IJN questions

[XG76]

Hi all,

just celebrated New Year 1944 in Tokio, after I have won a long range campaign as IJN with 20500 to 10300 pts...
Sunk ALL pre-war US CV´s for the loss of AKAGI and ZUIHO (okay, all my other "large" carriers were then out of action for many months and all CV airgroups worn down.). stupid AI always tried to bother me with his focus on Lunga (cannot count the ships he lost while running in and out of Guadalcanal). And I learned that it is impossible to invade Australia! (at least after the initial few weeks when the allied position is still weak).

While playing, several questions arose.
1.) Why is the G3M Nell bomber always in very short supply, although rate is 4? Sometimes the pool stays empty over weeks...
2.) Even more puzzling: in the 2nd half of 1943 I got a D4Y Judy unit, which got smashed in aerial combats down in the solomons. I never received a single plane from the pool (rate is 20, pool holds over 25).
3.) The A5M2B Zeke Fighter Bomber isn´t produced until the end of the game (rate 0). Makes no sense, since I got a unit of them, saved from any supply?
4.) How to manage any upgrade options? Or is it only auto-mode controlled?
5.) it seems to me the japanese lacking on base forces, causing particular airfields cannot serve too much planes... Or, how do I have to understand the rules regarding installation of "aviation support"
6.) Is there any chance to decrease the rate of damage caused by the "normal" fleet use of ships? Sending Kongo class BB´s down for any bombardment missions 3-4 times they go near 10 sys damage...

Thank you for any hints & tips...
Ralf

[Miller]

Hi Ralf, I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability.

1) If you have a Nell unit set to Naval Search (even at a low %) op losses will easily eat up this 4 a month. All of your Nell units are strictly "one shot" weapons which once depleted will never be replenished.

2) Never seen that before.....In my last game as the IJN the replacements came through for this single Judy unit, albiet starting in November 43 which is way to late to matter.

3) I agree. Why have a unit in the game that will never recieve any replacements!

4) WITP only I am afraid. Units upgrade automatically once enough replacement planes of the new type are in the pool.

5) Yes the IJN are short of base forces, but I believe this is realistic.

6) The rate that ships gain system damage through normal ops is over-estimated and is toned down for WITP. In UV, IJN battleships can gain 10 sys damage in the course of one bombardment mission, which is unrealistc.


With regards to the AI, once you have learned the basics of the game it is very easy to beat. Seems to be fixated with Lunga playing as either side. Time to play someone via PBEM. Any more questions feel free to ask.

[XG76]

oh yes, there is indeed another matter: when I had successfully managed to enlarge Lunga airfield, I´d stationed several army bomber units there (Lily, Helen, Sonia plus navy Vals and Kates. For a while even two Sally units). They always attacked any surface TF, but were NEVER launched against enemy flattops. Also the Betty´s and Nell´s at Rabaul were kept grounded when US CV´s were around. How come?  
Next, ist there any posssibility to mop up these damned coastwatchers reporting almost any TF close to shore?
 
TIA,
Ralf

[Miller]

You must ensure you have enough fighters to escort your bombers for them to launch against carrier groups, this is true for either side but more so the USN. Try mixing a few carrier based airgroups at the same location as they seem to encourage land based bombers to attack at the same time.

Coastwatchers cannot be stopped, but they provide information for you as well as the enemy.

[DEB]

Ralf,

Further to Miller's answers:

1) If you have a Nell unit set to Naval Search (even at a low %) op losses will easily eat up this 4 a month. All of your Nell units are strictly "one shot" weapons which once depleted will never be replenished.

Nell production ceased when Betty production started ( 1941 ), hence low replacement rate.

2) Never seen that before.....In my last game as the IJN the replacements came through for this single Judy unit, albiet starting in November 43 which is way to late to matter.

589 Judy's built between 4/43 & 3/44 therefore replacements at 11/43 seems later than they could be. If only one reinforcement unit though, the priorities are elsewhere, including upgrades for Vals.

3) I agree. Why have a unit in the game that will never recieve any replacements!

Would you rather not have the unit? The A6M5 Zeke (last period upgrade of the Zero), was received by front line units in the Autumn of 43. I am therefore not suprised at the lack of Zeke replacements, bearing in mind the details advised above re Judy replacements.

4) WITP only I am afraid. Units upgrade automatically once enough replacement planes of the new type are in the pool.

At this level of command control it is to be expected.

5) Yes the IJN are short of base forces, but I believe this is realistic.

Very. I would suggest that as you capture new bases/airfields, you abandon those to your rear. Not completely you understand, just move out the Aircraft & Pilots & Support and leave garrison troops to guard the facilities, in case you have to retreat/retire to them or defend them in the future. Applies to the Allies too, but not so much.

6) The rate that ships gain system damage through normal ops is over-estimated and is toned down for WITP. In UV, IJN battleships can gain 10 sys damage in the course of one bombardment mission, which is unrealistc.

At first sight this seems unrealistic; however, as both sides kept their Battleships in "reserve" most of the time in this theatre, this may be a "ploy" to force you to restict their usage.

[TAIL GUNNER]

2.) Even more puzzling: in the 2nd half of 1943 I got a D4Y Judy unit, which got smashed in aerial combats down in the solomons. I never received a single plane from the pool (rate is 20, pool holds over 25).


Try moving the unit closer to Truk, and it should receive replacements then...

If I recall, a aerial unit must be within one-way transfer range to receive replacements..

[XG76]

Hi all,

thanks for so much input!

re 2) Of course I tried to solve the situation by pulling the Judy´s back to Truk, I even transferred them to ZUIKAKU... no results either.

re 6) would you recommend rather to keep lesser damaged units (under 30sys maybe) than sending them back to Tokio? What is the average repair rate per day or week?

re Lunga army bombers) actually, I DID put several fighter units amongst the Lily´s, Helen´s, Sally´s... Is there, maybe, a certain ratio (bomber-fighter) you have to assure for attacks against carriers? In my case the ratio was about 35F to 110 LB + 18 DB + 15 TB


TIA,
Ralf

[Desertmole]

re Lunga army bombers) actually, I DID put several fighter units amongst the Lily´s, Helen´s, Sally´s... Is there, maybe, a certain ratio (bomber-fighter) you have to assure for attacks against carriers? In my case the ratio was about 35F to 110 LB + 18 DB + 15 TB

Actually, I found you need to put carrier fighter and bomber units with them to get them to attack carriers. The number of fighters should be fairly high as well, depending on the size of the carrier group you are attacking.

[XG76]

ORIGINAL: Desertmole

re Lunga army bombers) actually, I DID put several fighter units amongst the Lily´s, Helen´s, Sally´s... Is there, maybe, a certain ratio (bomber-fighter) you have to assure for attacks against carriers? In my case the ratio was about 35F to 110 LB + 18 DB + 15 TB

Actually, I found you need to put carrier fighter and bomber units with them to get them to attack carriers. The number of fighters should be fairly high as well, depending on the size of the carrier group you are attacking.

so, as I understand your post, I´d have to send navy fighters with navy bombers and army fighters with army bombers? and a certain number of escorts needed rather depends on the enemy CAP strenght than any ratio of my own?

[anarchyintheuk]

I don't think there are any interservice penalties, although maybe there should be.

The ratio that matters is escort to cap not escort to bomber. Just from observations (I don't know the formula) anything less than around 1/3 for IJN/IJA lba won't fly against USN cvs. The greater the ratio the better. I don't remember when I played if I calculated that on the # of fighters in the cvtf or the # of fighters in the cvtf as modified by the cap %.