As you may have guessed this is the Japanese half of me and robs long lasting PBEM that has finally reached 1943, while the name is quite negative to my chances of sucess, i plan to detail some of my final offensives here, and my eventually my plans for the defense!
First..an overview of the past 12 months, and plans for the future.
The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
India/Burma
Rob performed better than historical here and halted my offensive just north of the Irawaddy at Mandalay, until as recently as November ive been attempting to break through here, but its obvious i have now failed to break through, and many of the troops here now have to be sent eslewhere to bolster the defences eslewhere in the pacific.
Plans to reduce my numbers here have been ruined though, with Rob kind of starting the Allied offensive, by trying to encircle my forces at Mandalay, first by crossing at Pagan, which was soon halted, and then another attempted forcing a carbineers regiment across two open hexs into Tang gui, which was captured, and immediately recaptured, which brings us to the current situation..
Otherwise its just simply holding on and preventing a totaly collapse of the front, which would endanger the Oil fields of Sumatra, becoming encircled would be disasterous! Come 44 it may even be nessasary to fall back perhaps out of Burma into Thailand...
Oh yes i forgot to mention he has totaly control over Central Burma from the skies, my troops are reguarly bombed, and its becoming a bit of a supply drain, he tried a AVG sweep over Rangoon, but got his arse kicked, so we can still mount limted defense air missions.
DEI/North Aus
Here and Burma is where i most expect him to strike, as i will explain later he has very few carriers, so i expected a counter attack from under the LBA umberella. Its been very quiet here recently hes been using his newly gained P-38s to flatten Koepang, so air supriority has been lost temporarily, ive been building up Manumere as a AF to try and catch him out with his P38 sweeps, a hopefully temporarily regain air supreior over the place long enough to evac some damaged planes by AK.
PNG/Solomons
I took Port Moresby, taking advantage of his lack of carriers, probably my strongest defense area, probably will be bypassed though i imagine, so forces arent as strong as they could be, but i will continue improving the network of airfields and ports that should be able to attrit him heavily if he does dare to venture here.. Holding PM means Rabaul stays untouched, Rabaul untouched means i can bring in naval/air/ground reinforcments to the area unseen/untouched, he will have to take PM bfore he starts any serious offensive in this area, or hell get a spanking!
I reckon he will bypass and attack through Timor, North new Guinea though, until his Carrier forces can decimate mine, which shouldnt be till very late 43, or 44, where he can then push through the pacific islands, which is where were going now...
The Pacific
Er yes, not much happened here, i sunk 4 of his Carriers during a a reinvasion attempt by him on Canton, he got the island which is now reducing Baker island to dust, and cutting it off from my supply chain from the sea at least, so the Carrier battle of Canton could well prove to be a Strategic Allied victory!
Everything esle is as historical, although i plan to change that in the comming weeks with invasions of Attu and Midway island (hopefully they will be much more successful than the near identical historical Japanese invasions of the islands) in a response to lessen his Sub war, subs operating off the Home islands and Marinas is a shame the Japanese race will not endure, taking these islands should at least make sub patrols off these sensitive areas much more risky, and hopefully less rewarding for him..i may expand the offensive in the North Pacific to further islands, we shall see...
So essay over...ill show a few more screenshots of Ships sunk/Aircraft sunk etc etc later tonight or tomorrow, but for now i leave you with the Japanese empire hopefully not at the peak of its size...
Opinions?
Rob performed better than historical here and halted my offensive just north of the Irawaddy at Mandalay, until as recently as November ive been attempting to break through here, but its obvious i have now failed to break through, and many of the troops here now have to be sent eslewhere to bolster the defences eslewhere in the pacific.
Plans to reduce my numbers here have been ruined though, with Rob kind of starting the Allied offensive, by trying to encircle my forces at Mandalay, first by crossing at Pagan, which was soon halted, and then another attempted forcing a carbineers regiment across two open hexs into Tang gui, which was captured, and immediately recaptured, which brings us to the current situation..
Otherwise its just simply holding on and preventing a totaly collapse of the front, which would endanger the Oil fields of Sumatra, becoming encircled would be disasterous! Come 44 it may even be nessasary to fall back perhaps out of Burma into Thailand...
Oh yes i forgot to mention he has totaly control over Central Burma from the skies, my troops are reguarly bombed, and its becoming a bit of a supply drain, he tried a AVG sweep over Rangoon, but got his arse kicked, so we can still mount limted defense air missions.
DEI/North Aus
Here and Burma is where i most expect him to strike, as i will explain later he has very few carriers, so i expected a counter attack from under the LBA umberella. Its been very quiet here recently hes been using his newly gained P-38s to flatten Koepang, so air supriority has been lost temporarily, ive been building up Manumere as a AF to try and catch him out with his P38 sweeps, a hopefully temporarily regain air supreior over the place long enough to evac some damaged planes by AK.
PNG/Solomons
I took Port Moresby, taking advantage of his lack of carriers, probably my strongest defense area, probably will be bypassed though i imagine, so forces arent as strong as they could be, but i will continue improving the network of airfields and ports that should be able to attrit him heavily if he does dare to venture here.. Holding PM means Rabaul stays untouched, Rabaul untouched means i can bring in naval/air/ground reinforcments to the area unseen/untouched, he will have to take PM bfore he starts any serious offensive in this area, or hell get a spanking!
I reckon he will bypass and attack through Timor, North new Guinea though, until his Carrier forces can decimate mine, which shouldnt be till very late 43, or 44, where he can then push through the pacific islands, which is where were going now...
The Pacific
Er yes, not much happened here, i sunk 4 of his Carriers during a a reinvasion attempt by him on Canton, he got the island which is now reducing Baker island to dust, and cutting it off from my supply chain from the sea at least, so the Carrier battle of Canton could well prove to be a Strategic Allied victory!
Everything esle is as historical, although i plan to change that in the comming weeks with invasions of Attu and Midway island (hopefully they will be much more successful than the near identical historical Japanese invasions of the islands) in a response to lessen his Sub war, subs operating off the Home islands and Marinas is a shame the Japanese race will not endure, taking these islands should at least make sub patrols off these sensitive areas much more risky, and hopefully less rewarding for him..i may expand the offensive in the North Pacific to further islands, we shall see...
So essay over...ill show a few more screenshots of Ships sunk/Aircraft sunk etc etc later tonight or tomorrow, but for now i leave you with the Japanese empire hopefully not at the peak of its size...
Opinions?
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
I like your format of AAR. Easy to read. (I'am going to follow both sides of this war)
Intresting to see what kind of results you get at Midway! Rob is very agressive player so you can expect stiff resistance all the way. [:)]
Intresting to see what kind of results you get at Midway! Rob is very agressive player so you can expect stiff resistance all the way. [:)]
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Thanks Aztez [:)]
I would imagine Rob would react agressively to these invasions, although i doubt he would be 'brave' enough to respond directly, i would imagine a naval raid or even invasion in another sector.
Possibly Timor or Baker Island i would presume, Timor already has carriers in the area, but the Pacific has none currently, rob would have a field day if he found that out, but seeing i did a Carrier raid on Luganville a few weeks ago he should be cautious in the area.
But...i intend to change that, Kido Butai has had a tough 42, with little time for rest or refit, it docked in Hiroshima a week or so ago, and some speedy repair/refit work, and 3 of my Carriers are already ready for combat, Kaga/Shokaku/Soryu (i think) are the Carriers along with Hiyo and a couple other mini carriers will participate in the invasions, whilst the other three KB will stay behind and repair, and refit, and possibly send them out to Kwajalien, to hide in waiting for a possible invasion of Baker, although im wary of this plan as i reckon rob has at least a couple of normal fleet carriers and the Essex now..
3 KB carriers vs 2 42 carriers and a Essex? Bit too close to call for my liking, perhaps it would be more wise to use a lesser carrier force for the Attu invasion, and sending more to defensive duties to Kwaj.
I honestly beleive he will use my invasions of Attu and Midway to launch his own offensives,so i have a tough decision to make, in getting the correct balance of carriers for offensive and defensive missions..Ill post my assesment here later, now as promised the sunk ship and other intel screens,and some screenies of China which i overlooked last post.
Ships sunk
Good reading, IJN virtually untouched apart from one Battleship and a Cruiser, and assorted destroyers. If someone could reckon a guess or tell me definately how many Carriers rob will have at this stage of the war with those four sunk, i would be very grateful.
Aircraft losses
Ok i guess....
Overall points
Not so good,didnt even reach best points ratio i achieve was somthing like 2.3 to 1, but im not really playing for points.
China
Deadlocked here, he pushed me back to Kaifeng recently, but fell back to Homan afterwards. in the NE/N of China its a bit more exciting, as both sides try and use the roads right on the Mongolian border to try and grab land and the initiative.
Also i have around 8500 assault points at Yenen vs his 4000, reinforcements are on the way, to try and tilt this numbers advantage more in my favour, and start knocking down some forts, hopefully winning that battle NE of Yenen before his reinforcements which are inevitably on the way to break out his troops, will give us extra assault points for the battle, and perhaps the chance to encircle the place.
Nothing happened in my last turn, apart from the usual bombing of my troops at Koepang and Burma, Rob bombed Koepang with only 19 P-38s escorting around a hundered bombers i think, would have been the 'ideal' ambush conditions for me to launch my cap from Manumere, maybe if he continues that tiny escort size i will launch the trap, knowing my luck he will suddenly up the number of P38s and destroy me.
Oh yes and my air asw from Lae/Rabaul sunk the S-30, which is nice...
I would imagine Rob would react agressively to these invasions, although i doubt he would be 'brave' enough to respond directly, i would imagine a naval raid or even invasion in another sector.
Possibly Timor or Baker Island i would presume, Timor already has carriers in the area, but the Pacific has none currently, rob would have a field day if he found that out, but seeing i did a Carrier raid on Luganville a few weeks ago he should be cautious in the area.
But...i intend to change that, Kido Butai has had a tough 42, with little time for rest or refit, it docked in Hiroshima a week or so ago, and some speedy repair/refit work, and 3 of my Carriers are already ready for combat, Kaga/Shokaku/Soryu (i think) are the Carriers along with Hiyo and a couple other mini carriers will participate in the invasions, whilst the other three KB will stay behind and repair, and refit, and possibly send them out to Kwajalien, to hide in waiting for a possible invasion of Baker, although im wary of this plan as i reckon rob has at least a couple of normal fleet carriers and the Essex now..
3 KB carriers vs 2 42 carriers and a Essex? Bit too close to call for my liking, perhaps it would be more wise to use a lesser carrier force for the Attu invasion, and sending more to defensive duties to Kwaj.
I honestly beleive he will use my invasions of Attu and Midway to launch his own offensives,so i have a tough decision to make, in getting the correct balance of carriers for offensive and defensive missions..Ill post my assesment here later, now as promised the sunk ship and other intel screens,and some screenies of China which i overlooked last post.
Ships sunk
Good reading, IJN virtually untouched apart from one Battleship and a Cruiser, and assorted destroyers. If someone could reckon a guess or tell me definately how many Carriers rob will have at this stage of the war with those four sunk, i would be very grateful.
Aircraft losses
Ok i guess....
Overall points
Not so good,didnt even reach best points ratio i achieve was somthing like 2.3 to 1, but im not really playing for points.
China
Deadlocked here, he pushed me back to Kaifeng recently, but fell back to Homan afterwards. in the NE/N of China its a bit more exciting, as both sides try and use the roads right on the Mongolian border to try and grab land and the initiative.
Also i have around 8500 assault points at Yenen vs his 4000, reinforcements are on the way, to try and tilt this numbers advantage more in my favour, and start knocking down some forts, hopefully winning that battle NE of Yenen before his reinforcements which are inevitably on the way to break out his troops, will give us extra assault points for the battle, and perhaps the chance to encircle the place.
Nothing happened in my last turn, apart from the usual bombing of my troops at Koepang and Burma, Rob bombed Koepang with only 19 P-38s escorting around a hundered bombers i think, would have been the 'ideal' ambush conditions for me to launch my cap from Manumere, maybe if he continues that tiny escort size i will launch the trap, knowing my luck he will suddenly up the number of P38s and destroy me.
Oh yes and my air asw from Lae/Rabaul sunk the S-30, which is nice...
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
27th - 28th January 1943
The turn opened well with one of my subs SW hitting an AE with a single torp, dont even know what the hell it is, apart from some specialist auxillary ship, that he only gets two of, so i suppose its good news, and the sub got away to with light damamge. Snice ive renewed my own sub offensive ive had lots of luck with it, lots of sightings of convoys, and now two ships sunk [:)] (Sunk a SC the other day outside Luganville)
Rob presented the perfect opperunity once again for me to crush him over the skies of Koepang, 16 P38s escorting a bomber force.
So i have ordered the following air groups to fly cap over Koepang, should be sufficient if he keeps his escort size the same, 120 fighters, probably around 60 or so will be over the base at the same time.
And Rob has made me pay for not taking Andaman island,posting P-40Es and Swordfish there, really dont know why i didnt take this place, its one of those crappy bases that you take to only prevent the enemy from holding, now i will have to baby sit my merchants and make sure they hug the Thailand coast to stay out of range of the stringbags..
The fleet is fully assembled at Tokyo to launch towards Attu, just waiting on supplies/fuel and the 21st Division to land on Efortu Jima, which will be our launching point for the Invasion troops and supplies, i will now make it clear to Rob i intend to assualt the place, Recon will be stepped up and i will find out what exactly im up against, last Recon of the place was in late December, 4-5 units of small size, im sure a division and a hand full of naval guard units should take the place.
Ive decided only the 3 KB carriers will support, as i doubt he has any carrier presence here or even on the West coast, so it should be sufficient, Hiyo and the CVLS will go to Kwaj, a paltry defense against even the Essex on its own, but better than nothing, should nt be too long before it can be joined by the other 3 KB carriers, they're all in the teens damage wise.
The turn opened well with one of my subs SW hitting an AE with a single torp, dont even know what the hell it is, apart from some specialist auxillary ship, that he only gets two of, so i suppose its good news, and the sub got away to with light damamge. Snice ive renewed my own sub offensive ive had lots of luck with it, lots of sightings of convoys, and now two ships sunk [:)] (Sunk a SC the other day outside Luganville)
Rob presented the perfect opperunity once again for me to crush him over the skies of Koepang, 16 P38s escorting a bomber force.
So i have ordered the following air groups to fly cap over Koepang, should be sufficient if he keeps his escort size the same, 120 fighters, probably around 60 or so will be over the base at the same time.
And Rob has made me pay for not taking Andaman island,posting P-40Es and Swordfish there, really dont know why i didnt take this place, its one of those crappy bases that you take to only prevent the enemy from holding, now i will have to baby sit my merchants and make sure they hug the Thailand coast to stay out of range of the stringbags..
The fleet is fully assembled at Tokyo to launch towards Attu, just waiting on supplies/fuel and the 21st Division to land on Efortu Jima, which will be our launching point for the Invasion troops and supplies, i will now make it clear to Rob i intend to assualt the place, Recon will be stepped up and i will find out what exactly im up against, last Recon of the place was in late December, 4-5 units of small size, im sure a division and a hand full of naval guard units should take the place.
Ive decided only the 3 KB carriers will support, as i doubt he has any carrier presence here or even on the West coast, so it should be sufficient, Hiyo and the CVLS will go to Kwaj, a paltry defense against even the Essex on its own, but better than nothing, should nt be too long before it can be joined by the other 3 KB carriers, they're all in the teens damage wise.
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Disaster on the Burmese front.. and im unable to do much about it on the short term, due to Witps strategic nature and its sometimes questionable ground combat...
Rant over heres the news...
29th - 30th January 1943
Not my turn today, no P38s over Koepang (although the numbers of planes that assembled over Koepang it was probably for the best) and a shock attack that i should of, but didnt see coming from across the Irawwaddy screwed me hard, the only rail route into Mandalay...now closed.
To counter this potential disaster, the 52nd Division in Osaka has been released from Home Defence duties, and will arive in the theatre in around a months time, as will the 16th Division currently based at Batavia, these two Divisions combined have just under a thousand assault points, which will allow me a better chance of breaking out the 3,300 assault points that are currently trapped in Mandalay. But in the meantime a massive land victory is in Robs hands, if he seizes the initiative and marches on to Pagan and wins, manuerving his army around and marching on Rangoon, the war in Burma could be over by the time these Divisions arrive, so it is up to the garrision of Pagan, and the force marching North from Thailand to stem the tide.
Ill probably have to draw more reinforcements from somewhere if i honestly hope to break them out, but thats for next turn. If he wins here, he could be in Singapore by Summer, which would be disasterous and quite embarassing...[8|]
(Surely if a army that size was encirled, they would split off 2-3 divisions from the front with the British to the north, and send them south to attempt a restablishment of lines of communications and supplies, now i can feel the frustration of people 'encirled' but a paracute regiment and such, not quite the same, but the amount of troops i have at Mandalay would be more than enough to break themselves out, bloodied but not defeated...[:(])
Also in the same theatre, rob used his newly operational airfield at Andaman to bomb Victoria point with Avengers and Swordfish, and a B-17s flew in from Mandalay or somewhere or the other, and bombed the same place. Ironically i flew in a Squadron of Oscars here to protect the place, they where still repairing damaged aircraft etc, also has assembled a Tojo squadron at Singapore to protect the same airspace.
Preparations towards Attu island invasion are nearly over, the transports will sail tomorrow, and the fleet will do the same from Tokyo a few days after, although it will be massively overshadowed by the events in Burma, i may cancel the invasion of Midway that was to take place afterwards, instead sailing the 21st Division to the Burmese front also...As if this front wasnt enough of a drain on my defences....[:(]
Some good news, handful of Subs hit by air asw off Thailand, and i managed to russle together around a hundered or more (ill get a screenie next turn) Transport aircraft in Rangoon, and should be able to get another hundered to Rangoon in the comming turn to drop supplies on the troops, not sure if i can though, seeing its his base, what a disaster...
Rant over heres the news...
29th - 30th January 1943
Not my turn today, no P38s over Koepang (although the numbers of planes that assembled over Koepang it was probably for the best) and a shock attack that i should of, but didnt see coming from across the Irawwaddy screwed me hard, the only rail route into Mandalay...now closed.
To counter this potential disaster, the 52nd Division in Osaka has been released from Home Defence duties, and will arive in the theatre in around a months time, as will the 16th Division currently based at Batavia, these two Divisions combined have just under a thousand assault points, which will allow me a better chance of breaking out the 3,300 assault points that are currently trapped in Mandalay. But in the meantime a massive land victory is in Robs hands, if he seizes the initiative and marches on to Pagan and wins, manuerving his army around and marching on Rangoon, the war in Burma could be over by the time these Divisions arrive, so it is up to the garrision of Pagan, and the force marching North from Thailand to stem the tide.
Ill probably have to draw more reinforcements from somewhere if i honestly hope to break them out, but thats for next turn. If he wins here, he could be in Singapore by Summer, which would be disasterous and quite embarassing...[8|]
(Surely if a army that size was encirled, they would split off 2-3 divisions from the front with the British to the north, and send them south to attempt a restablishment of lines of communications and supplies, now i can feel the frustration of people 'encirled' but a paracute regiment and such, not quite the same, but the amount of troops i have at Mandalay would be more than enough to break themselves out, bloodied but not defeated...[:(])
Also in the same theatre, rob used his newly operational airfield at Andaman to bomb Victoria point with Avengers and Swordfish, and a B-17s flew in from Mandalay or somewhere or the other, and bombed the same place. Ironically i flew in a Squadron of Oscars here to protect the place, they where still repairing damaged aircraft etc, also has assembled a Tojo squadron at Singapore to protect the same airspace.
Preparations towards Attu island invasion are nearly over, the transports will sail tomorrow, and the fleet will do the same from Tokyo a few days after, although it will be massively overshadowed by the events in Burma, i may cancel the invasion of Midway that was to take place afterwards, instead sailing the 21st Division to the Burmese front also...As if this front wasnt enough of a drain on my defences....[:(]
Some good news, handful of Subs hit by air asw off Thailand, and i managed to russle together around a hundered or more (ill get a screenie next turn) Transport aircraft in Rangoon, and should be able to get another hundered to Rangoon in the comming turn to drop supplies on the troops, not sure if i can though, seeing its his base, what a disaster...
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
very nice AAR, Joe. I especially likes your pictures (how you can attach more than one picture in one post?)
Situation in Burma is not good and Rob will keep pushing there now he smells a blood - Japanese blood.
Over than that you are in good position. Be careful with CVs, the last thing you want to see is Midway look a like battle in '43!
Situation in Burma is not good and Rob will keep pushing there now he smells a blood - Japanese blood.
Over than that you are in good position. Be careful with CVs, the last thing you want to see is Midway look a like battle in '43!
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Thanks, just hosting the images on imageshack, rather than on the actual forum.
Todays update isnt really a report on the last turn, rather concentrating on the Burma theatre and how its developing, nothing esle going on as of yet..
31st - 1st February 1943
Rob kind of made the second mistake of the battle by posting in a replay email that his troops where out of or low of supply, this changes the situation a little, as i know he wont charge towards Rangoon, or make any serious push further south, the battle will be fought on the banks of the Irawaddy, and will be centered around Pagan, if he takes this place supplies and escape route from Mandalay are cut, and robs troops on the other side of the river get thier supplies.
Hopefully being low on supplis will slow his march on Pagan and enable me to reinforce the place, and also, even more good news! The 2nd Paras ahve moved into the counterattack hex, 2 hexs SW of Mandalay, and a cadre of the 16th Div marched into the hex NE of Pagan in a single day, many men have died on the forced march, butn they're deaths have not been in vain, as the IJA's position is now less desperate, and the ensiegd troops can now have a small window to escape thier impending doom at Mandalay!
But should they...?
I have several HQS at Mandalay which are all prepped for Mandalay, and every combat unit is the same, moving to the hex West of Mandalay, and then hopefully on to Pagan would offer the chance of escape, but if, the units become trapped in the hex, they will be in a hex that they are not prepped for, meaning thier doom will come about much quicker...
Being my decisive self i think ill do a mix of both, and try and leave a force big enough in Mandalay to hold the place for a later mass breakout, and a couple of Divisions will march West to hopefully aid the defence of Pagan.
We will not be encirled and defeated like our German allies, espically not by the British! [;)]
And the Attu invasion fleet is ready to sail, troops and supplies loading up at Efortu, and the IJN fleet has been ordered to leave dock at Tokyo, and assemble a couple hundered miles SE of Efortu, Recon planes will launch from Parisho(sp) Jima, some Patrol aircraft spotted Pts outside the base, so ill have to make sure my timing is correct, and the Surface groups go in first.
Hopefully itll be a nice victory to help take my mind off the potential disaster in Burma.
The taskforces involved are...
Taskforce 214
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
Six destroyers in screen
Taskforce 216
BB Ise
CA Ashigira
CA Kako
CL Sendai
CL Jinshu
4 destroyers in screen
Taskforce 189
CV Kaga
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
5 destroyers in screen.
Todays update isnt really a report on the last turn, rather concentrating on the Burma theatre and how its developing, nothing esle going on as of yet..
31st - 1st February 1943
Rob kind of made the second mistake of the battle by posting in a replay email that his troops where out of or low of supply, this changes the situation a little, as i know he wont charge towards Rangoon, or make any serious push further south, the battle will be fought on the banks of the Irawaddy, and will be centered around Pagan, if he takes this place supplies and escape route from Mandalay are cut, and robs troops on the other side of the river get thier supplies.
Hopefully being low on supplis will slow his march on Pagan and enable me to reinforce the place, and also, even more good news! The 2nd Paras ahve moved into the counterattack hex, 2 hexs SW of Mandalay, and a cadre of the 16th Div marched into the hex NE of Pagan in a single day, many men have died on the forced march, butn they're deaths have not been in vain, as the IJA's position is now less desperate, and the ensiegd troops can now have a small window to escape thier impending doom at Mandalay!
But should they...?
I have several HQS at Mandalay which are all prepped for Mandalay, and every combat unit is the same, moving to the hex West of Mandalay, and then hopefully on to Pagan would offer the chance of escape, but if, the units become trapped in the hex, they will be in a hex that they are not prepped for, meaning thier doom will come about much quicker...
Being my decisive self i think ill do a mix of both, and try and leave a force big enough in Mandalay to hold the place for a later mass breakout, and a couple of Divisions will march West to hopefully aid the defence of Pagan.
We will not be encirled and defeated like our German allies, espically not by the British! [;)]
And the Attu invasion fleet is ready to sail, troops and supplies loading up at Efortu, and the IJN fleet has been ordered to leave dock at Tokyo, and assemble a couple hundered miles SE of Efortu, Recon planes will launch from Parisho(sp) Jima, some Patrol aircraft spotted Pts outside the base, so ill have to make sure my timing is correct, and the Surface groups go in first.
Hopefully itll be a nice victory to help take my mind off the potential disaster in Burma.
The taskforces involved are...
Taskforce 214
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
Six destroyers in screen
Taskforce 216
BB Ise
CA Ashigira
CA Kako
CL Sendai
CL Jinshu
4 destroyers in screen
Taskforce 189
CV Kaga
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
5 destroyers in screen.
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
I decided to march 3 Divisions towards Pagan, and a Brigade and a division if my memory serves me correctly, to the hex directly West of Mandalay, got to keep that hex, and the Pagan hex clear for as long as possible.
The 2nd Paras from the SW and the 6th tank regiment from the West are marching on the British positions SW of Mandalay, to hold them up for a couple of turns, buy some time, mabe reset they're marching distance to 0 again?
Does anyone know if the transport aircraft i have on supplies missions to mandalay, will actually be resupplying my soldiers?
Raid on Victoria point
The 2nd Paras from the SW and the 6th tank regiment from the West are marching on the British positions SW of Mandalay, to hold them up for a couple of turns, buy some time, mabe reset they're marching distance to 0 again?
Does anyone know if the transport aircraft i have on supplies missions to mandalay, will actually be resupplying my soldiers?
Raid on Victoria point
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
2nd February - 3rd February 1943
Sort of a 'dud' turn, a nice movement bug hampered my troops retreat out of Mandalay, so rob agreed to cancel his movements for one turn, to allow the game to do as i have told it too, although insisted on continually bombarding me from the air.
Not much esle happened on his front, apart from the 2nd Paras throwing themselves infront of robs marching troops, with the 6th Armoured not close behind, so i wont increase your load times by hosting another unneeded screenshot
.
Well not much esle happened on the ground, i had asumed incorrectly that if taskforces hugged the coast in the Bay of Bengal they would be safe from his Stringbags, if not out of their combat range, most probably out of his naval search range, whilst this has proven true for my Merchants, a ASW group at Victoria point was no so lucky, 4 destroyers crippled, 1 sunk and 1 lucky escape, all ships fleeing to Georgetown.
Also a naval attack was launched from Akyab on Merchants unloading supplies/loading resources outside Rangoon, 50 odd P-40s against my assorted cap, first raid in the morning was an Allied victory, with several ships hit, and a narrow advantage in planes destroyed, the consectutive evening raid wasnt though, the Tojos inparticular proved themselves as a far supreoir airframe to the P-40E, and lead the defense, only manged to shoot down one Wellington on both the raids, but the damage to his escorts should be enough to shorten the range on his naval attacks.
Rangoon harbour under attack
Bettys on naval search, spotted a CA CA CA CA DD DD DD Taskforce near Lunganville, Carriers?, he also started building up some dot base that would bring his bombers closer to Guadacanal, within P-38 rang i think, not sure what he can do with a dot base though, well have to keep a eye on him there.
Attu invasion moving into position, the IJN will be in its assigned hex next turn, the 21st Division decided to get off their transports after the commanders informed them they would have to sleep 2 a bunk on board, but more ships are being made available.
Recon over Attu reveals 20 P-40Es on cap, and 6 units with around 6,000 men stopped, small base forces, maybe a RCT at most..i hope, lets hope the 21st gets it arse in gear two a bunk or not, as i can see Rob stuffing the base full of F4fs and P38s within the week.
Gonna wrap this up with some images of my industry and such..
In the process of building more Nakajima engime factories, i need it as its obviously not keeping up with Airframe production for the time being, and im so short on some airframes/engines, that i have a backlog of reinforcements 'Organising' very annoying! But im close fixing it, after increasing the airframe/engine production of whats now needed..
And ive just realised i forgot to take a screenshot of airframe production, so er..that wil wait till next post.
Sort of a 'dud' turn, a nice movement bug hampered my troops retreat out of Mandalay, so rob agreed to cancel his movements for one turn, to allow the game to do as i have told it too, although insisted on continually bombarding me from the air.
Not much esle happened on his front, apart from the 2nd Paras throwing themselves infront of robs marching troops, with the 6th Armoured not close behind, so i wont increase your load times by hosting another unneeded screenshot
. Well not much esle happened on the ground, i had asumed incorrectly that if taskforces hugged the coast in the Bay of Bengal they would be safe from his Stringbags, if not out of their combat range, most probably out of his naval search range, whilst this has proven true for my Merchants, a ASW group at Victoria point was no so lucky, 4 destroyers crippled, 1 sunk and 1 lucky escape, all ships fleeing to Georgetown.
Also a naval attack was launched from Akyab on Merchants unloading supplies/loading resources outside Rangoon, 50 odd P-40s against my assorted cap, first raid in the morning was an Allied victory, with several ships hit, and a narrow advantage in planes destroyed, the consectutive evening raid wasnt though, the Tojos inparticular proved themselves as a far supreoir airframe to the P-40E, and lead the defense, only manged to shoot down one Wellington on both the raids, but the damage to his escorts should be enough to shorten the range on his naval attacks.
Rangoon harbour under attack
Bettys on naval search, spotted a CA CA CA CA DD DD DD Taskforce near Lunganville, Carriers?, he also started building up some dot base that would bring his bombers closer to Guadacanal, within P-38 rang i think, not sure what he can do with a dot base though, well have to keep a eye on him there.
Attu invasion moving into position, the IJN will be in its assigned hex next turn, the 21st Division decided to get off their transports after the commanders informed them they would have to sleep 2 a bunk on board, but more ships are being made available.
Recon over Attu reveals 20 P-40Es on cap, and 6 units with around 6,000 men stopped, small base forces, maybe a RCT at most..i hope, lets hope the 21st gets it arse in gear two a bunk or not, as i can see Rob stuffing the base full of F4fs and P38s within the week.
Gonna wrap this up with some images of my industry and such..
In the process of building more Nakajima engime factories, i need it as its obviously not keeping up with Airframe production for the time being, and im so short on some airframes/engines, that i have a backlog of reinforcements 'Organising' very annoying! But im close fixing it, after increasing the airframe/engine production of whats now needed..
And ive just realised i forgot to take a screenshot of airframe production, so er..that wil wait till next post.
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
4th - 5th February 1943
Another 'dud' i gave incorrect marching orders to the troops in Mandalay pocket, so i failed to make use of the 'ceasefire' whatsoever, 6th tank regiment threw themselves into the Allies SW of Mandalay, and where promptly kicked back out, but they did their job of holding down the Allied forces.
Anotheer two units took the tank regiments place, which should suffer the same fate, but will further stall his advance and hopefully frustrate rob, a few more units are also on 44 miles, so i should be able to have a unit in that hex for the next couple of turns, which will hopefully be long enough for the Divisions that are fleeing Mandalay to make it from Pagan, and lead the counter offesive!
I just hope the force ive left in Mandalay is strong enough to hold off, and tie down enough British units for us to deal with the Brits south of the Irawddy, and prevent any more Brits stepping foot south of the river for a great many months yet!
Apart from the usual, air raids. The only interesting happening was a raid of 88 B-17s on Maumere airfield, rob obviously doesnt want to be caught out by this airfield and lost his P-38s, thankfull the raid was very ineffective and around 20 somthing B-17s where lost in the skies, and many more turnt back, the 31 B-17s that did get through where very ineffective, which is good news!
Day Air attack on Maumere , at 28,73
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
A6M3a Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 19
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 88
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 18 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 16 destroyed, 54 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Suprisingly it was the A6m2s that downed the most 17s, the Tonys and Tojos which are designed with this threat in mind where...useless. An air HQ division is being brought in to increase the effectiveness of the air cap, hopefully rob will learn that the South DEI will be no walk over!
Another raid from Andaman sunk a stray PC gunboat on asw duty, that i must have forgotten about...
Orders phase was a long one as i do a bit of spring cleaning, sorting out industry, and moving those odd air units that are sitting in bases unused, and shipping out a few more of my seemingly unlimted supply of base forces out of Tokyo to various border bases, and doing the highly entertaining task of sending my huge convoys to and from the DEI.
Points of interest in the orders phrase..
53rd Division loaded up onto their APs in Osaka, bound for Bangkok, then the Burmese front...
The 16th is still aiting on its transports to arrive, the arrival of these Divisions should ruin robs hopes for the theatre for now.Just got to try and avoid anymore disasters till the 'cavarly' arrives.
The Attu island invasion fleet, is now steaming towards Attu, the 3 KB Carriers will linger NW of Attu, near a dot base 'Komandorski island'
Cant help but feel aprehensive and nervous over this, im far to cautious to play Japan sometimes i think!
The Orders
Two Bombardment groups will hit Attu, to disrupt troops and close AF, set to patrol do not retire, to keep on a sustained bombardment (Hope he doesnt have torp bombers!)
Kido Butai will linger on naval attack NW of Attu, perhaps switching to airfield attack if af remains a pain.
H8Ks will fly naval search to watch for incoming enemy fleets, Iv e sent a small disponsible unit of Betties to do a airfield attack with Zeros in escort, to see what hes got on the ground there...
As promsed, Airframe production!
Another 'dud' i gave incorrect marching orders to the troops in Mandalay pocket, so i failed to make use of the 'ceasefire' whatsoever, 6th tank regiment threw themselves into the Allies SW of Mandalay, and where promptly kicked back out, but they did their job of holding down the Allied forces.
Anotheer two units took the tank regiments place, which should suffer the same fate, but will further stall his advance and hopefully frustrate rob, a few more units are also on 44 miles, so i should be able to have a unit in that hex for the next couple of turns, which will hopefully be long enough for the Divisions that are fleeing Mandalay to make it from Pagan, and lead the counter offesive!
I just hope the force ive left in Mandalay is strong enough to hold off, and tie down enough British units for us to deal with the Brits south of the Irawddy, and prevent any more Brits stepping foot south of the river for a great many months yet!
Apart from the usual, air raids. The only interesting happening was a raid of 88 B-17s on Maumere airfield, rob obviously doesnt want to be caught out by this airfield and lost his P-38s, thankfull the raid was very ineffective and around 20 somthing B-17s where lost in the skies, and many more turnt back, the 31 B-17s that did get through where very ineffective, which is good news!
Day Air attack on Maumere , at 28,73
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
A6M3a Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 19
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 88
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 18 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 16 destroyed, 54 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Suprisingly it was the A6m2s that downed the most 17s, the Tonys and Tojos which are designed with this threat in mind where...useless. An air HQ division is being brought in to increase the effectiveness of the air cap, hopefully rob will learn that the South DEI will be no walk over!
Another raid from Andaman sunk a stray PC gunboat on asw duty, that i must have forgotten about...
Orders phase was a long one as i do a bit of spring cleaning, sorting out industry, and moving those odd air units that are sitting in bases unused, and shipping out a few more of my seemingly unlimted supply of base forces out of Tokyo to various border bases, and doing the highly entertaining task of sending my huge convoys to and from the DEI.
Points of interest in the orders phrase..
53rd Division loaded up onto their APs in Osaka, bound for Bangkok, then the Burmese front...
The 16th is still aiting on its transports to arrive, the arrival of these Divisions should ruin robs hopes for the theatre for now.Just got to try and avoid anymore disasters till the 'cavarly' arrives.
The Attu island invasion fleet, is now steaming towards Attu, the 3 KB Carriers will linger NW of Attu, near a dot base 'Komandorski island'
Cant help but feel aprehensive and nervous over this, im far to cautious to play Japan sometimes i think!
The Orders
Two Bombardment groups will hit Attu, to disrupt troops and close AF, set to patrol do not retire, to keep on a sustained bombardment (Hope he doesnt have torp bombers!)
Kido Butai will linger on naval attack NW of Attu, perhaps switching to airfield attack if af remains a pain.
H8Ks will fly naval search to watch for incoming enemy fleets, Iv e sent a small disponsible unit of Betties to do a airfield attack with Zeros in escort, to see what hes got on the ground there...
As promsed, Airframe production!
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
6- 7th February 1943
The Battle for Burma is pretty much over as quickly as it started, or at least on hold. We've kinda 'checkmated' the game, making it impossible for my troops in Mandalay to move, and the troops to
the SW of Mandalay also cannot move to get out of thier way, not without some tricky puzzle gamesque movement.
Rob will have to move out of Mandalay, for my 'encirled' troops to march to the road hex West of Mandalay, then on to Pagan, and his troops tot he SW can march back up in Mandalay, and he can retake the place.
Not much actually happened in the turn, some Destroyers ran into minefields, at Brunei and the Hiyo taskforce(!!!!!) ran into a minefield, thankfully no damage done, better bring in some MSW to Kwaj.
The recon in force at Attu worked pretty well, in the fact that the raid didnt get totally destroyed, Zeros did well over the two days and downed a fair amount of P40s, Betties only got one runway hit though, so i still dont know what hes got bomber wise, and because of that ive changed Takedas BB group to a retirement allowed/mission speed attack, to shut down the af for sure, without any nasty torp bombers getting a shot at my battlewagons!
The fleet closes in, prepare for contact!
Dont think ive been spotted yet, my Carriers did spot his Pts and other misc ships (AP,DE,PT) outside Attu, but with Glens, so hopefully he'll presume it was just a sub.
On the otherside of the Pacific, Soerbaja finally become a level 9 port, Singapore did the same a few weeks before,as i expect him to strike here most likely, ive upped these two ports to level 9 so i can lay liberal amounts of Mines all over the place.
And Baker looks in a very bad way, the 3 Naval guard units there are down to 60 assualt points combined, and pretty much out of supply, dont know what action to take here, i think once offensive missions are over the KB will be posted on defensive missions at Kwaj, as the only way i can hold this place is to show a strong naval presense, might risk sending another AK convoy to the place, try ad dodge his LBA from Canton.
Baker garrison on its knees
The Battle for Burma is pretty much over as quickly as it started, or at least on hold. We've kinda 'checkmated' the game, making it impossible for my troops in Mandalay to move, and the troops to
the SW of Mandalay also cannot move to get out of thier way, not without some tricky puzzle gamesque movement.
Rob will have to move out of Mandalay, for my 'encirled' troops to march to the road hex West of Mandalay, then on to Pagan, and his troops tot he SW can march back up in Mandalay, and he can retake the place.
Not much actually happened in the turn, some Destroyers ran into minefields, at Brunei and the Hiyo taskforce(!!!!!) ran into a minefield, thankfully no damage done, better bring in some MSW to Kwaj.
The recon in force at Attu worked pretty well, in the fact that the raid didnt get totally destroyed, Zeros did well over the two days and downed a fair amount of P40s, Betties only got one runway hit though, so i still dont know what hes got bomber wise, and because of that ive changed Takedas BB group to a retirement allowed/mission speed attack, to shut down the af for sure, without any nasty torp bombers getting a shot at my battlewagons!
The fleet closes in, prepare for contact!
Dont think ive been spotted yet, my Carriers did spot his Pts and other misc ships (AP,DE,PT) outside Attu, but with Glens, so hopefully he'll presume it was just a sub.
On the otherside of the Pacific, Soerbaja finally become a level 9 port, Singapore did the same a few weeks before,as i expect him to strike here most likely, ive upped these two ports to level 9 so i can lay liberal amounts of Mines all over the place.
And Baker looks in a very bad way, the 3 Naval guard units there are down to 60 assualt points combined, and pretty much out of supply, dont know what action to take here, i think once offensive missions are over the KB will be posted on defensive missions at Kwaj, as the only way i can hold this place is to show a strong naval presense, might risk sending another AK convoy to the place, try ad dodge his LBA from Canton.
Baker garrison on its knees
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
8 - 9th February 1943
As the Burma front fizzles down, as a temporary League of Nations controlled ceasefire takes affect, the British evac Mandalay, and the Japanese make thier way to South of the Irawaddy. Another front warms up.
Marauders and Catalinas spotted our invasion transports around 240 miles off the island, and the Bombardment taskforces. Launching attacks on the morning of the 8th, no damage done, attacks throughout the day only brought one bomb hit on the Ise which bounced off. Unfortunately the air attacks on Takedas taskforce caused him to retire due to the ferorcity of them! [8|]
The other taskforce lead by the Kongo whent in untouched and initiated a surface combat with a couple of AKs and a MSW, all sunk, unfortunately the Destroyer Mochizuki struck a mine steaming towards the airfield, causing critical damage to the rudder and engine rooms, causing it to lose speed and break off from the taskforce, the ship is good as sunk, but i sent it to Efortu Jima at mission speed, as i always like to give a ship a chance of survival rather than scuttling.
Nothing like a bit of surface combat!
The sinking of the merchants was followed by a combat with the PTs, which where halfed in number by the end of the fighting, hopefully the next two days surface combat (With Takeda hopefully joining in!) should reduce there number to nothing in time for my transports.
The Bombardment of the airfield was nothing special (have bombardments been toned down snice patch, they dont seem as deadly as theyt used to be..) 8 runway hits and Maruaders destroyed, Airfield not closed, which well have to strive to do to prevent him flying in more fighters/bombers. The next nearest Airfield is at Adak, which is so far away it shouldnt play a important role in the battle.
Only other news of note was a Zero sweep of Vanikolo...
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3a Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed
Which is a level one airfield SW of Guadacanal, if he gets it up to level 2 it could be a big pain, so ill do a few sweeps every
once in a while to hopefully keep him modest..
No other news or orders of note, apart from sending Takedas bombardment TF back towards the battle.
I think ive worked out he should have the Essex, Hornet and Wasp for a Carrier fleet, people folloing both aars are probably laughing at how far off i am, but thats my estimation.
Battle is joined
As the Burma front fizzles down, as a temporary League of Nations controlled ceasefire takes affect, the British evac Mandalay, and the Japanese make thier way to South of the Irawaddy. Another front warms up.
Marauders and Catalinas spotted our invasion transports around 240 miles off the island, and the Bombardment taskforces. Launching attacks on the morning of the 8th, no damage done, attacks throughout the day only brought one bomb hit on the Ise which bounced off. Unfortunately the air attacks on Takedas taskforce caused him to retire due to the ferorcity of them! [8|]
The other taskforce lead by the Kongo whent in untouched and initiated a surface combat with a couple of AKs and a MSW, all sunk, unfortunately the Destroyer Mochizuki struck a mine steaming towards the airfield, causing critical damage to the rudder and engine rooms, causing it to lose speed and break off from the taskforce, the ship is good as sunk, but i sent it to Efortu Jima at mission speed, as i always like to give a ship a chance of survival rather than scuttling.
Nothing like a bit of surface combat!
The sinking of the merchants was followed by a combat with the PTs, which where halfed in number by the end of the fighting, hopefully the next two days surface combat (With Takeda hopefully joining in!) should reduce there number to nothing in time for my transports.
The Bombardment of the airfield was nothing special (have bombardments been toned down snice patch, they dont seem as deadly as theyt used to be..) 8 runway hits and Maruaders destroyed, Airfield not closed, which well have to strive to do to prevent him flying in more fighters/bombers. The next nearest Airfield is at Adak, which is so far away it shouldnt play a important role in the battle.
Only other news of note was a Zero sweep of Vanikolo...
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3a Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed
Which is a level one airfield SW of Guadacanal, if he gets it up to level 2 it could be a big pain, so ill do a few sweeps every
once in a while to hopefully keep him modest..
No other news or orders of note, apart from sending Takedas bombardment TF back towards the battle.
I think ive worked out he should have the Essex, Hornet and Wasp for a Carrier fleet, people folloing both aars are probably laughing at how far off i am, but thats my estimation.
Battle is joined
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
10 - 13th February 1943
Double update do to time constraints [:)]
The Japanese forces made landfall on Attu with unconvincing but bearable results, around 75% (!!!) of my forces where disabled or killed during the landings, mines and costal guns doing the damage, but whats immediately important is that a large enough force could be put together to make a immediate Allied counterattack to push us back into the ocean highly unlikey, we also landed with copious amounts of supplies, so hoopefully our disabled and wounded men should soon be put into shape and ready to push inland!
I can only see robs forces getting weaker now, as i have reinforced my Carrier forces, with Hiryu and Akagi making sail from Tokyo, and meating up with the other 3 KB carriers.
5 KB carriers should be sufficient to see off any USN counterattack, and if not the Zuikaku should be able to join in a couple of weeks at worst, due to the nonstop work of our repairyards!
With this in mind, my forces will only grow stronger, and with robs RCT defending the place only getting weaker, being cut off, and constantly bombarded, the dynamics of the battle have changed though with these dissapointing landings, its no longer a smash and grab, but a protracted island campaign/Decisive battle, which has its advantages, as i would love to crush the USN a second time before its ready to compete with the Kido Butai carriers, and further setback any serious allied counterattack even more!
Should rob be encouraged by the poor landings and seek to intervene we will crush him a second time.
The Situation, with arrows and stuff
Reserves are also being called up, two Enginner regiments, 1st Tank Regiment and the 53rd Division originally headed for the Burmese front, and just sailing north of Luzon, has been ordered to turn around and head for the island, whilst i wouldnt mind the battle dragging on a bit, i do actually want to take the island by Summer rolls around. [:D]
Some small naval guard units that have been prepping for Attu for quite a while when i originally planned to take the place, at Parishmo Jima will also join the fray.
More reinforcements for the neval forces also, as the Mutsu,Hyuga, Maya, Chokai and Mogami sail from Kwaj headeded NW to avoid subs/Carriers and aide the two current bombardment taskforces in taming the RCT units.
I've also been playing the psychological game and trying to convince my hand at Attu is better than it actually is.
Maybe when you let me sink your new Carriers, then ill forget about
that victory
Ive got it down as the Essex, Hornet and Wasp? oh yes, and the long
island! Better call off the invasion
Im sure youll find a way to hassle me, i suspect indirectly...
To which he replied...
oh and lots of CVE's that dont fly
.. And i have a suprise for you shortly .. hehe .. given the weather in the north i havnt yet seen a CV plane fly here but im convinced you are not doing this without air cover of some sort,
So it seems im correct in me guessing his carrier strength, and that he has a suprise for me, so somesort of invasion/raid on my outer defense line, theres been a lot of convoys tooing and froing near Luganville/Noumea, and a sub parted off Lunga a couple of turns here, but my Betties constatly spot his taskforces, so i would see somthing coming in this region, and he knows that...so where is he going to suprise me, i tried to influence his choice with the following..
Hmm a suprise, im guessing Baker, not gonna lie to you its in a awful
state....helpess to defend it on the ground, hopefully my naval
presance will deter you till you have more Essexes.
I suppose all will come clear to me in the next few weeks/months..
Double update do to time constraints [:)]
The Japanese forces made landfall on Attu with unconvincing but bearable results, around 75% (!!!) of my forces where disabled or killed during the landings, mines and costal guns doing the damage, but whats immediately important is that a large enough force could be put together to make a immediate Allied counterattack to push us back into the ocean highly unlikey, we also landed with copious amounts of supplies, so hoopefully our disabled and wounded men should soon be put into shape and ready to push inland!
I can only see robs forces getting weaker now, as i have reinforced my Carrier forces, with Hiryu and Akagi making sail from Tokyo, and meating up with the other 3 KB carriers.
5 KB carriers should be sufficient to see off any USN counterattack, and if not the Zuikaku should be able to join in a couple of weeks at worst, due to the nonstop work of our repairyards!
With this in mind, my forces will only grow stronger, and with robs RCT defending the place only getting weaker, being cut off, and constantly bombarded, the dynamics of the battle have changed though with these dissapointing landings, its no longer a smash and grab, but a protracted island campaign/Decisive battle, which has its advantages, as i would love to crush the USN a second time before its ready to compete with the Kido Butai carriers, and further setback any serious allied counterattack even more!
Should rob be encouraged by the poor landings and seek to intervene we will crush him a second time.
The Situation, with arrows and stuff
Reserves are also being called up, two Enginner regiments, 1st Tank Regiment and the 53rd Division originally headed for the Burmese front, and just sailing north of Luzon, has been ordered to turn around and head for the island, whilst i wouldnt mind the battle dragging on a bit, i do actually want to take the island by Summer rolls around. [:D]
Some small naval guard units that have been prepping for Attu for quite a while when i originally planned to take the place, at Parishmo Jima will also join the fray.
More reinforcements for the neval forces also, as the Mutsu,Hyuga, Maya, Chokai and Mogami sail from Kwaj headeded NW to avoid subs/Carriers and aide the two current bombardment taskforces in taming the RCT units.
I've also been playing the psychological game and trying to convince my hand at Attu is better than it actually is.
Maybe when you let me sink your new Carriers, then ill forget about
that victory
Ive got it down as the Essex, Hornet and Wasp? oh yes, and the long
island! Better call off the invasion
Im sure youll find a way to hassle me, i suspect indirectly...
To which he replied...
oh and lots of CVE's that dont fly
.. And i have a suprise for you shortly .. hehe .. given the weather in the north i havnt yet seen a CV plane fly here but im convinced you are not doing this without air cover of some sort, So it seems im correct in me guessing his carrier strength, and that he has a suprise for me, so somesort of invasion/raid on my outer defense line, theres been a lot of convoys tooing and froing near Luganville/Noumea, and a sub parted off Lunga a couple of turns here, but my Betties constatly spot his taskforces, so i would see somthing coming in this region, and he knows that...so where is he going to suprise me, i tried to influence his choice with the following..
Hmm a suprise, im guessing Baker, not gonna lie to you its in a awful
state....helpess to defend it on the ground, hopefully my naval
presance will deter you till you have more Essexes.
I suppose all will come clear to me in the next few weeks/months..
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
14 - 15th February 1943
Another eventful turn in the grand scheme of things, not very good news for the Japanese apart from a lucky sub intercept...
An Air raid towards Andaman, was massively understrength, the two Zero squadrons i sent to escort only sent 6-7 aircraft to escort, and the cap of 39 P-40Es downed plenty of Zeros over the two days, and the Lilys failed to hit the airfield, maybe a tokyo express style raid when ive got some free surface forces would help and disuade him from placing more and more bombers here.
Continuing the bad news Beautforts flown in from Dutch Harbour or Adak, managed to launch attacks even through Blizzard weather conditions, and and Ise Bombardment TF getting 45 runway hits, and managed to hit the Kongo with a torp, was fortunate the squadron didnt hit the Ise, anti air crews of that taskforce earned their keep today. Kongos fine and should make it back to Efortu fine, and be able to return to battle in a week or so, 13 system damage, and a single digit flood.
Ending the bad news, the Crew of I-I58 managed to sight and evade a HUGE USN taskforce sailing west towards Brisbane, and the asw force was an escort group, featuring a CLAA also, so must be somthing valuable, sighting reports indictate, CVS, BBS, CAs etc, so this looks like his 'suprise, wheres it heading? Thats anyones guess, obviously not bothered about the invasion of Attu, and as i guessed hell probably be using this taskforce to raid or invade my perimeter, definately headed to Brisbane so...Solomans/PNG is my initial guess, or he could just be refueling for a trip around the South of Aus, to hit South DEI or Bay of Bengal?
I pulled out some airgroups from Lunga, and put them in Lae/Gili Gili, and put them on naval attack, and will bring in some more base forces for PNG, i reckon this is his entire Carrier force. So its solved one of my predictcaments that the Japanese had at Midway historically, which this battle was beginning to feel like, i know where his Carrier forces are definately, and i can swap the torpedos on my Kates to Bombs, and order a Airfield attack to stop this Beautfort threat, his two USN base forces at the place will make it hard to shut it, but now i can commit the KB to the task it should be easier.
The I-I58 will now also head West and stalk the CV taskforce, and hopefully catch if it heads South of North from Brisbane, 3-4 subs from other areas are being sent off the West coast of PM to resist invasion.
More fuel is being loaded up in the Home islands to increase the stockpile available at Efortu Jima, as the KB force along with the Surface forces will need to be refueled in the coming days.
This Carrier sighting by the I-I58 is great news! and if the crew survives this mission, they will be celebrated and rewarded for this intelligence coup, hopefully we can use this intel to crush the US Carrier forces for a second time!
Im tempted to pull out the Kido Butai from the Attu invasion, as now its obvious Rob doesnt want to commit his Carriers here, and kind of put it on hold, or continue the invasion without Major Carrier support.
And hopefully Rob will stay unaware ive sighted him, and it should come as a massive suprise to him when the KB appears in the Coral sea to intercept his invasion, or should i just continue and ensure Attu falls and hope my increased LBA can hold off invasion, until the KB is realised....Decisions...
Another eventful turn in the grand scheme of things, not very good news for the Japanese apart from a lucky sub intercept...
An Air raid towards Andaman, was massively understrength, the two Zero squadrons i sent to escort only sent 6-7 aircraft to escort, and the cap of 39 P-40Es downed plenty of Zeros over the two days, and the Lilys failed to hit the airfield, maybe a tokyo express style raid when ive got some free surface forces would help and disuade him from placing more and more bombers here.
Continuing the bad news Beautforts flown in from Dutch Harbour or Adak, managed to launch attacks even through Blizzard weather conditions, and and Ise Bombardment TF getting 45 runway hits, and managed to hit the Kongo with a torp, was fortunate the squadron didnt hit the Ise, anti air crews of that taskforce earned their keep today. Kongos fine and should make it back to Efortu fine, and be able to return to battle in a week or so, 13 system damage, and a single digit flood.
Ending the bad news, the Crew of I-I58 managed to sight and evade a HUGE USN taskforce sailing west towards Brisbane, and the asw force was an escort group, featuring a CLAA also, so must be somthing valuable, sighting reports indictate, CVS, BBS, CAs etc, so this looks like his 'suprise, wheres it heading? Thats anyones guess, obviously not bothered about the invasion of Attu, and as i guessed hell probably be using this taskforce to raid or invade my perimeter, definately headed to Brisbane so...Solomans/PNG is my initial guess, or he could just be refueling for a trip around the South of Aus, to hit South DEI or Bay of Bengal?
I pulled out some airgroups from Lunga, and put them in Lae/Gili Gili, and put them on naval attack, and will bring in some more base forces for PNG, i reckon this is his entire Carrier force. So its solved one of my predictcaments that the Japanese had at Midway historically, which this battle was beginning to feel like, i know where his Carrier forces are definately, and i can swap the torpedos on my Kates to Bombs, and order a Airfield attack to stop this Beautfort threat, his two USN base forces at the place will make it hard to shut it, but now i can commit the KB to the task it should be easier.
The I-I58 will now also head West and stalk the CV taskforce, and hopefully catch if it heads South of North from Brisbane, 3-4 subs from other areas are being sent off the West coast of PM to resist invasion.
More fuel is being loaded up in the Home islands to increase the stockpile available at Efortu Jima, as the KB force along with the Surface forces will need to be refueled in the coming days.
This Carrier sighting by the I-I58 is great news! and if the crew survives this mission, they will be celebrated and rewarded for this intelligence coup, hopefully we can use this intel to crush the US Carrier forces for a second time!
Im tempted to pull out the Kido Butai from the Attu invasion, as now its obvious Rob doesnt want to commit his Carriers here, and kind of put it on hold, or continue the invasion without Major Carrier support.
And hopefully Rob will stay unaware ive sighted him, and it should come as a massive suprise to him when the KB appears in the Coral sea to intercept his invasion, or should i just continue and ensure Attu falls and hope my increased LBA can hold off invasion, until the KB is realised....Decisions...
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Quick update before Radiohead are on the tele, so no images and not much glam.
16th - 17th February `1943
The Kido Butai's Airfield attack was very efficient, one Kate and two Vals where lost, but 45 runway hits, and a handful of planes where destroyed, no strikes from the island at all this turn, so they did thier job well.
Running a bit low of fuel though, so im stockpiling more of the stuff at Paramisho and Efortu Jima, will probably have to retire next turn once the 23rd Engineer rgt is finished unloading, and put my 'second wave' on hold until they're ready to roll again.
Oh yeah and Hiryu/Akagi joined the strike force as well, so i now have enough force to divide it, these two carriers will stay on naval strike incase rob tries anything sneaky, whilst Shokaku/Kaga/Soryu will remain on Airfield, maybe Port attack to attrit his supplies.
No news eslewhere, we continu to rearrange and 'fix' the Burmese front...
Hmm still got 15 mins, so ill update our most recent turn.
18 - 19th February 1943
Rob heeded my advice and invaded Baker once again from the air, the 3rd Para Battilion dived down on the place, perfectly with all the troops landing in a 100 ft radius to ensure none of them drowned in the pacific [8|][:'(]
First assualt gained 1-1 odds, and the second 0-1, the three naval guard units are now reudced to 8 assualt points, i say the three naval guard units, in reality two of them have zero assualt points, and one lucky unit has 8. Probably the first invasion of a paicifc island in this game where the forces are ridiculously overstacked [:D]
Not much i can do it rob drops more troops in (if he can) or launched a amphibious operation, not for the next few days at least, Aps dropping off a base force at Makin, will divert to Tarawa, and try and deliver a fresh naval guard unit, to repel and destroy the invaders!
And the CV Hiyo TF has sortied from Kwaj and will sit NW of the island and try to harrass any amphib invasions, as will a small surface/bombardment group ive mustered together, 2 Cruisers and 6 Destroyers will try and acheive the same goal. But those 8 assualt points will have to hang on for another few turns, or ill have to hope if he does take the place he doesnt reinforce it, so that naval guard unit from Tarawa will be beefy enough to retake the place for the 2nd time in this war.
The KB retired as expected back to Efortu, and the rest of the invasion fleet has been put on hold until the KB is ready to cover them again.
Japanese forces on Attu are up to 210, so this second wave should be enough to finish them.. i hope.
Oh yes, and it China m finally been able to assualt some of his encirled troops NE of Yenen, and started to reduced them, even though we have similar assault points i continued to deliberate atack, as he doesnt have the supplies to replace his losses, and i do, be nice to destroy some Chinese forces and maybe gain the upper hand here, a sallying out force did arrive from the roads, looking to push the Tank Division blocking the encirled chinese, off the road but theyre marching the other way :S, not sure what hes up to there.
Sorry its so messy, ill edit and make it pretty later, Radiohead calls!!
16th - 17th February `1943
The Kido Butai's Airfield attack was very efficient, one Kate and two Vals where lost, but 45 runway hits, and a handful of planes where destroyed, no strikes from the island at all this turn, so they did thier job well.
Running a bit low of fuel though, so im stockpiling more of the stuff at Paramisho and Efortu Jima, will probably have to retire next turn once the 23rd Engineer rgt is finished unloading, and put my 'second wave' on hold until they're ready to roll again.
Oh yeah and Hiryu/Akagi joined the strike force as well, so i now have enough force to divide it, these two carriers will stay on naval strike incase rob tries anything sneaky, whilst Shokaku/Kaga/Soryu will remain on Airfield, maybe Port attack to attrit his supplies.
No news eslewhere, we continu to rearrange and 'fix' the Burmese front...
Hmm still got 15 mins, so ill update our most recent turn.
18 - 19th February 1943
Rob heeded my advice and invaded Baker once again from the air, the 3rd Para Battilion dived down on the place, perfectly with all the troops landing in a 100 ft radius to ensure none of them drowned in the pacific [8|][:'(]
First assualt gained 1-1 odds, and the second 0-1, the three naval guard units are now reudced to 8 assualt points, i say the three naval guard units, in reality two of them have zero assualt points, and one lucky unit has 8. Probably the first invasion of a paicifc island in this game where the forces are ridiculously overstacked [:D]
Not much i can do it rob drops more troops in (if he can) or launched a amphibious operation, not for the next few days at least, Aps dropping off a base force at Makin, will divert to Tarawa, and try and deliver a fresh naval guard unit, to repel and destroy the invaders!
And the CV Hiyo TF has sortied from Kwaj and will sit NW of the island and try to harrass any amphib invasions, as will a small surface/bombardment group ive mustered together, 2 Cruisers and 6 Destroyers will try and acheive the same goal. But those 8 assualt points will have to hang on for another few turns, or ill have to hope if he does take the place he doesnt reinforce it, so that naval guard unit from Tarawa will be beefy enough to retake the place for the 2nd time in this war.
The KB retired as expected back to Efortu, and the rest of the invasion fleet has been put on hold until the KB is ready to cover them again.
Japanese forces on Attu are up to 210, so this second wave should be enough to finish them.. i hope.
Oh yes, and it China m finally been able to assualt some of his encirled troops NE of Yenen, and started to reduced them, even though we have similar assault points i continued to deliberate atack, as he doesnt have the supplies to replace his losses, and i do, be nice to destroy some Chinese forces and maybe gain the upper hand here, a sallying out force did arrive from the roads, looking to push the Tank Division blocking the encirled chinese, off the road but theyre marching the other way :S, not sure what hes up to there.
Sorry its so messy, ill edit and make it pretty later, Radiohead calls!!
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
20th - 21st February 1943
Rob landed a raider batillion to support his paras that could only manage a stalemate, the speed of thier landings makes it obvious it was planned this way, he captured the base, but a token force of Japanese holdouts will attempt to hold on.
The 1st Guards are being loaded up onto transports at Tarawa, at around two hundered and somthing assault points it should be beefy enough to eject his forces from baker, hopefully, better than a naval guard unit anyway.
The I-I58 sunk a few miles off the coast of Brisbane, the crew wil l be honoured in a state funeral to be held in Kyoto.
Rob landed a raider batillion to support his paras that could only manage a stalemate, the speed of thier landings makes it obvious it was planned this way, he captured the base, but a token force of Japanese holdouts will attempt to hold on.
The 1st Guards are being loaded up onto transports at Tarawa, at around two hundered and somthing assault points it should be beefy enough to eject his forces from baker, hopefully, better than a naval guard unit anyway.
The I-I58 sunk a few miles off the coast of Brisbane, the crew wil l be honoured in a state funeral to be held in Kyoto.
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
22nd - 23rd February 1943
The holdouts at Baker where destroyed this turn, three naval guard units gone for good, hopefully they're loss will have not been in vain, and we can cripple the Allied invaders and possibly drive them from Baker once again.
After finding my Bettys where on ground/supply missions all last turn, i turnt them to naval attack, no strikes on the 22nd due to bad weather, but on the 23rd dozens of Bettys and Nells hit the Allied invasion fleet, hitting a Destroyer and several Ak's, the 'Mini KB' taskforce also moved into position on the 23rd and achieved the same result.
The Cruiser taskforce should charge into the Allied fleet next turn on the 25th, Banzai Brave Warriors!
Battleships and Cruisers based at Rabaul sailed out due for Kwajalien to help the resisitance.
Ive decided to defend what ive got left of Burma at the rail crossroads, little chance of being encircled h ere, espically if i leave a division and a bit on the rail hex to the West of it, hopefully we can hold here for a few months....
The 16th Division will hold that hex outside Rangoon, as it would probably be the only place rob could try and encircle me realistically in my new defensive position, forts are also being built up at Raheng and Moulmien, for a future defensive line along the Salween river. Actually i probably base them in the Jungle hex , to the NE of that hex, as if rob contested the hex i pointed out, it would still cut off supplies.
The Kido Butai has refueled fully at Efortu, and is sailing again, the rest of the fleet and transports will do the same next turn, and Attu should fall! Then KB can dash south and crush the Allies at Baker, or perhaps the suspected USN, which i now suspect to be at Townsville, a large taskforce was sighted headed Northwest in the Townsville hex, and during the orders phrase the dock icon was a deep green, could have just been a normal transport group...maybe not. Port Moresby braces itself...
Oh yes and before i forget, the 1st Guards loaded from Tarawa, where already sailing towards Baker, but..with no supplies, dont remember telling them to do so, theyre being sent back to Tarawa to take some supplies with them! [:o]
The holdouts at Baker where destroyed this turn, three naval guard units gone for good, hopefully they're loss will have not been in vain, and we can cripple the Allied invaders and possibly drive them from Baker once again.
After finding my Bettys where on ground/supply missions all last turn, i turnt them to naval attack, no strikes on the 22nd due to bad weather, but on the 23rd dozens of Bettys and Nells hit the Allied invasion fleet, hitting a Destroyer and several Ak's, the 'Mini KB' taskforce also moved into position on the 23rd and achieved the same result.
The Cruiser taskforce should charge into the Allied fleet next turn on the 25th, Banzai Brave Warriors!
Battleships and Cruisers based at Rabaul sailed out due for Kwajalien to help the resisitance.
Ive decided to defend what ive got left of Burma at the rail crossroads, little chance of being encircled h ere, espically if i leave a division and a bit on the rail hex to the West of it, hopefully we can hold here for a few months....
The 16th Division will hold that hex outside Rangoon, as it would probably be the only place rob could try and encircle me realistically in my new defensive position, forts are also being built up at Raheng and Moulmien, for a future defensive line along the Salween river. Actually i probably base them in the Jungle hex , to the NE of that hex, as if rob contested the hex i pointed out, it would still cut off supplies.
The Kido Butai has refueled fully at Efortu, and is sailing again, the rest of the fleet and transports will do the same next turn, and Attu should fall! Then KB can dash south and crush the Allies at Baker, or perhaps the suspected USN, which i now suspect to be at Townsville, a large taskforce was sighted headed Northwest in the Townsville hex, and during the orders phrase the dock icon was a deep green, could have just been a normal transport group...maybe not. Port Moresby braces itself...
Oh yes and before i forget, the 1st Guards loaded from Tarawa, where already sailing towards Baker, but..with no supplies, dont remember telling them to do so, theyre being sent back to Tarawa to take some supplies with them! [:o]
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
Intresting AAR when you read both sides of the story. Btw have you now cancelled the planned invasion of Midway?
RE: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1943-1946 LilJoe v Rob
KB will head to the Baker battle if it is still ongoing, so Midway is on hold...if my subs can keep tracks on what i suspect to be his Carrier force, then it will go ahead most prob, if Baker battle drags on and his Carriers dissapear, its not really worth it.
At Attu i also hoped to draw his fleet into battle, right on the doorstep of all my major ports in Japan, Midway wont be the same and he will have the advantage of having a major port closer to the battle, losing carriers to slightly lessen his sub threat is not worth it.
Its funny last time he invaded Baker around about..August/September i was nearly ready to begin a campaign to capture the whole of the North Pacific, including Dutch Harbour, to be a base that the KB could refuel and raid West coast, he has a nack of hitting me when im about to hit him.
Robs just admitted his transports where set to do not unload, so he has more troops waiting to unload outside the island, if he choses to hold, the Cruiser Taskforce will be presented with transports only escorted by Destroyers (i hope) half full of troops and supplies, Gonna run the turn now, should be interesting.
At Attu i also hoped to draw his fleet into battle, right on the doorstep of all my major ports in Japan, Midway wont be the same and he will have the advantage of having a major port closer to the battle, losing carriers to slightly lessen his sub threat is not worth it.
Its funny last time he invaded Baker around about..August/September i was nearly ready to begin a campaign to capture the whole of the North Pacific, including Dutch Harbour, to be a base that the KB could refuel and raid West coast, he has a nack of hitting me when im about to hit him.
Robs just admitted his transports where set to do not unload, so he has more troops waiting to unload outside the island, if he choses to hold, the Cruiser Taskforce will be presented with transports only escorted by Destroyers (i hope) half full of troops and supplies, Gonna run the turn now, should be interesting.