RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A)

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RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/24/2021 6:07:34 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

Any opinions out there on whether I should give the 4th ID a couple days to reorganize at Rabaul before reloading and going into Port Moresby, or just send it right in after about two weeks on transports from Osaka?

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 61

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 5:23:33 AM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

You haven't provided any info about the current state of the unit. A screen shot would have helped.
All we can do is tell you to look at the Morale and Fatigue figures and make your judgement.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 62

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 5:47:21 AM

821Bobo

Posts: 2311
Joined: 2/8/2011
From: Slovakia
Status: offline

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 63

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 6:02:47 AM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

The troops have been at sea for two weeks and are already at Rabaul, probably changing from strategic mode to combat mode. The question is a rest period before setting out for PM or not.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to 821Bobo)

Post #: 64

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 8:56:11 AM

ITAKLinus

Posts: 630
Joined: 2/22/2018
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

The troops have been at sea for two weeks and are already at Rabaul, probably changing from strategic mode to combat mode. The question is a rest period before setting out for PM or not.

I don't know precisely the situation but I'd capture Milne Bay and set up a small base there in order to seal PM. Then, provided you can afford long range NavS from deep in the SOUTH, you can disband few AKEs and start bombing the s@it out PM defenders with the magic trio Fuso/Ise/Nagato Classes (25knts). In this logic, creating PA bases at Rennel Island and Rossel Island is crucial.

PM-Milne Bay is 7 hexes so you should be able to bomb round the clock. Don't forget about a TK or two, even if I presume Desert will try to bomb them with B17s from Townsville.

Doing all the above doesn't precisely answer your question about the infantry division, but it solves the problem at its root, making PM defenders impotent whatever you throw at them. Even a sub-par infantry division should make the trick quite easily.

Just don't forget to do very intensive NavS and recon many bases/dots in NORTH-EAST Australia, in order to avoid a random dashing CV TF sinking your BBs.

In order to answer more precisely to your question, it's important to know: A) supplies at Rabaul; B) support at Rabaul; C) level of the base?; D) willingness to spend PP to put better suited leaders to A/B/C sections of your infantry division: E) estimated defenders of PM; F) support units for PM operations (ART, ENG, etcetc).

_____________________________

Francesco

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 65

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 6:59:23 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

You haven't provided any info about the current state of the unit. A screen shot would have helped.
All we can do is tell you to look at the Morale and Fatigue figures and make your judgement.

Division is at 57 disruption, 0 Fatigue.
Morale is 99.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 66

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 7:04:11 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

Thanks. I don't give the amphib TFs bases as targets until the last turn before the landing, unless it is part of a deception plan. That includes sometimes having a TF due exactly what is expected, but not this time.

(in reply to 821Bobo)

Post #: 67

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 7:09:01 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

The troops have been at sea for two weeks and are already at Rabaul, probably changing from strategic mode to combat mode. The question is a rest period before setting out for PM or not.

Thanks BBfanboy. They were loaded at Osaka in assault mode. Judging from their disruption (57), I need to offload them, give them a few days rest, then reload them. The 144th Inf Rgt recovered all its disruption in two days at Rabaul, even though the base is not yet expanded, nor has significant support units.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 68

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/25/2021 7:29:23 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ITAKLinus

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

If you set sail directly from Osaka to PM, Allied sigint will 100% pick this up. And player like Desertwolf will 100% make this info for good use.Two weeks are plenty of time to organize counter measures.

The troops have been at sea for two weeks and are already at Rabaul, probably changing from strategic mode to combat mode. The question is a rest period before setting out for PM or not.

I don't know precisely the situation but I'd capture Milne Bay and set up a small base there in order to seal PM. Then, provided you can afford long range NavS from deep in the SOUTH, you can disband few AKEs and start bombing the s@it out PM defenders with the magic trio Fuso/Ise/Nagato Classes (25knts). In this logic, creating PA bases at Rennel Island and Rossel Island is crucial.

PM-Milne Bay is 7 hexes so you should be able to bomb round the clock. Don't forget about a TK or two, even if I presume Desert will try to bomb them with B17s from Townsville.

Doing all the above doesn't precisely answer your question about the infantry division, but it solves the problem at its root, making PM defenders impotent whatever you throw at them. Even a sub-par infantry division should make the trick quite easily.

Just don't forget to do very intensive NavS and recon many bases/dots in NORTH-EAST Australia, in order to avoid a random dashing CV TF sinking your BBs.

In order to answer more precisely to your question, it's important to know: A) supplies at Rabaul; B) support at Rabaul; C) level of the base?; D) willingness to spend PP to put better suited leaders to A/B/C sections of your infantry division: E) estimated defenders of PM; F) support units for PM operations (ART, ENG, etcetc).

Good points, all.

AKEs finished building on 28 Dec and are en route, as is a replenishment TF. I have not committed BBs to the Solomon Sea, though I have a BB division (Nagato and Mutsu) not far away at Babeldaub that could be reallocated. Their raison d'etre for being in the DEI, Prince of Wales, is no longer a threat and the two Kongos are more than a match for Repulse. They could be in action by the time the big AKEs arrive.

You are right about the need to recon all the dot bases and main bases. The enemy likes to hide cruiser and destroyer squadrons in port, then launch them at the beachhead. His CVs are all in NORPAC, as of this morning.

My recon of his forces at Port Moresby is incomplete. The pilots report 23,000 troops, but I don't have a breakdown of units yet. DL is 9/10, so I will try some ground attack missions to see if anything interesting appears.

(in reply to ITAKLinus)

Post #: 69

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/26/2021 2:29:07 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

2 Jan 1942

U.S. CVs raid the home islands, sinking numerous, small AKLs plying the short strip of sea between Hokkaido and Honshu. Based on the number of dive bombers in the strikes, intelligence believes that either Yorktown has joined Enterprise and Lexington, or the enemy is operating Marine squadrons from the carriers. The enemy appears to have made a high speed run from the SE, as one of our PB pickets 500 nm SE shows detection of 10/10, but was not attacked. Most of the losses were small 2 point AKLs, though he also sank 7 larger Aden's. The enemy turned his carriers around quickly after their prior NORPAC raid, but we used the window to get another convoy to the Aleutians. These are all small AKLs, and are considered expendable.

Intelligence now believes Prince of Wales was indeed sunk. <The victory point total jumped by almost 200 points after a two Walrus float planes showed up as destroyed on field.>

The second and main attack on Singapore will happen tomorrow, as all our forces reach their assigned positions.

Nates flying CAP at night in 100% moonlight find and shoot down a Dutch bomber over Palembang and disrupt the attack of some Hudsons. There was no damage to the oil fields. The enemy lost one 139WH-3 to the Nates and a Hudson to flak.

In China, 1st Army resumes its attacks tomorrow in the mountains, while 11th Army defeated four understrength Chinese corps near Sinyang, forcing them to retreat across a river with heavy losses. Sallys hit the exposed enemy at Ichang inflicting nearly a 1,000 casualties. In the SW, Wuchow falls.

I-155 sinks medium-sized xAK near Rangoon.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 70

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/31/2021 1:46:49 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

3-5 Jan 1942

U.S. CVs strike resources at Kushiro on Hokkaido, scoring 400+ VPs and then withdraw. This was an effecient operation by the enemy, sinking transports and damaging resources for essentially no losses.

P40Es bounce some Annes on a milk run against Wenchow. This was intriguing to me, since the intel (9/10) showed the airfield was 85% damaged. It is a level 3 strip, so it should be closed to CAP operations at 65% (50% + AF size *5%). I think I have been misinterpreting airfield damage going all the way back to the days of Uncommon Valor. It is obvious to me now, that the airfield damage is a type of blended average of both the runway and the service damage, not the visible runway damage like I had always believed. Due to how engineers repair airfield damage, it is entirely possible to have a fully operational runway and wrecked services, and the airfield appear closed.

143rd Inf Regiment nearly destroys itself in a shock attack into three Indian Brigades across a hidden river hex in Malaya at 49 77. I never noticed that there is a river that does not appear on the map in this hex. The enemy, however, knew it was there.

Weather keeps our bombers grounded for two of three days, so forts will be built at Singapore.

The enemy does not fly any CAP over his transports at Rangoon, so Nells sink a handful. The 11th Air Fleet at Bangkok and its satellite bases is now reinforced with enough frontline aircraft to make further reinforcement or supply of Burma costly for the enemy.

On Luzon, General Homma is still repositioning his forces to be able to mass against Manila.

In the Banda Sea, our invasion force is now moving on Koepang, covered by Zuiho.

In the Coral Sea, the 4th Fleet has suppressed Port Moresby, will keep it isolated, and bypass the 23,000 Australians for the time being. Instead, we will move on the lightly held New Caledonia. Port Moresby will be bombarded almost daily by cruisers and battleships, rearming from big AKEs hidden in the Solomons. The 144th Inf Rgt and the 4th Div, if needed, will take Noumea. There is no rush to try and redeploy the 144th now that the 143rd is combat ineffective in Malaya. The time and political points needed to rebuild the 55th division does not make any sense at the moment.

The Kido Butai will strike Australian industry and resources beginning on the 7th. Intelligence expects the enemy to have a skillful defense, but there are too many locations to cover.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 71

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/31/2021 2:59:12 AM

mind_messing

Posts: 3393
Joined: 10/28/2013
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

Any opinions out there on whether I should give the 4th ID a couple days to reorganize at Rabaul before reloading and going into Port Moresby, or just send it right in after about two weeks on transports from Osaka?

Strong suggestion to mount an overland campaign from Buna.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

Good points, all.

AKEs finished building on 28 Dec and are en route, as is a replenishment TF. I have not committed BBs to the Solomon Sea, though I have a BB division (Nagato and Mutsu) not far away at Babeldaub that could be reallocated. Their raison d'etre for being in the DEI, Prince of Wales, is no longer a threat and the two Kongos are more than a match for Repulse. They could be in action by the time the big AKEs arrive.

You are right about the need to recon all the dot bases and main bases. The enemy likes to hide cruiser and destroyer squadrons in port, then launch them at the beachhead. His CVs are all in NORPAC, as of this morning.

My recon of his forces at Port Moresby is incomplete. The pilots report 23,000 troops, but I don't have a breakdown of units yet. DL is 9/10, so I will try some ground attack missions to see if anything interesting appears.

The supply and fuel cost for running such bombardment missions seems excessive. Surely an air campaign from Buna and Rabual can achieve the same results without such a high cost?

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 72

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/31/2021 5:29:10 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

Any opinions out there on whether I should give the 4th ID a couple days to reorganize at Rabaul before reloading and going into Port Moresby, or just send it right in after about two weeks on transports from Osaka?

Strong suggestion to mount an overland campaign from Buna.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

Good points, all.

AKEs finished building on 28 Dec and are en route, as is a replenishment TF. I have not committed BBs to the Solomon Sea, though I have a BB division (Nagato and Mutsu) not far away at Babeldaub that could be reallocated. Their raison d'etre for being in the DEI, Prince of Wales, is no longer a threat and the two Kongos are more than a match for Repulse. They could be in action by the time the big AKEs arrive.

You are right about the need to recon all the dot bases and main bases. The enemy likes to hide cruiser and destroyer squadrons in port, then launch them at the beachhead. His CVs are all in NORPAC, as of this morning.

My recon of his forces at Port Moresby is incomplete. The pilots report 23,000 troops, but I don't have a breakdown of units yet. DL is 9/10, so I will try some ground attack missions to see if anything interesting appears.

The supply and fuel cost for running such bombardment missions seems excessive. Surely an air campaign from Buna and Rabual can achieve the same results without such a high cost?

Thanks, Mind Messing. I think I will try the historical Buna route, just with more forces than the Japanese originally employed.
I tend to agree on the fuel cost of BB bombardments.

(in reply to mind_messing)

Post #: 73

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/31/2021 5:58:12 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

6 Jan 1942.

Singapore falls to the second assault after the river crossing. All my divisions are in good shape for follow-on operations except the 33rd, which led river crossing. The 33rd will take a while to recover, with about a third of its squads disabled.

quote:

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72204 troops, 735 guns, 391 vehicles, Assault Value = 2827

Defending force 29003 troops, 385 guns, 265 vehicles, Assault Value = 403

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2228

Allied adjusted defense: 551

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2745 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 220 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
32380 casualties reported
Squads: 423 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2843 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 196 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 385 (385 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 215 (215 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 31

Assaulting units:
5th/C Division
24th Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th/A Division <I normally rebuild all divisions for an attack, but forgot to reassemble them last turn and if you do it the turn of, they are often short supply>
38th Division
18th/A Division
33rd/A Division
5th/B Division
21st/C Division
18th/C Division
Imperial Guards Division
18th/B Division
33rd/B Division
21st/B Division
21st/A Division
16th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
33rd/C Division
25th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th AA Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2/17 Dogra Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
SSVF Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
12th Indian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
22nd Indian Bde /1
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
109th RN Base Force
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Malaya Army
111th RAF Base Force
2nd ISF Base Force
AHQ Far East
Singapore Fortress
III Indian Corps
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Malayan Air Wing
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
110th RAF Base Force
112th RAF Base Force
Singapore Base Force
224 Group RAF
5th Field Regiment

1st Army is working on breaking through to the Sian plain, still. The Chinese are down to about 400 AV in the hex. They were over 1,000 eleven days ago.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/31/2021 5:59:06 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 74

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/31/2021 6:12:18 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

6 Jan 1942 continued.

The enemy uses a CAP trap at Rangoon and shoots down 9 Nells. Not a big deal, because I can usually avoid them, but I dislike this tactic as gamey. The enemy puts about ten small, empty AKLs at sea, then assigns all his fighters on LRCAP. No CAP over the base. Because all the fighters on missions, they don't get caught on the ground at base if I hit it, which I did. In this case, the escort went with the airfield/port strike on Rangoon, even though that strike was set to a different altitude than the escorts and the naval strike.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 75

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/2/2021 11:47:02 AM

ITAKLinus

Posts: 630
Joined: 2/22/2018
From: Italy
Status: offline

My non-requested advice is that an operation on New Caledonia right now is more expensive than bombing PM with BBs.

Moreover, using BBs is fairly expensive in terms of FUEL and SUPPLIES but I do consider it very much affordable in the initial phase of Japanese expansion. The problem, eventually, would be to keep those BBs supplied, but that's solvable.

In general, I think that the current problem of the destroyed oilfields can be solved by a serious push in Burma with massive amounts of AAs. Basically, Magwe can provide 300OIL points and with 25+ AA LCUs in the hex covered by generous CAPs you should be able to defend those oilfields for a while. It would lower the impact of the smashed Palembang.
Together with your so far successful push in Sian sector, you can somehow even out the loss of Palembang fields.

With the current amount of oilfields destroyed by the Allied airforce, you should be able to survive relatively well in the long run.

I'd strongly advice against any kind of adventure SOUTH of Tulagi and I'd start thinking at leaving most of IJN fleet parked right after the co-prosperity sphere has been conquered.
Basically, you want to have the most compact perimeter possible so that you can easily defend it without major fleet movements. It's fairly easy to defend Rabaul with LBA only, while I struggle to believe you'd keep the Truk-Noumea searoute open without major efforts from the IJN.

Our common opponent is a very good player, he would make you bleed over there and he has as much FUEL as he wants. In my opinion, and that's defintely not gospel, you can somehow even out the loss of so many oilfields with the Magwe+ChinesOIL+very compact perimeter mostly defended by LBA rather than requiring fleet movements.
Everything SOUTH of Tulagi-Tabiteuea is going to make you use too much FUEL and will create severe logistical problems.

And I'm the guy who is going to invade NZ in another match in a couple of turns. I certainly love to push IJN logistics as much as I can. My advice here is due to the loss of the oilfields.

_____________________________

Francesco

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 76

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/3/2021 2:02:31 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ITAKLinus

My non-requested advice is that an operation on New Caledonia right now is more expensive than bombing PM with BBs.

Moreover, using BBs is fairly expensive in terms of FUEL and SUPPLIES but I do consider it very much affordable in the initial phase of Japanese expansion. The problem, eventually, would be to keep those BBs supplied, but that's solvable.

In general, I think that the current problem of the destroyed oilfields can be solved by a serious push in Burma with massive amounts of AAs. Basically, Magwe can provide 300OIL points and with 25+ AA LCUs in the hex covered by generous CAPs you should be able to defend those oilfields for a while. It would lower the impact of the smashed Palembang.
Together with your so far successful push in Sian sector, you can somehow even out the loss of Palembang fields.

With the current amount of oilfields destroyed by the Allied airforce, you should be able to survive relatively well in the long run.

I'd strongly advice against any kind of adventure SOUTH of Tulagi and I'd start thinking at leaving most of IJN fleet parked right after the co-prosperity sphere has been conquered.
Basically, you want to have the most compact perimeter possible so that you can easily defend it without major fleet movements. It's fairly easy to defend Rabaul with LBA only, while I struggle to believe you'd keep the Truk-Noumea searoute open without major efforts from the IJN.

Our common opponent is a very good player, he would make you bleed over there and he has as much FUEL as he wants. In my opinion, and that's defintely not gospel, you can somehow even out the loss of so many oilfields with the Magwe+ChinesOIL+very compact perimeter mostly defended by LBA rather than requiring fleet movements.
Everything SOUTH of Tulagi-Tabiteuea is going to make you use too much FUEL and will create severe logistical problems.

And I'm the guy who is going to invade NZ in another match in a couple of turns. I certainly love to push IJN logistics as much as I can. My advice here is due to the loss of the oilfields.

Thanks, Francesco.

Good advice.

(in reply to ITAKLinus)

Post #: 77

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/3/2021 2:19:58 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

7 Jan 1942

At Rangoon, Sally's catch an AVG squadron on the ground, apparently parked wing tip to wing tip on their day off after LRCAP over the gaggle of PCs and AKLs the day before.

Mine sweeping task forces arrive at the port of Singapore, but don't detect or sweep any mines. I gave them orders to the destination, but not patrol, based on Alfred's thread that patrol orders screw up the mine sweeping algorithm in the game. I will give them patrol orders this turn to see if that makes any difference. I will also read Alfred's advice again. It is possible I am remembering it incorrectly.

Recon aircraft sniff out the enemy deployment on Java while shipping moves toward Singapore for the next phase operations. <I have not decided whether to use all six available divisions on Java. It seems unnecessary. He will retreat to the mountain redoubts as soon as I land, based on his past practice on Luzon, Mindanao and in China. I will avoid taking the oil on Java until I can suppress all the remaining airfields. I don't want to tie down more fighters to base defense at the moment. The oil isn't going anywhere now. Instead of going all in on Java, I will probably use a full Corps to take Burma, two divisions to drive him into hiding on Java, and reestablish a theater reserve.>

Three SNLFs land in good order at Kendari. The base is has only about 40 total AV, so will fall quickly.

We will make a second landing in the Aleutians tonight.

Preparations are beginning for the Midway operation.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 78

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/5/2021 8:38:01 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

8 Jan 1942

In China, our armor is busily repairing damaged tanks and our bombers finish off the last few damaged P40Es at Wenchow.

In a mix up at the busy airbase at Palembang, both 3rd Ku and Tainan Ku sweep northern Java, leaving only a Sentai of Nates on CAP over the oil fields. The enemy did not choose that accidental window to strike.

RAF Buffalo stage into the small, damaged airfield of Tumaloh in northern Malaya where about 5,000 British and Indian soldier sit isolated, and bounce Sonias (the enemy loves jumping Sonias) attacking his 20,000 troops in the jungle/rough one hex to the north. We lose nine of the small attack aircraft. He loses three Buffalos to ops.

At Singapore, the minesweeping TFs set to patrol clear most of the mines. I reread Alfred's comments, and he said do not use "Patrol Around Target" orders; patrolling a hex works just fine.

Kendari falls. We now have a gap in his air coverage between southern Java and northern Australia. Two TFs of raiders will slip through to interdict his convoy routes from Capetown to Perth.

In the Solomon Sea, a small SNLF is moving to secure Buna in advance of the 4th ID which has completed a brief R&R at Rabaul and will load transports tomorrow. The plan is for an advance overland from Buna to Port Moresby instead of an amphibious assault.

The Kido Butai strikes heavy and light industry at Brisbane. The weather is poor, and the damage very modest for a strike of 100 Kates level-bombing.

Our invasion task force for New Caledonia is about four days out from its target. Recon shows 1140 French troops at Noumea.

In the Aleutians, we land at Amchitka Island to build a supporting base for Adak. The landings go smoothly. Now to see if the transports can get back to cover before the enemy shows up. Winter is slowing the construction of our airbases in the Kuriles and Aleutians, but they are still developing well.

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Post #: 79

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/5/2021 8:49:12 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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9 Jan 1942

Sally's catch another AVG squadron on the ground, this time in China at Sian. About half the volunteer squadron's aircraft are damaged or destroyed.

Tainan Ku shoots down ten Dutch fighters flying CAP over the airfield at Kalidjati, eighty miles southeast of Batavia. We lose a Zero and a Lilly.

The mines are all cleared from Singapore harbor.

The Kido Butai strikes Australian heavy and light industry at Newcastle. Weather is again very poor, and so are the results.

In the Aleutians, the transports have finished offloading supplies and are withdrawing. They are all small 12 knot AKLs that can typically fully unload in 24 hours during the amphib bonus period.

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Post #: 80

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/8/2021 4:03:25 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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From: Austin / Brisbane
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10 Jan 42

In China, the enemy puts up CAP over Sian for the first time, using two squadrons (one at half strength) of the AVG at 31,000 feet. They get slightly the better of 7th Sentai Oscars on a sweep, and some also get past the Oscars escorting Sally's, though the escorts score kills. We lose 7 Oscars and 7 Sally's to 7 H81-A3s. The airfield is significantly damaged. If the enemy follows past practice, he will relocate the squadrons next turn.

Also in the air, but many thousands of miles to the south, the Kido Butai hits heavy industry at Brisbane and resources at Toowoomba with decent weather. Both attacks are effective, and P40Es flying a training mission over Brisbane are savaged by the Zeros on escort. The sweeps that came in ahead did not find the P40s in the air. The enemy loses 9 P40E and most of the HI and resources.

Kates from Zuiho find some Dutch AVPs and AKLs headed in the direction of Derby or Broome. A destroyer squadron engaged them first in an indecisive daylight action. The TF Commander was relieved for lack of aggressiveness (to be fair, it may have been a fuel issue; we are running our Banda and Timor Sea operation on a logistics shoe-string).

Oscars sweep and Sallys hit Rangoon, undefended from the air.

Four Aoba's bombard Port Moresby while the 4th ID continues to load transports at Rabaul. We don't have any land-based front-line fighters in this theater yet so we are being cautious about using Betty's or Nells against the Port Moresby airfield. We assumed he would mass his available fighters in and around Sydney and Brisbane with the Kido Butai operating there, leaving Port Moresby undefended, but the enemy has so far not attempted to CAP over his industry. He has a practice of primarily using his fighters against unescorted bombers--a "Hit them where the ain't" tactic--so he will almost certainly jump some squadrons in to Port Moresby if he sees unescorted strikes. Thus, three cruiser TFs are keeping the airfield suppressed until a Sentai of Claudes upgrades to Zeros at Takao. They, of course, won't upgrade at Truk or any other airfield south of Takao at the moment.

Armor attacks again in the mountains east of Sian. The end is near for the seven enemy corps there. They are down to under 300 AV.

In the Aleutians, no sign of the enemy yet as the transports retreat. We now have two airfields in the Kuriles and will have two in the Aleutians open in a few days. The Aleutians are intended as a strategic distraction while the Kuriles must be hardened.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 11/8/2021 4:05:37 PM >

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Post #: 81

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/9/2021 6:22:05 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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From: Austin / Brisbane
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11 Jan 42

5th Fleet
Our submarine wolfpack operating along the default shipping lane (hex row) approximately 500nm northwest of Pearl identified an amphibious (or transport) convoy and a replenishment convoy en route towards the Aleutians (or potentially the Kuriles). I-18 sank a transport with guns on board while I-20 unsuccessfully stalked 4 DMSs escorting at least one AO. The wolfpack, led by CDR Yokota on board the Glen equipped I-26, will continue along the expected enemy route north while 5th Fleet continues to mass submarines in the Aleutians. The Combined Fleet staff do not have any intention of reacting to an enemy counter invasion in the Aleutians, but will pursue a deception plan to give the enemy the impression we will. An infantry brigade has been ordered to board transports with Dutch Harbor as the destination--it will be diverted long before it approaches the Bering Sea. We have done the same with a SNLF, a base force, and some AA guns. We will also take this opportunity to withdraw the Kido Butai in the direction of the Aleutians, since it needs to refuel one of the thirsty Kongos anyway. Zuiho, off Darwin, will also move northeast. The enemy does a good job with his navsearch, and will know the both TFs are moving in the direction of NORPAC. Whether he believes they will really make the long trip there is another question. We lose nothing by the simple deception, since both TFs need to refuel and rearm anyway. His SIGINT may pick up the other taskforce moves. We will see if that affects his planned operations.

China
As expected the enemy relocated both the AVG squadrons from Sian. Also, as expected, he moved them back to Chungking. The 5th Air Div anticipated these moves and struck Chungking, destroying 4 of the American Volunteer Group aircraft on the ground and damaging many more. The enemy had no CAP over the base. His Chinese squadrons were aloft on training missions in obsolete Russian aircraft at the time of the attack. As we have noticed before, the sweeps did not find them, but the main raid encountered the trainees. The raid came in a bit disorganized behind the sweeps, so there were no escorts with the bombers in the first group to arrive. We lost one Sally.

Annes and Lilys continue to hit Wenchow, and damage a P40E still stuck on that closed airfield. 13th Army is finally ready to advance in full strength on city, so a BB TF will bombard the enemy defenses tomorrow, while the aircraft switch targets to his ground units.

Further north, both 1st and 11th Armies have just about finished repairing all the medium tanks, and will attack again in 24 hours. Japanese industry has yet to build a single new medium tank since the war began. We have suffered an number damaged, but none destroyed.

At Singapore, the first transports begin loading for the invasion of Java.

In the Timor Sea, a destroyer squadron sinks some AKLs and AMs while Zuiho's Kates finish off the last of the AVPs. This whole business is a bit puzzling. These ships could have stayed in Darwin safely or hidden in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Apparently the enemy did not want to commit even the modest number of fighter aircraft to Northern Australia it would of taken to dissuade Zuiho from a port raid. The whole episode, with low value ships (though the AVPs are useful) wandering about within range of aircover, had the look of one of his typical CAP traps, but there were none that we found. Zuiho was careful with her strike ranges to limit the risk, but found nothing. We are going to withdraw to refuel and rearm anyway, but wonder if this was still bait of some type.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 11/9/2021 6:43:14 PM >

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Post #: 82

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/9/2021 11:31:28 PM

BBfanboy

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In January 1942 there are NO fighters in Australia unless some were brought in from the Philippines or DEI. Australia's fledgling aircraft industry produces bombers for now. The US can send some there but every theater is screaming for them at this time.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 83

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/9/2021 11:49:47 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In January 1942 there are NO fighters in Australia unless some were brought in from the Philippines or DEI. Australia's fledgling aircraft industry produces bombers for now. The US can send some there but every theater is screaming for them at this time.

"La,la,la," [plugs ears]. :-) Thanks BBfanboy. I am trying not to know more than I should. I do know he moved at least one squadron of P40Es to Australia. I believe it was one of three in the PI. There was also a squadron of P40Bs from the PI that is not accounted for. I suspect they are both in Australia, though I only have confirmation of the first.

As a player, I know some of these squadrons are provisional, and he may have chosen to withdraw them rather than buy them out. As the Imperial Japanese High Command, I would not likely be privy to such detailed intel.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 11/10/2021 9:53:15 PM >

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Post #: 84

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/10/2021 9:13:09 PM

Wirraway_Ace

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From: Austin / Brisbane
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12 Jan 42

Near Midway, our submarines report no sign that the enemy convoys continued north toward the Aleutians. Did they turn around? In the 5th Fleet AOR, our transports have made it back to the Kuriles and none of our picket ships or subs 500 miles south report any enemy sightings. We are evacuating fragments of the units in the Aleutians to the Kuriles in case we have to rebuild these forces.

China: The enemy withdraws all his fighters from Chungking and Sian. They are probably at Kweiyang or Kunming. Recon will find them. Meanwhile, 5th Air Div bombers hit multiple ground targets.

Philippines: The enemy flies in an understrength squadron of P40Es to bounce our airfield attacks at Manila. Tojos sweep and shoot down half the enemy fighters with no losses.

Burma: Recon shows no sign of enemy activity.

Java: D-Day is the 16th. We will take Java from north to south. The enemy appears to be planning on standing in the mountains at Bandoeng in the north and Malang in the south. Due to stacking limits in both these hexes, there is no real advantage to landing at Semarang and splitting the island. He cannot mass in a single mountain hex. At the moment, his forces are concentrated at Batavia and Soerabaja. Recon will watch closely to see if he begins moving when our convoys are sighted. Kalidjati is undefended at the moment, as is Buitenzorg, and we have two airborne battalions available...

Northern Australia: Recon flights from Koepang show forty bombers at Darwin. The enemy is probably planning on closing our newly acquired airfield at Koepang. These bombers may also be at Darwin as a staging location to Java, if he sees a high-value target. Bettys from Ambon will strike the airfield. No fighters are reported present but recent information suggests the enemy may be critically short of fighter aircraft in Australia. Regardless, Zeros from Zuiho will sweep the airfield.

Port Moresby. A SNLF landed at Buna. The 4th ID will arrive tonight.

New Caledonia. A SNLF will land at Koumac tonight. The main force will land at La Fou on the 14th.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 11/10/2021 9:56:41 PM >

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Post #: 85

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/11/2021 5:36:19 PM

Wirraway_Ace

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13 Jan 42

Quiet turn. We will have the political points tomorrow to buy-out the rest of the division tasked with taking Midway. It will be transported from Korea immediately. No firm D-Day has been set for this operation, but the target date remains by the end of the month.

We have a decent pool of Kates and Lilys are a low priority, so both those assembly lines are temporarily closed to conserve the valuable Ha-35 engines. We have converted all the useful IJN air service squadrons from Claudes to Zeros, so we may also be able to taper Zero production for the moment. Meanwhile, we need every Oscar we can make.

In China, the 11th Army attacks five enemy corps south of Sian without the benefit of any air support due to weather. It is a 1:2 attack, but the enemy suffers heavily from our massed armor and artillery. His AV is down to half its original strength and our losses are light.

Recon shows most of the bombers are gone from Darwin, while Dinah pilots report a build-up of bombers at Soerabaja. While this may be a coincidence, intelligence believe these are B17s and potentially Vindicators being massed for a last major effort by Allied airpower on Java.

In New Guinea, the 4th ID lands at Buna and begins its march across the Kokoda trail.

Further to the south, New Caledonia appears unreinforced. The 144th will not be committed to the landing. Three SNLFs will take the island; one has landed at Koumac, and two more will land at La Foa, tomorrow.

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Post #: 86

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/13/2021 3:54:57 PM

Wirraway_Ace

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14 Jan 42

In China, weather grounds our bombers.

Off Java, weather conceals our invasion taskforces from the enemy air search. We will land at Kalidjati tomorrow while 3rd SNLF paratroopers will seize the undefended airfield. Eighty miles west, 1st SNLF paratroopers will take and hold the airfield in the mountains at Buitenzorg. Any troops that try to escape Batavia to the mountain redoubt at Bandoeng will be in a race with our armor across the plains.

At Midway, I-168 sinks an xAKL.

On New Caledonia, undefended Koumac is taken while the rest of the troops land at La Foe, covered by Kaga's Zeros.

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Post #: 87

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/13/2021 4:15:55 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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From: Austin / Brisbane
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15 Jan 42

In China, 1st Army shock attacks in the mountains east of Sian. Weather grounds our bombers again, and the attack does not quite get a 2:1, but enemy losses are heavy (including over 200 squads destroyed) and ours light. They will try again.

On Java, two divisions land unmolested at Kalidjati. The soldiers of the 2nd and 38th Divisions are greeted by paratroopers who took the undefended base and airfield as the transports were unloading. Zeros and Oscars fly into the airfield to take over CAP duties while the transports continue to unload.

Things go less smoothly thousands of miles south at La Foa. The Kido Butai withdrew prematurely, and the enemy stages in two squadrons of A-24s which sink two transports offloading supplies and two small destroyers. A third transport is crippled and scuttled. All the troops were ashore and enough supply.

Further north, the enemy also stages in A-24s to Port Moresby. Weather conceals the transports at Buna (which have Zeros on LRCAP), so the A-24s go after our cruiser covering force to the south. They lose three aircraft to flak with no hits.

At Midway, I-168 sights 3 APs. Our sub wolfpack in the area is descending on the atoll. We shall hopefully be able to determine if these are really troop transports or AKLs grown to APs in the mind's eye of the submarine skipper.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 11/13/2021 5:21:31 PM >

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Post #: 88

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/13/2021 6:11:21 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
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From: Austin / Brisbane
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Anyone familiar with Japanese medium tank production within the game? I read in Goldman's superb Nomanhan, 1939, that these vehicles were difficult and expensive for Japanese industry to produce, so they were treated like gold. This seems to be faithfully replicated in the game. Through the middle of January, not a single new medium tank has been produced of either the Type 89A or Type 97.

I have increased Vehicle Assembly to 150.

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Post #: 89

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 11/14/2021 1:45:41 AM

mind_messing

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

Anyone familiar with Japanese medium tank production within the game? I read in Goldman's superb Nomanhan, 1939, that these vehicles were difficult and expensive for Japanese industry to produce, so they were treated like gold. This seems to be faithfully replicated in the game. Through the middle of January, not a single new medium tank has been produced of either the Type 89A or Type 97.

I have increased Vehicle Assembly to 150.

Not terribly so, could do with a refresher.

No production might be due to a few things, especially around upgrades and production dates. Worthwhile checking both of those.

Generally speaking, more VEH is a good idea. The IJA tank units eat a chunk, and it can be hard to keep on top of the dual pressure of AFV losses and late war reinforcements. Banking the points for late war can pay off as the IJA get a handful of tank bde's that make great firefighting groups for the Home Islands.

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Post #: 90

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