Malagant
Posts: 372
Joined: 3/13/2004
Status: offline
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quote:
A shortage of IJN fighter pilot training slots is always an issue early in the war. I recommend being very critical with how you dole out your few fighter pilots in the pool. I pull out all extra fighter pilots from my units and assign them only as needed. Also, be careful about your ASW training program. You will need them later and they don't function well with their ASW skill <70. You'll need more with the IJAAF, but depending on how much you expand your small floatplane units, you may need quite a few IJNAF ASW pilots.
I hate to say it, but I’m not really clear on the whole resizing thing. I’d like to make the restricted units stuck in Japan, but I don’t know how. I did manage to resize some of the air groups on MKB, but the KB units wouldn’t let me resize (I assumed because they were already scheduled to resize in the future?).
I hadn’t really thought about it, but I’d put all the IJAAF bomber training groups on Ground Attack missions. I have a LOT of bombers in training, so I think I’ll extend their training to try to get GrdB and ASW up high, if needs aren’t super urgent then I’ll work in Naval Search as well. That will extend the training time to about 9 months I believe, but I’m expecting that bomber losses will be light once they slip in to more of an ASW/support role, so hoping I can get away with that. It looks like I have about 230 IJAAF bombers on training missions, and a few others in 1st/2nd Air Division that are actually flying ASW. I still haven’t really figured out if actually flying ASW missions will increase skills/exp at the same rate as training (particularly if there are no/few sub contacts to deal with).
quote:
She may be under repair. If she is being repaired by a shipyard, she won't show up as being anywhere in the ship list. When you're in that list, screen out everything except subs then find the button (bottom right) that shows ships being repaired. I'll bet she shows up then.
That did the trick, thanks Mike! She was a big banged up and getting repaired in Pescadores. You’re the man!
quote:
Find his typical route to Australia. Once you do, you'll have a field day killing ships. Unless he tends to plan every individual TF route, they use the same route, a few hexes south of Norfolk Island. Put a couple of Glen subs and some fleet subs down there. Once you find that route, have fun!
I have the 8th and 10th Sub Squadrons on the way to Norfolk and Noumea now. Have had a few Radio Transmissions detected at Noumea, going to hit there then work my way east a bit, Fiji and Samoa, then work back towards Brisbane and Sydney. Thanks again, Mike!
Lowpe, I’ve started setting most of my FP on Night Searches, and it has made a tremendous difference. Thanks for that!!
Jan 2-6
Overall things have been relatively quiet. I finally set up my Engine R&D, hopefully I haven’t buggered it up too much. I realized the only engines I need for the planes I intend to build are the Aicha HA60 (why oh why are there two different Ha60s?!), Ha43, Ha44, and Ha45. I don’t know if Ill ever get there, but if so I really want to spam the Ki-201, so I’m actually putting more effort in to the NETurbojet than any other factory. I have two each of the Ha 43, 44, 45, and 60, all set to size 30 (is that a thing for Engine R&D?); while I have three x 30 for the Turbojet.
It looks like the R&D Engine factories are repairing 1/day instead of the way the Airframes work (random). If that’s the case, I’m hoping to get these factories up and running and aiming for the > 500 engine bonus for many of the aircraft I want to build!
More supplies are sent to Malaya (I don’t know how much I’ll need to finish off Singapore, but I only had about 20k there, and thought it better to have too much than too few). Supplies are also sent to Miri (currently 167(133))…Miri will be a supply black hole for awhile, but it’s fuel!
AKEs are almost in place for CRB, Truk, and Kwaj. I sure hope he doesn’t read this, but none of my BBs have had Main Gun ammo for a long time now :P Although I have to admit I haven’t dug in to things to see if the AKEs I build are big enough for the big guns, I may be disappointed At least the CAs will have some bullets!
Supplies in the Home Islands are down to 544k. A dramatic consumption, but I’ve got every Engine and R&D factory upgraded, with the production factories nearly done expanding, and I’ve shipped out a lot to stockpile in Truk, Kwaj, and Malaysia. Manchuria has almost 350k, which I’m hoping will flow to the fighting in China so no need to ship any there. Saigon has over 200k Supply, between that and what I have in Malayasia I hope that will be enough to finish the DEI take over.
Burma
My night bombing went unhindered for a few days, then he put the Buffaloes up on Night CAP. The only thing less effective than those Buffaloes on Night CAP is my Sonias, Anns, an Marys on Night Airfield Attack! I did lose a few planes to them, and have stood the groups down after a few days…my mission to see what he has there is complete. He has the RAF Buffaloes and one AVG squadron there (My Nates tried Sweeping the AVG, which went poorly for me).
In Chiang Mai I have the 77th Sentai and it’s Det A (currently about 30 Nates between them) and the 84th Chutai which I’ve upgraded to Oscar Ic. I’m going to upgrade the 77th Sentai Det to Oscar Ic soon, and that will hopefully let me compete with the AVG.
Netties from Victoria Point have yet to see anything coming or going from Rangoon. Port Blair is almost at level 2.
I’m across the river and moving in to Pegu, but this will probably be as far as I’ll go until forces are made available from other ops…more on that later.
Malaya
38th Division landed at Mersing. 22nd Aus is still there. 38th took the town on the 3rd and is moving to Johore Bahru to complete the isolation of Singapore. Airfield bombings of Singapore continue (maintaining ~70% airfield damage). It looks like his forces north of Singapore are pretty well broken as just the Recon units are able to DA and push things down the road.
Sumatra
41st IR is moving to Medan, hopefully will take it in two days (and I’m hoping it has some Supplies to steal!). 4th Div sub-units are making their way to secure the southern end of the island. Moving 3rd Air Division HQa here, and will shift the bulk of 3rd Air to this area (as it can support operations on Java and still bomb Singapore from here).
Java
21st Division rested several days, and finally got to Batavia on the 6th, with orders to Bombard so I can see what units he has there. I’m preparing a second wave to land at Kalidjati to secure more airfields…the 4th Mixed Regiment and two Tank Regiments are being pulled from Malaya to land here and hasten things along.
The MKB lurked off Soerbaja for a few days. Sweeps of Soerbaja and CAP helped thin out the enemy Air Force here a bit more. I’d hoped to catch the remnants from the naval battle at Balikpapan, but no luck. Almost out of sorties and airgroups getting thin, I flew a few Port Strikes on Soerbaja, but only hit minor vessels.
I did hit Batavia with a nice Port Strike on Jan 3rd, though:
quote:
orning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 damaged
Allied Ships
SS KXVII, Bomb hits 1
SS KXV, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Siberoet, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Sibolga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Lematang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc MMS C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS S-36, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
xAKL Meroendoeng, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL De Haan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AMc Djampea, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS D, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
Port hits 4
Nice to hopefully put some subs out of action for awhile!
On the 6th he shifted air from Soerbaja back up north and hit a small fleet I had unloading an Air Support Coy and engineers landing at Merak, and he had fighters up over Batavia again::
quote:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 6
Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Zeroes have been sweeping the empty sky over Batavia…not so empty on the 6th:
quote:
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1
Buffalo I x 4
B-339D x 7
CW-21B Demon x 2
75A-7 Hawk x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
B-339D: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet
Follow up Sweet saw loss of another Zero for one more Demon and P-40E. At least I know where the P-40E from Philippines went!
Zeroes will shift to LRCAP over Merak while the big Oscar Ic Group will sweep Batavia. If he’s still there tomorrow I expect to end that airforce in one go!
The Western Fleet is reloaded with gas and bullets, and is lurking off Singkawang waiting for the Second Wave. I’m also flooding recon around, hoping to find where the PT boats are lurking and go smash them with some CL/DD before they wreck another Amphib force!
Philippines
Things are actually not going well in Luzon. I don’t know how to get any traction in the attack on Clark Field, last turns DA was horrible:
quote:
Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 19719 troops, 266 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 383
Defending force 8699 troops, 162 guns, 388 vehicles, Assault Value = 111
Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 313
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 1)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1009 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 9 disabled
Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
The 65th Brigade is shattered. My Tank Regiments were pulled out to rest and refit. 48th Div is at 75% TOE, with Fatigue in the 30s, Morale in the 70s.
Recon shows about 20k troops in Clark; about 20k troops in Bataan; and about 50k troops in Manila. I’ll have boots in Manila tomorrow, and then will see if they’re mostly support or if I’m really screwed.
Regardless I’m putting Burma operations on hold; 33rd Div is packing up from Kota Baru heading for Mindanao. They’ll help clean up Cagayan, hopefully that can be done in a few days, then will go up to support Luzon.
Home Fleet is almost to Hong Kong (size 50 Repair). Quickly repaired units will stay here, while the more damaged BBs I suspect will head back to Japan. Lack of Naval Support here may delay things.
South Pacific
KB was refueld, rearmed, and airgroups topped up at Truk, and I’ve relaunched operations around Rabaul. I do not have recon up here yet (KB is doing that as she closes). Naval Search shows he’s abandoned things…I’m sure when he saw KB coming he scattered. 144th IR and GMB landing at Rabaul, along with a Base Force and some Air Support and Eng. Betty and Zero squadrons will shift here immediately to help with Searching. Finschafen, Lae, Buna, and Gasmata are all being hit as well. I have a next step in mind, will discuss below.
Central Pacific
US CLs bombarded my forces on Christmas Island, and an Infantry Regiment has landed. He bombarded on the 5th, and did a DA on the 6th. I survived, but just barely. I’ll die on the 7th I believe. I used a sub to grab some guys so the unit there won’t be completely eliminated…is that a gamey thing to do?
I had a Base Force almost there (was near Baker), along with my entire Eastern Fleet (two CA, two CL, many DD). I have lost sight of the US CVs, so am hesitant to commit this force. I’ve withdrawn the Base Force (aiming for Tarawa), and sent the Eastern Fleet to chase away the ships spotted at Baker…Naval Search showed a DD there…it was a DD AND the Pensacola, and we had a damned nasty fight!
quote:
Day Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 149,136, Range 24,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Kinu
DD Wakatake
DD Sanae
DD Yugao
DD Hasu
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hishu
DD Kiku, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Susuki
DD Tsuta
DD Yomogi
Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham
Maya damage is light, Tsuga will live but not in great shape. Both are limping towards Truk. Pensacola took a number of good hits, I’m going to linger around for a day to see if I can catch her on her way to Pearl, then will withdraw…for now.
I’m not willing to give up on Christmas yet, and have a plan…
North Pacific
Fuel and Supplies made it to Adak, the fleet was refueled and reloaded, and went hunting. Glen Boat spotted reinforcements coming up towards Dutch Harbor from the South, so North Fleet was sent to intercept, and had great success:
quote:
Day Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 171,51, Range 4,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2
DD Minekaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 2
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze
Allied Ships
DD Reid, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
DD Tucker, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
AP President Polk, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Santa Barbara, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAP Santa Inez, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 24 (17 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 93 (34 destroyed, 59 disabled)
Yakaze and Yukaze will need some time, rest of the force is fine.
I’m scratching my head at what he had in AP-type ships that didn’t have any troops on board…all Guns and Vehicles. Ideas?
Northern Fleet then continued its rampage around Dutch Harbor, sinking the DD Fox, and AM Oriole.
I’m very paranoid of the BBs from Seattle coming up here, so will withdraw this force to Adak…the airfield is probably 10 days from level two, then hoping to get some good Naval Search up here (I haven’t sent up any Mavis…most of them seem to be constantly undergoing maintenance anyway…I have a Nell group standing by).
An Infantry Battalion is a day from Attu, I’ll start there and work eastward to suck up every island. Karafuto is loading up and will stage in Adak to attack Dutch Harbor….but I need a distraction first.
Op Planning
Other than feeling I don’t quite have enough oomph in Luzon to finish things off, I’m feeling ok with the way things are going. Malaya and Singapore are paced primarily by how fast I can move down the roads now, Sumatra is the same. Java will have what I think is adequate force in a few days, and 33rd Div should help finish off PI in a few weeks.
But I want to keep pressure on multiple fronts, interfere with him building up bases, and coerce him to allocate forces away from Northern Pacific.
So I have a rough plan to make a lot of noise and push for a decisive battle near Christmas Island while I build up ground and air forces in Aleutians.
Since I feel that LBA and surface forces are adequate for cleanup of DEI and PI, MKB and KB are not needed here. They will be used for two different operations that are intended to disrupt his logistics and interfere with his plans. I’m working with the assumption that these two forces are both adequate to provide overwhelming force to their respective areas of operation.
First is Operation Footsore: very simply, MKB will sail southwest between Java and Sumatra, head for Diego Garcia, and raid the western side of Ceylon. I hope to catch some juicy transport fleets full of troops and airplanes bound for india and Burma, and maybe some nice ripe tankers full of oil bound for Australia. Depending on the response, I may do Port Strikes in Ceylon, but really damage done by this force is secondary…what I really want is for him to feel he has to guard his rear areas.
MKB will include Kaga for this raid, and I have put together six “slow” AOs to support.
I sure hope I don’t run the fleet out of gas…that would be embarrassing!
Second is Operation Santa Clauss…KB will support secuing PM and Horn Island, swing south and east to raid from Sydney up to Samoa, make a show of coming back towards Solomons then try to sneak away to support a second attack on Christmas Island.
144th IR and GMB are the primary forces to be used for Rabaul and PM. Recon of PM has yet to determine if there have been reinforcements, if so PM will be skipped. If it is taken, NG and a Base Force will be left there: 144th IR will then go to support Burma, while GMB will join three SNLF, supported by Eastern Fleet, to take Christmas Island.
The attack on Midway has been called off…can only have KB in so many places at once!
I’m hoping that I can initiate this attack without KB being spotted, and that it will cause him to react with US CV forces. If not, I think the mass bombing of the US Regiment on Christmas should allow my taking it.
I have an AKE, AS, Base Force, and JNAF Bat earmarked to move up here. I’ll have Supplies and Fuel ready in a few days. All this will stage to Truk, then to Kwaj as time gets closer. Nells and Claudes from Kwaj will move to Christmas when it’s taken, and KB will remain in this area and make a lot of noise…I want his eye fixed on what I’m doing here!
And that’s that. Only thing I don’t have a good feel for is what I want to base on Horn Island..I want to make the passing of the Torres something he doesn’t want to do, at least giving me some warning if something scary comes moving thru there.
When those operations are complete, I hope to be in complete control of SRA. I hope to be able to take Darwin (more distraction, and to make it a bit harder to start bombing the SRA) before withdrawing the vast majority of the forces here up towards Alaska.
Thanks to everyone for reading, and thanks again for all the answers and ideas! Keep them coming!
PS Oh, and China...I may be royally screwing up in China! More on that later!
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"La Garde meurt, elle ne se rend pas!"
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