Hunting the Hibiki: Q-Ball (Allies) v Cuttlefish (Japan)

[Capt. Harlock]

any time you can get a Japanese CA without a loss is a good thing. They are very nasty in a surface fight.

Something to do with all those Long Lance tubes, I expect . . .[:D]

[Q-Ball]

Yes, Long Lance! Naaassty things! They BURN us!

Combat Report, Oct 19, 1942

Not much happened today. We are attacking tommorow at Lautem, the garrison is an Base Bn, and a Sasebo SNLF unit. I think we have enough.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Oct 20,21, 1942

Interesting last couple days over the DEI.

On the 20th, large Japanese airstrikes were sent against my ships unloading at Lautem. The escort became separated from the Bettys, however, resulting in no hits on my ships, and 22 shot-down Bettys. Pretty bad slaughter there. Despite this, my troops failed to capture Lautem, despite being 100% prepped. Kind of surprising, we will ground bomb and try again.

On the 21st, Kido Butai shows up near our area. I send out strikes from Waingapu that get wiped out pretty much. So he got me back for the Betty slaughter. The next question: What's next?

IF Cuttlefish stays around, I will fight a CV battle in this area. Anytime I can do so within range of my LBA, but outside of his, I'll take it. I have set-up the turn to send my CV's just south of Waingapu, under an umbrella of Land-Based fighters. I expect the result to be mostly a slaughter of pilots on both sides, which ultimately would benefit me. An even exchange of CV's would also be OK. If I am really lucky, KB would target HMS Illustrious, even though this CV is scheduled to withdraw anyway in a couple months.

See the map; MIGHT be a huge action tommorow. Or, Cuttlefish may do the prudent thing and withdraw.

[Blackhorse]

Regeneration: 172 squads represents three full months of US infantry replacements -- it takes 4.5 months worth to completely rebuild (and that assumes you are not taking heavy casualties elsewhere). You've had over ten months to build up a reserve of squads and devices. Enjoy the surplus while you have it. Wait until you have three or four divisions taking heavy casualties at the same time, and watch how fast you burn through that cushion!

But, yes, the US replacement rate is far more forgiving than the other Allies. And yes, in game, units can be rebuilt from cadres and be made combat-ready far more rapidly than in IRL. No change from WitP, there.

Great AAR. . .

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Allied Regeneration: Check out the screenshot. Isn't this a bit insane? In my game as Japan, I have focused on destroying Allied ground units, thinking that might slow their advance. Guess not; save a cadre, and apparently you can build whole divisions instantly. The IJA can do this as well I realize, maybe not as completely.

This is a great game, though I think the fragment-regrow thing is a bit out of control

[Fishbed]

Q-Ball, are you still suffering coordination penalty at this point for Allied CV task forces? Are you sure you wouldn't be better off having 1-carrier TFs instead of grouping them?

And what about Lautem, you got repelled the first time, but do you have the needed assets to take it during the next assault?

[Alikchi2]

As always, kudos - you've playeed a talent and depth that was hidden on the WitP forum. I wish you luck in the coming CV clash.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

Q-Ball, are you still suffering coordination penalty at this point for Allied CV task forces? Are you sure you wouldn't be better off having 1-carrier TFs instead of grouping them?

And what about Lautem, you got repelled the first time, but do you have the needed assets to take it during the next assault?

I probably would be better off on 1-CV TFs; I was a little lazy setting it up into 3 different TFs. Also, need fewer escorts for that it seems.

I am disappointed in Lautem; I thought I had enough. I have a Bde prepping at Koepang, that should tip the scales once I get them over there.

[Q-Ball]

Alikchi: Thanks! However, no clash happened.

Oct 22,23,24 1942

Sorry, no blood: Dear readers, sorry we didn't have a CV clash. You can blame Cuttlefish, he pulled his CVs back. Actually that was probably a sound idea, as I had all kinds of LBA fighters on LRCAP over my CVs, giving them a big advantage in terms of CAP. I suspect the result would have been a pilot slaughter on both sides without tons of damage, but that would be OK. I think the way we are dancing around here, a big CV clash is probably inevitable.

Other than that, and getting stuck at Lautem, it's business as usual around the DEI. I am building airbases (Waingapu is size-4 now, Maumere-3, and Koepang is almost size-8), and thinking about the next targets.

Burma: An Indian Bde entered the hex south of Myiktyina, where the 56th IJA Regt. had retreated to. We attacked, and completely annihilated the Regt; I mean, unit destroyed. I was surprised by that. The unit was about 1/3 combat ready according to CF, on COMBAT mode. I knew it was in poor shape, but didn't think they would die like that. I guess it's good for us, but just trying to understand how the results happen.

With that, we are moving on Katha, which should fall shortly thereafter, and we can concentrate on the 2 Divisions in the woods there.

Other units are moving on Lashio. Not sure if CF knows I am moving yet, other than the unit count at Lashio went from 2 to 3, so he might have guessed it.

79,55: The epic revolutionary struggle continues. Another 1-2 attack resulted in greater japanese than Chinese casualties. More troops are headed to the front.

[Astarix]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Oct 22,23,24 1942

Burma: An Indian Bde entered the hex south of Myiktyina, where the 56th IJA Regt. had retreated to. We attacked, and completely annihilated the Regt; I mean, unit destroyed. I was surprised by that. The unit was about 1/3 combat ready according to CF, on COMBAT mode. I knew it was in poor shape, but didn't think they would die like that. I guess it's good for us, but just trying to understand how the results happen.

Q-Ball, Looking at the previous map you posted of the Burma theater all of the routs of withdrawal are cut off for that Japanese regiment. That part of Burma is pretty narrow and you either control or contest all the available routes of escape. It probably Banzai'd itself out of existence because it had nowhere to run.

On another note, looking at your multi-pronged attack, I think CF would be wise to retreat back down to the Irrawaddy line (Mandalay). It's way too easy for his forces to get pinned and cut off in the area below Myitkina to Shwebo. Burma can turn into a giant trap for an unwary player on either side, given that there is only one central axis that can be cut from so many directions of attack. Looks like there are a couple of other of CF's units in Northern Burma that are at risk as well. Given that he does not seem to be fighting for air supremacy, retreating those units is going to be ugly for him, because it appears they will have to crawl their way out of the Jungle.

I realize that Burma is a "relatively minor" theater but, depending on how he reacts or fails to react and given the forces you have committed, you could be in Rangoon in '43. If you do make it that far that fast, it puts all of Thailand, French Indo-China and Maylaya back into play. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Jason

[Q-Ball]

Astarix: Not sure about route of retreat. I "W" keyed before attacking, there was a retreat path available to Katha, where CF has a tank Regt. They could have also fled into the jungle. Could be right though. Regardless, I would like to see the IJA be a little more resilient.

As far as the strategy in Burma, I may be diluting my forces by splitting them and moving on Lashio. But on the other hand, if I force Lashio, I think he has no choice but to pull back to Manadalay, and even then the Irriwaddy doesn't help him much. It will be real tough to defend the Irriwaddy valley if we get into open terrain, as I have more tanks at this point, and heavier ones.

October 24, 1942

DEI: See map below on situation for tommorow. Today, lots of Zeros Swept Koepang; we exchanged Wildcats mostly for Zeros on a 1 to 1 basis, probably not the exchange CF is looking for. I think the long range from Ambon isn't helping.

Pacific: We are planning an invasion of the Ellice Islands. I have troops prepped already; we are just waiting for 3 CVEs to get there from the US West coast to provide aircover. I have 5 BBs at Pago Pago. With KB in the DEI, I don't need any "real" carriers. I hope to make CF think hard about keeping his CVs in the DEI.

[Q-Ball]

Only one turn today, I have been stuck in Powerpoint hell at work. Maybe I should use Powerpoint for my AAR? What do you guys think?

Agenda:
INTRODUCTION
OPERATION HALBERD
-Pros: Invasion of Kendari very helpful
-Cons: Difficulty of Supply
-Action Items: Leverage existing assets in DEI to optimize offensive
-Synergy with Royal Navy
BURMA OPERATIONS
-Objectives: Lashio and Shwebo
-Status
-Units Assigned
-Next Steps
Q&A

Plenty of clipart available! I doubt Nimitz or Halsey had to deal with this crap at work!

Combat Report, Oct 25, 1942

No Trap: At the risk of breaking my arm patting myself on the back, I think that WAS a trap I sniffed. Guess what was in the exact hex that surface combat TF was yesterday? Bueller? Bueller? That's right: Kido Butai!

I see Cuttlefish is still sneaky in his old age. He'll have to get up much earlier than the rising sun to outfox ol' Q-ball. Or just get up tommorow, because I'm sure I'll fall for that at some point.

Burma: It seems another division is joining the party south of Katha. This is good news for our drive on Lashio; hopefully his attention is fixed there, and I can move into the Irriwaddy via the back door of Lashio.

[Capt. Harlock]

Maybe I should use Powerpoint for my AAR? What do you guys think?

Certainly not! If you must, use Acrobat . . .[:D]

[Q-Ball]

Oct 26, 1942

Work is still kicking my butt, so only one turn today. Busy one though!

Air War over Waingapu: Pretty serious air battles over Waingapu. Mostly Kittyhawks and Hurris defended the base against multiple air attacks; Oscars and Sallys from Soerbaya, Zeros from Kido Butai. Overall, we reported about 20 aircraft lost on both sides. I will take a 1 to 1 exchange all day.

Other than that, pretty quiet, though I am attacking Katha tommorow, and expect the tank regt there to crumble; I have been bombing that unit for 3 weeks now.

[Q-Ball]

October 27-30, 1942

A few updates these days. I wish I had screen captured a map, because that would be informative!

DEI: A transport TF is landing a Brigade at Lautem, to hopefully finish off that base, and complete the conquest of Timor. Bettys and Zeros from Ambon took down 4 of the unloading transports; for the most part small ones, but that still isn't great. The P-38s providing cover from Koepang were really torched, losing 10 to only 2 Zeros. P-38s do NOT seem to be the wonder fighter they were in WITP. That's OK! Gives IJN a fighting chance. The other issue is at this point his pilots are better; he still has his elite IJN cadres, so I'm sure that makes a difference too.

KB is still 8 hexes off Waingapu, just out of range of any trouble from us. A surface TF is very nearby, 7-8 hexes from Waingapu; he has tried bombing Waingapu, I think this is a bombardment TF. I hope so, because I have a nasty surprise......

All 7 RN BBs will be off Waingapu tonight. I dearly want to slug it out with those old BBs, even if I lose I can't lose, since I will damage IJN ships and in exchange take damage to a bunch of old ships that are scheduled for withdrawl anyway. Let's hope......

Burma: Things are going swimmingly in Burma. There seems to be no issue pulling supplies to Myiktyina (which is unrealistici I think), but there it is. One Indian Corps of 3 divisions, plus the 11th Route Army, are advancing on Lashio, where intel reports 2 units. Katha fell today, so the battle in the jungle north of Shwebo will soon see more British, about 4 divisions in that corps. If I do really well, we can make the Northern Burma campaing the Irriwaddy Valley campaign, at which point the Japanese positions in Burma are in serious trouble.

[Mike Solli]

Q-Ball, are you concerned that if some of your old BBs are damaged, they may not be able to withdraw?  They'll suck up valuable PPs.

[ny59giants]

Brad - How are you setting up your fighters percentage wise (CAP, training, rest, etc.)?? As Japan, I add almost the max and then set them to 20 or 30% training.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Brad - How are you setting up your fighters percentage wise (CAP, training, rest, etc.)?? As Japan, I add almost the max and then set them to 20 or 30% training.

Good question. I usually have them on 40% CAP, except for short bursts of 60-80% CAP. Are pilots on training technically RESTING? If so, that would be very handy; why rest when you can pick up skills at the same time? I have noticed that units set to 100% training are rarely fatigued and never suffer OPS losses, so it seems that TRAINING is the same as NOT FLYING, but is that your experience?

Mike, you can't withdraw a damaged unit? I should read the manual closer if that's the case. You are right, that would be expensive in PPs! The only unit that would be a problem would be HMS Warspite; the other units are far enough out I could repair then send home. Good point though.

[Mike Solli]

There's some limit on damage that will not allow you to withdraw a ship until it's repaired to below that threshold.  I didn't pay close attention because the only way my ships "withdraw" is when they sink.  I guess there's a threshold for that too. [:D]

[ckammp]

Patch 2 restricted damaged ships from being withdrawn from on-map bases
The restrictions are:
 
 1) Ship may not be on fire,
 2) Total damage may not exceed 99, and
 3) Individual damage type (system, floatation, engine) may not exceed 50.
 
Ships may withdraw from off-map bases regardless of damage.
 

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: ckammp

Patch 2 restricted damaged ships from being withdrawn from on-map bases
The restrictions are:

1) Ship may not be on fire,
2) Total damage may not exceed 99, and
3) Individual damage type (system, floatation, engine) may not exceed 50.

Ships may withdraw from off-map bases regardless of damage.

....in other words, it has to be in REALLY bad shape. That's not to bad for rules; as long as it can float and make it to CapeTown, problem solved.

And if it founders on the way to Capetown, or a sub finds it....well, problem solved as well!