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

[Seacat54]

As far as I know, and I don't know if a developer mentioned this, but up to and including 5 escorts will help the crippled ship. I do not know if up to 10 escorts will help 2 crippled ships in the same TF. It would not hurt if the escort TF was following an ASW TF, especially for high valued ships.

I would also believe that the ratings for the crippled ship are what is important for that ship, the commander of the TF would be important for the TF as a whole but not for the individual ships unless the TF commander is also a ship's captain.

Thanks, I had missed that number!

Alfred specified that other ships can only help a cripple with firefighting. Once the fire is out, the captain and crew must manage the damage, but the other ships can screen against further attacks.

But TF commander does still matter?

[BBfanboy]

Thanks, I had missed that number!

Alfred specified that other ships can only help a cripple with firefighting. Once the fire is out, the captain and crew must manage the damage, but the other ships can screen against further attacks.

But TF commander does still matter?

I didn't know that was a question, but he would be important in any battle actions. I doubt that his Naval Skill is applied to the cripple directly.

[Mike Solli]

8 Jan 42

Sub War

The S-18 vanished but was replaced by S-34.

My RO sub spotted DM Sicard off Umnak. That was one of the DMs damaged by my CL TF a few days ago. She didn't get a shot off, unfortunately.

5 Fleet

RO-33 (the sub that's out of fuel) decided to head to Paramushiro Jima instead of Etorofu. That's only 20 days away instead of 27. I'm sending a little fuel there to refuel the sub.

4 Fleet

The two ships (CM and xAK) damaged at Johnston Island got away, but the xAK has 77 fires and will sink tomorrow.

At Johnston Island, the invasion fleet (still covered by the CL TF and KB) is pulling out the SNLF and one of the NGs. The other NG will stay for good.

SE Fleet

The Rabaul invasion force is 2 days out, covered by a CA TF and Zeros.

SRA

Malaya

The Singapore assault force is still gathering at Johore Bahru.

Philippines

Still bombing and bombarding.

Borneo

I attacked Pontianak and Kuching today, taking the first and not taking the second. Pontianak's infrastructure was intact with Manpower at 1(1) and Resources at 20(0).

Other Places

A couple of Do-24s caught one of my TFs that is clearing dot hexes and put a couple of their big bombs into APD Hagi, sinking her.

Burma

15 Army has elements heading toward Rabaul and Toungoo.

Chiang Mai's airfield is at 2.44.

China

Still herding cats in the center of China.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[PaxMondo]

8 Jan 42

A couple of Do-24s caught one of my TFs that is clearing dot hexes and put a couple of their big bombs into APD Hagi, sinking her.

Beware the Dorniers!!!!

[Mike Solli]

8 Jan 42

A couple of Do-24s caught one of my TFs that is clearing dot hexes and put a couple of their big bombs into APD Hagi, sinking her.

Beware the Dorniers!!!!

Oh yeah. I'm ready to post the 9 Jan turn. I just sent the 16 Jan turn to Ted. A lot has happened! Ted doesn't have much to do and I'm in the midst of planning/executing multiple invasions in the SRA. He turns around turns quickly giving me little time to post here.

[Mike Solli]

9 Jan 42

Sub War

S-34 replaced S-18 at Johnston Island, but neither side was able to attack the other.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing happened. I continue to remove the troops from Johnston Island that are not needed for garrison duty. Ted seems content to let me take islands in the central Pacific.

SE Fleet

The Rabaul Invasion force goes in tomorrow. It currently is a hex NE of Kavieng.

SRA

Malaya

The Singapore assault force continues to congregate at Johore Bahru.

Philippines

Something I just remembered. Every air (or port) supply hit reduces the supply at that hex by 1%. That is, unless there was a change in the beta. Bataan took 6 such hits today. Ted controls 3 bases in Luzon: Clark Field, Bataan and Subic Bay. None of those bases produce any supply. So, every air supply hit is supply gone forever, hastening the departure of the 91k troops there. I bombard and bomb every day killing and disabling troops. Ted's forces bombard me every day (ineffectually). He repairs disabled squads. All of this consumes supply. My goal is to eliminate these forces by March 42. I think (hope really) I'll do it sooner.

Borneo

I attacked Kuching again, and again I failed. My troops took a few disablements and killed a few of their troops. I'll get there...

Other Places

I sank an AMc at Palembang.

Burma

My troops reached Toungoo and will attack tomorrow and are still marching toward Rangoon.

Chiang Mai's airfield is up to 2.51.

China

Little happened today.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

10 Jan 42

Sub War

The S-23, stationed at Johnston Island managed to put a torpedo into CM Okinoshima. She's a tough old bird and survived: 30-40(30)-0-2. She's headed west with an escort. Unless she gets caught by another sub, she should make it.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report. My RO sub that's out of fuel is 18 days out of Paramushiro Jima with damage currently at 17-0-1(1)-0.

4 Fleet

Still pulling excess troops out of Johnston Island and Ted is still content watching me.

SE Fleet

I successfully landed the 40 Brigade and 20 Recon Regiment, both of 20 Division at Rabaul. And, I forgot to set them to attack.

SRA

Malaya

The assault force is still gathering at Johore Bahru.

Philippines

Nothing new to report. Just bombing and bombarding.

Borneo

Nothing to report.

Other Places

I'm gathering my forces to invade the following: Merak (Java), Oosthaven (Sumatra) and Kalidjati (Java) first. They will be preceded by DMS TFs. When they are underway and I have air forces established at Kalidjati (the day after Kalidjati is liberated), I'll proceed with an invasion of Buitenzore (Java). This invasion will be supported by Ryujo, land based Zeros and bombers and a 4 BB TF.

Next will be the invasions of the oil bases (Miri, Brunei, Tarakan and Balikpapan. They will be supported by Zuiho and Hosho, as well as land based Zeros (out of Jolo) and bombers.

Should be interesting.

Burma

15 Army made it to Rabaul and I did manage to tell them to attack tomorrow.

Toungoo is now mine.

China

1 Army cleared out the rail line that ends 2 hexes east of Sian. They'll rest a few days and allow more forces to catch up then attack over the river to the south.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
AMc Byoritsu Maru - I'm building these guys to scatter around and minesweep as needed.

[Mike Solli]

11 Jan 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

The excess forces have been pulled from Johnston Island and the amphibious TF is headed west, with the cruiser TF and KB in tow. Once I'm confident nothing is going to chase them, I'll turn KB loose to steam to Truk then south to cover the Pt. Moresby invasion later this month.

SE Fleet

My assault force will actually ATTACK Rabaul tomorrow.

Ted send a couple of Catalinas after a TF sending support troops to Rabaul and hit an xAK carrying half an AS battalion. The ship is burning heavily but was left in port at Kavieng (where the attack happened). She'll sink late tomorrow, but after she offloaded her troops. After Rabaul is liberated, I'll create some barges and bring the survivors from Kavieng to Rabaul.

Ted's tactic is to bring in his bombers and flying boats in small numbers at about 5k altitude. I currently have 2 chutai of Zeros at Kavieng, both at 18k feet. I changed one to 6k fleet to deal with this menace when it happens again.

SRA

Malaya

Nothing new to report. Still gathering forces.

Philippines

Nothing new to report here either.

Borneo

Nothing to report.

Other Places

Nothing...

Burma

Rangoon was liberated with no damage to the infrastructure:

Manpower - 2(1)
Resources - 20(0)
Refinery - 200(0) - turned off. No need for fuel here now and the oil has no spoilage.
LI - 40(0)

15 Army now will spread north.

China

Still dealing with heading the cats SE of Nanchang. There are 5 hexes totaling 12 units.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

12 Jan 42

Sub War

At Rabaul, the S-39 put a torpedo into AMC Hokoku Maru, damaging her not too badly at 12-12(7)-0-0. In return, the S-39 ate a depth charge.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

The invasion TF is 11 hexes SW of Johnston and heading west at top speed. KB is a few hexes to the east of them. There is no sign of the enemy.

SE Fleet

Rabaul is now mine! And with no damage! There are 27 Zeros flying CAP over the base with no sign of the enemy.

Well, almost. Three Catalinas came in low at Rabaul to attack the large amount of shipping there. One was shot down the the low flying Zero chutai and the others were driven off.

40 Bde, along with the divisional artillery (enroute from Truk right now), are preparing for Pt. Moresby.

SRA

Malaya

Batu Pahat, the last British controlled base in Malaya (other than Singapore) was just visited by a Japanese tank regiment and will be absorbed into the Empire tomorrow.

Philippines

Nothing to report.

Borneo

I'm trying another attack on Kuching tomorrow.

Other Places

Nothing to report.

Burma

15 Army is flowing north from Rangoon.

China

Beating on the Chinese forces SW of Nanchang. One was destroyed.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

13 Jan 42 - Pretty quiet turn today.

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

The Johnston Island invasion fleet is out of danger, unless it runs into a sub. It is 17 hexes east of Kwajalein and should arrive there in 4 days. KB is now steaming for Truk, and should arrive in 4 days where they will refuel and rearm, and take on a single lost fighter pilot lost to a landing accident today, and 3 replacement fighters from op losses. These are the only losses to KB so far. Granted, they haven't done much other than fight the Wildcats at Wake island. (Remember, this game started on 8 Dec.) They've shot down 8 planes to date.

SE Fleet

The Gasmata invasion fleet will leave Rabaul today and invade tomorrow. It is composed of 78 IR and 20 Eng Regiment, both of 20 Division. 78 IR will then be freed up for support for Pt. Moresby if needed. The engineers will remain to expand the airfield. I like Gasmata. It's a nice fighter base. I'm not sure if I'll expand it beyond level 2 this game.

SRA

Malaya

Batu Pahat was liberated today, reducing the British presence in Malaya to Singapore. Bombing continues and 25 Army is continuing to gather at Johore Baharu. Once the assault force is completely gathered and the 4 infantry divisions are all combined in their divisional formations, I'll sent the entire army into Singapore as a single entity because of the shock attack that will occur when they cross the river. There are still a few units crawling down a rail line to a base so they can rail south, including most of the Army artillery.

Philippines

Nothing to report.

Borneo

I shock attacked Kuching, not succeeding but taking no losses, only fatigue, but beating up on the Brits. I'll do it again tomorrow.

Other Places

Nothing to report.

Burma

Still heading north.

Chiang Mai's airfield is now at 2.80.

The Flying Tigers are sweeping Toungoo. I was kind of curious as to why they were doing this, but realized their fighters have short legs. That's probably as far as they can reach. I suspect he's doing it for pilot experience.

China

Nothing exciting to report.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
2 Raiding Regiment (Southern Army) - Headed to Hollandia for air assaults against Merauke then Horne Island.
38 Field AA Battalion (17 Army) - Headed to Guam.
39 Field AA Battalion (17 Army) - Headed to Guam.
41 Field AA Battalion (17 Army) - Headed to Guam.
82 Naval Guard (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
83 Naval Guard (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
4 Independent SNLF Company (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
5 Independent SNLF Company (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
7 Independent SNLF Company (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
8 Independent SNLF Company (SE Fleet) - Headed to Truk then a garrison somewhere.
10 Special Base Force (Southern Fleet) - Balikpapan garrison.

[Mike Solli]

14 Jan 42

Sub War

I've had 2 Glen subs patrolling off the US West Coast pretty much from the start of the war. One finally caught an xAK putting a torpedo into her and heavily damaging her. I heard sinking sounds immediately after.

5 Fleet

Nothing at all spotted up here. In the past I saw xAPs (sank one) and some DMs (sank 1 or 2 with my CL TF visit). That tells me 2 things. 1) He mined Adak and 2) He sent troops here. Not sure what I'm going to do up here this game.

4 Fleet

Johnston Island needs engineers. I have to scrounge some to send here to build up some forts. I may have to buy one out of Kwangtung Army. If there is a base I think Ted will want, I try to build the forts up to level 4, unless it's really important. Then it's higher. Why 4 and not 3? Good question! Unless things have changed, level 3 doubled the defense. So, I build it to 4 so if the initial attack reduces the fort level, it's still doubled. I think it's worth the supply cost to cause more enemy casualties.

SE Fleet

The Gasmata invasion has landed. I'll attack tomorrow. No enemy around. Not even subs other than one sub in Rabaul's hex. Odd...

SRA

Malaya

Just waiting for 25 Army.

Philippines

Nothing to report.

Borneo

The second shock attack succeeded at Kuching. One small Dutch unit was destroyed and the remaining 4 units will rot in the jungle.

Other Places

Nothing to report.

Burma

An infantry battalion shock attacked across the river at Bassein destroying the RAF BF there.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff
Reinforcement
2 Raiding Regiment (Southern Army) - These are the transports to haul the paratroop unit that arrived yesterday. These guys are headed to Hollandia with the paratroopers.

[Mike Solli]

15 Jan 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

KB is 2 days from Truk and the Johnston Island invasion TF is 1 day from Kwajalein.

SE Fleet

Gasmata is mine. I'm now preparing for Pt. Moresby. That fleet won't sail until KB arrives.

SRA

Malaya

All 4 divisions are at Johore Bahru, but not all of the support units have arrived yet. I estimate a week or less before 25 Army marches south.

Philippines

Nothing to report.

Borneo

Nothing to report.

Other Places

At Cam Ranh Bay, the invasion fleets for Kaldijati, Merak, Oosthaven and Buitenzorg, 88 ships in all, have left harbor. It'll take about 5 days to reach the first invasion sites. Additional TFs are waiting in ports all around the SRA for the go ahead to head to their destinations. Finally! I'm tired of seeing only 224 oil fields every turn!

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

After about a month of war, I'm finally seeing my supply levels begin to increase. That's because I'm finally done increasing my air factories and most of my engine factories.

Of the 11 R&D engine factories, 9 are repaired to 30 and the two big ones are at 38 of 40 and 38 of 80.

The only operational engine factory still increasing is the Ha-34.

All of the operational air factories are complete (for now). That means my supply costs are only 3k per day for the above factories.

[RangerJoe]

If you don't have enough Zeros for your first line fighter units, Claudes at 6k work nicely against patrol bombers and torpedo planes like the Swordfish.

[PaxMondo]

9 Jan 42

Something I just remembered. Every air (or port) supply hit reduces the supply at that hex by 1%. That is, unless there was a change in the beta.

OK, I'm not positive that is a fixed number ... I believe that there are some variables involved with the loss. But, roughly, this is correct. I looked at this long, long, ago. I can't say I was able to get definitive answers, but the loss is variable. Or at least, that is what my testing showed.

[PaxMondo]

12 Jan 42

The invasion TF is 11 hexes SW of Johnston and heading west at top speed. KB is a few hexes to the east of them. There is no sign of the enemy.

Always amazed that you guys can take Johnston so early. My opponent would bomb me to death from Lihue, and I am so thin with A6M's in Jan, that I could never protect it.

[RangerJoe]

9 Jan 42

Something I just remembered. Every air (or port) supply hit reduces the supply at that hex by 1%. That is, unless there was a change in the beta.

OK, I'm not positive that is a fixed number ... I believe that there are some variables involved with the loss. But, roughly, this is correct. I looked at this long, long, ago. I can't say I was able to get definitive answers, but the loss is variable. Or at least, that is what my testing showed.

I believe that it depends upon the bomb size. One way to test this would be with FOW off with no other supply usage at the base. With FOW off, it will show the amount of supplies lost at the base, then looking at the base before the bombing can give someone an idea of the effect of the bombs. Especially if someone were to use the editor to change the bomb load of the aircraft. Imagine an Ida dropping an 800 kg bomb . . .

[Mike Solli]

9 Jan 42

Something I just remembered. Every air (or port) supply hit reduces the supply at that hex by 1%. That is, unless there was a change in the beta.

OK, I'm not positive that is a fixed number ... I believe that there are some variables involved with the loss. But, roughly, this is correct. I looked at this long, long, ago. I can't say I was able to get definitive answers, but the loss is variable. Or at least, that is what my testing showed.

I believe that it depends upon the bomb size. One way to test this would be with FOW off with no other supply usage at the base. With FOW off, it will show the amount of supplies lost at the base, then looking at the base before the bombing can give someone an idea of the effect of the bombs. Especially if someone were to use the editor to change the bomb load of the aircraft. Imagine an Ida dropping an 800 kg bomb . . .

Yeah, I have no idea how much loss happens. I do know that there is a loss of supply, and that is good. It hastens the departure of those annoying troops. I track the loss of AV every turn, which averages 15-20 per turn. As of the last turn (not yet posted), The Japanese AV in Clark field is 929 (16 and 48 Divisions) to 888 Allied AV. I'll attack again once it is down to ~400 or so.

[Mike Solli]

12 Jan 42

The invasion TF is 11 hexes SW of Johnston and heading west at top speed. KB is a few hexes to the east of them. There is no sign of the enemy.

Always amazed that you guys can take Johnston so early. My opponent would bomb me to death from Lihue, and I am so thin with A6M's in Jan, that I could never protect it.

Taking Johnston Island is a first for me. I did it to be a pain in the ass. Right now there's a single NG battalion there with an engineer company heading there to build forts. It's going to take about 10 days for the engineers to arrive. I won't expend a single Zero to defend it. Speaking of Zeros...

Joe had mentioned that I don't have enough Zeros to do what I plan on doing. I disagree. First the numbers:

I currently am building 2 Zeros a day (production is 60). I have 42 in the pool and plan on using 21 to upgrade Shoho's air group when she arrives in 9 days. My losses of Zeros to date have been 21 (17 op and 4 A2A). Here are my Zero units & strengths:

Carriers: Soryu & Kaga are short 1 Zero each and the other 4 CVs have 18 each. Only one pilot lost on Soryu in an op loss.
Ryujo: 35 (of 36) but only 26 pilots
Zuiho: 21 +3 spares (of 21) but only 16 pilots
Hosho: 14 +1 spare (of 14) but only 10 pilots

Land based:
Tainan: 28 with 27 pilots
Tainan Det A: 9 +2 with 10 pilots
Tainan Det B: 9 +3 with 9 pilots
3: 31 with 31 pilots
3 Det A: 9 +1 with 10 pilots
3 Det B: 9 +1 with 10 pilots
Yamada Det S-1: 18 +3 with 25 pilots
Yamada Det S-2: 9 +1 with 10 pilots
Kawai: 9 +1 with 12 pilots
Everyone else has Claudes and will keep them for the foreseeable future.

Yes, my production is low, but I'm pretty conservative using KB and the land based Zeros aren't fighting any decent pilots or planes right now. They won't go to Burma at all. That's strictly IJAAF territory.

Once I start getting some replacement pilots for the land based Zeros, I'll start pushing some 70/70/70 pilots to the carriers and start a pool. Once Pt. Moresby is taken, KB will go into hiding, probably at Truk. I want them ready for any opportunity that presents itself.

Eventually, I'll upgrade the carrier Zero units in size to 27 or 36. That'll have to wait for my training program to start producing though.

[Mike Solli]

16 Jan 42

Sub War

A Dutch sub is at Rabaul and took a shot at one of my ships. She missed, as did my retaliation.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

KB will reach Truk in 2 days. It'll spend a day there (maybe) then head south to assist in the Pt. Moresby liberation attempt.

SE Fleet

Nothing much happened. Consolidation of bases and lots of building.

SRA

Malaya

More of 25 Army is arriving at Johore Bahru. We're getting close to attacking Singapore.

Philippines

More bombing and bombardment. My AV is higher than the Allied AV.

Borneo

Nothing to report.

Other Places

The southern Sumatra/northern Java assault forces have left Cam Ranh Bay and are steaming toward their destinations.

The Tarakan and Balikpapan assault forces are still in port at Babeldaob. They'll leave in a couple of days.

Miri and Brunei's assault forces are still in port at CRB. They'll leave after the forces are safely ashore in Sumatra and Java.

Burma

15 Army is flowing north.

China

No attacks today, but there was more maneuvering.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[RangerJoe]

Please note that I started with an "If" for my comment about the Zeroes.

You may also have Zeroes in training units that you could replace with Claudes. I only mentioned using the Claudes because they are better than nothing and if a player is expending their Zeroes, it does give the Claudes a job to do other than being used as training aircraft.