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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A)

 
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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 12:03:35 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

Orders Summary - December 10, 1941


Philippines
- I paid the PP for the remaining two B-17 squadrons. That means that I ended up buying all 4 squadrons out of the PI. The first two had already been sent south (One to Soerabaja, the other on its way to AUS). These two were both sent to China where I hope they will be a constant thorn in IJ's side

DEI
- Palembang Pillow Fort is at 62 AV.

Pacific/Australia
- IJ sent a couple light SAGs to explore around Wake. I'll not be having with that. Lexington is steaming SW on a course intended to invite these TFs to explore the Pacific sea floor. Enterprise is shifting to Lexington's old position.

WC/NOPAC
- Moved some LCUs from SD to SF. SF is my staging area for troops and is where I have concentrated all transports
- Saratoga is moving to Seattle where I think I'll keep her until BB Tennessee arrives for repairs. At that point, I'll use Tennessee's escorts to replace the pathetic little row boats that I have sailing alongside my 3rd CV. After that, I plan on sending her on a cruise in the Bering Sea.


Some comments from Kibitzer Central:
Re: the B-17's in China - they may not be fully effective here for two reasons: maintenance and supply. Bombs and fuel eat a lot of supply which China lacks all over. And although you can build up airfields all over, China has precious few base forces to maintain aircraft. Large bombers take a lot of maintenance, usually three days to repair an unserviceable aircraft. You can operate them from Chittagong against Burma provided Chittagong airport has fighter CAP to keep it in business.

Re: - Palembang Pillow Fort - a great mental image! When he attacks clouds of feather dust will obscure his vision, tickle him everywhere and induce uncontrollable sneezing!

Re:- putting everything at SF: other players have ranted about the concentration of IJN subs around SF and LA so they spread out the ports they use to lessen the number of encounters. Allied ASW is not very effective yet. Use aircraft on Naval Search to spot and some on ASW duty to try and kill the vermin. I will look again at the FAQ in the General Forum for this game to get the ideal altitudes for the aircraft. [lots of great tips there].

Re: your carrier deployments - spreading the carriers around allows you to be in more places, but you will have to back down whenever an IJN carrier appears because your fighters cannot fend off an attack and you don't have enough bombers to push through his CAP. Concentrating your available carriers in the same hex, if not the same TF enables you to fight back and even pick off an isolated CV or CVL/CVE TF. The big danger is not seeing KB coming in time - their scout planes reach further than yours and their strike planes have one more hex range. If he spots you loitering and you have not spotted him he will move to his max strike range during the night and attack. Even if you want to run away, carriers seem to react towards the enemy by more than the "max react" setting [unless that was changed in the latest update]. Guess what I'm saying is "concentrate your carriers or be very cautious about showing them [i.e. you know where KB and mini KB are].
Good luck!

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 61
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 12:22:02 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		OK, I checked the FAQ for newbies, which is in "The War Room" section rather than the General section I mentioned.
Best altitude for Nav. Search is 6000 feet [to see the furthest] but a tiny sub might be missed at this altitude. I usually use 4000 feet.
Best altitude for ASW is 100 feet! That's right 100, no missing zero. Float planes can handle this altitude well and apparantly can fly a long way because of "ground effect". Hope that helps.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 62
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 4:00:43 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 10, 1941 Report

Philippines
- Davao fell, and unfortunately the troops retreated AWAY from the reinforcements that were on the way. My forces here are in disarray.
- The TF that I suspected was a landing force for Cebu was actually for Butuan. Combined with the mess on the south side of Mindanao, I'd say it's game over without much trouble for Japan.

DEI
- With Singkawang secured, IJ has moved to Miri and landed a force of around 2000. It will fall in short order
- Manado falls. It took him an awful long time to capture it, and around 600 troops escaped to the SW. I'll try to air lift them out to Ambon with float planes. Maybe the IJ landing force at Ambon will see these guys waving to them over the barricade and decide it isn't worth it.
- Manokwari falls. Enemy lands at Noemfor
- Palembang Pillow Fort is up to 83 AV. Too slow. He tried a bombing raid but it was poorly executed and my handful of fighters fought it off.

The Celebes Situation
- mKB moved to the NW and failed to spot either of my SAGs. They met up with 2 other SAGs in Ambon and most have been combined into what I'm calling the Cruiser Strike Force which will undertake Operation Truk It To Sydney (see below) and return to the Java Sea by way of the Sydney repair yard
- Meanwhile, Force Z (augmented with some extra DDs) will be holding the line in the Java Sea until the cruisers come around (this could be several weeks depending on damage sustained in "The Playground")

The Noble Three
- DD Scout DD Thanet and DD Thracian started the war in Hong Kong. On 12/7 they were ordered to sea in the hope that they could reach Manila or Singapore safely.
- After Manila was virtually leveled, they were instructed to make for Singapore. My hope was that either the KB would be concentrated on PI and miss them or it would be distracted by them and ease off on Manila.
- One of the three received major damage from land based bombers on 12/9. She and her companions limped toward Singapore without much hope.
- Early on the morning of 12/10, the Noble Three found themselves in the midst of an enemy convoy consisting of around a dozen troop transports. Each ship conducted itself with valor, sinking or heavily damaging many of the enemy vessels and slipping into the morning mist when their ammo had been expended. Fog prevented the captains from making an accurate count of ships and troops lost by the enemy, but it is thought that several thousand enemy troops were eliminated.
- Sadly, the morning engagement drew the attention of the IJN carriers Hiryu and Soryu located in the South China Sea. A noon attack by carrier based aircraft sunk one and seriously damaged its sisters. A second attack in the early afternoon resulted in the loss of the last two remaining ships.

I'm sure I'll enjoy dropping the bomb one day, but its the small victories by otherwise hopeless ships that give me joy. Let's hope that division was the one he had designated for the Pillow Fort.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 63
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 4:31:29 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Operation Truk It To Sydney

Disposition of Forces: KBa and mKB are operating in the Celebes Sea. Invasion forces are operating in Dutch New Guinea. A task force with lightly damaged cruisers and DDs is at Ambon. Force Z is at Kendari for the day and will move back toward the Java Sea after it meets up with a small group of DDs traveling from Ambon.

Cruiser Strike Force

  • CA Houston
  • CL De Ruyter
  • CL Tromp
  • CL Marblehead
  • CL Boise
  • DD Barker
  • DD Bulmer
  • DD Paul Jones
  • DD Parrott
  • DD Stewart


Objectives
1. Get to the Sydney repair yard and repair the light damage that was sustained during the previous week before returning to the Java Sea (Note: The damage to the Boise's engines could potentially take some time to repair, and I don't want her in Soerabaja's yard for any length of time)
2. Disrupt enemy operations in eastern New Guinea
3. Disrupt any ongoing enemy attempts to land at Rabaul

Risks
- It is possible that the mKB will turn SE again, though I don't believe it can intercept the CSF before it turns SE.
- If spotted by the mKB or search planes out of Ternate, it is possible that IJN will have time to respond by sending a SAG from Truk to intercept
- It is possible that the landing forces in New Guinea are accompanied by heavy escorts. I deem this to be unlikely as the carrier fleets are "sealing off" all but a small window that I can sneak something through in the NW and my cruisers from Australia haven't had time to get into that area yet.
- Ships damaged in "The Playground" will likely be finished off by bombers out of Truk before they can reach the safety of the Solomon Sea.

Benefits
- Both retreats (to Sydney) and disrupts the Japanese advance (if successful)
- Gets the cruisers to a shipyard that can get them sorted and back into the Java Theatre before the fun is over
- Forces IJ to send better escorts with invasion forces in New Guinea




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by marbakka -- 4/2/2012 4:44:44 AM >

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 64
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 4:44:58 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Op Truk It looks like a lot of fun. He is probably not expecting you to be so bold as to cruise past Truk like that. Most players would head directly down the east coast of Austrailia to get away from air attacks.
Not sure if you noticed but Brisbane has a dockyard that can handle a 10,000 ton cruiser. It saves about a day sailing but is also a day closer to any Japanese foray down the coast.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 65
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 4:59:29 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Op Truk It looks like a lot of fun. He is probably not expecting you to be so bold as to cruise past Truk like that. Most players would head directly down the east coast of Austrailia to get away from air attacks.
Not sure if you noticed but Brisbane has a dockyard that can handle a 10,000 ton cruiser. It saves about a day sailing but is also a day closer to any Japanese foray down the coast.


Thanks for the pointer. I'll probably head there. I'm running into a problem with CL Tromp though. I don't think she has enough fuel to make it. I do have an AO that might be able to meet them in the Solomon Sea. We'll see.

I also just noticed a large group of ships moving into the Java Sea from the Singapore area (no idea how I missed this before). It includes a heavy escort and a landing force. I -think- that it is tasked with landing on Western Borneo.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 66
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 6:26:21 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		As long as your TF is in green, not red (i.e. the distance is less than the fuel range), then you will be fine even if one ship is light on fuel. They'll redistribute at some point.

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 67
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 7:19:42 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

As long as your TF is in green, not red (i.e. the distance is less than the fuel range), then you will be fine even if one ship is light on fuel. They'll redistribute at some point.

Cheers,
CC

Right - and using some of their daily 1000 operations points for refueling each other will slow them down somewhat [15-50%, depending on the number of ships being refueled from buddies] . Something to remember when you are planning a hit and run with short-legged DDs and such. Fuel them up just before the high speed run in.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)
Post #: 68
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 7:52:41 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Orders Summary - December 11, 1941

China
- All about repositioning troops into hexes with rough terrain.
- I have pretty much abandoned Chengchow and doubled up on Loyang. I'm likely to withdraw the whole host of troops into the wooded area SE of Sian without much of a fight.
- Recon missions at Sinyang in anticipation of a bombing raid there when my B17s are ready
- AVG moved to Changsha and is assigned a sweep of the Sinyang area. They will then back out again. This will be the first he learns of an AVG presence in China proper

DEI
- Operation Truk It To Sydney (err...Brisbane at least) is initiated. Fingers crossed that I really tear into some landing fleets
- Force Z is headed back to Soerabaja where it will cower until a large fleet incursion into the Java Sea passes. This fleet supposedly contains 2 BBs and several CAs
- More transport planes show up with their pillows to add to the Pillow Fort
- Mining Palembang's port and trying to remove IJ mines from Merak

India/Burma/Malaya
- TONS of troops arriving at their destination from turn 1. Lots of unpacking and settling in going on
- AVG squadron moved to Port Blair on its way to Palembang
- CVL Hermes is repairing for about a week. No idea how she got damaged. I haven't even looked at her since the beginning of the game, so she may have started that way.
- Checked Garrison levels and moved troops toward the east when able.

Australia
- Not much going on here except fortifying the coast and waiting for the PaPa supply line to get going

Pacific & WC
- Moved a lot of AGs to the East Coast in anticipation of a transfer to Cape Town where they can be sent to either India or Australia (probably the latter)
- Saratoga nearing Seattle
- Lexington is just off of Wake hoping to find the SAG groups that were nosing around a few days ago
- Enterprise is staying about 12 hexes behind Lexington and conduction ASW operations primarily
- BB Tennessee appears to be holding up well as she is escorted to Seattle for repairs. Saratoga will be waiting there to steal her escorts


Notes:
- I've got to decide what to do with my BBs. I've sent 2 to NOPAC, and 1 is headed back to the WC for repairs. That leaves me with 5 BBs in PH lookin' all shiny and navylike but accomplishing nothing. I'd thought to send a few to join Force Z, but it will take them forever to get there. Thoughts?
- I need to get some AV to Adak, but I'm uncertain where to find them. I'm not keen to pay PP for them as I'm supposed to be saving PP to get the AUS out of Singapore

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 69
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 8:38:44 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		Until you get some good fuel depots set up on Pago and environs, there's not a lot you can do with those BBs as they suck fuel big time. What you have done so far seems pretty reasonable (i.e. 2 in NOPAC and the rest in PH or WC).

Did Hermes have an upgrade mayhaps?

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 70
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 2:05:16 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Yeah, the old BBs are fuel hogs and they need to stay under air cover as much as possible at least until they get some AA upgrades under their belt.
First thing to do is look at the date for their next upgrade. Get the ones that need the earliest upgrade to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Mare Island or San Diego as soon as you can provide some ASW escort. It takes about a week for an undamaged BB to Truk it to the WC.

Only at-sea use for them at this stage is to escort large troop convoys that you don't want to lose to some cruiser/DD/AMC raiders. Put the BBs in a SAG and have the troop convoy follow them at a range of 0 [same hex]. Include a couple of AOs in the convoy to fuel the BBs.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 71
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 6:20:51 PM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 11, 1941 Report

Philippines
- Buatuan and Tuguegarao fall
- CF bombed again

DEI
- Landings at Billiton, Hollandia, and Aitape (New Guinea) (If these are unprotected, my cruisers are going to have a field day)
- Miri and Noemfer fall

China
- Ichang is captured
- AVG sweep ineffective (staying for 1 more day then backing them off)

Malaya
- I now know what KBb was up to. It was supposed to be covering the (somewhat early) invasion of Mersing. Unfortunately for IJ, I'd left a number of AGs at Singapore on Naval Attack for lack of anything better to do, and the Zeros from the KBb did not scramble effectively. As a result I hit the landing fleet very hard. No reports of sunk ships, but I would be surprised if he goes through with the landing. If he does, I could be in some trouble as most of my AV there is still unpacking and only just arrived.
- The AUS brigade that had been in Mersing arrived in Johore Bahru and will ride the train into Singapore to wait until I have enough funds to buy them and get them transported back to AUS

Operation Truk It To Sydney
- Off to a frustratingly slow start. These guys should be going 30+ knots.
- In any case, it looks like we've got a landing force just off Sorong which the cruisers should deal with handily if they don't pass by in their hurry
- An AO is loading with fuel and Sydney and moving to the Solomon Sea just in case. If all else fails, we can cancel the swing through Rabaul
- Final destination is now Brisbane, not Sydney

SigInt
- The heavy radio transmissions could be something headed for Wake (and my carriers). Two nearby submarines have been sent to investigate




Attachment (1)

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 72
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 6:27:04 PM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Orders Summary - December 12, 1941

Nothing special

- CSF ordered to full speed until they get further away from KBa which moved into the Celebes Sea yesterday. This makes the fuel situation even tighter, of course, but I'd rather have to cancel their shore leave in Rabaul than get caught by KBa
- Lexington is sticker her neck out a bit to strike at some raiders SW of Wake. I've loaded the marine fighters from Wake to double up the CAP during this little jaunt. She will withdraw to PH for resupply afterward.
- Enterprise is headed back to PH. She's in a nest of enemy subs and is causing me too much stress for a CV that isn't actually doing anything
- Saratoga should arrive in Seattle tonight. Enjoy the shore leave, men!
- CL Hobart arrived in Aden today. She'll remain there until the next major transport to Karachi and then from there to Ceylon to join the RN fleet assembling there.

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 73
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/2/2012 11:12:10 PM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 12, 1941 Report

(based on watching the replay and combat reporter...still haven't gotten the turn yet)

Philippines
- Not much going on here
- San Fernando captured
- Amphibious attack on Dadjangas

DEI
- A sizable force including an AF construction group has landed at and taken Billiton under heavy SAG escort and Singkawang based CAP. With the capture of that base and the buildup of the airfield there, I can officially declare the Pillow Fort to be cut off from any sea route. What TFs remain in Palembang at the beginning of this turn are going to get their marching orders as soon as I feel confident they can slip by the BBs guarding the landing at Billiton.
- Landings at Sarmi
- Aitape, Billiton, and Hollandia were all captured
- CSF seems to be moving at a snail's pace. They encountered the 2 ship amphib TF bound for Sorong in the night but it was too cloudy and the enemy slipped away. I'll have to look at the turn, but they are moving slow enough that I'm having serious doubts about the success of their mission

Malaya
- The enemy landed in force at Mersing. I'd hoped that the 'Noble Three' had disrupted their TF enough that they had to return to port, but I suppose he's willing to let them sink off of Mersing so long as they unload first. My Mersing defense is caught with its pants down as many of the troops still had a day in strat mode before they could rest up and get dug in.
- Alor Star was taken without resistance (much to the chagrin of Texas_D). Those troops have been trying to get on the stinkin' train since turn 1 but the bombings kept disrupting their efforts. They made it out on the same turn that he marched into town. A story for their grandchildren...if they aren't slaughtered in Singapore where they are headed.

Oceanic/Australia
- Enemy forces landed at and promptly took command of Nauru Island from the small contingent that was based there. I suspect these are the same forces that took Ocean Island a few days ago. I'm tempted to send Enterprise down there to restore a a proper sense of humility in the enemy commanders.
- As ordered, Lexington made a dash SW of Wake at the "raiders" that were anchored at Enwetok. Upon arriving over the target, flight leaders reported that the enemy task force was significantly stronger than previously thought. Nonetheless, they commenced their attack on a SAG that consisted of 2 CAs and 3 CLs as well as some DDs and AMCs. Unfortunately, in the poor weather they failed to damage as much as I would have liked. 5 bomb hits on an AMC, 2 on a DD, 1 on CL Yubari, and 3 on another AMC. A followup attack in the afternoon was equally disappointing, netting only 2 bomb hits on a PB, 1 on another PB, and a torpedo hit on an xAK. Overall, I'm not happy with this operation. Sure, I only expected some PBs and AMCs, but this was a golden opportunity that was missed and in exchange for these light losses, IJ now has a sure location on at least one of my carriers. (subs have probably spotted Enterprise as well though I haven't had any patrol sightings)

SigInt
- Radio transmissions indicate activity about 9 hexes N-NE of PagoPago. Unacceptable.

December 13, 1941 - Strategery
- I've been thinking a lot about what to do with my BBs in PH. I'd like to send some help to PoW but getting them over there would be a pain and I'm not sure how long Force Z is going to be able to stay in the Java area.
- I very much dislike the idea of IJ knowing this early that PaPa is my supply hub. I know he'll already have a very good idea that it will either be there or Fiji, but still. I'm tempted to send Enterprise down in this area to keep it clear for a bit while I get things set up. Currently Enterprise is doing just about nothing and is headed home to PH to refuel before her next cruise.
- I still don't have the turn, but this may be the first turn where I lose sight of the KB entirely. I'm scared of the dark.
- A 2 Division force has moved west out of Wuchang. My forces in Changsha will continue resting/training unless that force continues into the bordering woods.






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by marbakka -- 4/2/2012 11:39:47 PM >

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 74
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 3:49:56 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Orders Summary - December 13, 1941

China
- Shuffled some troops into Changsha in case he is serious about this push
- Bombers will make a run at the ground forces outside of Changsha

DEI
- Every ship that I want out of Palembang is out except for one CM, but there is little I can do about him until and unless this heavy SAG leaves the area. If it weren't for the KBb to the east of Singapore, I'd be tempted to engage the SAG with Force Z out of Soerabaja
- The CSF is almost certain to run out of fuel. This morning and afternoon should see its engagement of landing forces off New Guinea, but then it will be a nail biter to get them to the Solomon Sea. I have a small AO escorted by a DD just out of the repair yard steaming NE from Sydney to meet them
- My three cruisers have finally met up at Rabaul and could, theoretically provide assistance to the CSF if needed

Oceanic/WC
- Adjusted lots of over-fatigued AGs. I've got to do better about watching these.
- All units of the 2nd US Fighter Command are on their way from Eastern US to Cape Town where they will be shipped to where they are needed
- The 21st Light AA Regiment and the B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment are being shipped from Aden to Karachi and from there to the Chittagong Defense Line in India

CVs
- IJ has a solid location for both Enterprise and Lexington. Lexington because she just mauled some of his cruisers and Enterprise because she sits in a nest of submarines
- Lexington is ordered to steam directly north, simultaneously withdrawing from the area where she struck yesterday and moving to intercept the mysterious TF that appears to be headed NE toward the Aleutians. After she closes with that TF, she will be returning to PH for refuel and rearm
- Enterprise is en route to PH with heavy ASW operations in effect
- Saratoga is awaiting the arrival of the wounded BB Tennessee in Seattle

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 75
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 4:14:26 AM   
ny59giants


Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline 		B-17s and China - The "D" model can reach Sian from Ledo. If built up you can use all that India supply for these operations. Nothing right now, but in the weeks ahead.....

Be careful in risking your TKs loading fuel in the SRA. You need them for other missions rather than stay here and get sunk.


_____________________________


(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 76
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 4:34:57 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Re: CV strikes: The results you got are about par for the course in the first few strikes by Allied carriers - no experience and mediocre to poor aircraft. Add to that unreliable aerial torps for you Devastators and you were lucky to get one torp hit. They always seem to hit only merchantmen, perhaps because they are big, slow and not nimble. You should look at that strike as an experience gain for the TF.
Many players beach the Devastators and find a marine Wildcat squadron to load up.

Re: the radio source near Pago Pago - on several AARs I have seen interception of enemy AMCs in that area. Japan has quite a few of them and they have long range, so lots of times they get sent off in pairs on long range raids along convoy paths to Austrailia. If not AMCs, subs with Glen aircraft often go down there to spot convoys and look for your carriers. Have PBYs check out the area if you can.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 77
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 11:58:09 AM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		Don't dicount the capabilities of the Japanese AMCs. I have seen them take out CLs. They are 6" gun armed and have uncannily accurate torpodoes. Once I get a wiff of them I hunt them down with my carriers.

_____________________________

Hans


(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 78
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 11:01:47 PM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 13, 1941 Report

Meh.

- CSF sinks 2 xAKLs off of Aitape, destroying 14 squads and disabling 17
- Philippines: Dadjangas and Naga fall. Forces in Mindanao are hiding in rough hexes.
- DEI: Sarmi captured. Enemy troops attacking Vanimo and Nabire. Bombardment of Tarakan whose troops I haven't had time to pull out. There is just under 30 AV there with a CD force. Maybe they can do a bit of damage. Lots of ineffective sub action against his Billiton fleets
- Malaya: Jap forces land in force at Mersing and take it straight away. I'm pretty disappointed by this. I obviously had no illusions about holding it but if he had come a couple of days later I could at least have had the defense forces unloaded off the trains before the fighting began. As it is, they have all retreated to Johore Bahru where the troops should hopefully be a tad more prepared for the coming battles. For some stupid reason, I left my bombers and torpedo bombers on Naval Attack mode even though I knew good and well that KBb was covering this landing. It was not pretty. I'm debating whether to keep the AVG squadron there for an extra day or two or go ahead and move them to Palembang where they will soon be needed.
- India: Something has been snooping around Chittagong. Two transport fleets are due in port with forces for the defensive line within the next day or so. ASW operations are going to be kicked into high gear.
- Oceania/Australia/WC: An invasion force has landed at Kavieng and begun to do battle with the small contingent there that hadn't yet been flown to Port Moresby. I have CA Canberra CL Perth and CL Adelaide are all twiddling their thumbs in Rabaul, so I believe I can at least wipe out the transports, but he has probably already landed enough troops to take it. I don't plan on making a stand at Rabaul

It was a kind of downer day. I wanted more from Operation Truk it to Sydney but it doesn't look like I'll get it. They are 3 hexes north of Madang and will make it to Rabaul where they can be met by the replenishment fleet that is slowly making its way up from Sydney and then proceed to Brisbane for repairs. I'm considering having the cruisers from Rabaul meet them at Kavieng and escort them back to Rabaul. They feel way too vulnerable right now.

SigInt: Nothing particularly surprising to my newbish eyes. 33rd Div is headed to Singapore I'm guessing. Lots of activity at Truk this turn (Rabaul force?)




Attachment (1)

(in reply to HansBolter)
Post #: 79
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/3/2012 11:08:27 PM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Also, a note about the AAR. I really appreciate the bits of wisdom you guys are sharing along the way. I don't often take the time to comment on them, but I read all of them and take them into consideration. I'm working through this completely blind as to what I can expect from Japan, so I greatly appreciate the advice.

I also appreciate your respect for OPSEC and Fog of War (not telling my opponent about anything you read here). A special note on that: I'm an inexperienced newbie playing an experienced Japanese player on Scenario 2. One of the few things going for me is the chance that he will underestimate me (though I admit that would be hard to do). So, please consider any evaluation of my skill level as a part of FoW and refrain from passing that on to Texas_D.

Thanks for reading and keep the advice/criticism/support coming!

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 80
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 1:50:15 AM   
princep01

 

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		Marbakka, you have mentioned a couple of times what to do with your old American BBs. You have gotten somew good advice about upgrading and the fuel costs of moving them about. I second those suggestions.

Also, you have considered detaching a couple of them to join with PoW and Repulse. I strongly urge not to group ships of such low speed with fast BBs. Try, in fact, to always group ships of similar speed in TFs. Of course, you have to put DDs with Tfs, so they don't count. By grouping the slower ships with fast ships, you will suffer badly if you fight a TF of significantly faster ships. First, if your BBs find a cruiser TF, it will quickly run away and your greater weight will be for naught. Secondly, if you engage say 4 IJN BCs with 2 old US BBs and Force Z, the IJN will likely cream you even though you have the larger guns and more of them. It's got a certain logic to it, but it is just the way the game model works.

lso, try hard to group cruisers of the same or similar speed in TFs too. Don't drop an older 24 knot CL into a TF of 3 Brooklun Class Cls...that slow CL will really hinder the TF's effectiveness.

Finally, keep surface combat TFs no larger than 12 ships. Many say the optimal size for combat TFs is 8, but do stay at 12 or less.

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 81
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 4:12:02 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Orders Summary - December 14, 1941

Malaya
- Prepping for the next big attack
- AUS unit finally ready to get on the train and head to Singapore

DEI
- Force Z is disbanded at Soerabaja for some minor repairs. Should be ready to strike out again in 2-3 days

Other
- CSF is being split into two. CL Boise and 4 DDs will proceed directly toward Brisbane (and meet an oiler on the way). The rest will sail directly to Kavieng and will be joined by CA Canberra, CL Perth, and CL Adelaide out of Rabaul. Hopefully, they can sink a few transports and disrupt that invasion before heading to the shipyards for a while
- Lexington is juking west and then heading to the safety of PH. I'll have to make a decision tomorrow about who I'm leaving at Wake. I'm inclined to take the marine fighters with me and leave the bombers, but then who flies CAP at Wake? Decisions, decisions.

(in reply to princep01)
Post #: 82
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 5:31:39 AM   
Blackhorse


Posts: 1983
Joined: 8/20/2000
From: Eastern US
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka
- All units of the 2nd US Fighter Command are on their way from Eastern US to Cape Town where they will be shipped to where they are needed


Be careful that you only ship unrestricted units, or units that can be bought out with PPs from restricted to unrestricted commands. You can move restricted units between off-map bases, but you can't move them on-map. So it is possible to move some II or IV US Fighter/Bomber Command units to Capetown, then discover that you can't send them forward from there.

. . .not that that's ever happened to me, of course.


_____________________________

WitP-AE -- US LCU & AI Stuff

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
Moriarty: Crap!

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 83
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 5:42:49 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse


quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka
- All units of the 2nd US Fighter Command are on their way from Eastern US to Cape Town where they will be shipped to where they are needed


Be careful that you only ship unrestricted units, or units that can be bought out with PPs from restricted to unrestricted commands. You can move restricted units between off-map bases, but you can't move them on-map. So it is possible to move some II or IV US Fighter/Bomber Command units to Capetown, then discover that you can't send them forward from there.

. . .not that that's ever happened to me, of course.



I'm fairly certain that they weren't restricted...but now that you've mentioned it I'm second guessing myself

I'm debating sending all the unrestricted bombers that direction too. Haven't decided yet but I need to send them now if I'm going to do so.

(in reply to Blackhorse)
Post #: 84
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 7:20:34 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 7-13, 1941 - Week in Review (1)

My first week of a WitP PBEM game! In fact, I don't think I made it through a full week against the AI before we started, so I think we can call it my first week at all. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the game. I was concerned after the tedium of those first few days, but I seem to be settling into a rhythm.

The initial attack of the Japanese was at the Philippines. I lost almost all of my long range fleet subs in the first three days. The handful that survived were sent to patrol around Japan before reporting to Pearl Harbor. He is moving quickly in the Philippines, but I'm uncertain whether he has enough there yet to take CF and Bataan. The KBa (4 of the CVs) attacked from the South China Sea and slowly moved around the south side of Mindanao where I lost sight of them. I assume they are headed to Truk to rearm.

In Malaya, he has taken Kota Bharu and Mersing and will soon take Kuantan. The TF that I'm referring to as KBb (CV Hiryu and CV Soryu) is covering the landing at Mersing. AUS units are converging on Singapore. I hope to have enough PP by the time they are ready that I can snatch them out to use elsewhere.

Meanwhile, in DEI, Japan moved quickly to take Singkawang and Billiton. On day 1, I began transferring troops to "The Pillow Fort" (Palembang). I would hardly call this a "Fortress Palembang" strategy as the pace of the Japanese advance probably means that I won't be able to get more than a couple hundred AV in before the attack comes. In the east, Manado and Ternate fell to Japanese forces supported by at least one CVL. Enemy forces have also taken much of the eastern coast of New Guinea, though not far enough south to encounter Australian troops except at Kavieng where a depleted force will soon be forced to surrender. Rabaul is being evacuated, but progress is slow.

In Australia and India it is all about building a defense. Down under, Perth and its surroundings are building forts. Darwin is also building forts, though I don't expect to hold it if he wants it. Primarily, it is serving as a sub base and oil entry point until Java falls. The India defensive line is starting to take shape at Chittagong. Ceylon is being built up as a supply hub and Naval launching point

In the Pacific, mostly quiet. Ocean Island and Nauru Island have been taken by the Japanese, but other than that, it has mostly been submarine action. CV Lexington saw some action against a cruiser force SW of Wake and Wake itself suffered some bombing, but other than that, there has been little action. Pago Pago is undergoing heavy construction in anticipation of the first Cargo/Fuel convoys arriving in the next week or so. BB Tennessee was moderately damaged by a mini-submarine early in the week and is a day or so out from Seattle where she will be laid up. Prince Rupert is being expanded for use as a supply source for NOPAC. A force is being gathered for the defense of Adak including what I'm calling Force A - a heavy SAG including two BBs out of PH.

China is as expected. Troops that started in "the bulge" have been rapidly withdrawing but have been under heavy bomber disruption for a couple days now. Inchang was liberated. One AVG squadron is dancing between Chungking and Changsha while the other two are stationed in Rangoon and Palembang. The Palembang squadron is currently delayed at Singapore to help cover the threat from nearby KBb.

What do I expect over the next week? A lot of quiet. Lexington and Enterprise are both heading home for resupply. Saratoga is training in Seattle. Force Z is repairing in Soerabaja. ...and that's about what the next week looks like. I'm sure there will be some surprises, but I expect to be settling down for the Long Six Months now.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by marbakka -- 4/4/2012 7:22:04 AM >

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 85
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/4/2012 3:36:30 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Considering what you are up against in Scenario 2 you are not doing badly at all. Just a couple of thoughts:
Fortress Palembang - In Canoerebel's excellent AAR "Tokyo Rose was a Hussy" he saw his opportunity to go all-in on Fortress Palembang when his opponent made a big effort to take South Pacific islands all the way to Suva and even one of the Islands between Sydney and Noumea. This tied up a lot of his opponent's shipping and needed cover by KB and BB/CA task forces. Seeing DEI under only moderate attack, Canoerebel began moving everything he could lay his hands on to Palembang and the bases south and west of there on Sumatra. He concentrated his carriers, British and American, in the Indian Ocean to cover and bagged at least a CV and CVL that way. He also used BB and CA groups to raid enemy shipping and protect his ports. It took a month or two of game time for his opponent to notice the buildup because CR was also distracting him in SOPAC, NORPAC and Burma. Anyway, we don't know yet where your opponent will concentrate next, but interrupting his plans and making him guess where you will make a stand or counterattack is all part of the game. See if you can distract him from the pillow fort for now. If you move non-restricted units to the area have an alternate location to use them if they can't be landed and supplied where you intended.

Darwin and oil - There is almost no overland transportation to get oil/fuel out of Darwin to southern ports and Darwin can easily be cut off. Shipping it to the east coast of Austrailia is already risky because of those enemy bases on the other side of New Guinea. Nells and Betties [Netties] will soon carry torps from them and close the strait next to Horn Island. He will soon be able to take all those small bases west of Darwin and the oil you saved will be wasted. Better to send it to Perth now. The rail link there will ensure it gets spread around Oz industry.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 86
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/5/2012 3:58:40 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		December 14, 1941 Report

More of the same, except...
- A force of 8 MTBs sallied from Iba to Vigan and encountered a cargo fleet to the following effect: 
Japanese Ships
      DMS W-12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DMS W-17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DMS W-18, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      PB Kyo Maru #12, Shell hits 4
      PB Kyo Maru #13, Shell hits 4
      SC Ch 4
      SC Ch 5
      SC Ch 6, Shell hits 2
      SC Ch 10
      xAK Brisbane Maru, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAK Hawaii Maru
      xAK Sanko Maru
      xAK Takao Maru
      xAK Bunzan Maru
      xAK Shinko Maru
      xAK Oigawa Maru
 
Allied Ships
      MTB 7
      MTB 8
      MTB 9
      MTB 10
      MTB 11
      MTB 12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
      MTB 26
      MTB 27, Shell hits 2, and is sunk








I'm quite please with this little encounter. My MTBs will return to Iba to lick their wounds. Meanwhile, I have a TF of PTs at Iba as well, and I believe I'll send them to do some cleanup.
- Lingayen, Nabire, Sidate, and Vanimo all fell under enemy control today. I don't think any of them were contested
- The CSF never managed to merge with the three cruisers from Rabaul. Upon learning that the enemy transport fleet at Kavieng was fleeing, those three cruisers pursued, sinking 1 xAKL and heavily damaging an xAK. The cruisers have all met in Kavieng now and will merge, bombard the enemy forces that landed, and return to Brisbane for refuel/rearm/repair
- Lots of sub action, especially around Billiton. 1 Dutch sub was heavily damaged and is limping her way to Singapore for repairs. We did sink a cargo ship outside of Kuantan.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by marbakka -- 4/5/2012 3:59:01 AM >

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 87
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/5/2012 5:56:05 AM   
marbakka

 

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline 		Orders Summary - December 15, 1941

Malaya
- AUS unit should arrive in Singapore tomorrow. Right now, I can only afford to buy one. I need both. I'll sit on the PP for a few days and reevaluate later.

DEI
- Cruisers will bombard at Kavieng and then head to Brisbane
- Force Z is about 3 days from being operational again
- Diverted some tankers from Darwin to Perth (thanks for the tip, guys!)
- My AR is escorting a heavily damaged xAP from Batavia to Soerabaja. It'd be a bad time for a IJN SAG to cruise through the Java Sea
- AVG moved from Singapore to Palembang; will rest and then prepare for the enslaught
- Pillow Fort is around 150 AV now

India
- Chittagong Defense Line receives its first external reinforcements tomorrow
- Hermes should be ready for sea tomorrow. If only I had some aircraft to put on her.

I'm not going to say much about my carriers in the near future. All are in or headed to port and will remain there over the next week or so (at least).

< Message edited by marbakka -- 4/5/2012 3:50:36 PM >

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 88
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/5/2012 7:03:45 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka


- Hermes should be ready for sea tomorrow. If only I had some aircraft to put on her.


There are a couple of squadrons of Swordfish aircraft around - can't remember where but I'm thinking Columbo or Trincomalee??. Anyway, even if they are at Singapore you should consider using them on Hermes instead of risking them there. They MIGHT get lucky and put a torp in a valuable ship near Singers, but they are more likely to have eventual success on a mobile airfield. Plus, when enemy surface ships are not nearby, they are good ASW aircraft for your TF.

BTW, good job with those MTBs. That is by far the best result I have seen them achieve early in the war. The PTs lack experience and have the old tube-fired torps, but they might get lucky too. Greyjoy had the ultimate luck - one of his PTs sank BB Yamato when it got a hit in the magazine!

Just noticed on the SIGINT report - he is loading troops on tankers! He must be confident that they will not be hit. Too bad the allied cargo ships and tankers are not as versatile.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)
Post #: 89
RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/5/2012 12:03:14 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka


quote:

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse


quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka
- All units of the 2nd US Fighter Command are on their way from Eastern US to Cape Town where they will be shipped to where they are needed


Be careful that you only ship unrestricted units, or units that can be bought out with PPs from restricted to unrestricted commands. You can move restricted units between off-map bases, but you can't move them on-map. So it is possible to move some II or IV US Fighter/Bomber Command units to Capetown, then discover that you can't send them forward from there.

. . .not that that's ever happened to me, of course.



I'm fairly certain that they weren't restricted...but now that you've mentioned it I'm second guessing myself

I'm debating sending all the unrestricted bombers that direction too. Haven't decided yet but I need to send them now if I'm going to do so.




If they are attached to the II they are not restricted. The II is under SoPac and neither is restricted.

Well done with the MTBs. Iba is a great staging poit for an attack, although they will have to return to Manila to rearm. Send them out again! Don't forget to replace your PT TF commanders with the most agressive available. Getting the Dutch PTs to the narrow straits between Borneo and the Celebes can lead to some good attack oppurtunities as well.

Personally, I almost never buy out the Aussie ground units at Singapore. I do buy the Kiwi engineer. I usually extract as much of III Indian Corps as I can, since there is no PP cost and leave the two Aussie brigades to strengthen what is left. I find the cost of freeing the Aussies two steep as I use those points on releasing American units like the regiments of the 2nd Marine Div and the Americal. I wait for the Aussie brigades to be destroyed and then rebuild them, much cheaper in PPs although steeper in pool devices. In fact, III Indian Corps is a good source of strong units for forming a Fortress Palembang as long as you are willing to face their eventual loss (no worse than losing them at Singapore) and don't need them instead for bolstering the defense of Burma or supporting a DEI stand elsewhere. I'm currently using them for a Fortress Koepang. I have 800 AV in Koepang with 150 Fighters and almost the entire Dutch air force. I've even air transported most of the Dutch HQ units there.

All of the tankers that start in the DEI should be taking fuel out with them when they evacuate. In fact, depending on how quickly he seals off access to Java, they can make several runs back and forth betwen Java and Australia.

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 4/5/2012 1:15:28 PM >

_____________________________

Hans


(in reply to marbakka)
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