[BTS] WWII in Pacific

[Tigranes]

​

“Heaven is Java.
Hell is Burma.
But nobody comes back alive from New Guinea”
Saying among Japanese soldiers​

Courtesy of Gaius Octavius' World War II in the Pacific Mod I proudly present:

Pacific War PBEM

The game begins in December 1941 with the Japanese surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, and Malaya; it ends at the dawn of 1950 after approximately 200 turns of two weeks.
Starting orders of battle are historical. I made many minor changes to improve the original scenario.

There are 20 cities on the map marked as OBJECTIVES with capital letters. Controlling them largely determines who wins and loses the war. Those are
Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Chungking, Batavia, Peking, Nanking, Manila, Shanghai, Okinawa, Tokyo, Iwo Jima, Saipan, Port Moresby, Sydney, Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Midway, Pearl Harbor, and San Francisco.
Victory is achieved through a point-based objective system: the team controlling the most objective cities (listed above) by 1950 is declared the winner. If either team manages to take all 20 objectives before that
time, it will win a conquest victory.



Human Players:
1. @Hickman888 -- Empire of Japan
2. @Areg -- United States of America
3. @Tigranes -- British Commonwealth

House Rules:

1. Cities (except for Calcutta) can be only gifted/liberated to the historical owners in 1931 or in 1949.
2. USA and Britain cannot gift each other units.
3. Human owners of Indian cities must liberate all of them to AI India in Late August 1947.
4. No civic changes via spy missions and no missions against Air Transport building (unrealistic).
5. Only one airlift per turn per team is allowed.
6. Alt F4 exploit and open sea transport chain exploits are banned. This includes transports, aircraft carriers and submarines transporting spies. Reboarding from one transport to another in the port tile is allowed though.
7. Military units must be forced to be "interned" (gifted) to neutral country if they end up on neutral country 's territory.

 

[Hickman888]

War has been declared!!! The American fleet at Pearl Harbor: Decimated! The Philippines and Indonesia: Invaded! The British city of Hong Kong: Captured! The Imperial Japanese Navy and Army are on the offensive, and the world waits with bated breath to see how the Allies will respond!

Spoiler Pearl Harbor! :

Video 1 detailing turn 1 will be out soon. (We have a gentlemen's agreement that the two human opponents won't be watching the videos, but they are free for everyone else to watch. )

 

[Tigranes]

I see you got your Japanese head band delivered! Very neat.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill famously said he "slept the sleep of the saved and thankful" because the United States' entry into the war was now certain, and he believed Britain had "just won the war". He also noted the "Olympian fortitude" and confidence of the American people and felt that with America's power, "the fate of Hitler's Germany (and Hirohito's Japan) was sealed".

American Admiral William F. Halsey was even less politically correct: “Before we're through with 'em, the Japanese language will be spoken only in Hell!”

 

[Areg]

Pearl Harbor burns, but America rises. The treacherous assault has awakened a sleeping giant, filled with a terrible resolve. The Rising Sun will not shine forever — soon, it will set beneath the storm of American vengeance!

 

[Tigranes]

Just like in real life, the second National Service Act was passed by British in 1941, expanding the draft by extending male age limit to 51 and introducing conscription for women. Yes, many people don't know it, but conscription for women has actually begun in 1941, initially targeting childless widows and single women aged 20-30.

(The age range was later expanded, and women were given a choice between joining the armed forces or working in industry or farming. Those with domestic responsibilities, a husband at home, or young children were not conscripted but were often directed into local war work or could volunteer. )

Fierce fighting commenced this turn around Burmese city of Kengtung, which changed hands 3 time during the early December of 1941. IJA has gambled with landing super precious "Dash Forward" airborne unit in this undefended city without any air cover, only to be bombed by RAF and destroyed by Burmese "Indian" division based in Myitkyina (only cities with Military Academy can train paratroopers in this mod, and they are very useful for isolated defenceless islands). Unfortunately, Thai Phayap Army has recaptured the city for Axis right after that (I am the only player who can see AI moves between my and Japanese turn and will therefore comment on AI activities).

GPS to Japan.

 

[Tigranes]

@Hickman888, I must say you got really lucky with your Pearl Harbour attack ! Sunk 5 BBs, 2 CAs, 3 DDs and half way damaged 1 BB, 3 CA, and 3 DDs . Not a single interception, while both CAs and DDs have a chance to intercept. I was testing this scenario for 6 months now and I could never sink more than 9 ships, but you managed 10 somehow, so this is a pretty extraordinary start. On the other hand, I got with lucky with preserving HMS Prince of Wales in Singapore harbor. It is the strongest British naval asset and has a radar promotion (+1 visibility).

 

[Hickman888]

@Hickman888, I must say you got really lucky with your Pearl Harbour attack ! Sunk 5 BBs, 2 CAs, 3 DDs and half way damaged 1 BB, 3 CA, and 3 DDs . Not a single interception, while both CAs and DDs have a chance to intercept. I was testing this scenario for 6 months now and I could never sink more than 9 ships, but you managed 10 somehow, so this is a pretty extraordinary start. On the other hand, I got with lucky with preserving HMS Prince of Wales in Singapore harbor. It is the strongest British naval asset and has a radar promotion (+1 visibility).

Yeah, I had thought I had a really good Pearl Harbor strike, I didn't realize it was that good though. Sinking your ships in Singapore was very difficult, none of my planes nearby were geared towards sinking ships. A lot of "-50% vs water units" planes. Also, is it impossible to destroy a Fort improvement with airplanes? I must've sent 5 or 6 bombers trying to destroy the Fort north of Manila, and I couldn't manage to do it...

The war continues! As the Japanese marshal their forces to continue their march into China and the Philippines, they launch a daring second strike against the American navy at Pearl harbor, albeit this time, with much less success! All eyes are on Japan: where will they strike next?

Spoiler The Philippines :

 

[Tigranes]

Not sure about the odds to destroy Fort, I was able to destroy it with my second Betty in Single player test, so it's some kind of RNG formula, which depends on the type of plane, I am guessing. That fort was supposed to represent defensive structures on the Bataan Peninsula. Honestly, you would have been better off just pulverizing those units inside the fort, I think it is a mistake not to gather all the defenders in one stack (in Manila), "American Cesar" Douglas MacArthur made a similar mistake in the real life.

 

[Tigranes]

The year of 1942 dawns on the Pacific. But there is nothing peaceful or happy about it. The British have thrown ships, planes, and artillery against the invading force in Malaya, which in real life was led by Tomoyuki Yamashita, widely known as a Tiger of Malaya. Will it be enough to save Kuala Lumpur?

 

[Hickman888]

The Japanese grip tightens on the Philippines as the Imperial Navy bombards the American garrison in Manila as the Imperial Army closes in. Meanwhile, The rivalry between the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy grows, as Tomoyuki Yamashita finds himself without proper naval support in Malaya! The invading force in Malaya is therefore forced into a temporary retreat, with assurances from the Navy that proper naval support will be given next time!

Spoiler Manila Besieged! :

 

[Areg]

Although the Americans have just received reinforcements from the Atlantic, the situation on their side still looks grim as the Japanese launch another raid on Pearl Harbor. Losses are not critical, but the pressure is significant. In Manila, all remaining aircraft are evacuated, yet the shortage of sea transport makes it impossible to withdraw the ground forces. The defenders are effectively left behind, facing near-certain destruction. But America will prevail!

 

[Tigranes]

Meanwhile, The rivalry between the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy grows, as Tomoyuki Yamashita finds himself without proper naval support in Malaya! The invading force in Malaya is therefore forced into a temporary retreat, with assurances from the Navy that proper naval support will be given next time!

Let's just say, there will be no next time...

 

[Hickman888]

View attachment 748262




Let's just say, there will be no next time...

I was afraid of that...

The Japanese war machine marches further into China, and Manila hangs on by a thread! In the Pacific front, it's anyone guess as to what the next target is for the Imperial Navy - where will they strike next!?

 

[Tigranes]

Pretty uneventful turn starting the month of February 1942. Lost a plane, sunk a submarine. Watched Tarawa occupied -- with considerable alarm! Finally got some precious naval reinforcements. Scenario creator gave no planes to my HMS Hermes, placing the following comment in Python code:

# Aircraft were already offloaded at Ceylon

(which is historically true, but I got no free planes in Ceylon either )

 

[Tigranes]

Heroic Burmese Fishermen survived 4 air raids this turn, and won the hearts of many admirers. Nothing can stop now all the proper British gentlemen from enjoying the legendary cockles with cider and cream!

 

[Hickman888]

Late February, 1942: The Japanese conquest of the Philippines is complete. Although there are many more targets in view for the Imperial Navy to hit, the admirals and generals take a moment to appreciate the occasion of the moment. Additionally, the American island of Guam, as well as several small Dutch cities, have fallen under occupation of the glorious Japanese military. Meanwhile, the push into China continues, as the Chinese communists dig in to withstand a massive siege.

Spoiler Marching into Borneo :

 

[Tigranes]

All eyes on that unprotected Oil Well in no man's land... Would be a shame if something happen to it There are rumors that the entire island of Borneo is cursed against Japanese, and Oil Wells go missing, like the one around modern Brunei area last turn...

And let the people see that score board, please. I think Allies still have more Victory Cities(VC) than Japanese.

 

[Areg]

Reinforcements from the Atlantic have reached the Pacific, marking a pivotal moment in America’s war effort. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet has arrived, fully equipped and ready for action. Its destination is set for the waters off mainland Japan, where its air wings prepare for a daring strike against Tokyo’s infrastructure.
America is positioning its strength for a decisive blow. Something big is on the horizon—an operation that could reshape the course of the Pacific War...

 

[Tigranes]

Reinforcements from the Atlantic have reached the Pacific, marking a pivotal moment in America’s war effort. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet has arrived, fully equipped and ready for action. Its destination is set for the waters off mainland Japan, where its air wings prepare for a daring strike against Tokyo’s infrastructure.
America is positioning its strength for a decisive blow. Something big is on the horizon—an operation that could reshape the course of the Pacific War...

(In this scenario Hornet comes with 4 one time use cruise missiles masked as "Modified Mitchell" planes, with the combined 50% evasion ability. The most devastating use is to attempt to destroy unrecoverable Air Transport building in Tokyo, but in all my tests in Single player I couldn't ever achieve it: 2 "missiles" get intercepted, 1 fails and 1 destroys some cheap building like Harbor).

 

[Hickman888]

Reinforcements from the Atlantic have reached the Pacific, marking a pivotal moment in America’s war effort. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet has arrived, fully equipped and ready for action. Its destination is set for the waters off mainland Japan, where its air wings prepare for a daring strike against Tokyo’s infrastructure.
America is positioning its strength for a decisive blow. Something big is on the horizon—an operation that could reshape the course of the Pacific War...

View attachment 748853
(In this scenario Hornet comes with 4 one time use cruise missiles masked as "Modified Mitchell" planes, with the combined 50% evasion ability. The most devastating use is to attempt to destroy unrecoverable Air Transport building in Tokyo, but in all my tests in Single player I couldn't ever achieve it: 2 "missiles" get intercepted, 1 fails and 1 destroys some cheap building like Harbor).

Oh boy... I didn't realize even Doolittle's raid was scripted, to some extent.

As the Japanese grip tightens around the island of Borneo and New Guinea, a new objective has been handed down from high command: control Midway Atoll. Doing so would provide a massive strategic advantage over the American adversaries in the Pacific, and might even be used as a basing ground from which to strike Pearl Harbor for the 4th time...