War Plan Orange Scenario #4: "Pacific Jutland" Test AAR

[Tankerace]

Moves for Valentines Day, 1928.

Japan

The enemy is blockading us. Rather than meet him, I will stay with the transports, let him harpoon himself on my CD guns, and attack!

Britain

England Expects Everyman To Do His Duty.

Results:

The English were cocky. The Battle for Formosa was a complete DISASTER.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/14/28

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
BB Settsu, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
CL Naka
DD No. 43
DD No. 19
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 4
BB Resolution, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Vanguard, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB Superb, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Temeraire, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 5
BB Dreadnought, Shell hits 5
CL Danae, Shell hits 5
CL Dauntless
DD Bruce
DD Truculent, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Vectis
DD Vega, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Settsu, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai
CL Naka
DD No. 43
DD No. 19
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
BB Vanguard, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
BB Superb, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Temeraire, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB Dreadnought, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Danae
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bruce, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Truculent, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vectis, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vega

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa, Shell hits 1
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, on fire
BB Mutsu, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Settsu
CL Sendai
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD No. 43
DD No. 19, Shell hits 1
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive
BB Warspite, Shell hits 2
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Malaya
BB Barham, Shell hits 7, on fire
BB Colossus
BB Neptune
BB St. Vincent, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Collingwood, Shell hits 1
CL Effingham, Shell hits 1
DD Broke
DD Venetia, Shell hits 3, on fire

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Fairey IIIF: 8 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi, Shell hits 1
BC Akagi
BC Atago
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei, Shell hits 1, on fire
BC Krishima, Shell hits 1, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Kako
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Warspite, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
BB Malaya, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
BB Barham, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
BB Colossus, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Neptune, Shell hits 8, on fire
BB Collingwood, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Effingham, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Broke, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Venetia, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi
BC Atago, Shell hits 8
BC Takao, Shell hits 4
BC Kongo, Shell hits 2
BC Hiei, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BC Krishima, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Benbow, Shell hits 36, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Erin, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
BB Agincourt, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
BB Centurion, Shell hits 34, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Orion, Shell hits 45, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Conqueror, Shell hits 2
BB Monarch, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
CL Calcutta, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Capetown, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi
BC Atago, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
BC Takao, Shell hits 7
BC Kongo
BC Hiei, on fire, heavy damage
BC Krishima, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27, on fire, heavy damage
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Erin, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
BB Centurion, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 37, on fire, heavy damage
BB Conqueror, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Monarch, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
CL Calcutta, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Kasuga
CA Nisshin
CL Oi
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD No.13
DD No.15
DD No.17
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
BB Malaya, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Barham, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Neptune, on fire
BB Collingwood, on fire, heavy damage
CL Effingham, and is sunk
DD Venetia, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Kasuga
CA Nisshin, Shell hits 2
CL Oi
CL Kiso, on fire
DD No.13
DD No.15
DD No.17
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, on fire
BB Vanguard, and is sunk
BB Superb, and is sunk
BB Temeraire, and is sunk
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Dreadnought, and is sunk
CL Danae, Shell hits 2
CL Dauntless, and is sunk
DD Bruce, and is sunk
DD Truculent, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, and is sunk
DD Vectis, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vega

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Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 5

Allied aircraft
Sopwith Cuckoo x 5
de Havilland DH-9A x 2
Bristol F2b x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi 1MF4: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sopwith Cuckoo: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
de Havilland DH-9A: 2 destroyed
Bristol F2b: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x de Havilland DH-9A bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,44

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi B1M2: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 4

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 7F1 Snipe x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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Day Air attack on TF at 51,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi B1M2: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Anson

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 02/14/28

Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 50,44 , Speed 5 , Moving Southwest
Mitsubishi B1M2 sighting report: 4 Allied ships at 51,43 , Speed 10 , Moving Northeast
Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 4 Allied ships at 50,44 , Speed 7 , Moving Southwest
Mitsubishi B1M2 sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 49,45 , Speed 7 , Moving Southwest
Takao expands port to size 4
Clark Field expands airfield to size 5

End results of the main battles of the night:

Atago and Hiei will sink enroute for repairs, Krishima and Mutsu will be under repair for a year, and several other BBs and cruisers will need repair.

After the battle, Centurion, Thunderer, and Conquerer foundered. Barham, Collingwood, and Royal Oak will sink enroute home, Royal Soverign may never return to service, Ramilles, Bellerophon, and Neptune should survive, but will be under repair for a year. Of the 34 British battleships that started the scenario, only Hercules (relatively undamaged) Ajax, Marlborough, King George V, Empress of India, Iron Duke, Ramilles, Bellerophon, Neptuneand Agamemnon survive. Of those, only Hercules and Agamemnon are fit for battle.

Though I think I need to tweak the game a bit (a 12" British shell couldn't penetrate Settsu at 8,000 yards), does anyone else think WitP can't produce a Jutland? 24 Battleships sunk in one night. That is far worse than Jutland ever was, both sides combined.

The Scenario is over, a clear cut win for Japan.

Both sides started with about 5100 VPs, but Japan has 9185, Britain 6090. Britains naval force is limited to 2 Dreadnoughts, 1 OBB, 2 CVs, and 10 BCs. Japan has 9 Dreads (1 of which is OC), 8 BCs, and a fair number of OBBs.

[Tankerace]

Lessons learned from the test AAR about War Plan Orange:

1) Its fun ( I had a blast).
2) Aircraft are no where near WW2 standards, nor what Billy Mitchell predicted. However, they can harass a battle line, and give the enemy advance warning. Also, after the battle they may finish off crippled ships.
3) British gunnery is horrible
4) British night Fighting is horrible
5) Numbers 3 and 4 don't mix
6) Japanese OBBs are especially vulnerable, moreso than their Allied counterparts
7) Japan has superb nightfighting ability (will be dumbed down). Use it against a superior enemy
8) Superiority counts for beans. I went in to the "Battle of Formosa" looking for a British Win, and the limeys got stomped.
9) Submarines are invaluable. Even if a torpedo never hits, there scouting is worth the boats weight in gold
10) Flak is particularly deadly to low flying bombers.
11) Bombing Accuracy improves over time, however it is nowhere near WitP, and Op losses are very high.
12) Torpedo Bombers can only carry fish out to 60 miles. So, to avoid this problem, always sail 2 hexes off the coast of an island.
13) Scouting planes, while common in the late 1920s, are a luxury early on. Protect their ships at all costs.

[mlees]

Some details of the map setup, if you don't mind.

The players will be slashing at each others battle lines for two game years or more, right?

My biggest speedbump with the British forces in the Far East in the standard game is lack of adequate repair facilities. You have to go to the US west coast for major repairs to the large ships. Japan is more centerally located, and has better interior LOC. A crippled Repulse or brit flattop has to sail around the map edge to get to the US, so the distance is multiplied somewhat. (Boo Hoo, I Know. Call 1-800-cry-baby.) Are there nonhistorical repair facilities for the Alliance ships in the Far East to speed up repairs a little?

After all, there will be a lot more (slower) Capital ships operating in the China Sea (on the Allied side) than are usually found in the standard game.

I saw lots of air attacks (even if they were ineffective, mostly) in your AAR. Were there that many airfields available in reality? Also, are there heaps of engineers to build up these facilities, or did you trim their numbers somewhat, compared to the standard game?

I saw no minefields mentioned. Were mines of the day just as potent as they can be in the standard game? Do the players get to "rebuild" AK's into auxiliary ships (like MLE's)?


Thanks!!

[Tankerace]

First off, this AAR was of a small, 2 month max scenario. In the Big tomale, the majority of the British fleet arrives on the US west Coast via the Panama Canal. It is quicker than going around the world, plus they can take advantage of supply lines.

None of mainland CHina is occupied (at the beginning anyway). So, if your ship gets creamed off Formosa, make a run for HK, the PI, or China.

This PBEM scenario occurs in 1928. I am assuming, for game purposes, that the Japanese have built up Airfields in Pescadores, Tainan, and Taipei. In the grand campaigns (the 2+ years) Air fields will consist only of those in Japan, India and Ceylon, a small one at PH, and the US West Coast. In the full thing, you will need engineers to build up airfields.

As to mines, those are tricky. In this AAR I hit no mines, but in a previous test I hit some. I don't think Formosa is mined. That was a carry over from the grand campaign. I'll fix that, along with some other bugs.

For Gameplay purposes, the Best Brit repair yards are:

Karachi, Ceylon, Hong Kong. Each is big enough to repair damaged ships, but not several damaged, or heavily damaged. However, aside from older dreadnoughts that arrive throughout the game, the majority of the British Fleet arrives of the West Coast. So, like the Americans, if damaged off the PI, you are gonna have to limp to China, HK, PI, or Australia. Such were the logistics of the day.

Players get to rebuild ships, however as stated previous, MLEs and AVs did not exist in the 1920s. These 2 options, on both sides, convert AKs into ASW Q ships.

This scenario lasted 14 days (originally what I had envisioned). However, in its final form, 2 humans should be able to tretch it out at least a month.

This scenario was not finished per se when I ran it, but finished enough to gauge things and test. I'll put the finishing touches on it (and with luck the others) this weekend, and can hopefully do more AARs in a few days.

[mlees]

OK, thanks! Sorry if I asked questions that were answered over and over. My memory is getting more spotty as I sprout grey hairs...

[Tankerace]

Hey, no worries my friend. I can understand your questions, and its ok.

One other note....

the British withdrawl still exists. So theres one way to offload a battered hulk [:D]

[Tankerace]

Also some lessons I noted, while I didn't mean to, I created very unbalanced TFs for Britain.

TF1001: 5 QE's with 15" guns, 2 Colossus, 1 Neptune, 2 St. Vincents all with 12"guns

TF1002: 5 R class with 15" guns, 3 Bellerophons, 1 St. VIncent, 1 Dreadnought with 12" guns

TF1003: 4 Iron Dukes, 3 KGVs, Erin, and 4 Orions with 13.5" Guns, and Agincourt with 12" guns.

WHat I should have done is give each TF a mix of 15, 13.5, and 12 " guns. TFs 1001 and 1002, once they got into battle, were effectively 5 BBs until 16,000 yards or so, and would get pummeled. TF1003 wouldn't even be able to fire until 22,000, well in range of Japanese 16.1" guns.

I think what I should have done is this

TF1001 3 QEs (rebuilt), 4 Orions,1 King George V, 3 St. VIncents

TF1002 3 Rs, 2 Iron Dukes,2 King George V, Agincourt, 3 Bellerophons

TF1004 2 Rs, 2 QEs, Erin, 2 Iron Dukes, 2 Colossus, 1 Neptune, Dreadnought

That creates 3 TFs of 11 BBs, instead of 2 of 10 and 1 of 14. It also means a good distribution of firepower:

TF1001 3 15", 5 13.5", 3 12"
TF1002 3 15", 4 13.5", 4 12"
TF1003 4 15", 3 13.5", 4 12"

Now each side can return fire, and the 12" dreadnoughts are spread out so as to not be a liability or a hindrance. If I had done this, I might have gotten better results yesterday.

[Tankerace]

To test something else, I am rearrangeing my battle groups, and am going to pull my British ships out. Then, instead of a night battle on the 14th, I'll try for a day one on the 15th.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/14/28

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Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 5

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 7F1 Snipe x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 5

Allied aircraft
Sopwith Cuckoo x 5
Bristol F2b x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Sopwith Cuckoo: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 5000 feet

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 02/14/28

Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 10 Allied ships at 53,42 , Speed 4 , Moving Northeast
Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 10 Allied ships at 53,42 , Speed 21 , Moving Northeast
Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 10 Allied ships at 53,42 , Speed 13 , Moving Northeast
Heinkel HD25 sighting report: 7 Allied ships at 52,45 , Speed 10 , Moving East
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 52,44 , Speed 8 , Moving East
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 52,44 , Speed 11 , Moving East
Changchun expands airfield to size 2
Takao expands port to size 4
Clark Field expands airfield to size 5

Hrm.... Im starting to think either 1) I have rated British ships too low, or that WitP's code is heavily biased in favor of Japan. The 3 British TFs attacked 2 Japanese, in broad daylight. 1st Round, Allied force is surprised. 2nd Round (with burning Japanese ships) Allied Force is surprised.... In fact, only the round against the convoy and 1 other did the Allies NOT get surprised.... I'll have a look, and either dumb down the Japanese or up the Brits.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/15/28

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Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 7

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 7F1 Snipe x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 3

Allied aircraft
Sopwith Cuckoo x 3
Bristol F2b x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi 1MF4: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sopwith Cuckoo: 2 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 5000 feet
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa, Shell hits 3
BB Kaga, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Nagato, Shell hits 6
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 5
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso, Shell hits 2
BB Yamashiro
BB Settsu, Shell hits 10
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD No. 43
DD No. 19, Shell hits 4
DD No. 21, Shell hits 1
DD No. 23, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 11, on fire
BB Vanguard, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Superb, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
BB Temeraire, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
BB Dreadnought, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Danae, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 10
DD Bruce, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Truculent, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Retreiver, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Vectis, Shell hits 3
DD Vega, Shell hits 2, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa
BB Kaga, on fire
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Ise, Shell hits 5
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
BB Settsu, Shell hits 1
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
CL Naka, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD No. 43
DD No. 19
DD No. 21
DD No. 23, on fire
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BC Hood, Shell hits 1, on fire
BC Anson, Shell hits 4, on fire
BC Repulse, Shell hits 5, on fire
BC Renown, Shell hits 2, on fire
BC Tiger, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BC Lion, Shell hits 8
BC Australia, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
BC New Zealand, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BC Indomitable, Shell hits 4
BC Inflexible, Shell hits 3
CL Courageous, Shell hits 4
CL Glorious, Shell hits 1
DD Valorous, Shell hits 1
DD Vampire
DD Rapid, Shell hits 1

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi, Shell hits 1
BC Akagi, Shell hits 3, on fire
BC Atago
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei
BC Krishima, Shell hits 1
BC Haruna, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Kako, Shell hits 1
DD No. 27, Shell hits 2
DD No. 29, Shell hits 1
DD No. 30
DD No. 31, Shell hits 1
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BC Hood, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
BC Anson, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BC Repulse, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BC Renown, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
BC Tiger, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
BC Lion, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
BC Australia, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
BC New Zealand, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
BC Indomitable, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BC Inflexible, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CL Courageous, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glorious, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Valorous, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Vampire, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Rapid, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi, on fire, heavy damage
BC Atago
BC Takao, Shell hits 2
BC Kongo, Shell hits 1
BC Hiei
BC Krishima
BC Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB Warspite, Shell hits 1
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 10
BB Erin, Shell hits 9, on fire
BB Agincourt, Shell hits 10
BB Colossus, Shell hits 2
BB Neptune, Shell hits 8
BB St. Vincent, Shell hits 3
BB Collingwood, Shell hits 2
CL Effingham, Shell hits 3
DD Broke
DD Venetia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi, on fire, heavy damage
BC Atago
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei
BC Krishima
BC Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Warspite
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 1
BB Erin, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Agincourt, Shell hits 2
BB Colossus, Shell hits 2
BB Neptune, Shell hits 1
BB St. Vincent, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Collingwood
CL Effingham
DD Broke
DD Venetia

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi, on fire, heavy damage
BC Atago, Shell hits 1
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei
BC Krishima
BC Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Kako, Shell hits 1
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Malaya, Shell hits 2
BB Barham, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 1
BB Benbow
BB Centurion
BB Orion
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 1
BB Conqueror
BB Monarch, Shell hits 1
CL Calcutta
CL Capetown, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi, Shell hits 1
BC Akagi, on fire, heavy damage
BC Atago, Shell hits 1
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei, Shell hits 1
BC Krishima
BC Haruna, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kako
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Malaya, Shell hits 1
BB Barham, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 2
BB Benbow, Shell hits 1
BB Centurion, Shell hits 1
BB Orion, Shell hits 1
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 1
BB Conqueror
BB Monarch
CL Calcutta
CL Capetown

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
DD Urukaze, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AP Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 2
AK Bizen Maru
AP Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP Hokusho Maru
AP Hukuyo Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AK Holland Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Jokuja Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaisho Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Karimo Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AP Keisyo Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Kinjosan Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AK Kongo Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koshu Maru #3
AP Kureha Maru #3, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AP Kurohime Maru
AP Taganoura Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Tihuku Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Utide Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Malaya
BB Barham, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 1
BB Benbow
BB Centurion
BB Orion
BB Thunderer
BB Conqueror
BB Monarch, Shell hits 2
CL Calcutta
CL Capetown

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 02/15/28

Sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 50,43 , Speed 12 , Moving West
Sighting report: 10 Allied ships at 50,43 , Speed 10 , Moving West
Sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 50,43 , Speed 22 , Moving West
Sighting report: 6 Allied ships at 50,43 , Speed 12 , Moving Northwest
Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 49,46 , Speed 0
Aichi AB2 Type 2 has spotted Vanguard at 50,43
Aichi AB2 Type 2 has spotted Renown at 50,43
Aichi AB2 Type 2 has spotted Thunderer at 50,43
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 50,43 , Speed 13 , Moving Northwest
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 50,43 , Speed 11 , Moving West
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 5 Japanese ships at 49,43 , Speed 8 , Moving Southwest
Fairey IIIF sighting report: 2 Japanese ships at 50,43 , Speed 5 , Moving West
Aichi AB2 Type 2 has spotted Superb at 50,43
Heinkel HD25 has spotted Royal Sovereign at 50,43
Aichi AB2 Type 2 has spotted Royal Sovereign at 50,43
Mitsubishi B1M2 has spotted Warspite at 50,43
Homan expands airfield to size 2
Perth expands airfield to size 1

[Kobe for Prez]

Looks great. Can't wait to get my hands on this little gem.

[Ron Saueracker]

Yeah, the RN was never that outclassed. Japan needs some tweeking for sure.

[Tankerace]

Well, the main problem with the RN are most of its dreadnoughts are using 12" and 13.5" guns, which are outranged by Japanese 14 and 16.1" guns. Still, I have (and am) tweaking it to balance it out more.

EDIT: plus, I also made British guns fairly crappy, to represent poor fire control. I may have to "uncrap" it a wee bit.

[Bobthehatchit]

ORIGINAL: Tankerace

Moves for Valentines Day, 1928.

Japan

The enemy is blockading us. Rather than meet him, I will stay with the transports, let him harpoon himself on my CD guns, and attack!

Britain

England Expects Everyman To Do His Duty.

Results:

The English were cocky. The Battle for Formosa was a complete DISASTER.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/14/28

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
BB Settsu, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
CL Naka
DD No. 43
DD No. 19
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 4
BB Resolution, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Vanguard, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB Superb, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Temeraire, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 5
BB Dreadnought, Shell hits 5
CL Danae, Shell hits 5
CL Dauntless
DD Bruce
DD Truculent, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Vectis
DD Vega, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Settsu, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai
CL Naka
DD No. 43
DD No. 19
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
BB Vanguard, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
BB Superb, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Temeraire, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB Dreadnought, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Danae
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bruce, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Truculent, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vectis, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vega

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BB Tosa, Shell hits 1
BB Kaga
BB Nagato, on fire
BB Mutsu, on fire
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Settsu
CL Sendai
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD No. 43
DD No. 19, Shell hits 1
DD No. 21
DD No. 23
DD No. 25

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive
BB Warspite, Shell hits 2
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Malaya
BB Barham, Shell hits 7, on fire
BB Colossus
BB Neptune
BB St. Vincent, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Collingwood, Shell hits 1
CL Effingham, Shell hits 1
DD Broke
DD Venetia, Shell hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Fairey IIIF: 8 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi, Shell hits 1
BC Akagi
BC Atago
BC Takao
BC Kongo
BC Hiei, Shell hits 1, on fire
BC Krishima, Shell hits 1, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Kako
DD No. 27
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
CL Vindictive, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Warspite, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
BB Malaya, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
BB Barham, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
BB Colossus, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Neptune, Shell hits 8, on fire
BB Collingwood, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Effingham, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Broke, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Venetia, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi
BC Atago, Shell hits 8
BC Takao, Shell hits 4
BC Kongo, Shell hits 2
BC Hiei, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BC Krishima, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Benbow, Shell hits 36, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Erin, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
BB Agincourt, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
BB Centurion, Shell hits 34, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Orion, Shell hits 45, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Conqueror, Shell hits 2
BB Monarch, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
CL Calcutta, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Capetown, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
BC Amagi
BC Akagi
BC Atago, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
BC Takao, Shell hits 7
BC Kongo
BC Hiei, on fire, heavy damage
BC Krishima, on fire
BC Haruna
CL Jintsu
CL Kako
DD No. 27, on fire, heavy damage
DD No. 29
DD No. 30
DD No. 31
DD No. 32

Allied Ships
BB Erin, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
BB Centurion, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 37, on fire, heavy damage
BB Conqueror, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Monarch, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
CL Calcutta, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Kasuga
CA Nisshin
CL Oi
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD No.13
DD No.15
DD No.17
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
BB Malaya, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Barham, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Neptune, on fire
BB Collingwood, on fire, heavy damage
CL Effingham, and is sunk
DD Venetia, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Taipei at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Kasuga
CA Nisshin, Shell hits 2
CL Oi
CL Kiso, on fire
DD No.13
DD No.15
DD No.17
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, on fire
BB Vanguard, and is sunk
BB Superb, and is sunk
BB Temeraire, and is sunk
BB Bellerophon, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Dreadnought, and is sunk
CL Danae, Shell hits 2
CL Dauntless, and is sunk
DD Bruce, and is sunk
DD Truculent, on fire, heavy damage
DD Retreiver, and is sunk
DD Vectis, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vega

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 5

Allied aircraft
Sopwith Cuckoo x 5
de Havilland DH-9A x 2
Bristol F2b x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi 1MF4: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Sopwith Cuckoo: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
de Havilland DH-9A: 2 destroyed
Bristol F2b: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x de Havilland DH-9A bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,44

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi B1M2: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Royal Oak, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 4

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 7F1 Snipe x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 51,43

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi B1M2: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Anson

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 bombing at 5000 feet

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 02/14/28

Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 50,44 , Speed 5 , Moving Southwest
Mitsubishi B1M2 sighting report: 4 Allied ships at 51,43 , Speed 10 , Moving Northeast
Kawasaki KDA-2 sighting report: 4 Allied ships at 50,44 , Speed 7 , Moving Southwest
Mitsubishi B1M2 sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 49,45 , Speed 7 , Moving Southwest
Takao expands port to size 4
Clark Field expands airfield to size 5

End results of the main battles of the night:

Atago and Hiei will sink enroute for repairs, Krishima and Mutsu will be under repair for a year, and several other BBs and cruisers will need repair.

After the battle, Centurion, Thunderer, and Conquerer foundered. Barham, Collingwood, and Royal Oak will sink enroute home, Royal Soverign may never return to service, Ramilles, Bellerophon, and Neptune should survive, but will be under repair for a year. Of the 34 British battleships that started the scenario, only Hercules (relatively undamaged) Ajax, Marlborough, King George V, Empress of India, Iron Duke, Ramilles, Bellerophon, Neptuneand Agamemnon survive. Of those, only Hercules and Agamemnon are fit for battle.

Though I think I need to tweak the game a bit (a 12" British shell couldn't penetrate Settsu at 8,000 yards), does anyone else think WitP can't produce a Jutland? 24 Battleships sunk in one night. That is far worse than Jutland ever was, both sides combined.

The Scenario is over, a clear cut win for Japan.

Both sides started with about 5100 VPs, but Japan has 9185, Britain 6090. Britains naval force is limited to 2 Dreadnoughts, 1 OBB, 2 CVs, and 10 BCs. Japan has 9 Dreads (1 of which is OC), 8 BCs, and a fair number of OBBs.

Allied Ships
BB Erin, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Damit thats my ship![:@] bang goes my naval career![:D]

[Tankerace]

LOL, I wouldn't worry about it. I have tweaked the nighttime exp values for Japan, they should be just as crappy as everyone else now. Plus, I tweaked the range of their guns, so it shouldn't be so one sided.

[Iridium]

ORIGINAL: Tankerace

LOL, I wouldn't worry about it. I have tweaked the nighttime exp values for Japan, they should be just as crappy as everyone else now. Plus, I tweaked the range of their guns, so it shouldn't be so one sided.

Wait, you tweaked the ranges?...Are you trying to make a balanced game or a simulation?...[:D]Not that Japan should completely outclass the Brits but wasn't the Fuso the largest and arguably the most powerful BB when finished? I guess I can see making the ranges not so much greater than the British guns so as to make it a cake walk. Still, I have reservations about messing with the true statistics. Dunno, I'd have to say if its a game breaker then go for it...

[Tankerace]

No no, I had to tweak the ranges because originally, I used the stock War in the Pacific ranges, which I forgot were of a turret with a 43 degree elevation.

In the 1930's, for instance, the Japanese battleships with 14" (35cm) guns were modernized, and their turrets given a 43 degree elevation yielding a 38,770 yard range. This was the value I initially used. However, I forgot that in the early 1920's, their turrets only had a 25 degree elevation, yielding around 29,000 yard range, and then they were modernized in the late 1920's with a 33 degree elevation, yielding about 33,000 yards.

I didn't input ranges I thought would balance the game, I strove to make it more historical. In the early period of the game, all Japanese ships with the 35cm gun have a range of 29,000 yards. This represents their original turrets. When they are modernized in the late 1920's, their retain these weapons, but the range is increased to 33,000 yards. They still have a longer range thatn other nations, but now they are using historically correct gun values.

You also see this on the American side. Starting out, US battleship guns have similar elevation, and hence shorter ranges than in WiTP. However, for most (not all) by 1927-1930, their guns have higher elevation, and thus longer range.

[Iridium]

So, for example the Fuso has the original (Japanese made 41-Shiki) turrets which had only a firing arc of 0 to +30 degrees. Then you can put Fuso in for upgrades and it eventually gets refitted to increase the firing arc to -3 to +43 degrees. Note that the sources I posses on the 41-Shiki turret give ranges of 27,800 yards, then after the `30-`33 refit they range 35,450 yards.

Aside from all that, armor and engines were upgraded in this one instance. Though it did take till '35 for all that to be completed from what I can see.

I think that the only Japanese ship to posess the Vickers type turret that had a firing arc of -3 to +33 degrees with a range of 28,600 yards was the Kongo.

Not sure if this tells you anything new, but just wanted to make sure...[:'(]

[Andy Mac]

Hmmm RN seemed to get a real kicking in reasonably good conditions may need some tweaking would they really have been that bad !!!.

Does the RN get the Nelson or Rodney to offset those big gunned IJN and US ships

Andy

[Tankerace]

Yeah, ranges have since been tweaked, to more historical results.

Sorry about Nelson and Rodney, but since they were Treaty designs, they aren't included. That said, their original designs (the G3s) that were scaled down to produce the Nelsons are included. Granted they are battlecruisers, but they have the same 9 16" guns as the Nelsons, and you get three of them instead of two.