I took obvert's example to use the KB for ASW when it is guaranteed that there'll be no combat. The result are 5 reported hits on subs. That should hopefully mean one going down, as three of the hits were reported in the same hex.
I found in an early test that about half of the reported hits were false, but later, and if the crews are 60-70 ASW skill, that should surely go up! Even attacking assures their DL is at max and they will cause no harm.
I think it might be a mistake to have some at ASW all the time. It may only mean 5 planes for instance, but I am like real Japan here: Never waste any offensive asset for defensive use if not needed. I plan to use the airgroups on ASW only when there is a chance of exactly 0% for a naval battle.
But apart from that, a few hundred planes somewhen trained to 50 or more in ASW should make some difference [:)]
Looks like the march up the mountains is going well. Have you reconned Kunming and Tsuyung to see what is ahead?
He reinforced Paotao by air, but did so too late. The other mountain cities have been reinforced before my paras were ready. Now, it says several thousand troops. Regarding the terrain, one division will most certainly not be enough. I will puruse those three units propably one more hex, but will propably retreat by then. The supply situation is grim in the mountains and I rather have the unit in Burma in full fighting strength than trashed in the Chinese mountains.
But I will see how it developes.
The destruction of all of those planes near OZ will surely help any attempt at the coast. He can't really match you in air power over there. Are you still thinking of going in to Brisbane?
Only after Northern Australia is secured. So probably not before another 6 months have passed.
But I am thinking about another aproach, too. As long as I'm in the offensive, I won't need a strong garrison in PM. So I might use those units there and stage the attack early. The only problem is, that units used without preparation are trashed after landing. So I consider bringing one para unit down there, find a port that doesn't have garrison and take it by air to unload my forces there. Still, to take Brisbane, I'd propably have to land right there to avoid any entrenching of bigger amounts of troops there...
Well, I'll see how it goes, PM has to be taken first
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
While waiting for the next turn, I used time to calculate how fast our game is progressing.
If we continue running turns at the current speed, we'll finish the PBEM in 25,68 years. I guess I should put a PC on longtime storage into an old salt mine to be able to run the game in 2037. [:)]
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Subs:
The whole area aroung Rabaul and Truk is infested with subs. MKB and KB planes have dozends of sightings, but only one hit is reported. The pilots are still in their high 30s regarding their ASW abilities.
Apart from that not mutch to report...
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Subs:
In our game, the duds are way too rare. One of his subs sinks xAK Monjo Maru off Kendari. Mine are almost useless, as they don't find any prey so far...
Two hits on subs are reported by KB planes.
Not much more to report.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
China:
Battle second day in a row at Kweisui, where he sent the units from the high mountains. I am still not able to dislodge him, so I order a shock attack for tomorrow. Fingers crossed.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweisui (92,35)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 18020 troops, 130 guns, 415 vehicles, Assault Value = 635
Defending force 8754 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 215
Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
My tanks keep advancing from Paotow and cross a river on the unit already dislodged twice: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 90,32 (near Paotow)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 2070 troops, 0 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 173
Defending force 1598 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
CV-Operation:
There's been a radio detection near Christmas Island yesterday. The repelenished KB sorties SE to march into the area near Tabiteuea to do a speed run into the seas between Pago Pago and Fihi afterwards. Maybe I can catch me another CV, as at least one of his had been in the rough area about 10 days ago.
After that, KB will go to the HI to give the Zuikaku and Shokaku their radar sets and all of the fleet some time for repairs.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
China:
Around 450 Chinese combat squads are destroyed in this turn allone. I know the Chinese are virtually unlimited in numbers, but me killing 2k or more squads in one month must have some effect! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweisui (92,35)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 17515 troops, 126 guns, 415 vehicles, Assault Value = 615
Defending force 8373 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 167
Pacific:
I-1 en route to the likely exit point for ships from Panama to PH is caught by an enemy ASW group about 8 hex south of PH. She is damaged quite severe and will hoepfully make it home, but that isn't for sure.
KB has her strike groups set to naval strike, and naval strike only. No Vals on search, the 22 Jakes on the six CA with KB must do it alone. The reason heere is that I don't want him see subs of his spotted by carrier planes while KB sails to Tabiteuea. Once there, she'll sprint south with her Vals on search missions again.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Around 450 Chinese combat squads are destroyed in this turn allone. I know the Chinese are virtually unlimited in numbers, but me killing 2k or more squads in one month must have some effect!
Castor's note is relevant, but I will still make a note of caution. Killing off squads also helps the Chinese supply situation, so just looking at that isn't a very good metric until you get to Chungking. By then, you already know what's up.
The real lissue is that most allied players (thankfully) try to defend too far forward. This allows the IJ to get big stacks of chinese units heavily disrupted with no supply to recover. So, IJ wants to be very agressive in China and try to force the allies into defending early. If the allies set up just delay units and consolidate their defenses back behind Xian (giving up the entire south and center), by the time that the IJ forces can arrive the chinese forces will be: entrenched, forted, morale up to about 70%, corps with less than 10% disrupted forces, get better leaders in place, and be able to provide CAP (this means about 3/42 or later). Under these circumstances, the allies can defned china. Otherwise, the IJ is in Chungking in the fall/winter of 42.
The good news for you is that it does appear that your opponent is trying to defend too far forward, so you need to keep the pressure on. Don't let his units have time to recover disruption (chinese units recover it REALLY slowly due to poor leaders and low morale.)
Thanks for the ideas.
I was well aware about the relation of less troops equal more supply. So far, most units attacked were caught in the open, and I couldn't resist taking a shot. This "troophunt" led to five of my divisions sitting in a hex next to Changsha. I thought about going for Changsha immediately, but with more than 30 of his units in the city, this is likely not to be successfull.
But I will use that fact to my own advantage:
When he has that many units in Changsha, the base will likely have more than 20k supplys in it. So I will start a bombing campaign on the city with the purpose to kill as much supplies as possible. With the burma road closed from the beginning, this should turn out quite nicely. [:)]
And to the way he defends... He seems to be well aware how to defend properly. We are only in turn 27, so there are still plenty of troops scattered in the south and east. He is gradually retreating and will likely do a defense exactly as you say. But I have two armoured spearheads marching through Gobi Desert to cut his supply lines from the north. This will have its impact as well. Right now, I'm quite confident.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
When he has that many units in Changsha, the base will likely have more than 20k supplys in it.
Maybe, he might have far less. +30 units don't phase me in China if I have pushed them there. They will be really disrupted. If they have moved in on their own that far forward, it is an opportunity to turn the front to my advantage.
When he has that many units in Changsha, the base will likely have more than 20k supplys in it.
Maybe, he might have far less. +30 units don't phase me in China if I have pushed them there. They will be really disrupted. If they have moved in on their own that far forward, it is an opportunity to turn the front to my advantage.
I agree, bomb them and prepare to attack.
I will give a rough overview of the theatre when I have the next turn. Right now, I am somewhat afraid he might counterattack from Changsha. Five divisions are roughly 1.8k AV with 2 forts in a wood hex. That isn't something he can't overcome. It would be disaterous, should he achieve to route all these divisions!
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Subs:
They still don't sink enemy ships, but get crippled in return by ASW. After I-1 was heavily damaged off PH last turn while en route to the likely PH-Panama passage, I-164 was heavily damaged off Pearth today. She has some chance to survive, as I've found out my Jap subs seem to have more survivability than surface ships. Still, my sub operations are utterly ineffective so far [:@]
Pacific:
CS Chiyoda is on a well protected "resize mission" to get every FP unit to size 24. After doing her job on Sapian and Truk, she headed to Kwajalein. A sub off port scores a hit on one of the CLs protecting my future carrier, but luckily it duds. The DDs form two ASW forces and will go after the sub tomorrow.
China:
He manages his first intercept with the AVG. My losses are high, 24 planes are lost together with 6 pilots KIA. But they were all training units with obsolete planes, so I can live with that: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 76,55 , near Kweilin
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 21
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 29
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
1 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
Also attacking 2nd Prov Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 62nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Prov Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 62nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Prov Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 62nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Prov Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 62nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Prov Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 62nd Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Prov Chinese Corps, at 76,55 , near Kweilin
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 307 minutes
My OOB in China:
(heading to, or at) Nanning:
2 Div, 1 Reg Kweilin:
1 Div Kukong:
1 Brig, 1 Reg Wenchow:
1 Div, 1 Reg, 2 Brig Changsha:
5 Div, 2 Brig Sinyang:
2 Div, 2 Birg, 2 Reg, 1 TK Reg Chengchow:
6 Div, 9 Brig, 4 TK Reg Yenan:
1Div 1 Brig Kweisui:
5 TK Reg, 1 Brig Lanchow (en route and still many hex away):
3 TK Reg, 2 Reg Gobi Desert:
2 TK Reg
I have to decide about the two TK regiments in Gobi Desert next turn, whether I take the small road to Kiuchuan and spoil the surprise, or whether I head on to Hami. As I haven't been patient enough, he might have realized that they marched north, though.
Questions:
Why do about 80 to 90% my CS-Convys not dock, no matter how big the port is? This means they are either highly ineffective - or I have to check every convoy every turn! [:@]
Do CS-Convoys always only load 92%? I never realized that before in my previous games! So they are also inefficiant... [:@]
Attachments
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Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Questions:
Why do about 80 to 90% my CS-Convys not dock, no matter how big the port is? This means they are either highly ineffective - or I have to check every convoy every turn!
Do CS-Convoys always only load 92%? I never realized that before in my previous games! So they are also inefficiant...
I think all computer controlled convoys do not dock or something. Mine are the same. Not sure if they only load up to 92%. I'll have to check that. Still, better than fiddling with them every turn, and they do seem to keep the stuff moving regardless of these inefficiencies.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Subs:
The ASW-groups off Kwajalein are attacked twice, two times the torpedoes hit, and two times they dud. So far, my ASW seems only good enough to force the US subs to spend their torpedoes...
The same happens at Tulagi, where two ships, xAK and PB bringing supplies, are attecked twice and hit twice with duds.
China:
Near Paoshan, my Division attackes over the river into that hex with the snow covered mountain. 38 more Chinese combat squads destroyed. I am close to destroying 10% of the overall fighting power of the Chinese army! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 67,44 (near Paoshan)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 13340 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 445
Defending force 1267 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
I have some problems getting enough baseforces to cover all of China. Once my first training classes are done, I want to get as many bomber units on ground and airbase attack in China as possible. I will try there how effective Ki-27s are in strafing missions. With my stockpiles full of them and almost no ops losses in training, there won't even be a need to build those additional 300 I could regarding the engines. I hope I find some better use for my Nates then to let them rot in the pool until they are expended as useless kamikazes... [&:]
Burma:
The first strike on an airfield surprises me somewhat, but the damage in planes is rather light, only 4 destroyed on the ground. He is obviously preparing the bombing of Magwe, which will be allowed from 6/1/42 on. He'll find my Ki-44 prototypes and some good Ki-43 units there. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 16
B-17E Fortress x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-I Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Edit:
BTW: Another radio detection, now next to PH. That fits about the timetable. He was obviously guarding a convoy to either Fiji or Pago Pago and the carrier returned. I will propably find nothing then, but I guess I'll try it anyways...
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
Subs:
More attacks, but all misses and duds. He sends his best subs, the Dutch, to intercept the tankers at Palembang. I'll have to do something about that!
China:
Kukong is conquered, but was held only by a baseforce, so I can only kill 9 combat squads. Unfortunately, 14 ressource centers are damaged. Supply is requested to repair the damage.
Two contested river crossing are ahead. My forces will enter Nanning and the hex on the road to Yenan tomorrow.
When I intensified my bombing campaign, I chose to bomb Kweilin airfield. Parts of the AVG were there, so I got at least one of their P-40 variants and damaged a few more.
Two tank regiments will arrive in Hami in northern China within 10 to 14 days. I am excited whether I'll be able to conquer it with them. If so, every supply route from the north is cut for him.
I also try something: A Ki-27 group is ordered to strafe chinese troops. It was training fighters who are at about 55 Air now, but I need some use for my old fighters. If it does some damage, I might use some units exclusively for strafing missions in china with rookies. They'd be used until they reach 60 in strafing to be transfered into a training group for their air training. There's no use in training pilots anything when using them in those flying coffins.
KB:
KB is 5 hex from Tabiteuea and will continue south despite the mentioned radio detection off pearl. Maybe there's something else to get. With the less likely presence of high value targets, she will stay at cruise speed until reaching the Ellice Islands.
Industry:
Started the Ki-32 to use the rest of her engines. After that, I'll have to decide what to do with my Nakajima Ha-5. The production was stopped immediately, but I have 101 engines left. All four planes that use them have some use:
Ki-21-Ic is a decent bomber and equally good as her successor. The speed is lower, but she'd do her job over China
MC-21 is a usefull transport with a higher capacity than the Ki-57
Ki-30 can be used for Kamis and to do live training in China
Ki-57-I is as good as the -II, only slower. I could build another 50 of them, which means they'll likely last until the L2D2 Tabby finally arrives.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
At Hami you can definitely get the base with two tanks rgts as long as the supply flows. For anything further you may need air support. Not that it's so important to go further, considering i don't think those supplies flow well out of Urumchi anyway.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Subs:
While my RO-68 gets crippled off Ceylon, O19 sinks a xAK en route to Rangoon with supplies in the straight of Malacca. [:@] I really have to get my ASW going!
China:
As announced, I tested how Ki-27 with rookies would do in strafing against the Chinese. I think the result is encouraging. I will likely do this more now to give some use to the Ki-27. Unfortunately, only 10% of the pilots gain a point in strafing, so it'll be only about 1/3 as effective as training. But I do damage meanwhile and put my Nates into use. That might be worth it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th New Chinese Corps, at 84,47 , near Ichang
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-27b Nate bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 8th New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 7th New Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nanning is conquered in a river crossing, the first river on the road to Yenan is crossed as well. Each time, he suffers heavy against my shock attack. The tank units in the north push the single Chinese unit ahead once more, but the losses indicate it has not a single combat squad leaft. Banzai! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,31 (near Paotow)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2070 troops, 0 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 173
Defending force 260 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
He now has 42 units in Changsha, which is bombed daily with a few 1e bombers, suffering 1 to 5 supply hits. Some units are marching west, now he has seen the battle for Changsha isn't to be expected immediately.
Burma:
Ki-59 (yes, indeed! I found a use for them [;)]) airlift parts of a naval guard to Paoshan to constitute the garrison there. This way, I won't have to waste a whole naval guard for the 20AV required.
S Pacific:
KB is 7 hex away from the Ellice Islands. She has 1/9 detection and will stay on cruise speed one more day. With a little luck, she isn't spotted next turn so I can race down and maybe catch something.
Even if I don't, it will tell him he has to expect KB appearing suddenly any time.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
