RE: December 7, 1942

RE: December 7, 1942 (Full Version)

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GetAssista -> RE: December 7, 1942 (4/7/2019 12:19:22 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Anachro Meanwhile, John inexplicably crosses the river again at Calcutta, we think seeking to attack and destroy unsuspecting Allied forces across the river. Perhaps he though the forces here were small. Typical John, eh? Looks like his usual shock attack caught up in something unexpected. But wait, he has a hard road for him and your guys were marching there across the river for some time. So enough turns for him to recon the hex and see the numbers before he commits... Basically, he just shaved off a month or two from the siege of Calcutta

Anachro -> December 8, 1942 (4/7/2019 12:25:37 AM)
@JohnDillworth Please see the plane losses in the image below. He has lost 336 such planes to date. The power of Japanese industry... @GetAssista Yes. [:)] [image]https://i.imgur.com/CzWbLXz.png[/image] December 8, 1942 Today, I hit John's divisions that crosses the river from Calcutta with the entire might of the Indian air force (except for my 4E's which fail to launch due to weather or some such) and his forces take ~1000 casualties before any ground combat begins. As a result, my forces are able to successfully maul the Japanese 4th and 5th Divisions and send them back to Calcutta. John pays the price for his reckless crossing and now two of the divisions he had garrisoning the place are wrecked. With 56k troops still holed up in Calcutta, that is not a good thing for him. Meanwhile, John seems to have his two divisions (19k men) at Dacca trying to make their way to Chittagong while he also brings up a division to Silchar in an attempt to protect it. He does so and I doubt I can take it with the current AV there, but with some additional pressure from me, it offers up opportunity to degrade another Japanese division with superior forces. In this case, the 16th Division. [image]https://i.imgur.com/kBcbkxc.png[/image] Meanwhile, KB or part of it makes a reappearance in the South Pacific. I suspect he was attempting to do a raid, as the last few turns he has spotted various xAK convoys around Luganville and Efate. It will be interesting to see what he does now that his carriers' position is known. All Allied carriers excepting for two new Commonwealth CVL's at Capetown are currently at Auckland. Furthermore, I have ~230 fighters between Efate and Luganville (bringing up dive bombers soon). If he wants to fight in this vicinity, I'm more than happy to do so with the additional LBA protection, but my carriers need some refueling and also need to be in position, so we'll see what happens. [image]https://i.imgur.com/vUrHJy1.png[/image]

Anachro -> December 9-10, 1942 (4/8/2019 1:37:26 PM)
December 9-10, 1942 Two things of note in the Indian theater of operations. First, John has split his forces at Dacca, in an attempt to save his divisions no doubt, with all of the various support units heading east (11 units east of Dacca) while John's divisions are at Dacca trying to go southwest towards Chittagong. This means that John's forces at Dacca are now devoid of any AA cover and John will need to rely on fighters in LRCAP; it also means that these divisions will suffer bombing raids like below. From my rough count, the Japanese divisions at Dacca suffered ~700-1k casualties. Meanwhile, John's decision to expose his 16th division at Silchar isn't working out so well for him as he suffers inordinate casualties relative to my own forces. Look at the disparity in outcomes below and also observe that Japanese forces at Silchar are showing signs of fatigue, lack of supply, lack of experience, bad preparation, and an op mode malus. I should state that there is another 150 AV of Allied tanks one hex away that will arrive next turn. [image]https://i.imgur.com/IgbLDO9.png[/image]

Anachro -> RE: December 9-10, 1942 (4/8/2019 1:41:40 PM)
KB or part of it is still roving around in the South Pacific. He spotted an AV two turns ago, didn't spot it last turn as I moved it away south. However, I promptly forgot to disband it in port last turn and he has definitely spotted it again this turn. I'll probably lose the AV next turn, but this is useful information in terms of how John reacts to seemingly isolated units. Perhaps with similar such fruit left hanging, a trap can be laid. It should be noted that John brought one very exposed carrier task force down while the others moved north. This gets filed away into my brain for potential use later...maybe. [image]https://i.imgur.com/SgkRKZI.png[/image]

Anachro -> RE: December 9-10, 1942 (4/8/2019 2:11:44 PM)
Forgot to mention that the CL Danae got safely back to Pearl last turn, she will be in the shipyards for about a month. [image]https://i.imgur.com/bCFFsOz.png[/image]

Anachro -> December 11, 1942 (4/9/2019 1:51:47 PM)
December 11, 1942 John certainly likes his deep raids. A pattern is emerging here that can be exploited. Might lose some xAKs or xAKLs this turn. In good news, my AV from last turn is safe and sound. [image]https://i.imgur.com/7uBhTGN.png[/image]

Anachro -> December 12, 1942 (4/10/2019 1:37:26 AM)
December 12, 1942 Sadly, John sinks a few of my transports east of Brisbane. Luckily, it's only a few xAKLs and one xAK. My other xAKs/xAKLs are all unspotted for the following turn and it looks like John is retiring. The frustrating thing here is that both of these enemy task forces are within range of my 32 Beaufighters at Brisbane, but my Beaufighters do nothing despite being set to naval strike. Oh well. [image]https://i.imgur.com/uNmwmOd.png[/image]

Anachro -> RE: December 12, 1942 (4/10/2019 1:41:49 AM)
We get a form of recompense through a strike against Japanese ships carrying troops southwest of Ceylon. They were carrying these troops to Ceylon, so perhaps John is reinforcing the island. We also down a lot of bombers in India. [image]https://i.imgur.com/wvqOMMq.png[/image]

Elessar2 -> RE: December 12, 1942 (4/10/2019 12:44:07 PM)
It's just...weird...how John uses his carriers. He seems to just like to have them gallivant here there and everywhere, vs. using them as part of a spearhead to, you know, actually accomplish something useful. I know he paid the price for this in his last game with Canoerebel, and it must be costing him a tonload of fuel to sail them hither and yon like this.

Anachro -> RE: December 12, 1942 (4/10/2019 1:10:57 PM)
I didnt show it, but these two carrier TFs are visible last turn, north of Luganville and heading on a path seemingly towards Lunga. The third carrier TF seems to have gone back up towards Tabiteuea. [image]https://i.imgur.com/HWj52IO.png[/image]

Anachro -> December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 3:27:11 PM)
December 13, 1942 John really likes raiding. His destroyers stick around for another day and even get closer. I don't think I sank any of them, but still...this seems kind of reckless on his part. quote: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bundaberg at 102,155 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Allied aircraft Beaufighter Ic x 14 Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged Japanese Ships DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 6 DD Arashio, Shell hits 4 DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 10 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bundaberg at 102,155 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Allied aircraft Beaufighter Ic x 14 Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter Ic: 1 damaged Japanese Ships DD Yunagi, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Anachro -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 4:49:48 PM)
Just as a thought here. Considering the massive buildup of defenses and presence of the large majority of the IJN in the South and Central Pacific, I am considering refocusing the majority of my units for a push on Northern Australia and the DEI. While doing this, I will still make it look through ship movements and air attacks and even staged invasions that my targets are SoPac/CenPac/Aleutians. What say you? I currently have a number of divisions, artillery, engineers, etc in New Zealand that can be re positioned and re-focused for new targets. Currently, they are 100% prepped for Ndeni, Tulagi, Lunga, Milne Bay, etc. My main thought it this: given the huge buildup in IJN forces and heavy industry needed to build his additional carriers in this mod, John's main constraint in-game is oil. I will soon threaten and cutoff oil production from Burma. An early focus on the oil production centers in the DEI coinciding with this could seriously hamper and destroy the Japanese economy going into '44/'45.

Uncivil Engineer -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 8:38:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Anachro Just as a thought here. Considering the massive buildup of defenses and presence of the large majority of the IJN in the South and Central Pacific, I am considering refocusing the majority of my units for a push on Northern Australia and the DEI. While doing this, I will still make it look through ship movements and air attacks and even staged invasions that my targets are SoPac/CenPac/Aleutians. What say you? I currently have a number of divisions, artillery, engineers, etc in New Zealand that can be re positioned and re-focused for new targets. Currently, they are 100% prepped for Ndeni, Tulagi, Lunga, Milne Bay, etc. My main thought it this: given the huge buildup in IJN forces and heavy industry needed to build his additional carriers in this mod, John's main constraint in-game is oil. I will soon threaten and cutoff oil production from Burma. An early focus on the oil production centers in the DEI coinciding with this could seriously hamper and destroy the Japanese economy going into '44/'45. Any idea how many and what strength have been left behind on Sumatra? I suspect very little. Hasn't it all been sent to India? You might run some carriers along the west coasts of Sumatra and Java doing recon (secondary to naval attack just in case) to see what he's got. You threaten Palembang and he's got to react. Of course, I don't know were your CVs are, but an idea. BTW, oil is ALWAYS Japan's main constraint.

Anachro -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 8:40:54 PM)
Oil is always their main constraint, but in this game the effects of losing or hampering his oil supply is a lot more dire and immediate.

BBfanboy -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 9:48:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Anachro Just as a thought here. Considering the massive buildup of defenses and presence of the large majority of the IJN in the South and Central Pacific, I am considering refocusing the majority of my units for a push on Northern Australia and the DEI. While doing this, I will still make it look through ship movements and air attacks and even staged invasions that my targets are SoPac/CenPac/Aleutians. What say you? I currently have a number of divisions, artillery, engineers, etc in New Zealand that can be re positioned and re-focused for new targets. Currently, they are 100% prepped for Ndeni, Tulagi, Lunga, Milne Bay, etc. My main thought it this: given the huge buildup in IJN forces and heavy industry needed to build his additional carriers in this mod, John's main constraint in-game is oil. I will soon threaten and cutoff oil production from Burma. An early focus on the oil production centers in the DEI coinciding with this could seriously hamper and destroy the Japanese economy going into '44/'45. You should have the wherewithal now to set two main axes of attack and have the shipping and logistics to support them. The only thing you would need to wait on is switching the USN from theatre to theatre. So having a bunch of units prepping for SWPAC and CENTPAC while also having units set to go from Australia through the DEI is good stuff. Your trigger gets pulled for either vector when you know where KB is located. But if this is PDU ON and Japan's navy is still strong, you will not be able to sustain deep thrusts until late 1943 or a decisive carrier battle very much in your favour. Canoerebel did it but it was dicey until John III left his CVE fleet dangling too far from KB while not knowing where the Allied CVs were. After that loss for Japan, the Allied fleet could be pretty sure of handling whatever Japan threw at it which made resupply and reinforcement of the deep incursion possible.

JohnDillworth -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 9:57:53 PM)
You idea has merit and it would certainly keep the KB tied down if that is considered a positive thing. Choose your foothold carefully as you will need a few, large, interlocking bases (you engineers are the stars here). One thing that certainly will happen is you will get into an aircraft war of attrition. Fact of the matter is Japan can outproduce you in army fighters for the duration of the war so your army pools may get thin. John gets to pick if wants to have a war of attrition and you will have to respond to his choice

Anachro -> December 14, 1942 (4/11/2019 10:28:20 PM)
December 14, 1942 Silchar falls today and with it, the 16th IJA ID, 2nd Tank Regiment, and 1st Para Assault division all take considerable attrition over the last few days. Tezpur will fall tomorrow with the rest of my forces crossing the river today to it. This will open up the rail (and more importantly bring supplies) to Comilla. At Comilla, a Japanese division crosses the river but is now due to be surrounded by forces already on the way to that hex while others move south to cut it off. I suspect this division will either be destroyed or suffer great attrition. John leaves behind 12 units at Dacca and in the hex east of it. These forces will be attacked next turn and Dacca should be taken a few turns after. John's comments for the day. It was a "much calmer day today." I am sending in a small 8 AV unit to Calcutta to see what's there. Airfield damage in Calcutta is ~60 and not going down so he's can't be building more forts. [image]https://i.imgur.com/9A41Mf0.png[/image]

Anachro -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 10:32:48 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth Fact of the matter is Japan can outproduce you in army fighters for the duration of the war so your army pools may get thin. John gets to pick if wants to have a war of attrition and you will have to respond to his choice I can already feel the attrition in the air war in India. John has endless Zeroes and Tojos; I am continually running on empty in my fighter pools for British and American fighters. One totally unrelated aspect of air attrition I wasn't expecting was my pools for PBY Catalina's are non-existent. I take so much damage from John's carriers when I spot them that most of my PBY's are running at 40-50% efficiency and my production rate is 8-9 a month. [image]https://i.imgur.com/eXfi8Jn.png[/image]

Anachro -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/11/2019 10:37:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BBfanboy You should have the wherewithal now to set two main axes of attack and have the shipping and logistics to support them. The only thing you would need to wait on is switching the USN from theatre to theatre. So having a bunch of units prepping for SWPAC and CENTPAC while also having units set to go from Australia through the DEI is good stuff. Your trigger gets pulled for either vector when you know where KB is located. But if this is PDU ON and Japan's navy is still strong, you will not be able to sustain deep thrusts until late 1943 or a decisive carrier battle very much in your favour. Canoerebel did it but it was dicey until John III left his CVE fleet dangling too far from KB while not knowing where the Allied CVs were. After that loss for Japan, the Allied fleet could be pretty sure of handling whatever Japan threw at it which made resupply and reinforcement of the deep incursion possible. Taking Ceylon and surrounding islands will really open up the eastern axis of attack. The Bay of Bengal will not longer be a Japanese lake.

CaptBeefheart -> RE: December 13, 1942 (4/12/2019 1:46:01 AM)
You never have enough Cats, even though it looks like you get an extra 2 ea./month in this mod (the replacement rate). Luckily, PV-1s and PB4Ys can take up some of the slack when they come online, as well as the PBM. I would certainly keep a strong focus on the DEI to stop the flow of oil. But, as BBFanboy says, it does make sense to do credible invasions in SoPac and/or CenPac to keep him on his toes. Cheers, CB

GetAssista -> RE: December 14, 1942 (4/12/2019 8:43:06 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Anachro I am sending in a small 8 AV unit to Calcutta to see what's there. I suppose you also send a strong followup to arrive next turn to exploit John once again ;)

Anachro -> RE: December 14, 1942 (4/12/2019 6:42:17 PM)
Two sinking sounds heard during the night of the Dec 15th turn. Intelligence thinks the second DD hit by a Dutch sub near Akyab sank. Maybe one of the destroyers near Brisbane sank too. One can only hope, could also be an xAK from near Ceylon.

Anachro -> December 15, 1942 (4/12/2019 8:23:18 PM)
December 15, 1942 Just so people can see it. Last turn, Tezpur fell and now the supply lines are opened up so supplies can flow into Comilla and ease my situation there. This is nice. No more relying on air supply transport. quote: Ground combat at Tezpur (60,36) Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 19838 troops, 277 guns, 301 vehicles, Assault Value = 601 Defending force 2379 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53 Allied adjusted assault: 328 Japanese adjusted defense: 24 Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 2) Allied forces CAPTURE Tezpur !!! Combat modifiers Defender: preparation(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 1552 casualties reported Squads: 36 destroyed, 15 disabled Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 13 disabled Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled) Units retreated 2 Allied ground losses: 50 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Defeated Japanese Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 44th Indian Brigade 193rd Tank Battalion 7th Australian Division 43rd Cavalry Regiment 22nd (East African) Brigade Defending units: 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy 16th Naval Guard Unit

Anachro -> December 16-18, 1942 (4/14/2019 1:13:08 AM)
December 16-18, 1942 The chase is ended with my forces catching up to the 41st Division south of Dacca. In a lopsided battle, I cause immense damage to the 41st Division who, with their path further south to Chittagong cutoff, are forced to retreat back across the river to Dacca. 13 separate Japanese units, including the 18th and 41st IJA Divisions, are now cutoff and isolated at Dacca with little hope of escape beyond airlift. Moreover, with my ability to now rail in base units and supplies, Comilla can now be turned into a forwards fighter base, which will soon provide CAP protection to my various land units, who suffer from bombing attacks defended against my LRCAP from Rajshashi. [image]https://i.imgur.com/YQtAkuS.png[/image] I think John will now shift to trying to get out of Calcutta, but Calcutta's airbase is degraded limiting his ability there. He has some troops moving down to retake Diamond Harbor while I re-concentrate my forces at Jessore. A recent foray into Calcutta revealed 700 AV there. I will have 2300 AV at Jessore which will cross the river, followed by 900 AV at Howrah. Various dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighters are at Howrah and Cuttack. John might try to move his forces to Diamond Harbor and then use coastal bombardments against any of my forces that try to follow, but this is risky due to naval air threat. Furthermore, I'll soon take Chittagong, making any journey long and costly in fuel to do many times. quote: Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37) Allied Shock attack Attacking force 174 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10 Defending force 36517 troops, 334 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 764 Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out Allied ground losses: 112 casualties reported Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Units destroyed 1 Assaulting units: RM Viper Force Defending units: 48th/B Division 33rd Division 48th/A Division 5th Division 4th Division 48th/C Division 57th Fld AA Bn /1 16th AA Regiment 4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 23rd AA Regiment 12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion 1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Bn /3 21st Fld AA Gun Co Tonei Hvy Gun Rgt /1 31st Special Base Force 62nd JAAF AF Bn 44th Fld AA Bn /1 Dai-kyu Koku Fleet /2

Anachro -> December 19th, 1942 (4/14/2019 4:34:36 PM)
December 19th, 1942 I shock and destroy a small Naval Guard and SNLF unit south of Texpur, killing off another 1500 Japanese troops. Took more casualties than I would have like as I expected my troops to cross the river tomorrow and not today; as a result, they take a malus from being in movement op mode I think. Meanwhile, John's troops are at Dacca and not moving. I'll start doing LRCAP over it to knock down Japanese air transports if there are any. 700 AV and the 40th "Sunshine Division" (a fitting name for their location) marches on Chittagong followed by the 18th British ID. Chittagong is showing a minimal garrison that should be taken without too much trouble, but John has a cruiser nearby for some reason, perhaps trying to do a CAP trap. I don't take the bait, opting to bomb Chittagong's airfields, which are now at 100 in damage with the fighter presence there mostly cleared out. [image]https://i.imgur.com/8feecti.png[/image] Meanwhile, in my last email returning the turn to John, I said, "Here you are. The 41st Division is finally caught up to in chase and beaten back towards Dacca." John's response was thus: quote: The 41st did its job though. It still continues to do exactly what was ordered of it. You can't win against this guy. Anything and everything is somehow always a tactical victory or necessary maneuver for him. [:D] VP Screen [image]https://i.imgur.com/1WWj6UF.png[/image]

BBfanboy -> RE: December 19th, 1942 (4/14/2019 5:43:53 PM)
I would bet that CA at Chittagong is heading up a FT TF to pick up troops. I think IJN CAs also have a small troop capacity. Right now I am sure John would count getting cadres out as a victory, given the peril they are in!

Bif1961 -> RE: December 19th, 1942 (4/15/2019 1:26:04 AM)
He sounds just like Hitler, they were ordered to die in place and are doing it.

Anachro -> December 20-21, 1942 (4/16/2019 6:10:32 PM)
December 20-21, 1942 My forces (~750AV) reach Calcutta last turn and then this turn bombard it to see what's there, taking massive casualties for their trouble. Not too troubled because I have two very good British divisions on the way that should reach the hex in a few turns. However, I would like to know the cause of this disparity? Supply? Fatigue? Or is it that he has some heavy artillery there and I don't. Happy to see another Japanese division at Chittagong. Perhaps it can also be hurt some. I'd suspect John will try some naval bombardments. quote: Ground combat at Chittagong (55,41) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 23377 troops, 370 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 747 Defending force 8864 troops, 176 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 314 Japanese ground losses: 39 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Allied ground losses: 313 casualties reported Squads: 14 destroyed, 13 disabled Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled Guns lost 17 (9 destroyed, 8 disabled) Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled) Assaulting units: 16th Australian Brigade 87th Mountain Regiment 40th Infantry Division 111th LRP Brigade 24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment Defending units: 82nd Naval Guard Unit 58th JNAF AF Unit 67th Div /23 5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion 35th JAAF AF Bn 3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment 1st Air Defense AA Regiment 33rd JAAF AF Coy In other news, we land take North Male, the little island northwest of Ceylon, both to deny John it's use as a floatplane base for nav search and to use it for that purpose myself if need be. Also, to keep John guessing. quote: Amphibious Assault at North Male (20,45) TF 202 troops unloading over beach at North Male, 20,45 Allied ground losses: 19 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BBfanboy -> RE: December 20-21, 1942 (4/17/2019 5:59:50 AM)
You are correct that the enemy heavy arty is what is hitting you so hard. It usually can outrange guns of lesser caliber and the greater effect of their shell inflict more casualties even if you have some forts. The IJA has heavy arty with 280 and 350mm calibers. Those kick up some dirt!

Anachro -> RE: December 20-21, 1942 (4/17/2019 4:14:58 PM)
Figured. Should be interesting; British division arrives at Chittagong next turn and 2100 AV of good divisions will cross the river into Calcutta next turn as well. Will post what happens.

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