Howlin' At The Moon - DBB Vettim(A) vs Greasylake (J)

[vettim89]

I came up with a solution though it won't get me too far. I have all three USMC para BTN sitting at San Diego. I do not have a lot of transports yet but I could use them a bit to at least get close. One solace I have is that Larry actually lost over 180 a/c in this venture over two days. While I am sure the airframes can be replaced fairly quickly, the air crews cannot. I still have five CVs so I am not totally screwed. I will need to use some very quick unloading Amph TF to move units into the battle zone. If I can get to Luganville, I can build a 4 E base to suppress Lunga and the rest of the southern Solomons. Of note, Munda has not yet been occupied by the Japanese.

Also, moving that much combat power around burns fuel. He will have to be careful in how he projects his powere from here forward.

[vettim89]

15 July 1942

Okay, so the IJN is still milling about NW of Koumac. At Least one CVTF is out there. Is Larry trying to bait me? I am think he may very well be doing just that. I "found" 45 SBD-3 airframes in various Marine units. Unfortunately, that means some of them will be flying Biplane Helldivers for a while. The F4F-4 pool is rising and most of my carriers have in the mid 20s now. Once the last few liberated airframes make their way through the system, I should be in okay shape there. If my pilot skills were not so crappy, I'd go after that CVTF. Patience is the name of the game here.

Once my CVs meet up, I will move them to Melbourne to repair then non-major SYST and ENG damage. The high speed run out of Indian Country has everybody a bit battered.

IJN Bombards Ramree Island with BBs and CAs. No supply left there now. My thorn in Larry's side is doing its job.

Eight units are now at Hankow. Well at least I got Larry spooked a bit down here. The Changsha area is doing well with forts rising every turn. The ARTY and AT from Chungking made it to the RR. They will STRAT move to Hengyang then be distributed to the other two bases.

Also, I am considering not killing off LT(jg) James West. I may just wound him to an extent where he can no longer fly. Have time to contemplate it.

[sourdust]

ORIGINAL: vettim89

... How many CVs were torpedoed by a Nellie in the PTO. NONE!!!!!!!! Not a single friggin one!!!!! ...

Not quite. A night attack by Betties plugged CV Intrepid off Truk on 17 Feb 1944. And CV Lexington was nailed by a Betty, also in a night attack, off Kwajalein on 4 Dec 1943.

There may be other instances, not sure. The Nellies ignited like candles, but you can't say they didn't have teeth when then got close!

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: sourdust

ORIGINAL: vettim89

... How many CVs were torpedoed by a Nellie in the PTO. NONE!!!!!!!! Not a single friggin one!!!!! ...

Not quite. A night attack by Betties plugged CV Intrepid off Truk on 17 Feb 1944. And CV Lexington was nailed by a Betty, also in a night attack, off Kwajalein on 4 Dec 1943.

There may be other instances, not sure. The Nellies ignited like candles, but you can't say they didn't have teeth when then got close!

I stand corrected. But they were not the daytime menace that they are in the game.

16-19 July 1942

Things are very quiet. Only action over these turns is air activity over China and slight movement in western Java. The Allies reoccupied Kaidjati. Larry took it then abandoned it to push on Batavia. Guess he will have to turn around.

Having calmed down from the weekend misadventures, I contemplate my situation. The US based Allied push in late 1942 was largely built around the fact that the IJN had suffered asymetrical carrier losses in mid 1942. So I am faced with the "what if" of what would have happened if the IJN had husbanded it's resources and then only employed them in force. Where I was quite frustrated afer the recent carrier battle, I now am stoked. I like a challenge and this game has finally presented me with some issues that will be hard to deal with efficiently. So, what are my options?

1. Move very slowly and deliberately through the New Hebrides and perhaps PNG using LBA to cover the advance
2. Establish a new front distant from the SoPac to force the IJN to spread it's resources out.
3. Apply pressure in areas of the map that will not require moving by sea. In other words, push forward in the CBI.

#1 is pretty simple and self evident. The goal here would not only be to hold and eventually retake real estate but hopefully draw the IJN carriers in to impale itself against LBA. One lesson I learned from the recent carrier battle is that while overpowering the IJN air groups are brittle and die easily. While I came out on the losing end of that battle in ships, Larry lost over 180 a/c in two days.

#2 is dicey. While a move into say Timor or Sumatra would certainly divide Larry's attention, it would force me to divide my forces also. My advantage would be that I can determine the where and when. I may be able to achieve local superiority in pulses while my opponent will have to guess my intentions. Problem being that if he guesses correctly, I could be in trouble. Also, while my forces are in one theater, the other one would be vulnerable.

#3 is a foregone conclusion but the question remains when I will begin the move. As more transport a/c make their way into the CBI, my mobility will increase. Perhaps all I need to do is apply pressure.

[vettim89]

20-21 July 1942

Turns are slow again.

SS Perch found some working torpedoes and hit Ryujo again. This is the same CVL a dutch sub hit in the Java Sea in March. Saratogoa syndrome.

My RN BB's hit Sibolga but did not do much damage. A deliberate attack there on the 21st was 1 to 1 and reduced forts to 0. The IJA attacked at Bendoeng on the 21st and lost 500 casualties to 180 for the Dutch. Forts untouched.

[vettim89]

22- 25 July 1942

The AE god gives, he taketh away. CV Saratoga is hit and will require months of repair time because she is just a hair too big for the Sydney yards. So all the way back to the WC for reapirs after pumping out and fixing syst damage in OZ. That leaves me with just four CVs. I feel like I am having horrible luck in the game of late. WIth my CVs laid up for repairs, I am sending my DDs out on some aggressive ASW operations off Oz, NZ, and near Noumea.

Only other news of not over these three days is that Sibolga fell.

[vettim89]

26 July - 2 August 1942

Larry is on the move. Koepang, Makassar, Luganville, and Ramree Island all are invaded and fall in this week. The RN was out of position so was not able to interfere at Ramree Island. The IJN came twice to Chittagong with Netties escorted by A6M2 and Ki-43Ib. I lost three AMc that were clearing a sub laid minefield on the second raid and had a CL take one TT during the first. That ship is on her way to Calcutta for repair with minor damage. The Japanese lost 35 A6M2 and 25 Ki-43 in these too raids offset by 8 P-40E, 1 P-38E, and 2 Hurricane IIc. What is especially frustrating is that 40-45 fighters escort 25-30 bombers fought off the entire CAP of 130 planes. My fighters ripped the Japanese fighters apart but failed to get at the bombers. They really need to fix this soon

The USN did not interfere at Luganville as their CVs are still in the yard.

[witpqs]

I would not say they fought off the entire CAP, I would say they got shredded by the CAP but did manage to take all the heat upon themselves. I know they are looking at some air combat things but I'm not so sure this one is off base. [8D]

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I would not say they fought off the entire CAP, I would say they got shredded by the CAP but did manage to take all the heat upon themselves. I know they are looking at some air combat things but I'm not so sure this one is off base. [8D]

Well losing 25 A6M2 in two attacks against negligible Allied losses helps, but on the second attack I had increased the CAP level and over 100 fighters rose to meet them and less than have that number were able to keep my fighters off his bombers.

[witpqs]

If that is the only sort of combat result we see I would agree, but as a sometimes result I don't see a problem with it. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my impression at the moment.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

If that is the only sort of combat result we see I would agree, but as a sometimes result I don't see a problem with it. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my impression at the moment.

Agreed. One sample is not enough to make a judgement yet I think a player needs to be aware of this issue. In other words: do not assume that overwhelming CAP will be able to protect anything because it may not perform as well as it should. In my mind even if you allowed the escorting fighters to occupy 2x their number of CAP fighters, that still means some fighters should be able to get in amongst the bombers. If we are guaranteed "leakers" in AE, it should go both ways, i.e., CAP should leak past the escorts into the bombers,

3 August 1942

The almost single underwhelming AE turn ever. Total combat was three events.

1. RNN sub hits and likely sinks a large TK NW of Ambon
2. A single Sally strike against KMT troops interdicting the Sinyang/Hankow rail line
3. BOMB Attack by the IJA at Batavia.

That is all

PS: I love it when the fuel burns. Well not when it is my fuel burning, but you know what I mean

[vettim89]

4-6 August 1942

We are officially in the SUmmer 1942 lull. Larry has quite a bit of cleanup work to accomplish in the Banda Sea region and three bases in western Java remain mine. He tried another deliberate attack on the 4th at Batavia but failed. Still base AS is 1200+ for IJA vs 375 for Dutch. Nonetheless, cannot complain about holding part of Java into August.

These turns were filled by requisite aerial bombardments in China and little else. I ran a sweep over Mandaly on the 6th. Once again I had a loner group of P-40E that went in alone. That squadron accounted for the bulk of my losses of 15 of that airframe on this turn. Then eveybody else went in and gave the Japanese a good mauling: 13 A6M2, 6 Ki-43, and 1 Ki-44II. 20 to 15 is not bad but I fear Larry can absorb these losses better than I can.

My CVs are almost repaired. The three Yorktown Class went through their July Upgrades while operational damage was repaired. Saratoga will have all but the FLOAT damage repaired in two turns then take the long trip back to the WC for complete repair. I suspect I will not have her for use again until October.

Once my CVs are out of the yard I will put a Sept Inf Rgt and BR ashore at Tana (or is it Tama). Anyhow the southern most base in the New Hebrides. The 1st Marines are prepping fore Efate and a NZ BGD for Luganville. That is the short term plans.

[vettim89]

7 August 1942

Woulda, shoulda, coulda.

Sub attack near Ternate at 76,103

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CA Haguro
CA Takao
DD Arashi
DD Natsushio
DD Minazuki
DD Amagiri
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Searaven (launches four dud torpedoes - ugh)

'nuff said

IJA is landing at Dili.

IJN TF out and about east of Luganville. What are they doing hanging out here?

[vettim89]

8-13 August 1942

Highlights of a week of game time

* BB Yamato is sighted near Ambon.

* IJA routs my unit blocking the Sinyang-Hankow Rail line.

* Four USN CVs sortie head to NZ from Sydney

* Damaged CV Saratoga leaves Sydney heading for Cape Town

* I lose a fully trained VSD OSU ASW sq to a very lucky TT attack near Hiva Oa (GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

[vettim89]

14-16 August 1942

Higlights:

* BB TF built among Warspite and USN old BBs hits Adak Island

* S-Boat takes on an xAK on the surface at Buna!

* RAF hits AB at Ramree Island. No Japanese resistance. I figure that is a problem that will correct itself soon.

* Cooktown AB reaches level 4. Slowly working my way up the East Coast of Oz.

* Exmouth port reaches level 4 and AB reaches Level 1.

* Undamage USN CVTF (x4) make it to NZ.

[vettim89]

17-20 August

We are still in the SUmmer 1942 doldrums. The game is definitely in a lull right now. As it is Sunday and I have some time, I will go over my plans just to update my readers.

China

A solid defensive line now exists in Central China snaking from the hex West of Hengshow to just NE of Changsha. All the major bases have at least 1700 AS behind now at least level 4 forts. The IJA is similarly aligned opposing my forces. I orginally thought Larry was going to mount an offensive here but I now think he was just pushing the Chinese back to a more defensable arrangement. My efforts to suppply the KMT have largely been fruitless as any supply flown in from Ledo tends to evaporate. Alos keeping the C-47 sq at even 50% TOE is a challenge.

Burma/India

I have been reconning bases heavily here and it seems Larry is just digging in for the most part. I still hold Katha and Myetina (SP?). The IJA does not seem to be moving at all. Howevere it is Monsoon season so perhaps he is just waiting for that to end. I have left Akyab and Cox Bazaar open hoping to entice Larry to strike. As of yet, no movement. Will have to see what October brings in this theater. I could be more aggressive with an aerial campaign against Northern Burma, but I think that Larry can absorb airframe losses better than I can at this point in time

DEI

The Dutch are holding by a thread at Batavia. I only hold that base plu two others in Western Java. Sumatra is nearly all Japanese with the exception of the small dot base in the center where the Palembang Refugees have fled to die. Larry still has not cleared the Celebes nor the Moluccas. Odd. He hold Koepang and Dili on Timor but most of the bases between Timor and Java are still Allied. All the bases in the Banda Sea region are still Allied.

Oz

Exmouth is being developed. A convoy with engineers just arrive at Melbourne. These units will be mostly sent to NE Oz but an Air Advance BF is bening sent to Perth and then Exmouth. Up in the NE, Townsvile is a Level 9 AB and port is expanding, Cairns is maxed out at 8/5, and cooktown is growing at 4/2. I am sending some engineers overland to Coen with the eventual plan of developing Portland Roads. The back burner plans would be to reinforce PNG or developing the bases to the East of Milne Bay (Kiriwin, Rossel, etc). More on that later. I am training up my 4E units and trying to get their TOE filled out. I have a total of nine sq I would like to assign to the Fifth AF, but the last three only have 3-4 airframes per sq. B-17E production is done; -F will produce for a few months. Once that is done, I will have to lean on the B-24 for my primary Bomber. They are being built now and a few Sq have upgraded.

SoPac

The USN carriers are moving north to escort an Inf RGT and two CB units to Tanna. This base will be fully developed before I move on Efate. Again, one Efate is developed, I will move on Luganville. Basically I am going to employ an Island Hopping campaign in the SoPac.

NoPac

Adak Island now has a full Inf RGT plus a small BF. I will continue to move units forward as they become available. I don't know how well garrisoned Amchitka Island is at this point. I think it is a rather small force but will need to do some recon. Obviously, the eventualy plan will be to retake that base and continue to creep forward

Overall Strategy

I know my opponent well enough to have a feel for how he is going to conduct further operations. The first thing is that he is very careful. The AMchitka invasion was about as bold as Larry will get. Considering his need to consolidate the DEI, I do not forsee and bold moves in the near furture. The second is that he seems to be moving in operational pulses. I have seen a lot of activity followed by slow periods. I discussed earlier how to deal with the IJN Death Star and my conclusion is that I don't, at least for now. I need to wait for Larry to go through one of his operational pulses then as soon as it is over move forward. As my air forces grow and airframes improve, I can hopefuly whittle the IJN pilot pool down enough to neuter it's effectiveness to a point of vulnerability.

Here is where a move on PNG and neighboring islands may come into play. If Larry pulses his carriers into the Coral Sea, I may be able to time some quick moves forward as they withdraw. Timing will be particularly important.

(yes, I know, I need maps)

[vettim89]

21-22 August 1942

Batavia falls on the 21st. The Fat Lady is warming up on Java

USN TF are almost all at Norfolk Island. The will move to Tanna in two turns most likely.

I have three additional ENG units that need lift to the NoPac. Unfortunately I am still experiencing a DD shortage. One thing I could do to help that would be to combine my CVTF. I am nervous about it but wa wondering if two TF with two CV each is safe to use in 1942. Anyone have any experience with this arrangement?

[vettim89]

23 August 1942

Took less than five minutes to run the entire Combat Replay. How's that for a slow turn. Only thing of note is that a USN Fleet Boat put a working TT into a TK off Tarakan. Having posted my CV question in the War Room, I think I will keep mine in single CV TFs for now. REPL group arrives Norfolk Island this turn. Tanna force will take three days to make it to their objective. Hopefully this will be a quick in and quick out operation. Do not want to linger too longer with the threat of IJN carriers.

[zuluhour]

I will keep mine in single CV TFs for now

I do not have the luxury of a two CV TF.[:(]. However, I am ( I think..) gaining leverage through judicious use of the B24 and B17. Like the allies with Kido Butai, the IJ have a very difficult time dealing with an 80-150 plane raid of these types. Are you in a position start leveling his forward bases? It looks as if you could level Luganville in one day from Noumea.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

I will keep mine in single CV TFs for now

I do not have the luxury of a two CV TF.[:(]. However, I am ( I think..) gaining leverage through judicious use of the B24 and B17. Like the allies with Kido Butai, the IJ have a very difficult time dealing with an 80-150 plane raid of these types. Are you in a position start leveling his forward bases? It looks as if you could level Luganville in one day from Noumea.

I am such a nit picker on Pilot training - call me the anti-Canoerebel. Nobody geos until their primary skill is at least in the 70s. So I have 48 planes in Oz. 72 at PH where the are holding up some of the NavSearch burden, and potentially about another 100 in the US. Almost everybody is good to go but I am struggling with airframes. B-17E is done and -F produces for only two or three months. All units will eventually upgrade to B-24 but that will take some time. Also I am sending two sq to Unmak to level the AB at Amchitka.

But yes, I plan to level these three AB: PM, Luganville and Amchitka