Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)

[seydlitz_slith]

I was somewhat surprised to see a repeat attack at Tarakan this turn after the grinder that we had experienced last turn. I have no doubt that Mark will also be surprised when he runs the turn to find that I had a fresh surface combat TF there with all of the Mogamis.

This one was pretty one sided.

It was another one of those 1,000 yard night battles.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
DD Alden
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Whipple, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Stewart
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With
DD Evertsen
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

[seydlitz_slith]

After the combat the allied task force retreated towards Balikpapan and into my sub picket line. Hopefully I will get some hits next turn.

In the meantime, I did finally capture Tarakan this turn.

[seydlitz_slith]

This pbem has seen more early surface combat than I am used to seeing. I think that this may be because he feels that my land based air and KB are focused on Russia and that he can get in to my invasion task forces down south with less risk. At any rate, I have tried to make sure that my invasion TFs are protected and have committed my surface ships. Hopefully my crews will gain additional experience from all of this fighting that will help us later in the war.

Over in Malaya, my troops finally got into position to attack something, which they will do next turn.

[seydlitz_slith]

Yamada Datai, flying out of Bangkok, flew a sweep to Moulmein where they uncovered the AVG unit there.
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Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 21000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 21000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

[seydlitz_slith]

My nates flew top cover over my large stack of ground troops entering Rybilov and shot down several Russian bombers. However, over Vladivostok, I had a Betty unit fly an anti-shipping strike escorted by zeroes. In this case the intercepting Soviet biplanes swamped the escort, shooting down several zeroes and Betties.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vladivostok at 112,46

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 19



Allied aircraft
I-15bis x 8
I-153 x 24
I-16m24 x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Rezhtelnyi
DD Stalin
DD Buistro
DD Revanch



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

[seydlitz_slith]

The important development for me in Korea this turn was that my large stack has arrived in Rybilov and will be conducting a deliberate attack next turn supported by a huge amount of artillery. I have also assigned all of my bomber units to conduct ground strikes in the hex and I hope that the weather cooperates.

[seydlitz_slith]

Here is the weather for next turn. It seems to rain and snow more in this PBEM than it does in Seattle.

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: stuman

So far so good ! Although I wish you would go ahead and just finish off those pesky Soviets [;)]

I would love to do just that. With all of those uber biplanes I feel like King Kong.

The weather is tough in these cold zones. At least half of the missions don't fly each turn due to weather and my ships take quite a bit of damage from being at sea. It is interesting to note that I am flying several missions out of Japan proper as the weather is better there since it is not in the cold zone.

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: loricas

against the AI i've a similar situation, with 1 CA and 1 DD hit: I load as japan to see and it was real results

This was the first time that I have ever noticed this happening. I also saw the same type of dropped report during the surface battle near Rabaul this turn where I sunk CA Australia and the action text did not mention it even though it was listed as sunk on the combat report. I am not sure if this is WAD or unplanned. It certainly makes the war much foggier!

[ComradeP]

Very nice AAR thus far, you're doing a good job of convincing me to purchase the AE.

The naval battle on turn 35 had some interesting results. I didn't expect the ABDA fleet, especially the Dutch ships, to get away without significant damage not to mention deal a decent amount of damage, and I really didn't expect the Japanese to take so many hits, but of course the sheer amount of Allied cruisers involved meant that the volume of fire they would be directing your way was going to hit something. Any idea what the stats on the Dutch ships are like in the AE?

It also seems you're not very lucky with the air war over Russian territory, as many of your aircraft don't actually seem to join the fight even if they take off and the biplanes are butchering some of your modern aircraft at an almost ludicrous rate in some of those fights.

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

Very nice AAR thus far, you're doing a good job of convincing me to purchase the AE.

The naval battle on turn 35 had some interesting results. I didn't expect the ABDA fleet, especially the Dutch ships, to get away without significant damage not to mention deal a decent amount of damage, and I really didn't expect the Japanese to take so many hits, but of course the sheer amount of Allied cruisers involved meant that the volume of fire they would be directing your way was going to hit something. Any idea what the stats on the Dutch ships are like in the AE?

It also seems you're not very lucky with the air war over Russian territory, as many of your aircraft don't actually seem to join the fight even if they take off and the biplanes are butchering some of your modern aircraft at an almost ludicrous rate in some of those fights.

I'm not sure what the stats are on the Dutch ships as I primarily play Japan. I know that they are good enough to score hits in combat. Perhaps someone will post a screenshot or two showing their stats for you.

The air war over Russian territory is not going as well as planned by a longshot. Much of this seems to have to do with the weather, which has been terrible just about every turn. The weather prevents a high percentage of missions from being flown and also serves to protect the enemy biplanes when I try to sweep them. Zero fighters do well during sweeps but seem to be sitting ducks when escorting bombers. I feel like I should be mowing these biplanes down with even Nates, but in reality they are much harder to fight than even the AVG P-40s. I don't know why.

I would advise purchasing AE. It is a very good game and much improved over the original witp.

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: seydlitz


ComradeP
I would advise purchasing AE. It is a very good game and much improved over the original witp.

I concur with Seydlitz. Very much improved and worth the cost. The challenge level even against the AI is much greater. I am looking forward to starting a PBEM in a few months when I have more time.

[seydlitz_slith]

Turn 37 12 Jan 1942

The turn started off with a night attack by I-169 on a large transport. Sad to say she missed with 4 torpedoes, but it was nice to get off a shot just the same. It shows that I am able to guess where he is routing ships which must be disconcerting to my opponent.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 12, 42
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Submarine attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
xAP President Coolidge



xAP President Coolidge is sighted by SS I-169...
SS I-169 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP President Coolidge...

[seydlitz_slith]

Later in the same night phase, I-169 got another shot at an AK and this time she didn't miss. The AK went down later in the turn.

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Sub attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
xAK Walter Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



SS I-169 attacking xAK Walter Luckenbach on the surface...[:D]

[seydlitz_slith]

Amazing that he was moving a convoy with no escorts. I will need to sink more ships to force him to stop doing that.

Also, even though I haven't seen any enemy sub attacks in the past few turns, that doesn't mean that they are not around. It seems that my aerial ASW is spotting a fair bit of activity. To see this (and to plot where the sightings are, I recommed that you check your combat events file (not the combat report) and operational events file each turn.
Here are the parats that show sub sightings during the turn.

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jan 12, 42

SS RO-61 reports having been sighted by the enemy at 136 , 98
SS I-174 reports having been sighted by the enemy at 183 , 102
SS I-158 lays minefield at Tambelan Islands - 54 , 92 and sets course for Saigon
E13A1 Jake reports possible submarine at 122, 59 near Hakodate
E7K2 Alf reports shadow in water at 101, 55 near Masan
G4M1 Betty reports periscope at 106, 50 near Genzan
B5M1 Mabel reports submarine at 116, 52 near Hirosaki/Aomori
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 125,49 near Bihoro, speed 17, Moving East
H6K4 Mavis reports conning tower at 121, 46 near Wakkanai
E8N2 Dave sighting report: 8 Allied ships at 117,55 near Akita, speed 16, Moving Northwest
E7K2 Alf reports periscope at 132, 115 near Kwajalein Island
Ki-36 Ida reports periscope at 81, 72 near Laoag
H6K4 Mavis reports conning tower at 123, 54 near Kushiro
H6K4 Mavis reports turbulence in water at 121, 46 near Wakkanai
H6K4 Mavis reports shadow in water at 121, 46 near Wakkanai
H6K4 Mavis reports periscope at 121, 46 near Wakkanai
G4M1 Betty reports radio transmissions at 111, 51 near Nakhodka
E8N2 Dave reports periscope at 116, 55 near Akita
F1M2 Pete sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 106,66 near Kanoya, speed 10, Moving Southeast
E14Y1 Glen reports conning tower at 164, 65 near Ulak Island
SC Ch 27 arrives at Tokyo
xAK Walter Luckenbach is reported to have been sunk near Christmas Island on Jan 12, 1942
xAK Fatshan is reported to have been sunk near Culion on Dec 17, 1941
SC Ch 33 arrives at Tokyo

COMBAT EVENTS FOR 01/12/42
E13A1 Jake reports possible submarine at 122, 59 near Hakodate
E7K2 Alf reports shadow in water at 101, 55 near Masan
G4M1 Betty reports periscope at 106, 50 near Genzan
B5M1 Mabel reports submarine at 116, 52 near Hirosaki/Aomori
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 125,49 near Bihoro, speed 17, Moving East
Ki-36 Ida sighting report: Allied SS at 81,72 near Laoag , Speed unknown
TF 86 sighted by Allied Float Plane at 110,46 near Rashin
TF 5 observes Allied Aircraft at 71,90 near Tawi Tawi
H6K4 Mavis reports conning tower at 123, 54 near Kushiro
G4M1 Betty reports radio transmissions at 111, 51 near Nakhodka
E8N2 Dave reports periscope at 116, 55 near Akita
F1M2 Pete sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 106,66 near Kanoya, speed 10, Moving Southeast
E13A1 Jake sighting report: Allied CM at 64,97 near Balikpapan , Speed unknown
E14Y1 Glen reports conning tower at 164, 65 near Ulak Island
TF 11 sights Allied Float Plane at 68,80 near Balabac
SS I-158 lays minefield at Tambelan Islands - 54 , 92 and sets course for Saigon

Another thing that a smart Japanese player will do is to train up your bomber crews on ASW early. In general, my rule is that any bomber unit that is not doing anything needs to be training on 70% ASW. This especially includes Idas, Marys, Sallies, Anns, and Lilies. That way, you will develop the airborne ASW force that you need by the summer of 42. Often the squadrons already know how to search, bomb, or torpedo if applicable but in pretty much all cases their ASW skill will be very low. Furthermore, you can't just put them on ASW patrol and hope to gain the experience because they only get a point when they sight something. That is a very infrequent occurrence when the crew's skill levels are in the teens.

Here is the ships sunk summary confirming the killing of the AK:

[seydlitz_slith]

During the turn I also had a successful night time port strike at Manila.
I havent figured out yet why he is holding some ships in port at Cavite, especially transports. Maybe he thinks that he will be able to evacuate some units or possibly he has ben unable to move them since I have sunk everything that he sent south.

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Night Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 12
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Capillo, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Neptuna, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Rochambeau, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[seydlitz_slith]

On the air front, Most of my bombers flew and pounded away at his troops in Rybilov in support of my ground units prior to the air combat phase. I also flew sweeps into the hex to thin out his fighters.

For his part, he also did some close air support into the hex, but not as much as mine and his did not effect the outcome.

The picture shows one of my many raids going in during the turn.

[seydlitz_slith]

Here is what the air losses looked like at the end of the turn. Much better than last turn in my opinion.

[bklooste]

Is a landing on the base 3 East of vladivostok viable ?

[seydlitz_slith]

While we are on the topic I might as well show you my current replacement aircraft pools. Everyone talks about how few aircraft the allies have in their pools. Well, Japan isn't exactly flush with aircraft at start either. Despite the fact that I have tooled up production, you can not keep up with the losses in combat and it takes a while to get enough planes to convert other groups flying older planes such as Nates or Claudes. In a few months I hope to be over this hump after all the factories come on line and I get a break on combat, but it won't be long after that before I have to start worrying about losing more airframes as the pilot quality drops off.

Speaking of pilot quality, the initial numbers make it look like you have plenty. You have about 1600 in training with about 300 added each month. However, I have lost over 450 pilots KIA, 100+ WIA, and about another 200 MIA. This is without flying an extreme number of missions and in an environment where my forces usually come out at least equal in losses. More importantly, the allies will be receiving plenty of fresh pilots while mine have to fly until they die. So, to sum it up, my loss rate on pilots is over double the current replacement rates. If that continues, by the end of March I will be snatching pilots straight out of advanced training.

Note that these are not gripes or complaints by me. They are just observations...important ones for other players. For Japanese players it is a warning that you need to think carefully about your tempo of operations. You do not have as many pilots as you think and before you realize it you will have burned through your pool. (I have been cautious about doing pilot replacements in many groups just to conserve pilots.) For the allied player, you can take heart that even what seems to you to be a low attrition level of your enemy will still be very effective as time goes on so you should always keep the pressure up and fight with every resource.

At any rate, here is my fighter replacement pool: