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

[koniu]

15 FEB 43

Burma
This time allies not fly at day but only at night. Also this time my Night CAP fly.
They fight well. Nicks manage even to damage two bombers.
No damage on ground

Night Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged


Salomon's
Allies bombing Buna every day. AF is closed from days but they still coming.
Today 55 Liberators, I must told Docup that he should send them to Rabaul. 150 Fighters will have at lest something to do.

Another big hole in Japanese Carrier. This time luck abandon CVL Zuiho

Sub attack near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Tone
CLAA Tatsuta
CLAA Tenryu
CS Nisshin
DD Umikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Yugiri
DD Ayanami
DD Murakumo
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

Ok, luck not totally abandon Zuiho. Damage is minimal and week or two in Shipyard will be enough



R&D
Another N1K1 factory repaired. I am now producing 10 R%D points daily (engine bonus).
K1 will enter service at 4/43. I am expecting K2 version on 8/43.
I will leave some factories to research K5(to advance it to end of `44) but i planing to use K5 only in Home Islands where i have many lvl 8,9 AFs with big AV support. K2 will be main front line naavy fighter until will be replaced by A7M2 Sam

In next month B6N1 will enter production but i planing to replace it with N2 on on 5/43

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

15 FEB 43

Burma
This time allies not fly at day but only at night. Also this time my Night CAP fly.
They fight well. Nicks manage even to damage two bombers.
No damage on ground

And that is as good as you can expect. I think I can count on one hand the number of 4E's I have shot down at night ...

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: koniu

15 FEB 43

Burma
This time allies not fly at day but only at night. Also this time my Night CAP fly.
They fight well. Nicks manage even to damage two bombers.
No damage on ground

And that is as good as you can expect. I think I can count on one hand the number of 4E's I have shot down at night ...

I do not expecting shotting down bombers. Even hitting them is more than i am expecting.
I only want night CAP to fly.
Having something in air = big reduction of bombing accuracy ant that is what i need.

I am not even building, r%D night fighters i do not think there is big difference between using F, FB or NF. Also those early arriving night fighters are so slow.

[PaxMondo]

I do the same.  I always want to be sure whatever I have on NF mission is faster than the bombers incoming.  That seems to be a very big part of an interception.  As you note, most of the IJ NF's are slow ... slower than B-29's ...

[koniu]

I have just send turn to Docup. It is last turn for next two days.

I only have extra news. I dont know have but when i first time was looking trough map i did not notice that enemy CV TF is on open sea between Bowen and Rockhampton.

If this was happen half year ago i will attack.
Today it is to dangerous.
Now we have times when Japanese CV waiting for enemy under LBA support not opposite.

Happy New Year to you all.

[koniu]

16-18 Feb 43

Burma
Another night raid. This time Mandalay was target.
In total 120 enemy bombers fly. Lucky at lest 40% of them return before arrive over target.
10 Ki-45 scare them so much.
On ground i lost 12 Ki-44

Singer
MKB arrive to Singer. 4xCVE 2xCVL
They will sail toward Cocos to give air support to BB TF.

Cocos
Enemy ship in Cocos anchor. I think it is ACM

Koepang
I move 70 G4M and G3M to base. They have order to nigh bomb Darwin Port
They not only refuse to fly but also on morning 40 enemy bombers decide to plaster Koepang AF. 35+ bombers lost on ground.
Lucky o have over 200 bombers in pool

Salomon's
4E close Gasmata.
KB in safe anchor

First time in my game experience i saw night naval attack with confirmed hit.
Strafing bombers attack Japanese cargo TF near Guadalcanal. Minimal damage to xAK

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: koniu

I have just send turn to Docup. It is last turn for next two days.

I only have extra news. I dont know have but when i first time was looking trough map i did not notice that enemy CV TF is on open sea between Bowen and Rockhampton.

If this was happen half year ago i will attack.
Today it is to dangerous.
Now we have times when Japanese CV waiting for enemy under LBA support not opposite.

Happy New Year to you all.

I do not know what happends with the IJ . but the Allies get an audio alert when a search plane detects a carrier ... "Main Body!" Its annoying but does get ones attention that enemy CV's are strolling through serch arcs ...

[koniu]

19 FEB 43

Another night ride on Mandalay[:(]. This time i lost 24 Tojo's. CAP not fly[:@]
I will remind Docup about HR of night bombing(max 2 attacks in single hex per week and 4 after 9/43) to be sure he not attack tomorrow
On other AF i am sanding more planes to night duty

Mandalay is open. AF damage is in middle 30s.

I am building 7 Ki-44 daily. Loses like that using my plane pool very fast.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: koniu

I have just send turn to Docup. It is last turn for next two days.

I only have extra news. I dont know have but when i first time was looking trough map i did not notice that enemy CV TF is on open sea between Bowen and Rockhampton.

If this was happen half year ago i will attack.
Today it is to dangerous.
Now we have times when Japanese CV waiting for enemy under LBA support not opposite.

Happy New Year to you all.

I do not know what happends with the IJ . but the Allies get an audio alert when a search plane detects a carrier ... "Main Body!" Its annoying but does get ones attention that enemy CV's are strolling through serch arcs ...

For Japan detecting enemy CV is no different from detecting different TF type. Usually i know that there is CV when Patrol planes are shutdown by CAP[8D]

[koniu]

Docup and I have that HR about night bombing missions

Max 2 attacks in single hex per week and 4 attack in week after 9/43

This is limiting enough night bombings right now to lvl where allies are not able to move his bombing raid to night only, but also that HR is not perfect. After last two days of bombing Mandalay Docup will not be able to bomb at night for next 5 days reliving me from night CAP duty in that base and i can focus only on day phase

I am looking for something more balanced giving some king flexibility to time and numbers of raids. I am not want to block bombings but something that will not make them so effective

In last two days i lost 40 fighters and Mandalay AF is 30/30 damage. I can live with that for short time but few more days like that and AF will be closed without single plane flying at day. I will accept that if night figters or Flak can crate seroius danger to enemy bombers. Right now allies can bomb without any danger to own planes. Also my fighter groups have now morale ~60 with is not good for me.


Any idea about it. Maybe some kind HR change or modification. Something that allow Docup to bomb every time he want but also with limitation to effectiveness. Maybe limiting numbers of planes/air grup that can fly in single night or altitude limit??

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Docup and I have that HR about night bombing missions

Max 2 attacks in single hex per week and 4 attack in week after 9/43

This is limiting enough night bombings right now to lvl where allies are not able to move his bombing raid to night only, but also that HR is not perfect. After last two days of bombing Mandalay Docup will not be able to bomb at night for next 5 days reliving me from night CAP duty in that base and i can focus only on day phase

I am looking for something more balanced giving some king flexibility to time and numbers of raids. I am not want to block bombings but something that will not make them so effective

In last two days i lost 40 fighters and Mandalay AF is 30/30 damage. I can live with that for short time but few more days like that and AF will be closed without single plane flying at day. I will accept that if night figters or Flak can crate seroius danger to enemy bombers. Right now allies can bomb without any danger to own planes. Also my fighter groups have now morale ~60 with is not good for me.


Any idea about it. Maybe some kind HR change or modification. Something that allow Docup to bomb every time he want but also with limitation to effectiveness. Maybe limiting numbers of planes/air grup that can fly in single night or altitude limit??

What version are you using? In my current PBEM game I found Micheal M's fix "25/11/12: 1120c - Tweaked Land based flak influenced by device's 'accuracy' value" -- even for the IJ flak units to be inhibting of night raids. The Allies have to either take more damage or increase altitude .. the same although goes for IJ night raids. Anyway, as an AFB I found that either I cut back on my nights raids or experience many more operational losses.

I am personally more partial to decision matrixes like this rather than home rules that take the decision away.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: koniu

Docup and I have that HR about night bombing missions

Max 2 attacks in single hex per week and 4 attack in week after 9/43

This is limiting enough night bombings right now to lvl where allies are not able to move his bombing raid to night only, but also that HR is not perfect. After last two days of bombing Mandalay Docup will not be able to bomb at night for next 5 days reliving me from night CAP duty in that base and i can focus only on day phase

I am looking for something more balanced giving some king flexibility to time and numbers of raids. I am not want to block bombings but something that will not make them so effective

In last two days i lost 40 fighters and Mandalay AF is 30/30 damage. I can live with that for short time but few more days like that and AF will be closed without single plane flying at day. I will accept that if night figters or Flak can crate seroius danger to enemy bombers. Right now allies can bomb without any danger to own planes. Also my fighter groups have now morale ~60 with is not good for me.


Any idea about it. Maybe some kind HR change or modification. Something that allow Docup to bomb every time he want but also with limitation to effectiveness. Maybe limiting numbers of planes/air grup that can fly in single night or altitude limit??

What version are you using? In my current PBEM game I found Micheal M's fix "25/11/12: 1120c - Tweaked Land based flak influenced by device's 'accuracy' value" -- even for the IJ flak units to be inhibting of night raids. The Allies have to either take more damage or increase altitude .. the same although goes for IJ night raids. Anyway, as an AFB I found that either I cut back on my nights raids or experience many more operational losses.

I am personally more partial to decision matrixes like this rather than home rules that take the decision away.

We are playing 19h, but i already ask Docup to update to 22 version

[Crackaces]

We are playing 19h, but i already ask Docup to update to 22 version

In my opinion you will witness a much different game .. I might suggest playing a few turns after the update and then think of home rules. I can say that my night bombing of Truk took a very different turn after the update [8D] [going from cleaning the atoll of fighters to losing 2 - 4 4E's due to flak/operational losses ... ] Truk is 88mm L 75 flak guns but the 37mm guns get a boost forcing the 4E's higher at a less effective altitude ..

[koniu]

20 FEB 43

Burma
50 P-38 sweep Mandalay. Bloodbath.
14 Tojo and 12 A6M5 lost for only 3 P-38.

I need drink. I lost 120 planes in three days. Allies lost 12.


Docup move hist LCUs (50k) near Katha. They moving toward Mandalay.
Mandalay is fort 4.58. Low i know. But this is what you have when you capture Burma in June.
Troops are ready to defend. 2500 AV will fight.

I am 89% sure that Docup did not know how big forces i have in jungle 1 hex from Mandalay. 4ID and super Tank Div (800AV) created by one of bugs in beta patches and few smaller units and many arty.

I am moving all available bombers toward Burma. I want to have at lest 200 maybe 250

[obvert]

It's tough to deal with the P-38s. Numbers are about the only answer at the point you're at in game. I'm surprised he got them to sweep 3 days in a row with their SR, but maybe it's multiple groups rotating.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

It's tough to deal with the P-38s. Numbers are about the only answer at the point you're at in game. I'm surprised he got them to sweep 3 days in a row with their SR, but maybe it's multiple groups rotating.

It was first day of sweep. Today i lost 26 planes in air. Other planes where lost on ground during night and day bombing raids day and two days earlier.

I think today it was bad luck as he find most of planes scrambling to fight.
Last week he sweep Mandalay and he lost 12 P-38 and 12 F4U for 30 Tojo but that day i have on battle start 100 fighters in air and not only 30

Those are only planes. Only 4 pilots die today. But i cant losing 40 planes daily, at lest not right now.

I have still 350 fighters in Burma. 150 of them is combat ready with high morale.
100 I will send to safe AF to rest (morale below 50). 100 is with morale in middle 70 so they need to stay and fight.

I need to keep Mandalay open. I will abandon Magwe or Rangoon if needed

[koniu]

22 Feb 43

Sorry for lack of updates.

Salomon's

Liberators destroy 30 A6M and 12 G3M in Munda AF. I forgot to give CAP order to fighters.

Enemy CV fleet and probably invasion forces sailing toward Milne Bay. I hope it is Milne Bay. They are currently 6 hex SE of it. So tommarow they will arrive to base hex and next day they shoul unload. Base is lost but i want allies to pay for it big price.

KB sailing toward enemy, 48h until arrival in bomber range. It will be only a2a engagement. I am not planing sweeping Milne Bay with heavy SAG, maybe few DD. Way?. Because i have to small numbers of surface ships in area right now. Most of them is to far to arrive in 48h and fuel not allowing them to flank and only heavy SAG i have will protect KB.

Tomorrow KB will be 14 hex from Milne Bay. Also tomorrow i will have all LBA in place.
All fighter pilots of KB have XP at lest 70. 200 fighters and 350 bombers on decks.

LBA will have 120 fighters and 100 bombers.

LBA will not attack tomorrow i want them to attack in the same day with KB.

Plan is to jump with KB somwhere between Milne Bay and Woodlark. Destrou as much as we can and retreat north. With luck we can lot of damage. I do not expect that allies will have more that 500 planes in worst i will be 1:1 battle. But i have 200 A6M5 with best Jap pilots 150 of them is XP80+ against F4F-4. If i only manage to avoid enemy subs and most of my bomber will fly against enamy CV not invasion fleet.


From now i promise detailed reports every turn[;)].


From next turn we will use new HR obout night bombing missions:
A) No more than one unit performing night bombing per theater per day.
B) from 4/44 no more that two units per theater per day
C) from 3/45 no more that three units per theater per day (allies only) japan still two

units limit is only for air2ground missions.

[obvert]

Another chance. Looks good. I hope you get a strike in. If his CVs are there, and in range your guys will not go for the invasion, only possibly any big SAGs with BBs. I hope you get a shot this time!

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Another chance. Looks good. I hope you get a strike in. If his CVs are there, and in range your guys will not go for the invasion, only possibly any big SAGs with BBs. I hope you get a shot this time!

I also hope for that.
I have best pilots in Empire in KB. They are fresh. Very fresh, 0 fatigue as they are on rest from week. Morale 99 for all groups. All planes are repaired and combat ready as they are not performing any ops from week. All pilots have major skill (air, naval bomb, torpedo) 70+, most of bomber pilots have naval search between 60-70 and i have CS with 20 FP to help raise DL of enemy.
Last turn i check and change commander for few KB units

On Woodwark i have two groups of FP they will fly night naval search to rise DL before dawn. In Rabaul and Shortlands i have almost 20 PA planes. Also 2E bombers will patrol from Rabaul and Shortlands.

7 Subs arledy patroling waters around MB

Biggest concern is fuel level(Akagi have lowest fuel lvl 57%, most of CV and BB on 70% DD are at 90%). I will switch home port to Woodwark to avoid unplaned refuel.
KB and SAG have fuel for one short jump on flak and to retreat to Truk after battle so no pursuit is planed.

AO TF with 70k fuel is 4 days from Truk so if i survive i will refuel just after battle

EDIT: I have low expectation about that battle. Sinking 3-4 enemy CV will be enough.[:D]

[koniu]

23 Feb 43

Burma
After last beta patch Japanese flak is working!!!!

Docup send medium bombers to bombard my troops south of Akyab from 2000ft

Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 55,46 , near Akyab

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Beaufighter VIc x 2
Hurricane I Trop x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 23

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak


and

Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 55,46 , near Akyab

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 22
Hurricane I Trop x 3
Wellington Ic x 26
B-25C Mitchell x 21

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 8 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

5 B-25C Mitchells and 3 Wellingtons Ic shot down by flak, nice.
Day earlier Docup send 3 Liberators at night to bombard Rabul at 10k. 2 damage one shot down and we talking about 75mm AA guns only.

Salomon's
Now bad news.
Enamy land in MB. 4k troops already manage to unload. He have tank still on ships so i hope they will slow him down with unloading and tomorrow. he still be in place. Invasion TF was not detected during serch phase but i know he is in hax becouse landing start after PM air phase

KB 100nm east of Rabaul undetected, but unlucky:

CV Hiyo collides with CA Atago at 108 , 116

CV Hiyo 4/13(7)/9(4)
CA Atago 1/18(11)/5(3)


Ships have small flood damage and are able to move 6 hex on flak. I am moving Atago from KB TF, Hiyo will stay with KB
CV Hiyo is now first at list to 4/43 refit together with Zuiho and Kaga

I am not changing plans we moving forward what ever will happen