RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) vs. USS Mike (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) vs. USS Mike (A)

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RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 11/22/2021 1:42:51 AM

USSAmerica

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Mike and I have played 2 more turns, but we are paused now that I'm only 1 week away from closing on the house and moving. Work has also been a bear as this is a crunch time of year and I'm about to be gone for a few days of Thanksgiving and then a week of moving. I hope to get things moving again about 2 weeks from now.

Until then, Wendy says, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

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Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

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Post #: 151

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 11/22/2021 2:08:38 AM

btd64

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family....GP

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Post #: 152

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 11/22/2021 2:13:15 AM

RangerJoe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: btd64

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family....GP

I hope that everyone has a safe week!

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< Message edited by RangerJoe -- 11/22/2021 2:14:39 AM >

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Post #: 153

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 11/22/2021 2:16:46 AM

rustysi

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Happy Thanksgiving.

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Post #: 154

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 12/25/2021 5:42:42 PM

USSAmerica

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Hi all! The dust is settling nicely from the move and the last two weeks of crazy work for the year are behind me. I'm off until Jan 3rd and will finally get some time to relax and rest. Part of "relaxing", of course, will be getting our game moving again. Hope to have some updates to report in the next couple of days.

Merry Christmas, all!

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 155

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 12/25/2021 7:35:07 PM

btd64

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....GP

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Post #: 156

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/18/2022 1:48:23 PM

USSAmerica

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From: Graham, NC, USA
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Hi all, a couple of updates.

First, and most importantly, Wendy has become shy about making appearances on the forum. She doesn't want to get anyone in trouble, so she will be staying home with me, all safe and secure. She does send her love and the message to "Win it for Wendy!"

Second, after the false alarm over Christmas, the game is rolling again. I sent the turn off to Mike yesterday after spending a lot of time getting back up to speed on what's going on everywhere. I'll put together an update for the previous two turns soon.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 157

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/18/2022 2:05:14 PM

btd64

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Good news....GP

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Post #: 158

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/18/2022 3:01:44 PM

USSAmerica

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DEC 16 & 17, 1941

On the 16th the only really notable events were Mike landing at Adak and a couple of PT boats hanging out at Tacloban in the PI putting a torpedo into CL Kuma. If I can't stop Mike's advances right now, at least I can be a constant nuisance. LOL

On the 17th Adak fell with no resistance. I had hoped to get a few forces there, but instead I'll focus on fortifying Dutch Harbor against any farther advance.

Mike dropped some paratroopers onto Temuloh in Malaya on the 16th, but I had an Indian Bde and an AA unit transiting the base. The AA guns did some damage to his transports and today a short deliberate attack by my Indian Bde wiped out the unlucky paras.

Mike also landed at Rabaul today. The CD guns put a few holes in one of his transports, but the place can't be held this early. Patrol planes have been evacuating most of the Lark Bn to Port Moresby, where they will embark on a transport for the hop over to Darwin.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 159

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/18/2022 10:03:33 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

USSAmerica: Mike landing at Adak...

No wonder he was MIA for a while! Bad time of year to go there!

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Post #: 160

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/18/2022 11:29:56 PM

USSAmerica

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

USSAmerica: Mike landing at Adak...

No wonder he was MIA for a while! Bad time of year to go there!

To be fair, I was the commander that was MIA as I moved and helped my wife with her recovering from foot surgery. Mike has been very graciously patient with me. We're in this for the long haul.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 161

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 1/26/2022 9:40:06 PM

USSAmerica

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DEC 18, 1941

Things are rolling again! Somewhat downhill in my case.

The key update from this turn was a naval battle in the Banda Sea, just off of Ambon. My US TF with Houston, Boise, Marblehead, and 6 Clemson DD's were trying to catch any of a few smaller Japanese SCTF's, but bumped into the only one I wanted to avoid. They hung in there longer than I expected against 4 Japanese BB's and a couple of DD's. Marblehead took the brunt of the early BB salvos and went under. My boys bounced quite a number of shells off the BB armor, but the damage won't likely require more than a paint job. It's frustrating to watch round after round of fire, knowing the best we can throw at the BB's won't penetrate, and the TF commander still won't cut and run. Mike witnessed Marblehead and DD Parrott go under before they disengaged. What he didn't see was Boise sinking later in the day. C'est la guerre.

Elsewhere, the landing at Rabaul continued. The defenders and their CD guns did some pretty good damage to several transports, but it was a foregone conclusion here. The base fell to the invaders. The remnants of Lark Bn took cover in the jungle, so no more will be airlifted out. Those who did make it to Port Moresby via air are ordered to board the waiting transport bound for Darwin.

I've decided not to try to piecemeal defenders into Port Moresby until I can possibly land a significant force. Until I could get at least a couple of Bde's there, anything Mike invades with will likely capture the base and any defenders there will face grim prospects in the jungle. If he should delay attempting to capture PM for a couple of months I might be able to do something about it. The only real option earlier than that would be to try to stuff the Brit 18th Div in there, but they are going to dig in at Darwin and hope to teach Mike to bring more than a raiding force if he wants to visit Oz.

Up north, I spotted a TF wandering east of Adak, toward Dutch Harbor. Most shipping will be out of the way, but should they decide to linger for more than a day or two, Halsey's AC TF will possibly have some live targets for their NOPAC training exercise. I figure the risk up there to my CV's is low, even if the chances of catching any enemy shipping is also low. My boys are 6 days or so from striking range to Adak. Heck, it gives them something relatively low risk to do while they wait for scheduled upgrades to start and air wing upgrades to fill out.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 162

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/1/2022 9:25:08 PM

USSAmerica

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DEC 19, 1941
Starting with the highlight of the day, Mike fast transported more troops to Guam, but still couldn't do better than 1 � 1 odds. Guam still holds and he'll have to bring more supply and/or more troops before he can take it. I had to give him a little grief in email over still having to remember to check on Guam at this late stage of the game.

Up at Adak, Mike screened his second wave landings by sending 3 DD's to pester my ships at Dutch Harbor. I saw them coming, so sent the handful of transports east and grouping their escorts into a makeshift SC TF.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 171,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
DD Hatfield, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kane, Shell hits 1
AVD Williamson

His guys then dispatched a pair of YP's I had on ASW patrol. A daytime rematch finally saw me land a couple of shell hits, but I took worse than I gave:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 170,50, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
DD Kane, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
AVD Williamson

Kane will probably make it back to Seattle for repairs. Dutch Harbor is on it's own for a bit until I can scratch up a few more escorts for transports heading there. Hopefully, today's engagements will encourage Mike to keep these DD's and maybe a bit more shipping at Adak for several more days. Halsey is still steaming north from Pearl Harbor....

In Burma/India, I am still running a conveyor belt of xAK's from Calcutta to Rangoon. They are pumping supply into Rangoon/Mandalay/Lashio/China. I realized today that Calcutta is down to 14k supply, so I've had to back off a bit there. I'm carrying fuel on the return trip, so the next several transports that leave Rangoon will go a bit farther to Colombo to pick up supply. Ceylon will soon be over 100k supply. I need to let more build up in India before taking too much more out of Calcutta. We'll have to see how effective I am at getting all the supply I dump off pulled along the railroad and trail into China.

Looks like a Mini-KB is moving south from Rabaul to threaten shipping around Port Moresby and the eastern Oz coast. I spotted them pretty far out, so I should be able to get most of my shipping cleared of the area.

Mike still hasn't crossed into Singapore or Manila yet. He has a few more troops moving from Mersing, so I expect a visit at Singapore soon.

Elsewhere, I'm just continuing to play "Harbormaster in the Pacific".

Working on planning for destinations and shipping for all the LCU's and air groups starting to arrive in the US.

Anything you guys are interested in seeing more details about yet?

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 163

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/1/2022 10:00:05 PM

Taxcutter

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It has been my experience that few things will foul up the logistics like a wench.

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Post #: 164

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/2/2022 1:29:06 AM

USSAmerica

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter

It has been my experience that few things will foul up the logistics like a wench.

Ahh, you've hit upon my secret strategy.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 165

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/4/2022 2:26:07 AM

USSAmerica

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DEC 20, 1941
Not very much drama again today. DD Kane looks like she will have no trouble returning to Seattle from Dutch Harbor for repairs. Her flotation damage actually decreased today. DD Edsall, who was damaged in the battle with the Japanese BB's off Ambon Island, had additional flotation damage, up from 23 to 37 and system up to 41 from 36. She is set to cruise speed, with a sister DD as escort, and only 1 hex away from Darwin, so I think she will make it to safety as well.

The Mini-KB, which may be not so mini, took up station at Ferguson Island which is one hex NE of Miline Bay. They are estimated to be packing 80 fighters and 230 bombers, so it's probably the big boys, and not a Mini-KB. They didn't launch any strikes, but may have been flying LRCAP for a landing at Buna. Their bombers were probably all set to naval attack, and I had cleared the nearby area of all TF's. I don't know that Mike will bring them any closer to the mainland of Oz yet. He does have a SCTF approaching Port Moresby, around the horn of Miline Bay. Intel says it has 4 BB's, but they could easily be heavy cruisers. They will probably bombard PM tomorrow and then look for a fight. The last two transport ships that were hiding from naval attacks in port there, are set to flee toward Horn Island. If this Japanese TF continues toward or through the Torres Strait, I'll have to scatter some small shipping. If they head down the coast of Oz they will only find empty water. There could be some shooting tomorrow in this neck of the woods.

Oh, and Guam held against another Shock attack today. Completely trashed the Japanese assault troops. If I had more than 7 squads and a machine gun here I would counter attack and eliminate them. Instead, I will have to be content with extending this little side show frustration for Mike.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 166

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/4/2022 12:04:41 PM

btd64

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Doesn't Prince Rupert have a small shipyard? I don't have my computer handy so can't verify....GP

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RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/4/2022 1:13:22 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: btd64

Doesn't Prince Rupert have a small shipyard? I don't have my computer handy so can't verify....GP

Yes - 10K.

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Post #: 168

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/4/2022 2:22:34 PM

USSAmerica

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Good point on the shipyard at Prince Rupert. From Dutch Harbor it's 37 hexes to Prince Rupert and 42 hexes to Seattle. I'll let Kane keep heading toward Seattle. Once repaired she can help escort the Colorado and Warspite. PR is much more convenient if ships were to take damage around Kodiak or Anchorage.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

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Post #: 169

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/7/2022 2:57:32 PM

USSAmerica

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DEC 21, 1941

Not much in the way of combat to report today, but a few interesting developments.

In the Coral Sea, Mike has sailed the KB into position to interdict any shipping between Oz and Port Moresby and he moved a heavy SCTF with several BB's into the PM hex. They didn't bombard last turn, so they are surely set as SC, looking to clear my shipping out of the way for a likely amphibious invasion of the base. There is a TF rounding the cape at Milne Bay that could be the troops. Port Moresby has been a huge thorn in Mike's side in his earlier games, so this wouldn't surprise me at all if it's an early invasion.

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Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 170

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/7/2022 2:59:45 PM

USSAmerica

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Over in the Java Sea, Mike has a Mini-KB covering a surface group and some xAP's that are likely heading for either Oosthaven or Merak. My money is on Oosthaven.

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Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 171

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/10/2022 3:22:29 AM

USSAmerica

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DEC 22, 1941
Well, 1 of 2 ain't bad. Mike did land at Port Moresby with a division of troops. The TF parked there at the end of last turn that had the BB's in it was the actual amphib TF. He forgot to turn off "Do not unload" :D

Over at Java, it was another division sized landing at Merak. He said he wants to clear the AF at Batavia before grabbing Palembang. He doesn't realize just yet that Batavia is where I'm making my stand on Java this time around. Forts are up to 3 there and I have over 40k supply on hand. He might need more than 1 division to kick my Dutch boys out.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 172

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/10/2022 3:43:31 AM

USSAmerica

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DEC 23, 1941
Landings continued today at Merak and Port Moresby, and also at Brunei, Mira, Toboali, and Milne Bay. 21st Division captured the undefended base at Merak, while the 4th Division and a SNLF managed a 2 to 1 attack at PM. If he has the supply, I think one more good push there will win Port Moresby for him.

Mike is reaching pretty far to grab some potential trouble spots very early in this game. Adak, Port Moresby, Merak, Milne Bay, all just 16 days into the war. It might explain his more deliberate landings and advances in the PI and Malaya. He has started bombarding at Clark and Manila, but hasn't attempted an assault yet. He also has not yet advanced into Singapore. Perhaps he borrowed from the typical troops used to capture these two areas to snag some of the more distant bases. The one area he has not yet advanced into far ahead of typical is the southern SRA. He bombarded Ambon Island and we clashed in a surface battle there, but no other advances here yet. This suits me fine, as the Brit 18th Div is now on the map and 9 days steaming from Darwin. I'd like to get them safely ashore and cram in a bunch of supply before Mike takes an interest in the area. When the Aussie 6th and 7th Divisions arrive at Aden over the next two months, I'd like to get them into Darwin as well. I want to be able to fight off any Japanese land incursion in the region. If the waters around Darwin are too hot by the time the Aussies arrive I'll land them at Perth and let them ride the rails and march up to Darwin.

I had a bit of luck with the Dutch O20 today. She hit DD Hakaze with a torpedo while it was escorting some xAPs. Hakaze showed up on the sunk ships list, but I'm not so positive one hit would sink her in all cases. I also scored a DC hit on a Japanese sub off of Darwin. Serves them right for trying to get up in my business there.

In a book keeping note, I got all of my arriving and on map US forces allocated to destination bases and prioritized for PP purchase in a few cases. Shipping is starting to arrive back at SF, so I'll soon start getting the first significant waves of forces loaded and on their way.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 173

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/10/2022 1:23:17 PM

madflava13

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What are your first priorities with the arriving US units? I'm enjoying both AARs in this game - would love to hear more about your early plans.

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Post #: 174

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/11/2022 1:38:53 PM

USSAmerica

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From: Graham, NC, USA
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Hey madflava! I'll pull up my list of planned US LCU destinations and share the key units here in a bit. First, I need to get some actual "work" work done, and I have a turn back from Mike to work on, too.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to madflava13)

Post #: 175

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/14/2022 2:43:56 PM

USSAmerica

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From: Graham, NC, USA
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Ok, madflava, after a couple of busy days the turn is back to Mike. Here are some planned destinations for a few key arriving LCU's.

87th Mountain Rgt will go to Dutch Harbor. With Mike already occupying Adak I want to be able to defend a bit better there.

161 & 34 Rgt's will go to Pearl to recombine the 24th and 25th Divisions. One of them will stay while one will eventually get used somewhere down the road.

Canton Island has already received a Marine Defense Bn and the 56th Coastal Defense unit is on it's way here from SF.

Pago Pago will get the 159th Motorized Rgt and a Marine Defense Bn.

Suva will get all the parts of the 2nd Marine Division. 8th and 2nd Marine Rgt's for now and then the 6th Rgt when it arrives in May '42. By the time it arrives to recombine the division, it will likely be time to plan where they will go next as I hope the threat to Suva will be ended by then.

Noumea will get a large build up of forces, centered around the Americal Div, 138th Sep Inf Rgt, 53rd Sep Inf Rgt, and a Marine Tank Bn. The 53rd Rgt will be planning for Luganville where I hope to move after Noumea is secured. If Mike should beat me to Noumea, then these forces will all go to Auckland or Suva to stage for an invasion on New Caledonia.

Other than a LOT of engineers and base forces, only the 193 Tank Bn will go directly to the east coast of Australia. With Port Moresby already off my list to defend for now I'll focus on defending and building up the Townsville-Cairns area.

Darwin has already received lots of fragments of engineer and base forces from the PI and an air HQ fragment from Singapore. Lark Bn has also arrived here to join Gull and Sparrow. Once Singapore falls, they will reform a very undersized 8th Aus Division. One of the other Aussie home defense divisions is currently marching across the Outback to join in the defense of the area. As mentioned, the Brit 18th Division is also 9 days out from Darwin. As they arrive, the Aussie 6th and 7th Divisions are also planned for the Darwin area. At that point, I would love to see Mike invade the area. I think for the Japanese, fighting on the Australian mainland is their version of "fighting a land war in Asia". Oh, wait, did someone mention China?

These are all essentially defensive plans. Forces that start to arrive after the Americal Division at the end of January '42 will begin to be allocated for offensive operations that are TBD, based on what Mike does.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 176

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/14/2022 2:51:22 PM

madflava13

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Great color, thanks for sharing. I always built up the Perth region, thinking Darwin was more or less indefensible against an aggressive Japanese player, but I also haven't played in a couple years so that might be old thinking!

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Post #: 177

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/14/2022 2:57:53 PM

USSAmerica

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From: Graham, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: madflava13

Great color, thanks for sharing. I always built up the Perth region, thinking Darwin was more or less indefensible against an aggressive Japanese player, but I also haven't played in a couple years so that might be old thinking!

Perth does need some defense, for sure. I have an Aussie division plus at least one more Bde there already. I can't imagine Mike landing at Perth before Darwin. If Darwin has already fallen before the Aus 6th and 7th Divisions arrive, they will remain at Perth. The key to defending in the Darwin area, in addition to getting enough ground forces there, is to pack as much supply into the region as possible before any fighting might start. In a week or so, transports will arrive at Capetown to start loading around 200k of supply for Darwin. If I am allowed time, I'd love to pack in 500k supplies. If I don't need them to defend the area, they are already pre-positioned to support any strikes in the DEI.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to madflava13)

Post #: 178

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/16/2022 8:26:48 PM

USSAmerica

Posts: 18715
Joined: 10/28/2002
From: Graham, NC, USA
Status: offline

DEC 24, 1941

I got to have a little fun today for a change. Halsey and his boys stumbled onto what seems to have been a supply convoy heading to Adak. 4 xAKL's and a PB. Between the morning and afternoon phases, my dive bombers put them all under. I was hoping to possibly catch some troops as well, but there was no indication of men in the water. Halsey will move closer to Adak tomorrow and plaster the port, if no TF is found to bomb, then fade back into the mists of the North Pacific.

Mike's KB off Port Moresby has done nothing so far but remain in place to cover his landing at PM. The base fell to the invaders so we'll see if the CV skippers wander toward Brisbane or over toward Darwin. My shipping is almost completely cleared of either path, so I'd prefer they hung around where I can keep an eye on them for a while.

Mike's first troops have wandered through the Burmese jungle and popped out at Moulmein. I have a holding force there which should be able to stop anything smaller than a full Rgt. These guys are just the first hint of the Japanese forces to come, but Mike still has not yet crossed into Singapore and I don't see any movement arrows on the forces at Johore. I think I can keep the Burma Road open until Singapore is defeated..... unless Mike is playing slick and has only holding forces at Singapore while he sends a division or two up into Burma early. He has already made other early thrusts at Java, Port Moresby, and Adak, so I wouldn't put it past him.

Marines of the 8th and 2nd Rgts started loading on transports at San Fran today, bound for Suva. Let the flood begin.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 179

RE: A Wench in the Logistics Machine: Mike Solli (J) v... - 2/22/2022 7:55:52 PM

USSAmerica

Posts: 18715
Joined: 10/28/2002
From: Graham, NC, USA
Status: offline

DEC 25, 1941
Merry Christmas! Our Christmas present was a pretty quiet day. Mike continues to land on Java, adding Kalidjati and Semarang to his beachheads. I transported the last few squads of the Barisan Rgt from the island of Pamekasan to Soerabaja and they are packed for rail transport, so I hope to sneak them into Batavia to bolster the garrison there before the siege begins.

Japanese troops landed at Attu Island today. Looks like it's just a base force, but my CVTF under Halsey will move near there to try to catch the shipping. I have Mike's attention up here now, so it will soon be time for my carriers to disappear.

Speaking of carriers disappearing, Mike's KB off Port Moresby sailed east and dropped off my airborne search picture. They were not there to cause havoc, but just to cover the landings at PM. Now, I will not be surprised at all if they show up around Noumea or Suva in the next few days. I need some AV support at Noumea to get a PBY squadron flying from there.

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me

Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to USSAmerica)

Post #: 180

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