Typhoon of Steel: John 3rd vs. Kitakami

[durnedwolf]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

December 7, 1941

OK. It has been a LONG TIME since I have planned out a December 7th Open. Here is the plan in detail:

CARDIV1
Akagi, Amagi, CVL Ryukaku carry 66 Zero, 54 Val, 69 Kate, and 6 Recon Kate. They are escorted by BC Ishitaka (Amagi-Class), 2 CA, 1 CL, 1 CS, and 7 DD.

CARDIV5
Shokaku, Zuikaku, CVL Karasu carry 66 Zero, 48 Val, 63 Kate, and 6 Recon Kate. They are escorted by CB Fuji and Kita, 2 CA, and 7 DD.

Pearl Harbor Strike:
All Zero on escort. No strafing.
CARDIV1 Vals on Port Strike and CARDIV5 Vals on AF Attack
All Kates on Port Strike

The TF shall strike from the east and then stick around for a 2nd day to do nothing but SWEEP PH and kill American Fighters. The KB will then move ENE to refuel from its AOs.

Hi John,

Sticking around for day 2 just to sweep for enemy fighters... That sounds like a low return for a lot of risk. If Kitakami is aggressive and his airfields are good you might wind up trying to limp some of your carrier force home. The best place to kill aircraft is on the ground - right? Would you consider all DB on airfield attacks for both Day1 and Day2? Plenty of fighters for escort and CAP would be the belt-and-suspenders approach to a day2 attack IMO.

[John 3rd]

I don't like to attack PH on Day Two due to the flak costs. I'm already starting out with lower quality experience pilots. Don't need to make it worse by senselessly losing them for minimal gain.

This is an important note that the IJN Sea Eagles start with about 150 more planes on the front lines and the 9th Air Fleet in cadre status on Kyushu but starting experience in all IJN Daitai was dropped between 10-15%. It is a serious cost but reflects the hope for a more long-term game.

The Japanese will SWEEP with three ZERO Daitai and rest shall be set for CAP/Naval Strike at seven hexes.

[AcePylut]

IF they are starting out as lower quality pilots, then they're not really as precious as the 80-90 exp pilots you start out with, 'eh? And you can train noob pilots up to the starting exp "faster" since you don't have to go as far... also you may not do as well on the Alpha Strike as you would with 80-90exp pilots.... so why not hit it twice? What's the worse that can happen? You lose 30-40 pilots that can be replaced in a couple of months anyways vs. sinking instead of crippling-and-repaired-later bb's?

How does the VP exchange between 50 pilots/planes vs. 1,2,3,4 old US BB's sunk, not damaged, work for you?

Of course, no plan survives first contact, maybe the 1st days results will require a change in plan either way.

Food for thought from the peanut gallery

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

IF they are starting out as lower quality pilots, then they're not really as precious as the 80-90 exp pilots you start out with, 'eh? And you can train noob pilots up to the starting exp "faster" since you don't have to go as far... also you may not do as well on the Alpha Strike as you would with 80-90exp pilots.... so why not hit it twice? What's the worse that can happen? You lose 30-40 pilots that can be replaced in a couple of months anyways vs. sinking instead of crippling-and-repaired-later bb's?

How does the VP exchange between 50 pilots/planes vs. 1,2,3,4 old US BB's sunk, not damaged, work for you?

Of course, no plan survives first contact, maybe the 1st days results will require a change in plan either way.

Food for thought from the peanut gallery

That is some sound logic Sir. Will consider it.

[John 3rd]

Turn ONE is nearly done. Have run it once and am now working on the particulars for SS Patrol Zones, China Orders, etc...

Am going to do something I am very poor at. I am attempting to work my Japanese armies as actual...well...armies. Here are the objectives of the armies of Imperial Japan:

SOUTHERN ARMY
14th Army 3 ID and 2 Brig Luzon/Philippines
15th Army 3 ID Malaya and then Ceylon
16th Army 3 ID and 2 Brig Southern Philippines and Java
25th Army 5 ID and 6 Tank Reg Malaya and India

[ny59giants]

Admiral Cochran has run off to launch his attacks without a more thorough vetting by Naval General staff (me!). So when some delays occur, don't blame your staff John! [:-]

[Bearcat2]

Trying to find the scenario you are playing, looked at BtS 5.4, doesn't appear to be the same, are you playing with 6 CV's, 7 CVL's, 3 CVE's at start?

[John 3rd]

This is BTS 5.5. I have to load it on the website as Michael and I were doing touch-ups and fixes until a few days ago.

Japanese OOB:
6 CV
5 CVL
2 CAV
3 CVE

Allied OOB:
3 CV
1 CVL
2 CAV
2 CLV
2 CVE

The General Staff gets its consultation call this morning once Admiral Cochran's minions are at their location of supposed education.

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

This THREAD IS CLOSED to the Allies and ALL THEIR EVIL SPIES!

Just try to keep me out, you Evil Emperor you!! [:'(]

[Canoerebel]

I'm reading both AARs and loitering and lingering. My sole purpose in life now is to torment John.

[John 3rd]

How does that differ over the last 10+ YEARS Mister Roper??!!


Lecivius is always welcome! I've heard that you are cute and cuddly...

[John 3rd]

Turn ONE is sent to Guatamala.

Game ON!

[AcePylut]

Wait, what... no BANZAI yet?

That's it, I'm unsubscribing to this thread.

[:D]

[John 3rd]

Nothing has occurred YET!

How about I peel one off when I get the turn back prior to running it?

[anarchyintheuk]

[John 3rd]

Now that he is looking Jorge has found two minor pieces of errata. No matter how many times we go through things there are ALWAYS these little nagging issues.

Think we are OK for moving forward...

[John 3rd]

Here is the Malaya Plan:

1. Two ID (Imperial Guards and 21st) move by rail and will drive down the West Coast.

2. Three TFs will unite at Kuantan under the protection of Mutsu-Nagato-Tosa. These TFs contain the 55th and 4th ID as well as 6-8 BF and support units.

3. Several BFs and the Army Para unit move to Patani.

The Landing at Kuantan will bring the 4th ID ashore with all the support units. Figuring an easy capture of Kuantan on the 8th, the 55th will then move those few hexes to land the 55th at Mersing. The same day as that occurs, the Paras will drop on Malacca to interdict the RR. If all goes well, these two events will separate the Malaya Army and we should have reasonably easy pickens...

Three ID will be at sea on the way to reinforce the Malay Campaign and will be delivered wherever it is appropriate.

[John 3rd]

I have the turn!

Will run it after I get back from an 8th Grade Choir concert.

[John 3rd]

The bombs have fallen and war is ON!

For the fan base and as per request:

BANZAI!!!

[FlyByKnight]

This is going to be a blast.