A Canuck in the Pacific - ADavidB vs Treespider
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Desperate Reality...
Good reading as always. Do you expect an actual invasion of northern Australia eventually? Or is he just being aggressive about protecting his southern flank?
RE: Desperate Reality...
ORIGINAL: Grotius
Good reading as always. Do you expect an actual invasion of northern Australia eventually? Or is he just being aggressive about protecting his southern flank?
Don't know. There is nothing to stop him at this time. I just want to pull my more valuable units back and let them recover and build in the relative safety of souther Oz so they are available for use later on.
If I can build large air units I can stop his air attacks. But the Allies get useful air units at a much lower pace than the Japanese do in early 1942. (It does no good to have lots of Spitfires in the Pool when I can't upgrade to them until July 1942.) So I have to be extra careful with my P-40s, and even with my B-17s because they are the only weapon that I have that can't seriously threaten the Japanese at this time. And the replacement rate of B-17s is not what it used to be in earlier versions of the Game.
So I have to be careful with what I have as far as my Army Air units go because they are my most important defensive units early in the Game.
What about the five US CVs you may ask? Well, the problem is Japanese torpedo-carrying LBA. Unless I'm willing to take my Naval Air units off the CVs and put them on land, it's hard to put them to use because my CVs are horribly vulnerable to attacks by Bettys and Nells during 1942. You can pretty much count on almost any Japanese LBA attack on a carrier TF to put a torpedo into a US CV in that time frame. This limits the usefulness of US CVs to provide close-in support or suppression of enemy air bases.
So my strategy is focused upon setting up land-based air defenses, for which I need lots of good land-based air units, both fighters and bombers. And I can only get them in early 1942 by being patient and by not letting them be eaten away by Japanese air power.
Thanks for the comments -
Dave Baranyi
Noumea Under Attack...
March 5, 1942 -
Things worked out much better for Treespider this turn, but fortunately, his successes obscured my actions to pull back my more important units from Northern Australia. And with Treespider's rapid and aggressive advances, having good units and supply in Eastern and Southern Australia is becoming more important all the time.
Essentially everything went wrong in some manner for my forces this turn. AVD McFarland was on ASW duty at Pago Pago when I-18 came back and put a torpedo into the ship. Fortunately McFarland didn't sink and I was able to disband it into the port. This surprised me because I had a report a couple of turns ago that other ASW ships had hit I-18 fairly hard. Japanese subs are certainly hard to sink in v1.801 of the Game. In any event, I'm sending more ASW ships to Pago Pago this turn to see if I can drive I-18 out of there.
My Hudsons finally flew out of Derby a day late and were pummeled by the CAP at Koepang. Treespider also put some Zeros back into Mandalay and the Blenheims that I sent in were ambushed. So I'm sending in the B-17 group accompanied by the AVG this turn to see if I can nip this in the bud. But considering that the weather forecast is for rain, I may well see piecemeal attacks that get chewed up by the CAP. Treespider also sent another Zero sweep into Darwin that hit the P-35s that I put in there. I lost 6 P-35s for 1 Zero, which all things considered isn't that bad. But it does show the depths to which my forces have sunk. At least bombers weren't sent back to Darwin.
In the land war, Japanese troops easily captured Jesselton, Sag Sag, Gili Gili, and Teloekbetoeng. Manila, Wuchow, Soerabaja and Batavia received artillery attacks.
But all that aside, the big news was that an Allied transport TF at Noumea was spotted by a Jake! Yes, the KB and another TF are coming in from the northwest. Is Treespider just on a fishing trip or is he making a very early grab for Noumea? I'm guessing the later, but it really doesn't make much difference because I can't defend against either. So I split the transport TF into individual ship TFs and have sent them off in an arc towards the southeast.
But I also had one of my CV TFs in the port in Noumea. I formed them up and I'm also sending them off to the southeast. If they don't get spotted I'll attempt to swing them around to the west and see if I can come up from behind while the Japanese naval air is chasing after a dozen or more single-ship transport TFs. The odds are greatly against me being able to do this, but the weather is bad in this region so maybe I'll get a break for a change. (Yeah; sure. [8|])
Dave Baranyi
Things worked out much better for Treespider this turn, but fortunately, his successes obscured my actions to pull back my more important units from Northern Australia. And with Treespider's rapid and aggressive advances, having good units and supply in Eastern and Southern Australia is becoming more important all the time.
Essentially everything went wrong in some manner for my forces this turn. AVD McFarland was on ASW duty at Pago Pago when I-18 came back and put a torpedo into the ship. Fortunately McFarland didn't sink and I was able to disband it into the port. This surprised me because I had a report a couple of turns ago that other ASW ships had hit I-18 fairly hard. Japanese subs are certainly hard to sink in v1.801 of the Game. In any event, I'm sending more ASW ships to Pago Pago this turn to see if I can drive I-18 out of there.
My Hudsons finally flew out of Derby a day late and were pummeled by the CAP at Koepang. Treespider also put some Zeros back into Mandalay and the Blenheims that I sent in were ambushed. So I'm sending in the B-17 group accompanied by the AVG this turn to see if I can nip this in the bud. But considering that the weather forecast is for rain, I may well see piecemeal attacks that get chewed up by the CAP. Treespider also sent another Zero sweep into Darwin that hit the P-35s that I put in there. I lost 6 P-35s for 1 Zero, which all things considered isn't that bad. But it does show the depths to which my forces have sunk. At least bombers weren't sent back to Darwin.
In the land war, Japanese troops easily captured Jesselton, Sag Sag, Gili Gili, and Teloekbetoeng. Manila, Wuchow, Soerabaja and Batavia received artillery attacks.
But all that aside, the big news was that an Allied transport TF at Noumea was spotted by a Jake! Yes, the KB and another TF are coming in from the northwest. Is Treespider just on a fishing trip or is he making a very early grab for Noumea? I'm guessing the later, but it really doesn't make much difference because I can't defend against either. So I split the transport TF into individual ship TFs and have sent them off in an arc towards the southeast.
But I also had one of my CV TFs in the port in Noumea. I formed them up and I'm also sending them off to the southeast. If they don't get spotted I'll attempt to swing them around to the west and see if I can come up from behind while the Japanese naval air is chasing after a dozen or more single-ship transport TFs. The odds are greatly against me being able to do this, but the weather is bad in this region so maybe I'll get a break for a change. (Yeah; sure. [8|])
Dave Baranyi
RE: Noumea Under Attack...
March 6, 1942 -
Treespider commented on how this was a "quiet" turn for a change. Of course, "quiet" is quite relative; I replied that it was "no wonder" that it was quiet because he was "running out of bases to invade". [;)] Actually, he isn't; Japanese troops landed at Arawe and Sandakan this turn. His troops also captured Batavia quite easily.
What Treespider was referring to, of course, was the relative quiet in the air war, particularly over Northern Australia and Timor. I'm being quiet because I am still pulling forces out of there. Things are going well and I ought to have everything repositioned the way that I want within a couple of turns. If Treespider wants to restart a Sweep/Bomb campaign he will be able to do so without any counter attacks for now.
However, most of the Japanese LBA is still busy pounding Soerabaja and Manila on a daily basis. Both bases also received artillery bombardments today. I don't expect Soerabaja to last more than a couple more assaults. I have no idea what is keeping Manila going; it might last for a month, it might fall at the next assault.
The situation in China is still fairly stable. Wuchow is the only Chinese base that is currently being besieged. I've caused Treespider to place a lot of Japanese troops in the countryside to block possible Chinese attacks on Japanese bases. This is great because it reduces Treespider's ability to accumulate massive forces in a single location. And this is all possible because I pulled those dozen or so good units out of the trap at Changsha before it closed. Treespider gained another base, but he missed out on removing a large portion of the Chinese forces from play.
Things are also relatively quiet in Burma. I sent a B-17E group along with the AVG to bomb Mandalay from high altitude. The AVG and the CAP tangled and both sides lost a couple of planes, but the bombers did little damage. Since I have no reserve of P-40Bs I'm going to let Mandalay be for a while. All those Japanese troops in Burma are a nuisance at most at this time and I don't want to deplete my air defenses just in case Treespider does try an Indian "adventure". So I'll let Malaria do my work for me at this time.
As is usual in this game, the region with the most critical situation, the South Pacific, was hit with severe thunderstorms everywhere this turn, so the Japanese TFs that were a half dozen hexes to the northwest of New Caledonia last turn totally disappeared this turn. A Japanese sub appeared in Noumea Harbor, but I don't believe that my air patrols made that big of a mistake last turn and mixed it up for a couple of big, slow TFs. What I suspect is happening is the same thing that Treespider did during his invasion of Port Moresby. He is sending an invasion TF that is being accompanied by a bombardment TF, a carrier TF and a replenishment TF. They are all travelling at "cruise" speed in order to minimize system damage and thus keep the Detection Levels as low as possible. This also provides a nicely hidden trap if the Allied player charges in with "guns a blazing".
It also appears that Treespider has stood down all of his float planes to avoid inadvertently giving away his presence. (However, the Jake last turn already accomplished that.) So the sub in the Noumea hex is providing scouting instead. (I wonder where the Japanese Glen-carrying subs have gotten to; I haven't seen a Glen in many game-weeks.)
What this has meant is that my "cockroach scatter" has worked so far, and my transports are slowly spreading out and away from Noumea. If this turns out to be a carrier raid instead of an actual invasion then Treespider may miss out on much of his chance by his approach. But I am fairly certain that this is a full-blown invasion; the fact that the Japanese carriers didn't go charging off to hit the transports is pretty much proof of that.
So with this careful approach on the part of Treespider there won't be any opportunity for my CVs to get behind the KB in order to intercept any slow TFs. It will be interesting to see what Treespider does with this advance because he will now have a base that is very, very far from his main supply lines. And I don't normally move much in the way of forces between the Eastern Pacific and Australia anyway, so it's not like this will inconvenience me terribly.
BTW - if you are wondering, I still only have the original base force in Noumea. I didn't bother to reinforce it because in early March 1942 I just don't have the forces necessary to set up a defense-in-depth in the region. And all I've had that base force do is build fortifications. Treespider will have to use his own troops to build up the air fields and port.
The "big" news for the Allies this turn was that a Japanese barge hit a mine and sank at Lunga Harbor. I've still got the old Argonaut chugging along, laying nuisance mines here and there. It doesn't lay many, and it doesn't lay them too often, but it keeps chugging. [8D] Another piece of good news was that I was able to finally change my third and last squadron of P-26s to P-39s. Hey, call them "Aerocoffins" if you like, but they are still head-and-shoulders better than P-26s. [&o]
And the port in Brisbane finally reached level 9, which means that I will be able to re-load mines there. I still need to mine the north-eastern Australian bases and it’s a long, long haul for a slow Dutch ML from Sydney to places like Townsville and back.
So my major defensive regions are settling down "into the bunkers" and getting prepared. I am treating China, India, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands and Alaska as separate and self-sufficient regions. Other than some forces that I was able to extract out of the Philippines, Malaya or the DEI, India and Australia will have to depend upon their own reinforcements. I continue to move all CENPAC and SOPAC forces to the Hawaiian Islands and all NOPAC forces to Anchorage.
I'm fascinated by those Japanese players in other AARs who plan to attack the Hawaiian Islands in the summer or fall of 1942. I feel that right now I'm within a couple of game-weeks of being able to stop almost any Japanese invasion attempt of the Hawaiian Islands, and things will only get more in my favor as time goes on. I am also emphasizing "quality over quantity", so I have sent the B-18 group back to the West Coast where it can await the arrival of B-17Gs or whatever it upgrades to in non-PDU games (since there will never be more than the 21 B-17Cs that are currently in the pool). I have six fully functional bases in the Hawaiian Islands now, with each of the minor bases having at least a CD unit, an Infantry unit, a Base Force, and an AA unit, along with a couple of EAB units helping to build up the bases more quickly. And I have six full Infantry divisions and two tank units in Pearl.
So while things are not going well for the Allies, things are not going unexpectedly either, and my defensive strategy is coming into place.
Dave Baranyi
Treespider commented on how this was a "quiet" turn for a change. Of course, "quiet" is quite relative; I replied that it was "no wonder" that it was quiet because he was "running out of bases to invade". [;)] Actually, he isn't; Japanese troops landed at Arawe and Sandakan this turn. His troops also captured Batavia quite easily.
What Treespider was referring to, of course, was the relative quiet in the air war, particularly over Northern Australia and Timor. I'm being quiet because I am still pulling forces out of there. Things are going well and I ought to have everything repositioned the way that I want within a couple of turns. If Treespider wants to restart a Sweep/Bomb campaign he will be able to do so without any counter attacks for now.
However, most of the Japanese LBA is still busy pounding Soerabaja and Manila on a daily basis. Both bases also received artillery bombardments today. I don't expect Soerabaja to last more than a couple more assaults. I have no idea what is keeping Manila going; it might last for a month, it might fall at the next assault.
The situation in China is still fairly stable. Wuchow is the only Chinese base that is currently being besieged. I've caused Treespider to place a lot of Japanese troops in the countryside to block possible Chinese attacks on Japanese bases. This is great because it reduces Treespider's ability to accumulate massive forces in a single location. And this is all possible because I pulled those dozen or so good units out of the trap at Changsha before it closed. Treespider gained another base, but he missed out on removing a large portion of the Chinese forces from play.
Things are also relatively quiet in Burma. I sent a B-17E group along with the AVG to bomb Mandalay from high altitude. The AVG and the CAP tangled and both sides lost a couple of planes, but the bombers did little damage. Since I have no reserve of P-40Bs I'm going to let Mandalay be for a while. All those Japanese troops in Burma are a nuisance at most at this time and I don't want to deplete my air defenses just in case Treespider does try an Indian "adventure". So I'll let Malaria do my work for me at this time.
As is usual in this game, the region with the most critical situation, the South Pacific, was hit with severe thunderstorms everywhere this turn, so the Japanese TFs that were a half dozen hexes to the northwest of New Caledonia last turn totally disappeared this turn. A Japanese sub appeared in Noumea Harbor, but I don't believe that my air patrols made that big of a mistake last turn and mixed it up for a couple of big, slow TFs. What I suspect is happening is the same thing that Treespider did during his invasion of Port Moresby. He is sending an invasion TF that is being accompanied by a bombardment TF, a carrier TF and a replenishment TF. They are all travelling at "cruise" speed in order to minimize system damage and thus keep the Detection Levels as low as possible. This also provides a nicely hidden trap if the Allied player charges in with "guns a blazing".
It also appears that Treespider has stood down all of his float planes to avoid inadvertently giving away his presence. (However, the Jake last turn already accomplished that.) So the sub in the Noumea hex is providing scouting instead. (I wonder where the Japanese Glen-carrying subs have gotten to; I haven't seen a Glen in many game-weeks.)
What this has meant is that my "cockroach scatter" has worked so far, and my transports are slowly spreading out and away from Noumea. If this turns out to be a carrier raid instead of an actual invasion then Treespider may miss out on much of his chance by his approach. But I am fairly certain that this is a full-blown invasion; the fact that the Japanese carriers didn't go charging off to hit the transports is pretty much proof of that.
So with this careful approach on the part of Treespider there won't be any opportunity for my CVs to get behind the KB in order to intercept any slow TFs. It will be interesting to see what Treespider does with this advance because he will now have a base that is very, very far from his main supply lines. And I don't normally move much in the way of forces between the Eastern Pacific and Australia anyway, so it's not like this will inconvenience me terribly.
BTW - if you are wondering, I still only have the original base force in Noumea. I didn't bother to reinforce it because in early March 1942 I just don't have the forces necessary to set up a defense-in-depth in the region. And all I've had that base force do is build fortifications. Treespider will have to use his own troops to build up the air fields and port.
The "big" news for the Allies this turn was that a Japanese barge hit a mine and sank at Lunga Harbor. I've still got the old Argonaut chugging along, laying nuisance mines here and there. It doesn't lay many, and it doesn't lay them too often, but it keeps chugging. [8D] Another piece of good news was that I was able to finally change my third and last squadron of P-26s to P-39s. Hey, call them "Aerocoffins" if you like, but they are still head-and-shoulders better than P-26s. [&o]
And the port in Brisbane finally reached level 9, which means that I will be able to re-load mines there. I still need to mine the north-eastern Australian bases and it’s a long, long haul for a slow Dutch ML from Sydney to places like Townsville and back.
So my major defensive regions are settling down "into the bunkers" and getting prepared. I am treating China, India, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands and Alaska as separate and self-sufficient regions. Other than some forces that I was able to extract out of the Philippines, Malaya or the DEI, India and Australia will have to depend upon their own reinforcements. I continue to move all CENPAC and SOPAC forces to the Hawaiian Islands and all NOPAC forces to Anchorage.
I'm fascinated by those Japanese players in other AARs who plan to attack the Hawaiian Islands in the summer or fall of 1942. I feel that right now I'm within a couple of game-weeks of being able to stop almost any Japanese invasion attempt of the Hawaiian Islands, and things will only get more in my favor as time goes on. I am also emphasizing "quality over quantity", so I have sent the B-18 group back to the West Coast where it can await the arrival of B-17Gs or whatever it upgrades to in non-PDU games (since there will never be more than the 21 B-17Cs that are currently in the pool). I have six fully functional bases in the Hawaiian Islands now, with each of the minor bases having at least a CD unit, an Infantry unit, a Base Force, and an AA unit, along with a couple of EAB units helping to build up the bases more quickly. And I have six full Infantry divisions and two tank units in Pearl.
So while things are not going well for the Allies, things are not going unexpectedly either, and my defensive strategy is coming into place.
Dave Baranyi
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: Noumea Under Attack...
I agree with you that Noumea is nice to have, but not a neccessity. [;)] It cannot be supported by LBA's and the Allies need to hold Suva and Pago Pago more than New Calendonia.
I have done similar with the Dutch ML's and sent some to Oz and the longer legged ones up to India to help there. The Allies have to be more defense minded in '42 and fight the urge to do something offensive just for the sake of doing something. Good job![&o]
Could you go into more detail on how your defense is going in India/Burma?? If KB is supporting the southern route to New Calendonia and beyond, then this theater may be safe.
I have done similar with the Dutch ML's and sent some to Oz and the longer legged ones up to India to help there. The Allies have to be more defense minded in '42 and fight the urge to do something offensive just for the sake of doing something. Good job![&o]
Could you go into more detail on how your defense is going in India/Burma?? If KB is supporting the southern route to New Calendonia and beyond, then this theater may be safe.
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[/center]RE: Noumea Under Attack...
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I agree with you that Noumea is nice to have, but not a neccessity. [;)] It cannot be supported by LBA's and the Allies need to hold Suva and Pago Pago more than New Calendonia.
I have done similar with the Dutch ML's and sent some to Oz and the longer legged ones up to India to help there. The Allies have to be more defense minded in '42 and fight the urge to do something offensive just for the sake of doing something. Good job![&o]
Could you go into more detail on how your defense is going in India/Burma?? If KB is supporting the southern route to New Calendonia and beyond, then this theater may be safe.
The only bad thing about losing Noumea is all the Victory Points that go with it. But those Victory Points aren't worth losing a lot of units and ships trying to defend it.
I was able to pull a number of Brit base forces out of Malaya before it fell, as well as the base forces around Rangoon. I sent those BFs to India, so all of the Indian port bases have RN base forces in them, and all of the inland Indian bases have either RAF or IAF base forces in them. So I'm building up all Indian bases simultaneously. I also pulled most of the Brit HQs out of Malaya and have them supporting my inland air bases in the Bay of Bengal. I split the Indian armored units among the bigger inland bases that are close to the coast - I want them to be able to respond without being vulnerable to naval bombardment.
I sent the first big Brit Infantry division to Trimcomalee. I'll send the next one to Columbo, then all subsequent combat units that arrive at Karachi will be spread around the key bases. I'm trying to prevent Treespider from playing "Pacman" with the inland bases on the rail lines in India.
I have the RN split among the key naval bases, with plenty of air cover. I will try to meet any amphibious landings at the base being invaded. That's why I want to maintain the AVG in good shape - they provide a credible LR CAP for combat TFs.
But you are right - the Indian theater in March is vulnerable if the KB shows up. But every day that Treespider doesn't invade is another day in which India gets stronger.
Thanks for the comments -
Dave Baranyi
Searching in Thunderstorms...
March 7, 1942 -
This was another quiet turn for the Allies and an active turn for the Japanese. Treespider launched lots of air attacks at the remaining Allied bases and a few in China. We are both hitting each other's ground troops in China with older aircraft. If and when Treespider brings some better air units I'll adjust accordingly. Right now I like the status quo, because lots of Japanese units are tied up and not really threatening anything important.
Burma is in a similar state. Treespider has three units each in Myitkyina and Lashio, and six units in Mandalay. It appears that he is trying to set up Mandalay as an "air trap" with lots of AA, air support units, and Air HQ and so on. Once again, as long as they are there, they aren't bothering me elsewhere, and I have not good reason to start a serious bombing campaign against Mandalay at this time.
Treespider isn't just sitting around; his troops did capture Munda, Sandakan and Arawe this turn, and hit Manila and Wuchow with artillery attacks. Soerabaja withstood another deliberate attack, but the fortifications were reduced again, this time to Level 2, and the Dutch lost twice as many troops as the Japanese. So time is nearly up for Soerabaja.
The "mystery" TFs that were spotted off of New Caledonia two turns ago remained invisible today, and that sub from yesterday disappeared. My search efforts aren't being helped by yet another day of thunderstorms. One of several things could be happening:
- The TFs are still slowly steaming towards Noumea
- Once the "surprise" was up Treespider decided to send the TFs back to port
- The TFs are actually heading towards New Zealand.
In any event, I'm happy to have my ships still untouched by Japanese attacks and will continue to monitor the situation from a safe distance.
Dave Baranyi
This was another quiet turn for the Allies and an active turn for the Japanese. Treespider launched lots of air attacks at the remaining Allied bases and a few in China. We are both hitting each other's ground troops in China with older aircraft. If and when Treespider brings some better air units I'll adjust accordingly. Right now I like the status quo, because lots of Japanese units are tied up and not really threatening anything important.
Burma is in a similar state. Treespider has three units each in Myitkyina and Lashio, and six units in Mandalay. It appears that he is trying to set up Mandalay as an "air trap" with lots of AA, air support units, and Air HQ and so on. Once again, as long as they are there, they aren't bothering me elsewhere, and I have not good reason to start a serious bombing campaign against Mandalay at this time.
Treespider isn't just sitting around; his troops did capture Munda, Sandakan and Arawe this turn, and hit Manila and Wuchow with artillery attacks. Soerabaja withstood another deliberate attack, but the fortifications were reduced again, this time to Level 2, and the Dutch lost twice as many troops as the Japanese. So time is nearly up for Soerabaja.
The "mystery" TFs that were spotted off of New Caledonia two turns ago remained invisible today, and that sub from yesterday disappeared. My search efforts aren't being helped by yet another day of thunderstorms. One of several things could be happening:
- The TFs are still slowly steaming towards Noumea
- Once the "surprise" was up Treespider decided to send the TFs back to port
- The TFs are actually heading towards New Zealand.
In any event, I'm happy to have my ships still untouched by Japanese attacks and will continue to monitor the situation from a safe distance.
Dave Baranyi
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: Searching in Thunderstorms...
Don't forget to use your British Armored Brigades/Regiments in India to speed up your building of fort levels. Their "motorized support" act like engineer vehicles. I had the level go up in Karachi by one in 4 days at the start of the war when I left them there by accident and found out this little secret. [X(][X(]
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[/center]RE: Searching in Thunderstorms...
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Don't forget to use your British Armored Brigades/Regiments in India to speed up your building of fort levels. Their "motorized support" act like engineer vehicles. I had the level go up in Karachi by one in 4 days at the start of the war when I left them there by accident and found out this little secret. [X(][X(]
Don't worry, I've been using them. [:D]
Thanks -
Dave
Japanese Consolidation...
March 8, 1942 -
Treespider continued along with his consolidation efforts this turn, with the only new Japanese activity being a landing at Merauke. With this landing Treespider will have the straights between Australia and New Guinea in Japanese hands. That's fine, because if he wants to control the straights he will have to put troops into those two malarial bases, which means fewer Japanese troops elsewhere.
I rather suspect that Treespider has some level of intention to invade Northern Australia. He sent another escorted Sally attack against Darwin again this turn, this time using Oscars as the escorts. (This also means that he wants to use his Zeros elsewhere.) I'm using Wirraways as the CAP in Darwin now because I have plenty of them. If things get too "hot" I can just ship them out via rail. I'm also pulling out most of the units that I accumulated in Darwin so that they can build up in the South where there is plenty of supply, HQs and no Japanese bombers.
More troops landed at Gasmata this turn. The next attack ought to capture the base and the remnants of the Rabaul forces that have been fighting there. I moved out large numbers of those troops early on by air lift and submarine, so all of the units will rebuild nicely in the Mainland.
Manila and Wuchow received artillery bombardments as usual. Soerabaja withstood another deliberate attack. In China it appears that Treespider has decided to move against Homan and is moving more troops that way. But my placement of Chinese ground troops is causing him to have to try to cover many places. For example, after I moved a Chinese LCU a hex away from Ichang Treespider increased the number of units in Ichang from one to three.
The South Pacific, particularly New Caledonia and New Zealand, continues to be totally covered in thunderstorms. (None of the Japanese bases in the Solomons have bad weather.) A Japanese sub has come back to Noumea, but there is no sign of any other Japanese ships in the region. So I'm avoiding sending any TFs into the region to the west or north of New Caledonia, but otherwise I am going along with my business as usual.
Dave Baranyi
Treespider continued along with his consolidation efforts this turn, with the only new Japanese activity being a landing at Merauke. With this landing Treespider will have the straights between Australia and New Guinea in Japanese hands. That's fine, because if he wants to control the straights he will have to put troops into those two malarial bases, which means fewer Japanese troops elsewhere.
I rather suspect that Treespider has some level of intention to invade Northern Australia. He sent another escorted Sally attack against Darwin again this turn, this time using Oscars as the escorts. (This also means that he wants to use his Zeros elsewhere.) I'm using Wirraways as the CAP in Darwin now because I have plenty of them. If things get too "hot" I can just ship them out via rail. I'm also pulling out most of the units that I accumulated in Darwin so that they can build up in the South where there is plenty of supply, HQs and no Japanese bombers.
More troops landed at Gasmata this turn. The next attack ought to capture the base and the remnants of the Rabaul forces that have been fighting there. I moved out large numbers of those troops early on by air lift and submarine, so all of the units will rebuild nicely in the Mainland.
Manila and Wuchow received artillery bombardments as usual. Soerabaja withstood another deliberate attack. In China it appears that Treespider has decided to move against Homan and is moving more troops that way. But my placement of Chinese ground troops is causing him to have to try to cover many places. For example, after I moved a Chinese LCU a hex away from Ichang Treespider increased the number of units in Ichang from one to three.
The South Pacific, particularly New Caledonia and New Zealand, continues to be totally covered in thunderstorms. (None of the Japanese bases in the Solomons have bad weather.) A Japanese sub has come back to Noumea, but there is no sign of any other Japanese ships in the region. So I'm avoiding sending any TFs into the region to the west or north of New Caledonia, but otherwise I am going along with my business as usual.
Dave Baranyi
Japanese Steamroller...
March 9, 1942 -
The Japanese steamroller continued to roll along pretty much unimpeded this turn. Panggoe was automatically occupied, troops started to land at Memboro, and Merak, Merauke, Gasmata and Soerabaja were all captured. In addition a Fast Transport TF got by the mines at Baker Island and left off some troops who captured Baker at the end of the turn. Samarinda received a naval bombardment and both Wuchow and Manila received artillery and air bombardments. The only place where the Japanese onslaught was stopped was in the hex due south of Homan where a Japanese Shock Attack was easily repulsed with heavy casualties for the Japanese.
So, all-in-all Treespider continues to make good use of his fast start to set up an exterior perimeter and then to pick up the isolated bases in the center. It's certainly true that I haven't been going out of my way to try to hinder most of the Japanese expansion moves, but then I am more interested in trying to set up strong enough defences to decisively defeat a Japanese attack rather than simply sacrifice my forces in an attempt to slow down or blunt an attack.
The Japanese TF that carried that Jake still hasn't reappeared in the New Caledonia region, although considering that all of my bases were socked-in by thunderstorms yet again, that TF could be sitting right "around the corner" and my patrols wouldn't be able to find it. Regardless of what has happened to that TF, I still suspect that Treespider intends to make moves into the South Pacific and Northern Australia, and he is now giving the first hints that he may be interested in trying something in India. Japanese subs have shown up in the Bay of Bengal for the first time, so my Brit ASW ships will get to try their luck against Treespider's "Phantoms of the Deep".
Dave Baranyi
The Japanese steamroller continued to roll along pretty much unimpeded this turn. Panggoe was automatically occupied, troops started to land at Memboro, and Merak, Merauke, Gasmata and Soerabaja were all captured. In addition a Fast Transport TF got by the mines at Baker Island and left off some troops who captured Baker at the end of the turn. Samarinda received a naval bombardment and both Wuchow and Manila received artillery and air bombardments. The only place where the Japanese onslaught was stopped was in the hex due south of Homan where a Japanese Shock Attack was easily repulsed with heavy casualties for the Japanese.
So, all-in-all Treespider continues to make good use of his fast start to set up an exterior perimeter and then to pick up the isolated bases in the center. It's certainly true that I haven't been going out of my way to try to hinder most of the Japanese expansion moves, but then I am more interested in trying to set up strong enough defences to decisively defeat a Japanese attack rather than simply sacrifice my forces in an attempt to slow down or blunt an attack.
The Japanese TF that carried that Jake still hasn't reappeared in the New Caledonia region, although considering that all of my bases were socked-in by thunderstorms yet again, that TF could be sitting right "around the corner" and my patrols wouldn't be able to find it. Regardless of what has happened to that TF, I still suspect that Treespider intends to make moves into the South Pacific and Northern Australia, and he is now giving the first hints that he may be interested in trying something in India. Japanese subs have shown up in the Bay of Bengal for the first time, so my Brit ASW ships will get to try their luck against Treespider's "Phantoms of the Deep".
Dave Baranyi
A Day's Breather...
March 10, 1942 -
This was a fairly fast turn to view and to do because things have become relatively quiet for both sides. Treespider is digesting his conquests and I am focusing upon reorganizing my defenses. There was a certain amount of action.
- Australian DDs chased and hit I-16 off of Brisbane
- British DDs chased I-166 off of Chandpur
- Manila was pounded by hundreds and hundreds of Japanese bombers
- Memboro and its small remnant defenders were captured
There was no sign of any Japanese TFs off of New Caledonia or New Zealand, but all Allied bases in the region were socked-in yet again by thunderstorms, so anything could be sailing out there and I wouldn't know.
It would be great if this lull would continue for a while, but I expect Treespider to start to move again soon. But at least I've got most of my current forces where I want them to be and no important forces are being immediately threatened. Now I need the time to receive more reinforcements.
Dave Baranyi
This was a fairly fast turn to view and to do because things have become relatively quiet for both sides. Treespider is digesting his conquests and I am focusing upon reorganizing my defenses. There was a certain amount of action.
- Australian DDs chased and hit I-16 off of Brisbane
- British DDs chased I-166 off of Chandpur
- Manila was pounded by hundreds and hundreds of Japanese bombers
- Memboro and its small remnant defenders were captured
There was no sign of any Japanese TFs off of New Caledonia or New Zealand, but all Allied bases in the region were socked-in yet again by thunderstorms, so anything could be sailing out there and I wouldn't know.
It would be great if this lull would continue for a while, but I expect Treespider to start to move again soon. But at least I've got most of my current forces where I want them to be and no important forces are being immediately threatened. Now I need the time to receive more reinforcements.
Dave Baranyi
INTEL Failure...
March 11, 1942 -
INTEL failed me again this turn as, out of the rain, came an Alf to recon Christmas Island. There is a Japanese TF just about due west of Christmas Island and due south of Palmyra. I find it very frustrating that once again an enemy TF could use the region-wide bad weather to slip between my scouts and pickets. However, this time bad weather did seem to work "both ways" as I believe that two empty transport TFs that I have in the area weren't spotted. Never-the-less, I've broken up both TFs into individual ships and have them scattering away from the Japanese TF.
I've also increased the alert level for all of my forces in the Eastern Pacific. I had a B-25 squadron in Palmyra already so I send a half-strength P-40B group to join it, just in case they get an opportunity to try some bombing runs. I've also decided that I can't leave this incursion unchallenged, so I've sent a CV TF racing towards the scene from the southwest and another from the northeast. If that Japanese TF contains carriers I could be in trouble, but if it doesn't, then I want to bring some "trouble" to that TF.
As far as I know, this might just be another attempt to get a reaction from me, like the Japanese foray into the waters of New Caledonia a few game-days back. On the other hand, it might be a full-fledged invasion designed to cut me off from the South Pacific. Either way, I don't feel like letting it go unchallenged. My experience in two years of playing this game is that using the US CVs is a "negative experience" this early in the war about 90% of the time, but maybe this will be one of those rare "10%" opportunities.
In other news, Howland Island was occupied automatically, troops landed at Nauru Island and captured it, and troops started to land at Kiriwina Island. As usual, lots of Japanese bombers hit Manila, and various other Japanese bombers got practice on Allied fragments in the DEI. An attempted Japanese attack on the crossroads to the north of Changsha failed, but otherwise China was pretty quiet on the ground.
The PGs that were accompanying a Dutch ML back to Brisbane attacked and hit RO-33 just offshore. It was an odd day in the air for the Allies as a number of bombers took off against targets in Burma and China, but none of them caused any damage, despite the lack of opposition. Japanese CAP has been pulled back from Mandalay again, so I'm sending some B-17s back to hit it next turn.
Dave Baranyi
INTEL failed me again this turn as, out of the rain, came an Alf to recon Christmas Island. There is a Japanese TF just about due west of Christmas Island and due south of Palmyra. I find it very frustrating that once again an enemy TF could use the region-wide bad weather to slip between my scouts and pickets. However, this time bad weather did seem to work "both ways" as I believe that two empty transport TFs that I have in the area weren't spotted. Never-the-less, I've broken up both TFs into individual ships and have them scattering away from the Japanese TF.
I've also increased the alert level for all of my forces in the Eastern Pacific. I had a B-25 squadron in Palmyra already so I send a half-strength P-40B group to join it, just in case they get an opportunity to try some bombing runs. I've also decided that I can't leave this incursion unchallenged, so I've sent a CV TF racing towards the scene from the southwest and another from the northeast. If that Japanese TF contains carriers I could be in trouble, but if it doesn't, then I want to bring some "trouble" to that TF.
As far as I know, this might just be another attempt to get a reaction from me, like the Japanese foray into the waters of New Caledonia a few game-days back. On the other hand, it might be a full-fledged invasion designed to cut me off from the South Pacific. Either way, I don't feel like letting it go unchallenged. My experience in two years of playing this game is that using the US CVs is a "negative experience" this early in the war about 90% of the time, but maybe this will be one of those rare "10%" opportunities.
In other news, Howland Island was occupied automatically, troops landed at Nauru Island and captured it, and troops started to land at Kiriwina Island. As usual, lots of Japanese bombers hit Manila, and various other Japanese bombers got practice on Allied fragments in the DEI. An attempted Japanese attack on the crossroads to the north of Changsha failed, but otherwise China was pretty quiet on the ground.
The PGs that were accompanying a Dutch ML back to Brisbane attacked and hit RO-33 just offshore. It was an odd day in the air for the Allies as a number of bombers took off against targets in Burma and China, but none of them caused any damage, despite the lack of opposition. Japanese CAP has been pulled back from Mandalay again, so I'm sending some B-17s back to hit it next turn.
Dave Baranyi
Stealth TFs again...
March 12, 1942 -
The Japanese "spy" TF that was off of the Line Islands last turn totally disappeared this turn. There were no spy planes flying, nor did any of my search patrols spot it. And it didn't run into any of my scattering transport ships either. This is very odd. I wonder if Treespider is using some sort of small, fast cruiser TF to zoom into a region, take a quick look at a base of interest, and then immediately zoom out again. On the other hand, maybe he is using a cruiser-speed CS to do the spying. Whatever he is doing, it certainly is making a monkey out of my patrols and pickets.
In other, more "tangible" news, Treespider continued with his "mop up" operations. Japanese troops started to land at Goodenough, Puerto Princesa and Woodlark. Kiriwina and San Jose were also captured. In China, Japanese troops pushed Chinese troops out of the hex north of Changsha again.
In Burma, my B-17 group hit Mandalay without any interference, causing damage and sustaining minor operation damage and no losses. As long as Treespider continues to keep his CAP out of Burma I will continue to rotate my bombers through attacks on the various Japanese-controlled bases, in order to get training while causing useful damage to the Japanese.
Dave Baranyi
The Japanese "spy" TF that was off of the Line Islands last turn totally disappeared this turn. There were no spy planes flying, nor did any of my search patrols spot it. And it didn't run into any of my scattering transport ships either. This is very odd. I wonder if Treespider is using some sort of small, fast cruiser TF to zoom into a region, take a quick look at a base of interest, and then immediately zoom out again. On the other hand, maybe he is using a cruiser-speed CS to do the spying. Whatever he is doing, it certainly is making a monkey out of my patrols and pickets.
In other, more "tangible" news, Treespider continued with his "mop up" operations. Japanese troops started to land at Goodenough, Puerto Princesa and Woodlark. Kiriwina and San Jose were also captured. In China, Japanese troops pushed Chinese troops out of the hex north of Changsha again.
In Burma, my B-17 group hit Mandalay without any interference, causing damage and sustaining minor operation damage and no losses. As long as Treespider continues to keep his CAP out of Burma I will continue to rotate my bombers through attacks on the various Japanese-controlled bases, in order to get training while causing useful damage to the Japanese.
Dave Baranyi
Watching the "Clean Up"...
March 13, 1942 -
My search forces turned up nothing again in the southeastern Pacific. All I can do is shake my head and give credit to Treespider for coming up with a very effective strategy. He is doing other things to spy on my bases and keep me off balance too. For example, this turn he sent some Nells to bomb Funafuti atoll. I've got an AVD there to support a squadron of PBYs. Fortunately, the Nells were attempting some level bombing instead of ship hunting.
The "clean up job" continues for the Japanese forces. Goodenough, Puerto Princesa and Woodlark were captured today, and there were new Japanese landings at Pamakasan and Wasile. There were also a lot of "odds and ends" bombing attacks and recon flights over the other remaining Allied bases and stragglers in the Far East.
I sent some Brit bombers off to hit Myitkyina this turn, which they did effectively. I'll keep rotating targets until or unless Treespider reacts. We are continuing our ponderously slow "dance" in China, with neither side upping the ante significantly, which suits me fine.
I received some welcome LCU reinforcements this turn, and will receive ships and planes next turn. I have decided that I will take the risk and send the second big Brit Division to Colombo. The reality is that if Treespider tries a serious multi-division invasion of India those two divisions alone won't save Karachi. But if they are protecting Trimcomalee and Colombo effectively, they will make any invasion of India that much more difficult. I was also very happy to see another good, big Australian Division show up. I am feeling a lot better about Eastern Australia now.
Dave Baranyi
My search forces turned up nothing again in the southeastern Pacific. All I can do is shake my head and give credit to Treespider for coming up with a very effective strategy. He is doing other things to spy on my bases and keep me off balance too. For example, this turn he sent some Nells to bomb Funafuti atoll. I've got an AVD there to support a squadron of PBYs. Fortunately, the Nells were attempting some level bombing instead of ship hunting.
The "clean up job" continues for the Japanese forces. Goodenough, Puerto Princesa and Woodlark were captured today, and there were new Japanese landings at Pamakasan and Wasile. There were also a lot of "odds and ends" bombing attacks and recon flights over the other remaining Allied bases and stragglers in the Far East.
I sent some Brit bombers off to hit Myitkyina this turn, which they did effectively. I'll keep rotating targets until or unless Treespider reacts. We are continuing our ponderously slow "dance" in China, with neither side upping the ante significantly, which suits me fine.
I received some welcome LCU reinforcements this turn, and will receive ships and planes next turn. I have decided that I will take the risk and send the second big Brit Division to Colombo. The reality is that if Treespider tries a serious multi-division invasion of India those two divisions alone won't save Karachi. But if they are protecting Trimcomalee and Colombo effectively, they will make any invasion of India that much more difficult. I was also very happy to see another good, big Australian Division show up. I am feeling a lot better about Eastern Australia now.
Dave Baranyi
Hudsons at it again...
March 14, 1942 -
While I was away from my computer for the weekend, Treespider took the opportunity to take a couple of days to do a pile of reorganizing and planning. I'll have to try to avoid going away; I much prefer to be facing him when he is shooting-from-the-hip. [;)]
In any event, Treespider's plans continue to move along smoothly with only a single hiccup thanks to my efforts. Japanese troops continued to do mop-up operations at the remaining smaller Allied bases in the DEI, using both ship-borne troops and paratroops. Japanese troops landed at Pamakasan, Bulla and Lombok, with the big landing at Pamakasan capturing the base despite the presence of Dutch troops. Wasile and Bali were also captured.
The landing at Bulla gave the Allies their only opportunity for success as some Australian Hudsons flew in and took advantage of the absence of Japanese CAP to hit one of the invasion TF's APs with a couple of bombs. All of the other air action was from the Japanese as both Samarinda and Manila received heavy air raids as usual. A small group of Sallys escorted by Oscars tried an attack on Darwin but were unsuccessful in the face of air defense provided by Wirraways.
There was also another unsuccessful attack by Nells on Funafuti. If Treespider follows his usual pattern this means that he will try some sort of attack on Funafuti in the near future, so I'm sending some forces that way just in case I can interfere with any attack.
The ground war was generally quiet except for the usual artillery attacks on Wuchow and Manila. We both exchanged low-intensity air attacks on each other's troops in the region south of Homan.
The only other interesting news was that Japanese air units returned to Mandalay. I sent some planes out on recon to see what is going on, but I'm not bothering to attack it at this time.
Dave Baranyi
While I was away from my computer for the weekend, Treespider took the opportunity to take a couple of days to do a pile of reorganizing and planning. I'll have to try to avoid going away; I much prefer to be facing him when he is shooting-from-the-hip. [;)]
In any event, Treespider's plans continue to move along smoothly with only a single hiccup thanks to my efforts. Japanese troops continued to do mop-up operations at the remaining smaller Allied bases in the DEI, using both ship-borne troops and paratroops. Japanese troops landed at Pamakasan, Bulla and Lombok, with the big landing at Pamakasan capturing the base despite the presence of Dutch troops. Wasile and Bali were also captured.
The landing at Bulla gave the Allies their only opportunity for success as some Australian Hudsons flew in and took advantage of the absence of Japanese CAP to hit one of the invasion TF's APs with a couple of bombs. All of the other air action was from the Japanese as both Samarinda and Manila received heavy air raids as usual. A small group of Sallys escorted by Oscars tried an attack on Darwin but were unsuccessful in the face of air defense provided by Wirraways.
There was also another unsuccessful attack by Nells on Funafuti. If Treespider follows his usual pattern this means that he will try some sort of attack on Funafuti in the near future, so I'm sending some forces that way just in case I can interfere with any attack.
The ground war was generally quiet except for the usual artillery attacks on Wuchow and Manila. We both exchanged low-intensity air attacks on each other's troops in the region south of Homan.
The only other interesting news was that Japanese air units returned to Mandalay. I sent some planes out on recon to see what is going on, but I'm not bothering to attack it at this time.
Dave Baranyi
Paras all over...
March 15, 1942 -
This turn was much like that past few turns. Treespider continued to consolidate his position, as did I. Roti Island was occupied automatically, while Lombok, Bulla and Sampit were captured via assault. Manila and Wuchow received their usual artillery bombardments. Treespider was also stuck with another half-hearted paratroop shock attack on Bankha, which followed a small naval bombardment. He will have to bring in some "real" troops to take the base.
I'm going to try something a little different on the ground myself next turn. Treespider pulled most of his infantry units out of the besieging forces around Wuchow and mainly has field artillery units there now. So I've ordered my units to try a deliberate attack. This probably won't do anything, but it might, and it ought to throw a bit of a worry Treespider's way. [:D]
The air war was equally quiet. Treespider pulled his air units out of Mandalay again after I scouted it with some B-17s. The Indian border bases are all covered in thunderstorms as usual this turn, so I'm not bothering to send any of my bombers out. Instead I've got all the Brit 2E bombers on Naval Attack/Naval Search in case Treespider tries something "cute" in the Bay of Bengal. There are a couple of Japanese TFs sailing along the west coast of Malaya and I'm not sure where they are planning to go.
Treespider also sent the Sallys and Oscars against Darwin again. They aren't causing any damage and the Wirraways are holding their own, so I'm not going to respond. My P-40 units are just now starting to recover and I don't want to use them up again at this time.
Right now I'm moving most of the remaining CENPAC and SOPAC air units to the Hawaiian Islands. The CENPAC Bolos are back on the West Coast where they will stay "out of the way" until they can upgrade to something useful. I may send the remaining CENPAC Hawaiian P-36 squadron back to the West Coast some time in the near future too. I'm fairly certain that I won't have enough spare P-40Bs in the near future to equip this squadron with them, so there is little point to leave them in the Hawaiian Islands.
Dave Baranyi
This turn was much like that past few turns. Treespider continued to consolidate his position, as did I. Roti Island was occupied automatically, while Lombok, Bulla and Sampit were captured via assault. Manila and Wuchow received their usual artillery bombardments. Treespider was also stuck with another half-hearted paratroop shock attack on Bankha, which followed a small naval bombardment. He will have to bring in some "real" troops to take the base.
I'm going to try something a little different on the ground myself next turn. Treespider pulled most of his infantry units out of the besieging forces around Wuchow and mainly has field artillery units there now. So I've ordered my units to try a deliberate attack. This probably won't do anything, but it might, and it ought to throw a bit of a worry Treespider's way. [:D]
The air war was equally quiet. Treespider pulled his air units out of Mandalay again after I scouted it with some B-17s. The Indian border bases are all covered in thunderstorms as usual this turn, so I'm not bothering to send any of my bombers out. Instead I've got all the Brit 2E bombers on Naval Attack/Naval Search in case Treespider tries something "cute" in the Bay of Bengal. There are a couple of Japanese TFs sailing along the west coast of Malaya and I'm not sure where they are planning to go.
Treespider also sent the Sallys and Oscars against Darwin again. They aren't causing any damage and the Wirraways are holding their own, so I'm not going to respond. My P-40 units are just now starting to recover and I don't want to use them up again at this time.
Right now I'm moving most of the remaining CENPAC and SOPAC air units to the Hawaiian Islands. The CENPAC Bolos are back on the West Coast where they will stay "out of the way" until they can upgrade to something useful. I may send the remaining CENPAC Hawaiian P-36 squadron back to the West Coast some time in the near future too. I'm fairly certain that I won't have enough spare P-40Bs in the near future to equip this squadron with them, so there is little point to leave them in the Hawaiian Islands.
Dave Baranyi
Oddly Quiet...
March 16, 1942 -
This was an oddly quiet turn. The Japanese forces did very little anywhere. Even Manila didn't receive its usual heavy air bombardments. Some Japanese planes bombed Samarinda, and others hit some Dutch stragglers in the jungles in the Celebes. There were a couple of Japanese artillery bombardments in China, and Taytay was captured. But that was pretty much it. Japanese planes were even pulled back from Mandalay again.
Of course, my forces weren't doing an awful lot either. The Chinese bombers flew their usual ground attack missions against Japanese forward position LCUs, but that was it for Allied air attacks. Treespider wasn't caught short this time at Wuchow like he was at Homan and Yenen so my land attack there ran into a strong Japanese Division and failed to oust the Japanese besiegers.
Something does seem a bit "funny" in the South Pacific. The air balance is slightly negative at both Upolu and Pago Pago, as it is at the rest of the islands stretching out to the north, but not at Fiji or Tongatapu. The air balance at Canton Island is less negative, but then I've got a US carrier TF sailing by, so that is probably affecting the air balance at Canton. However, Treespider did send those Nell attacks against Funafuti, so I'm still suspicious that he may be planning an attack into the region. Therefore, I've got that CV TF slowly sailing towards Funafuti, with Suva set as the home port.
So right now I'm taking advantage of the general state of "quiet" to continue building up my bases and forces. I've got my forces spread out between my "key" areas; India, Australia, East/South Eastern Pacific and Alaska/West Coast. India is in the hands of the RN, the RAF and the Commonwealth troops that are assigned to SEAC. Australia is defending itself on the ground, with some help in the air from the US, along with significant USN assets. New Zealand is pretty much on its own, with some non-trivial USN assets added. The vast majority of US Navy and Army assets are in the Eastern Pacific. All Northern Command units are in Alaska, primarily Anchorage, All Canadian units are in Canada with the exception of a couple of patrol units, and all West Coat units are in West Coast bases.
If you are wondering why I'm not running any big 4E bomber air campaigns, it's because my 4E bombers are also spread out. I have the escapees from the Philippines in India (a full group and a full squadron of B-17Es), two full B-17E groups in Australia, the LB-40 group on patrol in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Northern Command B-17E squadron in Anchorage. In the absence of any "easy" and useful targets, and with a severe shortage of any decent long-ranged escorts, I prefer to use 4E bombers to augment my search and patrol activities rather than chance them against relatively low-value targets. I also only have around 20 B-17Es in reserve, so they won't last long if I start any serious air campaigns.
Dave Baranyi
This was an oddly quiet turn. The Japanese forces did very little anywhere. Even Manila didn't receive its usual heavy air bombardments. Some Japanese planes bombed Samarinda, and others hit some Dutch stragglers in the jungles in the Celebes. There were a couple of Japanese artillery bombardments in China, and Taytay was captured. But that was pretty much it. Japanese planes were even pulled back from Mandalay again.
Of course, my forces weren't doing an awful lot either. The Chinese bombers flew their usual ground attack missions against Japanese forward position LCUs, but that was it for Allied air attacks. Treespider wasn't caught short this time at Wuchow like he was at Homan and Yenen so my land attack there ran into a strong Japanese Division and failed to oust the Japanese besiegers.
Something does seem a bit "funny" in the South Pacific. The air balance is slightly negative at both Upolu and Pago Pago, as it is at the rest of the islands stretching out to the north, but not at Fiji or Tongatapu. The air balance at Canton Island is less negative, but then I've got a US carrier TF sailing by, so that is probably affecting the air balance at Canton. However, Treespider did send those Nell attacks against Funafuti, so I'm still suspicious that he may be planning an attack into the region. Therefore, I've got that CV TF slowly sailing towards Funafuti, with Suva set as the home port.
So right now I'm taking advantage of the general state of "quiet" to continue building up my bases and forces. I've got my forces spread out between my "key" areas; India, Australia, East/South Eastern Pacific and Alaska/West Coast. India is in the hands of the RN, the RAF and the Commonwealth troops that are assigned to SEAC. Australia is defending itself on the ground, with some help in the air from the US, along with significant USN assets. New Zealand is pretty much on its own, with some non-trivial USN assets added. The vast majority of US Navy and Army assets are in the Eastern Pacific. All Northern Command units are in Alaska, primarily Anchorage, All Canadian units are in Canada with the exception of a couple of patrol units, and all West Coat units are in West Coast bases.
If you are wondering why I'm not running any big 4E bomber air campaigns, it's because my 4E bombers are also spread out. I have the escapees from the Philippines in India (a full group and a full squadron of B-17Es), two full B-17E groups in Australia, the LB-40 group on patrol in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Northern Command B-17E squadron in Anchorage. In the absence of any "easy" and useful targets, and with a severe shortage of any decent long-ranged escorts, I prefer to use 4E bombers to augment my search and patrol activities rather than chance them against relatively low-value targets. I also only have around 20 B-17Es in reserve, so they won't last long if I start any serious air campaigns.
Dave Baranyi
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4004
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
RE: Oddly Quiet...
ORIGINAL: ADavidB
If you are wondering why I'm not running any big 4E bomber air campaigns, it's because my 4E bombers are also spread out.
Hi Dave,
Something I wish I had done in my game at the point where you are now, was get more heavy bomber groups to India before my ability to air transfer my groups there was cutoff as the DEI fell. There simply are not enough transport groups available through 1942 and early 1943 to airlift enough supplies to China to decisively help out there.
I now have less than 30k total supplies left in all of China (even though I never lost a major battle) in November 1942 and things are collapsing fast now due to severe supply shortages. I have been using my 16 plane B-17 group from the Philippine Islands and the 48 planes LB-30 group to air lift supplies along with my 6-8 transport groups, but wish I had sent another three or four 48 plane heavy groups there when I had the chance.
The heavies transport about 3 or 4 supply points each per turn (1 point per 2000 load capacity I think) while the transports only lift 2 points per turn since they are at extended range and have their load capacity halved from 10,000 to 5,000 I believe.
If I had another three 48 plane B-24D groups, in India I’d be lifting an additional 576 supplies per turn (144 planes times 4 supplies each) to China which might have been enough to save me. In the 8 months from March through October I would have been able to lift an additional 138,240 supplies to China (30 days times 8 = 240 days, times 576 supplies a day).
While I’ve caused him some grief with my heavies in those 8 months, I think the potential benefits of an additional 138,000 supplies in China far exceeds anything else those groups could achieve in 1942. And for each additional 48 plane B-24D group you use, assume you’ll lift approximately 46,000 more supplies in that same 8 month period.
Of course this all assumes you’ve managed to build up a level 5 airfield within normal range of a Chinese base by March. If not each 48 plane group will only lift half their normal capacity until you’ve got a level 5 airfield (it might be level 6 for B-24’s I’m not sure about that formula off the top of my head). Just a little food for thought.
Jim
RE: Oddly Quiet...
Something I wish I had done in my game at the point where you are now, was get more heavy bomber groups to India before my ability to air transfer my groups there was cutoff as the DEI fell. There simply are not enough transport groups available through 1942 and early 1943 to airlift enough supplies to China to decisively help out there.
I'm surprised that you can fly your 4Es often enough to get as much supply into China as you do. I find that with advanced weather I can only get my 4Es in northeastern India to fly once or twice a week at best. The only missions they will fly regularly are naval search or recon.
You idea is interesting, never-the-less. It just seems a shame to me to use combat units for supply transport. I'd much rather wait and use them either to defend India or in support of an attempt to re-open the Burma Road.
I also don't want to rob myself of their search capabilities in the Pacific; my worst problems come about when I am surprised by the IJN, and my 4Es find more potential "problems" than my Catalinas ever do.
Thanks for the ideas!
Dave Baranyi