Turnaround? Lowpe (J) vs Tiemanj (A) Stock

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
When it comes to fighting the Allies at sea from 1943 onwards, you need to go in with everything, or you shouldn't go in at all.

So, do you advocate massing the entire surface fleet at this point in time?

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
When it comes to fighting the Allies at sea from 1943 onwards, you need to go in with everything, or you shouldn't go in at all.

So, do you advocate massing the entire surface fleet at this point in time?

To oppose a significant Allied invasion of a vital strategic target, yes.

Do you think Wake and Marcus are vital strategic targets?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Do you think Wake and Marcus are vital strategic targets?

Wake, no...Marcus, at this point...maybe, but not really. He could get a lot of search from Marcus.

But I was more interested if you felt that focusing the fleet was a generic goal for mid 43 and on. Certainly as the perimeter shrinks it is easier to do.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Do you think Wake and Marcus are vital strategic targets?

Wake, no...Marcus, at this point...maybe, but not really. He could get a lot of search from Marcus.

But I was more interested if you felt that focusing the fleet was a generic goal for mid 43 and on. Certainly as the perimeter shrinks it is easier to do.

Agree about Wake's utility. Without 100% of the Gilberts, Wake isn't very useful to you (or him, IMO, unless you're using it heavily).

I wouldn't go for Marcus in his position, not even if I took Wake first. It's just too far. I'd want at least the Marshalls first to have a Port of Last Resort for damaged ships, and even that's a long haul with a cripple.

The Marshalls have several ports that would be instrumental for a future CENTPAC push. He probably won't go for the SRA without owning Darwin, I should think, so that leaves east or west. East seems more obvious, and easier, and faster - for him.

EDIT: I missed responding to the DC hits against the sub. 2 hits can sink a USN sub, but in most cases won't. You really need 3 to be sure. 2 hits and you're looking at 50-60 System at most, 60-80 Float. The crews and COs tend to be good enough to get the minor float taken care of, and the sub will limp back to port.

If you're lucky, you may be able to run the sub down with an ASW TF - and catch her on the surface, unable to dive. That's happened to my subs before, on each side.

[Lowpe]

Thanks m-m & Lok. [&o] These kind of posts help me analyze my position a little better and although I can't stop the Allies, I can feel a little better.

[MrBlizzard]

From this month he is refilling his CVs with Hellcats, so a pacific assault become probable from july I'd say. If I were him I'd prepare for both Burma coast (Tavoy) and central pacific ( Nauru, kusaie or marshalls, depends where you are weaker and if you're playing with stacking limits).
And then attack first at Tavoy; if you move KB to Burma I'd attack also in the pacific; else I'd wait to be a little stronger and attack anyway even with KB present, before the end of '43.
But this is me, I think much depends from his style of playing. [;)]

[Lowpe]

May 17, 1943

Allies bomb at night Magwe; no planes there and the AA does a good job. No lasting damage.

Subs swap xak: IJN gets on near Diamond Harbor; Americans get one near Singers.

The Betty strike in Burma skips the BB; and goes for Whipporwill! Again!

Alliied 4es bomb Raheng in Burma, and Nauru in the Marshalls.

[Lowpe]

China:

Changsha attack goes well...the end is near here.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

From this month he is refilling his CVs with Hellcats, so a pacific assault become probable from july I'd say. If I were him I'd prepare for both Burma coast (Tavoy) and central pacific ( Nauru, kusaie or marshalls, depends where you are weaker and if you're playing with stacking limits).
And then attack first at Tavoy; if you move KB to Burma I'd attack also in the pacific; else I'd wait to be a little stronger and attack anyway even with KB present, before the end of '43.
But this is me, I think much depends from his style of playing. [;)]

Mr. Bliz: Thanks! You think I have until July?

His playing style is ruthlessly aggressive!

Nauru seems to be getting a lot of attention...bombardment runs; aerial bombing on of the airfield. It is amazing to watch the supplies drop from the heavy bombing.

Everybody likes attacking me at Tavoy. It is a conspiracy

[MrBlizzard]

Well..Allied should get 180 hellcats\month, then it depends how many he likes to keep on a single CV and if wants to fill also CVL and CVE with them. If he puts only on CV and CVL he could need (but I don't remember if he has lost some CVs) 2 months production so may and june.
Yeah trying to put in bag a huge army like Burma one could be very inviting [:D]
PS but give a look to starting date for hellcat, maybe I don't remember well!

[Lowpe]

F6F-3 Hellcat: 130 a month starting 4/43! I have fought them already several times. So I think he is good to go. He has lost Lex, Saratoga, and Big E plus the Long Island...not counting British losses.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

His playing style is ruthlessly aggressive!

A couple of questions for you to answer:

1. Yes, but how imaginative? Aggressive can play into your hands if you can predict where he will come.
2. How much faith do you have in your LBA against Naval Targets?


The answers here, I find, will dictate your probable response.

If he isn't too imaginative, then he is coming to either the Marshall's or Tavoy next. That means at worst you have a 50/50 chance of meeting him with force. If you have faith in your LBA against Naval Targets, then you can actually defend against both in strength ...

Me? I rarely have enough faith in my LBA at this point. I just don't have enough 1E bombers with enough range (aka GRACE) and enough IJN air groups. On hte IJA side, only the Tsurugi works for me, but that's short legged and a kami. 2E's for me have never performed well enough to roll the dice on them for high stakes. That's me. I know other players (obvert comes to mind immediately) have had much better success.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

2. How much faith do you have in your LBA against Naval Targets?

I am struggling with this right now. Highly dependent upon where...but for the most part I don't like my answer.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

2. How much faith do you have in your LBA against Naval Targets?

I am struggling with this right now. Highly dependent upon where...but for the most part I don't like my answer.

OK, so you sound more like me on this. [:(]

I can't count on 2E (IJN or IJA) to press attacks against CAP'd Naval Targets ... ie CV's. 1E though generally will. So, if I want to use my LBA against naval targets it means I have to pull my training groups back into service, which is what I do. I generally have +6 each DB/TB groups training. I swap out pilots to from training to trained, and send them out. In this case I would put them as an ambush for a Tavoy landing. I would have the KB ready for a Marshall's attack. + 12 groups of ~36 planes each is a ~400 plane attack (plus fighters, so total +600) ... roughly equivalent to the KB. You should get through to do some damage. The catch with LBA is that you rarely get the follow up attack, for that you have to count on your SS and/or SCTF's

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


I can't count on 2E (IJN or IJA) to press attacks against CAP'd Naval Targets

Lilly IIb dive bombers will attack, and I have 5 full Sentai (143 planes). Good against transports. Also thinking about Nicks to augment the strike, as they seem to fly into anything too.

Your calculation for a lba strike package are exactly mine, although I figure I need to add 25 more escorts every couple of months or so to keep up with expected Allied CAP.

My inclination is to throw the kitchen sink filling the airfields to capacity with fighters to escort first; 1e strike planes second; lilly IIb third; Betties 4th, Nicks 5th, Helens last.

I will use Saigon, Singers, Bangkok, Cam Ranh Bay to stockpile the bomber squadrons and pray I get one days notice for the invasion and I will try to protect my two central air complexes... probably only can protect one or the other.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


I can't count on 2E (IJN or IJA) to press attacks against CAP'd Naval Targets

Lilly IIb dive bombers will attack, and I have 5 full Sentai (143 planes). Good against transports.

Be interesting to see if they will launch/attack against CV's ... they won't for me. [:(] Or at least less than 50% ... so I can't count on them.

[Lowpe]

North Burma:

One worrisome task force -- what all is in it? My planes didn't attack it last turn.

My subs lining the coast now all have 10/10 DL.

I will be sub laying some mines at Akyab this next day.

[ny59giants]

If your opponent puts those 2nd gen of Corsairs that are CV capable on his CVs, you will have trouble getting through them (high CAP) and Hellcats (low CAP) together. Even my numerous CVEs have Hellcats and this combo has served me well to date (6/44). Then again, I'm kind of attached to the whole floating "Death Star" thing. [:D]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If your opponent puts those 2nd gen of Corsairs that are CV capable on his CVs, you will have trouble getting through them (high CAP) and Hellcats (low CAP) together. Even my numerous CVEs have Hellcats and this combo has served me well to date (6/44). Then again, I'm kind of attached to the whole floating "Death Star" thing. [:D]

Those beasties don't come for a couple of months yet, unless he gets some reinforcement squadrons.

The KB is dark again, and will so remain for a while I hope. Dark and safe and training.

[Lowpe]

I have moved 300 fighters into the Raheng triangle of bases, but only one squadron of Dinah KAI on night protection, so they are somewhat vulnerable, but if the Allies continue to try and reduce those three bases they might be in for a surprise. We shall see what the Allies are up to in the area!

I tried focusing my ASW plane patrols narrowly, so we will see how that works.

Troops in Changsha resting today, will deliberate attack again on the following day. Trying to sweep the Chinese air force that is there with Zeroes.