RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (Full Version)

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Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 7:55:52 PM)
Another 7 Betties show up and sink one more ship. No Hurricanes in the air...flak is pitifully weak, as the escorts are AMs. [image]local://upfiles/44178/9A60737A261546A982A2B7FCA0F57681.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 7:59:40 PM)
The unexpected fight of the day...not holding out much hope here as I think the target is light cruisers and fletchers to the tune of 9 or 10 ships. [image]local://upfiles/44178/8B425663114F42D294D3BA2606AACACA.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:04:47 PM)
Olorin!!!! Why didn't you sink this ship? I mean taking Pearl is okay, but really get your priorities straight.[:D] [image]local://upfiles/44178/6DDD090A977045B39415EC7FE3D73997.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:08:21 PM)
Hmm... [image]local://upfiles/44178/8CE1825745214BF1B546C2B41A92AB7F.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:10:45 PM)
My torpedo accuracy isn't really that great. [image]local://upfiles/44178/B2947E94260643E6ABAB881C80045C0E.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:12:16 PM)
A splinter makes a hit... [image]local://upfiles/44178/03511C4681C7440882A0A7D1DFAAC82F.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:14:33 PM)
Seven Betties flew in unescorted and paid the price, but the Lillies want another crack...I bet the Allies are really afraid of those 100 kgs SAPs! [image]local://upfiles/44178/CC5D0DE821604E049B6015DAF6E5762A.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:17:03 PM)
2nd time is the charm... [image]local://upfiles/44178/756F802FD5774F7F86832031D12A731E.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:25:19 PM)
I sink a couple of 5 VP xaks, an xakl for 2 vp, and knock two guns out on a nasty CL. Other than the goofy Betties flying in unescorted a pretty good day. I need to check why the Lillies didn't fly against the convoy, but it was 11 hex and that is there extreme range so hard to expect them to sortie. Happy with how the fighter losses went. Would have been nice to get the sweeps in first, but first in the afternoon isn't too shabby either. [image]local://upfiles/44178/9AB490C5738E4711989435CC6AF3D99F.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:42:29 PM)
A closer look at the Army divebombers. This is one reason why the Army won't allocate any squadrons to ASW...what is that 7 divebombers sentai? They pack the measly 100 kilo SAP, but it really does a good job at knocking out gun mounts and devices like radar even if the bombs bounce off the armor. The 75th Sentai should have flown, it was at a good base, with good supplies, HQa present, and but more planes than AV support present. Two sweeps flew from the same base... The best thing about the Lilly is she can fly from level 2 airbases, which is what Umboi is. The 45th Sentai lost 9 planes to flak, but scored with three hits two of them knocking out devices. This was the first somewhat half decent attack by the Army divebombers. I hope for many more. [image]local://upfiles/44178/645297220F8B4563A0DF7F28D94DA644.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:51:47 PM)
The joy of PDU off, planes involved: Betty, G4M1 strike planes and search from Rangoon and Sabang Nell, G3M2...search from Rangoon area. Dinah II, air recon from Rangoon area. Glen from an Iboat Babs recon A6M2 escort and LRCAP. A6M5 escorts and sweeps A6M5b sweep Oscar IIa escort Oscar IIIa lrcap Lilly IIb divebomber Allied fighters encountered Hurricanes, Spitfires, and Airacobra's swept Horn. Who sweeps with Airacobras?

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 8:59:50 PM)
And who said Japanese Sig Intel is worthless? My goodness, it was expensive today![:)] I don't think I have ever seen this before...the game routines continue to surprise me.[:)] [image]local://upfiles/44178/9BF4A21CF4E8476285D694E3B80D5D05.jpg[/image] I wonder if those subs picked up the intel...there are four in that hex.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/13/2017 9:10:16 PM)
My naval search skills need work...all those attacks and what poor detection levels. Plus not to mention the focused naval search in narrow arcs there. The betty squadron that attacked had 10% flying search, but the Lillies didn't have any on nav search. I used to always put 10% on naval search but forgot to this time. [image]local://upfiles/44178/F543AA61E8BB4F5881945DD539BC913B.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 1:16:36 PM)
Frank A: The most important plane in a PDU off game, imho. Currently there are 4 size 30 and 1 size 60 fully repaired factories going after this gem. Another three at 27(3) and two more at 26(4). The fighter is now scheduled for 9/43 at 17% progress for another months advance. 500+ engine bonus. If I did my research correctly, I can field 7 Sentai as soon as the plane comes on stream. There are several groups that fly this plane exclusively until the game end, including the monster Sentai: the 200th Sentai of 97 planes. Would it be gamey for me to think of them as a potential Kamikaze unit. Generally, I don't like fighters for Kamikaze duty...but this one is tempting.

Lokasenna -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 4:53:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Lowpe Frank A: The most important plane in a PDU off game, imho. Currently there are 4 size 30 and 1 size 60 fully repaired factories going after this gem. Another three at 27(3) and two more at 26(4). The fighter is now scheduled for 9/43 at 17% progress for another months advance. 500+ engine bonus. If I did my research correctly, I can field 7 Sentai as soon as the plane comes on stream. There are several groups that fly this plane exclusively until the game end, including the monster Sentai: the 200th Sentai of 97 planes. Would it be gamey for me to think of them as a potential Kamikaze unit. Generally, I don't like fighters for Kamikaze duty...but this one is tempting. 97 VPs for your opponent every time they fly. So.... no, not gamey.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 4:59:03 PM)
Yep, there is no Japanese player worse at Kamikazes than yours truly!

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 5:01:19 PM)
May 21, 1943 Horn Island bombed and swept by Allies. A deliberate attack follows, 1-4 odds, forts remain intact. Looking good to delay here. Merauke getting supplies and 8 destroyers this day.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 6:54:44 PM)
May 23, 1943 Enter the heavies![sm=00000055.gif] Naval command commits the battleships in an aggressive move. Tactical surprise plus 100 percent moonlight, aggressive commanders and experience will be on our side. Radar, Brooklyns, will be on the Allied side. But can we escape![8\|]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 7:59:30 PM)
Four SBDs' escorted by 15 Airacobras run into stiff LRCAP over Task Force Nagato. Zekes, Oscars, and Tojos'...oh my! The Tojos and Zekes were on LRCAP targeting TF Nagato, while the Oscars were on CAP with an 8 hex range from Rabaul and were vectored in. 27 Rufes on CAP from Umboi, 7 hex range, didn't participate. I used the CAP setting because I feared there might be a damaged TF or two that would need air protection. Perhaps one of the greatest uses of the IJN is as cap traps especially as the war progresses. [image]local://upfiles/44178/F3B00E8347CF4FA6B9822C5BD225BCAA.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 8:00:01 PM)
May 25th, 1943 (fixed courtesy of Lok). TF Nagato gets overnight intel, and decides not to rush into Port Milne where a strong light cruiser and destroyer force is protecting a cargo task force. Whither are they bound? Meanwhile, the Allies land more tanks south of Buin. Japanese defenders hold...and now TF Nagato has a delimma. [image]local://upfiles/44178/44674F37EAFF45F8A243A273536C2265.jpg[/image] This post and 2329 are in reverse order, for your viewing confusion.

Lokasenna -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 8:06:36 PM)
1944 already, eh?

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 8:18:40 PM)
Shortlands Action Several days ago, the I-159 limped into Shortlands and stood down, with a whopping 97% flood level.[X(] They pumped it out to 85, went active again, and got it down to 83 and now are in port 2 hexes to the north with 82 flood damage. Right above them are three light cruisers undetected and ready to pounce...but the Allied TF and moonlight are too strong for them right now. [image]local://upfiles/44178/B741E54889CB44E58B460D2D33EF3C9B.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 8:19:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Lokasenna 1944 already, eh? Feels like it.[;)]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 8:32:11 PM)
I especially like the Oscars being diverted to the attack. I won't be able to get away with this for long, as the Allies will start to figure things out and start sweeping dots and small bases. But it can work for you occasionally. Of course you can argue that Oscars, like the lowly IIb, are woefully bad at fighting bombers, but I have found them to be decent versus single engine bombers so Naval CAP traps is an ideal place for them. Thankfully, no Mitchell 50 caliber nose cannon monsters showed up, although I am curious as to how well the Tojo IIb with 30mm cannons (very inaccurate) would do against them. But sometimes, to get the Allied bombers to miss you just need to get the fighter into them...even if you can't drop any. [image]local://upfiles/44178/9A372DCCE9DB4D7FA084DE85D45F6360.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/14/2017 9:00:32 PM)
Plane moves: The J2M2 can start production anytime. However, the first sentai that can actually fly this bad boy doesn't arrive until 10/43. Only four total squadrons will be able to fly the Jack in total. I have had two size 30 factories working on the J2M3, and it is now advanced to 10/43 and I just switched them to the J2M5 which is scheduled to arrive 1/45 but I am hoping to get late first quarter 1944 (in time for the B29). This is the beauty of the Jack...early arrival of a third generation fighter. Oh, for more than 4 total squadrons. I also moved up the Irving-S NF to the Irving-SA NF. Same problem, as the Irving S can start production next month (and will), there is only a total of 11 planes that can fly it until much later. I believe there are squadrons that fly the Irving S till the bitter end. PDU off really hamstrings Japan's ability to put up a strong NF defense. And Jocke is a night bomber expert.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/15/2017 2:47:18 PM)
Will Task Force Nagato seek an engagement? Will it be Shortlands or Milne Bay? The 19th Naval Guards are being flown in to Horn Island, while at Merauke 75 A6M5b rest, for tomorrow they will attempt to surprise the Airacobras and heavy bombers hitting Horn. Horns forts are 3, supply just enough to keep the soldiers in rice and bullets...Allies will have to commit much more here to take the base. Allies are looking to the east...Nauru and its environs. I have not built or really defended these at all. Perhaps I will. The fear is allowing him an opportunity for an invasion into the DEI too early...and if I send to much in this theater the other will be the real targets. So for now it is cat and mouse with very limited troops.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/15/2017 5:51:06 PM)
More plane changes: The Tony 61d advances to 9/43 tomorrow, 3 factories moved on to the Tony KAI which is I think 9/44. Will work out the math how far to advance it, before switching to the Ki100I. Full utility for the Tony really resides in the 100-II; lots of modedls stop at the 61 and upgrade to the 100-II skipping the 100-I. Very convoluted.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/15/2017 5:57:32 PM)
The Allies pull back...and TF Nagato gets shelter and fuel at Rabaul.... 3 Betties get an unmolested attack on the Indianapolis, but goofy me didn't check the torpedo status and they dropped bombs and missed. Horn Island isn't bombed today...just swept. I am starting to run some fast transport DD squadrons forward with supplies for the troops fighting. Really fun fighting here on such a shoestring. 2 Naval Guard units are being flown into Shortland and Horn, while I am taking off a unit from Horn to make space. A crack Manchuko division is unloading at Bangkok...heading for Burma which has the Allies making cross jungle marches.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/15/2017 7:02:13 PM)
May 26, 1943 Two different destroyer fast transports deliver bullets and beans to Shortland and Horn. The two battleships in the immediate area are disbanded at Rabaul under a pretty hefty fighter CAP. Rabaul has 0 dl on it...but Allied naval search is now much stronger. The Allies pull their surface ships back...but Allied High Command won't know if the destroyers had battleships present or not, or if they were a combat patrol or a fast transport. [image]local://upfiles/44178/4FFD073160FA4096896E024F1C3E3384.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (2/15/2017 7:07:37 PM)
It is a big area to fight in...needing long range planes and plenty of destroyers. I only have one regiment and one infantry battalion present; most of the troops are naval guards and SNLF COY sized units. The only artillery is a unit of mountain guns at Rabaul (they can be flown anywhere). I know the Allies have lots more ground troops than me, especially in the Port Moresby area. I do think I have a slight edge in fighters, but that and interior lines are my only advantages. I would rather fight here, than in say the DEI. Would be nice if the war moved over into the Marshalls for the rest of 43. [image]local://upfiles/44178/1EBCE024CAD0489A8D9F1D585E66290B.jpg[/image]

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