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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> Liquidating the gaijin

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Liquidating the gaijin - 4/16/2010 6:49:25 PM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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First off, an explanation is in order for the title of this new AAR. There's a fascinating wikipedia entry on the word origins of gaijin. Not all interpretations are impolite, merely pointed.

Secondly, Noobs are welcome here. Remembering back to my WiTP days, I very much enjoyed lurking on the forum reading some of the excellent AARs produced. I remember feeling somewhat sheepish about posting or contributing to any discussions on the forum because I feared I would ask too many dumb questions. There are no dumb questions here, folks. I enjoy the interplay with noobs and I learn a heck of a lot from other's views of the game. Skeptics, heretics and the rest of the lot are welcome to chime in when it suits them.

Thirdly, my honorable PBEM opponents: Crimguy, USSHenrico and now AW1Steve are asked to not partake of this AAR further. They're all upstanding gents, so I don't have any concern about this, but it's good to put this request in writing.
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This AAR is my take on a PBEM that I'm starting with AW1Steve. Steve may or may not elect to start his own AAR at a later time.

A word about my opponent: he's a seasoned veteran of WiTP and a regular forum rat like myself. I'm fortunate to have him as my honorable foe. Steve is going through a move in the near future, so we'll likely have a slow start to the campaign. That's OK by me, as it gives me the epoch that I need to plot the Japanese first turn. The blood won't really start flowing for a few weeks, but I'd like to start discussing some options for early IJ moves now.

A bit about myself as a gamer. I have always relished the defensive struggle in wargames. Were I asked to identify my strengths (if any), I would put rank defensive warfare, logistics and offensive prowess in that order. As an Allied player in WiTP, I found the first months to be my favorite. A furious struggle against overwhelming odds, with the hope of future redemption if I could just...hold...on. I think that is what is drawing me towards the Japanese side in this game. Call me sick, but I look forward to the defensive reposte that will inexorably come. I find that I do a better job managing fewer resources than I do more resources, and can use them more effectively. I can't wait until I get kamikazes.

Before getting into the nitty gritty of settings and whatnot, I wanted to give a tip of the hat to some of the other AARs on this and the WiTP forum. I learned a ton from Wobbly / Andy Mac vs. PzB, Canoerebel v. Miller and now Q-ball v. Cuttlefish. Once you can read through the backstory and humor

, Captain Mandrake and Sprior, et. al. is also very informative. There have been some Some great writers and strategists in that lot.

A particular nod goes to Cuttlefish, Q-ball and Canoerebel for their AAR format. Very easy to read, insightful and informative summary of various theaters. No offense, gents, but I'm going to steal your format-it's just right.

I just hope to do it justice.

I hope that some lessons for some of the more advanced games can be applied / re-applied to those starting out under patch III. There are some obvious differences in gameplay that I'll touch on in a later post or two, but I'm looking for retrospective analysis from those that wish they could have done something different in hindsight.

I will not be using WiTP tracker (I've tried and failed) in this game. My (mis)management of the IJ economy will be by rough calculations, dead reckoning and Kentucky windage. I don't go nuts on expansion of HI or a/c frames or factories, so I'm not anticipating too much of a problem. In general, I try to dump as much oil, fuel and resources into the home islands as I possibly can and hope for the best.

Right. 'nuff said already. The setup:

Patch III AE:

Scenario 1
PDU on
non-historical turn
Japanese surprise on
One day turns
USN historical (read: defective) torpedoes
+/- 15 day historical ship arrival
Advanced weather effects

HRs:

1. PP paid for LCU movement out of restricted command borders. Exception: I'm going to allow myself to use the four Thai Army 'divisions' within 4 hexes of the Thai border. Steve will have the same option for the (foreign) Indian troops around Burma. Anything more than that and we've gotta pay the PP.

2. No strategic bombing before 1943. No strategic bombing before 1944 in China.

3. Reasonable altitude settings for a/c to avoid "Stratosphere sweep" phenomena. In general, I'll rarely fly Oscars or Zeroes higher than 25,000 feet, Nates will be restricted to 15,000 feet. Hurricanes will be OK to the higher altitude, whilest P39s and P40s will be restricted to 15,000 feet and 20,000 feet, respectively.

4. Turn 1: Allies may not change existing default CAP units. No TFs may be created. Those already in existence, may be moved (e.g., Force Z). I don't insist the Allies conduct the pointless death ride.

5. Limited 'expand to fit ship' functionality for IJNAF, USN, RN. Exception: USN CVE-R units.

Not many house rules, really. We tend to play a 'gentleman's game'-if something is irreversably borked, we agree to change the gameplay. Not afraid of house rules as a patch in the interim.

Strategy for first few turns:

1. Manila strike with KB.

I'm working on the rest...

Welcome forumites and please enjoy!

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RE: Liquidating the gaijin - 4/16/2010 7:24:51 PM

Canoerebel

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Good luck, Chickenboy. I like your house rules (especially politcal points and strategic bombing). May the game give you countless hours of challenging, invigorating, and sometimes tense fun.

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RE: Liquidating the gaijin - 4/16/2010 7:53:41 PM

thegreatwent

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Subscribed. Good luck Chickenboy

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RE: Liquidating the gaijin - 4/16/2010 8:28:18 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Those already in existence, may be moved (e.g., Force Z). I don't insist the Allies conduct the pointless death ride.

Very sensible HR. British Intelligence found out about the Japanese invasion of Malaya while the troop transports were still at sea, so the RN should be allowed to react as the commander judges fit.

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Post #: 4

First orders - 4/16/2010 10:03:50 PM

Chickenboy

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I spent an hour and a half this morning giving orders to those units on just Hokkaido and the Kuriles.

This first turn will take a while.

First orders for this region does bring up the question about what to do with KB and support.

I'm thinking of splitting KB up for the Manila strike. My thoughts are to have 5 of the fleet carriers there (minus Kaga) deliver the goods (with LBA from Formosa) to Manila. The main KB will stick around for a day or so to polish off stragglers from Manila or Hong Kong and / or reapply administrative punishment to Manila.

Since I don't plan on using too many torpedoes versus Manila, I may be able to stretch the operational envelope with KB. Two days worth of strikes on Manila will likely use only 50% of my sorties for the TF, leaving me with plenty against other shipping in the region.

I was considering spliting off Kaga and a small contingent (maybe 1 BB, a couple DDs) to rendevous with mini-KB around Saipan, then moving this body to Truk. Since I'm leaving PH intact, this group could serve to counter any uber-aggressive move against Kwajalein or the rest of the Marshalls. I would keep this group near Kwajalein or Truk, hoping to keep it under the fighter and torpedo shield of Kwajalein, for example.

Questions:

1. Would this be sufficient deterence?

2. With the main KB body: after smacking Manila and stragglers around for a turn or two, then what?

I'm tempted to go for an early landing of Palembang and Southern Malaya with the added coverage. Risky, but if successful, it would cut off any evacuation of Northern Malayan troops while also cutting off egress / evacuation for some of the Singapore garrison. This could be reasonably done in the first 7 days.

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RE: First orders - 4/16/2010 10:16:25 PM

anarchyintheuk

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You should be able to finish it by Sunday.

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More philosophical drivel - 4/16/2010 10:44:08 PM

Chickenboy

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One more bit of philosophy.

The AAR title reflects my goal in the game. Kind of an alternate history. I want to know what the war would have looked like if all defensive fights would have been as bitter and nasty as Iwo Jima, Pelileu and Okinawa were. What if Kuribayashi had more say in the conduct of the defensive war beyond Iwo Jima?

Instead of squandering a good year and a half of the war on half measures of defense and underestimating the enemy, I'm looking for places from day one where I can bleed him dry and kill him.

Defensive goals-in order of priority:

1. Kill LCUs. Badly damaging them is OK, but with mountains of supply and ample reinforcements available to the Allies, I'd much rather kill them. Manuever warfare to ensure surrender en masse will be very important. I will also be looking at places to set up early 'reinforcement traps'-allowing him to reinforce a key point early in the war with his meager ground forces so as to give me more forces to kill with overwhelming strength. I envision some island landings with the explicit goal of just killing support units and then withdrawing.

2. Sink ships. I consider this the primary aim of the IJNAF and KB. Although I'm only to late April 1942 in one of my PBEMs, I consider port raids to be an important part of this philosophy for the KB. Sinking 40-50 ships in Manila and dozens in Perth, Colombo and (maybe) Sydney / Brisbane is, I believe, a good use of the KB in the early going.

3. Forward deploy for unrestricted submarine warfare. The IJN submarines seem to be an effective tool which I intend to use aggressively for interdiction.

4. Start digging in and setting up defensive perimeter now. The IJ construction battalions need a lot of pick and shovel time to effect decent defensive fortifications. I intend to site these critical battalions in terrain with terrain modifications along likely lines of advance.

5. Spoiling attacks. Capturing North and NW Australia, for example, will be done as a means of prolonging the timetable for the defensive battle. If I can 'buy' 4-6 months more for DEI, this effort could be a worthwhile goal. Similarly for Chittagong or E. India-I'm only interested in the defensive diversion.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 4/16/2010 10:47:27 PM >

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 12:53:14 AM

Ketza

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It is my experience when you hit Manila to hit it from the Japanese Islands side and launch one hex from the coast for best results. For some reason striking from the the other side is much less effective. I dont know why this is.

Also you dont need to bomb Iba. Just send a bombardment TF of about 8dds in and they will level the place.

Use every other plane in range to bomb Clark and Manila of course.

I use all of the main CVs for the strike. I figure if I am doing this to sink subs I might as well get them all and I typically do get 90% of them. Sometimes I have found after extensive testing the Betties from Takao just dont get that many hits on the ships. If your making the major up front commitment dont take a risk on bad dice rolls. Besides once you split the KB up after this you can be back in the Cent Pac in a few days if you send the faster ships there.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 1:17:04 AM

Mynok

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Well...I don't like the Manila gambit personally, but I'll admit I've not played the AE GC. Scenario 1 I presume?

Those Pearl BBs will be a thorn in your side pretty soon.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 2:17:23 AM

Canoerebel

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BB don't seem particularly effective in AE from what I've seen and from what I've read of other's games. They do serve as good torpedo magnets/sponges in carrier TFs, which is an important role, but the utility of the slow BBs isn't particularly great in AE.

A Manila strike was very effective in WitP. From the few I've read about in AE the same seems to hold true. The "Shipwreck of their Hopes" AAR is a good example.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 2:20:09 AM

topeverest

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Chickenboy,

Good luck,

I really struggle with the Manila vs PH gambit. Quite frankly, I find even the idea of leaving 8 BB's and the remainder of the fleet intact a bitter prospect.

Please help me understand the tradeoff you are making. I think I understand the downside. What do you think you will gain, or what do you hope to gain from a geography or allied losses perspective?

Thanks in advance...and BANZAI!

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 3:14:11 AM

Mynok

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Well, to expound on my perspective...those subs at Manila are handicapped by ineffective torps for their entire useful life. They really don't pose much of threat. Certainly not as much as the later subs with real torps. Meanwhile, the US has an intact fleet with which he can oppose any invasion not fully supported by the KB...which cannot be everywhere.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 4:03:21 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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quote:

ORIGINAL: topeverest

Chickenboy,

Good luck,

I really struggle with the Manila vs PH gambit. Quite frankly, I find even the idea of leaving 8 BB's and the remainder of the fleet intact a bitter prospect.

Please help me understand the tradeoff you are making. I think I understand the downside. What do you think you will gain, or what do you hope to gain from a geography or allied losses perspective?

Thanks in advance...and BANZAI!

Thanks topeverest...

There's a thread I started in the War Room ("Pearl versus Manila-a new Paradigm"). It has a really interesting back and forth on the subject. I'd encourage you to check it out to see the differing POV both pro and con.

In a nutshell-although the friendly Martian Jap Fanboy is right about the torpedoes, it's a choice about whether to take out 40-50 ships (including around 25 submarines) out of the Asiatic fleet or to sink a few and damage a larger number of BBs and other ships at Pearl. I just think killing Allied subs while you can is a more efficient means of protecting IJN shipping in the long run.

The beauty of this game is to allow a reasonable approximation of an alternate history.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 4:04:59 AM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ketza
Just send a�bombardment TF of about 8dds in and they will level the place.

A bombardment fleet of 8 dds? Really?

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 4:15:57 AM

Ketza

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My test runs averaged 150 runway hits. I add a CL in there to now that I think about it.

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 4:55:53 AM

Onime No Kyo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ketza
Just send a�bombardment TF of about 8dds in and they will level the place.

A bombardment fleet of 8 dds? Really?

Dude! Stop talking and play the game.

Good luck!

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RE: More philosophical drivel - 4/17/2010 5:16:56 AM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ketza

My test runs averaged 150 runway hits. I add a CL in there to now that I think about it.

Ketza,

Didn't you comment in the other thread about your experiences with Allied players that get way too aggressive way too early as a result of having more of their shiny battleships unscathed? I think you said that you can nip that in the bud with an aggressive defense early.

Kind of like this? (from one of my PBEMs today):

January 15, 1942

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 114,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 17
B4Y1 Jean x 10
B5N1 Kate x 30

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 4 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA San Francisco
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1
DD Ralph Talbot

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First annual Manchuko and Korea day - 4/18/2010 4:56:06 PM

Chickenboy

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Incremental changes to first turn preparation. Today was "Manchuko and Korea" day. I gave first turn orders to units in Manchuko and Korea. Mostly, they fell into three categories:

1. Shipping: Ordered the small number of ships in coastal Korean ports to sortie. A number of small xAKLs will be sent to small ports on the Home islands with repair shipyards. These (mostly Kiso-class) xAKLs will be converted to much more useful PBs at these small HI ports.

I've ordered transport ships in Keijo to begin loading resources with CS: orders to the mainland. Port Arthur shipping will be similarly divided. Small xAKLs will be sent for conversion. CMs and cCMs will be sent to Nagasaki with orders for 'no mine laying'. I'll use those mines elsewhere, where they'll be more useful.

Theres a few ACMs that start in ports that don't need them. These will be redistributed to support other minefields. There's one at both Shimonoseki and Port Arthur that could use some ACM support.

2. Base preparations: Probably not needed now. I am making note of which Korean and / or Manchuko LCUs I'd like to buy out with PPs later. In the meantime, bases will not expand fortifications or airfields in this region.

3. Aircraft: Mostly training.

A. I've gone through the leaders of the groups and switched out a number that were subpar. I look for *at least* 50+ in Inspiration, Leadership and Air categories. Seems like most of the IJNAF commanders have aggression of >60, so that's kind of a gimmee.

B. Overstuffed the groups with replacement pilots until I could stuff no more. I've set the pilot draw to 'replacements'.

C. Weeded out some quality pilots for immediate integration into the general reserve pools. For fighter pilots, these would have AIR skills of >68-70. High EXP and DEF are bonuses. This yielded maybe 10-15 fighter pilots. For bomber pilots, the bar is set lower. Anyone with a GROUND bombing skill of 65+ makes the cut for integration into the pool.

D. Set the balance to training. 90% training, short (1) range, moderate to low altitude. Here's an example of my group training setting:

The small floatplane Daitai in Southern Korea will be tasked with Naval Search covering the approach to the straits between Shimonoseki and Nagasaki.

Summary: All told, these changes took about an hour to make. Since Manchuko and Korea will form the backbone of the IJAAF training cadres, I felt it important to get these areas on automatic pilot from day one.

Tidbit for JFBs: Three of your KB CV Captains are actually pretty poor in 'naval' skill. I think they're around 35 or so. Since the ability to steer one's ship is pretty important for individual CV captains, they're worth changing out ASAP.

You can do this before the onset of hostilities. Since KB is at anchor in Etorofu Jima, alternate KB Captains can be selected for immediate replacement. It's worth the PP cost, since so much success will be riding on the efficiency of this offensive group.

Tomorrow: China preparations.

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< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 4/18/2010 5:02:51 PM >

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Chinese fire drill - 4/24/2010 7:10:10 PM

Chickenboy

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Well, it wasn't 'tomorrow', but here's my plans for China on turn one:

1. Northeast (bordering Mongolia): I've got plenty of decent LCUs here that aren't really necessary to hold in place. I'm reordering these forces Southwest and prepping them for one of my central China targets. More below.

2. Central China: My initial thrust in China will take place here. The goal: liquidate the gaijin in the triangle Chengchow-Loyang-Nanyang.

These bases are ripe for early plunder. Taken together, I intend to rupture my opponent's left flank, opening the road to Sian. With maximum effort, these three bases can be captured within the first month of the campaign. I'm not convinced of the merits of investing Sian, but I am convinced of the merits of him *thinking* that's where I'm going. A regional withdrawal to support Sian on his part would be welcome.

Such a defense (Chinese withdrawal / retreat to Sian) also leaves Changsa in a precarious salient. I encourage the growth of this salient.

All non-essential defensive LCUs will make best available speed towards rail junctions of Suchow with Kaifeng as jump off goal. Kaifeng is a nice jump off hex-armored units can use the road hex to the Southwest to destroy pockets of enemy rabble running around the countryside and, eventually, sweep NW to cut off Chengchow from retreat to Nanyang.

Infantry and artillery support will be given to Ichang. Some aggressive Allied players invest this city almost immediately with the units surrounding. I don't know if Steve will attempt this yet, but it is my intent to hold Ichang.

Available IJAAF units will begin bombardment of troop concentrations in the open.

3. Southern China: Organization / consolidation of defense. Many bases have too many garrison troops. This surplus will be consolidated and sent forward towards Kaifeng or West to Chuhsien or Nanchang, clearing the route along the way.

Surplus LCUs from Nanking / Shanghai will be sent West to Chuhsien or Nanchang.

4.Southwest China: The usual Hong Kong assault will take place. This stack is set to 'move' to make up more ground initially. I'll set them to 'combat' when they get closer. Hong Kong Port will be attacked by the bombers available at Canton. I'm not expecting much out of this attack, but it's better than nothing, I suppose. I'm ordering Naval Search for the larger recon unit (8 planes)-that should give me a good feel of where the scattered ships that flee Hong Kong will wind up. The other recon unit will recon Hong Kong proper.

By consolidating needed garrison troops, I've managed to scrape up a regiment and a light armored unit. These will proceed due North from the vicinity of Amoy to Kanhsien. My hope is to cut off road supply in SW China. The longer I do this, the harder it gets for my opponent to extricate his LCUs intact.

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RE: Chinese fire drill - 4/24/2010 8:22:38 PM

Q-Ball

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Good luck Chickenboy, I am interested in seeing that China move now with all the Patch changes.

Certainly, clearing that Central Plain is a good idea, it's tough for the Chinese to defend, and there is supply production there. Also clearing the rail line to Hankow is an excellent idea.

The other area is Wenchow and that area "South" of Shanghai (well, WEST on the map). That pocket also needs to be eliminated.

If those two things are accomplished, you can set up a pretty stout MLR, or keep going.

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RE: Chinese fire drill - 4/25/2010 9:35:22 PM

Chickenboy

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Thanks, Q-ball. Your AARs make for excellent reading. I hope I can measure up to your very informative and brief writing style.

The two pockets you've identified are where my main thrusts will be. In particular, the Loyang-Nanyang-Chengchow triangle. I hope to be able to surround the Chinese in these hexes by manuever warfare and kill them, rather than allow them escape.

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Made in Taiwan...err...Formosa - 4/25/2010 9:56:25 PM

Chickenboy

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First day planning for Formosa:

1. Additional pain for Hong Kong: Short-legged bombers here (there's a group of 27 Lillys) are perfectly suited for port bombing of Hong Kong, but can't reach longer-ranged targets on Luzon.

2. Additional pain for Manila / Clark: The KB is set for a first turn Manila strike. I've set the balance of the Formosa-based LBA (several Betty & Nell groups and a Sally group at extended range) to mostly hit the airfields at Clark and continue the punishment of the Manila port.

I want those subs dead. If I can also damage some aircraft at Clark, that's fine, but I'll have another shot at them later too. I've only got one surprise attack at Manila, so I'd better make the best of it.

3. Consolidate shipping at Pescadores and Takao: I've given orders for unnecessary transport ships at other harbors locally to make for either Pescadores or Takao. For the first turn, they should be able to make port at these respective harbors without escort.

4. Troop landing orders: I've given orders for the usual preplanned landings at Aparri and Vigan on the first turn. These will be escorted with the given SCTF escorts. The main effort will be to capture the size 3 a/f at San Fernando, so I can rebase some LBA there to work over remaining pockets later in the Luzon siege.

5. PARATROOPERS!: I've moved out the short-legged Ki-59s from Kagi and replaced them with a group of Ki-56s with longer range. The Ki-56s will drop the 1st SNLF paratroops on Bataan Island (NUMBER 2)

Long-range L3Y2 Tinas will ferry the entirety of the 3rd SNLF to Bayombang, the dot hex on Luzon (NUMBER 1). The purpose of this group is to capture this dot hex and disrupt the retreat and supply path of troops in N. Luzon. They will be sticking out pretty far into my opponent's lines, so after capturing Bayombang, they'll start moving out North to link up with forces pouring in from Vigan and Aparri.

My guess is that Steve will send a few armored units scurrying North to destroy these lightly armed paratroops. Good-this gives me an opportunity to damage or destroy them away from the MLR.

6. Intercepting Hong Kong shipping: I'm anticipating a shower of penny packet shipping out of Hong Kong on Steve's first turn. I'm moving two SCTFs about 4 hexes south of Hong Kong with reaction set to 4. They ought to find some of the ships fleeing the area and destroy them. In case those three HK-based DDs sortie together and try to intercept Takao shipping, I've set a light TB and E force to patrol Takao. I may add a CL or DD to buttress their efforts.

Tomorrow: Samah and Vietnam.

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The war will go on as scheduled - 5/2/2010 7:50:08 PM

Chickenboy

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Vietnam and Samah:

Hainan (Samah): TFs will move from here as planned for the Malaysian peninsula invasion. I thought about rerouting some of these, but stand to benefit from the first move bonus and the troop preparations already conducted. Not very imaginative, but that's the only thing that makes sense to me for the first turn.

Vietnam: The regiment at Lang Son will await arrival of the regiment from Hanoi. When it arrives, they'll breach the Chinese border. A small LCU from CRB will come North to garrison Hanoi. The new garrison requirements from Patch III new starts rear their head...

Claudes from Saigon are transferred to CRB, where they will undergo immediate upgrade. I don't know why this wasn't done before the war-I'll look up the decision makers and give them a flogging. Speaking of which-there are so many immediately obsolescent aircraft (Ann bombers, Nate fighters, etc.) in theater that I just don't want to risk losing decent pilots in such flying garbage. Where possible, I've stripped some of these units and filled them with replacements set for training at 90%. No time like the present to start what should have been done long ago...

Superfluous shipping from Saigon is being organized into a supply TF. This will feed the malaysian campaign as needed-it seems like supply is found wanting after just a few weeks of fighting. This will slake their appetite-at least help.

SS forces in the sea off of Malaysia (image) have been vectored into more likely productive patrol zones between Singapore and Java. Two will begin the transit to patrol between Java and Balikpapan. I expect some shipping to be moving through here in a hurry-escaping the KB action. It would be nice to have some SS to block their path.

IJNAF at Saigon: Not sure what to expect out of Steve re: the Brits at Singapore. The Nells and Betties at Saigon will be kept prepared for torpedo attack of anything foolish enough to venture into their range. I've ordered one of the Nell units to naval search the region to the immediate East of Singapore heavily. This unit (and the others) are also set to naval (torpedo) attack.

IJAAF in Cambodia / Vietnam: Airfield attacks across the Malaysian peninsula, mostly focusing on Georgetown and Kota Bahru. Alor Star will also be secondarily targetted.

Tomorrow: Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 5/2/2010 8:10:19 PM >

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Post #: 23

More mundane war planning - 5/8/2010 10:40:52 PM

Chickenboy

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For those of you following this AAR, I must confess I've had a radical change in plan. I beg your indulgence as I explain. First off, pardon the SLR. It's an attempt at disinformation.

I've decided on an early Java strike. I've decided that this is where I can bring the most effective force to bear in a short as time as possible.

My primary goals in this game are killing LCUs and Allied shipping. One of the problems with the Manila / Singapore primacy in war planning is the ability to let certain prized LCUs from Singapore slip out of the net. Typically, these units make their way to Java where they are then exfiltrated to Ceylon, Darwin or Perth. They rebuild there and make their contributions to the war effort in several months to a year, once refilled with replacements and retrained to a minimal experience befitting combat actions.

Since artillery has been largely 'nerfed' post Patch III, siege warfare in the game has changed significantly. In one of my PBEMs (vs. USSHenrico), I managed to use artillery very effectively around Bataan and Singapore. This helped reduce the amount of time necessary for reducing these bastions and caused significant allied casualties. Now, artillery is essentially useless or of marginal use. Defenses must be reduced by assault, perhaps combined with judicious LBA ground attack or, when possible, naval bombardment.

In a second PBEM of mine, which has been much slower in pace (vs. Crimguy), the reduction of the Manila / Bataan / Clark Field has taken place after Patch III. It's interminable. Artillery isn't helping to break the siege and I'm having to now rotate out my LCUs from the front lines to reduce fatigue and disruption. It's taking for freaking ever.

Why get bogged down with the majority of my forces? Why not land 'holding forces' on Luzon and the Malay peninsula and push him back to his defensive lines? He can rot there and use up his supplies at his leisure. With KB's strike on Manila, he shouldn't have much shipping around anyways to go anywhere or resupply anything in theatre. This will free up sizeable portions of my remaining LCUs for an early landing on Java.

New plans:
1. Melee in Malay:

Land units:

I'm going to allow a few small coastal landings as part of a normal looking turn one. Steve should see groups of transports unloading on the Eastern shore of Thailand's portion of the Malay Peninsula. These will be small units mostly 'making noise' in the area.

The RTA Divisions will move South to Singora. They will be thrown into the initial breaches in the line west and South of Singora. They only have ~130AV each due to their heavy disruption, but they should help against the rabble that is the Northern Malaysian army.

"Real" combat units will rail over from Cambodia, including the Imperial Guard and base forces. These will join the miscellany of small offensive units and the RTA Divisions to breach the lines. For myself, the Imperial Guards division is a necessary tool to use here. Most experienced players will recognize it as a constant presence in the Singapore attack. I hope Steve does too and reckons that this is a typical attack.

I trust that he will fall back in an orderly manner to the typical defensive areas. I intend to let him fall back on Singapore. I'll pressure him and, where possible, kill LCUs as best I am able to effect the ruse. But the whole thrust here is to allow him retreat from most of the Malaysian Peninsula. I'm particularly interested in Georgetown now-it has a good airfield and will be necessary for me to base units capable of surface naval interdiction (e.g., Netties).

Once he's fallen back sufficiently, I will adopt a defensive posture at my leisure and in a place of my choosing. Slow decay and (hopefully!) canabalism will ensue for his forces. Yay canabalism!

Air forces:

IJAAF and IJNAF units from Cambodia and Vietnam will strike airfields across the Malay Peninsula on turn one. The majority of my Nells and Betties at Saigon will be set to naval strike. I'm not sure what Steve's response will be with Force Z or other surface forces in the region. If he elects to sortie North, I'd like to be able to punish him as best able.

Naval forces:

The two heavy SCTFs around Singora will sail to Kota Bahru. There, they will merge, in case Steve elects to come North with his Force Z. This should give me a defensive force of 2 BB, 6-8 CAs, a few CLs and several DDs.

The real landings:

The Japanese host will build about 4 hexes south of Cam Ranh Bay. All IJN naval forces used for the landings on Java will be meeting here. Why here?

1. It's away from Miri, Northern Borneo and the Eastern coast of Malaysia-typical places for an Allied sortie for Force Z or other surface units.
2. It's away from CRB-this base attracts Allied submarines.
3. It's under Netty cover from Saigon. After turn 1, I'll turn some of those a/c over to a combination of naval search and ASW to keep the submariner's heads down.
4. It's on the return route for KB from Manila. Easy to meet up after Manila strikes.
5. Since every Allied player knows not to go near Saigon unless he wants his ships to get Nettied, most Allied players sortie their Phillipine and Hong Kong survivors South through the DEI or even East towards open sea. I think the odds of blundering into an unintentional allied TF here are low.
6. It's far enough away from snooping aircraft based in the Phillipines and Singapore.

I'm not changing my preparation for the units on board the ships until it's clear that I'm taking Java early. Since I'm not going where I've prepped for anyways, the minimal benefit of preparation for my LCUs is more than weighed by the possibility of allied sigint sniffing out my destination. Curse Allied SigInt! (waves fist).

The meat and potatoes of the Allied Java force are the 21st and 33 IJA Divisions, loading in Shanghai and Nagasaki currently. These two divisions will meet the rest of the forces deployed south of CRB. They are 'preparing' for Singapore. Hopefully, Steve will pick up this early SigInt. These forces, together with other smaller LCUs and base forces, should be sufficient to force the issue on Java.

Initial landing plans are for Kalidjati on Java. I'll force everything through there and then spread out across Java. Batavia will be the first large objective on the list.

D-day is set for between December 14-18, 1941.

Summary:

This is going to be extremely bloody, extremely early. I hope that an early fall of Java will completely rupture his lines and make it very difficult for him to extricate forces from Malasia, Singapore, the Phillipines and much of the rest of DEI.

I'm hoping that 'backfilling' Singapore, Clark Field, Bataan and Manila are practical and don't cost me early initiative. This is a risky move on my part, but you only live once, eh?

BANZAI!

Tomorrow: The Home Islands and the Pacific.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 5/8/2010 10:41:18 PM >

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RE: First annual Manchuko and Korea day - 5/11/2010 5:08:52 PM

koontz

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Tidbit for JFBs: Three of your KB CV Captains are actually pretty poor in 'naval' skill. I think they're around 35 or so. Since the ability to steer one's ship is pretty important for individual CV captains, they're worth changing out ASAP.

Ah great advice are working on turn 1 atm.

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RE: First annual Manchuko and Korea day - 5/11/2010 5:46:18 PM

Smeulders

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On Singapore, aren't you afraid to leave such a large base behind your lines ? Even if it is doomed eventually, it has a rather large stockpile of supplies that can be used for some time to support any allied plane that can reach the base. I wouldn't be surprised to see an occasional B-17 raid originating there as long as Singapore stands.

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Post #: 26

RE: First annual Manchuko and Korea day - 5/11/2010 7:22:44 PM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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quote:

ORIGINAL: koontz

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Tidbit for JFBs: Three of your KB CV Captains are actually pretty poor in 'naval' skill. I think they're around 35 or so. Since the ability to steer one's ship is pretty important for individual CV captains, they're worth changing out ASAP.

Ah great advice are working on turn 1 atm.

I must confess that it was Q-ball that pointed out this issue to me initially. I just thought that it may be best to change the captains out BEFORE the onset of hostilities.

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RE: First annual Manchuko and Korea day - 5/11/2010 7:24:17 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

On Singapore, aren't you afraid to leave such a large base behind your lines ? Even if it is doomed eventually, it has a rather large stockpile of supplies that can be used for some time to support any allied plane that can reach the base. I wouldn't be surprised to see an occasional B-17 raid originating there as long as Singapore stands.

Good point. I think if I take Georgetown and maybe another base with level 2+ airfield on the Malay peninsula, I can have base LBA to suppress the airfield and provide fighter coverage too. At least that's my working hypothesis moving forward.

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Post #: 28

Final preparations - 5/17/2010 2:12:33 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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Finishing up...the big task...

Japanese Home Islands (minus Hokkaido, Sakhalin)-general

Mostly, this involves setting a plethora of multiple TFs to start getting goodies from China, Port Arthur, Hokkaido and Sakhalin. I won't bore the readers with this detail. The main thrust here is to start the shipment of the necessary avalanche of resources needed for Home Island expansion of manufacturing.

LCUs

All LCUs with non-restricted HQs will make best possible speed towards either Tokyo or Nagasaki. The 33rd Division (Nagasaki) is prepping for Soerbaja and commences loading on turn one. It's counterpart (21st Division) is loading at Shanghai with preparatory orders for Batavia. The IJA 4th Division is also loading at Osaka with prepatory orders for Soerbaja.

Aircraft
Production settings are below. I'll have to increase supply to the Gifu and Maebashi to accomodate the large numbers of damaged factories in both these cities. I've tried to guesstimate the 'pull' settings to ensure that supplies stay North (just) of 10,000 in both cases. Airframe production for the A6M2 and Ki-46c (Oscar) are both heavily represented at these bases-I'll need to get supplies there in abundance to increase their production. The image below demonstrates the current turn one limitations therein.

Before I get killed on the boards for saying this, I know that I *shouldn't* need to increase requested supply with the arrows, but I've found that there is considerable delay invoked for factory repair if one does *not* do this. I'm not a big fan of 'pulling' supply in, say, China-that tends to bork other bases supply, but have found that this technique is sometimes necessary to keep supplies in a base while the factories repair.

I've started training pilots and 'harvesting' good candidates for front line duty from the home islands already. These will be helpful in replacing initial losses from the early months of the war.

Sending it over

I'm getting this first turn out to AW1Steve ASAP. Why the rush? He's in the middle of a move right now, en route to his new home in Nebraska. It's cruel and heartless, but I hope to get him started in this game while he's got a lot of other thoughts on his mind-new surrounds, unpacking boxes, the like.

It would be beneficial for me to keep him thinking that the opening moves of this game are 'status quo'. By being ensured that he's very very busy with real life, I hope to catch him in a moment of personal weakness. These don't come often-he's a cagey devil-but why not leverage the benefits that real life provides while I can, neh?