Castles in the Sand - Spidery(J) vs MrKane(A) no MrKane please

[Spidery]

Seems that Allied 4E are quite destructive of Japanese day fighters on night CAP.

The H8K2 bristles with as much defensive armament as the Allied 4E. It can fly higher than current Allied flak (except for the 90mm). Anyone tried using it on high altitude night raids? Trouble is there is too much else for it to do!

[Spidery]

March 22nd 1943

Air Losses: 0 Japanese, 3 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy:
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

I-176 misses a shot at CL Cleveland in the Marshalls and takes 17 system damage so will return to base.

Marshalls

Liberators only hit Maloelap and the CV planes hit Maleolap again. Supply is gone and the AA at Maloelap will fall silent next turn which, I expect, will be the trigger for a landing.

Solomons, etc.

Quiet

An Allied sub is spotted in Kavieng hex - is it dropping mines?

Burma area

Quiet

China

Finished off the Chinese near Tienshui. They had been starving for a long time and collapsed quickly. There are now 5 Chinese groups left.

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Allies expand Torokina airfield to 1, creeping forward in the Solomons.

R&D

Another Ki-84a factory is fully repaired, now have 3, expect to have this middle of May so have the first units upgraded by end of May. The Ki-84r should be available by the end of 1943.

Reinforcements

E Matsuwa

[setloz]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Seems that Allied 4E are quite destructive of Japanese day fighters on night CAP.

The H8K2 bristles with as much defensive armament as the Allied 4E. It can fly higher than current Allied flak (except for the 90mm). Anyone tried using it on high altitude night raids? Trouble is there is too much else for it to do!

I've never had enough groups that could field these babies! When put to choose, I always chose to use them as long range search....having eyes in the vast ocean is just too darn important.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

1. Grace - best for DB and TB also. Fast, maneuverable, sadly no armor. Not as big a load, but it hits often.
2. Peggy - fast, more durable, armored and with decent load.
3. Judy D4Y4/D4Y3 - fast, big load!
4. Frances - fast, durable, the only downside is load.
5. Jill - not as fast, but decent, good range.
6. Tsurugi - BIG LOAD, fast, short range, unmaneuverable, extremely low durability and no armor.
7. Any IJA 2E, preferably with armor
8. Any fighter with 2 x 250kg bombs

Was that the first or the second Tsurugi? I hope to have the second one deployed in numbers early 1945 (about 400 available in January) and was looking for its 385 mph speed to get it through in deadly force.

The one I was using was the first, so yes, this would be a better option, although it's just a bit short ranged for the endgame. Still, the bomb load combined with the speed makes it tough in close. In early 45 that should be really useful!

[Spidery]

March 23rd 1943

Air Losses: 0 Japanese, 3 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy:
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Allied loses 3 aircraft as day losses but total Allied air losses goes up by 8. That suggests he has lost 5 planes transferring between bases. Where is he redeploying to?

DD Cassin appears on the sunk list at 134, 113 as sunk by a mine. She took a mine hit during the landing at Kwajalein Island so I expect this is a false claim and she has just left port to head to Pearl for repairs. Will try an intercept.

Subs

In the Marshalls, I-154 elects not to launch at an ACM. Later RO-66 does launch and sinks ACM Camanche (4 VP, every little helps[;)]!).

SS Haddock sinks a PB between the Bonins and Mariannas. Annoyingly, this reveals a large resupply convoy heading for Rabaul[:(].

SS Porpoise scores a hit on a Yusen-N class AK heading back empty from Rabaul. Damage at 13/43/0/2 shouldn't prevent her reaching Babeldoab for some repairs. But Japanese damage control, that tiny fire could bloom into a massive fireball[:(].

I-166 is subject to 10 separate ASW attacks from carrier aircraft and at 45/15/9 damage is limping homeward.

There are two Allied subs operating in the deep waters West of Nagasaki. I have 5 ASW task forces hunting them, two Sentai of Helens and about 60 Jakes on air search and I still can't get an attack!

Marshalls

Liberators hit Maloelap and the absence of any flak is a clear indication that supply has run out.

Solomons, etc.

Quiet

Burma area

Quiet

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Quiet

R&D

Quiet

Reinforcements

E Oki

[Spidery]

March 24th 1943

Air Losses: 2 Japanese, 1 Allied, 1 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy:
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

I-20 sinks CM Weehawken between Pearl and the Marshalls (another 4 VP!)

I was spot on with DD Cassin but RO-66 misses.

I-18 and I-31 are both crippled by air attack from CV planes, both are in a bad way. However, I'm still going to keep subs hunting in the area as the chance of an attack on a CV is worth it.

Lots of inconclusive engagements between ASW forces and subs on both sides.

Marshalls

Quiet, apart from all the ASW to sub action.

Solomons, etc.

Quiet

Burma area

Stopped bombardment at Warazup to fix some disruption and fatigue and to wait for another 300 barrels to arrive.

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Shimushiri-Jima forts to 4, no reason to stop there.

R&D

The D4Y4 will be available in 7 days. I need to decide how many to produce. It is so much better than the Val that I will replace all Vals, except in training groups, as fast as possible. At the moment I have about 180 dive bombers (some D4Y1) on carriers. LBA dive bomber units are mostly on training but I have some 30 or so deployed around Rabaul. The training groups also are the main force that would move to repel a landing in the Kuriles so I will probably want them upgraded as well.

Obvert seems to have been producing about 180 at the end of his game. Probably because they are such good kamikazes. An initial run of 150 sounds good and will produce a nice reserve. I'll plan on keeping 3 factories in production and expanded to 50 and moving two to R&D something else: night fighter or late war aircraft.

Reinforcements

Quiet

Economy

It was the supply fairy day. Managed to get 5000 supply into Burma but not enough to take Katha and Myitkyna out of the yellow. Just noticed that oil is flowing into Burma[:@]. Despite there being 271 wells feeding 291 refineries, in the last 20 days oil has gone up by 4000.

82000 supply at Hankow and 415000 at Port Arthur. Any suggestions as to how to get supply to flow to Burma? Have tried setting a demand at Tsuyung and Paoshan and then releasing it on the days supply moves long distance.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Seems that Allied 4E are quite destructive of Japanese day fighters on night CAP.

The H8K2 bristles with as much defensive armament as the Allied 4E. It can fly higher than current Allied flak (except for the 90mm). Anyone tried using it on high altitude night raids? Trouble is there is too much else for it to do!

I started training them for this role, but unfortunately had to stop it so I could use the frames for something else!

I plan on getting back shortly.

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Seems that Allied 4E are quite destructive of Japanese day fighters on night CAP.

The H8K2 bristles with as much defensive armament as the Allied 4E. It can fly higher than current Allied flak (except for the 90mm). Anyone tried using it on high altitude night raids? Trouble is there is too much else for it to do!

I started training them for this role, but unfortunately had to stop it so I could use the frames for something else!

I plan on getting back shortly.

Why do you need to train them for the role? As long as you have some ground bombing trained IJN pilots they can transfer over to the Emily.

I may give it a go, I only have 51 of the aircraft active. However, I do have a group keeping watch on the Western approach to Darwin that could as effectively be replaced by Nells. Where would be a good target, Lunga is a possible, or Ledo.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: setloz

ORIGINAL: Spidery

For the float planes, draw first into a fighter unit then send them straight to reserve and then draw them from there into the float plane group instead of drawing them direct from the replacement pool. That way they come in with air and defense skills rather than patrol type skills.

Great tip! Thanks! I didn't think about that option.

Wow this is a good idea....

[Spidery]

Latest predicted arrival dates

Dates are the nearest month start, on average expectations

Night Fighters

09/43 J1N1-S
12/43 A6M5d-S
06/44 P1Y2-S

01/44 Ki-45 KAId
02/44 Ki-46-III KAI
01/45 Ki-102c

Fighters

05/43 A6M5b and A6M5c
12/43 N1K2-J
07/44 A7M2
01/45 J7W1

06/43 Ki-84a
06/43 Ki-43-IIIa
06/43 Ki-43-IV
12/43 Ki-84r
09/44 Ki-83
12/44 Ki-94-II

Other

04/43 D4Y4
01/44 B7A2
01/44 P1Y2
06/44 M6A1
03/45 Toka

07/44 Ki-74-I
11/44 Ki-115b

[FeurerKrieg]

Where's the Ki-201?

[Lowpe]

I just have to think that the air war will definitely swing your way...at least over land.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery
Why do you need to train them for the role? As long as you have some ground bombing trained IJN pilots they can transfer over to the Emily.

I may give it a go, I only have 51 of the aircraft active. However, I do have a group keeping watch on the Western approach to Darwin that could as effectively be replaced by Nells. Where would be a good target, Lunga is a possible, or Ledo.

I wanted to keep their other skills as well.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

There are two Allied subs operating in the deep waters West of Nagasaki. I have 5 ASW task forces hunting them, two Sentai of Helens and about 60 Jakes on air search and I still can't get an attack!

Are any destroyers?

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

Where's the Ki-201?

I am not researching jet or rocket engines or jet or rocket aircraft so they will arrive at historic time and probably not be built.

I didn't consider it practical to get the Ki-201 early enough. To get the engine early enough to get engine bonus would have meant sacrificing engine bonus on other aircraft.

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Spidery

There are two Allied subs operating in the deep waters West of Nagasaki. I have 5 ASW task forces hunting them, two Sentai of Helens and about 60 Jakes on air search and I still can't get an attack!

Are any destroyers?

No but there are some E that were converted from Wakatake class DD so have experience up in the 70 or so. Some other task forces could do with better commanders.

Most of the DD that have Type 2 DC only carry 2 of them with 6 ammo. Only the Kagero and Akitsuki have 4 and the Akitsuki have radar so are covering the carriers.

[FeurerKrieg]

You are probably right, but I've made a go of it. I have some engine factories on the jet engine and as some of my early R&D factories have become available I've switched them to the 201. I have nothing on the rockets though and they will not ever be produced even if I survive to reach the historical availability date.

We'll see what happens!

[Spidery]

March 25th 1943

Air Losses: 2 Japanese, 1 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy:
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

I-18 and I-31 are lost to the damage taken last turn. I should have scuttled them or tried for a port at Jaluit or Mili.

RO-66 takes a shot at an SC escorting DD Cassin and suffers 12/17/0 damage in the counter-attack.

I-20 misses a shot at CM Salem.

A supply task force heading for Truk encounters two sub attacks near Chichi-Jima, no damage.

ASW forces near Truk put minor damage on SS Harder and SS Tautog.

5 subs are detected near Rabaul, 3 near Truk, 3 near the Bonins. Need to move some ASW assets

Marshalls

Liberators hit Maloelap again.

I have lost sight of the Allied CVs and there is no detection over any of my subs.

Allied minesweepers have arrived at and clear the minefield at Kwajalein Island.

Solomons, etc.

Quiet

Burma area

Quiet, supply situation is getting worse.

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Chungking airfield to 8 (+400 VP), Dadjangas airfield to 2, Guam forts to 5.

R&D

Ki-43-IV to 10/43, Ki-43-IIIa to 9/43.

Reinforcements

SS I-177, SC Ch 40.

[Lowpe]

What is your troop strength in Burma now?

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert
Not very many. Most of the kami pilots were ones I'd trained in either IJA 1E/2E bombers with multiple skills, usually ASW/lownaval, or they were from FP training, sometimes sweep/lownaval to be used in fighters, or ASW/search/low naval in FP.

Thanks Obvert, a helpful post.[&o]

Can I get you to talk a little about Kamikazes? How did you train, what experience level did you use? It seems like you used almost whatever was at hand?

Attack settings? Favorite Planes? Planes you wish you had? How many did you have?

Many thanks.

EDIT: Ooops, I am hijacking the AAR -- apologies.

Talking about kamis is never hijacking a Japanese AAR! [:D]

For me kamis worked best as part of a larger strike mission. Usually there would also be DB and TB flying. That's not to say they can't work on their own. I also had many successful smaller strikes with kamis.

Training for them is just low naval, so anything that uses it already is good. I trained low naval exclusively with the gazillions of training groups that arrive in 45, and that pushed numbers way up near the end. Some of them are 100+ sized groups and can train low naval pilots to 70 skill in just over a month! [&o]

Ideally a kami pilot would be 50+exp/70 low naval. That's it. A lot of mine had good defensive ratings due to their other training though, so that may help get them through. Kami groups will not convert if the pilots are 50+ exp so you have to do a lot of shifting pilots around. A LOT. Imagine 500 planes lost in a strike, and then you have to fill all of those groups with planes and pilots again. Then do it again in a few weeks.

Several airframe attributes help kamis get through. First is speed. Second is durability. Third is armor. Fourth is maneuver.

Many players focus on biggest load, and this is important (see D4Y4 [:)]) or swarms of low value planes, but it has to get there first. With the lack of coordination introduced in the betas the kami mission became more realistic and less easily handled. Harder to just through out 300 Oscars with 200 escorts as players did years back very successfully.

(Also important is range, not to get them through but to get them into the right spots to make a strike, which often means a distant transfer or a LR strike away from known CAP).

The best kami planes for me we as follows.

1. Grace - best for DB and TB also. Fast, maneuverable, sadly no armor. Not as big a load, but it hits often.
2. Peggy - fast, more durable, armored and with decent load.
3. Judy D4Y4/D4Y3 - fast, big load!
4. Frances - fast, durable, the only downside is load.
5. Jill - not as fast, but decent, good range.
6. Tsurugi - BIG LOAD, fast, short range, unmaneuverable, extremely low durability and no armor.
7. Any IJA 2E, preferably with armor
8. Any fighter with 2 x 250kg bombs

I had great hopes of using swarms of Oscars ala Captain Cruft, but that didn't really happen. Had a few work, but they ust don't fly as often as dedicated strike planes and they're really fragile.

If I'd had hundreds of Tsurugi that would have been great, but mostly as last chance invasion stoppers close to shore.

There is a lot more in my AAR including the airframe numbers in July 45 when the game ended if you want to have a look.

This post might be interesting for you.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3567070

Obvert, you're quickly becoming the Mike Solli of late-game Japan.

Mike told me how to build them, you're telling me how to lose them.