Never Thought I'd Start Another One - tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J)

[Mike Solli]

18 Dec 41

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

The subs are getting close, but see nothing so far.

I'm setting up a sub base at Etorofu. It's a little closer to the Aleutians and will house an AS, some air support for a few fighters and recon and about a battalion of troops.

4 Fleet

KB got some replacement planes and is refueled and rearmed. They are heading east and will be in position in 3 days. There is a surface TF of 4 CA plus escorts and the invasion fleets (3 of them with 2 NG and an SNLF) that are headed to Tarawa. Once everything is there, they'll begin the operation.

SE Fleet

Air fields are being built. There are battalion and company sized units that are taking bases, but nothing larger to take Rabaul. One regiment of 20 Division has be purchased and is loading at Fusan for the trip to Truk then Rabaul. A couple of construction battalions are enroute to Truk. Also, 15 BF is headed to Truk for eventual movement to Rabaul.

In 3 days, I'll have enough PPs to purcase the 40 Infantry Brigade Group (the other 2 infantry regiments of 20 Division). They'll head to Truk after it's purchased.

SRA

Malaya

Fifty-nine Betties/Nells in 2 raids hit the port of Georgetown catching quite a few ships. When it was all said and done, 4 HDMLs were sunk and 2 xAPs, 2 xAKs, 2 xAKLs and an AMc were all heavily damaged or sunk. Just for the xAPs alone it was worth it.

The daily ambush over the CA TF netted 2 Buffalos and a Blenheim IV with another Blenheim taken out by flak. There were 2 attacks totaling 5 Buffalos and 9 Blenheim IVs. That's way down from just a few days ago. I think the RAF has shot its bolt.

My next operation in this AO is the liberation of Kuantan. The CA TF is withdrawing to Saigon for repairs. They're all minor with the exception of Mikuma having a destroyed 12.7mm turret and Kumano having a triple torpedo tube destroyed.

They are being replaced by a surface TF composed of 4 BB, 1 CL and 7 DD. That TF will be stationed 1 hex SW of Kuantan. The invasion TF is composed of 21 Division and will have substantial fighters on LRCAP. They will land tomorrow.

Two AS battalions are waiting in the wings to land after Kuantan is liberated. Once that happens, 48 fighters will be stationed there and 2E bombers will be stationed at Kota Bharu to begin the air assault on Singapore to prevent the increase of fortifications. I'll continue to push south and then invest Singapore.

Philippines

Manila was assaulted by 65 Bde and taken! I usually don't expect much from that unit but they were superb, losing only 4 squads disabled to the destruction of 112 Allied squads. Also, Manila's infrastructure was entirely intact:

Manpower: 3(0)
Resources: 40(0)
LI: 100(0)
Repair Shipyard: 20(0)

In addition, 5 Seagulls and a Beech 18-S were destroyed. The loss of the Seagulls was very nice. They usually cause a fair amount of damage to my shipping.

Mindanao

Well, I discovered why the TF with 2 tank regiments didn't off load the tanks. It was set to do not unload. The TF left. I'm sending it back. It should unload the tanks tomorrow.

Borneo

A new TF composed of Zuiho and Hosho arrived NE of Tarakan and launched an attack on 2 TKs escorted by a PC at Tarakan. The PC and one TK were sunk and the other TK was left heavily damaged and burning. Both TKs were full of fuel so I don't think that last TK will make it.

Other Places in the SRA

Nothing exciting.

Burma

Some AS and engineers have arrived at Chiang Mai and are disembarking from their trains to begin building the airfield.

China

Hitting isolated Chinese Corps as I catch them and preparing for my pushes from the south and out toward Urumchi.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
SC Ch-24 - ASW
SC Ch-26 - ASW

[PaxMondo]

16 Dec 41 - Relatively quiet day today.

Pakhoi was liberated. My idea is to push the Chinese north to allow the flow of resources and oil eastward to Fusan. Manpower 1(1) and Resources 20(20)

Watching with great interest.

I have a couple of YO hauling oil from Fusan and there is constantly a flow of oil there when they arrive back there. Granted, it's only 1k oil total, but oil is flowing there. I also have some cargo ships hauling resources and every time they arrive, the resources are there. I'm a couple of turns behind in the AAR, but a TK showed up (7950 capacity) and it's going to Fusan to haul more oil. Granted, the oil is from C/M/K, but it's still flowing to that port.

Manzyu TM class. Nice. Very efficient.

It's a bit like walking a tight rope, right? You need to watch your oil stocks in PA (well C/M/K, but I just watch PA, just like we watch Tokyo supply. Both are very good barometers of the area.). Dropping is ok (actually good), but you need to get the line open from Singers to Fusan B4 you run outta oil at PA. Manzyu can move a lot of oil. Watch your numbers. My guess is that you are ok, but I haven't played a stock scenario in a long time ...

[PaxMondo]

Well, I discovered why the TF with 2 tank regiments didn't off load the tanks. It was set to do not unload. The TF left. I'm sending it back. It should unload the tanks tomorrow.

I HATE when I do that.

[Tanaka]

Watching with great interest.

I have a couple of YO hauling oil from Fusan and there is constantly a flow of oil there when they arrive back there. Granted, it's only 1k oil total, but oil is flowing there. I also have some cargo ships hauling resources and every time they arrive, the resources are there. I'm a couple of turns behind in the AAR, but a TK showed up (7950 capacity) and it's going to Fusan to haul more oil. Granted, the oil is from C/M/K, but it's still flowing to that port.

Manzyu TM class. Nice. Very efficient.

It's a bit like walking a tight rope, right? You need to watch your oil stocks in PA (well C/M/K, but I just watch PA, just like we watch Tokyo supply. Both are very good barometers of the area.). Dropping is ok (actually good), but you need to get the line open from Singers to Fusan B4 you run outta oil at PA. Manzyu can move a lot of oil. Watch your numbers. My guess is that you are ok, but I haven't played a stock scenario in a long time ...

PA? C? M? K?

[PaxMondo]

PA? C? M? K?

Sorry, old timer slang.

PA = Port Arthur
C/M/K = China/Mongolia/Kwantung Basically the part of asia under IJ control.

[bradfordkay]

In the BabesLite campaign I am playing the Netties are listed as Level Bombers, not Torpedo Bombers, and thus should require a level 4 airfield for full load attacks. Is this not the case in the DBB campaign you are playing?

[RangerJoe]

In the BabesLite campaign I am playing the Netties are listed as Level Bombers, not Torpedo Bombers, and thus should require a level 4 airfield for full load attacks. Is this not the case in the DBB campaign you are playing?

What is listed as their primary armament? If it shows torpedo, then it is a torpedo bomber and should function accordingly.

[Mike Solli]

In the BabesLite campaign I am playing the Netties are listed as Level Bombers, not Torpedo Bombers, and thus should require a level 4 airfield for full load attacks. Is this not the case in the DBB campaign you are playing?

Brad, to be honest, I have no idea. They do have the ability to carry torpedoes. They have yet to do so however...

[bradfordkay]

In the BabesLite campaign I am playing the Netties are listed as Level Bombers, not Torpedo Bombers, and thus should require a level 4 airfield for full load attacks. Is this not the case in the DBB campaign you are playing?

What is listed as their primary armament? If it shows torpedo, then it is a torpedo bomber and should function accordingly.

I don't think that is how the game mechanism works. In the aircraft information list, they are listed as Level Bombers - even though a torpedo is their main weapon - whereas the Kate and Jill are listed as Torpedo Bombers. After all, the symbol used for their squadrons is that of a level bomber and not that of a torpedo bomber. It is my understanding that this designation is the one that matters. I am fairly sure that subjects them to the airfield size restriction where if the airfield is not at least a level 4 they will fly only with the extended range load (thus no torpedo).

Mike, I was wondering earlier why you kept talking about only building captured airfields to level 2. That's fine if you're going to base Kates and Vals there, but it doesn't allow for full utilization of your Netties.

BTW: I misspoke in my earlier post: I am playing DaBigBabesA scenario, not BabesLite.

[PaxMondo]

I'm with Mike, I also have no idea. I always thought of them as level bombers, but RJ has been around quite a while and he may be correct with respect to the airfield size requirement. I've never tested this aspect of them, so I just don't know.

I have tested them to confirm their supply usage is as a level bomber though. Meaning they use a minimum amount of supply per plane each bombing mission they participate in, which IIRC is bomb load /1000 lbs or 2 supply pts whichever is greater. I may be miss remembering these supply values, I don't have time to check them .... however, this is a completely separate concept and may easily not be connected in any way with the air base size requirement.

[Mike Solli]

In the BabesLite campaign I am playing the Netties are listed as Level Bombers, not Torpedo Bombers, and thus should require a level 4 airfield for full load attacks. Is this not the case in the DBB campaign you are playing?

What is listed as their primary armament? If it shows torpedo, then it is a torpedo bomber and should function accordingly.

I don't think that is how the game mechanism works. In the aircraft information list, they are listed as Level Bombers - even though a torpedo is their main weapon - whereas the Kate and Jill are listed as Torpedo Bombers. After all, the symbol used for their squadrons is that of a level bomber and not that of a torpedo bomber. It is my understanding that this designation is the one that matters. I am fairly sure that subjects them to the airfield size restriction where if the airfield is not at least a level 4 they will fly only with the extended range load (thus no torpedo).

Mike, I was wondering earlier why you kept talking about only building captured airfields to level 2. That's fine if you're going to base Kates and Vals there, but it doesn't allow for full utilization of your Netties.

BTW: I misspoke in my earlier post: I am playing DaBigBabesA scenario, not BabesLite.

Brad, those level 2 airfields are for fighters and 1E bombers. The Betties/Nells will fly from level 4+ airfields.

[Mike Solli]

I'm with Mike, I also have no idea. I always thought of them as level bombers, but RJ has been around quite a while and he may be correct with respect to the airfield size requirement. I've never tested this aspect of them, so I just don't know.

I have tested them to confirm their supply usage is as a level bomber though. Meaning they use a minimum amount of supply per plane each bombing mission they participate in, which IIRC is bomb load /1000 lbs or 2 supply pts whichever is greater. I may be miss remembering these supply values, I don't have time to check them .... however, this is a completely separate concept and may easily not be connected in any way with the air base size requirement.

I'm under the impression that Betties/Nells are level bombers that can carry torpedoes. I have seen them use torpedoes in past games. The pilots this game are slackers, that's all.

[RangerJoe]

What is listed as their primary armament? If it shows torpedo, then it is a torpedo bomber and should function accordingly.

I don't think that is how the game mechanism works. In the aircraft information list, they are listed as Level Bombers - even though a torpedo is their main weapon - whereas the Kate and Jill are listed as Torpedo Bombers. After all, the symbol used for their squadrons is that of a level bomber and not that of a torpedo bomber. It is my understanding that this designation is the one that matters. I am fairly sure that subjects them to the airfield size restriction where if the airfield is not at least a level 4 they will fly only with the extended range load (thus no torpedo).

Mike, I was wondering earlier why you kept talking about only building captured airfields to level 2. That's fine if you're going to base Kates and Vals there, but it doesn't allow for full utilization of your Netties.

BTW: I misspoke in my earlier post: I am playing DaBigBabesA scenario, not BabesLite.

Brad, those level 2 airfields are for fighters and 1E bombers. The Betties/Nells will fly from level 4+ airfields.

I have used them from level 2 airfields. If there are no torpedoes when the torpedo is the armament selected, they will carry a full bomb load on a naval strike at the 1K attack altitude as well. Which is great when a player is attacking cargo ships and the 60 kg bombs will sometimes be enough to create
a reef.

[Mike Solli]

19 Dec 41

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

It looks like there is nothing there.

4 Fleet

Tabiteuea was liberated today. That base has the best potential airfield in the area at 0(3). The Naval Guard that landed there is loading back up to be part of the Baker Island force.

SE Fleet

Nothing to report.

SRA

Malaya

There were a total of 7 fighter and 9 bomber sorties by the RAF today. Four Buffalos, a Blenheim IV and 3 Swordfish were shot down with another Blenheim IV downed by flak.

Intel says there are 10 Buffalos and 6 bombers remaining in Malaya. The RAF's back is broken here.

The 21 Division has successfully landed at Kuantan. They will attack tomorrow and some AS is scheduled to arrive there the day after. That will become my fighter/bomber base with Kota Bharu packed with bombers. Then the bombing campaign will begin to keep the airfield damaged so no more forts can be built there.

Philippines

No fighters rose to meet my sweeps. My intel says there are 17 fighters remaining in Luzon, split between Clark Field and Bataan.

The 14 Army is there and composed of 48 and 16 Divisions, 65 Brigade and 5 artillery units. There are 6 more artillery units in Hong Kong that are in the process of loading and headed to Luzon. This is the force that will invest and destroy the Philippine Army in Bataan. Right now, there are about 60k troops at Clark Field. The troops will move there and just barrage them. I won't bother attacking them at all. There's no hurry here.

Edit: Intel reports there are 17 fighters remaining.

Mindanao

Yesterday, I attacked the Cagayan force mainly as a recon in force. It didn't do much and I lost a single tank. That turned out to be a really good thing. Ted shock attacked me today, and the other two tank regiments landed. Here's what happened:

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2739 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Defending force 810 troops, 0 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 121

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
2041 casualties reported
Squads: 174 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Infantry Regiment
Del Monte AAF Base Force
Mindanao Force
205th Base Sqdn

Defending units:
4th Tank Rgt /1
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Rgt /1

Ouch. I'm resting them tomorrow and letting them get some more supply and the rest of the two regiments. Then I'll attack the day after.

Borneo

The troops are spreading east and south from Singkawang.

Burma

The airfield at Chiang Mai is building!

China

There were a few attacks here and there. I'm slowly pushing them north and west.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[PaxMondo]

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2739 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Defending force 810 troops, 0 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 121

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
2041 casualties reported
Squads: 174 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Infantry Regiment
Del Monte AAF Base Force
Mindanao Force
205th Base Sqdn

Defending units:
4th Tank Rgt /1
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Rgt /1

Ouch. I'm resting them tomorrow and letting them get some more supply and the rest of the two regiments. Then I'll attack the day after.

That was a BIG ouch for Ted. Talk about impaling oneself ... yikes!!

[PaxMondo]

I'm under the impression that Betties/Nells are level bombers that can carry torpedoes. I have seen them use torpedoes in past games. The pilots this game are slackers, that's all.

My current game, my Netties are having one of the best games ever. Using torps very effectively, and in contrast to most of my games where they drop (and miss with) bombs that do little to nothing. So I completely understand what you are saying.

In contrast, my Kates rarely use torps and miss when they do, but Bombs, crikey, my Kates are out hitting my Vals. WAY more deadly.

I wish I could figure this game. Just joking, Gary is all about random chance, as we know, and we all see it.

[Mike Solli]

20 Dec 41

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Still no sign of Allied troops.

4 Fleet

About 3 days out from invading Baker Island.

SE Fleet

Preparing for the invasion of Rabaul.

SRA

Malaya

Kuantan was liberated by 21 Division. We destroyed 9 planes on the ground as a bonus. Tomorrow, 2 AS battalions will land there and 22 Air Flotilla HQ will land the day after. That will allow 84 planes to be stationed there, a combination of fighters and bombers. Kota Bharu has 134 AS currently. Between the two, I will be able to station all of 3 Air Division 2E bombers, most of 22 Air Flotilla's 2E bombers and some escorting fighters.

Intel says there are 9 Buffalos, a bomber and 5 auxiliary aircraft in Singapore. None even rose to meet my fighters today. I'm sending Yamada det to sweep Singapore before a sentai of Sallies hits Singapore's airfield. Yamada det is doing really well. They are a size 18 with 5 extra planes and pilots. To date, they've shot down 33 aircraft for the loss of 3 op losses and 1 resulting WIA.

The 21 Division will stay in Kuantan for a few days. Then they will re-embark for use on Java once the RAF is totally destroyed. The 56 Division was scheduled to land at Kuantan in 2 days but is being diverted to Mersing because of the destruction of the RAF. Most of the British army is already in Singapore (39 units), but there are an additional 6 units (at least) that are north of Mersing, in addition to the 3 units cut off at Georgetown. By cutting them off from Singapore (at Johore Bahru), they won't have access to supply. That should accelerate their destruction.

Philippines

The Allies control only 5 bases in Luzon, with Batangas destined to fall tomorrow. Most of 14 Army is now in Clark Field. The main part of this force is 48 Division and 5 independent artillery units. The artillery will bombard tomorrow, and every day after.

No enemy fighters rose today.

Mindanao

The three tank regiments will shock attack Cagayan tomorrow.

Borneo

Still spreading east and south from Singkawang.

Other Places

I spotted a ship at Ternate and sent Zuiho and Hosho to investigate. Some of their Kates sank an AVP there. No more AS for some Do-24s there.

Then, in the afternoon, they sent some Kates to Davao and sank an AM.

Burma

Tomorrow, the 33 Division and 4x construction companies will land at Bangkok and rail north. 33 Division will head to the front and the construction companies will head to Chiang Mai.

China

Nothing to report. Just pushing back the scattered Chinese units while trying to concentrate strength.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

21 Dec 41

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

No sign of the enemy.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Nothing to report.

SRA

Malaya

The RAF flew 4 bomber sorties that did nothing. No planes were shot down on either side.

Tomorrow, 56 Division will land at Mersing.

Philippines

Two more P-40Bs were shot down for no Japanese loss.

The bombardment of Clark Field began today by 5 artillery regiments. So it begins...

Most of the bombers were hitting ground troops at Clark Field but now have changed their target to Bataan airfield.

Mindanao

Cagayan was liberated today by 3 tank regiments. They're now heading south.

Borneo

My troops are still spreading out from Singkawang.

Burma

Still building Chiang Mai's airfield and the 15 Army is getting closer.

China

Same ole thing.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Seacat54]

If true I am never playing this version unless it comes with a November 1942 map with the Kanmon tunnel.

It is fairly easy to edit the pwhexe file to change this. Either before game start, or introduce it during the game in Nov 42.

A Kanmon tunnel mod would be nice for those that dont trust their own editing.

[Mike Solli]

22 Dec 41

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

One of my subs spotted an enemy TF 1 hex SE of Adak. There are (supposedly) 4 ships. ASW? My sub did not engage.

4 Fleet

Still preparing for the Baker Island invasion.

SE Fleet

Nothing to report.

SRA

Malaya

The 56 Division landed at Mersing. As soon as I liberate Mersing, I'll send troops to cut the rearguards off from Singapore.

Fourteen Zeros from Yamada det swept Singapore and shot down 7 of 9 Buffalos flying CAP there for no loss. Their one wounded pilot (from an op loss) will return tomorrow. Very nice. 40:0. There are no aces yet at all, but 3 of their pilots are vying for that honor with 4 kills each.

Bombers are now flying freely over Singapore dropping their loads on the airfield to prevent any increase of the fort level.

There was 1 airfield damage remaining after the day was done, which was enough to prevent work on the forts. More bombers are flying in to Kota Bharu and Kuantan as more AS arrives.

Three British ground units a hex NE of Temuloh were ousted as my forces push the rearguard south. Right now I see 3 units surrounded at Georgetown and 7 more scattered around central Malaya.

Philippines

That damn DM Thracian has 9 lives. She found Ryujo TF (this time with BB Kongo now assigned) and tried to damage her. Fortunately, we evaded but did no damage to Thracian.

Mindanao

A small TF of a CA, CL and DD caught 2 PGs at Butuan and sank them. I think Ted is keeping small TFs sitting in small ports hoping to catch my amphibious TFs and sink some loaded ships. I have small cruiser TFs accompanying or near most of the amphibious TFs to catch those Allied ships, as this one did.

Borneo

My forces are still spreading south and east from Singkawang.

Burma

Four construction companies and a construction have landed at Bangkok and are loading onto trains to move to Chiang Mai (whose airfield is currently at 1.11). The 33 Division is also at Bangkok and loading onto trains for movement to Pinanuloke and then will march to the front.

China

Still moving troops around as garrisons to free up combat formations. Small attacks are happening here and there to damage Chinese units. I do NOT want to kill off Chinese units because they come back to Chungking at 1/3 strength. That's free replacements for them. I DO want to kill over 350 infantry squads a month because that is what they get per month as replacements. By doing that, the Chinese Army gets weaker each month.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.