Illinois Yankee in the Showa Emperor's Court (Q-Ball v Canoe)

[Q-Ball]

This AAR is a companion to Canoerebel's "Here come the Rebels" AAR, so my title is a play off that. I am playing JAPAN, serving the Showa Emperor, and guiding us to further victories.

At Canoe's request, we are playing Scenario #2. This gives the Empire extra goodies, mostly in the form of better pilots and more air units, but with a few extra escort craft thrown in. Should be fun!

I am late getting this AAR started, as I have been very busy, but here it goes.

[Alfred]

Q-Ball,

I haven't looked at Scenario 2 and therefore have no personal view, but in Nemo's AAR, bklooste in post #444 has outlined the reasons why he does not like it (from a Japanese POV it seems). Do you think this scenario only superficially makes Japan stronger, in that obtaining an early auto victory is easier, but in reality it makes the Japanese position much worse if an early auto victory is not attained.

The follow up question is how will victory in this match be determined? On VPs or by the unconditional surrender of one side?

Alfred

[Q-Ball]

RE: Scenario #2, Dan preferred it, so I gave it a shot. I don't think it HURTS Japan over the long-haul, it only helps. You do get some boosts early-on, which should make auto-victory more possible, though still pretty tough.

The extras:
*Japanese pilots start more experienced, and replacements are more experienced
*IJNAF and IJAAF both start with some extra units, and more planes in the replacement pool
*IJA gets some extra Brigades in 1942
*A few planes have faster R&D dates, most notably the TOJO, (6-42)
*IJN gets a few more escort craft, mostly DMS and Es
*IJN CVEs now have organic airgroups

There are no extra CVs or anything beyond that; the core Navy is about the same.

Miller and Canoerebel played the same scenario in that AAR.

[Q-Ball]

OVERVIEW:

CANOEREBEL AS OPPONENT: Dan is a good player, and very creative, so this should be a good challenge. In particular, I have to be conscious of a few traits:
1. He will use the USN CVs early to raid at the edges
2. He understands some of the vulnerable spots of the Empire (Kuriles, SRA), and always attacks them
3. He pretty much doesn't care about losing transports and support ships, and will sacrifice 100s to get an invasion ashore
4. In game with Miller, he hasn't focused much on Pilot training, which I think is one reason he continues to have trouble with the Japanese Air (Miller does train extensively, and so do I)

Given this, what is my strategy?

PHASE 1 OBJECTIVES: The Japanese strategy in Phase 1 is pretty much laid out for you: Conquer the SRA, push out the perimeter, invade Burma, grab what you can before the Allies get too strong. This phase is roughly the first 3 months of the war.

I am a big believer in planning ahead and moving fast; I always look to have transports loading the rear with supplies and support troops ready for things I haven't taken yet. The Japanese early landing advantage is huge, you have to take advantage of it by picking up troops and moving fast. The disadvantage is that, in all likelihood, I am going to lose some transports here and there. That's OK.

By the end of December, I hope to have cleared Ambon/Timor, most of Borneo, and be landing on Port Moresby. Java should be invaded in late January, and most of the SRA closed out by no later than February 15th, freeing up huge numbers of IJA troops for Phase 2 Objectives. What are those?

PHASE 2: PUSHING FOR AUTO VICTORY: I haven't determined yet my phase-2 objectives, and don't really need to until January. I plan to land on the Northern Australia coast, but that is really more defensive perimeter stuff than a knock-out blow.

I think there are 3 choices for Auto-Victory: India, Australia, or Hawaii, and I'm not sure Hawaii has enough points for Auto-Victory. I am probably inclined to Australia or India.

India has much to recommend it; Dan has really done well in Southeast Asia in his games with Miller, and destroying a bunch of Indian units would help blunt that. On the other hand, India is kind of like Russia, the Allies can retreat and consume the IJA with garrison requirements. Still, alot of points in India.

Taking Australia would be a great knockout. Taking ALL of OZ is doable, unlike taking ALL of India, which isn't. One downside is that destroying Australian Militia units doesn't really buy anything in the long-run, since the Aussies don't have the replacements to use them all offensively anyway. Decisions, decisions.

More debate to follow on this, first a re-cap of the first day's actions.....

[Miller]

Good luck against our common enemy.

[bklooste]

Scenarion 2 is a good one for auto victory the Pilots i believe really hurt you in 44 to 45 and will destroy your HI stcokpile.
 
If deciding between Australia and India the best option is to use 2 divs from the extra army your given in scenario 2  and take Ceylon EARLY before Java anyway.  This will give you good recon of india  and Force him to defend India and Australia  and make transfers between them more difficult.  You can then choose to invade which ever one he is weakest at.

[Cuttlefish]

Let me be among the first to wish you a good game and good luck! This should be a game worth watching. Canoerebel's willingness to disregard casualties can probably be used to your advantage in a quest for auto-victory if you can anticipate or out-guess him. If he gets the drop on you, though, you know you can count on him to take full advantage of any openings he creates.

[Q-Ball]

Thanks everyone for the comments! Miller, I could probably use some hints...

Combat Report, Dec 7 - 11, 1941:

I have been very busy IRL, so haven't had the time to update since the opening gun. I will put together a few highlights:

Pearl Harbor: The first strike sank nothing confirmed, so I decided right away that I would go back for seconds and thirds.

Allied surface TFs found KB 2 days in a row (!), despite my moving KB every day. I had to suffer through long combat replays, and close calls, including USS ST LOUIS engaging AKAGI from 3000 yards! Overall, KB dished dodged major bullets, only a single DD having moderate damage. They sank 2 DDs in surface action, and heavily damaged ST. LOUIS in a day strike.

Meanwhile, 3 days of strikes wrecked havoc at Pearl. The final tally was either 5 or 6 BBs sunk; it might be 6, in the final strike we sank 3 out of the 5 BBs attacked, which means 3 must have sunk previously.

My air losses weren't bad until the 3rd day, I lost about 30 planes. I might have kept attacking, except that I was about out of torpedos.

That was a good Pearl Harbor result for the Empire.

Malaya: We had a HR allowing TFs formed up to move first turn for Allies. Canoerebel didn't know that applied to ships in port, so he didn't move Force Z, and they had their date with destiny in the South China Sea. OOOPS!

We didn't get REPULSE in round 1, but I-156 found her 3 days later and put 4 torps in her off Lingga Roads, sinking her.

I thought about the Mersing gambit, but held off, mostly because I assumed Force Z would be in existance. I should have tried it; I would be closer to the goal now.

Instead, we landed at the usual places, Singora, Patani, and Khota, took Khota, and are marching down the peninsula.

I am concerned about a mass evacuation to Palembang, so I have been sweeping Singapore every day, and will commence bombing, as well as at Palembang. That won't prevent him from using flying boats, but worth a shot. We have already shot down over 50 Buffalos over Singers, not sure why he is contesting the skies over it.

Borneo: We have landed at and taken Kuching and Miri; airbases are established at each. I am about to unload an air HQ at Kuching, which will allow Betties to roam north of Java.

Jolo: Japanese forces are unloading at Jolo, it will fall tommorow, the 11th.

Ambon: An invasion fleet is approaching Ambon; I have observed Allied cruisers moving to intercept, so we are putting our cruisers in front to force action, then landing. We should take it easily by the 15th, and start prepping for Timor.

Phillipines: We landed at Vigan and Apparri turn one, setting up airbases at both. Allied PTs have buzzed around though, encouraging my transports to keep withdrawing; I set them to Absolute, and ordered the main landing at Lingayen for tommorow. The 16th Division will land tommorow at Altimonaoan, and threaten Manila from the South.

Allied Counterstrikes: The Hong Kong DDs and CA HOUSTON have all found random TFs that they found on purpose or by accident. I have lost about 5 transports, 1 AV, and 5 DMSs to these pests. Ouch!

Ship Roundup: I have sunk many ships leaving exposed ports, but nothing to write home about, other than a few Dutch tankers near Singapore, which was an odd place for them.

ALLIED CARRIERS: The question I always have to ask: Where are the Carriers?

I thought there was an outside chance they would try to hit the Wake Invasion; I sent a couple PBs to the east of Wake to act as a tripwire. I think I am in the clear now here, they would have shown up by now if he was going to attempt it.

With KB hanging around Pearl, I am guessing they went south, maybe to Pago Pago or the New Hebrides. I have to be cognizant that they can pop up in the Marshalls now anytime, and in about a week, can pop up in the Solomons. Indian Ocean isn't a possibility until at least January. Regardless, I have my own CV plans...

I am splitting off Car Div 5 (Soryu, Hiryu), for operations in the southern SRA. The rest of KB (Akagi, Kaga, Sho, Zui), will cover the Port Moresby landings, and be in the Solomons. That is the initial dispositions.

[Alfred]

Regarding your concern about an Allied evacuation from Malaya to Palembang, I would strongly suggest, if not already done, you read Nemo's AAR which has a useful discussion on the subject. Whilst there is much to commend such an Allied evacuation, it does open up some quite valuable opportunities for Japan.

Alfred

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Regarding your concern about an Allied evacuation from Malaya to Palembang, I would strongly suggest, if not already done, you read Nemo's AAR which has a useful discussion on the subject. Whilst there is much to commend such an Allied evacuation, it does open up some quite valuable opportunities for Japan.

Alfred

Hi Q-ball,

Good luck in your new game. I'm rooting for liquidation! Liquidate! Liquidate! [&o]

[Tone]

Good luck mister Q-Ball will be following your story.

[Miller]

Dan will not have his CVs sit in port, if he thinks there is an oportunity to use them and get away again unmolested he will, however playing one day turns it will be harder for him to gain surprise.

One other thing, in our previous WITP encounter and the current AE game he has completly ignored the Cenpac area as an avenue of advance.....but he knows you know he is fond of the DEI or Kuriles route.........

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Dec 12, 1941:

I haven't posted any maps yet, because everyone is familiar with the opening game set-ups; as soon as things change, I'll start posting.

Malaya/Borneo: Kuching and Khota will have Air HQs tommorow, which will help my air efforts. The Tarakan invasion fleet is approaching Jolo, where it will rendevous with IJN surface support, and head to Tarakan. Another TF is loading at Samah, with forces for Balikpapan. Another TF is heading to Singkawang, with yet another loading at Cam Ranh shortly for Billiton. I realize I have to extend myself a bit to move like this, and Dan might take advantage; but there is also much to gain from speed, and losing a few ships isn't a big deal.

If all this works, I should have most of the DEI under a Betty umbrella by the end of the month. This is my main initial objective, as that will chase Allied surface ships away.

Ambon: We unload at Ambon tommorow; a convoy at Balebebop (or whatever it's called) is loading for Koepang. An Air HQ is on it's way to this area; I loaded that at Takao on Dec 8.

Hollandia: A small force secured this airstrip on the 12th.

Kaveing: Fell on the 11th. An invasion fleet for Rabaul is just about at Truk, along with NAGATO and MUTSU. Until I know exactly where the Allied CVs are, I probably need KB to cover the Rabaul landing, which will hold it up a couple days; KB is still 4-5 days from Truk, where we really need to pick up TORPS and replace aircraft.

Wake Is: I landed 2 SNLF on it instead of one; the first 1-1 attack dropped the forts, but today's attack was 1-2 and sat there. We are a bit stalled; I don't dare try a bombardment. CL KASII was mixed with the invasion TF, and took some damage; another round could sink her. Hopefully rest and attack will be enough, or I'll have to make a bombing run from Kwaj.

Phillipines: The "abosolute" orders worked, and we are FINALLY getting ashore at Lingayen; most of the 48th Division plus the 65th Bde and tanks have landed, and should push aside the single PI Div there tommorow. The CD guns though sank a transport, hats off.

I also landed the 16th Division at Mauban, southeast of Manila. Dan appears to be pulling back on Clark so far, his strategy will become clearer as I approach Manila.

Sub Wars: Our subs sank 2 Dutch Minelayers today. I hope they were FULL.......

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Combat Report, Dec 12, 1941:

I haven't posted any maps yet, because everyone is familiar with the opening game set-ups; as soon as things change, I'll start posting.

Malaya/Borneo: Kuching and Khota will have Air HQs tommorow, which will help my air efforts. The Tarakan invasion fleet is approaching Jolo, where it will rendevous with IJN surface support, and head to Tarakan. Another TF is loading at Samah, with forces for Balikpapan. Another TF is heading to Singkawang, with yet another loading at Cam Ranh shortly for Billiton. I realize I have to extend myself a bit to move like this, and Dan might take advantage; but there is also much to gain from speed, and losing a few ships isn't a big deal.

If all this works, I should have most of the DEI under a Betty umbrella by the end of the month. This is my main initial objective, as that will chase Allied surface ships away.

Ambon: We unload at Ambon tommorow; a convoy at Balebebop (or whatever it's called) is loading for Koepang. An Air HQ is on it's way to this area; I loaded that at Takao on Dec 8.

Hollandia: A small force secured this airstrip on the 12th.

Kaveing: Fell on the 11th. An invasion fleet for Rabaul is just about at Truk, along with NAGATO and MUTSU. Until I know exactly where the Allied CVs are, I probably need KB to cover the Rabaul landing, which will hold it up a couple days; KB is still 4-5 days from Truk, where we really need to pick up TORPS and replace aircraft.

Wake Is: I landed 2 SNLF on it instead of one; the first 1-1 attack dropped the forts, but today's attack was 1-2 and sat there. We are a bit stalled; I don't dare try a bombardment. CL KASII was mixed with the invasion TF, and took some damage; another round could sink her. Hopefully rest and attack will be enough, or I'll have to make a bombing run from Kwaj.

Phillipines: The "abosolute" orders worked, and we are FINALLY getting ashore at Lingayen; most of the 48th Division plus the 65th Bde and tanks have landed, and should push aside the single PI Div there tommorow. The CD guns though sank a transport, hats off.

I also landed the 16th Division at Mauban, southeast of Manila. Dan appears to be pulling back on Clark so far, his strategy will become clearer as I approach Manila.

Sub Wars: Our subs sank 2 Dutch Minelayers today. I hope they were FULL.......

A 'liquidate them!' tithe.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Dec 13-15, 1941:

The last 3 days has not featured a ton of combat; a few sub sinkings, lots of Japanese bombing, nothing extreme. Some highlights:

Malaya: My forces are advancing; Georgetown should fall tommorow, and we are advancing down the track from Khota. IG Division is remaining on the trains and waiting for the tracks to clear. I don't anticipate much resistance before Singapore, which is probably the way to defend Malaya. A large force is at Mersing.

Borneo: Singkawang falls. Nells from Kuching sink an AP south of Singapore, announcing the availability of IJN Torpedos at Kuching. That will prevent serious attempts to get shipping into Singapore.

The Tarakan invasion force should land tommorow, and Balikpapan is already on transports and should land in a week or so, with an AIR HQ to follow that shortly.

Southern DEI: Ambon falls, and the garrison surrenders, including a Dutch bomber unit. Another TF is sailing for Lautem, to establish an air-search base.

Solomons: We are awaiting KB support to move on Rabaul. I hope to land at Rabaul, and simultaneously sweep the southern Solomons with KB; my hope is that if Dan reacts to the invasion at Rabaul, he will instaad find KB short of his goal. That will end badly for the Allies! (I hope).....

Tarawa: I am exposed at Tarawa, hopefully he doesn't hit that convoy

Wake: I didn't pay attention to the supply levels; that was the problem. I am unloading all the supplies now, and should get us back on track. Stupid!

Phillipines: The British MTBs hit an empty transport convoy off Vigan, sinking two. I had alot of DDs and TBs in the area, but somehow they all missed. Good hit, that one.

Otherwise, landings are going fine. See map below:

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Dec 16th, 1941:

Today we traded merchant sinkings; I lost an AMC unloading supplies at Wake (which has been a hash job), and a sub got xAP Neptuna off Midway. Other than that, it appears we will have action tommorow....

Ambon/Lautem: Allied cruisers are moving toward my invasion fleet at Lautem. I had not anticipated them there; we do have 2 CA and DDs along as escort, not sure if that's enough to beat the attackers back. This also interrupts my unloading at Ambon, we upped anchor and left. I need more surface ships down there, and more are on the way. I expect action off Lautem tonight.

Tarakan: Dutch PTs are moving in position to intercept my fleet; we have finished unloads though, so the surface ships will stay and tangle with the Dutch, everyone else is leaving. We attack tommorow.

Another fleet awaits with units loaded for Balikpapan.

SW Pac: IJN Units are gathering at Truk, to bring in the Rabaul invasion. With the Australian Cruisers, and possibly CVs, this operation requires suppport; we will have it shortly, as soon as KB finishes refuel and torps, which is in two days

Allied Moves so far: So far Dan has gotten his licks in, sinking nearly 20 transports. Part of that is my aggressive play, and the fact that I don't care much about losing transports. The ships I didn't want to lose are the AV, AMC, and 5 x DMS; those are useful hulls.

I have no idea where the Allied Carriers are, (well, the 2 I know to be at sea); I don't think they are returning to Pearl, and Miller is right: Dan won't park them in port, but look for opportunities to use them. That could mean toasting my Tarawa ships, or it could mean interfering with Rabaul. I hope the latter, because I am planning a surprise if he does.......

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Dec 17-18, 1941:

Action off Lautem: I predicted action off Lautem, and got it, though not exactly what I was looking for. 2 Separate Allied DD TF's, made up of a mish-mash of old DDs, attacked. The first TF ran into my cruiser TF and was rudely handled, with 3 DDs going down for almost no damage. (One each of an RN, USN, and HMNS; that's ABDA for you). The other TF, though, got past the cruisers and hit the transports, sinking 6 of them, and shooting up CS MIZUHO pretty good, though she will live.

It would be nice if my cruisers would protect the transports a little better, but I'll probably take advantage of that later in the game, so can't complain.

I have lost quite a few transports in the DEI to surface ships. So far I have NOT lost any land units though on them, and I haven't lost a warship. I can afford transport losses.

Phillipines: It appears Dan is pulling everyone back on Clark. Manila will fall shortly then, and we'll begin the siege of Clark. I have been sweeping every day, so most of the USAAFFE is gone, but a few fighters still contest the skies. I think the PT boats are heading south, they left Manila harbor; makes sense, no torp source once Manila falls.

Borneo: Tarakan falls, and Balikpapan is next.

SE Area Fleet: I am gathering forces at Truk, and was about to refuel KB, when I spotted a surface TF 9 hexes out of Truk. A raid, apparently. Dan will probably turn back, but if he doesn't, there are alot of warships waiting at Truk that should annihilate that TF pretty easily.

[Q-Ball]

Phase 2 Objectives:

I am looking for input from the gallery on Phase-2 Objectives. I don't have to commit quite yet, but I would like to start planning, by prepping all the troops in Manchuria for various targets, and "buy" them as I refine the plans.

I anticipate clearing the SRA and beginning Phase 2 sometime in March. I really want to execute a primary landing in March, before the initial IJA bonus expires. (I think it expires 3/31, can someone confirm that?)

The primary goal is Auto-Victory. Someone can help on where the most points are scored, but I think that's India. Secondary Goal: Cause enough losses that the Allies have more trouble coming back, in either ground troops, aircraft, or warships.

I think I basically have 3 options: Hawaii, India, and Australia.

Hawaii: Hawaii has much to recommend it. Taking Hawaii is the one most likely to draw out the US Fleet for battle. It would also be problematic for an advance back against the Empire, or would at least rule out a Central Pacific advance. I barely used it in my game vs. Cuttlefish, so it is possible to strike back without it, just not in the Marshalls IMO.

There are a couple downsides. First and foremost, Pearl Harbor is a very very tough nut, and can withstand a long siege. Establishing control of the seas around Hawaii can be done, but even with 10 Divisions, Pearl is not easy. Second, the fuel burn to get everyone out there and sustain operations would be tremendous, and that would hurt in the long run.

So, we'll consider that, but I am worried about Pearl, and Fuel Burn.

India: India has several attractions. First, any damage you inflict on the Brits and Indians hurts, as replacement rates for many devices is low. Dan has launched major invasions of SE Asia in both games against Miller, so invading India would knock that back a bit. There are alot of points in India, and I would gain some industry. The fuel burn would not be very high, and I could invade India, and still employ Combined Fleet in the Pacific, using small ground forces to take islands, for the purpose of drawing out the USN.

The downside? It's indefensible for one, and for the other, Dan could react by just retreating, allowing space and garrison requirements to swallow up the IJA. It has the potential of being like Japan's Russia. It is also, IMO, impossible to completely take.

I like India, though, much to recommend it.

Australia: Taking Australia is tempting. I do think it's possible to take all of Australia; probably the easiest of the 3 to completely take. (Not that it's easy). Getting ashore is a piece of cake, as the RAAF is very weak in early 1942, and defenses are very spread out. Like the British Army, bleeding the Aussies has long-term benefits, as they have low replacement rates. WIth an occupied Australia, the Allies will have greatly reduced options for an axis of advance.

The downside? First, you put into play alot of Australian units that will otherwise sit at home the entire war. This will also trigger additional ground reinforcements. We are also likely to grind to a halt, as we encounter US and AIF units, and Australia would take a big land commitment. I would also need to be very conscious of a landing in the rear, and the potential to have a very large part of the IJA cut-off.

The most likely outcome is that I would overrun Northern, Western, and NE Australia, but probably be stopped at the gates of Sydney. I would probably end up withdrawing at some point, as a major army in New South Wales is very vulnerable to a landing further up the East Coast. (though, if I have Perth, I can always rail out in that direction).

Decisions decisions.....

[DTurtle]

Nemo has repeatedly advocated taking several bases near Hawaii in order to suppress that base. It would achieve almost as much as taking Pearl itself, while requiring quite a lot less in force commitments, allowing you to do this without severely constraining you in your other options.

PZB tried taking out all of Australia in his AAR against Andy Mac. Looking at that AAR (which I think you already have) can tell you quite a lot about the forces you would face.

As an alternative to taking all of Australia, what about completely isolating it by taking as much of the island chains east of Australia as possible, maybe taking/attacking New Zealand, etc?

I personally would find an invasion of India as the most interesting option, as I haven't seen one so far in any of the AARs I've read in WITP:AE. As the invasion of India would not need a complete dedication of your naval assets, this would enable you to defend/counter-attack against any advances in the Pacific. Also, I wonder if it would be possible to completely clean up China if you take out any and all sources of support from outside, or are the garrison requirements simply too high?

However, to correctly answer your question of what to do, you first have to ask yourself (or tell us): What do you want to achieve with your offensives? Resources? Enough points for an Auto-victory? Simply space to buy time?

[Q-Ball]

DTurtle: Good thoughts, I amended the post to include primary objectives. The Hawaii-isolation move is not a bad idea, especially in this mod where I will have the Zero units to continually sweep Pearl, thereby establishing air control and putting Betty umbrella over the islands. 1 Division is probably enough to cause trouble there.....

Combat Report, Dec 19, 1941:

Someone owes the Emperor an apology: I saw an Allied TF heading toward Truk, so made some preparations, including:

1. Set 54 Bettys on Nav Attack, 10% search
2. Cleared all transports; put 2 TF in harbor. 1 of 4 CL and 4 DD, the other of 2 BB, 4 CA, and 4 DD.
3. Stationed KB, south of Truk to sink any survivors in the morning.

So, how do you think this turned out?

CL PERTH and DD VOYAGER entered Truk harbor, tangling ONLY with the CL TF. KINU, KISO, and a DD were SUNK, only sinking VOYAGER in return! PERTH took a single shell hit. The other TF didn't engage. Shameful!

In the morning? 2 VALs from KB spotted Perth, and one reported a hit. No strikes launched; zilch, nada, nothing. (Yes, they were set to Nav attack).

If the whole war goes like that, this is going to be a short one...hats off to PERTH.

Other News: 2 SNLF are not enough; I am going to have to reinforce Wake. I botched this operation, primarily by attacking once without sufficient supplies. Bad!