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

[PaxMondo]

Tanker Update
...
Comments? Suggestions?

First, sorry that your Magic Highway is not so much a highway, you're moving some stuff, but not all. Happens.

I would stop dropping a Singers. If you have to reload it, then dropping it there just doubles the work and time, skip Singers and take it straight to CRB/Saigon. Or maybe Johore Bharu? JB can be built to P5, so bigger than Palembang. You could also use Georgetown as a drop point. his assumes that your Magic Highway is working from JB/Georgetown to Fusan ...
This takes care of Palembang and Java ...

Borneo needs to go to CRB/Saigon ...


Babeldoab ... I don't use it, I tend to abandon it early in the war. I can't figure out how to defend it, it sits out there in middle of nowhere, I hate it. So, I use either Manila or Davao as my SE Asian Naval Base. From the PI at this stage I would be going to CRB (25 from Davao, 18 from Manila).


Just my thoughts, use as you see fit ...

[PaxMondo]

Here's a pic of what I see when I bombard Chungking. Note the relative weakness of the combat units there. I foresee a collapse of the Chinese army there after another couple of attacks.

It is possible, BUT I have never had that luck at all ... that's why I have to leave a hex side open to 76,44 for them to retreat to. Once I get them out of CK, then they will collapse ...

[PaxMondo]

Here's what I estimate is still flyable:

B-17E: 8
B-17F: 28
B-24D: 0, maybe a couple
B-24D1: 63, replacements are 33 monthly, the rest are finished with replacements and get new aircraft only if a reinforcement squadron arrives with that plane type.

You've done a really good job at attritting his LBA 4E force ... Ted has been helping by sending them out ...

While I'm at it, here are the numbers for fighters:

P-38F: 0
P-38G: 65 with 20 per month through May, the P-38H starts in June at 20 per month
P-39D: 294 with 25 per month through June, haven't seen them in a while, the P-39N1 starts in June at 70 per month
P-40E: 139, I suspect they're used as trainers now
P-40K: 342, 65 per month through July, haven't seen them lately either. Don't think they stand up to my fighters.
Hurricane IIc: 209, they don't do well to the Tojo

P39/P40/Hurri - none of these matter anymore, none of them can handle either the Tojo and certainly not George. This is mid 43, P47 and F4U started earlier in the year and haven't seen any in action, so Ted must be holding them back ... what are your estimates on these two?

Also, what about the Spit V? That should be in play as well by now ...

And we may as well show the 2E bombers too.

B-25C: 14
B-25D1: 0, 10 per month through Aug 44, I think I demolished the only ones in theater recently.
B-26: 19
B-26B: 20
Blenheim IV: 111
Wellington Ic: 60, haven't seen a British 2E bomber in a while. They can't last to the Tojo either.

Brit bombers (Blenheim and Welly's) he may not have pilots for ... you've kept him busy.

There are tons of F4F-4s (603), SBD-3s (452) and TBF-1s (363). He'll never run out of any of them.

The Albacore has 39 available. I suspect he's keeping them on his carriers.

Your Achilles heel if you have one ... Ted has not brought out the Navy to play and you haven't been able to lure him, so this is going to be bloody when the DeathStar makes its appearance ...
My only thought here is that you need to really keep your NavSearch active, most espcially your distant Glens ... you need to find, spot, and track his CV's soon, or they will appear out of the mists ....

[RangerJoe]

I am alive but my Internet barely is alive!

Ach, sorry to hear ... I went through that earlier this year ....

The apartment building is being renovated. One cat is highly stressed. He refused to go to the motel when I went there for three weeks, he arrived with only a few days left - he was put into a pet carrier but unfortunately he needed to use the litter box right away.

Then, the elevator was put out of service for three days and should have out for a total of two weeks. It was out for only one week. Unfortunately, I was given money for meals for all of those two weeks and I apparently get to keep the extra money.

So now the manager's office space is being redone. Her office has temporarily moved. So now I have a bunch of piping, and electrical wiring in the way of the wireless signal besides the floor and the walls.

[PaxMondo]

The apartment building is being renovated. ... So now I have a bunch of piping, and electrical wiring in the way of the wireless signal besides the floor and the walls.

Sheesh! Too much drama for me!

[RangerJoe]

Tanker Update
...
Comments? Suggestions?

First, sorry that your Magic Highway is not so much a highway, you're moving some stuff, but not all. Happens.

I would stop dropping a Singers. If you have to reload it, then dropping it there just doubles the work and time, skip Singers and take it straight to CRB/Saigon. Or maybe Johore Bharu? JB can be built to P5, so bigger than Palembang. You could also use Georgetown as a drop point. his assumes that your Magic Highway is working from JB/Georgetown to Fusan ...
This takes care of Palembang and Java ...

Borneo needs to go to CRB/Saigon ...


Babeldoab ... I don't use it, I tend to abandon it early in the war. I can't figure out how to defend it, it sits out there in middle of nowhere, I hate it. So, I use either Manila or Davao as my SE Asian Naval Base. From the PI at this stage I would be going to CRB (25 from Davao, 18 from Manila).


Just my thoughts, use as you see fit ...

Jahore Bahru should be blocking stuff from going to Singapore so that is not an option to dump the resources there. Georgetown is a good port but all of those ports could be built up and smaller convoys could travel to those other ports and unload. The stuff dumped there should then flow to Saigon and CRB, then on into China. If Hong Kong is blocked off by stockpiling at all bases on the roads leading to Hong Kong, then the flow should go into central China and beyond. That is what is desired. Think of the fuel savings from not having to sail to Indochina. Smaller convoys might have to be used but that is something that you can work on. Plus the aerial and naval ASW could be concentrated there while his submarines won't find too many targets. Just make sure to have a DMS minesweeping TF at the mouth of the river from Palembang to the sea.

[RangerJoe]

The apartment building is being renovated. ... So now I have a bunch of piping, and electrical wiring in the way of the wireless signal besides the floor and the walls.

Sheesh! Too much drama for me!

It is a bit much for me and it is too much for my kitties!

But the construction workers do seem to like it when I drop off a bunch of pastries like I did yesterday. I took one bavarian creme filled long john with white icing and sprinkles then I gave them the other 23. Long Johns help to keep you warm, the problem is when you eat to many of them!

[PaxMondo]

....
But the construction workers do seem to like it when I drop off a bunch of pastries like I did yesterday. I took one bavarian creme filled long john with white icing and sprinkles then I gave them the other 23. Long Johns help to keep you warm, the problem is when you eat to many of them!

Oh yeah, LJ's will definitely get into good graces with construction guys ... and you're right, at our age, LJ's are definitely not on the diet plan ...

[RangerJoe]

....
But the construction workers do seem to like it when I drop off a bunch of pastries like I did yesterday. I took one bavarian creme filled long john with white icing and sprinkles then I gave them the other 23. Long Johns help to keep you warm, the problem is when you eat to many of them!

Oh yeah, LJ's will definitely get into good graces with construction guys ... and you're right, at our age, LJ's are definitely not on the diet plan ...

Even worse! I saw part of a manufactured home on a semi-trailer when I went to town. It went up an off ramp to go onto another highway. The problem was that the trailer was not connected to a semi-tractor but there was one about 30 feet ahead.

There were also lemon filled doughnuts with confectioners sugar, fruit filled long johns with frosting, plus apple fritters. it is my way of saying thank you.

The bus system doesn't charge but I did give the driver two hot dogs from the store's deli plus a Bavarian cream filled long john with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. He already had a beverage. That is my way of saying "Thank you!". When I told him that it was Taco Tuesday at the deli, he said that he had no money because he paid the mortgage. I told him that paying the mortgage was more important.

Have fun and try to stay warm during autumn.

[Mike Solli]

Donuts. Now you're talking my language!

My personal favorite is Krispy Kreme. There's a store about 2 miles down the road. The grandsons are VERY familiar with that place. I exercise and run just so I can keep eating donuts.

[Mike Solli]

[quote="Mike Solli" post_id
Here's what I have available:

5 Tonan Whalers (15,350 + 1467 cargo), 15 kt
8 Type-N TL (12,800), 15 kt
9 Type-1 TL (11,600), 18 kt
15 Type-1 TM (8150), 14 kt
11 Manzyu TM (7950), 12 kt
6 Std-B (4275), 14 kt
17 Std-C (2850), 12 kt
30 Type-1 TS (1250), 12 kt
10 Juyusen YO (500), 10 kt

I think in stock the Type-N is 19/15 and I convert all of these to AO while I still have a KB ... but in this mod, maybe this is changed. I don't have it setup to open.

I hate the Type-1 TS ... they are very inefficient.
[/quote]

In this mod, the Type-1 TL converts to an AO with a 10.4k capacity. I haven't converted any this game. I just checked them and every single one of them is in a TF hauling either fuel or oil.

I don't much care for the Type-1 TS either, but they serve their purpose. A few are hauling oil from Babo/Boela, 1 is hauling oil from Bengkalis and the rest are hauling oil/fuel from Miri. All 4 of those bases are pretty much drained all the time.

[Mike Solli]

Tanker Update
...
Comments? Suggestions?

First, sorry that your Magic Highway is not so much a highway, you're moving some stuff, but not all. Happens.

I would stop dropping a Singers. If you have to reload it, then dropping it there just doubles the work and time, skip Singers and take it straight to CRB/Saigon. Or maybe Johore Bharu? JB can be built to P5, so bigger than Palembang. You could also use Georgetown as a drop point. his assumes that your Magic Highway is working from JB/Georgetown to Fusan ...
This takes care of Palembang and Java ...

Borneo needs to go to CRB/Saigon ...


Babeldoab ... I don't use it, I tend to abandon it early in the war. I can't figure out how to defend it, it sits out there in middle of nowhere, I hate it. So, I use either Manila or Davao as my SE Asian Naval Base. From the PI at this stage I would be going to CRB (25 from Davao, 18 from Manila).


Just my thoughts, use as you see fit ...

Good idea about Singapore. I just changed everything leaving Palembang to go straight to Saigon or CRB.

Johore Bahru doesn't work because everything except supply is set to stockpile. I did realize that I need to do something with the oil/fuel that accumulates there and transferred a 1250 capacity TK from Miri to Johore Bahru to move it out. Every little bit helps.

I use Georgetown for the fuel/oil from Medan. I have 6x 8150 TKs working that route and it works like a charm.

I'm shifting my fuel from Balikpapan and my oil from Tarakan to Manila. Babeldaob is just too small a port to handle everything. I'll move it from Manila to the Chinese coast east of HK.

Speaking of the Magic Highway, there was a breakthrough just this turn (that hasn't been posted yet). Until today, there would only be 1-2k oil in port. Today, it jumped to 18k. That's great! The next 11.6k TK I get (in 3 days), is going there.

[Mike Solli]

Here's a pic of what I see when I bombard Chungking. Note the relative weakness of the combat units there. I foresee a collapse of the Chinese army there after another couple of attacks.

It is possible, BUT I have never had that luck at all ... that's why I have to leave a hex side open to 76,44 for them to retreat to. Once I get them out of CK, then they will collapse ...

Last game, I captured Chungking either 1 or 2 Jan 44, just a couple of days before we stopped. I'm really curious to see what happens over the next few weeks.

[Mike Solli]

Here's what I estimate is still flyable:

B-17E: 8
B-17F: 28
B-24D: 0, maybe a couple
B-24D1: 63, replacements are 33 monthly, the rest are finished with replacements and get new aircraft only if a reinforcement squadron arrives with that plane type.

You've done a really good job at attritting his LBA 4E force ... Ted has been helping by sending them out ...

While I'm at it, here are the numbers for fighters:

P-38F: 0
P-38G: 65 with 20 per month through May, the P-38H starts in June at 20 per month
P-39D: 294 with 25 per month through June, haven't seen them in a while, the P-39N1 starts in June at 70 per month
P-40E: 139, I suspect they're used as trainers now
P-40K: 342, 65 per month through July, haven't seen them lately either. Don't think they stand up to my fighters.
Hurricane IIc: 209, they don't do well to the Tojo

P39/P40/Hurri - none of these matter anymore, none of them can handle either the Tojo and certainly not George. This is mid 43, P47 and F4U started earlier in the year and haven't seen any in action, so Ted must be holding them back ... what are your estimates on these two?

Also, what about the Spit V? That should be in play as well by now ...

And we may as well show the 2E bombers too.

B-25C: 14
B-25D1: 0, 10 per month through Aug 44, I think I demolished the only ones in theater recently.
B-26: 19
B-26B: 20
Blenheim IV: 111
Wellington Ic: 60, haven't seen a British 2E bomber in a while. They can't last to the Tojo either.

Brit bombers (Blenheim and Welly's) he may not have pilots for ... you've kept him busy.

There are tons of F4F-4s (603), SBD-3s (452) and TBF-1s (363). He'll never run out of any of them.

The Albacore has 39 available. I suspect he's keeping them on his carriers.

Your Achilles heel if you have one ... Ted has not brought out the Navy to play and you haven't been able to lure him, so this is going to be bloody when the DeathStar makes its appearance ...
My only thought here is that you need to really keep your NavSearch active, most espcially your distant Glens ... you need to find, spot, and track his CV's soon, or they will appear out of the mists ....

Yeah, I've been pretty pleased lately with the 4E attrition. He's rebuilding them so I figure I may not see them until next month. Don't hold me to that. When they do come back, they'll see the N1K2.

Fighters...
F4U-1, 20 losses, 70 on hand, 30 per month through 9/43, in action from Russell Island sweeping Tulagi and Lunga.
F4U-1A, doesn't start until 10/43, 78 per month
P-47D2, doesn't start until 7/43, 56 per month
P-51A, doesn't start until 9/43, 9 per month

Where I calculated what's on hand, I have included replacements for March 43, so the on hand total should be a little less.

The F6F-3 production begins 4/43 at 130 per month. I anticipate upgrading all the carrier fighter squadrons first, which should take 2 months.

Speaking of carriers, I do see them occasionally south of the Solomons. They come out as cover for whatever is happening. I've never actually gotten eyeballs on any of them but I do see a CV TF occasionally, usually estimated at 3 CVs. I actually spotted them a week or less ago game time.

KB will be headed to Truk within a few days. Then, when I sortie KB, it'll be the entirety of KB. And the fast oilers will accompany them, along with ASW TFs and subs assigned only to KB.

KB 3 will arrive in about 3.5 months, composed of Unryu, Amagi and Katsuragi. About 4.5 months after that, KB 4 will arrive, composed of Kasagi, Aso and Ikoma. Each one of those groups will have 189 aircraft. CVLs Chitose and Chiyoda will arrive around the same time as KB 4. When KB 3 arrives, I'll be able to accelerate CV Taiho and CVL Ibuki. Shinano is halted and I'm not sure I'll turn her on.

[Mike Solli]

Tanker Update
...
Comments? Suggestions?

First, sorry that your Magic Highway is not so much a highway, you're moving some stuff, but not all. Happens.

I would stop dropping a Singers. If you have to reload it, then dropping it there just doubles the work and time, skip Singers and take it straight to CRB/Saigon. Or maybe Johore Bharu? JB can be built to P5, so bigger than Palembang. You could also use Georgetown as a drop point. his assumes that your Magic Highway is working from JB/Georgetown to Fusan ...
This takes care of Palembang and Java ...

Borneo needs to go to CRB/Saigon ...


Babeldoab ... I don't use it, I tend to abandon it early in the war. I can't figure out how to defend it, it sits out there in middle of nowhere, I hate it. So, I use either Manila or Davao as my SE Asian Naval Base. From the PI at this stage I would be going to CRB (25 from Davao, 18 from Manila).


Just my thoughts, use as you see fit ...

Jahore Bahru should be blocking stuff from going to Singapore so that is not an option to dump the resources there. Georgetown is a good port but all of those ports could be built up and smaller convoys could travel to those other ports and unload. The stuff dumped there should then flow to Saigon and CRB, then on into China. If Hong Kong is blocked off by stockpiling at all bases on the roads leading to Hong Kong, then the flow should go into central China and beyond. That is what is desired. Think of the fuel savings from not having to sail to Indochina. Smaller convoys might have to be used but that is something that you can work on. Plus the aerial and naval ASW could be concentrated there while his submarines won't find too many targets. Just make sure to have a DMS minesweeping TF at the mouth of the river from Palembang to the sea.

All very good suggestions. I've been thinking of how to adjust my convoys. I have a LOT of ASW TFs and ASW/Naval Search air in that area. Hadn't thought of minesweepers. On the list.

[RangerJoe]

Donuts. Now you're talking my language!

My personal favorite is Krispy Kreme. There's a store about 2 miles down the road. The grandsons are VERY familiar with that place. I exercise and run just so I can keep eating donuts.

I live within 10 miles of the oldest candy factory in my state.

Within a couple of blocks of there, I can buy potica! That is a nice bakery.

A few blocks from this apartment building, there is a fraternal organization that makes delicious pasties!

There are stores around that make various kinds of bratwursts, Italian sausages, and polish sausages. I can also buy porkettas already seasoned or just the seasoning mix.

I think that some people in my building make apple and other strudels and sell them.

[RangerJoe]

First, sorry that your Magic Highway is not so much a highway, you're moving some stuff, but not all. Happens.

I would stop dropping a Singers. If you have to reload it, then dropping it there just doubles the work and time, skip Singers and take it straight to CRB/Saigon. Or maybe Johore Bharu? JB can be built to P5, so bigger than Palembang. You could also use Georgetown as a drop point. his assumes that your Magic Highway is working from JB/Georgetown to Fusan ...
This takes care of Palembang and Java ...

Borneo needs to go to CRB/Saigon ...


Babeldoab ... I don't use it, I tend to abandon it early in the war. I can't figure out how to defend it, it sits out there in middle of nowhere, I hate it. So, I use either Manila or Davao as my SE Asian Naval Base. From the PI at this stage I would be going to CRB (25 from Davao, 18 from Manila).


Just my thoughts, use as you see fit ...

Jahore Bahru should be blocking stuff from going to Singapore so that is not an option to dump the resources there. Georgetown is a good port but all of those ports could be built up and smaller convoys could travel to those other ports and unload. The stuff dumped there should then flow to Saigon and CRB, then on into China. If Hong Kong is blocked off by stockpiling at all bases on the roads leading to Hong Kong, then the flow should go into central China and beyond. That is what is desired. Think of the fuel savings from not having to sail to Indochina. Smaller convoys might have to be used but that is something that you can work on. Plus the aerial and naval ASW could be concentrated there while his submarines won't find too many targets. Just make sure to have a DMS minesweeping TF at the mouth of the river from Palembang to the sea.

All very good suggestions. I've been thinking of how to adjust my convoys. I have a LOT of ASW TFs and ASW/Naval Search air in that area. Hadn't thought of minesweepers. On the list.

Mines don't work in the rivers but that is a good hex for an offensive minefield to kill loaded tankers. They can also do their own ASW. Which is one reason why I don't care to convert too many to escorts.

[Mike Solli]

7 Mar 43

Sub War

The I-158, patrolling east of Darwin, caught an xAKL on a supply run to Darwin. She surfaced and pumped some shells into her. Getting bored with that, she torpedoed and sank her.

5 Fleet

The airfield is repaired and the port repairs have (barely) begun with its damage down to 99. I anticipate 4-5 days to fully repair the port.

4 Fleet

The PB4Y-1s have given up on their attempt to harass Johnston Island. I'm pulling out the Georges, but it'll take a few days to repair and pull them all out.

SE Fleet

Three squadrons of Corsairs, with 12, 7 and 7 aircraft, swept Munda, Lunga and Tulagi. I like the fact that he's spreading them out. I need to plan another ambush to whittle them down.

That was the only enemy air action in this AO. Not a single medium or heavy bomber was spotted. After the recent losses, I suspect Ted is rebuilding and resting the remnants. They'll be back, but hopefully, I'll have the N1K2 George in place. I have 25 in the pool and gain 5 per day. In 15 days, I'll have all of the IJN fighters in this AO outfitted with them.

SRA

The 18 Oscars at Saumlaki have upgraded to the Ki-43-IIb, which is armored and had the ability to sweep Darwin at normal range. They spend most of their time training defense, but every now and then, when I see a few fighters at Darwin, they get some live action training in. More often than not, they encounter Wildcats there.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 14 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 3971 (+137)
China: 1337 (-1) - The unit that arrived yesterday was 24 Group Army. Yay!
Enemy strength: 252k (+2k)
Enemy units: 70 units (+1)
Guns: 236 (-24)

A total of 6 battered divisions have left Chungking and are enroute to Neikiang for R&R. I don't think they will participate in the next attack. Their total AV is 407. To counter this loss, a full strength, 81 experience division of 418 AV will arrive in Chungking in the next day or 2.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

Jahore Bahru should be blocking stuff from going to Singapore so that is not an option to dump the resources there. Georgetown is a good port but all of those ports could be built up and smaller convoys could travel to those other ports and unload. The stuff dumped there should then flow to Saigon and CRB, then on into China. If Hong Kong is blocked off by stockpiling at all bases on the roads leading to Hong Kong, then the flow should go into central China and beyond. That is what is desired. Think of the fuel savings from not having to sail to Indochina. Smaller convoys might have to be used but that is something that you can work on. Plus the aerial and naval ASW could be concentrated there while his submarines won't find too many targets. Just make sure to have a DMS minesweeping TF at the mouth of the river from Palembang to the sea.

All very good suggestions. I've been thinking of how to adjust my convoys. I have a LOT of ASW TFs and ASW/Naval Search air in that area. Hadn't thought of minesweepers. On the list.

Mines don't work in the rivers but that is a good hex for an offensive minefield to kill loaded tankers. They can also do their own ASW. Which is one reason why I don't care to convert too many to escorts.

I always convert them to E types. In this mod, I get about a billion coastal minesweepers that I have scattered all over. I'll place a few there.

[Mike Solli]

By the way, there's something interesting in this mod. All of the DMS convert to E, then in 1/44, some convert back to DMS!