European battle for the Pacific - No Terje - Campaign for India

[fodder]

I'll try, but if anyone knows any better please speak up.

ORIGINAL: sj80

I set the KB to Retirement allowed and all planes to max range + naval/port attack for Kates and Vals. It seems I'm having problems using the Retirement allowed setting in combination with air attacks. At both days only Kates attacked, but I did set the target movement point for KB so close to Sydney that Vals should have been in range. I think the TF has started the retreat before the air attacks were flown and was too far away for Vals.
The KB attacked always Sydney and not the tankers that were not disbanded in the port. I thought that the seconday mission (port attack) is only be used if there were no targets for the first mission (naval attack). [&:]

Here are my questions:
Is Retirement allowed a useful setting for port raids? Or better Remain on station to ensure that all planes can fly?
How is Retirement allowed working for CV TFs? Does it ensure that my planes (at least the planes with longest range) can attack while moving back? I thought before this action that a CV TF will stay on the target hex until all air action is solved and retreat after that. But it seems I was wrong.
Should I had set the attack range of Kates down to 7 to ensure both can attack with the setting Retirement allowed?

If I want a task force to do anything, I make dam sure it is not set to retirement allowed.

Naval movement comes fiirst then air attacks.

From the pictures you show of the KB positions , if you had set your kates to a max range of 7, they would not have attacked the port. It is 9 hexes away.

Did you have any search aircraft out and was the tanker taskforce spotted before the attacks on the port took place. If you hadn't spotted the tanker task force before the air attack took place the only target they had was the port.

Hope this helps.

Edit to fix spacing

[sj80]

Hey fodder, thanks for your explanations! Next time I will use remain on station. Yes, I had the Jakes on my CS set for recon Sydney.

The IJA is ahead time plan with the early capture of Singapore. At Jan 28, 1942 the first invasion wave for Java has left Singapore with 4 Inv Divs together with many Eng and Art units. The largest invasion force created by my Japanese Empire ever. [:)] 2 more divs with many smaller units will be the second invasion wave. I want to finish Java as early as possible to use the remaining invasion bonus time for some more action.

Sebastian

[sj80]

The January is almost finished. The Java invasion is running and my ASW TFs have done a good job last week.

One question regarding Malaria. I've read that large bases are protecting against Malaria. But how large is big enough? I remember size 8 (port + airfield size), but I'm unsure. Can someone please clarify?

Edit: Ups, the title of the lower picture is wrong. It's obviously the Java invasion force and not the Burma invasion force. [:D]

[sj80]

The game progresses and again I was too lazy to update the AAR the last days. Here are the industry pools and the China situation after 2 months of heavy fighting. More updates for the other locations will follow shortly. Any comments are welcome!

Sebastian

[sj80]

Surprise, Surprise ... the British CVs pop up near Palembang. I'm really amazed that Terje is sacrificing a small CV TF against the very strong LBA concentration in Palembang. What does Terje wants to do with this TF? Stopping my Java invasion or raiding Palembang? Maybe the American CVs are near, but I don't know. I haven't seen any American CV since weeks. He is definitely too late for stopping the Java invasion, the main invasion TFs are gone since turns.
CVL Hermes and a British BB are reported sunk. Much more torpedo bombers were sent to Palembang and a strong Japanese BB TF is now hunting the British.

Sebastian

[sj80]

The Japanese Intelligence Service was too fast with declaring the British CV, CVL and BB as sunken. All three ships were still afloat. More attacks were flown with Nells and Betties. The CV and CVL are definitely sunken now, the BB seems to be still in service. More than 40 British carrier planes are shown as destroyed on ground.
In the combat report the CVL Hermes is shown as sunken without any hit. How is that possible? Can someone please clarify that?

Sebastian

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: sj80

The Japanese Intelligence Service was too fast with declaring the British CV, CVL and BB as sunken. All three ships were still afloat. More attacks were flown with Nells and Betties. The CV and CVL are definitely sunken now, the BB seems to be still in service. More than 40 British carrier planes are shown as destroyed on ground.
In the combat report the CVL Hermes is shown as sunken without any hit. How is that possible? Can someone please clarify that?

Sebastian

It looks like he was sinking already and definitely sunk during attack
Attack like that are not 1 minute attacks, they are longer than animation in game. So probably you pilots see last moments of Hermes.

If attack not happen he probably will sunk also but you will have not confirmation.
Also during attack ships using full speed and extreme maneuvers. It can make temporary flotation repairs to fail and ship sunk

PS. Nice action with TKs and Sydney ride and now with British navy

BANZAI!!!

[sj80]

ORIGINAL: koniu

It looks like he was sinking already and definitely sunk during attack
Attack like that are not 1 minute attacks, they are longer than animation in game. So probably you pilots see last moments of Hermes.

Thanks for clarify this combat result. Maybe the captain of CVL Hermes has ordered to scuttle the ship as Japanese torpedo bombers appeared at the horizon. [;)]
The Japanese Empire is planning more offensive operations. The next operation will be the invasion of Northern Australia. The preparations are almost finished ...

[sj80]

Today the 4th, 56th Division, Guards Mixed Brigade, some Tank Regiments and supporting troops landed in Darwin. The Allied resistance is much stronger than expected.
After all troops are unloaded I will start with deliberating attacks. I learned today that the transport planes will only drop paratroopers at an enemy base within their normal range.

The sunken Royal Sovereign disappeared from the sunken ship list and the Tennessee and the Maryland were added.

Sebastian

[sj80]

Again I was a bit lazy with updating the AAR. The game has progressed some turns since my last update. Here is an overview over the most interesting regions.

Terje and I decided to switch over to DaBabes map with stacking limits everywhere. We both are no friends of "death stars". To prepare that change we have declared a one week land&air ceasefire in China and PHI before using the new map. His retreating forces from Loyang and Sian are moving westwards, most of my forces are moving southwards for their next target: Changsha. The 30k - 40k stacking limits in rough terrain prevent any offensive actions north or west of Sian make no sense.
Burma is almost quiet, my tanks are hunting his retreating units. 2/3rd of Java are under Japanese control. Within latest 2 weeks Soerbaja will fall.

Terje is fortifying the Fiji islands. I'm expanding the bases around New Caledonia. I really want to force him into a decisive battle with his CVs. Something like Midway, but with a better result for the Jap side. [:D]

Sebastian

[sj80]

The game has reached march 1942 and it's time for a new industry update.
Sian felt very quickly last month. After one week of cease fire in China the map with stacking limits was applied and this makes the land warfare much more interesting! The Japanese Empire will notice that soon because a major offensive is planned to get Changsha and all cities around the "big road".

Sebastian

[sj80]

Everything is quiet in Burma, the IJA is preparing for the upcoming air combat. Around 160 Oscars are stationed in Burma, more will follow. In Java the IJA is attacking the last Allied stronghold. With the deliberation of Ambon and Cebu the last heavy defended Allied islands are captured.
In northern Australia my tanks are trying to destroy the fleeing units.

[sj80]

Around Rabaul the ASW combat is heating up. Maybe Terje supposes some important ships at Rabaul and he is right. The main body of the Combined Fleet is located at Rabaul for repair and refuel. I will send Air ASW to support my ships.

The defense preparations for the Marshalls, Wake and Marcus Islands are in full swing. I expect a commitment of the American carriers soon. Terje mentioned that he is currently upgrading to the new F4F and after that he is planning something.

The IJN is preparing for a great invasion, I will explain later.

Sebastian

[sj80]

Terje and I finished the 100th turn! I'm very happy to play with such a reliable opponent.

The SRA is now under full Japanese control with the capture of Soerabaja. The last defenders retreated into the mountain hex, but they will be destroyed soon. Unfortunately all industry was completely ruined when capturing Soerabaja. It will take a half year and endless supplies to repair the oil fields. [:(]

The Empire of Japan has achieved it's goals to conquer resources and achieving a defense perimeter within the time frame of amph bonus. The defense preparations are in full swing. But I won't go into defense everywhere. There are still some sweet targets left. [:)] The Empire is like an anthill now. There are almost no more ships in my harbors, everything is on tour.
The map is showing the current expansion of the Empire of Japan and possible targets.

edit: Land combat is now really fun with stacking limits. Thanks to the community for creating such good stuff.

Sebastian

[Chernobyl]

very interesting aar. Love the pictures. Keep this going.

[sj80]

Hey Liebestod,

thanks for your comments! I would love to see more comments in my AAR. But most activities seems to concentrate on a couple of AARs.

China is the most interesting region at the moment. Here is an overview over the current situation and my future plans. I think Terje has made some mistakes here (e.g. only weak defenders in the mountains between Sian and Lanchow). With applied stacking limits he could have used the rough terrain much better for his defense. Northern China seems to be almost undefended.
I'm starting several offensive actions on all corners in China. I hope this will force him to split up the defenders.

Sebastian

[Lcp Purcell]

Wow without a doubt you have the best maps. It's like a storyboard conquest. And you are doing very very well.
I am curious, how is your R&D going?

[oldman45]

SJ thanks for putting this together, you have done a fine job here and its enjoyable to read. I will keep following your exploits.

It is painful to see what your doing to the allies. [;)]

[sj80]

Hey Lcp, with realistic R&D everything slows down for the first plane in the upgrade path. The factory has to be repaired completely before any research points are produced. PzH mentioned in his AAR that he will get the Tojo in 04/42 with unrealistic R&D. I can be happy if I get the Tojo in 7/42.
I plan to use the engine bonus (500+ engines in pool) and I increased the Ha-34 (Tojo, Helen) and Ha-35 (A6M, ...) heavily. 3 plants for the Helen IIa are producing and the plane will accelerate next turn one month. [:)]

I concentrate on the main fighter paths A6M, Tojo, George and Frank. The picture is showing the current status (March, 17). Other planes I research with 3x30 factories are Oscar IIa, Jill, Judy, Tony, Peggy, Patsy and Frances.

Hey oldman, I'm discussing the China situation with Terje. He says that he has not enough troops to defend everywhere. I think he will be "very happy" when I start a new front line in south-west China within 1 or 2 weeks. [:D] I like his fair play style and his willingness to adjust house rules. We added the "no sweep above 30k" and "no LRCAP over enemy bases" during our game.

Sebastian

[Chernobyl]

Yes the maps are the best part. I am a new player and I am using these AARs as a learning tool, but most AARs do not have maps or explain what they are talking about very clearly and it helps to have the pictures so I am not looking up every other location on wikipedia