What now? No AdmNelson, please. (Full Version)

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jetjockey -> What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 6:24:35 PM)

My Most Worthy Opponent and I have reached 1943 and I would like to solicit some brotherly (and sisterly) advice from my JFB Brethren. I am in what I consider a decent strategic position, but I am now considering whether additional offensive operations are warranted/justified/suicidal. For your consideration I will outline my strategic position.

My carrier fleet has been weakened, but not critically so. The carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku, as well as the CVE Chuyo, were just sunk in a series of late year actions in the South Pacific that claimed the American carriers Saratoga, Yorktown and Wasp as well as three American CVEs (add to this the Enterprise, which was sunk in Jan ’42). One other American carrier was severely damaged but was able to withdraw. The losses of battleships has been even more lopsided with the loss of the Yamashiro on my part as opposed to the loss of three American and three British BBs as well as the BC Repulse (zero losses from ’41).

Kido Butai is currently being reformed. Division 2 (CV Junyo and CVL Ryuho) is based out of Truk. Division 3 (CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho, and Shoho along with the CVE Hosho) is based in Singapore; the Shoho is temporarily detached to conduct raids against supply lines between India and Australia. Division 1 (CVs Hiyru and Akagi) is completing repairs in the Home Islands and will be available within the week. The other carriers will be in the shipyards for some time.

In India I was dealt my first setback. The 15th and 21st Armies engaged a large British/Commonwealth force near Akyab and quickly brushed aside several Indian Divisions, but the real prizes were the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions. I cut off both divisions for a time and did them great harm, but due to supply difficulties, Australian tenacity, as well as greater than expected British reinforcements, I was unable to reduce their positions. Both armies are withdrawing in good order to the Burma interior to make good their losses; the 21st to await further orders.

China goes well. Chungking and Chengtu are the only major cities in Chinese control. I hope to be at the gates of Chungking by mid spring.

In the South Pacific my outer perimeter is securely established in Tarawa, Lunga, and Port Moresby, however, Rennell Island and to the south east Ndeni Island are thorns in my side; MMWO is actually raiding shipping (B-17s & B-24s) around Nauru and Ocean Islands (how dare he).

So, after all this, do I:

1. Attempt to take Rennell & Ndeni Islands
2. Use my temporary but small carrier advantage to push-out/raid further east, or
3. Continue consolidating my outer perimeter and await the onslaught
4. Is there something else to consider?

Even AFB advice/comments are welcome.

BTW, HRs were to set a “Historical” game style.



Lokasenna -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 6:35:49 PM)

I wouldn't bother invading Rennell or Ndeni. Can you bombard them instead? Make him pay some kind of price for basing out of there. Or can you sneak in a bombardment of wherever his B-17s are based? Nice, tasty 2 VPs per 4E that you destroy, and you make him think twice about using them.

On the other hand, he may feel threatened enough if you go for them to bring out his remaining CVs? (Hornet, Lexington, and some CVEs at this point plus a few Brits) He doesn't get Hellcats until May. You make no mention of Soryu or Kaga. What's their status?

On the ground, in Burma, I would continue to fortify. You want to delay him there as long as possible. Can you devote more effort to China? If you clear that up, you could send all those forces over to Paoshan/Kunming to defend that corridor or back up to Manchukuo to prep for the Soviets.


What is your overall fuel and oil situation? Supplies?



Gaspote -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 7:16:08 PM)

you should be sure that he is not able to launch an offensive from ndeni/Rennel island first in my opinion. It's not necessary to take it but if you can have air superiority and close airfield, you can avoid an offensive that will came from here in my opinion.
And if Rennell island run out of supplies he will have to use his carrier or retreat, so you will take it easily.

You should try to take the gilberts islands if it's not the case to see an offensive in this area coming. It's not necessary to fortify the area a lot just capture. It can be a trap if he try to send his carrier, send yours with G3M3 and G4M from Tarawa you get chance but make it quick before he get F6F and SB2C.

Keep your offensive in China.

Burma is really dangerous because he will get a lot of units so if you can't defend in jungle you won't out and be sure to keep naval superiority to avoid a naval landing on your back.



jetjockey -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 8:03:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I wouldn't bother invading Rennell or Ndeni. Can you bombard them instead? Make him pay some kind of price for basing out of there. Or can you sneak in a bombardment of wherever his B-17s are based? Nice, tasty 2 VPs per 4E that you destroy, and you make him think twice about using them.

On the other hand, he may feel threatened enough if you go for them to bring out his remaining CVs? (Hornet, Lexington, and some CVEs at this point plus a few Brits) He doesn't get Hellcats until May. You make no mention of Soryu or Kaga. What's their status?

On the ground, in Burma, I would continue to fortify. You want to delay him there as long as possible. Can you devote more effort to China? If you clear that up, you could send all those forces over to Paoshan/Kunming to defend that corridor or back up to Manchukuo to prep for the Soviets.


What is your overall fuel and oil situation? Supplies?


I've been bombarding Rennell regularly (cruisers good -- Musashi better). Rennell is easy, my ships can approach under Lunga's CAP. Ndeni needs help. One thing vexes me though. I've got 70 Bettys at Rabaul that have consistently refused to raid Rennell Island, even after it has been shut down by bombardment. I was nervous about invading for several reasons:

1. Japanese recon is horrible; the thirty thousand reported troops is likely to turn out to be 70-80 thousand
2. To have a chance I would need 2+ to 1
3. Add in losses due to enemy action
4. Because of losses going over the beach, double that
5. Even if I were to free up that much manpower, I don't have the sea-lift capability

Soryu (73 days), Kaga (60 days), Hiyo (30 days), Yamato (91 days), Fuso (213 days), Mutsu (66 days); I've accelerated the Taiho (available in April).

I've not seen hide-nor-hair of the British carriers and I doubt that I could do anything to force another engagement with the Americans.

Burma is dug in deep. The Burma Road is cleared from both sides to Tsuyung and I'm considering using the 21st Army to force the city and moving on Chengtu from behind. This would leave the 15th Army in Burma with five divisions plus two reserve divisions (Imperial Guards and 21st). After the mauling the British took, perhaps they will take some time to cross the jungle.

I've stabilized the fuel/oil situation in the Home Islands, with large reserves moved safely away from the front. One note though, I can't seem to make a dent in the stockpiles in Palembang; I just can't move enough out of port.



Lokasenna -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 8:30:31 PM)

You can try to haul fuel from Oosthaven also, to help get Palembang clear.

Make sure you have PB build to at least level 9 Port + AF to avoid spoilage.



jetjockey -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 9:42:15 PM)

Both Palembang and Oosthaven level 1 ports, expandable to 4, I've been running tankers out of Oosthaven and it helps, but only with fuel; oil and resources refuse to budge.



Lokasenna -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/19/2014 11:31:35 PM)

You will need to create a level of demand for those at Oosthaven by making convoys there, setting them up as CS, and loading the desired resource. Eventually, it'll flow down there.

With level 4 ports at both, you should be able to get a handle on emptying Palembang of Fuel AND Oil. You don't need Resources, so don't bother with those. In my AI game, I actually drained Palembang's extra Fuel with just TKs and xAKs at Palembang. It took over a year, but I got it done. I was still hauling the surplus Oil out, too.



setloz -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/20/2014 8:09:55 AM)

quote:

One thing vexes me though. I've got 70 Bettys at Rabaul that have consistently refused to raid Rennell Island, even after it has been shut down by bombardment.

One thing I did notice, betties are less likely to fly without fighter cover. Do you have fighers assigned to escort duty with enough range for Rennell?
Also, what's the AGGR on the betty squadron leaders?



Gaspote -> RE: What now? No AdmNelson, please. (1/20/2014 9:13:34 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: setloz

quote:

One thing vexes me though. I've got 70 Bettys at Rabaul that have consistently refused to raid Rennell Island, even after it has been shut down by bombardment.

One thing I did notice, betties are less likely to fly without fighter cover. Do you have fighers assigned to escort duty with enough range for Rennell?
Also, what's the AGGR on the betty squadron leaders?


Try to sweep Rennell island the same day and escort your G4M. Watch the level of agressivity of your officers, a careful officers won't send a single plane if there are CAP.
Weathers on the hexs have impact too



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