Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

[BBfanboy]

Here's something I did last turn: I used 88 C-47s (6000 lb payload IIRC) to haul a Russian division to a new base with no troops.
Here is what was moved:

[BBfanboy]

The transport was 8 hexes and they may have flown two missions in the one day. This transport unit was on it's first mission and most of the pilots now have two missions credited:

[tiemanjw]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I can tell you from doing it first hand, on more than one occasion, that what the manual says is definitely not true in this case.

I've moved guns and even tanks by plane. Obvert has also.

I believe you that you moved tanks. I explicitly said that (according to tracker) that most IJA equipment - including most IJA tanks - had a load cost of 9 (or less). So, this would mean that they are transportable.

I did attempt to verify this in the AE editor, and found that in there, the Type 95 light tank had a load of "10" - which would mean it isn't air transportable. I have updated my scenarios (andy mac?) since starting the game I keep tabs on in tracker, so maybe that has something to do with it. I suspect that at some point the developers changed the value for it (and nearly all armored vehicles) to a minimum of 10 for exactly this reason.

To confirm the air transport weight acts as described in the manual, I performed a test. Using the Marianas scenario, I added an air group of 200 G4M1-L Betty transports (with a jaw dropping 2000 lb payload!) to Saipan and attempt to transport the 9th tank regiment.
1st test - nothing moved
2nd test - change T95 load from 10 to 9. Result, all T95s moved - nothing else (T97s or mot support). And this with 2000 lb transport capacity - very, very small.
3rd test - boosted the payload of the betty to 20,000. Result, all T95s moved, nothing else moved.

I also moved the 43rd Division (using the 2000 lb load A/C), and everything but the Type 97 tankettes (load 10), 75mm T90 guns (load 10), and the motorized support squads (load 15) were moved.

So it appears that this is working exactly as advertised.

The question relevant for SqzMyLemon would be what version he is running, and to check the weights there. He says he is playing stock, but is it the updated stock or what comes out of the box?

[Lokasenna]

I think there may have been a change in the betas, and therefore the latest official, that changed things from what the manual says. The artillery is moving in your test and BBfanboy's, which shows that it's not just squads and engineers. Here's what's being moved (so far) in mine that isn't a basic squad, support, or engineer, as well as load cost in my scenario:

47mm AT gun (7)
70mm T92 Howitzer (6)
7.7mm T99 AAMG (4)
75mm Infantry Gun (8)

Type 97 Tankette (7)

IJA Cavalry Squad (16)
IJA Motorized Squad (17)
IJA HMG Section (10)

These are all under "squads" in Tracker, though, so presumably they'll go regardless.


So... yeah, I guess it's right, or maybe I fail at reading comprehension.

[SqzMyLemon]

Great discussion everyone, it's providing valuable information on something I've never looked closely at in any of my games. Since I plan on moving into Burma as quickly as possible, the understanding and use of air transport will be crucial to success.

As to the version of game we are running, it is the second last official patch released. So anything covered or changed in the last official patch isn't available. I'm not sure if we will be updating or not. We've mentioned it previously, but I'm not sure how Andre feels about upgrading mid-game. I know I'd certainly like to take advantage of the reduced effectiveness of the Japanese E's in the late war.

Thanks again for continuing the transport discussion in my absence. I haven't been posting since I haven't received a turn since the 9th. Andre is also leaving on a trip soon, so there will be another long hiatus of two weeks. I'm always positive in response to Andre's apologies for the slow pace, but I have to admit I'm starting to find the lack of turns discouraging.

[SqzMyLemon]

I received a turn today, but Andre leaves for a trip on Sunday and won't be back for two weeks. I've decided to hang on to this one until he returns. That will give me plenty of time to do some updates.

A brief update on the Sept. 25-26/42 turns.

Japanese CV's were spotted off the northeast coast of Australia on the 25th. They appear to be escorting an amphibious TF carrying an IJA Inf. Rgt. bound for Darwin according to SIGINT. The regiment was previously deployed at Port Moresby, again according to SIGINT. It looks like Andre will fight and delay at Darwin.

No news in India really. Japanese units remain at Jamshedpur, eight in total. Allied units will invest the base from the west in three days, while reinforcements move down from Ranchi. Additional forces will invest the base from the east. I'll threaten to cut off the defenders to see if that sparks a full withdrawal. Something tells me Andre has reached his line in the sand, and will force me to fight for what he currently holds in India. Maybe.

Rangpur is already a level 5 airbase. Jorhat will be liberated on Sept. 27th, and I'm curious to see how supply will flow along the secondary rail line.

I'm staying away from engaging the CAP heavy defences at Calcutta, Colombo and Trincomalee with Allied air. Bombers have been stood down for days, training and building up reserves for the coming air battles. I'm pretty confident I can shut down Japanese air along the India/Burma border once the rail line is clear. The only Japanese bases of consequence that can interdict my push into Burma, or provide CAP, are Lashio and Myitkyina.

The next few weeks of game time should be uneventful. Things are in motion for some small operations in the Central Pacific though, primarily invasions of Baker and Canton Islands timed for the middle of October. My spidey sense is still tingling over Northwest Australia. I just don't get a good vibe on the planned Broome invasion. Between the threat of LBA at Timor and a suspected KB at Soerabaja, I'm nervous about being pinned against the coast. A sacrificial assault first against Port Hedland to bait KB might be the best option. If KB does show up, I can shift focus to securing New Caledonia and isolate Fiji.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Great discussion everyone, it's providing valuable information on something I've never looked closely at in any of my games. Since I plan on moving into Burma as quickly as possible, the understanding and use of air transport will be crucial to success.

As to the version of game we are running, it is the second last official patch released. So anything covered or changed in the last official patch isn't available. I'm not sure if we will be updating or not. We've mentioned it previously, but I'm not sure how Andre feels about upgrading mid-game. I know I'd certainly like to take advantage of the reduced effectiveness of the Japanese E's in the late war.

Thanks again for continuing the transport discussion in my absence. I haven't been posting since I haven't received a turn since the 9th. Andre is also leaving on a trip soon, so there will be another long hiatus of two weeks. I'm always positive in response to Andre's apologies for the slow pace, but I have to admit I'm starting to find the lack of turns discouraging.

I agree!

Great information that might prove to come in very handy in my battle with El Lobo.

Thank you for all the great input everyone.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm doing a series of mundane tasks while Andre is away. Pilot training and transferring more experienced pilots to front line squadrons is one such task. Another big one, is the complete revising of my transport task force naming conventions. I want to get more information at a glance, so task force names will now consist of route, cargo and quantity. I've tinkered with this format before, but have never fully implemented it across the board.

I'm also looking for ships that still have upgrades pending and getting them to the yards, if needed. Others requiring no yard space will be withdrawn to bases outside of Japanese air search or bomber range.

I'm in the process of updating various theatres with screenshots, but I'm finding it slow going and a little on the boring side. However, I hope to provide those following with a much clearer picture of the campaign so far.

In the Indian theatre, there's an emphasis on my part to get more engineer and support units forward for rapid base expansion along the Rangpur - Ledo rail line. Southern India also needs more support troops in preparation for operations against Ceylon.

Lots to do.

[richlove]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

...Another big one, is the complete revising of my transport task force naming conventions. I want to get more information at a glance, so task force names will now consist of route, cargo and quantity. I've tinkered with this format before, but have never fully implemented it across the board.

...

Could you post a screenshot of what you're doing, and how that manifests itself in-game?

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: richlove

Could you post a screenshot of what you're doing, and how that manifests itself in-game?

Once I get everything set up I'll post that information for you.

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm not getting any younger so I'm contemplating starting a second game to fill the current void of regular turns. Doing an AAR would be purely optional. Would there be any takers?

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 27/42:

India:

Operation "Risky Business" officially concludes today with the liberation of Jorhat. A direct supply route along the secondary railway from Rangpur to Ledo now exists. Allied logistic efforts will begin expanding airbases at Rangpur, Tezpur, Dimapur, Jorhat and Ledo. Improving the supply draw to these bases is a precursor to deploying aircraft forward in preparation for air operations against Japanese positions in Burma.

Allied units have already secured Kohima and are now moving on Imphal. There appears to be just one Japanese unit occupying Imphal. A British Armoured Bde. will arrive in a matter of days to contest the base and will await the arrival of British 18th Division following in support before an assault is launched.

As Allied forces close in on Jamshedpur, recon picks up Japanese movement from the base heading southeast. Whether this is a partial or full withdrawal is unknown. If Jamshedpur is abandoned by Japanese forces the planned Allied operations against Ceylon will be accelerated, since some of the units prepping for bases on Ceylon were committed to supporting the move on Jamshedpur. I have no intention of investing Calcutta at this time, as I don't want to force an early withdrawal from the base. The longer Japanese forces remain at Calcutta in strength, the more I can exploit success along the Burma/India border.

Allied offensive preparations in other theatres are progressing nicely.

[SqzMyLemon]

Well, another Friday evening and no turn. In fact, since Andre has returned from his trip on the 3rd, I've received one turn. I probably shouldn't be posting this, but I have to vent.

I think I'm going to have to broach the subject with Andre. I see him on the forum a lot, yet no turns are forthcoming. I don't expect people to live and breathe AE, but it seems this PBEM may not be that big of a priority for Andre. Other than thanking me for my patience when I do get a turn, there's really been no explanation other than not wanting to flip turns without thought going into them.

I just know that when I have time, completing the turn for my opponent is my first priority. Surfing the forum comes second.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Well, another Friday evening and no turn. In fact, since Andre has returned from his trip on the 3rd, I've received one turn. I probably shouldn't be posting this, but I have to vent.

I think I'm going to have to broach the subject with Andre. I see him on the forum a lot, yet no turns are forthcoming. I don't expect people to live and breathe AE, but it seems this PBEM may not be that big of a priority for Andre. Other than thanking me for my patience when I do get a turn, there's really been no explanation other than not wanting to flip turns without thought going into them.

I just know that when I have time, completing the turn for my opponent is my first priority. Surfing the forum comes second.

Keep in mind though that he could be browsing the forum on his phone. I do this all the time when I´m not at home. [:)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Keep in mind though that he could be browsing the forum on his phone. I do this all the time when I´m not at home. [:)]

That may be, but still. I looked at the start date of our game and it was February of 2014. It's taken us 20 months to complete just 9 months of game time. The lack of consistent turns is becoming a problem for me.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'm not getting any younger so I'm contemplating starting a second game to fill the current void of regular turns. Doing an AAR would be purely optional. Would there be any takers?

No interest from anyone? I'll post in the opponent's wanted forum, but I'm hoping to get someone who is a forum regular.

[SqzMyLemon]

No word from Andre at all this weekend. I've e-mailed Andre to see if everything is ok on his end with the game, or if there is anything in RL that he needs to deal with.

[SqzMyLemon]

Received a turn and a note from Andre today. I also ended up speaking with him on the phone briefly.

All is well on his end, but he's lost his WitPAE mojo. I understand that completely and as he's been playing this game, and its previous iterations for 12 years, it's understandable that the honeymoon is somewhat over.

We both want the game to continue, but at what pace we are unsure of. I told him that with me starting a second game the pressure is off him, he can send turns whenever he feels in the mood.

I'll keep updating the AAR, but understand the turns may still be few and far between.

Now I have to switch gears and take up playing Japan again in a DaBabes C Scenario 28 guise. Nothing like getting my ass kicked to keep me engaged. [:D]

[BBfanboy]

Looking forward to your efforts! I am still shy of making commitments because I know I will be busy helping family rebuild the basement I gutted and repaired for them (water damage, mold, bugs). Good luck!

[SqzMyLemon]

Complain a little and the turns start rolling in. [:D]

Joking aside, I'm glad things are sorted and Andre will do his best to keep the turns coming.

For my part, I'm going to try and increase the level of action to keep Andre engaged. The tricky part will be accomplishing that without foolishly losing assets for action's sake. I do have a number of larger operations pending, but they are still weeks/months away from materializing. I'll have to come up with creative ways to shake things up.

I'll update both turns next post.