1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians

[BBfanboy]

Just to clarify what happens with your fighters attacking at 2000 feet - that altitude is treated as "high" level bombing so your fighter would drop dinky bombs (if they had any) and present their bellies to ground fire. The Japanese 7.7mm AA MG is present in most units and 2000 feet is it's maximum altitude range.

To actually strafe you need to set the attack level at 100 feet, the lowest you can go. Fighters strafing suppress flak somewhat but are still quite vulnerable. I only use it against units out of supply or merchant shipping with poor flak. .50 Cal MGs and cannons can poke holes in ships and sometimes ignite fires or knock out equipment.

In between is Low Level bombing at 1000 feet. Your fighters will drop their bombs and strafe, but it seems random which they do first. The bombing is more effective (assuming the same level of bombing skill in Low Gnd and Gnd B) than at 2000 feet but you still get a lot of flak damage and some losses so don't use it unless you can afford to ground the planes for repairs and replacements for a while.

[Energisteron]

Thanks once more, BBf.

That's all fascinating and very helpful insight.

So, fighters can attack shipping?

I'm curious how that could be set-up. I find it's rare I can specifically target shipping. I have to do recon to detect them (again) and hope the air group commander initiates an attack with the assets I've left to his discretion.

[BBfanboy]

The fighters act the same as bombers - set them to "Naval Attack" at 1000 feet and the range you want (bearing in mind that max range precludes bombs) and send out your scouts to detect the shipping. I would not set the fighters this way if there are cruisers or BBs present - their flak will be too nasty. Even DDs are tough for fighters.
However, I did actually sink Japanese CA Chokai off Bataan using the P-40Es armed with 500 lb bombs. I forget if it was three or four squadrons but they got 18 hits, most of which penetrated the deck. A fluke result, but it shows what can be done.

[Bif1961]

When you do decide to do a PBEM, it helps too read some completed AARs to get a good idea what House Rules you might want to use. Good HRs limit the gameiness that might be available because of game quirks or historic trade-offs, for playability. However, it is not a game ones masters by playing the AI alone as the AI is not as challenging as an actual opponent, so don't wait to master the game because you will learn far more from playing head-to-head with a real person than 10 AI games.

[Energisteron]

Thanks for the explanation, BBf. I may have to try that sometime!

Agreed, Bif. One more AI game then . . . into the unknown!

[Energisteron]

GAME 3 - <<<< SPOILER ALERT >>>> <<<< SPOILER ALERT >>>> <<<< SPOILER ALERT >>>>

The One Thousand Mile War - playing as Japanese versus Allied AI

Settings - Default except; Historical first turn - OFF; Reinforcements +/- 15 days for both sides; Turn cycle - 1 day

Here's my objectives as set-out in the briefing:-

[Energisteron]

Day 01 - Apr 15

Realistic Objectives

Well, in theory I've been asked to hold Attu and Kiska 'to the last man', but at the same time we are supposed to inflict serious damage to enemy units and draw others to this theatre when they could be better used elsewhere.

So, looking at the base values (in game points), just 40 points apiece for Attu and Kiska, it becomes apparent that this is very much a secondary theatre of operations since the sinking of just 3 Freighters would likely net us 42 points or thereabouts. Whereas, fighting till our garrison units on Attu and Kiska are overwhelmed or destroyed would cost in the region of 150 points.

Therefore, my strategy will be to attempt to delay or repulse any invasions at great cost to the enemy and yet be prepared to withdraw the garrisons if needs be to avoid unnecessary losses.

Reading between the lines of my orders, I'm fairly convinced that strategy was implied.

Strategic Assessment

In game 1 I made an assessment from the Allied side (see post #23) tm.asp?m=4300585&mpage=1&key=

Of course, now the roles are reversed!

We have an excellent base to the rear at Paramushiro-jima. Then 680 miles (17 hexes) away we have Attu Island and then a further 200 miles away (5 hexes) lies Kiska Island. Neither of the island bases have been particularly well developed, and supplies and fuel stocks are fairly low too. At least Attu and Kiska are close enough to be mutually supporting whereas the Allies have just one forward base on Adak Island, a further 200 miles (5 hexes) beyond Kiska. Adak is marginally better developed with a slightly superior air capacity. To their rear, the Allies have their primary base, Dutch Harbor, which is about equivalent to Paramushiro-jima in capacity, and it lies 400 miles (10 hexes) from Kiska.

If the Allies were to attempt to invade either Attu or Kiska, which is what we are expecting, then these islands are respectively 400 and 200 miles (10 and 5 hexes) from Adak and 720 and 560 miles (18 and 14 hexes) from Dutch Harbor. Consequently, the Allies can use heavy bombers from Dutch Harbor to hit Kiska easily, but Attu would be at their most extreme range if not beyond it. So Adak will be very important to them as a forward airfield from which to provide fighter escorts as far as Kiska, and for basing medium bombers to reach either Kiska or Attu.

For the moment we have no bombers. Some Emilys (Recon) and Bettys (level bomber) are promised in about 2 weeks and these will operate from Paramushiro-jima which puts us in a very similar position to the Allies because Bettys would be capable of reaching Attu but not Kiska (except as a base transfer). We do have fighters (Oscars and Zeros) which could be transferred to Attu in a single hop from P-jima. Attu has no aircraft while Kiska has Jakes and Rufes which could be got back to P-jima only via Attu. Being float fighters means that Rufes will not clog up the airstrip so maybe we can reinforce the air element on Kiska.

Port facilities at Adak are poor so any invasion force is likely to come directly from Dutch Harbor, as are supplies and fuel.

All three bases have an adequate garrison, and we are told to expect a good quality independent Brigade as reinforcement in 2 weeks.

From the naval point of view, most of our units are back at P-jima. These include 2x CL, 3x DD, and 4x APD (transport destroyers), 11x Freighters/Transports of various types, 1x Oiler, and 10x SS plus a few small vessels. There's nothing at Attu but there are 6x SSX (midget subs) at Kiska. These do not even have the range to transfer back to Attu or reach Adak and so have a purely defensive role. BUT, we can piggy-back them on some of our larger subs so maybe we can risk an enemy base infiltration!

We do accrue additional naval units including 2x CA and 1x DD within 2 weeks, and after about 4 weeks another 1x CA, 2x DD and 2x SS. After 5-6 weeks we can expect a major reinforcement but by then will it be too late? These would include 4x CA, 1x BB, 1x CVL and 2x CV! That's big stuff!

So, to summarise, we have two bases in the contested zone to the enemy's one, none of which are well developed. Differences in distance, and therefore the possibilities for air intervention, are hardly significant for both combatants. We are short of supply, especially at our forward bases. We can expect considerable naval reinforcements to attempt a response to any attack.

[Energisteron]

Day 01 - Apr 15

Plans

We need to get supplies to Attu and Kiska as soon as possible so 2x xAK and 4x ADP will load supplies. 12xZeros (a third of those available) will be transferred to Attu to provide CAP in future. CAP for Kiska will be maintained by its own Rufes. Jakes will Recon Adak from Kiska also.

We send a 2xCL 1xDD bombardment TF to attack Adak to disrupt any improvement of the facilities there. Similarly we will dispatch 5xSS to lay a minefield around Adak. The remaining 5xSS will attempt to isolate Adak from supply from Dutch Harbor, although one of them will watch departures from Dutch Harbor itself.

On the ground, to preserve supply we stop all construction work except for the fortification of Attu and Kiska.

[tarkalak]

Hi Energisteron,

Congratulations for the victory!

The best I did was draw and I did take both Kiska and Adak. In fact this is the most complex scenario I have played myself. Well done.

Some ideas for the Japanese side:
1. You can build up Attu's airfield up (to level 2 for Betties) and move the Air HQ there (for torpedoes). Otherwise your betties will be out of range for most of the game.
2. Exchange the air support units on Attu and Paramishiro-jima. The one on Attu doesn't have radar, while both Paramishiro and Kiska ones have. That will help against bombers.

[Energisteron]

Hi tarkalak

Interesting ideas. I have to admit swapping HQs as you suggest had never occurred to me. Moving Bettys up line had but I had not realised I needed a better HQ to give them torpedoes.

I assume I check HQ devices to get to that level of detail?

[Energisteron]

Day 01 - Apr 15

The action : Naval and supply plans progress without interference. The enemy make two heavy air raids against Kiska. Results are inconclusive.

[Bif1961]

The bane of the Japanese here, clear weather, and still minimal damage.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Hi tarkalak

Interesting ideas. I have to admit swapping HQs as you suggest had never occurred to me. Moving Bettys up line had but I had not realised I needed a better HQ to give them torpedoes.

I assume I check HQ devices to get to that level of detail?

Aerial torpedoes are a different animal from bombs. First, your Air HQ must draw them from supply, and then it can issue them to any air unit within it's command radius. You draw the torpedoes using the button on the HQ screen and you can only draw up to 20 at a time. Just repeat until you get the number you want, but be aware that each torpedo costs 10 supply, and then you need to transport them wherever the HQ goes. And of course you must set your bombers to use torpedoes and have them on Naval Strike. And the bombers cannot carry the torps to max range.

After all that, your bombers might attack the least valuable (weakest AA) enemy ship in range, especially if their commander is low on aggression. And even Japanese torps have a dud rate!

[Energisteron]

Thanks, Bif and BBf

[&:] Err, that's interesting advice, but I cannot even find how to check which HQ has radar and which does not!

I don't suppose I could load torpedoes on to Bettys then transfer them to Attu?

BTW, I've found the buy torpedoes button.

[Energisteron]

Day 02 - Apr 16

In a total contrast to the weather on Day 01, today was very stormy and precluded any large-scale air operations. We did get 4 Recon flights over Adak, however, which vastly increases our assessment of the likely garrison to 5280 troops, 99 guns, 4 AFVs, 18 fighters and 6 bombers. The fighter estimate has to be wrong as 26x Warhawks escorted the first wave of bombers yesterday and they had to be stationed on Adak! The Allies make no air raids on Attu or Kiska and we do not even see any Recon aircraft (we did see Catalinas over Kiska yesterday).

The bad weather has obscured the approach and deployment of our naval TFs very satisfactorily. The Freighters are still loading at P-jima, but the 4xAPD are loaded and setout for Kiska with nearly 900 supply units.

[Energisteron]

Day 03 - Apr 17

A repeat of yesterday with even worse weather. We can make just 2 Recon sorties over Adak. No sign of enemy Recon either. Again there are no enemy air attacks. There's a tentative sighting by a Glen launched from SS I-31 of 8 Allied ships to the SW of Kiska. This must be further investigated.

Day 04 - Apr 18

SS I-31 is diverted to sweep SW of Kiska and Attu in case reported sighting of enemy TF is genuine. To assist, 5xJakes from Kiska will make a night Naval Recon in 100% moonlight. Let's hope the weather helps us!

All other operations continue as planned and the two supply convoys leave P-jima bound for Kiska and Attu. Supplies are in short supply back at P-jima so both Freighters are only filled to 75% capacity.

[Energisteron]

Day 04 - Apr 18

The outcome:-

Weather continues poor. No air attacks against our positions. Very little Recon possible (the night naval recon had to be cancelled).

No contacts at sea except for the 4xAPD TF north of Attu which is spotted by an Allied 'float plane' after unloading at Kiska and turning for home.

We lay a 60+ mine minefield around Adak without any interference from the enemy, and the still undetected 2xCL 1xDD TF nears Adak for its bombardment attack tomorrow night.

[Energisteron]

Day 05 - Apr 19

Heavy radio traffic from Dutch Harbor. No significant sightings of enemy shipping or aircraft.

4xAPD now empty of cargo delivered to Kiska will sweep SW Attu to protect approaching supply convoys.

[tarkalak]

Hi Energisteron,

The radar is not on the HQ. It is in base force or air support unit (an ENG unit). Go to Kiska and find the unit with the air support squads. It should have a radar in its TOE.

Then examine the similar units on Attu and Paramishiro. If I recall correctly the Attu base force doesn't have radar, while the two others have.

Regarding the torpedoes, you can also set a default number of torpedoes. You have to first click on the button that shows you the full TOE and then you can set a default number of torpedoes. The HQ will always fill its torpedo ordinance up to that number (if there are enough torps of course).



EDIT:typo

[Energisteron]

Fascinating information, tarkalak. Thanks again.

Yes, I can see it now. Great.