Joe, after the Jun upgrades, I'll redeploy the US cargo ships and tankers. NORPAC is pretty well supplied, and I have a bunch of tiny islands in SOPAC that could use some stuff.
Jorge, I created the ACTF using same-class ships because I think that I read somewhere that ACTFs should contain no more than four carriers to minimize aircraft coordination penalties (kinda manual p167). Since I have five carriers, a three carrier TF and a two carrier TF are used. Both ACTFs usually operate supporting each other, however the Lex class is headed for upgrade and the Yorktown class will be upgraded in July 1942.
All I know about Alden is that they make nice shoes.
Air.
Starting with the Dutch - I've got problems with the Dutch right now, as I'm running out of pilots. I've used up all of the replacements, reserves, and TRACOM. No squadron has reserve pilots, and several squadrons don't have a full complement of active pilots, although all planes are manned. The Dutch have performed well, and their on-the-job training has yielded some experienced pilots and fairly accurate bomb groups (~40% on average). I lost a lot of Dorniers while evacuating the outer DEI, and so have some upgraded Catalina squadrons. The Dorniers / Cats are spread out in Sumatra and Java. I run these planes at 30% search at 5000 feet, 10% train, and 20% rest.
Only squadrons at full strength are used - if any planes are being repaired, the unit trains at 90% until ready. I pretty much do this for all aircraft. I baby them unless there is an emergency (or opportunity). Also, if a squadron drops below 99% morale they train until morale is full.
The Dutch have two wings of remaining export Martin B-10 (WHs) and a wing of B-25C Mitchells to replace WH losses. They are set at Naval Attack when needed: 50% search at 5,000 feet and 30% rest. There are a few British and Aussie two-engine bombers in the DEI used the same way.
The small Dutch bombers are used as ASW set at 30% ASW at 1000 feet, 10% training, and 20% rest.
Dutch fighters are stationed at Soerabaja, Batavia, and Palembang. I may run out of pilots before I run out of planes. There are additional British (2), American (8), and Kiwi (1) fighters in the DEI and there is a USAAF bomber wing (B17E) at Lahat and a RAF bomber wing (Wellies and Blenheim IVs) at Prabo... um spelling. These bombers are set at Ground Attack to support the siege of Singapore: target Singapore at 6000 feet.
All fighters are set at Escort: 30% escort (2nd altitude performance band), 10% training, and 20% rest; unless action is imminent, in which case fighters are at 50% escort and 30% rest.
Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Escort planes should be set at the same altitude of the bombers.
Some Aussie air units fly Dutch aircraft and have a mix of pilots. One unit flies the B-25C.
The USS Alden is a flush deck, four piper DD.
Some Aussie air units fly Dutch aircraft and have a mix of pilots. One unit flies the B-25C.
The USS Alden is a flush deck, four piper DD.
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
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia ChildRE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
I'm cheap, er frugal. While I'm on air generalities, air units due to withdraw are 'upgraded' to the oldest types of planes available, and their experienced pilots are transferred to Reserve; the squadron is withdrawn with only active pilots, no reserves. Sometimes the planes and pilots are returned to the pools, sometimes not - I don't know why.
I remember reading a comment years ago that someone would take the toilet paper from withdrawing ships if they could. I trade out ship captains if practical to save the good captains; I do the same for air and ground commanders. Air and ground units due to withdraw do not receive reinforcements.
PS. Joe, the 18th RAAF squadron flying B25C with Dutch pilots is at Soerabaja.
I remember reading a comment years ago that someone would take the toilet paper from withdrawing ships if they could. I trade out ship captains if practical to save the good captains; I do the same for air and ground commanders. Air and ground units due to withdraw do not receive reinforcements.
PS. Joe, the 18th RAAF squadron flying B25C with Dutch pilots is at Soerabaja.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Air, continued...
The Brits have those units previously mentioned at Sumatra, plus a Hurricane PR2 squadron at Djambi providing Recon of Singapore. Rangoon is the Brits forward base, with Chittagong providing longer-range bomber support and replacement squadrons. Colombo is used as the base for Brit naval air. There are some Audax squadrons at major India ports for ASW. There is also a fighter squadron and Naval Search squadron at Port Blair (both due to permanently withdraw sometime).
The Brits also have a string of Lysander squadrons along the Burma Road (rail) for Recon. I don't remember where I read this, but I have the Lysanders set to Recon, but don't 'select target', Range 4 which I think allows them to randomly Recon within their 4 range radius.
India. The Indians have Wapiti squadrons at some west coast ports for ASW, the rest of their Air is Training at Calcutta.
There is a Multinational Airlift Wing at Ledo, composed of US, British, Dutch, and Chinese aircraft providing Air Transport to Tsuyang, China (which BTW is the historically accurate location).
The Chinese have a few fighter squadrons scattered about, however currently their major bases are at Changsha and Sinyang. The Chinese have a viable wing of SBIII bombers at Sinyang providing support to Hankow or Chengting, plus a mixed bomber wing of onesies providing Recon over Hankow.
There are a few short-legged I16 fighter squadrons 'trapped' at Urumchi. I think that in previous games I disbanded the squadrons allowing them to respawn at Chungking, but this time I'm building up the airfield at Urumchi to see if I can upgrade them and fly them out.
On to Oz. I use 2-engine bombers mostly for Naval Search or ASW (regardless of nationality), so there are 'teams' of Hudsons for Naval Search and Wirraways for ASW at Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, Townsville, and Brisbane. Fighters are scarce, so there are fighter squadrons at Darwin, Townsville, and Sydney. The naval roads around Sydney are infested by Japanese subs, so Newcastle, Sydney, and Port Kembla have a couple of wings of 2-engine bombers providing ASW, one of the wings is American. There are also American Dive Bombers scattered around the East Coast to respond to the occasional naval raid.
Charters Towers is home to a B17E bomber wing harassing Japanese-held Port Moresby.
Cairns is an air transport base providing supplies to beleaguered Horn Island, which has been isolated since the fall of Port Moresby.
Next, the US air.
The Brits have those units previously mentioned at Sumatra, plus a Hurricane PR2 squadron at Djambi providing Recon of Singapore. Rangoon is the Brits forward base, with Chittagong providing longer-range bomber support and replacement squadrons. Colombo is used as the base for Brit naval air. There are some Audax squadrons at major India ports for ASW. There is also a fighter squadron and Naval Search squadron at Port Blair (both due to permanently withdraw sometime).
The Brits also have a string of Lysander squadrons along the Burma Road (rail) for Recon. I don't remember where I read this, but I have the Lysanders set to Recon, but don't 'select target', Range 4 which I think allows them to randomly Recon within their 4 range radius.
India. The Indians have Wapiti squadrons at some west coast ports for ASW, the rest of their Air is Training at Calcutta.
There is a Multinational Airlift Wing at Ledo, composed of US, British, Dutch, and Chinese aircraft providing Air Transport to Tsuyang, China (which BTW is the historically accurate location).
The Chinese have a few fighter squadrons scattered about, however currently their major bases are at Changsha and Sinyang. The Chinese have a viable wing of SBIII bombers at Sinyang providing support to Hankow or Chengting, plus a mixed bomber wing of onesies providing Recon over Hankow.
There are a few short-legged I16 fighter squadrons 'trapped' at Urumchi. I think that in previous games I disbanded the squadrons allowing them to respawn at Chungking, but this time I'm building up the airfield at Urumchi to see if I can upgrade them and fly them out.
On to Oz. I use 2-engine bombers mostly for Naval Search or ASW (regardless of nationality), so there are 'teams' of Hudsons for Naval Search and Wirraways for ASW at Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, Townsville, and Brisbane. Fighters are scarce, so there are fighter squadrons at Darwin, Townsville, and Sydney. The naval roads around Sydney are infested by Japanese subs, so Newcastle, Sydney, and Port Kembla have a couple of wings of 2-engine bombers providing ASW, one of the wings is American. There are also American Dive Bombers scattered around the East Coast to respond to the occasional naval raid.
Charters Towers is home to a B17E bomber wing harassing Japanese-held Port Moresby.
Cairns is an air transport base providing supplies to beleaguered Horn Island, which has been isolated since the fall of Port Moresby.
Next, the US air.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
You will need enough supply at Urumchi to do the upgrade. Supply is always the issue in China ... you may have to disband the units and have them respawn in 120 days. Building Urumchi is a waste of supply if the Japanese are going to take it.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
ORIGINAL: Flicker
... I don't remember where I read this, but I have the Lysanders set to Recon, but don't 'select target', Range 4 which I think allows them to randomly Recon within their 4 range radius...
Not from me.
Recon is a point to point mission. No such thing as an auto 4 hex range point to point.
Alfred
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
ORIGINAL: Flicker
...There are a few short-legged I16 fighter squadrons 'trapped' at Urumchi. I think that in previous games I disbanded the squadrons allowing them to respawn at Chungking, but this time I'm building up the airfield at Urumchi to see if I can upgrade them and fly them out...
Has your "fabulous strategy" actually considered:
1. How much the cost to upgrade is and how likely you will have that sum to pay the bill.
2. What aircraft model option is available which will allow the unit to be flown out.
3. How deep your pools are to allow this "fabulous strategy" to be implemented.
Alfred
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
You can fly them out. If they break down, having the last base with no aircraft start moving their base force anyway will eventually get to that base and repair them. Get all of the broken down planes into one squadron. Eventually they will get repaired and can make it to Chungking and eat Chop Suey there. Set them all to training. You can buy some out and get them to India and upgrade and train the units there.
Recon aircraft with no target set will randomly recon a base.
Recon aircraft with no target set will randomly recon a base.
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
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia ChildRE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
BBFanboy - I think Urumchi generates enough supply if I stockpile long enough (maybe I should start now 
I think that I must have disbanded them to respawn last game. The Japanese are not going to take Urumchi, deo volente. They haven't taken Paotow.
Alfred - thank you for clarifying the Recon question. I'll need to figure out a better use for those squadrons.
1. "cost to upgrade"??? Do these squadrons require PPs to upgrade? If so, then yes I'll have the PPs. I may not like it though.
2&3. There are three squadrons of 12 planes. I have 36 P43A-1 Lancers in the pool.
We haven't really gotten to the 'fabulous strategy' yet. I'm building the watch first, then we'll see what time it is...
Joe - I16-III have a max range of six. While the distance to Hami is six, the distance from Hami to Kiuchan is nine. I don't remember how I got them out last time I played.
Also, I set fighter escorts to the same altitude as bombers for bombing raids. I was generalizing when I wrote that fighters are set at their second-best maneuver band. Good point.
Also some more, I don't recall any enemy bases within range of the Lysanders. I must have misinterpreted that "randomly recon a base" capability for 'random recon of hexes'. Oops. Not the worst mistake I've made playing this game. Thanks.
I think that I must have disbanded them to respawn last game. The Japanese are not going to take Urumchi, deo volente. They haven't taken Paotow.Alfred - thank you for clarifying the Recon question. I'll need to figure out a better use for those squadrons.
1. "cost to upgrade"??? Do these squadrons require PPs to upgrade? If so, then yes I'll have the PPs. I may not like it though.
2&3. There are three squadrons of 12 planes. I have 36 P43A-1 Lancers in the pool.
We haven't really gotten to the 'fabulous strategy' yet. I'm building the watch first, then we'll see what time it is...
Joe - I16-III have a max range of six. While the distance to Hami is six, the distance from Hami to Kiuchan is nine. I don't remember how I got them out last time I played.
Also, I set fighter escorts to the same altitude as bombers for bombing raids. I was generalizing when I wrote that fighters are set at their second-best maneuver band. Good point.
Also some more, I don't recall any enemy bases within range of the Lysanders. I must have misinterpreted that "randomly recon a base" capability for 'random recon of hexes'. Oops. Not the worst mistake I've made playing this game. Thanks.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Before we get to the US Air discussion, let's talk about China some more.
I mentioned that I play active China. From Day One, China has been repairing Light Industry and Heavy Industry where needed, starting with Chungking. I also attacked where feasible and captured Canton and Hong Kong (both repaired for HI and LI). I captured Wuchang (unrepaired) and Kaoping. I have not repaired Nanning, Chagsha, or Wuchang; although Changsha is repairing LI. To repair industry in a city, I set 'stockpile' to 'Yes', then adjust the slider to oversupply the city. When the supply reaches 10,000 then you can expect one point of repair per day, mostly. Changsha will be repaired by about Xmas 1942. I am currently besieging Hankow (forts 5 as of my last attack. Ouch!) and I own all the hexsides. I also have a Japanese army trapped south of Wuchang (all hexsides, I hesitate to say surrounded because that has meaning). I have units blocking Japanese reinforcements. Chinese combat units have the best generals available. I am concerned about the Japanese siege of Chengchow; the terrain is not in my favor however my force is stronger than the attacker and I have forts (but not many anymore). Supply is a problem, but China moves at a slow pace. In order to break open the stalemate, I have an American infantry division on the way (Americal currently off Port Blair) with two Tank Battalions following. I hope that they can help defeat the Japanese in detail: Wuchang, Hankow, then Chengting. I anticipate them reaching Wuchang in about a month or so.
More on Urumchi; the base is at 4 of 7 Airfield and 41% expanding. I'll need an AF level 7 to upgrade. The option to disband for 120 days might be faster, but I wanted to try something different.
For those who warn "never get involved in a land war in Asia", I am Asia.
I mentioned that I play active China. From Day One, China has been repairing Light Industry and Heavy Industry where needed, starting with Chungking. I also attacked where feasible and captured Canton and Hong Kong (both repaired for HI and LI). I captured Wuchang (unrepaired) and Kaoping. I have not repaired Nanning, Chagsha, or Wuchang; although Changsha is repairing LI. To repair industry in a city, I set 'stockpile' to 'Yes', then adjust the slider to oversupply the city. When the supply reaches 10,000 then you can expect one point of repair per day, mostly. Changsha will be repaired by about Xmas 1942. I am currently besieging Hankow (forts 5 as of my last attack. Ouch!) and I own all the hexsides. I also have a Japanese army trapped south of Wuchang (all hexsides, I hesitate to say surrounded because that has meaning). I have units blocking Japanese reinforcements. Chinese combat units have the best generals available. I am concerned about the Japanese siege of Chengchow; the terrain is not in my favor however my force is stronger than the attacker and I have forts (but not many anymore). Supply is a problem, but China moves at a slow pace. In order to break open the stalemate, I have an American infantry division on the way (Americal currently off Port Blair) with two Tank Battalions following. I hope that they can help defeat the Japanese in detail: Wuchang, Hankow, then Chengting. I anticipate them reaching Wuchang in about a month or so.
More on Urumchi; the base is at 4 of 7 Airfield and 41% expanding. I'll need an AF level 7 to upgrade. The option to disband for 120 days might be faster, but I wanted to try something different.
For those who warn "never get involved in a land war in Asia", I am Asia.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
It is not worth repairing the Chinese Industry until the war is over. You are better off using your supplies to protect China.
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
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia ChildRE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Maybe someday we'll get to US Air...
Let's keep talking about supply. I know that by keeping the Burma Road open and clear that I get 500 supply points. I also run convoys full of supplies to Rangoon, which goes somewhere, hopefully China. I prefer not to manually 'pump' supplies, but I guess I could if I really needed to...
Alfred's Logistics 101:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2878790
This work clears up many questions I have about supply.
For example, Ledo sends supplies to Tsuyung via Air Transport. One of the squadrons flies the C-47 Skytrain with a Max Load of 6000 (pounds?). The Max Load is divided by 2000, so each plane delivers 3 supply points. If the squadron has ten planes, that means that 30 supply gets delivered to Tsuyung. From there, I hope that it gets delivered further into China by road, rather than looping back to Ledo by jungle. Overall, Ledo doesn't seem to help much, but every little bit helps...
In that thread, Yaab asked: "Does base development level (airfield+port) affect how much supply can be moved through a base?" The question didn't get answered. I've searched for an answer to no avail because I have the same question (I think I asked it in a different thread back in 2015?). I've been proceeding assuming that building up infrastructure is good, at least it adds points to your score, right? But do built up airfields / ports help move supply?
Let's keep talking about supply. I know that by keeping the Burma Road open and clear that I get 500 supply points. I also run convoys full of supplies to Rangoon, which goes somewhere, hopefully China. I prefer not to manually 'pump' supplies, but I guess I could if I really needed to...
Alfred's Logistics 101:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2878790
This work clears up many questions I have about supply.
For example, Ledo sends supplies to Tsuyung via Air Transport. One of the squadrons flies the C-47 Skytrain with a Max Load of 6000 (pounds?). The Max Load is divided by 2000, so each plane delivers 3 supply points. If the squadron has ten planes, that means that 30 supply gets delivered to Tsuyung. From there, I hope that it gets delivered further into China by road, rather than looping back to Ledo by jungle. Overall, Ledo doesn't seem to help much, but every little bit helps...
In that thread, Yaab asked: "Does base development level (airfield+port) affect how much supply can be moved through a base?" The question didn't get answered. I've searched for an answer to no avail because I have the same question (I think I asked it in a different thread back in 2015?). I've been proceeding assuming that building up infrastructure is good, at least it adds points to your score, right? But do built up airfields / ports help move supply?
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
The build up allows more supply to be there. If the supply is not there it is difficult for it to be passed on.
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
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia ChildRE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
US Air, plus Canada. Oh, and New Zealand.
When I do a turn, I start in Alaska, then make a big loop to Canada, GB / Canada / East Coast, West Coast, Balboa, Pearl, et cetera; ending at Abadan, Aden, and Cape Town. Since US squadrons are almost everywhere, we'll follow that practice.
Alaska is defended by the 11th Air Force, comprised of some fighters and two-engine bombers; supplemented by Catalina squadrons. The fighters were 'upgraded' from P40E to P39s, the bombers are used for ASW, and the Cats for Naval Search.
Almost all of Canada's squadrons are due to permanently withdraw, so they don't get replacement airplanes or upgrades. They are all on the west coast. Some American aircraft (Cats, 2-engine ASW bombers) are stationed at Canadian airfields.
The West Coast airfields mostly train pilots in squadrons due to permanently withdraw. Seattle and Mare Island train fighters, Alameda trains 4-engine bombers, and the rest of the 2-engine bombers provide ASW along the coast (both 'P' and those that haven't been bought out). Float plane squadron due to withdraw have been 'upgraded' to save their Kingfishers (all ships have Kingfisher patrol planes). San Diego keeps the USN squadrons due to withdraw, and San Francisco has everything else (planes due to ship to Pearl, planes that haven't been bought out, plus ASW (I use the zeppelins as ASW). I've got a pretty solid ASW air and ship combination from Victoria to LA.
Pearl currently has a huge backlog of planes needed elsewhere (to be sorted out after the ship upgrades), but also has a fighter wing on CAP and decent ASW coverage. ASW is also stationed at the other Hawaiian islands. Midway, Johnston, and pretty much all of the occupied islands in the South Pacific have Cats, sometimes supplemented by dive bombers or torpedo planes. There is a wing of B17s split between Suva and Noumea supporting the battle at Luganville.
New Zealand has some air at Suva (and Nadi), but most of their air is at home. There is a Kiwi fighter squadron on Sumatra.
Australia is home to a B17 wing at Charter Towers, plus dive bombers and 2-engine bombers at Brisbane and the Sydney metro area.
There are a lot of American fighters on Java and Sumatra, plus a wing of B17s at Lahat, and Singapore has five squadrons of P40Es, one of which is on night patrol.
The Flying Tigers are still at Rangoon for a couple more weeks, with another fighter wing at Chittagong to replace them.
Next, land units.
When I do a turn, I start in Alaska, then make a big loop to Canada, GB / Canada / East Coast, West Coast, Balboa, Pearl, et cetera; ending at Abadan, Aden, and Cape Town. Since US squadrons are almost everywhere, we'll follow that practice.
Alaska is defended by the 11th Air Force, comprised of some fighters and two-engine bombers; supplemented by Catalina squadrons. The fighters were 'upgraded' from P40E to P39s, the bombers are used for ASW, and the Cats for Naval Search.
Almost all of Canada's squadrons are due to permanently withdraw, so they don't get replacement airplanes or upgrades. They are all on the west coast. Some American aircraft (Cats, 2-engine ASW bombers) are stationed at Canadian airfields.
The West Coast airfields mostly train pilots in squadrons due to permanently withdraw. Seattle and Mare Island train fighters, Alameda trains 4-engine bombers, and the rest of the 2-engine bombers provide ASW along the coast (both 'P' and those that haven't been bought out). Float plane squadron due to withdraw have been 'upgraded' to save their Kingfishers (all ships have Kingfisher patrol planes). San Diego keeps the USN squadrons due to withdraw, and San Francisco has everything else (planes due to ship to Pearl, planes that haven't been bought out, plus ASW (I use the zeppelins as ASW). I've got a pretty solid ASW air and ship combination from Victoria to LA.
Pearl currently has a huge backlog of planes needed elsewhere (to be sorted out after the ship upgrades), but also has a fighter wing on CAP and decent ASW coverage. ASW is also stationed at the other Hawaiian islands. Midway, Johnston, and pretty much all of the occupied islands in the South Pacific have Cats, sometimes supplemented by dive bombers or torpedo planes. There is a wing of B17s split between Suva and Noumea supporting the battle at Luganville.
New Zealand has some air at Suva (and Nadi), but most of their air is at home. There is a Kiwi fighter squadron on Sumatra.
Australia is home to a B17 wing at Charter Towers, plus dive bombers and 2-engine bombers at Brisbane and the Sydney metro area.
There are a lot of American fighters on Java and Sumatra, plus a wing of B17s at Lahat, and Singapore has five squadrons of P40Es, one of which is on night patrol.
The Flying Tigers are still at Rangoon for a couple more weeks, with another fighter wing at Chittagong to replace them.
Next, land units.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
So we'll do land units, however since the topic of 'how do I do a turn' keeps popping up in the forum, we'll review land units as part of describing my process for doing a normal turn. Note that I say 'normal', because the first of the month not only encompasses each of the steps described, but I perform a monthly in-depth review (we'll get to that later).
I used to watch the turns, however now I'll let it run while I go do some housework or something.
After the turn runs, I'll save the game. I used to do a three day rolling save, but nowadays I just say, [expletive] it and drive on. First, I look at the World Map to see if there are any red dots that shouldn't be there. Then I click on 'Intelligence Reports' and look at my 'Political Points', for example I have 275 PP right now (I'm saving up to buy a division costing like 1300 PPs). Then I'll click on 'Aircraft Losses' and sort on 'Today' to see what happened. Usually, there are like five types on Japanese planes before I see one of mine (often fighters or patrols). Normally I'll go to the next step, however sometimes I'll suffer a disaster like a failed bombing raid so I'll check it out.
My next step is to check the 'List Top Pilots' menu option and sort by "Exp' (experience) to see if I have any pilots to send to TRACOM (except for the Dutch, who are still flying).
Next is to check the 'Group Withdrawal Schedule'. I don't actually check this every time, because as part of my monthly routine I withdraw squadrons at the first of the month that are due to withdraw during the next month. Occasionally there are squadrons that aren't quite ready yet, so I'll check again until I withdraw them.
Next I look at 'Ships Sunk' sorted by date. I look at 'Ship Withdrawal' once a month and withdraw ships due to withdraw during the month, after replacing the captain if advantageous and taking the toilet paper. I ensure that ships nearing their withdrawal date are at a National Base. I also look at the Intel: Ship Withdrawal screen to see if the ship returns (in which case I don't replace the captain or take the patrol aircraft or toilet paper).
Pause...
I used to watch the turns, however now I'll let it run while I go do some housework or something.
After the turn runs, I'll save the game. I used to do a three day rolling save, but nowadays I just say, [expletive] it and drive on. First, I look at the World Map to see if there are any red dots that shouldn't be there. Then I click on 'Intelligence Reports' and look at my 'Political Points', for example I have 275 PP right now (I'm saving up to buy a division costing like 1300 PPs). Then I'll click on 'Aircraft Losses' and sort on 'Today' to see what happened. Usually, there are like five types on Japanese planes before I see one of mine (often fighters or patrols). Normally I'll go to the next step, however sometimes I'll suffer a disaster like a failed bombing raid so I'll check it out.
My next step is to check the 'List Top Pilots' menu option and sort by "Exp' (experience) to see if I have any pilots to send to TRACOM (except for the Dutch, who are still flying).
Next is to check the 'Group Withdrawal Schedule'. I don't actually check this every time, because as part of my monthly routine I withdraw squadrons at the first of the month that are due to withdraw during the next month. Occasionally there are squadrons that aren't quite ready yet, so I'll check again until I withdraw them.
Next I look at 'Ships Sunk' sorted by date. I look at 'Ship Withdrawal' once a month and withdraw ships due to withdraw during the month, after replacing the captain if advantageous and taking the toilet paper. I ensure that ships nearing their withdrawal date are at a National Base. I also look at the Intel: Ship Withdrawal screen to see if the ship returns (in which case I don't replace the captain or take the patrol aircraft or toilet paper).
Pause...
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Continued...
Once a month I look at 'Ground Withdrawal' to see which unit withdraws that month and replace the commander if advantageous.
Now the fun starts - I 'Show Combat Reports' and go to important battles or ship battle damage locations or air raid failures and tend to my forces. I "Show Operations Reports' and resolve issues such as expanding bases or arriving task forces or arriving units. Then I skim over the 'Sigint' and 'Weather'.
Next up, the hard work...
Once a month I look at 'Ground Withdrawal' to see which unit withdraws that month and replace the commander if advantageous.
Now the fun starts - I 'Show Combat Reports' and go to important battles or ship battle damage locations or air raid failures and tend to my forces. I "Show Operations Reports' and resolve issues such as expanding bases or arriving task forces or arriving units. Then I skim over the 'Sigint' and 'Weather'.
Next up, the hard work...
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Good morning! It's another beautiful day here in Alabama, so let's talk about ground units. I'm going to address them as I would during a turn, starting in Alaska and ending up at Cape Town. I do this every turn, and my entire turn process takes about an hour. That, plus the about 15 minutes for turn processing constitutes my WITP AE gameplay each day. Once a month, I review each theater to see if everyone is busy and being all that they can be...
I'll address some bases in detail, either because they are in contact with enemy forces or because they are examples of a 'standard'.
Alaska is kind of a backwater for me, although I'm making it a tough nut to crack. I sorted out the initial forces (combining units where appropriate) and reinforced, especially with engineers. There is a dedicated fleet of tankers and cargo ships, which will probably be repurposed after the June upgrades, so supply and fuel are plentiful. I have the 11th USAAF augmented by Cats a small cruiser-led SCTF with short-legged destroyers; the SCTF got a workout recently when the Japanese invaded Attu Island - the SCTF sunk all of the IJN ships and escort. However, the Japanese did land a unit on Attu. Fortunately, I had landed a combat engineer unit (unrestricted and due to withdraw in a couple of years) which had built forts up to level three. The SCTF bombarded the Japanese then withdrew to repair damage and reload. I have a BB-led bombardment TF on the way, due to arrive within about a week and reinforcements (infantry, unrestricted, due to withdraw) on the way, due within about two weeks. I use unrestricted ground units due to withdraw as a 'forlorn hope'; they don't get upgraded or replacements.
After checking on Alaska, I look at GB / CAN / East Coast, West Coast (mostly Seattle and San Francisco since they're the transport ports), Balboa, Pearl (which has a backlog of troops to deploy), Christmas, Tarawa (I'm in Phase I of securing the Mid-South Pacific islands), note that I prioritize reinforcing Tabiteuea early in the game, as it's an important staging area for operations in that theater. While we're talking about the area, the small islands like Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, Canton, etc. get a USAAF base, a Marine defense battalion and a FA battalion as their standard complement. I'm engaged at Luganville, where I landed a US Infantry division as reinforcements recently - they are currently reducing fatigue and disorder before attacking - bombers from Suva and Noumea are softening up the invaders. NZ and Oz are kinda quiet. The Aussie divisions are garrisoning the major cities - Sydney and Perth are the most active cities.
I then move on the Japanese Home Islands to check on my subs, then the PI. I still hold besieged Cebu (for maybe another couple of turns) and Zamboanga. I've got a Cat squadron at Zamboanga rescuing troops from Cebu (I've got fragments from all of the units at Cebu). I'm using my US fleet subs (due to withdraw in a few years) to run supplies from Soerabaja to the PI.
Next the DEI and points west...
I'll address some bases in detail, either because they are in contact with enemy forces or because they are examples of a 'standard'.
Alaska is kind of a backwater for me, although I'm making it a tough nut to crack. I sorted out the initial forces (combining units where appropriate) and reinforced, especially with engineers. There is a dedicated fleet of tankers and cargo ships, which will probably be repurposed after the June upgrades, so supply and fuel are plentiful. I have the 11th USAAF augmented by Cats a small cruiser-led SCTF with short-legged destroyers; the SCTF got a workout recently when the Japanese invaded Attu Island - the SCTF sunk all of the IJN ships and escort. However, the Japanese did land a unit on Attu. Fortunately, I had landed a combat engineer unit (unrestricted and due to withdraw in a couple of years) which had built forts up to level three. The SCTF bombarded the Japanese then withdrew to repair damage and reload. I have a BB-led bombardment TF on the way, due to arrive within about a week and reinforcements (infantry, unrestricted, due to withdraw) on the way, due within about two weeks. I use unrestricted ground units due to withdraw as a 'forlorn hope'; they don't get upgraded or replacements.
After checking on Alaska, I look at GB / CAN / East Coast, West Coast (mostly Seattle and San Francisco since they're the transport ports), Balboa, Pearl (which has a backlog of troops to deploy), Christmas, Tarawa (I'm in Phase I of securing the Mid-South Pacific islands), note that I prioritize reinforcing Tabiteuea early in the game, as it's an important staging area for operations in that theater. While we're talking about the area, the small islands like Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, Canton, etc. get a USAAF base, a Marine defense battalion and a FA battalion as their standard complement. I'm engaged at Luganville, where I landed a US Infantry division as reinforcements recently - they are currently reducing fatigue and disorder before attacking - bombers from Suva and Noumea are softening up the invaders. NZ and Oz are kinda quiet. The Aussie divisions are garrisoning the major cities - Sydney and Perth are the most active cities.
I then move on the Japanese Home Islands to check on my subs, then the PI. I still hold besieged Cebu (for maybe another couple of turns) and Zamboanga. I've got a Cat squadron at Zamboanga rescuing troops from Cebu (I've got fragments from all of the units at Cebu). I'm using my US fleet subs (due to withdraw in a few years) to run supplies from Soerabaja to the PI.
Next the DEI and points west...
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Do I understand you are at June 1942, playing scen 1?
If so, and you hold Singapore, I would suggest you train train train your fighter jocks, and get your US/Australian ground troops to prep for Borneo, then Hainan & Formosa and the later arrivals for Okinawa and Kyushu. Send the British Army up the railway, right turn to Saigon, and north to Hanoi. There are a bunch of level 9 airfields to build, and your airpower will turn the South China Sea into an allied lake.
As soon as you upgrade your fast carrier VFs to F6F, press the go button and send the death star bouncing up the Sth China Sea. The KB will react and if you are clever enough, will be pounded by your land based air before they even get in range of your carriers, let alone your transports
Do not bother with PM, or Rabaul, or the Marshalls/Marinias, and the PI is only useful to get the shipyard at Manila, and airbases, so take Luzon after you cut off its LOC to the Japan. Go straight up the guts. You should be on the JHI in force by the end of 43.
If you need to, in early 1944 you can assemble a borg cube that will be able to assimilate a transwarp conduit through the Marshalls and Carolines, all covered by a big blue blanket and wave through the convoys building your supply dump at Manila.
If so, and you hold Singapore, I would suggest you train train train your fighter jocks, and get your US/Australian ground troops to prep for Borneo, then Hainan & Formosa and the later arrivals for Okinawa and Kyushu. Send the British Army up the railway, right turn to Saigon, and north to Hanoi. There are a bunch of level 9 airfields to build, and your airpower will turn the South China Sea into an allied lake.
As soon as you upgrade your fast carrier VFs to F6F, press the go button and send the death star bouncing up the Sth China Sea. The KB will react and if you are clever enough, will be pounded by your land based air before they even get in range of your carriers, let alone your transports
Do not bother with PM, or Rabaul, or the Marshalls/Marinias, and the PI is only useful to get the shipyard at Manila, and airbases, so take Luzon after you cut off its LOC to the Japan. Go straight up the guts. You should be on the JHI in force by the end of 43.
If you need to, in early 1944 you can assemble a borg cube that will be able to assimilate a transwarp conduit through the Marshalls and Carolines, all covered by a big blue blanket and wave through the convoys building your supply dump at Manila.
"I am Alfred"
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Ian, thank you for commenting. Yes, I'm in June 1942 playing Scenario 1 versus the AI.
LOL we're ahead of ourselves, and I might as well let the cat out of the bag.
I've never played the Soviets, so in this game my goal is to prolong the game to play the Soviets (activated on August 1, 1945). My 'fabulous strategy' is to (pretend to) activate the Russians by reducing the Japanese Manchukuo garrison (this only works against a human player). I'm role-playing the denial of post-war China (and Korea) to the Russians. The Brits / Indians are responsible for Sumatra and retaking Malaya, as well as taking Thailand and Indo China. While the US provides naval and air support, the US will not provide troops to retake colonial possessions (um, except their own in the PI or Dutch New Guinea - the Aussies must retake Eastern New Guinea including Rabaul, however the US will take Guadalcanal instead of the British). The Aussies are responsible for Java and then taking Borneo and the Celebes. The US is planning to take Guadalcanal, retake the PI, Taiwan, and meet up in Korea with US forces advancing from China. Chinese forces will not advance into Korea but can cross the 'border' into Manchukuo. The Russians get the rest of Sakhalin Island.
LOL we're ahead of ourselves, and I might as well let the cat out of the bag.
I've never played the Soviets, so in this game my goal is to prolong the game to play the Soviets (activated on August 1, 1945). My 'fabulous strategy' is to (pretend to) activate the Russians by reducing the Japanese Manchukuo garrison (this only works against a human player). I'm role-playing the denial of post-war China (and Korea) to the Russians. The Brits / Indians are responsible for Sumatra and retaking Malaya, as well as taking Thailand and Indo China. While the US provides naval and air support, the US will not provide troops to retake colonial possessions (um, except their own in the PI or Dutch New Guinea - the Aussies must retake Eastern New Guinea including Rabaul, however the US will take Guadalcanal instead of the British). The Aussies are responsible for Java and then taking Borneo and the Celebes. The US is planning to take Guadalcanal, retake the PI, Taiwan, and meet up in Korea with US forces advancing from China. Chinese forces will not advance into Korea but can cross the 'border' into Manchukuo. The Russians get the rest of Sakhalin Island.
RE: Flicker's Fabulous Strategy
Well, you may able to prompt Soviet entry by putting the IJ on human control* and running down the garrison, but, you don't get the massive Soviet reinforcements (historical) until about July 45 that enable you to carry out the Manchurian operation in historical fashion. Having said that, I suspect if you trash the IJ economy by taking the "evisceration" route suggested by me, you might be able to get it done with the skeletal troops that are there in summer '43 - against the AI.
[*I am reasonably sure the AI is allowed to ignore garrison requirements.]
I am not sure of the Soviet Manchurian operation is included in the Downfall scenario; if so that would be a better way to get there.
[*I am reasonably sure the AI is allowed to ignore garrison requirements.]
I am not sure of the Soviet Manchurian operation is included in the Downfall scenario; if so that would be a better way to get there.
"I am Alfred"