Logistics in the Pacific - USSAmerica (A), Mike (J)

[rustysi]

OK, now you're thinking. I have three Ha-34 factories in my current game. I think that's too much. Two should do, and I only produce 300 Ha-34 engines per month, and that has worked fine for myself. Of course your ideas as to their use might necessitate more production.

IIRC I think the engine production far outstripped its uses as the plane production was low early in my game. One reason for that is that I didn't produce the very first Helen, the Ia or whatever it is, as the Sally is essentially the same plane. This allow the engine pool to build up quite well. After plane production increased it obviously came down, but that didn't matter as by the time it dipped below 500 I didn't need the engine bonus any longer.

I do recall lowering my Tojo production to redress the balance, but by that time I had enough of them to bridge to the first Frank. I got got the first Frank in 9/43, a bit late, and I've since modified my R&D plans to get it about two months sooner.

For the most part my R&D plans are calculated to get the models I need 'in time', not for how early I can make it happen.

BTW, I don't skip any models on the development line. Even the ones I don't build, like the Tojo Ib. I think that's the one, with the low accuracy cannon.


Anyway just my .03 (because I said so much).[:D]

And of course JMHO.

Edit:Got my Frank's 8/43. And now that I think about it is the Tojo IIb I don't build.

[btd64]

Good luck Mike....GP

[ITAKLinus]

Mike, good luck with your new match and thanks for all the very instructive posts you did over the course of the years.

Albeit questionable for many, in an AAR I started on this forum you can find my vision regarding Japanese R&D:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4966141

I am firmly against Tojo and Tony. I'm a great proponent of the duo Frank-R and Oscar

[witpqs]

The best, Mike.

[GetAssista]

Excellent! We all need an update edition of the logistics FAQ the previous AAR has become over the years

Good luck with your new game!

[Saskecha]

I will follow this AAR as well! I hope to see the Japanese Sun shine upon San Francisco Bay!

[rustysi]

I am firmly against Tojo

IMHO, Tojo is a must to bridge to the Frank. Specifically the IIc. Oscar is a stablemate with its own functions, but is just too 'everything' to be your main front-line fighter. Too slow, too fragile, too under-gunned. Yeah, its maneuverable, but that wins acrobatic contests, not wars.

[rustysi]

Production

I changed few production factories and expanded few other ones.

A6M2: 70/month
Oscar-Ic: 100/month (inconstant production)
Kate-II: 40/month
Val: 40/month
Jake: 50/month
Nell: 40/month (inconstant production)
Betty: 25/month (until the new Nell comes in May)
Mavis: 10/month (until the Emily comes in July)
Sally: 50/month (for a long time, until the Helen-IIa has taken over)
Dinah: 30/month (production at 0, will be restored when the Dinah-III comes online. Few Dinahs will be produced anyway in the meantime)
Lily: 35/month (don't remember if it upgrades to the lily dive bomber. Don't think so. In any case, I need as many 2E level bombers as I can produce currently)
Thalia: 10/month (will be increased and will be the standard TR for the entire match)

Then I have factories which produce planes of which I do not have any engine production, but I have a stock of engines:
Glen: 9/month (stock will last 13.5 months)
Dave: 20/month (stock will last 12 months and will be used for NavS anti-sub)
Kate-I: 18/month (identical to the Kate-II except for the SR. A plane I like. Stock of engines will last 5,5 months)
Alf: 20/month (same as Dave)
Mary: 18/month (I love the Mary, don't know why. Being a 1E is quite a handy plane. Stock of engines will last until late April 1942 and the factory will switch to the first Nick, available from 01/05/1942)
Ann: 15/month (just like the Mary, it's a good 1E plane. Will be used for ASW patrols in low-priority areas. Good range and SR=1. Engines stock will last until late June 1942 and the factory will switch to the Mavis-TR, available since April 1942).

A6M2 I set to 60/month, but 70, OK.

I build out the Kate for which you have the engines available, got the idea from you.[:D] Yeah, they're SR2, but as you know CV battles tend to be short and vicious. IIRC, held me over until I got the Jills. Of course some shore based TB's had to 'downgrade'.

I don't build any single engine bombers, I have enough for the early war and their ranges are too short and loads too small for later.

If you intend to resize your float plane units make Jake 90/month.

As for twin engine bombers, numbers must match your expected uses, and losses.

And an FYI, the Lilly's do upgrade to the dive bomber version. They're OK, but as the war progresses they die in droves against US ship AAA. Then again what aircraft won't.[:D] It does give you an army DB to go with the Peggy(T)'s.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Excellent to hear that you're back.

I imagine that you'll go in to this in more detail in due course, but any broad views on what you'll be doing differently this time around?

Are you playing with Andy Mac's updated Scenario 1? There are some changes that I am quite keen about (extra dot China and Burma bases) and others I am not so keen on (extra LI) but on the whole it's an improvement.

Thanks. I'm unaware of Andy Mac's updated Scenario 1.

Yes, there are going to be quite a few things done differently this time around. I learned a lot from the long game with Ted. In no particular order:

I'm going to change around which ship types gather from certain bases. Basically, fewer larger ships to save fuel, but based on the capabilities of the port. I'm reassessing my resource gathering this time around. Leaving the far-flung, small resource producing bases alone this time. I had a HUGE amount of resources in Japan by 1 Jan 44.

I'm going to try and get oil, resources and fuel flowing to Fusan this time. We'll see if it works.

I'm working on my R&D, which I'll start from day one.

Debating whether or not to take Midway early on.

Considering Ceylon in Phase II. Possibly an invasion around Diamond Harbor, to break the Burma deadlock.

My subs killed a lot of cargo ships last game. It meant nothing, other than the occasional items that went down in the holds. Re-assessing my use of subs.

Aircraft on map training program will be different. I'm focusing more on pilot defense skill, which I didn't even think about until 1943 in my last game.

I need to think more about my DEI invasion order in Phase I. I expect Mike to be forward defending, especially with his existing fleet in the area. I'll have to protect the invasion TFs much better.

In China, I'm going to attempt to surround as many Chinese as possible without killing them. Chungking is a much earlier goal, then the destruction of of the Chinese Army, not the other way around, which was an issue last game.

Better strategic use of my airborne troops early.

Lots more, but I'll make a list as I go.

So far, I'm doing the easy stuff that doesn't require any real thought.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Looking forward to this one Mike, your AAR was the very first one I read when I started to play the game. Glad to see you are getting back into it. Since I just started my new game as Japan, it will also be nice to see how our games progress in the same approximate timeframe.

Good luck!

I've been reading your AAR. Very interesting. What troops did you use to invade Midway and Wake?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Shilka

Hi guys. Mike and I are starting a new game. This one will be a 1 day per turn game, unlike the last feeble attempt (by me) at a 2 day per turn game. That was awful and I couldn't manage it.

Was the 2 day turn cycle really that bad? I'm currently playing the AI with it, it seems you can lose some reaction time for i.e. invasions. And in some cases bad decisions, or guesses can have multiplied effects, but then again so can good decisions so it might somewhat even out over time (of course AI is exception).

But on the other hand, it might theoretically more or less halve the total time for a game, even if not practically that much but still it might be a big deal for most people. It doesn't affect too much on the strategic level but might in the tactical - well just good to know the trade offs. I guess the game is originally meant for 1 day turns but the devs have done what they can to help with longer cycles. Anyway thanks and good luck with the AAR, will be reading too.

For me it was awful, especially against a really good opponent like Mike. We tried it specifically to cut the number of turns in half. I just couldn't make it work. Mike was eating me alive.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

I wouldn't like two day turns for air or land combat, or CV battles.
For land combat, not being able to cancel the second day in a row of shock attacks would not be good. eg: Singapore assault or any amphibious landing on an atoll would cause back to back days of shock attacks.
For air combat, not being able to cancel a sweep or bombing raid that ran into unexpected opposition would also be difficult to watch.
CV battles which can change the strategic picture would also be even more of a lottery.

Bingo! It would have been the same for the Allies when they went on the offensive, but I think the Japanese would have been decimated by that time. Just not my cup of coffee. (I hate tea.)

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Sorry for a lack of posts, but I've been scanning my old AAR to remind myself of all the stupid things I did and how to fix them. I plan on making different stupid mistakes this time around. [:D]

Anyway, I'm starting at the end of the war and working my way to 1941 so I can plan with the end in mind. Air/engine R&D first.

My end game fighters will be:

IJA:
Frank-r
Ki-83

IJN:
Sam
George

Simple and to the point. I plan on building the Ki-115 and Toka.

I want to minimize engine and airframe factory wholesale changes. One thought is to Keep the Ha-34 engine going and build Helen bombers throughout the war to use as Kamikazes as well. Armor, high durability, good range. That way I don't have to change a 360 size factory for a huge cost in supply and I'll still have a nice supply of good IJAAF Kamikazes.

I'll start with that. Let the litany begin. [:D]

Edit: I estimate a pool of 4500-5000 Helens available as Kamikazes.

As long as you don't keep repeating the same mistakes.

A suggestion, especially if you remove a float plane unit from your cruisers that have two, resize the Jakes and train them on Low Naval. Even with trainees early on, they can get decent hits on Low naval. Then use them for ASW to get their experience up and you will have trained naval kamikaze pilots.

Don't worry. I'll make all new mistakes here. [:D]

Clever idea for the ships that have 2 FP units. Very sneaky actually. [;)]

[btd64]

Interesting read. I tried Japan a few times but just couldn't get it right....GP

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Ok, 0 for 2 on the Helen as a Kamikaze. Was just thinking to save 360k supply on that Ha-34 factory. Guess that ain't happening. Now when do I change it and what do I change it to? Gotta figure that out...

Ok, no Helens made specifically for Kamikazes. I will use the IIa as the primary IJAAF bomber though. It works as well as can be expected for that purpose. The Sally will be phased out when the IIa comes on line. More of those details later though. Also, the 360 Ha-34 factory I mentioned above was one I increased in the old game. I won't do that this game.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Ok, 0 for 2 on the Helen as a Kamikaze. Was just thinking to save 360k supply on that Ha-34 factory. Guess that ain't happening. Now when do I change it and what do I change it to? Gotta figure that out...

Ki-74 Patsy all the way. Range of a B-29, respectable speed. Armour. Good durability.

It's the massive range that will really let this airframe shine and give you both some real defence in depth and long reach.

With 29 hexes normal range, you can be staging out of bases in Manchuria and flying against beach-heads in Hokkaido or Kyushu. Alternatively, draw a 29 hex circle around Truk. All those are potential targets.

Don't get me wrong, it's a bit hit or miss to get consistent attacks over those long ranges, but it's a real step change while the Helen is a comparatively minor incremental improvement.

I'm considering the Patsy. Again, more on that later.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: ITAKLinus

Mike, good luck with your new match and thanks for all the very instructive posts you did over the course of the years.

Albeit questionable for many, in an AAR I started on this forum you can find my vision regarding Japanese R&D:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4966141

I am firmly against Tojo and Tony. I'm a great proponent of the duo Frank-R and Oscar

I reviewed it. Very interesting. I'm not bothering with the Tony this go around, but I still love the Tojo. It served me very well last game. It'll be my primary ground fighter until some of the mid-war planes start arriving (George & Frank).

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I am firmly against Tojo

IMHO, Tojo is a must to bridge to the Frank. Specifically the IIc. Oscar is a stablemate with its own functions, but is just too 'everything' to be your main front-line fighter. Too slow, too fragile, too under-gunned. Yeah, its maneuverable, but that wins acrobatic contests, not wars.

Agree with your comments both on the Tojo and Oscar. I may not bother with Oscar R&D this time. Still haven't finalized R&D.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: btd64

Interesting read. I tried Japan a few times but just couldn't get it right....GP

lol, getting the Japanese right. Lifelong ambition of mine. It could happen. [:D] Not counting on it though.

[RangerJoe]

For your paratroops, they can go to Wuchan area then drop on that unoccupied base two hexes away from Sian plus one farther up to cut most of the road links from Chungking to Sian.

Send another one or better yet two to that main naval base in SE Indochina and use that to paradrop onto Sinkawang (sp?) on the corner of Borneo, then fly and/or FT an air HQ unit plus some engineers and use that as a Zero/Betty/Nell base. They can carry torpedoes from a Level 2 airbase and if there are no torpedoes there then they will carry a full load of bombs on Low Naval with Torpedoes set as the ordinance. From there, the paratroopers could go elsewhere in the DEI to capture a base.

Another paradrop onto the base just next to Mersing will cut the flow of the Allied units withdrawl to Singapore. This may require a lot of Allied fighters to be knocked down so a mini-KB action may be needed. If combined with a Mersing Invasion . . .
Also, a base farther up that is empty may also be able to be grabbed, air support and supplies flown in for a fighter base.

For Ambon, next to it is an empty base with a Level 2 airfield. Put an air HQ there and you can control the air and have torpedo armed bombers as well. If you put a land HQ there with prep for Ambon, that will help the invasion at Ambon.

If you get a base on the north side of New Guinea put one of those expanded Jake FP units there to patrol as well as bomb any merchants south of there. An AV and/or a small unit with air support can provide for those aircraft. If there are no fighters at Horn Island, you can also interfere there with those aircraft as well.

If you take Jolo and/or have light carriers in the area, break the torpedo plane units into thirds if possible. More attacks are possible on single ships running away. They will carry two 250kg bombs on Low Naval when the carrier runs out of torpedoes which are effective against all but the Battleships as far as putting holes into the side to let the water in. That is also a good area for those Jake FP units as well.

When you get enough Zeroes and trained pilots, supersize the air units on that CVL, fill out the air units, and either put two thirds of a Zero unit on it for CAP - or one can be Claudes for low CAP against biplane torpedo bombers and Dutch bombers on Low Naval, or put one third of a Zero unit on it and one third of a Kate unit on it. You can rotate the thirds if they get really trashed. But you can have two thirds training while one third is active on a carrier. You can also supersize the other CVE/CVL air units but only one third will comfortably fit on them. I think that you should have enough Jeans to fill out a supersized unit which would be good for trainees.