I've got a little list, fcharton (J) vs zuluhour (A)

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli



PDU off, eh? I tried that in the old WitP a long, long time ago. It sounded interesting at the time but in reality, it was a pain in the butt. [:D]. This should be fun to watch.

its a new 'trend' now. [8D]

[Lowpe]

PDU off:

Having played it, and really sweating bullets over the builds, I made some classic mistakes.

I went with the Grace, and was going to get her early, the problem, was the Jills most of the squadrons upgrade from I skipped. Thankfully, I accelerated some Carriers and the Jills needed for upgrade came that way.

I went ahead and built the second Val, I then put one squadron on Myojo (kamikaze -- I think there are two squadrons that upgrade to her). PDU off and late war Kamikazes really sucks... look at the upgrade paths before you allocate a single r&d to the Toka or other kamikazes.

If a squadron withdraws at some point, then for you to upgrade to the next plane in the upgrade path, you need a full number of the new plane (no manual upgrades with 1 or 2 planes). Early Tonies got me here leaving me with the A when I had D's in number but not enough Cs. Confusing, yes.[:D]

The problem with going Jill/Judy early is payback. Yes they are improvements, but if the Allies don't play, well then they don't accomplish much in the time frame from when you get them early to when they normally arrive. Getting Grace and Sam are pretty much a better bet. I can't say enough good things about them.

You do get 2-4 Jack sentai...and they are screamers, Allocate at least one factory to them. They come early and are really good. The 2nd Jack is the one you want.

You can upgrade a lot of squadrons to the dive bomber lilly...

I would look at Night Fighters as it is a mess. Night Fighters and Kamikazes are where PDU Off really stinks.

I am glad I played PDU off, but never again.[;)] If I were the Allies, and playing scenario 1 PDU off, I would pursue a serious night bombing strategic campaign.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

PDU off:

The problem with going Jill/Judy early is payback. Yes they are improvements, but if the Allies don't play, well then they don't accomplish much in the time frame from when you get them early to when they normally arrive. Getting Grace and Sam are pretty much a better bet. I can't say enough good things about them.

I am glad I played PDU off, but never again.[;)]

+1

Done PDU OFF years ago, never again. being forced to fly Claude/Nate in '45 ... sorry. Even A6M2 in '45 is just not my cup of tea.
[;)]

[fcharton]

December 2nd 1941 (2S 136), later, at the Bavarian Tavern of the Imperial palace

(a typical Bavarian tavern, noisy atmosphere, smoke in the air, chrysanthemum bouquets on the tables, waitresses in schoolgirl uniforms at the bar, an accordion playing “from the halls of Montezuma”)
- … and so, if everything goes as planned, we should be hanging out our washing on Adak island.
- Ten thousand years, your holiness
- Stop calling me that, Eugène! And bring me another pint of that Pratzen Pils
- Aye aye, chief.
Tonight, the Evil Empire is celebrating 2S, the 136th anniversary of the battle of Austerlitz.
According to the French tradition, students of Saint Cyr name their school months from the letters in the name of the battle. School year begins in October, which is A, November is U, and 2S is the second of December. On that very day, a reconstitution of the battle is held in Britanny, in an area which is supposed to look like the Pratzen plateau, and there is quite a bit of merrymaking afterwards.
This Empire, a very Francophile one, choose to follow this tradition a few years ago, but Mount Fuji proved a bad approximation for the battlefield, and the tradition focused instead on the merrymaking, held in the brand new Bavarian Tavern opened in homage to our new nervous friend from Europe, in the basement of the Imperial palace. As for the music, the court historian did choose some French tune, but was apparently unaware it also serves as the USMC anthem.
And this is why, dear reader, this evil empire is celebrating a French victory in a German pub, over American music and Japanese beer, on the eve of a war that, given the lack of preparation, will most certainly end in infamy. Kanpei!


The first turn has been sent. Not everything was done, ship conversions, pilot training, aircraft R&D, and convoys, remain to be seen after, but the orders have been sent and the game is on.

I am going for a conservative and prudent opening. The twelve infantry divisions I can use at game start are split between three theaters.

Two divisions are going to Burma, I am sending two divisions to Burma, the imperial guards and the 55th, minus the 144th infantry regiment, but supplemented by one of the brigades that begin the game in Indochina. This should be enough to take and hold Burma even if my opponent reinforces it a bit. Against tougher opposition, I might need another division, one from Luzon, I think.

Six divisions (2, 4, 5, 18, 38, 56, minus the 146th infantry regiment, replaced by the other Indochinese brigade) are going to Malaysia. The 33rd ID is earmarked for Sumatra. I am landing in Kota Baru and Pattani, and moving south trying to cut off some troops from Alor Star and Georgetown. They will then walk down the peninsula, behind an armored vanguard.

The last three divisions (16, 21 and 48th) and the 65th brigade will be sent to Luzon. The goal is to bottle everybody in Bataan (or Manila, the Allies get to choose) as fast as possible, and free two divisions for action either in Mindanao, or Northern Australia. My objective is to move fast on early objectives, so that many of these troops can be redeployed by late January, to Java, Mindanao, Northern Australia, and the South Pacific, and finish off the basic perimeter. If all goes well, a third phase would then be possible in late March, before the amphibious bonus ends. Overall, the Japanese initial expansion would be done in three steps :
- The basic amenities : Singapore, Manila, Rangoon, Hong Kong, by mid-January
- The comfort zone : Java, Mindanao, Northern Australia, New Guinea, the new Hebrides, maybe, by March
- A third round, to be decided, in Australia, South Pacific, India, Alaska, in March.

This leaves five regiments (144, 146, 41, 124 and the 90th, which I just bought in Korea) for the South Pacific and the Moluccas. I am not quite certain yet who goes where, but my idea is to use them to capture a few important bases (Ambon, Port Moresby), and then to extend my perimeter forward, under air cover from KB, to prevent allied buildup before my third phase expansion. I plan to use these units as vanguards, and perhaps to divert enemy attention. Right now, I have been using first turn invasion TF to rush them around the map to new starting area. I like this way of using the warp TF to adjust the initial OOB.

The rest of the invasions (Borneo, Celebes, Gilberts, from the halls of M to the shores of T) will be left to the marines. A few side shows have already been planned, a base force has been sent to Adak Island, the Wake invasion was reinforced by the Tarawa SNLF. I have had difficulties taking Wake in my previous game, and do not want to lose time there.

PDU Off

I am a PDU Off player, never tried PDU on, but I suspect it is a bit like learning to drive. Once you have learned and own a car, it is hard to imagine one can live without. But this is difficult to understand for those who don’t drive, and yet manage.

My thoughts so far mirror several comments on this thread. What I have noticed in my previous game is that in PDU off, lots of small details matter, and will usually prevent big plans from succeeding: you will miss the engine bonus, some squadron won’t upgrade because you lack an intermediary model, you need to save supplies and convert research factories to produce planes, instead of having them work on the next model. In other words, big lofty plans will not succeed, and you need to keep it simple (and mind the engine bonus, which makes all the difference).

In terms of fighters, I am definitely going for the Frank and Ki-94 II, the Sam A7M2, and accelerating the A6M2 and Oscar lines as much as I can. The rest will be penny-packeted in a mixture of quick and easy wins, and larger investment on lines (Tojo, Tony). More about that in the next installment.

Imperial travels

On the personal level, I have the time to afford a new game as Japan because the company I founded 15 years ago was sold in November, after many months of stressful negotiations. And since my new owners are keeping me with them, and are based in New York City, I get to spend a week there next week.

I should be in town from the 10th to the 15th, staying and working in midtown, and will probably have my evening and some free time. Anyone’s up for a Pratzen beer, to celebrate Austerlitz, Tripoli, Camerone, or the landings in Kota Baru and Appari ? (let me know by PM)

[Aurorus]

In my two recent games, I went directly into the DEI and mostly bypassed Luzon. In one game, I landed nothing at Luzon. In the other game, I landed 2 divisions to take southern Luzon and bottle the allies up at Manila.

I sent KB to Singapore in both games, which precluded the withdrawal of many resources, especially fuel and oil from the DEI. By checking tracker stats against previous games, where I had moved into Palembang in late December and Java in February, I found that moving on the DEI in the first week and threatening Java and Sumatra with CV air provided me an extra 500K fuel over my previous games, where the allied players had been able to extract that fuel from the DEI.

The extent to which you are able to prevent the allies from withdrawing fuel from the DEI, how long Magwe is held, and the loss of oil to sabotage as bases fall and to strategic bombing will determine how much of an issue fuel will be in your game. If the allied player does not make a concerted effort to attack you oil and fuel transports with submarines, does not move on the DEI early for strategic bombing, and if you do not lose much oil to sabotage, fuel will not be a great concern. You will be able to use your fleet liberally.

If, on the other hand, the allied player does make every effort to target your economy, you will be constrained by fuel to some extent, depending upon how effective the allied campaign against your economy is and how much much fuel he is able to extract from the DEI.

[PaxMondo]

Francois,

I would greatly enjoy seeing you next week, but I'm just finishing up with auditors and am so far behind on everything else there is no hope for me to get away. [:(]

Wish you the very best in mid-town. Lots to do this time of year, so you should be able to entertain yourself nicely.

[Rio Bravo]

Francois-

Wrong coast.

Do you think your future business travels might bring you to California.

It would be fun sitting on the back deck with you and Captain Haggard solving all the world's problems over whatever.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[fcharton]

December 7th, 1941

Tokyo, the Imperial Pantry
- … my blue suits, my dark blue suit, my black uniform with the while skulls and the visored cap,
- Chief, you’d better leave this one here. If you wear it in America, questions might be asked. And, er. You’re sure it is such a good idea to leave for a business trip to New York on the opening day of the war?
- Ah come on, Lord High E, we shall be there interpares, I mean indignity, …
- …incognito, chief, incognito,
- … anyway, we are flying Norwegian business, under Swedish passports, our consul in Oslo said we’d pass for travelling Frenchmen, and no one will ever guess we are Japanese,
- I hope so, chief, sure hope so.
- And I really want to visit that aircraft carrier they got in the museum in New York, the Intrepid, CV-11 my guide says, wonder what the 10 previous are, and when they show up in the OOB


The first day of the war was a bit disappointing. I kept most of the initial orders unchanged. KB went for Pearl, all Singora forces were redirected to Pattani, the Wake and Tarawa invasions were merged, and mini KB was sent to the Philippines on naval attack.


Pearl Harbor

The full KB was committed, and sent a coordinated strike at 10 000 feet. Torpedo bombers were all on port attack, dive bombers split evenly between port and airfield. Zeroes were all set to escort. This limits the losses but also the number of enemy aircraft destroyed. We lost 12 Kates and 4 Vals.

Enemy losses were about 25 planes. In terms of ship, the Pennsylvania was lost to a magazine explosion. All other battleships record heavy damage and fires. The Nevada ate six fishes, Maryland and West Virginia four, Tennesse and Oklahoma three (the Tennessee has heavy fires), and Arizone and California two each. All of them are in the yards for a while, but I believe all will survive.

Eight cruisers were damaged. CA New Orleans and CL Phoenix both took two torpedoes, and should be in sore shape. Three destroyers, Preble, McDonough and Monaghan were sunk. While not too bad, I have seen better Pearl attacks.

I am not staying for another day. I have done that in my previous games, and did little damage for lots of losses of good pilots, and I need KB in Wake and the South Pacific soon.

Southern Resource Area

Landings on Batan Island, in Kota Baru and Patani were uneventful. Near Mersing, Force Z was attacked, but Betties only scored two torpedo hits on Repulse. It shows up as sunk, but it obviously is not the case (per victory point increase). I might catch her later at Singapore if she is damaged enough. My bombers from Indochina were just as disappointing, not even bothering to attack Rangoon. I put the blame on weather, enemy B17 did not fly either.

There was one bright piece of news, though. CVL Zuiho, patrolling off Mindanao caught the Boise, and sank her.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,82
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,82
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

On my little list, CA Houston is next…

Overall, this first day ends with five confirmed sinking (Pennsylvania, Boise and three destroyers), and 42 allied planes lost for 35 ours. It is not the best first day I had, but we got the Boise!

R&D musings

While waiting for the turn, I was wondering about R&D and the number of size 30 factories one might want. We all know that there are two phases in R&D: first the factories repair, then they advance the date. Now the repair time is independent of the number of factories one puts to work, and is on average equal to 0.37N, where N is the number of days to delivery of the model, when R&D begins. The acceleration phase depends on the number of factories, if you have U of them, you advance by a month every 50/U days if you have the engine bonus, and 100/U if you do not.

From this, a raw formula can be worked (assuming 30 day months). If the model is N days away, and you put U factories to the job, you will, on average accelerate the model by 0.37NU / (50+30U) if the engine bonus is available, and 0.37NU / (100+30U) if it is not.

Tabulating this in Excel, one notes that increasing the number of factories produce diminishing returns. Assuming the engine bonus, a mid-war plane like the George (due 43/7), will be accelerated by two months if one factory is put at work, by 5 if you use 5 factories, but only by 6 if you put 10 or more. A later plane like the Frank (due 44/1) will accelerate by 3 months with one factory, by 7 with 6 factories, and by 8 months over 12 factories. The A7M2 Sam, due 45/6, will get 5 months with one factory, 12 months with 6, and 14 over 15 factories.

In other words, the farther the plane, the more improvement one gets for putting more factories to the task. This is because the “time to accelerate” (ie the time after all factories are repaired) is longer.

All this seems to suggest the following rules:
1- The number of size 30 factories put to work depends on the delivery date, the earlier the model, the lower the number
2- The correct number (after which one gets very little returns) seems to range between 5 and 10, 5 for mid 43 models, 10 for early 46 ones.
3- A precise value is not especially useful, as randomness in factory repair has a significant impact on the end date.
4- Every factory added costs 30 000 supply points to repair, but as most of them will be turned into production factories at some point in the game (at 30, the 100 factories Japan has can produce 3000 aicraft per month), the R&D supply cost is not necessarily exaggerated.
5- As a result, the general rule would be to research the number of factories one want to put to production in the end.

R&D Plans

Equipped with the above, I built my R&D plans for the war. I am growing or accelerating all the research factories. I might live to regret it, but some of these decisions are taken on the basis that I will need to repair them anyway, to produce the models I am accelerating. Here is the outline (all factories are size 30).

The Zero line gets 8 factories, 5 on the Rufe, to short cut to the A6M5 – A6M8 line, and three on the A6M3, which I intend to convert to production lines for A6M3 and A6M3a (and upgrade), while the five Rufe factories continue R&D.

The Oscar line gets 5 factories, I will probably turn some to production on the way, probably by the IIb.

The Tojo line gets 4 factories, same reasoning as above.

The Nick line gets 3 factories. This is a bit high, but my memories are the Nicks are my best 4E killers in early 43 (when enemy 4E become common). Jack and George get 2 factories each, they are good models, but PDU off offers few upgrades.

The Tony line gets 6 factories, three for the 1a, three for the 1c. In my previous games, the earlier models were not very good, but this is one line I can accelerate a lot, and the later models seem good.

As for later navy fighters, I will have 8 factories on the A7M2 Sam, ad 6 on the A7M3 (which I am told is a good 4E killer).

Finally, the Frank is my heaviest investment, with 7 factories on the Frank-a, 3 on the b, and 10 on the Ki94-II.

Apart from fighters, I am researching two series of night fighters. The Irving, which comes early, and the Randy 1c, chosen for its low service rating. Each has three factories.

Finally, I put three factories each on the Jill, Judy and Grace. Investing on carrier planes is a good scheme : it helps keep the carriers afloat, and even if they are sunk, you still can call the squadrons back, and use the planes from land bases.

I do realize this means a heavy investment in term of production and supplies, and I am not sure it is compatible with scenario one settings. Time will tell.

Industry and shipbuilding

In my game against Spence, I followed a very limited approach to ship building. I stopped all late ships (late meaning late 44), all merchant building, and did not accelerate anything. In compensation, I had a very heavy plane production (and losses). When the game ended, in June 1943, my supply levels were 1.5 million tons higher than at the beginning of the war, and I had almost three million HI in the bank.

In this game, I start with less resources, but pretty much the same potential production. I will cut all merchant production, save transports, and escort carriers. I will also cut navy programs for late 45 and 46, I am not sure where to put the limit, or if some classes (E? DD?) should be spared. I am undecided about accelerating some programs? Should I accelerate carriers? cruisers? destroyers? Any advice on this would be appreciated.

For the rest, I intend to try to cut supply spending by monitoring my air sorties. There is a strong tendency, if you build many planes, to use them every turn, sometimes on useless targets. This costs supplies, and operational losses (which then cost more as they take replacements). Being conservative with my air force, especially level bombers, is one thing I want to try in this game.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: fcharton

In this game, I start with less resources, but pretty much the same potential production. I will cut all merchant production, save transports, and escort carriers. I will also cut navy programs for late 45 and 46, I am not sure where to put the limit, or if some classes (E? DD?) should be spared. I am undecided about accelerating some programs? Should I accelerate carriers? cruisers? destroyers? Any advice on this would be appreciated.

My typical approach to ship-building is to convert some of the smaller merchant shipyards to naval: about 100. I like to accelerate the 1944 CVs until their arrival date is early to mid 1943. I halt work on Musashi and Yamato until the 1944 CVs have been acclerated sufficienty (about 9 months to a year of accelerated production). Then in late 1942, I return the CVs to "normal" and start work on the Musashi at "normal" until its arrival date coincides with the Yamato: about 6 months from the current date. This take me into early 1943. The acclerated CVs will begin appearing in March or April 1943, which will free up some shipyards. At that point, I turn on production for Yamato as well, so that both Yamato and Musashi appear near the end of 1943. They use too much fuel to use throughout the war, but having them as the allied juggernaut begins in 1944 can be helpful, since you will often want to seek out surface combats rather than naval air combats and those 2 BBs are the equal of any 4 allied BBs in surface combat.

I build all DDs and Es and the CLs as well. The CLs are somewhat optional in my opinion, but I prefer to have them to counter Fletchers. I accelerate a few later war CVEs into 1943, and I shut off most merchants. I build all the Tks and AOs. Shutting off all merchant production usually result in a surplus of merchant points (even with accelerating a few CVEs and converting 100 merchant shipyards to naval). I let this surplus build until mid 1942, then shut off all merchant shipyards in excess of what I need to conserve Heavy Industry. This gives me a cushion of merchant points to build cargo ships later if needed. If not, I can shut off all merchant shipyards in 1944, and the surplus is enough to complete the Tks in 1944.

[Rio Bravo]

Francois-

Though you did not destroy many Allied aircraft, you did well heavily damaging Allied ships. All at an extremely minimal cost to you. Accordingly, I think your attack on Pearl was most excellent.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[fcharton]

December 8th 1941

Malaysia

Landings continue unscathed. Enemy air forces seem to have retired southwards. In Pattani, two armored units rush west, to try and cut the road from Alor Star. Infantry is following. If this can be done, there will be two Indian brigades less in Singapore next month.

In Kota Baru, a first deliberate attack did not take the place. This is the first time I see this. The damage done is high, though.

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5005 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 175
Defending force 3774 troops, 40 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 133
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2879 troops, 34 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Defending force 5010 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 164
Allied assault odds: 1 to 4
Japanese ground losses:
238 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Luzon

The Asiatic fleet is sailing south. Mines off Manila Bay damaged a few PT-boats, and a tanker (Mindanao) was sunk by a submarine. Sweeps over Manila and Clark Field shot down about 30 enemy fighters. I will try to bomb Manila tomorrow.

Off the northern coast, I made my first mistake of the war. After invading Batan Island yesterday, I had moved Zeroes to protect my invasion, but forgot to order them to CAP the transports… Enemy Catalinas had a field day.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,70
Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 8
Japanese Ships
xAK Bunzan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Takao Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Japanese ground losses:
430 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


In other news, Makin was captured. This is my only early invasion in the Gilberts, as enemy carriers tend to hunt here.

[fcharton]

December 9th 1941

More tankers

Tankers seem to be leaving Palembang. Today, TK Harpa hit mines, and TK Manvantara, Stryx and Iris were torpedoed. Some of them will sink, I am sure.

Enemy submarines sortying from Manila had less success, SS Swordfish was hit as she targetted attack the Laoag invasion, SS Permit and Salmon was unsuccessful.

Off Luzon, a night naval battle took place, opposing CL Naka and seven destroyers to CA Houston and two destroyers. DD Peary was sunk, for little damage in exchange.

Moluccas first

Sorong and Ternate were invaded today. Ambon should be tomorrow, Manado in two or three days. Instead of going for the Celebes, I am following a Moluccas first strategy. This idea is to cut the link between Australia and Java, in preparation of the invasion of New Guinea, which should happen as soon as Kido Butai is back from Hawaii.

Invasions everywhere

Adak was invaded today, by the seventh Base Force that begins the game in Ominato. It will be reinforced with the 90th Infantry regiment from Korea in a few weeks. I want to take the Aleutians, I am not sure how far I will go, but I see it as an interesting spoiling target: any effort the Allies devote in 1942 to take the Aleutians back divert resources from the South Pacific.

Miri is also about to be invaded. I am not going for Kuching and Singkawang at once. I want the Moluccas first, and mini KB reconstituted. Then I will go for northern Borneo and Palembang.

On Luzon, landings in Appari and Laoag took place, and were not opposed. I am concentrating most of my forces in Appari, to move south to Manila and bottle the Allies in Bataan.

The fall of Kota Bharu

As expected, the second attack took the city. The interesting part was the very high casualties on the other side: two units out of three surrendered. I am not sure I want to pursue the retreating brigade: the track to Temuloh is very slow, so I will probably catch them there anyway.

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4735 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Defending force 3148 troops, 37 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 54
Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!
Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
2735 casualties reported
Squads: 117 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 246 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 40 (40 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 2

[fcharton]

December 10th 1941

New York, the Oyster Bar
- … and I will crush resistance in northern China just like I break the leg of this lobster, hahahaha!
- Quiet, chief, quiet, people are listening. And we are French businessmen, remember?
- Get me more of their local sake, how do you call it?
- Lager, chief, lager, but you had three already, and we have an appointment at the Yale Club in a short while, to discuss engine production.

You get the idea, reader. With such operetta emperors micro-managing the early stage of the war, something ungodly was bound to happen. And happen it did, no later than today. Read on.

Ambushed in Makin

It is a lesson I learned during my very first game. Amphibious landings seldom get attacked while unloading troops. They sometimes do before they hit the beach (very bad), and often do while happily unloading supplies, the day after.

In my second game, I was prudent to limit the unloading time, and let the cargoes and transport leave as soon as possible. But the Imperial visit to New York was a time of general carelessness in the Evil Imperial Head Quarters, and some things got overlooked, and then the Lexington struck.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 136,125
Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
Japanese Ships
xAK Tenyo Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
PB Nagata Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CM Okinoshima, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yunagi

All heavily damaged ships sank later that day, or had to be scuttled. Kido Butai is not very far north, if my opponent is a little too greedy, I might just…

Hard times in Luzon

Off Luzon, the Legaspi landings met the dreaded Catalinas on their way to Atimonian. A transport, a cargo, and half of the Miura detachment was lost.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Catanduanes at 84,80
Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 11
Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAP Haruna Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Japanese ground losses:
1401 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 39 (38 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Lesson learned. I am landing in Legaspi.

North of Luzon, in a series of night engagements, CL Natori was sunk by CA Houston. The Houston is probably damaged, as is one destroyer. However, these naval battles protected the landing beaches, and both Laoag and Appari were captured.

Revenge in Kuching

My opponent probably expected an early landing in Kuching, and had Dutch cruisers waiting. Kuching was visited this morning by Japanese cruisers, and we exacted revenge for the Luzon affair.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 16,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2
Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 43, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Evertsen

Near Palembang, yet another tanker was torpedoes (TK Francol). This is our fourth 5000-ton tanker sunk since the beginning of the war.

More invasions

The landings in Ambon went fine, the 41st infantry regiment will attack tomorrow.

In Wake, a first shock attack reduced the forts, but failed to capture the base. I am resting tomorrow, and attacking the day after.

Ternate was captured.

On the road to Yenan

In China, two divisions and an armored unit crossed the river northwest of Taiyuan, on the road to Yenan, and routed a Chinese corps. I am focusing on one theater at a time. Right now, it is the area from Yenan to Loyang. My objective is to take bases, and damage as many Chinese units as I can, before they have the time to rest their disablements.

Ground combat at 89,39 (near Taiyuan)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 22612 troops, 214 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 769
Defending force 4897 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 129
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
3507 casualties reported
Squads: 118 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 123 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

[fcharton]

December 11th 1941

Insult and injury

Around Laoag, DD Pope and Pillsbury, may they burn in hell, attacked the retiring transports, and sank a cargo and two sub chasers. Later DD Thanet, Thracian and Scout tried to pull the same trick, but found the screen instead, and got slightly damaged. Not the Royal Navy’s finest hour.

In return, two task forces sank four cargoes fleeing Hong Kong, and a pair of marauding destroyers found a Philippine light cargo

In the air, sweeps continued. We shot down 22 enemy planes, for 9 ours.

The Japanese they are coming

Today was a landing day. We hit the beach on Guam, Sorong, Legaspi, Hollandia, Ataipe and Vanimo. Miri was captured, with a little additional damage to the oil and refinery (from 150 to172 damage).

In Hong Kong, a first deliberate attack managed to reduce the forts to level 2, but failed to achieve 1:1 odds. I need a few days to rest the troops.

In Ambon, a shock attack failed to capture the base, but did damage the garrison.


December 12th 1941

A tanker a day

Two tankers were sunk today, the British Sailor, torpedoed off south Borneo, and the Manatawny, to a long lance attack near Balikpapan. So far, seven tankers were disposed of, six of them large one (around 5000 tons).

Between the Jolo sea and Balikpapan, more merchant ships were attacked and sunk, six Philippine light cargoes, and a larger US one (Governor Wright). I do not think my opponent evacuate all of the Asiatic fleet, so I probably have a few opportunities left.

Atoll captures

Guam and Wake fell today, the former easily, the latter with heavy losses from the Maizuru detachment. The Wake invasion will now reimbark for Tarawa. As for Guam, the 144th is sailing to the south seas.

Luzon

Legaspi was captured today. In Appari, reinforcements are landing tomorrow, and Tuguegarao and Vigan should fall tomorrow. Enemy intentions are still unclear : most units seem to concentrate in Clark Field, but Manila still has a sizeable garrison.

In the air, we are still sweeping, lost nine planes today, for 23 enemies, the loss ratio is now getting close to 2:1, which is good.

New Guinea

Hollandia, Aitape and Vanimo were captured. Wewak should be invaded tomorrow. Invasion forces for Manus, Kavieng and Rabaul are still waiting in Truk, waiting for Kido Butai to get closer.

There is little to say about the opening days of war. We are firmly ashore on Luzon. Mindanao was bypassed, but we advanced in the Moluccas: Ternate and Sorong are ours, and Manado should fall tomorrow. Ambon is a few days away. The northern coast of New Guinea is captured. As for Malaysia, a pincer attack on Alor Star is underway, and my armored vanguards are pushing towards Georgetown. Nothing too spectacular, I am afraid, but a decent rate of advance.

[Aurorus]

Often, you can cut off those two brigades in Alor Star with Recon or Armor landed at Patani. However, it is possible for those units to escape if they are able to transition into strat mode in 2 days and are set to strat move on Dec. 7th. This is a very good plan, and the same as I used in my opening against 821Bobo, because it is unlikely that both units, with poor leadership, will be able to enter strat mode in 2 days (it is a leadership check to determine how much time a unit needs to enter strat mode). You will want to bomb those ground units at Alor Star turn every to flip them to combat mode to interdict their movement if they are in move mode. If they are changing over to Strat mode, your bomber raids will not slow them but will be more effective.

If you also invade at Kuantan with 2 brigades, this should shatter the allied units there and accomplish much of what can be accomplished by the Mersing Gambit. There will only be 400 or so AV available to create fortress Singapore. Kuantan also gives you a size 4 airfield in range of Singapore from which to bomb the airfield, destroy British air asset, and prevent the construction of fortifications.

[fcharton]

December 13th 1941

Cruisers on the prowl

Mini-KB, which has been hunting in the Celebes since the beginning of the war, is out of sorties, and will repair to Babeldaob, in order to join with the two light carriers that just arrive from the Home Islands. As the trip through the Celebes sea should not be too dangerous, I detached a cruiser and two destroyers from her screen, and send them raiding Balikpapan, where a number of ships have been detected.

First, they found PG Isabel

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
Allied Ships
PG Isabel, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Then another gunboat, a much stouter one

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
Allied Ships
PG Soerabaja, Shell hits 37, and is sunk

Then a minelayer

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
Allied Ships
CM Prins van Oranje, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

And finally a batch of light cargoes, some of which might survive

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
Allied Ships
xAKL Paz, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAKL Anakan, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 3
xAKL Corregidor, Shell hits 6, heavy fires

Nothing huge, I know, but my little raid was a successful one.

Thunder at the crossroads

In China, the crossroad hex between Tsiaotso and Kaifeng was attacked today, a Chinese corps was sent reeling to Loyang. My early offensives are focusing on the area between Kaifeng and Taiyuan. A column is marching on Yenan and on the road from Taiyuan to Sian. I am concentrating infantry and tanks in Kaoping for action against Tsiatso, and as it seems Chengchow is lightly defended and Loyang is being evacuated, I want to capture those two targets of opportunity.

In doing this, I pursue several objectives. First, several of those bases have light industry, which will help with the supply. In scenario 1, I believe China has to supply itself, and this can only be done if industry producing bases are captured early. Second, I am clearing roads and railroads. Given the size of China, holding the means of transportation is very important. Third, the units defending these areas begin the game with quite a few disablements, if you damage them at once, they will not have the opportunity to restore their strength, and be used in defense of Sian or Lanchow.

Ground combat at 88,43 (near Kaifeng)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16439 troops, 132 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 560
Defending force 4635 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 178
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
504 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1878 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
35th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
Defending units:
98th Chinese Corps

Alor Star

@aurorus, I sent two armored units that landed in Patani on the seventh. My opponent managed to sneak a base force in, and keep the hexside open, but deliberate attack took care of it. Right now, the hex was reinforced by two infantry regiments and assorted artillery and engineers, and another infantry column from Singora is marching on Alor Star by the northern road.

As my tanks are now free, I sent them to Georgetown, which I will attack tomorrow. Two tank regiments operating together on a road tend to advance very fast : attack with one, pursue with the other, then attack with the other while the first one moves in. You clear two hexes in three days.

I have been considering landing in Kuantan, and am still undecided about it. As you say, this provides an air base close to Singapore, but with most of the enemy warships still afloat, I run a risk, and have, with Georgetown, Kota and Taiping, decent bases not too far from Singers.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: fcharton

I have been considering landing in Kuantan, and am still undecided about it. As you say, this provides an air base close to Singapore, but with most of the enemy warships still afloat, I run a risk, and have, with Georgetown, Kota and Taiping, decent bases not too far from Singers.

Very similar to my plan for Malaysia against 821Bobo... cutting off Alor Star and then advancing down the road with 2 armored units. If you do not land at Kuantan, I would bomb those allied troops there daily to flip them to combat mode and interdict their movement. You may be able to cut the rail-line to Singapore with your armor before they reach the railhead.

[fcharton]

The war has been raging, we just played the 23rd of December, so here is a longish catch-up post.
December 14th 1941

Naughty Aussies

I had planned to coordinate all invasions of New Guinea north coast. Everything went as planned for the three landings in Hollandia, Aitape and Vanimo, but the Wewak force was delayed, and only landed yesterday. This gave the enemy enough time to react, and CL Adelaide attacked Wewak, and sank three cargoes.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAKL Taiyu Maru, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide

This didn’t prevent Wewak from being captured today.
Kido Butai is on its way, the next series of invasion will be under air cover.

Invasions in the making

Georgetown fell to my first deliberate attack. The two indian brigades from Alor Star are cut off.
In Ambon and Hong Kong, deliberate attacks reduced the forts (to levels 0 and 1) and achieved 1:1 odds. In Hong Kong, attacks will continue tomorrow. In Ambon, the troops need a day rest.


December 15th 1941

In Hong Kong, another deliberate attack destroyed the forts and achieved 2:1 odds. The city should fall tomorrow. In China, we captured Kweiteh and the hex south of Yenan. I am concentrating two divisions and a brigade to cross the river, but before that, I want the clear the road from Taiyuan to Sian, to protect my supply lines.


December 16th 1941

Slow-mo in Borneo

On the north coast of Borneo, Miri was captured early, and Kudat fell today. The invasion force for Kuching is now off Miri, waiting. My opponent seems to want to make a stand, and keeps sending light naval forces at the escort. Today, we found , and damaged CL Mauritius. She doesn’t show up as sunk, but she should be in a sore state.

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 5
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nowaki
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 4, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 1
DD Encounter, Shell hits 1
DD Isis, Shell hits 3

My Nells in Saigon have found another task force, around the Marblehead, sent our way. Bring them on, we have ammo left!

Chinese take away

Chengchow fell today, the chinese corps garrisoning it was mauled and retreated to Loyang, which seems to have been evacuated. It should fall in a few days. If my troops from Kaoping (two divisions and two tank regiments) manage to take Tsiaotso, I will hold all the Loyang area before Christmas.

I am experimenting with a new strategy, in China. In my previous games, I tended to scatter my units, and attack in many places, to catch a lot of Chinese units in their starting positions. In late December, I would be on the offensive pretty much everywhere in China. In this game, I am trying to concentrate my units in stacks 500-1000 AV strong, reinforced with tanks when possible, and target larger stacks and bases, at better odds. The rationale is that whereas “small victories” tend to disable enemy squads, those larger battles tend to destroy them, and a destroyed squad is much more costly to replace for the supply-strapped KMT.

So far, this seems to be working, here are a couple of recent results :

Chengchow today :
Allied ground losses:
1824 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 69 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 18 (7 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Hwainan today
Allied ground losses:
284 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Yenan yesterday
Allied ground losses:
863 casualties reported
Squads: 70 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (8 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1

On the other side of China, Hong Kong fell today. The installations are damaged, I am repairing the shipyards and the heavy industry.

Ambon falls

This is the good news for today. An Air HQ and a base force are on their way, together with transports to take the 41st regiment to his next destination (either Koepang or Horn Island). Namlea should be invaded soon.

As I mentioned previously, I am interested in taking the Moluccas and New Guinea and maybe a few Australian bases around the Torres Straits as early as possible. My idea is to isolate the Celebes the south coast of Borneo and Java. Like Mindanao, they can wait. I alos want to build a strong presence in the area between Ambon and Milne Bay.


December 17th 1941

Between Kuching and Miri, the allies keep coming at our invasion forces. But the screening forces do their job. There is no moon today, so all combat takes place at close quarters, which, I believe, favors my heavier cruisers.

The night begin with an inconclusive engagement between the screen and CA Houston.

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 4
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 2

Then CL Marblehead pops in, and gets surprised, and sunk

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 27, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Barker
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 1
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart

And another Japanese cruiser division hunts the Marblehead screen

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
DD Barker, Shell hits 1
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Into the day

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
DD Barker, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 5, on fire


December 18th 1941

A quiet day. In Hong Kong, the minefield is being cleared, and fleeing cargoes are sunk by Betties from Formosa. We land in Namlea, Taytay and Manus, all should fall tomorrow. KB is now in position off Kavieng. Invasions in this area are about to begin.

Around Kuching, no more enemy task forces are detected, and the screen is low on ammunition. I am taking my chances and sending the transports in.


December 19th 1941

Today was invasion day. Namlea and Taytay, invaded yesterday, are captured. Kavieng, Brunei, Kuching and Tarawa are invaded, Tarawa is captured.

The enemy doesn’t seem to contest the landings in Kuching (I have battleships around, too).

In China, on the road from Taiyuan to Sian, a Chinese corps is defeated. This protects my advance on Yenan, which should resume in a few days.

December 20th 1941

Manus and Kavieng are captured. Fischhafen, Malang, Rabaul and Shortlands are next on my little list.

In Borneo, Kuching falls to my first attack. The base will be reinforced. Mini-KB is on its way, to prepare for the invasion of Singkawang.

On Luzon, Bayombong and San Fernando are captured. This will be my defensive line until the 4th division, now landing in Appari arrives. Then, I will try to capture Manila and put siege on Clark Field. In the meantime, spoiling raids on Lingayen and Iba will take place.


December 21st 1941

The fall of Tsiaotso

My troops from Kaoping, a division, a mixed brigade and two tank regiments, arrived yesterday, attacked today, and disposed of the two enemy corps in short order.

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 18366 troops, 140 guns, 194 vehicles, Assault Value = 694
Defending force 9198 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 281
Japanese adjusted assault: 466
Allied adjusted defense: 142
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

Japanese ground losses:
507 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4758 casualties reported
Squads: 101 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 101 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2

East of Tsiaotso, an empty Loyang is captured.
North of Tsiaotso, on the road to Sian, another Chinese corps is defeated.

With the Loyang area under Japanese control, and the supply line to Yenan open, operations will now concentrate on Yenan and the north (the Paotow Kweisui area), and clearing the plains between Loyang and Nanyang in the south of the Yellow River. I am not rushing on Sian, as my supply lines are not secure enough (lots of units still roaming in the plains).

I am quite satisfied with my early advance in China. Without reinforcements from the Kwantung Army (since we are PP for borders), I am moving faster than in my previous game against Spence.

[Aurorus]

Have you been able to prevent the forces at Kuantan from withdrawing and reinforcing the Singapore garrison?

[fcharton]

No, but the Alor Star garrison was bottled, and is in the process of being eliminated.

December 22nd 1941

Silent, and discreet, service

Except for the tankers sunk on the first days of the war, my submarines never managed to hit anything so far. Today, off Lahaina, I-3 hunted her hunter, and sank DD Ward.

I need a submarine strategy. I want to use them in three roles: recon and attacks on “deep” bases, forward defense of my bases, and as a concentrated strike force.

The northern blockade

In the Aleutians, I hold Adak, with a base force, and have autocaptured Atka, Great Sitkin and Ulak. Reinforcements are on their way, a regiment and an engineer unit, both bought from Korea, together with fuel and supplies. In a few weeks, I will probably send a small unit or two to invade empty bases in the area. I do not intend to reinforce too much, but the more enemy resources I can divert north, the better.

A squadron of Mavises (Maves? Mavii?) has been providing, and has been detecting enemy warships around Cold Harbor. Since a few days, a couple of destroyers and one cruiser seem to be blockading Adak. I lack the airfield and the CD guns to oust them, so my reinforcements are waiting for a light cruiser SAG to arrive, and open the way.

North China

Two columns, each about two divisions in size, are progressing, one on the road to Yenan, the other on the road from Taiyuan to Sian. A third column left Kweisui a few days ago, and has been marching north, to clear the KMT units in the area. Today, they routed the 11th Chinese corps. I am going to pursue, rout them again, and then turn to the units south of Kweisui. Their goal, just as in the Yellow river plain, is to destroy as many squads as possible, while the main offensive, towards Sian, rolls on.

Mindanao on the cheap

Today, we landed in Zamboanga. I am sending small units to Mindanao, in the hope of capturing small bases and concentrating the enemy over one or two (central) bases. This leaves me vulnerable to a counter offensive, but so far, in Burma, Malaysia and on Luzon the enemy has been obliging.

In other news, we have been invading Tabiteua, Ocean and Nauru in the Pacific, and landing in Puerto Princessa and Jolo, around the Sulu sea.