Pauk's corner: sake break for Japanese fanboys

[pauk]

but i still control trail to Yunan.... and if everything goes as i planed Yunan will be in my hands in few months.

IMHO Mytkina is really to close to the enemy bases. We all know that Burma is screwed but we have to live with that....that's why i choosed Mandalay for main defensive line.....

As for supply training, i'm really not a big fan of it... but i still have air superiority in the China and can easily train my LBAs

[Sneer]

i think game only checks who control entry and exit point of burma road
but you need to ask sb with higher knowledge

[pauk]

i think i asked and got the answer - > Burma road is open only when all hexes are allied controled.

Anyway, here is screenshot of my future operations in China. The key is to keep Kumning and Yunan AFs closed that Andy can't reinforce those bases. My guess is he will withdraw to Yunan when he notice that i approaching from the north. He can't defend two bases at the same time i think. The truth is i don't have owerhelming force there but i hope that Chinese are starved and therefore not a match for my brave soldiers.

Didn't have intention to start Konichiwa go that early, but i have to do it now since Andy will try to re-open Burma road.

[pauk]

Still quiet. Had a discussion with Andy - he was suprised i'm not going for auto victory. I've replied to him i was never interested in that and want to keep my forces intact. I told him that i hope he wont wait for late 43 for offensive.

He replied that he wont do anything until he got Hellcats and he waits for Corsairs. Which would, probably, make this game dull and quick unless he commits a big mistake.

Meanwhile i'm preparing my AF for upcoming Allied offensive and train everything i can:




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/14/42

CHINA - usual stuff, Chinese AFs bombed from the air.

BURMA - another attack on my tk regiments near Myitkina.

AUSTRALIA

Ground combat at 12,93 - my tank regiments arrives at crossroad. One more shock attack ordered but they will remain in the hex. I don't want to get them cut off from the Derby. Anyway, enemy tk units will be out of action for couple of months.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4545 troops, 6 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Defending force 790 troops, 0 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Japanese max assault: 274 - adjusted assault: 262

Allied max defense: 9 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 262 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 23

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


IMPERIAL HQ NEWS SHEET

Two Lily sentais arrives at Home islands. I will use them in China but can't upgrade both of them to Sallys and Helens (i'm producing them about 100 ac together per month and quite a low on them).

I stopped several RO class subs and accelerated transport subs. I will need their big capacity for evacuating (Australia, Pacific. They should arrive in next 9 months - all four of them.

Musashi will arrive in app 50 days and that will relase 185 navalshipyard points. Tahio will join her in two months. If i manage to stock NS points i will consider accelerating some DDs - Japan had never enough of them...

Jack is moved by another month and will start producing in January 43.

Supply situation is not brilliant - dropped to 2 730 000 because i'm expanding my industry. But i'm keeping an eye on that and think will be ok.

[Ursa MAior]

ORIGINAL: pauk
Jack is moved by another month and will start producing in January 43.

What does that mean? You managed to start the production 2 months earlier? How?

[pauk]

Hi Ursa,

You got it right. I managed to speed up production by investing in research (rd) - i have just bellow 400 rd points for Jack.




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/15/42

My fears about new ASW routine came true. I send minelaying TF to Suva and two of five subs are lost! One of my precious minelaying sub is lost and now i'm down to two subs of this types.


ASW attack near Suva at 86,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Bancroft
DD Bailey
DD Woodworth
------------------------------------
ASW attack near Suva at 86,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Bagley
DD Morris
DD Walke

I-23 is now on 67 float damage and i can say goodby to her.

The sad thing is Mitchell dropped one bomb on I-121 and she immediately sunk. Phew! I can assign multi ASW TFs, lots of crack bombers to the ASW but i cant even locate enemy subs in the port hex. On the other hand, Allies sunk 40% of my subs in one turn in similar situation.

Of course this could be only my impression, but dead crew from two subs don't think so...

Here is one CR which have not anything with truth (all these ships are in several different locations) - annoying but not serious bug...

ASW attack near Suva at 86,114

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo
CVE Unyo
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
AV Kamikawa Maru
AV Akitsushima
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
AS Jingei
AS Chogei
AS Taigei
AS Nagoya Maru
AS Rio de Janiero Maru
AS Yasukuni Maru
AS Manju Maru
AS Tsukushi Maru
AS Heian Maru
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
CL Natori
CL Kuma
CL Tama
CL Kiso
CL Oi
CL Tatsuta
CL Yubari
DD Akizuki
DD Makigumo
DD Takanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
none , Shell hits 10

Allied Ships
DD Bagley
DD Morris
DD Walke
DD Russell

Last shock attack on armoured enemy units. We will stay on Perth-Derby crossroad. Andy told me that he is not worried about northern Australia in my hands and he can eventually take from me latter in the game via railroad. Hah, did he really mean that i'm so naive? I bet he will try cut my troops with Navy in late 1943 and then crush me....


Ground combat at 12,94

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4555 troops, 6 guns, 285 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 220 troops, 0 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese max assault: 276 - adjusted assault: 206

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 206 to 1

Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

One more bug - ghost unit holds off against Chinese unit. Andy send Chinese to clear Burma road but he found "Ghost samurais" one hex north of Yunan (they aren't visible on map and i can not access to ghost unit)

Ground combat at 37,31

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1092 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Defending force 935 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied max assault: 30 - adjusted assault: 7

Japanese max defense: 16 - adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1

If you think that was all, well i must dissapoint you. I'm unable to pick my troops from Akyab so this was really unpleasent turn. What makes me nervous is this last bug cause i'm afraid i will be unable to evacuate troops in more important situations - and this will be a game killer...

[pauk]

Still quiet so there is no need to post CRs for couple of days. Only news worth to be mentioned is sinking of TK Santa Maria (previously damaged from type 88 mine at Palmyira) and - Andy's offensive in Burma/China where he trying to reopen Burma road. He attacking my ghost unit on the road but it will take a time until he clears a path from Myitkina to Yunan....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/18/42 & 12/19/42


Day Air attack on Yokosuka 1st SNLF, at 37,30 - a ghost unit!

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 37
A-20B Boston x 45
B-25C Mitchell x 66
B-26B Marauder x 10
B-17E Fortress x 41
B-24D Liberator x 51
IL-4c x 18





Ground combat at 40,35 - east of Kweiyang. i want to keep him busy there.

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2372 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1275

Defending force 116828 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2896

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

AUSTRALIA

Ground combat at 12,94 - Derby-Perth crossroad

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4650 troops, 6 guns, 293 vehicles, Assault Value = 162

Defending force 14180 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 352

Japanese max assault: 148 - adjusted assault: 112

Allied max defense: 334 - adjusted defense: 243

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

He brought 6th Australian division there. Mix bde on their way to help our panzers and if he becomes easy going there again, i will know how to exploit that!

[Kapten Q]

Hmm well.

First japanese ASW weapons suck in this game until they get type 2(?) and 4(?) and ASW mortars. Allied ASW weapons do not suck hence the results. B-25 drops a 500lb bomb on sub, glugg, glugg. Sally drops a 250kg bomb on sub, damage. Not much to do about it.

Second cool aircombat TF [:D].

Third Akayab. Pick up with what? Naval or LBA transports? You need a baseforce in Akayab to use your LBA transports for pick up.

Do try to force a carrier battle on your terms (in range of your LBA) or pray that he conducts an invasion before he gets F6F and to many CV, mega KB will slaughter the allied fleet. How does it look in the Luganville - Efate - Noumea axis? If he does not want to fight maybe you could secure this area early -43? He must have huge assets tied down in and around Tarawa for fear of a counterattack.

Get those Jacks up an running ASAP, they eat P-38 for lunch with crack pilots in the cockpit. Four 20mm canons [X(]!

Keep the presure up, I am truly adicted to this AAR.

Q

[Sneer]

jacks are difinetly best solution
there always be a need of long range escort so not all navy planes can be converted but as base defender they are best
1943 close
i think that unless you show weakness within marshalls there will be little action there - he must be aware that you reinforced area - every player must in such situation.
question which other theater will be good to provoke enemy to decisive battle
OZ area - low probability and little space - too much LBA on both sides
Salomons  - looks good but it is difficult to put really strong pressure there
maybe gilberts rear areas - not best with gilberts off but...
i don't remebrer if baker is yours or allied as well as canton - if you still have baker you can try to use it 
how about your mobile reserves - how many troops can you use without weakening perimeter ?

[Sneer]

hm .....
From what I found in Andy's game vs PZB and our short Iron storm episode he is methodical player and no unneeded risk will be taken
will be difficult to press him - or maybe even impossible
he is ahead of schedule in CEN PAC and this makes his position comfortable- no more risk is needed
i think he will increase pressure in Northern OZ and within 6-8 months he doesn't have any big need to use fleet
i guess some support from heavy ships maybe used in final stages of Northern Oz operation but no sooner
he will build up caledonia and ready up to jump through salomons / i assume gilberts are safe for him /
he knows well you need to go for decisive battle within next 6 months and certainly it will be difficult to force him to it especially it is you who starts to be under pressure
 
maybe running behind gilberts on his LOC would result positivly - maybe on his routes to NZ /Nomuea ? i don't know
there is always chance you will catch him during transit
it needs to be done in slightly chaotic pattern - diffrent home bases , areas of operations
not a big chance i know but ....
 

[Ursa MAior]

ORIGINAL: pauk
Hi Ursa,
You got it right. I managed to speed up production by investing in research (rd) - i have just bellow 400 rd points for Jack.

Does that mean that you have factories wich "produce" cca 400 J2M Jack -rd?

Sorry I am bit slow to fully understand these days.

[pauk]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

Still quiet except China theatre. Unfortunatly, Konichiwa-go not goes smoothly - Andy was aware and send blocking force east of Chungking. I've responded with sending troops on Chengtu-Chungking road but it will take a time till they arrive.

IMPERIAL HQ NEWS SHEET

Here are my total industry. Still fighting with supply but there is nothing i can do it right now.

I eagerly waiting for Musashi and Taiho - this will free enormous amount of naval shipyard points....

[pauk]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/42



I thought i could trust my recon planes - but no. Chungking is reconed day bay day, week by week, month by month and AF damage is never closer than 70. I'm bombing it regulary, and yesterday mission was supposed to be routine.... oh, yeah...



Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 39

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
P-38G Lightning x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 13 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 19 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet


35 bombers lost in that mission. At least these bombers were from Kumning and only one air group was crack. I stood down all ac which were on training missions (don't want to be intercepted again) and start moving Tojos and Tonies to Ichang. I need to be patient and see what will Andy do...

If he wont mass fighters anymore, i think i could deal with him - 120 crack army fighters should clear path for the bombers....

One Sally sentai ordered on night attack - just small harrasment raid.

In the Australia i've reinforced my two tk regiments with mix bde and ordered attack for tomorrow. Andy have 6th Aus division and two more unknown units on Derby-Perth crossroads....

[PzB74]

Think I said something about being careful with training missions in China Pauk [:'(]
Really not sure you can afford not to use supply training in 43-44?

[pauk]

hehe... guilty as charged... but i really trusted my bombers and recon... i guess i will listen you next time.

now, even better things comes. forgot to stood down one Sally airgroup and pay it dearly...[8|]




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/42

Not a much, but perhaps Andy would switch some fighters to night CAP

Night Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

Oh, that hurts... stupid pauk-san...phew!

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
P-40B Tomahawk x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 42
P-38G Lightning x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 8 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged

Ok, what to do now? Andy moved Spits to the Chengtu and i afraid their next destination is Chungking? Can i deal with P-38Gs and Spits with my Tojos and Tonys...? Suggestions please?

Failure in Australia - one aus bde and AT unit joined 6th Aus division....


Ground combat at 12,94

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20577 troops, 190 guns, 291 vehicles, Assault Value = 492

Defending force 20086 troops, 207 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 466

Japanese max assault: 894 - adjusted assault: 236

Allied max defense: 457 - adjusted defense: 702

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2540 casualties reported
Guns lost 32
Vehicles lost 12

Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

[Sneer]

you can deal with them with mass sweeps - 4 daitais should be enough
to start with
if you use them on escort they will eat you
2-3 sweeps and 1 bombing
should work

[pauk]

we are going to try.... recon says that 160 enemy fighters are in Chungking now... if i could get coordinated strike from Kumning (100 army fighters and 200 from Ichang)....

[Sneer]

if airfield is damaged as shown on screenshot enmy will have quite a lot of damaged planes and their number will increase every day
you need few sweeps and later bombers will finish this extravaganza

[pauk]

two days of epic battles in the air from both sides. So far enemy lost 184 planes in return for 97 jap planes. If everything goes right by tomorrow this bloody campaing will be over. The weather is party cloudly and despite that i need a touch of goddess Fortune.

I will post details tomorrow....

[pauk]

what a brutal air campaign in the skies over Chungking last three days... I lost app 120 planes (not including ambushed Sallys) but i was able to regain air superiority in the China!






AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/42 - day two



Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 133
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 99
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-49 Helen x 25
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
Spitfire Vb x 8
P-40B Tomahawk x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 39
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 27 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
Spitfire Vb: 9 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 17 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 22 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 11 destroyed
Wellington III: 2 destroyed
Beaufighter VIF: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
259 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 43

All bombing at 6000 feet

This strike comes from Kweiyang. Not the good results but i gambled and ordered afternoon attack. Sweep from Ichang done good job but somehow lots of enemy fighters were in the sky in afternoon phase. Those fighters were on escort....


Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 45
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 66
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
Spitfire Vb x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 21
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 19 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
Spitfire Vb: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 7 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 5 destroyed
Wellington III: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
103 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 21000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 21000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 21000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

Battle on Chungking-Yunan road. Without supply and support from HQ my soldiers couldn't do anything. Ok, lets pray that other units will arrive on the road to (from there i can retreat to Kweyiang through the woods).


Ground combat at 41,32

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 23985 troops, 275 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Defending force 6479 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Japanese max assault: 486 - adjusted assault: 90

Allied max defense: 172 - adjusted defense: 333

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1112 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 2



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/42 - day three

He couldn't resist and withdrew all fighters, however there is lots of damaged planes left on the ground to be destroyed. It seems that you were right Sneer-san. Many thanks.

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 45
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
Wellington III: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 83

at 6000 feet
------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 83

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed
Wellington III: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 101

at 6000 feet

By the end of this battle, Andy lost app 240 for my 110 planes. It was my victory, but the costly one. Now it is time to finish remains of enemy mercenery planes at Chungking and close down all airfields again. I cant affort myself to be delirious, i lost quite a lot experienced pilots. The good thing is that almost all sentais are at full strength (i have enough time to reinforce them with more pilots than max size)...


Now i have questions for you guys.

1. i'm still confused how planes can fly in the closed AF? I was under UV-impression that when you close AF no flights are possible. It seems that i'm wrong?

2. I need to restart training program. I've trained my airgroups to the 80s but afraid that wont have enough time for that. My goal is 75. Is it enough?

Do you recall a Chiba brothers? Well there is a letter from younger of them, Bonsai Chiba to his brother Funaki Chiba (top score IJA AF ace currently on duty at Home islands)

Dear brother,

We whip out white imperialists from the China, but i'm more and more convinced that this war wont be peace of cake. Although our Army equipped us with good planes it seems that damned imperialists have better ones. I believe they calling them Lightings and Spitfires. We were victorious again but this time we paid with many good friends lost. Forutunatly, my daitai wasnt decimated and i must admit, i was happy to stay alive. Didn't score my first victory yet, i guarded veteran Oshima Hashimoto and he claimed his 3rd kill. You recall him - right? He teach me all tricks which i will use and hopefully kill those damned white imperialists! What they doing in China? Cant they realise that they don't belong here, especially when Chai Kang-Check surrenders. I heard that one more IJA pilot score 6 kills in bloody campaign - Ronaldawo Ban from 77th Sentai.

that's all for now,
Banzai, Bonsai