RE: Memoirs of Service Afloat

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RE: Memoirs of Service Afloat

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Memoirs of Service Afloat

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RE: Memoirs of Service Afloat - 1/27/2012 7:38:20 PM

Flicker

Posts: 47
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

Feb 20, 1942 was an historic day for the Chinese War of Resistance. For five years and more, the Japanese have devastated China, but now the Kuomintang have struck back in a decisive victory that overshadows the victorious Battle of Tai'erzhuang in 1938. Generalissimo Chiang 'surrounded' the IJA 104th Division (led by 23rd Army HQ and accompanied by an IMB) at Kukong, and also trapped the IJA 32nd Division at Nanyang. After days of bombardments and deliberate attacks, the Generalissimo ordered shock attacks - the first day of shock attacks shattered both IJA forces and the second day of attacks destroyed both forces. The "disease of the skin" is being treated...

In game terms, these are my first major land battles. Nice introduction.

Jap Carriers are off the West and East coasts of Java, along with several powerful BB / CA led SCTFs in the Java Sea and several landing forces. The Japs have established another beachhead at Semarang plus taken Batavia (historically Batavia was captured Mar 5, 1942). I've got fragments (or more) of most Dutch units at Sumatra - the Dutch troops at Java will be overwhelmed quickly but they've got a weak IJA Division isolated and trapped at Kalidjati hoping to push it back into the sea.

So far the Allies have sunk more than 70 xAKs and 15 xAKLs - IIRC from Mike Solli the IJN gets about a thousand cargo ships - if this rate continues the IJN will run out of shipping by Fall 1943. Dutch subs and aircraft and a few assertive SCTF actions account for most sunk shipping.

I'm trying to figure out what to do with the Dutch Air Force (which may improve my understanding of the aircraft pools in general). I would post a screenshot of the Dutch Aircraft Replacement Pool but I haven't figured out how to do that yet (and haven't looked that hard - too much gameplay, not enough reading). However, I see that I have a couple of DO24Ks, PBYs, and TiVAs in the pool. I don't understand the replacement rate - it says 2 PBYs and 12 Hurricane Trops, plus some other aircraft types "-rd" (e.g., 27 P40E - rd dated 42-03). Does this mean that all I get are 12 more Trops plus 27 P40s (for example) in March 1942? Does the Dutch AF basically cease to exist after those planes are gone?

< Message edited by Flicker -- 1/27/2012 7:44:45 PM >

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 31

RE: Memoirs of Service Afloat - 2/1/2012 10:10:47 PM

Flicker

Posts: 47
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

Mid-March 1942

The Chinese followed their victories by destroying the IJA 35th Division at Loyang. Some Chinese units are at 50+ experience with decent leaders, but I don't foresee any major offensives by the Chinese in the near term.

Clark Field and Bataan are still holding out, but I don't know how - the Japs have 5 Divisions + at Clark. We'll see if MacArthur holds out until the historical date of surrender in early April - I think they might since Bataan is nearly untouched. The last Allied aircraft in the PI was destroyed on the field last turn, so I don't need the airfield. I wish I could turn off airfield repair to preserve supplies and focus on fortifications. Cebu is still holding out.

The Japs have almost all of Java - the Dutch still hold Soerobaja and there are a couple of scattered, shattered units on the island, but it's over. The Jap Division trapped by the Dutch was relieved (so closeto destruction!). The Japanese landed at Palembang with the 53rd Division, but many of the ships were sunk and the Division was destroyed (by III Corps - 2 Indian and 1 British Division). The Allies reinforced Sumatra with British and US air groups - over 100 fighters plus a bomber wing.

I couldn't run away fast enough in Burma - the Japs control the Irrawaddy basin - the Allies control Myitkyina and Lashio (not for much longer). The survivors from Rangoon almost made it to Akyab, but the Japs just landed a Division there. I'm not sure why the British carrier aircraft (Invincible and Hermes) didn't respond - for that matter I'm not sure what a Fulmar F-B is good for. A Hudson group out of Calcutta responded, which was a nice surprise, but the Division landed successfully. There is an Indian / Gurkha Division dug in at Cox's Bazaar backed up by Aussies at Chittagong, so I may try to bag the Jap Division. The Chittagong / Imphal / Ledo line is fairly strong - level 3 forts with garrisons.

Next game I might run away faster in Burma and send some units to China (on purpose instead of fleeing there).

My kill rate of Japanese shipping is slowing, but still good. Darn those American torpedoes! My skippers have seen some fat TKs in their periscopes, fired, then thud - failure to detonate...

I still haven't mastered the air replacement system, but thanks to the forum for helping clear up the concept and workings for me. Next up, pilots. I think my biggest problem there is the delay in transferring pilots - I can't / don't keep track of what I had planned for someone and by the time they're ready I've forgotten what I wanted them to do.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 32

Why we play - 8/11/2012 2:32:29 AM

Flicker

Posts: 47
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

I had a couple of exciting turns that I just have to share...

Two Allied Carrier TFs (Sara / Lex; Ent / Yorktown) planned to provide air support for a division-sized amphibious assault at Milne Bay, along with a couple of cruiser-led SCTFs and a BB-led SCTF. The Japanese were spotted using KB to support an amphibious assault at Canton Island. In addition to sending every sub nearby (~ a dozen), the allies decided to sorty the freshly-supplied carriers against KB, which appeared to be light on fighters (me too). The landing at Milne Bay was to continue, depending on LBA out of Port Moresby.

Over the course of two days, 29-30 May 1942, I have had a knockdown, dragout, full-on carrier battle in the Gilbert Islands; PLUS an unexpected battleship vs battleship battle off Milne Bay.

The 29th of May began with a half a dozen sub attacks (one hit) and then a wave of Japanese strike aircraft (15 Zero, 35 Kate, 41 Val) struck - 75 Wildcats and Buffs defended the Sara / Lex ACTF, shooting down 1 Zero, 22 Kates, and 23 Vals. I expected to take some losses in trade for taking out the IJN strike planes - Sara and Lex each took a torpedo and Lex took some bomb hits (about 30 float damage each). Next it was the allies turn: 20 fighters and 18 dive bombers attacked Kaga, Shokaku, and Akagi which were defended by 38 Zeros. The allies suffered the loss of almost the entire strike package, with no hits to show for it. The next strike of 9 fighters, 17 SBDs, and 13 TBDs got through 34 Zeros for a 1000# bomb hit on Kaga. The IJN struck back with a raid by 9 Kates, all of which were shot down by CAP (48 fighters). Eleven TBDs tried an unescorted strike but were mauled by 22 Zeros.

The afternoon started with fighter combat - 32 Zeros getting the better of 9 Wildcats. Next, the allies assembled a wave of 35 fighters, 28 dive bombers, and 12 TBDs, which were met by 29 Zeros. The allied fighters took heavy losses, but the SBDs got through - putting 3 bombs on Kaga, 1 on Akagi, 1 on Shokaku (plus a torp), and 2 on CA Furutaka.

The allies lost a lot of aircraft (A2A, ops, ditching), but since Sara / Lex were still seaworthy and Ent / Yorktown were untouched, the allies moved in to try and hit KB again.

30 May 1942 began with the pre-invasion bombardment of Milne Bay, landing of assault troops, and invasion support bombardment. The landing was interrupted by the sudden appearance of BB Kongo and BB Hyuga, escorted by 2 CLs and 4 DDs. Fortunately, the BB SCTF of BBs Mississippi, New Mexico, and Warspite, escorted by 5 DDs, intervened. BB Hyuga was sunk, Kongo heavily damaged and on fire, plus one CL and a couple of DDs damaged. The allied BBs took the brunt of the IJN fire - each is damaged but still in fighting shape (as long as it's a running away fight).

The morning air combat of 30 May 1942 began with 18 SBDs hitting KB unopposed - 4 bombs on Kaga, 3 on Akagi. This was followed by a major allied strike of 9 fighters, 46 SBDs, and 10 TBDs, which wreaked havoc on KB - 3 hits on Shokaku, 10 hits on Akagi, 1 hit on Kaga, and 3 hits on Furutaka. Next, a squadron of TBDs got a torp into CA Haguro.

The afternoon began with 18 SBDs putting the hurt to Shokaku (1 hit), Kaga (3 hits), and CA Furutaka (1 hit). Next, a squadron of TBDs sunk CA Furutaka. I don't know why, but the following allied SBD strike hit the transports - some hits, no sinks. The last strike of the day saw Kaga take 3 more bombs and the sinking of DD Yamakaze.

I'm about to fire up the game for the first time since last weekend - I'm pretty sure that the Allied carriers will retire to Pearl (Hornet is en route to the Gilberts to cover the withdrawal or maybe take a shot at KB). The allies may divert the Milne Bay landing force to Port Moresby, which has been under siege for months (it's a quagmire - the allies and the Empire keep reinforcing at roughly the same levels). The Milne Bay division may break the siege.

< Message edited by Flicker -- 8/11/2012 2:36:10 AM >

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 33

RE: Why we play - 8/11/2012 3:27:06 AM

BBfanboy

Posts: 1670
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

Hi Flicker - looks like you have caught on fast to many of the game mechanics. Nice result at Canton Island - the damaged Japanese ships are a long way from a drydock!
One thing I noticed in your first page was that you equated oil production and refineries with aviation fuel - not so!
Fuel in this game is only used by ships and as an input, along with resources and manpower, to heavy and light industries. They turn it into "supply" which includes fuel in drums for vehicles and aircraft.
Supply is undifferentiated so food, ammo, medical supplies, spare parts and "devices" [which can include squads of troops] can all come out of the same supply stock. Note that you need minimum supply levels [20K, I think] to produce "devices" to replace losses or to upgrade your units.
In China, have your air units where supply is most plentiful and where there is a secure rail line that can move damaged aircraft if the airfield gets bombed to closure. Watch supplies very carefully in China - air ops burn them very quickly.

_____________________________

I have not yet begun to fight! OTOH I have not yet begun to flee. Hmmmmm - choices, choices -always with the choices.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 34

RE: Why we play - 8/11/2012 9:18:15 AM

Flicker

Posts: 47
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

BBfanboy - thanks for commenting. You're right that I used to be pretty confused about fuel, but now I know not to use Bunker C fuel oil in airplanes. I've got most of the Chinese AF training at Chungking - some Chinese units are at Changsha on the rail line, but they don't have aircraft anymore (and it seems that they won't be getting new planes anytime soon). Two AVG squadrons are on the Changsha to Kweilin line.

***

The ship summary says that I sunk the Junyo (which I didn't even know was around), plus the Hyuga (which I watched sink), along with 2 CAs and a couple of DDs. The aircraft losses showed ~70 IJN planes lost to ops.

The 31 May 1942 was uneventful - I lost track of the Jap Carrier force somehow (maybe they all sunk?) and Ent / YT sortied against a bunch of xAKLs while on the way to Pearl. Sara / Lex are headed toward Pearl. Hornet is about a day or so away from the Gilberts. I also lost track of the BB Kongo and friends. I've got 2 cruiser SCTFs covering the diverted landing at Port Moresby. BB Warspite has >50 sys damage; Ole Miss has sys in the 40s and float in the 30s.

Overall this has been a fun game. The allies have sunk ~600 Jap merchants and a double handful each of cruisers and DDs. Subs account for more than a third of ships sunk. Aircraft account for about 40% (mostly Dutch and British at the beginning, now US). Surface action accounts for about a third (many of those laden with troops). Most of the traditional Jap targets have fallen (PI, Singapore, Burma, DEI) except that I held southern Sumatra (Fortress Palembang). The Aussies rescued Java - Soerabaja was never taken but the rest of Java was wrecked. The Allies held at the Chittagong to Ledo line and are manevering to contain and take Cox's Bazaar and Akyab (each garrisoned by an IJA Division), using three stacks. The force that will actually attack Cox's Bazaar can use India restricted units.

I find that I'm as frugal in the game as I am in real life.

Does anyone else try to "upgrade" air groups that will be permanently withdrawn with older aircraft - it doesn't always work but I've traded out some Lancers and Mohawks for Airacobras and Warhawks. I also try to scoop up the experienced pilots before the group disbands. I try not to send replacements to airgroups scheduled for withdrawal.

After learning the ship withdrawal PP lesson the hard way (why is it that the only ship in the TF to eat a torp is the one due in a week that sustains more than 50 points of damage); I send some ships home a little early.

Just as with air groups, I don't turn on replacements for LCUs scheduled for withdrawal.

< Message edited by Flicker -- 8/11/2012 9:19:31 AM >

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 35

RE: Why we play - 8/11/2012 3:08:49 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 1670
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

From other posts I have seen, sometimes the withdrawn unit leaves its aircraft in the pools, a few days after being withdrawn. I got the impression that this does not apply to all units, and I don't know if there is a way to tell which will put the aircraft in the pools. If you can determine this, the smart thing would be to do the upgrade and get the benefit in combat before the unit withdraws. If the unit is unlikely to see combat and others on the front line need the aircraft, don't allow the upgrade.

_____________________________

I have not yet begun to fight! OTOH I have not yet begun to flee. Hmmmmm - choices, choices -always with the choices.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 36

RE: Why we play - 8/11/2012 4:45:06 PM

Flicker

Posts: 47
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

BBfanboy - I think that if you take a 'practice run' at withdraw / disband (then cancel) it tells you if the pilots / planes go to the pools (at least sometimes it does). I get your point - to underscore the timeliness of it, there are several air groups that withdraw (P) on 1 JUN 1942. I've had them working overtime for awhile - plus I transferred a few high exp pilots out of the reserves and into those groups - some of those guys are now TRACOM.

***

The uncertainty of the fog of war adds depth to the game. I have no idea how many or even if I sunk any carriers in the Gilberts. I'm pretty sure that (so far) I came out ahead and that the IJN carriers will need significant dock time once / if they get to their faraway repair yard.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 37