I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

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Derfflinger13
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I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

[font="Arial"][/font]

So this is my first ever post for my first ever PBEM game with a good friend of mine: MichaelU

We will be playing Guadal Canal.

I am playing as the Japanese as I am a bit of a JFB and I want to see how I fare vs history. I am expecting to get crushed here as MichaelU is extremely experienced. BUT I am in it for the long run and want to learn how to play Japan well and challenge the esteemed Mike+Mike duo in a grand campaign one day... So all your efforts helping me learn how best to play this game will hopefully be rewarded with years worth of AARs.
One step at a time though...

So I have some initial plans and initial questions which I would love your feedback, thoughts and advice on [&o] :

1) An ambition of mine is to be as aggressive and unpredictable as possible so that the experienced ol' hand that is MichaelU gets a new and exciting experience. I also understand Japan has limited resources and logistics capabilities so this will have to come at an opportune moment.
2) I think it is better to focus on PM because it is closer to my air cover than GC. Although the thought of running BBs down The Slot is so appealing! Thoughts?
3) I think I should go and grab the various resources which are in the middle of nowhere and take them straight to Rabaul to stock up. Any I should leave be and why?
4) I need some advice on how to use the minor bases such as shortlands. What is their real use?
5) I want to put my subs to work! Are subs better used as carrier hunters/scouts on the periphery or should I be blocking up ports to prevent supply getting to the front line? I want to do the former.
6) I want to do some CA runs into GC so I am putting the pressure on before my carriers arrive. Too risky or a good idea given the fuel it'll use?
7) I will fly off as many men as possible from GC with my floats back to Rabaul before he takes it. Hopefully get some support points back at HQ and not lost in a forlorn effort up in some jungle hideout... But it will limit my airsearch for the first week. Good idea?


House Rules
1) We're playing with the extended map so I have some bits and bobs to the east of the solomons
2) I have politely asked my oppo not to run up and smash Truk (bad CPU experience) which he has kindly agreed to.
3) We can change orders on turn 1.
4) The game hasn't started yet so if there are any rules in this scenario that we should have please let me know so I can lobby for them at the League of Nations.

I look forward to your help and advice and I hope I will be a rewarding thread to those that contribute or just read through.

Over and Out.
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
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Leandros
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Leandros »


Good luck. First Commandment: Don't tell your opponent what you are up to...[;)]..

Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book on Operation Sea Lion - www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - a book series on how The Philippines were saved - in 1942! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

Thanks Fred! I know Michael very well and he has promised not to read my thread. He has a vested interest not to too so that he gets a compelling and challenging (hopefully!) game.
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
GetAssista
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by GetAssista »

1) He has advantage until your carriers arrive so try not to fall for aggression for the sake of aggression or you will pay (with your CAs)
2) GC is the only airbase in the center of the map, hence bombardments will be welcome to attrite his airframes. CAs are even better than BBs cause they are speedier.
3) Do not worry about resourses at all, cause you do not have industry to make use of them. The only resource you have is daily supply and fuel inflow in Truk, which you should ship out closer to where the action is.
4) Scenario does not allow much base building, so those small bases are for NavSearch with float planes - you need to track his CVs. Port ones can station some Navsupport to reload your combat ships (DDs mostly, maybe CLs) closer to where the action is. Maybe occasional CAP trap with Rufes - everything cheap that attrites his CV air is good.
5) Subs are great for finishing off wounded ships after the big battle and for sniffing out the opposition outside your NavSearch arcs (Glens). Do not overwork them before that, Allied ASW is decent and subs cannot win the war on their own. Unless your major luck leads to torpedoed Allied CVs [:)] but I would not count on that
6) Allied amphibs will come to GC together with CVs and ample surface cover, before that there is nothing to catch. Also, you probably play with no randomized reinforcements so your opponent will know exactly when your CVs will come and will try to savage your outgoing SCTFs before that. Do not venture too far, unless you know where his CVs are
7) No point to evac. They will retreat to Tassafaronga, and you want to keep that base doing Tokyo Express to pressure Lunga and try to catch incoming reinforcements with your CV/SCTFs
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by geofflambert »

Here's a hard and fast rule: Never make any of the mistakes I've made. Not ever.

Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

[:D] Thanks so much. All really useful information and I will abide by your advice.
I will make sure that I harry GC where I can and will refrain from undue aggression.
I'll refrain from being drawn into grabbing resources for the sake of it but I have sent various transport to get supplies in from Badelboab and Ponape and aim to bring them to Rabaul because they have vast quantities of black gold and sake that will be vital for frontline operations! I have a large task force preset to take troops and supplied from Truk to Rabaul which seems sensible so I haven't changed that.
I have set PBs and Sc and some DDs on ASW to protect areas I am expecting heavy cargo loads to be going to and from.
Subs have been send out east of GC and east of Espiritu Santo and I've two going to sit off PM.

How do I Tokyo express into lunga? Which ship type do I need to be able to do an 'overnight' drop-off of supplies?


Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Here's a hard and fast rule: Never make any of the mistakes I've made. Not ever.

Haha thanks I will try my best to adhere to the strict detail in your guidance. It will inevitably result in a resounding Japanese victory. (Although further disclosure for the benefit of the longevity of the digital lives of my soliders, sailors and aircrew will be appreciated by all!)
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by BBfanboy »

Before you decide on PM as your focus, check the VPs awarded for ownership of PM and Lunga. Focus on the one worth most.

The Tokyo Express can be any TF bringing troops or supplies to Guadalcanal, but mostly it refers to the ships that can form a Fast Transport (FT) TF.
DDs were used a lot for this but if you look at your ship types you will see that a lot of them can carry some troops and/or supply - things like CMs, DD, DMS, APDs, etc. The ones eligible to be in a FTTF are usually able to make 16 kts. I believe the FTTF acts like a bombardment TF, moving at cruise speed to a jumping off point near the delivery target, then dashing in, unloading and dashing out during the two naval movement phases next turn. The high speed dash does cost fuel and extra damage to ships.

In between the frequent FTTFs, the Japanese used standard cargo/troop ships when they could scrape up enough supply and troops to fill them. These convoys were often covered by strong SCTFs of cruisers and BBs and sometimes by CV/CVL TFs. This is where the major clashes will occur.
Be aware that attrition early on can affect your ability to mount an all-out effort later in the scenario (both land and sea). Choose your fights carefully and search well!

Soyanara, D13-san!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Before you decide on PM as your focus, check the VPs awarded for ownership of PM and Lunga. Focus on the one worth most.

The Tokyo Express can be any TF bringing troops or supplies to Guadalcanal, but mostly it refers to the ships that can form a Fast Transport (FT) TF.
DDs were used a lot for this but if you look at your ship types you will see that a lot of them can carry some troops and/or supply - things like CMs, DD, DMS, APDs, etc. The ones eligible to be in a FTTF are usually able to make 16 kts. I believe the FTTF acts like a bombardment TF, moving at cruise speed to a jumping off point near the delivery target, then dashing in, unloading and dashing out during the two naval movement phases next turn. The high speed dash does cost fuel and extra damage to ships.

In between the frequent FTTFs, the Japanese used standard cargo/troop ships when they could scrape up enough supply and troops to fill them. These convoys were often covered by strong SCTFs of cruisers and BBs and sometimes by CV/CVL TFs. This is where the major clashes will occur.
Be aware that attrition early on can affect your ability to mount an all-out effort later in the scenario (both land and sea). Choose your fights carefully and search well!

Soyanara, D13-san!

Thanks so much for this, very useful. I will check out what fast transports I can put together and try to run in supplies to keep the fight at Guadalcanal. If I need to keep attrition low should I be running in Troops as well as supplies right now? Or should I save troops for the counter attack?
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

Turn 1 Back

So Mike has got his B17Es at work and hits Buna, Lae, Lunga and Shortlands. He gets 5 runway hits at the latter and that's about it.
His Bombardment groups are a bit more successful though with the following outcome at Lunga:




***
Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy
CA Astoria
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD Wilson
DD Ellet

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2
***




He then lands pretty much unopposed at Lunga (should I have been waiting on the beaches for him - have I done something wrong here?)
Tulagi isn't as smooth sailing for him though and my valiant soldiers, grossly outnumbered, give the US a bloody nose, inflicting 12% casualty rate on the beaches on Tulagi. Although c3,500 men get ashore and the outlook is bleak for my 400 heros of Tulagi:



***
Amphibious Assault at Tulagi (114,137)

TF 405 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 114,137

Allied ground losses:
477 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (0 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Marine Rgt /2
***



That is it for the turn. US troops on the beaches of Lunga and Tulagi, my floats in Rabual desperately trying to get some men off Tulagi before its too late.
This turn I will see about preparing some Fast Transports to make sure there are some supplies in the jungle of GC and give these folks many a sleepless night...

Over and Out.
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

Turn 2 back

Not a great turn for Japan, but perhaps nothing else is to be expected. My subs are getting into position and cargo ships are off to their various quarries.

First sunk ship as SS-38 slips through my 3x Sc and 3x PB on ASW south of Rabaul (is this sufficient?).

***
Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,127

Japanese Ships
xAK Azuchi Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

xAK Azuchi Maru is sighted by SS S-38
SS S-38 attacking on the surface
***


So Azuchi Maru is sunk with all hands (I can't remember if it was laden with supplies - how would I check?). They used 4 torpedoes on it - how many torpedoes do US submarines carry? They all detonated - no duds! I reckon that means the duds are still in their racks and will bounce harmlessly of any more valuable assets... Still, sad to lose my first ship. After this I checked all my ASW patrols and I have them around all relevant bases. Radio reports of subs near Kawalejin but I have Sc/PBs patrolling there too, hopefully I will catch a couple.

Action at GC and Tulagi. I have a ridiculously low AV. Is this right at this point? Both are lost...

***
Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9896 troops, 174 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 383

Defending force 2134 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 1054

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 1054 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lunga !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2287 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
***


And my brave heros of the landing at Tulagi meet their inevitable fate. I tried to get My Mavis' off but bad weather stopped me rebasing them the past two turns... (Even though my Rufes got out?)

***
Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4261 troops, 26 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 158

Defending force 606 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Allied adjusted assault: 150

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 150 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
672 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
***


So my question at this point is how soon do I send in the CAs???

Over and Out.
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
GetAssista
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by GetAssista »

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
First sunk ship as SS-38 slips through my 3x Sc and 3x PB on ASW south of Rabaul (is this sufficient?).
Escort your merchants. Map is small and routes are few, so there is no problem with subs finding convoys.
ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
So my question at this point is how soon do I send in the CAs???
When you have fighter cover for them. This means your CVs. Before that it is too easy for the Allies to position CVs slightly north from GC and catch all your retiring bombardments/fast transports
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Bif1961 »

The learning has just begun and if you are wise it will never end.
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13


Thanks so much for this, very useful. I will check out what fast transports I can put together and try to run in supplies to keep the fight at Guadalcanal. If I need to keep attrition low should I be running in Troops as well as supplies right now? Or should I save troops for the counter attack?
Yes, you need to get troops there ASAP, but do not attack until you have a very strong force and good supply levels.
He has split his available forces by landing at both Lunga and Tulagi. You should be able to bring reinforcements to ONE of the two and defeat his split forces. I would go for whichever has the best airfield SPS (standard potential size).

His problems are getting supply and reinforcements in. He must split his naval forces if he plans to cover both beaches, but he does have carriers nearby to provide LRCAP for a while and they can do naval strikes if you send stuff in daylight. So I would:

1. not send unescorted Betties to strike at the transports yet. Get some fighters and naval support to Shortlands.
2. do what Admiral Mikawa did - assemble a SCTF and cruise to within 8 hexes of GC, then next turn set them to sprint into Lunga or Tassafaronga and retire. The Allies have probably split their forces and yours have much better night battle experience. Don't forget to set some float planes from your cruisers on night search.
3. Send subs to the deep water hexes around GC to search for the carriers. Any sub that gets a Detection Level (DL) of 10/10 is close enough (within 4 hexes) to a carrier to have been spotted by its aircraft. Keep the sub moving but try and zero in on the carrier location.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

Turn 2 back

Not a great turn for Japan, but perhaps nothing else is to be expected. My subs are getting into position and cargo ships are off to their various quarries.

First sunk ship as SS-38 slips through my 3x Sc and 3x PB on ASW south of Rabaul (is this sufficient?).

***
Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,127

Japanese Ships
xAK Azuchi Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

xAK Azuchi Maru is sighted by SS S-38
SS S-38 attacking on the surface
***


So Azuchi Maru is sunk with all hands (I can't remember if it was laden with supplies - how would I check?). They used 4 torpedoes on it - how many torpedoes do US submarines carry? They all detonated - no duds! I reckon that means the duds are still in their racks and will bounce harmlessly of any more valuable assets... Still, sad to lose my first ship. After this I checked all my ASW patrols and I have them around all relevant bases. Radio reports of subs near Kawalejin but I have Sc/PBs patrolling there too, hopefully I will catch a couple.

Do not rely on IJN ASW - it is atrocious at this period of the war. The Depth Charges (DCs) can only go to 150 foot depth while the subs can dive to 300 feet.
The small ASW vessels usually have inexperienced crews, poor captains and not enough ASW weapons available. Their sonar is also poor. Use local aircraft for Naval Search to spot the subs. Once a sub is spotted it is much less likely to get in position to attack your ships, even if they are in the same hex.

Also note that not all Allied subs have lousy torpedoes. The US "S" boats are old and slow but they carry the Mk. 10 torpedo which has a smaller warhead but it works in the 80th or 90th percentile. Dutch and British subs also have working torpedoes if there are any in this scenario.

To check your sunk ship load, you would have to save your current game, and open the pre-turn save just before it was sunk, then find the ship and click on its load to see details of the ground unit plus a figure for the supply on board.

As another poster mentioned, even though IJN ASW is crap, putting ASW capable vessels in the TF will often mean the enemy subs cannot get a shot at the juicy transports because there is an escort in the way.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by BBfanboy »

Another suggestion - when you post a land combat report, include the bottom part that lists the LCUs for both sides. It will be a lot easier for forumites to give advice if we can see what you and the enemy have available.

Since the enemy has taken both bases on GC, it now appears you must assemble as strong Amphib TF with heavy escort and carriers and make a counter-landing. If you can time this for when the US carriers are away, that would be great!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The learning has just begone and if you are wise it will never end.
Tru dat. [&o]
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13


Thanks so much for this, very useful. I will check out what fast transports I can put together and try to run in supplies to keep the fight at Guadalcanal. If I need to keep attrition low should I be running in Troops as well as supplies right now? Or should I save troops for the counter attack?
Yes, you need to get troops there ASAP, but do not attack until you have a very strong force and good supply levels.
He has split his available forces by landing at both Lunga and Tulagi. You should be able to bring reinforcements to ONE of the two and defeat his split forces. I would go for whichever has the best airfield SPS (standard potential size).

His problems are getting supply and reinforcements in. He must split his naval forces if he plans to cover both beaches, but he does have carriers nearby to provide LRCAP for a while and they can do naval strikes if you send stuff in daylight. So I would:

1. not send unescorted Betties to strike at the transports yet. Get some fighters and naval support to Shortlands.
2. do what Admiral Mikawa did - assemble a SCTF and cruise to within 8 hexes of GC, then next turn set them to sprint into Lunga or Tassafaronga and retire. The Allies have probably split their forces and yours have much better night battle experience. Don't forget to set some float planes from your cruisers on night search.
3. Send subs to the deep water hexes around GC to search for the carriers. Any sub that gets a Detection Level (DL) of 10/10 is close enough (within 4 hexes) to a carrier to have been spotted by its aircraft. Keep the sub moving but try and zero in on the carrier location.

1. Ok.
2. Ok.
For the above two points I have about 65 Zeros and Betties at Rabaul. Is a 50:50 split sensible or is Rabaul safe as long as I am keeping the pressure on GC?
3. Ok (and subs en route already should be there within a day or two)
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

Turn 2 back

Not a great turn for Japan, but perhaps nothing else is to be expected. My subs are getting into position and cargo ships are off to their various quarries.

First sunk ship as SS-38 slips through my 3x Sc and 3x PB on ASW south of Rabaul (is this sufficient?).

***
Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,127

Japanese Ships
xAK Azuchi Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

xAK Azuchi Maru is sighted by SS S-38
SS S-38 attacking on the surface
***


So Azuchi Maru is sunk with all hands (I can't remember if it was laden with supplies - how would I check?). They used 4 torpedoes on it - how many torpedoes do US submarines carry? They all detonated - no duds! I reckon that means the duds are still in their racks and will bounce harmlessly of any more valuable assets... Still, sad to lose my first ship. After this I checked all my ASW patrols and I have them around all relevant bases. Radio reports of subs near Kawalejin but I have Sc/PBs patrolling there too, hopefully I will catch a couple.

Do not rely on IJN ASW - it is atrocious at this period of the war. The Depth Charges (DCs) can only go to 150 foot depth while the subs can dive to 300 feet.
The small ASW vessels usually have inexperienced crews, poor captains and not enough ASW weapons available. Their sonar is also poor. Use local aircraft for Naval Search to spot the subs. Once a sub is spotted it is much less likely to get in position to attack your ships, even if they are in the same hex.

Also note that not all Allied subs have lousy torpedoes. The US "S" boats are old and slow but they carry the Mk. 10 torpedo which has a smaller warhead but it works in the 80th or 90th percentile. Dutch and British subs also have working torpedoes if there are any in this scenario.

To check your sunk ship load, you would have to save your current game, and open the pre-turn save just before it was sunk, then find the ship and click on its load to see details of the ground unit plus a figure for the supply on board.

As another poster mentioned, even though IJN ASW is crap, putting ASW capable vessels in the TF will often mean the enemy subs cannot get a shot at the juicy transports because there is an escort in the way.

Ok. I do have some seaplanes on New Britain doing naval search and ASW duty. I will get the latter to revert to the former. I will leave the hassle of the sunk ship - time to look forward!
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
Derfflinger13
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RE: I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

Post by Derfflinger13 »

ORIGINAL: GetAssista
ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
First sunk ship as SS-38 slips through my 3x Sc and 3x PB on ASW south of Rabaul (is this sufficient?).
Escort your merchants. Map is small and routes are few, so there is no problem with subs finding convoys.
ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
So my question at this point is how soon do I send in the CAs???
When you have fighter cover for them. This means your CVs. Before that it is too easy for the Allies to position CVs slightly north from GC and catch all your retiring bombardments/fast transports

With BBfanboy's advice to do 'a Mikawa' and run into the slot for a night action once I have air support at Shortlands does this comply with your thoughts on no carriers. I have 2 weeks to wait for carriers and so far I have seen no sight nor sound from them...

I will ensure all my important transports are escorted now. Should I detach DDs from my potential SCTF or just put the PBs etc into convoy?
I have a large supply and troop convoy en route from Truk with a CL and a bunch of DDs so I hope that one will be safe!
Only the mediocre are always at their best.
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