Somewhere around turn 30 of the game, I think you get two divisions of tanks for the Kwangtung army... There are lots of fun things you can do with a couple of armored divisions [:D]
PS - I've played an earlier version VS Para and I have the current version of the game you are playing loaded up on my PC. Resources/fuel/supplies/HI should not be a problem for you. The intent of this game is two give both sides a big-a$$ed bat and let them slug it out while tied together with a 6ft rope.
I would suggest the following:
- look at your pilots that are 80+ experience and move a bunch of them into TRACOM. You start out with lotsa high EXP pilots.
- Pick a theatre/direction and go for it.
- Feel free to ramp up air production to stupid levels. I emphasis the word stupid.
- At the early stage of the war, you have the bigger bat. Swing for the fence.
DW
I try to live by two words - tenacity and gratitude. Tenacity gets me where I want to go and gratitude ensures I'm not angry along the way. - Henry Winkler.
The great aim of education is not knowledge but action. - Herbert Spencer
A6M8 Zero (Mitsi 33) - 25 Factories - Currently due 4/44
So if I have understood correctly without the engine bonus I am accelerating the A6M8 one month every 4 days so I will have it by June 42.....
G8 Rita (Naka 45) - 16 Factories - Currently due 2/44
One month every 6 days so again May/June 42
Oscar IV (Naka 35) (over 500 engines in pool) - 11 Factories - Currently 2/45
One month every 4 - 5 days as I have the engine bonus
Tojo IId (Mitsi 31) (over 500 engines in pool) - 8 Factories - Currently 6/44
One month every 6 days as I have the engine bonus
Tojo IIb (Naka 35) (over 500 engines in pool) - 4 Factories - Currently 7/43
One month every 12 days due to engine bonus
That's seriously crazy !!!
Unless you are producing an enormous number of Nakajima 34 and 35 engines, you will not have the engine bonus for long or for all those factories, because, each day, each factory will burn an engine.
The problem is not the design of R&D; the problem is skipping steps combined with PDU:On. This problem is further amplified by a mod that gives Japan a boost to industry. There is really no way for an allied player to avoid auto-victory against a competent Japanese player under these conditions. The allies will be completely swept from the skies through 3/43 and probably months beyond. Even in a stock scenario 1 game, it is hard for the allies to be competitive in the air in 1942 in a PDU:On game if Japan goes heavily into Tojo, Oscar, and Zero, and pursues a sound air doctrine: moreso obviously in scenario 2.
For years, Japanese players were trying to chase the allies ever higher and getting beat badly, so everyone thought that all sorts of changes were necessary to the Japanese OOB, that PDU:On was essential, and that Japan needed some additional boost to its air power. If one employs a sound air doctrine with all of these boosts to Japan, then the game becomes unbalanced.
It is my understanding that the devs originally intended PDU:Off only and that PDU:ON was added owing to player demand. PDU:ON is fine to prop up an inexperienced Japanese player, but an experienced Japanese player should be playing PDU:Off, which makes skipping steps useless, because all squadrons must be upgraded through the series. At the least, an experienced Japanes player should not be skipping research steps if they do play PDU:ON.
It is my understanding that the devs originally intended PDU:Off only and that PDU:ON was added owing to player demand. PDU:ON is fine to prop up an inexperienced Japanese player, but an experienced Japanese player should be playing PDU:Off, which makes skipping steps useless, because all squadrons must be upgraded through the series. At the least, an experienced Japanes player should not be skipping research steps if they do play PDU:ON.
Why? I played PDU off, and skipped steps. I have played PDU on and skipped steps. The Allies have fielded P38s super early, and I have faced B29s in Nov of 1943.
Three impacts PDU off has on Japan is that she is sorely handicapped in the night air fight and the KB is more lethal longer, and it so streamlines your r&d for you. Sure you are limited to 2-4 squadrons of George/Jack, but you field the A6M8 very early and enough Frank A to make a difference.
Biggest problem with PDU off is that it is a massive time suck and boring. Personal opinion there.[:)]
Overall, I don't think it matters too much whichever you select as there are plentiful counters for each side. It is how you use the tools in your toolbox that matters.
It is my understanding that the devs originally intended PDU:Off only and that PDU:ON was added owing to player demand. PDU:ON is fine to prop up an inexperienced Japanese player, but an experienced Japanese player should be playing PDU:Off, which makes skipping steps useless, because all squadrons must be upgraded through the series. At the least, an experienced Japanes player should not be skipping research steps if they do play PDU:ON.
Why? I played PDU off, and skipped steps. I have played PDU on and skipped steps. The Allies have fielded P38s super early, and I have faced B29s in Nov of 1943.
Three impacts PDU off has on Japan is that she is sorely handicapped in the night air fight and the KB is more lethal longer, and it so streamlines your r&d for you. Sure you are limited to 2-4 squadrons of George/Jack, but you field the A6M8 very early and enough Frank A to make a difference.
Biggest problem with PDU off is that it is a massive time suck and boring. Personal opinion there.[:)]
Overall, I don't think it matters too much whichever you select as there are plentiful counters for each side. It is how you use the tools in your toolbox that matters.
One would think that with the unique command and control structure for the Japanese in the game that there would be more Japanese night fighter units.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ; Julia Child
Maybe anyway we had some interesting turns I split KB and paid for it 3 CV's were sunk by massed USN CV's off Timor - I was trying to pick off cripples returning to Australia and walked into all the US Carriers - my alpha strike went after a diversionary BB TF and his alpha strike didn't miss - lost 3 Fleet Carriers and a BB for nil return was not happy
A few days later my elite Betty pilots went after an AMc despite being told not to go that far and having over 200 Zeros on escort with drop tanks they went unescorted liost a lot of good pilots that day was not happy.
And it gets worse spotted 15 untis and 60,000 men at Palembang
Oh and I am messing up in China doubt I will be able to make a lot of progress there too focussed everywhere else.
So all in all a bad couple of weeks for the empire except....
9 Battleships providing cover 7 in the Amphib TF's did the trick !!!!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 20, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pearl Harbor at 180,107 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at Pearl Harbor Base Force
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Mutsu
BB Mutsu firing at Oahu Harbor Defense
Oahu Harbor Defense firing at BB Mutsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Pearl Harbor (180,107) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
1437 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima
BC Yokosuka
BC Mikasa
BC Ishitaka
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Isshin Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Saishu Maru, Shell hits 3
DD Hayashio
xAKL Lushan Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAKL Taijin Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Yokae Maru
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Santo Maru
PB Kaikei Maru
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Chokai Maru
PB Toshi Maru #1
PB Takasago Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
PB Tama Maru #3
PB Shanan Maru #16
PB Kyo Maru #1
PB Hinode Maru #17
PB Choun Maru #18
PB Bisan Maru #3
PB Banshu Maru #51
PB Banshu Maru #8
PB Wa 14
PB Wa 10
AMC Nosiro Maru
AKL Shuko Maru
xAK Nichibi Maru
Japanese ground losses:
1833 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 144 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Pearl Harbor (180,107)
TF 200 troops unloading over beach at Pearl Harbor, 180,107
Japanese ground losses:
315 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pearl Harbor (180,107) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
810 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 9
BC Yokosuka, Shell hits 1
BC Mikasa
BC Ishitaka
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1, on fire
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Isshin Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Saishu Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Lushan Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Oyashio
xAKL Ryusei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Yokae Maru
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Santo Maru
PB Kaikei Maru
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Chokai Maru
PB Toshi Maru #1
PB Takasago Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
PB Tama Maru #3
PB Shanan Maru #16
PB Kyo Maru #1
PB Hinode Maru #17
PB Choun Maru #18
PB Bisan Maru #3
PB Banshu Maru #51
PB Banshu Maru #8
PB Wa 14
PB Wa 10
xAK Nanrei Maru
DD Isokaze, on fire
AKL Shuko Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pearl Harbor at 180,107, Range 12,000 Yards
Allied Ships
AMc Redbird, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 32% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 12,000 yards
AMc Redbird sunk by BB Yamato at 12,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 6 encounters mine field at Pearl Harbor (180,107)
Japanese Ships
DD Takanobu, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pearl Harbor at 180,107
Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
23 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 19th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking Seventh USAAF ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 19th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pacific Fleet ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 19th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 19th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 34th Combat Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking 25th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Defense Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Infantry Division, at 180,107 (Pearl Harbor)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 93 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 25th Infantry Division, at 180,107 (Pearl Harbor)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val bombing from 1000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
-
Ground combat at Pearl Harbor (180,107)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 76565 troops, 774 guns, 845 vehicles, Assault Value = 2738
Defending force 51151 troops, 1171 guns, 1336 vehicles, Assault Value = 784
Assaulting units:
1st Special Tank Regiment
6th Special Assault Division
2nd Division
140th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Tank Division
4th Division
292nd Division
77th Infantry Regiment
20th Division
141st Ind.Mixed Brigade
Defending units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
19th Infantry Regiment
Oahu Harbor Defense
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
118th USAAF Base Force
Hawaiian Dept
64th Coast AA Regiment
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
Pacific Fleet
Seventh USAAF
VII US Fighter Cmnd
251st Coast AA Regiment
Pearl Harbor Coast AA Regiment
119th USAAF Base Force
98th Coast AA Regiment
97th Coast AA Regiment
Pearl Harbor Base Force
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
VII US Bomber Cmnd
4th Marine Defense Battalion
D Det USN Port Svc
PH forts are down to level 3 and I am bombarding every 2 days with BB's at max range - I have air superiority and 7 Divs ashore just need to grind down the allies.
Mindanao apart from Davoa is mine and moving forward - Clark Field remaisn expensive in terms of flak losses but I jhave pulled out about half of my big Divs for other ops and am going to starve them out
China remains a mess and the allies are launching an offensive into North Thailand - I am not actually that bothered by this as it takes them a long way from home when my Malaya forces have recovered - I could divert air and land units to stop it cold but my focus is on the upcoming Java and Sumatra campaigns
My loss of 3 Carriers means my superiority in this naval air power is less than I would hope so I am pulling back Carriers from PH to join KB and recover its strength - in the meantime LBA from Tobali and Singapore are taking care of the very strong Dutch AF on Java
Basically the plan is to force the allied airforce out of Java by a combination of landings and air power before going near Plembang
My losses in the air are high and until my research factories complete the 1st phase research I am a little more sensitive to losses than I should be - the previous Japanese Admiral established a truly AWE INSPIRING research programme but the downside as a newbie Japanese player is I have probably taken more losses in the air than he would have so I am having to be slightly cautious with bombers especially at present
March 7th 1942 the Japanese conquered Pearl Harbour capturing 500k fuel in the process !!!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 07, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pearl Harbor at 180,107 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at 25th Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hiei
BB Hiei firing at Pearl Harbor
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BC Ishitaka
BC Ishitaka firing at Oahu Harbor Defense
Oahu Harbor Defense firing at BC Ishitaka
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pearl Harbor at 180,107
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Haruna
BC Yokosuka
BC Mikasa
Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
BB Mutsu firing at Pearl Harbor
BB Haruna firing at 25th Infantry Division
BC Yokosuka firing at Pearl Harbor
BC Mikasa firing at Pearl Harbor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pearl Harbor at 180,107 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamato
BC Tokachi
BC Kanto
Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 26
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
BB Fuso firing at Oahu Harbor Defense
Oahu Harbor Defense firing at BB Fuso
BB Yamato firing at Pearl Harbor
BC Tokachi firing at Pearl Harbor
BC Kanto firing at Pearl Harbor
Defending units:
21st Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
19th Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
Oahu Harbor Defense
Pacific Fleet
119th USAAF Base Force
98th Coast AA Regiment
4th Marine Defense Battalion
VII US Fighter Cmnd
251st Coast AA Regiment
Seventh USAAF
Pearl Harbor Base Force
Hawaiian Dept
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
64th Coast AA Regiment
118th USAAF Base Force
97th Coast AA Regiment
Pearl Marine Defense Battalion
VII US Bomber Cmnd
1st Marine Defense Battalion
Pearl Harbor Coast AA Regiment
D Det USN Port Svc
The Emperor hears the joyous news and declares a day be established as a national holiday and that a monument be made on the palace grounds to ensure this victory is never forgotten.
Thanks Guys been a few quiet turs and we have been slower because of PB's move
So whats happened Mopping up on Java and getting ready to attack Burma/Sumatra and a couple of other bases - the strength of the allies in DEI has slowed me down a lot I will take the historic perimeter plus PM and PH I think but Burma is looking like a nasty fight
We are in April 42 I tried to hit west coast witha naval bombardment but he spotted me and my BB TF couldn't fight through the hordes of TF's protecting the base no ships lost so not a disaster but not as effective as I had hoped.
It was effective in this regard, that he has to heavily patrol and leave substantial forces along all the major ports of the west coast until he takes PH back.
Mid April my production remains a mess with too much dedicated to research - production has started on A6M8 and Rita is not too far away - also Oscar IV and Tojo IIb are close to production when they have entered production things will ease off as I will be producing Army Fighters again
I hold all but one base on Java and about half of Sumatra with an invasion of southern Sumatra about to begin
I need to finish off Wake and Midway and then strike south into the Marquesas and Tahiti
CENTPAC will then become a holding theatre
SOPAC I own the whole of the Solomons and have started to push south towards New Cal but limited risk in this theatre until I can spare carriers
PI Clark still stands very little I can do about it for now
SWPAC after the fall of PM I closed the theatre down
Borneo - I need to mop up southern Borneo.
China remains a dogs breakfast
Basically in 3 or 4 weeks I will have at a minimum reduced the DEI to 2 or 3 sieges and taken everything else.
China will hopefully be a little more organised
Production will be in full flow again with less focus on research
At this point the Battle of Burma will begin its going to be a tough nut to crack the Allies are VERY strong in Burma and it is going to be a brutal campaign to take it.
I could really use a rest and refit period but the allies are so strong that any further delay will be difficult
I think that for Luzon that if you can capture/destroy the supply production plus keeping submarines from bringing in supplies that you should be fine. Just send over a few bombers at altitudes above his AAA to keep burning supplies.[:D]
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ; Julia Child
; Julia Child
