Mind Games: mind_messing (J) vs srv24243 (A)

[mind_messing]

This will be a somewhat unconventional start to an AAR, owing to the fact that I'm starting this when the game date is January 25th 1942. This has the nice bonus of avoiding all the repetitive and expected punches being thrown in the early DEI and the Phillipines, but means there's a need to establish where everything stands.

This game is Scenario 1. I've taken on the challenge of Japan for the second time, with a determination to make my opponent spent excessive numbers of airplanes, ships and troops and maintain a solid defence of Japan and the Home Islands in to '45, and hopefully beyond.

The house rules are fairly normal: fighters limited to operating at 2nd best mvr band, no 4 engines on naval bombing at less than 10,000ft and no strat bombing in China.

The Strategic Situation

As of January 25th 1942, Japan firmly holds the advantage. Manila and Singapore are invested, as is Rangoon. A Japanese division defends a single outpost on Java, and Palambang has been captured in pristine condition.

Allied dispositions are, at best, poor. A torpedo hit on the USS Saratoga has forced her to spend yard time at Pearl, and American ignorance of Japanese might led to a one-sided American defeat in the Eastern DEI, with the loss of the Lexington and Enterprise for no Japanese losses.

With the projected fall of Sinagpore in the next two weeks, the situation for Japan is excellent.

Ship Losses

Japan, to date, has lost two heavy crusiers and a floatplane crusier. A battleship, a light crusier and numerous destroyers are damaged and in need of repairs. Losses amongst Japanese light merchantmen and troop transports in particular have been very heavy, mainly as a result of the Allied tatic of using floatplanes to deliver bombs accuratly to invasion fleets.

The Allies have significant losses in terms of ships. Numerous American battleships are reported sunk in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour, and the Prince of Wales and Repluse have both been confirmed sunk. More importantly, the USS Saratoga had been damaged by a torpedo attack in the opening days of the war, and the destruction of the Enterprise and Lexington in past days has severely dented American carrier power. Significant US, British and Dutch surface assets are still operational around Eastern Java, and the IJNAF forces in the region will be detailed to eliminate them.

Overview by Region

China
An ill-advised Chinese offensive has resulted in a massive series of defeats for the Chinese forces, with upwards of 500 squads destroyed since January alone. The Chinese forces marshalled to take Ichang made a push to take Hankow, and failing to do so have promptly been surrounded by Japanese reinforcements fresh from the capture of Loyang. A additional push by KMT troops from Changsha to seize Wuchang has been met with the same respose, leading to prime Chinese combat units surrounded by superior Japanese troops.

In the north, lead elemens have reached Sian, which is expected to be invested proper by the end of January.

In the south, a limied Japanese offensive has taken the coastal cities but stalled a Kukong. Wenchow remains in Chinese hands, but is subjected to a state of siege.

North Pacific
Swift seizure of Attu Island has led to the establishment of a seaplane base, and a fighter base is under construction. Recent offensive actions by the crack IJA 90th Regiment has led to the capture of Dutch Harbour and Bethel, but the troops find themselves trapped following the desruction of the invasion flotilla off Bethel by a joint US and British battleship force. The IJN is blamed for failing to make an intercept with Long Lance equipped destroyers and a light crusier.

Central Pacific
Beyond the capture of Canton Island and the resulting patrol base established there, there have been no additional expansive moves other than the securing of Allied bases behind the periminter.

Solomons/South Pacific
Rabaul and Port Moresby have been captured by a division of the IJA, and the Commonwealth defenders driven in to the jungle. Token units have landed on Ndeni and Tanna, with Ndeni operating as a search base. Recent commitment of USN and Commonwealth surface forces has led to the sinking of a IJN heavy crusier, postponing present operations.

DEI
A single IJA division defends the airbase at Kalijati while joint IJAAF and IJNAF efforts break ABDA air strength over Soerbaja. While costly in terms of airframes and pilots, it has been given priority in light of the appearance of modern US P-38 airframes.

Elsewhere, Sumatra is almost completely occupied by Japanese troops, and the advance in the Eastern DEI has landed at Kendrai. Samarinda is secure, with Japanese troops expected to take Balikipan shortly.

Burma
Small incursions by British Burmese units over the border into Thailand has released the Thai divisions for offensive use. Two Japanese divisions are fighting for control of Rangoon, to be reinforced with a third once Singapore falls. IJN paratroopers hold Port Blair after a swift assault early in the war.

Phillipines
Minadano is fully secure, along with most of the smaller islands. Manila is under siege, and expected to fall soon after reinforcements from Minadano arrive. Clark and Bataan are subjected to a significant bombing campaign.


So, that's the scene set, as well as I can. We're not very far in to things, just sufficently so as to aviod everything predictable. My intention is for this AAR to be a learning tool for me, both to help me get my thoughts and ideas down in writing, but far more importantly, to hopefully get some of the excellent advice and discussions I've seen around here.

Discussions, questions ect are all most welcome!

I'll be detailing the economy and my future plans for this game shortly, as well as try to get some screenshots up.

[Rio Bravo]

mind messing-

Interesting up date on the progression of Japanese expansion.

Thanx for your AAR and I'll be watching from an Allied view to learn more for my upcoming PBEM as the allies.

Your opponent must feel so down with the hits on and loss of those carriers.

Cordially,

-Rio Bravo

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

mind messing-

Interesting up date on the progression of Japanese expansion.

Thanx for your AAR and I'll be watching from an Allied view to learn more for my upcoming PBEM as the allies.

Your opponent must feel so down with the hits on and loss of those carriers.

Cordially,

-Rio Bravo

Yes, his comment was something along the lines of "Well, there goes the fun until 1943!" I don't see his situaion as bleak as he does. Losing some, or even all of the USN carriers doesn't grind the Allies to a halt, but forces them to adopt a far slower rate of advance. Rather than a carrier-backed invasion, the Allies need to grind forward, build up an airbase then grind forward some more.

Having played both sides in PBEM, for the first six or eight months of the game, the Allied carriers are most valuable when used to do nothing. Beyond a few raids to show that you're willing to use them (in areas where the KB is well away from!), the carriers are best served as a deterent.

[mind_messing]

27th of January 1942



Overview by Region

China

Reduction of Chinese troops trapped in Hankow and Wuchang continues. 1000 AV plus armoured support moves to recapture Ichang and unhinge the Chinese defence of Changsha.

Two columns totaling 1700 AV moves to support the 500 AV currently investing Sian.

Wenchow placed under siege. Along with Kukong, this area is static and likely to remain so unless I divert air support from Central China. I'll hold off on this till Changsha is taken. At worst, Wenchow can be suppressed by air from Japan or by naval bombardment.

Phillipines

Bombardment of Manila shows good results, so a attack is schedualed once the 65th Brigades arrives from Minadano.

DEI

An attack at Singapore becomes unhinged. Odds were at 1-5, and Japanese casualties fairly heavy, but only marginally more than the British. More bombardments proscribed to cure this headache.

Four Dutch Catalina's get three bomb hits on a task force loading troops at Singkawang, while a trio of B-17's dent the oil at Miri. Fighters moved to prevent a repeat.

More supply landed on Java, so the sweeps of Soerabaja can resume next turn. Following the efforts of Dutch subs in the area, the two Kongo class battleships I had defending the port are ordered to retire.

North Pacific

The Kitikami and escorts fail to intercept the combined British and American battleships north of Dutch Harbour, dashing my dreams of Long Lances delivered to capital ships. For their trouble, they are attacked by Catalina's from Kodiak, but no hits. They'll retire to Adak.

Adak's airstrip nearly reached level 1 today, so fighters are positioned to fly in tomorrow and hopefully set up a CAP trap for the US air assets in the region.

South Pacific

A battleship is reported by air search around Noumea, but this is likely to be a crusier. Due to the appearance of the Allies to defend New Caladonia, I'm considering an invasion. Nothing permanant, a division to break all resistance quickly and some small air support and engineer units along with some naval guards. Enough to force a big commitment, not enough to make me think twice about abandoning them to their fate.

The KB will support the landings, and once they're concluded raid Fiji. After that, the KB will be pulled back in to the interior of the Japanese Empire for potential stage two operations.

ASW

The US Manila sub fleet sortied to Formosa at the start of the war. Since then, it's been subjected to heavy attacks by a rag-tag collection of assets. Everything from IJA bombers to floatplanes and from IJN fleet destroyers to tuna boats have been suppressing them. Enemy sub sightings are down to five, and experiance gains amongst pilots have been good. It's harder to tell with ships and ship captains, but it can't hurt.

I keep throwing smaller patrol boats even further forward, seeing as every subchaser on the frontline is one less destroyer I'll need to use on submarines.

I understand that most IJN patrol craft are stuck with the lackluster Type 95's, so what patrol boats have the better depth charges, and where are they best employed?

[mind_messing]

January 28th to Febuary 2nd

China

The breakup of the Chinese front carries on. Ichang is recaptured from broken elements of the flank guard from the Chinese push on Hankow, and the 1000 AV column is marching to Changteh to extend the Chinese lines.

Even more good news as the two columns marching to Sian reach the outskirts. They are fully expected to beat the Chinese defenders back into Sian itself, and then reinforce the massively outnumbered Japanese force trying to contest the hex.

DEI

Singapore falls at the end of January, opening access to the Indian Ocean. The troops are rewarded for their hard work with a few days rest in the city before moving on to Java. General Tojo takes over command of the Southern Army, and works starts on planning the next phase of Japanese operations on Java.

In the east, Kendrai falls on Febuary 1st, and troops load in Manadano for Makassar. Combined with the fall of Balikipan, the pincers are closing on Java.

On Java itself, after a short but bloody attritional campaign, the Allies conceed the air war. Allied fighters are still present - a mixed bag of Dutch, British and Americans, including P-38's! Further Allied commitment has been discovered on Christmas Island (IO), where it's suspected that a significant British force has been commited to defend.

South Pacific

The KB's raid in to the area around Fiji is a instant sucess - the discovery of a forward Allied base at Luganville on Febuary 2nd. The only strike a disapointment - only a single bomb hit on a New Zealand crusier.

The day before, an American carrier appears of Canton Island, bombing the Japanese floatplane base there. The Saratoga is the suspected culprit. Being floatplanes, the wrecked runway is no issue, and no invasion force is spotted.

As tempting as it is to chase her down, the KB will destroy Allied assets around Luganville then retire in preparation to support the landing of the 4th Division on Luganville and then Noumea. Subs around Hawaii will be position to attempt to catch the Saratoga as it returns to port.

North Pacific

Quiet, bar the continual American raids on the trapped 90th Regiment. This crack unit is now a sad shell, bombed to half strength due to my own folly.

Industry and Economy

Most expansions are complete. All airframe factories are repaired, along with most engine factories. R&D factories are still progressing. Supply and resoruces in the Home Islands are rising, and hopefully the deficit in fuel and oil will be solved shortly.

The first fuel and oil from the DEI is flowing as tankers start shipping fuel to Cam Ranh Bay from Miri. I don't think that my current system is as efficent as it could be, so I'll re-examine this in a turn or two. Tankers are moving in to position to start draining Tarakan for Babeldaob and use in the Solomons.

Owing to Malaya being firmly Japanese, the heavy industry there will be expanded by 100 between Singapore and Georgetown. My reasoning is that there's a resource surplus, Palambang' fuel close by and deep in the interior of my empire.

Question: What system would you consider better for building up defences, airbases and ports?

Currently, I've no solid strategy. I have a few small units deployed to interior bases (such as Okinawa) to spend most of the war building them up, as well as a few bigger groups of multiple engineer units closer to the front (Rabaul being the best example).

I'd also appreciate advice on what direction you should construct in. From what I've read, most people prefer to "dig from the frontline to the Home Islands", but so far, I've been building from the Home Islands outwards (for example, there's no engineer units in Burma yet, but the Thai bases north of Rangoon are all being quickly built up). Is there some sense in doing this?

[Quixote]

Question: What system would you consider better for building up defences, airbases and ports?

Currently, I've no solid strategy. I have a few small units deployed to interior bases (such as Okinawa) to spend most of the war building them up, as well as a few bigger groups of multiple engineer units closer to the front (Rabaul being the best example).

I'd also appreciate advice on what direction you should construct in. From what I've read, most people prefer to "dig from the frontline to the Home Islands", but so far, I've been building from the Home Islands outwards (for example, there's no engineer units in Burma yet, but the Thai bases north of Rangoon are all being quickly built up). Is there some sense in doing this?

The reason you see many players advocating for the "front lines back to the HI" strategy is that you lose fewer engineers this way. Moving engineers to someplace like Tarawa (or Luganville, or Port Moresby) right after you take it as Japan is relatively safe. The Allies are usually more concerned with where you're headed next than with interdicting reinforcements to bases you already own. When you start at the Home Islands and build out, you don't get this same relative immunity. By the time your engineers finish building your interior and are ready to move to front line positions, there's always the chance that some of those positions have already been lost...

As to what you should build first (ports, forts, AFs), there is no formula. It's all going to depend on your strategy and your perception of Allied threat. It will (at least it should) differ from base to base. In a forward spot you don't plan on holding for long, you may just build forts. In another forward spot, you may want a quick AF2 to discourage raiding in the area, while in a third spot you may want a forward naval base built up quickly to facilitate the even deeper incursions you have planned. There is no right answer, it all depends on what you plan on doing next, and what you think your opponent plans on doing to you.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Question: What system would you consider better for building up defences, airbases and ports?

Currently, I've no solid strategy. I have a few small units deployed to interior bases (such as Okinawa) to spend most of the war building them up, as well as a few bigger groups of multiple engineer units closer to the front (Rabaul being the best example).

I'd also appreciate advice on what direction you should construct in. From what I've read, most people prefer to "dig from the frontline to the Home Islands", but so far, I've been building from the Home Islands outwards (for example, there's no engineer units in Burma yet, but the Thai bases north of Rangoon are all being quickly built up). Is there some sense in doing this?

The reason you see many players advocating for the "front lines back to the HI" strategy is that you lose fewer engineers this way. Moving engineers to someplace like Tarawa (or Luganville, or Port Moresby) right after you take it as Japan is relatively safe. The Allies are usually more concerned with where you're headed next than with interdicting reinforcements to bases you already own. When you start at the Home Islands and build out, you don't get this same relative immunity. By the time your engineers finish building your interior and are ready to move to front line positions, there's always the chance that some of those positions have already been lost...

As to what you should build first (ports, forts, AFs), there is no formula. It's all going to depend on your strategy and your perception of Allied threat. It will (at least it should) differ from base to base. In a forward spot you don't plan on holding for long, you may just build forts. In another forward spot, you may want a quick AF2 to discourage raiding in the area, while in a third spot you may want a forward naval base built up quickly to facilitate the even deeper incursions you have planned. There is no right answer, it all depends on what you plan on doing next, and what you think your opponent plans on doing to you.

I hadn't considered the risk to the engineers themselves as a factor, so it makes more sense now.

I think the "frontline then build backwards" will be the rule for the Pacific and DEI, where airbases and fortifications are more important. I think Burma will be the other way around, mainly because of the geography - may as well build up Thailand before marching the engineers into Burma.

I've the units starting to pool at the regional depots, so it's just a matter of deciding where.

[obvert]

The frontline back is probably how you have to start, but that may later as you go forward. There are never enough engineers or enough supply or enough base forces. You have to pick you defensive strong points early, or those you envision being strongpoints. So while I may build something in the Lae to Buna area fairly early, and maybe wait to build the Southern DEI areas, I may also send a big base force fairly soon to places like Manado or Ambon, Hollandia or Biak, that I want to use as a hub for later defense. Also depending on the game you may want to build the Kuriles and Marianas right away, just to be safer.

The more you can envision where you'd like to make a stand in the various areas the more you will likely be able to allocate base forces and engineers. I would look at Greyjoy's AAR a ways back when he was planning the DEI defense. He has some great maps of the defense and what he was going to do.

Places you know will be air nodes that will host and HQ, build the fields quickly before anything else, btu maybe the port a bit as well. Rabaul I just through everything at early and get it maxed, then worry about the supporting bases. Some places like Ambon and Kendari already have a decent field and port and only need a slow upgrade on those.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: obvert

The frontline back is probably how you have to start, but that may later as you go forward. There are never enough engineers or enough supply or enough base forces. You have to pick you defensive strong points early, or those you envision being strongpoints. So while I may build something in the Lae to Buna area fairly early, and maybe wait to build the Southern DEI areas, I may also send a big base force fairly soon to places like Manado or Ambon, Hollandia or Biak, that I want to use as a hub for later defense. Also depending on the game you may want to build the Kuriles and Marianas right away, just to be safer.

The more you can envision where you'd like to make a stand in the various areas the more you will likely be able to allocate base forces and engineers. I would look at Greyjoy's AAR a ways back when he was planning the DEI defense. He has some great maps of the defense and what he was going to do.

Places you know will be air nodes that will host and HQ, build the fields quickly before anything else, btu maybe the port a bit as well. Rabaul I just through everything at early and get it maxed, then worry about the supporting bases. Some places like Ambon and Kendari already have a decent field and port and only need a slow upgrade on those.

By the next turn, I'll have engineers ashore at Hollanida. My intention is to build up the bases in that locale, airfield and fortifications, for the most part. The rationale is that if an Allied landing takes one base, the troops can retreat to one of the other bases rather than be lost in the deep, dark jungle.

I've already got a tentative plan of my air nodes for the DEI and the Solomons, it's just a matter of getting the HQ's in to position and the engineers to build up the airstrips.

Your advice about Manado, Ambon and Biak has been taken. Biak in particular seems very good for defending from both the DEI and the Solomons. Makassar or Kendrai will get a big IJN base force as soon as it falls, and engineers will be sent to Biak once they've been bought out. I'll have to build up Manado as well, seeing as it's got the best potential airbase for upgrades and such, plus the Tayio is sitting trying desperatly to knock of system damage from the carrier clash.

I'd have screenshots of my own up, but the forum won't let me post them for another few days. Once I can get them up, I'll have pictures to save a thousand words.

[mind_messing]

February 4th to 6th

These two turns were characterized by the inevitable mass-movement of shipping following Singapore's capture. Tedious, but it must be done.

China

Besides the Ichang breakthrough and the push for Sian, the front appears static for the moment. In Southern China, the IJA (and a token pair of SNLF units) are completely stalled, but I hope the diversion of some bombers from Central China will crack open this front for some more exploitation - with the NRA weakened in Central China with the fall of Ichang, any diversions of the Chinese reserve troops will be welcome.

South Pacific

The recon-by-KB on Luganville goes exact to plan...and is a overwhelming disapointment. The ANZAC crusiers dodged the KB's flight groups, but the sacrafical lamb of 21 Dauntlesses makes things only slightly better. A combined strike on Luganville's port and airstrip nets a further attrition to the units there, and several ground units are detected by recon, including AFV's.

However, it's a huge net loss for me considering the fuel expenditure.

The KB will retire, partly to act as a deterent for the Saratoga, that has disapeared northwards, as well as to rearm and refuel for the Luganville invasion. The assault shipping will be ready within the week (I've lost enough xAP's already, no need to lose more!), and the landing on Luganville is schedualed for the 15th of February, and Noumea for some time after the 20th.

My plan here is to destroy the Allied assets on Luganville, secure Noumea and establish a small airbase there. With two USN carriers destroyed and a significant body of water between Fiji and New Caladonia, I can force a stalemate in this region unless the Allies want to risk the KB's wrath.

Eastern DEI

Delay, delay and more delay here. This theater is wide open, but a lack of lift capacity is slowing things down. A big invasion force from Manadano is bound for Makassar, and thence for Timor which will hopefully clear this theater for mop-up operations.

Catalina's and other flying boats continue to be the best performing Allied airframe to date. They bomb Tarakan's port, catching some damaged ships at the pier, getting something along the lines of 60% rate of bomb hits.

Western DEI

Darwinism does it's work on the IJN, as natural selection weeds out the skilled minesweeper captains from the utterly useless. Two DMS's are lost clearing Singers harbour, along with a subchaser or two. However, it had to be done with the huge number of ships steaming for the vital port.


ABDA air makes an appearance over Batavia, ambushing some Sallies and their Oscar escort. Massive sweeps ordered for tomorrow, to merge with additional aviation support and aircraft being transfered from Singapore to Sumatra. Palambang and Oosthaven will be built-up to crack Batavia.

Cleanup continues elsewhere on Sumatra as the Dutch holdouts are slowly eliminated. Two SNLF's currently clearing the last units in Malaya will then be commited to clear Northern Sumatra then deployed as garrisons for the Andaman Islands.

Christmas Island might be a problem, so a pair of Kongo's will be assigned to constantly bombard the island once Batavia and Merak are secured. Cocos Island also needs to be examined; the more island prisons for early Allied reinforcements, the happier I'll feel about taking real risks.

Central Pacific

Quiet. Troops depart Ocean Island for Baker Island. This is one of those "capture because I can". If it draws out the Saratoga, even better.

Engineers found for the bases here, and a convoy found to transport them. Nothing eastwards of the Marshall Islands will be built up (bar whatever fortifications the AF units deployed there can manage), these are just "cushion zones" for the inevitable Allied offensive in this region.

Burma/Thailand

Thai airstrips are building up nicely in preparation for the Japanese withdrawal once Burma is re-taken by the Allies. Some light bombers from Singapore are deploying here to help supress Rangoon.

Rangoon is attacked at 1-1 odds, and fortifications drop to one. Losses are higher on the Japanese side than the British, which is a cue to me to not push my luck. Some small reinforcement on the way in the form of a Thai division. Hopefully the bombers can keep the forts down and the troops recover quickly, as taking Rangoon with just two divisions would quite a coup!

The rest of Burma is garrisoned only by token forces; the British went for Festung Rangoon as their bid to defend Burma.

Industry and Economy

Heavy industry expanded in Georgetown and Singapore to a total of 120 points. I might have bungled my maths on resource usage, but with the Thai surplus along with the proximity of DEI resource centers, my mistake probably won't cost me the war.

China's resource surplus down nearly half on what it was on Dec 7th. Hokkaido's surplus down to just over 100k resources. Hardly any chance to Sakhalin's resource surplus, so additional convoys are to be established.

Strange things are happening with Manchuko and Korea, however. Probably due to me shipping from both Pusan and Port Arthur. I'll need to look at this when I get the turn back.

Home Island resource and supply stocks are just short of their pre-war levels. Oil and fuel remain in free-fall, but that will change within the month.

Questions

Some general stuff on the economy and industry:

- I'm starting to build up stocks of Oscar's and Zero's, but I'm finding myself short of IJA bombers. Should I expand current Sally/Lilly factories, or wait till the Helen comes online in a few months?
- Convoys: for Miri and Brunei, which base is the better for exporting the fuel and oil? I have a good number of engineers in Miri to build the airstrip to prevent spoilage - should I move them to Brunei to get the port going?
- Formosa: There's a little excess resources and oil here, where's the best place for it to go? Is it worth building up LI (I'm aware of the current debate on the value of this, I'd like opinions) here to use it up and save the shipping?
-Besides Java and Malaya, any good prospective sites for HI or LI expansion? I'm thinking of boosting HI in Manchuko or China once the Chinese oil is secured, so as to use up those surplus resources and the refinery capacity in Port Arthur.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

- I'm starting to build up stocks of Oscar's and Zero's, but I'm finding myself short of IJA bombers. Should I expand current Sally/Lilly factories, or wait till the Helen comes online in a few months?
- Convoys: for Miri and Brunei, which base is the better for exporting the fuel and oil? I have a good number of engineers in Miri to build the airstrip to prevent spoilage - should I move them to Brunei to get the port going?
- Formosa: There's a little excess resources and oil here, where's the best place for it to go? Is it worth building up LI (I'm aware of the current debate on the value of this, I'd like opinions) here to use it up and save the shipping?
-Besides Java and Malaya, any good prospective sites for HI or LI expansion? I'm thinking of boosting HI in Manchuko or China once the Chinese oil is secured, so as to use up those surplus resources and the refinery capacity in Port Arthur.

Sally's: all depends upon your pace of expansion. You need the 2nd Helen to upgrade from the Sally, so you are several months away from it. The 1st Helen, there is no need to change from Sally, in fact Sally is a bit better. 2nd Helen gets armor which helps with pilot losses.

Resources: I never ship any except from Hokkaido and Fusan. Others have other views. YMMV.
Oil: Once I have HK to Fusan open, I just dump the oil at Amoy and let it float across. There are no penalties for oil/resources flowing unlike supply/fuel.
HI: increase carefully and moderately. How much depends upon your overall strategy. I can tell you that if you do NO increase and the game lasts until '46 you will have no oil/fuel left. So, increasing HI only speeds up WHEN you get it, not how much you will get in the game. Since you are banking the HI from '42 on ... the other thing it will do is conserve some fuel (potentially) as you don't have to transport the oil. However, those calculations have never been completely done so that is opinion not fact yet. The fuel saving is balanced by the oil you lose when you lose the HI base. No one is ever perfect and you will almost assuredly leave behind some oil. How much is conjecture etc etc etc etc.

Generally; you do not want to expand much in China. There isn't much fuel excess nor unused refinery. I wouldn't expand until you see how it is pooling and then it might well be cheaper to just move it to the HI.

Remember, each factory expansion is 1100 supply. That is a lot. There are a lot of AAR's running out of supply in '45. You want to consider that.

[mind_messing]

Resources: I never ship any except from Hokkaido and Fusan. Others have other views. YMMV.

Interesting. I'll have a look to see what's the break-even point and what I can do to make a slow surplus.

Oil: Once I have HK to Fusan open, I just dump the oil at Amoy and let it float across. There are no penalties for oil/resources flowing unlike supply/fuel.

Hence why clearing China out is a major priority for me.

Why do you use Amoy? Wouldn't Hong Kong be better, or even Cam Ranh Bay?

HI: increase carefully and moderately. How much depends upon your overall strategy. I can tell you that if you do NO increase and the game lasts until '46 you will have no oil/fuel left. So, increasing HI only speeds up WHEN you get it, not how much you will get in the game. Since you are banking the HI from '42 on ... the other thing it will do is conserve some fuel (potentially) as you don't have to transport the oil. However, those calculations have never been completely done so that is opinion not fact yet. The fuel saving is balanced by the oil you lose when you lose the HI base. No one is ever perfect and you will almost assuredly leave behind some oil. How much is conjecture etc etc etc etc.

My (limited) experiance makes the savings from not having to ship the fuel back to the Home Islands and supplies back out to the perimiter worthwhile. Beyond Malaya's expansion to use the Malayan and Thai resources and some expansion to get Java to the break even point, I'll leave HI expansion alone.

Generally; you do not want to expand much in China. There isn't much fuel excess nor unused refinery. I wouldn't expand until you see how it is pooling and then it might well be cheaper to just move it to the HI.

Thankfully, this is just the planning stage. Once China has settled down, we'll see.

There are a lot of AAR's running out of supply in '45. You want to consider that.

I have, and it worries me. I've considered all sorts of crazy ideas, the only really valid one being to use as much local supply as I can to fund operations with convoys from Japan being a last resort. However, the only significant supply centers are Java, Palambang and Malaya, so there's a deal of doubt as to what tempo of operations that can sustain. The Pacific will need to come from Japan.

Supply in the late-war seems to be the killing blow for Japan. No matter how large your stockpiles, the B29's can bomb it to dust with bonus, and on the side wreck the airfield or port.

[PaxMondo]

I use Amoy because closest port to Formosa, no reason to go farther than you need.

From about mid-42 on, I rarely ship supplies out of HI. Only to Central Pacific. Asia mainland and DEI are self -sufficient. Supply accumulates at about 8K/day or so depending upon factory builds.

Supply loss from bombing is worst in high MP centers ... disperse supply, and of course you have to be able to take on the 4E's both day and night. It takes a lot of 4th gen fighters with a lot of losses on both sides. You can't allow the allies to get within B24 ranges from China. Given that, his supply lines are quite long and you have a chance to interdict them along with fighting off the 4E's. If you lose Korea, forget it. He then has bases with unlimited supply in range. The end comes very quickly then. Your LCU losses will be incredible when the SOV activate. You need large reserves of both ARM and VEH to fund replacements or they will breach your lines.

I would encourage you to run some turns against the AI with the Armegeddon scenario to get a feel for what you will face. Incredible, and that is only the AI. MUCH worse in a PBEM. That will allow you to see what you need to plan for and how you will combat it.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I use Amoy because closest port to Formosa, no reason to go farther than you need.

From about mid-42 on, I rarely ship supplies out of HI. Only to Central Pacific. Asia mainland and DEI are self -sufficient. Supply accumulates at about 8K/day or so depending upon factory builds.

Beyond the inital bunch of supplies that I'll need for phase two operations, the troops in the perimiter can forrage of what's in the imediate locale. I suspect Burma will need a major supply injection regularly, but Thailand and the DEI should be fine.

As for China, my hopes are that the supply invested in securing all of it is paid off by the production in the long term. To that end, I've decided to repair all the HI and LI I capture. With our house rules and the unlikely chance of the Allies breaking through, I feel this is a good course to take.

Supply loss from bombing is worst in high MP centers ... disperse supply, and of course you have to be able to take on the 4E's both day and night. It takes a lot of 4th gen fighters with a lot of losses on both sides. You can't allow the allies to get within B24 ranges from China. Given that, his supply lines are quite long and you have a chance to interdict them along with fighting off the 4E's. If you lose Korea, forget it. He then has bases with unlimited supply in range. The end comes very quickly then. Your LCU losses will be incredible when the SOV activate. You need large reserves of both ARM and VEH to fund replacements or they will breach your lines.

No strat bombing from or in China is one of our house rules, so it's just the Mariana's and the Kuriles that I need to worry about.

SOV activation is a fair bit off, but the Manchuko garrison has been constructing those fortifications since the start of the war. I don't have the supplies to make everything a fortress, so there will be the inital line of speedbumps close to the border, with higher level forts at more defendable bases in the interior.

Sadly, geography works against me, so there's no real chance to halt the Soviet's. Once Fusan has maxed out it's port, I'll shift some engineers to build up the northern Korean border.

ARM and VEH points have been building nicely since the start of the war. I've most ARM factories turned off, but it's an easy fix to restart them if I need more points.

What's a good stockpile of VEH and ARM points to have for 42-43?

I would encourage you to run some turns against the AI with the Armegeddon scenario to get a feel for what you will face. Incredible, and that is only the AI. MUCH worse in a PBEM. That will allow you to see what you need to plan for and how you will combat it.

I've tinkered about with Armegeddon a little. The only real conclusions I reached was that the US heavy bomber fleets (and the Allies in general) are unstoppable, and the Japanese need to consider every delay a victory.

With the Allies down two carriers, my mid-term goal is to create as much of a buffer territory between the Allied frontlines and the Japanese interior, with an eye to forcing amphibious landings supported by carriers. Beyond a few scattered seaplane bases and token garrisons, I won't bother defending, garrisoning or supplying most of these bases.

Canton Island, Baker Island, the Aleutians, Luganville and New Caladonia (once I've captured them) will all be secured to that the inital Allied blows will hit empty space and the real defence will start from the lower Solomons and the Gilberts.

Hopefully, that gives me enough time to establish a soild defence of the Phillipines, Eastern DEI and the Bonin's. Time will tell...

[mind_messing]

Febuary 7th to Febuary 10th

Nothing significant. The war grinds on. At last I can post screenshots, hurray!

China

This theater becomes even more bogged down. The Ichang offensive stumbles, as does one of the forces pushing on Sian. The reduction of the Chinese Kessel;s in Hankow and Wuchang continue.





Before and after pictures showing the development of the Chinese theater.

North Pacific

Allied battleships get in to a routine bombarding the seaplane base on Adak. This routine is promptly shattered by a IJN light crusier force putting a torpedo in to the Colorado. Not enough to sink her, but she'll be gone a while anyway.

If they do make a return, I've the Fuso detailed to the region. Beyond that, no more warships will be commited to the Aleutians. I'm debating sending some minelayers here as well - attrition is my goal here, seeing as my opponent has shown a definite interest in the region.

South Pacific

The Allied activity around Luganville reaches new highs. Over three days, a collection of merchant ships are sunk between Sydney and Suva. IJN flying boats from Ndeni even go as far as to spot a battleship. With the invasion of Luganville a scare week away, the KB will be deployed to sanitize the region for the IJA troops. Hopefully, with heavy Allied assets reported, it will be worth the fuel expenditure.



Luganville seems important to the Allies, and rightly so. With the good port and airbase, it makes a good starting point for a grinding campaign under LBA. It must be secured for the saftey of the Empire.

The sooner I can clear this out, the happier I'll be. With Japanese carrier dominance for 1942 well established, the last thing I want are the Allies advancing base to base under LBA.

DEI

The war of attrition on Java grinds on. The Allies have turned Christmas Island into a fortress, but a brittle on at that. Batavia is suppressed and Soerabaja kept well swept. P-38s and Sea Hurricanes make an appearance over Christmas Island, and though losses as screwed slighting in the Allies favour, trading Zero's and Oscar's for P-38s is a trade I'll make any day.

Island hopping in the Eastern DEI continues. Timor is next. After that, it's on to Austrailia!

Industry and Economy

The first convoys from Singapore are loading fuel and oil. With most of the DEI bases not yet secure, this is just the first trickle.

If anyone can point me towards a good guide to establishing the most efficent means for collecting and transporting oil, resources and fuel from the DEI to the Home Islands, it would be most welcome.

[PaxMondo]

Mike Solli AAR's. He is the economic genius for the IJ.

[mind_messing]

Feb 10th to 14th

Quick update since the fourm ate my original reply.

KB raids Luganville, leading to many Allied ships sunk and the destruction of a fair few Allied aircraft. Luganville is heavily garrisoned, so invasion troops diverted to Noumea. Noumea and Ndeni will be built up to suppress Luganville.

Minor skirmishing around Adak. No Japanese losses to three US destroyers and some merchants damaged by long-range patrols.

Batavia invested. Broome invaded.

HMS Hermes damaged and Prince of Wales sunk by the mini-KB south of Java. ABDA surface fleets flee Soerabaja for Perth with the mini-KB in pursuit.

[mind_messing]

Feb 14th to Feb 28th

A hectic fortnight for both sides!

DEI

Batavia falls, and most of Java is occupied. Soerabaja remains, but is not expected to last a fortnight. Several ships have been caught trying to flee the harbour, mostly Dutch auxiluary craft and damaged warships.

Timor is captured, and engineers and a Air HQ established. Once the IJN Zero squadrons on Java have a chance to rest and recouperate airframe losses, they will be thrown in to action again over Darwin to break the Allied fighter strength massed their. Engineers and supply are en-route to Timor in preparation for the future offensive on Western Austrailia. Recent operations have been slowed thanks to my inability to properly supply my forward troops, but I've scraped together enough supply to keep things on Java going.

Phillipines

Manila falls, and Clark is invested. IJA units settle down for a siege.

North Pacific

The Allies set up at Cold Bay, and start building it up. This base is on a list for possible invasion in mid-to-late 1942. Destroying the Allied build-up and using the airstrips they built against them tempts me. I'll re-evaluate this once my big offensive has ended.

The IJN training squadron on Adak gets some live-action shooting down B-17s.

Central Pacific

Engineers and Naval Guard units start to arrive. Naval Guards will, if possible, be sent to all islands with a reasonable development potential, and engineers detailed to those deemed most important in order to build forts. I'll be commiting little to this area, it's going to be a buffer for the rest of the empire, so it will have to cope with the scraps.

South Pacific

Hollandia, Rabaul, Kaeving and Ndeni are all expanding nicely. Ndeni is developing in to a nice forward airbase for the suppression of Luganville, though presently only floatplanes are based there.

Japanese troops capture Noumea! With Ndeni being built up on one flank, and Noumea firmly an Imperial posession, Luganville is isolated. AKE's are being stationed at Tulagi to facilitate constant bombardment of Luganville until air power can take over suppression. Engineers and base forces are en-route, along with some Naval Guard units that will make up the entire ground presence in this region. The 4th Division will be withdrawn, probably to act as the regional reserve.

Austrailia

IJA troops continue their base-hopping along the Austrailian West Coast. Armour units are being scrapped up to be deployed to Austrailia for the inland push, and the same is true for air support and engineers.

Preparations are currently underway for an operation to capture Darwin, but are not yet finalized due to continued resistance on Java.

Burma

Statemate.

I hold all of lower Burma bar Rangoon, while the Allies control the rest. Rangoon is contested between a roughly equal British and Japanese Army. Hopefully, the Imperial Guards division will be enough to break the deadlock. If not, then there's the possibility that I might need to pull a division from the Austrailian operation to kick the British out of Rangoon.

Industry and the Economy

The first fuel convoy reaches Japan! My fuel and oil convoys are chronically inefficent, but I'll refine them (Har, see what I did there?) as time progresses and more tankers arrive in Singapore. Aircraft pools are good, as are resource and supply levels (minus a chunk that I've dispatched to kickstart further offensives and facilitate base-building).

Questions

Am I right in saying that common wisdom dictates that I ship the surplus DEI fuel back first, then focus on the oil?

Also, anyone want to comment of the feasability of landing troops directly at Darwin, rather than the flanking march from Wyndham (?) to cut the city off and attack it from land? The CD guns at Darwin aren't formidable, but they're enough to cost Japan a great number of ships and any landing would require the sacrafice of a BB or two to the yard gods to soak up damage. Anyone care to share any thoughts or experiances on the matter?

[CyrusSpitama]

I cannot speak from great experience, but it seems to me both oil and fuel are important to ship early. Oil = fuel + SUPPLIES !!! Uses for fuel are obvious and also aids in supply generation. Running out/low on either means lost supply generation.

My two flat coppers

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: CyrusSpitama

I cannot speak from great experience, but it seems to me both oil and fuel are important to ship early. Oil = fuel + SUPPLIES !!! Uses for fuel are obvious and also aids in supply generation. Running out/low on either means lost supply generation.

My two flat coppers

My question was more of what deserves priority. There's a big pile of surplus oil and fuel sitting in the DEI just now, and it needs to get sent back to Japan. I was wondering if hauling the fuel back first, then focusing on the oil would be the best course of action.