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RE: 15 April 1942

 
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RE: 15 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 5:34:52 AM   
Capt. Harlock


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From: Los Angeles
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quote:

Thinking of sending 3-4 CVs against Pearl to land another crippling strike. What do you guys think ? I think he'll have minimal air defense - concentrating mostly on ASW efforts and won't think I'd bring the KB back this late in the game.. As long as I can get there without being spotted I think I can sink a few ships, hopefully his damaged CVs and BBs.


The question is whether his PBY's can simultaneously hunt for subs and surface TF's. By now, he knows your submarines are hunting his CV's, and it's a good bet there are ASW countermeasures in place. If his search planes have to concentrate on subs, then your chances of approaching Pearl Harbor undetected are good. But if he can also spot surface TF's, then I would think he'll likely pick you up.

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

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Post #: 241
RE: 15 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 12:11:37 PM   
Brausepaul


Posts: 484
Joined: 8/11/2004
From: Braunschweig, Deutschland
Status: offline 		Did you think of sending KB to the Indian ocean trying to catch fomr B17s on the ground? It depends on the amount of fighters and recce, of coursing, this won't work if he spots you too early. On the other side this would relieve pressure in the Pacific, but his CVs are damaged anyway.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 242
RE: 15 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 6:06:42 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Brausepaul

Did you think of sending KB to the Indian ocean trying to catch fomr B17s on the ground? It depends on the amount of fighters and recce, of coursing, this won't work if he spots you too early. On the other side this would relieve pressure in the Pacific, but his CVs are damaged anyway.


The KB has a date with the Idian Ocean as it is - or at least part of the KB. The problem there is that I do not yet control Java and he would easily spot any CVs trying to make it through the straights. Right now I can sneak 1-2 ship TFs through to Rangoon but thats about it - and sometimes he spots those as well.. I will be taking Banhka, Medan (and the other base) within a month then will land on Andaman Island in force and secure the nice base Rob has built for me - then I have a multi-divisional invasion of Ceylon planned.

Xargun

(in reply to Brausepaul)
Post #: 243
16 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 6:23:44 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		The turn started with a night time air raid on Dacca by a measly 9 Nells and 11 Betties. Several planes came back damaged and no hits were scored on the Dacca AF - a waste of gas basically.

Rob then surprised me with the re-emergence of the RAF in china. 13 P-40Es escortedf 36 SB-2C chinese bombers against Kungchang AF where apparently I had no CAP flying Luckily the chinese are horrible and I only lost 1 Nate along with 9 runway hits.

Rangoon then took another beating - how the hell is he keeping these heavies in the air ? A total of 5 Demons escorted 7 Blenheim IVs, 51 B-17s, 32 LB-30s and 3 chinese bombers against Rangoon AF. My CAP was once more crappy - only 6 Zeros and 13 Oscars. The bombers claimed 180 men, 5 airbase, 3 supply and 57 runway hits. They destroyed 4 zeros, 5 Oscars, 4 Betties, 2 Nells, 3 Sallies and 1 Babs. My CAP and flak claimed only 1 Demon and 1 B-17. At this rate Rob will destroy all my planes on the ground at Rangoon and I won't have any left to fight the next 3 years of the war with.

My fighters swept in from Rahaeng and plucked 10 Hurricans out of the sky over Pagan, while losing 3 of their own.

I sent some Nells on a raid on Koepang AF - 49 in total. They ran into a few Brewster fighters and plowed through to deliver 2 airbase, 2 supply and 4 runway hits. 2 Nells failed to return.

Rob continues to bomb my AF at Lae. Its kinda funny as I am not even attempting to build anything there. All I have there are combat units, no engineers yet..

Rob's Hudsons from PM found more fleeing APs in the area of the Bismark Arch and hit one with 3 bombs.

I finally committed to a land attack at Lanchow. 286000 IJA troops attacked 162000 chinese troops. My men were pushed back with heavy losses, but we managed to lower the forts by 1. I lost 8200 men and Rob lost 740.. Not a great attack, but I expect to lose that kind of numbers to crack Lanchow.

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Post #: 244
17 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 6:34:11 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		I am moving men from Singapore towards Rangoon to bolster the defenses there - mostly arty and some small ground units. They have been moving by rail from Singapore up to Georgetown where I loaded the first arty unit on some ships last turn. Unfortunately the TF ran into an allied sub and one of the APs was struck by a torpedo blowing a huge hole in its side. The damaged AP has been ordered to the nearest port to offload the men before it sinks and the rest are ordered to continue on to Rangoon.

Rob landed some men via sub at Gasmata. I am trying to react, but I don't think I can react fast enough to prevent him from capturing the base - I will take it back for sure, but its still a pain.

One of my subs lying in wait for Rob's CVs encountered an ASW hunter-killer group... The sub took 2 depth charges and luckily escaped. It has 70+ flooding and will probably not make port.

And now back to the current sore spot... Rangoon. Rob came in again. 2 Buffalo pilots escorted in 20 RAF bombers - kinda surprised they would fly with only 2 escorts against my CAP ?? Hmm... Well they ran into 9 zeros and 10 Oscars. My CAP shot down 1 RAF bomber... They bombed the AF again, causing 1 airbase and 17 runway hits, as well as claimed 26 men. They caught 1 zero, 2 oscar and 1 betty on the ground... This is getting sickening....

The second Rangoon raid met with worse results for Rob. 7 Blenheim IVs came in unescorted and my CAP mauled them. They shot down 4 of the bombers. The rest claimed 7 men and 1 runway hit. No Japanese other losses were reported.

The third raid was another victory for Rob. 9 Blenheim IVs, 27 B-17 and 33 LB-30s pounded Rangoon AF yet again... They claimed 20 men, 1 airbase and 13 runway hits. They destroyed 1 zero, 2 Oscar, 1 Sally and 1 Nell. My CAP and flak claimed 1 Blenheim and 1 LB-30.... This is ridiculus.. He has bombed 4 days straight with the heavies and they are still landing constant hits.. I damaged 10+ B-17s each turn and they just come back for more.. You can't kill them. Were they this hard to kill historically ??

Rob sent in some dutch Demons on a raid at Palembang. 4 Demons came flying in at 2000 feet and were met by 12 zeros and 4 Nates. All 4 Demons were shot down.

Rob is stepping up his bombing of the Lae AF, including some B-25C Mitchell bombers. He landed 2 airbase and 4 runway hits on an airfield I'm not doing anything with

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Post #: 245
18 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 6:50:25 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		The turn started - as several have lately - with the bombing of Rangoon's AF. This time the raid was small enough - 4 Buffalo and 4 Blenheim IFs - that my CAP could handle it. The newly reinforced CAP pounded the raid, shooting down all 8 planes. I have reinforced the CAP with another sentai of zeros flying LR CAP from the nearby base of Rahaeng.

Raid #2 on Rangoon met a similiar fate. 6 Blenheim IVs came in, 2 left after scoring no hits. I like this so much, I need to strengthen the CAP every turn I think.

My raid on Port Moresby's AF inflicted very little damage. 27 Zeros escorted 48 Betties from Rabaul against the enemy AF. I lost 1 Betty in the battle and claimed 3 Kittyhawks, 2 P-40Es, 1 B-25 and 1 C-47. I also claimed 10 men and 3 runway hits.

Rob must have noticed my airfield at Rahaeng finally - been raiding Pagan from it every few turns. He sent in a small raid against the AF. 3 Buffalos escorted 9 Wellington and 6 Hudson bombers. Due to the LR CAP over Rangoon, I only had 5 zeros on CAP here, but they did a decent job downing 2 RAF bombers and 1 Buffalo. These bombers are unskilled as they only landed 1 supply hit in all.

A TF landing an IJN NLF at my base on Timor (Dili) were spotted and hit by some dutch bombers. Most missed, but a lucky dutch pilot put a torpedo into a DD. The ship is heavily damaged and will be retreated back to Kendari for field repairs.

The arty raid on Lanchow claimed over 200 men.

My baby CVs and 2 CV TF will reach Kwajelein next turn where I expect them to drain the last drops of fuel from the base. I have more fuel coming south, but it will not arrive in time. I still have a small stockpile at Tarawa - like 14000 units, but am saving that for emergencies. Luckily I have 2 replenishment TFs in the area as well, carrying around 30k fuel between them. Once at Kwajelein, the CVs will draw new planes and pilots - Tarawa was too small to provide them and wait... I am n ot sure the 1 division of troops I have in the area will be enough to take Canton now that Rob has reinforced it. I may wait for a second division to be shipped in from the Philippine Islands.

My heavily damaged CV is slowly making her way NW away from any danger. She has 53 sys damage and no flt or fire. Unfortunately she cannot conduct any air ops on her own. She is low on fuel and meeting with a replenishment TF tomorrow to replenish - then I need to decide where to send her... Straight home or not... With the increased sub activity I have spotted 3-400 miles south of Japan, I'm not sure I can get her safely through. Perhaps she will move to Guam or Palau and sit there for a while - closer to Japan but out of harm's warm.

I have gone over my notes and I have not hit an allied ship since the 13th of April. Since then he has hit 7 of mine, including 1 DD, 2 subs and 4 APs - one of which has sunk. I need to change this soon, but he is not giving me any targets...

My manpower continues to hover around 200 as units continue to draw replacements and flesh out. My HI stockpile is over 40k now and continues to slowly rise, as I have halted several aircraft factories making older planes while I decide what to change them to. My Armaments is hovering around 3k and my vehicles are about 300...So right now it seems I am barely making enough raw manpower to fully use all my armaments - I need to find out why my manpower is slumping and get it in gear.

I am thinking of using a few I-class subs to do a few sub invasions in Indian to force Rob to react to them. I believe several of the bases near Ceylon are unguarded - at least start the game unguarded and 1 or 2 of them have Industry / Resources in them.. A quick invasion would force Rob to react to them and capture industry and possible Oil from him. Not sure if I should, as this may cause him to reinforce all the bases which will make my fall offensive into India / Ceylon much harder. What do you guys think ?


< Message edited by Xargun -- 5/8/2005 6:52:23 PM >

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Post #: 246
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/8/2005 7:45:15 PM   
Tom Hunter


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Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline 		Send Tony's if you want to kill off the 4 engine bombers at Rangoon.

Also there is no rule against counter bombing, and you have multiple airbases in the area, you need to use them.

I have the shoe on the other foot in Java, I keep moving my planes from one airbase to another to avoid Blackwatch's vastly superior airforce. He has more, better planes, but I have 7 airbases to hide in and he can only bomb 3 effectively each turn.

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Post #: 247
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/9/2005 8:20:41 PM   
Xargun

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Hunter

Send Tony's if you want to kill off the 4 engine bombers at Rangoon.

Also there is no rule against counter bombing, and you have multiple airbases in the area, you need to use them.

I have the shoe on the other foot in Java, I keep moving my planes from one airbase to another to avoid Blackwatch's vastly superior airforce. He has more, better planes, but I have 7 airbases to hide in and he can only bomb 3 effectively each turn.


Tonys are a while off yet... I only have 1 AF in the area capable of supporting bombers - Rahaeng is only size 2 right now.. I am rapidly expanding Rahaeng but it will be a couple weeks before its size 4+... Other than those two, that is really all that I have within realistic range of Dacca / Diamond Harbor / Calcutta where he is basing his heavies. I think I can reach from Bangkok, but its a looooong flight and I'll lose a lot of planes to ops flying from there.

I am letting Rob build up Adaman Island for me and will use that once I take it...

Xargun

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Post #: 248
19 April 1942 - 5/9/2005 8:23:03 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		I got the latest turn last night and only had time to run it - not enter any orders, but I wanted to post the highlight of the turn...

During the execution of the turn I got the "Enterprise Sinks" message as the valiant USS Enterprise slips beneath the waves enroute to PH

I was very happy to see this - even though I am positive he has salvage most of its airwings. My sub lying in wait for the Enterprise located the CL Hobert and put 2 torps into her AND evaded ASW efforts as well... So overall a good turn just with those two events...
I will post more when I get home from work...

Xargun

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Post #: 249
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/9/2005 10:41:46 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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quote:

Tonys are a while off yet... I only have 1 AF in the area capable of supporting bombers


The answer to your first question is yes -- the B-17's were historically that hard to kill. The lighter Japanese machine guns were almost completely ineffective against them, and most of the Japanese fighter cannons fired slowly and with a lower muzzle velocity than German or allied guns. The fact that the Forts have escorts is a major problem, because your heavier fighters don't do as well against Allied fighters. Perhaps you could use a squadron of Zeroes to engage the escorts, and then send Nicks or Irvings in against the bombers?

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 250
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/9/2005 10:59:36 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

The answer to your first question is yes -- the B-17's were historically that hard to kill. The lighter Japanese machine guns were almost completely ineffective against them, and most of the Japanese fighter cannons fired slowly and with a lower muzzle velocity than German or allied guns. The fact that the Forts have escorts is a major problem, because your heavier fighters don't do as well against Allied fighters. Perhaps you could use a squadron of Zeroes to engage the escorts, and then send Nicks or Irvings in against the bombers?


Ok.. I've only ever seen footage over Europe where the German fighters ripped into the heavies there.. Don't know a lot about the heavies being used in the Pacific - thanks for the info..

I will try a combined CAP once I get some heavy fighters... So what type of weapons do my fighters need ? 20mm ? Or What ? I believe some of the late war Japanese fighters have 20mm cannons.

Xargun

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 251
RE: 19 April 1942 - 5/10/2005 5:24:51 AM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		Well here is the update on the last turn...

I landed troops (an NLF) at Babo in PNG and they took the undefended base in a Shock Assault. I now have the complete 'upper' portion of PNG under my control and I am thinking of leaving that NLF there and bringing in some engineers to make a level 2 AF to control the sea lanes with Kates and Vals. What do you guys think ? Or is it too close to Oz-land ?

My airmen in China got a workout this turn as well... I ordered them against the AF at Sining - it has sat out most of the battle for Lanchow and Rob is basing bombers out of it, so I decided it was time to say hi. Over 70 DBs visited the AF and hit it pretty good. I lost 3 Nates and 2 Anns for the trouble, but goit 3 SB-2Cs and 1 RAF Beaufort. I also scored 5 airbase, 1 supply and 46 runway hits.. This should hamper Rob's air activity a little.

Guess what ???? Rangoon got bombed again... Imagine that 6 zeros and 10 Oscars met 3 Demons, 4 Buffalos and 3 Blenheim IFs. I lost nothing in the air or ground and claimed 2 Fighters and 1 Blenheim shot down.

My next action was a raid on Taung Gyi to keep Rob on his toes in Burma. 6 zeros escorted in 26 Ann DBs on the raid. They met 10 Buffalos on CAP. I lost 1 Ann and destroyed 1 Buffalo and 1 Vildebeest aircraft. The Af took 3 airbase, 1 supply and 11 runway hits.

My air raid on the port of Broome was a failure. 59 Nells converged on the port and made at least 1 run on it, claiming 1 port hit. No planes were lost, but nothing was really hit.. so it was just a waste of supplies.

Rob beat me to Gasmata and took the base this turn with his sub commandos that he landed last turn. My AP full of the 4th Regiment troops did not arrive in time to unload at all and he took the base freely. Now my men have to unload on a hostile beach, but I have no doubt they will easily wipe out the few commandos left behind and recapture the base.

Rob paid another visit to Rahaeng AF with his Wellington and Hudson bombers, but they did not hit anything again... Unfortunately my CAP did nothing either and all aircraft involved we undamaged.

IJN I-19 located an allied TF of 2 CA, 1 CL and 2 DDs and put 2 torps into the CL Hobart, leaving the ship aflame and listing. The sub then skillfully (or luckfully) escaped counterattack by the TF DDs.

I also landed troops at Green Island in the Solomons and secured the undefended island with no fighting. I have a base force enroute to begin enlarging that base.

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Post #: 252
RE: 19 April 1942 - 5/10/2005 11:52:10 AM   
Brausepaul


Posts: 484
Joined: 8/11/2004
From: Braunschweig, Deutschland
Status: offline 		Congrats for sinking the Big E.

So one is sunk, and at least one is out of service for quite some time, right?

< Message edited by Brausepaul -- 5/10/2005 11:53:45 AM >

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Post #: 253
RE: 19 April 1942 - 5/10/2005 6:48:26 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Brausepaul

Congrats for sinking the Big E.

So one is sunk, and at least one is out of service for quite some time, right?


Thanks

Nope.. 2 sunk -> Big E sunk on her own and the Yorktown was sunk by a IJN sub as it attempted to make port in Canton Island. So I have two of his 5 CVs sunk. The Saratoga and Lexington both should have some damage but obviously not much and the Hornet is 100%.. So he does still have 3 CVs capable of flying ops (assuming both Sara & Lex can) and a CVE. I doubt if he will risk his damaged CVs in battle anytime soon, so he only has 1 US CV available for extended ops and the RN CVs - which as far as I can tell are still hiding in Karachi... They could be at Ceylon, but I doubt he would leave them in range of Nells / Betties from Rangoon...

My CV, Junyo has 53 sys damage and will make port at Tarawa this turn, where she will spend a turn or two in port repairing all flooding damage before moving off elsewhere for repairs - just not sure where to send her since Rob is flooding the waters south of Japan with Subs - at least 4 spotted now.

Xargun

< Message edited by Xargun -- 5/10/2005 7:08:46 PM >

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Post #: 254
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/10/2005 10:39:09 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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quote:

So what type of weapons do my fighters need ? 20mm ? Or What ? I believe some of the late war Japanese fighters have 20mm cannons.


Actually, even 13mm machine guns should do damage as long as the fighter has at least four of them. My advice is to consider both the fighter's firepower and its durability. The Zero had 20mm cannons from the beginning, but only two of them. Its excellent manuverability didn't mean anything against the B-17 or B-24, because it was easy for any fighter to fly rings around the lumbering beasts. BUT -- it was impossible to find an attack angle where the bombers couldn't shoot back, and the American .50 cals were deadlier to the unarmored Zero than the Zero's guns were to the bomber. (The Germans solved the problem for a time by attacking the B-17's head-on where their firepower was least, and the ME-109 and FW-190 could survive a couple of hits better than the Zero. But then those unfair Americans introduced the B-17G with its "chin" turret.)

Again, I think you'll find that the Ki-45 "Nick" is the earliest good bomber-killer you get, followed in a few months by the J1N "Irving".

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 255
RE: 18 April 1942 - 5/10/2005 11:04:43 PM   
Lemurs!


Posts: 788
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Status: offline 		The Army cannon are much better than the navy 20mm. The army guns were comparable to what the Germans used and rightly so as they all came from the same design.

The Ki44 is a good bomber killer as is the Ki61. I tend to use the Ki61 in my mod as an anti fighter weapon though, while the Ki44 is anti bomber.

Playing the default scenario you get really odd times for aircraft entry, odd armaments and odd maneuver values.

<best Darth Vader voice> You must come to the dark side and try the CHS! Plus, with the CHS i am sure rroberson can find new ways to lose carriers.

Mike

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20 April 1942 - 5/12/2005 10:02:27 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		At work, so I'm only posting the highlights that I can remember.

Several things occurred that was a surprise to me. The first was a move by the RN to bombard Rangoon. Doesn't sound to outrageous after the pounding the airfield took - but Rob only committed 3 PGs to the task. They managed to sneak up on Rangoon undetected, but ran into an IJN TF 1 hex south of Rangoon and a night time surface battle ensured. My TF transporting an arty unit from singapore to Rangoon unleased on the PGs. MY PGs and APDs sunk 1 RN PG outright and mauled a second one. Rob only got one hit back, but it inflicted over 35 sys damage on the APD it hit. The RN TF continued fled the fight and a moment later a 2nd PG sunk. Then the lone PG proceeded to bombard Rangoon - no damage - but no guns returned fire ??? I could have sworn I had some CD guns there... but apparently not - or they were damaged in the massive air raids. The lone PG fled northward along the coast only to be located and sunk by my aircraft from Rangoon. The PG took like 10 100kg bombs and sunk rapidly.

Not sure why Rob would Bombard Rangoon with such a useless force ? Only two viable reasons... 1) He did not want to risk his real ships to do the deed - but why do it at all then ? No sense doing something half-assed... 2) The RN Capital ships are not home - they could be in Oz or at the West coast for all I know. Hmmm... makes one think...

The second surprise move was a raid on Balikpapin by 4 allied PTs... I thought I had them all chased off or sunk.. Rob ran 4 PTs into the port, where they engaged the cargo TF busily loading oil and resources. Luckily I have been keeping warships with the cargo TFs for added Flak coverage and his PTs ran into the escorts. They exchanged shots, with me sinking 2 PTs and all of his shots missing - even the dreaded torps. Unfortunately my TF moved away from the port due to the Victory (?) and his PTs are at the port. The TF was ordered back to port, and a surface TF was created to clear out the PTs... Some fighters were also put on Naval Attack at 100 feet to strafe these suckers...

My bombers at Rangoon also detected an allied TF heading south towards Amboina Island, and attacked.. Of the 3 spotted ships, I sunk 2 with torpedos - the third escaped unharmed. I sunk an AK and an escorting MSW.

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Post #: 257
21 April 1942 - 5/13/2005 7:54:41 PM   
Xargun

 

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From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		Not a whole lot happened this turn.. My bombers from Rangoon put 2 torps into a lone AK at Andaman Island - the one that escape damage yesterday. I expect that sucker to sink quickly - or at least with the new damage rules he won't get much supplies/fuel unloaded.

He surprised me in china, bombing one of my AFs where there has been little to no air activity. I had fighters there, but they did nothing to stop the incoming raid. Rob caught half a dozen planes on the ground.

My repairs and DD upgrades are going great back home. So good that I now have 20+ DDs sitting in Japan with nothing to do with their new weapons... SO...... I am moving a 5 CV TF out of Tokyo heading East. They are escorted by all the BBs and CAs in Tokyo and about 15 DDs. The flak power on this TF is like nothing the IJN has previous had... and it better work.. The final destination is Pearl Harbor... I have 3 CVs (Zuikaku, Shokaku and Hiyu) along with 2 CVLs (Ryujo and Shoho). I have swapped out air units, equipping the carriers with my most experienced fighters and swapping out some Vals for more Kates.. The TF is moving North to refuel at Paramushio (spelling ?) Island.. and then it will head for Pearl.

I am also pulling back AOs to form into a replenishment TF to follow behind the TF so it can get there and back - the operation may have to be delayed a bit while waiting for the AOs to catch up. By my records Rob has 5+ BBs and at least 2 CVs in PH... Whether or not they will still be there when I arrive, I do not know, but I doubt if he will move his crippled BBs out of Pearl after I sunk the last one he tried to move - so I should have some BBs to beat up at least.

I am also sending numerous subs back into the area between Pearl and the West Coast incase he decides to move the damaged CVs...

I have a base force finally landing at Shortland Island (Solomons) to begin expanding that base so I can contest the air over the area with my zeros.

I have also moved more zeros north into the Burma area (6 sentais + now). I plan on making Rob's next heavy bomber raid cost him a lot in damaged if not destroyed aircraft. I will keep them spread out among different bases until I think he is ready... Then hopefully my 150+ zeros can do some damage to his heavies for once... If this doesn't work, I have no idea what to try - other than bunker down and wait for better aircraft...

I have landed a SNLF at Jambi in Sumatra - where it is joined by an NLF which moved overland. These 2 units combined should easily capture the base, giving me the East coast.

I am also preparing a Brigade (or is it a Division - can't remember) for the invasion of Batavia. Rob seems to have some air power there and I want to capture the oil fields as intact as possible. Would love to grab the AF intact as well so I can base my Lillies there to dominate the sea lanes in the area - especially for the upcoming invasion of Soerbaja - Batavia is the stepping stone to Soerbaja.

I landed some sub commandos on one of the islands 'East' of the Port Moresby pennisula and should capture it this turn. These islands hold no real importance, although they may be a base for some fighters in the future if I ever decide to hammer or take Port Moresby.

(in reply to Xargun)
Post #: 258
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/13/2005 8:34:01 PM   
mogami


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From: You can't get here from there
Status: offline 		Hi, So you are sending around 270 carrier aircraft to PH? There are like as not 500+ ac there with ranges greater then your CV groups (except A6M2)
Did your sailors get a chance to say goodbye to their families? Better collect the hair and nail clippings before you sail.
I think you will need your CV around Java.

< Message edited by Mogami -- 5/13/2005 8:35:16 PM >

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I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!

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Post #: 259
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/14/2005 2:12:54 AM   
Jim D Burns


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Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, So you are sending around 270 carrier aircraft to PH? There are like as not 500+ ac there with ranges greater then your CV groups (except A6M2)
Did your sailors get a chance to say goodbye to their families? Better collect the hair and nail clippings before you sail.
I think you will need your CV around Java.



I can't agree more Xargun; I think you are suffering from victory fatigue. Cent Pac has about 6-8 patrol groups with ranges in excess of 10 hexes (he'll see you coming) and enough fighter power to swat your planes out of the sky. I simply can't see the limited possible gains (2-3 old BB’s sunk) as being anywhere near worth the cost. Even if your carriers survive, you'll have precious few good pilots left.

Save your carriers for the SRA or a strike at India/Australia/Port Moresby. At least then if you lose them there is some tangible value gained for their sacrifice.

Jim

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Post #: 260
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/14/2005 2:19:35 AM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		Oh yeah... A second Pearl strike is going to bring a lot of pain with no gain for the IJN. Too risky and a waste of resources better used elsewhere.

(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 261
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/15/2005 8:37:53 PM   
Capt. Harlock


Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
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quote:

Oh yeah... A second Pearl strike is going to bring a lot of pain with no gain for the IJN. Too risky and a waste of resources better used elsewhere.


Well, I'm an Allied fanboy, but I think Xargun could pull off a real coup here. At this stage of the war, the Japanese still rule the sky. Consider that even at Midway, (over a month from this point), the American land-based air accomplished precisely nothing. The bombers with the range are neither dive-bombers nor torpedo bombers (not that torpedo bombers pose a threat at this point), and further, unescorted bombers will be easy meat for his CAP. Except for B-17's, or course, but when did a Fort ever hit a carrier under steam?

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Post #: 262
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/15/2005 8:43:20 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		Well, yeah, but there's no 12/7 surprise anymore...

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Post #: 263
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/15/2005 9:54:27 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

Oh yeah... A second Pearl strike is going to bring a lot of pain with no gain for the IJN. Too risky and a waste of resources better used elsewhere.


Well, I'm an Allied fanboy, but I think Xargun could pull off a real coup here. At this stage of the war, the Japanese still rule the sky. Consider that even at Midway, (over a month from this point), the American land-based air accomplished precisely nothing. The bombers with the range are neither dive-bombers nor torpedo bombers (not that torpedo bombers pose a threat at this point), and further, unescorted bombers will be easy meat for his CAP. Except for B-17's, or course, but when did a Fort ever hit a carrier under steam?



Well assuming his opponent has successfully brought all Cent Pac air groups to Pearl, there are at least 3 Army and 2 Navy fighter 24 plane groups protecting Pearl. That's 120 fighters just from Cent Pac, and what if he's got a few of the 72 plane fighter groups for SW Pac staged at pearl awaiting transfer south? With variable reinforcements there could very well be 50-100 more Cent Pac fighters there already in addition to the 5 starting groups.

No just the losses he'd take from the protective CAP makes the mission very risky with little or no real payoff. The only real coup would be if one of the carriers is sitting at pearl repairing damage from the earlier engagement. And I know as an allied player I'd never leave a high value target at pearl unless the damage was so severe it couldn't travel at 10 knots or better.

I’d bring a few of the subs with float planes forward and recon Pearl for a good week. If (and only if) there are a carrier or two there then sure go for it, but I don’t see the old BB’s as being worth the risk. His veteran pilots are too valuable to send after those targets. And there is no guarantee he’ll do more than damage a few, it is very difficult to sink BB’s in port and with all those Cent Pac AAA units, his bombing is going to be very inaccurate.

Jim


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(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 264
RE: 21 April 1942 - 5/16/2005 11:54:01 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		A couple day update here... Just a quick one - will do more indepth tonight when I get home...

The last couple of days has seen lots of ASW action 'south' of Japan - I have 3 IJN TFs out hunting consisting of over 25 ships total. They finally scored - IJN APDs rock for ASW hitting the allied sub with 5 Depth Charges, sinking her quickly.

My fighter raids in Burma scored big as well, claiming 11 Hurricanes shot down. My fighter sweep at Lanchow also claimed a few P-40s as well.

Rob tried to bomb Rangoon and he did not send enough bombs... Only the smaller 2 engine RAF bombers showed up and my CAP laid into them. He still managed to kill about 4 planes in total, but my CAP shot down roughly 10 of the attackers. The damage to the base was minimal... This raid makes me wonder if the heavies just wouldn't fly or will they show up tomorrow ? Either way, all zeros are going on high alert and will await the heavies for the next couple turns.

Bombers from Rangoon located more merchies at Andaman and put torps into two of them. It seems Rob is determined to supply the troops and planes there - and I am making it costly for him. Another AK sunk from previous damage near the island as well. I am going to pull as many bombers out of Rangoon as possible this turn and fill it with fighters - if he bombs and kills nothing, he may stop bombing.. My bombers can reach Andaman Island from Bangkok easily - just hope I have the aviation support to support the sudden influx of 100+ bombers.

Reinforcements from the Philippines finally arrived in Bangkok and are boarding transport planes for a quick trip to Rangoon. This division - and the mass of troops following - have rested for 2 months in the Philippines and are back to 100% strength (actually many are 103%). They will defend Rangoon while preparing for the invasions of Ceylon.

I have 3 large TFs arriving at Japan over the next 3 days hauling over 150k oil and 50k resources. This will go a long way to restore my oil surplus in Japan.

I have also taken everyone's advice and cancelled the raid on Pearl Harbor. The TF was disbanded in Tokyo and will sit there finishing up its repairs - 2 weeks top. Then they will head for Ceylon or the South Pacific.

On the bad side, I lost a crippled sub trying to make its way back home. This is one of the two subs crippled trying to bag an American CV near Canton. The other sub is still heading home (1 hex per day) and its flooding damage is high (70+). I doubt it will make it home either.

My crippled CV is making good speed Northward towards Japan. Its moving roughly 3 hexes per day under its own speed and will make port at Guam to await the enemy sub situation near Japan.

I have also landed a base force at Torishima Island (just south of Japan) and they are busy building up the air field there. I am currently operating a sentai of ASW planes from the island and they are doing a decent job spotting subs - no real attacks yet, but as long as they can spot them, I will be able to pounce on them with ASW TFs and more importantly - avoid them.

In the South Pacific my bombardment TF arrived at Tarawa and is taking on fuel and some ammo. It will then steam for Baker Island, where I plan on bombarding the hell out of the island. Intel reports rob has some recon planes flying from there, and last time I was there I caught some bombers as well - I expect to catch some more this time as well.

Well thats about all I can remember - but I will post more info tonight after work.

(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 265
22 April 1942 - 5/17/2005 6:18:51 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		All right, now for some up to date combat reports...

The turn started off with IJN I-19 putting a torpedo into the AK Cynthia Olson near Pearl Harbor. Not sure if she was carrying anything (seemed to be heading to PH from the Canton area), but its one more ship Rob will lose or has to repair with his limited repair yards.

My troops landed at Jambi - the defensive CD guns were inneffective - only 4 shots with no hits.

The RAF said hi to the AF at Kweiyang. 27 Blenheim Is and 19 Blenheim IVs came in at 11000 feet and dropped a few bombs. My CAP (2 zeros and 7 Nates) were not expecting trouble and didn't notice the planes until they were on their way home. No RAF planes were even damaged in the raid that cost me 1 Zero, 1 Nate and 1 Ida patrol plane - all caught on the ground. The RAF also scored 2 airbase, 2 supply and 7 Runway hits.

IJAF (Imperial Japanese Air Force) raids against allied forces in china (mostly chinese troops) claimed 144 men and 0 guns in exchange for no losses. A good day.

My arty attack at Lanchow claimed 80 chinese troops.

The AK Floridian was caught entering the port at Andaman Island and was hit by 2 torpedoes from the 13 Nells that attacked. Rob's CAP of 6 Wirraways damaged 3 Nells, but all planes returned home.

In PNG, Rob continues to bomb the non-existant runway at Lae. I am not sure why he is bombing it. I have no intentions at this time of basing planes there - just to close to PM.

Men of the 4th IJA Regiment attacked and liberated Gasmata from the hands of the Oz troops occupying it. I believe they were members of the 1st Aussie Brigade... So the Ozlanders want to play do they ? I will give them something to play with in a few months....

(in reply to Xargun)
Post #: 266
23 April 1942 - 5/17/2005 6:26:26 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		This turn started off good as well with an IJN Sub (I-156) catching the RN AK Empire Trooper and attacking it. The sub surfaced and hit the AK with both multiple shells and torpedos. The sub escaped any return fire and left the AK adrift and blazing - another ship not making it to Andaman Island

My night air raids on Lanchow - in an attempt to suppress RAF P-40s failed. 24 Ann and 41 Sally bombers attacked the AF scoring 1 airbase and 6 runway hits. 2 IJAF planes were damaged in the raid, but no RAF planes were destroye.

The RAF attacked Kweiyang AF again this turn and once more my CAP wasn't ready. The RAF bombers destroyed 1 Zero, 1 Nate, 1 Ida and 1 Babs on the ground, as well as scoring 3 supply and 10 runway hits. 1 Blenheim I bomber was reported damaged in the raid. I think my CAP needs to commit seppuku...

The USAAF struck at Palembang with 12 B-17s. 1 B-17 was damaged by my CAP and they scored 2 hits on the oil there.

In China, the IJAF claimed 109 chinese troops and 3 guns in their daily raids.

My attack at Jambi was successful. 34 IJA men were wounded, while inflicting twice that on the Dutch forces holding the base. My men also torched a damaged allied PBY sitting on the runways.

My sub commandos captured the small island base of Kiriwina, east of PM. I plan on taking all 3 islands just for spotters.

(in reply to Xargun)
Post #: 267
24 April 1942 - 5/17/2005 6:35:14 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		An IJAF raid on Yunan AF claimed 4 chinese planes as well as 5 airbase, 4 supply and 14 runway hits. 1 Sally was damaged in the raid.

For the third day straight the RAF bombed Kweiyang AF. This time my CAP actually did their job. The RAF bombers claimed 1 Zero, 1 Nate, 1 Ida and 1 Sonia destroyed. My CAP and flak claimed 2 Demons, 2 Blenheim Is and 1 Blenheim IV destoyed with another 7 bombers damaged. The RAF caught a bunch of men with their bombs, but the damage to the AF was minimal.

A sentai of Zeros swept the skies clear of RAF fighters over Pagan today. 18 Zeros attacked over twice their number of RAF Hurricane fighters and came out way ahead. 1 Zero was shot down and they claimed a dozen Hurricanes shot down. Another great air victory for the Zeros over the skies of Burma.

Air raids in china claim 21 chinese troops. The arty raid on Lanchow claimed 274 chinese.

A failed air raid on Lanchow resulted in the loss of 2 Nates, 5 Mary and 1 Sonia aircraft, as well as another 7 bombers damaged. Apparently my Zeros did not feel like joining in on the escort and Nates are no match for P-40Es.

Ozzie planes caught an IJN AK near Timor and hit her with a single bomb. The ship was carrying fuel to the isolated bases NW of Timor that I use to refuel subs prowling the northern coast of Oz. The damaged ship has been ordered back to Kendari for flood repairs.

My Nells and Betties strike again at the merchies trying to resupply Andaman Island. 16 bombers in all atatcked the 3 AKs spotted, hitting one with a torpedo. The second wave of 10 Betties and 18 Anns did a better job, catching the AK Flordian with 8 bombs and a torpedo. The ship quickly sank. As did the AK hit last turn at Andaman.

IJN SS I-28 succumbed to flooding damage while trying to make it to a safe port. She was heavily damaged by US ASW assets while attempting to catch the fleeing American CVs.

(in reply to Xargun)
Post #: 268
25 April 1942 - 5/17/2005 6:44:11 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		Alrighty.. last turn to catch up on...

The turn started with a daylight fighter sweep over Lanchow. 27 Zeros engaged the 12 P-40Es there. 1 Zero and 2 P-40Es were shot down.

And the Rangoon saga continues... 3 Buffalos and 12 P-40E Warhawks escorted an RAF raid of 38 Blenheim IVs, 8 Hudson Is and 11 Wellingtons against the AF at Rangoon - I think Rob is sick of me bombing his relief convoy at Andaman... The RAF planes met only 6 zeros and 19 Oscars on CAP. My CAP and flak did a good job this time around at keeping the bombers from hitting their targets. The RAF only scored 3 airbase, 1 supply and 8 runway hits. Alhtough over 60 men were wounded as well. In the skies (and ground) I lost 1 Oscar, 1 Betty and 1 Ann, with another 4 Oscars being damaged. My men claimed 2 Blenheim IVs, 1 Wellington, 1 Hudson and 1 P-40 destroyed with another 3 bombers damaged. Not a great triumph, but not a failure either. And like I said before I have withdrawn almost all bomebrs out of Rangoon and packed it with fighters for the upcoming heavy bomber raid...

I raided the skies over Pagan again this turn at a cost of 1 damaged Zero. My pilots claimed 1 Mohawk and 6 Hurricanes destroyed.

A raid on Singapore Harbor caught me by surprise. 11 B-17s came in at 7000 feet. They claimed 2 hits on the BB Ise, but upon checking, the BB Ise has no damage, so the B-17s scored no hits at all.

I've been ordering recons on various base in the PNG and Solomons and decided to bome Gili Gili as I spotted some Ozzie troops there - definately - members of the 1st Ozzie Brigade are in position in Gili Gili. I wonder how much of the Brigade is actually there.

While rob was raiding Rangoon, my bombers from there were hitting the TF at Andaman Island again. This time 2 of the 3 AKs spotted were hit with torps: one with 1 and the other with 3. Both were left burning.

Near Japan an IJN ASW TF located an hammered the allied sub S-35. 5 depth charges hit the sub, sending it quickly to the bottom.

(in reply to Xargun)
Post #: 269
Absence - 6/2/2005 8:12:31 PM   
Xargun

 

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline 		Alrighty... I am back.. Had some ISP trouble - have I mentioned that I hate Road Runner and then I had a bad HD as well... ARGH !!! Then Memorial Day weekend came and had to go home to visit the parents. But now I have internet connection again and have some time, so lets get back to the war !!!

Xargun


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Post #: 270
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