RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (Full Version)

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nashvillen -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/20/2011 7:15:29 PM)

I am sure you are aware of this, but don't expect the A6M3 to fly off of carriers!



Mike Solli -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/20/2011 8:20:05 PM)

Personally, once you destroy/drive out the USAAF in the Philippines and take the ports, that place is of no threat to you. I recommend you focus on the important bases, such as Singapore, Palembang, Soerabaja and Batavia, along with the oil producing bases. I think the concern you run into with the Philippines (I did this in my last game) is to put more force there than you need to invest it and bottle up the enemy troops in Bataan but not enough force to take it quickly. You have to do one or the other, but if you try to take it quickly, you need quite a bit of force because there is plenty of supply there for the Allied troops. Putting enough force there to take it quickly takes a lot of force away from Malaya. That ends up prolonging the battle for Singapore.

I would focus on Malaya and the other important ports while bottling up the Allied forces in the Philippines. If the Philippines holds out until March 42, who cares?



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 10:12:38 AM)

quote:

Personally, once you destroy/drive out the USAAF in the Philippines and take the ports, that place is of no threat to you. I recommend you focus on the important bases, such as Singapore, Palembang, Soerabaja and Batavia, along with the oil producing bases. I think the concern you run into with the Philippines (I did this in my last game) is to put more force there than you need to invest it and bottle up the enemy troops in Bataan but not enough force to take it quickly. You have to do one or the other, but if you try to take it quickly, you need quite a bit of force because there is plenty of supply there for the Allied troops. Putting enough force there to take it quickly takes a lot of force away from Malaya. That ends up prolonging the battle for Singapore.

I would focus on Malaya and the other important ports while bottling up the Allied forces in the Philippines. If the Philippines holds out until March 42, who cares?


That has been my thought so far in WITP. This game I thought that maybe because Scen 1 has less troops to do the job everywhere, hitting Luzon hard and quickly might free up those troops while the bonus was still in effect. There seems to be the period of two weeks after the Divs from Japan and Shanghai get to Malaya where they sit in strat mode waiting for the roads to open up. I though that two weeks could be used to take Luzon, then it would be useful and more troops could go into Malaya and Palembang. It's just a massive risk that they'll get stuck.

I guess the question really is do I want to play it safe, and do the most prudent thing, or do I want to have a high-risk and potentially more potent opening force? And the practical question is how much would it take to wipe Luzon in three weeks (after landing the extra Divs, so by early Jan)? 2,600 AV? 3,000 AV?



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 10:18:40 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: nashvillen

I am sure you are aware of this, but don't expect the A6M3 to fly off of carriers!

_____________________________


I will most likely skip that version and research the A6M3a and A6M5 heavily. Doesn't make sense to me to use the A6M3 if I still have to be building the A6M2 for the CVs anyway, and it's not much better except for high sweeps.



Erkki -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 10:18:55 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

Personally, once you destroy/drive out the USAAF in the Philippines and take the ports, that place is of no threat to you. I recommend you focus on the important bases, such as Singapore, Palembang, Soerabaja and Batavia, along with the oil producing bases. I think the concern you run into with the Philippines (I did this in my last game) is to put more force there than you need to invest it and bottle up the enemy troops in Bataan but not enough force to take it quickly. You have to do one or the other, but if you try to take it quickly, you need quite a bit of force because there is plenty of supply there for the Allied troops. Putting enough force there to take it quickly takes a lot of force away from Malaya. That ends up prolonging the battle for Singapore.

I would focus on Malaya and the other important ports while bottling up the Allied forces in the Philippines. If the Philippines holds out until March 42, who cares?


That has been my thought so far in WITP. This game I thought that maybe because Scen 1 has less troops to do the job everywhere, hitting Luzon hard and quickly might free up those troops while the bonus was still in effect. There seems to be the period of two weeks after the Divs from Japan and Shanghai get to Malaya where they sit in strat mode waiting for the roads to open up. I though that two weeks could be used to take Luzon, then it would be useful and more troops could go into Malaya and Palembang. It's just a massive risk that they'll get stuck.

I guess the question really is do I want to play it safe, and do the most prudent thing, or do I want to have a high-risk and potentially more potent opening force? And the practical question is how much would it take to wipe Luzon in three weeks (after landing the extra Divs, so by early Jan)? 2,600 AV? 3,000 AV?


Do you want to risk facing a Festung Palembang strategy or not? If not, using those troops in Malaya might a better idea... And if they're in combat mode on amphibious TFs you can always divert them, even invade with them somewhere as soon as you get the CV cover from Philippine Sea.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 10:26:09 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Erkki


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

Personally, once you destroy/drive out the USAAF in the Philippines and take the ports, that place is of no threat to you. I recommend you focus on the important bases, such as Singapore, Palembang, Soerabaja and Batavia, along with the oil producing bases. I think the concern you run into with the Philippines (I did this in my last game) is to put more force there than you need to invest it and bottle up the enemy troops in Bataan but not enough force to take it quickly. You have to do one or the other, but if you try to take it quickly, you need quite a bit of force because there is plenty of supply there for the Allied troops. Putting enough force there to take it quickly takes a lot of force away from Malaya. That ends up prolonging the battle for Singapore.

I would focus on Malaya and the other important ports while bottling up the Allied forces in the Philippines. If the Philippines holds out until March 42, who cares?


That has been my thought so far in WITP. This game I thought that maybe because Scen 1 has less troops to do the job everywhere, hitting Luzon hard and quickly might free up those troops while the bonus was still in effect. There seems to be the period of two weeks after the Divs from Japan and Shanghai get to Malaya where they sit in strat mode waiting for the roads to open up. I though that two weeks could be used to take Luzon, then it would be useful and more troops could go into Malaya and Palembang. It's just a massive risk that they'll get stuck.

I guess the question really is do I want to play it safe, and do the most prudent thing, or do I want to have a high-risk and potentially more potent opening force? And the practical question is how much would it take to wipe Luzon in three weeks (after landing the extra Divs, so by early Jan)? 2,600 AV? 3,000 AV?


Do you want to risk facing a Festung Palembang strategy or not? If not, using those troops in Malaya might a better idea... And if they're in combat mode on amphibious TFs you can always divert them, even invade with them somewhere as soon as you get the CV cover from Philippine Sea.


I'm not too worried about the fortress Palembang. I think it's a big risk for the Allies and means they stand to lose a good amount of the troops committed there. The reason I'm asking about the AV necessary to take Luzon quickly is that I'd like to use the 38th Div to take Palembang early, mostly because this splits the defense of the DEI, and makes it tougher to control the seas around Singapore and Borneo. It's also good to get it before lots of forts have been built and engineers moved in. But as CR showed, 300 AV could be there by Dec 15, and 500 AV by Jan easily.

If, (and it's a big if), Luzon could be taken by Jan 5-10, then ALL of those 2,500-3,000 AV would be available to deal with anything the Allies are cooking up.



Erkki -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 10:38:12 AM)

You'll need 3500+ AV to take Luzon quickly, 1-1½ months... You need 3x or more AV to break Clark Field which is forest+rough, and the Allies can withdraw at minimum 1000 AV there before you can get there. If they can retreat in order, they might be able to get 1500 there behind forts 2 or 3 and because you play Scen 1 and not DaBabes, you cant outflank them either.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/21/2011 2:53:28 PM)

Yeah, this is basically what I was thinking from my experience with it, and it sounds too risky to go for that to begin. I think I'll push it all to Malaya and a quick Palembang, if possible, and then come back for the PI. I just feel having read my recent AAR about that, my opponent may put a twist in the defense and make it tougher to push the troops to Clark. I may have to have a Division in reserve this time just in case.



desicat -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/22/2011 1:29:44 AM)

I have often looked at the map and wondered what Japan could threaten that the Allies would really contest, I mean to the bitter end.

I can only come up with the Hawaiian Island chain and China. An assault on HI would force the US Navy to commit in a major manner, but I don't think it is a reasonable objective. China is a lofty goal, but the commitment of assets required (if even possible) don't play to Japans strengths. I have gamed a massive commitment of air power into China in attempts to remove them from the War...only worth trying if you are looking for something different.

Japan can still go for the initial expansion but the early attrition of British air is sacrificed.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/22/2011 11:50:08 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: desicat

I have often looked at the map and wondered what Japan could threaten that the Allies would really contest, I mean to the bitter end.

I can only come up with the Hawaiian Island chain and China. An assault on HI would force the US Navy to commit in a major manner, but I don't think it is a reasonable objective. China is a lofty goal, but the commitment of assets required (if even possible) don't play to Japans strengths. I have gamed a massive commitment of air power into China in attempts to remove them from the War...only worth trying if you are looking for something different.

Japan can still go for the initial expansion but the early attrition of British air is sacrificed.


It's interesting that you think China as well. If the Allies were to contest China as forcefully as they were able, I would think British air would be very involved. When I play Allies I generally bring in a good bit of British air especially for light bombing and recon (Lysanders). The 4Es could reach many spots from India as well.

In Scen 1 it's much tougher to allocate enough air to China right away. Interestingly my opponent says he never really gives China much consideration, so that could bode well for getting a good head start there.

Hawaii, based on some tests in a recent thread, seems almost impossible to invade completely. I wouldn't even try. I might go for Johnston Is, Midway Is, the Line Islands, and other mid-Pacific areas to squash early Allied development in those areas. But i most likely won't in this game. I might go forth an conquer, but then just pull out and set up a good defensive line.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/23/2011 7:29:14 PM)

7 Dec 1941

This was a good beginning. The PH strike went off without a hitch, and only about 5 planes total and 2 pilots were lost. All but one BB had 'heavy fires, heavy damage,' and each one took at least a few torps and 4-7 bombs. Many other ships were hit, including 1 CL sunk, several DDs sunk, and a lot of the support vessels hit. This is where using the Vals on port attack seems to have paid off. Only one group was set to hit the airfield. Two A6M2 groups hit the fields and did a good bit of damage. Four out of the six Kate groups used torps which really helped. The air loss total was 56-8 in our favor for the day

Unfortunately somehow our combat animations were off AND the combat report was off. Not sure how that happened, but I can only give info about what I remember for this turn. My opponent did say in an email; "Looks like you sunk my battleships btw! I guess you are pretty happy with that PH strike?" I guess that means we did well. [:)]

DEI: At the last minute I decided to go for it and sent two guard units to take Sinkewang supported by the Heavy Support TF with Tanaka at the head. No opposition here and all troops are on the ground with NO disruption. The first turn seems to let even unprepared troops get a free pass on the disruption from the unload. We're delibrate attacking tomorrow.

Air strikes went well over Malaya. No sight of force Z. singapore has around 30 ships in the port. Once air is close enough to sweep, there will be a port strike.

China: The port strike at Hong Kong hit about 8 ships, mostly with Sonia and Ida hand-grenades tossed out the window from 6,000 ft. I think we hit the tea pot in the mess on one of the British transports though, which really caused some confusion and prevented these ships from leaving.

Nothing else major here. Just a bit of jockeying and a lot of resting troops and upgrading air groups, which I now have to pay 75 PP for. Hmmm.

PI: A mediocre port strike on Manila. The Rjujo did spot a cruuiser coming through the Sulu Sea, so maybe next turn we can get her. Lets hope for the Boise.

Nothing else major to report. A good sized update with some plans and ideas will come soon.



Steve Sv -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/23/2011 9:43:28 PM)

I hope you don't mind my tagging along in your AAR, Obvert, with the hopes of picking up a some things by asking a few questions.

When I have tried to grab Sinkawang on the first turn, I've always ended up losing a transport or two to the Swordfish that start the game in Singapore. Did these show up and just miss? Also, are you planning to back off at Sinkawang this turn and just leave a small transport ot two to unload as much supply as possible before any enemy surface forces arrive? With Force Z unaccounted for I'd be a little concerned, or did you bring enough surface combat strenght to deal with that contingency?

An interesting idea your early attempt to overwhelm the PI and I might like to try it sometime even though you apparently have decided not to risk it in this game. I assume that one of the two divisions that you mention as starting in Japanthat you would use is the one located in SW Kyushu, right? But this division is attached to one of the armies attacking in Malaysia. Wouldn' that cause it to be less effective in the PI, or is that not something one needs to worry about much? Also, you mention using the division that starts in Singapore for this operation, but you meant Shanghai, right?

One more question and I'll stop bugging you. Some people to whom I've talked have mentioned that they think an early operation to take Palembang is inadvisable before you have captured most or all of the level 4 AFs (or above) in the area as they are concerned that an early strat bombing campaign aimed at the oil fields there can knock them out for a long period of time. Do you have any concerns in this area?



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/24/2011 12:58:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Steve Sv

I hope you don't mind my tagging along in your AAR, Obvert, with the hopes of picking up a some things by asking a few questions.

When I have tried to grab Sinkawang on the first turn, I've always ended up losing a transport or two to the Swordfish that start the game in Singapore. Did these show up and just miss? Also, are you planning to back off at Sinkawang this turn and just leave a small transport ot two to unload as much supply as possible before any enemy surface forces arrive? With Force Z unaccounted for I'd be a little concerned, or did you bring enough surface combat strenght to deal with that contingency?

An interesting idea your early attempt to overwhelm the PI and I might like to try it sometime even though you apparently have decided not to risk it in this game. I assume that one of the two divisions that you mention as starting in Japanthat you would use is the one located in SW Kyushu, right? But this division is attached to one of the armies attacking in Malaysia. Wouldn' that cause it to be less effective in the PI, or is that not something one needs to worry about much? Also, you mention using the division that starts in Singapore for this operation, but you meant Shanghai, right?

One more question and I'll stop bugging you. Some people to whom I've talked have mentioned that they think an early operation to take Palembang is inadvisable before you have captured most or all of the level 4 AFs (or above) in the area as they are concerned that an early strat bombing campaign aimed at the oil fields there can knock them out for a long period of time. Do you have any concerns in this area?


Welcome! Any questions or comments are great.

I didn't mention that the Swordfish did attack and we lost one xAKL and had an APD damaged, but it should be fine. I just realized I should have put some floatplanes from the BBs on CAP as the fighters from Singers don't have range to get to Sinkawang. I think even 2-4 Petes and Jakes on CAP could disrupt the Swords, as they have pitiful speed and durability. So this is an experiment, but next turn we should know if it works well or not. A few xAKs will be lost by Japan in the early days. This is a gambit, even though it's a small one. The Heavy Cover TF is the one that is set to go to Khota Bharu, and should handle force Z should they show up, especially with Tanaka in charge. One more unloading turn is necessary for supply, then some will scarper back to Saigon, and some will disband in the port when we have it.

Yes, did I say Singapore? Shanghai. The HQ won't matter so much as long as there is some HQ there in the PI. The bonus would just be better if both the unit and the HQ are prepped for the same location. But yes, I have decided to go for Malaya, Singers, and Palembang first. All of the free divisions in Japan will go to Malaya. The 38th from Hong Kong will go to Palembang.

During my now suspended game with Dan Nichols he did indeed bomb the Oil at Palembang, mostly at night. It will be interesting with the newest patch to see what happens with this. Once he started I just trashed all nearby fields with waves of Netties, and wiped out nearly all of the Dutch airforce. Palembang is also a great forward airbase. We'll see if the 4Es are still around at that point, and if they are, we may need to consider neutralizing them before the conquest of the Oil just to make sure it's all okay. Scen 1 gives less groups to the Japanese, so this will be harder this game. We'll have to see how he plays it. If he is building up in Palembang, I will go in early no matter what and deal with the consequences afterward.




obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/24/2011 3:02:04 PM)

8 Dec 1941

Pacific: Our second strike on PH was slightly more brutal than day 1. We lost a good number of planes (13 Kates, 13 Vals, 6 Zeros) and pilots (12 KIA, 10 MIA) but got some good hits which should help some ships toward the bottom of the harbour. At least the Arizona looks to be on its way down, and depending on the level of fires, several others could also go.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 08, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17



Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 29
P-40B Warhawk x 47
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 76

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 22
P-40B Warhawk x 38
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Zane, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Case, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
DMS Perry, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
AV Wright, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
12 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

A naval strike by Vals hit a DD TF and might have gotten 1 or 2 in some trouble.


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
D3A1 Val x 55

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 10
P-40B Warhawk x 21
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 2 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Schley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Worden
DD Cassin
DD Monaghan
DD Aylwin
DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker
DD Reid
DD Chew, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farragut

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD MacDonough
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Chew
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Schley

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

The KB will now pull north to refuel. No more strikes on Pearl.

PI: A few sweeps went in, but only the one at Clark engaged anything. The distance is so great we will wait for closer fields to continue. Still had a 3 to 1 kill ratio here watching the reports.


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

Afternoon Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 21
P-40B Warhawk x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 2 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed


Aircraft Attacking:
17 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 15 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

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

The 3rd SNLF para unit took vigan in preparation for landings, and so far no great opposition from bombing, subs, or PTs.

An inconclusive battle was fought in the South China Sea between Chokai and a DD and the 3 British DDs leaving Hong Kong. Next turn we hope to get them again.



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

Japanese Ships

CA Chokai
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian, Shell hits 1

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

China: Bombing continues and no ground units are showing themselves yet on the Japanese side.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 19
Ki-27b Nate x 13

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 2 damaged
A-29A Hudson: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 18



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Soochow, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Haraldsvang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hinsang, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Hai Lee, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nanning, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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

DEI: The best news of the day is that we did find the Boise north of Borneo and put one torp in her! We should close in and finish the job tomorrow. The Heavy Cover group is closing from Singkaweng just in case her speed is still up, and we've detached a SCTF of 2 CA and 2 DD from the Rjujo TF just in case we run over her on the way through.


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balabac at 69,83

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo


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



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 12:10:08 AM)

9 Dec 1941

Pacific: The KB retired north to refuel this turn. Several DD ASW TFs left PH and hunted around our subs without a hit. No other sightings of any ships. Subs are patrolling heavily to the East of the Marshalls and the Gilberts. The Wake TF is reloading with more firepower and less transports and will head up north if nothing is seen next turn. Subs are also heading out to sit near Pago Pago, Christmas Island, Johnston Island, Canton Island, and Tahiti.

PI: Vigan fell and transports are unloading, so far without molestation. No subs out here yet. Aparri has ladned and will have that base next turn. All normal stuff. No sweeps until we have closer bases to start from.

An ill-advised naval attack went in to Manila losing us 2 Betties. They will be reigned in a bit now.

DEI: The Boise zigged, apparently, and we zagged. The Rjujo TF did find the Houston sitting near Brunei however, and we put 3 torps into her in one attack. The next flight over missed but reported her sunk! The Boise is apparently out in the South China Sea, but it can't really go north as we have massed Netties at Takao, so my guess is it will head back to Manila or through the Sulu Sea again. The Heavy Cover group is on its way to cut it off. Another SCTF headed by a CL is to the East of Mindanao to hold this area as well.

We landed an SNLF at Ternate and will attack next turn. Jakes are at Sorong scouting the area. Several TFs are loading for three bases on Mindanao. Another is loading for Menado. many supply and support TFs are heading to Babeldaob from the HI and Takao.

At Singkawang 18 zeros and 18 Betties in two groups are moving in. The two Naval Guards here will move to take the nearby bases. The amphib TFs moving toward Miri, Kuching, and Brunei have been given the go after the Houston sinking and chasing the Boise out of the area. A SCTF with 4 CA and 4DD is moving in to support.

China: Not much happening in China. More bombing of fleeing Chinese troops. More upgrading air units. More resting troops. We will attack at Hong Kong this turn. Tha Allies have some bombers still at Changsha inspite of the fact we bombed it last turn. So we'll bomb again.

Malaya and Burma: Khota Bharu fell. Netties sank two fleeing ships in the straits today, but not much else happening. Air support is railing in. The chase is on now.

Burma is intentionally quiet. I'll try to build Pisanoluke and fortify Raheng and Chang Mai in preparation. A para unit is at Cam Rahn Bay and moving to Bankok to take Port Blair. I want it to be quiet here unit we land there, so hopefully there will be no fighters waiting.




obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 1:01:11 AM)

10 Dec 1941

PI: All kinds of naval activity this turn, begun by the US subs and PTs striking at Vigan. A 5PT boat TF hit the convoy, sweeping past my 4 DD TF and 1 CL 6 DD TF. They sunk one xAK and lost 2 PTs in the process. A wounded SC and DMS are heading back to Takao. More DDs will move in to guard tomorrow.

Missed the Boise again. Think it might be in the throng of other ships heading into the Sulu Sea. Our Heavy Cover group is ther and splitting into two parts, each with 1 BB 1 CA and 3 DD. About 15 ships in 5-6 TFs are heading this way. Another 1 CL 5 DD group is heading in from the rear from the South China Sea. Next replay could be fun!

Both big Zero groups moved into San Fernando and will sweep this turn over Clark. That's about 80 zeros from 20,000. We're hoping for 3 or 4 - 1 results and a big dent in the US fighter cover here.

DEI: Ships left singapore en masse and the subs had a field day near Billiton. One AMC was trashed by three torps. A TK took one. Two xAKLs were hit as well. Betties chimed in but only put one bomb on an xAK.

Ternate fell and more search planes are moving in. A TF of 3 ships is 3 hexes from Ternate, and this must be a SCTF heading up to see what can be done here. All ships are out of the immediate path here. Some TFs are moving to Mindanao, so next turn a SCTF of our own will pass through to cover.

B-17s hit babeldaob this turn. No fighters here. Uh Oh. Two Mavis destroyed. We need to bomb Cagayan quick. An amphib is heading out next turn toward Jolo, but is still a long way off. We might have to make a long strike form Luzon to at least make Cagayan less tenable for these beasts.

Kuching amphib will land next turn, and Miri and brunei are most likely still two turns out. An Allied ship listed as an 'APD' is at Miri, but this is most likely a DD. A 2 CA and 2 DD TF is supporting here.

Pacific: Still no sign of the US CVs so the Wake invasion will start north. The KB spotted a group of 4 ships about 5 hexes out of Pearl and will detour south to see if we can pick off a few more scraps on the way back to the west.

The Kaveing invasion will land tomorrow, as will Wewauk. An AV is near Kaveing and sees nothing with 8-10 hexes right now.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 7:44:01 PM)

11 Dec 1941

DEI: This was one of those turns that is just fun to watch, even though you know this is what is supposed to happen for Japan during this part of the war. All kinds of ships fled into various areas on both sides of Borneo and both subs and surface forces were there waiting. One more AMC and a few xAKL were hit by subs, along with one torp in a TK. A small SCTF of 1 DD and 2 TB took out 4 xAKL but by-passed the 4 AP including the Dominion Monarch one hex away! Oh well.

Forces landed in Kuching and Brunei. The 2CA and 2 DD at Miri got the last of the British DDs from Hong Kong.

On the other side of Borneo the SCTFs took out 2 AS, on TK, and several xAKL. No sign of the Boise.

Near Ternate an Allied TF of 3 ships is moving north. We'll vector in 3 SCTFs to surround and protect the Mindanao forces moving through the area.

PI: The air wars were just as fun today. The 2 sweeps over Clark did better than expected and the grand totals were; 4 zeros lost for 30 P-40E, 4 P-40B, 2 P-35, 2 P-26. Almost 9 to 1! The sweeps will continue tomorrow.

A PT group was engaged with no losses for either side. The S-39 hit an APD (part of an ASW TF), sending it to the bottom, then took out an xAK (a Yusen-N, sadly) and a Recon Rgt with it. I bought it back for 3 PP and it'll appear no doubt incredibly understrength in 20-30 turns at Tokyo. Should have had an extra 'Cribtop life boat' xAK with the TF.

Pacific: the KB is swinging back East and did strike at the DD TF sighted last turn. Only 13 Kates flew and one was lost to flak with no hits. Hmmm.

SO PAC: The Kaveing invasion landed and there is a sighting of one ship at Rabaul. All of our invasion TFs will scamper back to Truk no that they've dropped off their load.

China: More bombing. More ground units hit. More resting of troops. That's all.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 8:00:10 PM)

Here are the air losses for the day.


[image]local://upfiles/37283/08710EF1511F48D0BD4936BA45CC1F6C.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 8:03:25 PM)

And the ship losses.


[image]local://upfiles/37283/B6F1CBAC1C8E4EC4A059537275C840F1.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/27/2011 8:52:00 PM)

12 Dec 1941

DEI: I-153 tracks down the wounded TK Pinna and puts two more torps in her to end her war. The landing goes forward at Miri and Kuching falls easily. Jesselton and Judat are the next targets, with Beaufort to follow.

Malaya and Burma: It looks like some holding forces are left at Alor Star. The roll-over shows 2 units and over 6,000 troops. 3 Armour units are on their way there, with 2 regiments and the kitchen sink to follow.

We haven't reconned Port Blair, but tomorrow we'll roll the dice and try a para-drop. 28 Oscar 1a will sweep first, so hopefully this will work.

PI: The SCTF headed by CL Naka with 7 DD had several engagements. First they were jumped by 3 PTs, and took out one with no damage. Then they went into the islands north of Mindanao and took out 4 xAKL. The 3 ship Allied TF is now just south of Mindanao, but 3 of our TFs are closing in from all sides. A clutch of ships is around Cebu, so two TFs will visit this base tomorrow.

More sweeps over Clark today. This time they were more in line with previous expectations. The score; 12 P-40E, 8 P-40B, 4 P-35, 1 P-26 for 7 zeros. Only 3 of our pilots killed though, with 3 WIA and 1 MIA total for the day.

Pacific: The KB again only launched one small strike, but Vals this time hit 3 DD and put 2 bombs in one and one in another. Heavy damage is listed for both. We will go for one more turn hoping more strikes will hit the other two ASW TFs still out here to the E of PH.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/28/2011 3:02:59 PM)

13 Dec 1941

PI: Several more xAKL were shot to the bottom E of Mindanao. Troops are moving south on Luzon, and so far it doesn't look like the Allies will try to make a stand anywhere. Only 18 fighters listed at Clark after 85 being there a few turns ago.

Two Rgts and two Armour groups landed at Antimonan. They will push immediately toward Manila, trying to force ships to evacuate while our surface forces are active nearby.

Malaya and Burma: The Port Blair invasion is on hold as I forgot to take them off rest before the jump and they didn't take the base! Whoops! The disruption isn't high, so we should get it this turn anyway. No fighters there and only the usual small base force. Victoria Point fell. An airbase is enroute.

A sweep of 25 Oscar 1b went over Singapore, the first test of the Buffalos there. We got nearly a 2 to 1 kill ratio on the 24 Buffalos that came up (5 Oscars lost, 3 A to A. 9 Buffalos lost, 5 A to A). 18 Zeros will go from Sinkawang next turn to try it out further. Still waiting on Oscar 1c replacements to get a good sized sweeping group filled out. Once the Luzon fighters have been knocked out completely, one zero group will transfer over as well. Should only be a few turns now if they keep coming up there.

DEI: The three ships thought to be a SCTF was actually an AVP, xAKL and a PC. Hmmmm. Was this some type of a decoy to scare me away from the area or just an errant TF? Not sure. Anyway Kongo et al improved their night skills.

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Dadjangas at 79,94, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
xAKL Bintoehan, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PC Zeeman, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AVP Reiger, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

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

The I-121, I-123, I-154 and I-124 all used up torpedos on some xAKLs around Borneo, Billiton, and the approaches to Palembang. Nells from Kuching hit 3 more xAKLs. How many are there?

Miri fell as well, and Lilys have been moved in for ASW in the area. So far we have several groups of 1Es near Saigon and Cam Rahn Bay along with one group of Lilys, and all the subs are being seen easily. The same is true near the PI, where two Lily groups and a Betty group are covering the South China Sea and the straits north of Luzon.

Pacific: The KB launched a full strike today and knocked out 2 DD E of Hawaii. A detached surface group also hit 3 PCs and sank them all. Probably a waste of ordinance, but can't pass up targets at this point in the war if it doesn't slow the timetable. Now it's a race to Canton Island to support the invasion.

Wake was invaded this turn by 2 SNLF units and fell easily. The Wildcats were still there, which is odd. They tried to attack the invasion fleet but got no hits, and at the end of the turn there were 16 Wildcat ops losses. The units here are down to 44 and 47 AV and will rest for a few turns before heading north to take the Aleutians. The Kendari was the only ship wounded, with 20 system and 20 float damage from the CD guns. It's headed back to the HI to fix up.

The Kaveing troops only achieved a 1 to 1. We'll wait and attack again soon.

Abemama and Ocean Island fell today.

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[image]local://upfiles/37283/5097FA45C85B49B4B7333366078A9A1B.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/28/2011 3:24:07 PM)

DD Shiranui

The Shiranui had her first taste of surface combat last turn. She was detached from the KB with CA Tone and Chikuma and DD Urakaze and Hamakaze. She landed one hit on PC Taney for her first surface score of the game. This group will re-engage next turn and the KB will move south of Hawaii on the way to Canton.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lahaina at 190,101, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
PC Tiger, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PC Reliance, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PC Taney, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CA Tone engages PC Taney at 6,000 yards
Massive explosion on PC Taney
CA Chikuma engages PC Taney at 6,000 yards
CA Tone engages PC Tiger at 6,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PC Taney at 6,000 yards
Irvine D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages PC Taney at 4,000 yards
PC Taney sunk by CA Tone at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages PC Tiger at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
PC Tiger sunk by CA Chikuma at 5,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

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

[image]local://upfiles/37283/872028EC10BF460EB8A6188BF501AF50.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/28/2011 3:39:14 PM)

PC Taney

Interesting note on PC Taney, which will not repeat her successful survival during the real war.

Launched in 1936, TANEY was one of 101 ships stationed near Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7,
1941, when the US fleet was attacked, without warning, by the Empire of Japan. Until she was
decommissioned Dec. 7, 1986, the TANEY was the last of those 101 ships still in active
service.

"At 7:55 a.m. the alarm went off sounding general quarters and I started cursing because we
had been having so many drills" recalled Chuck Sellentin, who was a 17 year old fireman
aboard the TANEY Dec. 7, 1941. He had left his parent's small farm in Belden, Neb., less
than a year earlier. Sellentin recalled a shipmate who came sliding down the railing into the
engine room and yelled "This drill is for real. The Oklahoma is turning over! You can see the
smoke coming from Pearl Harbor."

Sellentin ran up the ladder to his general quarters station which was on the main deck below
the bridge. "I could hear all the excitement, and about that time I saw Japanese planes flying
high overhead" said Sellentin.

"The next thing I heard was the shooting of our guns. That particular moment still stands out in
my mind because the reverberation shattered all the glass windows in the nearby warehouse,"
he said . "Some of it came tinkling down on the ship". Later that morning, while manning his
general quarters station, Sellentin saw Japanese planes coming toward the ship. "One of those
planes came in so low I thought I saw the pilot waving," recalls Selletin.

The crew of CG-8 swiftly mounted its machine gun, provided all small arms and ammunition available, and wound up engines ready for getting underway within minutes of the air raid sirens. In the words of the Officer in Charage of CG-8, BM1 Boyd C. Maddox "At approximately 0900 was sent out by orders of Base Operaations Officer to Sand Island, T.H. At 0905 while contacting former Lighthouse Dock at Sand Island, picking up Depot Keeper, one Bomb burst to the stern of the CG-8, on mud flat across channel from Piers 31 and 32, Honolulu. Then continuning while enroute from Sand Island to Pier 4, observed one bomb explode about fifty yards east of #6 main channel buoy, Honolulu Harbor entrance, and only a few yards southeast of gate boom control to Honolulu Harbor. While underway, proceeding top speed to Pier 4, this vessel was attacked by machine gunfire from plane, with no hits on crew or vessel. Bullets came within twenty feet off starboard bow. ... During this air attack every member present of the crew of this vessel did his duty in a quick and eager manner and showed courage and willingness to meet any emergency that might come" CG-8 was to last throughout the war and ultimately, under the command of Ensign Richard S. Peer, was awarded the Bronze Star medal for distinguished combat action on D-Day at Normandy.

The Commanding Officer of the CGC TANEY noted that, "At 1135, we opened fire with #3 gun on a small formation of enemy planes which had passed over the city from north to south and were almost overhead at the time of firing. One of the planes appeared to drop a bomb on Sand Island. No report was heard but dust and smoke were observed as the bomb bounced into the mud flats"

At 11:58 as a wave of five Japanese aircraft attempted a glide bombing or strafing attack on Honolulu's main power plant Both the CGC TANEY at pier 6, and the CGC RELIANCE at Pier 4, furiously engaged their 3" guns, creating a wall of anti-aircraft shrapnel. The CGC TANEY also defended with four 50 caliber machine guns when the planes were in range. In the words of the Commanding Officer of the CGC TANEY, CDR. L. B. Olsen, "No direct hits by the 3" guns were definitely seen, but planes were rocked by the fire and swerved up and away. Several 50/Cal. tracers appeared to pierce wing and tail structure of on plane. No bombs or machine gun bullets were received aboard nor observed falling near-by. 54 rounds of 3" shrapnel were expended and about 250 rounds of 50/Cal. ammunition ... A fairly satisfactory volume of fire was obtained but it was not as great as would have been desirable, due to interference with loading from splinter shielding at that particular angle of fire ... The officers and crew bore themselves well, although most members of the crew had no training except drill, and had never seen anything above a 50 caliber fired."




[image]local://upfiles/37283/B3E97EC26BF64DB2BF26E5FE72D36DC5.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 11:10:08 AM)

14 Dec 1941

PI: The US fliers keep stubbornly coming up at Clark. Today we swept with one group and LR CAPed with the other. The result was another lopsided victory in the air. Only 2 zeros lost for 10 P-40E, 2 P-40B, and 2 P-35. I wonder how many of his pilots are surviving these battles?

Recon shows 14 ships still at Manila. With the fighter air finally worn down sufficiently, we will send in a massive Port attack. ALL bombers within range, IJA and IJN, will attack from 10,000 ft supported by a LR CAP of zeros and an escort of 36 Nates from Appari. Boise appears to be here, and a few subs and DDs, so if he doesn't get the jitters and move out, this could be devastating. I haven't seen the AOs yet either, so they may be there.

DEI: One of the Toho class transports being used for the Kendari invasion was torpedoed by the USS Searaven south of Babeldaob during the night, and went down. It looks like many of the troops were picked up by the other transports, luckily. It still makes this op more tenuous. There is also a 2 ship TF at Ambon, so we're sending in the SCTF with 4 BB and 4 DD to bombard and hopefully take it out as well. At Ternate a fast transport group is loading the Naval Guard to head to the base south of Menado where an ENG unit of 15 AV is waiting.

Another fast transport is en route to Dadjangas.

More xAKL were taken out by subs near Billiton.

Pacific: No more TFs for the KB to hit, but the search groups found about 6 subs nearby, so we're leaving the area at the right time. We should beat them out and south around the Big Island easily. I was thinking of another Port strike on PH, as only 3 BBs are confirmed sunk and another is thought to be down based on planes destroyed, but we'll take our chances and let the subs try for them later. At last count there were 114 fighters at PH.

Wake units are healing nicely and prepping for Cold Bay. This will be target number 2 in the Aleutians. An airbase is already being sent to Attu from Ominato. This should provide a good search and recon base as well as a refueling station.

2 Naval guards and an AF Coy are loading for Canton. They should arrive in the area with the KB in about 5-6 days. Subs are scouting all areas to the south and east.

China: We're starting to get things moving in China. Small garrison units are arriving and allowing Divs and Brigades to strat out to more useful locations. Yenan will be a target this time. Soon 4 Divs and 3 Brigades with some HQs, an Armour and an ENG unit will march up the yellow road. This is more a diversionary exercise, and a flanking move to get out and around blockades on the way to Sian. Although slower, this road has less good defensive terrain.

Another major operation will attempt to get Changsha early. We're concentrating on the fields here and making sure no extra forts are building, and so far only 60,000 Chinese are there. It would be nice to pick this up early and get the extra HI and LI as well as the closer airfield. Last turn we bombed and took out 3 Hudsons and a SB-III on the ground. Not sure why the Allies have these bombers exposed out here but the Chinese can't afford to lose too many of them. They aren't flying bombing missions, but must be doing some recon.

Hong Kong is holding well, and we've been bombarding, bombing from the air against the ground units, and will try another deliberate attack today.

Malaya and Burma: It's confirmed that two Regimental sized units are sitting at Alor Star as a rear guard to slow us on Malaya. This is great news! Although they might make us take a few extra turns up here, this should be caught up later when we trash those units and move on quickly to fight less later in Singapore. Two armour units are sitting in Alor Star awaiting the rest of the army a few days away. Also, a regiment and support is moving behind to Georgetown and should arrive there in two or three days.

This turn we'll try again in combat mode in Port Blair.









[image]local://upfiles/37283/0B97E9D9C1AB4FAFAD136FFABDC6FB6A.jpg[/image]



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 12:22:17 PM)

Summary to Date

So far our initial operations in the DEI, the PI, China and the Pacific have gone well. Only 4 xAK have been lost and no combat ships. Our air battles are achieving a total score of 2 to 1 in losses, and many of these are ops losses from the amount of missions we're flying. In Air to Air it's much higher, 3 to 1 or higher. Looking back at my last opening in the Scen 2 game, this one is right on track to keep the same schedule. This with several less Zero and Betty groups, and fewer ground forces to allocate. In this game we're actually ahead of schedule on Borneo, with the entire northern side about to be finished off when the Jesselton invasion lands next turn.

Malaya: For this game all secondary amphib TFs have been sent to Bangkok. No reason to risk landing at Kota Bahru, and it's a small port with less support. All troops can rail to other destinations from here, and it's away from most prying eyes and subs. AF bases were sent more quickly to Kota Bahru and the Air Div HQ is heading over more quickly as well, which is going to make a big improvement to our bombing campaign. Now, if we could just get the Nates switched out! I do feel the hurt of Scen 1 here, with fewer factory slots and fewer replacements.

Burma: We're hitting Port Blair more quickly, and sending in more Thai units with good elements of the IJA to march to Moulmein. The Allies have around 40 fighters listed in Rangoon, so we haven't even bothered to try for anything here. A close watch is being kept on the transport situation, and Port Blair should help with this. Once the zeros are done in Luzon one group will move here.

China: Slow going, but the plans are formulating based on the defense. The Allies are leaving a bunch of troops in the Central clear hex bases south of Sian. I'm happy for them to be there, as they are not building forts in forest hexes. Yenan is target 1 followed by Sian around this road system. 4 Divs and 3 Brigades with some HQs, an Armour and an ENG unit will move in a few turns. Some armour will move to the far north, but not as much as in the last game. The focus will be Sian first.

In the Center and south as Divs heal they will move to to objectives. Wenchow will be attacked by 3 Divisions. Changsha will also be tried with at least 5 Divs, 3 Brigades, and some supporting Arty, Armour and ENG units. It should total around 2,800-3,000 AV. Based on what is there now, and with the clear hex and air superiority, we should be able to get this base unless a massive reinforcement occurs in the next few weeks.

DEI: Our sub forces and surface naval units have done a good job catching fleeing ships from both Singers and the PI. Not many have made it through. Recon has moved in and will look at the cluster of ships at Pelembang next turn. If there is a build-up here, more than the 38th Div from Hong Kong may be allocated to take it. An Air HQ is moving into Singkawang, and another at Jolo. These should further strangle the area. A third HQ is at Babeldaob and planning to move into Kendari once that base is secure. Fast transports seem much more effective in taking these units to their destinations, although more is at risk. They can protect themselves better and give less reaction time for subs or surface elements.

Next up is rounding the corner on Borneo to Tarakan and Balikpapan. Fast transports are on the way to Samah to pick up units for these destinations, and Jolo should be taken in two days and set up with an air HQ within a week. The Rjujo is waiting on zero replacements. Only 7 zeros are in her upgraded group resized to 30. We'll be sitting for a bit, and could move out in a week or so.

PI: Invasions have gone smoothly, and troops are moving in force to Lingayen during the next few days. Three Allied units are listed here, and it would be great to hit a few before they get to Clark. After the Port strikes coming, we will bomb ground units to slow them and start on both Clark and Bataan to keep forts down.

About 450-500 AV will be moving from Antimonan toward Manila. Again, we hope to isolate the Manila troops.

Pacific: Kaveing is the only SO PAC base invaded. We're waiting on the 4 CA group to use as fast transport. They are finishing off Guam with an SNLF currently. The original Guam invasion force is moving slowly toward Rabaul. Why do all of these TFs have a 10 speed unit in them? Anyway, that should go in in just over a week, or whenever the KB moves nearby from the Canton area.

This time we may try some farther ops to the line Islands. Just taking bases and moving most stuff out, leaving search planes with a small AF unit. We'll see what we see in the next week before this plan goes ahead. With the ability to buy back these units and air groups, they become almost expendable. I've got my eye on some deep SO PAC recon areas as well. The AMC raiders have remained on patrol down here and are looking out for anything moving toward Pago Pago.

NO PAC: After learning how quickly the Allies can strike back up here in the game with Dan, I will go for Cold Bay this time with two Naval Guard units. Later other support and Guard units will back-fill Adak and Amchitka. This is all just to slow things down and make the Allies have to really form an invasion rather than just shipping some stuff up here and dropping it off. It is in range of 4Es, but I'd rather see 4Es here than elsewhere.

Economy: Having tracker has helped keeping tabs on this stuff. Resources have been flowing to the HI almost from day one, and more Cargo TFs are still coming online. Supply is getting low, and no more will be sent anywhere for several weeks. All is fine, but I'd like to build a little surplus in Tokyo again, which is down to 80,000 right now.

Naval industry is evening out after switching some Merchant factories to Naval and building up some of the small ones a few points. The points are just positive this turn. Shinano was halted, 3 CVs accelerated, and 3 CVEs accelerated as well.

3,500 HI is going to the pools each turn. With the smaller pilot fee in Scen 1 this should be good for the first few months, and then once Armaments and Vehicles turn off for a while, it should jump quite a bit.














Mike Solli -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 12:37:17 PM)

Comments:

PI: Don't worry about the pilots. Soon they won't have any planes to fly. Keep sweeping.

Aleutians: If you haven't already, I recommend taking Adak. That's the best base in the Aleutian Chain. Taking it just to deny it to the Allies is a just cause.

Malaya: Surround lor Star before ousting the Allied units. That's a good job for your armor there. The extra time taken to surround them will pay dividends when he has that many fewer units to defend Singapore.

Also, keep in mind that CVEs use Merchant shipbuilding points.



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 2:41:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Comments:

PI: Don't worry about the pilots. Soon they won't have any planes to fly. Keep sweeping.


Thanks Mike. Yeah, Unless he takes away too many planes from other areas and keeps training squads underfilled, he will run out here soon. In the first week alone over 100 P-40E and B have been destroyed.

quote:


Aleutians: If you haven't already, I recommend taking Adak. That's the best base in the Aleutian Chain. Taking it just to deny it to the Allies is a just cause.


Adak is the next destination for one of the unrestricted 11th Air bases that start on the HI. Then once the Guard units start arriving a few will be put up here to make sure it's secure through the winter before I buy some Manchurian stuff to add. I may put one of the Claude training groups (or a fragment thereof) out here just to hit recon and annoy unescorted bombers.

quote:


Malaya: Surround Alor Star before ousting the Allied units. That's a good job for your armor there. The extra time taken to surround them will pay dividends when he has that many fewer units to defend Singapore.


He's already surrounded on all road hexes by units moving from Patani. I thought of just forcing them to retreat into the jungle near Patani, but it would probably be good not to have to come back and clean this up later in the woods. Once the other units arrive maybe I'll move armour back into the one forest hex without roads next to Singora and Patani.

quote:


Also, keep in mind that CVEs use Merchant shipbuilding points.


I checked for a while and it seems I still have excess Merchant points. I was thinking of accelerating the rest of the CVEs, but maybe it's more worthwhile to just turn some off for a while. Not sure what CVEs will give me in 44.



Mike Solli -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 3:07:31 PM)

Something to consider - Early in the war you have a glut of merchant points. Later in the war, when the merchant ships begin to come in droves, you may need that excess. It all depends on your building strategy. Many people halt production on a lot of xAKs. They claim they don't need them. If you are of that group, then you should be ok. If you decide to keep building all the merchants, you'll run into a shortage of merchant points late war. I don't accelerate any merchant ships and let the points accumulate for late war builds. Just my philosophy. People say late war builds are just free VPs for the Allies. Since I don't care about VPs, I'd rather have the ships. My thought is, if I don't need them, I'll halt them at 1 day so they are available if needed later.



PaxMondo -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 3:17:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

My thought is, if I don't need them, I'll halt them at 1 day so they are available if needed later.

+1

I also do not play VP's ....



obvert -> RE: Wild Sheep's Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A) (11/29/2011 3:45:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

My thought is, if I don't need them, I'll halt them at 1 day so they are available if needed later.

+1

I also do not play VP's ....


Perfect. I do not at all care about VPs, and I like ships! [:)] The more the better.

I especially plan to use AVs in throughout the war as almost suicide recon and raider units. With Jakes they can take out merchants often better than subs, even if they're less stealthy. And once Kamis come online, it could be really interesting to try some in missions behind lines with kami-float bombers. So, I may need a lot of AVs to try this out.

I will keep the early CVEs accelerated, which still gives me a surplus, and then build up the pools for the late war. Is there a number I should shoot for by say 12/43?



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