RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J)

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/6/2013 9:47:04 PM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

You can have all of the oil you want but if your HI is gone it's not going to matter much. One way or another we're going down gentlemen, so get ready and take some stuff out as you go!

Yep, I often laugh at how much effort we put into production and the economy. The debate about increasing LI or not, expanding HI, and how much we focus on keeping the oil fields pumping and under our control and yet it all means squat if the factories are in ruins and the supply has gone up in smoke.

I often think this is the biggest reason to go hell bent with Japan during the first two years. Why play a conservative Japan and set yourself up for years of being ground into dust. Oh wait, that's exactly how I play.

Deep belly laugh. Time for a scotch.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 661

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/6/2013 11:50:24 PM

fcharton

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From: France
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Right, I have spent most of the evening trying to plan the defense of the DEI, and have a few questions for you, guys.

As for the southern Marianas, what do you think would be the amount of troops I need (per island) to make it a bit "too frightening"? A reinforced division? two? more? I mean, there are four islands to defend, which can be built, and have interlocking airfields, and I can even use KB as a support (provided I still have KB).

How do you use your CVE? Mine have a strong tendency to collect rust in port, which is probably a bit silly.

In preparation for that fateful 1945, when I get my industry bombed, do you think it makes sense to accumulate naval/merchant points? Right now, I am following Pax' suggestion, and hoarding ARM and VEH, since it will allow me to get my reinforcements even if my industry is destroyed. I can do that for airframes, to a certain extent (being PDU off, stocks of old frames will be useless, I need my pools to be filled with the planes my squadrons use when the industry is destroyed). But what about the shipyards? Having ship points would allow reinforcements to arrive, but then, do I really need ships in 1945?

Francois

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 662

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/8/2013 2:15:53 AM

PaxMondo

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That is the key; even with no HI and LI factories, AC, ENG, VEH, and ARM will still build. That's what happens when you run out of fuel in mid '45 ... you then run on what you have stockpiled. 4M HI will run the IJ economy at full tilt for 1.5 years. I mean 2K AC/month production plus ground replacements. You should have upwards of 6M supply in your empire for the same period, and that allows everything else to work. This is the simply key to IJ as far as economics goes. If you don't have this cushion of HI and supply, then you have to be able to keep the oil flowing to IJ until game end.

The allies will have overwhelming superiority in everything beginning VE day, 6/45. They start getting +250/month Stang/Bolts and +200/month 4E's. Coupled with the Navy that already owns the seas, it is a tough thing. And then the SOV activate. If CHI is out of the game, I have been able to hold the SOV outside of Korean penninsula. And if you have an HR that no allied 4E's are allowed in SOV conquered territory, then they cannot reach the HI that way.

I have only seen three AAR's where the IJ has been able to get into '45 with the oil still flowing, and in all three the allied players have been successfully goaded into poor decisions. However, in two of them, the games were a bit skewed because of some uncommon HR's. I'm not suggesting any of the HR's are poor, just that they are not common ones. This leaves only one AAR to be successful so far ... not a good track record. Meaning, it doesn't appear to be a good choice for the IJ to bet that they will still have oil flowing from the DEI in '45.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 663

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/8/2013 2:20:56 AM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

As for the southern Marianas, what do you think would be the amount of troops I need (per island) to make it a bit "too frightening"? A reinforced division? two? more? I mean, there are four islands to defend, which can be built, and have interlocking airfields, and I can even use KB as a support (provided I still have KB).

I think the Marianas, like all islands, are not defensible. The allies can take anything they want. I take the tactic of make it a trap. There are a lot of ways to do that. I think PzB's tactic is as good as any. Make the choice for the allies for them, then counter hard. PzB was a master at that. He seemed to always be able to get his opponent to attack at the place of HIS choosing, where he was able to retaliate hard. He crushed, IIRC, 3 allied amphib op's in his last game. Amazing. Nemo is pretty good at this as well ... he's all about the mind game portion ...

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Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 664

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/8/2013 2:27:54 AM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton
How do you use your CVE? Mine have a strong tendency to collect rust in port, which is probably a bit silly.

Each one is the eqivalent of one more fighter or bomber group. I absolutely use them in every major counter against the allies. Usually, I have them full of fighters for CAP. Sometimes though, later if GRACE is available, I have them behind the KB and they are able to add another hundred or more Grace to the attack. There are times they have been the difference in the outcome for me.

When the KB sorties, I have everything out with them. CVL, CVE, all of it. The CS's, I keep at least one as a CS. With NORM, the search arc/range is just too good. And it doesn't alert the allies that the KB is around ... I also use a lot of AV's in the same role ... war is about intel, and the IJ can only get it with recon and search. I do a LOT of both.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 665

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/8/2013 2:39:27 AM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

But what about the shipyards? Having ship points would allow reinforcements to arrive, but then, do I really need ships in 1945?

Truth told, I hardly build any Merchant at all the entire game. AFter the first week where I build up a couple 1000 pts into the pool, I then shut off most of my MSY for the rest of the game.

And for NSY, once the CV's are built, I'm about done with them too. I build DD, SC,E, CV. I do NOT build CL or non-Glen SS. Sometimes I build the Musashi, but not always. Anyway, by mid 43, it is the same, I have most of the NSY shut down. The HI savings are considerable.

I convert a lot of my merchant fleet to AR, AV, AS, AD, AG, AM, AMc, CMc, ACM, ... but most of it sits where I can drain it of fuel. They just end up as allied VP's when their bombers can reach the port. I wish I could scuttle/de-commission them instead. Re-use all of that steel and engines. Build more E's out of them! Think about it, take all of those xAKL's and convert that steel and engine into an E. Even 2 for 1 I would do it.

I am very careful of my convoys, all routes are heavily invested with ASW. No ship ever travels alone, and escorts are heavy. I lose very few to SS. Granted, my opponent is not the most skilled SS tactics, but from observing the AAR's, my tactics seem to work just as effectively in PBEM's.

Historically, the IJ was careless with it merchant fleet. I'm not. They ignored the SS, I focus on it.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 666

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/14/2013 9:21:22 PM

fcharton

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Waiting for a turn from my opponent for the first time ever, I hope nothing is wrong.
January 30th � February 1st 1943

I am pushing turns around, while planning my defenses. Spence mentioned in a recent email that the Allies are out of planes. He seems to be intent on waiting to rebuild his pools before he attacks again. This is excellent news: a lull is just what I need now.

Done with the mines

Coastal AM swept Akyab and the bases mined from the air last week. So far, aerial mining seems unefficient at this stage of the war, perhaps because my opponent doesn�t have enough bombers. Mines seem to be too few to have a significant chance to hit, and are easily swept. I need more AMc, though.

Saumlaki

I am pretty certain this is the next Allied target. It might prove a little more difficult, as it is in range from Ambon and Lautem, but this group of islands (Babar, Saumlaki, �) are dead meat anyway. The best I can do it to look fightening enough, and hope he loses ships there.

On the 31st, Dauntlesses bombed the port, from pretty high (around 20 000 feet). I am not sure I understand the rationale of it. As they flew unescorted, I will try and set a CAP trap there, a couple Dauntless are a good catch.

Night fighters

I just received the Endo Detachment, my first night fighter squadron. I based them in Manadalay, and ordered them to CAP Katha which the Allies have began bombing again. They didn�t seem to make a difference. Let�s try more.

4E watch

On the 29th of December, I had made a list of the 4E bombers reported shot down in Tracker.
Here is the update for this month:

LB-30 : 17 (=)
B17-D : 32 (0)
B17-E : 113 (+16)
B17-F : 35 (+1)
B24-D : 67 (+22)
Liberator II : 10 (+4)
PB4Y-1 : 0 (0)

That�s 43 4E shot down, while my opponent produced 34 this month. He probably has about 290 of them left (in play or in pools). I need to do better next month, as the Allies will be producing 52 4E.

KB

I am planning to concentrate my carriers. So far, I had detached two fleet and one light carrier (and a CVE) for action in the DEI, but they didn�t achieve much, the area is swarming with submarines, and it looks like my opponent is looking for a carrier battle. As a result, I want to get every thing packed in one place, try to operate within land based aircraft range, and try to give him a reverse Midway if he really wants one.

I will not invite battle, but I think I can have a decent opportunity if Spence grows careless.

Empire building, Air HQ

While planning my defenses, I had the pleasure to discover that I am no longer short on Air HQ. I don�t have lots of them; but I think I can cover most of my outer perimeter. The general idea is to deploy them in forward positions, all around the border, and base enough Betties there to discourage any foray. They won�t be able to defeat a proper invasion, but should be sufficient to make my opponent wonder before launching one. As usual, the goal is more to delay than to prevent.

As of now, here is the plan. I already have two HQ in Magwe and Rangoon, covering the Burmese shores, one in Langsa for northern Malaysia and Sumatra, and one in Singapore for central Sumatra. I will add one in Oosthaven for southern Sumatra and northern Java, and have one already in Surabaya. Koepang also has one.

In the Celebes, a large air HQ is moving to Manado, which should be my hub in the area. Sorong will have a flotilla HQ.

Rabaul, Roi Namur and the southern Marianas already have one, as have the Kuriles.

This leaves one yet unaffected, which might either go to Kendari or Macassar, to complete the defense of the Celebes, or to Davao to provide a second line, or maybe to Wewak, in case Rabaul gets turned.

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 667

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/14/2013 9:50:42 PM

fcharton

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From: France
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The war is back, one turn had been lost over the ocean, and we were both waiting
February 2nd 1943

A perfect day in the air

Today, we shot down 36 allied planes for 21 ours (Tojos mostly). Over Chittagong, our Tojos swept 9 Spitfires Vc and as many Warhawks. Fighters from Rabaul swept Kiriwina island, and found Kittyhawks and Wildcats on CAP, we shot down 8 F4F and 5 Kitties. And finally, we got three dauntlesses over Saumlaki.

It is a small victory, but such losses are very helpful while my opponent is delaying his offensive to rebuild his pools. He is producing about 300 fighters per month, today�s losses are three days of production.

Tomorrow, I am trying to catch more Spits over Chittagong. The rest of my fighters are resting, before they come back in a couple of days.

In the Solomons, escorted bombers from Ndeni attacked Lunga and Kirakira. Both bases have largely been evacuated, and there is little to destroy there, but this might be the prelude to an invasion. I don�t want to commit my carriers there, I have no LBA, and he has some in Ndeni� But a couple surface groups might manage to sink a few more ships, Taberfane style.

Port Blair

We bombarded the base today, and scored a good number of hits on the troops there. The garrison has not been supplied in a long time, and I suspect they are suffering. With a lof of Betties now based around Rangoon and Magwe, I suspect the next run will be a bloody affair, and so we stand a good chance of starving those troops.

Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 4 damaged
Beaufort V: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 damaged

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CL Jintsu
CL Agano
CL Kashii

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 6

There is little else to report. I am rushing troops south, my opponent is resting. Early 1943�

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 668

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/15/2013 6:46:08 PM

fcharton

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From: France
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February 3rd 1943

It was a dark and moonless night

But it didn�t prevent enemy bombers from flying. I really wonder whether moonlight plays a role in this game. But anyway, 4E were over Rabaul, and Ambon, and tried were intercepted. I am using A6M2 in that role. I have lots of them (I really flunked that part of air production), and they seem to work just as well (or badly) as any other model.

Night flak seems to work a little better in the beta version, though. We took down four B17-E and one B-17F. 5 five 4E over a night is a good result.

And there was a morning

Liberators II visited Bangkok and mined the harbor this morning. I will try to rebase some Nicks there, over such long ranges I suspect damaged 4E are more susceptible to crashing on their return leg, so we might be lucky tomorrow.

British 4E would be a good catch, as the Allies have very few. I shot down 10 of 32 Liberators II received so far.

Over Boela, we finished clearing the minefield, but our sweepers were found by enemy Dauntlesses, and we lost two out of three. I had Rufes in the base, but forgot to put them on CAP. Hate that!

Supplies

The flow is now all right. Singapore has 130 000 tons, Burma is keeping around 50 000 (I have a convoy arriving in a few turns). I can�t really complain.

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 669

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/15/2013 7:36:40 PM

Spidery

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quote:

Liberators II visited Bangkok and mined the harbor this morning. I will try to rebase some Nicks there, over such long ranges I suspect damaged 4E are more susceptible to crashing on their return leg, so we might be lucky tomorrow.

I think it has been commented that there is no interception of mining attacks.

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 670

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/15/2013 8:48:18 PM

fcharton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery
I think it has been commented that there is no interception of mining attacks.

It has, yet...

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II laying Mk 13 Mine from 6000 feet *

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
264th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

< Message edited by fcharton -- 11/15/2013 9:49:06 PM >

(in reply to Spidery)

Post #: 671

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 2:05:29 AM

witpqs

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Thanks for posting that! I could have sworn that Michael once said that it was fixed but I was unable to find that anywhere so I held back on commenting.

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Post #: 672

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 2:43:16 AM

PaxMondo

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Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery
I think it has been commented that there is no interception of mining attacks.

It has, yet...

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II laying Mk 13 Mine from 6000 feet *

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
264th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

very nice to see that this is working ... Michael is great!

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 673

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 7:58:12 AM

fcharton

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From: France
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February 4th 1943

Night bombing galore

A new moon, but allied bombers don�t seem to mind. Kunming was visited by Liberators II, for no damage, Dili by B24-D, a few hits were scored on the runway and a B24 was shot down, Kalemyo by B-25C, a few hits on the airbase, and Madang by Havocs, which had a very hard time against the flak. Three A20 were shot down.

It might be the moon, the beta, and GG die rolls, but I have the feeling that over the recent days, night bombing has become less of a walk in the park.

The hour when the Libs come in

I already split the beans about this one, so, here again

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II laying Mk 13 Mine from 6000 feet *

Three Liberators gone, a month production, for a grand total of 13, I can�t complain.
Honestly, there were quite a few favorable factors here : enemy operating at very long range (Dacca to Bangkok, or something like that), early detection, good altitude, decent weather� But this confirms that Nicks (and Tonies to a lesser extent) are my 4E killers.

Meanwhile, we shot down four Hurricanes over Chittagong. Four fighters, four 4E, and a handful of others, a good day for the empire.

The milkman is back

A task force was detected one hex away from Port Blair. This should be the monthly supply run, and we will try to make it costly. A fast cruiser squadron was dispatched from Singapore, sweeps have been ordered from Trinkat and Tavoy, and Rangoon is stacked with Betties and torpedoes.

I am expecting a few RN cruisers, and cargoes, and fighters too, so it won�t be as easy as I�d hope, but we�re getting better at interdicting the Andamans, and this means a lot of starving Brits.

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 674

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 2:31:50 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton
Night bombing galore

A new moon, but allied bombers don�t seem to mind. Kunming was visited by Liberators II, for no damage, Dili by B24-D, a few hits were scored on the runway and a B24 was shot down, Kalemyo by B-25C, a few hits on the airbase, and Madang by Havocs, which had a very hard time against the flak. Three A20 were shot down.

It might be the moon, the beta, and GG die rolls, but I have the feeling that over the recent days, night bombing has become less of a walk in the park.

I'm setting up a Downfall mod to test night bombing in again. Haven't tested it in a few years. My first few runs are agreeing with your observations, it does appear to have been reined in ... looking promising.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 675

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 3:10:02 PM

koniu

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From: Konin, Poland, European Union
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Spidery
I think it has been commented that there is no interception of mining attacks.

It has, yet...

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II laying Mk 13 Mine from 6000 feet *

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
264th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

very nice to see that this is working ... Michael is great!

What version are You playing. When i last tested it under beta 1123p it was impassible to intercept mining mission.

_____________________________

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 676

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/16/2013 3:25:54 PM

fcharton

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Joined: 10/4/2010
From: France
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quote:

ORIGINAL: koniu
What version are You playing. When i last tested it under beta 1123p it was impassible to intercept mining mission.

Hi Koniu,

We are 1123r, I strongly suspect the transport intercept fix in version q...

quote:

25/08/2013: 1123q -Units could retreat from combat without triggering pursuit
Units with static squad/engineer devices can't retreat
Tweaked transport intercept for messages
Fixed CAP with DTs in transport intercept Tweak Naval bombardment sometimes stopped short range ships from firing if longer range ones present
09/09/2013: 1123r - Show '0' port if ships sighted
Ships unable to repair should be able to go to crew-repairs (as long as no other limits)
Fixed AI issue with resource movement by TF
Increased default cadre size to 5% for non-Chinese units to alleviate auto-disband on rebuilding units

Francois

(in reply to koniu)

Post #: 677

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/17/2013 8:30:39 AM

koniu

Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline

I just run some test using downfall scenario. Game version beta 23s.
400 fighters in Tokyo don`t have single shot to incoming B-29

It still broken, only damage was from flak

< Message edited by koniu -- 11/17/2013 9:33:27 AM >

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"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 678

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/17/2013 9:35:23 AM

fcharton

Posts: 1112
Joined: 10/4/2010
From: France
Status: offline

Hi Koniu,

The Allied losses appear as A2A in my case. Was it at night or during the day? I've noticed night minelaying is even harder to catch than night bombing.

For the rest, I suspect that interception is decided by one or several prior die rolls. This seems to be the norm in the air model (and all Grigsby games, I'm told).

In other words, to intercept the mining run, you need first to pass some detection die roll, then to pass some scrambling roll, and then perhaps another morale roll or three. If you miss any of those, no interception happens. If you pass all of them, interception takes place, and once it happens it tend to be bloody (to compensate for the low chance of it happening). In my opinion, this is the way the air model (and maybe other parts of the game) works. I think it is wrong, because it tends to be too deterministic, results in extreme results, and sometimes favors concentration of force against any other aspects of the game, but it is at the heart of the system, and we play the model we have.

Francois

(in reply to koniu)

Post #: 679

RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/17/2013 10:58:45 AM

obvert

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At night in my game the mining happened once at Palembang where there were a decent number of NF, and they didn't touch the 100+ planes that came in. When night bombing there the flak and NF caused a very high loss rate among the same planes, but with mining it did not.

While I was pretty riled up for a bit, I soon realized that there are real world considerations that could explain not intercepting them at night. Assuming you are getting a radar reading of a large force coming in (which with Japanese radar is not always a given), and you send up the night fighters to 10-15 miles out from the probable target, but the B-29s stop short by 20-30 miles and drop mines in the river mouth and surrounding areas. Flak doesn't reach there and the NF would have to vector in without airborne radar (at that time).

The daytime mine dropping is different, and hopefully the game does make it easier to intercept.

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/17/2013 12:42:44 PM

PaxMondo

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+1

mining was a low risk operation IRL .. the allies did lot's of it and didn't have many losses ...

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/19/2013 9:36:04 PM

fcharton

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This AAR is falling back again. I am a bit uninspired these days, and work is back, unfortunately
February 5th and 6th 1943

Drum roll

We might have sunk that one�

Sub attack near Iwo-jima at 106,79

Japanese Ships
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
DD Shigure

Allied Ships
SS Drum, hits 4

Type 2 depth charges seem to be the functional antisub weapons I have now. Type 95, and 95 mod seem pretty inefficient. I am trying to convert all the ships that can have those, and dispatch them in ASW task forces or escorts.

I have been working on air ASW since a couple of month, and now have a decent number of squadrons with pilots with ASW ratings between 60 and 70. I am concentrating them in small areas, which seem to be a good way to accumulate hits on a few subs. Manado is quickly becoming an air ASW base, et we get two or three hits reported every day,

Disappointed

The attack on Port Blair didn�t work as advertised. I had sent a few squadrons, in Trinkat, and Victoria Point to sweep, and bombers from Rangoon were put on naval bombing. As the fighter were closer and flew faster, I expected them to be there first, but apparently, the engine decided differently, and all my bombers flew first, into the waiting arms of enemy Hurricanes.

We still got half a dozen Hurricanes, but lost a dozen Betties, and a few Oscars in the process. And the milk run wasn�t one� just a pair of destroyers acting as CAP trap. Hate that!

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/20/2013 7:27:12 AM

obvert

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CAP traps are really tough as the targeting is so much out of our hands. It would be even more fiddly if we had to control what bombers would go for, and of course mis-identification in the search phase would have a huge impact, but the way it works now it means there are times when you simply can't fly bombers on naval strike missions with enemy CAP in the area.

It would be so much better if you could assign planes to attack a certain TF. I can also see the problems there though, as players could change TFs every day to combat this.

My biggest gripe lately is that even setting search zones planes will go outside of those and 'find' ships that are under CAP, then go right for them.

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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/21/2013 5:13:18 AM

fcharton

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February 7th 1943

The 65th brigade, that once defended Lunga, was evacuated by air to Ontong Java, and I was planning to send it to Kavieng, or some similar place. But allied CV turned up today, and sank my transports, together with a big of the brigade. Hate that!

What are US CV doing here? Another task force was detected near Ndeni, so it seems that the push towards Kirakira or Guadalcanal is finally on. Most of this area is evacuated, and the enemy is welcome to it.

The rest of the war was calm. There were lots of night bombing, with little results, We shot down two B24D.

February 8th 1943

Lunga it is! Two task forces have appeared in Lunga, and will most certainly invade tomorrow. I have 80 AV and guns, behind level three forts, but not much supplies. This seems to be a general feature of recent invasions: several days of air bombardment seem to deplete my supplies, my troops launch an inefficient bombardment upon landing, and everything ends very fast, out of lack of supplies. I don�t really know how to counter this.

Enemy CV are keeping watch east of Guadalcanal, three of them, probably. I have submarines around, and hope to get a lucky shot. Another one is with the landing force, which is strange (or are those CVE?) The KB (now at full strength) is east of Truk, sailing south, undetected. If Allied carriers remain in position, I will try to attack. I have numerical superiority, and this is about the last time when this can be attempted.

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/22/2013 5:05:42 PM

SqzMyLemon

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I was able to conduct a successful counter invasion of Lunga by landing at Tassafaronga and marching overland with four divisions. You mention you're not big on defending the Solomons, but that first leap by the Allies into Guadalcanal territory seems to be a golden opportunity to hit back. If no plans for a ground counterstrike, at least you are in position to catch a portion of his naval force with KB. You know he has to support his operation and could be vulnerable. Good luck.

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Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/23/2013 8:36:15 PM

fcharton

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Music of the day is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ZgUwDQIYw
That�s the next target, and I have to confess I'm much more into music and other hobbies than AE, these days, so this AAR might wander on irrelated subjects, bear with me, reader (and yeah you've been warned)...

February 9th 1943

As expected, my opponent landed in Lunga. There is something mysterious with those contested landings: they seem to produce a lot of disablements, but very little losses, unless coastal guns manage to hit the troop ships.

Amphibious Assault at Lunga (114,138)
TF 99 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 114,138

Allied ground losses:
624 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 311 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 266 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 126 (1 destroyed, 125 disabled)
Vehicles lost 102 (0 destroyed, 102 disabled)

The Allied apparently landed a reinforced marine division (3rd Marine, and the 3rd USMC tank battalion). I have an SNLF and guns, behind level three forts and in defensive terrain. Let�s see how long they lasts�

I will not defend the Solomons, we�re in February 43 already, and this area, which has not been built offers little interest for the Allies. If I can keep them working for all those islands, and delay them a couple months, I will be happy.

US Carriers have taken position south of Kirakira. KB is on its way, on a relatively slow route. I want my opponent to get a secure feeling before I try to attack.

In the Andamans, a bombardment task force on its way to Port Blair was intercepted by Dauntlesses, off Trinkat. I had long range CAP and the Daunlesses had a pretty bad day. A Royal Navy task force was detected in the Indian ocean. My forward based are stacked with Betties, if the Brits move in, they might have a very bad day tomorrow.

In Burma, Beaufighters attacked Magwe, which was a bad idea as it is a flak nest. We shot two B24-D over Akyab. Overall, we had a pretty good day in the air, with 17 allied planes downed for 13 ours.

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/24/2013 5:46:23 PM

fcharton

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Out of a long music session, my hands hurt a bit
February 10th 1943

In Lunga, the landings are going on, unmolested. A first allied bombardment revealed 236 AV, vs 89 ours, and cost the marines a squad and a gun. I am expecting air bombardement for a couple of days. KB is still sailing, undetected, enemy carriers are still around. Those invasions are opportunities: I just had a fairly easy supply run to Rabaul.

In the Andamans, the task force detected yesterday retreated out of range. Port Blair is probably interdicted. I will fly LRCAP tomorrow to see whether my opponent air transports stuff.

During the night, B24-D bombed Magwe, and failed to cause any damage. One B24 is reported shot down. Overall, the enemy lost eight planes, we lost five. Small favors, as they say.

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/27/2013 12:47:42 PM

fcharton

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I owe my opponent a turn. Couldn�t sent it yesterday because I worked late, or today at lunch because I was busy, or tonight because I ate out, and now I�m too tired. Tomorrow morning, I promise�

Music for today is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3I9lbNaSg

February 11th 1943

A relatively light turn. In Lunga, the allies are sending the heavy bombers before they attack. It doesn�t seem to work, but it keeps them busy, and the marine division that took heavy disablements when it landed is probably recovering in the mean time.

KB is near Nauru Island, and will sail in tomorrow. If enemy carriers remain close to Guadalcanal, we might be in for something big.

Over Burma, we swept Chittagong and shot down two Hurricanes. The less the merrier.

In the Andamans, Dauntlesses from Port Blair managed to find a cargo TF returning from Rangoon, and sank a tanker. LRCAP didn�t fly.

That is pretty much all for today.

As I sit writing here, sick and grown old,
Not my least burden is that dulness of the years, querilities,
Ungracious glooms, aches, lethargy, constipation, whimpering ennui,
Might filter in my daily songs
(Walt Whitman)

February 12th 1943

The carrier battle that wasn�t, again

KB sailed on Lunga, and ended midway between Ontong Java and Guadalcanal. My opponent has all his CV bunched in a big 4 TF groups, and a single, smaller Air Combat task force in forward position (CVE I presume, perhaps meant to divert some of my attack groups). So I was trying to remain far away enough, to either catch an unloading task force, or get a strike at the forward group.

During the night, one submarine found the Yorktown, without success unfortunately.

Sub attack near Kirakira at 115,145

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
BB North Carolina
CA Astoria
CA Chicago
CA Indianapolis
DD Buchanan
DD Kalk
DD Gansevoort
DD Frazier

This TF composition seems typical of the way my opponent uses his fleet carriers. He keeps them all in the same hex, but in separate TF of one or two CV, with a pretty strong screen. I am not sure this is the best idea, as I suspect the BB would slow the task force. But it is always good to know.

In the morning the carrier battle didn�t happen, as enemy CV were 9 hexes away (between Kirakira and Ndeni), and the light carrier force was south of them. And no ships were found in Lunga. Three APD, back from Guadalcanal probably, were found in Ndeni.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 46
B5N2 Kate x 34

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Stewart, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Rathburne
APD Hatfield, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

What should I do now? KB is at full strength, and I have numerical superiority over the allies (probably 450 planes vs 300). If we have a carrier battle, I can probably make a good show, but victory is far from certain, especially as we are both detected.

Of course, I�m also a bit bored with the game right now, as the Whitman quote for today suggests, and the temptation to attack and see what happens is great.

I have ordered my carriers to retire eastwards, at mission speed. If Spence decides to chase, we might have a long range carrier battle. I suspect he will try, as he seemed willing to commit his carriers over the last few weeks. My hope is to lure him far enough north so that lost squadrons can�t relocate to Ndeni. If the battle doesn�t happen, it is fine too. I�m aware that trading carriers is a very bad deal for Japan right now.

New kids on the block

Corsairs appeared over Madang. I had Nicks on CAP, and it was very ugly: I lost 23 Nicks (yeah twenty three, two thirds of the Sentai) to no Corsair. I hope A6M5 can fight Corsairs a little better, or my aviators� life will be very miserable very soon�

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/27/2013 12:58:12 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton
I hope A6M5 can fight Corsairs a little better, or my aviators� life will be very miserable very soon�

Sadly, not so that you will really notice. They are just too slow. Tojo's are your best until Frank arrives.

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Pax

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RE: Perfection, of a kind, spence (A) vs fcharton (J) - 11/27/2013 4:11:51 PM

fcharton

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From: France
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February 13th 1943

Odds and ends

On Lunga, the 3rd marine division attacked, and reduced a fort level, for very low losses. It won�t last long, I can tell.

During the night, enemy bombers visited Akyab. We shot down a Liberator II and a B24-D, and very little damage was done.

A surface task force was detected between Taberfane and Saumlaki. Is this an invasion TF? Just some bombardment run? Ironically, this happens the day when Lautem becomes a level two airfield, and Kates will be able to have a shot at enemy ships.

Arma virumque cano

We had a carrier battle, after all. I didn�t really want one, and I don�t think the Allies meant it, but it happened. Here�s how.

During the night the enemy carriers, south of Kirakira yesterday, moved north of Ndeni. They were not on an intercept course. I think my opponent just wanted to cover Ndeni, and keep them under his LBA umbrella. As my carriers, south of Ontong Java were supposed to retire northwards, no battle should have taken place. But fate had it differently: the Jake unit from Tulagi I use as night spotters detected the enemy CV seven or eight hexes from mine, and my carrier skippers decided to react and position themselves seven hexes away. This was a mixed blessing since I have Val 2 squadrons that won�t fly this range.

I always put a significant number of bombers on search (20 to 30 for all squadrons in KB). This usually means quite a few losses to CAP, but I suspect it helps getting the first strike. So, in the morning, my search boys found the enemy, and they were ours, and the weather wasn�t that nice (heavy cloud over them, heavy rain over us), and some of the raids lost coordination. But we could manage a pretty good first strike. Vals were disappointing, but the Kates were splendid.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 62
B5N2 Kate x 97
D3A1 Val x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 104

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 13 destroyed, 24 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1
CA Northampton
BB Indiana

A second strike, by latecomers then made an unsuccessful pass at the Hornet.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet

Then the allies had two unsuccessful attempts against my carriers. Note the relatively small strike packages. I suspect the damage done to the Wasp played a role.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 119,134
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 52

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51
SBD-3 Dauntless x 47
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Junyo
CVL Zuiho
CVE Unyo
CV Kaga
CV Hiyo
CV Hiryu
CA Kako
CV Zuikaku

Then we had another unsuccessful attempt against the vanguard CVE task force my opponent put one hex in front of his carriers, obviously as a CAP platform.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
D3A1 Val x 10
D3A2 Val x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon

The rest of the morning saw many bomber squadrons (four on my side, one on the Allies), and getting slaughtered by the CAP. The weather probably got worse in the afternoon, and nothing flew.

What now?

The second battle of Ndeni was a costly one (interestingly, it took place in the very area where KB sank the Lexington). We lost 190 planes, for 110 allies. But none of our ships got hit, and it looks like Wasp is a goner (three torpedo hits, and 50 planes reported as ops losses, which is pretty close to the full complement Wasp has, knowing that some fighters were in the air, and some bombers might have made it to Ndeni). South Dakota is also reported sunk. The VP total suggests they are still afloat, though. I am sending submarines in their general direction, just in case.

I don�t think I want a second day. I have about 300 planes left in the task force, and my pilots are fatigued. My opponent probably has a similar number of planes left and even though his pilots are probably fatigued as well, I don�t want to give him a chance to even the score out. So, I am retiring tomorrow. Should I do this at flank speed (considering that I have a CVE and a couple of slow ships in the TF)?

My hunch is that the Allies won�t pursue. The loss of the Wasp and the South Dakota for nothing should send the fleet home, I believe (especially if he was already hesitating about giving battle). But I won�t take any chance, and run for the clouds. They are forecasting ugly weather due east. But I am interested in opinions about what you�d do in such a situation.

(in reply to PaxMondo)

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