RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/30/2012 3:19:35 PM

marbakka

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quote:

Note that there are one or two air units in the continental US attached to 11th Air Force and are thus free to move to NoPac as this is the domain of the 11th.

Does anyone know of a map or list somewhere that makes it clear where these commands are used?

(in reply to HansBolter)

Post #: 31

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/30/2012 3:43:57 PM

Dan Nichols

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You might also note that many of the bases in the NorPac area are assigned to West Coast. So Is Annette Island. You can fly some of the aircraft from Oak Harbor to Annette Island and then to island bases in the Aleutians.

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 32

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/30/2012 3:56:34 PM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

quote:

Note that there are one or two air units in the continental US attached to 11th Air Force and are thus free to move to NoPac as this is the domain of the 11th.

Does anyone know of a map or list somewhere that makes it clear where these commands are used?

Sorry can't help with that one. I've just learned it from experience.

It's a good idea to peruse your reinforcements for the forseeable future also as you will eventually have air groups coming in already attached to remote HQs. The 51st Fighter(pursuit) Group comes in on the East Coast attached to 10th AF which will also eventually enter at Aden or Karachi (can't remember which) as the air HQ allocated to China ( I end up using it in India/Burma). I almost never end up sending the 51st there. It ends up being my western Australia fighter group. Another fighter group enters later at Aden attached to the 10th so the 10th isn't completely deprived of fighters. I always feel that India/Burma can get by with the British fighters supplemented by the AVG and the desperate need for fighters in Aus makes me prioritize sending the 51st there.

I almost always also pull the PI fighters to Australia as well. Yes, it is costly as you are throwing away PPs on units that withdraw by June, but Australia is completely devoid of fighters for the first 4-5 months otherwise. This gets them fighters in place until thier own start arriving.

While this may not necessarily be considered good game play I am a stickler for sending commonwealth national forces back to their home sectors of the theater. The Aussie bombers and fighters in Singapore go back to Australia. I even stage the Kiwi fighter out to Tilijijap and then ship it to Perth, Auckland and then on to Suva. I do this with air, naval and ground forces. It always rubbed me the wrong way that the British hogged commonwealth forces to protect British interests.

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 3/30/2012 4:07:34 PM >

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/30/2012 11:07:46 PM

marbakka

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I'm awaiting the next turn from Texas_D (probably tonight), but he already sent the replay for me to whet my teeth on in the meantime. Manila was hit hard for a second day, sinking most everything that he missed the first day (or at least, the ones I didn't get out of port during the night). Most frustrating is the sinking of the three AS that I left there. I hate to lose those, but the only alternative was to send them running and hope they weren't spotted - a faint hope indeed with both the mKB and the KB in the area. Most everything (except subs) that I did get out was sunk before it got past the first island south of Luzon. Although, come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure the KB participated in day 2, which could mean very bad things for my CENPAC forces. I'll have to look closely at the file when I get it.

*sigh* I suppose this is what the next 6 months are about for the Allies. C'est la vie.

...though I do wonder if he'll be so quick to send the replay when his carriers are all at the bottom and we're doing recon missions over Hiroshima.

(in reply to HansBolter)

Post #: 34

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 12:04:32 AM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

quote:

Note that there are one or two air units in the continental US attached to 11th Air Force and are thus free to move to NoPac as this is the domain of the 11th.

Does anyone know of a map or list somewhere that makes it clear where these commands are used?

If you click on the flag or dot for each base to bring up the info screen it will tell you which command the base is assigned to. Base assignments can be changed using political points but they are so scarce it is better to use them for unit reassignment. After all, you can't move the base!

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(in reply to marbakka)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 12:10:01 AM

marbakka

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
If you click on the flag or dot for each base to bring up the info screen it will tell you which command the base is assigned to. Base assignments can be changed using political points but they are so scarce it is better to use them for unit reassignment. After all, you can't move the base!

But what is the value of making sure that troops stationed at a particular base are under the same command as the base itself? For instance, what if I move a CD unit assigned to SOPAC to Adak? Is there some reason why I NEED to change the unit's assignment? I'm very fuzzy on all this organization and HQ business.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 12:24:08 AM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
If you click on the flag or dot for each base to bring up the info screen it will tell you which command the base is assigned to. Base assignments can be changed using political points but they are so scarce it is better to use them for unit reassignment. After all, you can't move the base!

But what is the value of making sure that troops stationed at a particular base are under the same command as the base itself? For instance, what if I move a CD unit assigned to SOPAC to Adak? Is there some reason why I NEED to change the unit's assignment? I'm very fuzzy on all this organization and HQ business.

I don't have details like the support range [in hexes] for the various sizes of HQs, but I do remember that a unit gets better support if it is in range of its own HQ. It will train better, recover disruption and fatigue faster and fight better because of higher morale [assuming the HQ commander has a reasonable aggressiveness and leadership rating]. Having said that, the unit will not be totally unsupported if the HQs near it are different from the one assigned - it just won't be as good. You also get co-ordination issues if there are units assigned to different HQs trying to work together. It can lead to things like air strikes that go in as separate squadrons instead of together and escorted.
Note that changing ship HQs does not seem to cost PP, so if you form a mixed bag TF, it is probably a good idea to change the HQs for all ships to the same. This is easy to do with a button or hypertext on the TF screen.

EDIT: PS - CD units don't really need to work with other units - they act on their own against enemy landings or bombardments, so coordination is not an issue there. I would go ahead and move the unit without worrying about the HQ.

< Message edited by BBfanboy -- 3/31/2012 12:29:17 AM >

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 1:59:40 AM

Blackhorse

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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

quote:

Note that there are one or two air units in the continental US attached to 11th Air Force and are thus free to move to NoPac as this is the domain of the 11th.

Does anyone know of a map or list somewhere that makes it clear where these commands are used?

In the game, you can send them wherever you want. Here's where they went historically:

Second Air Force
Northwest United States
(Zone of the Interior)

Fourth Air Force
Southwest United States
(Zone of the Interior)

Fifth Air Force
Philippines
Australia
Southwest Pacific

Sixth Air Force
Caribbean Islands
Panama
South America

Seventh Air Force
Hawaii
Central Pacific

Eighth Air Force
Europe
(Pacific, August 1945)

Tenth Air Force
India
Burma

Eleventh Air Force
Alaska

Thirteenth Air Force
South Pacific

Fourteenth Air Force
China

Twentieth Air Force
India/China
Mariana Islands

< Message edited by Blackhorse -- 3/31/2012 2:18:46 AM >

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(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 38

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 2:16:43 AM

Blackhorse

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One minor correction to BBfan's otherwise excellent advice:

All Infantry units have the same basic movement rate: The number of vehicles do not affect this. Filipino and Chinese infantry divisions (with virtually no trucks) or US infantry divisions (with enough trucks to carry 1/3 of the division at a time) or British or Japanese divisions (in between) all share the same movement rate.

Disruption and fatigue slows movement. Most allied units start with high disruption/fatigue so they move, as BBfan notes, much slower than their Japanese counterparts. As the Allied units rest and recover, they will be able to move faster.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 3:11:11 AM

marbakka

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Thanks Blackhorse!

My opponent also pointed me toward this excellent thread: http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2198481&mpage=2&key=

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 3:40:35 AM

ny59giants

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You will never have enough PP (Political Points) to do everything you want...even in '44.

Airframes - Like others have said, I like to rest my air groups until they get up to 99%. Once they get below 50% then they may unwilling to engage in combat. Your large Kingfisher groups that come into the West Coast (WC) are great for port ASW work train and then ship to you main hub across Pacific). You will find out by mid-42 that you have plenty of American Army pilots. The problem is not enough airframes.

You will need to choose your air battles carefully and use mass. P-40s can stand up to Zeros, if trained up (Air skill near 70 and Defense over 60), but you need equal numbers or greater.

Port Service units - there will be 6 of these. You want them to on your Amphib TFs when unloading at ports size 0 or 1 with their small, but important Naval Support. You have Motorized Support and some radar sets that will not unload without it.

Transports - Around India/Burma you have most of the these xAKs - Dominion M (speed 13; Endurance 14,600; Capacity 5550) and Pacific L (speed 12; Endurance 12,000; Capacity 3900) that can convert to xAP (24 days). I send mine to Cape Town for conversion. Then, over to Panama and WC to be my workhouse getting troops out of USA. They are numerous and small enough that they can dock in those small ports (size 2 or less)

Fuel - You have plenty of xAKs and AKs to move supply out of USA. Your shortage is in getting fuel out of there. I use ALL my dual capacity xAKs as tankers (Euro L, Euro K, C2, C3-E) that have liquid capacity. Assign them by speed. In Indian Ocean, I have the 8095 Capacity and 8075 Capacity TKs going from Abadan to Cape Town. Then, the 9430 Capacity go from Cape Town to Australia. The other large British TKs go to USA. If you are playing with a later Beta patch or the last official patch, I would turn off the HI at Sydney to save fuel.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 5:32:46 AM

DOCUP

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If you don't know this as I didn't. To get Def stats up use 100 feet sweep. By the way SWEEP is king of the air. Sweep when you can.

(in reply to ny59giants)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 7:16:36 AM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse

One minor correction to BBfan's otherwise excellent advice:

All Infantry units have the same basic movement rate: The number of vehicles do not affect this. Filipino and Chinese infantry divisions (with virtually no trucks) or US infantry divisions (with enough trucks to carry 1/3 of the division at a time) or British or Japanese divisions (in between) all share the same movement rate.

Disruption and fatigue slows movement. Most allied units start with high disruption/fatigue so they move, as BBfan notes, much slower than their Japanese counterparts. As the Allied units rest and recover, they will be able to move faster.

Well I just learned something new! Thanks BH. I made my statement based on experience with some allied units that had vehicles moving faster - but I guess it makes sense that troops in trucks get less fatigue than ground pounders. I think the Chinese troops must spend half their day searching the countryside for food - they move so slow!

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 9:42:25 AM

HansBolter

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Another point of clarification is that the movement capabilities of the various nationalities' infantry units does vary in strat mode. Chines units can't strat down roads, only rails. I have seen other state that non-British commonwealth units can't either, but I have yet to ever see an Indiuan infantry unit fail to strat move from Dimapur to Imphal when I send them there.

As for ship conversions, there are also plenty of xAKs that can convert to AKEs. Search them out and get them started converting as soon as possible. ADs can rearm your DDs, but your CLs and larger are going to need the AEs and AKEs at those small ports you will be using as SAG bases until the ports reach a size that can rearm the bigger guns without the ammo ships. It takes a minimum level 6 port to rearm 8" guns and a level 5 to rearm 6" guns. Naval support reduces this requirement so it too can alleviate the rearming difficulties you will face in the first 6-9 months. There is a table in the manual that shows what it takes to rearm various size weapons.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 5:00:35 PM

princep01

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Marbakka.....I do not have a map of US commands and where they demarked command boundaries at various times, but I have gleaned the following from the game and reading.

North Pacific: 11th Air Force (XI Bomber and XI Fighter Commands) operated in the Aleutians and Canadian west coast. These would have likely been in the mix had the US taken a crack at attacking the Kuriles.

West Coast (US) Command (as Dan Nichols noted) also commanded bases in the Alaska and Aleutians. 4th USAAF Command (IV Bomber and IV Fighter Commands). These are typically restricted units and must be bought with political points to deploy effectively outside the US or, to a limited degree, in the Alaska/ Aleutian area. It makes a very good training command and I think that is how it was used historically.

Pacific Fleet encompasses a great number of HQs. Generally units attached directly to Pacific HQ can go anywhere in the Pacific. It includes Hawaii USAAF, 7th Bomber/Fighter HQs, the 8th USAAF, USN Forward Air Central Pacific, USN Air Central Pacific, 6th GP Royal Canadian Air Force and 5 GP Royal Air Force. Some of these HQs are restricted, some are not.

South Pacific : HQ Not available at start. Comes in around mid summer 1942. 13th USAAF, with 13th Bomber and Fighter commands. USN Air SoPAC, 1 GP Royal New Zealand Air Force, and USMC Air FMF PAc Hqs are attached althought most do not start the game on map. I think Paullus' comment about the dividing line between Central and South Pacific reflects the historical border between those commands

Southwest Pac : Comes in in late Spring 1942 as I recall. Attached to it are 5th USAAF with V Bomber and II Fighter HQs. I think V Bomber and II Fighter are on map at start. 9 Gp RAF and 10 GP RAF Hqs come on later. This was MacArthurs command and based out of Brisbane? in 1942. The border between it and South Pac ran like between Australia and New Caldonia (roughly, the Coral Sea). As I recall, the Guadacanal/Solomons campaign was in SoPac and the Buna/New Guinea campaign was SW Pacific. Historically there was some friction between the two commands regarding the "exact" border....can you imagine anything else in a command that included MacArthur?? Had the Allies thrust up into the DEI from N Aussieland, it would have been under SW Pac control.

However, I must comment here about the real possibilituy of doing a Darwin-Timor-Celebes thrust. The Allies determined (correctly or not, but I think correctly) that such a thrust would have been logistically impossible. With no rail connection to Darwin or any other N Aussieland port, supplying such a thrust in 42/43 would have been unfeasible. Maybe later when abundant shipping became available, but then, there were the ports themselves....all we very small. Improving them would have absorbed much of the supply hauled to the area. It is very doable in the game though and those who have recommended it have a good point. I personally do not like the approach as the waters are too confined and the Japs have the potential to have many interlocking, large airfields. But, should Johnny Jap become complacent in building up and garrisoning the area....go for it.

(in reply to HansBolter)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 5:39:56 PM

marbakka

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December 8, 1941 Report

Philippines
- A second day of heavy bombing of Manila and Clark Field. All ships at Manila were sunk except 4 (TK xAKL AO xAP), but those will almost certainly sink over the next 24 hours.
- An pessimistic bunch fled the port in the night. The subs are heading toward patrol zones and rebased to Darwin or PH. Many of the transports ran afoul of the mKB/KB and were sunk already, as were a few DDs. DD John D. Ford survived the day and has been ordered to abandon his TF and flee full speed to the SW, but there is little hope of her surviving. A handful of AKL types and support ships managed to reach the Celebes Sea and Makassar Strait. They should make it to Java.
- Laoag, Vigan, and Antimonan all fell. The larger part of his forces seem to be located at Atimonan.
- KB and mKB both appear to be operating out of the South China Sea, but I'm not positive (see below)

China
- It appears that the large force in Wuchang is marching west. I'll put some recon on it, but I wouldn't think he'd make a move for Changsha this early.
- Troops in "the bulge" continue to retreat toward Kahnsein, but his troops in Nanchang are already moving to cut them off.

Malaya
- Kota Bharu falls. retreating troops ordered to march to the nearest rail station and report back to Singapore
- The Strait of Malacca is unusable.

Burma
- Quiet today. No bombings at Rangoon which is unfortunate because there are two squadrons of AVG that wanted a piece. One will be moved out today.

DEI
- Singkawang fell. He'll have AGs there in short order
- Force Z arrives in Soerabaja
- Ternate fell. My cruisers just arrived in Ambon. Tempted to take a look-see
- Palembang: 52 AV

CENPAC
- According to Combat Reporter (which I just started using), there were many sub sightings south of Wake. What is disconcerting is that these sub TFs were heading E/NE while most of the subs reported near PH are headed NW. Enterprise and Lexington are right in the middle of that general movement which leads me to believe that one or both may have been spotted already.

Attachment (1)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 5:41:02 PM

marbakka

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SigInt Report

SS Trout is in route to patrol off of Japan and may pass by this TF if the course is NE.

Attachment (1)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 5:44:20 PM

marbakka

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Question: Does this mean that both the KB and the mKB are to the WEST of the Philippines? I was under the impression that the KB was EAST, but these reports seem to indicate a combined force to the west. I'll go back and check the combat reports for the first turn, but I could have swore some of those carrier planes came from the east. If KB is in the South China sea then I feel a little bit more free to move my own CVs around.

Part of my problem is that I don't have a solid handle on the typical size/range/ability of either group.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 6:29:48 PM

princep01

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From the extent of damage done in Manila over the first two days, it is clear that KB is operating in th earea. A mouse over report can be very deceiving and aerial/sub recon reports are generally only accurate to a degree, but it is HIGHLY likely that the KB and his mini-KB are both operating to the west of manila.

I'm sure others have told you that you definitely want to avoid CV battles with the KB in the first year of the war. You will definitely lose, and lose badly, if you go up against the 6 KB CVs with 4-5 US CVs in '42. General CV engagements should be avoided until well into 43. If you recon a piece of the KB and KNOW the rest is elsewhere, then a combined 5-6 US CV fleet can take on three large IJN CVs with good results, but even then, you must be sure you are catching a piece of KB without LBA or little KB support.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 6:37:25 PM

marbakka

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I just watched the replay from turn 1 and at that time there WAS something operating to the SE of Luzon. It launched Kates, Claudes, and Zeros at Manila. I don't know enough about the game to know what that was or whether it could have sailed around to the West side during the day.

The reason it is important is because if the KB and mKB are both on the west side of the Philippines, then I can risk some SAG action against Ternate where the escorts are likely depleted after bombardment.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 7:38:51 PM

princep01

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If it had Claudes, it was definitely not KB, but the CVL Rhyjo starts in the area SE of Luzon in the Scenario 1 game and it has Claude fighters and Kates (rather than Zeros) on board. So, I'd say you have all the KB in the S China Sea along with most the other CVL/CVEs. From the damage you suffered and the type planes doing the damage, there is no doubt KB is striking and it surely looks like it is striking from the west although another much smaller CV group or a lone CVL.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 3/31/2012 8:16:04 PM

marbakka

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Orders Summary - December 8, 1941

After that first turn, it feels like I'm not doing anything this turn.

China
- AVG moved to Chungking to recoup after its move from Burma. It will make dashes into Changsha
- HK should come under attack sometime tomorrow. I have launched my transports in the vain hope that they will survive. The faster TF is headed east and will pass south of Formosa and toward Wake. The only reason that makes any sense is because the alternative is to go straight through the KB for Singapore. The slower TF did go that way, but my only hope there is that it will distract the KB from the 3 DDs that are trying to slip past them to the west

Burma
- DC2 squadron has moved to Sabang on its way to Palembang. It is a bit risky having them there with no protection, but Japan shouldn't know they are there, and they will leave tomorrow
- AVG squadron on its way to Palembang will spend another night in Rangoon repairing some aircraft anticipating a bombing raid.

Other
- I tinkered with AGs because a number of them were getting fatigued too fast
- 808th EAB is ordered to move by rail to the SF staging area and plan for Noumea where it will eventually be headed.
- Tanker/Cargo fleets on the WC are already nearly filled up and ready to make the first shipment to PaPa
- I ordered the CL De Ruyter and her 4 DD escorts to proceed to Ternate and destroy anything they find there. She will be met there by CA Houston and CL Boise, but it is likely that they will not arrive until the afternoon or tomorrow morning. In doing this, I am operating on the conclusion that the IJ naval air assets are located west of the Philippines and that the IJ SAG SE of Davao is covering the TF that left Babeldaob. If either of those conclusions is incorrect, the US cruisers and possibly the De Ruyter may be lost. We'll see!

CVs
- Lexington is hovering NE of Wake in the hopes that IJ will make a move on that fair isle
- Enterprise is backing up the Lexington from the Midway area
- Saratoga and her pathetic little escorts are on a shakedown cruise near the WC

< Message edited by marbakka -- 3/31/2012 8:19:05 PM >

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 8:23:13 PM

marbakka

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December 9, 1941 Report

Philippines
- Lots of damaged sips in Manila slipped below the surface in the night, but there were no bombings of Manila (or CF either I think)
- The enemy troops SE of Manila are marching up the peninsula
- Landing at Davao
- KBa (see below) is in the Sulu Sea and sunk almost everything that wasn't in the Celebes Sea already. DD John D. Ford has escaped and is refueling in Balikpapan before heading further south.
- There is no way that the Cebu base force can be rescued as IJ has sunk every single ship bigger than a PT in the area.

DEI
- IJ has already begun to send out recon missions from Singkawang. He's playing aggressively enough that I suspect "Fortress Palembang" is going to top out somewhere near the "pillow fort" level before he lands to take it.
- Manado is still resisting capture. The garrison is about 46 AV strong, but I suspect it will fall tomorrow or the next.
- IJ landings at Manokwari and Biak on New Guinea.
- My BF in Sorong has successfully been airlifted to Ambon where it will help support my temporary little build up there.

Malaya/Burma/India
- Half-hearted bombing of Rangoon, Alor Star, and Kuantan. I expect Kuantan to see a landing in the next couple of days maybe
- George Town troops are pretty much stuck. He bombs it every day and I don't think I have any transports left alive. I -could- divert the DC2s to rescue them, but they are really needed for the Palembang Pillow Fort (PPF)

SOPAC/CENPAC/NOPAC/WC
- Ocean Island was swiftly taken last night. Tarawa next?
- I will begin looking to move a garrison to Adak on today's turn. I'd prefer not to purchase anything as I'm hoping to get the AUS brigades out of Singapore, but we'll see.

The Celebes Situation
- It would appear that the conclusions that led me to send CA Houston and CL Boise east to attack Ternate were incorrect. What I thought was a SAG covering an invasion force at Davao turned out to be (apparently) the mini-KB (or at least 1 CVL anyway). That TF moved SW during the night and Kates and Claudes made an attempt sinking the CL De Ruyter and her escorts. They scored no hits and were few in number. Now I am left with the US cruisers a couple of hexes from an IJ carrier group and a dutch CL already under the same umbrella. My first inclination is to get them out of there with all the haste that can be mustered. Force Z in moving east from Soerabaja toward Ambon and may come into the picture in a couple days if I don't turn them back.

The Alphabet Soup
- "KB" and "mini-KB" aren't going to cut it anymore. Three surface encounters by cargo ships with what I'm calling KBa revealed that it does NOT contain CV Hiryu, CV Soryu, or BB Kirishima. I have an idea of where they are, but the point is that "KB" has evidently split into KBa and KBb (or more!). Also, the "mini-KB" (mKB) that is NW of Ternate appears to be weaker than I would have expected. Mouseover shows 6 CAs and no CVLs at all, but that is clearly incorrect.
- In short, he has split off part of the KB for something else.
- Known locations: KBa is in the Sulu Sea moving SE (to Truk?), mKB is north of Ternate causing me stress, and I believe KBb to be in the South China Sea headed for Malaya (I'm near certain of it. I took Kate/Val attacks from a TF which is reported to consist of a BB and 2 CVs...exactly what is missing from the KB)
- I figure he can get away with KBb going around with its pants down because he knows that Force Z is near Java, and that with Singkawang being used for air operations, I'm not likely to sail them north again.

Attachment (1)

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 8:23:51 PM

marbakka

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Today's SigInt report

Nothing special to my newbish eyes

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 54

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:07:47 PM

marbakka

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Orders Summary - December 10, 1941

Here's hoping for a boring turn

China
- Improved AG training
- AVG is in Chungking resting before some raids to the front

Philippines
- Not much to do here. I think I can already declare PI officially Cut Off.
- I paid the PP for the remaining two B-17 squadrons. That means that I ended up buying all 4 squadrons out of the PI. The first two had already been sent south (One to Soerabaja, the other on its way to AUS). These two were both sent to China where I hope they will be a constant thorn in IJ's side

Malaya/Burma/India
- Not a lot going on here but KBb is headed this way
- Sent an LCU to Mersing to replace the AUS unit that I'm withdrawing to Singapore (and hopefully down under)
- LOTS of units arrived in Pegu today. Most set to rest.
- I also diverted a few LCUs to the bases along the forested line to Lashio. They will give their lives as a speed bump to allow Pegu/Rangoon troops to withdraw

DEI
- Palembang Pillow Fort is at 62 AV. Frankly, I don't see how I'll be able to get it real high if he is very aggressive and it appears that he will be.
- TKs that aren't already in Palembang filling up are ordered to Soerabaja instead. Enemy aircraft from Singkawang are going to make moving ships from Palembang difficult
- I have a cargo ship that is heavily damaged thanks to a torpedo and mines at Merak. Minesweepers deployed and my ASW TF directed to the area
- Force Z ordered to wait at Kendari until I figure out what's going on with the mKB. A number of cruisers and destroyers are meeting up at Ambon
- CA Houston and CL Boise will be making a run for Ambon with a waypoint sweep of Ternate. Here's hoping they outwit the mKB during the night. CL De Ruyter and it's DDs are also turning back to Ambon

Pacific/Australia
- Fortification of Australia continues. AF base being established at Alice Springs
- PaPa is about to receive its first major shipment - a TF load of troops to garrison and upgrade the port. A wave of fuel and supplies from the WC is already en route
- IJ sent a couple light SAGs to explore around Wake. I'll not be having with that. Lexington is steaming SW on a course intended to invite these TFs to explore the Pacific sea floor. Enterprise is shifting to Lexington's old position.

WC/NOPAC
- I'm moving an unrestricted ENG from Sitka to Adak, but it will take a while to get some transports up there. Meanwhile, a light SAG is sitting at Adak and Force A (Heavy SAG) is slowly making its way to the Aleutians
- Moved some LCUs from SD to SF. SF is my staging area for troops and is where I have concentrated all transports
- Some Catalina AGs are resting and will soon be moved to CENPAC locations
- Saratoga is moving to Seattle where I think I'll keep her until BB Tennessee arrives for repairs. At that point, I'll use Tennessee's escorts to replace the pathetic little row boats that I have sailing alongside my 3rd CV. After that, I plan on sending her on a cruise in the Bering Sea.

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Post #: 55

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:26:41 PM

princep01

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Marabakka, it is still pretty clear what is up with the CVs/CVLs. The CVL that attacked DeRyder, is almost surely a single CVL, probably Ryhjo (sp). It likely has no more than CA/DDs as an escort and likely has only one or two CAs. I would try for a night engagement in the vicinity of Tenate or wherever you think it is going with the Houston/ Boise TF only if KB stays well to the west. You may get lucky and sink the dog. Even if you don't, it is not likely you'll suffer greatly, as that one ship is just not carrying enough punch to hurt you unless he is lucky.

Now the KB itself appears to have split and that is something you don't see good players doing much. However, this is Scen 2 and he knows what he is about, so I think he is confident doing this. So Hiryu and Soryu are skulking about. They may be the "unknown fleet" or they may be off trying to cover the Wake landing or God knows whatelse. But, I still would not be quick to try and engage those two with 2 US CVs as the US CVs are presently configured. It would be a closer fight and you would likely score some damage on one or both, but could lose one or more of your precious CVs. You don't even have decent fighters on one of the CVs.

The remainder of mini-KB appears to have been with the KB prime in the South China Sea and was there to pick off "racers" from Manila.

But all this is details. While important in making tactical decisions now, take time to look at the bigger picture. You have 8 healthy BBs and a bunch of good CAs in Hawaii that you normally don't have in WitPAE games. You have to decide what you are going to do with them. Also, decide as best you can what you are going to try and really defend. You cannot defend much at this point of the game, but he cannot take everything at once, so chose your points of defense and start preparing them. Are you going to hold onto Pago-Pago (a good idea). If so, get supply ships on the way to it NOW and use your political points to get a regiment there ASAP to prevent a lone SNLF grabbing it. Going to try and hold Suva (Fiji)? What about Darwin? Perth? Ceylon? You have to decide now and get cracking on preparing the chosen points.

I don't think you'll have to wait very long to find out where Hiryu and Soryu are, but my best guess is that they are trying to set up an ambush of one of your CVs near Wake while simultaneously covering the Wake invasion force.

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Post #: 56

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:27:36 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

Today's SigInt report

Nothing special to my newbish eyes

Only thing I can glean from this report is that a BF being loaded in Truk means a move in the Solomons/New Britain [Rabaul]/Northern New Guinea area to establish a base. He could send it as far as the Carolines but New Britain is a higher priority. He has shown himself to be aggressive in PI and Malaya so I would expect him to go after Rabaul early rather than securing the vacant bases on N. New Guiniea.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

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Post #: 57

RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:36:29 PM

princep01

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From: Texas
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Another thing that is useful. I keep a running list of where intel tells me the IJA Divisons are. You can keep as extensive a list as you wwant of sub-units, but I find that keeping up with the Divisions is helpful in pulling together a big picture of his plans.

Otherwise, intel isn't that useful to me on a turn by turn basis. But, if you copy or save the intel repostss and piece together where things are over a 10-14 day period, you'll have a really good idea of where his assets are and that tells you a lot about his big plans.

You're going to find that the Allied pilots are also prone to seeing mirages until they have become much better at the naval search skill. You'll get reports of "8 ships" off San Clemente Is (US West coast) and other such dubious reports. This may scare you pissless the first couple of times you see it, but you'll quickly learn to discern real sightings from reports by rookies prone to see fleets in highly unlikely places.

Good luck

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:37:37 PM

marbakka

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Only thing I can glean from this report is that a BF being loaded in Truk means a move in the Solomons/New Britain [Rabaul]/Northern New Guinea area to establish a base. He could send it as far as the Carolines but New Britain is a higher priority. He has shown himself to be aggressive in PI and Malaya so I would expect him to go after Rabaul early rather than securing the vacant bases on N. New Guiniea.

Then I hope it is lightly escorted. I have a CL sitting in Rabaul right now and two more cruisers on the way to cover the withdrawal of troops by air.

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RE: [Clever Title Here] Texas_D (J) vs Marbakka (A) - 4/1/2012 11:41:35 PM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01
Now the KB itself appears to have split and that is something you don't see good players doing much. However, this is Scen 2 and he knows what he is about, so I think he is confident doing this. So Hiryu and Soryu are skulking about. They may be the "unknown fleet" or they may be off trying to cover the Wake landing or God knows whatelse. But, I still would not be quick to try and engage those two with 2 US CVs as the US CVs are presently configured. It would be a closer fight and you would likely score some damage on one or both, but could lose one or more of your precious CVs. You don't even have decent fighters on one of the CVs.

I'm fairly certain that Hiryu, Soryu, and Kirishima are the fleet that is in the South China Sea heading for Malaya. I was attacked by Vals from that fleet and it is reported to be "CV CV BB". I don't know whether he's planning on assisting in Malaya or taking a jaunt in the Java Sea. We'll see, I suppose.

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