Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel

Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (Full Version)

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Local Yokel -> Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/12/2007 3:32:06 AM)
This is a continuation, from the Japanese viewpoint, of the AAR for my CHS scenario 157 game against Cantona. What has now become the Allied thread can be found at http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1475190, but I posted on it developments from the Japanese perspective up to end 1941. I will try to post a summary of significant events at random intervals, more frequently when the action hots up. I shan't be posting endless reams of combat report, but the odd tasty tidbit may make an appearance. Likewise, there will be no graphical tours-de-force; I haven't the skills for it. However, I will try to post some simple maps together with some shots showing the economy's headlong decline. Now that separate AAR's are running for the game, I can also give notice of my ill-conceived future plans. These, of course, are not for Cantona's eyes, but anyone else is free to deride them as they see fit. Well, that was suitably underwhelming, so I'd better set the scene by including a shot of the strategic map as at 20 Jan 1942: [image]local://upfiles/23929/CBC528A4F2EF45B986FAE267E4A38E0C.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/12/2007 4:29:36 AM)
The Japanese war flag floats above Meiktila in the west and Norfolk Island in the South. All New Caledonia and the New Hebrides are taken, and Japanese flying boats range over the south seas. The principal islands in the Solomon chain and the north shore of New Guinea is in Japanese hands. Further west, the Japanese have swept through the Moluccas, Sulawesi and Timor. Most of Borneo fell to concentric attacks between 9 and 12 January. The Lesser Sundas have been occupied, and on 20 January an invasion force landed on Bali, seeking its airfields for the suppression of enemy air power upon southern Java. Palawan and Mindanao have been taken. The mountain fastness of Cagayan fell on the first assault. All Luzon is now Japanese save for Bataan and Manila. A containment force holds the Bataan defenders in place, whilst the main of 14th Army has invested Manila. All Malaya is held by the Japanese save for Mersing, where 2 brigades hold out, and Fortress Singapore. However, the main body of the Japanese 25th Army has been conducting a series of deliberate assaults on the fortress, each of which has successfully reduced its level of fortification. There are hopes of its capture before the end of January. Modest forces have entered Burma, and a single brigade has penetrated the Irrawaddy basin as far as Meiktila. Intelligence is scanty, but it is suspected that one or two brigades of Burma Rifles have been pre-empted from passing through Meiktila on their way to Mandalay. Equally modest operations are proceeding in China. A few guerilla units have been successfully pocketed and eliminated. Plans are afoot to drive down from the middle Yangtse towards Canton, with a view to pocketing a quantity of Chinese units south of the river. However, these operations will be conducted at a deliberate pace that does not draw on limited Japanese resources to an extent that prejudices rapid conquest of the SRA. The overall plan for the strike to the south is to roll up the defenders, initially from east to west, and later, when Singapore has fallen, by capture of the bases in Northern Sumatra. The object is to deny any opportunity for evacuation of defending air units other than by sea, where it is hoped they may be sunk.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/12/2007 4:42:18 AM)
Here is a shot of the economy's current state. Supply levels enjoy a slight but perceptible upward trend at present. I have a number of AR and MLE conversions in hand, and am accumulating a small surplus of naval construction points. In view of this, I have accelerated those Akizukis that I can, and have had Hiyo accelerated for some time. However, now that she is passing into the last stages of her construction I may set her back to normal construction rate. I'm not sure whether I should find more capacity for Aichi engines; I don't want to leave the D4Y's short when they come on stream. I seem to be amassing a reasonable quantity of those Kawasaki licence-built DB 601's, so it looks as though the Hien is on track to become a principal IJAAF fighter. [image]local://upfiles/23929/83438BEEEE2040959498819E3C77994F.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/27/2007 4:18:05 PM)
24 Jan 1942: an inauspicious day for the IJN: Sub attack near Raba at 27,72 Japanese Ships CL Isuzu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Asagiri DD Ayanami DD Usugumo Allied Ships SS O19 This SAG was escorting the empty transport group from the Bali invasion back to Kendari. Probably the transports were out of danger, and the SAG could have safely made the run to Kendari at high speed, in which case the attack at Raba might well have been avoided. Isuzu was detached and directed to Makassar, hopefully to fight another day, but nemesis struck the following day: Sub attack at 30,72 Japanese Ships CL Isuzu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage sinks Allied Ships SS KXII This, however, is only the 2nd IJN surface warship of note to be sunk, DD Hiyodori having previously succumbed to a mine at Samarinda.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/27/2007 4:23:33 PM)
26 Jan 1942 - the fall of Singapore to the Japanese 25th Army: Ground combat at Singapore Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 84887 troops, 451 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 1723 Defending force 46755 troops, 235 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 505 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1 Japanese max assault: 1615 - adjusted assault: 1566 Allied max defense: 519 - adjusted defense: 471 Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore base !!! Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 7 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 1776 casualties reported Guns lost 24 Vehicles lost 7 Allied ground losses: 82347 casualties reported Guns lost 97 Vehicles lost 1 Principal participating forces were 2(Gds), 5, 18 and 56 Divs, aided by 3 tank regts, 4 engineer units and various artillery units, including 2 heavy FA regts That leaves 2 brigades, one Indian and one AIF, to be dealt with at Mersing and the Japanese campaign in Malaya will be victoriously concluded.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 6:21:44 PM)
Coming up: some stuff to show what's happened up to the end of January 1942. First, losses in the air war. This is a Nik Mod game, and losses on both sides have been fairly modest. Flak has been the most effective killer of aeroplanes, although plenty of Brewster fighters have gone down to Zero and Ki-43 guns. The number of Hudsons shot down in A2A is noteworthy; I believe most of these losses were sustained in unescorted raids on Ambon - which have now stopped! [image]local://upfiles/23929/77AADFB0917448D2971EAED0DCB1F021.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 6:26:58 PM)
State of the economy as at 1 February 1942: [image]local://upfiles/23929/8773F84C5C3F4376B3EEF92123EC6B82.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 6:31:51 PM)
Summary intelligence report to end January 1942: [image]local://upfiles/23929/4AA072A47FC44A6394B3EE127C864506.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 8:03:49 PM)
Now for some maps. First, Malaya operations, including the capture of Singapore. Two British Empire brigades remain at Mersing, but forces are now in place to commence attacks upon them. [image]local://upfiles/23929/5DF7CBB348D54770B9FD501B47D991DB.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 8:07:15 PM)
Operations in Borneo and the Lesser Sundas. Borneo attacks were timed to be as near simultaneous as possible, the aim being to deny the defenders any opportunity to mount air attacks upon captured oil and resource centres. [image]local://upfiles/23929/060814F28D844C88B67077D51CD51068.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 8:26:20 PM)
Philippine Operations: [image]local://upfiles/23929/14606EE8C4B746AD83A2DDB2EB9A4AB1.jpg[/image]

Cuttlefish -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 8:40:37 PM)
Nice summaries, and I really like the graphics you use with the maps. Both make it easy to follow what is going on without having to wade through a lot of extraneous information.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 9:04:14 PM)
Glad you like it! All very primitive, I am afraid, being done with nothing more than MS Paint

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 9:08:02 PM)
Now for Burma, the neglected stepchild of Japanese operations. I really am operating on a shoestring here, and we have the interesting development of an Allied riposte that has come down the track/highway from Taung Gyi. Is Bangkok about to fall? Have I screwed up royally here?[&:] [image]local://upfiles/23929/B117CF85E05F4E36BDE68F41747C8F23.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 9:10:27 PM)
Hmm, not the clearest of text showing Allied movements. The sole unit identified as captors of Pisanuloke and Lop Buri is 1st Burma Rifle Brigade.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/29/2007 9:39:47 PM)
North Pacific developments. In view of its potential for basing bombers to raid the Home Islands, I determined to seize Attu Island. On 23 January, Kajioka's Occupation Force deposited the invading force on the island which was fully occupied the following day. With Onoshi's Distant Cover Force in attendance, Kajioka's main body retired shortly thereafter, leaving a small force of transports to complete unloading of supplies for the garrison. Meanwhile R Admiral Yamata's Close Cover Force, centred around tender Kamikawa Maru, had been despatched to the north-east, there to mount an air search picket against the possibility of an American counter-move. And now, 1 February, here that counter-move comes... [image]local://upfiles/23929/B0FFAD13F5C24A7F88373BD1A3BC53A9.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (7/30/2007 4:48:01 AM)
6th Fleet submarine successes in Central and South Pacific to end of January '42: [image]local://upfiles/23929/5578A8498825497E9AF1AA4BED8AFA91.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (8/25/2007 4:15:50 PM)
INTERLUDE IN INDO-CHINA The occupation of Pisanuloke by 1st Burma Rifles on 27 Jan 1942 caused considerable consternation in the Japanese command. Not far to the south, Lop Buri stood undefended and a mere 60 miles beyond lay Bangkok, currently hosting the headquarters of the Japanese 15th Army. For defence, army headquarters could only look to a couple of small base forces. Though these might be sufficient, the continued presence of an Allied unit athwart the main LOC to Moulmein could not be tolerated. Aerial reconnaissance was immediately stepped up to track the foward progress of the Allied unit, and to attempt detection of any follow-on forces coming down the trails from Taung Gyi. Simultaneously, 4th Mixed Regt began embarking into a convoy of fast transports at Saigon, whilst the paratroops of Yokusuka 2nd SNLF were similarly embarked at Kuching. Both transport groups were directed to Bangkok at all possible speed. As it happened, several IJAAF air transport units were already located at Bangkok. They had been supplementing the trickle of supplies over the hills to Moulmein, but they offered an opportunity for a riposte that would permit the Japanese first to isolate then destroy the intruding Allied unit. 4th Mixed began their disembarkation at Bangkok as 1st Burma Rifles entered Lop Buri, which duly fell to them on 31 January. At about the same time the Yokosuka SNLF began to land at Bangkok, whilst 4th Mixed marched towards Lop Buri (at the time I was somewhat concerned that the Allied and Japanese units might simply swap locations!). With 4th Mixed in place at Lop Buri by 2 February, the trap was sprung! On 2 February the Yokosukas parachuted into Pisanuloke, which, devoid of defenders, immediately fell to their shock assault. Now it was the Burma Rifles who found themselves with a hostile unit astride their line of communication and retreat. On 3 February they were attacked by 4th Mixed and immediately forced to fall back towards Pisanuloke. There was some risk that they might still overcome the lightly-armed Yokosuka paratroops that had retaken the town, so 4th Mixed pursued vigorously. By 6 February the regiment had caught up with the retreating Rifles and assaulted them again. This was more than the Rifles could take; their remnants - nearly 3200 troops - surrendered or were killed. So perished this bold but ultimately forlorn Allied probe into Siam. Meanwhile, unexpected developments were afoot at the border between China and Indo-China. I must admit that I didn't immediately notice what had happened, since it only came to my attention when I noticed the appearance of a new Japanese unit at Hue. This was the 4th VM Division: not exactly a crack unit, but what had caused it to arrive? Only then did I notice that a stack of 4 or 5 Chinese units had crossed the Indo-Chinese border and were now apparently poised to enter either Hanoi or Haiphong. In so doing they had activated the Indo-Chinese militia divisions. This was a pretty unwelcome sight. Two additional VM divisions had activated in Haiphong and Hanoi, but I wasn't sure whether they and the Yobi Eki regiments would suffice to repel a determined Chinese attack. Haiphong, with a fort level of 4, looked reasonably secure, but Hanoi boasted only level 1 fortification. The only thing going for it was the carnage a contested river crossing might cause the attackers. The 4th VM Division was immediately despatched towards Hanoi to bolster its defences, and I sat there glumly contemplating a campaign to expel these characters from my Hanoi factories. For some reason, nothing has so far come of this. Indeed, it appears that some of the Chinese forces have retreated back across the border. Has my opponent had second thoughts? If so, it's cost him dear since I now have the benefit of 4 additional divisons in Indo-China. Nonetheless this is an area of continuing concern and I'm taking steps to make reinforcements available for this sector of the Empire. [image]local://upfiles/23929/C37420079B3D435E9E68E113C9F8843C.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (8/27/2007 9:12:08 PM)
RETRIBUTION IN THE BAY OF BENGAL As evening descends on 10 February 1942, Rear Admiral Takeda's Andaman Occupation Force, comprising light cruiser Naka and destroyers Hato and Asakaze, comes stealing into the channel at Port Blair. The destroyers have their paravanes streamed, and presently Hato's sweep snags the cable of a moored mine. This and a second mine are despatched with care by the destroyermen, but then disaster strikes as Naka nudges two mines in quick succession. Their detonation mortally wounds her. Takeda shifts his flag to Asakaze, and Naka is detached in the direction of Malaya on the remote chance that she may make port. Numbed by the catastrophe, the Japanese hasten to land the occupation troops and some essential stores before retiring from these dangerous waters. As the force heads away from the island an alert lookout glimpses in the gloom a flash of phosphorescence that betrays the presence of another vessel not far distant, drawing away to the West. Receiving the lookout's report, Takeda reasons that the sighted ship is not a warship, or if it is, that the instinct for self-preservation has prompted it not to challenge his ships. It also occurs to Takeda that this mystery vessel may be the British merchant auxiliary fitted out for minelaying duties that is mentioned in Fleet HQ's intelligence appreciation. As such she is just possibly the author of Naka's misfortune. No other Japanese surface units have yet penetrated this far into the Bay of Bengal, so he reckons he is justified in treating himself 'weapons free'. The two Japanese destroyers parallel the course of the retiring stranger, stealthily overhauling her as she ploughs westward towards Trincomalee, her presumed base of origin. Shortly after midnight Takeda decides that he has achieved an optimal position for engagement, and the order is given for torpedo launch and for Asakaze to illuminate the target close to their predicted moment of impact. For an instant Takeda is reminded of pre-war exercises off the Chishima Islands as the three starshells burst in a line a little beyond the stranger, but this is no line-of-battle that's silhouetted in their glare; rather it's a single plodding merchantman whose time has come as the Type 92's streak towards her and the crack of the destroyer's guns assaults his ears. The crews are well worked-up and their fire is quickly falling around and aboard their target, but the impact of two Type 92 torpedoes is conclusive and the stricken ship tarries but a moment before upending and plunging for the seabed. The Japanese draw close to the point at which she was last seen, their searchlights playing on the water. Floating amid the detritus of her sinking is a single lifebelt bearing the legend 'Kung Wo'. Informed of this, Takeda consults his pre-war copy of Jane. The details are set out tersely: Built 1921 by Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd., 4,636 tons. And the Fleet Intelligence Summary indicates that this was was indeed a minelayer, reportedly pressed into service as such by the Royal Navy in March 1941. In view of what has befallen Naka earlier that evening Takeda orders details of their sunken prey to be circulated to the crew. As the Andaman Occupation Force sets a course for Singapore, there is aboard its ships a mood of grim satisfaction at the retribution they have exacted.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/7/2007 4:15:23 PM)
Darwin, February 1942 - the Battle of Friday the Thirteenth. As soon as they arrived over the Moluccas and Timor the Allied heavy bomber groups based at Darwin proved to be a thorn in the Japanese side. From the start of the war Japanese plans had envisaged the capture of Darwin, and the bombers' attentions increase the urgency of attaining this objective. The Japanese therefore decide that their opening move in the offensive against the base is to be by naval bombardment. Japanese plans are complicated by their suspicion (all too well-founded, as it turns out) that Darwin is hosting torpedo and dive bombers capable of doing serious damage to the bombardment force. Moreover, reconnaissance reveals the presence of enemy surface patrols in the vicinity of the base. These are reported as including heavy cruisers, but the staff at Kendari suspect exaggeration on the observers' part and classify the sighted heavies as destroyers. Nevertheless, the surface units' presence conjure for the Japanese the nightmare of multiple engagements by the bombardment group during its run-in to the target. Not only may this dissipate the bombardment's effect but it may delay timely retirement of the ships involved, leaving them exposed to counter-attack from the air. To counter this dual threat from sea and air, the plan devised involves the use of two task groups. The first, the Interception Force led by Vice Admiral Hosogaya, consists of a light cruiser-led squadron of seven destroyers. Its task is to enter the approaches to Darwin and destroy the defending surface forces, so clearing the way for Rear Admiral Tanaka's following Bombardment Group, comprising 2 fast battleships, 6 heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers plus screen. The two task groups will take widely diverging routes towards the objective, that of the Interception Force suggesting that it is heading for Wyndham rather than Darwin. In the event, things do not go quite according to the Japanese script. Both the observers and the staff at Kendari are wrong: the defending surface forces include 2 Royal Navy 'D' Class light cruisers, Durban and Dragon. Hosogaya's Interception Force lacks the muscle to combat the 'D's', and the defenders suffer only damage and the loss of one minesweeper to a largely ineffective torpedo salvo. Hosogoya's fortunes are mixed in the engagement with the second defending group consisting of three minesweepers. This time the torpedoes strike home, but one of the minesweepers puts a 4" round into Minegumo's aft magazine and she is totally consumed in the resulting explosion. The knock-on effect of the Interception Force's partial failure is that Tanaka finds himself confronted by the RN light cruisers. For some reason Durban fails to engage, but Dragon is assailed by a rain of shells from the screen which fail to penetrate her armour but comprehensively riddle her upperworks. Tanaka's cruisers wade in with Type 93 launches that catch Dragon, DD Thanet and MSW Deloraine. They sink, and destroyer-minelayer Thracian retires injured. Ominously, however, heavy cruiser Maya is tagged by a Mk VIII torpedo during the engagement and suffers serious damage to her propulsion machinery. The bombardment now proceeds, but the main effort is concentrated upon the ships in harbour. These suffer severely, but the corollary is that no more than six aircraft are destroyed. Hosogaya and Tanaka then retire northwards at full speed. Dawn and Allied search aircraft find Maya alone and not far north of Melville Island. Retribution is not far behind as A-24's and Swordfish seek her out. She weathers the first strike with no more than a single hit by an A-24, but the second strike by 12 A-24's and 3 Swordfish secure 4 bomb hits and no less than 2 torpedo strikes. Now Maya is in serious trouble. Capable of no more than a crawl, with heavy system damage but no more than limited flotation damage at this stage, she limps north to Lautem. As with Mutsu at Kuching, the Japanese mount a major effort to save her over the next few days. A host of ASW craft surround her as she struggles away from the danger area, now under the command of Rear Admiral Yoshida who took credit for the saving of Mutsu. Whether she survives remains to be seen, but it won't be for want of trying. In Darwin meanwhile they're digging themselves out of the rubble, and aircraft transport Langley will subsequently sink at her moorings. However, the base's air groups are largely intact and the Japanese aims for the bombardment have not been achieved. This looks like continuing to be a hotly contested area for the foreseeable future. [image]local://upfiles/23929/3A6A9983D4C449599F1B15FDD837D1C1.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/7/2007 4:19:12 PM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/13/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84 Japanese Ships CL Sendai DD Arashi DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1 DD Umikaze DD Usugumo DD Ayanami Allied Ships CL Dragon CL Durban, Shell hits 4 DD Scout, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Thanet, Shell hits 3, on fire DM Thracian, Shell hits 2, on fire MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage MSW Maryborough, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84 Japanese Ships CL Sendai DD Arashi DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, and is sunk DD Yamakaze, on fire DD Kawakaze DD Umikaze DD Usugumo DD Ayanami Allied Ships MSW Bendigo, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk MSW Burnie, Shell hits 12, and is sunk MSW Goulburn, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84 Japanese Ships BB Kongo BB Haruna, Shell hits 5 CA Takao CA Atago CA Maya, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CA Chokai CA Suzuya, Shell hits 7 CA Kumano CL Natori CL Yura DD Nenohi DD Wakaba DD Sanae DD Kasasagi Allied Ships CL Dragon, Shell hits 70, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk CL Durban DD Scout, Shell hits 10, and is sunk DD Thanet, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DM Thracian, on fire MSW Deloraine, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed Hudson I: 1 destroyed Swordfish: 1 destroyed 21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CL Yura, Shell hits 3, on fire CL Natori, Shell hits 1 CA Kumano CA Suzuya, Shell hits 4 CA Chokai CA Atago CA Takao BB Haruna BB Kongo Allied Ships AD Black Hawk, Shell hits 4, on fire AK Koolinda, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage TK Longwood, Shell hits 2, on fire AV Langley, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage AK Barossa, Shell hits 2 AK Valentijn, Shell hits 3, on fire TK British Judge, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AVD Childs, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AK Ben Nevis, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AK Patras, Shell hits 1, on fire AS Holland, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AK Tarakan, Shell hits 2, on fire TK George G Henry, Shell hits 2, on fire AK Malaita, Shell hits 2 AK Van Swoll, Shell hits 1 AK Both, Shell hits 1, on fire Allied ground losses: 4085 casualties reported Guns lost 89 Vehicles lost 8 Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 28 Port hits 3 Port fuel hits 3 Port supply hits 2 ... Day Air attack on TF at 36,80 Allied aircraft Swordfish x 3 A-24 Dauntless x 9 No Allied losses Japanese Ships CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 1 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 36,80 Allied aircraft Swordfish x 3 Brewster 339D x 3 A-24 Dauntless x 12 No Allied losses Japanese Ships CA Maya, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet [image]local://upfiles/23929/1B6D8A2D5D024C9ABCB127B4CC75125F.jpg[/image]

aztez -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/7/2007 7:23:18 PM)
Hmmm. What is the main reason behind Northern Oz adventure? I guess that it serves its purpose when you think about defending DEI later on but is there other reasons? Just intrested. [:)]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/8/2007 4:29:00 AM)
Hi aztez! The offensive against NW Oz is almost entirely prompted by defensive considerations. It denies the Allies a jumping off point for a thrust into the SRA. It denies the Allies bomber bases within range of resource/oil centres (B-29 normal range takes in Balikpapan from Darwin). It is relatively isolated from sources of Allied power - an overland counterattack is going to use up 55 supply units out of every 100 despatched. It is close to Japanese sources of power - reinforcements have to come over shorter distances than their Allied equivalents; this gives Japan an advantage in any 'battle of the build-up' and may mean that it can be held with less initially than other vulnerable spots on the perimeter. It complements my push to Noumea. That must have stretched the Allied SLOC to Oz. In turn that should delay the build-up for any countermove in Oz. It invites an over-commitment of Allied defenders to the Darwin area - again at the end of a long supply line. My attack on Moresby is currently going in. If that succeeds it will shut down attempts to re-supply Darwin via Torres Strait. Too many Allied defenders committed to Darwin give me raiding opportunities or better against the south coast of Oz. I've heard it said that forcing Allied attention upon N. Oz encourages a counter attack that comes dangerously close to the SRA. Well, maybe that's so, but I plan to make any such counter attack a very costly exercise for my opponent, and the lie of the land and sea assists me in doing so. Thoughts, anybody?

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 2:12:48 AM)
Some end-of-month reports coming up, beginning with summary figures for the Japanese economy and aircraft production: [image]local://upfiles/23929/7C15663202BA4A759A960A7E244112F2.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 2:16:03 AM)
Next, a graph showing changes in the stockpiles of selected items from 19 Dec 1941 to 28 Feb 1942: [image]local://upfiles/23929/F12DEBAC6729445BAE88EAFD45A5E4DF.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 2:18:32 AM)
And the intelligence summary screen as at 28 Feb 1942. Shown in yellow are the changes since the last set of figures posted at the end of Jan 42. [image]local://upfiles/23929/FDF7369B77E2495996E5A56943D14143.jpg[/image]

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 3:00:12 AM)
A few observations on the state of the economy, and Japan's war footing generally: Fuel production has stood up OK, but that's probably to be expected. Oil stockpiles have fallen by about 500,000. However, Palembang has yet to fall. A good deal rides on how much damage the Palembang oil centres sufffer if and when it is taken. The rate of fall in resources has slowed, but we took a bad hit when Soerabaja fell with 499 out of 500 resource centres destroyed - not good. Again, the damage sustained if/when Palembang falls may prove significant. The first oil/resource convoy has already unloaded and the second is en route the HI. With a bit of tweaking here and there I seem to have been able to grow supply output so as to increase stockpiles by about 200,000. Stockpiles have crossed the 300,000 mark a couple of times and are holding at about the 299,500 mark. I have been trying to expand Nakajima engine production, mainly by shifting across from Mitsubishi engines. This has become more critical than I had expected following the loss of all Ki-21 production in Dec 41 due to the unwanted upgrade of Ki-21's to Ki-49's that the CHS scenario features. This has also meant that Ki-49 production has had to be expanded, as the Ki-21 sentai's will need to re-equip progressively with the Donryu. E13A production has been ramped up so that the older reconnaissance seaplane models can be phased out. Most E13A production can then be switched to other aircraft types. Yes, we are producing G5N's, in small quantities. I have a particular use in mind for them at a later date. Broadly speaking I have sufficient aircraft stocks to meet current rates of attrition, and have preserved a respectable supply of both IJAAF and IJNAF pilots still, though the latter has only been possible by permitting slow attrition of the land attack kokutai. I have concerns about running out of army bombers, but since there's not a lot I can do about that there's no point in losing sleep over it. One pleasing point is that Japanese operational loss levels are very close to Allied (it appears that Japanese operational losses are usually twice as great). Partly this is due to I-boat sinkings of US merchantmen carrying bomber groups, and partly it's been an exercise in husbanding air groups, resting them frequently and not sending them out in bad weather. I have also tried to conserve LCU's so far as possible. Soerabaja fell with minimal loss to the Japanese forces engaged, but they weren't opposed by much. Batavia is probably accommodating 3 Dutch regts, so will be a somewhat tougher nut to crack. The advantage the defenders receive from Manila's urban terrain means that this could be a source of considerable Japanese loss. However, barring a major trans-Pacific relief effort (which would be interesting!), I can pick my moment for the final reduction of the city. Fort levels were found to be zero on an exploratory attack and I expect them to have stayed that way.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 3:50:37 AM)
Japanese operations in Malaya-Borneo-Sumatra, February 1942: [image]local://upfiles/23929/68923C8294E04A17AD85B508D1D6C9EB.jpg[/image]

ctangus -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/11/2007 4:30:27 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Local Yokel I've heard it said that forcing Allied attention upon N. Oz encourages a counter attack that comes dangerously close to the SRA. Well, maybe that's so, but I plan to make any such counter attack a very costly exercise for my opponent, and the lie of the land and sea assists me in doing so. Thoughts, anybody? Here's some thoughts, though they might not be lucid... [;)] I'm playing a CHS 1.x game now in Mar. '44. I command the evil allied imperialists in that game. A similar offensive did encourage such a counterattack from me. I grabbed Timor in Jan or so '43 with the hope of isolating units in North Oz. Took Darwin back with a land offensive slightly before then. I didn't isolate any units but I have been able to slowly expand in the area. I have over half of Celebes now and a bunch of smaller nearby islands. Though I'm not sure if it was worthwhile for me or not. On the plus side it's spread my opponent's defenses out - he needs to defend an arc from Java through Borneo to the Vogelkep. 2Es & 4Es have wrecked most of Balikpapan's oil/resources. I haven't bombed Soerabaja's oil/resources yet, but my opponent needs to maintain a healthy CAP there. On the negative side it certainly slowed down my New Guinea offensive as I have to divert forces to this theater also. Supply lines are long, even with the Torres strait open. Anyway, I wouldn't defend North Oz too heavily - the allies will take it back if/when they decide to. I'd more strongly guard against flanking moves - I'd recommend defending Timor-Flores-Soemba. And once the allies take Moresby back you'll need to defend the Vogelkep. quote: Yes, we are producing G5N's, in small quantities. I have a particular use in mind for them at a later date. I'm curious what you plan to do with them. I'm not producing them myself - to me they don't seem worth the cost in engines - but I'm a Japanese newb, too, and I'm sure I have a lot to learn.

Local Yokel -> RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel (9/12/2007 4:18:26 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ctangus Here's some thoughts, though they might not be lucid... [;)] I'm playing a CHS 1.x game now in Mar. '44. I command the evil allied imperialists in that game. A similar offensive did encourage such a counterattack from me. I grabbed Timor in Jan or so '43 with the hope of isolating units in North Oz. Took Darwin back with a land offensive slightly before then. I didn't isolate any units but I have been able to slowly expand in the area. I have over half of Celebes now and a bunch of smaller nearby islands. Though I'm not sure if it was worthwhile for me or not. On the plus side it's spread my opponent's defenses out - he needs to defend an arc from Java through Borneo to the Vogelkep. 2Es & 4Es have wrecked most of Balikpapan's oil/resources. I haven't bombed Soerabaja's oil/resources yet, but my opponent needs to maintain a healthy CAP there. On the negative side it certainly slowed down my New Guinea offensive as I have to divert forces to this theater also. Supply lines are long, even with the Torres strait open. Anyway, I wouldn't defend North Oz too heavily - the allies will take it back if/when they decide to. I'd more strongly guard against flanking moves - I'd recommend defending Timor-Flores-Soemba. And once the allies take Moresby back you'll need to defend the Vogelkep. Makes perfectly good sense to me - thanks for your input! I should be interested to know whether your experience of with an overland offensive refutes my suspicion that the Allies will suffer significantly from being at the end of an extended, low-grade supply line. Of course, the deluge of Allied supply may have been so great that this had no apparent impact upon operations. Alternatively you may have supplemented the overland supplies with an airlift - but if so that implies a loss of air transport capacity for use elsewhere. If the recapture of a Japanese-held Darwin prompted a perceptible thinning and spreading of Nippon's defences in the south-eastern part of the SRA then the same effect seems likely to result from permitting Darwin to remain in Allied hands in the first place. I entirely agree about the importance of Timor. If the Allies retake it then Darwin's significance evaporates: nearly everything they can accomplish from Darwin can be equally well accomplished from Timor. I expect it to be easier to defend against an offensive in the area from Vogelkop to the Lesser Sundas than a leapfrogging offensive along the north coast of New Guinea. To me, naval forces operating in the Banda and Timor Seas seem likely to be vulnerable to LBA operating from Timor, Lautem, Kendari and Ambon. On the other hand an Allied main effort in New Guinea is less threatening than a direct assault into the SRA. Ultimately neither of these is as threatening as the direct drive across the Central Pacific, but I expect to have to deal with that in any event. The problem with defending perimeters is that you can't be strong everywhere, whilst your enemy can concentrate somewhere. That problem is exacerbated if your enemy can prevent reinforcement of your weak points and your defence has to rely on the forces already in situ. In that case I look for defensive locations with positional advantages, and I regard the area Timor-Darwin-Moluccas as offering them. I hope this will make it possible for me to defend the area effectively with fewer forces, thus freeing defenders to thicken defence densities elsewhere. Another reason why I should like to take the NW coast of Oz is to forestall the use of its ports as bases for submarine ops. Their transit time into the SRA from anywhere between Darwin and Broome is much too short for my taste.

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