Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[SqzMyLemon]

A huge air battle over Taung Gyi in Burma today. Despite some aspects of the air model that I simply don't agree with, I enjoyed the air battle. I was concerned about the number of Allied dive bonuses encountered today, and some late fighter sweeps where my CAP was committed piecemeal and absolutely slaughtered. This tilted the overall air losses in favour of the Allies, but I'm still happy with the Japanese efforts today, despite obvious handicaps, in my opinion, applied by the air model. I also encountered the Allied ability to wipe out an airbase in one day for the first time and can't say I'm looking forward to the future. At this rate, I'll have no functioning airbase in Burma within a week if not sooner.

Forgive me posting mostly combat reports, but they speak volumes today.

Feb. 27/43:

Sub Ops:

SS S-32 is spotted near Rekata Bay and SC Ch 38 attacks with DC's. No hits are recorded.

China:

Bombers hit the last of the "Horde" within range and inflict 0(14) infantry and 0(22) non-combat squads and 1(1) guns lost totalling 234 casualties. Those two days of bad weather really were unlucky allowing the enemy to slip away relatively unscathed.

The Shock Attack S.W. of Chungking went well. The Chinese were routed suffering 73(76) infantry, 61(12) non-combat, 1(1) engineer squads and 1(6) guns lost totalling 1493 casualties. Japanese suffered 0(47) infantry, 0(1) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 542 casualties.

My paratroop assault was premature. Recon did not pick up a Chinese Corps at Neikiang. Ouch. AAR follows:
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Ground combat at Neikiang (75,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 151 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Defending force 3156 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 175

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps

The Gilberts:

Recon indicated ships in port at Tabiteuea so I tried a night port strike with Betty's launched from the Marshalls. Weather sucked as usual, severe storms, and no hits were recorded for the loss of a Betty to Flak.

The Solomons:

Lunga's airbase and defenders are bombed for no damage or loss. Weather once again was severe storms.

Burma:

This is the big news of the day. AAR's follow:

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 116
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 35

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 25
P-40K Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 8 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 13 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 15 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (3 airborne, 15 on standby, 13 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 13 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

My CAP was in good shape from the start. However, Bart went for the altitude advantage and the P-38's were devastating initially against my low CAP. Losses were roughly even overall, but in my opinion numbers don't matter that much againt the dive bonus. It always comes down to who's higher and that combat modifier simply rules the roost. That was 86 Japanese fighters airborne at the moment of attack against 32 enemy fighters, almost a 3:1 advantage, yet losses are even. You can see the numbers are massively in favour of Japan for the entire combat.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 102
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 33

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 30
Liberator II x 12
Wellington Ic x 29
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 59
P-40K Warhawk x 10 (Only 10 escorts, yet more joined the fight later...leaking CAP?)

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington Ic: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 9 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 60 (Taung Gyi is out of action with 99% field damage and substantial service damage)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
11 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
28 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
34 planes vectored on to bombers
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
28 planes vectored on to bombers
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 30 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
34 planes vectored on to bombers

I'm not going to try and figure the air model out. All I see here is I have more time to react than the first fighter sweep, yet I only have 12 aircraft intercepting initially. While watching the replay, I got very few passes at the bombers prior to them bombing. It wasn't until after Taung Gyi was cratered that the fighters tore into the bombers.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 74
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 16
B-24D Liberator x 21
P-40K Warhawk x 2 (Only two escorts [8|])

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 81 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

I have less time to react and the raid is detected later, but I get more than 56 fighters intercepting initially, 44 more than last time. I simply don't get it.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 46
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18230.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

I watched this replay with disbelief, as Japanese fighters were committed in one's and two's and simply shot out of the sky. The Hurricane's dove practically on every one of my aircraft, especially the Tojo's and Tony's. I lost way more than indicated above, especially the better Tojo's and Tony's. Only 14 Hurricane's started the sweep and more joined as the combat continued. Is this an actual sweep, leaking CAP or wayward escorts? They were simply unbeatable.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 28
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Again, CAP was committed in one's and two's preventing a decisive engagement, but at least damage was minimal as many Wellington's aborted.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 90

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses [:@]

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-61-Ia Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

This was the final insult of the day. I practically lost every fighter engaged as they were committed individually. The above losses are off, I lost many more Tojo's and Tony's than indicated. This is ridiculous that my forces were committed like this. I lost close to 30-40 aircraft in these last two engagements against sweeps, completely padding the stats and decimating my fighters.

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 27
P-40K Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

By this time CAP was done, but weather was severe storms. Didn't matter as the airbase was already trashed. Funny how all those morning attacks caught such luck getting clear skies. Not one enemy aircraft was downed to Flak, despite two AA Bn's of 75 mm guns..

An afterthought in Burma. AAR follows:
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Ground combat at Bhamo (63,44)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27002 troops, 572 guns, 652 vehicles, Assault Value = 962

Defending force 27702 troops, 279 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 934

Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
2nd British Division

Defending units:
19th Division
5th Division
53rd Const Co
21st Fld AA Gun Co
9th RF Gun Battalion

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Lolobato expands airfield to size 1

DD Sagiri beginning refit while under repair in shipyard at Manila
55th I.F.Chutai converting to Ki-46-III Dinah

SC Ch 35 arrives at Hakodate

Allied:

Meiktila expands fortifications to size 4
Katherine expands airfield to size 9
Prince Rupert expands airfield to size 6

Thoughts:

I'm trying to not criticize things too much anymore. In my opinion though, defensive CAP is worn down too quickly and after three attacks, regardless of success, the performance just drops completely off the map. It leads to slaughter for the defender and frustration for the player on the receiving end. A height advantage coupled with the dive or sweep bonus often gives the attacker a huge advantage over the defence, regardless of number on CAP or if it's layered or not. Launch more than three raids and the remaining CAP is negligible for the rest of the air phase and committed in driblets. It's now a numbers game and the Allies will win it. My opponent has conserved his numbers for a year and now he can simply swamp me with the Allied Air Deathstar. I figure at this rate, I'll have no functioning airbase in Burma within a week.

Tojo's suck ass against bombers, the Tony's not much better. Nick's scored no kills against bombers in mass, so I now have to admit they are useless as bomber interceptors. My best aircraft was the pea shooting Ki-43-IIa Oscar and it suffered huge losses today. I'm ready to see all my replacements appear in Japan, as I don't have the supply surplus available in Burma. This will most likely added weeks to my recovery.

Burma just became my worst nightmare as Japan. I don't have the luxury of hundreds of Tojo's or Tony's...I have Oscar's.

Despite everything said, I'm happy I read my opponent right and at least had massive CAP up today. Rather than a milk run, the Allies got hit hard as well and simply didn't get to nuke my airbase for free. Despite the sour taste in my mouth from the Hurricane sweeps, I thoroughly enjoyed the turn, warts and all.

I will post a screen on Burma tomorrow and ask for advice from players that have already experienced this, and how best to counter with PDU off. Do I abandon Mandalay and head to the hills considering the Allies are days away from total air domination and most likely trying to flank Mandalay in the plains?

Here are A2A losses on the day. Bloody for this war so far. [X(]



I lost 31 pilots KIA, 23 WIA and no MIA on the day.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

What altitude are you bombing from over Lunga? Seems low for hits if the groups are trained up and in good spirits.

10k, morale 99, but average experience at 45 and 54 with ground bomber skill between 60-70. Weather, low experience or bad rolls. My bet is the experience level is hurting them the most, despite decent bombing skill.

[JocMeister]

EDIT: OOOPS!

Posted in the wrong thread!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

What altitude are you bombing from over Lunga? Seems low for hits if the groups are trained up and in good spirits.

10k, morale 99, but average experience at 45 and 54 with ground bomber skill between 60-70. Weather, low experience or bad rolls. My bet is the experience level is hurting them the most, despite decent bombing skill.

As I understand it the experience is supposed to help them get there, get back and if very experienced also get better recon while bombing. But I've found the crews with better experience get more hits. So something is happening there. Once they get above 70 skill there seems to be a big jump in ability as well.

I'm trying to not criticize things too much anymore. In my opinion though, defensive CAP is worn down too quickly and after three attacks, regardless of success, the performance just drops completely off the map. It leads to slaughter for the defender and frustration for the player on the receiving end. A height advantage coupled with the dive or sweep bonus often gives the attacker a huge advantage over the defence, regardless of number on CAP or if it's layered or not. Launch more than three raids and the remaining CAP is negligible for the rest of the air phase and committed in driblets. It's now a numbers game and the Allies will win it. My opponent has conserved his numbers for a year and now he can simply swamp me with the Allied Air Deathstar. I figure at this rate, I'll have no functioning airbase in Burma within a week.

I wonder if there was some LR CAP mixed in there as well. That could explain planes showing up later in combat during the sweeps.

It's tough to figure out. It might be that with having to use so many Oscars you'll just need to produce a ton of them and move things around enough so that you can take some days off CAP and let groups rest. I hate Lightnings, so I'm happy to see you hitting more of them than any other Allied fighter on the day. With the losses he took he shouldn't be able to shut down Burma without shutting down his own offensive power as well. As Allies I'm sure you're looking for more like 1 to 2 losses at this point, not 1 to 1.2! So he might not be that happy with the result and he can't see the actual damage on your field. He was probably hoping for more like 130 hits.

[JocMeister]

I would cetrainly be devasted by thoose P-38 losses. Loosing the airframes certainly sucks but the pilots...thats probably 15 of his very best pilots and certainly an ace or two. You also took out a month worth of B-25s...

I sent you a PM so I don´t give Erik any splendid ideas...[:D]

[ny59giants]

Playing with PDUs off puts you at a severe disadvantage to start with. The first thing that jumped out at me was the number of Oscars involved in combat. They suck in A2A at this point in game.

It wasn't until the end when you reminded us that your game is with PDUs off that i felt your pain. Your best bomber killer is the George. If the 4e bombers come at a base with them present in numbers, I can wipe out almost a month worth in a single day. [:D]

Finally, if there is no limit to the altitude settings, then an Allied player will go for the highest to get the bounce. According to MichaelM, there is a penalty in op losses for doing so. You have to keep your best fighters down near 15k to go after the bombers. You may have to sacrifice the Oscars to deal with his P-38 sweeps at 35k or higher, but keep your Tojo and Tony down near 15k to get more to attack his bombers.

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks for the posts gentlemen.

We have a 30k maximum height HR, so considering the P-38's were the only aircraft near this altitude I'm not complaining at all. The Hurricane sweeps at 15k were the real killers, but not for any other reason than my CAP was committed in driblets and each aircraft was picked off at lower altitude. Even my Tojo's and Tony's which were set 5k higher than the enemy got bounced and slaughtered.

Anyway, I really wasn't trying to complain in my post, but rather point out all the things that happen during air combat that often leaves a player scratching his head wondering what just happened. I am glad to have probably bloodied his nose a lot more than he expected, but my losses were certainly padded. I knew I'd lose planes in droves as Japan, but I don't appreciate when 50% of my losses are committed in driblets and suffer the bounce while attaining altitude and never having a fighting chance.

Anyway, more later. Just a quick post before taking the pooch to the dog park. Back in a few hours, then I'll send the next turn off and post a screenshot of Burma.

[SqzMyLemon]

Here's the screenshot of Burma. Things are just beginning and I expect the Allied units to exit Shwebo this turn, then I'll have a better idea of the Allied intention and strength committed. I expect Toungoo to be hit today, but there's very little I can do in terms of defence. Burma will most likely be the death of my airforce.

[SqzMyLemon]

Feb 28/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Shad and E Shimushu continue their game of cat and mouse near Ponape. SS Shad misses with six torpedoes, but no ASW attack is launched.

SS KX is located near Fergusson Island. SC Ch 36 attacks and records one near miss DC hit.

SS I-18 patrolling off the coast of Carnarvon sinks the xAKL Lee Sang. Allied escorts do not attack. I think this is a small TF running supply to Port Hedland.

Burma:

Numerous waves of Allied aircraft return to Taung Gyi and the base is hit hard again. Damage is now 99% Runway and 63% Service. Not as many bombers today though [:D]. Then again, there was no Japanese CAP either [:(]. Bart obviously doesn't realize the airbase is shut down and he indicated as much in his e-mail. That spares Toungoo and my fighters another day.

24 Allied units have moved out from Shwebo. Numbers are serious, with 122900 troops, 1089 guns and 2261 AFV's listed from recon. 15 units remain at Shwebo totalling 60260 troops, 578 guns and 279 AFV's. I'm going to have to put my thinking cap on to figure out how to deal with this development. [&:]

China:

The "Horde" is bombed for 4(50) infantry, 1(44) non-combat squads and 1(1) guns lost totalling 624 casualties.

Chungking's airbase is bombed for 6 AB, 8 ABS and 49 Runway hits.

Chinese troops S.E. of Kienko lose 0(5) infantry and 0(2) non-combat squads lost totalling 51 casualties from bombing.

The Solomons:

Lunga's airbase is bombed for no damage [8|]. I'm replacing all the pilots next turn, because I need better results than this.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Guam expands fortifications to size 4
Nanning expands airfield to size 4

SC CHa-53 arrives at Kagoshima

11 Ki-43-IIa Oscar replacements arrive at Tokyo (The long trek to Burma begins [8|])
25th Sentai converting to size 42 from 30 (More Oscar's [8|])

Allied:

xAKL Lee Sang is reported to have been sunk near Carnarvon on Feb 28, 1943

Thoughts:

The Judy finally goes into production tomorrow. Ki-43-IIa Oscar replacement pool is low. I'll have to increase production from 105/mth to about 150/mth. I'll be relying on Oscar's until at least July, so I need to substantially increase the numbers.

I'm going to be sending air reinforcements to Burma, including some Zero's. All Ki-43-IIa's will be redeployed to this theatre. I'll be transferring more bomber units back to Burma, although they will accomplish little I'm sure.

I hope to be successful on Guadalcanal and wrap things up there quickly. A comment made in another AAR (removed to avoid any possble OpSec breach) indicates that the historical approach to bombing Japan isn't sustainable in game terms. So I will let the Allies run amok here. I will focus on stopping the approach to the fuel/oil in the DEI and Burma. I see Indian and American units in Burma, so the Allies are clearly focusing their efforts here.

Bart is definitely using LRCAP to act as escorts for his sweeps and bombers in Burma. Not sure what I think of this. In my opinion, it's clearly an exploit to provide fighter coverage for bombers without suffering the escort penalty. Almost every raid shows small numbers of P-40K's. This partly explains why my CAP was subject to so many dive attacks yesterday, since they were generally at bomber altitude while the "escorts" were at 20k.

Lot's of tankers have reached their new home ports and the streamlined extraction of fuel/oil from the SRA begins.

Interesting times.

[obvert]

Yeah, if you are stuck with PDU of and Oscars forever, you're just going to have to produce a LOT of them.

Looks like in Burma you might want to start setting up an MLR behind your current lines in the most continuously defendable jungle. From Prome through Taung Gi to Lashio maybe? Since he's moving through the clear here as well, a bombing campaign from bases farther back cold both slow and disrupt him enough to set up your line.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Yeah, if you are stuck with PDU of and Oscars forever, you're just going to have to produce a LOT of them.

It's all good. I know you don't need this explanation, but I'll provide it so others that may not understand some of the implications of PDU off can get an idea of how limiting I've found it in my own experience.

I have come to dislike PDU off for some very specific reasons after dealing with it over the course of a year of game time. I know it may come across to many people that I just have a blanket hate on for it, but there are reasons [:D]. I actually don't mind the fact I have to rely on the Oscar. I can deal with that, but it's the other aspects of PDU off that make things a losing proposition overall for me. People say it cuts both ways, but who'd you rather be, the Japanese or Allies with PDU off and why do 90% of players choose to play PDU on? As Allies, I'd take the P-40K over the Oscar any day of the week and also sleep easy knowing I'd face unarmoured Japanese fighters and bombers (and only 27 of those) for at least a year. Some other reasons follow.

The big one, of course, is quality of aircraft I can fly. Being limited to historical unit upgrades, I don't get to have hundreds of Tojo's or Helen's or whichever aircraft. I must use everything in some form within my air arsenal. I have one Sentai capable of using the Helen IIa, that's 27 bombers and it's March/43. I have 90 Tojo's and 66 Tony's for the entire Pacific.

No flexibility. I can't downgrade any air units to older models. If I want to use up A6M2 Zero's for example, I have to make sure some units never upgrade at all.

Many units can't upgrade whatsover.

I can't mass air assets without stripping entire portions of the Pacific. Without reserve units, I can't sustain any kind of meaningful air defence against what just occurred in Burma. I'd be in great shape if I could move in three or four reserve units, but I don't have them. They are all sitting behind the lines stuck with Nate's and Ki-43-Ic Oscar's, or in the Solomon's where I also expect air combat soon. It took almost everything I had in the JAAF fighter force to put a dent into the first large scale Allied air attack in Burma.

Once May rolls around I start getting the Ki-43-IIb Oscar, so that at least will provide a few more Sentai's to play with.

I'm not giving up though and simply crying it's hopeless. It just means I have to manage my air assets to the best of my ability. I will strip China of every Ki-43-IIa Oscar, that is one Sentai of 42 aircraft. I will strip the Solomon's of its Ki-43-IIa Oscar Sentai of 36 aircraft as well. I may also have to strip out the KI-44-IIa Tojo unit of 42 aircraft from the Solomons too. I'm still waiting for a second Sentai to convert to Tony's, so that will be another 36 aircraft. I could have a much bigger reserve of air units to play with if they weren't all Nate units waiting to upgrade to better aircraft. A few are restricted so don't matter, but quite a few unrestricted units won't be freed up for another 2-5 months!

I have a number of Zero units that I will also commit to Burma, but primarily I want the naval air to defend the Solomons and the DEI. I have a few Ki-43-Ic's Sentai's kicking around, so they may also need to be committed. They will be manned by inexperienced pilots and set to low CAP to draw down enemy fighters so my better pilots have a chance.

The priority right now is building a reserve of air units that can replace the beat up ones in Burma. Having interlocking airfields is all well and good, but if I don't have the reserve air units to fly, having those extra bases is meaningless. I'm working on that. I got sloppy watching my Oscar pools though and reduced their production prematurely. Oscar production will expand immediately. This is where being unable to downgrade aircraft is a problem, I could increase the reserve pool if I could switch a couple of Sentai's to a different model.

Long winded post, but I hope to show I'm not just ranting about PDU off. There are some serious shortcomings with it, that as a new player I had no idea of at the time of choosing it. I never thought it would be as restrictive as it actually is. Buyer beware!

I'm stuck playing with Japan's historic air organization and we all know how that went, but at least I don't have to deploy them in the same way. It's not a complete lost cause yet. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

The next turn is away.







All ships are ordered to rendezvous at Shortlands today. Tomorrow they get reorganized and steam for Guadalcanal. BB's will bombard, CA's, CL's and DD's will provide escorts and SCTF's, while KB and all LBA will guard against any Allied naval or air interdiction. Two days from now troops should be landing on Lunga. Day three should see the first assault.

BANZAI!

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Walloc

Pretty sure both Damien and MichaelM confirmed that u need 500 engines in pool to get research bonus, so i think u just seeing randomness. U have had enough supplies at the bases right?

Kind regards,

Rasmus

Just thought I'd mention it's been five days of no repair to any Ki-84 Frank factory, Rasmus. It was just a number of factories repairing at the same time, rather than any specific increase. I'm 165 engines away from 500 though, then we'll see what happens.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I sent you a PM so I don´t give Erik any splendid ideas...[:D]

Thanks for the PM. It does put things in a different perspective for me. If only I was in a position to do it again! [:D]

[Walloc]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: Walloc

Pretty sure both Damien and MichaelM confirmed that u need 500 engines in pool to get research bonus, so i think u just seeing randomness. U have had enough supplies at the bases right?

Kind regards,

Rasmus

Just thought I'd mention it's been five days of no repair to any Ki-84 Frank factory, Rasmus. It was just a number of factories repairing at the same time, rather than any specific increase. I'm 165 engines away from 500 though, then we'll see what happens.

Repeating my self, just to make sure we are on the same page. U do have 10k+ supplies at the bases with those factories right?
What repair level are each of the factories at currently?

2ndly. Quoting my self.
Just to clarify on the engine research bonus. The 500 engine research bonus does not to speed up the repair of R&D factories as far as i understand it, but adds a bonus atop on the normal lvl of a fully repaired factory. So it "produce" more research than it would with out the 500 engine, but it wont kick in until factories are functioning. Which they arent until they are fully repaired. For example a 30 factory would with out the 500 engines give 1 point/"plane" per day, but with the 500 engines in pool its points 2 per day or double up, which is pretty significant. Ofc it wont be as significant with a larger factory as is in the case of the large frank factory. Tho any bit helps, +1 is still +1.
Btw i talked to Damian and he confirms that the bonus is scaleble to the factory. Another reason why 30 is the optimum R&D size, but in the case of the start 55 R&D frank factory it just has to be as it is.

Kind regards,

Rasmus

[SqzMyLemon]

We're on the same page Rasmus. [;)]

I won't get the engine research bonus until factories are completely repaired. I know I keep phrasing it as if I mean the engines will speed up repair, sorry about that. Also, there is over 10k at every base so I'm good there too. Thanks for the clarification again.

[SqzMyLemon]

Looks like no turn today. If it arrives tomorrow that means we'll not get another one in until Thursday. Bart's probably devising his next airbase strike in Burma.

The spotting of the small enemy supply TF near Carnarvon will allow me to try an extreme long range Betty attack from Koepang as it nears Port Hedland. I doubt the bombers will fly that far, but I thought it might be a good experiment to try, although I didn't factor in possible CAP. I'm also trying something different. I set the altitude down to 2k and wanted to gage the results.

This enemy TF also has to run a gauntlet of Japanese submarines. If all goes well, I could get as many as four submarines attacking along it's route.

In China, I've caught up to the "Other Horde" near Kunming with 1700 AV. I'm bombarding with artillery just to see what happens. It's a risk engaging this massive enemy force before the bulk of my army arrives. I want to see if the Chinese will attack and what kind of damage this force is capable of. There's no way this force has enough supply to be very effective. Well, that's my hope at least.

If I get slaughtered, there's some cheap divisions available to be bought out for the Pacific at least. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

It looks like it will be a slow week for game turns. Still no turn from Bart. My spouse is away this week, so I will be busy doing house projects and looking after the dog as we party like it's 1999. I'll be exercising the dog most evenings and on pooh pickup duty as well, so game time will be limited.



I'm thinking of what to do in Burma. I definitely don't need to panic at this stage, but I need to come up with something spectacular...no pressure. I don't like the idea of simply withdrawing, and if I weaken the Mandalay-Bhamo axis too much that threatens to open the way into China. I think I need to attack and threaten the supply line of the Allied spearhead. Question is, with what? I have nine divisions in Burma including two armour. If I stay out of clear terrain and force the Allies to fight me in rougher terrain, I'll have a chance to slow things down. I most likely will need to concede the breaking of my railway LOC, but that can't be helped. I have a couple of ideas, one of which could be promising. The catch is it requires troops currently on Guadalcanal. Operation "Mongoose" is taking shape in my thoughts, but it will all come down to time and how much of it the Allies will give me.

In the short term, I'm going to be sending what I can as quickly as I can to Burma. I've used the last of my PP's to buy out every AA unit possible for deployment in Burma. Now I save for division extraction from China. I'm also putting together my exit strategy from Guadalcanal if I'm successful and the campaign ends in the allotted timeframe of the end of March.

I think it's going to be a wild ride over the next few months as I attempt to counter Allied moves. I've always felt more comfortable defending and countering, lets see if I can live up to my self proclaimed strength. It's not going to be easy. I believe in the maxim that he who defends everything, defends nothing. I'm taking a huge risk denuding areas of my Empire in order to launch these counters, but Japan simply can't defend anything if they don't mass.

Now to just await the turn so I can start getting this plan into motion too. At least walking and excercising the dog everyday for the next week will allow me lots of time to think and plan.

[Chickenboy]

Have you thought about raising your Emily production up to 1,000 / month? With a perfect airframe like that, you should be able to defeat the Allies in no time flat. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

This is about potential TF composition.






I've received the turn so will have a chance to work a little bit on it tonight and my question deals with how should I best organize all my different amphibious TF's? Am I better served having a few large TF's made up of any number of different ships and units to unload as much men and material at once even if it means they all won't completely unload, or create many more smaller TF's to spread the unloading costs around and geared towards getting complete units ashore, rather than risk days to unload? I'm landing a division, artillery, engineer, special base force, AA, RF and tank units.