Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[princep01]

It does sound likean interesting turns is in the works. However, gents, you're missing the real cause of the reporting delay. Remember what last night was? Choas refers to taking very small ghouls and ghosts on the trip called Trick or Treat. I'll bet a great time was had by all:). Lots of scary robots, spidermen, princesses and witches came calling at the princep house of horror last night.

[Cribtop]

True that, Princep. I was proud of my little snow princess. She strode through the horde of evil creatures like a true Southern lady. But I can assure you that some of the chaos was strictly AE related. I'm typing it up now.

[Cribtop]

May 30, 1942

Ensign Dazai Razan hated rain, clouds and the Indian Ocean, in that order. For the third consecutive day, his Nakajima B5N2 torpedo bomber flew through storms near the large island of Ceylon. No one spoke of it, but every man in Kido Butai could feel that this operation, unlike all those before it, was not going according to plan. Perhaps Genda Minoru's brain trust on Akagi had finally failed, perhaps bad luck or the early monsoon was to blame, but for three days the Carrier Strike Force of the Imperial Japanese Navy had found only the smallest of fish while hunting for whales.

This was a strange war. Razan had been trained for years that Japan would fight a defensive battle against the advancing navies of the Imperialists, whittling down the arrogant aggressors before the battle line of the Main Body would strike the killing blow with big gun dreadnoughts. Instead, from December 7 on, the enemy had fled to his ports, conceding the Pacific Ocean to the IJN. As a result, it had been up to the carrier aircraft of Kido Butai to hunt the enemy down in his den, attacking one port after another to sink the enemy at anchor. Even his shipmates on the Zuikaku were shocked at their success. Pearl Harbor, Darwin, Soerabaja - all names that swelled their hearts with pride and filled the Western newspapers with dread, as they trumpeted frightened headlines wondering where the Japanese would strike next.

But now they labored, and if the radio intercepts out of Colombo were true, a bit of the terror had gone out of the enemy. Three days of poor weather had helped to keep the Royal Navy's main base in the Bay of Bengal immune from attack, forcing the Japanese carrier aviators to try their luck on less important and more nimble prey. They had hit a few light combat ships, but nothing that would justify the risk of sailing this far into danger. Today looked no different, as rain droplets struck the Nakajima's canopy and visibility seemed poor at best. At least this morning he could see the island, so perhaps there was hope.

Razan's reverie was shattered by the sound of gunfire ahead. As his aircraft broke out of the cloud cover, he saw that his flight's escorting Type 0 Fighters had engaged British planes rising to protect the Battleships of the Eastern Fleet. He should be concerned, but instead he felt pity for the English. They faced some of the best trained pilots on Earth, flying a fighter clearly more than a match for their Hurricanes. Plus, the Zero jockeys were frustrated after three days of impotence. Ensign Dazai lost count of the enemy machines that burst into flames and fell to the rough landscape below. His pilot never had to so much as alter course in response to the futile efforts of the UK fighters.

This elation at his comrades' aerial victory turned to disgust as he saw that Colombo's harbor was socked in again, with tall grey clouds mounting up high like the towers of a heavenly castle defending the enemy from any attack. Razan fumed. He decided then and there that a wisp of cloud would not deter his flight today. His eyes scanned the fog, seeking any chink in the ethereal armor.

During training for this operation, his superiors had constantly warned of the dozens of heavy flak guns that ringed Colombo's naval yards. They had insisted the bombers remain at 14,000 feet to minimize losses. Well, the ceiling was well below that today, and Dazai was tired of waiting. He would risk himself and his crew, the other Navigator/Bombardiers could decide their own course. There! Just a small gap in the clouds bearing about 50 degrees, but he directed his pilot to make for it. Without orders, Zuikaku's Kates followed him down as one.

Razan's eyes grew wide as he saw enemy capital ships in the grey half light. Battleship Warspite and Battlecruiser Repulse, if he was not mistaken. BANZAI! He leaned over his bomb site in anticipation. Flak burst around the B5Ns, but it was thin and off target. Apparently the thrice cursed storm clouds obscured the enemy gunner's sights as they did his. Dazai decided to wait to release until the following aircraft were over the capital ships. That meant his own target was a light cruiser berthed just beyond Repulse. He knew immediately it was the Newcastle, one of the ships damaged in air strikes a few days ago. His finger tightened on the bomb release, and he felt the Nakajima lurch upward as a 250kg armor piercing bomb dropped.

The aircraft pulled up and turned to starboard, giving Dazai a view of the ships under attack. He watched Newcastle, sure his bomb had struck home just abaft of the rearmost stack. The results were less than grand, with a small trickle of smoke leaking out from the deck. He saw numerous bombs impact Repulse and Warspite, with towering flames shooting up from both vessels. Razan thought again how much he would have preferred to drop one of the 800kg bombs hitting those ships.

He turned to take one last look over his shoulder at his target when his neck was violently wrenched forward as a shock wave shuddered the plane. Newcastle exploded with such force that she seemed to rise out of the water amidships before breaking in two. It happened so fast that Dazai wondered if he was the only witness to the terrific eruption. THAT should put the fear of Kido Butai back in the Imperialists. It was then he noticed figures hurling themselves from the already settling cruiser into the waters of the harbor. What must it be like on a ship under attack by carrier aircraft? Dazai Razan hoped he never found out...

Near Mili, Marshall Islands

"How many more times can they come," thought Lieutenant Kajitani Fujio on the ruined bridge of the light cruiser Tenryu. Literally hundreds of American carrier aircraft had attacked the cruisers and destroyers of the Marshalls Squadron for hours on end. The fast combat ships twisted and turned, firing their anti-aircraft weapons into the veritable phalanx of bombers tormenting them. The torpedo planes were slow and easily avoided, but the dive bombers just kept coming.

Tenryu had moved to Mili hoping to ambush the Americans if they attempted another naval bombardment, as they had at Baker Island last week. Instead, as morning dragged toward noon they were set upon by what seemed to be every squadron in the American carrier fleet. The first bomb hit had exploded on the number two turret, flinging shrapnel into the Bridge and killing the Captain instantly. From that moment on, Lt. Kajitani had assumed command, not that he could do much other than watch the skies and order the helm to undertake one wild turn after another. It was awful to face a foe without any real chance of fighting back.

"Aircraft, bearing 275 degrees," shouted a lookout. Perhaps this at last was the air support promised by Fourth Fleet. Nells out of Roi Namur and Bettys from Tabiteuea were on call and in range, but as yet there was no sign of aid. Kajitani's blood went cold as he saw only more Dauntlesses pitching over. He gave the order but already knew he was too late...

[FeurerKrieg]

Nice write up Cribtop!

[Cribtop]

May 30, 1942

Thanks, FK! Now for a more traditional look at this eventful day.

Subs

A Val reports a hit on a Dutch sub near Colombo.

4th Fleet

We foolishly pushed 3 CLs and 3 DDs up to Mili, thinking to ambush the enemy if it was another SCTF. Since our picket ship didn't spot any aircraft yesterday we gambled that CF wasn't bringing his CVs to the party. Oops. Instead, he came at us with what appears to be every carrier in the USN. In reality, his aviators failed him today, sinking CLs Tenryu and Yubari but missing the other four ships over and over again. Cuttles understandably grumbled at his pilots via e-mail. He also got off scot free from counter-attack, as nearly 100 Netties that spotted his CVs fail to launch despite being 10 and 12 hexes away, respectively. I know LBA can't be counted on past about 10 hexes, but I'm surprised Roi Namur at least didn't launch anything.

Tomorrow we'll flee like dogs to all points of the compass. It looks like the enemy had to make a speed run to get as close as he did, so we expect him to withdraw, but he may stick around to port attack Kwaj, which will be empty. This attack is an obvious reaction our decision to reveal MKB on the other end of the map, but if we had played it smart CF would have revealed his own carriers to no avail. Still, we got off pretty cheap, but it smarts to lose the first ship larger than a DD in the war.

Perversely, today Mili makes level 4 forts.

SE Fleet

No change.

14th Army

No change.

16th Army

Taberfane occupied. Kendari makes level 4 forts.

25th Army

An LCTF sweeps Soerabaja clear of the PT boat infestation, sinking 6 for no loss. These appeared to be the survivors from the PI.

We capture Tandjoenpinang and destroy the small Dutch base force today with overwhelming odds. A relief to take out this base on the doorstep of Singapore.

MKB finally gets off a good port strike, but results are still a little weak. We swat aside a CAP of 30 Hurricanes, evenly divided between Mark I and Mark II models. The Kates only lose 1 plane to flak and deliver numerous hits to Warspite and Repulse, many of them penetrating. CL Newcastle is destroyed in a magazine explosion with immediate sinking sounds. CL Dragon is hit hard and loses a torpedo launcher. We also hit an xAK. On the whole, a disappointing attack given that over 150 Kates went in, but not bad. Neither capital ship is in danger of sinking, but both will require significant yard time. We probably have the fuel to go one more time tomorrow before retiring.

15th Army

We launch massive sweeps of Chittagong but the results are ugly. Cuttlefish has taken to putting his CAP at 25K and he got the bounce. We lose about 20 Oscars and only down about 5 Hurricanes. The bounce is just too powerful, but also it is generally accepted that Hurris can eat Oscar Is, which is proven out. We had hoped that 4:1 odds would turn the trick but the loss ratio today cannot be sustained. Fortunately we don't lose a ton of pilots, but we are back to the drawing board in Burma.

China

No change.

Other

CVE Unyo and a bunch of LCUs arrive as reinforcements. We now have over 300 Zeros in the pools and may pause some production.

[Mike Solli]

When do you get the A6M3 and A6M3a? 300 is quite a few and if you produce any significant number of these models, you'll grow the M2 pool even more.

[Cribtop]

The M3s are about to come online, Mike. That's one reason why we are probably going to turn off the M2 factory. We have plenty of airframes and all groups are full except for a few training Daitai that fly Claudes.

[Mike Solli]

How many daitai are you planning on converting to the M3? That's always a concern for me. They are shorter ranged, but a little better than the A2. I usually convert the daitai I have in Burma. What's your plan?

[ny59giants]

You are at the point where your use of Oscars is not going to yield good results most of the time. Hopefully, CF has been training up his pilots and the Hurricane will eat Oscars for lunch (see your last post). [:-]

How soon to the uber-fighter, Mr Tojo, arrives?? I have a love/hate relationship with them (depends which turn I have open). [:D]

[Cribtop]

Mike,

Basically I have a Daitai at Rangoon that will definitely convert and one at Port Blair that will probably convert. The two monster Hikotai (45 planes) will stay A6M2, as will the two Daitai in the Marshalls for now. If the front shifts to SE Fleet AO, I'll probably pull 1 Daitai from the Marshalls and convert it. So, basically, a max of 3 Daitai.

Michael,

The last few days definitely drove home the inadequacy of Oscars. [8|] I'll have to look at Tracker but I know the Tojo has advanced a few months. Why oh why didn't the IJAAF and IJNAF just get together and say - hey, howze about we both use the Zero for our 1942 fighter plane. [:-]

[Cribtop]

Gents, the A6M3 discussion brings up another point. Is there any airframe factory I really don't want to have "Yes" selected for upgrade?

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Gents, the A6M3 discussion brings up another point. Is there any airframe factory I really don't want to have "Yes" selected for upgrade?

D3A1 definitely... For some reason the A2 in game is identical except a little faster but has shorter range, only 5/6. You dont need nor want to build them...

[jrcar]

I have found once a pool gets to 100-120 it is best to turn off production, otherwise you are likely to over produce. We have with A6M2 and A6M3 (which we used a fair bit, now the A6M3a is well online). It is hard to tell, cause 100 airframes can evaporate quickly if you have a couple of big battles... but more than that and when the upgrade plane comes in you suddenly have a pool of 300 second rate fighters that cost to produce. 300 as a reserve is far too many IMHO, turn off production.

Tojo are good

We have a factory doing Oscar IIa, that will be our long range escort, in particular for Helen IIa Naval strike missions, and deep raids.

I like the 1a Nick, skip the 1b. The 1c looks OK and comes mid 43 so I generally don't bring it forward as it isn't that much of an advantage on the 1a.

[jrcar]

Agree on the D3A1!

Cheers

Rob

ORIGINAL: Erkki

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Gents, the A6M3 discussion brings up another point. Is there any airframe factory I really don't want to have "Yes" selected for upgrade?

D3A1 definitely... For some reason the A2 in game is identical except a little faster but has shorter range, only 5/6. You dont need nor want to build them...

[ny59giants]

I increase the Glen factory to about 15 per month. Once the pool gets up around 75 to 80. I convert it to something more useful. Don't want to keep that factory tied up for most of the game producing less than 10 Glens per month.

Once the Emily starts coming out convert the Mavis to something else. Same for Lily once Helens come out. I keep just Sally and Helen for Army bombers.

Did I send you a spreadsheet on airframes through 43?? If not, drop me a PM.

[Mike Solli]

Mike,

That's a great idea on the Glen factory. I always kept it at 9 (or whatever it was) and turned it on and off throughout the game.

What do you usually set for your Sally and Helen factories?

[ny59giants]

Sally at about 60/month and Helen from 90 to 120 depending on losses. I like the Helen Ia to be high as they are my ASW Army planes (MAD device later in war) and then to replace all but China bombers when the IIs model comes out. This is playing Scenario 2, so I might change things if it was Scenario 1.

[Cribtop]

I actually did crank up the Glen factory.

Michael, I'll PM you on the '43 planes. In the meantime I'll check no on the D3A1 factory. I wonder whether the A2 range has anything to do with the current range controversy concerning the Judy?

PS - We did order one last port attack at Colombo as MKB moves ESE. Should be a fun replay tonight with CVs in action on opposite map ends. My Oscars pulled back out of the Basin to re-group and feel shame.

[Cribtop]

Ok, boys, here's the deal. Weather scrubbed Colombo port attacks today. We got a superb consolation prize which I'll detail in a post tomorrow, but that's not relevant to the question at hand. Fuel is marginal but not critical and the Fleet Oilers are 4 hexes away.

Option 1 - Bail and get MKB back home.

Option 2 - Sit in place, hit Colombo tomorrow (Rain but not T-Storms forecast), re-fuel, head home.

Option 3 - Retire a bit, re-fuel, then come back out of the blue in a day or two.

Commander Genda awaits the input of his staff. [;)]

[Mike Solli]

I'm torn between options 1 and 3. It really scares me to try an op with fuel issues (Option 2) because you never know when the TF commander is going to refuel the DDs. I tend to lean towards being conservative with my forces so I'm leaning toward option 1. Did CF ever reinforce with fighters? If the number of fighters on CAP is on the increase, then I'd definitely head for the hills.

The more I think about this, I'd go with option 1. Let KB fade into the sunset. He'll lose track of it, and then you can plan another op and surprise him elsewhere.

Yeah, option 1 for me. You're spending too much time in one place with KB. I suspect every sub in the area is headed there. All you need is for one to get lucky.