Aztez (Allies) vs Erstad (Japan)

[aztez]

Scenario 16 on vanilla map

Allied/Jap sub doctrines off
Allied damage control on
Weather on
Fog of war on
Player defined upgrades off
Variable setup off (probably doesn't affect 16 anyway)
Variable reinforcements (+/- 15 days)

Turn cycle will be 3 day turns.

This AAR thread is open to both sides.

House rules:

1) No advancing towards India before Singapore has fallen.

2) 4) If and when Singapore has fallen the assault on India can begin. The house rule with this is that enemy cannot occupy Karachi. Everything else is a fair game. (This to make game more realistic)

3) If IJN chooses to assault Russia than he must activate them 1 month prior to the attack.

4) ASW TF has nomore than 6 ships.

5) Submarines are limited to having max. 2 vessels in a single TF.

6) No moving troops out of China without paying PP for both sides.)
Yes, for restricted commands (so, for example, PP must be paid to move Kwangtung Army ground units to China). Same with Allied chinese forces and Japanese chinese forces moving out of Japan. (Air units in China/Manchuria can conduct ops across the border, though)

7) CV’s cannot have CAP higher than 40%. This will reduce the so called uber CAP and give opponent better chance of hitting anything with his bombers. You still can make a death star CV TF if chosen to do so.
Mostly OK. Let's make it 40% average within the TF (so if I have some CVs doing LRCAP I can beef up the others). Also, CVEs in a transport TF should be exempt. Finally, since I'm not familiar with the potential consequences of this rule, could we go 50%.

8) Allied side can not issue any orders to LCU's in PHI in 1st turn.


That is pretty much it. The first turn is underway and we will get results soon.

I think we will have an intresting game on our hands.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Good luck my friend ! 3 days turns .. i'm addicted to 2 day ones once i got used to them so the differance will be fun to see.

Couple of points though .. will you adjust the ASW max when the next patch arrives as im using the beta one and ASW combat is far far better then usual. really good fun to watch too.

I cant undrestand the max CAP level though. if your able to LR cap at 100% but only normal cap at 40% this could be horrible.It does apear a little contived imo. but i'm prepared to be proved wrong .. actually NIK's mod allows for a lot more leakers in CV-CV combat .. might you want to try this ? and then you can use normal cap rules.

as ever i wish you luck !

[Sardaukar]

3-day turns !! You are way braver than I am !! [8D]

[aztez]

Report from 8th through 14th of December 1941


Central Pacific


The Battleship row is not a pretty sight. Most of US BB’s are at +90 sys damage.

KB did not launch any follow up offensives againts Pearl Harbour. Neither has there been any reported invasion at Wake Island nor Midway.

The good news is that 4 Japanese submarines are confirmed sunk near Pearl Harbour. According to our intelligence Japanese navy is withdrawing towards Home Islands.

MSW Penguin encountered the whole KB North of Wake Island. Needless to say that these brave men are now fish food.


North Pacific


This operational theatre has been peaceful.


China


Large Japanese bombing runs all over China. Targets so far include: Changsa, Ichang etc.

Chinese airforce is standing down at the moment.

No ground offensives have been made by neither side.


Philippines


Heavy air raids againts Manila & Clark Field.

Japanese landings have been made at Lingayen and Aparri. These bases are being build up by the enemy engineers.

Allied side have lost 3 submarines in this region.

The fleeing transport ships from Manila have been assaulted by the Mini KB. Few ships are being confirmed sunk.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


There has been invasions at Tarawa, Guam and Kavieng. These bases are now occupied the Japanese infantry.


Malaya Peninsula



Heavy aircampaign againts Singapore has started. It seems that Japanese airforce is gaining upper hand.

Force Z was also spotted by the enemy LBA’s. Prince of Wales was hit by couple of bombs but only sustained minor damage. This TF is heading to undisclosed location.

Elsewhere Japanese army advancing all over the northern part of the Peninsula. Allied troops are moving to defensive positions.


DEI


No invasions by the enemy. However 2 separate Japanese TF has been spotted. Allied intelligence expects couple of landings in following few days.


India & Burma


It has been reported that Japanese infantry units are moving inside Burma. Obvious targets include Rangoon and Mandalay.

[aztez]

Report from 15th through 17th of December 1941


Central Pacific


The bad news is that Wake Island has been invaded by the Japanese army.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3255 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1932 troops, 44 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
1044 casualties reported
Guns lost 33


KB also sunk an allied convoy South west of Palmyra...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 53
B5N Kate x 64

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hugh L. Scott, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP President Coolidge, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


According to spokesperson for allied HQ there are defensive measures taken in entire region for any further Japanese invasions.


North Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:]


China


Japanese airforce continue their bombardment campaign.

No significant ground offensives to speak of.


Philippines


Heavy air raids againts Manila & Clark Field continue.

4 Allied DD's. are sunk by Betty's and Kate's.

Laong has been invaded by the IJN.

Radio messages also tell that Japanese are invading Davao...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Davao, 41,61, firing at TF 155
TF 155 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 41,61


227 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yamakaze
AK Yoneyama Maru, Shell hits 3
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Yamaura Maru, Shell hits 2
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1
AK Syozin Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Seizan Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kawakaze
AP Miyadono Maru

Japanese ground losses:
1482 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Baker Island is now in enemy hands. This small island was unoccupied.


India & Burma

Japanese troops are nearing Tavoy.


Malaya Peninsula


Singapore has recieved daily visits from Japanese Airforce.

Alon Star has fallen to the enemy.

Allied infantry men are forming new defensive line in this region.

[Sardaukar]

This will get interesting...never seen AAR with 3-day turns before... Probably makes battles lot more interesting...esp sea battles.

[Feinder]

Erstad is a wiley one.

Good luck.



-F-

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Erstad is a wiley one.

Good luck.



-F-

Yes, Erstad really seems quite capable opponent. At the moment I'am still suprised that he hasn't rushed his invasions but I have a bad feeling that "storm" will soon break out.

Philippines is the best bet and I don't know what he is up to in China either.

3 day turns are a bit strange at the moment but on the other hand this turn cycle has already resulted to some unexpected events which would not have happened in slower pace.

[Rob Brennan UK]

I would imagine 3 days turns really make you think long and hard abour invading anywhere [:)].. the potential for disater is 3x as bad. and as allies be very very careful with your carriers as this is a very real danger for you.

[Sardaukar]

Yes, I think both players will have to think *real* carefully what they are doing with their major surface forces. Having ships pounded from air by 3 days can be either *bad* or...*really bad*...[8D]

[Sardaukar]

But to add...with 3-day turns there is actually a chance to complete one PBEM during one's lifetime...[:D]

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

But to add...with 3-day turns there is actually a chance to complete one PBEM during one's lifetime...[:D]

This actually is key fact [:D] I can't imagine of getting any PBEM's done if I would run 1 day turns. I guess it would take around 4-5 five years to get to the end [&:]

Yes, I think 3 day turns will make you pay for mistakes! As Sardaukar said it is a disaster if your fleet or invasion TF will pounded 3 days in a row.

[aztez]

Report from 18th through 22nd of 1941


Central Pacific


Nothing significant to report.


North Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:][>:]


China


Intresting. There is still no ground offensives made by the Japanese.



Philippines


There is currently 22 enemy units at Lingayen. I have no idea what kind of force he has there but I think I’am in trouble.

Heavy bombing campaigns continue againts Manila.

Japanese forces also capture San Marcelino.



Australia, NZ & South Pacific


The first raid againts Rabaul was made. This means that the invasion is imminent.

Nanomea Atoll was captured by Japanese commando raid.

Otherwise it has been peaceful.



Malaya Peninsula


Khota Baru is now occupied by the Japanese army.

Erstad has also landed few troops to Johore Baru. This seems to be somekind of a “commando” force too.

Allied HQ has not commented news coming from this sector.


India & Burma


Japanese troops are slowly moving ahead in Burma.



DEI


Kuching recieved heavy naval bombing in past few days.

First wave of Japanese infantry has also landed there.

[Sardaukar]

I think you can kiss Philippines goodbye if he starts really rolling there...[;)]

[Rob Brennan UK]

Does look like a massed " lets kill the PI soon" strategy. Get them PT boats being as annoying as possible round there[;)]

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: aztez


Erstad has also landed few troops to Johore Baru. This seems to be somekind of a “commando” force too.

Paratroops. (You can tell because they shock attacked the first time they showed up. ). The way units were retreating down the Malay peninsula I thought maybe I'd catch Johore Bharu empty and trap those three or four units still coming from the east side. Wrong, you still had the BF there, and it held. Same thought process that led me to drop on Naga. Should have reconned first, but I got greedy. (One of the things about 3 day turns is that it's easy to get impatient and not wait the three days).

In case anyone's wondering - aztez gave me permission to peruse the AAR, at least for the time being.

[aztez]

Patience is indeed important in this game [:)]

Last turn was good for Erstad.


Report from 23rd through 25th of December 1941'


Allied HQ announced to the press that operation Sword has been accepted.
This operation includes detailed plans on how the enemy will handled in whole Pacific theatre.

British and Chinese governments have also signed up for these guidelines.




Central Pacific


Few IJN submarines still seem to be lurking around Pearl Harbour.


North Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:][>:]


Philippines


Intelligence indicates that there are 43 enemy units at San Marcelino. Hell break loose soon enough here.

Japanese forces capture Tuguegarao and Cotabato.

Heavy airstrikes still reported on Manila.



Australia, NZ & South Pacific


KB showed up west of Canton Island. This resulted to 1 allied troop transport convoy being sunk.


Day Air attack on TF at 104,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
D3A Val x 52
B5N Kate x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Minnesotan, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Y. Williams, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kilty, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vincent, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Absaroka, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Exmoor, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Charles H Cramp, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Jacob Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Chickasaw City, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Honomu, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
678 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

I paid the price for not knowing where the KB was positioned.


Malaya Peninsula


As Erstad stated Japanese paratroopers have not been able to block the retreating allied
troops.

Kuala Lumpur fell to the enemy.

As usual Singapore recieved quite a lot of attention from Japanese airforce.


India & Burma


The spearhead of Japanese advance is at Tavoy. Needless to say that base is nomore in allied control.

DEI


Enemy seems to be strenghtening it forces at Davao.

Kuching also fell to a large scale Japanese assault.


Ground combat at Kuching

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20215 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1488 troops, 5 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuching base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
1443 casualties reported

[Rob Brennan UK]

OUCH .. what was abord the convoy ? very nasty losses . can you get some ashore to at least rebuid ?

Hope plans work out better elsewhere.. yikes KB can really motor it in 3 day turns .. even on normal its what ? 5/2 x3 21 hexes at worst.. looks like recon in this game will be worthless [;)]. by the time you get the reports the action's over .. well at least thats historical [;)]

[erstad]

I did feel guilty about sinking the Minnesotan, though, since Minnesota is my home state (in the US).

I promise to also feel bad when I sink the Minneapolis

[aztez]

Ouch indeed... The cargo was valuable and there is nothing to be put ashore since every single ship in that TF was sunk.

[:D]... KB can real pain in the ass but they will find their destiny soon enough [:D]

Eherm... CA Minneapolis wohn't be sunk... You can watch though in the victory parade in Tokyo once allied side has invaded it! [:D]


Report from 26th through 28th of December 1941


Central Pacific

Nothing to report.


North Pacific


[>:][>:]


Phillippines


Erstad is really getting ready to launch massive offensive here. The first enemy units have now moved to Clark Field.... and it seems that there +40 units on their way.

Manila is still being bombed.

Japanese troops also have now captured: Zamboanga and Vigan.

I also tried an gamble here with my "Dutch" navy and unfortunately I paid the price...


Day Air attack on TF at 34,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *scuttled*
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Alden


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


[>:][>:]


Malaya Peninsula


Intensive bombings againts Singapore.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 48

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 21


Kuantan and Malacca are also captured by the enemy.


India & Burma


[>:][>:][>:]


DEI


Nothing significant to report.


China


Air raids sirens sound is heard all over the country. No detailed reports are coming from this region.