What was I thinking?

[PaxMondo]

So, that is a pretty small escort. Kiso's aren't very robust (main gun is REAR facing), are just fair against SS, pretty useless except as ablative armor against anything else, and you have a speed mismatch as well that you really want to avoid. Yeah, not my favorite escort. I use them principally as lone patrol trip wires after the first few turns ... I mean even the tiny little To'su at least has it's main gun facing forward!

Hey, if you are armed like that ship, having the gun in the back is an advantage!! Yes, it was strictly for ASW protection. I have every ship moving right now and escorts are stretched far beyond their limit. Moving too fast and risking paying for it like there. Oh well, it is a learning experience :]

P.S. Dec 11 and Davo has fallen to the might of the empire...

Hint:

Use your surface ships as fast transport TFs which then become surface combat TFs.

Does 11kn qualify as "Fast" transport?

[RangerJoe]

Hey, if you are armed like that ship, having the gun in the back is an advantage!! Yes, it was strictly for ASW protection. I have every ship moving right now and escorts are stretched far beyond their limit. Moving too fast and risking paying for it like there. Oh well, it is a learning experience :]

P.S. Dec 11 and Davo has fallen to the might of the empire...

Hint:

Use your surface ships as fast transport TFs which then become surface combat TFs.

Does 11kn qualify as "Fast" transport?

It can be in a Fast Transport TF, operate like one, but I would not call that fast!

[PaxMondo]

Hint:

Use your surface ships as fast transport TFs which then become surface combat TFs.

Does 11kn qualify as "Fast" transport?

It can be in a Fast Transport TF, operate like one, but I would not call that fast!

+1

[Mike McCreery]

Ok,

I have decided on my initial plane research and production.

One of the parts of that is that I want to have a number of factories advancing the zero design(s).

Help me understand what to do with the A6M2-N Rufe.

There are 3 factories currently researching the A6M2-N. The production date is January 1942 so in 21 days.

One of the factories will repair in exactly 21 days.

Do I want to expand the smaller factories now or let them reach full size and then expand them again?

Would you allow some/all of these convert into A6M2 factories (do I want zero float fighters?) or do I want to advance the research to the A6M5 model?

I have never played the Japanese before so I need stupid level instructions. ER: what do I set the Upgrade/Repair/Production button settings.

rufe.png (405.99 KiB) Viewed 1446 times

[RangerJoe]

It depends upon whether or not you can change the factories from production factories back to research factories. But first . . .

Take a look at your upgrade paths. You can do that on the Intelligence screen under your aircraft models. The Rufe with those large things stuck onto it upgrades to the M5 version so you want to consider that. The M3 non-hooker version upgrades to the M3a hooker version when then upgrades to the M5 hooker version. For the A6, all of them are hookers except for the Rufe with those "special" large things that help it float and the M3.

I suggest making a spreadsheet for all of your aircraft. Have the nationality, type, model, engine, and "upgrades to" listed. Then determine which aircraft that you want to build and then you know which engines that you need to build. For example, you may not want to first two Judy dive bombers so you won't need too many engines for that model if you are only going to build the recon version. Please note that different scenarios can have different upgrade paths, uses, and even engines for the aircraft.

So going back to the first thing I brought up, if you can change them from production factories back to research factories then expand them to 30 and convert back. Otherwise, for your research factories only expand them to the point where they will finish building before they go into production and then they can shift their research to the next model. In fact, I believe that you have 2 days grace for doing so. My rule when playing against the computer is if the factory did not actually produce anything yet, then it can switch back to a research factory but to avoid being broken, it must research the next model in line.

Some individuals then move the fully repaired research to the model that they actually want to produce, skipping the research on the models in between. I won't do that against the computer but this is how some people get the best (in their opinion) Japanese aircraft that they want to use as early as they possibly can. I personally would have an HR against that. I won't do that, especially against the computer. But I will have them come in almost all at the same time by researching all of the models at the same time.

[Mike McCreery]

It depends upon whether or not you can change the factories from production factories back to research factories. But first . . .

Take a look at your upgrade paths. You can do that on the Intelligence screen under your aircraft models. The Rufe with those large things stuck onto it upgrades to the M5 version so you want to consider that. The M3 non-hooker version upgrades to the M3a hooker version when then upgrades to the M5 hooker version. For the A6, all of them are hookers except for the Rufe with those "special" large things that help it float and the M3.

I suggest making a spreadsheet for all of your aircraft. Have the nationality, type, model, engine, and "upgrades to" listed. Then determine which aircraft that you want to build and then you know which engines that you need to build. For example, you may not want to first two Judy dive bombers so you won't need too many engines for that model if you are only going to build the recon version. Please note that different scenarios can have different upgrade paths, uses, and even engines for the aircraft.

So going back to the first thing I brought up, if you can change them from production factories back to research factories then expand them to 30 and convert back. Otherwise, for your research factories only expand them to the point where they will finish building before they go into production and then they can shift their research to the next model. In fact, I believe that you have 2 days grace for doing so. My rule when playing against the computer is if the factory did not actually produce anything yet, then it can switch back to a research factory but to avoid being broken, it must research the next model in line.

Some individuals then move the fully repaired research to the model that they actually want to produce, skipping the research on the models in between. I won't do that against the computer but this is how some people get the best (in their opinion) Japanese aircraft that they want to use as early as they possibly can. I personally would have an HR against that. I won't do that, especially against the computer. But I will have them come in almost all at the same time by researching all of the models at the same time.

There is no HR against anything related to R&D and production for Japanese aircraft.

I do think that changing R&D factories to production factories just to advance them quickly is gamey so I will not do that.

However, using the close date of the Rufe to advance an R&D factory is something I feel is within the game rules and thus allowable.

[RangerJoe]

It depends upon whether or not you can change the factories from production factories back to research factories. But first . . .

Take a look at your upgrade paths. You can do that on the Intelligence screen under your aircraft models. The Rufe with those large things stuck onto it upgrades to the M5 version so you want to consider that. The M3 non-hooker version upgrades to the M3a hooker version when then upgrades to the M5 hooker version. For the A6, all of them are hookers except for the Rufe with those "special" large things that help it float and the M3.

I suggest making a spreadsheet for all of your aircraft. Have the nationality, type, model, engine, and "upgrades to" listed. Then determine which aircraft that you want to build and then you know which engines that you need to build. For example, you may not want to first two Judy dive bombers so you won't need too many engines for that model if you are only going to build the recon version. Please note that different scenarios can have different upgrade paths, uses, and even engines for the aircraft.

So going back to the first thing I brought up, if you can change them from production factories back to research factories then expand them to 30 and convert back. Otherwise, for your research factories only expand them to the point where they will finish building before they go into production and then they can shift their research to the next model. In fact, I believe that you have 2 days grace for doing so. My rule when playing against the computer is if the factory did not actually produce anything yet, then it can switch back to a research factory but to avoid being broken, it must research the next model in line.

Some individuals then move the fully repaired research to the model that they actually want to produce, skipping the research on the models in between. I won't do that against the computer but this is how some people get the best (in their opinion) Japanese aircraft that they want to use as early as they possibly can. I personally would have an HR against that. I won't do that, especially against the computer. But I will have them come in almost all at the same time by researching all of the models at the same time.

There is no HR against anything related to R&D and production for Japanese aircraft.

I do think that changing R&D factories to production factories just to advance them quickly is gamey so I will not do that.

However, using the close date of the Rufe to advance an R&D factory is something I feel is within the game rules and thus allowable.

No, the factories will repair at the same rate if the production date is close in which case the R & D factory will show as blue. Usually with realistic R & D, a player can NOT change a production factory to a R & D factory unless that was a R & D factory that went into production and it is within 2 days of the new model coming into production. With no HRs against doing so, once the A6M2 Rufe factory gets to size 30 then a player can change it to R & D and advance the R & D factory to the A6M5c or A6M8 or whatever model that they desire.

This early Rufe production is "unique" to this scenario, I would not complain as Allied if a player did not have it in production and completed it to size 30 then changing it to the A6M5 factory. Changing it beyond that until the A6M5 is ready to be produced I would complain about. Unless, of course, I was able to get later war Allied fighters in sooner and in greater quantity . . .

I suggest that you check your upgrade path. If I am thinking that this is a scenario that I tried, your upgrade paths do allow you to upgrade different models to late war models that normally don't have that upgrade path. I am thinking that the A6M path may upgrade to the A7, plus the Ki-44 path may upgrade to the Ki-84 path . . .
Please check to make sure. You may want to make adjustments to your research if that is the situation.

[Mike McCreery]

It depends upon whether or not you can change the factories from production factories back to research factories. But first . . .

Take a look at your upgrade paths. You can do that on the Intelligence screen under your aircraft models. The Rufe with those large things stuck onto it upgrades to the M5 version so you want to consider that. The M3 non-hooker version upgrades to the M3a hooker version when then upgrades to the M5 hooker version. For the A6, all of them are hookers except for the Rufe with those "special" large things that help it float and the M3.

I suggest making a spreadsheet for all of your aircraft. Have the nationality, type, model, engine, and "upgrades to" listed. Then determine which aircraft that you want to build and then you know which engines that you need to build. For example, you may not want to first two Judy dive bombers so you won't need too many engines for that model if you are only going to build the recon version. Please note that different scenarios can have different upgrade paths, uses, and even engines for the aircraft.

So going back to the first thing I brought up, if you can change them from production factories back to research factories then expand them to 30 and convert back. Otherwise, for your research factories only expand them to the point where they will finish building before they go into production and then they can shift their research to the next model. In fact, I believe that you have 2 days grace for doing so. My rule when playing against the computer is if the factory did not actually produce anything yet, then it can switch back to a research factory but to avoid being broken, it must research the next model in line.

Some individuals then move the fully repaired research to the model that they actually want to produce, skipping the research on the models in between. I won't do that against the computer but this is how some people get the best (in their opinion) Japanese aircraft that they want to use as early as they possibly can. I personally would have an HR against that. I won't do that, especially against the computer. But I will have them come in almost all at the same time by researching all of the models at the same time.

There is no HR against anything related to R&D and production for Japanese aircraft.

I do think that changing R&D factories to production factories just to advance them quickly is gamey so I will not do that.

However, using the close date of the Rufe to advance an R&D factory is something I feel is within the game rules and thus allowable.

No, the factories will repair at the same rate if the production date is close in which case the R & D factory will show as blue. Usually with realistic R & D, a player can NOT change a production factory to a R & D factory unless that was a R & D factory that went into production and it is within 2 days of the new model coming into production. With no HRs against doing so, once the A6M2 Rufe factory gets to size 30 then a player can change it to R & D and advance the R & D factory to the A6M5c or A6M8 or whatever model that they desire.

This early Rufe production is "unique" to this scenario, I would not complain as Allied if a player did not have it in production and completed it to size 30 then changing it to the A6M5 factory. Changing it beyond that until the A6M5 is ready to be produced I would complain about. Unless, of course, I was able to get later war Allied fighters in sooner and in greater quantity . . .

I suggest that you check your upgrade path. If I am thinking that this is a scenario that I tried, your upgrade paths do allow you to upgrade different models to late war models that normally don't have that upgrade path. I am thinking that the A6M path may upgrade to the A7, plus the Ki-44 path may upgrade to the Ki-84 path . . .
Please check to make sure. You may want to make adjustments to your research if that is the situation.

The Rufe's go to A6M5 so that will be 3 groups. I changed the night fighters back to A6M3 so now there are 4 groups working on R&D on that group. Once A6M3 gets produced I plan to skp over the A6M3-A version and move these groups to A6M5 so I will have 7 groups working on them. Since I will already have groups actively working toward the A6M5 model I do not feel that is gamey.

I already have 12 groups working to produce the A7M2 Sam and have alot of groups working on Frank/George.

[Mike McCreery]

DEC 12, 1941

Things did not go so well for the Japanese this turn. My aggression has been met by an allied response.

Furthermore, I made an error which causes me more frustration than the skill of my adversary.

I set a TF with a CA,CL and some DD's to bombard Clark Field no realizing that the TF would sail as closely to the guns at Battan as possible. So, after the guns, the minefield and the subs, I still have the CA afloat but nothing else. This is the most frustrating type of thing that happens to me in game. IRL the TF would have avoided that area in a 46 mile hex but the game does not account for that. Another painful lesson learned.

In addition, the wiley Allies ran TF's into the path of my advancing forces. The naval guard unit heading for Sambas was completely destroyed including all troops. Another attack hit a TF at Miri that was unloading. There were ships sunk in that TF as well but the Allies suffered significant damage and no troops were lost, only some supplies and ships.

Miri has fallen to the Japanese, for good or bad and I am thinking I should have held off but now I got the base it needs a good defense. CAP in the air and AA along with AV support on the way.

The phillipines are seeing troops move sw from Aparri. I put most of the troops at this base rather than the ones on the west side. Good because there are mines at both of those right now. Going to move southwest through Luzon to cut some of his troops off. Wonder how he will react.

Troops have landed at Legaspi and Naga. He has 7000 infantry at Naga and I only have a Jaaf AF Bn at Naga and I think he may attack. Going to try to do another amphib landing at Naga this turn so if he does it will be against a much stronger force. Legaspi has no troops at this time so will fall next turn on the 13th.

He has been harassing the invasion troops with some PT boats to some effect.

Using air transport to move the 12th air flotilla from Takao to Aparri. Next turn it will be fully at Appari. Going to toss it down to Legaspi and then Davao so within 5 days should be able to base torpedo planes out of the base.

Hollandia, Aitape and Wewak will fall next turn as they are not occupied and troops have unloaded.

Wake island is under assault by the KB, a BB bombardment and invasion by the Maizuru 2nd SNLF. Guam should also fall this turn so if the Wake island invasion is a failure there will be follow up shortly.

[RangerJoe]

You can't go directly from the A6M3 to the A6M5 without damaging the factories. You have to go from the A6M3 => A6M3a => A6M5. You can do that in one turn if you want to do so. You don't even have to wait until the A6M3 is in production since your A6M2 is producing. But unless something is different in your scenario, the A6M2 upgrades to a fighter-bomber version in 1944. So be aware of that. Also, if you were to play PDU off, then you almost have to make every type of aircraft even if it is just for upgrading purposes.

As far as building the A6M3, it is not a hooker so your carrier groups can't use them unless they move to a land base. The non-hooker aircraft count 4X the capacity on aircraft carriers, they can launch them but they can't land on the aircraft carriers so they can only be flown to an airbase. Just a reminder, it screws up the Allied players when they get the first Corsair and then want to operate them from their carriers!

[PaxMondo]

DEC 12, 1941

....
Miri has fallen to the Japanese, for good or bad and I am thinking I should have held off but now I got the base it needs a good defense. CAP in the air and AA along with AV support on the way.

...

This is all part of the planning process that you learn. Good players will have this all lined up, sitting offshore and landing right after the conquest ... it takes time and experience to learn this ... which units want to go where. There is some flexibility about this, but what happens is as you play, you get a feeling or preference for which units go where and each time you play you build on this.

You know when you are close when no unit is ever idle except those at their "final" destination and it is surprising how FEW those units are. Everything else is ALWAYs moving.

[Mike McCreery]

DEC 12, 1941

....
Miri has fallen to the Japanese, for good or bad and I am thinking I should have held off but now I got the base it needs a good defense. CAP in the air and AA along with AV support on the way.

...

This is all part of the planning process that you learn. Good players will have this all lined up, sitting offshore and landing right after the conquest ... it takes time and experience to learn this ... which units want to go where. There is some flexibility about this, but what happens is as you play, you get a feeling or preference for which units go where and each time you play you build on this.

You know when you are close when no unit is ever idle except those at their "final" destination and it is surprising how FEW those units are. Everything else is ALWAYs moving.

I am feeling pretty good about the 'moving' part. Everything west of the Philippines has been designated, loaded and moved or is moving. Emptying out Pescadores and Canton and the 2nd wave of amphib assault ships are leaving for Luzon.

2 divisions already loaded and moving from the home islands as well. One on the way to Rabaul via truk.

Losing some bits to haste, some players are excellent at moving methodically. Oh well, it is a learning experience.

[RangerJoe]

But the most important thing is that you enjoy the game.

[PaxMondo]

.... Oh well, it is a learning experience.

Yep, lots'a those and at least for me, they never stop ...

But the most important thing is that you enjoy the game.

Exactly!!!

[Mike McCreery]

Always having fun.

Dec 14, 1941
Moving fast, have dropped paratroops in a few hexes in the Phillipines and trapped 7000 allied troops near Legaspi.

Sending a lot of forces to Davao. Objective is to capture the island and Celebes/Borneo quickly. Java can wait, want to isolate Palembang before I take it but want to shut off all access from the pacific and from Australia to expedite final consolidation.

worldmap.png (1.15 MiB) Viewed 1222 times

[Mike McCreery]

The invasion has not been without cost.

shipssunk.png (225.62 KiB) Viewed 1221 times

The AK Myoko Maru and Shimyu Maru were victims of torpedo boats, the Kobe Maru caught a torpedo from a british sub I believe. The Tokitsukaze was part of a 4 to 4 duel between destroyers that I honestly thought would do much better. The remaining 3 are headed for the shipyard for repairs.

Still catching ships fleeing the Phillipines. I think I got most of them so there is that...

[PaxMondo]

Actually, your losses aren't that bad. Keep it up!!!

[Mike McCreery]

I hope this left a dent...

saratoga.png (121.93 KiB) Viewed 1124 times

[InHarmsWay]

Probably not much of a dent unless you can catch her again heading to port, but I bet it left him with a bit of a scare! In my first game with Adm Wa, I was very lucky and sank the Saratoga about 10 days into the game with a sub. Not a bad idea to put subs out there and maybe get lucky with a high value target!

[Mike McCreery]

Probably not much of a dent unless you can catch her again heading to port, but I bet it left him with a bit of a scare! In my first game with Adm Wa, I was very lucky and sank the Saratoga about 10 days into the game with a sub. Not a bad idea to put subs out there and maybe get lucky with a high value target!

This was one of the subs around Pearl Harbor so she was close to the major port. Not that having to berth her right now does not require choices and delays in other repairs.

I may have done like 1-5 points in damage and she is out quickly with a good scare. I could have done up to 20 points which again is good for a scare but may put her out for a month or two. At this point in the game the 2/3 carriers are not really up to a major front line sortie so it wont affect him strategically.

I once lost a major carrier within a week of playing as the allies. Took 4 torpedoes and she went straight down, no saving the crews or planes or anything. That was pretty bad but allies get ships back through 1943 and part of 1944.