PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[Rob Brennan UK]

I think if you tried training up oscars and zekes you'd go insane with all the extra micro-management if nothing else. Probably lose what existing will to carry on imo too.

your still doing damn well though, its such a shame the corsair is SO powerful, serious design issue there i think.

good luck and as always a good read ,, thank you

[PzB74]

Much truth in that Rob! I'm not eager to train cannon fodder...trained Zekes can
play a role defending their own base.

Today the Empire hit back and 300 bombers devastated Zamboanga! [8D]
The enemy carriers have retreated and it now seems like it will be possible to
pound the shamless invades back into the stoneage.

All our bombers have been ordered to strike, strike, strike!
Our fighters will fly escort, CAP and sweep missions. If Andy move move Corsairs in
they will be destroyed in the air and on the ground. With high fatigue from transfer
and high levels (67) of AF damage, they can't possible be very effective.

Our fleet is assembling at Takao and will sail for Manila tomorrow. As many as 4
divisions are preparing for a mighty counter strike. I've put a Sally Daitai in Kamikaze
mission in order to destroy the damage Miami still at Zamboanga. 30 crack Emily's have
been put on night naval attack and our night fighter bombers will be sent into action.

Let's see how Andy responds to this threat...I'm tired of taking all the $hit! [:-]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/44

Surface Combat

My patrol craft fought of some enemy destroyers!
The SS Cavella is reported sunk by asw ac south of Singapore.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 38,59

Japanese Ships
PC Etoforu
PC Tsushima
PC PC-5
PC PC-6
PC PC-9
PC PC-26

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Abbot
DD Burns, Shell hits 2
DD Conway
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Tawi Tawi several damaged transports were sunk by enemy raiders!
Fortunately no troop losses.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 38,60

Japanese Ships
PG Magan Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Kisaragi Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Miami
DD Caperton
DD Capps
DD Swanson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 38,60

Japanese Ships
AP Shirashika Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Miami
DD Caperton
DD Capps
DD Swanson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 38,60

Japanese Ships
MSW Kyo Maru #1, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AP Haisho Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Miami
DD Caperton
DD Capps
DD Swanson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1071 encounters mine field at Zamboanga (39,59)

Allied Ships
DD Swanson
DD Capps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1079 encounters mine field at Zamboanga (39,59)

Allied Ships
DD Abbot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Finally - the decisive strike I've been waiting for! [&o]

Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft [:D]
J1N1-S Irving x 28
G4M1 Betty x 88
G4M2 Betty x 206
P1Y Frances x 103
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 109

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F4U-1D Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 16 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 57 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses - another 16 Corsairs scorched!
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 7 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 7 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 129
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the enemy fighters gone our naval bombers scream in and devastate the light cruiser
Miami! [8D]
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Miami, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Abbot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Nemo121]

After what happened with his last attempted invasion I think you are entirely correct to focus on destroying this invasion at almost all costs. Psychologically this will represent a series of reverses and cannot help but make Andy much more risk-averse in future operations. Risk-averse = slower and less ambitious and that works entirely to your advantage.
 
Also, any chance of making a Betty squadron into kamikazes so we could see some long-range strikes against his support fleet elements? You've had such luck with Judys operatin along the spine of PNG that I think a kamikaze Betty airgroup operating from a few of these fields ( 9 planes from each field) would cause havoc and tend to draw air cover away from the Allied spear tip ( which helps you in countering any thrusts he may make).

[PzB74]

If Andy brings his carriers back to Zamboanga it will become nasty...but by then the Combined Fleet will be
within striking range supported by the thousands of ac on the PI. Yes, I may choose to challenge Andy over the
little mosquito paradise called Zamboanga [;)] We HAVE to close the fields though and prevent reinforcements from
getting in. If he committs his fleet this would mean postponing his other planned operations if nothing else.

I'm trying to save up a big number of Kamikaze units - can convert 1 for each day. But yes, I am willing to convert
a Betty group and see what they can achieve. Most likely they will kill themselves against an Uber CAP somehere,
but we may get lucky. Kami groups are supposed to be 60%? more accurate than plain bombers!

[Nemo121]

60%. Hmm, had never heard this before. If it is true ( and you can get the bettys to fly in small numbers ( get through CAP better this way) by splitting the group into 3 distinct units then you may acheive something worthwhile.

[ChezDaJez]

Now that his air defences are hurting over Zamboanga, you might want to consider a LR CAP over it to prevent air supply by his transports. he will probably attempt to resupply by sub too if his supply situtation warrants it.

IMO, this is the place for a large scale battle. If he manages to maintain his foothold here, the PI is lost. Once the PI is lost, Japan is cutoff from the majority of her oil and resources. plus he can station B-29s at Clark that can raid China and the Home Islands. And that also means the end. I don't know what your oil/resource situation is like in the Home Islands but I'm sure that there probably isn't enough for more than a few months production.

There is much danger if you fail as it hastens the end but if you succeed, Andy will be forced to take a long, hard look at whatever other operations he is planning on at the moment. And that will buy you time. It is much better to stand in the the PI than it is in Tokyo Bay.

One other thing to think about. If you manage to recapture Zamboanga, leave only enough force there to stave off another grab otherwise he will just bypass the place and leave those units stranded.

I am thoroughly enjoying this AAR. I am also playing Andy (we are in April 42) and this is giving me alot of insight into what I can expect from him. He is a crafty opponent as I have discovered on numerous occasions.... much to my chagrin!

Chez

[Rob Brennan UK]

Great going .. nuff said [:D]

dead corsairs and a battered runway .. i have my fingers crossed for you

[Fishbed]

Two thumbs up boss!
 
Well when my connect will be back (probably when I'll get back to China in september), got somethin' for ya about good old Mariana times... For a change we'll see the flying heroes with something else than 2D tops ;)

[PzB74]

Nemo, it is possible that I just dreamt up that Kamis are more accurate than ordinary ordnance...thought
I read it somewhere but can't find it in the manual. Anyone?

I have LRCAP'ed Zamboanga Ches - took down 16 Dakotas 2 days ago. This time there are almost 100 fighters in place
to intercept. Andy has promised that he got a big happening on the way...and it's not going to be airborne. So if we are
to believe him Zamboanga was just seized by chance.

As you may have noticed, Andy never makes any detours. He frog leaps in a straight line towards the Home Islands.
Having given up on the Marianas I would expect him to make a major assault on Luzon/Formosa while also conducting operations
against Borneo. The latter is the easiest target, and as soon this place falls the house of cards will collapse:

*.) The Empire will be divided in two.
*.) Oil and resource convoys will be cut of.
*.) Burma and Malaysia with all their (undefended) bases will lay open for invasion.

My only hope is that we can delay this for as long as possible, perhaps late 44.
The question is whether I should start pulling troops back from various bases in order to reinforce the 'Inner Citadel'.
Woleai is one candidate. Can evacuate troops into the Marianas and ship back. I'm also considering to reducing the defenses
of the Palaus/Marianas. Perhaps 2-3 divisions and aux units.

We're still holding on to all the major bases from Central PNG and Northwards, so I think Andy will do his outmost so secure a
natural size 4 and up AF base. I also agree with you that the PI is as good as place as any to make a stand. Plenty of supporting bases
and our supply lines will be quite short. Ac can fly in from the Home Islands and China in no time and launch massive strikes ala the one
we hit Zamboanga with yesterday. 400 bombers is a nifty force [;)]

Thx for the support guys, looking forward to the Marianas surprise Fish [:)]

[WhoCares]

Are bases like Ponape or Wewak still operational? These might be good locations to harras his supply routes with Oscar-Kamikazes (don't like the idea of Betty-Kamikazes for such operations and Oscars will be well sufficient to trash some freighters; you also need bigger airfields for Ms Betty).

Such ops might not be worth a lot with respect to successful strikes but it might be sufficient to bind considerable forces (fighters and/or bombers) in his backwaters to CAP TFs or keep the bases closed.
Bring along some Dinahs (or even some float planes) on other nearby bases (for the nice little aircraft symbol) and he will go nuts micromanaging all the CAP, bombardments and rerouting of TFs [:'(]

[Sneer]

i would reorganize india garrison
put 3 inf div at karachi - should be enough to keep it and took all other unit to reinforce malaya/indochina or even morthern borneo

[PzB74]

Not completely right Sneer - I need to keep both Bombay and Karachi!
So I got 1.5 div worth of troops in each city and a full division in reserve not far from Dehli.

There are troops in other areas, but I have promised to keep India realisticly garrisoned.
I think what troops I got are enough to defeat all but an all out invasion, which I'm sure Andy's
not going to launch. Too far from the Home Islands [;)]

Burma and Malaysia are not too heavily garrisoned, I'm more concerned about these areas but
can't see how it's possible to defend all the dozens of relatively large bases in these regions.

Java and Borneo have big forts and reasonable strong garrisons, troops bound for Brunei and other
bases have now been diverted to the planned counter-invasion of Zamboanga. These troops may
end up in the PI area as well. It's just not possible to be strong anywhere, and I can't defeat Andy
any other places than within the 'Inner Citadel' after mid 1944. That's the hard facts....

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: PzB

Jim and Castor, nice with 'new' faces in here...seen you before, but not that often!
Appreciate the input [:)]

First day at work today, a bit tired so no turn.

Yes, Andy has pushed far ahead of his logistical supply chain - but I'm afraid that the game lets him get away with it [:(]
I played todays combat replay and it wasn't a pretty sight. 325 ac lost for 75 enemy ones - and I did committ some Franks and
new type interceptors. Our main raid from Luzon didn't materialize and the enemy af remained open.

Andy is playing perfectly, but I loose both sleep and motivation over the way it happens. From New Guinea and northwards there is now a string of bases
that all have been captured by the same 'receipt:
1. Paras
2. Immediate CAP and airlift

It's working, but only because it's possible to make a size 3 af fully operational in a couple of hours and because Corsairs are so uber deadly.
Must admit I'm running a bit tired of rebuilding shattered Daitais after a single days fighting, it's such a hassle in the long run and especially when it
happens all the time [8|]

Regarding a strike to the enemy's rear: If I can't take out a small size 2-3 af, how can I even get close to a size 5 or 6 base?
LBA will smash our TFs and enemy carriers finish the remnants... I have thought about it several times, but can't come up with a feasible plan.
So I'm afraid I'm stuck with the spearhead. Already 9k enemy troops there after 2 days, so it's already turning into a large fort.

Castor: the Franks didn't perform as well as I hoped. The George's are sharper swords. Should have about 150 high exp Franks ready by now, but
hundreds of Superforts make it very dangerous to even base them anywhere near Zamboanga.

The question is whether I should throw in the kitchen sink in order to oppose Andy at Zamboanga? Not sure I like it anymore than leaving it alone.

Really strange that Georges perform better than Franks. IIRC the Frank is around 35 mpH faster than the George and speed is the most important thing in A2A in the game. The Frank is only 20 or 25 mpH slower than the Corsair. I thought that experienced pilots could achieve at least a 1:2 ratio against the Corsair. [8|]

i did some tests with Franks and i was so negativly suprised with their performance even against Kittyhawk III /franks were on sweep mission/ and post results in the forum...

Needless to say, i was almost accused for trolling using "isolated examples".

Now i see that others have their doubts about Franks too... and i'm not suprised.

And yes, i'm back!

[Honda]

Didn't even bother to stop by for a beer...[;)]

[PzB74]

Good to have you back Pauk! [:)]
I will gather the Franks in powerful formations and mix them with George,
Jacks and Zekes.

The 22nd of June 1944 is the day that will be remembered as the day when the
Divine Wind struck the enemy for the first time [&o]

A unit of Sally Army bombers sacrificed themselves and rammed into the damaged
enemy light cruiers Miami and a destroyer, sinking both! [:)]

Will post another screenie showing how the Sally bombers rammed into the Miami.
The effect was tremendous!

Zamboanga had been evacuated by the enemy and massive bomber strikes devastated
both airfield and port facilities. Follow up strikes will be launched and ground
units hit.

The Combined Fleet has refuelled at Takao and is heading for Manila. This is a 'Schwerepunkt'
in any case and I want the Fleet close to the action in order to exploit the enemys weaknesses.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/44

Air Combat

Night Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x J1N1-S Irving bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy concentrated on Menando and smashed 50 transports there. I've evacuated some Base Force
units to the PI.

Day Air attack on Menado , at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 73
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
Spitfire VIII x 9
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6
B-29 Superfortress x 103

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 18 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 126
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No enemy ac over Zamboanga!

Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 66

No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We hit Zamboanga really hard today!

Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 95

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This efficiently CLOSED Zamboanga! [8D]

Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 24
J1N1-S Irving x 13
G4M1 Betty x 82
G4M2 Betty x 189
P1Y Frances x 98
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 58
Ki-21 Sally x 76
Ki-49 Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 6 destroyed
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 234
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KAMIKAZE!

Day Air attack on TF at 39,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-21 Sally x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Swanson
DD Capps, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *magazine explodes - sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KAMIKAZE!

Day Air attack on TF at 40,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D4Y Judy x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships Banzai!!
CL Miami, Bomb hits 10, Kamikaze hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The IJN used the hulk of the Miami for bomb practice...

Day Air attack on TF at 40,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 12
A6M5c Zeke x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Miami, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No hits this time!

Day Air attack on TF at 39,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 23
D4Y Judy x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 10 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Burns
DD Conway
DD Fletcher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zamboanga is closed by the IJNAF/IJAAF

This is the kind of strikes I've been dreaming of! [:D]
With this kind of firepower we may have a chance.

[PzB74]

The light cruiser Miami was found 1 hex from Davao..the homebase of the first
Divine Wind unit: Sallys devastated the ship and also blew up an enemy destroyer.

KAMIKAZE STRIKE!

[FeurerKrieg]

Very nice PzB!

Days like that almost make the end game bearable. Nice to know the Allies aren't invincible if they go to deep without their carriers.

[PzB74]

It was a small and isolated success against orphaned US units, but still.
The Kamiz WORK and we managed to launch several massive strikes. Andy will have
to bring his fleet back to Zamboanga in strength - or risk loosing it again.

I especially like to sink enemy cruisers, as Andy is short of them.
We also destroyed another 18 Corsairs, more than 100 of the carrier borne type
has been destroyed since deployed.

The enmey sub SS Pomfret was also reported sunk near Batan Island.
So yes, it was one of the better days! [:)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

YES!!!!
 
BANZAI my friend!!
 
Our hearts are with you

[Honda]

[:D][:D][:D]