Turnaround? Lowpe (J) vs Tiemanj (A) Stock

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

It has been a long road, 2 months of game play, but the Imperial Japanese forces can now, thanks to the demise of the Lexington, claim a Minor Victory.[:D]





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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Ok, I need a little bit of guidance here.

I want to wipe the Allies out of the Kuriles, but the presences of the Lexington's flight groups, minefields, and coastal gun battery puts a damper on me.

I don't want to risk my planes or pilots...so shore bombardment is called for initially, once the field is closed I will bomb and bombard to shut down the coastal defense battery and weaken the land troops.

I have plentiful surface ships to bombard with, and 3 AKES at Etorofu. Etorfu also holds and Infantry Division, Infantry Brigade, ART, ENG, and ships for all of them. Prep is high 30s to 60s for the attack force -- so I have a while yet.

What is the best way to bombard without running into his minefields? I have one damaged DMS at Paramushiro, who has been sweeping mines there and then disbanding each morning to clear the field the Yanks put there and be tucked into port for the rest of the day under CAP.

I have several coastal minesweepers coming, and 1 at Etorofu already but they can only locally minesweep (same hex) and would be chewed apart by his coastal guns if I sent them in.

When I put my DMSs' on minesweeping and stayed one hex away they couldn't find the Allied minefields. However, I did get a BB bombard group to go in (1BBand 4DD) and they swept mines prior to bombarding with the DMS adjacent. Did the DMS alert the bombardment group about the presence of a minefield?

Would my bombardment groups avoid the mines if set to cruise speed?

I am not in a huge hurry, but worry about him getting the base big enough to fly 4es out of in which case I would simply have to go all out.

Any ideas appreciated.











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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

In other news around the front Ambon still holds on after a disappointing shore bombardment and then attack. Bombers keep hitting it.

The troops are setting up for another deliberate attack at Soerabaja, and bombers are taking to the air all over Java to keep Tjilatjap closed, bomb the airfield at Batavaia and Soerabaja. Also some port strikes to keep his ships damaged and in port.

I am still moving around lots of units at sea, and have noticed an increased allied recon rate in the Marshalls...

More ships are getting refitted, the fighter plane factories are humming, and everything seems ok...but I am sure that will change.

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Lokasenna
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lokasenna »

I haven't really tried bombarding mined bases before. One of the things I would try is embedding some DMS hulls into the bombardment force. In the Kuriles, you don't really need the speed much as you can LRCAP from one of your bases if you fear SBDs from his AF.

Also, lots of people say that bombardment TFs don't hit mines very often. With a high enough DL, you can even use DDs to bombard. Damaged planes are just as good as destroyed here, as he can't get them out.
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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Also, lots of people say that bombardment TFs don't hit mines very often. With a high enough DL, you can even use DDs to bombard. Damaged planes are just as good as destroyed here, as he can't get them out.

Greyjoy would differ.

I don't think the distance of the bombardment has any bearing on hitting mines.

Using destroyers would probably put the bombardment group in range of his coastal batteries...something I want to avoid.

I am not sure nesting DMS would help, but it probably couldn't hurt...the problem is I have very few DMS left and really want to not risk them.

Below, is a report of where I tried to use an E in a sweeping task force - and I lost the E.

I am going to try sweeping with a larger task force from an adjacent hex and see if I can figure out how the system works...

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I haven't really tried bombarding mined bases before.

It is not something I really want to do.[:)]

Since there is a lot moonlight, I am hitting the air base with three squadrons of bombers at night to see if I can damage some of his planes, and at the very least get some of his fighters to CAP at night.

I think there might be a chance he tries to evacuate the planes...and I have a BB force hiding undetected on the northern approach waiting to pounce on ships or bombard the base.

Sigint got two Heavy volumes of radio traffic at Adak...

Overall, these are good problems and maybe I can entice him back by showing the KB south and east...



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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Spidery »

I spent a fair time bombarding Manila in the face of mines and CD guns.

I started off using DMS in a task force with BB. Bad idea, the DMS got engaged by CD guns and barely made it out okay.

Then I tried sending AMc in to clear mines - that didn't work out either.

Then I tried a DMS one hex away, also that didn't work.

Using BB with a few DD at 18,000 yards range I got a couple of DD taking mine hits. Eventually, I went with sending the BB in with no escort but that was because they were only coming from 1 hex away and I could keep an ASW force covering that.

I recommend using BB with DD and having facilities ready to fix any DD that get damaged. You could try checking the combat report for when the bombardment has targeted the CD guns and immediately after send in a local minesweeping force of AMc (hoping that the guns are disrupted and ineffective).
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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

ORIGINAL: Spidery
Then I tried a DMS one hex away, also that didn't work.

Your experiences mirror mine.

I did have luck with 4 DMS, remain on station, 1 hex away. I was hoping to be able to sweep adjacent minefields with other ships as well.

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Sept 28, 1942

Kuriles:

Yank Carrier planes still in the Kuriles...

A group of 12 Bettys hit a small ship convoy and most likely sink the Santa Theresa xak. No troops or planes on board. No CAP.

My night bombing is cancelled.

Submarine can't penetrate screen on the Warspite south of Attu. Indianapolis still afloat.

Java:
No enemy CAP. 20 or so allied fighters now at Soerabaja which is bombed. Tjilatjap closed, bombarded and bombed. Batavia bombed (18 Allied bombers left). So enemy air strength in Java is pretty much broken, gone, disbanded, whatever. Thank goodness. I lose 4 bombers to flak, lots damaged. Altitude is 13k or greater.

Fresh minefield spotted south east of Soerabaja...swept and no damage done.

A resource convoy runs into a fresh minefield 1 hex north of Palembang. PB has 93% flood damage, an xak has 30% flood. Convoy is empty and still in the minefield.



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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

I figure that I will soon be an expert on enemy mines, given the Allies heavy use of them. I probably should start now negotiating a HR for air dropped mines.

Unfortunately, I have lost a few DMS, and my predecessor lost many, now I only have four (4) left. [X(]

It seems to even create a mine sweeping task force you need at least one DMS, or AM in it.

Even more unfortunately, my predecessor lost a ton of small xakls & pbs meaning I am hamstrung at making a lot of local minesweepers too. I get my first AM in May of 1943, some local minesweepers come in as reinforcements too...

Quite a pickle I am in. Have to admit, I have never faced this problem against the AI. [:D]



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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Sept 29, 1942

SC hits a mine and sinks. Yesterday's mine hits make Palembang safely and start pumping out the counter flooding. Swept mines near Palembang and Soerabaja.

I can bombard Tjilatjap everyday with same surface group from Xmas Island 10. 3 akes there for rearming, and Rufes flying cap.

All quiet every else.

Kuriles: Construction and air HQ loading at Rashin. Bombardment groups getting ready to hit his base, but only 8 fighters there now...perhaps he disbanded his F4Fs back to the pools...

Java: Deliberate attack tomorrow at Soerabaja.

China: Shock river attack west of Ankang coming up...bombers haven't done much. 6 Chinese units, no guns defending against 2000 AV of crack troops with tanks, eng, divisions.

Increased my Ha35 engine production by 4. Tojo IIa have done some sweeps and CAP but so far only caught some Hudsons in China...so no good dogfights with them yet. I have a sentai of 42 at Magwe that I might sweep his bases with.

New month coming up, and I am very disappointed I can equip only one squadron with recon Judys....losing their Mavis. Not a great deal in my book, but I will do it to get a dedicated squadron of naval search on the KB.

I have to start thinking about CS conversions...coming up quickly.



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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Kuriles Invasion Forces:

Here is most of what I have prepping for the counter invasion in the Kuriles.

I have two LSTs, which I plan to load the ARM units on to, but I may change that to simply sending the infantry division depending upon bombardments and bombing effectiveness.

In a day or two, I will be sending rotating BB groups to bombard, and hit his minefields[:)]. After the night bombardment I plan on sending in 60 Helens, 110 Bettys to bomb the airfield and keep it closed. A Tojo IIa squadron will be up for sweeps, plus Zeroes for escorts. Four AKEs for fast reloading at Paramushiro.

Hopefully the minefields don't cause too much grief, and his PT boats are too damaged to sally forth for a night engagement amongst the minefields. I will have a DMS one hex away sweeping. One or two bombardments is all I need I think, then the bombers will be able to keep the base closed barring really bad weather which is coming.

The KB and some surface ships will hover east isolating the island never staying more than one day spotted.

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Sept 29, 1942

Bombers hit Batavia's airfields hard damaging fighters and 4es plus some Dutch crates. BBs bombard Tjilatjap and with no more planes present they start targeting the Allied units there.

Deliberate attack in Soerabaja reduces forts to level three, causes 3000 casualties on both sides but IJA suffers mostly disablement while the Allied defenders have over 200 units destroyed. Will continue the artillery bombardment, add some bombers to prevent possible fort building and try again in a weeks time.

Quiet everywhere else...

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String
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by String »

Nice invasion package there. I assume you have a pretty good picture of what he has landed there so far? Also remind me again when does the winter start?
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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Winter is Nov thru Feb.

Here are the known defenders...



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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

The timetable for kicking the Yanks out of the Kuriles before winter is definitely tight...but certainly doable.

Almost all the forces are gathered, and I should be able to start daily sweeps with TojoIIa with the next turn which is about the last piece in the puzzle, then simply 200 bombers making daily runs, attempts at sweeping the minefields, bombardments, and finally invasion.

This attack has cost the Allies two fine ships the Long Island and Lexington, 1 BB has gotten 4 torpedoes, another 3 torpedoes, and another one a torpedo plus numerous support ships sunk.

I hope to inflict some more surface ship damage on him this next day as I have some lurking ships he isn't aware of ambushing him.

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Along with the Judy recon, I will shortly get the Irving Recon. I have small factories for both, so will build them.

The Irving will be an important plane for the Empire, especially the night fighter version so it makes sense to make a few of the recon version.



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mind_messing
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by mind_messing »

Check the droptank range on the Irving - it's a pretty decent all-round recon.
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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Sept 30, 1942

The Haruna pounces at night...but the Wharton escapes unscathed east of the Kuriles. That ship has used up 3 of her 9 lives.[:)]

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Lowpe
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RE: Kuriles Invaded - Aug 29th, 1942

Post by Lowpe »

Magwe, Burma. Mixed news, 10 waves of bombers attack at night and between the 40 planes (zeroes and nicks) and the now 6 AA units only one hit on the runway is made. Several bombers are destroyed (along with some zeroes) -- so much better night defense there.

However, high altitude sweeps come in and trash my planes, including one of the first big uses of the Tojo. I should have been offensively sweeping with them...



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