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

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The Big Picture - 8/31/2011 4:17:06 PM

Crackaces

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The airwar in Ragoon has been intersting. Looking at the combat reports we have been shooting down aircraft but there have been times of increasing numbers flying the escorts. The next raid will be very telling. He is either moving stuff from CAP or my reports and FOW are very wrong or a combinatino of both. I am going to bomb Pegu with 8 LB's escorted by 24 hurricanes [if they show up

] This will bring out the Oscar CAP [sweeping Pegu is not showing any resistance] and let me know if my hunch is correct.

There are four stages of ignorance Blissfully, Knowingly, Confidently, and Arrogantly ignorant. It is not a matter of knowing but how you perceive the truths you do not know about.

I blissfully thought I understood the SoPac theater but today I had a huge leap into knowingly ignorant. As I looked at Ndeni and Tabitiueua I began to understand the importance of Tarawa and Ocean Island as a part of the big picture. For example, I had been running well south due to these bases but taking them out cuts a full 4 days off the reinforcement/supply of Luganville and Ndeni. At the same time it supports my island hopping campaign.

Eventually I will reach the confidently ignorant stage in this game where I am confident in what I do not know and really see the big picture come together.

The build up continues. One thing I note is that there is a distinct lack of BF's and varity.[naval vs. aviation support] early in this game. It forces a concentration on a single front. For example, Tabitiueua area will take at least smaller 3 BF's for the surrounding islands, but right now all I have is the big 100 Naval support BF's unless I reallocate and move a lot of stuff around. I really hate using the Big BF's for a small mission . and it takes a long time to get them reloaded for a new mission from teh small islands and attols. The good news is that Tarawa/Ocean island are not built up yet and it will take him some time to build up the needed infrastrcuture to supress Tabitiueua ...Ndeni is not in this position.

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 8/31/2011 4:18:58 PM >

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Post #: 61

RE: The Big Picture - 9/1/2011 7:38:54 PM

Crackaces

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After the Ragoon attack I am noticing that my stronger 75+ pilots are coming back from hell but my weaker just trained pilots are facing their fate. If this goes for the other side as well .. we both are creating a few super pilots that devour the weak. This might reinforce the thought of keeping only the best trained forces engaged and not releasing pilots too soon into the wild. The good news is ... he is still losing 2:1 on all fronts and 3:1 over the skies of Ragoon.

Ndeni achived airfield 3 status today and received a complement of fighters and a B-26 Bomber squadron 62 exp (4 planes). It stormy right now but soon Tulgi will hear the drone of twin engines, the sounds of twisted metal and teh sights off bright flames and burning fuel ...

The Conversion of xAK's to AP's has been completed. I have 30 AP's and 20 AK's amassing at San Francisco from 4 locations to transport INF and ENG units to PH. Very soon I will have 4 Divisions preping for Tarawa and Ocean Island at the staging point. The I AUS continues to deploy to Ndeni and Luganville. A SAG consisting of 5 BB's and support ships along with a 2 CV CVTF continues to patrol beween Tabitueua and Ndeni. If he intends to interdict with a SAG only TF he will get quite a surprise.

The SAG will shift missions next week and bombard Ocean Is.. This will give me an idea of how much stuff he has in this location. This will determine what will recieve teh US wrath first. I want to take out the weaker point, establish a presenence then take out the stronger point. If both are equal at 4.8K troops or as Alfred has explained about 160 AV .... Tarawa is the first target.

The IJN continue to fly patrols on my outpost ...as I am continuing to perfrom Naval searches with Cat's over his outposts and sea lanes.

I suspect the India raid is coming .. I am moving stuff from India and Colombo to Mombassa and CT.

More later ...

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Post #: 62

ASW Strategy II - 9/2/2011 7:04:31 PM

Crackaces

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I have a screen shot below of PH. A look at the weather and you wil see Rain forecasted with 100% moonlight. I assume two different algorithums at work. Maybe if it is not raining the moon shows up

However, what it means to me is airplane sorties are not going to work at well and his submarines are going to get clear shots at anything intercepted.

There is one more thing that is happening in this picture. As stated before I am doing ASW patrols outside of ports and then merging with incoming convoys along with aoviding known sub contacts. It is through that strategy I am able to keep things going into and out of PH without attriition. The ASW algorithum is interesting and my observations are that:

1. The leadership rating and agressiveness is used to calculate the die roll for finding the sub in the same hex, or reacting toward a contact.
2. The ASW rating governs how much ammo the ASW platform carries initially and effectiveness of the platform in general for ASW.
3. The crew rating at the time of the targeting affects the combat die roll. Leadership seems to have an affect also but given equal leadership rating and ASW the Brit crews with Daytime quality of 72 in a day fight smack a sub .. USN crews with daytime quality in the 50's drop a lot of tincans and make a lot of noise but rare hits. The sub just off PH has been attacked twice a turn for 4 days .. one minor hit.

The good news is that I am tracking my crew experince increasing in the DD force. Eventually I should start seeing some oil slicks ...

No real changes in operations from the last turn. I continue to patrol between Tabetuea and Ndeni with a SCTF and a 2 CVTF patrols near Tabetuea. My forces continue to off load at Luganville and Tabetuea -- Strengthing these positions.

As far as Tarawa and Ocean Island are concerned .. in 3 days it is going to take a considerable effort to reinforce these locations. I will have strike aircraft on Tabetuea able to interdict merchant shipping along with escorts. The CVTF will strike any major SAG. I have strong reason to believe the KB is off refitting, but I have over 20 subs including 3 dutch subs patrolling these waters. My cat's reach teh 10 hexes beyond these targets that will give me fair warning of a KB raid.

I have a major transport convoy going to SF to retireive a little over 1200 AV to stage at PH. Once they get preped up for the invasion it a go on first clear weather day. In the meantime, I will run random bombardment attacks on Tarawa and Ocean island to wear down the supplies and get recon.

The Brit CVTF's are now at Melbourne and are moving to support the Luganville operations. That will leave the Indian Ocean vulnerable for now, but I sense a big combined push where the KB is not will greatly sway the momentium.

More later ..

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Post #: 63

Manilla Falls - 9/2/2011 9:09:28 PM

Crackaces

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It is a very dark day for the Allies as Manilla surrenders on March 3rd, 1942. Clark Field will soon be next

The good news is ..... The Hornet from Balboa, and the Lady Lex from Seattle will arrive in theater [Baker Island Area] in 40 days. I have two escort forces at these locations that enable almost immediate activation into theater. The Wasp is set to arrive at Balboa in 88 days and it takes another 20 days or so to get into theater. That means 6 CV's operating between the Solomons and the Marshal Islands supported by LBA. This should be enough cover to attack Tarawa and Ocean Islands in 1942.

As per my earlier posts, I so no reason to stick my head into the grinder in the Soloman's right now. The IJ player is readying his position and forces now by reinforcing Tulgui and the 'Canal even before PM has fallen. [which I suspect it will given my play so far :( ] However, we can look at this area in 1943.

Right now the focus is on Tarawa,and Ocean Islands in 1942 with the plan to Island Hop to Formosa by 1945. This mantra will get old to my readers, but it reminds me of the focus .. and not to get into a day to day reaction with the IJ's plan.

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Post #: 64

Submarines Again :( - 9/3/2011 1:06:44 AM

Crackaces

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As you can see PH is covered with submarines and DD's ....

Now with that as a background .. there is a thread in our forum where as one of the devleopers reseached and found that about 180 tonnes of shipping was sunk by the Japanese and thus the automatic submarine behavior in the documentation is not correct. While the USN is completly casterated as an ASW force in 1942 the IJN submarines penatrated through 8 DD's that instead of merging with the convoy reacted .. away

Submarine takes shot and of course hits vital tanker ...

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
AO Bishopdale, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

AO Bishopdale is sighted by SS I-26
SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes

The algorithum sometimes makes the IJN subs into super warriors when in fact they preyed on vulnerable ships. The rare exception of the Saratoga was that Spruance crossed over his same wake on the way to Pearl into a common event in the game ... I have lost 5 escorted Tankers and lost the use of the Lady Lex due to submarines ....all this TF's were well escorted ...More so it makes the game frustrating sometimes given the player is trying to protect his ships and yet submarines are absoutely deadly .. even against well escorted convoys in dense ASW patrol areas .. I feel absoutely helpless ...

I have lost way too many escorted tankers ...

Ok rant over .. back to the war ...

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Post #: 65

Hitting Back - 9/3/2011 4:06:26 PM

Crackaces

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Its March 5th 1942. I have a Brit 3 BB 3CL 4DD TF about 1000 miles off of Cacutta. I think it is time now to put a monkey wrench into the IJ's Burma plans. I have loaded up 2 AK's with supplies headed for Ragoon.

The SAG is headed to Moulmein where about 20 Oscars and pilots live and work to cover bombing runs into Ragoon - a little bombardment mission should stir things up a bit.. At the same time, the AK's will try and land supplies into Ragoon. My CAP has been doing a good job of preventing bombing raids but I suspect very soon a lot more planes are going to show up from the Singapore area :/

========================================================================================

I am not sure it is worth keeping around the Marine Squadrons that have to withdraw in June. They have 35 experince and will never be trained enough for deployment into theater. I think next turn I will trade them for PP's.

Right now we have 75 Tankers total in theater. The IJ player has sunk 10 with Submarines. The total in the game is 294, but many are back loaded in the 1944 - 1946 time period. My concern is the rate of escorted tonnage sunk by submarines and my ability to sustain my forward bases. I assume once my 40 experince DD's start getting 70 experince the tables will turn, but for now this is a real problem.

More as things develop ..

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Post #: 66

RE: Hitting Back - 9/3/2011 8:05:08 PM

Crackaces

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My recon of Moulmein shows 4 CL's and 4 DD's in a 8 ship docked TF. This could be a very good prize if I can get the mission off ...

This has been one of thw worse IJN submarine turns:

Submarine attack near Alliford Bay at 201,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Voyager, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Steel Voyager is sighted by SS I-10
SS I-10 launches 4 torpedoes

ubmarine attack near Johnston Island at 167,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
xAK Wind Rush, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Wind Rush is sighted by SS I-5
SS I-5 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Wind Rush

---------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Johnston Island at 167,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
xAK Potter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Potter is sighted by SS I-5
SS I-5 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Potter

So far the Lady Lex is the only single warship has been hit by a sub .. the submarines only seem to prey on my auto convoys ..

This turn was no different hitting Alaska and Oz bound auto-convoys Such if life ..

Of course the USN missed :

Sub attack near Ebadon at 129,117

Japanese Ships
AO Ondo
AO Iro
DD Susuki

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

SS Salmon launches 4 torpedoes at AO Ondo
Salmon diving deep ....
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Ok we contunue yet another turn .. Turn 90 is comming up and I will update this thread on the general picture

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Post #: 67

Turn 90! - 9/4/2011 3:06:53 AM

Crackaces

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I have survived 90 turns! Very quiet .. I am before the storm ..

One thing I have decided to do is reinforce my positions in Nomea. There is a nice base to the North that can be expanded to level 7. In reality I should have been doing so a long time ago but things just happen ...

I have the Brit SAG with now 2 BB's and supporting cast sitting in range of Moulmein I will wait a turn and then strike! Recon shows 2 CL's and 2 AK's in port. 20 Oscars on the field and some aux aricraft. Right ow he has no clue I am comming for dinner .. uninvited ..

Much more to come ..

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Post #: 68

RE: Turn 90! - 9/4/2011 4:45:37 AM

DOCUP

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Interesting Crackaces. You might get lucky? Are these slow BBs or fast BBs? Also does he have any torp planes that can hit ur SAG? Might want to LRCAP your SAG and auto disband your supply TF. Yea I hate the subs early in the game. Not much you can do until you get better ASW for your DDs and the SCs come on board. I will wait and see what happens.

doc

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Post #: 69

RE: Turn 90! - 9/4/2011 3:50:00 PM

Crackaces

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[Rant=on] First and foremost . I think this is the best wargame I have played in my short stay here on earth. I have played quite a few WWII strategic/operational level wargames including the monster Drang Nach Osten ... never could leave it set up long enough :) WitPAE does an excellent job of blending all the differnt parts of war inclusing FOW, logistics, tatics, and details detials details .. all of which when they go wrong .. things happen ..

I will just deal with the submarine warfare thing .. but I think the balance is way too out of wack. I just do not agree with how casterated the USN DD's are intially, and how powerfull and agressive the IJN submarines are.... One tanker was sunk while sailing through no less than 16 DD's, escoerted by another 4 DD's and through 3 PA arcs, detected .. and nobody reacted to find this bugger ... Besides the torps put into the Satatoga where Spruence sails back thorugh his own wake, I cannot find such agressiveness in any scholarlly works. I would suspect the "Order of the Golden Kite" would be recorded for such successful agression.

But I do understand things get better as I build my experince numbers up. [/rant].

Below shows a picture of my Bombardment. We have the 2 BB SAG [slower 21 knts] within range. still undetected. There are 2 Medium Bombers stationed at Port Blair but so far they have not scouted out my forces yet. As Docup suggested, I have 21 Aircraft ready to provide LRCAP over the operational area. I am not sure if he is moving any torperdo planes in yet. So far, I have not observed any torpedo planes just bpmbers and the Oscars .. but Docup might be very well right .. we shall see this turn ...

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 70

RE: Turn 90! - 9/4/2011 6:02:12 PM

Crackaces

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I am quite surprised that the IJN Fanboys have not replied to my submarine rank of the sinking of the Wasp!?!

Here an under-escorted, target rich CVTF stumbles upon an ambush .. however .. it is not the situation as descibed where as a detected submarine [by Air and DD's] endures the risk 16 DD's plus escorts to sink a tanker off PH. But alas ...

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 217,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAP Silksworth, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAP Silksworth is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 4 torpedoes

Sub attack near San Francisco at 217,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
YP-131

SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes at YP-131
I-27 diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub

This is my fault as I did not set up a waypoint south of SF and sneak in ... knowing this submarine patrols at this point ...

This kind of constant detail might set the pace of the game to 1 turn every 2 days. I am in school for my Doctorate and consuming 4 hours per day on a game might not align with passing my course work

Ok .. my SAG is just off the coast of Moulmien .. it was just this much .. short .. so next turn we will see the results of the mission.

One experience for the newbie ...operations around the Land of Oz has to be very deliberate .. there it not enough fuel for uneventable sorties...or simple patrols ... I cannot see things getting any better ..

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Post #: 71

Molumien Bombardment - 9/4/2011 11:49:02 PM

Crackaces

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First, the IJN continues to be successful by parking right off port and our escorts fail to react:

Submarine attack near Coal Harbour at 204,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
xAK Fairland, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Fairland is sighted by SS I-2
SS I-2 launches 2 torpedoes

Again ...

Submarine attack near Hilo at 184,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
AKE Admiral Nulton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

AKE Admiral Nulton is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 launches 4 torpedoes at AKE Admiral Nulton
...

And we continue do do nothing about it ...

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
DMS Long
DD Allen

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Long
DD Allen fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Long attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-26 eludes ASW attack from DMS Long

Now for the good part for the Allies ... my opponet had gotten very very complacent and this little raid will put a damper on things ..

Night Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein at 55,55, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Victoria Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Revenge
BB Royal Sovereign
CA Dorsetshire
CL Emerald
CL Dauntless
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 64% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 64% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
xAK Victoria Maru sunk by BB Royal Sovereign at 2,000 yards
xAK Victoria Maru sunk by BB Royal Sovereign at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein at 55,55, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Gosei Maru, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Giyu Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Revenge
BB Royal Sovereign
CA Dorsetshire
CL Emerald
CL Dauntless
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman

Japanese ground losses:
1459 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 65 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 53% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 53% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign collides with CL Dauntless at 55 , 55
DD Norman engages DD Shiokaze at 2,000 yards
xAK Giyu Maru sunk by DD Norman at 2,000 yards
xAK Gosei Maru sunk by BB Royal Sovereign at 2,000 yards
DD Shiokaze sunk by CL Emerald at 2,000 yards
DD Shiokaze sunk by CL Emerald at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein at 55,55, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Shimushu, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK India Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Revenge
BB Royal Sovereign
CA Dorsetshire
CL Emerald
CL Dauntless
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 53% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 53% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages E Shimushu at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
E Shimushu sunk by BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
xAK India Maru sunk by DD Tjerk Hiddes at 3,000 yards
xAK India Maru sunk by DD Tjerk Hiddes at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

In total 6 IJN ships sunk .. what is better about 1400 IJA boys could not swim out of this situaiton ..

the Bombardment took out two planes total and damaged the airfield a little ..

Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Revenge
CA Dorsetshire
CL Dauntless
CL Emerald

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Fires 1996
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 2

BB Royal Sovereign firing at Moulmein
BB Revenge firing at Moulmein
CA Dorsetshire firing at Moulmein
CL Dauntless firing at Moulmein
CL Emerald firing at Moulmein

The bad news .. Its back to Colombo as we had a colission producing major damage

Now most interesting ... my recon reports 4 more ships in port? I am assuming fog of war because my radar in action did not show these ships ...

Ok I feel good about my experiment .. this turn we:

Load up 2 regements from SF to PH, a TF haeds to Nomea to start the build up there .. we do some details to avoid the submarines ...

More later ..

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 9/4/2011 11:53:00 PM >

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Post #: 72

More use of Bombardment - 9/5/2011 5:45:21 PM

Crackaces

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One thing I noticed was that bombardment missions provide an excellent instant recon of the troop strength in a hex. I really need to understand the strength on Ocean Island and I would like to shake their tree. It also seems that the Allied Bombardment mission is the equalvalent of the KB Raid in terms of inflecting terror and making the IJ player react.

So, the SAG patroling between Baker Island and Ndeni will go ahead and pound Ocean Island. A Second SAG is just arriving in Theater to support the CVTF off of Taluebuea. I will rearm and refuel at Pango Pango using AO's and AKE's in port.

I suspect the bombardment off of Moulmein will slow the IJ player down as he will not willy nilly move assult forces without proper SAG support, and quite possibly the KB. I also think the KB will come looking for the Royal Navy in the region. I have a prety good patrol arc set up and will know for sure if this occurs. My thought right now is to set up raids on three fronts Gilberts, Solomons, and Burma and keep up the pressure. I will wait until the KB commits to the Indian Ocean I think .. and then expose the fact I have a major Royal Navy force south of Nomea.

I sound like a broken record, but again .. I wish to hold at Nomea, Ndeni, Pango Pango ... while strategically focusing on the Gilberts and Marshalls in 1942/1943 as a part of getting to Formosa by 1945 -- cutting off Japan from her conquests. The Solomons are mearly a side show right now. .. I repeat this mantra to remind myelf not to get off my strategic plan ....

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Post #: 73

Submarines & Auto-Convoys - 9/5/2011 6:23:45 PM

Crackaces

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75% of my merchant sinking have been from Submarines hitting Auto-Convoys. I have decided to shut down my auto-convoys and route my supplies of remote stuff by hand. The submarines have just gotten out of hand. The USS Ward (65 Leader 61/57 day night) eccorting a ship simply looked on as SS-I-5 sinks another xAK, and does not even try to engage.

The down side of this .... the game will go a LOT slower. I suspect a turn every other day rather than the 2 turns a day. Maybe I can get in a turn a day. Also this game will be a lot less enjoyable as I am wokring on avoiding his submaines wiht my merchant ships rather than enjoying the chess game of engaging my other pieces.

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Post #: 74

RE: More use of Bombardment - 9/5/2011 6:32:42 PM

GreyJoy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

.. I wish to hold at Nomea, Ndeni, Pango Pango ... ....

Hey, this is a Greyjoyinsm!!!!!

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Post #: 75

RE: More use of Bombardment - 9/5/2011 6:35:43 PM

GreyJoy

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Subs will be a PITA for a long time...but you'll learn to get better at avoiding them and your escorts will get really better too....as soon as the DDs get their first updates and ASW ratings go up to 8 you will see a decrease in the threat posed by subs.
However in the first months the best weapon you get is the air-search...and heavily escorted convoys. Don't run AKs and TKs piecemail, in little groups. Better to wait to have huge convoys to be sent all over with a decent escort. the best way is to have an ASW TF followed by the transport TF in which you need to have at least 32 ASW rating

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Post #: 76

RE: More use of Bombardment - 9/5/2011 8:59:28 PM

Crackaces

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Subs will be a PITA for a long time...but you'll learn to get better at avoiding them and your escorts will get really better too....as soon as the DDs get their first updates and ASW ratings go up to 8 you will see a decrease in the threat posed by subs.
However in the first months the best weapon you get is the air-search...and heavily escorted convoys. Don't run AKs and TKs piecemail, in little groups. Better to wait to have huge convoys to be sent all over with a decent escort. the best way is to have an ASW TF followed by the transport TF in which you need to have at least 32 ASW rating

Excellent advice ... I used the Auto-convoy system and that produced a very target rich environment. Added to that auto-convoys do not learn where the subs are so they track right thorugh known sub areas. Logic built into avoiding air threat arcs is not build into avoiding subs as far as the auto convoy is concerned. I have shut it down. It will take me 2 weeks or so to get a handle on this as the auto convoy system has stuff all over the Pacific.

As a side note to your advice .... I tried the intercept the convoy and escort it into port tatic that worked for awhile but now subs occupy open waters right off choke points and my DD's just watch the torps hit and rarely do something ... I did try the ASW leading thing on turns 3 - 5 but the Lady Lex got smacked anyway as my ASW forces did nothing about thte submarine under their nose ..but .. those forces were exp 30 .. I was hoping USN 60 exp guys like the RN will do something but not yet . maybe it takes 70 - or even 80 exp to get a USN DD to react and hit something ..

That 32 ASW rating threshold will be easier to configure after May .. all the subs will be upgraded ..

The really bad part is that the game will slow down incredibly

===================================================

I surprised a bombing run this turn over Pakoi in China . damaging 4 shooting down 1 wiht the AVG. I then started the process of reinforcing Burma. I will have 1 & 2nd AVG in Burma and the first clear turn we will surprise the IJA air force ...

The other news is .... I have 7 APD's heading (1120 SP's per turn) for Carins via Pango Pango from PH. It will take about a week to get this into place. But we will start the supply run into Port Moesby. At the same time a RN SAG and CVTF will operate around Nomea. We shall see what the IJN will do when PM starts reinforcing. I might even be able to get a Bde of 1 AUS into PM.

IN keeping with Greyjoys advice I have concentrated AP's moving from SF to PH with 6 DD's. I am accumulating 3K AV and will turn this loose in May upon the Gilberts.

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 9/5/2011 9:01:52 PM >

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Post #: 77

RE: More use of Bombardment - 9/6/2011 4:04:33 AM

DOCUP

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Nice find with your bombardment TFs.
doc

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Post #: 78

The planning goes on ... - 9/6/2011 4:20:21 AM

Crackaces

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This turn I created the 24th and 25th divisions. The advantage here was upgrding two Generals rather than 6 LTC's. I do not know about anyother advantages.... With an armor unit I have 780 AV planned to hit the beaches of Tarawa on May 15th. It March 10th plenty of time to prep for the mission. Right now Tarawa has 4.8K of forces and with Alfred's help I am estimating about 160 AV. But ... I have no LST's or APA's or anyting like that .until 3/43 ... I estimate 20% of my boys will discover they cannot swim. That still leaves cushion for the ensuing shock combat. I am thinking 8 BB's (with suppport) will begin the affair the night before and a day time strike from 5 CV's/3 CVTF's.

Soemthing I am looking for a comment about ..I think I need to plan for everything getting on shore day 1. I understand that is 400 Points per ship. That means 8 AP's and 20 AK's per division. If its something different I need to know before next May in Gametime

I has a little oversight and let my Ragoon fighters get too tired .. just when my AKL needed it most .. I suspect they will not do well

The other thing is that I am taking GreyJoys advice. Instead of stringing out 2 convoys with troops .. one to Nomea and the other to Taluebuea.. I am just sending the one to Taluebuea. Two TF's some fighters and a recon unit along with a construction unit. ...Nomea can wait a week.

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Post #: 79

Ocean Island - 9/6/2011 6:29:27 PM

Crackaces

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Ocean Island ... was empty .. a great fireworks show .. but besides digging up some rocks we found out some good info ....

I screwed up this turn ...I set sweeps instead of airfield attacks at 100' .. i am going to pay a steep price for this error. I wanted to straffe the wounded Oscars on the ground ...

Ok .. more later ...

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Post #: 80

Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 2:43:03 AM

Crackaces

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Well he struck Columbo and did a lot a destrcution without many losses:

Afternoon Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 78
B5N2 Kate x 141

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Hoihow, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Ramillies, Bomb hits 36, heavy fires
xAKL Silindoeng, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Truant, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Goulburn, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Whangpu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Ulooloo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tarifa, Bomb hits 1
xAK Cardross, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Marion Moller, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AG Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Genista, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hunan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AD Black Hawk, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Pansy, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
KV Nigella, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Haiyang, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AMC Kanimbla, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AGP Wega, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AGP Aldebaran, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMC Cornwallis, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Sarpen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Lowana, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Mernoo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Kwai Sang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Sibolga, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Mundalla, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Jalapalaka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Lucia, Bomb hits 1
DD Panther, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Sigli, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Jumna, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Gorgon, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Arkaba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nord, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hotspur, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Era, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 20
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

I suspect another raid tommorow .. My BB's are 10 hexes away from his KB force and I am running away .. if he were closer I might seek a night action ..

Still wiith the KB deep in the Indina Ocean I am thinking of attacking Kavig .. I am 3 days away .. I have Patrol aircraft over the area .. it might be a nice way of pusing the Jello around .. I have tonight to think about it ..

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Post #: 81

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 9:32:21 AM

1275psi

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what date are you up to?

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Post #: 82

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 1:50:53 PM

Crackaces

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1275psi .. We are at March, 14th 1942

There are about 22 AK and 10 old AP's at Colombo. Besides the old Battleship and the DD's I cannot see a long term function for hitting Colombo with so many operations require the KB support right now. Still, my opponets email refects more his joy of sinking ships, than advancing an overall strategy. But I am a newbie so maybe there is a long term plan that is supported by sinking some mechants and scattering TF's in the Indian Ocean for two weeks or so ......One of the IJFB players who has played this game out from start to finish might comment. I read the AAR's and the IJ players that just terorrize without a long term strategic plan seem to last to about late 1943, and then quit. So I have no real basis to understand the strategic implecations of raiding as a tool to accomplish some long term goal.

What I think happened here besides the fact that I was over using a very vulnerable port (for example The Patrol Aircraft are still in the 40's and did not give warning of the KB to the South Southeast reporting them as "CL's") Is that my opponet got off balance with my last raid. He wishes to use the KB as a platform to terrorize rather than as a platform to further his overall strategic plan. I really misunderstood his strategic mindset, or my last raid has him thinking that somehow this will strike fear and timidity ..[I had been quite deliberate executing a "Brave Sir Robin" strategy to this point until the last raid.]

I also think the Moulmein raid was enabled by this strategy of using the KB to do random damage. This raid hurt him very deeply I think. His email tone has changed considerably since drowning an IJA force into the Indian Ocean ....

However, I am a newbie, so sinking 22 or so merchants given 379 in play right now might be the move that wins this game. I do not know. I do know that this will slow the game down quite considerably as I seach WitPTracker for bases needing supplies, click 3 - 7 times [waypoints around submarines and stuff] and then manually allocate every single convoy rather than just the ones that have to go thorugh dangerious territory So this raid managed to make my game experience suck ..

[I like the logistics around operations .. I hate looking up to see if Timbuk Tu has enough supply ....

]

Ok enough of my rant ..

[GreyJoy I am looking at WitP Tracker as I write this so I do not make a GreyJoyism ...<BIG BIG BIG SMILE>] Noumea got 2 more engineer units 810.811 aviation eng group, landed today and they are starting to build up this port/airfield. Once I have a level 4 airfield I will start on Koumac. That base can be built up to level 7 rather quickly, and then overbuilt to level 10 if I need to make the investment. This is right at maximum range of Tulagi for my B-17E's. I do beleive this front will be enaged through out 1943 - 1944 as I execute the Island Hoping plan to Formosa.

I continue to built up Tabiteuea. This turn a 4 P-40 fighter group [enough to snap a LR Bomber raid] and a recon group landed. I can probe Tarawa on a daily basis while the group gets experince.

So, we now have two areas of operations: Ndeini, Luganville and Noumea; and Tabiteuea. I am still on track to invade Tarawa on May 15th. To Follow on Ocean Island on May 30th.

OK ...I have been a regular poster but, just to set an expectation, I suspect my postings will be more every other day as I sense the game will slow considerably mired in the deails of stratgic logistics ...but I we shall see how things unfold.

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Post #: 83

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 1:57:52 PM

GreyJoy

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If the KB is playing around the DEI a raid at Colombo isn't that wasting of resources and time, and Japan can easily grab some major ship in the bag. If he sinks a couple of BBs the raid will be worth the fuel and planes expended imho....those BBs will be usefull for you in the future to support landings...

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Post #: 84

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 4:16:22 PM

Crackaces

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GreyJoy: There is one SAG with 2 BB's that raided previously in the Indian Ocean. This SAG that is now looking to hide on the Indian Coast. He has sunk one BB [due to withdrawl in 1943], and will sink 4 DD's, a CLAA, and some KV's. I guess that will win the war.

Most of the RN & in particualr the BB's are off the Coast of Sydney heading to support the New Caladona operations. He has 2 -3 weeks to do his worse. I will have a 5 CV's in the Pacfic theater in 3 weeks. In 6 weeks we will have Tarawa!

I will delay the Big E and Yorktown upgrades until the Wasp arrives in theater. I want to keep 5 CV's on station while I am establishing bases. I sense this might be an oppournity to spring a trap.

Great feedback GreyJoy you have me thinking ...

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Post #: 85

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 4:34:36 PM

DOCUP

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Crackaces in my oponion your partially right about him hitting Colombo. But every ship counts in some way PP, morale boast, what have you. He might be setting up and invasion into this theater or he might be trying to get inside your OODA loop. I don't know exactly but from my stand point of a newb your doing pretty good.

doc

Newb support group

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Post #: 86

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/7/2011 6:23:16 PM

Crackaces

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Well the only hit on morale is having to click 300 times .. for which I have not started yet

I do think GreyJoy has a point .. He is looking for the SAG that hit his landing TF. I sense this had a greater affect on his operations .. and he feels he has to do something .. anything and he has resorted what has worked thus far .. raiding with the KB. But ... these BB's are due to withdraw at the begining of 43 and will not affect operations. He did sink the one due in mid-43 ...I had not really thought about the RN for 42 operations besides to cover my build up in the Solomans ..and this one SAG to harraress him on the Burma coast.

So maybe operationally it is a hurt but strategically it does not affect things .. besides to slow the game down tremendously ..

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Post #: 87

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/8/2011 7:33:20 PM

Crackaces

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We got our turn in ...we shall see ..

But for 15 MAR 1942, I have turned the Cats on Ceylon to night search duty .. armed with Torps ... focused all on the arc of those "CL's" that are really CV's. I have 20 or so Cat's that will fly over the mini-KB .. with a lot of luck .. probably right up there with filling an inside straight we can put a slug into a carrier ..that would absoultely make my day ...

Otherwise, another day of moving stuff around .. besides scattering all the ships currently in the Indian Ocean .....

My opponet and I has a great conversation. His experince is with WitP not with the AE version. As many experinced players here know and I have only read about .. they are two seperate birds of a feather completely. But I discovered his mind set is attrition and sinking things while securing the DEI, and thus the raid. He gauges success on the number of ships sunk and if he got things like a BB, CA, CA, AS .. etc .. the fact that if this really means either sudden victory or extension of the war to 1946 really never crosses his mind. It might be very well that this strategy of using the KB of a tool of terror -- that is random acts of violance in the most vulnerable and vital places is a way to victory. Whether this will achieve victory is completely unknown to me. I do know he has one maybe two more of these raids left .. and then I will start having the intiative wth 5 CV's .. and an increasing number of bases that can support bombers, and the LBA's in postion ..

More as we go .. Newbies Unite!

Good Luck Docup! GreyJoy .. you are already killing Radier .. you do not need any luck

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 9/8/2011 7:34:41 PM >

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Post #: 88

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/8/2011 9:16:08 PM

DOCUP

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Thanks Crackaces. Well let him keep running around for small gains if any. Use this knowledge to your advantage set a trap for him.

doc

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Post #: 89

RE: Raid on Colombo - 9/9/2011 7:19:06 PM

Crackaces

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A litle funny encouter .. my harbor defense vs. the KB:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 29,56, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CL Jintsu
CL Abukuma
DD Shiranui
DD Tanikaze
DD Asashio
DD Michishio
DD Arare
DD Kasumi
DD Isonami
DD Uranami

I must have really really upset him with my raid to commit so much to do so little I let my opponet know that I know exactly what he has here .. bascally the whole KB .. no mini KB! The Pacific Ocean is stripped bare! Time to go raid!

The Psyops will be amazing the next few days ..;)

Ok I think he plans to bombard Port Colombo with his BB's. This should be interesting because there is lots of little details I will not mention here yet but many of you know about when one bombards a port commanding defenses ...again it will be interesting .. More later ...

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Post #: 90