Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

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vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

May 15th, 1942

11th Army - Crossed into Changsha and 6 level forts

Japanese ground losses:
16560 casualties reported
Squads: 495 destroyed, 356 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 197 disabled
Engineers: 34 destroyed, 46 disabled
Guns lost 116 (21 destroyed, 95 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
642 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

23rd Army - in route to Changsha

Allied ground losses:
2043 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 125 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 32 (32 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


12th Army - first attack on Ankang - level 2 forts dropped to level 1

Japanese ground losses:
561 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2212 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

12th Army - Close to Ankang and Sian

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2561 casualties reported
Squads: 213 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 221 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

25th Army - Drive on Kunming

Japanese ground losses:
605 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 47 (3 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3668 casualties reported
Squads: 148 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 31 (19 destroyed, 12 disabled)

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vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

May 16th, 1942

Ankang Falls

Japanese ground losses:
887 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled

Allied ground losses:
11999 casualties reported
Squads: 340 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 529 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (27 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 12

Aleutians

I'd really really really like to know what I'm doing wrong. I should be still having the upper hand in air battles, but like Burma, I'm getting slaughtered. I've got netties and zeroes assigned to the same air HQ from the same airfield on Adak.

Bing

Morning Air attack on TF, near Dutch Harbor at 171,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
F2A-3 Buffalo x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Bang

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
F2A-3 Buffalo x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Boom

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Just Plain Ugly

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 11 destroyed

No Allied losses

Sheez 30-0 losses....hmmmm

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Mike McCreery
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Mike McCreery »

What level are his planes set at? Is he getting a jump on you in most or every battle? Might he have managed to get radar up and running where it was not?
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vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

Possibly on radar. Yes he got the jump, 15k vs. 9k altitude for me. But Buffaloes?
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Mike McCreery
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Mike McCreery »

ORIGINAL: vicberg

Possibly on radar. Yes he got the jump, 15k vs. 9k altitude for me. But Buffaloes?

Buffaloes with pilots with 6+ months experience rather than the crappy pilots in 1941?

You have m2's as well. Older model planes.
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Lowpe
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Lowpe »

The Buffalo had the best win loss ratio of any Allied fighter plane in WW2. Finland perhaps?


vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

then I'm in deep trouble. Most of my zero sentai are still M2s. Oh oh
Andav
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Andav »

Give the bombers a day or two off and sweep with the Zeros. You could also put them on LRCP instead of Escort. When they are on Escort, they will get whacked without a lot of chance to fight back. I used LRCP a lot because it helped to make sure there where protectors for the bomber. You just have to manage the fatigue. The 2M should not have any problems with that group of fighters especially if you sweep first.

Wa
vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

Thanks

In Burma, I held my own. 5 groups of Hurricane IIb and 1 group of P-38Es came sweeping in on Magwe. Though I had numbers on each sweep, the losses were about 1-1 at the end of the day, with P-38Es doing the most damage.

He's sweeping at max altitude. We don't have an HR on max altitude. I'm going to assume I'm losing as much as I am because the bounce issue. Now the question is, how do you overcome. With his first sweeps in Burma, I put my Oscars and Zeroes at max altitude and got slaughtered. When I put them at best maneuver band, the losses went down to about 1-1. What are the best tactics to deal with high altitude sweeps when I don't have the advantage there?
vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

I just found some posts on this. Height is key. Speed reduces other's maneuver and pilot experience.

No defense from what I can vs a P-38E as it has 2 of the 3 and maybe even better pilots.
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Lowpe
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Lowpe »

ORIGINAL: vicberg

I just found some posts on this. Height is key. Speed reduces other's maneuver and pilot experience.

No defense from what I can vs a P-38E as it has 2 of the 3 and maybe even better pilots.

Nonsense.[;)] 1-1 losses versus Lightnings is winning at this stage of the game!



vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

1-1 vs Hurricanes. 0-15 vs. Lightnings. I haven't shot one down.
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witpqs
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by witpqs »

Layering CAP is one way to address it. No magic wand, sometimes one side or the other is just 'doomed' by the airframe/pilot/situation superiority. People have written some detailed advice on layering CAP. What I remember most (might not be best) is having multiple layers if possible, with your best at or near the top. The bottom layer (or two) is almost sacrificial. Put your slowest down there so they act as bait to bring down the high sweepers.
vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

I found some posts on exactly that. I have A6M3 (highest altitude and best speed) at top. I still only have Oscars so I have them about 15k lower within their best maneuver band. We'll see. I'm getting just hammered in the air right now. A lot to learn about air mechanics.

The Zeroes are holding up much better than the Oscars though.
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Lowpe
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by Lowpe »

Ok:

Fly really low. Radar helps. Lots and lots and lots of radar. Read your warning time, and the amount of time it takes to get into position. Use this information to change your percentage CAP.

Fly the Oscars sacrificial units at 2K. Then start layering CAP around 6K to 10K. You need lots and lots of planes, you have to meet him with a numerical advantage which means lots and lots and lots of planes.

The best defense is a strong offense. Sweep him. Bomb him. Bombard him. Night bomb him. Make him react to you.

Nicks are your friend early. Well, cannons are your friend. And radar. And numbers. And even more numbers.

It is never to early to accelerate your George/Jack/Franks. Get Tojo and sweep him into oblivion. The armored Tony isn't that bad; the first one with centerline cannons is really decent. The KI100I is even better.

Or just run away. You don't have to fight everywhere.



vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

May 24th, 1942

Sherman's Not So March

The 25th Army continues it's push towards Burma. It was delayed for a couple of days as I incidentally moved another division into the hex and over-stacked. Elements of the 15th Army are pushing westward from Burma.

Ground combat at 71,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18633 troops, 339 guns, 489 vehicles, Assault Value = 661

Defending force 34779 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 273

Japanese adjusted assault: 545

Allied adjusted defense: 103

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 26 (10 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10474 casualties reported
Squads: 517 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 270 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 45 (45 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 16
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
1st Tank Regiment
56th Division
4th Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
19th Group Army
32nd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
4th War Area
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
9th War Area
73rd Chinese Corps
35th Group Army

Central China

The 1st Army continues right hook towards Changsha. The 12th Army moves in on stragglers. The 23rd Army holds up before crossing the river into Changsha and the 11th Army rebuilds in Changsha. Daily airfield attacks are removing any supply there.



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mind_messing
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by mind_messing »

If your house rules permit, the Zeros seem to do better at their max altitude than anywhere else. I think it is because the maneuver delta between the Zero and Lightning is greatest at that altitude.

Layered CAP also helps immensely.
vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

He hasn't come back yet. Layered Cap is up and running. My first sentai of armored Zeroes is about ready to join the fray.
vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

May 31st, 1942

Don't post for a day or two and relegated to page 2 of AARs. I guess it's a good game!

End Game in China

1st, 11th and 23rd Armies are descending on Chungking. The 1st and 11th are in place in the city. The 23rd will take 2 division across the river in 2 days. The 12th Army netted 10k in casualties against stragglers retreating from Ankang. The 25th Army made it's first attack against Kunming, the only other stronghold in China causing 10-1 losses. They need to rest for a day or two. I'm sending some Combat engineers into the Kunming to help reduce the forts. The 15th Army is pushing eastward.

25th Army

Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18645 troops, 341 guns, 488 vehicles, Assault Value = 672

Defending force 61736 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1031

Japanese adjusted assault: 198

Allied adjusted defense: 490

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
514 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 67 (4 destroyed, 63 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5153 casualties reported
Squads: 218 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 172 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (24 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
8th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
56th Division
4th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
54th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
16th Group Army
11th Group Army
6th War Area
9th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
4th War Area
35th Group Army
32nd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Base Force
26th Group Army
45th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Base Force

15th Army

Ground combat at 64,45 (near Paoshan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12111 troops, 98 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Defending force 19314 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173

Japanese adjusted assault: 289

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8612 casualties reported
Squads: 216 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 357 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
33rd Division

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry/B Corps


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vicberg
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RE: Did I wake that giant AGAIN? vicberg(j) vs. BillBrown(A) - No Bill Pls

Post by vicberg »

With China soon out of the game, I'm wondering what now?

China was my main goal for this game and I'll achieve it by end of June at the latest, at least 6 more months of campaigning at my disposal, 5 divisions from Luzon available, 1 division in Shanghai (from Manchuko) awaiting transport, 4 from the 25th, the 11th Army will be freed up (though it will need to released) and of course more from Manchuko that can be freed up. There's also 2 armored divisions coming online soon. One will definitely shift to Burma. The second, I'm very tempted to put into Hokkaido with the ability to shift it elsewhere if needed.

In China, the 12th Army will do main garrison duty in the center, shifting as many excess as possible divisions towards Kweiyang and the 23rd Army. The 23rd will defend western China and prevent Allied advance that direction. The 11th Army will shift down to Canton and be first priority for being freed up as I can either use them elsewhere or move them into Hanoi for support of an Allied advance towards Thailand from both Burma and via Java. That leaves 7 divisions in Burma (if I don't do anything else with the 25th Army) and 1 Armored Division (eventually). The 11th Army in Reserve (5 divisions) to help out with Burma or Thailand or elsewhere. The 23rd close to Burma (3 division). The 12th in reserve of the 23rd.

I'm simply not sure what to do now. My gut says leave the 25th for Burma and to place the remaining 6 divisions in strategic spots, such as Hokkaido, Truk, Saipan, Babeldaob, Java and let the 25th and 15th defend Burma. Have troop transport task forces available to shift divisions and Air HQs along the Allied Axis of attacks. Conserve and build up. From an expansion point of view, I'm happy right now. N. Oz is denied to the allies. SoPac is denied. CenPac is building up as is Java and Timor. Interior lines are building up.

The second choice is to now use the 10 free divisions to attack somewhere. Very tempting as I'll still have carrier superiority through 42. However, I'm still having massive issues with the resource AI. Fuel is simply stopping at Singers. 750k to be exact. 300k of Oil. Nothing is moving out of it. IMO, the resource/fuel movement part of the game is broken as I don't remember these issues 4-5 years ago.

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