Here we go again! tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J) - No tc464

[Mike Solli]

Oh yeah, the 17 Std-C xAKs that we start with are now all safely nestled in Maizuru, along with an 18th and a Std-D that came so far as reinforcements. Come June 42, I'll convert them to TKs. I plan on converting most of the Std series to TKs as they come along.

[Grotius]

Where possible, I haven't even moved my Std-C's, for fear they might be hit by a submarine. Like you, I plan to convert most of them to TKs in June.

I just started converting a couple Ansu-class to PBs, for the same reason as you -- that 14-knot speed. How come I didn't notice that conversion possibility before? 14-knot escorts are priceless.

I probably converted more ACMs than you -- I have ACMs at pretty much every minefield on the map now, which is probably a bit of overkill; I don't think the game will turn on whether I maintain the mines at Tsingtao. But some part of me can't stand seeing them decay. I also have stockpiled 3-4 ACMs to maintain mines in the future -- maybe at Rabaul or Timor. But I wish I could figure out how to produce more mines. :-\

[ComradeP]

Mike: is there any chance the casualties you're taking at Bataan and Singapore will mess up the timetable for future invasions? I guess most of those losses are just disabled, but they don't seem to be all that light at the moment.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Where possible, I haven't even moved my Std-C's, for fear they might be hit by a submarine. Like you, I plan to convert most of them to TKs in June.

I just started converting a couple Ansu-class to PBs, for the same reason as you -- that 14-knot speed. How come I didn't notice that conversion possibility before? 14-knot escorts are priceless.

I probably converted more ACMs than you -- I have ACMs at pretty much every minefield on the map now, which is probably a bit of overkill; I don't think the game will turn on whether I maintain the mines at Tsingtao. But some part of me can't stand seeing them decay. I also have stockpiled 3-4 ACMs to maintain mines in the future -- maybe at Rabaul or Timor. But I wish I could figure out how to produce more mines. :-\

Grotius, I agree with you. I was concerned that the Std-Cs may be torpedoed, but then realized that early in the war, very few Allied subs were about. They all made the dash early on.

The reason I didn't initially convert any Ansyu-Cs was because of their size. They don't do well at small ports. They are too large. They are nice little xAKs too. We start with 54 in the xAK configuration + 52 more as the PB conversion. I think I'm going to convert ~24, maybe more. There are lots of 14-15 kt xAKs that can use the Ansyu-C PBs.

I figured the To'su PB was going to be my main PB because the To'su xAK is useless, the PB carried 2 DC racks and it went 12 kts. The short range pretty much requires that it be used between destinations that are close together. The Kiso is only 11 kts but has 3 DC racks and longer range. I didn't convert any more of them. I use what I have to support 10kt convoys. I convert Kisos to ACMs when needed.

I think that I'll use the To'sus to escort short range hops from small ports to move stuff.

I've been thinking of building a reserve of ACMs, probably a half dozen for future minefields.

[Mike Solli]

ComradeP, my actual losses at Singapore have been rather low in reality. Bataan has a couple of units that are hurting. One infantry regiment and one of the division recon regiments are beat up and are currently moving out of Bataan to Clark Field to rebuild. Another brigade or division in Bataan would cause the Allies to fall rather quickly. I just don't have them handy unfortunately.

[Q-Ball]

Good thoughts on conversions.

All Tos'us should be converted to PBs or ACMs IMO. Agreed they are useless as xAKLs, just no capacity for the fuel burn

One factor that should limit conversions, is that the IJN gets alot more escort craft throughout 1942, so I wouldn't go on a mass PB conversion campaign without factoring that in.

I am thinking of:

1. SCs: The Cha-class is slow and short-legged, but I don't think they are very good ASW vessels either. I would also use those around Home Islands with the Tos'us, and convert a bunch of Tosu's to ACMs.
The faster SC classes can be used as longer-range convoy escorts, and should be used for that
2. KISOS: If you use the SCs around the Home Islands, that will allow you to use most Tosu's for ACM convertions. I would NOT convert KISOS to ACMs; they have some cargo capacity, and are useful as longer-ranged escorts (albeit slow ones)
3. IMO, the Minekaze and Kamikaze-class should be converted to APDs and used to escort invasion convoys, or tankers, the highest-value ships. This will take pressue off need for Ansyu-C converts. Tomozurus should also be converted to "E"s early.
4. In August, the Ootori conversion to "E" becomes available. This will add 8 more high-quality fast escorts for tanker and AP escorting. (Pair them with a tanker, and as a bonus, they will load up Resources for Home Islands when the tanker loads Oil)

[Grotius]

3. IMO, the Minekaze and Kamikaze-class should be converted to APDs and used to escort invasion convoys, or tankers, the highest-value ships. This will take pressue off need for Ansyu-C converts.

Q-Ball, why not just upgrade the Minekazes and Kamikazes to their improved-DD versions? The APD conversion lowers their speed and maneuverability in exchange for more AA, but the DD upgrade also gets more AA -- plus another depth-charge rack. Can't one just use them as DD escorts for tankers? Aren't they less likely to be torpedoed themselves if they're faster? And if one really ends up short on DDs, they can be pressed into service to escort surface ships or CVs. I know APDs get a little cargo space, but is that the only upside? I must be missing something.

Tomozurus should also be converted to "E"s early.

Ah, I hadn't even realized the little TBs could become Es. That looks like a no-brainer -- they keep everything they had, plus they get depth-charges, in March 1942. But is this a "conversion" or an "upgrade"? Looking at Tracker, it seems to be listed as an upgrade only.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
I am thinking of:

1. SCs: The Cha-class is slow and short-legged, but I don't think they are very good ASW vessels either. I would also use those around Home Islands with the Tos'us, and convert a bunch of Tosu's to ACMs.
The faster SC classes can be used as longer-range convoy escorts, and should be used for that
2. KISOS: If you use the SCs around the Home Islands, that will allow you to use most Tosu's for ACM convertions. I would NOT convert KISOS to ACMs; they have some cargo capacity, and are useful as longer-ranged escorts (albeit slow ones)
3. IMO, the Minekaze and Kamikaze-class should be converted to APDs and used to escort invasion convoys, or tankers, the highest-value ships. This will take pressue off need for Ansyu-C converts. Tomozurus should also be converted to "E"s early.
4. In August, the Ootori conversion to "E" becomes available. This will add 8 more high-quality fast escorts for tanker and AP escorting. (Pair them with a tanker, and as a bonus, they will load up Resources for Home Islands when the tanker loads Oil)

Interesting Q-Ball.

My take on your thoughts:

1. I use the Ch class SCs in ASW TFs and have them patrol around important ports. I do the same with the CHa class too. This mitigates their short range. They attack frequently, but don't hit much. Their experience will increase over time though.
2. This To'su-Kiso-Ansyu delimma drives me nuts. They all have weak points in each configuration. I'm going to put all their important stats in a chart and try to figure out the best configuration for them.
3. I'm still not sold on the Minekaze & Kamikaze class conversion to APDs. I'm going to do the same thing with them - build a chart with all the stats. Question: Once converted to an APD, is the ship locked into that? Concerning the Tomozurus, I've already got them scheduled to upgrade to the E in Mar 42.
4. I agree with the Otori conversion to E in Aug 42. They're worthless as ASW vessels until then. That's a great idea for the tanker pairing.

[Mike Solli]

One more thought on Kisos. I like them as xAKLs. Yeah, they don't carry much (795 tons) but they're great for short hops between small ports. I'll use them to move resources/fuel short distances or move supply forward to outlying posts. If they're lost, it's not much of a loss.

[FatR]

I think Ansyus should all be converted to PBs. Japan lacks long-range escorts. Sooner you convert them, sooner the crews start getting experience.

To'su PBs have just enough range for convoys running around the Northern Resource Area. And they don't slow the convoys down.

Kiso class seems to me the least useful as PBs, because of their pathetic speed. Not many transports have 2-hex speed. And those who do probably should be used to haul resources between Home Islands, where extra range that Kisos have is meaningless.

I don't think that ASW TFs actually are effective. But SCs don't have much else to do anyway. Otherwise, I believe it's better to provide more escorts for convoys. IMO, the best way is to form permanent convoys for major routes, assigning at least 3-4 escort ships for each, buying a competent convoy commander (they are cheap anyway) and never disbanding them completely later.

[Mike Solli]

Ok guys, any clue what this means? There are a bunch of units organizing in the reinforcement screen now too, the ones below.

Corrected type on 80th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 80th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 80th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 80th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 80th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 8th Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 10th Ind. (Mountain Gun Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Mountain Gun Regiment
Corrected type on 15th Const Co (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on Miura Det (): now Infantry Unit /
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 41st Guard (Battalion): now Infantry Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 79th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 79th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 5th Naval (Construction Battalion): now Engineer Unit / Construction Battalion
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 79th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 91st JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 11th Special (Base Force): now Engineer Unit / Base Force
Corrected type on 27th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 92nd JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 91st JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 79th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on Kure 3rd (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 23rd JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 12th Naval (Construction Battalion): now Engineer Unit / Construction Battalion
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 26th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 20th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 78th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 1st Ind. (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 21st Ind.Mixed (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 21st Ind.Mixed (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 21st Ind.Mixed (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 21st Ind.Mixed (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 2nd Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 21st Ind.Mixed (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 38th (Division): now Infantry Unit / Division
Corrected type on 1st Engineer Co (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Sasebo 8th (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on 5th Air (Division): now Headquarters / Division
Corrected type on 5th Air (Division): now Headquarters / Division
Corrected type on 5th Air (Division): now Headquarters / Division
Corrected type on 5th Air (Division): now Headquarters / Division
Corrected type on 7th Indpt SNLF Coy (): now Infantry Unit /
Corrected type on I./90th Infantry (Battalion): now Infantry Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 20th (AA Regiment): now AA unit / AA Regiment
Corrected type on 42nd Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on I./33rd Inf Regt (): now Infantry Unit /
Corrected type on 28th Shipping (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 28th Shipping (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 8th (Base Force): now Engineer Unit / Base Force
Corrected type on 8th (Base Force): now Engineer Unit / Base Force
Corrected type on 8th (Base Force): now Engineer Unit / Base Force
Corrected type on 41st Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 14th Ind.Art.Mortar (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 25th (Army): now Headquarters / Army
Corrected type on 5th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 3rd Mortar (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 5th Mortar (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 11th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 5th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 31st (Field AA Battalion): now AA unit / Field AA Battalion
Corrected type on 31st (Field AA Battalion): now AA unit / Field AA Battalion
Corrected type on 1st Raiding (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 35th (Field AA Battalion): now AA unit / Field AA Battalion
Corrected type on 5th (Engineer Regiment): now Engineer Unit / Engineer Regiment
Corrected type on 21st Fld AA Gun Co (): now AA unit /
Corrected type on 26th Fld AA Gun Co (): now AA unit /
Corrected type on 1st Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 35th Fld AA Gun Co (): now AA unit /
Corrected type on 43rd Const Co (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 56th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 65th (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 65th (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 65th (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 65th (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 65th (Brigade): now Infantry Unit / Brigade
Corrected type on 5th JAAF AF Coy (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 47th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 47th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 47th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 48th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 48th (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 48th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 48th Recon (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 4th Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 4th Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 4th Tank (Regiment): now Armored Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 146th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 146th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 146th Infantry (Regiment): now Infantry Unit / Regiment
Corrected type on 17th Medium (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 17th Medium (Field Artillery Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Field Artillery Regiment
Corrected type on 4th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 4th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 4th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 8th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 8th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 8th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 14th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 14th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 48th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 48th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 48th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 41st JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 41st JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 41st JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 18th JNAF AF Unit (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 18th JNAF AF Unit (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on Maizuru 1st (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Maizuru 1st (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Maizuru 1st (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on Maizuru 1st (SNLF): now Infantry Unit / SNLF
Corrected type on 7th Naval (Construction Battalion): now Engineer Unit / Construction Battalion
Corrected type on 7th Naval (Construction Battalion): now Engineer Unit / Construction Battalion
Corrected type on 16th (AA Regiment): now AA unit / AA Regiment
Corrected type on 16th (AA Regiment): now AA unit / AA Regiment
Corrected type on 92nd JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 10th Ind. (Mountain Gun Regiment): now Artillery Unit / Mountain Gun Regiment
Corrected type on 20th Ind. Mtn Gun (Battalion): now Artillery Unit / Battalion
Corrected type on 27th JAAF AF Bn (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 47th Const Co (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on 5th Indpt SNLF Coy (): now Infantry Unit /
Corrected type on 15th Const Co (): now Engineer Unit /
Corrected type on II/66th (Naval Guard Unit): now Infantry Unit / Naval Guard Unit
Corrected type on 8th Indpt SNLF Coy (): now Infantry Unit /

[CapAndGown]

This is how they fixed the replacement bug.

[Mike Solli]

17 Feb 42

Borneo

Well, Tarakan was liberated today. Best of all, there was no damage to the factories. Banzai! [:D] I did lose a PB from CD guns.

China

Several attackes occurred. I hit a beat up Chinese Corps 2 hexes SW of Kaifeng killing 79 Chinese and pushing the rabble out of the hex. I also hit a couple of Chinese Corps 1 hex SE of Chuhsien killing 1726 for the loss of 72 Japanese.

Other Stuff

I shut off the Jake, Nell and Mavis factories. Their pools are 70, 106 and 30 respectively.

The Ryujo is back in service after repairing damage from 6x 6" shell hits from Boise way back on 11 Dec 41. She's teaming up with Shoho and Mizuho. They're leaving Babeldaob tomorrow to join with the Zuiho and Hosho, constituting Baby KB. They will continue to cover the 20 Division (which just successfully liberated Tarakan) in the invasion of Balikpapan. The 20 Division will then reinforce the Java bridgehead.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

This is how they fixed the replacement bug.

Where will all those organizing units arrive? Please don't say they'll arrive at Tokyo and I'll have to ship them to their parent unit. [:(]

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

This is how they fixed the replacement bug.

Where will all those organizing units arrive? Please don't say they'll arrive at Tokyo and I'll have to ship them to their parent unit. [:(]

These are not reinforcements, even though they show up on the list. This is just informational about some fragments that got caught up in the replacement bug. Just ignore it.

[Mike Solli]

Ahh, ok thanks. [:)]

[ny59giants]

Have you done any resizing of FPs?? You have a lot of Jakes for so early in the game.

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, I did resize a lot of FP units. I'm playing with PDU off. Many of them can't convert to Jakes.

[jrcar]

PDU off, tough call... restricts both sides quite heavily... I don't like it myself as units did change aircraft types as required... and the war we fight is different to the one that was fought.

Cheers
Rob

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yeah, I did resize a lot of FP units. I'm playing with PDU off. Many of them can't convert to Jakes.

[Mynok]

Well...Solli is a glutton for punishment by nature. He's in military logistics for goodness sake. Not a more bumbeezeld job out there.