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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> RE: Re-organizing

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RE: Re-organizing - 11/14/2005 9:57:52 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I will follow your advice Hoepner...let's see what happends!

If possible I will try to engage the american carriers from 5 hexes as soon as the Kates
are replaced by Jills. If thing goes wrong I will be able to retreat my carriers (minus 600 ac :p)
..but these can be replaced!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/10/43

Some PT boats reacted against my barge convoys at Rabaul. All they got for
their trouble was mines. There are aLoT of mines at Rabaul!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1083 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88)

Allied Ships
PT PT-220, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-196, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The problem caused by 'leaky CAP' is escalating! After moving my fighters from
Kavieng to Emirau Ken sent his T-bolts to Kavieng. This time the CAP over Emirau 'leaked' to Kavieng
and caused me further losses. Those who trumphed through this 'improvement' should be hanged from
their pecker

Here's perhaps some valuable intel: The T-bolts shot down Tojos and Nicks without problems, but the Tonys
proved a tougher nut! 5 P-47s were shot down in exchange for a single Tony. Is this more than a coincident?

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 10
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 6 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Buin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11715 troops, 118 guns, 137 vehicles

Defending force 4247 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)

Post #: 1411

RE: Re-organizing - 11/14/2005 10:03:32 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

That's true String...Furutaka class ca's and most light cruisers are probably the best suited escorts from now on.
I still like to use the Kitakami and Oi in a surface combat role though. Their massive salvo of torpedoes usually hit the ship they fire at.

Most of the US cruisers that have been sunk went down in late 1942 (around Java), and it will take 2 years before these re-appear.
So the 'decisive battle' will most likely be fought without them. At least I hope so

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1412

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 5:44:10 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

'Found' another 2 tank regiments in China today. Going to move them out..need more
garrisons. Just another 2 days and 5 South Sea Detachments will arrive. I also notice that
a large number of troops will arrive during the first couple of months in 1944.

If Ken sticks to his plan and doesn't move his carriers out of LBA range this means that we
should be able to strengthen our main defensive perimeter considerably by the time the storm
hits us.

Ken also stated that he may have to find an alternative route to the mainland. From my point
of view there ain't too many:

The Marianas which are heavily defended.
The Phillippines which will allow me to base thousands of ac on all the bases there
Sakhalin which is close to Japan. Staging from the Aleutians would be a logistical nightmare.

An advance against the Marianas will most likely be preceeded by an invasion of the Marshalls
An attack on the Philippines requires an Allied advance through New Guinea. A very narrow corridor unless Palau, Truk and several other bases were captured as well.
Paramushiro Jima must be captured before Shakalin can be taken. An invasion of the Home Islands in 1944 would be almost impossible?

The outlying islands of Wake and Marcus could also provide a springboard towards the Marianas or Bonin/Iwo Jima. All these bases will be heavily defended.

Would anyone like to place bets!?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/11/43

Air Combat

Another example of how 'leaky CAP' chews up my air defenses piece by piece.
Going to try to LRCAP a patrol craft in Emirau tomorrow. Will they also protect
the base..and not 'leak' to Kavieng?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 27
P-47C Thunderbolt x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Buin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12010 troops, 121 guns, 150 vehicles

Defending force 4038 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carrier Construction Program

As you can see the remaining 3 fleet carriers will arrive between April and June next year.
A light carrier and 6 cve's will also arrive within this time span. These ships can carry another
400 ac, bringing the optimal naval air strength to ca 1400 ac.

CV Kasagi 540 days/2 = 270 days = 9 months. 11-07-43 + 9 months = 11.04.44
CV Aso 612 days/2 = 306 = 10 months 6 days. 11-7-43 + 10 months and 6 days = 17.05.44
CV Ikoma 644 days = 03.06.44
CVL Ibuki 615 days = 19.05.44

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1413

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 11:04:45 AM

Fornadan

Posts: 86
Joined: 1/22/2005
Status: offline

He could try to take Timor and proceed northwards from there. He would still need to take the Philippines though

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1414

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 2:52:41 PM

String

Posts: 2661
Joined: 10/7/2003
From: Estonia
Status: offline

Or a mad dash for Bombay/Karachi, after capturing one he could leave the huge forces that will be available there to fight on their own and liberate India. From there on Malaya, Borneo/Indochina/Burma, Southern coast of china..

(in reply to Fornadan)

Post #: 1415

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 3:02:48 PM

Gen.Hoepner

Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: String

Or a mad dash for Bombay/Karachi, after capturing one he could leave the huge forces that will be available there to fight on their own and liberate India. From there on Malaya, Borneo/Indochina/Burma, Southern coast of china..

If PzB keeps the I.O. well patrolled with subs and AVs( those with float planes ) Nomad won't stand a chance of getting to Karachi...too risky and dangerous imho.

PzB: how many units are left in India? You could probably send some more divisions from China to India...just to be sure...

_____________________________

[image]http://yfrog.com/2m70331348022314716641664j [/image]

(in reply to String)

Post #: 1416

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 5:51:40 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I certainly hope Ken takes the route via Timor...will take a long time to get to Japan!
Going via the Marianas is perhaps the most bloody option, but by far the most efficient one.

Not overly worried about India either; got 2 'spy subs' covering the area west of Timor and the maps
edge. Will be interesting to see who guesses right

I quickly counted the assault points in India Hoepner: 5180.
There are 6 full divisions, plus another 5-6 brigades/regiments. Several SNLF units, 4 engineer regiments
and 3 tank regiments + a variety of AA, arty, coastal defense, construction and base force units.

If Ken doesn't attack India I will consider moving an Army back to the area which comes under attack.
Doesn't hurt to have a reserve of elite units

It must be tempting for Ken to re-open Aladdin's cave (Karachi) and receive a wealth of reinforcements.
An attack that goes in through Diamond Harbour will virtually seal of the Jap units in India. Such an operation
will most likely take at least 6-8 months and require the bulk of the American forces. So no, I don't think he
will do it.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/12/43

Air Combat

China is the only place I can hit back without killings myself these days.
A good raid today...hopefully we shot down a most annoying chink ace!-)

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 76
Ki-48 Lily x 25
Ki-49 Helen x 26
Ki-46-III Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses (in all 14 Chinese ac were destroyed today)
I-16c: 6 destroyed
SB-2c: 2 destroyed
IL-4c: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess Lae is Ken's next target...

Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
Boomerang II x 18
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20G Havoc x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 69
B-24D Liberator x 44

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 42
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No 'leakers' over Kavieng today...

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 36
P-47C Thunderbolt x 26

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buka is also receiving lots of attention!

Day Air attack on Buka , at 63,90

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 42
B-17E Fortress x 42

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buka , at 63,90

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 43
B-17E Fortress x 32

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Port supply hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

It's going downhill for the poor grunts at Buin now!

Ground combat at Buin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12626 troops, 123 guns, 178 vehicles

Defending force 3790 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 26 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
472 casualties reported
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the immediate LCU reinforcement program

Most of the South Seas Detachments goes to Ulithi/Yap/Palau/Iwo-Bonin/Jima.
The brigades will mostly go to the Phillippines and Northern Guinea.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)

Post #: 1417

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 6:22:12 PM

pauk

Posts: 4162
Joined: 10/21/2001
From: Zagreb,Croatia
Status: offline

my guess is SRA via Timor (or combination SRA/Philippines via Timor + via NG). He don't need carriers for these routes.

_____________________________

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1418

RE: Re-organizing - 11/15/2005 10:22:33 PM

Honda

Posts: 953
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Karlovac, Croatia
Status: offline

My guess is he'll just continue up NG towards PI. Time is not his ally any more and although not the shortest route, it seems most logical to me because most of his resources are already in the area. SRA seems to time-consuming and Marianas would just ba an enormous disaster for USN. I cheer for that option but belive NG -> PI will turn ou to be the one Ken chooses.

_____________________________

AAR of my game vs Raver on my clan forum in croatian language (despite the language differences, no Ravers allowed)

(in reply to pauk)

Post #: 1419

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 2:44:48 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Bad news: Ken is changing ISP and he will be without one for a month

Perhaps he can retrieve his turns from work? We will see..but things may be
slow for a while.

I agree completely with your assessments Pauk and Honda. A continued advance up
the coast of New Guinea is the logical approach.

There is a couple of problems with this approach:

*) It will be very narrow and thus also vulnerable to attacks from the flanks (Truk/Marshalls)
*) Palau/Yap and Ulithi may have to be captured to open the route to the Philppines. These islands will be well defended.
*) Without the Marianas Ken can't bomb Japan until the Philippines have been secured

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/13/43

Surface Combat

Sent a fast surface group into Torokina as I observed some transports
there. Assumed that Ken had moved most of his PT boats to Gasmata.
I was right, but the small buggers had a sting! 3 destroyers have between
22 and 45 sys damage after taking only a few 0.50 cal and 20mm shells.

The retreating ships were not spotted by ac and got away with it.

The reward: 4 cargo ships sent to the botttom - with their supplies I hope

Such little 'stings' will cause a slow trickle of attrition on Ken's forces and slow
down his buildup.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Yugure
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT PT-127
PT PT-187, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-191, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT PT-223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 4
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Yugure
DD Shinonome, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
PT PT-127
PT PT-223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo, on fire
DD Yugure
DD Shinonome, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
AK Draco, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Albireo, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Caelum, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Castor, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

More heavy pounding of Lae and Green/Buka Islands.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moved in a stronger CAP to Emirau today, LRCAP'ing a PC seems to work. No leakers!

Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK India Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD APD-34, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Huzikawa Maru
PC Kyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 21
P-47C Thunderbolt x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD APD-31

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-47C Thunderbolt bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Only one small Naval guard unit left at Buin now...

Ground combat at Buin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13055 troops, 123 guns, 200 vehicles

Defending force 2769 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
486 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: New Guinea and the Solomons/New Britain

A tactical update!

Most of the forward base forces and construction units have been moved out from the exposed
perimeter bases. They will be moved to the rear and continue constructing forts and build new bases.

I'm moving reinforcements to bases like Madang, Hansa and Wewak. The same is being done in the SRA.
A full division has been split in 3 and is moving to Kendari, Menando and Sabang.

The 5 South Sea Detachments that arrived today have been posted to:
Bonin Jima
Iwo Jima
Marcus Island
Wake Island
A small island just south of Palau..can't remember its name

Felt that the string of islands from Wake to Iwo Jima needed to be strenghtened. Should be adequately fortified
and defended for now. 3 SNLF units have been released from China and are moving to the area between Biak and Hollandia.

Further reinforcements over the next 6-8 months will all go to Palau/Yap/Ulithi, the SRA and the Philippines.
4 crack divisions are still being held in strategic reserve. Still like the thought of mounting a powerful counter invasion if Ken
comes up with some cunning plan

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Honda)

Post #: 1420

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 3:07:42 AM

Greywolf

Posts: 105
Joined: 11/15/2000
Status: offline

You want my bet ? I would sai he will go for the sakhalin way.

Being a really long time his CVs haven't show up. Perhaps he is massing for something.

As you say he is really short on time and the only action that can produce a quick fall of your defense on all your front is just that.

Another annoying thing: where are all his Corsairs ? he doesnt seems to use all that much around here...

Hum, no corsair, a South offensif supported by LBA and OLD BB, barge invasion freeing up AP/AK, no sight of the CVs, opponent informing about his intention not to use them out of LBA range...

I dont want to be paranoid but if I were you I would put some defenses up in mainland Japan.

I dont think an '43 Olympic could win, but I can figure a quick dash and occupation of Sakhalin and Northern Japanese island.

I am probably wrong but there is clearly a long range operation brewing here, what is the SIGINT saying ?

_____________________________

Lt. Col. Ivan 'Greywolf' Kerensky

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1421

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 5:51:19 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

That option is a possibility Greywolf...and I will have to watch my back, but it should also be noted that:
- Ken has been using barges to invade bases in the Solomons and on New Britain as they unload very quickly and it's impossible to destroy them all
- There are still quite a few Corsairs in the Solomons and on New Guinea (I don't post the entire combat report in this AAR)

If I played the devils attorney I would come up with the following arguments against an invasion in the far north:

*) Ken will at best have carrier parity by the end of 1943! Would he sail this force to Sakhalin
and northern Japan knowing that he would have to face the entire Combined Fleet + all my LBA?

*) The Allies are still short of battleships and cruisers (another modern bb has been spotted at Gasmata this week).

*) An attack on Japan proper would also trigger the kamikazes.

*) A landing in Northern Japan would require the capture of Sakhalin and this would take at least 14 days.
By this time both the Fleet and air force would be in place together with army reinforcements.

Would it be worth risking the entire war by initiating such an audacious adventure?
Personally I don't think so, at least not until early/mid 1944, but the threat shouldn't be ignored.
The bases up north have reinforced some reinforcements already and 3 divisions from the Kwantung Army have
been preparing for them to provide false intel to the Allied sigint service.

In the months to come I will:
- be keeping a close eye on the sigint reports
- be placing more spy subs in the area
- provide the bases in Sakhalin and northern Japan with further reinforcements, especially base units
- move reserve air units to the Home Islands (this should amount to more than a 1000 ac in a short while)

If increased radio traffic is detected in the northern area and 'spy subs' start observing major ship movements that supports this intel,
the fleet should be put on alert and move closer to Japan.

In a few months I'm going to move the fleet out of Truk anyway (when it comes into enemy heavy bomber range). It's possible to move it
to Saipan, from where it can reach Japan in less than a week.

Hopefully this will make us better prepared to meet an onslaught from the north.

Any other suggestions, comments?

Oh, production of the 'George' has been accelerated by 1 month: it's due in December 43 now.
1 month after this the Hellcats will meet very tough opposition if they get too close to our 'turf'

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Greywolf)

Post #: 1422

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 11:07:36 AM

rotor911

Posts: 40
Joined: 12/13/2004
Status: offline

Westen NG coast, Kendari, Amboina? (just an amateur suggestion, please don't flame me if it's absurd)
I love this AAR btw and I really don't understand how somebody can master this game so well

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1423

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 11:56:04 AM

AmiralLaurent

Posts: 3351
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From: Near Paris, France
Status: offline

At Nomad's place I would continue to slowly advance in Solomons/NG area where the full impact of LBA is working and wait for early 1944 to launch operations under CV cover. Then India will be my target.

Another possibility is to advance in Timor/Amboina area, this is also possible under LBA support.

(in reply to rotor911)

Post #: 1424

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 12:32:35 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Your reasoning is good Rotor...! I personally think Ken will follow the route you describe, Admiral Laurent is right when he
emphasize the importance of LBA cover. This is the Allies strongest card and without it any invasion would be risky at best.

Not sure it is possible to stop an advance through New Guinea supported by LBA. In 1944 fast carrier groups will be able to provide support
for longer range amph landings. Several difficult decisions will have to be made: how long and how hard should I defend New Britain/New Guinea?
What about Truk? I can't afford to leave behind too many good troops, but Ken can't have this base either. Not for another 6 months at least.

A re-match over India would be interesting, I could put up a good struggle there and it would take a lot of time to wind down
all the forts there.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to AmiralLaurent)

Post #: 1425

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 1:34:26 PM

Rainerle

Posts: 463
Joined: 7/24/2002
From: Burghausen/Bavaria
Status: offline

Hmh,
thinking about the northern approach I think it's a all or nothing gamble, something he might do if he thinks he's on the loosing side. But maybe you could tempt him to try it. I mean that most certainly he would recon the bases beforehand (if he trys at all) and if their too strong skip the idea. But what if the bases themselves are just so weak so that they look tempting ? Actually I don't know how this could be done, maybe INF units adjacent to the bases (difficult with islands, hmm?) so that they could react swiftly to a serious invasion. But even if he never intends to go there he most likely is going to recce them (acting as distraction I mean).

_____________________________

Image brought to you by courtesy of Subchaser!

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1426

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 4:25:03 PM

Tom Hunter

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Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline

The Northern approach is certainly an all or nothing gamble. The US Vs. Japan at 1 to 2 odds. I would be amazed if Nomad tried that.

He can grind you up moving forward under LBA and some time in 1944 his naval force becomes large enough to take independent action.

The Allies have lost so much stuff he has to play conservative with surface ships and CVs.

If I were in his shoes I would be looking for ways to pound across New Guinea, then drive West towards India and eventually free up all those captive ships, land and air units. But that is just me.

(in reply to Rainerle)

Post #: 1427

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 7:32:04 PM

Greywolf

Posts: 105
Joined: 11/15/2000
Status: offline

Yes, the North approach is a wet fantasy but... who know.

Of course considering all his losses on LCU I think his main target should be Bombay or Karachi so he can free much more needed lands units and planes.

I thought about your 460+ A6m5 produced.. sound a lot, perhaps even too many considering you advanced them. That means you will have to serve them 2-3 month MORE than historically before the next upgrade if you dont advance it too.

Seeing you have plenty of planes, ships and a much better overall situation than historically, especially in ressource and production, I think you can invest a LARGE amount in R&D, especially as you have been pretty successfull at it. Perhaps convert back 100 planes from A6m5 to A6m8 or even A7 ( depend on the upgrade path of course ). That sound logical to convert your advantage on production over history into tech.

Nomads facing 1000 A6m5 kamikaze planes in '44 is an interesting idea, facing him with 500 A8 sound nicer ;)

Of course just my sorry allied ass 2 pences...

Every know and then I toy with playing Japanese, but ultimately I cannot manage to invest that many time to lose in the end ;)

_____________________________

Lt. Col. Ivan 'Greywolf' Kerensky

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1428

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 8:20:18 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Ken has been recon'ing Paramushiro Iwo for a while Rainerle. Pretty routine by now!
It would not be possible to prevent an all out assault from capturing the northern bases, so I don't see any reason for
stripping their defenses as it's impossible to move the units back in quickly enough.

So I think an end run against Sakhalin would mean a major crisis, but even more so for the Allies in the long run for the reasons
described in the other posts here.

Sounds like most of you would be itching to get back to India

If Karachi was to be re-captured it would be like re-opening Aladdins cave <G>.
I am as ready as I'll ever be in India though, all I can do is add as many ac as possible. Would only take 1-2 weeks at most.
The place is self supplied as I've fixed most of the major resource centers. It should also be kept in mind that it's not possible to
transfer Allied planes directly from Australia to India. They would have to be shipped in...

I'm not planning to run the 460 ac pr month production for a longer time than I have to Greywolf! First I have to upgrade all my A6M2 and A6M3 units
and then build a reserve of some 1500 ac. This will take about 6 months or so. Always a good thing to have reserve capacity..but I will seriously consider
to swap some of my ac production to researching the A6M8 and other advanced ac. As you say, my research has been pretty successful thus far

Appreciate this interesting discussion! The news from Ken isn't good, I hope he will be able to resume the game soon, but this is out of my control.
Would really hate to loose another opponent as I'm dead keen on finishing this game.

I don't play to win Greywolf, it's the journey and not its end that is the experience for me - and Japan provides by far the greater challenge.
Always played all my games on the tultimate difficulty settings <G>

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Greywolf)

Post #: 1429

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 8:40:09 PM

Gen.Hoepner

Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline

Kamikaze A6M8s?? A waste! Kamikaze must have a good main weapon to do any damage...The Emilies are great as Kami as they carry 2 torpedoes!...but if you manage to keep your units well trained in china i think Kami is a waste of pilots. Keep the Kamis as an ultimate chance

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Post #: 1430

RE: Re-organizing - 11/17/2005 8:52:51 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

An Emily...that would be a huuge target, but on impact it would make a mighty boom

Hope I don't have to consider kamis for at least another year!

I'm doing my best to reduce the Chinese bases, no more air strikes or CAP fighters there now.
Perhaps the destruction of the large resource centres has reduced supply levels? There is one squadron
of B-25s up north, but no P-40Ns. So my training grounds are safe for now

If India was liberated it wouldn't be long before this changed though, another good reason to return to India.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)

Post #: 1431

RE: Re-organizing - 11/18/2005 6:57:11 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Here's a map over the North Pacific that shows how an Allied invasion fleet
can be hit in its flank by the KB before the US carriers get all powerful.

An invasion fleet will meet LBA and thus tie up large number of carrier CAP fighters for defense.
It will therefore be well into 1944 before such an adventure becomes viable in my opinion.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1432

RE: Re-organizing - 11/18/2005 7:05:58 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

This map over the Central Pacific shows the Main Defensive Perimeter, todays
frontline and the directions I expect the Allies to attack from.

The rest of 1943: step by step advance into New Guinea, the Solomons and New Britain.
When the Allied fleet has grown strong enough to support more ambitious plans a second prong
will most likely be launched into the Timor/Celebes/Northern Guinea area. This will carve out a large
salient and provide bases for LBA that can support further operations into Carolines/Marianas and Philippines.

The Marshalls will become very isolated as soon as the US fast carrier fleet is strong enough to openly challenge
the combined weight of local LBA and the KB. This shift of power is also expected in early 1944.

We have to contest these advances while still conserving our main striking power. One day Ken will find himself
in a difficult tactical situation, surrounded by dozens of fortified air bases. Then I'll look for my opportunity and attempt
to hurt him.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1433

RE: Re-organizing - 11/18/2005 7:25:28 PM

Greywolf

Posts: 105
Joined: 11/15/2000
Status: offline

About the Northern Attack,

I think that an allied rush to Parashimo could be nasty enough.

Bring the Fleet to cover the landing of 2 divisions, many seabees.
Turn later fly in 2 or 3 corsair squadron then he just have to wait for the base to grow before launching air attack on Japan proper.

Even this advanced outpost could be enough for you to worry against because it open road for many landing and would need constant watch.

Just be sure you can detect any invasion force 3 to 4 turn before they reach Parashimo so you have time to reinforce.

BTW this isn't such a bad place to station a reserve unit.

_____________________________

Lt. Col. Ivan 'Greywolf' Kerensky

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1434

RE: Re-organizing - 11/18/2005 7:36:32 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Enemy activities around Salamua increase! Large number of enemy ships
moved in today and heavy bombing raids have hit Lae for over a week.

This indicates that Ken is planning another 'leap'.

I've put the fleet on alert again....The problem is that many of my cruisers
and destroyers are repairing battle damage or heading for major repair yards.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/14/43

Surface Combat

I had a couple of subs mine Salamua a few days ago. Today a large force
entered the place and swept most of the mines!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1003 encounters mine field at Salamaua (54,88)

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Dubbo
MSW Bowen
APD Brooks
APD Crosby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1144 encounters mine field at Salamaua (54,88)

Allied Ships
DD Bache
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One mine found a target though...Parts of an Australian division learned how to swim!

TF 1161 encounters mine field at Salamaua (54,88)

Allied Ships
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Gladstone
MSW Freemantle
DD Isaac Sweers
LCI LCI-332, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
P-38G Lightning x 42
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-24D Liberator x 31

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Our valiant naval guard unit went out with a final banzai charge!
Could be a couple of supply troops left..

Ground combat at Buin

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13077 troops, 125 guns, 200 vehicles

Defending force 446 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 313 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Salamua

The modern battleship Washington was spotted at Salamua leading a heavy surface group
according to my intel.

I'm not sure I can hit this force, but I have sortied the KB - in it's revised form according to
General Hoepners advice. 4 TFs with 3-4 cv/cvls and no more than 196 ac have been formed.
They will move approx 4 hexes NNE of Salamua and look for an opportunity to strike. A powerful
surface group has also been formed around the battleships Nagato and Mutsu. These ships have
16" guns and is a match for the Washington/Massachussetts.

Advantages:
*) The fleet can stay well out of enemy dive/torpedo bomber range
*) The fleet will be close to our major bases in New Guinea and the Admirality islands
*) Superior force may again be brought to bear
*) Damaged ships should be able to retreat safely

Disadvantages:
*) Allied CAP will most likely cover the ships and make any air strikes too costly
*) Large number of enemy PT boats may again make my day unpleasent...
*) I've still not upgraded all of the A6M2s on my carriers

I will consider the tactical situation closer over the next few days and then decide whether to
attack or not.

Your advice would of course be appreciated - as always

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1435

RE: Re-organizing - 11/18/2005 7:45:17 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

True Greywolf! But I don't think Paramushiro Island can be captured in less than a week.
There are some 20k troops there including a large brigade, engineers, forts, base units and 7 forts.

For the time being I don't have more reserves in the area - they will have to be taken from Sakhalin.
An other option is to move the 2 South Seas Detachments that are enroute to Bonin and Iwo Jima.

I've almost expanded the air field there to size 4 and Dinah IIIs are reconing the Aleutians each day.
One spy sub is already in place 8 hexes east of Paramushiro and should give me at least 2-3 days
warning. Considering to move another 2 subs to the area and thus increase the chances of an early warning.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1436

RE: Re-organizing - 11/19/2005 6:40:24 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Ken said he expected me to hit him with my fleet today and had put all the CAP ac he got over his ships.
I kinda expected something like this, so we're keeping at an arms length for now. No fun to do house calls
when you're expected

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/15/43

Nothing really interesting to report, several air raids against Lae, Rabaul and Buka.
The remaining support troops at Buin were wiped out.

New air groups with 48 ac

Received several new air groups including two with 48 Zeros and Kates. They should come in handy, have
to upgrade and train them first.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1437

RE: Re-organizing - 11/19/2005 9:49:01 PM

Rob Brennan UK

Posts: 3685
Joined: 8/24/2002
From: London UK
Status: offline

thats one scary unit of kates ! carrier capable too to boot. not sure anything other than a fully fledged flattop could carry them mind you .. maybe drop a unit of vals and squeeze in more kates !

Drop naval search obviously and capable vs trained isnt much differance. after a couple of months in china of course

It always amazes me how much stuff japan gets as the war progresses. If japan had delayed/armed earlier. and everything was advanced 12 months the opening moves would be totally awesome ( humm maybe jap fanboy ultra-mod coming up)

as ever great AAR Pzb ..

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sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1438

RE: Re-organizing - 11/20/2005 8:56:50 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

True Rob, but it's incredible how much better you perform if you got a knife against
your throat

I will place my super size airgroups on the carriers, the Ryuho can
take the entire Kate Hikotai. Trying to increase the amount of Kates on my carriers
in general as the 250lb bomb carried by the Val is too small to do much damage.

I need the new Jills asap to increase effective striking range to 5 hexes - this will give
me a much needed advantage against both enemy carriers and LBA.

Retired my fleet, too much heat around and ca 35 Corsairs over both Gasmata and Lae.
Nothing to be had here for now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/16/43

Air Combat

More strikes against Lae...nothing I can do about it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
Boomerang II x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 16
B-17E Fortress x 78

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 54
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 46

No Allied losses

Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti shipping strike sinks one of my APDs and damage some other ships.
My CAP is effective and turns away a large number of P-38s and shoot down 13!

I have brought in 30k supplies to Emirau: the local barge hub.

Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 26
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 61
B-25J Mitchell x 24
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-24D Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 12 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD APD-36, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Huzikawa Maru
APD APD-31, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Holland Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
MSW W.21
AK Italy Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK India Maru
---------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Rob Brennan UK)

Post #: 1439

RE: Re-organizing - 11/20/2005 9:26:44 PM

Andy Mac

Posts: 15222
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Alexandria, Scotland
Status: offline

Hmmm nice personally if I detected carrier capable units of kates on Jap CV's I would start using Carrier Capable units on allied CV's and the Japanese are always going to lose that exchange so its a dangerous genie to let of the bottle !!!

Andy

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Post #: 1440

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