The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Canoerebel]

7/17/42

Lots of small things going on that added up to a very nice day for the Allies. A couple of them probably have John chewing nails. Most importantly, I think everything's moving in the right direction.

Bay of Bengal: Five IJN DDs tangle with Ching Lee's Vincennes led TF at Ramree Island. The Japanese lose two decent destroyers. The Allies don't take any damage. Escorted air strikes against the island later in the day result in one-sided losses for Japan. Ramree is turning into an efficient killing field. With pressure and bad results mounting, John's going to end up wanting to overwhelm me with force. That's what I'm hoping, anyhow.

Burma: The Japanese have moved into the key line of jungle hexes! This puts them closer to my air. The only thing I have to keep under control is my mobility - not letting him take hexsides that would prevent my army from moving forward when the time comes. But at this point the units that moved didn't do so in complimentary fashion.

NoPac: Enemy air raids over Akutan intercepted by Canadian Kittyhawks and USN Buffaloes that chew up alot of Japanese aircraft - Zeroes, Kates and Vals. Four of the top five Allied pilots currently active are Canadian.

CenPac: Part KB still at Jaluit with alot more TFs just to the south - I think, but I'm not sure, these may be additional ships to support moves against the Gilberts. If so, the final countdown there is underway.

SoPac: Mostly quiet. The four USN carriers will be passing the south cape of NZ in a day or two. Crossing my fingers that they do so without encountering an enemy sub.

SigInt: All reports of late have dealt with activity in the Solomons, western Oz and Burma. There's no chatter about the Aleutians, especially at the western end. Lots can go wrong - a little thing here or there telegraphing my intent to a wary opponent - but at the moment this just feels "effective."

[Capt. Harlock]

Bay of Bengal: Five IJN DDs tangle with Ching Lee's Vincennes led TF at Ramree Island. The Japanese lose two decent destroyers. The Allies don't take any damage.

Lee is our man for surface combat!

[Canoerebel]

7/18/42

Bay of Bengal: The Allies prevail in the air, downing 20+ Vals on the day, though three xAK at Ramree are sunk. Hornet and a few escorts are west (true) of Diego. She's going to Capetown and thence to Balboa. The RN BBs and CVs are going back into the Bay of Bengal to serve as (I hope) tantalizing bait.

NoPac: No enemy air raids on Cold Bay today.

CenPac: Makin falls to an enemy invasion. Tarawa and Abemama will be close behind. This campaign should wind up within a few days. Was it worth it to see a goodly part of the KB tied up for nearly seven weeks?

SoPac: Two BBs bombard Luganville. The four American CVs will transit the south NZ passage over the next two days.

Air War: The Allies are nearly 1,500 ahead in the body count. The real significance is that Allied pilot experience and skill numbers are increasing quickly.

Vexation and Trouble: I'm having trouble getting my minelayers at Akyab to lay mines at nearby Ramree. All settings are right (lay mines/direct/absolute) but each turn I find them still at Akyab with "do not lay mines" reset. Odd. I have another problem of longer standing. I've had a large support TF stuck in the "coming out of Capetown" channel for months. Somehow this TF ended up set to go to Cristobal with home port Cochin. It's been stuck in the channel for many months now. It's down to four days until emerging from the wormhole, but it's been stuck on four days for several days. I could really use the AE and AD at Chittagong. I'll fiddle with it a few more days and then perhaps seek help in Tech Support.

[BBfanboy]

Sounds like a change in Home Port or destination was made while it was in off-map movement. That does unpredictable things to the routing - I managed to have one amphib TF [empty, thankfully] disappear to hex 0,0 forever when I tried to change its home port to Aden while it was still in the Capetown/IO channel. I'm not sure if Michael M can fix that kind of thing or not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. No reason to wait any longer.

[Crackaces]

I'm having trouble getting my minelayers at Akyab to lay mines at nearby Ramree

Do you think this is a threat level algorithum problem?

[Canoerebel]

That's got to be it, though the "absolute/direct" settings ought to overcome that, right? I even have a big combat TF visiting Ramree every night, so the mission doesn't seem unduly hazardous, but the computer may handle the calculations in such a way that I've just managed to create unacceptable conditions.

[Cribtop]

Scuttle one of the ships in the task force. That ought to alter the threat calculations of the remaining ships. [;)]

On a more serious note, when you select the TF, what does its plotted movement look like? I assume straight in with absolute/direct settings.

You could set Ramree as home port, that may help. Obviously, lingering in the hex greatly increases the risk if IJN surface ships show up.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

That's got to be it, though the "absolute/direct" settings ought to overcome that, right? I even have a big combat TF visiting Ramree every night, so the mission doesn't seem unduly hazardous, but the computer may handle the calculations in such a way that I've just managed to create unacceptable conditions.

I don't want to search the manual and I do not recall, but will mines lay in a dot base?

[Cribtop]

I've managed it before, although it the number of mines didn't show up in the base screen IIRC. I think CR has Ramree almost to a level one or even two airfield.

[Canoerebel]

It's a mystery compounded by mystery.

First, there isn't any way to know if these minelayer TFs are laying mines. A glitch prevents Ramree from showing mine numbers (I know they're there from previous successful missions, plus the enemy hitting the mines, plus the mine icon on the map, but no numbers have show up since the beginning).

Second, my minelaying TFs begin at Akyab. They do show the correct "direct/absolute" route. But when I open the next turn, they are at Akyab with mines loaded and set to "do not lay mines."

Is it possible they ARE doing the mission but replenishing mines upon returning to Akyab? This is only a level one port, but does have 124 Nav Service via an RN base force.

Most mysterious.....

On a more promising note, that support TF hung up in the Capetown channel for months now shoes just three hexes from appearing on map. That would be a treat.

[witpqs]

Moose: Mine layers can lay mines at dot bases.

CR: Mines will not show up on the base display of a dot base. If friendly mine fields were put there after capture, they will show up after the base begins to build (or maybe only when the port builds to size 1).

Are the ships laying mines and then replenishing? Check the pool to see if you can tell that way.

[Canoerebel]

7/19/42

NoPac: Mutsu and Nagato bombard Cold Bay followed by big Zero sweeps. Interstingly, Yamato shows up near Tokyo (Tarpon missed a shot at her). I want to see if she shows up somewhere like the Bay of Bengal, which might suggest John's spidey senses aren't tingling up in the Aleutians.

Aleutians Planning: I'm in the middle of highly complicated planning for this mission. So detailed that it's almost not fun doing it. Almost. The plan is so big and requires so much that it might not be worth it. Might not. As to whether I have enough lift capacity and time to accumulate political points for full implementation...well, I'm not quite sure yet. IE, there are many hurdles and challenges, though I am fully committed to the mission. In retrospect, I might not do things like this again - planning a huge mission that is contingent upon the enemy doing something I want the enemy to do (moving the KB far away). Better to not have to rely on the enemy. All that said to say this: I like this plan so much that it's worth it.

CenPac: No move on Tarawa or Abemama today.

SoPac: The four USN carriers will pass NZ's south cape tomorrow.

Australia: Moving some ships and subs around so that I'll be in position to feint up the west coast when the time comes.

Bay of Bengal: Enemy sweeps get the best of my Ramree fighters, only high operational casualties for Japan make the day an Allied victory. Hornet retired from the map and is probably 30 days from Balboa. A good bit of the RN will head for Calcutta/Chitagong, where sexy ships will make elaborate efforts to make their presence obvious (but not too elaborate). I want to draw enemy carriers and battleships into the fray. Formidable is likely to remain in the Bombay vicinity as she is due for withdrawal in 50 days or so.

Burma: I think I count six IJA divisions in or approaching Burma (three confirmed on the front lines now). The theater is going to clog up with the enemy, but that's okay (I think).

[Canoerebel]

Ramree is a level one airfied (65% to level two). It's a 0 (0) port that I doubt will every get built to one - all energy has to go to keep the airfield open as this is Japan's numero uno target (or should be).

Good suggestion about checking mine reserves. Thanks, witpqs. I'll see if I can figger it out that way.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Moose: Mine layers can lay mines at dot bases.

CR: Mines will not show up on the base display of a dot base. If friendly mine fields were put there after capture, they will show up after the base begins to build (or maybe only when the port builds to size 1).

Are the ships laying mines and then replenishing? Check the pool to see if you can tell that way.

So if a Port 0 is just, as the devs have said, a possibility of a port, is the deterioration rate that for shallow water? Or a base?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Moose: Mine layers can lay mines at dot bases.

CR: Mines will not show up on the base display of a dot base. If friendly mine fields were put there after capture, they will show up after the base begins to build (or maybe only when the port builds to size 1).

Are the ships laying mines and then replenishing? Check the pool to see if you can tell that way.

So if a Port 0 is just, as the devs have said, a possibility of a port, is the deterioration rate that for shallow water? Or a base?

The deterioration: I have no idea. If he built it to a '1' I believe they would show up. Usually, as you know, you would see a green dot indicating the presence of the minefield. I suppose not seeing it is just this situation falling through the cracks in the code.

[Canoerebel]

Planning Table
Allied Invasion of the Aleutians
September or October 1942

I. Phase One (Initial Targets)
A. Hostile Targets (Port, Airfield, Stacking)
1. Attu Island 3(1) 1(1) 35k
a. Ready: I Am HQ; 203 AA; 2 Raider (40 AV); 198 Arty; 34 BF; 5 Mar CD (28); 11 CB; 3 CB; 161 RCT (126); 2/151 Com Eng (27)
b. Restricted: 54 CD; 27 RCT (129); 35 RCT 9126); 53 RCT (115); 217 AA; 32 BF; 1 CB; 28 Can AA; 220 USN BF; 4 RCT (132)
c. Needed: Retrieve 2/151 Com Eng and 161 RCT from Kodiak to Seattle; retrieve 4 RCT from Anchorage to Seattle (if PP available); 1,400 additional PP to buy out the must-haves (220 Nav BF and three RCT – 27, 35 and 53)
2. Shemya 0(0) 3(4) 10k
a. Ready: 10 CB; 138 BF (16); 813 EAB; 369 AA; 112 Cav (74), 222 USN BF (10); VII Fighter HQ
b. Restricted: None
c. Needed: Another good infantry unit
3. Agattu 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: 2 USMC EAB; E Port Service
b. Restricted: None
c. Needed: Infantry; base force
4. Buldir 0(0) 0(4) 35k
a. Ready: 141 US BF (16), 8 CB
b. Restricted: Rocky Mtn Bn (41)
c. Needed: 124 PP to buy the Rockies
5. Kiska 0(1) 0(2) 20k
a. Ready: 58 RCT (115); 148 RCT (125)
b. Restricted: 221 USN BF (10); 5 CB
c. Needed: 166 PP to buy 221 USN BF
6. Amchitka 2(1) 4(4) 20k
a. Ready: 22 Mar (142), 177 US BF (12); 13 CB; 139 BF (16); 145 RCT (129); 637 Tank D. (42); 627 Tank D. (42); 165 Arty; USN CenFor HQ; 102 USN BF (10)
b. Restricted: 16 Can Bde (82); 14 Can Bde (125); 87 Mtn RCT (115)
c. Needed: One more engineer?
7. Semisopochnoi 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: None
c. Needed: Maybe a CB unit
8. Ulak 1(0) 0(2) 10k
a. Ready: 15 CB
b. Restricted: 2 Chutes (30); 1/153 Bn (31)
c. Needed: Small base force; 200 PP to buy restricted units

B. Friendly Targets
1. Bethel 1(0) 0(5) 65k:
Currently vacant
Need: 20k supply, bf, eng, small inf, AD?
2.Nome 3(2) 2(4) 20k
Current: 108 Nav BF (36 a.s/100 naval support)
Need: 30k to 50k supply, small inf, AD

C. Questions/Answers
1. Is it possible to get supply to Nome (via sub?) in sufficient quantity pre-invasion to have the airfield up and running?
2. Better to stage fighters forward (Anchorage to Nome to new bases) rather than bringing via ship transport? Range is 26 to Attu = need enough supply for drop tanks. That means airfield won’t work until supply arrives at Nome via ship. This will be a high priority.
3. 2,400 PP needed to acquire “minimum acceptable invasion force.” There are 500 in the bank, so 1900 = 38 days. That means “loading day” at Pearl and Seattle might commence as early as late August.

II. Phase Two (Possible Follow-Up Targets)

1. Adak 5(5) 5(4) 35k.
a. Ready: 154 Arty; 193 Tank (62); 95 AA; 110 C Eng (31); 503 AA; 137 BF (10); 6 Mar (99); 8 Mar (100); 2 USMC Eng (27); 18 CB, I US Corp; 209 Arty
b. Restricted: 138 RCT (115); 3 Raider (40); 160 RCT (129); 185 RCT (125); 108 RCT (126)
c. Needed: more engineers and base forces
2. Great Sitkin 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: None
c. Needed: ?
3. Atka 1(2) 0(0) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: None
c. Needed: ?
4. Sagigik 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: 18 Can Bde. (89)
c. Needed: ?
5. Seguam 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: Brookville Bn (41); 27 Can AA
c. Needed: ?
6. Yunaska 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: None
b. Restricted: Edmonton Bn (41)
c. Needed: ?
7. Chuginadak 0(0) 0(3) 35k
a. Ready: 142 BF (16)
b. Restricted: Irish Bde. (41)
c. Needed: Probably the highest priority target between Adak and Cold Bay, so 124 PP to buy the Irish Battalion. Also a CB unit and port service if available later on.

III. Combat Ships

1. Carriers: Ent, Lex, Sara, York (now at NZ enroute to Pearl); Wasp (at S.F.); Hornet (30 days from Balboa); Long Island (at Pearl).
2. BBs: North Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (all on West Coast) and West Virginia, Maryland, Colorado and Idaho (all at Pearl) should be ready.
3. CA/CLAA/CL: 5/4/3 (gonna be short on these puppies)
4. DDs: 45 (short on these puppies too)
5. Support: AE: 4; AD: 4; AV: 2
6. Transport:
a. APD: 6 (to carry Raiders to Attu on D Minus One)
b. AP: Seattle: 8; Pearl 11;
c. xAP: Seattle 27; Pearl 12; Balboa: 11
d. AK: Seattle: 8; Pearl 18
e. xAK: Seattle 74; Pearl 25; Balboa: 59
f. AMC: 3
g. AO: ?
h. Minelayers: ?

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Moose: Mine layers can lay mines at dot bases.

CR: Mines will not show up on the base display of a dot base. If friendly mine fields were put there after capture, they will show up after the base begins to build (or maybe only when the port builds to size 1).

Are the ships laying mines and then replenishing? Check the pool to see if you can tell that way.

So if a Port 0 is just, as the devs have said, a possibility of a port, is the deterioration rate that for shallow water? Or a base?

The deterioration: I have no idea. If he built it to a '1' I believe they would show up. Usually, as you know, you would see a green dot indicating the presence of the minefield. I suppose not seeing it is just this situation falling through the cracks in the code.

I figured they didn't want a dot-over-dot. Maybe the mines dot is the same pixel as the dot base dot.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58




So if a Port 0 is just, as the devs have said, a possibility of a port, is the deterioration rate that for shallow water? Or a base?

The deterioration: I have no idea. If he built it to a '1' I believe they would show up. Usually, as you know, you would see a green dot indicating the presence of the minefield. I suppose not seeing it is just this situation falling through the cracks in the code.

I figured they didn't want a dot-over-dot. Maybe the mines dot is the same pixel as the dot base dot.

Nah, the dot for a dot base is in the middle. Minefields are in their own space as far as I can see (both Allied and Imperial in the same hex should display fine).

[Canoerebel]

I do have the base symbol on the map since Ramree is a level one airfield. But it was indeed a dot hex at the time the first mines were layed. The mine-dot symbol is on the map. I just don't have a list of how many mines are at the hex. If my minelayers have actually been doing their thing it might be roughly 3,000 by now. [:)]

[witpqs]

Well it might be that the port has to be >0 to see them. But 3,000 sounds pretty good! [:D]