RADM Yamaguchi's Diary (Pls no affins or cheesesteak)

[RangerJoe]

Just set it on the TF screen. You want high naval for them to get into position but lower aggression so they don't risk their ships.

If you load restricted naval air units that can go onto carriers, AV, or CS class, then they will become unrestricted. Then enlarge them to 81 slots or as large as you can and use well.

[RangerJoe]

Just think if you can get that BB group into surface combats at night. They will use up their OPs points and maybe hang around during the day . . . [8D]


Also, minefields in the shallows for the BB group going to Lord Howe Island . . .


Be ready to move subs into deep water for the cripples . . .


The ships on their way out would avoid the known minefields and run over the subs . . .

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Do some of you keep track of which submarines sink which ships. I haven't been but i think i should.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 29, 42
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ASW attack near Sydney at 91,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
DD Fortune
AM Bunbury
AM Launceton
They have some active ASW going against SS-I-175.
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Sub attack near Sydney at 91,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
AM Horsham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fortune
But do they care? NO. 1 AM Sunk.
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ASW attack near Sydney at 91,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
DD Fortune, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Launceton
1 DD SUNK

I'm pretty sure I-175 has also sunk at least one CL. And the crew experience is 56/55. And the Captain is Naval 51 and Aggression 74. I guess it's just the right place right time?

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

oh and this one too

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ASW attack near Busselton at 48,152

Japanese Ships
SS I-154, hits 4

Allied Ships
DD Napier, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Norman
Another DD SUNK

that sub is 55/59 captain 71 Nav 75 agg

[PaxMondo]

yeah, there's a reporter type program that will do this for you. forget who wrote it, but it is really nice little tool.

SubmarineReporterB13.xlsm

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

I'm feeling so much better after my accident i'm wondering if i could handle another game. I really like my opponents but i get the feeling that i'm not a challenging enough opponent for them. They have started a new game against each other and thus the turns have become a little slower. That's fine. From the very beginning i told them i would try to remain relevent for as long as possible but that i am certainly no pro at this. Besides, i think it is incredibly encouraging to have two young guys like them playing this game and being such a part of the community with us old farts. I think i have learned so much in this game - from my oppponents, from trial and error and from you guys here in the forum - especially Ranger Joe and Inquistor along with Pax. I'd like to put some that new knowledge to work while i still can remember it. Another thing i did was get a notebook so that i can write down as much of my strategy as possible to be able to pick up between turns...especially when they take more than a day.

Are there any of you that have had or are currently involved in two PBEM games that could share their thoughts with me?

[PaxMondo]

There's a long list of players with multiple games ongoing …

[RangerJoe]

A suggestion would be to play a game against the AI as the Allied player to see what that side has and what it can do. Set up the Japanese economy if you want to make it more challenging.

[inqistor]

It's probably time to hunt some US CVs, if your opponents already feel too safe.

I would say, you should wait until end of 1942, or even mid-1943 before starting another game. That way you would be able to better tune your air research, and production. Have you already seen P-38? They are first of tough US Fighters, and it will only be worse with time.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Joe, That sounds like a really smart idea. Probably too smart for me. I started playing all these WITP games against the AI but it just can't keep my interest. I think i'm better off playing against a human even if it means getting whipped.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

inqistor, another smart idea.

i'll try to wait. but i have built some huge excel spreadsheets projecting numerous R&D and production scenarios. i'm kinda anxious to try them out.

No, i have not run into P-38s yet. large quantities of P-40s, P-400s and others were having some success in australia where i just had a toehold but layering my cap low as i saw on another AAR seemed to work well - even with oscars. I'm going to do my best to limit fights to their max ranges wherever possible.

[RangerJoe]

P-38s have a high SR value, especially the early ones. If they are ever on CAP, send multiple sweep waves and wear them out. Don't forget to LRCAP their base as that increases ops losses.

This is how to take care of enemy DDs, look at the range on the torpedo hit:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Nikunau at 140,134, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Shell hits 3
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 3
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Downes, Shell hits 3

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 20,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CA Chikuma launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Downes at 20,000 yards
CA Chikuma launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Sims at 20,000 yards
DD Sims sunk by DD Kasumi at 20,000 yards

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

I'll be posting an update tonight. We're at July 1st 1942 and i'm pretty much done with my failed australia invasion and attempt to leapfrog in burma at Akyab. I survived somewhat but it was a waste of time and resources.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Here is the point situation. Really don't know how i'm doing.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

My pilot pools. sad to see the drop off. i have 45 navy and 44 army pilots in TRACOM. maybe that will help someday.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Here are the allied ships i've sunk. Looks pretty good to me with 7BB, 7CA, 16CL, 46DD. I think their fairly solid intel.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Here is my industry situation. I have no idea what it's telling me other than i need more vehicles and less armnaments. any ideas?

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

I haven't produced a fighter in a month or so. I have the A6M5c almost ready. should be 17 days. The Ki-44-IIc should be ready in 14 days. hard time keeping the Ha-35 pool over 500. I HAD NO IDEA THAT A/C RESEARCH ATE ENGINES!!!

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: RADM.Yamaguchi

I haven't produced a fighter in a month or so. I have the A6M5c almost ready. should be 17 days. The Ki-44-IIc should be ready in 14 days. hard time keeping the Ha-35 pool over 500. I HAD NO IDEA THAT A/C RESEARCH ATE ENGINES!!!

That is why you increase your engine factories more than the airframe factories if the engines are/will be in high demand. That is why I set up a spreadsheet with the aircraft and the respective engines. Concentrating on aircraft with a common engine can make things easier for research, development, and planning.

Also, it is a way to use your HI for research purposes while also having the engine production available for when you are going to build the new aircraft. It is better than having to build twice as many research factories.

When you convert factories to an airframe not directly in line on the research path, they will become damaged and shrink in size. Just like a man's wallet when he gets married . . . [:(]

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: RADM.Yamaguchi

Here is my industry situation. I have no idea what it's telling me other than i need more vehicles and less armnaments. any ideas?

That's normal. You can hold Armament Factories for a while. Your oil situation deteriorates quickly. Have you repaired all captured oil wells? Also, supply seems to be falling.

You have lots of IJA pilots to use. Prepare yourself for TOJO. Put best pilots in group, which you plan to upgrade, and let them rest, until they get max morale. Remember, that TOJO have quite short range. Probably best used in Burma for now.

What are your land reserves? Rotate spent units, and get fresh one to front. Are Allies planning something? Is there fight at Akyab, or can you just evacuate most forces there, and strike from sea again? Ceylon looks like good target.


Japan should plan for large CV battle still in 1942, when US torpedoes not entirely works yet. And what are those Strategic Points in 1942?