So once again we return to the After Action Reports section of the Forum. It is good to be here in what is hoped to be a long-term AAR detailing the contest between Bill (Kyberbill) and me.
"So once more we play our dangerous game."
This is Scenario 69--Reluctant Admiral 3.0. For those unfamiliar with the Mod, this is a Japanese Fleet enhansed scenario that is built around the fundamental change of Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku becoming the Navy Minister in 1939 instead of C-in-C Combined Fleet. Nearly every change made is based on his writings or inferences from his published documents. I will Post the official scenario description in the next entry.
For those who don't know me, I've played many campaigns starting with Uncommon Valor, moving to WitP, to AE, and now to my own Mod. During those years I've played the Japanese probably 90% of the time. Simple put: I am aggressive to an extreme. The thrill is to do better, stay on the offensive longer, trade punches better, and then die like an honorable opponent in 1945!
Life in La Salle, CO is always exciting. Those of you who have been in the Forum long-term know what I mean. Things remain interesting as I lost my job as the AGM at the Holiday Inn in Greeley just two days ago. This very unexpected development means I have time to play, write, and look for a better job over the coming weeks. My wife, Paula, and I just celebrated 9 years and my boys are now 7 and 5. Time passes does it not?!! [X(]
The AAR maybe somewhat spotty until school starts in mid-August. I do hope you enjoy the ride and have a good read. Comments are welcome and it is my fervent hope to bring new players to the RA Mod by detailing changes, plans, and modifications to the standard Scenario 1.
BANZAI!
Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Scenario Description:
The Reluctant Admiral is a Japanese 'what if' scenario based upon a greater contribution by Adm. Yamamoto Isoroku. The premise of the Mod is that Yamamoto exerted a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for a war he didn't want. He adds two new slipways for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun.
In so choosing to do this Yamamoto then changes the 4th Circle Building plan replacing the 3rd and 4th Yamato-Class Battleships with three improved Shokaku-Class CVs and a pair of Kawachi-Class fast Battlecruisers, two Tone-Class CAs, an accelerated Agano-Class deployment, and additional destroyers. Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942.
The Japan Naval Air Arm is changed so that everything is staked to the Zero Airframe with a specialization of the Zero into a Land-Based Interceptor as well as CV-Based Fighters. Research and production expansion is achieved by streamlining the air industry (cutting several models) while bringing forward second generation aircraft: Judy, Jill, etc… By great effort the IJNAF deploys nearly all new aircraft on December 7th.
Additional engineers and engineering vehicles are added to Naval Units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building and expansion needs. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy.
The foresight of the Admiral will payoff during 1942 and early-1943 as new ships and aircraft enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units. Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible.
In a major change over the previous two versions of Reluctant Admiral, the 3.0 postulates more of Yamamoto’s influence upon the wartime Kaigun. First class destroyers are accelerated and emphasis is shifted to the AA Akizuki-Class at the expense of the more balanced Yugumo’s. Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, including 2nd-class destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense fleet, at the expense of large destroyers and subs offered by the stock, historical choice.
It should be noted that not all the changes are for the Japanese. The Allies see some major changes in their starting locations, new air units, several ground units, a CLAA conversion for the Omaha-CL, and a pair of additional CVLs, and options for nearly 10 CVEs. The added warships reflect a ‘stopgap’ counter to the increased Japanese strength found at war’s start.
How well can YOU do to use these new tools OR how well can you stop the Japanese Navy in its tracks as the Allies?
The Reluctant Admiral is a Japanese 'what if' scenario based upon a greater contribution by Adm. Yamamoto Isoroku. The premise of the Mod is that Yamamoto exerted a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for a war he didn't want. He adds two new slipways for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun.
In so choosing to do this Yamamoto then changes the 4th Circle Building plan replacing the 3rd and 4th Yamato-Class Battleships with three improved Shokaku-Class CVs and a pair of Kawachi-Class fast Battlecruisers, two Tone-Class CAs, an accelerated Agano-Class deployment, and additional destroyers. Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942.
The Japan Naval Air Arm is changed so that everything is staked to the Zero Airframe with a specialization of the Zero into a Land-Based Interceptor as well as CV-Based Fighters. Research and production expansion is achieved by streamlining the air industry (cutting several models) while bringing forward second generation aircraft: Judy, Jill, etc… By great effort the IJNAF deploys nearly all new aircraft on December 7th.
Additional engineers and engineering vehicles are added to Naval Units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building and expansion needs. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy.
The foresight of the Admiral will payoff during 1942 and early-1943 as new ships and aircraft enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units. Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible.
In a major change over the previous two versions of Reluctant Admiral, the 3.0 postulates more of Yamamoto’s influence upon the wartime Kaigun. First class destroyers are accelerated and emphasis is shifted to the AA Akizuki-Class at the expense of the more balanced Yugumo’s. Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, including 2nd-class destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense fleet, at the expense of large destroyers and subs offered by the stock, historical choice.
It should be noted that not all the changes are for the Japanese. The Allies see some major changes in their starting locations, new air units, several ground units, a CLAA conversion for the Omaha-CL, and a pair of additional CVLs, and options for nearly 10 CVEs. The added warships reflect a ‘stopgap’ counter to the increased Japanese strength found at war’s start.
How well can YOU do to use these new tools OR how well can you stop the Japanese Navy in its tracks as the Allies?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
FatR's Written Change Log:
So, the changes' descriptions (I've left description of DD changes, they, are a part of the main naval program and interconnected with changes to cruisers):
This scenario assumes, that with Yamamoto assuming the position of the Aeronautics Department's head in 1936 and becoming the Naval Minister later, he intensifies Japanese naval aviation development a bit, and attempts to optimize the utilization of limited engineering and production resourses. Chief engineers of aircraft design teams are given slightly greater input in formulating development directions and cooperation between various aircraft manufacturers is assumed to be somewhat improved.
In particular, the concept of dedicated land-based interceptor is abandoned and the Mitshubishi fighter design team under Jiro Horikoshi remains free to concentrate all of its efforts on modifying A6M and creating its successor A7M. Horikoshi's proposal to install the more powerful Mitsubishi Kinsei engine on Zero is approved in 1942, instead of late 1944, and A7M is developed to use Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine, as he desired, from the beginning. A6M3 is developed into a whole line of Zeros that sacrifice range in favor of superior armament and pilot protection, and eventually are officially designated as pure land-based models. IJN maintains the policy of sticking to just one single-engine fighter airframe, until Kawanishi team develops N1K1-J Shiden as a private initiative (this happens slighltly earlier than in RL, because alternative projects of land-based interceptors, that tied Kawanishi resourses, do not exist). It is adopted as a stopgap measure until availability of A7M.
As a side effect of greater effort put into development and production of Mitsubishi Kinsei (Ha-33) and Mitsubishi Ha-43 engines, several planes that historically used these engines are added to the mod (IJN planes that existed only as prototypes by the war's end), or accelerated.
Aircraft weapon development is streamlined, with a push for unification with IJAAF in this area (historically, IJN and IJA did cooperate in aircraft weapon production, in this scenario their cooperation becomes much broader). Instead of attempts to produce licensed German machine guns, that ultimately failed to provide the fleet with sufficient numbers of them, IJN switches to the more powerful Army 7.7 catridge and eventually adopts 12.7 Ho-103, the first aircraft HMG developed in Japan. This allows for improved armament on some planes, mostly 2E bombers.
This scenario also assumes mild overall boost to Japanese aircraft industry (at the cost of reduction in starting resources). As a result, several planes that historically faced severe problems with transition from prototypes to mass production, such as B6N, D4Y and G4M2, become available a bit earlier. G8N1, the Japanese 4E bomber that was successfuly tested but not mass-produced in real life, becomes available in 1945.
It's also important to mention, that A6M3 Zero is made carrier-capable in this mod, allowing Japanese players to freely upgrade IJN fighter groups from carrier-capable to land-based models through A6M3 -> A6M3b upgrade, if PDU ON is chosen. This enables greater flexibility in customizing IJN fighter force mid-war. Beware, though, that groups switched to land-based fighter models won't be able to use A7M2/A7M3.
In addition, there are many minor tweaks to various Japanese and Allied aircraft, intended to make their statblocks and performance closer to historical. The changes that can affect gameplay most noticeably include:
-G4M has slightly better durability, G3M sligtly worse, to give G4M an edge over the older plane it historically had.
-E16A1 Paul no longer has artificially reduced normal range.
-Late Ki-61 versions are slightly improved. Ki-100s are significantly improved. In RL they were supposed to be good, particularly Ki-100, but in AE they are very underwhelming. And Mitsubishi Kinsei engine, used by Ki-100s, gets widespread use earlier in this mod, allowing greater degree of improvement and polish by 1945.
-Ki-67-Ib does not lose the ability to carry torpedos.
-Later models of Ki-84 are faster. Ki-84b is no longer outside the normal upgrade line. Ki-84r is available later in the war.
-Old Russian fighters no longer have unparalelled MVR. Their clear superiority to Nate has to go.
-On Allied side stats (MVR and Durability) for all versions of Hurricanes and Corsairs are slightly toned down, stats for all versions of Hellcats are slightly increased. Late-war Corsair versions carry higher bombloads.
-Stats for heavy (30mm+) aircraft cannons on both sides are increased. This particularly benefits most models of 2E Japanese fighters, that carry these as their primary weapons (making said 2E fighters less than entirely worthless).
Following aircraft were added to this scenario (all but new Zeros and G3M4-Q existed in RL as prototypes or even production models):
-A6M3b Zero. Replaces A6M3a and emphasized armor and weapons instead of range.
-A6M4, A6M4-J, A6M8-J. Successors to A6M3b that follow the same design philosopshy but use Mitshubishi Ha-33 engine.
-A7M3. The historical successor to A7M2. Carrier-capable and features 6x20mm armament. A7M2 factory upgrades to it, instead of A7M3-J.
-B7A3. The historical armored successor to B7M2. Uses Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine.
-D4Y5. Mitshubishi Ha-43, armor.
-G3M4-Q. ASW patrol version of Nell.
-G8N1. Fast, tough, long-ranged 4E bomber.
-J6M1. IJN version of Ki-83.
-N1K4-A. Carrier-capable Shiden.
-N1K5-J. High-altitude interceptor Shiden. Uses Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine.
-Yasukuni. IJN version of Ki-67. "Yasukuni" might actually be the name of the naval unit, that employed these bombers in RL, but I can't find any other designation for them.
Subs
A call to standartize sub production is given by Yamamoto as the war approaches. As IJN already struggled with shortages of trained personnel for its submarine arm IRL, and this situation is only going to be aggravated by expansions in other areas, postulated by Scen 70, the decision to stick to the best available projects, even at the cost of significantly reducing the number of produced subs is made. As a result, with the exception of a few sub carriers and transport subs, only C2 and KD7 (later replaced by an improved KD8 type) subs are built before and during the war, with emphasis on KD subs. K6 and KS subs are eliminated from the queue, and the number of B/C subs built during the war is reduced, due to only constructing the most advanced type of large boats. However, upgrades to newer Japanese subs become available earlier.
All non-midget late-war sub types are eliminated from the queue, freeing resources for small surface combatants and fast transports.
Large transport subs have their carrying capacity increased, while durability of small transport subs is drastically reduced, making them far cheaper to build, so that there will be greater incentive for building either.
Smaller Combatants and Auxilaries
A lot of work is done in this area. A number of historical late-war ships absent from AE was added to to Scen 70, including several LSDs, minelayers and small transports.
Escort production is streamlined, with Ukuru-class escorts replaced with a slightly greater number of C/D-class escorts. However, all escort ships and Japanese Type 2 depth charges are downgraded to DaBabes standard (while late-war USN subs are improved accordingly), to eliminate extreme efficiency of Japanese ASW in 1944-45, that was observed before.
In addition, Japanese building priorities late in the war are shifted from submarines to fast transport craft (APDs and LSTs) and PT boats. Building programs for these ships are expanded and extended to the end of the scenario, at the expence of all late-war subs, except for Type D Koryu midgets. Alongside with Tachibana-class destroyers, those are only warships which construction will continue in autumn of 1945 and in 1946. This will give Japanese players significantly expanded fast transport capabilities late in the war, and a significant number of cheaply-built surface combatants for final defensive battles.
So, the changes' descriptions (I've left description of DD changes, they, are a part of the main naval program and interconnected with changes to cruisers):
This scenario assumes, that with Yamamoto assuming the position of the Aeronautics Department's head in 1936 and becoming the Naval Minister later, he intensifies Japanese naval aviation development a bit, and attempts to optimize the utilization of limited engineering and production resourses. Chief engineers of aircraft design teams are given slightly greater input in formulating development directions and cooperation between various aircraft manufacturers is assumed to be somewhat improved.
In particular, the concept of dedicated land-based interceptor is abandoned and the Mitshubishi fighter design team under Jiro Horikoshi remains free to concentrate all of its efforts on modifying A6M and creating its successor A7M. Horikoshi's proposal to install the more powerful Mitsubishi Kinsei engine on Zero is approved in 1942, instead of late 1944, and A7M is developed to use Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine, as he desired, from the beginning. A6M3 is developed into a whole line of Zeros that sacrifice range in favor of superior armament and pilot protection, and eventually are officially designated as pure land-based models. IJN maintains the policy of sticking to just one single-engine fighter airframe, until Kawanishi team develops N1K1-J Shiden as a private initiative (this happens slighltly earlier than in RL, because alternative projects of land-based interceptors, that tied Kawanishi resourses, do not exist). It is adopted as a stopgap measure until availability of A7M.
As a side effect of greater effort put into development and production of Mitsubishi Kinsei (Ha-33) and Mitsubishi Ha-43 engines, several planes that historically used these engines are added to the mod (IJN planes that existed only as prototypes by the war's end), or accelerated.
Aircraft weapon development is streamlined, with a push for unification with IJAAF in this area (historically, IJN and IJA did cooperate in aircraft weapon production, in this scenario their cooperation becomes much broader). Instead of attempts to produce licensed German machine guns, that ultimately failed to provide the fleet with sufficient numbers of them, IJN switches to the more powerful Army 7.7 catridge and eventually adopts 12.7 Ho-103, the first aircraft HMG developed in Japan. This allows for improved armament on some planes, mostly 2E bombers.
This scenario also assumes mild overall boost to Japanese aircraft industry (at the cost of reduction in starting resources). As a result, several planes that historically faced severe problems with transition from prototypes to mass production, such as B6N, D4Y and G4M2, become available a bit earlier. G8N1, the Japanese 4E bomber that was successfuly tested but not mass-produced in real life, becomes available in 1945.
It's also important to mention, that A6M3 Zero is made carrier-capable in this mod, allowing Japanese players to freely upgrade IJN fighter groups from carrier-capable to land-based models through A6M3 -> A6M3b upgrade, if PDU ON is chosen. This enables greater flexibility in customizing IJN fighter force mid-war. Beware, though, that groups switched to land-based fighter models won't be able to use A7M2/A7M3.
In addition, there are many minor tweaks to various Japanese and Allied aircraft, intended to make their statblocks and performance closer to historical. The changes that can affect gameplay most noticeably include:
-G4M has slightly better durability, G3M sligtly worse, to give G4M an edge over the older plane it historically had.
-E16A1 Paul no longer has artificially reduced normal range.
-Late Ki-61 versions are slightly improved. Ki-100s are significantly improved. In RL they were supposed to be good, particularly Ki-100, but in AE they are very underwhelming. And Mitsubishi Kinsei engine, used by Ki-100s, gets widespread use earlier in this mod, allowing greater degree of improvement and polish by 1945.
-Ki-67-Ib does not lose the ability to carry torpedos.
-Later models of Ki-84 are faster. Ki-84b is no longer outside the normal upgrade line. Ki-84r is available later in the war.
-Old Russian fighters no longer have unparalelled MVR. Their clear superiority to Nate has to go.
-On Allied side stats (MVR and Durability) for all versions of Hurricanes and Corsairs are slightly toned down, stats for all versions of Hellcats are slightly increased. Late-war Corsair versions carry higher bombloads.
-Stats for heavy (30mm+) aircraft cannons on both sides are increased. This particularly benefits most models of 2E Japanese fighters, that carry these as their primary weapons (making said 2E fighters less than entirely worthless).
Following aircraft were added to this scenario (all but new Zeros and G3M4-Q existed in RL as prototypes or even production models):
-A6M3b Zero. Replaces A6M3a and emphasized armor and weapons instead of range.
-A6M4, A6M4-J, A6M8-J. Successors to A6M3b that follow the same design philosopshy but use Mitshubishi Ha-33 engine.
-A7M3. The historical successor to A7M2. Carrier-capable and features 6x20mm armament. A7M2 factory upgrades to it, instead of A7M3-J.
-B7A3. The historical armored successor to B7M2. Uses Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine.
-D4Y5. Mitshubishi Ha-43, armor.
-G3M4-Q. ASW patrol version of Nell.
-G8N1. Fast, tough, long-ranged 4E bomber.
-J6M1. IJN version of Ki-83.
-N1K4-A. Carrier-capable Shiden.
-N1K5-J. High-altitude interceptor Shiden. Uses Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine.
-Yasukuni. IJN version of Ki-67. "Yasukuni" might actually be the name of the naval unit, that employed these bombers in RL, but I can't find any other designation for them.
Subs
A call to standartize sub production is given by Yamamoto as the war approaches. As IJN already struggled with shortages of trained personnel for its submarine arm IRL, and this situation is only going to be aggravated by expansions in other areas, postulated by Scen 70, the decision to stick to the best available projects, even at the cost of significantly reducing the number of produced subs is made. As a result, with the exception of a few sub carriers and transport subs, only C2 and KD7 (later replaced by an improved KD8 type) subs are built before and during the war, with emphasis on KD subs. K6 and KS subs are eliminated from the queue, and the number of B/C subs built during the war is reduced, due to only constructing the most advanced type of large boats. However, upgrades to newer Japanese subs become available earlier.
All non-midget late-war sub types are eliminated from the queue, freeing resources for small surface combatants and fast transports.
Large transport subs have their carrying capacity increased, while durability of small transport subs is drastically reduced, making them far cheaper to build, so that there will be greater incentive for building either.
Smaller Combatants and Auxilaries
A lot of work is done in this area. A number of historical late-war ships absent from AE was added to to Scen 70, including several LSDs, minelayers and small transports.
Escort production is streamlined, with Ukuru-class escorts replaced with a slightly greater number of C/D-class escorts. However, all escort ships and Japanese Type 2 depth charges are downgraded to DaBabes standard (while late-war USN subs are improved accordingly), to eliminate extreme efficiency of Japanese ASW in 1944-45, that was observed before.
In addition, Japanese building priorities late in the war are shifted from submarines to fast transport craft (APDs and LSTs) and PT boats. Building programs for these ships are expanded and extended to the end of the scenario, at the expence of all late-war subs, except for Type D Koryu midgets. Alongside with Tachibana-class destroyers, those are only warships which construction will continue in autumn of 1945 and in 1946. This will give Japanese players significantly expanded fast transport capabilities late in the war, and a significant number of cheaply-built surface combatants for final defensive battles.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
My Change Log Detailing Air, Land, and Sea:
Detailed Change Log
Reluctant Admiral 3.0
The Kaigun
4th Circle Building Plan
3 Shokaku-Kai CVs (Ryukaku, Taikaku, Renkaku) 81 Planes: 33 Zero, 24 DB, 24 TB
2 Kawachi-Class Command Cruisers (Kawachi, Ikoma)
2 Tone-Kai CAs (Iwaki, Hikari)
6 Agano-Class CLs
IJN Carriers are ‘tweaked’ regarding carrying capacity and starting aircraft numbers
Submarine Arm is limited to C2 and KD7 (with an improved KD8 deploying during the war) with only a few Sub Carriers and Transport SS being created. Fewer SS are built with several classes eliminated entirely but upgrades come earlier for them.
Kitakami and Oi are not converted to Torpedo Cruisers while three of their class do get converted to ‘Training Cruisers’
CV, CVL, BB, BC, and CA have their 5” Secondary Guns replaced by 3.9” AA in 1942/1943
1st Class DD building priorities are shifted to building more Akizuki AA DDs instead of the balanced Yugumo’s. The last DDs of these classes deploy in early-1944 with Japanese production then shifting to the cheaper Matsu design.
Escort production is changed with the Ukuru-Class being deleted and replaced by slightly more C/D-Class ships. Japanese Type-2 DC is changed to Da Babes standard to eliminate a-historical Japanese ASW abilities in 1944/1945.
A thorough retooling of Auxilaries occurs with the addition of several Fleet Train vessels as well as LSDs, Minelayers, small Transports.
Dec 7th Naval Additions to the OOB: CVL Shoho, CLs Agano and Noshiro, and the first couple of Akizuki DDs.
LCU Changes:
The IJA takes near exclusive control of China freeing up IJN units to redeploy to 5th Fleet, 4th Fleet, and other commands. Several IJA units have their experience adjusted reflecting recent fighting in China.
Starting locations of some IJA units as well as many IJN are changed
The 88MM AA gun is adopted as a heavier choice for several units
All engineers and engineer vehicles are brought in line with Da Babe’s standard. Once this is completed, there are slight additions made to IJN Construction, Base Force, and HQ units.
Several smaller SNLF and Base Force units are added to the OOB to reflect small garrison requirements throughout the Pacific.
The guns taken off of the CLs converted to ‘Training Cruiser’ are turned into several small CD units that are then added to the OOB at war’s start.
The large number of DP 5” guns taken off of the CVs, BBs, BCs, and CAs during upgrade to 3.9” AA are then changed into CD units that deploy to various bases in 1943/1944.
A major new command is added with the creation of the 9th Air Fleet in Kyushu. This command has an Air HQ, 3 Flotillas, and 3 large Base Force units. They all start at cadre strength (20-25%) and are mobile Day One of the war.
Several Bases start in a more developed state at war’s beginning. Saipan is the greatest beneficiary of this development.
Air:
Specific details already provided by FatR regarding aircraft changes
All forward IJN air units start with modern aircraft and full strength
A Training and Cadre Program is instituted in 1940 by Yamamoto which causes nearly all IJNAF units to see a net reduction of 10-15 points in experience on December 7th. The benefit to this change is later IJN pilots start with higher experience in 1942 and 1943.
The air complement to the ground units of the 9th Air Fleet also starts at cadre strength with minimal experience and older aircraft (Claudes, Nells, Mavis) in Kyushu on Dec 7th. When fully trained and filled out this powerful unit provides 3 Daitai of Fighters, 2 Daitai of Level Bombers, 1 Daitai of Dive-Bombers, 1 Daitai of Torpedo Bombers, 3 Chutai of Short-Range Air Search and 3 Chutai of Long-Range Air Search.
The need for improved Carrier Air Search is recognized at the start of the war and a later sees the addition of five Chutai-Sized Judy units.
Several Air Units start in different locations for the beginning of the war.
Kaigun Starting Disposition:
The two oldest BB (Fuso/Yamashiro) in the Fleet start in Indochina to support operations there freeing up the 4 BC to provide heavy support to the KB.
KB begins in 2 speed bonus TF for additional flexibility on Port Attacks
The Mini-KB is strengthened with the addition of CVL Shoho giving it a solid punch of over 100 aircraft. The TF begins at Babeldoap and does not get the speed bonus.
Naval units at Truk and Kwajalein are slightly strengthened by units from the west
The remaining Japanese BB and CVE start at Hiroshima in Port.
IJN SS are completely redeployed with the concentration around Pearl Harbor being lessoned.
3 Speed Bonus Cargo TF are added to reflect the ability of the Japanese to have TF moving to their forward bases at war’s start.
Japanese Economy:
An additional major naval shipyard is added at Shanghai with several others expanded where space allows
Merchant shipyards are slightly reduced reflecting the total war approach
Heavy Industry is slightly expanded to reflect new factories created
Armaments and Vehicles are increased
A major refinery is added in Manchuria reflecting the Japanese work there during the war
The Home Islands see a net reduction of over 30% to their starting fuel and supply stocks forcing the player to grab the resources and oil centers in the DEI as quickly as possible.
Allied Changes:
Two reinforcement convoys are added with one unloading at Pago Pago and the other preparing to reinforce Port Moresby from Townsville.
The ANZAC cruisers are concentrated to escort the Townville Convoy.
CV Lexington (carrying the Vindicator Squadron) with a strengthened Escort covers the Pago Pago Convoy
A small Sub Base is established at Pago Pago where an AS and 4 S-Boats currently reside
3 USN Training Squadrons (VF, VB, and VT) are established on the West Coast to allow a Japanese style pilot training program. These units cannot be moved from the West Coast.
A number of Wildcat-Recon Sections are added to better facilitate USN recon and air search.
Several AOs are allowed to convert to CVE
The Kittyhawk-Class of 2 ships are allowed to convert into a Long Island-Class CVE
The 3 Tangier-Class vessels also can be converted into Boque-Class CVE with organic air units aboard.
The CVL’s Belleau Wood and Chateau Thierry are added to the American OOB for early-1944. Two CLs are deleted for compensation to this change.
A number of Chinese LCU have their starting experience tweaked upward reflecting recent fighting in China.
All Omaha-Class CLs are allowed to immediately begin conversion to a CLAA variant.
Several small Allied units added to Dec 7th starting OOB
Detailed Change Log
Reluctant Admiral 3.0
The Kaigun
4th Circle Building Plan
3 Shokaku-Kai CVs (Ryukaku, Taikaku, Renkaku) 81 Planes: 33 Zero, 24 DB, 24 TB
2 Kawachi-Class Command Cruisers (Kawachi, Ikoma)
2 Tone-Kai CAs (Iwaki, Hikari)
6 Agano-Class CLs
IJN Carriers are ‘tweaked’ regarding carrying capacity and starting aircraft numbers
Submarine Arm is limited to C2 and KD7 (with an improved KD8 deploying during the war) with only a few Sub Carriers and Transport SS being created. Fewer SS are built with several classes eliminated entirely but upgrades come earlier for them.
Kitakami and Oi are not converted to Torpedo Cruisers while three of their class do get converted to ‘Training Cruisers’
CV, CVL, BB, BC, and CA have their 5” Secondary Guns replaced by 3.9” AA in 1942/1943
1st Class DD building priorities are shifted to building more Akizuki AA DDs instead of the balanced Yugumo’s. The last DDs of these classes deploy in early-1944 with Japanese production then shifting to the cheaper Matsu design.
Escort production is changed with the Ukuru-Class being deleted and replaced by slightly more C/D-Class ships. Japanese Type-2 DC is changed to Da Babes standard to eliminate a-historical Japanese ASW abilities in 1944/1945.
A thorough retooling of Auxilaries occurs with the addition of several Fleet Train vessels as well as LSDs, Minelayers, small Transports.
Dec 7th Naval Additions to the OOB: CVL Shoho, CLs Agano and Noshiro, and the first couple of Akizuki DDs.
LCU Changes:
The IJA takes near exclusive control of China freeing up IJN units to redeploy to 5th Fleet, 4th Fleet, and other commands. Several IJA units have their experience adjusted reflecting recent fighting in China.
Starting locations of some IJA units as well as many IJN are changed
The 88MM AA gun is adopted as a heavier choice for several units
All engineers and engineer vehicles are brought in line with Da Babe’s standard. Once this is completed, there are slight additions made to IJN Construction, Base Force, and HQ units.
Several smaller SNLF and Base Force units are added to the OOB to reflect small garrison requirements throughout the Pacific.
The guns taken off of the CLs converted to ‘Training Cruiser’ are turned into several small CD units that are then added to the OOB at war’s start.
The large number of DP 5” guns taken off of the CVs, BBs, BCs, and CAs during upgrade to 3.9” AA are then changed into CD units that deploy to various bases in 1943/1944.
A major new command is added with the creation of the 9th Air Fleet in Kyushu. This command has an Air HQ, 3 Flotillas, and 3 large Base Force units. They all start at cadre strength (20-25%) and are mobile Day One of the war.
Several Bases start in a more developed state at war’s beginning. Saipan is the greatest beneficiary of this development.
Air:
Specific details already provided by FatR regarding aircraft changes
All forward IJN air units start with modern aircraft and full strength
A Training and Cadre Program is instituted in 1940 by Yamamoto which causes nearly all IJNAF units to see a net reduction of 10-15 points in experience on December 7th. The benefit to this change is later IJN pilots start with higher experience in 1942 and 1943.
The air complement to the ground units of the 9th Air Fleet also starts at cadre strength with minimal experience and older aircraft (Claudes, Nells, Mavis) in Kyushu on Dec 7th. When fully trained and filled out this powerful unit provides 3 Daitai of Fighters, 2 Daitai of Level Bombers, 1 Daitai of Dive-Bombers, 1 Daitai of Torpedo Bombers, 3 Chutai of Short-Range Air Search and 3 Chutai of Long-Range Air Search.
The need for improved Carrier Air Search is recognized at the start of the war and a later sees the addition of five Chutai-Sized Judy units.
Several Air Units start in different locations for the beginning of the war.
Kaigun Starting Disposition:
The two oldest BB (Fuso/Yamashiro) in the Fleet start in Indochina to support operations there freeing up the 4 BC to provide heavy support to the KB.
KB begins in 2 speed bonus TF for additional flexibility on Port Attacks
The Mini-KB is strengthened with the addition of CVL Shoho giving it a solid punch of over 100 aircraft. The TF begins at Babeldoap and does not get the speed bonus.
Naval units at Truk and Kwajalein are slightly strengthened by units from the west
The remaining Japanese BB and CVE start at Hiroshima in Port.
IJN SS are completely redeployed with the concentration around Pearl Harbor being lessoned.
3 Speed Bonus Cargo TF are added to reflect the ability of the Japanese to have TF moving to their forward bases at war’s start.
Japanese Economy:
An additional major naval shipyard is added at Shanghai with several others expanded where space allows
Merchant shipyards are slightly reduced reflecting the total war approach
Heavy Industry is slightly expanded to reflect new factories created
Armaments and Vehicles are increased
A major refinery is added in Manchuria reflecting the Japanese work there during the war
The Home Islands see a net reduction of over 30% to their starting fuel and supply stocks forcing the player to grab the resources and oil centers in the DEI as quickly as possible.
Allied Changes:
Two reinforcement convoys are added with one unloading at Pago Pago and the other preparing to reinforce Port Moresby from Townsville.
The ANZAC cruisers are concentrated to escort the Townville Convoy.
CV Lexington (carrying the Vindicator Squadron) with a strengthened Escort covers the Pago Pago Convoy
A small Sub Base is established at Pago Pago where an AS and 4 S-Boats currently reside
3 USN Training Squadrons (VF, VB, and VT) are established on the West Coast to allow a Japanese style pilot training program. These units cannot be moved from the West Coast.
A number of Wildcat-Recon Sections are added to better facilitate USN recon and air search.
Several AOs are allowed to convert to CVE
The Kittyhawk-Class of 2 ships are allowed to convert into a Long Island-Class CVE
The 3 Tangier-Class vessels also can be converted into Boque-Class CVE with organic air units aboard.
The CVL’s Belleau Wood and Chateau Thierry are added to the American OOB for early-1944. Two CLs are deleted for compensation to this change.
A number of Chinese LCU have their starting experience tweaked upward reflecting recent fighting in China.
All Omaha-Class CLs are allowed to immediately begin conversion to a CLAA variant.
Several small Allied units added to Dec 7th starting OOB
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Sorry to hear about the job situation (a lot of that going around lately), but congrats on the new game and on your anniversary!
Now go beat up the Imperialists!
Now go beat up the Imperialists!
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Life is better for losing it. I dealt with more anxiety and stress for so little money that I feel better being done with it. Something positive will come from it. We're thinking good thoughts.
This thread is now closed to my opponent as the next Posting will detail the plans of the Empire.
This thread is now closed to my opponent as the next Posting will detail the plans of the Empire.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RA's Purpose
This Mod is a Naval Mod with little changes to the Imperial Japanese Army.
As a player it is important know one's strengths and weaknesses. For me my greatist weaknesses remain the Economy (thank you Minister Benoit for your tutelage) and land warfare. Fleet Operations are a strength I believe. With this in mind I've decided to keep the emphasis in the Pacific and force the Americans to do battle with the Kaigun.
Strategic Options:
1. Every campaign is different for me and in my other RA 2.0 game with Lew (now January 1943) I chose to invade eastern India. The lesson learned from that attempt is NEVER GET INVOLVED IN A LANDWAR IN INDIA! This experience has taught me NOT to mess with India.
2. I tried to take Australia and New Zealand in my long campaign with Dan (Canoerebel) in WitP and that was a blast! Recent experience shows that capturing NW Aussieland is fairly easy actually going a lot farther is nearly impossible. Rule that out.
3. China knockout? I HATE CHINA! Will take what I want, establish a line, and then drain the China army for troops in the Pacific.
4. Hawaii? Never done that...hmmm...
Stanislav (FatR) tried this in his AE: RA Campaign and got into all sorts of excitement. It is my opinion to try a variant of that strategy but with a differing concept. Unless big mistakes are made by the American player, I don't think one can take Pearl Harbor. This being said, one can deny the USE of Pearl Harbor by taking islands nearby. It is my intention to capture the island of Hawaii as well as the one northwest of Oahu, fortify them, and then force the Americans to take them from Japan.
How?
The Japanese begin RA with nearly twice the amount of SNLF and Naval Guard in the Central Pacific. They have the strength of nearly 600 Assault. Add the South Seas Detachment for a Regimental unit and one begins to see an Order-of-Battle emerge. The Mod begins with a slightly larger pool of political points from both sides and I discovered that there are just enough to buy out the Imperial Guards Brigade at Tokyo on Day One. For the final piece of the December 7th puzzle, add the 2nd Inf Division from Sendai. These are the starting troops I will use for the opening of the war. Total Assault Strength is about 1,400.
Target: Hawaii!
As a player it is important know one's strengths and weaknesses. For me my greatist weaknesses remain the Economy (thank you Minister Benoit for your tutelage) and land warfare. Fleet Operations are a strength I believe. With this in mind I've decided to keep the emphasis in the Pacific and force the Americans to do battle with the Kaigun.
Strategic Options:
1. Every campaign is different for me and in my other RA 2.0 game with Lew (now January 1943) I chose to invade eastern India. The lesson learned from that attempt is NEVER GET INVOLVED IN A LANDWAR IN INDIA! This experience has taught me NOT to mess with India.
2. I tried to take Australia and New Zealand in my long campaign with Dan (Canoerebel) in WitP and that was a blast! Recent experience shows that capturing NW Aussieland is fairly easy actually going a lot farther is nearly impossible. Rule that out.
3. China knockout? I HATE CHINA! Will take what I want, establish a line, and then drain the China army for troops in the Pacific.
4. Hawaii? Never done that...hmmm...
Stanislav (FatR) tried this in his AE: RA Campaign and got into all sorts of excitement. It is my opinion to try a variant of that strategy but with a differing concept. Unless big mistakes are made by the American player, I don't think one can take Pearl Harbor. This being said, one can deny the USE of Pearl Harbor by taking islands nearby. It is my intention to capture the island of Hawaii as well as the one northwest of Oahu, fortify them, and then force the Americans to take them from Japan.
How?
The Japanese begin RA with nearly twice the amount of SNLF and Naval Guard in the Central Pacific. They have the strength of nearly 600 Assault. Add the South Seas Detachment for a Regimental unit and one begins to see an Order-of-Battle emerge. The Mod begins with a slightly larger pool of political points from both sides and I discovered that there are just enough to buy out the Imperial Guards Brigade at Tokyo on Day One. For the final piece of the December 7th puzzle, add the 2nd Inf Division from Sendai. These are the starting troops I will use for the opening of the war. Total Assault Strength is about 1,400.
Target: Hawaii!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Good luck with finding a better job! I want to continue both of my existing PBEMs, so I have no time to start another RA game, but I'll certainly follow this AAR.
The Reluctant Admiral mod team.
Take a look at the latest released version of the Reluctant Admiral mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/
Take a look at the latest released version of the Reluctant Admiral mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Given your plans this should be VERY interesting, IMHO. Consider tossing 4th Division or 21st Division towards the Pacific given your intentions. 90th Regiment is also a useful option.
Initial Deployment
The Imperial Fleet begins with a very different deployment for the opening of the War.
The KB begins in two Turn One Carrier TF. As normal I don't see the point of 6 CV hitting Pearl Harbor so I use CarDiv 2 and 5 to attack Pearl while CarDiv1 hits those pesky SS in Manila. Planned CV dispositions and missions for the first month of the war:
Pearl Harbor TF: These four CVs (276 Planes) with a pair of BC, the Tones, a modern Agano-Class CL, CS Chiyoda, 2 of the first Akizuki AA DDs, and several other DDs will hit Pearl then move SW to cover the landings at Tarawa, Tabiteau, Canton, and Christmas Isle. As soon as things are rolling and under control the carriers will interpose themselves between the West Coast and Hawaii. Odds are they shall only have to deal with Saratoga...
Manila TF: Akagi and Kaga (156 Planes) have 2 BC, CL Sendai, 1 Moon and 10 DDs. They shall strike Manila on Dec 7th, hit any fleeing shipping, move SW to facilitate the Palembang Landing, hit Java, move east past Port Moresby, and link-up with the rest of the heavy CVs.
Mini-KB: CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho, and the new Shoho (105 Planes), 2 CA, and 6 DD begin at Babeldoap. Their mission will be to interpose south of the Philippines, cover the landings at Ambon and Koepang, and raid south of Java whenever possible.
CVEs: Little Hosho and Taiyo (48 Planes) begin at Hiroshima. They will cover any eastward flight of Allied shipping, move to support the Aleutian landings, and then raid in the Gulf of Alaska.
For the first month I will plan to fight no more then one US CV at any point. The first 3 carrier TF are strong enough to handle any single US CV. It will take time for the Americans to link-up Lexington and Enterprise while Saratoga is on the West Coast. By the time a serious link-up can be done I will have the DEI (pulling back the CVLs) and all six on my heavies will be united for the attack on Hawaii.
Since, in RA, Lexington begins near Pago Pago it will be interesting to see what Bill might try to do with his carriers.
The KB begins in two Turn One Carrier TF. As normal I don't see the point of 6 CV hitting Pearl Harbor so I use CarDiv 2 and 5 to attack Pearl while CarDiv1 hits those pesky SS in Manila. Planned CV dispositions and missions for the first month of the war:
Pearl Harbor TF: These four CVs (276 Planes) with a pair of BC, the Tones, a modern Agano-Class CL, CS Chiyoda, 2 of the first Akizuki AA DDs, and several other DDs will hit Pearl then move SW to cover the landings at Tarawa, Tabiteau, Canton, and Christmas Isle. As soon as things are rolling and under control the carriers will interpose themselves between the West Coast and Hawaii. Odds are they shall only have to deal with Saratoga...
Manila TF: Akagi and Kaga (156 Planes) have 2 BC, CL Sendai, 1 Moon and 10 DDs. They shall strike Manila on Dec 7th, hit any fleeing shipping, move SW to facilitate the Palembang Landing, hit Java, move east past Port Moresby, and link-up with the rest of the heavy CVs.
Mini-KB: CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho, and the new Shoho (105 Planes), 2 CA, and 6 DD begin at Babeldoap. Their mission will be to interpose south of the Philippines, cover the landings at Ambon and Koepang, and raid south of Java whenever possible.
CVEs: Little Hosho and Taiyo (48 Planes) begin at Hiroshima. They will cover any eastward flight of Allied shipping, move to support the Aleutian landings, and then raid in the Gulf of Alaska.
For the first month I will plan to fight no more then one US CV at any point. The first 3 carrier TF are strong enough to handle any single US CV. It will take time for the Americans to link-up Lexington and Enterprise while Saratoga is on the West Coast. By the time a serious link-up can be done I will have the DEI (pulling back the CVLs) and all six on my heavies will be united for the attack on Hawaii.
Since, in RA, Lexington begins near Pago Pago it will be interesting to see what Bill might try to do with his carriers.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
ORIGINAL: Cribtop
Given your plans this should be VERY interesting, IMHO. Consider tossing 4th Division or 21st Division towards the Pacific given your intentions. 90th Regiment is also a useful option.
Good thoughts! We are already at December 17th and I just bought out the 90th Regiment to deploy in the Pacific. Unfortunately I need all the troops I can get to take out the DEI. For the next month or two ground reinforcements will have to be bought out by Political Points.
FatR: Any advice from your attempts in Hawaii?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
As about your strategic plan, I think it is possible to take Pearl if you seize surrounding islands and establish a blockade right away in December, then starve the defenders for several months before landing in strength. Lack of flak fire indicates lack of supply in a base, so the attacker can gauge when the defending force is starving. Overall improvements to Allied flak still can make this problematic. Also, take note that Catalinas can barely reach Pearl from Christmas Island.
I'm also generally against leaving Chinese alone. Once Allies retake Burma and start pumping supplies into China, it will be very hard to stop them, if they were allowed to rebuild their strength. Even if a strategic victory is not possible, attritional war should be waged to keep Chinese numbers down by tactical defeats.
I'm also generally against leaving Chinese alone. Once Allies retake Burma and start pumping supplies into China, it will be very hard to stop them, if they were allowed to rebuild their strength. Even if a strategic victory is not possible, attritional war should be waged to keep Chinese numbers down by tactical defeats.
The Reluctant Admiral mod team.
Take a look at the latest released version of the Reluctant Admiral mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/
Take a look at the latest released version of the Reluctant Admiral mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/
Pearl and Manila: Dec 7th
The Game begins with the assaults I described above. The KB (Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku) under command of Adm Yamaguchi Tamon strike the unsuspecting Americans with a total of 76 Zero, 93 Val, and 93 Kate. To my surprise ALL the Kates drop Torps! Two Daitai of Zero and Vals are dedicated against the AF.
Results are quite gratifying:
Arizona: 2 Bombs and 5 Torps
Nevada: 2 Bombs and 5 Torps
Pennsylvania: 2 Bombs and 3 Torps
Oklahoma: 1 Bomb and 3 Torps
West Virginia: 1 Bomb and 3 Torps
Maryland: 2 Bombs and 3 Torps
California: 3 Bombs and 6 Torps
Tennessee: 3 Bombs and 3 Torps
Looks like Arizona, Nevada, and California are all in sinking condition!
Damaged Ships: St Louis, Honolulu, and Raleigh each take 1 Torp, 1 DD, an AR, an AVP, and an AM are also hit. DD Case and 2 AM are sunk.
The AF are hit pretty hard with over 30 planes destroyed in the air and on the ground.
Losses: 1 Val and 3 KATES! [:'(]
Manila
Akagi and Kaga strike from 3 hexes to the west of Manila and launch 39 Zero, 54 Val, and 54 Kate. They are opposed by 18 P-40s. House Rules allow for CAP to be flown over Manila and Singapore.
The Kates all drop 800Kg bombs and the Vals do quite well with their 250Kg. When the strike returns to the Carriers they find that only 1 Zero has been lost and in exchange a dozen US Fleet Boats are hit (Pike, Sealion and Snapper BLOW-UP) with 6 sunk. The USS Pope is sunk with 2 more DDs hit, an AM, AV Langley, AS Canopus, 2 AK, 1 TK, 1 AO, 1 PG, and an AP all are damaged.
Summary: These two strikes are as good a result as I could possibly hope for. Every BB takes serious damage with 3 in a sinking condition at Pearl. A dozen SS are taken out on the first day of fighting as well. All the Japanese lose are 1 Zero, 1 Val, and 3 Kate. It does not get much better then that!
BANZAI!
Results are quite gratifying:
Arizona: 2 Bombs and 5 Torps
Nevada: 2 Bombs and 5 Torps
Pennsylvania: 2 Bombs and 3 Torps
Oklahoma: 1 Bomb and 3 Torps
West Virginia: 1 Bomb and 3 Torps
Maryland: 2 Bombs and 3 Torps
California: 3 Bombs and 6 Torps
Tennessee: 3 Bombs and 3 Torps
Looks like Arizona, Nevada, and California are all in sinking condition!
Damaged Ships: St Louis, Honolulu, and Raleigh each take 1 Torp, 1 DD, an AR, an AVP, and an AM are also hit. DD Case and 2 AM are sunk.
The AF are hit pretty hard with over 30 planes destroyed in the air and on the ground.
Losses: 1 Val and 3 KATES! [:'(]
Manila
Akagi and Kaga strike from 3 hexes to the west of Manila and launch 39 Zero, 54 Val, and 54 Kate. They are opposed by 18 P-40s. House Rules allow for CAP to be flown over Manila and Singapore.
The Kates all drop 800Kg bombs and the Vals do quite well with their 250Kg. When the strike returns to the Carriers they find that only 1 Zero has been lost and in exchange a dozen US Fleet Boats are hit (Pike, Sealion and Snapper BLOW-UP) with 6 sunk. The USS Pope is sunk with 2 more DDs hit, an AM, AV Langley, AS Canopus, 2 AK, 1 TK, 1 AO, 1 PG, and an AP all are damaged.
Summary: These two strikes are as good a result as I could possibly hope for. Every BB takes serious damage with 3 in a sinking condition at Pearl. A dozen SS are taken out on the first day of fighting as well. All the Japanese lose are 1 Zero, 1 Val, and 3 Kate. It does not get much better then that!
BANZAI!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
ORIGINAL: FatR
I'm also generally against leaving Chinese alone. Once Allies retake Burma and start pumping supplies into China, it will be very hard to stop them, if they were allowed to rebuild their strength. Even if a strategic victory is not possible, attritional war should be waged to keep Chinese numbers down by tactical defeats.
+1
RE: Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Well I won't just sit on my patookus when it comes to this area!
China plans:
1. Clear the Central Plains
2. Take Sian
3. Begin work in the South and force the Chinese to mass down in this area so my China Air Force can use them to train.
China plans:
1. Clear the Central Plains
2. Take Sian
3. Begin work in the South and force the Chinese to mass down in this area so my China Air Force can use them to train.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Malaya and Palembang
The Japanese stage normal landings on Dec 7th at Singora, Kota Bharu, and Pattani. Kuantan is taken on the 14th and troops are now moving west to cross the peninsula. Nothing unusual to report here except that the Brits did try to fight with their aircraft. A lot of Buffalos fell as well as Hudsons and Vildebeest.
The main effort was to make sure Palembang fell ASAP! Moving down from the Philippines were CarDiv 1 who also gained Ryujo to protect the Invasion Convoy. An entire Infantry Division (4th) landed here while being covered by 6 CA. The base fell with little to no damage on 15th.
Having watched Dan's game I made sure that no FORTRESS PALEMBANG occurred in this one! Three TK Regiments and an Air Flotilla are unloaded or are about to. The Tanks will move in all directions to capture the bases nearby while the Infantry Division gets ready to land at Merak.
The main effort was to make sure Palembang fell ASAP! Moving down from the Philippines were CarDiv 1 who also gained Ryujo to protect the Invasion Convoy. An entire Infantry Division (4th) landed here while being covered by 6 CA. The base fell with little to no damage on 15th.
Having watched Dan's game I made sure that no FORTRESS PALEMBANG occurred in this one! Three TK Regiments and an Air Flotilla are unloaded or are about to. The Tanks will move in all directions to capture the bases nearby while the Infantry Division gets ready to land at Merak.
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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Paras in Action
Sometimes this Japanese player gets fixated and doesn't think about the three dimension aspect of this game. Wanted to work on that so I have agressively used my 3 Paratrooper units (1st Raiders and the 2 SNLF) in the opening two weeks of the war.
The Raiders successfully grabbed Victoria Point on the 7th. I used 3 different transport groups to get all the Raiders there as well as two Base Forces. A Betty and Oscar unit was using the AF by the 9th and then I moved the Transports there as well.
On the 14th, the Raiders successfully cut off the air escape route for the Allies by taking Port Blair. A Construction Btn and Base Force are currently flying into the base to build-up a Fort or two if possible.
The SNLF were transported by ship to Pattani where they then jumped and captured Medan (no damage to facilities) and Langsa on the 12th and 13th. Their next jump will be on Sabang where he is trying to evacuate smaller units.
When I get the chance the SNLF will concentrate and I will use them in Java and on the islands in between. The Raiders must hold Port Blair until I can get there with reinforcements.
The Raiders successfully grabbed Victoria Point on the 7th. I used 3 different transport groups to get all the Raiders there as well as two Base Forces. A Betty and Oscar unit was using the AF by the 9th and then I moved the Transports there as well.
On the 14th, the Raiders successfully cut off the air escape route for the Allies by taking Port Blair. A Construction Btn and Base Force are currently flying into the base to build-up a Fort or two if possible.
The SNLF were transported by ship to Pattani where they then jumped and captured Medan (no damage to facilities) and Langsa on the 12th and 13th. Their next jump will be on Sabang where he is trying to evacuate smaller units.
When I get the chance the SNLF will concentrate and I will use them in Java and on the islands in between. The Raiders must hold Port Blair until I can get there with reinforcements.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Philippines
No landings occurred in the Philippines on the 7th. Since then the Japanese have landed at both ends and are moving towards Clark and Manila.
Nothing exciting here except that Bill put up a fight in the skies over Clark and Manila. Was pretty surprising and allowed the Japanese a chance to seriously batter those fighter squadrons starting there. Am coming in with 3 1/2 Infantry Divisions to force him back into Bataan and will then bomb him into submission.
Don't plan any landings elsewhere in the Philippines until a Brigade comes available for Mindanao.
THUNDERING HERD
The shipping in the Philippines and Hong Kong attempted to flee the Japanese net by running EAST towards the Central Pacific. I have seen this done but never by ALL of the ships. My small STF had a field day while the 4 old BBs that were at Hiroshima (en Route to Truk and then Hawaii) got split up and allowed some serious gunnery practice. Very few ships survivied the escape attempt. Am happy to have sunk all three of the AS that start at Manila, several AOs, TKs, and most of the American and Brit DDs that started in these locations. No serious loss to the Japanese forces to this point.
A total of 110 Allied ships have been sunk throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean by December 18th.
Nothing exciting here except that Bill put up a fight in the skies over Clark and Manila. Was pretty surprising and allowed the Japanese a chance to seriously batter those fighter squadrons starting there. Am coming in with 3 1/2 Infantry Divisions to force him back into Bataan and will then bomb him into submission.
Don't plan any landings elsewhere in the Philippines until a Brigade comes available for Mindanao.
THUNDERING HERD
The shipping in the Philippines and Hong Kong attempted to flee the Japanese net by running EAST towards the Central Pacific. I have seen this done but never by ALL of the ships. My small STF had a field day while the 4 old BBs that were at Hiroshima (en Route to Truk and then Hawaii) got split up and allowed some serious gunnery practice. Very few ships survivied the escape attempt. Am happy to have sunk all three of the AS that start at Manila, several AOs, TKs, and most of the American and Brit DDs that started in these locations. No serious loss to the Japanese forces to this point.
A total of 110 Allied ships have been sunk throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean by December 18th.
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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Major Sinkings
This is a list of the current major sinkings within the campaign:
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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Central Pacific 1
Using Fast Transport TF as well as the slower Amphip TF the Japanese have made an agressive lunge in the Central Pacific:
1. The regular 4th Fleet combat units (3 CL and 8 DD) loaded a Naval Guard and took Naura and Ocean Islands. They then linked up with the Amphib TF carrying the Imperial Guards Brigade for Canton.
2. An SNLF and Naval Guard unit was used to capture Tarawa and Tabiteuea. Additional Engineers are headed for the latter to build it up into a major base. This is the only base in the area that isn't an atoll.
3. The Imperial Guards along with 3 SNLF (one from the FTF) move east and drop one SNLF to take Baker and then land everything at Canton. Total success.
All TF are now working to rendezvous at Canton and then head for Christmas and Palmyra. The smaller units will take Palmyra and the Guards will grab Christmas.
All units are prepping for Hawaii.
Dates of the captures:
Nauru 12/11
Ocean 12/12
Tarawa 12/08
Tabiteuea 12/10
Baker 12/11
Canton 12/16
1. The regular 4th Fleet combat units (3 CL and 8 DD) loaded a Naval Guard and took Naura and Ocean Islands. They then linked up with the Amphib TF carrying the Imperial Guards Brigade for Canton.
2. An SNLF and Naval Guard unit was used to capture Tarawa and Tabiteuea. Additional Engineers are headed for the latter to build it up into a major base. This is the only base in the area that isn't an atoll.
3. The Imperial Guards along with 3 SNLF (one from the FTF) move east and drop one SNLF to take Baker and then land everything at Canton. Total success.
All TF are now working to rendezvous at Canton and then head for Christmas and Palmyra. The smaller units will take Palmyra and the Guards will grab Christmas.
All units are prepping for Hawaii.
Dates of the captures:
Nauru 12/11
Ocean 12/12
Tarawa 12/08
Tabiteuea 12/10
Baker 12/11
Canton 12/16
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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.