RE: Looking Forward

RE: Looking Forward (Full Version)

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

Message

paullus99 -> RE: Looking Forward (1/26/2009 9:41:10 PM)
Grab a few nice airfields in the Indies & start going to town on his shipping. You're on the verge of putting his remaining Oil Fields under some pretty big guns. His mobility will be cut in half or more once you've put those out of business. If you have the troops, don't be afraid to use them.

Canoerebel -> Backhanded Compliments (1/27/2009 2:43:01 PM)
7/26/44 and 7/27/44 Backhanded Compliments: Three days ago John sent this email message concerning the situation in Malaya: "Well congrats on cutting off some of my remaining forces at Malacca. I do not know why they couldn't travel 60 miles in 4 days but that is OK. Singapore should have fallen months ago but at least I got to pull about 500,000 men out first. That number is no BS! Once you got moving it has been hammer shots and well delivered Sir!" He said the same thing when the Allies were pushing the Japs out of Australia a few months back; something like, "Well, you've pushed the Japs out, but it took six months longer than I expected." These kind of backhanded compliments aren't particularly welcome, but they also display an ignorance of what an opponent is dealing with. Many, many factors enter into each side's strategy and of course players will miss opportunities and fail to perceive weaknesses that they could exploit. An example of this is in Vietnam right now. The Chinese had amassed a huge army at Hue months ago and all were prepping for Camranh Bay. John garrisoned that base with a sizeable army about 60,000 strong. However, I soon discovered that my troops at Hue weren't drawing supplies. They fell to zero. After awhile I became concerned that my entire position was untenable. I sent alot of Camranh prepped troops back into China and ordered about half the rest to prep for Hanoi as I sure didn't want that base jeapardized. If John had advanced his army out of Camranh towards Hue I would have pulled back, conceding the base. He never did. A missed opportunity, but it's just one of those things. SEAC: With so many indications that the Japanese are beginning a total withdrawal from Malaya, Siam, and Vietnam, the Allied army in Hue advanced south to threaten Camranh Bay and it appears that John is pulling out. He has also pulled the base force out of Bangkok. If I'm reading the signs right, he intends to evacuate his two main SEAC armies through Singapore and Saigon. Two more B-29 groups have arrived - two are posted at Georgetown and the two newcomers at Rangoon. The Allies will try probing deliberate attacks at Malacca (held by the Allies now) and Johore Bahru (held by the Japs) tomorrow. Japan: The Allies scheduled a massive raid on Osaka/Kobe yesterday but none of the aircraft sortied. A secondary raid against Niigata came in and hit Heavy Industry and a few other targets. I'll try Osaka/Kobe again tonight, with secondary raids against Sapporo and Aomori. NoPac: The Allies are prepping two Army divisions for Dutch Harbor. They will be ready to embark on transports in two days. CenPac: The combined carrier TFs and empty transports will reach Midway in three or four days. Troops are beginning to embark on transports at Midway in preparation for the reinforcement mission to Wake Island. The Japs haven't made a concerted effort to hit Iwo and Tori Shima, but I expect something to materialize. SWPac: A small Aussie force will land at Milne Bay tonight - large enough to hold the unoccupied dot hex against a small counterattack, but small enough not to risk a major defeat if the invasion stirs up a hornet's nest. I plan to develop this base as a step toward the SWPac Aussies and CenPac Americans linking up. The Allies have two B-29 groups at Darwin that will begin targeting resources and oil in the next few days. More B-29s are based at Brisbane, Noumea, and Aukland.

Canoerebel -> RE: Backhanded Compliments (1/27/2009 5:08:25 PM)
7/28/44 Update Part I: Funny, after my last post about Japanese units in SEAC pulling out, they reversed course - the one that vacated Bangkok came back, and one or more that left Camranh Bay returned there. Bad karma! I shouldn't have mentioned the apparent withdrawal. Update Part II: Once again the Osaka/Kobe raid failed to get off the ground. I'm not sure what's happening here. I'll give it one more shot. If it doesn't work I'll re-assign the Superforts to new targets. (However, the Sapporo and Aomori raids did fly). SWPac: 12th Australian Brigade landed at an undefended, un-mined Milne Bay, a dot hex. John has a few subs nosing around Auckland and New Caledonia, so I still think my suspicion that he would send the KB this way could be correct. SEAC: The probing attack at Malacca came off at 5:1, so the Allies have enough troops to wipe out the Japs given enough time. Not so at Johore Bahur; this attack came off at 0:1, forts seven, with the Allies suffering 2x casualties (5,000 to 2,500). I'll have to rest my guys and begin regular bombing of this base. A large raid on shipping and the airfield at Saigon scored more hits. Note: John is flipping turns as fast as he can, which is usually an indication that he has something big in the works that he's anxious to see unfold. My first two guesses would be KB in the Coral Sea or KB around Sumatra; third guess would be the KB around Eniwetok; fourth would be Iwo Jima. I haven't sighted the KB in several weeks, which works to John's benefit as I have to assume they could suddenly show up just about anywhere.

Canoerebel -> RE: Backhanded Compliments (1/27/2009 8:02:18 PM)
7/29/44 Japan: My three big B-29 squadrons at Shikuka must be on strike, because they once again refused to fly the mission against Osaka/Kobe, as did Iwo's B-24s and fighter escorts. This time the B-29s from Changsha hit the target, but small numbers and lack of escorts neutered the strike. So I've given up on Osaka and will try a new tactic. Tomorrow, the combined 4EB from Toyohara and Shikuka (there could be 300) will hit the Frank factory and resources at Harbin, China; they will be joined by one B-29 squadron from Chungking. I've totally ignored Harbin up until now, so I'm hoping there won't be any CAP. China: John has loaded up Kaefing's airfield, so I'm going to try to hit it with about 100 B-25s and 30 B-24s. Most of China's airfields are burgeoning with Allied fighters now. NoPac: The Dutch Harbor invasion troops are loading on transports. Cenpac: The combined American carrier fleet is less than 600 miles west of Midway. The Wake Island relief force should be ready to sail in one week. Things remain quiet at Iwo Jima and Eniwetok at the moment. SWPac: The Australians took Milne Bay. SEAC: Indian paratroops took a vacant Kompong Song (a port between Saigon and Bangkok). I'll airlift in some infantry and then a small base force. These moves are intended to rattle John a bit as he deals with a rapidly deteriorating position in Vietnam and Siam.

Mike Solli -> RE: Backhanded Compliments (1/27/2009 8:08:51 PM)
What's the weather like at your B-29 bases? I suspect that has something to do with their lack of flying. Either that or there's a particularly good Euchre tournament going on.

Canoerebel -> RE: Backhanded Compliments (1/27/2009 9:36:22 PM)
7/30/44 NoPac: The Shikuka and Iwo Jima 4EB failed to sortie again, for about the seventh day in a row, for reasons beyond me. (Mike, it could be weather, although the Toyohara bombers aren't having trouble getting off the ground). As a result of the Shikuka failure, the strike against Harbin, China, was only about half strength, consisting of 100+ B-24s and B-17s plus a contingent of about 30 B-29s from Changsha. This strike hit resources and the Frank factory. John's email in reply: "If you want to move the Air War into Manchuria away from Japan I would welcome that. Bomb away!" Yeah? So why did he promptly load up Harbin's airfield with fighters? Methinks any raid affecting Frank production is effective. CenPac: Quiet as the American carriers near Midway. The reinforcement invasion will include three Army divisions, one Marine divisions, and numerous smaller units including artillery and armor. SWPac: John detailed to DDs to hit the forces landing at Milne Bay, but the destroyers only damaged one transport lightly. Engineers are at work on port and airfield. Two B-29s groups, one Liberator III group, and a B-24 group from Darwin hit Kendari, destroying 100 resources. Malaya: John has a good blocking position at Johore Bahru and seems to be pulling some troops out of Singapore by ship. I think his troops can hold out for awhile allowing him to Dunkirk a good bit of his army. I'll do what I can to make it as expensive as possible. (About a month ago the KB savaged several Allied transport TFs sinking about 60 vessels; the total number of Allied ships lost since the beginning of that raid is about 75; the Japs have lost 100 over that period, mostly transports near Singapore and Saigon). Siam/Vietnam: I think John is pulling a Dunkirk here, too, but I'm not positive yet. An Allied army of 1000 AV will cross the river and assault Bangkok tomorrow. Allied troops 500 AV strong are already in Bangkok and will jointly attack. I don't have much hopes of this attack succeeding, but it should be strong enough to pin down the Japanese troops. China: The big raid on the Jap airfield at Kaefeng was successful. On the day, 60 Jap aircraft were destroyed on the ground (most at Kaefeng, but a handful at Singapore). At the moment I think John has pulled most of his airforce out of China. Points: (A) 60,107 to (J) 55,070; Ratio: 1.09 to 1; Strategic Points: 9,046.

Canoerebel -> Strategic Map - August 1, 1944 (1/28/2009 3:05:17 PM)
7/31/44 Strategic Map: This map illustrates the weird turns taken in our game. The Japanese still hold two islands in the Aleutians (red circle) and the Societies/Fiji/Pago Pago area (red square). The Allies hold Iwo Jima and Sikhalin Island and have recently established bases at Ponape and Eniwetok, with an invasion of Wake Island ongoing (blue border). The Allies have also just invade Milne Bay (blue circle), a step in linking up Australian forces moving north with CenPac forces moving south. Really Weird CVE Names: The Allies are getting CVEs with names like Bismark Sea, Makin, Savo Island, etc. and have no idea why these ships are named in such fashion since areas and islands like these have been backwaters the entire game.[sm=innocent0009.gif] Malaya: An RN combat TF sank ten AGs at Singapore. The Allies are repositioning forces to help in the effort at reducing the Jap holdouts at Malacca and eventually booting the Jap army from Johore Bahru. Vietnam/Siam: The Allied attack at Bangkok came off at 1:1 and dropped forts from 9 to 8, with roughly equal losses. Kompong Son, just taken by Inidan paratroops, now has a small base force and two Wellington squadrons. I think John has vacated Pnom Penh. The Chinese have arrived at Camranh Bay and I'm hoping the Japanese will evacuate without a fight (but I doubt it). Japan: Another major Allied bombing raid ordered for tonight, with the Iwo B-24s, Toyohara B-24s and B-17s (about 150), and Shikuka B-29s (about 140) ordered to hit Tokyo's Franks and resources. The remaining Shikuka 4EB will hit resoruces at a small base adjacent to Harbin, China. NoPac: John sent a small TF (it looks like a transport or two) into NoPac by sailing through the straits just north of Ominato and south of Hokkaido. I don't know what he's doing - perhaps testing Allied recon and response. I've just ignored these ships. John has also just begun reconning Shikuka, after focusing solely on Toyohara for months. These are signs that the Japanese may have an interest in a major, all-out invasion of Sikhalin Island. I already have the major defenses in place, so I'm not worried right now. These major defenses include land units (1900 AV Toyohara, 1600 Shikuka, with reinforcements soon to arrive plus back up troops in the Kuriles and Aleutians), mines (10,000 at Toyohara, 20,000 at Shikuka), and battleships (six at Shikuka). However, I will tweak things a bit to make sure I can whistle up reinforcements should the need arise. One contingency is to have ground units in the Aleutians prepping for both Sikahlin Island bases and plenty of transport aircraft in the region to handle emergency airlifts should the need arise. Points as of July 31, 1944: (A) 60,163 to (J) 55,168; Ratio 1.09 to 1; Strategic: 9,046. [image]local://upfiles/8143/EC7C98CBC2B44D7F87DB1E92A44B53EE.jpg[/image]

Canoerebel -> Battle over Tokyo (1/28/2009 9:18:14 PM)
8/1/44 Tokyo: A major air battle over Tokyo illustrates the give and take of the strategic bombing campaign. The Allies came in three waves and faced stiff opposition from a potent CAP. Here's what happened: (1) From Iwo, 24 B-24, 62 P-38, 8 P-47D, and 10 P-61 Black Widow targeted Tokyo's airfield and faced 92 Frank, 32 Jack, 20 George and 21 Tojo. The Japs lost 57 aircraft (including 26 Frank) and the Allies 40 fighters (35 P-38) and 1 B-24; however, the carnage persuaded the B-24 pilots to head back home without hitting the airfield; (2) 18 B-17 and 148 B-24 from Toyohara came in unescorted against the remaining CAP, the Japs losing 12 fighters and the Allies 5 fighters and 13 bombers, and one again the bombers did little or no damage; (3) then 140 unescorted B-29s faced a fatigued CAP and scored 64 resource hits (and perhaps a few hits on the Frank factory to boot), losing 9 Superforts. John was justifiably pleased with the performance of his CAP (those Franks are tough customers!). The aircraft loses ran roughly 7:5 in favor of the Japs. However, the Allies scored 348 strategic bombing points, meaning that in points alone the Allies came out ahead roughly 400 to 90 (counting ops losses). Moreover, I "assume" that the strategic bombing is, or will eventually, affect the Japanese war effort. The Allies have already destroyed 1/3 of Tokyo's 900 resource points, plus major resource concentrations at bases like Sendai, Sapporo, Aomori, and Akita; there have also been successful raids against Japanese heavy industry, oil, and aircraft factories. But I have no experience with strategic bombing, so I'm relying on an intuitive feeling that it will affect the Japanese beyond the mere awarding of points. Japan: Elswewhere, 29 B-29s from Changsha scored a few resource hits at Fukuoka in southern Japan, and a 115 4EB raid raid from Shikuka (these B-24s and -17s didn't have the range to join the Tokyo raid) scored about 30 oil hits at a base just south of Harbin, Manchuria. Aircraft Losses: For the day, the Allies lost 94 aircraft (78 a-2-a, 0 field, 2 flak, 14 ops) to 77 for the Japs (53, 18, 0, 6). NoPac: The Dutch Harbor invasion force will depart Amchitka Island tomorrow. D-Day is about August 4. CenPac: Things remain quiet at Iwo Jima and vicinity. The combined American carrier TFs plus the empty transports just returned to Midway, where other transports are busy loading the Wake Island invasion reinforcement force. This group will depart in three or four days. SWPac: Frances bombers in small sorties from Port Moresby and Buin (or it might have been Rabaul) sank a couple of the transports unloading supplies at Milne Bay. It will take a good week to ten days for the engineers to establish a level one airfield here. To the northwest, a detachment of Gull Force batallion landed and took a vacant Sarmi, a small island north of Darwin with a level 1 port, 0 (0) airfield. Will John respond in force to either the New Caledonia or Milne Bay invasions? No sign of such to this point. SEAC: Allied 2EB from Kampong Son and Tavoy hit many Japanese transports in and around Saigon. The Allies will try a probing attack at Camranh Bay tomorrow. China: B-24s from Henchow hit Hong Kong damaging 12 Japanese transports. Points: (A) 61,251 to (J) 55,259; Ratio: 1.10 to 1; Strategic Points: 9,388.

Canoerebel -> SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/28/2009 9:37:29 PM)
The SEAC situation on August 2, 1944 [image]local://upfiles/8143/B886AC38B3514C3FA6FF820A42CFCFAC.jpg[/image]

ny59giants -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/29/2009 12:34:21 AM)
Do you have any American AKs in the IO that you can use to create barges and/or PT boats?? You could use them to move troops and supplies from Singora to Kompong Som. I usually leave two to three AKs from game start in Aden just to do this. I would consider moving some small, fast AKs past Singapore to help move supplies. You have enough fighters to LRCAP them to prevent attacks.

JeffroK -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/29/2009 7:26:15 AM)
How good is the japanese Night Fighter force? Did Curt LeMay have the right tactic to avoid japanese defences? Even as an occaisional tactic to divert defenders.

String -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/29/2009 10:35:36 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: JeffK How good is the japanese Night Fighter force? Did Curt LeMay have the right tactic to avoid japanese defences? Even as an occaisional tactic to divert defenders. Should be totally absymal.

Mike Solli -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/29/2009 1:35:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: JeffK How good is the japanese Night Fighter force?[:-] They suck. [8\|]

Canoerebel -> Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 3:39:06 PM)
8/2/44 Night Bombing: Gents, I've been reluctant to try night bombing for fear that the Japs might effectively retaliate against my bomber bases at Shikuka and Toyohara. This would force me to bring in night fighters to augment my fighter forces, which would require me to move out bombers (both fields are at their maximum capacities now). I'll mull it over, but for now I'll stick to daytime raids. I do have night fighters (Black Widows and Hellcats) nearby in case I need them. Wow, that's alot of carriers! The combined American carrier TFs returned to Midway at the same time some reinforcing carriers arrived from Panama City. This island is temporarily home to 49 carriers - 9 CVs, 8 CVLs, and 32 CVEs. All CVEs are equipped with F3Fs or F5Fs. One carrier - Essex - has 13 SYS damage and may return to Pearl or San Fran to rest and refit. CenPac: The Wake Island reinforcement force is almost finished loading. Three Army divisions are loaded on LSTs and other assault craft; most of the HQ and base force units are loaded on APs. The armor and artillery is divided between LSTs and AKs. An armada will sail from Midway in two or three days and will also bring along some troops prepping for more distant and hopefully unprotected bases. Iwo and Tori Shima remain blessedly quiet. SWPac: ASW sank one Jap sub at Aukland a few days ago, but another is positioned to the east. I remain wary of a Jap carrier raid in this area. Meanwhile, the Allies will try a probing attack at Koumac tomorrow. SEAC: Allied 2EB from Kompong Son, Tavoy, Kota Bahru, and other bases hit several dozen transports near Saigon and in the South China Sea. A 3:1 attack by the Chinese at Camranh Bay dropped forts from 7 to 6 and cost the Japs 2x casualties (1,000 to 500). This base could fall tomorrow. The Allies will try a shock attack at Bangkok and it's possible that base could fall also. China: 67 B-29s from Chungking hit the Frank factory at Fukuoka, Japan, scoring 6 hits; B-29s from Hengchow hit ten transports at Hong Kong. Game Status: At the moment, the Jap position in SEAC is collapsing with Jap shipping taking many hits. I don't expect this "massacre" to continue much longer. The Japs are falling back (in a bit of disarray) to a prepared inner line of defenses and upcoming Allied operations against that inner line will face well-organized and stiff resistance. But the Japs have apparently given up hope on holding Camranh Bay, Phnom Penh, Saigon, Bangkok, and Singapore. This comes as a surprise. While the Allies had control of the air, the Japs had a tremendous army in SEAC. From what I've seen in this game even isolated and bludgeoned Jap armies can hold out a long, long time. Points: (A) 61,380 to (J) 55,281; Ratio: 1:10 to 1; Strategic Points: 9,450.

EWGuttag -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 6:19:45 PM)
"The combined American carrier TFs returned to Midway at the same time some reinforcing carriers arrived from Panama City. This island is temporarily home to 49 carriers - 9 CVs, 8 CVLs, and 32 CVEs. " Canoerebel, That is quite some carrier force. How many planes does that give you (fighters, SBDs, TBDs)? Sounds like you could now do major damage to the JP in the CenPac area.

Canoerebel -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 6:33:56 PM)
Leaving Essex at home, that will give the American carrier TF roughly 976 fighters, 320 Helldivers, and 480 TBMs and TBFs. This force will be moving to cover the Wake invasion reinforcement mission, then onward on other missions.

rroberson -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 6:37:52 PM)
Incredible AAR I have enjoyed it for the last 3 days (reading it).

vettim89 -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 9:08:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Canoerebel Leaving Essex at home, that will give the American carrier TF roughly 976 fighters, 320 Helldivers, and 480 TBMs and TBFs. This force will be moving to cover the Wake invasion reinforcement mission, then onward on other missions. Irony here. This force is powerful enough that if you knew where John's carriers were you could pursue them and forever wipe the threat of IJN CV's interfering with you plans forever. The irony: those of us who read both threads know exactly where John's carriers are. Talk about being omnicient

Canoerebel -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 9:13:17 PM)
Vettim, I have absolutely no clue as to the KB's whereabouts - not even the the most fleeting sightings of a carrier, cruiser, or carrier aircraft in weeks. Any guess I make is based purely upon my assessment of John's tendencies. So my first guess would be the Coral Sea; second guess would be a central location (like Palau) to permit John to strike at Iwo or Eniwetok as needed or if an opportunity arises; third guess would be a strike around Sumatra; fourth and last guess would be a position (like the Sea of Japan) where it can support a move on Sikhalin Island (which I rate unlikely).

1275psi -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 9:29:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rroberson Incredible AAR I have enjoyed it for the last 3 days (reading it). Hey hey hey! Nice to see you are still about!

vettim89 -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/29/2009 11:42:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Canoerebel Vettim, I have absolutely no clue as to the KB's whereabouts - not even the the most fleeting sightings of a carrier, cruiser, or carrier aircraft in weeks. Any guess I make is based purely upon my assessment of John's tendencies. So my first guess would be the Coral Sea; second guess would be a central location (like Palau) to permit John to strike at Iwo or Eniwetok as needed or if an opportunity arises; third guess would be a strike around Sumatra; fourth and last guess would be a position (like the Sea of Japan) where it can support a move on Sikhalin Island (which I rate unlikely). And that, my friend, is what makes it so enjoyable for us to read these parallel AAR's. We see both sides and I personally have gotten a chuckle as both of your paranoias have manifestedd themselves. What has been fun is seeing both of you worrying about an an attack here or an attack there and knowing the other guy hasn't even considered that. Then again, it has also been scary how spot on both of you have been guessing where your opponents next move was going to be

EWGuttag -> RE: Wow, that's alot of carriers! (1/30/2009 12:11:52 AM)
"Leaving Essex at home, that will give the American carrier TF roughly 976 fighters, 320 Helldivers, and 480 TBMs and TBFs." Canorebel, Wow, that's a lot of firepower to have. I don't envy John trying to fend this off, especially now that you've got Iwo Jima, and Eniwetok. With those 2 bases, are you within range to start pounding Japan with B-29s? BTW, my father-in-law was stationed at one point on Eniwetok with the 7th Div during WWII (he was later at Okinawa and Seoul, Korea as an occupation force). I fortunately found that out talking with him in 2007 before he died later that year from lung cancer that spread from colo-rectal cancer (a very difficult year for my wife). Anyway, good hunting.

JeffroK -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 12:51:56 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mike Solli quote: ORIGINAL: JeffK How good is the japanese Night Fighter force?[:-] They suck. [8\|] So..... Sending 200+ B29-24-17 at night to a japanese city outside of fighter escort range might cause some damage. If used sparingly it could see some fighters diverted to defend the bases, at the least, it another thing for John to think about. (I suppose the question is also, how good is night bombing?) edit Whoops, didnt see canoerebels answer.

Mike Solli -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 3:52:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: JeffK quote: ORIGINAL: Mike Solli quote: ORIGINAL: JeffK How good is the japanese Night Fighter force?[:-] They suck. [8\|] So..... Sending 200+ B29-24-17 at night to a japanese city outside of fighter escort range might cause some damage. If used sparingly it could see some fighters diverted to defend the bases, at the least, it another thing for John to think about. (I suppose the question is also, how good is night bombing?) edit Whoops, didnt see canoerebels answer. I rarely find night bombing worth the effort. But, TBH, I've never had "real" bombers. I've only played the Japanese. [:'(]

vettim89 -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 4:38:41 AM)
Dan, I am playing the same mod and tried night bombing Sabang out of Rangoon in August 1943. My groups were all fairly high exp (some approaching 90) as they ha been fighting all war long in CBI. First, only about 1/3 of the designate aircraft flew the mission an a 50 strong 4E raid yielded 0 as in none, nada, zippo AB hits. I don't know if you will see similar results but my guess is you will probably find it just as futile

Mistmatz -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 9:57:43 AM)
In the beginning of the game I used the Blenheim Nightfighters (maybe RHS specifcic?) to attack enemy airfields at night. I payed more in operational losses than I gain in actual damage but depending on your opponent it might be worthwile to freak him out and attract counter attacks to those airfields they started from. Of course this was just a diversion and canoerebels situation is very different, but nevertheless he might come to the conclusion its worthwhile.

Panther Bait -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 2:34:24 PM)
Like others, I find night bombing fairly useless, at least with the Japanese. Flying night bombing raids with Betties/Nells out of Rabaul against Lunga, I have had basically no real success. Maybe 1 AB hit per 50 planes in the raid, and I destroy maybe 1 airplane on the ground. And this is with Lunga something like triple-overstacked, maybe 550 planes on a level 4 airfield. Unfortunately I can't do anything against the 200+ fighters at Lunga to attack during the day, and massed PT flotillas shred any bombardment raids or slow them down to get sunk by DBs then next day. And that's with daily Dinah recon flights. Admitedly, the bombers crews experience numbers are generally low 50-70, but even when I have transferred in some 80+ exp Sentai it doesn't make much difference. Strangely enough, my Bettie/Nell groups do manage to damage (and even shoot down) some of the elite F4Fs (VF-6 with some impressive pilots) he sets on night fighter duty, so it amuses me to keep the night bombing going. Of cours B-29s with much better bombloads going after strategic targets in the Home Islands might have better luck.

Canoerebel -> RE: SEAC Map - August 2, 1944 (1/30/2009 2:47:02 PM)
Thanks for all your thoughts about night bombing. At present, daytime raids are still quite effective and losses acceptable. Given that and the fact that I don't want to prompt John to retaliate with nighttime raids against my Shikuka airfields - a tactic that might force me bring in night fighters and therefore reduce my bomber numbers - I'll stick with the current modus operandi. If the daytime raids become ineffective or losses prohibitive, I'll certainly reconsider.

Canoerebel -> Bangkok, Camranh Bay Fall (1/31/2009 4:31:41 PM)
8/3/44 and 8/4/44 SEAC: Allied troops took Camranh Bay on the 3rd and Bangkok on the 4th. The Jap forces in Siam/Cambodia/Vietnam are in retreat and concentrating at Saigon. But a small Allied army will advance tonight from Kompong Son to take Phnom Penh, thus cutting off the small Japanese army retreating from Bangkok. I don't know if John will try a Dunkirk through Saigon as he has already lost scores of transports in this are over the past month. Further south, the Allies are continuing periodic attacks at Malacca, but for now just bombarding at Johore Bharu. I don't know if John will leave his Malaya forces to fight to the end, or try to Dunkirk through Singapore. If the latter, he'll probably time the arrival of the transports with an appearance by the KB to discourage RN combat ships from getting involved. NoPac: The Allies will land at Dutch Harbor tonight. Yesterday, 150 4EB hit Sapporo's resources and airfield, primarily as a reminder that the Allies aren't forgetting this post. I don't want John to slip 1,500 aircraft into Hokkaido's airfields as a prelude to hitting the Allied bases on Sikhalin Island. CenPac: The Allied Wake Island reinforcement armada leaves Midway tonight. This force consists of the following TFs: 8 CV/CVL; 4 CVE (each with 8 escort carriers); 2 combat (with a total of 4 BBs); and a multitude of transports carrying HQ, engineers, armor, artillery, and three Army divisions. When this force arrives at Wake, I'll first unload supplies for the Allied army already there, then when those troops are fully supplied the new units will land. SWPac: No sign of Japanese countermeasures against Allied troops on New Caledonia or at Milne Bay. A deliberate attack at Koumac came off at 1:1, and the Japs have 5 forts. I'll rest a few days and try again. Points: (1) 61,599 to (J) 55,303; Ratio: 1.11 to 1; Strategic: 9,454. Long Term Plans: Soon the Allies will have SEAC cleared (or mostly cleared). With big forward airfields in place, important Japanese bases like Palembang, Batavia, and those on Borneo will be within range. The RN will also have the ability to sail in the South China Sea, or at least the western half. The Allies can choose then whether to invade Java, Borneo, or even coastal China. The latter is an enticing thought because these airbases are close to Japan and the Allies can bring in supplies by sea. To the east, once the Allies take care of Wake Island, the next move will be South to link up with ANZAC forces moving north. The main forcus from there will be to move west to obtain bases within range of Truk, Palau, and the Celebes. But the Allies will also devote some units to backfilling towards Luganville, Suva, and other remote bases.

vettim89 -> RE: Bangkok, Camranh Bay Fall (1/31/2009 5:46:29 PM)
You might want to consider putting all your attack aircraft in the Wake Is invasion force on Nav Attack/Port Attack. If you pummel the port to dust before the fresh troops unload, CD fire will be greatly reduced

Page: << < prev 29 30 [31] 32 33 next > >>

1.015625