RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal (No Jrcar or Tony)

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RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/21/2011 1:22:13 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Jan 25 through 27
Cracking along at a grand old pace.

Jan 25
At sea KB continues its assault on Moresby hitting it with 144 Kates but not achieving much. His minesweepers though make significant progress sweeping the mines up clearing 40 in a turn. A surface TF appears off Balikpapan and despite me having laid hundreds of mines there too, they bombard the place without running into a single one. The place is pretty banged up but I am resigned to losing it as soon as he decides to apply some power there. My follow up TF at Suva is a few days out now. Getting close. KB please stay away.

In the air my B-17s strike Prome to good effect but thats probably it from them for a few turns. Morale is slumping and damaged aircraft mounting.

On the ground he shock attacks at Moresby and we hold. Dare I hope that we can fight him off?

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9089 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 4719 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Japanese adjusted assault: 144

Allied adjusted defense: 85

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
144th Infantry Regiment
61st Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force

Defending units:
49th Australian Battalion
Lark Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force

Jan 26
At sea a carrier TF suddenly appear 6 hexes off Perth. Luckily for me they get busted by an ASW patrol that was a few hexes north of Perth and shoot their bolt early. I suspect this is mini KB but it could be stronger.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 49,147

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 157 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 67 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N1 Kate x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Isis
DD Jupiter
DD Stewart, Bomb hits 1

Elsewhere another 60 mines cleared at Moresby and an AK lost to subs off Hawaii. I am trying use the auto convoy system to keep the isolated islands supplied but its tough with his subs out hunting. They all need escorts. My follow up TF 1 hex away from Suva now. aaaagh.

On the ground some big IJA attacks go in. First at Clarke where we hold them off again and give them plenty of hurt.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37760 troops, 579 guns, 529 vehicles, Assault Value = 1262

Defending force 30027 troops, 558 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 909

Japanese adjusted assault: 676

Allied adjusted defense: 1486

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3817 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 311 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 214 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 74 (4 destroyed, 70 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1493 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Then at Singapore where we surprisingly hold on again and deal out a surprising amount of punishment. Singapore may yet hold until the end of the month despite all we have done to lose it!!

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35906 troops, 488 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 1208

Defending force 19413 troops, 280 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Japanese adjusted assault: 687

Allied adjusted defense: 377

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2119 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 158 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1728 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 149 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)

In Burma the Japanese are all over the central valley. Our main force is in Rangoon but not well dug in. They won't last long. The good news is we have our fall back line taking shape nicely. Chittagong and Calcutta are well defended and Colombo is building up too.

Finally at San Fernando in the PI our brave armoured raider meetis iyts end at the hands of the 7th Tank regiment. It was a bold venture.

Jan 27
At sea Moresby is hit by 3 CA's and 5 DD's bombarding. They are throwing the kitchen sink at the place. Looks like KB has pulled back to Rabaul. Hmmm. The forces I have in Perth scatter. Luckily the most valuable target was a tanker convoy that left the port a day before the CV's turned up. The weather is bad and I think they have a good chance of running east and getting away. He hits Perth itself and nails two few Dutch subs which were under repair there. By the looks of the aircraft numbers this is just mini KB. Maybe a distraction for what Big-Moma KB has planned for the east again.

Afternoon Air attack on Perth , at 49,147

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 137 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 59 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B4Y1 Jean x 10
B5N1 Kate x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAKL De Haan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS KXVI, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS O16, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, on fire

The Suva convoy arrives. Huzzah. A fuel convoy and naval support and engineers are now close to Auckland, the first fighters are a week behind and the 2nd Marine reg is loading in Hawaii ready to head south as well. Things are starting to flow nicely now.

On the ground the Japanese arrive in Rangoon and bombard. He only has one division at this point so it may not be enough to blast us out yet.

At Moresby he shock attacks again. We hold again and inflict casualties this time - enough to perhaps slow him down. Our guys are weakening though. His losses are disabled whereas ours are destroyed. Not good for the long term prospects for the defence.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9008 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Defending force 4389 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 90

Japanese adjusted assault: 102

Allied adjusted defense: 65

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

I feel like we are finally in the game now as we see troops starting to flow. I have 2 regiments of the Americal division available in the US, with the 3rd about follow. Another fighter wing (P-40E's) is about ready to be despatched with air skill at 60 and a number of my squadrons which have been training for ASW since day 1 are also coming up on 60 skill. I will deploy a couple at that level and see how they go. I have also finally set up a Catalina screen covering the mid Pacific islands. Any raids into my convoy lines should hopefully at least be detected. Things are starting to look up....until KB comes visiting again anyway.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 91

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/21/2011 2:11:09 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

There is no way to hold Port Moresby against a determined Jap effort in Jan 42 with the forces available--sorry...Well, there is one way: if you can get either the 6th or 7th Aus Divs there, but that is usually a race that you will lose against an experienced Jap player and has other consequences.

BTW, rented my Ashgrove house so I won't be back to Brisbane for a while. Still would like to have a beer when I get back into town. Continued Good Luck!

mike

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 92

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/22/2011 12:33:36 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

There is no way to hold Port Moresby against a determined Jap effort in Jan 42 with the forces available--sorry...Well, there is one way: if you can get either the 6th or 7th Aus Divs there, but that is usually a race that you will lose against an experienced Jap player and has other consequences.

BTW, rented my Ashgrove house so I won't be back to Brisbane for a while. Still would like to have a beer when I get back into town. Continued Good Luck!

mike

Re Pt Moresby I am getting that feeling. Call me when you are in town. It would be good to meet up.
Rgds
Andrerw

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 93

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/22/2011 1:04:10 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Jan 28 and 29

Jan 28
At sea a big force of mineswepers arrive at Palembang and gets a hot welcome. We might even get a few of those.

TF 19 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-20
DMS W-5, Shell hits 2
DMS W-4, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS W-3, Shell hits 1
TB Hayabusa
TB Kasasagi
TB Otori
E Saga
TB Kari, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

At Suva our follow up convoy is well under way to discharge and things there are looking good.

In the air, mini KB cleans up the unfortunate few who were not able to get away from the Perth area. We only lose 3 or 4 auxilliary ships in total so its a pretty good result really. The tankers are fleeing to Adelaide and seem to be unspotted, but based on his past performance he may well pursue all the way so we are setting up a welcome for him there. A massive raid hits Bataan this turn. I think he is targetting our supplies.

On the ground, he lands a force in Kuantan where one of our isolated brigades was holding out. In the attack the brigade collapses and surrenders with only 33 Japanese casualties. In Moresby another shock attack comes in. His casualties are heavy but we lose the 49th Bat destroyed. There are more ships approaching Moresby so I think he is bringing in reinforcements as our resistance must be frustrating him.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8573 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Defending force 4101 troops, 74 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Japanese adjusted assault: 106

Allied adjusted defense: 89

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1111 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Jan 29

At sea, it is a Japanese reinforcement convoy that arrives at Moresby. We get two sub attacks in but no joy. Subsequent intel shows a SNLF battalion landing to beef up the attack. Near Perth mini KB disappears. Is it coming across the Great Australian Bight in pursuit of my tankers is the big question. KB has alo vanished now but we spot torpedo planes over Suva and Pago Pago. I am hoping they are just long range recon patrols from Tarawa but I am concerned it may be KB. They can't have got there that fast but I am being paranoid. Have beefed up recon out of Pago Pago to cover the recon gap between Suva and the mid Pacific islands. If they are on the way, we need to spot these guys coming in before they get too close or it could be bad news. Suva discharge is almost complete but the next convoy has precious fighters and I do not want to even risk them.

In the air he seems to have 150+ bombers hitting Clarke and Bataan. Must be a push coming. Balikpapan is also starting to get attention.

On the ground, Moresby gets a rest but the first attack comes in at Rangoon and immediately achieves 2-1 although Japanese casualties are heavy.

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12902 troops, 159 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 439

Defending force 6329 troops, 78 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 622

Allied adjusted defense: 309

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1167 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
4/14th Punjab Battalion
Rangoon BAF Battalion
9/11th Sikh Battalion
4/8th Gurkha Battalion
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

I am having night sweats worrying about where KB might be headed. I need more time to get air assets into place, particularly fighters. Then we can start attriting the boys down a bit.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 94

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/23/2011 11:59:35 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Jan 30 and 31

Jan 30
At sea there is a flurry ASW attacks around Port Moresby. Multiple torpedo attacks deliver precisely zero result. I am not sure I have had any US torpedoes actually go off yet. I hit is taken an an S boat in return but only a few points of sys damage so we can ignore it.

In the air, the usual Japanese attacks come in on Singapore, Soerabaja, Clarke, Bataan, Moresby, Pt Blair. ho humm.

On the ground, the only major action is another attack at Rangoon. Achieves 2-1 but the IJA take 1100 casualties vs my 200. Forts down to 1. At Moresby more troops come ashore but he is resting before his next push.

In general I have to say my ground forces are doing a bit better than I gave them credit for.

Jan 31
Some action at sea this turn. I had a small convoy (2 AK's escorted by an AM) discharging supplies at Pago Pago as the first step in building it up as part of the air bridge between Hawaii and Australia. Last few turns they have been snooped by Japanese recon making me crap my pants that KB was nearby. Its not KB however, rather two armed merchant cruisers which turn up and nail the AM and one of the AK's

Night Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
AM Bobolink, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Iron Knight, Shell hits 9, on fire
xAK Evi Livanos

Justice however is swift.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Upolu at 146,162

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 16
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Hokoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Looks like one is sunk and the other damaged, but the real pity is he knows I have 1 or 2 carriers there now. I have to be careful here as there is a lot at risk if KB does turn up. My 3 active carriers and a convoy loaded with my first operational fighter group are all in the area and losing that lot would REALLY hurt.

Elsewhere some more duelling at Moresby for little outcome and mini KB smacks Perth and Albany again. At least they aren't coming to Adelaide and my tankers all got away.

On the ground he comes at Rangoon again. This time its only 1-2 and another 750 IJA Casualties

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12264 troops, 160 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Defending force 6067 troops, 77 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 228

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 150

Allied adjusted defense: 219

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
Rangoon BAF Battalion
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
9/11th Sikh Battalion
4/8th Gurkha Battalion
4/14th Punjab Battalion
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

My biggest concern at the moment is KB, last spotted 3 or 4 days ago at Rabaul. I have recon out now covering the east coast of Australia and the approaches to Suva and we haven't spotted anything. There is a gap around Noumea which I haven't been able to fill yet, so that means they could either be coming to Auckland through that gap or not coming at all. I have a sub picket out covering that gap but its a lot of ocean and not many subs. You have to love this game don't you. The tension is great.

Rgds
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 95

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 2/24/2011 2:22:12 PM

Itdepends

Posts: 937
Joined: 12/12/2005
Status: offline

You don't know where his carriers are and but he knows where you'rs are........I'd be turning around and changing my route (run awaaaaaaaaaaaay)

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 96

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/4/2011 3:47:01 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 1 thru 5
I have been away for a week at the beach and at the Avalon airshow so its been a while since an update. Lots have happened, most of it bad (but not all). Since there have been 5 turns since my last report, rather than do a turn by turn account will describe what has happened in each of the major theatres.

Firstly Singapore/Malaya
Basically things transpired as expected. On Feb 1 another big Japanese shock attack rolled in. This one achieved 6-1 odds and the garrison surrendered. We managed to hold into Feb which is about 2 weeks short of historical, but given the situation we got ourselves in with the landing at Mersing cutting off a significant proportion of the combat force it wasn't as bad an outcome as it might have been. We still had numerous units at larghe in the Malaya interior which the IJA had to clear up. Over the subsequent 4 days they took out the 22nd Ind Brig at Kuantan and a couple of rogue BF's. We still have the remnants of an Australian Brig astride their com lines one hex north of Johore Baru so that will take a few days more to clear up.

Dutch East Indies
Samarinda, next to Balikpapan, is taken on Feb 1 and Balik is hit bit by both air and naval bombardment. My big minefield there looks like it won't have much impact. Not much else to report other than constant air suppression of Soerabaja and increasing air activity over Palembang. With Singapore gone, the Japanese will be coming within a week or two I am guessing. Just depends how long it takes them to rest and recuperate before the next leap.

Phillipines
This is the real gut wrenching story. I was pretty happy with the way things were going at this stage. I had 1200AV in Clarke and about 300 in Bataan. Clarke was holding nicely. We had repelled 4 or 5 major Japanese attacks, inflicted serious losses and Bataan had got to 4 forts. My plan was to fall back on the Bataan and hold out for another month or more. On Feb 1 he shock attacked Clarke but also dropped a para fragment on Bataan. The Clarke combat was resolved first and even though the para fragment was wiped out subsequently its presence in Bataan at the time the Clarke combat was resolved meant no retreat was possible. He just scraped 3-1 at Clarke and the enitre force with no where to retreat surrendered.

[Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 74449 troops, 905 guns, 684 vehicles, Assault Value = 2477
Defending force 29487 troops, 585 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 870
Japanese adjusted assault: 3327
Allied adjusted defense: 1027
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
4081 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 164 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 37 disabled
Vehicles lost 77 (4 destroyed, 73 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
32649 casualties reported
Squads: 1605 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2125 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 128 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 550 (550 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 179 (179 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 22

I was pretty unhappy about this. I actually felt it was a bit gamey but when I asked what had happened, they had a pretty cogent defence prepared as to what they did and why it was acceptable. I actually think that shows they felt it was a bit gamey too and had some guilt issues. I had no idea this was even a risk so feel a bit hard done by but I guess that is war and my first real penalty for being in-experienced. I can do the same thing in return if thats the way we are going to play so I let it go without making a big deal about it. Needless to say our position in the PI is shattered. Bataan won't last long if he deploys his whole force against it so we have to plan on him having 3 or 4 divisions availble a month sooner than he would have otherwise. He still has to take out the DEI but given his aggressive move at Port Moresby I wouldn't be surprised if he uses these troops to come after Noumea or Suva or he may send them West into India or Ceylon. We have to plan accordingly.

Port Moresby
After losing Singapore and Clarke on Feb 1, he shock attacked PM on Feb 2 and by the slimmest of margins achieved 3-1 and forced us out. He had to bring in 3 naval guard units and an SNLF to reinforce the original infantry regiment before he could take it, so we fought hard but PM is lost now too. By this stage as you can imagine I was feeling a bit down and this turn was done on my birthday so many happy freakin returns.

New Zealand / Fiji area
I had developed an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach that KB were headed my way after I lost sight of them at Moresby. I decided to evacuate all the merchant ships form NZ and be extremely careful about the Carriers and convoys moving to Suva. From NZ, the short range units went back to Oz or Suva, long range to the US. I also set up my limited recon assets to scan the Fiji and Noumea areas. Sure enough on Feb 1 we pick up KB just passing Noumea headed south. Everyone was already headed out of harms way and had a couple of days head start but flank speed was ordered and the chickens scattered. On Feb 3 KB smashed a largely empty Auckland. 3 Clemson DD's in the process of converting to APD's couldn't get out in time so they were my only losses. The next day he travelled down the east coast of the North Island and on Feb 4 hit Auckland again and every other port in the area. No losses :) Feb 5 he dissappears (gulp) Looks like he is headed south so he may think that is where all my boats have gone. I have every available search plane hunting so hopefully we can pick him up again before he is in position too do much more damage. Meanwhile the Southern Ocean is about a good a place as any for KB. Suva is building up nicely and he has lost sight of my CV's. I think I am going to focus reinforcements here for a while rather than spread out to Noumea. His freed up units in the PI scare me and next time he lands at I place I am defending I want to kick him back into the sea, not fold up like a deck of cards.

Burma
On Feb 3 completing my nightmare 3 days, the IJA shock attacked Rangoon, achieved 4-1 and swept me out. The troops retreated into the swamp but as we had put absolutely nothing into Burma the force he has now is probably enough to clean the place out. He seems to have about 2 divisions of infantry, a couple of tank regiments and some other sundry units. Started evacuating all the Base forces. Mandalay also fell and he landed unopposed in Akyab. Our main defense line is Ledo to Chittagong and we may fight for Cox's Bazaar as an outpost. Still pretty weak though with only 1500 AV or there abouts in the area. Decided to send the 6th Australian division to Ceylon in case the PI forces head into this region.

China
It seems his main focus of attack is on Sian. We have seen a couple of sigint reports now of Attacks being planned for Sian and he has a big force on the road from Nayang to Sian (about 21 units). We are moving to basically put a bunch of units in the bad terrain between Nanyang and Sian to bog him down. Am also considering building on his northern and southern flank so if he pushes everything towards Sian we can try a Kursk assault on him. Hopefully with more success than the Germans had.

At Sea
My subs continue shooting blanks. Had one good turn where we got an AKL and an AK near Port Moresby but so far our tactic of concentrating subs in the forward area hasn't been very successful. Have sent the first boats from PH to the Japanese islands to deploy on the approaches to Osaka and Tokyo. Its such a loooong way though. Really need to build Midway up into a reasonable base.

So thats it. The disaster at Clarke has forced us to be a bit more conservative than we were planning to be. Noumea may be out of the defense network for a bit and we are going to build up in India on a line relatively far back.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 97

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/4/2011 1:05:22 PM

Itdepends

Posts: 937
Joined: 12/12/2005
Status: offline

Personally I find the Clarke/Bataan move gamey because the para group wasn't enough to take the hex behind your main force- or even survive the first round of combat!

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 98

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/4/2011 2:56:10 PM

d0mbo

Posts: 592
Joined: 8/21/2009
From: Holland
Status: offline

THis feels gamey to me as well. The right thing to do was (if they really wanted to use paratroops) to drop them at Clark itself hence forcing a retreat but cutting your units off like this doesn't feel right.

Just know you can return the favor many, many times more later in the war.

Bad sportmanship imho.

(in reply to Itdepends)

Post #: 99

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/4/2011 10:15:48 PM

anarchyintheuk

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline

I'd put the para frag drop in the steaming pile category as well.

(in reply to d0mbo)

Post #: 100

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/4/2011 11:36:52 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

I should say that apart from the "Clarke incident" Tony and Rob have been a pleasure to play. Its been a lot of fun and the banter is entertaining. I probably have a touch of sour grapes about having my first half way successful operation turned on its head.
Regards
Andrew

(in reply to anarchyintheuk)

Post #: 101

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/6/2011 7:08:23 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 6 and 7

Feb 6
At sea some sub action. We lose an unescorted AKL on auto convoy duty along the Canadian coast and launch two attacks for yet again no result - one off the New Guinea approach another south of Kendari. KB has dissappeared off the face of the planet. Must have gone south and I bet they come north for Fiji after hunting down there for a bit.

In the air the usual array of Japanese attacks spread over the board.

On the ground a number of mop up attacks. The Philippines is almost all controlled now. Timor is gone. They attack the Australian remnants north of Johore Baru but they hold another day. Not long now.

Feb 7
At sea. One of his subs gets a shot at a CV TF NE of Fiji. No damage and the CV is not reported in the combat report but we are living dangerously here. Its all about getting the Aircobra wing into Suva so we have an air defense when KB come visiting. The TF has arrived there and two days should see the planes all unloaded. Two squadrons are on AKV's so should be ready for action pretty fast. One of the Auckland escapee TF's has run out of fuel in the mid Pacific due east of Auckland. I left them on max speed too long and pay the penalty. The TF is headed back but will leave a trail of out of fuel small AP's and AKL's in its wake. A passive picket line maybe.

In the air, the Betty's vist Townsville for the first time. 11 Betty's score 17 hits. The ships are all rubbish lights and auxilliaries but I better get fighters there I guess. Another stupid error on my part.

Afternoon Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AVP Merel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Rigel, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Schouten, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Angelina, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AVP Fazant, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AM Tanager, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AM Lithgow, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Patris, Bomb hits 2
PC Tydeman, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Mauban, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 2

One the ground, Lashio falls with no opposition and the brave Aussies north of JB hold again.

We get sigint that an SNLF raiding force his headed for Koumac on New Caledonia. If I was a bit more certain about KB's location I could do something about it. I am worried we are letting them get too far too fast without enough resistance and we need to start the attrition process. We will pay for it down the track otherise.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 102

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/7/2011 11:34:23 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 8

At sea, KB re-emerges from the mist about 15 hexes due east of Auckland. That TF full of small Dutch AP's that has run out of fuel is about 5 hexes to its left and will probably now get annihilated. I scattered them in the hope a couple may survive. The good news is we know where he is and he isn't sure where I am, although he knows carriers are around the Fiji area I suspect after that sub contact. An intriguing little game of cat and mouse will now ensue as I try and steer various convoys around KB. The good news is I now have 80 Aircobras ready for action in Suva and they have air combat ratings of 60+ so if he does come there will at least be a decent fight. The convoy that landed the Aircobras is running without unloading supplies just in case KB makes a rapid transit north. Elsewhere we lose a sub that had been badly damaged in the earlier air raids on Darwin. t was moving to Sydney for repair and gets nailed by I-16 patrolling at Horn Island.

On the ground he lands at Luganville. We picked up sigint that he is headed to Koumac on New Caledonia as well. Surprising that he is staking territory this far out. Wonder if his plan is to cut Australia off from the US. Would certainly explain KB's pre-occupation with Australia and New Zealand. Not much we can do about it this early as we don't have the force capability.

Balikpapan falls to a ground assault. I was hoping the may last a couple of turns but he brought a decent size force to the table this time.

Assaulting units:
I./124th Infantry Battalion
III/81st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
16th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Sasebo SNLF Coy

In Thailand we had a little "Chindit raid" going on with an infantry battalion moving around his flank and cutting the rail line to Chiang Mai. An RTA (Thai army?) division has finally jumped on them and pushed them off the rail line. Was fun though.

Getting good intel over the last few turns. This turn we get sigint that the Guards Mixed Brigade is prepping for Midway and another unit for Ambon. Better beef up Midway before its too late. Wonder if two Marine defense units dug in are enough?

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 103

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 12:49:41 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Apologies for the delayed update, been a busy week.

Feb 9~12
We get one back.

Feb 9
At sea some sub action. We launch 3 attacks, 2 by USN subs which both fail, and 1 by a British sub which sinks a DMS just west of Victoria Point. KB then goes to town on all the little Dutch AP's and AKL's east of Auckland sinking 6 of them. The out of fuel AS however seems to have been left for dead behind the main scene of the action.

In the air, big Japanese raids go in on Palembang and on the hold outs at Bataan. We send the AVG to sweep Mandalay and lose 2 for 2 vs zeroes there.

On the ground Bataan falls to a massive shock attack. Looks like all the forces from the Clarke battle participated which is interesting.

Feb 10
Revenge of the nerds. We had received sig int that a Japanese SNLF was headed for Koumac, so I peeled a CL and 3 DD's off the convoy that landed the Aircobra's in Suva and sent them to Koumac to see if they could intercept. As luck would have it both forces arrived in Koumac at the same time and the following was the result.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CM Takashima, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
PB Sonan Maru #5, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Sonan Maru #6, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Concord
DD Benham
DD Ellet
DD Dunlap

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
CL Concord engages PB Sonan Maru #6 at 8,000 yards
CL Concord engages PB Sonan Maru #5 at 8,000 yards
DD Ellet engages PB Sonan Maru #5 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Concord engages PB Sonan Maru #5 at 6,000 yards
PB Sonan Maru #6 sunk by DD Ellet at 6,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Sugiyama Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ellet engages xAK Sugiyama Maru at 6,000 yards
PB Sonan Maru #5 sunk by CL Concord at 6,000 yards
xAK Sugiyama Maru sunk by DD Benham at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Benham engages CM Takashima at 4,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Hakusika Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Concord engages CM Takashima at 2,000 yards
xAK Hakusika Maru sunk by DD Ellet at 2,000 yards
CM Takashima sunk by DD Ellet at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

It had been a long time between drinks. The last time we did anything good was the action off Borneo where we sank a BB and a CA, so this was a very nice morale booster

Elsewhere at sea we get 4 hits on a sub at Pago Pago which might slow it down a bit. KB finshes off the last of the AP's and again ignores the adrift AS. The big question now is does he head for Suva? I have 80 P-39's waiting for him if he does. I almost want him to come but am not sure.

In the air, more big raids on Palembang. He must be coming soon. Cebu, which I think is the last position in the Philippines now, also comes in for some attention. We send the B-17's in to Akyab with Blenheims and kill a few of the SNLF that landed there.

On the ground, the Japanese cross the river at Mandalay and attack Shwebo, but we hold for the moment. The position at Taung Gyi to the south of Mandalay falls.

Feb 11
At sea his mine sweeping efforts are really in full swing. He is clearing the big minefields we laid at Balikpapan and Rangoon. Some sub parry and thrust results in basically nothing. KB disappears from the recon grid. I had faced the Catalinas at Noumea north to try and pick up the Koumac force so he may have headed into the gap to north of New Zealand rather than towards Suva. I have another convoy ready to go in there but am holding it back under cover of the carrier TF's until I get a better feel for his intentions. Looks like he might be headed home but I am not sure.

In the air we try and hit Mandalay hard with B-17's escoprted by the AVG but everyone is at long range and we get handled pretty roughly by the CAP. Looks like we lost about a dozen "P-40's" for half a dozen zeroes and don't do much damage in the raid. May not do that again :(

On the ground Shwebo falls to a second attack - to a single infantry brigade (a bit embarrassing).

Feb 12
At sea, KB is reacquired north of Auckland but the report says they are headed north east towards Suva. Not sure what they are doing. It looks like they are headed north west towards home but I decide to play it safe and hold the convoys back, up the CAP level at Suva and see what they are planning. We get a nice result from the ASW patrol off Suva getting 3 hits and heavy damage on I-8. Not bad for mine sweepers.

On the ground a Japanese raiding force is moving up the New Guinea north coast converting bases there to japanese control. I move in behind them and retake Buna with the Lark Battalion which has retreated from Port Moresby over the Owen Stanleys and descended from the hills into Buna. He moves on to Salamua. This is just an entertaining side show of course.

I am home all day today, so now I have caught up, I will report on the situation in China and do a bit of a strategic over view this afternoon.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 104

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 4:16:24 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 13
A Sea KB is tracking north west away from Suva. I am surprised. It may be that he detected the fighters and decided to go and re-arm before coming back, or he may have more urgent business elsewhere. Not sure, but it allows to me get another marine regiment, CD guns, engineers and two USMC fighter squadron into the place. Starting to feel like I may be able to hold it now. Americal div has left San Francisco for Pearl Harbour initially so it will be in theatre in a month or so. The last surving Dutch mini AP from the Auckland massacre manages to get torpedoed by a sub as it comes into harbour.

In the air, Ambon takes a pasting and my B-17's decide to revisit Mandalay, even though I had meant to ground them. This time we kill an Oscar or 2 for the loss of 2 fighters. The AVG is weakened by this campaign so we need to rest up for the upcoming Japanese offensive.

On the ground Cebu is attacked and holds. Will fall next turn though I suspect. He comes ashore at Ambon.

A China summary is coming next.

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 105

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 4:35:10 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

North China

The main action has been on the road to Sian. After driving us out of Nanyang and Loyang he started to drive up the main road to Sian. We managed to get a decent force into the first rough terrain hex and have since built it up to around 1800AV. He has attacked there several times now and has taken reasonably heavy casualties so he seems to have paused. Two new attacks have now developed on the flank of the initial thrust. The southern one being the newest and potentially the most dangerous. We have 4 Corps moving up from the south to reinforce the single corps holding the road but he will get his attacks in first. If he pushes us back I think I can harass him from the rear enough that it will make progress here very hard for him.

He has also sent a few units around in the Gobi desert in the far north. I am not sure what he is trying achieve here but have moved a corps into Lanchow as protection in case this turns into a serious attack.

Have moved 3 fresh corps in from the central region toward Sian via the dirt road over the mountains. You can see two of them in transit on the map below. I think we have enough to hold and the terrain is good so we have a fair chance of bogging him down I hope.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 106

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 4:44:12 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

South China
The battle is developing around Kukong and Wuchow with the Japanese thrusting along the yellow axis in the map below. We are resisting in the blue circled areas (Kukong itself and the hex north of Wuchow) and pumping in reinforcements along the blue axis. So far we have held multiple attacks at both locations and the situation seems to be under control. Reserves are at Kweilin and Changsha if he pushes forward.

Its still only Feb so we haven't given much thought to an counter offensive yet.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by aoffen -- 3/12/2011 4:45:00 AM >

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 107

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 5:19:45 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

The Strategic Situation
Mid February 1942

The story thus far....
Our defense of Malaya and Singapore was pulled apart pretty quickly but we managed to harass them to the point we are not too far behind the original time line.
Our defense of the Philippines promised to be more successful until it all came crashing down with the collapse and surrender of the Clarke position. The PI is now almost all japanese controlled.
They have moved early and aggressively into Burma (made possible by the easy Malaya victory) and have seized everything upto Shwebo. The rest will follow quickly.
They have been very aggressive in the Pacific with KB off the Australian coast and down around New Zealand and they have seized Port Moresby, Luganville and have tried to land on New Caledonia.

Overall I think they will be pretty happy with the position they have achieved thus far. They are ahead of schedule and their casualties have been fairly light. On the ground the quick victories in Malaya and the Philippines meant their ground casualties were quite moderate and at sea they have only lost a BB and a CA sunk with a bunch of ships damaged in a minefield.

On the positive side they have not landed a killer blow on us yet. Pearl harbour was not successful for them. All 8 BB's were heavily damaged but none sank (subsequently we stupidly lost 2 trying to get the back to the US for repairs). The sea battles around the DEI were probably a draw. We lost the Repulse and all the Dutch light cruisers but bagged the above mentioned BB and CA in return and got the Prince of Wales out to Colombo. The two KB raids netted a few cruisers and a lot of merchant ships but they were mainly Dutch and Australian minor vessels that are useful but not really necessary for the future war effort. As a result we find ourselves reasonably intact. Our air training program is going well and we have plenty of 60+ air skill fighter pilots and 60+ ASW skill bomber pilots coming intoi the system. We are short of planes more than pilots at the moment.

Java and Sumatra are clearly next on the list and with all the forces freed up from Malaya and the Philippines they will have plenty of combat power to take the two islands out. Our job here is to fight, scratch and delay and try to drag things out for as long as possible.

Fiji and Auckland have developed into our Pacific stop line. Over the next month we will focus on building these two places up to the point we can stop a multi division landing. Noumea will be included if I think we can get there in enough strength but will be third on the list. The 7th Divison will head for Australia and protect the east coast but if he decides to go for Darwin I don't have much to stop him at this stage. They seem to be very aggressive in this area and it looks like cutting Australia off may be one of their key strategies. A Darwin invasion is a distinct possibility.

In India, Chittagong and a line due east is our main defensive position and we have reinforced Ceylon with the 6th Aust division which, with another 3 or 4 local brigades should make it a tough nut to crack. The speed of his advance in Burma may count against us here as our re-inforcement are only trickling in at this stage. If he decides to send 3 or 4 divisions in this direction and attack now it will be tough to fight him off.

Java and Sumatra should take them a month or maybe two to capture, so it will leave us in early April wondering where next for his ground strength. West to India / Ceylon or East to Australia / New Zealand. Meantime KB is going to be a nightmare to handle and I am guessing his next foray will be in my direction. The plan is continue to duck and weave and start the attrition process on his pilots as soon as we can.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 108

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 6:33:54 PM

Alfred

Posts: 6685
Joined: 9/28/2006
Status: offline

A couple of points for your consideration. Feel free to disregard if you disagree.

1. Your pilot training program is not tough enough. You seem to be satisfied having fighter pilots with air skill in the 60s. That is too low. Your benchmark should be to send fighter pilots into action with a minimum of:

50 experience
70 air skill
70 defence skill

For naval search/ASW pilots, you can get away with only having the relevant skills in the 60s if you have the commensurate bombing skill (depends on what altitude you run the search) at least in the 50s. You want to at least have a decent chance of actually hitting anything you discover. To reduce operational losses for these missions, it also helps to have 50+ experience and limit the search distance to 12 hexes.

2. Your contemplated Ceylon forces will only suffice for a single month of fighting if the enemy invades Ceylon. As you are concentrating 1500 AV on the Ledo - Imphal line, it strikes me you lack a mobile strategic reserve in India. I would rather have the Aussie div in India in reserve rather than waiting to be destroyed on Ceylon. Particularly as the odds are that the enemy will not approach your Assam position overland as that is too slow. If they are going for India, they will rely primarily on using their sea mobility.

Alfred

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 109

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/12/2011 7:38:04 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

For fighter pilots, I agree with the 70 Air skill. The problem with 50 Exp and especially 70 Def skill is that it takes so long to train up to those levels that you will have a commensurately smaller pool of pilots. You will likely find yourself considering what to trade off.

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 110

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/13/2011 12:09:43 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Thanks for the input guys. Taking each in turn

I think you are right re 70 air skill, but I needed to get someone into the fight so I have effectively compromised to get people forward and inhibit KB's free reign. Will focus on getting the next wave to closer to 70 and feed them in to the forward squadrons using the request veteran feature as they become available. 70 def skill seems to take forever as my def skill levels seems to trail air skill by 5 or more. My rule of thumb thus far, has been getting to 60 air, then going to general training for a bit. From here on will try to get to 70 air then go to general training for a few weeks and then send forward.

Limiting search to 12 hexes works to reduce search plane op losses? Didn't know that. Have been setting to normal range or normal-1 rather then extended in the hope that might help. Do you think there is a measurable difference.

In Ceylon we have 6th Aus Div in Colombo with another Ind brigade on the way. Will total 600 AV dug in to level 4 when in position. We also have an Ind brigade in each of Trincomalee, Jaffna and Koggala. Each are 100 AV and all are digging into to at least level 3 and preferably 4. Thats 900 AV in Ceylon in total. In India we have a British and an Indian division in Calcutta with numerous sundry units totalling about 650AV. We also have about 500 AV in Chittagong . He is very aggressive with his paras so have an Indian brigade in Dacca and a 300 AV armoured reserve in Comilla with another 6 battalions scattered around Imphal, Kohima, Jorhat etc. Do you think thats not enough to hold Ceylon? How would you suggest changing those dispositions?

Cheers
Andrew

PS I forgot to mention we have a brigade in Port Blair with 18000 supply, that should be a nice distraction for him.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 111

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/13/2011 12:52:30 AM

Alfred

Posts: 6685
Joined: 9/28/2006
Status: offline

For pilot training, have a look at this thread:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2691966

Conducting General Training after Air Skill training is not the most efficient way to increase your Defense Skill.

The odds are extremely poor that you will spot anything beyond 12 hexes. Thus limiting yourself to 12 hexes improves your ontime station and reduces wear and tear on airframes and pilot.

Regarding Assault Values. Everyone, me included uses AV as a shorthand way to assess respective strengths. But it is quite misleading. Certainly at the end of the day, you need an adjusted AV of 2:1 (above the fortification level) to win control of a base. The adjusted AV is determined after taking into account the modifiers (terrain, forts, supply, leadership etc) but very significantly after the fire phase. The fire phase factors the quality of a unit and the values of the devices. Hence although both sides may start off combat with a similar unadjusted AV, if one side has far superior quality units involved, they could kill/disable a disproportionate amount of the other side's AV sufficient to result in a decisive change in the adjusted AV.

Most of your current Indian LCUs are very poor quality. That is why the AIF needs to be carefully positioned to stiffen up their on paper sizeable AV.

Alfred

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 112

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/13/2011 2:23:43 PM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 14 through 17

A big weekend of turns so a thematic AAR this time. Its been pretty quiet with only a few highlights worth mentioning.

At sea we have traded blows. I lost a couple of merchant ships on the SFO to Hawaii run, but managed to put a torp into a CA near Balikpapan. My first subs have arrived off the Japanese coast so will see if they find anything. KB has retired for the moment so troops, planes, fuel and supplies are flowing into Suva and Auckland. Plenty of fuel and supplies but too few troops and planes. Just realized a Coastal gun group I carted all the way there withdraws in 12 days. arrggh.

In the air, usual litany of Japanese attacks. They pound Palembang with big raids. The troops there are in bad shape now. On the 17th we get a big B-17 attack in on Port Moresby. 40 heavies go in and get 40 airfield hits. We take 1 op loss and kill 2 zeroes.

On the ground the Japanese land at Palembang and blow the garrison out of the way first turn. I am hoping the oilfields are damaged but I suspect they are not. He counter lands at Buna and attacks but we hold for the moment. His attacks at Ambon are also unsuccessful. We also get hit by a surprisingly large attack on the dirt road west of our main Sian defensive position. As you can see below we are hit by around 4 divisions with 1500AV. They must be stripping the rest of China bare to mass this many guys in the one place. We are going to have to pull back and shorten our lines if we want to hold Sian in the face of this mass.

Ground combat at 83,45 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45161 troops, 388 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 1581

Defending force 5585 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

Japanese adjusted assault: 1009

Allied adjusted defense: 199

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
305 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2600 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
116th Division
5th Armored Car Co
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
36th Division
17th/C Division

Defending units:
92nd Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 113

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/16/2011 2:53:44 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 18 and 19

Feb 18

Nothing happens at sea. In the air, my B-17's at Townsville hit Port Moresby again for good effect. Looks like he has evacuated the fighters there. Will go for a ground attack on Buna next turn in support of the troops there. We laso put a big raid in on Akyab but meet 24 fighters over the field and lose heavily - 4 fighters and 2 bombers. The AVG is taking heavy losses now and will have to be rested. I am short of fighter airframes at the moment. Have a dozen P-39's and 20 P-400's in the pool and thats it.

On the ground, a Japanese para unit drops on Kohima. He is being very aggressive with his paras. The infantry battalion there holds and reinforcements from the armour reserve at Comilla are being sent to help. EWill pound him from the air too.

Ground combat at Kohima (61,39)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 206 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Defending force 461 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Japanese adjusted assault: 9

Allied adjusted defense: 124

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
4th Assam Rifles Battalion

Elsewhere Ambon and Lae both fall and mopping up continues in Burma.

Feb 19

At sea, looks like KB has come out again. We detect a CV TF north of New Caledonia. My CV's are in Auckland refuelling so will have to be careful they don't get trapped. Hopefully he is coming to raid Suva which now has 100 fighters ready to rumble. My average air skill is about 65 so we should do OK I hope. Will be interesting. one of our subs of the west coast of Kyushu encounters an AKL and decides to machine gun it rather than torpedo it. At least they found a target.

In the air. Our bombers tasked to attack Buna go after Lae instead for reasons I don't follow. Anyway they pound the ground target there. Our planes in India don't fly so no attacks on Kohima.

On the ground the last base in the Phillipines falls. :(

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 114

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/17/2011 1:45:57 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 20-22

Feb 20
At sea. Off Suva an enemy sub goes beserk and puts a torp into a minelayer on ASW patrol and on an empty oiler fleeing Suva. The mine sweeper goes down but the oiler limps off. We also lose an AKL off the Canadian coast. KB Dissappears. :(

In the air. Frustration reigns. I have again ordered big raids on the enemy paras at Kohima and the Japanese forces at Buna. The Kohima bound strikes all go to Mandalay and I blunder straight into a nest of enemy Oscars and Zeroes. I lose 16 Blenheims and some more fighters as a result. Disastrous. Over at Buna same thing - the B-17s pound Lae into the mud instead of going where targeted. Same happened last turn and I don't understand why the aircraft won't raid the hex I target them. They seem to lose the target setting and behave as though no specific target was set i.e. pick their own.

On the ground. More mopping up. The first armoured reserve unit arrives at Dimapur and is ordered to Kohima.

Feb 21
At sea. A TF re-appears where KB was but with no carriers reported and its stationary on the edge of detection. Hhhmmmm. Maybe he is not coming to Suva. Very confusing, but my recon net is pretty good now and I shouldn't get caught by surprise. the CV's in Auckland go to sea as a precaution.

In the air. The B-17's in Calcutta ignore Kohima and go after Mandalay again. I lose 2 bombers and 3 fighters. I am ready to punch a wall. Same over in New Guinea. Ignore Buna, pound Lae. I also moved some Lysanders to Dimapur next to Kohima and order them to bomb but set their range to 1 so they can't wander off. They don't fly. Am I seeing a bug? I can't seem to hit a hex that has enemy and friendly forces. He can, but not me.

On the ground. He lands 3 hexes south of Medan on the east coast of Sumatra. In China he continues to drive up the road west of Sian. We move 4 corps into Ichang in China and order a shock attack. Our first counter attack. We have 10 corps in total ready to threaten his flank. Might take some pressure off Sian.

Feb 22
At sea. Curiuoser and curiouser. A big invasion force is moving down the west coast of New Caledonia. They plan to invade!! Thats why KB is hanging back as a cover force. These guys have bigger balls than me. Its Feb 42 and they are invading New Caledonia. Sigint is also picking up a division planning for an attack on Suva. Looks like they are headed this way and the plan must be to cut Australia off from the US. Suva is going to be a battelfield as I have to fight. More reinforcements are coming and I will have to think about building supporting bases around the area. Its just so early in the war and I have so little.

In the air. I am sulking and stand all my guys down. As I write this, I am wondering if their failure to attack the right targets is weather related.

On the ground. Buna holds again. The shock attack goes in at Ichang and gets 3-1. Forts are at 3 so the place holds. We lose 1400 but inflict 738 Japanese casualties. 2 of the 4 corps are rather badly disrupted so will wait a few days and go again. Another 4 corps are on the way, crossing the river to the west. Will try and co-ordinate assaults when they cross.

Overall
This was a significant turn. The invasion of New Caledonia and the sigint broadcasting an attack on Suva have given us a big insight into their strategy and its a very aggressive one. In the short term its going to be tough. It early and I don't have much available, but in a few months time as the reinforcements flow, it will be interesting. They are choosing to fight a long way from home and will have an exposed flank. Need to rethink force disposition now too. Bring the Aussies home I say.

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 115

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/19/2011 1:31:44 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Feb 23 - 25

A summary rather than day by day account.

At sea. Not much action. KB materialises just off the Raoul Islands east of Auckland. They are dangerously close to my carrier TF's but I remain undetected and order a high speed sprint away from KB's area towards safety. The sprint works but chews up an enormous amount of fuel and leaves all the ships with sys damage of between 2 and 7. Rather annoying but 6 carriers vs 3 is not good odds. Again I am routing all the various inbound and outbound convoys around KB and so far so good. KB has been in this AO since late December and this is the 3rd foray into my zone. The first raid was a bit of a disaster for us with heavy losses, the second one we suffered some merchant losses but nothing too serious. It would be really nice to make this one a bust.

In the air, my frustration continues as I just cant get my planes to hit Japanese forces at either Kohima or Lae. I am really starting to wonder about this. Not much to report otherwise.

On the ground. The Japanese land unopposed a hex north of Noumea. His mopping up operations in Burma and Sumatra continue. Some success for the good guys. Our armour arrives in Kohima and we annhilate the raiding force with no losses to ourselves.

Ground combat at Kohima (61,39)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2283 troops, 26 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 169
Defending force 151 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
Allied adjusted assault: 194
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 194 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
7th Hussars Regiment
4th Assam Rifles Battalion
2nd Royal Tank Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

In China we have a false start at Ichang when the troops reinforcing across the river arrive a turn earlier than expected and launch an unsuccessful shock attack by themselves but losses are not too bad and the next turn the whole force goes in, in a co-ordinated attack. 10 Corps on his left flank might force him to divert forces away from the Sian attack.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 69499 troops, 393 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2841
Defending force 5267 troops, 27 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 176
Allied adjusted assault: 3250
Japanese adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 70 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ichang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
4139 casualties reported
Squads: 139 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 150 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
998 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Units pursuing 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
45th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
20th Group Army
33rd Group Army

Defending units:
11th RGC Temp. Division
13th RGC Temp. Division
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment

Sigint is throwing up a number of reports of army units moving to Rabaul. I am moving subs to try and get a shot, but more and more it looks like the ground forces that were in the Philippines are headed there. A few turns back we also got one saying a division is planning an attack on Suva. Starting to wonder if he is planning a major thrust this way in strength. Within two to three weeks I will have 5 regiment size units (2 marine regiments, 2 army regiments from Pearl harbour and the 8th NZ Bde) plus coastal arty, marine defense units, 100 fighters, and maybe 40 marine dive bombers all in Suva. Will it be enough of he comes with 3 or 4 divisions? I really don't want to lose all that. Fight or flee?

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 116

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/19/2011 1:44:23 AM

Alfred

Posts: 6685
Joined: 9/28/2006
Status: offline

Screenshots please of your misbehaving bombers. There is probably a reasonably simple explanation as to why they are demonstrating so much "independence".

Remind me why exactly you must fight at Suva.

Concrete analysis please, not just generalisations along the lines of, "to keep the sealanes to Australia open". If you really think up to 4 Japanese divisions are heading to Suva, your 5 regts there are not going to hold.

Alfred

(in reply to aoffen)

Post #: 117

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/19/2011 1:57:44 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

Here is the situation. My B-17's are in Townsville and I ordered them to ground attack Buna last turn. Weather in Buna is overcast

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 118

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/19/2011 1:58:14 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

This is a B-17 unit in Townsville. Last turn it was ordered to hit Buna. Reset itself to nil target and hit Lae instead.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 119

RE: Aussies v Aussies - Being clubbed like a baby seal ... - 3/19/2011 2:07:02 AM

aoffen

Posts: 494
Joined: 6/7/2002
From: Brisvegas, Australia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Remind me why exactly you must fight at Suva. Concrete analysis please, not just generalisations along the lines of, "to keep the sealanes to Australia open". If you really think up to 4 Japanese divisions are heading to Suva, your 5 regts there are not going to hold.

Alfred

So far I have done nothing but run and he is punishing my Sir Robin strategy by aggressively pursuing, getting way ahead of the historical advance time line and taking few casualties. At some point I have to fight. I have to start hurting him and inflicting losses.
Is Suva the right place or do that?
Do I pull back to Pago Pago and fight him there?
Do I just cede the board and run till mid 42 then try and counter from wherever I end up?

The only way I can hold is by hitting him at sea. You are correct in saying 5 regiments (even dug in to level 4) will not hold 3 or 4 well supplied divisions. The question is, can my coastal artillery, mines, land based air, CV's and surface naval forces influence the outcome enough to allow the land units to hold. I don't mind losses, as long as they are matched losses. Attrition is fine. I just don't want to lose the lot for no corresponding pain on his side. So is this the time and place to put up a fight?

Regards
Andrew

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 120

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