The Eager Reluctant Admiral (RA4.1) – DivePac (J) v ny59giants (A)

DivePac88 · Post by **DivePac88** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:48 pm

Hello folks, this is a regular AAR (hopefully) on a Reluctant Admiral 4.1 Mod campaign. My opponent in the blue (Allied) corner will be the indomitable ny59giants, and I am eagerly in the red (Japanese) corner. This is a restart of a Reluctant Admiral 4.0 mod, that ny59giants and I were three turns into. But we mutually agreed to restart, as there were major TOE problem with Allied units in China. Now with these TOE problems in China fixed, and some requested changes to aviation support in Japanese naval HOs, we a going again.

I have been reading Michael’s (ny59giant’s) posts for years and know that he, like me puts emphasis on logistics. I will also have to be very wary of him, as he appears to be a very aggressive player. Sadly he is doomed to lose of course, to my radiant brilliance and unshakable ability. As I also am a logistics nut, in fact I am an eager student of the Master of the Japanese economics Mike Solli. So Michael is in for a challenging and hopefully fun campaign, against a tough and wily opponent.

So Michael my indomitable fellow, if you have been reading this post. You can now be gone from this AAR, which is now closed to you. But I will wish you good luck at this time, and high Safari Pacific to you.

Now here are the agreed house rules that we will play this campaign –
House Rules

1. 1st turn can have multiple port attacks, but ONLY from carriers. Manila, Singapore, and Pearl may have Fighters up and on CAP (less than40%). Allies cannot transfer new Squadrons reflecting prior knowledge.

2. PPs to move out of national borders (Japan - Manchuria, Thai) and (Allies - India, China)

3. No strategic bombing (Oil, Resources, HI, LI, etc.) on EITHER side until July 1943

4. Manila subs can form TF based on a date/time stamp (use the last digit in a pre-determined e-mail). Since this may be the second port attack, the last digit in the time (hh:mm:ss) is used to determine how many subs can form TF (anywhere from 1-9 SS can be formed up).

5. Non-historic 1st turn, normal reinforcements, PDUs ON, orders for TF formed already OK, no transfers. China is active for both sides on Turn 1.

6. Aircraft Limitations (reflecting the Mod):
-No A6M3 on CVEs
-No A6M4 on any form of Carrier -A7M Sam and B7A-D Grace cannot be operated from CVEs

7. Four-Engine Bombers:
a. 4E bombers restricted to 10k or higher for naval and ground attacks (does not include PBY/Mavis type patrol craft). They can go below 10k after January 43.
b. 4E bombers CANNOT bomb troops

8. Single ship TF – The Allied player will not form them deliberately after January 42 due to the AI code often ignoring them and not sending out bombers to attack. Japan will be allowed to send out single ships

9. Fighter Altitude Rules: Combat altitude from:
Dec 1941- May 1942 20,000 June 1942-Dec 1942 25,000 1943 30,000 1944--45 Whatever

10. Night Bombing must have 50% Moonlight through the end of 1943. Starting January 1, 1944 Night Bombing may occur in any condition. Japan will need at least 50% for the whole war.

11. Burma/NE India Monsoon Rules
Offensive operations in jungle and mountain hexes on the Burmese front should be stopped from May 15th to October 15th for the Monsoon Season, allowing R&R, unit rotations, and give both players on the front a much less bloody (and much more interesting) experience. This would mean:

1. No deliberate or shock attack in the jungle hexes in the designated area
2. Deliberate Attacks allowed in non-Jungle Terrain
3. Bombardment attacks are still allowed anywhere
4. Movement into friendly or empty hexes is still allowed
5. The number of aircraft allowed to fly from a base is reflected in its size x10 (Sz-5 mean 50% can fly. The others may rest/train.
6. No offensive carrier operations in the Gulf of Bengal against Burma (other naval ops, including bombardment, are still allowed). Striking either Bengal, Northern India or Malaya from carriers in the Gulf is still allowed, of course.

Hexes would be corresponding to everything above the "Thailand" label within Burmese and Thailandese borders + the few jungle hexes going 3 or 4 hexes into "India" (Kohima, Ledo, Imphal area)

My Notes –

Some people will think that it a little unfair, that I the Japanese player are allowed single ship TFs thought-out the war. But the reason I asked for this clause, is that the Japanese historically used Single PB TFs, as picket boats off the east coast of the Home Islands. I also want to use single AMC TFs, to patrol the Northern Pacific Area. The finally single xAK/xAKL TFs as blockade runners to my isolated Pacific Island and Indian Ocean garrisons.

PaxMondo · Post by **PaxMondo** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:46 am

BANZAI!!!!
 
Looking forward to further adventures of the wild Emu!

Cribtop · Post by **Cribtop** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:05 am

Banzai and good luck, Sir. Michael's been very helpful to me with logistics (as has Mike Solli). That said, Michael is a Giants and a Clemson fan, which is just a nightmare for this Cowboy and Gamecock loving fanatic (the Longhorns are my fave team, the Gamecocks my Dad's fave). Thus, you MUST crush the infidel! [:D]

Mike Solli · Post by **Mike Solli** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:31 am

Des, I've been looking forward to this AAR! Good luck and good hunting! [:)]

koniu · Post by **koniu** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:51 am

Good luck. Any dark side AAR is most welcome!

koniu

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:14 am

Good luck. I'll be following!

DivePac88 · Post by **DivePac88** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:01 am

What must these Allied Powers think of us now, after we have struck their powerful lairs. It was their illegal economic blockade of Empire, which has forced us into this drastic action. We had no choice, for without the oil and raw recourses our Home Islands and People were doomed to starvation. For too long these Imperialistic Colonial Empires, have treated us as a third-rate Nation. But now in the name of our Divine Emperor, we will show them what we are capable of. As our Glorious Army and Navy drive them from the land and sea, to their own side of the World. Releasing the Peoples of South East Asia, from the yoke of Western Imperialistic slavery.
4th Fleet Area (Eastern Pacific).

Our 1st Carrier Striking Force struck the USN Pacific Fleet and airfields at Pearl Harbor today, and while significant damage was done to the enemy forces, the raid proved costly to the attacking aircraft. With around 15x A6M2s, and 20x B5N2s lost over the target area, on the return to, or to right-offs on the carriers. I will of course raid Pearl Harbor again tomorrow, as I have to put those USN BBs out of action for as long as possible.

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107 Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 84
B5N2 Kate x 139
D3A1 Val x 138

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 22 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 7 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 8 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 2 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
SNJ-3 Texan: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Torpedo hits 1
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, heavy damage
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CM Oglala
xAP St. Mihel
AV Curtiss
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Henley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Conyngham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Castor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

Airbase hits 48
Runway hits 99
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 3

My Intel read,
USN Carriers- one carrier is on the US west coast, and will take two to three days to reach the Pearl Harbor area. Another carrier is in the Midway, or Wake area (to take-on the Wildcats), and will probably head northeast to clear the area. While the final carrier is around Pago Pago, and will I think make for the Marshall or Solomon Islands areas.

Southeast Fleet Area (South Seas).
Loading Forces for Rabaul area operations, hopefully before Michael can get a carrier into the area.

3rd Fleet Area (Southern DEI).

Loading and gathering forces for Jolo Island and Manado operations, with the Light Carrier Striking Force to cover one then the other.

My Intel Read,
USN Cruisers- One, or both will hopefully run south out of the area. But there is a possibility than one may head east, to interfere with shipping south of the Home Islands. With this in mind I will put two hunting groups into this area, one of which will contain a light carrier.

14th Army Area (Philippines).

All landings will be one day late, as I want an extra day for fighter sweeps over Clark Field and Manila.

23rd Army Area (Hong Kong).

My Ground Forces are moving on Hong Kong, while local JAAF aircraft are neutralizing the airfield.

2nd Fleet Area (South China Sea)

Naval actions west of Formosa accounted for 5x RN MTBs, and 1 RN destroyer, with another badly damaged.

End.

Thanks for the support guys, and any questions, just ask away. But the truth is that I am shaking in my slippers, as Michael seems really good, and doesn't miss a thing. [;)]

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:56 am

Odd that Arizona is only on fire after two bombs and 3 torpedoes!?! With all of those torp hits most of the BBs look to be out for a very long time.

Going in for day 2?

koniu · Post by **koniu** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:56 am

ORIGINAL: obvert

Odd that Arizona is only on fire after two bombs and 3 torpedoes!?! With all of those torp hits most of the BBs look to be out for a very long time.

Going in for day 2?

Probably FOW.

26 torpedo hits to BBs. Very good result. You will not see them for next year or more.

As for day two. With those AF damage you made there is big chance for limited CAP in Pearl. On you place i will set some Zeros on sweep and attack again. But i am not on Your place.

PaxMondo · Post by **PaxMondo** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:19 am

Yeah, but AA will be vicious.  Always a tough call to make on the 2nd day. 
 
I like to sink those BB's here as it then forces the allies to put their 1st line BB's into their amphib forces, which means fewer in the CV TF's and that means better results for my air attacks.  Flip side is that I always seem to lose +20 more pilots ... really good ones that are hard/impossible to replace.
 
Tough call.

jeffk3510 · Post by **jeffk3510** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 1:55 pm

Get after it Dez!

DivePac88 · Post by **DivePac88** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:46 pm

I know that some of you, are going to disagree with my choices in here. But these a the airframes that I think, that I will be needing for the first six months of the campaign. That float-planes (even obsolete airframes), and transport aircraft, are just as important as fighters and bombers.

PaxMondo · Post by **PaxMondo** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:06 am

Des,

So why build the Alf and Pete along with Jake? Jake is so much better ... totally agree with total quantity of FP's though, I also build LOTS.

Oscar: why build both the b and c?

Sally/Thalia/Topsy - why build all 3? I like the Topsy for the range and the engine initially.

How about IJN recon? Need the Babs?

DivePac88 · Post by **DivePac88** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:22 am

Hi Pax, well here is my thinking.

I want another 100x E7K2s for training and low-level (3000-4000) naval search in the Home Islands.
I like the F1M2 for low-level (1000-2000) ASW search in inshore areas.

I want to fully equip 4 Fighter Sentai with Ki-43-Bs in the early months, as they are just as good as the Cs.

I like the MC-21 because of it's range, and will use it till the Ki-49-II KAI come into service in number.
I build the Ki-56 as a medium range transport, and will build about 60.
I will build the Ki-57-I till the Ki-57-II starts building.

I think I have enough C5M2s, till the JINI-C comes into service.

PaxMondo · Post by **PaxMondo** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:53 am

Just some random thoughts, use as you see fit. [8D]

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

I want another 100x E7K2s for training and low-level (3000-4000) naval search in the Home Islands.
I like the F1M2 for low-level (1000-2000) ASW search in inshore areas.

E13A1 has 4x60Kg
E7K2 has 2x60kg
F1M2 has 2x30kg

I find that 4 bombs hits a lot better than two. [;)]

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

I want to fully equip 4 Fighter Sentai with Ki-43-Bs in the early months, as they are just as good as the Cs.

Ahhh, ok, yeah pretty much the same. Both only have 2 pea shooters. I had a BB gun that was bigger. [;)]

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

I like the MC-21 because of it's range, and will use it till the Ki-49-II KAI come into service in number.
I build the Ki-56 as a medium range transport, and will build about 60.
I will build the Ki-57-I till the Ki-57-II starts building.

MC-21 760/960 3000lbs
Ki-56 930/1160 2000lbs
Ki-57 840/1050 2300lbs

My understanding is that over 2000 up to about 7500, all TP's carry the same load. So, only distance and engines matter. I like the extra hexes of the Thalia, but usually choose to build the Topsy due to the engines. I never build the Sally as the range is just too short compared to the other two.

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

I think I have enough C5M2s, till the JINI-C comes into service.

Ah, I guess I have worse rolls than you do. [:D] I'm always losing them and can ever make it to 11/42.

DivePac88 · Post by **DivePac88** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:15 am

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

E13A1 has 4x60Kg
E7K2 has 2x60kg
F1M2 has 2x30kg

Opps... didn't think about that.

Now back to the research -

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:22 am

Also, the Oscar Ib has 5 gun value compared with 6 for the Ic (2 x 12.7mm MG). No sense for me in making a plane that's not as good when the other is available, unless you just want more Oscars more quickly.

I agree aout the Jake. 10 hex range is what seals the deal for me, and the 4 x 60kg are a bonus. Hard to fly ASW with Petes as they only cover 2 hexes around the base or ship.

BigBadWolf · Post by **BigBadWolf** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:46 am

I also don't understand this Oscar b thing. why not just convert those factories to c model? That one point of gun value can be the difference between damaging and killing enemy airplane.

Mike Solli · Post by **Mike Solli** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:29 am

Gotta agree with the masses for the most part, DivePac. Not sure how different RA is though. Oscar Ic over the Ib definitely. But, I use the Ib in combat while I used the Ia in combat only briefly. I was able to get all of 3 Air Division upgraded to the Ic (with the exception of the Ib sentai) in about a month in a half. I increased Ic production to 3 factories and 128 planes.

Agree with the transports and FP. I use the Pete for training and the others to supplement training as needed. The Jake is the FP of choice.

Oh, and by the way, that picture is just plain sick. [:D]

PaxMondo · Post by **PaxMondo** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:43 pm

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Oh, and by the way, that picture is just plain sick. [:D]

+1