RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A)

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RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/20/2017 8:36:27 PM

Aurorus

Posts: 1314
Joined: 5/26/2014
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Here is a look at a typical fighter training group. I like to add in one or more exp. 80+ pilots plus some additional pilots with high experience, but whom I would like to have additional defense (i.e. their defense is below 70). The idea is to boost the average experience of the group, so that all of the trainees are below the group average. I pull 100 to 150 pilots from the replacement pool every so often into the reserve pool. Then I recruit trainees from the reserve pool based on "lowest exp." This produces training squadrons with pilots who are all close in experience. In this way, the addition of some higher experience pilots ensures that all the trainees are below the average. This is a best practice to ensure that training time is the most productive.

Also notice the number of pilots. There are 36 aircraft in the group and 41 pilots. This allows for 1 aircraft for each trainee and 1 extra a/c for one of the experience 70+ pilots, so that they slowly improve their defense.

I train fighter pilots first in escort or even sweep. Then I train in strafe and lowN attack until defense reaches 70. The I cull the various squadrons training at strafe or low N, removing all the defense 70 pilots. The remaining pilots are regrouped into squadrons of like experience to continue their training until they reach 70 defense, while some groups receive new trainees (drawn from the reserve pool by selecting "lowest experience.")

The pilots who reach 70 defense are then placed in select rear-area squadrons to fly CAP until their experience reaches 60. This is in 1942. Later in the war, when Japan is pressed, I eliminate this step and send the new trainees directly into combat in order to allow for additional training squadrons.

In my opinion, defense is the key skill for Japanese fighter pilots: not so much for the allies because allied planes are more durable with higher armor and avoiding attacks is less important. The high manueverability of Japanese planes will allow Japanese pilots, with good experience, to engage in dogfights. Those with lower experience will often suffer diving/slashing attacks from allied planes. These diving/slashing attacks must be avoided as often as possible or Japan will suffer highly disproportionate air losses.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/20/2017 8:41:57 PM >

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Post #: 181

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/20/2017 9:06:09 PM

Aurorus

Posts: 1314
Joined: 5/26/2014
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Here is an illustration of the results that are achieved using the practices that I described above for pilot training for new trainees at low skill levels. This is not abnormal and is a typical day's training. This group is about 2 weeks behind the group above. Once air skill reaches 60, on average, I change the group over to Straf and LowN. They will develop additional air skill while flying CAP at rear-area bases.

This group of soon-to-be fighter pilots is training in the large group of Dave float-planes that begin at Tokyo. I remove all the Petes from the AVs and CSs and use Petes and Daves as fighter pilot trainers for the IJN. Both float-planes allow for training in "sweep" missions.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/20/2017 9:14:26 PM >

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Post #: 182

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/23/2017 5:52:20 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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April 10th and an Allied SCTF ventured too close to Koumac: 10 hexes. 56 Betties sortied with 45 A6Ms escorting, but alas the vast majority were unable to locate the allied TF.

22 x G4M1 Betty unable to locate target due to range or weather
22 x A6M2 Zero Tainan Ku S-1 turning back !!!
22 x G4M1 Betty unable to locate target due to range or weather

Only 12 Betties found the allied ships, but managed 3 torpedo hits on the BB. The damage is not as severe as it may first appear. One of the torpedos failed to penetrate the belt armor and there were no secondary explosions or additional damage.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Norfolk Island at 113,166

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
8th PG/36th PS with P-39D Airacobra (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead

Such as shame that 44 Betties were unable to locate the target. If even one of two Betty squadrons had arrived intact, the Resolution would be on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Two subs were nearby and dispatched to find the wounded BB, but their search on the 11th of April came up empty.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/23/2017 5:55:50 PM >

(in reply to Aurorus)

Post #: 183

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/23/2017 7:29:45 PM

Aurorus

Posts: 1314
Joined: 5/26/2014
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Action is beginning to occur around Luzon.

On March 30th, Apbarog was able to launch a surprise attack from Catalinas at Manila on a long-range strike, 12 hexes, against a TK group moving toward Palembang.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Samah at 73,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 12

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru
SC Ch 26
TK Tonan Maru #3, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PBY-5 Catalina launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

This was a complete suprise because I had been staying far from Manila/Clark with my TFs and no prior TF had shown any detection level, so very well done by Apbarog. He has sunk 3 of my large Tks and Aos now.

At the end of March, I began moving General Defense restricted groups onto Formosa with rookie pilots to start a bombing campaign on Luzon. 12 A6M2s and 45 Nells are at Takao, and 27 Sally Ics are also on the island at the newly completed size 4 airfield at the southern tip of the island. Port Strikes from these groups have sunk the ACM at Bataan and the ARD at Manila as well as catching a submarine in Manila and heavily damaging it.

I have 1100 political points in my pool and will buy out the first division for the Luzon campaign in two weeks or so. I will also bring up a division and the heavy artillery from Java once Bandoeng has fallen. He has grouped most of his units at Bataan with only a token garrison at Clark and Manila. If this remains his force disposition, I will want to take Clark immediately and then Manila as quickly as possible. 2 division should be sufficient for these tasks if his units remain in their current positions. I will then wait for 2 additional divisions from Manchuria to begin the assault on Bataan.

The old BBs are at Singapore, and I may deploy them for a few bombardments of Bataan. Bombarding Bataan with artillery can be very costly for Japan, and wearing down those coastal batteries with some BBs is very helpful. In addition those coastal batteries consume a lot of supply when they fire, and I would much rather have them firing on my BBs than my infantry as they burn through the allied supply stockpile.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/23/2017 7:34:19 PM >

(in reply to Aurorus)

Post #: 184

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 12:30:11 AM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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We are half-way through April. It is April 15th. Much of the fleet remains in port throughout SoPAC fixing up some damage. It will be 10-15 days before the IJN is ready to sortie again. The plan, for the moment, is to sortie 3 CA bombardment groups with fleet CVs to Noumea and then attack with the ground forces there to finish the battle for New Caledonia. Hopefully the 90 A6M2s and 72 Betties at Koumac can ward off the allies for 2 more weeks until the empire is ready to take to the island.

From New Caledonia, it is now a decision: to go forward with the planned invasion of Australia or to invade New Zealand along with Port Hedland and try to cut Australia off. The real purpose here is to force a decisive naval battle in 1942. I have 1 division ashore in Australia around the Darwin region and 2 more divisions at Port Moresby, Rabaul, and Truk prepping for landings on the Northeastern coast of Oz. 3 Divisions are on New Caledonia, and 2 of these would join either campaign. If I do decide for the New Zealand langing, I will have to make that decision in the next few days to change my prep targets and give the units a couple weeks to prep for the landings. New Zealand would be interesting. It would be a challenge: both to take the islands and to extract most of the forces from that far south by the end of 1942.

APs are returning with some DDs that are due upgrades to the Home Islands. These will perform the Luzon landings with a division bought out from Manchuria, which should begin in early May. The 65th Brigade and a division and the heavy artillery from Java will also participate in the initial drive on Manila and Clark Field.

Most of Burma is in Japanese hands and it is now a matter mopping up a few scattered units. Apbarog put up only token resistance. I had been waiting for him to bomb some of my units moving through the open country in Burma. On April 11th, I spotted the first allied recon plane over a division moving through open ground. I had been alternating squadrons of CAP, but I decided that this lone recon plane was an omen that he was about to send in the bombers, so I set 1st and 11th Sentai of Oscar Ics at 100% LRCAP over that division. The next day, the 12th of April, the allies appeared.

A fighter sweep of P-40s came in first and only 1 Sentai was on station. The other was still 30 minutes away and arrived just as the last allied planes were departing.

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Morning Air attack on 15th Army, at 57,45 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 58

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 29 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 29 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

11th Sentai, which was on station at 11K, took the initial dive from the P-40s and faired well: fighting the Warhawks even, despite giving away altitude.

The next raid to come in was B-17s at 10K. 27 Oscars from 1st Sentai gave the B-17Ds a tough fight.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 57,45 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 38

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
27 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

Only 9 Oscars from 1st Sentai had any fuel or ammunition remaining to engage the next raid, which were B-26s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 57,45 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

A final fighter sweep of P-40s came in last at 20K and caught 3 Oscars from 1st Sentai that remained: 2 Oscars were lost in that engagement. The final air tally for the day showed 11 Oscars lost in air-to-air combat and 6 lost to ops. Allied losses showed 8 P-40s lost in air-to-air and 3 to ops; 2 B-17Ds lost to air-to-air and 5 to ops; and 1 B-26 downed. So 17 Oscars for 19 allied planes.

Since the air combat took place over my division, IJA pilots losses were light: 4 pilots KIA and 6 WIA. The long list of wounded pilots grows again.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/29/2017 12:38:20 AM >

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Post #: 185

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 1:14:35 PM

MakeeLearn

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What do you think the Allies have done with all those subs at Manila? Are they still lurking close by, or scattered?

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Post #: 186

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 6:10:17 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

What do you think the Allies have done with all those subs at Manila? Are they still lurking close by, or scattered?

Apbarog's submarine war so far has been a model for allied players. Whatever he is doing, if he has reported on it in his AAR, all allied players should do it. In March alone, his subs torpedoed 2 CAs, 2 CVs, and sank a TK and an AO. I suspect that he paid PP points to change some commanders and has made his submarines his primary weapon for slowing the Japanese advance in SoPAC. He has has also told me, when I complimented him on his submarine campaign, that he reviews his submarines (and presumably changes their routings and patrol zones) often.

The largest U.S. fleet subs, about 8 or 9, judging from radio signals are running supplies to Bataan and Manila. He has a forward submarine station at Townsville for the short-range subs I would assume, which allows him to keep about 10-12 on continuous patrol along the perimeter of the Coral Sea: New Caledonia to Ndeni to Tulagi. 4 or 5 are clustered around New Caledonia. These are a mix of U.S., Dutch, and other allied subs. Once the CVs are available again, I intend to smash the port and sub station at Townsville with naval air and LBA.

To begin the war, only a handful of Japanese DDs and no escorts have depth charges that are serviceable in deep water. He has remained mostly in deep water, so my ASW has been mostly ineffective. Also Japan has no pilots trained for ASW to begin the war.

My DB pilots on the CVs are all training now that the CVs are refitting. They are around 50-55 ASW. In my experience, DBs make the best ASW platforms. I will also use the 2 size-30 squadrons of Anns as ASW platforms for the time-being and the size 12 squadron of Maries for ASW until the Judy and Lilly DBs are available. The Maries are ready and trained at Balikpapan. One group of Anns is at Singapore and is in the high 60s for ASW. I will divide this group and station it at Singapore, Palembang, and Singkawang once the majority of the pilots have reached 70 ASW and 65 nav search. The other group of Anns will divide and cover the Java and Celebes region. 2 small LBA squadrons of Vals are training in ASW at Rabaul. These will base of Ndeni and Tulagi. A group of 12 Vals is training in ASW at Luganville and will begin active patrols in a few weeks. Anns and Jakes from the Home islands will cover the cargo route from Sakhalin to Honshu. It will be another month or two before all of my dedicated ASW assets are trained and in position.

I have Jake squadrons spread out all along the Japanese perimeter, at Ndeni, Luganville, Noumea and so forth. I think that it is gamey to create large squadrons of float planes, so I limit all of my float plane squadrons to size 9, except for those that begin or base on the CS, which I resize to 10 or 12 (since I like to fly one group of Jakes and one group of Rufes off the CS). The Jakes are not ASW trained, and I do not have time to ASW train them. I pull many of the better float plane pilots off the float planes at the beginning of the war and train them as DB pilots, because Japan begins with a severe shortage of DB pilots. Moroever, the 30Kg bombs of the Jakes are almost useless for ASW actions: even hits cause only minor damage.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/29/2017 6:23:12 PM >

(in reply to MakeeLearn)

Post #: 187

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 9:02:35 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

if you invade and take parts of NZ you will trigger automatic reinforcements for NZ.

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Post #: 188

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 9:28:45 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

if you invade and take parts of NZ you will trigger automatic reinforcements for NZ.

I was under the impression that these units were reserves with poor morale, experience, and ToE. If so, it is good value army VPs. If they are decent, that would certainly dissuade me from invading New Zealand, because I do not want 5 divisions tied up into 1943 so far south. Does anyone know what exactly are the requirements for triggering NZ reinforcements and how many they are?

Whatever the case, an invasion of New Zealand is very high risk. In the event that I lose a CV engagement, I would have large numbers of troops nearly cut off. Not only would all hope for auto-victory by VPs be gone, but the empire would collapse rapidly with so much of its army so far away from the most important regions.

However, a conquest of at least North Island would force the allies to fight a full-on fleet battle in 1942 and a victory for the IJN would make the road ahead for the allies as difficult as it could possibly be. In fact, I cannot imagine, short of the complete conquest of India or Australia, a more difficult position from which to begin the allied offensive. An interesting conundrum.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/29/2017 9:33:44 PM >

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Post #: 189

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 12/29/2017 11:02:58 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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Most of my subs have been refitting from their initial deployments (mostly around Pearl Harbor and the Christmas Island) and are now on station. My primary sub bases are at Rangoon, Koepang, Kwajalein, and Tulagi.

Most of the short-range subs are based out of Tulagi and covering the Coral Sea and eastern coast of Australia. 2 short-range subs are based out of Kwajalein and patrolling the Marshalls and Gilberts. A cordon of medium-range subs that includes 2 midget sub carriers, and 4 sea-plane carrying subs are covering the Tasman Sea between New Caledonia, Suva, and New Zealand. 2 additional medium-range subs are moving to Tulagi now from Honshu and will join the the Tulagi submarine fleet. In addition to the subs pictured below, 2 are also patrolling the coast of New Zealand, one of which is glen-equipped and the other is carrying a midget sub.

The long-range fleet subs are based out of Kwajalein and are patrolling the area southeast and south of Pearl. (It was one of these that put a torpedo into the U.S. BB three weeks ago).

From Koepang, a fleet of 12 subs, 4 short-range subs and 8 medium-range, including 3 float-plane equipped boats, are patrolling the western coast of Australia and the Indian Ocean north of Perth nearly to the map edge. These were mostly on guard to try to spot allied CVs rounding the coast of Australia and moving into position to attack Tankers at Palembang. Eventually, this western sub fleet will station at Port Hedland and the Cocos Islands and try to interecept allied TFs bound for Perth. 6 Japanese subs are currently patrolling the Indian Ocean, mostly along the coast of India.

If I do have a summer campaign to take the Aleutians, I will move an AS here as a base for the long-range subs to patrol the U.S. West Coast. At present, there is nothing patrolling the U.S. West Coast.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 12/29/2017 11:04:48 PM >

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Post #: 190

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/2/2018 4:47:41 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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April 19, 1942

Like many, I have high regard for Irwin Rommel, the commander of the German Afrika Corps, as a military officer (and as someone who refused to implement Hitler's barbaric policies against civilian populations). I think that the ground war is my strongest suit in WiTP, and I often use Rommel-like tactics, especially in China. I like to employ deception and feints, because the Chinese lack recon assets.

The idea, generally, is to spread the Chinese army out along a front. I do this by demonastrating, in the first weeks of the war, the power of isolation and the importance of maintaining a coherent front. Once the Chinese army is spread out along a front, I like to employ feints to get the Chinese moving away from my primary objectives and reinforcing positions that are of secondary consequence. One way to do this is to break down a couple of small RCG divisions or even Mongol Cavalry divisions. Breaking down 2 of these units will create a stack of 6 units, which will appear to the allied player, who lacks recon, as any other stack of 6 units (such as 4 full divisions and 2 armored regiments).

In this game, I feinted at Chansha, with what appeared, to Apbarog, to be large columns of Japanese troops moving on the city from every direction. These "large columns" were in fact nothing more than 4 weak ToE, poor experience divisions, that had recently been assembled from brigades, and a 26 AV RGC division and a 26 AV Mongol Cavalry division broken into 3 units each. I expected Apbarog to reinfoce Changsha to prepare for a major battle there at the cost of his southern flank, where I have 2 armies of 4 good divisions with artillery and armor. Instead, Apbarog mostly withdrew from Changsha as a result of the feint and opened a route of advance through clear terrain in the north. Here is the situation in China at the moment. It appears that Changsha will fall, and the IJA will be able to advance in force through the clear terrain around Changsha: an occassion where a bluff works, though not quite as intended.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/2/2018 5:08:29 PM >

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Post #: 191

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/5/2018 10:36:46 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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April 22nd, 1942

The CVs are still repairing in Sopac. It will be approximately 10 more days before they are ready for action. Soryu has a few points of engine damage from the torpedo hit that will not be repaired. She will not be ready for 11 days and will be slowed to 30 knots and will form a TF with Akagi and Kaga. Akagi needs 5 more days to repair all her minor system damage; then she will be ready. Hiryu will be ready in 9 days. She will have a few point of flood damage from the torpedo, but will be, otherwise, in good order. She will form a TF with Shokaku and Zuikaku. Shokaku is fully repaired. Zuikaku needs 2 more days to finish repairing her minor system damage. All 3 CVLs will return to operations in 6 days.

Further action in SoPac and the assualt on Noumea is on hold until First Air Fleet is fully operational. First air fleet will escort 2, possibly 3 bombardment groups to Noumea, which will soften up the defense for the ground assualt. Noumea has been suppressed from time to time from Betties from Koumac, but the airfield there is operational again, according to my recon and her airfield and port should be fully repaired in 7 or 8 days, at which time Apbarog can resume building fortifications there. It is a race now. There are 2 USMC regiments and a U.S. tank battalion there for a combined 300 AV. I have 3 full Japanese divisions on the island: one divided into regiments (one of which has a different HQ, so combining them would require 450 PPs), 2 armored regiments, 3 artillery battalions, a baseforce, 3 high-quality SNLFs, and assorted support units.

In the interim, I have been filling out the Marshalls. Defense of the atolls is, for the moment, exclusively by naval guard SNLFs. I am never sure what to do about Tarawa and Makin. These bases are exposed and have some modest strategic benefit to the allies. With higher stacking limits, one or two naval guard units here are nothing more than fodder for even a meager allied invasion. It seems to me that both bases must be reinforced to, at least regimental level, with naval guard, artillery, and anti-tank support, or they should be abandoned entirely. I am leaning toward the latter solution.

All of the small base forces, except those at Jaluit and Kwajalein have been withdrawn to Kusai, Ponape, and Guam. Wake island is held by 2 naval guard units, and the Wake costal gun unit has been withdrawn to Guam.

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(in reply to Aurorus)

Post #: 192

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/5/2018 10:56:08 PM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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What troubles me at this moment is Burma. As I mentioned, Apbarog withdrew most of the Indian and British units from Burma, so I did little to drain the Indian and British force in my conquest of Burma. He has also reinforced the position in India with U.S. units, at least one of which appears to be a U.S. tank brigade. The Imperial Guard division is still in Singapore awaiting transport, which is moving the 65th brigade to Mindanoa to complete the conquest of that island, which has stalled at Malaybalay.

This leaves me only 3 divisions in Burma, which is, in no way, sufficient to counter an immediate British and Indian offensive with U.S. armor support. The Imperial Guards should arrive before there is any serious threat. However, 4 divisions, even with Thai army support and significant artillery support is still insufficient; a 5th division is needed. I am not sure if Apbarog realizes how weak my position is in Burma. He has experience playing as Japan, however, so he may.

What further complicates matters in Burma at the moment is the terrible performance of the Oscar Ic against British Hurricanes. I am very reluctant to put Oscar Ics against Hurricanes. It will be June before the Oscar IIa and the Tojo IIa are available: both of which perform better against Hurricanes, especially the Tojo. With most of my A6M2s in SoPac, I have only the 2 size-27 squadrons of A6M2s from the 23rd Air flotilla available in Burma, and one of these will be broken down to fill out a CVE and Junyo's complement of fighters. Junyo and her A6M2s will not be in the theater for 2 more weeks.

The Indian Ocean fleet consists of the 4 Mogami-class heavy CAs, the CVEs, and the 25-knot CS. Junyo and Hiyo will join this force once they become available. The 4 Fuse-and-Ise-class BBs are at Singapore and can move to reinforce the Indian Ocean fleet to counter the British BBs if needed.

The plan for the moment is not to advance to the river-line with my 3 divisions, since they cannot cover the front in force or depth, and can be outflanked easily. Rather, I will hold around the center plain, where the entire 3rd air division bomber force is available to attack any allied units that venture into open ground far from allied fighter bases. I doubt that I Apbarog will advance beyond the river line at this point, but if I take up forward positions, he would be able to penetrate that sparse line, and I would have nothing in reserve. The whole of Burma would fall. Better to fight, if he chooses to fight now, in the open ground near Magwe with heavy air support, far from allied fighters. Such a battle would be touch-and-go, but it would present the opportunity that I desire to drain the British and Indian force pools.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/5/2018 11:10:20 PM >

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Post #: 193

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/6/2018 3:12:26 AM

Aurorus

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The ideal on the defensive is to have a set of fortified bases, airfields and ports in position to support one another. An ideal location to establish one set of defensive positions is in the southern DEI, around Koepang. A fortified redoubt here is difficult for the allied player to bypass if he wishes to threaten the DEI, because air and naval assets here can threaten anything moving on Java. I like to develop at least one of Waingapoe and Endeh; developing both is preferable. Both of these bases are x3 defensive hexes and under jungle canopy to limit the effectiveness of bombing. The straights here are narrow and the waters shallow, making this a perilous location for amphibious operations. In addition to quick, suprise sorties from SCTFs hidden at the various bases, the narrows and shallow waters are ideal for minefields in non-base hexes.

I am building up both Endeh and Waingapoe in this game to support Koepang as the first layer of defense in the DEI. I am developing a similar set of interlocking bases east of Ambon at Boela, Boba, and Sorong. On Celebes, I am developing Kolaka to support Kendari. I will not develop or defend Makassar because it is in clear terrain. Bandjemasin, in the swamp, is preferable, but swamp, though x3 defensive terrain, provides no cover against bombing.

Mop up operations in the DEI are nearly concluded, except for the allied redoubt on Java. SNLFs have been assembled at Soerabaja and Koepang for the Broome and Port Hedland operations. Engineering units are at Darwin ready to embark as a second wave for each base. SNLFs are also prepping at Soerabaja for Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. These operations will commence immediately after the Broome and Port Hedland operations.

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Post #: 194

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/6/2018 4:35:30 PM

Aurorus

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Air R&D is progressing nicely. Japan retains more than 500 Nakajima 35s in the pool, and production of the engine is nearing 500 per month, so expansion of the Nakajima 35 factories should be completed by the middle of May at 540 per month. The A6 research is receiving the engine bonus, and the A6M5 has advanced to 11/42. The A6M5 should be available in June, along with the A6M3. As I mentioned, I have done nothing with the A6M3a, and it will be available on 12/42. I will probably keep all 8 factories researching the A6M5 on R&D and switch 2 existing factories to A6M5 production, setting the level at 20 for each factory. One of these factories will remain on A6M5 production into 1944, because several squadrons never upgrade beyond the A6M5. The other factory will upgrade to the A6M5b and the A6M5c respectively: mostly to provide planes to upgrade squadrons through the A6M chain to the A6M8, which is the goal. I expect to have the A6M8 in May or June of 1943. This will be the staple of the IJN until Sam, which I expect to have available in late 1944.

I have expanded Nakajima 34 production to 90 per month, though I was a little late in doing so, and I lost some production, as I mentioned, approximately 50 engines. The Tojo IIa R&D is all producing, and the Tojo IIa will be available the first of May. One 30-factory will shift to production, so I will have a full squadron of Tojos in early June. I may expand this one producing factory to size 40 once it begins actual production. The other 3 Tojo factories will stay on R&D to advance the IIb and eventually the IIc. The Oscar IIa factories have begun to produce some R&D and the Oscar IIa is advancing. I divided Oscar Ic production into 2 factories: one size 30 and the other size 50. The size 50 factory will switch to the Oscar IIa, once it is available. The size-30 factory will continue producing Oscar Ics, because only 4 squadrons upgrade to the IIa, and the Ic is the better CAP fighter against slower allied fighters, because of its better low altitude manueverability. The Nick will enter into production on May 1. I am reluctant to increase production beyond 30, because of the number of Nakajima 35 engines. Increasing Nick production would deprive Oscar and A6M R&D of engines for the bonus. So, the first Nicks will enter action in June once enough have been produced to fill out a squadron.

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Post #: 195

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/6/2018 4:58:40 PM

Aurorus

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Pilot training is also progressing nicely. All of the large, size-42, front-line Oscar squadrons have extra pilots trained to my specifications: 70 exp., 70 def. The size-36, second line Oscar squadrons all have extra pilots also, with at least 60 exp. and 70 defense. Rear-area Nate squadrons are flying CAP and escorting bombers in China to build def. 70 pilots out of training to 60 exp.

There are few extra A6M pilots to spare at the moment, despite my best efforts to preserve IJN pilots, and most front-line squadrons and CV groups have only 1 or 2 extra pilots. Every Pete squadron and every Dave squadron are training A6M pilots and the large A5M4 squadron on Honshu as well as a smaller A6M squadron on Honshu are flying CAP daily to increase the exp. of the rookie pilots. As I mentioned, I view over-use of the ability to resize land-based air-groups as gamey, so I limit my float-plane groups to 9-12 planes, which is appropriate for an AV or CS. This includes the Pete groups. As such, there are only about 110 or so Petes training A6M pilots.

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Post #: 196

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/6/2018 7:13:47 PM

Aurorus

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On the 20th of April, I-26 spotted a TF of merchant ships leaving Auckland, which appear to have delivered some U.S. reinforcements to New Zealand (judging from radio chatter that occurred first at Auckland and then radio chatter from the interior of New Zealand the following day, indicating a unit moving by strategic movement from Auckland south). I-26 scored a hit on an xAK.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Auckland at 118,183

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
xAK Tjikandi, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Manukai
xAK Makawao
xAK Barossa
xAK Malancha
AM Tern

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tjikandi
AM Tern fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Tern fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Tern fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Tern fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

The following day, no subs were able to locate the TF, but a glen spotted it on the 22nd, and a full half-dozen Japanese subs are now closing in on its projected course. My 2-sub teams of glen-equipped subs patrolling near small allied ports with midget sub carriers has failed to produce any results as yet. The first midget submarine attack ran aground at Pago Pago attempting to attack U.S. TKs there. A second midget sub attacked was launched at Norfolk Island on the 21st of April after I-7 spotted the CA Houston grp moving toward the island.

I-22 launches midget submarine Ha-7 to attack Norfolk Island
SSX Ha-7 runs aground and is lost attempting to penetrate harbor at Norfolk Island

The midget subs are 0 for 7 in attacking size 2 or smaller ports without nets and containing high value targets, and I lost a glen yesterday to flak while flying recon over Pago Pago searching for U.S. TKs. I will continue the operations, however, and hope for better luck in the future.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/6/2018 7:17:28 PM >

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Post #: 197

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/6/2018 7:20:34 PM

Aurorus

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On April 22nd, Apbarog transferred some Hurricanes to Kweilin in China and then flew them on CAP over a retreating Chinese unit that I had been interdicting by air. The Hurricanes bounced a group of Sonias escorted by Nates with rookie pilots. The Nates fared better than I would have expected, even damaging 4 or 5 Hurricanes, but failed to keep the Hurricanes off the bombers. 10 Sonias and 4 Nates were lost on the day. Only 4 pilots were KIA, however, because I had units in the hex.

I wonder if Apbarog knows that Hurricanes terrify me until the Oscar IIas and Tojo IIas arrive?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 76,55 , near Kweilin

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 30
Ki-51 Sonia x 45

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 10
Hurricane IIa Trop x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 6000 feet *
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.605 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Raid is overhead

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/6/2018 7:24:09 PM >

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Post #: 198

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/7/2018 7:00:33 PM

Aurorus

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April 23rd

A look inside the Japanese silent service. As I mentioned, a large allied merchant TF was spotted one day out of Auckland on the 19th. The IJN lost track of the TF on the 20th, but it was spotted on the 21st. 5 subs were in the area of its projected path, and I rerouted all 5 to the most likely locations where the TF would end its 12-hour pulse movements. The TF is moving at 3 hexes per pulse. Either the TF commander or Apbarog diverted the TF to the east on the 22nd, but one of the 5 subs had been routed to account for this possibility. I have had a submarine in the same hex as this TF for 3 days of the 4 since it has left Auckland and the IJN has managed only 1 attack. We shall see what tomorrow brings. There is a house rule in this game that submarines cannot have a reaction range, so all the subs are set to reaction 0, which complicates matters when hunting a TF that only moves at 3 hexes, because subs move at 4 and a reaction range of 1 will allow a submarine to react to a TF 1 hex away if the sub was plotted to move only 3 hexes and has movement remaining to react to the TF.

In my two games, I am using my submarines very differently. In my game against Opilot, I have dispatched few submarines to likely transport paths and have used my submarines mostly to try to counter allied military vessels. In that game, I have had some success, despite a fuel shortage in SoPac, caused by Opilot's tenacious defense of Moresby, that left many of my subs in port for 3 weeks. In my game against Opilot, in the first half of 1942, my subs have scored hits on 3 different BBs, a CA, 4 CVs (yes... 4 different allied CVs have been hit by torpedos), and a CVE. However, I suspect that none of these vessels was sunk, so while the submarines have hampered Opilot, they have not scored many kills. In this game, my fleet subs are focused almost exclusively on likely allied transport paths, with only the short-range subs deployed to counter possible allied fleet movements or support IJN operations.

In the image below, the yellow circles indicate where I think the allied TF is likely to end its movement. My subs have been plotted to patrol with these locations as patrol points.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/7/2018 7:08:46 PM >

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Post #: 199

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 12:12:58 PM

Aurorus

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April 24th,

The wolfpack continues to hunt the allied merchant TF without success. For the 3rd consecutive day, a submarine has been in the hex of the TF, probably throughout the entire movement phase of both pulses. I-17 does fire 2 torpedos at the lone escort for the TF but misses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Niue at 143,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
AM Tern
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK Makua
xAK George Livanos
xAK Sonnavind
xAK Clan Mactavish

SS I-17 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Tern
I-17 diving deep ....

While chasing TF Phantom, a glen from I-21 spots a cluster of allied ships at Vava'U. 3 subs from the wolf pack will move to try to intercept these TFs if they move West. I have a midget sub carrier in the area, but Vava'U is a size 4 port with nets and possibly mines, and I have no idea what type of ships are there, so I will not launch a midget sub this turn.

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Post #: 200

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 12:23:48 PM

Aurorus

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Another frustrating development on the 24th. The charmed life of the CA Houston continues. Having survived a thorough thrashing by Maya, which left her burning and listing, then dodging several torpedos from a submarine, having her escorts ward off another sub attack, and having a mini sub run aground trying to attack her at Norfolk Island, today she survived another 18 torpedos from Betties. Houston group had been at Norfold Island and Apbarog plotted them to move north to bombard Noumea. It appears that the TF commander grew indecisive at the last moment and failed to bombard during the PM phase, which left Houston grp exposed in the AM hours at Noumea. 44 Betties attacked; however, 12 were carrying bombs. All missed. Between the failure of the submarines to attack and sink merchants with 1 escort ship and the failure of 44 Betties to score even a single hit in fair weather, it was a frustrating day for the empire.

At times like these, I laugh when recalling the comments of those players who complain about how the game rates Japanese torpedo bombers, especially Nells and Betties, far too highly. In my last 2 attacks from the 72 Betties at Koumac, only 3 hits were scored (and these all on a BB), only 2 torpedos actually caused any damage, and 45 Betties failed to find their target. In the last Kate attack from KB on allied CAs, only 2 torpedo hits were scored (out of 144 Kate sorties). So, of my last 246 torpedo strike sorties, 5 have scored hits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G4M1 Betty x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Achilles
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
CL Perth

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/8/2018 12:58:07 PM >

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Post #: 201

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 1:19:19 PM

Aurorus

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I re-read Apbarog's AAR againt Walker yesterday through the end of 1942. Walker moved aggressively into India, landing at Diamond Harbor, and had KB on station in the Indian Ocean for two months. In addition to holding Calcutta, Apbarog immediately began planning a counter-offensive in SoPac and began launching his counter-offensive in May-June 1942. Recent recon of the Burma-India border shows at least 4 U.S. unit there: a signficant U.S. commitment this early in the war. It seems to me that one of the unit may be a base-force fragment, possibly airlifted from the Phillipines? The others are certainly combat units, and I believe one unit is an armored regiment. Recent reconnaisance also shows a movement arrow on one of the U.S. units intending to cross the river-line into Burma.

I am convinced that Apbarog knows that my position in Burma is weak and that he intends to launch an offensive there: reversing his strategy from the game with Walker. Walker focused in the West, and Apbarog attacked in the east in May-June 1942. In this game, I have focused on the Pacific, and I believe that Apbarog intends to attack from the West. He seems to want to lead with U.S. units to avoid depleting the British and Indian force pools and will probably hold most of his British units in reserve. As I mentioned, I have only 3 infantry divisions in Burma at the moment, with the Imperial Guards still at Singapore awaiting transport. Most of my APs are in SoPac, and the Guards will not arrive in theater for 2 more weeks.

The 65th Brigade and 2 regiments are on Mindanao. These will take Malaybalay and then move on the small island bases in the Phillipines: Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Iloilu. The regiments will invade southern Luzon. and drive from Naga up to Manila. The 65th Brigade will land in northern Luzon, be reinforced by a division from Java and armored regiments from Manchuria; and then take Clark Field if Apbarog remains holed up at Bataan with only token garrisons at Manila and Clark.

I have enough PPs to buy out a division from Manchuria now. This division will not go to Luzon as originally intended. Instead, it will go to Burma, bringing my total force there to 5 infantry divisions of IJA (including the Imperial Guards), 3 divisions of Royal Thai Army (in varying states of disarray and disablement), 5 medium artillery battalions, 7 light artillery battalions and mortar companies, and 2 anti-tank gun units. I will try to purchase some additional anti-tank guns from either Manchuria or the 2 anti-tank gun units at Canton from the China Area Army. All upgrades for guns and tanks are turned off, but I will upgrade the Burma anti-tank gun units to the 37mm type 1 guns and then the 47mm guns.

I will not try to move up to the river, nor will I try to "hold a line", and move reserves up as needed, which is my normal defensive stance. Instead, the IJA will fight a fluid battle in and around the central plain of Burma where the 3rd air force can be deployed to maximum effect and the allied supply lines will be long, through rough terrain, and hampered by the monsoons, which begin in mid May.

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Post #: 202

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 3:49:09 PM

Bif1961

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From: Phenix City, Alabama
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You might want to lure him into a fight in Northern Burma jungles then land a Cox's Bazzire and take Chittagong and the rail line along south eastern India, above northern Burma trapping him in the jungle and out of supply. Then you can bomb and kill his US forces piecemeal.

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Post #: 203

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 4:30:16 PM

Aurorus

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

You might want to lure him into a fight in Northern Burma jungles then land a Cox's Bazzire and take Chittagong and the rail line along south eastern India, above northern Burma trapping him in the jungle and out of supply. Then you can bomb and kill his US forces piecemeal.

Interesting. I was looking through the Manchurian garrison to decide what division to withdraw for Burma. I was looking at the heaviest divisions with thick ToEs. What you are suggesting would imply that I remove a lighter division, high experience, better suited for a possible large-scale amphibious assault at Chittagong or Cox's Bizarre. That fits better with what is available. In DBB, most of the heavier ToE divisions with the heavy infantry squads and the 10 and 15cm guns are lower experience. Also, I had wanted to use the 2 highest experience heavy divisions for Bataan, and these are prepped 100% for Bataan. I have 2 very good lighter ToE divisions with high experience.

It would be very bold of him to launch a Burma campaign in 1942 during Monsoon season before he will be able to achieve air superiority and have an enormous fleet of transport aircraft to keep his army in supply: especially given that he has lost a lot of supply generation in China already, and it appears that he will lose more soon. Those transports that he has available are needed to fly over the hump. Using them to support divisions moving through Burma will not please Chiang Kai Shek.

You are correct. I want to draw him into Burma, as far from supply as possible, and having some amphibious capabilities in the theater may provide opportunities in the future to cut the rail-line. At the moment, he has a strong position along the coast: some 30k troops. If he draws down that position, however... .

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 204

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/8/2018 4:46:24 PM

Aurorus

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Here is the division that fits your plan Bif, the 9th infantry: high experience, light ToE, very few heavy devices that will be disabled on a landing, and with heavy infantry squads, which I want desperately in Burma in 1943, when the squads can upgrade to the 43 Hvy Infantry squads with enough anti-armor to disable a Stuart. I have set it for Chittagong, and it is packing for transport to Port Arthur and then Burma. I have set it to upgrade its anti-tank guns to the type 1 as well, eventually to receive the 47mm guns.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/8/2018 4:47:39 PM >

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Post #: 205

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/9/2018 4:21:57 AM

Aurorus

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April 25th.

The phantom TF again avoids a submarine attack. Today the lone escort spotted the I-28 before she could attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Niue at 147,167

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK Makua
xAK George Livanos
xAK Sonnavind
xAK Clan Mactavish
AM Tern

SS I-28 is sighted by escort

The AM Tern may be the finest ship in the U.S. navy: protecting 9 merchants from harm for days from 5 submarines shadowing the TF. 3 different subs have now engaged or been engaged by the TF. Though this has been a comedy of IJN errors, the entire affair may have convinced Apbarog that every hex in SoPac contains a Japanese submarine.

(in reply to Aurorus)

Post #: 206

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/9/2018 3:11:57 PM

Aurorus

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April 25th, 1942

The race is on in China. Have I mentioned that these types of races are my favorite part of any war game? The tension builds and each day is interesting. The Japanese army is on the Hengyang-Kweilin road and rail-line and at the gates of Kweilin. Approximately 8 Chinese corps are south of this road in rough terrain. Can the IJA cut them off and pocket them? It will be close-run. The IJA air corps is beginning bombing to try to interdict of the movemnt of the Chinese units that could be caught in the pocket. However, Apbarog has moved in Hurricanes from India-Burma.

In this campaign, I will intoduce another of my favorite air-war tactics. The Sonias will fly at very low altitude, 2K, and without escorts. Only 1 squadron will bomb each hex to prevent the bombers from coming in waves. The idea is to have Apbarog reduce the altitude of his CAP fighters, because often, one very low unescorted strike will be able to attack below the CAP before high-flying fighters can bounce them. Apbarog has been increasing the alitude of his CAP to avoid being bounced, so I want him to bring his fighters down to altitudes better suited to early war Japanese air-frames. I also want to bounce him if possible with sweeping fighters. A restricted, size-45 squadron of rookies in A6M2s, has relocated to Pescadores and will be sweeping the area, because I hate putting Oscar 1cs against Hurricanes.

Apbarog must know that Hurricanes terrify me until the Tojo and Oscar IIa arrive. 6 days until the first Tojo exits the assembly plant, and 36 days before the first Oscar IIa arrives.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/9/2018 3:29:30 PM >

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Post #: 207

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/10/2018 3:01:59 AM

Aurorus

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April 26th, 1942.

The tragic comedy that is the Japanese submarine fleet had another noteworthy performance today. It began with the greatest ship in the history of naval warfare, the AM Tern, warding off another submarine attack with its two 3 inch guns and its two 7.7 mm machine guns (which are often insufficient, I note, to shoot down a biplane when these same machine guns are on a Japanese fighter.) Of course, the greatest ship in the history of naval warfare does have 9 explosive barrels on rails at its stern. Unfortunately, all nine of these barrels rolled off 4 days ago.

ASW attack near Pago Pago at 150,165

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK Makua
xAK George Livanos
xAK Sonnavind
xAK Clan Mactavish
AM Tern

SS I-28 is sighted by escort

Nearby, another Japanese submarine was badly damaged by an ASW TF, which Apbarog apparently dispatched to help the gallant Tern. Of course, the greatest ship in the history of naval warfare needs no assistance.

ASW attack near Ta'u at 153,165

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 2

Allied Ships
APD Sands
APD Hatfield
APD Lawrence

Near Norfolk Island, another Japanese sub bravely approaches another mighty AM with its machine guns and 9 barrels on a rail. The sub fails against such formidible opposition.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Norfolk Island at 113,173

Japanese Ships
SS I-171, hits 2

Allied Ships
xAKL Caledon
AM Mildura

SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Caledon
AM Mildura attacking submerged sub ....

Nearby, another Japanese submarine is warded off by a lesser vessel than a might AM.

ASW attack near Waipapakauri at 118,178

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
PC Kybra

SS I-8 is sighted by escort
I-8 diving deep ....

The I-17 was not so lucky as the I-8. She tangled with a 3rd mighty AM and limped away wiser for it.

ASW attack near Eua at 137,170

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Cessnock

SS I-17 is sighted by escort
I-17 diving deep ....

To aggravate the insult, an allied sub sinks a Japanese AM.

Sub attack near Deboyne Islands at 103,134

Japanese Ships
AMc Misago Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KIX

SS KIX launches 2 torpedoes
Escort abandons search for sub

Then, 6 Japanese DDs try to redeem the day for the IJN by attacking an allied sub. They all miss. These are not allied AMs.

ASW attack near Auki at 114,135

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio
CS Nisshin
DD Oyashio
DD Makigumo
DD Akebono
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

SS Grayling launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hayashio

My reward for having almost every submarine in the South Pacific perfectly positioned to attack every allied convoy in the area? Two damaged subs and the mocking laughter of allied escort crews that can be heard across thousands of kilometers of ocean. Days like this make me laugh when I read AFBs complaining about how U.S. subs do not automatically sink every Japanese ship by Nov. 1942.

< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/10/2018 3:11:17 AM >

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Post #: 208

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/10/2018 3:07:42 AM

Aurorus

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The AM Tern.

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RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) - 1/10/2018 4:34:10 AM

Aurorus

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Joined: 5/26/2014
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I re-organized my A6M2 pilots today and used PPs to change the HQ for the size-45 squadron that was restricted to the Home Islands. With numbers being so important, especially against Hurricanes at this point in the war, there is no sense in using a size 45 squadron to fly CAP with rookie pilots and build their experience. I have shifted the rookie pilots to 2 size 27 squadrons (one of which will be divided for CVEs soon). Because the IJA has no plane capable of dealing with the Hurricane until I have my first squadron of Tojos in a month and my first squadron of Oscar IIas in two months, I am sending this squadron to the China-Burma-India area: wherever Hurricanes appear. I have named the squadron, for the time being, "The Hurricane Hunters." The Tojo enters production on May 1, but it will be June before I have enough for a squadron.

Apbarog seems to have withdrawn his Hurricanes from China for the moment and seems to be hitting and then running with them, so the Hurricane Hunters must play hide and seek with the Hurricane. The empire's leading ace, I. Hirusawa, who has 8 kills, has been assigned to the squadron.

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< Message edited by Aurorus -- 1/10/2018 4:36:30 AM >

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