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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/15/2009 5:02:27 PM

String

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A question about Java, you seem to be doing quite well there, have you sent any reinforcements there?

If not, where did you route all those british and indian brigades on ships on the first turn?

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/15/2009 5:15:09 PM

ny59giants

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FIJI - It seems that you have Suva building up nicely. What about some of the smaller bases around it so CF cannot take them and just isolate those troops at Suva?? Don't want him to make Suva just a big POW camp.

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/16/2009 12:06:26 AM

Q-Ball

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String: I didn't send anyone to Java. All I did was set everyone Day 1 to Rest/Train; once 100 days passed, all units started to gain experience, even the Landstrom units. I also used the Transport planes to pull in the Barisan Regt, and a couple other Battalions, so I did get some reinforcements there that way. Pulling in the Regt. from Pamakasan should be standard practice for Allied players. (well, until Patch 2 prohibits air transfer of restricted units!)

nygiants: Not a bad idea, I wanted to REALLY secure Fiji first, so now I can secure a couple others. I am building Tongatapu, though I started on the Port, mostly to have a Port that wasn't on the "Front"; Suva and Pago Pago aren't safe enough to dock important ships there. I am thinking about landing a Regt. and some construction troops on Wallis Island, to create some space.

Combat Report, April 24,25 1942

Java: The 38th IJA Division is now at Soerbaya; CF is probably waiting for reinforcements to attack. If that was a Regt I would have attacked out of the city, but a division is too strong.

The other theme on Java is the theme song from the Busch commercial: "Head for the Mountains". Except the only thing there is some Heineken, which we better drink up lest the Japanese get it.

China: 16 Japanese units are sighted with their arrow pointed at Loyang. I had observed the buildup at Tsiotso or whatever that city is. I am moving some reinforcements to Loyang, but I would bet a billion Yen we won't hold it. I hope to make a fight of it, we'll see. If Loyang falls, we will have to abandon Chengyang to the south, and probably Nanning. The biggest loss would be supply production; between them these bases produce over 100 supplies a day; that's more valuable than a Corps at this point.

Southwest Pacific: There are no Japanese aircraft or ships yet at Luganville. I have been reconning the place looking for some. I suspect that a convoy of reinforcements is coming. I am moving a TF of Australian cruisers to just south of Noumea, to see if a target presents itself moving toward Luganville. I have not spotted KB in awhile, but I suspect it's around somewhere, so I don't want to hazard a large number of ships I can't afford to lose.

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 11/16/2009 12:07:27 AM >

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/16/2009 4:58:39 AM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, April 26,27 1942

A couple brief updates, as it's close to beddy-bye time....

SW Pac: The cruiser TF I sent to bombard Luganville ended up 2 hexes away in daylight......I had set it to REMAIN ON STATION, rather than RETIRE. DAMN! I thought I had checked that. This definitively confirms that CF does NOT have airplanes on Nav Attack at Luganville!

Well, our butt is hanging out there, but with 80 miles to go, we may as well go through with it. We bombard tommorow night, then get out of there. I won't be surprising any ships in the harbor, as a Japanese Level bomber was sighted over the TF; probably a Betty from Lunga. Yet more evidence I probably shouldn't be there.

China: An attack at Wuchow forces me out immediately. But an opportunity presents itself at Loyang, see below.

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/16/2009 10:33:57 AM

ComradeP

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How sustainable is your presence at Noumea?

Garrisoning islands is a good strategy, but if you can't ship supplies there, you only create a starving fortified zone that can be ran over after a short while.

If CF would land at the other side of the island, perhaps with either some Betties in the area coming from an airfield you can't reach or (mini-)KB in the area, how would you hold out?

I've only read AAR's, as I don't actually own AE, but it does seem that many people want to take great risks by trying to get as many troops on certain islands in the Japanese path to searoute between Australia/New Zealand and the US. What if KB shows up, backed by some land based air? Your carriers can't really do much about it at this point, and the air force at Suva is only much of a help near Suva.

I can see why people would want to control those islands, but in the case of Noumea, it seems to be a bit of a gamble, as it isn't really all that defensible with your current amount of troops if CF lands at Koumac. What if CF would land troops, move up to Noumea, but instead of attacking, would sit in the hex while your supplies dwindle through various kinds of bombardment?

< Message edited by ComradeP -- 11/16/2009 10:35:57 AM >

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/16/2009 1:44:51 PM

Canoerebel

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Kweilin is an important base, but Liuchow is even more important. If Cuttlefish take it then his troops are established on the road that leads to Chungking. That, in turn, threatens Changsha's flank. The one thing Kweilin has going for it is that it is close enough to Changsha and Hengyang (or is it Hengchow???) that you can shift forces from these two cities fairly easily.

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/17/2009 4:11:46 PM

Q-Ball

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comradeP: I have 60K supplies at Noumea. It will take awhile to starve the garrison out, and that is assuming I don't ship in more (a convoy is unloading tommorow). If it takes awhile to starve the garrison, that serves my purpose; by the time that campaign is over, Fiji, New Zealand, and Pago Pago will be impregnible fortresses, and the Japanese offensive is over.

It will cost me about 35K troops, but so be it. We will remember their sacrifice.

The only way Cuttlefish can take it quickly is if he brings at least 800 or so AV. That would be a major effort. If that's the case, then I will have tougher decisions to make, but that's war.

Canoerebel: Dan, you're right; this offensive is major trouble. I am shifting troops from Hangyang/Changsha, as those points are not threatened. Having to abandon Changsha because the rear is taken would be a disaster. After a slow start, Cuttlefish is on a roll it seems in China. I didn't see that attack at Wuchow until the Japanese were in the adjacent hex, and by then it's too late to reinforce.

Combat Report, April 28 to May 1, 1942

Not a ton to report over these few days.

Java: Cuttlefish is eliminating troops at the West end of Java before investing Soerbaya. This should be complete pretty soon, at which point Soerbaya is toast. I would like to delay as long as possible to support submarine OPS.

Speaking of which, we put a torp into DD Kamikaze off Soerbaya; I detailed several subs to intercept her on the way home. Heads will roll, as we had 2 attacks that missed. Arg!

China: I already commented above, but we are moving troops to counter that southern threat, including ARTILLERY. Yes, the Chinese have some.

Around Loyang, the Japanese are bombarding, we slid a unit behind them, and anothe pincer should take Tsaotso, cutting off the Japanese invaders from supplies. CF will undoubtedly react and drive my guys out, but hopefully I can buy a week or two by this little move. See map above.

Perth: I am loading up troops and engineers for Exmouth, and will probably land at Port Hedland. These bases are mine of course, but are not held in strength; I now intend to hold them in strength. I particularly need Port Hedland if I ever hope to invade Timor.

SW Pacific: Recon over Luganville NOW spots a transport TF. Drat, I just missed it with the surface ships. CF now knows I have a cruiser TF in the area. I don't know yet if Luganville is just pushing out the perimeter, or the first step in a major offensive.

If it is an offensive, Noumea is clearly next. I am running supplies in there, because I may not have too many more chances if CF makes it a focus.

Decisions, Decisions........

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/17/2009 4:30:29 PM

Canoerebel

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Don't feel too badly about Wuchow.� I think it cannot be held - bad roads and easy access for the Japanese early in the game and before the Chinese can get established well.� Look at the map again - Wuchow and Kanhsien cannot be defended, but Liuchow, Kweilin, Hengyang, and Changsha make for a good MLR.

Now, further north, I don't know that there's much to stop the Japanese short of Sian.� If the Japanese player uses Artillery Death Stars and strategic bombing,�game over.� Even if he doesn't, the�main cities of Nanyang, Chengchow, and Loyang are sorta out in the open and easy to flank.� Against a determined and capable Japanese player I suspect nearly every Allied player will be pushed back to Sian at the very least.

Edited to add: But the Allied player has to strongly fortify Nanyang, Chenghow, and Loyang and hold them as long as possible, which you're doing to good effect.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/17/2009 4:32:15 PM >

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/17/2009 6:10:33 PM

ComradeP

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quote:

I have 60K supplies at Noumea. It will take awhile to starve the garrison out, and that is assuming I don't ship in more (a convoy is unloading tommorow). If it takes awhile to starve the garrison, that serves my purpose; by the time that campaign is over, Fiji, New Zealand, and Pago Pago will be impregnible fortresses, and the Japanese offensive is over.

OK, sounds like you're pretty secure on the island.

The reasoning behind my questions was that, if you don't control the seas in the area, your island garrison is just that: a bunch of troops on an island they can't leave. In case you lose controls of the seas around it, it's stuck there, and will probably slowly run out of supplies/starve. Many smaller Japanese garrisons that were bypassed by the Allied island hopping campaign suffered that fate. Of course, as long as CF doesn't actually take the island, your troops are still a deterrent simply due to their presence.

Is there any chance you could bring a coastal defence unit, or any thing that could damage an invasion force pretty badly prior to their landing, to the island? As I don't own AE, I don't know if the Allies have some available, but it would make the island a bit less vulnerable and more or less force CF to land at Koumac if he ever wanted to invade.

In the games I do own, I'm usually a fairly "conservative" (which often equals "cautious") player, so I wouldn't risk any decent naval forces in Indian Country pretty far away from the comfort of a decent shipyard as long as there's a chance of KB paying a visit. CF has Luganville, and even though your ships might be a nuisance to him, they're not going to kick him out, so you might as well save them for a more decisive engagement.

Of course, my advise is highly tainted by the fact that in many games, I don't tend to have a lot of luck on crucial rolls, so if I would send cruisers to whack some xAK's at Luganville, the cruisers would not even scratch their paint, the only hit would be the commander of the unit firing his pistol at a Japanese flag, and all cruisers involved would subsequently be send to the other Down Under by an obligatory KB or BB Acte de Pr�sence. Bad luck evolves into caution.

< Message edited by ComradeP -- 11/17/2009 6:12:32 PM >

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RE: SW Pac Blues - 11/17/2009 7:21:14 PM

Q-Ball

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comradeP: Good points. I recommend you play this game. If you played, you would know the answer to some questions, like the CD unit; putting one at Noumea doesn't help. Why? Because it's too easy to land at Koumac or La Foa, and walk on paved roads to Noumea. I do have CD guns in other places, like Pago Pago and Savaii. CD guns aren't all that though, if you take the precaution of including a CL in an invasion TF, that usually limits the damage.

Combat Report, May 1, 1942

TODAY is May 1, got my dates mixed up in the last report.

Java: Soerbaya is attacked at 1-1, dropping the forts. Should hold out until about May 5th, with final surrender on Java around the 10th. If you told me that at the beginning of the game, I would be very happy with that.

Cebu: Japanese troops landed here on the 30th, and easily forced the half-starved garrison of 10,000 troops to surrender on the 1st. I have troops on Iloilo in the PI, but that's it.

BTW, I did let Cuttlefish know that USS Canopus sailed from there 20 days ago and made it home undetected! Didn't say which way she went though.

Lashio: CF attacked the troops that withdrew from Lashio; they had retreated West by the Compass (north on the map I guess) unhelpfully, so I marched them back. They are now marching toward China, and should make it. They are down to 150 AV though and in serious need of rest, so I don't think CF will be threatened by me over the Chinese border for a year at least. I don't expect him to follow into the mountains either.

Other than Akyab, where I have 20,000 troops, that's it for the Burma campaign!

China: See map below on Loyang; this is heating up. I don't seriously expect to hold the place in the long-term, but would like to delay as long as I can. I have decided to go "All-In" on Loyang, and if the place falls, I will be abandoning that entire plain and fall back on Sian.

CF is irritated by my unit sliding behing him, I told him they're just looking for a square meal!

Elsewhere in China, I am moving units like crazy to Liuchow and Kwielin. It will take a few days for me to tell which one he is headed to, as he nears the "crossroads" south. I am also moving some Cav units toward Kukong, to hopefully ride on the trail in his rear and cut supplies.

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RE: Ontzagwakken! - 11/18/2009 2:24:53 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

crsutton: I recently figured out you can use the Mitchells, but I didn't know that on the DB-7s!!! I will stop throwing them away then, because I agree: You really need 2E bombers, and they're aren't enough.

Combat Report, April 15,16 1942

Java: Thanks to crsutton, I am disbanding the remnants of the Dutch bomber force. Overall, I lost about 100 bombers over Java, and in return, as far as I can tell, I acheived the following:
SUNK: CL Tama,DD Namikaze, 1 AK
HEAVILY DAMAGED: CVL Ryujo, DD Fuyo

Not too bad in the end......actually, CL TAMA was really finishing off a cruiser heavily damaged by a Dutch Submarine.

On the island of Java, however, the land war continues. The Japanese attacked Batavia again, at 2-1 and inflicting 3000 casualties. It should fall tommorow. The units there are already pretty spent after 4 days of attacks. Another force is approaching Soerbaya, where a dozen Allied subs are picking up Fuel and Torps. When the 48th Division approaches, I will retreat to the mountains of Malang for a last stand.

On SUMATRA, I came within a hair of retaking Djambi with the refugees from Palembang. CF just got a tank Rgt. there ahead of me. Probably gave him a scare though.

China: The IJA is starting to bomb Wuchow. Not sure yet what that means...but CF did not pursue north toward Hengyang after taking Kukong. Maybe Wuchow is the next target?

Kido Butai Tour: The tour continues......I posted a screenshot which says it all, and detailed dispositions like I did to the east. Not sure why the raid, once he got that one convoy there weren't going to be high-priority targets in the way, which there aren't.

Strangely, there were no attacks this turn. I doubt he was running "dark", so probably weather.

I took a closer look and confirmed that there are two squadrons that can use the Dutch Mitchells. One is a RAAF Hudson unit that arrives in the early months and one is a "US squadron" based in the US. The US squadron must be a mistake or deliberately left that way to reflect that the US would have used these bombers themselves if the Dutch went down. Anyway, we are talking about 90 mitchell bombers at a time when the Allies have little or no bombing force, so I have decided not to use them up in Java but to save them.

However, my only question is my Japanese opponent is racing through Java and Java might fall before these planes even come on line. I hope I don't lost the production but I don't think that will happen.

As for the Dutch A20 type bombers, I can't find any unit that can use them. Too bad as there are about 50 0f them and 60 P40s that go to the Dutch that I won't get a chance to use.

If I were the scenario designers (Hint, hint) I would allow one or two US squadrons (perhaps Aussies) to take the Dutch P40s and one or two to take the A20s. To reflect that if planes would were not used in Java they would have most likely gone back by the US air force and ended up in Oz. This can easily be done with the editor. I might negotiate that before starting my next game.

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Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/18/2009 7:53:59 PM

Q-Ball

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crsutton: Thanks, actually I just got a Dutch RAAF unit in Canberra that DOES use the Dutch A-20s, so that's nice. I have a USAAF unit in India that also accepts the Dutch Mitchells. So, there is some use it seems. We'll count it all up. Thanks for the help though, based on this I disbanded all the Dutch bombers; I do have 24 P-40s at Medan.

Combat Report, May 2,3 1942

SW Pacific: Cuttlefish is up to something. 2 days in a row, Kirishima ran over an S-boat around Luganville. Her screen chased the boat off, but not before we counted a couple cruisers and a whole bunch of DDs in there, and the captain surfaced and radioed a contact report.

Kirishima is one of the Kongos that starts with KB. Although she could have been switched, Cuttlefish knows I have DBs on Noumea, and he does not have any aircraft at Luganville; I don't think he would have her there without Aircover. Thus, I have to conclude, with 75% degree of certainty, that Kido Butai is in the New Hebrides.

This isn't a huge shock, based on last months' events, but leads me to beleive that this is a major effort on the part of the Japanese. If so, I will need to make a decision with the USN. I will detail further if I get a visual sighting, but in general I think we need to choose between:

1. Not contest in New Hebrides. Keep the fleet safe, and pick another day.
2. CONTEST in New Hebrides; go get the 5 BBs at Pearl, and bring together all 5 CVs
3. Not contest in New Hebrides, but launch an operation in the Central Pacific, like a landing on Wake or Majuro

Not sure yet.

China: Japanese troops are marching on Tsiaotso. Not a surprise, as we have one unit there, and he needs to clear the supply line. We are drinking up all the Sapporo and Sake we can lay our hands one, before being kicked out.

Java: More units surrendered, and we are pretty much down to Malang and the East tip of Java. Won't be long now.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/18/2009 8:59:30 PM

ckammp

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

crsutton: Thanks, actually I just got a Dutch RAAF unit in Canberra that DOES use the Dutch A-20s, so that's nice. I have a USAAF unit in India that also accepts the Dutch Mitchells. So, there is some use it seems. We'll count it all up. Thanks for the help though, based on this I disbanded all the Dutch bombers; I do have 24 P-40s at Medan.

Combat Report, May 2,3 1942

SW Pacific: Cuttlefish is up to something. 2 days in a row, Kirishima ran over an S-boat around Luganville. Her screen chased the boat off, but not before we counted a couple cruisers and a whole bunch of DDs in there, and the captain surfaced and radioed a contact report.

Kirishima is one of the Kongos that starts with KB. Although she could have been switched, Cuttlefish knows I have DBs on Noumea, and he does not have any aircraft at Luganville; I don't think he would have her there without Aircover. Thus, I have to conclude, with 75% degree of certainty, that Kido Butai is in the New Hebrides.

This isn't a huge shock, based on last months' events, but leads me to beleive that this is a major effort on the part of the Japanese. If so, I will need to make a decision with the USN. I will detail further if I get a visual sighting, but in general I think we need to choose between:

1. Not contest in New Hebrides. Keep the fleet safe, and pick another day.
2. CONTEST in New Hebrides; go get the 5 BBs at Pearl, and bring together all 5 CVs
3. Not contest in New Hebrides, but launch an operation in the Central Pacific, like a landing on Wake or Majuro

Not sure yet.

China: Japanese troops are marching on Tsiaotso. Not a surprise, as we have one unit there, and he needs to clear the supply line. We are drinking up all the Sapporo and Sake we can lay our hands one, before being kicked out.

Java: More units surrendered, and we are pretty much down to Malang and the East tip of Java. Won't be long now.

RE option 3:

How big an operation are you thinking about?
A small, temporary raid to distract Cuttlefish, or a full-scale invasion?
What units do you have available for the operation?

Either way, I think option 3 is your best bet; IMHO KB is too tough an opponent in early May 42, even if you have a lot of LBA support.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/18/2009 10:17:28 PM

Canoerebel

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Q-Ball, don't do it! Don't commit to a major confrontation at the New Hebrides nor to an invasion of an isolated atoll in the Pacific. You can't face the Japs one-on-one yet, nor can you reasonably hope to hold one of those islands this early in the game.

Even if Cuttlefish does evil things in New Caledonia, you're fine as long as you haven't lost your main assets. While he's fixated there, use your mobile assets to sting Cuttlefish! Send your carriers someplace where they can hit and run, or consider leaving them as a force in being to keep him honest.

The loss of New Caledonia really won't hurt you. Use some feints and bluffs their to make him think a big fight is in the offing - meanwhile, use the quiet elsewhere to build and strengthen. Also, you'll be getting lots of troops soon so you can begin positioning troops where you'll eventually want to use them.

In summary - don't do what I did! You'll regret it.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/18/2009 10:40:08 PM

Chickenboy

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Keep the fleet safe, pick another day.

That's not to say you can't sting a little. I really like the KB fighter degradation that you inflicted with your fighter heavy CAP from a few days ago. A few more days of attrition like that and his KB fighter arm will be significantly less capable, setting the table in a few months for your CV battle.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/19/2009 1:55:11 AM

jrcar

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I agree, abandon Noumea if you have to, makes no real impact. Unless you can safely handle 3 Japanese divs (i.e. with forts, guns, and significant AV and prep) fall back... be where he isn't.

A raid can be nice for morale, but don't commit anything you can't afford to loose... and KB in the New Hebrides isn't that far from anywhere in the South Pacific, even Wake is only 3-4 days hard steaming. Which means you will get ashore, but probably not reload and get away...

Cheers

Rob

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/19/2009 4:50:33 AM

crsutton

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I concur. The main goal for the Allies is to keep their carriers intact until all the avengers are aboard, the fighter groups have expanded, the AA has upgraded and you have some fast BBs and modern CLs for escort. Ideally, you want to have all six of them (or whats left). The ideal time for a tangle with KB is July of 1942. Then with the help of a couple of British carriers you are more than a match for KB. Look to damage one or two of his carriers with a sub or lucky LBA hit. If one of his six big carriers is missing then I think the Allies have the odds.

I strongly disagree with the IJN player using his KB planes to attack fixed installations. Likewise, he can not afford to dilute his 1st team pilots until he can fight the American carriers.

My opponent is very skilled and is just racing accross the map. (I gave him scen. 2) It is Feb 15th and he has cleared Burma, most of China, Malaya, the PI and is just invading Java with a sledgehammer. He must wake up in the moring and sh*t fuel for his ships because I don't see him slowing down. I got nothing to stop him but I am not losing much. I know I have to fight somewhere soon but it is not going to be with my carriers. Your AAR is helping me a great deal. Nice to find out that there is an Aussie squadron for the Dutch A20s well. Now I am convinced that this was done on purpose by the scenario designers. That is 140 more medium bombers that I was not counting on.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/19/2009 11:44:09 AM

ComradeP

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Follow Guderian's maxim, for a different kind of war, but a valuable lesson all the same: deploy technology and resources only when they can make a significant impact, and only when you have the forces to advance after the attack.

The risk that you'll lose ships is too high for the fairly small gain that could be expected. You could land somewhere in the Pacific, but you wouldn't be able to move on afterwards as you currently don't have the equipment or the resources to do so. The forces you land will be yet another garrison on an island that won't win you the war.

Island invasions are usually only of any long term use if you can keep the momentum and initiative on your side, in the case of the war in the Pacific, that would translate to: island invasions are most effective during an island hopping campaign, where the enemy doesn't have the time to recover. Dumping forces on Wake isn't an island hopping campaign, it's like painting a giant "kick me" sign on your island garrison.

< Message edited by ComradeP -- 11/19/2009 6:54:19 PM >

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/19/2009 2:51:29 PM

Q-Ball

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Everyone: I had pretty much resolved on letting it go, but good to hear everyone's thoughts. A confrontation with KB is unwise until you have TBMs, and particularly if you are temporarily down a CV like I am (Enterprise is still under repair at Capetown, and figures to be out of action until August).

Combat Report, May 3,4,5 1942

New Caledonia: Japanese troops are landing at Koumac. A BB TF hit Noumea harbor, sinking 3 xAKs and a PG that were unloading supplies. That might be the last supply drop in awhile. We have enough to withstand a medium-length siege, we will see how long this goes.

Tommorow I should have a good idea how many troops are unloading. It appears to include 53rd Div. so far, not sure what else. I expect my fighters to be overwhelmed fairly shortly, but to give a good account before going under.

This is a major Japanese move it seems, maybe the major move of the war. I am going to steer clear at the moment, and keep my head down for better days.

Canton Is.: I have taken the opportunity to drop a Regt. at Canton Island, and occupy this spot. It's not a great base, but a good stopover, and can shorten my supply lines.

China: A 1-2 Japanese attack on Loyang failed, but did drop the forts. I think CF will bring in more guys to break it. I am thinking of evacuating Chengyang, before it gets cut off with the fall of Loyang. Hate to leave 60 supply points a turn though.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/20/2009 4:32:26 PM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, May 6-10, 1942

New Caledonia: Japanese troops have safely unloaded and taken Koumac. 3 days of attack by Marine Vindicators out of Noumea produced nothing more than dead Vindicators; actually there wasn't alot of CAP, but flak was intense. We acheived a single bomb hit on Aoba, but that's it. Otherwise, he got ashore cleanly.

Zeros out of Luganville sweep Noumea constantly, although we have shot some down mostly we are on the losing-end. My airgroups there are fairly wrecked, and much more of this will required me to withdraw all aircover.

Forces so far are 4th Division, but I know 53rd Division is at Luganville, and probably on it's way.

China: The Japanese kicked me out of Tsaosto, but not before I drank all the Sapporo. That clears his supply line, and allows him to resume attacks at Loyang. I have reinforced Loyang; last IJA attack was 1-2, so this is turning into a meat grinder. That probably means I will lose, but we'll see.

Meanwhile, Japanese are advancing in the South, I'll post a map in a couple days.

DEI: On Java, we are down to 2 mountain redoubts. I'll update when they fall, which should be soon. On Sumatra, heavy air attacks destroyed the 24 P-40s I had there in A2A and bombing. I went ahead and disbanded the remnants; the KNIL airforce is now down to a handful of floatplanes.

South Pac: Here is the most interesting thing below: Warships are sighted off New Zealand. What are they doing there? Is that KB, or just surface ships?

As you can see, I am in a position to counter. I can't identify what they are though, which is critical. If that's KB, taking it on will be BAD. If it's not, I could get a nice hit. Decisions, decisions..........

It could also be that he knows he is spotted, and will turn that around. At any rate, here is what I am going to do:

1. Empty Auckland harbor, and send everyone SOUTH toward Wellington.
2. The CV's will linger about where they are, out of range of Kate/Val, to ascertain what that is. I may slide a bit north, if it's surface raiders, that will maybe give me a chance to intercept.

Until I am sure what it is, I am going to move the CV's NE to Raoul Island area, and wait there for a positive ID. Then, I will either attack, or RUN.

I'm glad I set up an airbase at Norfolk, it was spotted via Hudson flying off Norfolk.

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/20/2009 8:46:03 PM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, May 11 1942

Quick update on the above report.

The IJN TF off Norfolk Is moved slightly Northeast, and is reported with a Northeast heading by Hudson out of Norfolk. Additionally, 1 CV is reported with this group. I don't know how accurate that sighting is.

I'm moving Lex/Indom away; I think CF knows a Hudson snooped him, and is moving back toward New Caledonia. If he continues, I will know there are CVs there, because I don't see him moving ships down there without air cover.

Either way, I am moving my CVs out. They are heading to the West Coast to refit, and rejoin the rest of the fleet.

Looking at Enterprise, it's going to be August or September until I have all my fleet CVs together. That was quite a torp hit on her!

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Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 12:02:46 AM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, May 12,13,14,15 1942

Noumea: The last few days, CF has been slowly building Koumac airbase, and sending the occasional bombardment TF to Noumea. 4 BBs hit the place yesterday, and because of this CF knows the main unit there: 41st Division. That signals that I have a large garrison.

P-40s continue to duel with Zeros over Koumac, it's a losing battle for me, but I am taking some Zeros with me, about 10 or so so far.

China: Japanese troops are bombarding at Loyang in the North, and so far it's just a grind. No major moves yet.

In the South, the Japanese army arrived at Liuchow, and began to bombard. I have some units moving into his rear through the woods to cut supplies, but other than that I am not too optimistic about holding, despite committing a bunch of troops. I have to admit, that was a pretty good place to attack me that Cuttlefish picked.

Port Hedland: I am landing troops at Port Hedland almost like it's a contested landing; it isn't, but because that base is isolated, as the Allies you better bring a whole bunch of troops or don't bother. I am shipping in the 7th Aus Div, plus artillery, tanks, and support troops. It would take a major effort to dislodge them, and I expect some advanced warning, as he would probably take Broome or Darwin first.

I want to hold Port Hedland until the fall, as it is a good jumping off point if I intend to invade Timor.

Sub War: Here is where I want to get some best practices from other AE players. I have never been an expert at Sub Wars, as in WITP I never bothered to move my subs every single day. AE is an improvement with the Patrol Zones which I LOVE. I haven't figured out how to maximize them, so I am posting a screenshot to help tell the story.

I will post later on GRAND STRATEGY, which is where to concentrate subs. Here I want to look at TACTICS.

I am setting the subs to "Max React" of 1; is this the best? I would like them to react to other ships, but not stray too far off the patrol zone. I also keep a tight pattern, to conserve fuel and keep the boat on station.

At the end of each patrol, I take a look at the Sub's Torpedo Tubes; to me, this is the best indicator of whether that patrol was a success or not. At this level, all I can do is put the boat in a position to fire off Torps; I can't control if they hit or explode. Empty Tubes means I did my job. If the boat is out of fuel before torps, I may need to re-think that particular patrol zone, and try a different one. Does this all make sense to you guys?

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 12:54:43 AM

Wirraway_Ace

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From: Austin / Brisbane
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

[
Sub War:
I am setting the subs to "Max React" of 1; is this the best? I would like them to react to other ships, but not stray too far off the patrol zone. I also keep a tight pattern, to conserve fuel and keep the boat on station.

At the end of each patrol, I take a look at the Sub's Torpedo Tubes; to me, this is the best indicator of whether that patrol was a success or not. At this level, all I can do is put the boat in a position to fire off Torps; I can't control if they hit or explode. Empty Tubes means I did my job. If the boat is out of fuel before torps, I may need to re-think that particular patrol zone, and try a different one. Does this all make sense to you guys?

Q-Ball, I am using a max react of 3. I don't mind a sub chasing down a convoy out of its patrol area.
I don't patrol in base hexes--my defensive minefields are the number one killer of my opponent's subs.
I keep the subs moving between at least 2 hexes, but let them loiter 1 day in each.
I don't use a patrol zone larger than 3 hexes per side to conserve fuel, particularily on the shorter range boats. I try to stick to deep water hexes.
I judge success by the number of torps fired.
I don't replace commanders based on their stats; if they are patrolling in a hot area where others are having success, and they have none, it is shore duty time. I don't mind a few conservative COs to help some the boats build experience safely.
Good luck!

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RE: Cuttlefish is up to something........ - 11/22/2009 5:02:43 AM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

crsutton: Thanks, actually I just got a Dutch RAAF unit in Canberra that DOES use the Dutch A-20s, so that's nice. I have a USAAF unit in India that also accepts the Dutch Mitchells. So, there is some use it seems. We'll count it all up. Thanks for the help though, based on this I disbanded all the Dutch bombers; I do have 24 P-40s at Medan.

[

Now, I have found out that one of the NZ Buffalo squadrons that was in Singapore can take the Dutch hurricanes, My NZ unit is in Ceylon and I found it there by accident. I got a hunch that there is a fighter unit either on board or due to arrive that can take those Dutch P40s as well. Only make sense because there are units that can take all the other three plane types that the Dutch get in 3/42.

So the hunt is on guys. Find me that unit that can take those valuable P40s .....

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 5:21:38 AM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

[b
Sub War: Here is where I want to get some best practices from other AE players. I have never been an expert at Sub Wars, as in WITP I never bothered to move my subs every single day. AE is an improvement with the Patrol Zones which I LOVE. I haven't figured out how to maximize them, so I am posting a screenshot to help tell the story.

Not much to add. I set my react to 2 or three for no particular reason. Without radar, they do not react much anyways-except in areas where you have a heavy air patrol presense. (Not many in 1942) I suspect that when they get the radar upgrades they might react more but am not sure. I have only replaced the worst commanders. I won't worry too much about aggressive ones until my torpedoes get better. The Dutch and Brits are the best now but the Dutch never get radar and I don't think the Brits do either so eventually your American fleet boats will be the best.

Last but not least, after every turn make sure to place you cursor over your subs. It will tell you the current detection level. 11 is bad and less than three is good. If the detection level is high, you better move that sub. Otherwise you are pretty safe from his ASW.

In my pbem Truant put a torpedo into Kaga and got a massive explosion to go with it. Very pleasing. Put one or two fleet carriers into the yard and the odds start to really favor the US when the big carrier fight comes.

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 9:40:21 AM

loricas

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

[b
Sub War: Here is where I want to get some best practices from other AE players. I have never been an expert at Sub Wars, as in WITP I never bothered to move my subs every single day. AE is an improvement with the Patrol Zones which I LOVE. I haven't figured out how to maximize them, so I am posting a screenshot to help tell the story.

I set my subs on patrol around target. max (6) reaction. 1 to 3 subs TFs
in this way when a TF is spot from sub or other item all subs around converge against: actually, for example, i have eight sub follow mini KB leading at 1to3 attack every day. this become deadly when a ship is damaged: S-23 put a torpedo on a CA Haguro: S-23 and SS Sargo shot four time in 3 day at the same ship, in her way to Rabaul.
you must check only that a sub don't follow to a port hex hitting defensive mine.
when followed TF disappear the subs revert to scheduled patrol zone

actually (271241 so no radar) i have 3 to 8 sub attacks every day

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 9:54:19 AM

Smeulders

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I've been putting react to 6, at least with subs in open water. This allows for a lot of attacks, I'm not far into my PBEM yet, but have had one sub sink a damaged PB 4 hexes West of it's patrol zone one day and the next sink an xAK 4 hexes East of it. Danger is that these large reaction ranges get your subs attacking in harbour, a pretty good way to lose them to mines.

My patrol zones are usually a bit further out from main bases then in your example. It lowers the risk my ships will enter harbours. I also think getting spotted during the turn will give convoys a better chance to evade your subs, and subs close to port get spotted often. A third advantage to keeping subs further out is that they're in less danger from ASW. If your sub is sighted and 2 hexes from a port, the ASW will be there soon, if you are sighted 6 hexes out, you'll be able to move the sub in time. If there is a constant ASW presence, being further out allows for less time on station for the ASW groups (though that's a minimal effect,) and forces your opponent to sweep more area, diluting his resources.

Disadvantage is of course that enemy has more space to route his convoys around your sub.

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 2:10:07 PM

Q-Ball

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Gentlemen: Thanks for the response, I guess I'm on the right track except for react range; that wolfpack idea is interesting. I might start grouping subs within the same patrol area and setting to higher React to see if they converge on a target. Hmmmmm....we'll give it a shot.

Sub War Scorecard to Date:
Allied Losses: 1 Dutch Boat (to IJN Sub!) and 2 USN Fleet Boats (one sunk in port, the other struck a mine)
Japanese Shipping Losses:
DUTCH KILLS: CL Tama, 3 xAK, 1 xAKL, 1 SC
S-BOAT KILLS: CL Kashii, 2 PB, 2xAK
USN FLEET: 3 xAK, 2 xAKL

Overall, I don't think that's alot for 6 months of work, so some adjustment is needed. I am pleased with those 2 cruisers, and those are confirmed. I am not so pleased that we haven't sunk ANY tankers whatsoever. That's a problem.

I imagine that we would have alot more USN Fleet kills if the torps worked; if I multiplied those kills by 9, which is what would happen in 1944, it would look better.

The other bright side is that I have lost hardly any boats.

From the Japanese Side:
LOSSES: The IJN has lost between 1-3 boats, not sure with FOW; 1 for sure, and probably 2.
KILLS:
4 x TK/AO
2 x xAP (Including Dominion Monarch, a big one!)
2 x xAK
4 x xAKL
1 SS (that Dutch boat), and 1 DM

Overall, Cuttlefish is probably OK with that result. It should be noted that although it didn't sink her, CF's sub force scored a very bad hit on Enterprise that figures to cost me 8 months of total repair time! THAT is as good as a sinking in many ways.

I think the Japanese have a different objective in Sub Wars; you can't attrite the Allied Merchant fleet, that's just points, though you have to attack it if for no other reason than to make the Allies escort everything.

Combat Report, May 16, 1942

I'll go ahead and include a Combat Report.

Kido Butai: Speaking of Subs, SS Greenling sighted Soryu 2 hexes north of Koumac. This isn't a huge surprise, as I knew KB was in the area, but it's always good to get a precise combination. Greenling fired a salvo of torps that all missed, and spotted a huge escort that included a BB. This is no doubt KB.

China: Liuchow will be bad for the Chinese; we have gathered 100,000 troops there, but I don't have alot of confidence in the KMT. I can hear Stillwell's vitriol from here!

DEI: We are approaching wind-down phase in the DEI.
I have two pockets on Java; one at Bandoeng fell, as my units retreated in disorder. They are almost completely destroyed, and will surrender shortly. On the other end of the island, at Malang, CF is screening my troops. Not a bad idea, I can't really do anything offensive there, I wonder if he'll just let me starve there, since I have no way to get out.

On Northern Sumatra, I hold Medan in force with 250 AV. 4 Japanese Regts landed at the undefended port to the south, and will march up and attempt to take Medan. Not sure if CF brough enough. My troops are 100% prepped and are actually close to 50 in experience since they have been sitting there so long. I have not reinforced Medan, all I did was bring together all garrisons in N. Sumatra into this one place.

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/22/2009 8:30:48 PM

ComradeP

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You've thus far held out in the DEI for 2 months beyond the historical surrender date. If you would've done that in the real war, you would've surely received the Militaire Willems-Orde, the highest Dutch honour/medal for soldiers.

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RE: Sub Wars - 11/24/2009 12:53:43 AM

Q-Ball

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ComradeP: Perhaps. I have noticed DEI is tougher than WITP, because there is more room for Dutch troops to run to.

Combat Report, May 17-21 194

Noumea: Japanese ships raided Auckland, but didn't find anything. I have seen KB and surface TF's lurking all around New Caledonia. I don't have the naval strength to challenge them, so all I can do is count them.

I have no idea how strong this landing is beyond the 4th Division, but I know CF has other units in the area, and no doubt they are unloading at Koumac. I expect a probing attack on Noumea before too long.

Port Hedland: More troops and engineers are unloading at the base, and it's at size 2 airbase, and size 3 port. I want this to be a major base, so everyone is digging.

Sub Wars: An S-Boat put a torpedo into an AO off Koumac. FIRES resulted. My experience is that full tankers or AOs will eventually sink from one torp hit, unless they are very close to port. This one wasn't so I bet it's toast.

Southern China: Map below, pretty much says it all