Hairy Asian Experiences - GreyJoy (J) vs. Q-Ball (A)

[GreyJoy]

Thx for your support guys (and Crib's wife[:D]).
As every other well constructed plan, the assault on the dentist didn't go as planned... I had a HUGE dinner, with too much alchool and too much garlic/onion sauces [8|]...i wasn't exactly in my best suit[:D]
 
However i approached her while she was talking with a friend of her at the hotel bar. My buddies were noisily supporting me 10 mts far on my back (a terrible environement if u ask me).
 
I didn't drop my best cards...have to admit it... i wasn't in my "hunting mood"... slow, not at ease... i was not very confident (my breath was horribly stinking of garlic and i knew it).
 
She was very gentle, but not really interested... Her friend wasn't exactly happy of my arrival... and i started the chat with the worst of my "Hello girls.."[:-]
 
However...briefly... she wasn't exactly interesting... they were both dentist and, after a couple of useless minutes, we ended up talking about implantology....
After 10 minutes i was bored to death and i didn't have anything else interesting to say... i tried to cut it fast, saying i had to reach a friend of mine who wasn't feeling well in another hotel... but, right before saying goodbay.... BAM!!, the last bite of the Cobra: i wrote on a drinks coaster my room number sayin..."may i?"
 
[:o]... they looked at the drinks coaster as if it was a piece of hot and stinking shit... and didn't say a word...
 
"Goodbye girls"
 
silence...
 
[8|][8|][8|][8|][8|]
 
Obviously i had to offer another ride of Belvedere (so f****ing expensive) to my buddies that, in the meanwhile, were laughting to death
 
 
 
Ok, back to the game now
 
Mar 29 1943
 
Quiet turns. nothing is happening in CENTPAC. All those transports coming and going to Araore never move north. My LBA is fully ready since last week and the KB is in position...but Brad never moves. Is the whole Tabiutea adventure another paranoia of mine? But if it's so, why Brad has moved 110 fighters to Araore???
 
Usual lots of fighters at Dimampur (300) and 100 more at Chittaong.
 
43,000 men arrived at Darwin in the last 2 turns, bringing the whole force to 90,000... this may only means that 2 or 3 divisions have arrived recently... sure those bastards will go looking for a door in the southern DEI.
 
In 7 days i'll have 2 brand new carriers... good![&o]
 
I foresee some big air battles in Burma and over Timor in the next weeks....

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Recon is great if KB is in port, but I think the discussion drifted toward how to keep tabs on it when it is at sea. GJ doesn't seem to think the B-24 recon version helps much with that. Personally, I think being shot down by carrier based fighters far out at sea would be a huge tip-off!

Well, you're right, but when i travel in friendly waters i usually keep all KB's lights off: only flot planes are allowed to operate: no CAP, no nav search missions (a part from the float planes ones). I always try to keep the DL over my CVs at 0/0

[guytipton41]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Recon is great if KB is in port, but I think the discussion drifted toward how to keep tabs on it when it is at sea. GJ doesn't seem to think the B-24 recon version helps much with that. Personally, I think being shot down by carrier based fighters far out at sea would be a huge tip-off!

Well, you're right, but when i travel in friendly waters i usually keep all KB's lights off: only flot planes are allowed to operate: no CAP, no nav search missions (a part from the float planes ones). I always try to keep the DL over my CVs at 0/0

Hi Greyjoy,

Wow, You mean no ASW patrols? I'm to darned scared of subs to do that. But it's an interesting idea... like when US CVNs go all EM quiet like when the Bears are hunting.

Cheers,
Guy

[GreyJoy]

Mar 30, 1943
 
Ok, Brad's up to something: from Port Hedland a big SCTF moved north, along with a HUGE transport TF...mmmm... is it a feint? another one?
 
not less than 40 PTs arrived at Lautem from Darwin, sinking several PBs downloading supplies... my 4 DDs stationed there were able only to score 2 hits [:(].... don't really know how to counter these PTs... he's sending every turn several TFs of PTs to Lautem, Saumlaki, Selroe, Babar etc... i cannot move anything there without risking of getting sunj by those bastards[:@]
 
In Burma his fighters didn't move... at Araroe his ships stay still... Ships spotted at Ndeni along with several new fighters (from 20 up to 100)...
 
Lots of feints...
 
Anyway, we're now in April 1943. If i have to compare this game to RL i'm REALLY happy. The allies are still far away from where they were at this date in RL....
 
KI-84a moved to 12/43!
 
The navy is in a good shape. The upgrades are moving along and i hope to keep on upgrading my ships with a good pace without losing too much on the front lines
 
April is gonna be a more interesting month...i'm sure of that

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: guytipton41

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Recon is great if KB is in port, but I think the discussion drifted toward how to keep tabs on it when it is at sea. GJ doesn't seem to think the B-24 recon version helps much with that. Personally, I think being shot down by carrier based fighters far out at sea would be a huge tip-off!

Well, you're right, but when i travel in friendly waters i usually keep all KB's lights off: only flot planes are allowed to operate: no CAP, no nav search missions (a part from the float planes ones). I always try to keep the DL over my CVs at 0/0

Hi Greyjoy,

Wow, You mean no ASW patrols? I'm to darned scared of subs to do that. But it's an interesting idea... like when US CVNs go all EM quiet like when the Bears are hunting.

Cheers,
Guy

Yes. I do think that the air ASW is a LBA job. I hate to give Brad a cheap way to know where my KB is... a Jill spotted by a sub in the middle of CENTPAC may mean, at 99% odds, that it comes from the KB.
I prefer to keep my CVs always following a couple of ASW TFs, leaving only float planes on ASW and nav search missions. This way i can keep my CVs hidden. When we approach the front lines, i resume the naval search missions for my DBs and TBs, but only because he will spot my CVs easily with his Cats

[witpqs]

Destroyers (aka "torpedo boat destroyers"!) and fighters/fighter bombers on naval attack at 100ft altitude are the best ways to kill PT boats.

Lautem seems a heck of a long way from Darwin for PT boats!

[princep01]

Yes, witpqs is right about DD/DE and naval attack AC (flying on the deck and strafing) being good against PT/barges.
 
If memory serves me well there is a limit on the the TF size (4?) for PTs.
 
Too bad you got drilled by the dentist...but, the universe is large.  Not to fret. 

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Yes, witpqs is right about DD/DE and naval attack AC (flying on the deck and strafing) being good against PT/barges.

If memory serves me well there is a limit on the the TF size (4?) for PTs.

Too bad you got drilled by the dentist...but, the universe is large.  Not to fret. 

Is the TF size limit for PTs specific to this scenario? In stock Scenario 1 I have PT TFs with 15 PTs/MTBs operating - training mostly. Have gone into battle with an 8 PT group.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Destroyers (aka "torpedo boat destroyers"!) and fighters/fighter bombers on naval attack at 100ft altitude are the best ways to kill PT boats.

Lautem seems a heck of a long way from Darwin for PT boats!

Yes, that's why i keep a TF of 4 Minekaze Class DD sitting at Lautem... however they performed very badly against his PTs at day.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Yes, witpqs is right about DD/DE and naval attack AC (flying on the deck and strafing) being good against PT/barges.

If memory serves me well there is a limit on the the TF size (4?) for PTs.

Too bad you got drilled by the dentist...but, the universe is large.  Not to fret. 

Agree, the point is that i don't wanna waste my fighters against PTs. I need them on CAP to defend my major AFs.
About the limited number in a PT TF... not that i know... Brad is using several Tfs composed of 10/15 PTs each, and sending them from Bathrust and Darwin all over the southern DEI (Koepang, Lautem, Selroe, Babar, Saumlaki, Taberfane)

You know Master, the dentist wasn't really an important prey. I hunted her just for the sake of hunting...like you when you go hunting with your "bitches" in the woods around Dreadfort.. you don'treally care what you hunt or if you actually get something... it's the attempt that matters! Keeps you alive[:D]

[GreyJoy]

Mar 31 1943
 
100 4Es, escorted by 50 P-38s, smashed Roti AF.
3 hexes north of Port Hedland the spotted TFs (they appear to be 2 fat transport TFs and 1 strong SAG TF with at least 2 BBs in it) didn't move this turn... a long range CAP trap? Is he targetting Roti?? don't think so... without his CVs he cannot hope to land anywhere on my guarded left flank. I have several big and well supported AFs from Sosarbaja to Koepang... he needs first to achieve a total air superiority. Moreover i have several BBs and cruisers at Kendari and Sosarbaja... i think this is another feint, but i'll keep an eye on it!
 
We decided to move back to Truk our KB... don't like the idea to remain sitting at Kusiae Island waiting for a landing that never arrives. Brad has clearly set up a sub-trap for my KB... as soon as i moved, some 12 subs popped up around my KB...he's giving me my own medicine[8|]. No attacks this turn, but i bet i'm gonna get attacked on my way to Truk. I now need to start sending my CV/CVLs back to Tokyo. 2 new CVs will be online in 2 days, so we'll be able to keep the numbers stable.
 
Nothing new in Burma, but he started reconning Mandalay...this is the first recon mission over my Burma territory in months! This, packed with the arriving of 350+ fighters in Assam and 300+ bombers tells me i have to get ready for a huge air offensive.
 
Just delivered another regiment at Little Adaman.
Another artillery BN arrived at Sebang and an arty unit (with 300mm howitzers) will be sent  at Siberoet in few days.
The 750k fuel convoy is finally leaving Singapore....feels good!
75k supplies are unloading to Ambon and Kendari.
Sorong reached AF lvl 5. Menado is getting 50k supplies, 2 brand new base forces and several construction BNs.
Guam is getting a naval base force (it already has 2 more base forces, one with Radar Type 2 and one with Radar Taichi-7 model). The 1943 perimeter is slowly building up. I can't wait to have the needed divisions to Kusiae and Ponape...wanna have those bases really safe
The first 5 tank regiments are finally leaving China. They are being sent to Benkoleng, Kendari, Lautem, Marcus and Sebang.
2 small AA units are being dropped at Paramushiro Jiima and Onnekotan Jiima.
had to withdraw a fat 18 a/c Emily group... that hurts a lot[:@][:@][:@][:@]
2 Mavis have been shot down over Ndeni in the last 3 days. Lots of ships are gathering there and the CAP is becoming very very strong there. Nothing is spotted at Lungaville (where he should base his 4Es) so i think this is one of his usual feints.
I'm starting to send fuel convoys to Manila and to Saipan. Already moved there ASs, ADs, AKEs and ARs... wanna have those backwaters bases full operational when the perimeter will shrink.
 
The second verison of the Jill is coming online in 2 days. Already stopped producing the Ha-44 engine and changed those engine factories to Ha-32 and Ha-33. We'll be producing 120 Jills (second version) monthly.
The Frances will start its production tomorrow (April 1), while the J2M3 has been advanced to Feb 1944 (good!)
 
The N1K1 didn't have his baptism of fire yet. I have them operating at Rabaul, Burma, and Palembang, but i can bet those in Burma will be the first to have a fire test.
 
In China we gained controll of another hex south of Chungking. The overall plann seems to be working

[GreyJoy]

Reaching the dreaded date of April 1943.
Tomorrow the hellcats will start arriving in great numbers. Soon he'll be able to field hordes of Hellcats, Spitfires, P-47s and Corsairs. I will be on the recieving side from now on and i need to plan accordingly.
My stragic goal isn't to win, obviously, but to give a good fight as long as i can.
Brad's been very conservative till now. he only made a couple of mistakes but, a part from the battle of Townsville (where he lost a CV, 2 BBs, 2 CLs and 2 CVEs) he has kept his main assets very well defended, never risking anything particularly of value.
Now my task is to force him to do so... but how? In May he's gonna have his first Essex and in 6 months he's gonna have 10 fleet Carriers, plus a huge number of CVEs and some CVLs... he will be able to land wherever he wants... but where i want him to land?
Imho the best way to defend against a landing in a vital area is the deterrent. Sightin is my friend here. I know Brad sees almost everything i have in each base. That's why i wanna place some great garrisons in Kusiae, Ponape and in the Mariannas. If he sees too many forces there, he will avoid those places...meaning that i'll have the whole pacific flank secured.
This should force him to chose the western side of the map to mop up a full scale offensive. I've been prepping as best as i could the perimeter from port Blair down to Koepan, but obviously there are so many places to defend that i had to make choices.

[obvert]

The good thing about that date is that once reached, you know you have another few months of no CV action as he updates the fighter groups. He can't move forward without them except to New Guinea. If he goes to far Southern DEI it would be quite a risk. Maybe he'd get a landing, but no real ability to make sure he's going to get a big enough foothold.

Those extra few months just give you more time to prepare and get your groups filled out with the best Judys and Jills.

[veji1]

He is just laying CAP traps all over the place... What else can he do ? He is going to harass you with massive bombing raids, PT Tfs, lots of annoying things, tempt you into overreacting. just keep your cool, you have 2 months more. Once in June you can start stressing again.

[witpqs]

...the dentist wasn't really an important prey.

I'll bet she had bad breath anyway! [:D]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: veji1

He is just laying CAP traps all over the place... What else can he do ? He is going to harass you with massive bombing raids, PT Tfs, lots of annoying things, tempt you into overreacting. just keep your cool, you have 2 months more. Once in June you can start stressing again.

Yes, i guess so.

April 1, 1943

One of those pesky enemy subs south of Truk fired a torp to one of my DDs escorting the KB...luckly no hits but now he knows where i am...and his subs will surely hunt me down everywhere from now on. In the area between Tarawa, Rabaul and Truk i've already counted 20 subs...probably the real number is double!.

The enemy TFs from Port Hedland moved closer to Broome, while the 4Es again paid visit to Roti and while he recons heavily my air bases north of Timor. I cannot defend them all so i won't contest his missions against these secondary fields... they will eventually get repaired if he moves his attention to my primary fields.

Nothing moves in Burma yet...but every day more fighters are being reported in the bases in Assam... it's just a matter of days now. I am as ready as i could be at this point of the game.

Another Big SNLF unit is loading at Tokyo for Ponape.

The CV Amagi arrived today[&o]

I'm not stressed but i really hate this moment where i simply have to wait for him to come up...not knowing where he could strike and feeling weak almost everywhere

[veji1]

It is the moment to focus on planning and getting organised. How is your pilot training program going on ? regarding the LBA ASW are you set up the way you want to be in the future ? Do you want to send lots of pilots to reserve that you will be able to tap into for the next big battle ? etc.

You seem to be mastering the Land force deployment thing and R&D but you haven't told us much about your pilot training/reserve strategy.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: veji1

It is the moment to focus on planning and getting organised. How is your pilot training program going on ? regarding the LBA ASW are you set up the way you want to be in the future ? Do you want to send lots of pilots to reserve that you will be able to tap into for the next big battle ? etc.

You seem to be mastering the Land force deployment thing and R&D but you haven't told us much about your pilot training/reserve strategy.

Pilot training is going well imho. Obviously is harder for the IJN than for IJAAF, but with the elargement of the FP groups i managed to put several 24 planes groups purely on training missions.

For the IJN we have 400 fighter pilots in reserve (all crack ones), 500 NavB, 450 NavT, 200 ASW and 150 NavS.
Obviously i'm planning to expand these numbers. Would like to double these numbers in 1943, but i already know it won't be easy.

For what concerns the IJAF, things are clearly better. 1400 fighter pilots reserves, 400 LowNaval, 300 Search, 300 ASW (with more than 300 already in active duty), 200 LowG and nearly 700 ground... things look bright.

I can't wait to have the PeggyT and to start train thousands of IJAAF pilots in NavT skill[:D][:D]

however clearly the bottleneck is with IJN. I need to be very carefull how to use it if i want to keep a good average quality in my pilot rooster. So far we managed to save most of my best pilots...would like to waste them only in a mortal carrier clash..

We'll see anyway.

That said, I think much will depend on how the next big air campaigns will go. I'd like to always fight on my own bases from now on, soi do really hope to save most of my guys. Surely i need asap an armoured fighter for the IJAAF (can't wait to have the Tojo c just for this reason alone)

[GreyJoy]

Watching other's AARs i'm trying to figure out where i'd like to be at the beginning of 1944.
 
My main goal must be to prevent a major breakthrough in key areas like DEI, Burma, Kuriles or Mariannas.
 
I'd like to fight for SOPAC, SPWAC and CENTPAC during the next 8 months, trading space for time and, hopefully, delivering some blows.
If i want to last untill 1945 it's clear that i need to keep him off from the DEI... but how to do that? The only way i see it is to use the stacking limits map. That means to place enough LCUs in key bases he cannot avoid in the DEI and deny him the estabilshment of a major air base in that area.
 
This means i need to keep on moving units to western Sumatra and southern DEI...if he sees enough power there he may be forced to try his luck in the pacific, where he will be far away from his LBA.
 
Problem is that, starting with mid 1943, he's gonna have enough stuff to advance indipendently on different vectors (like in RL), so i need to remain balanced and not to overcommitt somehwere leaving unguarded something else (like Rader did against me).
 
 

[Canoerebel]

GJ, it's great to see you focused on 1944 and in a position to have that luxury.  Remember when you felt like things were spinning out of control so that your entire position was imperiled in mid '43?  You've done great.
 
Brad is the kind of play that, if he sees a strong out crust, my elect to go deep at some point.  If he does so, you'll be in a position of having many units forward threatened with isolation.  That's just part of the game and something that many IJ players have to deal with.  So, even as you work on your strong defensive positions, give some thought to how you would work to extricate important unit if Brad succeeds in such a move.