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RE: ASW a go-go

 
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RE: ASW a go-go - 12/28/2009 10:01:23 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Just about all the combat units I have on the West Coast are at Seattle and prepped for the Kuriles.  I do have a Marine 'chutes battalion at Pearl fully prepped for Midway.  I just pulled the 'chutes out of Midway to ease the supply crisis a bit since I am already over the garrison limit.  I am considering withdrawing the base force and AA unit and re-inserting the 'chutes to maximize defensive AV.

(in reply to JeffroK)
Post #: 571
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/28/2009 10:30:41 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

NO USSHENRICO OR CRIMGUY, please..





Have you loaded up a 'transport' TF with a couple of crummy xAKLs and about 20 ASW units and gone trolling for subs? Pump up the transport ASW rating to 50 or so and see what happens with his detected subs when the attack one of your merchants. I wonder if the artificial cap on 4 ship ASW hunter-killer groups in the game is underestimating the efficacy of such units IRL.


Sorry guys, as an Allied player I have sympathy with the ASW woes and am searching for solutions, but I consider this move extremely gamey. If my opponent does it, I ask them to stop. I especially disliked it in WITP. So, make sure you discuss this tactic with your opponent before doing it.



Currently I have one TF composed of an AK and a variety of ASW ships - some DDs, AMs, and SCs. This TF is operating off the West Coast. At one point I had two of these operating for about a week.

I fail to see how this can be considered gamey. It's a legit tactic, hasn't given me a single kill yet, and was implemented only after I had tried a zillion other tactics including going to the extreme of disbanding all my transports into ports worldwide. Japanese subs were wreaking havoc and still are. Allied ASW is completely neutered (and Japanese ASW is probably in the same shape, I'm sure).

And this strategem is somehow gamey?

I don't see it.



Well, the point I am making is that in WITP this tactic was murder on Allied subs. It is too early to tell if that is the same thing in AE, but I certainly would be unhappy if my opponents were doing it (especially if it works). You got a good relationship with Miller. Why not bring it up with him?

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 572
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/29/2009 12:50:06 AM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Yeah, big problem in bringing those 0(0) bases into use.

Maybe having Miller so interested in Midway will keep his attention from other ventures.

Does japanese intel work like WITP, and you can have some West Coast formations prep for Midway??


Japanese intel (signals intel) is Sierra Hotel India Tango in AE. I would kill for the allied SigInt capabilities. Very doubtful that any preparation targets will be detected.

_____________________________


(in reply to JeffroK)
Post #: 573
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/30/2009 3:02:12 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		crsutton:  The tactic isn't murder in AE as best I can tell.  In fact, it isn't even a gentle back rub.  As noted previously, I've used two "mock" transport TFs loaded with ASW platforms - one I used for about a week, the other has been in use continuously for a month or two of game time.  I don't believe either TF ever managed to bumble into a Japanese sub, and I know neither has actually launched any attacks against the enemy.

Chickenboy:  I enjoy the SigInt feature of the game, appreciate what it's designed to do, and recognize the advantage the Allies have over the Japanese.  I just wish the Allies got some SigInt about the location of Japanese carriers.  I think the Allies had such information fairly regularly in the real war and, of course, it helped the Allies tremendously.  I think Allied players would be a little more aggressive, and more inclined to use Allied carriers in small groups as was done in the real, if we occasionally knew some of the Japanese carriers were elsewhere. In this game, for instance, if I'd had SigInt that a few Japanese fleet carriers were at, say, Truk back in late October, I would have proceeded with the Kuriles invasion.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 12/30/2009 3:46:15 PM >

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 574
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/30/2009 6:46:24 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		12/20/42 to 12/27/42
 
Burma:  An Allied army is departing Cox's Bazaar and moving on Akyab, which has something like 20 Japanese units.  Via email, Miller says the Allies have air supremacy.  If he really believes that he may elect to withdraw from Akyab.  But I don't think he really believes that.  I have moved more fighter squadrons forward from Chittagong to Cox'x.

China:  Miller appears to be drawing down his Changsha stack in order to shift more troops to Chengtah (or perhaps they are going elsewhere).  The Chinese, however, have about 1200 AV that will arrive at Chengtah in less than a week.  With six forts and the wooded hex and the ability to call on reinforcements from nearby Changsha, I'm pretty confident Miller isn't going to win this particular battle.

NoPac:  Just received SigInt that Paramushiro garrison is 5,762 - roughly the same as it's been for the past many months.  I'm anxious to see whether Miller reinforces once winter draws to a close.  At some point, I need to move the bulk of my invasion force to Alaska so that I'll be ready to move quickly if and when the KB makes an appearance in the southern seas.

CenPac:  I-28 got an AK at Midway; I'm having a heck of a time getting supplies to this base.  Mines and ASW aren't doing a thing to help.  French Frigate port just went to level one (it seemed like it jumped from 5% to 100% in just a few weeks - somethng I can't explain.  It had been going so agonizlingly slowly that I had stopped checking.  Then - voila! - it becomes a port.  A watched pot...).  Now I'll work on the airfield.

SoPac:  I-6 got a TK at Tahiti - a legit sinking since the tanker took three torpedoes.  Once again, though, it's frustrating to see Japanese subs operating with impunity in major Allied bases protected by ASW.  My ASW doens't do a thing.  Sub Peto sank a Japanese DD near Gasmata.

SWPac:  Lots going on here.  Miller has a bunch of TFs at Milne Bay - could be cover for supplies, or could be something else.  Meanwhile, Allied TFs continue to move between Oz and Horn Island/Merauke without opposition.  I am so delighted by this state of affairs that I've held back on using my 4EB and powerful surface combat ships for fear of drawing the KB this way.  A Seabee unit has unloaded at one of the nice islands north of Darwin (Samaluke or something like that).  Even though this is a level zero airfield at the moment, transports from Darwin are able to fly in supply (but not troops).  If I can get this base up and running and secure, the Japanese are suddenly going to have major security issues at Timor and Ambon.  I have moved a small DD/CL TF from Perth to Darwin. 

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 575
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/30/2009 7:05:50 PM   
ny59giants


Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
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quote:

I-6 got a TK at Tahiti - a legit sinking since the tanker took three torpedoes. Once again, though, it's frustrating to see Japanese subs operating with impunity in major Allied bases protected by ASW. My ASW doens't do a thing. Sub Peto sank a Japanese DD near Gasmata.


What are the experience levels of your pilots that are doing ASW work?? I'm beginning to wonder that your detection level on subs is not high enough to allow proper attacks to get hits and kills. The last patch was suppose to tone down ASW in deep sea hexes, but make subs in coastal and bases remain the same (easier kills). I'm only a month into my game vs Andy's custody nasty AI and my FP (Kingfishers) and patrol planes finally have their ASW experience for few pilots get above 40. I have them set at 70% training. I might try training some up on Naval Bombing next. That should be a good combo for ASW work. It has cost me some ships on the West Coast as he has at least 6 subs taking pot shots.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 576
RE: ASW a go-go - 12/30/2009 11:10:55 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Most of the pilots in the Kingfishers at LA and SD are high 50s to low 60s.  Some of the other aircraft (SBD-2s and the like) range from the high 30s to low 50s.  None of these aircraft are accomplishing anything.

But most irritating is that ASW TFs aren't doing anything.

The Japanese have a sub parked at Midway, which is mined, and despite ASW TFs this sub just sits and hammers every transport that comes to port.  What else can I do?  I have the port mined, ASW air patrol, and ASW TFs, and the sub just sits there and does whatever it wants to do.

(in reply to ny59giants)
Post #: 577
Happy New Year - 1943 - 12/31/2009 4:28:13 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		12/28/42 to 01/02/43
 
Happy New Year:  It's 1943 and, despite some bumps, bruises, and a variety of aches and pains, the Allies are in decent shape.  I think Miller has left a gaping hole in his defenses.  If he doesn't act soon to patch the hole, he's going to be in for some headaches of his own.

NoPac:  The Allies are going to pre-position some of the "second wave" troops in the Aleutians; ie, some of the engineers, base forces, and reinforcements that wouldn't go in with the amphibious troops if and when the Allies invade the Kuriles.  With this in mind, a large convoy carrying four Seabee units just left Seattle for Attu.

CenPac:  I-26 claimed two more AKs at Midway.  As noted previously, the Allies have this port mined, there are ASW air patrols, and have three ASW TFs there, but they haven't done a thing.  Accordingly, the Allies are going to pull out the base force, AA unit, and F4F squadron and leave just the infantry and CD.  Supplying Midway is a nightmare.  On the 31st, both Peto and Pompano took shots at Soryu just south of Truk.  I didn't note whether they missed or whether the torpedoes were duds, but I bet Miller blanched.

SoPac:  The gaping hole in the Japanese defenses is in SWPac; the Allies plan to exploit that hole, which means, in turn, that SoPac will become a bit of a backwater.

SWPac:  40 Bettys claimed three APDs bringing a small ground unit to Samaulaki (spelling?), the island north of Darwin.  (That's seven APDs the Allies have lost in the game because the FT feature didn't work - IE, the computer arranged things so that the APDs remained at the target hex during daylight hours rather than arriving and departing in the dark).  The airfield at Samaulaki is 50% to level one.  Once it reaches level one, the Allies will air transport a base force and begin serious reinforcement activity.  Both Lautem and Koepang remain lightly guarded and don't have aircraft.  There are also many other big-potential island bases north of Darwin.  It appears that Miller is concentrating on Milne Bay and Port Moresby rather than on Timor and Ambon.  What really makes this puzzling is that in our WitP game my main vector of attack was through Timor/Ambon in 1943, so Miller has to know I'd be interested in coming this way again

SWPac Elsewhere:  Merauke is building nicely with 400 AV, level 2 airfield (on the way to level 8, eventually) and will soon reach level 2 port.  With big arfields there, at Horn Island, at Darwin, and hopefully soon at Samaulaki (?), it seems that the safest route of approach to Timor/Ambon is around the north side of Oz rather than from Perth.  Accordingly, the Allies are transferring ground troops and many transports to Townsville.  A massed Allied air raid on the 28th destroyed 72 aircraft on the ground at Milne Bay.

Burma:  The Allied army has arrived at Akyab and will bombard tomorrow.  I believe Miller has too much for me to handle and I don't think I can gain control of the air.  A massed Allied raid on the 28th cost the Allies 133 losses to just 21 for the Japanese (some of these losses occurred elsewhere on the map, but most came over Akyab).  The Allies are going to give a good push or two at Akyab.  If things don't look promising, I'm immediately going to pull my troops back.  I'll keep enough in the vicinity to keep Miller honest, but alot of these troops will switch prep to bases in the Celebes and Borneo, move to Bombay, and embark on ship for the long journey to Oz.  Rather than getting bogged down in Burma, the Allies will shift most of the offensive effort to SWPac and try to flood the DEI in 1943.

DEI/KB/Kuriles: Over the coming weeks the Allies should be ready to really ramp up the pressure and the threat level in the DEI and SWPac.  Things need to be really hot here come February.  This will truly be the main vector of attack in 1943, but it also serves as a diversion. if Miller responds by committing the KB down here, the Allies will hit the Kuriles (and possibly Sikhalin Island) around March.  SigInt on the 2nd indicated Miller has 10,552 troops at Toyohara.  That, combined with recent Paramushiro SigInt discussed in a previous post, indicates this region remains lightly guarded.  I "think" that Miller will concentrate on Sikhalin before he would the Kuriles, so the odds are decent that the Allies will proceed with the invasion.  The Allies will have at least eight CVEs available, but I don't think I'll use Wasp or Saratoga.

China:  The Allied reinforcements have arrived at Changteh bringing the AV to 4500, so this base is safe.  Another Japanese unit has arrived near Kweilin, so it wouldn't surprise me if Miller looks this way next.  I can shift units from Changsha quickly to reinforce this base, which currently has a garrison about 1900 AV strong.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 12/31/2009 4:42:15 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 578
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 12/31/2009 11:43:04 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Happy New Year:  It's 1943 and, despite some bumps, bruises, and a variety of aches and pains, the Allies are in decent shape. 


OMMM . . .

Let the Torpedoes Be Healed . . .

OMMMMMMMMMMM . . .

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 579
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/2/2010 4:06:38 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Bump for a great AAR that shouldn't be on the second page...

_____________________________


(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 580
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/2/2010 4:21:30 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		01/03/43 to 01/08/43
 
Chickenboy:  Thanks for the nice and encouraging note.

Bullwinkle:  So far, American subs have been pretty quiet in the New Year, but here's hoping.

SWPac:  Without firing a shot, the Allies just scored a victory that poses a threat to the Japanese defense.  The airfield at Saumlaki, an island north of Darwin, just went to level one.  The Allies will be air transporting infantry to the base, and in two days will begin air transporting a base force.  This airfield can be built to level eight [] and the port can be built to level four.  I'm hoping that Miller will decide the base is to close to my heavy bombers at Darwin for him to contest.  But I thinnk he has to contest it or he'll be in big trouble. The Allies can get Saumlaki and the nearby airfields operating quickly if he doesn't take action to stop the build-up of these bases. He's got to throw everything against the Allies here, in my opinion. But he may be focusing elsewhere at the moment.

SWPac Elsewhere:  The 4EB are scheduled to hit Milne Bay again tomorrow.  With all the build-up of the bases in northern Oz, the number of subs operating in the Coral Sea and Bismark Sea, the regular recon missions of Milne, Port Moresby, and Rabaul, and the build up of the island north of Luganville, Miller may think New Guinea, New Britain, and the Solomons are the focus of Allied intentions (though I can hardly credit this given what happened in our WitP game).

Burma:  Akyab is far too hot for my taste.  Japanese bombardments are inflicting heavy casualties every day (1000 total with roughly 15 infantry squads and 20 non- combat squads) destroyed.  I can't do anything to stop the carnage, so I am withdrawing my army.  I doubt there was ever artillery employed in Burma in the real war that caused damage anywhere close to this.  Artillery against unintrenched troops appears to be far too strong.

China:  Miller seems to be reinforcing his army at Chengtah.  Good, because I think I can stymie him here.

NoPac:  The Allies continue the big push to send supplies, fuel, and support troops to the western Aleutians in preparation for possible action against the Kuriles.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/3/2010 4:58:00 AM >

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 581
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/4/2010 7:07:15 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		01/09/43 to 01/14/43

SWPac:  The Allies have fingers and toes crossed that the "mis-direction" play that seems to have captivated the Japanese will continue:

New Guinea:  The Japanese have stoutly fortified both Port Moresby and Milne Bay; so strongly that I could never mount a successful amphibious campaign given Japanese carrier superiority at this point in the game.  Both bases have about 30,000 troops.  The Allies have managed to shut down the Milne Bay airfield; tomorrow they turn their attention to Port Moresby, which promises to be a much tougher nut.  I'll commit all P-38s from the north Oz bases, along with all B-17s and B-24s (the two-engine bombers will hit Milne Bay).  I'll probably lose the fighter battle, but the big 4EB don't take heavy losses, so it's worth the gamble to keep up the illusion that I'm focused on eastern New Guinea.  For months, the heaviest concentration of Allied submarines has been the northern Coral Sea and Bismark Sea.  The submarines, the build-up of the NE Oz airfields, and the build-up of the islands north of Luganville have (hopefully and apparently) combined to persuade Milller that this is the chief threat.

SoPac:  Allied subs have detected and fired on Japanese transports at Nauru Island; Gato sank one AK. Miller is probably building up the defenses supporting Tarawa, but if the Allies succeed in breaking through at Timor and vicinity, Tarawa, Kwajalein, and a host of other islands become strategically irrelevant.

SWPac at Timor and Vicinity:  The Allied base at Saumlaki has 70 AV and the airfields is 34% to level two.  Reinforcements are coming via both air transport and by sea.  In addition, the Allies have begun loading engineers at Townsville for island bases just north and just south of Saumlaki.  The Allies regularly bomb either Keopang or Lautem.  Both are weakly held (elements of a single Japanese division - about 6,000 troops at each base).  Once I have Saumlaki's airfield up to level two or three, I can invade Lautem.  If it hasn't been reinforced it will be easily overrun.  While this is going on the Allies will be landing engineers at other nearby bases that have big-airfield potential.  The Allies have begun transfering troops from India/Burma to Oz, including the just arrived 9th Aussie Division.  Most of these troops are prepping for advanced bases as far away as Borneo.  In other words, the Allies intend to flood the eastern DEI with troops.  There are so many good airfields in mutually supporting positions that the Allies should be able to advance while bypassing any strongly-held Japanese positions.  The DEI will be the epicenter of Allied operations in 1943, but I'm not sure Miller is aware of that, yet.

NoPac:  A Japanese sub is nosing around Adak Island (and sank a docked tanker with a single shot, naturally).  This has become a major base (port six, airfield five) so it's probably setting off alarm bells.  That is not all bad, however.  If Miller perceives the threat to the Kuriles, he's going to want to have his carriers within range to aid in repelling any Allied incursion.  If he sends the KB down to the DEI or Coral Sea, the Allies should be able to successfully invade Paramushiro, Onnekotan, and one or two of the bases to the south.  With eight CVEs and at least six BBs, the Allies could handle any opposition short of the KB.

Burma:  Akyab was too hot to handle (nuclear Japanese artillery in the jungle), so I withdrew my troops.  The Brit units have joined in the "prep-for-DEI" program.  They will march to Chittagong and then take the train to Bombay.  From there they'll board transports for the trip to Perth.  From Perth they take the rail to Townsville.

China:  I've just transferred a P-38G squadron and three P-40K squadrons from India to Chungking.  I plan to use them in the skies over Changteh in a few days.

Subwars:  I-11 was hammered by ASW near Diamond Harbor; I-36 got an AK carrying F4Fs near Auckland; I-8 got an ASW ML near Karachi.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 582
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/4/2010 8:53:30 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[SWPac at Timor and Vicinity:  The Allied base at Saumlaki has 70 AV and the airfields is 34% to level two.  Reinforcements are coming via both air transport and by sea.  In addition, the Allies have begun loading engineers at Townsville for island bases just north and just south of Saumlaki.

NO USSHENRICO OR CRIMGUY...
.
.
.
.




Is this the base you've been surreptiously building up for some time? If so, you should be aware that the IJ player is advised through the combat report when allied bases enlarge, but only on that turn. I haven't paid attention to whether the mouseover changes accordingly. I've received all manner of such notices about Alice Springs, Brisbane and the like recently.

Do you know how much Miller pays attention to his SigInt or combat report?

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 583
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/4/2010 9:55:37 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Merauke, on New Guinea's south-central coast, is the main base I've been working on for more than a month (it's arifield will go to three tomorrow).  I landed at Saumlaki, an island north of Darwin, about three weeks ago and have since built it to a level one airfield.

There has been enough activity for Miller to pick up the trend if he is paying attention.  There has been some activity over the past few weeks - Bettys hit a few ships that were at Saumlaki, and a Japanese sub picked off an AK there yesterday.  I also just received SigInt that a Japanese "air division" is on a transport bound for Kendari. 

I think Miller is beginning to recognize the peril and moving to meet it, but I don't yet know if he realizes the extent of the peril or if he'll move in ways that will hurt me.  He needs to employ a stout combat TF to stop me from unloading troops at Saumlaki and nearby islands.  Carriers will also help him (the Mini-KB should be nearby).

Once Saumlaki's airbase goes to level three, I think his window of opportunity to plug the dike closes rapidly.

Tomorrow, the Allies will be landing troops on another island (this one about two hexes NE of Saumlaki).  Like Saumlaki, this can be built to level four (port) and eight (airfield).

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 584
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/4/2010 10:15:45 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		A map will help readers follow the developments in the eastern DEI, especially with respect to Merauke and Saumlaki.




Attachment (1)

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 585
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/5/2010 4:23:53 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Subwars:  I-8 got an ASW ML near Karachi.


You're the net winner here.

An ML is hardly worth a shell, let alone torpedoes.

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 586
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/5/2010 7:49:26 PM   
Oliver Heindorf


Posts: 1911
Joined: 5/1/2002
From: Hamburg/Deutschland
Status: offline 		Hey Canoerebel, thank you for this AAR. I really enjoy reading it. I like the maps ou put up here and there - keep up the good work & thank you.

_____________________________


(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 587
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/5/2010 9:30:09 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/15/43 to 1/20/43
 
DEI:  Things have really started to heat up as it appears that Miller has finally identified the Allied build-up on the islands north of Oz, and on New Guinea's south-central coast, as a major threat.  On the 19th and 20th, I-30, I-176, and I-27 got at least two AKLs, an AK, and an AP in these waters.  Bettys and Zeros sortied against shipping at Saumlaki, faced off against the Spitfires on CAP, blew through, but didn't manage any hits.  All this activity suggests that things are about to go bezerk in this theater. 

I wish I could say, "Too late!" but it isn't.  If Miller reacts violently he can make things very tough for me here.  Since surprise is no longer a factor, I'm moving more troops and combat ships this way.  Saumlaki already has 177 AV and two forts, so things are progressing nicely.  If Miller doesn't commit carriers or combat ships in a big way, I'll hit Lautem as soon as my transports can make it there from Townsville.  Saumlaki airfield is 74% to level two.  Taberfane, where I've landed a base force and a small infantry detachment, is 10% to level one.  Once Saumlaki reaches level three and Taberfane level one, I think the Allies can project enough air power to consolidate these positions and allow the Allies to probe deeper, though carefully.  If the Allies succeed in seizing Dili and Lautem, then all bets are off and suddenly all of eastern CenPac and all of SoPac become essentially irrelevant in the game.  All those Japanese troops at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Lunga, Kwajalein, and Tarawa are just out of position units that will have to be moved to the main theater of battle.  Onward!

SWPac:  Elsewhere, the Japanese sent a fast transport convoy to the little base west of Port Moresby and seem to be operating a patrol squadron from there.  The Allies have shut down the airfields at Milne Bay and PM and will reinforce those conditions over the next two days.  More aircraft have staged to Brisbane from New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa, and transports carrying two Wildcat squadrons just arrived at Brisbane.  I may move Wasp and Saratoga north to Townsville and then to Darwin, at least once Saumlaki's airfield is level three.  With the big bases at Darwin and Katherine, I believe the Allies will have enough air power to prevent the Japanese from closing on Darwin.

Burma:  The Allies are shifting British units to Bombay from Chittagong.  Some units have already departed Bombay and Aden, bound for Perth.

China:  A Japanese 1:8 deliberate attack at Changteh dropped forts to five and cost the Japanese 14,413 casualties to 2,440 for the Chinese.  Another Japanese unit will soon arrive, but the Chinese have three on the way.  I don't think the Japanese can win this battle.  The Allies transferred American fighters from India, but they didn't do much and it is difficult to get fighters in China airworthy after they take damage.  It's pretty much a futile effort, so I'll probably move the fighters back to India.  The Japanese are also attacking at Ankang (a small base in the forests south - true south - of Sian).  The Chinese held for four turns, but I exepct the Japanese to take the base in another day or two.  From there, the next stop is Kienko, a small base just north of Chungking.

NoPac:  I think Miller will commit the KB to the defense of the DEI - I would, anyway.  If he does, I want to proceed with the invasion of the Kuriles as soon as winter "ends" (in game terms, that's March 1).  This means I probably want to load my transports at Seattle by the end of January and then have them positioned somewhere north of Adak Island by the end of February.  There is a slight chance Miller will be so worried about this possibility that he'll keep the KB within striking distance.  If so, that suits me as the DEI thrust is the main Allied effort.  I won't go through with a Kuriles invasion unless and until the KB is committed far away.

CenPac:  At Midway, I've pulled out the AA unit and will soon pull out the base force, leaving behind just the Marine CD and infantry.  That will get me under the garrison limit so that supplies won't be sucked away insatiably.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/5/2010 9:33:57 PM >

(in reply to Oliver Heindorf)
Post #: 588
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/5/2010 10:13:34 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		The move in the DEI is certainly risky, if he's bringing in assets for raids on your new bases but then stumbles into your invasion force ....
On the other hand, there is a good chance that if you wait now he'll reinforce the Timor area heavily, so turning back now means bringing a very big stick later. Personally I'd wait a bit and make sure that you can cover your invasion properly, if he brings in more troops, then that means he's weakened a point somewhere else that you can now strike. In the meantime, these bases that you have now can be expanded a bit and force some attritional warefare in the air.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 589
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 7:06:55 AM   
JeffroK


Posts: 6391
Joined: 1/26/2005
Status: offline 		Good Luck, I held Koepang against the AI, and developed some of the Islands to the West. My biggest problem is hauling Supply & Fuel into the area.

Re: Your North Pacific area. Even the movement of shipping in the area which Miller can patrol might get his attention, keeping him looking in 2-3 places cant hurt. Especially given your record in previous games.


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(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 590
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 4:16:26 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/21/43 and 1/22/43
 
DEI:  Bettys from Ambon continue to hammer shipping, but the absence of Japanese combat ships and carriers continues also.  The Bettys (and subs) claimed an AKL, AK, AP, and AM around Saumlaki and Taberfane, and several more ships were damaged.  But the Allies have 225 AV ashore at Saumlaki and the airfield is 85% to level two.  The Allies have landed small contingents at Taberfane and more recently at Babar...these two are not strong enough to stand, but I expect my opponent to focus primarily on Saumlaki.  I'm pulling all my ships back to Darwin temporarily - long enough for Saumlaki's airfield to go to level two so that I can increase the CAP.  A squadron of Corsairs are on the way after having just landed at Townsville - I hope they are as effective as they were in the real war.  Two big combat TFs and several troop transport TFs are on the way from Townsville.  These soldiers are destined for Lautem at some point, but may layover at Darwin until I can better provide CAP for my ships.

SWPac:  Bombers hit Milne Bay without opposition.  Tomorrow they are targeting Port Moresby and Lae.

Subwars:  Subs were absolutely bezerk over these two days - the Allies got at least three AKs at Kendari, near Munda, and near Shortlands.  The Japanese got about six ships, including an AK at Perth and two big TKs at Karachi.  Hopefully Hot Patch 1097 will address this nonsense - Miller and I should load the patch later today.

Burma:  Big air raid on Akyab encountered 115 Oscars on CAP.  The Allies lost 5:1 in aircraft.

China:  The Japanese bombarded at Ankang, but should take the base tomorrow.  I don't think the Japanese have a prayer of dislodging the Chinese army at Chengtah.

NoPac:  I'm standing down all ships returning from Alaska to Seattle in preparation for loading troops in about a week.

(in reply to JeffroK)
Post #: 591
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 5:23:14 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		How green are those Corsair pilots? If they're under 55-60, you may be disappointed in their performance v. high experience A6M pilots, even if Corsairs were the uber-air weapon in WiTP.

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 592
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 5:56:12 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		These pilots are 60 experience, so they have a decent chance.  I have a huge number of American fighter squadrons in Australia now - for once I seem to have succeeded in planning well ahead of a need.  I believe I have five or six P-38, at least six P-40, several P-39, one Corsair, and at least two F4F.  There's also the Oz contingent of Kittyhawks and Spitfires.  I'm considering utilizing the F4F squadrons from Wasp and Saratoga at land bases rather than sending those carriers in harm's way.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/6/2010 5:57:41 PM >

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 593
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 9:57:43 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

How green are those Corsair pilots? If they're under 55-60, you may be disappointed in their performance v. high experience A6M pilots, even if Corsairs were the uber-air weapon in WiTP.


I have many Corsair units now, and you're right--they aren't the planes they were in WITP. Very good, but not game-changers. I've also, in the past month, gotten my first P-47 units into Burma, and they are better. Able to take a lot of damage. Haven't checked their upkeep variable, but they seem easier to keep flying than anything else I've had in this theater. (Next to any kind of Spitfire they're tanks, for example.)

The AI is still sending 150-170 fighters to cover ten bomber raids on Prome, mostly various Oscar variants. With the P-47s I usually get 4:1 or 5:1 kill ratios.

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(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 594
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/6/2010 10:45:33 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/23/43 and 1/24/43
 
Yowza!  All heck broke loose in the eastern DEI and Western Gulf of Carpenthia (spelling?) as Japanese carriers and combat ships flooded the area.  I took some hits, delivered a few of my own, avoided a major catastrophe, and am nicely positioned to handle things from here on out if Miller wants to hang around...

Saumlaki:  This airfield went to level two and the base is garrisoned by 225 AV.  I had pulled back all my ships to Darwin in anticipation of something happening...and I was right.  Two stout Japanese CA/CL TFs hit the island, sinking five of six RN motor torpedo boats (the same ones that started the war at Hong Kong).  An Allied sub put two TTs into a Japanese DD.

Darwin:  Japanese carriers bypassed Saumlaki into the western Gulf of Carpenthia.  From there, scores and scores of Kates (something like 200) delivered an effective port attack on Darwin, sinking CL Sumatra, some DDs, some AKs, and a smattering of other ships.  I am ashamed to admit I had just 25 P-40Ks on CAP.  The Allied 4EB from Darwin hit the unprotected Japanese airfield at Ambon, destroying a bunch of Bettys on the ground.  I have shifted four more fighter squadrons to Darwin and moved some of the bombers over to Merauke, where they are scheduled to join in a big raid against Port Moresby.

Port Moresby:  Despite the damage done to this airfield by Allied bombers, Miller loaded it up with Bettys and Zeros which reached out and "touched" some of the big Allied transport convoys heading from Townsville to Darwin.  There were sharp engagements between P-38-provided LRCAP and the attackers.  The Allied fighters performed well, but the Japanese managed to damage about six or eight Allied transports.  All Allied bombers at Merauke, Portland Roads, Coen, Cooktown, Cairns, and Charters Towers will target Port Moresby tomorrow.

Allied Transports and Combat Ships:  Two big transports had been carrying a US Army division and two Aussie brigades to Darwin, accompanied by two big combat TFs that included BB Princes of Wales and another RN BB.  Had these ships sailed another few hexes west, they'd have bumped right into the Not-so-Mini-KB (it isn't the full KB, methinks, because there weren't any Vals in the strike on Darwin).  All these TFs have been ordered to reverse course and return to Townsville.  They will probably be fine unless the KB shows up from the Coral Sea (that would be an ugly squeeze play).

Oz Fighters:  I am moving fighters around to try to maximize CAP.  I've also transfered the Wasp and Saratoga F4F squadrons from Sydney to Townsville.  NE Oz is already well-protected and Darwin is in decent shape, but by next turn the areas will be really saturated with fighters.

Oz Bombers:  These targeted Lae on a hunch that Miller might use that airfield rather than the damaged and threated field at PM.  So I guessed wrong and paid for it, but the Allies did knock out a few patrol aircraft.  Tomorrow the bombers focus on PM to hopefully reduce the threat of LBA.  Thereafter, plans for LBA will be determined by where the Japanese carriers go.

Aircraft Losses for the Day:  The Japanese lost about 100, the Allies about 20.  That probably offset the value of the shipping lost.

Burma:  Quiet.

China:  The Japanese tried an unsuccesfull and costly 1:10 deliberate attack at Chengtah.  It cost the Japanese 15,000 casualties and the Allies a bit less than 2,000.  Forts did drop to four, but I think this war of attrition benefits the Allies.  A Japanese shock attack at Ankang dislodged the defenders, who retreated into the mountains where they'll try to make a stand.  I don't know if Miller intends to advance on Chungking from this direction or not, but I have stout garrisions both there and at Keinko.

Summary:  Miller has committed alot of carriers to this action, but he's a tad bit too late to prevent the Allies from proceeding with a big build up in the Darwin/Saumlaki area.  I can base enough bombers here to make things hot for him, and enough fighters to bring in big combat ships (once the Japanese carriers leave).  I want to make things so hot that Miller will decide to commit the KB.  Once that happens, the Allies will invade the Kuriles.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/6/2010 10:48:14 PM >

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 595
RE: Happy New Year - 1943 - 1/7/2010 9:00:51 AM   
JeffroK


Posts: 6391
Joined: 1/26/2005
Status: offline 		Looks interesting.

I haven't got this far patched AE but I have a feeling that Miller wont be able to afford a battle of attrition that you can. His advantage is in a strong strike that succeeds on day 1 or 2, if he waits too long the Allies can get too much into place.


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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 596
Squeeze Play - 1/7/2010 3:24:51 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/25/43 to 1/28/43
 
Squeeze Play:  This is one of those times in the game where you take a calculated risk and then hold your breath until you get the file back from you opponent.  I need heavy ships at Darwin, primarily to permit the Allies to contest any thrusts by the IJN or any amphibious operations against Lautem or Saumlaki.  The secondary purpose is to serve as bait to draw the Japanese further into a battle in this region.  So, two mixed US/RN combat ships left Townsville, passed Horn Island, and are sprinting to Darwin.  They should both make it safely in two days, but if Miller should choose this moment to re-insert his carriers around Saumlaki, I'll be weeping bitter tears.  Darwin has 211 fighters now, including both the Wasp and Saratoga F4F groups, and Saumlaki has another fighter squadron.  Given this protection plus additional fighters that will be arriving shortly, I am hoping the presence of capital ships at Darwin will entice Miller to lunge forward and receive a bloody nose.  I'd also like to see the KB head this way so that I can proceed with the invasion of the Kuriles. All of this, naturally, AFTER my ships are safely docked at Darwin.

SWPac:  Subs claimed CL Dauntless and several AKLs north of Townsville.  I'm resting my bombers for a few days before resuming the campaign against PM and Milne Bay.  Miller has landed at two of the Dutch Islands - Salaja and Waingapu.  He's reacting violently to the Allied build-up in this region.  He's not too late, but he's considerably later than he should have been.  Saumlaki's garrison has an AV of 310 and two forts.  I'd feel better with 450 or 500 AV, but this island is pretty safe.

Subwars:  In addition to the troubles north of Townsville, Jap subs claimed an xAP docked at Colombo and an AKL near Pago Pago.  I-155 took heavy damage from ASW near Adak Island.  Sailfish claimed two TKs near Legaspi (ouch) and Salmon got an AK near Salaja.

China:  The Japanese bombarded at Changsha; mainly, I think, to see how many troops the Allies have moved from there to Chengtah.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/7/2010 3:29:01 PM >

(in reply to JeffroK)
Post #: 597
RE: Squeeze Play - 1/7/2010 4:09:53 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Your SCTF routes may skirt Betty/Nell torpedo range (17/15, respectively) en route to Darwin-does he have his Betties within torpedo range of your route?

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 598
RE: Squeeze Play - 1/7/2010 4:20:29 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, they'll be within range of Netties at Ambon, but I'm gambling that the speed of the TFs and the presence of fighters at Saumlaki and Darwin will "confuse" the enemy so that they don't launch.  It has been my experience in WitP and so far in AE that many times the presence of a base with fighters forward tends to "blind" the enemy to things going on to the rear.  I'm counting on that.

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 599
RE: Squeeze Play - 1/7/2010 5:40:38 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		1/29/43 and 1/30/43
 
Squeeze Play:  The two combat TFs (including two BBs) made it to Darwin safely.  Two amphibous TFs with troops prepped for Darwin are close behind.  A Japanese carrier TF of unknown strength and destination seems to be approeaching from the west, so things may get hot.  If 220 fighters - of which 72 are top-of-the-line F4Fs from American carriers - can't defend my ships, so be it.  I don't have enough fuel to permit my BBs to remain in this theater indefinately, so I've got to move on Lautem quickly.  As soon as Saumlauki's airfield goest to level three it'll be time to move.  Taberfane's field will reach level one in a few more days and there is already a 32-level base force there.  Miller is landing troops at Dili via fast transport.

SwPac:  The 4EB in north Oz will be divided between PM and Milne Bay tomorrow.

Subwars:  Miller mentioned the sudden lethal nature of Allied subs (which claimed an AP near Okinawa, an AK at Rabaul, and a TK near Iwo).  He's a good sport about it - noting that we have a LONG way to go before the score is even in the sub wars as the Japanese have been running amock the entire game.  That's three Japanese TKs in four days.  Ouch.  I-17 got yet ANOTHER DOCKED TK at Colombo and I-28 got an AKL near Auckland.  Ro-67 took some depth charging near Darwin.

NoPac:  I forgot to mention that some Vals were involved in the last round of carrier attacks near Saumlaki four or five days ago.  I don't know if these were from the KB or not.  I wish I did know, because if the KB is in the DEI, I'll proceed with Operation Port Royal, the long-delayed invasion of the Kuriles.  No matter what, I'll begin loading the ships at Seattle in three days and then move them to a point north of Attu Island.  From there they can strike if the coast is clear or if I decide to roll the dice.


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 600
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