That naval-battle might just have turned the entire pacific-war around 
And great job sinking carriers!
And great job sinking carriers!
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Roman_legion said:That naval-battle might just have turned the entire pacific-war around
And great job sinking carriers!
Though sinking the carriers was a nice start, Remble still has a loooooong way to go. Not only does the US still have hordes of them remaining (can't relie too much on last report as only a couple spies) they still have their battleships to contest. They also have a higher IC, free market economy, and the difficulty rating helps them greatly. It's no midway I'm afraid.
I do however, believe Remble can take out the Americans navy and that its just a matter of time.
Panzer6 said:I do however, believe Remble can take out the Americans navy and that its just a matter of time.
I agree to your terms, but even if he conqueres the pacific Europe might be the problem. Because Germany won't last long any more. In creek without a paddle there still was an ally he could assist in the middle- and late-game.
Nice move by Yunnan. Though the "my enemies enemy is my friend"-principle does not apply here, I still hope you can spare some IC to produce a Thank you-card and a box of candy.
Regarding the battle in the south east Mariana basin, I don't think any of the damage to your ships was caused by the the USS Essex. Judging by the damage, the only thing airborne coming from that hulk was the captains parrot.
I'm looking forward to see, how many supplies you get from Chongqing. Will the next Chinese capital also receive a supply you can pl... put to use for your industry?
Regarding the battle in the south east Mariana basin, I don't think any of the damage to your ships was caused by the the USS Essex. Judging by the damage, the only thing airborne coming from that hulk was the captains parrot.
I'm looking forward to see, how many supplies you get from Chongqing. Will the next Chinese capital also receive a supply you can pl... put to use for your industry?
The Soviet Union canceled all trades?!
Uh-oh...
Especially since I studied the Soviet AI, and it looks like it's programmed to kill Japan if it's ever at war with Germany. So...odds are...your attempts at staying the war are only delaying the inevitable.
Uh-oh...
Especially since I studied the Soviet AI, and it looks like it's programmed to kill Japan if it's ever at war with Germany. So...odds are...your attempts at staying the war are only delaying the inevitable.
Maj. von Mauser - Thank you. If Yunnan is still around at xmas I will send then a card. Somehow I don't think it will be sent though
Mangudai - It had to be done. The Chinese have shown almost no inclination to counter attack at all so I figured that even if I had lost the troops would be safe.
germanpeon - Thank you. Burma will have to wait for my new infantry to be produced before it gets much help. Some forces are already being redployed to the region but nowhere near enough to halt the British. I have some other possible plans to mess them up as well but those shall remain a state secret for now
Hermann Steiner - The Soviets will come sooner or later but I should be safe until next year. Europe is still falling apart but fairly slowly for now and I will provide an update in the end of month report.
Roman_legion - Finally managing to sink a fleet is very good progress certainly, but as Panzer6 pointed out, they can produce carriers at an alarming rate and they still have most of their Battleships, which I consider a far worse threat than Carriers. Unless I see a mega Carrier stack I tend not to worry about them too much as they have a very big night time weakness.
Panzer6 - Oh I can sink the one they have now, but the next one will be a lot more modern and a lot harder to sink.
Hermann Steiner - Aye there will be nothing left of the Axis by 1945 I think. The New Year will also bring the threat of Soviet tanks to my puppets in the north. I am really very grateful to be on an island which can protect me for a very long time so long as I keep the IJN afloat.
Sokraates - It could have been the light carriers that damaged Yamato but even a damaged Carrier still hurts even though it should not be able to. Plundering a capital only gives a percentage of the stockpile so successive captures will all reap rewards. The only time you get the entire stockpile is through annexation.
Kyronea - I was sure it would cancel them at some point as the efficiency was all over the place. Hopefully they will be slightly more hospitable when Germany is no longer. I agree completely that they will come for Japan and probably sooner than I would like.
Update to follow ...
Mangudai - It had to be done. The Chinese have shown almost no inclination to counter attack at all so I figured that even if I had lost the troops would be safe.
germanpeon - Thank you. Burma will have to wait for my new infantry to be produced before it gets much help. Some forces are already being redployed to the region but nowhere near enough to halt the British. I have some other possible plans to mess them up as well but those shall remain a state secret for now
Hermann Steiner - The Soviets will come sooner or later but I should be safe until next year. Europe is still falling apart but fairly slowly for now and I will provide an update in the end of month report.
Roman_legion - Finally managing to sink a fleet is very good progress certainly, but as Panzer6 pointed out, they can produce carriers at an alarming rate and they still have most of their Battleships, which I consider a far worse threat than Carriers. Unless I see a mega Carrier stack I tend not to worry about them too much as they have a very big night time weakness.
Panzer6 - Oh I can sink the one they have now, but the next one will be a lot more modern and a lot harder to sink.
Hermann Steiner - Aye there will be nothing left of the Axis by 1945 I think. The New Year will also bring the threat of Soviet tanks to my puppets in the north. I am really very grateful to be on an island which can protect me for a very long time so long as I keep the IJN afloat.
Sokraates - It could have been the light carriers that damaged Yamato but even a damaged Carrier still hurts even though it should not be able to. Plundering a capital only gives a percentage of the stockpile so successive captures will all reap rewards. The only time you get the entire stockpile is through annexation.
Kyronea - I was sure it would cancel them at some point as the efficiency was all over the place. Hopefully they will be slightly more hospitable when Germany is no longer. I agree completely that they will come for Japan and probably sooner than I would like.
Update to follow ...
Stemming the Tide
12
0500 August 16th 1944.
Diplomatic Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Energy levels were reaching the critical level with just over 1000 tons remaining in Japan's stockpile. Some more Diplomacy would be required to keep the industry running.
Mamoru reached an agreement with Venezuela that would increase Japan's energy reserves by roughly 800 tons in exchange for a large quantity of rare materials.
The German Ambassador arrived shortly after Mamoru had completed his trade with Venezuela. Several techonlogical blueprints were handed over with nothing required in return. Most were of no immediate use but could come in handy at a later date.
0200 August 18th 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Palau.
Admiral Nomura, commanding three Heavy Cruisers, had been provided with intelligence from the aircraft stationed in Indonesia. A small American fleet was moving south of Bali and he had been ordered to intercept it.
The 108th Transport Division would be sunk by the Heavy Cruiser IJN Haguro when Nomura found the enemy fleet. The Destroyer Division would escape and would not be pursued into the more hostile waters closer to Australia.
At 0100 hours on August 19th Yamamoto received further reports from Interceptors patrolling the Mariana Trench. The American Submarine fleet had returned and was heading west.
At 0100 hours on August 19th Yamamoto received further reports from Interceptors patrolling the Mariana Trench. The American Submarine fleet had returned and was heading west.
Yamamoto gave the orders to set sail and plotted an intercept course that would have BB Division 1 meet the Submarines in the South Kyushu-Palau Trench. The Submarines would not be permitted to hunt Japanese convoys off the coast of Japan again.
2300 August 19th 1944.
North China Army Headquarters. Wuzhou, China.
The victory over the Nationalists in Chongqing had allowed the possiblity of capturing the enemy stockpile. These resources were badly needed by Japanese industry and were very high on Higashikuni's list of things to do.
General Yamashita arrived in Chongqing just before midnight on August 19th and captured a large part of the Nationlists reserves. More than 8000 tons of vital energy resources were sent back to Japan. The urgent need for energy had abated somewhat as there was now enough for one months supply. A large quantity of metal and some oil were also seized.
Reports from southern China and Yunnan indicated large movements of enemy troops towards central China. Some sense of panic seemed to have spread amongst the Nationalist Chinese High Command as the defences of Yunnan were stripped almost bare. This was a situation that Higashikuni could and would exploit to the fullest.
Reports from southern China and Yunnan indicated large movements of enemy troops towards central China. Some sense of panic seemed to have spread amongst the Nationalist Chinese High Command as the defences of Yunnan were stripped almost bare. This was a situation that Higashikuni could and would exploit to the fullest.
At 2000 hours on August 20th orders were given to attack the now weakened Yunnanese capital of Kunming. It would take fourteen hours for General Sakai to overcome the heavily dug in militia divisions defending the province. His troops were now advancing towards another enemy stockpile which would hopefully provide additional resources.
0000 August 21st 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, South Kyushu-Palau Trench.
Yamamoto had correctly predicted the enemy Submarines course and speed. Aircraft had kept him appraised of the Submarines position throughout his journey.
He intercepted them as planned but failed to sink any more of the fleet. He did force it to turn back towards Palau and plotted a course to follow the Submarines.
A new report arrived at 0500 hours, this time from Mj. General Tanaka, who was patrolling the area between Marcus Island and Wake Island. Where were the Americans finding all these Aircraft Carriers was what Yamamoto wished to know.
A new report arrived at 0500 hours, this time from Mj. General Tanaka, who was patrolling the area between Marcus Island and Wake Island. Where were the Americans finding all these Aircraft Carriers was what Yamamoto wished to know.
This latest Carrier Task Force contained two more modern Carriers, the USS Bunker Hill and USS Wasp. The also had a more than adequate escort which would make sinking them all the more difficult. Their current heading suggested that they were heading for the North Mariana trench. BB Division 2 would wait for them in Saipan.
0000 August 23rd 1944.
Diplomatic Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Apparently Germany had angered another Country. Mamoru was surprised there were actually any left that were not already either at War with Germany or allied to it.
The addition of the massed ranks of Lebanon's Armed Forces to the Allies would no doubt swing everything the Allies way.
2200 August 23rd 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, South Kyushu-Palau Trench.
Yamamoto was beginning to read the United States Navy very well. Ozawa had found the latest Carrier Task Force in the South East Mariana Basin and it was indeed heading for the North Mariana Trench.
It arrived at 1400 hours on August 24th and immediately attacked the Submarine force commanded by Suekuni. Some damage had been sustained by the USS Bunker Hill as it fought to hold off Ozawa's Naval bombers.
Suekuni could not delay the American fleet and was forced to withdraw to the safety of Saipan harbour after losing 9. Sensuikantai to aircraft from USS Bunker Hill.
The news of Suekuni's withdrawal was not of any immediate concern for Yamamoto as he knew that at nightfall Vice Admiral Kinkaid would be dodging some very large calibre shells. Koga was merely biding his time and would wait for the perfect moment to strike.
And then all hell broke loose with urgent reports arriving at an alarming rate on Yamamoto's desk.
The news of Suekuni's withdrawal was not of any immediate concern for Yamamoto as he knew that at nightfall Vice Admiral Kinkaid would be dodging some very large calibre shells. Koga was merely biding his time and would wait for the perfect moment to strike.
And then all hell broke loose with urgent reports arriving at an alarming rate on Yamamoto's desk.
The most important message had come from Lt. General Yokoyama Isa commanding the defences of Guam. Sherman tanks were being offloaded onto his beaches from what appeared to be a large number of landing craft. Of even more concern to Yamamoto was the obvious presence of some kind of Naval Gunfire Support. These Transport ships were being escorted.
He now had one Carrier Task Force off Saipan and a second unknown enemy fleet off Guam. His own fleet was too far away to help and Koga was temporarily blockaded in Saipan.
He needed some reports to confirm the enemy fleets size in the South Mariana Trench. Chasing Submarines was no longer anything that he was concerned with.
He now had one Carrier Task Force off Saipan and a second unknown enemy fleet off Guam. His own fleet was too far away to help and Koga was temporarily blockaded in Saipan.
He needed some reports to confirm the enemy fleets size in the South Mariana Trench. Chasing Submarines was no longer anything that he was concerned with.
The ever present and totally reliable Air General Yamashita provided the answers that Yamamoto needed at 2200 hours. The second fleet contained two more Carriers, USS Enterprise and USS Lexington. "No Battleships then." Yamamoto thought with a certain amount of relief.
By 0000 hours on August 24th things were beginning to look slightly more stable for Yamamoto. The invading force did not seem to be anywhere near large enough to penetrate Yokoyama Isa's defences.
Ozawa had joined Yamashita over the American fleet in the South Mariana Trench and added his torpedoes and bombs to the interceptors smaller loads.
Ozawa had joined Yamashita over the American fleet in the South Mariana Trench and added his torpedoes and bombs to the interceptors smaller loads.
By 0600 hours USS Enterprise had rolled over and began to sink below the unforgiving sea. USS Lexington was now the main target of Japanese bombers.
An updated report from Yokoyama Isa showed that he was also in control of the situation on land.
An updated report from Yokoyama Isa showed that he was also in control of the situation on land.
The Shermans were having a terrible time trying to get ashore on the small island. Not suited for amphibious invasions in the first place, the tanks had the added problem of trying to land in a Jungle. Their casualties were mounting with almost no damage to the defending forces, which were heavily entrenched and much more comfortable in the hostile terrain.
The loss of the USS Enterprise had also stripped them of some of their support.
The loss of the USS Enterprise had also stripped them of some of their support.
It was over by 1300 hours as the threat of losing a second Carrier, and mounting casualties, forced Admiral Kalbfus to withdraw to the east at full speed. Not one ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy had taken part so far.
0800 August 25th 1944.
North China Army Headquarters. In transit.
Higashikuni was moving his headquarters forwards to Anshun to cover Lt. General Hoshinata's armoured advance.
Having arrived in Zhaotang he continued north towards Zigong. No doubt he would be happy to get out of the mountains and into slightly more favourable hilly terrain. His advance into Zhaotang had isolated three more Chinese divisions in Zunyi. These would be dealt with in due course once troops became available.
A report from Mj. General Kishigawa confirmed that the south eastern pocket had now been completely over run and the entire region was now in Japanese hands. Higashikuni sent orders for the troops no longer needed in the region to move to provinces in the south to provide beach defence.
1500 August 25th 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Palau Trench.
Koga had been ordered to meet the second American Carrier fleet in the North Mariana Trench at night fall. This he did at 1500 hours.
The battle was inconclusive with some moderate damage being handed out to the American fleet. Only one ship would sink, the Light Cruiser USS San Juan to the Battleship IJN Nagato, as Kinkaid ordered his fleet to withdraw to the south east.
Koga was ordered to pursue the American but to time his arrival so that BB Division 2 arrived at night. This might allow Kinkaid to escape further damage but fighting two American Carriers in daylight was not worth the risk.
Another American Carrier had been sunk and Japan still controlled all of the islands in the Marianas chain. When would the American Battleships come to aid their fast sinking Carriers was something Yamamoto would dearly love to know.
Koga was ordered to pursue the American but to time his arrival so that BB Division 2 arrived at night. This might allow Kinkaid to escape further damage but fighting two American Carriers in daylight was not worth the risk.
Another American Carrier had been sunk and Japan still controlled all of the islands in the Marianas chain. When would the American Battleships come to aid their fast sinking Carriers was something Yamamoto would dearly love to know.
Remble said:
No, he doesn't want to know. Trust me.
When I saw that you're up against two carrier fleet, I thought you were in trouble. And then you showed us that planes are truly overpowered in HoI2.
Whatever, they are your only hope against any battleship fleets the US decides to send against you.
By the way: it's nice from the Chinese to move their capital to Nancheng, right next to your troops.
Ah, Lebanon made another appearance! I remember the headache it gave von Ribbentrop in your previous AAR
Very fine progress - and even getting blueprints! - have they any more? - maybe you can buy the rest you can get your hands on.........going well on the seas and pouding the dragon.....very nice - Fight! Fight! China must be secured and burma held before the russians kill the germans....
Winner said:Ah, Lebanon made another appearance! I remember the headache it gave von Ribbentrop in your previous AAR
Yes...because everyone knows Germany was defeated in WWII because the Lebanese declared war on them. The Germans got all confused because they weren't sure where Lebanon is, allowing the Allies to crush the Third Reich.
Really nice going there Remble. You are certainly my favourite AAR writer.
It can't be too long before Nat China surrenders. I seem to remember that the requirements aren't too difficult to meet.
Anyway ... good luck, and you're doing pretty well so far.
It can't be too long before Nat China surrenders. I seem to remember that the requirements aren't too difficult to meet.
Anyway ... good luck, and you're doing pretty well so far.
Nice use of the lowliest form of wit.
The Americans are still not able to cause any havoc in the Pacific for others than themselves, it seems. The battleships are an unseen terror, though.
What might we find in the Yunnanese capital? Other than shark fins and tiger bones?
Remble, you truly are a master of naval warfare. You seem to be very at home when on the defense navally, easily coordinating you air and sea forces to maximise the damage to the enemy and minimize the damage you recieve in return. Simply amazing.
trekaddict - Sorry but it had to go
Sokraates - Oh yes naval bombers hurt for sure. It is actually fairly accurate though in this case. You have two Carriers providing assistance to an amphibious assault, using most of their aircraft to do just that. This leaves just CAP which the four interceptor squadrons could easily handle, current thinking is 100 aircraft to a squadron if they are one engined, so 300 or so allowing for damage. They could defeat the CAP and bomb without much trouble.
That leaves four Naval bomber squadrons, even if we assume they are double engined, this leaves 50 per squadron, so after damage roughly 120 bombers. All of these bombers went for one ship, or most did, which means its very likely that it would sink, no matter what it was. There wasn't enough anti-aircraft fire from its escorts as it was only lightly escorted.
Things are a lot different against a very well escorted fleet as you will see when they try and bomb the British fleet. In general it is far too easy to sink enemy ships with aircraft but this one is fairly respectable and not very far fetched.
I had hoped they would move their capital to Lanzhou so that I could isolate almost their entire army, but I guess I have to kill them the hard way
Winner, Nathan Madien - All mighty Nations are worth mentioning, even the not so mighty ones
Murmurandus - It hasn't fallen apart yet , nope
Simon-1979 - Thank you. They have more blueprints yes and I will be sure to get them all. China will take months to remove as their last VP is almost on the Soviet border in Urumqi. Germany doesn't have that many months left.
son of fire - Thank you very much They have tried to surrender several times, I just posted their first attempt at escaping doom. No surrender will be accepted so I have to annex them which means a very long march through mountains and marshes.
Mangudai - Thank you. As long as shark fins and tiger bones can yield energy I will take them
germanpeon, Maj. von Mauser - Very nice of you to say so, and thank you. In my previous AAR I deliberately avoided using air power against ships in most cases which allowed my fleets to be jumped some times. This time I am using it to protect my ships as it should be used. The lack of losses is directly related to the use of planes. The IJN needs all the help it can get as I cannot replace it very easily so I am only using it when I know it can win. Knowledge is power and the aircraft are providing me with very good intelligence.
Things will most likely change when Germany surrenders and I have to face the Allied airforces, which are almost totally absent right now. I won't be building any more NAVs though as they really are too good at what they do. Other aircraft I will need to build as I don't have the luxury of buying them from my Allies this time.
Hermann Steiner - One free month of energy was very nice, I had hoped it would be more but every little helps.
Update to follow that will conclude August ...
Sokraates - Oh yes naval bombers hurt for sure. It is actually fairly accurate though in this case. You have two Carriers providing assistance to an amphibious assault, using most of their aircraft to do just that. This leaves just CAP which the four interceptor squadrons could easily handle, current thinking is 100 aircraft to a squadron if they are one engined, so 300 or so allowing for damage. They could defeat the CAP and bomb without much trouble.
That leaves four Naval bomber squadrons, even if we assume they are double engined, this leaves 50 per squadron, so after damage roughly 120 bombers. All of these bombers went for one ship, or most did, which means its very likely that it would sink, no matter what it was. There wasn't enough anti-aircraft fire from its escorts as it was only lightly escorted.
Things are a lot different against a very well escorted fleet as you will see when they try and bomb the British fleet. In general it is far too easy to sink enemy ships with aircraft but this one is fairly respectable and not very far fetched.
I had hoped they would move their capital to Lanzhou so that I could isolate almost their entire army, but I guess I have to kill them the hard way
Winner, Nathan Madien - All mighty Nations are worth mentioning, even the not so mighty ones
Murmurandus - It hasn't fallen apart yet , nope
Simon-1979 - Thank you. They have more blueprints yes and I will be sure to get them all. China will take months to remove as their last VP is almost on the Soviet border in Urumqi. Germany doesn't have that many months left.
son of fire - Thank you very much
They have tried to surrender several times, I just posted their first attempt at escaping doom. No surrender will be accepted so I have to annex them which means a very long march through mountains and marshes.Mangudai - Thank you. As long as shark fins and tiger bones can yield energy I will take them
germanpeon, Maj. von Mauser - Very nice of you to say so, and thank you. In my previous AAR I deliberately avoided using air power against ships in most cases which allowed my fleets to be jumped some times. This time I am using it to protect my ships as it should be used. The lack of losses is directly related to the use of planes. The IJN needs all the help it can get as I cannot replace it very easily so I am only using it when I know it can win. Knowledge is power and the aircraft are providing me with very good intelligence.
Things will most likely change when Germany surrenders and I have to face the Allied airforces, which are almost totally absent right now. I won't be building any more NAVs though as they really are too good at what they do. Other aircraft I will need to build as I don't have the luxury of buying them from my Allies this time.
Hermann Steiner - One free month of energy was very nice, I had hoped it would be more but every little helps.
Update to follow that will conclude August ...