RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured!

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured!

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RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/5/2010 10:22:15 PM

PzB74

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Excellent intel C&G!

Hm, that Tina squadron is very handy, will be a difficult sacrifice...

Very quiet turns; most look likes the report below!
Monsoon is about to start in Burma; thought we had some house rules but Andy says we don't and that monsoon will reduce supply net with 50%
which will prevent any offensive actions in theatre.

All 4 seaplane tenders have now entered the yards for their conversions to light carriers.
ETA is between 106 and 298 days.

The Taiho is due around end of June, same as 2 escort carriers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 12, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Kweilin , at 76,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub vs Sub

Some days ago..pretty sure this is a confirmed kill.
In my game against Al one of the Jap subs was torpedoed by an enemy sub - and survived!!!

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 1711

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/5/2010 10:40:16 PM

CapAndGown

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How did you manage to hit that sub? It was not centered in the cross hairs.

I thought you were talking about keeping some CS's? If scn #2 is like scn #1, then the Nishin does not come with any planes and I am guessing neither does the Mizuho. Also, the Mizuho is rather slow, so is as vulnerable to being hit as a CVE. I have decided to hang on to the Mizuho as a search platform.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1712

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/5/2010 10:57:54 PM

PzB74

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Used a Fido

I was, but the CS ships have lost some of their appeal this late in the game - especially since the size 24 Rufe unit was upgradable to the A6M5.
I can drag some AVs with invasion and supply TFs if required and place some Rex float fighters on them.

The Mizuho will probably become the CVE Fleet Flagship.

The decisive factor in the end was the wish to have many smaller carriers by 1944 which will make it possible to launch diversions, raids or KB support missions.
- PS! Even when the Allies achieve carrier supremacy by 1944 they will have to committ their entire Carrier force to support any given operation throughout that year.
We will have a slightly and growing superior enemy carrier fleet waiting for the moment to deliver the coup' de grace to the KB.

This has 2 consequences;
1. The Allies will not be able to launch amph invasions in 2 theatres at the same time as the KB will be superior to the weakest enemy amph fleet.
2. When the Allies perform all out invasions and carrier operations we will be able to hit them in the flanks with smaller raiding forces made up by lower value CVLs.

That's the logic behind it at least.

< Message edited by PzB -- 12/5/2010 11:17:52 PM >

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 1713

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/5/2010 11:25:19 PM

CapAndGown

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Hmm. You are saying the allies cannot risk dividing their carriers, but Japan can?

I can see why you might go for this strategy. But how many planes does the mini/slow KB represent? Alot I imagine.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1714

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/6/2010 6:53:33 AM

PzB74

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Of course they can, but there will be opportunities in 44 when the two sides will have stand offs and Japan will have opportunities to send carriers to
hit the Allied supply trains. If I'm to send 1-2 of the fast light carriers off on such raids I will be needing as many CVL conversions and CVEs as possible to make up the numbers and support the KB.

In 44 I think Japan will have 6xCVEs carrying 170 ac and 6 CVLs carrying 180 ac, 350 in total. The Junyo will be a good flagship for this force, leaving it with ca 400 planes.
This to support the ca 10 full fledged fleet carriers with their ca 700-750 ac.

So if you are about to invade some Jap stronghold with your Marines, how many of your carriers would you bring if you knew you would face up to 1000 Jap ac on carriers plus an unknow number of LBA? Pretty much the kitchen sink I would think cause the margins won't be that great in the first phases of the 44 offensives.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Post #: 1715

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/6/2010 7:31:59 AM

janh

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Andy is surely going to be putting a better focus to his operations next time. You are probably right that he will keep his CV together now, especially if he goes for Line Islands or Marquesas, which he must do sooner rather than later. But I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks about the same trick you plan to pull off... have a CVL or two split off and raid deep while the major CV forces neutralize themselves...

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
1. The Allies will not be able to launch amph invasions in 2 theatres at the same time as the KB will be superior to the weakest enemy amph fleet.

I suppose Andy will have one mainly carrier supported amphib OP planned, which likely will be again in or around Line Islands, maybe coordinated with Marquesas. Without isolating or eliminating these bases, he cannot effectively continue towards Marinas, Truk, or Philippines, and his link to OZ is terribly long (and any ship that needs yard time and comes from OZ, would run a terrible gauntlet).

But given Andy is a quite ambitious and aggressive player with tendency to accept some risks, I would bet he plans a second major OPS, one which can be effectively supported by LBA. After Burma is silent now, my guess would be Adamans, and/or more likely the Solomons/NG region. Islands hopping with limited naval resources, just as the Americans started out there in history, but allowing to bring the huge allied LBA to bear -- very quickly. That's what I would do. In fact, done right, both approach vectors would perhaps even unite at the Marinas and mutually support each other?

< Message edited by janh -- 12/6/2010 7:34:28 AM >

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RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/6/2010 7:42:05 PM

PresterJohn001

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Thanks for those insights PzB. Like your thinking on the carriers. What units do you put onto the Japanese CVE's and CVL's without inate airgroups?
Really enjoying this AAR!!

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Post #: 1717

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/6/2010 9:58:03 PM

PzB74

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Andy is probably prepping divisions for the Line Islands en masse Jahn!
- In the mean time I've located new weak spots in the enemy lines

Soon Andy would like to advance into Northern Oz and try to move further north under cover of LBA, this should take most of 43.
Also think he will make a sprint from Rockhampton and over to Port Moresby in due time.

Not so convinced he will be overly aggressive until he again wields a superior hammer, can't afford another setback - that'll cost him another 3-6 months.
Japan is very strong at this point in the game, before major attrition has set in. The number of crack fighter and bomber units is truly growing huge and the Navy is almost at peak strength.

Thx Prester!

I like to equip the CVEs and CVLs with single large groups: preferably fighters and dive bombers. Since CVEs don't carry torpedo ordnance its a waste of good TBDs to place them on the
tiny birdfarms. The problem is that I hardly have enough size 30 SBD units to place on the CVEs and CVLs.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Post #: 1718

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/6/2010 11:55:23 PM

CapAndGown

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Be aware that several of the CVE's will get airgroups on Nov.1, 1943. These are Kate groups. To get them, put the CVE in a port. I am not sure, but I used a port of size 7 and > 20k supply. I also took the group that was already on them off. I think it is the Taiyo class ships and the Shinyo that get air groups. Once you get the group, I would resize it to the size of the CVE and then take it off, fill it with newbies, and start training them.

I take it you are training the Chitose/Chiyoda groups?

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Post #: 1719

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/7/2010 11:03:16 PM

PzB74

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Yep, some CVEs got air groups and they have been deployed while new ones have been expanded and given carrier training.
So I can pick from these any time, just don't have to many SBDs to spare...

War in the East is out!
War in the East
*Heavy chanting, ommma ommma omma

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Post #: 1720

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/8/2010 7:46:25 PM

inqistor

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I just began reading "Crusade in Europe", and Eisenhower outlines "life line" to Australia. Specifically air route goes through Hawaii, Canton, then either Noumea-Sydney, or Samoa-Auckland. So Japan plan should be to deny all those bases to Allies, for as long as possible.

With working land radar, people reporting arriving CAP from nearby bases, so I was wondering about putting AA units with radars, at exposed islands, and if it cause nearby CAP to show up automatically.

Also, with Burma theatre currently closed:
What was supply consumption per whole theatre, how much supply Japan had to transport there?
And, since units began rebuilding, what is situation with armament? Is it dropping considerably?

And finally, what is happening in China? It is dangerous to leave Chinese alone, as they are getting aggressive with time.

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Post #: 1721

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/8/2010 10:27:33 PM

PzB74

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I don't think the Allies got a lifeline by air to Australia; since we have captured all the islands between Johnston Island and Pago Pago
the route is shut for anything but convoys.

I've not noticed much difference regarding radar after the last patch was installed.
Got lots of forward bases with radar, can keep an eye on it.

Think I shipped in ca 100k supplies to Burma each month on average.
Each time supplies were in demand bases like Bangkok turned red, a good indication that I had to speed up the next supply convoy.

70% of our casualties is damage to LCUs and the process of upgrading and refitting these units has just started.
Need to take a closer look in Tracker, but have attached an industry screen. After increasing vehicle production we are well supplied.
- Some 300 IJA squads in the pool.

We have an agreement that limits activity in China; got a comment about this when I pushed a bit hard towards the perimeter bases.
So we're mostly consolidating our position in China and I don't expect any major land offensive here throughout the war.
- The advantage of this for Japan is the large amounts of potential reinforcements that can be drawn upon.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 15, 43

Air Combat

Andy started bombing Horn Island; clear terrain and clear weather means heavy ground casualties.
Not a lot we can do about this, guess Allied intentions in the area is to secure Horn Island, Merauke and PM and start a drive into NG from there.
- My next moves here is to move a large Air HQ to Hollandia area; will be important to have strong air units to defend and counter-attack with.

Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 19
B-26 Marauder x 12
B-26B Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing from 12000 feet *
12 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
B-26B Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 85th JAAF AF Coy , at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logistics

Can anyone provide input on moving restricted units between Home Islands?
- Want to move an Air HQ from main island to Hokkaido. Been testing by changing bases in Hokkaido to different commands with little luck.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Post #: 1722

RE: NEWSFLASH; Efate captured! - 12/9/2010 1:29:38 AM

rader

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My impression is that it can't be done... because you can't change a base to the command '3rd air fleet'. Even though that is a subset of general defense army, I think this one is stuck.

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Post #: 1723

MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 6:56:15 PM

inqistor

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First, I thought, that my eyesight is wrong, but undoubtedly it is 3, not 5.
SO, according to earlier report, from February. Post #1483:

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

Japan is down a MILLION FUEL!
So, have you closed some refineries, or was there sinking of 20 fully loaded tankers? If this all was consumed during fleet antics around Palmyra, I am wondering how fuel situation at Pearl Harbor looks like. With this consumption rates, Allies need half of their tankers to haul fleet fuel.

HI has greatly grown, resources also, oil is slightly down, Naval Shipyards almost spent, Merchant at 0, but it is probably same, as in WITP, time of peak Japan production. Armament down, Vehicles quite surplus, but rebuilding after Burma took 1/4th of it.

Since main striking power in eastern Burma are fully filled Chinese Corps, and lack of action means conserving supplies, it looks like limiting action in China benefits ONLY Allies. And once Burma Road is open, there will be 4Es in China, I have no doubt about it.

(in reply to rader)

Post #: 1724

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 8:18:24 PM

PzB74

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Hm was afraid of that; annoying that Hokkaido can't be connected with Home Islands - a virtual raile line would be a good abstraction here...!-)

Ho, hold your horses Inq

- Obviously the simple supply map ingame does not include resources on TFs.
As the screens from tracker shows we have a record high 570k fuel in TFs.

This means we got 3.9mill fuel, still down 470k in 6 months but it does illustrate a good point.
Constant high paced fleet operations drain fuel supplies at a high pace.
- When Japan's offensive period is definetly over by late 43 we should be able to cull fuel consumption even further.

Guess we can turn of some light industries to conserve fuel and terminate some resource convoys, thus having fewer fuel gussling cargo ships.

Also notice that we got 16000 vehicle points, can shut down some of the factories for some time.
I'm constantly falling behind in the merchant yards; I've halted 30 AKs and increased production...just have to live with it, when the CVEs are completed we should be in balance again.

Good observations!

PS! Quiet China means no Allied 4Es operating there..that's one Jap advantage.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 12/9/2010 8:19:08 PM >

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Post #: 1725

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 9:03:50 PM

inqistor

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So, fuel situation is only half as serious?

Long term trends show, that keeping current operations (if somehow DEI remains open until end of game), Japan will still have oil, and resources, but...
both fuel, and supplies are consumed at around 500k per 100 days, so closing LI is not a good idea. Are there any industry repairs/upgrade ongoing? Most of it was burned around beginning of 1943, so probably new planes factories, but stock is still not increasing. You should watch situation closely. Supply consumption only increase with time, so it would be better to find other sources, like well stocked Allied bases, for example

Also, looks like one of the options is big naval battle. If Japan lose some big ships, or will be forced to put them under long-term repair that should lessen fuel consumption.

As for Merchant Points. Are new transports really needed now? Loses seems minimal so far.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1726

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 9:56:26 PM

PzB74

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60% less serious, not critical - but serious.
- Each time I load up all the AO fleet oilers 120k of fuel is consumed. This has been done every 2nd month, so we got a 360k fuel consumption there alone.
Add to the fuel consumed at main fleet bases there will be a 100k fuel consume by the Combined Fleet each month with our current operational pace.

I'd prefer not to loose our ships unless we have to, will try to come up with a more long term plan

I don't produce new transports, simply turn them off as they go from blueprint to production. Should be an "OFF" button for the entire AK production line.

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 1727

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 10:52:28 PM

PzB74

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Mediums returned to bomb Horn Island - again without an escort, something we took advantage off.
Managed to scramble some long range Zeros and heavy interceptors and 10 enemy bombers failed to return to base today.

The Dinah with a 37mm gun and a 7.6mm mg was next to useless, accuracy rating of 2 for the cannon means it can't hit a barn door.
Will convert it to a Nick instead.

We have still shot down more Allied ac than what we've lost; some 6900 claimed kills to 6200 losses.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 16, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 19
B-26 Marauder x 6
B-26B Marauder x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing from 12000 feet *
4 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
Spc.Attck.Unit Det with Ki-46-IIIb Dinah (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
264th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 85th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 91,128 (Horn Island)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1728

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/9/2010 11:05:24 PM

Mynok

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Haven't noticed any increased detection ranges on incoming raids, eh? Is there radar at Horn Island?

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Post #: 1729

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/11/2010 5:02:36 PM

erstad

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From: Midwest USA
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quote:

Should be an "OFF" button for the entire AK production line.

AMEN!

Plus I ccasionally miss one and only notice when it is almost ready to come off the slipways.

Although what would be good enough (and arguably more generally useful) would be to have the ability to halt ships anywhere in the queue. If they are not yet to the "we started spending shipyards" point, a halted out-year ship could move up to that point and stop.

< Message edited by erstad -- 12/11/2010 5:03:14 PM >

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Post #: 1730

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/12/2010 9:33:49 PM

PzB74

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Ref radar; that was a general observation - not specifically related to Horn Isl.
Can post a suggestion for improved industry management for Japan, not sure this will be a prioritized task though.

Not much happening in the game; Trying to gather units to merge whole divisions - should be able to field 4 full sized Tank divisions.
In the long term I'm thinkking 2 in Burma, Malaya, 1 in Java and 1 in the PIs.

Upgraded my pc; now running Win7 off my SSD PCI-E revodrive. Put WitP AE and WitE on it.

Watched James Cameron's Bismarck Expedition today, amazing.
- The great ships that were sunk during WWII became immortal and can still be visited and admired 70 years after the war.
The poor great ships that survived the war were mostly broken up, e.g. Warspite ended up as scrap metal.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to erstad)

Post #: 1731

RE: MINE STRUCK! ALL HANDS TO PUMPS! - 12/12/2010 10:45:29 PM

inqistor

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Lets face it. Japanese "tanks" are even crappier, than Italian. They can be used, before Allies reequip into Shermans, and new anti-tank weapon, which, in case of Commonwealths 17pdr, IIRC increase hard attack from twentysomething to 75. After that they are just moving targets, and after two attacks half of them will be disabled.

In Burma they could be used at plains around Mandalay. That would assume, that Allies actually break through jungle. What is current Japan estimation for it actually happening?

Java is good option only if:
a) Allies actually land there, and
b) do this when sea routes to Japan are still open
Since such operation did not close Allies to Japan, and they are already year behind schedule, I find this scenario unlikely.

New Guinea could be other option, but only place, I can see to use them is around Lae, so not much space for manoeuvre.

And last option - using them immediately. Since my last suggestion, about catching Allied supplies, and general reports, about movements around Perth, suggesting that this port is swimming with goodies...
Quick action by fast units, to cut Perth from rest of Australia, and several extra Divisions could bag a substantial amount of supplies, and fuel. Plus catching lots of fleeing transports. And since air route from USA is still closed, there are not much aircrafts in Australia, and no hope for reinforcements, except something extremely-long-range.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1732

KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/13/2010 11:24:19 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Yep, but my experince with WitP is that tank gun values are not that important.
Having armor to counter enemy armor is vital, same is assaulting enemy infantry units without armor.
- Using them defensively in rough terrain also works well.

Java is already garrisoned, a tank div is in place.
An enemy offensive in Burma will not happen before 44, so we will leave a strong force there but reduce our presence.
Also need to defend Sumatra and Malaya up to Burma and build a strategic reserve.

I'm not going back to Perth, enemy railroad and LBA is enough to keep me away from that rat hole in mid 43!
But like your spirit Inq

I do have something to offer you today!

Weeks ago the KB sortied; it sailed via the Marianas together with a replenishment fleet 20 hexes north of Midway.
The fleets were not spotted - Andy is doing his outmost to guard the gap south of Hawaii; there's open ocean from Line and Marquesas into Allied shipping lanes.
So instead of doing the easy and likely thing we did the long route north.

Numerous subs acted as spotters, we also had 2 armed merchant cruisers and yesterday a Jake spotted a convoy heading from east to west.
This mean a loaded convoy! A few days ago transports were attacked (and sunk) both near the West Coast and near Hawaii, so we had convoys heading in both directions.
- Today I swithced on all search assets, positioned the 2 Carrier Divisions to intercept and attack both East and West going convoys.
A surface combat TF leading the carriers under Tanaka with 2 large light cruisers and fleet destroyers were ordered to intercept the closest convoy heading towards Hawaii.

It's much easier to sink large number of transports with surface units than carriers; weather usually mess things up and it takes a lot of bombs and torps to sink a whole convoy.

We did our job well; an AMC and Tanaka both intercepted the convoy and mauled it horribly.
During the AM and PM phases the KB struck both East and West Convoys, sinking everything afloat

In total some 40 ships must have been sunk including a destroyer, a KV, a handful of smaller escorts and dozens of Liberty and other cargo ships.
Must admit I had hoped for something more valuable, tankers, loaded troop ships, CVEs, a carrier in transit.

Still, we delivered a perfect and deadly strike - no doubt Andy will choke on this one.
The question is whether he wants to pursue us or take advantage of the KBs presence so far away from everywere.
I do have another surprise in hand though!

Banzaaaai!!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 24, 43

Sub Attacks

The patched up Takanami is sunk limping back to Kwajalein from Christmas Island...
A sub spots a convoy; which turns out to have great consequences - for itself!

Sub attack near Nikunau at 143,134

Japanese Ships
DD Takanami, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

SS Pickerel launches 4 torpedoes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lahaina at 198,97

Japanese Ships
SS I-15, hits 1

Allied Ships
AM Champion
xAK William S. Young
xAK Walter Reed
xAK David Gaillard
DD Worden
DD Dewey

SS I-15 is sighted by escort
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dewey fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 201,82, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru

Allied Ships
AK Carina
AK Cassiopeia
AK Celeno
AK Cetus
AK Sterope
AK Leonis
AK Prince Georges
AK Libra
AK Fomalhaut
AK Betelgeuse
AK Alhena
AK Algorab
AK Titania
AK Adhara
AK Alcyon
AK Almaack
AK Electra
AK Mercury
AK Aludra
AK Deimos
AK Oberon
AK Arcturus
AK Procyon
LCI-331
LCI-332
SC PC-579
SC PC-580
SC PC-596
SC PC-597
KV Auricula, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 71% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages KV Auricula at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages AK Oberon at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 199,83, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
DD Shimakaze
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
CL Ninaru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AK Carina, Shell hits 2
AK Cassiopeia, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Celeno
AK Cetus, Shell hits 1
AK Sterope, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Leonis, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Prince Georges, Shell hits 39, and is sunk
AK Libra, Shell hits 12, heavy fires
AK Fomalhaut, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Betelgeuse
AK Alhena, Shell hits 6
AK Algorab
AK Titania, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Adhara, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
AK Alcyon, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Almaack, Shell hits 2
AK Electra, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Mercury, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Aludra, Shell hits 45, and is sunk
AK Deimos, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Oberon, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Arcturus, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Procyon, Shell hits 11, heavy fires
LCI-331, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCI-332, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC PC-579, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC PC-580, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC PC-596, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC PC-597, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
KV Auricula, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lahaina at 197,84
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B6N1 Jill x 25
D4Y1 Judy x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Almaack, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Celeno, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Algorab, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Fomalhaut, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AK Betelgeuse, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Alhena, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Titania, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Cetus, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Betelgeuse
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Fomalhaut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eureka at 199,83
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Mercury, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Oberon, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AK Arcturus, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AK Libra, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Sterope, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Cassiopeia, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Libra
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Arcturus
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Sterope
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Cassiopeia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Oberon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lahaina at 201,96
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 14
A6M5 Zero x 8
B6N1 Jill x 23
D4Y1 Judy x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Champion, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK David Gaillard, Bomb hits 1
xAK Santa Rita
xAK Matthew P. Deady, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Walter Reed, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Worden, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Edwin Booth, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Edmund Randolph, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Carlos Carrillo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Hollyhock

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Matthew P. Deady
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Carlos Carrillo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Eureka at 199,83
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Procyon, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Mercury, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Procyon
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Mercury
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lahaina at 197,84
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M5 Zero x 18
B6N1 Jill x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Carina, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lahaina at 201,96
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 14
A6M5 Zero x 16
B6N1 Jill x 16
D4Y1 Judy x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK David Gaillard, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Thomas Nast, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Santa Rita, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Worden, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK William S. Young, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Hollyhock, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
16 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK David Gaillard
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring KV Hollyhock
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Santa Rita
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy Interdictions

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 1733

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/14/2010 1:53:56 AM

aprezto

Posts: 824
Joined: 1/29/2009
Status: offline

Brutal! Pleased I'm not playing you... oh wait.

_____________________________

Image courtesy of Divepac

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1734

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/15/2010 10:21:32 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Brutal indeed, but it was a nice combined air-sea interdiction that I've never managed before.

Another few quiet turns; hundreds of Allied planes demolish Horn Island. Clear terrain means the garrison is defenceless despite forts.
Hide and seek in the Central Pacific, no further sightings of Allied ships - still waiting for a reaction to the KB strikes.

A snag of the 2nd Tank division that has recently been merged.
Also a very nice Tojo unit, still got plenty of high quality pilots making up the backbone of my fighter divisions.
- By having a full quota of pilots and then feeding in reinforcements to cover losses the best pilots usually survive while the less experienced ones take the losses.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to aprezto)

Post #: 1735

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/15/2010 11:03:52 PM

Yakface

Posts: 846
Joined: 8/5/2006
Status: offline

Wow - the pilots in that Tojo unit are an impressive bunch. How did you get their stats up there - training or cambat? Don't seem to have enough kills for it to be combat and my pilots seem to stop imporving once they hit 70 in any skill.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1736

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/15/2010 11:27:00 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

They're "original" pre war vintage pilots that can never be replaced!
Keeping that many into mid 43 is great, the only question is whether I should transfer most of them into training command.

After watching Andy's assault on Palmyra I'm wondering if it's really practical to invade an atoll (max troops 6-7k) with a full sized division?
- Penalties seems very high and the modified AV was crap in 3/4 attacks.

So what's your best approach for dealing with atolls this size; multiple invasions of regimental sized units or a massive assault by a full division that will eventually prevail?

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Yakface)

Post #: 1737

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/16/2010 8:52:51 AM

janh

Posts: 1216
Joined: 6/12/2007
Status: offline

I think full-sized divisional attack wasn't the issue, but I suspect he didn't suppress the defenders sufficiently.� The more they are dug in and better equipped, the more use of bombardments and air attacks you have to make before assaulting the beaches...� Just think of the enormous firepower the allied brought to bear in littoral operations later in the war, for example Iwo Jima, or Okinawa (no matter whether atoll...). Maybe Andy was pushing a little too aggressive? Without KB being a fleet in existence (and getting the best of him...), he could have isolated the place and bombed it for a week or more if necessary...

< Message edited by janh -- 12/16/2010 8:54:55 AM >

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1738

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/16/2010 9:25:53 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Not sure I can confirm that theory Janh!
- Andy absolutely nuked Palmyra with air and sea bombardments.
30% of the troops were disabled in this fashion and disruption was between 40 and 90 for the survivors...

What failed was the combat rolls for the Marine division.
Adjusted AV was between 30 and 70 - only once did it achive a value of ca 230 or something.

Establishing this will help both in offensive and defensive operations in the future.
What if we are to invade a small enemy atoll, should we bring a division or individual regiments?

_____________________________

"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to janh)

Post #: 1739

RE: KB Destroy enemy convoys! - 12/16/2010 10:31:58 AM

janh

Posts: 1216
Joined: 6/12/2007
Status: offline

Hmmh, right in that case. Maybe run some tests against AI?

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1740