Oh, its only '42!!! maybe the US hasn't build an army yet ... a '44 invasion is a bit more challenging 
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
At the moment I have 2 (IIRC) light armour (I've recently started research of medium armour) divisions and 9 cavalry division and approximately 60 infantry division. The main idea is to to hold steady line and use local terrain and numerical advantage to slowly destroy US army using these 10 mobile divisions for exploitation and US Army destruction. My main concern is not the US army but the supply system. I am constantly asking myself whether I will be able to supply the invasion (25% naval base capacity hurts from hard difficulty was so far the biggest obstacle I've met).
By the way how's your invasion going?
Excellent, that invasion looks like it's there to stay.
What an asswhopping you'r handing the USN there, amazing. Any idea what they have left?
What an asswhopping you'r handing the USN there, amazing. Any idea what they have left?
Worse than yours will go, I bet
oI launched in the last quarter of 43, and I haven't even got all of California.
My current strategy is to attrition the Mexican and Canadian divisions into dust, since combined they number around 200-400k, and they have relatively small manpower reserves.
Oh, and I'm less than half a year away from The Bomb.
(My game will be different than yours though, because I gave the Allied majors several thousand manpower each over the course of the game. The USA still has over 7000!)
After destruction of 11 battleships, 6 carriers, 18 destroyer flotillas, 9 submarines, 14 heavy cruisers, 15 light cruisers and 12 transports at Pearl Harbor and additional 15 ships (3 or 4 battleships and 1 carrier) during initial phase of the invasion I doubt there's much left of the US Navy. I'd say that even Regia Marina would be able to sink rest of the US Navy.
Very interesting read, just caught up. Never played the mod, currently playing Japan using Black Ice... but the entire time I was very curious as to why your navy took such minor losses and completely obliterated the allies.. I mean the difference in technology cant be that big..
Japan actually starts with a very modern navy in HPP. Not only are many of their techs researched ahead of time, but their actual ships are, on average, much newer. It's probably the most advanced navy in the world at the start of the game.
I'd also add that the HoI's naval AI isn't very smart, hence that's why Pearl Harbor really turned into a graveyard for the USN. That's because the AI sent its ships there piecemeal, I'm pretty sure this wouldn't work too well against human opponents
The invasion looks good so far but let's what the Americans have in reserve to challenge you and how your supply situation plays out. This could turn out to be harder than your US invasion with Germany.
Naval combats: Pearl Harbor was a parade of AI naval incompetency. However I've had several engagements with Royal navy where the fleets were on par, but I've won mainly for the fact that my main fleet composed of heavy cruisers and battleships, therefore capable of taking some beating was engaged in the battle and it was supported by CAGs striking from adjacent sea zone.
It will be harder, definitely as I lack decent mobile units for encirclements and exploitation so I am afraid I won't be able to use as aggressive strategy as I used in my Germany AAR, where I've managed to eliminate majority of US Army in a month from the beginning of the operation Ragnarök.
It will be harder, definitely as I lack decent mobile units for encirclements and exploitation so I am afraid I won't be able to use as aggressive strategy as I used in my Germany AAR, where I've managed to eliminate majority of US Army in a month from the beginning of the operation Ragnarök.
27. The invasion, part 2
(1st May - 15th May 1942)
Americans are becoming desperate in their attempts to rescue 2 divisions trapped in Pasadena. At 4 AM 1st May they've launched an attack against 2 divisions under command of major general Komoda Koichi. His divisions had enough time to dig in and 3rd divisions is about to arrive to Riverside.
In Europe, Germany conquered Switzerland and finished operation Tannenbaum. I wonder what their next target will be. I've tag switched to them and they're building a lot of naval forces so it looks like they are preparing for operation Sea Lion.
At 9 o'clock 3rd May Imperial Japanese battlecruiser fleet intercepted an US Navy fleet which managed to sneak one infantry division to a worthless Pacific isle. After brief 3 hours fight 4 US Navy vessels has been sunk, heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa and 3 transport flotillas: Brigham Young Flotilla, Abner Doubleday Flotilla and Stephen C. Crane Flotilla.
During attack on Blythe, I've noticed the Americans are probably redeploying their forces towards Japanese beachhead as several new division appeared on the front and they lack supplies (sign of strategic redeployment).
Imperial Japanese Army is facing first real US Army counterattack in the province El Centro. One defending division has advantage of being behind river and another division is on its way from San Diego to reinforce defense of El Centro.
7th May Japanese forces launched attack on two disorganized divisions trapped in Pasadena. These two trapped divisions already lost some men in their futile attempt to fight their way towards freedom and another approximately 2500 soldiers have been killed in continuous bombing of Pasadena.
While IJA was busy dealing with trapped divisions in Pasadena IJN carrier task forces intercepted 2 US Navy transport flotillas in gulf of Santa Catalina. Both transport flotillas Amy Lowell Flotilla and Alexander J. Dallas Flotilla were sunk.
Supply situation in the beachhead is so far good, Imperial Japanese Army so far haven't encountered supply or fuel shortages as ports on San Diego and Los Angeles are sufficient to ship enough supplies. If Japanese army will be able to seize also San Francisco whole beachhead will be able to supply 2.5 times more troops. Despite supply situation looks good construction of two new ports already begun so some backup exists in case when any of controlled ports gets damaged or lost.
San Francisco has been left undefended in panic which has arisen after initial landings so IJA has free entrance to the city and another much needed port. Forces marching towards San Francisco are protected by 10 carrier air groups as no Allied navy was spotted for some time.
South of San Francisco, battle of Pasadena has been won and over 25,000 American soldiers surrendered.
Battle of Baker was one the most crushing defeats for US Army as 1723 of their soldiers have died in battle. Although the outcome of battles looks so far good we have no dreams of bleeding USA to zero manpower as they currently posses with over 5k manpower.
Another US counterattack has been launched on Blythe. The situation may look grim as they've progressed 50% towards victory but 2 medium bomber wings each harvesting 400-500 American souls every day will change the outcome of battle.
11th May IJN carrier task forces intercepted another fleet in gulf of Santa Catalina, this time it was fleet of Canadian transports protected by two destroyer flotillas. The Canadian fleet was unable to resist such powerful force and all of their ships have been sunk.
After Americans surrounded in Pasadena surrendered there was no reason for IJA divisions to sit near Pasadena so an attack on local militias hiding in the hills was ordered. After all, positions in the hills will be easier to defend for Imperial Japanese Army if USA will be able to launch successful counteroffensive.
CAGs are doing good job protecting Japanese forces from hostile bombing and also in protecting our bombers. On 15th May over 300 US soldiers died in bombings for one Japanese killed by US airforce.
San Francisco and its level 10 airbase and port is now controlled by Empire of Japan. Reinforcements for this beachhead are already on the move and northern beached will be opened in late May.
Just before San Francisco fell a bunch of local angered citizens fled the city and formed local militias which proved to be a minor setback. In a battle which lasted nearly a day nearly 500 of local militia men died while they've managed to kill only 7 Japanese (BANZAI charges anyone?).
Second battle of Baker confirmed that Yankees are redeploying their forces to the west. If we had more forces there might be an opportunity for a cunning plan...
Radar installation built on Hawaii after ot was seized by Japan discovered possibly last US Navy fleet heading deeply into Japanese controlled Pacific.
US Army attack on province which will serve as defense line, 38.7 penalty from river crossing and another 37.7% penalty for attacking into the hills indicates that defense line has been chosen well.
Causalities:
Detailed information about every event can be found in this google docs spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q_g63z2AukTXzsBXtEoxhE7lhIOtfjT7zyzA8WNl3dA/edit?usp=sharing
(1st May - 15th May 1942)
Americans are becoming desperate in their attempts to rescue 2 divisions trapped in Pasadena. At 4 AM 1st May they've launched an attack against 2 divisions under command of major general Komoda Koichi. His divisions had enough time to dig in and 3rd divisions is about to arrive to Riverside.
In Europe, Germany conquered Switzerland and finished operation Tannenbaum. I wonder what their next target will be. I've tag switched to them and they're building a lot of naval forces so it looks like they are preparing for operation Sea Lion.
At 9 o'clock 3rd May Imperial Japanese battlecruiser fleet intercepted an US Navy fleet which managed to sneak one infantry division to a worthless Pacific isle. After brief 3 hours fight 4 US Navy vessels has been sunk, heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa and 3 transport flotillas: Brigham Young Flotilla, Abner Doubleday Flotilla and Stephen C. Crane Flotilla.
During attack on Blythe, I've noticed the Americans are probably redeploying their forces towards Japanese beachhead as several new division appeared on the front and they lack supplies (sign of strategic redeployment).
Imperial Japanese Army is facing first real US Army counterattack in the province El Centro. One defending division has advantage of being behind river and another division is on its way from San Diego to reinforce defense of El Centro.
7th May Japanese forces launched attack on two disorganized divisions trapped in Pasadena. These two trapped divisions already lost some men in their futile attempt to fight their way towards freedom and another approximately 2500 soldiers have been killed in continuous bombing of Pasadena.
While IJA was busy dealing with trapped divisions in Pasadena IJN carrier task forces intercepted 2 US Navy transport flotillas in gulf of Santa Catalina. Both transport flotillas Amy Lowell Flotilla and Alexander J. Dallas Flotilla were sunk.
Supply situation in the beachhead is so far good, Imperial Japanese Army so far haven't encountered supply or fuel shortages as ports on San Diego and Los Angeles are sufficient to ship enough supplies. If Japanese army will be able to seize also San Francisco whole beachhead will be able to supply 2.5 times more troops. Despite supply situation looks good construction of two new ports already begun so some backup exists in case when any of controlled ports gets damaged or lost.
San Francisco has been left undefended in panic which has arisen after initial landings so IJA has free entrance to the city and another much needed port. Forces marching towards San Francisco are protected by 10 carrier air groups as no Allied navy was spotted for some time.
South of San Francisco, battle of Pasadena has been won and over 25,000 American soldiers surrendered.
Battle of Baker was one the most crushing defeats for US Army as 1723 of their soldiers have died in battle. Although the outcome of battles looks so far good we have no dreams of bleeding USA to zero manpower as they currently posses with over 5k manpower.
Another US counterattack has been launched on Blythe. The situation may look grim as they've progressed 50% towards victory but 2 medium bomber wings each harvesting 400-500 American souls every day will change the outcome of battle.
11th May IJN carrier task forces intercepted another fleet in gulf of Santa Catalina, this time it was fleet of Canadian transports protected by two destroyer flotillas. The Canadian fleet was unable to resist such powerful force and all of their ships have been sunk.
After Americans surrounded in Pasadena surrendered there was no reason for IJA divisions to sit near Pasadena so an attack on local militias hiding in the hills was ordered. After all, positions in the hills will be easier to defend for Imperial Japanese Army if USA will be able to launch successful counteroffensive.
CAGs are doing good job protecting Japanese forces from hostile bombing and also in protecting our bombers. On 15th May over 300 US soldiers died in bombings for one Japanese killed by US airforce.
San Francisco and its level 10 airbase and port is now controlled by Empire of Japan. Reinforcements for this beachhead are already on the move and northern beached will be opened in late May.
Just before San Francisco fell a bunch of local angered citizens fled the city and formed local militias which proved to be a minor setback. In a battle which lasted nearly a day nearly 500 of local militia men died while they've managed to kill only 7 Japanese (BANZAI charges anyone?).
Second battle of Baker confirmed that Yankees are redeploying their forces to the west. If we had more forces there might be an opportunity for a cunning plan...
Radar installation built on Hawaii after ot was seized by Japan discovered possibly last US Navy fleet heading deeply into Japanese controlled Pacific.
US Army attack on province which will serve as defense line, 38.7 penalty from river crossing and another 37.7% penalty for attacking into the hills indicates that defense line has been chosen well.
Causalities:
| JAP | JAP (total) | USA | USA (total) | |
| Bombing | 22 | 22 | 7293 | 7442 |
| Combat | 4796 | 5556 | 13871 | 16899 |
| Total | 4818 | 5578 | 21164 | 24341 |
Detailed information about every event can be found in this google docs spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q_g63z2AukTXzsBXtEoxhE7lhIOtfjT7zyzA8WNl3dA/edit?usp=sharing
Last edited:
I can confirm that you will see random fleets of 1-2 transports + 1-2 escorts sailing past San Diego every few month or so, if the US still control any of the West Coast Ports.
God (Emperor?) only knows what they are trying to do with them.
God (Emperor?) only knows what they are trying to do with them.
I see an increase in Inf Divisions in the front... did you send your aircrafts to explore a little?
I hope they're full of allied divisions
Good idea, I will send one of the CAGs dedicated to air superiority to explore, bombers are still busy harvesting souls and I weep that I haven't built more (but to be honest operations in previous places didn't favour usage of bombers and massive aircraft deployment).
That US fleet looks surprisingly powerful. 9-9 on the counter? Several battleships I'm guessing, plus escorts. It's probably the majority of what's left of the US Navy, or perhaps reinforcements sent through the Panama Canal. Either way, one has to wonder just why they're trying to conquer... I don't know, Truk, maybe? Either way, I'd say that it's prudent to occupy Panama ASAP to prevent further reinforcements from the US Atlantic Fleet.
It looks as if USA AI is proceeding with the scripted island hopping plan, and it doesn't identify the threat its west coast. I guess its up to Skoty to track that fleet down and gives a tasty naval battle !!!
Tooltip seen in the screenshot shows 3 battleships,17 destroyer flotillas,7 light cruisers and 7 transport flotillas so it seems likely that that is most of the rest of the USN.
Oh, heh, I totally missed that. But yeah, a force like that has got to be the majority of what's left of their fleet, probably from the Atlantic.
28. The invasion, part 3
(15th May - 31th May 1942)
Hello and please accept my apologies for a late update. It's been an exam time in school so time something I don't have.
In the morning of 15th May local time 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan together with 3 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan and 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan started push towards Richmond hills defended by American 3rd 'Marne' Division. The battle for the province where Japanese advance will temporally stop lasted only 4 hours before Americans were forced to retreat. During the skirmish 838 Japanese and 2900 Americans died.
Probably last US Navy fleet was intercepted at Arno Shoal by patrolling Imperial Japanese fleet. Americans managed to seize utterly unimportant island Mili and now admiral Nimitz's fleet has sailed there to rescue invaders. During fierce naval battle which lasted for 7 hours the winner was known. Despite their initial advantage and superior numbers US Navy fleet was badly beaten and lost 2 destroyer flotillas (29th Destroyer Division and 6th Destroyer Division) and battleship USS Idaho apart from 4 transport flotillas.
Apart from one heavy damaged heavy cruiser Imperial Japanese navy pulled through nearly without a scratch. American battleship USS Idaho was sunk by glorious IJN Musashi, sister ship of Japanese pride of the fleet IJN Yamato.
Nimitz's fleet was forced into port and series of port strikes begun immediately. However Japanese CAG were disorganized after prolonged naval battle so only 2 ships (one transport and one destroyer fleet) were sunk.
20th May carrier task force and transport fleet embarked for a invasion of central America. First goal of the invasion is port in San José, Costarica. Then IJA will push towards Panama and Panama channel.
Imperial Japanese fleet guarding US Navy fleet trapped at Mili intercepted 3 US ships trying to escape from Mili. It was not a surprise that all 3 ships trying to escape were sunk. Shortly after battle rumors begun to spread that admiral Nimitz which was on board of one the escaping ships has not managed to get into a lifeboat and drowned.
Mysterious movements of Canadian and US transport fleets continues, another transport fleet was intercepted by IJN carrier task force heading towards Costarica.
At 25th May whole infantry corps begun assault on San José, one of the few ports in central America on the Pacific side.
In the southwest coast of United States defensive line is already established and more and more Allied (US and Canadian) forces arrive to the front. Imperial Japanese is on the defensive while patiently waiting for second landing in Seattle which is to be executed in 5 days. Battles like one for Tracy where 2 Canadian cavalry and one US infantry attacked well dug 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan in hills led by major general Kaneoka Takashi which also had advantage of being behind river.
Yanks become more and more aggressive as more and more of their reinforcements arrive. However they are not aware of second landing which is about to be executed and their concentration on this sole beachhead will provide an excellent distraction.
Quick attacks were ordered to relieve defenders of some places most exposed to US attackers.
Invasion fleet carrying 2 infantry corps finds Seattle and Vancouver left undefended.
Both Vancouver and Seattle succumb to Japanese without firing a single shot although reports say that small militias were found near Seattle, but this is nothing that experienced Japanese soldiers should be afraid of. With two level 10 ports secured without a fight we can start pumping soldiers to this beachhead.
Situation in the US 1st June 1942. While the south beachhead turned into a stalemate, north one looks promising and offers a vast expansion.
Causalities:
Detailed information about every event can be found in this Google docs spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q_g63z2AukTXzsBXtEoxhE7lhIOtfjT7zyzA8WNl3dA/edit?usp=sharing
(15th May - 31th May 1942)
Hello and please accept my apologies for a late update. It's been an exam time in school so time something I don't have.
In the morning of 15th May local time 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan together with 3 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan and 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan started push towards Richmond hills defended by American 3rd 'Marne' Division. The battle for the province where Japanese advance will temporally stop lasted only 4 hours before Americans were forced to retreat. During the skirmish 838 Japanese and 2900 Americans died.
Probably last US Navy fleet was intercepted at Arno Shoal by patrolling Imperial Japanese fleet. Americans managed to seize utterly unimportant island Mili and now admiral Nimitz's fleet has sailed there to rescue invaders. During fierce naval battle which lasted for 7 hours the winner was known. Despite their initial advantage and superior numbers US Navy fleet was badly beaten and lost 2 destroyer flotillas (29th Destroyer Division and 6th Destroyer Division) and battleship USS Idaho apart from 4 transport flotillas.
Apart from one heavy damaged heavy cruiser Imperial Japanese navy pulled through nearly without a scratch. American battleship USS Idaho was sunk by glorious IJN Musashi, sister ship of Japanese pride of the fleet IJN Yamato.
Nimitz's fleet was forced into port and series of port strikes begun immediately. However Japanese CAG were disorganized after prolonged naval battle so only 2 ships (one transport and one destroyer fleet) were sunk.
20th May carrier task force and transport fleet embarked for a invasion of central America. First goal of the invasion is port in San José, Costarica. Then IJA will push towards Panama and Panama channel.
Imperial Japanese fleet guarding US Navy fleet trapped at Mili intercepted 3 US ships trying to escape from Mili. It was not a surprise that all 3 ships trying to escape were sunk. Shortly after battle rumors begun to spread that admiral Nimitz which was on board of one the escaping ships has not managed to get into a lifeboat and drowned.
Mysterious movements of Canadian and US transport fleets continues, another transport fleet was intercepted by IJN carrier task force heading towards Costarica.
At 25th May whole infantry corps begun assault on San José, one of the few ports in central America on the Pacific side.
In the southwest coast of United States defensive line is already established and more and more Allied (US and Canadian) forces arrive to the front. Imperial Japanese is on the defensive while patiently waiting for second landing in Seattle which is to be executed in 5 days. Battles like one for Tracy where 2 Canadian cavalry and one US infantry attacked well dug 5 Dokuritsu no Soukoushashidan in hills led by major general Kaneoka Takashi which also had advantage of being behind river.
Yanks become more and more aggressive as more and more of their reinforcements arrive. However they are not aware of second landing which is about to be executed and their concentration on this sole beachhead will provide an excellent distraction.
Quick attacks were ordered to relieve defenders of some places most exposed to US attackers.
Invasion fleet carrying 2 infantry corps finds Seattle and Vancouver left undefended.
Both Vancouver and Seattle succumb to Japanese without firing a single shot although reports say that small militias were found near Seattle, but this is nothing that experienced Japanese soldiers should be afraid of. With two level 10 ports secured without a fight we can start pumping soldiers to this beachhead.
Situation in the US 1st June 1942. While the south beachhead turned into a stalemate, north one looks promising and offers a vast expansion.
Causalities:
| JAP (this update) | JAP (total) | USA (this update) | USA (total) | Allies (this update) | Allies (total) | |
| Bombing | 210 | 232 | 8059 | 15352 | 8156 | 15449 |
| Combat | 10584 | 15380 | 19223 | 33094 | 20720 | 34591 |
| Total | 10794 | 15612 | 27282 | 48446 | 28876 | 50040 |
Detailed information about every event can be found in this Google docs spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q_g63z2AukTXzsBXtEoxhE7lhIOtfjT7zyzA8WNl3dA/edit?usp=sharing