Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Mike Solli]

Wow, lots to discuss. First, air groups. The Hiryu fighter daitai takes 30-180 days to return. I forgot to do it before ending turn but I just tested it and it came out to 50 days in the test

I use ASW TFs extensively. I also escort everything. Important TFs are heavily escorted. I don't use ASW TFs to follow TFs though. In the case of the Hiryu, it was escorted, I had an ASW TF escorting it (it was moving 1 hex a day) and I had additional ASW TFs along it's movement path.

Vicberg, TFs may be separate, but I've see one air attack hit ships in different TFs in the same hex in the same attack. Maybe it's just air units though. I'm definitely not a programmer.

Squeeze, I have changed my thoughts on CMs to Es. I used to not do that. I will now. The only difference is that they get DC racks. They do not lose their minelaying capacity. It's a win win situation in my opinion. With the shortage of mines throughout the war, you may as well give them an additional mission. Now if you're down to just one or two that are left that carry a specific mine, well, caution is necessary.

[Mike Solli]

6 Jan 42

Sub War

I had subs miss a DD off Sydney and a DM off Hawaii. You would not believe how many times I missed escorts. The few times I did hit them, they were duds for the most part. Pretty frustrating.

5 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

4 Fleet

I finally took Guam in a shock attack for losses of 148(1) to the destroyed US unit of 395(115). The 84 Naval Guard will load up and proceed to Truk for movement to the SE Fleet area. That squad was the only loss the unit took. It’s still in excellent shape.

SE Fleet

I’m loading for the Lae invasion today. I’ll use the 144 Regiment and the garrison will be a base force.

The Soryu has her sys damage down to 21. She should have that repaired in about a week. The Wakaba is down to 1 sys damage which will be repaired tomorrow.

In 8 days, I will receive a number of SNLF companies. I’ll use these to start taking all the small bases in the area. I’m going to need more engineers down here. There just aren’t enough to go around. Once I buy out the 20 Division, I’ll focus on some engineers for 4, 5 & SE Fleets.

A real quick check shows a number of different engineer units in Manchuoko. I could easily pull 3 independent engineer regiments and about a dozen various engineer companies out, based on PPs, of course. Each fleet will get an independent engineer regiment and a slice of the dozen other units. Probably 2 for 5 Fleet and 5 each for the other two areas.

Philippines

The 14 Army is just a few miles from Bataan. I switched them to combat mode. They’ll arrive tomorrow and start bombardment the day after.

China

The AVG flew a sweep over Hankow catching some Nate CAP and shooting down 2. Time to upgrade those fighters to Oscars. Maybe they’ll survive a little better. I need to find a way to kill off some of those fighters. The night bombing isn’t doing the trick. But on the other hand, I’d rather have them in China than Burma. They burn scarce Chinese supply and (so far) only fly once a week.

Burma

Nothing new to report.

Malaya

Tomorrow the initial assault force (4x divisions) will begin movement from Johore Bharu to Singapore. Air bombardment continues. Today, some Bettys flew against an HDML in port. They obliterated the HDML but lost 2 Bettys in the process. Time to change the range on those Bettys to exclude Singapore. Soon they’ll move to Tobali anyway.

Other Stuff

Ted is out of town this week and he said that he probably wouldn’t be able to take his laptop. I haven’t heard from him since Sunday evening. So, I have the turn for the week to check every corner of the map and catch all the things I’ve been missing.

I just got an email from Ted. He’s at his destination and he does indeed have his laptop. Game on!

I ran the turn this morning before work but I didn’t have much time to review things. A couple brief comments:

Shoho arrives in 19 days.

The 9x Fubuki I class will complete their upgrades in 10 days.

Wake’s forts are at 2.60. I will get them up to 6 just to cause the maximum Allied casualties should Ted decide he can’t live without Wake.

I was hoping to talk more about my operation in Northern China. Guess that won’t happen right away. Maybe tomorrow. I like this operation because Ted has some 30 or so Chinese units in the open. If I can surround them and kill them off, that would put a hurting on the Chinese army for awhile (as well as clean up my rear area nicely). Yeah, I know, he gets them back at 1/3 strength. That’s still a lot of combat power lost and not a lot of replacement squads to fill them out, not to mention the supply needed…. It would also help my unit experience, not to mention capturing resources and LI, which helps me and hurts his supply situation even more.

I’m not going to accelerate the Junyo or Hiyo. Their durability is 84! Didn’t realize they were such big hulks.

Pax, I’ll check the return time for Hiryu’s fighter daitai. I can use it for training for the time being. I can increase it to size 27. That’ll give me an additional 36 pilots in training, or about a dozen trained fighter pilots a month. I have plenty of Claudes in the pool to fill it out. If it’s a reasonable time to return, I’ll take the PP bite now.

[Mike Solli]

One additional thing. I'm funneling all my nearly elite pilots through the Yamada Det to get to that elite status. For example, the Ryujo fighter daitai had 4x 80 experience pilots. I pulled them into the reserve and replace them with good pilots (low 70s). Those pilots will go into Yamada and hopefully gain that one experience point to gain them elite status. Then they'll get pulled into TRACOM and be replace with other high 70s-80 pilots. I started this with 2 pilots in TRACOM. I yanked 2 of 4 elite pilots out of Yamada so now there are 4. We'll see what we have in TRACOM after the end of the Java campaign. Should be interesting. [;)]

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

What's the take on converting CM's to E's? Are they worth it? That option is quickly approaching for me and not sure what to do.

There are two different CM's, one uses the Type 4 mine (which you have a lot of CM's and CMc's) and the other uses the Type 93 of which you only have a very few CM's that load it. I'm careful with converting those Type 93 CM's ...

Thanks Pax, this is something I need to take into account as I was planning on upgrading all CM's to E's. I guess a closer look is in of order.
Here's a screen from Mike's Japanese Escort Discussion thread if anyone would like me to update it with mine type's I can. Just hollar.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Pax, I’ll check the return time for Hiryu’s fighter daitai. I can use it for training for the time being. I can increase it to size 27. That’ll give me an additional 36 pilots in training, or about a dozen trained fighter pilots a month. I have plenty of Claudes in the pool to fill it out. If it’s a reasonable time to return, I’ll take the PP bite now.

Another thing that may warrant buying out Hiryu's air groups is the CVL Ryuho. I believe in the OOB she doesn't get her inherent air groups until at least 6 months after her completion (forgive me if I'm wrong on the specific time frame, but I do know it's awhile) so that is another reason to get some of Hiryu's air groups back into the fight on the CVL Ryuho if desired.

[Cribtop]

Yep, Ryuho comes empty.

[Mike Solli]

Good idea guys. I bought out Hiryu's fighters this turn but don't get them back until 22 May. [8|] I'll probably purchase the TBs next turn. Anyone know what Ryuho's max air component is offhand?

[SuluSea]

Correct aircraft capacity for the Ryuho is 31. My apologies to all, I posted before I finished the morning coffee.[:)][;)]

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Yeah I know that feeling, a few days ago I was shiping resources to Singapore from the HI and in Singapore I loaded supplies for the HI before my coffee [:(]

[obvert]

Always, this is the correct order.

1. Coffee

2. Combat replay

3. Orders

This way the caffeine is not too strong for the moment when your opponents sub sights and attacks your CVs, and just strong enough later when you need to concentrate hard on how to kill the bastard. The sub, not your opponent!

[Mike Solli]

Thanks Sulu. Looks like 22 fighters and 9 TB.

GZ, been there, done that.

Obvert, let's just skip the part about subs attacking CVs, shall we? [:(] [:D]

[Mike Solli]

7 Jan 42

Sub War

Not much happening today. The I-9 was playing cat and mouse with the AM TF it encountered a couple of days ago. She launched a couple of torpedoes at one which resulted in a dud and took a couple of near misses for 8 sys damage in return. She’ll stay on station.

5 Fleet

Adak is nearing a level 1 airfield (finally). I may have to buy out some engineers to assist. This is taking far too long.

4 Fleet

Construction is happening in a few places. Many more engineers are needed here as well. There are none on the reinforcement schedule for a long time. They’ll have to come out of Manchuoko. PPs…..

SE Fleet

The Lae Invasion force is loading at Rabaul. They will have lots of ASW supporting them as well as air cover. They should leave in a day or two.

Wakaba is as repaired as she can be at 0-67(67)-17(17)-0. I’ll probably send her off to Truk tomorrow.

Mindanao

Transports are headed to pick up the 16 Division. Their first target is Cebu, which holds a PA Division.

The 146 Regiment (56 Division – Burma) helped with the conquest of Manado and has reloaded and is enroute to Bangkok, where it will then entrain for Burma.

Philippines

The ground bombardment of Bataan has begun! Well, it will tomorrow…..

I attacked Batangas in a DA with the 2 tank regiments from 14 Army. I really didn’t expect much but got 4:1 odds and pushed the 41 PA Division and the PAF Aviation south to Lucena. Lucena is now the only base (other than Bataan) that the Allies control on Luzon. I’m sending the two tank regiments there to take it. Lucena has three Allied units defending it (including the 2 units from Batangas). The DA resulted in no Japanese casualties to 547(112) Allied casualties. After this pocket is eliminated, the 2 tank regiments will prepare to embark on the Palembang campaign along with 4 Division (currently at Cam Ranh Bay).

China

The AVG hit my Nates again shooting down another one. Fortunately, I haven’t lost any pilots. All 3 are WIA, so hopefully, they’ll return.

I upgraded that Nate unit to the Oscar Ic. Only 8 Oscars were available though. We’ll see if that makes any difference. I wish I had some Zeros available. That would be a nice surprise for Ted.

Burma

The invasion force crawls forward.

Malaya

The first wave of the Singapore Invasion force has begun movement, consisting of 4x divisions. The second wave will follow once IG division arrives. Air bombardment continues. One Betty was destroyed by flak. I have reduced the range on my Bettys and Nells to prevent this waste of great pilots (even though the Nell pilots can’t hit the water when going after ships.

Other Stuff

Oil and fuel is being transported from Miri/Brunei to Cam Ranh Bay. Balikpapan will receive 4x 12.8k TKs in a couple days to suck out its oil and then fuel. Those TKs will eventually be used to haul oil/fuel to the Home Islands from Singapore when the SRA liberation is complete and my convoys are all in place. Balikpapan will eventually have 2x TFs each with 4x 7950 TKs and 4x Ansyu-C PBs to haul fuel to Truk most of the time. I also plan on having at least 2x ASW TFs at each port along with air ASW. Tarakan and Balikpapan currently have 1 chutai each of ASW with some naval ASW enroute.

Tarakan’s repairs will be complete in 17 days. The required supply is in place.

I keep getting radio transmissions at Kendari. I’ll bet Ted has an ambush TF there. It’s going to get a visit from 4x IJN BBs with MKB air cover in a bit. Heh, heh…

I bought out the Hiryu fighter daitai. It’ll arrive on 22 May, 135 days from now. I see that Ryuho can hold 48 planes. I’m debating whether to buy Hiryu’s DBs or TBs. The TBs are nice, but after Ryuho’s air component arrives, I can use the DB daitai for additional training. I need to do a better analysis of DB and TB/LB needs for the future. I have a lot of Jeans training and a daitai of Nells as well, but they train pilots in both NavT and NavB so it’s really only half the number. Something else to check tonight.

Most of my PB conversions are finished. I have PBs all over the place! Granted, their experience levels suck but they’re better than nothing. I’m attempting to make sense of where they are and move them somewhere where they are needed. I may be able to have Ansyu-C ASW TFs follow my CS convoys. I have over 200 PBs! That’s not counting SCs, TBs, Es, etc….. I figure I’ll have at least 25 ASW TFs (just from those PBs) at various strategic ports just hanging out. I’m glad I converted a bunch of AGs. They’re heading out to those same strategic ports destined to fix all those garbage scows that will ply the waters around those bases in search of enemy subs.

I just did a rough analysis of the frontline/carrier based aircraft vs. the training unit capacity. Here are rough numbers:

Frontline/Carrier
F: 411
DB: 151
TB: 438
Trainers
F: 80 (27 per month)
DB: 100 (33 per month)
TB: 128 (21 per month – remember, these guys train in both NavT and NavB)

I need TBs. I’m buying out the Hiryu’s TB daitai.

I decided on holding off on buying out the remainder of the 20 Div and will buy 1x Independent Engineer Regiment and 1x Construction Company for 5 Fleet. Then I’ll continue on the 20 Div. The engineers will move to Adak giving that base an additional 64 engineers.

I’ve been very cautious with my use of mines this game. As a matter of fact, the only mines I’ve laid have been by the 4x mine laying subs that started the game loaded and 150 at Rabaul just a day or two ago. I plan on laying mines defensively in places where I expect Ted to come after me. I have all of the starting minefields covered by ACMs with spare ACMs for the future minefields. I will use the mine laying subs to harass Ted by laying mines in his ports. Those initial sub laid mines may have caused the demise of a DD and either damaged or sank a CL as well, along with a merchant or two. I’ll take it.

[obvert]

Construction is happening in a few places. Many more engineers are needed here as well. There are none on the reinforcement schedule for a long time. They’ll have to come out of Manchuoko. PPs…..

Some of the small ones are only 17 PP, which is great. A couple days PPs and you have several islands' worth of ENG units. Over the next 4-6 months, even the small ones can get a base up to 4-5 forts and whatever airfield you want.

I need TBs. I’m buying out the Hiryu’s TB daitai.

Some of the small Val groups you get soon can convert to Kates to get you more training there.

[ny59giants]

I hope you moved your engineer units from Manchuria to Korea to expand the bases, especially the ports. Might as well do something useful while waiting for PPs.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I hope you moved your engineer units from Manchuria to Korea to expand the bases, especially the ports. Might as well do something useful while waiting for PPs.

+1

Fusan is a level 8 port now for me and does wonders for getting resources out of Korea/Manchuria.

You can also move Divisions around though and use those ENG to build in Korea.

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I hope you moved your engineer units from Manchuria to Korea to expand the bases, especially the ports. Might as well do something useful while waiting for PPs.

Good idea, I don't know if this will assist the efforts but these are from my first day notes. Credit should go to Fletcher and his AAR once the opening moves are made I'll move more engineers to Fusan.

Antisubmarine warfare Ops in Yellow Sea, following move to Korea AFs:

-3rd FF Construction Coy from Anshan to Chinnampo to build AF.
-31st Road Const Coy from Changchum to Gunzan to build AF.
-40th Const Coy from Changchum to Keijo to build AF.
-51st Const Coy from Changchum to Masan to build AF.
-52nd Const Coy from Changchum to Chinhae to build AF.

-14th JNAF AF Unit from Genzan to Gunzan
-10th JNAF Bn from Kanko to Masan in strategic move and then will move to Moppo
-26th JAAF AF Bn from Rashin to Chinnampo
-30th JAAF AF Bn from Kanko to Kaishu
-46th JAAF AF Bn from Kiamusze to Chinhae
-53rd JAAF AF Bn from Kiamusze to Keijo
-209th JAAF AF Bn from Taonan to Keijo

-2nd Air Division HQ will support air ASW ops from Gunzan.

I hope Mike or some of the contributors finds it as useful as I have. [:)]

[SeethingErmine]

First off, thank you for this AAR, it's fun to read and very helpful. [:)]
Regarding engineers, have you scoured the HI for unrestricted ones?  At the start there are some scattered around (I like to route them all to Ominato where they fix the port while I figure out where to send them).  The Luzon invasion forces seem to have the bulk of available unrestricted engineers otherwise, maybe 4th fleet could poach some?

Also, according to standard HR, is it ok to shift Kwangtung Army troops to Korea?  I thought it was a separate area like China, although the starting positions/HQs are a bit mixed up for some units.

[Mike Solli]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah, I have most of my Manchuoko engineers someplace useful building something. I bought out an independent engineer regiment and 2x construction companies pretty cheap and they're being transported to Adak. Even in 18 kt xAKs, it'll take awhile.

Obvert, thanks for the reminder about those Val units. I forgot about them. I decided not to buy the Hiryu TB daitai. I'll do what you suggested.

[Mike Solli]

8 Jan 42

Sub War

Nothing new to report.

5 Fleet

Engineers enroute to Adak. I'm almost at a level 1 airfield.

4 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

SE Fleet

The Lae invasion force lands tomorrow.

There's a ship in the docked at Pt. Moresby. I hope my Bettys take it out. They didn't today.

Philippines

The first of many land bombardments occurred today. It'll be awhile, but the time really doesn't matter.

China

A division DAed three Chinese units a hex west of Kweiteh causing 636(83) casualties to 19(0) Japanese casualties.

The forces attempting to surround the 20 units in Chengchow-Loyang have 3 hexes to occupy to have them completely surrounded. We're getting there.

The AVG did a sweep at Nanchang shooting down two Nates. Fortunately, both pilots survived. I upgraded that unit to Oscars too. Eventually, the Oscars will get in the battle against the AVG.

Burma

Nothing new to report.

Malaya

The 4x division Singapore assault force in in motion. Just a couple of days.

Other Stuff

I think I said earlier that I was sending the Minekazes to get upgraded in Feb 42. They can upgrade then, but they have DC racks. They are not top priority. I'll upgrade them as they reach port. The class that needs to be upgraded first are the Mutsuki class. They do not have DC racks and are eligible for upgrade in Feb 42 also. I sent them all to either Kobe or Saigon in preparation for the Feb upgrades.

Since I use a Mac and have a Mac keyboard, I don't have the option to print screen. None of the other alternatives work for me either. I recall someone saying that there is some PC software that allows you to capture screen shots. Does anyone know the name of it? I'd love to download it to be able to show you guys screen shots.

[Cribtop]

I use Gadwin print screen, but there are others.

I think the Allies really have to abandon the north China plain, including Chengchow, Loyang and possibly Nanyang, from Day 1 lest they suffer defeat or encirclement.