LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Do you think the KB remaining at Arafura might mean he will try to contest or counter invade?

And you should rush Cenpac operation as having confirmation of long KB deployment is priceless

Seems like a logical recommendation for the Cenpac. Maybe you can't contest the Arafura Sea -- yet -- but you can make him pay for staying there for so long.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Do you think the KB remaining at Arafura might mean he will try to contest or counter invade?

And you should rush Cenpac operation as having confirmation of long KB deployment is priceless

Seems like a logical recommendation for the Cenpac. Maybe you can't contest the Arafura Sea -- yet -- but you can make him pay for staying there for so long.

jwolf - couldn't agree more. I'm finding the problem being the Pacific is a BIG Ocean! Taking a bit of time to get things in place. Will launch in CENPAC shortly!

Jorge - I figured a potential counter invasion was in the works back on around 5-6 Feb when Gove, Merauke and Groote were all bombarded. Thought that was the suppression prior to a landing at Groote or Gove. Didn't happen, and I think that moment has passed.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

but maybe he is prepping for them? lets say turn one after your invasion, he changed target for some LCUs; go from 100% to 33%; then he needs to wait ~40 days to have a decent preparation

if he doesn't invade, then the bombardment will mean very little, as the Allies have way too much repair/ build resources, not to mention supply

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

but maybe he is prepping for them? lets say turn one after your invasion, he changed target for some LCUs; go from 100% to 33%; then he needs to wait ~40 days to have a decent preparation

if he doesn't invade, then the bombardment will mean very little, as the Allies have way too much repair/ build resources, not to mention supply

Its possible he's prepping. The bombardments used to delay Allied build-up, and the presence of the KB (and what appears to be the entire IJN for that matter) has slowed if not totally stopped any base expansion in the area.

That said, any counter-landing would have to be a full court press - division size at least, and full support of the IJN. While I might lose a base, keeping the IJN occupied for another month or so in the Arafura Sea wouldn't be a terrible thing either..

[jwolf]

I think you're hinting at the real question here: is the Arafura Sea area -- or at least the part held by the Allies currently -- strategically so valuable as to merit a counter-invasion by the Japanese? All the while giving you free time to move in the Solomons? Seems to me the answer is no, but I admit it's ultimately up to the Japanese player to make the call.

[Bif1961]

Oil, Oil, Oil, whatever is closets to Japan's supply of oil will attract the biggest and swiftest response. The Solomons actually mean nothing to Japan except the 1st and furthest south line of defense. However, when you get bases to get heavy bombers in range of major oilfields he will attempt to take them back.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Oil, Oil, Oil, whatever is closets to Japan's supply of oil will attract the biggest and swiftest response. The Solomons actually mean nothing to Japan except the 1st and furthest south line of defense. However, when you get bases to get heavy bombers in range of major oilfields he will attempt to take them back.

Think you're right on the money Bif. L_S_T has alluded to the same in a couple of emails - very concerned about an Allied push towards Timor. Of course, the Allies are in no condition to "push" in that direction for another couple of months - I'm stretching resources just trying to squeeze the IJA out of Australia!

[dave sindel]

Over the last few days, I've read this entire AAR and am now "up-to-date". What an interesting game this is.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Oil, Oil, Oil, whatever is closets to Japan's supply of oil will attract the biggest and swiftest response. The Solomons actually mean nothing to Japan except the 1st and furthest south line of defense. However, when you get bases to get heavy bombers in range of major oilfields he will attempt to take them back.

Actually a really insightful observation especially vis a vis PBEM play.

Thanks Bif / IdNyer for this conversation.

I had not considered this fully and this is the first time I have seen this sentiment explored / expressed explicitly in an Allied AAR.

Interestingly some of the most successful Allied AAR seem to have some elements of a 'push' be it Timor / Taberfame & Dobo / Babo & Sorong. Not only the more recent ones suggested such as Apbarog - but looking back at Witpqs and others as well.

Bomber range to oil fields has to be a IJN priority.

It rather contrasts with the "actual historical" strategy employed albeit no game should or could be expected to model every single facet of the war with 100% accuracy.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

Over the last few days, I've read this entire AAR and am now "up-to-date". What an interesting game this is.

Thanks Dave, welcome aboard! Has been a great ride so far, much due to my opponent, L_S_T. Now if I could only convince him to get back to his AAR!

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Oil, Oil, Oil, whatever is closets to Japan's supply of oil will attract the biggest and swiftest response. The Solomons actually mean nothing to Japan except the 1st and furthest south line of defense. However, when you get bases to get heavy bombers in range of major oilfields he will attempt to take them back.

Actually a really insightful observation especially vis a vis PBEM play.

Thanks Bif / IdNyer for this conversation.

I had not considered this fully and this is the first time I have seen this sentiment explored / expressed explicitly in an Allied AAR.

Interestingly some of the most successful Allied AAR seem to have some elements of a 'push' be it Timor / Taberfame & Dobo / Babo & Sorong. Not only the more recent ones suggested such as Apbarog - but looking back at Witpqs and others as well.

Bomber range to oil fields has to be a IJN priority.

It rather contrasts with the "actual historical" strategy employed albeit no game should or could be expected to model every single facet of the war with 100% accuracy.

Mcclan - Enough can't be said about this forum and its AARs! Much of my "strategy" has originated from what I've raid in AARs! Witpqs for is Burma push, Apbarog for his dual push toward Timor and Solomons/New Guinea drive, and Jorge_Stanbury for his maxing airpower in India/Burma theater....to mention but a few.

Of course......L_S_T reads the same AARs I do..So I'm going to have to come up with something original at some point! [;)]

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Of course......L_S_T reads the same AARs I do..So I'm going to have to come up with something original at some point! [;)]

No doubt you will !

You are the Allies and the 'divine creator' is on your side [8D]

--

Yes the AARs are all worthy... however it is your turn to also take a bow ; your AAR is a worthy read and this little passage about proximity to Oilfields in thread would have my vote for Allied "thought of the year".

Your Dec 31 42 Strategic Map update was brilliant.

--

One other question left unanswered in all this.. Air Disposition.

In India Burma you were scrambling to get air frames deployed there.

You moved Canucks but they were just competitive, pondered moving Aussie airframes to India but now that you face an onslaught around the Timor Sea not much hope there I suspect.

Marine Squadrons probably needed for Central and South Pacific at least until Corsairs and Hellcats give you some measure of qualitative superiority (PDU on I understand).

That leaves the USA 10th AF for India but you have already significantly decimated your pools of P40Es ... P40K should be online now or soon in reasonable numbers.

Do you have enough points to buy out the USA IV or Fourth Fighter Command and IV Bomber Command back stateside ? Can you allocated elements of the 4th and transit them to India by way of Capetown ??

Many of them have expiry dates as I recall. But still there are some P38 Squadrons in the 4th which based out of Calcutta would give you some punch. There are also some Bolo / Mitchell's squadrons in there as well which should compliment the "less than spectacular Blenhem's and match the Hurri speed range for coordinated bombing missions ???

Are you getting any airframes to India ?

Thoughts ??

[IdahoNYer]

Thanks much Mcclan for the good words!

As for airpower - you're tracking. But....this is a PDU-OFF game. Not as much flexibility. Also the IV US Air Force is restricted to the good ole USA. Not going to help.

I have reinforced India/Burma with air - got that from Jorge_Stanbury. 2+ B-24 groups on the bomber side. Fighters - US Army - only 1 P-39 squadron there and a P-38G squadron enroute. Marines have two Fighter and Dive Bomber squadrons - but I just don't have the fighters to fill them out. In theory, the two fighter squadrons would have 36 planes each - max I've had in theater was around 17-20 or so. Just don't have the planes (yet). Canadians have two KittyHawk squadrons, but little replacement aircraft so they are assigned night fighter duty - same for my lone Dutch P-40 squadron. NZ and Aussies each have a squadron there as well - but as you mentioned, I need most of their fighters over Australia. Did send the Brit squadron equipped with Aussie Spitfires to India/Burma, and it has been doing yeoman service, although its range limits its effectiveness. Things will get better as we get deeper into 1943. The Hellcat will release quite a few F4Fs to the Marines, and I'm bringing the first P-47 squadrons to India. So it WILL get better!

[dave sindel]

I also sent a lot of air groups to India / Burma. I dont have a count on the total, but it's significant. B25's, B26's, A20's, P-38's, P-39's and P40's. I've been using the P-39's on strafing attacks vs IJA units, especially those moving in the open - and have been most disappointed in them in that role. I figured with bombs and a 37mm cannon, they could /would be tank busters. Not having any success with them in that role...

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

I also sent a lot of air groups to India / Burma. I dont have a count on the total, but it's significant. B25's, B26's, A20's, P-38's, P-39's and P40's. I've been using the P-39's on strafing attacks vs IJA units, especially those moving in the open - and have been most disappointed in them in that role. I figured with bombs and a 37mm cannon, they could /would be tank busters. Not having any success with them in that role...

I don't think the game models anti-tank fire from aircraft very well - the rate of fire from a 37mm cannon would have little chance of hitting one in a 100' strafing pass. But if the fighters could dive on the tanks (as Rudel's Stukas did to Russian tanks) they could get several shots at the same tank and adjust their aim on the way down. This is the tactic the game does not model (because strafing only happens at 1000' or 100').
I have no idea if Allied aircraft used Rudel's dive for cannon attacks but the video I have seen of rocket attacks on tanks all involved a steep dive from altitude.

[IdahoNYer]

13-14 Feb 43

Highlights – Contact lost with the KB while Gove bombarded and Merauke CAP does well; CVE lost enroute to PH.

Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna – back on the sunk list!)
SS: 1 (I-10)
PB: 1

Allied ships sunk:
CVE: 1 (Sangamon)
SS: 1 (Seal)

Air loss:
Jpn: 87
Allied: 41

Subwar
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (CVE Sangamon sunk)
I-10 (or I-6) sunk by escorts
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (PB sunk)
SS Seal sunk by escorts off Darwin

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB looks to have pulled out of the Arafura Sea – at least for the moment.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, CVE TF coming off the West Coast to PH (BB, 3CVE, 4DD) encounter I-6 which puts a total of 4 fish into the CVE Sangamon in two attacks. US Navy gets a slight amount of revenge when the offending sub is brought to the surface and sunk with the help of 14” gunfire! The sub was laying in the “Black Gap” between PH and the coast – well outside of a/c range. Not good – but at least the Pennsy didn’t draw a torp. Just hope the pilots managed to get off before she went down. 19 priceless F4Fs and 9 TBFs went down with the ship. Remaining CVEs will continue to Christmas Island after adding some additional planes at PH.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (2CA, 4DD, DMS) bombard Tassafaronga with minimal effect, and head back toward Kirakira for replenishment. Marines will launch a deliberate attack on Tassafaronga next turn. B-24s begin arriving at Ndeni in order to raid Tabiteuea. US CV TFs should dock at Suva next turn to replenish.

In SWPAC, BB TF (BB, 6CA, 3CL, DDs) bombards Gove with minimal effect, other than running over and sinking a sub near Darwin. Searches did no locate the KB in the Arafura Sea for a change, and not sure where it sailed off too. Small convoy (AM, 3xAKLs) offloading at Merauke draws lots of attention from LBA. Two escorted Betty raids (23Z, 13B / 23Z, 25B) are mauled by CAP over Merauke (P-400, P-40K and Kittyhawk squadron) and fail to hit anything. Tally after two days: 41Z, 32B lost in exchange for 3 P-40Ks. Will continue to keep supply runs minimal to Groote and see if some LCTs can get through to Gove from Groote. Big question is whether or not the KB comes back.

In WAUS, continued pretty quiet. Expected bombardment didn’t happen, and no airstrikes on the ground forces either. Still figure they’ll get hit shortly.

In China, the vaunted Lanchow Airforce of 3 P-66 Vanguards intercept incoming strikes in the adjacent hex, losing one of the three planes to escorting Oscar IIbs – but manage to knock down 5 Lillys in an unescorted strike. Will have to rotate the Lanchow Airforce out and get some replacements. On that note, I put a P-66 Vanguard squadron at Chungking in order to try a LRCAP intercept of some Sonias that are hitting an isolated Chinese Corps in the mountains to the north. Worth a shot.

In India/Burma, Allied troops again bombard Akyab and B-25s again do little in support – but, no CAP again, which is surprising. Will begin a deliberate attack next turn with 2 Div, IN Bde, TK Bde, Tk Reg and support. I expect this to be held, but with some luck, I might be able to gain an advantage and wear the defenders down.

[IdahoNYer]

15-16 Feb 43

Highlights – KB sighted on the western fringe of the Arafura Sea; Tassafaronga liberated

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-170)

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: (I-3)

Allied ships sunk:
xAKL: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 70
Allied: 29

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAKL sunk)
Allies: 1 Attack, 0 ship hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tassafaronga (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel:KB spotted by sub in the western fringes of the Arafura, not sure if its lurking or moving in/out.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, transports start loading 1st and 2nd wave troops at Christmas Is and Fanning Is for Tabiteuea. CVE TF, down to 2 CVEs, arrives at PH and takes on additional F4Fs – will head to link up with Tabiteuea Amph forces next turn. Additional 2nd wave and support troops for Tabit will begin loading next turn. Tabit invasion will be the most complex yet, with troops boarding transports from two separate bases, and convoys/TFs coming in from two Theaters.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (2CA, 4DD, DMS) bombard Tassafaronga with minimal effect affect again, but apparently it was enough as 1st USMC Div takes the base in its first attack. 1st Mar Div will begin trekking back to Lunga leaving the mop up to a regiment of the 27th and American Div, plus support. US CV TFs arrive at Suva and take on fuel. The three CV TFs (2 CVs ea) recombine into two TFs of 3 CVs ea, freeing up a small CA TF (2CA, CL, DDs) to link up with the Amph TF heading to Tabit. The Fleet will sail next turn towards the Gilberts to arrive prior to the Amph TF and begin isolation of the Gilberts from resupply. Additional CA TF at Ndeni will conduct one more bombardment run on Tulagi before detaching from SOPAC and supporting Tabit. Lastly, Lunga AF now Level 3 and building up without any counter strikes. Tulagi invasion still next on the list in SOPAC.

In SWPAC, its fairly quiet compared to recent activity. A small CA TF (2CAs, DDs) bombard Gove with minimal effect, but keep the base from any expansion. Supplies still low for the base, but the troops have been sufficiently resupplied by Coronados and subs. Minimal Jpn air attacks, limited to an ineffective Betty strike on a recon unit near Daly Waters and night time Betty raid on Portland Roads which loses 2 planes to P-70 Nightfighters and 10 to AA fire. Pushing small (2-3 ship) xAKL resupply convoys to Groote which is now fully operational. Still holding off any major resupply or troop push to either Gove or Groote with the KB lurking about. Merauke and Groote have enough engineers and supply to expand for now.

In WAUS, its quiet…still waiting for a counter punch at the advancing ground troops closing on Port Hedland. 1st WAUS based HB squadron trades out B-17Es for B-24D1s, and this process will slowly continue, alternating with bomber squadrons swapping out in Burma to free up B-24D models as replacements. Nice getting 43 a month!!!

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, IJA LRCAP comes out over Akyab in force – 5 Oscar IIb and 3 Tojo Sentais are identified providing LRCAP. Allied sweeps are borked as the P-40Ks don’t fly, so its solely up to the Brits – and surprisingly, they do rather well. After two days, 34 Oscars and 5 Tojos are lost in exchange for 5 Spits, and 12 Hurris. Considering the bulk of the fighter support didn’t show up, this wasn’t a bad exchange at all – and, only 3 B-25s were lost – only one to fighters. However, the ground attack they were supporting was held in the first assault – casualties were about the same for both sides, 969/972 men, but the attack discovered that Akyab had level 4 forts – and weren’t reduced. I don’t have separate combat engineers anywhere in theater (enroute), only assigned combat engineers to the divisions which apparently isn’t enough. Will rest the force a bit, bringing in another Indian IN Bde to rotate one out – and continue a slow grinding attack to see if the defenders can be reduced – defenders are low on supply, so in theory, this grinding process can work if the Jpn don’t reinforce substantially. Lastly, Burma bound P-38G squadron arrives in Cape Town and will ship out to Ceylon as soon as the convoy loads.

[IdahoNYer]

17-18 Feb 43

Highlights – KB not sighted for the first time in a long while. IJN returns to support Port Hedland

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Minegumo
SS: 2 (I-27, RO-33)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (KIX – by sub again!!)
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 36
Allied: 21

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (SS KIX sunk)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD Minegumo sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB not sighted – worrisome…

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, 1st wave Tabiteuea convoy completes loading at Christmas Island, undocks and will depart with the tide. 2nd wave and support convoys continue to load and configure at both Christmas and Fanning Islands. CVs compete refueling/rearming at Suva and begin to slowly head north. CVE TF departs PH and heads south to link up with Amph TFs. Only wrinkle right now is location of the KB…

In SOPAC, its quiet. Troops continue to offload at Lunga without issue. Tulagi invasion begins loading at Luganville.

In SWPAC, small IJN TF (2CA, DDs) bombards Gove with minimal effect, and Betty raid sinks a small xAK offloading at Groote – but CAP does pretty well – 10 A6M5 Zeros lost to a pair of P-40Ks. Perhaps L_S_T is shifting effort elsewhere. Will gradually ramp up supply runs to Groote, then Gove.

In WAUS, IJN arrives off Port Hedland with a bombardment TF (2BB, 3CA, 2CL, DDs) doing good disruption on the ground troops 2 hexes west of Port Hedland. SS Spearfish picks off DD Minegumo from the screen, but can’t penetrate the screen. Will be interesting to see if the KB shows up to support this effort as well.

In China, Chungking takes a sizeable blow to an airfield attack – looks like every strike aircraft on hand, heavily escorted, hit the base. Allied planes don’t intercept, and the AF is successfully closed. Will see if that tempo is kept up. Plenty of Chinese available to fill bomb craters, and it won’t take long to repair the damage unless its sustained.

In India/Burma, no LRCAP over Akyab this time around, and Allied sweeps come up empty. Will maintain the pressure next turn, and bring in both B-25s and Vengence DBs to support another deliberate attack. Don’t expect much, other than to wear down the defenders. I managed to (mistakenly) slip the Brit 70th Div to the hex east of Akyab, where it bumps into a very large IJA force. It will now have to try and hold its ground. This may work out badly….

[jwolf]

CVs compete refueling/rearming at Suva

I guess the admirals are coming to blows arguing over priority for port services? [:D]

It is rotten that you lost another sub to a sub hit, and seems well nigh incredible how often this has happened in your game. But if you really sank those 2 IJN subs that is worth the trade.

[IdahoNYer]

jwolf - I'm pretty amazed at the IJN sub vs. sub performance. And totally frustrated with the lack of success of the Allied subs against the IJN merchant marine - L_S_T has done a great job protecting his sea lanes.

Here's a roll up of sub losses so far

IJN sub losses:
3 Air
3 Sub
15 Surface Escorts
5 Mines
12 Scuttled
38 Total

Allied sub losses:
11 Air
8 Sub
4 Surface Escorts
2 Mines
25 Total