I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

Question
Group Withdrawals:
8 overdue (144 Daily PP, 1584 Accumulated PP)

What does this mean from my operations report?
I have noticed some airgroups have said overdue withdrawal. Is it my responsibility to 'disband' them??

Oh oh. Yes. You need to disband those groups. Preferably someplace (not some size 1 AF) where you can have the pilots and planes go back into your pools.

Great thank you Chickenboy I will get to that asap.
So what is the penalty for not doing it? Lost PPs? I have seen PPs used to change commanders. What else are they used for in this scenario (an GC more broadly)?

PPs are used in campaign games to buy out units under restricted commands, moving them to unrestricted commands, in addition to changing commanders.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
Then the attack goes in, the rationale of attacking now is that maybe there is some organisational confusion while his troops are still in strat mode and on the beaches?, either way, its brutal

Alas, that was to be expected, and earlier I described why. Now your chances of taking Lunga are practically zero and you need to plan accordingly: retreat in combat mode, dig in Tassafaronga, let him run in reinforcements to Lunga and pray for a lucky carrier battle when you have yours out of docks.

Caveat: I do not know what kind of land forces are available in this mod. E.g. US apparently had hordes of unrestricted units especially artillery that piled into Lunga early on. Stock GC scenario has very limited amount of unrestricted LCUs for Allies and constant need for more PPs, which are first and foremost used on unlocking tanks and infantry, and only then arty.
Maybe Japan has more free LCUs in this mod too.

Thanks GetAssista. Please don't feel I have ignored your advice. This is a test game, the outcome of which is not my priority. I am just trying to learn aspects of the game and the severity of certain actions. Learning whether such an assault would be attritionally acceptable in a grand campaign is useful to me (I agree it is not!). It also helps me better understand the odds from a defensive point of view.
I will take your advice and implement it fully this time and retreat to tassafaragona. I will focus on my carriers again and hope to have another, more successful engagement. Given the number of troops involved here at GC the door to PM may be open. I may make a surprising side swipe for PM instead. Although I am not best sure how to gain intelligence without giving the game away...
Again I appreciate your advice and please stick with me. I am learning the significance of all of these actions for myself and I will not forget them. [&o]

[Derfflinger13]

Cheers Hans

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
Although I am not best sure how to gain intelligence without giving the game away...
Again I appreciate your advice and please stick with me.

You can fly recon planes alternating between Lunga and PM as both are fist-priority targets through the scenario. Goes without saying that should you decide on PM, you have to maintain the presence on Guadalcanal to make your opponent guess if you want to continue the siege. E.g. always march some troops to Lunga for him to spot the movement indicator, bomb and bombard periodically. But now your main priority is to limit the destruction of your bloodied troops in Lunga. If I was your opponent I would shock attack the next turn after your assalut to exploit your disruption and try to kick you out into Tassafaronga (inflicting a lot of losses in the process).
Also when your carriers return it becomes risky to reinforce PM

Don't worry, it is not like I want you to follow my (or anyone's) advice strictly to the letter. This is your game You will eventually learn how brittle IJA can be in the face of well-supplied Allied stronghold. AV loses importance when your Banzai guys are shot up by the massed machineguns before they reach the trenches

[inqistor]

Well, at least you reduced fortifications at Guadalcanal
Stay, where you are. Terrain works both ways, and if US would attack you, your troops will get extra defence. Just DON'T land anything at GC, especially artillery, that would disable half of guns during landing.

One thing, you can try, is to set BETTY's to Night Attack. Not very effective, and you have to detect enemy TF at night (probably with submarine), but there will be no CAP.

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

Question
Group Withdrawals:
8 overdue (144 Daily PP, 1584 Accumulated PP)

What does this mean from my operations report?
I have noticed some airgroups have said overdue withdrawal. Is it my responsibility to 'disband' them??

That seems strange. Withdrawal on such short Scenario? Seems to me, to be some kind of artifact leftover from Campaign.

[tarkalak]

Withdraws are also used to rename units in the middle of a game.

Check if any of the withdrawing units returns later.

I have seen a Huricane Recon squadron that had a return date the day after its withdrawal date.

[Derfflinger13]

Thanks for all your comments regarding withdrawals and also advice on my troops at Lunga.

Given my horrific 25% attrition rate on my attack I have started my withdrawal. Fortunately my opponent has yet to attack in any way other than a bombardment. So my troops are making good their escape. He has, however, taken control of Russel Island... What is the strategic significance of this. it has naval base 1. I guess he can keep some small ships there to react to any landing I have?

Also, Given how many troops he now has at Lunga what is the general thoughts on his potential presence on Tulagi and PM?

I have 300ish AV marching on PM from Kokoda as I don't have anything to lose their really. And I have 180ish AV in Tassafaragona which will put me up to 500 in Level 6 fortifications if I can keep them supplied. But he won't attack it given the VPs are all at Lunga…

I shipped in a bunch of supplies in one of the recent turns but I guess too much as the fast transport group didn't make it out at night and were promptly sunk the following day from a significant number of aircraft from Henderson field. Regrettably this included Chitose. Which I certainly wouldn't have sacrificed in a grand campaign but I had intended for her to get out at night. Are there any limitations on the number of supplies you can run in in a fast transport group?

Otherwise the turns have been fairly quiet, mostly as I have grounded everything to preserve fuel until my carriers are operational... He has continued reinforcing Lunga and my subs have failed to hit anything that has gone past.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
Although I am not best sure how to gain intelligence without giving the game away...
Again I appreciate your advice and please stick with me.

You can fly recon planes alternating between Lunga and PM as both are fist-priority targets through the scenario. Goes without saying that should you decide on PM, you have to maintain the presence on Guadalcanal to make your opponent guess if you want to continue the siege. E.g. always march some troops to Lunga for him to spot the movement indicator, bomb and bombard periodically. But now your main priority is to limit the destruction of your bloodied troops in Lunga. If I was your opponent I would shock attack the next turn after your assalut to exploit your disruption and try to kick you out into Tassafaronga (inflicting a lot of losses in the process).
Also when your carriers return it becomes risky to reinforce PM

Don't worry, it is not like I want you to follow my (or anyone's) advice strictly to the letter. This is your game You will eventually learn how brittle IJA can be in the face of well-supplied Allied stronghold. AV loses importance when your Banzai guys are shot up by the massed machineguns before they reach the trenches

Thanks GetAssista. I appreciate the continued advice. I will try and get some more recon flights going and hopefully get some more useful intel on key locations.

[Derfflinger13]

So, the carrier situation. I currently have 4 operational carriers of varying quality. Here they are below with their associated airwings. I hope my fleet carriers will join them in the coming weeks so I have a solid fleet air arm to take to see. I have a bunch of battleships now too which will hopefully attract the attention of any strikes on my carriers when it comes down combat.

Depending on how many troops he has PM I may try to hit both PM and Milne Bay at the same time so that resupply is easier. Then I would hope to keep a fleet presence between PM and GC to prevent any transfer of strength while my 500+AV army in tassafaragona acts as a deterrent to any major withdrawal. I guess if I have the capability to have decent AV in more than one place, so does he. But I will soon find out. My troops should get there in just over a week.

Anyway, here are my operational carriers:
(apologies for the poor quality but I botched my file save!)

[Derfflinger13]

And here are my recovering fleet carriers which should be operational in the coming two weeks once they've been worked back up. In that time I should have retreated from Lunga, reached PB and have enough fuel to carrier out some major operations. I will do some extensive Recon with available planes to determine suitable targets for my carriers' return to the fray:

[BBfanboy]

You are working against a ticking clock. I believe the scenario ends around Dec. 1. What is your game date?
It may be necessary to pull Shokaku and Zuikaku out of repair with a little system damage left so you can mount your offensive before game end.

[Chickenboy]

Agreed with BBfanboy-get the two fleet CVs out of repair and into service. CVE Unyo is likely a liability if she acts in the same TF as the other fleet CVs/CVLs. Her 21 knot speed will bring everybody else to the lowest common denominator in the TF. That 7-10 knots makes a big difference.

Also, avoid the historical temptation to do too much at once with your carriers. By splitting your forces, you ensure that the enemy can pick and choose whether to accept battle with superior numbers. The Japanese can't afford half measures in the carrier air war-all or nothing!

[Derfflinger13]

Hi everyone, it has been a very busy few weeks so I had to take a break but the game is very much still alive.

I have likely lost this campaign, but it has been a terrific learning curve. There is, however, one last roll of the dice to be had... [8D]

It is 18th October 1942 (Game runs through to February I think)
My forces have been ejected from Lunga and I've seen a number of very heavily supported convoys go in so I am unlikely to be able to dislodge him there without a serious push. Port Morseby, however, has been left unhindered and I marched my Kokoda troops in to determine his strength and it looks like a feasible target.
I have drawn up a map below showing the state of play and I hope for your thoughts and advice on how to execute a plan to assault either route 1 or route 2...
My carrier force is made up of 4x CV and 1x CVL, while my CVE is with my transports and providing a cap of 30 zeros. The strike arm of my main carrier fleet now sporting 108x Zeroes, 92x Vals, 60x Kates.

My Cruiser task forces are still on hand to run in ahead for a series of bombardments while my carriers are escorted by Yamato, Kirishima, Haruna, Kongo and the Cruisers Aoba, Tone & Maya.


I have not issued orders for this turn so I await your thoughts on the execution of one of these missions.

[Chickenboy]

Guadalcanal is hopeless at this point. PM is still an outside possibility. Your Amphibious TF with additional troops for PM will be spotted and likely engaged before arriving at PM. While a stout BB/CA surface cover force is necessary it may not be sufficient. Even with carrier cover. He will be able to move his carriers to interdict your forces within 2 turns-maybe 3 tops. You'll likely have to fight through surface TFs at PM too.

Alert your Betties at Rabaul or Lae! They can distract surface combatants or CAP at PM and, with luck, pick off some unescorted surface units in the area. Sweep PM from Lae or Buna with your ground-based A6M3s.

Still, it's worth a try with your pixeltrupen. Good on ya for fighting unto the end! [&o]

[inqistor]

I don't think you are in a hurry. Towards which target are your LCUs planning? Landing them directly onto Port Moresby will cost you 10-30% AV, with insufficient planning, closer to 50%. How long will they march by Kokoda?

Your main concern should be victory at sea. And maybe catching loaded US transports. Make some fake, empty invasion force, and lure his Carriers, then sink them.
What are those ships at Port Moresby?

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

I don't think you are in a hurry. Towards which target are your LCUs planning? Landing them directly onto Port Moresby will cost you 10-30% AV, with insufficient planning, closer to 50%. How long will they march by Kokoda?

Your main concern should be victory at sea. And maybe catching loaded US transports. Make some fake, empty invasion force, and lure his Carriers, then sink them.
What are those ships at Port Moresby?

I have three main groups of LCUs. 1 in PM with 300AV. 1 in Tassafaragona with 600 AV. 1 in Rabaul wth 500AV. The PM LCUs are engaged in combat. The others idle.

If I were to land at Buna it would take about 3 weeks to a month to get into PM.

Is there a value in my 500 AV force hitting milne bay? to get the airfields to hamper his carriers?
Although at this stage i suspect his B17Es will hit Buna, Lae and Milne Bay, wherever I launch attacks from. So perhaps I just try and go around...

His ships in PM report at AV, PG, AMs and DDs.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

ORIGINAL: inqistor

I don't think you are in a hurry. Towards which target are your LCUs planning? Landing them directly onto Port Moresby will cost you 10-30% AV, with insufficient planning, closer to 50%. How long will they march by Kokoda?

Your main concern should be victory at sea. And maybe catching loaded US transports. Make some fake, empty invasion force, and lure his Carriers, then sink them.
What are those ships at Port Moresby?

I have three main groups of LCUs. 1 in PM with 300AV. 1 in Tassafaragona with 600 AV. 1 in Rabaul wth 500AV. The PM LCUs are engaged in combat. The others idle.

If I were to land at Buna it would take about 3 weeks to a month to get into PM.

Is there a value in my 500 AV force hitting milne bay? to get the airfields to hamper his carriers?
Although at this stage i suspect his B17Es will hit Buna, Lae and Milne Bay, wherever I launch attacks from. So perhaps I just try and go around...

His ships in PM report at AV, PG, AMs and DDs.

I am not so sure you can extricate your troops from Guadalcanal to move them to Buna, without fighting a huge naval battle. You need to take him on and win, which means luring his CVs away from Guadalcanal because of its airfield and the distracting presence of troop transports that would draw some of your strikes.

I don't know if you have intel on the aircraft he has at PM or not, but if they do not seem too dangerous, send some supply transports (include some small xAPs to make it look like an invasion) toward Buna or Milne bay with a strong BB/CL/DD escort. Slow carriers follow behind about six hexes. KB hangs back 8 hexes or so with all the CAs and modern DDs.

When his carriers leave GC to go after the bait, KB streaks in at flank speed and tries for the 8-hex strike (at which range he cannot retaliate with carrier air). Your strikes need strong fighter escort and sweeps to ensure your bombers get through. Of course throw all the Betties and Nells into the fray at the same time. If you can operate some fighters or bombers from Buna, that would help.

That's the only thing I could come up with to break your conundrum. He is too strong now in the GC area so you have to fight elsewhere.

[Derfflinger13]

At 8 hexes will my Kates still go in with torpedoes?
How do I get my LBAs involved in the fight? On the turn I send the KB charging in I set them to extended range where I think/know his carriers are?
I only have my 4 operational BBs and about 8 CAs. How should I split these between decoy defence and protecting my carriers?

Is there any value in actually trying to take Milne Bay at this point? Or should it just be the decoy run then my main invasion fleet goes for PM when my carriers have struck the decisive blow on his flattops?

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Guadalcanal is hopeless at this point. PM is still an outside possibility. Your Amphibious TF with additional troops for PM will be spotted and likely engaged before arriving at PM. While a stout BB/CA surface cover force is necessary it may not be sufficient. Even with carrier cover. He will be able to move his carriers to interdict your forces within 2 turns-maybe 3 tops. You'll likely have to fight through surface TFs at PM too.

Alert your Betties at Rabaul or Lae! They can distract surface combatants or CAP at PM and, with luck, pick off some unescorted surface units in the area. Sweep PM from Lae or Buna with your ground-based A6M3s.

Still, it's worth a try with your pixeltrupen. Good on ya for fighting unto the end! [&o]

If I am going to play a grand campaign I am going to have to be willing to keep up the fight even when things look lost. Small victories delaying his progress will be what it's all about!

I'm getting plenty of advice on how to pull this off so I am up for the gamble! Just need to decide on the make up of my decoy fleet, then try and up the navsearch to determine where his carriers are at..

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
At 8 hexes will my Kates still go in with torpedoes?
How do I get my LBAs involved in the fight? On the turn I send the KB charging in I set them to extended range where I think/know his carriers are?
I only have my 4 operational BBs and about 8 CAs. How should I split these between decoy defence and protecting my carriers?

Is there any value in actually trying to take Milne Bay at this point? Or should it just be the decoy run then my main invasion fleet goes for PM when my carriers have struck the decisive blow on his flattops?

Extended range means half bombload which means no torpedoes. But PM is isolated, so if you have a good bombardment run into detection level of 10/10 supplemented by the bombing campaign you can significantly reduce his CAP

Milne Bay is worth quite some points and controls much of the PM approaches. Surely it is a viable target at any moment