The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[ny59giants]

Since I'm a transplant to Tennessee for the last 14 years (now live in NE corner), I know very little about the Civil War battles that took place across the state. Since this thread is off on another mini-tangent, can anybody recommend any good book or two for me?

[Canoerebel]

If you'd like to read about Tennessee battles (and campaigns), try No Better Place to Die (Stones River) and The Shipwreck of Their Hopes (Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge), both by Peter Cozzens.

I think Cozzens is the finest Civil War historian/writer in America. He goes into detail so a person with shallow interest and superficial knowledge of tactics and jargon wouldn't enjoy him, but I think any AE player interested in the Civil War will love his books.

His This Terrible Sound (Chickamauga) is the second finest work of history I've ever read (subjective analysis based upon quality of his writing and level of my interest).

[ny59giants]

His This Terrible Sound (Chickamauga) is the second finest work of history I've ever read (subjective analysis based upon quality of his writing and level of my interest).

Have this one already. I think you were the one from long ago.

Thanks for the recommendations! [:)]

[Canoerebel]

4/10/44

There is significance to this date. Originally, Fun House was scheduled to leave Hawaii on or about March 20, with an estimated D-Day of April 10. Shifting the point of origin of the operation from Hawaii to Oz was a good head start. Thus, instead of today being D-Day, the Allies already hold all objectives and have built the centerpiece, Legaspi, pretty large.

Fun House: Another good, quiet, productive day.

Burma: A more noisy, productive, good day.

Pacific: Mop-up operations continue with the taking of Gardner Island.

KB: Still no info re: its whereabouts. I do think John will pounce somewhere soon. There's no way he's going to let the Allies waltz around for weeks without interfering. He may strike in the Philippines or he may raid/invade somewhere far away, but he's going to do something soon.

[Canoerebel]

Two important questions:

1. The P-51A model doesn't seem to perform well in combat against Franks and Georges. How does the -B model perform, in your experience?

2. The rules tell us that fleet carriers in base hexes have their CAP halved. I don't recall ever having this tested - having enemy aircraft attack a bases with carriers at sea in the hex ('cause all of assiduously avoid putting our carriers in combat situations at half strength). Are you gents satisfied that the rule does work as it should - that Six 36-plane Hellcat squadrons would actually put up one-half the usual CAP?

(You may be thinking, "Why ask?" Well, I recall the original AE or WiTP rules specifying very clearly that there was a chance that fighters set to train only had a chance of contesting enemy aircraft in the hex; I've never, ever seen that happen. So I'm leery of counting on a rule in a critical situation unless I'm absolutely sure, and I'm not here.)

[Canoerebel]

I see some of the -B model improvements, but I don't know how that translates into combat performance vs. good enemy fighters.

Do any of you use -B models to bomb, given they carry 1,000-pounders? Is this a good idea? A bad idea?

[JohnDillworth]

Any thought to getting some DB and TB squadrons up and running to take some pot shots at the all those little TF's? you must have scads of these things lying around. Also, have you considered sending TF's with 2 or 3 Fletchers on raiding parties deep into the South China Sea? They are pretty tough to hit from the air and pretty tough to beat on the water now that torpedoes work. At this point of the war you could empty your pockets of change and 4 or 5 Fletchers would fall out

[Anachro]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Well, I recall the original AE or WiTP rules specifying very clearly that there was a chance that fighters set to train only had a chance of contesting enemy aircraft in the hex; I've never, ever seen that happen. So I'm leery of counting on a rule in a critical situation unless I'm absolutely sure, and I'm not here.)

I've seen that happen more than once in my games.

[JeffroK]

Technically the P51B/C (depended where it was built) was the best Mustang model of WW2.
You get an extra 50mph, 2 hexes of range and a maneuver point, only problem is only 4 x 50cal.
However I have struggled to get much out of them ingame, could be a myriad of ratings but in theory, given equal pilots they should be excellent.

Well done with the invasion, JIII seems to be apprehensive to attack your forces, maybe he is only comfortable attacking in wildly advantageous situations, say 100-1 odds.

From your comments you seem to have, to me, very limited LBA, should ypur CV be drawn away can you still defend your holdings, plus Mines/CD/PT Boats, all set up to attrit any attempt to bombard?

Did you bring any Airborne to the fight? Might be an easy way to pick up some more bases or provide a rapid reinforcement group.

And...And...[8D]

[Canoerebel]

For the moment, I'm using all available airfield space for fighters (partly because strike aircraft tend to run into enemy bleedover CAP and get chewed up).

I have thought about detaching Fletchers. Oddly enough, I have to be very conservative with my combat TFs. I have eleven of them, ranging from three-DD TFs to big two-BB (Iowa and New Jersey!) TFs.

At first it seems like 11 combat TFs is plenty, but they're charged with guarding scores of merchant and carrier TFs. Losses (or low ammo) will be keenly felt. So I don't feel "up to" raiding too far yet.

But I am leaning towards deploying several combat TFs at or near Legaspi tomorrow, hoping that damaging a few enemy DDs might then allow the subs to go to work.

I'm still thinking it over.

P.S. Your idea is a good one. I have lots of more expendable DDs serving escort duty with merchants and support ships. I ought to rearrange a few TFs in order to create a few raiders.

[JeffroK]

I also like Thomas, as much for his determination and standing up for his beliefs.

[Canoerebel]

I have two paratroop units present. One is prepped 100% for Manila. The other is available for "pick up" duty. There are still myriad vacant bases in the middle Philippines, but at the moment I don't have the wherewithal to use more or protect them.

I have decent LBA already - fighters - because of Naga and Legaspi. Soon they'll be much bigger. I already have plenty aviation support. Both fields are in range of LBA reinforcements from DEI and Burma. So the air situation is shaping up nicely.

John can bombard, but he has to risk good ships to do it. I have good countermeasures due to ships, carriers, subs, strike aircraft, etc. John can give me some fits, but I can do the same.

[witpqs]

The P-51A has only 4x .50 cal, so it is better than a P-40K but not so much as it could be.

The P-51B still has only 4x .40 cal but is much faster. But still only the 32 Durability of the A and most of the P-40 line.

Some helpful comparisons even though you didn't ask:
The P-51D has 6x .40 cal but still only 32 Dur (as all P-51 have), and is vulnerable enough against crack IJ pilots, though clearly better than prior USA fighters.

The P-47 benefits a great deal from the 8x .50 cal and the higher Dur (35 IIRC??). Also the P-51 suffers more degradation at high altitudes.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The P-51A has only 4x .50 cal, so it is better than a P-40K but not so much as it could be.

The P-51B still has only 4x .40 cal but is much faster. But still only the 32 Durability of the A and most of the P-40 line.

Some helpful comparisons even though you didn't ask:
The P-51D has 6x .40 cal but still only 32 Dur (as all P-51 have), and is vulnerable enough against crack IJ pilots, though clearly better than prior USA fighters.

The P-47 benefits a great deal from the 8x .50 cal and the higher Dur (35 IIRC??). Also the P-51 suffers more degradation at high altitudes.

My experiences with the P-51B are it is no better than a P-40K, even with a great pilot.

To me, the most nerfed models on the Allied side are the whole P-38 line. I don't think the game code gives enough op loss prevention for the second engine, and they don't seem to turn very well for having all that torque. Even the late, late models get eaten alive by Georges and Franks. I've long assigned them to the "meh" bucket in my mind. OK, but nothing to rely on.

[Bearcat2]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The P-51A has only 4x .50 cal, so it is better than a P-40K but not so much as it could be.

The P-51B still has only 4x .40 cal but is much faster. But still only the 32 Durability of the A and most of the P-40 line.

Some helpful comparisons even though you didn't ask:
The P-51D has 6x .40 cal but still only 32 Dur (as all P-51 have), and is vulnerable enough against crack IJ pilots, though clearly better than prior USA fighters.

The P-47 benefits a great deal from the 8x .50 cal and the higher Dur (35 IIRC??). Also the P-51 suffers more degradation at high altitudes.

My experiences with the P-51B are it is no better than a P-40K, even with a great pilot.

To me, the most nerfed models on the Allied side are the whole P-38 line. I don't think the game code gives enough op loss prevention for the second engine, and they don't seem to turn very well for having all that torque. Even the late, late models get eaten alive by Georges and Franks. I've long assigned them to the "meh" bucket in my mind. OK, but nothing to rely on.

Torque? P-38 had counter-rotating propellers.

[Bif1961]

The P-51B/C had a better climb rate so it would be a better interceptor than the P-51A.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Termite2

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The P-51A has only 4x .50 cal, so it is better than a P-40K but not so much as it could be.

The P-51B still has only 4x .40 cal but is much faster. But still only the 32 Durability of the A and most of the P-40 line.

Some helpful comparisons even though you didn't ask:
The P-51D has 6x .40 cal but still only 32 Dur (as all P-51 have), and is vulnerable enough against crack IJ pilots, though clearly better than prior USA fighters.

The P-47 benefits a great deal from the 8x .50 cal and the higher Dur (35 IIRC??). Also the P-51 suffers more degradation at high altitudes.

My experiences with the P-51B are it is no better than a P-40K, even with a great pilot.

To me, the most nerfed models on the Allied side are the whole P-38 line. I don't think the game code gives enough op loss prevention for the second engine, and they don't seem to turn very well for having all that torque. Even the late, late models get eaten alive by Georges and Franks. I've long assigned them to the "meh" bucket in my mind. OK, but nothing to rely on.

Torque? P-38 had counter-rotating propellers.

The wrong word then. But power, and widely separated rudders. The P-38 was the bedrock of 1943 in several campaigns. In the game they're VP bait.

[paradigmblue]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
The wrong word then. But power, and widely separated rudders. The P-38 was the bedrock of 1943 in several campaigns. In the game they're VP bait.

You really think so? In 1942 I find that they're very effective when used in the high-altitude sweep role. I can see how they would fall off in effectiveness vs later game Japanese aircraft though.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: paradigmblue

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
The wrong word then. But power, and widely separated rudders. The P-38 was the bedrock of 1943 in several campaigns. In the game they're VP bait.

You really think so? In 1942 I find that they're very effective when used in the high-altitude sweep role. I can see how they would fall off in effectiveness vs later game Japanese aircraft though.

Yeah, mine are doing very well. My top ace is a P38 jockey. I use them for sweeps and LRCAP. They are also excellent low level port bombers if you catch some ships without CAP. Never use them for escort. The plane is fine. The service rating is it's only real defect.

P51 B is the fastest fighter you will have until well into 1945, and has great range. I would not use it for bombing though except to duplicate the p38 raids mentioned above. You can do some creative things with your long range fighters that the enemy won't expect. Good but still not close to the P47. In game terms I find that speed is still the best asset a fighter can have.

[palioboy2]

The 38's were never very maneuverable crates. Neither power nor dual rudders will help with roll or your ability in a slow turning fight. That plane was at its best when using slashing tactics. Converting an attitude advantage into speed, hitting it's enemy extremely hard with its all centerline gun package and the using to oodles of power to climb away.