If Squeeze is successful in taking all of Australia, just how devastating would this be for the Allies?
Would the Allies still be in the game or might they be doomed?
A major blow, but not absolutely devastating. They get the reinforcement package, after all, which can go to other places rather than Australia. And Japan can't hold Australia forever. It's just too big, and the Allied LCUs are just too good later. It's worth taking the big VP base back, at the very least. The rest of it? Not worth taking back even if taken by Japan, unless it's actively being used as an airbase. But once out of supply, not really going to happen.
Taken alone, Australia does not an autovictory make.
Thanks, Lok!
Sort of what I figured.
Still, a heavy blow to inflict on the Allies.
And, very interesting.
Best Regards,
-Terry
"No one throws me my own guns and tells me to run. No one."
I've fallen behind in the AAR, but will update the various theatres over the next few days.
After a shaky start in the DEI, I've settled down and the rest of January will see steady progress. The capture of Balikpapan and Singapore are the immediate goals and combat results today indicate both bases should fall soon. AAR's follow:
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Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9047 troops, 85 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 256
Defending force 4717 troops, 72 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Defending units:
II Samarinda Cdo
VI KNIL Battalion
VII KNIL Bn /1
I Samarinda Cdo
S Borneo KNIL Bn /2
Balikpapan MLD Base Force
Balikpapan Defenses
1e-VLG-I Sup Afd
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Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 59580 troops, 584 guns, 357 vehicles, Assault Value = 2100
Defending force 39138 troops, 454 guns, 237 vehicles, Assault Value = 529
Assaulting units:
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
38th Division
1st Tank Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
5th Division
112th Infantry Regiment
18th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
124th Infantry Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
8th Indian Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
1st Malay Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
22nd Indian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
12th Indian Brigade
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
113th RAF Adv Base Force
Singapore Base Force
AHQ Far East
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
111th RAF Adv Base Force
Malaya Army
112th RAF Adv Base Force
109th RN Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
Singapore Fortress
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
5th Field Regiment
Excellent first attack at Singapore. I only attacked with full divisions and kept the individual infantry regiments in reserve. Engineers always seem to take it on the chin, but seeing the forts reduced by two is worth the price. Disruption is high and the troops will need 2-3 days to recover. I don't think Singapore can withstand two more deliberate attacks, but I'm taking nothing for granted either. It's too bad I goofed on including two infantry regiments in the first assault, they incurred unnecessary losses and provided free VP's for nothing. I can't wait for Singapore to fall so I can get moving against Java and Sumatra, particularly Palembang.
In other theatres, Australia is stalled until I can get KB replenished. As much as I'd like to move against Melbourne, I just can't right now. I need to secure the east coast of Australia to allow quick reinforcement of the continent and move importantly provide a steady source of fuel for fleet operations. I need to recapture Rockhampton to allow more air units to deploy forward.
China is about to get busy. It's taken awhile to get the pieces in position, but the flanking move around Changsha to completely isolate the base and advance against Kweilin is about to get underway. I'm sure Francois is wondering what the heck I am doing, but it will be clear soon enough. I'm taking an awful risk allowing so many Chinese units to remain in my rear and for others to simply dig in and build forts while recovering disablements, but I think I have the right plan in place. It now comes down to execution.
Overall, I am happy with my situation. It's not ideal by any means, but I am now in position to move faster and hit harder than I was a month ago. I played the DEI poorly and allowed the Allies to score tactical successes that never should have happened. I also relied heavily on LBA that turned out, and still is, absolutely useless. I am approaching the theatre differently now and it should show over the coming weeks.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
If Squeeze is successful in taking all of Australia, just how devastating would this be for the Allies?
Would the Allies still be in the game or might they be doomed?
I am curious as to all of your thoughts on this.
Best Regards,
-Terry
There is almost no 'doom' for allies no matter what. They get so many reinforcements and their units upgrade so much ...
Caveat to that would be the West Coast. That's about it. If the IJ takes the West Coast, "doom unto you". Even against the AI that is difficult to achieve. In a PBEM? [;)]
I forgot to mention. KB has refueled from oilers and now just awaits the clearing of Sydney's harbour to allow replenishment of sorties. I will then deal with Brisbane and Rockhampton.
There are now two DMS's sweeping Sydney for mines and they will be joined by two more that survived the initial landings against Newcastle. They are pretty banged up though and may sink while conducting their mission. Clearing the mines is crucial.
The first regiment of IJA 1st Division will unload at Port Kembla tomorrow, as well as IJA 5th Tank Rgt.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
If Squeeze is successful in taking all of Australia, just how devastating would this be for the Allies?
Would the Allies still be in the game or might they be doomed?
I am curious as to all of your thoughts on this.
Best Regards,
-Terry
There is almost no 'doom' for allies no matter what. They get so many reinforcements and their units upgrade so much ...
Caveat to that would be the West Coast. That's about it. If the IJ takes the West Coast, "doom unto you". Even against the AI that is difficult to achieve. In a PBEM? [;)]
Pax-
Thank you.
I am an Allied player, but find it kind of sad that the Japanese can potentially completely conquer Australia and still have a tough road ahead of them.
One thing for sure, it has been great fun following both Squeeze's and Francois' AARs.
Best Regards,
-Terry
"No one throws me my own guns and tells me to run. No one."
Thanks for your interest. I'll try and go into more detail as the campaign unwinds, but I don't think there's much chance of me taking all of Australia. I over-reached with a Scenario 1 OOB, but I definitely think I could conquer Australia had I tried this operation with the extra troops available in Scenario 2.
We'll see how things unfold here. If I can tie up Allied troops in Australia for much of 1942, get strategic VP's and successfully evacuate when the time comes, I'll consider it worth the effort. I have to make this operation pay though and I'm nowhere close to accomplishing what I'd like to yet, if ever.
It's turning out to be fun and although it may get ugly for me if I can't get my perimeter set up in time, I'm glad I tried something different with what will probably be my last game of AE.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
Thanks for your interest. I'll try and go into more detail as the campaign unwinds, but I don't think there's much chance of me taking all of Australia. I over-reached with a Scenario 1 OOB, but I definitely think I could conquer Australia had I tried this operation with the extra troops available in Scenario 2.
We'll see how things unfold here. If I can tie up Allied troops in Australia for much of 1942, get strategic VP's and successfully evacuate when the time comes, I'll consider it worth the effort. I have to make this operation pay though and I'm nowhere close to accomplishing what I'd like to yet, if ever.
It's turning out to be fun and although it may get ugly for me if I can't get my perimeter set up in time, I'm glad I tried something different with what will probably be my last game of AE.
The extra troops in SCEN 2 doesn´t show up until spring 42 so they wouldn´t have been of any help to you here. Besides in SCEN 2 the Allies can recombine their Australian BDEs to 3 full IDs pretty much on December 10th. So I think in your situation you are helped by playing SCEN 1.
...If I can tie up Allied troops in Australia for much of 1942, get strategic VP's and successfully evacuate when the time comes, I'll consider it worth the effort.
ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
Can anyone confirm the R&D path for the Frank?
Don't know how DBB is but you can check current airframe upgrade paths in intel screen - aircraft/engine pools. Each of the current and future planes has successive model listed in the end, or the same frame if it is the last in the chain.
It's always a minor frustration to me in stock that Frank-B is so far down the timeline and does not benefit from Frank-A research, making me always go the A->R route
You will build the "R" model eventually. What it brings is almost flat altitude response, so it can handle the Bolt sweeps.
The "b" model has some of the best armament of any 1E fighter for the IJA, so it is a serious threat to daylight 4E's. Arriving so late though unless you really devote RnD resources to it, few players ever get a chance to use it.
It's too bad that the devs didn't extend the development path to the Ki-94 as that is the Frank II. Same plane, just up-engined.
Does A go to B
Does A go to R
Is B a separate path?
Is R a separate path?
Thanks in advance!
A and B are separate paths, but both go to R. At least in stock. IIRC.
In stock, yes. But for this mod, you REALLY need to check. I don't have it, so I cannot check for you. John made a lot of changes and I would NOT advise you to assume anything.
A and B are separate paths, but both go to R. At least in stock. IIRC.
Excellent, I'm in good shape R&D wise then. I hedged my bets and went both A & B models figuring one of them went to the R.
I don't plan on building the R though, as it doesn't seem a real improvement over either the A or B. The B would be nice to get early.
But the R is so much better.... best plane in the game for Japan, at least in stock and by the numbers. The max altitude and maneuver ratings change in important ways relative to the Allied planes.
Barring the models that never saw combat, such as the Ki-83 or Ki-201.
I just know when I looked at the Frank R in the aircraft list I wasn't impressed, the changes seemed so minor from the previous models and the reduction in firepower wasn't a big draw to me either. I'll look again, but should be covered with R&D as I have 10 factories dedicated to this airframe. They are not all maxed out at 30 yet either, so if I have to make a few changes there isn't a big supply hit.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
I'm starting to get into the air war, at least more than in the first month and a half. Production has been ramped up for both the Zero and Oscar, so I have much more flexibility in performing offensive missions now.
I have three Sentai's converted to the Oscar Ic and about 20 in the pool. This will only increase over the next few months, barring a drubbing or two in the air.
I try not to go too crazy in 1942 with aircraft production, but rather focus on mid/late airframes. I had a rougher period of adjustment than I had figured on, but now I'm comfortable with my aircraft production and dispositions. I will be applying pressure to the Allied air force now to begin whittling down the numbers.
I expect there will a nasty day ahead when I first encounter the Spitfire Vb. Will Francois commit them to Australia or Burma, I wonder?
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
I just know when I looked at the Frank R in the aircraft list I wasn't impressed, the changes seemed so minor from the previous models and the reduction in firepower wasn't a big draw to me either. I'll look again, but should be covered with R&D as I have 10 factories dedicated to this airframe. They are not all maxed out at 30 yet either, so if I have to make a few changes there isn't a big supply hit.
Reduction in armament?
In stock, the Ki-84r has the same armament as the Ki-84a. It is 7mph faster (big deal), but can go to 38270 instead of 34440. Its climb is also 3040 compared to 2730. Its maneuver jumps to 22 at the highest band, from 14. This makes it a viable competitor to the P-47, at least in terms of maneuver if not firepower.
The real question is... where does your Ki-100 "PaxMondo" research stand? It has the same guns as the Frank, but the locations are switched: CL cannons and F MGs. I suppose the Frank-b may be what you meant by reduction in armament. That model does have cannons in place of the MGs.
In a game without restrictions on altitude, however, the altitude on the -r is the real swingvote for me.
I think the advance in speed is just enough to avoid the speed differential penalty, which the A model ends up getting, but the R model avoids on common late war Allied fighters at least for awhile.
Japan doesn't have to fight up high in the stratosphere to put up good CAP...but to sweep offensively it sure helps.
The B model's range is to die for, plus the bombs...kamikazes that can reach Okinawa![:)]
Unless the 8 mph difference in speed is a huge advantage, I still like the B over the R. By reduced firepower I meant the downgrading of the R's armament to only two cannon, as opposed to the B's four, two of which are centre-lined, and thus more accurate and adds more firepower. The maneuver difference is only 1 point in each altitude band. The R does have a better climb rate and higher altitude for sure.
I will produce all three models, as both the A & B upgrade to the R, but the priority for me is the B, especially if I can advance it into early/mid 44.
The B arrives 3/45
The R arrives 7/45
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
