but such a cowardly act by a ruthless enemy has only strengthened the resolve to exact revenge.

From Commander: Southern Fleet
To: Commander, IJN

Subject: War Crimes committed by ABDA forces. 

Sir, be advised AAR reports from pilots of CAR Div #1 indicate strong possibility allied forces are using The Red Cross emblem on ammunition transports as shields to decieve our pilots.   I have issued ordered to disregard these ploys and to sink any ship not flying the Rising Sun.  Big Red

CinC ABDA to Commander Southern Fleet

Uncoded message:

We have intercepted your communication. You WILL be brought to justice for these atrocities.

That is all.

CinC ABDA to Commander Southern Fleet

Uncoded message:

We have intercepted your communication. You WILL be brought to justice for these atrocities.

That is all.

I call that pretty tall talk from folks that fly P-26's

Did not see it mentioned on the wire services but even I have to complement the commander of DD Pope for bold action last turn.

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

Did not see it mentioned on the wire services but even I have to complement the commander of DD Pope for bold action last turn.

Indeed:

Report from PI/ABDA CinC January 11 1942

PI: Last night the destroyer Pope, whilst on roving patrol east of the Islands, encountered an enemy TF. In the ensuing engagement Pope damaged a number of enemy cargo vessels with shells and torpedoes. This is just one of a number of counter measures taking place in the vicinity.
Manila was subjected to night aerial attack again.
Similarly, Cagayan was subjected to daytime aerial bombing.
Clark Field was struck again by artillery. To alleviate the situation a number of B17s flew from a classified base and bombed enemy artillery in the region.
Once again, I am pleased to announce heroic actions from Catalina pilots. Two such pilots flew from a classified airfield, bombed, and extensively damaged an enemy cargo ship off the coast of Manila.

Borneo:
Nothing new to report

Sumatra:
Reorganising units were again attacked from the air in the south of the island. A sortie was sent from a classified airfield and attacked shipping at Palembang. There were no confirmed hits.

Java:
Nothing new to report

Celebes:
I am sorry to report the Japanese atrocities continue. A cargo ship carrying civilians to safety from Makassar was attacked by enemy Battleships, Cruisers and Destroyers. A similarly loaded ship was attacked by enemy patrol boats.

That is all.

A massive chinese army has made easy entry into hankow area and launched a campaign of destruction on the local garrison troops and the population.  LGen Shingeru Oga of the 34th IJA div had to deploy his men from a forced march formation to stop the hoards coming into the city.
Unfortunately this fight is not over and many heads will roll for the lack of Intel leading to the surprise attack by the chinese.

ORIGINAL: Bill Durrant


I am sorry to report the Japanese atrocities continue. A cargo ship carrying civilians to safety from Makassar was attacked by enemy Battleships, Cruisers and Destroyers. A similarly loaded ship was attacked by enemy patrol boats.

That is all.

See, that is what I am talking about. You just can't trust the LYB's. Get to work on the "gadget".

IJA 13th army finally liberates Wuchow after over one month of seige.  CG 13th army is pleased to see cooperation between the services as the 5th air division and the 2nd fleet all come together to achieve a great victory for the emperor. On a private note Lt Gen hashimoto is pissed the chinese retreated 11 days march over the mountains to the NE.


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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 43173 troops, 401 guns, 126 vehicles, Assault Value = 1348

Defending force 14701 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 394

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2569

Allied adjusted defense: 415

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wenchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1755 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4903 casualties reported
Squads: 208 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 86 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 43 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 24 (23 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Division
22nd Division
39th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force


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Singers on the rope...Lt.Gen Yamashita laments the reassignment of his para regiment.


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Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64449 troops, 679 guns, 410 vehicles, Assault Value = 2137

Defending force 27971 troops, 414 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 485

Japanese adjusted assault: 713

Allied adjusted defense: 481

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5070 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 492 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled


Allied ground losses:
4365 casualties reported
Squads: 133 destroyed, 225 disabled
Non Combat: 82 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 61 disabled
Guns lost 60 (9 destroyed, 51 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (4 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Herr Rugenstien, the Tiger of Malaya reports Singapore is ours and the shipping lanes to Palembang are open.

Sorry it has been awhile since an update. It has been a very busy time in the real world for everyone but we seem to be back in the saddle again.

Unfortunately Imperial Japan has lost the very capable services of bigred to other duties. We have been very fortunate though to acquire the services of Cannonfodder. After having watched him play for a few turns I am convinced he chose that name to disarm his unsuspecting opponents. I suspect there is nothing cannonfodderish (is that a real word) about him and I suspect he will keep Bill on his toes in the western theater.

Since the last report (Jan 42) time has marched on and it is now nearing the end of March 42. The good guys have most of the DEI. The PI still stubbornly hold out. The weight of the IJA & IJN are beginning to fall on Burma. Some very heavy naval & air action recently concluded off Burma. A lot of back and forth wacking with the net result being most probably the RN down 3 BB's & the IJN down 1 BB. Japanese land based naval bombers being the decisive factory but the high point (or low depending on how you look at it) was the Ise taking on 3 RN BB's. A predictable result though I think she gave a very strong account of herself before going down. Bad day for the IJN. Enter the Nells next day & really bad day for the RN.

In the South Pacific the Japanese applied pressure on PM by occupying Milne Bay. For quite a number of turns a very pesky allied crusier force made life miserable at Milne with bombardments. The cruisers made the Japanese commander pull a fair amount of his remaining limited amount of hair out as we could not seem to catch the well handled crusiers. The bombardments also considerably lengthened the completition timing of a badly needed airfield. At long last the IJN carriers penned the elusive cruisers against the Australian coast and it appears put a stop to their troublemaking.

The most recent development (this last turn) saw the severe damage of a US CV as it raided the Marshall Islands in a probable attempt to relieve the pressure on PM. The last time the islands were visited by the carriers they were defended by our valient Claudes. This time the Claudes were replaced by Zeros that treated the Wildcats a bit more roughly. With the added protection the Nells got through and reports indicated 4 torpedo hits. A meeting was concluded this evening where the last hold outs in the IJN High Command at last agreed that the Zero might be superior in a few respects to the tried & true Claude.

More to come....

Glad you guys took on CF, the man feeds off Excel spreadsheets and is generally making life the shits for me all across the map in our PBEM, no doubt he'll have picked up a couple of tricks in the course of playing our game so I expect he'll do his worst to the Allied side in your game, will be watching with much interest.

Hehe Arnhem, you managed to half the size of the IJN over two years (carriers and cruisers.).. Hope to do better this time!