Aussie Affair, Beta's Twilight

[Luskan]

With the beta testing getting closer and closer to an end (and Raver and I itching to play a more up to date game) we have restarted with the latest, greatest build of WITP.

All the new art looks fantastic, the map is great and the new scenario data is exciting, so we couldn't really continue with our other game (although there were certainly no big bugs back then!).

With the restart, instead of just hammering Raver on turn 1 we put in a house rule that a: jap player does not port attack on turn 1, and b: allied player is surprised on turn 1 and is not allowed to enter any orders except to existing tfs (so no creating tfs and moving ships from port).

I have been lucky again at pearl, sinking the West Virginia, Nevada and Colorado outright (two of which were blown to hell with magazine explosions and all three are listed as sunk by 800kg bombs for you torp haters out there). I certainly crippled every other BB and a large list of smaller warships for the loss of 26 aircraft to flak. However on turn one my airfield attacks were mixed. My bombers hit a few malayan bases for little to no gain, and hit the airfield at singapore - again for little or no gain, although my zeros did enjoy shooting down buffaloes.
At least my raids on Clark were as devastating as the raid at pearl - which netted me 146 of Raver's aircraft destroyed on the ground alone.

On the morning of December 7th, my troops arrived simulataneously at the following locations Kendari (fell the next day), Lingayen, Aparri, Vigan, Laong, Hota Bharu, Brunei (fell the next day), Miri (fell the next day) Guam (also fell) and Rabaul. I expect to have all of these locations under my control, flying my aircraft and unloading my numerous armies by the next turn.

Raver's subs have sunk a transport and a MSW already - while mine have hit a british dd, an AS, and a near miss on one of the Repulse's escorts as she and the POW escaped up the Malacca strait.

I caught three of Raver's transports at anchor at Kendari and they were scuttled, while Rave'rs fast moving PTs got in a smacked up a nearly unescorted invasion convoy - sinking one (empty) ap and damaging two others.

With my planes already at Kendari and Brunei, engineers already repairing airfields and cleaning up the damage etc., my blockade of the SRA's eastern edge is far more complete than it was last game.

The plan: the Phillipines cost me far too much time and agony last game. This time around I'm going for overkill here, while in Malaya my more modest troop deployment will try to take as much as possible as fast as possible in order to pin down those bloody aussie troops that must not survive to reach Burma.

In China, a massive pre ar reorganisation has almost completed, with HQs and divisions moving into excellent positions for the upcoming battles. I am far more mobile than my chinese opponents and I will wait and see what happens with my opening gambit at Yenen (not a very big one) as far as Raver's response goes. Also extra attention at Nanchang and Hanoi this time around.

With Brunei's oil already mine (faster than last game even) my top priority in the area will be a plethora of ASW planes.

[Zeta16]

Why is the Colarado in Pearl, wasn't she on the West Coast when the war starts.

[Luskan]

beg pardon - california? Colorado is indeed on the west coast. I can't remember - some silly US BB beginning with C.

[Capt. Harlock]

beg pardon - california? Colorado is indeed on the west coast. I can't remember - some silly US BB beginning with C.

It makes a bit of a difference: Colorado had 16" guns and California had 14-inchers. (Granted, there were more of them.)

There may be one weakness in the OOB: I would like to see the possibility of an effective air defense at Clark. The historical Japanese success was actually a major piece of luck. There was an operating radar station there, but the communication chain was literally out to lunch. Also, many planes were caught on the ground not by surprise but in the process of refueling. The US fighters had been scrambled, but the Japanese strike was late by exactly the right margin.

[Hornblower]

Right. or how about letting MG Brereton have his way, and not be over-ruled my Mac and sending the b-17's against formosa, while the IJN was still sitting on the runway?[&:]

[Subchaser]

ORIGINAL: Luskan

All the new art looks fantastic,

uhh… art? What kind of art? I thought we’ve already seen all that new art, samples I mean ?

[Luskan]

New art in this game (we started our previous game before the new art etc. Have tested other games with the new art, just not vs raver).

The game continues as I continue to learn from my mistakes. All the bases I noted above fell except Rabaul, Davao, Khota Bharu and they will fall soon enough. I now know I needed more troops to ensure my victory in two turns in future.

Also - my sub net has hammered another transport under the waves - proof that I'm finally doing the right thing on that account. I have had three subs badly crippled from encounters with enemy surface ships however, and we're only three days in!

Hong Kong hasn't fallen yet - but chinese troops nicely gathered at Changsha and Yenen are getting hammered each turn. Raver's b17s are scoring a few too many hits on transports - but I'm happy for them to be around - they're easier to kill that way.

Nells and zeros sit happily at Kendari and at Brunei, neatly cutting the SRA in half. I expect Raver's PTs to have another go at my landings in the PI this turn. Best of luck to them.

[Luskan]

Again, my new sub net is brilliant.

This turn 3 stupid idiotic allied minelayers risked the narrow sub filled malacca straight and got blown to hell by some of my nells and two of my iboats. I don't think they had a chance to lay their damned mines (at singapore no doubt).

This turn one of my little cv groups caught the Houston and put two torps into her (and my nells at Kendari have hit a few fleeing allied transports). Things going well there.

Unfortunately, my two tank divisions got into Tugeragao early and got smacked backwards. Oh well - the big division is on the way in any case (several big divisions in fact).

In china - disappointing news. Raver isn't nearly as dumb as I thought. He's bailed out of Changsa - his central (and biggest) army left a rearguard to hold me up (not by much!) and have pulled out. The danger of him withdrawing those troops (to the chinese industrial heartland, or worse, to protect his southern chinese flank and burma) is that if he does so, my recon units will ahve difficulty keeping track of his armies until they're on top of me.

[wobbly]

Alright guys, excellent to see you at it again. Personnally I have read every AAR you two have done. You're special blend of tactics and more importantly: niggle, gives each of them an awesome readability. As far as beta testers go I am certain you can hold your own, but in selling the game, nothing Matrix has done can compare to the 'appetite whetting' your AARs instill. You deserve special mention and I hope you continue to entertain even after the game has gone gold.
Fantastic! [&o] [&o]

[Raverdave]

I have come up with a new tactic in China and have called it RUN[:D] After getting slapped time and time again in China i have now decided to let Luskan come after me and attck me at a place of my choice. A few months of gaming will see if this is a valid tactic or not. I have some big plans for China and am sure that Luskan is going to come very much un-stuck!

The ABDA in conjuction with the British at Singapore launched a mine laying operation in the Straits of Malacca only to run into a couple of subs, the result was that majority of my minelaying force has now been gutted[:(] ( I have lost three out of a Dutch force of four ships all in one day)

I must admit that the speed with which banananana boy has moved on Kendari (DEI) and Rabal really shocked me. Here we are three days after 7th of Dec and he is already operating aircraft from his new base in Kendari and this is causing me some pain as i would normally use this route for ships escaping from the PI. To make matters worse he has a CVL sitting there launching against my fleeing ships with little that I can do about it.

I expect that malaya will play out as before with it falling by the end of Jan'42, which i am not really that fussed by. My major concern is to hold Burma as Burma is not only the key to China but also India. To hold Burma I have to move fast both supplies and troops, as i know that Luskan will sooon be steaming his CVEs into the Bay of Bengal as soon as Singapore falls. Once his CVEs arrive then I will have to use my rail links which work well, but do not go as far south into Burma as i would like, hence i am still forced to depend on my SLOC.

Things in the PI are looking as good as can be expected so far. I expect that Luskan is going to be bringing a bigger force to try and knock out the PI sooner, and as such I am taking steps against this with the rapid work being carried out at Clark (and Clark is the key to holding the PI IMHO) to build forts and trenches.

The CVs that hit PH didn't hang around and were not seen to head south, so i must suspect that Luskan (damn his black heart) has withdrawn them for future operations elsewhere. I much prefer to have all his CVs bombing something of mine because at least i then know where they are .

I'll try and get some screenies posted tonight (because banananaananana boy does not know how too[8|]).

[rroberson]

Awesome to see you two back at it....I truly love your AARs...now get those screenies up sailor! [8D]

[Luskan]

The fouth ML met some nells and kates last turn and got blown to hell. Nice move Raver.
Also, I caught 3 aks at tarakan and my subs blew the kanimbla (at batavia) to hell, smacked the Chikasaw city (great name . . . not) off the LA coast and punched a hole in an AO sneaking out of manila. My subs are finally doing me some good.

This turn will see quite a few second wave troops landing around the place - in a surprise move that lunatic Raver attacked NORTH from malaya and invaded Songkhia - fortunately I have a big division on hand (irritating that their advance south has been held up while they comlpete unloading) to swat them back with. I am certain this is because Raver is yanking every combat unit he can get his hands on (maybe a HQ if he's smart - those eng units don't cost too much either) and is shipping them off to Burma and India - just like I would be doing in his shoes.

[Raverdave]

Thanks for the kind words guys....and as a reward here are some screenies[:D]

[Raverdave]

Here is the current map of the PI.

[Raverdave]

This is a look at the Strategic map, it shows all of my units and where Luskans units have either been seen or are known to be. Along the left had side of the map you can select which part of the theater you want the units to be high-lighted in. In this case I have all units selected.

[rhohltjr]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

There was an operating radar station there, but the communication chain was literally out to lunch.

??? Actually the communication chain with the famous "Opana" radar site probably hadn't had breakfast yet. [:)]

[Raverdave]

Things are not going all that well for Banananana boy in Rabal, last turn he lost 393 troops for 42 of mine.....this turn was better for him, but I still hold rabal........just. My new plan in China seems to be working well and I think that Luskan is going to be in for a very hard time this game.
Reinforcements are pouring into Burma so if Luskan decides to move north he will soon find a brickwall waiting for him.
I just lost an AP off the West coast of the US[X(]. This is the first time that Luskan has sent his subs that far west and has caught me off balance. Yank Air ASW sucks at this point of the game, so I believe that Luskan has a chance of causeing some havoc. I hear the the Germans are doing the same on the east coast[8|].

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/11/41

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Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 113
TF 113 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Kari

Japanese ground losses:
340 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 138,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
AK Chickasaw City, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,52

Japanese Ships
SS I-124

Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Khota Bharu, 24,45, firing at TF 113
TF 113 troops unloading over beach at Khota Bharu, 24,45


12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
292 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 47,44

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2
MSW W.18
MSW W.17
MSW W.10
MSW W.9
MSW W.8
MSW W.7

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Batavia at 19,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
AP Kanimba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-35A x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 2

no losses

no losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 26,39


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 27


no losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Buffalo I strafing at 100 feet
10 x Buffalo I strafing at 100 feet
2 x Buffalo I strafing at 100 feet
2 x Buffalo I strafing at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Martin 139 x 2

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Songkhia at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 8


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri
CL Sendai

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Songkhia at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Hudson I x 6


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Amagiri
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,70


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Hudson I x 5


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Atsuta Maru
AP Yamafuku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,68

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
B5N Kate x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
ML Gouden Leeuw, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 16

no losses

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 18

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
AK Sipirok
TK Angelina, Bomb hits 1
AK Siaoe, Bomb hits 1
AK Pasir, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 26
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3

no losses

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Sipirok, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pasir, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Siaoe

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,70


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,70


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,70


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
Hudson I x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Eiko Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Songkhia at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Awa Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 2
Buffalo I x 11
Blenheim IV x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Kashii

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,84

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

no losses

Allied Ships
MSW Penguin, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
TK Anastasia

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7422 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2252 troops, 15 guns, 1 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,37

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13661 troops, 165 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3055 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 205 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 39004 troops, 403 guns, 15 vehicles

Defending force 12896 troops, 101 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
441 casualties reported
Guns lost 17


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 64471 troops, 730 guns, 13 vehicles

Defending force 31452 troops, 179 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 34773 troops, 410 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6686 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10550 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 38600 troops, 389 guns, 14 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Khota Bharu

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3944 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 65745 troops, 643 guns, 13 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Songkhia

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2977 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19171 troops, 262 guns, 7 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 685 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12557 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2821 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 18361 troops, 122 guns, 17 vehicles

[Stavka_lite]

Thanks for the screeenies and the AARs! unfortuantely they are just adding to the torture of waiting[:D]

Looks like you two are having fun bashing each other's brains in

[Onime No Kyo]

Hey guys,

I'm a little late picking up this string. First of all, allow me to add myself to the long list of people who are happy to see you two at it again. You guys are great. [&o]

Now, a few questions. First of all, Luskan, I seem to remember that you had a sigificant amount of forces uncommited in the last game and free to be deployed at leisure. Is there any reason that is preventing you from extending the line of advance a bit and hitting Moresby earlier on? Is it that in the last game these forces were supposed to be in PI or is there significant air opposition to the invasion. IMHO it would be worth to forgo some opps in the SRA to hit Moresby early, before the Allies can regain a measure of ballance as they had prior to Coral Sea.

And one for Raver. There was something I seem to recall, more of a sentiment than concrete data really, from reading something by historian Evan Pugh. He seems to be of the opinion that the Indians around the area of Khota Bharu were more than powerful enough to give the Japanese a strong pause, at least until more powerful formations could make their way down from Saigon. The only thing that kept them from excersising proper operational speed was the lethargy of the command structure. Is there a way or organizing any resistance in the area and hitting Luskan as his little yellow people are still knee-deep in water? I figgure you will lose those forces in any event, might as well make them count.

[Raverdave]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Hey guys,

I'm a little late picking up this string. First of all, allow me to add myself to the long list of people who are happy to see you two at it again. You guys are great. [&o]

Now, a few questions. First of all, Luskan, I seem to remember that you had a sigificant amount of forces uncommited in the last game and free to be deployed at leisure. Is there any reason that is preventing you from extending the line of advance a bit and hitting Moresby earlier on? Is it that in the last game these forces were supposed to be in PI or is there significant air opposition to the invasion. IMHO it would be worth to forgo some opps in the SRA to hit Moresby early, before the Allies can regain a measure of ballance as they had prior to Coral Sea.

And one for Raver. There was something I seem to recall, more of a sentiment than concrete data really, from reading something by historian Evan Pugh. He seems to be of the opinion that the Indians around the area of Khota Bharu were more than powerful enough to give the Japanese a strong pause, at least until more powerful formations could make their way down from Saigon. The only thing that kept them from excersising proper operational speed was the lethargy of the command structure. Is there a way or organizing any resistance in the area and hitting Luskan as his little yellow people are still knee-deep in water? I figgure you will lose those forces in any event, might as well make them count.

Regardless of what could have been done "Historically" both Luskan and I choose to play a non historic first turn so your question in regards to what the units can do at so and so are somewhat moot as Luskan always sends more forces to Malaya. The IJN take some big hits when wading ashore as it is, and I have seen them loose as many as 800 men in a single landing....it really depends what is waiting for them in the sand dunes as to what type of damage the IJN takes landing........but you will always have losses when landing.

Luskan is having a bit of a problem with his program at the moment, due to the countless upgrades that we have done. So we are in a small holding patten atm. Please stay turned for more action soon.