Can you break down your carrier strength - fighters (Hellcats or Corsairs), DB, and TBs numbers?? I tried to use the carrier capable Corsairs as CAP only and first with my best fighter groups. Let the more numerous Hellcats escort strikes.
I have 2 Yorktowns, 5 Essex, 7 Independence, and Wasp.
At the start my CVWs were:
Essex Class:
1 x 36 A/C VF (usually F6, but VF-3 and VF-1 are F4U)
1 x 27 A/C VB
1 x 18 A/C VT
1 x 18 A/C VMF (usually F4U, but one or two is a navy VF with F6s, Intrepid has a VMSB)
Yorktown Class:
1 x 36 A/C VF (all F6)
1 x 36 A/C VB
1 x 18 A/C VT
1 x 8 A/C VT - used for night naval search
Wasp:
1 x 36 A/C VF (F6)
1 x 36 A/C VB
1 x 4 VF(N)
Independence Class:
1 x 24 A/C VF (F6)
1 x 8-9 A/C VT
Currently I'm down to about 785 A/C Total (plus a few night fighters). Totals by type:
374 F6
128 F4U
72 SBD5
36 SB2C
175 TBF/TBM
Typically, I employ about 2/3s of the F6s as CAP, plus VF-3 (my best squadron). The rest of the F6s are on escort (with 10% CAP so they will help out if doing nothing else).
The F4Us are mostly for sweeps, though often will provide LRCAP support.
The CAP squadrons are all very healthy - most have 100% of their aircraft. Those that have done escorting have been beat up a bit.
The SB2Cs have been hit hardest. They had this fascination with launching strikes at 10 VP xAKs at Ominato. After the first one I lowered their strike range - but I drifted into range once more.
TBFs are still healthy. They had a bit more sense.
I doubt I can take replacements at Marcus. I'm not sure of the rules, but I think you need either a large-ish airfield (Marcus is a 1), or an air HQ near by. Guam has the nearest HQa (radius 5 - range is 22 hexes) - so I'm guessing that is too far. And Marcus has only a size 1 AF.
I have a pair of AKEs and a few tankers that will arrive in a few days that can refuel / rearm the CVs, so those logistics aren't a problem.
About half my CVs have damage just over 10 and the other half is between 5-10 system. Engine ranges from 1 to 7. One Bunker Hill and Belleau Wood are outliers with 18 and 16 system damage respectively. Escorts are roughly the same, but I have a bunch of DDs coming to replace the more damaged ones.
You could do what Halsey and Spruance did in RL - put your most damaged CVs (up to 25%) and escorting ships in a TF and send them back for R&R. When they return send another group. When you take Hakodate you will have a shipyard, but it is much too close to Honshu to put CVs in it. Seattle has to be home base. Minor damage can be repaired at Adak or Prince Rupert, saving turnaround time.
That is what I've been thinking. Land based strikes tend not to coordinate well and he only has (I think) 3 CVs left... though he may have finished building another 1 or 2 by now. I think now I can afford to release an Essex plus a Independence or 2 and still be ok. Especially since most of the empire has been stripped of A/C to defend the homeland.
I get Saratoga in a month, then Bataan, Oriskany, and San Jacinto in about 2. That will help to offset any operational losses as CVs rotate back for repairs.
Adak is a good minor repair spot. It is size 8 port, though the naval support has been shipped off to support the Hokkaido invasion. I'll send my brand new ARD that has been sitting in Seattle there as well, plus 2 ARs from Pearl. And what do you know - Seattle is only 5 hexes farther than Pearl! No point in going to Hawaii for quicker turn around for major damage.
The Hakodate SY is size 16 (after repair), so it can't support Essex CVs. It will be nice for patching up DDs - or even CVEs if any more of them get damaged.
The B24 strike on Ominato goes off. Reports suggest nearly 220 A/C destroyed on the ground. Damage to the airfield is lighter than hoped, but I guess that is because they focused on blowing up airplanes. The only down side is the massive P47 sweep that was supposed to precede the attack doesn't arrive until afterwards. 21 B24s are lost on the day (about 1/4 ops) - most of them in the initial wave (and most of them during the post attack intercept phase). Moral is still fine for all groups, but I'll probably start a rotating rest schedule now as more and more bombers arrive.
He discovers my destroyers in the Sea of Japan - Warrington and Stack are hit, but should both survive ok. A second group is attacked, but not hit. They will bombard Hirosaki tonight (PTs didn't find any mines there). Biloxi, screening the approaches to Kushiro is bombed as well - 2 250kg hits bounce off here thick hide. She is no worse for the wear.
In other news ENS Sanders of VF-37 (St Lo) (hero of the Hokkaido Turkey Shoot) gets his 10th kill as he bags a Dinah searching the north Pacific Ocean.
CVs are a day out of Marcus. Wasp will give up her airwing to embark a bunch of spits that will then be flown off to Hokkaido. Once the decks are clear, the airwing will re-embark and I will strike at the Yokosuka naval facility. Mostly sweeps from the F4Us with bombers coming from Hokkaido. After that I'll start a rotation back to Adak for repairs. I'd say R&R, but I doubt the crew will be happy about Adak in February.
For tomorrow, I'm going to lash out at port of Hiroshima with the B24s at Kushiro to see if I can't get lucky. Those at Bihoro will strike a man power target... not sure which one yet. I'll start sweeps over Honshu with P47s in the north, and P38s over some of the smaller bases in the central part of the island.
CVs are a day out of Marcus. Wasp will give up her airwing to embark a bunch of spits that will then be flown off to Hokkaido. Once the decks are clear, the airwing will re-embark and I will strike at the Yokosuka naval facility. Mostly sweeps from the F4Us with bombers coming from Hokkaido. After that I'll start a rotation back to Adak for repairs. I'd say R&R, but I doubt the crew will be happy about Adak in February.
At least their beer will be cold ....
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No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Any plans to capture the rest of the Kuriles to secure your LOC to Aleutians??
Several of them, yes. The 7th Aussie is prepped and will probably load in a week or so to take one of them in the middle (I'm not at my computer right now). Later I'll take 2 or 3 more. In the mean time I have 3/4 million supply unloaded on Hokkiado and about half as much gas in tankers in the harbor (plus the gas in all those transports), so I'm not in a rush. I want to secure Hokkiado first.
Air strikes on the port at Hiroshima hit Hyuga, Nagato, and Hiei. Hyuga and Nagato are reported as "heavy fire" after 14 and 20 hits respectively. Hiei gets 8 hits and is "on fire". May hits also destroyed weapons mounts. None of these ships will sink, but they are severely degraded and probably won't be useable for several months. I'll take it. Down side is fighter opposition was heavier than expected and I lost more bombers than I'd like. Not too many, but enough to make me pay attention. He also is now defending his cities by spreading out his fighters. In response I've switched to ordering night bombing. So far, few have flown so it has been quiet the last few days.
P38s have started sweeping lesser defended targets in order to pick off the more isolated defenses. So far these have been successful, but I need to keep switching it up. If I fall into a pattern he will be able to jump them.
At sea, the first of the Australian fighter groups gets delivered to Hokkaido (Kittyhawks) from the decks of Wasp. Spits will be arriving over the next few days now that the CVs have traveled in range. Other than that though, not much is happening.
On land the main force continues its painfully slow progress from Kushiro to Muroran. One tank unit is 1 hex outside the city right now, but everyone else is another hex back. He continues to retreat in the direction of Hakodate. A blocking force is set up on the neck that leads to the city (behind Muroran and Sapporo). I don't know if he resist there, or if it is just a rally point before continuing to retreat south.
The 2nd Marine push across the island meets almost no resistance. First, Asahikawa is taken without a shot on the 27th. Sapporo then falls on the 29th to the lead tank battalion in a quick fight with a base force. 2nd Marines will pause here for a day or 2 while support elements are brought up. Shortly, they'll move into the woods west of the city. If he is weak and slow, they will attempt to cut off the troops retreating from Muroran. More likely though, they'll be late and will act as a harassment force while I bring up units from my main force.
His carriers sortie. They drive east and our CVs end up 5 hexes apart. Everything goes right for me in the naval reaction phase - both CV groups react 1 hex closer - and the DD group that was tagging along (bringing fresh DDs to replace the worn out ones so they could head for repairs), reacts two hexes and ends up one hex closer. Then... nothing. Oh, sure - his CV launch a strike at the DDs in the afternoon phase that is chewed up by LRCAP. But Mitscher and Sherman hold back. Dang.
Search planes also spot a TF on a direct vector toward Kushiro 8 hexes out. Search reports just state "3 ships", but it is otherwise unknown. This may be Musashi. I'll treat it as a threat. A sub line is just north of him, with 3 subs on his route. Burke will be vectored in front of him, as will Lee with Iowa and New Jersey. Merrill and Lange will back all this up with Indiana, Alabama and 3 CLs.
B24s hit Tokyo for the first time starting some fires and destroying a bit of industry. Rain throughout the day though prevents it from getting too big. We go again tomorrow.
On the ground, the 193rd Tank Bn, lead element along the coast road, catches up to an element of the 7th Division and attacks. The tanks beat up on the poorly equipped infantry, but don't press home the attack. Good, they are still there now that several USMC Tank Bns enter the picture. They'll attack tomorrow if he doesn't slip away before then.
Recon suggests the troops west of Sapporo are limited in number and disorganized. To find out, the 2nd Marine division begins heading up. If true, this could trap the bulk of his remaining forces in Muroran.
Need a map to show the CV positions. Wondering if you will chase him, he will chase you, or if you will cross paths in the night and end up on opposite sides of your current alignment! Here's hoping he doesn't make like a gingerbread man!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Need a map to show the CV positions. Wondering if you will chase him, he will chase you, or if you will cross paths in the night and end up on opposite sides of your current alignment! Here's hoping he doesn't make like a gingerbread man!
I'll post a map tomorrow. I can't chase (not enough gas), though I wouldn't even if I could. I tried that in the Marianas and we passed in the night. It worked out in the end as he politely waited for me to come back and crush him, but I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'll head toward Hokkiado at mission speed. That is the only place with targets for him right now. If he goes that way, excellent. If he seeks me out, even better. Otherwise, some other time.
Attached is a screen shot of the naval dispositions in the northern Pacific. CVs are to the south east. I also noted his SAG that, maybe (?), is headed toward Kushiro.
A big fat nothing. All his ships disappear. I see "9 ships" hauling butt west at 125,62 - the hex I would expect to see him move through if he were heading back to one of the south eastern Honshu ports. So... maybe? North Pac is now empty. Oh well.
I'm forming up a large convoy of transports at Kushiro to send back home. 200 ships (mostly xAKs) will start out today escorted by my CVE group. My CVs are still moving up to Kushiro area to cover the initial withdraw, then top off tanks and sorties (and take replacement A/C). After that, I'll think I settle for a rampage in the approaches to Kyushu.
In other frustration, on the ground that element of the 7th division I was hoping to finish off escapes to Muroran. I should have the city invested in about 2 days (for the tanks) with my infantry taking another 3 after that. Chesty will be in the woods west of Sapporo tomorrow. If he can chase off the forces there the rest will be trapped in Muroran. If not, then we'll have to pursue down the neck to Hakodate.
With the moon now above 50%, B24s hit Tokyo hard. Over 100,000 fires started. I'll keep going while he has light AA on Honshu. I wish I had pilots trained in lowG... I stopped doing that when I ran into heavy AA at all his targets in Burma.
Meanwhile, in the jungles bordering Burma and Thailand the Allied armies are......doing what?? [&:]
Fighting here... and not in Hokkaido! Which is all I want them to do. I'll give a brief history and what my near term objectives are shortly. Tactically I'm trying to win, while at the same time figure out what I can and can't do with land combat. The strategic objective is nothing more then to fix the bulk of his army here.
Both armies are engaged along a wide front in Thailand. The original plan, after powering through Moulmein was to have the Americans fix him near Rahaeng while the Indians raced to Bangkok to cut off the army in central Thailand. However, after crossing the border at Three Pagoda Pass, the Indians met stiff resistance and stalled. He won a race to outflank him near Tavoy, and so we sit deadlocked at 4 distinct locations.
At Rahaeng, experienced US troops have entered from the north (from Chiang Mai). We outnumber his combat forces here, but for some reason can't seem to drop his forts (size 4) at all. Additional engineers have been flown into Chiang Mai and are on their way down now, but it will be a while. Unless something changes here, I'm just going to wait.
To the west in the Mountains around Mae Sot, several US divisions along with the West Africans square off against his 2nd Div and 2nd Tank Div. It is here that he occasionally shows a supply (-). Recently his counter bombardments have started slacking off as well. I will continue to slowly press here and see if he eventually breaks. I just wish I had more AT guns at TDs here as 2nd Tank, dug in in the rough jungle is a formable opponent.
At the Three Pagoda Pass border crossing, the Indians supported by 4th Marines and 2000 tanks are slugging it out with 3 of his divisions plus a tank division. It is here that I think is my best chance for breakthrough. The Indians, especially the 5th, is very experienced (as are the Marines), and the weight of my armor could help slowly grind him down. I just wish my airpower could achieve something resembling results here.
Finally, 3 divisions moved across the mountains from Tavoy into the Kwai River valley - however he scraped together enough reserves that I don't think I have much chance at breaking through here. They'll hold the line, but until joined by the Indians coming from the north, not much will happen here.
To break the stalemate, 3 Indian Bdes are moving from Tavoy to the clear hex northwest of Bangkok. It is here that I hope to break him. While the forces involved are small, he is low on reserves and airpower can make a difference here (I hope). With his forces at Three Pagoda Pass cut off from supplies, I hope to make a breakthrough there.
Everything for him is in a tight balance. The loss of any one position (and corresponding loss of equipment, cohesion, and morale) will [hopefully] cause a domino effect and collapse the whole theater. Even pulling reinforcements from one position to prop up a failing one is problematic. Finally, he has had supply troubles in Burma in the past (who hasn't?), and I doubt these guys are getting much support with the home islands under threat now. Singapore and Saigon can generate some supplies, but...
I'll do a full post later, but right now I have a question about Kamikaze's - specifically, intercepting them.
Below is a combat report for a Kamikaze attack on my CVs refueling at Kushiro.
I know that my CAP (from the CVs, not the land based) will be 1/2 strength because I'm in a base hex... but what I don't get is why my interception was so poor.
Notice the detection (139nm, 51 minutes) looks very good, I have A/C numbers (most of those listed in the report were actually in the sky - I had over 200 A/C in the air after the first few minutes). But notice, of the 24 Myojo's he sent, 23 made it through the CAP. This happened several times throughout the day.
The thing that seems weird to me is the "estimated altitude 34,000 feet" line. Kamikaze's attack at 7k' (the replay confirmed this - "XXX diving on bombers at 7000'" was observed). It seems that my CAP, which was set to stack between 9k' - 20k' all scrambled up really high (most between 20k'-38k') leaving little down low to strike at the bombers. Why would this be? And most importantly, how do I defend against it?
The only thing I can think of is that he had the Oscars set to LRCAP at high altitude and my fighters all chased these guys. Is this what is happening, and if so, how do I defend against it?
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 139 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D5Y1 Myojo x 24
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 77
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 7
Spitfire VIII x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
F4U-1A Corsair x 75
F6F-3 Hellcat x 238
Japanese aircraft losses
D5Y1 Myojo: 14 destroyed
D5Y1 Myojo: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 4 destroyed
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVL Cabot
CV Wasp, Kamikaze hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
23 x D5Y1 Myojo flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 800 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 17 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 22 on standby, 7 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 26 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-10 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 27 on standby, 7 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-32 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1830 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-124 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VMF-213 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VMO-251 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-321 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-323 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.457 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-31 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
I'll do a full post later, but right now I have a question about Kamikaze's - specifically, intercepting
them
I am not sure the tactical approach is the solution to this problem. The IJ have aircraft that exceed the Allies
in altitude. The IJ can fly stratospheric attack formations and penetrate a CAP. In real life the Allies floated
DD's miles in front I am not sure that has any effect on interceptions ... but heck all the IJN air intercepted worthless torpedo bombers at Midway [8D] .
One solution is at a operational level -- damage airbases within strike range. Destroy planes on the ground. Set up CAP traps.
Another solution is strategic .. destroy the IJ aircraft industry along with supply sources.
One issue to resolve with your attack axis is the lack of airbases in respect to the IJ bases. It is sort of the
problem with the Calais landing. Great approach ...spectacular splash .. but a lack of bases and ports makes the
"after landing" difficult.
Your approach axis is somewhat akin in my opinion to Grant vs. Lee in the American Civil war. Take a lot more stuff
and out attrite the IJ while smashing the economy ... But the like Lee that gained small tactical advantages and inflicted losses
the IJ are going to get licks in given this attack axis.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
BTW) The most effective tactic I found for moving the IJ in jungle hexes is dive bombers .. level bombers help too .
Now one can say "I only killed 3 squads and disrupted 6 more" after losing 3 - 4 aircraft .. but and it is a BIG BUT
Dive Bombers are effective I have found at producing disruption .. that result is not in the combat results and quickly is resolved
Thus I attack by air and shock ...disruption is a percentage thing effecting both firepower and AV.
If you want to see it in action in reverse I suspect the allied / IJ bombardment attacks are causing marked disruption to the Allied units ..
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
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