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

[PaxMondo]

14 Jan 43
Comparing the 2 aircraft, the Tojo is better in most categories.

Category / Hurricane / Tojo

Speed / 321 / 376
Cruise / 281 / 249
Max Altitude / 31,550 / 32,540
Climb Rate / 1960 / 3318
Maneuverability / 23,23,33,26,11 / 24,24,22,16,8
Durability / 29 / 28
Armor / 1 / 1
Endurance / 191 / 213
Weapons / 4x20mm (26 Acc) / 2x12.7mm (58 Acc) + 2x12.7mm (29 Acc)

Speed and climb rate are decisive for the Tojo. That will give the Tojo a better chance to get the shot off first. If the Hurricane gets the first shot off, their weapons are less accurate but much better. But, the Tojo's MGs still can punch a hole in the Hurricane. I have high hopes for the Tojo over the Hurricane. The only other fighter I've seen in this AO has been the P-40E, and it's been awhile. If the Hurricane is the primary fighter here, I'm confident I can gain air superiority where I need it so I can send in the bombers when needed.

Just beware the one stat that the Tojo is lacking against the Hurri's: armament. The 20mm on the Hurri is a "one hit kill" whereas the 12.7 requires multiple hits to kill. Just part of the ACM ...

[RangerJoe]

14 Jan 43
Comparing the 2 aircraft, the Tojo is better in most categories.

Category / Hurricane / Tojo

Speed / 321 / 376
Cruise / 281 / 249
Max Altitude / 31,550 / 32,540
Climb Rate / 1960 / 3318
Maneuverability / 23,23,33,26,11 / 24,24,22,16,8
Durability / 29 / 28
Armor / 1 / 1
Endurance / 191 / 213
Weapons / 4x20mm (26 Acc) / 2x12.7mm (58 Acc) + 2x12.7mm (29 Acc)

Speed and climb rate are decisive for the Tojo. That will give the Tojo a better chance to get the shot off first. If the Hurricane gets the first shot off, their weapons are less accurate but much better. But, the Tojo's MGs still can punch a hole in the Hurricane. I have high hopes for the Tojo over the Hurricane. The only other fighter I've seen in this AO has been the P-40E, and it's been awhile. If the Hurricane is the primary fighter here, I'm confident I can gain air superiority where I need it so I can send in the bombers when needed.

Just beware the one stat that the Tojo is lacking against the Hurri's: armament. The 20mm on the Hurri is a "one hit kill" whereas the 12.7 requires multiple hits to kill. Just part of the ACM ...

Which is important but what is also important is that the damaged aircraft may not return to their base or be unrepairable thus increasing the OPs losses. But if the IJA can outnumber the RAF, there is a greater chance that the IJA fighters will shoot more. Although Major Howard proved that might not always be the case.

[PaxMondo]

Which is important but what is also important is that the damaged aircraft may not return to their base or be unrepairable thus increasing the OPs losses. But if the IJA can outnumber the RAF, there is a greater chance that the IJA fighters will shoot more. Although Major Howard proved that might not always be the case.

Exactly ...

[Mike Solli]

14 Jan 43
Comparing the 2 aircraft, the Tojo is better in most categories.

Category / Hurricane / Tojo

Speed / 321 / 376
Cruise / 281 / 249
Max Altitude / 31,550 / 32,540
Climb Rate / 1960 / 3318
Maneuverability / 23,23,33,26,11 / 24,24,22,16,8
Durability / 29 / 28
Armor / 1 / 1
Endurance / 191 / 213
Weapons / 4x20mm (26 Acc) / 2x12.7mm (58 Acc) + 2x12.7mm (29 Acc)

Speed and climb rate are decisive for the Tojo. That will give the Tojo a better chance to get the shot off first. If the Hurricane gets the first shot off, their weapons are less accurate but much better. But, the Tojo's MGs still can punch a hole in the Hurricane. I have high hopes for the Tojo over the Hurricane. The only other fighter I've seen in this AO has been the P-40E, and it's been awhile. If the Hurricane is the primary fighter here, I'm confident I can gain air superiority where I need it so I can send in the bombers when needed.

Just beware the one stat that the Tojo is lacking against the Hurri's: armament. The 20mm on the Hurri is a "one hit kill" whereas the 12.7 requires multiple hits to kill. Just part of the ACM ...

Totally agree with you Pax. Unfortunately, the Tojo is the only IJA fighter until the Frank comes along sometime this summer (or hopefully earlier). Then, things will definitely change. Fortunately, most of the fighting will be over territory I control so my pilot losses will be lower. Also, I have a very large IJA fighter pilot pool.

[Mike Solli]

14 Jan 43
Comparing the 2 aircraft, the Tojo is better in most categories.

Category / Hurricane / Tojo

Speed / 321 / 376
Cruise / 281 / 249
Max Altitude / 31,550 / 32,540
Climb Rate / 1960 / 3318
Maneuverability / 23,23,33,26,11 / 24,24,22,16,8
Durability / 29 / 28
Armor / 1 / 1
Endurance / 191 / 213
Weapons / 4x20mm (26 Acc) / 2x12.7mm (58 Acc) + 2x12.7mm (29 Acc)

Speed and climb rate are decisive for the Tojo. That will give the Tojo a better chance to get the shot off first. If the Hurricane gets the first shot off, their weapons are less accurate but much better. But, the Tojo's MGs still can punch a hole in the Hurricane. I have high hopes for the Tojo over the Hurricane. The only other fighter I've seen in this AO has been the P-40E, and it's been awhile. If the Hurricane is the primary fighter here, I'm confident I can gain air superiority where I need it so I can send in the bombers when needed.

Just beware the one stat that the Tojo is lacking against the Hurri's: armament. The 20mm on the Hurri is a "one hit kill" whereas the 12.7 requires multiple hits to kill. Just part of the ACM ...

Which is important but what is also important is that the damaged aircraft may not return to their base or be unrepairable thus increasing the OPs losses. But if the IJA can outnumber the RAF, there is a greater chance that the IJA fighters will shoot more. Although Major Howard proved that might not always be the case.

Interesting comment, Joe. Wait until my next installment...

[PaxMondo]

Totally agree with you Pax. Unfortunately, the Tojo is the only IJA fighter until the Frank comes along sometime this summer (or hopefully earlier). Then, things will definitely change. Fortunately, most of the fighting will be over territory I control so my pilot losses will be lower. Also, I have a very large IJA fighter pilot pool.

I know, I didn't mean to insinuate that this is a bad idea. Rather, more along the lines of RJ's comment: numbers will matter to limit your losses and why that is the case here.

[PaxMondo]

Mike,

If you haven't looked at this yet (NGT) ... you REALLY want to.

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 7a4beaf7ed

UBER cool, and as far as I can tell so far, it really works.

[sfatula]

I've been using it (only a few days though), lol. Works fine with wine too (linux, macos). He's on discord discussing changes, etc.

[Mike Solli]

Morning guys.

Sorry for being MIA. We're currently out of town visiting family. I'm still running turns, but more slowly than normal. I think I'm about a week behind. Anyway, I'll catch up eventually.

I downloaded NGT and have been reading about it. Sounds like it's something even I can install. I'd really like to know more about the author. He's using terminology I used back when I was an Army logistician. I'm really curious about his background.

Anyway, back to the war...

[Mike Solli]

Totally agree with you Pax. Unfortunately, the Tojo is the only IJA fighter until the Frank comes along sometime this summer (or hopefully earlier). Then, things will definitely change. Fortunately, most of the fighting will be over territory I control so my pilot losses will be lower. Also, I have a very large IJA fighter pilot pool.

I know, I didn't mean to insinuate that this is a bad idea. Rather, more along the lines of RJ's comment: numbers will matter to limit your losses and why that is the case here.

Don't worry Pax. I didn't take it that way. I appreciate all of the comments here. It definitely makes me a better player. And, it makes things tougher for Ted.

[RangerJoe]

Totally agree with you Pax. Unfortunately, the Tojo is the only IJA fighter until the Frank comes along sometime this summer (or hopefully earlier). Then, things will definitely change. Fortunately, most of the fighting will be over territory I control so my pilot losses will be lower. Also, I have a very large IJA fighter pilot pool.

I know, I didn't mean to insinuate that this is a bad idea. Rather, more along the lines of RJ's comment: numbers will matter to limit your losses and why that is the case here.

Don't worry Pax. I didn't take it that way. I appreciate all of the comments here. It definitely makes me a better player. And, it makes things tougher for Ted.

Mike, you just stated the two most important things for the game. Making yourself (and everyone else) a better player and frustrating your adversary. The other most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

BTW, did you read my DM and understand it? Do you realize why I don't want to spread that around too much?

[Mike Solli]

15 Jan 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Adak was bombarded today destroying 15 various squads. I have a lot of supply headed to Attu and Adak. Eventually, I'll get this base...

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Ted has various fighter squadrons sweeping bases. I just watch. They cause occasional op losses. The norm was today. There were 2 Spitfire squadrons and half a Kittyhawk squadron at Madang and a squadron each of Corsairs and Wildcats at Tulagi.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The Tojo IIcs ambushed the Hurricanes today. There are 5x 12 plane Hurricane squadrons that sweep Cox's Bazaar every day and today is no exception. I estimate another 60 Hurricane IIcs in the pool.

The squadrons came in singly. Initially, 44 Tojos met them. My losses were higher than I expected. That was because, in each engagement, only a handful (~6) Tojos were present at the beginning of the fight. Most of my losses were at the beginning of the engagement. I don't see a way around that. At any rate, of the 44 Tojos and 60 Hurricanes, 23 Hurricanes were shot down aganinst 8 Tojos lost. About half a dozen more Tojos and a few Hurricanes were op losses. Pilot losses were 8 KIA and 4 WIA. I don't care about the plane losses. The pilot losses were a little higher than I would have liked, but I have 177 trained pilots in the reserve and other 567 in training units anywhere between raw rookies and 70+/70+/69. We'll see if he comes back tomorrow...

China

The bombers didn't fly today, but bombardment destroyed 26 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 2084 (-1425) 43 infantry squads were destroyed in yesterday's deliberate attack. It'll recover.
China: 3182 (-422)
Enemy strength: 297k (-3k)
Enemy units: 89 units (no change)
Guns: 499 (-41) This number varies wildly. Not sure why I track it.

Other Stuff

The N1K2-J George R&D advanced to 3/44 and will become operational 3/43.

[Mike Solli]

I know, I didn't mean to insinuate that this is a bad idea. Rather, more along the lines of RJ's comment: numbers will matter to limit your losses and why that is the case here.

Don't worry Pax. I didn't take it that way. I appreciate all of the comments here. It definitely makes me a better player. And, it makes things tougher for Ted.

Mike, you just stated the two most important things for the game. Making yourself (and everyone else) a better player and frustrating your adversary. The other most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

BTW, did you read my DM and understand it? Do you realize why I don't want to spread that around too much?

Thanks, Joe. Yes, I did read it and am attempting to implement it. Forces are out of position but will get there eventually. Thanks.

[PaxMondo]

15 Jan 43
... Most of my losses were at the beginning of the engagement. I don't see a way around that.

Radar or better to say earlier warning notice of the raid. Radar is the most common fix ... multiple units, 3 - 4 will get you up near 100% ...

[RangerJoe]

Don't worry Pax. I didn't take it that way. I appreciate all of the comments here. It definitely makes me a better player. And, it makes things tougher for Ted.

Mike, you just stated the two most important things for the game. Making yourself (and everyone else) a better player and frustrating your adversary. The other most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

BTW, did you read my DM and understand it? Do you realize why I don't want to spread that around too much?

Thanks, Joe. Yes, I did read it and am attempting to implement it. Forces are out of position but will get there eventually. Thanks.

You are most welcome!

[Mike Solli]

15 Jan 43
... Most of my losses were at the beginning of the engagement. I don't see a way around that.

Radar or better to say earlier warning notice of the raid. Radar is the most common fix ... multiple units, 3 - 4 will get you up near 100% ...

I have multiple units totaling the following:

Ta-Chi 4 Radar: 4
Type 2 Radar: 4
Observer squads: 8
Searchlights (probably doesn't matter during the day): 24

I could bring more down there, but you'd think 8 radar sets should do something...

Edit: I lied. This is for Rabaul, not Cox's Bazaar. Coz's Bazaar has no radar present. That will change, but it'll take time.

[Mike Solli]

16 Jan 43

Sub War

A bombardment TF entered Adak and ran into S-31 in Adak. The sub launched 4 torpedoes at Musashi missing her but causing me to almost have a heart attack. She was driven off with minor damage.

5 Fleet

The bombardment TF destroyed 41 squads. That Allied force still has supply. I wonder how much they started with? It had to be huge. I'll ask Ted when (if) the campaign concludes.

Every day, 2-6 Sallies bombard Adak's troops. They don't do anything noticeable, but I suspect they cause a bit of disruption. They do cause the Allies to use supply on AAA. That's their main mission. Also, I'll know when supply is low (if ever) when the AAA stops.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Lunga was hit by 42x 4E bombers in about 4 or so flights. I'm convinced Lunga is the target. There aren't many defenses. There's a NG and construction battalion there. The forts are at 2.52 and rising. The goal is to get them to 3. Fortunately, the bombers are going after the troops and not the infrastructure. There is no infrastructure, just forts.

I think the only reason he's bombing Tulagi (intermittently) is to keep the airfield and port suppressed so I can't station any planes there to interfere.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

I had the Tojos LRCAP over Cox's Bazaar again wondering if the Hurricanes would return, and I wasn't disappointed. This time only 32 Tojos flew, and again, only about half a dozen started the battle. The Hurricanes came in 2 waves, 18 and 6. This time it was more one sided. I lost 7 Tojos shot down to only 2 Hurricanes, with a couple of enemy op losses. My pilot losses were only 1 KIA and 4 WIA.

So, only 24 of 60 Hurricanes were able to fly the second day. I replaced just about all my losses. The chutai is back to 12+4 and one sentai is at 42+4. The second sentai is only 23 of 42 but can't take replacements for 5 days. That one will take a while to get to full strength. I will be swapped out by another 42 plane Tojo Sentai in a couple days.

Oh yeah, I lied in the previous post where I listed all the radar in the hex. I was talking about Rabaul, not Cox's Bazaar. There is no radar in Cox's Bazaar. Guess I'm bringing some there. Then I'll base a sentai of Tojos in Cox's Bazaar. Duh.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment was pretty successful today, destroying 76 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 2170 (+86)
China: 3121 (-61)
Enemy strength: 291k (-6k)
Enemy units: 89 units (no change)
Guns: 485 (-14)

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
23 Independent Mixed Brigade, 23 Army (China), China garrison unit.

[Mike Solli]

17 Jan 43

Sub War

At Adak, Haddock was hit by a depth charge, finally.

5 Fleet

Still dropping off supply...

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Rabaul was hit by a total of 25x 4E bombers. The only lasting damage was 2 planes destroyed on the ground.

I expected Ted to use his 4E bombers against Rabaul again tomorrow. I have a lot of F/FB available there and split them between day and night as follows:

Day:
Tojo: 36
George: 40
Nick: 42

Night:
Tojo: 42
George: 49
Nick: 42

It worked, but in retrospect it could have been better.

Forty 4E bombers hit Lunga again today.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The Hurricanes didn't fly today. I guess that stung.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 60 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 2248 (+78)
China: 3055 (-66)
Enemy strength: 291k (no change)
Enemy units: 89 units (no change)
Guns: 500 (+15)

Other Stuff

The Ha-43 engine R&D advanced to 12/43 and is expected to become operational 6/43.
The A6M5b Zero R&D advanced to 5/43 and is expected to become operational 2/43.

[Mike Solli]

18 Jan 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

More supply is landing at Adak. Almost there.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

A total of 8 day bombing raids hit Rabaul using most of the available 2E and 4E bombers. (Forty-two 4E bombers hit Lunga.) Here's what arrived by raid:

Raid 1 (losses):
40 George
36 Tojo (1)
42 Nick (1)

16 B-17E
11 B-17F
10 B-24D (1)
15 B-25C (5+1 Flak)
14 P-38G(4)

9 planes were destroyed on the ground plus airfield damage.

Raid 2:

34 George
21 Tojo
22 Nick (1)

17 B-17E (1+1 Flak)
3 B-24D
13 B-25C (3)
13 P-38G(3)

8 planes were destroyed on the ground plus airfield damage.

Raid 3:

21 George (2)
11 Tojo
14 Nick

25 B-24D (4)

4 planes were destroyed on the ground plus airfield damage.

Raid 4:

17 George
4 Tojo
6 Nick

12 B-25C (0 + 1 Flak) - 5 fled

0 planes were destroyed on the ground and no airfield damage.

Raid 5:

13 George
3 Tojo
4 Nick

5 B-17E
22 B-24D

6 planes were destroyed on the ground and no airfield damage.

Raid 6:

9 George
1 Tojo

5 B-17E
22 B-24D

6 B-17E (1)

0 planes were destroyed on the ground and no airfield damage.

Raid 7:

8 George

12 B-25C (0 + 1 Flak) - 5 fled

1 plane was destroyed on the ground and no airfield damage.

Raid 8:

No Japanese fighters

8 B-24D

4 planes were destroyed on the ground plus airfield damage.

So, overall, I lost the following:

George: 2 shot down, 3 op losses, 1 KIA, 1 WIA
Tojo: 1 shot down, 4 op losses, 1 KIA, 1 WIA
Nick: 2 shot down, 4 op losses, 2 WIA

32 various planes destroyed on the ground. That sucked but they can all be replaced. In retrospect, I should have put all the planes on day CAP. I would have lost many fewer planes on the ground and his losses would have been much heavier. If he had bombed at night, my ground losses would probably have still been lower.

Ted lost 7x P-38G, 8x 4E and 11x 2E either shot down or to flak and his reported op losses were 3, 5 and 1 respectively. If that's accurate, his total loss rate (shot down, flak and op) was 10 of 27 P-38G (37%), 13 of 123x 4E (11%) and 12 of 52x 2E (23%). I'll take that. I wish there had been more heavy bomber losses, but Ted said the raid really stung. I hope that means the losses were heavier.

Rabaul's airfield is still functional at 23 service and 29 runway damage.

Ted would discontinue the raids in future days, which I think is probably a mistake. Maybe the number of damaged planes is high enough that he can't muster a decent raid? I don't know but I think that is the case.

At any event, there will be no more raids (at least for the next 3 days) and Rabaul's airfield will be fully repaired by 21 Jan. My F/FBs will almost all be at full strength and ready for the next raid. One thing I did was to spread out some of the fighters at Talsea, Gasmata and Kavieng in addition to Rabaul so one massive raid won't cause so many plane losses.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The bombing/bombardment destroyed 44 squads today.

Raw AV:
Japan: 2321 (+73)
China: 2974 (-81)
Enemy strength: 290k (-1k)
Enemy units: 88 units (-1 unit) - 30 Group Army HQ was destroyed
Guns: 471 (-29)

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

19 Jan 43 - pretty quiet day after yesterday

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Today's bombardment of Adak destroyed 28 squads and put a couple of shells into SS Haddock and left her burning, in port there, probably due to depth charge damage.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The only enemy bombers I saw were 36x 4E bombers (unsuccessfully) hitting the troops at Lunga.

My fighters and fighter bombers in and around Rabaul had the opportunity to rest and replenish. I pulled some back to Truk to rest. Those were the units that had the lowest morale.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 60 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 2390 (+69)
China: 296 (-48)
Enemy strength: 292k (+2k)
Enemy units: 88 units (no change)
Guns: 501 (+30)

Other Stuff

The N1K2-J George R&D advanced to 2/44 and is expected to become operational 3/43.