RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports

Message

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/19/2014 4:14:32 PM)
7/11/44 Christmas Island IO Air attacks at Christmas Island continue today. It's a costly attack that doesn't do much. I've got a couple of fresh squadrons I'm rotating in from Broome so I can sustain this level of attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-61-Id Tony x 15 Allied aircraft P-38J Lightning x 4 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 38 P-51B Mustang x 18 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61-Id Tony: 7 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 23 Allied aircraft P-38J Lightning x 4 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 37 P-51B Mustang x 15 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 9 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K1-J George x 3 Allied aircraft P-38J Lightning x 4 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 35 P-51B Mustang x 12 Japanese aircraft losses N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed No Allied losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 50 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 15 Allied aircraft P-38J Lightning x 4 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 33 P-51B Mustang x 11 Japanese aircraft losses *Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed* Allied aircraft losses P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Almost 40 Japanese planes are shot down today. Christmas Island has cost Gebede almost 200 fighters so far. Solomons/New Guinea I take a blow today... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Rennell Island at 114,140 Japanese Ships SS I-171, hits 5 Allied Ships ARD AFDB-4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ACM Barricade DE Duffy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My fleet repair dock is torpedoed. I lose the ARD but pound the sub responsible. From Horn Island some attack planes find a Convoy in port at Dagua (east side of New Guinea) and deal with it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Allied aircraft P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7 TBF-1 Avenger x 20 No Allied losses Japanese Ships xAK Ikushima Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk xAK Seian Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk xAK Kozan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Hiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 14 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged Japanese Ships xAK Hiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Kozan Maru, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think AKs mean he's trying to resupply versus moving troops around. Lautem/Timor interesting development here. Gebede has marched several units overland from Dili to Lautem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Lautem (72,115) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 5384 troops, 128 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 887 Defending force 14094 troops, 146 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 493 Japanese ground losses: 26 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled) Allied ground losses: 19 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 25th Marine Regiment 27th Infantry Division 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division 33rd Infantry Div /2 166 Wing 167 Wing Defending units: 27th Electric Engineer Regiment 4th Division 12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My bombers from Darwin with start an bombing campaign on these guys.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/19/2014 4:59:59 PM)
7/11/44-7/13/44 Storms sock in most of the pacific for a couple of day and flights are minimal. Gebede seems to have given up on Christmas Island for now. Lautem/Timor The More troops arrive in Lautem, The Japanese now have about an equal number of AV in the Lautem hex, though my troops are sitting behind 4 levels of forts. I send my latest Surface task force to Lautem to save of the almost nightly naval bombardments. Led by the new Richelieu it's a powerful task force. I will have heavy CAP over this fleet from Lautem as well as from Darwin. on the 13th my plan "works" and a large surface battle occurs. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 13, 44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 4,000 Yards Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses Seagull V: 1 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Haruna, Shell hits 5, heavy fires CA Takao, Shell hits 2 DD Tamanami DD Onami DD Fujinami DD Hayanami, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Okinami DD Hamanami Allied Ships BB Richelieu, Shell hits 2, on fire CA Australia, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk CA London, Shell hits 5, heavy fires CA Suffolk CA Cumberland, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk DD Kidd DD Barton DD Decoy DD Relentless DD Rocket -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Haruna, on fire DD Hamanami Allied Ships PT-103, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-106 PT-108 PT-111, Shell hits 2, on fire PT-112 PT-114 PT-129 PT-132 PT-134 PT-135, Shell hits 3, and is sunk PT-136, Shell hits 4, and is sunk PT-228, Shell hits 18, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The battle does NOT go my way. I lose two heavy cruisers and have the Richeliue shot up. I sink 1 Destroyer and add some significant damage to the Haruna in exchange. Not a good exchange rate. on the plus side I've gathered all my Carriers at Munda for a strike on Truk. We put departing off for an extra day in order to get some more subs in position to catch any stragglers

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/19/2014 8:03:54 PM)
7/14/44 Lautem/Timor Well things seem to be heating up. Yesterday my surface task force took a beating, I lost two heavy cruisers in a lop-sided naval engagement. Today Gebede sends in a Cruiser squadron. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 3,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Myoko CA Haguro CA Nachi, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1 DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1 DD Kiyoshimo, Shell hits 2 DD Hayashimo DD Akishimo, Shell hits 2 Allied Ships CA Suffolk, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Kidd, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Barton, Shell hits 1 DD Decoy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 1 CA Haguro DD Asashimo DD Kiyoshimo DD Hayashimo Allied Ships PT-106 PT-108 PT-111 PT-112 PT-114 PT-129 PT-132 PT-134, Shell hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Suffolk fights a one sided battle and is sunk. Three heavy cruisers lost over two days is a major catastrophe! One the plus side we do put a torpedo into one of the Japanese Cruisers. Another enemy Cruiser takes a topedo as well, courtesy of my PT boats. unfortunately that does little to deter them and they plow into my cargo ships then shoot up my base. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Myoko CA Haguro DD Asashimo DD Kiyoshimo DD Hayashimo Allied Ships xAKL Nebraskan, Shell hits 21, and is sunk xAKL Hamakua, Shell hits 7, and is sunk xAKL Kahuku, Shell hits 16, and is sunk xAKL Canopus, Shell hits 7, and is sunk xAKL Corrimal, Shell hits 40, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 damaged Spitfire VIII: 1 damaged F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 damaged F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground Japanese Ships CA Haguro CA Myoko DD Hayashimo DD Kiyoshimo DD Asashimo Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Someone's head is going to roll over this operation, that's for sure! With sun up the Allies pick up the pieces. My bombers make their runs on the troops that have just marched to Lautem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 72,115 (Lautem) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K1-J George x 17 N1K2-J George x 16 Allied aircraft B-24J Liberator x 66 P-38J Lightning x 12 P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8 F6F-3 Hellcat x 5 Japanese aircraft losses N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 35 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 3rd Tank Division, at 72,115 (Lautem) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K1-J George x 11 N1K2-J George x 14 Allied aircraft Spitfire VIII x 2 P-38J Lightning x 17 P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12 F6F-3 Hellcat x 6 Japanese aircraft losses N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My bombing run doesn't report good results, 66 bombers, 30 reported casualties. We do better in the air, downing over 20 fighters that are LRCAPing over Lautem, I assume. What do do? I've got about a dozen CVEs and a couple of Brit flattops operating south of Lautem providing air cover, but my surface groups are just about shot. Japanese Forces are only getting bigger at Lautem so I need to stabalize the situation ASAP. I've got two incoming amphibous task forces entering the theatre that will be tasked with the invasions of Ponape and Kusaie Island, both Southeast of Truk. I am re-tasking the Kusaie Island Amphibious force to move to Lautem with all haste. Escorting them will be a large surface task force with my two Iowa Class Battleships and 20 CVEs. The CVE force is currently providing LRCAP for my Striking Carriers but that attack should be wrapped up and still have time to meet the Amphibious Task force for the passing around Horn Island. I'm still looking at about 10-14 days before I can re-enforce Lautem significantly.

DOCUP -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/19/2014 10:38:11 PM)
I know how you feel about those CAs. How are your fighter pools? What warships do you have left?

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/20/2014 1:58:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DOCUP I know how you feel about those CAs.� How are your fighter pools?� What warships do you have left? Pool are okay I think. I'm probably doing better on airframes then pilots. I am worried about the P-47 pools, I'm good for now but they are a workhorse for me and I've already stopped getting replacements for them. I've got to stretch those planes a long way. [image]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DFvrxnGc3-A/U6Q69MO8WJI/AAAAAAAAkbs/fjuM_MAt8Og/s800/7fighter%2520pool.jpg[/image] Ship wise I think I am actually doing okay. After the massive carrier battle that I lost, it turned out that most of my carriers had light damage. Only a couple required drydock and all of them are back. Sadly only the Big E was lost. So that's 9 Fleet Carriers active. My most critical losses have been battleships. Most of them have been lost in foolish actions, or in the case of the three I lost in Nov of '42 by a brilliant behind my lines mid ocean intercept by the KB. [image]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8-SNOqUeVqQ/U6Q69PO7XqI/AAAAAAAAkbU/ci6XV6f6rzg/s800/7battleships%2520sunk.jpg[/image] All told I have about 5 battleships in active service and 5 more in various repair docks. As far as Cruisers go, I guess I'm better then I thought. Here are Heavy Cruiser losses to date. [image]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CgyQ16CNnAI/U6Q69EUt5TI/AAAAAAAAkbc/FezYALmnEkw/s800/7cruisers%2520sunk.jpg[/image] I've lost almost as many British Heavy Cruisers then I have American for a grand total of about 16. Again, like the battleships I have a bunch of them waiting in line for repairs as well. The next day or two should be interesting. Seems like Gebede is making a push at Lautem and my Strike at Truk will hit soon!

DOCUP -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/20/2014 4:55:15 PM)
You have more CVs than I do but I got more BBs. You got plenty of cannon fodder. You might need to downgrade some of your squadrons and use them for escort and low CAP. Whats you pilot situation like? Good luck with Truk.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/20/2014 5:12:20 PM)
7/15/44 Lautem/Timor It's a suprisingly quiet turn. Weather socks in most flights today but a Japanese fast destroyer group hits the Lautem airfields, they blow through my PT Boats like they aren't even there. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 1,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Shiratsuyu DD Shigure DD Murasame DD Yudachi DD Suzukaze DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Yugure, Shell hits 2 Allied Ships PT-232, Shell hits 4, and is sunk PT-234, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-239, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT-255 PT-259, Shell hits 13, and is sunk PT-261, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT-362, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT-363, Shell hits 16, and is sunk PT-364, Shell hits 5, and is sunk PT-366, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-367, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-378, Shell hits 9, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 18 damaged P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 damaged P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 damaged Japanese Ships DD Yugure DD Hatsushima DD Nenohi DD Hatsuharu DD Suzukaze DD Yudachi DD Murasame DD Shigure DD Shiratsuyu Allied ground losses: 10 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The naval bombardment doesn't destroy more than a couple of planes, and with no follow up bombers the fields and fighters are quickly repaired. I do get a bombing run on the Japanese 4th Division in Lautem. Doing 66! casualties. Seems low for 36 liberators but the weather is bad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on 4th Division, at 72,115 (Lautem) Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Allied aircraft B-24J Liberator x 36 P-38J Lightning x 5 P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 13 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9 F6F-3 Hellcat x 4 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 66 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow should be busy. Recon shows another task force heading for Lautem and my attack on Truk commences tomorrow.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/20/2014 7:06:30 PM)
7/16/44 ** Air Raid Truk! Today the Allies launch the first major offensive raid in the war. Truk stronghold has over 300 fighters and a 100 ships in port. Recon hasn't shown any large surface combatants in port so I send in a bombardment Task Force of heavy Cruisers to hopefully soften up the airfield and catch them off guard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,108, Range 5,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Okikaze, Shell hits 15, and is sunk AO Nippon Maru, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Indianapolis CA Northampton CA Astoria CA Minneapolis DD Anthony DD Boyd DD Daly DD Fullam DD Laws DD Picking -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A good start, I hit a small replenishment task force on the way in. Anytime I sink an AO I consider it a success! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,108, Range 4,000 Yards Japanese Ships PB Nanpo Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk PB Shosei Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk PB Shotoku Maru, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Indianapolis CA Northampton CA Astoria CA Minneapolis DD Anthony DD Boyd DD Daly DD Fullam DD Laws DD Picking -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We then roadbump over some Patrol Boats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,108, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships E W-24, Shell hits 2, and is sunk E W-27, Shell hits 6, and is sunk Allied Ships CA Indianapolis CA Northampton CA Astoria CA Minneapolis DD Anthony DD Boyd DD Daly DD Fullam DD Laws DD Picking -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And then some Escorts... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 5 damaged Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 47 damaged Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 damaged Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground Ki-21-IIb Sally: 5 damaged Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed on ground H8K2-L Emily: 5 damaged Ki-49-IIb Helen: 15 damaged Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged 189 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships CA Minneapolis CA Astoria CA Northampton, Shell hits 4, on fire CA Indianapolis Japanese ground losses: 144 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 9 Airbase supply hits 6 Runway hits 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WE finally bombard and do some light damage. The Northampton is smacked around in return. Not a bad run, we sank a few ships and destroyed a few fighters on the ground. With sun up we the first air raid goes in. 8 fleet carriers and 4CVLs manage to put up a rather patry assault. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 34 minutes Japanese aircraft no flights Allied aircraft F4U-1A Corsair x 21 F6F-3 Hellcat x 195 SB2C-1C Helldiver x 86 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses SB2C-1C Helldiver: 16 damaged Japanese Ships xAK Cheribon Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire xAK Mansei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage SS I-39, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage ACM Nikki Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Toyooka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AV Kimikawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire SS I-37, Bomb hits 1 xAK Tensyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire xAK Rokkosan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires Japanese ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 2 Port hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A rather dismal attack, but on the bright side it looks like Gebede's fighters are all stood down. No CAP over Truk. We also get another attack off -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Allied aircraft F6F-3 Hellcat x 40 SB2C-3 Helldiver x 29 TBF-1 Avenger x 32 Allied aircraft losses TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged Japanese Ships CL Kuma, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage AKE Cuba Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk CL Yura, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires AKE Lima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AKE England Maru AKE Chinkai Maru AKE Mayasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This would be the last attack my carriers launch today. With no CAP over Truk I feel like I've lost a golden opportunity. With over 280 dive bombers and 150 Torpedo planes having less then half of them even take of may cost me. On the plus side the attack was still a success. The fact that there was no CAP over Truk tells me this was a surprise and that probably means I can stick around another day or two. Lautem/Timor Surprisingly busy here today. Another bombardment task force arrives today and annihilates more PT Boats. My PT boats crews must hate me, the ones still alive that is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 4,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Chikuma CL Oyodo CL Tenryu DD Susuzuki DD Niizuki DD Wakazuki DD Fuyuzuki DD Haruzuki Allied Ships PT-106, Shell hits 9, and is sunk PT-108, Shell hits 8, and is sunk PT-112, Shell hits 12, and is sunk PT-114, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT-129, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-132, Shell hits 2, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then Surprisingly it turns out he's landing troops at Lautem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Invasion action off Lautem (72,115) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 669 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Hayashio DD Yukikaze DD Takanami DD Shimakaze DD Yoizuki DD Arashi Japanese ground losses: 679 casualties reported Squads: 13 destroyed, 35 disabled Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 58 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Lautem (72,115) TF 74 troops unloading over beach at Lautem, 72,115 Japanese ground losses: 76 casualties reported** Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Lautem (72,115) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Arashi DD Nowaki DD Yukikaze DD Oyashio DD Yoizuki -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It doesn't look like a large force but it can only be a herald of something bad. A bombardment attack at Lautem gives me an idea of what I'm facing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Lautem (72,115) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 18586 troops, 435 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 916 Defending force 20386 troops, 283 guns, 517 vehicles, Assault Value = 881 Japanese ground losses: 19 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 23 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled) Assaulting units: 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division 25th Marine Regiment 27th Infantry Division 33rd Infantry Div /2 166 Wing 167 Wing Defending units: 3rd Tank Division 27th Electric Engineer Regiment 4th Division 16th Naval Guard Unit 12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AV is about equal but I've got level 4 forts, unless he sends massive reinforcements I should be able to hold until my repurposed amphibious fleet arrives with 2 more divisions. The plan for tomorrow is to stick around Truk and hit them again. Hopefully more bombers will get aloft because I'm certain that Gebede will have every fighter remaining on CAP.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/23/2014 3:36:59 PM)
7/17/44 Air Raid Truk - Day two No Air Raid this morning but I do get an afternoon attack in that is significantly larger than yesterday's launch... [image]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gVDmnuC0avM/U6Q69r5w7BI/AAAAAAAAkbk/HTwaHTSpOaw/s800/7port%2520attack.jpg[/image] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 50 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 130 Allied aircraft F4U-1A Corsair x 21 F6F-3 Hellcat x 218 SB2C-1C Helldiver x 112 SB2C-3 Helldiver x 58 TBF-1 Avenger x 90 TBM-1C Avenger x 24 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed on ground H8K2-L Emily: 2 destroyed on ground Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed SB2C-1C Helldiver: 29 destroyed, 13 damaged SB2C-3 Helldiver: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 18 destroyed, 10 damaged TBM-1C Avenger: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese Ships xAK Cheribon Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk xAKL Tsuneshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires PB Sento Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage SS I-55, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk SS I-12, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk SS I-1, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage SS I-34, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk xAK Rokkosan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Takunan Maru #10, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk PB Takunan Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk PB Kure Maru #5, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage ACM Bisaku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Mansei Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk ACM Uchide Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Hagoromo Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk SS I-174, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk ACM Nikki Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk ACM Ryusei Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Kumakawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Tama Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk xAKL Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Katsura Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk xAKL Kanaiyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage ARD Dublon ARD, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires PB Shonon Maru #15, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk xAKL Tenposan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 3 Runway hits 12 Port hits 12 Port fuel hits 1 Port supply hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The CAP that wasn't flying yesterday is in the air and looking for revenge. He has 180 fighters up and I have over 230 escorts. My bombers are still brutalized. I lost almost 100 Helldivers and Avengers but the remainder of the attack goes in. reported sunk are... 4 Subs 5 AKLs 1 xAK 1 ACM And about 10 other ships reported as Heavily Damaged. combined with yesterday's attack that's almost 20 ships sunk, not many warships but then I didn't expect that many. Lautem/Timor Is a little quiet. I've got bombers pounding in the troops at Lautem, but have reports of minimal losses. A Japanese Carrier fleet launches a small attack on my Destroyers on patrol near Lautem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 96 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 31 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5b Zero x 15 B6N2 Jill x 18 Allied aircraft Spitfire VIII x 4 P-38J Lightning x 9 P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 28 P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12 F6F-3 Hellcat x 15 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5b Zero: 5 destroyed B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAP at Lautem totally decimates the attack. I'm not sure what to make of the heavy losses my bombers took at Truk. I was better then 1 to 1 on Escorts versus CAP and I still lost a significant part of my attack force. What ratio should I be shooting for? 2:1, 3:1? Would a Sweep be recommended rather than such heavy Escort? Regardless, I'd press my luck by sticking around and I'm sure that the KB is on it's way. With a the losses in Helldivers and Avengers I would not be in a good position version the KB. Tomorrow we set course for Munda, then Noumea.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/26/2014 2:31:29 PM)
7/18/44 Truk Raid Most of the fleet has disengaged to Munda area, an unlucky CVE stumbles on some bad times. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack near Ponape at 113,117 Japanese Ships SS I-19 Allied Ships CVE Kitkun Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CVE Kitkun Bay is sighted by SS I-19 Fuel storage explosion on CVE Kitkun Bay SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And to think these were the guys dedicated to Anti Sub ops, too! Lautem/Timor Another bombardment on my end to see what I'm facing. He's got a lot of troops but not the numbers needed for an assault. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Lautem (72,115) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 18665 troops, 439 guns, 278 vehicles, Assault Value = 919 Defending force 20472 troops, 283 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 888 Allied ground losses: 3 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division 25th Marine Regiment 27th Infantry Division 33rd Infantry Div /2 166 Wing 167 Wing Defending units: 4th Division 27th Electric Engineer Regiment 3rd Tank Division 16th Naval Guard Unit 12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall I'm in a good spot. I've got a couple of divisions still on route to Lautem and should be there soon. I've got the Ponape Invasion force unloading at Noumea so that they can get sorted out and loaded into assault ships.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (6/30/2014 5:23:23 PM)
7/19/44 Lautem/Timor Another big naval action occurs when I add the damaged Richelieu to a task force with hopes of moving it to Darwin. Instead we run into a nasty Cruiser Squadron on it's way in to bombard Lautem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 8,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Takao, Shell hits 13, on fire CA Myoko, Shell hits 1 CA Haguro, Shell hits 1 DD Tamanami, Shell hits 4, on fire DD Onami, Shell hits 1 DD Fujinami DD Okinami DD Asashimo, Shell hits 4, on fire DD Kiyoshimo, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Hayashimo, Shell hits 2 Allied Ships BB Richelieu, Shell hits 37, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage CA London, Shell hits 3 CL Emerald, Shell hits 2, on fire CL Kenya, Shell hits 2, on fire CL Newfoundland, Shell hits 3, on fire CL Detroit CL Mobile, Shell hits 1 DD Isherwood, Shell hits 2 DD Sigsbee, Shell hits 1 DD Satterlee DD Clark DD Thanet DD Decoy, Shell hits 2 DD Relentless DD Rocket, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Rotherham DD Kilty, Shell hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seems like everyone decides to shoot the Richelieu and does fatal damage to it. My Battleship streak is going strong. In return I damage a cruiser and a couple of destroyers. When the sun rises my planes do catch some of the retreating Japanese. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,114 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 25 minutes Allied aircraft F4U-1A Corsair x 18 TBF-1 Avenger x 25 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Asashimo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Takao, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Kiyoshimo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,114 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 24 minutes Allied aircraft TBF-1 Avenger x 2 TBM-1C Avenger x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships CA Takao, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Kiyoshimo, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,114 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Allied aircraft TBM-1C Avenger x 6 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Tamanami, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Asashimo, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,114 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 19 minutes Allied aircraft TBF-1 Avenger x 8 Allied aircraft losses TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged Japanese Ships CA Takao, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My air turns a major catastrophe into just a loss as the planes finish the job the Richelieu started and sinks 3 destroyers and a Cruiser.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (7/2/2014 4:18:44 PM)
7/20/44 Lautem/Timor Another surface raid on Lautem. This time the surface engagement goes better with 2 Japanese Destroyers sunk outright. My DDs are shot up but none of them seriously. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Shigure, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Murasame, Shell hits 20, and is sunk DD Yudachi DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1 DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1, heavy fires DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1 DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 2 Allied Ships CL Kenya, Shell hits 1 CL Newfoundland, Shell hits 2 CL Detroit, Shell hits 3 CL Mobile, Shell hits 1 DD Isherwood, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Sigsbee, Shell hits 5, on fire DD Satterlee, Shell hits 5, on fire DD Clark, Shell hits 2 DD Decoy, Shell hits 2 DD Relentless, Shell hits 2 DD Rocket -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've got incoming troops heading to Lautem but they are still a ways away.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (7/7/2014 5:48:39 PM)
7/21/44 Subs: No ships hit, our escorts to damage two subs, 3 hits apiece, near Lautem. Lautem/Timor The Japanese are back and take out my PT boats. It stinks to a PT boat commander in my Navy! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Chikuma CL Oyodo CL Tenryu DD Susuzuki DD Niizuki DD Wakazuki DD Fuyuzuki DD Haruzuki Allied Ships PT-379, Shell hits 4, and is sunk PT-470, Shell hits 17, and is sunk PT-471, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-472, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-473, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-474, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-475 PT-476, Shell hits 6, and is sunk PT-477 PT-478, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-479, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT-480, Shell hits 1, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- didn't even look like my PT Boats tried to fight back. Gebede takes a stab at my CVE group lurking south of Lautem by sending in a flotilla of destroyers, they miss my CVEs by two hexes but evade the paltry Avengers that attack them, scoring no hits.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/18/2014 5:53:45 PM)
Okay guys, I need your help. I can't seem to get my carriers to launch an effective attack to save their lives, literally. It's been a month or so since I've posted last. In that time we've hit '45 and I'm conducting my first landings in the Philippines. I supported the landing with a 20 CVE task force and my fleet Carriers. My fleet carriers are giving me fits, all game it seems that they never get a coordinated attack off. If attack at all. I've been operating them in smaller task forces typically 2 CVs and 1-2 CVLs. I have one fleet lead and the other task forces set to follow. Commanders of the individual task forces are all of high Quality, Halsey, Spruance, Mitchner... all there. The day prior I suffered a cruiser attack on my Landing ships. (That's a whole other debacle) My Carriers, positioned around Puerto Princesa, were only 5 hexes say from the retreating ships and I managed to get 2 air strikes of less then 30 planes. Next day I knew that the KB was nearby and I was ready for action. 12 Essex class CVs 6 CVLs, 3 British Carriers. Fighters on CAP were staggered from 5,000 to 30,000 on 80% CAP Diverbomber set to 12,000 Torp planes set to 5,000 I managed to launch zero offensive strikes. Here is the first morning attack from the KB. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Puerto Princesa at 73,84 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 36 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5c Zero x 88 B6N2a Jill x 63 D4Y4 Judy x 107 Allied aircraft Corsair II x 39 Hellcat F.II x 9 Seafire IIC x 7 Seafire L.III x 39 F4U-1A Corsair x 165 F4U-1D Corsair x 120 F6F-3 Hellcat x 13 F6F-5 Hellcat x 192 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5c Zero: 21 destroyed B6N2a Jill: 19 destroyed, 20 damaged B6N2a Jill: 7 destroyed by flak D4Y4 Judy: 48 destroyed, 16 damaged D4Y4 Judy: 9 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Hornet II CVL Cowpens, Kamikaze hits 1 CV Essex, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 1, on fire CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires DD Monssen, Bomb hits 1, on fire CVL San Jacinto CV Ticonderoga, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire CVL Cabot DD Wilkes DD Wadleigh Aircraft Attacking: 1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 10000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 5 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 8 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 8 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 7 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 10000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 3 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' * Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-83 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-84 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes VC(F)-85 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes VC(F)-87 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VC(F)-94 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-96 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-13 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-17 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 6 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 24 planes vectored on to bombers VF-1 with F4U-1A Corsair (1 airborne, 19 on standby, 7 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 25 planes vectored on to bombers VF-7 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 11 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes 26 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (4 airborne, 20 on standby, 12 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 31 planes vectored on to bombers VF-10 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 7 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 34 planes vectored on to bombers VF-11 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 12 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 37 planes vectored on to bombers VF-13 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 7 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 28 planes vectored on to bombers Fuel storage explosion on CV Essex Banzai! - Fujiwara G. in a D4Y4 Judy is willing to die for the Emperor Fuel storage explosion on CV Ticonderoga Fujiwara G. gives his life for the Emperor by ramming CV Ticonderoga Fuel storage explosion on CV Intrepid Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Intrepid Banzai! - Kawakubo J. in a D4Y4 Judy is willing to die for the Emperor Ammo storage explosion on CV Essex Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Essex -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's about 450 fighters versus 88 zeros. Then a second land based attack -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Puerto Princesa at 73,84 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 50 Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 40 Allied aircraft Corsair II x 28 Hellcat F.II x 5 Seafire IIC x 5 Seafire L.III x 25 F4U-1A Corsair x 88 F4U-1D Corsair x 56 F6F-3 Hellcat x 11 F6F-5 Hellcat x 98 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 7 destroyed Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 3 destroyed, 28 damaged Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 3 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses Seafire L.III: 1 destroyed F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Intrepid, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1 CV Bunker Hill, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires Aircraft Attacking: 12 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 18 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo CAP engaged: VF-17 with F4U-1A Corsair (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 36900. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-7 with F4U-1D Corsair (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-10 with F4U-1A Corsair (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-11 with F4U-1D Corsair (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 17 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-13 with F4U-1A Corsair (20 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 20 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VF-16 with F4U-1A Corsair (9 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. 12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 15 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-24 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-31 with F6F-5 Hellcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 37300. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-32 with F6F-5 Hellcat (6 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 37300. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-50 with F6F-5 Hellcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 7 planes vectored on to bombers No.800 Sqn FAA with Hellcat F.II (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.881 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.887 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (14 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers No.889 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.894 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.1830 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 12 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers No.1834 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers Banzai! - Hasegawa S. in a Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy is willing to die for the Emperor Fuel storage explosion on CV Bunker Hill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Still have a decent CAP over the fleet, 250+ Fighters, still only 40 enemy fighter, bombers breeze on through. More horrors -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Puerto Princesa at 73,84 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 10 Ki-49-IIb Helen x 13 Allied aircraft Corsair II x 24 Hellcat F.II x 5 Seafire IIC x 4 Seafire L.III x 18 F4U-1A Corsair x 75 F4U-1D Corsair x 43 F6F-3 Hellcat x 10 F6F-5 Hellcat x 76 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed Ki-49-IIb Helen: 6 destroyed Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 1 CAP engaged: VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 39000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-16 with F4U-1A Corsair (14 airborne, 1 on standby, 4 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VF-51 with F6F-5 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 4000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-17 with F4U-1A Corsair (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-7 with F4U-1D Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VF-13 with F4U-1A Corsair (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 18 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 6 planes vectored on to bombers VF-24 with F6F-5 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-32 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.800 Sqn FAA with Hellcat F.II (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.881 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2 planes vectored on to bombers No.887 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.889 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.894 Sqn FAA with Seafire L.III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.1830 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11330. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.1834 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 6 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VC(F)-83 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So 5 of my big fleet carriers are damaged, many badly. but no attack is launched at the KB sitting only 8 hexes away. I can even accept the attacks even though it seems like my CAP and/or AA should have been more effective but not launching attacks is killing me. If this was isolated it would also not be a big deal, but every carrier battle in this game has had similar issues, little or no offensive air strikes. It sank most of my Pre-war fleet and badly damaged my Essex carriers at least two times before. So I appeal to you, the lords of WitP. What am I doing wrong?

BBfanboy -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/19/2014 3:08:24 AM)
2 Questions: 1. What range setting are you giving your fighters? 2. What was the weather over KB at the time? I see in the CR that your carriers were in partial cloud.

House Stark -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/19/2014 4:11:37 AM)
You said the KB was 8 hexes away? I'm pretty sure that while the Japanese can launch carrier strikes from 8 hexes, the Allies' maximum strike range is 7. It seems you fell victim to the dreaded "8 hex strike", which is what most Japanese players aim to achieve whenever possible.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/19/2014 1:12:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BBfanboy 2 Questions: 1. What range setting are you giving your fighters? 2. What was the weather over KB at the time? I see in the CR that your carriers were in partial cloud. Thanks for replying guys, Just reloaded the turn and checked. almost all fighters were set to a max range of 12. All of them were set to use Drop Tanks, so Normal Range is 10, extended 12 for the corsairs and 8/10 for the Hellcats. the Weather was partially cloudy over 1 IJN carrier task force but looked clear over the other. Though I never got messages telling my my strike planes got lost or anything like that, as far as I can tell they stayed rooted on deck. quote: ORIGINAL: House Stark You said the KB was 8 hexes away? I'm pretty sure that while the Japanese can launch carrier strikes from 8 hexes, the Allies' maximum strike range is 7. It seems you fell victim to the dreaded "8 hex strike", which is what most Japanese players aim to achieve whenever possible. Is this true even in '45? I'm rocking the late model HellDiver, TBFs, Corsairs and F5f-3 Hellcats. All of them have a normal operating range that is 8 or under?

BBfanboy -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/19/2014 1:40:56 PM)
IMO, twelve is waaaaay too far for fighter range setting. Your radar cannot see that far so the fighters are roaming around with little chance to see enemy aircraft. The enemy strike was detected at 120 miles - three hexes away. If you wanted some of the fighters to escort your strike, set them to the same max range as the strike package. Using max range with drop tanks will also get you high op losses. Partly cloudy is not a deterrent to a strike - it helps it by providing cover for the incoming strike, as it did for US dive bombers at Midway.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/19/2014 2:14:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BBfanboy IMO, twelve is waaaaay too far for fighter range setting. Your radar cannot see that far so the fighters are roaming around with little chance to see enemy aircraft. The enemy strike was detected at 120 miles - three hexes away. If you wanted some of the fighters to escort your strike, set them to the same max range as the strike package. Using max range with drop tanks will also get you high op losses. Partly cloudy is not a deterrent to a strike - it helps it by providing cover for the incoming strike, as it did for US dive bombers at Midway. Thanks again BB. So you are saying that fighters meant for CAP should be on a short lease? I've always had my fighter squadrons on ESCORT with CAP set to 70% or 80% I set the Fighter range to 12 to cover the Helldivers if they make it out that far. Just so I'm understanding are you saying that I should have Dedicated Escort fighter squadrons set to the max range of the bombers and then dedicated CAP with a shorter range (3?) that's good to know, but would any of that explain why no bombers took off? In other news in the massive pull out my carriers DID launch a large, range 8 attack on a Torpedo Boat flotilla, 88 Diver bombers, sank 2 PT boats. Much cursing ensued.

BBfanboy -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 2:31:40 AM)
I find it very hard to get good results bombing tanks, even from low level. However, strafing/bombing attacks by fighters seem to be much better at actually hitting vehicles.

House Stark -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 4:00:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: buckaroo13 Is this true even in '45? I'm rocking the late model HellDiver, TBFs, Corsairs and F5f-3 Hellcats. All of them have a normal operating range that is 8 or under? I'm pretty sure it's a hard-coded limit. Meaning that no matter if the aircraft normally has a greater range, when operating from a carrier, Japanese planes are limited to 8 hexes, and Allied aircraft to 7. For better or worse, it's a part of the game and as the Allied player, you have to keep your carriers moving to minimize the odds of such an occurrence.

jmalter -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 5:36:28 PM)
IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 5:42:51 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BBfanboy I find it very hard to get good results bombing tanks, even from low level. However, strafing/bombing attacks by fighters seem to be much better at actually hitting vehicles. I'm not sure what your talking about BB, is this comment meant for another thread?

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 5:44:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: House Stark I'm pretty sure it's a hard-coded limit. Meaning that no matter if the aircraft normally has a greater range, when operating from a carrier, Japanese planes are limited to 8 hexes, and Allied aircraft to 7. For better or worse, it's a part of the game and as the Allied player, you have to keep your carriers moving to minimize the odds of such an occurrence. If that's true it would explain some of my woes! Is that in a rulebook or something were I can look it up? Seems like a pretty big limitation and something that should be made pretty obvious is game.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 5:46:26 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jmalter IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight. Thanks jmalter. I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000 Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25

House Stark -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 6:24:28 PM)
I'm not sure if the 8 hex strike is mentioned in the rulebook. I've learned about it through reading AARs where it happened and the resulting discussions. I think there was one AAR (PzB vs Andy Mac, perhaps?) where the Japanese successfully pulled off the 8 hex strike multiple times to devastating effect.

jmalter -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 9:22:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: buckaroo13 quote: ORIGINAL: jmalter IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight. Thanks jmalter. I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000 Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25 The 2 different altitude settings will divide your strike, & divide your escorts. It'd be better to bring the entire strike package in at your preferred DB-attack altitude. TBs will automatically break out to make their NavT attacks at ~200'. Escorting Fs should also be set to the same 10-15k' altitude as the DBs, for best coordination - set all Escort Fs & TBs to match the DB altitude. I don't think it helps to assign Escorts to a variety of altitudes, they'll coordinate better when set to the same altitude as the strike planes. These Escorting Fs 'fly' at 2k' above their assigned altitude, providing at least some protection from high-alt enemy CAP. As best I know, there's no advantage in trying to provide 'stacked Escort' to a strike (combined NavB/NavT) mission. Altitude-stacking is a defensive CAP/LRCAP tactic, but won't help an offensive strike.

BBfanboy -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/20/2014 11:39:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jmalter quote: ORIGINAL: buckaroo13 quote: ORIGINAL: jmalter IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight. Thanks jmalter. I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000 Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25 The 2 different altitude settings will divide your strike, & divide your escorts. It'd be better to bring the entire strike package in at your preferred DB-attack altitude. TBs will automatically break out to make their NavT attacks at ~200'. Escorting Fs should also be set to the same 10-15k' altitude as the DBs, for best coordination - set all Escort Fs & TBs to match the DB altitude. I don't think it helps to assign Escorts to a variety of altitudes, they'll coordinate better when set to the same altitude as the strike planes. These Escorting Fs 'fly' at 2k' above their assigned altitude, providing at least some protection from high-alt enemy CAP. As best I know, there's no advantage in trying to provide 'stacked Escort' to a strike (combined NavB/NavT) mission. Altitude-stacking is a defensive CAP/LRCAP tactic, but won't help an offensive strike. Sounds reasonable, and that would support the idea that some squadrons should be set to CAP only while others are designated to escort the strike. I would do that within the same TF, since trying to link up between two TFs increases the chance of link failure.

buckaroo13 -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/21/2014 2:40:00 PM)
Thanks for the help. I will try these next time. Of course it may all be for naught if my planes don't take off in the first place. It might be sooner rather than later as it looks like the KB is snooping around looking for survivors.

BBfanboy -> RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign (8/21/2014 8:20:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: buckaroo13 quote: ORIGINAL: BBfanboy I find it very hard to get good results bombing tanks, even from low level. However, strafing/bombing attacks by fighters seem to be much better at actually hitting vehicles. I'm not sure what your talking about BB, is this comment meant for another thread? WTH? How did that comment end up here? I made it using the Reply Button in another thread, and I only keep one thread at a time open. [&:] Call it a hiccup I guess - either the computer or me being a zombie! Can I eat your brain? [sm=vomit-smiley-020.gif]

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>

Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

1.609375