Road to Tokyo. MrKane(A) vs Spidery(J)

[Mike McCreery]

Your organization is beautiful to watch :]

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

Your organization is beautiful to watch :]

Thanks, I was preparing this invasion 6 game months.

[MrKane]

27 July 1943


Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot".

Spidery send 40 N1K1-J at 40K alt to sweep sky over Tjilatjap. 80 Hellcats and 20 P-40K engaged Jap fighters. 3 Hellcats down and one P-40 crash landed, 27 Gorges shot down. Very nice I moved Sara, Lex, and Big E fighters on land last turn, my carries are escorting withdrawing transport ships and are preparing to meet next wave so they no need huge CAP right now.

South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

Rabaul is completely insolated right now. My B-24 are keeping Gasmata, Rabaul, Kavening AF constantly closed.
Namatani AF level 1, one more ( 3 - 4 days) and I will move there 3 F4F-4 squadrons.
2nd Marine division is marching towards Kavening. 1st Marine plus 2 Arty Bn. and 1 Tank Bn. are loading and will sail for Namatani either.

Central Pacific HQ: Operation "Shortcut"

Invasion force for Kusaie Island are prep 100%. Carriers: Tiger Claw, Deadalus, Princeton, Belleau Wood are preparing to cover landing.

[MrKane]

28 July 1943


Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot".

Several Japanese night attacks on Tjilatjap AF by total 8 G3M3 and 26 Ki-43-IIb. 2 Nell and 6 Oscar down by flak, no Jap plane return home without damage. I can assume he will not continue this kind raids.

It seems that tomorrow we will have deciding surface battle. Japanese BB are ready for action at Merak, and heavy cruisers near south corner of Java.
On my side landing is protected by 5 TFs, 5 old, 2 new BB, 7 CA and a lot of DD. US carriers back on strike position to intercept all damaged Jap ships after night battle. I am little afraid Japanese torps, we have only 7% moon light now.
Carriers fighters back on board. AF is defended now by Spitfires, P-40, P-38, but AF is still only level 4. However having over 50 radars should help a lot
Anyway I doubt he will send any sweep soon, I am sure Kukotai with N1K1 need 3 weeks to reach full strength back. The only danger is from Sentai of Ki-84a on Batavia AF.

2nd wave one day from target. I could land tonight by I am afraid Jap surface forces, so at first lets deal with Japs warships.

South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

300 allied 4e and 2e bombers are continue to bomb enemy AFs. I have noticed huge drop of Japanese flak activity. Supplies problems ?
There is total 100K Jap troops cutoff on Salomon Islands and New Brittan.

[HansBolter]

Don't forget to spawn PT boats at Tjiatjap.

I would spawn 2 groups of 12 and split them into 4 TFs of 6 each checking to make sure the TF commanders have both high NAV and AGG.

These guys LOVE low moonlight levels.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Don't forget to spawn PT boats at Tjiatjap.

I would spawn 2 groups of 12 and split them into 4 TFs of 6 each checking to make sure the TF commanders have both high NAV and AGG.

These guys LOVE low moonlight levels.

Thanks for advice. I have already did this. I did not put this information in my report simply, because in my opinion is standard practice for allied player.
However night attack did not came, and now my opponent is gone for 2 weeks.

[comsolut]

How do you anticipate the loss of China affecting your plans going forward?

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: comsolut

How do you anticipate the loss of China affecting your plans going forward?

It will delay retake of Burma, to many Japanese divisions there to risk operation in 1943.

[MrKane]

30 July 1943


Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot".

Spidery send more planes to bomb my AF at night. Flak scored 15 D4Y4 Judy. AF was not hit even by single bomb and it is now level 4.71.
It was not perfect day. Transports ships with 2nd wave fail to reach destination. Carriers TF send 130 Hellcat to escort 3 SDB & 15 TBF to sunk 2 AKs and destroyer. It cost me 25 F6F to Japanese CAP.

South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

300 allied 4e and 2e bombers are continue to bomb enemy AFs. This time Spidery send LRCAP, it cost me one B-24 and 4 P-39 for 3 N1K1, 4 Ki-84 and 3 A6M5.
Namatani AF reach level 2, tomorrow I will move there on FG.

Due Marin's absence game is paused till end of week.

[MrKane]

31 July 1943


Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot". 2nd Wave unloading ...

Spidery is sending night after night his bombers at max alt to bomb my AF. I do not see any point to do it, he did not scored single hit and lost ~15 planes.
Well it is not problem for me.

AF reach level 5.35.

Transports ships with 2nd wave unloading right now.

I have 100K man already on island, next 40K is unloading right now. This will give me 6 Divisions + over 1000 tanks and guns.
600 Fighters are on CAP and over 30 warships guarding port. Looks we are going to stay here longer

South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

Rabaul and Buka were bombed again by ~200 my planes. One of my p-38 squadrons run sweep with order. Party started very well with lot of Franks down, but than bunch of N1K1-J shows up an brake party. I have lost 15 planes and 6 pilots for 23 his fighters.

[MrKane]

1 Aug 1943

Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot". 2nd Wave unloaded returning back to Perth.

Quiet night. Martin did not send his bombers at night.

AF reach level 6.10

Transports ships with 2nd wave turn back to base.
24th and 7th US Divisions will attack tomorrow positions of 110th and 52nd IJA divisions supported by 41st Regiment and 4th Ind. Mixed Reg.
My troops are low on supplies, on other side 52nd, 41st and 4th were heavy beaten at Tjiatjap. I am hoping for very little resistance.

It seems whole Japanese fleet is park at Merak, including carriers. ???
I am going to move US Carriers to intercept position in case he decide came my side of Island and still staying 8 hex out of Batavia's CAP.


South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

VMO-155(15 F6F-3) and VMF-221(18 F6F-3) sweep Kavieng. Martin set LRCAP over port with ~20 Ki-84a. My Hellcats scored 5 Franks and lost 2 planes due crash landing.

Shortlands and Buka are bombed by 200 medium bombers as practice target on daily base.
All 4e set to fix planes and rest crews.

[MrKane]

Java situation map:

[MrKane]

2-3 Aug 1943


Southwest Pacific HQ: Operation "Bigfoot". One more transport with 30k support troops is closing.


AF reach level 7.21

Well 24th and 7th US Divisions attack did not go well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27952 troops, 484 guns, 466 vehicles, Assault Value = 1079

Defending force 33319 troops, 280 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 1003

Allied adjusted assault: 181

Japanese adjusted defense: 1954

Allied assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
541 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4332 casualties reported
Squads: 94 destroyed, 381 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 78 (10 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 95 (29 destroyed, 66 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
Sixth US Army
249th Field Artillery Battalion
183rd Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
208th Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
110th Division
I./143rd Infantry Battalion
41st Infantry Regiment
52nd Division
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
79th Garrison Battalion
56th Const Co
22nd Ind.AA Gun Co
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
26th Fld AA Gun Co


It seems I have to move around.
28 Hellcats sweep Batavia to meet 16 Franks, 9 Tojos, 7 Oscars. 3 F6F traded for 4 Ki-84, 2 Ki-43 and 3 Ki-44.

SS Triton put 2 more torpedoes into CA Suzuya. Very unlucky cruiser, 2nd & 3rd torpedo from sub, it should sunk soon.


South Pacific HQ: Operation "Tiny steps".

Rest day.

[ny59giants]

How many Command HQs did you bring with you to Java?? If they are teamed up with a Corp/Army HQ AND the dice gods are on your side, that extra 90% adjusted AV can really help.

Bandoeng - One of the few bases on Java that cannot be attacked from sea and is a mountain hex. This base may be very difficult to capture.

CD units - I hope you brought some to Java. You will need them to ruin the aim of some BB TFs that will soon be coming at your bases.

[mind_messing]

I think you've made a mistake in not cutting the rail line NE of Tjilatjap - Java remains a single front for the Japanese, and they can rail troops and planes around the island with ease.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

How many Command HQs did you bring with you to Java?? If they are teamed up with a Corp/Army HQ AND the dice gods are on your side, that extra 90% adjusted AV can really help.

Bandoeng - One of the few bases on Java that cannot be attacked from sea and is a mountain hex. This base may be very difficult to capture.

CD units - I hope you brought some to Java. You will need them to ruin the aim of some BB TFs that will soon be coming at your bases.

I have 3 HQ. SW Pacific, 6th Army, 1st Corp. Are you talking about magic bonus ? I know everyone is talking about but nobody really saw it
I cannot afford to wait another 500 turns got it

I have mines, I have 30+ PTs, 30 Warships, I have carriers with full load of planes. KB is shown to 3 carriers action ready. So his BB are welcome to visit.

That the reason I will go around with 2 Divisions and 500 tanks.

In 2 -3 days AF will be level 9 and I will start cleaning sky over island. 75 P-47 with pilots exp 80+ is just sitting and waiting for action.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

I think you've made a mistake in not cutting the rail line NE of Tjilatjap - Java remains a single front for the Japanese, and they can rail troops and planes around the island with ease.

Actually I want him to rail his troop to north Java. This the reason why 1st US Corps is pushing north. I have 2 more US Corps in hand, one is loading on APAs right now with 100% prep and will land on south Java soon.

[MrKane]

Actually I already have all I needed. All his DEI oil centers in range of AF lvl 9.

[princep01]

As an American of the Cold War period, I am just very thankful that Mr Kane did not lead the Warsaw Pact armed forces.

Bombing Spidery's oil may not be immediately fatal, but it is sure going to make things miserable. Lost tankers, additional escort, lost crude oil, and lots and lots of fighters on CAP will just make things tough. When the DEI is this compromised in mid-1943, I give Spidery about another year before Mr Kane is handed another laurel wreath.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: princep01

As an American of the Cold War period, I am just very thankful that Mr Kane did not lead the Warsaw Pact armed forces.

Bombing Spidery's oil may not be immediately fatal, but it is sure going to make things miserable. Lost tankers, additional escort, lost crude oil, and lots and lots of fighters on CAP will just make things tough. When the DEI is this compromised in mid-1943, I give Spidery about another year before Mr Kane is handed another laurel wreath.

That is not all that Mr. Kane is really doing here IMO. He has made a large splash in the DEI and drawn Spidrey's attention and drawn his forces over to the west most part of the map. It is drawing troops about as far away from the home islands as they can get.

If the allies can secure a foothold on Puerto Principe or a few of the bases just to the west they can almost cut off any traffic flowing from Malaya/Sumatra to Japan. An amphibious assault near Cam Rahn Bay finishes that embargo. I believe that the quiet steps Mr. Kane is taking north of Australia will have an even further damaging effect upon the Japanese economy, naval shipping, etc.

It is likely that any reinforcements heading for these areas are now being diverted to the seemingly more priority areas of Java.

If the Allies gain a naval and/or air superiority between Java and the home islands the Japanese troops there can be isolated and destroyed at leisure, mostly out in the open.

Strategically it is brilliant :}