The Hive - Cruft PBEM (Japan, Scen 2 Beta + Stacking Limits)

[Captain Cruft]

Ryukyu Islands

I have recently managed to get engineering units to all the islands in this chain. At the very least forts are being built while important bases like Naha/Nago and Amami Oshima are also getting port and airfield increases.

This is the absolutely key area on the map IMO.

[JocMeister]

Just wanted you to know I´m following your AAR! Very intresting approach to the game and certainly one of a kind! [:D]

[Captain Cruft]

Thanks for the interest.

I truly believe I can make the Hive (or at least something like the Inner Hive) unassailable regardless of the Allied pre-ponderance in 1945. That would count as a massive strategic victory for Japan, albeit gained with a fantasy economy.

The main thing I am looking to do is to trade planes for ships, so at some point I can whittle the Allied navies down to a size where the IJN can deal with them.

Really the only Allied weapon system that worries me is the DD.

[Captain Cruft]

Jan 24 1943

My opponent has returned and the game is continuing in its usual quiet mode.

Here are the Kurile Islands. All bases are just building fort and remain at size 0 airfields. So he can't just waltz up and grab a ready-made airbase.

There are Jakes and RO class subs at Etorofu and Emilies at Paramushiro.

[Captain Cruft]

Jan 26 1943

The Swarm has had another go at Magwe following two days of Sweeps (to create damaged aircraft on the ground).

I have exchanged about 1.5 weeks Oscar production (c.100) and 3 weeks Tojo production (c.60) for 2 months of P-38G production (c.40) plus a reasonable haul of P-40s and Hurricanes. So, although I have lost well over 100 planes in two days it's a worthwhile exchange. He is still not showing his bombers in Burma and I postulate that he won't until the P-38s can gain the upper hand.

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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 101
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 109

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 38 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 20 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 7 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38G Lightning: 8 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 75

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 1000 feet
13 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 1000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 35600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40K Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 27040 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

Jan 27 1943

A quiet turn, apart from the usual xAKs going down due to subs, which I really like.

My opponent was unimpressed with losing so many P-38s at Magwe last turn, and has seemingly emptied the base out (presumably via rail) to more remote northern Burmese airbases.

Exactly what I was hoping for [8D]

[Captain Cruft]

Jan 29 1943

Stasis continues.

I have re-activated a few floatplane groups which were training LowN back to Naval Search. This has had an immediate effect on the xAK losses from subs. Daily sinkings have reduced from 3-5 to 1-2.

While I do embrace an effective Allied sub campaign it would be foolish of me to be completely reckless about it.

In other news, there appears to be a build-up of both fighters and bombers at Darwin, which is now a size 9 airbase. Either he is going to project 4Es at Ambon (where there is an air flotilla comprising Zeros and Nells) or perhaps he is even thinking about landing in Timor. This island is unoccupied except for a small garrison at Dili, from where Dinahs recon Darwin.

The latter option appears unlikely though since there is no shipping at Darwin.

[Captain Cruft]

Operation Yak

A unit equipped with the 22 hex range Dinah III has been operating out of Paotow for a while now, sizing up the options in the desert.

Kiuchan is occupied.
Hami is occupied, and has aircraft present.
Ansi appears empty.

Therefore I will attempt a paradrop at Ansi by the 1st and 2nd Raiding Regts, followed by immediate despatch of a fully air-transportable JAAF Coy and a unit of Oscars for protection from the air. Subsequent to this the 3rd and 4th Raiding Regts will be landed on the airstrip and will start a march along the minor roads towards Hami.

A total of exactly 150 IJAAF transport planes are available for the op, currently located at Tsinan. This is the entire army transport fleet.

In order to conceal my intentions I have not set objectives for the 1st and 2nd Raiding Regts, which are 100% prepared for Tsushima. If Ansi really is unoccupied then this should not matter.

On the other hand I have honestly started to prepare the 3rd and 4th Regts for Hami. So, hopefully, if he is diligent about reading his intel reports he should assume that I am preparing to land at Hami, and if he chooses to react any reinforcements ought to be directed there.

The primary purpose of all this is to create confusion and a distraction, so the exact timing is not yet decided since it needs to coindide with him doing something offensively.

If the opportunity arises, I am prepared to push as far as Urumchi. However, if it all goes pear-shaped then I intend to evacuate the LCUs by air as far as is possible.

[Captain Cruft]

Feb 2 1943

A new development - 60 odd B-24s have started bombing Koepang airfield on a daily basis from Darwin. This base is completely unoccupied and will remain so.

A precursor to landings in Timor perhaps? There is still very little shipping at Darwin.

I have moved several Nick and also Lily II low-level naval attack units nearer to the area. These are forces which have not been revealed to him yet in any way. I can amass around 600 IJAAF planes in total, the only problem is the lack of closely inter-locking airbases in the eastern DEI.

There are also three IJN Zero/Netty flotillas available at Ambon, Ternate and Soerabaja.

No ships other than subs will be committed in this area should he go on the offensive. The IJN will only fight if the Allies should approach Soerabaja, and then only with CLs and DDs.

[Captain Cruft]

Feb 4 1943

Intruders!


A bunch of DDs had been seemingly chasing one of my subs which was returning to Hakodate from the Aleutians. I thought they would retire before getting too close but sent the carriers of the 5th Fleet out just in case.

As a result I got lucky and despatched several of the evil monsters to the deeps for a loss of 7 Kates. Nice [8D]

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shimushiri-jima at 133,54

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence
DD Rathburne, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Dent
DD Mugford
DD Caldwell, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shimushiri-jima at 133,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
B5N2 Kate x 53

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lansdowne, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Crane, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Dent, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[Captain Cruft]

My opponent was not chuffed. Apparently it was indeed an ASW TF with a "super-aggressive commander" which just kept reacting to my sub despite his efforts to recall it.

It would be nice to say that I planned this, but it's just one of those random things. The moral is - aggressive is not always good ...

[Captain Cruft]

Stasis continues. Burma in particular is completely quiet, though the stack of LCUs at Toungoo continues to grow. There are a lot of AFVs ...

Elsewhere, super long-range Liberator recon aircraft are having a look at various places in the Marshall Islands. These must be flying out of either Baker Island or the Solomons. I have therefore bolstered the defence in the area by the simple expedient of pulling in several golden boys from TRACOM into the Zero units stationed there. It will probably be a while before he arrives since he has not yet taken either Tarawa or Tabituea, both of which are completely empty, but one thing I only recently realised is that even TRACOM level pilots can gain experience from flying CAP.

Meanwhile, over at Hollandia we have detected a large increase in the number of bombers present. Since this is now a size 5 airfield they could conceivably be 4Es. Therefore, as a precaution I am moving the KB from Ulithi back to Guam, which is out of range. The Zero units from Akagi and Kaga will remain in place though, to protect the remaining shipping.

The only other place where he might conceivably come at me soon is in the DEI, so I am moving several recently spawned aviation support units to the area. These will support the Nick and Lily low-level naval attack swarm, which now comprises 539 planes in total (391 Nicks + 148 Lilies). I have managed to convert 11 level bomber groups over to FB so far.

[Captain Cruft]

The Eastern DEI

An Open Door ...

If he does come this way I am relying entirely on airpower and a few LCU roadblocks to stop him or slow him down. Shipping will only be used for troop evac.

[Captain Cruft]

Sweepstakes

I do keep wondering when my opponent will finally take the offensive. Patience is not my strong point, and I am now pretty much ready for him.

So, guesses?

Mine is April 1943.

[Captain Cruft]

Feb 12 1943

Mostly still not much happening.

B-24s out of Darwin have flattened Dili, where I had some Dinah IIs. These will now (when repaired) move back to Kendari, where they will be upgraded to the 22 hex range Dinah III so that they can continue to recon Darwin.

In other news, I have upgraded the first of the KB's dive bomber groups to the D4Y1 Judy. This plane has a service rating of 3 so will not serve in land-based units, only on the CVs.

An inventory of the Burma/Thailand airforce shows 358 Tojos and 303 Oscars. Rangoon has 900+ AV and just attained fort level 5.

[Miller]

If you can afford to do so, I suggest you invest heavily in D4Y3 r/d. Service rating of 1 and can fly an extra hex with the 500kg bomb. In my game I have about 600 of the D4Y1 in the pool and ready for kamikaze duty.......no need to worry about servicing something going on a one way trip....

[Captain Cruft]

At this rate we will never get to the Kamikaze stage ...

I am not doing any R&D on the Judy, I will just let it upgrade naturally. IJN dive bombers are not important in my plan.

[Captain Cruft]

Feb 13 1943

Intruders!


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 84,120

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough
xAP Tjisaroea, Torpedo hits 1
xAP Samuel Adams
xAP Boschfontein
DMS Dorsey

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
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This is the very first sighting of the US CVs in the entire game. It could be one or two - it's hard to tell since I only encountered the CAP. The Zeros on escort died quite badly (12 A2A losses) but Nells did manage to deliver a single torpedo into a non-troop carrying xAP.

I am moving another air flotilla into Ambon for next turn and will attempt to deliver a more effective strike. Other than that I will simply retreat all surface shipping in the vicinity and wait to see where he's going.

At last we have game on [8D]

[Captain Cruft]

I've scrambled a spare Emily unit to the dot base of Nabir to provide blanket naval search in the potential landing/combat zone. This frees up the Netties at Ambon from flying search so they can all attempt to deliver torpedos.

Three subs have also been despatched from their waiting area at Ambon to see if they can interfere with things, as per the patrol zones illustrated.

Musing ... The apparently small number of CVs here along with the empty transport make me a bit suspicious. Perhaps this is just a feint to get me to commit the KB and other assets in this area while he has a truly vast fleet headed towards the Marshall Islands or something.

We will see.

[AcePylut]

Heya Cruft, I don't see any av support assets at Nabir... do you plan on moving an av type unit in there - or just flying them out next turn or something?