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Time to Get Clever?

 
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Time to Get Clever? - 10/6/2008 11:17:51 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		2/28/44 to 3/2/44
 
Malacca:  Things had settled down here - the Japs were reinforcing, the Allies were strong enough to hold out for the foreseeable future, the Yamato TF was coming in on bombardment runs every other day or so, and most of the Allied transports and troops were across the straits in Bankha.  It was the intention of the Allies to draw the attention of the Japs to Malacca, and then to strike elsewhere.  My original plan was to backfill and hit Georgetown.  Sure enough, John is pulling troops out of that base to reinforce Malacca (Georgetown is down to about 30,000 troops).  But recon spotted a big hole in the Jap defenses - Johoru Baru appears to have a garrison under 3,000 strong.  If that is accurate, I can only imagine that John has determined that the Allies are focused entirely on Malacca, and that the absence of British capital ships and carriers means that his Yamato TF rules the seas.  I think he's wrong....

The Plan:  Yamato hit Malacca again on the 1st, so I decided to proceed with my plan.  Three large transport convoys were ordered to proceed from Bankha to Malacca (two hexes away) with BB Warspite TF escorting and CAP provided from airfields at Bankha and Medan.  One of the three transport convoys is loaded with units destined for Malacca, and had orders to begin unloading so that John would be sure to take note.  The other two transport convoys had orders "do not unload."  Things proceeded well on the 2nd, although it wasn't perfect.  Liberator IIIs from Sabang hit the airfield at Singapore doing light damage, and Jap LBA from that base sortied in big numbers against the RN combat TF, putting two TTs into Warspite and lightly damage CL Danae (those two ships will pull back).  The Japs lost alot of aircraft in the fray.  Here's where things get tricky:  The damaged combat ships and the Malacca transport TF will pull back to Bankha; the other two transport TFs and the combat TF (reduced due to loss of Warspite and Danae) will proceed to Johore Baru, two hexes SE, with lots of fighters at Padang and Bankha providing LRCAP.  I think my ships will do well this turn, simply because I hope that Yamato will be ordered to hit Malacca.  So the transports may unload enough men to allow the Allies to seize Johore - I hope so anyhow.  This is a complicated minuet of a plan, but I like it.  Meantime, twenty or so empty transports at Bankha will head for Rangoon via Sabang.  Eventually this will form the core of a convoy that will invade Georgetown.

Vietnam:  Success to the Chinese!  After resting the troops at Haiphong for several days, the Allies launched a 10:1 shock attack on the 2nd, overcoming seven forts and taking the base.  So a Jap army 80,000 strong is isolated and John will need to attend to their pull-out.  Most of the Chinese army will remain at Haiphong to reduce the Jap defenders, but three or four units will join the five units a hex south of Hanoi.  Eventually, a good part of the Haiphong army will join them.  This army will try to take Hue, Camranh Bay, and then Saigon.

NoPac:  The large convoy that sailed from Shikuka just passed the Kuriles, with nothing of note happening.  A smaller convoy is on the way north from Midway to rendezvous.  Allied LBA from Sikhalin Island bases has begun to target Jap assets on Hokkaido, including strikes on the airfields at Ashigara and Wakkanai and against the port at Sapporo.  SigInt reveals that the Jap 27th Division at Sapporo is prepping for Toyohara.  The Allies truly hope that the Japs will try to invade Sikhalin Island.  On the 28th, Iwo Liberators and B-17s hit the port at Kyoto, finding CV Soryu and hitting her 11 times.

Australia:  The Aussies took a vacant Geraldton on February 28 and a vacant Tennant Creek on March 2; next stop, Daly Waters. 

Aircraft:  On the 2nd, the Japs lost 212 (72 a2a, 118 field - mostly transports based at Haiphong - 7 flak, 5 ops) to 25 for the Allies.

Points:  Japs 51,224; Allies 38,965.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 751
Map of the Malaya Minuet - 10/7/2008 5:44:24 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Here's a map of Malaya/Sumatra on March 2, 1944. The Allies have invaded Malacca and are in the process of making what we hope will be a surprising and successful amphibious assault on Johore Bahru. The Japs seem to be marching overland on Padang - a move which pleases the Allies because it will take a long time and seems to be a use of troops that might be better employed elsewhere. That's our spin on things, anyhow.




Attachment (1)

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 752
Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/8/2008 4:53:55 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/3/44
 
Johore Bahru:  The Allied plan began unfolding perfectly today, but it's ultimate success will be decided tomorrow.  The two Allied transport TFs accompanied by an RN combat TF flagged by CA Exeter moved from Malacca to Johore Baru and began unloading.  I think it's safe to say that John didn't see this coming.  No sign of BB Yamato, but it may have hit Malacca where I no longer had any ships.  A five-DD Jap TF did arrive at Bankha where it tangled with a large Allied TF (composed of a CL and about eight DDs).  All five Jap DDs went under and the Allies will most likely lose three.  There were three large Jap LBA raids against the ships at Johore.  No. 1 consisted of 29 bombers and 60 fighters against 18 P38, 14 Spitfires, 7 Corsairs, and 16 Thunderbolts.  The Japs lost 61 aircraft and the Allies 9, with not hits on ships; No. 2 consisted of 66 bombers and 28 fighters, the Japs losing 49 aircraft to 3 and damaging 4 AKs and an MSW; No. 3 consisted of 38 bombers, with 31 going down while the Allies lost 5, and no further damage to ships.  Unloading began at Johore Bahru and it appears that the Allies have 200 AV ashore (all prepping for Malacca rather than this base), while the Japs have three units about 9,000 strong.  The Allied transports and combat TF will remain in this hex.  I'm throwing them to the wolves (if Yamato returns) in hopes that I can get enough troops ashore to help with the shock attack I've ordered tomorrow.  If I take this base, the sacrifice is well worth it.  If I don't, I'm going to be facing a crisis because I'm running low on combat ships.  So far, though, the Malaya Minuet has gone just as planned.

Vietnam:  It will take a few days to reorganize my forces.  A large army will remain at Haiphong to pound the defeated Jap garrison there; several units will leave that base and join the Chinese force just south of Hanoi in hopes of pushing down the coastal road to Hue.

NoPac:  The big TF is steaming slowly SE of the Kuriles with no further action.

SWPac:  A Mini-KB showed up east of New Zealand and sank a transport.  The Allies continue to rejoice in the dispersal of Jap carriers.

Australia:  With Tennant Creek now an Allied base, the units will move out toward Daly Waters, but the going may be slow for awhile (my fastest infantry units are now covering 15 miles a day, so each hex of advance takes four days; some units are only making 7 miles a day).

Aircraft:  On the day, the Japs lost 152 and the Allies 33.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 753
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/8/2008 10:12:04 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/4/44
 
Johore Bahru:  The Japanese sent a surface combat TF to contest this hex, but Yamato didn't make it (I think John had sent the Yamato TF to the east and has now recalled it, but it won't make it back until tomorrow).  A sharp naval battle took place between the Japs (CAs Chikuma, Maya, and Ashigara, CL Iyodo, and DDs) and the RN (CA Sussex, CLs Dauntless, Mauritius, and Birmingham and DDs) with the Japs losing two DDs.  CA Ashigara took a TT.  The RN didn't lose any ships (yet, anyhow), but Sussex took a TT as did DD Stuart.  The Jap TF had to pull out, allowing the Allied transports to continue unloading.  Jap aircraft sortied, but in much smaller numbers today, losing 56 aircraft to 9 for the Allies, with no hits scored on shipping (however, some Helens out of Georgetown managed a few hits on Sussex and a DD later in the day).  Land combat went poorly - the Allies had 200 AV and the Jap garrison is two base forces and an element of 2nd Parachute Regiment; however, the Allied troops didn't have any supplies - at least that's what I think happened.  The modified AV resulted in an unsuccessful 0:1 attack.  Now, however, the Allied troops are fully supplied because several transports unloaded, so I'll try a deliberate attack tomorrow.  BB Yamato will arrive tonight, so I've ordered my mostly empty transport TFs to return to Bankha.  Meantime, Allied transports are reinforcing the beachhead at Malacca.  So, there's alot going on and I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but from a strategic standpoint all this mayhem and pressure is just what I wanted the British to do (of course, I would prefer they do it at little cost, but that's not in the cards).

Vietnam:  John is withdrawing the troops from the hex south of Hanoi.  I think this was in reaction to the sudden crisis he perceived in Malaya, so that's one benefit from all the carnage going on down there.  The Chinese will therefore advance towards Hue.

NoPac:  The Allied carrier/transport convoy heading SE from the Kuriles bumped into a small Jap transport convoy and sank three AKs and two APs.  Jap recon had been tracking my convoy, so I don't know why John didn't get his guys out of harm's way.  4EB from Shikuka hit Sapporo's resources, knocking out 14.

Points:  Japs 51,250; Allies 39,463.  The spread dropped below 12,000 for the first time since the beginning of the game (part of the Allied bump came from Shikuka's rise from a level 5 to a level 6 port).

Strategic Situation:  (1) Australia:  The Japs are withdrawing in good order; the Aussies' are advancing in good order.  The Japs should be able to pull out most troops and the Allies will reclaim the continent within sixty days; (2) SWPac and SoPac:  The Allies have the troops to invade, but not the ships; this area is on hold for awhile, probably another sixty days; (3) Malaya/Sumatra:  The RN is taking alot of hits, the RAF destroying alot of Japanese aircraft, and the British creating alot of pressure down this way, drawing the full attention of the Japanese as hoped; (4) Vietnam/China:  China is quiet; the Allies are advancing on Hue and should be able to eventually put pressure on Camrahn Bay and Saigon.  (5)  CenPac:  The Allies have just reinforced Iwo with additional B-24 squadrons, so the bombing campaign against the Home Island will increase; eventually the Allies will also engage in some amphibious operations here; (6)  NoPac:  I think Sikhalin Island is now secure.  The supply level there is over 450,000, more than adequate to support heavy bombers when they arrive - I think the first B-29 squadrons show up in a month; the Allies are expanding bases here and on Onnekotan Jima and the Aleutians.  When the weather moderates, the Allies will commence operations to reclaim the remaining Jap bases in the Aleutians; (7) Points:  The spread is under 12,000 and the Allies are in great shape to whittle that more quickly as the strategic bombing campaign ramps up over the next few months. 

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 754
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/10/2008 8:43:53 PM   
USSAmerica


Posts: 18715
Joined: 10/28/2002
From: Graham, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Dan, I must say you have really hit back hard from the deep hole that John had you in. 

Many, many kudos to both of you for a fantastic, and very entertaining game. 

_____________________________

Mike

"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett

"They need more rum punch" - Me


Artwork by The Amazing Dixie

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 755
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/11/2008 8:05:17 PM   
Heeward


Posts: 343
Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Lacey Washington
Status: offline 		Are you planning to clear out the Japanese Islands / atolls in your rear in the central and north pacific? Although taking a division or three, it would give you more real estate (vps) and reduce you opponents air reconnaissance ability from that swath of the map. This should make your major supply convoys more safe as well.



_____________________________

The Wake

(in reply to USSAmerica)
Post #: 756
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/13/2008 1:46:54 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Heeward

Are you planning to clear out the Japanese Islands / atolls in your rear in the central and north pacific? Although taking a division or three, it would give you more real estate (vps) and reduce you opponents air reconnaissance ability from that swath of the map. This should make your major supply convoys more safe as well.



In NoPac, yes, I plan to reclaim the Aleutians and probably Paramushiro Jima; those are the only Jap bases in "the rear" in that theater. I don't plan to clear out the Japs in CenPac, SoPac, and SWPac. I'll undoubtedly take some bases to help protect my supply lines and to cut off the more exposed Jap bases, but in many cases I'll let Jap bases wither on the vine. Most of my time, troops, and ships will be spent working forward into the heart of Japanese territory.

Turns are trickling in right now as John deals with real life issues. Things may return to normal this week or next, I hope.

(in reply to Heeward)
Post #: 757
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/14/2008 8:31:25 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/5/44 and 3/6/44
 
Malacca:  The Yamato combat TF returned (after fueling in Kuching, John told me in an email, thereby disclosing that there may not be enough fuel at Singapore).  Recon sighted the group, so I pulled back my transports from Johore Bahru and Malacca, but one TF didn't get the message; Yamato and friends sank about five AKs at Malacca.  John is sending alot of troops to Malacca.  I think my force is strong enough to hold out, partly because they are heavily preppred for this base while the Japs probably aren't.  In the meantime, transports are returning to Rangoon to pick up another contingent of troops.

Malaya:  I'm eyeing another amphibous invasion in the short term, and other troops are moving overland from Rangoon to threaten Rahaeng (NW of Bangkok) and also to threaten the "top end" of the Malay Peninsula.  So far I've only brought to bear a small portion of my infantry.  Alot more is on the move or will be soon.

Sumatra:  John seems to be sending troops forward toward Padang, a long march.  Recon sighted CVs at Benkolen, which seems like an odd place for them.

Vietnam:  The Japanese are still retreating toward Hue; it will take the Chinese army awhile to advance that far (perhaps ten days).  The Chinese are getting high-odds attacks on the defeated Jap army at Haiphong, but it will take awhile to wipe them out (the Japs number about 80,000).

NoPac:  The Allied TF is now well south of the Kuriles and is about to split up, with faster ships moving out on their own for various ports.  The covering CVs will continue to escort the slower, damaged ships and will rendezvous with a small transport convoy protected only by CV Hornet.  When this rendezvous occurs, I may detail some of the CVs to head to the West Coast to upgrade, or I may decide to send them back to Sikhalin Island.  At Iwo, a large force of B-24s and PBY Liberators sortied against Kyoto, met about 97 Tonys, and lost something like 30 aircraft.

CenPac/SoPac/SWPac:  Quiet, although the Allies are looking "down the road" at possible future targets.

Australia:  The Allied army is advancing slowly toward Daly Waters.  I don't think the Japs will make a stand here, or not much of one anyhow.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 758
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/15/2008 11:26:10 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/7/44 and 3/8/44
 
Yawn!  Nearly all my impending offensive assets are on the move right now, trying to get where they're going, and I can't wait for them to do so.  I'm ready for some action!

Malaya/Sumatra/Thailand:  The transports are on the way to Rangoon.  It will be a good ten days to two weeks before the Brits are ready to hit another base in Malaya, so I'm hoping my troops at Malacca will hold.  I doubt I can hold the beachhead at Johore Bahru that long.  John has three of the four remaining Jap BBs down here (the other, Hiei, is probably in drydock and unavailable).  I think the KB is still down here too, although that's not certain.  The Japs are moving across land toward Padang, but that march will take a long time and I'll reinforce eventually.  The Allies are also moving overland to threaten northern Malaya and the Bangkok region, though these moves will also take time due to the bad roads.  I've been bombing resources at Bangkok, so John set up a little Tony ambush, but I detected it and sent a ton of 2EB and 4EB to hit the airfield.  The Allies got the best of that (making up for the losses over Kyoto a few days ago).

Vietnam:  Advanced units are just two hexes from Hue.  This will probably be the next point of conflict in the game.  Chinese AV is about 2500, and about half of that averages 35% prep.  The other half averages about 10% prep.  I doubt the garrison averages 15%.

NoPac:  The Hornet convoy met the main carrier convoy, so now the various TFs making up these convoys have received new orders.  Most undamaged transports are going to Midway; some damaged transports, combat ships, and carriers will probably make for San Francisco; the undamaged carrier TFs will escort a few small transport TFs (loaded with troops) back to Shikuka.  Another transport convoy will leave Shikuka tonight, escorted by three more carrier TFs.  I was planning to do this eventually because I want to get more empty transports back to CenPac, but the sight of another Japanese transport TF moving south of the Kuriles prompted me to move immediately.  I want my carriers to hit this TF if it keeps coming.

CenPac/SoPac/SWPac:  The Jap Mini-KB working the waters SE of Noumea found a small hodge-podge TF made up of AGPs, and AD, AS, AV, and DE, sinking most of them.  I finally got confirmation that CV Katsuragi sank (she was damaged in a carrier battle with some CVEs a few weeks ago). 

Carrier Losses:  In the game, the Allies have lost five CVs and a CVL.  The Japs have lost four CVs and a CVL.  The Allies have lost about five CVEs and the Japs none (though CVE Unyo was badly damaged and may go down).  In my game with Miller, I lost dozens (literally) of CVEs, so I'm using them differently in this game.  I'm trying to keep them away from LBA where kamikazes seem the shred them.  Kamikazes don't seem to have much luck against fleet carriers.

Australia:  The Allies continue to slowly advance toward Daly Waters, a march that will take a week or so.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 759
RE: Malaya Minuet Underway - 10/24/2008 9:58:43 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/9/44 to 3/11/44
 
My opponent is still dealing with some real life matters, so the turns have been sporadic the past ten days, and may continue to be for awhile.  But we have covered some ground today...

Malaya/Sumatra:  The Allies are slowly gathering for the next big shove and hoping to hold the beachhead at Malacca.  John is doing his best to thwart the Allies - it looks like the Japs will be able to reclaim the small Allied beachhead at Johore Bahru in a few days.  I don't want to commit the ships necesary to hold this hex, because I have other plans that I think are more promising.  John sent a large CA/CL/DD combat TF to Bankha on the 10th, but it tangled with two determined RN combat TFs and probably got the worst of things.  CA Nachi took a TT and about five Jap DDs were set afire over four rounds of combat.  Four RN DDs were set afire and CL Mauritanius took moderate damage.  Allied transports begin loading troops as soon as they arrive at Rangoon, but it will be another five or six days before I have enough troops loaded to embark on the next adventure.  All in all, things are going well in this theater for two reasons - the Royal Navy combat ships have really held their own and the primary objective down here is to attract and keep Jap attention focused down this way.

Vietnam:  Five Chinese infantry units arrived at Hue today and will bombard tomorrow.  The rest of the army will arrive in a day or two.  I may have enough to take the base in the short term, but if not it should fall once the Chinese finish off the garrison at Haiphong, where I'm attacking every day. But finishing the job at Haiphong will take awhile - maybe several weeks or a month to vanquish the 80k-strong Jap army.  Once Haiphong falls, John is going to face a massive Chinese army threatening Saigon.  That will be interesting since he's also pressed down in Malaya. Can he come up with enough troops to counter each threat?

NoPac:  The two Allied carrier fleets will rendezvous tomorrow, with the northern element escorting empty transports that are on the way from Sikhalin Island back to the USA; the southern element is escorting reinforcements from Midway to Sikhalin and Onnekotan Jima.  The two carrier groups found a bunch of Jap transports in their midst and sank at least two MSW and six AKs on the 11th.  Allied 4EB from Shikuka hammered the airfield at Paramushiro Jima on the 10th, destroying alot of aircraft on the ground.  The Allies will be making a move on one or more of the Jap-held Aleutians bases in the not-to-distant future.  The tw

SoPac/SWPac/CenPac:  Still fairly quiet here only because the Allies don't have enough ships available to pursue action right now.

Australia:  The Aussies continue their advance toward Daly Waters.

Points:  The spread is down to 11,500.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/24/2008 10:02:16 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 760
Take the Long Road Home - 10/30/2008 1:54:07 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/12/44 to 3/16/44

A long period of relative quiet is about to come to an end as the Allies are preparing to go on the offensive in several areas. But first a summary of what has taken place since the Allies invaded Hokkaido in early December 1943:

NoPac: After evacuating Hokkaido in January '44, the Allies concentrated on strengthening the defenses on Sikhalin Island and bringing in supplies, fuel, and reinforcements. Since John committed the KB down in the Malaya area, no real threats ever developed. Most of the ships damaged in the invasion (including CV Hancock and a CVL) are now well on their way to the West Coast. Most of the merchant shipping has just returned to Midway or is on the way to various West Coast ports. The airfield at Shikuka on Sikhalin Island just went to level seven and can now support B-29 raids (our house rules require at least level seven to support B-29 raids). These will commence in about a month when the first squadrons arrive. Over the next month or so, the Allies will attempt to recapture some or all of the Japanese-held Aleutians bases and possibly Paramushiro Jima. The Allied airfield at Onnekotan Maru just went to level 2 and the Allies have a full aviation regiment there, so this makes a third airbase in the region (joining Shikuka and Toyohara). With the Sikhalin Island bases secure, air raids against Japanese resources, heavy industry, and ports will be the focus of Allied offensive activities in NoPac for the remainder of the war. At present, most of the U.S. fleet carriers are stationed at Shikuka, but they will eventually depart for warmer waters.

CenPac: I believe Iwo Jima is essentially impregnable at this point, and the Allies have resupplied the base. B-24s, PBY-Liberators, and B-17s are hitting targets in Japan on a revolving basis. This will be Iwo's primary role unless and until the Allies decide to strike the Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa, or the Home Islands. On 3/16, for instance, 130 4E bombers hit Osaka, hitting CA Suzuya 35 times and damaging a host of other ships including five or six ARs. Most emtpy transports used in the Iwo invasion back in '43 have now returned to Midway and are available for use in upcoming amphibious operations. The Allies will eventually strike in CenPac, though I'm not sure where and when.

SoPac and SwPac: : There are lots of tempting targets down this way, but a lack of transports and combat ships has prevented me from undertaking large-scale amphibious operations. Eventually this too will change and the Allies will look toward Pago Pago, the Societies, Suva, Noumea, and other targets.

Australia: The Aussie advance has been pretty slow, but the advance units will arrive a hex from Daly Waters tomorrow. The Aussie army is huge and mostly prepped for Darwin. Once the army reaches the good roads again, the advance should be rapid. I think John intends to evacuate his remaining units rather than putting up a fight for, say, Darwin. The Aussies have also just landed at Thursday Island and will take the vacant base tomorrow. Soon the Aussies will have to decide where they go next - Flores? Celebes? New Guinea? New Caledonia? The main factor will be availability of shipping and escort carriers. By summer, though, the Aussies should be mounting major amphibious operations.

Sumatra/Malaya: This is the one area where the Allies have been on the offensive since late '43. The bases in western Sumatra should be secure with the possible exception of Padang. The Allied landing at Malacca has bogged down, but drew considerable Jap attention. The beachhead will hold, in my estimation, and eventually the Allies will take this hex. The landing at Johore Bahru will end in failure, but totally freaked out John and possibly factored into his decision to pull back troops in Vietnam. But the Brits have been quiet for a few weeks while regrouping, loading troops, and preparing for the next strike. This is about to occur. Meanwhile, a small army is moving on Raeheng (NW of Bangkok) while a stout army is moving out of Tavoy and will move down the Malay Peninsula to create another pressure point (along with Malacca, Johore Bahru, etc.). RAF forces have decimated Jap air in this region over the past days and weeks. Most imporantly, all the activity here drew John's full attention. He committed both the KB and all remaining battleships down here, leaving Sikhalin Island alone at a time where it was still pretty vulnerable due to lack of supplies.

Vietnam: The Chinese successes here were totally unexpected, but have opened a new vector of attack. I did not expect Hanoi and Haiphong to fall, but they did. The Chinese still haven't vanquished the Jap defenders at Haiphong, but that will happen eventually, freeing up a large army. A smaller army moved south to Hue and attacked on March 14, achieving 1:1 odds and equal casualties of 1500 to 1500. Forts dropped from 6 to 5. But it looked like Hue would be a bump in the road that would take some days or weeks to overcome. To my surprise, John evacuated the base on the 15th and the city fell to the Chinese on the 16th. The troops are now prepping for Camrahn Bay. By summer I expect the Chinese to be threatening Saigon.

Jap Shipping: The number of "safe" Jap ports is dwindling. Singapore is already within range of the RAF, but I haven't hit it yet due to distance and the need to hit other targets. But it won't be long before this port is shut down. None of the Home Island ports are safe any longer, but it will take me some time to convice John of this fact. That will leave him with just a few - Manila, Soerabaja, Palau, and Truk. What do the Japs do when there isn't any safe port for their ships?

Points: John's lead is 11,300 and is falling slowly but steadily. I expect the pace to pick up considerably when the Allies initiate their next two major offensive and ramp up the B-29 raids in April.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 761
Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/1/2008 3:59:56 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I've seen my opponent in the forums the last two afternoons and evenings and I've sent him emails regarding the status of the game, but I've had no reply nor has he sent a game turn.  I know he's still mentally in the game, because he posted a bunch of updates in his AAR yesterday.  There's probably some logical explanation for his not sending a turn, but for now I'm sidelined awaiting activity on his part.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/1/2008 4:00:23 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 762
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/3/2008 5:50:29 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/17/44

John sent a turn along with a note that he may be totally unavailable to play for some time to come.  So this may be the last turn for awhile.

NoPac:  Allied 4EB from Shikuka hit resources at Sapporo, scoring 48 hits.  The transports have nearly finished unloading an aviation regiment at Onnekotan Jima.  D-Day for the next amphibious operation in NoPac is about 14-17 days away.

CenPac:  Most of the transports returning from Iwo and Sikhalin Island have arrived at Midway and are ready for the next operation, but I'm not yet sure when that will take place.

SoPac/SWPac:  The Aussie's reclaimed Thursday Island.

Australia:  The Japs have one unit at Daly Waters.  The Aussies should arrive here en masse in three or four days.  Once I have this airfield, Aussie bombers may be able to strike Jap shipping at Darwin, making John's efforts to evacuate his remaining Australian forces a bit more difficult.

Malaya/Sumatra:  British forces are on the move in several areas, and the army at Rangoon is nearly finished loading on transports.  D-Day for the next amphibious operation in this region is probably about 7-8 days away.

Points:  Japs 51,807; Allies 40,899.  The Jap lead dropped below 11,000 for the first time since the beginning of the game.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 763
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/3/2008 7:39:42 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline 		That would bum me out if you guys had to hang it up for awhile. You guys have the best AAR format, lots of strategic commentary, good maps, no combat.txt stuff. Also alot of interesting ideas/gambles in this game.

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Post #: 764
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/3/2008 10:22:00 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/18/44
 
Thanks for the encouraging words, Q-Ball.  Just when I thought the game was at a standstill indefinately, John sends me a turn.  He's handling real life matters so that time for the game should be limited or non-existent for awhile, but just when I think he's checked out he pops back in.  So we got one turn in at least.

Malaya/Sumatra:  In preparation for the next British amphibious operations, I want to send mixed signals that any of a number of ports could be the target hex.  On the 18th, the RN bombardment group at Bankha, Sumatra, led by BB Queen Elizabeth, bombarded Kuala Lumpur.  Over the next week she'll hit a number of bases on Malaya's west coast.  The invasion transport TFs will weigh anchor from Rangoon tonight.  The RN CV TF is taking station between Port Blair and Tavoy.  The RAF has shut down (or the Japs emptied) all airfields in northern Malaya and Bangkok, so I'm not concerned about air strikes.

Vietnam:  The Chinese units at Hue are resting and prepping for Camranh Bay.  The Chinese at Haiphong tried a deliberate attack at Haiphong, getting high odds but taking more casualties, so I'll bombard for a few more days.

NoPac:  The transports finished unloading at Onnekotan Jima and will head for Shikuka, a will the carrier TFs.  I'm going to rest and refuel the carriers and then contemplate a raid against the Home Islands.  Transports are closing on Kodiak and Anchorage as the Allies begin serious planning for the invasion of some of the Jap-held Aleutians.

CenPac:  I had Iwo's 4EB's set to strike one of the Home Island cities but mistakenly targeted Manpower rather than Resources.  The strike scored 48 hits (which I think yields 96 points), but I don't intend to hit Manpower - Resources, Heavy Industry, and Port strikes will be my most common Strategic targets.

Australia:  Aussies march, march, march toward Daly Waters.


(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 765
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/5/2008 10:24:35 AM   
String


Posts: 2661
Joined: 10/7/2003
From: Estonia
Status: offline 		why not go straight for the jugular and target fighter production and R/D?

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 766
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/5/2008 3:01:51 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		String, I should have mentioned aircraft factories.  I've already hit the factories at Gumma multiple times and they will continue to receive regular attention.  In fact, that will be the primary target once I have B-29s and P-51s.  The B-24s and B-17s will primarily hit resources and ports with heavy industry secondary.  I won't mess with the other industrial sectors.

3/19/44
 
Sumatra/Malaya:  The Japs continue to bombard the beleaugered Allied beachhead at Johore Bahru and tried a high odds shock attack today, but somehow the Allied troops held and inflicted much greater casualties on the Japs.  But they won't hold much longer, but I really don't need them too - a week would be gracious plenty.  KXVI put a torpedo in BB Ise, hopefully putting her in dry dock for awhile.  The British invasion fleet weighed anchor from Rangoon and is moving south to a rendezvous point.  I won't disclose the objective hex yet.  The RN bombardment fleet that hit Kuala Lumpur on the 18th will hit Taiping on the 20th, trying to send mixed signals about where the invasion will take place.  Jap kamikazes sortied from Benkholen on the Sumatra's southeast coast to hit two transports at Padang, but ran into heavy Allied fighter opposition.  The Japs scored one hit but lost 30 aircraft.

Australia:  It appears that the Japs have evacuated Daly Waters.  The Aussies ought to arrive tomorrow or the day after.  This will give the Allies an airbase within striking range of Japanese ships at Darwin.


(in reply to String)
Post #: 767
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/5/2008 3:30:38 PM   
vettim89


Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

String, I should have mentioned aircraft factories.  I've already hit the factories at Gumma multiple times and they will continue to receive regular attention.  In fact, that will be the primary target once I have B-29s and P-51s.  The B-24s and B-17s will primarily hit resources and ports with heavy industry secondary.  I won't mess with the other industrial sectors.



I would suggest you use some of this down time to look through as many Japanese production threads as possible. From my limited reading as an AFB, I think engines and HI are the key. I would try to figure out which fighters John is using now and where the next likely upgrades will be. Then concentrate on those engine factories needed for those fighters. Also, I would decide which fighters he is using that are most cpable and hit those engine factories as well. The nice thing about engine factores is that you can often target multiple lines of aircraft as there is some common use of the engines by multiple airframes. Same with hitting HI: it affects a/c production , ship production, and armaments production. There is a lot of info on the forums for JFB as far as production goes. As I approach the point where I can affect my opponents economy with LBA, I plan to spend a lot of time in those posts. I will then reverse engineer that info to do the most damage possible.

Also, have you considered instead of reclaiming the CentPac and SoPac that you should move towards the Formosa area instead. If you could establish a large air presence in that area, you will cut Japan off from its oil and resources in the SRA. John's economy will quickly grind to a halt.

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Post #: 768
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/5/2008 3:46:28 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		No, I won't hit engine factories.  Concentrating on resources and aircraft factories will be sufficient, not only to hurt the Japanese economy, but also to score points.

I have no intention on hitting Formosa.  I don't need to in order to win the game.  The Allied positions at Sikhalin Island and Iwo Jima give the Allies great bases to hammer Japan.  There's no need to expends assets and effort on further offensives in that area.  The main Allied offensives from here on out will occur in CenPac/SoPac/SWPac (both to create and protect a good line of supply to Australia and to score points by taking high-value Jap bases), DEI (where the British can hammer resources and have plenty of airbases to cover advances), and SE Asia (where the Chinese are doing good work and are establishing air bases that will permit the Allies to hit places like Manila).

IE, without taking any major chances, the Allies are now in a position to hammer the Japanese heartland.  By also advancing in CenPac/SWPac and the DEI, the Allies will also be in a position to eventually control the air over every remaining major Japanese port.  There won't be a safe harbor left for Japanese ships. 

I learned alot in my game with Miller, so some of this strategy is based upon conclusions I drew from that game.  But Sikhalin Island is the key to the game now.  With two big air bases there fully supplied and quite secure, the Allies can pound Japan the rest of the game.  That was and is the key to the outcome, in my estimation. 


(in reply to vettim89)
Post #: 769
RE: Erstwhile Opponent Sightings - 11/7/2008 3:07:51 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/20/44 to 3/22/44
 
Allied Philosophy:  In the previous posts I've mentioned that the Allies do not plan any major amphibious operations near Japan (Formosa, Okinawa, etc.) in the foreseeable future.  I should have mentioned a few other reasons:  The Allies engaged in very risky and costly invasions of Hokkaido, Sikhalin Island, and the Aleutians in late '43 and early '44.  These operations cost the Allies dearly in transports and I don't want to undertake a similar operation in the near future.  These operations were tremendously successful, however, and I figured that if successful I would be in a position where I wouldn't need further high-cost invasions in '44.  There should come a time late in '44 when the Allies have so much men and material that I may proceed with more large-scale invasions near Japan, but I don't think I'll need to to win the game.  The Allies are in a great position to win without undertaking risky, potentially costly invasions that would give the Japs alot of points.

Sumatra/Malaya:  On the 20th, a British transport between Sabang and Ceylon sighted a Judy - what the heck?  I know the KB must be lurking somewhere to the south, so I divert the ships in the area north into the Bay of Bengal.  The traffic is mainly transports, but I also had a large convoy of moderately damaged combat ships returning to Aden from "the front lines."  I would have been sick had BB Warspite stumbled into the KB.  Moreovery, my amphibious fleet had moved toward Andaman Islands and was somewhat exposed, so I sent it a bit north to wait things out.  In an exchange of emails, John confirmed this is the KB - something like eight carriers.  I don't think he is aware that the RN carriers are close by.  I don't think John has sighted the invasion fleet yet, either.  I'm waiting for the coast to clear before committing my invasion fleet to the final approach to the target hex.  Meanwhile, two RN bombardment fleets continue to hit targets - one anchored by BB Royal Sovereign is based at Port Blair and just hit Victoria Point; the other anchored by BB Queen Elizabeth continues to alternate between Kuala Lumpur, Taiping, and Georgetown.  The beachhead at Johore Bahru continues to hold and may do so a few more days.

Vietnam:  The Chinese are resting at Hue and will move out toward Camranh Bay in a few days.  The Japs seem to be using barges to evacuate the isolated army at Haiphong to the island off the coast.  I hate to let a Jap army get away, but there's not much I can do about it - B-25s and fighter-bombers from Hanoi and Chinese air strips hit the barges, but it's hard to get alot of them.

NoPac:  The Allies now have 3000 AV on Sikhalin Island.  I don't think John could mount a credible invasion at this late date in the game for a variety of reasons, the most important being that the Japs are short on carriers and battleships (which are all down around Sumatra now anyhow) while the Allies have a strong force posted at Shikuka.  The airfields at Toyohara is 6 and at Shikuka 7 and both continue to build up.  B-29s arrive in just two weeks, so the Allied strategic bombing campaign is about to go into overdrive.  In the Aleutians, ships and men are converging on Kodiak Island, the staging point for the next amphibious operations in the Aleutians.

CenPac:  As soon as the Aleutians are cleared out, all Allied transports will head to Midway and Pearl Harbor for the next operations.  This is still several months off.

Australia:  The Allies claimed a vacant Daly Waters on the 21st and now have 70 Liberator IIIs searching for shipping in the Timor Sea.  The Japs have successfully evacuated most of the Australian occupation force, and I don't anticipate any determined defense of Darwin.  The Aussies will have a huge army at Darwin, and I could mount a big amphibious operation from there if I had the ships, but I don't right now.

Points:  As of 3/21, Japs: 51,876; Allies 41,408.  The spread should drop below 10,000 in just a few days.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 770
Air Forces - 11/10/2008 1:22:26 AM   
Heeward


Posts: 343
Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Lacey Washington
Status: offline 		What are your air forces doing?

You now have secured Hue -
Have you move Aircraft Support forward?
Do you have long range Coverage of the South China Sea?
Anti Shipping Strikes? Indochina generates only so many supplies - do you believe he is consuming more then generated?
Do you believe port / airfield / city attacks on the base behind the front to interdict supplies to be worth it or a waste of effort?

What role are you using your medium bombers in at this time?


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Post #: 771
RE: Air Forces - 11/10/2008 3:47:01 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks, Heeward, for asking.  I must say that it could take alot of time and detail to explain how I'm employing my bombers all over the map.  Instead, I'll summarize by theater:

Vietnam:  Hue has fallen and has a large airfield (level 5, I think). A small base force (30-level) is about to arrive, with a larger on the way from Chungking.  So Hue should become a fairly large Allied air base although supplying it will be difficult. Bombers operating from the field will be a nuisance to John's shipping in the South China Sea, but not crippling since he still has "safe" sea channels from the SRA to Japan via the Philippines.  Hue will help the Allies in the campaign for Camhran Bay, which will then help with Saigon.  I don't think Hue or any other base in Vietnam will have sufficient supplies to allow sustained bombing campaigns by B-29s and other 4EBs.

Burma/Malaya/Sumatra/Siam:  The RAF has been occupied with hitting resource targets (Bangkok/Saigon), suppressing Japanese airfields in the region, especially those on the Malay Peninsula, and occasionally stinging Japanese shipping.  IE, the RAF is currently being used to support the land campaign as the Allies first took western Sumatra and now seek a major base on the Malay Peninsula.  As soon as I get that major base, the RAF will begin to target Singapore and Palembang on raids of a more strategic nature.

NoPac:  4EB from the Sikhalin Island bases periodically target either resources or ports in Japan, primarily Sapporo, Ominato, and vicinity.  This activity will increase dramatically when B-29s (and P-51s) arrive on the scene in a few weeks.  I envision this being the primary method of taking the war to Japan and defeating her.  These fields also support B-25s which are used primarily to strike Japanese ships or harrassment raids against the airfields on Hokkaido.

Iwo Jima:  As stated previously, B-24s and B-17s from this base periodically hit strategic targets in Japan (aircraft factories at Gumma and resources throughout the Home Islands) and ports.  They've done good work for months, and this activity will increase in tandem with the major raids planned from Sikhalin Island.

Australia:  At this time, air assets in Australia are primarily Aussie, which means a moderate number of Liberator IIIs and just a squadron or two of B-24s.  These will be sufficient to harrass, but not cripple, Japanese shipping and land targets on Timor and other islands.  If Darwin can be built to level 7 airfield (I don't recall, but I don't think it can) I might base some B-29s there to hit Soerabaja.

(in reply to Heeward)
Post #: 772
RE: Air Forces - 11/11/2008 1:33:38 AM   
Heeward


Posts: 343
Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Lacey Washington
Status: offline 		Ah but what is your medium bombers upto?

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Post #: 773
Operation Phantom Wind My Rear End - 11/11/2008 1:47:14 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Heeward seeks more details about my medium bombers.  In the interest of full disclosure, here's a summary:

Wellington IIIs:  Mostly based at Rangoon, Moulmein, and Tavoy, these bombers are mainly hitting Japanese troops at Raeheng and near Tavoy, plus occasional airfield strikes vs. Bangkok. The squadrons have been effective and are being heavily employed.

B-25s:  About the only squadrons within range of the enemy are based in China and are hitting the small coastal-type Japanese shipping employed by John to evacuate his beleagured army at Haiphong.  There is another squadron newly based at Toyohara that just hit the airfield at Wakkanai.  Most of my other bases in NoPac, CenPac, SoPac, etc. aren't within B-25 range of any enemy targets.

B-26s and every other medium bomber:  None are based within range of enemy bases at the moment.

Summary:  Except for Siam/Malaya and China, the Allies aren't using medium bombers right now.  Everything's being done with 4EB.

Operation Phantom Wind:  I saw John made a post titled "Operation Phantom Wind."  I think he's bluffing or essentially bluffing, hence the title of this post.  But I am also bearing in mind that the Japs are still capable of striking, especially in Malaya/Sumatra and China.  I'm not very concerned about Sikhalin Island at the moment since the KB isn't in the area.

D-Day Georgetown:  The British troops will storm the beaches at Georgetown on 3/27/44.  The 26th passed quiety all over the map, and the Georgetown-bound TFs finished the day two hexes from the target. 

(in reply to Heeward)
Post #: 774
D-Day, Georgetown - 11/18/2008 5:55:21 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/27/44 and 3/28/44
 
Georgetown, Malaya:  The British landings at Georgetown are going well.  The first troops came ashore on the 27th, but for some reason two big TFs failed to unload, so I ordered my troops to bombard on the 28th.  By then, more than 1000 AV was ashore and most of them are 100% prepped for the target.  On the 27th, the defenses consisted of a single Jap mixed brigade and some base force personnel.  By the 28th, a second mixed brigade had arrived.  My troops will shock attack tomorrow.  I am not confident of success, but there is certainly a chance.  The combination of preparation and frequent bombardments by the nearby RN battleship TFs should help.

Strung Out:  The British are now strung out all over Sumatra, Malaya, and Siam in a situation that reminds me of Operation Market Garden.  I have strong pockets of troops that John has met and stymied well.  Some readers might shake a finger at me for dispersing my troops in such a fashion rather than concentrating, but I'm still satisfied with situation for two reasons:  First, I think the Allies will eventually break through.  Second, and more importantly, this theater of operations has had John's full attention for several months now, leaving most of the Pacific largely unprotected.

NoPac:  It has taken the Allies a long time to get men and ships where they need to be following the invasion of Iwo followed closely by even larger invasions of Hokkaido and Sikhalin Island.  But the shuffling and arranging is largely complete now, and the Allies are ready to resume the offensive.  The Aleutians invasion TFs have just departed Kodiak and will make for one of the Japanese held islands. I don't anticipate stiff resistance.  As soon as the target falls, these troops will begin prepping for the next target.  While that happens, the ships will pick up other troops prepped for Paramushiro Jima and hit that target, which is strongly fortified.  But the Allies have a massive number of troops and can pummel the defenses by air and by sea.  Paramushiro is now isolated, so it should be tough for the Japs to bring ships or aircraft to bear in its defense.  Timetable:  I expect the Allies to take one of the four remaining Jap Aluetians bases within ten days.  I expect the invasion of Paramushiro to take place within the month.  In the meantime, 4EBs from the Sikhalin bases will continue to raid Japan every other day or so.

CenPac:  Additional CVEs will soon arrive at Pearl Harbor, giving the Allies a large concentration of these light-duty carriers.  Troops are prepping for various targets, but I probably won't undertake any operation until Paramushiro falls.

SoPac/SWPac:  Nothing happening here for the Allies for awhile.

Australia:  The Allies will reclaim Katherine tomorrow.  The Japanese continue to evacuate from Darwin, but Liberator IIIs from Daly Waters have sunk or damaged quite a few APs.  The Allies will probably take Darwin in less than ten days.

Vietnam:  One Chinese army remains at Hue prepping for Camranh Bay; the second is beginning to make progress in eliminating the remnants of the Japanese army at Haiphong (in part because the Japs have successfully employed barges to pull a Dunkirk there).

Operation Phantom Wind:  I've continued to mull over possible Japanese threats.  In most regions of the map I consider the Allies safe, either because of overwhelming numbers or extent of defenses (Haiphong, Iwo Jima and Sikhalin Island fall into these categories) or remoteness (a surprise Jap invasion of eastern Australia or India would be a waste of time and resources and doomed to eventual failure, I believe).  The only place that really worries me, at the moment, would be a strike at Sabang on the western tip of Sumatra, which has been lightly garrisoned.  So I've sent reinforcements.  John could also strike at Padang, on the southern coast, but that's an outpost that's relatively unimportant and would take a big commitment by the Japs (the Allied AV there exceeds 400 and is fully prepped).  Overall, as we enter Spring 1944, I believe the Allies have a strong perimeter and are in good shape to ramp up the strategic bombing of Japan as soons as the B-29s arrive.

Points:  Barring some calamity, the spread should fall below 10,000 in the next day or so.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/18/2008 5:56:14 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 775
Georgetown, D-Day +2 - 11/20/2008 12:16:58 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/29/44
 
Georgetown, Malaya:  Following a shore bombardment, bombing strikes by Liberators, and additional landings, the Allies tried a shock attack at this key base on the Malay Peninsula.  The attack came in at 3:1, reduced forts from 4 to 2, and cost the Japs 1,729/14 to 2,207/55/23 for the Allies.  The Allied troops are still in pretty good shape, so they'll attack tomorrow.  I would think the city would fall unless reinforcements arrive, which is likely since Georgetown is tucked between several Jap bases each served by good roads. 

Elsewhere on Malaya:  There are two contested hexes at Malaya's northern neck, and the Allies will try a deliberate attack in one tomorrow.  Far to the south, the Allied beachhead at Malacca remains strong, with the Allied troops outnumbering the Japs; and the very, very tenuous Allied beachhold at Johore Bahru still stands, but won't much longer.

Vietnam:  Another Chinese attack at Haiphong seriously depleted the remnant Japanese army causing 16,000 casualties.  The rest should be extinquished tomorrow or the following day.  John managed to Dunkirk a sizeable portion of his troops out of this hex, but his losses were pretty high nonetheless.

NoPac:  48 P-38Js, 77 B-17s, qand 47 PBY Liberators from Shikuka hit Sendai's resources, destroying 43 points.  But the CAP did a decent job, shooting down 20 or 30 aircraft.  The Aleutians invasion TFs rendezvoued south of Kodiak Island and will proceed west to one of the remaining Jap-held bases.  D-Day is about three or four days away.

Australia:  The Aussie's reclaimed a vacant Katherine and bombers from Daly Waters damaged a handful of Jap APs at Darwin.  The Japs have just a small contingent there, now.  Most of the Japs have pulled out and I think all the bases on the coast south of Darwin are vacant.

Points:  Japs, 52,008; Allies, 42,501.  The spread fell below 10,000 for the first time since the beginning of the game.  To give an idea of how quickly the spread is narrowing, the Jap lead on March 4 was 11,800; on February 10 it was 13,900.  This is rather remarkable, because the Allies haven't really done alot over the past two months as they have been regrouping and preparing for the next attacks.  I expect the pace to increase as strategic bombing ramps up.  To this point, the Allies have 1,500 points for strategic bombing.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 776
British Seize Georgetown - 11/21/2008 10:29:21 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		3/30/44
 
Georgetown, Malaya:  Following another bombardment run from the Queen Elibabeth TF and bombing raids by Sabang-based Liberator IIIs, the British troops tried another shock attack out of the beachhead.  This attack came off at 11:1, overcame two forts, and took the base.  The Japs lost 1473/11 to 407/16/4 for the Allies.  The defenders withdrew towards Alor Star.  The Allies now have a level four airbase in proximity to Singapore.  This is the culmination of a complicated British campaign launched out of Rangoon months ago.  The ultimate objective was to take Georgetown by making the Japs draw down the garrison to defend other hotspots.  So the British invaded Sumatra (with much more success than I had envisioned) and Malacca.  These "diversions" took so long and cost so much that it imperiled the chances of success against Georgetown.  So this is a Red Letter day for the British and the Allies.

Malaya:  Elsewhere on the Malay Peninsula, the tattered remnants of the British/Chinese army at Johore Bahru are expected to surrender tomorrow.  The Allied beachhead at Malacca remains strong, and the fall of Georgetown should make it much more difficult for the Japanese to focus all their attention and assets at Malacca.

Vietnam:  Another 20,000 Jap casulties at Haiphong, with the remnant likely to surrender tomorrow.

NoPac:  D-Day for the Allied invasion of Umnak Island (between Adak and Dutch Harbor) is April 1.  The Allies expect light resistance.

CenPac/US Carriers:  The Allies have ten CVEs based in Hawaii and at Midway.  A few other CVEs are helping out with the Umnak invasion.  CV Wasp is enroute to Hawaii from Panama City.  The remainder of the U.S. carriers are in port at Shikuka.

Iwo Jima:  130 B-24s and B-17s hit the port at Tokyo, damaging four submarines, one CL, one AK, one AP, and an MSW.

Australia:  Aussie Liberator IIIs continue to hit Japanese shipping in the harbor at Darwin.  The first Aussie troops will arrive here in two days.  Few if any Japanese troops will remain by then.  John was able to withdraw essentially his entire Australian Expeditionary Army.  It would have been nice to trap a sizeable contingent, but the Allies just didn't have the ability to do so.  I'm just happy to wave goodbye to the enemy.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 777
RE: British Seize Georgetown - 11/21/2008 10:39:08 PM   
wneumann


Posts: 3768
Joined: 11/1/2005
From: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
Status: offline 		My first look at this AAR. Up to now I haven't seen anyone playing in late '43 - early '44. What scenario are you guys using?

Hopefully I'll be doing this well when I get to where you are.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 778
RE: British Seize Georgetown - 11/21/2008 11:08:44 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I don't recall which scenario number we're playing - we're using the Big B mod on extended map; the scenario is the full game including Pearl Harbor, with the Japs having the ability to modify their attack.  We have the usual house rules in place.

If you think I'm doing well, you need to glance over the full AAR.  John (the Japs) is still in Australia, still holds New Caledonia, the Marshalls, the Societies, the Solomons, New Guinea, and a bunch of the Aleutians.  He really clobbered me well into 1943 and still has a point lead of about 9,200, and it's nearly April 1944! 

The saving graces for the Allies:  (1)  The orderly retreat in Australia that allowed the Aussies to hold Melbourne and Sydney (that was a nail-biting seige, though, and the Japs drew perilously close to an auto-victory); (2) The successful mid-1943 Allied invasions of Midway and Iwo Jima - especially the latter - that put a big bulge in the Japanese line of defense and I think prompted John into a frenzy of rearranging; (3) the back-from-the-brink-of-a-game-ending-disater successful invasion of Hokkaido (even though I lost the island eventually) that allowed the U.S. to take and hold the two big bases on Sikhalin Island (and thus gives the Allies big airbases from which to bomb the Home Islands); and (4) the British/Chinese moves into Burma (taking Rangoon/Moulmein/Tavoy) in '43 that put the Allies in a position to invade Sumatra and Malaya in early '44, creating a "second front" that drew John's full attention while the real and decisive contest (in my opinion) should have been over the Allied hold on Sikhalin Island.

I'm still way behind as we near mid-1944, but I think the Allies will win.

(in reply to wneumann)
Post #: 779
RE: British Seize Georgetown - 11/22/2008 4:32:20 AM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline 		You're not that far behind. I am playing Big B as well, as Japan; it's 5/21/44, and I'm down to only a 3500 point lead. The gap in VP's on planes is over 10K. But my opponent is nowhere near bombing Japan. You have the opportunity to close the gap quickly with that, and also by capturing bases in Vietnam, or even Singapore. Singapore is worth tons of points. You're fine!

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 780
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