Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (Full Version)

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



Message

John B. -> Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/13/2017 11:21:50 PM)

Well, having fought Scott to the shores of Japan in late 44 (and disposed of Dmitry in fairly short order) it only seems right that I should finally take up the task of playing the Empire of Japan. The economic model is VERY intimidating and I still can't get the hang of which aircraft paths to follow but I'm sure with enough searches it will all come out right.

A couple of things I might try that are different.

1. I'm not going to escort my AKLs and small AKs. I want his fleet subs to attack them. My depth charges don't work very well but I noticed two things in my last game. A. US subs tend to attack lone merchants on the surface and, while depth charges don't work, deck guns sure do. I had a number of subs take significant battle damage from AK and AKL guns. Also, US subs will shoot a lot of torpedoes in a surface action and a lot of them don't explode. So, I expect my losses to be about the same but to do more damage to the subs.

2. Speaking of subs, I'm going after Manila on December 7th. I realize that it's random but the US does not lose too many BBs at Pearl if any at all so I'm not sure how many VP actually get picked up there. But, the subs at Manila should be blasted. And, while the slow pre-war BBs don't usually get a chance to sink much the subs do in the long run so I believe I'll be saving myself VP while actually making a few more.

3. I'm going for some aggressive invasions in the So. Pac. leapfrogging some of the allied bases to strike deeper than the original plan.

4. And, I'm doing No. 4 because I want to get into Australia. I don't think I can take it or get an autovictory, but I do want to do some strat bombing there. Until US fighters show up, the cities are pretty wide open and I hope to pick up some VP on the cheap.

5. I'll push into Burma but just to block supply to China and I'll push into China where opportunity presents itself.

Might not work, but, what the hell.

The turn is off to Scott so Ialia Iacta Est!



Aurorus -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/14/2017 2:38:17 AM)

Good luck, John. Glad to see that you are doing another AAR. I enjoyed your last one with Dmitry.


The Japanese economy is not as complicated as it first appears to someone who is familiar with the game mechanics.

Setting up the Japanese economy is mostly just an issue of allocating supply efficiently. You want to expand your production levels at what you expect to need: not more and not less. More and you waste supply expanding beyond what you will use. Less and you will have excess heavy industry points. There really is not much more to it than that.

Air R&D is the most complex thing and depends on a wide range of things: first and foremost is whether it is PDU:On or Off. The basics are the same either way, but your choices will depend largely on this option and whether or not you want to skip steps in research or whether you do not. The basics are like this. If you expect to build 420 Franks a month, then you expand Frank production to somewhere around this level, maybe a little less. Same for whatever other airframes that you intend to build. Then you look at your intended builds, see what engines they use, and slowly expand engine production to these levels.

That should be enough information to get you started, and you will get as much as advice as you desire (and more probably) on where to best set production levels. The only thing that I will suggest is that you have plan for victory: autovictory early or try to slog through the late war to victory. Base you air R&D on this plan. For autovictory focus on fighters that will give you the edge in 43. For a late war slog to victory, focus on late-war models. Whatever you do, Frank is important and should be a major part of your plan.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/14/2017 2:42:36 PM)

Well, given my stated aims I think I'm pretty pleased with the results from Manila. It will be awhile before he has enough fleet subs to really start patrols off of the Home Islands and this is more subs than my ASW would have sunk in a year. It's nice to also get the electric boats since they have torpedoes that might actually explode. :)

Speaking of which, someone forgot to tell the brave lads in my midget subs that we were going for Manila and not Pearl. So, they all died bravely on the anti-sub nets but one of them did get a fish into the Arizona. It's always the Arizona isn't it.

Not really much else from the first turn. Scott did get 8 Nells over Singapore but I was able to put a number of hits on the airfield that will, hopefully, slow down his fort building there.

Aurorus, thanks for the support! As any good first time IJN player I'm not sure that I'd go for the autovictory since I don't know if I can be organized enough the first time to make a good push.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/6FA1FBB1765349BB905FD096D03307AC.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 1:02:53 PM)

Day two! I"m slowing working my way through Japanese production relying on many of the great posts that people have put up in the past. It's been 48 hours of game time and so far Japan's economy has not collapsed. :)

Scott sent the Pow and Repulse back up to Mersing but the naval combats were lame. Even at night he scored a number of hits that went largely unreciprocated but my post combat reports showed that he may have lost a CL. My troops did get ashore and took Mersing so all in all that was probably a bullet dodged. His torpedo planes did fly and they did put two fish into a Japanese BB but it should survive. The KB sank some merchant ships and is heading down to Java to see if I can catch the PoW. Now, we're just waiting for various Japanese invasion convoys to hit in the Philippines and a couple of turns bombardment in China.



Andav -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 1:35:15 PM)


What MOD/Scenario are you playing?

As Aurorus said, the economy is all about planning. Get a plan and then stick to it. You can't just "decide to build something" and expect it to be online in a couple of weeks. There are plenty of plans out there to give you a head start.

Best of luck!

Wa



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 3:51:47 PM)

Thanks for the advice. I'm such a newbie as Japan that I worry about (a) trying to do too much too soon and (b) not trying to do enough. Should prove to be interesting.

We're playing Scenario One (the whole enchilada) and the latest Beta patch. Historical situation. It's the only way to game! :)



ny59giants -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 4:15:59 PM)

Haven't played Scen 1 in very long time, but you will need to ensure you are building Kates.
I think there is no factory for the Babs (IJN Recon). You need one!
Bases - Those in Japan that need to repair economic assets get +7k supply request or +5k for just a few assets.
Need to get some of the large xAKs to ports size 6 or larger (size 9 or 10 is best) to temporary convert to xAK -t (increased troop capacity).
6 to 9 Lima to AKEs.
BANZAI!!



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 6:05:26 PM)

Excellent advice. I just switched the Ida factory to Kates (don't think I'll be missing my Idas at all, they just exist to give VPs to the allies). I'll check into the Babs. And I do need AKEs!!



Aurorus -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 6:17:13 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: John B.

Thanks for the advice. I'm such a newbie as Japan that I worry about (a) trying to do too much too soon and (b) not trying to do enough. Should prove to be interesting.

We're playing Scenario One (the whole enchilada) and the latest Beta patch. Historical situation. It's the only way to game! :)


The first turns as Japan are frantic and the forces disorganized. It takes me hours and hours to do each turn for the first week. Take your time, and always be planning your next move: i.e. where do I want these APs next. Do I have troops to move out of that port or armor? Do I want cargo or troop capacity there? Keep your ports busy... busy... busy.

Oh... and please do not send the 5th infantry division to an atoll... as a JFB, it pains me to see such things.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/17/2017 10:36:07 PM)

@ Aurorus, why should I just send the 5th division to an atoll when I could send THREE divisions and get them all wiped out in a week. It seems much more efficient that way. :)



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/18/2017 3:58:37 AM)

quote:

Well, given my stated aims I think I'm pretty pleased with the results from Manila.


Yes, I seem to recognize some names that did considerable damage IRL that now will not be a problem. But tsk, tsk -- 800 kg bombs were a bit much!



dr.hal -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/18/2017 1:11:16 PM)

I think going after Manila is far more productive than going to Hawaii and your outcome seems to underscore this. Additionally, having the KB in action in support of a Singapore operation rather than in transit back from a dubious attack in the middle of the Pacific, is a great plus. The KB needs to wipe out Singapore as a base of operation so that you can get to the Sumatra oilfields quickly. Don't let the Dutch/Brits destroy those fields.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/20/2017 7:41:49 PM)

Day three, in which Japan learns that ships who route through Singapore don't come back. A CA and a DD were on a bombardment mission and I was not paying attention. Now, I don't have to worry about them any more. [:(]

But, two British CLs and an Austrailian CL have gone down and at least the US does not build replacements for them. Day 4 I'm ashore in the Philippines and I've pushed south from Mersing, but Scott has put some unit into Mersing and is doing he best to be annoying. I've got a search base set up at Jolo (an island in line with Davao) and the KB is off of Balikpappan. It has not done much but sink some merchant ships but it will swing around Borneo and hit the ports of Soerebja and then Singapore. I've also just landed in Swangkang (dutch base in Bornea) and Miri and Burnei will get hit next turn. In the So. Pac. I'm on shore at Manus and Rabaul will be invaded shortly. I'm also trying to swoop in on Efate, Shortlands, and Espiritu Santo and should be there in 2-3 and those islands quickly. I've bypassed Tawawa since it does not seem to really serve much purpose when I can push southwards and pick up other targets and then return to places like Tarawa. My hope is to pick up to So, Pac. islands before the American carriers show up. China is China. Hong Kong should fall in a couple of days and I'm hitting the scattered units as hard as I can.

@ Capt. Harlock. Why send a 250 kg. bomb when an 800 kg bomb will do the trick? :)



Bif1961 -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/20/2017 10:18:35 PM)

Push forward in SE and South Pac and back fill at your leisure later when troops become available. Make him reinforce NZ-OZ the land way around. In my game, it is May 42, that is what my Japanese opponent has been doing. Forcing me to risk a carrier battle to retake critical line of supply bases to NZ-OZ.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/21/2017 2:39:52 AM)

I see that Scott has started his own report on our game (he's panzercat). Be forewarned, everything he says is lies! Filthy lies!!! :)



Bif1961 -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/22/2017 1:07:55 AM)

Oh but what is he is lying about lying hmm?



Kofiman -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/22/2017 6:49:10 AM)

Still not convinced about the bomb Manila with the KB plan that's popular. The only upside seems to be having the KB in the NEI, which although significant, hasn't seemed to be that big a deal. Sinking some subs scores a few points, but not many, and between air ASW and E-boats, the subs aren't that much of a threat. Whereas if you sink one battleship you score as many points as dozens of submarines. And you can get more than one.



Bif1961 -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/23/2017 1:05:52 AM)

I concur, I don't see the attraction or value. If you spend extra time sinking more Battleships at PH you gain more points and unlike real life they don't raise and repair them. That means less 14 inch plus guns bombarding your troops later.



Aurorus -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/25/2017 4:56:17 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Kofiman

Still not convinced about the bomb Manila with the KB plan that's popular. The only upside seems to be having the KB in the NEI, which although significant, hasn't seemed to be that big a deal. Sinking some subs scores a few points, but not many, and between air ASW and E-boats, the subs aren't that much of a threat. Whereas if you sink one battleship you score as many points as dozens of submarines. And you can get more than one.



I am not a big fan of it either. Tried it once against the AI for something different, and I think I sunk about 9 subs with KB, for a whopping 72 VPs of subs that are not much of a threat for the next 10 months. Subs are hard to sink in port, and one 250G bomb is unlikely to do it. Even an 800 KG is not a guarantee that it will sink.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (5/27/2017 1:24:03 PM)

On the one hand, if you sink some US BBs you get points up front, but you don't save many points later on. If you sink US subs you don't get many points now, but you save points later on. Even with effective asw the US subs do wrack up points even in 1942. And for awhile in 1943 they can really do some damage. Also, several times I've had US subs provide good intel (as in being spotted by carrier planes) as to the location of the KB even when the subs themselves didn't shoot. I see merits in Pearl but for now I think Manila is better. We'll see. :)

As for the actual war. We're just about two weeks in and I'm not sure if I'm doing well or not. I seem to be stuck for now just north east of Singapore. Scott has put his good troops into Jorhat Bahru (sp?) and I've been unable to push them out. I kill more than he does but they don't leave. I have taken Brunei, Miri, and Samarinda and I'm at some of the Dutch bases in the DEI. On Luzon I have not gotten to Manila yet (the patrol boats are really annoying in making my invasion TFs run away). Scott has adopted a forward defense strategy around the map. You can see the Malaya campaign but he also put some PA inf. divisions out. I think this works to my advantage as I've chopped up four of them. In China, he also has not run away and I'm trying to take advantage of this to kill as many of his troops as I can.

The invasion force is heading for Palembang and the KB is out there bombing airfields.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/FEC327D590224505948E6CD82F4D724A.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/18/2017 11:23:23 PM)

I know many of you have been pacing the floor at night, frantic to learn how I'm doing in my first game as Japan, so, sorry for the delay, work and Scott moving interrupted our progress, but now we're back on track. Here is the production screen for this turn. The HI pools are going up about 3,000 per turn and oil is slowing being used up. Otherwise, I think everything here is ok. I'm expanding vehicle and engine/plane production slowly but surely as well as building more HI. I have Balikpapan and Palembang unscathed so I'm hoping more oil will start to flow into the Home Islands.

One question, do I need to ship oil/resources from Hokaido to Honshu or does that flow automatically? I've been shipping it but if I don't have to I'll be happy.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/9A1DF6BA6CD341F89E2EDC5815F806DC.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/18/2017 11:28:41 PM)

Next, we have the VP screen. No surprise that in December 1942 the Japanese have jumped out to a lead in terms of ships sunk and army points killed. I was lucky enough to pick up about 100 ship points in the past two turns when the KB caught a number of allied TKs trying to sneak in and out of Java. Not a good idea to send in unescorted merchant ships when Japanese carriers are afoot. [:-] This turn may see additional casualties as I'm about to cross the river into Singapore. I'm not too happy about it, but it must be done. Also, Scott is paying a heavy price for forward defense in China and he is doing the same thing in Burma. The Burmese troops are awful as he's just seen when one tank regiment has pushed its way into Pegu.

His carriers could be anywhere. They were sighted near Suva about two weeks ago and they have disappeared. They may be in New Zealand but I really have no idea so I'm keeping the baby KB in Truk and refitting the fighter squadrons to zeros.

I am in Port Moresby but that's a stalemate and I really have no desire to push further into the So. Pac.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/BDADDD246B30465EAE005ADE2A360488.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/18/2017 11:37:09 PM)

The one big opportunity right now seems to be in China. Scott defended forward (as I did in my first game) and is now paying the price. I have a hammer of 6 divisions heading up the main road and I've already battered his defenders three times so they should not have much of a chance to escape. And, he has 2-3 corps trapped in the clear terrain that may never make it out. Capturing Sian would be quite a coup for January 1942.

In the Philippines the siege of Clark Field has started. I may try an assault next turn to see how much his losses in the PA inf. divisions hurt him. Several of them are severally reduced for having fought in the clear terrain. Otherwise, not much of note is going on. Expaning on all fronts, resources starting to flow into Japan. Situation seems normal.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/EA9B2302005A43DE8BB014B3C070A53A.jpg[/image]



Bif1961 -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/19/2017 12:20:03 AM)

Welcome back looking forward to seeing how things develop.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/20/2017 12:37:16 AM)

Scott is on vacation so we can fly through some turns. One US CV revealed itself near Moresby and took out two of my DDs. I have three naval guards units on the ground at Moresby and they have lots of supply so I may be able to distract Scott there for awhile but I won't get any further unless the KB goes down there are some point and it's being put to good use right now in the DEI. It did chase down a bunch of AKLs off of Java and it's going back to rearm. This coming turn will see deliberate assaults on both Singapore and Clark Field. No sense in going for the shock attack until I see that they're in a weakened state. In Burma my tank regiment took Tuangoo as the local burmese troops continue to show that they're no good. Honestly, I think that they are best for running away and then rear area garrison duty in India. The offensive into China goes on. I'm winning the race to Sian and roughing up the same corps as I catch up to them. More news as it develops.

Anyone know if I have to ship oil/resources from Hokaido to Honshu or does it ship itself?



Kull -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/20/2017 1:11:08 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: John B.

Anyone know if I have to ship oil/resources from Hokaido to Honshu or does it ship itself?


No, you have to ship them.



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/20/2017 11:26:24 AM)

Thanks!



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (6/20/2017 12:34:43 PM)

Well the dual attacks on Singapore and Clark Field went in and, as expected, they took heavy losses. Still, it's only January 1942 so I'm not too disheartened by these. I need to wear them down and in each case I managed a 1-2. I also took the fort level down a notch in Singapore. I looked at the troops and they are still in good morale just high disruption so I'll rest a few turns and then go in again. I did redirect a division that was heading towards Burma to go down to Singapore (God bless the rail net!). Easier to take out Singapore with more troops and get on to taking Java and Darwin.

American carriers have disappeared again.

This is a decisive turn in the battle to take Sian. My juggernaut has made it to the last rough terrain hex before the city. I suspect that most of the troops there are beaten up by my continued advance so if they get pushed out of the way I can deal with the troops heading up the unimproved road as they'll be in a bad situation. And, once I take the rough terrain hex taking Sian should not be that hard. I'll keep you posted.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/954DFFFD76684526817E1185567E68F7.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (7/1/2017 4:53:44 PM)

We are at the end of January 1942 and the Japanese continue to do well, or I think so. Just had a surface naval action at Moresby that, as you can see, took out 4 very large APs and, according to the combat reports, about 200 guns and 70 trucks went down with the ship (I suspect he was putting the early war american artillery on shore there). Nice to see the big APs leave as they won't be coming back as APAs!

It's not as one sided as this looks, however, as he has at least two CVs in the area. So, I'll lose two CAs and a CL in the deal. VP wise it's a win with the dead ground troops factored in but I hate to lose the CAs.

And, I continue to struggle to get my torpedo bombers to launch. As you may recall from my game against Demitry, my British swordfish never launched. Here, I have betties and nells at Moresby. Level three airbase with an air HQ with a good air leader. Lots of torpedoes, good aggressive leaders and they stayed on the ground. My zeros flew and took out a number of P-40s and a few F-4fs but my torpedo bombers stayed on the ground.

Interesting to see what happens this next turn. No more surface ships for me there and I'm not quite clear where his carriers are even though the Mavis are combing the area.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/B86FB7590E544DEF9491BFE91E82BFDC.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat) (7/1/2017 4:55:37 PM)

At Clark field I've made several 1-1 attacks but no breakthrough. I lose a few more then Scott except this last time when it dropped to a 1-20. Not sure why that happened but if I can take Clark by early February I'll be happy. I am sending another division in from China figuring that it will just help out my odds and might get things done sooner.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/D0EC67616AB4446BA47C65EE6E4C9C49.jpg[/image]



Page: [1] 2 3 4 5   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
0.796875