May 31st, June 1st
Nothing to mention happened on 31st.
On 1st, the USN CVs arrived to Pearl: as I half thought, they were lurking there and sortied when KB was sighted. At least 3 have now returned to their nest, and the 4th is probably nearby. 2/3 of Kido Butai is at Truk, and needs 13-15 days to be fully refit. It could be ready sooner than that but I want to the alertness and security as high as possible to be able to sortie immediately. Zeros are moved to land bases at the atoll and cover the fleet now. The replenishment tankers are unloading the fuel for a day or 2 and will then relocate to East Indies well ahead of the KB.
June 2nd
Only thing to mention today is that the Allies have finally moved bombers to Burma front: there are 18 spotted by Japanese aerial reconnaissance at Calcutta. The 13th Sentai/A with its 14 Ki-45 heavy fighters is still assembling its planes at Bangkok with about half of them ready to fly, but as soon as they're ready they'll transfer to Magwe to counter those bombers. Allies have apparently also moved another squadron of reconnaissance aircraft either to Chittacong or Calcutta as a Beaufort was sighted above Akyab today - so far the Allied recce planes have been ID'd as Lysanders.
Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 3rd
Today 3 commando submarines reach their far out patrol zones near Karachi, Bombay and in the Southern Ocean. These submarines are some of the subs I've for now dedicated to scouting, mainly for trying to find the Allied convoy routes.
Something is caught right away: far from nearest land, 480 nautical miles SOUTH of the SW corner of Australia(hex 042,163 for those with the game), I-165 attacks a lone xAK in full fuel load in a brutal surface attack. 4 torpedo hits(+2 duds) and 12 shell hits is overkill for the 5500-ton transport. I-165 still has torpedoes left so shes ordered to remain on station.
An insignificant event perhaps, but the latest kill by a submarine was 3 weeks ago, and it looks like the direct Cape Town - Adelaine is still being used and can, if wanted, be raided again.
Across the Australia, there is some increased activity: a destroyer squadron sails from Brisbane but submarine RO-60 misses its torpedoes. Just East of Sydney, another small force of warships is sighted. At Suva, Fiji, another Allied destroyer squadron arrives to port and is sighted by submarine based E14Y. Radio activity reported at Noumea in New Caledonia and looks like there are finally some patrol aircraft operating from a base somewhere in the New Hebrides.
Today 3 commando submarines reach their far out patrol zones near Karachi, Bombay and in the Southern Ocean. These submarines are some of the subs I've for now dedicated to scouting, mainly for trying to find the Allied convoy routes.
Something is caught right away: far from nearest land, 480 nautical miles SOUTH of the SW corner of Australia(hex 042,163 for those with the game), I-165 attacks a lone xAK in full fuel load in a brutal surface attack. 4 torpedo hits(+2 duds) and 12 shell hits is overkill for the 5500-ton transport. I-165 still has torpedoes left so shes ordered to remain on station.
An insignificant event perhaps, but the latest kill by a submarine was 3 weeks ago, and it looks like the direct Cape Town - Adelaine is still being used and can, if wanted, be raided again.
Across the Australia, there is some increased activity: a destroyer squadron sails from Brisbane but submarine RO-60 misses its torpedoes. Just East of Sydney, another small force of warships is sighted. At Suva, Fiji, another Allied destroyer squadron arrives to port and is sighted by submarine based E14Y. Radio activity reported at Noumea in New Caledonia and looks like there are finally some patrol aircraft operating from a base somewhere in the New Hebrides.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
Something is caught right away: far from nearest land, 480 nautical miles SOUTH of the SW corner of Australia(hex 042,163 for those with the game), I-165 attacks a lone xAK in full fuel load in a brutal surface attack. 4 torpedo hits(+2 duds) and 12 shell hits is overkill for the 5500-ton transport. I-165 still has torpedoes left so shes ordered to remain on station.
It also happen to me few times.
Little unrealistic to use those precious torpedoes to sunk defenses target. More realistic should be 1 torpedo and later finishing ship with deck gun.
At lest in Atlantic standard tactic in early war was to sunk lone ships with deck gun and torpedo was weapon of second choice. It was strictly economy. Torpedoes are not cheap and and it took so many time to return home for new torpedoes so captains always thinking twice before use one.
In my case it was worst because it was xAKL ans 6 torpedos[:(]
"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: koniu
Something is caught right away: far from nearest land, 480 nautical miles SOUTH of the SW corner of Australia(hex 042,163 for those with the game), I-165 attacks a lone xAK in full fuel load in a brutal surface attack. 4 torpedo hits(+2 duds) and 12 shell hits is overkill for the 5500-ton transport. I-165 still has torpedoes left so shes ordered to remain on station.
It also happen to me few times.
Little unrealistic to use those precious torpedoes to sunk defenses target. More realistic should be 1 torpedo and later finishing ship with deck gun.
At lest in Atlantic standard tactic in early war was to sunk lone ships with deck gun and torpedo was weapon of second choice
In my case it was worst because it was xAKL ans 6 torpedos[:(]
6 torpedos used or hits on that xAKL? I-165 hit with 4 +2 duds, out of the 14 shot...! [:-]
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: Erkki
ORIGINAL: koniu
Something is caught right away: far from nearest land, 480 nautical miles SOUTH of the SW corner of Australia(hex 042,163 for those with the game), I-165 attacks a lone xAK in full fuel load in a brutal surface attack. 4 torpedo hits(+2 duds) and 12 shell hits is overkill for the 5500-ton transport. I-165 still has torpedoes left so shes ordered to remain on station.
It also happen to me few times.
Little unrealistic to use those precious torpedoes to sunk defenses target. More realistic should be 1 torpedo and later finishing ship with deck gun.
At lest in Atlantic standard tactic in early war was to sunk lone ships with deck gun and torpedo was weapon of second choice
In my case it was worst because it was xAKL ans 6 torpedos[:(]
6 torpedos used or hits on that xAKL? I-165 hit with 4 +2 duds, out of the 14 shot...! [:-]
Maybe he mistaken it with CV[:D]
First he attack on surface with deck gun and finish with 2 torps. Later that day he attack again and shot another 4 torpedoes. But 14 torps, this definitely require long talk with captain.
As i remember my captain have high aggressiveness skill. He die few days later trying to attack DD convoy
"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 4th, June 5th, June 6th, June 7th
Kido Butai: CV Shokaku, CV Zuikaku, CA Chokai and 5 destroyers leave Truk, heading to Kobe where they will go through major upgrades. The carriers will receive air search radar sets and more AAA batteries while the Chokai will go swap its secondary armament to dual-purpose weapons and the destroyers get more AA guns and depth charges. This force will be unavailable to frontline use for nearly 2 months.
SigInt: 3 CVEs reported at Los Angeles. These cannot be the same 3 "CVs" reported at Pearl only half a week before.
Kido Butai: CV Shokaku, CV Zuikaku, CA Chokai and 5 destroyers leave Truk, heading to Kobe where they will go through major upgrades. The carriers will receive air search radar sets and more AAA batteries while the Chokai will go swap its secondary armament to dual-purpose weapons and the destroyers get more AA guns and depth charges. This force will be unavailable to frontline use for nearly 2 months.
SigInt: 3 CVEs reported at Los Angeles. These cannot be the same 3 "CVs" reported at Pearl only half a week before.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 8th
Submarines: I-16 was tasked to go help I-165 South of Australia. Near Adelaine, it catches a convoy of fuel-laden ships and sinks 2 Dominion L 6100-tonners that burn up nicely! Only 6 torpedoes were used so there are more 14 left. I-16 is now ordered to follow this convoy towards Adelaine, and with some luck it'll make contact again. Once again, there were no escort ships sighted.
I'm going to exploit this convoy route as much as I can until Smeulders adds some escorts or reroutes his convoys.
Submarines: I-16 was tasked to go help I-165 South of Australia. Near Adelaine, it catches a convoy of fuel-laden ships and sinks 2 Dominion L 6100-tonners that burn up nicely! Only 6 torpedoes were used so there are more 14 left. I-16 is now ordered to follow this convoy towards Adelaine, and with some luck it'll make contact again. Once again, there were no escort ships sighted.
I'm going to exploit this convoy route as much as I can until Smeulders adds some escorts or reroutes his convoys.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
BIG upgrades. I always hate to lose them at this time, but the radar is just too important to the KB.ORIGINAL: Erkki
June 4th, June 5th, June 6th, June 7th
Kido Butai: CV Shokaku, CV Zuikaku, CA Chokai and 5 destroyers leave Truk, heading to Kobe where they will go through major upgrades. The carriers will receive air search radar sets and more AAA batteries while the Chokai will go swap its secondary armament to dual-purpose weapons and the destroyers get more AA guns and depth charges. This force will be unavailable to frontline use for nearly 2 months.
Pax
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 9th, 10th, 11th
Looks like the activity is rising again!
Philippines: The tired defenders of Bataan surrender, and 58,000 PA and US Army men march to captivity. The victorious forces will now move to Manila, and some units will be moved to garrison the smaller islands. On Mindanao, an infantry battalion is ordered to march back to the coast to later garrison Cebu, while the infantry regiment that took Cebu will move to reinforce the Malabalay siege.
Burma: Allies have finally moved in bombers! A whopping 60 are sighted at Rangoon's airfield. For tomorrow, 30 Zero A6M3s will sweep the airspace over Calcutta (hopefully) after which 60 Ki-21 bombers will hit the airfields escorted by 40 Ki-43s. Rangoon has at least 90 enemy fighters but their level of alertness is unknown.
Submarines: 2 more convoys sail in and out of Sydney but the attacking submarines fail to get into firing position. Near Adelaine, I-165 attacks another convoy of unescorted transports but this time the sole hit is a dud.
Looks like the activity is rising again!
Philippines: The tired defenders of Bataan surrender, and 58,000 PA and US Army men march to captivity. The victorious forces will now move to Manila, and some units will be moved to garrison the smaller islands. On Mindanao, an infantry battalion is ordered to march back to the coast to later garrison Cebu, while the infantry regiment that took Cebu will move to reinforce the Malabalay siege.
Burma: Allies have finally moved in bombers! A whopping 60 are sighted at Rangoon's airfield. For tomorrow, 30 Zero A6M3s will sweep the airspace over Calcutta (hopefully) after which 60 Ki-21 bombers will hit the airfields escorted by 40 Ki-43s. Rangoon has at least 90 enemy fighters but their level of alertness is unknown.
Submarines: 2 more convoys sail in and out of Sydney but the attacking submarines fail to get into firing position. Near Adelaine, I-165 attacks another convoy of unescorted transports but this time the sole hit is a dud.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 12th
Finally more action that just troops marching and ships sailing.
Burma: Kanoya Ku S-1 sweeps Calcutta with 27 Zeros and finds no less than 60 Hurricane IIs flying CAP, with 30 already in the air. The initial advantage was soon lost, and the Zeros only scored 10 confirmed kills vs. 7 Zeros lost over target and 3 more written off due damage. The first wave of bombers escorted by 42 Ki-42s got through easily(losing just 3 Ki-43s to 1 Hurricane) but the extremely heavy AAA downed 2 Ki-21s and damaged 6 more. Only one Hudson bomber was seen hit on the ground. The second, unescorted wave of Ki-21s lost 3 of its number to the Hurricanes.
In the end, we lost 9 A6M3s, 8 Ki-21s and 3 Ki-43s with 6 Zero, 3 Ki-43 and 8 Ki-21 aircrew. Allied losses are estimated 12-13 Hurricanes. The ratio for today is not too good but both Zeros and Ki-43s flew at extended range. It also seemed that Calcutta had no radar to guide the CAP...
Probably all those 60 bombers at Calcutta are Hudsons, so trying to attack the place isnt worthwhile. I dont think they were moved in for fun, so we might see the Allies try hitting Magwe or even Rangoon soon. If they decide to visit Magwe, they'll face over 120 state of the art interceptors, multiple radars and 100 tubes of heavy anti aircraft artillery.
Finally more action that just troops marching and ships sailing.
Burma: Kanoya Ku S-1 sweeps Calcutta with 27 Zeros and finds no less than 60 Hurricane IIs flying CAP, with 30 already in the air. The initial advantage was soon lost, and the Zeros only scored 10 confirmed kills vs. 7 Zeros lost over target and 3 more written off due damage. The first wave of bombers escorted by 42 Ki-42s got through easily(losing just 3 Ki-43s to 1 Hurricane) but the extremely heavy AAA downed 2 Ki-21s and damaged 6 more. Only one Hudson bomber was seen hit on the ground. The second, unescorted wave of Ki-21s lost 3 of its number to the Hurricanes.
In the end, we lost 9 A6M3s, 8 Ki-21s and 3 Ki-43s with 6 Zero, 3 Ki-43 and 8 Ki-21 aircrew. Allied losses are estimated 12-13 Hurricanes. The ratio for today is not too good but both Zeros and Ki-43s flew at extended range. It also seemed that Calcutta had no radar to guide the CAP...
Probably all those 60 bombers at Calcutta are Hudsons, so trying to attack the place isnt worthwhile. I dont think they were moved in for fun, so we might see the Allies try hitting Magwe or even Rangoon soon. If they decide to visit Magwe, they'll face over 120 state of the art interceptors, multiple radars and 100 tubes of heavy anti aircraft artillery.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 13th-15th.
Nothing happened. Its frustrating how the game allows my opponent to just sit on his hands and do nothing. Now, the last time he actually acted and did something was sending the single small surface combat squadron against my Makassar landings - 4 months ago! It still takes the same nearly 1h to take a turn and we only play them 4 to 5 a week too. [:(][>:]
Nothing happened. Its frustrating how the game allows my opponent to just sit on his hands and do nothing. Now, the last time he actually acted and did something was sending the single small surface combat squadron against my Makassar landings - 4 months ago! It still takes the same nearly 1h to take a turn and we only play them 4 to 5 a week too. [:(][>:]
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: Erkki
June 13th-15th.
Nothing happened. Its frustrating how the game allows my opponent to just sit on his hands and do nothing. Now, the last time he actually acted and did something was sending the single small surface combat squadron against my Makassar landings - 4 months ago! It still takes the same nearly 1h to take a turn and we only play them 4 to 5 a week too. [:(][>:]
Be careful what you wish for. Soon You will miss those quiet days [;)]
"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: Erkki
June 13th-15th.
Nothing happened. Its frustrating how the game allows my opponent to just sit on his hands and do nothing. Now, the last time he actually acted and did something was sending the single small surface combat squadron against my Makassar landings - 4 months ago! It still takes the same nearly 1h to take a turn and we only play them 4 to 5 a week too. [:(][>:]
Frustrating. Keep up the prep in the Pacific though. If you have extra time to set up it'll be that much harder for him than otherwise.
How is the land stuff going in Asia?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: obvert
ORIGINAL: Erkki
June 13th-15th.
Nothing happened. Its frustrating how the game allows my opponent to just sit on his hands and do nothing. Now, the last time he actually acted and did something was sending the single small surface combat squadron against my Makassar landings - 4 months ago! It still takes the same nearly 1h to take a turn and we only play them 4 to 5 a week too. [:(][>:]
Frustrating. Keep up the prep in the Pacific though. If you have extra time to set up it'll be that much harder for him than otherwise.
How is the land stuff going in Asia?
Nothing... China front has been a sitzkrieg the last 3 months as has the Burma front. Smeulders has lately moved at least one US LCU to Dacca but its probably some kind of an engineer or another support unit. Also some Hudsons to Calcutta I tried to bomb but lost 5 times as many planes to flak alone than my 60 bombers destroyed his on the ground, heh(Calcutta had 200+ spotted planes of 60 bombers).
My reinforcements have arrived at Rangoon and more are on their way with more supplies. I'm building up the bases along the railroad to allow supply more supply to be transfered - I had to pull the III/Imperial Guards from the front to Rangoon because I couldnt supply it at the end of the rail. I think now have the troop strength to fight back the Allies here and I have converted many fighter units to Ki-44, and the only Burma front Zero unit to A6M3. Within 3 weeks there should be one more experienced division unloading at Rangoon, giving me almost 5 divs' worth of combat LCUs in Burma.
The good thing about Smeulders' passivity is that hes also not building up northern Australia, which we're going to invade in less than a month. I'm not going to Darwin directly but trying to cut it off supplies and starve it. My subs are monitoring Geraldton and Perth too and theres nothing, just nothing happening besides a couple of LCUs sitting. There arent even naval search aircraft present. [:-]
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: Erkki
Within 3 weeks there should be one more experienced division unloading at Rangoon, giving me almost 5 divs' worth of combat LCUs in Burma.
I must warn you, 5 divisions is not nearly enough. In my PBEM game it's January 1943, I have 8 divisions is Burma and allies are already pushing me back with a help of massive 2E and 4E bomber raids.
If allies want Burma, I think there's nothing Japan can do.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
ORIGINAL: Puhis
ORIGINAL: Erkki
Within 3 weeks there should be one more experienced division unloading at Rangoon, giving me almost 5 divs' worth of combat LCUs in Burma.
I must warn you, 5 divisions is not nearly enough. In my PBEM game it's January 1943, I have 8 divisions is Burma and allies are already pushing me back with a help of massive 2E and 4E bomber raids.
If allies want Burma, I think there's nothing Japan can do.
Umm yeah, most likely. But for now (mid 1942) I think 4 divs and 5th soon on its way are enough. Especially as the Allies arent doing any kind of build up of the front bases. I havent yet decided where to move the troops that won Bataan a couple of days ago, but at least some of them will go to Burma. That'd make it 6+ divs worth of combat LCUs.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
Interesting. If you're bored maybe you should send those PI troops on a little vacation in south OZ for their troubles. If Perth is so lightly defended you could take it for fun, then pull those troops right back to Burma. If you get the rail head there it'll be a while before he can hit back and will likely have to come by sea. A chance to bleed more Allied stuff for little risk if it is that lightly held now.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
We have reached June 21st
Almost nothing has happened. One of my picket xAKLs a couple of days from the coast of Honshu finally found some of the Allied sub force and got attacked. We are also killing time and having fun bombing British troops in India. An SNLF unit also secured Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. Thats all that happened in a week!
In 2 days however the Kendari invasion force will board their ships. We'll also be invading Ambon a week or 2 later. KB is finally about to be fully ready - almost 2 weeks later than it should have by the initial repair time estimates...
Almost nothing has happened. One of my picket xAKLs a couple of days from the coast of Honshu finally found some of the Allied sub force and got attacked. We are also killing time and having fun bombing British troops in India. An SNLF unit also secured Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. Thats all that happened in a week!
In 2 days however the Kendari invasion force will board their ships. We'll also be invading Ambon a week or 2 later. KB is finally about to be fully ready - almost 2 weeks later than it should have by the initial repair time estimates...
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 22nd
Finally some action today.
East Indies: the xAK on its way to Makassar that was torpedoed yesterday sinks.
Burma: looks like the Allies moved LOTS of planes to Dacca overnight! However Today's target was Chittagong. 25 Ki-21s escorted by 17 Ki-43s met 7 P-40s. Despite being just Ki-43s and having to escort the bombers, our flyboys did well today by scoring shooting down 4 confirmed kills and at least damaging the 3 others. 2 Ki-43s were lost with their pilots. A dozen Blenheims visited Myitkyina and cratered the runway.
Dacca is now reported to have nearly 60 fighters and 50-ish transports and other aux planes. Tomorrow, drop-tank equipped Ki-44s will sweep Chittagong in hopes of catching more Allied air patrols from Dacca, while more Ki-44s and some Ki-43s will escort Ki-21s to hit the airfield in the case some fighters get transferred there.
Finally some action today.
East Indies: the xAK on its way to Makassar that was torpedoed yesterday sinks.
Burma: looks like the Allies moved LOTS of planes to Dacca overnight! However Today's target was Chittagong. 25 Ki-21s escorted by 17 Ki-43s met 7 P-40s. Despite being just Ki-43s and having to escort the bombers, our flyboys did well today by scoring shooting down 4 confirmed kills and at least damaging the 3 others. 2 Ki-43s were lost with their pilots. A dozen Blenheims visited Myitkyina and cratered the runway.
Dacca is now reported to have nearly 60 fighters and 50-ish transports and other aux planes. Tomorrow, drop-tank equipped Ki-44s will sweep Chittagong in hopes of catching more Allied air patrols from Dacca, while more Ki-44s and some Ki-43s will escort Ki-21s to hit the airfield in the case some fighters get transferred there.
RE: Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!
June 23rd
Burma: The Allies took the bait this turn and assigned LRCAP over Chittacong. Allied CAP over Chittacong was engaged by 4 waves of Ki-44s and then Ki-44 escorted Ki-21s that bombed the airfield with good results. Today's losses for Japan are 3 Ki-44s and 1 pilot KIA(+ another WIA) for at least 8 confirmed kills!
Ki-44s performed superbly today despite the relatively high fatigue of the air units, long range and not having numerical superiority over the radar assisted enemy.
Tomorrow, we are going to sweep Chittacong again with Ki-44s. In the case Bart flies everything he can OR draws his fighters back to Dacca, 27 A6M3s are also ordered to sweep the base just East of Dacca at 20,000ft. I'm expecting more good results, as many of the P-40s and Hurricanes damaged today shouldn't be able to fly tomorrow. Ki-21s will carry on bombing Chittacong. 40 Ki-43s fly CAP over Myitkyina, Meiktila and especially Magwe.
Burma: The Allies took the bait this turn and assigned LRCAP over Chittacong. Allied CAP over Chittacong was engaged by 4 waves of Ki-44s and then Ki-44 escorted Ki-21s that bombed the airfield with good results. Today's losses for Japan are 3 Ki-44s and 1 pilot KIA(+ another WIA) for at least 8 confirmed kills!
Ki-44s performed superbly today despite the relatively high fatigue of the air units, long range and not having numerical superiority over the radar assisted enemy.
Tomorrow, we are going to sweep Chittacong again with Ki-44s. In the case Bart flies everything he can OR draws his fighters back to Dacca, 27 A6M3s are also ordered to sweep the base just East of Dacca at 20,000ft. I'm expecting more good results, as many of the P-40s and Hurricanes damaged today shouldn't be able to fly tomorrow. Ki-21s will carry on bombing Chittacong. 40 Ki-43s fly CAP over Myitkyina, Meiktila and especially Magwe.