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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 4:29:00 PM

BillBrown

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Yes, the Soviet Air Force was designed mainly for ground support, not strategic bombing.

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Post #: 3961

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 5:09:04 PM

JohnDillworth

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I read an AAR a while back that said the problems with the Soviet air Force is that it is woefully short on aviation support in the game. I don't recall the AAR. Dan, how does Soviet aviation support look? Any house rule on using other allied support?

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Post #: 3962

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 5:11:00 PM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

and will have the latest models in play.

Are you sure about that? I'm in September '45 and still have squadrons flying I15bis.

Mostly because they are stationed at airfeelds too small or too lacking in supply to be able to upgrade.

The Soviets are severely lacking in supply in my scenario. I blithely expected them to have all the supply they needed when they activated. What a surprise I was in for. I am not sure if my Ironman scenario differs from yours with regard to supplies available for the Soviets, but I would recommend being prepared to divert some of your massive supply lift in that direction.

Offensive operations have been slowed terribly by the lack of supply. I am now establishing supply convoys from my regional hub in Adak to Komsomolsk to get the Soviet army adequately supplied.

BillBrown is right about their fighters being short ranged. Most of the ground support aircraft (IL2s) are even shorter ranged than the fighters. The TU2s bomber has decent range and they get some medium ranged torpedo bombers as well, just no fighters that can escort them to their targets.

They do get a decent amount of airlift and a Brigade and Battalion of paras. I just dropped the Brigade on Uleungdo (sp?).
Well, actually they get a full Guards para division, but not enough airlift to deploy it.

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Hans

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Post #: 3963

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 5:12:07 PM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

I read an AAR a while back that said the problems with the Soviet air Force is that it is woefully short on aviation support in the game. I don't recall the AAR. Dan, how does Soviet aviation support look? Any house rule on using other allied support?

They have enough for the bases they hold, but nothing to deploy forward as they take bases in Mancukuo.

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Hans

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Post #: 3964

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 5:22:04 PM

Canoerebel

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Here's some of the Russian fighter squadrons currently on map. These are late '44 and early '45 models.

You can see that some pilot experience is high while others are low. The latter are late-arriving units. I do have enough pilots in the reserve pool to upgrade a squadron or two or maybe three.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 3965

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 6:03:37 PM

Lokasenna

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Soviet air force is sizeable and will have the latest models in play. The pilots are trained well. But I don't know if a late-model Soviet fighter in the hands of a good pilot can handle a Ki-83 or Randy or Frank-R. I suspect I'll find out that they are adequate or even good on defense and poor on offense, which pretty much sums up the Allied air force in general.

It can't. They are comparable to short-ranged 1943/early-44 American fighters. They're OK in some roles, but overall not great.

The Ki-83 should eat them all for breakfast.

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Post #: 3966

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 7:45:13 PM

Canoerebel

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Sometimes the Ki-83 stubs its toe against F4F-4 Wildcats acting in defensive roles! Of course, a Wildcat on an offensive role would stand no chance against that model. Even my best models usually get chewed up.

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Post #: 3967

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 8:58:23 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

but I would recommend being prepared to divert some of your massive supply lift in that direction

Well, considering Dan's northern holdings and love of large supply convoys this sounds like you are just threatening Dan with a good time :-)

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Post #: 3968

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/7/2019 10:23:36 PM

mind_messing

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Completely avoiding fighting for Shanghai in favour of expanding elsewhere is best, given the terrain.

Close the hex sides, keep the troops pinned in place and go elsewhere. Fighting in urban heavy terrain is just nasty, even for the Allies in 1945.

I understand the VP argument, but the reduction of Shanghai will take a considerable length of time, and in my view it's time better spent destroying smaller pockets of IJA troops in China and flipping control of bases.

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Post #: 3969

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 12:21:08 AM

RangerJoe

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Only if his units won't get chewed up by airstrikes. He would have to move forward under a CAP that could get shredded or with a lot of AAA ready to fire which means moving in combat mode. That is why invading is better since it is faster. Now if he would just cross the Yellow Sea . . .

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Post #: 3970

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 2:36:45 AM

CaptBeefheart

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The Soviets have some wicked twin-engined torpedo bombers if you can figure out where and when to use them.

I personally have never experienced a supply issue in the main area of operations for the Soviets. The outlying bases way east and on islands, however, tend to go dry.

Cheers,
CB

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Post #: 3971

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 11:23:58 AM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

quote:

but I would recommend being prepared to divert some of your massive supply lift in that direction

Well, considering Dan's northern holdings and love of large supply convoys this sounds like you are just threatening Dan with a good time :-)

Yes, he already has the route from Adak or San Diego to Komsomolsk cleared.

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Hans

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Post #: 3972

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 11:31:06 AM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Soviet air force is sizeable and will have the latest models in play. The pilots are trained well. But I don't know if a late-model Soviet fighter in the hands of a good pilot can handle a Ki-83 or Randy or Frank-R. I suspect I'll find out that they are adequate or even good on defense and poor on offense, which pretty much sums up the Allied air force in general.

It can't. They are comparable to short-ranged 1943/early-44 American fighters. They're OK in some roles, but overall not great.

The Ki-83 should eat them all for breakfast.

What types beyond the KI-83 do the Japs get in stock?

I'm facing all kinds of exotic types beyond that model in the Ironman scenario, but of course, they aren't employed nearly as effectively as they could be.

I'm facing KI-93s, KI-94s, KI-100s, Shindens, Japanese ME-262s and what look like Japanese ME-263s (is that the correct number for the rocket plane?) as just a few examples I can remember readily. There are many many more. Had a large kamikaze group (72 planes) made of of Tokas that look like a fighter bomber come at my DS. It seems like the AI comes at me with new types every other week.

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Post #: 3973

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 11:40:56 AM

tarkalak

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quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Soviet air force is sizeable and will have the latest models in play. The pilots are trained well. But I don't know if a late-model Soviet fighter in the hands of a good pilot can handle a Ki-83 or Randy or Frank-R. I suspect I'll find out that they are adequate or even good on defense and poor on offense, which pretty much sums up the Allied air force in general.

It can't. They are comparable to short-ranged 1943/early-44 American fighters. They're OK in some roles, but overall not great.

The Ki-83 should eat them all for breakfast.

What types beyond the KI-83 do the Japs get in stock?

I'm facing all kinds of exotic types beyond that model in the Ironman scenario, but of course, they aren't employed nearly as effectively as they could be.

I'm facing KI-93s, KI-94s, KI-100s, Shindens, Japanese ME-262s and what look like Japanese ME-263s (is that the correct number for the rocket plane?) as just a few examples I can remember readily. There are many many more. Had a large kamikaze group (72 planes) made of of Tokas that look like a fighter bomber come at my DS. It seems like the AI comes at me with new types every other week.

Me-163 is the correct one. The Tokas are a purpose build kamikaze - cheapest plane possible with whatever engine is available and a large bomb inside. In the game it is listed as Level Bomber, but I am not sure that it can actually level bomb.

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Post #: 3974

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 5:16:00 PM

Lokasenna

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quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Soviet air force is sizeable and will have the latest models in play. The pilots are trained well. But I don't know if a late-model Soviet fighter in the hands of a good pilot can handle a Ki-83 or Randy or Frank-R. I suspect I'll find out that they are adequate or even good on defense and poor on offense, which pretty much sums up the Allied air force in general.

It can't. They are comparable to short-ranged 1943/early-44 American fighters. They're OK in some roles, but overall not great.

The Ki-83 should eat them all for breakfast.

What types beyond the KI-83 do the Japs get in stock?

I'm facing all kinds of exotic types beyond that model in the Ironman scenario, but of course, they aren't employed nearly as effectively as they could be.

I'm facing KI-93s, KI-94s, KI-100s, Shindens, Japanese ME-262s and what look like Japanese ME-263s (is that the correct number for the rocket plane?) as just a few examples I can remember readily. There are many many more. Had a large kamikaze group (72 planes) made of of Tokas that look like a fighter bomber come at my DS. It seems like the AI comes at me with new types every other week.

Those are all available if you want to get them, you just don't really see them much aside from the Ki-100, Shinden, and occasionally the Ki-201 Karyu (that's the Me-262). Shusui (IIRC on the spelling) is, I think, the IJ version of the rocket fighter.

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Post #: 3975

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 7:10:34 PM

HansBolter

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I think its Shusei.

The Ki-94 seems to be the top performer. I find it a tougher opponent than the Karyu.

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Hans

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Post #: 3976

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 8:55:42 PM

crsutton

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The real problem is that since the big patch, Japanese fighters have gotten unrealistic upgrades in stats (read speed) while the Soviet fighters are not up to snuff-even the late war versions. Maybe one or two have top speeds just over 400 MPH but they suffer in all categories. Soviet aircraft were under armed in comparison to most other nationalities and the game really rewards firepower. Combine this with minimal range, lack of support and lack of airfields and the only real thing helping the Soviet air force in 1945 is the fact that the rest of the Allies can throw so much at Japan. The reality is that in a pbmail game the Allies player will not really need the Soviets if the game has been played correctly, so it should not matter. But I think in real life-even with advanced models like the George and Frank, Japanese aircraft would have proven inferior to Yak 9s and the La5. And the La7 could have probably eaten any Japanese fighter for dinner. Inferior at least in combat. Utility is whole other story.

The real deficiency of Soviet fighters in the war was range. For that reason, virtually every Soviet plane and yes, the over rated Spitfire and ME 109 were not optimal designs. Great for defense but virtually useless in offense. You can't win wars if you can't project air power deep into enemy air space. One need only play AE for ten years to learn why the Mustang was the most significant aircraft produced in the war.

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Post #: 3977

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 8:58:37 PM

crsutton

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Yes little Ross, there is indeed a Santa Claus....

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Post #: 3978

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/8/2019 9:13:32 PM

Canoerebel

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Hey, Ross, looks like you're set to go! Glad you dropped by for a visit while on one of your cycling tours. Your neighborhood looks a lot like mine. There's not a whole lot of difference between Appalachian Georgia and near-Appalachian Maryland, it seems. Keep having fun!

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Post #: 3979

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 12:32:50 AM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

The USAAF and RAF can handle the strategic war, once I get airfield on Korea or vicinity.

Korea? Doesn't that imply a Next Next Next Big Thing?

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Post #: 3980

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 12:40:51 AM

Canoerebel

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It's part of TNNBT - meant to dovetail (eventually) with Russian activation. The Russians will handle Korea, I hope.

Regarding the Russian air force, I think it'll be a big help. The key to the balance of the game will be Allied ops from the Yangtze to the Russian frontier. Alot of that is open terrain. Erik probably won't have big forts in some of those places. So I think the Russian air force will help both with local defense (fighters) and strikes on Japanese ground units. If it's permitted (and I think it is), Russian fighters will use Western bases and aviation support and vice versa.

For any readers who think that seem gamey, fuggettaboutit. The Allies find themselves deep in 1945 mired in a air war that is, at best, a 1:1 affair. Neither the Russians nor the Western Allies can use their heads to build aircraft better than what Japan gets (at least in terms of fighters). So a big conference was held in Havana, at which time the combined Allies agreed the only possibly way to approach the air war was full cooperation.

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Post #: 3981

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 1:29:19 AM

erstad

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Hey, Ross, looks like you're set to go! Glad you dropped by for a visit while on one of your cycling tours.

His photo does not look like the proper gear for a cycling tour.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by erstad -- 3/9/2019 1:34:21 AM >

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Post #: 3982

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 1:34:54 AM

Canoerebel

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You don't wanna see him in his cycling gear: Spandex and Birkenstocks

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Post #: 3983

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 12:26:42 PM

HansBolter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

If it's permitted (and I think it is), Russian fighters will use Western bases and aviation support and vice versa.

Just tested it for you. Transferred 31 La-5FNs from Tamsag (highlighted hex) to Chihfeng, an American held base in Manchukuo.

As I have been shipping supply to Russian ports I have learned that while Russian TFs can set American ports as Home, American TFs cannot set Russian ports as Home. Probably states this in the manual and I read it years ago, but have had so little experience with this time period that I had forgotten it.

Also tested transferring Allied planes to Russian base and it was not allowed. Chinese P51Ds at Chihfeng cannot transfer to Tamsag. All seems to be WAD.

Screenshot of the air transfer:

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 3/9/2019 12:56:39 PM >

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Hans

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Post #: 3984

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 1:19:36 PM

RangerJoe

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I think that basing deals with the country code of the base. All Soviet bases have a certain country code while the bases that they capture have a different one. The Soviets could turn over bases to the Western Allies or Chinese.

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Post #: 3985

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 1:23:39 PM

Canoerebel

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That's the plan, Ranger. When the Russians take bases in Manchuria or Korea, I can pay the PP to transfer ownership to the Western Allies. That'll allow air ops.

I suspect, though I haven't tested, that Western aviation support would handle Russian aircraft at Russian bases.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 3986

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/9/2019 2:11:58 PM

RangerJoe

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Yes, Western units can be at orignal Soviet bases but they can't move out of them. I got this from reading the AAR when Stalin objected to a rotten shushi delivery of the Siberian coast.

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Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

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Post #: 3987

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/11/2019 1:36:38 AM

CaptBeefheart

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I've tested this. You can base and operate Allied aircraft on Soviet-flagged bases outside the Soviet Union (e.g. in Manchuria, China, Korea or wherever else they manage to invade), but not in the actual original Soviet Union. No need to change the flag on the base for that purpose.

Conversely, you can base and operate Soviet aircraft on Allied-flagged bases in the region (I'd guess you can't put them in CONUS, but I didn't test that). Those La-7s and Yak-9Us can be useful for point defense.

Cheers,
CB

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RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/11/2019 8:42:41 AM

Bif1961

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Is that Prince's bike?

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Post #: 3989

RE: Notes from a Small Island - 3/13/2019 5:29:11 PM

Canoerebel

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5/24/45 to 5/27/45

TNNBT: The Allied army is moving to get in position to isolate and lay siege to Hangchow and Shanghai. Most of the infantry is now on the Nanking side of the Yangtze, but a lot of the armor and artillery are still on the north side.

I'll have a 135k Japanese army bottled up in those two cities...but who's botting-up who may not be clear. Even as I work my angle, I have to watch out for any move by Erik to bring in a massive army from the west. Alot of his old Burma army is now in China. It might be tough if my guys are caught between a rock (Shanghai/Hangchow) and a hard place (10k enemy army moving in from the west).

So I'll have to be careful not to put my guys in some kind of bad-fix box canyon. The Allied army about to move into Indochina from Thailand represents the cavalry on the way. It'll be as large as Erik's old Burma army and probably considerably more powerful. When the two Allied armies combine, I don't think the Japanese can stop them. More about the Allies in Indochina in the next post.

Erik still hasn't moved to molest Death Star. It remains stationary in a position that offers substantially more protection than any others. So I change around and augment the defenses, knowing that I'm giving Erik a fixed look.

Why hasn't he employed his vast air force to attack? Shanghai is right there, with its level 7 airfield. That field has been damaged and is subject to Allied bombing and bombardment. Yesterday, a big fast BB TF bombarded with negligible results. This is not unusual but very vexing, becuase small DD or CL/DD bombardment TFs routine score far better than the big boys. I'll give it one more try tomorrow.

Erik has a ton of fighters and some bombers in China, molesting my outlying units. I've recalled them to the Nanking sector.

Tungchow airfield just went to level 8, doubling aviation support. I now have roughly 1500 aircraft based there. Most of these are righters, with a fair number of 2EB. This next turn, about 75 B-24s come in to help suppress Shanghai.

My airfields in this immediate vicinity are now larger than Erik's. :)