aztez (a) vs Katsuragi (j) ...lessons learned.

[aztez]

String: I think he has two smaller CV TF's operating around Davao. CVL Ruyho and some elements of carriers near Tarakan.
 
The bases at Balikpapan and Tarakan are mined naturally.
 
No worries. I don't mind at all since it is much more fun to keep AAR's and stuff alive that way.
 
I hear you on the Pacific subject though. I actually would love to send in some Aussie troops there but they are so badly equipped that really isn't worth it. Only those two CD units are enroute from there at the moment.
 
I don't have the turn now but will browse through map to see what is available from the US front too. The windows isn't closed as of yet which is good and with some luck it remains open quite a biit longer. Eagerly waiting to see whether we severely hammered those CA's near Kuching. That will additionally slow him down.
 
There are no sign of KB either. It is either heading towards Borneo or it is sailing into Truk.
 
There were some Hurricane fighters coming along soon and those will be loaded up immediately.
 
Also sending some elements of RN into Java to repulse any losses to ABDA fleet. These ships are just sitting there anyways. It is hard to get them into action later on.
 
Personally looking forward to see how this goes and ends up too.
 
 

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aztez

The "leaking CAP" has pretty much destroyed my airforce at Luzon. Maybe someday we will have an fix for this game engine model.

I'm pretty sure that is working as desired. Maybe it will improve as 'fighter direction' improves later in '42 and '43 (not sure if any dates are built into the game).

[aztez]

witpqs: I know this is not going to change. It was the same with witp and remains to be.
 
Sometimes frustrating to watch 3-4 fighters "leak" againts undesired enemy force when they are ordered to maintain their patrol areas. The reaction range doesn't alter this at all.
 
Oh well, not that big deal since I know how it goes. [:)]

[witpqs]

I misunderstood your question - I thought by 'leaky CAP' you meant enemy getting through your CAP without being intercepted.

As for your real question, I agree with your take on it. I doubt it will change during the game. I also doubt it will be changed in code as I think it's also working as intended.

[aztez]

Borneo (december 20th - 21st 1941)


There were a lot of surface combat action around Kuching and Singkawang. Actuallu more than was to be expected...

The first blows were delivered at night on december 21st. We did ok with this encounter alltough CA Houston was badly damaged.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 6
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 9, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1
DD Parrott
DD Stewart
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent


After the battle his cruisers withdrew towards Saigon and ABDA fleet had an open field againts enemy transports in Kuching.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Saigon Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Victoria Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Argentina Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAP Baikal Maru

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Marblehead, on fire
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent


Another bunch of transports send to bottom. I know he has a lot of these around but every bit helps.

What wasn't to be expected was the news that BB Huyga, BB Ise, BB Nagato and BB Fuso showed up at Singkawang. At first they delivered nasty naval bombardment here neutralizing the airfield and thus destroying our LRCAP efforts.

After that they made short work of our smaller surface combat TF in this area.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 5,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Ise, Shell hits 5
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
DD Mikazuki
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Encounter
DD Isis, Shell hits 1
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,87, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
DD Encounter
DD Isis, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage


These ships were not spotted by our patrol planes. At least we hurt DD Mikazuki which is in serious trouble.

Near Balikpapan CVL Ruyjo sunk two dutch xAKL's loading in friendly harbour.

Than we almost got lucky. This torpedo actually hit the CVL but unfortunately it was an dud.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CA Haguro
DD Kuroshio
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
DD Wakatake
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS KX

SS KX launches 2 torpedoes at CVL Ryujo

We also lost some Vilderbeest planes which engaged the CA TF supporting these landings.

The bad news is that Kuching will most likely fall next turn since he managed to land in enough troops.

We also have now released the Philippine base force at Cebu. There is noway we can transport it via sea so instead I'am using PBY aircraft to move into Soerabaja.

Nice amount of action and CL Boise + co. might tangle up with those Battleships next turn. We shall see how it goes...

[aztez]

witpqs: I must admit that I wasn't 100% clear on what I meant. When I refer to "leaking CAP" than it is always to this "feature". That pretty much toasted my P40E's in Luzon quite swiftly.
 
Anyway, this seems to be WAD as you said. Frustrating but one can start to live with that fact. Maybe in Witp2 than... if that will ever be produced though.

[Torplexed]

I'm curious. Where in your current game where have you sent the ground units aboard the "Pensacola Convoy" which starts out docked at Canton Island? Seems to me like some of the field artillery battalions on board would be useful in the defense of Java. [8D]

[aztez]

Torplexed:  Welcome. They actually landed at Suva. I'am sending an convoy to pick one or two of them up.
 
The first turn is so huge that I "forgot" them. It isn't the first time and we shall see whether it is the last.
 
Now that I have 2 allied PBEM ongoing that might be enough for lifetime. [:D]

[Torplexed]

ORIGINAL: aztez

Torplexed:  Welcome. They actually landed at Suva. I'am sending an convoy to pick one or two of them up.

The first turn is so huge that I "forgot" them. It isn't the first time and we shall see whether it is the last.

I know that feeling. The first turn a bit overwhelming. [:D] I'm hoping to get some tips by following this AAR. Thanks for making it available.

[jrlans]

If you have the planes Az try to air evac some of the troops Kuching if memeory servers they actualy have either birt or indian 42 squads which are priceless early in the game.  The other thing you can do is use the marine air transport group that arvies in Oz to start plucking out some of the Singers garrison.

Also still decent results from the surface combat. At the very least he will be forced to retire for ammo. If you have any ships left in the area you could change them to bombard/retire to get a salvo or 2 off maybe up the disruption at kuching.

[aztez]

Torplexed: Good to hear about the PBEM intentions. All you need is an solid opponent and you will never look at the AI games the same way.
 
No problems. You will get useful information from this either via plunders or some success. Too early to tell which it is going to be though.
 
jrlans: He actually seized the Kuching already and routed our forces. These are now marching into Singkawang via foot. That unit you mentioned was adequately equiipped though.
 
He doesn't have operational airfields here though since I'am bombing him with B17's and the damage level is +20%.
 
Hmmmm, I will check those transports since I seem to have missed them. Already have pulled out NZ engineers and one small infantry regiment. We cannot abandon Malaya too easily though since he need to bleed to get it.
 
Yeah, I'am pleased with surface engaments so far. Both have resulted to sunken transports allthough "empty" ones. Another thing is that those battles were fun to watch too.
 
It might be a bit risky to do such naval operations at Kuching for now though. Than again an opportunity might become available...
 
As always appreciated the comments! [:)]

[aztez]

China (december 22nd - 25th 1941)


Here is an pic from the chinene frontlines.

So far we have seized Ichang which was lightly defended and the stronger units did withdrew.

In the north we have won couple of delaying actions which caused several hundreds japanese casualties.

The supply situation is solid since the replacements are turned off from the all the normal infantry units. Except for those bought out and sent into Myithkina.

Here are the main principles on china:

- I want to use the terrain for my advantage. That is why Nanyang, Loyang and Chenchow are not defended with force.
- I'am trying to avoid stacks below 600av. It is just waste of infantry and resources.
- Chinese units will try and avoid the open terrain hexes unless we are setting up an trap.
- Sian an Lanchow need to be held and steps are taken to achieve this.
- Keep small amount of guerilla units in constant move and harash him.
- Gather those troops in the southern areas and regroup them for active defensive perimeters.

Those are the key points. At the moment we are doing fine and I'am confident on solid performance here.

[aztez]

Malaya (december 22nd - 25th 1941)


Nothing spectacular here. Japanese are pushing towards southern Malaya.

Allied forces are building up forts at Johore Baru and Singapore. The first real defensive line is at Johore. I have moved strong AA units here in order to deal with his bombers.

We shall see how this goes. My opponent stated that he has not seen such an strategy either at Malaya nor Luzon. Hopefully he wil have an unpleasant suprise ahead of him.

I'am also changing few lousy commanders on the important troops. No, Percival is still commanding the HQ's though.

[aztez]

Luzon (december 22nd - 25th 1941)


The capital at Manila is all but abandoned. Allied troops have gathered at Clark Field and some elements have moved into Bataan.

Allied airforce is done and gone. The leaking CAP effect killed the rest of our planes last turn.

I'am keeping my important units in "reserve" mode. These will shelter them for constant airstrikes and bombardments. The same thing is done at Malaya. This should help out a bit.

The stronger AA units are moved into Clark Field and last turn we shot down 10 enemy divebombers probing the base. That was nice.

The big battles should start soon. Oh, and we managed to get extra 8000 supplies into Bataan. The ships are all but off loaded here.

[aztez]

Java (december 22nd - 25th 1941)


The build up continues here. Both Soerabaja and Batavia are at level 3 forts and going up.

Previously mentioned NZ engineerng unit is airlifted into Batavia. Same as the philippine base unit at Cebu.

I'am also loading up two strong US AA units at Los Angeles. I know it is an long journey but he will have other things on his mind soon in Malaya and Luzon.

Previously suggested field artillery units are staying put though. I think they are better served at Fiji's.

There are now 3 indian/british units at Batavia. (In reserve mode to keep them safe)

Additional british units are enroute. While the 1st Australian CD unit is at shore in Oosthaven and will be heading into Palempang.

Another unit will land at Oosthaven and will remain there.

There few things though in my mind. How to best send in fighters here??? I did send some into Cape Town but these have not arrived yet.

Also, are the mines actually doing damage japanese players? I did send two subs to mine at Saigon and Camrah Bay. He seems to keep his fleet there.

Oh, and the first two squadrons of lowly experienced Banshee divebombers have arrived at Oz.

[jrlans]

Train thsoe beautifull banshees in Oz to at least 50 or 60 NavB exp and they will be deadly if you can escort them. 

As for fighters  . . . not sure can do this but does the AVG have the range to make it to friendly airbases in Malaya [:D].  If it does you can then upgrade one Sqdn to P40-Es to get replacements for the others. This would provide great air cover for Singers and allow you to withdraw all of the singers air groups to Java to train.

Of course this would basicaly cede any semblance of air pairty in Burma but if your real objective is to hold Java till mid to late 42 then it might be worth it.

[SqzMyLemon]

Good luck Aztez. I'm sure you'll do great the second time around, with what you have learned from your other AAR. You're a great opponent, and I'll be following along enjoying all your efforts putting this AAR together. I had hoped you'd try the Japanese side this time though. [:D]

[wpurdom]

You get terrible pilots with the Banshees. Suggest training pilots Stateside in naval bombing and then sending your best naval bombing "training vets" to the Banshees if you want to be able to sink anything around Java.

And yes, protecting them (bases and escorts) once you have effective squadrons is vital. Aside from your carrier squadrons, they're the only planes you will have that can sink ships until you get Marine squadrons. (except maybe the torpedo bombers, but it's hard to base them where you have torpedoes). Further, if you do anything with your CV air, you'll need to strip the Marine squadrons to replenish your CV squadrons.

Also suggest training some patrol pilots in naval attack as Catalinas are nice to attack the odd merchant ships and troop convoys a long way off. Though they're not nearly up to Banshee standards, they can do a lot better than most LBA in naval attacks.

[aztez]

jrlans: That is the idea. I have set them on 80% training intensity. I don't know whether or not increase it to 100% though.

I have actually thought about  the AVG a bit. Yet very much undecieded where to deploy them. I will make that decision tonight when doing the turn.

You are correct though. Burma is very much secondary to DEI.

SqzMyLemon: Thanks. I think so too since the "school" againts Dave hasn't been a smooth one! [:D]

Now, I don't know how good of player Katsuragi is but he did win an PBEM game in witp vs kaleun. This was done as Japan so....

As said my PBEM games as allies are fully booked so the natural thing would be change to Japanese side. We shall see whether or not that happens! [:)]

wpurdom: Welcome. True, those pilots are mostly low 20's so an aggressive training is swiftly conducted. I think that +40 exp is sufficient to cause some damage. The same can said about those arriving P40E's. They also need crash course on escorting airstrikes.

The CV's are still at Hawaji. I will receive CV Yorktown within next 6 days so we will think more about them soon. What you said about those marine squadrons is absolutely true.

Hmmm, I never have used those PBY Catalinas as offensive weapons but will give this a whirl. A squadron or two since more than that feels a bit "gamey" to me.

[String]

My experience is that 100% training is quite feasible.

Increase your airfields as well, low level airfields that are overstacked are easy targets for bombers