Tankerace
Posts: 6400
Joined: 3/21/2003 From: Stillwater, OK, United States Status: offline
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Erik wanted me to do this to generate interest, but I don't think I really need to. This AAR will show what is in WPO, how things are set up, and most importantly, what not to do using the PI as an example. Sir, yesterday on May 30, the Japanese government officially broke relations with the United States. Today, their ambassador has delivered what amounts to a declaration of war. Intelligence informs us that the Japanese will attempt to invade the Philippines. It is imperative that you hold out as long as possible. Forces in the Philippines: Philippine Division – includes an overstrength Philippine Regiment, and the 31st United States Infantry. Total combat troops – about 1400 Filipino troops and 1200 US troops, with about 7,000 support troops. 1st Battalion, 15th US Infantry – 408 Combat troops, and about 600 support troops. 88th Field Artillery Regiment composed of 75mm Guns M1897s. 86th Field Artillery Battalion composed of 155mm Guns M1918A1s. 45th and 57th Philippine Scout Regiments, each with 800 infantry and 2800 support troops. 26th Philippine Scout Cavalry Regiment, with 791 Cavalrymen and 2700 support troops. In addition, there are 4 base forces, 2 aviation units, and 2 forts. On Mindanao, there is a divisional sized unit of Philippine Scouts that are badly equipped third rate troops. The American troops are untrained, but have superb equipment. The Philippine troops, by and large, have no training, old equipment, and poor leadership. Naval strength in the Philippines consists of 10 old Philippine Gunboats, 3 large American gunboats, one old monitor, 2 armored cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 14 destroyers, 11 submarines, 2 minesweepers, 2 destroyer minelayers, 4 minesweepers, and various auxiliary craft. There are no aircraft present, though an airfield has been constructed as squadrons were due to ship out next month. Our plan of action: Fortify and hold North of Manila, falling back to Manila and finally Bataan when we must. Quality US units will be evacuated if possible should the need arise. The navy will sortie immediately, with a subscreen covering the North of Luzon, and a cruiser destroyer force to interdict any possible landings. Also, a force composing my 2 DMs and 2 DDs will lay mines in Lingayen Gulf, as a defense measure. Covering them will be the cruisers and a destroyer force. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/31/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Batan Island, at 47,47 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Yanagi DD Hinoki, Shell hits 2 DD Kashi, Shell hits 1 DD Momo, Shell hits 1 CA Idzumo, Shell hits 1 CA Aso, Shell hits 1 CA Adzuma, Shell hits 1 CA Nisshin CA Kasuga Allied ground losses: 258 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Port hits 1 Port fuel hits 1 Japanese blast Batan Island. This force alone outnumbers, so I will not attempt to meet it head on. The end of the first day of war. Orders for June 2: All units proceed to deployment areas to meet Japanese threat. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/01/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 3 troops unloading over beach at Batan Island, 47,47 Japanese ground losses: 472 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 6 troops unloading over beach at Aparri, 46,49 Japanese ground losses: 1621 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 15 troops unloading over beach at Laoag, 45,49 Japanese ground losses: 840 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Batan Island Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 1636 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 1240 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 166 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Batan Island base !!! Japanese ground losses: 91 casualties reported Allied ground losses: 2065 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Batan has fallen, and the landings have begun. Am ordering the Philippine Division to Clark Field, and sending the cruiser force to engage the enemy at Aparri. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/02/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 6 troops unloading over beach at Aparri, 46,49 Japanese ground losses: 890 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 15 troops unloading over beach at Laoag, 45,49 Japanese ground losses: 121 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 46,48 Japanese Ships CA Idzumo DD Yanagi DD Hinoki DD Kashi DD Momo Allied Ships SS S-2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 46,48 Japanese Ships CA Idzumo DD Yanagi DD Hinoki DD Kashi DD Momo Allied Ships SS S-2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Rabaul, at 61,88 Japanese Ships DD Kaya DD Momi DD Maki DD Keyaki CA Yakumo CA Tokiwa CA Asama CA Iwate Allied ground losses: 7 casualties reported Port hits 2 Port fuel hits 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 2 troops unloading over beach at Vigan, 44,49 Japanese ground losses: 1827 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 6 troops unloading over beach at Aparri, 46,49 Japanese ground losses: 531 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 15 troops unloading over beach at Laoag, 45,49 Japanese ground losses: 108 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Aparri at 46,49 Japanese Ships DD Enoki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Nara, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage DD Tsubaki, Shell hits 22, and is sunk DD Kuwa, Shell hits 2 AK Johore Maru AP Jouban Maru AP Ueizuru Maru AP Uji Maru AP Ujigawa Maru AP Ume Maru AP Unkai Maru #3 AP Unkai Maru #6 AK Unyo Maru AK Unyo Maru #2 AP Ural Maru AK Ussuri Maru AK Utide Maru AK Uyo Maru AP Victoria Maru AK Wales Maru AK Yae Maru AK Yahiko Maru AK Yamabiko Maru AK Yamabuki Maru AP Yamafuku Maru AK Yamagiku Maru AK Yamagiri Maru AK Yamahagi Maru AK Yamahuku Maru AK Yamahuzi Maru AK Yamakaze Maru AP Yamakisan Maru AP Yamakuni Maru AK Yamasimo Maru AK Yamaura Maru AK Yamayuri Maru AK Yamazato Maru AK Yamazuki Maru AP Yasukuni Maru AP Yamura Maru AP Yawata Maru AK Yodogawa Maru AK Yoneyama Maru AP Yoshida Maru #3 AP Yoshino Maru AP Yoshinogawa Maru AK Yosida Maru #1 AK Yosida Maru #3 Allied Ships CA Huron, Shell hits 3 CA Rochester, Shell hits 3 CL New Orleans, Shell hits 1 CL Albany, Shell hits 8 DD Rathburne DD Dorsey, Shell hits 1 DD Southard DD Hovey, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Long DD Broome, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Alden, Shell hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Tuguegarao, 46,50 Japanese ground losses: 1340 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Aparri Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 7519 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 169 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri base !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Laoag Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 4303 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 221 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Laoag base !!! The Japanese are now ashore in force. 2 Japanese destroyers were crippled and one sunk, but the impact was negligible. The surface force will now move to Lingayen, to interdict troops there. Failed Submarine attack on 2 June First Naval Battle of the War AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/03/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 2 troops unloading over beach at Vigan, 44,49 Japanese ground losses: 1291 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Tuguegarao, 46,50 Japanese ground losses: 214 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 2 troops unloading over beach at Vigan, 44,49 Japanese ground losses: 415 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Tuguegarao, 46,50 Japanese ground losses: 33 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 44,49 Japanese Ships DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 5, and is sunk DD Hatsushimo, Shell hits 18, and is sunk DD Yugure, Shell hits 19, and is sunk DD Harukaze, Shell hits 20, and is sunk AK Ehime Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire AP Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire AP Eiko Maru AP Eli Maru, Shell hits 5 AK England Maru AP Enju Maru AK Erie Maru, Shell hits 1 AK Florida Maru AK France Maru AP Fusemi Maru, Shell hits 1 AP Genkai Maru AK Genoa Maru, Shell hits 2 AP Ginyo Maru AP Giyu Maru AK Glasgow Maru AP Gokoku Maru AP Gosei Maru AK Gosyu Maru AP Gotake Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AK Goyo Maru AP Gyoko Maru AP Haaburu Maru AK Hague Maru AP Haguro Maru AP Hakka Maru AK Hakkai Maru AK Hakodate Maru, Shell hits 1 AP Hakone Maru AK Hikosan Maru AK Hitati Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire AK Naruto Maru Allied Ships CA Huron, Shell hits 1 CA Rochester, Shell hits 3 CL New Orleans, Shell hits 4 CL Albany, Shell hits 1 DD Rathburne DD Dorsey DD Southard, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Hovey, on fire DD Long, Shell hits 2 DD Alden, Shell hits 1 Japanese ground losses: 162 casualties reported Vehicles lost 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50 Japanese Ships CA Kasuga CA Nisshin CA Adzuma CA Aso CA Idzumo DD Momo DD Kashi DD Hinoki DD Yanagi Allied Ships PG Elcano, Shell hits 22, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50 Japanese Ships CA Kasuga, Shell hits 1 CA Nisshin CA Adzuma, Shell hits 1 CA Aso, Shell hits 2 CA Idzumo, Shell hits 1 DD Momo, Shell hits 1 DD Kashi DD Hinoki DD Yanagi Allied Ships DM Hart, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DM Rizal, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Smith Thompson, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage DD Barker, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Guam, at 62,66 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses No Allied losses 20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Hishi, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Hasu, Shell hits 1 DD Warabi DD Tsuta, Shell hits 2 DD Ashi DD Nokaze, Shell hits 2, on fire CL Oi, Shell hits 1 CL Kitakami BC Haruna BC Kirishima BC Hiei BC Kongo Allied ground losses: 283 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 4 Port hits 4 Port fuel hits 1 Port supply hits 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Lingayen, at 44,50 Japanese Ships DD Yanagi DD Hinoki DD Kashi DD Momo CA Idzumo CA Aso CA Adzuma CA Nisshin CA Kasuga Runway hits 8 Port fuel hits 2 Port supply hits 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Vigan Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 7426 troops, 8 guns, 39 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 980 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese forces CAPTURE Vigan base !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Tuguegarao Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 7240 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 442 to 1 (fort level 3) Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao base !!! Several US ships are damaged, and several Japanese are sunk. Despite the fact that two landings have been turned back, the Japanese now have more than enough troops ashore to take Luzon. Will move the Philippine Division (plus 31st US Infantry) to attack enemy troops at Vigan. Will move the cruiser force to Lingayen to engage enemy cruisers. The cruisers attack another invasion TF. The gunboat Elcano, a Spanish American War vet, is turned into driftwood. My DM force is cut to pieces.... The cost of victory. NE Luzon is secure in enemy hands. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/04/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50 Japanese Ships AK Ehime Maru, on fire AP Eihuku Maru, on fire AP Eiko Maru AP Eli Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage AK England Maru AP Enju Maru AK Erie Maru AK Florida Maru AK France Maru AP Fusemi Maru AP Genkai Maru AK Genoa Maru AP Ginyo Maru AP Giyu Maru AK Glasgow Maru AP Gokoku Maru AP Gosei Maru AK Gosyu Maru AP Gotake Maru, on fire, heavy damage AK Goyo Maru AP Gyoko Maru AP Haaburu Maru AK Hague Maru AP Haguro Maru AP Hakka Maru, Shell hits 1 AK Hakkai Maru AK Hakodate Maru AP Hakone Maru AK Hikosan Maru AK Hitati Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk AK Naruto Maru Allied Ships CA Huron CA Rochester CL New Orleans CL Albany DD Rathburne DD Dorsey DD Southard DD Hovey, on fire DD Long DD Alden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coastal Guns at Davao, 41,61, firing at TF 4 TF 4 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 41,61 115 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Kaba, Shell hits 1 AK Heimei Maru, Shell hits 3 CL Tenryu DD Kashiwa AP Hawaii Maru, Shell hits 1 DD Katsura AP Hakusan Maru Japanese ground losses: 1108 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Allied ground losses: 10 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 7 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 44,55 Japanese ground losses: 1845 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat at 43,49 Japanese Ships AK Ehime Maru, on fire, heavy damage AP Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Eiko Maru AP Eli Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AK England Maru, Shell hits 3 AP Enju Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage AK Erie Maru AK Florida Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire AK France Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire AP Fusemi Maru AP Genkai Maru AK Genoa Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage AP Ginyo Maru AP Giyu Maru AK Glasgow Maru AP Gokoku Maru AP Gosei Maru, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage AK Gosyu Maru AP Gotake Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage AK Goyo Maru AP Gyoko Maru AP Haaburu Maru AK Hague Maru AP Haguro Maru, Shell hits 1 AP Hakka Maru AK Hakkai Maru AK Hakodate Maru, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage AP Hakone Maru, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage AK Hikosan Maru AK Naruto Maru Allied Ships CA Huron CA Rochester CL New Orleans, Shell hits 6 CL Albany DD Rathburne DD Dorsey DD Southard, on fire, heavy damage DD Long DD Alden Japanese ground losses: 63 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Davao Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 6104 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 7110 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese ground losses: 42 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Allied ground losses: 4 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Landings Continue on Luzon, and now troops come ashore in Mindanao. Meanwhile, US cruisers blast enemy transports. The cruisers attack another TF, but are finally suffering the effects of war. Enemy landings continure. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/05/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coastal Guns at Davao, 41,61, firing at TF 4 TF 4 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 41,61 208 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 3 CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1 DD Kaba, Shell hits 4 DD Katsura, Shell hits 3 DD Matsu, Shell hits 2 AP Hasuna Maru Japanese ground losses: 977 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 15 casualties reported Guns lost 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 7 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 44,55 Japanese ground losses: 1329 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 14 troops unloading over beach at Butuan, 43,60 Japanese ground losses: 2272 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coastal Guns at Davao, 41,61, firing at TF 4 TF 4 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 41,61 34 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese ground losses: 159 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 7 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 44,55 Japanese ground losses: 700 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Zamboanga, 39,59 Japanese ground losses: 169 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Legaspi Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 16214 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 Japanese assault odds: 280 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi base !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Davao Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 9290 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 7664 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles Allied ground losses: 15 casualties reported Guns lost 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Davao Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 6100 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 9290 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese ground losses: 31 casualties reported More landings in Luzon and Mindanao. Now, the Japanese have the ability to hit Manila from the flank. A giant pincer is in the making. The defeat is in the making..... AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/06/22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 14 troops unloading over beach at Butuan, 43,60 Japanese ground losses: 1661 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Zamboanga, 39,59 Japanese ground losses: 8 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Cotabato, 41,60 Japanese ground losses: 916 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 14 troops unloading over beach at Butuan, 43,60 Japanese ground losses: 642 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Aoi, Shell hits 2 DD Kiku, Shell hits 1 DD Yamakaze DD Umikaze, Shell hits 4, on fire CL Nagara, Shell hits 3 CL Tsugaru CL Tsushima, Shell hits 1 CL Niitaka, Shell hits 2 CL Tone, Shell hits 2 CL Chitose, Shell hits 2 BB Mutsu BB Nagato Allied ground losses: 149 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Port supply hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Lingayen Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 12556 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 10679 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: 487 casualties reported Guns lost 13 Allied ground losses: 57 casualties reported Guns lost 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Davao Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 9321 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 7705 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1 Japanese ground losses: 59 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Allied ground losses: 15 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Butuan Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 15505 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 486 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan base !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Zamboanga Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1128 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Zamboanga base !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Davao Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 6111 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 9208 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese ground losses: 20 casualties reported Guns lost 2 And now it gets even better. Japanese battleships blast Wake, so [even though this AAR focuses on the PI] that scratches off any Philippine relief expedition. Wake will have to be retaken first. The Philippine Division (including its 31st US Infantry - modeled separately), enroute to Vigan, encounter lead elements of the Japanese drive, and the battle of Lingayen begins. If you'll look at the map I beat off one TF before it could land its troops, but still I am outnumbered. And intel reports a second Japanese Division at Legaspi moving North, plus 2 or 3 Divisions in NE Luzon. There is no way I can hold Luzon. And this is vs the AI! Final placement at the beginning of June 7, 1922. Mindanao is all but lost, and if I mount an aggressive defense with the Philippine Division in Luzon, Manila will be hit from the south, with only 3 regiments to protect it. Ships sunk to date: So, I hope this AAR has shown that while WPO is the perfect PBEM game, the AI is still a fun playstyle. That said it can be broken if you play ahistorically (what AI can't?), but if you play in a conceivable manner, it will throw you a curve ball or two.
< Message edited by Tankerace -- 11/20/2005 9:39:09 AM >
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Designer of War Plan Orange Allied Naval OOBer of Admiral's Edition Naval Team Lead for War in the Med Author of Million-Dollar Barrage: American Field Artillery in the Great War coming soon from OU Press.
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