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After starting a half dozen standard Scenario 15 campaign games WitP seemed to be getting a little repetitive. Here Texas Tigercat and I are starting a CHS v1.06 Scenario 155 on Andrew Brown's v5.1 extended map. This map is very well done and extends the war from Aden in the Middle East to the Panama Canal. Not only is the map different but the Allied and Japanese OOBs have been dramatically changed in an attempt to achieve greater historical accuracy. Even the weapons effects and the aircraft characteristics have been modified substantially in what feels like a new simulation of WWII in the Pacific. The old tried and tested strategies of WitP Scenario 15 will not work the same here.

This AAR will not only provide a narrative of all the combat across the Pacific and Allied strategy but I will attempt to contrast and compare the differences and similarities in playing both vanilla WitP Scenario 15 and CHS Scenario 155.

Here are the settings:

Witp v1.795
CHS V1.06
Scenario 155
Andrew Brown's v5.1 extended map

1 day turns
non-historical 1st turn
December 7th surprise on
FoW on
Advanced weather on
Allied Damage Control on
Japanese sub doctrine off
Allied sub doctrine on
PDUs on
Reinforcements +/- 15 days

HOUSE RULES

Aircraft stacking limited to 50x airbase size
One port attack only December 7th
Japan can conduct first turn invasions only within range of LBA or CV air
ASW TFs 6 ships max
No submarine borne invasions

SITUATION REPORT: DECEMBER 7TH, 1941..."We interrupt this program to bring you news of a surprise Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor"

Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A2 Val x 111
B5N2 Kate x 128

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 4 destroyed, 49 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 25 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 26 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 12 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 6 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 8 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 9 destroyed
P-26A: 3 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dale, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AR Medusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Tern, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mercury, Bomb hits 1
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Henley, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1


Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 57
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 293

These results look like a pretty typical mediocre Japanese 1st turn in standard WitP. However in this game several USN BBs are severely damaged....high 80s and 90s...very surprising considering the small number of torpedo hits(7) scored. Possibly the 800 kg AP bombs weapon effects have been enhanced.

KB losses are only 10 AC in this attack.

Japan also hits the Allied airfields at Clark and Singapore. 181 Allied AC are destroyed on the ground....pretty typical for a December 7th surprise attack. Altogether the Allies lose 205 AC today vs 29 Japanese AC.

Landings of Japanese troops have been reported all across the Pacific at Guam, Rabaul, the Philippines and Malaya.


MALAYA:


IJA forces commence landings at Khota Bharu.

BC Repulse is at sea with a 2 DD escort as Japan commences hostilities on December 7th. An IJN TF with CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho intercept her before she can make it back to Singapore:

Day Air attack on TF at 23,52

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 18
B5N2 Kate x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1

Day Air attack on TF at 23,52

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

After suffering 3 torpedo hits BC Repulse is ordered back to Singapore to to repair flotation damage. CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho have brazenly sailed deep into Allied waters with only Claudes for CAP. RAF and Dutch bombers attempt to retaliate and the Japanese carriers are very fortunate to escape damage:


Day Air attack on TF at 24,55

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 11

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
CVE Hosho

Day Air attack on TF at 24,55

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 11

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 7
Buffalo I x 28
Blenheim IV x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Buffalo I: 5 damaged
Blenheim IV: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho
CVL Zuiho

The 2 IJN carriers appear to be in no hurry to leave the area....perhaps they intend to finish off BC Repulse or sink BB PoW if she attempts to flee southward from Singapore. In a combined operation, the British, Dutch and USAAF stage 51 RAF bombers, 23 B-17s, 40 torpedo bombers and over 60 Martin 139s into Singapore, Palembang, Kuching and Singkawang in an effort in an effort to avenge the dastardly attack on BC Repulse:

In a combined operation, the British, Dutch and USAAF stage 51 RAF bombers, 23 B-17s, 40 torpedo bombers and over 60 Martin 139s into Singapore, Palembang, Kuching and Singkawang in an effort in an effort to avenge the dastardly attack on BC Repulse:

B-17's in the area already? I imagine they're the survivors from Clark AFB. This should be interesting, but I think the Martin 139's will do much better against ships.

Capt. Harlock....You are correct about the B-17s...in CHS the designers wanted to tone down the naval bombing capabilities of 4E bombers so they reduced the naval bomb loads. Nevertheless, the B-17s were my best performing naval bombers on December 7th, 1941....read on...



SITUATION REPORT: 12-7-41....CONTINUED


PI:

IJA troops wade ashore at Vigan, San Marcelino, Cayagan, Jolo and Naga. It appears that they will invade Aparri tomorrow. The B-17s based at Cayagan turn in the best Allied naval bombing performance of December 7th as they hit the transports assaulting the beaches there:


Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 43,59


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Fukkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kizan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Kofuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported

In CHS the designers have taken away the US base forces that normally start at Davao, Cotabato, Jolo and Cebu. They stated that this was done to prevent the Allied player from withdrawing the base forces to fight again somewhere else. The net effect of this is that the only usable Allied airfields now south of Luzon are at Cayagan and Iloilo. With Japan invading Cayagan with 20,000 troops on December 7th the only available airifield to withdraw aircraft to now is at Iloilo. If I was playing Japan I would have a bombardment TF hit Iloilo hard on December 8th.

I dont see how the Allies can now continue to conduct air operations in the PI in 1941...its too dangerous. All Allied non patrol aircraft will be pulled from the PI by December 8th probably never to return. The one thing that is helpful for the Allies here is that their aircraft are slightly better dispersed with one squadron of P-40Bs starting the war at San Marcelino.

The river just north of Clark has been removed so that will make defending Clark much more difficult. Im going to make my final stand at Manila.

A very cool feature has been added to CHS with respect for transports. The Allies now have something like 25 different types of transports (though the transport capacities have been reduced across the board). In the Philippines alone they have added 4 seperate classes of transports:

Philippine Cargo...modern and large AKs cap 2400 and up
Philippine Steamship....capacity 1200
Philippine Ferry....capacity 650
Philippine Coastal Class...smaller capacities around 450

Im withdrawing the Philippine cargo ships at the start to the southern DEI. The other smaller classes will remain in the thick of the battle under the nose of Japanese naval bombers. These smaller transports have been given "detection signatures" similar to PTs and AGs and were expressly added to the game to make resupply of Manila possible....we shall see if they perform as intended.

With respect to Allied LCUs the OOB is now much more historically accurate but I have no idea at this time of how it will affect game play.


Here is a screenshot of December 7th, 1941 in the PI:

SITUATION REPORT: 12-8-41


CENTRAL/SOUTH PACIFIC

KB is withdrawing to the west so evidently Pearl Harbor is safe for the moment.

Japan captures Guam.

CL Adelaide was given orders to sail to Rabaul and I forgot to cancel the order after Japan invaded Rabaul with a large escorting surface force. CL Adelaide was sunk in an extremely lopsided battle:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 62,90

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
DD Oboro
DD Uzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


SBDs are staged into Wake Island from CV Enterprise and they work over an IJN minelaying TF:

Day Air attack on TF at 83,71


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 36


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Bangkok Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
ML Wakataka
DE Patrol Boat No. 46
ML Kyosai, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage



PI:

IJA troops capture Vigan, Legaspi, Jolo and Butuan.

The IJN puts a surface TF just off the coast of Bataan to intercept Allied shipping attempting to flee from Manila. US PT Boats enter combat with the IJN surface TF and beat up a couple of DDs before losing four of their own:

Night Time Surface Combat at 42,52

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Sendai
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 3
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
PT PT-31
PT PT-32
PT PT-33
PT PT-34
PT PT-35, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 42,52

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Sendai
DD Fubuki, on fire
DD Shinonome, on fire
DD Usugumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Sagiri, on fire

Allied Ships
PT Q 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT Q 112
PT Q 113, Shell hits 37, and is sunk


SOUTH CHINA SEA:

The IJN CVL and CVE off Singapore flee to the east at full speed and the Japanese escape the aerial trap that was set by the Allies.

Wounded BC Repulse puts in to port at Singapore for some flotation repairs.

The Allies start with over 30 ships just off the coast of China at the start of the war. All shipping is ordered to flee at maximum speed but Japanese land based air in China and at Formosa pounds them for the 2nd day in a row.

Here is a screenshot of Allied shipping in the South China Sea. Japan gets a lot of freebie points from this at the start of the war:

SITUATION REPORT: 12-11-41


PI:

The Allies commit their PT boats in an effort to break up the Japanese landings at Lamon Bay:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lamon Bay at 44,52

Japanese Ships
AV Sagara Maru
APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Patrol Boat No. 33, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Patrol Boat No. 34
APD Patrol Boat No. 35
MSW W.20
PG Myoken Maru
AP Hakusan Maru
AP Taiyo Maru
AP Yamura Maru
AP Haaburu Maru
AP Hakuyo Maru
AP Tanba Maru
AP Yamakuni Maru
AP Chojun Maru
AP Hokumyo Maru
AP Hokutatsu Maru
AP Kaedesan Maru
AP Kamishima Maru
AP Tientsin Maru
AK Maebasi Maru
AK Mito Maru
AK Tyoko Maru
AK Syoryu Maru
AK Buyo Maru
AK Kaimei Maru
AK Kazan Maru
AK Koyu Maru
AK Oyo Maru
AK Suez Maru
AK Shogen Maru
AK Tama Maru
AK Tamashima Maru
AK Yubae Maru
AK Mayati Maru
AK Arimasan Maru
AK Azumasan Maru
AK Kanto Maru
AK Kurama Maru
AK Katuragi Maru
AK Asahisan Maru
AK Kamikaze Maru
AK Imizu Maru
AK Keizan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Kosyu Maru

Allied Ships
PT MTB 11
PT MTB 12
PT MTB 26
PT MTB 27, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

In spite of the heroic efforts of the PT boats the Japanese invasion force gets through and Lamon Bay is captured.

Japan also captures San Marcelino, Aparri and Cayagan.

As anticipated, a large IJN bombardment TF tries to take out the airfield at Iloilo and destroy the USAAF AC attempting to stage out of the PI:

Naval bombardment of Iloilo, at 42,56


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
DD Wakatake
DD Yukaze
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 10

Fortunately most of the USAAF AC have already been withdrawn.


Japan has staged A6M2s and naval bombers into Jolo to interdict Allied shipping attempting to flee the PI.


MALAYA:

IJA troops overrun Khota Bharu but the defenders are retreating in good order back towards Singapore.


BC Repulse continues to repair flotation damage at Singapore.


SOUTH/CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Japanese naval troops capture Tarawa and Rabaul.

A large transport TF is apparently heading towards Wake Island. Here is a screenshot of KB covering the invasion forces approaching Wake:

AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION: CHS SCENARIO 155 VS STANDARD SCENARIO 15


The aircraft production and performance parameters have been radically altered for CHS giving the feel of almost a completely new game.

Japan still starts with A6M2 production of 105 per month and can quickly increase this by changing over factories at the start of the war.

The Allies however have had their production of early war fighters and heavy bombers greatly reduced. Early war fighters such as the Demon, Brewster, Hawk, P-26A, P-36A Mohawk, F2A-2 Buffalo, Buffalo I, I-16c and F4F-3s have all been reduced to a production of 1 AC per month. The P-40B has been cut back to 2 per month. After a few air engagements the Allies will basically run out of fighters in the SRA by early 1942.

Same thing with the bombers where the B-18, TBD Devastator, Martin 139, T.IVa and Vildebeest have all been cut back to 1 AC per month. The Allies will simply run out of these bombers after a handful of opposed missions. My favorite early war ship killer, the Beaufort V-IX doesnt begin production now until 5/42. The B-17D, B-17E and LB 30 have a combined production of 32 per month now(vs 95 /month in Scenario 15) so the Japanese dont need to worry about swarms of 4E bombers until the B-24s arrive in 6/42.

On the plus side, there are a couple of new early war fighters. The P-43 Lancer which was an early variant of the P-47 starts out at 10AC/month and the Allies get the P-38F at the start with 11 AC/month. The P-38F is the best Allied fighter at the start of the war and I will be hoarding those until the A6M2 bonus goes away on 5/1/42. The Allies main fighters are the Hurricane(40/month), P-40E(40/month), P-39D(50/month) and after 1/1/42 they start receiving F4F-4s at the rate of 90/month. This means that CVs with F2A-2 Buffaloes at the start cannot upgrade until the F4F-4s come on line in January 1942.


AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE:

The A6M2 range has been reduced to 7/10 and with the new map this means that A6M2s cant reach Singapore unless stationed on the Malay peninsula. The A6M2 manuverability has been slightly reduced as has the F4Fs in an attempt to make land based fighters more competitive with naval fighters. Maximum altitudes have been reduced on all Japanese AC to give the Allies more of an advantage at higher altitudes.

The P-40B has had its range reduced to 3/5 and it now has worse gunnery, manuverability and durability than the P-40E so you would want to upgrade to P-40Es as soon as possible. The best Allied fighters now after the P-38F are the Hurricanes until the Spitfires show up in 6/42.



SITUATION REPORT: 12-13-41


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Japan captures Wake Island with the South Seas Detachment.


CHINA/BURMA/INDIA

A large IJA assault on Hong Kong is easily repulsed.

All quiet so far in Burma and it should stay that way for a bit as Japan must now cover 120-180 miles of jungle trails before reaching the Allied railheads. Ive attached a screenshot of Burma to show the terrain differences. Supply should also be problematic here for Japan until Rangoon falls. I have 6 Chinese SEAC divisions on the Burmese border now that should easily reach Mandalay before the Japanese. Mandalay looks to be much more defensible now as it is surrounded by the Irrawaddy River now on 3 sides.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-15-41


PI:

Japan captures Lingayen.

The new classes of ships in the Philippines....the Philippine Ferry(capacity 650), Philippine Steamship(capacity 1200) and the Coastal Class ships(capacity 450 and below) appear to be just as vulnerable as the full size AKs. Ive lost 6 of these smaller ships over the last 2 days to Japanese air attacks so resupply efforts to Manila will be greatly curtailed.


MALAYA:

Japan is repulsed for the 2nd day in a row in deliberate attacks at Alor Star.

Massive RAF naval air attacks by torpedo bombers and medium bombers on Japanese shipping at Khota Bharu are spectacularly unsuccessful.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

At least 3 IJN surface and transport TFs are spotted heading SW from Rabaul towards Port Moresby. Over 30 Hudson bombers are staged into Port Moresby to interdict the IJN TFs but not one hit is scored.


CHINA:

China seems like a convoluted mess in this scenario.....who is surrounding whom at the start. China has a large part of its coastline around Wenchow under Nationalist control and several guerrilla units start the scenario behind enemy lines.

The OOB and supply situation has been completely reworked for the CHS scenario. In stock scenario 15 China has 73 corps, 18 divisions and a tank regiment and requires 69,000 supply per month not counting air operations, replacements, construction or combat. In CHS China has 86 corps, 14 divisions and 14 guerrilla units and the tank regiment has been replaced with 20 field artillery regiments. Supply requirements now are 77,032 per month not counting air operations, replacements,construction or combat.

The supply sources, HI and resources are now greatly dispersed. The old scenario 15 tactic of overrunning Yenen, Changsha and Wuchow used to put a serious hurt on Chinese supply in combination with cutting the Burma Road. In CHS the loss of those 3 cities is almost inconsequential. In fact, if China only held on to Chungking, Chengtu and Kunming she would still receive 90,000 supply per month. Ive already moved my Chinese AC to India for replacements and training. The 6 SEAC divisions have also been moved to Burma so Chinese supply requirements should be reduced from 77,000 supply per month once all units max out their TOE. With the only Japanese entrance into Burma by jungle trails the Burma Road should remain operational much longer than normal.

If I was Japan I would first clean out the troublesome Wenchow salient and then eliminate as many of the guerilla units as possible to cover my rear. Then I would make my main thrust along the only highways/rail lines into Chungking....either through Changsha or Wuchow. To attack Chungking from Kungchang or Sian you would have to cross 240 miles of trails through the mountains. To attack Chungking from Ichang you would have to cover 240 miles of trails over 3 river crossings.

Back to our current game. Japan has attacked Hong Kong the last 2 days only to suffer heavy losses. China meanwhile has tried to cut off the dangerous Japanese salient at Ichang but a counterattack today by 2 IJA divisions 60 miles east of Ichang has forced the Chinese to retreat to reopen the only supply path into the beleagured city:

Ground combat at 48,34

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35254 troops, 326 guns, 30 vehicles

Defending force 19430 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1195 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Here is a screenshot of the current situation in China:




H

SITUATION REPORT: 12-17-41 SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT IN CHS


Running transports around takes a lot more micromanagement in CHS. There are 25 classes of transports and AKs range from 450-6500 capacity with speeds ranging from 10-17. As AKs accumulate damage from extended use many will slow down to 9 knots or below slowwing the entire transport TF down. As it is now, most of my transport TFs have to sail at max speed to keep at the magic 10 knot threshhold.

The Panama Canal is an important point of entry for the Allies now and almost 200 fighters are stationed there at the start so Im scavenging all my scattered transports across the south Pacific to head there to start picking up loads. Its much more difficult to transport large loads of supplies and LCUs now as ALL the former 7000 capacity AKs have been downsized to mostly 5300 capacity and below.


The supply/transport situation in the Far East is much more problematic. Im normally loading up dozens of 7000 cap AKs at Karachi with supply and sending them to Java and Singapore to build up supply. JOB ONE for me with the Allies is to get 20,000+ supply built up on top of ABDA and SWPAC HQs to enable AC and LCU replacements. JOB TWO is to stage supply from Java and the rest of the SRA into Singapore and Manila. Normally all the AKs I evacuate from the SRA head east to the west coast US to help with the buildup in the central/south Pacific.

In CHS, Im sending ALL my AKs from the SRA WEST now because the supply source has been moved from Karachi to the Middle East which adds an additional 1800 miles(3600 round trip) or an additional week of sailing in each direction(at 10 knots or above). I have over 100 AKs in the Indian Ocean now heading to Aden to pick up supply and future new air groups. I have almost no surplus supply now in Java or Sumatra for transport to Singapore. It will probably be the 2nd week of January 1942 now before large amounts of supply will be available in Java for transport to Singapore but by then Japan will have crushing air superiority.


MALAYA:

Japan finally takes Alor Star on the 3rd attempt. Allied units from Alor Star retreat as usual to Georgetown but at least on Andrew's 5.1 map Georgetown is on the road to Singapore so the units dont get cut off.

Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43689 troops, 380 guns, 64 vehicles

Defending force 7542 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
496 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Japan appears to have 2 pincers advancing south on Singapore....45,000 troops coming down the west coast highway and another 50,000 moving down the central highway. The east coast of Malaya is mostly undeveloped trails in this game.


CBI:

Japan attacks Hong Kong again with minmal success:

Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47493 troops, 461 guns, 11 vehicles

Defending force 15366 troops, 98 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
446 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1


2 Chinese Corps are attempting to pin 50,000 IJA troops on the wrong side of the river 60 miles SW of Hankow. The IJA troops have attacked for 2 days in a row to unpin themselves but have suffered heavy casualties in the failed attempts:

Ground combat at 48,36

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45503 troops, 412 guns, 31 vehicles

Defending force 16399 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1088 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


DEI:

In CHS the north coast of Borneo is under Commonwealth control so the Martin 139s cant be based there. Ive staged some Blenheim IVs into Brunei but so far have been ineffective in interdicting Japanese shipping in the South China Sea.

The BC Repulse was successfully withdrawn from Singapore and has now made port in Soerabaja. After completing flotation repairs she will sail to Colombo to take care of the more extensive damage.

Two transport TFs covered by the IJN CVLs appear to be approaching Borneo from the NE so it seems as if the invasion of the DEI is about to start....probably at Tarakan.



SOUTH PACIFIC:

After taking Rabaul a few days ago Japan has sent a massive fleet around the SE tip of New Guinea to invade Port Moresby. The Allies staged over 50 Hudsons and "Throwaways" into Port Moresby and have been naval bombing the numerous slow IJN targets for the last 3 days. After 2 50+ sortie days with no hits the Allies finally score a single hit today:

Day Air attack on TF at 56,96


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose

Day Air attack on TF at 56,97


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kaijo Maru #2

Day Air attack on TF at 54,95


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 10
Hudson I x 16


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kyusyu Maru
AK Amagisan Maru
AK Havana Maru
AK Hakkai Maru
AK Kosho Maru
AK Koshin Maru
AK Macassar Maru
AK Shinsei Maru

Day Air attack on TF at 56,97


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka

Day Air attack on TF at 54,95


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara

Day Air attack on TF at 54,95


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 11
Hudson I x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Muroran Maru
AK Zyuyo Maru
AK Shinsei Maru
AK Kimishima Maru
AK Dainiti Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Yamagiri Maru

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

After 150 sorties in 3 days I finally get a hit. Earlier attacks by my massed Vildebeests and Swordfish at 2 hex range not to mention all the RAF medium bombers that start in Malaya have been achieving miserable results so far in the war. I dont know if all these early war bombers have been modded to be less effective in naval attacks or maybe Im just having some incredibly bad luck.

Anyway, I had sent an Allied surface TF of 3 CAs, 2 CLs and a DD to Port Moresby to intercept the Japanese invasion. The Japanese however have shown up with overwhelming force....3 large transport TFs covered by a 6 CA surface TF and 2 CSs. With my ineffective naval bombing and the presence of 18 Nells in Rabaul I cant afford to leave my cruisers at Port Moresby so they have been ordered to run away back to Australia. With the amount of force the Japanese are sending into the South Pacific at this early stage of the war I need to make sure that I have at least some surface ships to help defend vital Noumea.

Its unfortunate Im giving up Port Moresby without a fight as the Allies are actually much stronger here in CHS...they begin with a full brigade in Port Moresby at the start.

Here is a screenshot of the current situation in the Coral Sea:



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SITUATION REPORT: 12-20-41


CBI:

Japanese forces capture Tavoy.

Japanese columns continue their march south in Malaya and invest Georgetown.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japanese assault troops continue to pour ashore at Port Moresby.


PI:

35,000 IJA troops face off against Allied defenders at Clark Field while another 40,000 IJA advance from San Marcelino. A further 8 IJA LCUs approach from Lamon Bay.


DEI:

Japanese transports approach Brunei. The Dutch Martins and the RAF fly 60+ sorties against the IJN transports but fail to register a single hit. I seriously believe that the naval bombing capabilities of early war Allied bombers has been drastically curtailed in CHS. Here is a screenshot of the action in the PI and the northern DEI:

SITUATION REPORT: 12-23-41


PI:

Japan captures Tawi Tawi, Dadjangas and Zamboanga.

75,000 IJA troops mass at Clark Field.


DEI:

Brunei falls to Japan. Allied naval bombers still cant hit the broadside of a barn.

Another IJA invasion force approaches Kuching.


CHINA:

Repeated Japanese attacks at Hong Kong are thrown back with heavy losses.


MALAYA:

The coastal Japanese thrust captures Georgetown. The Japanese thrust through the center of the Malay peninsula advances to within 60 miles of Kuantan. Here is a screenshot of the situation in Malaya:

Hey Bill,

The low hit rate of your LBs is probably the consequence of their bomb load having been cut by half.

You'll note that the brigade at PM is in fact at Bn strength.

Nifty of your oppo to notice that Cagayan is now the only L4 on Mindanao. In CHS 1.7 the 102nd ID will start the game there, giving the Japanese a bit more of a fight on their hands.

You don't stricktly require the presence of a BF to stage LBA - any AF will do.

Give 'em hell!

Timtom....thanks for your comments. I was wondering if they also reduced the bomb loads on the heavy bombers. I sent 30 B-17s to hit the airfield at Jolo and only scored 3 runway hits.


SITUATION REPORT: 12-26-42


CHINA:

Hong Kong still holds out defiantly but with the forts reduced to zero the end is near:

Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 44127 troops, 384 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13966 troops, 58 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
526 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
274 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1


2 IJA brigades cross the river NE of Yenen in a flanking move.

10 Chinese Corps mass at Nanchang in the largest Chinese counteroffensive of the war. Here is a screenshot of the action:

SITUATION REPORT: 12-29-41 CHINA COMMAND


Most of the action seems to be in China now as Japan prepares for its next thrust into the DEI.

Nanchang is an extremely important crossroads city in CHS. It lies at the hub of highways from Nanking, Shanghai, Wenchow and Changsha. Further, Nanchang was a very dangerous Japanese salient that threatened to isolate the Chinese forces at Wenchow from the rest of Nationalist China. After pinning 50,000 IJA troops 60 miles SW of Hankow to prevent them from reinforcing Nanchang, 120,000 Chinese launch a massive shock attack to liberate Nanchang:

Ground combat at Nanchang

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 120352 troops, 697 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 53510 troops, 480 guns, 34 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nanchang base !!!


Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 6 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
658 casualties reported
Guns lost 34

Allied ground losses:
3487 casualties reported
Guns lost 80

The IJA troops are forced to retreat across the river to Kiukiang. Now the highway is open from Changsha to Wenchow. In addition, 15,000 supply points are captured at Nanchang.

In the center of China, several Nationalist Chinese Corps are massing to assault Ichang.

Hong Kong continues to hold out in the south.


In the far north 40,000 IJA close in on Yenen.

Here is a screenshot of the action in China:

SITUATION REPORT: 12-30-41


MALAYA:

The USAAF stages over 140 medium and heavy bombers into Singapore for a massive airstrike at Singora:

Day Air attack on Singora , at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-17D Fortress x 39
B-17E Fortress x 74
LB-30 Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 5 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 102


The heavy bombers shoot down 2 A6M2s at no loss to themselves and destroy another 14 Nells and Sallys on the ground. Singora now is 65% damaged and with the weather improving the heavies should be able to shut the airfield completely tomorrow.

Singapore now has over 35,000 supply as transports unload oil, resources and supplies on a daily basis.

IJA troops advance within 60 miles of Malacca.


PI:

Japan captures Clark Field as American and Philippino troops dig in to make their final stand at Manila. The occasional Coastal Class transport makes it through the Japanese air net to resupply Manila but transport losses have been heavy here for the Allies.


CHINA:

Over 9000 Commonwealth troops surrender as Hong Kong finally capitulates.

Japan is bombarding Wenchow on a fairly regular basis with 5 BBs and it appears that KB has possibly been redeployed to the South China Sea.
Could Japan be considering an amphibious assault at Wenchow?

SITUATION REPORT: 12-31-41


MALAYA:

The Allies close out the old year by pounding the Japanese bomber base at Singora with USAAF heavy bombers:

Day Air attack on Singora , at 24,43

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8
B-17D Fortress x 29
B-17E Fortress x 61
LB-30 Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 11 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 101

Another 33 Nells and Sallys are destroyed on the ground with no USAAF losses.

The Japanese attempt to avenge the heavy bomber attacks with a fighter sweep at Singapore:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
Hurricane IIb x 16
P-40B Tomahawk x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 20 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

20 Oscars are shot down at a cost of 3 Hurricanes an a P-40B. Altogether Japan loses 55 AC today vs 4 Allied AC.

IJA troops overrun Kuala Lampur.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japan captures Lae:

Ground combat at Lae

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16324 troops, 89 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 1006 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 143 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lae base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
308 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Ive included a screenshot here of the strategic map showing the current limit of Japanese expansion at the end of 1941.

The map also shows the Andrew Brown Extended Map Panama Canal "complex" with its 4 exits. Japan could interdict all approaches/exits to the Panama Canal with 4 subs. The most northen Panama Canal exit is guarded by San Diego while the western exit is covered by Pearl Harbor.

The 2 southern exits(which would be the shortest route to Australia and the south Pacific) lie in close proximity to the Society Islands which makes them pretty important from a strategic standpoint in CHS. A USN base force is currently in transit to Tahiti with fuel and supply to make it a seaplane/fighter base/refueling stop on the south Pacific convoy route.

SITUATION REPORT: 1-2-42


MALAYA:

Japan attempts to close the airfield at Singapore with a massive carrier/land based airstrike. KB is stationed just off the coast of Malaya but no sorties are flown....probably the missions were can celled due to bad weather.

The big bomber strike from Saigon comes in first and the Allied fighters are waiting:Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 114
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 9
Brewster 339D x 13
Buffalo I x 31
Hurricane IIb x 12
P-40B Tomahawk x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 30 destroyed, 28 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 4 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged


37 Nells and 13 Bettys are destroyed. Then a Japanese fighter sweep comes in from Khota Bharu:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 8
Brewster 339D x 8
Buffalo I x 31
Hurricane IIb x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged


12 Oscars and 8 A6M2s are shot down in A2A combat. The Allies lose 8 P-40Bs and 8 Buffaloes. Altogether Japan loses 75 AC today vs 21 Allied AC.

IJA toops overrun Kuantan and another 45,000 Japanese invest Malacca.


PI:

Japan launches its first major assault at Fortress Manila only to suffer horrific casualties:

Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 81575 troops, 742 guns, 122 vehicles

Defending force 71660 troops, 434 guns, 187 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
12916 casualties reported
Guns lost 252
Vehicles lost 32

Allied ground losses:
606 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2

Here is a screenshot of the action in Malaya:

SITUATION REPORT: 1-6-42


CBI:

Japan dropped paratroop regiments in my rear in Burma. Normally Im happy to conduct a fighting withdrawal here but the Japanese attempt to cut me off makes me fighting mad. Ive done over a half dozen PBEMs now and I NEVER stage SEAC troops from India to Burma after the PzB India conquest. However this is Andrew Browns extended map and Karachi doesnt matter too much any more with Aden being the POE.

Im releasing some artillery regiments, armored regiments and the 18th UK Division to wreak havoc on the Jap airborne troops after the dastardly attack in my rear. Ive staged virtually the entire RAF and the Chinese Air Force to India/Burma to repel the airborne assault. At least my AC have targets now for training:

Greetings AdmSpruance:

Thank you for this informative and well-written AAR.

Your remarks are encouraging to me re: the CHS mod. It seems there has been an intelligent and concerted effort of skilled and knowledgeable people to correct and enhance WiTP, and I'm pleased the CHS mod appears to be doing such a fine job.

I too am impressed with Andrew Brown's map; I feel the extra detail is not only attractive but adds to game play. It seems odd to me that the original developers of WiTP would incorporate such a primitive map with such a powerful and complex game as WiTP. I personally cringe when I see the cartoonish primary-color gradeschool approach to battle maps. It's like letting your kids fingerpaint your Maserati.

AdmSpruance, have you found any difficulties or irregularities with the CHS mod or Andrew Brown's map interfacing and interacting with the WiTP program? This concerns me and seems to be an area of potential trouble.

Irregardless, I am thoroughly enjoying your AAR and I appreciate the maps and descriptions and the use of CRs as more illustrative rather than verbose. Good call.

I'm afraid I don't know your opponent, but my best to the both of you, and good hunting!

With respect,

Odox

Odox....thanks for your comments! I havent noticed any problems so far with the interface between CHS/Andrew Browns Extended Map and WITP v1.795. The game seems to run really well. The one programming issue Ive noticed so far as the Allies is that in CHS the RAF and Dutch medium bombers have been pretty well neutered by cutting their naval bomb loads in half. I think that I have been averaging 1 hit per 250 sorties for an accuracy of 0.4%. The Vildebeests dont seem as effective either. The B-17s and LB-30s on the other hand still hit everything that floats.



SITUATION REPORT: 1-9-42


MALAYA:

The USAAF stages the heavy bombers back into Singapore to work over the Japanese fighter strip at Khota Bharu:

Day Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
B-17D Fortress x 36
B-17E Fortress x 73
LB-30 Liberator x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
333 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 36
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 150

15 A6M2s are destroyed on the ground and the airfield suffers over 50% damage.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

After capturing Rabaul and Port Moresby early in the war Japan has overrun Lae, Buna and Gasmata in the last week. Here is a screenshot of the south Pacific: