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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 2:29:06 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Does the SR matter that much for a dive bomber? The advantages of twice the bomb load and a plane that is faster than a Wildcat seems to make it such a big boost. Or are you just meaning that you will prioritise upgrading the KB so it will be months before you can get round to the LBA?

The LBA will remain Vals until I get the d4Y4 which will be fast tracked. I want that 800 kg bomb and the sr1.

My LBA Vals are doing quite a lot of ASW and Naval Search patrols and base jumping...probably not the most effective use of them, but because of the Allied air threat most planes are in back areas and fly forward only occasionally. I think it helps to befuddle/cloak the KB's location a little, too. So the lower SR is very valuable for how I am using them.

D4Y1 on CV, Val on land, and r&d the d4Y4 pronto.

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 2:29:46 PM

obvert

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You'll have to get used to service 3. The Frank is service 3 forever, while the first version of the George and Jack are both service 3, (as are the later versions). Its tough, but you learn where you can and can't use them. You end up relying on bigger bases with lots of AS and protection in numbers. Start planning your nodes for each area now, like Rabaul, Soerabaja, Rangoon, etc, and get them to at least level 8. I'm sure you've done a lot of this, but it was only in 43 when I realized what massed sweeps and 4Es could do to anything smaller that I had to start clumping into big bases. Service 3 is tough, but if you put enough hurt in on day 1 there might not be a day 2 and you can repair for a few.

_____________________________

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Post #: 1322

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 2:42:04 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

You'll have to get used to service 3. The Frank is service 3 forever, while the first version of the George and Jack are both service 3, (as are the later versions). Its tough, but you learn where you can and can't use them. You end up relying on bigger bases with lots of AS and protection in numbers. Start planning your nodes for each area now, like Rabaul, Soerabaja, Rangoon, etc, and get them to at least level 8. I'm sure you've done a lot of this, but it was only in 43 when I realized what massed sweeps and 4Es could do to anything smaller that I had to start clumping into big bases. Service 3 is tough, but if you put enough hurt in on day 1 there might not be a day 2 and you can repair for a few.

Thanks. I know I can only defend at very large bases and even then maybe not depending upon the night air runs. Magwe is an excellent example...I can't reliably keep it open despite 9 AA units, tons of ENG and Construction and a big airfield.

I am also seeing it in spades with the only armored IJA fighter I have the Tony Ki-61.

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Post #: 1323

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 2:45:53 PM

Spidery

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quote:

My LBA Vals are doing quite a lot of ASW and Naval Search patrols and base jumping...probably not the most effective use of them, but because of the Allied air threat most planes are in back areas and fly forward only occasionally. I think it helps to befuddle/cloak the KB's location a little, too. So the lower SR is very valuable for how I am using them.

Understand, SR 1 is really beneficial for moving around.

However, for ASW would the bigger bomb outweigh the advantage of maintaining more aircraft active? I'm looking forward to seeing if the D4Y4 on ASW can sink subs. The Helen's 250kg bombs just seem to damage them.

When you use dive bombers on ASW, do you set them low or fly at dive bombing altitudes?

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Post #: 1324

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 2:47:56 PM

Lowpe

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Sub wars:

Allied subs got: 2 tankers, 3 oilers, two PBs, one xak in January (damaged a few others). Below is the listed ships sunk, take it with a grain of salt. All tanker and oiler losses happened in the first week of the month, when he blitzed me.

Now the tankers/oilers are being merged into very large convoys along the Chinese coastline.

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 3:45:30 PM

Lokasenna

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The Val is so poor even at war's start that upgrading to the D4Y1 is a must, IMO. At least for your CVs. Obviously you want the D4Y3 ASAP, but the 500kg/250kg bomb load instead of 250kg/60kg is well worth SR3 instead of SR1. Once you get the Judy, you should probably change your CV-based naval search platform to the Kate - lower SR and longer range. I begin training for this on day 1, when the groups aren't active doing other things (naval strikes, port strikes, supporting invasions, etc.).

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Post #: 1326

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 10:02:49 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

The Val is so poor even at war's start that upgrading to the D4Y1 is a must, IMO. At least for your CVs. Obviously you want the D4Y3 ASAP, but the 500kg/250kg bomb load instead of 250kg/60kg is well worth SR3 instead of SR1. Once you get the Judy, you should probably change your CV-based naval search platform to the Kate - lower SR and longer range. I begin training for this on day 1, when the groups aren't active doing other things (naval strikes, port strikes, supporting invasions, etc.).

My naval search platform for CV is the Judy C. I was a little scared at first, but they have worked well! I do use Kates for ASW work.

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Post #: 1327

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 10:06:37 PM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery

quote:

My LBA Vals are doing quite a lot of ASW and Naval Search patrols and base jumping...probably not the most effective use of them, but because of the Allied air threat most planes are in back areas and fly forward only occasionally. I think it helps to befuddle/cloak the KB's location a little, too. So the lower SR is very valuable for how I am using them.

Understand, SR 1 is really beneficial for moving around.

However, for ASW would the bigger bomb outweigh the advantage of maintaining more aircraft active? I'm looking forward to seeing if the D4Y4 on ASW can sink subs. The Helen's 250kg bombs just seem to damage them.

When you use dive bombers on ASW, do you set them low or fly at dive bombing altitudes?

I rarely use DB in ASW because I like any TB with the two 250kg bombs. Better chance to hit and a 250kg bomb is plenty to sink a sub. I'm seeing it from the other side now!

Kate is your best ASW platform forever, followed closely by the Helen. Any IJN 2e is also good but I tend to sue the range for search instead, although they still find subs that way and can hit them on occasion.

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Post #: 1328

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/18/2014 10:08:08 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery

However, for ASW would the bigger bomb outweigh the advantage of maintaining more aircraft active? I'm looking forward to seeing if the D4Y4 on ASW can sink subs. The Helen's 250kg bombs just seem to damage them.

When you use dive bombers on ASW, do you set them low or fly at dive bombing altitudes?

Planes spot and damage, ships kill subs. At least with my generally poor pilots. Judging from how much damage allied planes can do to my subs when I wander too close the 500kg should be a sub killer if you can get them to attack. Kates are effective ASW platforms.

I am using the Vals primarily on naval search at 2000 feet where only subs can be found, and near the front lines at 10,000 feet. For some units I have them on mix naval search, ASW at 10,000.

I will standardize at 10,000 feet and see what happens.

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 7/18/2014 11:09:25 PM >

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Post #: 1329

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 10:31:11 AM

Lowpe

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Jan 30, 1943

An American sub sneaks past 200 plus mines, three ASW task forces, plenty of aerial ASW to sink a large oiler in Cam Ranh Bay. Later, the sub is hit three times. Of course the oiler was full, burnt to beat the band. There was unfortunately no night float plane search.

No night air strikes. Very limited day air strikes. B24 do a high altitude naval attack at Nauru, and 2 Zeroes climb fast enough to shoot one down. Their bombs all miss.

In Burma, the Chindits are almost done for. The Allies spotted my cruiser task force yesterday lurking west of Rangoon, and they set up naval defenses to protect Akyab. I wonder what kind of LRCAP is over his cruiser force? Perhaps I can use this info in the near future.

Interestingly, the Allies are advancing south east out of Prome into the jungle. There is almost 800 fresh AV of troops their with forts level 2. And crossing the river north east of Magwe. Hmm...

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 7/19/2014 11:43:34 AM >

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 11:15:32 AM

Lowpe

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I really can only shake my head at the aggressiveness of the Allied player. Those are mostly vehicles moving out of Prome into the jungle.

He has detection levels only on Moulmein (3/10) and Magwe (7/10).

Of course his bombers are a big equalizer. Especially in clear terrain.

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Post #: 1331

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 11:53:43 AM

ny59giants

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Night CAP - Even in mid-44, my radar equipped Allied NFs shoot down very few Helens attacking my AFs at 6000' with good base radar. The best you can hope for, IMO, is to ruin their aim.

Helens - Have you trained up a few groups in LowN to hit shipping from 1000'? My opponent, Olorin, has done this with mixed results. My B-25 Attack Bombers have been very effective in this role.

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Post #: 1332

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 12:05:10 PM

Lowpe

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Some economic notes:

I am up to about 40 cargo ships transferring resources from Fusan to the HI. I can't quite get to adding surplus oil to the HI, but I have added over 1,000,000 resources to the HI stockpile in the last 25 days strictly thru Fusan and Hokkaido.

I was doing well shipping fuel out of Fusan, up to about 10,000 units worth of convoys when I got greedy, doubled it, and ended up shorting Manchuko heavy industry. Lesson learned back to smaller withdraw.

I cannot get oil to flow over the rails from Singers.

S

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Post #: 1333

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 1:16:49 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Helens - Have you trained up a few groups in LowN to hit shipping from 1000'? My opponent, Olorin, has done this with mixed results. My B-25 Attack Bombers have been very effective in this role.

Like this guy -- not very experienced yet. Thanks for the advice!

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Post #: 1334

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 3:18:53 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Night CAP - Even in mid-44, my radar equipped Allied NFs shoot down very few Helens attacking my AFs at 6000' with good base radar. The best you can hope for, IMO, is to ruin their aim.

I have had one half decent night attack...but I will keep trying.

It is Feb 1943! Well, it will be when my honorable opponent gets done his turn, and it has come to soon.

The air war takes an even more ominous turn with the addition of several new Allied planes, some with very generous production rates.

So, it will be up the the old workhorse, the KAI Dinah to meet the challenge! Well, the A6M5c is my best fighter currently, and has pretty much upgraded everywhere except for one or two holdouts. The Tojo IIa is doing well, and the Nicks seem to suffer on defensive CAP seemingly always targeted with initial Allied dive bonus. There are a couple of Oscar IIa around, and still some Ic and a few Tonies that usually languish with the mechanics.

I really have no great planes on the immediate horizon other than Judy, but I am diligently pursuing the Oscar IV, the Ki-100, the Tojo IIc (in a few months), a whole bunch of night fighters (none of which are repaired yet) and very long term Frank and Sam and another plane that is death to talk about...

I will be pursuing Port Moresby early this month, thank goodness, because everywhere I look I see the might of the Allies closing in!

In the North Pacific continual reports of heavy traffic; Colombo has shown up recently (is this the invasion of Ramree or Sabang?), the Marshalls look very fragile, and the Allies are pushing hard in Burma!

Lions, and tigers and bears, oh my! What can poor Japan do to stem the onslaught?

Well, for starters, another super battleship rolls off the docks...being the fuel pig that she is, both will be tasked with the North Pacific defense for now -- the scene of nasty fighting in 1942.

The Emperor is feeling quite good about having two of the unsinkable super battleships. Nobody quite has the heart to tell him we need more carriers, and more navy pilots, and fuel, and oil, and supplies...you know the important stuff that we neglected so we could build two pink albatrosses.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 7/19/2014 4:23:19 PM >

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Post #: 1335

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 6:11:05 PM

Lowpe

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Feb 1, 1943

A new month.

No night attacks, moonlight low.

Allied bombers hit Nauru after a sweep. The A6M5c weather the storm well downing some bombers and Lightnings. Radar helped there. The allies are up to something, many ships at Tarawa...including, if I believe it, 2 CVs.

The KB is on the way to Rabaul to pick up the last of the Zero upgrades...

A fair amount of action in Burma...and I am ready to eat crow. Or hear choruses of I told you so.

The dreaded, and feared KAI Dinah finally meets up with Allied fighters. A squadron swept Akyab and the results are below. I actually lost 6 KAI Dinahs...

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Post #: 1336

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 6:24:04 PM

Lowpe

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Burma and the Allies are launching a major attack....

My question is: How well does a lone motorized unit hold out against 750 AV of Japanese and RTA infantry in the Jungle in early 43? Should I attack now, or wait for the Heavy Artillery in 3 days time?

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 7/19/2014 7:24:31 PM >

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 6:27:41 PM

Lowpe

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The Marshalls

All of the task forces are PT boat swarms except one. I have to keep reminding myself that the Allies are insanely aggressive....

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 6:32:58 PM

Lowpe

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Chindits are tough in the jungle! Didn't the native troops prefer Civil War muzzle loaders -- I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

At least they aren't quadrupled on defense anymore. Maybe they will crumble tomorrow.

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 8:22:10 PM

Lokasenna

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Isn't the KAI Dinah a night fighter? Why have it on daytime CAP?

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 8:31:50 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Isn't the KAI Dinah a night fighter? Why have it on daytime CAP?

The night fighter is the Ki-46 III KAI Dinah. This one is a normal fighter.

However, it has pretty much failed at every role I had foreseen for them, with the exception of being a dedicated night fighter with 10% CAP or rear area bomber protection.

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 8:41:44 PM

Lowpe

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I don't often use 30percent CAP rating, I go higher with a rest percentage too.

However, thanks to radar, this unit yesterday survived the lightning sweeps (actually downing 3) and then engaged the bombers following and splashed three of them.

And despite all the action, and losing 4 planes themselves, their morale is still good.

Should I adopt the 30 percent CAP where I have strong radars?

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 10:31:28 PM

ny59giants

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I mainly use 40% CAP and 20% Rest. This seems to keep numbers up for prolonged A2A battles. Maybe go up to 50% CAP and 20% Rest depending on the number of strike typically encountered.

< Message edited by ny59giants -- 7/19/2014 11:32:18 PM >

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Post #: 1343

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 11:18:40 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I mainly use 40% CAP and 20% Rest. This seems to keep numbers up for prolonged A2A battles. Maybe go up to 50% CAP and 20% Rest depending on the number of strike typically encountered.

Thanks. I will give it a try.

Mostly, I want to minimize sweep damage and still have planes to hit the bombers coming over. A heavy CAP percentage usually means stronger performance against the sweepers, but batters the squadrons so heavily that there is little left for the bombers and their morale is shot.

To counter the wave after wave of night bombing runs that the Allies like to use, I simply put a squadron on 10 percent cap very low. This works well, since they can't climb to engage his 30,000 foot bomber sweeps, but is low enough to really disrupt the low altitude bombing runs without losing too many planes.

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Post #: 1344

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/19/2014 11:29:38 PM

Lowpe

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Turn is away, and the IJA is attacking the Chindits again, more planes to the rear area Burma fields. The Dinah sweep did tell me that his CAP is very high, and now I have accumulated 2 full squadrons of low naval Helens, plus 3 squadrons of Betties, and can fly in another 50 Kates not to mention 100 dive bombers in the area. Ramree is getting 5K supplies and my airbases are pristine once again. So I can pull the trigger on a pretty big attack at Akyab if I choose to, and the airfields don't get trashed this turn.

The KAI Dinah squadron will get splintered and sent to 3 bases to provide night time CAP at 10% freeing up better fighters for daytime duty.

I am beefing up Kusaie Island with a full infantry divison...they left Rabaul and should be there shortly. Mini KB is in the area along with a BB Group providing cover and then it is on to the Port Moresby invasion. I would hate to lose Kusaie while I am taking Port Moresby.

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Post #: 1345

RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/20/2014 10:56:56 AM

Lowpe

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Feb 2, 1943

Smoke curled up lazily into the cloudy skies. To fight in such circumstances perturbed General Sakurai --a widely respected military genius, but a driver of men and not a leader. And his division, the elite 33rd Division, was not in as good shape as the junior division, the 2nd, led by the upstart Colonel Hilda. Hilda was always exhorting his men with talks, while Sakurai focused on the real work - troop movements, flanking, communications, plans.

And in this case, the attack on Tuang Gyi, Sakurai liked the results. The Chindits had parachuted in and managed to take the town but only with the help of another parachute unit the 503rd -- Americans.

It took a week to dislodge the pesky Chindits, but only a day to knock out the Americans. Casualties had been exceedingly light while the paratroopers suffered heavily. And now they where in the jungle without supplies suffering some more. Good!

The 2nd Division would pursue, elements of a 3rd Yokosuka SNLF would secure the town for a little while, and Sakurai would be off for the real battle at Prome and Rangoon. Sakurai was tightening the noose around the Allied forces in southern Burma according to plan. His plan.

When the rain came, in torrential sheets of water, Sakurai only smiled. Let the Allies come, let them overextend themselves. Sakurai was waiting, and planning.

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/20/2014 11:14:08 AM

Lowpe

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No night Allied bombing runs.

No allied day bombing runs. This is the second or third day of rest. Something is up. Moonlight very low.

Burma...lots of things to do here. Several bases have no detection levels on them. Ramree is resupplied and has no detection level.

Allied troops moving in the open...

Akyab is inviting...

45th Recce is in the jungle up against 750 AV of fresh troops....

2 Chinese Divisions, weak are in Shwebo....

Decisions.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 7/20/2014 12:19:00 PM >

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/20/2014 2:19:34 PM

Lowpe

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5th Air Division, Headquarters, Magwe. Feb 2, 1943. Commanding officer: Lt. General Ohara.

Magwe's generous runways bristled with planes. Close to 350. Armored Helens refueled and rearmed for the raid on Akyab's port on the morrow. Tojo's and Zeroes were in position. The pilots were ready.

Near bye airfield's hosted swarms of fighters. Each was at their capacity. None over. A new standard operating procedure was in place, more reliance upon the new radar sets allowed more pilots to stay on the ground awaiting the enemy. Would it work?

Finally, Burma had gone from a neglected backwater with a handful of combat units to a bristling arsenal. Planes, ships, and men flowed into Burma by road, rail, ship, and plane. The Allies have had their way here for too long. The victorious armies of Java had arrived.

Tomorrow, barring a huge Allied night strike (and lousy weather), the Empire would strike back!

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/20/2014 2:27:40 PM

Lowpe

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I am heartened to see yesterday a big increase of oil at Fusan. I decided to add another 2000 unit tanker to pull the oil from Fusan to the home islands.

Now, if only I could get more fuel into Manchuko and Korea....dropping some off in Shanghai. But soon, the HI will scream more fuel...

The last Val factory shut down...they converted into fighter research. Judy should become operational in 2 days.

Troops started loading for Port Moresby...Katherine abandoned. Australia in full scale retreat....but heavy volume of radio traffic at Sydney, Adak twice. More ships to the North Pacific...would he invade in the winter?

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RE: Australia Invaded! - 7/20/2014 6:31:34 PM

Lowpe

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Feb 3, 1943

No night time air strikes.

The Allies launch their rested bombers at the Imperial Guards Division, dug in the jungle, east of Prome. They are facing off against a 1000 allied afvs.

The Lightning sweep comes first over Toungo and down go 10 Zeroes and Tojos, but with the new settings other fighters take their places (albeit not many) and manage to inflict some damage on the bombers...actually kind of impressed the fighters got there at all since they were flying from Magwe and Pegu areas.

The Allied attack just misses a 1-3, and gets a 1-2. However, since the Allies are almost all tanks the losses inflicted are disappointing. ART is still several days away...If he has the supply he can force me out of this hex by grinding tanks attacks.

Disappointingly, the big air attack by the Empire was grounded. Sigh. Detection on
Magwe is only 1 out of 10. Might have to hit the airfield there and not the port to support the Imperial Guards. Ships are on their way to bombard, taking a circuitous route to avoid the Allied pt boat swarm.

IJA forces take another city in the Changsha pocket, inflicting large losses on the Chinese again. No supply for them.

Everything is spotted 10/10 at Rabaul. First time he has overflown it in a while. The KB, the Invasion fleet, etc. Expect fireworks in the Marshalls.