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

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: setloz

A cap trap over some ships in the hopes of luring out a strike group.

You could set-up several large xAK TFs in places with heavy CAP to draw him out. I think the strike AI has some sort of checks for the importance of the ships and the size strike package. So, if you set a small TF you get a small strike package. If you have solid cap, go big.

Ok, I am a gamer, but I simply can't put xaks into this use. Has to be surface ships, say a squadron of destroyers, etc...

I am not looking for a homerun, a double maybe.[:)] This ultimately was my plan for the Hyuga with all her 3000 flak points. Simply to setup underneath a huge cap. If you could down 200 planes she is not a total loss victory point wise. Gosh, how gamey is that?

[Lowpe]

This is just a horrible turn clickwise.[:D]

[setloz]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: setloz

A cap trap over some ships in the hopes of luring out a strike group.

You could set-up several large xAK TFs in places with heavy CAP to draw him out. I think the strike AI has some sort of checks for the importance of the ships and the size strike package. So, if you set a small TF you get a small strike package. If you have solid cap, go big.

Ok, I am a gamer, but I simply can't put xaks into this use. Has to be surface ships, say a squadron of destroyers, etc...

I am not looking for a homerun, a double maybe.[:)] This ultimately was my plan for the Hyuga with all her 3000 flak points. Simply to setup underneath a huge cap. If you could down 200 planes she is not a total loss victory point wise. Gosh, how gamey is that?

Hyuga and a host of destroyers with the latest AA upgrades works as well.
My point was just that the more important the ships the bigger the strike package to accomodate...errr...slaughter.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

I'll play devil's advocate.

With no invasion shipping confirmed, what's not to say this isn't a massive ploy to lure out your air and naval power?

From the screens you've posted, it looks to me like a CV force, a replenishment force, plus some SCTF's. Enough that you should worry, not enough to make me think it's a serious invasion attempt.

It may be the advanced guard of the invasion force, but if that was the case, where is the invasion force?

I have seen other large task force invasions (different AARs), and there was never a hint of amphibious ships until the landing occurred.

I have to assume it is an invasion. Even if it isn't, it will allow me to build up an area that needs building anyhow.

6 hexes a turn for a huge invasion, with tons of supply, just seems hard to take. But I can't assume it isn't an invasion.

If it is a ploy, say to invade in the SRA or Port Moresby, etc, it has worked, But, since I have really given up all those areas already, no harm as long as I don't do something really, really stupid.

6 hexes per turn isn't at all impossible for an invasion... it just means he's not likely to have LSTs maintaining that pace. Although be aware that you CAN run LSTs for 6 hexes/turn on full speed if you want to guarantee they go the 6...

How many big amphibs have you sunk? Those go 4/3 hexes on mission/cruise... I'm not saying that it is a huge invasion fleet, because who knows, just don't discount it as impossible to be an invasion simply because it's going 6 hexes a turn and that's "too fast" - it's not.

[witpqs]

I regard 6 hexes as normal for a USN invasion convoy if none of the slow ships are included. Refueling of escorts matters too, but that is occasional unless really short legged ones are included.

[Lowpe]

Come on guys, looking for a silver lining here![:)]

I really don't want an invasion in Hokkaido right now.

The turn is away, took some risks, and pretty much did everything I wrote about here, except start setting up Kamikaze squads for the Helens. I will start that next turn. Just too many clicks.

Some interesting notes, the Rexes are on the Hyuga and flying so everything there seems ok.

Next turn, if the fleets continue to close on Hokkaido/Kuriles will get the first naval attacks. Big daytime air attack in two days with everything I have and then some. And then I guess I simply won't stop from there on out.

I am hoping I can pick something off during the night. Moonlight is pretty good (90%) and I have a lot of planes on night naval attack.

It is pretty bold to invade here, now. But really, how much will it really set him back if he fails terribly?

This is an eye opener, and no mistake!

[Lowpe]

One move I made today, sensing this in fact might presage the end, and I have tons of supply, is to further increase my plane manufacturing. I added even more George, Jacks, Myojo, Jills to the production line. All single engine, all will be used.

Tomorrow I will look at shutting down all merchant ship builds, and building more planes. Giving serious thoughts to Kamikazes.

I know I mentioned that I would never build Frances, but the outcry for the plane was so great I built one factory of them. I am about ready to switch over one squadron to them, perhaps for use as a Kamikaze. Fast hard hitting plane? Might work.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Come on guys, looking for a silver lining here![:)]

Well, it would be a target rich environment for both sides! [:'(]

[Lowpe]

Lest you think I am neglecting the rest of the world, here is a picture of the poor Yukikaze. She was stricken by an enemy sub about a week ago and barely made port (a level 0 port). Emergency ships were dispatched, and all the counter flooding has been pumped out, and now she will try for Georgetown.

She was nailed north of Georgetown.

I even went so far as to fly in some naval support from Singers to help with this stricken ship.

A great big success so far!

[Lowpe]

Enough good news, here is some dismal news. No full divisions are slated to come in and help me. In fact a lot will go to China, a back water now!

[Lowpe]

And finally, the situation at Hokkaido.

Poor, lonely, Yubari. She probably will get nailed by subs tonight. If not tonight, then she might get destroyed by air raids from the Deathstar.

If she makes it 24 hours, then a suicide run on the Allied fleet is in order. But, she will have company for that run.

Sometimes, you just get the short end of the stick.

[Encircled]

May you find the Death Stars exhaust port!

[Lowpe]

Now, only to find that one pilot that put a long lance down it!

On the positive side, I have time to beef up the Bonins, and finish off to level 6 forts.

Given more time I will work on Hokkaido and the lower Kuriles.

Not given anymore time I will fight with the forces available.

There is only one outcome. Glory.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: setloz

A cap trap over some ships in the hopes of luring out a strike group.

You could set-up several large xAK TFs in places with heavy CAP to draw him out. I think the strike AI has some sort of checks for the importance of the ships and the size strike package. So, if you set a small TF you get a small strike package. If you have solid cap, go big.

Ok, I am a gamer, but I simply can't put xaks into this use. Has to be surface ships, say a squadron of destroyers, etc...

I am not looking for a homerun, a double maybe.[:)] This ultimately was my plan for the Hyuga with all her 3000 flak points. Simply to setup underneath a huge cap. If you could down 200 planes she is not a total loss victory point wise. Gosh, how gamey is that?

Not gamey at all if you use valuable assets. Your normal ships should also be at every base though, like patrols, ASW (especially since he's sending subs in to them), and other small ships with guns. I'd think having a plethora of targets available, all under CAP, is your best bet.

He is attacking the homeland here. Do what you have to do. Definitely use kamis!!! Especially the Frances! Very low, too. [:)]

[CaptBeefheart]

Great time to catch up on this AAR! And all of this beer talk has made me hanker for my favorite WITP-AE sub-related beer.

Cheers,
CC

[Lowpe]

Jan 16, 1943

The heavy moonlight guides the subs, in endless attacks. Japanese Iboats and Rboats get spotted by the Allied Deathstar and destroyers race to engage, while Allied subs are more successful.

[Lowpe]

The Betties, Nells and Emilies, stand down, but with dawn come the Allied planes over the Home Islands.

[Lowpe]

Big CAP.

[Lowpe]

The Deathstar strikes at shipping around the Ominato area, after sweeping and bombing Ominato. We lose a dozen or so xaks that hadn't finished unloading, and his Corsair sweeps are hard on what is here right now mostly second line fighters.

Georges and Jacks only in numbers at Kushiro where they well.

Plan losses for the day are less than 2-1 in the Allies flavor, but not close to 1-1.

Time to get busy...

[JocMeister]

That is a pretty pathetic CAP for coming up on the HI. If that is all he has you have a very good shot at this. [X(]

LBA to whittle it down. CV strike to punch through.