Slitherine

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ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: zuluhour

For scenario 1
Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, and Akagi 7/42
Shokaku and Zuikaku 6/42
1st upgrades

Interesting, thanks. For some reason I had it in my head the first upgrades were earlier. So these upgrades correspond with Lexington and Saratoga 6/42 (but 42 days long) and the Yorktowns' 7/42.

I am already delaying those upgrades to get this operation done sooner than later. Will the IJN heavy carriers' upgrade schedule allow me to "sneak in"?

That 42 day upgrade takes off the 8" gun turrets and replaces them with 5" plus beaucoup medium AA, no? Don't Akagi and Kaga also have 8" guns to be removed and replaced - ergo their time in the shop should be similar.

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ORIGINAL: JoV

For what it's worth, those June IJN CV upgrades (the Shokaku & Zukaku) are pretty important, as they add radar. The remainder get their radar later iirc, so they are not quite so immediately pressing. Your opponent might reasonably hold off on upgrading the latter if his spidey senses are tingling...

Still, seems to be taking an awful risk hoping his CVs are not on station at Truk Will you wait for confirmation that they are elsewhere before taking the plunge? Also what sort of resistance are you expecting on the Marshall Atolls (other than what sigint has provided)? Naval Guard units and/or base forces only? With the stacking limits there is not much room to play with, but its possible your opponent may have moved some armored car companies etc here if he suspected this was a likely invasion focus.

Should be fun in anycase

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: JoV

For what it's worth, those June IJN CV upgrades (the Shokaku & Zukaku) are pretty important, as they add radar. The remainder get their radar later iirc, so they are not quite so immediately pressing. Your opponent might reasonably hold off on upgrading the latter if his spidey senses are tingling...

Still, seems to be taking an awful risk hoping his CVs are not on station at Truk Will you wait for confirmation that they are elsewhere before taking the plunge? Also what sort of resistance are you expecting on the Marshall Atolls (other than what sigint has provided)? Naval Guard units and/or base forces only? With the stacking limits there is not much room to play with, but its possible your opponent may have moved some armored car companies etc here if he suspected this was a likely invasion focus.

Should be fun in anycase

Tarawa might have a naval guard unit because that is what invaded. The others are a mystery. I doubt there has been heavy reinforcing but I must presume there has been some, so the forces invading are in legitimate strength.

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ORIGINAL: dave sindel

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: JoV

For what it's worth, those June IJN CV upgrades (the Shokaku & Zukaku) are pretty important, as they add radar. The remainder get their radar later iirc, so they are not quite so immediately pressing. Your opponent might reasonably hold off on upgrading the latter if his spidey senses are tingling...

Still, seems to be taking an awful risk hoping his CVs are not on station at Truk Will you wait for confirmation that they are elsewhere before taking the plunge? Also what sort of resistance are you expecting on the Marshall Atolls (other than what sigint has provided)? Naval Guard units and/or base forces only? With the stacking limits there is not much room to play with, but its possible your opponent may have moved some armored car companies etc here if he suspected this was a likely invasion focus.

Should be fun in anycase

Tarawa might have a naval guard unit because that is what invaded. The others are a mystery. I doubt there has been heavy reinforcing but I must presume there has been some, so the forces invading are in legitimate strength.

Really looking forward to see how your invasions fare. Do you have an easy way to show a summary of what troops are destined where ?

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Port - Airfield

Roi-Namur
2 - 4

7 USMC Rgt
108 USA Inf Rgt
1 USMC Raider Bn
2 USMC Raider Bn
3 USMC Raider Bn
168 USA FA Bn
181 USA FA Bn
97 USA FA Bn
--
3 USMC Def Bn


Kwajalein
3 - 1

19 USA Inf Rgt
21 USA Inf Rgt
--
1 USMC Def Bn


Wotje
1 - 3

2 USMC Amph Trac Bn
6 USMC Rgt


Maloelap
1 - 4

27 USA Inf Div
--
4 USMC Def Bn


Mili
0 - 1

24 USA Inf Rgt
147 USA Inf Rgt
58 USA Inf Rgt
148 USA Inf Rgt
1 USMC FA Bn


Tarawa
1 - 0

32 UDS Inf Div

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: dave sindel

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: JoV

For what it's worth, those June IJN CV upgrades (the Shokaku & Zukaku) are pretty important, as they add radar. The remainder get their radar later iirc, so they are not quite so immediately pressing. Your opponent might reasonably hold off on upgrading the latter if his spidey senses are tingling...

Still, seems to be taking an awful risk hoping his CVs are not on station at Truk Will you wait for confirmation that they are elsewhere before taking the plunge? Also what sort of resistance are you expecting on the Marshall Atolls (other than what sigint has provided)? Naval Guard units and/or base forces only? With the stacking limits there is not much room to play with, but its possible your opponent may have moved some armored car companies etc here if he suspected this was a likely invasion focus.

Should be fun in anycase

Tarawa might have a naval guard unit because that is what invaded. The others are a mystery. I doubt there has been heavy reinforcing but I must presume there has been some, so the forces invading are in legitimate strength.

Really looking forward to see how your invasions fare. Do you have an easy way to show a summary of what troops are destined where ?

The post is pretty far back (and might have been updated in the meantime) so I typed it up and saved it this time.

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Port - Airfield

Roi-Namur
2 - 4

7 USMC Rgt
108 USA Inf Rgt
1 USMC Raider Bn
2 USMC Raider Bn
3 USMC Raider Bn
168 USA FA Bn
181 USA FA Bn
97 USA FA Bn
--
3 USMC Def Bn


Kwajalein
3 - 1

19 USA Inf Rgt
21 USA Inf Rgt
--
1 USMC Def Bn


Wotje
1 - 3

2 USMC Amph Trac Bn
6 USMC Rgt


Maloelap
1 - 4

27 USA Inf Div
--
4 USMC Def Bn


Mili
0 - 1

24 USA Inf Rgt
147 USA Inf Rgt
58 USA Inf Rgt
148 USA Inf Rgt
1 USMC FA Bn


Tarawa
1 - 0

32 UDS Inf Div

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Thanks for the summary. How soon is the first D-Day ?

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ORIGINAL: zuluhour

It looks like it's time to create, plan, and execute a diversion..........somewhere else.
even if recon flights, ghost TFs, etc...

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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Thanks for the summary. How soon is the first D-Day ?

I haven't calculated a fixed date. Here is a rundown of preparation items remaining.
• Some assault units are in transit to Pearl Harbor now; after arrival they switch from strategic to combat mode.
• Some AK's, many DD's, at least 2x BB's are currently upgrading at Pearl Harbor. IIRC they will be done by June 20-22.
• Most fleet oilers are on the way to Pearl Harbor from Pago Pago. Will all arrive in about a week or less.
• CV Wasp is on the way to Pearl Harbor from Panama Canal; will arrive in about 10-12 days.
• CVE Long Island is on the way to Pearl Harbor from Panama Canal; will arrive in 2 1/2 weeks or so. I might use LI to fly in carrier capable aircraft to captured airfields.
• Search squadrons available for captured bases are in transit to Pearl Harbor and should arrive in about a week.
• Some support units are in transit to Lahaina and should arrive in about a week (others are already at Pearl Harbor).
• Many AE's and AKE's loading at San Francisco will re-position to Pearl Harbor.
• Some AE/AKE will deploy to Johnston Island so that, together with AO's, they can replenish bombardment and surface combat groups in a shorter round-trip than going to Pearl Harbor. I am not 100% certain I can rearm all the battleships this way but we will see.
• 2 battleships are upgrading at San Francisco and will not be available at first but will follow during the operation.
• Conduct final repairs as needed on assigned ships currently at sea.
• Form all remaining TF's/convoys needed.
• Load assault units for the 4 first wave targets.
• Set off for target... in conjunction with Intel concerning whereabouts of IJN heavy carriers. I am very willing to delay departure or even turn around invasion if Intel dictates.

Most or all of this looks to me to be within the next 2 weeks. What do you think?

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Radio transmissions detected at Maloelap (136,117).

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Submarine attack near Sidate at 75,102

Japanese Ships
xAK Lima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

xAK Lima Maru is sighted by SS Sealion
SS Sealion launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Lima Maru

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Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72921 troops, 732 guns, 906 vehicles, Assault Value = 2195

Defending force 46305 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 768

Japanese adjusted assault: 1307

Allied adjusted defense: 964

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1703 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 280 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 89 (5 destroyed, 84 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1097 casualties reported
Squads: 78 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
36th Division
34th Division
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Division
13th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
25th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
17th Division
11th Tank Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
38th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
115th Red Chinese Division

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Sub attack near Shanghai at 94,56

Japanese Ships
PB Nikki Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish, hits 1

Captain of SS Sailfish elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Sailfish bottoming out ....
PB Nikki Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikki Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikki Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nikki Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Nikki Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Truk at 110,107

Japanese Ships
xAP Taizan Maru
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

SS Greenling launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Taizan Maru
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Submarine attack near Kusaie Island at 124,117

Japanese Ships
xAK Uji Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Herring

xAK Uji Maru is sighted by SS Herring
SS Herring attacking on the surface

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Ground combat at Padang (44,85)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4813 troops, 41 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Defending force 1186 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 152

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Padang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1411 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 60 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
5th/A Division

Defending units:
Padang Cdo
Emmahaven Defenses

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ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I would consider putting some extra Marine/Navy fighters on your carriers. Even Buffaloes would work against Betties/Nells/Kates. You have the room on your big carriers for the extra squadrons. Then the fighter units could go to captured bases for local defense.
I have to check. I did have USMC fighter groups on carriers which had room, but they might have been pulled off for upgrades. I know I've gone through and brought all the USN groups on board to full strength. All the fighters are F4F of one mark or another; all the dive bombers are SBD-3; the torpedo bomber squadrons are partly upgraded to Avenger's.

As far as any bases not prepped for, why not add any paratroopers in your reserves? If you don't use them anywhere else, they can drop by PBY on a base that has been bombarded. This would then preclude any precious transports from getting plastered by CD guns.
I won't have extra room in any first wave assault ships for paras The thing is I think that would only work for empty bases or those with practically nothing there: won't the paras get like 99% disabled if they are not prepared for a target?

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I would consider putting some extra Marine/Navy fighters on your carriers. Even Buffaloes would work against Betties/Nells/Kates. You have the room on your big carriers for the extra squadrons. Then the fighter units could go to captured bases for local defense.
I have to check. I did have USMC fighter groups on carriers which had room, but they might have been pulled off for upgrades. I know I've gone through and brought all the USN groups on board to full strength. All the fighters are F4F of one mark or another; all the dive bombers are SBD-3; the torpedo bomber squadrons are partly upgraded to Avenger's.

As far as any bases not prepped for, why not add any paratroopers in your reserves? If you don't use them anywhere else, they can drop by PBY on a base that has been bombarded. This would then preclude any precious transports from getting plastered by CD guns.
I won't have extra room in any first wave assault ships for paras The thing is I think that would only work for empty bases or those with practically nothing there: won't the paras get like 99% disabled if they are not prepared for a target?

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ORIGINAL: zuluhour

SST

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ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

In the WITP-Manual-[LIGHT], in section 8.2.1.4, it states that a high preparation value reduces losses in amphibious invasions but it does not state anything about airborne invasions. I believe that you would have the normal shock attack. If the ground unit was hit by air and naval bombardment, maybe even for several turns, the damage should mitigate the loses from the airborne units involved. Starting preparation now would not hurt but the airborne could also be used to get forces ashore, cause damage and be reinforced in subsequent turns.

** edit: Use any PBY units to drop the paratroopers available if you can't get regular transport planes to the area in time.

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: zuluhour

SST

I have no idea what you mean?

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ORIGINAL: jwolf

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

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ORIGINAL: zuluhour

SST

I have no idea what you mean?

I think SST means sub transport. But don't you need prep for that, too?

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ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that it would be just like any other airborne attack. How much AAA would a CD unit have? Same thing with any SNLF or Naval Guard unit. If it is not a larger unit, a base force and definitely an AAA unit, then there is little anti-aircraft capability except for machine guns/cannons. Fly above the range of those. If your carriers are in the area, a LRCAP should reduce defending fighters. But then again, how many players would CAP a base not appearing to be a target? Especially if there was air action earlier, there may not be much of a defensive CAP left.

The drop would only necessitate one turn, then either reinforcement by ships borne assault units or evacuation. The idea is that if there is only a CD unit there, then you can smash the unit by bombing and/or naval bombardment just before the airborne landings.

Another thing to point out is that the Marine paratroopers might be withdrawn. In the Reluctant Admiral scenario that I am playing, they withdraw on 2 March 1944. So if the squad devices don't "upgrade" to regular squads, then they are just left in the pool. Not that you get a lot of them but use them or lose them. And using them to capture bases that the Japanese have few combat troops are a good use for them, in my humble opinion, instead of doing lots of preparation and gathering invasion forces.