RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28

Page: << < prev 8 9 [10] 11 12 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 2/22/2015 7:21:59 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

20 Apr 42

Air Attack at Rangoon - Something for the Allies to cheer about! 22 B-17's fly from Calcutta and Dacca and bomb Rangoon's port. The port is full of ships, and there are no enemy fighters to be seen. A bunch of ships are hit. The attack came in three waves, and every one showed men loaded on ships. These guys were loaded to go somewhere, that is for sure.

xAK Rokko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Yamagata Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PB Eifuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Rakuto Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kikukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

xAK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Ryujo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Santos Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Enju Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kiyozumi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS I-154, Bomb hits 1
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Yagi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Cox Bazaar - The Allied troops here are bombed and then attacked at 3 to 1 odds. The forts are reduced to 2, and around 200 casualties occur for both sides. The base will fall.

Comilla - The Allies try to clean up the enemy paras here blocking the way to Chittagong, getting a 6 to 1 attack, and doing three times the casualties to the Japanese. I shock attack next turn.

Still no sign of another landing. I do see movement out of Calcutta back to Diamond Harbour. Is he pulling out? Or is it just a fake move? There are still combat ships at Diamond Harbour, KB is lurking, and another combat task force has moved southwest of Diamond Harbour. This could be a move toward Viz.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)

Post #: 271

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 2/23/2015 12:53:44 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

21 Apr 42

India - Another Japanese bombardment of Chittagong. They must be coming, or it's a fantastic head fake. A huge invasion task force is spotted south by Tavoy, northbound. It has battleships Hyuga and Fuso, 2 cruisers, destroyers, patrol boats, and lots of xAK's. Can't be anything but an invasion task force. Not the way I'd build one, but there it is. It sights sub Truant and does minor damage to it, forcing Truant to RTB.

Dacca - KB makes an appearance, sending a large airfield strike to Dacca. Probably 2 motivations for this: B-17's were here last turn, and they hammered Rangoon's port. Secondly, knocking out Dacca helps any invasion at Chittagong. The strike has 108 Val's, 64 Kate's, and 63 Zero's, and later another 19 Kate's. 13 Hurri's and 13 P-40E's fly CAP. Moderately heavy damage is done to the airfield, but the Allied fighters hold their own, and do well, considering the numbers disadvantage. Losses are 11 Kate's, 8 Zero's, 6 Val's, 9 P40E's, and 8 Hurri's. The Allied fighters leave Dacca to rebuild. Only 3 Allied pilots lost, which is very good.

Cox Bazaar - The base falls.

Comilla - The Allies shock attack and severely hurt the Japanese paras, but still don't eliminate them. I need the path open to Chittagong! A couple of units are approaching, and the 2 big Brit divisions are fast approaching. I need to get through!

And then there's the nagging thought in the back of my mind...this is all mind games and the new landing will be at Viz...

I still see movement out of Calcutta to Diamond Harbour. Could be real, could be fake. If he loads up infantry divisions, he could go to Viz or Chittagong with them, and still have a successful invasion. The only place I could stop 5 infantry divisions was Calcutta.

All of this action in India has been interesting, and I think it is only going to get more interesting.

Elsewhere, 3 US carriers and 1 Brit carrier are heading to the South Pacific. 2 other US carriers still have a couple of weeks to get out of repair.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 272

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 2/25/2015 12:59:22 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

22 Apr 42

Lots of activity between Rangoon and Calcutta. Allied subs take some shots at huge transport task forces, west of Rangoon and near Ramree Island. No hits. Missed a true AK (not an xAK). Everything spotted is moving north. It's either another huge invasion push, or a huge evacuation from Calcutta. Since nothing is really moving from Calcutta to Diamond Harbour any longer, I don't see an evacuation coming.

Diego Garcia - Interesting. 2 cruisers, Tone and Chikuma, bombard the island. They first sink a local minesweeper, the only ships in the area. The bombardment does provide good intel, showing that the 17th Indian Division is at Diego Garcia. Damage is negligible. The ships are spotted to the northeast on their RTB. This tells me that their "home" base is currently set for either Port Blair or Rangoon.

Chittagong - 2 cruisers, Kumano and Maya, bombard here. 200 casualties, almost all non-combat.

Comilla - Victory for the Allies, as the Japanese para unit here is destroyed. Units will now proceed to Chittagong. Unfortunately, a few units dropped out of Strat mode just east of Comilla, so their arrival is further delayed. I held back the 2 Brit infantry divisions to the east, and kept them in Strat mode. They will now head directly to Chittagong. It will be a race to get them there and into combat mode. Of course, it's only a race if the other side is really coming here.

East of Java - SS Seadragon spots a big xAP task force, probably headed to the eastern tip of Java. Lots of enemy units withdrew from Malang, Java. These ships will be picking them up, most likely.

Singapore - Only 12 ground units spotted here now. Lots of shipping has moved through here lately, and all of it left headed toward Rangoon.

Near Umnak Island, Aleutians - I-2 sinks xAK Mokihana. It was in a task force that just dropped off a small Canadian unit at Umnak.

SigInt- The Japanese 1st Infantry Division is loaded on an xAK and headed to Singapore. I'm not familiar with this unit. It's probably in the previously SigInt spotted task force that left Fusan, loaded with armor units.

Is this really an "all-in" India attack? All indications is that everything is headed that way. There's no movement into Bataan, so that will be starved out. And Java has become a stalemate at Malang, with no indication of any further activity. The Solomons has been dead quiet. Nothing going on anywhere except in the Indian Ocean.

I've checked the ground reinforcement list. (Always a nice thing to do when things are looking bleak.) In about a month, some regiments start showing up, as well as an unrestricted US infantry division. It will only get better, I know, but things are certainly a challenge at the moment.

When the US carriers get to the Noumea area, we'll start moving into the Solomons. If nothing else, to draw some attention. If India does become the only show in town by then, I'll be even more aggressive starting with the Tulagi area, and maybe even a counter-invasion of Port Moresby (which I think is not heavily defended, at least not with the division that took it).

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 273

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 2/27/2015 1:37:45 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

23 Apr 42

With the stalemate at Calcutta, what will the Japanese do? The one thing I am sure of is that there are MANY task forces west of Rangoon northbound. I had a bunch of sub contacts and all of the contacts are northbound. I'm seeing invasion task force compositions. I still can't say for sure if the enemy is headed to Chittagong (most likely), Diamond Harbour, or Viz (least likely). The enemy does have excellent recon of Chittagong, and my two big Brit divisions just arrived there. I wonder what will happen next. I did see at least one invasion task force that could reach Chittagong next turn. The big stack of task forces, however, looked to be two turns away, if not three. KB is still lurking out there. It seems to be southwest of Diamond Harbour, close enough to support a move to any of the suspected invasion spots.

I sent a sub into Moulmein's port to see what was there. It found multiple task forces, one with an AKE. I suspect that Moulmein is setting up to be a ship rearming base to aid in ship bombardments. Or it just has ships that fled when I bombed Rangoon's port. Next turn, I'm sending some long-range recon to Moulmein for a better look. This will at least get my opponent nervous and possible cause him to CAP Moulmein if he's using it heavily.

Another northbound task force was spotted passing Phuket.

The last base in Burma connected to the Mandalay area is lost. It looks like the Japanese will not pursue into the jungle into India.

It's a really, really tense time for me right now. Moving 2 Brit infantry divisions to Chittagong is a big move. It could stop an invasion cold, or get the divisions hammered, or force an invasion elsewhere, or force a reinforcing of Calcutta. Hard to say. The enemy could be conservative and just land at Cox Bazaar and walk to Chittagong too.

I'd most like to see more enemy troops bottled up at Calcutta. I would rather see a new invasion at Viz than at Chittagong. It's out by itself, and it would be a lot more difficult for the enemy to support taking Calcutta from there.

Looking at the big picture, I just won't be getting many reinforcements in the next month that can be sent to India. I've thought about pulling troops from Australia for India, but I've decided against that. I'll pretty much make do with what I have. What I have going for me is that I evacuated so many units from Singapore, and all of them went to the Indian theater. That, and that I sent all of the Aussie units from Aden to India, and sent the Brit division to India instead of its historical move to Singapore.

Diamond Harbour's airfield did just build to size 2. With about 60 Zero's there, I just don't want to sweep/bomb it heavily until it would accomplish something. I can't trade airframes at this point in the war. But if I can affect a landing, I will do it.

But I think the next big fight will be at Chittagong.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 274

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 2/28/2015 4:27:09 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

24 Apr 42

The tension keeps building around India

Many task forces continue northward. Some are now at Cox Bazaar, some at Akyab, others in the vicinity. Lots of them. KB is out there too, detecting my subs, but it isn't directly spotted today. CVE Hosho is reported on fire at Cox Bazaar after hitting a recently dropped sub mine. That was awesome to see. Vizagapatnam ("Viz") is reconned by the Japanese for the first time. Maybe a bit of desperation looking for an easier landing spot? Near Victoria Point, Dutch sub KXV puts 3 torpedoes into the huge transport xAP Huzi Maru, causing infantry squad losses. The convoy was northbound. I have many subs stretching from Diamond Harbour to Chittagong and south to Rangoon. Some others, like KXV, between Rangoon and Singapore.

The Japanese could play it safe and land troops at Cox Bazaar and/or Akyab. I'd welcome that, as it gives me more time before battle. Both of these ports are only size 1, and Cox Bazaar's port is heavily damaged from when the Japanese attacked and captured it.

Long range recon of Moulmein shows several task forces there, but no ships in port. The AKE is still there.

Elsewhere...

Bataan - A couple of Japanese units have moved in from Clark. The Allies are almost out of supply.

Wuchow, China - Lily's and Sonia's are escorted by 13 Nates. 3 Chinese fighters make a rare appearance, long range capping from the north. 1 or 2 Sonias are shot down. A large number of Japanese units have gathered at Canton, south of Wuchow. Most of these units were threatening the Chinese town to the east. If there's going to be a new offensive in China, I'd rather see in go through Wuchow and the bad trails there.

Solomons - Planning for some ops here. One Marine division, currently split between Pago Pago and Christmas, start planning for Port Moresby. Early plans are for action at Tulagi, which is enemy held, and Lunga, which is not.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 275

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/1/2015 1:30:21 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

25 Apr 42

The Japanese are apparently not coming to Chittagong, not anymore. Many task forces are now at Akyab and Cox Bazaar. There were 3 units at Cox Bazaar. Now there are 8. KB is at Akyab, with other ships, as shown on the map. My opponent says that he missed his chance at Chittagong. He landed paras at Comilla too soon. It took me several days to clear the hex, and then the 2 British divisons moved through and got to Chittagong. So it appears that the enemy will settle for landings on the coast and marching north. The question is can the Allies hold the line at and near Chittagong.

There were many encounters between Allied subs and Japanese ships near these bases. No torpedo hits. Chittagong is bombarded by 7 Japanese cruisers, causing minimal damage.

Still, many Japanese units are at Diamond Harbour and Calcutta. They aren't leaving. And they aren't able to advance. The Japanese must be trying to find a way to flank Calcutta. I will know that this is no longer the plan when the enemy evacuates Diamond Harbour.

On this turn, I'm going with a large effort of sweeping and bombing Diamond Harbour. I'm figuring that there is a large effort capping enemy task forces at Cox Bazaar and Akyab, so I'll hit Diamond Harbour. Many units are sweeping. About half of my B-17's in India are bombing, along with a few other medium bomber types. Most go for the airfield, a couple are trying for the port. In a ideal situation, I get air superiority over Diamond Harbour and keep the airfield damaged, and hurt his supply situation in Calcutta. I'm not convinced, though, that the airframe losses that I'd incur make this worth it.

(The inset on the picture shows task forces at Akyab)

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 276

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/1/2015 6:27:56 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

26 Apr 42

The big event was at Diamond Harbour. I did a maximum effort of sweeping and bombing, and it was brutal. The Japanese again had 61 Zero's on CAP. Most of my sweeps arrived first, but the unit sizes are far smaller than 61, and the first couple of sweeps were disastrous for me. 25 P40E's swept first, and all were lost, with no Zero kills. Terrible. The only redeeming fact was that many units swept, and by the end, the Zero's were worn out. Total losses were 39 Zero's, 31 P40E's, 6 P39's, 6 Blen's, 5 P400's, and 2 B25's. I had 13 pilots KIA, but the airframes are my weak point.

This turn, I sweep again with a small Hurri unit, and try to bomb again, with P39 escorts. It will be OK only if the Zero's are not reinforced. I did minor damage to the airfield last turn. If I do well this turn, I guarantee that KB will move this way and provide heavy LR CAP. So there's a limit to what I can accomplish here.

At Akyab, Dutch sub KXVII takes a shot at BB Yamashiro, and misses.

Still all the same many task forces at Akyab and Cox Bazaar. KB is still at Akyab. I'm sending in a couple of subs, despite the ASW and shallow water. It's worth a shot at a stationary KB and lots of surface combatants.

The Japanese are now all at Bataan, and did an artillery attack. The Allied supply has finally run out. A few units are now under-supplied. The end will come quickly now.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 277

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/2/2015 6:43:33 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

28 Apr 42

Didn't get a good look at Cox Bazaar this turn, but Akyab is showing just one ground unit. Now I'm wondering if he isn't unloading everything at Akyab and Cox Bazaar. I've shown both big Brit infantry divisions at Chittagong. He can't think that he can get through that. So I'm going to move one of the Brit divisions out of Chittagong, to an interior base closer to Calcutta. It will wait and see where it is really needed.

At Diamond Harbour, 16 Hurris sweep, encountering 16 Zero's and 14 Oscar's. The Hurri's do badly. Then 15 B-17's escorted by 19 P-39's arrive. Bomb damage is very slight, not worth the trouble. Overall losses are 9 Hurri's, 6 B-17's, and 2 P-39's, versus just 1 Oscar.

It's hard to imagine that the Japanese get take a tiny airbase next to a huge Allied one, with other Allied ones in the area, and the Allies can't get air superiority. My best case has been a 1 for 1 trade in airframes. Other attacks were far worse. I can't trade airframes, or throw them away. So I go defensive with the airpower for now.

Just east of Cox Bazaar, the Japanese kick two previously routed units and one new small unit back. This hex is on the trail to Chittagong, with just one jungle hex in between. An Allied armor unit just moved to the intervening hex. I hope to hold that jungle hex.

KB, and many other ships, are still at Akyab.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 278

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/2/2015 11:43:03 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

28 Apr 42

Little change in the Chittagong area. An enemy cruiser force does bombard Chittagong, and gets a very good result, causing 433 casualties (mostly disabled), destroying a couple of Hurri's and damaging a dozen more, and hitting the airbase, runway, port, manpower, and light industry. Still unsure how much is marching from the south. KB and lots of ships are still at Akyab, and only one ground unit there.

Why would KB just sit here? If the Allied carriers were here, I'd think very hard about going straight at them. At a base, their own CAP would be halved. I'd trade carriers here.

I do know that CVE Hosho was in port here after hitting mine. I don't think that warrants all of KB in the same hex, but who knows.

Whatever the reason, it does mean that the enemy is not done here.

Elsewhere...

Java - Finally the enemy makes a move. It had retreated most of its units from Malang after being unable to break through the mountain hex. Now ships are off the north coast, having come from the eastern tip. Dutch bombers attack. The ships are have no CAP, but no bombs hit. There are a number of possible new landing locations here. All of them would fall quickly to an invasion.

Solomons - US subs take shots at cargo ships near Rabaul and Truk. All fish miss.

On the Chinese border with Burma, Sally's have bombed a portion of a Chinese division in the mountains. This turn, I fly some P-400's from Calcutta to the area, and LR CAP the unit.

Phillipines - No deliberate attack at Bataan yet. Most Allied units are now out of supply. At the size 3 port just southwest of Manila, I noticed a build-up of ground units. These units had left Clark and are now waiting for shipping. I moved a Dutch sub here. It fires on a tiny TB and misses. Surprise is lost. I move the sub just to the west hoping to catch loaded ships leaving.

Lots of supply, fuel, carriers, and combat ships heading to the South Pacific.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 279

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/4/2015 1:28:08 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

29 Apr 42

KB and at least a couple of other task forces slide down the coast from Akyab to Ramree Island. I had intel last turn of 55 Cav Regiment loaded on an xAK and headed to Ramree. I can't see a reason to unload there, so this must be a rendezvous point. And since KB was already at Akyab, there's no reason to rendezvous to go there. I'm still just guessing where all the new units are going to go.

I'm not seeing ground movement out of Cox Bazar so far. The only units that I see advancing on Chittagong are the few that advanced up the coast from the beginning.

Chittagong was bombarded by cruisers again this turn. It's causing moderate damage each time.

At Moulmein, the just laid minefield is discovered and is being swept. Unsuccessful here. I did lay a small minefield just south of Akyab, and KB did move through the hex. No sign of any hits though. Still hoping.

Near Phuket, a huge transport force is attacked by US sub Porpoise, but no hits are achieved. Indicated movement is southwest, but it is unknown really.

In Java, Tjepoe, just west of Soerbaja, is invaded. It will fall easily. The Dutch will pretty much defend in place. No point in moving too much. A few units are pulling out of Malang and moving into Soerbaja to beef up the defense there a bit.

Dutch bombers get no hits on the invasion shipping, and lose several bombers to Oscar LR CAP.

Overview:

I took some time looking at what is available in Australia and the South Pacific. I'm planning landings at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Lunga, Tulagi, and Tassafronga. I need to assemble some units, like the 2nd Marine Division, and gather shipping in the right quantities in the right places. I have 4 carriers headed to Auckland now. I will probably use them for the Port Moresby invasion, drawing Bettys that direction, then move others into the Guadalcanal area. The southernmost enemy bomber base is currently Buin, and it is only a size 2.

This is all several weeks away.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 280

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/5/2015 1:01:25 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

30 Apr 42

The big news for today is... it's the end of another month! Every month completed means a new month of Allied reinforcements.

On Java, the Tjepoe landing continues, and the base falls to 2 infantry and 2 armor regiments.

At Bataan, more bombings occur, and another artillery attack takes place. Supply is gone. At nearby Batangas, the Japanese are gathering ground units for shipping elsewhere. SigInt reports two of the units to be an armor unit, 56 recon, and the 9 field construction unit. A Dutch sub moves back in hoping for some shipping.

In Australia, B-17's bomb Daly Waters, doing no real damage. The base wasn't reconned. Just a nuisance raid. Maybe the enemy will move some fighters around because of it.

Near Phuket, Thailand, US sub Pickerel takes a shot at a transport force, and misses a destroyer.

In China, the enemy does an artillery attack at Wuchow. Rough odds are about 2 to 1. Movement out of Canton is seen, so more is on the way. It will fall. The Chinese will defend further north, in the woods. This doesn't seem to be a major offensive.

KB disappeared from Ramree. Detection levels show that it is nearby, maybe a bit south now. Previous SigInt showed the 55 Cav unit headed to Ramree. Now SigInt says it is headed to Rangoon. It is unknown if it is coming from the south or coming from the apparently aborted Chittagong landing.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 281

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/6/2015 12:36:19 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

1 May 42

US sub moves into Tjepoe, on the Java coast, looking for ships unloading troops. It found a huge xAP task force, but shot at an SC, missed, and then got pummeled. Fortunately, Soerbaja is very close. It won't be safe to repair there long though.

The newly laid mines at Moulmein are completely swept.

Near Bassein, Dutch sub KXIV finds another big transport task force, fires at a DMS, and gets a hit and sinks the minewsweeper.

Dutch fighters (what's left of them) sweep Tjepoe and find Oscars. Hawks do poorly, losing a couple, and then Hurri's do well, downing 4 Oscar's. After the sweeps, 6 Dutch bombers arrive with no CAP left, but miss bombing an xAP and a CL.

Finally, the Japanese attack at Bataan. They get 1 to 3 odds, lowering the forts to 2. The report doesn't say that the defenders are out of supply, but at the least, they are very low on supply. (Probably completely out now)

Here's the losses:

Japanese ground losses:
1764 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 61 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1050 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Guns lost 43 (5 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

4 days till the last US carrier is done repairing on the West Coast. 2 days until the US 27 Infantry Division can be bought out on the West Coast. It has been prepping for Noumea.

A Brit task force of 2 CL's and 4 DD's arrives at Diego Garcia. It will proceed to a point generally west of Sabang, Sumatra. If it is lucky, it could sneak east and intercept shipping between Singapore and Rangoon. If KB stays up north, west of Rangoon somewhere.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 282

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/7/2015 12:14:15 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

2 May 42

Now I'm wondering if the thundering herd that was originally headed to Chittagong is now headed back south to Singapore...

2 US subs took shots at a huge task force by Phuket. It has huge xAP's in it, as well as AK's and many xAK's. One was hit, but with a dud. It is unknown if this task force is northbound or southbound.

Just artillery attacks at Bataan, Sabang, and Wuchow. Some Japanese units that landed west of Soerbaja headed south and have cut the island in two. I plan no real Allied reaction. I'm happy to have held Java for this long, and will fight in place till the end.

US 27th Infantry Division is purchased, and will start loading next turn.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 283

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/7/2015 11:21:27 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

3 May 42

Same artillery attacks at Bataan and Wuchow.

KB is definitely spotted at Port Blair. Earlier, I'd gotten SigInt of a ground unit headed there. This may be the place where KB is refueling. Long ago I spotted AO's headed north from Singapore, and they weren't spotted again after that. I'm doing dedicated long range recon of Port Blair this turn.

Tracker says that CVE Hosho sank near Alor Star. What it really means is that the CVE is at or near there, and just took some additional damage. I'd gotten a similar message further north not long ago.

A small enemy carrier task force is spotted between Java and Borneo, headed southeast.

US carriers Yorktown and Enterprise are at Auckland. Carriers Indomitable and Hornet are 2 days out. My distribution of ground units makes a landing at Tulagi and Lunga possible and sooner than a Port Moresby invasion. PM requires the 2nd Marine Division, which is going to merge together at Noumea.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 284

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/8/2015 2:54:21 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

3 May 42 - Indian Ocean

KB at Port Blair. Still about a dozen units at Diamond Harbour, the same at Calcutta (4+ divisions). Recent landings at Cox Bazar and Akyab but little movement toward Chittagong so far.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 285

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/8/2015 2:55:20 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

3 May 42 - Java

Java recently cut in two. Small carrier task force appears north of Java.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 286

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/8/2015 4:34:03 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

4 May 42

Java - The Japanese officially cut the island in two, taking Madioen.

China - Wuchow is lost. It was low hanging fruit, with clear terrain. Pushing north from here will be more difficult for the enemy. I don't have a lot in this area, but neither do the Japanese. Wuchow was taken with one infantry division, one tank regiment, one engineer regiment, and some artillery.

Sumatra - Sabang is attacked and almost taken. It will fall next turn.

The interesting point for this turn was in SigInt. The 9th Tank Regiment is moving to Horn Island. This regiment was reported to be moving to Singapore just 4 days ago. Horn Island is certainly not a likely spot for an armored unit. The Japanese already own the island. This is just an intermediate task force destination. I think it is most likely that the unit will go to Port Moresby. There's a lesser chance that there will be an invasion of northeastern Australia. I have subs guarding the area around Horn.

The Southwest Pacific HQ just showed up in Brisbane. And Bataan still holds! (barely)

KB is not spotted, but detection levels show that it moved away from Port Blair, either east or southeast. I got a good recon of Port Blair this turn. Empty of shipping.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 287

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/9/2015 2:21:19 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

5 May 42

BB Haruna task force spotted by SS Triton near Sabang. 2 torpedoes miss a destroyer. Can't tell which direction it was heading. Sabang is captured by the Japanese. Just a few Dutch bases left on the west coast.

I'm sensing a change in direction by the enemy. Could be a major shift. The Japanese are still in Calcutta, in strength, but they cannot take the base. 4+ divisions are there. Diamond Harbour has a bunch of units also. All of these are stuck where they are, unless there's some kind of flanking move that threatens Calcutta, or unless they are evacuated. So far, I'm not seeing either.

I am seeing significant naval forces appear to be leaving the Indian Ocean. KB, however, is still suspected to be there, near the Tavoy area, I think. The ground units in the Cox Bazar area are not advancing. The enemy may be thinking that I'm sending the two Brit divisions south out of Chittagong to engage. I am not.

Now I've seen a possible mini-KB north of Soerbaja. Last turn I got SigInt that the 9th Tank Regiment was headed to Horn Island. It was previously headed to Singapore. This turn, I'm getting SigInt that the 1st Infantry Division is also headed to Horn Island. This unit was also reported to be headed to Singapore awhile back. I believe that this movement is real, just not with Horn Island as a final destination.

Beefing up defenses at Port Moresby? Invasion of Northeast Australia? Something else? I don't know yet. A division with armor can still land in a number of places and win, if it is prepped. My guess is that high prep is not probable, considering the apparent recent change of destinations.

But there are places in the far Northeast Australia that can be taken easily.

But I'm still thinking, what could possibly be accomplished with half of the Japanese Army tied up at Calcutta?

4 Allied carriers leave Auckland to head generally toward Port Moresby. I'm not ready to invade the Solomons yet, and even less ready to invade Port Moresby. So this is kind of a fishing expedition, seeing if transports show up around Horn Island.

The last two US carriers leave the West Coast today.

It's quite possible that my enemy thinks that the Allies are sending everything they can to the Indian theater, mainly off-map. So now they'll cause some trouble somewhere else. I haven't overreacted, though. A few units have been sent to India. A couple of independent infantry regiments are on the way. Some engineers are already there. But in general, I'm sticking to my plan of forcing the issue in the Solomons in the next few months. I will welcome battle in a place where I have at least equal airpower and bases. And all of my carriers.

It's tempting to devise a plan to isolate those infantry divisions at Calcutta. I just don't think I could pull it off, not with KB staying in the area. I could possibly do it in 6 months, but not now. And let's face it, they aren't accomplishing anything for the enemy as is. That may change, who knows.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 288

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/10/2015 12:28:56 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

6 May 42

Padang, one of the few Dutch bases remaining on Sumatra, is bombed by Kates coming from Singapore. Interesting. I do spot a task force there, showing a CVE. That could be Hosho, though, and the Kates didn't come from there. Padang does get an artillery attack. The one Japanese unit there may not be enough to take it.

I still suspect KB to be at or near Tavoy. Very high detection levels on my subs there.

Cox Bazar and Akyab are now showing several fewer units than before, and they didn't move towards the front. It doesn't look like a ground offensive toward Chittagong is going to happen now, much less an invasion directly.

Allied Battleship Update:

3 battleships are still being repaired. All 3 of these still need their Jan '42 refits.
Oklahoma is still at Pearl Harbor with 4 SYS and 30 FLOT damage. Repairs are estimated to take 77 more days, which is fine.
Tennessee is at LA with 0 SYS and 10 FLOT damage, requiring 26 more days of repair.
California is at SF with 14 SYS and 11 FLOT damage, requiring 31 days of repair.

Battleships Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Mississippi are all repaired and refits are up to date.

Maryland was lost at Pearl Harbor.

As for Brit battleships, none have been lost. Prince of Wales was repaired and refit in England, and is on the way to Panama to head to the South Pacific. All other Brit battlewagons are standing by at Cape Town. BC Repulse is repaired and is at Cape Town also.

Major Allied Ships Lost:
BB Maryland
1 Dutch DD
1 Brit DD
1 Australian DD
1 Sub (S-38)
3 Medium Tankers
2 AO's
Lots of miscellaneous shipping, most from the Philippines and the DEI. Bunches of xAK's, some xAP's, a few CM's, lots of little craft. Again, mostly very early losses.

Major Japanese Ships Lost:
CV Kaga - hit by a torpedo near Java. (I'm still not believing this, but it's been listed for 2 months)
CVE Hosho - recently hit a mine in Burma, spotted heading toward Singapore, and probably not really sunk.
6 DD's
5 DMS's
3 Subs (one reported to be I-122)
Not many other ships. An AMC, an AMc, an APD, 3 PB's, 1 SC, 3 xAK's, 2 xAKL's, and an xAP.

Very light losses for both sides after 5 months.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 289

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/10/2015 4:02:01 AM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

Very light losses for both sides after 5 months.

That does seem like a small list! Both sides have conserved their forces to an amazing degree, at least as measured in ships.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 290

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/10/2015 5:14:02 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

I started out wanting to counter-attack early and often with the Boise, Houston, etc, in the initial phases of the war. I found that the Japanese moved slowly but deliberately, and was very good at covering his invasions. Airpower and combat ships were used. When I tried to intervene, the situations was always poor. Either I was spotted well in advance, or I could see that the invasion shipping was protected well. This forced me to be more careful. I "showed" attempts here and there, and this kept the enemy honest, and kept him in a slow and deliberate pace. I accepted that. I wasn't sinking ships, but I wasn't losing them either, and a slow Japanese pace is a long-term win for the Allies. My opinion only, but that was my decision.

Now it's May 1942. My one intervention with 3 destroyers against the Diamond Harbour invasion resulted in losing 2 of the destroyers, and sinking nothing.

So most of my strategy so far has been to delay. The Indian invasion is stymied at Calcutta. Java is just now starting to fall. And I'm building strength in the South Pacific.

Not the most exciting knock-down dragout fight, but I'm better off this way, I think.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 291

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/10/2015 7:26:48 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

7 May 42

A little-bit-of-everything invasion task force is spotted just north of Ambon Island. Dutch sub KX fires two fish at an SC, and misses. Must be the long-awaited invasion of Ambon. Dutch units there are still in supply, although it is getting low. (The task force has 3 CL's, 3 DD's, 1 SC, 2 TB's, 1 E, 1 PC, 3 PB's, 1 DMS, 2 xAP's, 2 xAK's, and 1 xAKL.

Allied subs keep station outside of Tavoy, and still have a high detection level.

Allied carriers slide north between Australia and New Caledonia, heading for a patrol point off the northeast coast of Australia.

Lots of shipping headed to Christmas Island, Pago Pago, Suva, Noumea, and Auckland. I'm still hoping for a Solomons invasion in the next month. I did note that enemy held Buin just reached a size 3 airfield.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 292

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/12/2015 2:01:44 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

8 May 42

Dutch sub KX follows the Ambon invasion task force into Ambon itself, fires at CL Kashii, but misses, and then takes a moderate pounding in the shallow water. Repairs are required. The invasion proceeds and finds lots of coastal guns, some large, and it's obvious that the base still has supply. Some nice hits are made, but the troops still land.

Round 1:
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Kashima, Shell hits 2
DD Kuri, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Shun Yuan, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Round 2:
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kashii, Shell hits 8, on fire
CL Kashima, Shell hits 3
xAKL Shun Yuan, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kuri, heavy fires, heavy damage

Round 3:
xAK Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

Near Kwajalein, SS Cachalot hits and (most surely) sinks SC Ch 29. Can't complain about the torpedo working, just too bad it worked on such a small target.

At Soerakarta, west of Soerbaja, the Japanese attack but get just a 1 to 3 against level 1 fort. The enemy has 2 infantry regiments and a tank regiment, against 2 small weak Dutch units. I suspect that 1 or 2 of the enemy just moved into the hex and wasn't involved in the attack.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 293

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/14/2015 9:50:06 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

9 May 42

More enemy unloading at Ambon, and the Dutch coastal guns take advantage:

xAK Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Yamahagi Maru, Shell hits 1

xAK Hokusei Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sinkyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

xAK Yamahagi Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Eihuku Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hokusei Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

I had spotted enemy units gathering at Batangas, south of Manila. These troops are waiting for transport out. Dutch sub KVIII finds a big xAP task force this turn, but misses with 4 fish fired at a big xAP. It then takes a moderate pounding that will require repair. Interestingly, I still have a slightly damaged ARD hiding in a nearby port. I'll try some repairs here and see if I can get the sub back on station more quickly.

Chittagong is bombarded by 2 CA's and 1 CL. Damage is very minor this time.

Bataan is deliberately attacked. The attack is 1 to 2, barely missing a 1 to 1, with the forts staying at 2. 1397 Japanese casualties, mostly disabled but 18 engineer squads are destroyed, while the Allies lose 1960 casualties, with about 100 squads destroyed of all types. The end is near here with no supply. I'm very happy with the results though. The defenses have held into May, tying up 2+ divisions, and the enemy has taken more than half a division of disablements.

Interesting SigInt too: the enemy Southern Army HQ is at Diamond Harbour. As if there was any doubt to the commitment there, however stalemated at the moment.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 294

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 2:17:35 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

10 May 42

Ambon - Some xAK's are still unloading, and they continue to take punishment from the large caliber Dutch coastal guns:

xAK Hokusei Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamahagi Maru, on fire

xAK Yamahagi Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

A deliberate attack follows, going at 1 to 2 with 2 forts. Japanese casualties are 4 times the Dutch losses. It was tempting to counter-attack, but I decided not to. Dutch supply is getting low, and hanging on means that more enemy troops will have to land. And that means more targets for the big CD guns.

Horn Island - Sub S-18 engages a big transport task force just southwest of Horn Island. It is eastbound. It is, no doubt, carrying an infantry division and a tank regiment, at least, having seen this information in SigInt recently. The big question is where are they going. Anyhow, S-18 gets a hit on CM Hatsutaka, causing heavy damage. A carrier task force is spotted here also. It looks like a mini-KB.

Soerakarta - The Japanese take this base west of Soerbaja.

Off of Northwest Australia - A small Dutch ship, fleeing Java, and an APD get very high detection levels. They are too far from Port Hedland to be spotted this well from land based aircraft. Probably. I'm guessing there's great danger lurking here. KB hasn't been positively spotted in the Indian Ocean in awhile. It could be here.

Maps follow.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 295

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 2:22:19 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

10 May 42 - India and Burma

Eerily quiet here for over a week. And now none of my subs, from the Indian coast all the way to the east of Sabang, are getting detected. At all. KB could be gone. Still all those enemy units at Calcutta and Diamond Harbour. I guess the enemy could be flying out troops from Diamond Harbour, but with all of the divisions there, I don't think so.

Ledo, after having been evacuated after the enemy para drop behind Chittagong, is now operational again, flying supply to China.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 296

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 2:25:04 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

10 May 42 - Java

Japanese forces push to just east of Djokjakarta. A new task force is spotted north of Java, heading southeast. Looks like more transports. Carriers in the area recently are now near Horn Island.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 297

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 2:27:51 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

10 May 42 - Northwest Australia

Single Allied ships suddenly get high detection levels. An Aussie unit headed to Carnavon turns around and heads back south. If Carnavon is invaded, it won't get there in time. And supply is very bad there. Units prepare in the Perth area for what could be coming.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 298

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 2:30:34 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

10 May 42 - Northeast Australia

Danger here. Carriers and transports by Horn Island. US combat ships move north along the coast to get into position. 4 carriers were already heading this direction. They are about 3 days out from hitting any new landing in Australia, or Port Moresby, if needed.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 299

RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-... - 3/16/2015 7:31:31 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

11 May 42

Transports that were spotted near Horn Island are now at Port Moresby. A small tanker task force is there also. The mini-KB task force is not seen. Something did move northwest from Horn Island, could have been the carriers. So no invasion of this part of Australia. I didn't think that could happen.

Unfortunately, my carrier task forces were spotted well to the southeast of Port Moresby. I could make a high speed run in toward his task forces, or get there in 2 days at normal speed. With Port Moresby already built into a sizable airfield, I decided not to attack. The enemy has won the race to Port Moresby. I have had sizable forces prepping for an eventual attack there, but with a division and tanks there, not enough to take it. I decided to change all of the units prepping for an eventual attack at Buna instead. I will isolate Port Moresby, eventually.

Argonaut mines Port Moresby, but is spotted.

My carriers head back to the southeast to rendezvous with some AO's and top off the tanks. They will hopefully escort an invasion into Tulagi and Lunga soon. That would be a week or two away.

I do get SigInt of the 3rd Tank Regiment being loaded and on the way to Darwin. A naval guard unit is on the way to Truk. Another task force is spotted north of Java southeast bound. Absolutely no activity in the Indian Ocean again. I have many subs there, but they see nothing, and are not seen.

I'm doing an artillery attack at Calcutta just to make sure that all of the enemy units that were there are still there.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 300

Page: << < prev 8 9 [10] 11 12 next > >>

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28