Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[Cribtop]

And we are caught up. Happy Fourth of July!

Don't forget I'm still looking for advice on which groups can convert to Nicks.

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Great comments on ASW, folks. I'll chew on them and maybe experiment with most convoys having four escorts and one with more. Chasing off a sub is a good result. That said, with the constant shortage of escorts, four per may be all we can scrounge.

Obvert, in the circumstances of this game, where CF is sending about 30 B-24s on raids and targeting only PM, I can use Buna (level 2) and Lae/Nadzab (level 4 each) for LRCAP. If the enemy brought more or hit more bases, things could get hairy. So long as he is hurling a manageable amount of 4Es at an elite Nick group that knows where he's going, that works well for us. We await the first P-38 sweep, which could be a problem, but until then, harvesting 5 4Es per raid is unsustainable for CF.

Yes. Five per raid is great!

In my game Lightnings seem tied to the skirts of the 4Es. Wherever they go, there will be P-38 sweeps first. Also, Jocke doesn't attack with less than 50 of them per raid, and usually more like 80-90. I'd love to see just 30.

I have to figure out which other groups can support the Nick. I have a few going, but I could use a few more. I meant to do this a while ago, but then there were these time-consuming CV battles that got in the way of my logistical discipline! [;)]

Yes, if CF was doing this, I'd be crying. He will eventually, but for now it's fun to hammer the monsters.

As for the Nicks, I suspect we need to hunt down a bomber group and do the downgrade/upgrade thing. I'm hoping someone already did this homework for us!

[Alfred]

For the saga on Nick conversion, read this thread.

tm.asp?m=2426998&mpage=1&key=nick%2Cconversion&#2428335

Note the hidden conversion of a Nate unit which is lost if the unit has had a model upgrade.

Note particularly post #18.

Note also that your conversion options may be well constrained by needing to use the Nick model which Japanese players decide to not build.

Alfred

[Cribtop]

Great info, Alfred. I'll check the 84th. 5th and 13th are already Nicks. Glad I did that as it looks like anone way trip if you go in a different direction.

[FeurerKrieg]

Hi Cribby -

I'm playing a DBB game, so I'm not sure if the upgrade paths are any different there but two things:

1) Normal upgrades show up to Nick-A for 4th, 5th, 13th and 84th IF. Tracker shows this quickly by going to Air Groups and sorting on 'PDU off upgrade'. As a side note, this is useful for finding out other 'type change' upgrades since those ones are the ones that you can accidentally lose by upgrading to a same type model. There are a couple float plane units on Kamitawa Maru that can upgrade to float fighters for example.

2) Again, not sure if this is just in DBB, but I noticed a few of the single engine DB units in China have the option to change to Nick As, but at a cost of 10 PPs per plane group size. I only checked a couple, so it may be that way with any single engine DB unit. Since those units cost some PPs to change to 2E bombers anyway, it might make sense to spend some more to get some Nick units instead.

[Cribtop]

Thanks, FK!

[Cribtop]

November 12, 1942

Subs

Truant misses a tanker escort near Groote Natoena. Seawolf duds on a tanker in the same area. Our ASW aircraft from Terempa may get these subs, but we send an ASW TF to help them out.

Herring duds on a big tanker making the run from Singers to Nagasaki near Okinawa. Yikes. ASW aircraft from Formosa claim a hit on a sub East of the island.

We appear to have chased the enemy subs out of the "Pescadores Channel" and into the air gap in the East China Sea. Hmm.

Southern Army

CF is employing B-17s in larger numbers and starting to hurt our tanks in NW Oz. We were fortunate to find an air group that can upgrade to Nicks, and it's currently flying Helens in Darwin of all places. The group will convert, all bomber pilots go back to reserve, and we draw good fighter pilots from our enormous IJAAF pool. We will thus soon have two Nick groups in the area, but the isolated location of the tank battle makes it hard to LRCAP effectively.

Construction

Kavieng makes level 3 forts, Bataan level 4 airfield.

[Cribtop]

November 13, 1942

Subs

We try to send a midget into Noumea harbor, but it runs aground. We usually don't waste time using minis in this manner, but it's worth a long shot to try to hit the Big E. Mini sub carrier I-18 duds on DD Clark at Noumea and then makes good her escape. A shame as a DD would've been a nice consolation prize.

SE Fleet

Munda goes to level 5 forts while Terapo hits level 3. Nice.

Southern Army

The enemy sends 47 B-17s against our tanks and the pain is intense. Only eight Nicks oppose the bomber box and it's not enough. We will have to abandon the hex in which the 754th tank Bttn is encircled. Then we shall see whether CF is really serious about this theater. Frankly, it appears he is, and this is fine by Cribtop HQ from a strategic point of view. Operationally, we are moving a second garrison unit to cover the road to Derby, and have a little plan for the B-17s.

Kendari hits level 6 forts and is now fully built out.

Burma

It appears that at least one more LCU is now marching out of Chittagong toward Akyab.

We seem to be facing a two front offensive in the Arakan and NW Oz, which would be a fairly predictable response by CF to his carrier losses. It still could be a feint but looks more and more real.

5th Fleet

A re-supply convoy at Adak is spotted by Cats based at Umnak Island. It will be more difficult to sneak bombardment TFs up on this base now.

Combined Fleet

One day until all SYS damage is cleared from MKB's ships. The Strike Force is reloaded and ready. Target: Noumea and the damaged Enterprise.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Thanks, FK!

I would not recommend overdoing the Nick as it quickly becomes inefficient when the corsair and thunderbolt arrive on the scene. The hellcat seems to tear them up as well. After that you are better off with other more dual purpose fighters on bomber defense duty.. From the Allied perspective.

[Cribtop]

Agreed. I wanted a third Nick group for specific operational reasons, but I doubt I'll need to find a fourth.

[obvert]

The Nicks seem to be great to guard areas outside normal sweep range, but suffer for me even in 42 if kept too near the front. Most likely also because I fly them at bomber levels. Still, a good plane to have with the armor, and I foresee a use for them throughout with their bomb load as well.

Is there a next level FB you like for later in the war?

[Cribtop]

November 14, 1942

Yikes, we cannot be on page 3!

Subs

A Glen reports a hit on DD Landsdowne near Noumea. Probably not real but it's yet another cool thing I've never seen in this amazing game.

SE Fleet

48th Division arrives safely at Truk to bolster our local reserves in this AO. Wewak makes level 3 forts.

15th Army

Ledo remains un-CAPed, so the IJAAF pays a visit. 3 C-47s are destroyed while 37 are damaged.

We now have a third 42 plane Tojo Sentai ready for action in Burma. Nice.

China

DA Kukong achieves 14:1 odds, casualties 1356(79) vs 325(0) .

Changsha hits fort level 4.

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: obvert

The Nicks seem to be great to guard areas outside normal sweep range, but suffer for me even in 42 if kept too near the front. Most likely also because I fly them at bomber levels. Still, a good plane to have with the armor, and I foresee a use for them throughout with their bomb load as well.

Is there a next level FB you like for later in the war?

My general plan is to use Georges and Tojo IIc as interceptors mid-war. Where we are outside sweep range, the Nick will fight on.

[Cribtop]

November 15, 1942

Subs

Sturgeon duds on a DD in the South China Sea.

IJN escorts chase off the S-39 near Billiton. This is a big success as the convoy is moving a tank regiment to China to form 2nd Armored Division.

4th Fleet

Baker Island port goes to level 1 for CF.

Southern Army

B-17s continue to hit retreating IJA armor in NW Oz. They are outside effective Nick range of Katherine so there's not much we can do about it.

15th Army

The Imperial Guards Division is reconned for the first time in its jungle lair SE of Akyab. More evidence of an enemy offensive here.

Lashio's airfield goes to level 3.

China

DA Kukong gets 21:1 odds; casualties 985(50) vs 298(0).

Ichang makes level 6 forts and will build a level 4 airfield to support Operation Dragon's Tail.

Other

Something Allied sinks unexpectedly today. Two Kingfishers are reported destroyed on the ground. CF must've lost a big ship damaged at the Torres Islands as she tried to make a shipyard. Banzai!

[Cribtop]

The Family and I are at the Gulf coast on a short vacation. The bad news is I can't run turns here. The good news is I'm about a week behind and should be able to catch up to the game.

Not a whole lot has happened, but Mr. Tojo does give the Brits Hell in Burma and something hits a mine as MKB transits the passage between Bougainville and New Ireland. But what? Read and find out.

[Cribtop]

November 16, 1942

Subs

Pompano misses the newly upgraded Maikaze near the Bonins. Although return DC fire misses, it's nice to see the new type 2 DC launchers reaching the depth of the sub.

SE Fleet

Despite a nearly full moon, our G3M3s do not take off for Noumea. We're mostly trying to hit Enterprise to keep her pinned so that MKB can finish her off.

Southern Army

B-17s hit our tanks in NW Oz while B-24s attack troops at Daly Waters for the first time. Our 3 AA units at Day are useless, although their radars do detect the raid at a good distance. This will help when our Nicks are up.

The enemy stack of armor long parked south of Daly is heading north. Perhaps a real move is afoot. Cribtop HQ orders 18th Division, in local reserve at Kendari, to load for Darwin.

Burma

As the 8th Area Army is now aboard ship with 18th Army to join 15th Army in Burma, we will now refer to this AO simply as the Burma front.

Recon confirms the 111th Chindit Brigade and 286th Motorized Brigades are the units advancing on Akyab.

Base building

Chittagong port goes to 7, Perth airfield to 8, Port Augusta airfield to 4.

[Cribtop]

November 17, 1942

Subs/4th Fleet/SE Fleet

Nada.

Southern Army

Waingapoe makes level 3 forts. The delay caused by the Torres Islands is being used to build the second, third and even fourth lines in many AOs.

Burma

We sweep the approaching enemy brigades near Cox's Bazaar, but there is no CAP. CF picks a good day to bomb Magwe and catches a few Tojos on the ground in the PM phase. If he continues these attacks, we will CAP trap him.

China

A sweep of Chikiang finds no CAP. We are building Ichang for an air offensive against Chungking as soon as the enemy stack at Kukong dies.

5th Fleet

Jakes spot a battleship leading an SCTF at Chunginadak Island. Cribtop Intel estimates this is either a quick FT TF occupation of a potential airfield or an effort to intercept a third bombardment of Umnak. CF may have assumed our re-supply TFs up here were an attack. We vector recon planes to see whether an LCU dropped at Chunginadak.

[Cribtop]

November 18, 1942

Subs

I-29 misses a DD in the big SCTF at Chunginadak Island. Worth a shot. BBs Mississippi and Colorado and CA Quincy are present. No LCU is spotted at the island, so we assume CF was trying to catch the bombardment TF he assumed was coming.

Silversides duds on an xAK near Torishima.

SE Fleet

The long range Nells launch for Noumea and hit BB New Mexico, destroying an AA turret.

CS Chiyoda makes Truk safely. She will await the conclusion of Operation Bismarck before returning to Japan for repairs in the company of Shokaku and Zuikaku, which are overdue for AA upgrades.

Ndeni makes level 2 port, Luganville level 7 airfield.

Southern Army

While B-17s continue to hit our tanks, B-24s try for Daly again and find 29 Nicks on CAP. Although 3 Nicks are write offs, they down 5 B-24s. Nice. We only lose one pilot.

Burma

We sweep and bomb Akyab, hitting several recon Hurricanes and trashing the already damaged airfield.

32 B-25s hit Mandalay, the first sighting of this 2E bomber in the war and further evidence that Burma is the enemy's main focus now.

China

DA Kukong nets 13:1 odds, casualties 1032(47) vs 1414(0). It sure takes time to kill off isolated troops outside of base hexes.

[Cribtop]

November 19, 1942

Subs

I-22 misses a DM while the sub is inbound at Noumea to release a mini sub. Ha-17 penetrates the harbor but encounters a DD that hits the mini and puts her down. Shame.

Convoy escorts chase off Saury near Mussau Island.

SE Fleet

Three ships are spotted by a Glen 7 hexes WSW of Noumea on a course for Oz. Is this the Enterprise? We don't know but it's possible she has worked off enough damage already. If so, she waltzed right past an unbroken cordon of I-boats. We consider scrubbing Operation Bismarck but decide that there is sufficient shipping in Noumea to be worth the risk even if Ent got away. Plus, for all we know, that was a routine supply convoy.

Southern Army

G3M3s from Darwin strike Alice Springs at night at long range, damaging several B-17s on the ground.

Burma

We guess right on a CAP trap today and really blunt the enemy's air power. Two big groups of Tojos are over Mandalay to greet a series of Blenheim raids with Hurricane escorts. The slaughter is really fearsome and utterly one-sided. By day's end the kill count is 42:3! BANZAI! This will make CF think twice about attacks in this theater until he gets better air frames.

In addition, a third 42 plane Sentai with Mr. Tojo arrives at Rangoon today. These Tojo groups have crazy EXP averages of 77ish.

China

It's taken time, but thanks to lots of supply and two HQs, the troops beaten up by the Changsha battles have recovered disabled squads. We are able to shift a few divisions north to ensure that CF's recent probes up there are covered and will consider how to use the rest for fresh offensives.

[Cribtop]

November 20, 1942

Subs

Escorts chase off KXVI near Kendari.

SE Fleet

Lots of base building. Ndeni airfield makes level 3, Efate level 2 and Pago Pago level 6.

Southern Army

16th Division and artillery arrives at Babel to complete our strategic reserve.

27 Nells hit Alice Springs at night, damaging five B-17s and 2 C-47s. This will be a decent deterrent to massed attacks from Alice, and in fact today only nine 4Es fly against our armor.

Burma

We spring a surprise daylight raid against Ledo, destroying 6 C-47s and damaging 23. Intention here is to reduce supply flights over the hump but also to force CF to base fighters at Ledo. This will further reduce the number of supply flights per day due to stacking and will divide his fighter strength in theater.

Combined Fleet

MKB, now organized in three TFs, launches from Truk. Operation Bismarck is afoot.