Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes

[Capt. Harlock]

Its that shock attack that did it. I don't understand this game. I had a deliberate attack come off at 3 to 1 and disruption was at about 20% after it. I thought for sure the shock attack would do it. Instead it creamed my units.

This is just a guess, but I think the game gives extra casualties for shock attacks on atoll-type terrain.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Its that shock attack that did it. I don't understand this game. I had a deliberate attack come off at 3 to 1 and disruption was at about 20% after it. I thought for sure the shock attack would do it. Instead it creamed my units.

This is just a guess, but I think the game gives extra casualties for shock attacks on atoll-type terrain.

That part I get. What I don't get is how I can launch a Deliberate Attack on one day and get a 3 to 1 result with minimal disruption and luanch a Shock Attack the next day and get a 1 to 1 result with huge disruption and disablement

[vettim89]

6-8 July 1943

The continued grind goes on at Tarawa with constant air and naval bombardment the last three days. My BB's went in on the 8th and did another 1200 casualties. AS is near equal now. I have two full and part of a third RCT inbound. Should take another 4 or 5 days. I pulled my CV's back to Abemama to rehab a bit. CV Wasp's airgroup was a bit deranged as I failed to notice she was still carrying fragments of CV Essex's airgroup. She now has just her planes on board. I am moving up some PT's from Nanumea to dissuade larry from another attempt at intercepting my transports.

Up north near Kwajalein LCMDR Gilmore of SS Growler comes to periscope depth and practically wets himself. A submariners dream has come true with CVL Ryujo in his sights. Growler puts a TT into her and misses a CA later that night. Alas, her forward tubes are out of torpedoes. She heads back to PH where LCMDR GIlmore and his crew will be awarded a Battle Star. If Ryuho were to happen to sink, he may get a Navy Cross for this one. What is more valuable than the hit on the CVL is the intel. I now know where at least some of Larry's CV force is located.

In the BoB, the TF's for Operation Grommet v.2 set sail for Port Blair. Liberator III's from Rangoon and softening up the base now and will be joined by all LBA in the region when the TF is about two days out. I don't want to give things away until I am close.

Down at Cooktown, the 49th FG upgrades to P-47C. This high exp group will hopefully help turn the tide in PNG.

I am disappointed in my results at Tarawa but I have learned a lot from this op. Very much in keeping with the RL model. A CVL has cleared the Panama Shipping Lanes and is less than a week out of Pago Pago. CV Bunker Hill has left Panama but will take nearly three weeks to reach the battle zone.

[vettim89]

9 July 1943 (I think, it may be the 1oth)

TF's with 2 and 1/2 RCTS are inbound to Tarawa. Hopefully this will do it. Also I picked up the missing fragment of the FA RGT at Tarwa which mysterious unloaded at the little non-base island one hex SSE of there. Shoudl get one more nuke in before these units storm ashore. A pleasant little surprise was discoverd. Abemama has a SPS for AB of 2 not 1 as I thought. It is 45% to level 5 SB now. If my ground troops can't dislodge the defenders, a Level 5 AB with 4E's shoudl help. I transferred nearly 100 PBY4's and B-24's from PH to Pago Pago. Whats nice is this base can also be used for hitting the southern Marshalls once completed. That will give me two Level 5 AB's once Tarawa is taken, repaired and expanded.

The Grommet.2 TF's are three hexes from the rally point. Should hit the beaches in two days.

Thought I would include the port screen from Nanumea to give an idea of the carnage from Tarawa. There are more damaged ships at Savali and inbound to there. Larry has lost a lot too. Just lost four DD's alone in the last 10 days or so.

[ny59giants]

It looks like a TF with 6 ships (above 10 speed) will be headed for long term repairs to the West Coast after the last DD gets her float damage down. Got to love the Allied damage control and the availability of ARs to salvage your ships.

I like to allocate 3 ARs and 2 ADs to each invasion to do what yours are doing.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

It looks like a TF with 6 ships (above 10 speed) will be headed for long term repairs to the West Coast after the last DD gets her float damage down. Got to love the Allied damage control and the availability of ARs to salvage your ships.

I like to allocate 3 ARs and 2 ADs to each invasion to do what yours are doing.

Yes, I realized too late how valuable the AR's and AD's are to "field repairs". I have a bunch more in the pipeline .

10-11 July 1943.

The troops will go in next turn with an accompanying BOMB TF. Have about 300 AS landing here before the disruption of landing hits. Only 112th Cav Reg is fully prepped. My AS has been steadily climbing over the last week as the Japanese has head steady or fallen. I am feeling pretty confident that this will wrap up within ten days or so. Here's hoping.

Simultaneously, the RN sends in the 2nd UK to Port Blair on the same turn. Betty's flew out of Malya but the Corsair II's nicely brushed them away. I will switch all LBA in BoB to Nav Attack tomorrow. If Larry is true to from we should be seeing a SCTF approaching within the next day or so.

BB Washington is at SYST 1 so I sent her from LA to SF to head back to PH. Up at Bremerton (Seatle), CA Indianapolis has fallen to 6 SYST. CV Enterprise is at 11 SYST at SF. BB South Dakota leaves San Diego for LA to take advantage of the alrger Shipyard there.

[vettim89]

12 July 1943

Both invasions are going well. THe 2nd UK is dinged but I already have double the Japanes AV ashore. Nice to not be invaded an atoll this time with the automatic Shock Attack and concomitant disruption. Still will take a few days to get my AV built back up. At Tarawa, the Shock Attack actualy caused as many Japanes casualties as US. I included a screenie of one of the CD vs AMPH TF engagements. never seen the troops ashore take casualties like that before.

Both Invasions TF's were attacked by IJN LBA. At Tarawa, one AK was hit. No hits at Port Blair. IJN air losses for the day were 47 A6M3a and 24 G4M2 Betty. The BoB strike came from Sabang. The 4E are gonna venture down that way tomorry weather permitting. I figure there is a boatload of damaged a/c there.

[vettim89]

13 July 1943

Yet another SCTF appears out of no where and hits Tarawa. I lost 4 LCT - oh boohoo. I also lost DD Evertsen and an APD - double BooHoo. Again my a/c were concentrating on troops at Tarawa. THe Japanese CV's are off to the NW again. I am moving my CV's up a little to LRCAP the base. If Larry follows form, his TF will park five hexes off Tarawa and try to hit the transports. We will see how this goes. Larry lost another 51 zero models today: 34 A6M3a and 17 A6M3. Bettys and Nells are fropping like flies also. If Larry suffers heavy losses next turn trying to attack Tarawa, I may sprint NW a little and see if I can catch him with depleted air groups. CVL Monterrey is 2 days out of Pago Pago. CV Bunker Hill is 14 days out. I may wait for these two ships before I go carrier hunting.

In the BoB, my airfield attack did moderate damage. Intel shows only 24 bombers at Sabang. Victoria Point has a/c at it again. I am ordering the B-25's to hit Victoria Point with RAF escort from Tavoy. My 4E are all put on Naval Attack. A SCTF has been spotted at Sabang. I suspect they are heading for Port Blair. Hoping the RN can cause some damage and then the Liberators/B-24D's will hit the cripples.

Next turn should be interesting

[vettim89]

14 July 1943

A much better day. Check that, a MUCH better day

Operation Happy

The last troops are almost ashore. One part of a RCT loaded on an AK and is taking forever to unload. This of course means another shock attack is coming next turn. I took some CA's and CL's out of the CVTF and created a second bombardment TF. This one hit the Tarawa last turn and hurt the Japanese pretty badly. The old BB TF will hit this next turn. TBF's caught the retreating IJN SCTF and sank a DD. The IJN carriers are still NW of the island. Cursor intel says two CV's and one CVE. I bet there are at least two CVE's there if not three. Monterrey will depart Pago Pago next turn to Join up. That will give me 2 CV's and 4 CVL's. CV Bunker Hill is still way off. I thought about hitting the max speed button on this TF but I don't want to pay the price in SYST damage. My CV's are more deterrant now than anything. My Units are all down to below 20 disruption except for that blasted RCT. I may order a Deliberate attack with all the units except the dinged one to see what we get. I may wait until those last few troops offload though.

Operation Grommett v.2

A SCTF still sits at Sabang making nasty hadn gestures at my force at Port Blair. Still got a lot of LBA on Naval Attack in case it moves. Huge air battle over the invasion fleet and the RN Corsairs performed excellantly. The attached screenie is what the first raid of the morning looked like when it started. After ATA combat finished there were four "0" under each plane type. A complet wipe. A feeble PM strike was also wiped out. A/C losses for the day were 145 to 28 of all types with the Japanese losing 36 Ki-44 Helen, 31 Ki-61 Tony, 18 Ki-48 Lily, 18 Ki-44 IIb Tojo, 8 A6M3a Zero, 7 Ki-21 Sally, and 5 G3M Nell offset by 5 P-38G and 4 Corsair IV for the allies. I should go back and add it up but the Japanese air losses have been horrendous over the past week.

When the Tarawa Op is completed I will do a screenie of the USMC F4U squadrons. All I can say is wow! These units all entered the battle with average EXP around 60 with several units below 60. The now have average EXP in the mid to high 70's and in the order of 400 kills to their name. I have the Black Sheep and the Jolly Rogers down at Nukefutau not yet commited. The 2nd marines are offlaoding at Savali and will rest before loading up for the Nauru invasion. This will only occur after Happy is wrapped up. I need to keep pressure on Larry as I realized I have less than six months before he can start using Kamikaze's. Not looking forward to that.

[ny59giants]

My 4E are all put on Naval Attack

With the way Naval Search "works"....or doesn't, [8|] I would put them on 10 or 20% Naval search as it helps them find their targets. If you don't have a House Rule against it, placing your 4e bombers on above 50% Naval Search can often get hits even when CAP is present over the ships and/or base. I have gotten hits on carriers without going through CAP.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

My 4E are all put on Naval Attack

With the way Naval Search "works"....or doesn't, [8|] I would put them on 10 or 20% Naval search as it helps them find their targets. If you don't have a House Rule against it, placing your 4e bombers on above 50% Naval Search can often get hits even when CAP is present over the ships and/or base. I have gotten hits on carriers without going through CAP.

I am giving it a try. The TF is now at Georgetown where I know there is a lot of CAP. O, and it lists a BB as part of its TOE now too. Ah, you know those Catalina pilots: to them every PC is a DD, every DD is a CA, every CA is a BB, every AV is a CV, etc, etc,

15 July 1943

The Deliberate attack at Port Blair just barely hit 1 to 1 but reduced Forts to 3. The 2nd UK is only at 26% disruption after this attack. Few more turns of death from artillery and bombers and I'll give it another shot. I have reserves at Trico I could bring if need be. I am in no hurry here and the limited lift available to the RN limts me a lot. After Grommett is over, I am considering occupying Nicobar Island. I either go there or Victoria Point. They Both have there Pluses and minuses. Will have to think about this one. I may just use some Catalinas to move in a BF and supply to Nicobar. Then once the AB is up to Level 1, I can run in some reinforcements under CV cover while reinforcing from the air.

Finally all the troops have unloaded at Tarawa. I am ordering a deliberate attack to test the Japanese will this turn. The last two shock attacks triggered by the 138th RCT teams unloading caused more Japanese casualties than US. I am hoping that is a good sign. Abemama is now a level % AB. I transferred in 108 PBY4 and B-24. They will hit Tarawa tomorrow. I will then stand down the 4E's that have been flying from Nukefutau for some well earned R&R.

Larry is now using his LBA air offensively. Tojo's are escorting strikes against my large stack NE of Changsha. They are ripping my P-40-N-1's apart. Unfortunately Brian has these guys set to only upgrade to P-51B which are still like nine months away.

[ny59giants]

Nicobar Island

Can you use Fast Transport to get troops and supplies there??

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Nicobar Island

Can you use Fast Transport to get troops and supplies there??

Yes I could but I am pretty short of DD's in this theatre. All the SCTF battles around Rangoon cost me a lot. Starting to build back up now. I have three at Aden upgrading now. They are about good to go. My biggest concern here is that it will be very exposed until I get the AB built up. Good news is I have plenty of Vengence airframes around which can do Nav Attack when the base reaches 2.

16 July 1943

The Deliberate attack at Tarawa came off at 2 to 1 and reduced forts to 4. Hallelujah, the end is in site. The first 4E raid from Apemama comes next turn. Hopefully 100 fully load Consolidateds will help.

My B-24 did run down to Georgetown and got creamed - lost 8 of these precious airframes. If Larry continues to leave his surface forces there, I may be forced to send all my 4E's down there to take out the AB and then get the ships. Just 43 days to P-38J's arrive. Can't wait for their 11 hex range.

The 2nd UK Div fell to 9 disruption already. Deliberate attack next turn.

CV Enterprise refuses to budge and has been stuck at 11 SYST damage for a week. Grrr

[JeffroK]

I had a similar hang up, formed a TF for 1 turn then disbanded and it then continued to repair.

[vettim89]

17 July 1943

Kiddos are over so just a quick note. Port Blair fell to the 2nd UK. Mopping up is progressing. LBA fighters are now in place. Compared to Tarawa, this was a cakewalk

[vettim89]

18-19 July

Not much going on right now. Bombardments continue at Tarawa. Waiting for 1st Marines to drop a little more in disruption. Probably another Deliberate attack next turn. The 4E's raid Maeolap and kill about half a dozen Japanese aircraft. Base is lightly garrisoned. Fatigue builds up pretty quickly on those long over the ocean runs. I will rest them and then send them at Tarawa. The AB raid was just to serve notice to Larry that even his Marshall bases are now at risk.

Mopping up continues at Port Blair. The AB is fully repaired and expanding already. There are 34 k supplies already ashore. There are 48 Spits flying CAP over the Island now. Preparing for the the Nicobar Is Op now. I will take my time here. I want Larry to think I am going for Victoria Point. I may even send in a liittle diversionary raid there to keep thta illusion intact.

I have been stewing about what to do with SWPAC units. The plan has been to occupy Timor and then rain destruction on the SE NEI from the air. I am still considering this but I have a few more options to consider. They are:

1. Transfer the Solomon Islands to SWPAC responsibility and move up that chain towards Rabaul. Once that base is isloated. Move on the Northern New Guinea coast. A fairly historical approach except Mac would be in Charge vice Halsey.

2. Occupy Madang on the northern New Guinea coast by air and then reinforce like heck. Larry never took this unoccupied base. This would be risky but if successful could take months off the drive up NG and probably force Larry to abandon Rabaul, Lae, and Dobodura.

3. Larry has never occupied Christmas Is (IO) nor Padang on western Sumatra. Do a daring run under CV cover and occupy one or both of these bases. Padang can be expanded to Level 5 = 4E's. This might really scare Larry as I could then threaaten the SRA. Padang especially would be a threat to Palembang and Singapore. These would be highly risky operations. It would be several months before I could try this so I can stew on it for a while.

I checked the Ships Sunk screen. My modern SS have sunk 58 ships since 1 Jan 1943 including BB Nagato and 13 TK. Not a bad six months worth of work.

I have a recently arrived P-40E unit in SEAC. I am considering transfering these guys into China. In RL, the USAAF had I think four FG and 4 BG in CHina from late '42 on. This might really throw a wrench in the works for Larry's training program.

[JeffroK]

JUST 2 BOBS WORTH

ORIGINAL: vettim89

18-19 July

Not much going on right now. Bombardments continue at Tarawa. Waiting for 1st Marines to drop a little more in disruption. Probably another Deliberate attack next turn. The 4E's raid Maeolap and kill about half a dozen Japanese aircraft. Base is lightly garrisoned. Fatigue builds up pretty quickly on those long over the ocean runs. I will rest them and then send them at Tarawa. The AB raid was just to serve notice to Larry that even his Marshall bases are now at risk.

Mopping up continues at Port Blair. The AB is fully repaired and expanding already. There are 34 k supplies already ashore. There are 48 Spits flying CAP over the Island now. Preparing for the the Nicobar Is Op now. I will take my time here. I want Larry to think I am going for Victoria Point. I may even send in a liittle diversionary raid there to keep thta illusion intact.

I have been stewing about what to do with SWPAC units. The plan has been to occupy Timor and then rain destruction on the SE NEI from the air. I am still considering this but I have a few more options to consider. They are:

1. Transfer the Solomon Islands to SWPAC responsibility and move up that chain towards Rabaul. Once that base is isloated. Move on the Northern New Guinea coast. A fairly historical approach except Mac would be in Charge vice Halsey.
A SLOW PUSH GOING NOWHERE, MAYBE SOME SUPPORT TO A CEPAC APPROACH

2. Occupy Madang on the northern New Guinea coast by air and then reinforce like heck. Larry never took this unoccupied base. This would be risky but if successful could take months off the drive up NG and probably force Larry to abandon Rabaul, Lae, and Dobodura.
A BIT RADICAL, BUT IT MAY MAKE AN EXCELLENT DIVERSION FOR OTHER STRATEGIES, SAVES ON SHIPPING. I WOULD MAKE SURE MERAUKE IS SOLID AND BUILD UP FOR THIS

3. Larry has never occupied Christmas Is (IO) nor Padang on western Sumatra. Do a daring run under CV cover and occupy one or both of these bases. Padang can be expanded to Level 5 = 4E's. This might really scare Larry as I could then threaaten the SRA. Padang especially would be a threat to Palembang and Singapore. These would be highly risky operations. It would be several months before I could try this so I can stew on it for a while.
CI COULD MAKE A GOOD BASE AS IT THREATENS SUMATRA, JAVA & CELEBES. IT CAN BE SUPPLIED FROM BOTH CEYLON & PERTH. PADANG IS FAR ENOUGH FROM PALEMBANG TO BE HARD TO ATTACK, IT AND THE ADJAECENT BASE (If its in the mod you're playing) CAN THEATEN SINGAPORE , PALEMBANG AND OTHER HIGH VALUE BASES

I checked the Ships Sunk screen. My modern SS have sunk 58 ships since 1 Jan 1943 including BB Nagato and 13 TK. Not a bad six months worth of work.

I have a recently arrived P-40E unit in SEAC. I am considering transfering these guys into China. In RL, the USAAF had I think four FG and 4 BG in CHina from late '42 on. This might really throw a wrench in the works for Larry's training program.
ANYTHING TO PUT PAID TO THE TRAINING PROCESS

[ny59giants]

This is a game about logistics. Focus your offensives to achieve the destruction of his Oil and Heavy Industry until you can start a strategic bombing campaign of Japan itself. IMO, your carriers need to go to either SRA (Timor) or to the Aleutians. Your LBA can manage the conquest of the Marshalls via LRCAP. Going up through the Solomons to Rabaul does nothing to hurt his economy. 

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

This is a game about logistics. Focus your offensives to achieve the destruction of his Oil and Heavy Industry until you can start a strategic bombing campaign of Japan itself. IMO, your carriers need to go to either SRA (Timor) or to the Aleutians. Your LBA can manage the conquest of the Marshalls via LRCAP. Going up through the Solomons to Rabaul does nothing to hurt his economy. 

I have to agree. I have less than six months to "make hay while the sun shines", i.e., until kamikazes become a factor. I will keep my CV;s in Centpac for a little while longer while CV Enterprise repairs. SHe has completed her 4/43 upgrade and is at 9 SYST damage. Bunker Hill is four days out of Pago Pago. Once Enterprise comes back on line I will have Wasp, Yorktown, Enterprise, Bunker Hill and six CVL's (plus CVL Monterrey once she repairs - 24 SYST at SF) Intrepid is less than a month away too. I think the Timor Op is best. Then seeing how things go, maybe the CI(IO) Op or the Pdang op. My reason for considering the Solomons is that only Buin and Rabaul are presently even occupied. I could run up the chain in pretty short order completely supported by LBA. Of course, if Larry sees me moving, he could use barges to garrison a lot of islands very quickly

[JeffroK]

Then grab the unoccupied bases quickly, this could provide a theatre to distract & attrit the japanese air forces plus be done with minimal forces.