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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: The Empire Strikes Back!

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/19/2011 5:00:55 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

In 01/44 the Peggy army bomber goes into production; what do you think of this ac?

Not much. It has a bit more range than the Helen, but 1/4 less payload. It's cruise speed is higher, so it matches the Tojo/Tony escorts and will have better coordination. But, I generally use Oscar to escort due to legs and it's cruise speeds are much higher so I don't see much difference in the coordination. 3 more hex range on army bomber doesn't seem to do me much good in '44 especially beyond the range of my escorts.

Finally it uses the Ha-45 which means more engine factory changeover ...

Now the 1a (T) model of the Peggy can carry a torp which with proper pilot training means you can use your IJAAF pilots in naval attacks. That would seem to be a good fit for final defense of the HI. But did you research that model or the standard 1a model?

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2461

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/19/2011 6:23:38 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Agree, will only start limited Peggy production and gradually switch from Helens to Peggy(t)s.
The Peggy(t) has been accelerated 1 month already but I need to up HA-45 engine production with 4-600 units before we're ready for it.

Considering using Oscar IIbs with very low skilled pilots as long range Army bombers.
They will sit and train next to the bombers and engage as "expendables". Why waste good pilots as escorts...they die anyway.

Anyone seen this ugly duckling before!?

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 2462

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/19/2011 6:49:41 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Major Jap warships lost + comparison of Helen IIb - Peggy Army bombers:

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2463

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/19/2011 7:51:50 PM

pacificbetta

Posts: 110
Joined: 12/4/2009
Status: offline

One note for the Helen-Peggy comparison, although Peggy has a higher load, it carries less bombs than Helen. So I assume Peggy is better than Helen in Kamikaze, but for ground attack Helen carries more.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2464

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/20/2011 8:17:34 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Will be a while before the front line ac will be used for kamikaze missions...I hope

Enemy 4Es are laying mines all over the place.
This design doesn't really work...

a) I'm always able to see were mines are laid so the mines are quite inefficient
b) Even when we should have spotted the minelayers we're not allowed to intercept them but the enemy gets a free recon of our CAP

I would suggest mining missions were more stealthy when; DLs should determine whether they were spotted or not.
If mining Rangoon at night only nigh CAP should be able to intercept.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 15, 43

Mine Clearing

TF 241 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 19
AMc Wa 3

17 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 241 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 19
AMc Wa 3, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

22 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 10
Hudson I x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 10
PV-1 Ventura x 17
B-25D1 Mitchell x 38

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dobo , at 83,116
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 38
B-24J Liberator x 32
P-38G Lightning x 16
P-51A Mustang x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 6 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 8

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 15000 feet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dobo

The raid on Dobo suffered heavily - well, escort fighters at least. Our CAP at 30k feet dived on all the escorts and 22 were lost.
All 5 A6M5s lost this day were later shot down by the Libs

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to pacificbetta)

Post #: 2465

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/20/2011 8:33:26 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

2 enemy destroyers attempted to disrupt the loading of our assault force at Waingapoe today.
A strange affair; We got a heavy cruiser TF there for protection, yet the transports retreated from enemy surface threat but
no engagements took place.

During daylight the 2 enemy destroyers were found and sunk by our LBA.

Later on 52 enemy 4Es attacked shipping, but only 3 attacked the now exposed transports in the channel.
The rest went after our cruiser TF and scored a single bomb hit that caused 3 sys damage.

Enemy sweepers and bombers claimed some CAP fighters.

I'm now in the process of re-distributing our Waingape troops and newly arrived reinforcements.
The threat in Burma may be a diversion but a couple of reserve divisions will go to Rangoon.
- A large force will go to Singapore and others have already unloaded at Medan.

Most of the remaining will go to Soerabaja for R&R while the rest goes to defensive positions in the SRA.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 16, 43

Mine Clearing

TF 241 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 19

12 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 242 encounters mine field at Waingapoe (63,113)

Japanese Ships
AMc Choun Maru #7

8 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 241 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 19

12 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 242 encounters mine field at Waingapoe (63,113)

Japanese Ships
AMc Choun Maru #7

9 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Heavy air strikes on Shewbo; 120 fighters sweep and hundreds of bombers hit LCUs and facilities.
Despite having 5 AA Regiments enemy losses to flak are relatively small. Even 18 Hurries strafing
gets away with it (16 damaged ac but none shot down).

Not interested in engaging in air battles in Burma before we have rebuilt our fighter pools and replaced the
now outdated Tojos with Franks and Tonys.

Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 18

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-51A Mustang sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 64,114
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Jupiter, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
22 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 12
Beaufighter VIc x 10
Beaufort I x 6
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 6
Blenheim VD x 18
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 15
Wellington Ic x 15
Wellington B.X x 6
Beaufort VIII x 19
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24J Liberator x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 9 damaged
Blenheim VD: 1 damaged
Liberator B.III: 2 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 62

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington B.X bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Liberator II bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Liberator B.III bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
14 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington B.X bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 48th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 52nd Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Army ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 56th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 54th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
Also attacking 56th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking Shwebo ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Army, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
Hurricane IId Trop x 2
Hurricane FR.IIb x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 39

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IId Trop: 2 damaged
Hurricane FR.IIb: 7 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane FR.IIb bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Hurricane FR.IIb bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Hurricane IId Trop bombing from 100 feet *

Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Army ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Army, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 18
Spitfire VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Wellington B.X bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Wellington B.X bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Army ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Army ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IId Trop x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IId Trop: 16 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Hurricane IId Trop bombing from 100 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hiyama Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 18
P-38H Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
N1K1 Rex x 2
N1K1-J George x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
DD Yugumo
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1
CL Yubari
----------------------------------------------------------------

Waingapoe

The Katsuragi is now ready for action with a full CAG complement!

- The A6M5 group shown is the unit that claimed 22 enemy escorts in the Dobo raid.
Not a crack unit, actually performing training for some of the pilots.
Performance was still sterling when facing enemy fighters in an escort role.
I always try to have at least one elite pilot in my front line fighter wings but this is becoming more difficult
as we loose pilots while receiving new air wings.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2466

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/20/2011 10:07:36 PM

ny59giants

Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline

Batavia is malaria free vs Soerabaja for your troops to go on R & R long term.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2467

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/20/2011 10:45:34 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Really, thought Soerabaja was malaria free...thx for the tip

Ground attacks in Burma..nothing worth posting about.
Very little activity, no convoys or anything to report.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 17, 43

Imperial Aircraft Series presents: The Frances

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 2468

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/20/2011 11:32:32 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

More of the same....but no visible ground threat in Burma.

With no withdrawals the number of air units on map increase towards great numbers.
- Allied revenge will probably be to bore me to death with ground attacks. Double clicking past each sweep and attack is really bothersome and time consuming.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 18, 43

Kido Butai

KB has replenished the CAGs; had to cannibalize a few A6M5 units for veteran pilots.

There is a CVL at Singapore and the old CVE Hosho in the Home Islands and the Shinano arrives within a month.
Combined strength of KB should now be ~1000 ac.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2469

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 12:30:00 AM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline

Sorebaja can easily be malaria free if its combined airfield/port size >= 10. This goes for any base. Even combined size 9 will generally get rid of malaria effects. In many places that will mean building the airfield to size 7 and the port to size 2, but at Sorebaja, the port should be size 7 easily, the airfield should be at least that big.

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 3/21/2011 12:31:03 AM >

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2470

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 2:01:25 AM

Mynok

Posts: 12108
Joined: 11/30/2002
Status: offline

Peggy has service rating 3 vs 2. I like Helens.

Hosho still around? Surprised she isn't a museum in Osaka.

_____________________________

"Measure civilization by the ability of citizens to mock government with impunity" -- Unknown

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 2471

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 3:59:57 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Not interested in engaging in air battles in Burma before we have rebuilt our fighter pools and replaced the
now outdated Tojos with Franks and Tonys.

Now that you have Franks, do you still consider the Tony to be one of your frontline fighters? What role will the Tony assume?

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2472

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 4:02:21 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Sorebaja can easily be malaria free if its combined airfield/port size >= 10. This goes for any base. Even combined size 9 will generally get rid of malaria effects. In many places that will mean building the airfield to size 7 and the port to size 2, but at Sorebaja, the port should be size 7 easily, the airfield should be at least that big.

Do forts count against malaria? Thought I read somewhere that they do ... 50% of the fort?

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 2473

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 8:26:27 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Hm, when you mention it...Soerabaja is maxed out in size, will check if any of the garrison units have the customary malaria fatigue.

The Hosho is our training carrier; she helps get carrier capable units carrier trained.
I've noticed that it takes between a week and several months to achieve this; anyone knows what the pre-reqs are, random checks?

Think we got 50 Tony's in production; since they're superior to the Tojo I will keep the factories running at least until we have enough Franks
to cover all needs. Later in the war we get the excellent Tony 100 as well. Plan is to continue using the Tony as a base interceptor in Rabaul, SRA and Burma.
Got 4 units already equipped with the a, b and c models.

Industry in home islands is a bit hard pressed; looks like the auto upgrading of engine production to HA-45 (from HA-35 for Tojo) is becoming costly.
One Tokyo factory was size 430 and is currently 130/450 for the HA-45. Pretty sure I didn't order this conversion myself.

Will be a break for a couple of days while I attend to rl business...

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 2474

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 9:34:23 AM

FatR

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Considering using Oscar IIbs with very low skilled pilots as long range Army bombers.
They will sit and train next to the bombers and engage as "expendables". Why waste good pilots as escorts...they die anyway.

I also want to use Oscars as low-level naval attackers, but I feel that separating pilots for them from normal fighter pilots in units will be a tremendous pain. Do you have any idea how to do it without handpicking them?

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2475

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 11:27:29 AM

Nemo121

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If you are considering the Helen vs Peggy choice I'd point out that if you ever want to run a sustained bombing campaign the Helens will really pay for themselves in terms of availability. The difference between a service rating of 2 ( 10 days max to return to service ) vs 3 ( 15 days ) is significant if you are trying to run daily bombing missions.

So, if attempting a night-time campaign to harrass Allied airfields in 44/45 you might find the Helen to be quite useful.

What I tried to do in my Armaggedon game ( but which got a bit FUBARed by a certain cheat ) was to use the Helens and other low service rating bombers for night-time bombing raids. The chances of them being significantly intercepted were low, they flew pretty much every night - so in 1 month would move from being utter noobs with 30 ground bombing experience to being useful and having 60+ ground bombing experience - and their 4 x 250 Kg bombs occasionally hit something.

Overall I found that I destroyed slightly more Allied planes than I lost whilst using up bombers which couldn't survive during the daytime AND achieving my bomber pilot training targets. So, it was win/win/win for me.

< Message edited by Nemo121 -- 3/21/2011 11:32:02 AM >

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/21/2011 7:12:41 PM

inqistor

Posts: 1813
Joined: 5/12/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
More offensive actions? So you don't think I'm offensive enough Inq?-)
Been burning lots of fuel, pilots and ac, so need to restock first - and remember, I'm not taking KB close to major size enemy LBA bases!
Except for that and landing armies in Australia, India and Hawaii I'm quite open for good suggestions....

Sinking ships is quite profitable, but you need to put land troops somewhere. I am estimating, that you will need around 6 Divisions, and 2 Engineer units to get New Caledonia, and later 4 Divisions, and 3 Engineer units to get Fiji. As a result around 3 Allied Divisions will be destroyed.
In the mean-time, you could retake Luganville, and excess forces from Line Islands, could be withdrawn, by taking Pago-Pago.
After that, maybe you could get those bazillions islands to the south? Establishing there few Patrol bases can cut any direct communication of USA-Australia, until end of game.

Actually, you can always seek the main repair yard, and send KB there

Loses will be horrendous, but I think bagging two large CVs will be worth the risk.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pacificbetta

One note for the Helen-Peggy comparison, although Peggy has a higher load, it carries less bombs than Helen. So I assume Peggy is better than Helen in Kamikaze, but for ground attack Helen carries more.

That seems strange, that plane have bigger payload, but carries less bombs...
Anyway, the only advantage seems speed, so probably, when you will go against heavily defended target, it will be better to use PEGGYs, to get fewer loses.

PS. This ZERO unit pilots seems to have really low Defense skill. It will be probably better NOT to send them into A2A combat yet.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2477

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 12:06:43 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
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From: No(r)way
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Not given up on New Caledonia either Inq

Takes 3 months to prep those divs...and I'm more than happy to reinforce our outer perimeter and build up a strong reserve for now.
The time we have bought will pay dividends when 4000 additional worth of AV can be placed in the line over the next few months.
- This together with 5 divisions of reserves will enable us to put up a tough defense or strong counterattack when required.

In my other game I've occupied New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji and isolated the Samoans.
Required a major effort, loads of supplies and fuel...hardly something I can recommend outside of 1942.

Some of the pilots I have received or trained have ok Air ratings but defensive ratings are very poor.
Have placed some of these in the line with partial training missions; the Dobo group fought very well in the interceptor role.
- Give them the dive and they don't need their defensive skills.

There are hundreds of pilots in advanced training right now, most are in the 50-60 skill range for both Air and Defensive; need
another month before they can be released to the frontline units.

Oscars as low level naval attackers

What good would that do? If you ise Nicks or other fighter bombers I get it..but not sure I would put my better pilots in Oscars

We have an agreement against night bombing for now until a patch can adjust their efficiency.
Just too effective, would hardly be able to find a darkened airfield at night in real life - in AE night bombers not only find them, they also find
aircraft dispesred in shelters and dugouts.

Our Army bombers are good weapons when we achieve local air superiority, for ASW and the occasional low naval attack runs.
Half of the ones I got are expertly trained in these roles and held back from the frontlines.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 20, 43

Air Combat

150 air raids in Southern New Guinea and Burma; just deleting the unopposed ones.
Going to be bored to death by this, have to click twice for each raid - if only I could have held the cursor in the same place, but
no, have to go look for that annoyingly small "Done" button...why make it like this

Morning Air attack on Buna , at 99,129
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 21
B-24J Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna , at 99,129
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 24
B-24J Liberator x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 94

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
12 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
14 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
15 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
15 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
14 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
13 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna , at 99,129
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Placed some CAP over Buna; claimed a few Mitchells and maybe a B-24 but without more heavily armed and armored fighters there's
little used putting hardware in the way of these raids.

What is interesting is that our CVEs and CVLs have generated new air groups that will arrive as reinforcements shortly.
This happens when this kind of ship sits in a major sizeed port for some time.

Unfortunately all air group reinforcements arrive with 2 ac and 2 pilots and it's a tough job finding trained pilots for them all
so many of the new arrivals are turned into training units. Actually need 2-3 pilots in training for each operational one.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 3/24/2011 12:12:43 AM >

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 12:20:21 AM

erstad

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quote:

oing to be bored to death by this, have to click twice for each raid - if only I could have held the cursor in the same place, but
no, have to go look for that annoyingly small "Done" button...why make it like this

Just use the ESC key

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Post #: 2479

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 8:59:46 AM

castor troy

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From: Austria
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PzB you know that you don�t need to click on "done" but can just put your finger on the "esc" key to quit each of the boring unopposed air strikes? That�s what I do, place my finger on esc and zip through these attacks.

edit: what erstad says...

< Message edited by castor troy -- 3/24/2011 9:01:10 AM >

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 9:31:52 AM

PzB74

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Actually, I've been uncomfortable using the Esc and other keys; sometimes the combat replay enters express mode and then it can be difficult to slow it back down again.

But I'll give the Esc key a chance next time I start a "ground bombing of Burma" turn!

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Post #: 2481

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 10:52:24 AM

castor troy

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From: Austria
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Actually, I've been uncomfortable using the Esc and other keys; sometimes the combat replay enters express mode and then it can be difficult to slow it back down again.

But I'll give the Esc key a chance next time I start a "ground bombing of Burma" turn!

if you click esc during a combat it goes into express mode, next esc click closes the window (as soon as the combat ends and shows the combat report). Then the replay continues and is in normal speed. If you click esc outside a combat window during the replay, it also goes into express mode but if you click left mouse button it goes back into normal speed again.

< Message edited by castor troy -- 3/24/2011 10:54:02 AM >

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 1:06:18 PM

ny59giants

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quote:

Some of the pilots I have received or trained have ok Air ratings but defensive ratings are very poor.

Set them to 100% Training, Sweep, at 100 ft altitude to get their Defense experience up. It raises their Strafing experience, but more importantly their Defense experience (and indirectly their overall experience levels).

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 2:05:47 PM

Speedysteve

Posts: 15998
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From: Reading, England
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quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Actually, I've been uncomfortable using the Esc and other keys; sometimes the combat replay enters express mode and then it can be difficult to slow it back down again.

But I'll give the Esc key a chance next time I start a "ground bombing of Burma" turn!

if you click esc during a combat it goes into express mode, next esc click closes the window (as soon as the combat ends and shows the combat report). Then the replay continues and is in normal speed. If you click esc outside a combat window during the replay, it also goes into express mode but if you click left mouse button it goes back into normal speed again.

I also use the 'esc' key. I do sometimes find it leads to CTD though...........

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 7:05:35 PM

PzB74

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Thx for the advice guys, will try both ESC and the training approach to increase Defensive!

On Saturday I'm going to the States for 3 weeks, not sure how many turns I'll be able to do in this period.
- Not a great experience to revert to a small laptop with a 1200x1020 resolution...

My grand plan is to get a flight in an authentic warbird; a P-51 Mustang is on the top of my wish list!

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 8:45:28 PM

aprezto

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We demand photos - although maybe not of the cockpit directly afterwards...

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/24/2011 9:06:48 PM

Rob Brennan UK

Posts: 3685
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From: London UK
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Thx for the advice guys, will try both ESC and the training approach to increase Defensive!�
On Saturday I'm going to the States for 3 weeks, not sure how many turns I'll be able to do in this period.
- Not a great experience to revert to a small laptop with a 1200x1020 resolution...

My grand plan is to get a flight in an authentic warbird; a P-51 Mustang is on the top of my wish list!

Good luck in fulfilling that dream , it would be fantastic indeed. 3 weeks might give andy time for a much needed breather in your game. have fun regardless.

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RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/26/2011 8:37:45 AM

inqistor

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quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Not given up on New Caledonia either Inq
Takes 3 months to prep those divs...and I'm more than happy to reinforce our outer perimeter and build up a strong reserve for now.
The time we have bought will pay dividends when 4000 additional worth of AV can be placed in the line over the next few months.
- This together with 5 divisions of reserves will enable us to put up a tough defense or strong counterattack when required.

Remember, that this is the raid to destroy more Allied squads, of which they currently should be short, not any land-grab. Probably within 5-6 months situation will be under control, so you should strike quick, to worse his situation. Divisions in line will be completely passive, and their few engineers will not help much in building forts.

I was actually thinking about landing at Tasmania, and bombarding Australian industry from there

Is industry completely destroyed during firestorms? Anyway, I am guessing extracting troops afterwards will be impossible.

I have interesting plan for Kuriles defense. Get some non-perma-restricted Divisions in Manchuria/Japan/China. Get them planning for all islands in chain. When Allies come conquering, you just buy-out appropiate Division and make counter-invasion

quote:

ORIGINAL: Speedy
I also use the 'esc' key. I do sometimes find it leads to CTD though...........

Oh yeah. Be careful with that. I had it already several times. Only ONE click at a time.

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Post #: 2488

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/27/2011 2:07:00 PM

PzB74

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From: No(r)way
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Thx Guys, in Stamford now preparing to investigate the Big Apple

Because of time differenes it's early in the morning and I'm wide awake, so doing some reading and will try a turn on my laptop!

Pictures there will be Al, if I manage to coordinate a flight!
I'm not the airsick guy, just seasick and bus sick

What I'm afraid of Inq is that Andy will take advanage of the opportunity if we tie down the Combined Fleet to a far away offensive.
Not convinced our LBA can thwart an Allied offensive against SRA or Line Ilands alone, but I see the potential.

I'm also low on highly trained naval pilots; loosing another 100 ad I have to pull pilots from LBA units.
In 1 month we should be better of, but still it would take 3 months to prepare a major invasion and I'm not sure I can afford the supply and fuel drain of
supporting a New Caledonia offensive either.

Read something interesting the the "Fortress Rabaul book":

"Mitsubishi heavy industries built the majority of its Type 0 fighters (Zero) at the Nagoya Aircraft Works, a huge factory in the densly crowded port city of Nagoya.
The plant had recently been enlarged to more tha 1.6 million square fee and boasted a workforce of some 30000 people, but for all that it did not produce complete airplanes.

Due to a combination of industrial congestion and inconceivable shortsightedness, the aircraft factory had been built miles from the nearest airfield.
As a result, the plant was restricted to producing subassemblies rather than whole planes. The engine, wings, fuselage, and tail section all had to be transported thirty miles to
an airfield big enough for assembly and testing. There were no rail lines available, and the streets of Nagoya were too narrow for large trucks. Horse-drawn wagons had been tried,
but their speeds over the narrow, rough roads caused too much damage to the aircraft components. Thus the Japanese resorted to using primitive oxcarts to haul the
subassemblies of their modern fighter to Kagamigahara airfield. It took 24 hours for each time of lumbering oxen to cover the 30 miles through the crowded streets.
No improvements were made to the roads, which deteriorated as production rates increased and more oxcarts were employed. Determined to build more Zeroes, the Imperial
Navycontracted with another aircraft manufacturer, Nakajima, whose plant eventually exceeded Mitsubishi's in monthly production; but even at their highest output, the two
factories averaged only 140 aircraft per month."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I find it incredible that the Japs couldn't lay down a rail line to transport the Zero sub assemblies to the nearest airfield.
The ability to contract other manufacturers was clearly an option, so why only Nakajima was empoyed seems like a mystery.
If Speer had been sent over he would have had a heart attack...mindset and incompetence truly limited Japan's war industry capacity - removing these obstacles
altogether in WitP AE and you get a competely different game.

Mindset and culture were in my eyes two of the most important factors that decided the outcme of WWII in the Pacific; and this applies to both sides.
If you want to simulate the war accurately industry, cross service cooperation as well as Allied inabilities to take heavy and unnecessary casualties must be part of the equation.

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Post #: 2489

RE: The Empire Strikes Back! - 3/27/2011 7:42:35 PM

Journier

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is it true, if you leave a CVE in port empty of planes, and CVL's, that they will receive new aircraft replacement squadrons? Did not know this if so.

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Post #: 2490