- South China.png (2.22 MiB) Viewed 1426 times
A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thus far I hadn't given the Magic Highway much thought. Leaving aside the question of whether or not it would work in this mod, Japan has not yet opened up a land link to its Southern Chinese ports and hasn't appeared in a hurry to do so.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
JanSako wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:00 pm
Maybe he does not want those resources, that is why he is bombing them? Meaning he has no intention of attacking there. Or it is a trick to make you think that
I reached exactly the same conclusions as you on this Jansako; i.e. that it means:
a) The Japanese are going to attack Nanyang, or
b) They are not going to attack Nanyang.
I think in future Allied Intelligence shall look back on this with a smug sense that Japanese intentions here were called correctly.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
3rd March 1942
CHINA
Unusually, there was no Japanese air activity over China today. However, the CAF was in action, bombing Japanese positions at Ningsia.
The battered Chinese forces at Sihong held off a Japanese counter-attack.
ABDA
I suppose it was almost inevitable. All the mix-ups and faffing around at Batavia gave the Japanese the chance to strike first. For all their bravado and talk of sticking it to the Japanese where it hurts, the British and Aussie pilots ended up standing around and watching whilst the Americans and Dutch pilots overhead were mauled by 40 Zeros sweeping Batavia. Twelve Warhawks and 8 Buffalos were lost in return for 6 Zeros claimed (I usually work on the assumption that enemy losses are about 2/3 of what’s reported, so say 4 Zeros lost).
The mood in Batavia is a bit ugly now. The US fighters have withdrawn to Soerabaja, partly to rebuild, and partly to avoid any nasty inter-Allied confrontations….
Allied fighter sweeps over Palembang will go ahead tomorrow regardless. Two Banshee squadrons are tasked with bombing the airfield, supported by a handful of Martins and 4 B17Ds operating out of Bandoeng. There’s no CAP planned for Batavia - I haven’t got anything yet that seems to stand up to the Zeros. The Japanese pattern up to now has been for several sweeps of an Allied airbase to neutralise any opposition before the bombers go in, so I’m hoping that the Japanese will just sweep again tomorrow. I’m taking a chance though, there’s no guarantee Fokko will be cooperative and keep to the same pattern. Tomorrow promises to be another bloody day in the air for the Allies, but the intention is to impose a delay on Japan’s invasion of Java, even if only by a day or so.
125th Separate Rgt and 223rd Field Art Bn are embarking at Perth bound for Darwin.
*EDIT* - Elements of the Japanese 5th Div capture Benkoelen.
There’s no word on the Japanese carriers, but it is assumed they are still at sea.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-166 torpedoes and sinks xAKs Steel Engineer and Fultala off Soerabaja. These two merchantmen were diverted to Soerabaja from the run to Bataan as the latter was considered to be too dangerous. Ironically, xAK Nirvana having made it to Bataan has so far been able to make it back to the Makassar Strait unmolested.
Grenadier took 4 hits from a couple of Japanese sloops at Pescadores and is heading back to port for repairs. It’s becoming a bit hot for Allied submarines around Formosa. Just a couple of subs are remaining on station there, the rest are off to look for easier pickings elsewhere.
Catchalot torpedoed and damaged xAK Kurogane Maru at Nauru Island.
CHINA
Unusually, there was no Japanese air activity over China today. However, the CAF was in action, bombing Japanese positions at Ningsia.
The battered Chinese forces at Sihong held off a Japanese counter-attack.
ABDA
I suppose it was almost inevitable. All the mix-ups and faffing around at Batavia gave the Japanese the chance to strike first. For all their bravado and talk of sticking it to the Japanese where it hurts, the British and Aussie pilots ended up standing around and watching whilst the Americans and Dutch pilots overhead were mauled by 40 Zeros sweeping Batavia. Twelve Warhawks and 8 Buffalos were lost in return for 6 Zeros claimed (I usually work on the assumption that enemy losses are about 2/3 of what’s reported, so say 4 Zeros lost).
The mood in Batavia is a bit ugly now. The US fighters have withdrawn to Soerabaja, partly to rebuild, and partly to avoid any nasty inter-Allied confrontations….
Allied fighter sweeps over Palembang will go ahead tomorrow regardless. Two Banshee squadrons are tasked with bombing the airfield, supported by a handful of Martins and 4 B17Ds operating out of Bandoeng. There’s no CAP planned for Batavia - I haven’t got anything yet that seems to stand up to the Zeros. The Japanese pattern up to now has been for several sweeps of an Allied airbase to neutralise any opposition before the bombers go in, so I’m hoping that the Japanese will just sweep again tomorrow. I’m taking a chance though, there’s no guarantee Fokko will be cooperative and keep to the same pattern. Tomorrow promises to be another bloody day in the air for the Allies, but the intention is to impose a delay on Japan’s invasion of Java, even if only by a day or so.
125th Separate Rgt and 223rd Field Art Bn are embarking at Perth bound for Darwin.
*EDIT* - Elements of the Japanese 5th Div capture Benkoelen.
There’s no word on the Japanese carriers, but it is assumed they are still at sea.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-166 torpedoes and sinks xAKs Steel Engineer and Fultala off Soerabaja. These two merchantmen were diverted to Soerabaja from the run to Bataan as the latter was considered to be too dangerous. Ironically, xAK Nirvana having made it to Bataan has so far been able to make it back to the Makassar Strait unmolested.
Grenadier took 4 hits from a couple of Japanese sloops at Pescadores and is heading back to port for repairs. It’s becoming a bit hot for Allied submarines around Formosa. Just a couple of subs are remaining on station there, the rest are off to look for easier pickings elsewhere.
Catchalot torpedoed and damaged xAK Kurogane Maru at Nauru Island.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Bomb the oil and not the airfield at Palembang. It costs 1000 supply to repair each oil, only one oil can be repaired per turn, it cuts into the fuel production indirectly in the future when your opponent starts running out of oil. Dutch B-10s will work at night if their experience is 50 or over 50. Divebombers diving into light AA fire is just asking to die.
Use subs to lay a minefield 1 hex away where the river joins the sea, mines don't work in rivers. Also, your opponent won't automatically detect the minefield. Wait too see if those mines are detected and/or swept, then lay another one. This is a good job for the Dutch minelaying subs as well as the Argonaut.
Use subs to lay a minefield 1 hex away where the river joins the sea, mines don't work in rivers. Also, your opponent won't automatically detect the minefield. Wait too see if those mines are detected and/or swept, then lay another one. This is a good job for the Dutch minelaying subs as well as the Argonaut.
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: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
I’d like to bomb the oil at Palembang, but I can’t - there’s a glitch in the database settings which means certain locations can’t be city-bombed, and unfortunately Palembang is one of them. We’ve corrected what we believed to be the fault on the database, but it hasn’t fixed the problem. I’m ‘role-playing’ it as a political constraint that I have to work under. It’s frustrating but I just have to live with it.
Obviously I don’t want my dive-bomber pilots to die, but if they’re going to die then they need to make sure they hit the airfield at Palembang before they’re shot down. On previous form the Japanese aren’t going to attempt an invasion of Java without air superiority, and have been reluctant to use their aircraft carriers for such a mission. I can’t match the Japanese in the air, so I want to try and hit them on the ground.
I can’t recall who said it, but “you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs - it’s just rather bad luck if you’re an egg…”
Obviously I don’t want my dive-bomber pilots to die, but if they’re going to die then they need to make sure they hit the airfield at Palembang before they’re shot down. On previous form the Japanese aren’t going to attempt an invasion of Java without air superiority, and have been reluctant to use their aircraft carriers for such a mission. I can’t match the Japanese in the air, so I want to try and hit them on the ground.
I can’t recall who said it, but “you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs - it’s just rather bad luck if you’re an egg…”
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
I don't know about the last part about the bad luck being the egg, but the first part is French and actually referred to pancakes. But if the egg hasn't been fertilized, then there will not be a young creature coming out of it anyway.
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you ... -eggs.html
However, you can have your cake and eat it too but you need to have two cakes!
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you ... -eggs.html
However, you can have your cake and eat it too but you need to have two cakes!
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 Child-
LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4963
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
The problem stems from the fact that I have eliminated the manpower in the first "industry" slot, leaving it blank. It should be fixable - at least it is in h2h play. I have put the manpower back in place, loaded a saved game, updated the database in-game - and Palembang showed up available for city attack (although the manpower does not show up in the target list - but the oil etc. does). I will test if it works as well in PBEM.M Peaston wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:15 pm I’d like to bomb the oil at Palembang, but I can’t - there’s a glitch in the database settings which means certain locations can’t be city-bombed, and unfortunately Palembang is one of them. We’ve corrected what we believed to be the fault on the database, but it hasn’t fixed the problem. I’m ‘role-playing’ it as a political constraint that I have to work under. It’s frustrating but I just have to live with it.
Obviously I don’t want my dive-bomber pilots to die, but if they’re going to die then they need to make sure they hit the airfield at Palembang before they’re shot down. On previous form the Japanese aren’t going to attempt an invasion of Java without air superiority, and have been reluctant to use their aircraft carriers for such a mission. I can’t match the Japanese in the air, so I want to try and hit them on the ground.
I can’t recall who said it, but “you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs - it’s just rather bad luck if you’re an egg…”
Edit: Did work as well in my PBEM test, applying the PBEM update procedure (Jap player runs replay, saves and exits turn before giving orders, reloads turn and confirms database update, Allied player just has to put updated scen files in SCEN folder).
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thanks LST; we had tried exactly that and I was convinced it would work but for some reason it didn’t. We’ll revisit it at some point and try and work out what we did wrong.
In the meantime:
4th March 1942
CHINA
JAAF resumes normal service. The Chinese again hold at Sihong.
INDIA/BURMA
The evacuation of Rangoon is going smoothly and at the moment is free from any Japanese interference.
PHILIPPINES
Bataan is down to its last 350 supplies.
ABDA
Japanse forces capture Sinkawang.
The air campaign against Palembang isn’t going too well.
Firstly, the bombers attack unescorted and get slaughtered by the CAP
Secondly the sweeps go in, generally in drips and drabs, and don’t fare particularly well either.
Lastly the escorts show up long after everyone else as gone home.
I think the Allies could do with reviewing their operational concepts here.
On the positive side, the Banshees needn’t have been worried about the Japanese light AA - most of them were shot down long before they reached Palembang.
Losses:
16 Banshees
6 Hurricanes
5 Buffalos
Claimed
7 Zeros.
It didn’t help that the Japanese didn’t sweep Batavia again, but had all their Zeros on CAP at Palembang. It’s almost as if they were waiting for the Allied strike. I think I’ve become too predictable……
SWPAC/SOPAC
Whilst delivering supplies to Tulagi three Allied APDs encountered SS I-24 at Lunga. Now the Japanese know I’m up to something in the Solomons.
In the meantime:
4th March 1942
CHINA
JAAF resumes normal service. The Chinese again hold at Sihong.
INDIA/BURMA
The evacuation of Rangoon is going smoothly and at the moment is free from any Japanese interference.
PHILIPPINES
Bataan is down to its last 350 supplies.
ABDA
Japanse forces capture Sinkawang.
The air campaign against Palembang isn’t going too well.
Firstly, the bombers attack unescorted and get slaughtered by the CAP
Secondly the sweeps go in, generally in drips and drabs, and don’t fare particularly well either.
Lastly the escorts show up long after everyone else as gone home.
I think the Allies could do with reviewing their operational concepts here.
On the positive side, the Banshees needn’t have been worried about the Japanese light AA - most of them were shot down long before they reached Palembang.
Losses:
16 Banshees
6 Hurricanes
5 Buffalos
Claimed
7 Zeros.
It didn’t help that the Japanese didn’t sweep Batavia again, but had all their Zeros on CAP at Palembang. It’s almost as if they were waiting for the Allied strike. I think I’ve become too predictable……
SWPAC/SOPAC
Whilst delivering supplies to Tulagi three Allied APDs encountered SS I-24 at Lunga. Now the Japanese know I’m up to something in the Solomons.
-
CaptBeefheart
- Posts: 2617
- Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:42 am
- Location: Seoul, Korea
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
I'm a big fan of only using the Banshees as anti-ship weapons, like their SDB brothers, thus requiring NAV training for the pilots. Even then, they seem to be very vulnerable to CAP traps. All in all they tend not to be too impactful in the great scheme of things.
Cheers,
CB
Cheers,
CB
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thanks CB; ironically I had been training the Banshees in naval bombing before sending them against Palembang. Yep, it's definitely anti-shipping duties from now on.
5th March 1942
CHINA
Some interesting sigint here. 3rd Tank Rgt is reported on the road to Ningsia/Lanchow - no surprise as I expected the Japanese to use their forces from the aborted push along the high road to Hami to reinforce the drive towards Lanchow. What didn’t expect was that the 15th Tank Rgt, previously engaged at Shuozhou (north of Chengting), is now reported at Paotow. It seems likely that 15th Tank Rgt is also reinforcing the attack towards Lanchow. I’m not displeased by this; I’m reasonably confident I can put up a decent fight for Lanchow and I’m quite happy to see Japanese forces diverted from other areas to here.
Farther south, 23rd Army HQ is again reported to be preparing for Wuchow, and there has been a number of recon flights over Wuchow. I can’t say I’ve noticed any buildup of Japanese forces nearby.
INDIA/BURMA
The Japanese advance guard reaches Pegu. The evacuation of Rangoon is in full swing - the 45th Indian and 2nd Burma Bdes are entraining for Tayun ( west of Toungo), and the last sections of 103rd RN BF are embarking for Akyab. When the final ships are clear of Rangoon the last to leave (100th RAF BF and a Hurricane Squadron) will head for Shwebo.
ABDA
Nells attacked shipping off Batavia, sinking two sloops. Dutch Hawk fighters intercepted and claimed 3 Nells.
The first Japanese Deliberate Assault at Bataan was beaten back; losses were about even although forts dropped to 3.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The east coast of Australia is a hive of activity as the Allied war machine starts to get into gear.
A reinforcement convoy from the US has arrived with:
132nd Rgt
182nd Rgt
70th AA Rgt
181st FA Bn
1st Marine Raider Bn
2x Warhawk Squadrons.
The two infantry regiments are going to the southern DEI (via Perth), one to reinforce Saumlaki, the other to either Babar or Darwin. One of the Warhawks will go to Luganville via Noumea. 1st Marine Raiders were earmarked for Luganville but are not needed there now, so are available. I’ll need to check what I had planned for the other units, if anything yet.
6th AIF Div has arrived at Townsville, coinciding with the arrival of a tanker convoy from Sydney with 26,000 fuel. 811th EAB Bn and 6th Div are now embarking for Port Moresby, although 6th Div will require more than one lift. Lexington departs Rockhampton, and Enterprise is currently SE of Brisbane. The two carriers will finally unite and provide cover for the move to Port Moresby.
At Luganville 2nd Marine Para Bn is boarding APDs bound for Tulagi (no, I still haven’t given up here!}. Reinforcements for the Marine Paras are already embarking at Sydney is the shape of 5th Marine Rgt and 30th US BF.
I hope KB stays out of the Coral sea for the next few days or this could all go horribly wrong.
CENPAC
Yorktown and Saratoga depart Pearl Harbor bound for the West Coast where Saratoga will undergo a refit.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-26 attacked xAKL Lanao on the surface between Fiji and New Caledonia (I’ve no idea what she was doing there unescorted) with predictably bad results for the merchantman.
5th March 1942
CHINA
Some interesting sigint here. 3rd Tank Rgt is reported on the road to Ningsia/Lanchow - no surprise as I expected the Japanese to use their forces from the aborted push along the high road to Hami to reinforce the drive towards Lanchow. What didn’t expect was that the 15th Tank Rgt, previously engaged at Shuozhou (north of Chengting), is now reported at Paotow. It seems likely that 15th Tank Rgt is also reinforcing the attack towards Lanchow. I’m not displeased by this; I’m reasonably confident I can put up a decent fight for Lanchow and I’m quite happy to see Japanese forces diverted from other areas to here.
Farther south, 23rd Army HQ is again reported to be preparing for Wuchow, and there has been a number of recon flights over Wuchow. I can’t say I’ve noticed any buildup of Japanese forces nearby.
INDIA/BURMA
The Japanese advance guard reaches Pegu. The evacuation of Rangoon is in full swing - the 45th Indian and 2nd Burma Bdes are entraining for Tayun ( west of Toungo), and the last sections of 103rd RN BF are embarking for Akyab. When the final ships are clear of Rangoon the last to leave (100th RAF BF and a Hurricane Squadron) will head for Shwebo.
ABDA
Nells attacked shipping off Batavia, sinking two sloops. Dutch Hawk fighters intercepted and claimed 3 Nells.
The first Japanese Deliberate Assault at Bataan was beaten back; losses were about even although forts dropped to 3.
SWPAC/SOPAC
The east coast of Australia is a hive of activity as the Allied war machine starts to get into gear.
A reinforcement convoy from the US has arrived with:
132nd Rgt
182nd Rgt
70th AA Rgt
181st FA Bn
1st Marine Raider Bn
2x Warhawk Squadrons.
The two infantry regiments are going to the southern DEI (via Perth), one to reinforce Saumlaki, the other to either Babar or Darwin. One of the Warhawks will go to Luganville via Noumea. 1st Marine Raiders were earmarked for Luganville but are not needed there now, so are available. I’ll need to check what I had planned for the other units, if anything yet.
6th AIF Div has arrived at Townsville, coinciding with the arrival of a tanker convoy from Sydney with 26,000 fuel. 811th EAB Bn and 6th Div are now embarking for Port Moresby, although 6th Div will require more than one lift. Lexington departs Rockhampton, and Enterprise is currently SE of Brisbane. The two carriers will finally unite and provide cover for the move to Port Moresby.
At Luganville 2nd Marine Para Bn is boarding APDs bound for Tulagi (no, I still haven’t given up here!}. Reinforcements for the Marine Paras are already embarking at Sydney is the shape of 5th Marine Rgt and 30th US BF.
I hope KB stays out of the Coral sea for the next few days or this could all go horribly wrong.
CENPAC
Yorktown and Saratoga depart Pearl Harbor bound for the West Coast where Saratoga will undergo a refit.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
I-26 attacked xAKL Lanao on the surface between Fiji and New Caledonia (I’ve no idea what she was doing there unescorted) with predictably bad results for the merchantman.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
- Wuchow.png (1.97 MiB) Viewed 1143 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
6th March 1942
ABDA
The Japanese air force was in action over Sumatra, bombing the Dutch defenders at Pakanbaroe, Medan and Sabang. There was no Japanese air activity over Java though.
There’s been no sign of Mini-KB (or any Japanese carriers for that matter) since Zuiho was spotted west of Babeldaob on 2nd March. If she was covering an invasion of Kendari and/or Ambon then I think I would have seen something by now. One possibility is that mini-KB is moving to Singapore to assist in covering an invasion of Java.
The Japanese need to get a move on in the DEI because I think the remnants of my Banshees withdraw out of theatre in a few days. Thinking about it, I’m not sure if some of the Warhawks withdraw this month as well - I’d better check. That could through a spanner in the works if they do.
AE Lassen arrives at Port Hedland, allowing my heavier warships to rearm in the region without having to use Soerabaja.
The Japanese didn’t follow up on yesterday’s Deliberate Assault on Bataan, choosing to bombard instead. A bit of a let-off for the defenders I think.
SWPAC/SOPAC
I underestimated how quickly 6th AIF Div would embark - the TF is already at sea just off Cairns. Lexington is in position but Enterprise is trying to make up ground - ummm….. I’m not sure that anything can make up ground whilst at sea, but never mind……
CENPAC
57th Coastal Art Rgt is unloading at Christmas Island.
USA/CANADA
A squadron of RCAF Kittyhawks has been ordered to India via Cape Town. With the RAF operating three Hurricane squadrons (two British and one NZ) in the ABDA Area and the AVG currently committed to China I felt that India’s fighter defences might need some reinforcements in the near future.
USS Nevada has arrived at the West Coast and is going in to dry dock at Alameda.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
HMS Trusty is now repaired and available at Soerabaja. She’s been ordered to patrol NE of Batavia
Pollack shelled and damaged xAKL Nichiryo Maru near Amami Oshima between Okinawa and Japan and Pickerel hit AMC Saigon Maru with a dud torpedo in the South China Sea. I’m always pleased when there is some submarine action near Japanese home waters (unless the sub in question is being stonked by Japanese depth charges). I always like to try and make Fokko think that there is nowhere safe for Japanese shipping.
RO-33 tried to torpedo O23 in the Makassar Strait, but missed.
RO-34 hit a mine at Merak, said to be on fire with heavy damage
KXV was hit near Pescadores and is returning to port.
ABDA
The Japanese air force was in action over Sumatra, bombing the Dutch defenders at Pakanbaroe, Medan and Sabang. There was no Japanese air activity over Java though.
There’s been no sign of Mini-KB (or any Japanese carriers for that matter) since Zuiho was spotted west of Babeldaob on 2nd March. If she was covering an invasion of Kendari and/or Ambon then I think I would have seen something by now. One possibility is that mini-KB is moving to Singapore to assist in covering an invasion of Java.
The Japanese need to get a move on in the DEI because I think the remnants of my Banshees withdraw out of theatre in a few days. Thinking about it, I’m not sure if some of the Warhawks withdraw this month as well - I’d better check. That could through a spanner in the works if they do.
AE Lassen arrives at Port Hedland, allowing my heavier warships to rearm in the region without having to use Soerabaja.
The Japanese didn’t follow up on yesterday’s Deliberate Assault on Bataan, choosing to bombard instead. A bit of a let-off for the defenders I think.
SWPAC/SOPAC
I underestimated how quickly 6th AIF Div would embark - the TF is already at sea just off Cairns. Lexington is in position but Enterprise is trying to make up ground - ummm….. I’m not sure that anything can make up ground whilst at sea, but never mind……
CENPAC
57th Coastal Art Rgt is unloading at Christmas Island.
USA/CANADA
A squadron of RCAF Kittyhawks has been ordered to India via Cape Town. With the RAF operating three Hurricane squadrons (two British and one NZ) in the ABDA Area and the AVG currently committed to China I felt that India’s fighter defences might need some reinforcements in the near future.
USS Nevada has arrived at the West Coast and is going in to dry dock at Alameda.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
HMS Trusty is now repaired and available at Soerabaja. She’s been ordered to patrol NE of Batavia
Pollack shelled and damaged xAKL Nichiryo Maru near Amami Oshima between Okinawa and Japan and Pickerel hit AMC Saigon Maru with a dud torpedo in the South China Sea. I’m always pleased when there is some submarine action near Japanese home waters (unless the sub in question is being stonked by Japanese depth charges). I always like to try and make Fokko think that there is nowhere safe for Japanese shipping.
RO-33 tried to torpedo O23 in the Makassar Strait, but missed.
RO-34 hit a mine at Merak, said to be on fire with heavy damage
KXV was hit near Pescadores and is returning to port.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Set the Enterprise TF to follow and it will catch up.
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 Child
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
The way that works is that the TF being followed slows down to allow the following TF to catch up. You get little messages to that effect on screen during turn execution or in the Ops Report (I forget which). If Enterprise is set to follow Lexington, and Lexington is set to follow the convoy you have a daisy-chain follow which frequently can do unwanted moves. Better to set both CVs to follow the convoy.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Daisy chains are good for detonating explosives but not for task forces in the game!BBfanboy wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:13 pmThe way that works is that the TF being followed slows down to allow the following TF to catch up. You get little messages to that effect on screen during turn execution or in the Ops Report (I forget which). If Enterprise is set to follow Lexington, and Lexington is set to follow the convoy you have a daisy-chain follow which frequently can do unwanted moves. Better to set both CVs to follow the convoy.
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: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Thanks guys, but no need to worry – no TFs have been set to follow anything. As much as I detest micromanaging, I’ve learnt the hard way that sometimes micromanaging is for the best. I had hoped to link up Lexington and Enterprise beforehand, but 6th Div set of sooner than I thought; Enterprise won’t make the rendezvous in time and no-one is going to wait for her.
A look at the air losses so far:
Allied losses:
A look at the air losses so far:
Allied losses:
- Feb 42 Top.png (706.6 KiB) Viewed 1039 times
- Feb 42 2.png (614.31 KiB) Viewed 1039 times
- Feb 42 3.png (533.48 KiB) Viewed 1039 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
Japanese air losses so far:
Interestingly, the losses for the Ki-48-Ib Lily has been revised downwards – this time last month (see below) losses were recorded as 62, now they’re 52.
Losses for the B5N2 Kate and the MC-21 Sally have decreased (by one each) since last month.
Also, I find it hard to believe that the Japanese have lost only 6 aircraft to flak in the last month. I can only assume that earlier exaggerated losses are now being revised downwards and that is is reflected in the current figures.
I’d never noticed this before; then again, I’d never looked before.
Japanese air losses as of 8th February 1942:
- Feb 42 1 J.png (611.57 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
- Feb 42 2 J.png (678.11 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
Interestingly, the losses for the Ki-48-Ib Lily has been revised downwards – this time last month (see below) losses were recorded as 62, now they’re 52.
Losses for the B5N2 Kate and the MC-21 Sally have decreased (by one each) since last month.
Also, I find it hard to believe that the Japanese have lost only 6 aircraft to flak in the last month. I can only assume that earlier exaggerated losses are now being revised downwards and that is is reflected in the current figures.
I’d never noticed this before; then again, I’d never looked before.
Japanese air losses as of 8th February 1942:
- J1 Jan 42 Air.png (766.36 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
7th March 1942
CHINA
The Chinese win a stunning victory with a successful counterattack against Japanese, driving the IJA back across the border with Indochina and recapturing the town of Ningming.
[Okay, what actually happened is that a dot base on the Sino-Indochina border which had previously ‘flipped’ to Japanese control has just ‘flipped’ back to the Chinese, but at this stage of the game a win. is a win as far as I’m concerned]
INDIA/BURMA
The bulk of 103rd RN BF (from Rangoon) unloads at Akyab.
ABDA
Elements of the Japanese 5th Div capture Oosthaven, completing the Japanese occupation of southern Sumatra. I’m working on the assumption that Java is next.
Again there was no Japanese air activity over Java; it’s allowing my fighter squadrons time to recover.
The usual daily air and ground bombing of Bataan - but thankfully no ground assault.
SWPAC/SOPAC
Search aircraft have reported 9 ships approximately midway between the Santa Cruz Islands and Nauru Island. They could be heading for the Solomons, or Luganville - or there could be nothing there.
USA
The first of the C2 Lassen class converting to AE, Irenee du Pont, is ready at Los Angeles and shall go to Australia with the next Convoy.
Reinforcements are being dispatched from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor pending their deployment to various Pacific Islands:
21st Port Maintenance Bn and 24th MAG Air HQ - Christmas Is.
23rd MAG Air HQ - Canton Is.
Bobcat Seabees - Pago Pago
810th EAB - Penhryn
2nd Marine Air Wing HQ will remain at Pearl Habor at first.
This isn’t just about securing Allied sea lanes, I’m also starting to lay the groundwork for future offensive operations in the Central Pacific Area.
Also departing from San Francisco are 102nd (Sep) Rgt and 276th Coastal Artillery Bn bound for Bora Bora, which is becoming the main refuelling hub for trans-Pacific convoys.
NORPAC
5th Port Maintenance Bn is loading up at Dutch Harbor bound for Adak, which is now at Port Level 2.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
S-37 takes 3 hits from a couple of Japanese DDs just off Djambi, Sumatra but remains good to continue.
CHINA
The Chinese win a stunning victory with a successful counterattack against Japanese, driving the IJA back across the border with Indochina and recapturing the town of Ningming.
[Okay, what actually happened is that a dot base on the Sino-Indochina border which had previously ‘flipped’ to Japanese control has just ‘flipped’ back to the Chinese, but at this stage of the game a win. is a win as far as I’m concerned]
INDIA/BURMA
The bulk of 103rd RN BF (from Rangoon) unloads at Akyab.
ABDA
Elements of the Japanese 5th Div capture Oosthaven, completing the Japanese occupation of southern Sumatra. I’m working on the assumption that Java is next.
Again there was no Japanese air activity over Java; it’s allowing my fighter squadrons time to recover.
The usual daily air and ground bombing of Bataan - but thankfully no ground assault.
SWPAC/SOPAC
Search aircraft have reported 9 ships approximately midway between the Santa Cruz Islands and Nauru Island. They could be heading for the Solomons, or Luganville - or there could be nothing there.
USA
The first of the C2 Lassen class converting to AE, Irenee du Pont, is ready at Los Angeles and shall go to Australia with the next Convoy.
Reinforcements are being dispatched from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor pending their deployment to various Pacific Islands:
21st Port Maintenance Bn and 24th MAG Air HQ - Christmas Is.
23rd MAG Air HQ - Canton Is.
Bobcat Seabees - Pago Pago
810th EAB - Penhryn
2nd Marine Air Wing HQ will remain at Pearl Habor at first.
This isn’t just about securing Allied sea lanes, I’m also starting to lay the groundwork for future offensive operations in the Central Pacific Area.
Also departing from San Francisco are 102nd (Sep) Rgt and 276th Coastal Artillery Bn bound for Bora Bora, which is becoming the main refuelling hub for trans-Pacific convoys.
NORPAC
5th Port Maintenance Bn is loading up at Dutch Harbor bound for Adak, which is now at Port Level 2.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
S-37 takes 3 hits from a couple of Japanese DDs just off Djambi, Sumatra but remains good to continue.
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
8th March 1942
INDIA/BURMA
It seems the British have learned nothing from their debacle in Malaya. The Japanese have moved faster than anticipated and entered Rangoon in at least division strength before the evacuation was completed. 45th Indian Brigade made it out and is now at Tapun as planned, but 2nd Burma Bde and 100th RAF BF, along with elements of 103rd RN BF, are now stuck in Rangoon - and 2nd Burma Bde is in strat mode. Whoever was responsible for this mess is likely to find that their knighthood has been postponed until after the war.
ABDA
DD John D Edwards completes repairs at Soerabaja and is heading to Perth to join the squadron there. When she was burning off Miri and left to fend for herself I didn’t think she’d make it back, so it’s good to have her rejoin the fleet.
Nells strayed too close to Batavia; Dutch fighters claimed 5 Nells without loss.
SWPAC/SOPAC
811th EAB and elements 6th AIF disembark at Port Moresby.
2nd Marine Para Bn arrives at Tulagi.
The first squadron of P40Es arrives at Luganville
INDIA/BURMA
It seems the British have learned nothing from their debacle in Malaya. The Japanese have moved faster than anticipated and entered Rangoon in at least division strength before the evacuation was completed. 45th Indian Brigade made it out and is now at Tapun as planned, but 2nd Burma Bde and 100th RAF BF, along with elements of 103rd RN BF, are now stuck in Rangoon - and 2nd Burma Bde is in strat mode. Whoever was responsible for this mess is likely to find that their knighthood has been postponed until after the war.
ABDA
DD John D Edwards completes repairs at Soerabaja and is heading to Perth to join the squadron there. When she was burning off Miri and left to fend for herself I didn’t think she’d make it back, so it’s good to have her rejoin the fleet.
Nells strayed too close to Batavia; Dutch fighters claimed 5 Nells without loss.
SWPAC/SOPAC
811th EAB and elements 6th AIF disembark at Port Moresby.
2nd Marine Para Bn arrives at Tulagi.
The first squadron of P40Es arrives at Luganville
- Coral Sea.png (1.97 MiB) Viewed 947 times
Re: A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod
9th March 1942
CHINA
The Chinese counteroffensive in the southwest continues with the capture of Quang Ninh in Indochina. Next stop Hanoi! (I hope base flipping isn’t enough to trigger Vietnamese militia reinforcements - I guess I’ll find out soon enough).
The Japanese seem to have forgotten the lesson the Chinese taught them at Laiwu, south of Tsinan, about attacking against level 9 forts - 4th Independent Mixed Bde and 59th Security Division were beaten back with heavy losses.
Sigint indicates that the 26th Engineer Rgt is on the Lanchow road heading towards Ningsia. 37th Div and 12th Independent Infantry Rgt are already at Ningsia, with 3rd and 9th Tank Rgt soon to join them. My working assumption is that once the tanks and engineers reach Ningsia the Japanese will launch their assault, so it’s time to bug out to more defensible terrain. I’m happy I’ve managed to hold up the Japanese advance here this long; according to my notes the Japanese advance guard reached here on 17th January.
INDIA/BURMA
Rangoon fell to the 33rd Division. At least 2nd Burma Bde was kicked out rather than destroyed, but it won’t be in a fit state to join the defence of Tapun as planned and will now head to Shwebo. I could replace it with 44th Indian Bde (currently in reserve at Shwebo), but I think I’ll wait and see how things pan out first.
PHILIPPINES
Again there was no assault at Bataan, just the usually daily air and artillery bombardment.
ABDA
There’s been a big increase of Japanese activity in the eastern DEI.
Abdiel was torpedoed and sunk by the CL/DD group at Ambon whilst picking up a fragment of one of the Australian Battalions that got left behind when evacuating to Saumlaki. I’m annoyed with myself for losing Abdiel; her speed and cargo capacity make her such a useful ship. I think I need to be more ruthless when units get cut off or left behind in properly weighing up whether it is worth risking valuable assets to rescue them.
A Japanese TB hit a mine downriver of Palembang - Thanks for the tip on mining that hex, Ranger Joe!
Other than recon there was no Japanese air activity over Java.
SWPAC/SOPAC
More reinforcements arrive at Sydney. Likely deployments are:
2nd and 3rd Marine Raider Bns to Darwin as reserve.
134th Combat Engineer Rgt also to Darwin
70th US AA Rgt to Saumlaki
1st Marine Air Wing HQ - Port Moresby
11th MAG Air HQ - will go to ABDA area.
CLs Leander and Achillies swept west of the Gilberts, southwest of the Marshalls and then bombarded Nauru Island; they did not discover anything of note and are now returning to Suva.
CENPAC
While on picket duty in the North Pacific YP-108 encountered the German Blockade Runner KM Ramses pretty much bang in the middle between Midway and the Aleutians. It’s almost as if someone has counted out the range in hexes of the Catalinas and is deliberately trying to exploit a gap in coverage there. A typical low-down shabby Nazi trick if ever there was one. I’ve no idea if the blockade runner is heading for Japan or France, but CL Helena has been dispatched from Pearl Harbor to have a nose around possible routes, just in case.
CHINA
The Chinese counteroffensive in the southwest continues with the capture of Quang Ninh in Indochina. Next stop Hanoi! (I hope base flipping isn’t enough to trigger Vietnamese militia reinforcements - I guess I’ll find out soon enough).
The Japanese seem to have forgotten the lesson the Chinese taught them at Laiwu, south of Tsinan, about attacking against level 9 forts - 4th Independent Mixed Bde and 59th Security Division were beaten back with heavy losses.
Sigint indicates that the 26th Engineer Rgt is on the Lanchow road heading towards Ningsia. 37th Div and 12th Independent Infantry Rgt are already at Ningsia, with 3rd and 9th Tank Rgt soon to join them. My working assumption is that once the tanks and engineers reach Ningsia the Japanese will launch their assault, so it’s time to bug out to more defensible terrain. I’m happy I’ve managed to hold up the Japanese advance here this long; according to my notes the Japanese advance guard reached here on 17th January.
INDIA/BURMA
Rangoon fell to the 33rd Division. At least 2nd Burma Bde was kicked out rather than destroyed, but it won’t be in a fit state to join the defence of Tapun as planned and will now head to Shwebo. I could replace it with 44th Indian Bde (currently in reserve at Shwebo), but I think I’ll wait and see how things pan out first.
PHILIPPINES
Again there was no assault at Bataan, just the usually daily air and artillery bombardment.
ABDA
There’s been a big increase of Japanese activity in the eastern DEI.
- Eastern DEI.png (1.86 MiB) Viewed 881 times
Abdiel was torpedoed and sunk by the CL/DD group at Ambon whilst picking up a fragment of one of the Australian Battalions that got left behind when evacuating to Saumlaki. I’m annoyed with myself for losing Abdiel; her speed and cargo capacity make her such a useful ship. I think I need to be more ruthless when units get cut off or left behind in properly weighing up whether it is worth risking valuable assets to rescue them.
A Japanese TB hit a mine downriver of Palembang - Thanks for the tip on mining that hex, Ranger Joe!
Other than recon there was no Japanese air activity over Java.
SWPAC/SOPAC
More reinforcements arrive at Sydney. Likely deployments are:
2nd and 3rd Marine Raider Bns to Darwin as reserve.
134th Combat Engineer Rgt also to Darwin
70th US AA Rgt to Saumlaki
1st Marine Air Wing HQ - Port Moresby
11th MAG Air HQ - will go to ABDA area.
CLs Leander and Achillies swept west of the Gilberts, southwest of the Marshalls and then bombarded Nauru Island; they did not discover anything of note and are now returning to Suva.
CENPAC
While on picket duty in the North Pacific YP-108 encountered the German Blockade Runner KM Ramses pretty much bang in the middle between Midway and the Aleutians. It’s almost as if someone has counted out the range in hexes of the Catalinas and is deliberately trying to exploit a gap in coverage there. A typical low-down shabby Nazi trick if ever there was one. I’ve no idea if the blockade runner is heading for Japan or France, but CL Helena has been dispatched from Pearl Harbor to have a nose around possible routes, just in case.