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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 3:44:08 PM

Canoerebel

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8/4/44

P-47D25 Pool: I've just entered the "dry interval" in which production of the Thunderbolt has ended. Compensating production of the F4U-1D and P-51D won't begin for several months. In the meantime, some Brit fighters have decent production numbers to help fill the gap. Production of the F4U-1A is pretty meager - I'm down to only about 20 in my pools.

But I've been judicious in using the -47D25, so the pool is flush with the fighter. This gives me a cushion until the dry interval ends.

I use the -47D25 offensively infrequently. I've found that it doesn't perform well in the sweep role, and to a slightly lesser extent the escort role. So I try to reserve them for CAP over key bases. For sweeps and escort missions, the F4U-1A is my workhouse, supplemented by Lightning-J and -L models (they have performed surprisingly well in this game and in my game with John III). I'm also using the P-51B offensively, but only have one squadron at Shikuka, my key Sikhalin Island airfield, at this point.

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< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/27/2018 3:48:07 PM >

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 3:48:43 PM

Chickenboy

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With your B-24 pools in such good shape, have you thought about retiring your B-29s from the North theatre in order to build their numbers substantially? If you were able to gain a lodgement in the DEI, for example, having a robust cadre of B-29s to blast Singapore and Palembang from afar would be worth it.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 3:49:33 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
I've just entered the "dry interval"

It's a little late to be making Lenten observations, isn't it?

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 3:51:11 PM

Canoerebel

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 3:54:03 PM

Canoerebel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
With your B-24 pools in such good shape, have you thought about retiring your B-29s from the North theatre in order to build their numbers substantially? If you were able to gain a lodgement in the DEI, for example, having a robust cadre of B-29s to blast Singapore and Palembang from afar would be worth it.

I still prefer to employ the B-29 in direct points production - targeting Home Island industry and airfields - rather than indirectly against possible DEI targets at some later date. Part of that is my own sense of "efficiency," but part is also a need to strike erratically, sometimes near, sometimes far, sometimes consecutively, sometimes a week apart, so that Erik (hopefully) feels its necessary to maintain good fighter defenses throughout the Home Islands and upper Asia.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/27/2018 5:00:27 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
I've just entered the "dry interval"

It's a little late to be making Lenten observations, isn't it?

As a lifelong teetotaler, CR can be dry whenever he wants, just like I can be "on vacation" every day!

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/28/2018 1:51:36 AM

Canoerebel

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8/5/44

832 FAA Squadron Training: The trend continues - pilots training in this squadron, which has zero aircraft, continue to increase in skill and defense but not in experience. I'm satisfied that the hypothesis is now a theory. Tomorrow, I'm going to add a few aircraft to the squadron to see how that effects training, especially experience.

In war news, a PF squadron sank a roving sub south of Adak Island; B-24s with escorts and sweeps handled modest CAP at Onnekotan Jima in a small raid; and I'm watching in Burma, where there's a small chance that Erik might have a notion about breaking through a weakness in the Allied perimeter (but it's there for a purpose, as his troops would then be vulnerable to Allied 4EB attacks).

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/2/2018 6:13:52 PM

Canoerebel

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8/12/44

Air Losses: Over the past week, Allied air doctrine has shifted radically, with Erik making changes in response.

Massed Allied fighters swept Kushiro one day and Sapporo several days later. Both sweeps faced hundreds of topnotch enemy fighters on CAP, with the Allies coming out on top by a solid 2:1.

Today, coinciding with the sweep of Sapporo, mostly second-tier Allied fighters swept Rangoon, which is also heavily defended. Here Allied losses were about 1:1, but alot of the losses were older models that are fairly expendable.

The two days of sweeps (separated by about four days) resulted in Japan loses 280 fighters and the Allies roughly 200.

The Corsair is my most valuable fighter. The pool is very low, so I'll have to monitor losses carefully. Today, I lost eight, which is manageable if the sweeps take place every few days.

I'll also have to monitor the Hellcat losses, because the pools for both models are just building and I'll soon need to swap out the FM-2 Wildcats on CVEs for Hellcats.

Ditto for P-38Ls - have to be careful.

But I am deep with P-47D25s, so I can afford to use them heavily.

The objective is to attrition good enemy fighters at a favorable rate, thus allowing B-29s to hit industrial targets against less opposition and, when the time comes, to dampen the impact of enemy LBA in a possible carrier battle.

Erik has lost alot of good fighters (but probably comparitively few pilots). Fighter numbers at Kushiro, Sapporo and Rangoon are down considerably, while he continues to maintain large fighter numbers at Yokohama, Tokyo, etc. Tomorrow, fresh first-tier squaadrons will target Sapporo again, while fresh second-tier righters hit Rangoon.

Allied B-24s and B-25s have been hitting enemy airfields in the Kuriles, to modest effect.

B-29s have stood down the past ten day or so. At the moment, I hope to unleash them when/if I'm able to clear Hokkaido airspace of serious fighter opposition (or reduce them to manageable numbers).

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< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 4/2/2018 6:15:05 PM >

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/3/2018 3:16:28 PM

Canoerebel

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8/13/44

Intel Screen: This tells story of the day's air-war results. Grim!

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/3/2018 3:23:54 PM

Canoerebel

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8/13/44

Air Losses: But peeling away the onion provides a better understanding of what's going on:

1. About 2/3rds of the Allied losses are second-tier aircraft sweeping Rangoon. Of these, the various P-38 models and the older Thunderbolt perform acceptably, but the P-40s (I know now) cannot be used, even against an enemy tuckered and reduced by yesterday's battles.

2. Over at Hokkaido, first-tier Allied fighters scored very well, usually at 3:1 or better, though ops losses ended up reducing that to about 2:1. The enemy again suffered heavy first-tier fighter losses. But I can't sustain this number of F4U-1A losses, so I'm going to switch to see if the newer Thunderbolt is up to the job (usually it doesn't seem to do well sweeping).

Overall, in three sweeps of Kushiro and Sapporo, Erik has lost about 400 first-rate fighters. That's good work, or will be if the Thunderbolt performs well enough to continue these sweeping missions.

3. While the fighters did their thing, the B-24s whacked Ketoi Jima airfield hard. Ketoi and Uruppu Jima airfields are in pretty bad shape. Right now, Erik isn't offering opposition, as he doesn't want to lose valuable fighters and bombers where he isn't able to mass them. I'm trying to work an angle where that issue continues through the next carrier engagement, whenever that happens to be.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/3/2018 7:27:32 PM

dave sindel

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Greetings Dan,

You've been playing Erik now for about 8 months of real time - 5 months of "game time". How does this game compare to your experiences with John III ? Any thoughts or impressions you care to share ?

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/3/2018 7:51:46 PM

Canoerebel

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Erik has elected to play a strongly defensive game under circumstances in which John III would have played more aggressively. In the end, Erik's way may prove the wiser course. But, for example, I was glad he didn't send his subs hunting my damaged carriers after the CV battle. John would have. Erik has pulled way back and attended to his inner defenses thoroughly, while yielding outer defenses without offering opposition. He's built a massive interlocking network of strongpoints. His preparation has been impressive but it has also created (or left) opportunities I didn't expect to have.

I've managed to close on the Home Islands, which was quite a coup. There have also been some smaller things, like the big bombing raid against his aircraft based at Ominato. These things have been encouraging. Erik is an elite player, so I had fears he'd foresee and counter my every move.

As the game with John III shrinks in the rearview mirror, my regard for John's ability as a player has increased. He left holes in his interior defenses and blindly employed KB without adequate detection of my carriers, but he's an experienced, aggressive, and willing player. He knows how to fight, likes to fight, and makes things pretty challenging. He's a fun guy to play against.

On the other hand, John was given to revealing details about turns before I got to see the movie and gets so enthused that he's prone to boasting. Erik on the other hand is laid back and accomodating to my wishes. That's very much appreciated.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 1:16:02 AM

John 3rd

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I would never, EVER Boast!

BANZAI!!

Sweet, innocent, and pure...that is the John-San.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 2:32:58 AM

witpqs

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quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I would never, EVER Boast!

BANZAI!!

Sweet, innocent, and pure...that is the John-San.

I'm just lucky I was NOT drinking coffee when I read that!

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 3:22:16 AM

Canoerebel

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Somewhere in John's AAR, he noted that he likes to provoke AFBs.

The one i remember the best from our game was the turn in which he reconquered the Celebes. His email to me: "That turn ROCKED!"

I had three thoughts when I read that: (1) "Dang it, John, don't give things away before I've seen the movie;" (2) "I'm gonna get you for that;" and (3) "What in the world are you thinking? You've reconquered Celebes but left Luzon wide open to invasion."

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 1:21:17 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Somewhere in John's AAR, he noted that he likes to provoke AFBs.

The one i remember the best from our game was the turn in which he reconquered the Celebes. His email to me: "That turn ROCKED!"

I had three thoughts when I read that: (1) "Dang it, John, don't give things away before I've seen the movie;" (2) "I'm gonna get you for that;" and (3) "What in the world are you thinking? You've reconquered Celebes but left Luzon wide open to invasion."

Aye. Who'd a thunk that he should be pilloried for liquidating an enemy beachhead?

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 1:46:04 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Somewhere in John's AAR, he noted that he likes to provoke AFBs.

The one i remember the best from our game was the turn in which he reconquered the Celebes. His email to me: "That turn ROCKED!"

I had three thoughts when I read that: (1) "Dang it, John, don't give things away before I've seen the movie;" (2) "I'm gonna get you for that;" and (3) "What in the world are you thinking? You've reconquered Celebes but left Luzon wide open to invasion."

Aye. Who'd a thunk that he should be pilloried for liquidating an enemy beachhead?

Not for "liquidating an enemy beachhead", but for celebrating it as if it was a game-winning victory (although I appreciate that Japanese victories are tough to get and should get some celebration.) I guess John's expressiveness just contrasts sharply with Canoerebel's measured response to everything that happens.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 2:02:11 PM

Chickenboy

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Edited.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 4/4/2018 2:55:27 PM >

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 2:02:37 PM

Lecivius

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

vs

Now this cracked me up

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 2:24:58 PM

witpqs

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quote:

tactical victory du jour

Tactical victory soup. I kinda like that.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 2:56:02 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

quote:

tactical victory du jour

Tactical victory soup. I kinda like that.

Like the smell of napalm in the morning. Smells like...'victory'.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 4:19:46 PM

John 3rd

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Hey now. That victory occurred in late-43/early-44 and it did ROCK!

Didn't mean to hijack your thread Dan. Thought you would enjoy that I do, occasionally, poke my nose in to see what is happening here.

To Chickenclucker: "Victory" equates to...what...

BANZAI!

< Message edited by John 3rd -- 4/4/2018 4:21:04 PM >

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 5:17:14 PM

Canoerebel

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Always good to have you reading and writing, John.

The Celebes campaign was in early '44. I let it go without much of a fight because Luzon was wide open. When the Allied invasion of Luzon succeeded a week later against minimal opposition, I knew I'd made the right choice.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/4/2018 7:35:40 PM

Canoerebel

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8/14/44

Air War NoPac: Weather shut down air ops from Shikuka today, so no sweeps over Hokkaido and no bombing of Kuriles airfields. Eric reinforced his fighters at Sapporo, which was to be the primary target. Ditto tomorrow.

Air War Burma: A mix of Hurricanes and Spitfires performed poorly in sweeps of Rangoon. Eric hasn't reinforced here, and his fighter numbers are about 50% of what they were a week ago. A mix of Corsairs and Hellcats will sweep tomorrow, hoping for roughly 1:1 results.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/6/2018 1:46:29 AM

Canoerebel

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8/15/44

Air War: Sweeps of Sapporo do well (2:1 or better) and of Rangoon acceptably (1:1 or slightly below). weather keeps the 4EB grounded.

Oz: Aussie regiment sneaks up and takes Katherine (with a big assist by 4EB) from a naval guard unit. This is mostly a case of catcher's indifference on Erik's part.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/6/2018 2:11:34 AM

Canoerebel

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8/16/44

Air Wars: Decent sweeps over Rangoon and very good sweeps over Sapporo. There's no indication, to this point, that Erik is having trouble maintaining this level of commitment, but I'm going to keep on as long as possible. Fighting the air war is a necessary evil even at 1:1, but thus far the Allies have been consistently doing better than that, especially in the key battle for Sapporo. The B-24s hit Uruppu Jima airfield hard.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/6/2018 2:13:46 AM

witpqs

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Are those ground Jake losses from a ship or the airfield?

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/6/2018 2:24:07 AM

Canoerebel

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Those were on the ground at Uruppu Jima.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/7/2018 3:28:52 PM

Canoerebel

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8/17/44

Air Wars: Erik leaves Sapporo largely undefended, probably just temporarily; Allied fighters still manage a pretty effective day attritioning his air force.

Medium Term: Over the past week, I've seriously changed the tempo of my play and posting, just to give a different look to things.

The Allied fleet carriers damaged in the late Kuriles Naval Battle will all be repaired in 35 days, with the exception of Lexington, which needs about 70 days. Recently arrived reinforcements more than offset what I lost in the battle (plus the temporary absence of Lexington). But since the other four damaged CVs need about 35 days, meaning they'll be ready around September 20, I'm going to let my full fleet of CVEs upgrade on September 1. So Death Star will be ready for action around September 21. I think the F4U-1D comes online on Sept. 1, which will allow enough to become available to upgrade some fighter squadrons before any action takes place.

I don't think Erik knows the whereabouts of Death Star, though he will be making sensible deductions. He probably is allowing for the possibility of surprise tactics, which may help me just a bit.

In Oz, the Allies are advancing on Darwin, relying on 4EB and a few ground units to take weakly held bases. The Allies may be able to reclaim Oz without the necessity of amphibious action - a case of "catcher's indifference," but quite helpful nonetheless.

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 4/8/2018 1:16:16 PM

Canoerebel

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8/18/44

Air Wars: Eric brought his fighters back to Sapporo. They tangled with my sweepers and escorts, but in an odd way. The Corsairs came early in big numbers and got little interaction with the CAP, making me think some of this is LRCAP. Later sweepers and then the escorts did tangle well. On the day, losses were roughly 1:1, with Hellcat escorts skewing the results. The three RAF squadrons scored six hits destroying 12 Resource points while taking few losses but plenty of damage. Down at Rangoon, a mishmash of low-quality fighters (mainly Hurricanes) did okay against good enemy fighters. In the Kuriles, B-24s whacked Ketoi Jima good, destroying 30 Judys on the ground (I don't know why they're there).

Now comes the switch up. Tomorrow, many topnotch Allied fighters will sweep Kushiro, which hasn't been targeted in weeks. Then P-47Ds and Hellcats will escort perhaps five or six Superfort squadrons, which haven't been employed in three weeks. I hope that they get through and score some hits while taking acceptable losses (I think they will), but the main objective is to "keep Erik honest," giving him another look that will force him to spread his defenses and to keep guessing as to what might happen next.

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