No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: mc3744

ORIGINAL: Dixie

19th December

Does anyone have any thoughts on using armoured forces as a defensive element in the Line Islands? I've transferred the 2nd USMC tank Bn to Pacific Command. I doubt that in the event of an invasion that GBL will be shipping AT weapons across the Pacific. But will they be too vulnerable to bombardment? Are they better off in Hawaii until I'm ready to go on the offensive?

Why worried about being bombed in the Line Islands? He can only bomb you from the KB and that shouldn't last long enough to decimate a tank Bn.
Are you planning/trying to defend all the Linee Islands or are you settling so far for Noumea only?

Personally, in the beginning, I placed the first 2 available tank Battalions at the Fiji. At least there's a chance to use their movement advantage, there's a road to use [:D]

Also I would use the Australian armored units for Noumea and the line Islands. They cost nothing to reassign and once up to strength they are decent enough.

Of course I'm always thinking scenario 1. In 2 I believe you have to seriously worry about an Australian invasion, hence my reasoning might be off [8|]

Pity for the two ships lost, hold on. We all hate the first quarter as Allies. It'll pass [:)]

My Australian militia forces are staying at home, the threat of an Australian invasion is (probably) low but it's a possibility. I'm already planning for the worst and fortifying the Brisbane Line as well as Western Australia.

The Line Islands are the two that are directly south of Hawaii (Palmyra, Fanning Island & Christmas Island). The plan is to secure my communications lines before stretching out to Fiji and New Caledonia. The Line Islands aren't going to win me the war, but neither will Fiji and it'll be a LOT easier to maintain a hold there than across several thousand miles of ocean.

I'm wary about committing large forces to the SOPAC area and having them cut off by Japanese advances cutting the sea-lanes. Instead a slower build up through the Line Islands and Samoa has the advantage of better defensibility. Plus, it's difficult for GBL to recce anything that far from one of his bases so a good defence there will be a nasty surprise for him. A well dug-in regiment plus support troops should be enough to require a big invasion force.

In essence it's going to be an extension of my strategy (such as it is) so far. Allied forces have fallen back where possible, so if all goes to plan GBL will not expect a stand on some Pacific Islands. If I've managed to persuade him correctly there will only be small invasion forces heading there. If THAT works properly then GBL has wasted several ships for the best part of a month, longer if he actually attempts to take the islands again.

If he doesn't try and take the Line Islands then they'll be nicely built up as a forward base to cut across to the Gilberts etc with some Marines already in place.

[mc3744]

Ups, sorry [8|]

I confused Luganvile and Efate with the Line Islands. [:'(]

Still, why worried about the bombing?
Not much LBA around there [;)]

Can the Japs in Scenario 2 attack India AND get deep in the Pacific? Or do they have to choose one direction as in Scenario 1?

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: mc3744

Ups, sorry [8|]

I confused Luganvile and Efate with the Line Islands. [:'(]

Still, why worried about the bombing?
Not much LBA around there [;)]

Can the Japs in Scenario 2 attack India AND get deep in the Pacific? Or do they have to choose one direction as in Scenario 1?

I'm worried about a combination of bombardment by the KB and naval bombardment. I doubt that GBL will commit any forces this far from home without surface TF cover, and I doubt that he'll commit surface combat TFs without the KB to cover them.

Here comes Dixie's WAG of what is likely to happen. In a few months we'll all be able to look back on this post and comment on how wide of the mark I was! [:D]

From what I know of GBL, I'm expecting a major drive through India. Whether he'll actually do so remains to be seen and if he does there is the possibility of a bigger commitment of IJ forces in the Pacific as well.

What I'm expecting is a drive through Burma with two or three divisions, enough to tie down the Commonwealth forces there and prevent a counter attack. Then sometime in the next two to three months (perhaps March) I'm expecting an amphibious landing on either Ceylon or the Bengal coast. Of the two, I'd suspect he'll take Ceylon as it gives him a shipyard and a more defensible position whilst cutting the convoy route to Calcutta.
A landing on the Bengal coast would probably be more beneficial to me, allowing plenty of space to fall back and maneuver. Madras is a poor place to land, so a landing around Vizagapatam is more likely. Regardless, I've moved engineers to the coast to build forts. I'm going to build airfields inland of the coastal zones and base my bombers there, this will deprive GBL of any ready made AFs should he attempt to land there.
I'll feel a lot more confident if I can get to April without a landing in India, by that point the Australian divisions will be in theater as well as the British divisions and more Indian infantry. Plus the RAF will be in better, or less crappy, condition.

Even if he doesn't attempt a landing I'd expect some sort of attack in the Indian Ocean before the end of March in order to remove the two RN carriers from my fleet. Again I have my reasoning, it's a hypothesis based on:
1) I won't get a replacement for any of the RN carriers sunk, and seeing as they're almost Kamikaze proof I'll want them later on.
2) GBL has a RN ship on his sig banner. Huzzah for the Empire and all that.
3) It's a less of a drain on his shipping than a major SOPAC campaign.
4) I'll think of something to write here later. Probably some sort of psy-ops plan that involves injudicious use of questions on the forum and throwaway comments in e-mails.

I've not looked through the Japanese side of things in Scen 2, so I'm not too sure what he'll have available. How many unrestricted divs does he start with?

[Dixie]

December 20th 1941

Hmmm, not a lot I can do to make today seem exciting. It was a day of very little really happening. The depleted Allied air forces mostly dodged combat wherever possible, with the exception of anti-shipping strikes near Celebes and a B-17 raid on the Japanese airfield at Jolo and defensive duties over Singapore and Manila. A handful of losses was suffered by both sides.

Allied submarines were active however, KXI continued her killing streak by finishing off the xAKL near Kota Bharu she attacked yesterday. Seawolf put a fish into a Japanese freighter near Indochina, Sturgeon hit (and more than likely sank) a subchaser SW of Formosa. The biggest disappointment was USS Shark, she launced an attack on the unescorted(?!) cruiser Furutaka only for her torpedoes to result in duds [:@]

The evacuation of Singapore continues, it's the coward's way, but I'm expecting to use my evacuated troops later on to defend something more important. The first Australian troops have been airlifted out to Sumatra, from there it's going to be more airlifting to Java and then boats back to Oz.


US military forces are building in Alaska, guarding the northern frontier just in case Tojo tries to steal American snow. We all know that Japanese snow was inferior to the product made in the US, in fact it's a little known secret that the German drive on Moscow was halted by secret early shipments of Lend-Lease snow delivered to the Russians via British convoys.
Not much is actually up there yet, half a dozen old S-boats, 2 VP squadrons and the 11th US Army Air Force, a grand title for five air units with mostly obsolescent crates. In a pinch the Canadians will be able to throw some aircraft at the region, they are probably going to have the most capable fighters for quite a while.

[Dixie]

22nd (and the 21st) December

I'm still here! Although here no longer includes most of Northern Borneo. Or Luzon. Not much really happened on the 21st, so I couldn't be bothered to write a report for that day. [;)]

Allied intelligence (i.e. me) is finally starting to get to grips with tracking Japanese warships. In particular several major warships and their escorts have been identified which will hopefully allow me some insight into how GBL is using the fleet.

Allied submarines have been an integral part of the intel gathering, although for the most part their actual attacks have been lackluster. The USN has managed to get into some good positions, but since they managed to put fish into two Jap carriers the torps have gone useless again. [:@] This has resulted in several ships (cruisers for the most part) escaping damage free.


INDIA
Things are slowly coming together. Most of the Indian Army LCUs are resting in an attempt to create a halfway useful force. But it's taking so long for damaged squads etc to regain their strength that it feels as though things are actually going backwards at times.
The coastal fortifications are progressing, so at least there is something happening. An additional boost is that a good chunk of the Bengali coastal garrison is now on the map. Further inland things are also progressing, but at a slower pace as the first fortifications for the second and third defensive lines are starting to appear.
As well as that, forts are being built on Addu, Diego Garcia and Socotra. These bases are planned as emergency positions just in case it all goes to pot. If I'm relying on any of those bases then things have gone slightly wrong though!
The Hurricanes have arrived! In South Africa. They've been loaded onto a fast (20kt) ship and are headed to India, ready to defend stuff until the proper RAF arrives. Makes me proud y'know, if only the rest of my military wasn't so pants.
HMS Hermes has been sent to Aden where she will act as an aircraft ferry. It's about all she's good for at the moment. There will be lots of luvverly Hurricanes arriving in Aden in three weeks as well as Australian troops and two armoured regiments, so I'm gathering shipping up there to haul everything to India.

EAST INDIES
A Japanese carrier force has wandered through the narrow entrance Makassar Strait despite the presence of three submarines. It's annoying I suppose, but it's not like there's a war on or anything so there's no need for the captains to be paying attention is there?
With the Japanese carriers heading towards Java I've sent most of the shipping there away to safer(?) locations, mostly Australia.

PACIFIC
The first of the Line Islands garrisons is still unloading, but I've now found out they can't unload everything at Palmyra. Why they couldn't tell me this before they left is a mystery. It looks like some of the equipment will have to be offloaded at a bigger port then repacked (in strat mode) and then sent to Palmyra to unload at the tiny port there. Hopefully the Christmas Island force won't have this problem.
Near Hawaii there are currently eleven(!) IJN subs spotted. Despite the best efforts of the USN the subs are still managing to avoid serious damage. Current ASW doctrine seems to ignore them in the hopes that they'll get bored and go and pick on someone else.

AUSTRALIA
Full of sand, venomous snakes and spiders and hats with corks on strings. Now with added Americans. Two USN CVTFs are now based in SE Australia as well as some B-17s, but no fighters as yet. I'm considering sending one of the carriers to the Port Moresby area, Japanese ships are clustered around Madang where they could be vulnerable to a carrier raid.

CHINA
Bugger. It's not going well. The troops can't seem to do anything.

MALAYA
For situation, see China.



Never mind, just 31 days until the P-38E Lighnings arrive in Cape Town! [8D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Dixie

AUSTRALIA
Full of sand, venomous snakes and spiders and hats with corks on strings. Now with added Americans.

Ahem...

Any plans to move the sodding British refugees from DEI down there? How will you be handling Darwin?

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Dixie

AUSTRALIA
Full of sand, venomous snakes and spiders and hats with corks on strings. Now with added Americans.

Ahem...

Any plans to move the sodding British refugees from DEI down there? How will you be handling Darwin?

The Brits are pretty much all earmarked for the Indian front, depending how things develop there's a chance of moving some ASW ships down there but I'm expecting GBL to try and steamroller India at some point.

Darwin, it's like an island up there on it's own. Forts, mines and LBA are the name of the game here. Alice Springs is the major stopping point for Northern Oz, if GBL really wants to take Darwin it's more than likely going to be expensive to keep the place supplied.

[DOCUP]

Dixie, you said you were sending P 38s to India. Are these the restricted groups or did you pull them out of those groups? Your song choices are excellent. I don't know many people who know "For what it's worth". Good Luck will be watching and reading. Don't know how much I will be able to help you.

doc

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Dixie

AUSTRALIA
Full of sand, venomous snakes and spiders and hats with corks on strings. Now with added Americans.

Ahem...

Any plans to move the sodding British refugees from DEI down there? How will you be handling Darwin?

The Brits are pretty much all earmarked for the Indian front, depending how things develop there's a chance of moving some ASW ships down there but I'm expecting GBL to try and steamroller India at some point.

Darwin, it's like an island up there on it's own. Forts, mines and LBA are the name of the game here. Alice Springs is the major stopping point for Northern Oz, if GBL really wants to take Darwin it's more than likely going to be expensive to keep the place supplied.

Not as expensive as you might think. Well, not in CGs started before last year's patch at least. Supply movement through the trackless desert of N. Australia is unimpeded by reality under these game conditions. YMMV re: your latest start(s).

[mc3744]

Chickenboy are you saying that it's possible to draw supplies to Darwin?
With which patch? (I'm using P6)
I've been sensing hundred of thousand of supplies by ship and you tell me I could just draw them there?!? [8|]
How?

Thanks [&o]

[Dixie]

23rd December 1941

Events on the home front and the Med have kept Allied Command from updating the progress thus far...


INDIA
Nothing to report.

EAST INDIES
My suspicions seem to have been proven correct, the arrival of large quantities of IJN bombers in the East Indies would indicate that the KB has arrived in the area.  The sightings of Hiei, Abukuma and several IJN DDs known to have been with the KB on Dec 7th reinforces this hypothesis.  Whilst I can't rule out GBL having split the KB the numbers of aircraft (80+ Vals and a similar number of Kates, approx 40 Zeroes) involved would indicate that at least 4 CVs are in the East Indies, making major operations in the Pacific unlikely.  At present the KB location is NW of Palembang, probably heading on an anti-shipping sweep towards Malaya.
The KB has managed to wreak havoc with Allied shipping as a few convoys of merchant ships and support vessels were attacked whilst they tried to flee the area.  The biggest loss of the day was the USS Black Hawk.  Unsurprisingly the Dutch air force was no more effective than the British or US squadrons in holding off the swarms of Japanese aircraft.
Submarines are moving into positions to try and attack the KB, although I'm not sure why with my torpedoes...

PACIFIC
The location of the KB, and previous actions, means that GBL could have (so I'm assuming it'll all be there) 2 CV, 1 CVL and a CVE available.  Against this GBL knows that there is 1 USN CV in the SOPAC area and he probably suspects a second one.  Whilst the IJN should come off better in an exchange, there is a risk that the USN could manage to cripple a similar sized Japanese force.  Because of that, I'm not expecting Japanese invasions south of the Solomons or east of the Marshalls/Gilberts at this time.
With major Japanese action unlikely in the immediate future now could be a good time to move supplies and fuel across to Australia and New Zealand.

CHINA
More of the same.  As usual.

[Dixie]

24th December 1941

EAST INDIES
The expected apocalypse (brought to you by the IJN) did, in fact, not occur today. Cloudy weather seems to have kept the Japs on the carrier decks as they head north through the Java Sea. This has meant that several convoys have managed to escape, including some large troop ships that were waiting to evacuate the 11th Indian Div, 22nd Australian Bde and Winnipeg Grenadiers from Sumatra and Java. Also safely out of harm's way are the Dutch and US Asiatic fleet combat ships.


PHILIPPINES
USAAF B-17s flying from Mindanao have been performing strikes on Japanese air bases at Jolo, a relative handful of the bombers has been in action and the airfield is estimated to be 30% damaged according to reports from the crews. I'm actually surprised that GBL has not moved fighters in to this base to dissuade the attacks.
Otherwise, it's grim oop North. Jap forces are closing on Clark Field and Manila, USAAF forces are on their last airframes and incapable of holding back the swarms of Jap aircraft.


INDIA & BURMA
Still no sign of enemy action, although Japanese troops have reached Moulmein where a small Commonwealth force is waiting. Chances of holding back any Japanese attack are thought to be slim, but with Allied troops still trying to reach safety an attempt at least as to be made.


NEW GUINEA & THE SOLOMONS
Coast watchers have reported ships in port at Tulagi, no further information but it's good to know they're out there.

Japanese forces are still coming ashore at Rabaul, they've knocked out the Australian forts and are probably going to finish off the garrison tomorrow. Acting on recent intel, USS Lexington is making a rapid dash to the area in an effort to catch the Jap invasion fleet before it sails away.


MALAYA
Japanese troops have engaged and defeated the 8th Indian Bde, the force was acting as the rearguard for the British retreat and were moving too slowly to escape the Japanese pursuit. Their job is pretty much done now, with almost all forces in the defensive perimeter of Singers itself. 8th Indian will board trains and bravely run away, because...

ULTRA has decoded reports that a Japanese division is heading for Mersing. Three Dutch submarines and the Malayan HDMLs are moving to intercept and the last remaining strike aircraft in Singapore (100 Sqn and their Vildebeest) are on alert. We can't stop them landing but with any luck we'll make their eyes water a bit.


PACIFIC
Two Japanese subs have been located at Christmas Island, where a freighter was sunk during the unloading of troops. USN counter attacks have once again come up short.

Whilst returning from a minelaying mission USS Cachalot has spotted an unidentified Japanese aircraft carrier between Babeldaob and the Caroline Islands. I'm not 100% certain, but from the aircraft report I'd say this carrier is CVL Ryuho, last seen at Babeldaob and most likely heading to Truk. Possibly included in the task force is one of the IJN scout cruisers.



29 Days until the P-38s arrive in Cape Town...

[Dixie]

25th December 1941

NEW GUINEA & THE SOLOMONS

Woops, through being impatient (and being a bit of a dickhead) I've lost Lexington as well as Portland and Astoria. I should have paid attention to my initial instinct and stayed away from Rabaul, but the chance of some easy prey overcame my caution. The fact that the RAAF patrols hadn't spotted any major Japanese ships also persuaded me to send Lex to intervene in the landings. I also thought I'd set the TF to 'do not react', but react they did.[8|] Now I know that GBL has two full size carriers in the SOPAC. Chicago is crippled and unlikely to escape but with any luck the destroyers will be able to make some distance during the night.

Still, better to (re)learn the lesson early on with one carrier rather than with two or three in six months time...

Rabaul has fallen, and the presence of the IJN carriers means Port Moresby is a likely target. Not much I can do to halt any invasion unless my Australian based air units get lucky.


EAST INDIES

Despite the presence of four Japanese carriers Allied shipping managed to escape relatively scot-free. The carriers are heading towards Palembang. Can't see them staying there for long though. The question is, will they move North to Indo-China or back South past Java? Staying in the same location is just asking for a submarine attack to damage a carrier.

INDIA

Still slowly building up forces, four troop convoys are arriving in Eastern India in the next few days. These forces will make up the main element of the coastal defences. Other forces are resting and refitting near Calcutta and Delhi in preparation for duty along the Burmese border. There's a lot of shuffling of troops as weaker units are moved to free up better ones to move east, normally I'd be worried by my lack of AFV replacements, but given that the British units start with experience you can count on one hand I'm keeping them back until they know which end of their aromoured car to point at the baddies. Which won't happen until they've learned who the baddies are. Which probably won't happen until they can remember their service numbers.

The biggest shortfall in the British/Indian defences is aircraft, (well, it's everything really) in particular a lack of modern ones. This will be eased somewhat in the next month with the arrival of Hurricanes, but the lack of even half-decent bombers is another issue. I never thought I'd be looking forward to the arrival of MkIV Blenheims....


PACIFIC

The loss of Lexington is a blow, but it's not fatal. It does mean another reshuffling on plans as Yorktown will be sent to replace Lexington (when she arrives) rather than being sent to Pearl Harbor with Saratoga. Saratoga remains on the West Coast where she is acting as a training ship for the USMC deck landing programme. I'll be more careful with this one!

[Cribtop]

Ouchie, but it shows you GBL is willing to split KB, which may come in useful if he keeps doing it.

[Dixie]

Hopefully next time he splits the KB it'll be because one of the ships is resting on the seabed! [:D]

[Dixie]

26th December 1941

US West Coast

Busy, busy, busy. Lots of stuff needs to be shipped out from here, but there is a distinct lack of escort ships available to facilitate this endeavour. Personally I blame Ze Germans, if they weren't shooting torpedoes at everything I could've had more destroyers in the Pacific... To avoid the predations of submarines the West Coast-Canada-Alaska convoy routes are being reworked to take the ships further out to sea, just in case GBL has sent any more subs in position along the standard convoy routes. Currently there a four flush deck DDs available in San Diego, these will be escorting a fast (16kt convoy) with elements of the 8th Marine Regt, 2nd USMC Tank Bn and the army's 193rd Tank Bn. A few days later, when my Canadian corvettes arrive, a slow convoy will follow with the rest of the Marine Regt as well as fuel and supplies for the South Pacific.

A Japanese submarine has been spotted at sea in the Vancouver/Victoria area. This is no doubt a cunning ploy by GBL to try and sink Warspite as she heads out to sea. The arrival of the sub shortly after the battleship is ready for sea is (IMO) not just a coincidence. Sadly for GBL I'm not playing this particular game and Warspite is staying in port. Apart from a few Canadian corvettes there's nothing really available to hunt the submarine but the swarms of American and Canadian aircraft assigned to ASW ops should at least keep his head down.


PACIFIC

It's all gone quiet around Pearl Harbor. Has GBL withdrawn his submarines from the Hawaiian area? ASW aircraft and patrolling aircraft have all failed to spot a single periscope, or whale or even a broomstick. How bizarre... Either the patrols need a swift boot up the arse or GBL has got fed up of only sighting destroyers around Hawaii whilst the convoys and big ships steer well clear.

The Palmyra garrison is ashore safely, although things are a bit cramped for now. Once the forts are up to a decent level I'll look at moving some troops down to another location. Christmas Island is currently a busy location, 161st Infantry Regt are ashore and 8th Marines are unloading despite the presence of two Japanese submarines. I'm expecting the island to shortly become the scene of heavy fighting as the two sides face off against each other to control the island. Things could become even more violent if the Japanese invade as well...

Meanwhile the Japs are ashore at Tarawa and have easily taken control of the island, rapidly sweeping aside the Keep Off The Grass signs. It's not a vital location, although it can be built into a decent sized airfield it's too far from the convoy routes to pose a direct threat to US-SOPAC shipping. It may make a useful target in the future when USN carrier forces are able to carry out some offensive operations.


AUSTRALIA

Allied airpower received a boost with the arrival of several squadrons of low experience USAAF dive-bombers at Brisbane. It's slightly tragic that these squadrons are actually a fairly big boost to Allied strength. I'd quite like some fighters now, and some more engineers so that I can build some nice B-17 airfields and drop nasty things on nasty men in New Guinea.


EAST INDIES

The KB is currently north of Kuching heading east, so Allied shipping is ducking back into Sumatra and Java in order to withdraw more evacuated troops from Singapore. I should receive ample warning of the carriers reversing course so the ships can scatter again.

[DOCUP]

Ouch that sucks about the the Lex. Just seen that we are at the same point in our games. Thought remarkable different due to my opponent attacking Manila instead of PH. Nice AAR it flows really well. I will be back to read more.

doc

[sprior]

Allied airpower received a boost with the arrival of several squadrons of low experience USAAF dive-bombers at Brisbane.

Bizarrely those A-24s are not bad ship killers, they carry 1000lb-ers and make really big holes when they hit.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: sprior

Allied airpower received a boost with the arrival of several squadrons of low experience USAAF dive-bombers at Brisbane.

Bizarrely those A-24s are not bad ship killers, they carry 1000lb-ers and make really big holes when they hit.

AFAIK they are just SBDs that went to the army, maybe early models. So, crew training plus any 'navy' versus 'army' modifiers in the code should be the only difference.

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: sprior

Allied airpower received a boost with the arrival of several squadrons of low experience USAAF dive-bombers at Brisbane.

Bizarrely those A-24s are not bad ship killers, they carry 1000lb-ers and make really big holes when they hit.

AFAIK they are just SBDs that went to the army, maybe early models. So, crew training plus any 'navy' versus 'army' modifiers in the code should be the only difference.

That's where the problem lies, with an average experience in the low 30s they probably won't be hitting too much. I do like the idea of big explosions though.