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RE: Sho I-VI - 10/17/2005 12:56:06 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		It's possible that we will try to upgrade to V1.7 - but I'm still afraid that 2-3 of my crack divisions will go awol!

Transferred numerous Zero, Tojo, Val and Kate units from their training bases in China to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The best units, including carrier air groups will be held back in reserve while most of the Army fighters and some Zero's
will be moved to the frontline. Rabaul and the surrounding bases are screaming for reinforcements...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/22/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

Ken is finding my asw efforts so effective that he says he will give them up altogether...
It's possible that asw weapons (before V1.7 comes out at least) are too efficient - BUT I said that most of the Allied
subs have been lost in shallow water hexes and narrow straits protected by numerous asw ac and asw tf's.

First Truk and then the Makassar Strait proved to be potent killing grounds for Jap asw forces.
Let's see whether Ken gives up or tries a more sublte approach.

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1231
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/17/2005 3:10:04 PM   
Gen.Hoepner


Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline 		with 1.7 probably any serious ASW attempt made by the Japs will be useless...the air-asw will probably be the only way to go for the japs

_____________________________

[image]http://yfrog.com/2m70331348022314716641664j [/image]

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1232
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/18/2005 5:31:16 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Hm, that doesn't sound like much fun...but Ken's not having much fun with his subs either.
It all depends on whether my divisions will go AWOL while upgrading to V1.7 through V1.6.
I don't want anything of that!

Ken sent me a picture of a 'mystery TF' sailing unscatched past Gili Gili - says he can't thouch it
and it is ID'd as AG/CA/BBs. It's really a small tf of sinking barges that are testing enemy air defenses in the
area...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/23/43

Nothing much to report today - a light carrier and a battleship have finished their upgrades in Tokyo.
Thought we could look at the defenses in the DEI today:

Balikpapan has become the home base for the 23rd Army and the DEI Fleet.
As you can see from the map Balikpapan is the most suitably placed base in the area - aircraft and ships from this base
can reach any base in the DEI and Northern New Guinea within a couple of days. Even better: it's completely out of enemy range.

Balikpapan 4(1) 4(1) 9 forts
265 air support (Under the 21st Air Flotilla)
40k supplies
100k fuel

The 31st, 18th and 5th divisions are based here together with closer to 100 transports and cargo ships and escorts.
For now the following ac are stationed at Balikpapan: (A 100 trained Bettys will be transferred in together with 27 Zeros shortly)
27 Vals
27 Sallys
9 Kates
60 transports

At Kendari there are another 115 fighters with another 70 at Timor. Most of the other bases in the area have been expanded and equipped
to support medium bombers.

The DEI Fleet consists of:

2 battleships (Hyuga and Yamashiro)
4 escort carriers
2 seaplane tenders
3 heavy cruisers
3 light cruisers
30 destroyers
1 sub

This force should be able to delay an enemy invasion long enough to enable the rest of the Combined Fleet to sortie and intercept.

Situation map: the Dutch East Indies (DEI)





Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)
Post #: 1233
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/19/2005 4:14:13 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Large number of trained carrier ac are now being sent to Truk and Tokyo for embarkation.
The carriers have only had 75% of the maximum load of ac in their holds over the last few months.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/24/43

Air Combat

Ken has been bombing the Admirality Islands with heavies from PM for a while now.
I don't have many ac there, but decided to make the milk runs a bit more expensive.
10 B-17s were brought down today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Admiralty Islands , at 58,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A rather heavy medium bomber attack on Green Island destroyed 6 ac on the ground.

Day Air attack on Green Island , at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
45 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

US evaluates 'Tojo'

The new Army interceptor - the 'Tojo' has been a success and the USAAF has examine a captured ac.
In 6 months the even more formidable' George' will be entering production!




Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1234
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/19/2005 4:21:05 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

with 1.7 probably any serious ASW attempt made by the Japs will be useless...the air-asw will probably be the only way to go for the japs


I'd have thought so too, but funnily enough all three direct ship-to-sub ASW hits I've seen after patching have been on US subs. Go figure...

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)
Post #: 1235
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/19/2005 5:38:46 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Guess no one are crazy enough to use Jap subs anymore

Here is a cut from a web site which illustrates how the Me-109 led to the design of the Hi-61 Hien (Tony)




Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 1236
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/21/2005 1:42:08 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Another couple of quiet turns. Lots of air attacks in the Solomons and on Lae, but the attacks
on Timor and the Admiralty islands have stopped. Ken is also hinting that an offensive isn't far away.
I don't think it will be a major one, a limited island stepping operation in the Marshalls or Solomons or perhaps
an advance against Salamua and Lae are the most likely targets. Gasmata has also been reconed heavily, but that
would be almost too bold...

Not sure what reaction would be suitable, guess I just have to wait and see what happends. I'm not too keen on
challenging a large force of enemy LBA with the Combined Fleet.

Reinforcements just arrived at Truk from China - all with very high exp levels:
72 Tojo
125 Zeros
Another 36 Oscar IIs and another 130 Zeros are also enroute via the Marianas and the carrier TF that left Tokyo
a few days ago (Junyo, Hiyo and Katsuragi). 72 Oscar IIs, 9 Bettys and 9 Kates have been sent to Shikka and northern
Japan. I'm going to upgrade the defenses in the north gradually.

With these units in place the defensive of the Marshalls, Solomons, New Guinea and the DEI is ready.

There are now 2600 political points available! I need 3600 to release a large crack division from China and another 1600
for the 2nd Armoured Division. There are also 3 smaller SNLF units that needs 'shifting'. The armoured division will go last as
its slated for the Phillippines.

The Kaga is only days away from Shanghai, still at 80 sys damage. A Kongo class battleship is enroute to a major
yard in Japan for upgrades together with 4 destroyers (due for their 06/43 upgrade). From now on it will be possible to
rotate 1 or 2 major fleet units to Japan for upgrades - this is the best way to keep the fleet ready and at the same time as
potent as possible.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/25/43

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/26/43




_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1237
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 3:08:31 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Moved 72 Tojos and 20 Zeros to Rabaul to boost the defenses there as the last
large scale raids reduced them. There are now closer to 200 fighters in place.

When the carriers I sent from Japan a few days ago arrives at Truk I will attempt
to provide them with a suitable ac complement. It's important to utilize their capacity
to the maximum. Additional Zeros and Kates will be assigned to augment their capacity
to 115%.

Strangely I received 3 A6M5 Zekes yesterday I don't produce anyone yet and the
replacement pool showed a '-3' number. Strange..the ac were assigned to the Taiho which
lost 7 ac in her previous engagements.

In India a large Brigade landed at Chandpur. The defense of this area now consists of 2
large 300 squad Brigades at Diamond Harbour and Changsa + a full division at Calcutta.
This division can reinforce potential landings in both of these bases and with 9 forts it will
be a difficult nut to crack. In all I'm feeling pretty confident in India, all I need is a mobile
reserve at Bangalore. In time I will try to put something together.

The weakest spot in my defensive perimeter can be found in the Solomons and on New Guinea.
This is very difficult to put right because of Allied LBA...the darned bombers can reduce supplies
and troops to ashes in a few weeks and there is nothing I can do about it. A fast reaction force
is the only solution as far as I can see! But is it worth to sacrifice destroyers and cruisers to delay
the capture of the southernmost bases?

What do the rest of you think?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/27/43

Invasions

Still a few Allied 'dot islands' around - decided to capture them with a small
NLF unit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 54 troops unloading over beach at Nicobar Island, 21,38

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Nicobar Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 597 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nicobar Island base !!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/28/43

Invasions

A small Marine Raider Detachment from a sub landed on Buin today.
I am expecting an invasion in this area, so the next few turns should
be interesting!

Coastal Guns at Buin, 64,92, firing at TF 1144
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1144 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1144 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5785 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I told Ken that he had scaled down his air attacks...so he turned them
back on again today with a few modest raids. Here are a few of them:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 44

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buka , at 63,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 54

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1238
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 5:42:45 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		I've noticed that the mines I place in harbours like Rabaul dissappear at
an alarmingly rapid rate There were 5000+ mines at Rabaul 4 months
ago and now there are little more than 500...(

Not good at all!

Prepared a few surprise attacks for Ken today....will tell you whether it
was a good idea or not tomorrow

Since I was in such a creative mood today I also dispatched 4 long range subs.
They will mine ports all over the Pacific including the US West Coast.

16 more days until substantial ship, air and land reinforcements arrive!
That should give me something to do.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/29/43

Subs landed enemy recon troops all over Bougainville and Gasmata today.
It's obvious that landings are imminent.... I will continue to be patient.

Landings

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Torokina, 63,92, firing at TF 1111
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1111 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1111 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Buka, 63,90, firing at TF 1167
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1167 encounters mine field at Buka (63,90)

TF 1167 troops unloading over beach at Buka, 63,90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Gasmata, 59,90, firing at TF 1163
TF 1163 troops unloading over beach at Gasmata, 59,90

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Buin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5725 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 30 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buka

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1482 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Torokina

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2145 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gasmata

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2668 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1239
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 2:40:45 PM   
pauk


Posts: 4162
Joined: 10/21/2001
From: Zagreb,Croatia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB


The weakest spot in my defensive perimeter can be found in the Solomons and on New Guinea.
This is very difficult to put right because of Allied LBA...the darned bombers can reduce supplies
and troops to ashes in a few weeks and there is nothing I can do about it. A fast reaction force
is the only solution as far as I can see! But is it worth to sacrifice destroyers and cruisers to delay
the capture of the southernmost bases?

What do the rest of you think?



Well, it depends. Solomons are undefendable, but you can choose active defence (from UV days i know that this can be succesful - from other players, not me). On the other hand, if you lose Solomons, only resonable path for future allied advance is through northen NG (Truk is pretty far away from Solomons. He can reach you with heavies from there, but he can do it elsewhere). Building and supplying those bases will take time and i think Allies can be suprised there. But, some kind of "active" defence is, IMO neccesary.



_____________________________


(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1240
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 4:14:37 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Yesterday the crews of several Betty naval bombers were asked to voluenteer for
a risky mission: to bomb the major ports of Tarawa, Lunga, Port Moresby and Darwin.
Only a small number would go without escorts and attempt to identify and perhaps hit an
enemy capital ship in port.

Only the mission against Lunga was cancelled due to bad weather:
The raid against Tarawa met no opposition and didn't find any capital ships in port.
At Port Moresby 2 bombers were lost but hit a transport with a 800kg bomb. No capital ships identified here either.
At Derby the raiders were mauled by 12 Spits, 7 ac were lost and only 2 returned. Very few ships in this port.

It was a bit unfortunate that the raid against Lunga was cancelled, I had hoped to identify
a carrier and perhaps hit a major unit in the port.

The recon that was gathered from these missions indicate that the enemy is not very
active in either the Gilberts nor in Northern Australia. This supports the evidence that
Bougainville really is Kens next objective. I thought he may try to divert my attention
with all these Marine Raider landings.

Several Dinah III recon squadrons have been ordered to resume long range recon
missions against various key installations in the Solomons.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/30/43

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Tarawa , at 85,91 - veery quiet in the Gilberts...

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 8000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 - the 'usual activity' here

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Algorab, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (hit by 800kg bomb)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 - a few ships and a sub in the harbour..and very vicious Spits in the skies

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,78 - the bombers evade the CAP. Bingo Maru was not a lucky name!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7
B-17E Fortress x 8

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Bingo Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

All Marine Raider detachements were wiped out today. I will try to rotate some
of the units in the bases that were 'reconed' over the next week or so.

Ground combat at Buka

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8339 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 104 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gasmata

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5818 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Torokina

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2165 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 59 to 1

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gasmata

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5774 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Reinforcement Schedule

Here is the immediate air reinforcement schedule: As you can see there are two major
transport units awaiting available aircraft. I had to increase production of Topsy's to receive
this new unit - there are now 35 ac in the pool and I'm expecting it to arrive tomorrow.

The Hickory's is another annoying story. The short legged (normal range 2) ac is almost useless
but I still prefer to get the unit. So I've restarted a production run - there are still 60 available engines
in the pool. Currently there are 18 in the pool and it will take another full month before the unit arrives.

I'm still getting Nate's as you can see. How depressing...




Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to pauk)
Post #: 1241
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 8:25:50 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		True Pauk, I can't sit down and let Ken occupy Bougainville. Today he said that he's trying
to figure out how his LCMs can land a full division in a single day. Guess this is how he wants
to secure the rest of the Solomons.

Going to be difficult to prevent this with dozens of PT boats and swarms of enemy ac around.

Yesterday another Akitsuki destroyer arrived at Tokyo and today it received its
first upgrade What's the use of this? All further Akitsuki destroyers that arrive
will also require upgrades. Well, the Akitsuki class is my favourite Jap destroyer class
and with the 06/43 upgrade it becomes a truly formidable ship with air and ground search
radars, great dual purpose 3.9" guns and a formidable AA suit (274). In all 5 of these ships
were upgraded today.

Production of the GM42 Betty has started - they're more expensive to produce than the G4M1
and I'm not sure it's worth it...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/31/43

Air Combat

Forgot to stand these Betties down...oops!

Day Air attack on Tarawa , at 85,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ken really takes it out and spreads his Marine Raiders all over the Solomons
and New Guinea to recon my bases...

Coastal Guns at Lae, 54,87, firing at TF 1165
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1165 encounters mine field at Lae (54,87)

TF 1165 troops unloading over beach at Lae, 54,87

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lae

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2434 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/01/43

Invasions/Ground Combat

I continue securing the small dot island that are not Japanese controlled!

TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Talaud Island, 42,64

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Talaud Island, 42,64

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another sub recon mission...

Coastal Guns at Shortlands, 63,93, firing at TF 1144
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1144 encounters mine field at Shortlands (63,93)

TF 1144 troops unloading over beach at Shortlands, 63,93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lae

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6433 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 57 to 1

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shortlands

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5656 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 30 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The KB - Mid 1943

The entire KB is now at Truk - 9 cv's and 4 cvl's. The Akagi has reached Shanghai and in 2 days
3 points of system damage has been repaired. Now at 77. All 4 escort carriers (cve) are at Balikpapan.

As you can see the KB holds 800 ac even without the Akagi and the escort carriers. In 2 weeks another
2 light carriers with 60 will join the fleet.

I don't expect Ken to use his carriers offensively (at least not outside his own LBA range) for a while, so I'm
thinking about sortying the KB soon! The operation will be called 'Summer Harvest'.

A replenishment TF has been sent towards Japan were it will load fuel and head back into the great open expanse of
water north east of Marcus Island.

In 3 weeks time the KB will sail from Truk and replenish at Marcus islands (tankers will unload 60k units of fuel here)
and catch up with the replenishment tankers.

At the same time 3-4 search plane equipped subs will take up position outside the US ports and when suitable targets
have been spotted the KB will surge in and sink as many ships as possible. I'm planning to use 10-12 fast carriers that can be
divided into 4 divisions and cover a large expanse of water when fanning out. the plan is to fan out at top speed for 2-3 days
before reversing direction and reforming the KB.

Of course it will be important to stand down all search planes to avoid enemy contact before the trap is sprung.
Most preferably it will be possible to execute this operation at the same time as Ken is busy carrying out some minor invasion in the
Solomons or New Guinea. This should require the support from some of his carriers.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1242
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/23/2005 8:50:37 PM   
brisd


Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		That TF is indeed impressive and that plan holds promise. I do think the Solomans could be defended with your current forces, bloody him well, possibly score big VP's (see below). Good luck!

The next seven months or so is that last opportunity that Japan has to have tactical superiority over the Allies. I recommend high VP targets, is it still possible to score an autovictory at end of 43? I agree an active defence, an agressive defense, limited offense is best way to use your forces. Once 44 arrives, US shipboard AA and new US carriers, BB's, etc., plus hordes of new fighters and bombers will overwelm you. Personally, I'd never want to reach '44. I will always play to end the war in 42 or 43, as Japan's leaders hoped. A long war is a losing proposition. I do enjoy playing hopeless positions vs a computer opponent, for challenge sake, but not against a human!

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1243
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/24/2005 2:47:27 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		If I was going for an auto victory I should retreat as many of my forces out of Ken's range
as possible BrisD! He still have to make good 3000 points or so over the next 7 months.

All Allied targets that are worth anything are now heavily defended and it will cost me dearly to
contest them. Even if I fight a 'Guadalcanal' type battle for Bougainville losses will at best be on
a 1-1 ratio. This will only benefit Ken....

So instead we should try to force him to undertake more risky offensives in 3 or 4 months - then
we could provide him with a really good spanking If Operation 'Summer Harvest' turns out as I
hope it will disrupt Allied shipping, throw of Ken's timeline and make him even more desperate to avoid
an autovictory. The shipping lanes must be full of loaded transports at this time of the war!-)

The only realistic way Japan had of winning the war would be to demoralize the US and their will to fight.
I think we have achieved that already, but a tru Bushido warrior doesn't covet peace!-) A a little piece of
Poland and a little piece of Greece is much better!

I'm actually looking forward to 1944, but to make it an interesting journey we can't squander our forces in
meaningless battles. They should be preserved for the decisive show downs that are bound to come.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/02/43

Ground Combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shortlands - this was the last of the lot

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4516 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Talaud Island - only two more to go

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 618 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Talaud Island base !!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to brisd)
Post #: 1244
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/24/2005 3:09:54 AM   
brisd


Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

I'm actually looking forward to 1944, but to make it an interesting journey we can't squander our forces in
meaningless battles. They should be preserved for the decisive show downs that are bound to come.


You are a masochist . But I understand your strategy, those transports are worthy targets and even threating them will slow down any allied advance, spread out his forces.

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1245
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 2:34:28 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		You may be right BrisD - but I'm going to need a lot of support from you guys when the going
gets really tough

If I can make Ken really paranoid about his shipping lanes it could be possible to disrupt his plans.
Perhaps I can not only send out a single raid but repeat it and then change hunting grounds?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/03/43

Air Attack

I ordered some of my night fighters to strike the airfields at Mili. They
performed well and actually destroyed a Corsair on the ground. Another
night fighter unit is being trained in China and got an average skill rate of
70 now. I'm hoping that this highly experienced group will become more
efficient both at night interceptions and attacks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mili , at 84,85

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Arawe is a small 0 size base just west of Gasmata. Why does Ken want to
land a small party here? I was tempted to ignore it but came to think about
Russian bridgehead..if left alone for 5 min they would grow to really ugly sprouts
So I'm going to eject the invaders....

TF 1163 troops unloading over beach at Arawe, 57,89

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Enemy spotted

Ken says that there won't be too many quiet days from now on! From what I can see an invasion
of Bougainville or Lae/Gasmata are the most likely options - but it's also possible that Ken is more
sneaky. A Glen equipped sub spotted an enemy TF heading northeast from Perth today. (see picture
and intel report) Are these ships part of a larger force heading for Java or Timor?

The sub has been ordered to shadow the TF and I've dispatched an AV with 6 Jack's to keep a watch
on the area.

Another TF has been spotted east of the Marshalls. It's possible that this convoy is heading for Johnston
Island but another sub will shadow it.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to brisd)
Post #: 1246
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 4:50:54 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		No sign of the TF's I spotted earlier...bad weather may have grounded my search
planes though.

Asked Ken whether he is going to land a raider platoon from his subs on all of my bases.
I usually land advanced recon squads on target bases immediately prior to an invasion.
Don't want to tell Ken what he can do or not, but personally I don't wish to see these raids
on a large scale - on either side. Something about too much and too little again.

What do the rest of you think?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/04/43

Ground Combat

Several more subs unload small ground units in the Solomons and
on NG. The USS Narwhal hit a mine - liked that. The paras sent in to
Arawe quickly took out the raiders. Have to airlift another company to
Finschafen

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 1078
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1078 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88)

TF 1078 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1111 encounters mine field at Green Island (63,89)

TF 1111 troops unloading over beach at Green Island, 63,89

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal, Mine hits 1

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Green Island, 63,89, firing at TF 1111
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1167 troops unloading over beach at Finschafen, 55,87
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11673 troops, 149 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Green Island

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1624 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 30 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Green Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9863 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arawe

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 422 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1247
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 10:43:32 AM   
Honda


Posts: 953
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Karlovac, Croatia
Status: offline 		I never do sub recon I expect the same from my oppnents. It's just stupid. You got recon planes - use them. The more you recon a base more info you get. And that's how the game is suppose to be played. If the base is out of your recon ac range then you'll just have harder time scouting it 'cause you'll have to use long-range search planes (most likely).

_____________________________


AAR of my game vs Raver on my clan forum in croatian language (despite the language differences, no Ravers allowed)

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1248
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 10:52:12 AM   
kkoovvoo

 

Posts: 253
Joined: 10/1/2004
From: Slovakia
Status: offline 		No way that 20 men landed at enemy base will recognize the composition of forces there IRL. It is gamey and i never do it.

1/ he has scout planes to learn total numbers of your troops,
2/ he can use ground attack from his bases to learn which troops are exactly in your base,
3/ he has signal intelligence.

Thats enough i think.

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1249
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 12:47:12 PM   
String


Posts: 2661
Joined: 10/7/2003
From: Estonia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: kkoovvoo

No way that 20 men landed at enemy base will recognize the composition of forces there IRL. It is gamey and i never do it.

1/ he has scout planes to learn total numbers of your troops,
2/ he can use ground attack from his bases to learn which troops are exactly in your base,
3/ he has signal intelligence.

Thats enough i think.



not if they are lead by LT. J. Wayne

(in reply to kkoovvoo)
Post #: 1250
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 1:01:15 PM   
Andy Mac

 

Posts: 15222
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Alexandria, Scotland
Status: offline 		And yet sub launched commando's were a primary way of obtaining intel it happened in every theatre.

Again it is an example of players using something that was used in the real war to an ahistoric extent.

Personally as long as it doesnt force surrenders then I have no problem with it. I will respect the attitude of my opponents on this issue but there are enough other features in the game that are over used compared to real war (BB Bombardments by the IJN, concentrated heavies by the allies etc etc) that I think its a tad unfair to restrict this feature.

(In my game against String I used 1 RCT as my raiding formation and because we had banned subs I used FT DD's to achieve the same end ..... plus annoy him )


(in reply to String)
Post #: 1251
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 1:25:30 PM   
String


Posts: 2661
Joined: 10/7/2003
From: Estonia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

And yet sub launched commando's were a primary way of obtaining intel it happened in every theatre.

Again it is an example of players using something that was used in the real war to an ahistoric extent.

Personally as long as it doesnt force surrenders then I have no problem with it. I will respect the attitude of my opponents on this issue but there are enough other features in the game that are over used compared to real war (BB Bombardments by the IJN, concentrated heavies by the allies etc etc) that I think its a tad unfair to restrict this feature.

(In my game against String I used 1 RCT as my raiding formation and because we had banned subs I used FT DD's to achieve the same end ..... plus annoy him )




Yes, they were quite annoying, but because of them I had moved sizeable forces to the same area, which resulted in your Koepang invasion bogging down. Otherwise you would have had the base by the third day and everything within range 9 would have been levelled.

(in reply to Andy Mac)
Post #: 1252
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 1:42:48 PM   
Andy Mac

 

Posts: 15222
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Alexandria, Scotland
Status: offline 		Yup I made a mistake but actually it had started to work in my favour ..... attrition is the allies friend !!!!

(in reply to String)
Post #: 1253
Air torrent hits Rabaul - 10/25/2005 6:42:47 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Thx for the input guys! I agree with both views actually... Recon squads provide too much intel.
At the same time I've found it hard to ban them altogether. I've only used them in a very
limited way and suggested this to Ken.

Last time I sent one out was prior to the aborted landings in the Gilberts/Marshalls. I didn't
send them out until my invasion force had arrived in the area.

Today Ken launched his long promised offensive in the Solomons - well air offensive at least.
I have been expecting one for some days now and Rabaul received additional fighters less
than a week ago. As suspected there were still far too few to stop the bomber and fighter
torrents that arrived today. The results were pretty much like last time:

Several raids compromising a total of:

46 P-40N Warhawks
191 P-38 Lightnings
219 medium bombers
269 heavy bombers

Ca 160 Jap fighters defended the base.

Results: Enemy ac shot down by flak/CAP

38 P-40N Warhawks
77 P-38 Lightnings
14 medium bombers
2 heavy bombers

ca 135 Jap fighters shot down in A2A combat + another 90 ac destroyed on the ground.

I only had 2 units of Tabby transport ac in Rabaul this time and all 12 of them were
destroyed on the ground... I have dispatched cargo ships to pick the empty formations up.
Quite annoying that it isn't possible to move them out by air. Several of the fighter units
had 0 operational ac as well.

The airfields have been completely demolished (95/100 runway/service damage) and
I pondered about whether I should send in another 135 highly experienced Zeros and then
add more Tojos from the Marshalls tomorrow. I decided against it as it wouldn't be enough
to stop the bombers. Ken has promised that they will be back tomorrow. This is one of the
cases were brute force is sufficient to win the day...and there will be a lot more of them!

You can see the aircraft loss table that has been attached for more details

Air offensive/defensive operations will continue from Kavieng, Admirality islands and
other air bases that have been built just north of Rabaul. Occasionally fighters will LR CAP
Rabaul to intercept enemy bombers and fatigued escort fighters over Rabaul, but that's about it.
It will take a long time to repair the facilities their - and as long as the bombing continues......

I am now expecting Ken to invade one of the bases on Bougainville. Some of the bases there
are weakly defended - and this is no secret anymore. The fleet has been put on alert. The next
few days will be exiting. The extremely large number of enemy bombers will make operations in
the area very risky at best...

Should I use the Fleet to intercept or is Operation Summer Harvest a better option while light forces
delay the enemy for as long as possible?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/05/43

Air Combat

Here you can see how Rabaul was demolished! Fighter to fighter combat was fierce and
only a few of the 160 Jap fighters got through to the bomber streams. Personally I find
A2A combat between fighters is too lethal in WitP.

The Zero's performed best against the P-40N Warhawks while the Army fighters took
down most of the P-38s. That could be usefull to know...

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 68
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 29

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 46
P-38G Lightning x 124
B-25J Mitchell x 106

Japanese aircraft losses (these losses include ac both A2A and ground casualties)
A6M2 Zero: 27 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 10 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 60 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged
L2D2 Tabby: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 36 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 57 destroyed, 10 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 22 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 132
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 67
B-25J Mitchell x 113
B-17E Fortress x 99
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 16 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 19 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 9 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 'special' mission was carried out against Darwin from Timor: Recon ac showed that there were
numerous enemy subs in the docks and I wanted to hit them. The Spits were lethal - as usual -
but 800kg bombs rained down on the subs and the SS-35 and SS Saury were sunk at their moorings.
The raid must therefore be considered a success - although an expensive one.

Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
G4M1 Betty x 31

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS S-35, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pompon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS William P. McArthur, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Saury, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Yet another dot island invasino in the DEI...

TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Taliabu, 37,70

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Finschafen - my paras again repulsed the recon squad
from capturing a base

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 20 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 337 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arawe

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 422 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses





Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 10/25/2005 6:43:13 PM >

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Andy Mac)
Post #: 1254
RE: Air torrent hits Rabaul - 10/25/2005 7:25:50 PM   
brisd


Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		Ouch - that's a lot of Ki-44's to lose in one day! I don't know if I would contest the landings in Solomons, only if you feel KB can operate outside of LBA and cover your surface tf's with LRCAP. Then I'd say go for it, sink his ships while you have the ability to do so.

As far as the Darwin raid, I'd consider that a big success. Two subs sunk, which will pay for air losses I'd guess. I'd trade a dozen planes for any sub sunk. How many ships would those subs potentially sink over the next two years??? Thanks for the details, it helps to see the challanges you face during this timeframe.

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1255
RE: Air torrent hits Rabaul - 10/25/2005 7:50:16 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		That's true BrisD - but there are 400 more of them in the pools. It will take approximately 2 months
to retrain them in China. In hindsight it could have been smarter to withdraw all ac from Rabaul - but this would
be against Jap philosophy and it is important to attempt to delay the US advance with all means available to us.

There is another problem if I try to intercept Ken's shipping in the Solomons: PT boats - dozens of them
My surface ships will be diverted, damaged and then finished by enemy LBA. The KB is so powerful that it is
possible to destroy an Allied invasion force - but losses in aircrew will be heavy as there are many Corsairs
around now. And what do I do if Ken only use LCM's to ferry in troops Very very difficult decisions...

Ideally I have to manouver Ken into a - for me - more beneficial strategic situation. Long range amphibious landings.
Then it would be much more ideal to engage Ken in a decisive battle.

I think Ken is using Darwin as a repair port for damaged subs, there are reported to be many more of
them in port. Not sure I can risk another raid, at least not until I know whether Ken has reinforced his CAP or not.
The Allied subs have not been overly efficient thus far in the war, but I expect their performance to improve when
new detonators for the MK14 torpedoes come into service next month.

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to brisd)
Post #: 1256
RE: Air torrent hits Rabaul - 10/25/2005 8:48:21 PM   
Rob Brennan UK


Posts: 3685
Joined: 8/24/2002
From: London UK
Status: offline 		Long time reader .. don't post very often

The lightning losses are great imo. thats almost a months production lost in one day. should slow down any more unit upgrades.

Trying to stop any bouganville invasion might be too costly. save the KB for a longer range invasion. if you decide not to contest bouganville run the KB over to sulawesi just in case there is a backdoor invasion of timor coming.

How are the a/c in timor ?

great AAR by the way ..i almost spend more time reading the website than playing the game.

_____________________________

sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1257
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 9:27:44 PM   
pauk


Posts: 4162
Joined: 10/21/2001
From: Zagreb,Croatia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

You may be right BrisD - but I'm going to need a lot of support from you guys when the going
gets really tough



No need to worry about that, we in Croatia already have "Black Adder PzB" fanboy club. IIRC, you played only first two weeks against AI and right after that jumped in PBEM boots. This makes you a trully hero of this game....

well, i'm pretty paranoid person and when i saw your glen report i thought: this is invasion fleet to the SRA!... if I were allied player i would strike on different locations.... but my main goal would be SRA, we all know why. I do not follow Nomad's AAR (won't be fair to give you bad advices based on "additional" knowledge, so don't know if he/how much have CV's).... When i wrote about "active but not at all costs defence" in Guadalcanal i did not mentioned that SRA is" must be defended area at any cost". So, faced with 2 bad things (losing Guadalcanal area and invasion on SRA) i would choose the first - it will give you a couple of months.

SRA have two weak points (IMHO)

1) approach from northen NG (lots of bases that they can be expanded)
2) approach from Koepang and all those small islands north of Timor

#1 delaying allied offensive through NG - key is holding of Rabaul. I know that it will be impossible keep operational AF there, but as long you poses this base allied must keep formidable air and naval force in this theatre.

#2.... Koepang is starting position for "frog jumps" which will ended in Java. Is it clever to keep Koepang at all costs? is it better to fortify at Bali or one of southern little bases? I do not know... maybe it is a key to not expand this bases but expand them to fort level 9 and send forces there if you spot allied invasion towards these bases (IIRC you delay allied advance in that way in your UV game?).....




_____________________________


(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 1258
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/25/2005 10:43:02 PM   
Arstavidios

 

Posts: 780
Joined: 11/19/2004
Status: offline 		Well, now that Rabaul is closed as an airfield, it is likely to remain this way.
LRCAP is unlikely to protect the base long eough to alow your engineers to repair the field. Unless you have masses of engineers based there. And the alied bombers can come back again and again which would draw your trained figther pilots into the sinkhole.


(in reply to pauk)
Post #: 1259
RE: Sho I-VI - 10/26/2005 1:07:24 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Good to hear from you Rob!
I mostly read AARs myself before I started playing this game.

True, P-38 losses were heavy, but I'm afraid Ken got lots and lots of P-38's in his pools.

A simple calculation: 80 P-38's pr month from 10/42 and until 05/43 = 80x8 = 640.
The aircraft losses screen shows that the Allies have lost 388 P-38s so far.
640
-388
--------
= 252
--------

So I'm afraid he still got all the ac he need plus more than a thousand pilots in his AAF pool.
In September he start receiving the 'J' model of the P-38 at the rate of 75 ac pr month.
Starting in July he will get 144 Hellcats pr month...( Let's rejoice over all the British ac he doesn't
receive instead

I will try to defend Bogainville with as many troops as can be spared - they're pretty hard to kill.
The navy will pose a threat and perhaps strike if the opportunity arises.

Arstavidios: I want to force Ken to use his Lightnings to escort his bombers to Rabaul for two reasons:
1. They will be tied down
2. Suffer heavy fatigue and become easy targets

It will be possible to controll my own ac losses, so I think it should be worth it.
There are lots of engineers on Rabaul including a full engineer regiment - but it took ca 10 days to fix
the runways and facilities after the last major attacks. The runways themselves can be clear in as few as
4-5 days though.

Thanx Pauk, appreciate it
I'm not much of a hero, it was the conquest of India that bought me 'immortality'
Being stubborn and lucky got its advantages....

I think you may be right: Ken could have launched his operations in the Solomons as a diversion.
There are two things that counts against this:
1. Very little activity around the major ports in Northern Australia.
2. It would have been beneficial to bomb the bases on Timor before an invasion. It also seems like most of the Allied
heavy bombers are in the Solomon and New Guinea theatres now.

However I will double our scouting efforts in the SRA!

An approach from Northern Guinea will be time consuming, he would have to crawl all the way from Buna to get there!-)
Koepang is a much more likely target as it holds a size 4 af.

Here are the good news: I have reinforced Timor and forts are growing in all 3 bases there. Koepang holds an aviation
regiment and there are more than 100 fighters on the island now. Another 150 fighters are at Kendari. A powerful fleet
is stationed at Balikpapan and the KB can reach the area from Truk in a few days. No less than 2 crack army divisions are
also available for a rapid counter stroke.


_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to Arstavidios)
Post #: 1260
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