RE: Strategic Vision (Full Version)

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Nemo121 -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 6:51:13 PM)

Aye, take NZ if you can. It'll really hurt the Allies. People sometimes seem to dismiss the value of NZ. I wouldn't underestimate it at all. NZ can be crucial IF your gameplan involves taking or utterly isolating Oz.

But KNOW what you are going to do about Oz before you even think about what to do about NZ. The key is to just join up all your thinking and have your minor plans fit into your major plans. That ensures minimum wastage.


One thing though - If you aren't sure you can take Pago or Suva then you sure as hell aren't in position to take NZ....

So, India first and then move on NZ in a leisurely manner.

In my game vs 2nd ACR I've moved a 3rd echelon army ( 6 divisions worth ) to Noumea and taken it. In the meantime my 2 first and 1 second echelon armies are finishing up India before moving southward to help expand whatever bridgehead the 3rd echelon army ( formed from reinforcements etc which came on-scene after the first two echelons went to India ) makes in NZ.

You may phase things a little differently but I suggest that the basic pattern is sound and could be used to good effect in this game.... I'm not saying anything here which 2ndACR doesn't already know. If you want a bit more info on exact phasings/landing sites etc drop me a PM. That'd be too much info to give publicly.



modrow -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 7:48:31 PM)

Gentlemen,

is this victory disease already ?

Sorry if I ask this question, which may seem a bit provocative, especially as my experience is limited and I am sure you know better than I would what you are doing/suggesting. However, when reading the last pages, we seem to be in a bit of a “anything goes” mood right now, and I am not sure whether this is a realistic impression. India PLUS northern Oz PLUS New Zealand PLUS heading towards Suva… Are you sure we don’t reach to far and overextend ?

Even if all of the operations mentioned above would be doable with the available forces, let’s change hats for a while and play Allied. What options are left to put the Allied troops to use in this framework of operations, assuming that we are aware that places like Palmyra and Canton just cannot be held and thus are not worth reinforcing ? Aren’t you enforcing formation of an Allied Schwerpunkt?

What I would probably try if put under pressure at so many fronts (never did this against a human opponent though) would be a massive attack along the Axis Wake-Bonin-Iwo, paralleled by preparing in the Aleutians for an offensive operation as soon as winter has passed. Kick the devastators and almost all of the dauntless off the CVs and fill them up with wildcats to reduce threats from the air by use of a MASSIVE übercap, and off we go. Why should I fight my way back in 1942/43, slowly reestablishing a connection to Australia if I can attempt making the first steps if not all the way of getting the home islands into range of my B17 instead ?

The sweet part about this is that I know that Japan cannot really afford to ignore this threat – IMHO you have to react. Sure, you may be able to take back the bases I just mentioned at this point of time – but as Allied, I would assume that you will be coming and a) prepare for just that and b) try to spring a nice trap or two. No surprise, plus you wage a battle imposed by the enemy for which he is prepared and you are probably not.

Therefore, before thinking about further expansion I would like to know more about how to secure said axis of attack plus the Aleutian front or how such a plan could be countered. I mean, if you make the enemy create a schwerpunkt at a place you are aware of, why not be the one who goes on dictating the turns of battle by making the enemy’s “initiative” a move in your schedule ?

Just my 2cts – please tell me if my thoughts are off.

Hartwig




Q-Ball -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 8:32:27 PM)

Hartwig;

You always have to challenge conventional wisdom. And you are thinking about countermoves: What will the Allies do?

The Allies COULD mount an early drive in Cent Pac, but they would be foolish to do this too early. It would be an opportunity for us, even if it temporarily diverts resources from India. Keep in mind, any Size-4 airbase can be reinforced, within 2 days, by 72 Zeros and 135 Nells/Bettys. In 1942/43, the Allied counter is bomb the base ahead of time with 4Es and follow-up with BBs, but early on, you don't have enough of either to make that an option. This means an Allied invasion is going to have to sail in teeth of that airpower.

Before 3/42, that is suicide; the Allies may still have F2A on CVs, won't have a good torp bomber, and CV Hornet won't be in theater. At least in 4/42, you get AA upgrades, full complement of Wildcats, and all 5 fleet CV's, with WASP not too far out. It's still very very risky.

The Allies right now have enough ground troops and transport shipping around Hawaii to mount an invasion. The problem is they have no counter to Bettys. Most Allied players who attempt to attack land bases with CV's early in the war end up with Sunk CVs. I think our opponents are too smart to try that.

I beleive they will not try an invasion until at least 6/42; but I think they will in summer of 1942. By then, the TBF will be close, some of those Pearl BB's will be fixed, and certain critical bases will be secure. They will probably launch an attack to take pressure off India.



Nemo121 -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 8:34:19 PM)

Hartwig, the key is phasing.

IF you have the power to take India then you have the power to take NZ, a bit of Oz and the islands in the Pacific BUT you don't have time to do that all at the same time so you need to phase it.

India first then NZ, then Oz then the pacific ( or in whatever order you want ). The key is your phasing or, how you run those ops in series ( certainly not in parallel ).


Hartwig - I think your thinking runs into the problem of attacking so slowly ( since you would secure subsidiary fronts so well ) that the enemy would have plenty of time to actually make that attack.

If you don't already I might suggest taking a gander at my game vs Damian and my game vs 2ndACR... In both I rely on speed to close off a myriad of counter-offensive options which my opponents could take IF they had the time to consider them and get ready for them.

In my game vs Damian in particular I've used speed and ruthlesness to overcome greatly superior enemy forces on two separate axes of advance. By thrusting forward fiercely and forcing the enemy to avoid the point of your sword you prevent them from being in sufficient balance to launch their own attack most of the time.

Just my two cents obviously but I believe it does work ---- what I am espousing is, basically, Soviet strategy.



Q-Ball -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 9:59:59 PM)

OK, quick tactical question for the gallery......

I just got the 1/4/42 resolution, and Clark was attacked at 2-1, with the forts dropping. I posted the OOB before, but basically, 2/3 of the infantry in USAFFEE is in this hex, and Manila is already invested from the South. This means that these forces, if defeated, will retreat to Bataan, correct?

If so, what if I land a Nav Gd at Bataan? The ships would be destroyed, the troops chewed up, but if I time that with an attack on Clark, won't that mean a mass surrender? That would be worth 4 lost transports and a beat-up Gd Unit.

QUICK response before I do the turn guys!



Mike Solli -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 10:05:30 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

If so, what if I land a Nav Gd at Bataan? The ships would be destroyed, the troops chewed up, but if I time that with an attack on Clark, won't that mean a mass surrender? That would be worth 4 lost transports and a beat-up Gd Unit.

QUICK response before I do the turn guys!


You need to control Bataan in order to prevent the enemy forces from retreating there. What's the hurry? Bataan makes a great place to bomb in order to increase your pilot's experience.



Nemo121 -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 10:25:04 PM)

Or you could just drop some paratroops into Bataan and save yourself 4 ships and one virtually destroyed SNLF.

Why do something at a great cost when you can do it at virtually no cost? Commanding Japan means making the most efficient use of everything possible if you want to succeed.



Q-Ball -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 10:44:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
You need to control Bataan in order to prevent the enemy forces from retreating there. What's the hurry? Bataan makes a great place to bomb in order to increase your pilot's experience.


That is option B: Bottle it up with 65th Bde, and bomb it for months. We will have a decision after Clark falls. We can:

1. Move immediately on Bataan and hope we can finish those troops off while they are disrupted.
2. Move immediately on Manila (where 1/3 of infantry is, but ALL of the engineers and HQ units).

RE: Dropping paras, I think that's too risky, and we have other impending needs. It would take all our paras to take out the forts at Bataan.



Canoerebel -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 10:49:31 PM)

Isn't Manila far more important with its resources, port, and airfield?  Bataan is just a made-to-order prison camp, but you benefit in many ways from capturing Manila as soon as possible.



vettim89 -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 11:07:44 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Isn't Manila far more important with its resources, port, and airfield?  Bataan is just a made-to-order prison camp, but you benefit in many ways from capturing Manila as soon as possible.


There is something just wrong with you posting here. Its like cats and dogs living together



Canoerebel -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 11:11:31 PM)

Yes, like Bulldogs and Gators cohabitating, or a Yankee and Red Sox marriage.



modrow -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/19/2009 11:20:58 PM)

@ Q-Ball,

You are right - I just checked when enough Marine Fighter squadrons are available, and they are still way out... For the next 200 or so days, the Allies don't seem to have enough carrier capable planes on the map to fill out their Carriers with fighters, which is the prerequisite for a move a suggested above.

Once that has happened, I am not sure (yet) whether the approach I mentioned is really doomed. I am currently in process of changing my view on what can or cannot be done in this game. A month ago, I would have shared your point of view 100%.

This change is due to the fact that I just realized what a massive CAP can do in this game, based on a hint Nemo dropped in John's AAR against Canoerebel. Don't know whether this can be transferred to early game, but I NEVER thought a Zeke-filled KB (some 290 planes on CAP) from the "tutorial" scenario in 44 with pilots in the exp 50-80 range, most of them 55-60 could withstand almost 200 rested B29 plus a few Liberators and Mitchells on naval attack, escorted by some 60 Hellcats with exp 80.

It can.

If you toss in 100 Hellcats, CAP breaks, but damage to KB remains low.

Seeing this has changed my view on "impossible" ops significantly...

I have not yet tried anything similar early in the war (but started a game against AI which can be changed to head2head when I wish in order to do just that). 5 US carriers loaded with fighters only may give you a CAP of 300+ AC - if your opponents are free to swap their strike planes against a full fighter CAP 72 Zeros+ 200 Betties may not be enough (Nemo probably knows right now).



@ Nemo: I am trying to learn how to defeat the devil already [;)]. Always trying to pick up interesting new ideas...

In a way, that is what inspires my plan as suggested above. Actually, I would attempt to funnel all the resources I get into this axis of attack - no additional protection. Also, no slow buildup, but quick timing. Don't give Nippon the chance to reinforce Marcus by building Wake a lot. Take a bit of a gamble... You want the line islands as Nippon - you got them. Australia starves ? Let them starve, I need the shipping capacity I got for something else. You really go after Pearl - you might get it. But will you, bearing in mind all the other pet projects you got running and in view of the threat to the home island ? I agree that more axes of attack are better, in order to prevent the enemy from focusing on one. But then again, right now it does not seem like Nippon plans on focussing - rather on dispersing forces.

Thus, my main issue is the vision what is needed and a sequence of priorities. India will kick the UK out of the game for a while - so it's a good target. I believe in taking Northern Oz, because it can serve as a jump point to get important oil and resource centers into 4E range, even though there may be a location for a power base lacking in order to really follow this attack vector very far- so it's a good target. With Noumea taken (and thus logistics US-Oz made more difficult already), my next priority would be to safeguard against the quick route to 4Es hitting the home islands, i.e. Iwo and/or the Aleutians. Beyond that, I am not sure whether one obstructs the -wanted- dilution of Allied forces, trying to defend more against a perceived threat.

Again, just 2 cts of a relatively unexperienced player eager to learn.

Hartwig



2ndACR -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 12:28:03 AM)

Building and reinforcing Iwo and the Northern bases is also important........just never stated it. John was asking for ideas for S. Pac, so I offered some.

Noumea and NZ are a real pain for the Allies. OZ becomes almost impotent without supply from the US or Aden.

You are not building bases that will stop the allies, but trip wires. The atolls are important because they can easily chew up a div when they try to take it away. Wake would have min of 300AV and fort 9. Marcus would have 300AV later, but 100AV real soon and building to fort 9.

Remember, trip wires that bleed and hurt the allies. They cannot afford to have any level 4 base in the supply lines. It would force them to escort every convoy with air power. Betty is very powerful. It is way too easy to jump in and hit a convoy and then jump out again the next turn.

So the allies are almost forced to take most if not all those bases. Enough troops to blood the enemy and prevent bloodless re-takes. That slows the counter thrust immensly and buys time for the main line bases.



John 3rd -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 1:31:50 AM)

Holy Hell-Kittens!  I am gone dealing with life issues and there are 50,000,000 new posts covering matters of huge, strategic import to the Empire.  Life would have been much more fun replying to all this.

When I left this morning the question was should we move beyond Noumea and when I come back I find that we are tackling India, then NW Aust, AND New Zealand.  Not any really big deal...

One-at-a-Time:
1.  I FREAK OUT everytime I see Dan posting onto the AAR.  Definitely correct---"Dogs and Cats living together--Mass Hysteria!"  Seriously Dan--your perspective is always most welcome.

2.  Taking New Zealand would be possible if I had another Inf Division, Brigade, and an Army HQ.  There are enough artillery units and two Engineering Regiments to do the support side of it.  I would think that 2 Inf Div, 2 Inf Brig, plus support would easily handle New Zealand.

3.  NW Australia is ALWAYS a priority of mine to keep those damned 4EB away from the DEI.  The key here is the take a base EARLY (like January/February) and then hold it until more troops alloow for an offensive.  Also--land at Broome or one of those western towns instead of the meatgrinder that is Darwin.

4.  I think the priority is India after Singapore.  We need to land as early as possible with as much as possible at Vizagapatam.  Reinforcements of an Army HQ, 2 Engineering Reg, 1 TK Reg, and 1 Art Reg have already been dispatched from Manchuria.

5. I do take grave concern regarding the Northern Route into Japan. Witness point #1 of these 5!

As to current operations in the SE Pac: 
1.  I have captured Efate and Luganville.
2.  Have decided to be 'Patton-esque' and bounce New Caledonia with Naval Guard units.
3.  56th Inf Div is already heading for Noumea.
4.  KB is about to re-combine NE of NZ to fuel and then make a FAR move towards Papeate.

If 56th ID isn't needed for Noumea then why not attack Nandi/Suva to create an eastern shoulder for a thrust southwards towards New Zealand?

Could additionally follow the NW Australia commentary by flinging 56th Inf Div and an Aviation Regiment down to NZ NOW!  This would happen before Forts could be built up.  What the heck could they reinforce the islands with anyway????

Hartwig--this isn't victory disease!  It would be victory disease if we were actively talking about taking Washington, DC.  The we might--just might--be getting a little carried away...





Nemo121 -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 1:44:52 AM)

hartwig --- don't forget that any CAP tests from 1944 onward will be crippled by what appears to be a hard-coded bias against Japanese fighter performance ( Not arguing for or against this, just stating what appears to be there ) so when you repeat these tests in 1942 and 43 you will find those IJN fighters doing much better than they did in 44.

Really, once you go past a certain critical number of fighters ( the number the enemy escorts can shoot down ) you get non-linear ( in total albeit linear from the time in which the last escort was dispatched ) returns which really scale up quickly.

This is one of the big changes in AE ( where they have coded it such that small partial strikes will go in against parts of the CAP and thus the whole non-linear returns aspect is avoided ).... I'll give them this, someone on that team knows his combat algorithms and maths pretty well.



Qball- With respect, as regards paras you are incorrect. Here's how it would happen:
1. Day 1: Drop a half-Bn of paras ( that's about 15 squads ) on Bataan.
2. Day 1 - Shock Attack at Clarke - with IJA troops in Manilla and Bataan the Allies should surrender if you get a good 2:1 ( or more )
3. Day 2 begin flying the paras out of Bataan using flying boats and move a holding Bde in.
4. Day 2- begin moving your army from Clarke to Manilla and take it ASAP using your massive combat superiority + bomber raids.

So, you'll risk approximately half a Bn of paras and EVEN if it fails drastically you can fly them out the next day using flying boats. This is less than 1/6th of your para force and offers the capture of tens of thousands of Allies. This is an efficient and effective risk ( not a gamble ).

Certainly far more efficient than landing an SNLF which will cost you multiple ships and probably twice as many squads.



Q-Ball -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 2:30:29 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Qball- With respect, as regards paras you are incorrect. Here's how it would happen:
1. Day 1: Drop a half-Bn of paras ( that's about 15 squads ) on Bataan.
2. Day 1 - Shock Attack at Clarke - with IJA troops in Manilla and Bataan the Allies should surrender if you get a good 2:1 ( or more )
3. Day 2 begin flying the paras out of Bataan using flying boats and move a holding Bde in.
4. Day 2- begin moving your army from Clarke to Manilla and take it ASAP using your massive combat superiority + bomber raids.


Interesting. Would 1 batt be enough to capture the CD units? I don't think so, even though those units have NO AV.

I was going to use those paras on Kragen, but let's see what happens next couple days. May consider this.



John 3rd -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 2:55:23 AM)

I like that idea.  Does simply landing troops (shock attack) at Bataan the same round we hit Clark negate the Allied ability to retreat there?




2ndACR -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 4:14:51 AM)

Yep......you cannot retreat into a contested hex.

Only thing I frown on, is the obvious, there is no way 200 men could stop 30,000 men from moving there. Only reason I do not suggest it. I frown on it. Japan has a hard time airlifting an entire unit anywhere in 1 lift.

One thing for it to be done in me and Nemo's game which is a no holds barred gutter fight. But this is supposed to be a more civilized war. We have very few HR's in our game after turn 1. Very few.

Once the units at Clark retreat, just pursue and commence constant attacks. The forts at Bataan will not be very high maybe a 2.......Most of the units will be heavily disrupted from the retreat. Worse case, they move back to Baguia unless you captured it. Manila can be isolated for now with the forces there, once Bataan is captured, I would move the entire force there and capture the place. Then you have a nice port to pick those troops up and shift them east to prep for India.

Maybe send 1 division south to S. Pac and the other 3-4 to prep for India. That gives John a very credible force down south. You will still have roughly 8+ Divs available for India. I really think India can be taken with 6 Div, 5 Eng Reg, couple base forces/aviation reg, alot of armor. Do some small recons of the Burma army and get a unit count, lets see if they are shifting troops to Burma. The Key to India is the armor forces, they will rocket down the rail lines ahead of your strike forces. Take 3 up 1 coast and 3 to the other. Once the enemy stalls you, well just bring the other force over to smack them around, armor to flank and cut supply lines.

You have to worry about the RN, 18th Div and 2nd Brit Div.......those are the main forces the Allies have in India that can stall you good. Unless you can manage to destroy the 18th the way Nemo did in about 3 shock attacks with armor forces. They went from 350AV to 120AV to 30AV that fast. No threat now.



John 3rd -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 4:27:16 AM)

I agree about the move being too gamey.  The idea ROCKS though!  Brad--I concur with this thought.  Take Clark, grab Manila and then we can take our time with Bataan.

If you could send me just one Inf Div then I will take the Hobbits by their hairy big feet!  I will have command of the seas and we'll see what sort of defense they can put up.  If the attack takes some time then that is a good thing.  The Allies will keep looking south instead of elsewhere.

The Royal Navy is a definite threat.  We should be in nice shape though with solid CV strength.  CVL Shoho just got finished and will depart for the Timor ASAP.  Am not sure how quickly the Brits get their CVs into the IO but we should be OK.

The Burma Campaign begins in earnest on the 5th.  My Tanks should grab Moulmien at that point.  The 6th will see Lashio taken and then the race is on!  Want to gobble up all of Burma below Mandalay by January 15th.  Once we have done that then I will pull the Tanks back to Rangoon to help in the assult on India.  We'll get a BF into Magwe so recon can begin a far out as possible.

Beyond what Nemo thinks, I believe that I can drop all of the Regiment within 1-2 days.  There are 175 Topsy at Hanoi right now.  That is some serious lifting power.  Priorities are:

1.  1st Parachute Regiment on the 6th.
2.  1st Aviation Regiment on the 7th.
3.  35th Inf Brigade from the 8th on...

With the AVG in China right now we shold have at least 2-3 days of lifting before the skies are contested over Lashio.  At that point there will be Zeros flying CAP.





2ndACR -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 5:18:19 AM)

1st Para will arrive in 1 day
1st Aviation will take probably 2-3 days
35th will take almost a week

Nope, you need to take Clark, move to Bataan and then go to Manila.............Manila is useless until Bataan is taken. That is the order I would use. As long as air attacks are occuring on Manila's air fields, no forts can be built.

Brit CV's if based at Tricomlaee will arrive within a day.........if at Bombay, 3 days at flank.........Karachi 4 days at flank.........Aden 4 days at flank.........anything farther than Tricomalee, they will arrive short of fuel or will have to pit stop at Tricomalee to refuel. Tricomalee is the worst case option......but you can fly some Betty's or Mavis on recon to Tricomalee to have a look see. They might even think you are going there and maybe place the 18th Div there.........that would be optimal because it removes it from immediate use to them. As long as you have CV's around and grab a level 4 air base, they are trapped.



John 3rd -> RE: Strategic Vision (1/20/2009 7:03:11 AM)

Brad will need to make the decisions regarding Philippine Campaign but this makes sense.  I think I got mixed-up when I wrote my last note.

I don't intend to fly all of 1st Aviation in.  One day should suffice to get enough support there for 2 Daitai of Zeros for CAP.  After that we haul in the boots of the 35th to strengthen the position.

By the time we move on Viza in India, we should have 2 CTF and 1 STF in operation:
1.  CarDiv 2 (Hiryu/Soryu/Shoho with 60 Zero, 42 Val, and 54 Kate))
2.  Mini-KB (Ryujo, Hosho, Taiyo, and Zuiho with 78 Zero and 35 Kate)
3.  4 BB for heavy gunfire support (nagato, Mutsu, Ise, and Hyuga)

Figure the Mini-KB provides direct air support and cover to the Invasion Force while CarDiv2 works the western flank looking for British warships.

Port Blair will soon be at AF-2.  It has 27 Mavis right now and will gain 27 Zero and 27 Kate for its air complement. 

More bombers and fighters will be staged into Burma for additional power.

Initial Landing Force:  4 Inf Div, 6 TK Reg, 3 Engineering Regiments, 5 Art Regiments, 2 Aviation Regiments and other supporting units.





John 3rd -> Burma (1/21/2009 6:35:30 AM)

Combat Report
January 5, 1942

Malaya
Johore Bharu
A deliberate attack here yields 2-1 and drops the Forts down to 3.  The attack was nearly 3-1 (959-353).  We expect to see Johore Bharu become ours on the next attack.


Burma
This day marks the beginning of the Battle for Burma.

Moulmein
This base easily falls to a Tk Regiment's attack.  Both Infantry Divisions and another Tk Regiment arrive tomorrow and all five unit will move north to cross the river.  There are two Brigades and the Base Force kicked out from Moulmein there.

Rangoon
There is still one unit present at this town.

Operation Monsoon
The Operational Order is given to take Lashio.  A small Base Force has moved into the hex but that shouldn't matter to the Elite soldiers of the 2nd Paratroopers.

Meiktila
In an interesting thought, I notice that this vital town is empty.  I could easily land 1st para there to cutoff the Allied retreat from southern Burma.  Might be nice to make those four units surrender before ever getting to Mandalay.  Comments?

DEI
CarDiv2
The carriers refueled and are ordered north along the map edge searching for Allied shipping.  They will do this for a few days and then head back to Koepang to rendezvous with CVL Shoho and her escorting DD.

Kragen
The Kragen Invasion Force will be revealed for what it is tomorrow.  Until then it has been plausible for the force to be going to Palembang, Merak, Batavia, etc...

Brunei/Miri
Both targets have troops landing at them this turn.

Philippines
Clark
After being hit by 17 Fighters and 60 Bombers, the Allied troops are hit by the Japanese army.  The results are good with a 1-1 and Forts dropped to ZERO.  The next attack will take the base.

South Pacific
Koumac
The Invasion Force will begin landing here tomorrow.  56th Inf Div and South Seas Force have departed Port Moresby but I hope to not have to use them.

KB
These CVs will refuel starting tomorrow and then move east.

Papeate
In a situation that has to truly irk the Americans, I-18 puts a torpedo into the side of AD Dobbins!  Since that Port is Sz-1 this is fairly serious.  It also tells me that the base is active and worth a look by the KB.

Townsville
Speaking of Battlecruisers!  The Haruna and Kongo with a CA, CL, and 5 DD put in a surprise visit to this lovely Aussie town.  The catch 8 AK outside the Port and sink 3 of them while severely damaging another 3.  The ML Prince Orange (something like that) is also caught and sunk.  The heavy ships then bombard the port doing almost 300 casualties and damaging 2 MSW in Port.  This SHOULD get the Aussie's attention and--perhaps--make them think we are coming for them HERE!





John 3rd -> Java (1/22/2009 6:54:43 AM)

We are rolling!



[image]local://upfiles/18041/F65994DEBD6B4C96B90E12214669FAA1.jpg[/image]



John 3rd -> Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 7:02:14 AM)

Off to a solid start:



[image]local://upfiles/18041/D7078529A42C412E93EE96E73F0775E8.jpg[/image]



Q-Ball -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 2:04:05 PM)

SRA from 1/5/ to 1/7

John posted a nice screenshot, so I wanted to add some comments, primarily on the invasion of Java. First, the other spots....

Malaya

Johore Bharu fell on the 6th, and those troops are now marching on Singapore. We will keep our fingers crossed on how that attack across the strait goes.

Phillipines

Another 1-1 attack on Clark on the 7th, but the troops didn't budge. Forts are already at ZERO. I am going to rest the troops for 3 days, then try for a 2-1; we are almost there. Once we boot those troops to Bataan, the plan is to invest and capture Manila (held by about 1/3 of the USAFFEE infantry, but all engineers and HQ). Bataan should be low on supplies, so we'll let those units starve for a time.

DEI

Big news is the invasion of Java. I posted my OOB before, but it's basically 21st Div, 4 Mixed Bdes (4,21,23,56), plus tanks, engineers, base forces, and about 50K supplies. Paras took Kragen yesterday, and the first troops should be unloading tonight at the pier.

The convoys got a bit strung out on the final approach, but I had alot of Zeros on LRCAP from Banjarmisan and Baby KB. Heavy Dutch attacks over two days acheived 4 bomb hits, and one transport had to turn back. Over 40 Dutch aircraft has been shot down though, and the remaining planes probably have terrible morale. The back is broken on their air power in Java.

There is a large concentration of troops at Madioen, and another at Batavia. The KNIL will be effectively cut in two, which was the point of landing at Kragen. After everyone is ashore and CAP is up over Kragen, we will move on Madioen and Soerbaya, and send a screening force up the tracks in the other direction until we run into resistance.

Elsewhere, Miri and Brunei have been taken, with minimal damage to Oil facilities. Those units are prepping for Medan, and will be clearing NE Sumatra.

The DEI is basically cleared, except for Java, Sumatra, and Bali. Bali should fall shortly. We are saving Palembang for after Java; there are a reported 9 units there, I think they picked up and moved all their engineers here, which isn't a bad idea.

OVERALL: I am very pleased with the pace of progress in the SRA. I hadn't done a Japanese opening in awhile, and really spent some time thinking ahead about Logistics and Base forces. Lack of those slows you down more than anything. We had base forces and supplies moving to Palau and Saigon turn one, and that really kept things moving. I think Logistical planning is the key to quick Japanese advance; if you have enough supplies with you, no reason you can't pick-up and move, pick-up and move 3 or 4 times until the troops tire out.

The other key was the early destruction and neutralization of their surface fleet in the SRA. This was acheived though CV support early in the southern DEI, and rapid capture of Nell/Betty bases. Once Car Div 2 greased the Asiatic Fleet off Amboina, things really openend up. Although we lost the Naval Battle of Balikpapan, those 3 DDs did enough damage to the Dutch fleet to cause them to withdraw.



John 3rd -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 5:39:25 PM)

Q-Ball has done a masterful job managing the offensive and keeping the hammer blows falling throughout the region.  I could not have done what he has and it has greatly impressed me.

Being Partners playing this game is really something that I advice people to try.  Make sure you find someone in tune with your thoughts and mannerisms of play.  I am a VERY aggressive Japanese player and Brad appears to be cut from the same bolt of cloth.  There have been a number of times where we have had emails on the way to each other recommending the same exact strategy and/or plan.  It is kind of scary...

We reached the strategic decision last night to finish taking Noumea with lesser forces and bounce right on to Nandi/Suva with the heavy Infantry.  Once this has been done then we'll redeploy some forces to consolidate the bases gained and plan on an eventual invasion of New Zealand.

Preliminary step to that will be the capture of Norfolk Isle.  I will have that base by the end of January.
 



frank1970 -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 7:50:38 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
...
We are saving Palembang for after Java; there are a reported 9 units there, I think they picked up and moved all their engineers here, which isn't a bad idea.

...


Do you think there will be any functional oilfields left after capture?
My experience (against AI) is, that 3 baseforces demolish all of those.



Q-Ball -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 8:31:43 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Frank
Do you think there will be any functional oilfields left after capture?
My experience (against AI) is, that 3 baseforces demolish all of those.



Mr. Ki-84:

We'll find out. For sure I'll be bombing the hell out of that base ahead of time to kill as many engineers as possible. If Palembang is trashed we will have very serious problems. Out of the 800 Oil centers on Borneo, about half were damaged, most of those at Balikpapan. I already foresee Oil production shortfalls.






John 3rd -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/22/2009 11:44:47 PM)

Concur--BAD--VERY BAD!

Just means we need to look for oil elsewhere...  [:D][:D][:D]



2ndACR -> RE: Operation Monsoon (1/23/2009 12:56:27 AM)

Well, I seem to always have Balikapan destroyed upon capture.

Only good thing, is Kendari and Tobali are very close by, so supplies to those bases is pretty easy for re-building.
Just takes along time at 1 per day.

I would expect Palembang to be captured with some, but not a huge amount of damage. I very, very rarely have trouble with Palembang. I always seem to get Tobali unscathed. Once Batvia is secure or on the ropes, well start running bombardment groups into Palembang and plastering the AF to guard against the stringbags by air power.

At least everyone says that helps. I find it alot easier to just jump on Palembang ASAP and risk the Allies hitting some from the air versus the massive damage upon defended invasion.



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