RE: The Solomons Errupt (Full Version)

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ny59giants -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 10:52:19 AM)

quote:

Ki-44-IIa will come online at the end of this month and give some backup for the Oscars.
I have 1 fully repaired Ki-44-IIc factory chipping away at that delivery date.


Tojo should become your main IJA fighter for some time once they come on line. Mr Tojo is to be used mainly as CAP and Sweep fighter while Oscars are relegated to Escort duty. I would produce about 120 Tojo per month (maybe more depending on losses) and cut Oscar down to about 90. Your largest fighter groups get the Tojo and shuffle pilots around to put your best in them. The Tojo line is used for a very long time due to her SR 1.



Lowpe -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 11:44:06 AM)

What does engine production look like?

A little too much Emily production I think, but maybe not depending upon your uses for the plane.



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 2:33:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

quote:

Ki-44-IIa will come online at the end of this month and give some backup for the Oscars.
I have 1 fully repaired Ki-44-IIc factory chipping away at that delivery date.


Tojo should become your main IJA fighter for some time once they come on line. Mr Tojo is to be used mainly as CAP and Sweep fighter while Oscars are relegated to Escort duty. I would produce about 120 Tojo per month (maybe more depending on losses) and cut Oscar down to about 90. Your largest fighter groups get the Tojo and shuffle pilots around to put your best in them. The Tojo line is used for a very long time due to her SR 1.


Thanks for the good advice (now and before).

Well, I may have to rethink how I have my factories allocated and boost the Tojo engine production.
I was considering the Oscar IIa as the front line fighter and the Tojo as the base/cap/production area protection plane with occasional deployment to the front line bases of high activity.


(Correction)
Small update on Ki-43-IIa delievery: my over-anxious projections miscalculated the latest advance (to 7/42 instead of 6/42) -- so it will be 20-22 days from the 13th of May before armored Oscars start rolling off the line.




DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 2:40:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

What does engine production look like?

A little too much Emily production I think, but maybe not depending upon your uses for the plane.


Emily is not on line yet (delivers next month)
Here are the Engine production numbers:
any advice is appreciated

[image]local://upfiles/41045/F23242F9BDB8496AA11A493DACAD660D.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 2:42:02 PM)

Here is the picture of IJN plane production as of 1942 05 14 orders phase:


[image]local://upfiles/41045/18466A3315FE478FAA38DFE2CC25276A.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 2:42:57 PM)

Here is the picture of IJA plane production as of 1942 05 14 orders phase:


[image]local://upfiles/41045/A28F35BF1EBA435ABFCBDD2FB993916C.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 2:46:01 PM)

I have some Mavis production that I am watching closely.
Sonia... I am debating if I should
A. keep the line intact, but turn off production
B. switch this factory to R&D the Sonia B
C. switch this factory to produce Tojos when they come online next month
D. switch this factory to R&D another line (boosting an existing or start a new R&D line for Grace)

again, any advice will be considered and appreciated.
thanks



ny59giants -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:13:17 PM)

Tracker - Plz go under "Status" and sort by 'B + R&D' and then to far right by "Avail" date with oldest at top. Screen shot is an example to help others see what is actually going on. Pools are less important on airframes that are NOT being produced or researched.

[image]local://upfiles/15133/D1F33CC4171B44E5B9F8D9FD39CBBD84.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:22:55 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Tracker - Plz go under "Status" and sort by 'B + R&D' and then to far right by "Avail" date with oldest at top. Screen shot is an example to help others see what is actually going on. Pools are less important on airframes that are NOT being produced or researched.


Army Air Production:


[image]local://upfiles/41045/DC5D356D7AA4467D8985F642D6C681E7.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:24:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Tracker - Plz go under "Status" and sort by 'B + R&D' and then to far right by "Avail" date with oldest at top. Screen shot is an example to help others see what is actually going on. Pools are less important on airframes that are NOT being produced or researched.


Naval Air Production
(many thanks)

[image]local://upfiles/41045/411D266EBFD748399929DD0ED90125B2.jpg[/image]



Lowpe -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:34:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DanSez

I have some Mavis production that I am watching closely.
Sonia... I am debating if I should
A. keep the line intact, but turn off production
B. switch this factory to R&D the Sonia B
C. switch this factory to produce Tojos when they come online next month
D. switch this factory to R&D another line (boosting an existing or start a new R&D line for Grace)

again, any advice will be considered and appreciated.
thanks



The thing you have to remember about Japanese Army light bombers is every squadron can be upgraded to fighter bombers for PP cost. Most if not all bomber squadrons can be converted to light bombers.

This gives you a huge potential for fighter bombers. I remember reading one AAR where Japan had over 700 Nicks in 1944 pre Randy.

Now having said that Sonia has a camera, and will get lots of little hits for not that much supply cost in China and fly 4-5 hexes from small runways. It will keep disruption up among Chinese troops. However it costs as much supply to replace a lost Sonia as it does a Helen (fighter bombers are half as much or thereabouts).

Could Sonia make a good Kamikaze? Small bombs, short range, and slow...but you could have lots of them by the endgame with no additional change in factory allocations.

I think I would lean to having more fighter/bombers which seem to me more useful overall.














DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:39:39 PM)

I noticed in the B+R&D for Naval, the production line for A6M2 is not shown.

(added)
Just about every turn I consider turning on or off production.
As I have been concerned about keeping R&D bonus up for the Ha-35, the A6M2 and some others, were turned off the previous turn.



ny59giants -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 3:46:36 PM)

OK, here are my observations, but I hope other current and more experienced Japanese production experts can fine tune your production efforts.

IJA -
Sonia (30) - I would change this factory over to Tojo ASAP
Helen (30) - Your main Army bomber, but only 30 now, when does the IIa start production??
Oscars Ic (90) and IIb (150) - way too many IMO, but let others tell you how many in a PDU "On" game to produce

IJN -
Pete (30) - why produce these at all?? I go with Jakes and Glens (subs only)
Rex (30) - I've never built them. Has anybody found them useful?? if not, another factory to change over
Jake - A1 at (22) and A1b at (30). No need to have more than one factory for this airframe.

Again, my Japanese production knowledge is dated.



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 4:11:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

OK, here are my observations, but I hope other current and more experienced Japanese production experts can fine tune your production efforts.

IJA -
Sonia (30) - I would change this factory over to Tojo ASAP
Helen (30) - Your main Army bomber, but only 30 now, when does the IIa start production??
Oscars Ic (90) and IIb (150) - way too many IMO, but let others tell you how many in a PDU "On" game to produce

IJN -
Pete (30) - why produce these at all?? I go with Jakes and Glens (subs only)
Rex (30) - I've never built them. Has anybody found them useful?? if not, another factory to change over
Jake - A1 at (22) and A1b at (30). No need to have more than one factory for this airframe.

Again, my Japanese production knowledge is dated.



My thoughts on the above - not a defense but some reasoning/ planning on your points.

Sonia (30) could either go to Ki-44-IIa (starting production next month) - or once repaired, shift up to R&D the Ki-44-IIc.

Helen IIa (armored) production will come online late in June. One of the R&D factories will convert to production. I plan on increasing one of the production factory lines above the 30 level later. The other two will continue in R&D (final Helen or some other plane-- TBD)

Oscars -- those (150 R&D) are going for the -IV model as soon as possible. I have 1 production factory (30) and 1 currently (55/5). I might continue to expand the 60 size factory to be the total Oscar production plant and then shift that (30) over to either complete the -IV model or resarch a new line. But that is eating up HI/supply and instead leave the (30) and (60) factory combo alone as the total Oscar production source. Still thinking about this...

Pete (trainer/ ASW / night bomber defense). I plan on shifting out of Pete production toward the end of 42 as real night fighters start to become available.

Rex (I hate Catalinas) - those and Rufe are going to be used for island defense and snagging Cats. I don't know enough yet about how many squadrons can covert over to Rex and Rufe so I might be wasting potential resources, but that is part of the tale of a first time player.

Jake (production: 22 current model) - (R&D: 30 the upgrade model with radar).
My thoughts are the sooner I can get the next model, the quicker the effect of radar for nav and asw search will be felt.





Lowpe -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 5:23:31 PM)

Couple of problems....you can't speed up activating radar. 6/44 for your earliest models in planes.

Oscar IV isn't that much of an improvement over earlier versions and it does lose range. You will need Oscars to provide longer range escorts, and potentially kamikazes, I see nothing wrong with the amount you are making.

Tojo does suffer from a lethality problem starting in late 43. George is a good sweeper then...

Rufe and Rex, not that many squadrons upgrade to it. Can be useful, on the CS as low CAP,or if you convert some BBs. 30 a month may be a bit excessive. I am not sure you will be able to shoot many Cats down that are on search. Where they can be useful is to fly LRCAP from unexpected bases over islands that the Allies are using as training grounds. They have cannons and can destroy 4Es.








DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 5:55:49 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Couple of problems....you can't speed up activating radar. 6/44 for your earliest models in planes.

Oscar IV isn't that much of an improvement over earlier versions and it does lose range. You will need Oscars to provide longer range escorts, and potentially kamikazes, I see nothing wrong with the amount you are making.

Tojo does suffer from a lethality problem starting in late 43. George is a good sweeper then...

Rufe and Rex, not that many squadrons upgrade to it. Can be useful, on the CS as low CAP,or if you convert some BBs. 30 a month may be a bit excessive. I am not sure you will be able to shoot many Cats down that are on search. Where they can be useful is to fly LRCAP from unexpected bases over islands that the Allies are using as training grounds. They have cannons and can destroy 4Es.


I know the radars can not be advanced, I wanted to have the boxes already attached to as many frames as possible when they do. Maybe overthinking on my part, but if 100 frames are ready when radars come active, I don't have to wait to produce the planes, with those boxes to put the radars. They are already out there and can get the upgrade out and on search faster.

30 is a default number for a lot of factories with Realistic R&D Off as they have been/are R&D-ing or will be switched back to R&D at some point.

Thanks for your help.

Since you are looking in, I wanted to ask you about balloons.
This is my base as Rabaul. At what point could I expect defensive balloons and/or what else do I need to build or transport to Rabaul for protection.

Allied High Command loves to run bombers in under 4k. I want to kill all those bastages possible.





[image]local://upfiles/41045/A32CCA5B53C44EA4B1BC3759BD46E8ED.jpg[/image]



Lowpe -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 6:36:25 PM)

The higher the forts the higher the balloon level...offset by pilot experience and 2E vs 4E.

Don't count on them helping too much.



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/19/2015 8:10:56 PM)

May 14, 1942 - Update Sumatra

As reported earlier, Palambang is now under Imperial Japan's control. Also the oil rich town of Djambi.
When the Allied forces were kicked out of Palembang, they retreated to the Northwest and I anticipated their retreat toward Benkoelen, but instead they have made a mad dash for Djambi. I flew in the Yokosuka 1st SNLF paratroopers to back up the 2nd Tank Rgt holding the line. Units from the siege of Palembang are trying to cut thru roadblock sacrifical units and finish the job.

This last turn, the 18th Brit Div got to Djambi and attempted a Shock Attack:

Ground combat at Djambi (48,88)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5322 troops, 92 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 179
Defending force 1263 troops, 8 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Allied adjusted assault: 13
Japanese adjusted defense: 45

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
224 Group RAF

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF

Here is the overall situation map of Sumatra and Singapore as of 1942 05 14 orders phase:


[image]local://upfiles/41045/A3DBA1160ECC47D5A81AD5C19B631700.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/20/2015 5:11:09 PM)

East Java Sea - 14 May, 1942

Batavia is the last Allied stronghold on Java.
The bases on the West and South coast of Borneo have been isolated and by-passed at this point but will need to be addressed soon. There are 4k or so troops reported in Singkawang and 3k or so in Bandjermasin.

Air elements are bombing Batavia, not enough resources to go to other than recon the other bases.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/C50957CECA5443328FDE3C3394389607.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/20/2015 5:20:14 PM)

West Java Sea to Timor: 15 May, 1942

In the 'planning phase' I am considering an invasion of North Australia and the goal is to take Darwin. This is still 6-weeks to 2 months away as I want to resolve Batavia and part of the Borneo coast before venturing south.

There maybe some 'jousting' in the Timor Sea during this period.
At Balikpapan, Carrier Division 2 sits at anchor
(Akagi, Junyo, Shoho and Zuiho)
3 BBs, 4 CAs 3 CLs and a bunch of DDs are all rested and repaired as well.

Ports, Airfields and Forts are building everywhere.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/E335AF5286DB4DD280E52DCE590D2AF5.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/20/2015 5:38:53 PM)

Celebes Sea 15 May, 1942

Two stubborn pockets of defenders remain.
The NavGuard units that take Manado will then move South to help clean up the Timor area.

To the North, after the last of the Phillipine Island defenders outside of Bataan are elimated, those forces will come to down and join with others to invade the Allied pocket south of Tarakan.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/B4FE70B2AEFC44E69B57070F2855316B.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/21/2015 6:59:32 PM)

Now -- about the 'Unconventional Ops'
I am sure this must have been tried before and it is not over yet, but here is the back ground:

OPs Ndeni:
Goal:
A. Ndeni used as a diversion while building up Shortlands, Mundi, Nauru Island and Ocean Island.
B. Draw Allies into surface or air actions when profitable.
C. Evacuate Ndeni LCUs

Starting 7 May, 1942:
Two fleet groups have assembled around Nauru Island and Ocean Island.
The Plan was
A. Move carrier assets close, but just out of LB range and nudge the Faux Reinforcement TFs closer to Ndeni. Zero LRCAP would intercept and decimate Allied Bombers, meanwhile search would look for enemy movements.
B. After reducing LB assets, then either raid Lunga or Luganville or Nouema (or all 3), depending on Allied force disposition.


KB (Akagi, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryo, Soryu), CarDiv 3 (Honsho and Taiyo), and CS Mizuhio are present.
2 SCTFs with BBs for muscle and/or bombardments.
Faux Reinforcement TFs are 1 'Amphip' TF - empty and 1 small Cargo TF with supplies. They may or maynot pick up troops at Ndeni or may just dump supplies as the situation develops.



[image]local://upfiles/41045/05143FABDD164EA9B2F82F00B8925BAB.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/21/2015 7:05:20 PM)

Next Day... 8 May, 1942

Recon reveals:
an intercept line of SS (6 spotted)
and in Luganville -- Allied Fleet Carriers!

Now getting drawn out of my OPs box reacting to Carriers or sacrificial SCTFs only to be pounded by LBA and Carrier counter-strikes does not sound like a health future.

I call out 2 more ASW TFs to hurry South from Nauru Island and change the destination orders to not cross the SS intercept line. Instead I mount heavy Naval and ASW search.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/6F615EE89CF4437A82DC1772FDEBCB5C.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/21/2015 7:11:01 PM)

9 May, 1942

The sub-plot thickens

With maxed out searches, I spot another line of SSs (at least 9) rushing from the West.
At this point I have an old Geek Flashback to a game whose name escapes me, but you are faced with a hord of zombies and you back up around the board, blasting away at the last square you were in, to kill as many as possible before you got surrounded and eaten.

It looks like the Allied Fleet is content to wait for me to come within LBA range, and why not, that is what I would do. So time to change the plan.

I decide to draw those subs into a killing zone. All but 1 fleet carrier's Kates and Vals are put on ASW patrol (1000 ft). Let's see if 250kg bombs can do some damage to sub hulls.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/566248C1A5814BE793F8593EBDBFBEDF.jpg[/image]



jwolf -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/21/2015 7:33:20 PM)

I am very curious how the "sub war" will play out. In my game as Allies we are about a month behind you and I have tried repeatedly to swarm major Jap surface or carrier forces with subs -- as many as 20 of them. So far the results have been a total failure. It's very rare that a sub will even attempt to attack, and I have scored not one single hit. I don't think you have much to fear from the subs, but maybe in the hands of a good Allied player it's a lot different.

An alternative theory is that the Allied subs are intended primarily for recon although I would suppose you are already within range of some Catalinas.



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/21/2015 9:09:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I am very curious how the "sub war" will play out. In my game as Allies we are about a month behind you and I have tried repeatedly to swarm major Jap surface or carrier forces with subs -- as many as 20 of them. So far the results have been a total failure. It's very rare that a sub will even attempt to attack, and I have scored not one single hit. I don't think you have much to fear from the subs, but maybe in the hands of a good Allied player it's a lot different.

An alternative theory is that the Allied subs are intended primarily for recon although I would suppose you are already within range of some Catalinas.


I would rather face this pack of subs now before the torpedoes improve so in that way I think Allied High Command is making a big mistake --


Fast forwarding to current game time (17 May, 1942 orders phase):

I got between 8 and 12 (sub reported hit) messages every turn, most of those hits by Kates and Vals, a few by the Petes and Jakes from CS Mizuhoi. I got at least one 'sub sinking' sound - might have missed another as I don't always run with speakers up loud enough to hear it. I turn it down from the air/land combat bangs and whistles.


[image]local://upfiles/41045/D3A14794A5C64BA08BCB14DE0BACDA81.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/22/2015 4:50:36 PM)

After posting the above ...
all his subs flee South.
Allies had enough or a breech in OPSEC?

Either way, a bunch of them have gotten their bells run and I got to advance my ASW skills on pilots and ships.
A victory, no but an interesting exchange.

Now time to decided the next step...


[image]local://upfiles/41045/29B7CAD1430E49A3A330BE8251D22577.jpg[/image]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/22/2015 4:56:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I am very curious how the "sub war" will play out. In my game as Allies we are about a month behind you and I have tried repeatedly to swarm major Jap surface or carrier forces with subs -- as many as 20 of them. So far the results have been a total failure. It's very rare that a sub will even attempt to attack, and I have scored not one single hit. I don't think you have much to fear from the subs, but maybe in the hands of a good Allied player it's a lot different.

An alternative theory is that the Allied subs are intended primarily for recon although I would suppose you are already within range of some Catalinas.


I will say this --

The concentration of Allied Subs to a few ports or against one target will cause delays, but it also allows the Japanese player to concentrate ASW and escort gaining valuable experience. The weak (non-Dutch) SS torps have not been much of a threat so far. Once Reliable US Trops become available, I am sure the mob-tactic will be more successful. You want your boats to get experience and to survive until those better torpedoes arrive.

In this latest action, tracker claims 3 SS sunk. But that is pretty unreliable. I am counting on 2 going down for good and about 6 or 8 damaged enough to have to go to repair yards.

Where are the nearest Allied Repair Yards?




Mike McCreery -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/22/2015 5:29:22 PM)

Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Pearl

Repair ships could be anywhere however.

Edit: Allied subs are tough little bastards :]



DanSez -> RE: The Solomons Errupt (7/22/2015 5:39:38 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Pearl

Repair ships could be anywhere however.

Edit: Allied subs are tough little bastards :]


Thanks.
Suva area is probably a supply hub/repair stop at this point.

Should I wait a couple of turns, letting those subs go into repair mode, and then raid Suva?

I thought about charging down that direction now but I'm not sure where Allied Carriers are. The last thing I want to do us throw the KB into an Allied free first strike situation. Instead I am going with the Faux Reinforcement plan to wear out some of his LBA for the next 3-4 turns.

I found a lot of fighters stationed in Lunga flying cap over a BB,CA,CA: SCTF which would certainly trigger Naval strikes into that mess.

Thanks for the reply.



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