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RE: 1944! - 1/22/2013 1:27:37 PM

ny59giants

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I would have subs set up in Patrol Zones that stay at one of these bases for 1 day before moving to another base and stays there for 1 day. Build up intel and see if he is moving troops in and out of them.

Decide now what bases you are going to invade and start to prep for them. The next move up the northern coast of NG will be the biggest risk and then they should fall relatively quickly as you will be within LRCAP distance of the short legged fighters.

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Post #: 541

RE: 1944! - 1/22/2013 6:25:35 PM

JocMeister

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
SO many choices there! If your air and naval superiority is assured, capturing Finschafen would put him in a real pickle, cutting off all those troops on the NG turkey's tail. Otherwise, it's a steady punching at all those interlocking airfields to close them down so you can land on a few select bases.
Good luck!

Agreed! I need either Finschafen, Umboi Isl or Cape Gloucester. So I will take all three.

But I think I may need to secure Buna first. He has 400 AV there but they should be pretty beat up. Pounding them from the air. Will try an attack here in a few turns. Want the fatigue to drop a little bit more.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I would have subs set up in Patrol Zones that stay at one of these bases for 1 day before moving to another base and stays there for 1 day. Build up intel and see if he is moving troops in and out of them.

Decide now what bases you are going to invade and start to prep for them. The next move up the northern coast of NG will be the biggest risk and then they should fall relatively quickly as you will be within LRCAP distance of the short legged fighters.

That is a really neat idea! I�ll get that done! To lessen the risks I�m considering taking Buna and setting it up as fighter hive before moving again. I�m thinking I�ll let the first attack in a few days make the decision. If it looks to be a drawn out process I�ll just bypass it. Will probably need a month to get everything ready anyway. Troops are resting and upgrading to 44 squads!

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Post #: 542

RE: 1944! - 1/22/2013 6:42:04 PM

ny59giants

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Hit Buna with two BB TF to significantly increase his disruption levels the day of your deliberate attack.

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Post #: 543

RE: 1944! - 1/23/2013 5:52:15 AM

JocMeister

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I might not be able to Michael. Some interesting developments at Rabaul. Spotted what looks like 5 BBs last turn. If so it looks like my naval supremacy is partially over. I have some 40-50 Fletchers in the area though. Wonder if Erik dares risk his BBs against them.

I�m going to move 500 TB/DBs to PM and try and set a trap for him. If I can get his BBs stuck out of OPS after battling it out with 4-5 DD TFs during the night...

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Post #: 544

RE: 1944! - 1/23/2013 8:58:38 AM

ny59giants

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Lay mines at Buna by your DMs or CMs, if possible.

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RE: 1944! - 1/23/2013 6:32:43 PM

artuitus_slith

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where is the KB and what condition is it in? That should determine where you can strike more than a few BBs. Capital ships without air support are just reefs waiting to sink, and with 18CVE and 7 CV you should be able to project air power/superiority anywhere you want. I'd suggest you capture Shortlands to cut off the Solomons, Kaivieng to and the base East of Rabual to cut off Rabaul, and one of the Admiralty Islands to cut of NE New Guinea, and then leave his troops to rot. Use 4e and 2E to eat up his supplies, and once out of supply, you can use these bases as 'live-fire' target practice for your bomber squadrons.

Just an observation and not a critique or 'flame' but it seems like you have a long term goal-defeating Japan, and immediate/short term goal (capture base x) but not much in the way of intermediate goals. I know you are talking about invading the Philippines but haven't read much in the way of how you are going to do it. Do you plan on just using whatever is available (a seat of the pants approach) or have you given significant thought to exactly how you intend to accomplish your goals? And how does this goal fit in with your over-all goal of defeating Japan? Obviously plans have to adapt to operational realities, but that's what contingency plans are for. I try to have an immediate, 3 month, 6m 12m 18m and 24m plan for each area. immediate goals are the least flexible in my planning process, as they are occurring now, while the 24m goal is the most flexible since it is the furthest away. You may find that having set goals for each region and and overall plan helps make turns go more smoothly, since you already know what you want to do. While I am far from an expert at this game, I have benefited from reading AARs from other players, and in particular CanoeRebel and Greyjoy. Both of these players have stated multi stage goals,and attempt to adhere to them as much as possible. Just a thought, and please don't take it as a criticism, I am enjoying reading your AAR (especially since I am still in Jan/42 in my new game against the AI and don't have all the shiny new toys you have), just trying to give you something to do between turns ;)

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Post #: 546

RE: 1944! - 1/23/2013 6:51:23 PM

JocMeister

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7th-10th January -44

This will probably be the last more comprehensive update for a a week or so. I�m moving houses on Saturday. I will probably send Erik the last turn on Friday. I hope I have time to give a small update on the Baker invasion going in this turn and the first attack at Buna!

Port Moresby area

Erik has sent in some powerful naval forces to Rabaul. I see a big TF of about 5 BBs and this last turn 2 CA/CL TFs popped into range of my naval search. This doesn�t change my plans one bit though. I will use this opportunity to try and get rid of some of his BBs. If I entice him to strike and slow him down enough to be in range from PM those BBs are gone. I set the B25s to naval attack together with 48 Beuforts, 150 Avengers and 180 DBs. About 100 Hellcats are on escort for them.

If he stays put I can use my 175 P38s to try for the CAP at Rabaul itself while I hope the 200 B25s at go after the BBs! 1200 500 lbs bombs can probably ruin any ones day? Even a BB! Is it worth a shot? All B25 pilots have 70+ in naval skill. And they have stood up well to CAP before. Problem is to actually make them go for the big stuff at Rabaul.

Woodlark Island is secured. Erik had left with anything that can fly out. BFs will land shortly under CAP from Milne. First deliberate attack is ordered at Buna. Flak stopped a while back and losses has risen 10 fold from aerial attacks the last 4-5 turns.

Looks like Erik is reinforcing anything he can by barge. My DDs doesn�t seem to be able to take them on as his Barge TFs two times in a row has manege to "evade combat"? How the heck does a barge doing what 6-8 knots evade a 38 knot DD when the DD has it on radar? My strike planes refuse to fly against them too!?

The reinforcing doesn�t really matter. My next jump will be a 6 divisions on 3 different bases and even if he piled everything he has on those bases its not enough. One ID will be in reserve. All divisions are currently upgrading to 44 squads!

The more I see the more convinced I am Erik made a doodoo here and sent way too much to Burma. Hope I�m right!

CENTPAC

Baker invasion went in this turn. Fingers crossed!

Burma

My sweep over Rangoon never materialized. No clue why as usual. Weather was good. Neither the night bombing nor the sweeps took off. I hate when I don�t know why.

I have been bombing Eriks superstack for the last 3 turns. While I probably don�t cause any damage since its just so huge I�m certain he is burning supply in the thousands. I know I did when he bombed me. But I have probably 4 or 5 million supply in India. He doesn�t!

I sweep the stack each turn hoping he will LRCAP. No luck so far. I only sweep with 1/3 of my strength. When/if he LRCAP he will have to do that in force and will probably suffer some losses from my sweep and I will probably loose a lot of bombers so I�m keeping the RAF out of this. But that will give me an opening to Rangoon I hope!

OZ

Armour left Tennant Creek! Supply is looking good. I have 25.000 at Tennant, 76k at Clonecurry and 84k at Normanton. I hope I can get it flowing north to Daly Waters this time!

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Post #: 547

RE: 1944! - 1/23/2013 7:10:18 PM

Crackaces

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quote:

My sweep over Rangoon never materialized. No clue why as usual. Weather was good. Neither the night bombing nor the sweeps took off. I hate when I don�t know why

I have found to look at the air skill of leaders for the squadrons, but .. whatever skill the algorithum is looking for .. I do know that one bad skill for one squadron leader can fail the entire mission for all groups. I would agree that some message why things are failing would be good because it is very frustrating sometimes to figure this out ..

Sometimes the involvement of fewer groups enables to figure out what works ....
...

quote:

Armour left Tennant Creek! Supply is looking good. I have 25.000 at Tennant, 76k at Clonecurry and 84k at Normanton. I hope I can get it flowing north to Daly Waters this time!

N=2 .. I do know that at least with the Betas starting last year that supply moves from Alice Springs all the way eventualy to Darwin depending on building up bases in between to maximum airfield and fort capacities (which effects how much is moved in each supply pulse) and stockpiling supplies as forward as possible that the algorithum will allow. I do find that often the bases in-between lack supply but the units draw supply that are now on base hexes in pulses

Your supply demand from Clonecurry is intersting ...

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Post #: 548

RE: 1944! - 1/24/2013 4:32:19 AM

BBfanboy

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Were those barges in a coastal hex? IRL, barges traveled very close to shore and DDs could not target them well against the land background, nor get close enough to use AA guns. PTs were the answer. The British MGBs should also work well. And during the day, any fighter or bomber with cannons will rip them up.

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Post #: 549

RE: 1944! - 1/24/2013 5:49:45 AM

JocMeister

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

My sweep over Rangoon never materialized. No clue why as usual. Weather was good. Neither the night bombing nor the sweeps took off. I hate when I don�t know why

I have found to look at the air skill of leaders for the squadrons, but .. whatever skill the algorithum is looking for .. I do know that one bad skill for one squadron leader can fail the entire mission for all groups. I would agree that some message why things are failing would be good because it is very frustrating sometimes to figure this out ..

Sometimes the involvement of fewer groups enables to figure out what works ....
...

quote:

Armour left Tennant Creek! Supply is looking good. I have 25.000 at Tennant, 76k at Clonecurry and 84k at Normanton. I hope I can get it flowing north to Daly Waters this time!

N=2 .. I do know that at least with the Betas starting last year that supply moves from Alice Springs all the way eventualy to Darwin depending on building up bases in between to maximum airfield and fort capacities (which effects how much is moved in each supply pulse) and stockpiling supplies as forward as possible that the algorithum will allow. I do find that often the bases in-between lack supply but the units draw supply that are now on base hexes in pulses

Your supply demand from Clonecurry is intersting ...

I actually went through all the groups prior to the sweep. Not on the bombers though. Could the bombers on night strike have effected the sweep? I�ll check the bomb squadrons and see if some leader has died and been replaced by a monkey!

I had to build up Clonecurry to max in order to get any supply at all flowing to Tennant Creek. Despite having a Command HQ, Army HQ and a whole bunch of troops I can only get about 25k supply to Tennnant. A bit worried if I can get supply flowing past Tennant for 3 IDs, armor and support!

We are using the official patch though. We found some changes in the BETA to be a little bit too over the top. Is it easier with supply in the BETA?

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Were those barges in a coastal hex? IRL, barges traveled very close to shore and DDs could not target them well against the land background, nor get close enough to use AA guns. PTs were the answer. The British MGBs should also work well. And during the day, any fighter or bomber with cannons will rip them up.

I think one of the two engagement were at sea. His barges are out of range for my PTs for now. I�ll try and figure something out. Do you think I can get attack bombers to go after the barges? TBs/DBs doesn�t fly.

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 1/24/2013 5:51:44 AM >

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RE: 1944! - 1/24/2013 7:30:22 AM

BBfanboy

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Don't know for sure if B-25s with cannons would attack the barges. Set the bombers to 100' and send them in strafing. Of course, if there are juicier targets around the bombers will likely go to them! Sometimes restricting their range will keep them from straying.

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Post #: 551

RE: 1944! - 1/25/2013 6:24:22 AM

JocMeister

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11th-13th January -44

The empire are having some frustrating days as some action takes place in Burma and at Milne Bay!

Milne Bay

On the 11th a naval battle develops at Milne Bay. I would call it a almost decisive battle as the Allies deal a huge psychological blow to the empire. Erik sends in a powerful 3 BB TF right into Milne Bay. I have no clue what he was hoping to achieve by this. There was nothing of value at Milne but a few barge TFs. But it was and is protected by three 8 Fletcher TFs, one 8 Fletcher/Porter TF and four 12 PT boat TFs. Sending in a 3 BB TF at night against 32 DDs and 48 PTs is bad call. Erik wrote in his email that he wasn�t very happy that his BB TF got "beat up by 8 Fletchers". I think he should be quite pleased he didn�t loose any BBs?

quote:

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 5
DD Naganami, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholas, Shell hits 1
DD O'Bannon
DD Stanly, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Strong, Shell hits 1
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 2
DD Balch, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Clark, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 5
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 7
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 16, on fire
DD Naganami, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Murasame, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Samidare, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Uranami, Shell hits 25, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Bache, Shell hits 2
DD Bradford, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Conway, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Cony, Shell hits 3
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Eaton, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD McKee, Shell hits 5, on fire

Pretty annoyed only 2 of the 4 TFs and none of the PT TFs engaged. I think Erik should be very happy he got away with this result. Could have been hell of a lot worse for him.

Erik also sent in a CL TF south of Milne. It encountered a ASW TF that did VERY well considering it consisted of one Sims class DD and 3 Mahans.

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
CL Yura
DD Natsushio
DD Yukikaze
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Russell, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Perkins, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Smith, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Preston, Shell hits 6, on fire

DD Nagatsuki is sunk the following day. This small battle alone cost Erik 4 DDs. In total I estimate he lost 9 DDs for 2 Fletchers and 2 Porters. Can�t complain about that!

I think this re established naval control in the area for me. I have my 4 Fast BBs, 2 modern CAs and 4 modern CLs and some 40 Fletchers. Another 20 Fletchers and a modern CA will arrive within 2 weeks.

I also decided to send Iowa and New Jersey to SOPAC. My reasoning (please correct me if I�m wrong) is that I won�t be able to reload any of them short of PH in CENTPAC? I have no AEs capable of rearming them until Mount Hood arrives in April (6400 Cargo). This makes them totally ineffective at Atoll bombardment until then.

Buna

My first assault here didn�t go very well. But no disaster either. I�ll just wait until fatigue drops a bit and try again. A tank BTL will be added for the next attack.

quote:

Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15438 troops, 235 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 615

Defending force 17391 troops, 251 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 461

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 277

Japanese adjusted defense: 551

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), experience(-), supply(-) Bad news for Erik!
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
670 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
514 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled

SOPAC

Baker is secure without a hitch. With hindsight I could probably have gone in a week earlier.

quote:

Ground combat at Baker Island (149,136)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9542 troops, 191 guns, 202 vehicles, Assault Value = 344

Defending force 2009 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 128

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 128 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied forces CAPTURE Baker Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2531 casualties reported
Squads: 139 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (26 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (11 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
23rd Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Regiment

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
61st Naval Guard Unit
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy

The troops and Fleet will move back to PH to repair and replenish. Next time they come back will be in force. Some 3 Divisions worth of troops will land in the Gilberts. I�m sending a lot of the AKAs/APAs from SOPAC to PH. CV Valhalla is not doing well and is disbanded in one of the dot bases around Chistmas Island. Despite having 0 SYS damage I get "pumps failing" as soon as I try to move her. Annoying.

Burma

Supply has finally started flowing! Will be ready to move very soon. I�m flanking around Erik at Prome with a 3 ID force. True to his habit Erik builds a death star. Now he will have to break that up or be cut off from Rangoon. I�ve intentionally left my flank open against the coast. Lets see if I can lure Erik to try and cut my 3 IDs off. I have two of the massive Chinese Corps coming down the road there. They are something like 900 AV EACH!

They have alot of AT guns with them.

Now the question is: Do I dare attack his death star? By going through the CRs I found the following troops:

quote:

Also attacking 2nd Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Guards Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 65th Brigade ...
Also attacking 16th Division .
Also attacking 4th Division ...
Also attacking 55th Division ...

Also attacking 32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade ...
Also attacking 30th Ind.Mixed Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade ...

Facing this is 10 Allied divisions plus armor. This game is very unforgiving and I don�t want to try an attack here if I�m doomed to get wiped out in a single attack getting 50.000 troops killed for 16 of his. Is a deliberate attack advisable or is it folly?

Looks like my bombings do have an impact after all. Erik sent in a LRCAP that got smashed by my Sweeps. And as coating on the cake his planes were out of position after my sweeps so he didn�t get a single bomber!

Burma situation in screen.

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Post #: 552

RE: 1944! - 1/25/2013 7:37:01 AM

BBfanboy

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I would not attack a stack like that in wooded terrain - why give him the terrain advantage? Continue your maneuver so that he has to attack you.

What are those Jap ships just below Rangoon? Could he be trying to withdraw some troops by sea?

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Post #: 553

RE: 1944! - 1/25/2013 9:37:06 AM

JocMeister

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I would not attack a stack like that in wooded terrain - why give him the terrain advantage? Continue your maneuver so that he has to attack you.

What are those Jap ships just below Rangoon? Could he be trying to withdraw some troops by sea?

You are right. I�ll shift 2-3 of the 10 IDs and all armor to join up with the attack coming down from Magwe. He does have 2 tank divisions in the area. Last seen at Katha. I havn�t seen them for quite a while. I wonder if he is hiding them around Tuyng Gyi. Have to watch it so I�m not the one getting cut off. Don�t know how much of a threat they are though? In the real war they were quite laughable but I have long since learned never to draw any conclusion in game from reality. Are they a real threat or are his Tankette divisions just a nuisance?

This break will give me some time to think through the situation. I�m very tempted to try for his main stack though. If I can defeat it he is game over in Burma. But as you say it might not be doable with the terrain defense bonus and possible forts built.

This is a comprehensive screenshot of the Burma situation. I looks a bit messy but I hope it gives a little bit clearer picture. If I can just outplay Erik deathstar I�m pretty sure he doesn�t have any reserves. All his eggs are in this basket. Advice are welcome. I�m totally noobish when it comes to the land war in AE.

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Post #: 554

RE: 1944! - 1/25/2013 1:38:32 PM

ny59giants

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quote:

I also decided to send Iowa and New Jersey to SOPAC. My reasoning (please correct me if I�m wrong) is that I won�t be able to reload any of them short of PH in CENTPAC? I have no AEs capable of rearming them until Mount Hood arrives in April (6400 Cargo). This makes them totally ineffective at Atoll bombardment until then.

Looking up the these bad boys shows that they can reload in a size 7 Port. Townsville should be able to reload them, if it is maxed out. 16in/50 Mk 7 cost 5400 to rearm. The chart on page 285 shows a size 7 Port can do it.

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Post #: 555

RE: 1944! - 1/25/2013 4:07:21 PM

BBfanboy

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There is one hex between Prome and Toungoo that has unidentified Japanese troops too. From the marker colour it appears to be a large number. This could be a trap for Prome - he lets you shock attack across the river into the city and get disrupted. Then he moves in his fresh stack and attacks you in Prome's open terrain. I would only take Prome if good recon levels show few large units in that stack, or you had more divisions following up from your shock attack. Setting a blocking force next to Prome and continuing to Bassein appears to be doable, and in the spirit of maneuver that you prefer.

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Post #: 556

RE: 1944! - 1/29/2013 7:09:48 AM

JocMeister

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Back!(well kind of)

So the move is over! Still have a million things to do but I love the new place! I sent a turn back to Erik this morning but turns will be very sporadic for a while as I told him. I have to prioritize getting everything done at home.

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Post #: 557

RE: 1944! - 1/29/2013 12:47:20 PM

DOCUP

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Welcome back.

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RE: 1944! - 1/29/2013 1:13:05 PM

BBfanboy

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I moved every three years when I was in the military. It always took three months to get fully settled in to the new place, and another 2 years, 9 months of renovations to get it the way I wanted ... and then move again. I was a slow learner - but learned a lot of handiman skills!

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Post #: 559

RE: 1944! - 1/30/2013 8:05:02 PM

JocMeister

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Thanks guys!

14-17th January -44

We have only managed about a turn per day since I got back online. I don�t mind the break that much to be honest. Game is really in a snooze period right now.

I actually have NOTHING to report. Nothing has happened over the last three turns worth mentioning. I�m slowly, slowly getting in to position for the next push. I think I will secure Buna first though to provide a good jump off point. I have a ID with 28 in prep. Transports are moving to pick them up. Still undecided. Maneuvering in Burma and shifting bomber targets a bit to stay unpredictable.

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Post #: 560

RE: 1944! - 1/31/2013 7:52:50 PM

JocMeister

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18th January -44

SOPAC

Some action happens over Buna as Erik ambushes my bombers. This is good or bad depending on how you see it. I have been waiting for him to do something like this in order for me to get a shot at Sweeping Rabaul when his numbers are a little bit lower and his pilots are fatigued. Thing is I have a big troop transport just leaving for Buna. I can�t do both things. I opted to give the transports maximum protection. But this should also mean the Buna convoy will be a lot safer. Ah well, I guess Rabaul will have to wait.

Erik wasn�t too happy about the turn. I�m trying to be sympathetic towards him as he has always been towards me when I have bitched and moaned. But I have a hard time seeing why he is so upset loosing 50 fighters for 50 of my bombers? That is what? 10 days of production for him. I would happily trade 50 hellcats for 50 Netties/Betties/Whatever...

First batch of 8 Fletchers arrive at Noumea. Sent them to the war zone at once. Another 26 are en route joining up with Iowa and New Jersey. I�m a bit low on DDs here right now as many are repairing damage from the recent battle. My 4 Fast BBs are repaired and in the war zone again. I�m laying in ambush around Milne waiting to see if he makes a go for the transports. He has a new BB TF at Rabaul.

CENTPAC

Valhalla makes another 2 knot "dash". Fingers crossed...

Starting to prepare for the next jump here. Troops are mostly done prepping but I need APAs/AKAs from SOPAC that won�t be available for another month. Might go in two "goes" instead.

Burma

My maneuvering made Erik frantic I think.

Lots and lots of movement going from Lashio toward Tungoo. I have 2000 AV moving for Lashio. I now have 5 thrusts moving for various targets. In a dream scenario Erik will soon find himself cut of from both China and Rangoon. I for one knows how much supply 300.000 troops use. I think he will run out FAST. Not likely I can capture any bases but I don�t need to right now. I just need to cut supply from him death star.

OZ

Armor soon arrives at the first target.

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Post #: 561

RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 6:12:09 AM

JocMeister

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Arrrgh,

Just sent the next turn to Erik. Another nail biter. Keep your fingers crossed I fooled Erik and are not sailing into a trap!

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Post #: 562

RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 12:54:22 PM

Cpt Sherwood

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We are all hoping for success

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RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 6:45:42 PM

JocMeister

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Haha, that picture is just perfect! And it helped! More on that in the update coming shortly.

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Post #: 564

RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 7:08:44 PM

JocMeister

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19th-21st January -44

Finally the game erupts with action!

New Guinea

I managed to feint Erik and land the 2nd Marines at Finnschafen!

I went via Buna to fool Erik is was reinforcements for Buna and it worked. I was able to land totally unopposed. No air strikes and no naval intervention! The first assault went very well and I think the base will fall tomorrow!

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Finschhafen (100,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13286 troops, 230 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 530

Defending force 3944 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 166

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 259

Japanese adjusted defense: 169

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
901 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled

Allied ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Assaulting units:
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
2nd Marine Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion

Defending units:
1st Raiding Regiment
6th Guards Inf. Rgt /1
7th Garrison Unit /1
36th Const Co
12th JAAF AF Coy

I did order another deliberated attack. Perhaps I should have shock attacked?

The day after the landing we had a big air battle over Finnschafen. I had to use units normally unfit for sweeps as most of my elite fighters were severely fatigued after LRCAPing the invasion TF for two days. I only managed a 1:1 ratio on the 21st. This will be remedied tomorrow when 250 Corsairs/Hellcats with real pilots will sweep. A massive aerial bombardment and a naval bombardment are ordered to assist in the attack.

OZ

Armor captures Daly waters! Erik managed to close the AF so I can�t fly in engineers. So I�ll just have to wait for the rest of the troops to catch up.

CENTPAC

Quiet.

BURMA

Not so quiet! In 2-3 days I will order my first attack here. Hopefully this can unhinge Eriks right flank. He has a ID and a tank division with at least two regiments opposing 2000 allied AV including all the allied armor in Burma. Is it doable? I�m counting on my armor packing a massive punch while his ...eeehr... wont!

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RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 7:32:54 PM

JocMeister

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Thoughts

I also lost a sub to ASW when it tried to hit a massive convoy outside Sorong. I�m guessing this is reinforcements coming. Erik might be starting to realize he is too light around NG. Erik has been a little bit prone to overreaction earlier. I wonder where these troops comes from? DEI? If so once Darwin falls I might get an opening there. I spent some precious PPs in 42 buying out 2nd, 3rd and 5th OZ divisions while they were understrength. Together with the 7th OZ ID and Americal ID thats quite a substantial force.

A jump into DEI would certainly need CV support though.

Thought thoughts...

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RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 8:32:30 PM

BBfanboy

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I think the DA is the right thing to do at Finschafen against level 3 forts. You could probably succeed with a shock attack, but at high cost in disruption and destroyed squads. You have troops out there in "Indian Country" [isolated and surrounded by enemy] so you want them in good shape until you can connect up with them. You need to take Buna soon to help CAP Finschafen.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

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Post #: 567

RE: 1944! - 2/1/2013 10:02:40 PM

DOCUP

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Good job with the feint. I agree with BBfanboy, try and keep your units in good shape.

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RE: 1944! - 2/2/2013 6:16:44 AM

JocMeister

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Will do! I do think a counter landing is unlikely but he does have some units at Lae and Wau. Nothing that can dislodge a USMC Division in good shape though!

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Post #: 569

RE: 1944! - 2/2/2013 6:47:10 AM

JocMeister

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New Guinea

No turn from neither Erik nor Joseph! Gives me time to update a bit on the NG situation.

I�ve attached a screen of the situation. Its looking very good from the allied perspective. Is Finnschafen is secured a lot of Japanese soldiers will find themselves without a way home. I�ve used Intel Monkey to go through the various bases in the region like Ndeni, Shortlands, Rabaul and Tulagi. These are bases I know Erik has invested heavily in. No sign of any big combat formations though. I�ve only found 2 RGT and a Brigade. I still believe this might be Eriks weak spot. He really would need 4-5 divisions in the area to halt me for a while. But he is throwing in Garrison units and counting on forts to make the difference. Havn�t worked so far!

I have almost complete control of the skies and seas right now. As the last turn indicated I don�t have much problem handling his Air Force even using green pilots. On the naval side I will feel a lot better when the bulk of the DDs repairing are back online. I also have 14 Fletchers together with CA Boston arriving at Townsville next turn. New Jersey and Iowa are still two weeks out with another 8 Fletchers.

I will have to dilute my air power a bit when Daly Waters AF is opened. I will send some 200 Fighters there until Darwin is secured. That leaves me with some 800 around NG. Since Erik has decline combat for the last 2 months my pools are in excellent shape and all squadrons in SOPAC are upgraded to P38s/P47s/Corsairs/Hellcats/Spit VIIs. Franks and Georges have not been a problem. This is where playing with PDU on becomes a curse for the Jap player I think.