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

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

What is your troop strength in Burma now?

Including Moulmein but not the more Southern coastal bases.

About 11 Infantry Divisions, 2 Tank Divisions, 2 Divisions worth in smaller units, 20 artillery units, 15 AA units, lots of tank regiments mostly spread out as garrisons to protect against air drop. About 800 aviation support mostly in Magwe, Katha and Rangoon. 4 more infantry divisions are being transferred but there are 2 2/3 unrestricted infantry divisions that will, eventually, be pulled.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
protect against air drop.

He can hit you with over 200 AV if he uses both Chindits...be careful. Having a fire brigade/regiment on SR too probably not a bad idea.

How are you moving supplies to Burma, I am not having a problem.

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Spidery

protect against air drop.

He can hit you with over 200 AV if he uses both Chindits...be careful. Having a fire brigade/regiment on SR too probably not a bad idea.

How are you moving supplies to Burma, I am not having a problem.

Key bases (Katha, Myitkyna, Lashio, Magwe, Moulmein, Pegu, Rangoon, Paoshan, Tsuyung) have 100 to 150 AV behind level 3+ forts. The smaller bases, such as Mandalay, mostly have just a tank regiment.

I mostly have lots of forces on strategic move at a time but will aim to keep a division in thirds spread around.

I have been dropping supplies into Rangoon but stopped, hoping that supplies would flow from China. I wasn't doing anything particular to help but have just tried pulling supplies to Kweiyang and releasing it on the supply long move days. I'll see if that works. I do have some 70,000 supply en route to Rangoon and (if that stays in Burma) that should last a couple of months.

Curiously, I didn't have much problem until I opened the Burma road. I wish I could tell whether supply is flowing from Burma to China.

Note that it is the upcountry bases that have supply shortages plus Akyab occasionally. For example, Katha has a demand of 6000 has 170 engineers working and about 150 planes on CAP. So it needs 400+ supply a day. With a max supply draw of 1650 it really needs to draw at least twice a week.

[Spidery]

March 26th 1943

Air Losses: 2 Japanese, 7 Allied, 1 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy:
Japanese land at:
Allies land at: Buin

Allies take 4 Ops losses for F4U-1 Corsairs[:)], nice but I wonder what he was doing.

Allies are taking ops losses for "R4D-1 Skytrain", I wonder where he is using transports?

Subs

Inconclusive actions only.

Marshalls

I-123 is subject to multiple attacks from carrier planes but is undamaged. It gives me an approximate location of the Allied carriers (South East from Maleolap).

Solomons, etc.

Allies land at Buin. CA Australia takes a mine hit at Vella Lavella from a sub-laid mine (I though he knew about these) but the many DD and DE manage to clear the minefield.

1st Marine Division seems to be landing at Buin (a bit overkill as I only have a fragment of a naval guard unit there, 13 AV).

He seems to have completely failed to notice an SCTF of 6 CA & 5 DD in the area that I will send into action.

Burma area

Quiet

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Sabang airfield to 4.

R&D

D4Y4 to 4/43

Reinforcements

Quiet

[Spidery]

March 27th 1943

Air Losses: 6 Japanese, 65 Allied, 1 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy: Buin
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

I-16 sinks AO Platte[8D], carrying fuel cargo, about 400 miles East of Mili. Not sure how many AO he has but I seem to be sinking some of his better ones.

Marshalls

Quiet, lost sight of the Allied carriers again.

Solomons, etc.

6 CA raid Buin. They fail to get through to the transports as they meet 4 SCTF, 1 with the Washington, 1 with the North Carolina, and two with 2 CL each. CL Raleigh took 38 hits and was left heavy fires, heavy damage so may sink; at long range, many 20cm shells hits were blocked by the deck armour. CL Achilles took enough damage to flood magazines but doesn't look in danger of sinking. Some Allied destroyers suffered heavy fires but probably not enough to sink. Throughout the battles there are no torpedo hits scored; I wish my ships would keep their torpedoes to shoot at BB and not engage DD[8|]!

DD Yukikaze takes enough damage to sink later[:(]. DD Teruzuki and Tokitsukaze take damage and are too close by day and get sunk by 15 SBD-3 that attack[:(]. The A6M5 on LRCAP arrive to engage the SBD-3 after the attack and shoot all down in revenge[:)]. Nachi and Kinugasa will need a little yard time.

A CL task force is also in the area and subject to attack. The first attack has escorts and only 1 N1K1-J is able to get through to the bombers and takes 3 of them out. The other attacks are unescorted and provide a field day for the fighters. 4 CL take hits and will need some yard time. None are seriously damaged.

Air loss from the battles 4 Ki-44-IIc lost for 19 F4F-3 and 39 SBD-3 downed[8D].

So on a strict VP ratio that is 37 Japanese VP lost for 58 Allied and, possibly, another 20 or so if Raleigh sinks. However, I would rather not lose any DD.

Search is quite good at Buin and I still don't see any BB. I think he may be sending them in just for the night phase.

The 250 men at Buin are overwhelmed by the 1st Marine Division.

The fighters were based at Buka and very few are damaged with plane fatigue manageable. Not sure whether to leave them there, and risk sweeps, or pull them back.

Burma area

Supply arrives at Rangoon and the supply situation in Northern Burma is improving.

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Laoag airfield to 3. Allies expand Darwin to 5.

R&D

Now have 5 fully repaired Ki-84a factories. So June arrival is guaranteed, two more factories to repair so question is how early in May I can get it.

Reinforcements

SS RO-102

Other

A large convoy from Palembang delivers fuel and oil to Hong Kong and it looks like a good bit has flowed to Fusan.[:)]

[Spidery]

Any advice on the what balance between fighters, dive and torpedo bombers on the carriers?

I'm thinking that with the D4Y4 available it may be worth moving more towards dive bombers and away from torpedo bombers. I'm stuck with the A6M5 for another month and the USN will start getting hellcats so I was wondering whether to increase the number of fighters.

For example, on the Kaga might go for 41 A6M5, 27 D4Y4, 13 B6N2. Doing that the total force would be 312 A6M5, 165 D4Y4, 96 B6N2.

When he struck at Maleolap he had about 150 escorts so something like a CAP of 180 seems desirable and 130 escorts doesn't seem enough so should I go for more fighters? Something like 350 fighters, 140 dive bombers and 90 torpedo bombers?

[JocMeister]

Wonder why he didn´t combine the NC and Washington? I would have.

[Spidery]

March 28th 1943

Air Losses: 11 Japanese, 55 Allied, 2 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy: Buin
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

Near Rabaul, S-27 puts a torpedo into CL Sendai then attacks again and sinks her with another hit.

Marshalls

Quiet. Vague suggestion of the Allied carrier location with one sub at 6/6 detection.

Solomons, etc.

36 Nells launch night strikes at the Allied fleet at Buin, mostly targeting light cruisers, all miss[:(].

Lightning sweep Buka where there are A6M5, Ki-44-IIc and N1K1-J on CAP. The Tojos suffer a bit but the Georges do a number on the Lightnings. 3 APD are supposed to be delivering supplies and would then be used to evacuate damaged planes. SBD-3 and F4F-4 strike at them and suffer. However, a few bombers get through and APD Namikaze is sunk and APD Okikaze has 95 fires so may as well be scuttled.

Two new Aces, one army and one navy.

PO2 Fujita R. was transferred from reserve into 204 Ku S-1 yesterday. On his first day in a front-line squadron, and the first time he flies a Shiden, he participates in 3 missions and shoots down 6 aircraft. The boy is a natural!

6 Ki-44-IIc lost for 7 P-38G, 10 F4F-4, 35 SBD-3 downed[:)]. I am really liking the N1K1-J. Not sure why it out performs the Ki-44-IIc that much; it may just be the Tojo climbs faster and takes the brunt of the first attack from the sweeping Lightnings.

Burma area

Quiet

China

3 Chinese corps are not yet trapped. They get attacked again and retreat towards Ledo. If I'm not careful these may escape to India. They are only 1 hex away from being in supply.

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Quiet

R&D

Quiet

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Two new Aces, one army and one navy.

PO2 Fujita R. was transferred from reserve into 204 Ku S-1 yesterday. On his first day in a front-line squadron, and the first time he flies a Shiden, he participates in 3 missions and shoots down 6 aircraft. The boy is a natural!

Love this details in the game! Follow Fujita and tell us about him!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery
6 Ki-44-IIc lost for 7 P-38G, 10 F4F-4, 35 SBD-3 downed[:)]. I am really liking the N1K1-J. Not sure why it out performs the Ki-44-IIc that much; it may just be the Tojo climbs faster and takes the brunt of the first attack from the sweeping Lightnings.

It is the guns. 4 20mm cannons baby![:)] Gives her almost twice the firepower. But having something absorb the diving Lightnings certainly helps! Lets the George mix it up with good morale and undamaged.

[Spidery]

March 29th 1943

Air Losses: 1 Japanese, 3 Allied, 0 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy: Buin
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

RO-100 is sunk near Buin in the Solomons.

Marshalls

Quiet.

A sub suffers multiple attacks by carrier planes but is undamaged and gives a location on the Allied CV. They may be heading back to the barn.

At Ponape, an Allied attacks a PB carrying supply, counter-attack is ineffective. Two attacks each score 1 hit but one is a dud. At 35/77/5/2 damage she will be disbanded in port and hope can get some repairs before I send her to Truk. Ponape is a level 1 port with 15 Naval Support so not going to get many repairs done.

Solomons, etc.

RO-100 is run over by the Washington and Achilles task forces and is sunk.

A few Nells try a night attack at xAP unloading at Buin but all miss.

The fighters from Buka have pulled back to Rabaul. I deploy the first P1Y1 aircraft at Rabaul but the days needed to get them ready are huge, it will be a fortnight before half are ready (one problem with SR 4). In a few days, when aircraft and crews are ready, I plan to throw everything into an attack and see if I can sink some ships.

Burma area

More artillery has arrived at Warazup and I will restart bombardments.

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Quiet

R&D

Quiet

[KenchiSulla]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

March 28th 1943

Air Losses: 11 Japanese, 55 Allied, 2 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy: Buin
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Subs

Near Rabaul, S-27 puts a torpedo into CL Sendai then attacks again and sinks her with another hit.

Marshalls

Quiet. Vague suggestion of the Allied carrier location with one sub at 6/6 detection.

Solomons, etc.

36 Nells launch night strikes at the Allied fleet at Buin, mostly targeting light cruisers, all miss[:(].

Lightning sweep Buka where there are A6M5, Ki-44-IIc and N1K1-J on CAP. The Tojos suffer a bit but the Georges do a number on the Lightnings. 3 APD are supposed to be delivering supplies and would then be used to evacuate damaged planes. SBD-3 and F4F-4 strike at them and suffer. However, a few bombers get through and APD Namikaze is sunk and APD Okikaze has 95 fires so may as well be scuttled.

Two new Aces, one army and one navy.

PO2 Fujita R. was transferred from reserve into 204 Ku S-1 yesterday. On his first day in a front-line squadron, and the first time he flies a Shiden, he participates in 3 missions and shoots down 6
6 Ki-44-IIc lost for 7 P-38G, 10 F4F-4, 35 SBD-3 downed[:)]. I am really liking the N1K1-J. Not sure why it out performs the Ki-44-IIc that much; it may just be the Tojo climbs faster and takes the brunt of the first attack from the sweeping Lightnings.

Burma area
aircraft. The boy is a natural!

Quiet

China

3 Chinese corps are not yet trapped. They get attacked again and retreat towards Ledo. If I'm not careful these may escape to India. They are only 1 hex away from being in supply.

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Quiet

R&D

Quiet

The Tojo is a slightly better climber and it is easier to service.. Other then that, the N1K1 is superior...

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Any advice on the what balance between fighters, dive and torpedo bombers on the carriers?

You didn't get much of a response here, and I was interested in reading it.[:(]

Of course, the primary factors will be tactical and strategic. Are you near land based air support? Expected enemy strength? Mission goal? Your strength? How close is resupply?

Generally speaking 2-1 db to tp ratio or even higher with these planes I think.

[Spidery]

Cannonfodder, not in this game. Still uses the original aircraft data, see below.

It isn't just that they shoot a few more aircraft down, they don't take anywhere as near as many losses. There were 18 George, 16 Tojo and 9 Zero opposing a sweep by 25 P-38G. 6 Tojo were lost and no George (the Zeroes were on LRCAP and didn't arrive). 8 Tojo were left damaged at the end of the day versus 3 George.

I suspect it is the maneuver at the highest band that makes a difference plus the slight range advantage of the guns may help. It did seem to be the case that Tojos damaged Lightnings while Georges destroy them, which is showing the value of the cannons.

[Spidery]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Any advice on the what balance between fighters, dive and torpedo bombers on the carriers?

You didn't get much of a response here, and I was interested in reading it.[:(]

Of course, the primary factors will be tactical and strategic. Are you near land based air support? Expected enemy strength? Mission goal? Your strength? How close is resupply?

Generally speaking 2-1 db to tp ratio or even higher with these planes I think.

Given that the torpedoes in DBB are so much worse than in standard (something I hadn't known before), I'm heading for more D4Y4 and less B6N2. Still want to keep the B6N2 around for the extra search range. Also, the NavT trained pilots need to be shared with the Nells/Betties/Frances etc. so are in shorter overall supply, but I still have lots of prewar pilots.

Ideal situation would be in defense of the Marianas so with limited LBA support, ready access to resupply, approximate equality in carrier aircraft. Mission goal would be to break the back of an invasion attempt either by stopping it cold or smashing the enemy carriers so they can't maintain a supply line.

[Spidery]

March 30th 1943

Air Losses: 1 Japanese, 3 Allied, 1 Pilots
Japanese occupy:
Allies occupy: Buin
Japanese land at:
Allies land at:

Allies are losing R4D-1 Skytrain to ops regularly, I wonder where they are flying.

Subs

I-20 sinks the damaged DD Cassin near Pearl Harbour. Two hits but the first was a dud.

Marshalls

Liberators hit Eniwetok.

Solomons, etc.

Quiet

Burma area

Good VP trade at Warazup now more artillery has arrived:

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (8 destroyed, 9 disabled)

China

Quiet

Australia & DEI

Quiet

Engineering

Guam airfield to 5, with an Air Division at Saipan this should allow me to do upgrades.

Uruppu-Jima forts to 4. Tinian forts to 5.

R&D

Quiet

[Spidery]

Memo from Yokosuka head of research to Combined Fleet Headquarters.

A variant of the Navy Suisei Carrier Bomber Model 11 has been developed that replaces the Atsuta engine with the Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei engine. It is capable of carrying an 800kg bomb to a combat range of 420 km with improved speed and much improved reliability.

Unfortunately, there is no way to release the bomb.

April 1st 1943

[Spidery]

March 31st 1943

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

A number of offensive air operations have been ordered for the start of April, fingers crossed they won't be too bad.

Subs

I-34 locates Allied carriers near Johnson Island and is damaged.

Marshalls

Liberators hit Eniwetok, 2 A6M5 engage and 1 is lost for damage to Liberators but none shot down.

Solomons, etc.

Liberators bomb Port Moresby and sink the ACM in port.

Burma area

I stocked Kweiyang with a lot of supply and increased the supply demand for every base in Burma. Then on the weekly supply move I dropped the supply demand at Kweiyang. This seems to have shifted about 13,000 supply into Burma from China. 2 or 3 days and Katha should be out of the yellow.

Bombardments at Warazup intensify.

China

A bad attack at tidying up the Chinese costs a few squads.

Australia & DEI

Try send some some Nells to bomb Corruna Downs, no effect, is it possible to hit resources?

Engineering

Rabaul forts to 6, Sorong airfield to 5.

R&D

Ki-84a to 10/43
A6M5c to 7/43

D4Y4 enters production, 3 factories currently producing 70 but with expansion to 140.

Allies start getting Hellcats, .

[Spidery]

March Overview

Not too bad a month.

Allies make a small advance in the Solomons but otherwise seem content with harassment actions. On Land, Air and at Sea I gain more VP than I lose. Allied land losses are mostly the forces in China being hunted down. Japanese land losses were the defenders of Darwin eliminated at the beginning of the month. Base points growth is mostly expanding Chungking. VP gain of 50+ per day, I would like to be averaging a gain of 100 per day. I need to try and step up the intensity of the air war.

Code: Select all

          Japan   Allied
 Overall: +1659    +755
 Land:     +656    +219
 Air:      +347    +322
 Base:     +471     +57
 Sea:      +185    +158
 

[Spidery]

March Industry

All okay, everything is flowing back okay. I am now dropping liquids at Hong Kong and removing them at Fusan. 6 oil wells fixed at Urumchi during the month. Rebuilding two divisions shattered at Darwin is eating into the growth in Armaments points.

Code: Select all

 Oil:      -109,487
 Fuel:     +138,074
 Supply:   +216,323
 HI:        +78,365
 Vehicles:   +2,039
 Arms:       +8,104