RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)

RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (Full Version)

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wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/20/2011 8:36:44 PM)
Summary of Operations 4/06/42 Japanese Home Islands: US fleet sub intercepts and makes two unsuccessful daylight attacks on a small Japanese TF south of Honshu. The Jap TF contains 3 ships (including the AMC attacked) and is moving on a SE heading. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack near Aogashima at 114,69 (E of Torishima) Japanese Ships AMC Asaka Maru Allied Ships SS Plunger AMC Asaka Maru is sighted by SS Plunger SS Plunger launches 2 torpedoes at AMC Asaka Maru (torpedoes hit in both attacks but were duds) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Central Pacific: US fleet sub intercepts and attacks Japanese TK near Truk. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Satawal at 107,105 (NW of Truk) Japanese Ships TK Nissyo Maru Allied Ships SS Sturgeon SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes (torpedoes hit but were duds) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sigint entries for 4/05 indicate radio transmissions intercepted from Kwajalein and Canton Is. Detected status of both locations showing no unusual Japanese activity nor the presence of additional Jap forces. 4/42 Ship Upgrades: A small number of US ships (AVD’s, DD and SS) entered upgrade mode this game turn at various locations. US S-class subs are gradually undergoing 4/42 upgrades Sydney and Auckland to receive radar as the subs return to base for replenishment. South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 20 Japanese ships at Rabaul, also Jap transport ship movement into Rabaul from the south. Also coastwatcher reports of individual Japanese ships at Shortlands and Tulagi. Detected status of all three locations not showing any unusual Jap activity or the presence of additional Japanese forces. New Guinea: Sigint report entries for 4/05 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Buna and Port Moresby. No detected Jap activity or build up of Jap forces at either location. Philippines: Japanese continue air raids on Manila Bay defenses at Bataan. Six Jap LCU’s now detected in Bataan base hex, two more in the adjacent hex at Clark Field. DEI: Japanese capture Singkep. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Singkep (49,87) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1130 troops, 3 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 13 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 14 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Singkep !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+) Assaulting units: 21st Ind. Engineer Regiment (previously at Singapore) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Initial attack launched on Anyang by Japanese ground forces. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Ankang (82,42) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 11843 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 431 Defending force 8045 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 235 Japanese adjusted assault: 185 Allied adjusted defense: 118 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), experience(-) supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 193 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 556 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Assaulting units: 1st Ind.Mixed Brigade 2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade Defending units: 36th Chinese Corps 48th Chinese Corps 96th Chinese Corps 2nd Group Army --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/20/2011 9:01:56 PM)
Game Question: I've been noticing this over a period of time on ship repair. When attempting to perform repairs on submarines with system damage of (maybe) 5 or less, I would move individual subs into a repair mode to fix the system damage - the submarine would remain in repair mode for one day and on the following turn be kicked out of repair mode without the system damage being fully repaired. This phenomena is not occurring when doing repairs for minor system damage of 5 or less on other ship types, only with submarines. The situation with repairing minor system damage on submarines has been occurring across a wide range of locations - including US West Coast bases, Pearl Harbor, Sydney, Colombo plus other bases with shipyard facilities. The problem (if indeed there is one) does not seem to be related to any of the following factors. Port size. Size of shiypard facilities. Presence of AS and/or AR ships in the port where repairs are being attempted - this has occurred in ports having AS and AR ships present. AS ships have been fully loaded with supply point cargo. Repair mode - this has occurred when submarines were placed in pierside and shipyard modes. I hadn't attempted using repair ship mode with submarines having 5 or less system damage. Number of other ship(s) also in the shipyard or also in pierside repair mode. Ship Class or Nationality of subs where repair of minor system damage on subs is being attempted - this has happened mainly on US subs, but also observed when repairing British subs. Any feedback is certainly welcome.

Alfred -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/20/2011 11:56:58 PM)
I've never had any problem repairing sub's system damage. How do you put the subs into "repair mode"? I do so via ships in port screen, clicking on "manage ship repair" ( or whatever it is called[:)]) button at bottom of screen. Perhaps some screenshots would help? Alfred

cantona2 -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/21/2011 10:26:12 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: wneumann Game Question: I've been noticing this over a period of time on ship repair. When attempting to perform repairs on submarines with system damage of (maybe) 5 or less, I would move individual subs into a repair mode to fix the system damage - the submarine would remain in repair mode for one day and on the following turn be kicked out of repair mode without the system damage being fully repaired. This phenomena is not occurring when doing repairs for minor system damage of 5 or less on other ship types, only with submarines. The situation with repairing minor system damage on submarines has been occurring across a wide range of locations - including US West Coast bases, Pearl Harbor, Sydney, Colombo plus other bases with shipyard facilities. The problem (if indeed there is one) does not seem to be related to any of the following factors. Port size. Size of shiypard facilities. Presence of AS and/or AR ships in the port where repairs are being attempted - this has occurred in ports having AS and AR ships present. AS ships have been fully loaded with supply point cargo. Repair mode - this has occurred when submarines were placed in pierside and shipyard modes. I hadn't attempted using repair ship mode with submarines having 5 or less system damage. Number of other ship(s) also in the shipyard or also in pierside repair mode. Ship Class or Nationality of subs where repair of minor system damage on subs is being attempted - this has happened mainly on US subs, but also observed when repairing British subs. Any feedback is certainly welcome. I am getting the same thing. I put it down to the foibles that occured with the subs after the application of the latest, official patch, ie the muck up with the tubes and armaments. I normally takes putting the sub into shpiyard repair mode a few times before they are churned out at 0 Sys dmg.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/22/2011 5:18:31 AM)
Alfred, My general practice for putting ships into repair mode has been bringing up the display of all ships at anchor from the Base Information Screen - once in there, picking out the individual ship(s) I want to repair or upgrade. From the list of ships at anchor I bring up the display of each individual ship I'm going to repair or upgrade, then set the ship to enter repair mode and/or upgrade from the individual ship's display. I'm aware of the "manage ship button", the methodology I follow to put ships in repair mode is merely a result of the path (sequence of steps) I go through as I review the status of a base and what's located there during an orders phase. Cantona, Come to think of it... I've might have been getting the sub repair problem since applying the last patch for AE. I also end up putting the sub back into repair mode and repeat the process until the sub's damage reaches 0. It's not like this problem completely destroys the game or anything - it just forces one to check up on the subs you have (or believe you have) in repair mode during each game turn and putting subs back into repair mode if they come out of it before they're fully repaired. Mildly annoying at worst. Has this "bug" been reported, if it's indeed one? Perhaps this problem ends up a small inconvenience to live through until the next AE patch comes out (or the next one after that). Appreciate both your responses. Thanx.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/23/2011 2:07:44 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/07/42 US West Coast: Sigint entry for 4/06 reporting intercepted radio transmissions from an unidentified Jap submarine detected W of Victoria and S of Vancouver Is. A Canadian ASW task force has been dispatched to engage and attack the sub contact. Central Pacific: An unidentified Jap submarine detected well off (W of) Johnston Is. The position of this contact indicates Pillager is likely stationing Jap subs on patrol as picket ships in the open sea area E of the Marshalls. South Pacific: Coastwatchers report a Jap AV is located in Rabaul. Australia: Jap bombing raids resume against airfield facilities on Horn Is (Torres Strait). Latest status report on Horn Is base indicates 58 airfield runway damage, 49 service damage. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128 Weather in hex: Light rain Japanese aircraft G3M2 Nell x 8 G4M1 Betty x 13 No Japanese losses Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 37 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb 13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128 Weather in hex: Light rain Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 9 No Japanese losses Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- British transport convoy MX-4 (seven TK) arrived in Australia this game turn with 67K fuel points cargo. A substantial portion of the fuel points being shipped into Australia are probably destined (at least in the short term) for use to refuel ships attached to transport convoys arriving in Australia with cargo from the Eastern US (via Capetown) and off-map bases in the Middle East. The final elements of Australian 7 Division (25 Australian Brigade) arrived in Australia this game turn aboard ships of transport convoy MX-5C from Abadan. Sub-units of Australian 7 Division will be combined to create the parent formation once 25 Brigade is completely disembarked. DEI: Japanese capture dot hex base at Sawahloento (southern Sumatra near Padang). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sawahloento (45,85) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 3623 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 126 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 72 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 72 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Sawahloento !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-) Assaulting units: 33rd Infantry Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese air bombing raids continue over Palembang. Still no detected Jap LCU’s in or adjacent to Palembang base hex. Latest AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Palembang Base Force, at 48,91 (Palembang) Weather in hex: Clear sky Japanese aircraft Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6 Ki-48-Ib Lily x 13 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 13 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb 6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb Also attacking 1 ML-KNIL Aviation ... Also attacking Palembang Base Force ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Palembang Base Force, at 48,91 (Palembang) Weather in hex: Clear sky Japanese aircraft G3M2 Nell x 12 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Jap air bombing raids continue against Manila Bay defenses. Japanese launch ground assault on Bataan. AAR’s follow. 14K supply points remain on-hand in Bataan after today's action. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Bataan (78,77) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27631 troops, 318 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 929 Defending force 61743 troops, 931 guns, 817 vehicles, Assault Value = 2129 Japanese adjusted assault: 76 Allied adjusted defense: 3697 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 48 (fort level 4) Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 6596 casualties reported Squads: 24 destroyed, 461 disabled Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 440 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 48 disabled Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled) Vehicles lost 109 (47 destroyed, 62 disabled) Allied ground losses: 217 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 57 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled) Assaulting units: 19th Division 12th Division (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) 8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment 9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment 15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion Defending units: 57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team 26th PS Cavalry Regiment 31st Infantry Regiment 21st PA Infantry Division 3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion 192nd Tank Battalion 1st PA Constabulary Regiment 91st PA Infantry Division 1st PA Infantry Division 71st PA Infantry Division 3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion 2nd PA Constabulary Regiment 194th Tank Battalion 1st/45th PS Inf Battalion 2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion 51st PA Infantry Division 41st PA Infantry Division 31st PA Infantry Division 4th Marine Regiment Manila Bay Defenses 4th PA Constabulary Regiment 11th PA Infantry Division 14th PS Engineer Regiment 86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion 2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment 301st Construction Battalion Clark Field USAAF Base Force 88th PS Field Artillery Regiment PAF Aviation Far East USAAF 200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment Provisional GMC Grp I Philippine Corps 1st PI Base Force Manila USAAF Base Force II Philippine Corps Cavite USN Base Force Bataan USN Base Force USAFFE 201st PA Construction Battalion 803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion 1st USMC AA Battalion 202nd PA Construction Battalion 301st PA Field Artillery Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan) Weather in hex: Clear sky Japanese aircraft Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan) Weather in hex: Clear sky Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 29 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 29 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 16000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Burma: Japanese air bombing raid against airfield facilities in Akyab. Latest status report on Akyab base indicates 54 airfield runway damage, 25 service damage. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 13 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9 No Japanese losses Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 13 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Japanese ground offensive continues towards Tuyun along the Liuchow-Tuyun rail line. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27389 troops, 369 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 907 Defending force 9427 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 227 Japanese adjusted assault: 274 Allied adjusted defense: 655 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 207 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Vehicles lost 18 (9 destroyed, 9 disabled) Allied ground losses: 468 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 9th Armored Car Co 104th Division 38th Division 2nd RF Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) 2nd Mortar Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) 5th RF Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion (newly arrived this game turn to reinforce Jap attack) Defending units: 64th Chinese Corps 62nd Chinese Corps 31st Chinese Corps 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 4th War Area 35th Group Army 9th Chinese Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese ground attack on Anyang continues. Latest AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Ankang (82,42) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 11727 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 425 Defending force 7587 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 208 Japanese adjusted assault: 87 Allied adjusted defense: 172 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0) Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: supply(-) Japanese ground losses: 104 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 244 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 1st Ind.Mixed Brigade 2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade Defending units: 48th Chinese Corps 36th Chinese Corps 96th Chinese Corps 2nd Group Army --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/29/2011 1:36:51 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/08/42 Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/07 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein shows one or more visible Jap submarine(s) in the base hex, also undetermined of aircraft based on Kwajalein and ship(s) in port. No other visible Jap activity or forces at Kwajalein. A similar Sigint report entry indicating a heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabitueua showed the same results. Hawaii: A new entry shown in the Ships Sunk report on the Intel Display indicates a Japanese midget sub (identified as Ha-4) sank in the Pearl Harbor base hex on 3/28. The Ha-4’s reported cause of sinking was “hit obstruction” – the obstruction not being a depth charge as I had no AAR recording any attack on a sub in Pearl Harbor by US ASW forces (I’ve had US surface ASW on continuous patrol in the Pearl Harbor base hex). US West Coast: A Jap submarine identified as the I-4 was located and attacked by a Canadian surface ASW task force W of Victoria and S of Vancouver Is. It is likely this contact is the Jap sub that was detected at this location on 4/07. No hits or damage to either the Jap submarine or attacking ASW ships reported in the AAR. South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing operation reported underway at Gasmata. Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is (Torres Strait). Latest status report on Horn Is base indicates 63 airfield runway damage, 51 service damage The third convoy from the Eastern US to Australia via Capetown (convoy EX-3) arrived this game turn in Australia. Convoy EX-3 departed the Eastern US on 2/07/42. Cargo arriving aboard the 50 transport ships in convoy EX-3 includes 131K supply, 60K fuel plus eight small US LCU’s (1 USMC Air Wing & 135 USAAF Base Force LCU’s, 810 & 811 Engineer Aviation Bns, Bobcat USN Naval Construction Bn, 151 Combat Engineer Bn, 223 Field Artillery Bn, 276 Coastal Artillery Bn). One of the actions I had planned in this game vs Pillager in AE different from our last match in CHS was to pursue a more aggressive schedule for transporting US troops and materiel from the Mainland US to Australia and the South/SW Pacific theatres. The existence of off-map shipping routes went a long way towards making this possible and allowing implementation of continuous large scale movements of transport shipping with virtually no possibility of interference from Japanese naval or air forces. Five other convoys are still enroute from the Eastern US to Australia. All sub-units of 7 Australian Division are now disembarked in Australia, these units were combined at Perth this game turn to create the parent formation. DEI: Japanese amphibious landing operations reported underway at Ketapang (S Borneo). AAR follows. Ketapang has no supply or fuel stocks on-hand and is occupied by remnants of a Dutch base force LCU. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Invasion action off Ketapang Japanese Ships DD Sawakaze APD Aoi DD Nokaze DD Sawakaze firing at Pontianak Base Force DD Sawakaze fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Ketapang TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Ketapang, 55,93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese capture dot hex base at Djambi (northern coast of Sumatra). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Djambi (48,88) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 3366 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 71 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 71 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Djambi !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-) Assaulting units: 113th Infantry Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Continued Japanese air bombing raids over Palembang. Light damage and Dutch LCU casualties reported. Pillager is continuing and has almost completed the Japanese capture and occupation of all base hexes surrounding Palembang. The only reasoning I can see behind Pillager’s activity around Palembang is to ensure there are no remaining Allied-controlled bases within striking range of Palembang from which I could launch air bombing raids on oil production facilities in Palembang after its capture by Japanese forces. It has been nearly two months (in game time) since I had any Allied bomber force in the DEI capable of inflicting damage on Japanese-occupied oil facilities. Apparently my earlier bombing strikes at oil production at Tarakan and (to a smaller degree) Balikpapan after their capture and occupation by Japanese forces in 1/42 may have had some effect. I can neither argue nor complain with the fact this is prolonging the Japanese conquest of the DEI. Palembang is pretty much Pillager’s any time he wants it. While it has level 3 fortifications and 220 assault strength defending it (nearly all Dutch plus remnants of the British 2/15 Punjab Bn), this is not going to stop much of anything. Otherwise I have 90 engineer squads in Palembang for demolitions. Philippines: Jap air bombing raids continue against Bataan. Japanese capture Naga in southern Luzon. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Naga (81,81) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 4432 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 22 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-), fatigue(-) Assaulting units: 24th/C Division -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At this time, known Japanese ground forces on Luzon consist of three divisions (the 12th and 19th Divisions at Bataan and 24th Division which is apparently operating on Luzon as sub-units from the AAR above) plus a number of smaller support LCU’s. Given that Pillager has to (1) ship in from the outside all the supply required for Japanese ground forces to operate on Luzon as I pulled all the supply that was initially available on Luzon into Bataan, (2) likely need to bring in additional army reinforcements to Luzon in order to reduce and take Bataan, and (3) he is apparently unable to safely transport any of this into Luzon via Manila as long as US forces hold Bataan, Pillager’s Japanese conquest of the Philippines could become a long, miserable operation provided US supplies on-hand in Bataan hold out (that being far from indefinitely). It's possible that my "scorched earth" practice of removing all supply point stocks from bases as Allied forces retreat from them could be affecting Pillager's timetable of Japanese conquest. Not only on Luzon, but possibly other theatres as well. India: Japanese air bombing raid against airfield facilities at Ledo. Current status report on Ledo base indicates 26 runway damage, 10 airfield service damage. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 15 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 21 Aircraft Attacking: 15 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Japanese LCU’s appear to have withdrawn from their bridgehead across the river line N of Chihkiang. Something has to be up with that? Current situation map of central China follows. Otherwise quiet this game turn. [image]local://upfiles/18646/654F3FD969284C4D836D6902616223ED.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (3/31/2011 3:30:07 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/09/42 US West Coast: No report of further contact with Jap submarine I-4 from the Canadian surface ASW task force off Victoria. South Pacific: US submarine S-38 detects Jap aircraft (77 planes, including 35 fighters) based at Shortlands. Coastwatcher reports from Rabaul indicate 13 Japanese ships in this base, including an AV. Also a report of ships leaving Rabaul heading NW. Japanese landing force captures Gasmata. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Gasmata (103,127) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1538 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 31 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Gasmata !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(-) Assaulting units: Sasebo 8th SNLF (moved here from Singapore) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128 Weather in hex: Light rain Japanese aircraft G3M2 Nell x 8 (operating from Port Moresby) Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 15 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128 Weather in hex: Light rain Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 14 (operating from Rabaul) No Japanese losses Airbase hits 4 Runway hits 15 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128 Weather in hex: Light rain Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 11 (operating from Rabaul) No Japanese losses Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 12 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEI: Japanese amphibious landing operation reported underway at Babo in Dutch New Guinea. Babo is unoccupied by Allied forces and 20K oil is reported to be stockpiled there. Ketapang captured by Japanese landing force. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Ketapang (55,93) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1130 troops, 3 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 13 Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1 Japanese adjusted assault: 8 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Ketapang !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+) Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Allied ground losses: 11 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Units destroyed 1 Assaulting units: 21st Ind. Engineer Regiment Defending units: Pontianak Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sigint report entry for 4/08 indicate elements of Japanese 18th Division (my intel records showing this LCU in Soerabaja as of 3/31) is loading or already loaded aboard transport ship(s) bound for Oosthaven (Sumatra). It is likely that Pillager has designated 18 Division for use in a ground assault to capture Palembang. Burma: Japanese air bombing raid on Akyab. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 15 No Japanese losses Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 17 Aircraft Attacking: 15 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India: Japanese air bombing raids continue against airfield facilities at Ledo. Current base status at Ledo base shows 37 runway damage, 14 airfield service damage. Latest AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38 Weather in hex: Heavy rain Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 14 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 14 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Japanese ground forces attack at Anyang (near Sian). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Ankang (82,42) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 11593 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 414 Defending force 7374 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 193 Japanese adjusted assault: 364 Allied adjusted defense: 184 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 101 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 522 casualties reported Squads: 3 destroyed, 37 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Assaulting units: 1st Ind.Mixed Brigade 2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade Defending units: 36th Chinese Corps 48th Chinese Corps 96th Chinese Corps 2nd Group Army --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/2/2011 12:41:28 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/10/42 South Pacific: 95 Japanese aircraft (49 fighters) detected at Shortlands. Airfield size at Shortlands is now at 3 (max 4). Coastwatcher reports indicate 10 Japanese ships in Rabaul. Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. Airfield runway and service facilities are now heavily damaged. DEI: Japanese capture Babo (Dutch New Guinea) and Pare Pare (southeastern Celebes). AAR’s of both actions follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Babo (83,111) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 870 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 6 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Babo !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(-) Assaulting units: 46th JNAF AF Unit (this LCU not previously reported in the known Japanese OOB) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Pare Pare (66,104) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 6288 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199 Defending force 544 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18 Japanese adjusted assault: 164 Allied adjusted defense: 3 Japanese assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Pare Pare !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), preparation(-) morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 24 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 123 casualties reported Squads: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Units retreated 2 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 65th Brigade Defending units: Kendari Garrison Battalion Makassar Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burma: Except for a small British rear guard (one infantry Bn) still occupying Myitkyina, all other Allied ground forces in northern Burma have successfully completed their withdrawal (overland through the jungle) into neighboring areas of India (Ledo). Sigint report entry for 4/09 indicates Jap 8 JAAF AF Bn is now located at Meiktila. This LCU was transferred to Burma from Formosa. China: Japanese capture Anyang (near Sian). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Ankang (82,42) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 11538 troops, 88 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 410 Defending force 6927 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158 Japanese adjusted assault: 301 Allied adjusted defense: 73 Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: shock(+) Japanese ground losses: 60 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 2795 casualties reported Squads: 93 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 112 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 4 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 1st Ind.Mixed Brigade 2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade Defending units: 36th Chinese Corps 48th Chinese Corps 96th Chinese Corps 2nd Group Army -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manchuria: Sigint report entry for 4/09 indicates the Jap 28th Infantry Division is now located at Port Arthur – this entry also implying the sub-units of 28 Division (these initially scattered across several locations across Manchuria) were gathered together and combined to create the parent formation. Another conclusion possibly derived from this Sigint entry (given the division’s reported location in Port Arthur) is that Pillager may be planning to re-assign command of 28 Division from the Kwantung Army (if he has not already done so) with the intent of re-deploying the division (possibly via sea transport from Port Arthur) to another theatre of operations. He’s already re-deployed three other Jap divisions from the Kwantung Army (12th, 19th, 24th) to date, all three of these divisions now in action on Luzon. Take a piece of intel (a Sigint entry) and connect the dots… The picture I’m drawing is all theory and prediction for the moment – we’ll have to see where 28 Division does turn up next (though I can see it likely to be the next Jap division Pillager re-deploys out of Manchuria). Though we still don’t know where 28 Division is going. The detective work continues.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/2/2011 12:42:54 AM)
The newest, hottest trend for the Spring of '42..... [image]local://upfiles/18646/A358FD82D8A4411E82FE84CD40AD4137.jpg[/image]

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/2/2011 11:09:24 PM)
Summary of Operations 4/11/42 Central Pacific: Two Sigint report entries for 4/10 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Roi-Namur. Detected status of this base does not show the presence of any Jap forces or visible activity. Airfield size at Roi-Namur is now at 4 (max 1). Two Jap LCU’s (6 Base Force & 7 JNAF Co) start the game at Roi-Namur and are likely to still be there given the quantity of airfield construction activity shown. South Pacific: Several transport convoys are now in or approaching the South Pacific theatre area carrying US combat ground forces (including one division) along with ample quantities of supply and fuel. A second US division has been enroute to Australia via an off-map convoy from the Eastern US - its arrival in Australia is due shortly. As of this time, Suva has been occupied by Allied (mainly NZ) LCU’s, including three NZ Infantry Brigades plus an assortment of smaller combat and base units. Fortification levels at Suva and Nadi are now built up to 4 and 3 respectively, with construction activity ongoing. Ample stocks of fuel and supply are already present on Fiji, with more being shipped in. At least for the moment, it’s possible Pillager could be experiencing a short-term shortage of Japanese combat LCU’s available for deployment in the South Pacific area, especially given the ongoing activity at Luzon and in the DEI. The possibility of supply problems for front-line Japanese forces could also be true, given that for the most part Pillager has taken little if any captured supply point stocks in areas the Japanese have conquered so far – this may be requiring Pillager to bring forward much or all the supply required for operations by front-line Japanese forces from the home islands. If true, this situation does not stop the Japanese advance, though it likely imposes a serious delay. The above situation also presents a window of opportunity on the Allied side. With the US LCU’s and resources soon to enter the South Pacific area and maybe the time to do it, I can add to the bridgehead now being established around Suva. The available US forces may be are sufficient to occupy either Samoa or Noumea, though not both. My current plan is to press ahead with this movement and occupy one of these bases in strength (Samoa if Pillager goes for Noumea, or vice-versa). Whichever one Pillager moves to take, I stand a chance of occupying and holding the other. My current preference is Samoa as it more closely supports my existing position on Fiji – however, this also appears to be Pillager’s preference for a Japanese advance as well. Either Samoa or Noumea remaining in Allied hands will advance the cause, my intent being to follow the path of least (Japanese) resistance. What has not gone unnoticed is that Noumea produces and stockpiles a significant amount of resource points. Since 12/41, I’ve been running an almost continuous stream of small transports (xAKL’s) between Noumea and Auckland picking up many of these resource points and moving them to NZ. It’s not so much a matter of having these resource points for use in NZ (though there's no problem with doing that), the real matter is that these resource points stay in Allied possession and unavailable for use in Japanese production. Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. Japanese sub engages transport convoy XM-4 in a night attack fourteen hexes W of Perth after the convoy’s ASW escort detached to return to base (Perth), one xAP was sunk. AAR follows. Ships in convoy XM-4 included empty transports returning to India/Middle East bases after carrying supply and elements of 7 Australian Division to Perth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack near Perth at 41,146 (W of Perth) Japanese Ships SS I-162 Allied Ships xAP Talma, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk) xAP Talma is sighted by SS I-162 SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Talma -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEI: Multiple Japanese TF’s detected in Palembang base hex, also five unidentified Jap LCU’s spotted in Praboemoelih base hex adjacent to Palembang. Safe to say the long-awaited Japanese assault to capture Palembang is imminent. A tiny force of Dutch patrol planes (five squadrons with a total of 9 Do-24 & PBY-5 aircraft) still based in Palembang flew a variety of naval strike and other missions this game turn. Plans are to withdraw these squadrons as soon as Japanese ground forces appear in Palembang base hex. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF at 48,91 (Palembang base hex) Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Allied aircraft Do-24K-1 x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships PB Tatebu Maru Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: Japanese ground forces attack near Tuyun, at Sian. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27652 troops, 369 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 909 Defending force 9164 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203 Japanese adjusted assault: 547 Allied adjusted defense: 340 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 443 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Vehicles lost 14 (8 destroyed, 6 disabled) Allied ground losses: 259 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 104th Division 9th Armored Car Co 38th Division 2nd Mortar Battalion 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 2nd RF Gun Battalion 5th RF Gun Battalion 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion Defending units: 62nd Chinese Corps 64th Chinese Corps 31st Chinese Corps 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 35th Group Army 4th War Area 9th Chinese Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sian (83,41) Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 240 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1606 Defending force 98845 troops, 638 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3265 Japanese ground losses: 74 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 30 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 36th Division 110th Division 35th Division 3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade 26th Division 12th Army 6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack) Defending units: 43rd Chinese Corps 93rd Chinese Corps 3rd Construction Regiment 61st Chinese Corps 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps 33rd Chinese Corps 76th Chinese Corps 38th Chinese Corps 3rd Chinese Corps 9th Chinese Corps 23rd Chinese Corps 98th Chinese Corps 47th Chinese Corps 34th Chinese Corps 40th Chinese Corps 1st Chinese Corps 57th Chinese Corps 15th Chinese Corps 80th Chinese Corps 2nd Construction Regiment 14th Group Army 7th Group Army 1st War Area 34th Group Army 15th Group Army 4th Group Army Red Chinese Army 39th Group Army 8th Group Army 12th Chinese Base Force 24th Group Army Jingcha War Area 36th Group Army 15th Chinese Base Force --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

johnjohn -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/3/2011 2:18:11 AM)
Just a quick update. Since I am in my busy season at work, not much has happened since my last report. I am continuing the buildup prior to retaking the canal. Presently moving transports to Pago-Pago and PH to haul four divisions closer to the action. Bringing two tank BNs too. Air Force HQ, Navy and Army are in South Pacific and number of Navy Squadrons increasing. All carriers at PH refitting. Torres BN on Horn Island group destroyed enemy invasion force holed up there. AAF b-17s helped. Enemy sortied what's left of KB, (three carriers of various types, 160+ a/c) in North Pacific doing little damage. Thought I might set up a carrier trap, but decided hanging out at PH made more sense. Have run into a PP problem with ship withdrawals. Have found out the hard way that ships cannot withdrawal from PH. Currently eating 40 penalty points per turn while they slowly make their way to the West Coast. Can't wait to find out what else I don't know. Barely staying above water, Johnjohn.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/5/2011 3:19:45 AM)
john john, I suspected that not withdrawing ships, planes, etc that become due for withdrawal would carry a substantial PP penalty. There were several ships and air squadrons that I was briefly tempted to keep, then quickly figured out the PP cost was not worth it relative to what I would gain by keeping the ship or air squadron. What I have noticed on the air squadrons that become due for withdrawal, you actually get awarded PP (generally 20 or so) if you withdraw the air squadron a few days early. I've generally been using air units that have a withdrawal date as training squadrons provided I don't need them for other missions - so far this practice has allowed me to load up these squadrons with pilots (to the maximum allowed) and perform intense training on the pilots for specific missions (based on the type of squadron) until the squadron becomes due for withdrawal. A few days before the squadron's withdrawal date, I remove all the trained pilots from the squadron (transfer them to general pilot reserve), replace the trained pilots I removed with the minimum necessary number of "green" replacements, then withdraw the squadron. Doing all this within a few days of the squadron's withdrawal date will yield a "harvest" of pilots at least partially trained in a given specialty and a "dividend" of 20 (or so) PP. The trained pilots you removed from the withdrawn air squadron can in turn be transferred into a front-line squadron or to another "training" squadron of the same type for additional training in their particular mission specialty. The only thing with squadrons having a withdrawal date - do not add planes to them from the replacement pool unless absolutely necessary (and adding planes is not necessary for training purposes). Any planes added to these squadrons cannot be retrieved back into the pool when the squadron comes due for withdrawal. quote: All carriers at PH refitting. One practice I've done as far as using the shipyard facilities at Pearl Harbor - usually kept as much vacant shipyard capacity as possible at Pearl, specifically keeping this shipyard reserved for emergency repair of critically or severely damaged ships. I do assign some ships (mainly subs, DD's, small transports & auxiliaries) into the Pearl Harbor shipyard for quick repairs or upgrades. Upgrades and minor repairs on larger ships or anything expected to take a significant amount of time - if I can get these ships to the mainland US with minimal or no risk of loss or further damage, then I send them there. The mainland US shipyards are larger and it keeps the Pearl Harbor shipyard open for situations where it's really needed. If you can afford the delay to send a ship to the mainland US for repair or upgrade and there's little or no risk in doing this, then do so. I'm of the view that managing shipyard capacity (over the "big picture") can be quite important, especially during periods where the Allies (and the US in particular) have ship upgrades where large numbers of ships are involved - i.e. the 4/42 upgrades I'm going through now, and there are others. Actively managing shipyard capacity can also become crucial when having to repair damaged ships following a naval combat action - this is when you might want to have some spare shipyard capacity open at Pearl, it can become the difference between keeping and losing a severely damaged major ship.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/5/2011 3:24:49 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/12/42 Central Pacific: Two Sigint report entries for 4/11 indicating heavy volume of Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Kwajalein. Detected status of this base shows 20 ships in port (though no major warships), what appears to be one submarine TF, 4 aircraft (2 fighters), no indication of Japanese LCU’s on the island. No evidence shown of Jap construction activity to expand airfield or port facilities on Kwajalein. I would not be surprised if some of this information later turns out to be FOW. Another Sigint entry for 4/11 indicating Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Tarawa. Detected status of this base shows no Jap forces or visible activity. Port facilities at Tarawa have been expanded to size 2 (max 1) and the airfield now built to its maximum size of 2. South Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/11 indicates Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Tulagi. Detected status of this base shows no Jap forces, construction or visible activity, Australia: Continued Jap air bombing raids against airfield facilities on Horn Is. Airfield facilities on Horn Is almost completely knocked out. DEI: Japanese amphibious landing ops underway at Larentoeka on the eastern end of Flores Is. Jap LCU’s remain in Praboemoelih base hex adjacent to Palembang, now reinforced with a sixth unit. Multiple Jap TF’s are in Palembang base hex, though these TF’s are not engaged in any amphibious landing ops. Pillager is appearing to be content with attacking Palembang as strictly an overland ground assault. Dutch patrol planes based in Palembang flew several naval strike missions this game turn with some results. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF at Palembang – 48,91 Weather in hex: Heavy rain Allied aircraft Do-24K-1 x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships PB Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF at Singkep – 49,87 Weather in hex: Light rain Allied aircraft PBY-5 Catalina x 2 No Allied losses Japanese Ships xAK Ikuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF at Palembang – 48,91 Weather in hex: Clear sky Allied aircraft Do-24K-1 x 3 PBY-5 Catalina x 2 No Allied losses Japanese Ships PB Tatebu Maru PB Fuji Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb 2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Jap air strikes continue against Bataan, no detected activity on the ground. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77 Weather in hex: Light cloud Japanese aircraft Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 10 Aircraft Attacking: 19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77 Weather in hex: Light cloud Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24 Ki-21-IIa Sally x 5 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged Allied ground losses: 14 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 7 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.

johnjohn -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/5/2011 5:35:04 AM)
Excellent advice on the squadrons. I actually have been doing as you suggested. Where I got tripped up is ship withdrawals, thinking that PH would be an acceptable base to effect withdrawal. Wrong. So I am paying the penalty while moving the two APs to SF. Total cost to do this, about 200 pps. I still have 2,000 or more. Meanwhile, lastest intelligence has 3rd Fleet at Rabaul. Presently hustling three carriers back to Noumea. Hornet staying until I can get those pesky biplanes replaced. Meanwhile, gathering ships, and preparing to move 1st Marine Div, 2nd Marine Div, 27th Infantry Div, and 31st Infantry Div to South Pacific, probably Suva (where 40th Inf is installed). Am moving Arty and Armor as well since I discovered in another set of notes that Arty and Armor are needed to reduce fortifications. Evidently infantry takes forever to do that. So combined arms are assembling to invade the canal. Hornet and Sara, both at PH with escorts (South Dakota and Juneau enroute) will escort the 1st Marines, et al. Meanwhile I am trying to reinforce the Seebees at Ndeni. Would like to add an airbase there. The DEI is gone, but the enemy has not made any moves toward the East Coast of Aussie. Nor are the probes on India coast gaining them any ground. All ships and troops have been intercepted and most sent to Davy Jones Locker. The buildup in NorWest Aussie has gone much better than expected. Enemy planes do not raid after taking considerable losses to Aussie and AAF fighters. Two CVEs are on west coast (Long Island completely repaired). They will team up with a third due to arrive in a few days and will head for PH to escort troop convoy to Suva/Noumea. So far, so good. The Brits are holding well in India, China is a stalemate with the enemy losing the equivelent of a division each month at Wenchow. Aussie is building up nicely with tons of supplies and fuel flowing in. I am considering sending an engineer force to Dutch Harbor to build up the airbase. That is about all that is going on in Alaska. The enemy is playing around up there, but I am not interested in fighting there. Just would like to dissuade the enemy from doing the same. I see the Sept Oct window as the time to act. After Oct most of the B-17s go bye-bye. I am in agreement with Fletcher and Noyes that tying down Carriers to one fixed distination (the canal) is bad strategy. But I am going to do it anyway. Fletcher, who has been my most successful carrier commander, is headed to the beach. Sherman is now commanding his carriers. Spruance has the other group, but I usually let Mitscher (Hornet) command. It only gets better from here on in. The supply pipeline is in place, disruption is nil, and new construction is beginning to arrive. I like my chances. Johnjohn

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/6/2011 4:06:49 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/13/42 Hawaii: Escorts from transport convoy BW-9 encounters Jap submarine in night action off Pearl Harbor shortly after departing for the mainland US. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 182,106 (NE of Oahu) Japanese Ships SS I-3 Allied Ships DD Case AP President Monroe TK Manzanillo xAP St. Mihel xAK Talune xAK Kauri xAK Alcoa Polaris xAK Wind Rush xAK Mormacsul xAK J.L. Luckenbach xAK Santa Teresa xAK Charles H Cramp xAKL Hirondelle xAKL Honomu DD Tucker DD Perkins SS I-3 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Case -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Pacific: Coastwatchers report 12 ships in port at Rabaul. DEI: Dutch patrol planes from Palembang continue naval air strikes against Jap TF’s in the western Java Sea. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF at Singkep – 49,87 Weather in hex: Overcast Allied aircraft Do-24K-1 x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships PB Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage (ship was also hit in a previous bombing attack by Dutch planes on 4/12) Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Hakozake Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF near Toboali at 50,95 (E of Toboali) Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Allied aircraft PBY-5 Catalina x 2 No Allied losses Japanese Ships TK Nihon Maru Aircraft Attacking: 2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn. China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn. Manchuria: Sigint report entry for 4/12 indicates Jap 28th Infantry Division is still at Port Arthur. I'm still expecting Pillager to ship this LCU out of Manchuria for deployment in another theatre of operations - this action pending (1) Pillager has and spends the PP to transfer command of 28 Division from the Kwantung Army to the new theatre command where he intends to deploy and operate the division, and (2) he collects sufficient transport shipping to load 28 Division and move it to its next destination.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/9/2011 12:09:42 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/14/42 4/42 Ship Upgrades: The first US ships (10 fleet subs, 2 S-class subs) completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn. S-class subs now in the South Pacific theatre are gradually receiving 4/42 upgrades in NZ/Australia shipyards as they return to base for replenishment or refit, upgrades of these subs done at a rate where a sufficient number of S-class subs remain available at any given time for active patrol operations. Hawaii: US surface ASW TF dispatched to position NE of Oahu (hex 182,106) where Japanese sub I-3 was encountered on 4/13 failed to make any contact. South Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is empty. SW Pacific: Jap amphibious landing operations underway at Manus (Admiralty Is). Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is (Torres Strait). DEI: Japanese launch initial ground assault to capture Palembang. Three additional Jap LCU’s detected in hexes adjacent to Palembang, these should be joining the attack momentarily. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Palembang (48,91) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 29136 troops, 292 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 1018 Defending force 10162 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 237 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2 Japanese adjusted assault: 701 Allied adjusted defense: 235 Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-) Japanese ground losses: 1642 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 101 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 71 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled Allied ground losses: 1019 casualties reported Squads: 18 destroyed, 60 disabled Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 86 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled Assaulting units: (all Jap LCU's previously at Soerabaja) 48th Division 1st Ind. Engineer Regiment 5th Division 6th Tank Regiment 17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment Defending units: Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion Riouw KNIL Battalion Zuid KNIL Battalion Pakanbaroe Det. Padang Garrison Battalion So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion 2/15 Punjab Battalion Semarang Base Force Djojakarta Base Force 1 ML-KNIL Aviation 2 ML-KNIL Aviation Palembang Base Force Djambi Base Force Teloekbetoeng Base Force Kalidjati Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutch patrol planes remain at Palembang and continue naval air strikes on Japanese shipping in the western Java Sea. One consequence of the fall of Palembang to the Japanese is that Pillager will have at last captured an Allied-controlled base having considerable stockpiles of supply, fuel and other materiel. While it will take some time for Pillager to distribute this “stash” to front-line Japanese forces awaiting supply and/or fuel needed to continue their operations, the Japanese capture of Palembang inevitably allows Pillager to proceed with offensive operations with Japanese forces in those theatres where he may be stalled at this point in time due to lack of available fuel and/or supply points to operate front-line ships, planes, LCU’s. It’s been at least two months (in game time) since Allied transport shipping has been available to move (or more precisely, remove) cargoes from Palembang to get this stuff out of the DEI. Stockpiles currently on-hand in Palembang include 143K supply points, 418K fuel, 141K oil, 303K resource. Perhaps some of this will get destroyed when Palembang falls. It not, oh well… Game question: I haven’t seen any definitive references either in the game manual or the forums on what happens to stockpiled supply, fuel, oil, resource points in bases when they are captured. Japanese capture Larantoeka (eastern end of Flores). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Larantoeka (67,113) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 881 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 6 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Larantoeka !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 22nd JNAF AF Unit (brought in from Formosa) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Japanese air bombing strikes against Bataan targeting airfield facilities. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77 Weather in hex: Light cloud Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24 Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged Allied ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 8 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 17 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India: 17 Indian Division at Calcutta now built to full TOE strength. Two other Indian divisions are also building up with replacements and expected to reach full TOE strength shortly. China: All sectors reporting quiet this game turn.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/9/2011 10:57:12 PM)
Summary of Operations 4/15/42 4/42 Ship Upgrades: Seven more US fleet subs completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn and returning to active operations in the Pacific theatres. Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wake Is. Detected status of Wake Is shows no visible Jap forces or activity. SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report 21 ships now at Rabaul. Japanese capture Manus (Admiralty Is). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Manus (101,119) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1508 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 16 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Manus !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(-) Assaulting units: Sasebo 8th SNLF (this LCU had landed at and captured Gasmata on 4/09. Pillager appears to have this unit moving from place to place doing mop-up operations to capture bases in the Japanese rear-area still in Allied control) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is. Fast transport convoy EX-4 (11 ships, 16 kts or greater movement speed) arrived in Australia from the Eastern US this game turn. Convoy EX-4 departed the Eastern US on 2/13. Cargo aboard ships in the convoy includes 38K supply, 40K fuel and two US LCU’s (206 Coast AA Rgt, HQ II Fighter Command). DEI: Japanese ground assault on Palembang continues. Latest AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Palembang (48,91) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 27993 troops, 292 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 1348 Defending force 9108 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 181 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 209 Allied adjusted defense: 190 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-) Attacker: disruption(-) Japanese ground losses: 554 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled Engineers: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled Vehicles lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled) Allied ground losses: 723 casualties reported Squads: 6 destroyed, 18 disabled Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Units destroyed 1 Assaulting units: 5th Division 4th Division (reinforced attack this game turn, arrived from Soerabaja) 1st Ind. Engineer Regiment 48th Division 6th Tank Regiment 17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment Defending units: Zuid KNIL Battalion So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion Pakanbaroe Det. Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion Padang Garrison Battalion Riouw KNIL Battalion 2/15 Punjab Battalion Teloekbetoeng Base Force Semarang Base Force Palembang Base Force Djambi Base Force Djojakarta Base Force 2 ML-KNIL Aviation 1 ML-KNIL Aviation Kalidjati Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Dutch patrol squadrons at Palembang were withdrawn this game turn as they have no operational planes left. Japanese amphibious landing ops reported at Sibolga (southern coast of W Sumatra). AAR of this action follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Sibolga TF 272 troops unloading over beach at Sibolga, 44,79 Japanese ground losses: 45 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /1 19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /1 19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Infantry Rgt /2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singapore: Detected status of this base showing multiple Jap TF’s, 100 ships in port, 15 Jap LCU’s, 212 aircraft (43 fighters, 68 bombers). Shipyard and industrial facilties in Singapore now appear to be partially repaired – displayed status showing heavy industry 19(17), light industry 19(22), repair shipyard 19(32). Philippines: Japanese amphibious landing ops reported underway at Legaspi. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Legaspi TF 170 troops unloading over beach at Legaspi, 82,82 Japanese ground losses: 41 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 11th Garrison Unit /2 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 11th Garrison Unit /3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap air strikes against airfield facilities on Bataan continue. Burma: Pillager is now advancing on Myitkyina. Japanese capture dot hex base at Katha located along the Mandalay-Myitkyina rail line. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Katha (61,43) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 913 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 12 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Katha !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 1st Raiding Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myitkyina remains occupied by a British rear-guard force (1 battalion). I’m not planning to hold Myitkyina though I intend requiring Pillager to expend some effort to capture it. Pillager has moved unidentified Jap LCU(s) northward from Lashio across the border into southern China along the road between Lashio and Paoshan. The Jap LCU or LCU’s was spotted this game turn in the adjacent hex S of Paoshan. Two Chinese divisions currently occupy Paoshan. A river line S of Paoshan and mountainous terrain at Paoshan is expected to aid a Chinese defense. It is not certain at this time whether Pillager is planning a Japanese ground assault on Paoshan. Situation map of northern Burma and adjacent areas of south China follow. [image]local://upfiles/18646/B7473C49C33B4B49B7A6C8B6943D071F.jpg[/image] China: Japanese ground forces attack near Tuyun. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 28380 troops, 369 guns, 318 vehicles, Assault Value = 976 Defending force 9092 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199 Japanese adjusted assault: 655 Allied adjusted defense: 529 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 133 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled) Allied ground losses: 1055 casualties reported Squads: 35 destroyed, 18 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Assaulting units: 9th Armored Car Co 13th Tank Regiment (reinforced attack this game turn, arrived from Nanning) 104th Division 38th Division 2nd Mortar Battalion 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 5th RF Gun Battalion 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 2nd RF Gun Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion Defending units: 64th Chinese Corps 62nd Chinese Corps 31st Chinese Corps 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 4th War Area 35th Group Army 9th Chinese Base Force --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/12/2011 12:31:02 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/16/42 4/42 Ship Upgrades: Seven additional US fleet subs completed refit for 4/42 upgrade this game turn (yes, this happened two days in a row). The subs are returning to active operations in the Pacific theatres. One US S-class sub completed 4/42 upgrade at Auckland. I’ve been considering the fate of SS Argonaut in regard to its future use as a minelayer and whether or not to put it through the 4/42 upgrade which would convert it to a SST (transport sub). SS Argonaut is configured to carry Mk 12 mines – the Industry/Troops/Resource Pool screen shows there are no Mk 12 mines currently in the pool, though production of Mk 12 mines is shown as scheduled to begin in Jan 1943 with a build rate of 40/month. SS Argonaut did start the game in 12/41 with one load of Mk 12 mines on-board, the Argonaut laying the mines at the beginning of this campaign in a mission to the Japanese Home Islands. For at least the moment, my plans are to leave SS Argonaut in service as a minelaying sub – not performing any ship upgrades on it. This despite the fact that SS Argonaut is not useable as a minelayer until 1943 due to no Mk 12 mines being available until that time. SS Argonaut will be kept inactive and at a rear-area location until then (early 1943) as long as the sub is not required for use in other missions. The decision made here is not necessarily final, as future events and additional facts may weigh in to change this. South Pacific: Sigint report entry for 4/15 indicates Japanese 10th Infantry Division has been transferred out of the Kwantung Army and is now located at Truk. I’d predict that Pillager likely has plans to employ 10 Division for an assault on a major objective in the South Pacific (i.e. Noumea, Suva or Pago Pago), merely a question of exactly where and when Pillager uses 10 Division in the front lines. SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is empty except for one Jap AV. Australia: Jap air bombing attacks continue on Horn Is. DEI: Japanese capture Palembang and Sibolga. Detected status of Palembang base does not show any damage to refineries, oil and resource production. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Palembang (48,91) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 39692 troops, 406 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 1325 Defending force 8522 troops, 53 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 155 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 564 Allied adjusted defense: 148 Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-) Attacker: disruption(-) Japanese ground losses: 608 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 32 disabled Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled Allied ground losses: 3890 casualties reported Squads: 96 destroyed, 11 disabled Non Combat: 244 destroyed, 19 disabled Engineers: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 11 (10 destroyed, 1 disabled) Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 13 Units destroyed 1 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 1st Ind. Engineer Regiment 5th Division 48th Division 4th Division 6th Tank Regiment 17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment Defending units: Riouw KNIL Battalion (eliminated) So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion Padang Garrison Battalion Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion Zuid KNIL Battalion 2/15 Punjab Battalion 1 ML-KNIL Aviation 2 ML-KNIL Aviation Djojakarta Base Force Palembang Base Force Semarang Base Force Djambi Base Force Teloekbetoeng Base Force Kalidjati Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 3565 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 124 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 57 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 57 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Sibolga !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 33rd Infantry Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Japanese landing force captures Legaspi. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Legaspi (82,82) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 4054 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 155 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 77 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 77 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 11th Garrison Unit (this unit has not previously appeared in the known Japanese OOB) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Burma: A Chinese air force ground attack strike was launched on the Jap LCU(s) in the adjacent hex S of Paoshan detected last game turn. This strike identified one of the Jap LCU’s (or the only Jap LCU) in the hex as 4 Tank Regiment. The previous reported location of 4 Tank Rgt had been at Singapore on 1/24. China: Japanese ground forces continue their attack near Tuyun. Latest AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 74,52 (S of Tuyun) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 28297 troops, 369 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 970 Defending force 8274 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 162 Japanese adjusted assault: 848 Allied adjusted defense: 397 Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 120 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Vehicles lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled) Allied ground losses: 1438 casualties reported Squads: 124 destroyed, 5 disabled Non Combat: 145 destroyed, 10 disabled Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 7 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 104th Division 13th Tank Regiment 9th Armored Car Co 38th Division 5th RF Gun Battalion 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 2nd RF Gun Battalion 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 2nd Mortar Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion Defending units: 31st Chinese Corps 62nd Chinese Corps 64th Chinese Corps 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 35th Group Army 4th War Area 9th Chinese Base Force --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alfred -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/12/2011 2:14:00 AM)
Re use of the Argonaut. A couple of issues for you to ponder. 1. Your other American fleet subs will be able to lay the Mk 12 mine once they undergo their December 1942 refits. You therefore most definitely do not need to keep the Argonaut in its mine configuration layout in order to use up those mines. Nor is the mine laying capacity of the Argonaut so large as to make a compelling case for its retention as a mine layer. 2. You can have a maximum of 3 SSTs. Whilst their combined troop/cargo carrying capacity is not huge, the three of them will transport a substantial part of a Marine Parachute battalion in combat mode. As such they do provide you with a mid 1942 capacity to sneak in behind enemy lines and capture poorly defended rear bases. You could cause a considerable amount of rear area logistical angst to your opponent by capturing and immediately reembarking. Alfred

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/13/2011 11:54:16 PM)
Appreciate your response, Alfred. The fact that other US submarines have the capability to carry and lay Mk 12 mines after 12/42 certainly weighs in as a reason to convert SS Argonaut to a SST rather than leave it as is. Your idea on the uses of the three SST's is an interesting possibility. The main part of the premise behind my original decision had been that Argonaut would be the only available SST, its value as an SST would be at best marginal given its relatively small cargo capacity and the idea of Argonaut being the only SST available would make its use as a transport sub rather ineffective. The logic I had based on that argument was that SS Argounaut was more useful being left as a minelayer even if no Mk 12 mines were currently available for it to lay. I will have to look around and identify the other two subs that are SST's or convertable to one.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/13/2011 11:56:57 PM)
Summary of Operations 4/17/42 Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-9 (22 ships) departing this game turn from the Eastern US to Australia via Capetown. LCU’s loaded on convoy EX-9 include 137 USAAF Base Force, 147 US Infantry Rgt, three FA Bns (4, 97, 134) and 428 Coast AA Bn. Convoy EX-9 is also carrying 49K supply and 7800 fuel. Empty ships from the first US to Australia transport convoy (EX-1) returning to the Eastern US have left Capetown. From what I’m seeing so far, the round trip movement time for a US East Coast to Melbourne/Perth transport convoy via Capetown seems to be about 4 months in game time. Central Pacific: Sigint report entries for 4/16 indicate Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Tarawa were intercepted. Detected status of both bases show no visible Jap forces or activity. SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul remains empty. DEI: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Sampit (southern Borneo). Detected status of Palembang base continues to show no damage to refinery, oil or resource production facilities from Dutch engineer demolitions. There had been 90 Dutch engineer squads stationed in Palembang at the time of the Japanese assault to capture it. Philippines: Supply situation for US forces in Bataan is gradually deteriorating. At this time, the stockpile of supply points on hand in Bataan has fallen under 10K. Burma: Continued ground attack strikes by Chinese AF bombers on the Jap LCU(s) in the adjacent hex S of Paoshan revealed a second Jap unit in this hex. This Jap unit was identified in the air attack as 2 Tank Regiment. The other Jap unit spotted in this hex (74,52) is 4 Tank Rgt which had been attacked by Chinese AF bombers on 4/16. Jap 4 Tank Regiment had attacked and captured Lashio on 3/23. China: All sectors in China quiet this game turn.

Alfred -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/14/2011 7:48:26 PM)
The Allied SST fleet can be comprised of the: Argonaut Narwhal Nautilus The endurance of the Argonaut is 8000 (200 hexes), both the Narwhal and Nautilus have endurance of 9380 (234 hexes) The carrying capacity is: Argonaut - 110 troop points, 72 cargo points Narwhal and Nautilus each - 70 troop points, 60 cargo points Hence the aggregate SST fleet can transport 250 troop points and 192 cargo points. A USMC Parachute Battalion costs 510 troop points (zero cargo) to transport. Accordingly the SST fleet can transport almost half a USMC Parachute Battalion. Alfred

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/15/2011 4:33:09 AM)
Thanks, Alfred Interesting... I'll have to come up with some kind of use for this, possibly something along the lines of commando-type operations (which were actually done). Australian Independent Coy LCU's could also fit well in this role, plus I also have several other small company-sized Australian and Dutch infantry LCU's rescued from various spots in New Guinea and the DEI.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/15/2011 4:38:31 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/18/42 Central Pacific: Two Sigint report entries for 4/17 indicate intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit for a second consecutive day. Detected status of Jaluit shows port facilities have been expanded to size 3(1), otherwise no visible Jap forces or activity. South Pacific: Jap amphibious landing operation underway at Aoba Is near Luganville. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Aoba Island TF 194 troops unloading over beach at Aoba Island (121,150) Japanese ground losses: 16 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 91st Nav Gd /1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US submarine attacks Jap AMC’s at Hoorn Is, one ship torpedoed. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack at Hoorn Islands – 138,157 Japanese Ships AMC Kongo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire Allied Ships SS S-37 AMC Kongo Maru is sighted by SS S-37 SS S-37 launches 2 torpedoes at AMC Kongo Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack at Hoorn Islands – 138,157 Japanese Ships AMC Kinryu Maru Allied Ships SS S-37 AMC Kinryu Maru is sighted by SS S-37 SS S-37 launches 2 torpedoes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese amphibious landing operation underway at Vaitupu (Ellice Islands). AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Vaitupu TF 57 troops unloading over beach at Vaitupu (138,145) 10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 85th JAAF AF Bn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul remains empty for a third day. Southwest Pacific HQ has entered the game at Brisbane as a reinforcement. DEI: Japanese capture Sampit and Sandakan on Borneo. These actions complete the Japanese conquest of Borneo, all non-dot bases on Borneo are now under Japanese control. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sampit (58,97) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1124 troops, 3 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 13 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 7 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Sampit !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 21st Ind. Engineer Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sandakan (70,88) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 3961 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 144 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 43 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 43 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Sandakan !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 124th Infantry Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap minesweeping operations now underway in Palembang. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 96 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) Japanese Ships DMS W-17 DMS W-16 DMS W-15 13 mines cleared -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Continuing Jap airfield bombing strikes against Bataan. Detected status of Manila base hex – Resource production 39(2), light industry 88(13), repair shipyard 5(16), 2 Jap LCU’s. Malacca Straits: Dutch sub operating from Colombo intercepts a Jap tanker convoy in the western Malacca Straits off the Thai coast, torpedoes and sinks one escort. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Phuket at 48,70 (SE of Phuket) Japanese Ships (TF reported moving on a NW heading, probably bound for Rangoon) PB Uchide Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (confirmed sunk) TK Kyoko Maru TK Kuremente Maru PB Menado Maru Allied Ships SS KXVI SS KXVI launches 2 torpedoes at PB Uchide Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- China: All sectors in China once again quiet this game turn.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/17/2011 12:05:16 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/19/42 Central Pacific: Sigint report entry for 4/18 indicates intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status of Baker Island is showing Jap aircraft (undetermined number and type) are based there. No visible sign of port or airfield expansion on Baker, also no other visible Jap forces or activity. Sigint report for 4/18 also stating a heavy volume of radio transmssions were intercepted from unidentified Jap TF(s) west of Marcus Is and just north of the Marianas (hex 115, 84). Jap TF(s) were visible in the hex, however, no information was available concerning the number of Jap TF(s) in the hex, their composition or movement heading. No US submarines are currently operating in the vicinity of this contact. South Pacific: Japanese capture Aoba Is near Luganville. AAR follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Aoba Island (121,150) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1446 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 31 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Aoba Island !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-) Assaulting units: 91st Naval Guard Unit (this LCU previously reported in Singapore on 1/24) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese amphibious landing ops continue at Vaitupu (Ellice Islands). SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is still empty. Philippines: Continuing Jap airfield bombing strikes against Bataan. Supply point stocks on-hand for US forces on Bataan now down to 8K, not good. AAR of latest attack follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77 Weather in hex: Heavy rain Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 23 Ki-21-IIa Sally x 26 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 damaged Airbase hits 2 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 4 Aircraft Attacking: 23 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 26 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malacca Straits: Dutch sub K-XVI operating W of the Malacca Straits reports contact with Ki-48 Lily air patrol. Burma: Detected status of hex 64,45 adjacent to Paoshan now indicating two Jap LCU’s in the hex. These LCU’s were identified in earlier Chinese AF ground attack strikes as 2 and 4 Tank Rgts. China: All sectors in China remain quiet this game turn.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/22/2011 3:36:00 AM)
Big Picture #9 – Another visit to strategy in the South Pacific theatre The Current Japanese Situation: Over the last several months (of game time), Pillager has the Japanese slowly and gradually creeping southward into the South Pacific theatre area. At this time, the Japanese have largely completed their conquest of the Solomons and taken Port Moresby to secure their western flank. Further east… The Japanese have entered the New Hebrides island group, capturing Luganville and Aoba Is. Bases in the southern half of the New Hebrides group including Efate remain in Allied hands for now. Both the Japanese advance into the New Hebrides and conquest of the Solomons have Pillager positioned for launching a Japanese advance on Noumea. I’m expecting that a Japanese landing and capture of Efate is imminent, especially if Pillager’s primary strategic interest in the South Pacific theatre is a Japanese conquest of Noumea. No guarantee of that though a quick move on Efate would be a telltale sign. Even farther east… The Japanese now control two island bases, Hoorn Islands and Wallis Is, immediately to the north of and between Samoa and Suva. Pillager is also completing a Japanese conquest of the Ellice Island group to the north of Hoorn and Wallis – the operation at Vaitupu currently in progress is the final step of this conquest. Canton Is was captured by the Japanese in Jan ’42 and secures the eastern flank of this position. All these developments position the Japanese for an advance on Samoa and/or Suva. Overall… this has Pillager working toward re-establishing the Japanese outer perimeter along a line from Port Moresby in the west, through Noumea, Suva and Samoa, with Canton Is anchoring the eastern flank. This line is identical to what he (Pillager) created for the Japanese in our previous CHS match. My thought is that Pillager was quite content with that perimeter line last time and is very likely what he would like to do this time in AE. The Allied View and Overall Plan: The Port Moresby to Canton Is outer perimeter line described above was a major headache to crack in our CHS match – recalling my past adventures on and near Pago Pago in CHS, my choice of title for this AE thread also reflecting this. An Allied assault on this Japanese outer perimeter line would probably also be a major headache in AE, whether for the same or for different reasons. The cornerstone of my overall Allied strategic plan for the South Pacific theatre is preventing the Japanese from forming a complete outer perimeter line between Port Moresby and Canton, the emphasis being on complete. The method of implementing this strategic plan for the Allies is to create, occupy and secure a viable bridgehead in this projected Japanese outer perimeter ahead of Pillager’s advance. A viable bridgehead would have to (1) Include one or more of the major links in this line as the core of the bridgehead - the remaining three links of this line still in Allied control being Noumea, Suva and Samoa. (2) It is possible for the major base(s) included in the bridgehead to be adequately occupied, supplied and defended with the Allied forces and resources on-hand in the South Pacific theatre, plus any reinforcements that can be brought in from New Zealand, Australia and/or the mainland US in whatever time there is for these to arrive and be deployed. (3) Occupy and secure a network of outlying forward bases that form a supporting position for the core of the bridgehead – these bases would be included in the bridgehead area itself and also in areas immediately surrounding the bridgehead. These positions would function to (a) provide outposts and flank protection to the major base or bases forming the core of the bridgehead, and (b) provide security for sea transport routes entering the bridgehead area from Allied rear-area bases, with emphasis on keeping these sea transport routes as much beyond the reach of Japanese LBA as possible (4) The bridgehead area would have to be accessible from and reasonably close to one or more major Allied rear-area base(s). What is important here is not so much where the bridgehead is located, but that it’s a viable one. The Allied Situation: At this time, Noumea and Samoa are lightly occupied by Allied forces and are basically open to being occupied by forces on either side. In Fiji, the main island (Suva) was reinforced almost immediately starting in 12/41, primarily with New Zealand LCU’s. The current strength of Allied ground forces on Suva include three NZ infantry brigades plus a variety of small US, NZ and Australian combat units including infantry, artillery and light armor in battalion and regiment strength. An ample quantity of supply is on hand at Suva and construction of fortifications at Suva and Nadi has been in progress continuously since 12/41. A significant number of Allied naval search planes are now operating from Suva. A submarine force including most of the US S-class subs are now based at Auckland and operating in patrol areas to the north of both Fiji and Samoa – these subs have had several meetings with KB carriers and Jap invasion transports. Suva at this time already forms the core of an Allied bridgehead in Pillager’s projected Japanese outer perimeter line. Covering positions to Suva at Tongatapu and Niue are occupied by Allied forces. Development of Auckland as a major rear-area base is well underway. Ample quantities of fuel and supply have already been shipped in from the mainland US, quantities of resource points from Noumea also being picked up and shipped into Auckland. Auckland now has the capability to support submarine operations for US S-class subs now operating in the South Pacific theatre. Further improvements to Auckland are in progress or being planned. A second rear-area base is also being developed at Tahiti, some activity to do this is already underway. Other Allied assets in the South Pacific theatre now include several transport convoys with reinforcements just arriving in the theatre from the mainland US – these forces including a full US division, other combat LCU’s, plus ample quantities of supply. My current plans have these reinforcements destined for either Noumea or Samoa. The contents of these convoys have a good chance of occupying and securing either location, provided there is time for them to arrive and disembark without spotting or interference from the Japanese. A head-on meeting of these convoys with the KB or other IJN forces would be rather ugly not to mention undesirable. US naval forces (carrier of surface) immediately available in the South Pacific theatre area for supporting deployment of reinforcements arriving in theatre from the mainland US is - none. While all US fleet carriers have completed the 4/42 ship upgrades, a very large number of their escorting cruisers and DD's are now in shipyards undergoing 4/42 upgrades. I simply do not have the ships available to properly form Air Combat TF's and in any event most of these ships are on the US West Coast. The present situation in the South Pacific had not been anticipated prior to the 4/42 ship upgrade, or at least anticipated to happen during the time the US Carrier Fleet is "out of service". The South Pacific for now does without. Looking in the Crystal Ball: What is known is a Sigint report entry from 4/16 having the Japanese 10th Division located on Truk. My estimate is that Pillager likely has this division destined for use in a Japanese amphibious operation to capture one of the major bases in the South Pacific (Noumea, Fiji or Samoa), this operation no doubt to be done with the full backing of the KB and IJN. What cannot be determined right now is which objective does Pillager have the Japs going for? A new Sigint report entry indicating the objective (base) the Japanese10th Division is preparing for would be a major intelligence coup and almost certainly answer this question. What I can reasonably estimate is that the Japanese can only go after one of the three major objectives in the South Pacific (Noumea, Fiji or Samoa), Pillager unlikely having sufficient Japanese LCU’s and other resources to attempt all three at once or even in rapid succession. I do hold the opinion Pillager will be moving against one of the three major objectives fairly soon (within the next 15-30 days if not before), the report on the Japanese 10th Division now at Truk largely backing up this theory. The best-case scenario I’m hoping for is that Pillager will go after either Samoa or Noumea, preferably Noumea. I’m not sure at this point whether Pillager is aware of an Allied presence on Fiji or (if so) the extent of it – though he’s certainly aware of the US S-class subs swarming the area. So what are we planning right now? Allied short-term plans revolve around when and where the US reinforcements now entering the South Pacific theatre will go. Given the remaining time I’m estimating there is before Pillager makes his next Japanese move against one of the major bases in the South Pacific, attempting a dash into either Noumea or Samoa ahead of the Japanese with these reinforcements could be a recipe for disaster if both Pillager and I choose the same destination at or about the same – a head-on collision with the KB and Japanese forces following behind it. I’m seeing the more prudent move here is letting the Japanese go first – whichever of the two objectives Pillager does not go for (Noumea or Samoa) can likely be occupied easily and in strength by the US reinforcements now arriving in the South Pacific. The reinforcements aren’t sufficient to occupy and defend both Noumea and Samoa but do stand a decent chance of moving into and holding either of them. Moving into Noumea or Samoa after Pillager “shoots his next bolt” will allow sufficient time (and lack of Japanese interference) for these reinforcements to arrive, disembark and start digging in during the interval the Japanese will need after completing their next move to reload, replenish and prepare for any move that follows. Making an analogy of the current South Pacific situation to a poker game… my bet this time around the table is hold on to my chips and “check”. The current position at Suva is the start of the Allied bridgehead, Allied occupation and control of either Samoa or Noumea after Pillager’s next move will expand it.

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/23/2011 12:16:07 AM)
Summary of Operations 4/20/42 Central Pacific: Sigint report entries for 4/19 indicates intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Maleolap. Detected status of Maleolap is showing airfield facilities built to maximum size of 4(1), otherwise no significant information. Detected status of Jaluit is showing port facilities built to size 3(1) with no airfield, also one or more Jap LCU(s) present (including Jaluit Naval Fortress which is a static unit). The Sigint report for 4/19 again showing intercepted radio transmissions from the unidentified Jap TF(s) picked up last game turn near the Marianas. Location of these TF(s) is now hex 115, 90. Movement heading of the Jap TF(s) appears to be due south, probable destination Truk. Estimated movement speed makes it appear the Jap TF(s) includes at least some transports and/or auxiliaries. It would also be safe to say the departure point of the TF(s) was a port in the Japanese Home Islands. There’s still no visible information as to the number of Jap TF(s) or their composition. One US fleet sub (SS Sturgeon) is currently operating in a patrol area N of Truk and appears to be directly in the projected movement path of the Jap TF(s) – estimated arrival of the Jap TF(s) in the Sturgeon’s patrol zone is in two days. SW Pacific: Coastwatchers report harbor at Rabaul is still empty. DEI: Japanese capture Sintang (dot hex base, interior of SW Borneo). AAR follows. This action completes the Japanese capture and occupation of all base locations on Borneo. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Sintang (59,92) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 1025 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 38 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 21 Allied adjusted defense: 1 Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Sintang !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: op mode(-) Assaulting units: 2nd Recon Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jap ground forces on Sumatra pursue surviving Dutch LCU’s that had been pushed out of Palembang. AAR of action outside of Palembang follows. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 47,91 (S of Palembang) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 13547 troops, 125 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 460 Defending force 5352 troops, 36 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 83 Japanese adjusted assault: 52 Allied adjusted defense: 33 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-) Japanese ground losses: 288 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Allied ground losses: 886 casualties reported Squads: 33 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 26 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Units destroyed 1 Assaulting units: 18th Division Defending units: Padang Garrison Battalion Zuid KNIL Battalion Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion 2/15 Punjab Battalion Palembang Base Force Djojakarta Base Force Semarang Base Force 2 ML-KNIL Aviation Teloekbetoeng Base Force Djambi Base Force 1 ML-KNIL Aviation Kalidjati Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homeless and supposedly doomed Dutch LCU’s recapture and temporarily liberate Madjene (SW Celebes). AAR follows. Though it is a futile gesture, this "guerilla" action is still mildly entertaining from the Allied point of view. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Madjene (65,103) Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 391 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11 Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0 Allied adjusted assault: 2 Japanese adjusted defense: 1 Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) Allied forces CAPTURE Madjene !!! Combat modifiers Attacker: leaders(-), fatigue(-), morale(-), supply(-) Assaulting units: Kendari Garrison Battalion Makassar Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philippines: Continuing Jap airfield bombing strikes against Bataan. China: All sectors in China continue to be quiet this game turn.

johnjohn -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/26/2011 12:02:31 AM)
Excellent analysis and prudent action plan. My sense is Efate will tip Noumea as you suggest and Samoa (being closest to the West Coast/Hawaii) may be the most desirable for the allies. However, the Fiji's offer a better defensive option and the opportunity to load up two "unsinkable carriers" with SBD's and fighters. Who knows, you may get one of the KB this way without risking your carriers. Whichever of the three Pillager goes for, I would recommend that your division(s) quickly occupy the others. Then dig in fast. Meanwhile, I would raid Wake/Roi/Kwajalene once I knew the KB was operating in sopac. Who knows, you may bag some valuable support ships. But that would put him on notice that you intend interfere to the best of your abilities. I would hit and run back to pearl, then, if necessary head back to the west coast. But I may be more of a risk taker. From what you discribe, Pillager is deliberate. Good time to throw a curve ball at him. I have done this in other versions of Pacific War games and find it causes the careful to deploy more assets in the rear to protect those areas, lessoning the punch of the frontal assaults. Of course, it has no affect on the AI, but that is not your problem. You only need to distract him for a couple of months. By then your number of troops will make holding one or more of these critical bases much more feasible. Also Wasp arrives in July, evening up the odds with 6CVs each. Meanwhile, I am continuing the slow buildup to taking back the canal (Sept 1 42, here). Thus far I have contained the AI at Guadalcanal and Rossel Islands (and Port Morseby) while holding Ndeni on down, losing only the Elice Island group (in Jan). I still hold Horn Island group, all the sopac islands other than Baker and the Ellice group, and have the Burma campaign bottled up on their side of the jungle. The enemy continues to lose about a division per month assaulting Wenchow. The coastal campaign has stalled with most of the shipping supporting Akyab and Cox's Bazaar ending up sunk. Good luck in the SOPAC! Johnjohn

wneumann -> RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager) (4/28/2011 12:51:48 AM)
Johnjohn, Samoa is certainly the my preference of the two options (Noumea vs Samoa) to occupy with the forces I now have arriving in the South Pacific theatre - this especially true as I'm already occupying Suva in force (or as close to occupying something "in force" as the Allies can be in 4/42). Occupying both Suva and Samoa would create a large bridgehead in Pillager's possible Japanese outer perimeter line with the close proximity of the two locations making them mutually supporting. Numerous other islands around Suva and Samoa would add to the strength of this position. The unfortunate part of the situation there is that I almost have to allow Pillager to make the first move - this for several reasons. The transport convoys that would be going in to occupy either Noumea or Samoa are highly vulnerable to interdiction by the KB or IJN surface forces. A head-on meeting between the US transport convoys and Japanese naval forces would be catastrophic - the almost inevitable loss of a US division (40th) and other US LCU's aboard these convoys. Once Pillager makes a move against either Suva or Noumea, it's likely I will be able to move into and occupy the other location relatively undisturbed, especially so if he commits the KB in support of his next move. Another factor which is a small boo-boo on my part is the convoys with the loaded US LCU's aboard them are transport TF's rather than amphibious TF's. Given the port sizes at Samoa and Noumea, it's going to take way too long to get all those ships unloaded if I leave these TF's configured as Transport. I'm seriously considering getting the convoys with these reinforcements to a large port (probably Auckland), unloading them. disbanding the TF's and re-creating them as Amphibious TF's, then re-loading the ships and moving on from there. I don't like the idea of unloading Transport TF's with a large number of ships (and the LCU's aboard them) at small ports in what are now front-line bases with nothing between them and the KB except open water - it takes way too long. Sending Amphibious TF's in rather than Transport TF's will at least speed up the unloading time and slightly reduce their vulnerability to Japanese attack. I agree with your assessment of Pillager being deliberate, though he is by no means unaggressive if given the opportunity. He knows what he wants to do and seems to plan it out fairly well. If fleet carriers were queens and BB's were knights and bishops, this PBEM could end up being a chess match. Though this is only our second encounter, we go back a long time as opponents, each of us with ample opportunity to see the other's patterns and tendencies. Catching Pillager looking the other way or making a crucial mistake is going to be a very long, hard process.

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