BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

Viberpool asked me to take a look at the following thread on the tech Forum: Database upgrade TOE vs devices/scen 2

The questions were related to problems with crucial Japanese devices (type 95 tank not upgrading into Type 98, 88 mm AA, wrong antisoft value etc. no radar upgrade for many sound detectors of base forces etc.).

I read a bit and forwarded the questions to Andy that promptly replied with the following:

"The 88mm issue is not applicable to our game as the device was added after the data patch and our game started before that so it is fixed in post patch 3 games bt there were always some weird issues with upgrading save games in mid game.

It is not a direct upgrade for the 75mm gun as only selected AA regiments get them so it is not a device that goes into most units - there are only about a dozen Japanese Regts and Bns due to get them that is a deliberate OOB decision made by the Japanese ORBAT guys - this device was also added in patch 3 to correct an omission.

The Radar is an error you would need to check how many of your aviation Bns are still using sound detectors it may be possible to fix that one via a database update in game if you want to try.
Re tanks etc that was a bug that affected both sides I had a pool full of Matildas and no Grants in the pools for over a year at the same time you were facing your tank issue. This was fixed in code I believe."

He then sent 2 OOB files with the following comments:

"I attach a revised device file use the database update to adjust it
It includes the type 95 and radar sound detector issue.

As the 75mm was never intended to upgrade to the 88mm I have not included it.

- Ps looked into it the type 2/98/95 issue is deliberate - only 134 2/98's were produced and the game assumes they go to the few units that use that type so this is not a bug in fact it’s a deliberate design choice that the type 95 was the standard jap tank in99% of formations throughout the war."

Just in case the device level update doesn’t work I have added a further upgrade to the TOE of the JAAF Bns to change on 1st April 44 so if all elese fails this should pick it up
Just stick this and the device file I sent last night into your Scen file overwriting the existing scen 2 files and when you load the turn accept the database changes.

Make sure to do a before and after check on industry stockpiles via tracker"

This is great, thx Andy! [&o]
So I duly made a industry stockpile check in tracker, see below.

I got loads of base force untis with sound detectors without upgrade paths.
Would be great if this could be fixed.

Industry Review

Supply levels go down ~100k each month; this means we'll be broke in 27 months...just around when the war is supposed to end!
Need to find a way to reduce supply waste and a way to stockpile more.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

This is great, thx Andy! [&o]

Andy is one helluva good guy. Fixing the radar is a big one for you. Those SD's are pretty useless.

[PzB74]

Indeed, and I have a lot of the useless sort...way 2 many!
Going through the different units some are immediately upgradable while others (Army type) are 80 days due.
As I understand this is the type 1943 which should already have been upgraded.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 26, 44

Sub Attacks

This was a mining mission...dangerous as well.

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 14, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Laffey
DD Frazier

SS RO-101 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Laffey
RO-101 bottoming out ....
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Bombardments even with spotters and heavy cruisers have no effect.

Night Naval bombardment of Buna at 99,129

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
DD Hayate
DD Asakaze
DD Mutsuki

CL Kitakami firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Hayate firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Asakaze firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Mutsuki firing at Americal Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Buna at 99,129

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CL Isuzu
DD Oboro
DD Shikinami

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Suzuya
CA Suzuya firing at Americal Infantry Division
CL Isuzu firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Oboro firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Shikinami firing at Americal Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Found and intercepted a small auto convoy me thinks.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Enderbury Island at 159,136, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Tenryu

Allied Ships
xAK Jalagopal, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
PF Bisbee, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Buna is pummeled again!
Our air raids against Merauke doesn't materialize.


Morning Air attack on 6th JNAF AF Unit , at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 7
PV-1 Ventura x 22
B-25D1 Mitchell x 19
B-25G Mitchell x 6
B-25H Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Mitchell II bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 55th Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 6th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 15th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 6th JNAF AF Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna , at 99,129
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 35
B-25G Mitchell x 3
P-38J Lightning x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Merauke is quiet; our reinforcements have been airlifted in - how long can we stall?
Buna holds, but our casualties are not sustainable in the long run. We need to disrupt the Americal!

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2022 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134
Defending force 9991 troops, 155 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Raiding Rgt /1
13th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
4th Australian Division
10 RAAF Base Force
10th RAAF M/W Sqn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10271 troops, 211 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 358
Defending force 5584 troops, 58 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Allied adjusted assault: 66
Japanese adjusted defense: 213

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
913 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
257 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
6th JNAF AF Unit
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
15th AA Regiment
11th JAAF Base Force /1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upgradable aviation bns

[viberpol]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Viberpol asked me to take a look at the following thread on the tech Forum: Database upgrade TOE vs devices/scen 2

I read a bit and forwarded the questions to Andy that promptly replied with the following:

"The 88mm issue is not applicable to our game as the device was added after the data patch and our game started before that so it is fixed in post patch 3 games bt there were always some weird issues with upgrading save games in mid game.
It is not a direct upgrade for the 75mm gun as only selected AA regiments get them so it is not a device that goes into most units - there are only about a dozen Japanese Regts and Bns due to get them

John, there's more than just a handful of those AA units upgradable.
Actually, it's not even an upgrade per se. It's a standard TOE in many cases!
In many my AA units, if you click view current TOE, you'll see those 88 mm guns should be the standard equipment. Those units has 75 mm now and only upgrade with 120 mm later on.
Check it out and take a closer look at your AAs! You can benefit from it, because 88 mm is quite a powerful weapon...
I wonder if one can use it's anti armor value when fighting Allied tanks. [:)]

Ps looked into it the type 2/98/95 issue is deliberate - only 134 2/98's were produced and the game assumes they go to the few units that use that type so this is not a bug in fact it’s a deliberate design choice that the type 95 was the standard jap tank in99% of formations throughout the war.

Well, I think I understand the idea, but cannot agree with this logic.
Again, I am not an expert and please do not kill me for using Wiki, but it says:

The Type 98 light tank Ke-Ni (九八式軽戦車 ケニ Kyuhachi-shiki keisensha Ke-Ni?) (also known as Type 98 Chi-Ni[1]) was designed to replace the Imperial Japanese Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, Japan's most numerous armored fighting vehicle during World War II.

I'll repeat my arguments. Why are we stuck with mediocre Type 95 if we have full contingents of equally rare Type 3?
Maybe the availability day of Type 98 (an upgrade from Type 95) should be changed for... say 01.43 (not 12.41 as it is now)? Or, as suggested, maybe a new real Type 4 Ke-Nu should be introduced (also about 100 built and foreseen as a real successor of Type 95).

BTW: Tell, me how many Type 98 tanks you have in your scenario???
In my game its... 0 [:(]

So why introduce the data of a tank that's not used in newer units, nor there's a path leading towards it? [&:]

He then sent 2 OOB files with the following comments:
I attach a revised device file use the database update to adjust it
It includes the type 95 and radar sound detector issue.

Erm... Do I understand it right, that you're a lucky guy that can have an unofficial data change in an ongoing PBEM?
I want it too! [;)]

The Radar is an error you would need to check how many of your aviation Bns are still using sound detectors it may be possible to fix that one via a database update in game if you want to try.

It's weird that nobody noticed that before, as this one is quite serious.
That's device no. 1467. In my game in march '44 about 95 units uses the useless crap instead of radar.

[pauk]

It's weird that nobody noticed that before, as this one is quite serious.
That's device no. 1467. In my game in march '44 about 95 units uses the useless crap instead of radar.

Since it is Jap's problem/error, its not important. You should learn that already [:'(]
[;)]

As long as we have all Allied weapons, ships, bombs etc etc incorporated in the game, there is no reason for panicking. (i heard that new patch will implement):







swagger stick should be included in TOE in all British and Commonwealth units, giving +10 morale and +3 soft attacks during assaults.


Keep the good work PzB. As you may see, sweeping over enemy bases is not an best idea. You are losing more pilots than Andy in that way. I know that keeping Rangoon under pressure will buy some time for you, but you should attack in numbers there. And both from the air and sea, at the same time.

[PzB74]

Swagger stick is a deadly weapon and we shouldn't talk about it loudly unless we want Jap Samurai's to be spanked Pauk-San [;)]

It's a bit of testing with Rangoon right now; I'm still doing tests with range to targets, altitude settings and sweep composition.
By sending in low value Oscar fighters together with Franks and George's these usually take the hits. But in general, yes - sweeps are rather expensive but sometimes you need them to get your
army bombers through.

I'm currently rebuilding my Army bomber units - production of Helen IIb has been increased, the first Peggy units are coming into operational use and in a week we start producing the Peggy bomber
that can carry torpedoes [:)]

Hopefully we will have something to look forward to in the last 12 months of the game....

I also thought about whether 3 heavy cruisers would be able to hurt Rangoon in a bombardment role; the questions came quite quickly - NO!
So instead I will try to sweep the rabble in Rangoon harbour; there are 4-5 destroyers, a large LCT convoy, MTBs, mine sweepers and a LST convoy with DD escort.
Next turn I send in 3 task forces; 1 a small force of 2 low value destroyers go in first with low threat tolerance. This to detect and disrupt. Then a crack heavy cruiser with 5 new Shimakaze destroyers go in
followed by 2 heavy cruisers escorted by 4 standard fleet destroyers. This is the best cleansweep remedy I could come up with.

There are some general policies that are difficult to do much about Viber!
I'm more of a qualitative then a quantitative guy and lobbying the number cruncher forums isn't my cup of fun! [;)]
- This would include both the 75-88 mm AA gun and Type 95 - Type 98 tank issues. I do think the Type 98 tank should become available as a standard upgrade tank together with the Type 4 since Scen 2 goes on
well into 46.....fighting with paper tanks then won't be a lot of fun.

We just have to live with the fact that some upgrades and changes will not be made available to older games started years ago.

Regarding the sound detectors; won't it be possible to do a manual update in all ongoing games?
I could share the files Andy sent me, but not sure that would work. Finding a hot fix solution for this sounds reasonable though since a Jap aviation BN becomes far more potent with the last upgrades.

[PzB74]

Before I get to the last turn's exciting events I would like to say that the manual tweaks Andy is trying to implement for this AAR game are still in progress.
Whether this can later be used for other players is uncertain, so please consider this as general testing and not favorable treatment of this game in particular.
I brought up these issues with Andy because I received questions I couldn't answer myself.

As mentioned I'm generally content with the original OOBs since we're playing an old stock Scen 2 game.
It's basically Andy's generous effort to look into these issues that brought us here - and of course this is not any official upgrades or changes.

I've not completed the next turn, have to get back to house chores...but had to have a look at the combat replay which turned out to be a long one!

Firstly: sent in a large Frank unit to sweep Pegu - range was only 4-5 hexes and the unit was large (size 46).
A fragment (4 ac went in alone first) and got shot up. The larger unit went in later and also got shot up by a smaller numbe of enemy CAP fighters.
- So I'm putting the sweep testing on hold for now.

Our efforts to clean Rangoon harbour succeeded, but it took one helluva effort!
My tactice of sending in a low threat tolerance TF of 2 small destroyers paid of; they engaged the 5 Fletchers, drew of their torps and escaped unscatched.

Our 2 main task forces then fought a dozen battles to complete the destruction of the Flecthers.
In the end all were sunk but they fought a tremendous battle and together with the PT boats we suffered damage to 2 heavy cruisers and a destroyers but didn't loose anything.
You can read for yourself below!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 27, 44

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1
DD Kyukaze

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton
DD Guest
DD Isherwood
DD Sproston

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi
DD Kyukaze

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton
DD Guest
DD Isherwood, Shell hits 1
DD Sproston

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 10% moonlight: 6,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
DD Arikaze
DD Takakaze
DD Hikokaze, Shell hits 3
DD Susukaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton
DD Guest, Shell hits 1
DD Isherwood
DD Sproston, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 10% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 1
DD Caperton
DD Guest, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isherwood, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 10% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
DD Arikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Takakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hikokaze
DD Susukaze
DD Ishikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 1
DD Caperton
DD Guest, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 5,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
DD Arikaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Takakaze
DD Hikokaze
DD Susukaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Caperton, Shell hits 3, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 5,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Caperton, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 6,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 1, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
PT-133, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-134
PT-313, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
PT-314
PT-315
PT-382
PT-383
PT-493



Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, on fire
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
PT-134, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT-314
PT-315
PT-382, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT-383, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-493

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Task forces break off...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, on fire
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
PT-549
PT-550
PT-551, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, on fire
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
PT-549
PT-550, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 17% moonlight: 1,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
DD Charrette, Shell hits 1
DD Kidd
xAK Eastern City, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Shahzada, Shell hits 1, on fire
LST 8, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I ordered low quality Oscars to escort our naval bombers near Rangoon as I was afraid leaky CAP would protect the Allied ships
after we drove them out of Rangoon harbour. In order for the Oscars to follow our low level Helen they had to use the same low altitude as the bombers
and this caused very heavy losses.

Still, we finished of most of the juicy targets.
Andy will have to find new warships to protect his Rangoon convoys now.

Morning Air attack on Americal Infantry Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 8
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 52,54
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 46
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 17 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Eastern City, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Shahzada, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 41
B-24J Liberator x 92
PV-1 Ventura x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 37

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 52,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 62

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Kidd
DD Charrette

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
19 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar strafing at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 52,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 1,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 44
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 6 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Kidd, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LST 8, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Charrette

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
16 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar strafing at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 16th Garrison Unit , at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 7
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
B-25G Mitchell x 6
B-25H Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 55th Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 55th Mountain Gun Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 16th Garrison Unit , at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20
B-17F Fortress x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Buna airfields are closed so I failed to fly in reinforcements, need to use seaplanes...
The garrison unit has now been severly reduced and it's doubtful whether we can hold much longer.

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2029 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134
Defending force 10027 troops, 155 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 373

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Raiding Rgt /1
13th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
4th Australian Division
10 RAAF Base Force
10th RAAF M/W Sqn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10050 troops, 211 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 328
Defending force 4895 troops, 55 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 84

Allied adjusted assault: 86
Japanese adjusted defense: 89

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
338 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
6th JNAF AF Unit
15th AA Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
11th JAAF Base Force /1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fight for Rangoon Bay

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

...I would like to say that the manual tweaks Andy is trying to implement for this AAR game are still in progress.
Whether this can later be used for other players is uncertain, so please consider this as general testing and not favorable treatment of this game in particular.
I brought up these issues with Andy because I received questions I couldn't answer myself.

As mentioned I'm generally content with the original OOBs since we're playing an old stock Scen 2 game.
It's basically Andy's generous effort to look into these issues that brought us here - and of course this is not any official upgrades or changes.

As I have stated before: Andy is Da' Man.

Watching with interest here to see if the radar changes will work. Like many, I have a game in progress that I would not readily choose to re-start. Hopefully, we will be able to get a work around out of these tests.

Greatly appreciate all of his efforts on our behalf.

[PzB74]

Andy also says that in AE it's either all or nothing; it's not possible to provide a limited number of tanks to units because you either turn full production on or off.
To me it should be possible to hardwire some factories to only produce a given number of units, but ok.

As it is Jap units are supposedly receiving far more radar sets than were available to them in real life!

Here is an overview of the Combined Fleet:

11 Fleet carriers (+3 during June, July 44)
6 Light carriers (1+ during June, July 44)
5 Escort carriers (+4 tiny ones during 44-45)
8 Battleships
12 Heavy cruisers
15 Light cruisers (+2 during 1944 but 2 CLs are slow training ships)
84 Destroyers (49 fleet, the rest for escort and asw duties)
38 Submarines

During 1944 ca 40 more destroyers will arrive; will try to accelerate these as soon as the fleet carriers have been completed.

As you can see we don't lack heavy capital ships!
42 heavy units and ca 100 light cruisers and destroyers to escort them!
- This is my major headache; I'm forced to send powerfull carrier TFs to war with insufficient light escorts and ASW units.
This is especially true since some units always are damaged or undergoing repairs and upgrades.

The solution is to only release surface combat TFs when the Kido Butai is safe against sea and air attacks.
I will also try to use E-class and other escort vessels instead of destroyers to escort units like tanker replenishment and escort carrier fleets.

Gathering the entire Combined Fleet will still be an incredible strong force; in July we will be able to field 14 fleet carriers, 7 light carriers and 5 escort carriers - that's 26 flattops!!
My dream is to keep KB intact into mid 1945 and upgrade it with the SAM carrier fighter [&o]

[witpqs]

I thought Michael fixed radar problems in the Beta - could you describe what you are running into with radar?

[PzB74]

It's more of less than more...Sound detectors don't upgrade to radar in the Jap army aviation bns.
So I'm stuck with hundred or more units without radar and that's serious since Air Army HQs or other support units don't field radar either.
- A major base like Bangkok with AF size 9 don't have radar coverage unless I send the single unit with Type 3 radar I got from Singapore.

[witpqs]

OK, I guess that must have been an OOB issue. Thanks.

[PaxMondo]

This is the device 1467 Sound Detector which does not upgrade to 1468 radar ... so essentially none of the IJAAF units don't get a chance to get radar.  Even at a production rate of 10/month, it would mean most of them would have a Tai-CHI 13 radar unit by '44.  Have no idea if this is WAD or an oversight.  I beleive Andy said K would have to speak on it ...

[inqistor]

Why actually you do not send bombers at night into Rangoon area? You should at least bombard Pegu to destroy supply, and stop fort construction.
Also, how do you like your pilot training cost now? It eats half of your surplus HI [X(]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Merauke Invaded

I've managed to hang onto the small bases like Merauke using small garrisons and building forts.
Andy landed a full Oz division today! Strangely our naval bombers didn't engage...didn't spot any carriers.

The questions is whether it's worth to attack this force in strength or not; will try with the resources available to us.
A para unit with 100% prep for Merauke will be airlifted; with 4 forts and 98 AV we may throw a spanner into the works here as in Buna!

Operation seems risky with KB in the area. You can actually show how risky it is [:D]

It's a bit of testing with Rangoon right now; I'm still doing tests with range to targets, altitude settings and sweep composition.
By sending in low value Oscar fighters together with Franks and George's these usually take the hits.

I was actually wondering, what will happen if you send your sweeps very high, and your bombers very low. If they come as should (first sweeps), most of enemy fighters should be too high to intercept bombers.

As it is Jap units are supposedly receiving far more radar sets than were available to them in real life!

I doubt it. When war ended every crappy patrol craft was equipped with radar. It actually seems it was pretty easy to build.

ORIGINAL: viberpol

The Radar is an error you would need to check how many of your aviation Bns are still using sound detectors it may be possible to fix that one via a database update in game if you want to try.

It's weird that nobody noticed that before, as this one is quite serious.
That's device no. 1467. In my game in march '44 about 95 units uses the useless crap instead of radar.

I have written about it several months ago, in this AAR, but I thought it is WAD. But actually it seems developers sources are kinda scarce, and their conclusions questionable.

[PzB74]

I don't like the pilot trainig cost, no ..and it's just getting worse because I'm getting more and more air units.
No way to do much about it, can't turn it off.

I can send KB to attack a single non-worthy ground target, but that would reveal its position and cost us crack pilots that shouldn't be used for that
kind of attacks. Andy did very well at Merauke, didn't spot him before he unloaded and he was gone by the next turn.
- He's been sending small TFs with transports in to unload supplies, got a bit gutsy today and we nailed em all! [:)]

In a few days we get the Peggy(t) and the new Zero carrier capable night figther. Not sure I need the latter...but ok.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 28, 44

Air Combat

I want to bomb enemy troops at both Buna and Merauke but because I can't sweep my own base my bombers are at extreme risk to enemy CAP and my
escorts suffers deviously when opposing them!! [:(]

Morning Air attack on Americal Infantry Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 28

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 3
Spitfire VIII x 8
Kittyhawk IV x 4
P-38H Lightning x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 83 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 8
N1K1-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LCI-85
AM Vigilance, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
20 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 85 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 39
N1K1-J George x 23

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Chieftan, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
AK Situla, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
LCI-85, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Iron Chieftan
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Situla
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Americal Infantry Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 3
Spitfire VIII x 8
Kittyhawk IV x 4
P-38H Lightning x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-67-Ia Peggy bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 55th Mountain Gun Regiment, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
Mitchell II x 12
Spitfire VIII x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 1
PV-1 Ventura x 22
B-25D1 Mitchell x 29
B-25G Mitchell x 6
B-25H Mitchell x 3
P-38H Lightning x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 6th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 9th RF Gun Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 11th JAAF Base Force /1 ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 55th Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 9th RF Gun Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Naval Guard Unit, at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 27
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
Also attacking 13th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Each time enemy supply unloads my units auto bombard, argh...

Again, we just barely hung on in Buna! Flew in some reinforcements and bombarded the Americal Div.
A shock attack should mean that it's now quite exhausted. Give us another couple of days and we may be able to stall it.

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1418 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132
Defending force 10059 troops, 155 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 372

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Regiment
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
13th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
4th Australian Division
10 RAAF Base Force
10th RAAF M/W Sqn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9988 troops, 211 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 319
Defending force 5024 troops, 64 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Allied adjusted assault: 176
Japanese adjusted defense: 71

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
379 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (9 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
9th Garrison Unit /1
18th Garrison Unit /1
15th AA Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
6th JNAF AF Unit
9th RF Gun Battalion
11th JAAF Base Force /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma and Industry

Some info here...as well as a question regarding the color codes in the industry management screen.

[PzB74]

Our MLR is not the Marshalls or Solomons - this area on the other hand...!

I've been building and reinforcing the bases there; soon we should be able to stand and fight with LBA spread accross almost a dozen bases.
All bases with a darked red color has at least a Brigade and Air Fleet HQ present.
Will find an area army HQ to drop in the middle of the Marianas chain as well.

The smaller bases will have naval garrisons, aviation support and forts.
Ideally I need all these units in the front lines now but I force myself to divert 50% of all new or newly released units to the defensive lines behind
the current front line.

[inqistor]

Land combat modification seems to work interesting...


What is the current state of this cut-off Division?



Have you enough forces to cross river into Pegu, and rout Allied units there in this move? Could be interesting [:D]

Maybe Andy have trouble with supplying whole stack in base? The move seems to be another push to cut-off your whole north, but you should have enough reserves now.

[Remenents]

Wow, ship for ship, you are well ahead... for now. CA/CL/DD will hurt later on Im sure, but for right now, all I can say is, wow, nice work!

[viberpol]

ORIGINAL: PzB

As you can see we don't lack heavy capital ships!
42 heavy units and ca 100 light cruisers and destroyers to escort them!
- This is my major headache; I'm forced to send powerfull carrier TFs to war with insufficient light escorts and ASW units.
This is especially true since some units always are damaged or undergoing repairs and upgrades.

As my PBEM is in March '44 I'd suggest you accelerate all small Matsu/Tachibana DDs as fast as possible.
You'll get quite a bunch of them, and while we receive quite a number of escorts (ENos), the small destroyers are really needed for filling the KB TFs!

Those IMHO should release your real fleet destroyers from carrier escorting duties because they have comparable AA value, are quite maneuverable (so that are harder to hit) & have good ASW weapons. The only drawback as carrier escort is their speed of 27 knots.
But I think if you have 2 - 4 separate carrier groups moving together they all move no faster than the speed of the slowest (Junyo?) carrier. So the speed is not a factor here.

As a rule of thumb I try using my fleet destroyers that have torpedo reload function (ammo = 2) as surface raiders only leaving the escort duty to other vessels.

[PzB74]

Cut off div is very low on supplies - less than 200 - and is starting to take damage.
Currently 130k troops in Pegu and now 12 enemy units reported east of Pegu.
Have to wait and see what are Andy's intentions...

Yes, accelerating the small cheapo value 6 destroyers is a good thing [:)]

This turn we attacked the Merauke invasion force at Horn Island.
Only 20 or so enemy fighters on CAP but they murdered both our escorts and bombers.
We scored some hits, but still...even crack George fighters get slaughtered by Warhawks when acting as escorts.

The reason for this is obvious: escorts have to match the bombers altitude in order to coordinate the strikes.
- Not like today's strikes were anything like coordinated, but that's another issue.

Escorting at 10-15k feet makes the escorts themselves deadly vulnerable to the famed dive of CAP fighter at 30k feet.
The option of flying top cover doesn't exist and it hurts just as much as the nerfed inability to sweep your own bases
to get rid of enemy fighters [:(]

Hundreds of 4Es hit us in Burma, so they're still there!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 29, 44

Bombardments

Doesn't seem to have any effect...

Night Naval bombardment of Buna at 99,129

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Hayate
DD Asakaze
DD Mutsuki
DD Oboro
DD Shikinami

CL Isuzu firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Hayate firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Asakaze firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Mutsuki firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Oboro firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Shikinami firing at Americal Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, hits 1

Allied Ships
xAK Garmula, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Garmula is sighted by SS I-173
SS I-173 attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Americal Infantry Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27
G3M3 Nell x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 5
Kittyhawk IV x 3
Spitfire VIII x 10
Kittyhawk IV x 4
P-38H Lightning x 1
P-38J Lightning x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 43
N1K1-J George x 18

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 16
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 14 destroyed, 13 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Ceres
CL Birmingham, Bomb hits 1
AMC Chitral, Bomb hits 1
CL Mauritius
AK Beaverhead
APA Callaway, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD McCall

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 16

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 5
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 13

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Adelaide
CL Birmingham

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Americal Infantry Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 1
Spitfire VIII x 6
Kittyhawk IV x 3
P-38H Lightning x 1
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-67-Ia Peggy bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Naval Guard Unit, at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...
Also attacking 13th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Garrison Unit , at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 33
B-25G Mitchell x 9
B-25H Mitchell x 3
P-38H Lightning x 1

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 55th Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 11th JAAF Base Force /1 ...
Also attacking 9th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 6th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 16th Garrison Unit ...
Also attacking 11th JAAF Base Force /1 ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 40
B-24J Liberator x 102

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 66
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Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 15

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 13
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Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 7
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 13

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
DD O'Bannon

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Indus
APA Callaway, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Dauntless

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 106,125 (Rabaul)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 11
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 17
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 13
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Merauke is just barely holding on...

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8792 troops, 76 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 372
Defending force 3069 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Allied adjusted assault: 68
Japanese adjusted defense: 45

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
609 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Australian Division
10 RAAF Base Force
10th RAAF M/W Sqn

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Regiment
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
13th JAAF AF Coy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blood red skies