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RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 8:00:28 PM

Canoerebel

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6/23/42 and 6/24/42

On D-Day eve for the invasion of Port Blair, an update about what else is going on around the map (of which, I should point out, the situation in China is by far the most significant).

Operation Bethel Church: The Japanese carrier TF withdrew. It seems that Miller's objective was to score a hit against the shipping at Efate. I hope they're gone for good, but that's not likely. While awaiting two more TFs carrying Marine regiments to make their way from Pago Pago, the Luganville amphibious TFs that were just NW of Noumea will jink east. In a few more days I'll send the bombardment TF back in. CV Wasp is near Tahiti and in all probability will join the Luganville invasion group.

Subwars: Miller has vectored all his subs toward New Caledonia. Ro-65, I-6, and I-16 were all sighted and attacked. I think RO-65 might've been sunk. Over near Colombo, I-169 damaged a TK that could still make port, and I-170 is also hanging around. Flying Fish put a torpedo into a big TK near Davao.

DEI: Ambon fell, but Malang continues it's futile stand.

Burma: I'm reading posts by other players that it is possible for the Allies to hold Burma. I just don't see it - at least not against an experienced Japanese player. Q-Ball also withdrew from Burma in his game with Cuttlefish, so he apparently agrees. In my game, Miller has Hiryu's Zeros here and they flew LRCAP over an engineer unit. I had a bunch of RAF bombers vectored there and the Japanese ate them alive.

China Air: Carnage and mayhem. I had a goodly assortment of fighters - two Hurricane, two AVG, one small Chinese - stationed and well-rested at Sian. Miller sent several groups of Oscars that I figured would get eaten alive. The opposite occurred. All of the Allied fighter squadrons were decimated. That's bad news because (1) there aren't supplies in China to replace losses, (2) even good fighters aren't making a difference in China; and (3) Miller has been strategic bombings for months now and has already finsihed off my front-line cities. Now he's turning to the rear areas - Sian and Kunming. My supply situation is already atrocious and will only get worse.

China Ground: I've just discovered that putting troops on reserve status DOES NOT prevent them from taking casualties. Back-to-back bombardments by five Japanese artillery units at Loyang inflicted 500 casualties each time. I have 1200 AV at Loyang behind four forts, but they won't hold long. Once Loyang falls, that threatens Nanyangs flank. So Miller will likely be in position to lay siege to Sian in a few weeks. (Elsewhere, the Chinese MLR remains stout - Changsha, Hengyang, Kweilin, Liuchow).

China Broke: It may be the Allied commander in this game that is screwing up China, but my honest assessment is that the game in China is completely out of whack and probably broken. Supplies stink. Airforce stinks. Ground troops stink. Casualties wildly disproportionate. Bases out in open terrrain easily outflanked (Nanyang). Japanese infantry and artillery greatly superior. Japanese aircraft greatly superior. Allied fighters in 1942 short-legged; any fighters that go to front- line bases can't be repaired or moved when damaged due to low supplies and IJ ability to shut down airfields at will. No ability to protect vital industries in rear areas. Any Japanese player can destroy China (or most of it) if he wishes to do so, brings in artillery, and commits enough aircraft to rule the skies, shut down industry and airbases, and destroy supplies. I'm holding on in China at the moment, but it's very grim.

P.S. Why Miller is employing five artillery units at Loyang when he only has three infantry divisions present, seemingly in violation of the house rule he just announced and self-imposed, I do not know.

Aleutians: Build up of bases continues. SigInt regarding Paramushiro continues. Allied troops continue to congregate at Seattle. But I won't be able to schedule D-Day until the transports and carriers currently working around Luganville are freed up and can move to the West Coast. I have some hope that the operation can get underway by early to mid August.

CenPac: It looks like there is little if any threat to Tahiti, Pago Pago, Suva, Noumea, Palmyra, and Christmas Islands. Miller has taken too many transport losses and too many of his carriers were damaged to permit him to go on the offensive. I'm trying to move forward a bit - just landed a Marine CD unit at Wallis Island and recently landed a Marine CD at Canton Island.

SoPac: Small fuel stocks at Auckland and Pago Pago, slightly more at Tahiti, some at Christmas Island. My tankers are working overtime, but I'm not making any headway.

OZ: Supply levels outstanding (one-half million at Sydney and hundreds of thousands at Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth). Fuel is a problem everywhere except Perth.

Summary: The Allied situation is good everywhere but China. In China things are awful.

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RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 8:12:06 PM

SuluSea

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Just want to say liking the pace of your operations and enjoying the AAR.

Good luck going forward.

quote:

P.S. Why Miller is employing five artillery units at Loyang when he only has three infantry divisions present, seemingly in violation of the house rule he just announced and self-imposed, I do not know.

Are you bound by these rules as well. I'm not as experienced as many in this forum but it seems to me that it doesn't take as much artillery to unbalance China as opposed to the artillery that will be needed to inflict casualties on well dug in/ good experienced/ well supplied troops later on for the allies.

< Message edited by SuluSea -- 11/11/2009 8:17:50 PM >

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Post #: 302

RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 8:56:17 PM

Chickenboy

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Message deleted....

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 11/11/2009 8:58:10 PM >

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Post #: 303

RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 8:58:30 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

DEI:� Ambon fell, but Malang continues it's futile stand.

Burma:� I'm reading posts by other players that it is possible for the Allies to hold Burma.� I just don't see it - at least not against an experienced Japanese player.� Q-Ball also withdrew from Burma in his game with Cuttlefish, so he apparently agrees.� In my game, Miller has Hiryu's Zeros here and they flew LRCAP over an engineer unit.� I had a bunch of RAF bombers vectored there and the Japanese ate them alive.

Canoerebel,

I would venture that these exploits are against the AI. I've seen some recitations of victory in Burma against the AI. I have held Java against the AI for a long, long time too (until I got tired of the science fiction game that was play against the AI prior to patch II).

A human player is unlikely to put all into repeated headlong shock attacks into fortified defenders at Pegu. Experienced IJA players will opt for envelopment and river crossings away from the MLR plus or minus paradrop attacks with follow up infantry airlift to skirt the Pegu blockade.

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Post #: 304

RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 9:26:24 PM

Q-Ball

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RE: China, I think a reasonable House Rule, which is in force in both my games, is that there is no CITY bombing until late 1943. CITY attacks are still too potent, and it's too easy for the Japanese to annihilate Chinese industry. The Japanese get a little break in return in Burma, where it's also pretty easy for the RAF to torch Magwe and Rangoon. I think the Japanese should be limited to limiting Chinese supply the old fashioned way, i.e. taking bases.

The other element is to impose some artillery limits. With those two things in place, you'll still lose ground as China, but not enough to really threaten existence.

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Post #: 305

RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 9:35:33 PM

Canoerebel

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I was holding my own in China until the Artillery Death Star made its appearance. Now that Miller's blasted a hole in my MLR, he's created a crisis that has made the already difficult supply/strategic bombing/abysmal fighter situation much worse.

I was the one that urged that we refrain from House Rules - both for convenience and to sort of test the game's limits to see how things work. So I'm not going to say anything to Miller. He'll just have to evaluate the situation and if he ultimately decides to recommend some house rules we'll discuss it then.

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RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 9:52:23 PM

Q-Ball

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Let's not forget, it's very difficult to get China "Right" from a design standpoint. To really do it, garrison requirements for the Japanese would have to triple, Allied Chinese units would ignore any order issued 90% of the time, Communist and KMT troops couldn't be in the same hex without fighting, and angry messages from Stillwell would constantly pop up on your OPS report, along with a request for 100,000 more supplies (20% of which would be diverted to a secret bank account).

In WITP, some players used Chinese troops to invade Sumatra, or conquered parts of China, in others depending on the Mod the Chinese were rolled, so it was kind of all over the map. Certainly using Chinese troops as SRA Invasion forces was way out of line. Those days are probably over.

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RE: On the Eve of D-Day - 11/11/2009 10:18:42 PM

ckammp

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RE: LCUs in reserve taking casualties-

My understanding of the manual (8.2.1.1, pg.185) is units in reserve will not take casualties from combat or bombardment IF at least one unit in the hex is in combat mode. Reading back thru your posts, you seemed to imply you were putting ALL units at Loyang in reserve status. If true, perhaps putting one of your units in combat mode will prevent the others from taknig casualties. The one in combat might not last long, but might buy enough time to help your other units.

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Post #: 308

Spanking at Port Blair - 11/12/2009 12:12:55 AM

Canoerebel

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6/25/42 and 6/26/42

Operation Shoestring: D-Day for the invasion of Port Blair was the 25th and things immediately went awry with the Japanese administering a terrifc spanking. First, RO-34 put several torpedoes into one of my transports. Also, my amphibious ships arrived at Port Blair ahead of the bombardment TF. A PG found a stout Japanese CA/CL TF waiting and promptly sacrificed herself. For some reason, the IJN TF then withdrew rather than mixing it up with the unescorted amphibious ships, but it really didn't matter. Miller says he had detected the approaching ships the previous day. He loaded up his airfields with Bettys and Sallys and they lit into everything in sight, sinking all but one or two of the transports and hammering the combat ships, which for some reason were one hex from Port Blair. BB Ramilles took five TTs (damage is 37 70 1 0), BB Resolution took several (14 70 0 0), and several cruisers were pummeled: CL Capetown (20 74 29 0) and CA Devonshire (43 88 52 2). The stricken ships will have to run the gauntlet of Japanese subs on the way back to Ceylon. Make no mistake - this is a terrible defeat. Miller did well and I did poorly. But I learned not to do that again.

China: Thanks for the tip, ckammp. It's too late to try your suggestion at Loyang because the city is doomed. Back-to-back deliberate attacks by the Japanese at 3:1 and 2:1 odds dropped forts from 4 to 2 and inflicted 6685 casualties while taking just 1675. Loyang is toast and once the Japanese take it I have to evacuate Nanyang too. I've started some of the units to Sian and to the "bad-road' city to the south. Miller continues to strategic bomb and has decimated the Allied fighters. China is a shambles.

Subs: I-174 finished off the damaged TK making for Colombo. Narwhal put a torpedo into an AK at Baker Island.

Port Royal: The Allied ships will continue steaming east. The loading of the Marine regiments at Pago Pago is going agonizilingly slowly. CV Wasp will make Pago Pago within two days.

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Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 11:44:24 AM

Canoerebel

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6/27/42 and 6/28/42

Operation Shoestring: Miller's stout combat TF (about five CAs with CLs and DDs) went hunting and found BB Resolution and CL Capetown, sending both to the bottom. Bettys from Rabaul applied the coup-de-grace to CA Devonshire. I-159 took care of DD Encounter. BB Ramilles has a slight chance of making it home if Miller's roaming combat TF and/or subs don't pick her off. All in all a miserable performance by the Allies.

Operation Bethel Church: It looks as if Miller has extracted his aircraft and there is no signs of organized opposition as the Allied ships steam slowly NE awaiting the transport ships from Pago Pago to rendezvous, which will take a few more days. The bombardment TF will head into Luganville tonight hoping to ensure that the airfield is shut down. These ships will then retire quickly to Noumea, re-provision, and rejoin the invasion TF. If all goes well with the invasion TF, I may move the carriers north past Luganville next turn and send some ships to Vana Lueva, an Allied controlled dot hex, to unload. By the time those tasks are accomplished, the Marine reinforcements and CV Wasp should be present and the invasion will proceed. I *think* Miller is looking at Luganville as a nice little speed bump that is allowing him to slow the Allied advance while he concentrates on the preparing the Solomons, but that suits me.

Subwars: Silversides put a TT into an AK at Howland Island. I haven't sent any subs to the Sikhalin region, though I have been tempted to do so. I don't want to do anything to excite Miller's suspicions in NoPac if I can avoid it.

DEI: Malang finally fell. The only base of consequence left to the Allies is Lautem.

Burma: Miller crossed the river a hex south of my fortified base at Schewbo. He has 12 units there now while my garrison is just 450 AV behind two forts. After mulling my options for a few turns, I've issued orders for my guys to vacate the base. No rearguard action is needed any longer and I'd rather these troops retire into India (and Akyab) in good condition.

China: Loyang fell quickly and decisively, the Chinese units are ruined, and I'll wait a few days to see which way Miller moves before I make a decision about evacuating Nanyang. I hinted to Miller that strategic bombing and Artillery Death Stars had made a wreck of China. He agreed, but made no mention of halting strategic bombing to allow China a chance to stand. Honestly, though, it's probably too late to prevent him from taking China by sheer force if he wishes to do so.

Operation Port Royal: Two Marine CD units have been prepping for Paramushiro and Onnekotan for several weeks. They are now embarking on transports and heading to Seattle.

Miller and I should get in several turns today.

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Post #: 310

RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:01:35 PM

Chickenboy

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Canoerebel,

I hope you don't mind my perspective on how I might interpret some of these goings on, were it my game?

As Allies in WiTP, I would consider the loss of two invasion TFs, complete with infantry-laden ships as a clear sign that I was pushing too fast. Until I could promise and maintain overwhelming air cover (either by CV LRCAP or LBA) over the invasion fleet, it was too early to expose them to harm.

This sounds harsh-and it's not meant to be-IRL, such disastrous shoestring efforts would have likely cost someone their command. In these two examples, with your staggering naval losses, there have probably been 10,000+ men drown (2 regiment equivalents plus support plus naval SCTF losses). Clearly Miller has the ability to hit you very hard when you overextend.

I think you should slow down a bit. Wait for LR fighter support (P-38s are just a couple months away, eh?), consolidate the bases you do have, improve your supply and fuel picture, upgrade ships and increase LCU preparation for various objectives. Marshall your strength for meaningful offensives that are integral to your 1943 general offensive. Build airfields for the arrival of more of your heavy bombers and concentrate them to plaster your opponent's airfields with LR fighter escort. You probably can't accomplish these things now, but soon...soon...

Until then, keep the faith, sir! Stiff upper lip and all that.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:19:52 PM

Chickenboy

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How are you set for transport a/c in the Indian / Burma theatre? Here's what I'm thinking:

Miller is likely going to push you back in China to Chungking, with or without his interpretation of your gentleman's agreement re: artillery. If he's still strategically bombing your Chinese cities to dust, I'd focus on getting some decent aircover to China. Doing this would involve starting "hump" transportation to Western China and drawing available supply to Chungking. Treespider has a method of 'walking' supply towards and across China by alternatively increasing and decreasing requested supply in bases-you may want to PM him for details.

Fighter CAP doesn't take a ton of supply to support. You will likely be able to support CAP in and around Chungking if you get sufficient transport a/c flying the hump to build some supply levels in Western China and Chungking. If you start making his strategic bombing painful by costing him a lot of pilots and airframes, he may discontinue it or pare it back. You're going to have to dissuade him from this before he starts bombing your remaining LCUs in Chungking.

Other than the AVG (which has to withdraw in a few of your game days), what fighter assets do you have in East India / Burma that could serve to help in China?

Earlier in this thread, Treespider indicated that you may wish to break your Chinese defenders out of the cities where they are being wholesale slaughtered. There's lots of rail lines and roads that the IJA need for movement of LCUs and supplies. On another thread, Miller confessed to having to dump supply into China. Good. Make him dump MORE in there by losing the efficiencies of rail and road supply transfer. Having even weakened Chinese units sitting on roads or rails will disrupt supply to Miller's forwardmost units. You may see more benefit to this than having them vaporize under LCU assault or artillery bombardment.

Alright, 'nuff said already. Best wishes and hold fast!

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:25:26 PM

Canoerebel

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Chickenboy, you're right and no offense taken. My performance of late is appalling. :) I would be sacked as a commander. I'm still getting acquainted with capabilities - sometimes pushing too hard, sometimes maybe not hard enough (I haven't used my air power very well in India, Burma, China).

I am trying to get my ducks in a row. I can't imagine any more big operations in the immediate future other than Operation Bethel Church, which has full carrier support. After that, the next big operation will be in NoPac in a month or six weeks. That is "intended" to be a surprise operation with carrier support. If SigInt suggests that Miller thinks something is up, then I'll probably cancel the op. But the plan is to make him think the next op will be against New Guines, the Santa Cruz Islands, or the Solomons.

I learned something else. I had a big bombardment TF set to hit Luganville from just seven or eight hexes distant. Over a two day turn, there's no question that force would go in. For some reason the force refused to go. Apparently the presence of numerous enemy subs combined with "safe" settings (I forgot to change those) persuaded my guys to chicken out. Yet another thing to bear in mind when I'm issuing orders.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:39:54 PM

Altaris

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Regarding China and reserve status, here's the gist of what I found in my testing a few weeks ago:

1) When bombarded and units are on Reserve, the enginge automatically (e.g., no land check) pulls enough units into Combat status to make the attacker:defense AV ratio 2:1. So, for example, if you have 5 units of 100 AV on reserve/defense, and you are bombarded by 400 AV, 2 of those units would pull out of reserve and into combat mode. The rest remain on reserve and do not take casualties on bombardment. But casualties are reduced porportionately to number of units in reserve. Using same testing numbers as above for example, if I had my 5 100 AV units on combat/defend against the 400 AV bombard, let's say I was taking 1000 casualties a day. If I put 4 units on reserve and 1 on combat, when the bombard began, 1 of the reserve units would be put on combat mode (to make the 2:1 odds), so basically two units took the bombard hit... BUT, the overall casualties were roughly 400, 40% of what they were with all 5 on combat mode. So not sure exactly how the bombardment is calculated, but the more units you have on combat mode, the more casualties you take, even against the same sized force.
2) The problem with putting all units on reserve, though, is that if a Deliberate or Shock attack comes off, then the LCU's must pass a land check to participate in the battle... which is bad for the Chinese. Casualties on the reserve units weren't too bad though if the battle was lost, but of course this is a really bad situation if it's a fortified base you're trying to hold. So if there's any risk of a Deliberate or Shock attack, you need to leave enough units on Combat mode to hold the base against the attackers.
3) Probably best to always put at least 1 unit on combat mode, as it's guaranteed at least 1 unit will be pulled from reserve to meet the 2:1 odds against a bombardment, and at least you can choose which one it is this way. Not sure what happens if you put them all in reserve, I always tested with at least 1 in combat mode. Potentially could cause the engine to revert all of them back to combat mode.

My overall opinion on these findings is that it doesn't really change China's situation in the long run, but it could help delay bombardment effects by cycling which units are taking bombardment damage. The real problem is that you're playing rock-paper-scissors by leaving units on reserve; if it's a bombardment, you're taking lower losses, but if it's a deliberate or shock attack, you've lost valuable defenders on the defense.

I agree that the Chinese situation is borked ATM, but I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with the way Chinese infantry are modeled... they stunk IRL as well. I personally think the best fix is to increase the garrison costs of Chinese bases as a way to simulate the need for Japanese forces to be kept in the rear, and increase the supply costs of artillery bombardments. In such a way, Japan couldn't bring forth huge artillery forces because they'd lack adequate infantry support. But that's just my 2c from my limited experience so far.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:49:36 PM

Chickenboy

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Very interesting re: use of the "Reserve" command, Altaris. Thanks for the play testing.

I'm not sure that increasing the garrison cost for the IJA will make that much of a difference. IIRC, I'm getting roughly 50PP daily as IJ supreme imperial commander in my PBEMs. At that rate, I can buy out a regiment from Kwantung every 7-8 days. With AV north of 150, this is sufficient to garrison most medium-large cities. Obviously, the allied player cannot afford to lose a major city every 7-8 days in China.

The garrison requirements for the IJ player aren't the most efficient bottleneck for easing the pain of the Allies in China. It's got to be supply.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 2:54:39 PM

Altaris

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Yeah, garrison requirements alone wouldn't fix the issue, I agree, but it would definitely help. Far easier to risk putting half a 1500 AV force on reserve if the attacking infantry is only 750 AV or so, rather than 2000.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 3:06:54 PM

Chickenboy

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Yes, but the IJA starts off with something between 11,000-12,000 AV in Kwantung. The requirement to prevent Russian activation is 8,000 AV. So, the Japs can buy out 3,000 AV over time from Kwantung. If they don't buy out artillery and BFs (say, for example, because of some house rule limiting artillery numbers used in China) then they can buy out infantry. They should be able to buy up the available surplus within about a year.

Also, in terms of garrison requirements, the Chinese puppet troops continue to gain strength with resting, preparation and replacements / reinforcements. The IJA gets a large number of these units that start the game at about 50% of their potential AV. As they fill out and rest, you will have more and more of these units with increasingly large garrison AVs without paying any PP. Since the garrison requirements don't change over time, more and more of these Chinese puppet troops can be freed from Nanking / Shanghai whereabouts to garrison other regions in the Chinese North and West. They're not worth much in a stand up fight, but they do a bang up job at garrison duty, freeing up "real" IJA divisions for the heavy lifting.

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Post #: 317

RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 3:37:22 PM

veji1

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I remember that in Admiral laurent's AAR in the WITP Section he had a rule where every japanese occupied city had to be linked to at least one other city by a string of units so that the supply line was "protected". I seem to recall that the requirement was something like 10 AV or maybe 30. He basically had to use all the mongolian cav units and the smaller independent units for that job.

I just think that in China every non occupied japanese held hex should have a test to revert to Chinese control every turn, or at least to have chinese units pop up. This kind of tweak + Supply requirements for arty should go a long way to solving the issue...

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Post #: 318

Here we go again? - 11/12/2009 4:02:07 PM

Canoerebel

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I've just sent the turn for July 3/4 to Miller and things could get hot...or not. A Japanese carrier TF is midway between Lunga and Luganville. If it keeps coming a big carrier battle is going to ensue. The Allies have five US and two RN CVs. I don't think Miller realizes Wasp has arrived. I don't want to face both LBA and carrier-based air, so I've ordered a stout bombardment TF led by BBs North Carolina and PoW to hit the base tonight and then retire toward Noumea to reprovision.

I think the odds are that Miller will withdraw his carriers. If he does, or if the Allies emerge in good shape from whatever ensues these next two turns, then the following two turns transports will peel off to unload troops at Vana Lueva and Efate. Then, the following two turns, the invasion of Luganville commences. Three Marine regiments are going in. Prep will range from 60% to 100%.

I'll post in more detail later.

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RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 4:51:10 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Chickenboy, you're right�and no offense taken.� My performance of late is appalling.� :)� I would be sacked as a commander.� I'm still getting acquainted with capabilities - sometimes pushing too hard, sometimes maybe not hard enough (I haven't used my air power very well in India, Burma, China).

If a few comments from a lowly AI player may be permitted . . .

I'm in early Dec. 1942 in my game, and I can tell you that the Summer of 42 (no, not the movie) was the worst period of the game. I'd been kicked in the crotch for six months, and nothing was working. Crap fighters, IJN surface task forces with laser range finders, rebellions all over Burma and east India, etc.

It's going to get better.

When the P-38s show up your world will change, especially in the Solomons. You seem to have fantastic supply loads in Oz, and they will let you have your way when you get range and altitude on your side. Also, you'll get Seabees soon, many, many battalions. They are cheap to lift, and very quick in their work. The early war construction units can't compare. Your subs still have faulty torpedoes, but experience levels go up with every attack. In December I'm getting about a 30% success rate, and a lot of experienced skippers are re-attacking the same target twice in the same turn if the first torpedoes fail. I'm weeks away from the Great Torpedo Healing, and soon you will be too. Use them right and Miller won't have supplies to waste whacking Chinese peasants.

Do you have a squadron of S-boats out of Dutch Harbor with their own tender? Historic, and they are great for guarding the channels out of the northern Japanese HIs and Kuriles, all in deep water. Tight patrol zones are possible, and short runs back for re-supply.

You haven't, that I've seen, posted a VP report as you used to do with John. Aside from the angst over the artillery model in China (which I'm not qualified to discuss, except to say the under-supply-consumption argument seems to me to have legs), is China really hurting you? Even against the AI I look at China as a strategic sponge for Japanese supplies and armament points. Chinese troops come back, for free. Every step the Japanese take north eats up supply they can't use in the Gilberts and Marianas. I've also, as others have said, moved a lot of Chinese units into the bush and mountains. Terrain in central Asia matters. The cities have the VPs, but out in the countryside, even with 8:1 attacks against, the Chinese infantry can bleed Japan. They also move pretty fast and can get in around behind. If he reacts, good. He's reacting to you, not the other way around.

You're a very good strategic player, but maybe here you're getting too tactical too early. Don't worry about Port Blair; sink his AKs and tankers. Unless VPs are critical, forget about China. As others have said, build up ports and airfields, use Seabees, build supplies, and above all, do your upgrades. The ASW ones alone are magical for the Allies, and the AA installs on the merchies only take 8 days and make them their own "strategic sponges." They may sink, but they might take 2-3 precious Japanese pilots with them.

All of this is elementary and you're beyond it, so long as you remember it, and don't lose sight of the ball. It's summer 1942. "You have not yet begun to fight."

Enjoying the reading. Back into my corner.

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 320

RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/12/2009 5:03:27 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the encouragement and helpful pointers and observations, Bullwinkle. To answer a couple of your questions:

1. I'm keeping subs out of NoPac because I don't want to appear there all of a sudden, thus arousing Miller's curiosity. The Allies are heading that way in six weeks if things go according to plan.

2. Right now Miller has about 17.5k points and I have 9k. I think I'm in excellent shape in that regard. I'm not worried about victory points.

3. My concern about China is that once it falls, or once it becomes irrelevantly weak, Miller can divert troops elsewhere making the Allied advance very, very hard. Or he could go off on a tangent and attack India or Russia. But it's the idea of him loading up key islands with his China troops that really worries me.

4. The Pacific is in great shape. Huge stockpiles of supplies everywhere. Fuel is a concern, but I'm dealing with it. My MLR is in excellent condition and far ahead of where I was in my last game (WitP with John III). I'm satisfied with everything except China. Not that I don't regret making mistakes and losing battles, it's just that strategically the Allies are in very good shape (except for, once again, China).

5. When Miller lost the Java carrier battle, and then lost 25% of his APs, it set him back and put him on his heels. I'm trying to take advantage of the temporary weakness of the KB. In doing so I've made two memorable blunders. I'm not giving up, but I am trying to play smarter.

6. If I come out on the losing end of a carrier battle in the New Hebrides, please send a mental health professional my way.

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)

Post #: 321

A disturbance in the ether... - 11/12/2009 5:11:25 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Just received this email from Miller: "Loads of action that turn, just finished watching the replay........will try to get the next one back to you in an hour or so."

This doesn't sound good to me.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 322

Utter Carnage - 11/12/2009 8:10:52 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

A tremendous carrier battle took place (the Battle of the New Hebrides) with the Allied ships acting in strange and awkward manners that turned what might have been victory into a stinging defeat.

1. My bombardment TF hit Luganville to make sure the airfield was out of commission; this went well, but the ships stayed there. I SWEAR I gave this TF orders to retire to Noumea, but apparently not. I wasn't off to a good start.

2. Then the American carriers REACTED (this WAS against orders and much bad came of it) towards the Japanese carriers. This separated the American CVs from the RN CVs, meant that the RN torpedo bombers didn't join the huge American strike (a DISASTER for the Allies), separated the American CVs from some LRCAP from Efate, and, if all that wasn't enough, separated the American carriers from the huge amphibious armada.

3. Two days turns magnified the damage caused by the react. For after the titanic carrier battle on the 3rd, the Japanese strike aircraft lit into the amphibious armada on the 4th and sank dozens of ships.

4. I'll post the actual combat reports later, but the Allies are really hurting. Two CVs (Saratagoa and Enterprise) went under and Lexington may not make it back to Noumea. Quite a few BBs and CAs were badly hit and at least one CA went under. The Japanese lost CV Junyo and CVL Shoho and quite a few BBs and CAs were damaged, but my strike aircraft really wasted firepower there.

5. The first Japanese strike was absolutely massive. Allied CAP was meager. Don't know why - settings were 40% CAP. I should've had some LRCAP from Efate, to, but the dadgum react....

6. The first American strike was massive, faced relatively nominal CAP (50 Zeros), and nearly all strike aircraft went in...and focused mainly on BBs! Since most of the strike aircraft went in the results could've been much better had the British torpedo aircraft accompanied them. Instead they went in separately in small numbers, got chewed up, and didn't do a thing.

7. The Japanese are left with a viable carrier force; the Allies don't have one. The Allies have a crippled amphibous fleet two hexes from Luganville. I'm sure Miller will move his carriers south to try to hit my carriers again. This will put them in the midst of my transports no matter which way I go. Miller may also send combat ships to Luganville to stop an invasion. I don't see any use in retiring the transports since they are dead ducks, so I'm proceeding with the invasion. To try to offer some protection I have some combat ships (lots of CAs and DDs) heading for Luganville. But I think this is a "forlorn hope." The amphibious ships will probably get eaten alive by both combat ships and carrier aircraft.

8. The two-day nature of our game is really dramatic when a big battle takes place on the first day, since a player can't address the situation until another day passes. I knew this, of course, but this battle really drove it home.

9. This is a cataclysmic shift in the game. I'm neutered now. Miller probably isn't any threat to the Allied MLR - Noumea, Suva, Pago Pago, and the Line Islands are in good shape. But this means the Allies aren't going anywhere for a long, long time.

10. This, combined with the complete fiasco that is China, has me scratching my head wondering where this game is headed.

11. I love this game! Great depth and rich in detail, massive amounts of pressure and stress and euphoria and despair when playing PBEM.

12. The carrier battle and my other problems in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are of my own doing.

13. China is broken in the game and needs to be fixed.

As noted, I'll post pertinent portions of the combat reports shortly.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 323

Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 8:36:30 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 03, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Ambrym at 121,151

Japanese Ships
     SS I-175

Allied Ships
     AP American Legion, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [Off to a bad start as an amphibious ship is damaged]

Allied ground losses:
     9 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

AP American Legion is sighted by SS I-175...
SS I-175 launches 2 torpedoes at AP American Legion...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Luganville at 120,150

Allied Ships
     BB Prince of Wales
     BB North Carolina
     CA Canberra
     CA Vincennes
     CA Salt Lake City
     CA Chicago
     CA Houston
     CL Dauntless

Japanese ground losses:
     151 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
        Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
        Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
     Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41
Port hits 16
Port supply hits 1

[Okay, but then my ships don't retire! I thought I set them, but either didn't or instead clicked once too often]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Aoba Island at 122,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
     Martlet II x 10
     P-40E Warhawk x 3
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

[At this point things are working rights - Brits and American CAP and LRCAP from Efate]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Aoba Island at 122,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
     Martlet II x 8
     P-40E Warhawk x 1
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
     Martlet II: 1 destroyed
     F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

[I think this is LBA from Lunga]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Aoba Island at 122,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 73
     B5N2 Kate x 142
     D3A1 Val x 125

Allied aircraft
     Martlet II x 3
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
     B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 28 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 35 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
     CA Louisville, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
     CL Achilles, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
     CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
     CA Australia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
     DD Russell, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
     DD Drayton
     CL Hobart, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
     DD Mahan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
     DD Laffey
     DD Shaw
     DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     CL Mauritius, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
     DD Cassin
     DD Cushing
     DD Smith
     DD Downes

[American carriers have reacted and the CAP is meager. Where'd the 40+ Wildcats go?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 123,147

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 75

Allied aircraft
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 62
     SBD-3 Dauntless x 154
     TBD-1 Devastator x 45
     TBF-1 Avenger x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
     SBD-3 Dauntless: 11 destroyed, 22 damaged
     TBD-1 Devastator: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged
     TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
     BB Fuso, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
     BB Ise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
     CA Aoba
     BB Haruna, Bomb hits 3
     BB Hiei
     CL Kinu
     CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
     CV Zuikaku
     BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 1
     CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 4, on fire
     DD Oboro
     CA Furutaka
     DD Asagiri
     BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
     CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1
     CA Kako, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     DD Uranami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     CL Isuzu
     CA Suzuya
     CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1
     DD Amagiri

[Great escort numbers manage to shoot down a single Zero! Huh? This is similar to the 70:5 losses I took last week. What's wrong with Allied escorts?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 123,147

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
     Albacore I x 17
     Martlet II x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
     Albacore I: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
     Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
     BB Kongo

[RN strike comes in separately....]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 123,147

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft
     Albacore I x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
     Albacore I: 3 destroyed

[Same here]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 123,147

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 52

Allied aircraft
     Albacore I x 2
     Martlet II x 6
     TBD-1 Devastator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
     Albacore I: 1 destroyed
     Martlet II: 2 destroyed
     TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed

[...and here...]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aoba Island at 122,150

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 49
     B5N2 Kate x 57
     D3A1 Val x 100

Allied aircraft
     P-40E Warhawk x 2
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
     B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 15 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 38 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     CV Lexington, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
     CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
     CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 6, on fire
     CA Portland
     DD Mustin
     DD Anderson
     CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 1
     DD Woodworth
     DD Hughes

[Afternoon strike]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 123,147

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 52

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
     SBD-3 Dauntless x 76
     TBD-1 Devastator x 18
     TBF-1 Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
     SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
     TBD-1 Devastator: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
     TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
     CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
     CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
     CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
     BB Ise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     BB Fuso, Bomb hits 3, on fire
     CA Kako
     DD Ayanami
     CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     DD Asagiri
     CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1
     CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1, on fire

[Rather ineffective since the carriers targeted had already been hit hard; wish these had gone after some of the others]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 04, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 38
     G3M2 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
     G3M2 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
     BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

[these two ships sailed due west and were off by themselves]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,151

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     G3M2 Nell x 14

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
     G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
     xAP Lycaon, Torpedo hits 1
     xAK Californian, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
     xAP Wahine

Allied ground losses:
     24 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Jap LBA from Lunga starts the dreadful day for Allied amphibious ships]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     G3M2 Nell x 15

Allied aircraft
     Martlet II x 4
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
     G3M2 Nell: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
     DD Shaw
     DD Drayton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,151

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 28
     B5N2 Kate x 49
     D3A1 Val x 58

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     CL Trenton, Bomb hits 1
     xAK Makiki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Mahukona, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     AP Henderson, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAP Poelau Laut, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
     xAP Morinda, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Comliebank, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
     xAK Aspasia Nomikos, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Henry S Grove, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
     DD Bulmer
     AP Crescent City
     AP President Polk, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Lewis Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3
     xAK Momba, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAP Idomeneus, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
     xAK Ewa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     CL Perth
     AP Zeilin, Bomb hits 2, on fire
     xAK Meigs, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 25
     G3M2 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
     G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
     BB Prince of Wales
     CA Vincennes
     BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 1

[This unprotected bombardment TF escapes the two days with just this one hit and it does fairly light damage]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 17
     G3M2 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
     G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
     CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
     DD Shaw
     DD Drayton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,151

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 9
     G3M2 Nell x 10

Allied aircraft
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
     G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     xAK Mormacsul
     AP George F. Elliot
     AP Fuller, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
     107 casualties reported
        Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
        Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
     Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,151

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 30
     B5N2 Kate x 36
     D3A1 Val x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
     AP Crescent City, Bomb hits 3, on fire
     xAK Steel Age, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
     AP President Polk, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAP Raranga
     xAK Lewis Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
     xAP Santa Inez, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Canadian, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
     xAP Rangatira, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     xAK Makiki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
     xAP Kota Inten, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
     xAK Ensley City, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Salamaua, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Lihue, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
     xAK Mahukona, heavy fires
     xAK Dardanus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
     xAK Steel Exporter, Bomb hits 1
     xAP Maui, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
     1857 casualties reported
        Squads: 5 destroyed, 103 disabled
        Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 149 disabled
        Engineers: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
     Guns lost 21 (4 destroyed, 17 disabled)
     Vehicles lost 31 (6 destroyed, 25 disabled)

[Nauseating, sickening, dreadful...]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 10
     B5N2 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
     DMS Lamberton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 6
     D3A1 Val x 22

Allied aircraft
     F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
     D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
     DD Porter, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
     DD Downes, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
     SS I-168, hits 3

Allied Ships
     DMS Long

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pentecost Island at 120,151

Japanese Ships
     SS RO-64, hits 1

Allied Ships
     DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
     DD Drayton

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 324

RE: Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 8:45:03 PM

treespider

Posts: 9796
Joined: 1/30/2005
From: Edgewater, MD
Status: offline

Can you post a screen shot of China please?

_____________________________

Here's a link to:
Treespider's Grand Campaign of DBB

"It is not the critic who counts, .... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..." T. Roosevelt, Paris, 1910

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 325

RE: Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 9:02:19 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Treespider, I will shortly.

Miller just sent me the replay for the turn of July 5 and 6 with a note: "This turn will make you feel better."

Major developments:

1. Amidst all the bad decisions I made, the decision to send the transports to Luganville was the right one. Miller didn't send in combat ships, a fair number of troops got ashore, and Nells hammered another dozen transports. There are two Naval Guard units here. I don't know whether I have the firepower to take them. I haven't gotten the "next turn" file from Miller yet, so I don't know what kind of shape my guys are in, but it can't be good.

2. Miller did send his good carriers south and then ended up near Efate. Waves of Japanese carrier aircraft sortied north and south, both against Luganville and ships near Noumea. Allied carrier and land-based CAP destroyed the waves that came toward Noumea. CAP over Efate claimed some aircraft.

3. I have a ton of carrier aircraft that diverted to Efate; the base is WAY overloaded. But I left 'em there hoping I might get lucky. I didn't.

4. I think Miller may have gutted his carrier pilots. I think he lost nearly 100 aircraft on days one and two, maybe more days three and four. That would be a small bright spot in a bleak landscape.

5. CV Lexington succumbed to her wounds. That means I've lost three fleet carriers while Miller lost just Junyo and a CVL (with several other carriers taking light damage).

(in reply to treespider)

Post #: 326

RE: Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 9:29:32 PM

Bullwinkle58

Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: treespider

Can you post a screen shot of China please?

I don't see a smiley, but this is the funniest thing I've read today . . .

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to treespider)

Post #: 327

RE: Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 9:35:32 PM

Bullwinkle58

Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

4.� I think Miller may have gutted his carrier pilots.� I think he lost nearly 100 aircraft on days one and two, maybe more days three and four.� That would be a small bright spot in a bleak landscape.

In the long run this is pretty important.

I imagine you don't want to dwell on this turn right now, but what I learned was to sacrifice the bombardment group (bombarment is way toned down in AE) and put the BBs in the air TF as bomb magnets. He had seven. Fuso may not make it; fire is pretty powerful in AE. But in my one encounter between carrier air and IJN BBs all I saw was 1000 pounders bouncing hither and yon. Not one penetration in about 15 hits. CAs will penetrate. Early war bombs on BBs just piss them off.

Oh, and if I ever DO play a PBEM, nix on the 2-day turns.

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The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 328

RE: Combat Reports Don't Lie.... - 11/12/2009 10:02:46 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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Assuming FOW isn't off too far, the board said that Miller lost 100 aircraft on the first two days and 185 the second two. Some of these were LBA and a few came in distant areas due to ops, but most are carrier pilots. Miller says he thinks he lost more than half of his elite pilots. That helps, because it'll keep him from getting too frisky for awhile until he can train up replacements.

I have about 200 AV ashore at Luganville - about 120 Marine AV well supplied and in decent shape (70 AV 100% prepped and 50 AV 60+% prepped) plus about 70 AV Kiwi brigade prepping for a different locale (but diverted here to save it). These are facing two Naval Guard units. I'm going to try a shock attack and hope for the best.

I'm counting on Miller deciding to withdraw his carriers given their high losses. After four days of repeated strikes, they ought to be fatigued and low on mission sorties too. I am sending a big, fast group of DDs to Luganville - I think they'll make it in one quick leap - to act as a buffer just in case Miller tries to send in a fast transport convoy or sends in his own combat ships.

This will be followed by a fast, but not quite fast enough to get there in one phase, CA/CL/DD group that should be in position to bombard Noumea tomorrow. These ships are at risk mainly to LBA, but I want to do everything I can to help out the troops on the ground.

When I gather my wits I'll make a detailed post about what's going on elsewhere. I'll also post a map of China, for what it's worth.

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)

Post #: 329

RE: Halt the Spanking Already! - 11/13/2009 3:01:09 AM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
6.� If I come out on the losing end of a carrier battle in the New Hebrides, please send a mental health professional my way.

How're ya holding out, reb?

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(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 330