East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat

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East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - Allied ... - 4/18/2006 3:02:43 AM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

After the demise of our Dai Toa Senzo game, Gen. George Patton & I agreed to another. We're trying Nik's mod 5.02 on AB's map. Not a lot of house rules, but I think we're mostly comfortable with each other's playing styles. Turn 1 - I can move Force Z, otherwise no orders for the allies. I'm going to try to do the turn in less than a minute, just so I can say I have.

He won't chase after my CVs turn 1. I've agreed not to reinforce Burma with Chinese until after Rangoon falls. A couple others.

Just in case - PAT DON'T READ ANY FURTHER!

< Message edited by ctangus -- 4/18/2006 3:36:55 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 4/18/2006 3:58:12 AM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

FLASH - Dec 1st, 1942

LT CDR Rochefort informs COMCINCUS Admiral Chuck that Magic intercepts indicate the Japanese are preparing an invasion of Pearl Harbor & the Hawaiian islands. YIKES!

*moan* *soft whimper*

(The intelligence came from posts Pat made to the board & e-mails. I subtly tried to discourage it - mentioning the risks, how tough SRA would be later, etc. I didn't mention that of all the AARs I've looked at, AmiralLaurent's scares me the most!)

It could of course all be carefully laid disinformation to slow the buildup in So Pac, but it's certainly gotten my attention!

I do have at least two advantages:

1. Strategic surprise has been lost. (I know, or at least think I know, he's going for Hawaii.)
2. Since we're playing Nik's mod, it should be harder to close down my Hawaiian bases by air, and my LBA could have some luck against his CVs. Hopefully I can use that to strike his invasion TFs with LBA. Of course, that will work against me when I counter-attack should he take PH. I don't see a counter-attack possible until early-mid 43 at the earliest.

Planning staff bring out the contingency plan for this situation - War Plan Chartreuse:

1. There's no way in he11 I'll let PH go without a fight. All West Coast & No Pac transports will be used to get in supplies, reinforcements & more supplies. So Pac, etc., will be on their own (except for maybe some oil & fuel.) No conversions (I usually do only one or two until the 15 Jan reinforcements, anyways).
2. I need to hold at least two airfields in the area as long as possible. With 2, I can hopefully keep at least one operational, despite bombardments from air & sea. I'd prefer 3, but don't think that's possible. I think that once I'm down to 1 airfield, I'm really down to 0. I'll concentrate at Lahaina (already size 3, but 0 forts) rather than Hilo (size 1(6) with 3 forts).
3. Until Hawaii is decided, I won't try to hold any of So Pac but maybe New Caledonia & the Society Islands.
4. To take Hawaii, he'll have to weaken his efforts somewhere else. I'll do my best to make things difficult in whatever theater that turns out to be.
5. I'll try to muster forces to counter-attack somewhere as soon as he's committed. Indochina-Burma-Malaya-DEI-Rabaul. Somewhere in there.

I'll post a map later of what I intend to put where. Getting it there will be a problem - I'm sure I'll have a gauntlet of subs & CVs to run through, but I'll try. I might even send supplies from So Pac to Hawaii, with So Pac, SW Pac, Oz supplied from India.

Well, I'm concerned, but it should be fun!

*another soft whimper*

< Message edited by ctangus -- 4/18/2006 4:00:55 AM >

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 2

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/11/2006 1:30:51 AM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

Game on! (Pat was first busy with real life & then spent a while on turn 1.)

Dec 7, 1941

A nice sunny morning in Hawaii was interrupted by this:

Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
D3A Val x 126
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
P-26A x 5
P-36A Mohawk x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
D3A Val: 5 destroyed, 55 damaged
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed, 32 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
P-26A: 7 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 13 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 34 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 6 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 6 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 14 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 5 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 4
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DM Preble, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5
SS Dolphin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1
AK Manini, Torpedo hits 1
AO Neosho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Chew, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 202

Seeing all those torpedo hits had me worried, but the damage isn't too bad. Pic below. California has no damage whatsoever.

Elsewhere, in Cent Pac Tarawa was invaded and lost. Wake was invaded by a Naval Guard unit & managed to hold!

The forts did go down, though.

SW Pac saw Japanese landings at Kavieng & Gasmata and some base on New Guinea.

The day was more active in the DEI - landings at every N. Borneo base as well as Manado.

In the Phillipines, every base on Mindanao was invaded. Only the 4 northern bases on Luzon, however, and none of those forces appear to be of divisional strength. Clark Field resembles a stone age village after an earthquake. Paras landed at Puerta Princesca and AVD Heron was scuttled.

In Malaya, the Japanese opted to bomb Singapore (I agreed to the port attack if I could move Force Z out):

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 97
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 18 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Ballarat, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stronghold, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Only Ballarat sank. (She with Heron were the only 2 shipping losses today.) Mauritius is hurting, though.

On land, the only Malaya landing was at Kota Bharu - one Div, 2 Tank regiments and 2 Eng regiments. No shipping reported at Singora, either. Is that all he'll commit here?

Throughout the Far East allied bombers launched dozens of futile attacks on Japanese shipping - the only hit was on an AK accomplished by a PBY in Manila on naval search.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 3

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/11/2006 1:45:09 AM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

I'm still not sure if he's really going for Pearl (no useful Sigint), but the initial Luzon & Malaya landings are light. WAR PLAN CHARTREUSE will be implemented. (I'll post more on that when I have some more time.)

On an immediate basis the entire US Far Eastern Fleet, most of the Dutch and Force Z will attempt to interfere with half a dozen different landings. Aircraft will be dispersed & put to a variety of different uses.

I think I'll send Lex to interfere with the Wake landings & Enterprise towards Midway, with the hopes of looping around north & catching his replenishment TF. Both will be beyond KB's reach, but it could be a little risky - I don't know where Baby KB is. My gut feeling is that it's in the DEI for now, but I have nothing substantial to base that on. Wake too risky? Is he setting an ambush?

Every AK & AP on the west coast is tasked with running the gauntlet to bring supplies & reinforcements to Hawaii.

I have to say I'm looking forward to this game - I hope he does go for Hawaii. While the thought of losing Pearl makes me turn a bright yellowish green color

, it's bound to be exciting!

The full Dec 7th combat report is attached for anyone that's interested.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 4

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/16/2006 11:13:34 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

12/08/41

Busy day - it was a 56KB combat report - think it was the longest turn I've ever seen. This might be a little longer than my usual reports, but it was exciting.

The early morning hours started with Japanese landings continuing all over the map. Coastal guns exacted a little damage, but not enough to stop any of the landings. Total damage:

DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 1
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 7 This was at Wake Island - hopefully she's hurting.
AP Meisho Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Sagara Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 1

Then SS I-124 torpedoed and sank MSW Bittern, who was fleeing from Manila.

SS S-36, patrolling off Laoag, soon exacted revenge by putting two fish into AP Izumo Maru, loaded with troops.

All in all it was a productive day for the S-boats & Dutch subs. Even O20 got into the act while laying mines at Brunei. Here's the additional sub damage for the day:

AP Kaishi Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Sinks
AP Tenyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Yamagata Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tatsufuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Yagi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Sinks

During the night, a total of 11 separate surface engagements were fought all over the far east. Here's a few highlights:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 40,64

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo Missed Opportunity
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 27,56

Japanese Ships
AP Eihuku Maru
AP Hakka Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Hakubasan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Hikade Maru
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AP Meiten Maru
AP Meiu Maru
AK Sagara Maru
AP Sunten Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Teiun Maru
AK Tetsuzan Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AK Akagane Maru
AK Seitai Maru

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse
CL Danae
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Express

Who says surface combat TFs can't be effective against transports?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 39,59

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage Sinks
MSW Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PC Nichi Maru #1, Shell hits 1, on fire
PC Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AP Kiko Maru
AP Kimishima Maru
AK Macassar Maru

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage 21/57/11 damage and 480 miles away from safe harbor at Balikpapan. She also has to run by the Ryuju TF on her way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere, 2 Aussie DDs and later CL Tromp sink an AK off Sinkawing. The Marblehead TF sinks an AP and damages a DD and a couple other vessels near Tarakan (though DD Stewart sank and another was damaged). The Manila based DDs and later PTs sink and AK and damage a few more near Lingayen. Brit DDs strike at Laoag & sink a MSW. Finally Boise sinks a MSW and seriously damages an AP near Zamboanga.

In total 16 Japanese ships sank on the 8th - 14 by surface action (2 by sub).

A couple of the air engagements for the day. I'm still getting the feel of Nik's mod:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hong Kong , at 43,42

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5
Ki-51 Sonia x 12
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged All 3 kills were AA losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft Coming in unescorted
G3M Nell x 63
G4M1 Betty x 23

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 12 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The allied planes start to get some hits on merchant shipping. None of the following are reported sunk, but a couple a certainly hurting:

AP Gosei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage TIVas
AP Haisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Martins
AK Sagara Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire Martins
AP Huso Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire Vildebeests, troops on board
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, on fire Wirraways!
AK Nansin Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Vildebeests, troops on board

The good guys unfortunately did not have any luck against combat ships, despite launching maybe a dozen sorties. Two small raids of Martins went in against Ryujo - I was surprised to get the report that there was no CAP.

Fortunately the Japanese had no great luck in the air either. There are two CV TFs in the Celebes sea - one the Ryujo TF, the other not identified yet. Both launched Kates against fleeing merchantmen, but nothing hit.

KB itself is heading west and is now 60 miles SE of French Frigate Shoals. I'm not sure if he's just letting some damaged planes recover & plans to hit Pearl again, or if he's heading over to cover the anticipated landings at Midway.

Clark field was plastered again. Hong Kong, Khota Bharu, etc. were also bombed. Hickam, Ewa etc. remain heavily damaged but will support fighters now.

Force Z then managed a daytime intercept:

Day Time Surface Combat at 26,55

Japanese Ships
AP Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage Sinks
AK Hakubasan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakusika Maru
AP Hikade Maru, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiten Maru, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiu Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sagara Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teiun Maru
AK Akagane Maru
AK Seitai Maru

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse
CL Danae
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Express

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Also in the afternoon, a loaded Japanese AP hit a hastily laid mine at Tarakan.

Nothing unanticipated occurred on the ground. Japanese occupied the following bases: Jolo, Dagua, Wake Island base, Aparri, Roxas, Laoag, Lingayen, Ormoc, Tacloban, Cagayan, Gasmata, Guam, Miri, Zamboanga, Butuan, Dadjangas, Kavieng, Jesselton and Taytay (by paras). Forts came down at Vigan, Manado, Cotabato.

I'm still uncertain about the Hawaii invasion. One division has now been identified on Luzon. 20,000 Japanese have unloaded at Singora. Sigint isn't telling me anything.

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 5

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/16/2006 11:17:31 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

Here are my short & long term plans by theater. Suggestions welcome.

WEST COAST

I'm paying attention to the defenses here. Even if Pearl falls, I don't expect an invasion (I'd welcome it.) CV raids aren't out of the question though so I'm ensuring each port has a fighter group. A North Pac AA regiment is being shipped to Seattle so it has AA presence. SF will retain its two AA regiments for now. LA & SD keep one AA regiment each & send another to Lahaina.

Meanwhile I'm loading everything I can and rushing it to Hawaii. A few small AKs with supplies are going first, to get an idea of the sub presence. Major units all have escorts & two small ASW TFs have been formed. Some AOs are heading out to convenient locations to keep the ASW groups on station longer.

All West Coast bombers are flying naval search. The B-17 group broke into squadrons and is flying from Seattle, Portland & SF, so as to cover more territory. All non-restricted air units are loaded & heading to Hawaii.

Sara took on replacements and will ferry some Marine Buffalos to Hawaii, then join up with Lex. Speaking of Lex, she took on the F4F3s that were on Wake and will also ferry them. On 2nd thought, I think I'll use Sara to fly ASW cover for the 2nd Marine Div which will start loading at San Diego on the 8th (I had to get APs down there from SF) before she joins with Lex.

NORTH PAC

I'm stripping this a little for now. 2 of 4 RCTs & 2 of 6 base forces are heading to Hawaii. I intend to reinforce here heavily, however, once the initial Hawaiian garrison is in place - I can threaten his supply lines from there.

CENT PAC

Below shows the details of War Plan Chartreuse. Elements of the 25th Infantry Div are already on DMS fast transports to Johnston. I may do the same to immediately reinforce Hilo & Lahaina.

The order of priority for reinforcements, in case units are lost on the way, is Lahaina, Hilo, Kona, Lihu, Molokai. I want to keep the major AFs (or in Hilo's case, a base that can become a major AF) in my hands as long as possible, and at the same time ensure he has no unopposed landings anywhere.

North & South Pac HQs are pitching in in the emergency & helping plan the defenses of the area. The first of 2 corps HQs is heading to the area - next turn I'll have the PPs to release the other. With the other troops this will eventually give me a defensive equivalent of about 5 Divs at Lahaina (1 1/3 divs, x2 woods, x2 (almost) for the Corps/Command HQ combination. Pearl will have a defensive equivalent of 12 Divs. That's not taking into account the fortifications either.

I also might have some kind of battle line if he doesn't port attack Pearl again soon. California's at 0 Sys, Nevada at 17 & Arizona at 23.

I think I can hold, if I get my troops in place relatively unharmed, and also get a ton of supply in. I want to max Lahaina to its spoilage limit (about 150K) and get twice that into Pearl. I'll have all my AKs going full speed throughout mid-late January.

Some redeployments might take place once the mid-Jan reinforcements arrive. We shall see.

Some AKs were already sent from Pearl to the West Coast, the rest will go today. Some undamaged cruisers & destroyers will also leave, to give Sara & Lex more escorts (both only have one destroyer division in their TFs - they'll each get a second.)

Lexington is S of Johnston, heading SE to loop around & join up with Sara. Maybe a quick raid in the Gilberts? Enterprise is near Midway and will carefully go hunting for KB's replenishment TF.

SOUTH PAC

I'll be pulling everything to Noumea, Koumac, Efate where I can have mutually supporting AFs and not be too far away from NZ & Oz. There will also be a small presence in the Society Islands. If Pearl holds I'll expand towards Suva from here and to Canton, Fiji, etc. from Pearl.

A couple base forces will be left in place until I can get seaplane tenders there.

ANZO

Reinforcements are being sent to Perth & Darwin. I also plan to reinforce Port Moresby earlier than I usually do.

Also, however, I'm thinking of how to reinforce New Zealand - I can see that becoming vulnerable if he does take Pearl and heads towards So Pac from that direction.

Nothing is firmly decided yet, though.

DEI

I'm also undecided on how I'll defend here yet - it will depend a lot on the events of the next week or two. A few isolated units are heading to the major resource centers.

One idea I'm entertaining is reinforcing Tenimbar (dot base NE of Darwin) and Kai (AF size 1(2) NE of that). Both are non-malarial and they are on a direct line from Darwin to the Phillipines. If Luzon is majorly bypassed I could apply pressure on that axis. I started prepping some units on Tasmania for the two islands, but I'm still not certain about this.

PHIL

I have a cunning plan here, but I want to wait a few days & see if more Japanese are deployed to Luzon. With the current force committment, I think I could have some fun.

MALAYA

My staff have yet decide on a fighting withdrawal or a quick run to Johore Bahru. We'll fly some more recon over the next two days before a commitment is made.

I also briefly considered just bugging out. This wouldn't be to do a Sir Robin, but to have a force to counter-attack with somewhere as soon as he's committed to Pearl. Probably not - attrition fights are good for the allies early. Or maybe I'll strip India a little more than I might normally so I can have a reaction force. Thoughts? Pull a brigade or two but leave most?

BURMA

I plan to make a stand at Mandalay. Lashio & Myitkina will get some troops also. SEA HQ is planning the Mandalay defense.

I've agreed to not move Chinese into Burma or India until Rangoon falls or is bypassed. Until then 2 Divs & a HQ will head to the border, staying in Chinese territory. I'll probably fly the other 7 Southeast Asia Divs to India to recuperate and bolster the Indian defenses once Chiang Kai Shek releases his forces. That would free the 18th UK Div to go to Mandalay, once it arrives in theater. That Div could also be part of my counter-attack force, though.

I will hit hard somewhere in Burma/DEI/Indochina/Malaya once the Hawaiian invasion is on. The exact location & force composition is just speculation, now.

CHINA

Troops are moving all over. I've begun to enjoy the game in China & this is the 1st game I've started where I've had an idea of what I was doing from the start. It helps we're using AB's map - I can't see how an allied player who pays attention could lose China on that map.

That's all for now.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 6

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/19/2006 3:42:26 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

It's never a good day when your opponent's e-mail asks, "Where do I send the flowers?" LOL - Japanese fanboys should be outlawed from saying such things!

I saw that and was sure I lost Enterprise, Lexington and POW.

WEST COAST

Most troops are loaded, but staying in port. The supply transports are still loading and I want them to lead the way - I'd rather lose 5K supply to subs than 1/2 a large CD unit.

2 ASW TFs are prowling the waters in likely locations.

CENT PAC

I still don't have any intelligence confirming that PH is the ultimate goal, but I have to proceed like it is. (Sigint has told me nothing. No moves toward Midway yet, which would be the obvious next target.)

KB is still cruising directly due west. It's now SSW of Laysan Island. He could sprint east again & cause trouble so I'll wait another day before major ship movements. If KB continues as it is going, I'll order the first BB withdrawals & minelaying operations tommorrow. In our last game I waited at least a month before the last of the BB withdrawals from Pearl, but in rthis case I'd rather risk the run through the subs.

An AK was torpedoed E of PH - she's heading back but I doubt she'll make it.

Enterprise is N of Midway - if I have the chance I want to hit any shipping heading there. Lexington is near Palmyra, heading to a point where the refugees from Wake can fly to Pearl. She'll then join up with Saratoga.

I'm paying much closer attention to my TF composition. Mahan class DDs, for example, are all scheduled to join CV TFs since they have good AA. Porter class, though often used IRL as squadron leaders in CV TFs, will be used as squadron leaders in surface TFs due to their extra 4 5" guns. My 2 Benham class will be used for surface TFs also - as far as I see they're the only allied ships in the game now with any surface radar.

Two light cruisers & a division of Farragut class DDs is headed to No Pac so as to have some naval presence there.

SO PAC/SW PAC/OZ

I sent CA Louisville on what I thought would be an easy training mission against the shipping at Tarawa. Oops.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 84,95
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 4 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CL Katori
PG Ikunta Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PG Kaikei Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Kaiun Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PG Kantori Maru
AP Uji Maru
AK Canton Maru
AK Tenposan Maru
AK Usa Maru
Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 97, and is sunk

Well, the first capitol ship loss is allied. But it wasn't Lex, Enterprise or POW like my fevered imagination thought.

At Buna, which capitulated today, I tried to arrange a daytime intercept by CL Adelaide. His transports had already left, however. I'll bombard there tomorrow just out of spite.

One little bit of good news - Wirraways based on Rabaul are doing quite well. Yesterday they had one hit and today, between morning & afternoon strikes:

AP Tateyama Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Kaijo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Not decisive by any means, but satisfying nonetheless. 250 lb bombs, too, unlike the 100 lb bombs most allied fighters carry. I've never used Wirraways on naval attack before, but will do so now.

DEI/PHIL

The first wave of evacs from the Phillipines is going well. AK Lepus was sunk today by Ryujo based Kates in the Celebes sea, but evacs N of Borneo and E towards Midway have been unmolested so far.

I think his decision not to place fighters on his CVLs here was a mistake - I'm flying LRCAP over the surface TFs & troop-carrying ships in the area & so far they are unmolested.

The only Japanese loss today was Hikade Maru - she's the 5th ship to have sunk from Repulse's 15" guns.

Dutch bombers fly multiple sorties against Japanese shipping. One bomb bounces off Kongo's armor, otherwise the Japanese warships remain unhit. A few scattered hits on Japanese transports.

DD John D Ford, damaged in action off Lingayen, sank today after being bombed multiple times by Vals newly based on Vigan. She didn't quite have the op points to auto-disband in Manila.

MALAYA

Another attack against Singapore. The P-40s are from an AVG squadron flying LRCAP. The 3 Nell losses were air-to-air, IIRC, and about 1/3 of them turned back from the target. In stock (or CHS, which I've mostly been playing), I'd expect much better results for me against an unescorted attack. In a perverse way I like it - it does seem more real:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 62
G4M1 Betty x 18
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
P-40B Tomahawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 5

CHINA/BURMA/INDIA

Mostly quiet so far. I'm tentatively planning my counter-offensive here - to launch roughly 15-20 Feb. I'd like to move a little sooner (since I think he can move against Hawaii sooner), but I want to make sure I have enough force to be able to accomplish something. Even this is cutting it very close. But I want to do something when he has multiple divisions tied up in assaulting Hawaii. I'll start prepping units once I know for sure about Hawaii.

More details later. For now I'll say that the 4th Marines will be heading back to China.

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 7

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/19/2006 4:38:29 PM

Nikademus

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_____________________________

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Post #: 8

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/20/2006 5:00:59 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
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Hi Nik - cool a reader!

BTW thanks for the mod & let me know what kind of feedback, info, etc. would be helpful for you.

Dec 10th was a great day for the allies. The big news is that Enterprise found KB's replenishment fleet. I was hoping for that, but thought it would take some hunting. She wound up in the same hex:

Day Air attack on TF at 97,51

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBD Devastator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 2, on fire
TK Shinkoku Maru
TK Toei Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Ken'yo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Kokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Akebono Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Toho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 97,51

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBD Devastator x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Shinkoku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 97,51

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Toei Maru, on fire, heavy damage
TK Akebono Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Ken'yo Maru, on fire
TK Kokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

DD Akebono & TK Toei Maru are confirmed sunk. 3 others broke off into a new TF & won't be part of the replenishment TF. 2 of those will almost certainly sink. 7 of the 8 TKs took some kind of damage & they're all a long way from port - I wouldn't be surprised to see more go under.

Absolutely great news. In terms of # of combat sorties KB can project in an area over a period of time, it's probably more valuable than a fleet CV. It also greatly reduces, though doesn't eliminate, the threat of a CV raid on my Hawaiian reinforcements.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Nikademus)

Post #: 9

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/20/2006 5:26:55 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
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Elsewhere:

WEST COAST

Troop ships leave for Hawaii. 2 ships remain in west coast ports.

CENT PAC

Still no definite intelligence on if he's going to try to take Hawaii, but nothing says otherwise, either. There's at least 5 Japanese divisions still unaccounted for.

The first 4 BBs head back to the West Coast from Pearl, escorted by DMSs & with a trailing ASW TF of Flush Deckers. 3 others will leave once the troopships get close.

The first elements of a marine Def Bn are being fast transported to Johnston.

VMF 211 planes fly off Lexington & onto Pearl. Oddly, the fragment didn't combine with the parent. I'll see if it resolves in a day or two.

SW PAC

Out of spite, CL Adelaide bombards Buna. (In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have given my position away.) She'll try for a mid ocean intercept of damaged transports tomorrow.

Rabaul based Wirraways continue to have great success:

AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

PHIL/DEI

A dozen or more naval attack missions resulted in one B-17 hitting an unloaded AP from 15,000 feet, but otherwise met with no success.

British DDs (Hong Kong refugees) managed a night time mid-ocean intercept of a troop loaded AK & got two hits.

Of 3 or 4 sub attacks, one S-boat managed a hit on an empty AP. Two Japanese transports damaged earlier were reported to have sunk today. On the other hand, the allies didn't lose a single ship on the 10th. The initial evacs from the Phillipines are going well, though I have some ships (including 2 British & 3 US DDs) escaping N of Borneo, dangerously close to a newly established Japanese airfield at Kuching.

MALAYA

One bit of bad news from the 9th that I forgot to mention - O-19 took a number of near-miss-hits while laying mines at Kota Bharu. 26 or 28 sys damage & 5 or so flt. Not dangerous, but she'll be in the yards for a bit.

The CAP at Singapore is starting to have more success, now that his bombers are presumably building up fatigue and lowering in morale:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 54
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 18
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed, 23 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Only 31 Nells & 6 Bettys made it through to complete their mission. I didn't watch the full replay, but today there are Betty & Nell losses reported from A2A.

I still haven't decided how I want to defend here, but probably ought to do so soon.

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 10

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/23/2006 7:35:32 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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11 - 12 Dec 42

Looks like the Hawaii invasion is on, maybe. He's bringing a lot of force to bear on the logical next target:

12/12/41
Naval bombardment of Midway Island, at 97,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses
69 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CL Oi, Shell hits 10 Hopefully she's hurting
CL Kitakami
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 8
BB Ise, Shell hits 5
BB Nagato, Shell hits 4
Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port supply hits 1

A bunch of enemy convoys are seen approaching Midway as well. A large portion of his BB strength is in Cent Pac - the above 4 & presumably at least 2 with KB - my float planes are currently reporting 3 with KB.

One odd thing - Sigint reported the 56th Div prepping for Kuantun??? If my count's correct, that would give him 4 divs to invade Hawaii with - I can stop that. Though he could reassign the divisions in N. Vietnam or Hong Kong.

Someone want to check his AAR & tell me? LOL - don't - I enjoy this guessing game of trying to figure out my opponent's plans. Plus I wouldn't know if it was truth or disinformation.

Anyway, War Plan Chartreuse continues for now & I started preparations for my counter-strike in SEA - Operation Bordello. I'm a little worried that he can have KB around Hawaii right when my shipping arrives, but slowly my LBA in Hawaii is recovering, too.

2 more Jap TKs from the replenishment fleet sink over the last 2 days (3 total now). Allied ASW sinks the first sub of the war E of Hawaii. NE of Hawaii AK Mauna Loa sinks after being torpedoed & SE AD Dobbin goes under. (I'm desperately short of those - 3 total in the OOB right now.)

I may try another raid with Enterprise against his Japan-Midway supply lines, if KB heads east again. We'll wait a couple days to decide. If I were him, I'd have his CVEs (so far unspotted) guarding those convoys - how would a US fleet carrier do against 1 or 2 of those this earlY?

DEI/PHIL

DD Suzukaze, torpedoed by an S-boat on the 10th, was confirmed sunk on the 12th, as well 5 more additional Japanese merchants. A total of 22 Jap transports have now been sunk - 7 by Repulse's big guns & 2 by POW's. Included in the losses is that famous ship - AK Yagi Bearu.

A Dutch surface TF raided at Manado, with some effect, though 1 DD is damaged. All of the ABDA fleet but 4 Flush Deckers have now been involved in at least 1 night combat - it makes a large difference in their experience - worth months of steaming on a shakedown cruise. I'm trying to find a safe opportunity for those last 4.

In the air, anti-shipping strikes are proving largely ineffectual, and I've had to stand down most squadrons to recover morale. Here's a typical strike:

Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 24,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Atago
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 11000 feet

He has some army planes (Anns, Oscars, Sallys) based at Kuching and 2 fast BBs with escort hanging around off Pontianak. Despite the LBA threat I'm going to send Force Z in - they'll get there the night of the 14th. It's a calculated risk, but if I can put those BBs out of action for a few months, it would be worth the damage/loss of POW & Repulse. He has most, if not all, of his other BBs in Cent Pac & he'd either have to weaken his forces there or cover further SRA invasions with only cruiser TFs. Either would work to my advantage.

A little good news - evacs from the Phil & HK are going well. I've lost 1 DD, 2 AVDs, 1 AO, 1 AK. Most of the rest of the shipping is now safe, including the 3 HK DDs (2 of those are joining Force Z). 15 or so ships remain at Manila - 1 AS to provide torpedos for my subs, a few AKs for later evacs & a few Aux craft.

MALAYA

Kota Baru fell on the 11th - I'm retreating most everything to JB. The 2 brigades that were forced to retreat will recover at Singapore. 3 brigades (including the Aussies) will take up a blocking position in the mountains on the east. 2 base forces will prepare the rubber plantations of Kuala Lumpur for demolition, although at the likely cost of their lives.

The airraids against Singapore have stopped for a couple days.

CHINA/BURMA

More air combat over Hong Kong:

12/12/41
Day Air attack on Hong Kong , at 43,42
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 8
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet

The LRCAP by the AVG squadron will be halted. The forts are going down & I expect Hong Kong to surrender tomorrow. 4 subs did grab a portion of the RN base force there. They'll relocate to Pakhoi as soon as I grab it. (2-3 days.)

One interesting thing - a Japanese unit was spotted on the road/trail that loops around north of Yenan towards Lanchow. Flanking maneuver? I'll keep a blocking force on the trail on the far side of the river. If he does come that way his supply lines will be horrible & I'll have plenty of warning to redploy forces.

Japanese have entered the outskirts of Tavoy. I'm trying to fast transport the base force at Victoria Point to Port Blair, but can't seem to get it to work. Brit Catalinas will try to help with that tomorrow.

I also checked with Pat if he thought it would violate our house rule on Burma to move some of the SEA divs one hex to the NW prior to Rangoon falling (the rule is no Chinese to Burma/India prior to that). He did, so I cancelled the movement orders of the 3 units I had marching there.

That's about it. I'm still nervous about Hawaii, but so far the war's going about as well as I could expect this early.

Below, shipping in the eastern Pacific. There's some more slightly out of the frame:

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 11

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/26/2006 2:58:45 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

13-14 Dec 1941

Quick update.

Cent Pac is still where the action is. South Seas Detachment invaded Midway on the 14th - brought the forts down to 2. Midway will likely fall on the 15th, but with a little luck will give me one more day.

Transports are still rushing to Hawaii - one took two torps from a sub & probably won't make it. A float plane base now up at French Frigate Shoals. Good news - tankers #4,5&6 of the replenishment convoy sink.

One more is damaged - it only took one 1000 lb bomb, but so did two others that already sank.

Float planes report 12 Jap BBs around Midway. While they must be exaggerating, it looks like all the Jap BB force, except for 2 fast BBs, is in Cent Pac. A CV was reported covering the transports - probably one of the missing CVEs. Maybe both. At least 1 CVL remains S of Mindanao - an AK trying to sneak supplies into the east Luzon ports found that out the hard way.

The 2nd Marine Paras were sent to Chungking via the Middle East on the 13th. I'm desperately short of PPs - I only just sacked Percival in Malaya. There's more leaders to change, a couple more West Coast & at least 4 Canadian units I want to release, and I still need to reorganize my DEI defense. Plus there's two units from the Phillipines I want to pull for my great Southeast Asia counter-attack.

First step in that is taking Pakhoi & Nanning - they should be Chinese again on the 15th.

In the air the amazing Rabaul Wirraways still continue pound Jap transports with 250 lb bombs, and P-40s in the Philippines are starting to get some hits as well. The B-17s aren't living up to their pre-war hype, however. Most Dutch forces are stood down as their morale is shot - LRCAP missions particularly seem to bring it down.

Japanese invasion TFs are retiring from their initial conquests and I missed by 1 day 2 surface intercepts, one by Force Z.

Both sides seem to be holding in place on Luzon. I'm considering counter-attacking. In Malaya 30,000 Japanese are heading west, across trails, from Khota Baru. That's either a mistake on Pat's part or he deliberately wanted me to withdraw from the north - I was doing that anyway. The first supplies arrive at Singapore on the 15th.

I was thinking of sending the 18th UK Div to Burma once it arrives. I decided not to, but am reinforcing with one of the full-strength Indian brigades.

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 12

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/26/2006 5:21:04 PM

Rob Brennan UK

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From: London UK
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Hi CT..

Somehow missed this untill now .. long read and looking good so far. very adventurous with Force Z and the american CV's .. nice to see ..

Good luck ..

_____________________________

sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 13

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/27/2006 12:50:09 AM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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Hi Rob -

Long read - yea, I'm getting a little long-winded.

Helps my planning to put some of my thoughts down, though.

As far as using Force Z & my CVs - I want to see BLOOD on the waters! I try to be careful using them, but there've been good opportunities (plus a great bit of luck finding the KB's tankers quickly). Also, if you don't use them at all, they lose some of their value as a deterrent, IMO. And as you mentioned in your AAR such things bring an excitement factor to the game.

Looking good so far? I've had some tactical success, but I want to see how the next week or so plays out. If I can get the bulk of my reinforcements under Hawaii's LBA before KB comes calling, I should do alright. If I don't, I could be in for a world of hurt. In addition to my troops I have close to 200K supply aboard.

15 Dec 41

Quick update then I'm going out with some friends. They're going to keep me from doing my turn!

Mixed news in Cent Pac.

The bad: Midway falls. KB has disappeared.

Good news: Another Jap tanker goes glug glug (#7!) and a DD damaged while bombarding Midway sinks (that's 4 Jap DDs now).

I think (or at least hope) KB's heading NW from Midway to cover more convoys, or heading N to go CV hunting. If it's heading east, the float planes at French Frigate Shoals should have spotted it. That would be very good news for the Hawaii reinforcements, but I'm still nervous about them. Glens spotted two convoys today - if Pat knew how many were on their way I think he'd sh1t a brick.

If KB does come east, Enterprise will head NW of Midway to raid supply lines, CVEs or no CVEs.

Elsewhere:

Alor Star falls, undefended, to the 5th Division & supporting troops. Chinese liberate Pakhoi & Nanning, capturing a little over 5K supply. 7 Japanese ships sink altogether. 1 small Dutch tanker bringing oil to Singapore is torpedoed by a sub & sinks. Luzon based fighters & bombers score a few more hits on transports, as well as the amazing Wirraways in Rabaul. Japanese river crossing shock attack at Yenan is repulsed. PT boats stage a successful intercept off N Luzon, sinking a PC & damaging 2 transports.

(in reply to Rob Brennan UK)

Post #: 14

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/28/2006 1:56:50 PM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
Joined: 10/13/2005
From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

Dec. 16, 1941

CENT PAC

Eerily quiet - the calm before the storm? SS I-169 sinks a small, supply laden transport 420 miles E of Pearl and patrol planes spot a few other subs, but all Japanese shipping has disappeared. And I have no idea where KB is.

I keep trying to tell myself Pat won't come raiding with 7 of his tankers under the water, but I'm still nervous. The first wave of reinforcements arrives in Hawaii in 3 days. Meanwhile defenses are slowly being prepared. Air groups are filling out 2 or 3 planes at a time - I don't want to have a lot of damaged planes lying on the ground.

I think I made one mistake here. I've sent back to the WC two lightly damaged BBs (17 & 23 sys). I think I should have kept them at Pearl.

SO PAC/SW PAC

CL Adelaide intercepts a couple unescorted troop convoys. Her night experience is now 70 - it started the war in the 30's:

12/16/41
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 62,88
Japanese Ships
AK Asahisan Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Azumasan Maru, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shogen Maru
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
=============================================
12/16/41
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 62,88
Japanese Ships
AP Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Hokoku Maru
AP Kaisho Maru
AP Karimo Maru
AP Keisyo Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinjosan Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tihuku Maru
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1 Sys damage goes from 1 to 2
Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported

I'm also trying to bait a trap in the Ellice Islands.

2 transports take 6 bombs from Wirraways. I've used them to get bombers through CAP before, but never in this role.

PHIL

An air raid on Manila destroyed a couple P-40s on the ground. It also looks like Legaspi is about to have visitors - a couple heavy cruisers bombarded & some shipping is heading in this general direction. 2 S-boats are sent to see if they can cause some trouble.

2 CVLs & escorts are hanging out S of Mindanao. What do I call them - Mini-Baby KB?

B-17s put 1 bomb into a transport, but for the first day since Dec. 7th no Japanese shipping is sunk.

MALAYA

Devastating air raid on Singapore (from 15,000 feet):

12/16/41
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 88
Ki-48 Lily x 61
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 7
P-40B Tomahawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged The losses were air-to-air
Ki-48 Lily: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged Ditto
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 8 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 47

About 1/3 of the Lilys were turned back, but the initial damage assessments were overly optimistic: a later count (Intel screen) showed 8 Vildebeests, 7 Buffalos & 3 Blenheims destroyed on the ground, and most of the rest damaged. I've pulled out what I can & added more LRCAP from nearby bases.

For a little bit of good news, I've snuck in my first AK of supplies to Singapore & it's unloading now.

Radio intercepts seem to indicate shipping heading towards Kuantun. Brit subs are sent to investigate.

CBI

Japanese are pushing on Yenan, and I try to break up Japanese bombing of Changsha which started on the 15th:

12/16/41
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 45,37
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 19
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Allied aircraft
I-153c x 13
I-16c x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Instead of pulling back I'm adding a squadron of AVG to the mix tomorrow.

Here's a pic of the shipping heading towards Hawaii:

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 15

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/28/2006 2:48:28 PM

Rob Brennan UK

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From: London UK
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Thats one fat KB hunting ground ! eek .. hope your right

As for the CL adelaide .. nice going .. that POS is utterly useless except as your doing right now .. even better if she sinks soon too ( free good CL later)..

Well i said looking good, more for keeping up your morale

.. DEC 41 is always tough.. although we both subscribe to the theory of culling the japanese transport fleet. It'll be interesting to compare month end losses between our games.

good luck

_____________________________

sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

(in reply to ctangus)

Post #: 16

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/28/2006 2:51:54 PM

aztez

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

Thats one fat KB hunting ground ! eek .. hope your right

As for the CL adelaide .. nice going .. that POS is utterly useless except as your doing right now .. even better if she sinks soon too ( free good CL later)..

Well i said looking good, more for keeping up your morale .. DEC 41 is always tough.. although we both subscribe to the theory of culling the japanese transport fleet. It'll be interesting to compare month end losses between our games.

good luck

That is quite few transports enroute to Hawaji!

(in reply to Rob Brennan UK)

Post #: 17

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 5/29/2006 4:57:24 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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Rob -

Adelaide a POS? Well, she's slow, has few guns, no torps, little armor and lousy AA. Other than that I like her.

She'll be going out again in a couple days.

I'm interested in comparing those losses too. Seems like we have a similar philosophy on the early war - FIGHT! Just try not to be stupid about it.

Hi Aztez -

Sure is a lot.

They're a day closer to safety, too. (Though I'm still nervous.)

Dec 17, 1941

CENT PAC

Still no signs of KB or any Jap shipping.

Some sub/ASW action - in the early hours of the morning 5 Flush Deckers got a couple direct hits on SS I-6, sending her to the bottom. The japs had their revenge, though, putting a torp into AK Exmoor (she'll live), and sinking the previously damaged AK Idaho. Both ships are supply (not troop) transports.

I noticed I'd forgotten to start fort building at Pearl. Oops! Well, I only lost 3 or 4 days since before that the engineers were still clearing the runways.

I'm starting to wonder again if his threatening Pearl is a bluff. I definiitely know where 7 of his 12 available divs are now, and am pretty sure I know where 2 others are (I'll try to confirm with some recon by bombing.) 3 Divs won't be enough to take Hawaii. 2 of those 9 aren't currently committed, however, and could be shipped.

SW PAC/DEI

Quiet, though seven more Japs sink from prior damage. No major air action.

PHIL

The Japanese 2nd division landed at Naga. I'm pulling out some P-40s and B-17s that had been based at Legaspi (I wanted to save those PPs for other units). A B-17 gets one 500 lb bomb into a transport. Air raid on Manila causes minor damage.

MALAYA

The 56th division is unloading at Kuantun, escorted by 2 Jap fast BBs. I'm going to try to sneak Force Z up and use it as it was meant to be used. It's currently at Batavia, reinforced with 2 Brit CLs & 2 Brit DDs. On the 18th it will auto-disband in Palembang, in Singapore on the 19th and it will go hunting on the 20th. I really want a crack at those two BBs.

BURMA

Two Japanese units are spotted on the trail towards Taung Gyi. He's trying to enter by the back door.

CHINA

Except for the Japanese push towards Yenan, it's been pretty quiet. If nothing much is happening by the time I get my units off the trails, I'll make a push myself towards either Canton or Nanchang.

(in reply to aztez)

Post #: 18

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/5/2006 3:48:03 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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Dec 18 - Dec 20, 1941

No updates for a bit - Pat was busy with work and I was lazy.

The 18th saw some ineffective ASW work off Hawaii, and the usual air raids at Singapore & Luzon. I'm still playing Where's KB? and Count the Divisions. My recon by bombing proved that two of my hunches were wrong & we're back to 5 unaccounted for divisions.

19th was a little more exciting. I think I got too clever for my own good. I sent Force Z from Palembang to Singapore, with orders to auto-disband. The idea was to sneak them in undetected & then send them against the Japanese shipping at Kuantun.

Unfortunately, they ran over a sub on the way & then didn't have enough Ops points left to auto-disband. Daylight came & my commanders reported the following:

12/19/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 22 Damn Nik mod, that CAP should turn them all back

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 15
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse
=============================================
12/19/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 26
G4M1 Betty x 18
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 8
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Sinks

Towards the end of the day I received news that the initial radio reports were in error and POW is fine - the torpedos exploded prematurely. Repulse got a little banged up (6/2/11 - now 6/0/2).

Thank the thread for the synch bug.

With surprise gone, I've ordered Force Z to run, with just about every fighter I have in the far east on LRCAP, even squadrons with morale in the 30's. It should make it safely to Batavia on the 21st.

CENT PAC

The first supplies arrived in Hawaii on the 18th and the first troops on the 19th. So far 6 bomber squadrons, 2 Arty regiments, 2 Corps HQ, 2 RCT, 2 large CD units, 1 EAB and 1 base force have made it to the islands (unloading, but not fully unloaded yet). About 150-160K supply too.

Most of the rest looks like it will make it, too. I've lost track of Pat's subs, but I'm sending out ASW TFs from the islands along the incoming paths of the reinforcements. I was going to be happy with 20% losses of my troops in transit, but it looks like it will be far less than that - maybe nothing. So far I've lost 2 small AKs, another damaged and less than 6K supply.

KB's still unaccounted for, but it's not molesting my shipping.

Sara & Lex were escorting the 2nd Marine Div. That's now 60 miles out from Lahaina & the CVs are pulling back east. I'm also sending out the last 3 damaged BBs from Pearl to the West Coast.

@230 combat ready aircraft in Hawaii now. Question for Nik, if you read this - how much better as a CAP fighter is the P-40E compared to the B? I'm thinking of upgrading a squadron in Hawaii once I have enough in the pool.

Question for anyone: I'm also thinking of expanding Hilo's AF from 1 to 2 once my initial reinforcements are in place. I'd much rather have 3 offensive airfields in Hawaii than 2, but don't want to hand one to my opponent on a silver platter either. Thoughts? I figure the first airfield he takes will be highly damaged by bombardments and I can keep it closed with 2 others operational nearby.

West of Hawaii, a DMS returning from a fast transport mission was sunk by a sub.

Enterprise is hanging out near the Aleutians, slowly moving west. If KB shows up near Johnston or Hawaii, she'll go commerce raiding roughly on the Tokyo-Midway axis. Currently she's screened to the south by a bunch of transports racing from the Phillipines to SF although they'll be gone in 2-3 days.

ELSEWHERE

CL Adelaide stages another raid - night exp now up to 75.

2 more small AKs are unloading supply at Singapore unmolested. Another unloading resources. 6000 oil made it a few days ago. More on the way, though the waters south of Singapore are becoming dangerous.

8 Japanese units have entered the outskirts of San Marcelino.

Shipping losses for the 3 days: 1 allied DMS, 1 Dutch sub (off Palau), 3 PT boats. 1 Jap MSW, 1 transport.

Pic - something you don't see every day:

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 19

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/5/2006 4:07:26 PM

Nikademus

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quote:

@230 combat ready aircraft in Hawaii now. Question for Nik, if you read this - how much better as a CAP fighter is the P-40E compared to the B? I'm thinking of upgrading a squadron in Hawaii once I have enough in the pool.

Depending on pilot experience, the E varient can be much better than the B due to the Browning six pack armament and it's firepower effect in the game.

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Post #: 20

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/7/2006 12:24:17 AM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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Thanks, Nik.

12/21/42

Mostly a quiet day, but a couple things to note.

CENT PAC

An ASW TF scored 2 direct hits on SS I-169. It's still afloat for now.

All of the initial wave of reinforcements, except for one fragment I had trouble loading, are past the sub menace. Most have unloaded, including 5000+ men of the 2nd Marine Div. I've yet to lose a single man or plane in transit.

I'm still not certain I can hold Hawaii (heck, I'm still not certain if my opponent is bluffing or not), but I can certainly put up a good fight now. I'll post more details once everything is ashore.

The 2nd wave has started to Hawaii with the advance elements of the 27th Inf Div leaving LA for Pearl.

KB is still missing. Johnston is the logical next target & I'm starting to get a sub picket line in place to give me a little bit of a heads up.

PHIL

We trade bombardments at San Marcelino. He shouldn't be able to move me back without more troops.

CHINA

Another river-crossing shock attack at Yenan is repulsed by Mao's troops.

ELSEWHERE

Quiet in the air. 1 previously-damaged allied TK sinks of Palembang, 3 Jap APs & 1 AK sink in various locations.

Force Z has retreated safely. I'm starting to second guess my decision to retreat but the phantom sinking of POW scared me.

Oh, and off Malaya there was this

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 21

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/12/2006 5:07:37 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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22 - 24 Dec 41

3 day update. Largely quiet - only 3 ships confirmed sunk. 1 Allied AK bringing supplies to Singapore. 1 Jap sub caught by an ASW group E of Hawaii. 1 Jap AP reported as scuttled earlier off Midway.

Quiet in the air, too. I've been overusing my fighters and am currently resting most of them. Less than 30 planes lost over the 3 days - most to Ops or flak.

CENT PAC

The alert status around Hawaii has been lowered slightly. KB hasn't been spotted for ten days or so. Moreover, Sigint revealed the location of two Southern Area Army Divs - 1 still in Indochina & 1 in Truk. It's looking more like the threat to Pearl was a bluff. The only contrary intelligence right now is a continued large sub presence both east & west of Hawaii.

3 of the available Japanese divisions are still unaccounted for. 1 of those, however, is a Burma Area Army Div - I expect it's on trails somewhere in Thailand. He's not going to take Hawaii with two divs - if he's coming it'll be a couple months.

Here's a look at the 3 main bases:

Pearl - AS 709, Guns 663, Forts 5 +45%, Mines 8204, Supplies 132K
Lahaina - AS 276, Guns 291, Forts 1 +14%, Mines 1211, Supplies 46K (+ 19K unloading)
Hilo - AS 121, Guns 171, Forts 3 +21% (halted), Mines 932, Supplies 11K (+10K unloading)

Every other base has at least a Marine Def Bn garrison and some mines.

I halted the fort building at Hilo and am building the AF to size 2. I'll build it to 3 after I get another RCT in.

Hawaii's as well defended as I can make it before Christmas. If he comes in strength I'm not sure I can hold it, but I don't see he has the resources to do so. And even if I'm wrong about that, I'll minimally be able to force a long attrition battle, giving me time to make mischief elsewhere.

WEST COAST

3 BBs damaged at Pearl have made it to SF, with another almost to Seattle. The last of 3 West Coast transport squadrons has been loaded onto an AK and is headed towards Southeast Asia to support Operation Bordello.

SO PAC/SW PAC

An Aussie Hudson puts a bomb into a loaded Jap AP on the 24th. The north coast of New Guinea is almost entirely Japanese now. Rabaul is still in allied hands.

I've ordered CL Adelaide on another raid. Regardless of the outcome, she'll get some time in port after.

DEI

Yawn.

I've been preoccupied with Hawaii & have yet to spend a PP on a ground unit here, though I do have some of the remote forces prepping to reinforce key locations. I still have yet to firmly decide on my defense plans here.

MALAYA

Japanese are driving down both the east & west coasts. Except for engineers preparing demolition charges at Kuala Lumpur, all allied forces are safely on their way to JB. I've stopped contesting the air over Singapore for a few days to give my fighters some rest, but I hope to be back in force soon.

Despite a couple losses in transit, Singapore supplies are now over 40K with 4+K each resources & oil.

One nice piece of news on the 24th:

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,48
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 7
Vildebeest IV x 10
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 10 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Sakido Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

PHIL

I lost a couple more B-17Cs on the ground and pulled them out. I was hoping to save PPs for other uses, but those planes are too precious.

A small AK bring supplies has made it to within 60 miles of Manila.

Until more Japanese arrive, MacArthur has decided to make a stand at San Marcelino.

CHINA

The only Jap offensive to appear so far is at Yenan - on the 23rd two Chinese Corps were ordered to reinforce.

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Post #: 22

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/12/2006 8:27:24 PM

Arstavidios

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Looks like the Japaneseare taking heavy loss.

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Post #: 23

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/12/2006 11:48:31 PM

ctangus

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Yep.

From memory, 65+ Japanese ships sunk so far. Mostly transports, but also 4 DDs & 3 subs. Probably a heavy cruiser too, in a day or two.

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Post #: 24

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/14/2006 1:52:59 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
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12/25 - 12/26/41

The allies continue to beat up on Jap shipping. (4 allied ships sink vs 8 Japanese - I'm shooting for 100 by the end of the month. One of the ships sinking on the 26th was the Boston Maru - I'm not sure if that's a good omen or not.) Minor victory in the Phillipines. Still quiet in the air as my units recover morale.

CENT PAC

Supplies unloading, etc. A jap sub sinks a small AK bringing supplies to Johnston & another sinks a PC in an ASW TF.

A Canadian Bleinheim squadron is on its way to Pearl. By the time it arrives there should be enough Beaufort Is in the pool to upgrade it. That will give me land based torpedo planes in Hawaii, which is one thing currently missing.

Sigint reports the South Seas Detachment still at Midway. I had thought it might be headed somewhere else on an offensive mission.

SOPAC/SWPAC

Wirraways score another couple hits off Lae. Adelaide missed an intercept on the 26th but should have some action on the 27th.

DEI

Quiet. A nuisance strategic bombing raid doesn't fly - we'll try again tomorrow.

MALAYA

Some success here:

12/25/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,48
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 5
Buffalo I x 7
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Brisbane Maru, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Sinks

12/26/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,48
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 6
Buffalo I x 4
Vildebeest IV x 7
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Boston Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Sinks
AP Sakido Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Also, Magic intercepts (my opponent's posts in the war room) confirm that CA Mogami had her bow blown off and is at 80+ flt damage, trying to make it to Saigon.

The Japanese are continuing to march down the peninsula.

CBI

Largely quiet. I'm going to try to ambush some bombing at Changsha tomorrow.

PHIL

The first Japanese attack at San Marcelino is repulsed:

12/26/41
Ground combat at San Marcelino
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 61034 troops, 508 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 1000
Defending force 34447 troops, 407 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 930
Japanese max assault: 982 - adjusted assault: 129
Allied max defense: 981 - adjusted defense: 1975
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
1354 casualties reported
Guns lost 49
Vehicles lost 13
Allied ground losses:
833 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 3

I'm leaving a small garrison everywhere, but am otherwise sending every combat unit here. Forts are 3 as opposed to 4 at Clark, but it's wooded terrain & malarial - which should make his recovering disablements slower. Also, I'm denying him the resources there & the resources at Clark continue to produce for me. He's probably also prepping for Clark or Manila, not San Marcelino.

I expect a Japanese drive from Aparri towards Tufguerghewothdarao, which could split my forces, but I'll have plenty of time to pull back if/when that happens.

Supplies are decent - 40+K on Luzon. A small AK is just about unloaded at Manilla.

Pic below.

OVERALL

I'm still trying to figure out my opponent's intentions as it's looking less & less likely that he's going to try for Hawaii. I'll continue to build up there for now, just to be safe. Once the mid Jan reinforcements arrive I'll probably start pushing out the defensive perimeter.

I'll also continue to prep for Operation Bordello and launch it when most or all the available Japanese forces are committed elsewhere.

Mostly I'm pleased. I've caused a lot of damage to Japanese shipping & with the forces currently in Malaya & on Luzon, I should be able to force long attrition battles in both places, buying me time to build up my defenses & cause mischief.

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RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/15/2006 12:02:30 AM

Rob Brennan UK

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Looking good for the allies to be honest !

Thank (insert god of choice) for the sync bug at singapore .. was a bit ambitious mind you

. Im amazed he hasnt got any AV in khota baru and is flying LR cap over kuantan.. or even have some AV there itself ??? .. still any dead CA and damaged BB is a good december by any measure.

San Marc holds out well unless clarke gets threatened .. also a better hex than naga is the woods between it and manilla , but that might be considered gamey ?? ( given the out of city combat model). wooded and allows free movement between manilla and clarke . i assume you've denuded bataan , apart from enough to deter a para drop ?

good luck .. and yes PH looks like its a bluff imo ..

CL adelaide is doing so well , i'd consider keeping her for a post 45 war memorial by now

. must be quite attached to the old tub by now

_____________________________

sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

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Post #: 26

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/15/2006 12:22:48 AM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

Hi Rob,

Yea. I can't complain.

I kind of like Dec-Jan as the allies. Just expect to take lots of losses & lose lots of ground & then anything you do to fight back is a plus.

He staged some air into Kuantun this last turn - I expect I'll run into some CAP now. I have some Buffalos flying escort - we'll see if they help. Mogami's not dead yet - 80+ flt & 2 hexes from Saigon (see my opponent's "saving a cripple" thread in the war room). I just realized I should tell him I'm reading that & offer to stop.

On AB's map that Naga woods hex is actually clear terrain, so Naga itself is better. And yup, Bataan is denuded. It has the static CD unit, 1/3 a Filipino Div & a base force (I want to be able to base PBYs & fighters for LRCAP there until it falls.)

Adelaide's been a pleasant surprise. Going in for another engagement tonight - this time with a Jap CL escort. She's got enough exp now I actually expect good things.

Waiting for a turn...

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Post #: 27

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/15/2006 12:36:04 AM

Nemo121

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Just don't forget that your opponent may be more than happy to spend those ships now in return for much reduced losses later on. Just under half of my shipping losses in the first 6 months of the war occured in the first 3 weeks of the war and I'm glad they did since they bought me a commanding position with well-developed internal lines of communication.

I think you are doing well but don't get too caught up in attrition to his shipping. Depending on how aggressive your opponent is he may just have decided to burn through his shipping in return for a superior strategic position. Keep sinking what you can but weigh that against his return.

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Post #: 28

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/15/2006 12:57:36 AM

ctangus

Posts: 2153
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From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

Hi Nemo,

I certainly agree with you that losses can be worth it if they gain an objective. (BTW I've been following your AAR - interesting read - I haven't had anything worthwhile to say though.

)

I don't see that they have in this case, however. I should still be able to force long attrition battles in both the PI & Malaya. Hawaii - my initial concern - seems safe for the moment.

My general strategy early is fight hard on any front that I can, bleed him, slow him down. It worked well in my last game against Pat.

Of course, I'll probably be proven deadly wrong in the very next turn.

It just came in so I'm going to run. Tks for reading.

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Post #: 29

RE: East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - All... - 6/17/2006 3:05:47 PM

ctangus

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From: Boston, Mass.
Status: offline

12/27 - 12/29/42

Hawaii must be a bluff & I lose my star light cruiser.

CENT PAC

The biggest news here actually comes from other areas. 2 more Jap divisions are identified by recon, both in the Burma area. That leaves 1 available div (the 4th) unaccounted for. Of the 11 I know of, the closest to Cent Pac is the 16th at Truk - prepping for Rabaul (per Sigint).

The Hawaii threat must have been a bluff. I'll still build up there - it's only prudent - but at a much lower priority.

2 SWPAC fighter groups arrived at Seattle. I was going to send 1 to Pearl but I'll send both to Brisbane at this point. I also started to prep a handful of units for Johnston & the line islands.

Several Jap subs are still in Hawaiian waters - no luck against them these last 3 days.

SO PAC/SW PAc

CL Adelaide finally runs out of luck. Despite achieving surprise in both engagements, she doesn't fire a shot (at least that I watched). I guess the gunnery officer was in his cups again:

12/27/41
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 56,90
Japanese Ships
CL Kashima
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
=============================================
12/27/41
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 56,90
Japanese Ships
CL Kashima
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

It would have been nice to have at least damaged Kashima in return. C'est la guerre - I'd order it again.

In recognition of her service to the allied war efforts, the United States will deliver to Australia a Cleveland class Adelaide II in June 43.

DEI/PHIL

Mostly quiet. Some minor bad news - 4 S-class subs have been damaged off the Phillipines. They should all live, but will be out of action for a while. They've been ordered to Manila to repair float damage, then will fully repair at Sydney.

MALAYA

The Japanese continue to march down the peninsula & bomb JB & Singapore unimpeded. Malacca fell on the 29th. Kuala Lumpur is now completely surrounded & will probably fall on the 30th. 2 large engineering units are frantically laying demolitions - hopefully they'll cause good damage to the resources there. Large (20%+) cadres were evac'd earlier and will help build up the
inland airbases of India.

Four ships (2 MSW, 2 transports) were lost S of Singapore in the last 3 days. The Japanese are operating out of Kota Bharu, Kuantun & Kuching on Borneo. I haven't fought back much so far (recovering morale) but we'll try to change that on the 30th. I want to clear the skies a little so I can resume the resupply efforts.

BURMA

Victoria Point falls on the 28th. Tavoy falls on the 29th. I've conducted a few nuisance bomb raids to slow his advance, if only slightly, and gain some experience.

Question for Nik - I noticed that Hermes' two squadrons had their max size reduced to 2. Known issue? Anything I can do about it other than hope that the 1st British withdrawal requirement is a CVL?

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Post #: 30