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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/16/2017 10:21:30 AM   
Energisteron

 

Posts: 617
Joined: 6/17/2017
Status: offline 		GAME 2 - The Replay!

Day 5 - Apr 19

A relatively quiet day.

The CA bombardment TF reloads, refuels and turns about straight for Kiska without repairing minor operational damage.

Air ops are limited and have the usual outcome.






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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/16/2017 10:07:38 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		GAME 2 - The Replay!

Day 6 - Apr 20

Nothing significant to report since their is no combat, although the arrival of a Naval Construction Battalion was noted. Lack of transports prevents their immediate employment on Adak where the resident Engineers are making progress with improvements to the aistrip.

All air ops cancelled due to losses and disappointing results.

Supplies and fuel dispatched to Adak. CA bombardment TF continues to its target, Kiska.

Day 7 - Apr 21

We lose a Catalina on Recon over Kiska. Otherwise nothing of note.

Day 8 - Apr 22

Kiska is bombarded again with some notable success. No air ops except Recon.

Engineers on Adak increase air capability (to level 3). Fuel and supplies continue to be unloaded at Adak.

ASW patrols around Kiska and Adak. Sub patrols set just west of Attu with intention of cutting off incoming supplies.

Garrisons of both Kiska and Attu, as revealed by Recon, are beginning to look quite formidable. More data sought.





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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 9:10:48 AM   
Energisteron

 

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So, what to do now? Now Adak airfield has expanded a complete reorganization is required.

Let's look at Aircraft Operations and Losses:-




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 12:39:37 PM   
Energisteron

 

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During the reorganisation, a group of Liberators from Dutch Harbor attack Kiska unescorted during the morning. By the afternoon the reallocated air groups are beginning to show what can be done. Warhawks with drop tanks flying out of Adak take down 2xZeros for 3 of their own.






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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 1:03:56 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Have we broken the back of Kiska's air defence?

No less than 6 raids hit Kiska. We suffer serious losses but as the day draws to a close the Japanese CAP has dwindled to just 5xZeros and 5xRufes.

Interestingly, The first raid, a sweep by 15xWarhawks at 14k ft, is met by 23xZeros and 13xRufes. We lose 6xWarhawks to just 1xRufe. Unsustainable!

However, in the second raid, again 23xZeros come up with 12xRufes, i.e. just 1xRufe short of the CAP for raid one. Does that mean these represent the only available fighters on Kiska?

The losses for the day are beyond sobering:-

Aircraft - Sorties - Destroyed A2A - Damaged

Zeros - 85 - 0 - 0

Rufes - 53 - 1 - 1

Warhawks - 38 - 14 - 0

Mitchells - 6 - 1 - 4

Liberators - 3 - 1 - 1

Lightnings - 7 - 1 - 0

The Lightnings again did not perform as expected (inexperienced) when met by 8xZeros and 6xRufes at 12k ft. They scored no kills.

< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/17/2017 1:05:38 PM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 1:14:22 PM   
Aurorus

 

Posts: 1314
Joined: 5/26/2014
Status: offline 		I mostly play as Japan and have not played the allies since the old WiTP, so the best thing that I can tell you is what seems to work well against Japan.

The allied fighter pilots in first year of the war learned not to ¨dogfight¨ the Zero. It was superior in a dogfight to every allied fighter because of its superior manueverability. What you want your pilots to do with the Zero is draw it out of its best manuever band and make dive attacks on it. When an air-raid is detected planes will begin to climb toward their targets. You want to get the Zeros above 15K with your Lightnings, which are very fast, but not good in a ¨dogfight.¨ You want to make diving attacks with them at altitudes where the Zero has more difficulty evading their attacks. Fortunately for you, the AI is simple-minded and tends to match your altitudes when it sets its CAP. So sweep with the Lightnings at higher altitude, between 20 and 25K. This will draw the Zeros up (at least against the AI). Use your P-40s for escort.

When the CAP is thick, bring your bombers in at higher altitude as well. You want to avoid having the sweep draw the fighter above the raid, so that when the raid arrives, the CAP can swoop down on it from higher altitude. Once the CAP starts to reduce bring the altitude of your raids down. To help with coordinating your strikes so that sweeps arrive ahead of raids, try to have an air HQ in command range of all the attacking air units. Also try to have all the air units assigned to that HQ. I have not looked at the OOB for this scenario, so I do not know if your air force is organized under one HQ or not.

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 1:40:14 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Since Recon reports appeared to confirm fighter strength on Kiska was down to 18 aircraft, we made another maximum effort against Kiska with Liberators operating from Adak and Dutch Harbor, Canadian Kittyhawks, Lightnings and Mitchells flying out of Adak (the Warhawks humbled yesterday were withdrawn to Dutch Harbor and replaced by the Kittyhawks) only to find there were still plenty of fighters to oppose us. Some of the raids did get through but to no significant effect. Fighter losses for the day were 2xKittyhawks and 1xLightning for 2xZero and 1xRufe. We lost 4xbombers.

As a result all air operations against Kiska (except Recon) will be stopped immediately.

The CA bombardment TF, reinforced by another CA and a CL, sets out for Kiska once more.

All we can hope after this aborted air campaign against Kiska is that air reinforcements have been drawn from Attu leaving that island more vulnerable.

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 2:11:45 PM   
Energisteron

 

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As expected it is a very quiet day. Two Narwhal class (2700 ton) subs arrive at Dutch Harbor. Another Regiment of infantry is made available also.

Update*: I forgot to mention, the ASW TF (4xDD) at Kiska was split today because 2 of the destroyers were low on depth charges. So, 2xDD remain on patrol around Kiska while those low on ammo have gone to Adak to test out re-supply there. (I am hoping to re-arm bombardment TF at Adak so this is something of a test run.)

Here's the situation




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< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/18/2017 10:58:18 AM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 2:23:44 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Aurorus, thanks for your advice.

To be honest, the P-40 Warhawks seem hopelessly outclassed!

Certainly the Lightnings are a curious beast. So much power yet not dog-fighters!

I was advised Lightnings manoeuvre better below 15k ft in comparison to Zeros. I was wary of going really high with fighters for the reasons you suggest (tempting CAP high giving it chance to pounce on bombers from above).

Anyway, the air war is well and truly lost for the moment. I can only hope naval interdiction can prevent air reinforcement of the enemy occupied islands before I am ready to strike again.

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Post #: 159
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/17/2017 10:46:05 PM   
BBfanboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Aurorus, thanks for your advice.

To be honest, the P-40 Warhawks seem hopelessly outclassed!

Certainly the Lightnings are a curious beast. So much power yet not dog-fighters!

I was advised Lightnings manoeuvre better below 15k ft in comparison to Zeros. I was wary of going really high with fighters for the reasons you suggest (tempting CAP high giving it chance to pounce on bombers from above).

Anyway, the air war is well and truly lost for the moment. I can only hope naval interdiction can prevent air reinforcement of the enemy occupied islands before I am ready to strike again.

The advice was to have the P-40s below 15k feet. P-38s should be close to max altitude or, if the combat reports tell you the altitude the Japanese fighters are at when they start their climb to engage, be 5-10K feet above that.
The results you listed for your air strike are a disaster - 14 P-40s down for one Rufe. The Japanese pilots are just too good. The dwindling of available CAP represents the Japanese fighters not being rearmed and refuelled fast enough to get back in the air - i.e. the damage to the airfield and the lack of air support for all those fighters is causing them to get backlogged in servicing. They will work all night and have those fighters ready again tomorrow.

My only suggestion is to ground your bombers and use your fighters to CAP your own base and ships, and send bombardment TFs as you have been doing until his AF is over 60% damaged.

At 50% his air ops stop (although he can fly LRCAP from Attu) but that 50% represents runway damage which is easily repaired with just a few engineers and help from non-engineers. That is why I suggest getting higher than 50% so that it is not all repaired overnight. Airfield service damage takes much longer to repair and only engineers can do it.

_____________________________

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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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/18/2017 12:01:44 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Hi BBfanboy

Disaster! Yes, definitely!

All offensive air ops have been cancelled pending refit and further training.

All the raids were intended to go in at between 10-15k ft, although one lot of Liberators did fly at 16k ft.

EDIT* : I admit I made the error of not putting Lightnings high because (as mentioned in reply to Aurorus) I was worried enemy CAP might go high then pounce on bombers from above. Thanks especially for the tip about watching the finer details of the combat reports and how they could indicate at what altitude the CAP starts. I've a feeling there's very little CAP in the air as we approach but then the aircraft on the ground are efficiently scrambled to intercept. That's why in my first playthrough I once sent in fighters at 2k ft hoping to catch enemy fighters on the ground or taking off. You will recall enemy flak thrashed me!

The only good news is that defensive AAA is quite ineffective at 10k ft plus.

So it's up to the Navy now, for a while anyway. Adak is really struggling as a forward base but I intend to try reloading the bombardment TFs there to increase turnaround. Also, I am going to make small bombardment TFs of just 2xCA/CL so that Kiska can be bombarded every night.



< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/18/2017 11:04:08 AM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/18/2017 12:06:20 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 13 - Apr 27

The expanded bombardment TF goes in on Kiska overnight and causes significant damage.

The 2 newly arrived subs given their longer range are sent to patrol well west of Attu to intercept supplies to either Kiska or Attu.

The 2xDD low on depth charges find they cannot re-arm at Adak and proceed to Dutch Harbor.

Supply and fuel requirements of Adak as it expands are beginning to put a strain on supplies and operations at Dutch Harbor.




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 12:48:07 AM   
Energisteron

 

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No contacts of any significance on land, sea or in the air.

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Post #: 163
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 2:07:42 AM   
Will_L

 

Posts: 245
Joined: 9/28/2000
From: NYC-Queens
Status: offline 		Enjoying your AAR, its well done. Wondering if you have your subs and ASW TFs in a patrol zone with a reaction range
or if they were given a destination hex with remain on station orders.

_____________________________

was Will_L for a while.

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Post #: 164
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 7:02:59 AM   
Energisteron

 

Posts: 617
Joined: 6/17/2017
Status: offline 		Thank you, WRLertola

I am enjoying reporting on my current demise also.

Day 15 - Apr 29

All Subs have a patrol zone as indicated, and all, except that at Kiska, have a reaction range set at 1 hex (it cannot be set higher). The S-41, a small 650-tonner, at Kiska is just snooping around in coastal waters and is set not to react outside its zone.




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 7:30:24 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 15 - Apr 29

Surface Operations

The two ASW patrols are tight around Adak and Kiska and are set to react just 1 hex. I don't want them chasing 'wild geese' while an enemy sub or transport sneaks in! I feel very vulnerable at Adak as unloading takes forever and my freighters are juicy targets!

The bombardment TF, with two missions under its belt this campaign, is at Dutch Harbor repairing minor operational damage and re-arming. However, my plan is to split this TF into pairs of big ships (CA/CL) so that as near as possible I can bombard Kiska every night. That should really weary the defenders and may even elicit a naval reaction! If I can sink a couple of Japanese ships all the better as it will help 'even the score' after a disastrous opening to the air-war.

There are 2xCL still 100% effective (even the brass must still be sparkly!) so they're being sent straight back to Kiska today with just 1xDD escort. They'll be moving fast so I'm not too concerned about subs.

Additional, badly needed, aviation support in the form of 3xAVD is dispatched to Adak. The whole aviation support side of things needs a thorough review.

Unloading proceeds at Adak at a snail's pace. Having made great improvements to the airstrip there, the Engineers will be switched to improve the dockside. Loading at Dutch Harbor with the next convoy of fuel and supplies is complete and providing we have enough escorts (I cannot afford to lose fuel!) they will set out for Adak today also.






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< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/19/2017 7:44:19 AM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 8:04:35 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 15 - Apr 29

Another Infantry Regiment arrived at Dutch Harbor overnight. Plus lots more Naval muscle!




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 8:42:22 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 16 - Apr 30

The newly arrived BBs are sent straight to Kiska. Another CA bombardment TF is also dispatched there. We have to improvise due to the shortage of escorts and the AVDs intended for Adak act as escorts until true DDs join from Adak.

All missions proceed as planned without enemy interference except for Recon. Our bombardment TFs have not yet been detected. Should come as a nice surprise!




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< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/19/2017 8:49:40 AM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 9:43:20 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Three bombardment TF are proceeding to Kiska and another is formed today to follow them.

Let's look at Ground Combat Units:-

In addition to the units listed below there are 2x Engineer units currently on Adak working very hard at expanding the port capacity. These will join the invading forces as and when necessary.

I am unconvinced that a single infantry regiment can take Kiska and must consider substituting additional force from the units slated for Attu.




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< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/19/2017 9:45:01 AM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 10:06:19 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 17 - May 01

The lead bombardment TF (2xCA 3xDD) bombards Kiska without loss. Again results determined by subsequent Recon look good, although strangely no aircraft were observed as damaged or destroyed. Have they left home?

Tomorrow night 3xBB will repeat the destruction. In consequence, the CL bombardment TF will have a first crack at Attu itself.

Air resources are recovering so weather permitting we may resume offensive air operations against Kiska.






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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 10:24:34 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 18 - May 02

BB bombardment TF expected to hit Kiska tonight. CL TF en route for Attu. Another CL TF formed at Dutch Harbor.

Air Ops will be started again cautiously. 2xGps Liberators, one from Adak and one from Dutch Harbor, will raid Kiska unescorted while 1xGp Lightnings from Adak will sweep over Kiska at 22k ft. The weather is expected to be overcast but that's about as good as it gets around here!

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 11:20:39 AM   
Energisteron

 

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At last our aircraft losses are much reduced, but air-to-air we're still not downing enemy aircraft. The Zeros seem to have disappeared (for the moment?)

The BB bombardment provides results beyond all expectations. Hip Hip Hooray! We may actually be getting somewhere at last!




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 11:38:27 AM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 19 - May 03

A maximum effort of offensive air-strikes against Kiska had been planned but very severe storms prevented all air operations, even Recon.

No contacts at sea.

Day 20 - May 04

The air-strike plan against Kiska will be conducted today weather permitting. This will include Venturas operating from Dutch Harbor with drop-tanks.

CL TFs expected to approach both Attu and Kiska tonight.

The weather is just about good enough to fly our intended raids against Kiska. We appear to have air superiority and results are much more encouraging. We lose just one Liberator to flak.

Both bombardments are satisfactory and attained without loss.

At last, we get several APAs. Now we can start loading up for the invasion!




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< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/19/2017 1:36:16 PM >

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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 3:44:05 PM   
Disco Duck


Posts: 552
Joined: 11/16/2004
From: San Antonio
Status: offline 		I didn't notice in your notes. Did you change out the commander of your P-38's? He is pretty bad. First thing I do in this scenario is change him out and put the squadron at 100% training at zero range. They don't fatigue at that setting. It is awhile before I am ready to use them anyway.

_____________________________

There is no point in believing in things that exist. -Didactylos

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Post #: 174
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 3:58:55 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Joined: 6/17/2017
Status: offline 		Hi Disco Duck

Yes, I took the advice I'd found here and replaced as many air commanders as could afford. I've kept up to this as I acquired a couple of new air groups. I've replaced naval commanders too.

If I change Army commanders will I find their unit's preparation for invasion falls?

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Post #: 175
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 4:01:42 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Day 21 - May 05

Another day of air raids on Kiska which meet no opposition in the air. Bombardment TF now switching to target Attu. Troops begin loading up for invasion of Attu.




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RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 4:13:07 PM   
Aurorus

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

If I change Army commanders will I find their unit's preparation for invasion falls?


No, it will not affect your preparation.

The air-war is one of the most difficult aspects of the game to fully comprehend and manage. It is also the key to victory for either side. The results of the air-war determine the outcome of the game. So, this scenario is serving as a good primer and testing ground for you.

There are several tactics that can produce good results in the air. You want to experiment and be capable of applying these different tactics as needed. Most human opponents will adjust if you repeat the same procedure indefinitely.

One thing to try is to stand down your bombers and sweep the dot base 2 hexes away from Kiska. The AI will most likely automatically anticipate your sweep and send its fighters over the dot base to intercept. You will encounter fewer fighters there and achieve numerical superiority.

This is also a good tactic to use from time to time against a human opponent. Players (especially new players or veterans who overlook their CAP settings) often will set a unit on CAP with a range of 4,5,7, or 9. The result is that some CAP will bleed over into surrounding hexes. A sweep of these hexes often will result in a small number of CAP fighters getting overwhelmed by the sweep.

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Post #: 177
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/19/2017 6:14:38 PM   
Energisteron

 

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Status: offline 		Fascinating, Aurorus

Another bit of advice cut and pasted.

But which dot base? I cannot locate one.

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Post #: 178
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/20/2017 3:10:10 PM   
tarkalak

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Fascinating, Aurorus

Another bit of advice cut and pasted.

But which dot base? I cannot locate one.


There are no dot bases in "1000 miles war". I think he refers to the full campaigns.

I am not sure if you can sweep an empty hex, but you can try.

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Post #: 179
RE: 1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians - 7/20/2017 5:59:27 PM   
Energisteron

 

Posts: 617
Joined: 6/17/2017
Status: offline 		Thanks for the clarification, tarkalak.

I'm fairly sure I've set CV aircraft to sweep 'blank' hexes previously, but I'd have to check that out.

*EDIT* I've just tried and indeed it seems it is not possible

I'll give thought to 'sweeping outside the box' as a tactic. I can see how it could work.

< Message edited by Energisteron -- 7/20/2017 9:47:47 PM >

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