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RE: Dec. 8-11/41 Update

 
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RE: Dec. 8-11/41 Update - 2/24/2014 5:45:59 PM   
Lokasenna


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From: Iowan in MD/DC
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If you get really creative, you can reinforce the Aleutians with restricted units... Use those restricted PBYs in California, fly them up to Canada, and start air transporting.

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 31
RE: Dec. 8-11/41 Update - 2/24/2014 7:32:59 PM   
Capt. Harlock


Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
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quote:

I'm still a novice with this side and I have no clue how to provide a real monkey wrench early for Japan as the better Allied players often do.


A minor suggestion: get some engineers to Palembang -- they sabotage the oil facilities when the Japanese take the base.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 32
Dec. 13/41 - 2/26/2014 5:44:57 AM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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The Dutch submarines are proving to have some teeth compared to the unlucky Americans. A Japanese APD and xAK have been sunk with another transport heavily damaged in the last few days. Dutch coastal guns damaged a number of enemy transports during landings at Kuching.

Japanese submarines have been busy laying various minefields around the SRA. Batavia, Soerabaja and area have been swept with local AMc's, but an enemy minefield laid at Bathhurst Islands went undetected and nailed an American DD. The DD is heavily damaged and is limping towards Perth.

However, the first small bloody nose has been dealt to Japanese amphibious operations. A small enemy amphibious TF was spotted heading to Canton Island on the 12th and the closest Allied ship was the CA Louisville located at Pago Pago. A full speed 18 hex intercept was plotted and surprisingly the cruiser arrived in time to smash the attempted landing. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,143, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
PB Nagata Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Tenyo Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5

Japanese ground losses:
1088 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (12 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Thoughts:

It's all Japanese at the moment. No surprise there of course. Some Chinese units are getting smashed in clear terrain but overall the withdrawl into better defensive terrain is proceeding. Andre is moving fast all over China with Changsha already invested. I only have 2000 AV at the base.

I've bought out a number of Chinese air units and deployed them to India. I like to use them as low CAP in Burma/India and find they perform pretty well in that role. The Vanguard is a rugged little fighter. Next up is to buy out a number of Indian divisions while they are cheap and prior to them filling out their TOE. I'll then switch to pulling American units out from West Coast HQ.

I think I'm going to lose both Luzon and Singapore quite quickly, then the Japanese floodgates will be open wide.

Getting reinforcements out to the Line Islands is a priority. Perhaps upsetting the landing at Canton Island bought me a few extra days to get men and material to Midway, Johnston, Palmyra and Christmas Island. Fast troop transports are inbound from San Francisco carrying whatever is not restricted for deployment to Pearl and the Central Pacific.

I've been transferring restricted American units to the North Pacific via PBY, but I'm building up the bases along the Canadian and Alaskan coast before deploying heavily to Anchorage and area.

I've got a British Bde. heading to Diego Garcia to prevent an easy grab of the island. Commonwealth shipping is bolting for Cape Town and as soon as units arrive at CT or Aden they are rushing to India. I've already got some supply and fuel TF's heading to Australia. Getting the merchant shipping out of the DEI and IO quickly is key for me.

I've lost track of KB, but the Japanese CVL's are spotted heading towards Ternate in the DEI. Dutch submarines are patrolling heavily around Kendari and Ambon. Dutch CL's and DD's looking to engage some small enemy SCTF's near Balikpapan before the carriers arrive. The cat and mouse game right now is quite fun.

I think that's it for this rather unorganized update. I don't plan on posting daily for this AAR during 1942 unless something major is happening. Right now it's the usual Japanese blitzkrieg and I'm just trying to nibble where I can without making too many mistakes. I'll definitely post anything out of the ordinary though.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 2/26/2014 6:50:21 AM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 33
RE: Dec. 15/41 - 3/1/2014 6:01:43 AM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
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Bases are falling quickly to Japanese forces. Baker and Canton Islands have fallen in the Central Pacific followed by Kuching and Singkawang on Borneo. Morotai is in Japanese hands in the Celebes Sea. Davao and Jolo have fallen. Japanese forces have landed at Tarakan, but a follow up amphibious TF was mauled by British CL's operating from Balikpapan. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Edo Maru, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 31, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Taifuku Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Macassar Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 2
CL Durban

Japanese ground losses:
2970 casualties reported
Squads: 90 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (34 destroyed, 8 disabled)

China:

In China some good, some bad. The pace of the Japanese advance is frightening, but some Chinese troops have been able to hold their ground in 3x defensive terrain, or against smaller Japanese units. I'm trying to form a defensive position in the rough terrain around Sian. Holding Changsha may prove troublesome and it looks like the Japanese are making an early attempt to turn the flank at Luichow and Kweilin. I'd rather lose Changsha than have an early drive on Tuyun and Kweiyang. Unfortunately, strong Chinese forces are slowly moving towards Patung through the rough terrain and may be out of the fight for months. In hindsight it might have been best to try the Ichang to Changteh route.

Thoughts:

Lots of Japanese movement and TF all over the map. Andre sent small CL and DD's TF's into both Palembang and Batavia and avoided hitting mines while sinking some HDML's, ML's and CMc's. The fall of Hong Kong forced Allied shipping out of the harbour with Japanese surface ships waiting. A large number of small transports were lost.

The recent losses were offset by the smacking of another small Japanese amphibious TF at Tarakan, so I'm still able to get a few licks in when given adequate sightings of Japanese dispositions. As I lose bases the light of opportunity provided by air search will grow dimmer though.

Still no sighting of KB, but near Babo two CVL's and a CV were spotted. Originally anticipating KB to operate in the SRA supporting operations against Sumatra and Java, the lack of sightings makes me believe they will be committed to operations in the North, Central or South Pacific instead. The small CV force spotted near Babo appears to be heading towards Merauke and Horn Island unless it's actually meant to support a landing at Ambon.

I'm a little nervous in the Central Pacific. Considering the best fighter available is the P-40 and not in great numbers, am I crazy to be worried about an enemy CV strike against Pearl Harbor after all? The majority of the American Fleet is at the base including two CV's. With Canton Island falling I've lost a great base for PBY's and the last line of defence are the Line Islands and Johnston before Hawaii is vulnerable to a raid. I won't have much advance notice of any Japanese designs on these bases until too late and I don't have the strength to risk a confrontation with KB if she's committed. My only hope would be a surface engagement if a raid on Pearl Harbor is a possibility and I doubt that would go well. I could also withdraw the Fleet to the West Coast. The way Andre is moving, I think he wants to quickly push my eyes and ears as far away as possible. I know Andre is aggressive, but just how much so I'm not sure yet. A port strike on PH in late December if he gets a whiff of what's based there could be quite a coup.

There's also the possiblity that KB could be re-deploying to the Aleutians to secure that theatre before I can reinforce. Same goes for the South and Southeast Pacific theatres. An enemy force has already landed at Tulagi. I don't plan on trying to reinforce New Caledonia or Fiji at the moment as I don't have the troops or logistics to support an adequate defence. I'd actually prefer to see KB committed North or South. I've sent substantial numbers of my remaining submarine force to patrol between Midway and the Aleutians in case Andre tries to swing KB in around to raid the West Coast to Hawaii LOC.

KB's out there somewhere...

Fun times, but for some reason I don't feel safe at PH.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 34
RE: Dec. 15/41 - 3/1/2014 3:11:06 PM   
PaxMondo


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Joseph,
I would want him to come to PH ... your AA should wreck his air groups. Maybe you lose a few ships, but you have supply and time to rebuild everything.

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 35
Dec. 25/41 - 3/13/2014 9:35:53 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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Out of commission from work with a stomach flu I have some time to update the AAR.

Andre is moving very quickly on key bases preventing any chance for me to create problems for his advance. I think I prefer having the option of any kind of a forward defence taken away from me. It allows the chance to concentrate what little assets I do have for more important battles. Here's a theatre by theatre update with a few screens thrown in.

Aleutians:

No sign of an early Japanese offensive in the area. Only at start Allied units are present. Dutch Harbor needs supply.

Alaska & Canada:

The main Allied effort here is base expansion and moving restricted combat units forward to garrison key bases. An airbridge is being formed to allow restricted P-38 units to transit to Anchorage. PBY's are airlifting what they can, but Ops losses are becoming a concern.

The Line Islands:

I've slightly reinforced Palmyra and Christmas Islands with Marine Defense units from Pearl Harbor and artillery that was originally bound for Pago Pago. I'm not willing to move too much forward yet until I know the extent of Japanese expansion. Dec. 24th reported high radio traffic and multiple TF icons between the Ellice Islands and Canton Island. No idea if these are further amphibious TF's or simply follow up support for Baker and Canton. PBY's and submarines will hopefully provide more intel in the coming days. Until I know more, operations to reinforce the Line Islands have been suspended.

Southeast Pacific:

Japanese forces have already seized Manus, Lae, Kavieng, Rabaul, Shortlands, Tulagi and Luganville. A small enemy SCTF of a CA and DD's has been spotted off the coast of Australia where CA Kako is reported to have hit a mine at Brisbane. Another enemy SCTF (or possibly the same one) was spotted near Noumea and Suva. New Zealand bombers proved ineffective trying to score hits operating from Suva. The enemy TF has since disappeared. No Allied reinforcement is possible in this theatre due to the lack of unrestricted forces and available shipping.

Australia:

Lord Howe Island is being reinforced by air and supply shipped in. Southeast Australia is fortifying while air units are training for a planned enemy invasion of Australia. I want to protect against a move directly against Sydney and area before I worry about Perth or the Townsville area. Darwin is on it's own. My reaction to any enemy lodgement in Australia will depend solely on what is landed where.

Allied merchant shipping surviving the initial Japanese onslaught is already loading supply, fuel and troops for the long trip from Cape Town to provide the logistics needed to keep Australian defencible.

Burma:

I've pulled back substantially which in hindsight was a mistake. I've made it far too easy to capture Rangoon which will see the Chinese supply situation reduced by 500 daily soon.

The Philippines:

Manila has fallen after being essentially abandoned. My main defence is at Clark Field while support units scramble to get Bataan's forts up. However, once Clark falls forts are Bataan will mean little without supply. Clark Field is bombed daily and fort construction impossible.

Java:

My main defence will be Soerabaja. Many choose the rough terrain at Bandoeng, but without a supply source it simply won't make much difference. I hope to deny and damage as much of the facilities at Soerabaja in defending it. The longer I can deny the use of the port the better.

Sumatra:

Japanese forces have landed at Palembang. It will fall shortly.

India:

Base and fortification expansion is the order of the day. I expect some form of Japanese expansion against India. I believe Andre likes to go for Ceylon from previous posts he's made in the forum. I will not reinforce until I can guarantee the survival of LCU's committed to the island. The Allied priority is securing the major bases like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Karachi. I will not risk committing to defending Eastern India and the Burmese border until the Commonwealth airforce can provide some measure of protection. As with Australia, my means of defending India will be determined by where, if any, invasion of the country is mounted. I am attempting to reinforce the country will American air and aviation support units, but that takes time.

Malaya:

A major Japanese effort to sweep the country and get to Singapore quickly is underway. I relied on a forward defence to slow the initial assaults. A number of LCU's were lost, but that allowed Singapore to build up forts while Japanese air power forcused on supporting ground operations. The plan to delay the Japanese ability to use the railway to move south is in jeopardy because I failed to secure Mersing. I left the base open and Andre took full advantage. My problem now is trying to prevent the Japanese massed rail movement south by somehow blocking the railway and forcing the Japanese to push me back hex by hex. Screenshot follows:






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 36
RE: Dec. 25/41 - 3/13/2014 10:00:20 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
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China:

A mess, but I'm doing my best to fall back relatively intact. Huge losses in China can't be avoided of course and I've already had a number of Chinese units get completely mauled. My biggest problem is around Kukong. I made the mistake of not sending units towards Changsha on day one from Nanyang and then was forced by Andre to move towards Kukong instead. At risk are six corps facing destruction. I'll try to get through Kanshien, but I'm not optimistic.

I've hunkered down three corps at Wenchow where forts are now at level 2.

Luichow will fall quickly which can't be helped, but I will try and hold Tuyun and Kweilin as long as possible.

Changsha has 2100 AV behind level 4 forts. I'll hold the base against assault for as long as possible, but as soon as Japanese forces attempt to flank from Hengyang and area I'll withdraw first to Changteh and then to Chihkiang. I've already begun putting blocking forces in the hex southeast of Chihkiang to prevent a river crossing.

Changteh is secure with 800 AV.

I've been able to block a move towards Sian from Nanning along the main road in the rough terrain. I've also been able to secure the secondary road leading to Sian from Loyang and Chengchow with fresh units. Forces that were caught in the open withdrawing from the plains are beat up badly, but are attempting to slow the Japanese advance to Sian while additional units are moved in. It appears the main Japanese effort is going to move along the secondary road from Chengchow since I've got the main road secure. I'll slowly fall back along the main road as necessary. A large number of units are successfully withdrawing from Yenan and along the secondary road towards Sian north of the river. These can act as a reserve if I can hold long enough to get them in place.

My main source for a reserve are the units withdrawing from Ichang and area around Patung. Eleven corps are making their way back towards Central China. In hindsight this was the long way to go, but it avoided unneccessary losses trying to reach Changteh.

Everything will depend on how long I can hold in the rough terrain while I try and get a solid line built up in the rear. So far I'm happy, but it can change quickly in China and without stacking limits it will be hard to hold out anywhere indefinitely. I'm using Chinese supply to build forts as I'm going to run out no matter what I do. I figure I might as well make it as costly to move forward for Japanese forces as possible.

Screenshot folllows:





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 37
RE: Dec. 25/41 - 3/13/2014 10:03:00 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
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Just kep holding the line and make him push you back. Don't retreat unless you are made to in China. You have troops to spare, but only so much territory.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 38
RE: Dec. 25/41 - 3/13/2014 10:19:08 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline
Thoughts:

Against a Scenario 2 Japanese force led by an aggressive player like Andre I don't believe in throwing good money after bad. My submarine force was shattered at Manila, but my entire Pacific Fleet has been left intact. It's my job to see that I don't fritter away this force in half baked efforts to slow the Japanese juggernaut. Andre can take whatever he wants at this stage and trying to pick where I may be able to stand is nigh impossible at this early stage. If he wants it he can take it regardless of what I commit. I also can't support any kind of forward defence with the necessary logistics, so for now I save what I can.

I rescued a lot of merchant shipping and their availability to move supply and reinforcements to India and Australia is already paying off. I'd like to strike back where I can, and have done so on a couple of occasions severely mauling two Japanese amphibious TF's at Tarakan and Canton Island. More importantly the units that did so survived to fight another day. If there's an opening I'll take it, but Japanese preparations are leaving most areas adeqautely covered.

I'm planning on trying to interdict Japanese operations moving forward. One thing I find as an Allied weakness in attempting to slow the Japanese advance with surface forces is the lack of DD's. I was able to save Force Z and withdraw a large number of Allied CL's and DD's from the DEI while only sacrificing the small Dutch CL's and DD's. I'm now in a position to provide adequate DD support for all the Commonwealth BB's, CA's and CL's. This should reduce the ability of Japanese submarines to act against my surface assets without the risk of DD support. I've further sent a large number of Pacific Fleet DD's to Cape Town since they were not lost at Pearl Harbor.

Having played Japan a fair bit there's a price to be paid for an overly aggressive opening. In this case I'll let Andre do as he wishes where he wishes, but I'm also preparing to be able to offer susbstantial resistance in a few months simply by the fact I haven't thrown away assets defending what can't be defended at the moment. Time will tell of course, but so far I'm happy with the state of affairs.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/13/2014 11:23:58 PM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 39
Christmas 1941 - 3/15/2014 2:50:58 AM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
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Just had to provide a small update. In the wake of a large number of Japanese conquests quickly increasing the red on the map there were a few Allied tactical successes to raise morale somewhat on Christmas Day.

A Dutch DD sank a Japanese DMS clearing mines at Merak. The minefield at Merak has accounted for two Japanese submarines heavily damaged as far as I can tell.

The big surprise was at Manila today. I've had the remaining fighters stood down while Japan hammers the airbase. However, in a last ditch effort to cause some damage to Japanese air before the base is shutdown for good, I scrambled the remaining fighters. Despite the runway and service damage both being at 58, the P-40's scrambled and encountered unescorted Japanese bombers! The enemy fighter sweeps and escorts did not fly due to weather most likely. Tracker shows 26 Lily's and Sally's downed for no loss. That's one for the Allies, albeit by pure luck. The fighters have been moved to Bataan and the pilots that scored kills were spirited away by submarine to live to fight another day.

Palembang will fall tomorrow as Andre has landed the equivalent of two full divisions. I've played enough Japan to know that once the base falls the victors will most likely head south towards Oosthaven. The CD guns at Palembang have been stellar though, damaging a large number of Japanese transports. A number of sinking sounds were heard today. I can't say the same for the Dutch bomber force based out of Manado and Balikpapan. Even at 2k the Dutch bombers can't hit anything at sea despite a large number of attacks against Japanese merchant shipping in the Celebes Sea. The fact that Merak has been cleared of mines and the large number of troops landed at Palembang signals to me the Oosthaven to Merak route to invade Java may be in play. Then again, considering I'm basing my defence at Soerabaja anywhere on Java is a prime landing location right now.

These little victories feel good. They better as the real pain for the Allies is only beginning. Japan is gearing up to capture some prime real estate and destroying large numbers of Allied troops in the process. Add in China and it's going to get ugly.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/30/2014 2:10:33 AM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to Lokasenna)
Post #: 40
RE: Christmas 1941 - 3/17/2014 3:52:40 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
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Andre's away for a week so there will be no game progress until his return. If anybody wants any info let me know.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 41
Dec. 30/41 - 3/25/2014 10:40:49 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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Andre is back and I'm about to run the Dec. 30th turn.

The Japanese are moving quickly. I don't expect Singapore or Luzon to last past Jan. 42 then the pressure will really be on.

Japanese SCTF's have been hanging out at Christmas Island for the last 2-3 days. I'm not sure what their purpose is other than to prevent me sending reinforcements or supply to the base without committing substantial naval assets. If it was a raid then it achieved it's purpose by sinking the lone transport and escort in the area. However, the fact that a Japanese SCTF consisting of at least one CA and another of two AMC's have remained in the area tells me one of two things. These are bait, or following Andre's modus operandi of sending small SCTF's to clear out an area prior to invasion. My only reaction to date has been to suspend further operations in the area until the situation becomes clear and deploy a number of submarines to patrol the area. SS Triton struck payday last turn torpedoing one of the AMC's.

I'll provide a more detailed update once the last few turns have been played to sum up 1941.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/25/2014 11:41:15 PM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 42
Dec. 30/41 - 3/26/2014 3:13:58 AM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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Look like a Japanese invasion force is heading to Christmas Island. SS Tambor duds twice on CM Tokiwa embedded in an amphibious TF heading east. Another two TF's are spotted by PBY consisting of surface ships also heading east towards Christams Island. This will throw a kink in my plans for the island. Three submarines have spiked to DL's of 10/10, 8/8 and 3/3 which in my book means enemy CV's. I think they are just out of range and will be spotted tomorrow or the next day if they support the landings.

A Japanese DD and a DMS are already at the base clearing mines. There are 242 remaining. I had hoped to land a Marine Rgt. to reinforce the island, but they would have arrived just prior or during the first appearance of Japanese forces in the Line Islands and most likely sunk at sea.

Plan B it is.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 43
Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 5:24:57 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline
Christmas Island gets plastered by a Japanese BB bombardment TF during the night. All supply that was on the island is now gone so the defence of the atoll is already compromised. A further disappointment was no mine hits on the bombardment TF. Despite 242 mines and the ships coming to within 2k of the island no enemy ships were damaged. I'm glad I did not risk moving additional troops to the base, they'd all have ended up out of supply and eventually POW's. The lack of mine hits was a big disappointment, but maybe when the amphibious landings begin tomorrow there will be some carnage. I don't know what Andre is committing to the invasion, but for all intents and purposes Christmas Island is already lost. I just didn't have enough time to get the defence established and provide enough supply to hold out. That being said, I've already begun prepping units to take the island back eventually.

Singapore will not last long either, the Japanese have committed over 60 units to Malaya and the base doesn't have a chance to hold out. In light of this I expect a full blown invasion of India to follow as soon as Japan secures Singapore.

The big flanking move around Changsha has begun with the Japanese poised to mount a river crossing against Hengyang. I have to decide whether to risk losing the entire Changsha garrison by holding the base, or withdraw a large portion of the troops to hold the Chihkiang river line instead. Sian is secure as long as my troops can hold out in the rough terrain although large numbers of Japanese troops are being committed to clear the Nanyang - Sian road. China is going to get ugly and it's a question of where can I hold and for how long.

Fun times and Andre's enjoying beating up on the Allies. It's funny, but I feel no angst whatsoever. I just have to remain patient, take my lumps and put things in motion to eventually counter. Right now the priority is getting additional air and ground units to India, in particular the heavy bombers. Andre's pace is frightening, but it also allows me to relax and focus on conserving my forces for Australia and India to stave off auto-victory. I just can't move anything forward with any hope of holding due to his aggressiveness. It's going to be interesting to see if I can take advantage somehow.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/27/2014 6:26:08 PM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 44
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 5:30:23 PM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
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How much supply was destroyed by the bombardment? Do you mind posting that battle from the combat report so we can get an idea of the number of supply hits that too out how-much supply?

_____________________________


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Post #: 45
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 5:43:41 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

How much supply was destroyed by the bombardment? Do you mind posting that battle from the combat report so we can get an idea of the number of supply hits that too out how-much supply?


Sure thing. However, there was less than 1000 supply on the island prior to the bombardment. The last few attempts to supply the island were either sunk or had to be turned back due to threat of enemy interdiction. I landed the troops meant for Pago Pago at Christmas Island, but that TF had very little supply in it. I'm not complaining about being out of supply by the way, I just couldn't get enough to the base in time so kudos to Andre.


< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/27/2014 6:44:38 PM >


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to witpqs)
Post #: 46
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 5:56:54 PM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
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From: Argleton
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Ah. I suspect that the Empire started with 70 or 80k tons of supply on Tinian and Saipan in my PBM and I'm wondering how the bombardments have been doing.

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Post #: 47
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 5:57:33 PM   
Lokasenna


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Christmas Island gets plastered by a Japanese BB bombardment TF during the night. All supply that was on the island is now gone so the defence of the atoll is already compromised. A further disappointment was no mine hits on the bombardment TF. Despite 242 mines and the ships coming to within 2k of the island no enemy ships were damaged. I'm glad I did not risk moving additional troops to the base, they'd all have ended up out of supply and eventually POW's. The lack of mine hits was a big disappointment, but maybe when the amphibious landings begin tomorrow there will be some carnage. I don't know what Andre is committing to the invasion, but for all intents and purposes Christmas Island is already lost. I just didn't have enough time to get the defence established and provide enough supply to hold out. That being said, I've already begun prepping units to take the island back eventually.

Singapore will not last long either, the Japanese have committed over 60 units to Malaya and the base doesn't have a chance to hold out. In light of this I expect a full blown invasion of India to follow as soon as Japan secures Singapore.

The big flanking move around Changsha has begun with the Japanese poised to mount a river crossing against Hengyang. I have to decide whether to risk losing the entire Changsha garrison by holding the base, or withdraw a large portion of the troops to hold the Chihkiang river line instead. Sian is secure as long as my troops can hold out in the rough terrain although large numbers of Japanese troops are being committed to clear the Nanyang - Sian road. China is going to get ugly and it's a question of where can I hold and for how long.

Fun times and Andre's enjoying beating up on the Allies. It's funny, but I feel no angst whatsoever. I just have to remain patient, take my lumps and put things in motion to eventually counter. Right now the priority is getting additional air and ground units to India, in particular the heavy bombers. Andre's pace is frightening, but it also allows me to relax and focus on conserving my forces for Australia and India to stave off auto-victory. I just can't move anything forward with any hope of holding due to his aggressiveness. It's going to be interesting to see if I can take advantage somehow.


I think your time in Central China is up. You don't have reliable recon as the Chinese - you may not see any movement dots until it's too late to get your guys out. Depending on your forts/supply situation at Changsha, you could delay there for a while with an appropriately-sized force, but if there's anything you want to save I would get it out. Once he takes Hengyang, all he has to do is take the base to the NE (and W of Changsha), and then your goose there is cooked.

I wouldn't count on the Chinese to hold the Sian road, especially not if armor shows up. You should also consider the ramifications if Changsha falls before this area does - is there anything you want to save from this phase of your resistance? Once Changsha falls, it's easier for him to move due north and cut Sian off from the central valley entirely.



I'm with you on the taking lumps and putting things in motion for later, though. In a way, it makes the early war Allies game that much easier. There are a few things you simply Must Do, and the rest seems to be just long term prep. That does involve moving some pieces around, but many of my early '42 Allies turns have been 15 minutes or less. Some stuff will either live or it will get engulfed in the expansion period. If it does live, that's a bonus. If not, it's all about making sure the asset doesn't go quietly, if possible. The only real exception to this, in my view, is China. That is one area that needs constant attention, which is really just loss mitigation.

< Message edited by Lokasenna -- 3/27/2014 6:58:06 PM >

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Post #: 48
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 6:02:33 PM   
SqzMyLemon


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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Ah. I suspect that the Empire started with 70 or 80k tons of supply on Tinian and Saipan in my PBM and I'm wondering how the bombardments have been doing.


I'll definitely track bombardment/supply loss for you moving forward and periodically post on it.


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Post #: 49
RE: Dec. 31/41 Not the way to end the year - 3/27/2014 6:47:13 PM   
Lokasenna


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Ah. I suspect that the Empire started with 70 or 80k tons of supply on Tinian and Saipan in my PBM and I'm wondering how the bombardments have been doing.


I'll definitely track bombardment/supply loss for you moving forward and periodically post on it.



In my experience, it's usually only a couple hundred for standard-size TFs that get lots of hits.

If Christmas for "plastered" (by several BBs and then some), I wouldn't be surprised at the loss of 1000-1500 supply, and not very surprised by something around 2000. Assuming high DLs, recon during bombardment, and some good rolls.

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Post #: 50
Jan. 1/42 Too much to handle - 3/28/2014 1:10:50 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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Christmas Island falls to shock attack during the initial amphibious landing. Two back to back BB bombardments followed by a supporting bombardment of embeddd surface ships was too much for the defenders. Other than the 3rd Marine Defense Batalion all these troops would have been lost anyway. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Christmas Island (174,141)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4646 troops, 40 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Defending force 3148 troops, 105 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Japanese adjusted assault: 49

Allied adjusted defense: 10

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Christmas Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
557 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2846 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 382 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 127 (127 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 48 (48 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 8

Assaulting units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
61st Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
51st Nav Gd /1

Defending units:
114th USAAF Base Force
Christmas USN CPNAB
131st Field Artillery Battalion
147th Field Artillery Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
115th USAAF Base Force
E Det USN Port Svc

Andre brought the kitchen sink for this amphibious operation. Four BB's and numerous other supporting SCTF's including KB which appeared three hexes northeast of Christmas Island this turn. I'm relieved to know where KB is, but is an air attack against Pearl Harbor now on the table?

Bad news everywhere, but the darkest days are yet to come.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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RE: Jan. 1/42 Too much to handle - 3/28/2014 7:37:31 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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quote:

Andre brought the kitchen sink for this amphibious operation. Four BB's and numerous other supporting SCTF's


And I take it the mines did nothing worth mentioning...

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RE: Jan. 1/42 Too much to handle - 3/28/2014 11:54:24 PM   
BBfanboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

Andre brought the kitchen sink for this amphibious operation. Four BB's and numerous other supporting SCTF's


And I take it the mines did nothing worth mentioning...


My experience is that once the minefields are detected by an enemy ship, they can usually avoid them completely.
In this case the Japanese DMS not only detected them but swept a channel!

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Post #: 53
RE: Jan. 1/42 Too much to handle - 3/29/2014 12:37:46 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

And I take it the mines did nothing worth mentioning...


Subject to FOW of course, but there were a couple of mine hits. AAR's follow:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 6 encounters mine field at Christmas Island (174,141)

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Uzuki, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

3 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 6 encounters mine field at Christmas Island (174,141)

Japanese Ships
DD Kikuzuki
DD Uzuki, heavy damage
CA Aoba, Mine hits 1

3 mines cleared

That was it though. I'll take whatever I can get, but rather disappointing considering the number of Japanese ships that were operating in the hex.

_____________________________

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Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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Post #: 54
Jan. 2/42 - 3/29/2014 2:38:17 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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KB retires south of Christmas Island and is spotted heading west. I am so tempted to follow with two CV's and try and hit some of the enemy ships patrolling the Line Islands. I don't think this move would be expected, however, too much risk of KB changng course and heading towards Palmyra.

A small Allied supply TF was nailed at Noumea by two old Japanese CL's. Scratch two xAKL's and an AM.

I've begun to bug out of Changsha, I'll leave 1000 AV there, but the rest of the units are heading to Changteh. Units at Changteh are redeploying to Chihkiang. The Chinese 26th Group Army, which is my strategic reserve, is heading to Chihkiang to bolster the defence and prevent any chance of the troops withdrawing from Changsha getting trapped.

Interesting SigInt. Japanese troops heading for Kalidjati, not unexpected and the Japanese 4th Division is bound for Port Moresby which is also not unexpected. I wonder if KB will retire to support a landing at Port Moresby? Depending on Andre's dispositions, I may be able to interdict enemy forces landing at Port Moresby if the amphibious operation doesn't include KB support. I'll risk the Betty/Nell threat based out of Rabaul with my SCTF.

Supply TF's are nearing Australia and fuel/supply is pouring into India. Two Hurricane squadrons, the 17th and 258th, arrived at Aden and are being transported by ship to Karachi. The 18th British Division has arrived at Bombay and will head to Madras. Ceylon is receiving restricted reinforcements via the OOB, but I will not add non-restricted units to the defence. I don't want to lose the island, but if Singapore falls as fast as I think it will, I don't want to lose a large portion of the British/Indian Army on Ceylon if Japan invades. I need to remain flexible and not paint myself into a corner.

These first few months are going to be painful with the slow pace of the Allied buildup.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/29/2014 3:39:40 AM >


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Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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Post #: 55
Jan. 3/42 - 3/30/2014 1:09:43 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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Ack, the 4th Division landed at Port Moresby after being completely undetected. Well, I shouldn't really be surprised as the Australian PBY's have been assigned troop transport duties and only after the SigInt tip regarding the 4th Division were they switched back to search. Regardless, I am caught off guard. A SCTF based at Townsville is ordered to make a full speed run to try and catch the remaining transports. I'm guilty of waffling with this SCTF as it has been ordered back and forth between Townsville and Rockhampton for some time. It's moot since I had little air search set up off the coast of Australia and the chance of detecting any Japanese move against Port Moresby was slim. I've had some luck with full speed interdictions, but I worry that I'll remain too close to Port Moresby for my liking and see some Betty/Nell action next turn.

This is where the Manila strike against the American submarine force is paying off. Normally the submarines would be free to to patrol off the coast of New Guinea and throughout the Solomons as early warning beacons.

Japanese forces land at Kalidjati on Java. Not much I can or will do. My main holdout remains Soerabaja. In hindsight, I should have sent the American air units bought out from Luzon to Java. On a side note, Tarakan finally fell on the 2nd after Japan committed additional AV to take the base. The Dutch CD unit dished out some series damage over the course of the battle.

Allied submarines are getting a few strikes in. Two American submarines patrolling the Shikuka - Wakkanai route have sunk a small tanker and xAK over the last few days. A Dutch submarine duds on a Japanese DD at Tarakan though. I hate when the S-boats or Dutch dud on anything, but it happens.

In China, Hengyang falls to the Japanese after a river assault. The race to Chihkiang is on! I'm not sweating China though, I know it's impossible to hold against an aggressive/smart Japanese player in stock.

Dark days...

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/30/2014 3:16:02 AM >


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Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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RE: Jan. 3/42 - 3/30/2014 1:22:50 AM   
zuluhour


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I have problems just keeping the moral of the Aussie CAT squadrons in the 90's. They fatigue fast and need weekends off. I have one in perfect position now. It flew in, flew three or four days, and now sits at 67 moral.

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Post #: 57
RE: Jan. 3/42 - 3/30/2014 2:18:48 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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quote:

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

I have problems just keeping the moral of the Aussie CAT squadrons in the 90's. They fatigue fast and need weekends off. I have one in perfect position now. It flew in, flew three or four days, and now sits at 67 moral.


I've actually started to re-deploy a number of Amerian PBY units to Australia via Fiji. There just isn't adequate coverage with the infant RAAF at this stage.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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Post #: 58
Jan. 4-5/42 - 3/31/2014 6:08:04 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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A disappointing surface action by a combined American/Australian SCTF results in failure to interdict unloading transports at Port Moresby. A small Japanese DD screening force defies the odds and sends the Allied force packing. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 97,131, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yakaze
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Perth, Shell hits 1
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 1
DD Edsall, Shell hits 1
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1
DD Whipple, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Stewart, Shell hits 1

Being a day time engagement the results are poor despite valuable PP's spent to improve ship Captains and the TF commander. The Allied TF even turns back without trying to reach Port Moresby. As feared, the SCTF remains within range of Japanese bombers based at Rabaul. Luckily, they are not torpedo capable yet. CA Canberra takes only one 60kg bomb hit, but it takes out her torpedo launcher. Give this round to the Japanese.

DD Whipple is in bad shape and broken off from the main TF with a single DD escort. The following day damage control efforts fail and the ship is in sinking condition. She'll most likely succumb on the 6th.

The remaining ships reach Townsville on the 5th, rearm and refuel prior to retiring for Rockhampton. I would not be surpised to see the old Japanese CL's patrolling around Noumea make a run to intercept my force. The possibility of a Japanese CA SCTF lurking in the area can't be counted out as Andre is very aggressive with his cruisers.

On Java the Japanese land additional troops and take the undefended base. I hate trying to defend Java so other than fortress Soerabaja, I haven't put much effort into any meaningfull defence of the numerous coastal bases. The speed and strength in which Andre moves makes trying to defend any particular base extremely difficult. There are just too many Japanese options available and none of them good for the Dutch. I hope to at least to wreck the facilities at Soerabaja by defending there.

Japanese forces reach Pegu, so the Burma road is cut. I'll update China soon as there are some critical decisions to make moving forward.

In hindsight, I would definitely have done a few things differently so far. I put it down to inexperience controlling the Allies and not being confident in their meagre early war capabilities. I realize that giving up on some areas too early will have consequences. The inability to slow the Japanese juggernaut will mean I have less time to get deeper defences set up and I expect to be hard pressed in some key areas. I'm playing to prevent an AV though, so will stick to my plan of not throwing away assets needlessly too early. There's still plenty of time to do that!

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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Post #: 59
Jan 8/42 - 4/3/2014 3:53:43 PM   
SqzMyLemon


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Japanese units pour onto Java via Kalidjati. Oosthaven has fallen on Sumatra so another influx of Japanese units will appear shortly.

The Dutch airforce has performed abysmal. I didn't expect much so the performance didn't disappoint. The lack of LBA cover is the biggest reason I will not risk losing naval assets over the DEI.

42 Japanese units are poised to cross the causeway and assault Singapore. I have less than 800 AV behind level 3 forts. Singapore is toast. What I find surprising though is it seems a large number of Japanese naval assets are heading out of the DEI towards Babeldoab. CV Kaga and friends have been pounding Dutch shipping at Soerabaja and no vessels remain afloat. It will be interesting to see where this carrier force redeploys. With the chance of Singapore falling so quickly I'm surprised Andre is moving assets away. Maybe India isn't an objective after all? Then again, it's far too soon to discount anything.

My hat's off to Andre for the speed of his advance and there's little I can do to mount an effective defence. I have no option but to conserve my forces to avoid giving away free VP's. I do believe AV will be on the table and I'm not going to concede anything other than base VP's. Boring for Andre no doubt, but it's a situation of his own making.

No sign of KB after the Christmas Island invasion. My bet is on New Caledonia and Fiji being the next targets.

Hengyang and the two bases in clear terrain west of Changsha are in Japanese hands. Japanese forces are moving to cut the main Changsha - Changteh road to isolate Changsha. I'm leaving 1000 AV in Changsha behind level 4 forts. 650 AV is going to try and block the Japanese move to cut the road. I'm willing to lose all these units as they are meant to delay and force some kind of siege of Changsha. It may not be enough AV to hold for long though. I can't justify leaving 2000-2500 AV trapped at the base without weakening my overall position further than it already is. Around 800 Chinese AV has reached Kukong which is still in Chinese hands, but invested by a couple of Japanese units. I plan on withdrawing my entire force and march to reinforce Kweilin. The Japanese strength is concentrated around Changsha, so if I can get enough troops to the Kweilin area I could attempt a limited offensive to try and liberate Luichow.

Unescorted Japanese bombers have been targeting Chinese units around Sian. I deployed two squadrons of AVG to the base last turn to attempt a LRCAP ambush.

An Australian Bde. arrived at Aden and is loading up for Karachi. The rest of the Australian division will arrive over the next three weeks.



< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/11/2014 7:08:09 AM >


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Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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