DBB 28C. Co-prosperity sphere of happiness: Jorge (J) vs Revthought (A)

[Revthought]

Hey guys, just dropping by to say hello! I'm the relative beginner here, and I am super thankful Jorge is willing to play a game with this in mind! [&o] This will actually be the second PBEM game I will be playing in (I'm also playing a stock scn 1 game versus 1275psi) and am planning on starting a third against a friend--yeah I need to get a hobby.

I'm running an AAR of this game myself on another website, but I might move it over here as the community of WITPAE players there is much smaller and I will need all the advice I can get. We will see after things get started and I've got some action to report.

Right now though, I'm just hoping that Jorge doesn't whip me too bad on turn one. If I were him I definitely would pull back the KB and leave the poor unprepared Allies alone until they're ready. [:'(]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: Revthought

Hey guys, just dropping by to say hello! I'm the relative beginner here, and I am super thankful Jorge is willing to play a game with this in mind! [&o] This will actually be the second PBEM game I will be playing in (I'm also playing a stock scn 1 game versus 1275psi) and am planning on starting a third against a friend--yeah I need to get a hobby.

I'm running an AAR of this game myself on another website, but I might move it over here as the community of WITPAE players there is much smaller and I will need all the advice I can get. We will see after things get started and I've got some action to report.

Right now though, I'm just hoping that Jorge doesn't whip me too bad on turn one. If I were him I definitely would pull back the KB and leave the poor unprepared Allies alone until they're ready. [:'(]

You are welcome!! and by the way, because we are playing scenario 1... you will surely win the war, if not the game

[Revthought]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: Revthought

Hey guys, just dropping by to say hello! I'm the relative beginner here, and I am super thankful Jorge is willing to play a game with this in mind! [&o] This will actually be the second PBEM game I will be playing in (I'm also playing a stock scn 1 game versus 1275psi) and am planning on starting a third against a friend--yeah I need to get a hobby.

I'm running an AAR of this game myself on another website, but I might move it over here as the community of WITPAE players there is much smaller and I will need all the advice I can get. We will see after things get started and I've got some action to report.

Right now though, I'm just hoping that Jorge doesn't whip me too bad on turn one. If I were him I definitely would pull back the KB and leave the poor unprepared Allies alone until they're ready. [:'(]

You are welcome!! and by the way, because we are playing scenario 1... you will surely win the war, if not the game

Well, to be fair, games can abstract victory conditions for the Japanese player, but we all know in hindsight that it was a forgone conclusion.

Plus, you have no idea how terrible I can be!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Turn sent..

As this is an historical game, I decided for an historical turn... or sort of, I made some slight changes, like avoiding the suicidal strafing runs, or canceling the very useless Midway destroyer bombardment.
Also adjusted Ryujo bombing to Cagayan instead of Davao.
I also sent the LBAs to bomb Manila and Singapore ports; this is addition of Clark Field and Khota/ Georgetown/ Alor

And other cosmetic/ convenient changes, but respecting the thought process defined by Yamamoto:

- 6 carriers attacked PH
- No use of magic move for amphibious strikes; so no amphibious assaults other than the 2 historical targets: Bataan island and Khota B
- Main objective is Malaya and Philippine islands, with some opportunistic grabs in the SRA or Pacific, but no fully fledged/ important offensives until these are completed

Finally. I will try to avoid using the Japanese early amphibious bonus. Since this is something not possible to disable, I am thinking about specific rules to reduce it.
- The first one is to avoid the use of big xAPs (troop load >= 3,000 troops) for amphibious assaults. Ideally avoid it completely, use them for transport to or from HI. At the very least, use it only for unloading over a friendly port, never an enemy beach.
- Use of regiment sized LCUs for assaulting the beaches; this includes, SNLFs, naval guards or IJA mixed brigades or equivalents. Certainly no division sized invasions during the amphibious bonus.
- All transport to and from HI needs to be done using commercial load: "transport TF".

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Transports:

As already mentioned, I want to avoid the use of big xAPs on amphibious assaults during the early bonus (actually it won't be wise to use them afterwards too)

The threshold is 2,300 troops: Buenos Aires class. This is the biggest ship I will use for direct beach assaults, and then I will try to restrict this to places with token opposition.
For real invasions, I will prefer to use AK-t, AMCs, and the occasional xAK-t



In terms of cargo conversions, I will play safe and build as many as I can initially. This because they can easily turn back to their cargo role after 5 days to a week.
The 2 preferred classes for conversion are Aden, because of its abundance. and Husimi for its 12 knot speed.
Kyushu would also make a good transport, being even faster and still capable to dock in a level 1 port. But at the end I decided this are too good to risk on amphibious assaults, and anyway their speed would be wasted as in most cases they will be escorted by Ansyu-C PBs

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Turn sent..

As this is an historical game, I decided for an historical turn... or sort of, I made some slight changes, like avoiding the suicidal strafing runs, or canceling the very useless Midway destroyer bombardment.

The strafing costs quite a few Zeroes...it is too late but you could have had them bomb the runways from 5K+.

Try not to lose any of your Yusen class ships to Dutch subs off Sumatra (can be hard to do)...and double check some of your invasions ship groups. Some are carrying fuel into an amphibious landing.[X(]

One last thing to think about is bringing back your AMC raiders. They pretty much stink as raiders, but are good for amphibious invasions especially given your restrictions.

Good luck, and I am looking forward to keeping pace with this AAR...

You have three training cruisers. CLs that are 18knots swift. Eventually they upgrade to super escorts, but they have highly experienced crew and good commanders I recall. After the initial invasions are over, they make for great escorts paired with Tonan Whalers. They can eat a torpedo or two and live, saving the Whalers.

Allocate some part of your PP to upgrade the Captains on your tankers and double check your warships.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I will talk more about my settings after tonight, but I always make the Zeros bomb runways; except one squadron doing escort. Since this is DBB-C, and PH has good AA (even during surprise attack), I set them up a lot higher... which means enemy losses will be lower, but better survival chances for my core pilots. I am becoming less and less convinced on the value (game wise) of PH strike, but this can't be a serious historical game if the KB skips its Pearl Harbor appointment

I made changes to the invasions: first I took out ships of dubious amphibious value, like those little (slow) xAMc, the auxiliars that are better used somewhere else, or as you mentioned, the tankers moving to Legaspi; I prefer to keep them at Babeldaob where fuel will become an issue sooner than later.

I also tried, as possible, to pair the esoort speed with the TF... no need to use fast escorts when the maximum TF speed is 8knts. It is a pitty so many fast ships are mismatched with slow/ small xAKLs.

And I totally agree on the raiders, against the AI I have very poor results. I think with better captains they might perform better. In any case, I don't plan to use AMC for raiding.

In my AI games, I used the three 18-knot cruisers as amphibious flagship... this is usually a risky business, so I hope they will survive,

What else? good idea about the tanker captains. Other than a few construction battalions, I spent all my initial PP points in changing leaders, but I focused on air and surface combatants.

[IdahoNYer]

Looking forward to this AAR from the IJN side Jorge. I've learned a lot from your Allied PBEM AAR, hope to do the same here as well.

Curious about your comment on no AMC raiders - L_S_T used them sparingly in our game as raiders, and it through my convoys into disarray early on. Just not enough escorts to protect every Allied convoy - especially in SOPAC and Indian Ocean areas. While raiders may not sink many ships, just the threat of spotting a raider can really de-rail a convoy routing schedule, and commit warships to convoy duty when they can be used effectively elsewhere!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks!!
I have also learnt quiet a lot from yours.

I certainly won't like to lose the 2 AMCs at the South Pacific, they are really good, but I know there are other, less capable AMCs that can be thrown.

Moreover, I am not against raiding; I am actually planning to test an idea of using a combo of submarine float planes + AOs + 2nd rate destroyers or torpedo cruisers; they would certainly do more damage than a lone raider. And being faster, means they would have more chances to survive or flee.

EDIT:
The two AMCs on the south Pacific are Aikoku Marus.. these ships are way too good for raiding; I think I will keep them in reserve for as long as possible; at 21/ 18 knots of speed, 1,700 troop capacity each, they can work perfectly on fast/ surprise invasions
Bankok marus on the other hands, will certainly be used as raiders once the offensive phase is finished



Akagi Maru, Nosiro Maru and Kinryu Maru are the most fuel efficient, and as such, they will be the best candidates for escorting long ranged convoys

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Momotaro is not impressed with Pearl Harbor bombing results, neither is the Emperor.


Poor luck and bad coordination (only 90 Kates attacked) meant that most likely all Allied BBs will survive, although some heavily damaged.

KB pilot losses -- and it is pilots, not airframes, what matters:
Kaga: 2 Val KIA, 1 Kate KIA
Soryu: 1 Kate KIA
Hiryu: 3 Kate KIA
Shokaku: 2 Zero KIA, 1 MIA, 1 Val KIA
Zuikaku: 1 Val KIA
Akagi: 1 Val KIA, 6 Kate KIA
Total: 3 Zero, 4 Val, 11 Kate pilots lost
I had them strike from relatively high altitude (14K) which is why so few Zeros and Vals went down. Kates in the other hand, are forced to go low for dropping torpedoes, and thereby got the worst from AA

Allies
Basically all battleships got torpedo hits; but because damage was spread out and there were no magazine explosions, I think most have a good chance of surviving. And they will get out of the repair yard by by time they are needed (1943)

BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2

Deck armor hits; minor scratches at most:
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2

Destroyers:
DD Schley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 101 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 72
B5N2 Kate x 90
D3A1 Val x 135

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 19 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 4 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 3 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AS Pelias, Bomb hits 1
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1
DD Schley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Repair Shipyard hits 2
Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 62
Port hits 19
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
18 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
16 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th PG/6th PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Raid is overhead
15th PG/45th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-36A Mohawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
15th PG/47th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 105 minutes
18th PG/78th PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 2 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 14000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
18th PG/6th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
18th PG/19th PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Raid is overhead
18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
15th PG/45th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
15th PG/47th PS with P-40B Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead
18th PG/73rd PS with P-40B Warhawk (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 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
18th PG/78th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Total air losses (aiframes) as follows:


- Not surprisingly, Kates got the worst of Pearl Harbor strike.
- Allied P-40s, P-35s and Buffalos, fought valiantly, but in all cases were overpowered by Zeros or Oscars
- Nells and Betties were punished by strong Singapore AA
- Sallies shot down were the only success from Allied CAP, 5 shot down over Clark Field
Other losses were minor

Philippines
- Sweeps followed by strikes on both Manila and Clark Field:
- Weak results on Manila considering the significant number of bombers: 3 submarines, 2 destroyers are damaged and likely out of action.
- Clark went even worst, as P-40s managed to get pass the escorting Zeros, 5 bombers lost, and really little damage to the airfield.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 18
P-40B Warhawk x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 6 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 18 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 90 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 83 minutes
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 81

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AV Langley, Bomb hits 3
SS S-38, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
SS Sculpin, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
ARD YFD-1 Dewey, Bomb hits 1
SS Searaven, Bomb hits 2
xAK American Leader, Bomb hits 1
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1
SS Seadragon, Bomb hits 1
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP President Madison, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Hai Kwang, Bomb hits 1
YO-42, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS Porpoise, Bomb hits 1
AS Holland, Bomb hits 1
DD Peary, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
SS Shark, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
SS Seal, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead

Training flight from 24th PG/17th PS has been caught up in attack


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 7
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Malaya
- Other than the heavy losses due to AA, Singapore bombing went well; four destroyers hit, and regardless of how many survive, they will not bother for some time. CL Mauritius also hit, although all to deck armor. At least it will not fight as effectively if he decides to use it against my invasions
- Georgetown, Khota B, Aloe Star were all standard, results well within the mean. Noticed I decided to focus on Georgetown as it lacks railroad... thereby damaged planes can't be moved using strategic move.
- Allied tried but failed to bomb invasion fleet at Khota B and Singora


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 72
G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 18 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAP Kinta, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Hong Kheng, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Dominion Monarch, Bomb hits 1
xAK Wulin, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PG Herald, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Isis, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Stronghold, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kuala, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Pleiodon, Bomb hits 1
TK Mobilfuel, Bomb hits 1
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 7
AMC Manoora, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AMC Kanimlba, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Matang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AG Vyner Brooke, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Bomb hits 1
ML No. 310, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Toowoomba, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Larut, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Vendetta, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
HDML 1062, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Kepong, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Pinna, Bomb hits 1

Repair Shipyard hits 6
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
27 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 48
Ki-27b Nate x 15
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 24
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 55

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 8 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IF: 14 damaged
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 77

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
30 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 8 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.243 Sqn RAF Det with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 132 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 4

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 4

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1
Catalina I x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Patani at 51,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Hudson I x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Blenheim I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
TB Hiyodori
AK Tosan Maru
TB Hayabusa

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

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

TB Hiyodori fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 56th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 12th Engr Rgt /1

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Surprises
- He sent Hong Kong destroyers Decoy and Thanet to intercept the invasion fleets. Instead they were intercepted, unsuccessfully, by Sonias and Idas

- But the best surprise of turn 1: He set his PBYs to naval bombing-torpedo!! [&o] . They managed to sink small xAKL Hanakawa Maru over Bataan island, with the loss of 755 troops ![&o]

Others
- Fairly standard Hong Kong attack
- Wildcats at Wake didn't flight, thereby no losses to Nells there


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Swatow at 81,64

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Thanet
DD Scout, Shell hits 1 --> machine gun [8|]

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 50 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 30 kg GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Swatow at 81,64

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Scout
DD Thanet

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 50 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 30 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batan Island at 85,70

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD Shimakaze

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-4 Catalina launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batan Island at 85,70

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hanakawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
755 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-4 Catalina launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This is from Willmott's The Barrier and the Javalin

"Perhaps the most striking feature of Japanese doctrine was that it eschewed interest in the concept of command of the sea. In occidental theories of naval warfare, this notion had always held a central position; it had long been accepted by Westerners that anything that aimed at less than securing command of the sea was doomed to defeat. To the Japanese the concept of commanding the vast Pacific was totally unrealistic, particularly because, they believed, neither they nor the Americans had the means of destroying the other's fleet. In Western terms the Japanese sought not command but "sea control", which aimed to prevent effective enemy interference with land-based operations. Herein lay the key to the emphasis of the Imperial Navy. It was a deterrent force, one that was subordinate to the army in a country that was primarily continental rather than maritime. The orientation of the Imperial Navy was towards support of operations on the Asian mainland. Thus Japanese doctrine was essentially defensive, even though it appeared to be extremely aggressive. (...) the maintenance of one's own strength was more important than the destruction of the enemy's forces. The frustration of enemy plans and intentions held priority over the annihilation of the enemy.

This is the doctrine to be followed; annihilation as a mean to secure command of the sea won't work. Allied losses in ships and material will easily be replaced in a year. I can attest to that as I lost quite a lot of ships in my Allied PBEM: cruisers, destroyers, auxiliary; basically my entire Manila fleet, and none are missed in Jan 43.
Japanese naval force in the other hand will need to be preserved as their are too few/ too valuable. This means no risky gambles; fight under favorable circumstances, better yet, don't fight; use them as distant support to frustrate the enemy's capacity to interfere and by so, success of ground based operations.

Yesterday's surprise attack achieved this:
- Pearl Harbor battleships are out of action for many months
- BBs Repulse and PoW are gone, I don't know where they went, but I can safely assume they won't interfere with the main invasion: Malaya.
- A few destroyers in Manila and Singapore were sunk or severely damage. they won't be used to raid my minor invasions

Boise, Houston, Marblehead and the Dutch are all unaccounted, I hope my Babaledaob naval search will pick them soon

[Bif1961]

Looks like your heavy bomb carrying Kates didn't arrive over PH, as no reports of those bombs hitting their targets. Considering that there is a chance BBs on fire might continue to burn and possible go out of control, you still might have sunk one or two.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looks like your heavy bomb carrying Kates didn't arrive over PH, as no reports of those bombs hitting their targets. Considering that there is a chance BBs on fire might continue to burn and possible go out of control, you still might have sunk one or two.

Looking at my losses, Zuikaku Kates are the only ones with no losses... they likely failed a dice roll and decided not to fly [:(]
at least I had less KIAs

And ordnance load is very generic. You can see that my Vals were carrying GP bombs... which suck against warships. In PH attack you mostly get torpedoes, and some 800KG bombs. but against the AI, I have seen all Kates dropping 60kg and 250kg.. I obviously restarted [:'(]

EDIT:
and this is Zuikaku as of yesterday; I can't see anything very wrong with it... just plain bad luck

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And this is Hanakawa Maru's cargo:

Sasebo 1st SNLF lost most of its artillery, while AV Sanuki Maru recovered 4 Infantry, 3 support and 8 HMG sections
they will carry on

[darbycmcd]

Oh no, your max range is set to 0.... bummer man!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: darbymcd

Oh no, your max range is set to 0.... bummer man!

Range won't matter as long as you have a target selected. Range works for escort/ search/ CAP/ etc
All other squadrons were at zero range and they had no problem

[darbycmcd]

ah, learn something new every day.