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

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 29-30, 1944[/font]

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More of the same, as Canoe paddles to a different corner of the lake to cast his line every day it seems. A good strategy if you don't know where the big fish is hiding. In this case he does know, but it may just be he's happy to catch a few smaller ones rather than risk snapping his rod on the big daddy.

I've backed down the KB to Sapporo and now spread out a secondary layer of CAP from the KB fighter groups anded all over Northern and central Honshu. If I can't yet get groups to bleed and cover adjacent bases, then I needed more temporary cover. It's also nearing the time of the great purge of IJN groups, from which it'll take until the end of August to get close to the number of groups now in action. I hate this part of playing the Japanese, but it does make for some creative manoeuvring. [;)]

I've started withdrawing what I can now, mainly to get the PPs from doing it early (some groups give these points and others don't which is odd, even though all are withdrawals, not disbands), but the other advantage is trying to figure out what I have and where I absolutely need to put them.

The Allies get some good strikes, day and night, at Iwaki and Shimizu. there are about 200 fighters at Tokyo, all but two groups set to 2-3 hex bleed or LR CAP, and groups at all other bases nearby, but without a base force with radar in hex it doesn't matter at these low altitudes. I had never faced these kinds of raids in previous games, so I had no idea my bleeding CAP wouldn't have any impact at all. Lesson learned. I just counted up the units with radar moving back to the HI. There are 20+ base forces and AA units on ships 2-10 day out. It'll be too late for some industry, but those are the breaks.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 29-30, 1944
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Afternoon Air attack on Iwaki , at 116,59

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 22

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Resources hits 60

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
265 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Iwaki , at 116,59

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 3 damaged

Resources hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
265 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 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 to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes

Sub attack near Babeldaob at 97,83

Japanese Ships
E Miyake
AK Shinanogawa Maru
AK Johore Maru
AK Nitisan Maru
AK Noto Maru
AK Canberra Maru
xAK Shanghai Maru
xAK Heito Maru
E Chiburi

Allied Ships
SS Darter, hits 13

SS Darter launches 6 torpedoes at E Miyake
Darter diving deep ....

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Sub attack near Toyohara at 125,46

Japanese Ships
E Hiyodori
E Shimakaze

Allied Ships
SS Segundo, hits 6

SS Segundo launches 6 torpedoes at E Hiyodori
Segundo bottoming out ....

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Sub attack near Shikuka at 127,47

Japanese Ships
E No.12, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
SC Ch 1
SC Ch 2

Allied Ships
SS Pompon, hits 1

SS Pompon launches 6 torpedoes at E No.12
Pompon diving deep ....

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Morning Air attack on Shimizu , at 112,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 3

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 35

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 12 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Resources hits 51
Light Industry hits 33
Heavy Industry hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead

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At least flak is starting to have an effect, with 5 Beasts lists downed on both of these days. [:)]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: obvert


I have a LOT of radar sets in the major bases, but I'll not distribute them to smaller industrial centres only to see Tokyo nailed the following week.

That is a horse of a different color then, and I misunderstood the previous post.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert


I have a LOT of radar sets in the major bases, but I'll not distribute them to smaller industrial centres only to see Tokyo nailed the following week.

That is a horse of a different color then, and I misunderstood the previous post.

Yeah, it's just collecting the JNAF and big IJAAF base forces to use on the HI but I'll leave a lot of the small IJAAF base forces in situ to support what is left of the defences elsewhere. As I know what I have in the HI and especially on the Kuriles and Hokkaido, I'll develop a mobile reserve force to try and stem any secondary invasion to the SRA. I'm sure there is more to come! [:(]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Alfred


A variable which I did not specifically mention in my previous post is pilot fatigue which can have a detrimental effect on pilot skill levels. Of particular relevance here is that flying aircraft at or close to their maximum altitude level will, in of itself, further increase pilot fatigue with a consequent impairment of combat performance in that combat. Where this additional pilot fatigue clicks in exactly is somewhat unclear as michaelm has in two separate posts stated that 75% and 80% of the maximum aircraft model altitude is the threshold for this additional malus.

Alfred

Could you please provide the link to said posts?

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: obvert




It was a bit prophetic. I wasn't too happy about that after turn 2. [;)]

I named the first three Japanese PBEM AARs after books by Haruki Murakami, one of my favourite authors. The first was "South of the Border, West of the Sun."

Also amusing to me is that "sheep" became a continuing title for Jockmeister's AARs after our first game when he responded to my "Wild Sheep Chase" with "Rise of the Sheep," then "Return of the Sheep," "Awakening of the Sheep," and "Tale of the Sheep."

If I do another I'm considering "Hear the Wind Sing."

How about "Graves of the Fireflies?"

This looks very cool. I'd like to watch it. When I run out of Murakami titles I might try this one!

A very, very bleak movie, made all the bleaker given it's a colorful animated movie. However, absolutely worth watching.

[obvert]

I knew I'd do that eventually!!

Please disregard what was here previously! [:D]

[Lecivius]

Uhm...Soviets? Did I miss a memo?

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

Uhm...Soviets? Did I miss a memo?

I think many pages' worth [:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 1-2, 1944[/font]

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The 1st brings concentrated strikes at Kushiro. Sweeps and 4Es. The first sweep by Corsairs is devastating. The CAP never quite recovers. It's interesting, since I hadn't set up fro sweeps, and this is clearly shown a few days later. [;)]

Luckily the bombers are harried enough by flak to only get 8 hits on the resources.

Defenses are being set up around the Home Islands for complete coverage. All bases in range now have low layered CAP. The KB is being deactivated to fill in during the group cull happening in early July. It'll take a month to let arrive and set up as many new groups as are being withdrawn. Bad timing for defending against a determined strat bombing campaign, but also worse for an offensive.

I have to keep an eye out for the DS returning, and get the KB in shape if it comes, so all strike groups will be kept ready and out of action.

On the 2nd another road comes to hit Niigata. The CAP does batter and wins the battle int eh air against the unescorted 4Es but they do land some shots. Some resources, light industry and refineries are nailed. Not many, but it all hurts since it's not coming back.

Still, this is an improvement, and 10-15 4Es are taken down on the day.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 1, 1944
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Afternoon Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 40,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 17
N1K2-J George x 16
Ki-84a Frank x 31

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 36900 feet

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
331 Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 12 scrambling)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 3
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 20
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 1
N1K2-J George x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 9
B-29-1 Superfort x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged

Resources hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Resources hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 2, 1944
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Morning Air attack on Niigata , at 114,57

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 17
Ki-100-I Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 9
B-24J Liberator x 7
B-29-1 Superfort x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Resources hits 1
Refinery hits 2
Light Industry hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Niigata , at 114,57

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 10
Ki-100-I Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
B-29-1 Superfort x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged

Resources hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 3-4, 1944[/font]

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The Allies sweep Sapporo for the first time on the 3rd. This is the same set of Corsairs that hit Kushiro, but results are different this time. All fighters at Sapporo are set on low CAP (with a few bleeding CAP at 15k from the KB nearby) and even the first sweep is hit hard. Nearly double digit gull wings down, although they did hit the defenders at 1.5:1 rate as well. The next up, a group of Hellcats, weren't so fortunate.

The CAP got 6:1 against them and continued their success against some more Marine Corsairs, getting 4:1.

The 4Es then rolled in with the CAP up like a swarm of hornets, and lost nearly a whole group of RAF Libs.

Interesting to note that the last sweep was a set of Corsair groups cooperating and again the combat was shortened, with the losses much reduced from previous combats with one group arriving alone. The telling piece of the combat report to show this "difference" in number of passes is that in the last sweep "28 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 36900 feet" after interaction with the CAP, where in tall previous combats, twice none were reported "sweeping at ..." and in another only one had this note. This shows me they simps missed or left the combat early.

In this case, with low CAP, I'd prefer long combats where the sweepers dive and get embroiled in layers of closely packed defending groups, having to fight very maneuverable Japanese planes below 10k altitudes with the Franks and Georges diving in after they drop to hit the Oscars and A6Ms low down. This doesn't occur when the combat is short, so in this last instance, the Allies don't get many kills but they do bette retain the CAP in those first few passes.

It cold have been better, but the final tally does show the CAP having taken down 45+ Corsairs and Hellcats for only 15 Japanese planes. The Oscars down low do exceptionally well defensively, making the Allies miss and giving time for the Georges and Franks to get involved from above.

On the 4th there is a blank combat report as the Allies stop to reassess. [;)]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 3, 1944
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Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 37,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M8 Zero x 37
J2M3 Jack x 10
N1K2-J George x 45
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 45
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 22 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
256 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
341 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 38000 and 38380.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
S-311 Hikotai with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Unryu-1 with A6M8 Zero (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 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 37100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
13th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (3 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 37400.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (5 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 37400.
Raid is overhead
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 40,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
A6M8 Zero x 31
J2M3 Jack x 9
N1K2-J George x 35
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 34
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 36,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
A6M8 Zero x 27
J2M3 Jack x 9
N1K2-J George x 31
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 30
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 36900 feet

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Morning Air attack on Niigata , at 114,57

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 12
Ki-100-I Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 40,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A6M8 Zero x 17
J2M3 Jack x 8
N1K2-J George x 24
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 19
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 36900 feet

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[Lowpe]

When will you get the Sam?

[ny59giants]

How are your fighter pools of IJN & IJA pilots?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

How are your fighter pools of IJN & IJA pilots?

The IJN is flush having just withdrawn around 10-12 groups! Lots of good pilots. Nearly 1,500 I think in the fighter pools, and lots with tons of experience and high skills. All KB pilots are 75+ exp and more than half in the high 80s.

The IJAAF is down to 50/70 rookies, with about 500-600 in the pools, but virtually all that are flying have 70+ exp and skill numbers 70+ as well.

I've just used my extra PPs from withdrawing the IJN groups to create 4 new small FB groups, and will make more from some larger bomber groups soon, and I've also bought out (very cheaply I might add, at about 26 PP per group) the Chinese reserved groups. The 13th Air Division is non-[R] so allows a low purchase price for these, which is awesome. The Randy FB comes online next month and I'm still making 30 Nick Ia, and these FB will be used as rear area CAP and supplement NF night CAP if necessary.

This expansion has lowered my pools, and I need more rookies training soon, but I'll use all of the converted and bought out groups for CAP in the near future, then assign some newly arriving units to training. In the late autumn the first dedicated training groups will arrive which is a huge boon, but I need to fill this gap currently so those 500-600 pilots will have to make it for a few months. Another reason not to go all out for Shikuka right now. In a defensive role my pilots will have more survivability and gain experience and skill.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

When will you get the Sam?

This is a sore spot for me. Not soon. [:(]

The first researching factory just started producing points about a month ago. Not sure what's going on but the four factories are repairing very slowly. Too bad, but don't think it'll be available until spring 45.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Kuriles[/font]

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Japanese transports have been busy. Here is a look at the newly fortified Kuriles. Lots of base forces with CD guns added, IDs now supplementing the brigades and other riffraff. Arty units are on the way, with AT guns and 15cm or bigger guns destined for each base.

Para and Onneketon should get to forts 6 by the end of the month if nothing inhibits construction. The small dot bases are all building airfields to level 2 to support more supply storage and supplementary CAP/escort and are aiming for forts 5. An ID will be installed at every base within the next few weeks, and all should be 800+ AV by that time, with Urruppa, Etorofu, Onneketon and Para getting to about 1200 AV.

In addition lots of new units or units returned from distant locations are filling out reserves and beach defences on Hokkaido, with nearly 2k AV at Bihoro, almost 1k AV at Kushiro, Wakkanai aiming for about 800k AV and Sapporo approaching 2k AV.

I've distributed mines, MTBs, midget subs and other small defensive ships to almost all bases, with ACM, fuel and supply top ups continuing.

All of this has been accomplished without interruption so far. I was worried by the proximity of Shikuka, and the full coverage search the Allies have in the area, seeing ships slowly chugging out to Para laden with troops, but nothing has come to stop it so far. I've got two CL led TFs riding shotgun, but that's it.

At this point no base here will be easy, and if any one is invaded, it will of course be supplemented by air transport and subject to possible IJN bombardments. Should be interesting!

[Lowpe]

Impressive defense there in the Kuriles.

Tough luck on the Sam.[:(]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 5-6, 1944[/font]

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The Allies send in a few DDs on a run from the Aleutians to near Paramushiro, and they hit an ASW TF. Two E ships are lost, but the DDs end up sitting 3 hexes from Para. I only have Jakes on naval strikes out here right now, as all other planes are doing ASW. They don't fly, but tomorrow I'll add some Judys and Graces to see if he sticks around or heads farther North toward Sakhalin.

On the 6th the Allies go for Kushiro and it's resources again with B-29s and B-24s flying night missions. This time there is a bit more flak, the 20mm and 25mm taking a small toll, and there are Nick Id NF here. They harass the beasts, but lose a few as well. All 20 LI points are wiped out by this strike.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 5, 1944
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Paramushiro-jima at 139,47, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E No.30, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
E No.32, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Stembel, Shell hits 1
DD Stevens, Shell hits 1
DD Strong
DD David Taylor

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Fox, D.H. crosses the 'T'
DD David Taylor engages E No.30 at 12,000 yards

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 6, 1944
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Night Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 11

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
4th Sentai/C with Ki-45 KAId Nick (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 3000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

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Night Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Light Industry hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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The most recent look at R & D shows some good news coming up soon, and some bad news not coming for a long while.

The J2M5 Jack (8/44), the Ki-84b Frank (8/44), and the N1K5 George (10/44) will definitely beef up CAP options. The Ki-83 (3-4/45) and Sam (4-5/45) are still a good way off, and those will be missed, especially in offensive missions.

The Randy will be very useful, updating the FB groups I'm making right now from the many LB Daitais. I'll also convert some 2E bomber groups to FB and might push the numbers of Randy up to around 50/month. No need to spend PPs to buy out troops anymore, and I need durable, powerfully armed CAP coverage more than anything.

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[font="Times New Roman"]July 7, 1944[/font]

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On the 7th a combined night and day strike against Utsonomiya is our most effective defence yet against low level 4E bombing. The NF from Tokyo react and harass the B-29s again, but lose a good number again. I'd thought with their armor and 36 durability they would be slightly better than the Dinah Kai NF, but so far that isn't the case.

The flak and balloons here do most of the damage. I hope he didn't notice the balloon messages flashing up, and keeps sending them in that low vs the bigger bases. A day strike also rolls in during the morning (a mistake?) to meet the Tojo and A6M8 installed here, and they do some good work, downing 3 of 6 B-29s and preventing any hits along with a good effort from the flak guns.

Overall 9-11 B-29s are shot down this turn. That's out of 23 making runs this turn, so 40-45% losses most likely! Yes! [:)]

Looking at totals, and looking back to the first strikes from Shikuka, which were June 22, the 4E losses are mounting. He's made some impressive gains in strat bombing VPs (now topping 2,000 VPs), mostly gained from large resource centres like Kushiro and Iwaki, but also some oil, refineries, airframe factories and light industry.

Still, he's lost nearly 50 B-29s in that time (48 listed) according to the info screen. There is some FOW of course, but the 16 A to A and the 16 flak are fairly definite. These machines are prone to lots of ops losses if used frequently, and these have been going 5 out of 7 days a week at least, so I don't think this total is far off. That's only really in two weeks, and another 40-50 other various types of 4E have been downed as well.

I'm still worried about playing only defensively here now, but I have little choice for a while, and at least I know he'll have to come back at some point to resupply the place. I hope to be ready.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 7, 1944
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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 10

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
53rd Sentai/C with Ki-45 KAId Nick (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Raid is overhead

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
53rd Sentai/C with Ki-45 KAId Nick (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Raid is overhead

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged

Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy factory hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 4
Fires 1800

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 12
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Fires 714

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Shoho-1 with A6M8 Zero (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (8 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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[font="Times New Roman"]July 8, 1944[/font]

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All quiet today in the air, night and day.

I'm trying to pull radar units out of incredibly forward bases in New Guinea and even on New Britain, at Cape Gloucester. the Allies have figured out something is happening there, and today bombed the airfield at Cape Gloucester, maybe seeing that transports had taken a good number of the base force troops away. I have two Ansyu PBs on a pick up mission, trying to get the radar sets from here and Long Island. I'll see if he tries to kill them off tomorrow.

Not much else happening down here. I did send cruisers on a fast transport mission to Darwin and they're lit up like Christmas by search 7 hexes out, so I hope that isn't a fiasco. I decided to keep them going, as he doesn't have much close by, so hopefully they can get in and out easily. After pulling back from Darwin and getting much of the garrison from Truk to fill in on the Marianas I'll have completed almost all of the restructuring of the Japanese defences. About 12 TFs packed with AA, base forces, engineer units and brigades are approaching the HI right now, with another dozen 5-10 days out. So far no attempt has been made to stop any of this, thankfully.

Defences are improving. Kobe is getting an AA package now, Osaka beefed up, more on the way to Nagoya and Tsu, Gifu and Maebashi, and more 2E groups converting to FB. Tomorrow 5 new IJN groups replace some of the ones recently withdrawn, and then I'll have some flexibility.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 8, 1944
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Afternoon Air attack on Cape Gloucester , at 101,125

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
P-38L Lightning x 21
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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The first Ki-102 Randys will roll off the assembly line soon, and groups will fill out over the next months for rear area CAP. This is a decent upgrade and can handle a bit of a beating from the 4Es.

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[ny59giants]

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+1 [:D]