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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 2/27/2015 5:55:26 PM

Lowpe

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My most experienced pilots.

You can see that the majority are flying Irving-S now. My thought is to maximize the NF with the very best, and at least for now hopefully they won't suffer many fatalities and also scare the Allies about the effectiveness of NFs.

The Irving S is pretty darn lethal against 2E bombers, but 4Es are very, very difficult despite the great pilots -- so I am not sure that part of my strategy worked.

Other than that I am trying to pull all TRACOM eligible pilots and save them for the very best airframes later in the game.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 2/27/2015 5:57:04 PM

Lowpe

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Best Aces: it is darn difficult to them past 10.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 2/27/2015 5:59:43 PM

Lowpe

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Just absolutely horrendous Japanese plane losses.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 2/27/2015 8:10:46 PM

Malagant

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Something that jumped out at me is the high Betty losses without similarly high Nell losses. I seem to be using both for the same missions and often in the same places, was wondering if you had thoughts on why the Betty and Nell losses are so different?

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 2/28/2015 12:45:29 AM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Malagant

Something that jumped out at me is the high Betty losses without similarly high Nell losses. I seem to be using both for the same missions and often in the same places, was wondering if you had thoughts on why the Betty and Nell losses are so different?

When I picked up the game I had about the same 300 Betties to 200 Nells, but the production was skewed to Betty, and I decided to rush to get the G4M3a (armored Betty) and I shut down the one Nell factory.

I did use the G4M1s very hard early on, and flew into some remarkable CAP traps that hurt.

The G4M3a has been a good plane, and worth the investment. I probably missed the longer search the Nells give, but went with JudyC to fill that gap.

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Post #: 3365

RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 1:36:21 PM

Lowpe

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IJN Pilot shortage:

Although I have no replacements, I can still pull pilots forward from the training schools. Since Tracom is packed full of pilots, their starting skills are pretty good.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 1:46:01 PM

Mike Solli

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How many pilots do you have in TRACOM?

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Post #: 3367

RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 2:23:26 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

How many pilots do you have in TRACOM?

Looks like 242. I had more, but they are now flying the Irving-S of which I have two full squadrons, so very close to 300 at one point.

I am using TRACOM as a holding area for NF pilots. That they actually do something else is a plus I guess.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 2:33:44 PM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

How many pilots do you have in TRACOM?

Looks like 242. I had more, but they are now flying the Irving-S of which I have two full squadrons, so very close to 300 at one point.

I am using TRACOM as a holding area for NF pilots. That they actually do something else is a plus I guess.

Curious to see how you do with the high experience NF pilots. I only really used a few experts and the bulk of the pilots were around 55-60exp with 70 skill in air and defense.

I lost a lot of NF pilots as late int eh war a lot were shot down almost daily, and some of those airframes don't have armor. So, curious to see if it makes a difference to have the 80exo pilots there and if they 'last' longer.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 4:39:58 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert
Curious to see how you do with the high experience NF pilots. I only really used a few experts and the bulk of the pilots were around 55-60exp with 70 skill in air and defense.

I lost a lot of NF pilots as late int eh war a lot were shot down almost daily, and some of those airframes don't have armor. So, curious to see if it makes a difference to have the 80exo pilots there and if they 'last' longer.

Your AAR gave me a ton of insights: one, I am going for armored NF over the others. By March 44 I hope to be fielding NicK
Ds and Frances. By 6/44 the IJA will switch over to Peggy and then it will be Frances and Peggy for the rest of the war. I think once I upgrade a recon squadron to KAI Dinahs then they will hopefully be able to switch over to Peggys.

Two: You did so well with NF with no real prior planning from pre 1944. Whereas, I have planned for NF from day one of my takeover in late July 42. Great pilots, better (I hope) airframes will hopefully perform better.

We shall see! So far the Irving S can really tear apart 2E night bombers, but they have more difficulty with 4E, but still seem lethal thru op losses. The Irving Sa isn't too far away either, and they add an extra 20mm cannon making them more lethal. I have yet to lose a pilot, and lost only four planes in A2A.

Having Pete's flying night CAP in port bases and at least one bank of AA adds to the coverage and really minimizes the damage from night bombing so far. Very pleased with this aspect of the game -- once I figured it out.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 5:45:22 PM

obvert

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Cool. I know you've been planning this for a while. It's almost time for (hopeful) payoff.

One thing I had to do that I didn't want to want flying NF at more than 0 range. I didn't think to convert all IJN NF to larger sized units using the A6M5-s on CVs. That would be huge, and you'll have the extra big Nick groups too, so you should be fine on that, getting decent coverage in all of the important bases flying only zero range.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 5:46:20 PM

Lowpe

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Here are the defenses of Kusaie, Ponape and Truk. Nothing is where I would really like it: I would like some ART at each base, but haven't gotten the chance yet. The base forces are forward and concentrated. Forts could be a little better, but the deathstar has constrained supply a little.

The Garrison unit disbands in a month or so...

I think I would like to pull off the construction engineers from Kusiae, but they do keep the runways repaired really quick and I have used that for some nice CAP traps every now and then, so removing them is not so clear cut.

The low AV troops can probably come off too.

If I can keep supplies up, it seems like a pretty good line...

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 7:08:47 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

One thing I had to do that I didn't want to want flying NF at more than 0 range. I didn't think to convert all IJN NF to larger sized units using the A6M5-s on CVs. That would be huge, and you'll have the extra big Nick groups too, so you should be fine on that, getting decent coverage in all of the important bases flying only zero range.

I didn't think of doing this either, and to be honest I am not sure I will in June of 1944 when I could do it. But I may change my mind.

I really wanted to see how effective you can be at defending the HI if you plan for it.

Of course, it all depends where the Allies are in six months!

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Post #: 3373

RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/1/2015 7:50:45 PM

Lowpe

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Got my turn out and about, but it may be a while before the Allies get it back to me. Sorry.

I worked on pilots, at least until I ran out of patience.

I set up some cargo ships as supply bunkers, looking to get 75K to Ponape, Kusaie and Truk. Less to Rabaul area. Singers is getting 75K plus garrison troops (ones that don't disband in 50 days), engineers, artillery, and two tank regiments for Sumatra and Indochina.

Maximum effort hauling oil and fuel from SRA now to China and Manila...I am worried about how much longer I can do it. Medan in Sumatra has planes and AA waiting and NF waiting for the eventual first attack on oil.

The Burma evacuation is going well so far. Still in Rangoon, though the ART is all moving out slowly, so I think the Burma Road is still closed. The Infantry will follow in a couple of days as the last of the troops reach Pegu from points north.

I am looking at which units I can fully transport by air: the Mountain Artillery, the Pack RF AT guns, some Mortar units that are still foot. I will be sending some of these to the CentPac/New Guinea area and want to fly some into Trinkat. Not a lot of choices.

Hiroshima is becoming the go to port in the HI -- away from spying eyes and easy to go north or south (relatively).

We have a HR on no strategic bombing in China...which is nice for me since I don't have to base fighters protecting the industry there...a boon for 44 to 45 for what I can hold on to! I don't think I would have bombed the Chinese industry anyhow, or at least not till now when my advance has peaked. Kind of changes how I will defend China...more aggressively definitely. I am not sure I like this particular rule.

I will be shutting down the last Irving S factory, bumping him down the road to the Sa. I have 80 in the pools, don't get anymore squadrons till Jan 44, this will further accelerate the Sa version with the extra cannon to perhaps November of 43. I want generous pools of the Irving Sa in case I lose a lot of production of the last generation NFs. With radar the final Irv Sa isn't that bad. Ok, she is bad no armor, no speed, but decent radar and several cannons. I will take what I can get.

I looked long and hard at the units I can fully move by Air transport: mtn art, some mortar, the pack RF AT gun units, some AAA (the 20mm machinecannons that are foot supported). Not that much, but I will make an effort to use those in the CentPac, area perhaps getting some mtn guns or mortars to Ponape, Kusaie and Truk and other spots forward. I definitely want to fly some into Trinkat.

Exciting, offensive actions this turn, lest I forget them: bombarding Car Nicobar and fleet surface sweeps there; some attacks in China killing off more stray units, two midget sub carriers out, and that is about it. Not too exciting I fear except for the Car Nicobar movement which will probably end in disaster...but at least they are well led and in the right TF numbers.

Just hope the LRCAP flies...both day and night! Well the night is LRCAP Car Nicobar...I don't think it coordinates too well on a ship task force (something to experiment on).

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/1/2015 10:00:13 PM >

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 8:44:32 AM

Spidery

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quote:

We have a HR on no strategic bombing in China...which is nice for me since I don't have to base fighters protecting the industry there...a boon for 44 to 45 for what I can hold on to! I don't think I would have bombed the Chinese industry anyhow, or at least not till now when my advance has peaked. Kind of changes how I will defend China...more aggressively definitely. I am not sure I like this particular rule.

That is a generous rule for the Japanese. Not needing to protect Lanchow and Sian frees up quite a few fighters for the front lines. Keeping Lanchow, Sian and Urumchi producing even after the B-29 arrives must be quite valuable.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 8:48:33 AM

Spidery

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quote:

I am looking at which units I can fully transport by air: the Mountain Artillery, the Pack RF AT guns, some Mortar units that are still foot. I will be sending some of these to the CentPac/New Guinea area and want to fly some into Trinkat. Not a lot of choices.

At least in DBB, there are some of the independent infantry brigades that are air transportable. Means they lack firepower but they are a good chunk of AV that can be lifted in to add to defenses. For example, the 6th Ind. Infantry Brigade.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 9:40:59 AM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Here are the defenses of Kusaie, Ponape and Truk. Nothing is where I would really like it: I would like some ART at each base, but haven't gotten the chance yet. The base forces are forward and concentrated. Forts could be a little better, but the deathstar has constrained supply a little.

The Garrison unit disbands in a month or so...

I think I would like to pull off the construction engineers from Kusiae, but they do keep the runways repaired really quick and I have used that for some nice CAP traps every now and then, so removing them is not so clear cut.

The low AV troops can probably come off too.

If I can keep supplies up, it seems like a pretty good line...

It's not really a line. He doesn't have to take them. Putting divisions way out here this late seems like a waste to me. He can just leave those and go around. You also have two of the big base forces on each, Ponape and Kusaie. One is plenty.

One of the challenges is considering a really good first layer of defense as Japan and also building an even tougher second line. The Allies in 44 can just move so much more quickly and you'll end up with a bunch of great units far behind the lines. Better IMHO to just put up some medium sized roadblocks and use the KB, subs and surface forces to whittle the invasions, then have the next layer even stronger than the first.

You can buy out the destroyed units of course, but their experience will be shot. The best defense will make him want to invade but still suffer losses and potentially get bogged down. A full division makes me think, I don't need to go there. A brigade makes me think I might. Two naval guards makes me think it's easy pickins. My two cents.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 9:46:31 AM

njp72

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That is an excellent summary and so true!

Good Allied players will embrace manoeuvre warfare and side step defences which are too formidable.

A real problem for Japanese players.

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Here are the defenses of Kusaie, Ponape and Truk. Nothing is where I would really like it: I would like some ART at each base, but haven't gotten the chance yet. The base forces are forward and concentrated. Forts could be a little better, but the deathstar has constrained supply a little.

The Garrison unit disbands in a month or so...

I think I would like to pull off the construction engineers from Kusiae, but they do keep the runways repaired really quick and I have used that for some nice CAP traps every now and then, so removing them is not so clear cut.

The low AV troops can probably come off too.

If I can keep supplies up, it seems like a pretty good line...

It's not really a line. He doesn't have to take them. Putting divisions way out here this late seems like a waste to me. He can just leave those and go around. You also have two of the big base forces on each, Ponape and Kusaie. One is plenty.

One of the challenges is considering a really good first layer of defense as Japan and also building an even tougher second line. The Allies in 44 can just move so much more quickly and you'll end up with a bunch of great units far behind the lines. Better IMHO to just put up some medium sized roadblocks and use the KB, subs and surface forces to whittle the invasions, then have the next layer even stronger than the first.

You can buy out the destroyed units of course, but their experience will be shot. The best defense will make him want to invade but still suffer losses and potentially get bogged down. A full division makes me think, I don't need to go there. A brigade makes me think I might. Two naval guards makes me think it's easy pickins. My two cents.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 12:21:22 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery

quote:

I am looking at which units I can fully transport by air: the Mountain Artillery, the Pack RF AT guns, some Mortar units that are still foot. I will be sending some of these to the CentPac/New Guinea area and want to fly some into Trinkat. Not a lot of choices.

At least in DBB, there are some of the independent infantry brigades that are air transportable. Means they lack firepower but they are a good chunk of AV that can be lifted in to add to defenses. For example, the 6th Ind. Infantry Brigade.

Thanks.

There are also IJA B type Inf, that become divisions that can be flown like the 47th Division. They start as garrisons on the HI and other sections of the division come along as reinforcements.

Also a lot of the HQ units can be flown...

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 12:26:02 PM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: njp72

That is an excellent summary and so true!

Good Allied players will embrace manoeuvre warfare and side step defences which are too formidable.

A real problem for Japanese players.

Thanks guys! First hand advice is always great!

My thought was to try and hold that line until end of 43 and then pull back...but it isn't really a line -- roadblocks, eh? Or POW camps. I am worried about Kusaie being left behind...

I have had an infantry division in the Kuriles I am pulling out now and sending to the Marianas.

My problem is that I am still a month away from a lot of land reinforcements that I need for these Islands...but maybe I should start the air evacuation now much like what I did in the Lower Solomons.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 12:28:35 PM

Lowpe

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Ok, the reinforcements start piling in in two weeks.

Hopefully the Allies don't know this.

I am massing my shipping to move these guys out very quickly

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 12:29:51 PM

Lowpe

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Here are some of the artillery guns Japan can transport by air:

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/2/2015 12:56:38 PM

Lowpe

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Ok, here is a closer look at Mixed Regiment...IF I can, I will try to get these guys into the front line positions at Ponape and Kusaie, they can at least be air evacuated if they are bypassed.

I will try to get the Divisons back to the Marianas, Luzon area. Would be nice to have a full reserve here, somewhere.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/2/2015 1:57:00 PM >

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/3/2015 12:33:35 AM

Lowpe

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With the downtime in the game, I went ahead and updated some of my artfile mods.

One of the best is the Clouds! Too cool...thankyou modders!

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/3/2015 1:33:57 AM >

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/3/2015 7:14:02 PM

Lowpe

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Oct 15, 1943

Night, great big old moon lighting everything up, except in the bad weather of the Andamans. Tanaka leads his cruiser force towards Car Nicobar, sweeping aside the enemy subs, clearing a path for the bombardment fleet following.

For once it works as planned...the carefully plotted course avoids the majority of the enemy subs.

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/3/2015 7:15:36 PM

Lowpe

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PT boats, of course!

With full moonlight, despite the weather, Tanaka makes short work of these guys, a clash much studied by the Admiralty...now, will the bombardment group follow?

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RE: Conflict Marcus Island - 3/3/2015 7:33:24 PM

Lowpe

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Like clockwork! Was there ever really a question? The bombardment force isn't pestered by subs nor PT boats and unleashes a wonderful bombardment on the hapless Allies. We have our special naval consult, codenamed: NYGiants, to thank for this operation. Who he is remains a mystery, but he clearly knows his stuff and the Admiralty holds him in high regard!