Hairy Yankee Reports: Q-Ball (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[Q-Ball]

Dec 12

The group of TFs I thought were heading to Mersing are holding north of Singkawang; they landed 3 Nav Gds at Singkawang, which is more than enough to take the base (1 would have been enough). This will give him an airbase in the area.

MARBLEHEAD and friends jumped a convoy off Jolo and annihilated it; it was small, but looks like it was landing a unit on Jolo. It's gone. Another small convoy landed a unit at Zamboanga; they unloaded, then BOISE sank them. Only problem with this is that these ships are now out of ammo, and have to head to Soerbaya to re-stock.

Interesting INTEL: 33rd Division is headed to Singora; that means it's committed to Singapore.

[Q-Ball]

12/13 through 12/15/41

A few interesting developments, mostly in the SRA

Phillipines: BOISE and HOUSTON each ran into TFs, and multiple actions broke out.

BOISE sank HATSUHARU, plus some transports, but is out of ammo and retiring to Soerbaya. HOUSTON sank some transports, but clashed with DDs and ended up fleeing when the magazines were empty. MARBLEHEAD and 4 DDs sank the CL KASHII off Jolo; GJ says he was trying to pick-off fleeing transports.

Speaking of which, we saved almost all the ships we wanted to in the PI, including all large APs, all the various tenders. The 2 AOs are loading fuel at Balikpapan. We even loaded the 1st Port Maint Bn at Cebu, and I'm moving that engineering unit to Horn Island (this unit starts non-restricted)

Otherwise, there are several landings happening on Mindanao. Troops are landing at Legaspi. He doesn't seem to be in a huge hurry in the PI.

I had hoped to ambush ZUIHO near Cagayan; I based the VINDICATORS there, with 40 P-40s as escort. Unfortunately, GJ had set a large cruiser TF to bombard Cagayan, and they wasted the airbase. The surviving DBs withdrew to Soerbaya, but I need some time to rebuild this unit. Drat!

One note: I am forming 2-ship AKL TFs in Soerbaya, and sending them to Manila with supplies. I won't do 1-ship TFs (messes with AI), but we will do 2. We'll see if GJ has airsearch active. So far, I have already unloaded both large AKs that start with supplies in the PI, plus an AKL that loaded at Hong Kong.

Singers Area: The Japanese CVs withdrew, probably to re-load the torps. Not sure what happened to all the transports. That sequence was odd, I wonder if GJ changed his target.

Singkawang is active now, so once that base becomes Bettified, it will limit what I can accomplish up there.

Still no bombing on Singapore. I have a pile of planes there still.

I am moving a few extra Dutch units to Palembang, but we are stopping at 3 extra Bns. We should get up to 100-ish AV there, but I am not going to send any Brits, other than the RAF HQ that is providing Torpedo support for the base.

Cocos Islands: I am making a fortress, though, on the Cocos Islands. 44th Ind Bde, Gull and Sparrow Bns, and 2 Base forces are headed there to fortify the place. I hope they have 60 days before Gj gets there; if they are rested and dug-in, that will be a real expedition to take out.

Horn Island: I'm also fortifying Horn Island. LARK BN is going here from Rabaul, plus some commandos, and a couple base forces. When I get more Aussies, I will reinforce.

Imperial Conquests:

Wake Island fell to first assault; GJ used BBs and KB to soften up the place, and landed in force.

Hong Kong is down to 0 forts, and will fall on the next attack

Zamboanga fell, and he occupied Kaveing and Hollandia

CVs:
LEXINGTON is going to raid supply lines around Chichi-Jima, near Japan. NEOSHO has left Pearl to provide support for them, and after raiding, they will retire north toward the Aleutians.

ENTERPRISE is near Efate, and steaming west toward the SRA, with several cruisers.

[desicat]

One note: I am forming 2-ship AKL TFs in Soerbaya, and sending them to Manila with supplies. I won't do 1-ship TFs (messes with AI), but we will do 2. We'll see if GJ has airsearch active. So far, I have already unloaded both large AKs that start with supplies in the PI, plus an AKL that loaded at Hong Kong.

Great move this! Most Japanese players are content to isolate US forces in the PI and wait until their supplies are exhausted until finally taking them out. Every little bit of supply will help throw his time table out of whack. Unless he is paying close attention the AK's could get lost in the fleeing herd and he won't even notice them.

[desicat]

One note: I am forming 2-ship AKL TFs in Soerbaya, and sending them to Manila with supplies. I won't do 1-ship TFs (messes with AI), but we will do 2. We'll see if GJ has airsearch active. So far, I have already unloaded both large AKs that start with supplies in the PI, plus an AKL that loaded at Hong Kong.

Great move this! Most Japanese players are content to isolate US forces in the PI and wait until their supplies are exhausted until finally taking them out. Every little bit of supply will help throw his time table out of whack. Unless he is paying close attention the AK's could get lost in the fleeing herd and he won't even notice them.

[wsoxfan]

I'm sure that you've seen Castor Troy's and ADM Spurance current AARs where because of this tactic, Luzon held until 1943(ADM Spurance) and is predicted to last fairly long(Castor Troy), and effectively eliminated the Japanese phase II in addition to starting the allied offensive early. The only issue that I see is that because of your raiders, Greyjoy's going to put air search and bombers/major fleet in the region as fast as he can, so you'll need to move fast with the supplies. I'd start getting supplies ready from Pearl personally.

[1EyedJacks]

Hey Q-Ball - long time no see <grin>.

If your opponent isn't sweeping Manila/Clark you can do air-drops with PBY/4e from Davao/Borneo also...

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

Hey Q-Ball - long time no see <grin>.

If your opponent isn't sweeping Manila/Clark you can do air-drops with PBY/4e from Davao/Borneo also...

He is sweeping the bases; no dice there

An alert Japanese player should close off any airsearch gaps from Pearl; even without Marcus, between Pagan, Chichi-Jima and the Home Islands you can spot anything moving through that area. As IJN, I also station an AV between Marcus and the Home Islands to watch that gap.

But it's tougher to watch the corridor from Soerbaya. We'll see if he puts airsearch up with the new bases he took in Mindinao. I suspect he'll catch on, and shut it down.

It's only AKLs though, so there's no risk in trying. It should be Standard Operating Procedure for Allied players to try it, and SOP for Japanese players to keep airsearch over the PI to prevent such an attempt.

[obvert]

Any strongpoints planned for second level areas of the DEI?

Timor? Java?

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Any strongpoints planned for second level areas of the DEI?

Timor? Java?

No, not really. These places are doomed, and I hate to waste units there. I did make a baby-fortress Palembang, but only with Dutch troops; I flew in the Riouw Bn, and the Mariner Bn, and marched in the Zuid Bn. I also dropped an RAF HQ there for torps. That's it. I'm not sending British combat troops there. The AV is up to 110, but the troop quality is pretty poor.

The only "fortresses" for now are Cocos and Horn; and those aren't really fortresses, but heavy garrisons.

12/16/41 through 12/19/41

The last couple days I think have been frustrating for GJ. He had a tough sweep over Singapore, where I have 2 AVG units and a Squadron of P-40s. We have dished out more than we have taken, though the pool of replacements isn't deep, so if he keeps this up we'll eventually lose it. Singapore is the first priority to defend.

We also shot down a whole bunch of Oscars and Sallys over Manila. I think he thought we had gone away, but I was stashing the fighters at Cagayan to wait for an opening.

In both instances, I layered CAP at 10K and 20K; this seems to work very well.

Naval Commitments: Otherwise, I am pulling togehter more ships in the SRA. EXETER, GLASGOW, have joined the cruisers at Singapore, and CANBERRA/PERTH are moving to Soerbaya to join HOUSTON and BOISE. I have quite a few cruisers now in the area.

ENTERPRISE is approaching the Torres Strait, and will move to Soerbaya.

PI:

I think GJ is on to my little supply runs though; he toasted two AKLs outside Manila, and the cordon is pretty tight. Plan B is to unload at Lucena; I have a couple ships approaching there to unload on the 21st. So far though he is keeping it shut with surface ships instead of LBA.

Overall:

GJ's initial move with Kaga was really good; I like that move, and will steal that for my next game as Japan. Since then, I think he's stalled a bit; the landings on Mindanao didn't seem to include a base force unit, and Singkawang isn't torp capable. Probably that won't last long.

Guam

As Japan, I always have bypassed Guam early, figuring I could take it later at my leisure. Now I know why you need to take it quickly.

I stationed a Catalina unit there, and TRUK is easily in range; this gives me a great view of the comings and goings, including KB, which I know is refueling there at the moment. Great intel!

As Japan, I now know you need to shut this down early.....

[jeffk3510]

Youre correct. Layered CAP is a MUST

[Q-Ball]

12/19/41

This turn features massive dogfights over Singapore and Manila. For the most part, we are coming out on the winning end, but the problem is our losses are at a pace that can't be sustained.

Air Wars:

Zero sweeps tangled with our layered CAP at Singers and Manila. Total for the day: 24 Zeros, 9 Oscars, and I lost 27 P-40s (18 of those the H-3 AVG whatevers, I call them P-40s). That's a good loss ratio for this part of the war, and I'm pleased to shoot down some good IJN pilots. Only problem is this loss rate is unsustainable for me; I am down to single-digits in the AVG P-40 pool, and the P-40E is about empty. So, I'll probably lose within a couple days, and he'll start bombing Singapore.

SRA:

Kinda quiet. I don't see alot of convoys at sea, so not sure what's next for GJ. It's just been the sweeps at the moment, and some sub action.

BOISE, MAURITIUS, and HOUSTON left Soerbaya for Singers. I am loading up for a big sea battle in this area......

USN CVs

LEX popped up off Japan, hoping to catch a couple convoys heading south....no dice. We are moving off to the Aleutians to make an appearance there.

ENT is moving through the Torres Strait. With KB moving toward Rabaul, we need to hurry this up

SARA is in port at Pearl Harbor; she will likely leave tomorrow for a raid around Marcus Is, see if we can catch a convoy

Solomons: KB is on the move, heading toward the Solomons, probably covering a landing at Rabaul. Rabaul is basically empty, I moved off Lark Bn and the NG Rifles. Just 4 Hudsons there.

Optimistically, I am moving an Aussie Brigade toward Townsville to lift to PM, but this may be fruitless. Maybe I'll put that unit on Horn Is instead.

[pws1225]

It's good to hear your perspective on the values of various moves which comes from having played both sides. Thanks for the insights.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: pws1225

It's good to hear your perspective on the values of various moves which comes from having played both sides. Thanks for the insights.

+1. Thanks for sharing.

ETA: Turncoat Arried fanboi! [:@]

[;)]

[dekwik]

Would it be easier/ less risky to re-supply Manila through Naga- Legaspi and suck the supplies in by rail?

[Q-Ball]

12/20/41

Something big is afoot in the South China Sea; see the screenshot. Our sailors are itching for a fight, so we are going to give them one (I think).

At Singapore, I have all the Dutch warshpis, 3x RN D-Class cruisers, plus EXETER/GLASGOW, and all are escorted by DDs (including some USN DDs). Not enough to break up that large group of ships, but maybe enough to interdict that TF moving toward Singkawang.

Additionally, I am positioning Force Z, and HOUSTON/BOISE group, to hit Singkawang the following night; either cleaning-up transports, or bombarding it.

I don't know if he has an air HQ at Singkawang, but no bombers have sortied yet despite ships in range, so he either has one and is holding back, or doesn't have one. In all likelihood, I'll probably discover the existence of an Air HQ the hard way.

The only ship I really don't want to lose is PRINCE OF WALES. This is why I am leading with cruisers. Every other warship in the SRA I consider highly expendible, especially the old CLs. If a couple of those get torpedoed, c'est la guerre.

The Torp Bombers have all been at Palembang training (out of LBA range, so they can't get bombed); I stood them all down to rest-up this day, so I can use them tomorrow. Plan to use Buffalos to escort them.

Elsewhere: Intel report has a SNLF force on a transport heading to Shortlands. I have LEANDER/LE TRIOMPHANT TF in range, and will hit that landing; I can also see the TF 1-hex off Shortlands. We will then beat it south, as KB is about 5 hexes north of Kaveing, escorting what is certainly a force headed for Rabaul (which is virtually empty)

[Q-Ball]

12/21/41:

Battles off Singkawang:

The 3 SC TFs tangled off Singkawang with a IJN TF consisting of MAYA, ASHIGARA, 2 CLs, and 4 DDs. Despite my bringing ALOT of ships, his TF managed to hold-off my warships from the transports. In the process, the sank USS WHIPPLE, and damaged 3 cruisers. I don't think I'll lose any, but they will need to withdraw from the SRA for repairs. ASHIGARA and an IJN DD both reported "heavy fires, heavy damage", so with any luck they'll sink before reaching Saigon.

A TF consisting of BOISE, HOUSTON,MAURITIUS, 2 DDs will hit Sinkawang tonight. Force Z is behind them, set to BOMBARD. I don't think there is an Air HQ there, or they would have launched and sank something today, but there may be tomorrow. We'll see.....

Malayan Coast:

The survivors made Singapore, reloaded, and are moving up the Malayan coast tonight. I don't know if the Allied objective is Mersing or Kuantan, but either one is within range of our planes and cruisers, so we are attacking.

There are 2 TFs: DeRUYTER, DRAGON, CALEDON, 2 DDs in one, and EXETER, GLASGOW, JAVA, 2 DDs in the other. I don't think they can stop a Mersing/Kuantan landing, but I hope to make the whole group of ships disperse, and get picked-off by Torpedo planes in the AM phase. We'll see if this works.

I have alot of planes at Singapore, pretty much everything I could pull together. We should launch tomorrow, and it figures to be pretty bloody. Stay tuned.....


Elsewhere:

LEANDER TF sank the 2 transports at Shortlands that unloaded an invasion force; transports were empty though.

SWEEPS today did not go well for the Allies; GJ is using alot more Zeros now, at higher altitudes, and I'm running out of planes. Today, he shot down 34 P-40s in exchange for 13 Zeros. This is not a good ratio; we are standing down our CAP and going to a Plan B. The P-40s at Singers will be on Escort anyway, and the ones in Manila will be resting for another day.

[Q-Ball]

12/22/41

We expected action, and it happened this turn, with action off Malaya and Singkawang. The whole sequence didn't go quite as I had planned, but here goes:

Singkawang, Part II:

First, HOUSTON, BOISE TF tangled with 2 DDs off Singkawang, sinking one. HOUSTON took a Long Lance hit; she'll survive, but will need to leave the area for repairs.

Then FORCE Z toasted a 12-ship Tranport TF. Casualties were Non-Combat only and a couple guns, so probably a base force or something like that. After that, they emptied their magazines on the airstrip.

There were no attacks in the day phase out of Singkawang, so I guess still no Air HQ there.

Kuantan:

The Allies landed at Kuantan; I had Dutch PTs at Mersing and Kuantan to cover both spots, and the 2 cruisers TFs moving from Soerbaya.

First, the Dutch cruisers TF tangled with the KONGOS, and escaped without major damage. Pretty disappointing performance by the BBs.

The EXETER/GLASGOW TF didn't fare as well; EXETER was sunk, and GLASGOW took a hit that will be enough to send her back to India.

In the Day Phase, our Torp Bombers and everyone sortied from Singapore to hit the Invasion forces. The results were less than stellar; we scored a couple non-fatal torp hits, but lost a ton of aircraft in the process, mostly Buffalos and Blenheims; 64 shot down in all. We also lost 7 more P-40s, and 7 Swords. Hardly any Vildebeests, though. The Buffalos did what they were supposed to, which is die in enough numbers to keep the Zeros off the Torp Planes. That worked, but the torp planes didn't shoot very well.

What's Next:

We are keeping the planes set on Nav Attack tomorrow, hoping the Japanese are exhausted and we can break through. I am withdrawing most of my surface fleet to regroup and reload, and we'll organize more strike forces, minus several ships that need to leave the area for repairs.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

The Allies landed at Kuantan

[&:]

[Q-Ball]

12/23 and 12/24:

Fairly quiet couple days after the action around Singkawang and Kuantan.

IJN On the Move: A large group of ships is off Singkawang, headed SW. This is probably a move on Palembang; we'll know tomorrow. If it is, we will sortie what I have to cause some trouble. I still have all my Torp Bombers, so that's a start, and I can use either Palembang or Singers to launch them.

Malaya: Forces are ashore in Kuantan, and cleared the base easily. Units are now moving straight west from there, and should be able to cut-off what's left in Northern Malaya...which is a couple base forces and odd Bns, basically only enough to prevent clearing it via para drops. I think he'll be able to pull-up to Singapore by the first week of January, and take Singapore on-time or a little early.

Still no bombing of Singapore at all, though, even though I haven't been defending the skies over it anymore, trying to save my remaining fighters for escorting bombers.

Phillipines:

We are almost pushed into the Manila/Bataan/Clark triangle. I will see what he has, if I spot more than 3 divisions, I am evacuating everyone into Manila, and will hold out there. If it doesn't look like he wants to take it by force, I'll stay in Clark; I'd like to keep him from Bombarding Manila, which he can do if Bataan falls.

He figured out those little AKL supply runs, sinking 4 of them as they approached Luzon. That game is over.

I have 2 more coming, I am going to drop them off at Iloilo instead, see if that works.

ABDA Naval Command:

We are reorganizing the fleet for the next move, and should have ENTERPRISE with us shortly. Several cruisers are withdrawing for repairs, but we are getting some reinforcements too (CORNWALL, CANBERRA, PERTH) to even things out.

[Q-Ball]

12/26 through 12/29:

The last few days have been good ones for the Empire, bad ones for me. My strategy of going all-in on Palembang/Malaya I think slowed him up, but eventually Greyjoy brought the hammer and put and end to this. So we are shifting a bit.

Palembang:

This was the target of that large group of TFs.

This time, GJ lead with small TFs of DDs; although he lost 3-4 of them tangling with my cruisers, that did take my cruisers off the board. DE RUYTER was sunk by Torpedo bombers from Singkawang, which is how we found out he had an Air HQ there!

My air attacks were a big disappointment; weather was not great, which may have been a factor. I expected more IJN bomber strikes too, maybe those didn't fly. At any rate, about 1/2 my aircraft flew, which is unhelpful when you run into a CAP of 40+ Zeros. They slaughtered my Vildebeest and Buffalos, while many sat on the group. Unhelpful, what are you going to do. They managed to get a single torp hit on one transport.

So, the Palembang invasion landed safely, put ashore like 400 AV, and took the base first try. I also think it suffered zero damage.

The cherry on top is that Betties from Singakawang flew all the way to Soerbaya and put a single torp in PRINCE of WALES. While it was a light hit, it's enough to send her out of theater. Damn!

Finding KB:

We also found KB....the hard way. It's been raiding up and down the Australian coast for a couple turns, mostly sinking transports. They nearly got LEANDER, but she managed to flee to the south.

I guess it's helpful to know where KB is, but nothing I can do while he sinks transports at sea and port off the Australian coast

What Next:

I am shifting strategies a bit to mess with his timing.

I will not resist a Java landing. Instead, I am focusing my ABDA cruisers and ENTERPRISE in the Southern DEI. He has taken Menado and Ternate, but not made any other moves toward Ambon or Kendari. I don't think he is aware of ENTERPRISE's presence, so we will look for an opportune time to make that known........