Fuel and Supply

[a1981stingray]

I am currently an IJ Player in 3 games. I have been trying 3 different strategies to find a better solution to the problem of moving supplies to all bases in the early part of the game. My problem is in the late months of the game, the Allied Player can easily cut off critical supply routes to forward bases, therefore those locations need to be stockpiled to maximum.


My 1st solution was to use all my AP transports to move supplies to Kavieng, then use fleets of fast transports to move supplies to Wewak, Madang, Lae, Rabual, and Shortland. Then use smaller task force fleets of fast transports and barges to move supplies into forward bases like Lunga, Irau, Gili-Gili, Dobadura, and Buna. Occasionally, I would use a fleet of the largest capacity transports to move the INF Divisions to forward bases as soon as they arrived in Truk. I prefer to move the entire Division and not break units apart across multiple transport fleets.

Unfortunately, in every game, fuel becomes a serious problem for the IJN. The fast transports can move, across short distances, more supplies in a shorter time than the large slow AP transports, but they consume vast amounts of fuel. Those fast transport ships also get lots of system damage which need several weeks to repair, so a reserve fleet needs to be ready to takeover when the time comes. On a positive note about fast transports, 1- less likely to be hit by subs lurking near the base, 2- less likely to be hit from long range bombers, and 3- they don’t need a CV Fleet to protect them for extended amount of days/turns in range of enemy CV Fleet. That means your CV fighters can provide CAP for the CV Fleet and not the AP transports, and that is a positive not losing a carrier. Let the LBA fighters protect the ships coming and going from the port.

So my 1st attempt was to reproduce a Tokyo Express run in The Slot to determine the distance, fuel consumption, and amount of supplies delivered. Then take this formula and apply it to other locations like Kavieng to Madang and Rabaul to Shortland. This works well and can maintain a huge amount of supply being stockpiled with those bases having INF divisions and air operations.



My 2nd solution was to use the largest capacity of transports to move supplies from Truk to Kavieng. Then use the medium capacity transports to move equal amounts of supplies to the next base Kavieng to Shortland. Then use a transport fleet with 3 of the smallest capacity transports, a minesweeper, and PG/PC escorts to move supplies from Shortland to Lunga.

This formula works very well. So the amount of supplies delivered to Kavieng was 100,000 only 4 bases would be supplied with 20,000 while Kavieng stockpiles the remaining 20,000. With this solution, an equal amount of supplies does get to the bases, but the number of divisions stationed and the amount of air operations, can use up more supplies than what was delivered over time. This creates a severe negative when fleets get re-assigned temporarily to resupply that base, which in turn reduces the total amount needed at other bases to hold out in the late game.

Another unfortunate point is that the amount of fuel that needs to be at each base. Those transports will refuel their tanks before they head back to their primary base. Those transports can operate for a very long time before they need fuel. That fuel in those forward bases is for Combat Task Forces that need it more than the slow transports. So now tankers need to be assigned to go into hostile waters to replenish the Combat Fleets.


My 3rd solution was to use all the transports and tankers to move fuel, supplies, and troops to each base. This requires careful planning with all LBA fighters and combat ships to provide protection at the destination. So what happened for me was Lunga became fully stockpiled in 1 trip and in a very short time of about 15 days/turns from Truk to Lunga and back to Truk. This short turnaround time then allowed the fleets to shift focus for the 8th Army divisions into PNG. A positive note was to have the tankers arrive after the transports had departed so that those transports did not use up any more fuel than necessary. This left large amounts of fuel for combat fleets operating in the area.




Every game is different and sometimes the best planned strategy does not work. In one of my last games Lunga was stockpiled with 900,000 supplies and had lasted until October of 43 while under daily assaults for several months. Unfortunately, Lae having the same amount of supplies did not hold out as long, due to air combat operations using up all the supply.

[borner]

There are a few different ways you can move supplies. Some players use the large transports to move supply to bases such as Rabaul or Shortland, and then the small 1000 AP's to move it forward from there. This does tend to be a little more expensive in fuel though as you have more transports going more total hexes to move the same level of supplies.

What I have found is that until at least late 1942, you can move your convoys to most bases without a serious threat of attack. Gili Gili and Port Morsby being two major exceptions. Lugna and Lea are in range of US long range bombers from Luganville or Aus bases, but I will usually gladly trade a few AP's for B-17's to fly that far into 100+ fighters - but that is a topic for another thread. As you get later in the game, you can relocate your supply hub to the rear, and use your AG's to keep supply moving forward through the Solomans. Shortland-Vila-Lugna is a nice run for a barge TF. At least until the US gets a forward base somewhere and can start picking off AG's by the dozen.

Of you options, I prefer #3. You can manage the fuel issue by waiting until later to bring fuel to a forward port like Lugna. Also, remember that your AP's can carry fuel instead of supplies at 50% capasity. Often times getting 20k fuel somewhere is better then 40k of general supplies. For me, fuel usually becomes a bigger issue than supplies once I get into 1943.

After Spring of 1943 everything changes. No matter how much supply you have, the US can usually pick a base it wants to pound, and you will quickly burn through whatever you have. Especially if they have taken a base closer in such as Irau or Gili Gili and has 2 engine bombers and fighters forward. However, you are clearly doing something right if you still held Lugna and it was still in supply by Oct 43.


Sorry I have nothing really new to add. Overall your approach seems well thought out and correct. The only advise I would give would be if you went to the hub and spoke options, to move your supply point from Kavieng to Rabaul or Shortland at least though 1942