Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[Nemo121]

John 3rd,
 
Tips to get the game to do what you need it to do - CV reactions F up your CV TFs by causing them to end up in different hexes at the end of a turn - thus dislocating your CAP.
 
SOOO, how do you stop this?
 
1. Again I disagree that you need 2 x SC TFs. You need ONE ( I'll explain why later ) but the ships in the second could go to strengthen your CV TF AAA defences and, IMO, they should.
 
2. Set ALL your AIR COMBAT TFs to FOLLOW the SC TF. The SC TF won't react and the chances of your CV TFs reacting when they have a follow command of an SC TF are minimal. So you avoid that stupid AI boondogle.
 
3. Since the SC TF is present you can send your IJA fighters to LRCAP that TF. In so doing you will NOT fall foul of the 75% reduction in their CAP strength. So, just with that one change you could increase your CAP by almost 50%. If you set them to LRCAP the AC TF they will LRCAP at 25% but LRCAP the SCTF and they do it at full strength.
 
Since hex-wide CAP is an aberration in any case I don't see this as being unrealistic personally ( many others would, I'm sure, disagree ).
 
One other benefit of not using the dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers on Day 1 is that it will give you a LOT of free deck space such that even if Day 1 goes badly you should be able to recover a lot of those fighters, rebase them on serviceable CVs and use them again.  I think, though, that you should really do your damnedest to fly EVERY Zero you have on-map into this area though. Damn the transfer losses and fly them onto those CVs. 400 on CAP is good, throw in the other 180 IJA fighters but then scrape the bottom of the barrel everywhere and fly in every damned Zero you have. This is no time for moderation, I can't believe you ONLY have 4 more Zero daitai on the whole map. If this truly is the decisive battle then why aren't they here?
 
 

[John 3rd]

Nemo,
 
I already new about the STF rule on LR CAP which is why I was including one.  I will fllow through and clear the decks of everything but fighters. 
 
I have 7 Daitai of A3/A3a/Jacks at Saipan, 2 at Aparri, 2 in Tokyo, and 2 at Truk.  I am upgrading to M5 and Jacks as fast as possible right now.
 
Do you know the answer for air group modifications?
 
Will write more in a bit.
 
 

[Nemo121]

As far as I know they should just change automatically at a specific date... I don't know more about it than that though. I have heard it is hard-coded and thus out of your control though.

[John 3rd]

NONE of my original six CV Air Groups have upgraded.  Hmmm...
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Operation Nakri[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Order-of-Battle[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Once I am fully gathered at Saipan, this is the TF Organization for the [/font][font="times new roman"]Kaigun:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-1             Adm Nagumo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Akagi         24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Kaga         24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryuho      18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Yamato[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Atago, Chokai[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Oyodo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-2             Adm Nobutani[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Hiryu         21—21—21[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Soryu         21—21—21[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryujo      28—00—19[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Kongo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Tone, Chikuma[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-3             Adm Yamaguchi[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Shokaku    24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Zuikaku     24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Shoho      18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Hiei[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Myoko, Takao[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-4             Adm Ozawa[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Unryu        24—24—16[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Amagi        24—24—16[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Hosho     05—00—05[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Shinyo     33[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Haruna[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Nachi, Ashigara[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Taiho         27—27—18[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Zuiho       18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Kaiyo      18[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Taiyo       27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Nisshin       24 FP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Haguro, Mogami[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-6[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Chiyoda   27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Unyo       27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Chuyo     27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Mizuho       20 FP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Suzuya, Kumano[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]STF-1              Adm Tanaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Aoba[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 4[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 13[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]This is the OOB fighting in a conventional manner with Air Groups unchanged.  Aircraft composition would be:  460 Fighters, 216 Dive Bombers, 248 Torpedo Bombers.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I will repost this OOB with the Fighters changes made once I finish gathering all the planes and ships at Saipan.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Need 2 more Carrier Admirals---Anyone got a recommendation?[/font]

[n01487477]

John,
Sorry about the picture quality ...

I guess others have a better idea than me ... but here is a list with both Naval and Air skill ...

Obviously, this is taken from my game, so I have no idea how your Leaders have progressed skill wise, but maybe it is a start.

[John 3rd]

n01...how did you do that?  Is that a Tracker function?  I have NEVER been able to actually organize the Japanese leadership by catagory.
 
Just sent the 9/13 round to Dan.  His CTF have stayed near Iwo.  He is NOT moving east.  If he hold there for 2-3 days then Operation Nakri will commence...
 

[n01487477]

John,
yes, it's a WitpTracker function, maybe after the ensuing battle (& when you have time)you should have a play with it & give us some feedback..

It's still being refined & has its shortcomings, but ... well maybe I should leave that up to the WITP community to give a verdict... (it works for Allies too)

You might not use it every turn, but as an overall reference and tracking tool, with a lot of functionality, it does the job.

[John 3rd]

It is Damian right?
 
The Tracker seems to be magnificent.  Michael keeps posting stuff that is amazing in scope and etail.  Things I could never imagine following and looking at every day.  Magnificent Sir!
 
Big B Note:  Brian--I know with AE coming out you will either be out-of-business with the Mod or having to start all over but I would like to note that truly think you have made the Chinese WAY too powerful in this Mod.  It should be a stalemate in China but it isn't.  I have HORDES of Chinese attacking in Burma, Hanoi area, AND China.  The amount of troops I have had to move back into these theatres is HUGE and never were like this in the real war.  Just my .02...
 

[John 3rd]

Just checked with Dan and there is NO CAP requirement within House Rules so I will follow Nemo's advice.  Once the Fleet fully reaches Saipan, I will disband it, reform it, and shuffle planes.  This will require upgrades and extensive changes so I am moving supply there.  I have a real fuel concern as well.  There is 40,000 fuel there but I have a BUNCH of ships.  Have ordered severl TK TF to go to full speed (90,000 Fuel) and get there as fast as possible.
 

[ny59giants]

There is 40,000 fuel there but I have a BUNCH of ships. Have ordered severl TK TF to go to full speed (90,000 Fuel) and get there as fast as possible.

I've been working on it. Honestly, I've been working on it. [:D]

[ny59giants]

Here is a list of leaders sorted by air skill.
I keep telling John to install Tracker, but......[:D]

[ny59giants]

Here is latest Naval Ship Building. The next 30 days has 3 PC becoming available and not until day 35 does another DD come in. Thus, we should be able to get some sort of surplus soon (585 worth will be done within a month).

[ny59giants]

Slowly, but surely. [8D]

[ny59giants]

Steady as she goes.

[Nemo121]

Couple of problems:
 
1. You are mixing CVEs and CVs/CVLs. I would, if I were you, put all the CVEs in a single TF with the CVs and CVLs mixing together. Reason being that the CVEs are so slow they are going to mess up the accompanying CVLs and CVs.
 
2. WiTP Tracker rules.. Seriously, I've only used it for the past couple of days ut it just makes the information you need o accessible. You should really try installing it and giving it a try.
 
3. Don't remember that while you are trying to gather together for an attack your opponent might be also. Don't wait for your fleet to be fully gathered at Saipan before re-organising it. Organise it as best you can now and then fill it out as more units arrive. What would happen if he sprinted south and launched a port attack or somesuch on your fleet before it was combat-organised?

[John 3rd]

I have thought about a surprise attack.  My CAP is set for 80% on Saipan and on my CV TF.  If he wants to come down and deal with that it will be the result as if we had fought the planned battle!  Might even welcome that attack!
 
Tracker and I are having issues.  Michael is going to help me and we get it in place today or tomorrow. 
 
We're trying to do the same thing with your Mod.  He has sent an opening turn but I cannot get it loaded correctly.  I tried to copy my RHS Version and then add your to it but the map is all messed up.  Michael wants to do a copy of standard WitP and then add to it.  Thoughts on that Sir?
 
I think I will split my CVEs into 3 TF of 2 each.  All they are to do is provide a deck for 27 Fighters.  By creating THREE TF targets to go with the other CTF and STF, I have a real chance of any 'leakers' hitting something OTHER then my prized CV/CVLs.
 
 
 

[Nemo121]

John,
 
While it is true to say EA uses RHS EOS as a base I diverged from that about 18 months ago and right now I have different planes, different LCUs, different devices, an entirely different economic/logistics model, different production rationales, different art etc. Even the maps are different.
 
What I've done is use a stock WiTP install and then just copy the files from akdreemer's site into the appropriate places ( scen files into scenario folder, map files into the map folder ( and you have to rename them ) and PWHEX into the root file of WiTP ). That works fine. I don't have any RHS scenarios or folders on my computer but anecdotaly people who install EA over RHS tend to have problems so I don't recommend that.
 
 
As to the idea with the CVEs. Good idea, higher risk of losing them, lower risk of losing the CVs/CVLs. In other words your total loss potential is higher but your loss potential in key classes is less. Ruthless. Good.

[John 3rd]

I like being called ruthless at this point.
 
Just got turn from Dan.  He cleared the last of my mines from Iwo this turn (9/13) and has EVERYTHING at Iwo.  This means he won't be moving very quickly for at least a day or two.  Iwo's Port just went to 2--got to love those American Seabees--and will probably hit 3 by the end of the month.  I want to cause chaos before that happens so he cannot disband into there yet.
 
I decided that Nagato/Mutsu might be able to make a run around the edge of the perimeter so they shot out about 8 hexes due east of Tokyo and this turn at set for Full Speed towards Marcus.  They will then angle SW towards Saipan.  Having those 20 warships would really help (2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CL, and 12 DD).
 
Nemo--Michael said the same thing about the install.  We will get it done today.  Got to get my sons to actually SLEEP right now!
 

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Sept 12-13, 1943
 
I got all excited when I saw Dan split his Fleet but everything came back together at Iwo Jima.

The Bonins
Iwo Jima
Dan has been MSW everyday here and finally clears off my minefield on the 13th.  Can imagine all thos ehsips of his now unloading.  The Seabees raise the Port to 2 on the 13th as well.  As I said earlier, I would like to force the fight before he can develop a Sz-3 Port to Disband into.  it appears that there is an average of 65-70 Hellcats and 15-20 Corsairs flying CAP here.

Tori Shima
I begin nuisance bombings of Tori Shima's Port with a Sentai of Nicks.  They don't do much damage but it should slow down his Forts and Port expansion.  There are 3 units with about 10,000 men landed here.

Chichi Jima
Much smaller garrision of about 2,500 men and 2 units.

The Marianas
Saipan
The Fleet is concentrated on the 13th.  I dsiband everything for two days and on the 15th will reform and plan to give battle.  Just upgraded a Daitai of Jacks as well as Zekes.  Might be able to do 2 more by the 15th/16th.  I hope to add the Nagato Group by the 16th.  If I can slip them around and add them to the Fleet then I will wait.  If I cannot then I will attack.

This island has nearly 300 LBA Fighters now.

Pagan
Though not part of the island group I include it here.  There are nearly 200 Army Fighters here ready to support the navy when it sorties.  Have an Aviation Regiment in Guam loading to land here by the 15th.

Guam
Holding most of my Bombers, Dive Bombers, and Torpedo Bombers, Guam is the backstop to the other islands.

Supply/Fuel
As said earlier, Fuel is an issue and by waiting the extra days I may be able to bring in a shipment of 44,000 Fuel to top off my ships.  If not, I should be able to sail without issue but would like to have plenty.  Supplies are coming in the form of several TF and they should serve to keep the islands well stocked.

Okinawa
This island is a concern as Michael has mentioned.  Since Dan has done NO Recon since taking Iwo, I have not felt it to be a crisis but things are moving there now.  A total of 5 units got their marching orders:  2 Engineering Regiments in China, 2 Construction Btn in Korea, and the 41st Infantry Division in Tokyo.  These will help to buttress the island pretty quickly.  There are 72 Tony and 63 Bombers stationed here right now.

Burma/Indochina
There has been little movement here for a while and I am enjoying every day of it!  The combat values of beat-up units is climbing at Hanoi, Haiphong, Moulmein, and Bangkok.  If I could get a month of time...

Siem Reap
My Combat Command arrives here and handily drives the Indian Paratroopers and Chinese Corps out of the base and induces them to surrender!  Into the bag go nearly 2,000 PoW.  A small victory but nice nonetheless.

32,36
North of Bangkok and Pisanaluke, this hex has held 3 Chinese Corps for nearly a month.  I decide to drive them back and do so on the 12th and 13th netting 3-1 attacks both days.  The Chinese are forced to retreat by the 51st and 55th Inf Div, 3rd Tk Div, a TK Reg, and 2 Para Reg.  Will try to push them back up that road another 2 hexes to the trails... 

Convoy Action
Dan tries to test my defenses by slipping 4 AK into Rangoon on the 12th.  They are met by Lily, Betty, and Kate bombers and are sunk before making Port.  Actually, 1 makes Port but had taken 3 Bombs and 1 Mine when it entered Harbor.  I expect it to sink.

Australia
Brisbane
As mentioned earlier, I pulled the 4th Inf Div out of here and sent it to Townsville.  It loads and heads for the Philippines.  Might unload it anywhere but that is its destination.

Hobart
I had pulled the Betty Daitai out of Devonport a while ago and decide to evacuate the Baseforce there.  I sorties a group of AP from Perth and order the BF to Hobart for pick-up.

Transfers
A number of units get marching orders to head for Perth, Darwin, or Townsville for Redeployment.  About 10 units get the order to move and they mostly comprise HQs, Con Btn, and Aviation units.

ASW
It is time to get the ASW TF up-and-running.  We have 2 east of Luzon and I create 3 more to move into the same area.