Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

A squadron of heavy bombers are working over Manado's runways while we occasionally bombard it with a heavy cruiser force.

I guess a pincer move is coming here...or a little deception (or routed away from the subs) prior to rerouting to Balikpapan to rescue the troops there back to Singers for a fortress Singers gambit...which is what I think is likely. However the sub dropped mines at Manado could portend a breakout as the runway most likely is operational. The appearance of the KB would negate naval air attacks from Morotai and Talaud and Mindanao....

Will make plans accordingly, and rebase some strike aircraft.

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[Lowpe]

Plane losses for the day.

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[Lowpe]

Looking good, as usual. Unless you are really short on supplies at the front, I'd convert a bunch more Liberties to xAPs. I'd also consider using some of your long-range flying boats to move HQs closer.

Click fatigue can be a problem. I try not to pay too much attention to air units--I don't care about airframe fatigue or pilot morale, and I don't shuffle pilots much at all. I figure I operate at about 95% efficiency with a quarter of the clicks required for 99% efficiency. You just have to figure out what clicks really add value to what you're doing. Heck, I remember an AAR where Canoerebel used to not even pay attention to pilot training--he'd just send raw pilots to his frontline units. He still did pretty well.

If they ever do a WIPT 2, there are a lot of things they could do to minimize clicks, such as standing orders for air units (rest if morale reaches 70%, graduate pilots to the pool when they've reached 50 EXP and 70 air skill, etc.). I'd keep the basic game intact while tackling a bunch of quality of life issues.

Cheers,
CB

Checking tracker I have converted 90 Liberty ships to troop transports and have 50 more to convert left, roughly.

Most of my Cats are ferrying troops forward...higher echelon command HQs are just lower on the priority list. But we are getting there.

I haven't really done too much with pilot training...USAAF is pretty good, USN is pretty poor, USMC good also. Also, I really neglected TOE upgrades and device upgrades, and ignore intelligence reports to save clicks.

I doubt we see a WITP 2...but maybe not. Might be an AI programed game in 10 years for example? I would like to see a selection process for moving portions of a large lcu stack, perhaps a R&R mode for recovery and replenishment of units, morale or fatigue rating for ships especially subs.

[Lowpe]

Sept 9, 1943

Lots of nice juicy submarine wins this day....

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Small scale probing attack to see what kind of fighter presence Japan would move into Balikpapen....if the task forces decided to go there.

Morning Air attack on Balikpapan , at 64,97

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[Lowpe]

Japan up to their usual in and around Singers:

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[RangerJoe]

I wonder, if you had some attack bombers with a little firepower up front, could you send them in low without escorts and destroy both ships and enemy CAP?

[Lowpe]

I wonder, if you had some attack bombers with a little firepower up front, could you send them in low without escorts and destroy both ships and enemy CAP?

Those b25d1 are packed with nosecone 50 calibers...but are only twin engine. The Hellcats either came from the carriers...well, not sure where they came from to be honest so most likely they were at 15k or slim chance at 30k.

Setting a squadron of beasts to bomb from 30k works too, at stretching out the enemy LRCAP over ships. I used to call it a poor mans sweep....HB at 30k escorted by Jugs or Corsairs or something really good. Might be considered gamey over ships....but the technique works. Not gamey with torpedo bombers flying from max elevation with escorts.

Fly 100 Heavy bombers in formation at 30k over those ships...the enemy cap would get worn down pretty damn quickly. lols

[Lowpe]

Messed up my move order into Moulmein....only one division and a regiment went in. Three more divisions tomorrow...I caught the mistake...but was hoping the IJA forces would vacate the base and let them go in. The regiment got shattered, the division barely touched.

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[CaptBeefheart]

I'd be careful about raiding Singapore. I've had the IJN AI do a bombardment and they get shredded as they go through a channel with CDs (like Astoria or Bataan). Anyway, it's probably worth sending a couple of expendable DDs first and see what happens.

Cheers,
CB

[Lowpe]

Sept 10, 1943

Our DESRON makes contact just outside of Balikpapen. This is our 1-2 punch....with CV Benedict Arnold Group coming down the straights...but she might not be needed. AS a JFB I really like using those CS as Rufe low CAP with the KB....shockingly effective in that role. This is the 2nd CS the Allies have destroyed in this war. Not real sure what this task force was up to...it had no troops aboard.

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One Fletcher and a handful of Bristol class destroyers.

[Lowpe]

I keep trying to attack Japan on a lot of Vectors to disperse here defense....float planes score. I will most likely pull the float planes out and back for some R&R.

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[Lowpe]

Working over Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay

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[Lowpe]

Japan looks like they want to rescue that isolated IJA Regiment to the west.

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[Lowpe]

To make any potential breakout thru the Celebes Sea more difficult, we stepped up the suppression of Manado's runway. This will let our land based air be a bit more effective freeing up ships for other duties.

A pity our PT boats missed the enemy task force....but I can't complain about the results.

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[Lowpe]

Japan retreated their CAP trap ships back to Singers....

The British Navy...lots of Cruisers and a fair number of destroyers is at Georgetown now....I am thinking about a mad dash around Singers to be able to use them in the perimeter guard against a breakout from Singers. Perhaps that is too risky, and would leave Georgetown's port vulnerable....well, tbh, Georgetown is vulnerable to the Yamato.

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[Lowpe]

I'd be careful about raiding Singapore. I've had the IJN AI do a bombardment and they get shredded as they go through a channel with CDs (like Astoria or Bataan). Anyway, it's probably worth sending a couple of expendable DDs first and see what happens.

Cheers,
CB

Japan just doesn't have that many CD guns...and I spotted the Wake Gun unit at Rabaul. More worried about 1000 mines.

[Encircled]

The longer he waits, the worse it is going to be for him

I'm surprised that a player as good as your opponent appears to be hasn't grasped that

[JanSako]

Maybe he did.
Those ships are dead anyway, and if the transports have nothing to haul/he has plenty more in Japan, what is the point? This way there is a sort-of fleet-in-being that is keeping all those subs & DesRons & DS & whatnot on station in the South China sea instead of doing other mischief. At least as long as the supply in Singers holds.

[Lowpe]

Maybe he did.
Those ships are dead anyway, and if the transports have nothing to haul/he has plenty more in Japan, what is the point? This way there is a sort-of fleet-in-being that is keeping all those subs & DesRons & DS & whatnot on station in the South China sea instead of doing other mischief. At least as long as the supply in Singers holds.

+1, plus the fuel is basically free and plentiful.

[Encircled]

Bit too historic for my liking that!

Heavy units stuck in the DEI while the Home Islands are vulnerable!