Turn 1 by E.R. Bickford Production: C.J. Doherty 2010 Decision Games Bakersfield, CA. Introduction Several decisions are determined before play begins. First the Japanese commander must settle on an invasion site. The invasions must go ashore in three contiguous coastal hexes in one of the potential invasion zones. One factor to consider is the consequences of the Japanese Landing Table. Depending on the invasion site selected, the landing will be more or less risky due to local surf and beach conditions. The Japanese commander decides to invade in Kaneohe Bay. That s the safest choice. It also has a road that cuts through the mountains to Honolulu. The hapless Americans set up without knowledge of the invasion site. Since they ve been taken by complete surprise, there s limited flexibility to their set up, particularly with the Army s 25 th Division. As it is, some of those units are deployed on the northwestern side of the Koolau Range, which happens to be where the Japanese invasion will take place. Now the Japanese player reveals his central landing hex, which is 2710. Beachhead markers are then deployed in 2709, 2710 and 2611. Turn 1, December 7, 1941 It is the morning of 7 December. The Americans are asleep and the sequence of play for this turn is shortened. On this first turn the Japanese player makes his initial landing; he then takes his movement and combat phases while the Americans remain idle. WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010 A1
Japanese Landing Phase There are two Japanese units on the beachheads already, as they stalled during their initial landings. Thus there is only space for 10 more units to land. This time all the landings are successful. US Activation Phases The Activation Phase is a series of chit pulls that activate a US formation to either move or fight. It is random. At any time the Japanese player can interrupt a chit pull and take either of his movement or combat phase. The American draws his first chit. Turn 2 Japanese Landing Phase Four companies of the SNLF hit the beach in 2709, while a total of eight companies from the IJA land in the other two beachhead hexes. Those landings must be resolved on the Japanese Landing Table. Since the landings are in Kaneohe Bay, there is a favorable -2 die roll modifier. Three of the four SNLF companies land safely, while one unit is stalled and may not move or attack for the balance of this turn. Seven of the eight IJA units also land effectively. One company has stalled. Nonetheless, none of the Japanese units have taken step losses. Three SNLF companies advance toward Bellows Field and then turn north to face the American deployments in the hills. Likewise, the IJA moves six companies to the SNLF s right, where they engage elements of the US 25 th Division. The SNLF attacks the infantry company on the eastern side of the mountain road. The American company is eliminated, but one of the Japanese units takes a step loss. The Japanese troops advance and then engage in a momentum attack against an American unit on the mountain pass. Both sides lose a step; so the American unit is eliminated. Next, the IJA attacks with six companies against two units of the 25 th Division. The Americans are on the western side of the pass. Both US infantry companies are wiped out. The Japanese troops advance. There are no further attacks. The Japanese player has collected three VP for the three beachheads. [Photo Japanese landing and initial advance.] Turn 2, December 7, 1941 It s now afternoon. The Japanese forces have a foothold on Oahu, with three beachheads as well as the northeastern end of the mountain pass. Four American companies have been knocked out of the US 25 th Infantry Division and the Japanese have lost two steps. US 25 th Fight. Two courageous American units attack the Japanese IJA just outside the beachhead. Both sides lose a step. USMC Move The American units have a variable movement rate, simulating their partial training and the fact they ve been caught off guard. The Marine unit in Ewa moves to the northern side of Pearl Harbor. The other three Marine companies don t get very far due to low movement point die rolls. US 25 th Move This is an opportunity for the forward units to reposition themselves. The forward-most company misses the movement roll and remains trapped among the Japanese troops. Four other infantry companies move into the mountains through the pass on the eastern side of the Koolau Range. Two of the 25 th Division s units move into Fort Shafter. Some of the units near Pearl Harbor begin to move toward Honolulu. US 24th Fight Since none of these units are in contact with the enemy, the chit is wasted this turn. Battleship Row Fight Again, the enemy is not in range. A2 WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010
USMC Fight No contact. What If the Japanese Invaded? US 24 th Move The 24th Infantry Division is encamped at Schofield Barracks. Those units begin to move toward the enemy. With the variable movement rates, the US 24th Division mostly lumbers in disarray. Though the Japanese commander can interrupt the American player after any activation to take one of his phases, he s decided to wait to see how the American reaction played out. The IJA s 5 th Company, now reduced, moves to the north coast and captures the Naval Air Station without a fight. That s worth two VP. Then the 10 th SNLF captures Bellows Field for two more VP. The rest of the units on the beachheads move forward and into the weak screen of the US 25 th Division. The SNLF opens with an attack on two American infantry units on the Japanese left. Both US infantry companies are eliminated. On the right, the IJA overruns a lone infantry company that s been left behind. That unit is easily dispatched. The US 25 th Infantry has lost four more companies. The Japanese have reported negligible damage and now have seven VP. Photo Overview of Oahu Turn 3, December 7, 1941 It is the evening of 7 December. Everyone is aware the Japanese have indeed invaded Oahu. The 25 th Infantry Division has taken the brunt of the damage and the Air Naval Station and Bellows field have been captured. Japanese forces appear to be headed for Honolulu. Japanese Landing Phase Two more companies of the IJA land successfully on the beaches. Turn 3 American Activation Phase From this point forward, I will refrain from reporting each chit pull. Only the relevant activations will be mentioned. One of the USMC companies manages to get to the base of the Koolau Range near Hickham Field. The 25 th Infantry Division attempts to move toward Honolulu in order to defend the city against assault. Many of the units fail to move at all, while others progress at a painful pace. (There s a negative die roll modifier for American units movement on the 7 th.) The 24 th Infantry Division also drifts toward the eastern side of the island. Much of the division remains bogged down near Schofield Barracks. A few units manage to get near to Pearl Harbor. Again the Japanese player waits to see what develops with the Americans. The SNLF manages to surround a large group of infantry from the US 25 th on the mountain pass, while the IJA moves through the mountain range on the Japanese right. The SNLF attacks the Americans deployed in the Koolau Mountain Range. The US infantry has excellent cover in the mountainous terrain and that slows the Japanese advance. One company of US infantry is eliminated during the defense. Thus far American forces have forfeited nine infantry units while the Japanese have lost only two steps. The Japanese still have seven VP. Photo close up of the SNLF Turn 4, December 7, 1941 NIGHT This is the first night turn. There is no Japanese Landing Phase nor any US fight activations. The US still has its move activations, and the Japanese have both move and fight activations. American Activation Phase The 25 th Infantry Division continues to move toward Honolulu. It makes limited progress. The units in the mountains become paralyzed and remain hunkered down in place. The USMC also moves toward the east. The 24 th Division continues to shift. One company is deployed at Hickham Field. Several infantry companies are moved to the Navy Yard at Pearl. WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010 A3
Turn 4 The commander of the SNLF decides to attack the American infantry in the mountains. The Japanese have those Americans surrounded. The defenders have a 2L shift for terrain, and then get lucky with the night combat die roll; so the attack is launched at 1:2 despite the superiority of the Japanese force. Consequently the Japanese player loses four steps. The IJA advances toward Honolulu. A large force has advanced to the outskirts of Honolulu. Several of the SNLF units attempt to pin down the stubborn American troops in the mountains, while the rest move on toward Honolulu. Things have not gone too well for the Japanese first attempt at night fighting. Day two is set to begin. Photo Japanese move in on Honolulu Turn 5, December 8, 1941 Morning This is the first turn that introduces the air and naval phases into play. There are several decisions to be made on each side. Carrier Warfare Phase The Japanese player secretly decides which naval units to deploy in the IJN Close In Box and the IJN Distant Box. Placing units close in will allow them to be used to support the invasion ground force, but it also places the ships in danger from American naval and air units. IJN ship losses take away VP. Nonetheless, the Japanese commander isn t worried about the US Navy; so he deploys both his battleships, Hiei i and Kirishima, in the Close in Box so they can barrage the island. Six carriers are also deployed close in, allowing all their aircraft to strike the American positions as well. The US Naval commander has the Lexington out to sea, but the Enterprise e is deployed in the USN Close In Box. Additionally, the US Army Air Force deploys its air unit in the Aircraft Available Box. Since both sides have CV in close, the Carrier Warfare Phase must be resolved. The Carrier Warfare Table is consulted, and the result is no Carrier Combat. A4 WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010
What If the Japanese Invaded? Turn 5 Submarine Warfare Phase Next, the US Submarines make an attack. Two dice are rolled and a three or 11 scores a hit. The result of nine is a miss. US Activation Phase The Japanese commander usurps US activation and conducts a Japanese Combat Phase. Attacks will be launched against Honolulu. The IJA attacks the northernmost Honolulu hex. Four air strikes are called in from the Japanese carriers. The US Army Air Force also supports the defenders with their P-40 s. Since the Japanese have attacked a city hex, a check must be made for Isei rebellion: no effect. The attack is resolved at 3:1, and the US 25 th Infantry Division loses two units. The Japanese force also takes a step loss. Next, the commander of the SNLF launches a second attack into one of the Honolulu hexes. USN carrier-based aircraft fly in to support the defense. Again there is no Isei rebellion. Both sides take a step loss, but the Americans remain in control of Honolulu. A final attack is launched against the US troops in the mountains. The Japanese BB are called on to support that assault. Two carrier-based aircraft units also support. The assault is resolved at 3:1. The 25 th Infantry loses two more companies, but one holds its position, further delaying the SNLF in the Koolau Range. Since the BB fired in support of ground operations, the USN carrier-based aircraft conduct a mission against those ships. The naval air units don t get their hit number and the attack fails. US Activation Phase The 24 th Infantry Division continues to move. Several units deploy in Fort Kamehameha, while others attempt to take up positions in Pearl Harbor. The rest of the 24th Infantry is left to defend Wheeler Field and Schofield Barracks. Next the USMC moves its units eastward. One gets to the outskirts of Honolulu. Last, the 25 th Infantry s lone company in the mountains finally gets away and flees to Honolulu to assist in the defense there. The 25 th Infantry s units continue to move into Honolulu. The commander of the SNLF moves all available forces against Honolulu, WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010 A5
American Activation Phase The US 25 th Infantry decides not to attack, as that would most likely help the Japanese player. Instead, the commander of the 25 th Infantry Division concentrates on building a defensive position based on Fort Shafter to stem the Japanese advances toward Pearl Harbor. The USMC takes up defensive positions blocking the approach to the forts on the southern part of Pearl Harbor. Then the 24 th Infantry Division forms a line on the eastern side of Pearl. Turn 6 while the commander of the IJA continues to cover the flank. The Japanese have taken heavy losses thus far. The US 25 th Infantry has lost 14 companies. The Japanese maintain seven VP. Photo Japanese close on Honolulu. Turn 6, December 8, 1941 Afternoon Since the Japanese landings have been completed, that phase will be skipped for the rest of the game. Submarine Warfare Phase The die roll of four is another miss. Again, the Japanese commander pre-empts the US activation by declaring combat. That s to prevent the Americans from building up forces in Honolulu. The commander of the SNLF attacks the four Honolulu city hexes. The eastern city hex is defended by an infantry company. There is no rebellion. The USAAF flies a close support mission, as do the carrier planes from the Japanese CV Shikoku. After taking heavy loses, the eastern Honolulu hex falls to the Japanese. The SNLF continues its assault of Honolulu with supporting fire from the BB Hiei. The Isei rebellion occurs. The USN carrier aircraft are idle. The 25 th Division s infantry unit is eliminated and another city hex falls to the Japanese. Since a BB fired ground support, the USN carrier planes make another naval attack. The die roll fails to fall into the hit range, and the IJN remains unscathed. The SNLF continues its assault on Honolulu with more close support from the Japanese carrier aircraft. Two more companies of the US 25 th Infantry fall, and the Japanese occupy more of Honolulu. A fourth attack is launched by the SNLF against the city. The BB Kirishima fires in support, along with air support from the carrier Hiryu. The Japanese knock out two more infantry units and capture another sector of Honolulu. Next, the commander of the IJA launches a final assault against the westernmost section of Honolulu. Carrier aircraft support the effort, but this time it s countered by planes from the CV Enterprise. The attack is repulsed, and the Japanese take two step losses. The fact the Americans continue to control at least part of Honolulu gives a slight morale boast. The Japanese player currently has 11 VP. The commander of the SNLF moves toward the westernmost part of Honolulu. Two companies are left to guard the eastern sector. There is no further activity, as early evening approaches. The IJA leaves the last Honolulu sector to the SNLF, and its commander advances toward the defense line near Fort Shafter. Photo: Most of Honolulu conquered Turn 7, December 8, 1941 Evening US Submarine Attack Phase Another miss. The Japanese commander preempts the American player and takes the first activation as a combat phase. The commander of the IJA launches an assault against the 25 th Infantry Division in Fort Shafter. Four carrier s send aircraft to support the attack along with the BB Hiei. The USAAF sends its aircraft in ground support as well. The fort defenses yield a 3L column shift, so this is a successful defensive stand. Both sides take a step loss. The American carrier aircraft perform their mission against the IJN, since it supported a ground assault. Again they miss their targets. Next, the commander of the SNLF assaults the remaining American troops in the western section of Honolulu. The BB Kirishima provides barrage support. Two of the Japanese carriers also send aircraft. All three A6 WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010
What If the Japanese Invaded? American infantry units are eliminated, and the last part of Honolulu falls to the enemy. The fall of Honolulu has a negative effect on the American forces ability to move, as does the Isei rebellion. The Japanese Navy has used all its aircraft in ground support roles, leaving nothing for interdiction; however, the American force s erratic movement allowance precludes the need for much of that. US Activation Phase The 24 th Infantry attempts to buttress the defense of Pearl Harbor on the eastern approach. Due to movement penalties and unlucky die rolls, not much can be done. The 25 th Infantry Division is so depleted there aren t many units left to move. Those remain braced for a last-ditch effort to block the Japanese advance on Pearl. The Americans remain on the defensive and choose not to initiate combat. Both the SNLF and the IJA turn their attention to the west and make for Pearl Harbor. They re greeted with a stiff defensive position at Fort Shafter. The SNLF set up on the Japanese left while the IJA holds down the right. Photo: Japanese turn the corner Turn 8, December 8, 1941 Night The Japanese player has 12 VP. Since this is a night turn, the Americans won t be able to launch any attacks. Likewise, the air forces of both sides are out of the fray. The Japanese will be able to move and attack, and the Japanese battleships may also support their combat. US Submarine Attack Phase The subs miss their target again. The Japanese commander takes the initial phase, before the US commander can move any units. First, the SNLF resumes its attack against Fort Shafter. The Japanese commander is taking a risk by fighting at night, but Turn 7 time and supplies are running out. The BB Kirishima fires in support. The Night Combat Table shifts in the US player s favor. That isn t what the Japanese commander was hoping for. Nonetheless, there s no actual shift as the US player rolls a one. The Japanese commander decides to tempt fate and declares a banzai attack, which is successful for two right column shifts. The entire American force in Fort Shafter is eliminated, while the Japanese player takes a mandatory step loss. The IJA now attacks the elements of the 25 th Infantry Division covering Fort Shafter s northern flank. It s a risky attack as it s another night combat. This time the Night Attack Table yields a favorable shift to the Japanese player. The end result is a two right shift. The Japanese commander orders a banzai that yields another two right column shift. The 25 th Infantry loses half its defensive position as two units are eliminated. The IJA takes another mandatory step loss. In the last attack of the phase, the IJA strikes a lone unit of US Marines. The BB Hiei i supports with barrage fire. The Night Attack Table gives the Japanese more columns shifts. The Marines are eliminated and the Japanese lose a step. US Activation Phase The 24 th Infantry Division attempts to move a few units into better defensive positions. Two companies of the 25 th Infantry Division at Kai-Muki advance for a fateful attack on Honolulu. The USMC advances a unit into the coastal forts on the southern side of Pearl Harbor. The commander of the SNLF advances and manages to surround four companies of the 25 th Infantry Division south of Fort Shafter. The IJA also surrounds the two remaining units on the northern flank of the same fort. Photo: Japanese move on Pearl. Turn 9, December 9, 1941 Morning This is the last turn of carrier combat. Japanese supplies are running out, and this is the last day for operations. The Japanese player has 13 VP of the 22 needed to win. The US 25 th Infantry Division is mostly out of action, but the 24 th Division is deployed in strength east of Pearl Harbor, which is where most of the remaining VP are located. WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010 A7
Turn 8 Carrier Warfare Phase During the Ship Disposition Segment, the Japanese commander decides to keep all his ships in the Close In Box. That s a risk, but he thinks he will need all the carrier and BB support for the press on Pearl Harbor. The USN commander decides to put both Lexington and Enterprise in the Close In Box, hoping to debit the Japanese VP in naval combat. Since both sides have carriers in their respective Close In Boxes, the potential for carrier warfare exists. A die is rolled on the Carrier Warfare Table. The result is the IJN finds the USN. The Japanese naval commander allocates three air units to each of the American carriers. The first two air units against the Enterprise miss, but the third gets a hit. The Enterprise is damaged. The Enterprise e is removed and the Japanese collect one VP. The Lexington is also hit and is subsequently sunk. The Japanese player collects three more VP. That brings the Japanese player up to 17 VP. Submarine Combat Phase The USN commits its submarines to an attack on the IJN. Another miss. The Japanese player needs five more VP for victory. The Japanese commander preempts the American activations again by declaring his combat phase. The IJA has surrounded part of the 25 th Infantry Division to the north of Fort Shafter. That attack is a success, and the IJA advances. Both American units are eliminated. The commander of the SNLF also attacks the 25 th Infantry Division on the southern flank of Fort Shafter. That attack is supported by the BB Hiei and two air units from the Japanese carriers. The USAAF air unit flies in for defensive ground support. The Americans continue to hold the position after losing three-quarters of their troops in the fight. Next the SNLF attack the US Marines deployed east of Fort Kamehameha. The BB Kirishima also fires, along with ground support from three of the carrier missions. The marines are eliminated and the SNLF advances. The last attack is carried out by the remaining SNLF units in Honolulu against the two infantry companies from the 25 th Infantry. The Japanese carriers have one mission left to A8 WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010
What If the Japanese Invaded? Turn 9 support the attack. Both American infantry units are eliminated. US Activation Phase The US 25 th Infantry has been reduced to two companies. One of them attempts to fall back toward the 24 th Infantry Division s position, while the other moves into the oil storage area on the north side of Pearl Harbor. That s a VP location, but it s also a dangerous position to defend. Next the US 24 th Infantry Division moves a couple units to better positions. In a risky move, the commander of the 24 th orders a counterattack against the IJA. As a result, the Japanese forces take a step loss. The SNLF advances into the vicinity of Pearl Harbor and subsequently seizes the oil storage tanks on the eastern side of the harbor. That yields a VP. The IJA moves into position for another round of attacks against the 24 th. Photo: Japanese infiltrate Pearl Harbor Turn 10 December 9, 1941 Afternoon Time is running out for the Japanese. They currently hold 18 VP, and four more are needed. They may come from the heavily defended positions at Pearl Harbor or through attacks on Battleship Row. There s still also possibility US submarines might debit the Japanese a couple of VP s. US Submarine Attack Phase The American player rolls a three, for a hit. An American torpedo has finally found a Japanese ship. The BB Hiei i is hit and damaged. It s removed from play and the Japanese are debited a VP. This leaves them with a total of 17 VP. The Japanese commander again preempts the US activations. First the IJA attacks the 24 th Infantry on the Japanese right. Three carrier air strikes are also employed. The USAAF flies in defensive air support. Both sides take losses. The US 24 th Division loses two companies and the IJA takes one step loss. The commander of the SNLF launches a risky assault against Battleship Row on Ford Island. The IJN supports that attack with carrierbased aircraft and the BB Kirishima. The Japanese take two step losses, but the US battleships are destroyed. The Japanese gets a d6-3 of VP for eliminating the Battleship Row units. WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010 A9
Turn 10 In this case a six is rolled for three VP. The SNLF advances onto Ford Island and captures the airfield there for two more VP. That gives the Japanese exactly 22 VP. Thus the game ends immediately with a Japanese victory. In retrospect, the American player made a mistake in not deploying enough of the 24th Infantry near the approaches to Ford Island. Also, luck went against his decision to bring the US carriers to the Close In Box, where they ended up costing four VP, even though the odds generally favor the US in carrier combat. The Japanese VP die roll for Battleship Row was also lucky. Photo: Japanese on Ford Island Photo: Dead Pile A10 WORLD at WAR 14 AFTER ACTION REPORT OCT NOV 2010