Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[ny59giants]

My experience has been if you take all the CV/CVL/CVE out of a task force it will revert to Surface TF and when you transfer the CVs back in you cannot move back to Air Combat. I am probably doing something wrong. [;)]

Changing the SC TF to Escort first allows you to add the CV/CVL/CVE. Then the TF will automatically become an Air TF.

[Capt. Harlock]

The ENTIRE Carrier Fleet is now upgraded. I am moving the Fleet to Marcus where it shall wait. This primitive base is perfect for either moving north and moving south quickly. The next Allied Operation shall be fully resisted by the Kido Butai.

Can't wait!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

My experience has been if you take all the CV/CVL/CVE out of a task force it will revert to Surface TF and when you transfer the CVs back in you cannot move back to Air Combat. I am probably doing something wrong. [;)]

Changing the SC TF to Escort first allows you to add the CV/CVL/CVE. Then the TF will automatically become an Air TF.

[&o]

[John 3rd]

The Fleet is moving to its new base. Am following advice posted above.

Will work on a serious update. Have Sat--Sun--Mon off so there will be time to get that done.

We're headed to Fort Collins into what appears to be a blizzard. Got to love late-April Colorado. We were in the 70s for the week now an inch of rain followed by 12-18" of snow and then right back into the 70s. NUTS!

[Grfin Zeppelin]

ORIGINAL: obvert



Love it!!

(Hi from Bonn tonight Graffin!)

Thank you [:)]

I hope you enjoyed your visit even if Bonn is sadly a rather boring city.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: Gräfin Zeppelin

ORIGINAL: obvert



Love it!!

(Hi from Bonn tonight Graffin!)

Thank you [:)]

I hope you enjoyed your visit even if Bonn is sadly a rather boring city.

Well, that's why Bonn was the capital of W. Germany [:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

ORIGINAL: Gräfin Zeppelin

ORIGINAL: obvert

Love it!!

(Hi from Bonn tonight Graffin!)

Thank you [:)]

I hope you enjoyed your visit even if Bonn is sadly a rather boring city.

Well, that's why Bonn was the capital of W. Germany [:D]

I enjoyed it and the drives around the surrounding landscapes. There are a lot of museums in Bonn, a legacy of it being the capitol I'm sure. Also, some good German food and beer!

We also went to Bad Ems, a resort town in the hills, a former camp at the edge of the Roman Empire, complete with ruins of the "Limes" across nearby hills. Very similar to the walls in Scotland. Knew nothing about these, so cool to see.

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

The Fleet is moving to its new base. Am following advice posted above.

Seems like a good plan. Keep nailing the pickets regardless of what else is happening. Then he never knows if you're doing it to clear space for a move or just for target practice!

Like that you're using more of the subs for recon too.

[John 3rd]

These were the final units to surrender after the fall of Sabang. They surrendered July 25, 1943.

That feels like 4-5 lifetimes ago...


July 25, 1943

We're now whittling down the last stack of Allied units on Sumatra. I've got an ID and 2nd Tank destroying them. Needed to say this since two of them surrendered this turn. Took a screen shot so you can see the last bag of future POWs.

Marcus
We've got 10 Flattops at Marcus. Kaga and 3 CVL are still at Yokohoma doing some unit re-sizing and then they shall sail for the base. CV Hiyo and CVL Zuiho are coming up from Soerbaja. This will be my Kido Butai for the near future. Only CV missing is Junyo and she still has 60 days in Manila. Have 24 Jakes here, two AV, 15 Emily, and 18 Judy-R flying from here. NOTHING will get the drop on this force.

Heavy Ship Distribution
The Battlefleet is 10 days from upgrade completion. Once done, I've decided that the Kongos will go up to the Aleutians, the new two CBs and ALL CAs will join the carriers, The battleships (Ise, Nagato, Mutsu (repairing for 40 more days), Yamato, and Musashi will go to Truk and operate from that location.

Surface Search
There are now eight Glen I-Boats around Hawaii and 7 AKs spread out into a scouting line SE of Umnak. We should KNOW if something comes north or leaves PH.


Aircraft Query
Just got the lovely Lady named Frances starting July 1st. She has a lousy 4 for SR but has armor. What do people think of this plane compared to Miss Betty 2?

[Grfin Zeppelin]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

ORIGINAL: Gräfin Zeppelin

ORIGINAL: obvert



Love it!!

(Hi from Bonn tonight Graffin!)

Thank you [:)]

I hope you enjoyed your visit even if Bonn is sadly a rather boring city.

Well, that's why Bonn was the capital of W. Germany [:D]

*shakes fist*

[crsutton]

The four service rating is a severe handicap. Making them a sort of one shot weapon with a lot of rest required in the intervals. Same as with the Allied superforts. Considering the improvement with Allied flak, you can expect to have half of your bombers down after a raid vs any moderate defense. It is easier when you have air superiority and can protect them but as the Allies get stronger it won't be easy to use them.

I just don't know if they are really worth it over the Betty. Even with armored Allied Bombers such as the B25, if you get caught by a slew of fighters you are going to die in droves-does not matter which bomber. If a later model Francis eventually drops your service rating then it might work. This is from the Allied perspective where I find it useless to even try to use the P38 E in the front lines due to it's 4 service rating. The superforts are a pain but not a front line combat aircraft.

One thing is I would be very reluctant to base them at places where you could not rail them out. My favorite tactic for high service rating Japanese planes is to put them on the ground and them bomb them. Making any forward base hex vulnerable.

[Lowpe]

Remember Frances can use drop tanks and torpedoes.

The Frances does have a much higher speed, so it can penetrate CAP with fewer fighter losses, at least the theory goes.

I like to use them at high altitude with plenty of good fighters. Your escorts will tend to perform much better, downing a few of the CAP, and it also really stretches the CAP and tires it out.

So they work well as part of a land based naval attack strategy. And you never know, perhaps a torpedo will actually get thru.

Definite one shot platforms.

Keep them on railways. +1

[John 3rd]

July 26, 1943

The Allied support troops of Sumatra succumb to a Japanese Shock Attack and 15 units surrender en masse. YES! There are three left and they should fall on the next turn. Losses: Japan: 15 Cas Allied: 6114, 66 Guns, and 274 Vehicles. Several Air HQ there: NICE! The screen shot posted below shows most of the units but I missed catching the first 3-4 surrendering.

Six of Eleven Divisions have been lifted off of Sabang: two are refitting in Tokyo presently and are headed for Adak. Two are on their way tot he Marianas, Two more are currently being lifted and are headed for Darwin and Horn Island. There are still five ID and 1 TK Div waiting...

Naval Action
Adak
Two days of Naval action occurs as the Japanese Bombardment TF works to keep Adak semi-under control.

7-26: CB Kawachi, 3 CA, 1 CL, and 4 DD tangle with a TF of 6 DDs. Though we have radar, the figthing starts at knife range close--2,000 Yds. A Japanese DD is sunk before the fight truly begins. Another DD succumbs during the fighting and damage is inflicted upon all the American DDs. The Bombardment occurs doing 475 cas, 63 Runway hits occur, and 9 Fighters are destroyed with another 60+ damaged. Hmmm....

7-27: Send the TF back in to try and surprise the Americans. REALLY works this time DD's Fletcher and Abbot are sunk with the remaining three DDs all taking serious damage. No losses for Japan.

Tomorrow the original TF combines with another holding 1 CA, 1 CL, and 5 DDs and will conduct an (hopefully) unobstructed bombardment of the AF.

Need some seriously BIG guns up here. Am not going to get the Kongos in this region for at least 20 days. Grrr...

[John 3rd]

July 27, 1943

TO: Imperial Headquarters--Tokyo
FROM: Southern Army Command--Sabang

May it please His Imperial Majesty. ALL Allied resistance on the island of Sumatra has concluded.

Awaiting new assignment.

[Capt. Harlock]

July 27, 1943

TO: Imperial Headquarters--Tokyo
FROM: Southern Army Command--Sabang

May it please His Imperial Majesty. ALL Allied resistance on the island of Sumatra has concluded.

Awaiting new assignment.

Congratulations! (Mind you, after eight months, I imagine some of His Imperial Majesty's soldiers will be more than eager to depart.)

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

July 27, 1943

TO: Imperial Headquarters--Tokyo
FROM: Southern Army Command--Sabang

May it please His Imperial Majesty. ALL Allied resistance on the island of Sumatra has concluded.

Awaiting new assignment.

Congratulations! (Mind you, after eight months, I imagine some of His Imperial Majesty's soldiers will be more than eager to depart.)

Eight months tied up in a back water that should have already been secured, not conquering more territory or strengthening the perimeter......

Appears to have been a very sound Allied strategy in spite of the losses.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

July 27, 1943

TO: Imperial Headquarters--Tokyo
FROM: Southern Army Command--Sabang

May it please His Imperial Majesty. ALL Allied resistance on the island of Sumatra has concluded.

Awaiting new assignment.

Congratulations! (Mind you, after eight months, I imagine some of His Imperial Majesty's soldiers will be more than eager to depart.)

Eight months tied up in a back water that should have already been secured, not conquering more territory or strengthening the perimeter......

Appears to have been a very sound Allied strategy in spite of the losses.

Time will tell ... [;)]

There is no should have been involved here. The Allies are behind historical and down 150k troops! Sounds like an Allied victory to me!

Hip hip hurray!! [:D]

[John 3rd]

I just finished updating ALL four Mods: Treaty, RA, BTS, and BTSL and have posted them to the website. Anyone looking at starting a new game can find the updated version available. ENJOY!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock



Congratulations! (Mind you, after eight months, I imagine some of His Imperial Majesty's soldiers will be more than eager to depart.)

Eight months tied up in a back water that should have already been secured, not conquering more territory or strengthening the perimeter......

Appears to have been a very sound Allied strategy in spite of the losses.

Time will tell ... [;)]

There is no should have been involved here. The Allies are behind historical and down 150k troops! Sounds like an Allied victory to me!

Hip hip hurray!! [:D]

What obvert said AND...BACK WATER? I'd say a Sz-9 AF that could directly threaten nearly every oil production facility in the DEI is not BACK WATER.

Maybe I am crazy there...perhaps...NOT!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

July 27, 1943

TO: Imperial Headquarters--Tokyo
FROM: Southern Army Command--Sabang

May it please His Imperial Majesty. ALL Allied resistance on the island of Sumatra has concluded.

Awaiting new assignment.

Congratulations! (Mind you, after eight months, I imagine some of His Imperial Majesty's soldiers will be more than eager to depart.)

MOST of them already have. My experience numbers for some of those ID have got to be seen to be believed!

I waited to take out the Allied support troops for nearly three weeks while I pounded them with over 400 aircraft to build up some valuable crew experience. There was no supply there so I got three weeks of milk runs. NICE!

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Certainly not back water