So we are starting a new game, Michael & I, playing a Lite version of Between the Storms. It has a few modifications from the normal Lite version. Merchant ships will have an upgrade path later in the war that will increase cargo space. And Air-support engineer units will see upgrades later in the war so I can keep more birds in the sky. Best of all, garrison settings in China/India have been set back to the norms in the standard SCN1 & 2.
So I'm looking over the board and familiarizing myself with new ships and aircraft while pondering an initial strategy for Japan. Here's what I think I need in general:
1. I need fuel/oil/resources ASAP.
2. I need points for an auto victory.
So for oil/fuel - all of the norms in the DEI & Burma have to be my primary targets.
I will make a push for China.
Any rich resource locations I should put high on the priority list?
Points 4 Auto Victory. Along with the norms in the DEI & Burma, I'm thinking all of China plus… What do you think about Hawaii and Jueno? I can take everything north of Vancouver w/o tripping reinforcements for Michael - right?
Drawing the line:
I'm thinking about Jueno and back along the Aleutians \\ Hawaii to Line Islands down to the Phoenix Islands, Ellice Islands, Espriritu Santo & then jog back to Guadalcanal.
And China \\ Burma \\ DEI.
If you were going for an auto-victory - what would your targets be? I'm fishing for thoughts/ideas so please add in what your expected assault force for taking the objective would be.
Initial war aircraft:
120 Zero
120 Oscar
90 Sally-IIa
60 Betty
60 Nell
60 Kate-2
60 Val
30 Liz
30 Babs-II
30 Ann
30 Jake
09 Glen
30 Mavis
30 Emily
I'm also really concerned about Japan's initial economic start. What are your tricks to cutting costs in transporting supply/resources/fuel/oil?
Michael is giving me plenty of time as I'm unfamiliar with the mod and he helped John in the design phase. I could really use some ideas as I ponder this start. Japan starts out with a big stick in this mod but when you look at how this mod is set-up, it rapidly becomes a David VS Goliath kind of game. I've really-really gotta kill some allied CVs in this game. And Michael is very-very fond of the allied deathstar. Really - he just needs to wait and not lose too much territory and come the end of 43 Japan is gunna wind up tied to the whipping post.
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Always intrigued by the Alaska gambit as part of Auto victory. If you plan on going there, be careful because I suspect it is a focus of Michaels...I know he advocates turning Prince Rupert into a big base, and nothing would make him happier than fighting in the Aluetians which he thinks favors the Allies very much.
I have to agree with him, so I am curious to see how you would accomplish it.
Will you have to pay PP to cross borders? If no, expect a full Chinese retreat to Burma and then India starting on day 1.
I've got 800 PP to spend and the Manchukuo Garrison starts out @ 10056/8000. I seem to be missing units in the China area... The Southern Army Division that is normally @ Shanghai is no longer there... There's more to do here as I need to assign units to clean up my back area but I wanted to identify initial targets. These are most of them for the first phase.
Assault of Hong Kong: 160 pts.
• Notes: The 38th Division has her standard escort of an additional infantry regiment, a pair of Indian engineer Regiment, and 8 art units (6 battalions and a pair of regiments). Four of the arty units start out low on supplies, all of the units are @ 50% planning for Hong Kong, and they are the standard hex away from the base.
a. I've set all of the units OpMode to Move and they are all following the 38th Div.
b. I've moved a transport AG @ Formosa from Taichu to Takao and upgraded it from those Ki-59 slugs to the Ki-56 Thaila. This unit will fly supplies to the 38th & company.
c. The 23rd Corps HQ @ Canton will move to 78,60 and has FO set for Hong Kong. I'll need a hellofa dice roll for this to impact operation @ Hong Kong since FO starts out @ 0… It's kinda like buying a lotto ticket.
Assault of Nanning: 60pts.
• The 4th Mixed Regiment is @ Lang Son and the OpMode is set to Move as it heads to Nanning.
Assault of Pakhoi: 50 pts.
• The 2nd Sasebo SNLF Coy @ Cam Ranh Bay is packing for a day before heading to Hanoi to serve garrison duty.
• The 21st Indian Mixed Brigade @ Hanoi is now planning for Pakhoi (18%). As soon as the SNLF Coy is on the rails I'll put the brigade on movement for Pakhoi.
Garrison duty for Swatow (80av needed)
• The 30th RGC Division is already @ Swatow.
I'm sending the 20th RGC Division, currently at Canton, over to Swatow to free up a regiment of 'real' soldiers.
Assault of Kukong: 20 pts.
• The 102nd Infantry Regiment @ Amoy has OpMode set to Move and is heading 276 miles to the NW to capture Kukong. The importance of this base to me is that it has a rail node.
• The 1st Indian Infantry Group @ Canton is in the move OpMode and headed for Kukong (0138m).
Garrison duty for Chaochow (20av needed)
• The 2nd RGC Route Brigade @ Foochow is moving to Chaochow.
Garrison Soochow (120av needed)
• The 19th RGC Temp Division (40AV) @ Taichow is moving to Soochow.
• The 24th RGC Temp. Division (20AV) @ Shanghai is moving to Soochow.
• The 25th RGC Temp. Division (20AV) @ Shanghai is moving to Soochow.
• The 10th RGC Temp. Div. (41AV) is already @ Soochow.
Assault Wenchow: 90 pts.
• The 17th Division @ Soochow is planning for an assault of Wenchow. It will begin moving to the bas as soon as the garrison units arrive.
Assault Changsha: 60 pts.
• Notes: There are 4 units at Changsha and another 11 units that look close enough to make that base if Michael tries to defend there.
○ The 3rd & 40th Divisions plus the 18th Ind. Mixed Bde at Wuchang are marching for hex 83,51 to engage one of the Chinese LCU in route to Changsha.
○ The 66th I.F. Chutai is a gaggle of 12 Ann. They have 250kg ordinance… 83,51 is a clear-terrain hex so I'm having them attack the enemy unit there to slow it down. I want to disrupt/eliminate as many possible units as I can that look to be dropping back to defend Changshaw.
○ The 13th Division (329AV) & the 23rd Corp HQ are at Hankow and moving to 83,51
Assault enemy unit blocking rails at Pengpu
• The 15th Indian Mixed Brigade is set to D_Atk the enemy LCU @ Pengpu
Assault Kweiteh: dot hex on rail line
• 35th Division @ Kaifeng is Moving to Kweiteh to clear the hex.
Assault Lanchow: 300 pts.
• Reform the 26th Division @ Tatung
○ 11th FA Rgt. Is @ tientsin and packing to rail over to Tatung
○ The 26th Recon Rgt. Is @ Taonan and packing to rail over to Tatung.
○ All sub units have FO=Lanchow
Assault Ningsia: 0 pts. (In route to Lanchow)
• The 1st Cav Brigade @ Paotow is moving to Ningsia - 0/368m
• Notes: I expect the 26th division to be following so if I can take this dot base and then start dropping supplies here land movement should speed up.
Wargmr - I agree. I'm going for the points but if I fail I still need a last-ditch defense plan... <grin> Not that it's gunna help... <bigger grin> The ring I was trying to describe is kind of my dream front-line and early warning barrier all wrapped up into one. And pushing out that far will eat me out of house-and-home when it comes to supplies and fuel. And I'm not even sure I can find the air support and troops to spread out that far. But the allies will have accumulated 28 CV by 1946. probably another 30 CVL and another 25-30 CVE (based of memory while looking at the other side of the table). I don't think Japan could stand past 44 (the allies seem to get the bulk of their carrier fleet between 43-44).
Lowpe - yup - paying PP to cross the boarders. I'd much rather pay PP then have those extra-large garrison requirements...
I did the scenario tweaks this morning for Michael and Mike.
Want it noted that I did nothing with China. We have a major difference of opinion on that subject. RA and both BTS scenarios are designed as enhanced Japanese Naval Scenarios. The IJA is not significantly changed, added to, or tweaked. It is this reason why Michael and the other designers on the TM--RA--BTS team bumped up the garrison needs for China, India, and Burma. The sword cuts both ways and it is designed to slow down the ability to field massive armies that can sweep back-and-forth over these areas.
Other changes to BTSL:
1. Added two More Owari-Class BB that do not arrive until late-43/early-44. I've found that the changes we made to the 'Lite' version of Between the Storms led to a glut--that is correct: GLUT--of Japanese naval building points. With no Yamato or Musashi I am currently able to accelerate nearly all the Japanese CV construction on Day ONE. Ooops. Law of unintended consequences. Now there are two Naval Point hogs in the building line-up. Gonna have to make decisions as to what to build, what not to build, and what to accelerate. LOVE CHOICES!
2. Did a slight upgrade to Air Support with Air Fleets, Air Flotilla, and the big 'Special' Base Forces. These usually mean a late-42/early-43 upgrade for the change. The diea gelled nicely with the entire view of RA and BTS so I agreed to it.
3. The upgrade to Lima- and Aden-Class AK occurs also in mid-to-late 1942. I reduced that troops capacity to about 1/3--1/4 of normal and added up to 1,000 additional supply lift reflecting the desperation need to get those resources home ASAP.
Hope that helps a bit. Will Post the Scenario Description for those not familiar in a few minutes.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The Treaty Mod for AE has been created to reflect a slightly different outcome of the historic Washington and London Naval Conferences to cover the time of 1922-1937. With little changes and tweaks to the Treaty System, a slightly a-historic outcome is produced. This scenario is then combined with the Reluctant Admiral (1937-1941) to create Between the Storms (1922-1941).
The Washington Conference
Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes blueprint for naval disarmament gets out and the Japanese stonewall a Naval Conference for a full year. After considerable bickering and pressure being brought to bear, the Conference does take place in 1922 and disarmament is agreed upon, however, there are additions allowed due to the added time to get the meeting going. The whole Mutsu debate is scrapped due to Mutsu actually being ready and deployed at that point. While maintaining the 5-5-3 ratio between Great Britain, the United States, and Japan, there are several new outcomes:
1. The Japanese then argue to keep either a Tosa or one of the Amagi Class battlecruisers. The Americans carry the day in arguing for the Lexington-Class battlecruisers being completed. They gain the Ranger and Constellation (while scrapping BB Mississippi to maintain balance), Great Britain gets the option to build a pair of Super-Hoods (while additionally scrapping Royal Sovereign), and Japan completes Amagi-Class Ishitaka.
2. The whole subject of CVs is reworked:
a. Two 'experimental' CVs (two Hosho's and two Langley's) are allowed to be built for further carrier experimentation. The Americans still convert USS Langley and USS Ely to seaplane carriers and they are both then transferred to the Asiatic Fleet.
b. Two BC to CV conversions are still allowed but further treaty tonnage is added for one more CVL to be built by both Japan and USA. The Americans build the USS King’s Mountain (proto-Independence Class) and the Japanese back off the failed Ryujo design to build IJN Ryukaku (a proto-CVL as well).
3. The Big 3 allow for more research into 'Cruiser' Submarines. The Americans build an additional Argonaut and Narwhal, the Japanese add three Mine Layers, and the French add another Surcouf.
The London Conference
Moving on to the London Conference (1930), the subject of Cruisers is re-worked:
1. Japan--at all costs--sticks to its goal of 70% for CAs (instead of 60%). This allows for GB and USA to build two more CAs (USA: Burlington and Rome) while Japan gains one.
2. Great Britain--who nearly scrapped the treaty due to the issue of CAs and CLs--stands firm over its argument and forces a larger tonnage for CLs. USA adds USS Anchorage and Dallas and Japan begins building their scaled-back Mogami-Cruisers.
3. Both Japan and the United States were looking at hybrid Cruiser—CVs and they force Great Britain, following the example set with the Washington BC—CV Conversions, to allow for two hybrids each to be built in the early-30s. USA builds CLV Charlotte and Jacksonville, GB builds CAV Melbourne and Wellington (sold/given to those respective navies), and Japan finishes up with CAV Kushiro and Tokachi. These hybrids are not true, useful CVLs not are they true, useful cruisers but they have a unique niche in 1941 and ALL of them can be converted into carriers later in 1942.
***It should be noted that to take maximum advantage of the revised Treaty tonnages, Japan converts several of the oldest CLs into fast ML, builds additional Myoko-Class CAs and keeps the Mogami Class as 6” CLs.
Warship Construction AFTER the Treaty Years
Battleship Question and Decision
After abandoning the Treaty System, great discussion goes into the first new battleships to be built by Japan since the Nagato Class. The choices ends up centering on building two modern, fast conventional battlewagons as opposed to the mighty Yamato-Class. The prohibitive factors of cost and time finally swing the decision to creating the Owari-Class (3x3 16.1" Rifles). While not sounding too exciting this change brings about a very interesting situation. Both Yamato and Musashi required their slipways to be expanded in length. The expansions were hugely expensive and took MONTHS to finish. By building the Owari-Class BBs the Japanese clear these slipways 12-18 months faster. The net result is two modern BBs (28 Knots) join the Kaigun BEFORE Pearl Harbor and their successors (two B-65 Class BCs) are either finished or near complete at war's start
Command Cruisers
While debate rages on about the new battleship design, a new class of heavy cruiser is initiated. The proposed Tone-Class floatplane CA is discarded for a balanced, more capable cruiser. These large cruisers are better called command cruisers. The Niitaka-Class grows to over 15,000 tonnes and carries 3x4 8" guns, heavy torpedo armament, impressive secondaries, and strong floatplane complements. These fast, rugged cruisers are planned to be a six ship class. The initial two are complete at war's start, a second pair coming in late-1942, and a final pair in 1944.
The Rise of Admiral Yamamoto
As the Treaty Period ends, history takes another turn as Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku makes a greater contribution to the development of the Kaigun from 1936-1941. Yamamoto exerts a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for the war he didn't want. He adds two new slipways for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy as the Admiral attempts to prepare Japan for a possibly long war. In so choosing to do this Yamamoto then changes the 4th Circle Building Plan permanently killing the super-battleship project in favor of a 3rd and 4th Owari-Class Battleship, improved Shokaku-Class CVs, a pair of Kawachi-Class fast Battlecruisers, an accelerated Light Cruiser deployment, and additional destroyers. Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942. Though only a few of these new ships are ready on December 7th, these additions make the Kaigun a force to be reckoned with well into 1944.
The Japan Naval Air Arm is changed so that everything is staked to the Zero Airframe with a specialization of the Zero into a Land-Based Interceptor as well as CV-Based Fighters. Research and production expansion is achieved by streamlining the air industry (cutting several models) while bringing forward second generation aircraft: Judy, Jill, etc… By great effort the IJNAF deploys nearly all new aircraft on December 7th.
On the ground Yamamoto reorganizes the SNLF units into a Brigade-Sized offensive force and—knowing it will be a war of attrition—converts many Naval Guard into enhanced units with Coastal Defense artillery (using guns taken from refitted warships) for a stronger defensive unit. Additional small units are added to the IJN’s Troops and support units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building, defense, and expansion needs. While all these units are small and not in great number they promise to help the Japanese war effort.
The foresight of the Admiral pays off during late-1942 and 1943 as new ships, aircraft, and ground units enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units that start in Japan or arrive during 1942-1943.
Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible!
Once war begins RA postulates Yamamoto’s influence upon the wartime Kaigun. Four more improved Shokaku-Class CVs are ordered, and the conversion of several CLs into CVLs is added. First class destroyers are accelerated and emphasis is shifted to the AA Akizuki-Class at the expense of the more balanced Yugumo’s. Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, large APs converting to CVEs, better 2nd-class destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense fleet.
It should be noted that not all the changes are for the Japanese. Between the Storms brings major additions and more choice for the Allied Player. The Allies see continued major changes in their starting locations, new air units, the addition of Training Squadrons on mainland USA to allow for an American pilot training program, enhanced aircraft production numbers, additional Allied FP groups, several ground units, a French Squadron at Noumea, a CLAA conversion for the Omaha-CL, an additional pair of CVLs, and optional conversion of the Kittyhawk Class AKV, Tangier Class AV, and Cimarron Class AOs into CVEs. The added warships reflect a ‘stopgap’ counter to the increased Japanese strength found at war’s start.
How well can YOU do to use these new tools OR how well can you stop the Japanese Navy in its tracks as the Allies?
In addition to its own special modifications, Between the Storms has been made fully compatible with DaBabes and thus has more ship classes than stock, and many more of the smaller vessels comprising these classes for both sides: yard oilers, coastal minesweepers, auxiliary subchasers, patrol boats, minefield tenders, and many others designed to give a more robust and realistic feel to the development, population, capabilities, and logistical support of bases and rear and operational areas. Database elements have been modified to provide more realistic results for AAA (flak) combat, ASW combat, and certain minor, but nevertheless fun, aspects of naval combat, like land bombardment and coastal defense fire and new modifications to ATA combat. The modifications include lining-up and unifying data elements within certain fields, so that things interface more smoothly, as well as substantial changes to the data elements themselves.
Garrison requirements have been raised in China as well as India to, hopefully, better reflect the political environment of the regions.
If using the special road movement pwhexe.dat file this serves to slow movement in the CBI Theatre.
As war clouds gather on the horizon, the United States makes several important decisions (1) to slightly reinforce the Asiatic Fleet with an additional CA, CL, and 4 modern DDs, (2) Admiral Hart also decides to follow his inner thoughts and begin development of Cebu as an alternate anchorage, and (3) the Scouting Force, commanded by Vc-Adm Wilson is sent south to protect the Philippine reinforcement TFs going to the Philippines (The Pensacola TF) and the empty TF returning from the Philippines (The Chester TF).
Japan deploys its few new ships to protect the Invasion TFs coming from Babeldoap and Cam Rahn Bay as the Kido Butai steams towards its rendezvous with destiny at Pearl Harbor…
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The 1st Para Assault Division takes Dadjangas, which was uncontested. This give me safe harbor for additional troop convoys so I can take Mindanao in a somewhat rapid fashion.
Batan Island falls this turn also, giving me a nice base of operations for locating/attacking enemy subs.
In China I push out the 89th Chinese Corps from Pengpu. I am trying to clear the rail line in that area but of course the 89th retreats across the river and still blocks the rails. Additional troops are in route. All along the front locations where I can see Michael's Chinese troop movements I can see them in movement as he is pulling them back to his first defensive lines. Many of those units are in clear hexes, and since the troops are in movement modes, they'll make excellent targets for my bombers. Michael is sure to move fighters in to Changsha to try and set fighter traps (at least that's his MO), so I need to balance things with fighter escorts and infrequent fighter sweeps to at least try to make him cautious.
I had what I thought was a brilliant attack at Manila port, and a fair attack at PH. Both locations will receive a follow-up on the 8th. Michael did not defend the bases at either Manila or Pearl Harbor… He was allowed, per house rules, to add some CAP at each location but chose not to. That seems strange to me as any fighter defense would/should have affected my port/airfield attacks, resulting in less damage or successful attacks on his ported ships.
Operation Stepping Stone is in play, working to secure islands so my IJA aircraft can hop from Takao up to the Marshall Islands.
Operation Nuts, basically squirreling away supplies closer to the intended front lines in the Pacific and DEI is also under way.
And Operation Black Gold has also kicked off, with TFs sent to gather the low-hanging fruit on the north end of Borneo.
You know how it is this first 10 turns or so: troop movements, air groups settling into assigned locations, air-search umbrella established, and gearing up for grabbing enemy bases as fast as possible.
I got burned a couple of times with TFs that were marked with invasion locations but had no troops loaded. That surprised me - TFs arriving at ports without troops onboard… kinda funny in a way.
Kind of a fun turn. Makin in the S. Pacific & Kota Bharu in Malaya both fall. My assault force lands at Guam; I'll give it a good whack this turn.
Michael fully un-asses Manila of shipping other than a broken ARD which I'm pretty sure is dead. I've carriers along the east side and CVE that'll be near the south side next turn. I'm hoping for a turkey-shoot in the Sulu Sea. So anyway - my air-strikes of Manila's arbor were pretty fruitless.
Pearl was a little better. The Nevada is reported sunk. Many more bombs tap into other BB, and my dive bombers did another excellent job at the airfield. A mouse-over of the PH field shows 41% damage. I'm losing more aircraft then I want tho - AA is pretty tough in this game.
Michael tried to do a sneaky at Formosa, sending PT boats and a pair of DD at Takao. I made a couple of SCTF to patrol that neighborhood and drove them off. I put a hurt on those two DD, sinking the Thanet and spanking the Scout with some big-boy bullets from the CL Natori.
It looks like Michael is working to try a similar ploy with PT boats near the Philippines.
I spent a good four hours at a minimum just looking over the board while working out turn 1 and I'm STILL finding new units or looking for units that I remember from stock SCN1 & 2. This is kinda like playing AE again for the first time - which is kinda cool for me.
I'm getting recon and FP ready to push out to my fronts to improve my intel. Michael likes the sneaky thing and he's pretty good at it.
Alor Star falls. I don't even have boots on the ground yet - lol.
The Imperial Guards are on the rail near Bangkok.
The 14th, 2nd, and 4th Tank Regiments are near Chumphon and heading to Singora by rail.
The 56th Regiment and the 12th Engineer Rgt., both @ Khota Bharu are marching inland towards Temuloh.
Michael is much more aggressive with his subs than what I'm used to. I'm moving more recon an FP into the Malay/Indochina area coupled with additional ASW TFs. I'm getting DL checks of subs, and I'm getting attacks in with ASW TFs, I think I just need higher DLs and better stats for my PBs and DDs.
I'm basically pulling most of my air support in Indochina and moving it by rail to Malaya. Soon I'll be sweeping Singapore and after the fighter battles are finished I'll be able to start pounding that airfield.
I'm patrolling heavily in the S. China Sea looking for escapees from Manila or Hong Kong.
I have D_ATKs scheduled for Miri, Hong Kong, & Laoag.
Some of my subs patrolling the Makassar Strait drew Merchie-blood. I've also got CVE in the Celebes Sea plus subs and a few SCTF.
Supplies are loading for the Marshalls. I've still got TFs moving air support to my stepping stones.
Michael got in a LRCAP trap in Malaya that took out a few medium bombers. I'll wait another two turns and then I've got Khota Bharu set with enough air support to actually work towards gaining air superiority.
In China I'm attacking a few enemy LCU in open areas where I can and am also tapping random air fields to help eat up supplies in that theatre.
In Burma the 55th Div is unpacking @ Pisanuloke and I've got 3 RTA divisions that are pushing into Burma also.
Production of air frames starts off low. I'm centering on Zeroes and Oscars as my primary fighters. My primary bombers for IJA will be the Sally and Helen. For the IJN I'll build Nell and Betty. Recon is the Babs (both IJN & IJA versions) plus the Dinah-II. regarding FP - I'll build enough Glen for subs and the Jake will be the frame used for everything else. I'm building the Ann as a LB since she sports a 250kg payload and has decent range. I'm producing the Liz also. If it works well I'll exploit it. The payload is multiple 250kg bombs (a stick of 12 I think). If I can force Michael to keep fighters covering his back-water locations then groovy. The Liz frame has a rating of three, which means that spit-wads and long flights will cause the air groups attrition all by themselves, without any needed of enemy fighters. This might work well in China also - attacking air fields and forcing repairs that eat up supply points.
I'll probably need to increase production of air frames in this mod due to the higher losses I'm receiving from Flak and Operations Losses. i'm looking at turn 5 loaded in Tracker. 116 total losses for Japan. 57 from Flak and 38 from operations loss.
I love the PT boats Michael is so fond of. If you ever get an opponent that loves his PT boats then you are looking at a potential gold mine.
Here's a snip-it of action from a SCTF near the PI:
Day Time Surface Combat, near San Fernando at 80,74, Range 15,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
Allied Ships
PT-31, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-33, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-34
PT-41, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT Q-112, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT Q-113
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 15,000 yards
PT Q-112 sunk by DD Inazuma at 15,000 yards
DD Inazuma fires at PT-34 at 15,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi fires at PT-33 at 15,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi fires at PT-31 at 15,000 yards
Sarmiento I. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages PT Q-113 at 10,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages PT-33 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT Q-113 at 8,000 yards
PT-41 sunk by CL Isuzu at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT-34 at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT-33 at 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT-31 at 8,000 yards
Sarmiento I. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
PT-33 sunk by CL Isuzu at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT Q-113 at 13,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages PT Q-113 at 13,000 yards
PT-31 sunk by DD Ikazuchi at 13,000 yards
Kudo, Shunsaku orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages PT Q-113 at 15,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages PT-34 at 15,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages PT Q-113 at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Task forces break off...
This SCTF has seen action, both day and night, 3 times over the last 5 days. and the results are below. Those little PT-boat gaggles are low-hanging fruit. Later on, if\when some of my combat ships get to go up against something their own weight-class or bigger, that experience is gunna help. For DD, I think it helps with ASW too. My experience is that the higher the experience level the better my results when I'm attacking enemy subs.
Michael was crowing about RO-63 - and how the Captain had missed an AP merchie-ship. Well last turn The 63 picked off the xAKL dos Hermanos and this turn the 63 puts 3 fish into the AO Trinity. I'd say the RO-63 is doing OK…
The I-153 puts two fish into the flank of the XAP Rochambeau near Donggala. Glug-glug.
Michael is still running little piss-ants at my TFs as they land on the northern end of the PI. This turn he brings out the S-36 and S-39. Both subs are gifted with loads of faulty US-made torpedoes - all they do is get spanked by Japanese ASW.
The remains of that PT-TF were thrown back into the fray by Michael; a SCTF made of 2DD 2PB and an E kill another PT boat. Points go to the DD Nagatsuki.
I swept Manila and Clark again. I still can't believe there's no air defense by Michael. I should thank him. <grin> I do smack the crap outta the airfields. No sense letting his fort levels build up. The 65th Brigade is loading for the PI now that I've established a foot-hold.
Near Singkawang a gaggle of Betties from Saigon tap the xAP Mijir. I only get one fish into her but the pilots are still fairly low-skilled. It'll take a while to get those naval attack skills up. I also need to be careful not to let my medium bombers exceed the range of their fighter support. Nells and Betties don't do so well against enemy fighters - Michael reminded me of that when I flew a few Nells against Cagayen from Babeldaob.
So I put boots on the ground at Rabaul, and Wake this turn, plus I do a D_ATK @ Hong Kong & Miri. Hong Kong stops my forces at 3:1. Hardly any damage to the troops on my end and very little disruption. My forces all have supplies in the red so I need to wait a turn or 3. Miri falls to me and the allied 100th RN Base Force is run outta town. At Rabaul nothing really happens. Michael's forces bombard my troops but no real pain is felt. Wake Island falls and I get to hear Orphan Annie's sweet voice chortling over another victory by the valiant forces of the Japanese Imperial Army. Hoo-yayyyyy!
Production continues to ramp up but losses and new units seem to be sucking up my air frames as fast as I produce them. Operation Stepping Stones is close to being finished. Troops and supplies are in route to Kwajalein.
RO-63 taps another xAK - the Yu Sang. Near Donggala.
Michael has the 2nd, 67th, 68th, and 75th Chinese Corps attack at Ichang. I've got pluses for forts and leaders (my forts are @ 3). The Chinese take the short end of 1:4 odds against Japan's 34th Division and the 13th RGC Temp. Div. The Chinese are billed 4 squads destroyed and another 261 disabled. That's gotta suck for Michael, but his adjusted assault value was only 580. Japan's adjusted defense was 2,464…
I hit several Chinese troop targets that are in the open with my bombers in China. Success builds experience and stats. KI-30 Anns are getting in some action; 250 kg bombs are so much more effective in comparison to the 100 kg bombs of the Lilly. I've got more Sally air groups getting in some practice too.
Near Manado I find a small SCTF with 3 CL and a DD. This board is so different in the opening compared to stack SCN 1 or 2 that I'm not sure where they hail from but my WAG is that they are fleeing south from Manila. My air attack from the CVE carrier force gets no hits (more a testament to the low skill level of my DB & TB pilots than anything else). My CVE TF is not gunna be able to catch that SCTF <grin>.
Operation Stepping Stone is almost complete five days into the war; Legaspi is the last place I need to get air support to and that should arrive in two turns. Then I can start funneling Army air groups towards the Marshalls…
Production of air frames starts off low. I'm centering on Zeroes and Oscars as my primary fighters. My primary bombers for IJA will be the Sally and Helen. For the IJN I'll build Nell and Betty. Recon is the Babs (both IJN & IJA versions) plus the Dinah-II. regarding FP - I'll build enough Glen for subs and the Jake will be the frame used for everything else. I'm building the Ann as a LB since she sports a 250kg payload and has decent range. I'm producing the Liz also. If it works well I'll exploit it. The payload is multiple 250kg bombs (a stick of 12 I think). If I can force Michael to keep fighters covering his back-water locations then groovy. The Liz frame has a rating of three, which means that spit-wads and long flights will cause the air groups attrition all by themselves, without any needed of enemy fighters. This might work well in China also - attacking air fields and forcing repairs that eat up supply points.
I'll probably need to increase production of air frames in this mod due to the higher losses I'm receiving from Flak and Operations Losses. i'm looking at turn 5 loaded in Tracker. 116 total losses for Japan. 57 from Flak and 38 from operations loss.
Check out the recon version of the Kate!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Michael was crowing about RO-63 - and how the Captain had missed an AP merchie-ship. Well last turn The 63 picked off the xAKL dos Hermanos and this turn the 63 puts 3 fish into the AO Trinity. I'd say the RO-63 is doing OK…
The I-153 puts two fish into the flank of the XAP Rochambeau near Donggala. Glug-glug.
Michael is still running little piss-ants at my TFs as they land on the northern end of the PI. This turn he brings out the S-36 and S-39. Both subs are gifted with loads of faulty US-made torpedoes - all they do is get spanked by Japanese ASW.
The remains of that PT-TF were thrown back into the fray by Michael; a SCTF made of 2DD 2PB and an E kill another PT boat. Points go to the DD Nagatsuki.
I swept Manila and Clark again. I still can't believe there's no air defense by Michael. I should thank him. <grin> I do smack the crap outta the airfields. No sense letting his fort levels build up. The 65th Brigade is loading for the PI now that I've established a foot-hold.
Near Singkawang a gaggle of Betties from Saigon tap the xAP Mijir. I only get one fish into her but the pilots are still fairly low-skilled. It'll take a while to get those naval attack skills up. I also need to be careful not to let my medium bombers exceed the range of their fighter support. Nells and Betties don't do so well against enemy fighters - Michael reminded me of that when I flew a few Nells against Cagayen from Babeldaob.
So I put boots on the ground at Rabaul, and Wake this turn, plus I do a D_ATK @ Hong Kong & Miri. Hong Kong stops my forces at 3:1. Hardly any damage to the troops on my end and very little disruption. My forces all have supplies in the red so I need to wait a turn or 3. Miri falls to me and the allied 100th RN Base Force is run outta town. At Rabaul nothing really happens. Michael's forces bombard my troops but no real pain is felt. Wake Island falls and I get to hear Orphan Annie's sweet voice chortling over another victory by the valiant forces of the Japanese Imperial Army. Hoo-yayyyyy!
Production continues to ramp up but losses and new units seem to be sucking up my air frames as fast as I produce them. Operation Stepping Stones is close to being finished. Troops and supplies are in route to Kwajalein.
Michael will not fight with his fighters until they reach 99% morale, He will then bunch them together and try to defend key points. Be ready for that. He is also good at sending useless B-17s in for Port Attacks which do tons of damage to shipping...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
In the PI, Clark and Manila are well suppressed from the constant attacks against the airfields. Michael has pulled back so at this point my troops are just marching forward and capturing empty bases. I like a good Sir robin every now and then.
In China I'm finally getting the air support and bomber/escort combos I need to start suppressing the bases I want for my route up into Chungking. Troops are gathering for the spearhead thrust.
Near Catanduanes, carrier-launched aircraft take down the TK Manatawny and the xAK governor Wright.
Near Kota Bharu the SS KVIII puts torpedoes into two of my xAK that were unloading supplies. I have an ASW TF in the hex but the damned sub must have slipped past the DDs.
A flight of Bettys had their max range set to long and flew at shipping at Singapore… I lost 9 of them…
Japanese forces took Tuguegarao, destroyed the allied 3rd ISF Base Force @ 51,76 as they were fleeing Kota Bharu, and at Ichang those 5 Chinese Corps took a swing at my 34th Division. They got 1:1 odds and dropped my forts down from 3 to 2. They lost 9 squads and another 238 disabled…
Michael will not fight with his fighters until they reach 99% morale, He will then bunch them together and try to defend key points. Be ready for that. He is also good at sending useless B-17s in for Port Attacks which do tons of damage to shipping...
Waiting for 99% morale is not gunna help his fighters against my Zeroes and Oscars... And my pilots are steadily gaining experience and skill points while his pilots are gaining nothing but morale? That seems an odd thing to do for the allies.
As for the B-17s - heck - they can't hit the side of a barn at this stage of the game. Ya'll didn't bump up the experience levels of tha allies in this mod for the start of the war - did you? [X(]
Michael will not fight with his fighters until they reach 99% morale, He will then bunch them together and try to defend key points. Be ready for that. He is also good at sending useless B-17s in for Port Attacks which do tons of damage to shipping...
Waiting for 99% morale is not gunna help his fighters against my Zeroes and Oscars... And my pilots are steadily gaining experience and skill points while his pilots are gaining nothing but morale? That seems an odd thing to do for the allies.
As for the B-17s - heck - they can't hit the side of a barn at this stage of the game. Ya'll didn't bump up the experience levels of tha allies in this mod for the start of the war - did you? [X(]
If he plays like me then 100% of his forces are on training at 0 range so they are not only gaining morale but experience and skill.
If he then takes those pilots with superior experience and morale into better planes later on then he not only saves the points from ineffective air combat units lost, he saves pilots for later.
Having only played 2 players in this game, my perspective is limited. However, I have a tendency to use tactics like this.
How does losing obsolete fighter planes to your Zero's and Oscar's and getting pilots with low morale and experience killed going to help your opponent?
