Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

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Cap Mandrake
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RE: Taste of Mandrake!

Post by Cap Mandrake »

To clarify, seems to me you want your CAP a few thousand feet above the expected strike altitude of his SBD's so you get the "pounce" bonus. Of course, you don't really know what altitude it will be other than to say 10-15K ft. That is why many prefer to "stack" the squadrons so you have at least one in the sweet spot.

I also like to put the best squadrons on preferred CAP duty with the weaker squadrons on escort dominant missions (because the escorts seemed to get slaughtered either way [:)])

Of course, having said this, it is almost guaranteed a lone, 45 experience TBF crew will evade the zeroes, dodge the flak and plant a working torpedo in Kaga, extinguishing her boilers...and then 4 laggard SBD's will drop 4 1000 lbrs. onto her deck as she struggles along at 5 kts.

That's why we play this game.
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John 3rd
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Sumatra

Post by John 3rd »

Current Operations in Sumatra:

Medan is where the fight is. Have about 200 AV holding behind Sz-3 Forts. Ordered nearly 150 Helen--Sally to hit troops there as well as Yamato--Musashi and 2 CAs to bombard it. Nice to dish out some BB Action. We'll see if the TF 'runs' into anything.

Tand looks solid for the moment. 10th ID in place but want to get that second ID there and then may move out for a little fighting from a distance. Could use more supply as well. Only have 22,000 present with another 5,000 unloading.

The Sibolga Invasion Force is 3 days away. BB Fuso will lead the way with a Bombardment. Need to embed a CA or two to the Invasion Force.

The Siberoet Invasion Force is loading right now and should hit that location in a few days.

Malaya
One can see the 48th ID in its Invasion Force skirting the coastline for Alor Star. There is no air search flying this direction so it is undiscovered currently. If all goes well to this risky operation they should land in two days. Tomorrow shall be the key. Have to run through the hex with Phuket in it as well as avoid being seen.

Resting the troops at Phuket for a day and will then use a Para Drop and SHOCK Attack to take it back.

Singora is back in Japanese hands. Will move another THAI unit into it and then advance west towards the TK Bn and 99th Indian Reg.

Alor Star has about 4,000 troops of the 18th Brit ID in it. The 48th is at about 280 AV.

Bombers are hitting Phuket and Alor Star daily.





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John 3rd
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RE: Taste of Mandrake!

Post by John 3rd »

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

To clarify, seems to me you want your CAP a few thousand feet above the expected strike altitude of his SBD's so you get the "pounce" bonus. Of course, you don't really know what altitude it will be other than to say 10-15K ft. That is why many prefer to "stack" the squadrons so you have at least one in the sweet spot.

I also like to put the best squadrons on preferred CAP duty with the weaker squadrons on escort dominant missions (because the escorts seemed to get slaughtered either way [:)])

Of course, having said this, it is almost guaranteed a lone, 45 experience TBF crew will evade the zeroes, dodge the flak and plant a working torpedo in Kaga, extinguishing her boilers...and then 4 laggard SBD's will drop 4 1000 lbrs. onto her deck as she struggles along at 5 kts.

That's why we play this game.

Damn Mandrake you made me spew my TEA! [:'(]
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John 3rd
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Taste of Mandrake!

Post by John 3rd »

Boring...

I come home with NO FAMILY around for two hours and Dan is off somewhere doing something. Grrr...

Boring...

Decided to total up KB's Striking Power:

346 Zero (103 M2/243 M5)
234 Val (140 V1/94 V2)
192 Kate

TOTAL: 772 Planes

Will be adding 9 M5 Zeros and 12 Val 2 to that tomorrow. Revised total shall be 793.

Average Fighter Experience is in the mid-70s, DB Experience is in the high-60s, and TB Experience is mid-60s.


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Taste of the Mandrake!

Post by John 3rd »

Got the turn from Dan about an hour ago. Have been working around the house and am now preparing dinner so I have to wait to run it.

Thought I should layout the current STRATEGY. I haven't really spoken about it because I was forming everything up in my mind and setting the table before covering it.

THINKING:
Dan KNOWS the Fleet has arrived though he doesn't, as of yet, know where the KB is. The Fleet moves north this turn and MAY be discovered. If it isn't I shall move the CVEs forward enough to be discovered.

I WANT Dan seeing the CV about to pounce. He will react conservatively because he won't seriously risk his CVs at this point. Figure he has all six and a heavy plus light of the British. Eight total (Good to know the Allied OOB). He does not have to RISK them. He is ashore with a CRAPLOAD of troops and has the initiative. Losing the Allied CVs is how he loses Sumatra--malaya--Burma; therefore, he won't risk them unless it is necessary. Makes sense to me. He'll hide over at Diego Garcia. This is GREAT! I-Boats are headed that way to make movement risky for shipping and warships. Perhaps my SS will get lucky and even the odds some...

When he sees my CVs (all or part) he will withdraw into the Sabang defense zone. The AF just went to 6 and he has over-stacked it with nearly 400 aircraft (recon info). While a HR violation I accept this. He has a BUNCH of layered STF protecting the base thinking I will hit it with my own STF. I shall not repeat what happened twice at Akyab. We won't play that game. We need him to turtle up for a few days so the Alor Star, Sibolga, and Siberoet Operations can take place with minimal chance of interference. CANNOT LOSE THE GROUND WAR IN SUMATRA. We bring in more reinforcements and get Malaya handled if possible then bring those two ID across to Tand???.. The STF in the Strait will be high profile but I won't take big risks with them.

Have been playing PSYOPS with him the last few turns alluding to BIG THINGS. He thinks it is here and coming now. EXCELLENT.

Given 3-4 days of him pulled back into the Sabang area will bring about time I need to get more balanced.

Why wait?

1. I have three CVL that will be ready for action within 10 days that can then sail with 6 new DDs for the theatre. These CVL (Mizuho, Chitose, and Chiyoda will bring 100 more planes to my OOB.

2. Judy entered into production this month. They will quickly ramp-up to 100 planes per month. WANT THEM and those heavier bombs they can carry.

3. Jill enters production in December and has 125 slated to be build/month. Want them as well.

4. Will use my heavy ships to bombard Sibolga and other Islands. Those 4 old BC will be well-suited for a few missions of this sort.

5. I have the fuel to burn doing this right in the middle of the DEI so that is a blessing.

6. While turtled up in Sabang I plan to unleash a massed night attack on the AF. There are potentially 250+ Nell--Betty who'll do this. Should serve to tork him off.

Will lurk and hang out looking for chances to attrit his Cargo and Transports. Will pounce when opportunity permits and give battle if needed. Want to SLOW DOWN the supply wagon coming from India.

If nothing has taken place by January 1st we will march right up to Diego Garcia and knock on the door.



This is my thinking...

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John 3rd
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Nov 28, 1942

Post by John 3rd »

Combat Report
Nov 28, 1942


A somewhat interesting turn. As hoped the CVs are spotted. Pull the KB back SE towards Sibolga. They will be used to smack the troops there in a couple of days. Have a rendezvous set with my AOs. Have got nearly 125,000 fuel on my AOs. We can stay at sea for a while if needed...

Burma
Strikes fly and hit the Allied troops in all the open hexes. Major casualties (250+) done to the 41st ID.

Port Blair has been getting the attention of between 15-40 4EB everyday. The attacks a beginning to show on the AF so I bring in a full Sentai of Tojos. Tomorrow's strike should find 80 fighters instead of the normal 30 or so. We'll see if that stings him or not.

Order another Para drop at Trinkat and add a two Sentai Helen strike to operation. SHOULD be enough to do it!

Malaya
My personal nightmare of moving through the Phuket hex with the 48th comes true when my unescorted TF encounters a CA, CL, 2 CLAA, and 2 DDs. The bad guys (as I hold my head in my hand) close to 2,000 yards blast two AK, an SC, and E and then LEAVE! I lose only about 255 troops. WOW! OK. The TF retreats to Victoria Point and begins unloading. OK. Why not? We'll let it unload and then move the 48th down through the Railroad. Could have been far worse.

If he tries for Victoria Point this turn, he will find 4 I-Boats in his path and a couple of DDs.

12th ID arrives at Singers and begins unloading. Will repack onto about 40 ships and move up to Tand???.

Sumatra
Medan gets the tender ministrations of BBs Yamato and Musashi as well as 3 CA. They do pretty well and inflict nearly 400 casualties on the 32nd ID. Afternoon air strikes do nearly 200 casualties to the 1st Marine Division. No Allied air activity over Medan. The expected Allied SHOCK ATTACK occurs and it nets only a 1-3 result. NICE!

Since it appears the bombardment didn't use hardly any AMMO, I order the BBs in again. Add another 100 or so bombers to the previous tally.

A couple of units began embarking on the RR yesterday and should arrive tomorrow. Add reinforcements being flown in from Victoria Point and we should see AV go up some before the next attack.

Done loading the SNLF Assault Brigade and it shall hit Siberoet tomorrow. BB Fuso Covering the Invasion. LOTS of bombers hitting the target as well.

Naval
As said earlier the KB is spotted. Order the CVEs up about 5 hexes to try hit a couple of TFs in the shipping lane. They will stay there ONE day and retire. The CVEs do fly a little strike of 26 Zero and 8 Kate and claim an AK for the effort.

Peel off all 4 BC with 6 DD to Cover the Sibolga TF.

Dan's use of these endless one ship TF as tripwires for approaching enemy warships and CVs drives me NUTS. Over the last month with his feigned Aussie Invasion and this action here, I have probably picked off 12-18 ships. They have been mostly AKs but I've also nabbed a couple of DDs. Grrr...

I-17 plants a TORP into AO Neches west of Sabang.

Here are the forces attacking at Medan:





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John 3rd
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Nov 29, 1942

Post by John 3rd »

Short entry this morning as we're having a caboose work day replacing all the wiring inside of it.

Burma
Heavy bombing of Allied units along the open hexes leading to Prome. Reinforcements make it into the hex between Ramree and Prome. Now have 2 TK Reg and an Inf Reg to try to knock 254th Armored OUT when it enters. HAVE to abandon the position blocking Ramree. Not much choice here...

Allies try to bomb 12th ID up in northern Burma and are met with a CAP trap shot down about 18-24 bombers.

Raid Cox's Bizar with 90+ bombers and destroy about 6-8 on the ground. NICE!

The 48th gets fully unloaded in one day at Victoria Point. Moving across the peninsula now.

TRINKAT Falls! Get a portion of a Squadron of PBYs for that.

Malaya
Not much here. A small fragment of the Imp Guards moves into Alor Star to provoke a response. Want to see just how strong this place is.

12th ID unloaded at Singers and now reloading to move to Tand???

Sumatra
He throws everything at Medan and gets a 1-1 knocking the Forts down to 1. MIGHT be able to hold it. Flying in more reinforcements. BBs hit and do almost 400 Casualties. They go again and then back to Singers tomorrow. Medan will receive SPECIAL ATTENTION tomorrow from my aerial forces.

He has moved bombers into Langsa. Will nail it tomorrow as well.

A unit was completely wiped out when it crossed the river moving from Sibolga to Tand???. The poor guys ran into the entire 10th ID.

We landed at Siberoet today and things look pretty positive. Will sit for 2 days and then attack.

Landing at Sibolga tomorrow. The Landing will be preceded by all 4 BC blasting the place. Looks to be lightly held. Let us hope so...

At Sea
I-27 sinks AO Neches with 3 Torps.

The CVEs sink an AO as well.

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SuluSea
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RE: Nov 28, 1942

Post by SuluSea »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Dan's use of these endless one ship TF as tripwires for approaching enemy warships and CVs drives me NUTS. Over the last month with his feigned Aussie Invasion and this action here, I have probably picked off 12-18 ships. They have been mostly AKs but I've also nabbed a couple of DDs. Grrr...



The single AKs/AKLs soak up sorties and if there's enough single tfs just like anything else it can overwhelm the system..


Not a fan of the single ships in enemy contested waters for the sole pupose of soaking up sorties, locating the enemy or fake invasions. To each their own though.


I hope you and your family are having a good summer.
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RE: Nov 28, 1942

Post by crsutton »

I am OK with this as long as it is warships, but don't really like the use of AKs. But, barring an agreement against the practice, it is something you can an should do as well. Not a big fan of multiple PT TFs at a base as well. Ark and I have limited it to one TF of not more than six PTs. That seems to work pretty well.
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RE: Nov 28, 1942

Post by kjnoel »

ORIGINAL: crsutton

I am OK with this as long as it is warships, but don't really like the use of AKs. But, barring an agreement against the practice, it is something you can an should do as well. Not a big fan of multiple PT TFs at a base as well. Ark and I have limited it to one TF of not more than six PTs. That seems to work pretty well.

Same. I don't accept non-warships as pickets. Imagine trying to get the ships captain to buy into that without a Navy crew!
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RE: Nov 28, 1942

Post by AcePylut »

"The AF just went to 6 and he has over-stacked it with nearly 400 aircraft (recon info). While a HR violation I accept this. He has a BUNCH of layered STF protecting the base thinking I will hit it with my own STF."

Sounds like Sabang might be ripe for an all-out night-time attack on the a/f, followed by massive fighter sweeps in the day. Send all the bombers you can, at night. Wipe out the Allied air arm in a day... or two.
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John 3rd
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The Joys of Power

Post by John 3rd »

USELESS couple of days here in La Salle.

Dan and I got in one turn yesterday (Posted on that) and then we went to work on the Caboose. The restoration is high priority right now because our local town celebration (La Salle Days) is the 19-21st. We are Hosting a BBQ for the Union Pacific guys of the local railyard here as well as all the volunteers and everyone who has supported our saving of this piece of history. Sooooooo...we worked all day on re-wiring the old girl's circuits and can proudly state that for the first time in 30+ years the 'boose is running under electrical power! [8D]

That was the GOOD part of the day. The bad part was some sort of police chase ending up cutting our power for over six hours. We have power outages here quite a lot due to the summer demands and all but this was something else entirely. No power==no turn. Frustrating,

On the fun side we did go in to Greeley and watch Despicable Me 2. That film was a RIOT. But laughed my bum right off. [:D]

Finally got the turn this morning and got halfway through it (enough to see a Naval Battle of Medan and watch over 300 aircraft nail the Allied troops at Medan) when the computer simply shutdown. Since I had to go to work that trashed getting the turn done. FIXED now!

Sorry for the delay. There just are not enough hours in the day right now and I don't think this will change until school starts August 12th.

Headed back to work for inventory and will get the turn done (FINALLY!) after that...
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John 3rd
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Mod Issue

Post by John 3rd »

Since a lot of you have worked with RA, I wonder if you have had any issues with the CS---CVL Conversions NOT getting their organic air groups? Mizuho came in two turns ago without its air group. Need to check the Mod to see if this issue happens with Chitose and Chiyoda too...

Need to get this FIXED...ASAP...
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RE: Mod Issue

Post by JuanG »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Since a lot of you have worked with RA, I wonder if you have had any issues with the CS---CVL Conversions NOT getting their organic air groups? Mizuho came in two turns ago without its air group. Need to check the Mod to see if this issue happens with Chitose and Chiyoda too...

Need to get this FIXED...ASAP...

Were the Floatplane squadrons onboard when you told them to convert? What should happen upon conversion is the FP groups should flip to carrier squadrons. Atleast this is the case in stock and most mods, I'm not sure which RA version you're playing so cant check if its setup correctly.
Saros
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RE: Mod Issue

Post by Saros »

Two of the CS don't have their airgroups convert over from floatplanes in stock but I can't remember which ones. Might indeed be the conversions rather than the upgrades as I remember it being split along those lines.
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RE: Mod Issue

Post by morejeffs »

Hi John.

Your PM mailbox is full..Just thought you should know.
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Cross post from Dan's AAR

Post by JohnDillworth »

In the spirit of full disclosure I read both AAR's and expounded on <a topic not to be named>. In my heart of hearts, I do not think this was influenced by reading both AAR's but I think I committed the kind of mild, unconscious infraction that Dan warned of. The thought might not have come up had I not raised it.

Additionally, in the sprite of full disclosure, I'd like to declare I was not the person that PM'ed Dan. If I have something to say I generally post it openly. I'd like to apologize for any breach I may have caused, not matter how minor, or how unintentional. I have learned my lesson and will don the penguin mask of shame.....and nothing else. I throw myself on the mercy of the forum and deserve at least a round of insults. I submit myself to your collective mercy . [&o]
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RE: Cross post from Dan's AAR

Post by moore4807 »

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

In the spirit of full disclosure I read both AAR's and expounded on <a topic not to be named>. In my heart of hearts, I do not think this was influenced by reading both AAR's but I think I committed the kind of mild, unconscious infraction that Dan warned of. The thought might not have come up had I not raised it.

Additionally, in the sprite of full disclosure, I'd like to declare I was not the person that PM'ed Dan. If I have something to say I generally post it openly. I'd like to apologize for any breach I may have caused, not matter how minor, or how unintentional. I have learned my lesson and will don the penguin mask of shame.....and nothing else. I throw myself on the mercy of the forum and deserve at least a round of insults. I submit myself to your collective mercy . [&o]

I too read both AAR's so this will be completely an off topic post...

John Dillworth - changing your pix from the swashbuckling cat to a guinea pig in armor is a sign of you girding yourself for abuse? [:D]

John3rd - Thank you for taking the time to post this AAR. I have learned much from both you and fellow readers/posters as well as from CR's AAR. Keep up the good work!
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RE: Mod Issue

Post by pws1225 »

Hey John - it's been TWO whole days without a post. All us JFBs are waiting impatiently for you to blow something up on our behalf (with great skill, misdirection, and subtlety of course),
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RE: Mod Issue

Post by zuluhour »

ORIGINAL: pws1225

Hey John - it's been TWO whole days without a post. All us JFBs are waiting impatiently for you to blow something up on our behalf (with great skill, misdirection, and subtlety of course),
Gotta love the dark side[:D]
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