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

[Mike Solli]

10 Aug 42

China

Hami was liberated killing 171 squads but destroying none of the 4 enemy units. I've decided to destroy the Chinese even though the infantry will return at 1/3 strength. I don't want these guys wandering around up there causing problems. So, the tank regiment will follow them and keep pounding on them until they die. Also, the handful of I-15s and I-16s were destroyed on the ground.

Some of these units come back HUGE, my tactic here is a bit different. once they are trashed, I pin them in place with a smallish INF unit. Size depends upon what's there, but something like this I would use one of my smaller BN's. Then, use air to pound it every day. This is strictly pilot training. Use Ida/Sonia to hit them, keep them disorganized, no supplies, kill a few, but mainly just pin them in place. After CK and Chengtu fall, then I create 1 or 2 LCU teams that go around and mop all these up. These teams are ALWAYS minimum 6 units, many of which are AA units; the idea is that they surround the mob, cut-off retreat by hex entry from all 6 sides and then eliminate the mob.

Very methodical, boring, tiresome, but it works. Takes MONTHS to finish. But I end up with getting LCU exp and pilot EXP. (Yes, I rotate units through the teams to get them up to +70 exp min, +80 if I can. As you well know, high EXP InfDivs are VERY powerful in the game.)

Use as you see fit ...

Yes, that is correct. Up north at Hami, all that's there are 2 Chinese brigades and 2 Chinese base forces. Yeah, those brigades will come back but they both are independent brigades with a max infantry strength of 81 each, so each one will come back with 27 infantry squads. I can live with 54 squads back. I'm not sure, but does everything come back or only the infantry units? I thought it was only the infantry.

Edit: Yes, the experience gain can be massive. Also, buy out the high experience divisions when they get trashed. It costs a lot fewer PPs.

[Mike Solli]

12 Aug 42
I got complacent and it cost me today. For the past 2 days, I had 2 sentai (54) Sallies bombing the front line enemy troops. I forgot to stop it and Ted sent 14 enemy fighters to counter it. They shot down 12 Sallies for no loss. Stupid mistake. Fortunately, I have bomber replacement aircraft and a LOT of bomber pilots trained for ground bombing.

Ouch, but we all have done it.

I personally have at least a dozen of THAT T-Shirt in my closet ....

Fourteen Hurricanes caught 18 Oscars over Akyab today and shot down 4 Oscars (2 KIA, 1 WIA) for no Allied loss. I hate the Oscar.

Yeah. Me too. If they are on CAP, change them out for Tojo ASAP. The climb, guns, and DUR will hold up much better against the Hurri's ...

This is the main reason I don't put any IJN fighters in Burma. It turns into a meat grinder. The IJAAF can afford it much more than the IJNAF.

[Mike Solli]

14 Aug 42
China

The Chinese brigade was attacked by my tank regiment again today causing a couple more squads killed. I'll attack again tomorrow. Really?

See this a lot, here's my rationale when it happens:

Hexes are pretty big. Tank regiment, even with 100 AFV's don't occupy that much space and in 24 can't really cover more than a small percentage of the hex. If Inf has put out LP/OP's as they should, and they do their job, they should be able to avoid the Tanks pretty much. Sure, they lose a few squads as the LP's get overrun, but the main force avoids contact ....

No idea how accurate this is, but I have to have these rationales to explain GG's randomness or I go nuts.

That makes sense. Thirty-nine tanks and a bit of support doesn't take much space.

[Mike Solli]

15 Aug 42

Sub War

The I-165 spotted an enemy TF including the BB Royal Sovereign 5 hexes west of Calcutta. The largest port in this area is at Madras with a port level of 5(6). I need to drop some mines there, just in case. The sub unsuccessfully fired 2 torpedoes at a DE. That TF is heading east and will move through the patrol area of I-166. Maybe she'll get a shot at the BB. By the way, I-165 took a few near misses and has 11 sys damage but will remain on station.

If you put the sub on cruise speed for a few turns, it may repair most of the damage. Downside, you risk that it won't be able to attack. Just a tactic I use to keep my subs out max time ....

On the Cox front, the Commonwealth attacked! Yay! Even though they outnumber us 50k to 42k, we prevailed:

Ground combat at 55,43 (near Cox's Bazar)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49992 troops, 928 guns, 664 vehicles, Assault Value = 1487

Defending force 42192 troops, 409 guns, 348 vehicles, Assault Value = 1171

Allied adjusted assault: 604

Japanese adjusted defense: 2825

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
690 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (4 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2651 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 271 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 80 (3 destroyed, 77 disabled)
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
70th British Division
44th Indian Brigade
19th Indian Division
2nd British Division
3rd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
III Indian Corps
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
18th Division
7th Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
48th Division
6th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Army
1st RF Gun Battalion

I hope they keep attacking, but I doubt it.

Sheesh, did he get a lucky roll there. 1:4, he should (could) have trashed his units a lot worse.

The sub is still on station but the system damage already reduced to 10. They're not even on cruise speed either.

[Mike Solli]

17 Aug 42


The Ha-45 engine just became operational! There are 6 factories of the following size (and their increases):

80(40)
40(50)
30(60)
30(60)
30(60)
30(60)

That brings their total from 240 to 570 in 60 days. Currently, there is 2.914M supply in the empire. In the next 2 days (already run), that number remains constant, within a couple hundred. Two months of that....

The following airframes will use this engine. Also included is the current repaired status of their R&D factories (all max size 30):

Ki-84a/r Frank: 15, 4x14, 3x13, 3x12, 11, 2x10, 9, 2x8, 6
N1K1/2 George: 25, 23, 2x22, 21, 19, 4x17, 15, 4x14 13, 12, 8
B7A2 Grace: 16, 2x10, 9, 8, 6

Note that the H1K5 George switches to the Ha-43 engine. My intent is that the first models of the Frank and George will leave 3x30 factories as operational and the remaining 15 will continue with the R&D. When the final model becomes operational, 9x30 more of each type of factory (totaling 12 of each model) will become operational and the remaining 6 of each will switch to another R&D model.

For the Grace, when it becomes operational, 2x30 will become operational and the remaining 4 factories will switch to another R&D model.

The 16 factories that remain R&D will most likely begin work on the two Kamikaze models, the Ki-115a Tsurugi and the Toka. That will be determined when they become operational.

The 570 production per month (19 per day) is not enough to cover all of the R&D need, which could possibly be 42 per day for R&D. That would mean increasing the factory sizes to 1260. That ain't happening.

For operational concerns, the max needed would be 12/day for Frank, 3/day for George 1 & 2 and 2/day for Grace for a total of 17 needed per day. My hope is that there will be a huge number of engines in the pool by the time a significant number of R&D factories complete their growth so that there will be enough engines to support R&D and production. We'll see.

HUGE!!! N1K will move forward really fast soon. I don't think the issue with engines will arise as the N1K will be operational before the Ki-84 starts to really use them for RnD and the B7A is after the Ki-84 ...

I agree. So far, in the 3 days I've seen the factories produce, I've gotten 8, 7 and 9 engines. And +18 to the factories too.

[Mike Solli]

I'm all caught up!!!

Yay!

Soon, you'll be behind again.

[Mike Solli]

I'm all caught up!!!

Yay!

Soon, you'll be behind again.

[PaxMondo]

I'm all caught up!!!

Yay!

Soon, you'll be behind again.

Here I am basking in my glory and there you go, being just mean!!!

[Mike Solli]

20 Aug 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I've added some night bombing of Milne Bay's port to try and hit the ACM there. That obviously means he has some mines there. I also have some mines there. Maybe the ACM is mistakenly tending my mines. So far, no luck in hitting the ACM.

Twenty-eight B-17Es hit Madang's airfield. I have a chutai of 9 Zeros there on regular CAP duty. They rose to meet the beasts and lost 1 of their number (no pilot loss). The attacks did threw off the bombers and they did only light damage to the airfield. I decided to move the Nicks there in case he attacks again tomorrow. There was no enemy fighter escort.

In addition to Madang, enemy bombers split their effort between Salamaua's troops and Merauke's airfield.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

I'm keeping track of air movements. I'm thinking about an ambush to whittle down the enemy fighters. Due to the supply situation out here, I have to send air units to Palembang to draw replacement aircraft. Pain in the ass...

China

Chungking was the only airfield hit today, mainly due to the weather. Fortunately, all 4 of the target bases still have airfield damage.

The tank regiment chewed on the 3 remaining units of the former Hami garrison killing 46 squads. They'll continue to pursue.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
109 Ship Engineer Company, General Defense Army, some port in the Home Islands
209 Ship Engineer Company, General Defense Army, some port in the Home Islands
309 Ship Engineer Company, General Defense Army, some port in the Home Islands

[Mike Solli]

21 Aug 42

Sub War

Way back on 24 Jul, the RO-33 was caught by an escort of a TK TF in the Aleutians. She was hit twice and forced to the surface. Gunfire ensued between the escort and sub. During this exchange, where RO-33 was hit multiple times, she managed to put a torpedo into a full TK, sinking her. Shortly after, she "slipped beneath the waves" which (in the past) has always meant she sank. After the turn ran, I surprisingly discovered that she didn't sink, but was pretty heavily damaged. She started the month long trek to Etorofu, the nearest port, and my sub base for the Aleutians. During that time, her crew would repair a few points of flotation damage, then flooding would increase the damage. Fuel was lost and she had to stop at Paramushiro-jima for fuel. At that point, I decided to send her directly to Yokohama, my major IJN repair base. Today, I am happy to announce, she made port and will be fully repaired in 12 days. Here was her damage on 24 Jul 42: 21-75(57)-2(2)-0 and her damage when arriving today: 24-57(57)-2(2)-0. Banzai!!!

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Over Madang, my ambush (such as it was) included 3 Zeros and 31 Nicks vs. 26 B-17Es. That's just too many bombers to really take on with so few fighters, even Nicks. The end result was a Nick and a B-17 shot down (no pilot lost!). So far, the Nick sentai has shot down 14 aircraft, had shot down 14 aircraft, had 8 op losses and 5 written off at a cost of 5 KIA, 2 MIA and 7 WIA. The kill:loss ratio is 1:1, which I think is pretty poor, but the total loss of pilots is actually pretty good. As I said before, the Nick can take a beating.

In addition to the above, the Allied bombers focused on Salamaua and Merauke. Merauke is garrisoned only by an engineer company and SNLF company. I suspect Ted is going to invade here. I have IJN 2E bombers stationed at Saumlaki (26 Nells that are torpedo capable) and 9 more at Ambon that can easily reinforce. I'm also sending a few subs to sit offshore.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

There have been over the past few days, 4 squadrons totaling 57 fighters sweeping the front line just east of Cox's Bazaar. I'll position my fighters over the next few days and then ambush them. I think I can triple the number of fighters over that hex.

China

Still bombing and maneuvering.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[sfatula]

Over Madang, my ambush (such as it was) included 3 Zeros and 31 Nicks vs. 26 B-17Es. That's just too many bombers to really take on with so few fighters, even Nicks. The end result was a Nick and a B-17 shot down (no pilot lost!). So far, the Nick sentai has shot down 14 aircraft, had shot down 14 aircraft, had 8 op losses and 5 written off at a cost of 5 KIA, 2 MIA and 7 WIA. The kill:loss ratio is 1:1, which I think is pretty poor, but the total loss of pilots is actually pretty good. As I said before, the Nick can take a beating.

I'd gladly lose a Nick for each B17, But are your 14 actually air kills, or including any deduced ops losses for him because he's surely had some. If you have not including any estimated ones, it's likely better than 1:1. I don't like 1:1 either but for the beasts, just happy to reduce them for now. They can do more useful damage if he chooses to.

[Mike Solli]

Over Madang, my ambush (such as it was) included 3 Zeros and 31 Nicks vs. 26 B-17Es. That's just too many bombers to really take on with so few fighters, even Nicks. The end result was a Nick and a B-17 shot down (no pilot lost!). So far, the Nick sentai has shot down 14 aircraft, had shot down 14 aircraft, had 8 op losses and 5 written off at a cost of 5 KIA, 2 MIA and 7 WIA. The kill:loss ratio is 1:1, which I think is pretty poor, but the total loss of pilots is actually pretty good. As I said before, the Nick can take a beating.

I'd gladly lose a Nick for each B17, But are your 14 actually air kills, or including any deduced ops losses for him because he's surely had some. If you have not including any estimated ones, it's likely better than 1:1. I don't like 1:1 either but for the beasts, just happy to reduce them for now. They can do more useful damage if he chooses to.

Below is the main body of the Nick sentai. Note that there are 8 more (7 operational) at Gasmata (forgot to move them to Madang) and 2 more non-operational at Tulagi. Yes, those are actually kills. I don't include estimated op losses. None of that info is very accurate. Their 14 kills include 4E and 2E bombers, with a fighter or two thrown in.

Nicks.jpg (387.08 KiB) Viewed 258 times

[sfatula]

Ah, I thought you meant 14 B17 specifically, guess you didn't say that you said aircraft and I assumed! To me, that would be fine if it were 14 B17 for 14 Nick! Yeah, not including ops losses is perfectly fine, I was just saying it is likely some more Allied aircraft were lost.

Have any commander with better air skill? Might give you a slight tweak.

[Mike Solli]

Ah, I thought you meant 14 B17 specifically, guess you didn't say that you said aircraft and I assumed! To me, that would be fine if it were 14 B17 for 14 Nick! Yeah, not including ops losses is perfectly fine, I was just saying it is likely some more Allied aircraft were lost.

Have any commander with better air skill? Might give you a slight tweak.

Yep, definitely more heavy bombers were lost. He usually loses one or two each day, even if there is no opposition from me.

Thanks for the suggestion on the commander. Hadn't thought of that. On the list to check. Just about to run a turn.

[PaxMondo]

20 Aug 42


I'm keeping track of air movements. I'm thinking about an ambush to whittle down the enemy fighters. Due to the supply situation out here, I have to send air units to Palembang to draw replacement aircraft. Pain in the ass...

I'm a little surprised about this ... You should have plenty of supply in Singers; is it just not flowing North?

You know the supply movement rules better than I do (S4 has that advantage! ), so is it just not moving somehow? By this point, I know you are building up something like 1500 supply/day, so I know the supply exists.

I would prioritize fixing this. As you know, low base supply impacts all kinds of things in the game, none of which you want while you are still on the offensive.

[PaxMondo]

21 Aug 42

Sub War

Way back on 24 Jul, the RO-33 was caught by an escort of a TK TF in the Aleutians. She was hit twice and forced to the surface. Gunfire ensued between the escort and sub. During this exchange, where RO-33 was hit multiple times, she managed to put a torpedo into a full TK, sinking her. Shortly after, she "slipped beneath the waves" which (in the past) has always meant she sank. After the turn ran, I surprisingly discovered that she didn't sink, but was pretty heavily damaged. She started the month long trek to Etorofu, the nearest port, and my sub base for the Aleutians. During that time, her crew would repair a few points of flotation damage, then flooding would increase the damage. Fuel was lost and she had to stop at Paramushiro-jima for fuel. At that point, I decided to send her directly to Yokohama, my major IJN repair base. Today, I am happy to announce, she made port and will be fully repaired in 12 days. Here was her damage on 24 Jul 42: 21-75(57)-2(2)-0 and her damage when arriving today: 24-57(57)-2(2)-0. Banzai!!!

Wow!!! Another Broom needs to be found for that sub!!!!

Over Madang, my ambush (such as it was) included 3 Zeros and 31 Nicks vs. 26 B-17Es. That's just too many bombers to really take on with so few fighters, even Nicks. The end result was a Nick and a B-17 shot down (no pilot lost!). So far, the Nick sentai has shot down 14 aircraft, had shot down 14 aircraft, had 8 op losses and 5 written off at a cost of 5 KIA, 2 MIA and 7 WIA. The kill:loss ratio is 1:1, which I think is pretty poor, but the total loss of pilots is actually pretty good. As I said before, the Nick can take a beating.

By my standards, this is a TOTAL WIN!!

Your Nick/A6M replacement rate is way above his, you know he lost a few more to ops losses which won't always show in your group kill numbers, and finally any time I can get even near to 1:1 on the monsters I feel REALLY good (until I get the J7W with all those front firing cannons, but that is so late game ...)

In addition to the above, the Allied bombers focused on Salamaua and Merauke. Merauke is garrisoned only by an engineer company and SNLF company. I suspect Ted is going to invade here. I have IJN 2E bombers stationed at Saumlaki (26 Nells that are torpedo capable) and 9 more at Ambon that can easily reinforce. I'm also sending a few subs to sit offshore.

I agree, trust your gut. Make him pay. go MIKE!!!!!

Burma

There have been over the past few days, 4 squadrons totaling 57 fighters sweeping the front line just east of Cox's Bazaar. I'll position my fighters over the next few days and then ambush them. I think I can triple the number of fighters over that hex.

Have I mentioned that I love CAP traps?!!!!!
BANZAI!!!!

[PaxMondo]

That makes sense. Thirty-nine tanks and a bit of support doesn't take much space.

It does, not that I'm suggesting that it has anything at all to do with the code, as I say, I just have to have some rationale for these things or I go crazy. The funny thing is almost always I can find a rationale which to me just proves how genius GG is at game design and why his randomness in the rolls really reflects reality accurately, but in a simplistic model. Genius.

Then, kudo's for the Henderson team to also realize this and promogulate this content in all of their code additions and enhancements. It would have been easy to break things if they didn't. I mean think of the 1000's of lines of code that MichaelM alone added to the game, not to mention Bill and all the others.

All HAIL the HENDERSON TEAM!!!!!

[PaxMondo]

...
Have any commander with better air skill? Might give you a slight tweak.

...
Thanks for the suggestion on the commander. Hadn't thought of that. On the list to check. Just about to run a turn.

A really good suggestion. High leader air and aggression really help in my opinion, almost as much as pilot exp and air skill. That much.

Remember in the air model there are 2 major parts: the initial contact and the subsequent individual fights. The first part uses the leader stats to choose the best tactic for his group, then the 2nd part uses the pilot stats. In my experience, these are about equal in terms of combat outcome meaning leader ratings, particularly for fighters, are crucial.

I refer back to Herb's comments on this where he spent tons of PP's on his air groups and in his words (paraphrased) "after years of experience this is what I have learned to do and I have never not had units not arrive on target, except due to weather, and had perfect coordination in all cases". I too spend a lot of PP's on my air groups and am always rewarded. I'm too lazy to find the link again, but it is in my aborted AAR ....

[sfatula]

[I'm too lazy to find the link again, but it is in my aborted AAR ....

Ok, I will gladly find it, but, which AAR? Can you give the name? I too have better luck with good air group leaders. Wanting all the extra tips I can get!

[PaxMondo]

My aborted AAR is about 4 or 5 down, Hirohito's Honor. the link to the page in Herb's AAR is there.
Found it:
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 6#p5251496