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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/24/2012 3:47:58 AM

Cribtop

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Quick update - Tennant Creek falls! Banzai!

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/25/2012 4:16:07 AM

alaviner

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Just found and read your AAR, Great job in China. I have been out of gaming for over a year due to RL issues but maybe it is time to reinstall AE, upgrade, and take the AI for a spin.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/25/2012 4:28:07 AM

Cribtop

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Thanks, NCSU. Glad to have you aboard. North Carolina State, I presume? I'm a Texan but my family hails from the sprawling metropolis of Mullins, South Carolina. Our joke was "grits for breakfast and fajitas for lunch."

I strongly recommend getting back into AE. Amazing game if you can afford the time sink.

While I'm at it, another quick update (I'll catch up over the weekend) - Bataan falls! No surprise as those poor boys were starving, but the good news is that 36 LCUs surrender, including all base forces, HQs and US LCUs, so CF didn't get anything out. In fairness to him, this was probably an intentional decision to stay true to history rather than neglect to sub evac units on his part.

Still, it's worth 736 VPs today and frees up 3 Divisions and a Brigade for the perimeter. Operation Killshot thus concludes successfully. Banzai!

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/25/2012 4:39:56 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/25/2012 10:48:54 PM

Cribtop

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August 20, 1942

Subs

Escorts chase off Truant from an empty troop convoy returning to Singers. Truant then shoots and misses a DD, taking a penetrating and several minor hits in return. That should send the sub home.

Grayling misses an xAK near Miyako Jima.

DD Stuart DCs I-7 without effect north of Sydney.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

No change.

14th Army

BA Bataan shows raw AS of 1528 vs 432. This will be over quickly, which is great news to a Cribtop HQ worried about an early Allied offensive catching us with our pants down.

16th Army

Despite the efforts of 27 B-17s, the IJAAF and our tank regiments prevail at Tennant Creek. Severe storms in the hex helped to minimize the effect of the 4Es. Adjusted AV soars due to the availability of supply. Odds of the SA are 4:1, the base falls with 3 LCUs retreated, casualties 463(123) vs nil.

Via e-mail, Cuttlefish commented that he hopes we enjoy Tennant as we won't be there long. This is probably true, but the spoiling attack is judged a nice success in Tokyo as it will impose delay on any offensive toward Darwin.

25th Army

Ketapang occupied. Christmas Island makes level 3 forts.

15th Army

Our first night raid at Ledo damages 5 C-47s. Not great, not bad. By e-mail, CF and I tentatively agree to limit night attacks to harassment raids of one group except for 4E firebombing raids (scary for me, but that's what happened IRL). We'll re-evaluate as the game goes on.

There's a moment of panic when a PT TF at Port Blair reports an enemy floatplane, but there are no attacks, and after the replay we figure out that some variants of Catalina can just reach Port Blair from Trincomalee.

China

Chineses troops recently moved adjacent to a recon regiment deep in enemy territory (hex 76, 50 two hexes east of Tuyun, blocking a road). Today the Chinese air force bombs this unit. If this keeps up we'll CAP trap.

A fresh brigade arrives at hex 81, 40 (the mountains between Ankang and Tienshui where CF tried a DA recently), bolstering AS to 940.

We are having weirdness with an armored car near Pingsiang. It's twice been ordered to march from hex 83, 53 to 84, 54 (from there it could close out an enemy controlled hex side), but twice has instead marched from 83, 53 to 83, 54. Must be a bug, because we're ordering the move from one hex to the other (i.e. no further destination). The first time it happened we assumed it was a "beer enabled" moment (

it was a weekend turn), but it happened again after we triple checked the move. We will try marching overland from 83, 54, but it's annoying to have the delay for an important Op.

In the good kind of problem department, a recon group that is perma-restricted to Formosa is running out of Chinese units in range of Pescadores to recon.

Combined Fleet

Not a lot going on as far as moves go, but we're assembling assets for the Baker counterinvasion, dubbed Operation Retread.

Other

Maizuru hits level 6 port.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/25/2012 11:31:11 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/25/2012 11:28:54 PM

Cribtop

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August 21, 1942

Subs

No contacts. Our subs near Sydney re-activate their Glens, keeping an eye on the port but restricting range so as to avoid CAP in Sydney itself.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

A decent number of reinforcements ship out for Truk. One naval guard is bound for Tarawa, the 3rd and 4th Raiding Regiments will join the local reserve at Rabaul, and several much needed base forces will move to their stations.

14th Army

The first DA at Bataan takes the base rather easily with 6:1 odds despite level 3 forts. Banzai!

As mentioned above, 36 enemy LCUs surrender for a total VP haul this turn of 736. Total army loss points for the game to date are 9919 to 392, a rather tasty ratio of 25.3 to 1! It will drop as time goes on, but as a barometer of success in the ground game it's a sign we're doing well.

The success at Bataan, although inevitable, is great news. We can now shift two divisions to 25th Army to help provide a reaction force (18th and 56th, which will move to Singers and Kendari), while 14th Army moves to Truk to dramatically increase the size of our theater reserve in the Pacific AOs. Nice! We will first have to clear the mines at Bataan, but then will immediately load for the new positions.

Opening Manila also allows more efficient resource hauling.

The fall of Bataan concludes the PI campaign far later than expected, but we believe we chose to wait this long for sound reasons. Going forward, we will no longer report on 14th Army AO, as that formation is now subordinated to SE Fleet.

One final note: A result this important would normally have rated a first person account, but given the historical events at Bataan it seems inappropriate to discuss the Japanese point of view. I will instead choose simply to salute the brave American and Filipino forces who gave all for freedom, as well as the forces that liberated the survivors in 1944. [doffs cap respecfully].

16th Army

Our exhausted air force has to stand down today. 31(!) B-17s pound our tanks at Tennant Creek. This is actually decent news as such a large commitment of 4Es to a relatively unimportant theater is good as far Cribtop HQ is concerned.

25th Army

Batoe-eilanden invaded.

15th Army

We try a night/day raid combo at Ledo, but the night attack is scrubbed by weather. The day raid is a success, however, destroying 3 C-47s on the ground. Still no CAP. Total airfield damage is up to 47%.

Akyab ominously makes airfield level 5. That said, if CF moves this far forward with his air force, it may create an opportunity for favorable attrition in the air.

China

The enemy tries a DA at Kukong, but a scratch force behind level 3 forts stops them. Odds are 1:2, casualties 2382(14) vs 719(6). In a few days 26th Division will enter the hex from the last Allied controlled hexside, fully isolating 6 LCUs.

Siangtan hits level 2 forts.

Current intention in China is to fully isolate and then destroy the Pingsiang stack, freeing up forces to combine with 17th Army and attempt the seizure of Changsha.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/26/2012 12:56:34 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 7:43:22 AM

Cribtop

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Time for a short comment before bed. I'm actually tired tonight (this morning), which is incredibly rare for me after my 10am mental wake up time.

I am quite encouraged by the state of the war. It occurred to me tonight that the final victory at Bataan frees up not just the combat troops referenced, but also 4 IJAAF base forces, 1 Val group, and an ELITE IJAAF bomber wing. I'll add in a fighter Sentai (soon to be Tojo equipped) and a recon group and move the whole lot to Manus awaiting action in 16th Army or SE Fleet AOs. Nice.

The base forces can go to places near Saumlaki and build a second line behind Darwin.

We moved a few subs to the western exit of the Bass Strait. Once we confirm CF has moved his carriers West of this point (hopefully by sinking a CV), Combined Fleet will move back to Babedaob. For now it looks like CF will try to pursue the approach utilized against him in his game against Q-Ball. If so, we'll be ready, as this was an avenue of approach we considered highly likely from day 1 of the war.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/26/2012 7:45:28 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 1:19:16 PM

princep01

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Crib, nice job at Bataan. I'm sure your casualties were very low given the "stravation strategy" used to take this rich haul of Allied forces. Make sure and feed the POWs. You don't want that knock at your door should the Allies ultimately prevail in this fracas:).

After reading a few AARs wherein the IJA used this strategy to take out the PI, I've become convinced that the wisdom of the strategy is a function of the aggressiveness of your opponent. Against a more aggressive Allied player, tying up those assets thru mid August COULD have negative consequences for Japan. Just another excellent give and take aspect of this infinitely interesting game.

Overall, you have to be happy with how your imperial forces have fared to date. Naval losses have been low and your expansion has gone very smoothly.

Good AAR too.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 2:47:45 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Thanks, NCSU. Glad to have you aboard. North Carolina State, I presume? I'm a Texan but my family hails from the sprawling metropolis of Mullins, South Carolina. Our joke was "grits for breakfast and fajitas for lunch."

I strongly recommend getting back into AE. Amazing game if you can afford the time sink.

While I'm at it, another quick update (I'll catch up over the weekend) - Bataan falls! No surprise as those poor boys were starving, but the good news is that 36 LCUs surrender, including all base forces, HQs and US LCUs, so CF didn't get anything out. In fairness to him, this was probably an intentional decision to stay true to history rather than neglect to sub evac units on his part.

Still, it's worth 736 VPs today and frees up 3 Divisions and a Brigade for the perimeter. Operation Killshot thus concludes successfully. Banzai!

All of those ground units can now be rebuilt with the new patch at very little cost. There is really not much sense in evacuating fragments anymore. No sense risking the ships or aircraft. I mid 44 I have rebuilt all of the large PI naval base forces and they are very useful. Works for Japan as well.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 3:18:31 PM

Crackaces

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quote:

All of those ground units can now be rebuilt with the new patch at very little cost. There is really not much sense in evacuating fragments anymore. No sense risking the ships or aircraft. I mid 44 I have rebuilt all of the large PI naval base forces and they are very useful. Works for Japan as well.

That cost would be little in terms of PP costs ... the actual rebuild cost is what it is in terms of HI. Using WitP Tracker I esitmated 90 days of production; however, in the meantime new units came into theater lacking devices that were deviated to the units I just built. Thus far not all the units have filled out, but given new reinforcements, losses, and units still to be filled out WitPTracker says another 90 days ..

Still a good deal but not free by any means ..

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 7:11:50 PM

Cribtop

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crsutton & crackaces - you know, even though I've used the "buy back" system myself, it's amazing how assumptions stick with you. I really prefer the system where saving fragments isn't necessary.

princep - I agree about judging your opponent and evaluating your plans as Japan before deciding on a "fast PI" vs a "slow PI" strategy. In this case I left 1 Division and 1 Brigade sitting on Clark, so not a whole lot of troops. The worry was when I shifted 18th and 56th Division out of their reaction role to administer the final blow. In retrospect, I probably only needed one of those units, but such is life. It's certainly a relief to suddenly have 3 more divisions and a brigade to man the walls!

65th Brigade will become the principal garrison of Milne Bay, IMHO a key base. 48th Division and 20th Division will be at Truk. 18th (which has just absurd EXP after its many conquests) will be at Kendari, 56th at Singers.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 9:39:27 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

All of those ground units can now be rebuilt with the new patch at very little cost. There is really not much sense in evacuating fragments anymore. No sense risking the ships or aircraft. I mid 44 I have rebuilt all of the large PI naval base forces and they are very useful. Works for Japan as well.

That cost would be little in terms of PP costs ... the actual rebuild cost is what it is in terms of HI. Using WitP Tracker I esitmated 90 days of production; however, in the meantime new units came into theater lacking devices that were deviated to the units I just built. Thus far not all the units have filled out, but given new reinforcements, losses, and units still to be filled out WitPTracker says another 90 days ..

Still a good deal but not free by any means ..

Well the point is whether you are rebuilding a fragment or the whole unit it does not really matter. The cost is going to be about the same. It is just now you do not have to fret about saving certain units. It allows the Allied player to stand and fight in 42 and the Japanese player has somewhat the same options later on.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 10:43:18 PM

princep01

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Crib, no dispute here, but why do you say Milne Bay is a key position? I have heard this said before, but have never understood the basic reason soem Allied (and thus Japanese) players consider it so important. In the games I have played (always Allied), I have never bothered landing and building it up, but there must be a reason this keeps getting repeated. There are other islands in the area that would seem to serve the same purpose. Are they just as good as Milne Bay?

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 10:50:10 PM

Cribtop

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Princep,

IMHO Milne Bay is like a can opener into further attacks on PM, Buna/Lae, Gasmata, and eventually Rabaul. It's an isolated base with nearby dots that the Allies can build up and use to get fighter escort for further depradations. Also, the Papuan Peninsula's "sides" divide fleet Ops and make it more risky to cross over toward PM (for Japan) or toward New Britain (for the Allies). Milne Bay let's you play in both ponds. This is sort of the lazy Sunday afternoon version of MB's importance, but I think you get the picture.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/26/2012 10:59:27 PM

princep01

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yes, I see that element. However, just about any of the island dot bases in that area would have the same effect, right> Normanby/Ferguson Is (if I remember them correctly). All allow decent air bases, but I have never scoped out the port potential, so I thought maybe Milne Bay had a large port potential and that was the reason for the high billing.

On to the Oscars (the little statuet type, not the air plane type:).

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/27/2012 1:01:37 AM

Cribtop

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Actually, Fergusson or the dots can help, but if the Japanese still hold Milne they can contest control of the area. Also, the Japanese usually build up MB so it's worth taking to get the airfield. I intentionally didn't build it for that reason.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/27/2012 5:51:43 AM

Alfred

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Other than the Australian Queensland bases and Rabaul, Milne Bay is the best balanced base site which justs out into the Coral and Solomon Seas. It is a superior harbour than Port Moresby. There is limited value in having a level 9 airfield with more than 10 air units or 600 plus aircraft if it is difficult to constantly bring in and unload in a timely manner supply to maintain offensive operations. Also from Milne Bay Allied 4E can strike at enemy bases in the Solomons.

Alfred

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/27/2012 6:49:58 AM

Cribtop

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Alfred gave the much better than lazy Sunday afternoon version. The point is, Milne Bay is key, so we're slapping a crack Brigade on there, stat.

Tonight's replay shows the enemy battle fleet curving southwest as they exit the Bass Strait. Is this a juke to dodge subs or an effort to double back East? Either way, with the number of Glen boats we have in the area, we will know tomorrow.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/28/2012 10:04:18 AM

obvert

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What is the situation in N OZ now and how far do you plan to go there? Both in distance and in time? Will you try to hold it at all costs or do you have a planned retreat at a certain stage when the Allies either get to a certain point or a at a certain date?

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/28/2012 5:18:36 PM

Cribtop

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Obvert,

I had basically intended to get to Tennant Creek, Alice Springs if CF let me. He chose to commit a lot of armor to NW Oz very quickly, thus stopping me at Daly Waters. The move on Tennant was just a raid to take advantage of the lack of combat LCUs garrisoning that base. I don't plan to hold Tennant for long, but the delay in marching back to take it, rebuilding the base, and restoring logistics for a new advance on Daly is well worth the three armored regts we used, especially because they will be hard to cut off and thus should be able to live to fight another day.

As for longer term, NW Oz is strictly a delaying operation. I will slowly give ground all the way to Darwin, and will force CF to make a major commitment to drive me out. Realistically, once he has enough force to take Daly he will be on his way. However, we won't get Daly absent at least two divisions plus armor. When the Allies are threatening Katherine you will see me start to pack up except for a rear guard in Darwin.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/28/2012 7:45:35 PM

crsutton

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Funny thing about Northern OZ. There is a strict limit to Allied supply flow past Daily Waters. The Allies just can't support a large force beyond Daily Waters-they simply just don't get the supply. So if the Japanese player is willing to commit a large force to hold Darwin up to Tennant Creek, then it is impossible for the Allies to take it back by land. This is what Viperpol did to me in our game and held Northern Oz until early 44. I finally corraled his large army in Darwin but could only sit and watch as he pulled off a clean evaucation. My army at Darwin was totally out of supply and even though I had large airbasese full of bombers, I could not get them to fly a singe mission vs his vulnerable transports as they would not fly without some beans to eat.

The thing is, there was really no need for him to pull out at all. He could have held Northern Oz for another 4 months if he wanted. There was nothing I could do. Unless, I used all my carriers and invaded in his rear, but Allied carriers are usually busy elsewhere. Even if he lost three divisons and the supporting troops, I think it would have been worth it to hold Darwin for the extra time.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/28/2012 9:20:28 PM

Cribtop

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Good info. I had heard that the new supply draw rules made things tough on the Allies in NW Oz, but it's good to know that impossible is a better description. Given that info, we'll presumably hold Daly to Darwin until the enemy endangers the position from the sea, at which time we'll withdraw to the second line centered on Timor.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/28/2012 11:32:09 PM

Crackaces

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Thrn again Micheal could change something in the meantime ...

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/29/2012 2:40:09 AM

princep01

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Well, sure, Crackaces, he could change it, but I sincerely hope he does not. The current incarnation of WitPAE makes it very difficult to launch major offenses out of N. Australia without control of the sea north of the northern coast. While I have never read specific studies on it, I have read numerous times in other histories of the Pacific War that the Allies rejected this route due to logistic considerations. Without full rail connections, it simply was impractical, if not impossible, to build up the supply needed for offensive action out of Darwin or the other small ports along the coastline. It has always bothered me that Allied players commonly used that route to invade the DEI.

It is one thing to launch a sea borne/CV supported invasion from Perth as it is plausible that adequate supply could have been built up there IRL. However, this is rarely seen in the AARs I have read because the Allies use the much more efficient Darwin to Timor route with LBA out of Darwin and other bases in that area. Never mind that it was a very unlikely route given the logistic shortcomings of northern Oz.

If someone knows otherwise or has access to an Allied study showing otherwise, I would appreciate the title.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 2/29/2012 6:02:08 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

Well, sure, Crackaces, he could change it, but I sincerely hope he does not. The current incarnation of WitPAE makes it very difficult to launch major offenses out of N. Australia without control of the sea north of the northern coast. While I have never read specific studies on it, I have read numerous times in other histories of the Pacific War that the Allies rejected this route due to logistic considerations. Without full rail connections, it simply was impractical, if not impossible, to build up the supply needed for offensive action out of Darwin or the other small ports along the coastline. It has always bothered me that Allied players commonly used that route to invade the DEI.

It is one thing to launch a sea borne/CV supported invasion from Perth as it is plausible that adequate supply could have been built up there IRL. However, this is rarely seen in the AARs I have read because the Allies use the much more efficient Darwin to Timor route with LBA out of Darwin and other bases in that area. Never mind that it was a very unlikely route given the logistic shortcomings of northern Oz.

If someone knows otherwise or has access to an Allied study showing otherwise, I would appreciate the title.

Well yes, this is 100% accurate and as it should be. However, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander. I never see JFBs complaining about how hard it is to take Northern Oz. Oh, wait a minute, that is because it is not hard.

It is amazingly easy. My opponent landed 200k men at Wyndham, a level 0 port at the time and then marched them over 400 miles of what is essentially rough dirt track to outflank and take Darwin from the rear. Quite frankly without trucks this just would never have been possible. So we have this total JFB fantasy scenario where the sky is the limit but have strict restrictions on the Allies ability to react. Point is, taking Darwin and fighting in Northern OZ should be very difficult for both sides. It is not that way now-only for one side. I got no problem with Japan seizing costal bases, but marching inland. Come on, we are talking about a national army that basically was 95% foot bound and I would get thirsty just flying over Northern OZ.....

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/1/2012 12:28:11 AM

princep01

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crsutton, I have to agree with you on your point. However, it is conceivable that the Japanese could have taken the northern Oz coastline. They considered it, but the IJA refused to go. However, taking the coastline would have been about the limit and only feasible because they controlled the sea leading to it. Building up sufficient supply to move inland in significant/offensive numbers would have been about impossible for them too. So, I do agree that the IJ player has a "free pass" card here for moving supply inland without the infrastructure to land it, much less move it hundreds of miles over fairly arid and forbidding terrain.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/1/2012 4:39:25 AM

Cribtop

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JFB that I am, I have to agree with you both.

I'm a few days behind on updates again thanks to that accursed "job" thing. I have a 3 day weekend coming and will catch up soon.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/1/2012 3:10:00 PM

Panther Bait

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The difference between the Allies and the Japanese in fighting in Northern Oz is typically that the Japanese control the sea approaches and can resupply at will bases a few hundred miles in the rear. If the Allies are trying to fight their way north supplied out of southern OZ, their supply lines are measured in the 1000's of miles from Sydney/Perth/Adelaide(?). That's what makes it hard for the Allies. If the Allies gain control of the seas around Timor/Java, and the Japanese are still in Northern Oz, the Allies can do the same exact things as the Japanese can do early war.

Mike

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(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 1287

RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/2/2012 6:42:57 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
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From: Lone Star Nation
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August 22, 1942

Today is Texas Independence Day! All hail the great nation! The holiday lets me catch up the AAR.

Reporting change: The fall of Bataan ends the expansionary phase of the game. We are re-organizing and will report AOs a little differently. As mentioned, 14th Army is now subordinated to SE Fleet and will no longer be reported separately.

In addition, we will now generally report on the Soutern Army AO. Southern Army is laid out as follows: 25th Army is put in charge of defending Malaya, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. 16th Army will defend the archipelago east of Java, Celebes and the Moluccas. Newly stood up 2nd Army will base at Darwin and hold NW Oz.

Subs

Lots of action near Sydney. I-15 torpedoes BB North Carolina near the eastern entrance to the Bass Strait! Banzai! The hit doesn't appear too severe, but any major flotation damage to a BB can take a long time to repair. Of greater interest is that this move appears to confirm that CF is moving his CVs and battle line West.

I-8 finally succumbs to her depth charging and shelling by DDs near Brisbane.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

No change (we will report enemy fleet movements near Sydney under Combined Fleet below).

Southern Army

Batoe eilanden is occupied, Tambelan eilanden is invaded.

3 DMS sweep mines at Bataan, which will allow rapid loading of 14th Army, 18th Division and 56th Division for the front. These forces are desperately needed to bolster the perimeter; Cribtop HQ projects they will arrive at their staging areas in about 10 days.

15th Army

Night bombers hit Ledo's airfield, destroying 1 C-47 and damaging 6. In addition to hitting this end of the supply conduit, we plan to steal a page from jrcar's game and build up the dot base north of Hanoi for use LRCAPing the Chinese recipient bases.

China

Kweiyang goes to a level 4 airfield - music to our ears as that burns supply.

The IJAAF pastes Changsha's airfield for 8 supply and 106 runway hits. Every so often we will do this to keep airfield damage above 0, retard fort construction and kill supply.

Combined Fleet

Alert! Multiple enemy task forces are spotted by subs and Glens departing Sydney and entering the Bass Strait on a westerly course, including BB SCTFs and CVTFs. It strongly appears that the whole enchilada is headed that way. Combined with two "heavy volume" messages at Perth, the possibility that CF will make a play at NW Oz or the Timor/Java area increases. His possible destinations are Perth, India or Cape Town. We will keep watch with subs, picket ships and air search.

Is a USN upgrade cycle due? He could be heading to Cape Town for that. Obviously, CF could double back (he certainly knows we saw him at Sydney with our Glens), but we will detail a few subs (near Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane and New Zealand) to watch for this. However, it seems that for now he wants to play on the left half of the map.

Combined Fleet will shift from Truk to Babeldaob as a result. The Baker Op is still on for now, however. So long as we have a good idea where the enemy CVs are, we can proceed.

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Post #: 1288

RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/2/2012 7:25:43 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

August 23, 1942

Subs

Gato duds on an SC in an ASW TF near Toyohara. Salmon duds on an xAKL SE of Truk.

We are chasing the enemy fleet near the Bass Strait but no direct contacts today. They will outpace our subs but we hope to maintain contact and confirm the western move. The mini sub that was going to Sydney diverts to Perth, while 2 sub minelayers at Singers load up for Perth as well.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Merauke makes level 4 airfield. We also pay PPs to create the CD gun equipped special base force there (the units have been in place for a while, but now the situation seems to require the relatively minor expenditure). We are pleased that the total AS for the new unit is over 100. Nice. Merauke is a cornerstone to the defense of the boundary between SE Fleet and Southern Army AOs.

Southern Army

Tambelan eilanden occupied.

Sabang makes level 3 airfield, Taberfane level 2. Cocos Islands go to level 3 forts.

We create another special base force at Port Hedland to prepare for any move in this direction. 4 X 8 cm CD guns and 120ish AS helps a lot.

15th Army

Hurricanes sweep Mandalay in great numbers today, then 48 Blenheims bomb the base. We lose a 2 Sallys in the night bombing unit but otherwise damage is nominal. Our 2 AA units don't account for much.

The raid is uncontested in the air. We had pulled out most of our planes as we anticipated this given the heavy recon of late and the destruction of C-47s. Thinking is that the Oscars can't handle the Hurris when the Oscars are sweeping, much less when the Oscars are CAP. Mr. Tojo arrives very soon (R&D didn't advance them, but I've heard this is not possible in Scenario 1 for some reason) and we will fight with a vengeance then.

China

We are moving to fully isolate Pingsiang and bringing down a few fresh divisions. Until then a short lull has descended here. There is some evidence that CF is reinforcing a new MLR running Changteh - Chikiang - Tuyun, but force levels in Tuyun and Kweiyang are still light. Changsha is an outpost of this line with an LoC. Pingsiang and the enemy forces trapped outside Loyang are isolated outposts.

Combined Fleet

The last two turns are the first in forever without any combat animations. At a minimum you could count on the bombardment attacks at Clark Field. One way or the other, this is the calm before the storm. We plan further attacks in China, and either CF will try something very soon or we will. Cribtop HQ is contemplating some sort of aggressive move in either SE Fleet (Luganville or Noumea) or off SW Oz. We are unlikely to commit Combined Fleet that far south (too far from bases, no LBA support, cripples can't get home, etc), but are actively planning an ambush if CF is coming for the Timor area in the near term.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 3/2/2012 7:41:44 PM >

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Post #: 1289

RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 3/2/2012 7:41:33 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
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August 24, 1942

Subs

I-5 misses a DD escorting a big SCTF 1 hex from King Island at the western opening of the Bass Strait containing BB North Carolina and 3 CAs. Numerous Glen contacts indicate that the enemy fleet is still headed West. While still watching for a double back, it appears we know the enemy's direction, if not his intentions.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

No change.

Southern Army

Bad weather over Tennant Creek keeps the 4E monsters away, a nice break for our tanks. Supplies are being flown in and are in the white, and DIS from enemy bombing is dropping. Still, we can't hold here for long if CF makes a concerted effort. Helens from Darwin bomb the lone enemy LCU approaching Tennant, which broke off from the stack near Daly. It's the 754th Tank Battalion. We won't run away from just one LCU.

Sinabang invaded. Only a few more bases left to DBCL. A base force and a 20 plane Jake unit will move in here.

15th Army

No change as the enemy aircraft stay home and storms abound.

China

Recon shows more evidence of new enemy LCUs at Tuyun and Kweiyang, but numbers of troops and guns are still low. CF is basing the KMT air force here, so at least some of the new arrivals must be base forces. We'll destroy the Chinese air force soon, but for now are focused on pounding the enemy outposts left in the south in preparation for attacks there.

Combined Fleet

We consider our options and decide to sortie for Babel. If evidence of a move on the Timor area continues to mount, Combined Fleet and Indes Fleet will join the Timor Sea Squadron at Kendari, but that's a ways off.

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