Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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Jan 12/42 Prophetic

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'll slow the Japanese as long as I can, but I'm always prepared to see the situation crumble quickly.

Well, so much for optimism in China. Huge disappointment today following the first deliberate attack by Japanese forces to push back my roadblock on the road to Sian. Despite full supply, 3x defensive terrain, no disruption and fort levels of 1 for HQ's, 2 and 3 for all Chinese Corps the Japanese get a 1:1 by only 5 AV! My adjusted AV only went up 326. Where's my defensive terrain bonus? Considering the terrain, forts and condition of my forces I had hoped for a better result. The rout will most likely occur tomorrow. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 84,43 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 101041 troops, 859 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 3514

Defending force 48979 troops, 292 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1454

Japanese adjusted assault: 1785

Allied adjusted defense: 1780

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5964 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 703 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 57 disabled
Guns lost 35 (1 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3346 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 343 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 49 (2 destroyed, 47 disabled)

Assaulting units:
36th Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
35th Division
110th Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
41st Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Army
NCPC Army
North China Area Army
1st Army
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
47th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
5th War Area
4th Group Army

I mentioned to Andre that I was disappointed not being able to get a 1:2. He figured experience, morale and leadership came into play. In hindsight, my forces do have crappy morale with all units in the 40's, however with no (-) leadership or morale modifier how much would these factors offset the terrain and fort bonuses I wonder. I don't expect the Chinese to achieve much, but missing a 1:2 by only 5AV with what seems like a poorly adjusted defensive value is disappointing. It's all about making Japan's advance as costly as possible and a 1:2 for the first DA would have accomplished that. [:(]
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Jan 13/42 Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

A follow up Japanese attack doesn't occur as anticipated on the road to Sian. Perhaps the amount of disablements made Andre shy away from risking destroying a number of these squads. I'm trying to move reinforcements in before the next attack to try and force a 1:2 on the Japanese, but I think I will be too late. The defending Chinese have been periodically bombed so I put AVG on LRCAP to try and ambush the bombers rather than duel it out with the Oscar's routinely sweeping Sian. The sweeping Oscar's met thin air but the bombers met AVG. Roughly 14 Sally Ic and IIa bombers were downed for no loss. [8D]

A Japanese Ind. Mixed Bde. is probing southeast of Chihkiang, but I have 1000AV in the hex. I've ordered a deliberate attack for tomorrow. I've also shifted the squadron of AVG at Sian to Changsha in another attempt to get to some unescorted Japanese bombers targeting my forces in the area. This may be a little too predictable for Andre, so I won't be surprised if I run into sweeps or escorts.

As long as supply lasts in China I'll continue to commit Allied fighters in an attempt to make bombing my forces costly. In a matter of days a squadron of P-38's will arrive in China which should be a nasty surprise for Andre.

Japanese SC's have appeared near Shikuka to try and suppress my two American submarines operating in the area. So far they have been ineffective. SS Pompano duds on a xAK unfortunately.

I'm gathering a large surface force at Cape Town. I'll be ordering a few SCTF's supported by two American CV's to try and cause some problems for the anticipated Japanese moves in the Celebes and Banda Sea area. They may not arrive in time. Unfortunately, I've been waiting on AO's to arrive from Christobal, because refueling at Soerabaja is out of the question due to the risk of enemy air interdiction from Kalidjati and the inability to provide effective CAP over the base.

I will post a screen of China tonight since it will clearly show what is happening and I've been putting off posting it for sometime now.
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Jan 14/42 Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Another small tactical victory in China is about all there is to report today. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32161 troops, 206 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1048

Defending force 5252 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 160

Allied adjusted assault: 864

Japanese adjusted defense: 202

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2097 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
326 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Base Force
7th War Area
20th Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
11th Ind.Mixed Brigade
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Jan 16/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Here's China. Japanese forces are concentrated around Sian and Changsha. It appears the Japanese are weakest around Luichow and that is where I will attempt a limited offensive.

Chinese forces are successfully withdrawing towards Kweilin after having fought their way through Kanshien and are currently one hex west of Kukong. Having linked up with the former Kukong garrison this force now consists of six corps totalling roughly 1000AV. Japanese units are now moving on Kweilin, but reserves are en route. I should be able to hold until reinforced. Japanese bombers have been targeting the Chinese troops around Kukong, so two squadrons of AVG have been based at Kweilin in an effort to intercept the bombers.

The Japanese flanking move at Changsha is well underway with four units contesting the hex to the northwest of the base. Two Chinese corps have been ordered to withdraw back to Changteh as they will not hold as more Japanese units move in. The Changsha garrison of six corps are on their own.

The situation is most worrisome around Sian. This seems to be the main Japanese push and totals a large number of enemy divisions. As more Chinese units successfully withdraw towards Sian I can then move reserves to the front in an effort hold the road. Luckily, Sian has not been bombed yet so forts are nearing level 4. Andre tends to mass his bombers against single targets so a large number of Chinese units are making good time and suffering no disruption despite moving through clear and 2x defensive terrain.

Elsewhere, I'm digging in at key road junctions and river crossing points. I hope to have a decent MLR set up within a month. If I can secure Kweilin and retake Luichow there is a good chance I can hold that front for some time as long as supply holds out. A lot will depend on how successul the air campaign is against the Japanese bomber force.

Screenshot follows.



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Jan 17/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Java:

A large number of follow up Japanese amphibious TF's began unloading at Merak. The base was never defended. Surprisingly six Japanese transports have hit mines over the last two days despite enemy DMS's reducing the minefield daily. Prior to this turn there were only 30 mines left yet three enemy ships were still damaged. The base has now been swept clear.

China:

The 2nd AVG Sqn. at Sian did well today downing seven Oscar's for only one loss. Eight fighters are damaged on the field though reducing my combat ready aircraft to only 11. The planned ambush of Japanese bombers near Kukong went according to plan, however results were disappointing. Only 10 Allied fighters from 1st and 3rd AVG Sqn.'s arrived from Kweilin and despite both pre and post air attacks only three Japanese bombers were shot down. The range from Kweilin and low altitude of the bombers most likely prevented more fighters being on hand. Another problem was the number of mechanical failures suffered by Allied fighters that caused pilot after pilot to abort. Few passes were actually conducted. The fighters have been withdrawn to Kweiyang to rest.

Japanese forces are closing in on Kweilin and I'm not sure I will be able to hold after all. If my reinforcements don't arrive in time there's a good chance I'll lose the base before I expected. Forts are at level 3 and I believe the hex is 2x defensive terrain so it will be close. Losing Kweilin before my reinforcements or my withdrawing troops from Kukong arrive isn't a good option. I think Andre understands the situation and explains why he's pushing to get the base now.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

I forgot to post this in the above update.

More elements of 6th Australian Division have arrived at Aden and have boarded transport for deployment to India. Strategically re-deployed American air units are beginning to arrive at Cape Town so I need to decide where to send them.

I fear invasion of Australia or India in an effort to win a Japanese AV. With that in mind, I put India at greater risk of invasion for AV purposes rather than Australia simply for the fact that more base VP's can be harvested without triggering any LOD reinforcements. So both ground and air reinforcements are prioritized for India. Does this sound like the right call? Is one inherently easier to defend than the other without substantial reinforcement? In my previous experience as the Allies, neither India nor Australia was threatened, but I did lose New Zealand and the Aleutians right up to Nome and Cold Bay.

It seems that if the Japanese want to focus on either one they can make considerable gains before the Allies can counter effectively.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by BBfanboy »

I don't know of any way to forecast months in advance which axis he will attack most heavily.
You can get some info from Radio Intel but much of the Unit Prep info is bogus - the unit may be prepping but he never
intends to move it to target. A week or so in advance of a move you may get some info on units boarding ship bound for a
base, but many players do not send their convoy all the way to the landing target to avoid any intel leak on the intended
destination.

Best thing is to move the units on-map but somewhere safe with a big port so they can be quickly redeployed if necessary.
Putting them at the front to hit at Burma before you know where his major units are could tip him off and allow him to change the target
for his invasion. Keep the strategic surprise for now.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Thanks for the thoughts BBfanboy, but that isn't quite what I was getting at. I'm not trying to read the tea leaves and guess where Andre might go, but rather try to determine which of Australia or India is the more easily defensible without having to commit a large number of LCU's. I want to reinforce the weaker of the two.

I guess it doesn't matter really, if I choose to use Australia as a kickoff point for operations against New Guinea or the DEI then I'll be reinforcing it heavily anyway.

My worry is still India.
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Jan 18/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

A quick update.

Malaya

Japanese troops invest Singapore today. The forts are reduced to level 2 after a 1:1 odds attack and the Japanese have an almost 3:1 AV advantage. Singapore will not last out the month as predicted.

China:

A quiet day in the air. AVG was stood down and there were very few attacks by Japanese bombers. Weather or a rest are most likely the reason. The Japanese try a shock attack against my forces one hex northeast of Kweilin, but the Chinese still hold.

India:

Reinforcing RAF air units are reaching India safely, so far. Chittagong will be first line of defence as I do not want to lose this base. I don't want to push deep into Burma until I know for sure whether India will be invaded or not, which I mentioned early in the AAR. All LCU's sent to India are prepping for forward bases, but are not being committed as yet. They indeed will form a strategic reserve which will be committed in the case of invasion.

Australia:

Base building is the order of the day. The first elements of 5th USAAF have departed Cape Town and are making the long journey to the continent.

Thoughts:

Not much is holding my interest these days other than China. I've conceded Malaya, Sumatra and Java. I will fight for Timor and area providing I can get enough assets in place. The problem is no available LCU's to reinforce and complete lack of LBA cover. I think I'll have to resort to surface raiding where possible and avoid tangles with Japanese CV air whenever possible. I have no idea where KB is, but presume that CV Kaga and friends are still around Mindanao or Babeldoab according to last known intelligence.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Thanks for the thoughts BBfanboy, but that isn't quite what I was getting at. I'm not trying to read the tea leaves and guess where Andre might go, but rather try to determine which of Australia or India is the more easily defensible without having to commit a large number of LCU's. I want to reinforce the weaker of the two.

I guess it doesn't matter really, if I choose to use Australia as a kickoff point for operations against New Guinea or the DEI then I'll be reinforcing it heavily anyway.

My worry is still India.
India has good internal lines of communication [compared to N Australia] and lots of small units that can cover against para assaults on the many bases along the major rail routes.
Several players have said that Karachi is the only base on the subcontinent that is essential to keep - for reinforcements arriving from Aden. You get quite a few at the end of Jan. IIRC.
Send lots of xAP and xAKs up there in advance and send fuel from Abadan.

Ceylon is a trap for your units if he goes for it heavy and early. Do not reinforce until you have enough units to hold all the bases there against a strong assault.

IMO, N Aus is not worth fighting for and it disperses his forces nicely to take it. I would try to fight for everything south of a line from Perth to Alice Springs to Brisbane.
Selectively upgrade some of the Aus units from militia troops to AIF infantry. You cannot afford to do them all at once and let the AI decide which ones will upgrade.

No matter what, Aus needs fighter aircraft from US and/or British forces. Even if not well trained yet, send some to Sydney/Melbourne ASAP.

Hope that helps a bit.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by Encircled »

Indian units start off as utter rubbish, Aus ones are a lot better

I'd reinforce India first to be honest

If you are really worried about Oz, then you can put all the Aus Divisions in SE OZ. You can't defend the North, or the West, but if he wants to take Oz, he's got to go for the SE. That would give you time to hold out till you can reinforce
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Indian units start off as utter rubbish, Aus ones are a lot better

I'd reinforce India first to be honest

If you are really worried about Oz, then you can put all the Aus Divisions in SE OZ. You can't defend the North, or the West, but if he wants to take Oz, he's got to go for the SE. That would give you time to hold out till you can reinforce
You are right about the Indian units, but key British Brigades are also available. Some need new commanders.
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RE: Jan 17/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Thanks Gents. I'm thinking along the same lines then.

I've concentrated the Australian divisions in the southeast of the country, although I do have one deployed at Kalgoorlie to prevent loss of that base. I've not built up anything in the northeast at his time since it poses the same problem as overcommitting to Burma early. Amphibious landings in strength at Rockhampton could easily isolate whatever I send to Townsville and points north. Allied bomber and fighter units are already en route from Cape Town, as are American aviation and base support units.

As to India, my thoughts exactly on Ceylon. I believe Andre likes to go for Ceylon from previous postings of his. In light of this I'm not reinforcing the island, but preparing a defence to contain any Japanese occupation of the island. I agree on the quality of the Indian troops, but they will be bolstered by the British 18th, Australian 6th and 7th Divisions.

I think I'm on the right track then, and I actually want Andre to try and shoot for the moon as it opens up a lot of counterattack options.

I always think in terms of what I'd do, or not, from the Japanese side so I'm still wrapping my head around the implications of my actions from an Allied perspective.
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Jan 18/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

China:

Japanese forces rout the 31st and 63rd Chinese Corps trying to hold the hex northeast of Kweilin. I'm definitely not seeing much reduction of AV for the Japanese attacking in 3x terrain. However, the 63rd has suffered one deliberate and two shock attacks in three days so I couldn't have asked more of this unit. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 76,53 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12215 troops, 102 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 419

Defending force 6021 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Japanese adjusted assault: 702

Allied adjusted defense: 271

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2059 casualties reported
Squads: 136 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 88 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 23 (22 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
9th Armored Car Co

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps

This Japanese force is now advancing directly on Kweilin. Another force of Japanese has just cleared the hex directly southwest of Kweilin. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,54 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7200 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 249

Defending force 562 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese adjusted assault: 179

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 59 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
400 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Inf.Group
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
9th Chinese Base Force

I'll have roughly 500AV behind level 3 forts with a small chance of reaching level 4 if enemy bombers don't attack the base soon. I hope the defenders can hold until reinforcements arrive.

Japanese bombing attacks have lessoned over the last few days throughout China after the last AVG interception. I think it's due to a reorganization. The American squadron of P-38's has now reached Chungking and will be available for CAP duties over Kweilin on the 20th. It's a mixed bag of pilots as I don't have that many experienced pilots to transfer into the squadron yet. If they get a chance to intercept unescorted Japanese bombers that will change in a hurry.

Thoughts:

It's getting ugly wherever Japanese units are conducting offensive operations. The Commonwealth forces on Malaya are a lost cause and have performed badly whenever attacked, regardless of terrain. I don't expect the Dutch to perform any better. I think Malaya, Sumatra and Java will be cleared of all Allied forces by the end of March at the latest.

Japanese forces are about to contest Rangoon so the base will fall in the next few days. I'm glad I didn't try and defend it as there is no supply available anyway.

There just hasn't been time...
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Jan 19-21/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Another brief update.

Burma:

Rangoon fell to the Japanese 33rd Division after the first deliberate attack.

Andaman Islands:

Port Blair has fallen to a Japanese paratroop unit.

Malaya:

No second attack at Singapore yet. I'm not sure why Andre is waiting. Other than daily bombing there seems to be no hurry to take the base. I'm sure the base will fall after no more than one or two deliberate attacks against Japanese forces currently on hand.

Java:

Japanese forces have invested Batavia and turned the bombers on Soerabaja. The Dutch air force took a pounding on the ground as the base is over-stacked with aircraft. I disbanded a number of Dutch air units last turn as they can achieve nothing besides providing cheap VP's to the Japanese.

The Celebes:

Ternate has fallen with Manado soon to follow.

China:

Kweilin is invested by Japanese forces. Can the defenders hold until reinforced is the question. I have 500AV behind level three forts.

P-38's based at Sian did poorly against small Oscar sweeps. I have an AVG squadron set to 15k and the P-38's set to 25k. Oscar's sweeping at 25k or higher bounced the CAP at either altitude. The previous day I lost 13 AVG fighters over Sian against no Japanese losses. When the P-38's were committed, I lost three Lightning's and a further four AVG fighters against only two Oscar's. Altitude, it all comes down to altitude.

On a positive note, an AVG squadron based at Kweilin caught a Sentai of unescorted Sonia's ground bombing Chinese forces near Kukong and shot down 19 bombers for no loss.

Thoughts:

I'm out of fuel at Cape Town which is delaying my planned redeployment of surface forces to the DEI and Australia. A large number of American air units have been arriving at Cape Town over the last few days and are being shipped to both Australia and India. I chose this route of deployment for the 4E's to avoid unnecessary Ops losses travelling across the Southeast Pacific using poorly supported and supplied bases. The priority remains getting fuel/supply to Cape Town via the Eastern U.S. and Abadan/Aden. I've stopped using PP's for changing air unit HQ's and leaders in an effort to start buying out combat LCU's.

No action in the Central Pacific. Since the initial capture of Baker, Christmas and Canton Islands there has been no further advance. In the Southeast Pacific, Japanese forces have stopped at Luganville with New Caledonia and Fiji not having been targeted yet.

No move by Japanese forces in the Aleutians as yet either.

It's pretty boring and Sir Robinish on my side of things at the moment unfortunately. China is the only theatre I'm actively resisting Japanese moves. Until I have the logistics in place I can't offer meaningful resistance. I think it will take another month or two before I can actively contest Japanese moves, the problem is that may be too late to influence events prior to the next major phase of Japanese operations. Once Singapore and Luzon fall I could be facing invasion of India or Australia.

There is so much I would do differently in hindsight that could have been more effective in securing certain areas. I've preserved my naval assets, but at the price of allowing important bases to fall far easier and sooner than otherwise intended. Live and learn. I'll see if I can make up for these mistakes by utilizing my available forces in a constructive way moving forward rather than simply turtle due to poor logistics.
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RE: Jan 19-21/42

Post by BBfanboy »

Is it possible to withdraw the Dutch air units rather than disbanding them and (I presume) losing the planes?

What happens if you do withdraw them and Java is in Japanese control when they return? Will they come back at some
other base or not at all?
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RE: Jan 19-21/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Is it possible to withdraw the Dutch air units rather than disbanding them and (I presume) losing the planes?

What happens if you do withdraw them and Java is in Japanese control when they return? Will they come back at some
other base or not at all?

I withdrew units first, then disbanded those that needed to be. Most of the planes and pilots were returned to the pools, but I chose not to reform the squadrons. Almost all the Dutch air units are restricted so I won't miss them, but I know they have an unrestricted squadron that receives B-25's at some point. I have no idea which unit and I don't recall seeing an unrestricted one to buy out yet. Maybe it's a reinforcement.

As to your question about Japanese control of Java. To my knowledge Dutch air units withdrawn to be reformed later will not arrive at another location if the required base is enemy occupied. They are gone for good in my case.
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Jan. 22/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

China:

Strange results over Sian today. Oscar's sweep as usual against the Allied CAP with what look to be the same settings, but this time the Oscar's lose 6 aircraft against only one AVG fighter downed. Can't say I understand why my fighters performed so much better today compared to previous Japanese sweeps that simply shot my aircraft down in droves. Regardless, I'll take the results. So far Japanese bombers have not targeted Sian and forts are almost at level 4.

Three Japanese units have invested Kweilin, but no attack yet. Andre is very meticulous, he always bombards prior to an attack to gather intelligence on the defence. I have a reinforcing corps only 3 days away and my fingers are crossed that they will arrive in time to hold the base until troops withdrawing from Kukong arrive.
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Jan. 23/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

A bloody day for ground forces.

China:

Two important combats to report. Japanese forces try a deliberate attack against the forces blocking the main road to Sian. Chinese forces hold, but the results indicate it's only a matter of time. Chinese losses were comparable to those suffered by the Japanese, but something I can't sustain. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 84,43 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112905 troops, 980 guns, 304 vehicles, Assault Value = 3899

Defending force 67749 troops, 404 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1988

Japanese adjusted assault: 1845

Allied adjusted defense: 4417

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
7313 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 1013 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 94 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 151 disabled
Guns lost 48 (2 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5030 casualties reported
Squads: 92 destroyed, 313 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 81 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)

Assaulting units:
37th Division
26th Engineer Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
116th Division
32nd Division
110th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
26th Recon Regiment
12th Army
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Army
NCPC Army
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
61st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
5th War Area
7th Group Army
4th Group Army
8th Group Army
15th Group Army

The other action was a deliberate attack against Kweilin. Chinese forces hold, but forts are reduced to 2. A reinforcing Chinese corps is two days away. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15820 troops, 134 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 546

Defending force 20496 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 534

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 354

Allied adjusted defense: 999

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
961 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 131 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Division
9th Armored Car Co
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
16th Group Army
4th War Area
7th Chinese Base Force
9th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force

Java:

The first deliberate attack was made against Batavia. Forts are reduced easily and I fear the Dutch won't hold out long here. In fact, I think the base will fall after the next attack. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25916 troops, 261 guns, 148 vehicles, Assault Value = 940

Defending force 12450 troops, 127 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 327

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 390

Allied adjusted defense: 361

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2227 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1193 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Division
Sasebo 8th SNLF
6th Tank Regiment
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
15th Guards Regiment
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
KNIL Army Command
ML-KNIL
Batavia Base Force
ABDA
223 Group RAF /1

Thoughts:

Still no attack at Singapore. Japanese bombers hit the base daily though preventing fort construction and using up supplies.

Same at Clark field. The U.S. AA has not been very effective at all causing little, if any, damage to Japanese bombers. I'm guessing the first ground assault will not go ahead until my forces can't reply with FLAK against the bombers.

So far I am holding in China, but I'm reaching the stage where I need to decide whether to commit reserves to hold the forward defence near Sian, or remain in place preparing the next defensive line. I am loathe to move everything forward, because if the Japanese cause a breakthrough I will have no effective defence of Sian leaving the road to Lanchow or Central China wide open.

Other than that, the daily routine is moving supply and fuel forward while preparing forts wherever the conditions allow. Suppy is pouring into Australia via Cape Town with some fuel thrown in. All merchant ships are capable of the return trip without refueling from Australia and the shorter legged transports and escorts are refueled at sea. So far there has been no Japanese submarine intervention of note. That will change soon as Java slowly falls under the yoke.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
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SqzMyLemon
Posts: 4239
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:18 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Jan. 24-25/42

Post by SqzMyLemon »

The pace of the game has slowed considerably over the last few weeks as RL is limiting game time for both of us. It's given me lots of time to pursue other interests, but it also makes it hard to get into the game at times. That being said, there isn't much I'm doing on the Allied side that needs constant attention anyway. Here's a brief update though.

Burma:

Nothing to report since the fall of Rangoon. Toungoo was captured by Japan prior to the fall of Rangoon and is the limit of the Japanese advance to date.

China:

Japanese forces are surrounding Changsha and invested the base with one LCU. Japanese bombers have been targeting the airbase to prevent fort construction, but I was able to get them to level 4. The problem is going to be resources for the LI, which I'm almost out of. Despite setting resource stockpile to 'on' very little got to the base before it was cut off.

Chinese forces still block the main road to Sian, but it looks like a Japanese move to flank along the secondary road is underway. I'm moving troops to block the road. I've stood down AVG and the P-38's in China to take replacements and recover fatigue. The constant moving around caused a lot of fragmentation of the squadrons. Good news is my CAP at Sian caused enough of a delay to get the forts to level 4 before Japanese bombers made an appearance. I will now stop fort construction and use the supply for combat operations instead.

I've got 1000 AV at Lanchow and constructing forts which are now at level 3. The plan here is to deny this source of fuel/oil for as long as possible. I consider Lanchow a more important base to defend than Sian.

No follow up attack at Kweilin has allowed a Cavalry Corps to reinforce the base. Three more corps are on the way. The troops withdrawing from Kukong are slowly getting closer, but still weeks away. I'll not be able to break the siege at Kweilin, but I'm still considering an offensive against Luichow providing the Japanese don't reinforce or take Kweilin first.

Java:

A second deliberate attack against Batavia knocks the forts down to 1, but the Japanese take heavier losses. The base won't survive a third attack and the defenders have no path to safety. It's only a matter of days now.

Malaya:

No attack at Singapore yet, but it appears there is a large Japanese force about to reinforce the hex. That would explain the delay. I believe the forces on hand were enough to take the base, but casualties may have been higher than Andre would prefer. This way he'll take the base easily at little loss and be in good shape for a quick move against Australia or India.


Australia:

Supply continues to pour in via Perth, Albany and Esperance. However, actual LCU and aircraft reinforcements are still weeks away. The Commonwealth Fleet remains at Cape Town, but once more fuel arrives I'll look to redeploy large numbers of assets farther forward to contest some upcoming Japanese moves.

Thoughts:

The Allied focus remains on logistics. Future PP's will be used to buy out some American LCU's, particularly a division or two. Andre is very deliberate in his moves and preparations which has allowed me to get a somewhat better defence set up in China than previously thought possible, however, it remains fragile because of the dwindling supply situation. Not getting enough resources to Changsha is especially going to cause me problems. I see some opportunities to hurt the next wave of Japanese advances, but as always will be determined by what Andre gives me. I'm hoping he'll get a little complacent and leave himself open here and there for counterstrikes.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
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