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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 10:15:54 AM   
mogami


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Hi, Exactly how many sorties armed with torpedos should players be allowed to make?




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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 10:17:26 AM   
ChezDaJez


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quote:

Point being (if there's a point, I forget), bigger bases are going to have "bigger" infrastructure. More of it. Better. The Japanese in particular had little motor transport, and minimal port facilities at anything other than major bases.


Maybe I didn't make the point clear enough. Your argument that it is all about infrastructure doesn't wash.

The point is a Betty can load torps anywhere a land-based Kate can. The same with a Beaufort and an Avenger. There is no difference in the facilities or ground equipment required. So infrastructure doesn't matter one bit. Torps are torps. Load a torp on a Kate, you should be able to load a torp on a Betty.

A B-17 loading 1000lbers requires the same equipment a B-25 loading 500lbers does. Again no difference in infrastructure.

So basically airbase size boils down to runway length, not infrastructure. The question is can a loaded B-17 or Betty takeoff from that airfield? The weapons themselves don't matter. The infrastructure doesn't matter. Its the length of the runway and how much parking area there is.


And BTW, Japanese torpedoes were shipped in 3 parts; the propulsion unit, the warhead and a prop. The only prep was to uncage the gyros, remove the protective blocks on the rudder and stern planes, install a prop and a warhead and fuel it. Conduct a systems inspection and load it up. Good to go.

Chez


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 10:23:33 AM   
mogami


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Hi, every issue with WITP does not have to evolve into a battle of personalities.

If the torpedo is used to often in WITp it is a simple issue to resolve once accurate numbers are provided.
Just how many times did allied ship get into range of japanese airfield and not get attacked by torpedo loaded aircraft? (when airfield was not closed before allied ships entered range?)

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 3:20:39 PM   
juliet7bravo

 

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"Hi, CA Chicago was hit by torpedo at night by ac launched from size 4 airifield. Lexington CV-16 was hit by torpedo at night launched from size 4 airfield. McCawlay (flag ship of invasion TF ) was hit and sunk by torpedo launched from aircraft"

You're absolutely correct. Torps should be available anywhere, and in any numbers.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 3:21:44 PM   
juliet7bravo

 

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"Hi, Exactly how many sorties armed with torpedos should players be allowed to make?"

As many as they possibly can.


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 3:25:39 PM   
juliet7bravo

 

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"Maybe I didn't make the point clear enough. Your argument that it is all about infrastructure doesn't wash."

You're absolutely, 100% correct.

The point is a Betty can load torps anywhere a land-based Kate can. The same with a Beaufort and an Avenger. There is no difference in the facilities or ground equipment required. So infrastructure doesn't matter one bit. Torps are torps. Load a torp on a Kate, you should be able to load a torp on a Betty.

You're absolutely, 100% correct.

"A B-17 loading 1000lbers requires the same equipment a B-25 loading 500lbers does. Again no difference in infrastructure"

You're absolutely, 100% correct.

"So basically airbase size boils down to runway length, not infrastructure. The question is can a loaded B-17 or Betty takeoff from that airfield? The weapons themselves don't matter. The infrastructure doesn't matter. Its the length of the runway and how much parking area there is"

You're absolutely, 100% correct.

"And BTW, Japanese torpedoes were shipped in 3 parts; the propulsion unit, the warhead and a prop. The only prep was to uncage the gyros, remove the protective blocks on the rudder and stern planes, install a prop and a warhead and fuel it. Conduct a systems inspection and load it up. Good to go."

You're absolutely, 100% correct.


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 3:30:19 PM   
Speedysteve

 

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 3:33:40 PM   
juliet7bravo

 

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"Hi, every issue with WITP does not have to evolve into a battle of personalities"

You're absolutely, 100% correct.

"If the torpedo is used to often in WITp it is a simple issue to resolve once accurate numbers are provided"

Pick a number, any number

"Just how many times did allied ship get into range of japanese airfield and not get attacked by torpedo loaded aircraft? (when airfield was not closed before allied ships entered range?)"

Look Rocky, watch me pull a number of my ass!

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 4:22:04 PM   
Big B

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami


quote:

ORIGINAL: Big B


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami


In order to launch a torpedo strike the Japanese must have
1. A size 4 or larger airfield
2. A Air HQ
3. 2x required supply
4. 1 escort for every 2 CAP over target.




I'm not so sure here..

In a game I did vs AI, I was Japanese. I captured Midway Is. by Dec 27th. I quickly Flew in about 30-40 G3Ms and G4Ms and about 27 A6Ms.

By Jan 1, the US Navy was launching CV strikes at Midway. My planes launched and torpedoed the Enterprise - Torpedoed that is.
I had no Air HQ there on Midway....

B


Hi, If you didn't have an Air HQ you were not flying 100 percent of your aircraft.


Hi, I'm sure you are correct that 100% of the aircraft did not fly...I was merely trying to illustrate that so long as you have a level 4 airfield that is adequately supplied - you will have torpedo strikes available automatically.


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, Exactly how many sorties armed with torpedoes should players be allowed to make?




I don't see it as an issue of how many strikes we should allow. I see it as an issue of automatic availability.

If the Allies automatically got to arm level bombers with 1000lb AP bombs under the same conditions, we would probably see that as an unrealistic availability of such bombs.

But the allies must go through checks and die rolls to get their equivalent anti-ship weapon. No one says that the allies should only get X amount of sorties per game - just that they don't automatically get 1000lbrs at proper level well supplied bases....and that seems to work out acceptably.

To me, I just see it as a similar situation with torpedoes for land based level bombers.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 6:06:25 PM   
AmiralLaurent

 

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For me the problem is more general than Betties or Beauforts. It is the fact that the facilities available in a given base are only depending of the size of the airfield/port.

IMOO, the size of a port should only indicate the number of ships that may be unloaded/loaded, the size of an airfield the length of a runway and the size of the dispersal and so on.

While the service level of both should be different, meaning that you noy only have a long runway but also a torpedo shop, a repair shop, a meteo station and so on...

But that is another model...

As for having too much torpedoes in WITP, I fully agree (for Betties/Nells and for Beauforts). But the problem is that bombs are useless against most naval targets. In WITP Allied transports will survive being hit by a dozen bombs, while in RL one was sometimes sufficient to sink them. As most as torpedoes are too often used, my opinion is that bombs are not efficient enough, there are tens of example of ships sunk by one or two bombs. The only way to sink something with bombs in WITP is to score a dozen of hits, something that is possible because the number of AC on the frontline is far greater than in RL.

So IMOO power of bombs should be increased against soft armor targets. And use of torpedoes should be limitated to bases with Navy Base Forces at 100% of OOB (so you will have to march them or ship them where you want to use them). So Betties will fly with bombs from IJA bases, or from forward bases where air support had been brought by air. When the whole Navy base force is in place, torpedoes become available (if the base is level 4 or greater). As someone

That will reduce mostly the torpedo use in the first months of the war.

By the way, the Swordish and Vildebeests based in Singapore never used torpedoes, but attacked Japanese ships with bombs. And I don't remember that Beauforts used torpedoes in the Pacific or the Indian Ocean (at least there they were ready to do so, but Japanese never came).

Another solution is to create a new device, "torpedo shop", roughly of the size of a radar or bigger. Each able torpedo shop will be able to load each turn 30 AC, or 10 PT, or 3 SS.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 6:33:50 PM   
bradfordkay

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, every issue with WITP does not have to evolve into a battle of personalities.

If the torpedo is used to often in WITp it is a simple issue to resolve once accurate numbers are provided.
Just how many times did allied ship get into range of japanese airfield and not get attacked by torpedo loaded aircraft? (when airfield was not closed before allied ships entered range?)



For starters, we could look at the Guadalcanal campaign. Every transport mission to Guadalcanal was within range of torpedo equipped level bombers. What is the percentage of attacks by medium bombers on this shipping that were armed with torpedoes versus bombs? Surely this could give us a rough estimate of where we should be going, as this is a well documented campaign entirely within the parameters of this argument.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 8:06:52 PM   
spence

 

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One ought to look as well at the SRA/DEI Campaign. Someone already mentioned that the Swordfish and Vildebeests used bombs there rather than torpedos. I have done a lot of looking and found no instances other than the attacks on the PoW/Repulse wherein the G4s and G3s used torpedos. Reading about those attacks specifically I got the impression that:
1) the Japanese recognized a specific threat to their designs on the area in PoW/Repulse
2) they moved in certain air groups and then trained them up to make torpedo attacks
3) they provided torpedos for some of the aircraft (at least nine of the attacking bombers attacked with bombs).

Following the air groups involved I found no torpedo attacks by any of them during the remainder of the DEI campaign. Planes from some of these groups attacked the Dutch Fleet, Houston, Marblehead, and Boise at one time or another: all with bombs.
The next time they flew with torpedos was in the Guadalcanal campaign.


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 8:12:01 PM   
mogami


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Hi, OK in Solomons. (I'll edit as I find data)

7 Aug 27xBetty (bombs)
8 Aug 27xBetty (torpedos) had to be a new Daitai since on 7th they lost a number of bombers. Japan was busy trying to bomb PM when USMC landed so the 7th may have been ac that would have made airfield attack but were diverted to hunt USN CV. The group on the 8th had to spend the 7th setting up torpedo config.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 8:55:03 PM   
pasternakski


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As we're still at it hoof-by-jowl, I merely add that I think Leo's original idea has considerable merit, although I still say that limiting one aspect of air attack is not going to go very far in addressing the real problem, which is, I think, too many aircraft being able to accomplish too much too frequently.

I thought about suggesting that maybe torpedoes ought to be handled kind of like air combat TF sorties, with an "operations" limit that replenishes depending on base size and amount of supply, but I realize that there is little likelihood that there will be that much "fiddling" with the game system from now on - and, as we all know, it's a good thing to be wearing your Squaredance Bra, because it stays up no matter how frantic the fiddling gets.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 9:51:17 PM   
pad152

 

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Two possible ideas:

1. Random (like the Pearl Harbor Strike) planes attack with normal bomb load or torpedo.
or
2. Limit to one strike per day, if a land bomber group launches a torpedo strike in the AM phase, then they can only launch a bomb strike in the PM phase. I think this is more realistic.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 9:52:33 PM   
ChezDaJez


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quote:

Hi, every issue with WITP does not have to evolve into a battle of personalities.


I don't see this as a clash of personalities, I see it as a case of debating and justifying our differing opinions. We have different ideas on what's wrong and how to fix them. If I'm understanding J7B's position correctly, he believes there should be additional base force restrictions. I don't favor that. I favor a production queue for these type weapons.

Where is the clash of personalities? I don't see any ad hominem attacks or uncivility. We have our convictions and are standing by them. (even though he is incorrect.)

Chez

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 9:59:45 PM   
ChezDaJez


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quote:

3) they provided torpedos for some of the aircraft (at least nine of the attacking bombers attacked with bombs).


The question is then, Spence, was that due to doctrine or availability?

I personally think it is an availability issue. And this is where I agree with most players. The availability of torpedoes and other special use weapons for both sides is too great.

The Japanese greatly valued the torpedo as an anti-ship weapon but I don't believe their production capacity could keep up with the demand. It was another case of not being prepared for a war they chose to start.

Chez

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/25/2006 10:39:59 PM   
TIMJOT

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Just how many times did allied ship get into range of japanese airfield and not get attacked by torpedo loaded aircraft? (when airfield was not closed before allied ships entered range?)



Not sure but can think of a few off the top of my head. The attack on elements of the US Asiatic Fleet in the Banda sea January 42, Attack on Dorman's combined strike force off Banka Island in Feb 42, Attack of Koepang Reinforcement convoy off Timor Feb 42 and the sinking of the Langley south of Java. All attacks by Bettys useing bombs because there were no torpedos available at the advance bases in Borneo and Celebes from which the attacks were staged. Surely there should be some sort of limiting factor governoring LB torpedo sorties. Even a something as simple as a minimal level of supply at a base requirement would make it a bit more realistic IMHO.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 1:22:52 AM   
mogami


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quote:

ORIGINAL: TIMJOT


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Just how many times did allied ship get into range of japanese airfield and not get attacked by torpedo loaded aircraft? (when airfield was not closed before allied ships entered range?)



Not sure but can think of a few off the top of my head. The attack on elements of the US Asiatic Fleet in the Banda sea January 42, Attack on Dorman's combined strike force off Banka Island in Feb 42, Attack of Koepang Reinforcement convoy off Timor Feb 42 and the sinking of the Langley south of Java. All attacks by Bettys useing bombs because there were no torpedos available at the advance bases in Borneo and Celebes from which the attacks were staged. Surely there should be some sort of limiting factor governoring LB torpedo sorties. Even a something as simple as a minimal level of supply at a base requirement would make it a bit more realistic IMHO.


Hi, Langley was hit by 9 AC operating at extended range from Kendari. (5 bomb hits socred)

< Message edited by Mogami -- 4/26/2006 3:46:49 AM >


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 2:14:04 AM   
spence

 

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I believe that there were some attacks by Nells on Enterprise/Yorktown or both during the Marshall/Gilbert Island Raids in Feb 42. Pretty sure the bombers carried bombs as did those that attacked Lexington from Rabaul about the same time frame (though that base was probably too small for a WitP torpedo attack on the date in question). There were also some attacks during the Battle of the Coral Sea though against Crace's cruisers and I think those were with bombs as well (by which time Rabaul almost certainly was an eligible WitP torpedo attack base).

Note: the attacks listed are off the top of my head and I have not checked my data being at the moment inconvenienced by work (Geez!).

It does kinda look like torpedos were not available just any place. If they had been they woulda been used...it was the Japanese doctrinally preferred weapon. Certainly the carriers and cruisers mentioned above were worthy targets.

< Message edited by spence -- 4/26/2006 3:31:36 AM >

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Ships sunk by torpedo - 4/26/2006 4:13:38 AM   
mogami


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Hi, PBEM game. date currently 6-6-43

50 ships sunk by Allied torpedos
27 ships sunk by Japanese torpedos

Ships sunk by torpedo

533mm W1x8
450mm H1x4
24in type 93x2
22in Mk13x1
21in type 95x9
21in type IXx1
21in Mk-14x33
21in Mk10x2
18in type 91x16
18in Mk-XIIx1

(1000Lb GP bombs have sunk 15 Japanese ships)

totals to all causes
48 Allies ships (469 VP)
108 Japanese (1279 VP)


For comparison another PBEM game (against the bloodlyminded and ruthless Adm dadman)

Date 3-13-43

100 ships sunk by Allied torpedos
182 sunk by Japanese torpedos


533mm W1x22
450mm H1x7
24in type 93x24
22in Mk13x1
21in type 95x15
21in type IXx6
21in Mk-14x19
21in Mk10x10
18in type 91x140
18in Mk-XIIx21
type 92x3
21in Mk VIIcx6
21in Mk8x2
21in Mk15x6

(1000Lb GP bombx45)(250KG bombs have sunk 30 Allied ships)

To all causes
348 Allied (5539 vp)
363 Japanese (5265 vp)

< Message edited by Mogami -- 4/26/2006 5:01:47 AM >


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RE: Ships sunk by torpedo - 4/26/2006 6:53:54 AM   
bradfordkay

 

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In those lists, Russ, the 18 inchers are the Japanese and British air launched torpedoes. I forget what torpedo the TBD and TBFs use (do they use the same torpedo as each other?).

I agree with Past that in the long run it is the overall higher level of air activity that is costing us all so much in shipping. I was using the # of ships sunk historically versus those sunk in the game as an example of just how far out of whack it is. However, to me it is the fact that torpedo capable a/c launching at normal range always use torpedoes that has affected my suspension of disbelief (i.e., makes the game feel less realistic). Having read so much on the pacific war (but not nearly as much as some of those here), I know that not every attack was torpedo armed. If the game was adjusted slightly on this, I think that most of us would feel better.

Noone is expecting perfect historical accuracy (okay, most of us aren't). I just think that it would feel more realistic if this were addressed...

I tried a quick review of "The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign" and those first two days of the allied invasion were apparently the only (?!) Betty attacks on allied shipping through October 15. About the 15th -16th October, Japanese carrier aircraft bombed (no Kates involved, apparently) the USS McFarland, which was unloading avgas and munitions for Cactus air force.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 7:02:26 AM   
ChezDaJez


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quote:

ORIGINAL: spence

I believe that there were some attacks by Nells on Enterprise/Yorktown or both during the Marshall/Gilbert Island Raids in Feb 42. Pretty sure the bombers carried bombs as did those that attacked Lexington from Rabaul about the same time frame (though that base was probably too small for a WitP torpedo attack on the date in question). There were also some attacks during the Battle of the Coral Sea though against Crace's cruisers and I think those were with bombs as well (by which time Rabaul almost certainly was an eligible WitP torpedo attack base).

Note: the attacks listed are off the top of my head and I have not checked my data being at the moment inconvenienced by work (Geez!).

It does kinda look like torpedos were not available just any place. If they had been they woulda been used...it was the Japanese doctrinally preferred weapon. Certainly the carriers and cruisers mentioned above were worthy targets.


Hi Spence,

You are correct in that 5 Nells attacked the Enterprise during the Feb 42 Marshalls raid. They did carry bombs and one managed to get one close enough to cause minor damage to the ship. (BTW, they were not intercepted prior to dropping bombs). One was damaged by flak and attempted "kamikaze" itself into the Enterprise but missed.

My gut feeling (and no way to prove or disprove this) is that because the Japanese were surprised by the raid, they loaded bombs as they can be loaded much quicker than a torp. I do not know if the Japanese had torps available there at the time but if they did, that would be my explanation for using bombs instead.

Chez


_____________________________

Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98

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Post #: 113
RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 7:14:25 AM   
Mike Scholl

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

Hi Spence,

You are correct in that 5 Nells attacked the Enterprise during the Feb 42 Marshalls raid. They did carry bombs and one managed to get one close enough to cause minor damage to the ship. (BTW, they were not intercepted prior to dropping bombs). One was damaged by flak and attempted "kamikaze" itself into the Enterprise but missed.

My gut feeling (and no way to prove or disprove this) is that because the Japanese were surprised by the raid, they loaded bombs as they can be loaded much quicker than a torp. I do not know if the Japanese had torps available there at the time but if they did, that would be my explanation for using bombs instead.

Chez


Or it could be as simple as range. A Nell could carry a couple of 250 kg bombs a good deal farther than it could carry a torpedo. These Nells were going to have to do some searching when they arrived even though they knew ENTERPRISE was in the area. Makes sense to carry a load that gives maximum range
while still preserving attack capability...

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 7:18:27 AM   
Nikademus


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At the time, where the 9 Type 96 bombers were based at Taroa (Chitose air group), there were no torpedoes available but they were available at Roi but permission to land there and rearm with torps was denied due to bomb damage. Like the Rabaul raid i see this as another example of ill preperation by the Japanese at that time. The outer defense perimeter was badly neglected during Japan's campaign in the SRA and shortly thereafter it concluded. Players are usually much more diligent and bring in enough planes and supplies to represent a formidable threat to carrier raids.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 8:38:51 AM   
juliet7bravo

 

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"I don't see this as a clash of personalities, I see it as a case of debating and justifying our differing opinions. We have different ideas on what's wrong and how to fix them. If I'm understanding J7B's position correctly, he believes there should be additional base force restrictions. I don't favor that. I favor a production queue for these type weapons."

No, I'd just realized this was an entirely futile discussion. I'd thought it was a nice safe subject...but like most things WitP it's just the tip of the iceberg.

"base force restrictions"

- Not so much restrictions so much as airfield size (and port size) should mean something other than "how long the runway is and how many parking places" (to paraphrase). Shouldn't a size 4 AF in the rear with concrete runways and an O club have better AC support facilities than a size 4 hacked out the jungle the month prior? To include things like a torpedo storage/assembly/maintenance facility...the problem with that example though, is that spartan forward bases COULD cycle (including torpedo armed) AC through by providing a location to pull over and "pit stop". How do you emulate this?

- Aviation support should be separated from the "Base Force", and have their own morale, experience, and fatigue levels.

- The size (and quality) of the AF should impact the aircrew and support crews morale, experience, and fatigue levels.

- The size (and quality) of the AF should, along with the "Aviation Support" units morale, experience, and fatigue levels effect AC sortie rates, AC repair rates, AC readiness rates, OP loss rates ect. in addition to just being a yardstick indicating "runway length and preferred parking".

- How about 2 stats for an AF (or port)? One would be the "size", the second could be the "quality" (for want of a better term). You could have a check block to tell your engineers to build the AF in "size" as is currently in the game, another to tell them to "improve" it or not. Say your goal was a size 4 AF. You're starting with a size 1, you build it to a size 4 with "improvements OFF" until it hits size 4 to give you a basic, functional Marston Mat airstrip. Then you could turn "Build AF" to OFF, and toggle "Improve AF" ON if you wanted a fully functional "all the bells and whistles" airfield to improve AC sortie rates, AC repair rates, AC readiness rates, OP loss rates ect.

"a production queue for these type weapons"

Absolutely. Again, torpedoes were a vital, scarce and hard to manufacture resource. To have to manage and distribute them is exactly the type of critical tasks/decisions that the player should be dealing with, or having input on, at his command level. It wouldn't be that hard to come up with historical ballpark manufacturing numbers to use. There was a thread earlier about how to "save" the Asiatic Fleet...hey, screw them, worry about saving the 233 torpedoes at Cavite.

One of the goals of a "WitP 2" should be determining and defining the players role...then determine what types of decisions/input he should have in a "strategic level game" encompassing the entire theater, that will provide him an immersive gaming experience, a high level of detail, and "complexity". Without delving into trivial BS.

"For starters, we could look at the Guadalcanal campaign"

<sigh> I was hoping someone else would point this out, but...since the argument was made that restricting the use of torpedoes would specifically impact the fight at Port Moresby, and render the Japanese players position at Rabaul untenable (in spite of an ahistorically high number of AC present, and present in high numbers far earlier)...then I think we should examine Port Moresby from a "historical" perspective. Historically (as in the game) PM was early ID'ed as a critical location, and there was a "fierce" battle for control of the air. Well over 120 bombing raids of varying degrees of severity. Starting in early 1942 work was started on improving the existing AF and building 5 additional ones. Many troops, an enormous amount of supply, and a very high volume of shipping traffic. So, in order to gain a historical perspective, we can ask the following 2 questions;

(1) How many ships were damaged/sank by airdropped Japanese torpedoes in, around, or in-route to/from PM from January 1942 thru approx. mid-1943?

(2) How many ships were damaged/sank by Japanese bombs in, around, or in-route to/from PM from January 1942 thru approx. mid-1943?

The answer to #1 (damaged/sank by torpedo), is ZERO (0).
The answer to #2 (damaged/sank by bomb), is ONE (1).

Which doesn't indicate that historically the "torpedo" was such a big deal in the "Battle for PM". Yet, somehow, in spite of fewer AC and resources (and NO torpedo use in, around, or in-route to/from PM) the Japanese managed to keep Rabaul from being neutralized or "pounded into rubble" thru 1943. While the Allies were obviously not getting the snot beat out of their supply/troop convoys in, around, or in-route to/from PM...in spite of "getting into range of a japanese airfield".


< Message edited by juliet7bravo -- 4/26/2006 8:51:49 AM >

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Post #: 116
RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 8:49:28 AM   
bradfordkay

 

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j7b, the reason I suggested the 'canal campaign is because it is so well documented. I felt that getting info on the PM campaign might be more difficult... Question, do you have any info on losses in Milne Bay?

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 9:02:22 AM   
juliet7bravo

 

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Yah, I know. It wasn't a ding on you, I was just making the point in my usual ham-handed manner.

Milne bay, was at least one Oz ship I can think of off-hand cuz the wreck's still there. I think there were a couple more in the general area IIRC. Will check.

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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 10:38:53 AM   
mogami


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Hi, So where would the torpedo factories be and what starting size should they have?
(Nagaskai, SF,Karachi)
and then we need starting levels and locations.

< Message edited by Mogami -- 4/26/2006 10:39:20 AM >


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RE: Small/quick/simple idea how to restrict land based ... - 4/26/2006 2:25:34 PM   
timtom


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, So where would the torpedo factories be and what starting size should they have? (Nagaskai, SF,Karachi) and then we need starting levels and locations.


Unless torpedoes are created as a seperate new supply category, this is in effect an Allied only restriction, as the Japanese player would presumably be free to ramp up torpedo production to whatever level desired.

Better to put a simple supply minimum requirement into effect. This kind of logic already drives the limitations on naval vessel torp loading, why shouldn't it be extended to air torps?

Patch 1.50 change notes stipulate that:

18) Heavy Allied bombers may use 2000 pound AP bombs beginning in 1943. Skill rolls, experience rolls and, in the case of heavy bombers, adequate supply [needed x 2] apply.

In other words, code is already in place to tie the use of a particular device to a particular supply level. Would it be impossible to extent this to torps in some form?

The point, of course, is not to prevent LBA from using torps, but to reward players for planning and deploying with a bit of forethought.

Isn't using the bonus move to grap Jolo on Dec 7 and flying torp-laded Betty's out of there on Dec 8 a game-crutch? Worse yet if on captured supply! This is the kind of thing I'd like to see restricted. Not prevented, mind, the Japanese player (in this example) can still do it, but he needs to plan ahead. Either way, a 250kg AP will still make a mess of a transport.

Restricting torp usage could well hurt the Allied player more than the Japanese - torpedo planes, few as they are, being the only aircraft that the Allied player can count on to hurt or deter IJN units bigger than a CL.













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