Who Needs a Title? Mike (J) vs. Dixie (A)

[Mike Solli]

Hi Ken.  I believe your question of a delayed US entry has been asked in the past.  I believe the answer was that the program will not support that sort of event.  Since AE doesn't fundamentally change the program (other than in very specific cases), I suspect that will not be possible.  If you really want to know, ask at the AE forum.
 
I've never really seen many US capital ships sink in the PH attack.  Usually 1-2 BBs at most go down.  One thing I usually do (and did in this case) is to station subs east of PH to catch badly damaged ships heading from PH to the US west coast.  I currently have about a dozen subs in 2 lines trying to catch US shipping.  So far I haven't seen a thing.  I expect AKs and TKs to come from the west coast eventually to support the intact US Fleet.  We'll see.

[Mike Solli]

11 Dec 41

Dixie pushed back today. [:@] I made the stupid mistake of trying to do things too fast.  I had NLFs head out to Manokwari and Weda, with another larger TF that was poised to go to Amboina.  I wanted that level 4 airfield at Amboina to push into Allied territory.  Well, the two small TFs (each with 3 APs and a MSW) arrived at their destinations.  The Manokwari TF was close enough to drop off it's troops as well as some supply, but the Weda TF just made it to the base, but without enough Op points to disgorge it's load.  The Boise arrived at Manokwari and sank the MSW and one AP.  The other 2 APs ran.  I'll take that base tomorrow.  There were the DDs Peary and Pillsbury at Weda and they damaged all 4 ships.  The Japanese TF fled.  They're limping back to Palau (as is the remains of the Manokwari TF).  I've recalled the Amboina TF.  Not sure what I'll do with them, but in the mean time they're headed back to Palau.

The Malacca Straights claimed another Allied ship today.  IJA DBs flying from Singora damaged a TK.  Nells flying from Kuantan sank an AK.

Kates flying from the Zuiho and Hosho had a good day.  They sank an AK and damaged an AP off Singkep and damaged another AP and ML off Tobali.

Nells flying out of Jolo put another 2 250kg bombs into the Langley, but I didn't see her go down.  That's 5 bombs now....  The Nells will rest tomorrow due to low morale.

Ryujo's Kates sank the Dewey Dry Dock (AR) near Iloilo and also sank a good sized TK near Tarakan.

We landed troops at the Admiralty Islands today.  That will be liberated tomorrow.  The 5 BB bombardment TF will hit Rabaul in 2 days, with the invasion fleet to hit a day or so later. 

We also landed troops at Morotai and took San Fernando and Alor Star.

Resources at San Fernando was 125 (0) and at Alor Star was 49 (1).  Yay!

The only other ship that we had damaged was an AP dropping supplies off at Morotai.

Damage for the day:

Sunk ships:

Japanese:  MSW, AP
Allied:  AR, TK, 2 AK

Damaged ships:

Japanese:  MSW, 4 AP
Allied:  ML, AV, TK, 2 AP

Edit: The Ryujo used up her sorties today so that TF is headed back to Palau to resupply.

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I'll post some maps this weekend, although it's still pretty early.  It is funny to see all the ships fleeing the Philippines.  If only my TBs and IJN LBs could hit something..... [8|]

Did someone mention maps? I love maps.........

[Mike Solli]

Japanese Air Force Allocation
 
I like to allocate forces to locations and then adjust from there.  Here's what I think things will look like about Mar 42:
 
IJNAF:
 
21 Air Flotilla (Located in Southern SRA - HQ at Kendari)
 
F - 2+1 (Daitai + Chutai)
LB - 2+0
R - 0+1
FP - 0+0
Mavis/Emily - 0+2
TR - 0+1
 
22 Air Flotilla (Located in Burma AO - HQ at Pt. Blair)
 
F - 2+1 (Daitai + Chutai)
LB - 2+0
R - 0+1
FP - 0+0
Mavis/Emily - 0+1
TR - 0+1
 
23 Air Flotilla (Located in SE Fleet - HQ at Rabaul)
 
F - 2+1 (Daitai + Chutai)
LB - 2+0
R - 0+1
FP - 0+1
Mavis/Emily - 0+0 (Will get 2 as reinforcements early on)
TR - 0+1
 
24 Air Flotilla (Located in 4th Fleet Area - HQ at Kwajalein)
 
F - 4+1 (Daitai + Chutai)
LB - 5+0
R - 0+0
FP - 0+4
Mavis/Emily - 0+4
TR - 0+3
 
25 Air Flotilla (Located in Japan - Mainly Reserves and Training)
 
F - 4+0 (Daitai + Chutai)
LB - 5+0
DB - 3+2
TB - 5+2
R - 0+0
FP - 5+9
Mavis/Emily - 0+2
TR - 1+4
 
IJAAF:
 
1 Air Division (Located in China) - Note that some DBs will be upgraded to Lily
 
F - 2+2 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 0+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 0+0
DB - 3+5
R - 0+4
FP - 0+0
TR - 0+0
 
2 Air Division (Located in Kwantung)
 
F - 4+0 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 4+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 1+0
DB - 4+0
R - 0+2
FP - 0+1
TR - 0+4
 
3 Air Division (Located in Burma - HQ at Rangoon) - Note that some Sallys and Lily Is will be in the SRA on ASW ops
 
F - 5+2 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 4+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 3+0
DB - 1+1
R - 0+7
FP - 0+0
TR - 1+2
 
4 Air Division (Located in Japan) - Reserves and Training
 
F - 2+1 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 0+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 0+0
DB - 0+0
R - 0+1
FP - 0+0
TR - 0+0
 
5 Air Division (Located in Southern SRA)
 
F - 2+1 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 1+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 1+0
DB - 2+1
R - 0+6
FP - 0+0
TR - 0+5
 
6 Air Division (Located in SE Fleet) - Note that this is as of today.  The F Sentai is on it's way to Truk.
 
F - 1+0 (Sentai + Chutai)
Med B (Sally & Helen) - 0+0
Lt B (Lily I & II) - 0+0
DB - 0+0
R - 0+0
FP - 0+0
TR - 0+0
 
Note that this is based on what the air units are flying today.  It will be different in 3 months.  There will be fewer IJA DB units, for example.  Note that I use all the land based IJNAF DB and TB units as replacements for KB.  In addition, several IJNAF F Daitai are reserved for KB.  This will also change based on Dixie's tactics and strategy.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: fabertong

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I'll post some maps this weekend, although it's still pretty early.  It is funny to see all the ships fleeing the Philippines.  If only my TBs and IJN LBs could hit something..... [8|]

Did someone mention maps? I love maps.........

Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, I can only do it from home, and RL tends to get in the way much more frequently there. I'll try tonight, but Dixie has already sent me a turn. Turn comes first always. [:D]

[Monter_Trismegistos]

I love such detailed OoBs... Any chance for such detailed for naval vessels (including small escorts for convoys)? How will you organize resource convoys, how strong escort? With how many supply and fuel you are now strenghtening your active theaters?

A lot of questions to answer...

[Mike Solli]

Actually, I have a breakout of ships by region.  This will go into effect once the SRA is liberated.  Here goes:
 
KB (normally stationed in Japan)
 
6 CV
4 BB (Kongos)
2 CA (Tones)
1 CL
18 DD
 
1 Fleet (stationed at Japan)
 
Zuiho, Shoho, Hosho
6 BB (+Yamato & Musashi when completed)
8 CA (Atagos and Mogamis)
2 CL (Kitakami & Oi)
1 CL
16 DD
8 SS (I Class)
 
2 Fleet (Singapore)
 
3 CA (Haguro, Myoko & Nachi)
1 CL
16 DD
8 SS (6 I Class & 2 RO)
 
3 Fleet (Truk - SE Fleet)
 
Ryujo, Taiyo
4 CA (Aobas)
1 CA (Ashigara)
2 CL (Nagara & Kuma)
1 CL
19 DD (Fubukis)
19 SS (10 I Class & 9 ROs)
 
4 Fleet (Kwajalein)
 
2 CL (Tatsuta & Tenryu)
1 CL
7 DD (was 8 - Oite already lost) [8|]
12 SS (I Class)
 
5 Fleet (Ominato)
 
2 CL (Kiso & Tama)
4 DD
6 SS (I Class)
 
The 4 minelaying subs will be spread out throughout the map to lay their eggs all over.  Just to drive Dixie nuts. [:D]
 
There are an additional 36 DDs that will be used strictly as escorts as follows:
 
Osaka: 11 DD
Singapore: 7 DD
Truk: 4 DD
Kwajalein: 4 DD
Tokyo: 7 DD
Palau: 3 DD
 
I have used the historical Japanese OOB as my basis.  I form DDs into DesDivs of up to 4 ships each.  Each DesRon has a CL and up to 4 DesDivs.  The BBs and CAs are historical and 4 ships per Div.  There are 3 CL CruDivs (Tatsuta/Tenryu, Oi/Kitakami, Kiso/Tama).  There is one CruDiv of Ashigara/Nagara/Kuma.  This will change.  Later in the war (say early 43) I'll form KB of all of the CarDivs (usually 2 ships each).  It will include the Kongos, a CruDiv in addition to the Tones and 3 DesRons.  It'll be 3 KBs, usually 2 operating together and the third refitting at the Home Islands. 
 
The oiler fleets work in regions and are as follows:
 
Japan:  8 9k AO
Formosa: 8 9k AO
Truk: 4 8k AO
Ominato: 2 8k AO
Saigon: 4 8k AO
 
This will change once the SRA is liberated and based on Dixie's strategy.  There will probably be fewer.  I hope to have a DesRon of 1 CL and 8 DDs per fleet.
 
Tankers
 
Here is how they are currently allocated:
 
Tokyo
10x 6000 TK
 
Osaka
10x 6000 TK
 
Palau
16x 10680 TK
4x 6000 TK
 
Takao
5x 16680 TK
12x 10680 TK
8x 6000 TK
 
Truk
5x 6000 TK
 
Tokyo and Osaka will mainly ship fuel to where needed in the central and north Pacific.  Truk will ship fuel south and east as needed.
 
Palau and Takao are hubs for oil and resources heading east and fuel and supplies (if needed) heading west.  Oil and resources from Summatra, FIC and N. Borneo flow to Formosa and then to China (oil only) and the Home Islands.  Oil and resources from S. Borneo, Java, Amboina and Kendari flow to Palau and the Home Islands with supply and fuel heading back out.
 
I don't have a "plan" for the AKs other than to group them by speed so they work more efficiently.  Also, I'll use the PGs on the long range missions (longer range) and PCs and MSWs for short range missions.  Note that the 20kt MSWs don't have depth charges so they will be used primarily for mine sweeping missions.
 
Dixie sent a turn so it's back to the war. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

One last thing.  I used to use small convoys with little escort that travel from originating base to a hub.  I've changed that to large convoys that move from one base to another until filled and then to a hub. They all have stronger escort.

[Mike Solli]

12 Dec 41

Well, I goofed and Dixie caught me with my pants down. [:(] My small Air TF with Zuiho and Hosho moved to probably the worst position they possibly could, between Singapore, Palembang and Singkawang. [8|]  After several air attacks, Zuiho ate 4 500 lb bombs.  Her damage is 57-32-49.  I give her a 50-50 chance of survival.  I'm going to have her head to Kuching and fly in a Fleet HQ to try and control the flooding, which will increase as the fires decrease.  After that, she'll head back to the Home Islands.  The Hosho can't survive alone.  I'm going to send the Taiyo with 2 Chutai of Zeros and one of Kates to team up with Hosho.  Then they will cruise the shipping lanes to protect important convoys out there.  That will give them 28 fighters and 19 Kates.  Interesting, that's the same as the Ryujo's air complement.

On to better things.  We only lost one ship, an AK that was damaged off Naga by the Houston a couple of days ago.  We also had 2 APs slightly damaged in an encounter with the AVD Childsat Manokwari.  That was a comical engagement - 2 3" guns against a 4" gun. [:D]  Also, the I-155 was hit by a depth charge off Merak (20-29-0).  She'll head to the barn (Saigon) for repairs.  She did retaliate after being hit which will be discussed below. [:D]

There is a long list of damaged Allied ships today. [:D] Here goes:

Dixie put the Tarpon at Batan Island (not sure why) so I sent an ASW TF there to hunt her. It paid off with 1 hit and 3 near misses.

My subs were especially potent today. Near Batavia, the I-156 sank the damaged ML Kung Wo, the I-153 put 2 torps and a shell into the AP Kanimbla and the I-155 sank a MSW after being damaged by her. Also, 4 hexes NE of Hilo, the I-21 put a torp into the DD Ward and survived a retaliatory attack by the TF.

Nells were pretty accurate today too. They damaged a couple of AK off Palembang, and badly damaged 3 TKs at Tarakan and sank an AP at Tobali. I may detach the 3 CAs and a couple of DDs from the Ryujo TF to sneak into Tarakan to trash those TKs. I'll see if they can make it tonight.

Kates from the Zuiho/Hosho TF damaged a TK at Palembang.

THe IJA DBs at Singora sank an AK fleeing north toward India.

I tried something new. A couple of CS are floating around Jolo. I put some Jakes on naval attack, hoping they would go after some of the merchant shipping in the area. Of course they found Houston and lost a couple of planes for no effect. [8|] They eventually found and AP at Cagayan and put 2 100kg bombs into her.

The support force (4 CA, 4 DD) floating around North Borneo made a stop at Miri and sank the AK hanging out there. Not sure what Dixie was up to with that AK but he'll have to find another way now. [:D] That TF will head to Singkawang next to bombard and try to kill a few planes on the ground.

My bombardment TF reached Rabaul today (5 BB, 2 CL, 4 DD) and found the CL Adelaide. Scratch one more Allied CL for no Japanese damage. [:D] They then bombarded for moderate damage. They'll hang around to support the invasion TF while they land in a day or two.

My Rowboat Corps took Legaspi. I also took Admiralty Islands with a construction battalion, which will start on the airfield tomorrow. I also took Morotai, which was undefended.

[witpqs]

Regarding the KB, that's 31 ships. IIRC 25 is the limit for air combat TF's. How do you plan to arrange them?

[Mike Solli]

KB will eventually have the following:
 
8 CV
6 CVL/E
4 BB
6 CA
3 CL
~48 DD
 
They'll be divided into 3 TFs as I described above.  The 31 ships are what's "available".  You're right, 25 is the limit.  I keep a pool of ships dedicated to KB.  This pool includes those ships repairing damage and upgrading so not all are in a TF at any one time.
 
The pool I just mentioned will be composed of the following (note a carrier division is 2 ships):
 
2-3 carrier divisions
4 BB -or- 2 CA (Tones) -or- 4 CA
1 CL
16 DD
 
I try to keep each TF at ~200 aircraft.

[flaggelant]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

The oiler fleets work in regions and are as follows:

Japan:  8 9k AO
Formosa: 8 9k AO
Truk: 4 8k AO
Ominato: 2 8k AO
Saigon: 4 8k AO

hey,

just a quick Q;

are the AO at formosa exchangable for tankers which would unload at formosa (or a closeby mayor port)?

I'm trying to pick up some sound tactics on the japs as im preparing 1st turn vs brother (launched vs AI, but it still needs a couple of twists [:D])

but i dont really get the use of the formosa TF, since there are mayor ports everywhere around formosa and only
limited AO's to position on the map.

surely you have a nice tactic for them which i overlooked so im curious what they are stationed over there for? [&o]


( poor zuiho, hope she makes it [;)] )

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: flaggelant

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

The oiler fleets work in regions and are as follows:

Japan:  8 9k AO
Formosa: 8 9k AO
Truk: 4 8k AO
Ominato: 2 8k AO
Saigon: 4 8k AO

hey,

just a quick Q;

are the AO at formosa exchangable for tankers which would unload at formosa (or a closeby mayor port)?

I'm trying to pick up some sound tactics on the japs as im preparing 1st turn vs brother (launched vs AI, but it still needs a couple of twists [:D])

but i dont really get the use of the formosa TF, since there are mayor ports everywhere around formosa and only
limited AO's to position on the map.

surely you have a nice tactic for them which i overlooked so im curious what they are stationed over there for? [&o]


( poor zuiho, hope she makes it [;)] )

I guess I should clarify. The locations listed above for the AOs is where they are based. They will pick up an escort and support TFs elsewhere. Also, once the SRA is liberated, this will most likely change. There will be no need for an AO (Replenishment) TF around Formosa.

Note that the AOs are for replenishment and the TKs are for oil/fuel transport - usually oil toward FIC, China or the Home Islands and fuel out toward the fringe.

[flaggelant]

thnx for the clarification, i think i'll be watching this AAR closely as its just ahead of me and has an expert on both sides,
it should become a very interesting (his)story [8D]
 
 

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, it should be interesting, as long as I don't make any more stupid mistakes.  My biggest fault with this game is to try and do things too fast. There's no real hurry, at least not at this point in the war.

[RUPD3658]

Have you considered changing the AC load of the KB to fit the mission? I swap out the Vals for Zeros when the KB is going into hostile LBA areas.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: RUPD3658

Have you considered changing the AC load of the KB to fit the mission? I swap out the Vals for Zeros when the KB is going into hostile LBA areas.

I've never done that. I've always been afraid of some of the screwy things the game does to carrier based aircraft when they are on land.

[Ambassador]

Hi, interesting AAR,
 
Which of the CHS scenarios are you playing ?  Standard, Nikmod, Experimental ?  With or without soviet navy ? 

[Mike Solli]

Thanks Ambassador.  We're basically fooling around until AE comes out.  It's CHS scenario 158, which includes the Soviet Navy.  The Soviets will never do anything because I don't plan on invading them and I doubt we get that far.  But, you never know.  I'm finding Dixie to be a very interesting opponent.  It'll be hard to stop this game once AE arrives. 
 
The (lack of a) PH attack kind of threw me for a loop.  It'll hurt because of all the extra air units that Dixie has available in the Central Pacific now.  That'll probably make the Aleutians and Solomons area much more difficult for me.

[Ambassador]

Thanks,
 
indeed, really weird happenings at PH.  A really bad luck.