::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Another nice thing is that S-boats based at Christmas now can fill the area. I've got about ten of these that aren't LR enough to do much else, but guarding the Gilberts would be a perfect task for them.

Move an AS and some fuel to Canton Island. You get plenty of AS as Allies.

IMO, you have to defend the Gilberts as Japan if you want to defend the Marshalls. A place like Tabiteua will eventually allow B-17/24s to be based there and allow a steady advancement.

APDs - use them to Fast Transport Troops in and then use the PBYs to transport in the Cargo part of an LCU.

With the KB on the horizon I'll keep the support at Christmas for a good while. Eventually it'll creep closer.

This may all be part of Nick's plan. Entice troops in and then come strong to wipe them out. The response now may be telling of how this will be dealt with in the future. If a lot comes this way I'll simply put more emphasis on No Pac and So Pac for a while with the same kind of small incursions in multiples and developing slowly.

The advantage the Allies have are the number of engineer and base units plus ready supply and fuel. So it should be easy to slowly and surrepticioulsy feed these kinds of outposts anywhere I want to put them. If there are enough it could turn into whack-a-mole. It would be nice to emphasize these tactics for a while and then go big somewhere else. Ceylon, Kuriles, SW OZ takeback, or a quick raid on somewhere important, like Palembang.

[obvert]

Looks like I have a bit of catching up to do. Not as much as I'd hoped but enough that I'll take it slow. Nick couldn't play while he was away due to laptop issues with Windows 8, and I have been in NYC and very busy.

Unfortunately I also arrived to find my bag had not. It's somewhere between NYC, Toronto and London. My house key is in it so I'm most likely crashing with friends tonight as well. Not an easy return.

Anyway, some interesting things have happened in the game. I'll try to give some simple reports on those to get caught up.

[SqzMyLemon]

Despite your difficulties, glad you are back and updating again. I was in withdrawal and even resorted to posting in Nic's AAR! [:-] [:D]

[crsutton]

Yep, been missing the updates here..

[JocMeister]

Me too. Also had to resort to reading GJs AAR!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 12-14, 1942[/font]

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Sorry guys. I meant to post this yesterday and had to run before I was able to. Sucks being homeless, but glad to have good friends to host me for a night! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Trout attacks an amphib TF near Ponanpe, but no hits. Most S-boats are transitioning to basing at Christmas Island, then to patrol the Gilberts.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Lots of attentino at Cochin. Bombing runs accompany the movement of a new unit into the base. I send an element of an Indian brigade here hoping it's something small moving in. If not, it's worth the try still.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]The amphibs and fast transports make their getaway from the Gilberts easily, while small xAKL and fast transport ships load at Christmas for another round heading in once the coast is clear. The threatening KB moves away as quickly as it arrived, and subs she increased DL toward Truk for a day before all goes quiet. The build-up will be slow in Cent pac until it's clear no serious retaliation is in store.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The AVG tries to contest the air in China but even these good pilots get crushed by one of the two big expert groups of the IJN, still flying the A6M2 even. It turns out about 14 losses for the AVG to 3 for the Japanese. Not good. The shattered AVG 3rd will head back to Chungking to at least deter a bombing campaign there for the time being.

The Japanese fill in empty space, taking Hanyang, while the Chinese withdrawal goes well in spite of bombing from the IJAAF. All is on target for this area.

In the South a new threat appears at the river blockade near Liuchow. Looks like just one unit so far. I'll begin moving in supporting units, but this one has forts four so will be fought to move.

No moves near Sian, but units there have now moved back into the hills leaving a more manageable force at Sian itself of 1800AV (and growing as units repair disabled).

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 12, 42
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Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]With no radar the AVG can't get up enough to battle the big IJN group evenly, and is torn up. To the left this also shows the state of retreat in the central area of China. All is well there. One unit caught behind lines, but I'll try to run it around into the +3 SE of Henyang. [/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 15 - 16, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The I-162 sinks xAP Van Heemskerk in the Pacific on the route from SF. I'll reroute other forces on this path and get some more ASW out here. This is the first sinking of a ship on the routes from the WC, and I don't want it to become a trend. The DDs at PH have just been sitting around, so this will give them a chance to et some experience and protect some of these troop convoys heading to Pearl and Christmas Island.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] After heavy air strikes and the insertion of a 1/3 division, Cochin falls to the Japanese. Another disappointing but not unexpected outcome. The paras committed here are now free to roam again, so I'l be on my toes for behind the from moves. All of the newly acquired bases in the center of India have or are nearing 3 forts and at least 40AV. Some have a brigade closer to the front lines.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Nothing seen on the horizon. I'l send in a small construction unit to one of the dots near Tabiteuaea, Onotoa.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Units moving through the clear take some disablements from Japanese bombing, but nothing major, and they're now nearing the security of the woods. So far so good.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Just training pilots and prepping for the eventual reclamation of the Perth area. Still haven't gotten enough 42 squads to upgrade any divisions, and that includes one still to upgrade in India. As I understand it once I upgrade one division all of the older troops will go to the pools as upgraded 42 squads, right?

This management of units, airframes and the multiple pools and types is easily as complicated as the Japanese industry. Not sure why many players feel Japan is so tough to learn.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 15, 42
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Ground combat at Cochin (28,40)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6457 troops, 44 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Defending force 4433 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Japanese adjusted assault: 171

Allied adjusted defense: 33

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cochin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4549 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 191 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 25 (24 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Regiment
1st Raiding Regiment
6th Guards/A Division

Defending units:
1st Hyderabad Battalion
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
23rd Indian Bde /1
Cochin Base Force
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
Cochin Fortress

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 16, 42
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Sub attack near Kingscote at 63,172

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
xAP Van Heemskerck, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Van Neck
AM Finch

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Van Heemskerck
AM Finch fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Ships Lost:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of xAP Van Heemskerck on Jun 16, 1942 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the current state of India. Not much changed, but the troops will begin moving in a few days from Sholapur toward Hyderabad. I have some little armor units that are set to withdraw within 100 days that will move forward toward the clear in the central North area. I'd like to try to trap the support units in Lucknow, but it'll take a bit of luck and some precise timing. [/font]

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] As I understand it once I upgrade one division all of the older troops will go to the pools as upgraded 42 squads, right?

This management of units, airframes and the multiple pools and types is easily as complicated as the Japanese industry. Not sure why many players feel Japan is so tough to learn. [/font]

You are correct on the squads, the returned ones upgrade to the current version. Have you looked at splitting the divisions in 1/3 parts to speed up the squad upgrades? With the Australians I usually pick one division to stay with the CMF squads as you get these through August or so and then upgrade all of the rest to the AMF42 by splitting them into 1/3 elements so it take less in the pool to upgrade.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: rook749

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] As I understand it once I upgrade one division all of the older troops will go to the pools as upgraded 42 squads, right?

This management of units, airframes and the multiple pools and types is easily as complicated as the Japanese industry. Not sure why many players feel Japan is so tough to learn. [/font]

You are correct on the squads, the returned ones upgrade to the current version. Have you looked at splitting the divisions in 1/3 parts to speed up the squad upgrades? With the Australians I usually pick one division to stay with the CMF squads as you get these through August or so and then upgrade all of the rest to the AMF42 by splitting them into 1/3 elements so it take less in the pool to upgrade.

I've thought of doing this but haven't gotten around to it yet as I didn't want any of them split while the situation was still so precarious everywhere. It's a good time to remind me of this though now. I'll get on it and begin with one of the two in Sydney. I guess after a while it should go quickly as the old squads fill in as upgrades along with the newly created squads from the monthly allowance. Up until now I've actually been letting some of the smaller brigades get them as I thought at least these would then be combat worthy.

[BBfanboy]

The downside of having the split division upgrade by regiment is that you cannot recombine the division until all have the same devices
(not necessarily the same numbers of devices though).
Some players handle this by not splitting the division and turning off all upgrades, then stockpile the devices until there are enough to u/g one
division and turn on its u/g.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The downside of having the split division upgrade by regiment is that you cannot recombine the division until all have the same devices
(not necessarily the same numbers of devices though).
Some players handle this by not splitting the division and turning off all upgrades, then stockpile the devices until there are enough to u/g one
division and turn on its u/g.

Exactly. I hadn't wanted to have split divisions if there was a high chance of invasion in OZ. The probability seems to have decreased slightly now, so I think I can risk it. I've been trying to keep on top of which units are going to upgrade, but I forgot that even base forces would take the new 42 squads, and yet I wanted them to upgrade to radar, so some went for that. I guess it's no real loss, just delay in time, since the militias and other 41 troops will still end up in the pools upgraded to 42 squads.

I have bought back a number of brigades, and let them take replacements, but they were not upgraded to 42 TOE so just took engineers and support, which helps getting things built up in SE OZ. I'll restrict them from upgrades until the divisions have theirs and then let them start upgrading and building back up.

[JocMeister]

+3 on BBfanboy!

Be very, very careful when doing that. Make sure you have all devices set to "stockpile" that may upgrade that you don´t want to. So you have to go through each device in the TOE prior to splitting and upgrading.

Artillery pieces are especially low for Chinese units. One bad upgrade and it can take a loooong time before you can recombine.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

+3 on BBfanboy!

Be very, very careful when doing that. Make sure you have all devices set to "stockpile" that may upgrade that you don´t want to. So you have to go through each device in the TOE prior to splitting and upgrading.

Artillery pieces are especially low for Chinese units. One bad upgrade and it can take a loooong time before you can recombine.

Yeah. I need to do the stockpiling thing. Haven't figured out all of the other devices that each type of units needs to upgrade.

This is what I mean by difficult. I'd much rather try to learn the Japanese airframe industry upgrades than learn the different devices needed for upgrades in each of the Allied nation replacement pools! [:D]

[JocMeister]

You will soon figure it out. Its pretty straight forward. Everything can be sorted by country in the industry tab.

Some stuff are less obvious though. The Chinese share the Bren AA guns with the commonwealth. I found that out the hard way! [:D]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

You will soon figure it out. Its pretty straight forward. Everything can be sorted by country in the industry tab.

Some stuff are less obvious though. The Chinese share the Bren AA guns with the commonwealth. I found that out the hard way! [:D]

I think the "+" and "=" symbols on the device lines are some help, if you figure out what they mean. [:)]

Besides Brens the Vickers squads are widely shared. Also, Indian LCUs eat British infantry squads. And USN base forces can put a real dent in USMC infantry pools. The AFVs have their own set of oddities, especially the Stuarts.

I upgraded TOEs in OZ "bare" with replacements off. After that I've had no problems with splitting and recombining the infantry 1942 upgrade away from the militia squads. That is so vital to do if Oz is in play that I'd take a chance on the re-combine regardless.

[crsutton]

Not sure what you are doing but all of your Indian and Australian units should have been upgraded long ago. Here is how you should be doing it. When you get the new squads you first upgrade a battalion or two(has to be one that is not slated to withdraw in the future. Once upgraded, you disband the unit which then puts 32-36 new squads in your pool plus the squads you have accumulated. Then if you upgrade and disband another small unit you should have enough in your pool to start upgrading your divisions brigade by brigade. Just disband an independent brigade if you need more in your pools. Turn replacements off for all units and upgrades on, break all divisions into brigades and set to rest. Your whole army should be upgraded in two weeks or so. I look to have everything upgraded within 60 days after getting any new squad type. Once you upgrade start rebuilding one or two battalions at least for the next upgrade and repeat. Unless, you and GJ have a house rule about this, it is a common tactic and I don't think anyone thinks it gamey.

The boys are right about devices. You have to be careful but by setting any device that you are short of to "stockpile" will prevent any one brigade from upgrading to the new device leaving you with a division that has incompatible devices. There is no reason you cannot upgrade the squads in a unit without upgrading anything else. Yes, this takes a little micromanagement but you should be striving to upgrade your squads as fast as possible-even if it means disbanding a few units. Most critical is the 43 upgrades for all commonwealth units and Americans. The inherent anti-tank value for each squad takes a massive jump. Making Japanese tanks all but useless vs good infantry.

[Bullwinkle58]

I'm a week away from starting to get 1943 Indian squads in one game. I think the anti-armor rating goes from 15 to 75. A total game-changer.

[crsutton]

I should add that upgrading Commonwealth units is more of an art form than the Americans. The problem is the slow replacement rate for all devices. Especially, 25 pounders, three inch mortars which you will never have enough of. My experience is that if you lose a division in a Commonwealth army, you will really never have much chance to rebuild it due to the demand for devices in your surviving units. American units are no problem as they arrive with full OOBs and your pools fill up fast. Best to sacrifice an American unit over a Commonwealth if you have the choice.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

You will soon figure it out. Its pretty straight forward. Everything can be sorted by country in the industry tab.

Some stuff are less obvious though. The Chinese share the Bren AA guns with the commonwealth. I found that out the hard way! [:D]

I think the "+" and "=" symbols on the device lines are some help, if you figure out what they mean. [:)]

Besides Brens the Vickers squads are widely shared. Also, Indian LCUs eat British infantry squads. And USN base forces can put a real dent in USMC infantry pools. The AFVs have their own set of oddities, especially the Stuarts.

I upgraded TOEs in OZ "bare" with replacements off. After that I've had no problems with splitting and recombining the infantry 1942 upgrade away from the militia squads. That is so vital to do if Oz is in play that I'd take a chance on the re-combine regardless.

The other thing I realized is that the 3.7" AA gun is not too plentiful, and is shared by all commonwealth nations! Now I know why ny59giants was advocating saving the AA in Ceylon at all costs! I should have tried to get them out of there, as it'll take a LONG time to refill that big unit especially.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Not sure what you are doing but all of your Indian and Australian units should have been upgraded long ago. Here is how you should be doing it. When you get the new squads you first upgrade a battalion or two(has to be one that is not slated to withdraw in the future. Once upgraded, you disband the unit which then puts 32-36 new squads in your pool plus the squads you have accumulated. Then if you upgrade and disband another small unit you should have enough in your pool to start upgrading your divisions brigade by brigade. Just disband an independent brigade if you need more in your pools. Turn replacements off for all units and upgrades on, break all divisions into brigades and set to rest. Your whole army should be upgraded in two weeks or so. I look to have everything upgraded within 60 days after getting any new squad type. Once you upgrade start rebuilding one or two battalions at least for the next upgrade and repeat. Unless, you and GJ have a house rule about this, it is a common tactic and I don't think anyone thinks it gamey.

The boys are right about devices. You have to be careful but by setting any device that you are short of to "stockpile" will prevent any one brigade from upgrading to the new device leaving you with a division that has incompatible devices. There is no reason you cannot upgrade the squads in a unit without upgrading anything else. Yes, this takes a little micromanagement but you should be striving to upgrade your squads as fast as possible-even if it means disbanding a few units. Most critical is the 43 upgrades for all commonwealth units and Americans. The inherent anti-tank value for each squad takes a massive jump. Making Japanese tanks all but useless vs good infantry.

Awesome. I had no idea about this method. I'm sure it's fine, as we have no rules about this kind of thing, or air group resizing, or anything like that.

In the beginning I needed all battalion sized units to just garrison and hold rear areas from para-drops, so really only now would I easily be able to do this kind of thing without feeling too vulnerable.

Do the squads come into the pools immediately, or is there a delay?

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

I'm a week away from starting to get 1943 Indian squads in one game. I think the anti-armor rating goes from 15 to 75. A total game-changer.

Yep, save for the US Marines, all the crack units in my forces were in the Indian army by the end of the war. Four years of constant fighting will boost that experience right up there.