Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports



Message


Spidery -> Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 1:52:02 PM)

My first PBEM used scenario 2 and ended in my, Allied, opponent surrendering in May 1942.

For my next game I am making life difficult by playing DaBigBabes-C.

My opponent is MrKane.

PDU On
Advanced Weather On
Reinforcements +/- 15 days
1 day turns

House rules are minimal:
1. Don't change the float planes on the Japanese subs.
2. On turn 1 Japanese amph/transport do not move more than 8 hexes from a Japanese base
3. On turn 1 Allies give orders to existing task forces and in China

In particular, no need to spend PP to move restricted units, no restriction on night attacks, no restrictions on the use of 4E...

Not sure how this AAR will work out...




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 1:54:02 PM)

Strategy

Play for the 1946 win (always worth having a stretch goal[:)]). This requires:
1. Keeping the Allies out of B-29 range of the Home Isles until have a good Night Fighter force available
2. Keeping the Allies out of Fighter range of the Home Isles until the last fighter models have been well produced
3. Having an air force that is better than the Soviet to block the Soviet attacks
4. Not wrecking the economy
5. Accumulating a good pile of VPs, outside of base VPs, during 1941/42/43

For #2 and #3 will invest heavily in the Ki-83, Ki-94-II and J7W1 expecting to get at least two of these available by the end of 1944. Also invest a bit in the Ki-115b so the IJAAF can be equipped with 800kg bombs to attack Soviet tanks.

For #5 aim to try and threaten an auto-victory for Jan 1943 to force the Allies to contest in 1942 when they are weaker.

In this mod the Allied (and Japanese) lift capacity is reduced. To try and slow the Allied advance in 1942/43 will try to strain their logistics by sinking merchants and destroying supply production in India and Australia (the latter also gives VP to help objective #5).

With no PPs to release forces from Manchuko into China it should be possible to defeat China even with stacking limits. Allies may transfer many Chinese forces to India/Burma. It would make sense to transfer at least enough to use up the replacements as this would largely alleviate the supply problems in China. It takes about 2 months to move a unit from China to India. Therefore, to counter this the aim is to capture NE India in January 1942. This requires to take Singapore in 1941.

A particular concern is the supply situation in this Mod. Will therefore keep an eye on both supply and fuel expenditure.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 1:55:13 PM)

Economy

Estimated HI expenditure is:
3 million for aircraft and their engines.
400,000 for engine bonus and factory expansion
1 million for pilots
1.2 million for vehicles [expand factories to 180]
2.4 million for armament [reduce factories to 535]
4.5 million for navy [expand factories to 1450]
1.5 million for merchants [reduce factories to 760]

or 14 million total
with an estimated 30 million total after wastage that leaves some 16 million fuel for ships.

Merchant marine will complete all the better merchants under production but stop the smaller ones, build all the tankers and oilers, build the first batch of CVE but stop the later ones. Nothing in the merchant line will be accelerated.

In the Navy will halt the Musashi, the Shinano, and the last CV and CVL. The 1944 CV will be accelerated as will DD. Subs will be halted or built as possible with available yard space. Some yard conversions will be made to push Navy yards up to about 1450.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 1:59:38 PM)

December 7th 1941

Air losses: 21 Japanese, 43 Allied, 13 pilots lost.
Japanese capture: Vigan
Japanese land at: Kuantan

Malaya

The first shots of the war occur when the Kongo sinks the xAKL Dai Tung in the Gulf of Siam. A glorious victory.

The British respond by sending Force Z south from Singapore, where it is spotted by the mighty Japanese carrier force: the Prince of Wales is sunk and the Repulse takes 4 torpedoes and 23 250kg bomb hits but remains afloat. Japanese forces land at Kuantan to seize an airfield in strike range of Singapore. Allied airpower launches hopeless naval attacks that provide good target practice for the IJNAF, amongst the kills claimed are 9 Vildebeest and 1 Swordfish.

I split the Kaga and Akagi and sent them to near Kuantan to CAP that invasion and the forces that will land at Mersing on the 8th. The rest of the KB headed for a point 5 hexes from Singapore towards Sinkakwang. A bit of luck in the hex I picked was next to the one the Allies moved Force Z to and not actually in the same hex.

Phillipines

Massed strikes from Formosa hit Manila port and damage a lot of ships, including 10 subs, but there are few ships claimed as sunk.

A parachute drop takes Vigan airfield, Zeroes will fly in immediately to provide CAP over the invasion forces.

Off Tarakan, the CL Marblehead takes a torpedo hit from Kates from the Ryujo but is not sunk.

A bombardment group of CA hits Cagayan damaging, but not destroying, many B-24.

Pacific

With the USN battlefleet undamaged, and the KB clearly seen in the West, there is a risk of an Allied raid against the Marshall Islands. Invasions in the Marshalls are cancelled and all ships sent back to Truk. Airpower will be sent to Truk to protect against a raid there. Sub forces in the Pearl Harbour area are split, some are sent to the USA West Coast but most are recalled to protect the Marshalls. The Mini-sub attacks on Pearl were cancelled.

One concern here is that Wake Island will have been reinforced by the time I can attack it.

China

Many forces are being released from the Manchuko garrison and these will initially be used to secure the rail-lines. The plan then is to send most of them to the South and attack towards Kweilin and Kweiyang.

Economy

Most R&D factories are expanded, engine expansion is started, and aircraft builds are cut back to get the engine bonus.

To support an IJNAF pilot training program, many float plane groups will be expanded, to fill these training groups Nakajima Kotobuki stockpiles will be used to build the E8N2.

Factories for B5N1, D3A1, E13A1, E8N2, Ki-21-IIa, Ki-32, Ki-43-Ic, Ki-57-I are expanded. In addition A6M2, H6K4, Ki-36 are produced, other factories are turned off for the moment.

Moves are started to expand Fusan, Ominato, Wakkanai, Toyohara and Muroran ports - it looks like the Aden cargo is the best bet for resource convoys with this mod. Manchuko aircraft and aviation support will be concentrated in Mukden and the airfield expanded to size 8 to maintain the training program and release aviation support for use in China.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 2:07:20 PM)

PP Expenditure

Without the need to expend PP to release forces from Manchuko to operate in China this allows doing more leader changes. However, I am not sure which to prioritise.

I don't plan on spending PP to convert 1E to 2E. Most of the 1E are needed for training purposes and the Ki-30 and Ki-32 are both useful work horses.

One thing I may do is buy out a lot of AA. The 8cm AA Regiments get Radar early. If the 10cm guns can be used in bases that will eventually be lost they can be rebuilt using the 12cm that they upgrade to and return to the Home Isles for defense against the B-29. Heavy AA seems to inflict a slow drain on the Allied 4E and that is what is needed.




JocMeister -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 2:27:47 PM)

Good luck Spidery. IŽll follow this. [:)]

Mr.Kane looks to be a formidable opponent!




Mike Solli -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 2:59:50 PM)

[sm=00000613.gif]




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (10/31/2013 10:38:12 PM)

December 8th 1941

Air losses: 8 Japanese, 40 Allied, 3 pilots
Japanese capture: Kuantan
Japanese land at: Mersing

Malaya

The Repulse can't have been too badly damaged as it was able to move past Singapore. Planes from Kaga and Akagi find it and add another 4 torpedoes and 10 bomb hits on it. Although not confirmed sunk it seems likely to have been (a lone Walrus shows up lost on the ground). CL Danae takes a torpedo and some bomb hits and may have been sunk. A couple of DD are seen to sink under air attack.

The attack at Kuantan goes well and takes the base while inflicting heavy casaulties. An xAK landing supply is lost to defensive gun fire. 74 aviation support are ashore at Kuantan so this can become a good fighter base to cover the advance South.

Zeroes from KB sweep Singapore and shoot down an estimated 25 Buffalo.

Landing at Mersing is made with little problem.

Phillipines

A task force heading for Cagayan blunders too close to Manila and loses an xAK to torpedo carrying Catalinas.

Sweeps over Manila shoot down some P-26A but there is little Allied CAP as a later sweep by the experimental Tojo keep finds no opponents.

Sub-laid minefield at Lubang, SW of Bataan, fails to claim any victims as Allied task forces move through it.

Task forces have reached Vigan and are unloading. The 65th Brigade will hold here until the 16th division arrives.

In the south Phillipines, Takao and Atago find the Marblehead and may have sunk it however the Takao takes light damage and the ships are low on main gun ammo. The DD Parrott that was with it is found by itself in the day and takes damage.

China

Minor air attacks only.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/1/2013 12:38:21 PM)

December 9th 1941

Air Losses: 8 Japanese, 13 Allied, 3 pilots
Japanese occupy: Mersing
Japanese land at: Brunei, Miri

Philippines

British DD attack the landings at Vigan and sink the PC Kaki and Sumire but do not reach the transports.
Catalinas escorted by Warhawks attack the landings at Vigan, 3 or 4 are shot down plus some warhawks.
Sweeps of Manila do some damage.
A port attack hits Manila and scores more hits 3, probably 4, subs are sunk.
Various fleeing ships are sunk.

Malaya & DEI

Mersing falls, only a base force and AA unit were defending and both surrender.
The I-122 lays a minefield at Merak and launches three separate attacks during the night:
1 hit on a large tanker, 1 hit destroys a CMc, and 1 hit on the CL Durban.

Pacific

Quiet

China

Movements and minor bombing

General Progress

Everything so far seems on track. I had hoped to get a surface action to sink either the Boise or Houston but it looks like they have got to safety.

Apart from the obvious things I expected from being scenario 1 based and this mod (such as the reduced engineering and Aviation support, or the lack of rearm ports anywhere near the front) one thing I have found is the lack of supply at landings. Most of the initial landing forces don't carry much supply and I keep finding that I have to land supply on the 2nd day.

Total supply is also clearly a problem and I can see how it is going to be very restrictive. I have started economising on the use of the airforce - which does allow more training to cope with the serious trained pilot shortage.

One of the less obvious, and possibly immediately serious, consequences of not doing the Pearl Harbour attack is that there are more Catalinas available as these usually get hit hard. This may become a serious problem.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 10:23:13 AM)

December 10th 1941

Air Losses: 4 Japanese, 7 Allied, 4 pilots
Japanese occupy: Tuangareo(auto), Miri, Brunei, Kwangchowan
Japanese land at: Cebu, Sidate, Guam

Philippines

A convoy escorted by the Takao, heading for Aparri, meets some fleeing DD from Manila. Minor damage to one xAP.
The British DD come calling again and meet an SCTF containing 2 CL and 4 DD but no hits scored.

Vildebeest attack the landings at Vigan, due to a mix-up, only 2 Tojo are on CAP but they shoot down 4. An SC is destroyed by a 500lb bomb. Allies do not fly CAP at Manila so sweeps get no result.

Malaya & DEI

No Allied planes are left at Singapore. Recon shows 4 ships in dock including a BB (is the Repulse still afloat after 8 torpedoes and 23 bomb hits[&:]). The carriers move into the Java Sea and sink the CL Durban - damaged yesterday by a sub attack. Surprisingly, the CVs still have most of their sorties left and still have a few torpedoes.

Lots of action against Dutch subs off Saigon, a couple take hits, nothing enough to sink.

Miri and Brunei are captured undamaged, there is some Aviation Support at Miri and will fly in some fighters. There may be a delay before I can find the supply to fix the oil fields.

China

A bombardment attack at Hong Kong while waiting for reinforcements from Canton. An airdrop takes Kwangchowan undamaged. Allied forces are retreating from the plains across the board.

Pacific

No signs of Allied forces. Landed at Guam with the initial set-up forces but detached some of the CA to hunt the DD group coming from Manila.

Planning

Thinking about the attack on Singapore. It looks like very few reinforcements will have made it from the North. So far there has been no chance to build forts. Last game I crossed in force and took it with the initial shock attack - nice, except that the industry there was 95% trashed [&:]. So should I cross as soon as I have 3 divisions ready? One will be badly hurt but the others can establish a bridgehead and can then reinforce to take with a deliberate attack - which may keep the industry. Or, can wait until have 4 divisions plus artillery and risk destroying the industry with the first attack.




obvert -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 11:40:05 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery

PP Expenditure

Without the need to expend PP to release forces from Manchuko to operate in China this allows doing more leader changes. However, I am not sure which to prioritise.

I don't plan on spending PP to convert 1E to 2E. Most of the 1E are needed for training purposes and the Ki-30 and Ki-32 are both useful work horses.

One thing I may do is buy out a lot of AA. The 8cm AA Regiments get Radar early. If the 10cm guns can be used in bases that will eventually be lost they can be rebuilt using the 12cm that they upgrade to and return to the Home Isles for defense against the B-29. Heavy AA seems to inflict a slow drain on the Allied 4E and that is what is needed.


It's stil a good idea to use 75 PPs to change the big Sentais from 1E to 2E. It's 4x bomb load. That's a lot. If you don't need PPs for borders you're swimming in PPs. Change lots of leaders as well. AA is really cheap.

For resource hauling the Adens are really very efficient. Also consider though that the xAKL load much faster, and on the short hauls from Hokkaido to Honshu and Fusan to Fukuoka these work well, keeping the turnaround quick.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 3:06:00 PM)

quote:

It's 4x bomb load. That's a lot.


They are also 4x the supply cost to attack with and require bigger airfields. Those that can be upgraded from 1E without PP cost will be and the others later but I don't intend to rush it. Once the armoured Ki-49 is available I will probably upgrade all that aren't used for training.

For example, the Ki-32 uses up a stockpile of engines that is no good for anything else. So on Luzon it is just as good as a more expensive plane for using up supply from Allied AA and costs a quarter of the HI - just don't tell the pilots fresh from training school [;)]

Leaders, I am trying to prioritise:
- Land leaders on big units about to fight get them with good Land
- Air group leaders in the bigger training groups and then fighter groups
- Navy leaders on the best warships
- Land leaders in Malaria zones need good Inspiration and Admin




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 3:18:23 PM)

December 11th 1941

Air Losses: 7 Japanese, 22 Allied, 3 pilots
Japanese occupy: Kweiteh(auto), Guam, Cebu, Victoria Point, Sidate, Aparri, Kluong, PengPu
Japanese land at: Zamboanga, Kavieng, Kota Bharu

Allied air losses include 19 Steerman lost as Ops - presumably on a ship.

Pacific

The I-19 in transit to a station off San Francisco encounters the CV Saratoga and plants two torpedoes in it [8D]. There are some 7 submarines (3 with Glens) in the vicinity that will try to move in for the kill.

quote:

Sub attack near San Francisco at 210,85

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Talbot
DD Kilty
DD Crane
DD Kennison

SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Saratoga


Lots of forces from Philippines are trying to escape to the East and the cover force from the Guam attack will try and catch them. A little worry is that the Allied carriers could attack here.

Guam easily falls. Landing at Kavieng.

Philippines

The forces fleeing Hong Kong meet 2CL and 2DD and all are sunk except for 2 MTB.
A paradrop at Aparri paves the way for landings.
DD Scout fleeing Manila encounters a sub-layed minefield in the channel South of Luzon.

Airfield attacks and sweeps against Manila are again unopposed.

Cebu falls with 5% damage. Landing at Zamboanga - this will remove supply sources for the Allies.

Malaya & DEI

Attacks on Singapore keep stopping fort building and further damage the ships in port. Flak is heavy.
Kluong is taken cutting the rail link. The Allies get an "op mode(-)", they may have been in strategic mode, and suffer heavy losses:

quote:

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3027 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 138 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 56 (49 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (29 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1


The Dutch sub O16 is in the Mersing hex, an ASW attack gets 2 minor hits on it then it attacks and sinks the LSD Shinshu Maru [:@]- an unpleasant loss as I only get three of these. Counter-attack gets 3 more hits on the sub.

The CV forces have moved East and launch an attack against ships in Soerabaja harbour, sinking some including a more valuable AD and a tanker. I'm surprised there is anything left in the area.

There are a number of Allied TF between Borneo and the Celebes that I still hope to catch.

China

An unwise attack near Nanchang disables many squads - he is almost certain to follow up with a counter-attack that will be bad.
Hong Kong attack drops forts to 2, will continue next turn.
Pengpu is taken and the defenders retreat to the swamps, clearing the rail line into Hangchow.
Kweiteh has been abandoned by the Chinese and is auto-captured without damage, this costs 1 VP from Partisan attack.

Recon of Kweiyang shows no movement arrows, MrKane may not be moving much from China into India.

SigInt

Heavy volume of radio traffic detected at 60, 111 - this is just West of Soemba. There is a submarine handy to check it out and the carriers may head towards it.




Bif1961 -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 3:52:31 PM)

The Sara seemed to be a torpedo prone in the actual war nice for the Japanese that history has repeated itself.[:D]




ny59giants -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 5:39:15 PM)

Command HQs - The Southern Army HQ is at Saigon. I would immediately start it to prep for Singapore and then transport it over to Malaya. When the siege of Singapore starts you can hope that the "dice gods" are on your side. [;)] IF and this is a big IF, both your 25th Army HQ and Southern Army HQ pass the die rolls, you could get 10% (Army/Corp HQ) plus 90% (Command HQ) adjusted Assault Value in your favor. Your two mobile Command HQs can help shorten any major siege that you think you will face. Your second mobile Command HQ is 5th Fleet at Ominato (often overlooked by Japanese players). I would transport it to Luzon and prep it for the same base as 14th Army HQ. If you are playing without the modified 'pwhex' files, then I would go with Bataan. If you are playing with stacking limits, I would go with Manila.

OT _ I'm playing Mr Kane as Allies in Reluctant Admiral PBEM game.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 8:01:59 PM)

Thank-you ny59giants,

5th Fleet is one day from landing in Luzon when I need to pick my target - I think your advice of Manila is best, it also seems to be where MrKane is turtling. It is also useful to have the extra Naval Support on Luzon to help unload reinforcements.

Southern HQ is prepping for Singapore but I am not convinced this is really a good idea. I expect to have taken Singapore before the end of December, so at best will have about 20 prep for each of the HQs. As I understand it, to get the bonus, each HQ needs to make both a leadership and a preparation check so that is something like a 2% chance. On the other hand, the only other option seems to be somewhere in Java and there is no indication which base that will be.

Kwangtung HQ is prepping for Sian (the range for bonus is 2 * Command Range so can reach from Jehol), China Expeditionary HQ is prepping for Kweiyang.

If you have multiple Corps HQ prepped for a target do they each try and get the bonus and if any one succeeds the Command HQ has a chance to give its bonus?




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/2/2013 8:05:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The Sara seemed to be a torpedo prone in the actual war nice for the Japanese that history has repeated itself.[:D]


Unfortunately, it looks like it will make it back to yards. However, none the subs near it have been spotted since the incident so it may not be able to manage flight ops. With no Pearl Harbour attack, the Pearl yards are empty so he will probably have it fixed in a few weeks of critical effort.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/3/2013 8:29:13 AM)

December 12th 1941

Air Losses: 13 Japanese, 6 Allied, 6 pilots
Japanese occupy: Itbayat Island (auto), Laoag, San Fernando, Zamboanga, Kota Bharu
Japanese land at: Palembang, Cagayan

Today 37 confirmed Allied sinkings![:)]

Pacific

No contact with the Saratoga.

Furutaka and Kako plus 4 DD encounter ships fleeing from Manila, they sink 19 ships leaving only 4 behind all with heavy fires and damage. 3 of the DD are Winchester at the end with no gun or torpedo ammunition left.

The Boise and Houston are seen at Guam but, fortunately, all ships have left. 17 Nells attack with torpedoes and all miss[:(].

Philippines

Allies fly CAP at Manila and it goes badly for the IJAAF losing 6 planes for 3.

Laoag, and San Fernando taken against no opposition.

Zamboanga captured with no damage to factories.

All Allied forces on Luzon seem to be concentrating at Manila. Need to decide how to take this. The sensible way is to capture Bataan and then use BB bombardments to flatten the forces. However, that will destroy the LI and in this mod supply is very important. The alternative is to maintain a siege until can deploy 5 or 6 divisions to take the base even though there is still some supply there. Not a decision I need to rush.

Malaya & DEI

A port attack on Singapore, port remains damaged.
The defenders at Kota Bharu surrender.

An Allied task force seems to be moving slowly between Sumatra and Malaya. It is visited by Nells from Kuantan that deliver some torpedoes and sink 1 ship.

The CV move to East of Bali and find a happy hunting ground, including a big force near Denpasar. Many Allied small ships are sunk.

China

Hong Kong continues to hold, will have to suspend attack to allow some recovery.
The mistake near Nanchang is dealt the expected result - fortunately neither unit is destroyed.

quote:

Japanese ground losses:
3516 casualties reported
Squads: 244 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 78 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 29 (28 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
514 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled




obvert -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/3/2013 10:59:40 AM)

Just wanted to say I love the name of the AAR. Being in 45 now I can attest to it's validity. It's tough when everything you've done is suddenly and irrevocably falling apart. Enjoy these early times. They are the most interesting part of this game, I feel, but also the most purely fun.

Good luck!




ny59giants -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/3/2013 11:49:55 AM)

quote:

Enjoy these early times. They are the most interesting part of this game, I feel, but also the most purely fun.


I would say I enjoy the year from mid-'42 to mid-'43 when the power shift 'can' take place. An Allied player can get hurt if not careful during this time, but also needs to take calculated risk. As Japan, do you make one more final push somewhere? Lots of good back and forth during this time.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/3/2013 6:20:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

Just wanted to say I love the name of the AAR. Being in 45 now I can attest to it's validity. It's tough when everything you've done is suddenly and irrevocably falling apart. Enjoy these early times. They are the most interesting part of this game, I feel, but also the most purely fun.

Good luck!


Obvert, glad you like the name.

I insisted on staying at the beach until the castle had been completely lost beneath the waves.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/3/2013 6:28:52 PM)

December 13th 1941

Air Losses: 10 Japanese, 8 Allied, 3 Pilots
Japanese occupy: Palembang [sm=happy0065.gif], Kavieng, Malacca
Japanese land at: Cotabato

Repulse is confirmed as sunk.

Pacific

Kavieng is captured but without air cover it is too dangerous to do much here.

Philippines

Quiet

Malaya & DEI

Continue to sink Allied ships. Running out of targets.
CA Tone encounters a mine at Palembang, 21 float damage.
Deliberate attack takes Palembang 1% damage [:)], 6 fighters are destroyed on the ground. The oil will be repaired but the refinery not. There are 2 AA units and 24 aviation support ashore to give some protection against bombing. More AA and aviation support are in reinforcements. Minesweepers from Mersing will be sent.

Malacca is taken with no damage.

A group of Vindicators from Tarakan attack some transports carrying supply to Miri, sink 1 and leave another in critical condition. [:(]

China

[>:]

General

There are a lot of task force spotted messages each day - I guess this is a consequence of there being many more Catalinas available. Almost every task force around Malaya, DEI, Philippines is spotted.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 11:31:26 AM)

December 14th 1941

Air Losses: 0 Japanese, 6 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy: Siquijor(auto), Cotabato, Johore Bahru
Japanese land at: None

Another sub is confirmed sunk at Manila bringing the total to 4.

Pacific

The xAP President Johnson is sunk near San Francisco by the I-19.

Philippines

Attack on Cagayan fails but should succeed after recovery. Cotabato falls with ease.
A pair of Jakes may have sunk a tiny xAKL with 2 60kg bomb hits.

Malaya

Johore Bahru falls (28% damage), surprisingly there was still an Indian Brigade and some other infantry here. Losses are good:

quote:

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1198 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 38 (33 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4
Units destroyed 1


There are 91 Aviation support there and the airfield is intact so this will act as a good base to attack Singapore.

The convoy seen moving North around is discovered to be 13 ships. The Nells fail to launch any attack, not sure if this is weather or because the leader has an Aggression rating of 25 - he has been sacked[;)].

quote:

ASW attack near Sabang at 45,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
AMc Rahman
AG Ban Hong Liong
TK British Judge
TK Spirilla
MMS-51
HDML 1063
AMc Gemas
xAP Sin Kheng Seng
xAP Kinta
xAK Zannis Cambanis, heavy damage
xAK Wulin
xAK Tai Sang
xAKL Larut
xAKL Tatung
PG Herald
ML No. 311
AM Ballarat

Captain of SS I-166 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target[sm=00000003.gif]


Captain of SS I-166 will be shot on return to base [sm=00000007.gif].

Vindicators have moved to Singapore and attack 2 convoys. However, Petes flying CAP from 2 AV ships disturb their aim and all miss. One Pete even manages to score a hit.

DEI

SS O19 enters Miri port to attack with no effect.
The Akagi and Kaga group blunder into a lone British DD and escape with no hits.
Attack on Manado fails and the enemy is too strong, reinforcements or bombardment are needed.

Forces are gathering to attack Samarinda/Balikpapan and Tarakan.

China

Chinese launch a Shock Attack near Sinyang that proves quiet costly to them but acts as a warning to me to be careful. The Chinese are going to have difficulty making it out of the plains so decide not to risk an attack.

quote:

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (3 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1961 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
48th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army

Defending units:
13th Tank Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion


Chengting airfield expands to size 4 to give me a base for 2E bombers.

Economy

Generally happy with the way this is going. Big concern is the shortage of supply in the Home Islands. Will stop expanding research engine factories once they are completely fixed even though less than optimal size.

Planning

The 48th, 5th, Imperial Guards, and 18th Division are in Malaya and should be sufficient to take Singapore. The rail line needs clearing to get them South, should be done in 4 or 5 days. The 33rd, 4th and 21st are just off Cam Ranh Bay - need to decide where to send them, options are: Burma, India, Java, reinforce Malaya.

I think I'll probably stick with the original plan and send all 3 to Java.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 5:38:54 PM)

December 15th 1941

Air Losses: 48 Japanese[:(], 4 Allied, 40 Pilots
Japanese occupy: Loyang (auto), Lingayen
Japanese land at: Bengkalis

Pacific

Two AM are sunk, otherwise quiet.

Philippines

Lingayen taken unopposed.
Nells and Betties try a night attack against Manila and score just the one 60kg hit.

Malaya

MrKane shifts many fighters back to Singapore, including one unit of the AVG, just in time to slaughter an attack. The escorts do a very bad job of protecting the bombers and 27 Sallies and 13 Anns are lost on the day.

There are reported to be 37 units at Singapore. Yesterday reported as 47000 men, 380 guns and 230 AFV. Today reported as 57000 men, 410 guns, 250 AFV. Any guesses how strong that defense is? So far, every day there has been some port or air damage so no fort building.

DEI

SS O19 sinks an xAK at Brunei and damages one at Miri but the counter-attack by PB Kure Maru gets 8 hits including two fuel leaks and a penetrating hit. This probably isn't fatal but should force a retreat.

Vindicators attack again and a single Zero on CAP shoots 2 down.

China

Loyang is auto-captured undamaged, but there are no troops available to stop Partisan damage for a few days. May fly a few troops in. Chengchow has been deserted and will be taken this turn.




obvert -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 5:43:41 PM)

In the beginning you can concentrate power more effectively than the Allies. If you're bombing Singers make sure you're also sending in sweeps. The AVG gets tough when it gets easy kills, but the plane pools are very low. Where it down if you can. If your sweeps are sent from close by Singers they will be more likely to get there before the bombing run.





Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 6:08:23 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

In the beginning you can concentrate power more effectively than the Allies. If you're bombing Singers make sure you're also sending in sweeps. The AVG gets tough when it gets easy kills, but the plane pools are very low. Where it down if you can. If your sweeps are sent from close by Singers they will be more likely to get there before the bombing run.


Thank-you. This was a case of over-confidence caused by there having been no fighters at Singapore for days on end.

For example, if he has 100 fighters at Manila I need to send more than 100 fighters in sweeps from the bases on Luzon, followed up by an attack from Formosa? I was trying just sweeps, but he grounded the fighters.

I think I need to concentrate on either Singapore or Manila at the moment and since there are still damaged subs in port at Manila I think that will be my focus.

I note that all my fighters can reach 32000 as can the Sally but the Buffalo and the P-40E can't reach that. Can I use that to divide and conquer?




obvert -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 6:23:11 PM)

The Sally will not likely hit anything from 32k, but just send a few sweeps ahead and then bomb. Yes, getting over him for the dive while sweeping will do it. It's very cat and mouse at this stage of the game. He'll pop things in and out of a lot of bases. You can lead the dance now though, so make sure you use your good big zero groups like the Tainan Ku-S-1 and the 3rd Ku-S-1 for sweeping, don't waste those 80 exp pilots as escorts. Some of the IJAAF groups also have great pilots but fly crap Nates and Oscar Ia, so i make sure to get the good ones out and into groups using the Oscar Ic right away.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/4/2013 7:16:25 PM)

December 16th 1941

Air Losses: 9 Japanese, 57 Allied[:)], 5 Pilots
Japanese occupy: Camiguin (auto), Port Dickson, Chengchow, Bengkalis, Alor Star
Japanese land at: None

Pacific

Some sub action near Wake Island[>:]

Philippines

Manila, get the sweeps right this time and down 57 Allied fighters[:D], mostly P-40E, for the loss of 2 Zero and 2 Oscar 1a.

Malaya

Port Dickson and Alor Star taken against no opposition.

DEI

Mines are cleared at Palembang but an AMc is lost.
Bengkalis taken without damage.

China

Chengchow takes 50% damage even though there are no defenders.
Elsewhere, continue to pursue fleeing Chinese with few chances to attack.

Economy


Supply has stabilised in the Home Islands.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/5/2013 5:19:10 PM)

December 17th 1941

Air Losses: 1 Japanese, 1 Allied, 1 Pilot
Japanese occupy: Bayombong, Kanhsien, Georgetown, Chusien, Jolo (airdrop)
Japanese land at: None

Everywhere

Hong Kong attack reduced forts to 1 and cut a 1:1 result.

Various bases taken against no opposition or just the Port defense at Georgetown.




Spidery -> RE: Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please (11/6/2013 12:40:02 PM)

December 18th 1941

Air Losses: 5 Japanese, 0 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy: Baler (auto), TayTay (air drop), Hong Kong[:)], Batu Pahat
Japanese land at: Tarakan, Samarinda

Philippines

Good port attack at Manila gets more hits on the 4 subs still in repair there and some small stuff.
Manila airfield remains damaged.

China

Hong Kong falls (4% damage), the 33rd Division is only lightly damaged and will be available for redeployment as soon as the mines are swept. It will be sent to Luzon along with the artillery.

Inflict some damage on retreating Chinese but most Chinese are under cover now.

Malaya

Shock attack over the river into Temuloh by the forces from Kuantan is okay but will need to wait for disruption to be recovered. Good to see that 3 Indian brigades and 2 battalions failed to reach Singapore.

quote:

Ground combat at Temuloh (50,78)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10419 troops, 70 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Defending force 8178 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 313

Allied adjusted defense: 157

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
928 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
633 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Engineer Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy

Defending units:
1st Hyderabad Battalion
15th Indian Brigade
6th Indian Brigade
1st Mysore Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
1st ISF Base Force


No attack against Singapore this turn. Recon shows that the Allies have flown their fighters back into the base.

A task force of some merchants is hanging around near Sabang. It gets bombed again for small damage. Concerned that he may be planning to fly fighters into Sabang to lay a trap[:-].

DEI

Landings at Tarakan and Samarinda meet some CD fire, light damage to one ship at Tarakan. Enough forces and supply are ashore at both bases to take them next turn.

Recon shows many bombers located at Batavia. Presumably, the Dutch air force and, may be, the remaining torpedo bombers.

Pacific

[>:]




Page: [1] 2 3 4 5   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
1.984375