Out of Focus comes Chaos <No Paradigmblue>

[1EyedJacks]

The first two or three days I swept with zeroes but they ALL flew unescorted against the French and Russians. The French and Russians were massing about 150 fighters so my zeroes would go in at 1:2 - 1:5 odds...

I've lost a lot of fighters and I'm only about 10 days into the war...

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

The first two or three days I swept with zeroes but they ALL flew unescorted against the French and Russians. The French and Russians were massing about 150 fighters so my zeroes would go in at 1:2 - 1:5 odds...

I've lost a lot of fighters and I'm only about 10 days into the war...

To add a little more to what I did...

I used massive numbers of squadrons to fly sweeps, and yes, the first squadron in did suffer, but the follow on squadrons decimated his planes.

I also used LRCAP over the runways swept for particularly nasty places.

But I was only attacking one base at a time.

I also augmented my sweeps with Carrier Fighter Squadrons...which have a much higher chance of cooperating.

[1EyedJacks]

DEC 23 41

I've dropped two brigades @ Wake and both have taken grievous damage during the shock attack phase. To the point I'm waiting several days before I try a deliberate attack. My amphibious support was lite tho - just a CA and pair of CL…

What improves ASW attacks besides detection levels? I always thought aggression and naval were the keys to a TF Commander and ship captains…

Regarding the P-50s… I am averaging 4 losses to one P-50… And that's mostly zeroes… I see now why Peever went for the PI on day 1 of the war. I'm flying out of several airfields in the PI with Oscars and Zeroes. My Zeroes are at high altitude and my Oscars are mid-range and a low of 10k. My range is 3, which lets my bases all cover each other.

I had a nice turkey-shoot near Borzya when 25 DB-3M attacked ground units w/o escort fighters.

I'm assaulting Petropavlovsk. I am soooo lucky I added battleships for amphibious support!! Holy crap that base has some CD support. KB has attacked the airfields twice so far.

Pre-Invasion action off Petropavlovsk (141,44)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

343 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamayuri Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire
PB Sureboko Maru
xAK Brasil Maru, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Asama Maru #2

Japanese ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

100mm B-24 DP Gun Battery engaging xAK Yamayuri Maru at 5,000 yards
PB Sureboko Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
130mm B-13 CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Brasil Maru at 5,000 yards
PB Sureboko Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
100mm B-24 DP Gun Battery engaging xAK Yamayuri Maru at 5,000 yards
PB Sureboko Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
100mm B-24 DP Gun Battery engaging xAK Brasil Maru at 5,000 yards
PB Sureboko Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
PB Sureboko Maru 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


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Amphibious Assault at Petropavlovsk (141,44)

TF 102 troops unloading over beach at Petropavlovsk, 141,44

12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 35th JNAF AF Unit /3
12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 35th JNAF AF Unit /4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Petropavlovsk (141,44) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

1207 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi, Shell hits 58, on fire
BB Yashima, Shell hits 45, on fire
CA Idzumo, Shell hits 12, on fire
CA Tone, Shell hits 35, on fire
CL Ioshima, Shell hits 22, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Uruyuke, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Katsutade, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susuki, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugao, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akikaze, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Yamasimo Maru, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
CVE Aki
CVE Tsukuba
PB Shosei Maru
AMC Mogami Maru

Japanese ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

BB Musashi firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at BB Musashi
BB Yashima firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at BB Yashima
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at CA Idzumo
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at CA Tone
CA Tone firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
CL Ioshima firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at CL Ioshima
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at DD Uruyuke
DD Uruyuke firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
DD Katsutade firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at DD Katsutade
DD Susuki firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at DD Susuki
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at DD Yugao
DD Yugao firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress firing at DD Akikaze
DD Akikaze firing at Petropavlovsk Naval Fortress
130mm B-13 CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Yamasimo Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Musashi firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
100mm B-24 DP Gun Battery engaging xAK Yamagiri Maru at 8,000 yards
CVE Tsukuba firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
PB Shosei Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Petropavlovsk (141,44)

TF 109 troops unloading over beach at Petropavlovsk, 141,44

Japanese ground losses:
512 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

16 troops of a IJA Cavalry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 98th Div
20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost in surf during unload of 98th Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 98th Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 98th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /1
75mm Infantry Gun lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /1
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /2
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /4
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /4
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 4th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 4th Div /5
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /5
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th Div /6
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /6
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /6
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /5
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /5
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 4th Div /7
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /7
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th Div /7
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /6
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /6
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /7
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /7
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /8
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /9
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /10
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /10
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /11
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /11

Brunei fell this turn.

[1EyedJacks]

So in looking at the CD/Fort for Petropavlovsk I see that Bruce doubled the guns... I checked Palembang and that base has a bad-boy CD unit too - ugh!!!

[1EyedJacks]

And...

[Yaab]

I have a vague recollection that Petropavlovsk fortress mauled an invasion TF in Seydlitz's AAR. That was stock scenario 1 back in 2009...

[1EyedJacks]

DEC 26 41
Russia Theatre


I took Petropavlovsk i na shock attack.

Mine Okha and try to slow down any reinforcements.
- KRS Class subs carry the Type 88 mine: That's I-121, 122, 123, & 124. I-124 is on a mission to lay @ Singkawang but will then return to Takao. I-121 is patrolling by Bangka and is now returning to Takao. I-122 & 123 are @ Takao and are now in route to Okha.

I see enemy subs @ Petropavlovsk and I need to keep the area clear since I'll be pulling fuel/oil from the base.
- TF46(2DD)ASW was split from KB and will patrol Petropavlovsk.

The remainder of TF46(damaged ships from the amphibious landing) are headed to Petropavlovsk too, since there's a repair yard there.

KB is returning to Tokyo for resupply.

I moved the Chichijima Ku T-1 (max 24 Jake)to Paramushiro-jima. The air group will eventually goto Petropavlovsk but I need to get repairs done @ that base first. My Jakes are on night-time naval search. Also, Petropavlovsk is under SA command so the Jakes are attached to the SA too. They are patrolling an arc of 50-90 with a range of 7. I have the 17th Ku T-1 (6 Mavis) patrolling the same arc but they are flying daytime. So with ASW TF46 plus the two aG flying naval search, I'm hoping to bump up the detection level enough to get in a good attack on those subs.

Regarding Petropavlovsk:
- Oil (39) x 761
- RepYrd (5) x 25
- Resource (29) x 571 & (2) x 58
- LI (4) x 96
- Refinery (1) x 39
- Damage is PD 63/ASD 85/ARD 94 ** I have engineers present so dmg should reduce quickly.

The 21st, 4th, & 98th Divisions @ Petropavlovsk are prepping for Alexandrovsk. I'm hoping to take that base next and then march overland to Okha.

I-12 is in the Sea of Okhotsk & returning to Tokyo after taking moderate damage in an ASW encounter.

The Russian subs are starting to come out to play around Japan so I've been working to add FP for Day & night Naval Search patrols. And more ASW TF patrolling in areas where I see his subs. I'm limited in what I send out on simple ASW patrols tho as I need most everything I have to escort TFs of resources to the home islands and supplies out to bases and troops out to capture territory.

I'm building up the AF @ Toyohara & Shikuka. And I'm gathering additional AP to move my three divisions from Petropavlovsk to Shikuka.

I'm sending the 1st Recon Rgt @ Taonan down to Sunwu so I can rebuild the 1st Division of the 4th Army[R].

In the PI I added fighters to air groups in the region.

In Malaya the 21st and 56th INF Rgts will perform a shock attack @ 50,77. They've finally caught up to stragglers running towards Singapore. And the 1st Tank Rgt @ Taiping is performing a D_Atk. The base is empty.

So I'm starting to plan for R&D. Anyone want to make suggestions? My goal will be to streamline air production as best I can while driving towards air frames that should help me out in the later part of the war.

[Lowpe]

The double engine fighter, whatever it is....a real beast on paper.

[Peever]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

So in looking at the CD/Fort for Petropavlovsk I see that Bruce doubled the guns... I checked Palembang and that base has a bad-boy CD unit too - ugh!!!

Yeah I lost 5 Aks and heavy damage to a cruiser and destroyer while landing at Tarakan. Looking at the other Dutch bases next on my list they all have guns waiting as well. I was too afraid to go straight for Petropavlovsk like you did so thanks for doing it! Now I can prepare for it with some knowledge on what to expect.

[HansBolter]

A lot of CD guns have been added in a lot of places in this mod.

Is the double engine fighter you're referring to the P50?

Great addition to the American at start fighter force.

[Lowpe]

No, the Japanese one.

I want to say it is the Rob.

Oh, my goodness would it really change the dynamic of the war...but two engines is expensive.

http://www.airpages.ru/eng/jp/ki64.shtml

[poodlebrain]

Late checking in, but I'm astonished by the A2A results from 7Dec1941. The defenders performed exceedingly well given the weather conditions and limited detection times.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: poodlebrain

Late checking in, but I'm astonished by the A2A results from 7Dec1941. The defenders performed exceedingly well given the weather conditions and limited detection times.

Yup - that kinda hurt my feelings... But It sounds like Bruce figured out why the Zero was so abused in Russia and has taken corrective action in the last upgrade.

Of Course uncoordinated sweeps against bases with boat-loads of fighters flying CAP is a quick way to loose your fighters too.

[1EyedJacks]

JAN 1 42

Production:
- I stopped production of the Betty, which uses the Ha-32 engine. Engine production for the Ha-32 is lagging and I have over 90 Betty in my pool. Plus I have 90 Nell and have no problems with production lines that require the Ha-33 engine, so if needed, I can upgrade a Betty group. Also, as more of the G5N2 Liz come available, I intend to upgrade some of my Betty air groups to the Liz.

Japan:
- ASW
&#9675; I've formed a new 4PB ASWTF @ Nagoya that will patrol around Hakodate. I see three enemy subs that Bruce planted near the base…
&#9675; I've got an air group of 36 Kate's @ Ominato flying ASW plus an AG of 16 Jakes divided ABC so I can have 1 section fly night missions.
- Bases
&#9675; Ominato is expanding it's Port (currently 5(6) 0%).
&#9675; Ominato is expanding it's airfield (currently 1(7)0%).

Carrier Operations:
- Most of the carriers are @ Tokyo receiving light repairs. Another couple of days and I'll replace lost AC and then use them in the PI.
- TF2 is also @ Tokyo and unloading the remaining fuel, after which it will retire to the port for repairs (minor).

China:
- Chuhsien fell yesterday to an attack by 5 divisions of Japan's finest. They are now marching to Wenchow to help liberate that base.
- The battle of hex 76,56
&#9675; I've three divisions that caught the 62nd Chines Corps and 62nd Prov Chinese Corps in a movement phase. One of the enemy LCU retreated. My three divisions will perform a shock attack on the 1st - sort of a New Year's present…
&#9675; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 76,55 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36445 troops, 260 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1219

Defending force 4278 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Japanese adjusted assault: 668

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
558 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1046 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 114 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
104th Division
245th Division
300th Division

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
62nd Prov Chinese Corps


Surface Combat:
- I'm forming a SCTF that will feature 10 CL of the Kitakami class, nine of which still feature two broadsides of 20 fish. I'll group this with a pair of CA, a pair of BC, and 8DD and go hunting with it. I'm just curious how a combat session will look featuring something on the order of 400 fish in a combat engagement… <grin>

Economics:
- TF64(1PB 5xAK)43,360 tons CS for Resources. CS:Ominato was created JAN 1 42.

PI:
- Bruce is targeting Legaspi. He sweeps with his rockets and then pounds with his 4E. Nothing I can do @ this stage so I transferred two beat-up fighter AG to Vigan. Legaspi will have to accept no air support for a while… Current Legaspi base damage = 0/55/84
- TF35(3Ca 1CL 4DD)Fast Transport has the Miura Detachment loaded and will deploy @ Legaspi the night of JAN 1 42 (2night).

Formosa:
- ASW
&#9675; At least 5 enemy subs are operating along the waters between Formosa and Batan Isle. I created ASW-TF17(2PB 2SC) and bumped up the leader with an eye towards Naval and Aggressive attributes. I now have 5 ASW TF working patrols in this area plus air groups flying day/night naval search plus an AG of DB flying ASW missions. My success has been less than stellar… Question: I thought ASW TFs could only have a reaction level of 2 but it seems I can set ASW Reaction levels up to 6. Is this WAD?

Russia:
- Prong I
&#9675; Forts are tough business… I've been attacking this fort for 3 turns now…
&#9675; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 106,27 (near Borzya)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28796 troops, 278 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 815

Defending force 2719 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese adjusted assault: 432

Allied adjusted defense: 47

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
90th Division
23rd Division
6th Manchukuo Cav Brigade
7th RF Gun Battalion
6th Army
18th Fld AA Machinecannon Company
3rd RF Gun Battalion
49th Const Co
51st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
32nd Region Fortress

[1EyedJacks]

So we are doing another test run - this time with me as the allies. I have some concerns regarding air combat that I posted in the scenario section of Focus. If you've a mind, read through it and tell me what you think.

As the allies I did a very basic turn. Bruce used KB in the PI, which I think is a mistake. He went after the subs at Manila and did alright with the port attack but the American subs have crappy torpedoes at the beginning of the war anyway. And he attacked Russia which lets me enter in probably double the American subs he killed @ Manila...

I spent a lot of time in sub ops and moving air assets around the board. CAP will be pretty stiff as many of the normal targets for Japan are now sporting 2-4 FG flying CAP. Also, the P-50s came on-line @ Clark.

[savelius2]

Russia starts active in FP, he didn't activate them. Be ready for a ferocious fight there.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: savelius2

Russia starts active in FP, he didn't activate them. Be ready for a ferocious fight there.

Well yes but... The standard of play I learned was that you don't cross the line or attack as Russia until Japan attacks OR you have a house rule that stipulates that Russia is considered to already be at war with Japan.