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RE: Update

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RE: Update - 8/13/2011 12:35:27 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4426
Joined: 6/6/2008
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Ok, here are my thoughts. Use them as you see fit. I'm not MIKE, only a student of his.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Current Pools:

Man Power: 516,676 (Don't think I have to worry about this ever running out)
Heavy Industry: 174,300 (I think this is a bit low - what do you guys think ?)
Armaments: 99,410 (I am aiming for 100k stockpile)
Naval Shipyard: 24,924 (Thinking about turning these off for a few turns to use up the stockpile)
Merchant Shipyard: 10,404 (Slowly decreasing due to accelerating of TKs)
Vehicle: 5,071 (Was at 10k but I have upgraded a lot of armor recently)

Armaments - take a look at the curves in tracker ... you get a lot of reinforcements beginning in '43 that will eat up a lot of Armament (and Manpower). If you haven't increased this, then you will likely need to let it build until '45. Meaning, you will in mid '43 have what appears to be a HUGE stockpile.

NSY: did you accelerate all of the Unyo's? Unless you have expanded your NSY greatly, generally you don't have much excess.

VEH - never seem to have enough, but you can't expand everything.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun
Industry:

(Actual factories not stockpile)

Man Power: 850
Heavy Industry: 7106
Light Industry: 9944
Resources: 14,852
Oil: 1550
Refinery: 2302
Naval Shipyards: 1402
Merchant Shipyards: 827
Armament: 650
Vehicle: 125
Aircraft Engines: 825 (See below)
Aircraft: 817 (See below)

So you've expanded NSY, VEH, and AC/ENG. Have you had bad luck on capturing HI? Can't recall now from your AAR. I'll go back and read.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun
Aircraft Engines:

All available Engine factories are producing and several new ones come available in a couple months.

Ha-5: 180
Ha-31: 45
Ha-32: 150
Ha-33: 210
Ha-35: 240

Aircraft:

Not all factories are producing - I try to maintain a certain level in the pools and turn factories on/off to conserve both HI and Engines for later models.

A6M2 Zero: 120
A6M2-N Rufe: 20
B5N2 Kate: 60
C5M2 Babs: 30
D3A1 Val: 50
E13A1 Jake: 30
G3M3 Nell: 60
G4M1 Betty: 60
H6K2-L Mavis: 20
H6K4 Mavis: 30
Ki-15-II Babs: 30
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 60
Ki-30 Ann: 30
Ki-42-Ic Oscar: 130
MC-21 Sally: 30
L3Y2 Tina: 30

I also have 2 factories that I haven't decided what to build with yet so they are turned off and sitting idle.

Any comments / Questions ?

Xargun

You shouldn't need either of the Ha-31 or Ha-5 by this time. You should have big enough pools. Can't recall if you are PDU ON or OFF. Looks like PDU OFF.

Still, if you haven't started building Ha-34 for your Tojo/Helens, you are late. Get at least two engine factories converted, more likely at this late date you will need 4. If you're going to produce 100xTojo and 100xHelen, that's 300xHa-34 you gotta make. That makes it your biggest mid-game engine factory complex until you shift to the Ha-45. Even with PDU OFF, a large portion of your fighters can upgrade to Tojo and same for your bomber groups to Helen. Tracker will be able to tell you exactly.

While your investment in the Ha-34 is huge, the good news is that Helen remains about your best IJA bomber until the end game. You may wish a few Peggy for the torp, but that is up to you. Tojo will get replaced by the Frank, but not for another 18 months.

I would start to plan your conversion to the later models now. How/when will you start to convert to the Ha-45? What your kami model will be and which engine will it use? EX; if you use the Toka/Tsurugi then you need to keep you Ha-35 factories idle until '45. However, if you decide that you will use Grace, then you are going to need to convert those engine factories all to Ha-45. Lot's of ways to go here, and I don't think there have been a "best way" proven yet. But if you plan it out now, you can minimize that expense. Converting factories eats up a lot of supply and HI. don't want to do that more than you have to.

BANZAI!!!

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 31

RE: Update - 8/13/2011 12:54:28 PM

Skyros

Posts: 1163
Joined: 9/29/2000
From: Columbia SC
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I understand that some of the factories auto convert to better planes without causing damage. How do you tell which ones convert and to what AC type?

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Post #: 32

RE: Update - 8/13/2011 1:10:28 PM

PaxMondo

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Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Skyros

I understand that some of the factories auto convert to better planes without causing damage. How do you tell which ones convert and to what AC type?

Check tracker. If the plane is in the upgrade path of the plane (don't confuse with the air group upgrade path which is separate) then the factory will upgrade to it. So, A6M2 does not upgrade to A6M3. But Ki-49Ia does upgrade to Ki-49IIa.

< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 8/13/2011 1:11:15 PM >

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Pax

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Post #: 33

RE: Update - 8/13/2011 1:38:15 PM

Skyros

Posts: 1163
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From: Columbia SC
Status: offline

Ok that makes sense, was hoping it was in AE. Have not played Japan since WITP hoping to start a game when the next patch comes out.

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Post #: 34

RE: Update - 8/13/2011 3:31:20 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4426
Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Skyros

Ok that makes sense, was hoping it was in AE. Have not played Japan since WITP hoping to start a game when the next patch comes out.

You can also check in the game, but it will only show the first upgrade. Check the aircraft screen on the info page, left column show upgrade if one exists..

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Pax

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Post #: 35

RE: Update - 8/15/2011 4:48:35 PM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Ok, here are my thoughts. Use them as you see fit. I'm not MIKE, only a student of his.

Armaments - take a look at the curves in tracker ... you get a lot of reinforcements beginning in '43 that will eat up a lot of Armament (and Manpower). If you haven't increased this, then you will likely need to let it build until '45. Meaning, you will in mid '43 have what appears to be a HUGE stockpile.

I looked in Tracker again and see what you mean. Overall I will need like 200k Armaments to fill all the incoming units - not counting replacements for combat losses or filling understrength units. I am going to keep my armaments on for now and see where I am in another month or two.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
NSY: did you accelerate all of the Unyo's? Unless you have expanded your NSY greatly, generally you don't have much excess.

I did not accelerate them from turn 1 - I just waited until the Yamato finished and now all CVs are accelerated. I have also accelerated CVEs as well. I believe if a Carrier is being built before 1945 it is now accelerated - I should have a bunch of CVs coming off the line in mid to late 43 now.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
VEH - never seem to have enough, but you can't expand everything.

Looking over this I have decided to expand these a bit more. I currently have 6 sites producing 125 per turn - I expanded this up to 150 per turn - now all 6 sites are size 25.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
So you've expanded NSY, VEH, and AC/ENG. Have you had bad luck on capturing HI? Can't recall now from your AAR. I'll go back and read.

I have had some luck in capturing HI, but Singapore and some of the larger bases in China are still not mine. I am slowly expanding HI - about 30 points a month in out of the way places where the allies probably won't think to attack / bomb in late war - but also places that won't need anything shipped in to operate.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
You shouldn't need either of the Ha-31 or Ha-5 by this time. You should have big enough pools. Can't recall if you are PDU ON or OFF. Looks like PDU OFF.

Still, if you haven't started building Ha-34 for your Tojo/Helens, you are late. Get at least two engine factories converted, more likely at this late date you will need 4. If you're going to produce 100xTojo and 100xHelen, that's 300xHa-34 you gotta make. That makes it your biggest mid-game engine factory complex until you shift to the Ha-45. Even with PDU OFF, a large portion of your fighters can upgrade to Tojo and same for your bomber groups to Helen. Tracker will be able to tell you exactly.

While your investment in the Ha-34 is huge, the good news is that Helen remains about your best IJA bomber until the end game. You may wish a few Peggy for the torp, but that is up to you. Tojo will get replaced by the Frank, but not for another 18 months.

I would start to plan your conversion to the later models now. How/when will you start to convert to the Ha-45? What your kami model will be and which engine will it use? EX; if you use the Toka/Tsurugi then you need to keep you Ha-35 factories idle until '45. However, if you decide that you will use Grace, then you are going to need to convert those engine factories all to Ha-45. Lot's of ways to go here, and I don't think there have been a "best way" proven yet. But if you plan it out now, you can minimize that expense. Converting factories eats up a lot of supply and HI. don't want to do that more than you have to.

BANZAI!!!

I am glad you mentioned the Ha-34 engine

My game originally started with the Tojo's using a different engine and I had never updated my spreadsheets to reflect the database change a while ago. I have just converted over a factory to Ha-34 and it will be some time before it is 100% but I should start making engines within 15 days - it will be slow, but eventually I will make enough. The Tojo comes online in September (3 months away) and then the Helen in December (6 months away). By then I will have 250+ or so engines being produced a month and will be able to gut some of my other engines as I leave the Sally behind in favor of the Helen.

As for my planning - I went through the planes for 43 and selected my choices. I took the following items into consideration: Performance, Gun Rating, Armor, Engine Type and Service Rating. When aircraft were close to each other Engine and Service Rating made the choice. Most of the 43 fighters are a 3 service rating which pushed them right off the list. Looks like I will be staying with Tojos and Zeros through most of 43.

In August I get 3 more engine factories available to build with and I plan on getting them up and running for my needs as soon as possible. I want to have my perimeter captured by end of 42 so I can simply smash bases in 43 and try to lure the allied CVs into a deathtrap. But that is 6+ months away and I have a lot to do before then.

I just got a turn so expect some updates later.

Xargun

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 36

RE: Update - 8/15/2011 5:27:44 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4426
Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

As for my planning - I went through the planes for 43 and selected my choices. I took the following items into consideration: Performance, Gun Rating, Armor, Engine Type and Service Rating. When aircraft were close to each other Engine and Service Rating made the choice. Most of the 43 fighters are a 3 service rating which pushed them right off the list. Looks like I will be staying with Tojos and Zeros through most of 43.

I have had good success with SR3 fighters, but you do have to plan and use them differently. Essentially, you really need to add rest into the groups activity. SR3 groups perform fine with 20-30% rest. So, use large air groups (+30) where even with 30% rest, you still have a reasonable number of planes in the air.

Zero is a really weak plane in '43. Just like IRL, you will lose a lot of pilots if that is your main IJN weapon. Not suggesting your alternatives are great, and really depends upon whether you are are PDU ON or OFF.

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 37

RE: Update - 8/15/2011 7:57:00 PM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
I have had good success with SR3 fighters, but you do have to plan and use them differently. Essentially, you really need to add rest into the groups activity. SR3 groups perform fine with 20-30% rest. So, use large air groups (+30) where even with 30% rest, you still have a reasonable number of planes in the air.

Zero is a really weak plane in '43. Just like IRL, you will lose a lot of pilots if that is your main IJN weapon. Not suggesting your alternatives are great, and really depends upon whether you are are PDU ON or OFF.

Maybe I need to look at my aircraft again. if that's all it takes to keep SR 3 planes in the air thats not that bad. I don't want to lose a lot of pilots - I've been careful with them so far and no point wasting them. I will look the planes over again and see what I can figure out. Thanks for the tip.

Xargun

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 38

Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/15/2011 8:18:29 PM

Xargun

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Joined: 2/14/2004
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May 30th, 1942

Its been a week (game time) since my last update so here goes...

Not much has been happening. More bombing and artillery attacks, followed by some sub action on both sides but nothing major. I am moving lots of LCUs out from Tokyo and Manila to their new destinations.

Some highlights:

Palembang

I took this base and it was beat up some (250 oil damaged). But due to my inability to close the airfield at Batavia Rob has been bombing the base daily. I have 40+ fighters on CAP, and I am shooting down his escorts, but the fighters just can't get the job done against B-25s and B-17s. I damage a few but they are hammering my oil fields. Since I took the base, Rob has damaged an additional 100 oil plus some refineries. I keep feeding fighters into Palembang as fast as I can support them and the last couple days have seen a decrease in the bombings - either I am starting to kill some planes, or he is simply resting his units.

Solomons

Over the next couple days my second deployment of base forces and small troops will land in this area giving me a more secure hold. I hold Lunga, Tulagi and Shortlands with no real allied base in the area. I have also moved south and taken Efate and the larger islands there as well.

My commitment to Rabaul and Buna have also arrived and increasing my strength in that area.

Burma

Burma seems to be the hot spot for the past couple days. Rob is insistant on closing down Meiktila airfield and has bombed it heavily over the past couple days - which makes no sense since the oil center at Magwe is right next door. The airfield is at roughly 40% damage and will still operate planes - just not as fast as before. In the past 4 days the Allies (British) have lost 82 aircraft in the skies over Meiktila whereas I have lost 79 fighters (in the air and on the ground). Luckily I have lost roughly 12 pilots total so once I get more planes there I will be back in business - where I'm guessing most of the British planes shot down over Meiktila should have a KIA or POW pilot.

I do not know the amount of British planes but I hope I have made a dent in them. At first the Oscars there weren't doing it but then I moved in some Zeros and they really helped change the battle to my side.

Xargun

< Message edited by Xargun -- 8/15/2011 8:19:59 PM >

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Post #: 39

RE: Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/15/2011 10:20:59 PM

PaxMondo

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Pox on all 4E's.

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Post #: 40

RE: Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/20/2011 4:37:44 PM

Xargun

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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Pox on all 4E's.

I would agree - and on US 2Es too - they are hard to bring down as well. At least for my crappy Oscars.

Xargun

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 41

Update: June 5th, 1942 - 8/20/2011 4:57:21 PM

Xargun

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Okay its been almost a week in game and my plans are progressing although I have hit a small snag at Truk - but it will be fixed soon.

Burma

This is still a hot zone of air action. Rob keeps bombing Meiktila airfield to about 50% damage and then stops letting me repair it as he hits my troops at Mandalay. My LR CAP and local CAP are taking their tolls on his fighters, but most of his bombers seem immune to my crappy weapons - no real surprise. But I am able to turn back several groups of bombers as they don't like to fly unescorted.

While my fighters play with his fighters and bombers, this leaves my bombers all alone. I have been bombing lone british units out of existance. Rob sent a couple units down the trail from Akyab to Prome and they have both been smashed by an armor unit at Prome and my air power. In fact 1 of the units was completely destroyed and my tanks are moving to wipe out a 2nd. My air power will turn to begin hammering on another British unit at Taung Gyi - another small unit (40ish AV). My Naval Guard unit there will prevent it from taking the base, while my bombers will begin pounding on it. In a couple days I'll attack and rout the unit. Then air power and my troops will follow it and destroy it.

My main plan right now in Burma is to take the bases I want and destroy - not just weaken - any and all British units I can. Every unit I kill is 1 less I have to face in a 18 months or so when they will be overpowering.

My second wave of tanks and base forces are moving into the area and soon the battle for Mandalay will begin. I have superior land strength and in the air we are about even strength - but the advantage in the air is mine as my bases are close and his all are farther away - increasing both his ops losses and fatigue.

Malaya

Troops from Manilla are arriving in force and I will soon begin the final march on Singapore. I am behind what I thought I could do, but its a long haul from Manilla to Singapore on a slow moving ship.

Palembang

Rob is still bombing the base almost daily and my 50+ oscars are putting up a good fight, but they can't stop B-17s and B-25s and I have no zeros to spare. I captured over 100k supplies and am repairing oil as fast as I can and most of the latest attacks have been causing little to no damage. I guess 30 fighters zooming around your B-17 causes your aim to be off a bit at 30k feet.

I have captured Oosthaven and am moving north taking bases - chasing the remnants of the defenders north. I am already planning the invasion to the south so I can hit Batavia and stop the bombings.

DEI

I have taken Samarinda and am moving troops and supplies in for the assault on Balikpapan. That oil center should fall easily - I'm just hoping the oil production won't be smashed like Palembang was. Oh well - I am shipping in extra supplies just in case.

Truk

All this CV chasing in this area have completely depleted my fuel reserves at Truk - I am down to 8k fuel at the base and cannot conduct many ops for fear of being stranded without fuel. I have several convoys heading to Truk now with over 150k of fuel and I hope to bring more than that as CVs & BBs guzzle the fuel like crazy.

A 5 CV & 1 CVL task force has left Truk undetected by Rob's subs and is heading into the sea lanes between OZ and the US. My subs south of Pearl have chased 4+ convoys into this area from the west coast so they are full of reinforcements and supplies. I am hoping to kill his fuel tankers so all of his CVs somewhere around OZ will be stuck there. I am bringing the whole fleet as all of his CVs (Both british and US) were last seen in the Brisbane area and could be patroling the sea lanes. A CV battle between us could be good or bad right now - depending on luck and range. I am hoping to avoid his CVs and just maul any convoys I find and then retreat back into my LR bomber cover. He can come get me if he wants but he will have to deal with not only the modified KB but Betty and Nell as well. My LR Bombers have done very little this war and their experience is mostly 70+ so I have at least 1 huge punch to throw... and their torps make nice large holes in enemy ships.

North Pacific

My plans to take Dutch Harbor have failed. My 2 Naval Guards there just could not get any AV worth a damn to attack with and Rob was able to land a RCT and other units while my covering force of 3 baby CVs were away fueling. Over the past few days he has destroyed the 2 units I had there, but I was able to use my DDs in a Fast Transport TF to evacuate some survivors from both units (got very little from 1 unit but about half from the 2nd one) and they are resting at a safe location. At least I can succeed there and not have to waste time and PPs to buy back those 2 units. I have more units prepping for Dutch Harbor and will have about 150 AV for the attack when ready but now I have to think if its worth it.

Xargun

< Message edited by Xargun -- 8/20/2011 5:01:31 PM >

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Post #: 42

RE: Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/21/2011 3:53:05 AM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Pox on all 4E's.

I would agree - and on US 2Es too - they are hard to bring down as well. At least for my crappy Oscars.

Xargun

Yeah. Oscars just can't be used as base defense. As long range escort, they are fine. I'm always forced to "overbuild" Zero's early on as you just have to be able to defend some bases and Oscars and Claudes can't do that . Overbuild, meaning, I have to ramp up Zero production higher than I need it long term so that I can field enough air groups. Then I end up shutting production down until the A6M3a is available. IN some ways a waste of supply, but in others simply a fact: you need those 20mm cannon to do any damage.

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 43

RE: Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/22/2011 1:18:41 PM

Xargun

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Joined: 2/14/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Yeah. Oscars just can't be used as base defense. As long range escort, they are fine. I'm always forced to "overbuild" Zero's early on as you just have to be able to defend some bases and Oscars and Claudes can't do that . Overbuild, meaning, I have to ramp up Zero production higher than I need it long term so that I can field enough air groups. Then I end up shutting production down until the A6M3a is available. IN some ways a waste of supply, but in others simply a fact: you need those 20mm cannon to do any damage.

I have plenty of Zeros just not enough air groups to put them in.

Xargun

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 44

Update: Carrier Action Finally - 8/22/2011 1:24:27 PM

Xargun

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Just a quick update looking for opinions...

I have a 5 CV & 1 CVL TF near Suva that just ran into the British CVs. I was hunting convoys and had torpedoes off and the Brit CVs reacted right into me. In the air battle I was able to completely maul his CAP and all aircraft that attacked me. By my estimations he has less than 20 aircraft total left on 2 CVs and 1 CVL - roughly half fighters and half bombers. I also managed to land 6+ bombs on each CV but none penetrated the flight deck. So his CVs may be too damaged to even launch what little aircraft he has left - whereas my air groups have lost almost no planes. But here is the problem...

He has been using his British CVs as bait for my CVs and following behind with the American CVs - I have seen this behavior twice before. His British CVs reacted into range which means if he is still 'baiting' his US CVs are roughly 10 hexes away. Do I stay and go for kills - risking a lot of my CVs - or simply disappear happy in the fact that I mauled some aircraft and damaged the brit CVs ? I have roughly 95% of my air wings and all the torps I need..

I am thinking about not pursuing as I am a LONG way from a friendly port and any big hits on my CVs may sink them before reaching port. I can escape to easily to the east and pound a convoy there (the reason I am out here) and then swing up and away.

Comments ? Suggestions ?

Xargun

PS I will post more detailed info later but just wanted to get this posted for opinions.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Xargun -- 8/22/2011 1:35:48 PM >

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Post #: 45

RE: Update: May 30th, 1942 - 8/22/2011 2:46:28 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

I have plenty of Zeros just not enough air groups to put them in.

Xargun

RATS!

And you just got your last two new groups until August I think.

_____________________________

Pax

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Post #: 46

RE: Update: Carrier Action Finally - 8/22/2011 2:55:14 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Xargun

I am thinking about not pursuing as I am a LONG way from a friendly port and any big hits on my CVs may sink them before reaching port. I can escape to easily to the east and pound a convoy there (the reason I am out here) and then swing up and away.

Agreed, withdraw.

He could have LBA in Fiji. Even with his losses, and even without any LBA he still enjoys an a/c advantage. So he's coming at you at even odds at worst. Those are not odds I like as IJN. Just me, but I'm a wuss about my flight decks.

< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 8/22/2011 3:01:55 PM >

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Post #: 47

Updates - 8/27/2011 4:03:14 AM

Xargun

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Joined: 2/14/2004
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Its been a while since I posted - work and life have kept me busy -- that and doing turns with Rob. So here are some highlights from the past almost 3 weeks in the war...

Allied Ships Sunk:

AR x1
CM x1
PG x1
xAK x4
xAKL x1
BB x2
AG x1
SS x1

Japanese Ships Sunk:

xAK x2
PB x2

Burma

Burma is still mostly an air combat zone. Fighters and bombers from both sides keep attacking and dying in the skies over Burma. I have pushed the british unit out of Taung Gyi and am sending two units to chase it north. The units will then cut the line between Mandalay and Lashio. if intel is friendly, they will then move on Lashio and take it.

Palembang

B-25s and B-17s have continued to bomb the oil fields and port. The B-17s come in very high and rarely hit anything, but the lower flying B-25s are killing my oil and causing fires. I am down to half the oil fields remaining and if this keeps up I'm sure Palembang will be down to only a couple hundred oil production soon. My fighters simply cannot stop them.

I am moving on Batavia (source of the bombers) but am still several days from invading. I have troops at Merak (I think thats the base) but they are out of supplies and a small enemy surface fleet is preventing resupply. I have a large combat TF moving into the hex this turn which should clear the way for more men and supplies to flow. I believe once I threaten Batavia Rob will move his aircraft and not risk their destruction.

South Pacific

The CV vs CV battle has not happened in the South Pacific. Both I & Rob pulled our CVs back. I sent mine east to escape and did. A little intel I have in the area showed his CVs grouping together with another TF - I believe he was refueling but am not sure. For more CV info see below.

North Pacific

My baby CVs have cruised around Dutch Harbor and points further east and hounded an allied TF of 5 BBs. I was able to sink both the RN BB Warspite and US BB Idaho and damage the other 3 - but my torps keep missing and my bombs don't do much damage. The CVs have retired and rearmed and are heading back into the area to see if the BBs are still there. If they are I will try to sink them again... if not the CVs will pull back while I decide to attack Dutch Harbor again or not - I have a full division prepping for the invasion and just need to decide to commit them there or not. If I do they will not stay - they will just take the base and then head elsewhere. What do you guys think ?

Central Pacific

In a surprise move the US attempted an invasion of Wake Island. They landed portions of the 9th Marine Regiment there. They were met with fierce opposition by a base force, naval guard unit and a CD unit. The CD unit did not do much the first few tries but did manage to hammer 2 xAKs with repeated hits. 1 DD was also damaged but it should survive. The merchies managed to offload a decent amount of troops but are sitting offshore burning brightly.

In the shock attack the followed the landing my troops wiped out the invasion force completely. Not a single US soldier is left on Wake. My casualties were very low - something on the order of 4 or 5 squads disabled.

DEI

I have landed all of my troops at Samarinda and they have begun the march to Balikpapin. Moving overland will avoid the coastal defenses and save a lot of men and ships.

I have also landed two combat units on Kendari and they will be attacking this next turn.

China

My movements in China continue and am pushing back all Chinese troops. I have taken Liuchow and Nanyang and am contining to close the rail line network.

Other News

While moving to Palembang, IJN xAKL Kasui Maru was attacked by a Dutch Sub. The sub decided to attack on the surface to save torpedoes against the lone merchie. Little did the sub captain know that the captain of the Kasui had several skilled gunners and lookouts. As the Dutch sub surfaced the lookouts called out the spotted sub and as the Dutch sailors rushed to man their weapons, the Kasui opened fire. Before the Dutch could even get off a shot, their sub had taken several direct fire hits from the merchie and had to submerge to break off the contact. The merchie suffered no hits or losses in the encounter.

I have never seen this happen before - usually you are lucky if the merchie even fires back at the sub, let alone beat on the sub and chase it off without suffering any damage. I was very happy !!

BIG EVENT

My 5 CV & 1 CVL TF in the South Pacific has finally paid off - it has not just been a waste of fuel. Other than mauling the british airwings of 2 CVs & 1 CVL they have located and attacked their primary target -- US reinforcement convoys. I originally had 2 convoys spotted and tracked into the area, but they both scattered when the British stumbled into me. I tracked one of them down and he led me right into what I have to call a "Merchie Haven" near Tahiti.

My CV TF attacked with two waves of planes and sunk the following ships. There were some other warships there that I missed but I am very happy with the results:

Allied Ships Sunk at 'Merchie Haven':

CLAA x1
DD x1
AP x3
xAP x1
AVP x1
xAK x29

Many of these ships were carrying men or fuel - obviously for OZ or other areas. These are the ships sunk, not counting the dozen or more damaged ships. I missed at least 1 CA along with 1 or 2 CLs and several DDs, but hammered a lot of merchies. Any merchie carrying fuel is probably a goner from fire. Tahiti is 1 hex away so some of the damaged ships might make port enough to offload troops or such, but I am hoping this will force Rob to provide heavier escorts up to and including CVs.

My CVs are low on fuel (in the red) and are exiting the area as fast as normal speed will allow. I have a replentishment convoy near Canton Island waiting for them. I also have 150k of fuel at Truk now to refuel them when they arrive there.

I am curious as to Rob's response to the merchie slaughter - hopefully he will chase my CVs close to Truk so some LR Naval Air there can get some shots at his CVs. But I doubt he will follow that close.

< Message edited by Xargun -- 8/27/2011 4:06:39 AM >

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 48

RE: Updates - 8/27/2011 4:06:58 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4426
Joined: 6/6/2008
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Excellent news!

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Pax

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Post #: 49

Update - 8/29/2011 4:54:25 PM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
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June 25th, 1942

Its been 6 days since my last post so time for an update.

Burma

British bombers have been trying night attacks against my airfields south of Mandalay so maybe my CAP is finally wearing down his supply of planes. I am running both night and daylight CAP and seem to be keeping losses at a minimum - I am losing a few planes on the ground, but no damage to the airfields.

Two new armored units arrived in Mandalay and I did a deliberate attack. I have a 300 AV advantage and my attack destroyed a fort and inflicted more casualties than I took. It did a lot of disruption to my units so I am waiting a day or two before attacking again. I think its time to push him out of my base.

I have also detected another US unit moving down the trail from Akyab towards Prome. I don't have a lot of AV at Prome (only like 50) but they are now behind a level 3 fort and has 2 units of AT Guns - the last two attacks have been by armored units so I expect the same from the third. I will be bombing the unit and determining what it is. Unfortunately I don't really have any reinforcements to send there unless I pull from my army at Mandalay and I don't want to do that. I have more men marching in from Thailand, but they are several days away still.

China

I am continuing to clear chinese units behind the rail lines and capturing bases. I have captured Liuchow and an pushing the remnants deeper into china.

North Pacific

My CV TF up here has rearmed and is bombing Kodiak again. It looks like the BBs have escaped but there are a few DDs sitting in port so I am bombing them a bit before my CVs retire.

South Pacific

My Fleet CVs have escaped the south and refueled and are heading to a safe harbor to take on new planes and some pilots before their next action.

While my CVs were retiring they stumbled up an allied combat TF north of tahiti and the bombers flew. In too large attacks the CVs claimed a bunch of combat ships sunk.

My raiding TF consisting of 2 AMCs ran into an allied convoy (remnants from the CV attack) near tahiti and beat them up some more. The raiders have claimed 2 APs and 1 xAP sunk - all were damaged in CV attacks but finished off with good old fashion gunfire. The lone DD escort put up almost no resistance and took a couple shells himself.

DEI

I have spotted another CV - has to be british - along with a large BB escort west of Kendari - where I have landed an invasion force and will be taking the base shortly. I have alerted my 2 units of LR Naval Air at Ambon for action to the west and if the british move in closer my torps should fly.

IJN SS I-175 was lost (with all hands) near this area after putting a single torpedo into RN BB Revenge. The BB's escort then proceeded to sink the sub.

Malaya

I am simply waiting for the last IJA Engineer unit to arrive before I begin my final assault on Singapore. I expect the base to fall within a week of starting my attack. They have been out of supplies for weeks now and suffer constant daily bombing by over 150 IJA bombers.

Palembang

Why oh why ??? I am still not able to stop his bombers. Right now I am fending them off and he is simply bombing Manpower. This is causing huge fires which is destroying my oil far faster than his direct bombing of the oil fields. Oil production is at 350 and will probably drop more before I can stop the air attacks. He has B-25s (and others) stationed at Batavia and B-17s from Soerbaja (around there) attacking almost daily.

My invasion at Merak has been stopped and the troops there are out of supplies so I am landing a Guard unit to the south-east of Batavia at another lightly defended port. I am hoping I can grab this port quick before he reinforces it. Then I can land more troops via ship and air transport and threaten Batavia.

Allied Ships Sunk:

xAK - 3
xAKL- 3
xAP - 3
AP - 4
SS - 1
CA - 1
CL - 2
DD - 2
MTB - 2

Japanese Ships Lost:

xAK - 1
SS - 1
PB - 1

Future Events

Rob is attacking my small bases at Efate and surrounding waters - with CV support. I am thinking he will try the normal Solomon approach in a couple months and am beefing up my defense of my bases there. Rabaul is the proud owner of a new group of Betties that will provide some long distance punch and I plan on moving some warships and more supplies / fuel into the area as well.

< Message edited by Xargun -- 8/29/2011 4:58:57 PM >

(in reply to Xargun)

Post #: 50

RE: Update - 8/29/2011 8:39:53 PM

Capt. Harlock

Posts: 3651
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline

quote:

While my CVs were retiring they stumbled up an allied combat TF north of tahiti and the bombers flew. In too large attacks the CVs claimed a bunch of combat ships sunk.

I think only Rob would consider your attacks to be "too large".

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(in reply to Xargun)

Post #: 51

Update June 27th, 1942 - 9/1/2011 3:44:22 AM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
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June 27th, 1942

Burma

Here is a picture of part of the Burma region. As you can see there is a large concentration of enemy units at Mandalay (roughly 650 AV) and a few units further south. So far Rob has sent 3 units down the trails from Akyab and 2 have met a bad end. One unit was completely wiped out and the 2nd (7th Aus Cav) is crippled and ready to be decimated as soon as I can get some troops there.

He has also comitted a large unit (21st Aus Brigade) down the trails but it seems to have been ordered back and is heading back north. I will continue to bomb it until it is out of range.

On the trails to the east is the 1st Burma Brigade which is full of disabled squads and devices and I have a pair of Naval Guard units chasing it. I hope to push it into Lashio and then take the base. Even if the unit flees the wrong way it is all but crippled and will need a lot of supply and rest to become combat effective again.

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Post #: 52

Update June 27th, 1942 - 9/1/2011 3:48:18 AM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
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South Pacific

Another area of action is the South Pacific near the New Hedbrides chain. Rob is landing US troops at Tanna, Espiritu and Efate - I only have troops at Efate - about 60% of a Naval Guard Unit. It looks like Rob landed an RCT there so he has about 2-3 times my firepower. The Guard unit is sitting there with no forts and I expect it to fall within a day or two -- especially with 3+ US CVs bombing it.

I only have a couple subs in the area to keep his CVs moving and trying to pick off lone transports and supply ships but so far no luck.

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Post #: 53

Update June 27th, 1942 - 9/1/2011 3:54:38 AM

Xargun

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Overall the past two days were going good for me until the last turn.

My invasion of Sumatra was most likely stopped (again) due to LR CAP not flying and the invasion fleet being pummeled by bombers. The bombers ignored the escorts and concentrated on the troops ships, sinking 4 of them before I even got to land any troops. The final 2 ships unloaded about 80% of their loads before they too were sunk. The only good part of this fail invasion was that my escorts managed to sink all 6 MLs that Rob was using as a surface TF and blocking my naval resupply. So now I just need more ships and men...

My Subs sunk most of the merchies listed below, while the DDs are simply listed as sunk - I believe they are finally sinking from when my CVs tore through his convoys a few days ago.

Not much else is going on other than I captured Kendari and next turn I begin the march on Singapore (finally). The last Combat Engineers have arrived and will be ready next turn.

Allied Ships Sunk:

xAP - 2
xAK - 1
xAKL - 3
DD - 3
ML - 6

Japanese Ships Sunk:

xAKL - 5
PB - 1

(in reply to Xargun)

Post #: 54

Update July 1st, 1942 - 9/3/2011 3:30:41 AM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
Status: offline

A couple more days have passed - rl has been busy for both Rob and I so we've only been doing 1 turn a day. Hopefully over the long weekend we can crunch some turns and get some time moving - and its time for another update.

Burma

The air war has been slow the past 3 days until this turn when Rob hit my troops at Mandalay with about 50 bombers total with heavy fighter escort. My fighters are all to the south so no battle was fought. His bombers disabled some troops but did not stop the Deliberate attack there this turn which pushed the defenders out of Mandalay and in Shwebo. Mandalay is now in Imperial hands. My troops there are beat up and need a couple days of rest before pushing into Shwebo and forcing the routed troops out.

Malaya

My troops are marching into Singapore this next turn. Not sure if it will trigger a Shock Attack or not but next turn I will beging deliberate attacks until it falls. Once Singapore falls I will be able to reinforce Burma (both troops and supplies) easily. It looks like Rob has a couple subs in the straights but some ASW assets will sniff then out or send them packing.

Sumatra

Southern Sumatra is occupied as Padang falls - its defenders surrendering. Now I just need to move my troops north up the trails and take the bases one by one. I have a full division assigned to the task - broken into 3 pieces. The division should vastly outnumber any defenders left on the island in both terms of men and firepower. Figure a month to march the length of the island and take all the bases. This will secure the west side of the straights and by then Singapore will have fallen.

Java

My second invasion on Java has been smashed completely and the Guard Unit destroyed - it cost me 12 PPs to buy it back and it will arrive in Tokyo in 24-36 days - probably at around 5-10% strength

I have landed a third force west of Merak in the non-base hex and landed about 30 AV with barges. The troops are already marching to Buitenzorg (SW of Batavia). Intel shows that base to be empty of enemy forces and if I can grab it quickly I can transport troops in via air, as well as landing troops every other day in the empty hex with barges.

Some Betties (based at Kuching) bombed the Batavia airfield at night trying to get some bombers but only managed to kill a couple fighters and crater the airfield a bit. No losses were reported though.

DEI

I have taken Balikpapan via overland attack and the surviving allied troops flew into the countryside. I am moving fighters and base forces into the base to begin constructing airfields to raid northern OZ with.

South Pacific

The US has landed and taken Efate - destroying the Guard Unit I had there - luckily I removed part of the unit when it landed and the new Guard Unit is already rebuilding in a nice safe location.

North Pacific

My baby KB is still bombing Kodiak Port but there seems to be nothing left. The map shows the port icon (which means there are ships there) but the last two days of bombing have hit nothing so there may only be 1 or 2 ships left - time to move on. My bombing campaign has done good up here sinking about 6 DDs and 2 BBs as well as damaging another 3 BBs (figure 2-3 months yard time each).

The Baby KB is pulling back and will bomb Dutch Harbor's troops for a couple days before returning to port.

My Subs have been active the last couple turns sinking 1 xAK and damaging another AK. My subs also put a torp into CA Vincennes at Suva. I'm sure the torpedo did not sink the cruiser, but hopefully she will need to leave the theater or I can catch her again and finish her off.

Allied Ships Sunk:

DD - 4
xAK - 1
PT - 5

Japanese Ships Sunk:

PB - 1
xAK - 1

My CVs are almost to Truk. There they will refuel, rearm and take on new planes / pilots. Then I will send at least 2 CVs off to Japan for their upgrades. I am considering sending 4 since it is now July and at least 4 CVs have upgrades - but the US CVs are in the South Pacific and I'm not sure I want to only have 2 CVs and a CVL to oppose them should they move north.

Xargun

(in reply to Xargun)

Post #: 55

RE: Update July 1st, 1942 - 9/3/2011 3:56:06 AM

Mike Solli

Posts: 13695
Joined: 10/18/2000
From: the flight deck of the Zuikaku
Status: offline

Hey Xargun, nice AAR. Wish I could talk semi-intelligently about AE but it's pretty hazy right now. Gotta relearn it. Only suggestion I'd make right now is to not send more than 2 CVs for upgrades. You may need them. The US should have 5 or 6 CVs and I don't think you sank any of them, right? I vaguely remember making a plan to upgrade the Japanese CVs. I sent the first one back and then an additional one every 18 days or so. Can't remember exactly. I'll have to dig that out. Basically, there would be 1 upgrading, one heading back to Japan, one heading back to the front and 3 at the front. The upgraded one arriving at the front would arrive about the time the next one had to leave so there would usually be 4 available. Maybe it would be better to send 2 at a time and swap them out as they were completed. I think my way saved some time overall. I'll dig it out this weekend.

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Post #: 56

RE: Update July 1st, 1942 - 9/3/2011 4:45:33 AM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Hey Xargun, nice AAR. Wish I could talk semi-intelligently about AE but it's pretty hazy right now. Gotta relearn it. Only suggestion I'd make right now is to not send more than 2 CVs for upgrades. You may need them. The US should have 5 or 6 CVs and I don't think you sank any of them, right? I vaguely remember making a plan to upgrade the Japanese CVs. I sent the first one back and then an additional one every 18 days or so. Can't remember exactly. I'll have to dig that out. Basically, there would be 1 upgrading, one heading back to Japan, one heading back to the front and 3 at the front. The upgraded one arriving at the front would arrive about the time the next one had to leave so there would usually be 4 available. Maybe it would be better to send 2 at a time and swap them out as they were completed. I think my way saved some time overall. I'll dig it out this weekend.

Yeah - I am hesitant to send more than 2 at once just because I know Rob has all 5 US CVs in the south pacific as well as 2 Brit CVs and 1 CVL there. I'm not sure if he has Wasp yet but if he does it may not be anywhere important yet. I would be a bit worried about the 3rd Brit CV but see my next update

Glad to see you back. Maybe once you get up to speed we can compare some economy notes and such. I think we are about in the same time frame in our AARs.

Xargun

(in reply to Mike Solli)

Post #: 57

Update July 2nd, 1942 - 9/3/2011 4:49:10 AM

Xargun

Posts: 2684
Joined: 2/14/2004
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Not much to report this turn other than my subs were very busy this turn.

One sub stationed right at the harbor mouth leading to Port Hedland engaged and sunk 2 xAKLs this turn. I believe he is using them to ferry fuel from Soerbaja back to OZ and I'll sink all the fuel haulers I can.

The surprise of the turn was another sub chasing some RN AOs around the nw corner of OZ -- the sub ran right into a British CV TF and managed to put two torpedoes into the hull of CV Illustrious. To my bigger surprise both hits were followed by Ammo Storage Explosions and the CV sank

My first CV kill of the game. It is only a brit CV but I'll take it. Not only did the sub kill the CV it avoided the DD escorts and escaped unharmed !! I know one captain in for a medal.

Xargun

< Message edited by Xargun -- 9/3/2011 4:52:31 AM >

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Post #: 58

RE: Update July 1st, 1942 - 9/3/2011 5:14:22 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4426
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Hey Xargun, nice AAR. Wish I could talk semi-intelligently about AE but it's pretty hazy right now. Gotta relearn it. Only suggestion I'd make right now is to not send more than 2 CVs for upgrades. You may need them. The US should have 5 or 6 CVs and I don't think you sank any of them, right? I vaguely remember making a plan to upgrade the Japanese CVs. I sent the first one back and then an additional one every 18 days or so. Can't remember exactly. I'll have to dig that out. Basically, there would be 1 upgrading, one heading back to Japan, one heading back to the front and 3 at the front. The upgraded one arriving at the front would arrive about the time the next one had to leave so there would usually be 4 available. Maybe it would be better to send 2 at a time and swap them out as they were completed. I think my way saved some time overall. I'll dig it out this weekend.

Mike has returned from his LUNAR mission!!! WTG MIKE!!!

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Pax

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Post #: 59

RE: Update July 2nd, 1942 - 9/3/2011 4:37:39 PM

Capt. Harlock

Posts: 3651
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline

quote:

To my bigger surprise both hits were followed by Ammo Storage Explosions and the CV sank My first CV kill of the game. It is only a brit CV but I'll take it. Not only did the sub kill the CV it avoided the DD escorts and escaped unharmed !!

Nice work! So much for the vaunted British ASW skill -- aren't they supposed to be the best?

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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 60