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RE: Paoshan falls - 3/16/2015 7:26:40 PM

MrKane

Posts: 790
Joined: 3/9/2013
From: West Poland
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quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I wonder why your Georges are doing that much better than your Franks when the Franks should be at least equal if not better. Have you got your elite IJN pilots flying the Georges having a considerable higher air skill than the Frank pilots?

Well, I would say it is not a pilot quality issue, it is guns quality and quantity issue.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 1681

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/16/2015 7:29:19 PM

castor troy

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Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
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quote:

ORIGINAL: MrKane

quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I wonder why your Georges are doing that much better than your Franks when the Franks should be at least equal if not better. Have you got your elite IJN pilots flying the Georges having a considerable higher air skill than the Frank pilots?

Well, I would say it is not a pilot quality issue, it is guns quality and quantity issue.

gun value shouldn't matter much vs fighters, Frank with 14 downs fighters just as well as George with 16 and the rest of the stats should favour the Frank

_____________________________

(in reply to MrKane)

Post #: 1682

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/16/2015 7:35:44 PM

MrKane

Posts: 790
Joined: 3/9/2013
From: West Poland
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quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrKane

quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I wonder why your Georges are doing that much better than your Franks when the Franks should be at least equal if not better. Have you got your elite IJN pilots flying the Georges having a considerable higher air skill than the Frank pilots?

Well, I would say it is not a pilot quality issue, it is guns quality and quantity issue.

gun value shouldn't matter much vs fighters, Frank with 14 downs fighters just as well as George with 16 and the rest of the stats should favour the Frank

He is using N1K1-J with guns value 20. Two additional center line 7.7mm. Generally you are right, but base on my experience those 2 more machine guns are influence A2A more than stats numbers are suggesting.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 1683

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/16/2015 7:37:27 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister
Yeah, I wouldn�t count too much on the Japanese tank divs. They need to be in x3 terrain and preferably some forts to be effective. Counting on being able to move them around is probably a bit too optimistic.

I disagree here. What would prevent Japanese tank divisions from moving around besides the simple geography of the area? Yes, you won't be able to win in meeting engagements against the Allies. But the speed you need here is merely to get them into defensive position quicker; not counterattack Allied units. Northern Sumatra is probably an ideal place for them given the primary road that follows the coast there and the commitment to defend Sabang. 3x terrain and forts certainly are helpful but those multipliers apply equally to infantry units as well.

Also I think that the Allies are at least a year and a large naval battle from launching an invasion of the Marianas. Considering Erik's rather conservative naval approach so far I don't see him risking the entirety of his navy on a landing there. There are lower hanging fruit to grab and better places to fight naval battles.

Another consideration for fighting in the Marianas should be infantry reinforcements post Allied invasion. You should be able to fly or fast transport in infantry squads during the campaign so you can replace your losses with pure AV and not go over the stacking limit. Better yet if you can get those units preparing for the bases they will reinforce. Erik's calculus is based off what intel tells him is currently in the Marinas rather than what may end up there during the battle. I'm not sure where your SNLF units are but this should be a good role for them at a time when they just don't have enough beef to stand up to Allied assaults on their own; they need large IJA LCUs to absorb the damage while they fire their rifles at the attackers.

If you couldn't tell I have a strong preference for mobile defense....

(in reply to JocMeister)

Post #: 1684

Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 6:16:36 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
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Jul 28, 43

Rabaul is attacked.
Erik, seeing me back at Torokina in force the previous turn, decided to launch a coordinated mass-attack against Rabaul.

From at least 7 different bases, the whole air arsenal of the allies in SOPAC is sent against RAbaul.
Hellcats on LRCAP, corsairs and P-38Hs on sweep and several more escort fighters escorting a huge group of 4E.

I wasn't ready. My fault here. Too little CAP percentage. Wrong altitudes. Shame on me.

However the battle ends with a 1-1 in terms of losses, which isn't bad.
35 planes on lost on the ground hurts, but i can live with that.
It won't happen again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 113
A6M8 Zero x 16
N1K1-J George x 23
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 39
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
P-38G Lightning x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34 *many more hellcats were present on LRCAP*

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 16 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 2 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 33 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
45 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 34 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
38 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers
Chiyoda-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 27 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
34 planes vectored on to bombers
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 25 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
30 planes vectored on to bombers
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
246th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
282 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Shinyo-1 with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 68
A6M8 Zero x 10
N1K1-J George x 21
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 24
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 54
A6M8 Zero x 10
N1K1-J George x 18
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 50
A6M8 Zero x 14
N1K1-J George x 18
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 1
P-38G Lightning x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 25000 feet

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 1685

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 6:18:16 AM

GreyJoy

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Joined: 3/18/2011
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The A6M5c suffered too much, but 40 4E downed is a very good result. Wonder if he is willing to try for a second day...

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1686

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 7:33:32 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The A6M5c suffered too much, but 40 4E downed is a very good result. Wonder if he is willing to try for a second day...

Frankly I think that a full day of sweeps is basically mandatory before an attack like this. LRCAP just doesn't cut it. Moreover, I don't find the numbers involved to be that impressive. Worst of all, damage to the airbase is not very heavy and you can easily fly CAP another 2 days at this rate. If he managed to suppress the base it might be a Pyrrhic victory of sorts but 1 to 1 ratio fighting over Japanese bases is not going to win the attritional war. If Erik attacks another day I expect it to be a bloodbath for him.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 3/17/2015 8:33:39 AM >

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1687

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 7:59:21 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The A6M5c suffered too much, but 40 4E downed is a very good result. Wonder if he is willing to try for a second day...

Frankly I think that a full day of sweeps is basically mandatory before an attack like this. LRCAP just doesn't cut it. Moreover, I don't find the numbers involved to be that impressive. Worst of all, damage to the airbase is not very heavy and you can easily fly CAP another 2 days at this rate. If he managed to suppress the base it might be a Pyrrhic victory of sorts but 1 to 1 ratio fighting over Japanese bases is not going to win the attritional war. If Erik attacks another day I expect it to be a bloodbath for him.

Sweeps are not that reliable. You never know if they get before the bombers or not. Erik is doing a fine job using all the bases he has at his disposal, thus lowering the effect of the uncoordination that can affect a single base(weather above all). the problem of LRCAp is that the pilots get really too fatigued to do it extensively for more than a single day, especially when the distance is pretty intensive (like in this case).
He will surely try this again, maybe not today, but soon. He will need to get closer to Rabaul (I know he wants Arawe and Gasmata, just like Green Island and Namantani), in order to successfully use his LRCAP cover for his bombers. My task will be to make this process as slow and expensive as possible, but I know i'll have to give up sooner or later.
I do agree, however, that a second day will be a bloodbath for him. The base has 3 points of runaway damage and his 4Es suffered a lot, so morale must be bad.
I also doubt he has the numbers to conduct another extensive LRCAP mission with his Hellcats.

Just consider, however, that in the combat reports often LRCAP planes are not reported correctly. Numbers were much more higher for him

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 1688

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 8:01:54 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

Lost 1 ace today (C.Banno, of the Yokasuka KU-S2 George Sentai, with 6 kills) but gained 2 brand new aces.
Also lost a lot of decent pilots on the A6M5cs... but, thanks God, my pools of "decent" pilots are pretty deep. What I hate to lose are the crack ones...but that's war and I have to live with it

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1689

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 8:04:47 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

In China, despite heavy bombings, at Wenchow we achieve another 1-2 with forts not downed from level 2. It's just a matter of time anyway, so I don't sweat. I surely would like to end this campaign asap anyway

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1690

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 8:25:19 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

For those who are interested, here's the kill count of the last day over Rabaul. Interesting results:

201 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George: 10 Kills - 25,000 feet-
Chiyoda-1 with A6M5c Zero: 17 Kills - 25,000 feet -
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 6 Kills - 20,000 feet -
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank: 3 Kills - 25,000 feet-
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -
246th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet-
282 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
Shinyo-1 with A6M8 Zero: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -

The A6M5c surely suffered but was also the warhorse of this battle with 37 Kills in total (plus all the op losses caused which are unknown).
The N1K1, as always, has the best ratio with 10 kills for 23 planes involved and only 2 planes lost in the air (1 A2A and 1 Op).

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1691

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 8:45:07 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister
Yeah, I wouldn�t count too much on the Japanese tank divs. They need to be in x3 terrain and preferably some forts to be effective. Counting on being able to move them around is probably a bit too optimistic.

I disagree here. What would prevent Japanese tank divisions from moving around besides the simple geography of the area? Yes, you won't be able to win in meeting engagements against the Allies. But the speed you need here is merely to get them into defensive position quicker; not counterattack Allied units. Northern Sumatra is probably an ideal place for them given the primary road that follows the coast there and the commitment to defend Sabang. 3x terrain and forts certainly are helpful but those multipliers apply equally to infantry units as well.

Also I think that the Allies are at least a year and a large naval battle from launching an invasion of the Marianas. Considering Erik's rather conservative naval approach so far I don't see him risking the entirety of his navy on a landing there. There are lower hanging fruit to grab and better places to fight naval battles.

Another consideration for fighting in the Marianas should be infantry reinforcements post Allied invasion. You should be able to fly or fast transport in infantry squads during the campaign so you can replace your losses with pure AV and not go over the stacking limit. Better yet if you can get those units preparing for the bases they will reinforce. Erik's calculus is based off what intel tells him is currently in the Marinas rather than what may end up there during the battle. I'm not sure where your SNLF units are but this should be a good role for them at a time when they just don't have enough beef to stand up to Allied assaults on their own; they need large IJA LCUs to absorb the damage while they fire their rifles at the attackers.

If you couldn't tell I have a strong preference for mobile defense....

IMHO, to successfully fight the allies in the Mariannas, Japan needs to maintain a strong fleet in being presence (the KB) and to stuck the allied troops on the beaches.
My goal is to avoid a rapid conquest of an island. If you can force the allies to lose their first shock attack, then everything is possible. Once the allies have expended their naval bombard ammos, they become really voulnerable and, knowing that there's still a powerfull KB lurking in the shadow, also very nervous.
The mobility of the japnaese tank divisions is surely usefull, but to have a very solid Southern flank (the Mariannas) is also a must for Japan.
Gotta think about it...

about the N1K1: Both the Franks and the George sentais operating in combo at Rabaul have top pilots. The N1K1 pilots may be a little bit better, but just a bit. 80 Avg experience for the Georges and 74 for the Franks. Nothing that really justifies the differences shown in combat. I guess Mr.Kane is right... the extra weapons must be making the difference

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 1692

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 8:59:03 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

RnD progresses:

Frances P1Y1 - in production 7/43. First groups will arrive in September 1943. Very limited use.
D4Y3 - should arrive in late September 1943. Very important. I'd say decisive for the KB.
Frank-r (Ki-84r) should arrive in Jan 1944. Important but not decisive. Only the existing Frank-a groups will be able to upgrade to this version, so nothing spectacular in terms on numbers.
N1K2 should arrive somewhere between October and November 1943. Only a single sentai will be able to get this beast, but will upgrade from the A6M5, so it will be a boost.
J2M3 will arrive in 8/43 (in two days). In 15th Sept 43 we'll get the first group of 27 planes that will be fitting this joy.

KI-84-b and SAM are the next very important planes to get, but won't arrive until second half of 1944... can't make any precise forecast at the moment

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1693

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 9:23:57 AM

JocMeister

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
I disagree here. What would prevent Japanese tank divisions from moving around besides the simple geography of the area?

The allied Air Force knocking the tanks out of move mode?

And once out of move mode Allied tanks will catch up and make very short work of the Tank Divs... One or two Tank Btl with Shermans is enough to wreck a full tank Div even in good defensive terrain.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 1694

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 1:03:44 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
I disagree here. What would prevent Japanese tank divisions from moving around besides the simple geography of the area?

The allied Air Force knocking the tanks out of move mode? And once out of move mode Allied tanks will catch up and make very short work of the Tank Divs... One or two Tank Btl with Shermans is enough to wreck a full tank Div even in good defensive terrain.

Reserve mode.

(in reply to JocMeister)

Post #: 1695

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 5:14:49 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The A6M5c suffered too much, but 40 4E downed is a very good result. Wonder if he is willing to try for a second day...

Frankly I think that a full day of sweeps is basically mandatory before an attack like this. LRCAP just doesn't cut it. Moreover, I don't find the numbers involved to be that impressive. Worst of all, damage to the airbase is not very heavy and you can easily fly CAP another 2 days at this rate. If he managed to suppress the base it might be a Pyrrhic victory of sorts but 1 to 1 ratio fighting over Japanese bases is not going to win the attritional war. If Erik attacks another day I expect it to be a bloodbath for him.

Sweeps are not that reliable. You never know if they get before the bombers or not. Erik is doing a fine job using all the bases he has at his disposal, thus lowering the effect of the uncoordination that can affect a single base(weather above all). the problem of LRCAp is that the pilots get really too fatigued to do it extensively for more than a single day, especially when the distance is pretty intensive (like in this case).
He will surely try this again, maybe not today, but soon. He will need to get closer to Rabaul (I know he wants Arawe and Gasmata, just like Green Island and Namantani), in order to successfully use his LRCAP cover for his bombers. My task will be to make this process as slow and expensive as possible, but I know i'll have to give up sooner or later.
I do agree, however, that a second day will be a bloodbath for him. The base has 3 points of runaway damage and his 4Es suffered a lot, so morale must be bad.
I also doubt he has the numbers to conduct another extensive LRCAP mission with his Hellcats.

Just consider, however, that in the combat reports often LRCAP planes are not reported correctly. Numbers were much more higher for him

I think you misinterpreted what I was trying to say. I understand that sweeps may get there after the bombers. That's exactly why I said he needed to sweep for a full day BEFORE the bombers go in. Yes, it gives away the element of surprise. But if Erik can't dominate the sky with his fighters even when you know they are coming, he has no business attacking Rabaul yet. And yes, LRCAP numbers were probably much higher but I'm only evaluating the results so from my perspective it's irrelevant.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
I disagree here. What would prevent Japanese tank divisions from moving around besides the simple geography of the area?

The allied Air Force knocking the tanks out of move mode? And once out of move mode Allied tanks will catch up and make very short work of the Tank Divs... One or two Tank Btl with Shermans is enough to wreck a full tank Div even in good defensive terrain.

Yes, I was sort of setting up that counterpoint. But I would imagine this maneuver taking place at the very beginning or just before an invasion when the Allied air forces are concentrating on other targets. I don't think Erik will be hitting divisions behind the front line before he has secured a foothold in Sumatra. This isn't Normandy in 1944 just across from Britain; Allied air forces will be busy enough just trying to keep their ships from being sunk and attacking ground units at the landing point itself. And of course Japan is still able to provide CAP in many places so it doesn't seem unreasonable that Greyjoy could use a tank division to quickly get to the invasion spot in northern Sumatra before the base can fall given their fort levels. Again, I think that given Greyjoy's forward defensive scheme it is critical to get units to the point of landing and that means getting tanks to the beachheads.

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1696

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 6:52:52 PM

JocMeister

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Reserve mode.

Is that not fixed yet?

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 1697

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 6:54:33 PM

JocMeister

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
Yes, I was sort of setting up that counterpoint. But I would imagine this maneuver taking place at the very beginning or just before an invasion when the Allied air forces are concentrating on other targets. I don't think Erik will be hitting divisions behind the front line before he has secured a foothold in Sumatra. This isn't Normandy in 1944 just across from Britain; Allied air forces will be busy enough just trying to keep their ships from being sunk and attacking ground units at the landing point itself. And of course Japan is still able to provide CAP in many places so it doesn't seem unreasonable that Greyjoy could use a tank division to quickly get to the invasion spot in northern Sumatra before the base can fall given their fort levels. Again, I think that given Greyjoy's forward defensive scheme it is critical to get units to the point of landing and that means getting tanks to the beachheads.

Good points.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 1698

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 8:43:55 PM

Lokasenna

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From: Iowan in MD/DC
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Reserve mode.

Is that not fixed yet?

I think the basic answer we got (if/when it came up) was that it was WAD/WAI. Reserve mode doesn't seem to exactly mimic the move mode bonus, but it's really close... And it doesn't protect you from casualties from aerial bombing, so far as I can tell - the bombing just doesn't knock you out of Reserve mode.

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Post #: 1699

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/17/2015 9:02:38 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
I think the basic answer we got (if/when it came up) was that it was WAD/WAI. Reserve mode doesn't seem to exactly mimic the move mode bonus, but it's really close... And it doesn't protect you from casualties from aerial bombing, so far as I can tell - the bombing just doesn't knock you out of Reserve mode.

That�s quiet odd tbh. As far as I can tell (without having properly tested it) moving in reserve mode is exactly the same as in move mode except the part where you don�t get knocked back to combat mode... I was sure that was a bug. Ah well...

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Post #: 1700

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/17/2015 10:12:55 PM

Lowpe

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Joined: 2/25/2013
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quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

For those who are interested, here's the kill count of the last day over Rabaul. Interesting results:

201 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George: 10 Kills - 25,000 feet-
Chiyoda-1 with A6M5c Zero: 17 Kills - 25,000 feet -
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 6 Kills - 20,000 feet -
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank: 3 Kills - 25,000 feet-
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -
246th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet-
282 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
Shinyo-1 with A6M8 Zero: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -

How did you calculate that out?

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Post #: 1701

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/18/2015 2:54:19 AM

crsutton

Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Reserve mode.

Is that not fixed yet?

Surprisingly no mention of it in the new patch. Looks like we live with it. But it works for both sides. Viberpol and I just had a big go around about it. He was unaware of it and I had been using it assuming he was. We decided that it is OK but will not use it when leaving or moving into enemy occupied hexes. Seems fair.

< Message edited by crsutton -- 3/18/2015 3:56:25 AM >

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Post #: 1702

RE: Rabaul is attacked - 3/18/2015 5:53:39 AM

koniu

Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

For those who are interested, here's the kill count of the last day over Rabaul. Interesting results:

201 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero: 10 Kills - 20,000 feet -
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George: 10 Kills - 25,000 feet-
Chiyoda-1 with A6M5c Zero: 17 Kills - 25,000 feet -
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 6 Kills - 20,000 feet -
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank: 3 Kills - 25,000 feet-
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -
246th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet-
282 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero: 2 Kills - 25,000 feet -
Shinyo-1 with A6M8 Zero: 1 Kills - 25,000 feet -

How did you calculate that out?

I believe he have that numbers from tracker

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Post #: 1703

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/18/2015 4:04:54 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Reserve mode.

Is that not fixed yet?

Surprisingly no mention of it in the new patch. Looks like we live with it. But it works for both sides. Viberpol and I just had a big go around about it. He was unaware of it and I had been using it assuming he was. We decided that it is OK but will not use it when leaving or moving into enemy occupied hexes. Seems fair.

It has mixed utility when entering an enemy hex in any case... I've noticed that I can't predict movement rates as reliably in reserve mode as I can in move or combat. However, in leaving? Don't know how I feel about that. That seems to be exactly what reserve mode was actually designed for.

(in reply to crsutton)

Post #: 1704

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/18/2015 5:22:10 PM

HansBolter

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Reserve mode.

Is that not fixed yet?

Surprisingly no mention of it in the new patch. Looks like we live with it. But it works for both sides. Viberpol and I just had a big go around about it. He was unaware of it and I had been using it assuming he was. We decided that it is OK but will not use it when leaving or moving into enemy occupied hexes. Seems fair.

I've never been happy with units being able to move in reserve mode at all. It just becomes a gimic to limit the effects of being bombed.

When units in reserve exploit they come out of reserve mode in order to start the exploitation move.

This makes sense to me. If you want to move a unit in reserve it should have to come out of reserve mode.

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Post #: 1705

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/18/2015 6:54:04 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

I just never move units while in reserve mode.

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Post #: 1706

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/25/2015 6:35:57 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
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July 30-August 5, 1943

Again a terrible rough moments at work and my father who doesn't seem to get well (always in intensive care)...

Spare time has been a problem lately and it will go on like that at least untill thebeginning of April.

However there are some positive things

One of these is that next week i am going to see Erik and his wife here in Italy!! So finally our two girls will meet each other (the other times me and Erik saw each other the girls weren't with us at the same time (once there was valentina and once there was Rachel).
This doesn't mean they will let us play on hot-seat, but it's a starting point

Now the game:

CHINA: Wenchow finally fell, bagging 35,000 more troops that will respawn in Chungking. More divisions are now free to move to the Pacific and towards Sian.
South of Chungking we keep on pushing the defeated chinese army back to Patung. Chungking is now completely isolated for good.

INDIA-BURMa: everything seems quiet here. Confirmed the presence of 75 P-47s at Chittagong. mmmm........

SOPAC/SWPAC: the allies are trying to soften Finshhafen with no results so far. At the same time they are marching from Buin to Torokina.
Erik is reconning and attacking all the bases on the NG coast, from Madang to Hollandia-Biak...and from Cape Glouchester to Gasmata in New Britain....

CENTPAC: Roi-Namur is attacked daily.It could be invaded any time now. Not much i can do. Sadly.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 1707

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/25/2015 8:27:03 AM

veji1

Posts: 1019
Joined: 7/9/2005
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Hang in there buddy.

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Post #: 1708

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/25/2015 10:00:28 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
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quote:

ORIGINAL: veji1

Hang in there buddy.

Thank you Veji!

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Post #: 1709

RE: Paoshan falls - 3/25/2015 10:13:11 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
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The strategic situation:

so we're now in August 1943.
The allies have now a plethora of Hellcats and P-47s to face our air armies.
On the Burma borders, where the bulk of the P-47s are concentrated, erik hasn't launched yet an air offensive. Strange. Probably he's waiting for the monsoon to end and to have a fully operative net of interlocking big AFs before launching a massed assault on Burma.
That's good because this time let us recover a bit and reposition our divisions and our defensive perimeter.
Our "indian" divisions are moving back to Rangoon and then to Sumatra, while the fresh 4th, 5th and 6th Guards Divisions took their place on the Burma borders.
In china things are looking now brighter. The fall of Wenchow was a real relief. Now that nail in our side has been conquered and there won't be anymore surprises arising from there.
Chungking remains a fortes but the plan remains the same: starve it with stacking limits and respawning units.

In SOPAC: we are now facing the mighty pressure of the allies advance here. After the attack on Rabaul of the last week, Erik changed tactic and is now trying to annoy me with a series of night attack on the fields and on our fleets parked at Rabaul.
The recon missions lately started by the allies are getting me nervous. They are reconning Truk, Bab, Biak, Sarmi, Hollandia, Vanimo, Wewak, Madang end Hansa Bay, along with Green Island, Buka, Gasmata, Cape Glouchester and Arawe... this doesn't smell well.

In Oz...nothing... strange. We just have a good re-supplying mission at Exmouth, which is now full of 50,000 supplies and 6 forts and nearly 900 AVs. not bad.

The Mariannas are getting substantial reinforcements and the Kuriles too. I am trying to use the time bought in SOPAC in order to build a strong inner perimeter...not easy but with the 3 new divisions coming out of China the Mariannas should be fine in the mid-long term.

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1710