Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: DRF99

So the main KB is:
418F, 229DB, 170TB

And the DEI KB is:
218F, 55DB, 87TB

Combined they would be:
636F, 284DB, 257TB

Are you better combining them? Would the combined KB have a significantly better chance going toe-to-toe against the Death Star or not? I don't know the answer but if the present main KB would have a low chance of success and the combined a 50/50 or better chance you should consider combining them. I'm not sure what the benefit of the DEI KB is and if it's worth the increased risk to the main KB.

DRF

I concur with this thinking. Keeping the CVs in the DEI has allowed me to strike several times and keep him honest with Burma. That pair of BBs has done excellent service as well. It is time to bring some of them thru to link-up with the rest of Fleet.

Am thinking about exchanging Akagi, Aso, and Ikoma for Junyo. This would add over 160 planes to the main force while still keeping a diversionary strike force available.

[Lowpe]

Diversionary strike force? You are smoking something!

What do they say about splitting your forces in front of a larger enemy force. How about a larger enemy force with better intel?

Dance very cautiously, my friend as you need your CVs to survive for another six to 12 months.

Truth most likely is his CVEs can take on the KB and win. One CV strike against a defended target will likely cost you 600+ planes shot down and if his strike planes get thru...well then.

[John 3rd]

Now THAT is encouraging!

I mean by Diversionary Strike Force that this group of CVs--considering he has EVERYTHING in ONE place--carries enough firepower to smash something as well as defend itself.

[John 3rd]

June 6, 1944

Perhaps I offended at the use of Horse Caca? Let me add Bantha Poo-Doo, Toro Caca, and many more to the list.

Batangas
Three major bomber strikes at Batangas (Fort-4, 2 AA units, and CAP).

1. The first attack is a massed attack involving over 120 Liberators and roughly 24 2EB. They hit and DESTROY the 7th Shipping Eng Reg with 1,004 Cas. The unit ceases to exist.

2. A group of 24 Liberators hits an ID for 379 Cas.

3. 20 Liberators hit an Engineer Reg for 278 Cas.

4. Now reverse things with a strike of 42 2EB and 18 Liberators causing 116 Cas to an ID.

Well...four fully rested and at capacity Frank Sentai arrive at Clark. They are ordered to CAP Batangas with everything they have...

[John 3rd]

The Kido Butai moves towards Hiroshima and will arrive tomorrow.

The two Tanker TF I had begun describing last week have now passed Hong Kong and look to be in excellent shape. This will be a near 200,000 Fuel/Oil delivery.

The next TK TF is within 3-4 days of ready. Should be carrying a similar amount.


The 1.0x10^6 is spotted just west of Panay. Is he moving away? Let us hope so. Should have the Kido Butai in position at Naha or Daito Saito within 4 days.

[John 3rd]

June 6, 1944

China
The Chinese army awoke from its slumber about a month ago and moved south along the Liuchow--Nanning Line. Facing no Allied air, the Japanese took control of the skies and used 150 bombers to good effect. Should note that the AVERAGE casualties inflicted/30 bombers was around 100.

In pulling an ID from another base, the Japanese drove the Chinese out of Liuchow on May 25th. Chinese losses were 890 Squads (13,667 cas) and 40 Guns for 1,490 Japanese.

The two ID freed up then moved SW and attacked the lone Chinese Corps present in hex 73,55 inflicting 125 Squads (1,879 Cas) for just 231 Japanese.

The move continued SW to Nanning where on June 5th, the Chinese suffered a 19-1 assault destroying 158 Squads (1,733 Cas) and 24 Guns for 376 IJA Troops.

This makes eight Chinese Corps beaten-up in three weeks. Pretty decent performance.

Now the THREE ID are moving back towards Liuchow with the intention of linking up with the 3rd TK Div and will now begin working UP the railroad clearing the hexes to the NE.

[John 3rd]

I'd say this qualifies for CAP over Batangas on June 7th and look at the result:

[John 3rd]

On the OTHER hand, I sprang a nice surprise this turn by moving a Daitai of good Judys down the Solomon Chain to find a small Invasion unloading at Luganville. A morning and then afternoon strike hits the Landing Force and gets great results:

AM 21 Judy hit an AP and 3 AK while sinking an SC.
PM 17 Judy smash 2 AP and an AK sinking the trio.

Troops lost with each attack totaling over 600 for the day. Not much but a good result.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Everyone points to the single big example of Cobra for 4EB. How about the massive 'friendly fire' casualties that happened in several the Bocage attacks there. Didn't the army lose a 3-Star General who went to watch and got killed when they bombed short?

Simple reality, as alluded to earlier, is that the game engine simply cannot handle it.

EX: June 5th Turn just run in Dan and I's game. A 32 plane Liberator attack at Batangas against troops in Sz-4 Forts, not moving, two AA units present, and CAP. Result: 1 Liberator shot down, 11 Damaged to AA/Fighters, and 404 Japanese Cas on the ground.

Yes, a U.S. general was sacked after Cobra and allied senior commanders railed against using the 4 Es as close support bombers.

However, Cobra is not the best example. Have a look at John Grehan and Martin Mace's Far East Air Operations 1942-1945. What you will discover is that the casualty reports that you are seeing are almost exactly in line with those reported from very similar strikes, by the same number and type of bombers, in the same type of terrain.

See for example, the comments on the use of Strategic Air Force in Indirect Support of the 14th army in Burma. Page 118 "A notable attack of this type was mounted on 13th January against Mandalay... 54 aircraft [B-24s mostly] attacked the Japanese-occupied district and a further 12 the suburb of Sagaing on the opposite side of the river, the operation being preceded by attacks by Thunderbolts upon anti-aircraft gun sites in the neighborhood and accompanied by fighter sweeps... intelligence reports variously estimated Japanese casualties alone at 600 and a 1,000, in addition to those inflicted upon Burmese puppet troops."

[JohnDillworth]

withdrawn

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I'd say this qualifies for CAP over Batangas on June 7th and look at the result:

Sorry, I misread your earlier intention with respect to a diversionary KB wing.[:)]

You must have had that CAP at high altitudes given the low damage, your warning time is extremely low for bombers, and from the damage inflicted very low -- I bet very few fighters actually intercepted.

That could have been a real stinging victory for you. Pity you didn't have a 25 minute warning.

[John 3rd]

Correct. I have been using the Franks at 30K so they generally get the bounce over the P-47s. This time the fighters came in last and I was out of position. Altered this for the next turn by keeping the Franks high but placing a layer of Georges at 15-20K. Should work to start the fight and then give the Franks a chance.

Aurorus: Thank you for the reference. I will look it up. If I am totally off-base here then we'll do apologize; however, I don't think I am.

[John 3rd]

The wife took the boys on a church overnight so Dan and I got in three turns and binged on Season 4 of Game of Thrones. Turned into a rather late night but much accomplished.

Am almost done with The Fast Carriers. It is an eye opening, magnificent read. Cannot believe I had not read it before. Heartily recommend this book to any of you.

[Anachro]

I remember someone presenting the results of a series of tests on the effects of layered vs unlayered (all high-altitude) CAP in a dogfight. They concluded that having a layered CAP defense produced better combat results for the defender when facing enemy fighters. Not sure what others think of this, but I always try to keep a layered CAP, if only to keep the enemy honest if he tries to go low altitude with bombers to get under my fighters.

[John 3rd]

Makes a BUNCH of sense to me.

[John 3rd]

Have to admit to a bit of a long-term plan here. I've been keeping my Kamikazes back for the right moment. They are all training at 1,000Ft. My keeping fighter WAY UP will, hopefully, provide for a serious opportunity in a bit.

[Anachro]

I remember it mentioned (maybe by Nemo) that kamikaze's can be very effective, but only if used in mass (i.e. extremely large numbers all at once in one turn). So your thought process to save them up is correct, but I would NOT throw them away unless the right and potentially highly rewarding opportunity arises.

[John 3rd]

Agreed. I am strongly thinking of using them en masse with a land- and sea-based effort. This MAY occur in the next week. I want Dan to move away from the Central Philippines with his CVs. Will then launch a massive air, land, and sea attack all aimed at Legaspi and Naga.

[John 3rd]

Idol question: Can Kamikazes be used for Port Attacks? Strongly think no but want to ask anyway....

[Anachro]

7.4.2.3 KAMIKAZES

Once a squadron is converted to Kamikaze, it may only conduct three Mission types – Kamikaze, Training, and Stand Down. The Kamikaze Mission is a variant of the Naval Attack Mission, which of course if successful means unit casualties.