Slitherine

quote:

I'm also considering using the Kwantung Army to cross the Sino-Soviet border early due to our HR that the Soviets are to operate independently of the other Allies. One clarification to that HR is that the Allies are allowed to ship convoys of supplies to the Soviets if war starts, since there was historical precedent for that, but there won't be any B-17s bombing the Home Islands from Vladivostok. The Soviets shouldn't get any real reinforcements until 1945 correct? If I can attack and cut off the majority of the Sovet's Far East troops in '42, what chance does he have of mounting an effective counterattack until the war in Europe is over?

quote:

As an example let's use the Ki-44 Tojo. Let's say for the sake of this disucssion that I want to acquire the Ki-44 Ic Tojo earlier than its historical date. To do so, I take my 0/30 R&D factory and have it set to the model of Ki-44 that is initially available the earliest, so we'll set the factory to the "Ki-44" model, which is the prototype model. Once the Ki-44 factories reach 30/30, I can then upgrade the factory directly to the Ki-44 Ic model? Or must I first upgrade the factory to the Ia, then the Ib, and finally the Ic?

quote:

I would 'strongly' advise against attacking the 'Bear.' There is very little economic gain and once those troops get their full TO&E, you will be in trouble, IMO.

quote:

You can R&D the Tojo IIa. Once the factory (size 30) is fully repaired, you can move it to the next model in the series (IIb). You will not want to produce the "B" model, but you cannot skip it in your R&D efforts. What I do is change the "A" model to the "B" for one turn and then move it to the "C" model. Your factories will stay fully repaired. Skip it and many will be damaged. If you want the R&D factory to NOT go into production, the buttons to the right of the airframe need to be set to N-Y-N.

quote:

Suggestion - Read my recent posting in GreyJoy's AAR about using your PP differently at start and how the 56th Division can be combined at Babeldoab or on Mindanao (most of it starts pre-loaded at Hiroshima). I convert about 1/3 to 1/2 of my Aden's, all Toho, all Ehime, and all Akasi to carry troops. Use the largest ports to do this as it cuts down on time to do so.

Tracker is a Japanese players best friend!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

If you take care of China first, then go over the threshold into Soviet territory, you'll have a good chance to beat them back. If you haven't read it check out radar's 'Taming the Bear' AAR. A somewhat successful Soviet campaign that had problems later due to Allied 4Es being based in Soviet fields. You won't have that problem.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

With PDU off, and a "no holds barred" situation, you should look at what you want to end up with and research from there.

Meaning, A6M series is good until 6/42 and ok until 12/42.  After that it is really dated.  What you need is the A7M series.  When you get the A6M8 is really moot as what you are facing at that point is far more potent.  So, I tend not to worry about researching the A6M series and instead first focus on the A7M Sam.  You could get it in late '43 with effort.  To me, that is far more interesting than whatever A6M plane I might have gotten.  Ditto for all of the other air platforms.

And, there are some choices to make. I haven't seen where there is complete agreement yet on the late war aircraft.  Lot of opinions.

Just my htoughts ....

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

With PDU off, and a "no holds barred" situation, you should look at what you want to end up with and research from there.

Meaning, A6M series is good until 6/42 and ok until 12/42.  After that it is really dated.  What you need is the A7M series.  When you get the A6M8 is really moot as what you are facing at that point is far more potent.  So, I tend not to worry about researching the A6M series and instead first focus on the A7M Sam.  You could get it in late '43 with effort.  To me, that is far more interesting than whatever A6M plane I might have gotten.  Ditto for all of the other air platforms.

And, there are some choices to make. I haven't seen where there is complete agreement yet on the late war aircraft.  Lot of opinions.

Just my htoughts ....

To get the A7M in 43, I'd have to dedicate most, if not all of my R&D towards advancing that aircraft would I not? I'd need probably a dozen sets of 30(30) R&D factories and a surplus of A7M engines. Having never really seen the Sam much in any AARs, I'm slightly worried that their performance may not be worth the investment. A good example is Rader vs GreyJoy. Rader got the J7W Shinden much earlier than it was supposed to appear, but the aircraft itself faired worse in actual combat against GreyJoy than some of his other fighters.

Doing some quick re-reading, if I'm going to hedge my bets on particular late model fighter aircraft, I'm going to put my efforts into 3. The Ki-83, the Ki-84, and the A7M (I'd much rather invest in the A7M than the J7W so I at least have a decent carrier-capable aircraft in the late war). Once those aircraft are researched, all the excess R&D when they're complete will go towards jet fighters...


Edit: And PDU is On.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

With PDU off, and a "no holds barred" situation, you should look at what you want to end up with and research from there.

Meaning, A6M series is good until 6/42 and ok until 12/42.  After that it is really dated.  What you need is the A7M series.  When you get the A6M8 is really moot as what you are facing at that point is far more potent.  So, I tend not to worry about researching the A6M series and instead first focus on the A7M Sam.  You could get it in late '43 with effort.  To me, that is far more interesting than whatever A6M plane I might have gotten.  Ditto for all of the other air platforms.

And, there are some choices to make. I haven't seen where there is complete agreement yet on the late war aircraft.  Lot of opinions.

Just my htoughts ....

To get the A7M in 43, I'd have to dedicate most, if not all of my R&D towards advancing that aircraft would I not? I'd need probably a dozen sets of 30(30) R&D factories and a surplus of A7M engines. Having never really seen the Sam much in any AARs, I'm slightly worried that their performance may not be worth the investment. A good example is Rader vs GreyJoy. Rader got the J7W Shinden much earlier than it was supposed to appear, but the aircraft itself faired worse in actual combat against GreyJoy than some of his other fighters.

Doing some quick re-reading, if I'm going to hedge my bets on particular late model fighter aircraft, I'm going to put my efforts into 3. The Ki-83, the Ki-84, and the A7M (I'd much rather invest in the A7M than the J7W so I at least have a decent carrier-capable aircraft in the late war). Once those aircraft are researched, all the excess R&D when they're complete will go towards jet fighters...


Edit: And PDU is On.

Sorry, I meant my comments to be PDU ON as well.

I agree with your thinking for the same reasons. A7M as it is carrier capable. 84 is one of the best, although the "b" model (I think) has much better armament but it is not in the path of the "a" model. (something to think about)

As for how many R&D factories ... if you have 4 fully repaired size 30, they will advance one month for each month you go. let's say you have them repaired by 4/1/42. So by 4/1/43 you will 'pulled' an aircraft in by 12 months. So an aircraft with a start date of 4/1/44 will then be available. by 10/1/43 you will have 18 months, so an aircraft with a start date of 4/1/45 will be available. The key is how fast can you get those factories fully repaired ...moreso than how many you set up for repair. (This is without the engine bonus, which I would definitely attempt to get on the Ha-45)

Last thought: nothing you have in your future will match the 51H or even the last Bolt straight up on specs. That means with evenly skilled pilots you have to have more numbers.

PS: don't forget the other aircraft ... bombers are a big deal ....

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I think one of the things every IJ player has to decide is what, if any, second level targets they will go after.  Your first level is the DEI and Burma.  After that, what do you intend to do?  China, OZ, India, the Bear?

Right now, I like China followed by India.  China completely secures your western flank until Soviet activation and even then reduces that threat as you have so many more div's to deal with the Bear.  India just gives you so many more HI mid-game that it allows you to have a very strong bank of HI for mid-game.  The other reason I like these two is that they do not depend upon any IJN outcomes.  I can play conservative with my KB and as long as it is a real threat, the USN can't start island hopping until late '43 .... maybe later if I get lucky and chew up their a/c and a few div's in India.

Just my thoughts .. plenty of other opinions on this.  Not sure any are better or worse, just player preference.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

Regarding the Bear. I've done some peeking around the Turn 1 Allied side of things (aside from my earlier games as the Allies) and I see that the Soviet Union has (correct me if I'm wrong) 1600 Light Industry, but no resources other than what are stockpiled to supply all of that industry. The only route for the Soviets to get resources if I cut the railways to the Far East is via China. Would a successful push in China combined with the cutting of the Trans-Siberian railway result in the Soviets slowly starving for supplies? Or would they receive some off-map resource convoys that I am unaware of? Successfully dealing with the Soviets is predicated on my ability to cut off the majority of his forces on the Pacific Coast, and destroy them there. The Soviet replacement rate is such, that I need to pocket and destroy his units, in rather the exact opposite fashion of dealing with the Chinese, who because they respawn in Chunking if destroyed with free replacements are better left to retreat as worthless shells. I believe I will need to come to a decision on whether or not to commit to an invasion of Russia by Jaunuary of 1942. The invading Kwantung Army must be capable of handling the fight by itself, the only exception being supply shipments to keep them fighting. I don't want to pull forces from other theaters to deal with the Soviets (unless it's 1944 and they're attempting some massive counteroffensive).

I believe due to our HRs, we could expect a rather realistic campaign against the Soviets, with the other Allies attempting to support Uncle Joe via supply convoys and trying to open up second fronts, instead of the highly implausible campaigns I've seen thus far where B-17s and US Army Divisions are fighting side-by-side with Russian Il-2s and T-34s.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

I believe I will need to come to a decision on whether or not to commit to an invasion of Russia by Jaunuary of 1942.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

I've given myself a month's time to consider such a move. So we'll see how China is looking by January, as well as our other prime objectives. If things are looking good, we'll invade. If not, we'll hold fast, and I'll probably start buying out Kwantung units to help my war effort.

Another R&D update. I've done a tally of the aircraft I'm focusing on accelerating thus far (I believe there are still a few R&D facilities researching aircraft I have no intention of ever using, so I still have some wiggle room). Here is what I come up with:

A6M2-N Rufe - 4 R&D Facilities
A7M2 Sam - 11 R&D Facilities
DY41 Judy - 6 R&D Facilities
Ki-44-IIa Tojo - 8 R&D Facilities
Ki-83 - 11 R&D Facilities
Ki-84a Frank - 12 R&D Facilities

At present levels would this be enough to significantly advance the 3 late war fighters I want to focus on? Or do they need closer to 15+ facilities to see a large advancement?

Some facilities will be rededicated to other late war research if they've reached their developmental endpoint. So to use the Ki-83 as an example, as soon as it goes into production, I can take all of the excess R&D facilities that I'm not converting to production and shift them (I'm willing to take the damage) to a new aircraft, say the Ki-201 and try to push that out before I have Allied troops swarming the Home Islands.

quote:

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 98 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
A6M2 Zero x 108
B5N1 Kate x 12
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 135



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 73 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 8 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 55 damaged
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 43 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 137 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 4 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 39 damaged
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 20 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 11 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 31 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 11 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
C-33: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
DD Selfridge, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
SS Cachalot, Bomb hits 1
DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire


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


Repair Shipyard hits 1
Airbase hits 75
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 132
Port hits 21
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

quote:

Imperial Rescript

We, by grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the Throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal, enjoin upon ye, Our loyal and brave subjects:

We hereby declare war on the United States of America and the British Empire. The men and officers of Our army and navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war, Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their appointed tasks, and all other subjects of Ours shall pursue their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of our war aims.

To insure the stability of East Asia and to contribute to world peace is the far-sighted policy which was formulated by Our Great Illustrious Imperial Grandsire and our Great Imperial Sire succeeding Him, and which We lay constantly to heart. To cultivate friendship among nation and to enjoy prosperity in common with all nations has always been the guiding principle of Our Empire's foreign policy. It has been truly unavoidable and far from Our wishes that Our Empire has now been brought to cross swords with America and Britain. More than four years have passed since China, failing to comprehend the true intentions of Our Empire, and recklessly courting trouble, disturbed the peace of East Asia and compelled Our Empire to take up arms. Although there has been re-established the National Government of China, with which Japan has effected neighbourly intercourse and cooperation, the regime which has survived at Chungking, relying upon American and British protection, still continues its fratricidal opposition. Eager for the realization of their inordinate ambition to dominate the Orient, both America and Britain, giving support to the Chungking regime in the name of peace, have aggravated the disturbances in East Asia. Moreover, these two Powers, inducing other countries to follow suit, increased military preparations on all sides of Our Empire to challenge us. They have obstructed by every means our peaceful commerce, and finally resorted to a direct severance of economic relations, menacing gravely the existence of Our Empire. Patiently have We waited and long have We endured, in the hope that Our Government might retrieve the situation in peace. But our adversaries, showing not the least spirit of conciliation, have unduly delayed a settlement; and in the meantime, they have intensified economic and military pressure to compel thereby Our Empire to submission. This trend of affairs would, if left unchecked, not only nullify Our Empire's efforts of many years for the sake of the stabilization of East Asia, but also endanger the very existence of Our nation. The situation being such as it is, Our Empire for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.

The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our Subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our Forefathers will be carried forward, and that the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated and an enduring peace immutably established in East Asia, preserving thereby the glory of Our Empire.

The 8th day of the 12th month of the 16th year of Showa.

quote:

Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-27b Nate x 40



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 24



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.27 Sqn RAF with Blenheim IF (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 48
Ki-27b Nate x 19
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 55



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 19 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 90

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Singora , at 51,72

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 20



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 3
Buffalo I x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Singora , at 51,72

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 18



Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak



CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Ib Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-27b Nate (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kuantan at 53,78, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
xAKL Dai Tung, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Johore Bahru , at 50,83

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 72
G4M1 Betty x 27



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 9 damaged


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


Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 95

quote:

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 90
G3M2 Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 54
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 27



Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 74

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Cabanatuan (80,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 369 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 18

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cabanatuan !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-10B: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1