GC Diary: L0ckAndL0ad (A) vs AI

[BBfanboy]

One of the things that confuses people is that 3rd Fleet and 5th Fleet were the same ships, but different commanders. Halsey had 3rd Fleet to carry out the operations planned for about six months while Spruance was getting the planning in place for the following period. After Halsey's ops were done he changed places with Spruance and became a planner while Spruance carried out his ops. Thus Spruance was in charge of the covering carrier fleet during the Marianas invasion while Halsey was in charge of covering the Leyte invasion. Both had a secondary mission of destroying the IJN carriers and other major warships,

The ships were driven pretty hard and only got a real break when they went back for repairs or refit. New ships coming in more than made up the ships heading to the shipyards.

Seventh Fleet was an Amphib Landing and Support TF, under McArthur's SWPAC at the time of the Leyte invasion. It had old BBs and cruisers for bombardment, lots of ASW, and about 20 CVEs/CVLs for air cover and close support. I don't know if Seventh Fleet was ever switched from SWPAC to PAO command to carry out invasions in other areas.

Also keep in mind that SOPAC became irrelevant after a while IRL and was dissolved, but you get to keep it in the game so you can organize differently if you wish or just use SOPAC as a convenient extra Command HQ for the benefits it brings but not assign any units to it. Same for ABDA HQ, although I assigned a lot of units to it because SEAsia HQ does not arrive early enough.

Above all, do not waste precious PP switching units between HQs if they are already unrestricted. The exception is to get all parts of a division under a the same HQ for recombination.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Thanks!

Yeah, I read about 3rd/5th Fleets, but I could not trace their forward bases for various dates, so I wasn't sure what should I call my new SOPAC naval force. At the same time, the forces at Pearl are to be considered 1st Fleet? Or 3rd? There is/were also TG naming scheme that was bound to Fleet number, which can also help me distinguish different forces more easily.

PP costs are indeed huge, 1.5-2K for each division. I get somewhat OCD seeing units at a single base assigned to completely different HQs...

But the main thing here is that, IIRC, it does not matter what HQs the units are assigned to? It's just an area effect of HQs (including target planning bonus). EXCEPT for the Air HQs that need to be under the same HQ as the Base, in order to give AF administrative stacking bonus. But for everything else, HQ assignments don't matter.

Right?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: L0ckAndL0ad

Thanks!

Yeah, I read about 3rd/5th Fleets, but I could not trace their forward bases for various dates, so I wasn't sure what should I call my new SOPAC naval force. At the same time, the forces at Pearl are to be considered 1st Fleet? Or 3rd? There is/were also TG naming scheme that was bound to Fleet number, which can also help me distinguish different forces more easily.

PP costs are indeed huge, 1.5-2K for each division. I get somewhat OCD seeing units at a single base assigned to completely different HQs...

But the main thing here is that, IIRC, it does not matter what HQs the units are assigned to? It's just an area effect of HQs (including target planning bonus). EXCEPT for the Air HQs that need to be under the same HQ as the Base, in order to give AF administrative stacking bonus. But for everything else, HQ assignments don't matter.

Right?

In the event you are able to get both a Corps or Army HQ and a true Command HQ in range of a target, AND your LCUs and HQs are all prepped for that same target, there is a chance that you can get a X2 boost to your AV during the combat calculations.

Some players strive mightily to get this bonus. I find it too difficult to orchestrate getting the Command HQ that close to the front and prepped for the correct target (out of the many you might be fighting in three months hence).

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 1, 1943

That's the first time I made it this far in WITP AE. Time for monthly inspection. Also, what can be said about the game overall so far? Strategic map hasn't changed since the last one, so there's no point in posting it here again.

1. Bases. VPs controlled: Allied 7467, Japanese 7554.

We have the same amount of VPs for base control. And I'm okay-ish with how much I can allow the Japanese side to own while still being at the same level of points.
Though I should point out that I could've done better. For the whole duration of 1942, the entirety of PH-Oz chain of bases (mainly SOPAC) was insufficiently manned. It wasn't manned much at all, really. And there were little patrol effort on my part too.

So that's something useful I've learned so far and know where I should improve in future games.

2. Aircraft. VPs lost: Allied 2034, Japanese 5845.

There's little to learn here, because the AI is not really smart at Air Warfare. It keeps grinding at my CAP over and over and over. I have zero clue how the real Air Warfare against a human opponent should look like.

What I have actually learned is that defensive combat (CAP) is much more cost efficient than offensive missions (Sweeps/AF bombing). At the same time, strategically, aircraft numbers are really huge on both sides and their attrition does not mean much in itself.

Also, I've learned that it takes a LOT of time to train good pilots. I dug up some info and it matches the reality. USAAF OTU/RTU cycle was ~ 6 months. Usually, I aim for 70 at primary skills, and don't look much at the actual Exp values of pilots.

Generally, Offensive Air Campaigns should be tied to ground/naval actions to have any strategic effect. The way my frontline is static at the moment, there's little need for offensive air operations IMO.

3. Army. VPs lost: Allied 8781, Japanese 2476.

Most of the losses here are the result of Allied imperial/colonial ambitions. The territory and units lost were colonies with 2nd or 3rd grade units. Bad equipment, little to no training.

Australians managed to repel the invasion of Port Moresby. US Marines and US Army successfully defended Dutch Harbor. Ground forces are only needed to control key bases. If the area is not worth fighting over (like Burma, that I really think I don't need/want), then there's no need to waste the lives of the troops.

So I think I should be fine in this regard.

4. Ships. VPs lost: Allied 3682, Japanese 6343.

Japanese Naval AI is much smarter than the Air AI. But even then, I lead in points. Yeah, it sucks that I've lost both of my Lexington-class carriers, and one fast BB. I've gained valuable personal experience while doing that. And it matters little in regards of my ability to gain victory in this campaign.

As I've outlined previously, Strategic Air Raid campaign against the Home Islands is what I aim for ultimately and it will be my primary method of achieving victory. It does not matter how much carriers or battleships I lose in the process, as long as I get close enough to strike and will be able to safeguard the sea in key areas.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: L0ckAndL0ad

Jan 1, 1943

That's the first time I made it this far in WITP AE. Time for monthly inspection. Also, what can be said about the game overall so far? Strategic map hasn't changed since the last one, so there's no point in posting it here again.

1. Bases. VPs controlled: Allied 7467, Japanese 7554.

We have the same amount of VPs for base control. And I'm okay-ish with how much I can allow the Japanese side to own while still being at the same level of points.
Though I should point out that I could've done better. For the whole duration of 1942, the entirety of PH-Oz chain of bases (mainly SOPAC) was insufficiently manned. It wasn't manned much at all, really. And there were little patrol effort on my part too.

So that's something useful I've learned so far and know where I should improve in future games.

2. Aircraft. VPs lost: Allied 2034, Japanese 5845.

There's little to learn here, because the AI is not really smart at Air Warfare. It keeps grinding at my CAP over and over and over. I have zero clue how the real Air Warfare against a human opponent should look like.

What I have actually learned is that defensive combat (CAP) is much more cost efficient than offensive missions (Sweeps/AF bombing). At the same time, strategically, aircraft numbers are really huge on both sides and their attrition does not mean much in itself.

Also, I've learned that it takes a LOT of time to train good pilots. I dug up some info and it matches the reality. USAAF OTU/RTU cycle was ~ 6 months. Usually, I aim for 70 at primary skills, and don't look much at the actual Exp values of pilots.

Generally, Offensive Air Campaigns should be tied to ground/naval actions to have any strategic effect. The way my frontline is static at the moment, there's little need for offensive air operations IMO.

3. Army. VPs lost: Allied 8781, Japanese 2476.

Most of the losses here are the result of Allied imperial/colonial ambitions. The territory and units lost were colonies with 2nd or 3rd grade units. Bad equipment, little to no training.

Australians managed to repel the invasion of Port Moresby. US Marines and US Army successfully defended Dutch Harbor. Ground forces are only needed to control key bases. If the area is not worth fighting over (like Burma, that I really think I don't need/want), then there's no need to waste the lives of the troops.

So I think I should be fine in this regard.

4. Ships. VPs lost: Allied 3682, Japanese 6343.

Japanese Naval AI is much smarter than the Air AI. But even then, I lead in points. Yeah, it sucks that I've lost both of my Lexington-class carriers, and one fast BB. I've gained valuable personal experience while doing that. And it matters little in regards of my ability to gain victory in this campaign.

As I've outlined previously, Strategic Air Raid campaign against the Home Islands is what I aim for ultimately and it will be my primary method of achieving victory. It does not matter how much carriers or battleships I lose in the process, as long as I get close enough to strike and will be able to safeguard the sea in key areas.

Your last paragraph captures the essential goal - destroy the Japanese economy. Strat bombing is one element of that but the other is to cut off the flow of resources (especially fuel and oil) going to Japan.

That is why Burma really IS important - not because it matters in itself but it is the plug against resupply of China via the Burma road and it blocks the Allies from getting into SE Asia. And the reason SE Asia is important is the pressure it puts on Japanese tanker convoys in the South China Sea. The Air threat will force them to go up the East side of Luzon where Allied subs can concentrate and pick them off. The amount of open terrain in SE Asia favours Allied tanks so the Japanese collapse there is usually fairly rapid.

Meanwhile, the supply in China will allow units to fill out (do just a couple at a time, the ones with the best leaders). Filling out improves the unit morale and the units can even improve experience if they are training during the period. In about six months you will have some fairly strong units that you can concentrate and start to pick apart the Japanese lines and bases. Another six months and a few British/Indian/US Units and you start taking back China's industrial cities which hurts the Japanese substantially (they need the HI points for building combat devices).

So take a look at your ship/air unit/LCU reinforcement schedules - you should see that you have enough to press from both east and west toward Japan. But you need to decide now what units to allocate where and start their prep where possible. Make a very general six month plan for where you want to be on the map, and a rough outline six-month plan for major units and logistics bases.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Thanks for the insight, BBF!

My thinking was - there's only one major Oil location in Burma, and it can be bombed from India if there's a need. But then again, I aim to recapture the Philippines. Which will let me control the South China Sea.

But my major point is that Burma and China are lots of jungles and rough terrain to fight over. I cannot even plan and execute defense & retaking of the SOPAC, it'd be much harder for my playing skill to execute something on the scale of CBI Theater. I might just not even be ready for this, realistically speaking. But I'll think about it. For now, I have to approach as less tasks at the same time as possible, to be able to learn & handle them well. I'm still getting overwhelmed by the whole WITP AE organizational side of things. I do have something planned for this month (more below), btw.

Jan 5, 1943

Before I venture into Guadalcanal-like amphibious invasions, I need to plan and execute something smaller and closer to Pearl Harbor. Both to practice and for security reasons (KB is scary). I allocated some units to plan for Canton Island months earlier and now will return to check up on them & rearrange things a bit.

US Navy got their Reconnaissance Liberators. Great range. I've sent a couple to the Christmas Island and tasked them with scouting Canton Island. What I'm seeing is not really great. Intel says there are 39 fighters, 39 bombers and 9 aux planes (search planes most likely).

So, yeah, wow. I did not expect to find so many planes there, on a lvl 2 AF. But... still... challenge accepted!

What units will participate in this operation? Canton Island has 6000 stacking limit, so I should not go big on this one. 23rd Marine Rgt will be making the initial landing. 24th (Sep) Infantry Rgt will relieve the Marines afterwards. A couple of USN service units to help with unloading were allocated as well. A USAAF Base Force, a Marine Defense Battalion and some AA/ART units are planning for the Canton as well, just in case, but I don't think I'll have the space to fit them on the island.

3 USMC fighter squadrons (36 F4F-4, 4+ F4U-1) and 2 USMC dive bomber squadrons (36 SBD-3) will be available for the operation. Additionally, I'll gather a few PBY squadrons, but there isn't plenty of them really.

I've got 4 old BBs, 3 fast BBs, 3 newly arrived CVEs, 4 fleet CVs at Pearl, and probably will use most of them. Maybe will even try Replenishment CVEs as well...

I'm almost ready to go, actually. Any words of advice before I proceed?

[BBfanboy]

Be careful with using long ranged aircraft at extended range - if anything bad happens (like flak damage), they have a long haul to get home and often do not make it. Use pilots with high experience (60+) and good Recon skills.

You have more than enough force to take on Canton Island. Take note of the stacking limit for the island vs the number of troops you intend to land. Exceeding the limit causes increased usage and spoilage of supply. Make sure you unload lots of supply.

Look at the aircraft load on the CVEs vs their operating limit. If you have too many aircraft the CVEs will not be able to launch missions - only transferring aircraft to a base or other ships.

At the target, expect mines and mini-subs. I try to run in a bombardment TF with DMSs embedded to check the minefields and sweep at least part of them. Once the presence of the mines is known, most of your ships will be able to avoid them. The bombardment ships help keep the coast defences from hitting your sweepers.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Operation Jaynestown plan
(reference)

D-day:

- Enderbury and Sydney Islands (currently empty) will be taken by US Marine Raiders;
- Minesweeping TF will arrive to Canton Island;
- Bombardment TF will arrive to Canton Island;
- SCTF, CTF and CVE TF will take station near Canton Island;
- Amphibious TF will arrive to Canton Island and will begin the invasion;
- Supply TF, AO TF, Reserve SCTF, Replacement CVE TF and Air Transport TF with Marine Squadrons on board will be waiting east of Canton Island.

D+1:

- Support TF with AV and AKE type ships will arrive to Enderbury OR Sydney Island, as well as some PBYs and xAKs with supplies;
- Bombardment TF will be directed to AKEs for resupply;
- Amphibious TF is expected to be finished with unloading of troops by this point, and will detach BBs to be directed to AKEs for replenishment, while APs withdraw;
- Supply TF will be directed to unload at Canton Island.

D+2:

- Old BBs will be rotated between Canton Island and AKEs as needed;
- Replacement CVE TF will be sent in range of CTFs to try out aircraft replacement feature.

D+N:

- Additional troops will be on stand by to relieve or help out the Marines on Canton Island as needed.

p.s. That's a lot of planning for such a small invasion... Damn...

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 10, 1943

At least 4 IJN carriers made an appearance in Bismarck Sea (SWPAC) on a previous day, attacking Port Moresby again. They’ve lost 9 Zeroes and 8 Kates to Aussie Spitfires, which lost none. Seems like a perfect time for me to start loading the amphibious ships!

Jan 11, 1943

Loading of all ships should be complete tomorrow.

Three enemy TFs spotted near Ceylon. 5 ships in total so far, 2 DD, 1 TK and 2 unknowns. All “moving Northwest”.

All aircraft in the area were put into full combat mode, but since the CVL Hermes that’s based at Colombo is 1 turn away from being able to go to sea (it can’t operate before resizing its air groups), I will only send a scout force of 2 CL 2 DD w/ float planes and Low Threat Tolerance order to see what we’re dealing with here.

Also, I’m doing this to let my land-based aircraft a chance of attacking the enemy first, and increasing my knowledge of their composition (increasing DL), before committing combat forces.

I do have Prince of Whales, 3 old BBs, 2 CA, 6 CL and 10 DD at Colombo, and will be able to cut the enemy off the next turn by simply going south and waiting there for him to return. He’s in my waters now.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 12, 1943

Indian Ocean Area
My scout force stumbled upon an enemy patrol boat in a nearly moonless (25%) night. The results were pretty flawless:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Colombo at 27,49, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Shosei Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL Tromp
DD Stronghold
DD Thracian

During the day, British Blenheim IVs attacked the main enemy force several times, identifying two light cruisers as CL Kinu and CL Tama, but scoring no hits. Intel also says there are 3 destroyers in the area as well, but I’m yet to see them. That’s sufficient intel IMO, and now I can send in the main combat force.

BB Prince of Wales leads the surface action group, accompanied by 3 CA, 2 CL and 4 DD to intercept the enemy fleet. Carrier TF with CVL Hermes, 3 CL, 1 CLAA, 3 DD, 2 DE (I scrounged what I could…) follows PoW’s TF 1 hex away.

General enemy position and direction of movement somehow hasn’t changed.

I experiment with Threat Tolerance setting these days, and set both of my combat fleets to Low Threat Tolerance. Maybe it’ll help reduce the unnecessary losses (like if PoW would try closing in with enemy cruisers and destroyers, asking for a torpedo). So far so good, it did not prevent my scouting force from engaging the enemy, so it’s not like it makes your fleet commander a coward. Will look more into it.

CENPAC
OMG! I’ve made so many task forces that I’m barely able to control them all. I REALLY need to figure out a better organizational system in the future.

Ships depart PH for staging area at Christmas Island.

Jan 13, 1943

Indian Ocean Area
Enemy ships evade PoW & Hermes groups and retreat east.

CENPAC
Everything seems fine with the task forces I’ve sent for staging area, except for the Air Transport TF that’s been refusing to load aircraft on AKVs. NOTE TO MYSELF: check the Air Transport TF loading procedures and test them as soon as this Operation is over.
Oh.. Also, I could not fit the CVE Replenishment into the picture. Did not have enough escorts and it’s pretty hectic without them as it is already… Will test them out next time.

Jap 16, 1943

CENPAC
Main forces have reached the staging area at Christmas Island. I’m moving in. Here’s OOB:

TF 34 – Combat Force
• TG 34.1 Scout Force – 2 CL, 4 DD
• TG 34.2 SAG – 3 BB, 5 CA, 8 DD
• TG 34.3 CTF-1 – 2 CV, 2 CL, 2 CLAA, 6 DD
• TG 34.4 CTF-2 – 2 CV, 2 CL, 2 CLAA, 6 DD
• TG 34.5 Fleet AO – 4 DD, 5 AO

TF 31 – Invasion Force
• TG 31.1 Main Amph Landing Group – 2 BB, 2 CA, 5 DD, 4 DMS, 5 AP
• TG 31.2 USMC Raiders 1 – 8 APD
• TG 31.3 USMC Raiders 2 – 8 APD
• TG 31.4 Bombardment Grp – 2 BB, 2 CA, 4 DD, 4 DMS
• TG 31.5 CV Escort – 3 CVE, 1 CL, 4 DD
• TG 31.6 MineSweepers – 4 AM

TF 32 – Relief/Reserve US Army units
• TG 32.1 Relief Group – 4 DD, 6 AP
• TG 32.2 Reserve Forces – 4 DD, 6 AP, 4 xAP

TF 33 – Support Force
• TG 31.1 AV/AE Support – 2 AV, 4 AVD, 3 AE, 4 AKE
• TG 33.2 Supply 1 – 4 DD, 5 AK
• TG 33.3 Supply 2 – 6 xAK
• TG 33.4 Support AO – 4 AM, 3 AO
• TG 33.5 Air Transport – 1 CVE, 4 DD, 2 AKV, 1 xAK

Oh, and there are ~20 subs in the area, scattered around between Canton itself, Gilberts, Marshalls and Truk.

After the problems with Air Transport loading I’ve mentioned earlier, there appeared to be some strange bug-like behavior with my fleet CV air groups. ALL of them got ~15% in damaged state for some reason. Even though they were sitting at PH for several months with 100% operational aircraft. Very strange.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Operation Jaynestown

Jan 17, 1943
TF 34 managed to close in with Canton Island completely undetected. Will commence airfield attack next turn. Invasion force is too far behind, still at Jarvis Island. That’s because, so it seems, TFs on patrol go at full speed to their patrol zone regardless of what speed TF movement is set to. TG 34.1 and 34.2 were set to “cruise”, but still went like 13 hexes in 24 hours…. Damn it…At least TF 31 has its own carriers for air cover.

Jan 18, 1943
TF 34 reached Canton Island and launched an airstrike against the airfield there. Airfield is damaged, but there wasn’t much on it.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 52
SBD-3 Dauntless x 123

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 7 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 24

Jan 19, 1943 – D-1
Yeah, I have indeed messed up my time table. But it hasn’t affected the operation in any negative way yet. 1st and 2nd USMC Raider Battalions have succesfully taken their targets (Enderbury and Sydney Islands), losing 64 squads disabled. There is no enemy shipping seen around. My subs sunk a few transport at Canton during the course of the previous week.

36 TF 34’s Avengers attacked the enemy (ground unit) positions today, targeting what appears to be an IJA’s aviation force company (69th JAAF AF Coy), but made little damage (13 non-com disablements reported).

There were no enemies in the air today. But I got some of them on the ground:

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
SBD-3 Dauntless x 128

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 9 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 4 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 34

I begin to wonder if my early arrival of carriers will negatively impact this Op. I gave KB early warning and will have to stay near Canton for longer than expected.

Jan 20, 1943 – D-day
TF 31 wasn’t trying to get there in time. They usually try going in at night. But this time naval bombardment and the landings happened in broad daylight. Old BBs and cruisers did a very good job with their 16/14/8 inch guns.

Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 7 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 6 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans

Japanese ground losses:
274 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 18
Port hits 21
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3

Pre-Invasion action off Canton Island (153,143)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
CA Louisville
CA Northampton
DD Sterett
DD Stack
DD Ellet
DD Benham
AP U.S. Grant

Japanese ground losses:
429 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Amphibious Assault at Canton Island (153,143)

TF 70 troops unloading over beach at Canton Island, 153,143

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 23rd Marine Rgt /3

And here’s the important one:

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3503 troops, 74 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 792 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 59

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 7 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
476 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 177 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
23rd Marine Rgt /1
D Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
69th JAAF AF Coy

Too bad there was nobody home I anticipated a longer and tougher fight.
I got some experience doing this, at least. And I can see the results of level 2 airfield bombardment. It’s completely non-operational. Airfield Runway damage 91%, Airfield Service damage 93%, Port damage 50%.

What I did was an overkill, I guess, but it was fun and engaging.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 21, 1943

CBI
British fighters on India-Burma border are barely holding on. I must pinpoint the origin of where the attacks are coming from and counter-strike the airfields. Tenth USAAF has 2 Fighter Groups (currently P-40Es, but I can change one group to Kilos), 1 Medium Bomb Group (B-25C), 1 Heavy Bomb Group (B-24D) is going to step in to help.

Oz
Darwin is in trouble. It's completely empty in terms of supply, and it gets bombed constantly. Latest enemy raid was pretty cruel. Port Moresby, on the other hand, is putting up with lots of pressure, doing great, thanks to Spitfires and experienced Aussie pilots.

I've sent couple of transports with supplies in singles to Darwin, but that's going to be a dangerous trip for every one of them. Unfortunately, I can't mount a big effort using carriers to provide cover for bigger supply convoy for now.

CenPac
Canton is getting busy. Christmas Island will continue to be local logistical hub for now. Current plan is to get forces on Canton in order before thinking about another amphibious op. But I can use Marine raiders to snatch lightly protected islands nearby in the mean time.

Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 8 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 15 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 145 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 61 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 44

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: L0ckAndL0ad

Jan 21, 1943

CBI
British fighters on India-Burma border are barely holding on. I must pinpoint the origin of where the attacks are coming from and counter-strike the airfields. Tenth USAAF has 2 Fighter Groups (currently P-40Es, but I can change one group to Kilos), 1 Medium Bomb Group (B-25C), 1 Heavy Bomb Group (B-24D) is going to step in to help.

Oz
Darwin is in trouble. It's completely empty in terms of supply, and it gets bombed constantly. Latest enemy raid was pretty cruel. Port Moresby, on the other hand, is putting up with lots of pressure, doing great, thanks to Spitfires and experienced Aussie pilots.

I've sent couple of transports with supplies in singles to Darwin, but that's going to be a dangerous trip for every one of them. Unfortunately, I can't mount a big effort using carriers to provide cover for bigger supply convoy for now.

CenPac
Canton is getting busy. Christmas Island will continue to be local logistical hub for now. Current plan is to get forces on Canton in order before thinking about another amphibious op. But I can use Marine raiders to snatch lightly protected islands nearby in the mean time.

Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 8 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 15 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 145 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 61 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 44

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

Good to see you back, L&L! What's with the 14 month hiatus? Nothing bad, I hope.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Thanks! Glad to be back! I've never stopped thinking about WITP AE even for a day! The problem is twofold.

First, WITP AE requires a lot of mental resources and willpower to play properly. And I've had a shortage of both recently, and can't settle to play WITP AE casually. Second, there's this mental thing about human brains. Brain doesn't care much if the action we desire is real or not. Simply thinking about how we do it fulfills the desire. So the more I think about playing, the less I play. I realized that I could simply think less and play more.

Also, I'm working as a solo independent game developer after my ordinary day job hours, so time management is crazy. But it's really important to diversify your activities, so playing games is still something I do. Here's why. [;)]

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 25, 1943

[*]On India-Burma border, Mandalay is seen as the major source of problems. Recon flights indicate 120 fighters and 70 bombers there. British heavies start night bombing runs from Calcutta, but the weather is not cooperating. 51st FG begins fighting off the Japanese bombers attacking troops on the front line.
[*]All aircraft have been evacuated from Darwin to prevent further damage from unopposed bombings. Nothing can be done before the supplies come in. Few additional transport groups were sent out, but their fate is uncertain.
[*]Heavy submarine activity in South Pacific. Additional surface ASW patrols are sent out of East Oz and NZ. One of them reports gunning down a sub that was DC'd and forced to surface.
[*]Japanese bombers from Guadalcanal make a visit to surrounding US bases, targeting Luganville. USMC planes are immediately sent there to combat further attacks. Additional planes are also sent to recently captured Canton Island.
[*]West Coast gives up most of its PBYs to the front lines. Older USAAF heavies will take up the burden instead there.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Jan 27, 1943

[*]I keep losing transport ships to enemy subs in SWPAC. Those were the boys trying to deliver supplies to Darwin. Argh...
[*]British night bombers report good hits on Mandalay. Not sure how accurate these reports are.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington Ic bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Wellington Ic bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[*]2nd Marine Raider Battalion FAILS to recapture Bora Bora. Enemy resistance is unexpectedly high there, for such a backwater position. APDs that landed the Marines are ordered to evacuate the remaining Raiders and get them back home.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Bora Bora (171,174)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 378 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Defending force 599 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

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

Assaulting units:
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
C./50th JNAF Coy

Defending units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Bora Bora (171,174)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 594 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Defending force 612 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

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

Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
C./50th JNAF Coy

[*]USN carriers ordered back to Pearl from Canton Island area. Canton itself is suffering from severe damage done during the invasion. Unfortunately, I screwed up big time by not getting SeaBees (or any other Engineer unit) there. With airfield damage in 50-90s, all the USMC planes there are probably useless if the Japanese decided to show up.
[*]I see the effects of my poor planning all over the place. I started adressing such major issues as the lack of engineers already, but it'll take time before I could rectify all the shortcomings there are.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

One of the problems with WITP AE is that it is hard to get a sense of the situation at a glance, because you have to look at each hex for units located there. I had to make lots of notes about most important ground units, their OOB and locations. Thankfully, the picture is getting clearer and it's becoming easier to make plans. So...

Jan 30, 1943

CBI
Tenth USAAF joins the British in leveling the Mandalay Airfield. But in day time. Gonna get hurt if anything happens to escorts. P-38s are to begin offensive sweeps there shortly as well.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 29
B-25C Mitchell x 15
P-40K Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 24000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

SWPA

Plan: Invade Guadalcanal
Intel records indicate the following enemy units present there recently:

Located at Lunga(114,138) (data from May 42 - Jan 43)
2nd Division
38th Division
1st Ind.Tank Co
38th Field AA Machinecannon Company
47th Naval Guard Unit
3/Sasebo 6th SNLF
8th Base Force
1/Ichiki Det. ???

I can match that with 2 US Marine Divisions and 2 US Army Division, plus 2 more US Army Divisions in reserve. Tanks, artillery, air support is a no brainer, obviously, in as large amounts as possible (Fifth & Thirteenth Air Forces + lots of Marine air units). It'll take me probably another month to prepare everything.
So, Guadalcanal @ March 1943?

SoPac

Located at Tarawa(136,128) (data from Jan 42 - Jan 43)
4/61st Naval Guard Unit
64th Naval Guard Unit
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
7th Base Force

I'm thinking about avoiding Bora Bora, Tahiti, Baker Island and other smaller islands for a while, and focus on taking Tarawa. If I can get Tarawa, I'll gain a key foothold for operations in Gilberts and Marshalls. And if that succeeds, it's gonna be much easier to cut off said Bora Bora, Tahiti and Baker without losing any more men. Maybe send a couple of bombardment missions to neutralize these islands, as a temporary measure. But I'm still evaluating my options here. As well as time frame.

[RangerJoe]

You are bombing too high for good accuracy.

[PaxMondo]

yeah, 5 miles is a long way …

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Well, yeah, but that's for a day bombing against medium fighter opposition. As soon as P-38s start flying offensive sweeps, I'll try lowering the altitude.

Another note. Kind of a geography question. Do I even need to land on the eastern hex at Guadalcanal? I'm pretty sure I can just land on the NW hex, and then attack from there over land. Won't be forced to Shock Attack this way. If the opposition is smaller there, then why not try it instead of landing at Lunga hex? Thoughts?