Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Mike Solli]

Hi Guys. We arrived back in town from vacation last night. I didn't do any WitP the past week. I'm planning on working the turn today.

That's a thought with the Southern Army HQ. To be honest, I'm not sure where it is. [8|] I'll find it. Before I try anything that drastic, I'll give it another couple of turns. In the next turn or two, there'll be close to 40k supply in Rangoon.

[rustysi]

We arrived back in town from vacation last night.

Hope you and yours had an enjoyable time.

[rustysi]

In the next turn or two, there'll be close to 40k supply in Rangoon.

Don't know what sort of ops you're running in Burma, but I tend to keep things pretty hot there, and will continue 'til at least mid-'43. At that time I intend to hunker down in the best terrain I can. I do this, as long as I'm 'winning' to keep the Brits and Indians as weak as possible, and I'd rather fight them in this time-frame to keep their replacements low and to hit them (at least the Indians) while their experience isn't that high either.

In order for me to maintain supply in the region I find myself running three 10k capacity supply convoys between Singers and Rangoon. A bit expensive, yes, but I've stated why above, and I do haul some resources back in these convoys as well. As long as my overall supply level is rising sufficiently I don't find it a wasteful expense... But that's me.[:)]

So my point here is that if things are 'hot' in Burma (whether attacking or defending) quite a bit of supply needs to be sent to the region. Especially when you consider the rather large number of divisions that you and I have committed to the area (I currently have a dozen). This is something the Imperial Headquarters never really understood, or at any rate didn't/couldn't achieve.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: dasboot1960

A couple pages back, I saw a reference to 'Zuiho-2' (or perhaps Shoho-2, no matter). I've got to ask. WTF? I thought only allies got rebuilds of lost ships, and I know IJ would actually have to 'build' the thing rather than just receive. Can you enlighten me please?

Some of Japanese ships are converted from transports etc. Technically, there should be possibility to build another Kaiyo, as original was converted from Argentina Maru (which is in-game, but somehow Kaiyo is separate ship, which must be build). And Argentina Maru had sister ship Brasil Maru, which was sunk before conversion.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

That's a thought with the Southern Army HQ. To be honest, I'm not sure where it is. [8|] I'll find it. Before I try anything that drastic, I'll give it another couple of turns. In the next turn or two, there'll be close to 40k supply in Rangoon.

You can list all LCUs, and filter it to show only HQs (and probably only unrestricted units also).

[Mike Solli]

Hi Guys. A week of vacation produces an extra workload at work the next week. [8|] I got a couple turns done and expect the next one shortly...

5 Nov 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report....yet. [;)]

4 Fleet

Well, Mili was the target, and it wasn't in doubt for the Allies at all. He sent in a lot:

6 Division
767 Tank Battalion
12 Marine Defense Battalion
102 USN Base Force
2 Marine Air Wing Base Force
36 Aviation Base Force
24 USN Naval Construction Regiment

All that against a Naval Guard and the Mili CD Gun unit. Yeah, right...

The CD guns did do good work though moderately damaging 2 CLs and heavily damaging a DD and LSI(L). I have 2 subs a couple hexes east and another 2 that are entering the area and about 10 or so hexes east. They're covered by a carrier TF composed of an estimated 2 CVs. I haven't gotten a good look at the composition but that's the estimate based on plane strength. In addition, there are some subs and midget subs entering the area from the north and west.

With all those base forces, and engineers, I expect fighters and eventually 2E bombers to arrive. Hopefully, he'll just be content with bombing the Marshalls.

SE Fleet

Not much down here other than about 80x 2E and 4E sorties against Hollandia and 90x 2E sorties against Aitape. He's prepping for an invasion of Aitape.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

A sweep of Chittagong was fruitless. No Allied fighters flew.

A sweep of Akyab netted 2 of 3 Hurricanes. Then, 76 Helen sorties trashed the airfield. One more tomorrow, then I'll start to work over Cox's Bazaar.

China

Bombers destroyed 11 squads

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: DD Okinami (Yugumo class), KB escort

The Ki-43-IV Oscar R&D advanced to 9/44 (will become operational 2/44).
The N1K5-J George R&D advanced to 4/45 (will become operational 5/44).

[rustysi]

Ahhhhh!!!!!! Thanks for the 'taste' Mike. I've been "jonesin'" really bad.[:D]

[Mike Solli]

6 Nov 43

Sub War

A midget sub found the BB TF at Mili and was sunk for her effort.

The I-4 was located by and SC ASW TF off Samoa and hit by 2 DCs. Her damage isn't too severe at 10-20(4)-2(1)-0, but is enough to send her home for repairs.

The US sub Dorado was hit by a DC off Babeldaob. She's been there quite a while making me crazy. Hopefully, she'll go home for repairs.

5 Fleet

A few Tojos swept Umnak finding no Allied fighters. Later in the day, 21 Sallies bombarded the airfield causing light damage and damaging a C-47 transport. I can see a DD TF of 1 or 2 DDs, and a small convoy, maybe ASW, both at Dutch Harbor. Not much Allied combat power there.

4 Fleet

A tiny George chutai sent its 3 planes at the Allies and came across 16 Hellcats shooting down 2 for the loss of a George (pilot WIA). The US CVs are a couple hexes south of Mili, presumably covering the invasion and bombardment TFs that are still in the hex. Other than that, it was quiet here.

SE Fleet

Hollandia was hit by bombers again. The port and airfield are effectively closed. KB2 has pulled out of range to the NE. They're still able to get in range in a day if necessary. The Allied ASW TFs have all pulled back to the south of Manus. The US carriers has disappeared to the south as well.

SRA

A total of 59x 4E sorties hit Boela in several raids. I assume they were going after oil fields (which are destroyed) because they caused no damage.

Burma

No Allied fighters flew over Akyab and Chittagong (and none were seen by recon at Cox's Bazaar). My Helens closed Akyab and will begin work on Cox's Bazaar tomorrow.

China

No Japanese bombers flew today. [8|]

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: 251 Ku S-1, 45 Georges, returned after withdrawing a little while ago. They're picking up trained pilots and will be sent where needed after the planes repair.

Soryu (along with Akagi) is still at Ulithi. I pulled her out of pierside repair. In 3 days she'll head to Kobe for complete repairs. Her damage is 7-28(28)-0-0.

The B6N2a Jill R&D advanced to 1/44 (will become operational 12/43). There are 3x30 factories allocated to this model. They will become available ~11/27/43 for other models.

I currently have 11 factories allocated to the A7M2 Sam (9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 2, 0, each of 30) and am thinking of adding another to make it an even dozen. I'm also thinking of allocating the other 2 to the Ki-115a for future IJAAF Kamikazes. What do you all think?

[rustysi]

I currently have 11 factories allocated to the A7M2 Sam (9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 2, 0, each of 30) and am thinking of adding another to make it an even dozen. I'm also thinking of allocating the other 2 to the Ki-115a for future IJAAF Kamikazes. What do you all think?

Sounds like something I might do, but just a few points. First, what's the Sam's engine situation? Ha-43, right? Its a laaate war model IIRC. Some time in late '45. It'll do you no good if you get the plane w/o the engine. My engine is advancing fairly well (about to flip to 1/45, with about a month for month advance), how's yours? As for the Ki-115's, I like them, but others are so-so about their use. I've had two R&D working from day one. My game is currently in the latter part of Feb. '43.

[Mike Solli]

The Ha-43 is still in R&D and will be available 5/44. The Sam is 9/45 so the Ha-43 will be operational long before the Sam comes along. I'll be using it for the George K5 though, which also becomes operational 5/44.

What are your Ki-115 R&D factories looking like right now?

[rustysi]

What are your Ki-115 R&D factories looking like right now?

I'll have to check, but IIRC one is ~20/31. Its an oddball that starts that way. The other is ~10/30. I'll get back with the exact amounts.

The reason I like the 115 is that it uses the Ha-35 and at a time when the demand for it should have fallen greatly. Right now my pool of that engine is dropping fast. It was falling by 5-6 per day. I had to halt production of the Oscar's to not have it drop below 500. Its still at 800 something, but that's down from 1100-1200. Its the drain from the R&D that's causing the problem. Once the Zero 5c hits production that'll stop, but I got about 4-5 months for that plane to hit the 'market'. BTW my production level for the 35 is 15/day, and nearly half of that goes to R&D.

[rustysi]

The Ha-43 is still in R&D and will be available 5/44.

That sounds OK. I'll get mine a lot earlier, around 2/44. Maybe I over did it?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

The Ha-43 is still in R&D and will be available 5/44.

That sounds OK. I'll get mine a lot earlier, around 2/44. Maybe I over did it?

Nope, I screwed up. I have 4 R&D engine factories remaining. Two were the Ha-43 and the other two were NE Turbojet. I converted all to the Ha-43 when I realized my mess up. When it's done, I'll convert 3 back to the NE Turbojet and one (size 60) will become operational. I'll convert two Ha-35 factories to the Ha-43 and increase them all. Had I realized my error earlier, I'd be getting the George K5 earlier. As it is, the George and Ha-45 will become operational at the same time. [8|]

[rustysi]

I'll be using it for the George K5 though, which also becomes operational 5/44.

Haven't calculated when I'll get this puppy, but I expect its predecessor in late March. Just in time to face his first Hellcats. BTW the two should be a decent match, except for the SR rating. Dammed disappointed its not a CV aircraft. What the h$ll were the Japanese thinking????[:@]

[rustysi]

As it is, the George and Ha-45 will become operational at the same time.

Well it could be worse.[;)]

[rustysi]

Ha-45? No, you mean the 43. The last George changes to that model IIRC. I've had my 45 since late Nov. '42.

[rustysi]

I'll convert 3 back to the NE Turbojet

Not bothering with the Japanese jets. Did you see its SR rating. A 4. I don't even know if I'll be able to keep those SR3 aircraft in the air, let alone a 4.

[Mike Solli]

Yep, Ha-43. My bad.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I'll convert 3 back to the NE Turbojet

Not bothering with the Japanese jets. Did you see its SR rating. A 4. I don't even know if I'll be able to keep those SR3 aircraft in the air, let alone a 4.

I made that decision YEARS ago. I have 6 R&D factories working on the Ki-201. They're at 18, 15, 14, 10, 8 and 3 of 30. No way I'm changing that decision. I expect to get the NE Turbojet 2/45. No estimate on the Ki-201, but it is advancing.

[rustysi]

Ha-43 is going to have a fairly high late war demand. Could there be another late war model that changes to it? Or maybe its some other aircraft that I want in pretty good numbers that uses it. I forget. Anyway...

Remember in '44 you'll need lots of fighters. IRL Japan produced some 13000+ plus that year... And she lost!!![:D]