End of Western Hypocrisy - or Xargun (Japs) vs RRoberson (Allies) - No RRobs

[PaxMondo]

You know the rule of thumb for IJ VEH is to double them to 150.  The catch is you can't predict where your losses will be.  Heavier losses in your armored units and that just isn't enough.  You're already at 212 and short.  Looks like you've been taking higher than normal losses with your mobile units.  Not a problem, only an observation.  So, yes, agree with Mike you need to increas them more ...

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I always buy units out of Kwantung. They're not going to do anything at all until Aug 45. I think there's a greater chance of the restricted units in Japan seeing combat (in Japan) than those in Kwantung.

I will look through Kwangtung for some likely candidates and get them moving to a port of rail junction for use elsewhere.

Xargun

90 Infantry Regiment and 20 Division are two good candidates.

[Xargun]

Its been a couple weeks in game since my last update so here we go.


Burma

Burma has been very quiet - with an occasional night time raid on Magwe by a handful of bombers which is broken up by my nightly patrol of Oscars.
I am slowly upgrading my Oscars to Tojos and have been fielding them sparingly - they are definately an improvement and seem to be a match for the
British Hurricanes Rob is fielding. I have captured all of the 'Southern' half of Burma and the entire rail and am trying to decide if I want more or
not.

I am rebuilding Divisions at Rangoon from their parts and am prepping them for the planned invasion of Ceylon. I am prepping divisions for Trincomlee
in the hopes if Rob sees that he will move units from the rest of the island to that base thinking I am invading there. I plan on invading on the far
side at one of the smaller bases and simply swarm several divisions across the beaches. I am thinking 3 Divisions plus support should be enough to
take the island. Once its occupied I can use it as an airbase to bomb India as well as a spring board for other raids. The bases in Ceylon should
provide lots of targets for my paratroopers especially with the range of some of my transports.

My subs also caught an xAKL trying to resupply his troops at Akyab. My sub surfaced and sunk the transport with a combination of deck guns and torpedoes.


Sumatra

Palembang is slowly rebuilding the oil fields and continuously shipping both oil / resources to Singapore - and then to Japan. While large Tanker
fleets call periodically to haul fuel home as well.


Java

My conquest of Jave is continuing with the current roadblock at Bandoeng. Rob has roughly a division worth of troops (6-8 units) here and I am
slowly grinding them down. Constant air attacks have been dwindling their strength and now I have 3 Divisions there attacking. The base should
fall soon. Then I will march to the small base to the south and finish off the northern half of the island. My advance troops have already cut the
island in half and have occupied 3 bases (and 1 dot base) to the south near Soerbaja preparing for the eventual assault.


China

I am slowly hammering two large stacks of chinese troops - one roughly 2000 AV and the other 1500 AV and once those fall I will push into the last
couple chinese-held bases on the rail line (Changsha, Ichang, etc...). I expect by end of October the rails will be mine and I will be deciding
whether to push further inland or not.


DEI

I am moving more troops to Dili to help take Koepang and secure that island. I am also sending several construction units there to begin the building
of airfields. I am trying to decide if I want level 4 or just level 2 - whether I want to raid norther OZ (will need level 4s) or just for defense
(will need level 2s).

B-17s from Darwin have been hitting Dili constantly aiming at the airfield there which is funny as the paratroopers have already moved out of the
base and taken the base to the east and are sitting there while B-17s bomb an empty base.


Philippines

Everything is garrisoned as needed and the larger units are off to new homes. I am using a bunch of xAKLs and CS Convoys to ferry resources from the
smaller islands to Manila and then hauling large loads of resources (50-80k) at a time back to Japan.


Solomons

Nothing but building going on here. Forts and Airfields are whats being built for future defense.


South Pacific


I have taken Funafuti and Vaitupu as an early warning station. I am thinking of placing small AF Coys there with some patrol aircraft to keep an
eye out.

My 2 AMCs found some US Tankers escorted by a couple DDs near Taihiti and a brief fight ensued. My AMCs took a few minor hits and retreated - I am
not happy. There was around 12 Tankers carrying fuel waiting to be sunk and my ships ran. Then did manage to sink 2 and heavily damage 2 others
before running - I looked at the TF commander and he is pretty pitiful so it was my fault. My other AMCs are fully repaired and when these 2 return to
Truk and repair I will send out a larger raider force of 4 or 5 to prey on what seems to be Rob's undefended convoys.


North Pacific

I have 2+ Divisions of troops planning for the assault on Attu and Amchitka and plan on working that assault soon. I believe Rob still has a lot of
engineers there and killing them will be nice. I am also prepping a brigade for the garrison.


OZ

My subs have located a British TK fleet moving NW from OZ compeltely unescorted. I cannot tell if they are empty or full of fuel but so far I have
crippled 1 and sunk 2 more. I need to pay more attention to the combat phase and see if they get the fuel cargo burning message or not. Either way
there are like 10 Tankers here that need killing. I am targeting all 3 subs I have in the area into the fight. Hopefully I can get a couple more
encounters.



Allied Ships Sunk:

xAKL - 1
xAK - 1
TK - 4
AO - 1
DD - 1
SS - 1


Japanese Ships Lost:

xAKL - 1
xAK - 1
PB - 1


Strategy

My next few operations will consist of...

1. Finishing the occupation of Java and the islands north of OZ. I am not sure I will do anything with those islands, but I want to deny them to
Rob for any sort of bases to launch attacks into my underbelly as it were.

2. Retake Amchitka and Attu Islands and garrison them and build up forts. This is to mostly deny their use to Rob in the coming years.

3. Occupy Ceylon. This will make him worry about his flank in India and may cause him to pull back out of northern Burma if I threaten an invasion
to cut those forces off.


Economy

All of my resource stockpiles are increasing despite heavy usage of them and expansion of HI. I am just finishing a slight expansion of my Merchant Shipyards in an attempt to offset the 75+ point loss each turn that I currently suffer.


Total Stockpiles:

ManPower 919,625
Heavy Industry 300,584
Armaments 153,450
Vehicle 1330
Naval Shipyard 19,983
Merchant Ship 6160

[Mike Solli]

Xargun, how are the Oscars working on night CAP? I never tried that before.

You've got 20k Naval Shipyard points! You need to accelerate some things. CVs and DDs come to mind.....

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Xargun, how are the Oscars working on night CAP? I never tried that before.

You've got 20k Naval Shipyard points! You need to accelerate some things. CVs and DDs come to mind.....

The Oscars don't shoot much down at night but I think their mear presence really screws up his accuracy and I do shoot a few of them down. his night bombings have basically been ineffectual other than allowing us both to skill up.

I am accelerating nearly everything I can (within reason) and my Naval points are dropping by several hundred a turn.

Xargun

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Xargun, how are the Oscars working on night CAP? I never tried that before.

You've got 20k Naval Shipyard points! You need to accelerate some things. CVs and DDs come to mind.....

The Oscars don't shoot much down at night but I think their mear presence really screws up his accuracy and I do shoot a few of them down. his night bombings have basically been ineffectual other than allowing us both to skill up.

Same with my experience (any fighter on night ops will help). Nates work great in this role (early night fighter). All you need is something up and the bombers will usually fly off.

This works UNTIL you get late game with those B-29's and high exp allied pilots. Then, forget it. They will plow right through your ineffectual fighter screen.

Playing Downfall, I have not yet found a good answer to B-29's on night raids. Even when my "night" fighters out number them 2:1, they still press home their attacks.

[Mike Solli]

Wow, a use for Nates. Never thought of that....

[koniu]

Playing Downfall, I have not yet found a good answer to B-29's on night raids. Even when my "night" fighters out number them 2:1, they still press home their attacks.

I think there is no good answer. You can`t fight them in air, you can`t run away of them because they have huge range, and you can`t attack there bases because in 45 US Navy and Air Force are to strong

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Playing Downfall, I have not yet found a good answer to B-29's on night raids. Even when my "night" fighters out number them 2:1, they still press home their attacks.

I think there is no good answer. You can`t fight them in air, you can`t run away of them because they have huge range, and you can`t attack there bases because in 45 US Navy and Air Force are to strong

You may be right, but I'm trying to fit my "Nemo" hat on to see if I can come up with something. So far, the dang thing isn't fitting at all! [:D] Everything I've tried fails and I still get obliviated. [:@]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Wow, a use for Nates. Never thought of that....

Well, you have a lot of them for quite a while, even with an Oscar build rate of 150/month. The biggest downside of using them at night is that you get almost no training done ... but they will protect key assests (oil fields) from night attack without "wasting" an Oscar or Zero unit in that role.

[Capt. Harlock]

You may be right, but I'm trying to fit my "Nemo" hat on to see if I can come up with something. So far, the dang thing isn't fitting at all!

The B-29 problem is one of the reasons why Nemo is so fond of the Ki-264 super-bomber. Since your game doesn't have any, my suggestion would be to focus on defensive fighters with high firepower and durability -- forget speed and manuverability.

[Erkki]

Xargun, how are you going to support your Ceylon invasion? You have the troops, transports and combat ships to get it, but what if the enemy sees it as an opportunity?

You'll need your CVs as LBA other than super long range G3M3s cant fly that far. And you dont have many CVs left to field... 6 big ones, 2 CVLs and 3 or 4 CVEs, right? Your CV fleet can carry exactly 500-530 aircraft. You are risking to meet at least 8 Allied fleet CVs(630+ aircraft) and Ceylon's LBA which will definitely include Stringbags and other torpedo-armed aircraft. MAD or 1-1 exchange with the enemy CV fleet and the operation is likely to fail, lots of troops get stuck on the island or go down aboard transports. Think of what the CV balance would be looking like in mid 1943.

Your opponent might not react to seeing multiple Japanese divisions prepping for Ceylon at Singapore and Rangoon but you cant presume that he wont. I dont think you can afford another mistake and he is likely to know it too and take his chances.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

You may be right, but I'm trying to fit my "Nemo" hat on to see if I can come up with something. So far, the dang thing isn't fitting at all!

The B-29 problem is one of the reasons why Nemo is so fond of the Ki-264 super-bomber. Since your game doesn't have any, my suggestion would be to focus on defensive fighters with high firepower and durability -- forget speed and manuverability.

I agree .. trying with my Georges ... they are the heaviest firepower you get ... 4x20mm

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Xargun, how are you going to support your Ceylon invasion? You have the troops, transports and combat ships to get it, but what if the enemy sees it as an opportunity?

You'll need your CVs as LBA other than super long range G3M3s cant fly that far. And you dont have many CVs left to field... 6 big ones, 2 CVLs and 3 or 4 CVEs, right? Your CV fleet can carry exactly 500-530 aircraft. You are risking to meet at least 8 Allied fleet CVs(630+ aircraft) and Ceylon's LBA which will definitely include Stringbags and other torpedo-armed aircraft. MAD or 1-1 exchange with the enemy CV fleet and the operation is likely to fail, lots of troops get stuck on the island or go down aboard transports. Think of what the CV balance would be looking like in mid 1943.

Your opponent might not react to seeing multiple Japanese divisions prepping for Ceylon at Singapore and Rangoon but you cant presume that he wont. I dont think you can afford another mistake and he is likely to know it too and take his chances.

I do plan on using the new KB (6 CVs) plus a followup TF of a couple CVLs and CVEs. I plan on using small TFs to patrol around Ceylon to prompt any LBA attacks or CV attacks to see what he has in the area. So far intel has shown very low level of air activity from Ceylon - I am by far more concerned with his CVs than any LBA -- most of his LBA in India / Burma is currently around Calcutta and Burma fighting the air war with my forces there.

I have every intention of running if his CVs show up as I do not want to fight him CV to CV - as I need / want my CVs for 1943. If I 'feel' his CVs are around - as in any US aircraft -- or my recon / intel shows them around - I will simply retired to safer lands. I want to take Ceylon before Spring 43 or I will not try. I believe there are a lot of undefended bases in India that I can easily take and push back any offensive he is planning for the Burma / India theater.

Xargun

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

I do plan on using the new KB (6 CVs) plus a followup TF of a couple CVLs and CVEs. I plan on using small TFs to patrol around Ceylon to prompt any LBA attacks or CV attacks to see what he has in the area. So far intel has shown very low level of air activity from Ceylon - I am by far more concerned with his CVs than any LBA -- most of his LBA in India / Burma is currently around Calcutta and Burma fighting the air war with my forces there.

I have every intention of running if his CVs show up as I do not want to fight him CV to CV - as I need / want my CVs for 1943. If I 'feel' his CVs are around - as in any US aircraft -- or my recon / intel shows them around - I will simply retired to safer lands. I want to take Ceylon before Spring 43 or I will not try. I believe there are a lot of undefended bases in India that I can easily take and push back any offensive he is planning for the Burma / India theater.

Be quick or be dead... How seriously do you think you damaged the 2 Allied CVs at Aleutians, could they be available to him already?

Have you considered keeping ALL your CVs together - including the CVLs and CVEs? If you're escorting the invasion fleet you dont need the full speed and besides CVEs arent much slower than the Junyos any way. If the Allies are able and willing to commit their CVs during the strike window of the couple of days it takes to get in, unload troops and supplies and bug out, you will most probably get little to no warning and you cant afford another CV battle using just half the KB.

I know he probably wont have his CVs there but I wouldnt risk it with a too complex and half-hearted plan. At this stage of the war, its full KB or no KB imho.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Be quick or be dead... How seriously do you think you damaged the 2 Allied CVs at Aleutians, could they be available to him already?

I figure 2 months in the repair ship minimum for each one - but one was british and not sure if it was one that gets withdrawn or not. How badly hurt can a ship be and still be withdrawn ?

I am thinking of my initial invasion will land like 2 divisions plus auxilliaries and then withdraw. Take my invasion base and have my naval aspect sit out of range a few days and see what his naval response is. If nothing, then the second wave will land with the rest of the force. I have my initial base picked out and will be sending several 3-4 recon plane equipped subs to sit near it and recon the area. I have been operating subs out as far as Diego Garcia so it won't be anything new -- my subs like to find his minimally escorted convoys and sink merchies.

ORIGINAL: Erkki
Have you considered keeping ALL your CVs together - including the CVLs and CVEs? If you're escorting the invasion fleet you dont need the full speed and besides CVEs arent much slower than the Junyos any way. If the Allies are able and willing to commit their CVs during the strike window of the couple of days it takes to get in, unload troops and supplies and bug out, you will most probably get little to no warning and you cant afford another CV battle using just half the KB.

I know he probably wont have his CVs there but I wouldnt risk it with a too complex and half-hearted plan. At this stage of the war, its full KB or no KB imho.

You think 1 big TF or 2 or 3 TFs with the CVs, CVLs and CVEs split evenly ? Each TF would have a torpedo magnet - also known as a BB and CAs & DDs for AA. I will probably load as many fighters as I can on all the carriers - especially the CVEs without organic units of their own.

Odds are I will be hitting the Aleutians first and then pulling back my CVs and running west and into the Indian ocean for that engagement. If his CVs show up at the aleutians (or even a couple) then they will never make it to the Indian Ocean to matter. I need about another month for the units to complete their preparations for the aleutian invasion and then I will be moving.

I thought about making a diversion in the South Pacific - have a pair of CVs (as I normally operate them) hit Noumea or Fuji and maybe even invade an island or two and then pull back and race north to the Aluetian campaign. If he sees my CVs in the south pacific he may head that way which would put him out of position for both of the real operations. What do you think ?

Xargun

[Erkki]

Sounds good I think, but only if he isnt already where unexpected, actually does react and will not make counterattacks himself - ie. if you manage to hold the initiative and nothing catastrophic happens. You'll have 2 diversions... Have you calculated the required theater transfer times for the CVs, including refueling and repairing the 4-5 points of damage Japanese warships take at sea?

Instead of using the same CV pair for both diversions, how about using 2 for further diversion and, say, only a week between the diversions to make him think that for sure you have the KB divided to make a good looking diversion near Fiji? You'd need less time, fuel and less tight schedule. Just cross fingers you dont run to enemy CVs.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Sounds good I think, but only if he isnt already where unexpected, actually does react and will not make counterattacks himself - ie. if you manage to hold the initiative and nothing catastrophic happens. You'll have 2 diversions... Have you calculated the required theater transfer times for the CVs, including refueling and repairing the 4-5 points of damage Japanese warships take at sea?

Instead of using the same CV pair for both diversions, how about using 2 for further diversion and, say, only a week between the diversions to make him think that for sure you have the KB divided to make a good looking diversion near Fiji? You'd need less time, fuel and less tight schedule. Just cross fingers you dont run to enemy CVs.

Good idea. I can use 2 in southern pacific and then have them head straight for India. And have another group in the north pacific to support that invasion - and then they head west to india as well - where the rest of them sit waiting.

Or do you mean leave 2 of them in the south pacific to cause mayhem even during and after the aleutian invasion ?

Xargun

[Erkki]

I mean use 2 separate diversion CV divisions - and make sure he identifies they're different... Like B5N1 vs. B5N2 at least. [;)]

[PaxMondo]

Be careful with these types of feints ... Allied intel is so d____ good and he gets so many CAT units. He may get better info than you wish on your TF composition and ambush you. Not saying not to do it, this could be VERY effective. Just urging great caution with regards to your TF plots, LBA coverage, and CAP levels.