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RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/26/2016 4:26:20 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

BBs are the IJN's "secret weapon" in 1942 in our game. I have not developed an effective counter. They soak up bombs in TFs, negating the best Allied air platform - the SBD. Their crews are top notch, so sending US BBs to counter is NOT a good idea - one that I found out the hard way in the Aleutians. US CA TFs, if they can get in close can damage the behemoths if they get lucky, and a DD from the screen scores a miraculous hit.

And the BBs are all too bloody effective in bombardments if not intercepted - they can shut down a level 4 fort protected airbase. So, they have to be intercepted with SOMETHING! I'm still looking for a solution....

How many minelaying subs do you have?

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to IdahoNYer)

Post #: 601

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/28/2016 1:02:04 AM

IdahoNYer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Luck, schmuck! You can stack the odds a bit more in your favour by training the subs/ships crews and pilots as high as possible before committing them and getting them some combat experience in low risk environments. Easy to say, but the hard part is resisting the urge to push them forward early. I often have to tell myself it really doesn't matter in the long run if I let the IJN take one more insignificant base so that I can keep my pilots training.

My subs get experience early on launching unsuccessful attacks (misses and duds) and suffering ineffective depth charging afterwards. Not exciting but necessary action.
My torpedo bombers get combat experience dropping bombs on easy land targets or poorly CAP'd merchants.
Surface ships get experience doing bombardments and escorting where they have to defend against sub and aircraft attacks.

And PT boats do their thing at night, but then I take the best of them into a separate TF and send it back to the pools to be used later when they are facing BBs rather than just DDs. The trick is to have enough of them with decent experience because the most aggressive will get shot up first and the rest better be able to get the hits.

And of course investing the points in good leaders for the ships/subs/squadrons is essential. I put this ahead of buying out a lot of LCUs early which will be risked in hazardous transport to exposed bases where they may or may not get enough support to survive. IOW, command of the sea and air comes first.

Agree with ever tip you have here BB, and have been doing em - but you forgot one thing - my crafty PBEM opponent is doing the same thing, hence the luck aspect. The IJN has a significant advantage in surface naval combat in '42 - as it should be IMO. Gradually, the USN will gain experience, leadership and crews will improve - but the IJN will remain very, very good. What isn't modeled in WiTPAE are some of the technological edges the USN received as the war progress - radar directed gunnery comes to mind.

Will keep plugging away, and hope I catch a break with the dice gods. My advantage is I can afford a few banged up ships at this point - the IJN can't.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 602

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/28/2016 1:05:39 AM

IdahoNYer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

BBs are the IJN's "secret weapon" in 1942 in our game. I have not developed an effective counter. They soak up bombs in TFs, negating the best Allied air platform - the SBD. Their crews are top notch, so sending US BBs to counter is NOT a good idea - one that I found out the hard way in the Aleutians. US CA TFs, if they can get in close can damage the behemoths if they get lucky, and a DD from the screen scores a miraculous hit.

And the BBs are all too bloody effective in bombardments if not intercepted - they can shut down a level 4 fort protected airbase. So, they have to be intercepted with SOMETHING! I'm still looking for a solution....

How many minelaying subs do you have?

I've got the Argonaut, O-20 and am using the two Brit "T" class subs occasionally. With the 12/42 refit, will have a few US subs able to use the Mk12 mine. Shortage of mines is the usual problem.

I mined the heck out of Merauke figuring he'd use the BBs there - of course he sent them to Kirakira instead....go figure...

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 603

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/28/2016 3:03:30 AM

BBfanboy

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Apparently the radar directed gunfire is supposed to kick in around October-November 1943. That is roughly the time of the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL, getting a first salvo hit with radar fire control on a very black night.

_____________________________

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 #: 604

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/28/2016 3:31:04 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL,

You're referring to the after-action numbers; the IJN had two CL's going in.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 605

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/28/2016 11:45:41 PM

IdahoNYer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Apparently the radar directed gunfire is supposed to kick in around October-November 1943. That is roughly the time of the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL, getting a first salvo hit with radar fire control on a very black night.

Unfortunately, WiTP-AE does not reflect fire control radar. Radar only effects detection.

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Post #: 606

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/29/2016 1:43:35 AM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Apparently the radar directed gunfire is supposed to kick in around October-November 1943. That is roughly the time of the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL, getting a first salvo hit with radar fire control on a very black night.

Unfortunately, WiTP-AE does not reflect fire control radar. Radar only effects detection.

No fire control effect in the radar stats, but according to a recent post by one of the developers or Alfred, it is under the hood and takes effect in late 1943. I am unsure if it is tied to an upgrade or just "happens", like all the US torpedoes getting better on a given date, whether the ship/sub is in port or not.

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Post #: 607

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/29/2016 2:45:19 AM

IdahoNYer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Apparently the radar directed gunfire is supposed to kick in around October-November 1943. That is roughly the time of the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL, getting a first salvo hit with radar fire control on a very black night.

Unfortunately, WiTP-AE does not reflect fire control radar. Radar only effects detection.

No fire control effect in the radar stats, but according to a recent post by one of the developers or Alfred, it is under the hood and takes effect in late 1943. I am unsure if it is tied to an upgrade or just "happens", like all the US torpedoes getting better on a given date, whether the ship/sub is in port or not.

BB - the only thread I can reference is this one from 2015 where Symon says there is a "bump" to late war Allied gunnery - but its primarily AAA, not Naval and that radar is only for increased DL.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3819133&mpage=1&key=fire%2Ccontrol%2Cradar�

Is this the one you're referring to?

As far as I can find, Radar is only good for increasing DL. And like the thread discusses, the advantages in naval combat gradually swing to the Allies favor due to increasing experience in crew quality. I'm good with that!

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Post #: 608

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/29/2016 2:57:03 AM

1EyedJacks

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The greater the DL the easier it is to inflict damage on the enemy in combat. Often even
when the DL is zero, friendly forces will take action due to an MDL value that is higher (i.e.
even though an enemy TF disappears at night, expectations of enemy movements based
on following the enemy closely the previous day can lead to friendly forces anticipating the
enemy�s next move). The DL of every unit changes constantly during the resolution phase
based on the unit�s activities and enemy actions.

10.3 RADAR DETECTION LEVELS AND SURFACE COMBAT
When TFs enter into Surface Combat, each ship is given an individual DL for purposes of the
combat resolution only. Each ship with radar will attempt to use its radar to increase the DL
of enemy ships involved in the combat by checking its radar against each enemy ship. Each
successful radar check will increase the DL of an enemy ship by one. Ships that are on fire will
have high DL values at night. (The most dangerous place to be is on a burning ship during a
night surface engagement.) The higher a ship�s DL during surface combat, the more likely it is
to become the target of an enemy ship�s weapons.

_____________________________

TTFN,

Mike

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Post #: 609

RE: 27-28 Dec 42 - 5/29/2016 5:07:40 AM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Apparently the radar directed gunfire is supposed to kick in around October-November 1943. That is roughly the time of the RL Battle of Empress Augusta Bay when four Cleveland Cruisers handled two IJN CAs and a CL, getting a first salvo hit with radar fire control on a very black night.

Unfortunately, WiTP-AE does not reflect fire control radar. Radar only effects detection.

No fire control effect in the radar stats, but according to a recent post by one of the developers or Alfred, it is under the hood and takes effect in late 1943. I am unsure if it is tied to an upgrade or just "happens", like all the US torpedoes getting better on a given date, whether the ship/sub is in port or not.

BB - the only thread I can reference is this one from 2015 where Symon says there is a "bump" to late war Allied gunnery - but its primarily AAA, not Naval and that radar is only for increased DL.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3819133&mpage=1&key=fire%2Ccontrol%2Cradar?

Is this the one you're referring to?

As far as I can find, Radar is only good for increasing DL. And like the thread discusses, the advantages in naval combat gradually swing to the Allies favor due to increasing experience in crew quality. I'm good with that!

I saw something much more recently, but it was probably referring to that discussion.
BTW, the thread you reference doesn't say there is no bump to naval gunnery, it says AAA is bumped more than naval gunnery. The exact quote from the thread:

There is a gunnery accuracy bonus for late war Allied ships : AAA more so than Nav. It has nothing whatsoever to do with any "Radar" Devices. It is hard coded in terms of "time" and is used to "simulate" the effects of gun directors, VT fuses, and the like.

So the hard coded part is what I meant by "under the hood", and the quote confirms it is triggered by a date rather than an upgrade taking place.

_____________________________

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 #: 610

DEc 42 Summary - 5/29/2016 4:53:07 PM

IdahoNYer

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Dec 42 Summary

December was a busy month, with the Allies making a number of small offensive actions � the long road to Tokyo is moving (or crawling) forward. L_S_T surprised me with his main naval effort clearly at limiting Kirakira�s expansion, but did not oppose Merauke, Baker or Vaitaipu landings with anything but subs and half hearted air attacks � I expected Merauke to be much, much tougher. Nothing decisive was achieved at sea, despite opportunities for both sides. Kirakira has proved to be an attritional fight for both sides, which wasn�t expected. Still, so far, the base is expanding, albeit slowly, and the actions have favored the Allies overall. Keeping the US fleet intact is still a major consideration for Allied plans, not readty to be chasing down the KB yet. These offensive moves have shown me just how brittle the Allied offensive combat power is at this point in the war. Also still a bit surprised, but this has been building, is the sheer number of ground units committed to Burma. Still good with that, but we�re not going on any major offensives there for a long, long time. China continues to deteriorate, and each month China�s still fighting is the only positive I can draw. Naval losses for the month were fairly light for both sides, with only one major naval engagement; IJN reported losses for the month were 1CA, 1CL, 4DD, 7SS and 6SSX as compared to the Allies losing a CL, DD, 3SS and 18PT (PT losses painful, mainly around Kirakira). In the air, it was a very good month for the Allied Cause, 741 for Jpn to 463 Allied.

Screenshot shows Allied Forces disposition - Notes: 1)Ships are in service, not under refit or stood down. 2) a/c shown are combat available, not trainers or deployed on CVs. (also, during this particular timeframe, a few US CV airgroups are deployed ashore (CV Yorktown in yard repairs for instance) HB are 4 engine bombers. 3) CENPAC subs are those against IJN shipping, other Theater subs shown are �in close� for defense of that Theater. 4) En are Construction or Combat Engineers, all others (Port, Base, Group are under BF, including static bases). 4) AR includes armor, TD or recce units of any size.

INTEL: I find the best part of a PBEM is that your opponent may well surprise you. Well, L_S_T has not disappointed! With his focus on Kirakira, he HAS kept me off balance. I figure the KB will be kept in a central position around Rabaul to counter advances up the Solomons, or perhaps Kendari to react to the Allied approach to Darwin. Have been surprised that the KB hasn�t �raided� � while risky, it could be very profitable. Will continue with the goal of striking where the KB isn�t.

SUBWAR: Sub war continues to be frustrating and not very productive. Many subs have, and will continue to, be sent to refit, but now at least some are returning to the shipping lanes. ASW a/c continue to be the biggest threat, and what convoys that are engaged are well protected � another big difference from the AI opponent. Will continue to send subs into Harm�s Way, and hope for the best.

West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Airframes remain in short supply � I�m still one good CAP TRAP away from a disaster. US Army and USMC pilot pools are actually showing some serious improvement; pilot skill is getting very good, and reserve pool becoming plentiful. US Navy pools remain low, but using a couple of the V-R squadrons should help this in the coming months. Aus, Brit, and NZ pools remain low in fighter pilots, but that will gradually get better. Convoy routes to Aus and India are very robust now, with enough supply and fuel being pushed forward to increase stockage across the board, although still a bit shy of good escorts � although fast US AMs are filling the gap. The biggest challenge in the �rear areas� is trying to determine where the vast amount of engineer reinforcements need to be headed � anticipating requirements, and sending them out on transports from the West Coast. I can live with those kind of problems!

NOPAC. Occupying Buldir Island has, and will remain the focus to set the conditions to land on Attu in the spring. Should be able to base SBDs on Buldir this month to interdict any shipping going into Attu. Don�t expect anything major happening in Theater for a while.

CENPAC. Baker Is was seized without a fight. Will continue to build up for landings in the Gilberts � but this is a big jump, and would like to know where the KB is before I launch. That said, should be ready to launch an amphib, at least by forward staging ground troops, before the end of Jan.

SOPAC. Kirakira will remain the focus. Goal is still to build up the AF to interdict (and later support) operations in Lunga/Tulagi vicinity. Figure that will take the rest of January, and it will likely involve both sea and airpower. Keeping the pressure up here should keep the major IJN occupied, and out of the way for continued thrusts in SWPAC. Will begin to stage troops for Lunga/Tulagi � but the trigger for that is not only Kira being fully operational, but the KBs location confirmed.

SWPAC. Merauke was much easier than anticipated, both the landing and the current buildup. Merauke should be able to base a/c to interdict bases on Northern New Guinea shortly. Focus will be to drive towards the prize � Darwin.

WAUS. Ground movement has started from Exmouth to Port Hedland, and its being effectively supplied over the beach by a few xAKLs. Will continue that process, more troops and more ships to support with the goal of seizing Port Hedland. Will gradually increase both naval and air support as the ground pounders get closer to the target.

Burma/India. Think we have achieved stalemate here. Both sides have committed a large number of both air and ground forces. L_S_T is focused on holding Magwe, and that�s not surprising. While still short airframes, Allied offensive options are limited. I�m good with waging a war of attrition, and will continue that focus for the next couple of months.

China. Well, IJA troops have reached Chungking, and the situation is dire. Supply is non-existent, and it�s only going to get worse. Goal is to hold out as long as possible, and use US fighter squadrons occasionally to provide CAP Traps when feasible.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 5/29/2016 4:57:27 PM >

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Post #: 611

31 Dec 42 - 1 Jan 43 - 5/30/2016 5:53:47 PM

IdahoNYer

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31 Dec 42 - 1 Jan 43

Highlights � Lily shoot down over Chungking. AND best of all�..it�s 1943!!!!!

Jpn ships sunk:
DMS: 1 (old)
PB: 1

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (I-32)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Porter � scuttled at Kirakira)
PT: 1 (by mines off Exmouth)

Air loss:
Jpn: 57
Allied: 09

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (PB sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Agattu Island (NOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, quiet at Kirakira for a welcome change. Only sub activity and ineffective night time Betty bombing. US DDs at Kira make it back to Ndeni. PTs remain at Ndeni, and all damage to the AF and port has been repaired.

In SWPAC, three LB-30s hit Rabaul port again at night, putting a bomb on an AKE leaving her on fire. Bettys hit Merauke at night, and aren�t intercepted � and manage to destroy a pair of Aussie Kittyhawks on the ground. Shipping continues to move troops and cargo along the Australian coast without interference.

In WAUS, mines from I-22 find and sink a PT off Exmouth.

In China, the US P-40 squadron at Chungking flies CAP along with two Chinese squadrons out of Kweiyang, and despite weather aborting all strikes on the first day, score 40 Lilys shot down for zero loss. A good day�s work! Will move the P-40s out of Chungking to Changsa as I�m sure L_S_T will send scores of Oscars to sweep next turn.

In India/Burma, B-24s hit troops moving north of Shwebo, destroying about 20 guns from an FA unit � no CAP. Despite no CAP north of Shwebo, recon planes report over 320 fighters based at Magwe! Not planning on a raid there any time soon.

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Post #: 612

A short review - 5/31/2016 7:54:36 PM

IdahoNYer

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Over a year done (and took almost two years to do it!!) While waiting for a turn, a short review�.

Overall, things don�t seem to look to bad at all. The initiative is firmly in Allied hands � and that was by choice � L_S_T went over to the strategic defensive a couple of months ago � not by a dramatic victory. That was probably IMO a good call on his part, to preserve the force in a defensive role, striking out in counter blows. Will see.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 5/31/2016 7:56:50 PM >

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Post #: 613

Naval - 5/31/2016 7:55:42 PM

IdahoNYer

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On the naval side, the big news is both sides have managed to preserve their carrier fleet. I�ve lost all too many BBs, but the IJN has taken some heavy loss in cruisers and destroyers. Overall, we�ve both been fairly conservative in the first year, and I�m pretty well satisfied with the results so far. Just wish the subs would be more effective (and IJN ASW less so!).

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 614

Air - 5/31/2016 7:56:53 PM

IdahoNYer

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In the air, its gone better than expected. The initial drubbing to the Zero didn�t last as long as I thought it would, and I�ve been pleasantly surprised with the performance of the P-39. Aircraft shortages have been the main problem, pilot pools seem fairly good at this point. It will only get better in 1943 (I think).

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 5/31/2016 8:01:39 PM >

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RE: Naval - 5/31/2016 8:06:07 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

On the naval side, the big news is both sides have managed to preserve their carrier fleet. I�ve lost all too many BBs, but the IJN has taken some heavy loss in cruisers and destroyers. Overall, we�ve both been fairly conservative in the first year, and I�m pretty well satisfied with the results so far. Just wish the subs would be more effective (and IJN ASW less so!).

I don't understand the last two columns of the report. Are they for the Japanese player or Allied? Is the "total" of 34 CVs the total in the whole game?

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Post #: 616

RE: Naval - 5/31/2016 10:23:09 PM

IdahoNYer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I don't understand the last two columns of the report. Are they for the Japanese player or Allied? Is the "total" of 34 CVs the total in the whole game?

Its the total number that were available for the Allied player; active, sunk and that will come in as reinforcements.

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Post #: 617

2-3 Jan 43 - 6/4/2016 4:30:42 AM

IdahoNYer

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2-3 Jan 43

Highlights � Effective night bombing of Magwe with expanded (2 squadrons allowed) night bombing house rule.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-124, RO-100)

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-62)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 54
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (PB dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Shemya Island (NOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel:PBYs sight 10 (unknown type) ships west of Rennel Island, and a pair of Mabels and Vals are reported as Ops losses � I�m assuming this to be a CV force heading to raid shipping near Kirakira.

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, more engineers arrive at Buldir Island and its port reaches level 1.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Bettys hit Kirakira at night with no effect. US Heavies hit Tulagi with moderate effect � no CAP. US fleet departs SUVA � CV TFs head toward the Coral Sea, south of Noumea and a CA TF heads to Ndeni. Sighting of what may be a CV TF near Rennel Island is interesting � will see what develops. Not looking for a fight with the KB!

In SWPAC, Bettys hit Merauke at night, destroying a single F4F. Allied shipping remains unmolested, bringing in more supplies and engineers. Allied focus now shifting from Merauke to setting conditions at Groote Eylandt, Gove and Wessel Islands.

In WAUS, mines cleared from Exmouth. B-17s hit Broome AF at night with minimal effect, destroying an Oscar IIb and a Nick.

In China, the US P-40 squadron now at Changsa provides LRCAP over a Chinese Corps near Nanchang and as hoped, catches a robust Tojo IIb squadron in a ground attack role � 6 Tojos are lost for 3 P-40s. First time Tojo IIb is encountered � figured this was a pilot training mission on a �soft� target. Will move the P-40s out of Changsa, but keep them in China for a while to hopefully execute another CAP trap. Meanwhile, Chungking was swept by Oscar IIbs, but not bombed. No Allied fighters intercepted the sweeps.

In India/Burma, my favorite night bombers, two Wellington squadrons, hit Magwe at 2000ft. Despite a robust night time CAP of Nicks, the Wellys manage to destroy 10 Oscar IIb, 7 Tonys, 4 Nicks, and 3 Tojos on the ground and do some damage to the AF while losing 2 bombers to Ops loss. Nice. B-24s hit Katha hard with good effect, no CAP met. Looks like L_S_T keeping most of his fighters at Magwe � will keep hitting Magwe at night, and keep the daylight bombing at other bases or ground troops for a while � see if he provides some LRCAP, or is focused on protecting Magwe.

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Post #: 618

4-5 Jan 43 - 6/4/2016 8:59:47 PM

IdahoNYer

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4-5 Jan 43

Highlights � Enemy naval and air action near Port Hedland

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Murasame -old)
SS: 1 (I-169)

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-67)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Halibut � another victim of ASW a/c)
AM: 1
xAKL: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 23
Allied: 19

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: Whatever was sighted near Rennell Island disappeared.

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, the subwar continues to frustrate. Large tanker convoy sighted off the China coast near Foochow, heading to Japan. First sub to contact, Halibut, is damaged by escort and sunk by ASW a/c. I�ve got more subs in the area, and Grenadier and Herring both take shots at escorts, and can�t penetrate the heavy screen. I�ve got about 6 subs in the vicinity that will try and contact next turn, but this seems more like 1943 in the Atlantic than at any time in the Pacific! Not good!

In SOPAC, Bettys hit Kirakira at night again with no effect, while supplies are landed by transport without any opposition. US CVs continue to loiter WNW of Noumea to see if the IJN reaches out to interdict the supply flow into Kirakira.

In SWPAC, continued ineffective night time Betty strike at Merauke. Shipping and aircraft ready at Normanton � will begin operations against Groote Eylandt next turn.

In WAUS, got a surprise from L_S_T. After weeks of inactivity, a CL TF (CL, 2DD) sortied (presumably out of Broome) to sink the resupply run (AM, xAKL) providing supplies over the beach to lead Allied troops just west of Port Hedland. Additionally, OscarIIbs sweep the skies over the Allied troops, catching me being lazy with the LRCAP missions � I forgot to stand down or rotate the USMC F4F squadron flying the LRCAP, and they lose 8 planes to 1 Oscar � the F4Fs pilot fatigue was over 40 minimum � careless! Anyway, the Oscars pave the way for Sallys hitting the ground troops with good effect � especially reducing supplies. AA Bn is enroute overland, but in the meantime, I need to pay more attention to the LRCAP. I�m also sending a CA TF (2CA, DDs) to bombard Broome � keeping my fingers crossed for that one!

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, it was pretty quiet. Allied night bombing not effective as I rest the Wellys.

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Post #: 619

6-7 Jan 43 - 6/7/2016 9:28:29 PM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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6-7 Jan 43

Highlights � Small IJN Naval victory off Broome; airborne assault takes Groote Eylandt

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-67)
xAK: 1

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-64)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Jarvis)

Air loss:
Jpn: 41
Allied: 35

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 2 ship hit (xAK sunk, xAKL dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv/Airborne Aslt:
Groote Eylandt

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Groote Eylandt (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, quiet seems to have returned to Kirakira, other than the ineffective nightly Betty raids. xAKLs continue to shuttle in supplies, and some additional engineers begin loading up at Ndeni for a run in. Supplies are finally out of the red, and if left unmolested, the AF should reach level 2 in a few days � that will allow SBD coverage beyond Tulagi/Lunga. Nice. Also nice is that it�s �43 and we�ll try the first attempt at aerial minelaying in the Solomons next turn.

In SWPAC, 503rd Para Reg takes Groote Eylandt in the first assault, against about a 1/3 of the Sasebo SNLF � rest of the unit likely at future targets of Gove and Wessel Is. The first engineer battalion is already enroute, about 4 hexes out, hopefully covered well enough by P-38s on LRCAP. More engineers and AA are loading at Normanton � the challenge here will be to provide sufficient LRCAP until the AF is developed. Depending on L_S_T�s response, will look at landing sooner rather than later at Wessel and/or Gove.

In WAUS, the CA TF (2CA, 6DD) to bombard Broome is intercepted just off Broome by a CL TF (CL, 2DD) presumably heading back west to intercept the xAKL bringing supplies across the beach to Allied troops west of Port Hedland. As for the naval action, despite good leaders, reasonable crews and a decidedly numeric advantage, the IJN TF bested the Allied TF in both a night time and daylight skirmish � sinking one DD, and banging up two more which will require yard time. IJN losses � a DD perhaps heavily damaged. Not good. Figured in daylight the CA�s guns would bear some fruit�.not so much. Needless to say, the bombardment didn�t happen and the CA TF is currently limping back to Carnavon.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, I sent the US bombers to support ground troops in the jungles NE of Akyab � figuring a milk run, I only had about 60 or so fighters in support as LRCAP�..well�..L_S_T had his LRCAP out in force, and weather apparently grounded over half my CAP � I got lucky, what fighters that did fly, didn�t do bad. Even so, LRCAP totaled some 65 OscarIIb, 25 Tojo, and 28 Tonys, against a LRCAP of about 30 mixed fighters (P40K, Spits, and Hurris). By the end of the two days, 23 Jpn fighters lost in exchange for 15 Allied fighters, 8 B-25s and 2 B-24s. It could have been much, much worse. Bombers will return next turn, this time with a much reinforced LRCAP and sweeps. Goal here is to soften up and disrupt the IJA�s 4th ID in support of a two division ground attack in the next few days.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 620

8-9 Jan 43 - 6/16/2016 2:13:17 AM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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8-9 Jan 43

Highlights � KB shows itself off Port Hedland!??!! Heavy air combat in the skies over Burma.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 81
Allied: 52

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
-two more subs hit and dam by a/c, forced to head to PH for repairs

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB is sighted and launches strikes off Port Hedland � always good to know where the KB is � but it comes with a price�just hope it isn�t too heavy of a price this time.

West Coast/Admin, slow convoy departs for Auckland from LA.

In NOPAC, Buldir Island AF becomes active � level 3; SBDs and fighters are flown in.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, its pretty quiet. xAKLs unload at Kira without issue. US bombers drop aerial mines on Munda port (first use of aerial mining). With the KB off of Port Hedland, time to ramp up in SOPAC. First, will increase flow of supplies and additional engineers to Kirakira. CVs will provide distant cover from the eastern portion of the Coral Sea � ready to strike north if the IJN comes out. CA TF will cover increased transport flow of engineers. Also, will begin mustering APs in SOPAC to possibly advance the landing on Lunga/Tulagi if the KB stays away � and of course Kirakira is sufficiently advanced to provide support � to me, that�s a level 4 AF and forts with plenty of supply and avn support. In any case, will try and take advantage of the KB off the NW coast of OZ.

In SWPAC, L_S_T�s response to the Groote landings are the usual strikes by Ms. Betty � 33Z and 18B strike the TF, missing with bombs. P-38 LRCAP down 7Z and 5B without loss. All the Bettys miss (with bombs?) and the SeeBees land without issue. One AK and DD will remain offloading supplies, and a larger convoy with an AA Bn and Aussie Base Force will arrive next turn � and be protected by an increased LRCAP. I also expect a more vigorous response out of Darwin. LB-30s drop mines on Rabaul port. A small footnote, but which will have greater impact as the months progress, the first Allied airstrike, albeit a small strike of 4 B-26 bombers hits shipping off Hollandia � nothing is hit, but getting that first strike on the north coast of New Guinea is nice.

In WAUS, it gets interesting. First, the Sallys escorted by Oscar IIb again hit the lead Allied ground troops 80m west of Port Hedland � but this time are met by LRCAP of about a half dozen total P-39s, F4Fs and Kittyhawks � but the fighters get through to the bombers, downing 14 Sallys. The raids get through the CAP and drop their eggs, but damage is slight. More than enough damage is done by the KB which turns off its cloaking device to launch a large raid of 130Z, 153K, 89V - and, for the first time, 42 Judys. Needless to say, the small LRCAP is brushed aside, and the 2nd Aus Bde takes some pounding. L_S_T has sure surprised me not only with the with the KB being off Port Hedland, but with the KB launching such a large strike on ground troops in the desert. Frankly, I�m good with this � I know where the KB is now, and I�m in not yet in the close fight for Port Hedland. The raid hit the advance guard, the main body is still close to Exmouth, and protected by two AA Bns. Will see where the KB goes � I figure its going to hit Exmouth, so shipping is cleared, and fighter strength increased to about 70+ planes. The PBYs will switch to night search, and strike a/c will go to night hunting. Allied strength here isn�t much � and I�m not pulling fighters or strike a/c from SWPAC. Carnavon is also cleared of most shipping. Maybe my subs will get lucky.

In China, IJA air resumes bombing Chungking, Sonias escorted by what looks like a single element of Oscar IIb. Time to bring back the P-40s and see if I can disrupt the bombing.

In India/Burma, another busy day in the air along the Burma-India frontier. Heavy IJA LRCAP again, 38 Oscar IIb, 30 Tojo and 22 Tony again on the first day, but weather apparently grounds the LRCAP on day #2. Likewise, weather disrupts sweeps and Allied LRCAP on the first day. All in all, it wasn�t terrible � 20+ Oscar IIb (some Oscars were lost over OZ, so I�m not sure the exact number here), 6 Tojo, and 5 Tony lost in exchange for 9 P-40K, 2 P-39, 4 Kittyhawk, 3 Hurri and 2 Spits. And of course, the B-25s took it on the chin again � 7 are lost, and 2 B-24s to ops. Will need to rest the bombers and some fighters due to fatigue � but will keep the pressure on in the air with sweeps next turn.

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Post #: 621

RE: 8-9 Jan 43 - 6/16/2016 2:08:33 PM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline

I'm wondering why Port Hedland is so strategically valuable that the Japanese would risk or commit the KB to help guard it?

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Post #: 622

RE: 8-9 Jan 43 - 6/17/2016 7:22:44 PM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I'm wondering why Port Hedland is so strategically valuable that the Japanese would risk or commit the KB to help guard it?

I'm asking myself the same thing...

Its a good base for an expanded AF which is why I want it - but didn't expect the KB to come out to defend it against an overland ground assault!

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Post #: 623

10-11 Jan 43 - 6/19/2016 10:05:34 PM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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10-11 Jan 43

Highlights � KB continues to bludgeon Allied ground troops west of Port Hedland; Good day in the air!

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-154 � old, I-164 � new)
xAP: 1
xAK: 1 (old)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 122
Allied: 50

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CA Frobisher dam, offending sub reported sunk)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk, CV Junyo missed, US sub crippled)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv/Airborne Aslt:
Stewart Is: SOPAC

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Stewart Is: SOPAC

SIGINT/Intel: KB � looks like all the avail CVs, remains in Port Hedland waters.

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, I start pulling available APs from the Baker Is operation out of Theater back to SOPAC.

In SOPAC, it�s staying quiet. Kirakira getting supplies and troops offloaded without interference. US CV TF replenishes west of New Caledonia. Once Kira gets enough supply to allow drop tanks for P-38s, will look at a daylight raid on Munda. Continue to drop aerial mines on Munda, will also hit Tulagi and Lunga. Munda AF hit at night, 4 a/c destroyed on the ground. USMC Paras take Stewart Island without a fight � will be used as a PBY base. Attempting to consolidate amphibious shipping scattered throughout CENPAC, SOPAC and SWPAC to take advantage of known KB location off Port Hedland � will take a while�.

In SWPAC, surprisingly, no air raids on ships off Groote. Bad weather perhaps? In any case, offloading continues as engineers struggle to level out an airstrip. Small IJN TF (CL) sighted in the Arafura Sea heading SE � either a resupply to Wessel/Gove, or a strike at the Groote landings. CL TF (CL, 6DD) and PTs protecting shipping off Groote. Expect both air and naval engagement next turn.

In WAUS, looks to be the full IJN CV complement operating in two TFs, that�s pounding advance troop deployments west of Port Hedland. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CA, 2CL, DDs) also bombards, but not very effective. Of course, all coastal resupply shipping has been shut down and the troops are taking losses. Of the four stacks of Allied troops between Port Hedland and Exmouth, two advance stacks have been pounded by air � and of course those two don�t have dedicated AA units. So, I�m actually hoping L_S_T sights the two western stacks (main body of the 41st Div and support) and attacks them � perhaps the AA will claw down some carrier planes. Other than subs getting lucky (Junyo missed by S-38 w/4 torps), or lucky night air attack, I�m not willing (or able) to divert enough airpower to contest the KB air armada. Ground troops will have to continue to soak up the attacks. But at least I know the carriers are!! To add to IJN fortunes, off Exmouth, CA Frobisher takes a single torp (22sys/30(29)float/15(10)eng). She�ll head back to Cape Town for repairs.

In China, IJA bombing of Chungking intercepted by P-40E CAP, along with two Chinese squadrons (Lancer and Vanguard) flying LRCAP out of Kweilang. A good day in the air!! 36 Sonias and about 20 Oscar IIb fall to the Allied fighters which lose a total of 3 Vanguards. Nice! Will get the undamaged P-40s out of Chungking and await another opportunity. On the negative side, IJA troops push one hex closer to isolating Chungking � only one gateway hex remains to the SW.

In India/Burma, another busy day in the air. Allied bombers sit, but fighters do well conducting sweeps with LRCAP assistance. Losses aren�t light though. End of two days, out of 8 Sentais engaged in LRCAP, 27 Oscar IIb, 7 Tojo, 5 Tony lost in exchange for 15 Hurri, 11 P-40K, 8 F4F, and 3 P-38E. Will send the bombers in next turn, along with another full court press of fighters as the ground troops make their initial assault. Will be bloody. Running out of P-38Es � single squadron in Theater down to about a dozen, and all the other P-38E in inventory are restricted � avail only in the Aleutians for combat. So�I�m going to pull a currently equipped P-39 squadron, upgradable to P-38G, out of WAUS to send to India.

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Post #: 624

RE: 12-13 Jan 43 - 6/24/2016 4:44:21 AM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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12-13 Jan 43

Highlights � KB stays off of Port Hedland hitting troops; Jpn air stands down in Burma

Jpn ships sunk: None

Jpn ships unsunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna � Blast!!!)
CL: 1 (Yubari)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (S-41 hit twice by ASW a/c in the Solomons)

Air loss:
Jpn: 48
Allied: 29

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK hit)
SS Sawfish damaged by mine off Merak; S-41 sunk by ASW a/c

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Sining (China)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, more engineers delivered to Baker Is.

In SOPAC, continued quiet, other than subs. That will change next turn! Kirakira supplies now supports drop tanks, so P-38Gs are flown in. Along with F4Fs, will raid Munda next turn in support of the CVs heading into the Coral Sea to raid the port. Heavies out of Ndeni (B-17s) and Vanikoro (B-24s) will also participate. Recon reports 36 ships in Munda port�.which seems a bit much, but will see what�s really there shortly.

In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, DDs) continues to head SE through the Arafuru Sea, apparently set on hitting shipping at Groote next turn. Its transit did not go unnoticed, and LBA out of Merauke was launched and did poorly � USMC SBD squadron scored zero hits, as did the B-26 squadron. Only the Dutch Mitchell II squadron (RAAF) scored with a single bomb hit on CL Abukuma, leaving her burning. At the end of the two day turn, the CL TF was near Gove, about to head south for the final night time run into Groote. Allied shipping and escorts will be cleared by then, two PT squadrons (4 PT ea) will remain to engage. Will see if Allied LBA does any better during the return trip out of the Arafura Sea. Once cleared, Allied shipping will return with additional engineers, currently staged on shipping off Normanton. This will be the last push of engineers to Groote, priorities will shift to Gove and Wessel Is.

In WAUS, KB air continues to pound troops � this time the full blow falls on the Aussie 2/7 Arm Reg, which loses some tanks and support troops. Kinda surprised that the KB hasn�t moved to hit Exmouth � the major supply source and base that is sustaining these ground troops. Major shipping is still staying clear of Exmouth, although I have resumed coastal resupply to the troops with a single xAKL and AM as escort.

In China, Sining, north of Lanchow falls to ground assault which isn�t too surprising. What was surprising, was that my three plane Vanguard LRCAP out of Lanchow managed to knock down 8 Lillys and producing the first Chinese pilot ace (7 kills total).

In India/Burma, the Jpn LRCAP appears to have stood down. Allied raids in support of the attack on the IJA�s 4th Div went unopposed, but the ground assault failed, although casualties were minimal for both sides. Will attack again next turn, again fully supported by air forces.

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Post #: 625

14-15 Jan 43 - 6/25/2016 7:41:59 PM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
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From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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14-15 Jan 43

Highlights � US CVs hit Munda; heavy air battles in Burma and SOPAC

Jpn ships sunk:
AV: 1
AG: 1
SSX: 1

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 3

Air loss:
Jpn: 164
Allied: 121

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 2 ship hit (AG sunk, xAK hit)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland

West Coast/Admin, NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, CVE TF (3CVE, CL, 4DD) arrives on map from Balboa enroute to Pearl. Will be used to provide fighter cover for future amph operations.

In SOPAC, the coordinated strike on Munda goes off with less than stellar results. Kirakira sweeps only launch in the first day�s PM turn, Heavies did minimal damage to the AF, and the Oscar CAP did well against USN CV strikes. Still, a large AV is sunk, and AGP crippled and about half a dozen barges sunk. Air losses weren�t light in the raid, but a counter strike by Oscars and Kates was massacred by CV�s CAP. With all the furballs over Munda and Burma, total air loss tallies in the screen shot below. Will pull the CVs back out of LBA fighter range to rest the pilots, and send in a CA TF to bombard Munda.

In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, 4DD) sinks a PT off Groote Eylandt, but finds no other shipping, does not bombard, and then retires � avoiding air and subs enroute back to Darwin. Will resume landing engineers next turn, and then look towards landing at Gove.

In WAUS, more heavy KB raids on the lead Allied elements west of Port Hedland. Two Allied subs fail to score against the IJN CV TF. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CL, DDs) bombard the Allied troops after brushing aside the PTs, sinking two. Casualites aren�t light, and the troops are slowly trying to move away from the coast. Still, really want the KB to remain here a few more turns�

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, another two days of busy air combat near the Burma-India frontier. Heavy losses for both sides, and the Allied ground assault is held, with light casualties for both sides � but the Allied troops need rest. Will stand down the air forces � the Brits can�t sustain the losses in either Hurris or pilots. The US fighters will rest for a turn or two, then will see about resuming sweeps. With these loses, I�ve decided to convert an Aussie based US P-39 squadron to P-38Gs, and ship them to India via Cape Town.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 626

RE: 14-15 Jan 43 - 6/25/2016 8:07:47 PM

Jorge_Stanbury

Posts: 4320
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From: Toronto and Lima
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A hell of a dogfight!
I am surprised to see that many Oscars in 43... are you playing PDU-OFF?

If not notice you can potentially use the Canadian squadrons if you are running out of Hurricanes. There are 2, they start attached to British carriers, but by now you should had withdrawn them.

So the trick is to change the Martlets for Canadian Hurricanes or P-40s.. and then you can make use of that significant pool.

< Message edited by Jorge_Stanbury -- 6/25/2016 8:10:23 PM >

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Post #: 627

RE: 14-15 Jan 43 - 6/25/2016 8:13:56 PM

IdahoNYer

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From: NYer living in Boise, ID
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

A hell of a dogfight!
I am surprised to see that many Oscars in 43... are you playing PDU-OFF?

If not notice you can potentially use the Canadian squadrons if you are running out of Hurricanes. There are 2, they start attached to British carriers, but by now you should had withdrawn them.

So the trick is to change the Martlets for Canadian Hurricanes or P-40s.. and then you can make use of that significant pool.

Yeah, PDU-OFF. Oscars are still the primary IJA fighter.

With PDU-OFF, Canadians aren't much help. I've bought out two Canadian Kittyhawk squadrons to India, but planes are in short supply. Good for night fighters though. Plenty of Canadian Hurris restricted to Canada of course.

And some Martlets too, but there also in pretty short supply. With PDU-OFF, I've figured out that its the US that needs to provide fighters in India/Burma - including some USMC squadrons!

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Post #: 628

RE: 14-15 Jan 43 - 6/25/2016 8:22:26 PM

Jorge_Stanbury

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From: Toronto and Lima
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With or without PDU US needs to provide significant support; either USAAF or USMC. Unless there is a deep thrust to Australia or the west coast, it is also the best strategy as there are simply too many US squadrons for the few island airfields in range of Japanese bases

I prefer to use the USAAF there but nothing wrong about sending the Marines

< Message edited by Jorge_Stanbury -- 6/25/2016 8:25:02 PM >

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Post #: 629

RE: 14-15 Jan 43 - 6/25/2016 8:49:08 PM

IdahoNYer

Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

With or without PDU US needs to provide significant support; either USAAF or USMC. Unless there is a deep thrust to Australia or the west coast, it is also the best strategy as there are simply too many US squadrons for the few island airfields in range of Japanese bases

I prefer to use the USAAF there but nothing wrong about sending the Marines

This is why I've MISSED your AAR Jorge! Your Magwe bomber offensive got me moving the Heavies to India - and I've also sent in additional fighters. The problem of course in Jan '43 is I'm just short airframes. For instance, my two USMC F4F squadrons(36 planes ea)in Theater have barely 20 planes between the two.

And I've learned the hard way that the British pilot pools and production are totally insufficient for sustained combat. Maybe I'll send some additional Aussie squadrons over?

But, yeah, fully agree India Burma is worth the extra squadrons. Just need more planes out of production...it will get there, couple of more months...

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Post #: 630