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RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums)

 
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RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 5/31/2013 7:55:41 PM   
Lokasenna


Posts: 629
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: online 		I'm siding with the bird-boy on this one. I think it's time to start leaving. At this point, he's just going to begin cratering base after base within 4E range. If your units and support can't keep 180 planes in the air after 3x15 P-38s, it's time to go.

I would not waste fuel by running KB around. Use them to cover your withdrawal, or to chase the US CVs if they show up (but don't chase too far). I would run some Fast Transport TFs (old DDs and APDs for troops, the PBs with 1k capacity for supplies) into Luganville to try to ease the withdrawal by allowing Av Supp to repair damaged planes, as well as having the ships on hand for LCU exits from Koumac. I would even use CLs and CAs in the Koumac withdrawal for their higher levels of troop capacity.

For your fighter units with operational planes, fly them out. If the disband button for the damaged planes isn't red, then after the ready planes fly out disband the unit so you get the planes into your pools. Maybe you don't do this right away, maybe you do - that's up to you (and maybe Chickenboy can advise...I don't have practical experience here).

So where to hold him next? It will take him time to consolidate his position on New Caledonia and get those divisions out (how many xAPs and APs have you sunk? He may not be able to move them out more than 1 or 2 at a time). You've built up Luganville - he'll probably use it for a 4E base next, which pretty much shunts you back to the Rabaul area as the next feasible MLR. Can you delay him using it as a base? If so, that might be worthwhile. Perhaps not worth a division, but maybe a brigade or regiment that isn't combined into a parent unit (or can't do so) plus high level fortifications to hide behind, and only if you can give them a large stockpile of supply. Otherwise, I think your time south of Rabaul is over. Don't mourn it - you're way ahead of the historical timeline, now try to keep it that way by salvaging what resources you can for the next MLR.

PS - he starts to get LSTs and other amphibious assault ships into his OOB soon, over the next 6 months or so.

PPS - you will start getting Std-A, Std-B, and Std-C ships from your merchant shipyards in early '43 (if you haven't accelerated them or stopped their construction). These should all (or almost all) be converted into TKs, in my opinion. I don't think the Std-D and -E classes are worth building. These might be the most important ships, other than standard TKs, in your merchant queue.

(in reply to inqistor)
Post #: 121
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/3/2013 2:40:22 AM   
leehunt27@bloomberg.net


Posts: 321
Joined: 9/6/2004
Status: offline 		Well, I think you guys are right. Time to walk away in New Caledonia. Just got back from camping over the weekend but I am going to post an assessment of the damage inflicted versus received and other lessons from this campaign experience in a day or two. While its not over, it feels like the beginning of the end and time to play the Japanese cards very carefully, deciding who to save, who to let go, and how much to risk slowing him down...

_____________________________

John 21:25

(in reply to Lokasenna)
Post #: 122
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/3/2013 5:22:26 AM   
Emmor


Posts: 13
Joined: 3/25/2013
From: Kansas, live in Texas
Status: offline 		Chicken Boy is wise in the ways of the JFB. Listen to his advice. You smacked the Arries around a bit, let's hope you can run away without losing your hide. You have made him pay a high price to get started and kept him at bay longer than history. Hopefully you have a good fall back line because your opponent will commence the pounding with 4Es as you have already tasted.

(in reply to leehunt27@bloomberg.net)
Post #: 123
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/5/2013 8:14:26 PM   
leehunt27@bloomberg.net


Posts: 321
Joined: 9/6/2004
Status: offline 		Thanks Lokasenna and Emmor.

I am implementing these practical suggestions as the Japanese withdraw, towards the Rabaul area. Larger assessment of the costs/benefits of this campaign coming, just too busy with work last few days :(

_____________________________

John 21:25

(in reply to Emmor)
Post #: 124
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/6/2013 5:53:15 PM   
leehunt27@bloomberg.net


Posts: 321
Joined: 9/6/2004
Status: offline 		As the last Zeroes fly out of Luganville ahead of another scorching B-17 raid, I thought it time to share a Damage Report from the campaign for New Caledonia. Since I posted on the forum asking for help, I've received immensely helpful strategic and tactical advice from many of you. In a way, you can take credit for much of the successes listed below (i'll take credit for learning fast).

Since August, 1942 till early October 1942, the US & Imperial forces concentrated their war efforts on this narrow corner of the south Pacific near Noumea. Japanese troops landed at Koumac and rushed to Noumea only to be stopped cold by fortified US divisions and reinforcements. The ensuing air, land and sea battle has lasted two months and cost both sides heavy losses. And if I can get one more resupply convoy into the 1200 AV worth of troops still on New Caledonia, it might cost the USA a game changing amount of time so far south.

New Caledonia Campaign specific losses:

USA: ---------------------Japan:
1 CVE --------------------------- 1 CVL
7 BB's --------------------------- 2 BB's (rest damaged under repair)
19 cruisers -----------------------7 cruisers
18 DD's ---------------------------20 DD's
6 APD's ---------------------------5 APD's
36 AK or AP's--------------------- 25 AK's
10 subs ---------------------------4 subs
---------------------------------- 5 TK's

Aircraft losses unknown, but I would say the Allies are approximately 250 aircraft "ahead" in this arena. The B-17's were nearly invincibile.

On the ground, my opponent now has six US divisions at La Foa outside Noumea, facing 2 Japanese divisions and some SNLF forces. One US division, the Americal, was cut in half during repeated deliberate attacks. It may still take a long time for the US to break through, even without air and sea support. Koumac is guarded heavily as well to prevent an "Inchon" style landing.

So that's a quick summary of where things stand.

Was the campaign in New Caledonia worth it? For me, I learned an incredible amount and hopefully inflicted enough delay and damage on the Allies to justify the effort. I will probably lose the 1200 AV on the island eventually, but it may take weeks or months for the US to clear the area. My opponent is very good and aggressive so we shall see.

Not only have I hopefully delayed my opponent 3-9 months, I also know where he is and his limited options now. With six divisions at La Foa, and no naval superiority yet, how time consuming and realistic is it for the Allies to make a major push in the North Pacific? The DEI? Burma? The KB can still scare him off of amphibious moves, till late 1943 at least. Meanwhile the Japanese are digging in deeper and deeper behind the Pacific Rim...






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by leehunt27@bloomberg.net -- 6/7/2013 1:52:26 PM >

_____________________________

John 21:25

(in reply to leehunt27@bloomberg.net)
Post #: 125
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/7/2013 1:53:05 PM   
leehunt27@bloomberg.net


Posts: 321
Joined: 9/6/2004
Status: offline 		sorry bump I posted the picture and damage reports all skewed, now fixed

< Message edited by leehunt27@bloomberg.net -- 6/7/2013 2:26:00 PM >

_____________________________

John 21:25

(in reply to leehunt27@bloomberg.net)
Post #: 126
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/19/2013 12:18:22 AM   
leehunt27@bloomberg.net


Posts: 321
Joined: 9/6/2004
Status: offline 		October 21st, 1942

The campaign for New Caledonia is in the bottom of the 8th inning, I'd say. Six American divisions NW of Noumea at La Foa finally, after many deliberate failed attacks, pushed out my weary, low supply Japanese infantry. The Imperial Guard, 38th division and a bunch of zero strength SNLF's are high tailing it to Koumac, where 225 AV resides with minimal supply. Fast transport cruisers and destroyers are running a Tokyo supply Express from Tulagi back and forth.

Within days the Koumac garrison will be around 1200 AV, against 2200 American AV. Strangely, my opponent stopped at La Foa and has not pursued my retreating troops up the road. I'm mystified by this decision but I'm not complaining! Maybe the recently victorious American troops were beat up and needed a break, supply and some new prepping work.

Thankfully as well my opponent has ignored Luganville and several convoys of AP's that have evacuated nearly 20,000 troops from that now doomed outpost. I'll still leave 200-300 AV at Luganville to make the 800 victory point location a grind to capture. But I've managed to evacuate 3 HQ's, 1 full division, 5 AV units and 5 construction units without air superiority and without a scratch. A minor miracle. I guess now that my opponent cleared the skies around Luganville he has focused completely on bombing the heck out of Koumac and my troops there.


Elsewhere the war is going well, but I can fill in those details later. The sub campaign east of Hawaii is having tremendous results. I know again many disagree with that policy, but we're talking 30-40 AK's sunk in the last 3 months!




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

John 21:25

(in reply to leehunt27@bloomberg.net)
Post #: 127
RE: Caledonia Strategic Dilemma (continued from Forums) - 6/19/2013 9:28:16 AM   
btbw

 

Posts: 313
Joined: 11/1/2011
Status: offline 		You will never again have so good position for defeat Allied troops. From this point you will only lose without payback.

(in reply to leehunt27@bloomberg.net)
Post #: 128
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