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RE: The KB at Johnston Island

 
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RE: The KB at Johnston Island - 9/24/2009 10:31:59 PM   
Canoerebel


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[3] Japs take a largely vacant Clark Field; the Allies have 625 AV at Bataan and 1025 AV at Manila.


Isn't it a bad idea to split the Phillipine defenders? Did you do that on purpose? If I'm Miller, I screen one area, take everyone and wipe out the other.


I did it this way in both of my WitP games with good results. Both times, the Japs had already decided to make the Philippines a prisoner-of-war camp, only devoting enough troops to keep things under control in the PI while concentrating efforts elsewhere. In both those games, Manila held until June 1942. In this game, I don't know if Miller will try for a quick conquest or to simply contain. If it's the latter, having two bases gives the Allies an opportunity to advance and create some mayhem if the Japs aren't paying attention. Whether it was the right strategy or not is to be determined.

(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 61
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/24/2009 10:37:09 PM   
AcePylut


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The strategic situation as of 1/15/42. The KB just showed up near Johnston Island (CenPac) and the Japs are noticeably absent from the DEI - especially Java, Sarawak, Celebes, Ambon, Timor. What's up? More detailed post to follow later today.





Glad you posted this pic. I often wondered if "I'm" the only one with 10,000 convoys floating around instead of a few very large ones ... and now I know I'm not :)


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Post #: 62
RE: The KB at Johnston Island - 9/24/2009 10:39:00 PM   
ny59giants


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Status: offline 		An initial push into the eastern and south Pacific "may" be in the cards. He has 8 Air HQ with which to offer support for his Nell/Betty.

Here is what may be happening behind the scenes. He has taken the 15 to 21 days (or less) to convert the cargo space to more troop capacity and/or convert some xAKL to PB (or other ships). The 4th Division is a free LCU in Japan. It would take him less than a week to get enout PP to buy out the Gds Bde at Tokyo. He has another two divisions at Shanghai and Canton/Hong Kong that are free. He has landed on Malaya and Luzon and while those ground operations wrap up, he will use the bulk of the Japanese Fleet to hit the American positions first and make it harder for you to get shipping over to Australia without Ms Nell/Betty interfering. Those transports initially assigned to carry troops to Malaya and Luzon are picking up these large formations plus some others. This hypothesis does have some holes in it, but with KB over around Johnson Island, it may be plausible.

Regardless, if I'm right or wrong, I would send some subs over to the Marshalls and Gilberts area to hopefully get run over by something.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 63
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/24/2009 10:39:21 PM   
Canoerebel


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Status: offline 		You're right, Ace. I do utilize scattered small convoys rather than consolidated, well-protected ones.

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Post #: 64
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/25/2009 5:30:18 PM   
USSAmerica


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Great to see you back in action, Dan. 


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Post #: 65
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/25/2009 5:43:10 PM   
Canoerebel


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Status: offline 		Thanks, America, I'm glad to see you and that devilish emoticon!

NYGiants, you may be right. It's unlike Miller to leap forward to seize a base like Luganville. That, his early moves on Ocean and an adjacent island, the armed merchant cruisers at Palmyra, the KB in the vicinity, and subs at places like Johnston, Canton, and Christmas suggest Miller is looking this way. Not to mention his near complete absence from the Celebes and points south.

The Allies already have a strong garrison at Pago Pago (200 AV). Fiji and Noumea (the latter with 100 AV) are no pushovers. I have reinforcements on the way to these posts and will continue to work on reinforcing them rather than trying to "ram through" reinforcements to Palmyra/Johnston/Canton. I want to reinforce these bases, but not at the cost of encountering the KB.

My initial impression is the these three islands are of less strategic importance in AE due to the off-map ship transit routes. I expect alot of supplies to Oz will come from Capetown. If necessary, reinforcements from the West Coast can steam via the Panama Canal and even Port Stanley/Capetown. So, while these three islands are important, I consider Pago Pago, Fiji, and Noumea to have priority.

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Post #: 66
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/25/2009 6:07:06 PM   
Q-Ball


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Status: offline 		I still haven't wrapped my head around how AE changes the importance of various points on the map vs. WITP. One thing is for sure as you point out Dan: Taking islands for the purpose of cutting supply lines to Australia doesn't work anymore. You can LENGTHEN the supply lines, but not cut them. Additionally, pushing out into the Pacific is going to strain Japanese shipping resources, particularly for FUEL; that's a long way to send a tanker.

I'm not sure what a push into the Southeast Pacific is going to do for Japan that's good. There are some VPs there I guess, and you could destroy some Allied troops and lengthen the supply line to Australia.....but you can also burn alot of fuel, and do nothing to support the economy. Not sure yet though.

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Post #: 67
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/26/2009 9:16:55 PM   
Canoerebel


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After the KB showed up near Johnston Island on the 14th, we've seen nothing else of it. However, the plan implemented by the Allies elsewhere has been fruitful:

Solomons: The Allied CA/CL force split, with the bigger of the two TFs tangling with a Jap transport convoy at Lae on the 16th. Led by CAs Louisville and Pensacola, the combat force made quick work by sinking four AKs and a PB. The TF then withdrew to Townsville. The second TF, including CAs Australia and Canberra, searched for the Jap ships that landed troop at Luganville, but came up empty and continued on to Noumea. Since then, the Japs have begun landing at Lunga. Lae fell on the 18th and Wewak and Luganville on the 16th.

DEI: A small British DD TF disposed of a Jap transport TF at Singkawang - three big AKs and two PBs went under. One of the British DDs took light damage. I'm still waiting for the Japs to arrive in the Malacca/Morotai area, so, after refueling, Enterprise and Lexington accompanied by a Prince of Wales-led combat TF will make for Timor. I wish I hadn't had TKs and AOs flee the DEI at the start of the war - they would be useful taking out oil and fuel. A few stragglers are doing that now and I've ordered some ships to return to the area to pick up the pace of operations in the event the Japs continue to dally. A handful of B-17s knocked out two oil points at Brunei on the 17th. The Japs took Pontiatak.

CenPac: Pompano sighted a large Jap combat TF near Eniwetok, including BBs Hiei and Kirishima, but missed a shot at one of the DD escorts.

Malaya: The Japs haven't tried to enter Singapore, yet. Dutch patrol aircraft are busy extracting a cut-off Indian brigade from Kuala Lumpur.

Philippines: The Japs are present at Manila in large numbers, but haven't tried anything more than a concerted bombing effort yet. No Japs at Bataan, yet.

China: I haven't mentioned China to this point. I don't know if it's the right strategy, but I have been busy pulling back all the "forward" Chinese units to try to make a consolidated and strong line of defense, avoiding having big Chinese units in forward positions get cutoff and annihilated. By pulling back, though, it makes the Jap position more secure and easier for the Japs to move forward. So it's debatable whether this is the best strategy. Miller has indeed made advances in the area from near Kahnsien to near Yenen, so he's got ideas here. My plan is to "hold the fort" until the Chinese are strong enough - or the Japs weak enough - to begin applying pressure. That could be...1944.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 9/26/2009 11:36:46 PM >

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Post #: 68
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/28/2009 2:11:07 PM   
Canoerebel


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No further sign of the KB in CenPac, which remains a quiet area, while the Allies continue poking and prodding in the DEI, where the Japs are mysteriously quiet.

CenPac/SoPac: This region remains quiet with the KB undetected since its appearance on 1/14/42 near Johnston Island. Political Points and APs are my biggest hindrance now - I have plenty of reinforcements piling up on the West Coast, but I don't have the PP to switch HQs nor the APs to transport these units. More APs are on the way to San Diego and two regiments of Americal just arrived in the East US box, so I may be able to begin sending infantry overseas soon. Yorktown and Saratoga are still at San Diego. All the ships damaged during the Pearl Harbor strike remain at Pearl.

SWPac: The Japs are landing at Madang on northern Borneo and have taken Lunga and Salamua. Zeros from Rabaul flew uncontested sweeps over Port Moresby, where the Allied AV is 100.

DEI: Enterprise and Lexington will move north of Timor tomorrow, accompanied by the PoW TF. CVL Hermes is south of Sumatra now and steaming to a rendezvous point. Combat TFs are dispersed throughout the region. 9 B-17s from Soerabaja raided Miri, encountered 11 Oscar and four Zeros, and scored seven oil hits without taking a loss. Kuching finally succumbed to the Japs on the 20th after a shock attack. Still no sign of the Japs moving into the heart of the Celebes/Banda/Ceram Seas area, which is a surprise.

Malaya: On successive days, raids by three B-17s from Rangoon knocked out a few resource points at Bangkok. I cannot detect any Jap movement on Moulmein/Rangoon, yet.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 9/28/2009 2:19:29 PM >

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Post #: 69
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/28/2009 7:25:47 PM   
Canoerebel


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The Japs should be pressing the Allies and creating mayhem, but instead things remain unnaturally calm. What in the world is Miller up to?

CenPac: Three APs carrying the combat-loaded 2nd Marines will arrive at Palmyra tomorrow. Since the KB was seen in this area a week ago, I'll feel alot better once these critical reinforcements have landed.

SWPac: The Japs took Madang and in addition now have strategically important bases at Lae, Wewak, Hollandia, Kavieng, Rabaul, Shortlands, Lunga, and Luganville. And yet all this has been accomplished with small and lightly guarded transport convoys - there hasn't been any major advance by overwhelming force.

DEI: Enterprise and Lexington are NW of Timor and will steam slwoly west toward Soerabaja. The Hermes TF should rendezvous in three or four days. Small combat TFs are scattered throughout the Celebles/Moluccas/Java region. If the quiet continues for another three or four days, I'll have to consider pulling my carriers out of the region, as by then the KB will have had time to move from CenPac to this theater.

India/Malaya: The Allies are prepping and organizing so that the MLR will be at Shwebo once Moulmein and Rangoon are threatened, but thus far no signs of the enemy. I am not positive the Allies can hold a defensive line in Burma, so at the moment I am concentrating troops at Columbo, Madras, and Calcutta.

Note: As a reminder, Miller and I are playing Scenario 2 (grand campaign with advanced Jap preparation - IE, more assets availalbe sooner) with two-day turns. We don't have any House Rules. However, at this point I am self-imposing the rule restricting 4-E bombers to a minimum altitude of 10,000 feet when set for naval attack. I also have not vacated any cities to allow partisans to damage infrastructure and industry. The only exception is Wenchow on the China coast, which I evacuated early on before I had heard of the evacuation-to-allow-partisans-to-ransack strategy. I had pulled out of Wenchow solely because I didn't see how I could hold the base and wanted to get my troops back to the MLR. To this point, however, the city remains Chinese.

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Post #: 70
RE: Strategic Map - January 15, 1942 - 9/29/2009 9:23:54 AM   
JeffroK


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

1/22/42 and 1/23/42

The Japs should be pressing the Allies and creating mayhem, but instead things remain unnaturally calm. What in the world is Miller up to?

CenPac: Three APs carrying the combat-loaded 2nd Marines will arrive at Palmyra tomorrow. Since the KB was seen in this area a week ago, I'll feel alot better once these critical reinforcements have landed.

SWPac: The Japs took Madang and in addition now have strategically important bases at Lae, Wewak, Hollandia, Kavieng, Rabaul, Shortlands, Lunga, and Luganville. And yet all this has been accomplished with small and lightly guarded transport convoys - there hasn't been any major advance by overwhelming force.

DEI: Enterprise and Lexington are NW of Timor and will steam slwoly west toward Soerabaja. The Hermes TF should rendezvous in three or four days. Small combat TFs are scattered throughout the Celebles/Moluccas/Java region. If the quiet continues for another three or four days, I'll have to consider pulling my carriers out of the region, as by then the KB will have had time to move from CenPac to this theater.

India/Malaya: The Allies are prepping and organizing so that the MLR will be at Shwebo once Moulmein and Rangoon are threatened, but thus far no signs of the enemy. I am not positive the Allies can hold a defensive line in Burma, so at the moment I am concentrating troops at Columbo, Madras, and Calcutta.

Note: As a reminder, Miller and I are playing Scenario 2 (grand campaign with advanced Jap preparation - IE, more assets availalbe sooner) with two-day turns. We don't have any House Rules. However, at this point I am self-imposing the rule restricting 4-E bombers to a minimum altitude of 10,000 feet when set for naval attack. I also have not vacated any cities to allow partisans to damage infrastructure and industry. The only exception is Wenchow on the China coast, which I evacuated early on before I had heard of the evacuation-to-allow-partisans-to-ransack strategy. I had pulled out of Wenchow solely because I didn't see how I could hold the base and wanted to get my troops back to the MLR. To this point, however, the city remains Chinese.


Has Miller thought up a new JFB sir Robin approach!!

From an earlier comment about 100AV at Pt Moresby, not nearly enough if Miller wants PM, I know its hard to scrape up LCU's but the longer he waits..... Be careful with Terapo, a way around PM and a potential Airbase.

Burma, I dont believe Burma can be defended in AE as in WITP. There are no road connections and a real JFB should be able to interdict any air transport effort. ut I'd make him fight for it (note the dot bases between some of the built bases, as it will as far up a LOC you'll get him. Dont forget to target moving units if you can.

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What the Heck?! - 9/29/2009 4:03:55 PM   
Canoerebel


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China: A disturbing event here. A Jap force is advancing up a road toward Changsha and encountered a slightly larger Chinese force about 80 miles SE of this key city. The Japs attacked and I figured, based upon WitP experience, that the Japs would get a bloody nose. Quite the opposite occurred. Here is a combat report that I consider extremely alarming:

Ground combat at 83,52
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15226 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Defending force 18319 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 451

Japanese adjusted assault: 444
Allied adjusted defense: 207

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), morale(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5539 casualties reported
Squads: 263 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 317 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps

This tells me that Chinese units are no match for Japense units - and it tells Miller the same thing. He will be encouraged to ramp up operations in China. The only hope for the Chinese is to get behind fortifications and hope for the best. I am still grappling with trying to identify a viable line to hold, but time is running out. I had better get my defense set and soon.

CenPac: 2nd Marines have landed at Palmyra, giving this outpost a much stouter defense (though the AV remains less than 100).

SoPac: An American base force is unloading at Tahiti.

SWPac: I-171 torpedoed and sank an AKL off Brisbane, the first appearance by a Jap sub in this area. The Japs are landing at Buna. Jeff, I realize 100 AV at Port Moresby isn't sufficient to hold the base, but I don't believe the Allies can hold it against an experienced Jap player. PM can easily turn into a big prison camp. I'd rather devote ground units to the defense of Noumea and Suva at this time.

DEI: Hermes, Lexington, Enterprise, and PoW are refueling in Soerabaja. Two tankers are loading oil for Australia. Where the heck is Miller? How can a Jap player almost totally ignore the DEI? He's gotta move and soon. I had better pull my carriers back (P.S. One of the RN I-named fleet CVs has just refueled at Colombo and is steaming east to join the American force. Three Aussie brigades and a tank regiment have loaded or are loading at Aden and are destined for Darwin and Perth. But I will consider the possibility of diverting them to the DEI if Miller doesn't take control in this theater.

PI: A Jap attack at Cagayan came off at 1:2, but inflicted more casualties on the Allies, so this base won't hold out much longer. Massive Jap bombardments at Manila have already dropped the Allied AV from 1,000 to 850. Zoiks! The defense of Manila is in trouble!



< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 9/29/2009 4:20:52 PM >

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Post #: 72
RE: What the Heck?! - 9/29/2009 4:24:03 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
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Status: offline 		That is also my experience in China; the Chinese are easy to roll out in the open. What kind of terrain was that? Did he bomb you before attacking?

As far as the DEI is concerned.....you have a real decision to make. Do you commit more troops to Java? Or maybe Timor? I personally would think strongly about putting those Australians on Timor. Specifically Koepang.

Ultimately, Java will be lost, as well as those troops. With Timor, on the other hand, you will probably be able to hold Koepang for at least another 2 months; he probably won't bring a major land force there until Java falls, and at this point that's a couple months away.

Timor in Allied hands is a very serious problem for Japan. MUCH worse than Port Moresby. At worst, if you put troops there, he will have to divert 2-3 Divisions to take it from you. That will delay until May or June their use elsewhere.

If you can hold Timor, you will win, period. Put everything there.

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RE: What the Heck?! - 9/29/2009 4:29:14 PM   
Mike Solli


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), morale(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:


What mode were they in?

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Post #: 74
RE: What the Heck?! - 9/29/2009 4:36:56 PM   
Canoerebel


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Status: offline 		Mike, that's a good question! I'm embarrassed to say: I don't know!

You know, this moving/combat/rest setting stuff is really a pain in the rear end. I confess it hadn't even occurred to me that these guys might've been set to "move" rather than "combat." Here, I'll check right now:

250 AV were set to "Combat" and 190 to "Move." This was a wooded hex. So it seems like the Chinese troops should have performed much better.

Mike, thank you for mentioning this. I'll bet half my troops in China and all in Burma are set to "Move" and nearly every American unit that unloaded anywhere on the map may still be set for "Strategic Move." I've got some work to do.

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The Redcoats are coming! - 9/30/2009 12:08:51 AM   
Canoerebel


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Coral Sea: The KB shows up near Townsville - Surprise! - and catches everybody unprepared and unaware. But - Surprise! - the carriers focus only on a couple of HDMLs at Cairns and miss the juicy prize - two CAs, four CLs, and a DD - at Townsville. 24 Kates escorted by 15 Zeros go in against the HDMLs, sinking one and, no doubt, leave Miller just a-mutttering. This appearance has a number of important ramifications:

1) Once again, the Allies are apprised of the location of the KB, which complicates things here but brings considerable freedom elsewhere.

2) I *think* the KB is stationed as a blocking force to protect an invasion fleet heading for Port Moresby. I am gambling that this is the case and that the KB won't jink south toward Rockhampton or northwest toward Darwin.

3) I have separated the combat ships at Townsville into four TFs that will flee south to various ports - Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. If the KB moves south, too, these combat ships are dead ducks (except for La Triomphant, which is steaming solo and at full speed).

4) Far to the northwest, patrol aircraft sighted two large Jap TFs just 80 miles north of Borneo. This could be an invasion force heading for a port like Sandakan, Tarakan or the Celebes. The Allies have decided to sortie Enterprise, Lexington, and Hermes to move north into the Celebes Sea. They will take a position 80 miles NE of Samarinda where they can cover points as far north as Sandakan, which, at eight hexes, is just within range of 16 of Lexington's SBDs (the -3 model) and the Swordfish. If the invasion fleet moves further south, then the rest of the carrier strike aircraft would be within range. Of course, this may not be an invasion fleet at all or it may be headed elsewhere. There are two concerns: (a) If the Japs have alot of Betties set for naval strike at airbases like Jolo or Brunei, I could be in for a hurting. But I have a hunch Miller has everything employed in the bombing campaigns against Singapore and Manila; and (b) If - big and I think unlikely if - Miller sends the KB sprinting NW toward Darwin they could make it difficult for the Allied carriers to make good a withdrawal. I've considered these risks and decided to proceed.

DEI: Elsewhere, I-164 managed to sink an HDML - it wasn't a good day for these ships - near Batavia, but took near-miss depth charges in return. A Dutch bomber managed to hit an AK near Mersing.

SWPac: The Japs took Buna.

CenPac: BB California is on her way to Los Angeles with damage at 9/34/8. She is the first of the Pearl Harbor-strike victims to make for the West Coast. She's being escorted by five DDs.

West Coast: The Allies will have sufficient Politcal Points to "buy" 41st Infantry Division in less than a week. This division is prepping for Noumea and is badly needed there.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 9/30/2009 12:14:20 AM >

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Post #: 76
RE: The Redcoats are coming! - 9/30/2009 8:16:17 AM   
gladiatt


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
3) I have separated the combat ships at Townsville into four TFs that will flee south to various ports - Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. If the KB moves south, too, these combat ships are dead ducks (except for La Triomphant, which is steaming solo and at full speed).



Hey Canoerebel, nice to meet you. If you want to make "friend" with your french readers, please call this ship LE Triomphant . Otherwise, good AAR !

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RE: The Redcoats are coming! - 9/30/2009 1:29:41 PM   
Chickenboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

4) Far to the northwest, patrol aircraft sighted two large Jap TFs just 80 miles north of Borneo. This could be an invasion force heading for a port like Sandakan, Tarakan or the Celebes. The Allies have decided to sortie Enterprise, Lexington, and Hermes to move north into the Celebes Sea. They will take a position 80 miles NE of Samarinda where they can cover points as far north as Sandakan, which, at eight hexes, is just within range of 16 of Lexington's SBDs (the -3 model) and the Swordfish. If the invasion fleet moves further south, then the rest of the carrier strike aircraft would be within range. Of course, this may not be an invasion fleet at all or it may be headed elsewhere. There are two concerns: (a) If the Japs have alot of Betties set for naval strike at airbases like Jolo or Brunei, I could be in for a hurting. But I have a hunch Miller has everything employed in the bombing campaigns against Singapore and Manila; and (b) If - big and I think unlikely if - Miller sends the KB sprinting NW toward Darwin they could make it difficult for the Allied carriers to make good a withdrawal. I've considered these risks and decided to proceed.

Canorebel: two comments:

1. I believe that the normal range of the Swordfish (with torpedoes) is 6 hexes in AE. At range 7, it will only drop bombs. Drop tanks can extend the range, but I believe that their usage in the Swordfish (or Wildebeast) will preclude use of torpedoes. Similarly, the Dauntlesses will use 1000lbers at range 7, but 500lb bombs thereafter. The difference in killing power for that 1 hex may be worth moving just a bit closer.

2. The repair yards on the West coast of CONUS are different in AE than WiTP. Seattle's is the largest, then Alameda, then SF, then So Cal. Even Portland is bigger than San Diego (!). Just an FYI, as it makes a difference comparing repair yard size with ship durability for fastest repair time.

Edited to correct range details that I had to look up after posting.


< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 9/30/2009 1:37:46 PM >

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Post #: 78
RE: The Redcoats are coming! - 9/30/2009 6:05:27 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I'm going to post more after lunch, but I just finished the turn in which I wondered whether my cruisers would be able to escape the sudden arrival of the KB off Townsville and whether my effort to spring an ambush with Allied carriers in the Molucca Straits would succeed. I really thought my cruisers would make it, but I figured the odds of successful ambush were awfully long. I was right on one count - the cruisers made it - and wrong on the other - Oh, my! Enterprise, Lexington and Hermes jump all over some Japanese transports and cruisers....


(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 79
Ambush - 9/30/2009 7:10:14 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/30/42 and 1/31/42

Molucca Straits & Tarakan: The Japanese TFs sighted on the 29th are indeed an amphibous force heading into Allied territory - the destination is Tarakan. This sets up the Allied CV ambush perfectly since Enterprise, Lexington, and CVL Hermes had been ordered to take station just five hexes southeast (see map below). Nothing happens on the 30th except a few minor skirmishes with PT boats, but on the 31st the Allied flattops launch morning and evening raids:

AM: 6 Buffalo, 19 F3F, 11 Swordfish, 68 SBD and 30 TBD engage a massive AK/DD TF hitting at least 13 of the transports. Two were hit by torpedoes launched by the Swordfish (Well done, Hermes!) and went down. No Allied aircraft were lost.

PM: 12 Buffalo, 19 F3F, 49 SBD and 30 TBD return to take on a stout surface combat TF, hiting CL Isuze once (size of bomb not noted), CA Nachi once (a 1000-pounder), CL Natori twice (500-pounders), and CL Kinu once (1000-pounder). One SBD was lost to flak.

Impact: The Japs are landing an amphibious force at Tarakan and should soon take the base. Will Miller withdraw his ships or remain in place? Should the Allied carriers remain for another strike? I decided not to due to the location of the KB, which is currently near Cairns. If - big IF - Miller sent the KB at flank speed toward the Celebes while the Allied carriers tarried, the Jap carriers might catch them (we're playing two-day turns). I can't take that chance, so I've ordered the flattops to withdraw to Batavia. The PoW TF will steam to Tarakan on a surface combat assignment, as will two other combat TFs (one led by Boise and Marblehead) hoping to find some lingering Jap shipping. These Allied forces will then withdraw toward Batavia, too.

If the KB comes this way I think the Allied carriers will have enough head start to make good their escape. In the event of such a radical move by the KB, the Allied cruiser force that just fled south from Townsville will return to contest the immenent landings at Port Moresby. If the KB remains near PM then the Allied carriers, reinforced by an RN CV south of Sumatra, will continue to patrol the DEI. Sooner or later, Miller will have to commit the KB to the DEI.

The success of the ambush is due, in part, to luck: guessing correctly that this was a Jap amphibious TF that might be heading into northern DEI waters. But it was also due in part to good planning (pardon my horn tooting). I've had Ent/Lex patroling these waters for more than a month, just looking for an opportunity to administer a bloody nose. Several times I nearly withdrew them out of concern for their safety. But when the KB showed up in CenPac it was clear that the DEI was safe for awhile. I think Miller sent the KB to CenPac as a decoy and then snuck them at flank speed way down into the Coral Sea. His plan worked - I didn't know the KB was coming that way - but it also had the unintended consequence of giving the Allies breathing room to wait long enough for an ambush opportunity to occur.

KB and SWPac: Over these two days, the KB moves NW several hundred miles from its previous position. From a point off Cookville, the KB launches a strike of 13 Kates and 25 Zeros that sink an AK fleeing Port Moresby. Meanwhile, the Japanese amphbious TF has rounded the tip of New Guinea and will soon arrive at PM.

SoPac: The Allies are desperate to reinforce Noumea, which currently has an AV of 75 with two engineering units. One US Army regiment is aboard transports at the Panama Canal (having taken a circuitous route when KB showed up at Johnston Island). I have divided 41st Infantry Division at San Diego and paid the PP to assign two of the regiments to SoPac. These are loading on transports that will be accompanied by Yorktown and Saratoga to Pago Pago. From there the Allies will send the infantry on to Noumea. The carriers are coming along to guard against AMCs or other Jap raiders.

CenPac: At the moment it seems that the coast is clear to reinforce some of the CenPac islands.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 9/30/2009 7:40:46 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 80
RE: Ambush - 9/30/2009 7:32:40 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Toot your horn all you want, Canorebel. You deserve it! Nice catch at Tarakan. I hereby consider this notice for all those out there saying that you cannot successfully employ Allied carrier power to the DEI against a human and get away with it. Doom on the IJN when they overlook their own early game limitations.

If Soerbaja still has AV HQ support with torpedo supply, you may prefer that port to Batavia for a resupply run due to the larger port size / torpedo resupply availability. Hermes only has a torpedo capacity of 12, IIRC, so you'll likely be out. You may wish to check your other CVs as well. I'd recommend re-programming Hermes' aircraft to bombs, since the torpedo function is likely to be in the red (disabled due to out of supply). Port reload of torpedoes in this game is vastly different from WiTP-just a word of warning.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 81
RE: Ambush - 9/30/2009 9:35:27 PM   
ny59giants


Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline 		Full speed can be used only in the most extreme cases due to the amount of fuel they use in this mode. KB would be running on fumes before it go there with most of the DDs out of fuel if they could do so.

< Message edited by ny59giants -- 9/30/2009 9:37:35 PM >

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 82
RE: Ambush - 9/30/2009 10:10:48 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Full speed can be used only in the most extreme cases due to the amount of fuel they use in this mode. KB would be running on fumes before it go there with most of the DDs out of fuel if they could do so.


That is definitely true, the burn rate is MUCH higher than in WITP at Full Speed. The burn rate for Kaga alone (the largest bunkers in the IJN IIRC), would be staggering.

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Post #: 83
RE: Ambush - 9/30/2009 10:22:31 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Not to mention the rapidly accumulated SYS damage by such speeds.

(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 84
Counter Ambush & Manila Cracks - 10/1/2009 12:28:28 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		2/1/42 to 2/4/42'

A heck of alot of important things happened during this interval:

American Carriers: The Allied carrier TFs approached Batavia in order to keep as much distance between them and the KB in case the Jap carriers moved in from the east. On the 2nd, Bettys sortied from somewhere to the west. A morning raid of 11 Bettys and 12 Zeros faced 4 F3F and 8 Buffalo - I can't explain the meager CAP, which nevertheless splashed 8 Bettys while losing one of each kind of fighter. The Japs didn't score any hits. An evening raid by 12 unescorted Bettys faced a similar CAP, which shot down 6 of the bombers; again, no hits scored. Miller did NOT move the KB from the Coral Sea, so I sent the carriers back to Soerabaja where they refueled. Meanwhile, Miller had orchestrated an ambush of his own - on the 4th, a carrier TF with at least four CVLs (showing nearly 200 aircraft, so there's more there than that) scooted down the South China Sea all the way to the straits between Sumatra and Borneo. Had the Allied carriers continued to Batavia instead of turning for Soerabaja, a bloody battle would have ensued. As it was, a Kate/Zero strike force got one small AO and Bettys another - both near Batavia. I have accomplished everything I wanted to do with my carriers here - Miller will have to bring alot the next time he wants to stick his nose down this way. So, the Allied carriers will head SE, rendezvous with an RN CV south of Bali, and from there likely head for Perth.

American combat ships: On the 2nd, the Boise/Marblehead TF found two damaged transports at Tarakan and dispatched both. The previous day six Bettys missed this TF. On the 3rd, Boise/Marblehead and PoW/Repulse bombarded Tarakan, inflicting about 300 casuatlies to the small Jap force there. Just another message intended to convince Miller that there's a hornet's nest down here that will require his full attention. All of the combat TFs will pull back to Darwin or other Aussie ports until I'm sure the Jap CVL TF doesn't pose a threat.

Soerabaja: Allied tankers and oilers have removed nearly all oil stored at this port. Tankers and replenishing carrier TFs has lowered fuel stores to 187,000 (from somewhere around 240,000). Will this diminution in oil and fuel affect the Japs? I dunno, but it sure feels good.

Tarakan: The Allies still hold this base. A 1:2 Jap shock attack cost the Japs 204 to 103. Miller will have to bring reinforcements.

Philippines: The Japs have taken Cagayan, but a tiny Allied force recaptured Dadjangas, which was vacant. The bad news is that Manila is about to fall. To my utter dismay, the first Jap deliberate attack, which occured on the 3rd, came off at 2:1 and inflicted 2k Jap casualties and 3.5k for the Allies. The following day another Jap attack reduced forts to zero, came off at 1:1, and inflicted 1.8k to 1.6k. I think Manila will fall tomorrow, thus proving that my strategy here was bad. In WitP, I held Manila until late June in both my PBEM games. I am embarrassed by my failure here. The Japs took Taytay.

Malaya: The Japs haven't moved on Singapore yet, but are bombing it daily. The Japs took a vacant Kuala Lumpur.

Burma: Absolutely nothing happening here. I don't see a Jap unit closer than Tavoy or Bangkok. I still hold Moulmein/Rangoon.

China: Utter mayhem here, too. A stout Chinese force in woods across from Ichang outnumbered a Jap force in raw AV 1348 to 849. The Japs attacked on the 3rd and inflicted 2,153 to 19,449. Holy cow! Allied losses in China seem exhorbitant to the point of being ridiculous. Two Jap divisions have arrived at Changsha, where the Allies have about 1500 AV behind either 3 or 4 forts. If this post falls I'm going to be pretty irritated, becuase if the Chinese can't hold a place like this, then they can't stand anywhere on the map.

Coral Sea: The Japs have landed at Port Moresby, but I don't think Miller brought enough. 144th Regiment tried a shock attack on the 3rd. It came off at 1:2, didn't touch three forts, and cost the Japs 530 to 345 in casualties. The KB is posted to the SE and launched a mammoth strike of 133 Kate and 140 Val that managed to sink the three AMCs in port. Two regiments of 41st Infantry Division embarked at San Diego on transports headed for Noumea by way of Pago Pago. This critical convoy is escorted by Yorktown and Saratoga.

SoPac: RO-33 showed up at Pago Pago, underwent depth charging, and missed shots at a minelayer and an AP. A U.S. Army regiment is about to leave San Diego bound for Suva.



(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 85
RE: Counter Ambush & Manila Cracks - 10/1/2009 2:57:40 AM   
Mynok


Posts: 12108
Joined: 11/30/2002
Status: offline
quote:

The Japs attacked on the 3rd and inflicted 2,153 to 19,449. Holy cow!


Sounds like he is putting some tanks on Reserve and pursuing you when he forces retreats. That can be devastating. Something's reducing your final AV significantly in these battles, be it supply, op mode or other causes.


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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 86
RE: Counter Ambush & Manila Cracks - 10/1/2009 3:26:19 AM   
ny59giants


Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline 		Look at your Chinese experience levels, leaders, prep levels, and supply situations. What you had in WITP is less effective in AE where you start out with hordes of Chinese troops, but little combat power. The idea is to survive and strike back in later years.

(in reply to Mynok)
Post #: 87
Speed Bumps and Bruises - 10/1/2009 10:47:07 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		2/5/42 to 2/8/42

The Allies are satisfied that recent carrier operations in the DEI have accomplished the purpose - to draw full Japanese attention to this theater in order to buy time to reinforce SoPac and SWPac. The Japs are flooding the DEI with subs and have a stout Mini-KB (Ryujo, Zuiho, Shoho and probably one other) near the southwestern tip of Borneo. To the east, the Jap failure to take PM should serve as another speed bump that will require further attention. With those things in mind:

Allied Carriers: CVs Enterprise, Lexington, and Indomitable, and CVL Hermes are withdrawing to Perth. I believe they made their escape unobserved. They will eventually move to New Zealand where I hope to link up with CVs Saratoga and Yorktown. I think Miller has his sights set on Noumea/Suva/Pago Pago and other key bases in this theater and I intend to try to hold at least those three.

DEI: I-170, RO-66, RO-62 are in action, sinking AO-Tan 6 and an AKL. I will keep some Allied CAs and DDs in the DEI both to provide ASW and to contest any lightly guarded incursions. I-170 claimed a crippled CL Ceres that was trying to make good its escape from the DEI (after having taking heavy damage near Singapore early in the war). The Allies will continue devoting a few AKs and tankers to the extraction of fuel and supplies from Soerabaja. Two Aussie regiments just arrived at Colombo. They are prepping for Perth/Darwin, but I will consider inserting them at Koepang (thanks for the suggestion Q-Ball) or possibly Java. The Allies still hold Tarakan, but it will soon fall.

Malaya: The Japs finally crossed into Singapore. Two recon regiments came across on the 6th and lost 885 casualties to 59. The Allies booted them the following day, inflicting 420 casualties and taking just 5. On the 8th, a larger Jap contingent including 33rd Division and 21st Division and four regiments (113, 16, 24, 148) crossed, attacking at 1:30 odds and taking 4,022 casualtie to 151. It will take the Japs awhile to crack this nut, I think. The Allies have been extracting a few remnants from units cut-off and isolated at Malacca.

Philippines: Somehow, the Manila defenses held against deliberate attacks on the 5th and 6th. Bombardment ensued on the 7th and 8th. Manila will definately capitulate on the 9th. The defense of Manila was an abject failure. As Q-Ball noted I made a mistake in splitting my defenses between Bataan and Manila. It worked in WitP, but not in this game.

SoPacSWPac: Two subs showed up at Pago Pago. I-175 got and AKL but was clobbered by ASW. RO-34 claimed a small minesweeper at Suva. Lots of reinforcements departed or preparing to depart San Diego for Suva and Noumea, but they have a long way to travel and the sudden appearance of so many Jap subs suggest the Japs are looking this way. The KB has pulled back from Port Moresby and apparently rounded the New Guinea cape. I *think* the KB will have to retire to Rabaul to refuel, but there is a chance it could raid Noumea. I've pulled my ships back from there temporarily. As soon as I think the Oz coast is clear, the CA/DD force at Rockhampton will strike the Japs besieging PM. I want to persuade Miller to send the KB back this way.

Burma: Jap units nearing Moulmein. The Allies will contest the crossing of the river near Pegu, but after that it'll just be a fighting retreat to Schewbo, where they'll make a more determined stand. The Allies will strongly defend Ceylon (550 AV at Colombo will likely remain in place) and Calcutta/Diamond Harbor, if necessary.

China: The Japs took a base (Kukong) near Kanhsien. The Allies are preparing to make their main line of defense along the chain of cities with Changsha in the center. Several of these cities already have AVs exceeding 2,000, but a few need reinforcements badly. If any of the bases on this MLR should fall to the Japanese, the Chinese are in big, big, big trouble.

(in reply to ny59giants)
Post #: 88
RE: Speed Bumps and Bruises - 10/2/2009 2:32:39 AM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Canorebel,

Are you checking your sigint regularly? I have found that it is much more useful and 'actionable' than sigint from WiTP. This may help you identify units that are en route to some of your identified destinations.

Enjoying the AAR and your writing style.


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 89
RE: Speed Bumps and Bruises - 10/2/2009 9:18:47 AM   
JeffroK


Posts: 6391
Joined: 1/26/2005
Status: offline 		Also look at Air & Ship withdrawals a few months ahead, you might find a key unit (Like all of Hermes air units) are slated to dissapear.

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(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 90
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