Man, if i had your sub success with my own subs i wouldn´t turn off a single boat.....ok maybe the RO-boats,
but the others i would keep. I´m sure my sub commanders forgot how to press the fire-button already.
Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: A Long Month of Time, Part 3
ORIGINAL: seille
Man, if i had your sub success with my own subs i wouldn´t turn off a single boat.....ok maybe the RO-boats,
but the others i would keep. I´m sure my sub commanders forgot how to press the fire-button already.
They have done fairly well. Will Post updated SS Kill Sheet as well.
What I don't get is Allied Torps in this campaign. Did anyone just get the NORAD call of a Nuclear Detonation in La Salle, CO about 45 minutes ago? The event would be seeing SS Seadragon hit CVL Ryujo with a Torpedo and THEN shoot again getting a DUD (as should be) as well as a SECOND HIT! Am about to lose a perfectly good CVL due to not ONE but TWO working American SS Torpedos in May 1942. RANT is now somewhat finished...crappppppppp...
Need a drink right now!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: A Long Month of Time, Part 3
Don't worry John, Seille moans and groans at least once a week game time about Japanese ASW efforts as he sees his depth charges exploding "above" Allied subs. [:D] He dreads Jan 1st '43 as my dud rate will go down.
Your carriers need about 8 DDs to be an effective ASW force. How many were with CVL Ryujo?? Carriers get DDs first and then AO/TKs second.
Your carriers need about 8 DDs to be an effective ASW force. How many were with CVL Ryujo?? Carriers get DDs first and then AO/TKs second.
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RE: The TOJO!
Actually - haven't I been telling you guys that for years [;)]ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I would look for a minimum of 1500 HI surplus per day. I have close to 3000 HI surplus per day, but I am the teacher, so......[:D]
Per MichaelM, you should restrict each of your R&D factories to size 30.
My thoughts from the info I can see:
[*]I'd Halt 400 Armament Factories * 6 = 2400 HI points / day
[*]Increase Veh to 200 factories.
[*]Wow - you've got a hell of a lot of new Ind building (2466)- that's 2,466,000 supplies!
[*]Think about reducing your Merchant build too. Just the large, convertible and wanted, need apply.
[*]Not sure about the upgrade paths in this mod ... Minister Benoit might want to make some R&D suggestions about going along the path.
Cheers,
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: The TOJO!
Per Dr. Damian (honorary Ph.D. in Japanese economics 
), you might want to send me a turn John so I can look at your R&D efforts. I'll throw in the rest of your economy as a bonus. I think I will need you to have Paula send me some 'samples' from your latest 'culinary adventures' as payment. 
I might just send my latest turn as Japan (Jan 43) over to Damian to have him look things over (especially my Merchant Shipbuilding).
), you might want to send me a turn John so I can look at your R&D efforts. I'll throw in the rest of your economy as a bonus. I think I will need you to have Paula send me some 'samples' from your latest 'culinary adventures' as payment. I might just send my latest turn as Japan (Jan 43) over to Damian to have him look things over (especially my Merchant Shipbuilding).
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[/center]Industry
I'm very happy with my aircraft development right now.
Don't understand the new industry number. I am not building hardly a thing right now in that arena. Gonna have to look again and see.
Made about 50 pints of Apricot Jam yesterday. Great gifts for Christmas and parties...
Don't understand the new industry number. I am not building hardly a thing right now in that arena. Gonna have to look again and see.
Made about 50 pints of Apricot Jam yesterday. Great gifts for Christmas and parties...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Industry
Any news here ? Please don´t let us wait a full game month again [:'(]
RE: Industry
Roger that! Bill and I cruise along at 3 turns a day and it becomes quite easy to skip a couple of days between entries (creating two weeks of writing to do). OK. Entry coming...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Economy
After I Posted the large spread sheet I've watched the HI numbers steadily climb by about 1,500-1,800 points a day. Last turn sent was June 10, 1942 and it showed me at a 61,000 point surplus. Considering I had to pay the pilot costs for June 1st, this is an excellent number. I expect to see it continue climbing as the army is not hotly involved in anything at the moment. I've turned off roughly 50% of my armaments number.
Have been watching my shipyard production as well. In RA there is a BIG burst of warships due in mid-43. The 3 new Shokaku-Kai CVs and 2 Kawachi-Class BCs. LOVE NEW SHIPS! I build all of them. With Hiyo complete I have only the smaller Rhujo to finish for my 1942 carriers. Have put several SS on hold to keep my shipyards moving without issue. In this Mod we also have a FAR more efficient SS building program and I am starting to see its benefits. There are less subs being built but they are of same or better quality. This is good. My DD production is really humming along to right now. I've just gotten a pair of Moon-Class AA DDs with 8 more total DDs to be completed within the next 100 days. For a JFB this is a building extravaganza!
Airframes and engines are in OK shape. Considering I've lost nearly 800 planes on the ground in the Hawaiian Adventure this is somewhat surprising. Tojo production is good but I need to expand the Army Bombers more due to AA losses over Australia and Burma. The naval side is starting to improve as I have nearly 100 Kates and 75 Vals being built a month. I am expanding my engines rapidly and though this costs I am starting to see small surpluses in several types as we move into the summer of 1942.
MOD OBSERVATIONS:
1. The lowered starting Naval Pilot Experience has really shown in this game. I just did a turn for Lew's game (March 1943) where A-t-A sits at a 2.6 to 1 advantage for the Japanese. In this game it is much closer to 1 to 1.
2. Feel like I am spending time training pilots more then anything!
If I try the Hawaiian Adventure again I will take Hilo, Kona, AND Lihue at the same time. I truly think the problem here was not grabbing that 3rd Base to operate from while starting with only two small bases. By the time they were built up, Bill had time to decide to fight and could flatten them pretty easily. Adding more targets for his warships to hit as well as a quicker expansion might make a huge difference. MAYBE!
Have been watching my shipyard production as well. In RA there is a BIG burst of warships due in mid-43. The 3 new Shokaku-Kai CVs and 2 Kawachi-Class BCs. LOVE NEW SHIPS! I build all of them. With Hiyo complete I have only the smaller Rhujo to finish for my 1942 carriers. Have put several SS on hold to keep my shipyards moving without issue. In this Mod we also have a FAR more efficient SS building program and I am starting to see its benefits. There are less subs being built but they are of same or better quality. This is good. My DD production is really humming along to right now. I've just gotten a pair of Moon-Class AA DDs with 8 more total DDs to be completed within the next 100 days. For a JFB this is a building extravaganza!
Airframes and engines are in OK shape. Considering I've lost nearly 800 planes on the ground in the Hawaiian Adventure this is somewhat surprising. Tojo production is good but I need to expand the Army Bombers more due to AA losses over Australia and Burma. The naval side is starting to improve as I have nearly 100 Kates and 75 Vals being built a month. I am expanding my engines rapidly and though this costs I am starting to see small surpluses in several types as we move into the summer of 1942.
MOD OBSERVATIONS:
1. The lowered starting Naval Pilot Experience has really shown in this game. I just did a turn for Lew's game (March 1943) where A-t-A sits at a 2.6 to 1 advantage for the Japanese. In this game it is much closer to 1 to 1.
2. Feel like I am spending time training pilots more then anything!
If I try the Hawaiian Adventure again I will take Hilo, Kona, AND Lihue at the same time. I truly think the problem here was not grabbing that 3rd Base to operate from while starting with only two small bases. By the time they were built up, Bill had time to decide to fight and could flatten them pretty easily. Adding more targets for his warships to hit as well as a quicker expansion might make a huge difference. MAYBE!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Japanese Damage Control
Many Japanese players cry over the LOUSY/HORRIFIC Japanese Damage Control on their CVs and BBs. They are totally correct to fear a single TT or Bomb hit on any CV!
Let me share a recent experience:
On May 28th, CV Junyo and CV Ryujo were moving SE of Lunga to join-up with CarDiv1 near Noumea. In continuing with the tradition of OPERATIONAL US Torps in our game (no they aren't actually operational but they sure APPEAR to be) the USS Seadragon raises its periscope to find Ryujo right in its sights. A full spread of Torps are launched and ONE strikes my poor CV causing an Ammo storage explosion. CRAP! Since I'm only 2 hexes from Lunga I don't panic too much until in the next SS Phase the dratted Seadragon shots and HITS AGAIN with a Torp.
. A typically useless ASW attack follows each hit on the carrier.
Fully expecting it to sink I am shocked when the turn ends without the sickly sinking sound and note "CV Ryujo sinks" message. Dreading the numbers I open the new turn to see that the carrier is at 24 Sys--93 Flot--29 Eng. It is DEAD--RIGHT? The vast majority of you would probably scuttle the ship. I actually bring up the command but decide not to for a day.
The crippled CV moves one hex towards Port on the 29th. There is no change in number. OK. Don't scuttle. The carrier arrives and disbands in Lunga on 30th. The Port is Sz-2, however, I have a Naval HQ present so that helps some. Order two ARs to move to Lunga at this point.
The 31st sees Flotation IMPROVE by a point (still 92) and so I begin to keep a CV Ryujo watch. To shorten the story, it is now June 10th and the carrier sits at Sys 21--Flot 70--Eng 29. How about that??!! All System Damage can be repaired as well as Eng down to 19. There is every reason to hope for the survival of this precious CV. I have an ARD on its way to help as well.
The Captain is promoted to Vice Admiral and put in charge of Damage Control Training throughout the Kaigun. The Damage Control officer is pormoted to the rank of Captain and is writing a new, soon to be distributed throughout the Fleet, booklet on "Improved Japanese Damage Control." All Officers shall read it on pain of death...
How about that for a POSITIVE story on Japanese Damage Control?!!
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Let me share a recent experience:
On May 28th, CV Junyo and CV Ryujo were moving SE of Lunga to join-up with CarDiv1 near Noumea. In continuing with the tradition of OPERATIONAL US Torps in our game (no they aren't actually operational but they sure APPEAR to be) the USS Seadragon raises its periscope to find Ryujo right in its sights. A full spread of Torps are launched and ONE strikes my poor CV causing an Ammo storage explosion. CRAP! Since I'm only 2 hexes from Lunga I don't panic too much until in the next SS Phase the dratted Seadragon shots and HITS AGAIN with a Torp.
. A typically useless ASW attack follows each hit on the carrier. Fully expecting it to sink I am shocked when the turn ends without the sickly sinking sound and note "CV Ryujo sinks" message. Dreading the numbers I open the new turn to see that the carrier is at 24 Sys--93 Flot--29 Eng. It is DEAD--RIGHT? The vast majority of you would probably scuttle the ship. I actually bring up the command but decide not to for a day.
The crippled CV moves one hex towards Port on the 29th. There is no change in number. OK. Don't scuttle. The carrier arrives and disbands in Lunga on 30th. The Port is Sz-2, however, I have a Naval HQ present so that helps some. Order two ARs to move to Lunga at this point.
The 31st sees Flotation IMPROVE by a point (still 92) and so I begin to keep a CV Ryujo watch. To shorten the story, it is now June 10th and the carrier sits at Sys 21--Flot 70--Eng 29. How about that??!! All System Damage can be repaired as well as Eng down to 19. There is every reason to hope for the survival of this precious CV. I have an ARD on its way to help as well.
The Captain is promoted to Vice Admiral and put in charge of Damage Control Training throughout the Kaigun. The Damage Control officer is pormoted to the rank of Captain and is writing a new, soon to be distributed throughout the Fleet, booklet on "Improved Japanese Damage Control." All Officers shall read it on pain of death...
How about that for a POSITIVE story on Japanese Damage Control?!!
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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Japanese Damage Control
I've noticed that fire (and system damage) kills japanese ships. If there's no fire, badly damaged warships with good experience can survive. But if there's fires, ships are usually gone...
Imperial Update May 25--June 10,1942
Operational Report
May 25-June 10,1942
Operational focus has shifted from Hawaii to New Caledonia within this Pacific Campaign. The Japanese have managed to walk into a situation that COULD and SHOULD result in a massive victory that eluded us in Hawaii.
North Pacific
Not much to say. We have settled into a stalemate up here with Bill firmly dug-in at Umnak while I have everything to the west and some to the east of that base. Attu, Amchitka, and Adak are now pretty stout bases to operate from and use. In addition to that--since a certain player doesn't believe that I plan ahead and fortify my Rear Areas--I have made three bases in the Kuriles major fortresses. Right now Paramushiro Jima, Etorofu Jima, and that one in the middle (don't remember the name) all have lots of Engineers building up the bases and raising Forts to create a serious obstacle for any northward lunge by the Allies. Same notes describe Sakhalin and Northern Japan. Memories of Dan pervade my thinking up in this region!
Central Pacific
Wake, Midway, Marcus, Laysen, and Johnston are all at the 6,000 man limit with Forts climbing. The Marianas all have small engineer detachments digging as well. AF are already completed here and now I simply dig and begin to move Infantry and Supply into the bases. Marshalls are solid but need some work so they are next for priority movements.
The Line Islands are heavily supplied and well developed to. Don't have to move anything here right now. Will do some troops movements between the islands but they are solid and dangerous for any Allied move.
Operation West Wind
The evacuation of the Hawaiian Expeditionary Force was a total success with losses falling into the, more-or-less, acceptable range. In summary I brought in 50,000 supply and 3 Infantry Regiments (from China) to bolster the bases. In return the Japanese pulled out over 40,000 men. The list includes: the Imperial Guards Brigade, 2nd ID A--B, 2nd/3rd Air Flotilla, 6th Fleet HQ, 27th Electrical Engineers, 21st Air Flotilla, 92nd Base Force, 9th Air Fleet, and 144th Inf Reg. All that is left now are several small Con Bn, 4-5 Base Forces, and the 3 Inf Reg. Forts are Lvl-4 and there is plenty of supply to hold for several months.
Fighting here was fairly intense once Bill figured out what was happening. I had CarDiv 2 & 5 covering the shipping with their Zeros and pounding American SS with Vals and Kates. The peak of the operational battle occurred between May 27--May 29th with him throwing into the fighting everything at Pearl Harbor. Each day these attacking aircraft came up against a CAP of between 45-80 Zero protecting the AK--AP--BBs. In short the Japanese suffered damage to BB Yamato (Sys-31 and already heading home), BCs Hiei and Kirishima took slight damage, with 6 AKs--3 AP--1 PB--2 AKL lost. I celebrated the withdrawal of nearly 15 small convoys on the 28th and immediately began to cry on the 29th when I realized that I forgot to withdrawal BB Ise's TF. The poor BB was crushed under 31 hits and sank due to my own STUPIDITY! I hate cranking out turns fast and furious. This player can get sloppy when that happens and this is exactly that. That BB was lost due to my own incompetence! CRAP!!!
I emailed Bill and said I wanted to slowdown our afternoon turns due to this very reason. He understood because this was how he lost Enterprise early in the game. We had a good chat about the damagers of moving too fast when we have the opportunity to do so.
Aircraft losses are not bad during this time and Bill's were pretty terrible. I really mauled his SBDs, P-39, Devastators, and F4F.
With some degree of irony the troops I pulled out have already been unloaded and reloaded to move on to New Caledonia. I was quite surprised to see nearly all of those pulled unit at between 90-100% strength. Not too bad there. The CVs came home for about 5-6 days from R&R and are now raising HELL below Suva.
Part Two of the Update will be Posted after I play a turn that just arrived.
May 25-June 10,1942
Operational focus has shifted from Hawaii to New Caledonia within this Pacific Campaign. The Japanese have managed to walk into a situation that COULD and SHOULD result in a massive victory that eluded us in Hawaii.
North Pacific
Not much to say. We have settled into a stalemate up here with Bill firmly dug-in at Umnak while I have everything to the west and some to the east of that base. Attu, Amchitka, and Adak are now pretty stout bases to operate from and use. In addition to that--since a certain player doesn't believe that I plan ahead and fortify my Rear Areas--I have made three bases in the Kuriles major fortresses. Right now Paramushiro Jima, Etorofu Jima, and that one in the middle (don't remember the name) all have lots of Engineers building up the bases and raising Forts to create a serious obstacle for any northward lunge by the Allies. Same notes describe Sakhalin and Northern Japan. Memories of Dan pervade my thinking up in this region!
Central Pacific
Wake, Midway, Marcus, Laysen, and Johnston are all at the 6,000 man limit with Forts climbing. The Marianas all have small engineer detachments digging as well. AF are already completed here and now I simply dig and begin to move Infantry and Supply into the bases. Marshalls are solid but need some work so they are next for priority movements.
The Line Islands are heavily supplied and well developed to. Don't have to move anything here right now. Will do some troops movements between the islands but they are solid and dangerous for any Allied move.
Operation West Wind
The evacuation of the Hawaiian Expeditionary Force was a total success with losses falling into the, more-or-less, acceptable range. In summary I brought in 50,000 supply and 3 Infantry Regiments (from China) to bolster the bases. In return the Japanese pulled out over 40,000 men. The list includes: the Imperial Guards Brigade, 2nd ID A--B, 2nd/3rd Air Flotilla, 6th Fleet HQ, 27th Electrical Engineers, 21st Air Flotilla, 92nd Base Force, 9th Air Fleet, and 144th Inf Reg. All that is left now are several small Con Bn, 4-5 Base Forces, and the 3 Inf Reg. Forts are Lvl-4 and there is plenty of supply to hold for several months.
Fighting here was fairly intense once Bill figured out what was happening. I had CarDiv 2 & 5 covering the shipping with their Zeros and pounding American SS with Vals and Kates. The peak of the operational battle occurred between May 27--May 29th with him throwing into the fighting everything at Pearl Harbor. Each day these attacking aircraft came up against a CAP of between 45-80 Zero protecting the AK--AP--BBs. In short the Japanese suffered damage to BB Yamato (Sys-31 and already heading home), BCs Hiei and Kirishima took slight damage, with 6 AKs--3 AP--1 PB--2 AKL lost. I celebrated the withdrawal of nearly 15 small convoys on the 28th and immediately began to cry on the 29th when I realized that I forgot to withdrawal BB Ise's TF. The poor BB was crushed under 31 hits and sank due to my own STUPIDITY! I hate cranking out turns fast and furious. This player can get sloppy when that happens and this is exactly that. That BB was lost due to my own incompetence! CRAP!!!
I emailed Bill and said I wanted to slowdown our afternoon turns due to this very reason. He understood because this was how he lost Enterprise early in the game. We had a good chat about the damagers of moving too fast when we have the opportunity to do so.
Aircraft losses are not bad during this time and Bill's were pretty terrible. I really mauled his SBDs, P-39, Devastators, and F4F.
With some degree of irony the troops I pulled out have already been unloaded and reloaded to move on to New Caledonia. I was quite surprised to see nearly all of those pulled unit at between 90-100% strength. Not too bad there. The CVs came home for about 5-6 days from R&R and are now raising HELL below Suva.
Part Two of the Update will be Posted after I play a turn that just arrived.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Japanese Damage Control
ORIGINAL: Puhis
I've noticed that fire (and system damage) kills japanese ships. If there's no fire, badly damaged warships with good experience can survive. But if there's fires, ships are usually gone...
Excellent points Puhis. I completely agree.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Late-May 42 Update, Part Two
Operational Update
May 25--June 10, 1942
The email 'ding' was just a piece of junk mail so back to the war and the new focused upon area.
When CarDiv 1 hit Brisbane a little while ago I had noticed how poorly secured eastern Australia is. As eluded to earlier, I had decided to launch a diversionary assault into NE Aussieland. Since I've mauled 4 Aussie ID in NW Australia I felt this might be a pretty good gamble, however, a new target presented itself: New Caledonia.
For the last week of May I was doing recon from Luganville and saw a decent number of units in Noumea. My curiousity began to be peaked as I saw few units in Koumac and La Foa. Operational thinking began to evolve since I had 3 1/2 ID present in Rabaul with another 2 Inf Div on the way to Lunga. With 4 CVs present I ordered Junyo and Ryujo to leave Christmas Island and link-up with Akagi, Kaga, Zuiho, and Shoho. In the midst of this CV Hiyo was completed at home so I ordered her to move to Lunga. Additionally 3 damaged BBs from Hawaii were getting completed at Home and so they were available as well. Deciding--somewhat rashly--to take a chance I order the concentration and organize invasion TF. Biggest problem is a lack of preparation by my troops. Taking the risk I order invasions of Koumac (1 1/2 ID) and La Foa (2 ID).
My troops land (with BB Support and CV Cover) at Koumac on June 2nd. They encounter a Combat Command of the 41st US ID. The La Foa Landing hits the beaches on the 4th. My BBs and CAs pound Koumac and Noumea. Since Luganville's AF is Sz-5 I fly Betty/Nell/Sally sorties from here to hit the AFs listed above. It dawns on me that this is the reverse of Hawaii where I have multiple developed bases in the area, can bombard his AF, and bring massive firepower to bear on targets wherever I choose to. This looks TASTY! As a rude surprise (but an even bigger opportunity) my troops encounter THREE Inf Div present on the island! The Army 41st ID. 27th ID and two Marine Regiments are located here. BANZAI BABY!
Seeing opportunity and knowing I can destroy these troops brings about the realization that I need to be patient and prep my troops, organize things better and bring a HAMMER to the party. Reason for this is that in dividing my initial landings I allowed my troops to get bogged down without sufficient strength to take either base. Stupid on my part and but quickly recognized. The order rings out to lift those troops up off the bases and head for Luganville. Everyone reaches Luganville on the 9th and will spend some time recovering as we wait for the Sendai ID to arrive from Hawaii as well as the 68th ID (formerly China) to join the party. The plan is now to land ALL 7 ID at Koumac and then drive the enemy into the sea. Planning on a July 1st Landing.
I want to destroy 3 US Infantry Divisions! Wouldn't that hurt??!!
In conjunction with this the need arises for more bases closer to New Caledonia so I grab Mare Island and Tanna Island. Engineers are already deploying to rapidly build up these AF. I've got 2 Air Flotilla and 3 large Base Force from Christmas on the way.
The KB-1 is now sweeping the area. CarDiv1 (Akagi-Kaga), CarDiv3 (Zuiho-Shoho), CarDiv4 (Junyo-Hiyo) are moving south and sank several AK--AP around Norfolk Island. He is trying to turn that into a base. It already has AF-1 so I need to deal with that pretty quickly to sever the air bridge. KB-2 CarDiv2 (Hiryu-Soryu) and CarDiv5 (Shokaku-Zuikaku) are south of Suva and have sunk sevel AK and two DDs just south of Pago Pago. It is hoped that KB-1 will drive the Allied shipping south right into the eager aviators of KB-2.
Unlike Hawaii fuel is not a major concern here. I have 5 AOs moving back-and-forth from Rabaul while a convoy of TK are right now unloading 65,000 fuel at Luganville. Am working to expand Luganville's Port ASAP.
May 25--June 10, 1942
The email 'ding' was just a piece of junk mail so back to the war and the new focused upon area.
When CarDiv 1 hit Brisbane a little while ago I had noticed how poorly secured eastern Australia is. As eluded to earlier, I had decided to launch a diversionary assault into NE Aussieland. Since I've mauled 4 Aussie ID in NW Australia I felt this might be a pretty good gamble, however, a new target presented itself: New Caledonia.
For the last week of May I was doing recon from Luganville and saw a decent number of units in Noumea. My curiousity began to be peaked as I saw few units in Koumac and La Foa. Operational thinking began to evolve since I had 3 1/2 ID present in Rabaul with another 2 Inf Div on the way to Lunga. With 4 CVs present I ordered Junyo and Ryujo to leave Christmas Island and link-up with Akagi, Kaga, Zuiho, and Shoho. In the midst of this CV Hiyo was completed at home so I ordered her to move to Lunga. Additionally 3 damaged BBs from Hawaii were getting completed at Home and so they were available as well. Deciding--somewhat rashly--to take a chance I order the concentration and organize invasion TF. Biggest problem is a lack of preparation by my troops. Taking the risk I order invasions of Koumac (1 1/2 ID) and La Foa (2 ID).
My troops land (with BB Support and CV Cover) at Koumac on June 2nd. They encounter a Combat Command of the 41st US ID. The La Foa Landing hits the beaches on the 4th. My BBs and CAs pound Koumac and Noumea. Since Luganville's AF is Sz-5 I fly Betty/Nell/Sally sorties from here to hit the AFs listed above. It dawns on me that this is the reverse of Hawaii where I have multiple developed bases in the area, can bombard his AF, and bring massive firepower to bear on targets wherever I choose to. This looks TASTY! As a rude surprise (but an even bigger opportunity) my troops encounter THREE Inf Div present on the island! The Army 41st ID. 27th ID and two Marine Regiments are located here. BANZAI BABY!
Seeing opportunity and knowing I can destroy these troops brings about the realization that I need to be patient and prep my troops, organize things better and bring a HAMMER to the party. Reason for this is that in dividing my initial landings I allowed my troops to get bogged down without sufficient strength to take either base. Stupid on my part and but quickly recognized. The order rings out to lift those troops up off the bases and head for Luganville. Everyone reaches Luganville on the 9th and will spend some time recovering as we wait for the Sendai ID to arrive from Hawaii as well as the 68th ID (formerly China) to join the party. The plan is now to land ALL 7 ID at Koumac and then drive the enemy into the sea. Planning on a July 1st Landing.
I want to destroy 3 US Infantry Divisions! Wouldn't that hurt??!!
In conjunction with this the need arises for more bases closer to New Caledonia so I grab Mare Island and Tanna Island. Engineers are already deploying to rapidly build up these AF. I've got 2 Air Flotilla and 3 large Base Force from Christmas on the way.
The KB-1 is now sweeping the area. CarDiv1 (Akagi-Kaga), CarDiv3 (Zuiho-Shoho), CarDiv4 (Junyo-Hiyo) are moving south and sank several AK--AP around Norfolk Island. He is trying to turn that into a base. It already has AF-1 so I need to deal with that pretty quickly to sever the air bridge. KB-2 CarDiv2 (Hiryu-Soryu) and CarDiv5 (Shokaku-Zuikaku) are south of Suva and have sunk sevel AK and two DDs just south of Pago Pago. It is hoped that KB-1 will drive the Allied shipping south right into the eager aviators of KB-2.
Unlike Hawaii fuel is not a major concern here. I have 5 AOs moving back-and-forth from Rabaul while a convoy of TK are right now unloading 65,000 fuel at Luganville. Am working to expand Luganville's Port ASAP.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The Horror, The Horror
Kido Butai
June 11, 1942
The massacre begins early in the morning when the sun rises upon the 6 Flattops of KB-1. There are 23 warships bound together in this powerful TF and Carrier Operations begin almost immediately. Round-the-clock launches and landings occur throughout the day as the Japanese Sea Eagles get to take shots at every Japanese SOLDIER'S dream. Tightly packed Allied troopships AT SEA!
The day begins with the large APs President Tyler and St. Mihel being sunk by 23 Vals at Norfolk Island. The defending 11 P-39s are crushed by 35 Zeros.
Major strikes are then launched throughout the day at a large troop convoy to the west of the carriers: 44 Z and 68 Val, 10 Zero and 27 Kate, and 26 Kate CRUSH 1 AK and 6 AP with thousands of Allied troops being thrown into the sea and becoming sharkbait.
At the edge of strike range several AKLs are sunk to the SSW of the TF. More are spotted beyond those ships...
Total for the day is 8 AP, 1 AK, and 3 AKLs. All were carrying troops.
The Combat Report noted the loss of over 7,000 troops. Totals: 701 Squads, 377 Guns, and 292 Vehicles.
NO Sea Eagles were lost during the action!
BANZAI!
The Carriers split with CarDiv1 and Zuiho moving due west towards Australia and CarDiv4 and Shoho moving SSW. Coming in from the east are CarDiv2 and CarDiv5 who will hunt as well!
June 11, 1942
The massacre begins early in the morning when the sun rises upon the 6 Flattops of KB-1. There are 23 warships bound together in this powerful TF and Carrier Operations begin almost immediately. Round-the-clock launches and landings occur throughout the day as the Japanese Sea Eagles get to take shots at every Japanese SOLDIER'S dream. Tightly packed Allied troopships AT SEA!
The day begins with the large APs President Tyler and St. Mihel being sunk by 23 Vals at Norfolk Island. The defending 11 P-39s are crushed by 35 Zeros.
Major strikes are then launched throughout the day at a large troop convoy to the west of the carriers: 44 Z and 68 Val, 10 Zero and 27 Kate, and 26 Kate CRUSH 1 AK and 6 AP with thousands of Allied troops being thrown into the sea and becoming sharkbait.
At the edge of strike range several AKLs are sunk to the SSW of the TF. More are spotted beyond those ships...
Total for the day is 8 AP, 1 AK, and 3 AKLs. All were carrying troops.
The Combat Report noted the loss of over 7,000 troops. Totals: 701 Squads, 377 Guns, and 292 Vehicles.
NO Sea Eagles were lost during the action!
BANZAI!
The Carriers split with CarDiv1 and Zuiho moving due west towards Australia and CarDiv4 and Shoho moving SSW. Coming in from the east are CarDiv2 and CarDiv5 who will hunt as well!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: The Horror, The Horror
BANZAI!
Will provide details in a few minutes...
Will provide details in a few minutes...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Australia: Land of Opportunity
Operational Report
Australia: Tennant Creek
May 25-June 18, 1942
This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi and will soon see the end of the Rebellion.
The road to Tennant Creek has been a long and difficult path. If one recalls from the very beginning of the war, my goal was to take NW Australia and attempt to deal a smashing blow to the Australian Army. Bill has told me that he wasn't sure if wanted to fight in this area. When I landed troops at Broome, Whyndham, through to Port Hedlund, his forces were moving southwards towards Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Once he saw how small my force was (just 2 ID) he decided to engage the Japanese. This led me to add another ID, 2 Inf Reg, and 5 Tk Regiments to the assault. Thank goodness for the Japanese tanks because this campaign became a war of movement and flanking. As he turned to fight I realized there was an excellent opportunity to beat-up his units using LBA. Fully 200 bombers and 100 fighters (plus 100 Transports) moved into the area and began pounding his formations.
The battle moved southwards past Katherine to Daly Waters, where he ably escaped being encircled, and finally to the area north of Tennant Creek. A body blow was administered there when the Japanese managed to force a retreat by the 1st-4th Aussie ID causing 10,000 casualties and the loss of much equipment. With trepidation I moved towards Tennant Creek knowing that my supply line would grow longer and longer. This really reminded me of North Africa. To try and help, as well as keep aircover over my boys, I commenced nearly 100 Troop Transports at Darwin to fly in supply to Daly Waters. This allowed me to keep supplies moving southwards and build the AF up to 3. My fighters moved in there to provide LR CAP and the bombing campaign kept up everyday. As could be expected his LBA began to make its presence known as B-17, Hudson, and B-26 began to appear in more and more numbers.
To provide a distraction a Tk Regiment and Inf Reg was split off and send overland to threaten Normanton. I hoped to draw off LBA and troops by moving in this direction.
There appeared to be little hope of actually taking Tennant Creek so I sent the 5th ID to Rabaul where it is now getting ready to land in New Caledonia. This was a pivotal move because I knew I couldn't supply the ID and didn't think Tennant was possible to grab.
About June 1st the army arrived at Tennant and began a seige. LR CAP kept hurting his Transports flying into the AF and my bombers beat the crap out of his troops. Though AA was terrible (lost a LOT of Bombers!) my pilots were destroying or disabling 300-400 troops a day. Thuogh he had nearly 40 units present they were a mess and barely getting supplies. Interestingly he split his 4 Aussie ID into Combat Commands. I REALLY think this doesn't help at all but he close to do it. The same has been seen in New Caledonia. (PLEASE no one mention this to him since New Caledonia is my next major target!) I would attack, rest 2-3 days, then attack, etc... I waited for the 16th Army HQ to arrive and then began attacks. Forts started at 2 and I dropped them to 0 without too much difficulty. While his planes were hurting me some, the distraction moving towards Normanton managed to pull away at least 50% of his bombing strength while the issue sat in balance at Tennant Creek.
The attack on the 16th caused a good amount of disruption on the Allied side and boys looked pretty good so I decided to bombard of the 17th, and throw the dice and launch a Shock Attack on the 18th. If it failed I planned to retreat with my troops.
IT DID NOT!
June 18, 1942
Japanese Shock Attack: 2---1 Result (1048 to 435), Defender Forced to Retreat---32 UNITS!!!
Losses:
Japan--921 Cas with 73 Vehicles damaged/destroyed
Aust/US--7,345 Cas (233 Squads, 1402 Non-Combat, 124 Engineer: 1759 SQUADS GONE!!! [X(]), 742 Guns lost, and, GET THIS, 997 Vehicles Destroyed
HOLY CRAP! Banzai! BANzai!! BANZAI!!!
The Australian Army is out of it until 1943. Congrats to those Japanese Veterans of the Campaign. Sake all the way around to the flyboys, footsloggers, and tankers.
What do I do now? We're gonna celebrate for a day or two gamewise before new orders are given. Thoughts anyone?
Australia: Tennant Creek
May 25-June 18, 1942
This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi and will soon see the end of the Rebellion.
The road to Tennant Creek has been a long and difficult path. If one recalls from the very beginning of the war, my goal was to take NW Australia and attempt to deal a smashing blow to the Australian Army. Bill has told me that he wasn't sure if wanted to fight in this area. When I landed troops at Broome, Whyndham, through to Port Hedlund, his forces were moving southwards towards Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Once he saw how small my force was (just 2 ID) he decided to engage the Japanese. This led me to add another ID, 2 Inf Reg, and 5 Tk Regiments to the assault. Thank goodness for the Japanese tanks because this campaign became a war of movement and flanking. As he turned to fight I realized there was an excellent opportunity to beat-up his units using LBA. Fully 200 bombers and 100 fighters (plus 100 Transports) moved into the area and began pounding his formations.
The battle moved southwards past Katherine to Daly Waters, where he ably escaped being encircled, and finally to the area north of Tennant Creek. A body blow was administered there when the Japanese managed to force a retreat by the 1st-4th Aussie ID causing 10,000 casualties and the loss of much equipment. With trepidation I moved towards Tennant Creek knowing that my supply line would grow longer and longer. This really reminded me of North Africa. To try and help, as well as keep aircover over my boys, I commenced nearly 100 Troop Transports at Darwin to fly in supply to Daly Waters. This allowed me to keep supplies moving southwards and build the AF up to 3. My fighters moved in there to provide LR CAP and the bombing campaign kept up everyday. As could be expected his LBA began to make its presence known as B-17, Hudson, and B-26 began to appear in more and more numbers.
To provide a distraction a Tk Regiment and Inf Reg was split off and send overland to threaten Normanton. I hoped to draw off LBA and troops by moving in this direction.
There appeared to be little hope of actually taking Tennant Creek so I sent the 5th ID to Rabaul where it is now getting ready to land in New Caledonia. This was a pivotal move because I knew I couldn't supply the ID and didn't think Tennant was possible to grab.
About June 1st the army arrived at Tennant and began a seige. LR CAP kept hurting his Transports flying into the AF and my bombers beat the crap out of his troops. Though AA was terrible (lost a LOT of Bombers!) my pilots were destroying or disabling 300-400 troops a day. Thuogh he had nearly 40 units present they were a mess and barely getting supplies. Interestingly he split his 4 Aussie ID into Combat Commands. I REALLY think this doesn't help at all but he close to do it. The same has been seen in New Caledonia. (PLEASE no one mention this to him since New Caledonia is my next major target!) I would attack, rest 2-3 days, then attack, etc... I waited for the 16th Army HQ to arrive and then began attacks. Forts started at 2 and I dropped them to 0 without too much difficulty. While his planes were hurting me some, the distraction moving towards Normanton managed to pull away at least 50% of his bombing strength while the issue sat in balance at Tennant Creek.
The attack on the 16th caused a good amount of disruption on the Allied side and boys looked pretty good so I decided to bombard of the 17th, and throw the dice and launch a Shock Attack on the 18th. If it failed I planned to retreat with my troops.
IT DID NOT!
June 18, 1942
Japanese Shock Attack: 2---1 Result (1048 to 435), Defender Forced to Retreat---32 UNITS!!!
Losses:
Japan--921 Cas with 73 Vehicles damaged/destroyed
Aust/US--7,345 Cas (233 Squads, 1402 Non-Combat, 124 Engineer: 1759 SQUADS GONE!!! [X(]), 742 Guns lost, and, GET THIS, 997 Vehicles Destroyed
HOLY CRAP! Banzai! BANzai!! BANZAI!!!
The Australian Army is out of it until 1943. Congrats to those Japanese Veterans of the Campaign. Sake all the way around to the flyboys, footsloggers, and tankers.
What do I do now? We're gonna celebrate for a day or two gamewise before new orders are given. Thoughts anyone?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Australia: Land of Opportunity
Oh, my. How many Aussie divisions were forced to retreat? This may open up the possibility to seize both Perth and NE Oz, delaying greatly the enemy counterattack.
Australia: Land of Opportunity
Here are the units that were forced to retreat:
- Attachments
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- 618Victory.jpg (157.26 KiB) Viewed 326 times
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: Australia: Land of Opportunity
Ouch, looks like the bulk of 3 big Divisions plus armor. I would first follow up and try to force a second retreat, then consider what this means for Oz generally.