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

[ComradeP]

Selayar-Makassar is two hexes, Kendari-Makassar is five hexes, but Kendari might indeed be good enough as a support platform.

You could possibly base a small naval search unit on Selayar for spotting subs/raiders.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 9-11, 1943

Quick update, as there wasn't alot of combat these days, but I am about to uncork another invasion.....

Luganville: Luganville fell. The base is a mess and it will take some clean-up to get it operational, but this is done. THAT is a good thing!

I have said that the New Hebrides will be the last stop on the SW Pac tour. I plan to establish a base at un-occupied Ndeni to extend my search coverage into the Solomons, and I might put a base at Rossel Is for the same purpose. But that's it as far as moves in that direction.

I do need to supress New Caledonia, though, to safely move ships around it, so I am landing at Koumac to establish a base to effectively shut-down Noumea. This will be a major effort, so I need 2 divisions or so to do this. Otherwise, troops will be moving from this theater to the DEI.

Mataram: Size-2 airbase now. A TF that includes Nagato ran over one of my S-boats, sinking it off Pamakasan; the IJN TF is heading EAST, I think to hit Mataram.

As a precaution, the 2 TFs I had unloading are picking up anchor and moving off. They unloaded most of their stuff anyway.

If that avoids a slaughter, a worthwhile sacrifice for that S-boat!

Makassar: We will start landing tommorow, with an Austalian Bde landing at Watampone, and a para drop at Palopo. I should have plenty to take Makassar, but ya never know.

Once Makassar and that corner of Celebes are secured, I anticipate a landing at Balikpapan in 30-60 days; I already have units prepping for that, and as a bonus, I should have some LSTs available for it! (finally, some invasion shipping!)

[princep01]

Q-Ball, just a thought, but why move against a target that is likely to be heavily garrisoned like Balikpapan? Do you need the port or the oil? It would seem wiser to move move on a line from Ambon toward Luzon in order to truly and fully isolate Japan from the DEI oil/fuel. Luzon will be the garrot that totally strangles the life out of Japan.

Establishing a flank protection set of bases like that at Makassar makes some sense, but I do not see the value of the line into eastern Borneo. Let it and all the Japanese stationed there wither like tomatos on a severed vine. I'd strike more directly for the Straits of Luzon as the strategic locus for 43.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 13-16, 1943

Southeast Celebes Campaign: Makassar falls on the 16th, to a 2-division attack. 6th Australian and 1st Marines are ashore, and will advance overland northward toward Pare Pare and Madjene, to establish airbases closer to Balikpapan.

With this landing, the Makassar Strait will be firmy shut, and the way paved for further advances. The next moves are either Balikpapan or Banjermisan or both, either one of which would be real bad for the Empire. If I go Banjermisan, I can then move to Sampit, Kelantin, then Billiton. An airbase at Billiton would end the game, because then Palembang would be closed. No fuel, game over.

Luganville: We are clearing debris to get this operational, ahead of landings at Ndeni and Koumac.

Damage: Although Netties have not sunk much, my capital ships keep getting dinged, to the extent that this is becoming a problem. Yorktown ate a torp, 33 Major Float, so that will mean some Yard time. Repulse, and West Virginia and also banged up. 3 R-Class BBs are already in port repairing a torp hit, along with Colorado. All in all, I have alot BBs in the yard, and only 5 operational now in the DEI. I am also down to 4 CVs. Can't complain too hard, things could be worse.

[Smeulders]

You've kept up a high tempo of attacks, so no wonder you're getting a lot of ships damaged. Any chance that at this rate you'll have trouble keeping enough combat ships operational to continue the advance ?

[Chickenboy]

Nice tempo, Q-ball. What condition did you find the Macassar airfield in? If it's >4 with minimal damage, when will you commence bombing oil centers at Balikpapan and Soerbaja?

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Nice tempo, Q-ball. What condition did you find the Macassar airfield in? If it's >4 with minimal damage, when will you commence bombing oil centers at Balikpapan and Soerbaja?

House Rule against City Bombing until 1944.

Balikpapan is effectively closed anyway, because it will be within Beaufort Torp range when I get an air HQ to Makassar (and once I get to Madjene, SBD range). That will prevent tankers from loading there. In fact, I'm better off leaving Balikpapan alone, because I could use a fuel source here if I can take it......

The primary strategic objective is to disrupt/end fuel shipments to Japan. Once that happens, it's only a matter of time. I plan this by either:

1. Advance to Billiton/Toboali; this will close all Fuel shipments except North Borneo.

2. Advance into Phillipines Archipelago; this will pinch all fuel shipments into a narrow band along the Vietnamese coast, where I can raid with CVs occasionally, and saturate with subs

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 18, 1943

Really nothing happened this day, other than a Sub seeing a massive tanker TF off Naha, and unfortunately missing.

After a spike of sightings and successful attacks, suddenly it's dropped off again. I think Cuttlefish is cleverly moving his convoy routes to avoid my subs once they pop in an area. I think the other thing he is doing is moving Fuel in a small number of very large convoys; the one I spotted, SS Runner counted at least 6 large tankers.

Now that my torpedos actually work, I should probably spend a little more time on submarines.

I have been putting them in small 2-hex patrol zones; I want to keep them moving so ASW is harder, but smaller zones means the sub can stay on station longer, because it burns less fuel. I tend to leave the short-legged S-Boats and Dutch Boats in one hex, otherwise the sub can't stay on station long. I may pull back more S-Boat to use purely as pickets, watching key passages closer to my bases for any IJN incursions. The S-Boats don't seem to get alot of attacks, probably because of their slow speed (that's my GUESS anyway, but speed of the boat plays a factor, right?)

Anyway, I am also glancing at my boats more to see what patrol zones are successful and which are not. "Success" means the boat is emptying it's torpedo tubes, period. I can't control hit rates. If the boat is burning fuel without firing a torpedo, that is a waste of time. Otherwise, I have aggressive commanders in all boats, and the MAX REACT is always set to "1". I try to stay at least 2 hexes away from a major port. (I lost a couple subs at Singapore when they reacted into the hex and struck a mine).

It's hard to get alot of sinkings, any advice out there is helpful. I will add-up the sinkings so far in another post, but when I did it a few months ago, it was better than I thought it would be.

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Combat Report, Feb 18, 1943

I have been putting them in small 2-hex patrol zones; I want to keep them moving so ASW is harder, but smaller zones means the sub can stay on station longer, because it burns less fuel. I tend to leave the short-legged S-Boats and Dutch Boats in one hex, otherwise the sub can't stay on station long. I may pull back more S-Boat to use purely as pickets, watching key passages closer to my bases for any IJN incursions. The S-Boats don't seem to get alot of attacks, probably because of their slow speed (that's my GUESS anyway, but speed of the boat plays a factor, right?)

What gives you this idea that they burn more fuel if given larger patrol zones? Even if all they have is a two hex patrol zone, shouldn't they constantly be moving back an forth, burning up fuel?

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

What gives you this idea that they burn more fuel if given larger patrol zones? Even if all they have is a two hex patrol zone, shouldn't they constantly be moving back an forth, burning up fuel?

They only move 1 hex per turn that way, and therefore burn less fuel. Actually, a 3-hex zone burns the same amount. If you put some distance between the zones, though, that burns more fuel. If you set your subs to "Patrol Around Target", the AI will select 3 patrol points and create a large patrol zone. The Sub will burn fuel alot faster this way. Maybe it results in more contacts, because the sub covers more ground?

I would love for someone to develop a set of best practices around setting Sub Patrol patterns, thus the reason for my post.

[rader]

I always set my sub patrols to linger for a day or two at each stop to save fuel (but not sure if this is the best idea).

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 19,20, 1943

Not much action, other than this......

NUTS! Damn IJN subs got another of my Carriers. Hornet is going to need some yard time, IF she makes port.

We need to step-up the ASW, because this is not acceptable.

[koontz]

The game is broken!

[;)]

[Mike Solli]

The Hornet certainly is! [:D]

[ny59giants]

I would have some subs patrolling the straits between Sumatra and Java. If CF wanted to be aggressive, he could send KB through them and come down here for a visit. [;)]

[Canoerebel]

Q-Ball, you made my day because I see that Hornet is overdue for her 10/42 upgrades.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only player out there using ships three or four or six months past an upgrade date.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
The S-Boats don't seem to get alot of attacks, probably because of their slow speed (that's my GUESS anyway, but speed of the boat plays a factor, right?)

Hi Q-ball,

I'm reticent to park my subs on just one hex, as the 'destination hex' overrides the 'react' feature. I'm wondering if that may have something to do with your less frequent S-boat attacks?

[Q-Ball]

Michael: I have subs in those choke points. I also have Catalinas on the Cocos Islands; the Search from there reached the strait between Java and Sumatra. Hopefully that's enough.

Canoerebel: Most of the upgrades don't add a whole lot; plus, the DEI is a long way from a decent shipyard. That's one of the biggest problems for the Allies actually. But I tend to let it slide more as the Allies. As Japan, I do them more, but it seems like the Japanese upgrades have more of an impact on AA and Radar.

Chicken: That might be right....no idea. But I get fewer attacks with S-Boats it seems.

I spotted another large Tanker TF off Vigan, but no torpedos launched.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
The S-Boats don't seem to get alot of attacks, probably because of their slow speed (that's my GUESS anyway, but speed of the boat plays a factor, right?)

Hi Q-ball,

I'm reticent to park my subs on just one hex, as the 'destination hex' overrides the 'react' feature. I'm wondering if that may have something to do with your less frequent S-boat attacks?

So instead of setting a destination, set a patrol zone with only the first hex defined. [:)]

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 22-26, 1943

No major movements these turns, though that is coming up, as the Allied juggernaught continues to gain steam.

DEI: A force of 4 BBs, including the Nagatos and 2 older BBs, visited Namlea, tangling with some PT boats. The Japanese suffered no losses. An inconsequential combat, but pretty interesting; I think he was attempted to bombard Ambon.

The BBs withdrew to the Northeast, toward Palau (Baledelbop or however it's spelled, form now on I'm just calling it Palau, thank you).

I am planning moves on Sorong and Ternate to secure my flank in this direction. So far, a couple flights over each have found noone home.

Celebes: My units on Southwest Celebes are converging on Pare Pare, a base with good terrain where the Japanese seem to be making a stand. I am sending the Australians to attack, although I really just need to pin them there, so I can move on Balikpapan.

Intel so far reports about 12K troops at Balikpapan, so about Brigade strength with base forces. I am prepping 3 divisions plus tanks, so I should have enough; we will load up in about a week or so, once I have adequate base support in Makassar. I don't want Cuttlefish to build the base before I get there.

Hunter Becomes Hunted: SS Blackfish went on a rampage near Pescadores, sinking 3 SCs. Cuttlefish admits the ASW TF ran out of fuel, making them easy targets. He'll probably watch that now.

Koumac: We will be loading up for Koumace shortly; most of the ships are gathered at Suva, and all our troops are there. Once we are ashore at Koumac, I will shuttle in piles of engineers to build an airbase, to keep Noumea supressed.

Shipping: I have detailed my repair issues earlier; I have several battleships in the yard or on their way at the moment, including 3 still with Pearl Harbor Damage (PA,NV,and TN), WV and CO are also getting fixed, plus 3 R-class BBs and HMS Repulse. Not to mention 3 USN CVs. That's alot of capital ships in the yard.

I am moving the CVEs to the DEI now; we don't need them in the Pacific now that I am winding down there.

I am sending all the eligible APs home to upgrade to APAs.