Greetings fellow AE war gamers,
This is a rather unorthodox AAR in the sense that it will be covering a recently wrapped up Scenario 1 multiplayer grand campaign rather than following along in real time. Although I obviously know the ending, I will however be writing it without divulging what occurs in future turns too early. I am writing this AAR for two primary reasons. First, as a record for myself to go back and check on as this was my very first grand campaign against either human or computer, (having only recently gotten into this fantastic game). More importantly, to hopefully get some feedback from the community on my gameplay so I can improve it for future campaigns.
As the complete newbie, I took the Allies while my experienced opponent who has played more than 10 grand campaigns took the Japanese side. My opponent has requested that he remain anonymous, and I of course will honor that request.
Preparation
To prepare for my first AE campaign, I read the manual and looked up on the forum some of the issues I encountered there that I didn’t fully comprehend. I also played the Coral Sea scenario against the computer a few times to familiarize myself with the all too important dynamics of fleet carrier battles. Also invaluable to me was Kull’s Allied spreadsheet – I didn’t follow its first turn setup to the letter, but it did give me greater familiarity with the routine game mechanics that better prepared me for following turns. Finally, I leaned heavily on my profession as a military analyst and my knowledge of Pacific War history, equipment, etc.
Rules
Given my lack of experience, my opponent suggested that we play with a minimum of rules, which I thought was probably a good idea. We ended up with the following:
Only base or dot hexes can be invaded
No 4 engines naval strikes below 10,000 feet
None-historical Start
No strategic bombing until mid 43
Player defined upgrades on
Realistic r&d on
Fog of war on
Advanced weather
We never really discussed it, but I later noted that my opponent seemed to refrain from transferring units Kwantung Army units into China without paying PPs. We also later agreed to allow Thai units to cross into Burma up to three hexes distance from the Thai border.
Strategy
My overall objective going into the campaign was to defeat my opponent before September 1st, 1945. As the Allies it seemed inevitable to me that I would eventually win – the sheer allied industrial overmatch which the game seems to replicate made me think that it would only be a question of time until I overwhelmed my opponent as long as I learned from even a plethora of mistakes along the way. To that end, I wanted to do better than the Allies did during the actual war.
My operational strategy was to pursue a very aggressive land war while avoiding a decisive fleet engagement until my naval strength accumulates decisively over time. To be a bit more academic, instead of channeling Mahan in the early period, I was more interested in following Corbett’s principals, which emphasize the interdiction and interruption of my opponent’s sea lines of communication while protecting my own. In practice, this meant that I was prepared to be very aggressive with small surface task forces, submarines, and land based aircraft to gradually weaken my opponent’s naval and merchant fleet while insulating my main battle fleet and maritime logistics. I was prepared to heavily utilize my carriers, but only in areas where the Kido Butai was not located – something that hopefully my superior intelligences sources will help me with.
On land, I wanted to immediately take the fight to my opponent in China to bleed his resources and forces there and prevent them from being used elsewhere. To allow this to happen, I also needed to keep control of Burma for as long as possible to ensure the flow of supply for my offensives in China. I was also prepared to strike back in Malaya and the Philippines instead of immediately going turtle. As the campaign developed, I planned to reevaluate the situation and then decide on where my main area of counterattack would develop after I had hopefully stemmed his initial invasions.
Revenge of the Enterprise
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
A few first turn rules that I forgot to mention in my last post:
1) Only already existing Allied Task Forces can be given orders on turn 1
2) Only air and ground units either in China or attached to China Command can be given orders on turn 1
3) No deep penetrations by the Japanese on turn 1 (Mersing, Palembang, etc.)
Submarines
The first turn started with reported underwater activity at Pearl Harbor, but luckily none of the mini-submarines succeeded in penetrating the port.
Dutch submarine SS KXIII launched four torpedoes at DD Maikaze off Malaya but missed.
The Philippines
The first action in Luzon involved 54 Betty bombers escorted by 37 Zeros sweeping aside the lone P-26A that rose to meet them and hitting Iba airfield. They came in at 23,000 feet however, so the airfield escapade heavy damage.
A similar bombing raid from Formosa with 36 Nells and 27 Bettys and 25 Zeros thing hit Clark Airfield, once again brushing aside the few P-26As that dared to meet them but destroying only two aircraft on the ground.
The main event however was a full KB strike with 144 Kates and 126 Vals heavily escorted by Zeros pulverizing Manila’s port facilities. 13 of my submarines were sunk outright and the bulk of the rest were heavily damaged. Very few of the ships in the port survived the strike unscathed. Unfortunately, this was going to setback my plan to rely heavily on submarine action.
The one positive development was that my attempt to extricate the three British destroyers and the MTBs from Hong Kong was successful – Wave after wave of Sallys and Anns tried to interdict the vessels but missed.
Malaya
29 Nates came sweeping in to strafe Kota Bharu airfield damaging a number of Hudson bombers and destroying a few while losing some of their own to flak. 22 Sallys followed with more bombing of the airfield.
A similar story developed at Alor Star airfield, where 52 Sallys knocked out a number of Blenheim Is to some loss to flak. Another wave of Lillys came next to add to the cratering of Alor Star.
Georgetown airfield was then hit by 27 unescorted Sallys, knocking out a few Buffalo fighters on the ground. A couple of my Blenheim IF fighters actually got to the air, but failed to intercept despite clear skies.
Later in the afternoon, a few of my bombing raids went out to hit his shipping off Malaya, especially his forces landing at Kota Bharu, but with no hits registered and a couple of aircraft lost to Nates on CAP.
Finally, 36 Nell bombers came to hit Singapore, being met by 11 Buffalos that rose to up to intercept them. The fighters and the heavy flak at Singers took down 7 Nells outright with likely more lost to op losses, but my opponent still managed to destroy 8 of my aircraft on the ground.
Central Pacific
27 Nell bombers hit Wake airfield – unfortunately, none of my fighters fly. 1 wildcat was destroyed on the ground, and several others were damaged.
China
In China, an assortment of bombings hit my troops. My one offensive action here involved a hodgepodge of 11 Chinese Hudson, DB-3M, and SB-III bombers being sent to hit his troops at Ichang only to be met by 6 Nate fighters which forced all of them but the 3 DB-3Ms to turn back.
Assessment
I felt optimistic about the turn despite my failure to inflict any real pain on my opponent and the pulverizing of the Asiatic fleet in Manila (in addition to the heavy damage my airfields took in Malaya). I was pleased that my Pacific Fleet came through unscathed at Pearl, and I looked forward to the absence of the KB from the central pacific to conduct some aggressive carrier action there. I had also retreated Force Z southwards from Singapore towards Java so no capital ships of mine were even damaged this turn, which was in keeping with my naval strategy coming into the campaign. On the flip side, the heavy loss of submarines at Manila hurt, and certainly the KB's presence offshore meant that my defense of the Philippines would be that much harder. Overall though, I would much rather the KB stay here where I know where it is and where I could potentially damage it with submarines than have to worry about my logistics elsewhere.
1) Only already existing Allied Task Forces can be given orders on turn 1
2) Only air and ground units either in China or attached to China Command can be given orders on turn 1
3) No deep penetrations by the Japanese on turn 1 (Mersing, Palembang, etc.)
Submarines
The first turn started with reported underwater activity at Pearl Harbor, but luckily none of the mini-submarines succeeded in penetrating the port.
Dutch submarine SS KXIII launched four torpedoes at DD Maikaze off Malaya but missed.
The Philippines
The first action in Luzon involved 54 Betty bombers escorted by 37 Zeros sweeping aside the lone P-26A that rose to meet them and hitting Iba airfield. They came in at 23,000 feet however, so the airfield escapade heavy damage.
A similar bombing raid from Formosa with 36 Nells and 27 Bettys and 25 Zeros thing hit Clark Airfield, once again brushing aside the few P-26As that dared to meet them but destroying only two aircraft on the ground.
The main event however was a full KB strike with 144 Kates and 126 Vals heavily escorted by Zeros pulverizing Manila’s port facilities. 13 of my submarines were sunk outright and the bulk of the rest were heavily damaged. Very few of the ships in the port survived the strike unscathed. Unfortunately, this was going to setback my plan to rely heavily on submarine action.
The one positive development was that my attempt to extricate the three British destroyers and the MTBs from Hong Kong was successful – Wave after wave of Sallys and Anns tried to interdict the vessels but missed.
Malaya
29 Nates came sweeping in to strafe Kota Bharu airfield damaging a number of Hudson bombers and destroying a few while losing some of their own to flak. 22 Sallys followed with more bombing of the airfield.
A similar story developed at Alor Star airfield, where 52 Sallys knocked out a number of Blenheim Is to some loss to flak. Another wave of Lillys came next to add to the cratering of Alor Star.
Georgetown airfield was then hit by 27 unescorted Sallys, knocking out a few Buffalo fighters on the ground. A couple of my Blenheim IF fighters actually got to the air, but failed to intercept despite clear skies.
Later in the afternoon, a few of my bombing raids went out to hit his shipping off Malaya, especially his forces landing at Kota Bharu, but with no hits registered and a couple of aircraft lost to Nates on CAP.
Finally, 36 Nell bombers came to hit Singapore, being met by 11 Buffalos that rose to up to intercept them. The fighters and the heavy flak at Singers took down 7 Nells outright with likely more lost to op losses, but my opponent still managed to destroy 8 of my aircraft on the ground.
Central Pacific
27 Nell bombers hit Wake airfield – unfortunately, none of my fighters fly. 1 wildcat was destroyed on the ground, and several others were damaged.
China
In China, an assortment of bombings hit my troops. My one offensive action here involved a hodgepodge of 11 Chinese Hudson, DB-3M, and SB-III bombers being sent to hit his troops at Ichang only to be met by 6 Nate fighters which forced all of them but the 3 DB-3Ms to turn back.
Assessment
I felt optimistic about the turn despite my failure to inflict any real pain on my opponent and the pulverizing of the Asiatic fleet in Manila (in addition to the heavy damage my airfields took in Malaya). I was pleased that my Pacific Fleet came through unscathed at Pearl, and I looked forward to the absence of the KB from the central pacific to conduct some aggressive carrier action there. I had also retreated Force Z southwards from Singapore towards Java so no capital ships of mine were even damaged this turn, which was in keeping with my naval strategy coming into the campaign. On the flip side, the heavy loss of submarines at Manila hurt, and certainly the KB's presence offshore meant that my defense of the Philippines would be that much harder. Overall though, I would much rather the KB stay here where I know where it is and where I could potentially damage it with submarines than have to worry about my logistics elsewhere.
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
December 8
With the December 7th surprise turn over, I could once more give orders to the vast bulk of my forces.
I immediately got my supply convoys moving – fuel/supply convoys from the West Coat to Pearl Harbor and Australia, empty ships from Australia to the West Coast, fuel-laden tankers from the DEI to Australia.
In a risky but necessary move if I was going to hold Burma, I decided to ship my Australian and Indian forces directly to Rangoon. I began preparations in Burma to provide air cover for the incoming convoys.
In China, I began to move my Chinese forces into position, with the first major operation being the eviction of the Japanese from Ichang, an absolutely critical position as it provides the only real path for Chinese forces south of the Yangtze to rapidly connect with forces north of the river. Without this connection, Chinese forces can be concentrated upon by the Japanese and defeated in detail either north or south due to the Japanese internal lines of communication, particularly at Hankow/Wuchang.
I also planned to aggressively confront the Japanese air strikes on the Philippines and Malaya, even with the heavy weight of the KB being around. I prepared to lose a lot of aircraft, but I sought to slow him down and attrite his forces as much as possible. I also placed my submarines on their patrols and looked for any openings to strike at the inevitable invasion convoys with land based air power.
Meanwhile, my carrier task forces began preparations to sail west in search of vulnerable prey while his KB was distracted in southeast Asia.
Submarines
ASW task forces sallying out from Pearl encountered SS-174, hitting a couple of times with DCs for minor damage.
SS I-122 off Singapore puts down AKL Ipoh with torpedoes and deck gun fire.
Philippines
42 Bettys escorted by 63 zeros came in for another strike on Clark airfield only to be met by 22 P-35A, 21 P-40B, and 4 P-40E fighters. Not a good showing on my flyboys part however, having lost about a dozen fighters for a couple zero kills and a single Betty destroyed.
My fighters at Clark had a chance to redeem themselves when they encountered unescorted Japanese bombers coming in a second wave towards Clark. 21 Lilys and 9 Sallys were met by 30 of my fighters flying, but they only managed to shoot down 4 bombers (and perhaps some more ops losses) before the bombers flew through… sigh.
My Manila CAP showed up their Clark comrades however when they intercepted KB strikes targeting fleeing TFs were intercepted. For the loss of about 10 fighters, they shot down 10 Zeros and 5 Kates, with likely more to be lost due to battle damage.
I dispatched 18 B-17Ds to hit Babeldoab airfield from Cagayan for only minor damage. In hindsight I should have probably targeted the port.
Malaya
21 Buffalos rose up to meet 27 sweeping Ki-43-1bs over the skies of Singapore (I concentrated most of my surviving Buffalos back at Singers). They traded about even numbers of kills with a few lost on both sides. Later on 23 Nells once more came to hit my Singapore airfieild, but lost several bombers to flak for little damage on the ground. My northern airfields continued to be pasted by Japanese airstrikes, with 51 Sallys hitting Alor Star and 25 Sallys hitting Georgetown. I had several chances to intercept these northern raids but my fighters on CAP did not intercept due to weather/altitude.
Central Pacific
A Japanese landing force takes Tarawa.
With the December 7th surprise turn over, I could once more give orders to the vast bulk of my forces.
I immediately got my supply convoys moving – fuel/supply convoys from the West Coat to Pearl Harbor and Australia, empty ships from Australia to the West Coast, fuel-laden tankers from the DEI to Australia.
In a risky but necessary move if I was going to hold Burma, I decided to ship my Australian and Indian forces directly to Rangoon. I began preparations in Burma to provide air cover for the incoming convoys.
In China, I began to move my Chinese forces into position, with the first major operation being the eviction of the Japanese from Ichang, an absolutely critical position as it provides the only real path for Chinese forces south of the Yangtze to rapidly connect with forces north of the river. Without this connection, Chinese forces can be concentrated upon by the Japanese and defeated in detail either north or south due to the Japanese internal lines of communication, particularly at Hankow/Wuchang.
I also planned to aggressively confront the Japanese air strikes on the Philippines and Malaya, even with the heavy weight of the KB being around. I prepared to lose a lot of aircraft, but I sought to slow him down and attrite his forces as much as possible. I also placed my submarines on their patrols and looked for any openings to strike at the inevitable invasion convoys with land based air power.
Meanwhile, my carrier task forces began preparations to sail west in search of vulnerable prey while his KB was distracted in southeast Asia.
Submarines
ASW task forces sallying out from Pearl encountered SS-174, hitting a couple of times with DCs for minor damage.
SS I-122 off Singapore puts down AKL Ipoh with torpedoes and deck gun fire.
Philippines
42 Bettys escorted by 63 zeros came in for another strike on Clark airfield only to be met by 22 P-35A, 21 P-40B, and 4 P-40E fighters. Not a good showing on my flyboys part however, having lost about a dozen fighters for a couple zero kills and a single Betty destroyed.
My fighters at Clark had a chance to redeem themselves when they encountered unescorted Japanese bombers coming in a second wave towards Clark. 21 Lilys and 9 Sallys were met by 30 of my fighters flying, but they only managed to shoot down 4 bombers (and perhaps some more ops losses) before the bombers flew through… sigh.
My Manila CAP showed up their Clark comrades however when they intercepted KB strikes targeting fleeing TFs were intercepted. For the loss of about 10 fighters, they shot down 10 Zeros and 5 Kates, with likely more to be lost due to battle damage.
I dispatched 18 B-17Ds to hit Babeldoab airfield from Cagayan for only minor damage. In hindsight I should have probably targeted the port.
Malaya
21 Buffalos rose up to meet 27 sweeping Ki-43-1bs over the skies of Singapore (I concentrated most of my surviving Buffalos back at Singers). They traded about even numbers of kills with a few lost on both sides. Later on 23 Nells once more came to hit my Singapore airfieild, but lost several bombers to flak for little damage on the ground. My northern airfields continued to be pasted by Japanese airstrikes, with 51 Sallys hitting Alor Star and 25 Sallys hitting Georgetown. I had several chances to intercept these northern raids but my fighters on CAP did not intercept due to weather/altitude.
Central Pacific
A Japanese landing force takes Tarawa.
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Interesting idea - posting an AAR on a finished campaign. Should give lots of opportunity for comment on what worked and what didn't.
I like that you outlined your grand strategy for use of the fleet. He helped a bit by leaving PH alone for now.
I am not sure your China strategy will work because the supply situation there gets so bad so quickly. It is very hard for the Chinese to be aggressive there.
Shortage of PP to change dud leaders is another problem.
After 10 posts you should be able to post screenshots of maps to help readers understand the situation without a lot of description. If you aren't sure how, just ask.
I like that you outlined your grand strategy for use of the fleet. He helped a bit by leaving PH alone for now.
I am not sure your China strategy will work because the supply situation there gets so bad so quickly. It is very hard for the Chinese to be aggressive there.
Shortage of PP to change dud leaders is another problem.
After 10 posts you should be able to post screenshots of maps to help readers understand the situation without a lot of description. If you aren't sure how, just ask.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Very sound reasons for writing up a post AAR.
1. The objective of winning before 1 September 1945 is the correct one. That can only be achieved by reaching a 2:1 VP ratio in favour of the Allied side. Such a result represents a Decisive Allied victory. As everything in the game is abstracted so are the game's victory conditions.
A decisive victory (for either side) represents an unconditional surrender of the opponent with ensuing occupation of their home territory.
A marginal victory (for either side) represents a negotiated settlement with the victor gaining significant territory or resources but the vanquished still retaining substantial territory. For example an Allied marginal victory could be construed as one where Japan agrees to vacate all post 7 December 1941 conquests and perhaps some ante bellum territory such as the Mandates, Chinese territory but still retaining most of Manchukuo and Korea. Plus of course maybe no Tokyo War Crimes trials.
A draw essentially represents a return to the ante bellum position, perhaps with some minor territorial changes and financial reparations imposed. The latter of course not being represented in AE itself.
Consequently only an Allied Decisive Victory represents the historical outcome. Anything else represents an inferior Allied/superior Japanese game performance compared to the historical outcome.
2. One salutary note of warning is that the game does not automatically ensure that an Allied Decisive victory is preordained. The Allied player cannot simply sit back and expect the weight of the industrial production will guarantee victory. A good Japanese opponent has quite realistic opportunities to prevent an Allied decisive victory. In fact a strong Japanese game performance combined with a weak Allied game performance can result in Japan achieving it's own Decisive victory in 1944 with an outside chance of getting it in 1943.
3. Not following Mahan is again a wise course of action for the Allies to take. Especially when one understands that Japanese naval power is basically front loaded into a single spear point with precious little support. Even in December 1941, Allied naval power allows for several mini Mahan encounters to take place and this Allied capability only increases with time.
4. Avoiding a Pearl Harbor strike on 7 December 1941 is very popular amongst Japanese players who adduce several factors as to why the alternatives are better. I have always argued this is a strategic mistake. The KB is not required to successfully capture in quick time the SRA. The loss of American submarines at Manila is not a strategic gain for Japan for these reasons:
Alfred
1. The objective of winning before 1 September 1945 is the correct one. That can only be achieved by reaching a 2:1 VP ratio in favour of the Allied side. Such a result represents a Decisive Allied victory. As everything in the game is abstracted so are the game's victory conditions.
A decisive victory (for either side) represents an unconditional surrender of the opponent with ensuing occupation of their home territory.
A marginal victory (for either side) represents a negotiated settlement with the victor gaining significant territory or resources but the vanquished still retaining substantial territory. For example an Allied marginal victory could be construed as one where Japan agrees to vacate all post 7 December 1941 conquests and perhaps some ante bellum territory such as the Mandates, Chinese territory but still retaining most of Manchukuo and Korea. Plus of course maybe no Tokyo War Crimes trials.
A draw essentially represents a return to the ante bellum position, perhaps with some minor territorial changes and financial reparations imposed. The latter of course not being represented in AE itself.
Consequently only an Allied Decisive Victory represents the historical outcome. Anything else represents an inferior Allied/superior Japanese game performance compared to the historical outcome.
2. One salutary note of warning is that the game does not automatically ensure that an Allied Decisive victory is preordained. The Allied player cannot simply sit back and expect the weight of the industrial production will guarantee victory. A good Japanese opponent has quite realistic opportunities to prevent an Allied decisive victory. In fact a strong Japanese game performance combined with a weak Allied game performance can result in Japan achieving it's own Decisive victory in 1944 with an outside chance of getting it in 1943.
3. Not following Mahan is again a wise course of action for the Allies to take. Especially when one understands that Japanese naval power is basically front loaded into a single spear point with precious little support. Even in December 1941, Allied naval power allows for several mini Mahan encounters to take place and this Allied capability only increases with time.
4. Avoiding a Pearl Harbor strike on 7 December 1941 is very popular amongst Japanese players who adduce several factors as to why the alternatives are better. I have always argued this is a strategic mistake. The KB is not required to successfully capture in quick time the SRA. The loss of American submarines at Manila is not a strategic gain for Japan for these reasons:
- almost all those Manila submarines are required to be withdrawn over the course of 1943-44
- a large proportion of them are the short range S class which even though they have working torpedoes, will soon be forced to be based too far from the frontlines to be used for offensive operations - plus most will be withdrawn anyway
- the offensive value of all the Manila submarines, as is the case with all submarines, is very dependent on the quality of intel on enemy movements. Not only will suitable locations for stationing Allied air naval search assets be soon lost early in the war there just aren't that many Allied air units available, nor are they well trained, to keep tabs on enemy movements. This air deficiency is compounded by a strong KB strike at Pearl Harbor which can destroy/disable a large quantity of PBYs which cannot be quickly made good by early aircraft production
Alfred
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Thanks BBfanboy, I look forward to reading your feedback on my tactics and strategies as the AAR progresses. This is very much an opportunity for me to learn from the veterans and improve my gameplay. Without divulging too much, I can indeed say that I quickly learned that supply is a massive issue in China. I do however think that there is space for aggressive allied action in that theater under the right conditions, even in the early months.
I certainly plan to include maps later on, especially to better illustrate some of the big battles.
I certainly plan to include maps later on, especially to better illustrate some of the big battles.
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Thank you for these insightful points Alfred. The background on the game's victory conditions was especially interesting as I did not know much about what went into that or what the game sought to illustrate with the various outcomes.
In as much as I understand from my limited experience with the game, I also agree that my opponent's use of the KB against Manila was probably not the best option to pursue. Certainly from a historical standpoint the benefit of ensuring the destruction of the Asiatic Fleet was best left to the other assets already in proximity, allowing the best force projection tool available to the Imperial Fleet to strike a more distant strategic target.
In as much as I understand from my limited experience with the game, I also agree that my opponent's use of the KB against Manila was probably not the best option to pursue. Certainly from a historical standpoint the benefit of ensuring the destruction of the Asiatic Fleet was best left to the other assets already in proximity, allowing the best force projection tool available to the Imperial Fleet to strike a more distant strategic target.
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
December 9th
Submarines
Very heavy submarine activity this turn -
I-172 attempted to engage one of my ASW destroyers near Pearl Harbor but missed with two torpedoes.
North of Jolo, I-123 attempted to engage one of my fleeing AKLs but missed with two torps.
West of Singkawang, I-158 puts three torpedoes into CM Kung Wo, sending it to the bottom.
Near Palembang, I-153 turns fuel-laden TK Iris into a temporarily floating torch.
I-153 strikes again, this time destroying AP Hong Peng with two torps.
For my part, SS KXV sends two torpedoes at AKL Meiko Maru south of Saigon but misses. The same sub however redeems itself later in the day by destroying the AK Kenyo Maru with three torpedo hits, sinking her and the troops and fuel cargo it seemed to be laden with.
Philippines
The first Japanese landings on Luzon begin during the night at Laoag in the far north. Later in the day, further Japanese landings make it ashore at San Fernando – it has begun.
Meanwhile during the day, the MTB squadron I brought down from Hong Kong intercepts a Japanese troop convoy off the west coast of Luzon. Unfortunately, my opponent’s very heavy escort of patrol boats, destroyer minesweepers, and subchasers prevent my MTBs from launching a single torpedo despite several attempts to close the range. We will have to try again.
During the morning and afternoon air phases, a series of torpedo carrying Betty and Nell bomber raids shatter my fleeing merchant shipping from Hong Kong. My opponent even added in waves of strafing zeros that inflicted damage with 60kg bombs. By the end of the day, 11 of the vessels had been lost.
A Zero sweep from Formosa came in over San Fernando and found empty air, while the KB air wings continued to hunt down the shipping remnants fleeing the Philippines.
Malaya
A sweep of 20 Ki-43-1b fighters came over Singapore to be met by 12 Buffalos, a rather inconclusive engagement ensured where we both lost a few fighters.
A Japanese shock attack takes Kota Bharu and sends the allied survivors reeling back towards Temuloh.
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I know it is inevitable that I will lose a number of ships in the first days of the war, but these heavy losses in a single day, especially the heavy loss to subs, are still painful. I need to find a way to more effectively strike back at his convoys now that they are arriving within range.
Submarines
Very heavy submarine activity this turn -
I-172 attempted to engage one of my ASW destroyers near Pearl Harbor but missed with two torpedoes.
North of Jolo, I-123 attempted to engage one of my fleeing AKLs but missed with two torps.
West of Singkawang, I-158 puts three torpedoes into CM Kung Wo, sending it to the bottom.
Near Palembang, I-153 turns fuel-laden TK Iris into a temporarily floating torch.
I-153 strikes again, this time destroying AP Hong Peng with two torps.
For my part, SS KXV sends two torpedoes at AKL Meiko Maru south of Saigon but misses. The same sub however redeems itself later in the day by destroying the AK Kenyo Maru with three torpedo hits, sinking her and the troops and fuel cargo it seemed to be laden with.
Philippines
The first Japanese landings on Luzon begin during the night at Laoag in the far north. Later in the day, further Japanese landings make it ashore at San Fernando – it has begun.
Meanwhile during the day, the MTB squadron I brought down from Hong Kong intercepts a Japanese troop convoy off the west coast of Luzon. Unfortunately, my opponent’s very heavy escort of patrol boats, destroyer minesweepers, and subchasers prevent my MTBs from launching a single torpedo despite several attempts to close the range. We will have to try again.
During the morning and afternoon air phases, a series of torpedo carrying Betty and Nell bomber raids shatter my fleeing merchant shipping from Hong Kong. My opponent even added in waves of strafing zeros that inflicted damage with 60kg bombs. By the end of the day, 11 of the vessels had been lost.
A Zero sweep from Formosa came in over San Fernando and found empty air, while the KB air wings continued to hunt down the shipping remnants fleeing the Philippines.
Malaya
A sweep of 20 Ki-43-1b fighters came over Singapore to be met by 12 Buffalos, a rather inconclusive engagement ensured where we both lost a few fighters.
A Japanese shock attack takes Kota Bharu and sends the allied survivors reeling back towards Temuloh.
----
I know it is inevitable that I will lose a number of ships in the first days of the war, but these heavy losses in a single day, especially the heavy loss to subs, are still painful. I need to find a way to more effectively strike back at his convoys now that they are arriving within range.
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Regarding China, and at the risk of not knowing what you eventually decided to do there....[:)]
There are two common Allied mistakes made in China. One is to attempt offensive actions with Chinese LCUs. It never works because there just isn't adequate supply to sustain offensive operations. Even with the Burma Road kept open and huge quantities of supply dumped into Rangoon and then walked over to China. However the main reason why Chinese offensive action doesn't succeed is that Chinese LCUs lack experience, generally have poor leadership, lack any meaningful anti-tank weapons or artillery in quantity, and are just not well positioned to take offensive action. By the time some of this has been addressed, a good Japanese player will be well on the road of defeating the Chinese in detail using low cost/high impact units from the Kwantung Army strategic reserve.
The other basic mistake is to adopt a static continuous MLR. Often this provides some short term tactical benefits where good defensive terrain is chosen and the opponent is impatient. However strategically it is a failure. Firstly many real world land warfare considerations simply do not apply to AE land combat on a continental basis. The most obvious two are that concern for flank protection is usually just not relevant and concern for LOC is abstracted into a particular game perspective which is, to say the least, somewhat removed from real world LOC considerations. What this means in game terms is that a continuous Chinese MLR results in most of the Chinese army never participating in combat whereas there is nothing to prevent the IJA from establishing a powerful schwerpunkt with no consideration nor need for flank protection. This means that eventually the Chinese LCUs involved in battle will become combat d'hors and with their supply situation, will not recover.
The correct Chinese course is to engage in an aggressive defensive strategy. Select key blocking points to concentrate forces, disregarding the need to protect the flanks. With the units released from static MLR duty send them deep behind enemy lines to occupy key positions which disrupt the enemy LOC. In short it requires Chinese concentration of forces and guerrilla type activity, all of which is the direct opposite of the usual continuous MLR approach adopted.
Ultimately China is a delaying front whose main purpose is to impose a substantial opportunity cost on Japan's war effort.
Alfred
There are two common Allied mistakes made in China. One is to attempt offensive actions with Chinese LCUs. It never works because there just isn't adequate supply to sustain offensive operations. Even with the Burma Road kept open and huge quantities of supply dumped into Rangoon and then walked over to China. However the main reason why Chinese offensive action doesn't succeed is that Chinese LCUs lack experience, generally have poor leadership, lack any meaningful anti-tank weapons or artillery in quantity, and are just not well positioned to take offensive action. By the time some of this has been addressed, a good Japanese player will be well on the road of defeating the Chinese in detail using low cost/high impact units from the Kwantung Army strategic reserve.
The other basic mistake is to adopt a static continuous MLR. Often this provides some short term tactical benefits where good defensive terrain is chosen and the opponent is impatient. However strategically it is a failure. Firstly many real world land warfare considerations simply do not apply to AE land combat on a continental basis. The most obvious two are that concern for flank protection is usually just not relevant and concern for LOC is abstracted into a particular game perspective which is, to say the least, somewhat removed from real world LOC considerations. What this means in game terms is that a continuous Chinese MLR results in most of the Chinese army never participating in combat whereas there is nothing to prevent the IJA from establishing a powerful schwerpunkt with no consideration nor need for flank protection. This means that eventually the Chinese LCUs involved in battle will become combat d'hors and with their supply situation, will not recover.
The correct Chinese course is to engage in an aggressive defensive strategy. Select key blocking points to concentrate forces, disregarding the need to protect the flanks. With the units released from static MLR duty send them deep behind enemy lines to occupy key positions which disrupt the enemy LOC. In short it requires Chinese concentration of forces and guerrilla type activity, all of which is the direct opposite of the usual continuous MLR approach adopted.
Ultimately China is a delaying front whose main purpose is to impose a substantial opportunity cost on Japan's war effort.
Alfred
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
December 10
A very long turn today
Submarines
I-156 strikes first with the destruction of TK Manvantara just north of Billiton. Clearly these are dangerous waters for single ships to run through.
In the fertile waters south of Saigon, SS KXIII returns the favor by sending AK Naruto Maru to the bottom with three torpedo hits. Judging from the troops lost going down with her, she was probably carrying a base force or part of one.
Philippines
Further Japanese landings occurred at Luzon later in the night, with Imperial troops coming ashore at Aparri. Later in the day, a landing force arrived in the south at Legaspi and another one close to Clark at Iba. Clearly my opponent is going for a very big effort in the Philippines.
I sent out the American PT squadron to attempt to intercept his convoys. Unfortunately, they first run into a large Japanese destroyer squadron during the night, losing a PT boat to shellfire.
The British MTB squadron meanwhile set out to try its luck again, this time encountering the same convoy as last turn but this time during the night. Despite some losses, they managed to put a torpedo into DMS W-18, which quickly goes down.
Last turn I decided to use my still relatively intact airpower in the Philippines against the Japanese convoys. The first attack of 10 B-17s completely missed, but a following attack of 8 torpedo carrying PBY-4 Catalinas scored against the AK Kuwayama Maru leaving it with dead troops on board and heavy damage. Yet another Catalina raid missed, and so did the fourth wave, this time of SOC-1 Seagulls.
Incredibly, the fifth raid, this time of 7 B-17Ds at 10,000 feet, actually scored a 500lb bomb hit on AK Shinyubari Maru, leaving her on fire with yet more Japanese troops lost. A sixth raid of 6 Catalinas scored a 500lb bomb hit on AK Keisho Maru with the same usual result. The seventh raid of 5 Catalinas put a torpedo into the AK Anyo Maru and finished off the damaged Kuwayama Maru – 1,532 Japanese casualties were listed, including some 150 squads and 19 vehicles lost. An eighth small Catalina raid missed, but the ninth raid of SOC-1 Seagulls put a 250lb bomb into both AK Pacific Maru and AK Takaoka Maru.
A heavy air raid from Formosa hit the 11th PA Infantry Division at San Fernando. I attempted to put up some fighter CAP here but it was shattered by the escorting zeros, losing half a dozen P-40E fighters in the process. Nevertheless, more CAP showed up to hit a subsequent unescorted IJA air raid – 9 P-40Es intercepted 22 Lilys and Sallys knocking out about half of them.
Malaya
My opponent rested his fighters today, but his bombers continued to heavily hit my retreating forces from Kota Bharu.
Borneo
The first Japanese troops to arrive in Borneo land at Miri. My opponent is astutely moving in quick to seize the vital oil fields.
China
My opponent had been bombing Chengchow everyday like clockwork with a squadron of Ann light bombers. Over the last few turns, I bought in a squadron of Flying Tigers and set them up for an ambush this turn. 9 Anns came in for what they thought was their daily milk run only to encounter 24 H81-A3 fighters. Not a single Ann survived.
Hong Kong
Since the first turn, I had set up the floatplanes here on naval search and the three Vildebeest III bombers on naval attack. I figured it was only a matter of time until some shipping came by. My patience paid off today when the Vildebeests struck at AK Sanuki Maru striking her with two bomb hits and leaving her on fire with heavy damage. Once again the casualty lists shows that she was carrying troops. They followed this with a second strike in the afternoon against AK Nittei Maru, hitting her with one bomb and causing casualties amongst her passengers.
Central Pacific
With the KB just east of the Philippines, the coast was clear for me to be aggressive with my carriers in this area. Over the last few turns I moved the Lexington Strike Force to the northeast of Wake Island and the Enterprise Strike Force towards the Gilbert Islands, hoping to catch some Japanese convoys. The Lexington group found their first victims today – despite a large number of misses, 23 SBD dive bombers scored a single 1,000 pound bomb hits on both AMC Kongo Maru and AMC Kinryu Maru. Kongo Maru looks like it might survive, but Kinryu Maru could go down as it listed a critical hit and it is showing heavy fires. Both ships were carrying troops, likely for the attempted invasion of Wake Island.
---
I thought today was a very good day for the Allies. It could still be a long war ahead, but my attempt to aggressively go after his shipping paid some good dividends this turn.
A very long turn today
Submarines
I-156 strikes first with the destruction of TK Manvantara just north of Billiton. Clearly these are dangerous waters for single ships to run through.
In the fertile waters south of Saigon, SS KXIII returns the favor by sending AK Naruto Maru to the bottom with three torpedo hits. Judging from the troops lost going down with her, she was probably carrying a base force or part of one.
Philippines
Further Japanese landings occurred at Luzon later in the night, with Imperial troops coming ashore at Aparri. Later in the day, a landing force arrived in the south at Legaspi and another one close to Clark at Iba. Clearly my opponent is going for a very big effort in the Philippines.
I sent out the American PT squadron to attempt to intercept his convoys. Unfortunately, they first run into a large Japanese destroyer squadron during the night, losing a PT boat to shellfire.
The British MTB squadron meanwhile set out to try its luck again, this time encountering the same convoy as last turn but this time during the night. Despite some losses, they managed to put a torpedo into DMS W-18, which quickly goes down.
Last turn I decided to use my still relatively intact airpower in the Philippines against the Japanese convoys. The first attack of 10 B-17s completely missed, but a following attack of 8 torpedo carrying PBY-4 Catalinas scored against the AK Kuwayama Maru leaving it with dead troops on board and heavy damage. Yet another Catalina raid missed, and so did the fourth wave, this time of SOC-1 Seagulls.
Incredibly, the fifth raid, this time of 7 B-17Ds at 10,000 feet, actually scored a 500lb bomb hit on AK Shinyubari Maru, leaving her on fire with yet more Japanese troops lost. A sixth raid of 6 Catalinas scored a 500lb bomb hit on AK Keisho Maru with the same usual result. The seventh raid of 5 Catalinas put a torpedo into the AK Anyo Maru and finished off the damaged Kuwayama Maru – 1,532 Japanese casualties were listed, including some 150 squads and 19 vehicles lost. An eighth small Catalina raid missed, but the ninth raid of SOC-1 Seagulls put a 250lb bomb into both AK Pacific Maru and AK Takaoka Maru.
A heavy air raid from Formosa hit the 11th PA Infantry Division at San Fernando. I attempted to put up some fighter CAP here but it was shattered by the escorting zeros, losing half a dozen P-40E fighters in the process. Nevertheless, more CAP showed up to hit a subsequent unescorted IJA air raid – 9 P-40Es intercepted 22 Lilys and Sallys knocking out about half of them.
Malaya
My opponent rested his fighters today, but his bombers continued to heavily hit my retreating forces from Kota Bharu.
Borneo
The first Japanese troops to arrive in Borneo land at Miri. My opponent is astutely moving in quick to seize the vital oil fields.
China
My opponent had been bombing Chengchow everyday like clockwork with a squadron of Ann light bombers. Over the last few turns, I bought in a squadron of Flying Tigers and set them up for an ambush this turn. 9 Anns came in for what they thought was their daily milk run only to encounter 24 H81-A3 fighters. Not a single Ann survived.
Hong Kong
Since the first turn, I had set up the floatplanes here on naval search and the three Vildebeest III bombers on naval attack. I figured it was only a matter of time until some shipping came by. My patience paid off today when the Vildebeests struck at AK Sanuki Maru striking her with two bomb hits and leaving her on fire with heavy damage. Once again the casualty lists shows that she was carrying troops. They followed this with a second strike in the afternoon against AK Nittei Maru, hitting her with one bomb and causing casualties amongst her passengers.
Central Pacific
With the KB just east of the Philippines, the coast was clear for me to be aggressive with my carriers in this area. Over the last few turns I moved the Lexington Strike Force to the northeast of Wake Island and the Enterprise Strike Force towards the Gilbert Islands, hoping to catch some Japanese convoys. The Lexington group found their first victims today – despite a large number of misses, 23 SBD dive bombers scored a single 1,000 pound bomb hits on both AMC Kongo Maru and AMC Kinryu Maru. Kongo Maru looks like it might survive, but Kinryu Maru could go down as it listed a critical hit and it is showing heavy fires. Both ships were carrying troops, likely for the attempted invasion of Wake Island.
---
I thought today was a very good day for the Allies. It could still be a long war ahead, but my attempt to aggressively go after his shipping paid some good dividends this turn.
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Submarines, this early, aren't really going to slow down Japan at all.
Much bigger is that you saved Prince of Wales. She is a force to be reckoned with if you use her properly.
I am curious to see how you use battleship row. Do you park them in port, safe and await future upgrades? Or use them to escort convoys? Or simply patrol rear area ports to build experience?
One of the decisive advantages the Allies have is their ability to bombard. And you have it in spades now with no Pearl Raid.
Much bigger is that you saved Prince of Wales. She is a force to be reckoned with if you use her properly.
I am curious to see how you use battleship row. Do you park them in port, safe and await future upgrades? Or use them to escort convoys? Or simply patrol rear area ports to build experience?
One of the decisive advantages the Allies have is their ability to bombard. And you have it in spades now with no Pearl Raid.
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Your points on China are quite salient to my experience with the theater during this campaign Alfred, with perhaps an exception or two that we can hopefully discuss in more detail when it shows up later. Overall however, it seems to me that your operational advice on China is certainly the right one to follow.
As it is, at this point in time during the campaign, I did not really grasp how much much of an issue supply could be, and even more importantly, just how inexperienced my troops were, and thus I fell squarely in the too aggressive camp you outlined. What I did grasp from the start however was the need to be able to rapidly move forces to where I needed them precisely because a long MLR would be subject to a concentration of forces by the Japanese and a defeat in detail.
As it is, at this point in time during the campaign, I did not really grasp how much much of an issue supply could be, and even more importantly, just how inexperienced my troops were, and thus I fell squarely in the too aggressive camp you outlined. What I did grasp from the start however was the need to be able to rapidly move forces to where I needed them precisely because a long MLR would be subject to a concentration of forces by the Japanese and a defeat in detail.
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
The battleships pretty much remained in port Lowpe, I even rushed out Force Z from the DEI to Australia. To be honest, my lack of experience at this stage made me overly cautious with my battleships which I largely sought to keep insulated from danger until I regained the initiative. I was also concerned with my fuel situation in Australia and other forward positions and did not want to over stress the logistics there with their presence. Over time I would become a lot more aggressive with them, but at this stage my plan was to keep them away.
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mind_messing
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:59 am
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
ORIGINAL: Alfred
Regarding China, and at the risk of not knowing what you eventually decided to do there....[:)]
There are two common Allied mistakes made in China. One is to attempt offensive actions with Chinese LCUs. It never works because there just isn't adequate supply to sustain offensive operations. Even with the Burma Road kept open and huge quantities of supply dumped into Rangoon and then walked over to China. However the main reason why Chinese offensive action doesn't succeed is that Chinese LCUs lack experience, generally have poor leadership, lack any meaningful anti-tank weapons or artillery in quantity, and are just not well positioned to take offensive action. By the time some of this has been addressed, a good Japanese player will be well on the road of defeating the Chinese in detail using low cost/high impact units from the Kwantung Army strategic reserve.
The other basic mistake is to adopt a static continuous MLR. Often this provides some short term tactical benefits where good defensive terrain is chosen and the opponent is impatient. However strategically it is a failure. Firstly many real world land warfare considerations simply do not apply to AE land combat on a continental basis. The most obvious two are that concern for flank protection is usually just not relevant and concern for LOC is abstracted into a particular game perspective which is, to say the least, somewhat removed from real world LOC considerations. What this means in game terms is that a continuous Chinese MLR results in most of the Chinese army never participating in combat whereas there is nothing to prevent the IJA from establishing a powerful schwerpunkt with no consideration nor need for flank protection. This means that eventually the Chinese LCUs involved in battle will become combat d'hors and with their supply situation, will not recover.
The correct Chinese course is to engage in an aggressive defensive strategy. Select key blocking points to concentrate forces, disregarding the need to protect the flanks. With the units released from static MLR duty send them deep behind enemy lines to occupy key positions which disrupt the enemy LOC. In short it requires Chinese concentration of forces and guerrilla type activity, all of which is the direct opposite of the usual continuous MLR approach adopted.
Ultimately China is a delaying front whose main purpose is to impose a substantial opportunity cost on Japan's war effort.
Alfred
Funny, I was re-reading your comments on China elsewhere on the forum, just to echo agreement here.
A successful Allied defence of China is a hard ask, but is possible. Sadly most Allied players are unwilling to make the sacrifices needed elsewhere to do so.
How often do Allied players divert their medium bombers to India to fly supply to China? What does that supply buy in terms of a delay to Japanese plans, versus how they could be employed elsewhere (in likely limited manner, given range and payload)...
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101
The battleships pretty much remained in port Lowpe, I even rushed out Force Z from the DEI to Australia. To be honest, my lack of experience at this stage made me overly cautious with my battleships which I largely sought to keep insulated from danger until I regained the initiative. I was also concerned with my fuel situation in Australia and other forward positions and did not want to over stress the logistics there with their presence. Over time I would become a lot more aggressive with them, but at this stage my plan was to keep them away.
Very early in the war, there is nothing wrong with this approach. There are enough Allied cruisers and destroyers to keep the IJN fully occupied. At this stage carrier raids into the Mandates don't need battlewagon support, in fact the old battlewagons just slow down the carrier task forces.
If the old battleships are to be used offensively early on, probably the Aleutians/Kuriles is the best area for early operations. Not too far from the fuel depots and repair shipyards of the West Coast. Winter conditions there will hamper enemy air operations so that provides an additional layer of anti-aircraft protection until the first AA suite refits take place.
Sending the battleships this early to Australia will drain the local fuel stocks. Guaranteed. Not just an adverse impact on USN operations in the area, not good from the point of view of producing local supply too. An Allied player must never lose sight that their opponent might go for a blockade of Australia strategy. Whilst that can never be fully implemented in the game, nonetheless it can significantly impact on Australian supply production capability. It therefore does not make any sense to burden Australian industry with the additional leadweight of hosting the old battleships. Particularly when inadequate air cover to protect them exists locally.
Alfred
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
December 11
Submarines
SS Seawolf, my favorite US submarine of the war and one of the few survivors from Manila, launches four torpedoes at AP Kokuryu Maru. One torp hits but fails to explode – my first ever AE experience with the dismal Mk14.
SS KXVII shows the value of working torpedoes by sinking the AK Kuroshio Maru with three torp hits off the coast of Kota Bharu. Once more troops were on board.
Philippines
My exhausted PT and MTB squadrons once again set out into the night, interrupting the Japanese landing of troops at Iba but failing to launch any torpedoes.
I tried to hit the convoys with airpower again. My opponent put up some LRCAP with zeros over them and I lost a few B-17Ds because of that. However, given the sheer amount of landing zones and the distance to his main airfields, he couldn’t cover all of them, and 6 Catalinas flew through to sink AP Kokuryu Maru (the same ship Seawolf duded against) with two aerial torpedo hits. Another huge bag of Japanese troops drowned with the ship – 3,399 troops including 262 squads and 59 guns destroyed overall. 7 SOC-1 Seagulls came in through the same gap in his air cover and hit the AK Azuma Maru, leaving her with heavy fires as she was apparently carrying fuel cargo as well as troops.
In the afternoon, 9 Catalinas flew in but were beset by duds – 4 aerial torpedoes hit but failed to explode, with only one ultimately damaging AK Azumasan Maru for 309 Japanese casualties on board. 6 more Catalinas came in later, sinking AK Oigawa Maru with a single torpedo hit (1,175 Japanese casualties) but duding with a torpedo hit on DMS W-17. Even the 2 B-10Bs flew in, but missed AK Brisbane Maru. Next were 6 Catalinas putting a torpedo into AK Sanko Maru leaving her on fire and with heavy damage. Finally, 7 SOC-1s put a single bomb into AK Bunzan Maru.
A large raid of 39 Netties escorted by 31 Zeros came for Clark airfield today, meeting 28 defending P40Es. The P40Es did quite well, knocking out about a dozen Zeros in air-to-air and ops losses and half a dozen Netties, for the permanent loss of only about half a dozen P40Es.
14 unescorted Sallys then came in to hit Manila and were met by 18 Warhawks. 6 Sallys turned back when they realized the danger but 8 pressed on to be shot down by the fighters.
I must have annoyed my opponent with all these convoy strikes, because he sent in the KB air wings to pulverize Clark airfield. My fighters put up a good fight, shooting down several zeros and a singe Kate, but were overmatched by the very large number of elite zero escorts.
Borneo
Japanese troops land at Tarakan. I was disappointed that my guns here failed to score any hits on his shipping.
Miri falls to the Japanese.
China
In the mountains near Taiyuan, two Japanese divisions and a brigade easily brushed aside a Chinese blocking force of two corps, inflicting 5,440 casualties for only 679 losses. Not good. The Japanese also take Kweiteh as they converge on the Chengchow/Loyang area.
Hong Kong
The first attack at Hong Kong, a shock attack went in today. Although the Japanese lost double the amounts of casualties (1,708 to 919), they got 2 to 1 odds and reduced the fortifications to 1. Hong Kong is unlikely to last long.
Central Pacific
After the Lexington struck yesterday, today it was the Enterprise group’s turn. 27 SBDs and 3 TBDs swooped in on the Japanese landing at Tarawa showering AK Tenyo Maru, AK Kamikaze Maru, AKL Temposan Maru, and CM Okinoshima with several bomb hits each. 550 Japanese casualties were noted.
Japanese troops land at Guam.
----
I was happy to continue to inflict losses on his shipping, and was actually starting to get overconfident in my ability to continue doing so. On the flip side, I was starting to get concerned with the supply situation in China with a blanket of red exclamation marks across the map. The failure of my troops to stand up to his in even excellent terrain was also a bit of an initial wake up call in terms of what to expect in the theater. Nevertheless, I was still determined to carry through some big pushes, starting with Ichang where my troops were starting to concentrate in large numbers.
Submarines
SS Seawolf, my favorite US submarine of the war and one of the few survivors from Manila, launches four torpedoes at AP Kokuryu Maru. One torp hits but fails to explode – my first ever AE experience with the dismal Mk14.
SS KXVII shows the value of working torpedoes by sinking the AK Kuroshio Maru with three torp hits off the coast of Kota Bharu. Once more troops were on board.
Philippines
My exhausted PT and MTB squadrons once again set out into the night, interrupting the Japanese landing of troops at Iba but failing to launch any torpedoes.
I tried to hit the convoys with airpower again. My opponent put up some LRCAP with zeros over them and I lost a few B-17Ds because of that. However, given the sheer amount of landing zones and the distance to his main airfields, he couldn’t cover all of them, and 6 Catalinas flew through to sink AP Kokuryu Maru (the same ship Seawolf duded against) with two aerial torpedo hits. Another huge bag of Japanese troops drowned with the ship – 3,399 troops including 262 squads and 59 guns destroyed overall. 7 SOC-1 Seagulls came in through the same gap in his air cover and hit the AK Azuma Maru, leaving her with heavy fires as she was apparently carrying fuel cargo as well as troops.
In the afternoon, 9 Catalinas flew in but were beset by duds – 4 aerial torpedoes hit but failed to explode, with only one ultimately damaging AK Azumasan Maru for 309 Japanese casualties on board. 6 more Catalinas came in later, sinking AK Oigawa Maru with a single torpedo hit (1,175 Japanese casualties) but duding with a torpedo hit on DMS W-17. Even the 2 B-10Bs flew in, but missed AK Brisbane Maru. Next were 6 Catalinas putting a torpedo into AK Sanko Maru leaving her on fire and with heavy damage. Finally, 7 SOC-1s put a single bomb into AK Bunzan Maru.
A large raid of 39 Netties escorted by 31 Zeros came for Clark airfield today, meeting 28 defending P40Es. The P40Es did quite well, knocking out about a dozen Zeros in air-to-air and ops losses and half a dozen Netties, for the permanent loss of only about half a dozen P40Es.
14 unescorted Sallys then came in to hit Manila and were met by 18 Warhawks. 6 Sallys turned back when they realized the danger but 8 pressed on to be shot down by the fighters.
I must have annoyed my opponent with all these convoy strikes, because he sent in the KB air wings to pulverize Clark airfield. My fighters put up a good fight, shooting down several zeros and a singe Kate, but were overmatched by the very large number of elite zero escorts.
Borneo
Japanese troops land at Tarakan. I was disappointed that my guns here failed to score any hits on his shipping.
Miri falls to the Japanese.
China
In the mountains near Taiyuan, two Japanese divisions and a brigade easily brushed aside a Chinese blocking force of two corps, inflicting 5,440 casualties for only 679 losses. Not good. The Japanese also take Kweiteh as they converge on the Chengchow/Loyang area.
Hong Kong
The first attack at Hong Kong, a shock attack went in today. Although the Japanese lost double the amounts of casualties (1,708 to 919), they got 2 to 1 odds and reduced the fortifications to 1. Hong Kong is unlikely to last long.
Central Pacific
After the Lexington struck yesterday, today it was the Enterprise group’s turn. 27 SBDs and 3 TBDs swooped in on the Japanese landing at Tarawa showering AK Tenyo Maru, AK Kamikaze Maru, AKL Temposan Maru, and CM Okinoshima with several bomb hits each. 550 Japanese casualties were noted.
Japanese troops land at Guam.
----
I was happy to continue to inflict losses on his shipping, and was actually starting to get overconfident in my ability to continue doing so. On the flip side, I was starting to get concerned with the supply situation in China with a blanket of red exclamation marks across the map. The failure of my troops to stand up to his in even excellent terrain was also a bit of an initial wake up call in terms of what to expect in the theater. Nevertheless, I was still determined to carry through some big pushes, starting with Ichang where my troops were starting to concentrate in large numbers.
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101
Your points on China are quite salient to my experience with the theater during this campaign Alfred, with perhaps an exception or two that we can hopefully discuss in more detail when it shows up later. Overall however, it seems to me that your operational advice on China is certainly the right one to follow....
The brilliant commander is the one who spots the conditions which support a deviation from the book. The rest of us just hope we have fully comprehended the book and have implemented it correctly ... and we're not up against a brilliant commander.
Alfred
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Jorge_Stanbury
- Posts: 4345
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
- Location: Montreal
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
as already mentioned, Prince of Wales is a very useful ship; its Jan.42 upgrade will make it the strongest AA platform available to the Allies for a long time,
its speed makes it an excellent escort for fleet carriers
its speed makes it an excellent escort for fleet carriers
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
Re: the lack of hits from your PTs and MTBs - a lot of the leaders are not aggressive and have mediocre Naval Skill. High aggression is needed to get these fragile boats to attack into the teeth of enemy fire and Naval Skill equates with getting hits.
I find the big problem with the boats themselves is lack of places to rearm the torps. Manila usually gets sealed off pretty early. The Dutch have a few AGPs that can be sneaked into the area to do the rearming.
If the moonlight conditions are not good, it is probably best to retreat the boats for a couple of weeks and set them up where you think the enemy will be then. The area around Mindanao comes to mind.
I find the big problem with the boats themselves is lack of places to rearm the torps. Manila usually gets sealed off pretty early. The Dutch have a few AGPs that can be sneaked into the area to do the rearming.
If the moonlight conditions are not good, it is probably best to retreat the boats for a couple of weeks and set them up where you think the enemy will be then. The area around Mindanao comes to mind.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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DesertWolf101
- Posts: 1722
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:06 pm
RE: Revenge of the Enterprise
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Re: the lack of hits from your PTs and MTBs - a lot of the leaders are not aggressive and have mediocre Naval Skill. High aggression is needed to get these fragile boats to attack into the teeth of enemy fire and Naval Skill equates with getting hits.
I find the big problem with the boats themselves is lack of places to rearm the torps. Manila usually gets sealed off pretty early. The Dutch have a few AGPs that can be sneaked into the area to do the rearming.
If the moonlight conditions are not good, it is probably best to retreat the boats for a couple of weeks and set them up where you think the enemy will be then. The area around Mindanao comes to mind.
As you will see for the next turn BBfanboy, you are exactly right about the need for good leadership to get good results!