Gensui jdsrae (J) vs SolInvictus (A). IJ War Council room

[jdsrae]

The Allies pause their bombing campaign in India, apart from a few small night raids.
All quiet in the Marianas, so aircraft mechanics are working as fast as they can to get as many aircraft operational as possible.

The VP ratio is still a touch over 3.3 : 1 so is holding.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 01, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Akyab at 53,45
E Kasasagi
Allied Ships
SS Grunion, hits 4
SS Grunion is located by E Kasasagi
Grunion bottoming out ....
E Kasasagi attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Roi-Namur , at 132,114
G3M3 Nell x 13
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged
Port hits 1
13 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 20000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Dacca , at 56,38
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 5
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 10
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Dacca , at 56,38
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Dacca , at 56,38
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 4
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 224 encounters mine field at Roi-Namur (132,114)
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
10 mines cleared

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Nov 01, 43
Repairs completed on DD Minazuki at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Kisaragi at Truk, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on SS I-38 at Truk, ship returned to service
E W-25 sights PBY-5 Catalina at 106,125 near Rabaul
TF 76 sights Catalina I at 53,47 near Ramree Island
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Truk
Repairs completed on BB Hyuga at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Kikuzuki at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Satsuki at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Hamamatsu expands fortifications to size 2
Chittagong expands airfield to size 5
Sorong expands fortifications to size 6
Aircraft B7A2 Grace advances R&D
E Hachijo beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore – Etorofu class get a surface search radar which should help to spot subs.
E Kunashiri beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
E Ishigaki beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
E Kanju beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo
AK Arima Maru beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo – Yusen A class
AK Ayatosan Maru beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo
AK Amagisan Maru beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo
AK Aratama Maru beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo

[rustysi]

There were no Tojo IIc pilot casualties and they destroyed some P-47s, so they might not be such a bad plane after all.

I have been telling this to anyone who'll listen since I've been on this site.

Now that does not mean that at this time in the game they should be your main line fighter, but...

[rustysi]

More big 4E bomber raids of Dacca and the score in the air was a 97 to 18 win.

[X(]Crap, you shot 97 4E's down in one day? I don't think that even happened in IRL Western Europe.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

There were no Tojo IIc pilot casualties and they destroyed some P-47s, so they might not be such a bad plane after all.

I have been telling this to anyone who'll listen since I've been on this site.

Now that does not mean that at this time in the game they should be your main line fighter, but...

I’ll put a screenshot here when I get a chance to show the opposing forces, but there are still a lot of Warhawks flying and Tojos with 70+ experience pilots can handle them. Early in the air battles even Franks were damaging more Warhawks than destroying them outright, but having some Tojos provide mass didn’t hurt to counter the day 2 strikes.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

More big 4E bomber raids of Dacca and the score in the air was a 97 to 18 win.

[X(]Crap, you shot 97 4E's down in one day? I don't think that even happened in IRL Western Europe.

It was 97x total aircraft, but it included a few dozen 4Es and lots of escorts.

Turns are coming back faster than expected which is great, so there hasn’t been enough time to update the AAR.
I will still pick the best screenshot from each day and post it, then catchup on the reports as a lower priority.

The IJAAF fighter units in India are in a precarious state with lots of damaged aircraft that will take days to repair.
2 days of bombing isn’t enough to suppress them though.
Something like 5 days in a row would probably do it.
I’ll try and remember that for when I play as Allies one day.

[RangerJoe]

If you move the air unit from a rail head airbase to a rail head airbase, the time for the repairs might decrease. Or you could send the air unit to a base not on the rail line, merge the fragment with another unit then move that one while giving the losing air unit replace aircraft and pilots.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you move the air unit from a rail head airbase to a rail head airbase, the time for the repairs might decrease. Or you could send the air unit to a base not on the rail line, merge the fragment with another unit then move that one while giving the losing air unit replace aircraft and pilots.

The IJAAF have a special overnight train running from Dacca to Tezpur with aircraft mechanics who can conduct up to 14 days of maintenance overnight.
There is another similar train running from Rangoon to Magwe that speeds up the introduction into service of Frank-Rs.

The game has skipped ahead a few more days with very little action, which suits Japan just fine.
I need to try and take advantage of this lull by setting up some surprises in SEAF and the Marshalls for when the USN Pacific Fleet come back.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

with I-9 finally hitting a DD with a torp.

That's rare.

CDR Hara, Tameichi submitted this periscope photo as evidence for his claim to VADM Shimizu, Commander 6th Fleet.

[jdsrae]

The war has skipped ahead another week with very little action which is good news, but that just means the Allies are massing for their next attack somewhere in the dark areas of the map.

Each day for the last week of the war has involved limited 4E night bombing in India and an Allied sub attack or two each day.

Instead of updating the AAR I’ve been reviewing the pilot train system with the Inspector General of the IJAAF and the Inspector Admiral of the IJNAF.

I’ve got the 9 Nov 43 turn in my email to run tonight, then will try to finish implementing the reorg of IJNAF pilots and training units.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 02, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Roi-Namur , at 132,114
G3M3 Nell x 9
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 112,66
AK Tatukami Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
E Iki
Allied Ships
SS Bowfin
SS Bowfin launches 2 torpedoes at AK Tatukami Maru
E Iki attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ponape at 120,112
SC CHa-63
Captain of SS Barb elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
SC CHa-63 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-63 is out of ASW ammo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 112,66
E Iki
Allied Ships
SS Bowfin, hits 1
SS Bowfin launches 2 torpedoes at E Iki
E Iki attacking submerged sub ....

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Nov 02, 43
Repairs completed on BB Ise at Hiroshima/Kure, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E Hashidate at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on E Saga at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AK Yokohama Maru at Tokyo, ship returned to service
G4M1 Betty from 753 Ku K-1 has spotted AM Rail at 116,140 AM Rail is reported HIT
D4Y1 Judy from 956 Ku T-1 attacking an Allied CL at 99,127 a Triton class SS is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from Takao-2 attacking SS Paddle at 76,98 SS Paddle is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Dacca
Repairs completed on DD Akikaze at Truk, ship returned to service
Finschhafen expands airfield to size 2
Malang expands fortifications to size 3
Ace pilot Fuchida I. of 77th Sentai Det B is promoted to 2LT
E Shimushu beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
SS I-42 arrives at Shimizu
Loss of xAK Horai Maru on Sep 03, 1943 is admitted
xAP Neptuna is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Nov 07, 1942

[jdsrae]

A rare Joint Directive has been agreed and issued to clarify priorities for mission profiles, aircrew training and aircraft production between the IJAAF and IJNAF.
In summary, the IJNAF will cease training for and conducting bombing of ground targets. This will simplify and shorten the training cycle for navy strike pilots by removing GrdB from their training curriculum.
Tentative pre-war plans have been confirmed that the IJAAF will not train in NavT or NavB skills, to concentrate on GrdB and ASW skills/missions.
Both air forces will undertake separate independent studies into the costs : benefits of LowN training and missions, with an initial focus on FB and LB aircraft.

[RangerJoe]

If you can train extra pilots in LowN, then they are ready for the Divine Wind operations.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you can train extra pilots in LowN, then they are ready for the Divine Wind operations.

With the war going well so far the divine wind concept has not yet been dreamt up.

The intent for LowN training in 1944 is to conduct conventional operations, ideally to mix LowN bombing and strafing with higher altitude TB and DB strikes to try and split the CAP and get more planes through to attack shipping at a range of altitudes.

That’s the theory anyway!

[rustysi]

That’s the theory anyway!

While I like the theory, I haven't had too much success with it. But its been due to weather and coordination. I intend to keep trying.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you can train extra pilots in LowN, then they are ready for the Divine Wind operations.

With the war going well so far the divine wind concept has not yet been dreamt up.

The intent for LowN training in 1944 is to conduct conventional operations, ideally to mix LowN bombing and strafing with higher altitude TB and DB strikes to try and split the CAP and get more planes through to attack shipping at a range of altitudes.

That’s the theory anyway!

If the Japanese started doing that right away with Jakes, using them for regular LowNav attacks as well but left one size 1 non-Chinese airfield in allied hands, then the Japanese can use that tactic as soon as is possible. In fact, doing so before the big build up of the Allied CVs in 1944.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

A rare Joint Directive has been agreed and issued to clarify priorities for mission profiles, aircrew training and aircraft production between the IJAAF and IJNAF.
In summary, the IJNAF will cease training for and conducting bombing of ground targets. This will simplify and shorten the training cycle for navy strike pilots by removing GrdB from their training curriculum.
Tentative pre-war plans have been confirmed that the IJAAF will not train in NavT or NavB skills, to concentrate on GrdB and ASW skills/missions.
Both air forces will undertake separate independent studies into the costs : benefits of LowN training and missions, with an initial focus on FB and LB aircraft.

A few thoughts from me:

- If you're planning to use the Peggy T (and you should be!), then NavB should absolutely be on the agenda for the IJA. You can't train NavT for IJA pilots until the Peggy T arrives, but you can fix that quickly enough if everything is in place.

- NavB for the IJN is also useful if you're planning to use the Lily dive bomber. Forum opinion is divided on that plane, but I'm sold on it.

- I've found that ASW trained pilots tend to stick around, provided you use them in dedicated ASW squadrons and not on frontline roles.

- Big proponent of LowNav training here. I work it in to my IJA and IJN fighter training programmes, mainly to get Defence and EXP up, but also because it's the most useful skill to train given the big VP return on ships and all the annoying light surface combatant ships the Allies get (plus, strafe and ground bombing is useless on fighters).

- More pilots isn't always better. Worth considering if you want to keep longer training programmes that result in better pilots. There's a vast gulf in combat effectiveness between a 50 EXP pilot and a 60 EXP pilot, and there's much to be said for aiming to produce 60 EXP pilots from training alone...

[jdsrae]

My Air Generals think that TB and DB is Navy work.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

My Air Generals think that TB and DB is Navy work.

You lose a bunch of the Naval air units and you should have lots of Army pilots.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

My Air Generals think that TB and DB is Navy work.

Your IJAAF Generals need to think of the extra funding they'll get if they can get in on the anti-shipping action.

There's a limited number of IJN 2E squadrons, while with PDU On the majority of IJA bomber squadrons can potentially use the Peggy T.

That's the potential for an awful lot of torpedo equipped bombers, and the IJA is big enough that you can keep a healthy training pipeline going.

More generally, there's not much in the way of VP's in ground bombing now that you're going in to '44. Flak alone will take it's toll, never mind CAP and Ops. Meanwhile at sea, you can lose near enough 100 planes to sink a CVE and potentially even make a VP gain (to say nothing of loaded amphib ships...)

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

My Air Generals think that TB and DB is Navy work.

Your IJAAF Generals need to think of the extra funding they'll get if they can get in on the anti-shipping action.

There's a limited number of IJN 2E squadrons, while with PDU On the majority of IJA bomber squadrons can potentially use the Peggy T.

That's the potential for an awful lot of torpedo equipped bombers, and the IJA is big enough that you can keep a healthy training pipeline going.

More generally, there's not much in the way of VP's in ground bombing now that you're going in to '44. Flak alone will take it's toll, never mind CAP and Ops. Meanwhile at sea, you can lose near enough 100 planes to sink a CVE and potentially even make a VP gain (to say nothing of loaded amphib ships...)

If a player starts researching the Peggy T early, then it can come late in 1943.

Too bad it is not set up here a player can't skip models until the latest model is within a moth of production, then move to the next model.

"We like your suggestions to improve the aircraft, but those improvements will be put into the next model as this one is almost ready for production!"

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

A rare Joint Directive has been agreed and issued to clarify priorities for mission profiles, aircrew training and aircraft production between the IJAAF and IJNAF.
In summary, the IJNAF will cease training for and conducting bombing of ground targets. This will simplify and shorten the training cycle for navy strike pilots by removing GrdB from their training curriculum.
Tentative pre-war plans have been confirmed that the IJAAF will not train in NavT or NavB skills, to concentrate on GrdB and ASW skills/missions.
Both air forces will undertake separate independent studies into the costs : benefits of LowN training and missions, with an initial focus on FB and LB aircraft.

A few thoughts from me:

- If you're planning to use the Peggy T (and you should be!), then NavB should absolutely be on the agenda for the IJA. You can't train NavT for IJA pilots until the Peggy T arrives, but you can fix that quickly enough if everything is in place.

- NavB for the IJN is also useful if you're planning to use the Lily dive bomber. Forum opinion is divided on that plane, but I'm sold on it.

- I've found that ASW trained pilots tend to stick around, provided you use them in dedicated ASW squadrons and not on frontline roles.

- Big proponent of LowNav training here. I work it in to my IJA and IJN fighter training programmes, mainly to get Defence and EXP up, but also because it's the most useful skill to train given the big VP return on ships and all the annoying light surface combatant ships the Allies get (plus, strafe and ground bombing is useless on fighters).

- More pilots isn't always better. Worth considering if you want to keep longer training programmes that result in better pilots. There's a vast gulf in combat effectiveness between a 50 EXP pilot and a 60 EXP pilot, and there's much to be said for aiming to produce 60 EXP pilots from training alone...

I don't disagree with anything here, just that I have made a few different decisions in terms of aircraft that I am going to stick with as I don't think they will change the eventual outcome of the war anyway.

I took this photo at the Australian War Memorial about 6 months ago as I found the flow and durations interesting and quite close to the way this game models skill development. It's a tad blurry in parts but should still be readable. One of my grandpas went through this flowchart on his way to join 51 Sqn RAF in England. He left Aust May 43 and flew his first operational mission on 17 Jun 44. He was "screened" (finished tour) 8 Feb 45. His diary says: "Unexpected but quite acceptable as we've been nearly nine months on squadron".

I didn't get a turn back this evening so took a bit of time to update a previous pilot training flow chart to look a bit like this one. I'll post it shortly after I've checked it for obvious errors.