A little preliminary prodding

[wdolson]

I strongly suggest updating your install to the latest patch:

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/351/downloads/

I don't believe the CD comes with the latest version.

Bill

[Sauvequipeut]

The Pensacola Convoy starts home-ported to Brisbane, but with Suva set as the destination. Unless you change that, it will offload everything in Fiji and arrive in Brisbane empty. The in-game convoy doesn't carry the planes - instead the P-40 and A-24 groups ( 3 of each) automatically arrive in Brisbane as reinforcements in December/January.

[Leandros]

A "supply transport" mission tells the planes to load up with supplies (coffee, ammo, avgas, toilet paper, etc), drop it at the target location and return
to home base. If you want to relocate the squadron, the mission selection is not the right way to do so. You must use the "transfer to base" button.

Thank you – I finally found that out – after having changed that USAFFE* Command thing…Well, Palmyra certainly got loaded up..[:)]

That would presumably mean that you have chosen a different mission and used "select target". That is not how you transfer squadrons. Again, if you want
to transfer the squadron, use the "transfer to base" button. .

This may have answered another question I had coming……no, it doesn’t – could I extend the bombing mission range by landing on another airfield closer to the target
than the departure point after the mission is executed? I suppose not, because then I had to transfer to that field first…? Then the mission couldn’t be flown
until the next round….could it? Anyway, I was looking for a mission profile often used in RL.

*headbonk*. USAFFE is a restricted command. Hence the (R) after its name. By switching them to USAFFE, you have prevented yourself from being able to
transfer them at all to any base not under USAFFE control. .

Yes, haven’t I…?.As I finally found out as per the text above. After some good assistance from you guys.

The in-game convoy contains the 114th and 115th base forces and three field artillery units. Those would automatically unload when the convoy arrives at
its destination. You should look for them in Brisbane.

I believe the reason was what is mentioned earlier, unloaded at Fiji. The reason I reacted in the first place was that the ships’ stats. showed no load onboard
when it approached Brisbane. So, I really need to have this switched before they reach Fiji? What if they didn’t have the range to reach Brisbane without calling
on another port? Of course, refueling at sea…?..or…well, anyway, this is great fun.

You may have any opinions on what ever you want, no matter what your experience. As always just trying to help here.

I know, I hope you didn’t take my posting as a sort of sarcasm? It really wasn’t. I feel very Rookie here. As I should.

Maybe something went wrong with the download?

It is possible. I don’t mind too much before I get the hardware…oops. Disc(s).

Fred

[wdolson]

In the real world the US did do shuttle bombing missions where B-17s based in Australia would fly up to Port Morseby, refuel, then fly on to attack their target. Upon return to Port Morsby, they would refuel and fly back to Australia. You can't really do that in one day in game. I know some similar missions were flown in the Philippines too.

You could transfer B-17 units to a forward base and fly a mission from there that turn, but you would have to wait until the next turn to fly them back to their original base. The game engine just can't handle shuttle missions.

If you are playing with the initial release version, the industry icon won't be on the top bar. That was added in Patch 1. The command line switches for dealing with multi-processors was also added with patch 1.

Bill

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

In the real world the US did do shuttle bombing missions where B-17s based in Australia would fly up to Port Morseby, refuel, then fly on to attack their target.
Upon return to Port Morsby, they would refuel and fly back to Australia. You can't really do that in one day in game. I know some similar missions were flown
in the Philippines too.

Actually, on some occasions they flew from Australia, hit the target and proceeded to land on Mindanao for refueling. In that way they saved a landing and a day
(perhaps). They could do that because the Del Monte airfield complex was much improved over time. I Believe the Dutch also used a similar technique on occasions.

You could transfer B-17 units to a forward base and fly a mission from there that turn, but you would have to wait until the next turn to fly them back to
their original base. The game engine just can't handle shuttle missions.

That's what I reckoned.

If you are playing with the initial release version, the industry icon won't be on the top bar. That was added in Patch 1. The command line switches for
dealing with multi-processors was also added with patch 1.

Bill

Thank you!

Fred

[Leandros]

Sauvequipeut wrote: The Pensacola Convoy starts home-ported to Brisbane, but with Suva set as the destination. Unless you change that, it will offload
everything in Fiji and arrive in Brisbane empty. The in-game convoy doesn't carry the planes - instead the P-40 and A-24 groups ( 3 of each) automatically arrive
in Brisbane as reinforcements in December/January.

alimentary wrote: The in-game convoy contains the 114th and 115th base forces and three field artillery units. Those would automatically unload when the
convoy arrives at its destination. You should look for them in Brisbane.

Thank you, I did, and with reference to Sauvequipeut’s postings, too, it shall be interesting to see how this turns out as it was the engineers and artillery units
that had been off-loaded on Fiji. The 27th BG, the unit flying the A-24’s, arrived well in Brisbane – with 52 A-24’s. Well, if the planes really arrived I cannot
be sure of as they were crated but the unit’s OOB states the correct numbers as not ready. But, they are all there in each their squadron.

Now I’m looking forward to see them come into service, one by one, as they are being assembled. Or not. I suppose I have to send a convoy back to Fiji to pick up
the artillery-men and engineers….My whole strategy was centered on getting those into play fast. A complete artillery brigade.

Only the 18 P-40's are missing. I hope.

Fred

[wdolson]

The P-40s and A-24 units show up early, but they have horrible training. You can remove the pilots from the units and substitute the best available from the reserve pool, but in general the USAAF has poor pilot quality in the early going.

Bill

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

The P-40s and A-24 units show up early, but they have horrible training. You can remove the pilots from the units and substitute the best available from the
reserve pool, but in general the USAAF has poor pilot quality in the early going.

Bill

Thank you, Bill, I see that. Actually, the pilots and most of the service staff weren't in Brisbane at all (RL, that is), but in Manila. They arrived there in
November and were closed in. In the game now, the A-24's were already assembled within a couple of days - tremendous job by the mechs..[;)]..

Well, to make it a little more realistic I shall keep them in Brisbane a week and let the pilots train. After all, the convoy arrived in Brisbane a week later than
in RL. OTH, there were a lot of complications during assembly. Notably, missing some weapons parts, tired engines and worn-down wheels.

Langley is on sway in Brisbane Harbor...eagerly waiting to take them up North. Three TF's, one fast and two slow, are on their way to Fiji to pick up the
artillery-men and engineers dropped off there. This is the sort of hitch-ups to be expected in war, isn't it...[;)]

Fred

[Leandros]

Long time, no see! I've come quite a bit along with my - shall I call it "experiment, study or pure fun play" - now.
As some of you may have noticed I'm working on a book project (it's on Kindle) where some starting premises of the war have been changed. Nothing
materially, mainly morally. See the attached pictures and text.

It is June 23rd 1942 and general MacArthur is looking for some advice. He can't promise to follow them, but he would
like to hear them. First, a little sitrap: The Moluccans have been held open as a supply route to the Philippines. Most
of the Philippines, except Luzon, Samar and Leyte have been fortified by MacArthur. Palawan is being expanded as a base to shut off
the South China Sea. Airfield is up to level 4. Puerta Princesa, Palawan, airfield is being built, too.

What to do next? Here are the possibilities MacArthur is pondering:

1. Just consolidate the situation in the Philippines and along the supply route to the US. Included in that the expansion
of Palawan.

2. Invade Luzon, too, for the purpose of retaking Manila (that's what he wanted, wasn't it?).

3. Invade Palau to secure the right flank.


Picture 1: Theatre of Operations. There are some small enemy garrisons which have been left alone, found not worthy of using resources
on them - the small islands of Tawi Tawi and Balabac, east of Jolo, Morotai on Halmahera and a couple of others. They can rot on their
roots. The enemy is just being thrown out of Canton by Marines from Oahu supported by an old battleship. The British have just got into
the game. They are aiding the Dutch in fortifying Sabang on Sumatra and are pushing in forces in Port Blair, Akyab and Chittagong. The
India-Burma border is being fortified, all forces withdrawing from Burma.

Picture 2, 3, 4 and 5: The Philippines. Cagayan, Mindanao is the main Marines base. See the ground force list. 32nd Army division is in Davao.
Sorong has just been retaken by, mainly, Australian troops, after a couple of months' heavy fighting. Much forces have become available
after that, see list.

Picture 6: TayTay, Palawan, is being expanded. A full fighter group (the 8th) have the responsibility for air defense. There are also two
AA regiments there. The interdiction of the South China Sea has just started. Not much results as of yet but we are getting there. As the
airfield is expanded more units shall be transferred together with more air ground support units. Presently they have problems keeping them
in the air.

The blockade of the South China Sea shall be augmented by submarine forces.

Fred


Picture 1:


http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... 8adtyr.jpg


Picture 2, 3, 4 and 5:


http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... aqlnef.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... trfenm.png

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... xpuxkj.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... k0phhc.jpg


Picture 6:


http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129 ... d1xf7g.jpg

[Leandros]

Forgot to mention that he has 5 carriers in the Coral Sea, Hornet has just arrived. All with a full a/c complement+.
Wasp and Long Island are east of PH - headed west.

Fred