The Battle for Clark Field (Full Version)

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Crackaces -> The Battle for Clark Field (8/10/2011 3:30:44 PM)

You have to imagine these dug in and desperate American Boys knowing their fate is sealed, but putting up the most admirable defense. Clark Field in two days have taken about 7500 IJ casualties at the expense of 1000 US boys. However, supply is now zero and this game is about logistics. The starvation, distruption and surrender process will start with the next turn.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41395 troops, 476 guns, 455 vehicles, Assault Value = 1349

Defending force 23856 troops, 422 guns, 433 vehicles, Assault Value = 893

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 311

Allied adjusted defense: 2029

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
4380 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 347 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 276 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Vehicles lost 78 (14 destroyed, 64 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
577 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 52 (3 destroyed, 49 disabled)

Taking the advice in this thread of getting two bases up together rather than in series ... I have started the process of moving more forces into two bases -- Luganville and Nidei. Each will have CB's marine engineers and Naval Dock forces to build up supply and continue building the airfields and port capacity. The stiff resistance of Manilla/Clark Field along with strategic [and very lucky] submarine attacks has begun the process of devating the IJ timetable and plan.

Another set of decisions is how to upgrade the DD's. Of all the platforms in the inventory -- DD's are most precious right now. As I have harped over and over again the IJ submaine warfare is deadly and to get out of or back into a port requires escort. I still have 4 Bagley class DD's to upgrade. In March teh Simms class is upgraded. This is only 4 days but do I want 8 DD's out for 4 days at once? Plus the Lady Lex and Saratoga will be due for an upgrade. that takes 27 days -- i.e. the whole month of March. I have decided to convert 2DD's into Bird AVD's to support PA forward bases at Luganville and Nedei.

But .. as far as teh CV upgrades go ... that means that April is the first opportunity to have 5 CV's in theater. Until then we have to delay delay delay and keep the KB focused in the DEI.

On the operational front. My B17's at PH have achieved a "Trained" Status. I have 2 AKV's ready to start moving these platforms into the land of OZ. I have moved a Base Force to Townsville and US BF's are loading now for the Land of Oz ... Time is precious but I have planned for deployment of B-17's supported for the 3rd week of Feburary.

More as we go ..



Crackaces -> The "Midway" Scenrario (8/10/2011 4:42:26 PM)

This is a post I most desire feedback. It is my current thought on engaging the KB mid to late 1942.

I believe the following conditions must be in place to succeed:

1. The KB must have some mission in mind besides Naval Attack. That could be an airfield raid or port attack. But the force must fly a mission besides naval attack in the turn of the US foray.

2. The US CV's must not be detected before executing a first strike.

3. The Allies must have multiple patrol forces [PA & Subs] in the area of engagment ensuring detection of the KB the day before the planned enagement. Then all patrol forces focus on the arcs to obtain best detection the day of engagement.

4. The night turn of the engagement the US CV's move from out of range of the KB target to within range. This is where my observations might be wrong, but I have observed that if enemy Naval TF's are not detected in morning search phase the secondary missions will go -- airfield attack or port attack. This is where it gets dicey because I understand current detection levels are a factor in launching. The Allied player must get detection > X, and the IJN must not achieve detection level 'X'. I am not sure what the threashold 'X' is yet. Simple detection is not enough because if multiple TF's exist in the same hex and a certain detection threashold is not met ... I read the tales of IJN BB's CA's and xAP's getting struck rather than CV's .. this plan has to strike the CV's with some level of certainy.

5. In this scenrario the US forces get first strike in the morning air phase.

I think the GA version of the game resolves Naval attacks a little more randomly than historical. I do understand that strike targets selected depend on leadership and detection level of the target, but I think it requires more aircraft than historical to achieve historical results. I am planning for a 1942 a 3CV 1 CVE KB requiring 5 US CV's to first strike in order to achieve a 50/50 coin flip of crippling the IJN forces enough that the impending second strike by the IJN KB is not a disaster. The build up of LR Aircraft Patrol forces in these areas using interlocking search arcs is the begining of executing that plan.

That is my current understanding, right or wrong, that I am planning mid-1942 carrier operations in the Coral Sea My opponet is not going to try an amphib operation outside of land based air support, but I believe Nomuea, Pango Pango, and Townsville, all offer targets outside of IJ landbased aircraft that the KB might take a shot at raiding. This is the opportunity I am looking for ...what I do not want to try is a "first strike" against a KB that is waiting for my forces with nothing else better to do. This invites disaster in my opinion. I think the very least in this situation the planes watching the forces pass by on the way to their targets and the US carriers taking the worse of it.

We shall see how things unfold the next 4 months. All the operations right now are to support this goal.



DOCUP -> RE: The "Midway" Scenrario (8/10/2011 9:27:49 PM)

What about LBA?  Some bombers to go in and attrit his cap some.  fighters to LR cap your carriers?  I don't know about your detection and rush in and launch an attack.  Got to watch the weather and other variables that would keep you from launching a strike.  Your the one whos pulling the trigger so you have the call on it we can't sit back and tell you what to do. 

DD conversions APDs are nice and you don't get many in the begining.  DEs are nice also.  You will need the APDs at some point or another.  But its your call.

doc



Lecivius -> RE: The "Midway" Scenrario (8/10/2011 11:39:47 PM)

Agreed, LBA is very benificial.  Plus, it can be used to scout out KB while keeping your naval seach assets firmly on the ships, and therefore do not give away your position.  By now your naval aviators should be in the high 60's low 70's for experience.  If not, you  are behind on training, plus your air frames are not up to par to take on KB, even with surprise.  You will get lucky to inflict any damage while putting your precious flatops in serious jeapordy.

Another thing.  If you know KB is about, it can be really benificial to put your Cat's on Naval Attack, Torpedo, at night.  While this is usually a very bad idea ( Cat's are worth their weight in gold), these little gomers can penetrate a TF & hit carriers without CAP getting to them.



Crackaces -> Situation 01 FEB 1942 (8/11/2011 4:10:39 PM)

First and foremost, great suggestions posted above. I have just started to move BF's and Aviation units into teh land of OZ and I have landed a BF and Nidei. My B-17 bombers are 10 days away from the Land of Oz. I do note in other AAR's a much faster deployment ... my inexperince shows here. I waited too damn long to get American base forces and support into Australia.

Weather .. I have already encoutered that fickle finger of fate in my raid on Wake Island. So good thought in engaging in a carrier war.

OK ..

Enclosed is a Strategic Map of the Situation 57 days into this affair. The red line represents my "line of death". I am willing to give up Darwin as the game IHHO has an artifical barrier to defending the northern areas. [Supply distribution on the roads.] In keeping with that objective, Singapore and Manilla still hold out and are a thorn in teh side of the IJ's plans. I continue to sail subs in the DEI area. The US submaines are mining Kavrig and also small places where shipping is high but IJN DD support is low like Ocean Island. He wants to build a air base there to interdict my shipping to Pango Pango and I will make it difficult.

Aussie Land Base air is tranferring supplies from Townsville to PM. US based air is 15 days away unless I port at Brisbane and RR BF's to Townsville. I am going to transfer the 7th Bomber Command to Brisbane. In his part of this Lae has just been invaded.

On the operational front something that concerns me is that my naval search has turned up "9 ships off Perth" in the combat report but no markers on the map. Eitehr this is fog of war and my boys imagined a sighting, or a significant raid is off Perth. There are some light cargo ships wihtin 400 miles and 4 ships docked unloading one of teh 1 AUS bde's. I suspect a bombard soon :/ ... I have 2 LB's sqds set at 2000 feet on Naval attack if another search can triigger a response or if this is a phantom. No matter I am transferring a 9 ship SCTF including the PoW, Repulse, and 5 CL's from Sydney and I am moving a 3 BB and the Brit CV's from Colombo to start patroling. Clearly I do not want a fight with the KB but if he is going to send Bombardment raids that far south I have to be able to choose to respond. Especally since I have the rest of the I AUS on its way to Perth. The ships are 400 miles south southeast of Columbo ...One thing to think about is devating things back to India and send them into Burma like Churchill wanted :). Better that than losing them to a raid. We shall see if these things are phantoms this afternoon sometime.

[image]local://upfiles/38979/2FA406CA300F43F184AA901029ACBEB5.jpg[/image]



Crackaces -> First House Rule (8/12/2011 4:21:16 AM)

My opponent and I have agreed to the first house rule. Many on this forum are interested in keeping the INdian Army out of Burma or detials like this. My opponent was a modern submariner, as was his father in the war. He strongly feels that the game does not track fatigue with submarines. Ground troops and pilots are tracked but submarines fatgue is not tracked. One can think of an accumulation os sys damage to account for some fatigue but certainly submarine service crew fatigue is a factor.

So we have agreed 1 day in port per week out. An endurance 11K sub can maximum spend 91 days at sea @ cruise. Less time at mission speed. Mission to patrol is a combination somewhere in between. Anyway I will see if my sys damage theory holds and my subs require at least a week (7 weeks out) to recover .. otherwise I will hold them back a couple of days before deploying.




Crackaces -> Strategy (8/12/2011 5:04:57 PM)

This game is very unique in that it blends strategy, operations, and tatics in one game. Most games are one of those types. There are very people IMHO that can think at all three levels and do it 10 . 20 .. 100 .. or in this game 300 - 400 turns in advance. It also not only requires a certain mindset but discipline to execute this type of plan. I think the IJ player is more tested by this than the Allied player.

In another AAR, I am reading Canoerebel execute a beautiful Allied plan. I am tempted to change my plans to implement things learned. Then I think again .. do I really understand what is happening in his game? I have to conceed I don't, and I come back to executing the sophmorish "Brave Sir Robin Run away to fight another day" strategic plan I devised day one. I feel very confident in looking at the reinforcement schedule and how I have planned the deployment of forces that what I have imagined in terms of victory is still on track. It would be nice to have the mind and experince of Canoerebel, but alas I do not. But with what I know I think I still can pull off a victory :). That is another beauty of this game.

This turn was all about the details. I took WitPTracker and located all the Air groups lacking pilots. I checked my training and transferred Veterans from the reserves. I set more convoys toward Suva and Pango Pango with supplies and BF's that will redeploy to my forward bases.

My USN DD's are all being upgraded with "20 MM Pom Poms." I have 1/2 of the Clemson class upgrading at the begining of the month and 1/2 the last two weeks. This keeps some ASW support out there while I am moving beans, bullets, and butts into position. I have the Farragut class DD's at Suva and Pango Pango that need to port to get the big ASW upgrade. Details Details Details.

Thus my beginning commnet .. one can have a great strategic grasp but if you cannot be disciplined to check the upgrades chart and make sure that the right yard is available .. you fall behind .. not all at once like a game such as Third Reich .. but slowly ...one day at a time :/




Crackaces -> Turn 60 (8/12/2011 10:05:32 PM)

This turn was quiet....

I have moved more forces to Pango Pango that will be shipped to Nedei and Luganville and more base forces are headed that way via PH.

I moved more LB to resupply PM. Right now I have 24 aircraft dropping supplies to PM. The IJ have invaded Lae and will start a campaign to enaged PM soon.

I have set aside and started the conversions of XAK -> AP's and the Coastal Cargo ships. I have converted 5 ships to AKE's and 10 to AG's.

One more big transfer of stuff from the West Coast and we shall focuson moving units from PH to Suva/Pango Pango. Two more Bde transfers from Aden to Perth and the 1 AUS will be together at Perth. The forces for our mid '42 fight are all starting to come together. It is a slow plodding set of moves that result in the execution of a plan.

I have pretty much pulled a complete "Boldly Brave Sir Robin Campaign" with the execption of a couple of submarines still harassing him. Otherwise, the IJ does what they want unopposed .... for now ... then with superior force and speed we shall engage. I see no reason to shoot spitwads at him and not accomplish anything besides exchaging salvos .. with me taking the worse. Instead we shall enagage on our terms. That looks like Jun 1942 around the Coral Sea area.



DOCUP -> RE: Turn 60 (8/12/2011 10:18:29 PM)

Are you trying to harrass him with any SCTFs atleast?  If your not trying to widdle him down now, he will be fairly strong when you start your offensive.

What does DEIs look like? Burma, India etc. 

What areas are you thinking of attacking in june 42?

doc



Crackaces -> RE: Turn 60 (8/12/2011 10:37:42 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Are you trying to harrass him with any SCTFs atleast?  If your not trying to widdle him down now, he will be fairly strong when you start your offensive.

What does DEIs look like? Burma, India etc. 

What areas are you thinking of attacking in june 42?

doc


I have not been using my SCTF's .. one thing that would be good is to attack the Marshals with a CA led SCTF. That is something I will plan for once the upgrade is done.

Right now a 9 ship SCTF led by the PoW is headed to Perth and then to Cocos Islands. If an oppournity arises I am thinking of a Bombardment of Palenbang that is something I could try.

The picture below shows his next move and invasion of Java led by CA/CL's a Partial KB is nearby as they just raided Darwin 7 days ago. The arrow marking shows 20 - 30 aircraft level bombing from 2K feet. Maybe getting a hit ..

I sense the rest of the KB is parked off Shortlands.

I beleive I will be in place to start a campaign on the Solomans Mid Jun 1942. The LBA and support will be in place. I am going to assume PM has fallen but if it has not then I will use 1 AUS to reinforce.


[image]local://upfiles/38979/5F440B003AFD4B509D7A8A639CDC5367.jpg[/image]



DOCUP -> RE: Turn 60 (8/12/2011 10:45:12 PM)

Do you have any subs up by Palemburg?  I'd try and bag some of those TKs making supply runs back to the HI.  I think its the dot base Southeast of Batavia makes a nice nice place to hold up for awhile.  Are you trying to get your ENG to Soerabaja, to up forts and if its lost to damage industry there.

What about flying some of the stranded Dutch INF units back to Java to help in the defense.

doc



Crackaces -> Palembang (8/12/2011 11:51:12 PM)

What the picture below shows is the Trusty laying some mines at Palembang .. I have some USN subs lines up to deposit joy there too ..

The Dutch subs are on the other side of Borneo waiting for their opportunity to sink a capitol ship .. two near misses ...

Now as far as Air Transport. I have not been too successful at this .. I guess I did not wait long wnough but very early on I set air transport and my forces in stratgic mode. It seemed not to error but no forces seemed to move :(

But I have plenty of subs in the area at least scouting and this fits putting a SCTF in there to at least bombard ..

One other thing one might notice Singapore is still ours .. just not for long :(


[image]local://upfiles/38979/EF7DA98F7205451A8765ACBB75A01DB8.jpg[/image]



DOCUP -> RE: Palembang (8/13/2011 4:34:43 AM)

I keep my troops in combat mode.  Remember you have 2 different transport types.  One will pick up the troops and the other will deliver them to a destination.

doc



Crackaces -> Resisting the Blitzkrieg (8/14/2011 5:21:49 PM)

Ahhhh That might be the ticket ... keep them in combat mode and keep picking up troops. I think it is too late at this point. The blitzkrieg is at Java and the invasion has begun ...

My mining of Palembang did not go well .. 2 IJN DD's crippled the Truant before she could mine. She is 60 hexes away from Colombo at 1 hex per day .. maybe she will make it back ..

I am now seeing submarines around Columbo but there is a lack DD's in the area. A 4 torp attack on a xAKL missed. Now a mad scramble to avoid the patrol area. The Cat's will ASW will bombs for now and try and provide support.

The next week I will be very busy with life but I will do my best to keep up a summary until things get exciting. A British SCTF is asmebling off the coast of Perth and maybe we will try some bombardment missions of Java landing sites after the big boys leave for refit. Palembang might be a target too... Also this coordinates with some USN SCTF planning to harress forces in the Marshals. Its a game of hit and run until the USN forces are ready to deal with the Japananse onslaught.



Crackaces -> A little air victory (8/15/2011 12:18:56 AM)

I held the AVG back and now I have moved them into position after I have seen the IJ air deployment in China. We pulled off a little surprise:

Morning Air attack on 53rd Chinese Corps, at 81,50 (Changteh)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 20
Ki-36 Ida x 6


Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 4 destroyed


"Four out of Six aint bad ...." I should not be hearing from these boys for awhile.

The whole KB is not in the middle of the DEI ...6 hexes away from Soerabaja .. that creepy "The main force!" still sends chills down my spine. From suggestions in this thread I prepared a SCTF wiht the Mississippi leading 4CA's and 4CL escorted by 8 DD's just upgraded with Radar. The Big E and escorts are not far behind. Time to raise some mischief off Tulagi:) The eventual plan is to retire the BIG E toward Aukland.

The Saratoga and Lexington will have a 28 day refit at the end of this month. They will join the festivties when the Hornet comes into theater. The Yorktown will join the BIG E as a second CVTF as the DD's come on line from their +30 AA upgrade.

To support this operation I am now transferring 12 Cats to Nedei and I have the AVD's in place to support. That will be 24 Cats with interlocking air sweeps of the Lower Solomans ...should be no surprises and our choice of which fight to pick.

Nidei now have 30 AV along with supporting engineers building an airbase like thier life depends on it ... because it does! :) I have units 3 days from Luganvillle and they will begin the construction at a rapid pace ...

I shall see what Feb 08 1942 brings.




Crackaces -> Logistics (8/15/2011 6:04:15 PM)

Along with the usual game turn details, this week will be spent with a focus on logistics. Just like the UPS commercial .. Logistics Logistics Logistics ..

I am a pretty busy person and this game would suck all the availiable waking time in my life :). Given a limit of time, I have to focus on parts and then let them run while I focus on other parts. Given that I have looked at the Arrivals for Abadan abd Aden.

Right now, I have a 4 TK back up at Abadan. Meaning after sending fuel to Cape Town, Colombo, Bombay, Karchi, and Perth, the return trips are sitting on the dock waiting to fuel because Abadan right now is only a level 5 port. IN addition, 4 more TK's are comming to Abadan this month as reinforcement. I will send 2 TK's with Fuel to CT and then back door to LA. This will balance distribution over the next 180 days.


I sent 136K units of capacity to Aden. However, only 36K of units of cargo space is required over the next 90 days. That is 100K even 80K with safety of exceess shipping at Aden. These AP's will be moved to Bombay.



Crackaces -> The Ndeni Buildup (8/16/2011 4:09:46 PM)

The DEI is pretty much a loss. Over 4 days I have shot 20 torps with no joy. Those opportunites are now long gone as the concentration of forces and dispersing to their respective invasion sites. A air raid by the KB finished off any hopes of a low percentage naval attack.

China is an interesting proposal. I moved my AVG forces to Changsha:

Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 12
Ki-36 Ida x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 9



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

The problem .... Each raid defended puts more aircraft into maintinance. 1/2 of the aircraft are in maintinace due to a shortage of support and supplies. One more raid and we will have to stand down for awhile. The average repair time is 6 days per plane and 10 planes are down right now ...that is 60 days ...The AVG withdrawl in July.

An intersting situation as illistrated below has started to develop. I have moved mostly support and engineering forces to Ndeni -- About 2K support troops. A look at the picture shows that the IJ player has moved 2K troops to counter. I beleive I will win the buildup war, although he can shut down Ndeni at will. Luganville has a similar make up. The key I think is that I started building first, and devoted more engineers -- at a brisk 3% pace we will have a level 1 port and level 1 airfield mid March.

Just off the southend of the map is the CVTF "Big E" & Yorktown along with a SCTF lead by the Missisippi. About 40 combat ships in all. As I get PA covering deeper into the area I will nudge these forces forward. Maybe executing a Bombardment Raid on Tulgi. In order to build this base he will need to supply. My subs shoot blanks but they do let me know what targets are in the area. This might be the oppournity to execute that raid.

[image]local://upfiles/38979/CFA32FC48DA94853A0EEEAD908E065CE.jpg[/image]



Crackaces -> Update Turn #73 (8/24/2011 4:59:13 PM)

A little update after my one week of intensive work with school :)

On the tatical front we are getting our licks in attriting airpower. I move 30 aircraft to Prome and LCAP over Ragoon. Thus far 8 Nates, 2 Oscars, 2 Sonia's, and 2 Ann's have met their fate. He is still on recon where the aircraft are coming from. I have stopped the bombing of Chingsha by downing 8 Kates and 4 Sally's losing zero aircraft. This turn I am sweeping IJ bases near Chingsha ..

Singapore and Manilla are on their last legs but ... are taking 1K Japanese a day with them ..

Otherwise ...

The IJ player continues to press on Java. The KB is raiding everyday reducing forces and ports to rubble. The USN CVTF consisting of the Big E and Yorktown is patrolling south of Suva. I plan to make a raid on naval forces invading PM.

I have decided to maintain a defensive line at Luganville and Ndeni. By that I mean I have decided not to follow history and invade Tulgi. Right now both sites have level 2 airfields and 50 P39's are on their way. The P40's will follow. I simply want to engage in a defensive feint and attrite the IJ airforce.

Most of the 1 AUS is in Perth. Once the last of the forces arrive in March I will start positioning forces to defend a possible invasion.

Now .. rather than fight in the Solomon Islands I have started preperation for Tarawa. My thought is for a MAY 9th invasion consisting of a AMPB force of 5 BB's, 3CA's, 6 CL's DD's and 10 AP's carrying 9K troops. This backed with 2 CVTF's. (5 CV's) Baker Island is being built up and forces prepped. Right now submarines are patrolling the area and observing the traffic. [No swooooosh sounds :( ]

The overall strategic plan has changed from a DEI slugfest to pursuing Adm King's and Nimitz island hopping plan to Formosa. This means no Solomon's No PI .. but a pure and focused strategy of getting to Formosa by 1945, while containing the IJ advances toward India, the Land of Oz, and Kiwi's ...



DOCUP -> RE: Update Turn #73 (8/24/2011 8:19:33 PM)

Nice to see you back.



Crackaces -> RE: Update Turn #75 (8/24/2011 10:45:47 PM)

It looks like from the recon I have set up at Baker Island that both Tarawa and Ocean Island are getting reinforcements this turn. We both must have come to the same conclusion or the IJ player might be just setting up his perimeter. So he is not going to let me have an easy landing. This is key because the Allies do not get APA conversions until 3/43. I just cannot see a defended landing being successful using AP's and AK's.

My response is to set up a base at Tabituea 2 hexes away and use the forces I already have patrolling to provide escort for the landing (CVTF + a SAG). I will land a Marine Rader Bn and a base at first then follow up with shore batteries and aircraft. Total mission time is 15 days to execute. Everything I need to at PH now including the AP's and LCU's. At the very least this is going to draw some attentiion to this area. The IJ has to guess if Ndeni or Tabituea my real base forward. Then again right now he can sail up and take out whatever he wishes ...:/



Crackaces -> Victory over the skies of Ragoon (8/26/2011 5:59:56 PM)

By my opponets reactions we have scored a moral victory over the skies of Ragoon.

First some escorting Nates got lost in the T-storm and flew to Ragoon to meet our CAP:

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 7



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1
Buffalo I x 8
Hurricane IIa Trop x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed

Then the Bomber forces arrived and the Brits and "Flying Tigers" made a day of it:

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 5
Ki-30 Ann x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-51 Sonia x 17



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5
Buffalo I x 8
Hurricane IIa Trop x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

For one Buffalo we scored 3 Nate's. 2 Ann's, 4 Oscar's and one Sonia. Ten Aircraft down in an area that lacks air support right now. I suspect some of the damaged planes will be written off. I will get Intel the next 2 or so raids as to numbers. Plus we have news for home. FO. Everand becomes an ace shooting down 4 planes in one day!:

FO Everard, H.J. of No.17 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

.....

.....

FO Everard, H.J. of No.17 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3

FO Everard, H.J. of No.17 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

FO Everard, H.J. of No.17 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 5


Singapore and Manilla hold out yet another day!

If air power is indeed supressed I might think about some reinforcements into Ragoon.

As far as tatical operations go .. I moved the Big E and a SAG between Baker Is and Tarawa. They will patrol there while I reinforce my newly founded bases.

Ndeni and Luganville continue to build. I have decided to put 3 small 1 AUS Bn on these bases and move the rest of the 1 AUS to the East Coast.

Today is more focus on beans, butts, and bullets. Logistics is the name of the game and we need to move a lot of stuff quickly before the IJ respond.



Crackaces -> Singapore Falls :( (8/27/2011 3:28:18 PM)

A very dark day in the history of the Empire.

Replacing Percival takes 150 PP's. I strongly sense that the algorithum makes a morale check or some kind of die roll and Percival's numbers do not help things. With the same supply and AV situation as Manilla ... Suddenly all of the Commonwealth surrenders. Is 150 PP's worth maybe geting another 2 - 3 weeks? I will never know.

I was hoping for another couple of weeks while the British are building up bases at Prome and Mandalay. Now a lot of forces are probably headed toward Ragoon. The other possibility to Sumantra and the rest of the DEI.

Also, I tried a ground attack at Ragoon but .. the reverse my fighters get lost and now my bombers go in unescorted losing 2 and 3 more damaged.

Its the Ebb and Flow of war...

Looking at all the combat reports from Dec 8th 1941 to 23 Feb 1942 there are very strong indications that the main KB has been running steady without refit. Just looking at my SYS/Engine damage crusing around for 2 -3 weeks with a CV it takes a week or two to refit. Yet for example, strike plans from the Akagi has been experinced with no more than 5 days span between attacks. One can refuel and rearm in that time, but that is not enough time to repair the wear and tear damage. I have to think the KB has accumulated some damage and I highly suspect a refit for a week or two off soon. If things have gotten into the 20's that is a month.

On the US front, March has the Lexington and Saratoga in the shop for AA refit .. that takes 27 days. The American CV forces will consists of the Hornet, Big E and Yorktown. Then in April the Big E and Yprktown get their refits. Also 27 days. That brings us to May being the first opportunity for 5 operational CV's. The Wasp is scheduled to arrive the may making Jun the month of 6 CV's. That all said in the light of no CV losses ;)

It feels like Kursk. I have a pretty good idea where the thrust is coming from and I continue to build defensive layers while waiting for my opportunity to start the offensive.

More later ..



Crackaces -> Just when you think you have it figured out (8/28/2011 12:11:59 AM)

So I am thinking of trapping some Oscars on LCAP over Ragoon. I cannot sweep as they are too far away. So I concoct a plan. Bomb his troops using bombers stationed at Manalay and escort those bombers with Fighters from Prome. Very Bad Idea as the algorithums in the game have a sense of humor ..:

Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 54,53 (Rangoon)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8
Hudson IIIa x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

In the animation the fighters show up just after the Oscars have Hudsons for desert ..

Ok No time to get cute. I have stood down the bombers and the fighters are back on CAP.

The rest of the world is still quiet. The KB is still right off the coast of Java and my 2 ship CVTF is patrolling 400 miles East off of Tarawa. More stuff is dropping off at my targets.

One other disturbing trend this turn was the discovery of 4 IJN submarines around PH. I have agressvely well-led ASW patrols but they are not engaging these contacts -- rather just sitting in the same hex. It can be pretty frustrating to contact-track-ID .. and then you forces refuise to target..... I have lots of escorted forces in the area doing thier best to avoid an unintended swim ... but ...[8|]

I suspect we will have more next week as this situation develops.

One other screw up this turn .. I had a AP required to withdrawl this turn and I forgot about it .. 20 PP's wasted. [:@] I know these details provide an advantage in teh game and the game itself is all about details .. but .. it is sometime a real pain to remember all these details. Sometimes it can be overwhelming ...[8|]



Crackaces -> RE: Just when you think you have it figured out (8/28/2011 3:52:52 PM)

Another dark day ...

What I have been doing to counter the IJN submarine force is to meet convoys between 400 - 500 miles off the coast and escort them in. Its busy work for sure. Also, I noted an add behavior of forces asked to meet a convoy just staying in port [X(] Needless to say this is not good ... So I have DD's do ASW and when a convoy arrives cancel the patrol and meet & merge with the task force. This turn this plan failed miserably.

Now before the gallery suggests leaderrhip agressiveness or some leadership attribute ... TF leader 71 Agressiveness 64 ..

With that set up .. my ASW reacts away from the sub and lets the Convoy get killed ...

Submarine attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-29

Allied Ships
xAK Corinda, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Corinda is sighted by SS I-29
SS I-29 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Corinda


---------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-29

Allied Ships
xAK Cycle, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Cycle is sighted by SS I-29
SS I-29 attacking xAK Cycle on the surface
SS I-29 low on gun ammo, Izu, Juichi breaks off surface engagement and submerges

Its like the the software has an algorithum .. "The IJ has not sunk enough stuff .. so here goes this opporunity!" Clear weather no moonlight and the ASW forces react away and so not merge with the TF. They did realize the cargo ships are sunk because they started thier return home since nothing was there to merge with ....One thing is that the DD's cannot escort all the way from SF or even PH to the Land of OZ. What is more frustrating is that the software does not move fuel or supplies very well in the Land of OZ. Even along rail lines. So it forces submarine encouters.

Both ships sank BTW [8|]

Ok that venting session is over with ..

The plan is this turn to turn loose B-24's on Tulgi on a port attack. There is a AK unloading ... also I have the BB New Mexico bombarding Tarawa at 15KM. This will give me some experince with this mission.

Otherwise I continue to land engineers on Baker Is to build up the airfield there. I have taken the operational strategy of building up the supporting cast first, then the more forward bases. This allows for some place to fall back and have bands of availible airbases if he forces this front. The Big E and Yorktown continue to patrol nearby.

More as things develop






Crackaces -> Restrcted Forces (8/28/2011 4:16:20 PM)

One thing for the Allied newbie are the teasers ... If you look at forces on the Intellgence page you might think you are getting a huge force and start planning for its arrival. But ... a closer look by clicking will show "West Coast" in RED which I think means pernament restrcited. That means no ability to pay any PP's to get these forces. It is just a teaser!

Just to say, I do not think it is bad UI programing, that is program for the fewest clicks and set the experiece for most efficiency. Rathert the algorithums and experince is set for the most attention to detail. For example aircraft arrive at extended range, movement orders stay on Move Op after arrival, ships do not default to best repairs but require extra clicks to get major damage repaired, etc. I beleive this paradigm is on purpose -- reward the player that can manage strategic and extreme details the best. In this case a player could look at the arivals and think "hey I got a huge reinforcement" and not click again to find out it is a pernamently restrcited force. The problem is that it makes the game experince frustrating for someone just learning the game.

Note the white restricted command ...



[image]local://upfiles/38979/4B60E0CF28BA41C08519589B93514E47.jpg[/image]



Crackaces -> RE: Restrcted Forces (8/29/2011 4:18:35 AM)

I found the 41st Divison at Tacoma, its trained to level 50 and it can be converted to be moved into theater ... It will take about 23,000 Load Points .. 6911 Troops 16351 Cargo That is 5 AP's and 4 AK's to move. Plus at least 4 - 6 DD's. More than that is a committing 1800 PP's. But ... with my units currently at PH we could invade Tarawa. And with the KB very busy in the DEI would offer the first step in executing our strategy -- Island Hoping to Formosa ..

I will start the process to this strategy. Moving the platforms to Seattle. It will take 2 weeks to get there. And then Loading and moving to PH is another 2 weeks. That puts us at the end of March. Rememeber the Big E and Yorktown will be in the shop during April .. so the first time we have an oppournity to get this rodeo going is May...

If the 3-1 odds ratio holds in this game ... and Tarawa has 4.8K troops [how many are real boots and how many are support troop?] I see a 6 CV's working as 3 CVTF's supporting 20 AP's and 20 AK's landing 12,000 troops on Tarawa. I am not sure how much 5 BB's can damage but the Mississippi killed 200 troops on a trial bombardment run -- I assume that amphib support and using recon planes will increase lethality. I assume 1 big carrier strike to soften the landings and save sorties for the impending reaction.

In the meantime Forces are landing at Tabitiueua engineers, aviation support, and naval support. 2 CD guns are folowing in 7 days. Baker Island just improved to level 1 airbase. It will be the fall back with fighters if things go south ...

Suva is now a submarine base stocked with an AS. All my S class subs are working out of there and patroling around Ndeni. Pango Pango is building up also but these are defensive postions and a place for the offensive air war. Hopefully I can keep the IJ player busy while I take Tarawa and Ocean Is. in 1942.

I have stopped teh bombing of Ragoon .. probably tempoary as air forces in Malay find there way into the Burmese front. 2 more Hurricane sqd are headed to Prome and Mandalay .. it wil be a building battle the next 2 months.

Should be beans bullets and butts the next few days as the front shapes up ...



Alfred -> RE: Restrcted Forces (8/29/2011 4:55:35 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

... If the 3-1 odds ratio holds in this game ... and Tarawa has 4.8K troops [how many are real boots and how many are support troop?] ...


The relevant game ratio is 2:1 adjusted assault value (plus what ever the fortification level is).

With the nature of the various assault value modifiers plus the impact of firepower, the initial raw unadjusted assault value can "favour" the defenders but still result in a successful attack and capture of the base.

Those Tarawa figures are very typical for a size 1 island where the stacking limits are 6k troops. Tarawa is actually a size 2 island so your opponent is very much undergarrisoning it. Anyway, the current Tarawa garrison would be in the vicinity of 160 unadjusted assault value.

Alfred



Crackaces -> RE: Restrcted Forces (8/29/2011 3:25:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

... If the 3-1 odds ratio holds in this game ... and Tarawa has 4.8K troops [how many are real boots and how many are support troop?] ...


The relevant game ratio is 2:1 adjusted assault value (plus what ever the fortification level is).

With the nature of the various assault value modifiers plus the impact of firepower, the initial raw unadjusted assault value can "favour" the defenders but still result in a successful attack and capture of the base.

Those Tarawa figures are very typical for a size 1 island where the stacking limits are 6k troops. Tarawa is actually a size 2 island so your opponent is very much undergarrisoning it. Anyway, the current Tarawa garrison would be in the vicinity of 160 unadjusted assault value.

Alfred


Thanks Alfred! this helps understand. Yes this island is way under garrisoned right now as 30K troops are allowed and so is Ocean Island in the same state about 4K troops. .. and why I want to take it very soon ..

But it will take at least a month to get forces there ...

In the meantime I have surrounded the island(s) [Tarawa and Ocean Island] with submarines. At the very least I will get intel if he is reinforcing. Also the Big E and Yorktown CVTF hovers between Baker Island and Tarawa taking the opporunity to strike at reinforciment attempts. I am also planing another bombardment raid .. this time Ocean island.

Ok given 160 unadjusted value the trick is calculating the adjusted value and matching 2:1 to get the best economy of forces. Economy of forces is key because anything landing in 1942 is subject to more Ampib attrition leaving the boats [APA's do not happen until 1943], and will be stuck there for awhile until recovered and taken off the island using ADP's. The 41st Division has 327 AV. The 19th, 21st, and 34th regements combine for 379 AV. This will be an all Army operation. After unlaoding naval support, I also will accolate the 192 Tank Bn and 3 FA regements as follow on support. The Army can also follow up on Ocean Island with the 41st Division or the 132nd, 164, 182nd regement group. I have another experinced regement group belonging to the 25th Inf Division at PH also.

I am going to plan for 5 BB's, and 4 CA's supporting the assult. So far 1 pre-war BB took out about 100 men, I will figure 500 disabled troops after the intial ampib bombardment. An Air raids from the CVTF's, and continual air support form Tabitueua.

The next step is concentrating enough AP's and AK's at PH. Each regement takes at least 2.5 AP's and 5 AK's and I am thinking of 5 AP's and 10AK's to spread out the load to as many ships as possible, Without an Amphib bouns, I am only offloading 400 points per turn. 5AP's/10 AK's unload in one day two pulses. That also means planning for dock space and time to get the men on the boats corrdinated with weather etc .. what logistics fun!

There is a second reason I think to have overwheling odds. Tarawa is an Atoll. I am not sure how this affects things beyond what the documentation states about an automatic shock attack and greater casualties. A shock attack requires at least 1:1 adjusted AV and anything less I assume will result in failure. Edited for spelling and thought about Tarawa as an atoll



Crackaces -> 2nd Double Ace (8/30/2011 12:03:07 AM)

The air war over Ragoon is producing plenty of press for the people back home


2LT Michelson, E. of AVG/1st Sqn is credited with kill number 5

1LT Prescott, R.W. of AVG/1st Sqn is credited with kill number 5

FO Everard, H.J. of No.17 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 10

This days combat:

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 4
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed
..............................................................

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 6
Ki-30 Ann x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5
Hurricane IIa Trop x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Small losses in the big picture but anyday we take down Oscar's and Ann's for a single hurricane is a good day
======================================================

The submarine warfare continues to be deadly. I am very dilligent about escorting in but have been lazy on the way out. I did not set up waypoints and paid the price:

Submarine attack near Exmouth at 47,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
xAK Congella, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Congella is sighted by SS I-169
SS I-169 launches 2 torpedoes
....
This has to frustrate my opponet because it has cuased must angst the past three turns .. escorted stuff getting whacked now its our turn ...We get a full IJN xAK ...

ASW attack near Madjene at 64,101

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #12
PB Kyo Maru #13

Allied Ships
SS Trusty



SS Trusty launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kyo Maru #12
PB Kyo Maru #13 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #13 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #13 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #13 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #13 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Next animation ....

Sub attack near Madjene at 64,101

Japanese Ships
xAK Taifuku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Yasukawa Maru
PB Kyo Maru #13

Allied Ships
SS Trusty



SS Trusty launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Taifuku Maru

We hear the gurgling bubbling sound of a ship sinking and men swiming for their lives ...

A very disturbing set of air patrols .. he is flying stuff over Luganville. I would assume that is his next invasion point. Right now I have 100 AV and 6 guns. No aircraft beyond Cat's yet. No ships found .. could be long range Bombers acting as Recon or sir patrols off of subs .. or a SAG could be operating in this area. No aircraft type yet ...



Crackaces -> Ragoon Again (8/30/2011 11:31:58 PM)

We smash yet another raid on Ragoon. yesterday it was 21 Anns' and 25 Oscars today 18 Ann's and 19 Oscars. The Oscars simply did not participate and the Ann's took it on the chin. These are very small victories in the scheme of things but better than a stick in the eye! :)

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 3
Hurricane IIa Trop x 7
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged


I have a SAG now patrolling off of Baker Island and I can maneuver toward Pango Pango to support any IJ SAG intentions. So far the KB remains off of Java and my Cat's show no surface activity in the Ndeni area. But Ndeni and Luganville keep getting scouted by "float Planes" which can be from S"ubs to a BB ..

More later ..



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