The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[Lowpe]

Nice raid![&o]

Picking planes is a lot like choosing between knights, rooks and bishops in chess. If you can be crafty and selective the knight makes for great ambushes...pretty much how you need to think of using Oscar IV and Tojo IIc in 45 I think.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"] January 11-12, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] A few subs are sent into the slot to look for transports and find them. The RO-101 is forced to the surface and then engages AM Horsham with the deck gun, landing three solid shots. The sub is said to have 'slipped beneath the waves,' but this is not true! She's limping back to Rabaul with 60 float damage, but barring further encounters, should make it.

The I-176 runs into a burning Horsham on the 12th and lets fly 6 fish!!! [X(][:-]

I've never seen that against anything smaller than a BB/CV. Probably the price I pay for installing the most aggressive commander available.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The Allies seem to be rearranging ground attack vectors in Central Burma. The large force moving down from Magwe to between Toungou and Prome has now retreated. The Allies are also seemingly trying to add a force between Taung Gyi and my division on the jungle road. I've got two Brigades moving up to fill that gap, but will move a Thai Div in for now to win the race. A bombardment shows we're doing fine for defense in Taung Gyi, and the 28cm arty there are doing some work! The Allies take several squad losses and a few more disablements.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] Sqz sets up what looks like a CAP trap and possible strike on the fields near Rabaul. Another forward TF at Munda but still without apparent air cover. I set a smaller strike but added LR CAP from a repairing Shortlands, and sent in only one sweep thinking this could be a lure to strike Rabaul.

Sure enough two sweeps of Corsairs hit Rabaul. No bombing and the TF disappeared. Very odd. I'm guessing some of it didn't fly.

Joseph sent a note after expressing some frustration at the performance of he Allied sweepers. He doesn't think the Corsairs and P-47s are doing as well as they should. I have a different view of course. [;)]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 11, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Lunga at 113,139

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 3, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Dubbo
xAP Mungana
xAP Mildura
xAP Koolinda
xAP Koolama
xAK Comliebank
AM Horsham, Shell hits 3, on fire

SS RO-101 is sighted by escort
RO-101 diving deep ....
AM Horsham attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-101 forced to surface!
AM Horsham firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 12, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Munda at 111,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-176

Allied Ships
AM Horsham

AM Horsham is sighted by SS I-176
SS I-176 launches 6 torpedoes [:-][X(]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 27
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
301 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 25
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 25
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
301 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1992 troops, 93 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1704

Defending force 89906 troops, 1199 guns, 1413 vehicles, Assault Value = 2510

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Guards Division
48th Division
16th Division
7th RTA Division
57th Field AA Battalion
16th Army
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
1st JNAF AF Unit
35th JAAF AF Bn
3rd RF Gun Battalion
23rd JAAF AF Bn
16th AA Regiment
15th Air Defense AA Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
6th RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
80th JAAF AF Bn
8th Area Army
53rd Const Co
8th RF Gun Battalion
91st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
25th Indian Division
2nd British Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
18th British Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
8th KGV Light Cav Regiment
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
7th Indian Division
11th Indian Division
17th Indian Division
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
181st Field Artillery Regiment
168th Field Artillery Regiment
XV Indian Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The bombardment at Taung Gyi shows an Allied army that is sightly beat up, and not at all strong enough to take this base. The indian divisions seem al below TOE here. [/font]

---

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Nice raid![&o]

Picking planes is a lot like choosing between knights, rooks and bishops in chess. If you can be crafty and selective the knight makes for great ambushes...pretty much how you need to think of using Oscar IV and Tojo IIc in 45 I think.

You're preaching to the choir here!! Especially as an old chess player. I was more of a bishops man myself. Had a knight fork my king and queen in a won endgame against my best friend and fierce rival in the State championships in 9th grade. Man was I pissed off. [:@]

Would have finished in the top 5 pending my last game and instead got middle of the pack.

The Lilys have the range to do a lot of damage and have some surprise, but the two bombs, however small, really work. This is also a component of why I like the Grace so much in the late game.

I'm also liking the Judy D4Y1 with the drop tanks. Getting to 14 hexes with a 500kg bomb is awesome. Another reason the Oscar is a must have for the late game.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]ECONOMY: Conservation Plan[/font]

---

At the start of the new year I pledged to halt all base and fort building, to have completed all increases in factory sizes needed for 44 and to limit ship use to the most critical tankers and resource haulers vital to the economy.

In the first two weeks of the new year I can already see the changes beginning to show positive trends in the economy.

1. HI is back to an average 2,800/turn savings. This would bank 1,022,000 HI for the next year and put us at 2.5mil for the game heading into 45. This is lower than I'd like but in my last late game HI savings were useless since I didn't have enough supply. I've been prioritizing supply and fuel savings this game and hoping to be able to catch up on HI later if the economy is still running a positive into 45. Still, 2.5mil is not bad, and could extend a reduced economy for a good while after fuel runs out.

2. Supply is heading upward again after recent engine factory increases to prepare for 44-45. It gained ~6k for three days and ~1k for another day. If I can continue to bank positive supply, say at an average rate of even 3k/day for 44, that could bank an extra 1,095,000, bringing total supply to 6,527,422. That's very close to the 7mil goal I've been shooting for, and I'm sure will be hard to reach given the amount of combat and replacement costs we'll see in 44. I'll try to be extra frugal in the first half knowing it'll just get harder into late 44.

3. Fuel is actually increasing, apparently. Based on the economy diagram though, I can't figure out how, and if that is actually true. Tracker shows ship and industry use to be higher than production numbers by 398. Please let me know if I'm missing something here, but the encouraging thing for me is that if I do limit my ship use to 10-11k, fuel could actually increase.

That is a tough goal to accomplish over a peiod of time, but in short stretches I could reduce to this amount. Right now amphibs are plying the Burmese coast rearranging forces, some extra resources ships are moving up from the DEI and I've got some ineffeiciency in tanker convoys to address when some new large quick ships arrive and more efficient Es begin coming in bulk next month. If I can retire the 14 knot PBs as escorts that will save a bundle.

4. Oil is increasing ever so slightly. This is due to my shipping not getting enough to the Home Islands to use all of the refineries there, but combined with the rising fuel numbers, give hope that I could achieve temporary increases and more long term equilibrium in fuel/oil.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Escorts: Efficiency and Effectiveness[/font]

---

The list below shows from tracker the most efficient escorts in the game for the Japanese. It bodes well that several of the most efficient later classes, the 'C,' the 'D' and Etorofu, are also some of the more powerful and effective escorts.

This really opened my eyes to some changes that need to be made as more of these come into play. After looking at the least efficient escorts the difference wil be clear. Although it may not seem like much when each day is considered, over a year the difference between a 11/day and 20/day is significant. When it gets critical though is the ships that are only getting 60/day efficiency, and I have a lot of those running the Singapore to Nagasaki route.

The Shimishu class on this list is one that does have good fuel efficiency but doesn't lack the punch of the other classes. They might be best in local shallow water attack prevention ops rather than hunt and kill. As I get more of the better classes I'll relegate them to the Chinese coastline and HI. Or, well, just looked. Only one left, the Kunashiri. [:)]

Useful also here to see that the Kiso and To'su classes are pretty good, and I've been using those mostly along coastlines as stationary patrols massed. These are actually more efficient than the SC classes, which was surprising.

[Lowpe]

Those 14 knot PB's can really eat the fuel.

Wonderful post, and it is the little things like this that every JFB needs to pay attention to.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Escorts: Efficiency and Effectiveness - 2[/font]

---

The SC classes are a compromise. Somewhat efficient, but not as effective either. Several of the 19-20 knot versions and the 15 knot SC get Type 2 DCs and radar in 44, which is a bonus, but they're all incredibly short ranged. The 10 knot Cha class have only 1000 range and have lots of very poor Type 95 DCs, but can be effective around ports and in stationary patrols at key junctions.

I'll be shifting most 15 knot boats into key fuel transport lanes into stationary patrols spots, while the 19-20 knot boats will be used around the HI as huner killers, especially close to the coasts and along the Chinese coastline.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Those 14 knot PB's can really eat the fuel.

Wonderful post, and it is the little things like this that every JFB needs to pay attention to.

What I just realized is that the converted minelayer Es are the worst. I agree, this under the hood stuff really changes how I think about allocation and use of forces.

[Lowpe]

The devil is in the devices![:)]

[Lokasenna]

I don't know how the fuel use for ships is calculated in Tracker, but I would guess it maybe just looks at 2 phases of cruising movement for every ship in a TF? If so, then if you don't move every TF 2 phases of cruising movement.... fuel usage is less.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Escorts: Efficiency and Effectiveness - 3[/font]

---

These ships are mostly minelayers converted into E. The Ansyu-C PB are small cargo converted into patrols, and the Yasoshima class, which are about to arrive, are some strange hybrid. They have the worst fuel efficiency of any of these E classes. I may just scrap them.

I've mostly been using the converted CM as fast tanker escorts on the Singapore to Nagasaki route. In hindsight, this has cost a lot of fuel, but I'm not sure there was a better way to go. Some of the older DDs have also been on this route, and they mostly get slightly bette efficiency, at ~5, but not much. In the early days there aren't many other options.

Now, as the new E come online, they will fill in immediately. I usually use them more as hunters, but I see the benefit this time around of getting them into the convoys first, then using whatever are extra to find and kill Allied subs.

The Ansyu-C PB are so useful for most of the game, but they're expensive to use, high VP score and don't really have the power to kill a sub with two Type 95 DCs. I'll most likely use them as occasional fast transports to get supply to forward bases now. There are 99 of them (!!), so a lot to consider. That's also 990 VPs, so something to really consider. Not that many Japanese ships do escape the eventual ride to Davy Jones locker, but maybe in a big port like Hiroshima or Yokohama the price to kill them would slightly offset their price.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I don't know how the fuel use for ships is calculated in Tracker, but I would guess it maybe just looks at 2 phases of cruising movement for every ship in a TF? If so, then if you don't move every TF 2 phases of cruising movement.... fuel usage is less.

Right. Also, I realized that fuel use in ships doesn't remove fuel from bases, so maybe the calculations fluctuates as ships are actually fueled again as well.

Either way, it's close to positive! [:)]

[Drakanel]

I find these posts very informative. They also show that in order to play as japan well it's really necessary to have the tracker. Too many details are not apparent from the game UI.

The difference between a 11 fuel/day model and 60 fuel/day model is HUGE. Even supposing the ship is not used all the time, and that consumption is slightly less than what is shown here, it's a difference of several thousand fuel over a year, for a single ship.

For japan, that's really important....

Also, very good strikes on those convoy in the previous update. That is some very interesting VP gain.


About that submarine, in my game as allies against the AI I think I had a sub shoot 8 torpedoes against an xAKL. 6 misses and 2 duds. [8|]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Drakanel

I find these posts very informative. They also show that in order to play as japan well it's really necessary to have the tracker. Too many details are not apparent from the game UI.

The difference between a 11 fuel/day model and 60 fuel/day model is HUGE. Even supposing the ship is not used all the time, and that consumption is slightly less than what is shown here, it's a difference of several thousand fuel over a year, for a single ship.

For japan, that's really important....

Also, very good strikes on those convoy in the previous update. That is some very interesting VP gain.


About that submarine, in my game as allies against the AI I think I had a sub shoot 8 torpedoes against an xAKL. 6 misses and 2 duds. [8|]

Thanks Drakanel. I try to share learning when I can. I was inspired by Lokasenna's 'master class' posts a few days ago detailing how to better read the replay and other info. None of us is a smart as all of us, as this forum consistently proves.

So for running a Hirashima class for a year non-stop I am paying 29,200 fuel instead of a Shimushu/Etorofu at 5,475!! Since I have 9 Hirashima doing this I've used 262,800 fuel instead of 49,275! That is huge. The trouble is I only have a few of those good efficient Es before 44, and I also don't want to lose more tankers, but running the 15-20 knot SC would still be hugely more efficient at 78,840.

I've got 13 other very inefficient former CM class E running those routes for almost the same amounts. So I could maybe have saved an additional 350-400k in fuel just by not using those former CM class E at all. [X(]

I wonder what my costs are on the over-use of other classes, like the Ansyu-C PBs? I tend to send out TK/AO with as many as I can, sometimes equalling the number of tankers in the convoy, so I think I've wasted some serious fuel this way over the years.

Does anyone know how much less fuel a ship uses on a stationary patrol vs moving throughout both phases?

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Yasoshima Class[/font]

---

This is interesting. These two later E type ships of the Yasoshima class are very different than other Es of the period. I was curious so I looked them up, considering whether I should continue their building seeing as their some of the most outrageous fuel guzzlers of their size.

It turns out these were designed as river and coastal 'cruisers' for the Chinese, laid down in the early 30s and put into service just in time to get sunk in the Yangtze in 1937. The Japanese refloated them in 1938 and eventually refit them as escorts, delivered to the IJN in mid-44.

They're attractive ships, along the lines of the Yubari, but more upright and not so quick. The propulsion was not emphasized for either intended role as they were meant to be cheap and compact. They originally had 6 x 5.5inch guns.

The Yasoshima came to a not so glorious end as shown in the pictures below. USN aircraft put her down in much deeper water the second time.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Burma[/font]

---

Here is the situation in Burma. The Arakan has fallen to the Allies and we've constricted our positions to a few bases in Central Burma. This line is fairly defensible and the inside rail lines work for all bases other than Taung Gyi. If I can get the Thais to block the North entrance road to the base then I'll feel pretty secure here. A good brigade is moving u to then take the Thais spot on the lines at Taung Gyi. If he tries to cut behind I'm moving another brigade up on the road to dig in.

On the Southern edge the Allies are sitting across the river from Prome and on the road toward Magwe, but that stack is now moving back. Joe sent a message saying that he just noticed all units in Burma need to upgrade to 43 squads and devices, so he's a bit bummed about that. It'll be a while to get them all.

Several fighter groups are now upgraded to the Frank and the N1K2. A few will also move to the J2M3.

[Lowpe]

A pretty map of Burma and Indochina. You seem to have your bases covered, and I am sure your are taking precautions here.

I would argue you need to think about building up a stockpile city of supply for the fighting to come. Somewhere on the Chiang Mai railroad, it is probably too late to really build the supply at Moulmein railroad line.

I would then take it even further and build up a supply center on the Hanoi rail line to Lang Son. Lang Son is nice since it is out of the malaria belt.

These rail lines make for great air bases for your planes! SR3 planes work very well.

That you are so far into 44 already, I would look again at your deep air defenses. You really haven't mentioned Nicks and Randys much; or Rufes and Rex. All four planes make for decent deep air defenses against 4E bombers with long legs. Some of those British 4Es can really reach out and touch you. My rule of thumb, is any ship in port within 30 hexes needs air cover now, if only Rufe and Rex, but at least something. Plus they need a unit of AA too.

Look now at where you have your ARs, AS, AD, etc and your ARDs. How many ARD's do you have? You may want to position one in the interior in China if you can as it can become a flotation repair yard of last resort since China seems fairly safe now. Deep in the Yellow Sea would be another option. But try not to have them too far forward. One AR provides the same amount of port repair points as a level 8 port, and what is better they can be stacked.

You probably have thought of all this, but you never know. Lessons learned the hardway...and finally you may want to stockpile some of the worthless devices that you don't want to reinforce anymore.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

A pretty map of Burma and Indochina. You seem to have your bases covered, and I am sure your are taking precautions here.

Well, I'm trying to be careful. It's always hard in a non-SL game where the Allies can stack up as much as they want in a hex. I'm very aware of a possible encirclement by landing behind lines, but I also have a lot more experience with that now and wouldn't play it the same way I did before. Knowing what I know now about troop movement tricks and strengths of Allied units in 44, I could have gotten out of that situation in the game with Jocke quite easily with my main army intact to set up new lines on the borders of Indochina and Malaya.

I would argue you need to think about building up a stockpile city of supply for the fighting to come. Somewhere on the Chiang Mai railroad, it is probably too late to really build the supply at Moulmein railroad line.

I would then take it even further and build up a supply center on the Hanoi rail line to Lang Son. Lang Son is nice since it is out of the malaria belt.

These rail lines make for great air bases for your planes! SR3 planes work very well.

I've got an air HQ at Chang Mai and at Pisanolouke and plan to use them as fall back bases. They're ready for the next steps. Lang Son has a level 2 base and is being used for recon now. I could later use it for sweeps if needed, but it won't play a major part in the struggle.

As for supply, I'm aiming to use the oil center's refinery supply to support Burma, and so far it's been working. I'm sending it in dribs and drabs by xAKL with a few big shipments that come with arriving LCUs. Major bases all have 20k+ and Rangoon will have 35k+ with these next two arriving. It's a good idea to throw a reserve into Moulmein though. I'll try to do that.

That you are so far into 44 already, I would look again at your deep air defenses. You really haven't mentioned Nicks and Randys much; or Rufes and Rex. All four planes make for decent deep air defenses against 4E bombers with long legs. Some of those British 4Es can really reach out and touch you. My rule of thumb, is any ship in port within 30 hexes needs air cover now, if only Rufe and Rex, but at least something. Plus they need a unit of AA too.

My FF are almost all with the CS cruisers. I've upgraded to Rex and they're the low CAP for the KB. I don't convert the CS to CVL. So they are now training up to higher standard. I have one Rex group in Namatani supporting ops down there where I need planes on a dot for CAP cover.

I am using all Nicks in large bases. I have only three groups of them now. I essentially have no deep air cover yet as he hasn't been in range of anything critical until now.

I've got Irving NF flying deep CAP at Bangkok, essentially the only major strat target in range right now. They're getting nice experience gain too!

I've been using all newly arrived groups as training to start. I'll eventually get more into the DEI to sit on oil centers and industrial targets. It's nice though not to have to worry about defending Chinese industry. Thanks for asking for that HR Torsten! [:)]

Look now at where you have your ARs, AS, AD, etc and your ARDs. How many ARD's do you have? You may want to position one in the interior in China if you can as it can become a flotation repair yard of last resort since China seems fairly safe now. Deep in the Yellow Sea would be another option. But try not to have them too far forward. One AR provides the same amount of port repair points as a level 8 port, and what is better they can be stacked.

You probably have thought of all this, but you never know. Lessons learned the hardway...and finally you may want to stockpile some of the worthless devices that you don't want to reinforce anymore.

I loved the idea of secret AR repair bases in my first long game. After having numerous ports (and all ships in them) blown to bits by 4Es, I've gone off this idea a bit. I'll get them to a well defended base with a major shipyard, or they're just not going to make it. The points and potential fighting strength I lost just in one raid on my rear sub staging port in that game was silly. Never again.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]13 January, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Still no sign of Allied subs. Upgrades I guess. I'm moving as much as possible in this interlude.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Another good bombardment at Taung Gyi. This is only from two arty units; a 28cm and a 15cm. I may have a look at how much this costs in terms of supply, and if it's not too much, just keep em going. At ~10 infantry disablements a day, this coud make a difference. Also, his supply situation may not be very good in Burma yet. He's got a lot there, (courtesy of Torsten). He also mentioned that all Allied units need to upgrade squads to 43. That will be a problem for him unless he moves them all back or to Ramree or something.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] A division, an Army HQ, a brigade and four armor units are now heading to Urumchi. The armor is at Hami now and will attack tomorrow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] A big P-47 sweep against Rabaul was the major news of this turn. He's really being sporadic about this, not at all what I remember from playing Jocke or Torsten, where every sweep was a combined strike with EVERY plane available. At least against the big bases.

There was amajor change today from 31k to 15k for the sweepers. I think this didn't help him as there were a lot of messages about Oscars and Tojos diving from 17-20k, and they were the low CAP.

This time I watched most of the replay. Very interesting. I'm experimenting with both Oscars and Tojos at 5k. I like it, but of course it's different when the sweepers start so low with good advanced warning.

Both a Tojo and an Oscar shot down a P-47 outright, and some others got serious damage on the beasts. They were surprisingly more effective than the Jacks and Georges early. The Nicks got really beat up when they were engaged, and the Georges finally dove in to get some more good work done. No scramblers from this setup. I'm flying mostly 50% with one small Jack group at 80% CAP. Detection was again decent at 22 minutes, but the combined sweep of three groups still overwhelmed the defenders for most of the battle. We only got numbers toward the very end.

All in all, good A to A numbers with more ops losses for the Japanese, and most importantly, we most likely win the battle of pilots again with only 3 KIA and 6 WIA on the day including other areas. [8D]

The planes based at Namatani with a 1 hex range did not take part which is odd after so much warning. I have Zeros and Rexes there. I also accidently left a 27 plane George group on LR CAP over Munda. They're tired now and will be back in Rabaul for tomorrow if more is on the way.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 31
N1K1-J George x 14
N1K2-J George x 23
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 32
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 15000 feet *
17 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 15000 feet *
19 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 15000 feet *

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
301 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1992 troops, 93 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1704

Defending force 89896 troops, 1198 guns, 1412 vehicles, Assault Value = 2509

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Guards Division
48th Division
16th Division
7th RTA Division
6th RF Gun Battalion
1st JNAF AF Unit
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Area Army
8th RF Gun Battalion
53rd Const Co
80th JAAF AF Bn
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
35th JAAF AF Bn
23rd JAAF AF Bn
16th Army
15th Air Defense AA Regiment
16th AA Regiment
3rd RF Gun Battalion
57th Field AA Battalion
91st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
8th KGV Light Cav Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
25th Indian Division
7th Indian Division
2nd British Division
11th Indian Division
18th British Division
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
17th Indian Division
181st Field Artillery Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
XV Indian Corps
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Lots of new stuff arriving today, including three non-restricted air HQ! [X(]

Also just got the first LST. I just realized these are also gas guzzlers. They'll be mostly used around the HI for supply and troops moving to islands. They can be useful later though for quick evacs or reinforcements.[/font]

Reinforcements:LST T-102 arrives at Maizuru
ML G-205 arrives at Sapporo
61st Air Flotilla arrives at Tokyo
62nd Air Flotilla arrives at Tokyo
72nd Air Flotilla arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
1st Raiding Force arrives at Tokyo
71st Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
54th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
55th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
30th Special Base Force arrives at Babeldaob

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Good to get 8:9 A to A against the Jugs! [:)][/font]

---

[Lokasenna]

Yeah.... in cooperating sweeps, often not all of the planes participate. Often, for my guys, right before it ends one of my sweep squadrons will "join" the combat (the numbers jump from 23 planes left on my side of the window to 48, for example) and then the combat will stop, with 48 planes sweeping the base graphic. Makes me unsure whether those 25 additional planes were affecting the combat at all. Who knows...

Still, that's a really low total result for such a sweep.