Sailing in harms way: InHarmsWay (J) vs Andav (A) Scen2

[PaxMondo]

Quick update gentle readers. It is Jan 21, 1943 and the latest turn had the second Frank factory completely repair to 30! That means I will get Franks by July '43 latest as the engine bonus is in effect. Likely will have Franks in June ?

Or sooner ... I forget how many factories you have on Frank, 6? Plus 1 big one that we won't count for now? Right? Anyway, point is that RnD factories will start to repair much quicker. With 2 repaired and engine bonus, that means every 25 days you move ahead a month, plus the month you just moved. When the 3rd factory repairs, it's every 19 days ... etc etc etc

Also KB is about a week from the HI, with mini KB about 5 days behind. All carriers will have Judys, Jills, and A6M5 zeros in anticipation of the upcoming operation. Most of the imperial navy will be involved, with just a few CA's and smaller vessels stationed elsewhere or refitting.

Enjoy (and use) your last few months of carrier supremacy carefully, but don't be idle. Once the F6F arrives and the USN has changed out all their air groups, the A6M is just VP's to be harvested. Remember that. You need Ki-84/N1K LBA to be able to defeat the allied naval air groups until the A7M arrives.

I have switched out quite a few high exp pilots in China for replacements. That was a great suggestion! I do have quite a few high exp land units there as well, and will be pulling a few 85+ exp divisions out for use elsewhere in the empire. Likely one to Saipan, and one to Singapore once the defensive lines start to get set later in the year.

Keep developing both LCU's and pilots. You can never have enough of them.

[InHarmsWay]

Good Afternoon gentle readers, the time has come when the tempo of the war will begin to increase once again. Most of IJN has now congregated in the HI awaiting the loading of the invasion force. Only the Mini KB is still at sea, and will arrive in Tokyo in about 4 days. Including the miniKB, the following has been gathered to support "Operation Sake".

CV x 7
CVL x 2
CVE x 4
BB x 10
CA x 12
CL x 12
SS x 25 minimum
Numerous DDs

Time is of the essence. Radio intercepts from Adm Wa's HQ has been threatening the start of an Allied offensive so we are hoping to get inside his decision process and preempt any nefarious allied plans. Also several days ago, an aggressive Japanese sub skipper sank a transport about 10 hexes south of the Aleutians. Hopefully that will not alert Adm Wa to the upcoming target. And just this last turn, an allied sub was sighted and DC'ed off the coast of Paramushiro-Jima. Thankfully only the DD was sighted by the sub and no indication that an additional IJA base force was being offloaded to the base in anticipation of increase naval search operations.

[InHarmsWay]

Adm Haramsaki turns to the large planning board at the north end of the conference room. "As some of you may be aware, the northern threat to our Home Islands is the closest and quickest means for the allies to strike. With this plan, I hope in one attack, to achieve the following: disrupt the Allied buildup in the area, slow their timetable for attack, potentially cause serious attrition of their land units, and possibly lure the allied naval units in the area into a battle. To do so, we have gathered the main strength of our naval forces here, and will deploy a large amount of submarines as a warning screen. Key bases we have to take early are Amchitka Island and Agattu Island. Also neutralization of the main allied base at Adak Island is a must."

Stacking limits on these Islands may become a problem, also not all the land units will be embarked for the follow up invasions so we need to hold the initial bases for ~2 weeks until we can move on Adak. Other considerations are the need to replenish ship fuel and ammo as we will be operating far form the nearest large base at Ominato.

Jan 25 1943 Aleutian plans.jpg (354.32 KiB) Viewed 441 times

[PaxMondo]

... also not all the land units will be embarked for the follow up invasions so we need to hold the initial bases for ~2 weeks until we can move on Adak. Other considerations are the need to replenish ship fuel and ammo as we will be operating far form the nearest large base at Ominato.

When I take Adak, a key item for me is to get a Nettie group there ASAP, with an HQa and tons of engineers. Netties with torps are a good deterrent until the Death Star emerges. I want both the port(3) and AF(5) built up ASAP.

[InHarmsWay]

Elsewhere in the Pacific, Adm Wa and I have been tangling with several furballs over Burma. I have had Georges with decent pilots flying LR CAP over retreating units that he has been bombing. Several times now flights of P40Ks sweeping have gotten the better of my Georges. My CAP has been set at 41k altitude and when watching the replays, several times I see P40ks dive on a George. Latest losses were ~ 19 Georges for 8 Warhawks. Is there a better altitude to fly? I did try with some Georges at ~15k and Tojos lower at 6k, but over all it seems Georges do not do well against the P40K. Numbers were about consistent between sides, and I think pilots are about equal.

[PaxMondo]

Elsewhere in the Pacific, Adm Wa and I have been tangling with several furballs over Burma. I have had Georges with decent pilots flying LR CAP over retreating units that he has been bombing. Several times now flights of P40Ks sweeping have gotten the better of my Georges. My CAP has been set at 41k altitude and when watching the replays, several times I see P40ks dive on a George. Latest losses were ~ 19 Georges for 8 Warhawks. Is there a better altitude to fly? I did try with some Georges at ~15k and Tojos lower at 6k, but over all it seems Georges do not do well against the P40K. Numbers were about consistent between sides, and I think pilots are about equal.

So, first you need to know that LR CAP .vs. Sweep is one of the most disadvantageous combat situations for you. It's not so much about altitude as it is numbers and fatigue.

Numbers: Sweepers fly together. So if you have a 36 AC group set to 100% sweep, all 36 AC will go for the sweep (assuming good leadership etc.)

That same 36 AC group set to LR CAP will only have a maximum of 12 AC overhead, 12 more on quick launch, and the last 12 +10 minutes after that. Meaning, they arrive piecemeal.

This means with equal number starting, the LR CAP is fighting at a 1:3 disadvantage in numbers. To just get even in numbers, you need 3 x 36 planes groups on LR CAP.

Yes, numbers do matter a great deal in air combat. Not overall numbers, but the instantaneous numbers at any point in the combat. And this is where you are losing, and losing badly.

2 choices, either up the number of LR CAP groups SIGNIFICANTLY and hope he cannot match/exceed them, or stop your LR CAP. Run your LR CAP only on days you think he might bomb.

Running the same air mission day after day is a sure way to lose your groups against a skilled opponent. Every mission has a counter. It might take time to pull that counter together, but there is a counter to every mission. Part of the goal is that the enemy does NOT know your mission ahead of time.

To counter his sweeps, one way would be to figure out which AF's he is using and BOMB the snot out of them. He can't be sweeping and CAPing with the same groups at the same time. Night bombing might be a good option, or just a collossal day bombing trip. P-40's don't have much range ... your N1K's+Helens should be in range. If he has other groups CAPing his AF's, then SWEEP him. Don't fight his battle, make him fight yours.

Make Sense?

[InHarmsWay]

Yes, that makes sense! And explains alot over the past few months!

[PaxMondo]

Yes, that makes sense! And explains alot over the past few months!

The air war simulation in WitPAE is one of the very best ever done. It is accurate, complex, and requires a lot of practice to develop a good skill at it.

You do have the advantage yet in both quality and quantity, but you still need to apply it with good tactics and an overall strategy.

BANZAI!!!!!

[InHarmsWay]

Banzai is right!, KB, mini KB and other TFs are all sailing now toward the Aleutians. Will start landing in ~7-10 days. Second wave for Amchitka will start loading in a day or two. Radio silence is now the word of the day.

Jan 31 1943 Aleutian mustering.jpg (318.87 KiB) Viewed 276 times

Elsewhere, Adm Wa sent in his first serious bombardment TF into Ceylon. 3 CAs with support hit Colombo 3 days ago. I expect him to invade soon there but I would rather push back in the Aleutians than wait on the allies on the far side of the globe. He has also been doing some sneaky recon down near Port Moresby so that theater may be in play as well. Hopefully he is massing down there and has not garrisoned the Alaskan front that much (wishful thinking but hey!)

Over in Burma, I have pulled back my fighter squadrons for rest and refit for several days. Adm Wa has not been moving that aggressively here, so I am thinking this was a feint to draw my attention.

Finally in China, Lanchow fell, with relatively low industry damage (~%20 damaged). Training up the 55-65 exp infantry divisions here, only exception is the push to completely liberation the burma road. I have learned not to overstack, much lower casualties, and it allows me to cycle through division so as to keep the attack going every 4-5 days.

[PaxMondo]

Finally in China, Lanchow fell, with relatively low industry damage (~%20 damaged). Training up the 55-65 exp infantry divisions here, only exception is the push to completely liberation the burma road. I have learned not to overstack, much lower casualties, and it allows me to cycle through division so as to keep the attack going every 4-5 days.

With stacking limits, this is definitely the process. Without them, it is still good practice, but it can be argued ...

[InHarmsWay]

Short update gentle readers, the invasion force is plodding along the North Pacific. I expect it may get spotted in a day two if Adm Wa has Catalinas up and active in the weather (Feb 4, 1943). Once it is spotted, I will provide an update.

Elsewhere The Chinese Grind continues as the ever victorious IJA continues to march to Tsuyung and Kunming. In North China, Kiuchuan fell this last turn, so the only major cities in the near north left is Sining and Yenan. No other items of significance has occurr, as it has been quiet.... too quiet.

[PaxMondo]

BANZAI!!!!

[InHarmsWay]

"Sir! There is a Catalina that is circling in and out of the cloud cover! I believe it has spotted us!"

With that, Adm Tanaka Yamaguchi let out small sigh, it had been smooth sailing the past week, without a single mishap as the invasion force proceeded east toward the target islands off the Alaska coast. KB and her escorts were still two days from hitting the allied bases, as fuel economy was of concern and a high speed dash was ruled out. Replenishment ships were part of the wider plan but best to not be reckless so quickly.

"Send Orders out to the Sub patrol groups to begin to disperse into the likely allied response vectors, and have the invasion TFs to expedite their approach to Amchitka, Ulak and Atka Islands Captain." With that, the IJN fleet, the most concentrated force to date began to join with what was hoped to be recently unsuspecting and lightly defended Allied bases.

Feb 05 1943 Aleutians invasion.jpg (282.77 KiB) Viewed 142 times

I was really hoping to get one more day closer... my guess is the Catalinas were out of Attu....

[InHarmsWay]

Wow, gentle readers, I got the turn back from Adm Wa literally 53 minutes after I had sent it. I had not even had time to ping him to let him know it was in the inbox, barely enough time to post my update here! No comment about spotting anything in the north Pacific... I am wondering if he ran and watched the combat replay? or even saw the TF's if he just perused the combat replay. Nothing else happened elsewhere so maybe he also did not boot up tracker to see? All questions that enquiring minds want answered... Or is he deliberately pretending nothing is happening? Ahhhh plans within plans within plans....

I will go with the assumption he spotted me, or only thought the TFs were subs... And hope that he didn't. Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

[PaxMondo]

Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

One of my favorite expressions, followed by "So bring the BIG hammer, that way there is no need for a second round!"

[InHarmsWay]

Initial reports are on from the first landing! Looks like I will be facing a single infnatry rgmt. Big question here is will I need the second division currently prepping in Toyko or can that be moved to a different site? Time will tell once I order the first few attacks over the next few days, and see what level of forts he has. One surprise is the nasty AA unit located at Amchitka. I think it has ~30-40 AA guns, all nasty. Also the CD unit he had there did draw blood sinking a transport and then all but sinking a second one in the afternoon. The covering CA and DD did limit the damage, however still far from an uneventful landing! I am holding back the KB air units from hitting his ground forces in Amchitka until I order an attack given the large AA unit. I will also likely set it at ~21k altitude to limit pilot losses...

Feb 09 1943 Amchitka initial landing.jpg (381.86 KiB) Viewed 82 times

Looking at lessons learned, I should have gone after Adak first as it has a lvl 8 port. I seem to recall it was not that high about 4 months ago when I started planning. Clearly Adm Wa is building up this this area in anticipation of coming at me from the northern route. A wider view of the current situation to follow.

[PaxMondo]

Initial reports are on from the first landing! Looks like I will be facing a single infnatry rgmt. Big question here is will I need the second division currently prepping in Toyko or can that be moved to a different site? Time will tell once I order the first few attacks over the next few days, and see what level of forts he has. One surprise is the nasty AA unit located at Amchitka. I think it has ~30-40 AA guns, all nasty. Also the CD unit he had there did draw blood sinking a transport and then all but sinking a second one in the afternoon. The covering CA and DD did limit the damage, however still far from an uneventful landing! I am holding back the KB air units from hitting his ground forces in Amchitka until I order an attack given the large AA unit. I will also likely set it at ~21k altitude to limit pilot losses...

Feb 09 1943 Amchitka initial landing.jpg

Looking at lessons learned, I should have gone after Adak first as it has a lvl 8 port. I seem to recall it was not that high about 4 months ago when I started planning. Clearly Adm Wa is building up this this area in anticipation of coming at me from the northern route. A wider view of the current situation to follow.

Two thoughts.

- AA unit likely is small caliber, don't use DB's, use TB's at 8000ft bombing. They will hit and not suffer the losses the DB's do. Those small caliber AA units are designed to chew your DB's up badly. You get a few of them as well. Use them in atoll defense, not in the mainland. They cannot hit LBA above 6000 ft.

- to soak up the hits in your amphib force, you need to imbed a BB. A CA also works, but if there are any CD guns 6" or larger you won't like the RSY time your CA will spend. The old BB's shrug off 6" and even 8" hits pretty well. All you need is one with a couple of DD's. The BB will get targeted +90% of the time. Note: it CANNOT be in a separate TF ...

[InHarmsWay]

I have a CA in each of the landing TFs, the CA in the initial TF took alot of shots and ended up with 16 sys damage, she did her job admirably. I also had my initial invasion bombardment TF not retreat in case there were any PT boats formed, and have now added a BB from that TF into the invasion force to cover any further shots by that pesky CD unit! One quick question, if I have my KB DB's fly at 22k, will they divebomb or level bomb. Absolutely agree I do not want my DB's to actually divebomb.

[PaxMondo]

I have a CA in each of the landing TFs, the CA in the initial TF took alot of shots and ended up with 16 sys damage, she did her job admirably. I also had my initial invasion bombardment TF not retreat in case there were any PT boats formed, and have now added a BB from that TF into the invasion force to cover any further shots by that pesky CD unit! One quick question, if I have my KB DB's fly at 22k, will they divebomb or level bomb. Absolutely agree I do not want my DB's to actually divebomb.

IIRC:
DB > 15000 glide bomb
10000 - 15000 dive bomb
<10000 level bomb

Glide bomb is a more shallow dive bomb and a drop at about 4000. Works great against bog-standard INF units with little AA. Good hit % and the higher pull out is fewer losses. However, it is the worst choice against those machine guns as they have MORE time to shoot at your DB's. The TB always SEEMS to be a better LB than the DB for me, plus it carries more bombs per sortie. More efficient all around.

DB's to me are just an early kami ... losses against AA are horrendous. BUT, TB's on torp runs against ships have even HIGHER losses, so again, basically a kami. Highly trained kami's, but still they are mostly just one-time, one way shots. (I use TB's as LB bombers a lot against non-combative ships. @4000-8000 or so, I get plenty of hits on xAK's etc and very few losses.)

PS: great work with your CA ... I've gotten too many shotup all to s___ before, so I won't risk them very often unless I know for sure what the CD is (which I rarely do as I don't peek at the initial TOE, but in most PBEM's that is totally fair game).

[InHarmsWay]

Stepping back from Amchikta, the immediate Aleutian theatre looks quite busy with a bunch of subs covering. Adm Wa sent all of his subs to defend against the Amchitka landing. My hope is to send a couple minelaying TFs to Amchitka and Adak to hurt those subs as they can easily refuel/rearm from Adak (likely the base that has been harassing my supply lines at Sakhalin), I will also send a ASW patrol to Amchitka as well. KB has been ordered to hit Amchitka at 9k altitude. Recon showed nothing at Atka, so the two units sent there should take it next tomorrow.

Feb 09 1943 Aleutians visit.jpg (290.79 KiB) Viewed 45 times

I believe I achieved strategic and likely operational surprise, otherwise I would have seen many more Subs. I may even have achieved tactical surprise as he still has subs harrassing me near Sakhalin island. If he would have seen the invasion even a few days ago, I would have expected those subs to be headed towards KB or KBs retreat line.

The big question near term is if I have enough at Amchitka. If so, then can repurpose another Inf Div, and tank units to Adak, which I expect will be a tough nut! I have about 100 AV about a week from Attu Islan, with another divison to follow if if needed (another 5-6 days behind). My Adak group is still prepping, as I want as much prep as possible and if Amchitka fall, I can isolate Adak. With KB in the area, I doubt any slow BBs from PH will venture north. There is a further 6 sub picket line south of the map as well.

For those gentle readers out there, yes, Admiral Harmasaki sent everyone! Banzai!!!