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 (3/5/2017 7:16:35 PM)
Burma: Lots of movement pips. Some are ruses, other genuine. The crack 24th Division is entraining at Moulmein. The 2nd Guards is marching across the clear terrain above Shwebo. Why the Allies let me move across this narrow killing fields is beyond me, unless they don't think I can kill those two trapped divisions. [image]local://upfiles/44178/FC0C8707F5C7461C92EDEFBB0E556716.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 12:22:34 PM)
Here is the combat replay from the first bombing wave... Morning Air attack on 4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment, at 109,131 (Buin) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 39 A6M5b Zero x 10 A6M5c Zero x 7 Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9 Allied aircraft B-26 Marauder x 22 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-26 Marauder: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese ground losses: 11 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 17 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 252 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead Hosho-1/A with A6M5 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 281 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead Ryujo-1/C with A6M5c Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead The Tojo IIc and the A6M5c got quite a few confirmed kills: 8 and 6 respectively despite being relatively few of the defending planes. The Oscar IIb did, as you can guess, relatively poorly from a confirmed kill measure getting only two. But they do serve a purpose in damaging and distracting the bombers. I had meant to fly them at 5000 feet, but forgot to switch their settings. Also,you can see the soak off ability of the Mtn Gun unit in absorbing an attack, an attack that I think would be better suited on the much larger and dangerous 17th IndepMxdBde. The A6M5c's firepower will make it the premier bomber killer until Jack and George show up.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 12:38:48 PM)
A huge resource train leaves and enters China. Very Nice. China, Manchuko, Hokkaido and Sakhalin generate about 70,000 resources per day. HI needs 84,000 daily plus Korea needs another 2000. Running out of LI in the late game could be a real problem; especially if I didn't take any steps to prevent that. [image]local://upfiles/44178/ABF6EDAEAC0B4D8288BEA6594F076914.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 3:04:56 PM)
July 2, 1943 That will leave a mark! [image]local://upfiles/44178/BFD3E781F3DF4BF5949F5A9A6570C69A.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 3:10:40 PM)
On the bottom! [image]local://upfiles/44178/A72F24FF049849159F74E6325AF25987.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 3:24:27 PM)
These Brooklyn class CLs are so darn nasty. However, I hardly ever seen them put to devastating use they are capable of -- unfortunately Jocke is putting them to good use in this game. The Allies have teamed up 4 Brooklyns with 6 Fletchers which makes for a super tough SAG. They have such large fuel bunkers, I think a neat use of them would be for deep (but well planned) shipping raids. This attack on Horn would have worked a little better if the Jills would have flown (8 hex strike) but they stayed on their carriers instead. Ooops, checked and the CVs are 9 hexes away. No wonder they didn't fly.[sm=00000030.gif] I will take a Brooklyn any day of the week -- lost 5 betties and 0 nells on the day. No CAP, and Horn does have a level 1 airfield. [image]local://upfiles/44178/273CFE10D8A24C7791D27471FCBF273B.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 3:32:51 PM)
Marks a success for the Selective Search Arc program pioneered by Commander Inoue of the 755th KuK-1 out of Rabaul and working in conjunction the 24th Air Flotilla (Rabaul) and the 7th Air Division (Taberfane) and elements of Task Force Shokaku which unfortunately was late to the party. [image]local://upfiles/44178/AF0EB3CF74124E9683FC388BBD8A8A0E.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 3:58:23 PM)
These little junk swept 34 mines...bad crew experience and bad Captain not withstanding. [image]local://upfiles/44178/D80CD7016DDD43348CF6153B525AAAE1.jpg[/image]

obvert -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 9:26:43 PM)
Nice work on Pheonix! Jocke will not be happy about that. [;)]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 10:07:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: obvert Nice work on Pheonix! Jocke will not be happy about that. [;)] Of course, that is the whole purpose of this game. [:D] I think you are probably correct, yesterday I got at his bombers before the sweepers arrived and now the Phoenix. I got the turn overnight, and managed to flip it fairly early after lunch and with no notification from Jocke I fully expected to get another turn today. Alas, no turn. I am sure he is mad at himself for not assigning CAP to them. I was fully expecting those ships to move to Merauke and not stay at Horn. That is twice I have pulled off deep Betty strikes in that area against no CAP. I am kind of anxious to see the turn, because I have 4 squadrons sweeping. Tojo IIb and IIc in New Britain area and Tojo IIc and Frank A in Burma. I am especially curious to see how the Frank A will do, as so far it hasn't found any planes to fight yet. I have to say one drawback of the low risk advance the Allies use in the area, it causes Japan to change tactics and attempt to anticipate Allied moves. And since his covering forces remain pretty much the same, it allows Japan to tailor a much stronger surface fleet to counter...and if I can get the anticipation part correct, the Allies should take a drubbing.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/6/2017 10:15:32 PM)
The 1st Tank Division is reformed at Tokyo, and only 200 points to buy out. Now to rebuild. I set the prep for Sumatra...let him think on that. The 9th Division, one of the few with a fragment from Hollywood, is at Kodiak and I have tasked it to reinforce Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is as weak as a kitten, but a division prepping for it might slow down Allied plans. Sure, it is a big prisoner of war camp, but at least it is well supplied for now. If Allies ignore Pearl, I will pull them off sometime in 44 depending upon how the supply holds out there. All but 2 fleet carriers will be active, their radar upgrades done. Will feel good to get a force together that can actually present a threat. In addition to the Judy 2 starting production yesterday, I also got the Rex. Only one squadron currently upgrades to it, but I allocated a factory to start making them. I believe three squadrons will upgrade to them for the entire game...but since I plan on converting the BB to BB/CS hybrids, I want the Rex to fly on them. Also the Paul!

Lokasenna -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 12:52:20 AM)
He will not see via SIGINT your units prepping for bases that you currently hold.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 12:00:53 PM)
Thanks Lok,[&o] didn't know that or forgot it which amounts to the same thing.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 12:04:29 PM)
July 3, 1943 Sweeps in Burma, two squadrons against 3 Marine VMF squadrons, and 2 Army squadrons (one of which was broken into thirds to layer defense low). The Franks arrive first and the Tojo come in and clean up afterwards. Allies have been very stingy with using their Corsairs. [image]local://upfiles/44178/4CBF277500094F299A22BB1FDE8CA76D.jpg[/image]

Andav -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 12:50:12 PM)
That does look like a good trade. Time to bomb/bombard Akyab? There should be some damaged planes on the field. Wa

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 1:16:06 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Andav That does look like a good trade. Time to bomb/bombard Akyab? There should be some damaged planes on the field. Wa I doubt it. I have been trying a new strategy with my recon planes. Keeping them all together so they are fairly large but changing their recon destination every day. This way fatigue is much lower, and also I get 9/10 DL that first day and on the second day with no recon flight the DL is still half decent. This has let me calculate Allied Air strength very well...over 800 Fighters in the area.[X(] British of course, but also Lightnings, Jugs and Corsairs. Oh, my! Akyab has 600 guns there and 24 units (certainly mostly artillery but enough AA). Plus, I don't want to fly my skill 90 pilots into a hornets den. Cox to the north has 7 tanker ships in port, 16 guns and no planes for several days. The risk in bombing it and the Allies move ships there for whatever reason and relocate a strong CAP. Or I try a selective search arc attack again. I tried it a few days ago in the Burma area, but nobody flew. I don't think Jocke has cottoned on to this...since I watched closely and he hasn't increased fighter coverage over his ports in rear areas where there are active task forces. I have to hit the Allies were I can -- never hit the Allies strength for strength. But look for those weak spots. Get him to spread his defense or simply to slow down his pace of operations.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 1:46:17 PM)
The Last of the Hollywood divisions to reform... 40 experience; 40 morale; horrible leaders; PP to buy out; huge supply cost to fill out. What could be worse?[:D] The 1st Tank Div gets a new leader, upgrades their TOE, and will now work on filling the ranks and training. [image]local://upfiles/44178/1EBAEF4F52334CA39C3BA4A87515DDDB.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 3:28:58 PM)
Industry notes: I have drained Korea of resources pretty much; but China has pulled in 1.6 million resources over 3 days from Indochina. My hope is it is headed to Fusan now. Shipping continues at a hectic pace at Fusan...I also was shipping from Hong Kong and Keijo. I have shut down those convoys, and will attempt to use only Fusan. The HI are so thirsty for resources...and I will need a many millions to be in Korea and the HI for the endgame. One of the costs of the Hollywood operation is that most of Japan's merchant fleet was occupied with that...leaving the shipment of resources to the larger xakl. They are now being benched as Japan's merchant fleet quickly takes care of the shipping -- and more efficiently too.

adarbrauner -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 4:36:35 PM)
I didn't know the search arcs could determine/limit also the attack missions. Are you sure? Indochina's resource convoying to Fusan: are youa chieving by basing great number of ships there+expanding that port? anyhow, isn't the spoilage invovlved in this trans-continent transportation of resources, high and significant?

witpqs -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 5:16:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner I didn't know the search arcs could determine/limit also the attack missions. Are you sure? Arcs do not constrain attack missions. However, poor D/L due to search arcs deliberately not covering an area might cause attack missions to not launch. Indochina's resource convoying to Fusan: are youa chieving by basing great number of ships there+expanding that port? anyhow, isn't the spoilage invovlved in this trans-continent transportation of resources, high and significant?

Xargun -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 6:39:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner anyhow, isn't the spoilage invovlved in this trans-continent transportation of resources, high and significant? Resources and Oil do not suffer from spoilage - only supplies and fuel.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 6:45:28 PM)
Great answer witpqs and xargun![&o] Slight correction: fuel no longer suffers spoilage from transport, overstocking yes, but not transport. patch note somewhere. July 4, 1943 Minor raid...flew just a little bit low and the 40mm got me I guess...still a success. Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 36 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13 Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships LST-24, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 9 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Port hits 13 Port supply hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Xargun -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 6:49:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Lowpe Great answer witpqs and xargun![&o] Slight correction: fuel no longer suffers spoilage from transport, overstocking yes, but not transport. patch note somewhere. Thats a life saver for Japan :)

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 7:34:13 PM)
Nice uptick in Korea, especially in resources. I am in the midst of putting the xakl fleet into mothballs at Fusan. I have not really made huge steps this game to get the magic highway to flow, and in fact I have done things I never did before such as draw resource/oil/fuel from Haiphong to Hong Kong. Also, I am shipping a lot of oil/fuel to PI. Until a week ago, the Army played a very small role in ASW. I have had to increase that by allocating the Lilly to select areas. In addition, I was very slow at converting my CM into E. Only now am I starting to get my tankers adequate ASW ships and organizing them for optimal fuel transfer. Prior it was about fueling the California operations. I have also stuffed Manchuko with supplies. I seem to be generating an excess of 15K supplies a day on average, and that is with a still active bombing war in China. Changsha is down to forts 1 or 0 with this last attack and should fall shortly. Sadly it's industry is trashed, I guess that is how it starts the war. Urumchi is about to fall, but I never had good luck getting the fuel and oil out of there in any greater amount than a trickle. [image]local://upfiles/44178/A33CB89ABC194A3086AF50B782165D0A.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/7/2017 7:40:51 PM)
I fast transported some 10cm AA guns into Buin...but intel suggests that the Allies will be invading again either tonight or tomorrow. If tonight, they will not be contested although I was sorely tempted with moonlight at 3%. Tomorrow night, if all goes well could see a pretty good clash if my timing is perfect. I would feel better here if the Allies followed a pattern. So far, the Allies escort their fast transports in with a nasty Cruiser/Destroyer task force. It doesn't always bombard, but sometimes it does. Ideally, I would like to catch a surface bombardment groups after the bombardment. Also, I am conflicted with how to structure my surface groups: my normal multiple small task forces won't work well, I think. And large taskforces turn into slugging matches with many ships sitting idly by. Don't worry, I will think on it...plus I have to achieve success with tonight's movement.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/8/2017 11:39:15 AM)
After pondering the SAG question, I decided to get bigger and I am sending in one screening four squadron destroyer to Shortlands; and the heavy squadron to Buin...if my timing and understanding of Allied operations is correct, there will be a severe naval battle around Buin.

Andav -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/8/2017 1:30:53 PM)
Hi Lowpe, Is Allied Radar advanced enough in 43 to turn 3% moonlight into a hindrance for the Japanese? If it was 42, I would think advantage IJN. I guess turning the question around and asking if there is enough IJN radar to find the Allies is valid as well. What does your night search look like? Will you have detection on the Allies if they show up? Wa

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/8/2017 2:07:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Andav Hi Lowpe, Is Allied Radar advanced enough in 43 to turn 3% moonlight into a hindrance for the Japanese? If it was 42, I would think advantage IJN. I guess turning the question around and asking if there is enough IJN radar to find the Allies is valid as well. What does your night search look like? Will you have detection on the Allies if they show up? Wa Moonlight is now 10%, and Allied radar is nasty as can be seen on the Phoenix's picture above. The Fletchers have surface radars too, since Feb? I believe. There is a July upgrade for Fletchers that juices their 40mm AA a bunch and in truth it is the AA at night that starts a fire that acts like a magnet for surface fire and usually dooms a ship barring a torpedo hit. I am counting on experience and heavier ships to inflict a little setback. Hopefully the destroyer squadron dodges a fair bit of torpedoes first. In thinking about it, if you sandwich your heavy SAG with destroyer flotillas before and after, the DD flotilla coming late to the party might get some really juicy torpedo runs in on damaged and lightly escorted ships. Allies haven't suffered that many cruiser losses in the game, but a fair number of CL. He has strong cruiser of light cruiser task forces near Horn, Solomons, and Bay of Bengal. My goal is to stretch them a little by hopefully catching them post bombardment, but even a straight up fight should favor Japan if his past practices hold true. I also jacked up night naval search to 100%. So I have the edge in heavier ships, experience, DL. I am hoping that will be enough.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/8/2017 2:21:58 PM)
Augusts New Planes: Oscar IV...rejoice, rejoice![:)] this plane will really add depth, numbers and better firepower to my CAP. The Oscar IIIa still makes for a neat escort plane with better range. Frances...only one squadron till late 43, then only 7 squadrons for the entire game. Still a very important strike plane. Four of those squadrons upgrade to the Frances 2. Norm: No squadrons fly her. Lilly IIc...no meaningful improvement except for the upgrade tree opening up more. KB is almost reunited; only two CV left working on their radar. Katsuragi comes soon the only carrier that survived in my last game.

Lowpe -> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons (3/8/2017 4:12:40 PM)
July 6th, 1943 No naval engagement at either Buin or Shortlands, but the task force's night search and Allied search reveals them with the warning to "Send main body." During the day, at least 70 P38s flying from Milne Bay area sweep Buin, but no bombers fly. In the early afternoon the 3rd Australian attack less some heavy guns and support units...they are met with a spirited defense and suffer much worse than the IJA. [image]local://upfiles/44178/0017537A3D9243C380FC6C471AA98D77.jpg[/image]

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