Matrix Games Forums

 Forums  Register  Login  Photo Gallery  Member List  Search  Calendars  FAQ 

My Profile  Inbox  Address Book  My Subscription  My Forums  Log Out

25-26 February 42'

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> 25-26 February 42' Page: <<   < prev  3 4 [5] 6 7   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
25-26 February 42' - 3/11/2010 3:43:25 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		25-26 February 42'

DEI

The Western DEI has gone silent once again after the fall of Palembang, Japanese troops are advancing both in Northern and Southern Sumatra to regain contact.

Ambon is subjected to some good sized air strikes that will soon knock out the airfield, SigInt reports TF approaching from the direction of Babeldaob, an invasion in this area seems imminent. The American cruiser force is nearby and may engage when opportunities arise.

PI
Bataan is subjected to a deliberate attack by the Japanese on the 25th. Again the forts hold, with heavy losses for the Japanese, but I wonder how much longer Bataan will hold. Luckily, the end of the fighting on the 26th lowered the supply required for my units, meaning supplies in the base have risen again to around 1000. I'm not sure what would have happened exactly if another attack had been launched on the 26th (or even if the Japanese forces were in any state to do so), but my back was against the wall after the two assaults. Now I'll probably get some time to breathe as the Japanese forces reorganize.

Looking through the thread I see that on the 14th (game date) I posted I had less than a week's worth of supplies left, showing how variable supply use can be in situations such as these. At the time I was losing about 1000 supplies a day, but over the past 2 weeks the average was about 500 and it's even lower the past few days. A good part of this is the fact that losses to LCUs have lowered supply needed and that losses also mean that the LCUs will return some of the supply they have to the base.

China
Here the situation is calming down rapidly. The experiences at Bataan have made Lemon reconsider sieging Chinese cities and he has retreated from the areas around Sian and Changsha. In the North Yenan fell, but my troops forced open the escape route towards Sian by routing a tank regiment.

Burma
Little contact, I keep retreating in front of his units. By taking Taung Gyi he did enter the range of my Blenheims who will be paying his spearhead the occasional visit from now on.

Subs
KXII is attacked by ASW near Palembang, no direct hits though and later in the day she attacks and hits xAK Zyuyo Maru in retaliation.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 121
27-28 February 42' - 3/14/2010 8:52:01 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		27-28 February 42'

DEI
The intensity of air attacks has gone up all around the DEI. Aerial attacks have been carried out from Medan in the West, over Batavia, to Makassar and Kendari and finally Ambon in the East. As mentioned during the last post Ambon gets special attention, the invasion fleets are seen approaching under the cover of KB. A good sized bunch of subs is ordered to intercept.

SW off Palembang the ex-defenders are caught by a shock attack of pursuing Japanese crossing the river. This decimates the formations, there is basically no combat power left in Souther Sumatra except for a small garrison at Oosthaven.

Subs
Sargo puts a dud in a SC operating SW of Formosa.



(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 122
February Overview - 3/14/2010 9:56:21 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		February Overview

It seems I didn't post a map last time around, so here it is, the situation at the start of 42' and Japanese advances since then. The main highlights of the month have been the advances in the DEI and Burma, but also the relative calm that is falling over China.



Theatre by Theatre

Burma
Not much battles have happened on this front, but the Japanese are advancing here. There have been some small air battles, mainly in favour of the Allies.

China
At the start of the month it seemed like the Japanese would be investing Sian and Changsha, but these forces have pulled back as the cities were reinforced. Some minor bases did fall into Japanese hands though.

PI
Bataan still holds, but for how long ? The assaults on the stronghold have been costly for the Japanese though.

Malaya
This campaign has been finished with the swift fall of Singapore on the 13th.

DEI
The Japanese have strengthened their hold on Borneo and are closing in on Java. Landings on Sumatra easily sweep aside opposition, but it will take some time to take all the bases. A small battle around Balikpapan costs the Japanese some shipping

SWPAC
More landings on New Guinea, the Japanese position around New Britain and the Solomons is strengthened

SOPAC
Further clean up in the Gilberts

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 123
RE: February Overview - 3/14/2010 10:08:54 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Shipping losses




This Month
Japan          Allies
CL               1                0
DMS            2                0
CM              0                1
AK/...          7                0
PB/E/ML       5               10 (Mainly ML in Singapore)

Ship losses weren't too bad this month on both sides, although the toll in merchants is probably higher for the Japanese due to non-confirmed sub kills.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 124
RE: February Overview - 3/14/2010 10:19:20 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Air Losses


This Month
Japan               Allies
Total                   185                  69
Air                        29                  30
Flak                      30                    0
Ground                   0                    4
Ops                     126                  35

Ops Losses stay the true killer in the air war, A2A consisted of some small skirmishes. Interesting fact, the 15 planes with the most operational losses are all in the Japanese camp, but the Buffalo remains the most often destroyed plane even though it hardly saw action this month.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 125
1 March 42' - 3/15/2010 12:50:22 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		1 March 42'

Burma
Again little action, but the Japanese have arrived in Meiktila, it's only held by a Burmese battalion to get a one day delay.

DEI
The landing at Ambon has begone and it doesn't look like the battle will last long. One heavily escorted (BB + 4 CA) and a second lightly escorted convoy dropped off around 400 AV worth of naval guard units. To top this off, full KB is providing cover from the North. The only positive not is some damage done by the CD guns, but even they were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of firepower brought forward by all the escorting ships.

On the other side of Celebes another TF is sighted, it's said to contain 5 BB and 3 CA. It's goals are rather unclear to me, a badly reconned mini-KB hoping to catch a cruiser force transferring to or from Java ? Or a SCTF escorting an invasion for Makassar ?

Finally, Medan falls to a shock attack, meaning I've got little strength left in Northern Sumatra.

Subs
The invasion at Ambon today wasn't exactly a surprise, so many subs were in a position to intercept the inbound Japanese.

First attack (Dutch sub) was caught by the escort screen, little damage to the sub
KIX gets off a shot at CL Kiso, but misses
Gudgeon hits DMS W-17, likely sunk, the Japanese DMS do seem to be cursed.
KVIII fails to penetrate the escort screen, the DCs do little damage.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 126
2 March 42' - 3/16/2010 5:40:15 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		2 March 42'

DEI
A bunch of invasions these days in the Eastern DEI


Both of the front line landings are covered with strong surface forces, the retreat of the KB is surprising, but opposing either of the landings with surface forces remains dangerous. I don't have the surface ships to oppose his groups head on and KB can return at any moment.

At Ambon the BB and CA were detached from the invasion fleets, which gave the CD guns a couple of good shots at escorting AMC, 2 of which my opponent claims are sunk. The inclusion of large surface combatants in invasion fleets does do a lot to suppress CD guns, good to know for later. The base did fall however.

Burma
Meiktila falls to the Japanese spearhead, a Burmese battalion surrenders. The main force is still retreating in good order.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 127
3-5 March 42' - 3/21/2010 1:02:28 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		3-5 March 42'

DEI
A cruiser force was dispatched to strike against shipping in port at recently captured Madjene, but the TF commander thought shelling the troops ashore was a better plan. Some 200 casualties were inflicted.

Burma
The retreat continues, but in the air the British are starting to strike back a bit. Meiktila is bombed by some 50 Blenheims for some light damage to the IAJ forces, but more importantly, this slows down the pursuit.

New Guinea
As there was lots of shipping in the Port Moresby area, a Marine vindicator squadron is brought in. On the 4th they strike successfully at shipping around Buna, heavily damaging about 4 xAK of which some will probably sink, a zero on leaking CAP is also shot down by escorting P-40E.  The cost is 4 vindicators. On the 5th a SCTF is attacked, but the vindicators fail to score any hits and the combination of CAP and flak take down 6 of them, in return for another zero.

Subs
- In the wake of the Ambon landings Gudgeon launches a dud at a heavily damaged xAK Lyons Maru. It are busy days for this ship, as she also misses when attacking a DD and is attacked the next day by a SC.
- Sargo attacks the small xAKL Ayaha Maru on the surface in the South Chinese sea, but fails to do serious damage before running out of shells.
- The Dutch don't fare any better O19 misses a small PB off Tarakan
- Only the British get lucky these days, Trusty hits xAK Shinsei Maru, the kill is confirmed by my opponent and marks the first successful encounter for a British sub.
- xAK Lullworth Hill is torpedoed just off Colombo,but she manages to return to port for repairs.


< Message edited by Smeulders -- 3/23/2010 8:22:29 PM >

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 128
RE: 3-5 March 42' - 3/23/2010 8:40:57 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		6-8 March 42'

DEI
As a follow up to the failed bombardment attack at Madjene Dutch bombers flew to bomb the port, but the squadron was nearly completely destroyed by zeroes on CAP.

Bataan
Bataan was the scene of the bloodiest battles these last 3 days. Bombardements resumed on the 6th and back to back deliberate attacks were launched on the 7th and 8th. The first attack managed to reduce the fortifications to 3, but the second attack failed at 1-3 odds and caused heavy losses to the Japanese.

Invasion forces are again spotted on the 8th, they are coming from the direction of Palembang, Java goes into red alert.

Burma
Mandalay fell on the 8th, it was only defended by a small battalion. His spearhead has been reduced to but a regiment, he probably knows I'm not too keen on fighting him in Burma.

Subs
KX misses a PB in the Makassar straight
KXIV tries to engage a convoy containing tankers East of Borneo, but is spotted by the escort screen
A SC engages Gudgeon near Ambon
O19 misses a SC near Tarakan
S-34 ends the string of failures of allied subs by torpedoing PB Nagata Maru near New Britain, when the rest of the convoy moves off she finishes the cripple with another two torpedoes.
O24 is spotted by DDs, they are in a TF containing at least a BB. Later in the day the O24 engages the same TF again, but this time she misses.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 129
9-12 March 42' - 3/27/2010 8:03:54 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		9-12 March 42'

DEI
A invasion fleet was seen sailing on the 8th, but even though I was expecting the Java invasion, it turned out to be headed for Billiton. The base fell easily on the 10th.

Java did get it's share of attention though, large IJA formations keep bombing Batavia, on the 9th I sent in 2 squadrons of buffaloes to try and put an end to that. This also happened to be the day that zeroes swept before the raid, resulting in a slaughter. The 2 squadrons had only 1 functional plane between them at the end of the day, 7 were shot down for 1 zero killed.

The most impressive attack on Java was a bombardment with 2 BB and 2 CA against Kalidjati though, the PT in port there didn't come out to play and so were blasted at their anchorages, together with heavy damage to a squadron of recon and bombers stationed there. The ground forces counted about 500 casualties, all for no hits on the BB, the hex will be mined. To add insult to injury 6 swordfish and 12 vildebeest made their way through the CAP escorted by dutch fighters, but failed to score any hits.

On Palembang Oosthaven falls, only 1 base left in the South, the battle in the North is a rout.

China
China brings some good news, the AVG wins some skirmishes against Tojo's, downing about 5 for 1 lost.

SWPac
PM is bombed by some DD again, subs in the way aren't very effective.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 130
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/27/2010 8:15:16 PM   
Nemo121


Posts: 5821
Joined: 2/6/2004
Status: offline 		What's your general plan? Are you planning counter-thrusts or building up significant bases with a view to holding them in the face of Japanese assault or is it just a case of waiting until he outruns his logistical preparations?

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 131
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/28/2010 10:04:15 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Hey Nemo,

Having read some parts of you AAR, I think I will have to disappoint there are no risky manoeuvres planned at the moment. This is my first PBEM in either AE or WITP, so I'm playing a very conservative game to get to know it. I also like to play rather historical so I will not risk large formations on very dangerous missions, so that pretty much rules out any strategical counter-attacks for the moment, everything you land on a forward Island is likely going to end up in a POW camp.



This map is a rough outline of what I will be trying to defend. It's not a very ambitious line, but it is a line that I can defend properly and will take a very large effort to break. You will also note that there are several areas just before my chosen line that will be very dangerous for my opponent to take, as it would bring him in a very exposed position. (N Oz, Luganville area, Midway, ..). Once I am firmly entrenched in my position and have some reserves ready, I should be able to move forward into those areas quite easily.

(in reply to Nemo121)
Post #: 132
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/29/2010 12:47:50 AM   
Nemo121


Posts: 5821
Joined: 2/6/2004
Status: offline 		*chuckle* It might surprise you to know Smeulders that I don't generally think I do things which are gambles. Risk, yes but gamble no.


It is a good line but I suggest that if you don't hold the islands to the north-east of Noumea then there's no point holding Noumea. I think that they are so close together that you either have to hold them all or it isn't worth holding any of them.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 133
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/30/2010 1:44:53 AM   
khyberbill


Posts: 1941
Joined: 9/11/2007
From: new milford, ct
Status: offline 		It is a good plan Bart. One of the keys is the end of the line in China. You produce some fuel there that will allow some of your cities to make some supply. Even though you lost Yenan (sp?) try and hold the rest there, drawing from Sian or even Changsa. I would rather lose Changsa then the fuel.

_____________________________

"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 134
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/30/2010 11:43:37 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Nemo: That only depends on how you define "a gamble", I'm not saying you are trying bad moves on the off chance that they work and win you the game, but you certainly make a lot more risky moves than the average player. I don't totally agree with your stance on the islands there, I will of course take them with small garrisons as those become available, but they are within 4E range from both Noumea and Fiji. Even if the Japanese take them I should be able to neutralize them, the other way around with them neutralizing Noumea seems a bit harder.

Bill: The siege at Bataan is making my opponent very wary of further sieges, especially against the large stacks the Chinese can have. He has retreated from my major centres in China, so Sian shouldn't be in any danger. It should also have enough troops to hold the city against anything but the most massive attacks.


(in reply to khyberbill)
Post #: 135
13-17 March 42' - 3/30/2010 11:56:57 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		13-17 March 42'

DEI
A lot more action to suppress the airfields on Java. Attention has shifted from Batavia to Bandoeng, from where my TB were operating, but with bombardments of some other bases thrown in.

On the 15th Betties launched a strike against a British Cruiser TF (3 CL, 3 DD) South of Java, but no hits were scored.

The 17th saw the beginning of the Java invasion, strong SCTF and a part of KB were seen approaching the Island and transports won't be far behind. Some Dutch bombers sortied, but failed to get any hits and it's escorts lost a number of planes to a small zero CAP. A maximum effort to disrupt the landings has been ordered for the 18th (this will get a separate post). Interesting is that KB has been split into two almost equal groups, one is moving in the area around Ambon, the other is near Billiton. This second group may be covering an invasion of Kendari, which has been bombed over the past few days as well.

China
A small group of mainly BF has been encircled South of Changsha and will probably be lost. I'm abandoning some bases in the Southwest.

PI
The fall of Bataan is now imminent, attacks starting on the 15th knocked the forts down to 1 and inflicted heavy casualties on the defenders. They do appear to be running out of steam as no headway was made on the 17th, though casualties are still favouring the Japanese.

Subs
Starting to get pitiful, the fleet subs have duds and the other subs can't seem to hit. The number of contacts around Japan is down as well.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 136
Java Defence - 3/30/2010 12:21:05 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		The following map shows the movements of the 3 Cruiser forces I have around Java. It seems unlikely that they will be able to stand up to the enemies SCTF in a normal fight, so that not what I'm trying to do. The Brits will sortie to enter the path from Palembang to Kalidjati (which seems to be the likely target), hopefully the SCTF will have moved on and the Brits can get to a convoy. The Dutch and Americans will speed to the last known location of KB, hopefully engaging it in a night action, who knows what the outcome of that can be.



In the meantime all planes on Java are ordered to sortie. 2 Squadrons of Dutch buffaloes will give some top cover to the Dutch and American TF. The Dutch Hurricanes and P-40E will sweep over Kalidjati to try and engage any LRCAP. Then the remaining TB and Dutch bombers will come in on naval attack, escorted by the remaining Dutch fighters and the Buffaloes.

In the landing hex not many ground troops are present, but (if it is Kalidjati that is) the Batavia CD gun unit and a lot of mines are there, it also has some PT boats, who knows if they'll do any good ?

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 137
RE: Java Defence - 3/30/2010 11:48:57 PM   
Nemo121


Posts: 5821
Joined: 2/6/2004
Status: offline 		Smeulders,
I'm with Rommel... He used to say that a risk is something from which you can recover if it fails while a gamble is irredeemable should it fail.

BTW, whereabouts in Belgium are you from? I was born in Leuven.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 138
RE: 9-12 March 42' - 3/31/2010 12:18:55 AM   
khyberbill


Posts: 1941
Joined: 9/11/2007
From: new milford, ct
Status: offline
quote:

The siege at Bataan is making my opponent very wary of further sieges, especially against the large stacks the Chinese can have. He has retreated from my major centres in China, so Sian shouldn't be in any danger. It should also have enough troops to hold the city against anything but the most massive attacks.


He might get over that experience. Sian is the front door. Yenan is the side door. The two key cities are Lanchow (where your fuel comes from and with some light industry as well) and Tienshui which sits on the road from Lanchow to Chungking. I would put some troops behind the river between Yenan and Tienshui to act as a blocking force and a trip wire. Good luck

_____________________________

"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 139
RE: Java Defence - 3/31/2010 12:20:49 AM   
khyberbill


Posts: 1941
Joined: 9/11/2007
From: new milford, ct
Status: offline
quote:

BTW, whereabouts in Belgium are you from? I was born in Leuven.


A pretty little town. I rode through on a bicycle in 1965.

_____________________________

"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.

(in reply to Nemo121)
Post #: 140
RE: Java Defence - 3/31/2010 8:20:47 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Nemo:I'm from the North of Belgium, quite near the Dutch border, for those who know Belgium it's somewhere halfway between Antwerp and Hasselt. I'm studying in Leuven, so that's where I am at the moment. As Bill says, a pretty little town and as it stands now nearly impossible to ride through on anything but a bicycle so if you ever come back that's the transport of choice (Or walking of course, it's that small).

Bill: Some good hints, I'm still shifting forces around in China and I'll certainly take a look at that.

(in reply to Nemo121)
Post #: 141
RE: Java Defence - 3/31/2010 9:32:18 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		On the battle of Java:

I haven't had the turn back yet, but I can already say it's a near complete disaster, which probably isn't that big of a surprise to most.

Some lessons learned
1) Don't expect you can catch KB with a SCTF (I didn't really/completely, I fully expected the Americans and Dutch wouldn't encounter KB. I did figure they would run into a couple of enemy TF wherever I sent them and sending them towards KB would give me a chance to engage that as well, I should have sent them where they could run away more easily and still be able to get into some fights first)
2) Auto-Disband doesn't, at least not during the turn.
3) TF's don't always end up where you want them
4) Fear KB, don't commit surface ships without significant top cover if KB is nearby 4b) A squadrons of Dutch fighters isn't top cover when carriers are around

Now for the battles
1) A harmless encounter of the Dutch and a sub, no hits were scored either side
2) In a pitch black night, PT-boats stumble on the invasion fleet, no damage either side in this short battle
3) The American cruiser engage a small transport convoy and wipe it out in 2 engagements. The top prize are 2 AK and the troops aboard
4) The Brits run over a sub and hit it 8 times, one was recorded as a direct hit in the replay.
4b) Same hex, the British massacre a Landing Barge TF, loaded with troops.
5) Maya and 2 DD confront the British, the CA severely damages Danea and holds off the other CLs, Stronghold and a Japanese DD report heavy fires.
5b) And MTB encounters the beat up British, but is easily destroyed
6) The Dutch engage a strong SCTF consisiting of 2 BB, 3 CA, 3 CL and 5 DD. The battle stays at very long range and is rather bloodless. Gunnery is bad on both sides, but CA Suzuya zeroes in on CL Tromp and damages it severely.
7) Here it all goes wrong, dawn comes and nearly all ships are now in Batavia. For some this was as ordered, but they were supposed to auto-disband, the British diverted here because of damage. Then KB begins striking the port and the few stragglers at sea, the only Cruiser to escape the bombs is Danea, possibly because it was already sunk. The DD get their fair share of attacks as well, damage reports under the image.


Dutch : Only CL De Ruyter remains in a reasonable condition, the other 3 CL are as good as dead. There are still 4 DD in a good condition, 3 are heavily damaged.
British : Only CL Durban might still be salvageable, all other Cruisers and DD are write-offs.
USA : All Cruisers are hit, damage should be light to moderate, but you never know. 2 DD get hit by torpedoes and are sunk, 3 others are unscathed.

This still leaves all the remaining ships in Batavia, with Kalidjati swarming with combat ships and KB guarding the Oosthaven straight. Question is where the other half of KB is going to go, if it closes down the other end of the Java sea I won't be getting any ships out alive.


< Message edited by Smeulders -- 3/31/2010 9:33:04 AM >

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 142
Battle of the Java Sea - Day 2 - 4/1/2010 1:25:13 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		The definite losses for the 18th are in, some of which were scuttled as they were too damaged to escape Java anyway. 5 Cl are lost: Java, Sumatra, Tromp (scuttled), Danea and Dragon (scuttled). 6 DD went down as well, Barker and Bulmer for the Americans, Evertsen and Van Ghent for the Dutch (both scuttled, the British Stronghold and finally Vedetta (Aus).

Orders for the 19th were mainly orders to break out, heavy air attacks on the Batavian port were expected and lounging around on the open sea wasn't an option either. Ships would mainly flee in the direction of Soerabaja and ports along the way for those with less fuel and speed, but Electra and Houston would be trying to use the Oosthaven straight. A night of extremely confused fighting followed, no surprise as there were about 10 Allied TF running around. It's all text format because a map would become unreadable. For those who need only the highlight, see the picture




CV Hiryu - KB is trying to make it's way back into the Java sea, but is spooked by a single DD, the HMS Electra. Twice KB meets her in the waters around Merak, and twice she retreats away from her. When she finally breaks through a gauntlet of subs has formed, and HMS Truant gets lucky.

HMS Electra - This lucky ship deserves her own entry, twice she was attacked by subs, twice she evaded the torpedoes. Twice she also ran into KB, the first time a long range encounter with KB turning away, the second time a close encounter in which some shells were exchanged.

CL Marblehead - Damage turned out to be moderate on the Marblehead and she tried to make her way to Batavia, which didn't happen without problems. She briefly met the invasion group, but combat was declined by both sides. A couple of hours later she met I-162 who put a first torp in her, I-158 finished her off with another 2.

CL Durban, DD Banckert, DD Witte de With - These ships made port in Semarang to refuel, but were attacked by bombers from KB. Durban was sunk, heavy damage was done to the 2 DD.

Porter and Stewart - These 2 undamaged destroyers tried to run away together, but stumbled on the invasion forces at Kalidjati, bravely they charged, but Porter got torpedoed and sank, Stewart, also damaged, fled into the night only to be picked off by a sub later.

Dutch PT-boats - These did the first attack of the night at Kalidjati (no rest for the Japanese here), they managed to sink an xAP, but one PT was shot apart by BB Nagato in return.

Air attacks - An air attack on the port of Batavia hit the two CM hidden there all along the Island air bases are swept, resulting in high losses to the Dutch fighters.




(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 143
18-22 March 42' - 4/4/2010 10:42:57 AM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		18-22 March 42'

There was quite a bit of action on other fronts as well these last few days, so let's get to that.

PI
Bataan finally fell on the 21st. Attacks had resumed on the 20th, immediately breaking through the last line of fortifications. The impressive defence of the men on Bataan seriously set back Japanese schedules.

Java
The landing beaches at Merak and Kalidjati both fell on the 19th, and the Japanese are moving to surround Batavia. Air battles over the island air pretty one-sided in favour of the Japanese. These mainly consist of the Japanese bombing ports, which is bad news for the CM still on the island. The Dutch make one large air strike at Billiton, where Hiryu might have gone to after she was hit. A 40 Oscar CAP defends the port admirably.

The only Allied naval forces still around is a PT boat group, which runs into a CL/DD force, losing one of their number.

Eastern DEI
In the margin of the Java battle the Japanese also advance towards Kendari. Forces aren't too big, but enough to take the base.

Subs
AP Barnett is sunk by I-20 near the Cook Islands
I-169 misses DD Van Ness, though the ship still succumbs to damage taken earlier.
Gato gets a dud on a TK near Bataan.
Argonaut surfaces to destroy a landing barge with it's large 6inch guns at Merak, she was in the area on a mining mission.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 144
23-26 March 42' - 4/12/2010 9:36:35 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		23-26 March 42'

Java
The Dutch PT-boats have been fighting hard the last couple of days, but had to do so against too great odds. They scored a victory attacking a landing barge TF at Merak, sinking about 5, but after this battle, their success ended. Over the next couple of days they were chased around the Java coast by CL and DD until they were wiped out on the 26th by a single DD.

The Dutch and ABDA airforces tried to do some damage again, but were repulsed most of the time. Vildebeests did manage to break through CAP and attacked two CA at Batavia, but failed to score hits.

On land the two prong attack surrounded Batavia, some 460 AV is here. Bandoeng is also reached by Japanese forces. A smaller 300 AV force is holding this base.

Other DEI
On Sumatra Sabang falls, all bases in Northern Sumatra are now in Japanese hands. On Celebes Makassar and Kendari are taken.

CM Krakatau is sunk while laying mines at Den Passer
Burma
All central Burmese bases are taken now, some small sweeps are undertaken against bases on the India/Burma border, but no British fighters are on CAP.

Australia
The survivors of the battle of the Java sea are now pulling into port in Australia. Luck saved the two best cruisers from the ABDA fleet, Houston and Boise have reached Perth and will start temporary repairs there. De Ruyter has also survived, she had to hide in Port Hedland as she was out of fuel, but a couple of 4-stackers have arrived to share their fuel and she is now around Exmouth. 4 DD have made it out as well, 3 Dutch and the HMS Electra. Total losses for the Allied side were 7 CL and 10 DD.

Subs
Seal does a good job frightening Lemon, she gets a hit on CVE Taiyo near Japan, but it was a dud. This CVE was likely on ASW duty.
The S-37 also attacks an xAK, but misses it's target. It's a recurring theme with the olders subs, they miss their target fairly often, KX shoots it's torpedoes past AMC Awata Maru.
Another theme is run-ins with SC without any consequence. Gato gets a dud on one, Truant gets depth charges thrown at her to no effect.
Two successes in the sub war though, Tarpon hits xAK Kosin Maru near Kyushu and Pike likely sinks xAK Nitiren Maru.



(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 145
27-31 March 42' - 4/18/2010 6:18:20 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		27-31 March 42'

Java campaign
At Bandoeng the first serious ground clashes on Java start. From the 27th to the 30th, the crack troops of the Imperial guards division charge the Dutch lines in the mountainous terrain. The Dutch forts are destroyed, but the line holds and the Japanese are forced to reorganize before a final attack.

DEI
Another land battle unfolds at Koepang, the defenders are seriously outnumbered, but the forts are a great equalizer. The absence of engineers will make sure the forts stay in play a little longer, but the higher losses for the Dutch mean the fall of Koepang is inevitable.

China
A small group of base forces has reached the Chinese lines around Changsha, but one unit was left behind and is now stuck behind Japanese lines. Some manoeuvring may indicate the Japanese will try to break through in the wilderness West of Changsha.

A small air battle unfolded around Changsha as well, as the AVG intercepted a bomber raid over the surrounded BF. As many as 17 sallies may have been shot down for no loss, 2 new pilots become aces in this action.

Subs
Japanese ASW is doing a good job in keeping allied subs down. 70% of sub encounters are either attacks by ASW groups or convoy escorts spotting the subs before an attack. These attacks are far from lethal however, there is hardly ever more than 1 or 2 hits resulting in hardly any damage.

There were 2 successful attacks however. KVII hit xAK Koyo Maru near Kendari and the old PG Moresby was sunk by RO-61 near Cairns, PG Swan may have moderately damaged the sub in return though.

The next update will be the end of the month summary for March

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 146
March overview - 4/18/2010 10:13:01 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		March Overview
And the end of march is reached already, the most important action was in the DEI, which saw the overland conquest of large parts of Sumatra and the landings on Java.



Theatre by Theatre

DEI
As said above, the main action was here. Coverage on the naval battle of Java has been extensive, but apart from the landings the Japanese forces have already moved to cut off Batavia from the rest of the island. It seems like he is waiting until Bandoeng is neutralized to commit forces for the attack on Batavia.

Sumatra has gotten woefully little coverage, but that is because nothing truly interesting is happening there. Decent forces have landed here, and once they reach my bases they usually have little problems routing the remaining base forces there. The only remaining bases are Padang and a dot base in the centre of the island and the major reason they haven't been captured yet is the long march that is needed to reach the bases.

Burma
No land battles, hardly any action in the air, this area has become nearly dormant. The Japanese forces have now captured all bases on the central plane and will not face opposition if they march towards the Northern bases.

China
The shooting war has ended here for a little while, some bases in the South have been abandoned and taken by Japanese forces

PI
After a long battle resistance on Luzon has finally ended, all that remains are some little island bases defended by starving troops.

SoPac
Baker island is taken


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 147
RE: March overview - 4/18/2010 10:29:53 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Naval losses

This Month
                    Japan         Allies
CL                     -1             5               The -1 is a FOW adjustment, the CL was said to have been sunk by a sub
DD                     0             10
SS                     1              0
PC/..                  1              1
AP/..                  1              1
AK/...                10             0

Obviously a really bad month for me, I'm trading DD for xAK and that's not even considering the CL. The losses were mainly due to the battle in the Java Sea.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 148
RE: March overview - 4/18/2010 10:35:22 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Air losses


This Month
                 Japan             Allies
Total             239               215
Air                  39               108
Flak                27                 13
Ground             4                  26
Ops               169                 68

Losses are fairly even this month, but again thanks to the high Op Losses sustained by the IJA and IJN. The huge disparity in air losses is what you get once the Dutch air force goes into action.


(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 149
RE: March overview - 4/18/2010 10:47:19 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Plane Pools



Fighters are in a very good shape, I haven't had much losses to replace anyway. Warhawk pools will drop significantly though, as I've got a number of units that will upgrade to P40 as they are reaching the front lines. This will use up about 100 planes at least. Very pleasant are the Australian Kittyhawks that start production this month. They aren't many, but early in the war the Allied player has to be happy with everything he gets. In total I'm building about 207 non-soviet fighters a month now, but only about 150 of these are useful besides as training planes.



Hardly any losses have been sustained by my bombers so far, but soon they will have to start flying offensive instead of training.



These pools are pretty nice, I'm leaving some units on the West Coast as training units with little planes though, so this helps.

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 150
Page:   <<   < prev  3 4 [5] 6 7   next >   >>
All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> 25-26 February 42' Page: <<   < prev  3 4 [5] 6 7   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

1.000