Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[CaptBeefheart]

It might be too late for this operation, but I like to toss in some naval support in the first wave of amphibious invasions if possible. I've never sandboxed it, but I'm pretty sure naval support on the beach helps the ships unload quicker (it's probably somewhere in the manual). I think Scenario 28-C has some special beach units in addition to the usual naval base forces.

Cheers,
CC

[RangerJoe]

Yes, naval support does help unload faster. So do the amphibious tractors such as the unit going in to Wotje.

[Bif1961]

So what does your intel say is at your invasions sites? He might have stripped them to land elsewhere so it might be good to try to get a clear picture it is something different from facing the basic fort unit and base force then him having one or two Naval Infantry units there as well.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

So what does your intel say is at your invasions sites? He might have stripped them to land elsewhere so it might be good to try to get a clear picture it is something different from facing the basic fort unit and base force then him having one or two Naval Infantry units there as well.

I've been keeping an eye on daily SigInt since I posted that comprehensive picture - not hits. With the shipping activity in the general area he certainly could have brought more in by now I haven't caught a whiff!

[witpqs]

Here is an update on the SigInt hits.

[witpqs]

And this is LCU's (a hit from when Tarawa was invaded). Note the Japanese unit is erroneously being picked up as Allied by Intel Monkey.

[zuluhour]

Have you loaded, albeit poorly trained, camera equipped Buffaloes or Wildcats on your flat tops?
May be worth a peek at the important landings...

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Have you loaded, albeit poorly trained, camera equipped Buffaloes or Wildcats on your flat tops?
May be worth a peek at the important landings...

No I haven't. I won't really have time to look before landing due to fear of KB1 screaming onto the scene. [:(]

[Bif1961]

well then it will be a game of blindman's bluff. It will be a box of Chocolates landings, never know what you are going to get.

[RangerJoe]

The turn before and during the invasion, you should consider using your float planes for recon. Night recon as well to increase the D/L.

Also consider reconning other bases in the area to see what is there and to keep your opponent guessing.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The turn before and during the invasion, you should consider using your float planes for recon. Night recon as well to increase the D/L.

Also consider reconning other bases in the area to see what is there and to keep your opponent guessing.

The groups on the battleships which conduct bombardments will do recon; that makes them "spot" for the ship's fire. I know you only have to set the group to Recon, I'm not sure if day/night mission matters. I'll find out by keeping them on day missions, which will also give them the best actual recon performance on the base. Good point about helping ground combat with the recon.

I've got real recon groups trained up and they can move in to recon the second wave targets after the fact (after base forces land, etc).

[RangerJoe]

When they bombard at night, they need a night recon place for the best effectiveness. The D/L is then carried over for the daylight phase. The same thing for naval search planes. That is why I like to use the Hudson III for search, it has Radar.

For naval reaction, a night search can find the enemy task force so your task force knows where it is. It is really terrible for the Royal Navy when the POW surprises the Zuikaku by putting four 14" shells into her side. It really hurts the RN reputation for fighting fair.

[jwolf]

It is really terrible for the Royal Navy when the POW surprises the Zuikaku by putting four 14" shells into her side. It really hurts the RN reputation for fighting fair.

[:D] Somehow ... I think they would get over it. [:D]

[witpqs]

Night recon it will be then for the BB bombardments. Walter has some busy times coming up so turns will be slow for the next 3+ weeks. Slow motion lightning operation!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

It is really terrible for the Royal Navy when the POW surprises the Zuikaku by putting four 14" shells into her side. It really hurts the RN reputation for fighting fair.

Does this refer to an actual AAR report? I scanned this AAR and could not find anything like that, but would love to see such a coup!

[RangerJoe]

In one of my games against the AI computer, Force Z (augmented with CLs) sailed through the Makasser Straight into the Celebes Sea and encountered the Soryu and the Zuikaku. The first four 14" shots from the POW surprised the Japanese fleet by hitting the Zuikaku. Radar saw the Jap fleet at 18,000 yards and the POW opened fire at 13,000. So it can happen. Night search can find the enemy ships and the surface combat force can then react towards it.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

In one of my games against the AI computer, Force Z (augmented with CLs) sailed through the Makasser Straight into the Celebes Sea and encountered the Soryu and the Zuikaku. The first four 14" shots from the POW surprised the Japanese fleet by hitting the Zuikaku. Radar saw the Jap fleet at 18,000 yards and the POW opened fire at 13,000. So it can happen. Night search can find the enemy ships and the surface combat force can then react towards it.

Very nice start to the battle! Glad to know someone can get the great dice rolls! [:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The turn before and during the invasion, you should consider using your float planes for recon. Night recon as well to increase the D/L.

Also consider reconning other bases in the area to see what is there and to keep your opponent guessing.

The groups on the battleships which conduct bombardments will do recon; that makes them "spot" for the ship's fire. I know you only have to set the group to Recon, I'm not sure if day/night mission matters. I'll find out by keeping them on day missions, which will also give them the best actual recon performance on the base. Good point about helping ground combat with the recon.

I've got real recon groups trained up and they can move in to recon the second wave targets after the fact (after base forces land, etc).

The FP doing recon need to be set to the phase the bombardment will be in to spot for the bombardments. The cumulative DL of daily recon will help in all ways throughout the battle though.

[Bif1961]

I just did a bombardment of Chittagong filled with aircraft. I thought they would go in during the night phase so all my FPs were set to night recon of Chittagong. They fooled me and didn't bombard until the daylight phase and all the ships were not aided by FP recon. However, it looked very effective anyways because I am sure their superior optics and daylight were working in their benefit.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I just did a bombardment of Chittagong filled with aircraft. I thought they would go in during the night phase so all my FPs were set to night recon of Chittagong. They fooled me and didn't bombard until the daylight phase and all the ships were not aided by FP recon. However, it looked very effective anyways because I am sure their superior optics and daylight were working in their benefit.

Daytime bombardments are more effective usually, and they're often aided by recon (DL increases) from other sources. I like them as it usually shuts the field for the day anyway, but you have to make sure you get there in the early phase or the active airbase can hit you before the bombardment goes in.