Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Docup(A)-Koniu(J)

[koniu]

21 SEP 42

Marshals
Enemy Battleships detected between Wotje and Maloelap.

This time i have there Torpedo bombers. Bad news is that bad wheter stop most of them to launch

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Maloelap at 136,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 22
G3M3 Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
BB Warspite
BB California, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage (both critical damage)

That not end. One of SS in area finish job.

Sub attack near Maloelap at 136,116

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 4 (shipyard needed but will survive)

Allied Ships
BB California, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (severe floding, internal explosion)
DD Perkins

BB reported as sunk. Sinking sound after SS attack.
Also one enemy DD reported sunk after collision

There are at lest 3 more BB in TF or more: BB Pennsylvania, BB Warspite and BB Oklahoma.
Intel showing at lest 13 ships in 3 TF in hex(low detection). Probably one of them is escort TF for BB California.

250nm north of Wotje enemy CL TF detected(3 ships).

More TB transfered to Marshals. Tomorrow 60 will fly if whether will be good. 60 A6M3a will fly as escort.
5 subs will hunt those BBs.

Medium probability of Allied CV near Jonston Island. My sub see enemy CV TF(94planes) two days earlier


China
All 150 planes from Changsha are gone. location unknown. Full alert. Trap suspected


DEI
Ambon attacked by Liberators.

[koniu]

Triple post

Will be use in future

[koniu]

Koniu reality

First about situation. After sinking California i not tell you that i have KB 500nm east of Tarawa.I have ordered them to intercept running BB from Marshals.
Full speed ordered to get to position middle between Marshals and Jonson Island.

What happen. Nothing. KB move only 5 hexes(should move 10 -double check all arders) north finding enemy TF 8 hexes from it(around 600nm from east Wotje. (bombers set on 7 range)[:(]

Enemy 4xBB 45 north of Marshals but Betty's not launch because of Thunderstorm)[:(]

Instead i have lost DD from allied DB launching from Wotje.


But that is not interesting part.

Docup reality

KB moving as ordered finding enemy carries siting on middle ocean. Air strike launching,CAP surprised only few in air, they have no chance against 80 elit pilots in new M3a Zeros. 300(120 with torpedoes) Japanese bombers spreading death to allied sailors and ships. Entire CV TF destroyed. All CVs, BBs and CAs with few DDs sunk. No allied counter attack.Full surprise. Japanese loses minimal(few planes and pilots)

Also Betty's from Marshals launch and sunk all allied BB near Marshals. Only few DD manage to survive

In mater of hours entire Pacific fleet is gone. All what left from it is few old BB and cruisers. But CV are gone and new will arrive in 8 months. There is rumor in Washington than in government people start talking "we must negotiate pece with Japan" "We loosing war"

But that is Docup reality.

I hate sync bugs

EDIT:
I must speek with Docup about next turn as he know more that he should.(i also know more becous on mine side of mirror i do not know aboyt CV presence) He will probably run after what he saw last turn.

It was so perfect organized. I searching for safe path entire month. I manage to place undetected KB behind his lines. KB was not seen until it was to late. Month of work lost 150k fuel burn for nothing. IT shoul be perfect turn for Japan insted i lost DD and entire suprise effect. Now he will run and wait for `43 to move carries to offensive.[:(]

I give you more datalis when docup give me them. So far all i know is that my forces destroy everything allies had in area.

EDIT2
Sorry but I must piece somewhere my frustration and anger
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT3
Need to be more positive. Good side of last turn. I do not think Docup fore next few months will plan any offensive. Last turn should scare him so much that probably he will hold all big moves fer next 6-9 months. That will give me time to prepare. Allow no make few offensive actions ans allow me to save more resources. Next step - take back Marshals islands from allied hands.

On other hand i will want to have real turn like that one Docup saw. That will give me easy 12 month in Pacific.

[koniu]

23 SEP 42

Marshals
Allied CV TF is gone. Because when i was giving orders i do not know that they are there, KB orders were to block Marshalls from east. KB is now 360nm est of Marshals.

Durring turn planes from KB sunk lonely allied DD

Enemy BB TT bombard my base in Marshals. Some planes destroyed but damage to AF minimal.
Worst come at day. Enemy Bombers attack AF destroying 30 planes on ground. My fighters manage to shot down 15 enemy planes for lose of 2.

I am not sure but AF is closed. With damage 54 to runway on AF lvl 4 planes will fly only CAP? For lvl 4 AF 50 is critical number i think.

Good news. 3 allied BB are now 45nm sooth of Wotje. During AM phase Betty's put TT to one of them. With KB so close i will try to capture them tomorrow.

I will probably split KB in half trying to cover bigger area passable. May by on morning i will find them in range of torpedo bombers. They are capable to do 12 hex max. With one of them damage maybe less. Also after bombardment they are low on ammo. This give opportunity to my BB TF. I will send it to intercept enemy. Bettys will be rabased if AF is close(need check manual) and hevy CAP will be placed over base.


During day i lost 54 planes(only 10 a2a), enemy loses are 17 planes.


Plan is to sunk those 3 slow BB. They are big but not critical targets so i will not hunt them for any coast. Also fuel is critical so i will watch closelu on that.

PS
I just found after 1 year of PBEM than most of TFs have button "replenish on sea" allowing to refuel ships on see from another ships during order phase. Nice

[obvert]

Sucks about the non-attack. If you get those BBs though it should really help you to win the islands back and also hurt his future amphib operations. I would go all out for them, fuel be damned! It will also demoralize him for sure to lose those ships, even if they're not that good in reality.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Sucks about the non-attack. If you get those BBs though it should really help you to win the islands back and also hurt his future amphib operations. I would go all out for them, fuel be damned! It will also demoralize him for sure to lose those ships, even if they're not that good in reality.

Thank i almost rebuild my morale after last day:)

I will go to kill those BB
So far fuel is not a problem but few more turns on full speed and i will stuck in middle of ocean. That is reason why i need watch full reserve closely.

When i back to Truck i have there 80k fresh fuel waiting for me.

[GreyJoy]

Too bad about that synch bug mate!...that, at least, means your plan could have been perfect!

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Too bad about that synch bug mate!...that, at least, means your plan could have been perfect!

Yest at lest i know that from my side almost everything was as should be.

I am not sure why my ships move only 5 not 10 hexes.
Probably TF commander decide to refuel ships. Also CV TF have reaction set to 2. Maybe that change something. I have not seen any massages during turn resolution that my TF is escaping from surface denger or something like that.

koniu

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Too bad about that synch bug mate!...that, at least, means your plan could have been perfect!

Yest at lest i know that from my side almost everything was as should be.

I am not sure why my ships move only 5 not 10 hexes.
Probably TF commander decide to refuel ships. Also CV TF have reaction set to 2. Maybe that change something. I have not seen any massages during turn resolution that my TF is escaping from surface denger or something like that.

koniu

Always order "do not refuel" when approaching to decisive battles...well, not if you are already in "red"[:)]

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Too bad about that synch bug mate!...that, at least, means your plan could have been perfect!

Yest at lest i know that from my side almost everything was as should be.

I am not sure why my ships move only 5 not 10 hexes.
Probably TF commander decide to refuel ships. Also CV TF have reaction set to 2. Maybe that change something. I have not seen any massages during turn resolution that my TF is escaping from surface denger or something like that.

koniu

Always order "do not refuel" when approaching to decisive battles...well, not if you are already in "red"[:)]

They where ordered to do not refuel.[;)]
All ships have 60% or more fuel reserve. I am also set home base closes possible to avoid "red" situation.
It must be something in code that make that game so entertaining. I like to think that they slow down because of storm and commander try to keep TF from spreading around Pacific [:D]

Like in real war all battle plans are perfect until you meet the enemy.
I will crash him next time.

[koniu]

Turn send

I do eny, meeny, miny, moe and chose direction where KB will move to capture allied BB. Other directions going to be cover by SC TFs and LBAs from Marshals and Tabiteuea
I hope i will have luck this time. I fell like this is something i need to build my morale for next months of game.

PS. It is starting doing interesting In Burma. Docup start to reckon all bases there. Probably air offensive will start soon. I am building planes reserve. Mostly Tojos as those planes are now 70% of my air force there.

I have 110 TOjo, 40 Oscars and soon 30 Nicks ready to fight. Pool reserve is 30 Tojo, 30 Oscars and 5 Nicks.

In emergency i have also 140 A6Ms in 2 days range.

[koniu]

24 SEP 42

Marshals
Allied BB are gone. I think Docup hide them in one of dot bases in Marshals.
I will start to reckon them. Heavy CAP over Maloelap. I lost today 6 search planes over that base.
It look like Docup is protecting that base with everything he have CAP and LCAP over base. BB maybe??
KB slowly is out of fuel. I am minimizing movements to be able to stay in area as long as possible. Now i need to be patience. Those BB are out of ammo so or he will protect them in Marshals or will try to move them east. We will wait. Maby we find something interesting

Truk
CV Hiyo arrive today to base after repairs from Torpedo hit. With him arrive two new CLAA cruisers. They will join with KB asap.



Burma
More movements in Burma I see units moving everywhere. In 4 week i will have Tank Div in Burma. Two Passable places to attack me. Akyab or Shwebo. I preparing in both places. 1800 will protect Akyab road. 2000 Central Burma.

1200 more AV will land in Burma in month. Total 5000AV will be enough for now i think. If needed i can have 450 fighters and 150 bombers in Burma in 3-4 days.

Japan
CVL Ryuho arrive today. He will sail to Singer and will wait to other CVL. When they arrive they will replace two big CV in area.

I will have 4CVL TF in Singer as fast reaction force in DEI.
KB will be build from 8 big CV with base in Truk.
3 CVE will stay in Japan to patrol north approach to home islands.

[obvert]

For your KB use a single patrol spot, and stay there, with search on max range plus recon at every base, and i;m sure you;ll find them.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

For your KB use a single patrol spot, and stay there, with search on max range plus recon at every base, and i;m sure you;ll find them.

Thanks. I am doing it right now. I take position out of his search range. It looks like he searching only in west, south-west direction.

I am almost sure that BBs are in Maloelap (everything is defending that base). He have CAP there and LCAP from Wotje. Base is reckoned 9/10 but all my search planes where shot down last turn so no search rapport from hex. I think BB TF is on sea. I debating with my self to send my 4 BB to that hex. But i will risk minefields.

Right now biggest problem is damage to my AF. I am blocked from offensive missions and most of eng unit is disabled after bombardments two days ago.
80 eng manage to repair only 1 runway damage last turn
I am sending reinforcements from Truk but i will take few days.

I will wait few days. Flying LCAP and heavy CAP will fatigue pilots. So i will sweep.
Right now my pilots also have bad morale but it is slowly building up. And and only in emergency i can also sweep with KB units.

[koniu]

25 SEP 42

Burma
Tojos sweep Akyab.

42 Tojo vs 16 Spitfires IIc and I lost 4 planes for 2 British.
Bombers attack British troops in north Burma. Monster huge flak shot down 6 Ki-49.

Tabiteuea
2 Liberators shot down for one A6M3a(pilot is ok)

Marshals
Very quiet. I still thinking that BBs are in Maloelap. But direct attack on port is out of option.
Loses to huge to accept with only small chance to kill them.
Navy is returning home. Need to refuel and repair damage to ships.

China
Nanyang offensive will start in 3 days
2000AV will march toward Sian trying to cut of Nanyang from north
2500AV will march toward Nanyang direcly.
From air 150 figters and 200 bombers will support offensive

[koniu]

Need help/advive

My BB TF(4xBB and 4xDD) is backing to Truk with fleet.

I split it from rest of fleet and tomorrow(only tomorrow because of fuel) i will have them near Maloelap. I have crease idea. Maybe sent them to bombard base. Maybe i will have luck and some shells will hit enemy BB or DD.

There is also danger to my ships. I think Maloelap is mined heavily. Lets assume there is 200 mines. Probably in multiple minefields. Minefield is marked on map.

Plan A
Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later BB TF will enter base and bombard it but i will send only BB without DD(to easy to sunk by mine). DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

Plan B
Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later DD TF will enter hex and intercept TB in hex later BB TF will enter base and bombard it but i will send only BB without DD(to easy to sunk by mine). DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

Plan C
Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later BB+DD TF will enter base and bombard it. DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

TBoats should not create bit danger because of moonlight 90%. But they can slow down TF or force them to resign from bombardment.
I will give also air support from LBA to help in case of air strike but because of lack of TBombers in Marsjhals BB should be safe.


What do yo think. Anny advise will be pleased. What risk is from minefield to BB, do having minefield visible on map will help.

Waiting
koniu

[koniu]

27 SEP 42

Burma
I am moving more troops toward Akyab and Mandalay.

Two ID will defend Bhano area. Two will fight around Mandalay. Two around Akyab.
And two will wait in Rangoon as reserve. Area bat win them will be defended by smaller units.

Two more ID will land in Burma in two weeks. Tank div will land in month.

DEI
16 B5N2 bombers shot down after they decide to attack convoy sailing toward Darwin. Lucky for my SS was present in that hex. Only 9 pilots KIA

Marshals
Another quiet day.
on 25 reckon show 8 ships in Maloelap port (4DD confirmed). Today it showing 8 ships(CL and 4 DD)

More subs sailing to area. They will patrol around Maloelap.

China
Troops star moveing toward Nanyang. Map with battle plan tomorrow.

Japan
Yamato arrive today today. Currently waiting for DD escort and will sail to Pacific.

It is freeing 233 shipyard points. For next two months it will allow me to accumulate 7k HI point per day. In December two CV will enter acceleration phase so i will spend point on them.

R&D
Ki-44IIc advance to 12/43
A6M5b advance to 4/44

[koniu]

27 SEP 42

Marshals
Night ride on Roi-Namur . Low flying Oscars mange to shutdown 2 from 11 enemy bombers. No damage to base
I think those are probably first allied bombers shot down at night during a2a combat.

SS Peto sunk after hitting mine in Roi-Namur

Burma
Allied CL TF sunk 3 SC near Rangoon

Formosa
Night ride on Pescadores port. xAKL lightly damage.

China
Lower you see Nanyang offensive plan.

[koniu]

29 SEP 42

Burma
90 Tojos sweep Akyab
11 lost(6 a2a) for 9 Hurricanes(7a2a)

DEI
2 IDs on board of ships is Soerobaja. They sailing to Truk. They going to be part of Marshals invasions. Another ID is waiting to load on ships in Salumaki.
Two Big CV giving support to that transport opeation they will sail together with cargo ships and in few days rejoin with KB. I will replace them in DEI with 4xCVL.

Small 1250tons TK lost north of Miri

Marshals
During my fleet return to Truk i send my BB to bombard enemy ships in Maloelap port. BB refuse to sail that mission. I think it is because of fuel. They have only reserve to return half way to Truk. Replenishment TF send to meet them.

I have 16 subs patrolling around Maloelap

Roi-Namur AF almost repaired. 10 damage to runway. 17 to infrastructure.

Two AF units land today adding 48 air support and 40 more ENG units in Roi-Namur.
In few days i will return to bombing campaign.

I think i will land in month from now but not later that in 15 November.

China
Offensive start moving. I see first reaction on enemy side. He still not know positions of my main forces. What he see is 1800 of 5000 AV i will use in that operation.

ID is loading on ships Shanghai. He will sail to Truk as part of Marshals landing.



So in 10 day i willl have 4 ID in Truk. They need some rest as they have ~30% disabled squads after Ambon Battle. I think 100k supplies and army HQ will help. They not need reinforcements only rest.

I will split them on sub units in Truk. I notice that by doing that they heal 3x faster because engine see them as tree separate units so chance to activate squad is bigger.

[koniu]

30 SEP 42

Palembang/Singer
Two minefields find in those bases. Minesweepers start sweeping but they not find all mines and small (1250 tons capacity) TK sunk after mine hit.

I Siger hex enemy sub attak on surface one of xAK. no damage to ship. I think it was that sub that lye those mines.

DEI
Last troops evacuated from Amboon. Operation is suported by 2 CV.

Japan
xAK sunk after torpedo hit near Tokyo

China
Chinese troops are leaving Nanyang. I have counted 200k chines troops between Nanyang ans Sian.

Planes
D4Y1-C enter production. He will replace older navy reckon planes asap.

30 days until A6M5 and Ki-43IIa enter production.
Right now A6M3a and Ki-43Ic production halted.

Economy
HI reserve 900k. Planed reserve on 1/1/43 1.2 million.
Total Fuel and oil static. Only oil in home islands is drooping.