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RE: The Curtain Opens

 
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RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 2:03:19 AM   
Tone


Posts: 161
Joined: 9/2/2009
From: Around The Sun
Status: offline 		Congratulation John very good strike at battleship row. some of those capital ship will sink I think. Pity about Iba strike not launching. there is P-40 group there that enemy can move. But on good wind the strike on Clark an Manila look to have good effect. All round good day even with no goes. also very low loss. Thanks.

_____________________________

Both the victor
and the vanquished are
but drops of dew,
but bolts of lightning -
thus should we view the world.
Ôuchi Yoshitaka
1507-1551

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 31
Northern Philippines - 4/30/2010 3:40:44 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Thought I'd get started with my screenshots. Here is Luzon to the tip of Mindanao (Cagayan).

The troops will have Aparri tomorrow and then the follow-on TF will unload. Normal activities with getting the AF up and running so I've got CAP and then striking power. Should have enough strength in this landing to take everything North of Clark.

If Michael chooses to sortie ships around Northern Luzon they'll run into a Daitai of Betty set on Naval Strike.

The CV TF will handle anything in the Central and Southern Philippines seeking escape:

1. CarDiv1 moves as shown. They will be needed for the Singkawang and Palembang landings fairly quickly so I expect to keep them here for 3 Days max.

2. Mini-KB heads down the east coast. They will stay as long as their ordinance holds out. Once that gets low I will pull them back to re-provision and then go raiding around Timor and Darwin.

3. Both CV TF will Sweep American AF and seek to destroy American Fighters.






Attachment (1)

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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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(in reply to Tone)
Post #: 32
Southern Philippines - 4/30/2010 3:47:55 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Coming down the screen some we see the Southern Phase of Operations:

1. The 2 CVE will mosey along doing what damage they can. They will be used in active operations for the first week or two and then I'll use one of them to re-size Chutai into Daitai for later use.

2. The Davao Landing Force moves out and they have the two CS with them so I have LOTS of Float Plane recon going on. The stout escort covers this force just to be safe from any strange ideas the Allies may get.

3. Should note that the Sendai Inf Div will land at Cagayan and drive south to crush the Island. Once Mindanao goes this Brigade and Inf Div--plus other units--shall comprise the Darwin Assault Force.






Attachment (1)

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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 33
Carrier Organization - 4/30/2010 6:59:30 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Got to thinking while I was at work about how I want my CVs to be organized once the initial flurry of Operations pauses. The Japanese OOB at the moment is 6 CV, 3 CVL, and 2 CVE. In just a little over two months we'll add the Nisshin as a CVL.

It is my intention to create three CTF around late-January of 2 CV and 1 CVL each. Since the CVLs carry over 20 Zeros they serve almost as a CAP Carrier. The TF with the larger CarDiv1 and CarDiv5 will pack 69 Zero, 48 Val, and 57 Kate. The smaller CarDiv2 will carry 63 Zero, 48 Val, and 57 Kate. This arrangement will leave CVL Ryujo and the 2 CVE doing their own thing for the moment.

If there has been no disaster then the 2 Junyos will join the Fleet by June 42 and Ryuho will mix with these slower CVs to form a fourth CTF with 62 Zero, 34 Val, and 52 Kate. At that time, due to the growing US CV threat, I will probably operate the carriers in two pairs of TF (4 CV and 2 CVL).

Always think it is good to be thinking ahead organizationally. Helps with the planning and vision for operations.

The other factor in this arena is the first upgrade for the CVs. This is a LONG one due to replacing their older 5" AA with the better 3.9" Armament. I imagine when these upgrades occur the carrier in question will be out for a month of time.

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Post #: 34
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 7:57:05 AM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline 		Parts of the Luzon strike refusing to fly on December 7th were a common sight in my tests against AI. Might have something to do with overstacked airfields. Anyway, Iba is open for naval bombardment, just send a pair of cruisers and some destroyers to shut it down.

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 35
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 3:42:18 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Hey Stan. Takao's AF wasn't over-stacked. I took out all the Army Fighters and Bombers and got the total under 400 so it SHOULD have worked. I might go back and try different combinations to see what might happen.

Have you found an opponent yet for your game?


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Post #: 36
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 4:37:14 PM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Stan. Takao's AF wasn't over-stacked. I took out all the Army Fighters and Bombers and got the total under 400 so it SHOULD have worked. I might go back and try different combinations to see what might happen.

Have you found an opponent yet for your game?


Yes, now I'm preparing the first Japanese turn against yubari. Way too much drudgework, because carrier airgroups and frontline IJAAF units refuse to accept pilots from reserve, so I need to request veterans by hand. Hopefully, at least they'll arrive soon enough.

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Post #: 37
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 5:52:39 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Stan--Hold for moment since we are fixing some issues over in the Mod Thread.

Do you know if we'll need to do a re-start if we change a few database entries?

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Post #: 38
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 7:52:07 PM   
JuanG


Posts: 906
Joined: 12/28/2008
Status: offline 		It depends on what gets changed. Since its a user scenario database updates can be made to games in progress thanks to patch 3, but they may take a while to take effect (for example on the next ship upgrade or TOE change).

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Coral Sea HDM
AltWNT Scenarios

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Post #: 39
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 8:46:58 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JuanG

It depends on what gets changed. Since its a user scenario database updates can be made to games in progress thanks to patch 3, but they may take a while to take effect (for example on the next ship upgrade or TOE change).


GREAT! None of the changes impact anything that is currently afloat or on the map so this is pretty easy. Posted more thoughts on the Mod Thread.


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Post #: 40
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 9:55:54 PM   
JuanG


Posts: 906
Joined: 12/28/2008
Status: offline 		John asked me to post this here too, so here the new version;

http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/8/1/2529503/Scen70_ReluctantAdmiral_v3.zip

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Post #: 41
RE: The Curtain Opens - 4/30/2010 11:12:47 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Thanks. I'll download the files after I get the turn back from Michael. Thank goodness we didn't have to re-do the opening for Japanese or Allies!

FatR, Tone, and anyone else playing RA--Have a good time with your game.

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Post #: 42
Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 12:46:58 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		After issuing orders to 1,000,000 combat formations Michael gets his turn back to me and we are now up and running. I figure we'll do a minimum of one turn per day and perhaps two so this should move reasonably fast.

Combat Report
December 8, 1941

Operations continue to slowly gather themselves and, with only one exception, resistance is quite weak in the air.

Philippines
Aparri will fall tomorrow. Should have fallen today but I...ahhhh...forgot to order the attack!

The Army gets into the air assault with the Navy by hitting Allied troops and AF in Northern Luzon.

Manila sees the only resistance of the day. There are numerous attacks in the morning and afternoon:

1. A Sweep of 45 Zeros (KB-2 and Formosa) runs into nearly every P-40 the Americans own! A total of 51 American fighter climb up to meet the attack. It is a massive furball! By the end of the battle the Allies lose 8 P-40 in exchange for 5 Zero. Most importantly the Zeros knockdown the Fighters for the upcoming attacks.

2. From the Mini-KB a raid of 47 Zero and 18 Kate race in sink 2 xAKL. They face only a few P-40s and manage easily brish them aside. Three are shot down for no loss.

3. The KB-2 then sends in a small raid of 8 Zero and 12 Val fight their way through 4 fighters and hit an AO with 8 bombs in Manila Harbor.

4. Formosa then adds 8 Zero and 30 Betty on a Port Strike. They hit nothing but manage to shoot down 2 Fighters at a loss of 1 Zero and 2 Betty.

5. Final raid of the day is a big one coming from KB-2 in the form of an UNESCORTED strike of 5o Vals and 54 Kates. About have a kitten when I see no Zeros but, thankfully, there is nothing to oppose them and they do quite well sinking DDs Pope and Peary, 2 xAP, and an AO.

The Port is now nearly 50% damaged and the Japanese do manage to knock those P-40s down pretty well. Their morale won't be able to take that kind of action for long. Expected Michael to form-up into TF so I kept the two CV TF nearby and they smacked the shipping pretty well.

The KB-2 will move SW two hexes and hit Manila Bay again if needed.

Meanwhile to the south the CVE TF of Hosho and Taiyo fly a strike in the morning and afternoon sinking 2 xAKL and an AVD moving south from Mindanao.

Managed to have all three CV TF sink ships and do damage. Got to like that. I did not use a single Torpedo. I am highly aware of NEVER having enough of them! Tomorrow I authorized one CV in each of the three TF to load Torps if needed. Already said where KB-2 is moving so lets hit the other two: Mini-KB will move into the center of the Philppines while the CVEs move SW to try and catch any shipping moving towards Tarakan and/or Balikpapan.

Malaya
NO aerial resistance again. Bombers hit Alor Star, Georgetown, and Kota Bharu.

Finish unloading at Kota and will attack tomorrow. Order over 150 bombers to hit the troops there to aid in taking the base.

PARAS!
My Paratroopers make their presence known by capturing Victoria Point and Mergui. Great! Order 54 Transports to airlift in two Base Forces and move in some recon as well as a Kate Chutai and Betty Chutai. Always feel that this is an area that needs to be grabbed so shipping moving around Port Blair and Rangoon can be interdicted as soon as possible.

TF Movement:
1. KB angles away SW from PH without spotting anything. They are not spotted either.
2. Wake Invasion Force departs Kwajalein.
3. Truk sees four Invasion Forces depart: Rabaul 1 (144th Inf Reg), Rabaul 2 (Imperial Guards Brig), Lae, and Kavieng.
4. Davao and Jolo Invasion Forces moving out well.
5. Sendai loads the rest of the 2nd Inf Div for Cagayan.
6. Singakwang and Palembang Invasion Forces moving to their rendezvous point South of Saigon.

Subs
Let's here it for the AI! I ordered four SS to head for the Indian Ocean and two of them decide to travel directly THROUGH the Singapore minefield. CRAP. Lose I-162 and I-164. I'm sooooo glad the AI can help in these things...

On the other hand:
I-122 sinks an xAP North of Soerabaja
I-165 sinks a CMc just off of Singapore


A decent round just hate losing a pair of SS for no reason.


< Message edited by John 3rd -- 5/2/2010 12:47:41 AM >

_____________________________



Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 43
RE: Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 5:42:10 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Michael is working on his turn getting things straightened out. He is quite meticulous (Sp?) and an excellent player. Should be fun trying to get into each other's head throughout the fight. We spoke earlier today (well twice actually in the morning and just an hour or so ago)and he asked why I used Paras for Victoria Point?

I told him 'I simply wanted to!' The reason, of course, is to get Base Forces there ASAP and prevent anything going into or out of Rangoon. Would like to grab everything there if possible. For this reason I put the 2 Para SNLF and 1st Raiding Force on the Thai Border. The three units, when filled out, will pack almost 200 AV and I can use that massed punch for later in Northern Burma/Eastern India.

This leads to the bigger question of where is my real thrust for this game? Michael, I am sure will plan on me gobbling up all of the Pacific and move against Australia in a big way. While true that I plan to thrust South and create a line along the area of PM--Milne Bay--Lunga and grab NW Australia, my real intent is a move into Eastern India.

We have spoken about this a lot in the 2x2 and since it probably isn't going to happen, I think my view will be for a 'hook' in attempting to destroy the Burma Army and gain valuable space to keep those 4E pests away from my resources. I like this idea because my worthy opponent KNOWS how much I hate land warfare, therefore, I shall emphasize it in this game!

This is another reason why I split the KB. There are 7 CVs in the DEI (2 CV, 3 CVL, and 2 CVE)and they will own the seas. Want to sink ships, sink ships, and sink ships. Those Carriers will support and GRAND PLAN for this campaign.

By thrusting into Singkawang and Palembang, it is my intention to grab Java as fast as possible and then use those forces for 'the Hook' into India. It should be fun and a total surprise to Michael.

How does that fit into trying to get into your opponent's head?

PS--Has Nemo posted his Psyche profile yet over in Michael's Thread?!! Haven't seen a Posting listed but I'll put money down that it has happened!

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Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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Post #: 44
RE: Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 11:58:03 AM   
Tone


Posts: 161
Joined: 9/2/2009
From: Around The Sun
Status: offline 		John if you are aim operation at eastern of India what is plan for Ceylon. Do you feel that you have to invade of Ceylon to guard west flank. or do you thinking of Mobile Fleet can neutralize Ceylon bases.
Are you planning of Carriers Striking Force two remain in two forces. or operating of full Carriers Striking Force in Indian Ocean operations. Thank you Tone.

_____________________________

Both the victor
and the vanquished are
but drops of dew,
but bolts of lightning -
thus should we view the world.
Ôuchi Yoshitaka
1507-1551

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 45
RE: Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 1:21:00 PM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline 		Just sent the first turn of my game to Yubari. God, giving orders to almost a thousand of ships and units was exhausting. I don't think I'll be able to start my own AAR, so I'll put my thoughts on production here, for John and everyone else's who is interested here:

1)Vehicles I increased to about 140. Armament should be fine.

2)Increases in naval planes production in this mod are not backed by appropriate engine factory expansions, so both Mitsubishi Ha-32 and Nakajima Ha-35 must be expanded immediately. Ha-32 moreso, due to my changes in plane production and low reserve. I used factories that make trash engines for this, but even after repurposing all of them they must be expanded quite a lot. In stock, it's better to create and excess of Ha-35s in the beginning, because you'll use it throughout the war and Ki-44 uses it as well. In this mod, as in RL, Ki-44 flies on Nakajima Ha-34 (which production I'll be expanding to create stockpiles by the time Ki-44 and Ki-49 become available). And Ha-35 becomes obsolete in 1944. So I plan to minimaly expand the huge Ha-35 plant at Maebashi, just to avoid shortages at the beginning and to create two mid-sized plants, which will be relatively easy to repurpose. There will be demand for Ha-32s throughout the war, but with a noticeable drop in 42/9, when Ki-21 goes of production to be replaced by Ki-49. So, I plan to produce it at three plants of roughly equal size, and switch one of them to Ha-34 on 42/9.

3)Toko Rocket and Kayaba Argus engine research will be used to speed up Mitshubishi Ha-43.

4)Planes.

Naval fighter: With changes in this mod, naval fighters are in good shape. I'll be using all of the available types, to test their strengths and weaknesses.
J8M is axed.

Naval fighter-bomber: Sen Baku research is shifted to A6M7. Just because some airgroups cannot really use anything else.

IJN nightfighters: IJN gets a lot of night fighter groups, but its night fighters suck, save for Denko, which is available on 46/1 and therefore has a very slim chance of mattering at all. At least, I axed night fighter versions of Myrt and Judy. Irving S, unfortunately, must remain, because some potential night fighter groups require it for upgrades. Otherwise, it's inferior to A6M8-S and P1Y2-S.

IJN land bomber: It is unclear whether Francis can replace Betty. No real acceleration anywhere. Research/production of naval Ki-67s (Yasukuni) will be expanded if and only if the land-based version proves itself great and if my economics will allow for it.

Carrier attack planes: A bit more reseach shifted to Judy. Myojo is cancelled.

IJN Patrol: H8K all the way. No expansion, but the Mavis plant is converted to them.

IJN Floatplanes: I plan to use E15K Norm to partially replace Jake. Partially because E13A1b is superior as an ASW plane. In stock Norm is not worth building ever, but in this mod it has good range. The production of Jake is increased slightly. Pete will be produced at 3/month until I find a better use for its plant.

IJN Transport: I'm undecided whether to keep the transport version of Mavis or Emily. Both remain in research for now. Besides them, only transport Betties will be built.

IJA Fighters: Ida plant and the smaller Nate plant are converted to Ki-43-Ic. The larget Nate plant will keep building Nates until running out of engines. I plan to heavily accelerate Ki-44-Ia, Ki-84a, Ki-84b and mildly accelerate Ki-83. And Ki-44b, if it is at all possible. Ki-84b, which has service rating of 2 in this mod, will be the end fighter of IJAAF. To make my ambitious research plans possible, I switched alot of small research factories to Ki-44-Ia. If any acceleration is obtained, these small factories will be shifted to researching fighters up the line, just before Ki-44-Ia becomes available.
The fighter version of Ki-93, the fighter version of Ki-102, Ki-61s, except for the pinnacle version, which I want to build in small numbers for homeland defense, and Ki-202 are removed from research.

IJA Fighter-bombers: IJAAF doesn't get much fighter-bomber units until 1945. Too bad, because its fighter bombers are not that bad. I plan to use Ki-45s whenever possible and midly accelerate Ki-102b for late war. It has poor ceiling, but I doubt that even carpet-bombig B-29s can hit much from higher than 30k.
The fighter-bomber version of Ki-93 and Ki-119 are axed. So is the research of the Nick's upgrade - I'll get it anyway, in due time.

IJA Night Fighters: IJAAF has better nightfighters than IJNAF, but very few units. They'll fly the nightfighter versions of Ki-45 and the Ki-102 as they become available. The latter is midly accelerated. Other nightfighters are cancelled.

IJA Bombers: Ki-21 -> Ki-49-IIa -> Ki-67-Ia(T). This seems to be the way to go both in the stock and in this mod. In the stock you must ignore other versions of Ki-67, here 67-Ia(T) will just upgrade to Ki-67-Ib, retaining the ability to carry a torp. I devoted a lot of research facilities to accelerating Ki-67-Ia(T), even skipping Ia altogether (it has less bombload than Ki-49. As about everything else, Ki-48s will not be built, because they just eat too much air support, HI and pilots for their pathetic payload. Their divebombing ability does not entice me, because a 100-kg bomb hardly can sink anything and I can just skipbomb with Helens, once IIa is available. I converted Ki-48 plant to Ki-21 right away. Ki-49-Ia will be build in limited number for ASW purposes, but only after IIa, with its armor and superior range, is available, Ki-21 production will be switched to Ki-49. Ki-51 will be built in limited numbers for squadrons fighting in China. I'll decide later, whether replace it completely or not.

IJA Transport: Topsy -> Helen KAI. Topsy is chosen to optimize engine use and because MC-21 Sally lacks range. Only Topsies and Helen KAIs will be built.


5)Ship conversions. Lima xAK - all available hulls to xAK-t. Two of the Husimi xAKs - to AS. Ansyu xAK - all available hulls to PB. Kiso xAKL - 70% to ACM, 30% to PB. To'su xAKL - 30% to ACM, 70% to PB (I want to use them as my main escort around Home Islands).

(in reply to Tone)
Post #: 46
RE: Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 3:08:06 PM   
Athius

 

Posts: 73
Joined: 9/12/2009
Status: offline 		@ Fatr Why would you accelerate the Ki-44a? (I assume you mean the Ki-44IIa) Its due for spring 1942, so there's not much time to repair R$D factory's, and even if you manage to repair them al before FEB 1942 (highly unlikely) You can't accelerate the plane more than a few months. In a time when you're Ki-43c's do just as well.

If you accelerate a Ki-44 fighter I would accelerate the Ki-44IIC variant; decent speed, decent maneuver, decent armament (4 50 cals) and, service rating of 1 (rare in late war japanese aircraft) and, for the first time in the ki-44 series: Armor.
Although its nothing special in 1944/1945 its 'sufficient', especially if you manage to move it up a few months.

(in reply to FatR)
Post #: 47
RE: Dec 8, 1941 - 5/2/2010 3:18:02 PM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Athius

@ Fatr Why would you accelerate the Ki-44a? (I assume you mean the Ki-44IIa) Its due for spring 1942,

No, actually IIa (ugh, messed up the designation) is available for 42/9 both in stock and this mod. Only in JuanG's mods it is accelerated. I don't want to be stuck with Ki-43 until autumn. And I want to test how effective acceleration by concentrating many size 2 to 4 factories is. By the time of IIc I'll have Franks. And I believe that Frank is superior, despire high service rating, although this remains to be tested. Now, in Juan's CV Enhanced and BB Enhanced mods, Ki-44-IIIa makes the Ki-44 line the best IJAAF choice for practically the entire war, but we have no such plane here.




< Message edited by FatR -- 5/2/2010 3:21:53 PM >

(in reply to Athius)
Post #: 48
Production Choices - 5/3/2010 3:30:42 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		FatR--Thanks for your recommendations. Our initial engine thinking was pretty close for expansion purposes. Glad to see that. I'm letting a few turns go by before a wholesale shift in things so I can get a good Tracker read on things.

Since you won't have an AAR, could you please Post observations/issues/thoughts here?


_____________________________



Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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(in reply to FatR)
Post #: 49
December 9, 1941 - 5/3/2010 4:25:19 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		As things begin to pick-up, a more comprehensive plan begins to emerge for the Campaign. It seems funny to say this but I was soooo focused on getting the Mod finished and running that I hadn't taken ANY time to plan a coherent strategy for the war. My fixation on getting Reluctant Admiral from the drawing board to actual running order took precedence and now I am, finally, starting to focus on the actual War and NOT whether the plane tops are right or if I should have increased production of this or that!

Combat Report
December 9, 1941

Since there is some real excitement here, let me start with Sub Operations:
The Skippers on both sides must be highly nervous in going to war because there are nine attacks by Subs on this day and NONE are successful! We see Duds and missed shots throughout to Pacific. Japanese Examples: I-155 misses two shots on the same AP NW of Batavia but the BIG GAME if the turn is found at hex 152,94 as Ro-65 fires a full spread of Torps at the immense bulk of the USS Lexington. THEY MISS! CRAP! What a chance earlier in the war...the Commander does, however, get off a Contact Report...

It appears my minefields laid at each end of Java are working. On both the 8th and 9th I here the sound of mine explosions. The mines laid outside of Manila are a standard opening move so I felt this might be a decent change. Seems to be working for the moment.

Philippines
Iba and Manila AF are hit again.
1. A sweep of 9 Zeros over Iba shot down all 3 P-26 flying CAP there and the Raid (32 Zero and 40 Betty) then do moderate amounts of damage to the AF.
2. The air battle continues to really be over the skies of Manila. The first Raid comes in the form of 39 Zero and 25 Betty against 22 P-40. The fight is pretty solid with 1 Zero and 3 Betty falling in exchange for 2 P-40 and 35 Runway Hits. Raid Two comes in unescorted () with 33 Nells but only 2 Fighters oppose them. For no losses 2 P-40 and a PBY are destroyed on the ground with the AF getting 73 hits.

I begin disbursing the Betty and Nell towards Malaya so they can get into the ship action. Decide to send my whole bombers force against Clark next turn so it stays closed.

Naval Action
After finding out that Manila is not safe either in Port or in TF form, Michael releases the Thundering Herd! A large group of them run into a STF of CA Ashigara, a CL, and 3 DD. These five ships sink 6 AKL, 1 TK, and AS Otis. AS Canopus and an AK manage to flee and not get hurt except for a solitary shell hit on each.

NOTE: Juan--Your ammo re-tool works pretty well. The ships sunk are dispatched with a minimum of shellfire but in regular AE they would be OUT of shells. Your changes fix it for me to be able to see another day of action before going home. Makes sense since they were targeting Merchants and not needing a lot of hits for sinkings.

Carrier Action
KB-2 Sinks AS Canopus and continues a slow move SW. They on station one more day before leaving to join the Singkawang, Palembang, Merak Invasions.

Mini-KB, moving through the central Philippines, hit 4 AM but only get 1 to sink immediately.

CVE TF sinks another pair of AKL. They take-up station between Tarakan and Balikpapan.

From Babeldoap I form-up two new Invasion TF to hit Tarakan and Manado. The Jolo and Davao IF should hit their targets on the 10th and 11th.

Malaya
Kota Bharu falls and I immediately move Fighters into the base. Also move a Chutai of Vals and Kates here to harrass shipping. Luckily nothing is damaged at Kota Bharu so the base goes into quick operation. Have a TF containing multiple Base Forces that should offload them tomorrow.

Decide to pull BB Nagato and Mutsu from the Covering Force and send it down to Mersing to draw Michael's attention there while the real Landing Forces get organized South of Saigon. It is a zip-in and Zip-out mission so there should be any aerial danger. To be safe I CAP the TF with 18 Zero. There is a danger of mines and this is why I chose not to bombard the hex. Want focus Michael there but not risk my heavy units more then needed.

Hit Alor Star and Georgetown with bombers--no resistance--and pound the Kota troops prior to taking the base.

Victoria Point sees over 70 Japanese TR flying in and out shuttling in two large Base Forces. A Chutai of Kates, Zeros, Mavis, and Nells move in to commence operations.

The Pacific
Northern Lights
At Ominato TF begin loading the Amchitka and Attu Invasion Forces. These consist of a small Infantry unit and two Engineering units each. Both invasions shall be Covered by 4 DD each. The Northern Fleet HQ is moving to Paramushiro Jima along with some fuel and supplies.

Central Pacific
The Contact Report by Ro-65 leads the KB to swing itself around and move toward French Frigate Shoals hoping for a possible intercept of Lexington. Good Thoughts and any Sacrifices to the Gods are now made.

This move might surprise Michael as I always head straight SW with KB so I can Cover the Southern Pacific Landings. We'll have to see what he chooses to do.

Guam Falls. The Naval Guard that does this will become the garrison of Marcus for the short-term.

The Wake IF should land on the 11th. It is Covered by 2 CL and 5 DD. Slight chance that Lexington or Enterprise might double back and cause trouble here... Must say I wouldn't mind that as it would allow KB to between them and home.

Ocean Island is taken.

South Pacific
The Kavieng, Rabaul, and Lae Invasions Forces are roughly halfway to their targets.

Planning:
As said at the start, I truly begin to work into my planning this turn. I have the forces allocated for taking Palembang and Singkawang. These TF--heavily escorted by 2 BB and 12-14 warships--are almost due south of Saigon. KB-2 (reinforced with CVL Rhujo (28 Zero)) will provide direct Air Support. I expect heavy aerial resistance from the Allies so I need those extra Fighters.

Both sets of Assault TF will travel together. First Singkawang then a move SW to Palembang. It is this move that should tip Michael to a different strategy. The Kitchen Sink will be thrown at them here. I will protect my shipping by the KB-2 as well as Zeros flying from the freshly taken Singkawang.

Just as thing look like they are settling down, the Merak Invasion Force carrying the 4th Inf Div will appear and land at that base. It will then be reinforced by the 21st Inf Div and the taking of Java will be well and truly underway.

As to questions posed earlier by readers:
1. Southward expansion shall be limited to (in the Initial Phase of Operations) to Rabaul, PM, Milne Bay, and Lunga. To make Michael THINK Australia is my target I am thinking of a diversionary landing at Pleasonton to make him think this is my direction of thinking. Putting these limits on my movements is REALLY challenging to my normal thinking and desires so, therefore, I will do it to confuse Michael.

2. Victoria Point will become the nexus of my Air Operations. Once I have enough Base Forces, I will move my Paras there so they can prepare for the Port Blair Operation.

3. Yes--Ceylon must be dealt with and we'll have to see how much force I'll land there. Must make sure to state that I won't stay there with anything big. Will take, sweep the island of troops, and then withdraw all but a delaying force to make him take it back.

4. I will try the India Hook. The question is where do I land. Diamond Harbor could be dangerous but Chittagong isn't too appealing either. Does anyone have a recommendation?







Attachment (1)

< Message edited by John 3rd -- 5/3/2010 4:29:25 PM >

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Post #: 50
December 10, 1941 - 5/4/2010 4:14:46 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Been sitting and stewing in my own juices since watching the turn for the 10th yesterday afternoon.

As described above I sent BB Nagato and Mutsu on a coastal sweep to Mersing. I had placed a Daitai of Zeros on LR CAP and put the TF on Full Speed to go from Kota Bharu to Mersing and back. Well they got to Mersing and STAYED there. The entire British AF flew out of Singapore and sank both of them. Scratch two of six Japanese BB on the third day of the war. They stayed there all day (remain on station NOT set), had no CAP, and died.

So...I guess...that is that.

As I said...stewing in my juices right now...not happy.

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Post #: 51
RE: December 10, 1941 - 5/4/2010 6:36:35 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I feel your pain.  FT and bombardment TFs do not reliably arrive at and depart a destination hex during the course of a night as they are supposed to do.  They frequently will stay at the destination hex to become victims of LBA.  I have had this happen so often that I now make all plans based on the assumption that my ships will remain in place.  If I don't like the risks that entails I don't chance the mission.

That's a tough loss for you to absorb at the dawn of the war.

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 52
RE: December 10, 1941 - 5/4/2010 7:55:24 PM   
JuanG


Posts: 906
Joined: 12/28/2008
Status: offline 		Ouch. That is a nasty loss - the fact that the circumstances that caused it resulted from the game messing up makes it all the more bitter. Those were also pretty much the only BBs besides the Yamatos that stand a decent chance against the USNs new ships.

I wonder what kind of effect this sort of "reverse Force Z" would have had on the Japanese "Gun Club"...on one hand I can see them demanding more new Battleships at the expense of everything else (shades of Modified Circle 5 construction program after Midway), on the other hand I might imagine them being lined up and shot...

Solution? More carriers...

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Post #: 53
RE: December 10, 1941 - 5/4/2010 7:58:28 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Thanks guys. I had this happen before when I started playing AE with the Guadalcanal Mod. Totally depressing...


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Post #: 54
RE: December 10, 1941 - 5/4/2010 9:27:03 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JuanG

Ouch. That is a nasty loss - the fact that the circumstances that caused it resulted from the game messing up makes it all the more bitter. Those were also pretty much the only BBs besides the Yamatos that stand a decent chance against the USNs new ships.

I wonder what kind of effect this sort of "reverse Force Z" would have had on the Japanese "Gun Club"...on one hand I can see them demanding more new Battleships at the expense of everything else (shades of Modified Circle 5 construction program after Midway), on the other hand I might imagine them being lined up and shot...

Solution? More carriers...


Made me laugh Juan. Perhaps we start Circle Five and Six RIGHT NOW!

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Post #: 55
Learning Curve - 5/6/2010 9:53:51 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Michael and I haven't been cranking out the turns due to various reasons but we do manage about one a day. While the early days play out it has dawned me just how little I know about this revamped game. Played the Guadalcanal Scenario for about a month's game time and didn't really pick up TOO much there since it is on such a small scale. I then shifted to playing the 2x2 Shipwreck of Our Hopes which moves at such a slow pace we are only in early-to-mid-January after two months of play. In that game I have most of the Pacific and have learned a few things (Patrol Zones and some Landing issues for example) but really haven't had to coordinate much.

Shifting to this Campaign and having the entire Pacific--air, land, and sea--to work with has come as a deep shock. I feel like a rookie again when I started playing Greg Moses in WitP! This is not a welcome feeling and it has been quite a shock. Feel like I'm making dumb mistakes and fighting the lessons learned by others the hard way.

Additionally, I have realized that there is no privacy in playing the turns here at home. When I'm home in the mornings I've got one or both kids and when I'm home at night I've got the wife as well. Can do stuff at work but it is disjointed due to it being AT WORK. These realizations have been stunning. Not what I expected at all. In my WitP Campaigns, due to life issues, I had all the time in the world to think, plan, and scheme as much as I wanted. Certainly is NOT the case now!

Considering life events over the last few years the above paragraph is wonderful to write but very hard to process as a player. Have always sought to be a solid, creative and dastardly Japanese Opponent in any game I've played. Now I must find a balance between home/family and play time.

All these thoughts have led me and Michael to chat a bunch about life. We're still rolling forward but we'll treat this as a learning campaign with me as the Rookie just like his with Stanislav. This not at all what I had planned and hoped for in terms of play and challenging my worthy opponent.

Just thought I'd let the readers know as he and I continue moving forward.

EDIT: Added or tried to clarify this thinking several times.


< Message edited by John 3rd -- 5/6/2010 10:44:53 PM >

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Post #: 56
December 10-13, 1941 - 5/7/2010 11:07:30 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Michael are getting at least a turn or two in a day. Yesterday was good in that we got in two. I'm attempting to recover my offensive spirit after losing those BBs for no reason whatsoever. As said above I will treat this as a learning scenario and will post questions at the end of my Combat Reports.

I will cover Theatre by Theatre for this four day period of time:

North Pacific
Three TF have left Ominato to reinforce Paramushiro Jima and capture Amchitka. Don't expect any opposition whatsoever but have 6 DD running as Cover just in case. There are 2-3 small Construction Battalions going to each base as well as an SNLF for Amchitka. A large Base Force will follow-on to Amchitka in a week or so.

Central Pacific
Wake is invaded on December 11th and the Invasion Force get hammered by the CD. Anyone whining about CD not doing too much should have seen this! The guns got off 163 shots and sank 2 large AMC and damaged 3-4 other ships. It was hard to watch. Thought I had it well in hand since I bombarded with 2 CL and 4 DD and had a CL and 2 DD imbedded within the Invasion Force. To top it off, I could take the atoll.

Grrrr...got a 1-1 on the first attack and lowered the Forts to Zero. Continued off-loading the supplies on the 12th with no attack. The 13th saw a coordinated Naval Bombardment (somewhat effective), Air Strike (27 Betty @ 5,000 Ft doing 156 Cas), and then a Shock Attack that got 1-1. Am now waiting for a Fast TF to bring in another Infantry unit in two-three days for a final attack.

Guess that those Marines ARE TOUGH!

Ocean Island and the other resource Island to its west are mine and a TF is moving towards Lunga as we speak.

The KB continues to prowl in the Hawaii--Midway--Johnston area. They announce their presense in sinking an AKL east of French Frigate Shoal on the 11th. This is very different for me to do but I'd hoped to catch Lady Lex after an Ro- took a shot and missed(DRAT!) SW of Midway. Have a rendezvous set for the KB, a small TF with CS Chiyoda (more search planes) and 2 DD, and my AOs. Will refuel and then move out.

South Pacific
The 11th-13th sees a ton of activity with Kavieng falling on the 12th, Lae getting invaded on the 13th, and Rabaul being assaulted on the 13th (2-1 dropping Forts to Zero but not taking the base). Rabaul should fall tomorrow and then I can move a second Base Force as well as HQ unit into this important place. Will move bunches of engineers in so I can develop the AF to Sz-7.

NAVAL ACTION: My Cover Force for Rabaul and the future Port Moresby Invasion are the 4 CA and 4 DD that normally hit Guam. They Sweep into Rabaul on the 12th and catch two xAP and a PG. I'll bet they were there to evacuate the units present. NOPE! Not happening...

Once I have Rabaul I will unload everybody and drop off Imperial Guards Brigade while I bring in the units I spoke about above. This should take about a week of time and then we'll load the two large Inf units and move on Port Moresby. Invasion Date is set for about Christmas.

The Philippines
Michael has chosen an interesting option for the Thundering Herd of Manila Bay. After my CA TF sank those 10 ships, he pulled everything back into the Manila hex where they have served as bait to my Zero and Betty anti-shipping strikes. I say bait because he has placed every single American fighter over the base and it has been NASTY!

The 10th/11th/12th see stout American resistance over the Harbor. I disagreeably lose roughly 1.5-2 for every one of his I shoot down. Multiple Sweeps, Strikes (Port, Naval, and AF) come in each day and do damage but the cost to my Zeros has been rather surprising. NO ZERO BONUS now...a number of Allied ships have been sunk but until the 13th, resistance in the air was pretty tough.

Northern Luzon is mine and I am now starting the 2nd Lift into the bases to strengthen my hold there.

Landed at Davao on the 11th and took it on the 12th. Cagayan will be invaded on the 14th. Will take Mindanao ASAP and then use those forces to advance into the Eastern DEI, Timor, and Darwin.

Eastern DEI
No activity.

Central DEI
The Tarakan Invasion Force and Balikpapan Invasion Forces are either on the move or loading right now.

Jolo fell on the 111th and no has about 75 planes flying out of it.

Western DEI
My plans will fully unfold over the next couple of days as I will land at Singkawang on the 14th, take it on the 15th, bring in planes, and then move onto Palembang on the 16th or 17th. Merak, Java will then be invaded by the 20th of December. These moves will be Covered by KB-2 (Akagi, Kaga, and Ryujo) and LBA from Singkawang.

Malaya
Excluding a certain event at Mersing, Operations here look very good. The British are withdrawing all the way down the Peninsula expecting me to land at Mersing. Not gonna happen. Imperial Guards and the other units that started with them just arrived, by strategic movement, and Singora and are now changing over to combat mode. They will then drive South until running into something. Have backed off my LBA since he isn't fighting and, instead, order Ground Unit Air Strikes at the towns hoping to hit him in Strategic Mode.

Thailand-Burma
I have all my Paratroopers moving to Victoria Point where they will stage the Invasion of Port Blair. About 60 aircraft are flying out of VP right now hunting for shipping.

Base Forces are moving to Tavoy so I can get that AF up and running. More BF are moving to Pisanlouke to provide Air Support for when I need to move planes there also.

Home Islands
1. Have began conversions to AKE and AK to Transports. Have about six of the first and twenty of the last working on that.
2. Expanded my Zero Engines.
3. Am not messing with HI, Shipyards, or LI until I get a good read by Tracker.
4. Boosted research on Tojo and expanded Sally/Helen production some. Zero, Kate, Val, Betty, and Emily are all good.
5. Started Resource and Oil Convoys moving.

China
Moving troops to get into position to take the remaining Port cities and nearby towns. Will attempt to sweep the Chinese out of Japanese Territory.

SS Action
Dec 10th
Catch THIS--Japanese ASW sinks KXI at Singora

Dec 11th
I-6 misses AP Mataroa TWICE at Suva but then sinks AP Matwa
O-16 puts TWO TT into CVE Taiyo NE of Makassar Strait---CRAP!!! Doubt if she'll make it but the ship is limping towards Davao. Pretty certain she is a goner.

Dec 12th
Nothing

Dec 13th
I-1 sinks an AKL and then an AK at (214,89) Nice work. She also took a shot at a DD but missed.
I-6 sinks AP Katoomba at Suva
SS Seawolf hits CVE Taiyo but Torp is a DUD. It'll sink anyway...

I-1 and I-6 now each have two sinkings. Good work for their commanders.

QUESTIONS:
1. How do I set the minimum supply and fuel setting for Bases. I've got several Home Island cities with no supply.
2. Which Class of AK do people like to convert to PB?
3. What are other 'essential' moves for AE that I need to be aware of?


< Message edited by John 3rd -- 5/7/2010 11:10:36 PM >

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Post #: 57
RE: December 10-13, 1941 - 5/9/2010 8:13:36 AM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline 		I already mentioned above what I intend to do for PB conversions.

As about essential moves, you need to make sure that your air industry centers have enough supply, by carefully using the Supply Draw button. Normally all supply just flows to Tokyo. You also need to set your restricted air units to train harder (and pull experienced pilots from them to reserve, leaving only 1-2 per unit). I now believe 100% training is the way to go.

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 58
RE: December 10-13, 1941 - 5/9/2010 11:38:30 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Gonna start the PB conversions in a day or two.

How does one set the Supply Draw button? Noticed yesterday that Tokyo DOES have nearly all the supply of the Home Islands (nearly 1,000,000!). Three of my aircraft centers had LESS then 1,000 supply in there hex! Nuts.

Michael and I got in two turns today so that is pretty good. Should be able to do an update tomorrow.

We took my Father (in UN-STUCK van) to see the aquarium today in Denver and then had a family night at home. Rather pleasant. Work tomorrow and then am attending a Native Pow-Wow for the rest of the afternoon. Busy weekend.



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Post #: 59
RE: December 10-13, 1941 - 5/9/2010 1:22:22 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Go to the base screen, top left you should see supply, supply required, etc. The supply draw buttons are there as well.

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 60
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