Sardaukar's Newbie Tutorial AAR for Newbies (vs. IJ AI)

[lecrop]

I am following my way through the tutorial, that it seems to me better as I go through it [;)]. Some questions:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

...
Note that Bataan and Manila are behind heavy CD fortresses, so you can safely rule out enemy amphibious invasion there. This I'll move most of the combat power from Bataan to Clark Field. When I lose CF, they will retreat to Bataan anyway (since during that time Manila is usually invested by enemy troops too). Loss of CF is curtains anyway..aka "start of the end".

In reviewing these bases, I see that CD fortresses are in Bataan and in CF, but not in Manila. Am I missing something?


Another one:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

...
PI Naval:

- sortie all SS in Manila around Luzon and PI generally. My favourite click-fest..not.

I followed the advice, putting each submarine in a TF around PI, but I also created a 4 submarines Wolfpack style TF patrolling north of Hong Kong. Is this tactic advisable?

Thnx

[Blackhorse]

In reviewing these bases, I see that CD fortresses are in Bataan and in CF, but not in Manila. Am I missing something?

In order to get to Manila, any Task Force has to sail through the "narrow straits" of the Bataan hex, and can be attacked by both the Coastal Defense guns and the minefields in Bataan. So the CD guns and mines in Bataan cover Manila, as well.

The AI is prone to forget this. If the AI captures Manila before Bataan falls, it will sometimes try to send a transport fleet to Manila -- and the ships are inevitably sunk at Bataan.

[Sardaukar]

What Blackhorse said.

Sailing to Manila, one was into fire from things like Ft. Drum...Concrete Battleship.

http://concretebattleship.org/

Not a good idea.

[lecrop]

Thank you for the responses, this simulation has plenty of details!

[Houtje]

Hi Sardaukar, I'd like your further opinion on supply lanes (based on some of your posts in this thread):
- when supplying India from Abadan with fuel, I suppose I should send a lot of it to Karachi and bombay. However, calcutta has major HI-installations which also need fuel to operate. Will calcuuta be supplied overland from karachi
and bombay? Or should the fuel be transported to calcutta directly (or at least a closer port)? And if the latter, is it wise to send long-range TK's to, say, colombo, and send the fuel from there in short-range TK's to calcutta or a nearby base?

-I suppose perth should be supplied with fuel from capetown?

-when supplying australia from the WC, I understand I should use intermediary hubs such as Suva or PagoPago; but should I send my TK's and AK's directly to those hubs, or by way of PH?

thanks for any advice!

[Sardaukar]

Regarding India fuel, I dumped fuel to both Karachi & Bombay. Fuel should move overland and you'll be soon able to oversupply India with it. Problem supplying Calcutta via sea is that sometimes even IJ AI will make CV TF forays to Indian Ocean...and since TKs are always bit short supply, losing TF full of them is going to hurt. There can also be considerable sub threat around Ceylon, so it is bit risky.

There are some surplus in Capetown, so I also send fuel to Perth from there. Just be careful not to ship all of it, since your troop convoys need fuel too there (some units come there as reinforcements and need to be shipped out). Can also send Fuel from Abadan there now and then, just using wide waypoints to avoid troublesome areas.

When I send fuel from WC (I use Los Angeles - Suva), I put waypoint south of Penryh Island (IIRC the name correctly). Just remember to set "Use also when returning". This way your Tanker Convoys stay east of PH and south enough to be relatively save from IJN. I also usually include one AO to refuel escorts (those long-range PG patrol gunboats are great for that, like USS Charleston, not sure if it has depth charges in stock scenario, though).

[traskott]

In my games, CT always is short of fuel so only ship supplis from there. In fact, sometimes i send convoys abadan- cape town to replenish its fuel stocks. I must confese im a big fan of use CT as THE hub west if oz, so there is always ships moving from and to..

[Houtje]

thanks again, guys. good to see there's no need to hazard the IO in order to supply calcutta.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: traskott

In my games, CT always is short of fuel so only ship supplis from there. In fact, sometimes i send convoys abadan- cape town to replenish its fuel stocks. I must confese im a big fan of use CT as THE hub west if oz, so there is always ships moving from and to..

Why not send fuel Eastern USA-CT?

[traskott]

I use to be short of aks or tks for off-maP movements. East coast in my games is usually empty or just with dmg ships...

[Wally Wilson]

A few things I'd like to add if I may...

For WC and island (Johnston, Palmyra, etc.), I build up ports to 3 or 4 before working on AFs as you can unload troops and supplies faster. Any big construction project in the RL needs it loading dock, roads and storage areas set up first before anything else is done.

For PI, DEI, Malaya, etc., I'll defend with what I have but not send any additional units to support, and evacuate everything that I can. For example, the POW and Repulse, just get them out ASAP, as they are doomed one way or another if they stay (possibly doomed no matter what). Pull out your planes, pilots, ships, etc. Once you get some experience you can try a different strategy.

As soon as you possibly can, in the first few turns, send a large, escorted tanker TF loaded with fuel to Sydney.

Set up hub-and-spoke supply networks like described in this thread. Troops and supplies will be delayed a bit due to additional loading and unloading times (another reason to build up ports first), but its much more efficient overall and easier to manage. Another RL example is UPS and FedEx and most major airlines all use the hub-and-spoke method. You can use point-to-point for dedicated runs as others have explained (resources from Hilo to PH), but try to stick with hub-and-spoke.

Getting your logistics networks established is probably more important than trying to hold on to everything, but you must be prepared to defend and keep any base you designate as a hub (Suva, Noumea, etc.). Make that the mainstay of your Pacific Ocean strategy.

[Houtje]

Yes, I'm trying to build up Suva's port ASAP. Any idea where to get more ENG? Wait for them to arrive on the WC, or try and transfer some NZ ENG? I tried the latter, but (if I understand it correctly) since these belong to a restricted (R) command, I cannot load them onto any ships. And thanks Wally, I'll send a fuel TF to Sydney right away.

Another question for Sardaukar (and whoever else): What to do with the many understrength/demoralized Indian units? Set most of them to Rest, and set their replacements to 'on', so as to let them increase in stength, quality and morale? And the Aussies on OZ mainland, the same?

As always, thanks for your help: this thread actually made me begin a GC in earnest.

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Houtje

Yes, I'm trying to build up Suva's port ASAP. Any idea where to get more ENG? Wait for them to arrive on the WC, or try and transfer some NZ ENG? I tried the latter, but (if I understand it correctly) since these belong to a restricted (R) command, I cannot load them onto any ships. And thanks Wally, I'll send a fuel TF to Sydney right away.

Another question for Sardaukar (and whoever else): What to do with the many understrength/demoralized Indian units? Set most of them to Rest, and set their replacements to 'on', so as to let them increase in stength, quality and morale? And the Aussies on OZ mainland, the same?

As always, thanks for your help: this thread actually made me begin a GC in earnest.

You'll have to wait a bit. If you have some engineering units in Restricted Commands, you can buy them out and ship if their HQ name is yellow, of course. Check the Port Hueneme, home of the SeaBees (and ops report for unit arrival every turn). Don't try to do everything at start of 1942...you have 4 years.

Indian units like that are great to fulfill garrison requirements (if any, depending on scen).

[Blackhorse]

ORIGINAL: Houtje

Yes, I'm trying to build up Suva's port ASAP. Any idea where to get more ENG? Wait for them to arrive on the WC, or try and transfer some NZ ENG? I tried the latter, but (if I understand it correctly) since these belong to a restricted (R) command, I cannot load them onto any ships. And thanks Wally, I'll send a fuel TF to Sydney right away.

Another question for Sardaukar (and whoever else): What to do with the many understrength/demoralized Indian units? Set most of them to Rest, and set their replacements to 'on', so as to let them increase in stength, quality and morale? And the Aussies on OZ mainland, the same?

As always, thanks for your help: this thread actually made me begin a GC in earnest.

Allied engineers are thin on the ground until mid-1942. Seabees start arriving in force about July, 1942. By 1943 you'll start to get a flood of Seabees as well as Engineer Aviation Battalions.

If you really need to get a head start at Suva, and can't spare the "regular" engineers, move one of the temporary civilian engineers LCUs (CPNAB -- Contractors, Pacific Naval Air Bases), that are already in the South / Central Pacific. They disband 42/7.

Sardaukar is right -- the Indian units make great garrison troops. If they are "static attached" (i.e. unable to change HQ attachment) to India Command or another restricted HQ, I keep replacements "off," until /unless the deployable Indian troops are filled up, and there is a healthy reserve.

The Australians, (and the British), are very fragile -- there are not enough squads to fill out every unit. So you have to be selective.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse



If you really need to get a head start at Suva, and can't spare the "regular" engineers, move one of the temporary civilian engineers LCUs (CPNAB -- Contractors, Pacific Naval Air Bases), that are already in the South / Central Pacific. They disband 42/7.

Ahhh....THAT'S what those things are..or rather were. I find out after they are disbanded apparently. 9 months through the war and I find out I had a bunch of civies running up the bar tab.

Not to worry. They will probably get drafted and sent back as SeaBees.

[Houtje]

Cheers, Sardaukar and Blackhorse. Patience is a virtue, and especially in this game, it seems.

Just ran my first turn: lost 3 BB's rightaway, and probably 3 more tomorrow (high 90's FLT damage). Well, saves on fuel expenses I guess.[8D]

[Blackhorse]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse



If you really need to get a head start at Suva, and can't spare the "regular" engineers, move one of the temporary civilian engineers LCUs (CPNAB -- Contractors, Pacific Naval Air Bases), that are already in the South / Central Pacific. They disband 42/7.

Ahhh....THAT'S what those things are..or rather were. I find out after they are disbanded apparently. 9 months through the war and I find out I had a bunch of civies running up the bar tab.

Not to worry. They will probably get drafted and sent back as SeaBees.

[Chuske]

A few questions:-

- On Xmas day of the guide Sardaukar suggested moving 3 squadrons of B-17Es from PH but in my game I had only 1 squadron of Es and 4 small squadrons of B-17Ds in PH and I couldn't see any B-17Es due on reinforcement schedule for PH.  Have I missed B-17s being moved from WC or has the game data changed  (I'm using patch 5) since the guide was written?  Or did Sardaukar mean B-17Ds or did he upgrade D squadrons?

- I can fly direct to PH with B17s but I gather I need to load fighters onto ships? Am I best to wait for dedicated AKVs or use cargo ships? 

- Any advice on where to ship the US WC air squadrons first? Would you reinforce Oz with airgroups first or staging points such as Suva? Is it worth spending PPs changing HQs on restricted air units?

- B17 units in Phillipines is it best to withdraw them or change HQ and fly them out to Darwin etc?


As others have said, thanks to Sarduakar, until this thread started I didn't have a clue how to handle the GC, at least now I've got off to a good start and enjoying myself.

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: jonboym

A few questions:-

- On Xmas day of the guide Sardaukar suggested moving 3 squadrons of B-17Es from PH but in my game I had only 1 squadron of Es and 4 small squadrons of B-17Ds in PH and I couldn't see any B-17Es due on reinforcement schedule for PH.  Have I missed B-17s being moved from WC or has the game data changed  (I'm using patch 5) since the guide was written?  Or did Sardaukar mean B-17Ds or did he upgrade D squadrons?

- I can fly direct to PH with B17s but I gather I need to load fighters onto ships? Am I best to wait for dedicated AKVs or use cargo ships? 

- Any advice on where to ship the US WC air squadrons first? Would you reinforce Oz with airgroups first or staging points such as Suva? Is it worth spending PPs changing HQs on restricted air units?

- B17 units in Phillipines is it best to withdraw them or change HQ and fly them out to Darwin etc?


As others have said, thanks to Sarduakar, until this thread started I didn't have a clue how to handle the GC, at least now I've got off to a good start and enjoying myself.

There has been some database changes after this tutorial was made, so B-17 situation on PH seems to be bit different (going from patch g to i and beyond). So that part might not be totally relevant to current game situation.

Yes, you need to load fighters to ships, xAKs will do just fine, since you will be always short of AKV. Use the latter for really important transfers, since unit will then become operational faster. If wanting to be really safe, make TF like 1 DD (or any ship with ASW capability) and 2 xAK. Load squadron into it and send to destination. This way unit is divided between 2 ships and less likely to be lost if IJN sub torpedoes one ship.

Using PP to get WC air units out, well, don't do it of unit has P after it's name, because it will be permanently withdrawn/disbanded in future. Use those as "training squadrons". Australia is pretty safe for first 3 months, so I'd suggest to get some fighter cover into places like Suva & Noumea.

B-17s in Philippines, I put them on Naval Search, they are reasonably effective in that and even get lot more bomb hit s on enemy ships than when on dedicated Naval Attack. When they get low on numbers, either Withdraw them or fly them to Australia, which is that time really short of Patrol/Search assets.

[janbak]

Hi Sardaukar,
thank you for yr AAR [&o] It is very useful for a real noob like me
I start with my questions from the beginning ...
... in yr third post you say

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar
Turn 1:
BEFORE DOING ANY ORDERS, ASSESS THE STRATEGIC SITUATION:
On this map, there are outer limits of maximum theoretical allowed Japanese expansion in BLUE. On your side of that line are areas that you SHOULD DEFEND AND KEEP. You should of course fight for bases outside these absolute limits, but not to death. Of course, some bases like Efate and Luganville in South Pacific may be difficult to reinforce in early game and may fall to Japanese even when inside the BLUE limit.
In RED are places you should start reinforcing IMMEDIATELY or as soon as you have troops available. You will have quite limited troops available in Dec 41, so you need to prioritize.
In GREEN are your major Troop, Supply and Fuel Transportation routes. It's not coincidence that they are close to BLUE and RED areas, you need to keep your supply routes open.

How do you identify:
- outer limits of maximum theoretical allowed Japanese expansion?
- places I should start reinforcing IMMEDIATELY?
- my major routes?

I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid but I'm very noob [8|]