Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[CaptBeefheart]

I tend to put the first few VR squadrons on the beach for pilot training, and put USMC or USN squadrons on the vacated CVEs. Later on, when I expect to do sustained carrier ops, those VR squadrons come in handy for replacements (whether off a CVE deck or a nearby airfield). So, I guess the questions are: How good is your USN pilot training and do you expect to do multi-day CV ops any time soon?

Cheers,
CB

[Lowpe]

Aug 22, 1942

Another attack at Lashio!

[Lowpe]

The Gilberts: 3 DD at Tabby

[Lowpe]

Very excited to see this! Unfortunately, I am too late to get CD guns to Addu. I have sub dropped mines, cd guns, naval eng unit, more subs enroute...but likely to be late in which case I will reroute them to Diego.

This is a mistake by Japan, and I need to make them pay for it big time. [:)]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

I tend to put the first few VR squadrons on the beach for pilot training, and put USMC or USN squadrons on the vacated CVEs. Later on, when I expect to do sustained carrier ops, those VR squadrons come in handy for replacements (whether off a CVE deck or a nearby airfield). So, I guess the questions are: How good is your USN pilot training and do you expect to do multi-day CV ops any time soon?

Cheers,
CB

Well, I am likely to try this shortly in support of the Marcus Island invasion.

Pilot training is adequate, not great.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae


You might already know this, but the pilot and aircraft from the Replen unit merge into the CV unit.
So If you use them in the Replen role you’ll want good pilots in them so you don’t end up with muppets on your CVs.

Thanks[&o]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy


My understanding is that the VRF/B squadrons do not have to be in a replenishment TF (AOs/AEs) to do the replenishing. Even if they are on land, if they are in range of a CV that needs replacement aircraft of the same type, they will send them to the CV. This can be annoying if you are trying to use the VR squadrons in a operational role. I am also not sure if you can turn off replacements to the VR squadrons if you are trying to manage your carrier aircraft pools.

Pretty flexible then! I like it and hope I won't be frustrated by their behavior.

How overstacked can the CVE be and still allow planes to fly off them to replenish forward squadrons?

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy


My understanding is that the VRF/B squadrons do not have to be in a replenishment TF (AOs/AEs) to do the replenishing. Even if they are on land, if they are in range of a CV that needs replacement aircraft of the same type, they will send them to the CV. This can be annoying if you are trying to use the VR squadrons in a operational role. I am also not sure if you can turn off replacements to the VR squadrons if you are trying to manage your carrier aircraft pools.

Pretty flexible then! I like it and hope I won't be frustrated by their behavior.

How overstacked can the CVE be and still allow planes to fly off them to replenish forward squadrons?

You can certainly turn off replacements to the VR squadrons, and use them on land. I have used them on land as basically forward training units doing advanced training, so if they pilots are deployed they'll be "good enough" in a pinch

CVE can be overstacked and still send out replacement planes

I've only used CVEs in this manner when far out to sea, since a land base is usually close enough to help, and would rather have another CVE for combat ops

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

SYDNEY: Your fuel looks low in Australia, only 61K at Sydney, which is usually where all the excess pools. I would want more fuel there for later operations. Make sure you have all the HI in Australia turned off.

COPAHEE: If that ship is in a replenishment TF, then nearby CVs can draw replacement aircraft if they are the same model. They can also do that if the replacement group is on land.

Me personally, I prefer to use those CVEs as just regular CVEs, using the extra units for training or whatever, but that's just me.

GETTING OLD: That IJN Surface TF is parked right at the exit box, correct? I personally think that's gamey, sound like you might agree.

Thanks[&o], I will give the replenishment task force a go if only to experiment with it.

Sydney...been only shipping minimal fuel to Australia. No major fleet operations planned from there...although that will change in 1943. HI is off.

The exit box hex is only for task forces headed to Diego Garcia directly...I believe Banshees have the range to hit them.

My understanding is that the VRF/B squadrons do not have to be in a replenishment TF (AOs/AEs) to do the replenishing. Even if they are on land, if they are in range of a CV that needs replacement aircraft of the same type, they will send them to the CV.

This is true. Same as Qball I'm using the CVEs in a normal CVE role, with a VMF unit aboard, resized to 30 fighters. The VR squadrons are used for training and if a game really goes late war then there will be enough trained pilots around and the VR squadrons will just sit near (perhaps within two dozen hexes) of an invasion spot where my carriers need replacements but then the squadrson still remain on land.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: castor troy


This is true. Same as Qball I'm using the CVEs in a normal CVE role, with a VMF unit aboard, resized to 30 fighters. The VR squadrons are used for training and if a game really goes late war then there will be enough trained pilots around and the VR squadrons will just sit near (perhaps within two dozen hexes) of an invasion spot where my carriers need replacements but then the squadrson still remain on land.

Food for thought! Thanks.[&o]

In one of my games as Japan, I was bombed by heavy numbers of torpedo bombers in 1944. I researched it a bit, and the Avengers have, if I recall correctly, the deepest pools of any Allied plane making their use as a shorter range land bomber a pretty good choice...they also tended to arrive before the four engine beasties too...sacrificing a single engine plane rather than the heavies.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy


My understanding is that the VRF/B squadrons do not have to be in a replenishment TF (AOs/AEs) to do the replenishing. Even if they are on land, if they are in range of a CV that needs replacement aircraft of the same type, they will send them to the CV. This can be annoying if you are trying to use the VR squadrons in a operational role. I am also not sure if you can turn off replacements to the VR squadrons if you are trying to manage your carrier aircraft pools.

Pretty flexible then! I like it and hope I won't be frustrated by their behavior.

How overstacked can the CVE be and still allow planes to fly off them to replenish forward squadrons?

For flying off to shore base, the CVE can do it with double the max complement for ops on board. (e.g. 28 + 28VRF or VRB). Should be the same for flying off to a CV - but since that is more than 115% of complement, the CVE cannot perform any ops other than replenishment with that load. Best to fly one squadron off to a land base, methinks.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

For flying off to shore base, the CVE can do it with double the max complement for ops on board. (e.g. 28 + 28VRF or VRB). Should be the same for flying off to a CV - but since that is more than 115% of complement, the CVE cannot perform any ops other than replenishment with that load. Best to fly one squadron off to a land base, methinks.

I don't have a problem with the CVE unable to fly operations if it will replenish up to double their capacity to fleet carriers.

I plan on using my CVEs very carefully in support roles...

[Lowpe]

Aug 23, 1942

The big girls our way, way out west.

[Lowpe]

Japan changes bombing tactics in China. About 300 to 400 planes have been bombing daily the troops, but now a portion has switched to attack the industry. Happy with the performance of our AA units.

[Lowpe]

Hmmm., I think I lost track of one of the invasion task forces.

[Lowpe]

I am thinking of dropping mines south of Male...constricted waters. F6 key shows the hex terrain details.[;)]

[Lowpe]

Is this sloppy play from Japan?

The lack of a garrison that large, must have caused some damage to the facility but recon doesn't show any. Hard to think that a 60AV worth of troops can be hidden from a 7/8 DL. Thunderstorms could be hiding them, I guess.

Will keep our eye on this base, as I suspect IJA tanks will rumble thru in division plus strength.

75 Brigade at Lashio is now up to 75 AV and we will be able to fly the entire brigade in over the next two days or so. A significant boost to Lashio's defense as they have 1942 infantry.

[Lowpe]

Question for you AFBs, if you build up Warazup, the dot base above Myitkyina, can some supply from the India flow into it? 3 hexes of nasty terrain hexes is asking a lot?

[Lowpe]

The nitty gritty...

[BBfanboy]

From reading other players' AARs, getting supply into northern Burma is difficult, almost nil during the monsoon season. Sounds like a trickle but not nearly enough to matter gets through.

Edit to add: I don't know what supply levels they had at the starting bases. It could be that once Imphal and Kohima are built and have decent supply you get a useful amount crossing those hexes.