What mission profile are you using for the Helens?
I use 1000 feet, max range, Naval Search, unless the subs are within 0-1 hexes, then I switch to ASW mission.
Defending the empire 1943, the allies attack - a Jap AAR
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jwilkerson
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RE: ASW battles off Japan
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RE: ASW battles off Japan
ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
What mission profile are you using for the Helens?
I use 1000 feet, max range, Naval Search, unless the subs are within 0-1 hexes, then I switch to ASW mission.
ASW, 6000 feet, max range.
You really use your nav search planes on 1000? I thought it was better to have them at 5-6k.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
Another day of the ASW war. Im starting to feel like the British in 1940-41. I have reinforced the area heavily with Helens. Ive got practically all my ASW-Helens here now, there are only 100-something Helens on other fronts.
Its interesting to note that this has been a running battle that started off Japan, and has drifted down to the PI. I dont know if this is intentional or not by Castor, but it is a very effective sub-tactic. Basically he has got a huge wolfpack slowly drifting along my core shipping route.
Unfortunately for Castor, my ASW forces in this area are excellent, both thanks to my very experienced Helens (75-85) and the fact that Im using all DDs from the KB escorts.
Its interesting to note that this has been a running battle that started off Japan, and has drifted down to the PI. I dont know if this is intentional or not by Castor, but it is a very effective sub-tactic. Basically he has got a huge wolfpack slowly drifting along my core shipping route.
Unfortunately for Castor, my ASW forces in this area are excellent, both thanks to my very experienced Helens (75-85) and the fact that Im using all DDs from the KB escorts.
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The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
It seems I can declare victory for now in the ASW-battles. The submarines have left the waters off the Phillipines and are now operating off Jolo/Tarakan. That means my core shipping lines from Singapore to Japan are free. Or at least relatively so. He might have subs operating in the middle of the waters between Borneo and Saigon, but Im avoiding those waters anyway.
A supply convoy unloading at Gilli Gilli was hit hard today by enemy bombers. Despite me having 40-something Oscars and Zeros in the air, the bombers just swoshed through and bombed my ships. Ive moved in some more fighters and the convoy is disbanded in port save two ships. I cant really defend against the B24s and B17s, I wonder what the game will look like when the B29s arrive...
Meanwhile, the KB is just about finished with the upgrades. As soon as the destroyers return to port, I will sortie the KB to the Aleutians, the allies have become too cocky up there, and I believe I can bag some aircraft and maybe even some ships if I surprise him up there. It will also give me some time to reinforce Kiska with some AA and CD and put up a minefield around the base.
A supply convoy unloading at Gilli Gilli was hit hard today by enemy bombers. Despite me having 40-something Oscars and Zeros in the air, the bombers just swoshed through and bombed my ships. Ive moved in some more fighters and the convoy is disbanded in port save two ships. I cant really defend against the B24s and B17s, I wonder what the game will look like when the B29s arrive...
Meanwhile, the KB is just about finished with the upgrades. As soon as the destroyers return to port, I will sortie the KB to the Aleutians, the allies have become too cocky up there, and I believe I can bag some aircraft and maybe even some ships if I surprise him up there. It will also give me some time to reinforce Kiska with some AA and CD and put up a minefield around the base.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
Castor is threatening to drop the game again unless I stop using my Helens on ASW.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
Was that an HR?
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: ASW battles off Japan
ORIGINAL: witpqs
Was that an HR?
Nope. He is asking for a new HR now. No Helens on ASW, or "max 100 Helens on ASW inside 15 hexes" or whatever.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
I read Castor's AAR, and told him that I too use most of the JAAF on ASW. The only difference is I base 27 or 36 on every level 4 or above. And that if he looks at the number of level 4 airfields in some areas, this is alot of a/c on ASW in a small area. I say agree to only 27 or 36 on a level 4 air base for ASW. You can still have alot of Helens on ASW in a small area. That would allow you to have at least 5 Helen units at the northern PI choke point.
But I do agree with him about the construction BN cutting a ZOC above Akyab. Use at least a brigade or infantry regiment. I know alot of people screamed when I was landing a full div above Naga to cut off the 2 PI divisions there because it was a non base hex, but I feel it is within bounds. I am using a unit that can cut off a ZOC but I do think they need to increase the disruption from doing so though.
But I do agree with him about the construction BN cutting a ZOC above Akyab. Use at least a brigade or infantry regiment. I know alot of people screamed when I was landing a full div above Naga to cut off the 2 PI divisions there because it was a non base hex, but I feel it is within bounds. I am using a unit that can cut off a ZOC but I do think they need to increase the disruption from doing so though.
RE: ASW battles off Japan
The batallion in the jungle behind Akyab is only there as a recon-asset to spot new units moving down the trail. I have no intention to cut the line with just that unit. I have another stack, unspotted by Castor however, that contains one regiment from a division, a tank regiment, an engineer unit and an AA unit that is moving to cut off the Akyab attack however, and I think that is a reasonable force for such a move.
As for the Helens, no. I must be allowed to base my bombers the way I choose as long as I dont violate our stacking-houserule.
As for the Helens, no. I must be allowed to base my bombers the way I choose as long as I dont violate our stacking-houserule.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: ASW battles off Japan
The truth is that there is nearly no difference to have 3 sentais at one base or 1 sentai on 3 different bases next to each other.. In the most important areas you will be able to have nearly the same concentration as you have now. And the results will be similar. Castors subs will be hit as frequently as they are now. It seems to me that Castor doesn´t care how many groups is on one airfield but how many hits is achieved in certain areas. Dispersing LBA from single base to five different bases will not solve it, if all those five bases will be for example on PI.
Ambush over Kiska
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/43
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Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 111
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 14
TBF Avenger x 15
Wellington III x 58
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed, 32 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 28 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
Wellington III: 46 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25
Port hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
Amazingly enough, the most effective dogfighter in the allied airforce is the Wellington III. Despite butchering the Wildcats, Dauntless and Avengers...the Wellington makes it home without losses.
Its a pretty good ambush, he has been doing milkruns over Kiska for several weeks, and I thought Id try to catch him with his pants down. The KB sneaked into position after upgrading to A6M3as, and manages to land a good punch.
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Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 111
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 14
TBF Avenger x 15
Wellington III x 58
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed, 32 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 28 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
Wellington III: 46 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25
Port hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
Amazingly enough, the most effective dogfighter in the allied airforce is the Wellington III. Despite butchering the Wildcats, Dauntless and Avengers...the Wellington makes it home without losses.
Its a pretty good ambush, he has been doing milkruns over Kiska for several weeks, and I thought Id try to catch him with his pants down. The KB sneaked into position after upgrading to A6M3as, and manages to land a good punch.
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The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: Ambush over Kiska
I tried an attack at the enemy airbase off next to Kiska today. Sent in the Kates high because I was afraid of AAA. Torched 86 on the ground, a pretty good result.
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The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: Ambush over Kiska
Havent had time to update the AAR in a while. Lots of work at the moment.
Anyway, we are rapidly approaching February 1943 and I believe I can smell an allied invasion coming soon.
For the past weeks I have been seeing a raise in activity in the Port Moresby area. First he sent wave after wave of B-25s, B-17s and B-24s to attack the bases at Thursday Island, Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli. He then sent in surface forces to bombard Gilli Gilli. Then the allied CVs made an appearance off Gilli Gilli and now the B-25s are going around the clock on Thursday Island. At the same time the activity from Darwin has diminished.
All this has convinced me that he will be attacking in the Port Moresby area soon. My bet is that Thursday Island is the first target. After that he will probably go for Port Moresby and Milne Bay. Or he could go up the southern side of New Guniea and try for the Bulla/Ambonia/Sorong area, but that seems less likely since he could go directly from Darwin there instead.
So... I am sending my strategic reserve to Truk, at the moment that means 1,5 divisions is going there. At the same time Im moving the local reserves from Truk to Rabaul. I am also shifting alot of my airforce into the region. Right now I have almost 300 Bettys at Truk. I am also dispatching the KB minus three CVs to the area. The reason Im keeping 3 CVs at home is because they are due their upgrade now in February, so I want to get those first before I move out. I'll move them into the action later together with the 5 BBs currently undergoing repairs and upgrades.
I am also sending my sub fleet into the waters between Cairns and Port Moresby.
Anyway, we are rapidly approaching February 1943 and I believe I can smell an allied invasion coming soon.
For the past weeks I have been seeing a raise in activity in the Port Moresby area. First he sent wave after wave of B-25s, B-17s and B-24s to attack the bases at Thursday Island, Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli. He then sent in surface forces to bombard Gilli Gilli. Then the allied CVs made an appearance off Gilli Gilli and now the B-25s are going around the clock on Thursday Island. At the same time the activity from Darwin has diminished.
All this has convinced me that he will be attacking in the Port Moresby area soon. My bet is that Thursday Island is the first target. After that he will probably go for Port Moresby and Milne Bay. Or he could go up the southern side of New Guniea and try for the Bulla/Ambonia/Sorong area, but that seems less likely since he could go directly from Darwin there instead.
So... I am sending my strategic reserve to Truk, at the moment that means 1,5 divisions is going there. At the same time Im moving the local reserves from Truk to Rabaul. I am also shifting alot of my airforce into the region. Right now I have almost 300 Bettys at Truk. I am also dispatching the KB minus three CVs to the area. The reason Im keeping 3 CVs at home is because they are due their upgrade now in February, so I want to get those first before I move out. I'll move them into the action later together with the 5 BBs currently undergoing repairs and upgrades.
I am also sending my sub fleet into the waters between Cairns and Port Moresby.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: Ambush over Kiska
Meh... Castor claims to have been hit by a movement bug and is therefore cancelling his invasion. At least that is what he said on msn. So much for that...hello another month of boredom.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
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jwilkerson
- Posts: 8253
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2002 4:02 am
- Location: Kansas
- Contact:
RE: Ambush over Kiska
Hey at this point in the war for the Japanese - "boredom" is a good thing!
[:)]
[:)]
WITP Admiral's Edition - Project Lead
War In Spain - Project Lead
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RE: Ambush over Kiska
Well, yes...but at this point of the game Im desperate for something to happen...
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
The cancelled allied offensive
So I figured that he would try to attack Port Moresby again today. I had flown in a single fighter unit to PM to simulate a meager defence, then I set all my 250 fighters at Lae to LRCAP Port Moresby. Here is the result.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/26/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3 Zero x 90
A6M3a Zero x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-17E Fortress x 67
B-24D Liberator x 47
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 10 destroyed, 36 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 20 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 57 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 15 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
Only 17 bombers came through that CAP. Great result!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/26/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3 Zero x 90
A6M3a Zero x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-17E Fortress x 67
B-24D Liberator x 47
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 10 destroyed, 36 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 20 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 57 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 15 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
Only 17 bombers came through that CAP. Great result!
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The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
-
jwilkerson
- Posts: 8253
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2002 4:02 am
- Location: Kansas
- Contact:
RE: The cancelled allied offensive
You must have turned back a bunch due to their having low morale ... question will be ... who can better sustain this level of effort ... time will tell ...
Regarding strategic position - you are still far better placed in the "SE Pacific" (speaking in map terms from your perspective) than in more critical theaters, like Burma and Darwin/Timor. But as long as he keeps making major effort in the far away places - you should dance a bit with him. Just make sure you are strengthening your key areas more so than you far flung areas, else he might switch focus and crash into your rear areas with reduced effort!
r
Regarding strategic position - you are still far better placed in the "SE Pacific" (speaking in map terms from your perspective) than in more critical theaters, like Burma and Darwin/Timor. But as long as he keeps making major effort in the far away places - you should dance a bit with him. Just make sure you are strengthening your key areas more so than you far flung areas, else he might switch focus and crash into your rear areas with reduced effort!
r
WITP Admiral's Edition - Project Lead
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RE: The cancelled allied offensive
Well, the question is will he return to Port Moresby after a few weeks when he thinks things have quieted down some, or will he go for Timor instead?
My bet is that he is going for Timor or Ambonia instead, so Im going to shift my reinforcements to the Timor area. Ive got 3-400 AVs at PM, Gilli and Thursday. But there are more bases at Timor, so I only have 1-200 there.
He told me he has got 3000 AV for his next invasion, or at least that that was the number that was supposed to hit Port Moresby. That is an insane number for me, since Im struggling to get 300 AV at my bases. The question is...what to do.
I am reminded by the old axiom "he who defends everything defends nothing".
My bet is that he is going for Timor or Ambonia instead, so Im going to shift my reinforcements to the Timor area. Ive got 3-400 AVs at PM, Gilli and Thursday. But there are more bases at Timor, so I only have 1-200 there.
He told me he has got 3000 AV for his next invasion, or at least that that was the number that was supposed to hit Port Moresby. That is an insane number for me, since Im struggling to get 300 AV at my bases. The question is...what to do.
I am reminded by the old axiom "he who defends everything defends nothing".
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
RE: The cancelled allied offensive
Today he tried to close down Lauterm. My fighters carried the day though. again, nikmod proves to make Jap fighters completely impotent against bombers though. The only thing that saved my fighters was the fact that they were airborne and not on the ground...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/43
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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 72
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 28 destroyed, 16 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 211
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 20 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 37 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
365 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 174
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 72
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 28 destroyed, 16 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 211
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 20 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 37 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
365 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 174
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
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- 1.jpg (62.18 KiB) Viewed 284 times
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..