There are actually not a lot of Brit CV capable airframes through the war and those that are there are generally crappy, so it makes sense to put US airgroups on Brit CVs. But having a point in time where airgroup uses CV capable planes is necessary for resizing. I just had lots of older Hurries in the pool and this was a way to use them.
Maybe I should have said replacement rates are higher than demand rather than a lot of airframes, so that an airgroup resize may be considered. I always end up sitting on a pile of MartletII and FulmarII by mid 42. In this game (mid April 42) which I just took over, I have a total of 34 USN fighter planes in the pools, half of them F4F-4. Compare to 59 British carrier capable Fighters/Fighter bombers that are availabe in the pools. Normalize with number of groups using those planes, and you have the motive for my -admittedly unprecise- statement re. availablity of the planes.
The Sea Hurricane Ib works quite well for me in a defensive role btw, thus I would not call it crappy. It's actually faster, a better climber and more maneuverable than the F4F-4 IIRC.
having sketched very schematically the overall situation, I would like to share some interesting aspects from this turn. It is always fun to start getting to know the style of a new opponent [:)]
Let's start with the TF detected near Tulagi: This was actually a TF reinforcing the enemy stack there. Fortunately, in spite of supply shortage the CD gunners still found some shells...
Pre-Invasion action off Tulagi (114,137) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
288 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Tama
CL Nagara
CL Kashima, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Katori, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
DD Hayate
DD Yayoi
DD Oboro
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
xAK Hiyoshi Maru
Japanese ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tulagi (114,137)
TF 31 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 114,137
Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of Guards Mixed Bde
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 63rd Infantry Group
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 62nd Infantry Group /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 62nd Infantry Group /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 62nd Infantry Group /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 63rd Infantry Group /6
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 63rd Infantry Group /2
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 63rd Infantry Group /7
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 63rd Infantry Group /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 64th Infantry Group
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 64th Infantry Group /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 64th Infantry Group /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 64th Infantry Group /3
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 16th Army /1
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 62nd Infantry Group
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 62nd Infantry Group
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 16th Army
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi (114,137) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
303 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Tama
CL Nagara
DD Asanagi
DD Yayoi
DD Inazuma
xAK Kirishima Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires This ship was also carrying fuel !
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
AK Yamasimo Maru
DD Oboro
DD Yunagi
xAK Kinugasa Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi (114,137)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
229 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
DD Oboro
DD Yunagi
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
So this is what the valiant, starving defenders are facing now:
Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
49th Australian Battalion
161st Infantry Rgt /3
1st Medium Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd
47th Construction Regiment
198th Field Artillery Battalion
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
14th RAAF Base Force
206th Coast AA Regiment
205th Coast AA Regiment
113th USAAF Base Force
B Det USN Port Svc
Defending units:
64th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Infantry Group
42nd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Infantry Group /4
Guards Mixed Brigade
47th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
62nd Naval Guard Unit
64th Infantry Group /1
14th Naval Construction Battalion
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
38th JNAF AF Unit
16th Army /2
Definitely a meaningful addition of AV, which will suffice to take the base once disruption has gone down after a turn or three, but apart from Mixed Guards Bde still not firepower-heavy units doing the work in this region, which is important because there are numerous high value bases (high base value multiplier for IJ) IJ may (should) plan to go after.
I also tried to check with Heavy bombers from Koepang whether my new enemy does take care of covering his bases, even if they are seemingly backwater. Unfortunately, he does for most of them
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 2
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 139 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Balikpapan , at 64,97
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 8
No Allied losses
Oil hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged: Shoho-1/A with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Last not least, it looks like we caught an Ampon invasion or part thereof:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Obi at 77,107
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Kinkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Izan Maru
DD Yomogi
Japanese ground losses:
429 casualties reported [:D]
Squads: 19 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Izan Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Terushima Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
PB Fukui Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
Japanese ground losses:
1348 casualties reported [:D]
Squads: 59 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 54 (37 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Izan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Terushima Maru
Any of those kinds of hits slow things down a lot. Nice work.
Thanks. I am working to create more opportunities, but we are currently very "disengaged" from each other, there are few hotspots where something is happening. The low number of TF sightings is indicative of that.
To illustrate what I mean, I will do something I usually don't do: post a full combat report file, even a rather boring one. Don't expect seeing much action or great results (apart from Tulagi surviving the second attack of the increased army because my opponent chose not to wait for a day but attack directly).
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palembang at 49,90
Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
DD Amagiri
AO Toho Maru
AO Nippon Maru
DD Yukaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Kamikaze
Allied Ships
SS O24
SS O24 is sighted by escort
O24 bottoming out ....
DD Yukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kamikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 43,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 37
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 32400.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kukong , at 79,57
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 33,940 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 10
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 32940 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 40,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment, at 114,137 (Tulagi)
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 24
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shaoyang , at 80,52
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 43,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
4 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sian , at 83,41
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 6 damaged
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sian , at 83,41
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 4 damaged
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 10 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 90th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 40th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 90th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 40th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 90th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 40th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 35th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 98th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 35th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 98th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kendari , at 70,106
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment, at 114,137 (Tulagi)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Rgt /3 ...
Also attacking 57th Coastal Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Assaulting units:
62nd Infantry Group
64th Infantry Group
64th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Infantry Group
Kure 3rd SNLF
42nd Naval Guard Unit
47th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
16th Army
14th Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
Defending units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
161st Infantry Rgt /3
205th Coast AA Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
113th USAAF Base Force
II US Fighter Cmnd
49th Australian Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
47th Construction Regiment
206th Coast AA Regiment
14th RAAF Base Force
B Det USN Port Svc
Assaulting units:
25th/B Division
7th/B Division
23rd Nav Gd Unit
2nd Tank Regiment
7th/C Division
52nd/C Division
48th/C Division
25th/C Division
11th/B Division
146th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
52nd/B Division
16th/C Division
48th/A Division
48th/B Division
65th Brigade
24th Nav Gsn Unit
8th Tank Regiment
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
54th/C Division
16th/A Division
52nd/A Division
54th/B Division
54th/A Division
7th/A Division
16th/B Division
7th Tank Regiment
11th/A Division
66th Infantry Group
25th/A Division
11th/C Division
14th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
21st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
1st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
USAFFE
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
II Philippine Corps
202nd PA Construction Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
201st PA Construction Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
Provisional GMC Grp
194th Tank Battalion
1st PI Base Force
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
PAF Aviation
Bataan USN Base Force
Far East USAAF
Asiatic Fleet
I Philippine Corps
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
Attacking force 3396 troops, 121 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 70
Defending force 33860 troops, 304 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 1179
Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
161st Infantry Rgt /3
113th USAAF Base Force
205th Coast AA Regiment
14th RAAF Base Force
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
47th Construction Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd
1st Medium Regiment
49th Australian Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
206th Coast AA Regiment
B Det USN Port Svc
Defending units:
64th Naval Guard Unit
64th Infantry Group
42nd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
63rd Infantry Group
62nd Infantry Group
47th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
14th Naval Construction Battalion
16th Army
38th JNAF AF Unit
I have mentioned the race to Sian in the China campaign and would like to provide you with an update and more complete information.
Position 1 in the picture shown below represents the position of the original roadblock NY59giants that was broken by brute force and triggered my taking over this game.
As you see, I struggled to try and set up a new roadblock at position 2. The problem was numbers - he has >3000 AV including 5 Tk regiments, Sian had nowhere near enough forces available to make a stand. The closest location where significant amounts of troops could be found was position 3 - which is, of course, a race on a slow road vs. a good road. Due to fortunate die rolls in ground combat, I now have what I have available at 2 - about 2k AV. I would feel ok with that if they were adequately supplied, but unfortunately the are not. If IJ manages to break through here, I will struggle to set up a new roadblock. There is not much in terms of a reserve.
Why so few movement arrows on your Chinese LCUs around Nanyang? Most annoying Chinese strategy is to infiltrate with small units into every opening, cutting communications and making Japan spend time marching to root them out. Use those A/B/C new corps around his megastacks
Why so few movement arrows on your Chinese LCUs around Nanyang? Most annoying Chinese strategy is to infiltrate with small units into every opening, cutting communications and making Japan spend time marching to root them out. Use those A/B/C new corps around his megastacks
You mean like in the unit shown in the picture below which is located in a hex where no movement arrow is displayed but evidently there are still units marching?[:D]
Plus I tend to avoid the open plains. That's why I would have set up the road blocks to Sian closer to Sian to start with and marched some smallish units into the hexes next to the road hex in front of the road block. That's also why I am not going after Nanyang proper right now.
ORIGINAL: GetAssista
Why so few movement arrows on your Chinese LCUs around Nanyang? Most annoying Chinese strategy is to infiltrate with small units into every opening, cutting communications and making Japan spend time marching to root them out. Use those A/B/C new corps around his megastacks
You mean like in the unit shown in the picture below which is located in a hex where no movement arrow is displayed but evidently there are still units marching?[:D]
Plus I tend to avoid the open plains. That's why I would have set up the road blocks to Sian closer to Sian to start with and marched some smallish units into the hexes next to the road hex in front of the road block. That's also why I am not going after Nanyang proper right now.
Hartwig
That's a rather big Corp, still useful in the fighting. . Infiltration is meant to avoid fighting if possible and just be a looming communications threat and general annoyance, so done with as small groups as possible and accepting their eventual demise. Even if "small group" in China means a different thing than everywhere else in the world [:D] Codeword "cockroaches"!
Plains are even better since there are hard roads on most of them for good marching speed so it is not easy to overtake your infantry to make them fight. And if Japan wants to spare bombers or even better, tanks to clear those units out then those are redirected from the frontlines making your life there easier and buying time to dig in.
ORIGINAL: GetAssista
Why so few movement arrows on your Chinese LCUs around Nanyang? Most annoying Chinese strategy is to infiltrate with small units into every opening, cutting communications and making Japan spend time marching to root them out. Use those A/B/C new corps around his megastacks
You mean like in the unit shown in the picture below which is located in a hex where no movement arrow is displayed but evidently there are still units marching?[:D]
Plus I tend to avoid the open plains. That's why I would have set up the road blocks to Sian closer to Sian to start with and marched some smallish units into the hexes next to the road hex in front of the road block. That's also why I am not going after Nanyang proper right now.
Hartwig
That's a rather big Corp, still useful in the fighting. . Infiltration is meant to avoid fighting if possible and just be a looming communications threat and general annoyance, so done with as small groups as possible and accepting their eventual demise. Even if "small group" in China means a different thing than everywhere else in the world [:D] Codeword "cockroaches"!
Plains are even better since there are hard roads on most of them for good marching speed so it is not easy to overtake your infantry to make them fight. And if Japan wants to spare bombers or even better, tanks to clear those units out then those are redirected from the frontlines making your life there easier and buying time to dig in.
Well, it's what I have available to try to interfere with the monster stack's supply at all. I stepped into this game 5 turns ago and have to work with what is available. There are no units that are no longer useful in the fighting near the frontlines apart from the ones which were just shattered, and those are not in a suitable position to go anywhere but ove along the road now. Maybe NY59giants managed to be beaten up less than usual (i.e. the average Allied player) [;)]
Btw, there's a great post by Alfred about Allied approach to China to be chosen. I'll try to dig it out.
Allied ground losses:
4553 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 679 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 103 (103 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 385 (385 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 13
Assaulting units:
64th Infantry Group
Kure 3rd SNLF
83rd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Naval Guard Unit
63rd Infantry Group
Guards Mixed Brigade
47th Naval Guard Unit
62nd Infantry Group
64th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
16th Army
14th Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
Defending units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
161st Infantry Rgt /3
198th Field Artillery Battalion
II US Fighter Cmnd
113th USAAF Base Force
47th Construction Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
14th RAAF Base Force
205th Coast AA Regiment
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
206th Coast AA Regiment
49th Australian Battalion
B Det USN Port Svc
* Bataan is about to fall
Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 108386 troops, 1271 guns, 796 vehicles, Assault Value = 2981
Defending force 27544 troops, 508 guns, 310 vehicles, Assault Value = 544
Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment
25th/C Division
7th/A Division
8th Tank Regiment
16th/A Division
52nd/B Division
7th Tank Regiment
11th/A Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
54th/A Division
66th Infantry Group
16th/C Division
23rd Nav Gd Unit
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
48th/B Division
54th/C Division
11th/B Division
65th Brigade
52nd/C Division
52nd/A Division
48th/A Division
7th/B Division
25th/A Division
54th/B Division
24th Nav Gsn Unit
25th/B Division
7th/C Division
16th/B Division
4th Tank Regiment
48th/C Division
11th/C Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
91st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
192nd Tank Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
41st PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
201st PA Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
31st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
USAFFE
202nd PA Construction Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
1st PI Base Force
Far East USAAF
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
II Philippine Corps
PAF Aviation
I Philippine Corps
Asiatic Fleet
Bataan USN Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
I guess this will lead to new operations in the southern pacific and, as soon as the fall of Bataan has occurred, in the southern DEI in the foreseeable future, as it frees LCUs for new tasks.
I attach the intel screen, so you can see what this means in terms of points. The quite desirable air loss ratio stems from a little trap I could set in China, downing a number of unescorted bombers. Before you say do more of it, let me point out that it required drop tank availability, which is only a temporary condition. I'll use it when I can, but those are rare opportunities.
Also, an IJ unit has been pursuing the shattered remnants of the former defenders of PM to the hex SE of Terapo. So the ground combat losses will go up some more soon.
Japanese ground losses:
2479 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 350 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 51 disabled
Guns lost 33 (2 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (5 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
17339 casualties reported
Squads: 831 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1480 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 132 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 663 (663 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 424 (424 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 32
Assaulting units:
52nd/B Division
8th Tank Regiment
7th/C Division
24th Nav Gsn Unit
16th/C Division
48th/A Division
25th/A Division
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
16th/A Division
52nd/C Division
4th Tank Regiment
48th/C Division
25th/C Division
7th/A Division
48th/B Division
54th/A Division
16th/B Division
146th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
25th/B Division
52nd/A Division
11th/A Division
65th Brigade
2nd Tank Regiment
23rd Nav Gd Unit
11th/B Division
54th/C Division
7th/B Division
54th/B Division
66th Infantry Group
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th/C Division
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
4th Marine Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
1st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
201st PA Construction Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
Bataan USN Base Force
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
I Philippine Corps
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Provisional GMC Grp
14th PS Engineer Regiment
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
PAF Aviation
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PI Base Force
USAFFE
Asiatic Fleet
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
II Philippine Corps
192nd Tank Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
Furthermore, enemy sent in a group of DDs to bombard Koepang. They did not do any damage, but retrieved the valuable information that 18th British Division is there - a pity, I would have preferred if this would have stayed a surprise.
I saw them coming and tried to set up an intercept for the day phase, but it did not work.
Are you going to pull them out now that the trap has been sprung and they might find themselves isolated and to wither on the vine for no good purpose?
Are you going to pull them out now that the trap has been sprung and they might find themselves isolated and to wither on the vine for no good purpose?
Thanks for asking.
I don't think I should pull them out now. I was quite glad I found that unit at that location, because IMO it serves a good purpose there that I cannot discuss now due to lack of time. But eventually, this assessment cannot be understood without having more information about the general status in the southern DEI.
another brief update with some data from April 18+19 42, restricted mainly due to a lack of action – which may be part of my opponent’s plan or just a consequence of both of us preparing for future action. In any case, I am trying to stir up some action where I can, simply to increase the VP denominator (the current ratio is 2.8:1 for IJ), but I am still limited in my options to do so at the moment for various reasons.
But I have now started an air war in Burma, let’s see where it leads. I may have to learn a few lessons, because this is a no altitude limit game for fighters, whereas I have mostly played with a 2nd best mvr band rule, so some readjustments may be needed to optimize the results I get.
The first two days went sort of ok with plane losses of 25:19 and 24:11 in my favour, respectively. The first would have been even better if some Blenheims would not have decided to go in without their escorts before the sweeps), so I will probably continue this for now.
ORIGINAL: modrow
But I have now started an air war in Burma, let’s see where it leads. I may have to learn a few lessons, because this is a no altitude limit game for fighters, whereas I have mostly played with a 2nd best mvr band rule, so some readjustments may be needed to optimize the results I get.
The first two days went sort of ok with plane losses of 25:19 and 24:11 in my favour, respectively. The first would have been even better if some Blenheims would not have decided to go in without their escorts before the sweeps), so I will probably continue this for now.
I would welcome this kind of early Allied offensive as Japan. I train my pilots and kill off allied ones, and what is more important thin out Allied fighters pools that are already lacking in 42. I do not care much about my airframe losses, I will build better ones soon. Playing CAP trap with experienced Zero squadrons can be also very rewarding. What's not to like?
ORIGINAL: modrow
But I have now started an air war in Burma, let’s see where it leads. I may have to learn a few lessons, because this is a no altitude limit game for fighters, whereas I have mostly played with a 2nd best mvr band rule, so some readjustments may be needed to optimize the results I get.
The first two days went sort of ok with plane losses of 25:19 and 24:11 in my favour, respectively. The first would have been even better if some Blenheims would not have decided to go in without their escorts before the sweeps), so I will probably continue this for now.
I would welcome this kind of early Allied offensive as Japan. I train my pilots and kill off allied ones, and what is more important thin out Allied fighters pools that are already lacking in 42. I do not care much about my airframe losses, I will build better ones soon. Playing CAP trap with experienced Zero squadrons can be also very rewarding. What's not to like?
Thanks for your input.
Apparently you and I play the game in a very different way. Which is fine and makes me appreciate that input all the more, it gives thought food for checking my believes. So please see what I write below as a point of view in a discussion.
As Allied, I tend to spend my airframes while they are competitive (which, of course, requires trained pilots; I would tend to agree to your statements in the first two to three months or so) and try to influence the active theatres. The exception are the few ones that are not competitive to start with. But if you look at the airframe stats carefully, identifying strengths and weaknesses and use them appropriately, Allied planes can get you good results very quickly, as soon as you have trained pilots as well.
If you say you will build better planes as IJ soon, does it make sense to conserve those Allied airframes until they face those better planes?
I do not have any problem with lack of trained pilots as Allied (I train a lot of them, and one of the best things I saw when I openend the game file after taking over was that NY59Giants had a very good pilot training program, so my pools are flush with well trained pilots), and shooting down enemy planes is what you need to do to field really experienced pilots at some point of time, whereas I am not so sure about the experience benefits of being shot down, even if that pilot survives over his own base, but they may exist.
Conversely, as Japan I hate every additional engine and airframe I have to build, every single plane I have to replace (costs supply), every single mission I have to fly (costs supply). The smaller the number of early war planes that I have to build is, the better. So I just love the Allied player sitting down and doing nothing, thus helping me to conserve what I will lack in the end.
Last not least, I get a positive VP ratio on top of everything else.
But as usual, that's just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong. But I've been doing quite well doing the things I do against the opponents I played so far.
