Sqz stands down. The AAR is now concluded. Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)

[HansBolter]

On the subject of not getting enough supply ashore with an amphibious landing I recommend including dedicated supply TF to each landing.\

Preferably one consisting of beaching craft that can vomit their entire contents onto the beach in one turn..ie.LSTs.

This ensures you supplement the combat loaded supply in the invasion TFs with a large dose that doesn't have to wait until after troops unload to begin unloading.

[ny59giants]

If you have enough supplies at Shortland, use it to buy barges and send the small LST to Rabaul. If you lose them, so what. They are great right now with all the general chaos in the area for multiple missions.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

On the subject of not getting enough supply ashore with an amphibious landing I recommend including dedicated supply TF to each landing.\

Preferably one consisting of beaching craft that can vomit their entire contents onto the beach in one turn..ie.LSTs.

This ensures you supplement the combat loaded supply in the invasion TFs with a large dose that doesn't have to wait until after troops unload to begin unloading.

Thanks Hans,

I had some dedicated supply taskforces that got misplaced as well. I was surprised that the AKA's and AK's didn't disgorge more. Most of them are still at 75% capacity after two days of unloading.

I'm still getting used to what does what best, having never conducted such a large series of landings before. Good practice for the next one though, and I'll definitely make sure supply only taskforces land on day one in the future.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If you have enough supplies at Shortland, use it to buy barges and send the small LST to Rabaul. If you lose them, so what. They are great right now with all the general chaos in the area for multiple missions.

Yep, it's a dog's breakfast right now with stuff all over the place. That was sort of the intention though to allow things to slip through the net. I will definitely get those LCI's into a logistics role as soon as I can.

I've got 100k of fuel unloading at Tulagi with more on the way. I also have at least 200k supply spread out among Munda, Lunga and Tulagi. I easily have 50k of supply still aboard various amphibious taskforces. I should be able to win the battle of logistics this time around. [8D]

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I know I bitch and moan too often and it puts some people off, but I appreciate the renewed interest among followers and all the suggestions and tips.

[Anachro]

Sqz, Can you take me through in a very general the sense the steps and preparations that Historiker failed to do in preparing the SoPac for operations. Generally, what is the expected build up in terms of infrastructure on islands/atolls? Did he fail to build sufficient ports? No oil in Australia? No aircraft in place?

In your opinion, what are acceptable levels for the aforementioned prior to operations such as what you just completed?

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Sqz, Can you take me through in a very general the sense the steps and preparations that Historiker failed to do in preparing the SoPac for operations. Generally, what is the expected build up in terms of infrastructure on islands/atolls? Did he fail to build sufficient ports? No oil in Australia? No aircraft in place?

In your opinion, what are acceptable levels for the aforementioned prior to operations such as what you just completed?

I think I've provided plenty of information on the situation I inherited previously, but briefly here goes.

Essentially, Historiker was great at building up a few key bases and putting massive strength in a few locations. He did a great job of preserving his air, ground and naval forces. However, there wasn't the logistics present to allow him to move forward or consolidate his gains. He left gaping holes in his defence which Erik has exploited. Western Australia is the perfect example. He was focused on massive knockout blows, but didn't have the means to carry them out. Logistics seemed to be an afterthought and I've paid dearly for the lack of it.

It's taken me 2 1/2 months to get enough fuel and supply in place to mount this operation. I had to re-prep almost every ground unit on the map, because the previously chosen targets could never have been assaulted prior to creating the conditions to move forward. Base forces and engineers had to come from Hawaii and the continental United States. Pearl Harbor had less than 7k of fuel when I took over, with 90% of the Allied Fleet needing to return, rearm and replenish. Logistics wins this game, without it the big battles can never happen.

There will never be enough fuel or supply on hand, my philosophy is never stop moving it forward.

Sorry for a less than satisfactory answer and I'm no certainly no expert. I just feel this is probably the most important aspect of the game.

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm going to take a few days to prepare the next turn. I hope to have the time to do some screenshots, but my evenings are booked full this week.

As I sort out the Solomons, I need to figure out what the heck I'm going to do in Burma. I've been moving my units here and there, but accomplishing nothing. I should have risked an immediate armoured thrust between Prome and Toungoo, but I waffled waiting on the AA units and the Japanese have moved in substantial units to block me. With the weak TOE and supply situation, I'm not sure I want to risk a river crossing against Prome. The strength I'll need to commit to such a crossing, means I could easily be flanked at Taung Gyi and forced to withdraw. It also forces me to put all my eggs in one basket and so far that hasn't gone well in Burma. I wish I wasn't here in such strength in the first place, and now I'm mired down and accomplishing squat.

I do have something in mind, but it's going to take time which I've wasted enough already. It also means I delay going for Prome.

I don't want to, but I think I have to go all in for Prome. I just don't see any other option. Until I get some supply flow this theatre is deadlocked. I can't afford to lose aircraft in Burma in the same fashion as at Rabaul, so my options are limited. I can contest one target only and it has to matter.

[Anachro]

No problem, Sqz. I agree with you that logistics is the most important aspect of the game. Spruance himself stressed it. I'm more trying to figure out what is better or worse in terms of logistical preparation and practice for my own games. I joined late, so I'll go back and read up on your efforts.

Pearl Harbor had less than 7k of fuel when I took over, with 90% of the Allied Fleet needing to return, rearm and replenish.

I don't understand how this is possible.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

No problem, Sqz. I agree with you that logistics is the most important aspect of the game. Spruance himself stressed it. I'm more trying to figure out what is better or worse in terms of logistical preparation and practice for my own games. I joined late, so I'll go back and read up on your efforts.

Pearl Harbor had less than 7k of fuel when I took over, with 90% of the Allied Fleet needing to return, rearm and replenish.

I don't understand how this is possible.

Pretty much demonstrates a complete lack of attention to logistics.

One of my priorities on December 8th is combing every port for the freighters I need to send back to supply/fuel sources to get sufficient pools of ships in those ports to start setting up Continuous Supply convoys distributing supply/fuel to major forward hubs such as Pearl/Auckland/Sydney/Tahiti/Perth/Colombo.

By June of '42 I ecpect to have at least 500K-700K fuel and supply in Pearl. I expect Pearl to top 1M fuel by August and never drop below that figure for the duration of the war.

[SqzMyLemon]

The next turn for 21 Jan 44 is away. It didn't take as long to reorganize as I thought.

All but two army squadrons get the day off today. A P-38 and P-47 squadron are ordered to sweep Feni Islands. With the army 4E bombers getting a breather, the navy has been ordered to conduct ground bombing missions against the Japanese defenders at Feni Islands. Feni Islands will also receive a couple of naval bombardments for good measure.

Ground assaults will occur at Feni Islands, Kavieng and Rabaul today. I actually have 28k of supply at Rabaul, it's Kavieng that is short. I've got follow up amphibious taskforces waiting to go, but if I can take the bases first I'll avoid all the disruption caused by an opposed landing.

A mass of shipping is withdrawing towards Tulagi. I'll triage the ships and send them where they can be repaired most efficiently. I expect a number of damaged transports to sink today and of course there's the threat of Japanese submarines taking their toll on the cripples.

I'm not sure if the Japanese will try any air attacks today, my TF's at Feni Islands will be the most vulnerable. I've ordered all the Rabaul amphibious taskforces to withdraw and avoid a third day of CD gunfire. Once the army air force recovers somewhat I'll keep trying to suppress Rabaul.

I'm moving up more aviation and construction units. I'll be looking to conduct some smaller amphibious operations against bases in New Britain and try to reinforce Lae with troops and a big supply dump.

The next three targets are: Merauke, Manus and Madang. Operation Triple M Enterprises will proceed once Rabaul is captured and I can provide local air superiority.

The troops used against Feni Islands, Kavieng and Rabaul will begin prepping for Truk, Babeldoab, Biak and the Sorong area. I'm already prepping troops for Hollandia. I'm going to push hard to reach the Philippines and preparing for amphibious landings on Mindanao.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Anachro

No problem, Sqz. I agree with you that logistics is the most important aspect of the game. Spruance himself stressed it. I'm more trying to figure out what is better or worse in terms of logistical preparation and practice for my own games. I joined late, so I'll go back and read up on your efforts.

Pearl Harbor had less than 7k of fuel when I took over, with 90% of the Allied Fleet needing to return, rearm and replenish.

I don't understand how this is possible.

Pretty much demonstrates a complete lack of attention to logistics.

One of my priorities on December 8th is combing every port for the freighters I need to send back to supply/fuel sources to get sufficient pools of ships in those ports to start setting up Continuous Supply convoys distributing supply/fuel to major forward hubs such as Pearl/Auckland/Sydney/Tahiti/Perth/Colombo.

By June of '42 I ecpect to have at least 500K-700K fuel and supply in Pearl. I expect Pearl to top 1M fuel by August and never drop below that figure for the duration of the war.

When a player starts to tire of a game, they focus less and less on logistics and more on the aspects of the game that give them enjoyment, the big flashy fights, and hence you have situations like this.

Now, if the game was dropped for a sudden emergency it is most likely the position is in better shape.

Of course being inexperienced can lead to this situation too.

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm in better shape for 4E's in the Pacific than I thought. I have 21 squadrons in total, unless I miscounted or missed one. Seven are good to go, two are upgrading to the B-24J and the other 12 are in various states of repair and replenishment.

Most fighter squadrons will need an overhaul. Some will be downgraded to provide airframes for some bigger squadrons, while others will simply be taken off the line and allowed to repair/replenish in rear areas. Older airframes will protect rear areas and train pilots. I'm going to designate a set number of CVE's to perform traditional escort duty against surface and submarine threats.

I'll make an effort to address unit fragments that are cluttering rear areas and get them reunited with their parent LCU's.

A big plus of neutralizing Rabaul is that my fighters can shift back to Port Moresby and operate within normal range against most targets now. That should reduce pilot/airframe fatigue and any performance issues operating at long range may have caused.

Once Rabaul falls I'll hammer New Britain and New Guinea hard. I want to create conditions where I can keep a series of rolling invasions occurring until I reach the Philippines.

I'll detach enough shipping and surface assets to begin naval operations to secure the Gilbert and Marshall Islands to secure my LOC.

I also know what I'm going to do in Burma now. I'm going to use maneuver to try and break the stalemate in Burma, a little Sun Tzu practicing the art of gaining objectives without fighting and Napoleon's divide and conquer.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 21/44:

Kavieng:

The base falls to the second deliberate attack. I'll begin flying in aviation support and establish some form of CAP on the level 7 airbase, before I send in follow up amphibious taskforces with support units and supply.

Feni Islands:

Despite a hard pounding by air and sea, the defenders still hold out after the second deliberate attack. Perhaps the third will do the trick. I've already begun landing support units and additional supply. I'll have a level 3 airbase when the base falls, but there will be an operational delay until the airfield is repaired.

Rabaul:

The first deliberate assault gets 1:1 and reduces the forts to level 4. This will take a little while and I failed to land a HQ directly at the base during the initial landings...stupid. U.S. 6th Army HQ is fully prepped and I'll get it to within one hex of Rabaul quickly. Southwest Front is also 100% prepped and based at Shortlands, within its command radius to influence events. It's too bad U.S 6th Army HQ's amphibious TF got lost in the shuffle. Like I said earlier, far too many mistakes conducting these landings.

Thoughts:

There was no Japanese air activity at Rabaul, or anywhere for that matter. Both sides are recovering from the intense air battles. Recon of Madang shows less than 40 enemy fighters present, and it is now the largest Japanese airbase (level 5) within range of Rabaul. I may choose to start suppressing it next turn with whatever I have available. I'll begin reinforcing both Buna and Lae immediately.

I won't rush things at Rabaul. Once I get my HQ problem sorted out, I may get the 90% assault bonus which will speed things up. I have the time to consolidate the area and get the next amphibious landings organized.

The Allied submarine force played a passive role during the Rabaul operation. Once Rabaul's port can be used, I'll start to push deep into Japanese territory and see what I can find.

[ny59giants]

My OCD-ness kicks in when going on the offense as Allies. I would pair a Command HQ with an Army/Corp HQ. No reason why you couldn't pull NoPac, CenPac, SoPac, and SWPac HQs into the Solomons campaign and beyond. It will be helpful to get that 90% adjusted AV bump if you can get both HQs to pass their die rolls.

Hopefully, you are doing the same for Prome.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

My OCD-ness kicks in when going on the offense as Allies. I would pair a Command HQ with an Army/Corp HQ. No reason why you couldn't pull NoPac, CenPac, SoPac, and SWPac HQs into the Solomons campaign and beyond. It will be helpful to get that 90% adjusted AV bump if you can get both HQs to pass their die rolls.

Hopefully, you are doing the same for Prome.

Already on it Michael. [8D]

Southeast Asia and 14th Army HQ's fully prepped for Prome. Taung Gyi and Toungoo have fully prepped HQ's as well.

I've got most of the Pacific HQ's already prepping for Biak, Babeldoab etc.

Essentially, the real tough nuts to crack are getting prepped for a possible 90% boost.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 24/44:

Feni Islands is captured, all that remains is clearing out the enemy holdouts in the jungle. The base is completely trashed, so it's going to take some effort to make it operational. I've got an expendable transport TF presently unloading supply, but I fear a Japanese attack is due and I've provided no CAP.

A second deliberate attack against Rabaul is ordered for tomorrow. With Feni Islands unable to provide air cover, the sooner Rabaul falls the better.

The majority of the Allied Fleet is reorganizing at Tulagi. I've been able to rearm all the old battleships here and they will remain to provide support for landings against Manus and Madang. Assault troops for the next two targets have arrived at Tulagi on non-assault transports. I'm currently unloading them at Tulagi and will recover any disruption incurred during the voyage. I will not move against New Guinea until Rabaul is liberated and can provide air support. There will be a mad rush once Rabaul falls to reconstitute unit fragments, move up support units and supply to forward bases.

All quiet in Burma as I shift ground forces around yet again. Allied air is grounded until it's needed to soften up Taung Gyi. The Japanese are not using the airbase, but I'm going to suppress it completely and then target the defenders to burn up their supply which has to come by road now. The goal here is to isolate the base and siege it, or force a withdrawal once Erik realizes I'm planning to cut off his forces.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 25/44:

The second deliberate attack at Rabaul reduced the forts to level 3 and casualties were moderate on the Japanese side. I'll rest a few days and launch another assault. My guess is two more attacks should do it.

I swept Finschafen heavily prior to B-24's hitting the airbase. There was no Japanese CAP, unlike the day before when a lone P-47 squadron swept the base and was handled roughly by A6M5b's. The bombers did light damage to the airbase.

Madang's airbase appears to be empty, so I may switch targets next turn. I'm not sure if Erik has completely given up on New Britain and the eastern half of New Guinea, or if he's chosen to pull back and prepare his defences around Hollandia and Sarmi. Either way, I'm glad for the chance to deal with Rabaul using just ground forces right now. The air force still needs time to recover and there is shipping to reorganize, not to mention many unit fragments to re-unite.


Well, Burma just sucks. I looked long and hard at my units last night and I need to pull them back and get them upgraded. If I'm going to tackle the Japanese in strong defensive terrain and face the bulk of their armoured forces, I need Sherman tanks and a 43 TOE for my infantry. I'm pulling them back to whichever base along the coast will allow upgrades. More delay, but I'll use the opportunity to send the American divisions back to the Pacific. Ugh, I should have pulled everything in Burma back three months ago. What a shit show.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 27/44:

Rabaul falls!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 63955 troops, 902 guns, 1824 vehicles, Assault Value = 1939

Defending force 15871 troops, 208 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Allied adjusted assault: 1498

Japanese adjusted defense: 153

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
7249 casualties reported
Squads: 177 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 235 destroyed, 131 disabled
Engineers: 64 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 155 (110 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Vehicles lost 64 (61 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 15
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
515 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 56 (5 destroyed, 51 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Australian Div /9
192nd Tank Battalion
3rd Motor Brigade
767th Tank Battalion
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
194th Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Regiment
4th Marine Division
2nd Regiment
1st Australian Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
3rd Regiment
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Marine Div /1
131st Field Artillery Battalion
114th USAAF Base Force
607th Coast AA Regiment
2/16th Field Regiment
98th Field Artillery Battalion
41st Aviation Base Force
177th USAAF Base Force
612th Coast AA Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
8th Garrison Unit /2
34th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
1st Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
4th Fleet
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Field AF Construction Battalion
43rd JNAF AF Unit
37th JNAF AF Unit
41st Field AA Battalion
61st Field AA Battalion
68th Field AA Battalion
15th Base Force
67th Field AA Battalion
Wake Cst Gun Bn /3
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
13th JAAF Base Force
50th JNAF Coy /1

Screenshot of the current theatre of operations:

[SqzMyLemon]

Just thought I'd update where we're at these days with the PBEM. There's been a pause while Erik settled into his new house and performed a number of do it yourself projects. The game date is now Feb. 8th, 1944.

The Allied position hasn't changed since the series of amphibious assaults in the Solomons. It's taken far longer to get organized for the next series of operations than I'd have liked. There were a lot of loose ends and unit fragments to deal with. My unit prepping was a little suspect as well, so some targets have too many units assigned, while others have too few. The good news is supply and fuel are not an issue and stockpiles grow daily throughout the theatre. Rabaul will have close to 200k of fuel within a week.

I'm changing the Allied plan and ramping up the timetable to push farther along the north New Guinea coast than originally intended. I knew Erik would evacuate forward troops via transport and float planes, and he's performed as anticipated. Hollandia seems to be the staging base for units airlifted out of New Britain and the east coast of New Guinea. That is where I will strike next, Hollandia and Sarmi. The problem is prep. I'm sticking my neck out here, but I do not want to give Erik the time to redeploy the units he's pulled out from his forward positions.

The immediate Allied plan is to land the U.S. 24th Division at Madang. This will provide an airbase within fighter range of Hollandia and Sarmi. The U.S. 6th Division will land at Manus. It's overkill, but I anticipated Manus being a harder target. With both Madang and Manus under Allied control, I should have amble air search to spot any Japanese naval moves against my flank.

Once Madang and Manus are secured, the Allies will mount amphibious operations against Hollandia and Sarmi. These will be tough targets, especially Sarmi which has the IJA 46th present. Hollandia's unit count increases almost daily, but these should be mostly smaller LCU and support units. Contrary to what the combat reports showed during the Rabaul landings, the Allied fleet is intact and all the battleships will be present to provide support for the landings. Two new battleships are arriving at Suva tomorrow and they will immediately sail to join the main fleet at Rabaul. I've been meaning to provide a list of ships sunk during the operations against New Britain, but other than the two CVE's the losses were minimal.

When I commit to Hollandia, I expect Erik to strike at my flank or rear. I hope to have a nasty surprise for him if he does. I'll look to strike at Truk as soon as I can, or at least neutralize it. There's been increased activity at the base, and so far my recon is not providing much intelligence. I do not know if the base is being reinforced or as a staging ground for enemy naval forces.

My goal by the end of April is to have Truk neutralized, Hollandia, Sarmi, Biak, Sorong and Babeldoab secured and be in a position to start knocking on the door to Mindanao in the Philippines.

Ambitious? Risky? Over optimistic? Maybe, but time isn't on my side. I have to move and make bold thrusts to make up ground quickly and put myself in position to strike at the heart of the Empire by mid 1944.

I hope to start providing some proper updates soon with screens and dispositions.