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RE: 1944! - 3/3/2013 8:44:17 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

I understand there are trade-offs. I only suggest this because in the first days around the Marianas he will saturate your CAP until you knock him down. Then you have a window to get some LBA fighters ashore while he's under the once-every-7-days rule. CVEs will usually sink from one torpedo or two large bombs; they're very fragile, too fragile IMO. You can hold them back as LBA transports, flush their loads ashore when you have (say) Tinian, and send them back to Pearl empty. Up front, you can heavy-load the CVs with top-drawer figthers which attrit the islands. If he overstacks use your BBs to crunch the air fields. TBs going for BBs aren't hitting your carriers. Rock-paper-scissors. Split your TFs into smaller chunks and let the code work for you. You will take losses; no question. But the Marianas have only a couple of keys and taking down his LBA fast and rough is #1.

Sounds reasonable! As you say dealing with his LBA will be key. But I must juggle this while remaining on guard against the KB and protect the landings. Very, very tough. I think to have some kind of staying power I can either do as you suggest and overload them or use VRF squadrons on some of the CVEs.

If the KB shows up having over-CAPed fleet carriers is good. No, you can't easily sink the KB. But they can't easily sink you either, and they'll have their air wings decimated. You get ashore.

The main reason I suggest using CVEs as plane transports is they can supply LBA to a new base from 6-8 hexes out, and it arrives ready to go. No unload time, no exposure of Air Transport TFs on the beach. You should very much have other CVEs with VRF units embarked. The KB doesn't have this. Knock them around, resupply your fighter losses and you win the air right there.

But put enough ashore on your first island to just flat take it. Don't ****-foot around with arty and a week of deliberate attacks. Don't sweat over-stacking. Just take it and get fighters ashore. Then clean up the mess.

Like I said, the Marianas are fun.

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The Moose

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Post #: 751

RE: 1944! - 3/3/2013 8:49:35 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

Assuming he still has 8000 AV in Manchukuo to prevent Russian activation, that would be the equivalent of about 16 divisions. There are a lot of garrison units in Manchukuo, but probably not more than the equivalent of 2 or 3 divisions. Where is the 1st IJA Division? It starts in Manchukuo with an experience level of 80. I didn't see it on your list. It's more than likely been bought out.

This is an excellent point. It's the hardest of hard intel: if the USSR isn't activated, and the code never lies there, he has significant ground forces locked down in M.

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Post #: 752

RE: 1944! - 3/4/2013 3:02:55 PM

JocMeister

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Intel Monkey discoveries pt.2

First of all I want to thank witpqs for an excellent program.

If you havn�t tried it yet do so! I only wish I REALLY used it a few months ago!

Anyway, I�ve spent the day trying to figure out how to exploit this new found knowledge. While it does chance some things its not the earth moving discovery I first thought. But it does change the way I will continue with this PBEM.

My initial thinking was to try and advance as fast as possible up the NG coast while maintaining a credible threat to the DEI from Darwin. I had no intention of actually trying the leap. This has certainly changed now. Erik only has a few regiments covering the whole of DEI. If I can only get a few divisions on Java it will be short work.
From now on the 1st Australian army will actively seek to land in the DEI. This mean the 7th OZ ID and the Americal ID won�t assist in the NG advance. This army will be reinforced by the 82nd West African ID that just left CT.

I will not send any additional IDs to the NG advance. The 10 divisions currently slated for this task will be more then enough.

Burma will not receive any additional IDs. What I have in place is enough to slowly, slowly grind him down. The need for speed here is lessened. Just locking most of the IJA forces here is a strategical victory in itself.

Getting China supplied is a wet dream that probably won�t happen. But if the 25k AV there can get in supply China will be a realy problem for Erik with only 13 divisions in place.

All USA IDs and USMC forces will be deployed in the Pacific or Australian 1st Army. I will go through the list and decide what will go where tonight.

The KB will have to be defeated to allow for the advance in CENTPAC. The schedule for the Wake, Eniwetok and Marianas invasions will be pushed to an earlier date. With only a RGT on each base in the Marianas I could actually invade it with the forces currently ready. But I will have to deal with the KB first. I will do some number crunching tonight.

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 3/4/2013 4:17:52 PM >

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Post #: 753

RE: 1944! - 3/5/2013 3:29:34 PM

JocMeister

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Erik fell I�ll yesterday so I got no turn. Hopefully we can get one done today!

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Post #: 754

RE: 1944! - 3/5/2013 6:07:20 PM

JocMeister

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Got a turn from Erik. Ordered a massive aerial assault on Rabaul. I may have been a bit too greedy and trying to do too much here. But I�m hoping the combination of sweeps and escorts will allow a 150 plane TB/DB strike to go after his 3-5BBs at Rabaul and a 4E strike to close the AF.

In all I have over 1000 planes involved in this...if the sweeps doesn�t fly or fly after the 4Es and/or the TB/DBs this is going to be a massacre...

Fingers crossed! I asked Erik if he could send the replay back as soon as its ready. Sometimes he does and sometime he doesn�t. So I might not know until tomorrow.

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Post #: 755

Rabaul strike! - 3/5/2013 9:13:15 PM

JocMeister

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Rabaul strike!

Some good and actually nothing too bad! Rabaul AF is closed! The IJAAF took a major beating when almost 400 planes were torched on the ground.

In the air we got only a 1:1 but it was enough to let the bombers through. Some 50 pilots were lost today but all the elite groups had only a few losses. A P38 group took the biggest hit because I forgot to change the altitude and they swept at 13k feet.

TBs didn�t fly but the DBs did. Some hits on two the BBs but nothing major. We took out 2-4 DDs though.

Here is a screen of the most bloody air battle in the war!

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 756

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 3:50:27 PM

JocMeister

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-2nd Mars -44

Lots of action in New Guinea that culminates in the Rabaul strike.

New Guinea

In a huge stroke of luck Erik sends out a big sweep from Rabaul that same turn I go for the AF. Some 100 Franks sweep Buna. Probably trying to draw in some leaky LRCAP. They swept empty skies and returned to a Rabaul in ruins! This is beautiful reading!

quote:

Japanese aircraft losses

A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K1 Rex: 3 damaged
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 13 destroyed on ground
D4Y2 Judy: 23 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 8 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 26 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 21 destroyed on ground
L2D2 Tabby: 22 destroyed on ground
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-61-Id Tony: 20 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 14 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-II KAI Helen: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 10 destroyed on ground
D4Y1-C Judy: 7 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground

I lost a big chunk of B25s coming in after the main attack. My 2E pools are NOT looking good right now. I have less then a 100 in the pools. Ouch.

2nd Marines secure Saidor. I will probably need a week or two to get ready for the Manus landings. I will put some 2Es on permanent duty suppressing Rabaul AF. Having closed Rabaul I will be able to move around a lot more freely. Erik will have to bring the KB over to pose a threat. But he also needs the KB to cover CENTPAC and DEI...But 35k Japanese troops are now cut off at Rabaul. Erik will have to do a massive effort to get them out.

I�m also extra happy about nailing almost 150 of Eriks Transports/Float transports. It probably going to take him forever the rebuild them.

I�m going to try and do what Q-ball has done so well and use fake invasion armadas.

Burma
Erik sweep Ramree island with 200 Franks shooting down 3 P40s, 1 Spit VII 2 Hurri for 4 own losses. I�m happy with that!

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Post #: 757

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 3:59:08 PM

catwhoorg

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That is a pretty impressive haul for one days action.

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Post #: 758

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 3:59:27 PM

JocMeister

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Discussion with Erik regarding withdrawing of airunits stuck on AF

This time Erik brought it up when he sent me the turn. He admitted using the withdraw function to get 200 AC stuck at Rabaul AF out and ask if I�m fine with this. My simple answer to him was that I don�t know. I asked him for more information. I want answers on the following:

-When you withdrew the planes this time what happened with the planes? Returned to the pool or destroyed?
-If destroyed was the AC accounted for a loss either as destroyed on the ground or OPS loss? IE was a VP awarded me for each plane?
-What happens if you leave the group at Rabaul and they are destroyed the following day?

If no points are awarded or the loss of the AC isn�t registered somehow then I would certainly think this is beyond what the developers intended? If he left the planes to be destroyed the following day wouldn�t he have to use PPs to buy them back (expensive!) as well as potentially waiting for up to 180 days instead of 60?

What do you guys think?

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Post #: 759

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 4:03:15 PM

paullus99

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If those planes go right back into the pool for distribution, then I'd say it is an unfair use (i.e. gaming) the system. The allied player could use the same function to get planes out of the Philippines or the DEI at the beginning of the war - and I'm sure the JFBs would be screaming bloody murder.

There is definitely a not-kosher thing about this.

_____________________________

Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...

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Post #: 760

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 4:23:36 PM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: paullus99

If those planes go right back into the pool for distribution, then I'd say it is an unfair use (i.e. gaming) the system. The allied player could use the same function to get planes out of the Philippines or the DEI at the beginning of the war - and I'm sure the JFBs would be screaming bloody murder.

There is definitely a not-kosher thing about this.

+1

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Post #: 761

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 7:36:53 PM

JocMeister

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Update on New Guinea

Here is a screen of the situation. Having so many divisions in the area means I�m lagging behind on base building. There is no waiting time between operations. I already have troops 100% prepped for Manus, Aitape and soon Hollandia/Sarmi!

Erik only have 6k-12k troops on each base. Unless he brings the KB he can�t really bring more in. I will soon have several Fletcher TFs roaming the coast.

Once Manus is secured I think I will need to wait for a few weeks to allow Hansa Bay to be built up and cover the Aitape landings. With Rabaul gone I can move engineers really fast using xAKs/xAPs instead of LSTs and Barges.

Merauke will be dealt with shortly. I have a massive naval bombardment coming in. I have high hopes on the BBs blasting his troops enough to allow for a deliberate attack.

Here is the screen!

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 762

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/6/2013 7:44:31 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: paullus99

If those planes go right back into the pool for distribution, then I'd say it is an unfair use (i.e. gaming) the system. The allied player could use the same function to get planes out of the Philippines or the DEI at the beginning of the war - and I'm sure the JFBs would be screaming bloody murder.

There is definitely a not-kosher thing about this.

The Allied planes in the PI at the beginning don't withdraw. They are destroyed if you withdraw and there is a message to that effect. Sometimes destroying them is still the right move.

Often planes can be withdrawn, but normally (always?) it's for 60 days and on a unit basis. They don't go into the pool that I know of. They go somewhere in off-map limbo and have R&R. This is different than Disbanding the unit and reforming it.

When planes are withdrawn to the pool I thought there was a seven-day transit period, not the next day. I don't have time to look that one up right now. But this whole area is not simple.

Edit: See 7.2.2

I don't know where I got seven days, but it ain't there. I beleive there is a random chance some planes may be delayed from reaching the pools. This is reported in Xoperationsreport.txt like so: "Delayed planes for the aircraft pool:
1 (0) x Audax I, 2 (4) x 139WH-3, 1 (0) x C.XI-W"

< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 3/6/2013 11:46:16 PM >

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The Moose

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Post #: 763

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 8:01:13 AM

JocMeister

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3rd-4th Mars -44

New Guinea

Mostly moving stuff forward. My recon has has been grounded for a few days due to weather and when the flew again they found out Erik has heavily reinforced Wewak and Aitape. Some 20.000 men on both. This is reinforcing my intentions of bypassing them both. Once Manus is secured I will make the decision. The good news is that with Rabaul gone these units can�t be extracted easily and might be isolated for the rest of the game if bypassed.

Erik is trying to reinforce Hollandia. A big TF just arrived there:

quote:

Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,115

Japanese Ships
AK Sakito Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AMC Kongo Maru
AK Azuma Maru
AK Anyo Maru
AK Melbourne Maru
AK Sagami Maru
xAP Terukuni Maru
xAP Hie Maru
xAK Myoko Maru
E Kiji

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

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

Unless Erik has a good SCTF here that I didn�t spot Erik will loose a lot of troops next turn when a Fletcher/Porter TF arrives tonight!

Allied forces are concentrating at Finnschafen. I�m a bit wary of a KB strike so I have withdrawn some of the CAP on the outer bases back to Finnschafen. No sightings since the Kaga was spotted at Marcus. But surely he can�t have the KB sitting there for a long time. Marcus is just too far removed from the DEI.

The first naval bombardment of Merauke goes in!

quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 02, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Merauke at 89,124

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
DD Doyle
DD Carmick
DD Meade
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Farenholt
DD Monssen
DD Gwin

Japanese ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

They will return to Townsville to rearm and then go in one more time before the first deliberate attack. 4Es will work over the units in the meantime.

OZ
Erik kindly let a small supply convoy enter Darwin. Troops are moving forward.

CENTPAC
Preparing for the Wake invasion. This time we won�t back down. If KB appears we will fight. I�m waiting for Cowpens to repair at PH. CV Midgaard will arrive in a few days from Balboa. I also have 11 CVEs carrying some 300 Hellcats coming in from the WC shortly. I havn�t made an exact count but this SHOULD be around 1500 AC of which some 1000 are Fighters (all Hellcats and some Corsairs). I used Bullwinkles idea of overstacking and re sized all fighter CVE squadrons to 30 to cream out the maximum numbers possible. It might not sound much but adding 4-6 fighters on 20 CVEs is 80-120 extra fighters. Thats equal to the fighter load of 2-3 CVs!

Subs are being recalled from all over the map to concentrate around Wake. I decided to try to take on the KB out here because there will be minimal LBA in the area. I will probably wait for CV Yggdrasil in 17 days. That will also allow the British CV/CVEs to arrive as well as 4 more CVEs and 1 CVL.

Parallel to the Wake strike I will have a second invasion in the DEI ready. If the KB shows up I will land in the there!

Burma

ZzzZzzzZZzz. Erik bombs my troops SW of Prome again. Can�t see any damage to the troops this time either!

Ordered an attack by the 1k stack SE of Mandalay. These are 850 Chinese AV so I don�t have high hopes...

I�ll try to put together a map of Burma later today.

Here is one of NG with the current troops count!

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 3/8/2013 8:10:13 AM >

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Post #: 764

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 1:26:50 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

CENTPAC
Preparing for the Wake invasion. This time we won�t back down. If KB appears we will fight. I�m waiting for Cowpens to repair at PH. CV Midgaard will arrive in a few days from Balboa. I also have 11 CVEs carrying some 300 Hellcats coming in from the WC shortly. I havn�t made an exact count but this SHOULD be around 1500 AC of which some 1000 are Fighters (all Hellcats and some Corsairs). I used Bullwinkles idea of overstacking and re sized all fighter CVE squadrons to 30 to cream out the maximum numbers possible. It might not sound much but adding 4-6 fighters on 20 CVEs is 80-120 extra fighters. Thats equal to the fighter load of 2-3 CVs!

I don't have the game open, but make sure you haven't over-loaded the CVEs to the point nothing can take off. I think it's 110% of normal capacity. The numbers will be in red on the ship display.

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Post #: 765

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 1:36:44 PM

JocMeister

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5th March -44

New Guinea

My Porter/Fletcher TF smash into the ships unloading at Hollandia. Unfortunately most troops had unloaded. Still a good day though!

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,116, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
E Yugao, Shell hits 3
E Tomozuru, Shell hits 1
E Kiji, Shell hits 2
AK Sagami Maru, Shell hits 51, and is sunk
AK Sakito Maru, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AK Brisbane Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Melbourne Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
AK Arizona Maru, Shell hits 27, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Anyo Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Azuma Maru, Shell hits 52, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kongo Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Myoko Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Hie Maru, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Terukuni Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Bennett
DD Jenkins
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 2
DD Selfridge

Japanese ground losses:
683 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 51 (28 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)

I believe they all sank with the exception of the Es. Hie Maru was sunk by the Skipjack in the morning. This was a good catch. All fast (18 knot transports) Erik will surely miss.

On the way home the TF had time for this as well!

quote:

Sub attack near Madang at 99,122

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Nicholas
DD Bennett
DD Bell
DD Beale
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Selfridge
DD O'Bannon
DD Jenkins

Erik will from now on be more careful when trying to move stuff in. I have reason to believe KB will soon visit the area. I�m moving DBs/TBs forward. Its unlikely I will be able to penetrate his CAP but 300 DB/TBs backed up by 150 Attack bombers is surely a threat he has to take seriously. I�m concentrating at Milne Bay with Fighters while the strike planes are scattered in the surrounding bases.

Bombings of Merauke is showing good promise. I think the Cavalry divisions and INF RGT will be enough.

CENTPAC

Sigint picked up a TF moving between Marcus and Truk. Positive this is the KB. Erik will probably try a hit and run somewhere along NG. Unless he gets really bold I should be safe. I�m relying on barges and LST to do the shipping to the forward bases.

Burma

Attack went better then expected. I took a beating but so did he!

quote:

Ground combat at 60,47 (near Mandalay)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22617 troops, 248 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 976

Defending force 10745 troops, 80 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Allied adjusted assault: 451

Japanese adjusted defense: 904

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: leaders(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
916 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
727 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 49 (21 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
50th Indian Para Brigade
3rd New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
8th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
39th/A Division
2nd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Chinese took the brunt of the force. I have more Chinese squads in the pool then I can ever use. Results like this I�m happy with! Bombers will bomb away for a few days and then we try again!

I had to switch two of the 2E Squadrons over to 4Es. This is the first time I had done so in this game. I had to in order to relive some pressure on the 2E pools that have drained FAST! 200 PPs it cost me

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 766

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 3:08:42 PM

JocMeister

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
I don't have the game open, but make sure you haven't over-loaded the CVEs to the point nothing can take off. I think it's 110% of normal capacity. The numbers will be in red on the ship display.

As long as its in orange its fine and dandy right?

I did discover something important though. No use over sizing the TF squadrons on the CVEs over 24! The CVEs can only hold 24 torps and having more then 24 planes switch them over to bombs!

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Post #: 767

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 3:46:47 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
I don't have the game open, but make sure you haven't over-loaded the CVEs to the point nothing can take off. I think it's 110% of normal capacity. The numbers will be in red on the ship display.

As long as its in orange its fine and dandy right?

Not sure what orange means in that case. Not sure I've ever seen orange there.

Also, be aware that going to 110% up front means that deck is not avaiable to bingo planes to if their home carrier can't land them due to damage. You get 10% more aircraft, but you give up some insurance.

I did discover something important though. No use over sizing the TF squadrons on the CVEs over 24! The CVEs can only hold 24 torps and having more then 24 planes switch them over to bombs!

I never noticed. Hmm. I tend to use CVEs for the fighters. I've never felt pressed for offensive power playing the AI, but the kamis are a killer.

< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 3/8/2013 3:48:58 PM >

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Post #: 768

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 4:39:12 PM

JocMeister

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From: Sweden
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I�ll take a screen next time I open the game!

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Post #: 769

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 6:07:13 PM

JocMeister

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Here is the screen of what I mean!

I�m assuming it means the CVE is overstacked but can still fly missions. Red means overstacked and cannot fly?

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 3/8/2013 6:09:04 PM >

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Post #: 770

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/8/2013 6:19:09 PM

ny59giants

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Orange = over limit, but below 115%
Red = no flight ops possible as over 115%

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Post #: 771

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/9/2013 7:54:03 AM

JocMeister

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From: Sweden
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6th-7th March -44

New Guinea

The allied advance continues as Gasmata and Talasea on New Britain falls. We are closing in on Rabaul! When Manus and Mussau is in Allied control Rabaul will no longer be a factor in the war. Over the last few days I have noticed a dramatic decrease in Japanese recon around NG. DLs have steadily dropped on all bases in the area and most TFs remain unspotted. I�m guessing Erik had all his recon and Naval search at Rabaul. This is good news at it makes a KB intervention less likely. Erik knows I have some powerful naval strike planes in the area and I don�t think he will rush in blindly. But he has done some crazy aggressive stuff before so I won�t let my guard down. I have a 300 CAP up over Finnschafen with CAP from Umboi and Lae "overlapping" with range on CAP at 1.

There is still only 10k troops on Manus. I decided to start prepping one of the divisions for another target. 2 IDs and a Tank BTL will be enough if backed up by naval and air bombardment.

I nailed a bunch of Barges at Rabaul. I think Erik was checking if he could Barge some troops out. I won�t allow that. DD Fletcher hit a mine but suffered only 13 FLT. Mines are useless.

Troops are almost prepped for Sarmi. Here I will go in HEAVY. 1st and 2nd Marines + 40th ID. This base is key. I�ve also started prepping troops for Biak, Noemfoor, Manokwari and Sorong. These bases will be key for the future advance into Moluccas and Mindanao. Hopefully they can be secured sometime during summer.

Overall I�m still happy about the situation on NG. While Erik has reinforced its till nowhere near enough to stop me for more then a few days after landings. With 3-4 divisions here I would struggle but he is continuing to rely on forts and brigade sized units.

CENTPAC

ZzzzZZzZzz

Burma

I�m moving stuff around. I�m tying to outmaneuver Erik around Toungoo. Don�t think I will be fast enough though. Will see. The attack with the Chinese Corps might have indicated how weak his firepower is. If I get a 1:2 with Chinese troops and cause more casualties how will it look with Allied 44 squads? I�m feinting a bit around Prome to see if I can draw some troops south. If all this fails I�ll move EVERYTHING towards Prome, make a massive deathstar and then cross the river. He has to cover 4 different crossings there. This will leave central Burma empty but who cares? I don�t need it for anything anyway. Rangoon is key.

OZ

Walking...

Also got confirmation on something I have suspected for a while!

quote:

CA Haguro is reported to have been sunk near Talasea on Jan 31, 1944

That is the 7th CA confirmed going down!

No screens today as the forum is really acting up!

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 772

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/9/2013 5:38:18 PM

Bullwinkle58

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Joined: 2/24/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Orange = over limit, but below 115%
Red = no flight ops possible as over 115%

Do you know where the 115% is located in the manual? I can't find anything but 110%, but there's probably a magic index search term.

In the screen shot 28 and 110% ought to round up to 3 planes, so even at 110% he's still in orange.

< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 3/9/2013 5:40:22 PM >

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The Moose

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Post #: 773

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/9/2013 6:50:19 PM

witpqs

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I don't recall where it's documented, and maybe it was even documented 110% and changed to 115%; but I can confirm that it is 115%.

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Post #: 774

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/9/2013 8:26:22 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I don't recall where it's documented, and maybe it was even documented 110% and changed to 115%; but I can confirm that it is 115%.

OK. Someday I'll even have a CVE to play with.

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The Moose

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 775

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/9/2013 9:46:35 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

8th-9th March -44

New Guinea

Last naval bombardment of Merauke goes in. I will split the BBs after this. I can�t shackle the Indianas and the PoW with having to reload at Townsville with the Iowas. They will form two separate TFs. First deliberate attack ordered on Merauke tomorrow. Hoping for the best but this is nothing crucial. The troops are already prepping for new targets. I have some 70 days to finish Merauke off.

First division reach 100 prep for Hollandia.

Setting stuff up for the Manus landings. Thought I spotted the KB on the 8th but then lost track of her on the 9th.

Hansa Bay is already level 3 AF and will turn level 4 on tomorrow. Having 438 Engineers and 133 Engineer vehicles there certainly helps!

I will probably switch out some of the P38 squadrons I have here for something else. Lack of big AFs is hampering their use.

OZ
Erik jumps a supply convoy and trashes two OZ squadrons I had for CAP over Darwin. Green pilots in Kitties is bad mojo. Moved in two elite Corsair squadrons that will ruin Eriks day tomorrow if he tries again!

Burma

I�m going for broke here. I�m combining my two big stacks. Hopefully before Erik can�t bring enough reinforcements in to see me impale myself. With the land model being what it is I will probably suffer 20.000 casualties and he 102 or something.

I�m pounding them from the air hoping his AA will use up all supply and he will end up in red. He has A LOT of AA there. I�m loosing 3-4 4Es per bomb run in OPS losses even at 12k.

If this fails I�ll do what I should have done from the start. I�ll do the bloody boring "deathstar". Worked for Erik in China and will probably work here too. I�ll put everything in the hex SW of Prome and let Erik guess where I�ll be going.

Some 200 more Fighters reach the Burma theater. I actually have no room for them on the frontline so I�ll fill them up with green pilots and put them on CAP in the rear. Some 50 Corsairs are among the lot though and they will certainly be useful. The dwindling army fighter pools will certainly need help from the USMC!

When I started playing this game I certainly did not foresee the air war would be fought against the replacement pool even in 44. I can take out Eriks 600 fighters at Rangoon whenever I want to. But choose not to because I fear it will put a too big of a dent in the pools...

Here is a screen of Burma. Make or break... I�m hoping I don�t break myself. Alea Iacta Est.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 3/9/2013 9:50:37 PM >

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 776

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/10/2013 6:56:31 AM

JocMeister

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Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
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Deliberate attack ordered. 6700 AV will assault tomorrow. I have that dreadful feeling that I usually have when I done something I shouldn�t have.

I ordered it anyway because of a few things:
I have to try sometime. Might as well be here.
Erik is rushing in troops from everywhere. The sooner I attack the less troops I will face. He has at least a Tank div moving in plus 80.000 troops from my previous position.
Erik put up a LRCAP last turn (120 Franks shot down!

) so I think my bombing are having an effect and he is worried.
I can afford the losses. I have so many squads in the pool its silly. Only British pools are low.

Keep your fingers crossed! While hoping for a draw I�m expecting a massive allied failure.

(in reply to JocMeister)

Post #: 777

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/10/2013 6:58:47 AM

JocMeister

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From: Sweden
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On a complete unrelated subject:

Anyone knows were BBFanboy is? He hasn�t been logged in for over a week. Hope nothing bad has happened and he is only on vacation or something!

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Post #: 778

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/10/2013 12:49:38 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
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10th March -44

An interesting turn!

New Guinea

Manus invasion forces reach their start positions without being spotted. My search coverage is massive and its highly unlikely Erik will have time to react to this. In tomorrow and out D+2. Whatever is left on the ships after D1 will have to stay on the ships. 37th ID has 100 prep and 24th ID has only about 50. Hopefully the 24th will be in somewhat good shape after the landing. That would allow a swift capture. A Tank BTL with 100 prepp is also landed.

The attack on Merauke did very well!

quote:

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11914 troops, 142 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 540

Defending force 7175 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 235

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 432

Japanese adjusted defense: 149

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
392 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division

Defending units:
57th Infantry Regiment
70th Infantry Brigade
5th Indpt SNLF Coy
52nd Construction Battalion
4th JAAF AF Coy

Another attack is ordered tomorrow.

OZ

Frustration mounts as I seem unable to deal with a group of Jacks sweeping Darwin. No clue what the heck is wrong. Lost 12 Corsairs today for only 3 Jacks?! The Corsairs had dealt with a George sweep before so I guess fatigue was high. But still. Grrr!

50 P38s flew in to hopefully help stabilize the situation today.

Burma

Erik puts up a LRCAP over his big stack for the first time in months. My sweeps crash in to them and shoot down 44 Franks and 23 Tojos. I loose 6 P47s, 7 Corsairs II and 4 P38s. Good catch. This is what convinced me to order the deliberate attack today. Very, very anxious about it. Been pacing back and forth but not turn yet. Erik was out yesterday and is probably hung over today and sleeping in.

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Post #: 779

RE: Rabaul strike! - 3/10/2013 4:09:38 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
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11th March -44

Not the best turn for the allies. Could have gone worse though!

New Guinea

Something messed up the movement of the two TFs set to unload at Manus. Only one arrived and started unloading. The other only moved 3 hexes for some weird reason. Hate when that happens. I considered sending them in this turn but though better of it. If Erik has the KB lurking just outside search he could decide to go for it. I�ll return in a week or so.

Good news is Manus will be nothing but a speed bump!

quote:

Ground combat at Manus (101,119)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6353 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 283

Defending force 11518 troops, 213 guns, 287 vehicles, Assault Value = 377

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

Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Kure 6th SNLF
47th Naval Guard Unit
78th Naval Guard Unit
91st Naval Guard Unit
60th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
37th Infantry Division

Erik again relies on small units and forts. Won�t work this time either. I hope Erik thinks I messed up here and only had one division prepped.

I also got wind of BB Mutsu and a CL TF last turn that I forgot to mention. This strengthens my belief that KB is in the area. He has no use for a slow BB without KB cover.

Erik ambushes one of my milking runs costing me 5 2Es. Lazy that I didn�t set a squadron to sweep.

OZ

Finally got the better of the Jack unit and its pretty much annihilated losing some 17 planes out of 24. Got enough supply in place to put a good sized CAP up. Disbanded the xAKs. Most should make it.

Burma

Ah well. Was worth a shot.

quote:

Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 172800 troops, 3075 guns, 3105 vehicles, Assault Value = 6793

Defending force 89692 troops, 1290 guns, 708 vehicles, Assault Value = 2809

Allied adjusted assault: 3137

Japanese adjusted defense: 6889

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), supply(-) <-- Hmm!
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4736 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 560 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 163 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 80 disabled
Guns lost 290 (67 destroyed, 223 disabled)
Vehicles lost 124 (14 destroyed, 110 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10000 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 1209 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 211 disabled
Engineers: 48 destroyed, 452 disabled
Guns lost 216 (21 destroyed, 195 disabled)
Vehicles lost 142 (7 destroyed, 135 disabled)

There is no chance I will be able to attack again for quite some time. Fatigue and disruption are up between 40 and as high as 70(!) in some units. I�ll let the troops rest for a while before withdrawing back over the river. It is a bit worse then it looks actually. Most of the damage is done to the small units. Even the Chinese Corps survived pretty intact. All elite divisions (US/OZ/Brit) are in good shape. Two Indian divisions are pretty trashed though.

I�ll let one last bombing run go in and see if there will be more damage. Hopefully Eriks supply situation will become strained trying to recover all those disabled squads.

While its depressing I can�t make any headway here I�ll try to keep in mind I have ALL his unrestricted divisions minus two busy here.

CENTPAC

Playing around with the CVEs trying to find a good combo of strike/CAP. Resizing and fiddling took a massive chunk out of the Hellcat and pilot pool. Down to only 200 Hellcats from 700!

(in reply to JocMeister)

Post #: 780