Yes way... (GBL vs Dixie)

[goodboyladdie]

This will be an occasional AAR of the Jap side of the war against Dixie. House rules are minimal as Martin and I agree about most things. I will start off with a few screenshots of my economy as I am first time Jap player and could do with some help. Martin has been very helpful, but I feel it is not fair to ask him when we are at war. After that, I'll try to trawl my memory for a brief overview area by area.

Martin very kindly agreed to scenario 2.

[goodboyladdie]

Here is the Tracker chart after turn 16. I will add more detail on the various things I am attempting with the economy as I update with new turns.

[goodboyladdie]

And here is the Tracker industry report. I do not really understand it all. If any of you JFBs out there spot any glaring errors I would appreciate a simple explanation as to how I have cocked up!

[goodboyladdie]

I have already increased vehicle production, btw...

I will take some screenshots when I next get a turn and try to do regional breakdowns when I can illustrate them. My one strategic focus is to take the DEI and Malaya for resources and oil. I have to take the PI to achieve this aim. My economy is the entire reason for going to war.

[Erkki]

How are your naval and merchant shipyards, their production, and aircraft & engine production looking? Your HI is +2600 so looks like you have expanded them a little.

[goodboyladdie]

Shipyards: Some small increases are being repaired. I will show what is accelerated when I get a turn

[goodboyladdie]

Current airframes: I have rationalised the types I am building to try to make the economy more efficient.

[goodboyladdie]

Engines: Definitely need help here. I did a lot of chopping and changing with this and r&d as I was trying to understand it and develop a coherent strategy...

[goodboyladdie]

R&D: Apologies for spreading it over posts - it is at least three years since my last AAR and my paint skills have faded...

[goodboyladdie]

R&D horror show part 2:

[goodboyladdie]

And the last drips...

[goodboyladdie]

I decided to go straight for the A6M5 because it is the first Zero (Zeke I guess) with reasonable durability. The A6M3a is just not a big improvement IMO. I think my r&d is too concentrated and should have been spread out over more factories. I will try to tinker some more before I waste too many supplies, but some guidance as to how to undo the mess would be appreciated.

[Erkki]

Regarding the Zero: dunno if its a good idea to build A6M2 before you get the A6M5. The R&D factories repair the quicker the closer the type is, and you can upgrade the R&D factories to the next available plane. M3 still improves speed and high altitude maneuverability and M3a also has slightly better cannons.

Are you sure you dont want to build the Ha-31? [:)] Also note that you have 99 Nakajima Hikari engines: only 3 types use it, 2 are completely useless but the B5N1 has them too. Its only marginally worse than the B5N2 so there you have a chance to build 100 first rate strike aircraft at the cost of just 50, and then upgrade the factory(for free) to build the B5N2 that uses Ha-35.

About Netties... G4M1 is better than G3M2 (they both die like flies so main difference is normal range of 17 vs. 15) but the next model of G3M, the M3, has torpedo carrying range of 21! They almost never sortie that far against naval targets as is known but it can be used for naval search and long range port & airfields strikes. Where it also helps is you dont need to build so many Ha-32 engines(and expand their factories) that are used by many aircraft such as Ki-21 and H8K, later also J2M fighter.

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Regarding the Zero: dunno if its a good idea to build A6M2 before you get the A6M5. The R&D factories repair the quicker the closer the type is, and you can upgrade the R&D factories to the next available plane. M3 still improves speed and high altitude maneuverability and M3a also has slightly better cannons.

I need to think about this carefully. I just hate wasting resources on a "nothing" upgrade. I will need to have a good look at the upgrade paths

Are you sure you dont want to build the Ha-31? [:)] Also note that you have 99 Nakajima Hikari engines: only 3 types use it, 2 are completely useless but the B5N1 has them too. Its only marginally worse than the B5N2 so there you have a chance to build 100 first rate strike aircraft at the cost of just 50, and then upgrade the factory(for free) to build the B5N2 that uses Ha-35.

I guess that means I need to look at the Ha-31 too. What uses it? That B5N1 tip is a good one - I would never have seen that and I can just use the B5N1 on my CVL/Es to save confusion.

About Netties... G4M1 is better than G3M2 (they both die like flies so main difference is normal range of 17 vs. 15) but the next model of G3M, the M3, has torpedo carrying range of 21! They almost never sortie that far against naval targets as is known but it can be used for naval search and long range port & airfields strikes. Where it also helps is you dont need to build so many Ha-32 engines(and expand their factories) that are used by many aircraft such as Ki-21 and H8K, later also J2M fighter.

I was planning to keep the Nell factory for the M3 upgrade. I really need to get a handle on what engines I will need and in what quantity. PDU is on, so I get to choose the quantity I suppose. Thanks very much for the advice - now all I need is a turn to put it into practice!

[obvert]

I also am just learning the dark side. The economy has only shut down once on me for a day when my resources were not meeting demands. Make sure as many resources are flowing in AS POSSIBLE. I've also found they sometimes don't move incredibly well to larger centers like Tokyo, and I have to bring them direct to Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Kobe.

As for the Zero, I stupidly began to build the A6M3 when it became available, but no carrier groups upgrade to it, and I didn't research the A6M3a at all. I stopped that quickly. I have put all research for zeros into the A6M5.

I think you'll need more transports, like 20/month. More Jakes, like 30-40, if you plan to upgrade a lot of units to Jakes, and double your Kates and Vals if you plan any offensives in the next year with the KB.

I increased some HI in places on the coasts that always have good access to fuel and resources, like Hong Kong.

If anyone has advice for making sure Manchurian HI keeps enough fuel around to continuously produce I'd be happy to hear it. Mine shuts downs every once in a while even though 30,000 fuel is in Port Arthur and I've stopped using it as 'home port' for the convoys that go there. Anyone?

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie
I guess that means I need to look at the Ha-31 too. What uses it? That B5N1 tip is a good one - I would never have seen that and I can just use the B5N1 on my CVL/Es to save confusion.

Ha-31 is used by Ki-46-II,your IJAAF recce plane before the Ki-46-III which uses the Ha-33 as well as the Ki-57-II transport. Another tip engine tip similar to the B5N1 one: the Ki-57-I transport you are currently building uses the Ha-5 engine. However, even if you expand the factory, the Ki-57-II(which uses Ha-31) will probably arrive before you get to use all of the engines. In the industry screen, set the factory to not upgrade, and instead upgrade it manually to the 57-II once you're out of Ha-5s.

You dont need to build many Ha-31s but the existing Ki-46 reserves are small and you have lots of units flying the vulnerable Ki-15 you might want to upgrade. Something like 45-50 engines a month to be able to build the Ki-46 and some Ki-57 transports later. Ki-56 is imho better choice as it uses the Ha-35 engine you mass produce any way, and sooner or later you drop the Ki-43 in favor of better fighters so you will have some engine production surplus, from mid-42 or so onwards.

[Chickenboy]

Looks like you've emphasized the research on most mid-war airframes of importance. A few recommendations:

1. I'd recommend looking at your B6N1 (secondary emphasis) and B6N2 (primary emphasis) research.
You've bumped up the D4Y1 research nicely, and you'll be wanting a replacment carrier TB for your aged B5N2 lines too-so recommend expediting the production / research on the Jills.

2. The B7A2 is dreamy, so some dedicated research there may be appropriate.

3. Since you're playing scenario 2, you get the Tojo IIa in June 1942. Nice. You may want to repurpose your research to other mid-later war fighter airframes in preference to such heavy research allotment to something that you'll get in 6 months.

In general, your IJAAF replacements look a little lean, but manageable. If you were playing scenario 1, I'd advise more Oscar Ic airframe production, but you may be OK with where you have it until the Tojo IIa comes into play.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie

I decided to go straight for the A6M5 because it is the first Zero (Zeke I guess) with reasonable durability. The A6M3a is just not a big improvement IMO. I think my r&d is too concentrated and should have been spread out over more factories. I will try to tinker some more before I waste too many supplies, but some guidance as to how to undo the mess would be appreciated.

Hey Carl,

Can you post some screenies around Malaya/Borneo/PI and other areas of conflict? What's your initial game plan? And what was your opening move - did you go after Pearl Harbor with KB or did you slam Manila?

It's been a while since I've had a chance to play a PBEM so if you don't mind, I'd like to sit in the back and peek over your shoulder <grin>.

Best of luck - I look 4ward to watching your exploits!

TTFN,

Mike

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Looks like you've emphasized the research on most mid-war airframes of importance. A few recommendations:

1. I'd recommend looking at your B6N1 (secondary emphasis) and B6N2 (primary emphasis) research.
You've bumped up the D4Y1 research nicely, and you'll be wanting a replacment carrier TB for your aged B5N2 lines too-so recommend expediting the production / research on the Jills.

2. The B7A2 is dreamy, so some dedicated research there may be appropriate.

3. Since you're playing scenario 2, you get the Tojo IIa in June 1942. Nice. You may want to repurpose your research to other mid-later war fighter airframes in preference to such heavy research allotment to something that you'll get in 6 months.

In general, your IJAAF replacements look a little lean, but manageable. If you were playing scenario 1, I'd advise more Oscar Ic airframe production, but you may be OK with where you have it until the Tojo IIa comes into play.

Thanks for the tips. I'll take some time on the next turn and get something going along those lines.

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie

I decided to go straight for the A6M5 because it is the first Zero (Zeke I guess) with reasonable durability. The A6M3a is just not a big improvement IMO. I think my r&d is too concentrated and should have been spread out over more factories. I will try to tinker some more before I waste too many supplies, but some guidance as to how to undo the mess would be appreciated.

Hey Carl,

Can you post some screenies around Malaya/Borneo/PI and other areas of conflict? What's your initial game plan? And what was your opening move - did you go after Pearl Harbor with KB or did you slam Manila?

It's been a while since I've had a chance to play a PBEM so if you don't mind, I'd like to sit in the back and peek over your shoulder <grin>.

Best of luck - I look 4ward to watching your exploits!

TTFN,

Mike

Hi Mike

Nice to see you. I'll take some screenies next turn. I am a bit disorganised and went mostly with the pre-programmed start because I did not know what else to do! Dixie has an AAR from the good guys side that has been running from the start. That will give you the best insight as my poor memory is not up to a blow by blow recall and I can't read his AAR to refresh it!

My basic plan is to concentrate on getting the DEI/Malaya resources. I established a sub cordon on the route from Singers to Java and every ship I hit seemed to have troops on so I think Martin has been evacuating Singapore. I hope so as a long battle there can throw the JFB timetable. When I get a chance to post a screenie of the area you'll see that I am just looking to control the sea/air in the area to allow a "hail Mary" (I think that is what you septics call it anyway - more like a hairy Mary in this case...). I am very frustrated about how long it takes to move my forces down through Malaya. If I play the dark side again I will be programming Kuantan landings by about day 3 and Mersing landings from about day 5 once I have suppressed Singers. I will also be going for 2 day turns as one dayers piss me off...