Psych Ops: BTS "Lite" NY59Giants (A) vs John 3rd (J)

[ny59giants]

Philippines: (reserved)

Where will John land?? I expect to be pushed back into Manila as that base allows the most in stacking. I will send some minor units and a few Americans to Bataan to be destroyed to cut down on supplies used in Manila. Also, the 4th Marines Rgt will go into Bataan to be transported out. Hopefully, down to Java.

My response will be the usual - subs and PT Boats. The 'thundering herd' will make John happy as they get slaughtered. Ideally, most of the fighter groups will live to fight another day as this mod allows Allies to spend PP to buy out. Two groups will go to China and the rest along with B-17s head for Java.

[ny59giants]

DEI: (reserved)

I think I can expect a quick grab of the OIL - Miri, Tarakan, Balikpapan, and Palembang. What he does in the eastern part is up for debate?? Ambon is the major base for the Dutch with the revised version of DaBabes that this mod is using. There is very little in aviation support in the east besides Ambon. Palembang will be invaded before Christmas. The question will be how he approaches Java?? I think it will be Batavia first by isolation (Merak and Kalidjati invasions).

I'm going to try for a version of "Fortress Java." The two American BFs at Darwin loaded with Pensacola TF will head for Soerabaja. Transport planes will pull in what I can get since there isn't many troops that can change commands. Air HQ and 3rd Cav Rgt that start at Singapore will 'attempt' to be loaded and delivered to Palambang. Hopefully, I'm allowed time to get small LCUs and BFs over and maybe to Java. Naval assets will be used aggressively. I don't expect to have much of the Dutch navy left come '42. The transports will load fuel and run away to safety.

[ny59giants]

Malaya: (reserved)

Since John and I have talked about capturing Singapore too many times, I'm pretty sure what will happen. Main invasion will be at Kuantan rather than at Kota Bharu. Para will grab Port Dickson to cut western RR. Once Kuantan is captured, most will reload and swing down to Mersing to cut off Singapore from rest of peninsula. KB-4 (3x CVLs) from CRB will hunt shipping and keep Force Z away.

Counter - Get the most I can into Singapore. That will mean aggressive ground attacks at Port Dickson by the nearby troops and bombers. BigBadWolf did the same thing and I was able to recapture base and allow troops time to get into Singapore. Usually, I'm not sticking around with my Buffalo fighters, but this game they will be going to Java. Hopefully, I can hold Singapore until mid-January. <crosses fingers>

[ny59giants]

China: (reserved)

John's philosophy here is to push in enough to allow him to safely withdraw troops for use elsewhere. Did I mention her HATES ground combat?? [:D] We had adjusted garrison requirements in China for RA/BTS mods to hopefully slow down conquest. For our game, there is also a cease fire until January. I know John likes to follow my advice and go more northern for the oil, but he may go counter to this since I know that.

Counter - Falling back to a solid MLR and hopefully frustrate him enough that he doesn't do much. By passed units will become guerrilla units to deal with his supply lines.

[ny59giants]

India/Burma: (reserved)

John will send his Thai units and maybe part of a division here with about 3 to 4 tank rgt to clear out Burma. I will not contest much of it. Meanwhile, I'm thinking India is where his main second phase push will come. First, at Ceylon and than a landing at Cocanada and Viza with small hook in Chittagong area. He will not try to take all of India, but will focus on capturing intact the economic assets around Calcutta.

Counter - after I can feel secure in eastern half of Aleutians, most of mt PP usage will be for units going to Cape Town and eventually India. Both American Divisions (40th & 41st) will be the first to go. Since Dec 7th is over and the major 'click-fest' for the Allies is done, I can say that the 41st ID is loading on trains at Tacoma for trip to Eastern USA and then Cape Town while starting to prep for Cocanada. 46th Bde loaded at start at Karachi is headed for Diego Garcia. Elements of 17th Indian ID will prep for Chittagong. I prep India like it is ALWAYS going to be invaded. [;)] Except for Delhi, all bases will be building forts and more forts.

Self-warning!! "IF" John does go for India, I already expect heavy naval raids off western India to intercept transports.

Totally OT - In hindsight, the USA should have taken possession of Socotra from the British and then paid the Arabs for it. It would make a nice military base right now.

[ny59giants]

TURN ONE....just sent back to John. [:)] [X(]

Probably will not have time to say much here until after work Thursday.

[HansBolter]

The two American CVLs are actually CLVs (the game doesn't have that designation to assign to them).

They are converted light cruisers with 3/4 length flight decks and remaining 6" bow guns.

Not very useful really with very small air contingents. They can convert to full CVLs with 30+ capacity with a 3 or 4 month (can't recall) refit time.

The two Commonwealth CVLs are actually CAVs (again the game doesn't have this designation, converted armored cruisers with 3/4 length flight decks and remaining 8" bow guns.

They can convert to full 30+ capacity CVLs as well but the conversion can't start until 6/43 and takes a full 6 months.

There are a plethora of AKVs and AOs that can convert to CVEs. Be sure to find them early on. I overlooked the AOs and had them well out at sea full of fuel when I realized I could convert them.

Some CVE conversions get assigned air squadrons as replacement units. Most do not and will have to be fleshed out with Marine squadrons.

These conversions can put a squeeze on the available inventory and use of AKVs. AOs and land based Marine air squadrons so its a judgment call on the part of the player when and if to commit to these conversions, but I felt it was worth it as early as possible.

[ny59giants]

Hans,

I don't see those full conversions in BTS or Lite version. [:(] Would like them, if available.

AOs to CVEs will not be done by me. I need them to haul fuel right now and I'm going to be active with the Americans. The other conversions I will be doing.

[ny59giants]

Date: '41 Dec 7
Day of Infamy

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are bold, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Landings: Kuantan with four TFs

CVs:
Japan -
KB-1: 6 WNW Pearl
KB-2: 6 WNW Pearl
KB-3: 4 slightly south of due east of Manila
KB-4: MIA
CVEs: MIA

Allies -
Lex & Big E: 4 south Johnson (ordered E to do full speed on 7th since it is only one naval movement phase)
Sara: San Diego leaving for NoPac
CVL Charlotte: Darwin headed NW towards Java
CVL Jacksonville: 5 NW of Wallis Island with 2 BC, 2 CA (will join Lex & E)
CVL Wellington: remaining at Aukland until 2 DDs from Melbourne arrive (2 AMCs raiding in Sopac, so not chancing an encounter)
CVL Melbourne: Sydney headed for Luganville

Subs:
I-159 is 4 due west of Pontianak and gets two rounds of combat. 2 TTs hit CL Dragon 37-74(52)-8(4)-0
RO-33 sinks an American DD off NW coast of Mindanao

Pearl:

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
B5N2 Kate x 117
D3A1 Val x 102

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 18 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 63 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 52 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 2 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 23 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 6 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 18 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 18 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 7 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 26 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground
C-33: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4
BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Chew, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB California, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1
CM Oglala, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Torpedo hits 1
AR Medusa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 34
Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 2

Afternoon sees 85 Zero with 6 Kates get a bomb hit on Tennessee & Nevada.
ONLY Nevada will need more than 100 days in shipyards. [8D]

India:

Burma:

Malaya:
Singapore -
G-town - 29 Nates sweep; 30 Lily & 27 Sally hit AF;
Alor Star - 27 Nates sweep; 52 Sally hit AF;
Kuantan - 27 Betty & 9 Nell plaster AF at 5k
Kota Bharu - 25 Lily & 22 Sally hit AF
Port Dickson - Elements of 1st Raiding Rgt take base.


China: Cease Fire until January '42 except for Hong Kong
Hong Kong - 24 Sonia, 37 Lily, 27 Ida hit AF

Philippines:
Manila - 9 Zero sweep vs 8 P-40 = 3:1 and then another 15 Zero get none; 27 Zero with 27 Nell at 5k hit AF;

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N2 Kate x 53
D3A1 Val x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Anakan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS S-40, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AV Ely, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Cape Fairweather, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 1
AM Quail, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
SS S-38, Bomb hits 1
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 1
SS Sargo, Bomb hits 1
xAK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Seadragon, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Rochambeau, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PT-34, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Capillo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS S-41, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

From KB-3 (Soryu, Hiryu, and CVL)

Clark - 45 Zero with 81 Betty close AF [X(]
Iba - 9 Zero with 27 Betty & 27 Nell at 5k close AF [X(]
Cagayan - 9 Nell hit AF
Cotabato - elements of 1st Para ID take base (I expect part of BF to be lifted in over next few days)

Borneo:

Sumatra:

Java:

SRA:

New Guinea/Solomons:

Central Pacific:

South Pacific:

North Pacific: CV Saratoga headed here

Australia:

Engineers:

Intel:

Notes/Plans:
Pearl was lightly hit IMO. Luzon took it harder as John set his bombers at 5000' and did some serious damage at Iba and Clark.

Nothing unexpected on day one, but stay tuned!! [;)]

[Lowpe]

Is the Liz and Rita in this mod? If yes, do they scare you a little?[:)]

[ny59giants]

Is the Liz and Rita in this mod? If yes, do they scare you a little? [:)]

Yes, they are both here. They will have to be countered, but they are expensive to build. So how many would you build if you could??

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Yes, they are both here. They will have to be countered, but they are expensive to build. So how many would you build if you could??

Do they need a size 8 airfield to operate from? 5?

A lot would depend upon HR.

At least two sentai of them...enough that you would have to disperse fighters around to protect ports and airfields a little further back. Well, you probably do that already because of Emily or Nells. If you made 15 a month, you could probably use them 2-4 times a month if used carefully.

Problem is that you probably need 4 sentai to make them a real threat and pain to the Allies. The other problem is they are Navy, so you are taking away Nell or Betty squadrons. Would have a lot more versatility if they were Army.

Used sparingly, maybe night attacks thru 43 with the odd raid to an unprotected field. China maybe, if I wanted to trash the industry there because the mod makes conquest of China difficult, or speeding up sieges of say Manila, Singers, Chungking. I suspect they would die like flies if intercepted, well, like any other Japanese bomber caught by Allied fighters.

After 43, it might be neat to use the Rita in a high level strike against the Deathstar to help deplete CAP and timed with other KB strikes.

In 45 they might make a very expensive kamikaze for the truly dark days.

They are no more expensive than a Mavis or Emily to make, but I suspect the supply drain to re-arm them could be pretty huge over the long term.

Like a lot of planes, Japan is probably better off making very few.

[ny59giants]

Due to my tower not wanting to power up on Easter morning, the game is on hold until I can get it fixed. [:(] This time it looks like a hardware vs software problem.

[ny59giants]

New power supply for tower arrived a day early. [:)] Hope to have a turn out tonight or tomorrow morning.

[ny59giants]

Date: '41 Dec 8
"Thundering Herd" leaves various ports

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are bold, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Landings: Laoag (FT = Fast Transport TF), Manus (FT), Guam

CVs:
Japan -
KB-1: 7 SW of Pearl
KB-2: 7 SW of Pearl
KB-3: 5 East of Cebu (sink 3 xAKLs & 3 xAKs)
KB-4: 6 North Brunei (heading for Tarakan area, I think)
CVEs: MIA

Allies -
Lex & Big E: headed to be slightly north of Canton
Sara: San Diego leaving for NoPac
CVL Charlotte: Darwin headed NW towards Java (get close enough to fly SBD-1 to Soerabaja to upgrade to -2s)
CVL Jacksonville: heading for meeting with Lex & Enterprise
CVL Wellington: at Aukland
CVL Melbourne: Headed for Luganville

Subs:
I-121 & 122 each sink a small xAK fleeing Singapore after laying mines.
I-153 gets a TT hit on AD before running into a mine at Balikpapan.
RO-33 sinks an xAKL and 2 xAPs off NW coast of Mindanao while I-127 uses her deck guns to get another fleeing xAKL in same area.
O16 is sunk at Singkawang by DDs escorting his 4 BBs (why are they here??).
I-126 & 166 each sink small TKs off northern Java.

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,110 (4 SW of Pearl)

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 1
BC Ishitaka
DD Teruzuki
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

SS Pompano launches 4 torpedoes at CV Akagi

Surface Action:
1 of 2 fleeing DDs from Hong Kong sunk by CL & 6 DDs with other heavily damaged.

Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 6 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hitachi
BB Owari
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CL Jintsu
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio

Allied ground losses:
395 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 40
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 2

AF is almost closed down.

Pearl: - two groups of 26 Zeros sweep the base to find 33 P-40s and 15 P-36s. I lose 9 to 1.

India: - troops moving to positions in preparations for possible invasion in early '42.

Burma: - the troops from Tavoy get orders to march north to Moulmein.

Malaya:
Singapore -
G-town - 21 Sally
Alor Star -
Kuantan -
Kota Bharu - 6 Oscars with 20 Sally hit troops followed by 11 Mary
Port Dickson - In enemy hands for now...4 Wirraway attack his para
Port Swettenham - another para drop takes empty base.

China: Cease Fire until January '42 except for Hong Kong
Hong Kong - Lots of small bombers - 41 Sonia, 32 Lily, 30 Ida, 9 Ann hit AF

Philippines:
Manila - Two sweeps of 21 and then 30 Zeros down 5 of 12 P-40s. In afternoon, 24 Zeros with 18 Betty and 17 Nell go after the few damaged ships left in port.
Clark - 18 Zero with 38 Betty keep AF closed
Iba - 9 Zero with 21 Betty & 32 Nell keep AF closed
Cebu - 9 Zeros escort in 9 Kates to sink 4 xAPs from his new base on Mindanao.
Cagayan - 10 P-26s take out 3 of 9 Nell

Borneo:

Sumatra:

Java:
Merak - 4 small AMc clear minefield (I sent a TF to each end of Java just to sweep for potential minefields).

SRA:

New Guinea/Solomons:

Central Pacific:

South Pacific:

North Pacific: CV Saratoga headed to Dutch Harbor

Australia:

Engineers:

Intel:
13/2 ID headed for Eniwetok on transports (I think the whole 2nd ID will be diverted to SoPac area)

Notes/Plans:
Since I have no turns in inbox, I'll try to play catch up.

John LOVES to use FT to invade bases as I'm finding out. The counter for this is what?? [&:]

Besides getting lucky to get a hit on Akagi, nothing surprising happened today.

[BBfanboy]

A lot of Allied players have sent Force Z to Singkawang to hit the Japanese invasion that comes early there. Those four BBs are likely trying to surprise Force Z, but you saw them first.

The only counter to FT TFs seems to be DD TFs that visit target hexes each night and then leave before being seen if there is nothing there. FT tends to land at night and unload before day phase, so a night visit is all that is required. Retirement is to avoid being seen by Nav Search and keep the element of surprise. FT TFs may use warships but they do not fight as well with troops on board.

[ny59giants]

Date: '41 Dec 9
"Thundering Herd" thinned out! [:D]
Pearl...round 2! [X(]

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are bold, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons); FG fighter group = 25 fighter planes if American

Landings: Kuantan, Dadjangas (33 Rgt), Zamboanga (1st Kure assault division)

CVs:
Japan -
KB-1: 12 SW of Pearl
KB-2: 3 east Hilo
KB-3: 4 south Davao
KB-4: 4 north Tawi Tawi (AV Langley, PG, AO are sunk)
CVEs: MIA

Allies -
Lex & Big E: slightly north of Canton
Sara: headed for NoPac
CVL Charlotte: Darwin headed NW towards Java (get close enough to fly SBD-1 to Soerabaja to upgrade to -2s)
CVL Jacksonville: heading for meeting with Lex & Enterprise
CVL Wellington: at Aukland
CVL Melbourne: Headed for Luganville

Subs:
RO-63 gets a TT hit on AV Langley near Tawi Tawi
RO-33 continues to do damage as a small TK is sunk off Naga.
KXIII is at Kuantan and gets lucky...LSD Shinshu Maru, Torpedo hits 4 (John reports she remains afloat).

Surface Action:
BB Yamashiro makes quick work of the damaged Brit DD north of Puerto Princesa
CL Danae & Durban get hit once each at Billiton vs CL & 4 DDs before breaking off.
Same Japanese TF hits xAP Dominion Monarch and a TK near Toboali (I'm surprised to see a SC TF this close to Batavia this early, but I'm play John!)
2 fleeing xAKS and 3 xAKLs from Hong Kong are sunk by roving CL & 6 DDs to west of Luzon.
CA Maya , Chokia, and 4 DDs are at Legaspi blocking and fleeing ships from heading east as an xAKL, xAK, AO, and 2 TKs find out the hard way. [:@]
Meanwhile, CAs Myoko, Haguro, Nachi, Ashigara and 4 DDs are off Tawi Tawi to block any fleeing ships from Luzon. Five xAKLs and xAP are sunk.

Pearl: -

Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 89

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 22
P-40B Warhawk x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 12 destroyed, 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Repair Shipyard hits 1

John is very, very disappointed with the results. Just a single bomb hit. Ouch!!

India: - troops moving to positions in preparations for possible invasion in early '42.

Burma: -
Tavoy - 18 Nates bomb retreating troops

Malaya:
Singapore -
G-town -
Alor Star - 40 Sally hit troops
Taiping - 28 Lily hit AT unit.
Kuantan -

Ground combat at Kuantan (51,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21518 troops, 175 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 709

Defending force 3403 troops, 42 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 451

Allied adjusted defense: 23

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuantan !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
Blenheim I: 5 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
454 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1473 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 73 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Assaulting units:
12th Engineer Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
5th Engineer Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
22nd Air Flotilla
25th Army
84th JAAF AF Bn
5th Field Construction Battalion
20th AA Regiment
5th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
22nd Indian Brigade
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
1st ISF Base Force

Kota Bharu - 9 Tojo escort in 21 Sally, 23 Lily, and 11 Mary.
Port Dickson - In enemy hands for now...
Port Swettenham - Japan's
Temuloh - more para assaults as empty base falls

China: Cease Fire until January '42 except for Hong Kong
Hong Kong - ground bb 427:234

Philippines: empty Laoag changes hands
Manila - 48 Zeros easily sweep aside 9 P-40s (I lose 3)
Clark - 18 Zeros with 41 Betty keep the AF closed
Iba - 20 Sally keep base from repairing
Cebu -
Cagayan - 1 of 3 Nells shot down by 5 P-26s.
Iloilo - 8 Zeros and 17 Kates sinks two xAKs

Borneo:

Sumatra:
8 Betty from Saigon range out to hit an xAP north of island.

Java:
Merak -

SRA:

New Guinea/Solomons:

Central Pacific:

Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5730 troops, 96 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Defending force 432 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 84

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
260 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division

Defending units:
102nd USN Stn Base Force

Manus - empty base captured

South Pacific:

North Pacific: CV Saratoga headed to Dutch Harbor

Australia:

Engineers:

Intel:

Notes/Plans:
Trying to use every trick I know to save anything from the "Thundering Herd" with little success.

[ny59giants]

A lot of Allied players have sent Force Z to Singkawang to hit the Japanese invasion that comes early there. Those four BBs are likely trying to surprise Force Z, but you saw them first.

It would be a good thing to do. However, in BTS lite, Japan gets those two new BBs (no Yamato Class in this mod) with 16" guns to go with the older BBs with 16" guns. Not a fair fight at this point. [:-]

[ny59giants]

Time to play catch up with this AAR as it has reached Dec 25th in game.

Dec 10th -
Landings at Mersing with 21st ID & Davao with 90 Rgt;
Port Dickson taken back by Allies;
Surigao, Dadjanga & Zamboanga fall in Mindanao

Dec 11th -
More landings at Mersing with 4th ID, Wewak, and Miri;
Davao and Mersing falls and forts at Hong Kong drop a level;
KB1 is SE of Johnson Island; KB3 is off Kendari; KB4 is off Makassar

Dec 12th -
Day of landings at Palembang (FT) and these are highly effective in disrupting ground troops!! [:(], San Fernando, Wake (6th Bde), Iba (48th ID & 7th Tk), Madang, Brunei, Miri.
Forts at Hong Kong down to 1, Wake barely holds
KB3 gets close enough to Darwin to sink CL DeRuyter, but his Vals are unable to hit the 4 small Dutch DDs.

Dec 13th -
Landings at San Fernando, Wake, Vigan, Iba, Miri, Brunei, Manado
Iba, Temuloh, Wake, Hong Kong, Manado, Miri, Brunei fall; Shock at Palembang knocks forts to 0.
15 old Vindicators from Ambon hit 5 of 6 xAKs unloading at Manado [8D]
KB1 east of Palmrya; KB3 west of Ambon; KB4 west of Koepang (sinks a AVP & CM)

Dec 14th -
Landings at Adak (FT), Oroquieta
KB1 is east of Canton; KB3 is off NW New Guinea (PC & AVP sunk)
15 old Vindicators from Tarakan hit transport at Brunei (3 xAKs & 2 xAKL sunk, others damaged/sunk - John was not happy!!); another xAK and APD sunk at Miri
Kluong falls cutting Malaya in two and leaving singapore very lightly defended as 11th Indian ID is still north. [:@]
Palembang survives shock attack

Dec 15th -
Landings at Umnak by Fast Transport TF (Saratoga TF arrived at Dutch, but I had the aircraft still training, not ready for combat ); Amchitka (FT);
KB3 is east of Sorong and AVOIDS combat with AVD in surface combat, but sinks with Vals
Empty Oroquieta falls

Dec 16th -
1 west of Dutch sees CV Sara, 2 CA, 6 DDs run into the empty FT TF that is now a SC TF of a CL & 8 DDs headed for Cold Bay; I had TF heading west and they are too far away to get in any air strikes.
Line Islands - FT landings at Christmas (falls) and Palmrya (holds) (John is being consistent here!); Intel reports elements of 2nd ID headed to Christmas
18 B-17s from Cagayan hit disbanded damaged ships at Manado (9 xAKs & CM)
KB1 WSW of Chrismas; KB3 north Hollandia; KB4 WSW of Singkawang
Allied DS 1 NE of Townsville (refueling there tomorrow)

Note - John and I know each other well, so it will be who can go against norms and make the other pay for it. For now, its not me. [:D]

[ny59giants]

Here is the next week...

Dec 17th -
Manado continues to be good to me. [:D] An xAK and PB are sunk by two Allied subs. 10 Hudsons and 15 B-17s hit the port (4 xAKs hit)
Landings at Finschhafen (FT)
Palmrya survives a shock attack (more ships headed here)

Dec 18th -
Landings at Palembang (FT with 8 CLs & 8 DDs carrying 21st Ind Mixed Bde) and Tarawa.
Singapore sees Zero sweeps and then bombers; forts only got to two.
CVEs are west of Midway with an Amphib TF nearby.
Lost bases - Subic Bay, Finschhafen, Chengchow, Malacca, Johure Bahru, Palembang, Vigan

Morning Air attack on TF, near Chuginadak Island at 169,57 (SW of Dutch Harbor)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage SUNK!!
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Chuginadak Island at 169,57

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage SUNK!!
DD Hatsuharu
DD Wakaba

Allied DS at Townsville refueling.

Dec 19th -
My Vindicators had moved to Kuching, but are unable to hit the TF returning to CRB from Palembang
Landings at Midway with 1st Maizuru Division, Combined 8 SNLF, BF and Ocean Island
Bases lost - Lingayen, Ocean, Midway

Dec 20th -
Dutch PTs fail to hit any xAKS at Palembang!! [:@]
Landings at Tarakan with BB Fuso & Yamashiro embedded (4th Ind Mix Rgt); Namela (FT with 3rd BF); Palmrya (FT with Nav Gds); Nauru

Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 76,99, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kure Maru #5, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Teiryu Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Macassar Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Taihei Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ujigawa Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAKL Kidokawa Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Higari Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Kosho Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Taiyu Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 1
DD Kortenaer
DD Witte de With
DD Banckert

Japanese ground losses:
2056 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 106 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 20 disabled

They retreat to Namlea to suck up the little bit of fuel there and AVOID combat with 6 CAs and 6 DD that are part of a Fast Transport TF. [8D]

11th Indian ID cannot break through at Port Swettenham to get out of clear terrain (bombed for last few days and has above 80 disruption).

Sub attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryukaku
BC Kawachi
BC Hiei
CA Suzuka
CL Shirbetsu
CS Chiyoda
DD Akigumo
DD Akizuki
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon

SS Gudgeon launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryukaku [X(]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Umnak Island at 169,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 23
TBD-1 Devastator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Slowly, but surely the warships from the FT are being sunk.

Bases lost - Palmrya, Nauru, Butuan

Dec 21st -
I-157 & 158 are at Diego Garcia picking off the transports unloading the pre-loaded TF (Indian Brigade) that starts off Karachi.
Tarakan holds despite shock attack, but forts are gone.
Bases lost - Tabiteuea (invaded today), Praboemoelih, Namlea
Allied DS is refueled at Townsville and will head for Darwin to meet CVL Charlotte TF

Dec 22nd -
Landings at Laysan Island (FT that is SE of MidwaY) and Baker - both fall to shock attacks

Dec 23rd -
Port Swettenham sees another failed shock attack by my now highly disrupted troops.

Ground combat at Port Swettenham (48,79)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7837 troops, 65 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 197

Defending force 3538 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Allied adjusted assault: 24

Japanese adjusted defense: 44

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
356 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
11th Indian Division
3/16th Punjab Battalion
5/2nd Punjab Battalion
110th RAF Adv Base Force

Defending units:
1st Raiding Regiment
Bandasan SNLF
91st Naval Guard Unit
15th Nav Gd /1
55th Div /1
25th JNAF AF Unit /1
96th JAAF AF Bn /1

Elsewhere on Malaya, Port Dickson falls to 4th ID and Georgetown to Imp Gds ID.

Notes -
Burma - I'm steadily moving troops from south to Katha to march over to Imphal and beyond.
Singapore - no attack across the causeway yet, but it will not last into '42 IMO.
Luzon - PBYs airlifting 4th Marine Rgt and 33rd Rgt from Bataan to Jolo and hopefully beyond. I hope the PP used to change command are not wasted.
CV Sara TF almost to Seattle to replenish and detach the two damaged DDs for short term shipyard repairs.
Transports from OZ and NZ taking long way to USA via a very southern route and then to Panama.
AOs and TKs loaded with fuel at LA, but waiting for Clemson Class DD to APD conversions to finish before leaving.
USA ecomony - with this mod and RA/BTS having most of American economy damaged (up to 50%), I'm just now getting enough surplus supplies at the major bases on coast to send out and allow repairs to go forth.