PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[Alikchi2]

In which case:

http://www.peacefire.org

http://zensur.freerk.com/

[8D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Saudi Arabia?!?![X(]
Haven't you taken your final examination at the University few months ago? ...if i can ask: what's your specialyzation? Oil-plants engeneering?

BTW: Great job as always! Your sub hunting tactic is defenetly a must that has to be learnt by all the jap fanboys![;)]

[PzB74]

Well, I've only applied for a job in SA..but it's hard to actually get a job you want without
years of practical experience. SA would be interesting - as well as challenging. When in Rome
do as the romans, right [;)]

I've specialized in the role of knowledge management in SAP implementation Hoepner. Lots of
oil companies are installing new ERP systems and my thesis examined how knowledge management
can improve the implementation processes and achieve long term strategic business advantages. Purchasing
proprietary systems doesn't provide strategic advantages in itself, so you have to develop core
capabilities...don't get me started <G>

The campaign against Allied subs will be a long and hard one - I think it's the player that's most
patient and structured that will win. Ken has to constantly move his subs around and still keep them
in my shipping lanes. I have to hunt them down aggressively with adequate forces and organize my
convoys in the best possible manner.

I think that experienced Japanese army bomber formation (Sally's and Lily's) are much more useful in
an asw role. Sending them against heavily protected Allied bases will only reduce their strength without
much gain. When I've finished training 150-200 Betty bombers I will move them to the DEI and Central
Pacific and place them on asw missions as well. When I need them for anti shipping missions it will only
take a couple of days to move them.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/09/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

The Hokuroko Maru is carrying an aviation reg remnant that was left behind when the
convoy headed towards the DEI. She's a size 7000 ak and should reach port in time to
unload her cargo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 39,69

Japanese Ships
AK Hokuroku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.25

Allied Ships
SS Trout

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new carrier Unryu

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I think that experienced Japanese army bomber formation (Sally's and Lily's) are much more useful in
an asw role. Sending them against heavily protected Allied bases will only reduce their strength without
much gain. When I've finished training 150-200 Betty bombers I will move them to the DEI and Central
Pacific and place them on asw missions as well. When I need them for anti shipping missions it will only
take a couple of days to move them.

Are you not going to use them in a land bombing mode anymore? By this period do you feel it's just not worth the cost?

[PzB74]

For the time being it's not worthwhile Mike! There are dozens of capable enemy fighters over every Allied
target in the south Pacific and China has been pacified. When Ken go onto the offensive I will hit bases and
convoys that are weakly defended.

Many bases now got a size 4 af, base units, 9 forts and 15-20k supplies. If Ken bypasses these I will base
highly experienced bombers there now and then and snipe at his convoys.

Another plan is to use my subs with search planes: by sending 6-8 to the area between the West Coast and PH
I can wait until several enemy TF's have been spotted and then send in 1-2 fast carrier strike TF's.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/10/43

Air Combat

I'm using all my Helen's in China, will hit strategic targets in the capital
and the northern most base in the coming weeks.

A construction unit has been fast transported to Majuro and Torokina. Need a size 1
af so the bases can receive supplies and reinforcements from the air.

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-48 Lily x 12
Ki-49 Helen x 71

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 1 destroyed
IL-4c: 2 destroyed
SB-2c: 3 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Heavy Industry hits 2
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 33

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
All Ki-49 Helen bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[toraq]

Spanish HQ have been studying your last movements and they are quite surprised of your inactivity. [&:]

1) It is still possible to plan some kind of offensive in order to get some tactical advantadge.

2) Invading new islands may not be possible (but you still can, with a fantastic plan, of course [;)]). I think you main goal now is to destroy as many possible CVs. This should be archieved ASAP.

3) Hellcats will arrive soon. And they´ll be the killers of your KB...I encourage you to read the fremen AAR. Hellcats were responsible of destroying every single Zeke (75 exp pilots) of the KB. About 160 of them were shot down in one day! so were able SBDs scracht two or three jap. CVs.

4) I know that your KB is being refitted in Tokyo, but some new AA guns won´t stop waves of SBD if the CAP is wiped out by Hellcats. I think you should send your CVs, and engage American CVs before Hellcats arrive or before US CVs are too many.

5) A good plan should confuse US navy...send the KB to attack his supply lines or something like that. American CV must be destroyed!!.[:'(]

Well, that´s my opinion...I little bit aggresive but I think japs should take the offensive as far as they got the power to do it. However, I understand that you may have some other plans, [:)]. But what are you plans? You have detailed your "strategic view" for the next years but what happen with your tactical plans? This is one thing that worries me...[&:].

Good AAR and good game [:)]

[PzB74]

Hi Toraq, we always appreciate input from our 'sleeper cell' in Spain [;)]
A sudden invasion of Gibraltar would be appreciated at this time <G>

As you know, we are planning offensive action in the form of fast carrier raids on American shipping.
This is only possible because we still got a tactical advantage based on the events in 1942! Carrier parity has
been achieved throughout 1943, but it would be wrong to sacrifice this for uncertain gains. The KB must be used
in combination with strong LBA to thwart future US invasions. If LBA can wear down the US carrier CAP the KB
can deliver a lethal counter strike! We're confident that our advanced fighters (Tony's, Tojos' - and soon George's
and Frank's) can back up our Zeke's and achieve this.

So even though the initiative is still ours, the strategic situation doesn't favor another all out invasion - for the time being.
The biggest problem: We don't know were the US carriers are. They struck at Wake, so Ken's probably keeping them at PH. It's
too dangeous to raid PH now....

But rest assured, if a favorable situation should appear we will seize the opportunity asap.

One possiblity would be to place search plane equipped subs to the west of Wake and place the KB at Saipan. If Ken decides to
strike Wake again his carriers could be attacked.

Again, this plan is based upon a pro-active defense and relies upon what the enemy does.
Fighting a successful war in 1943 require patience, intel and perfect timing!

Thx for the input [:)]

ORIGINAL: toraq

Spanish HQ have been studying your last movements and they are quite surprised of your inactivity. [&:]

1) It is still possible to plan some kind of offensive in order to get some tactical advantadge.

2) Invading new islands may not be possible (but you still can, with a fantastic plan, of course [;)]). I think you main goal now is to destroy as many possible CVs. This should be archieved ASAP.

3) Hellcats will arrive soon. And they´ll be the killers of your KB...I encourage you to read the fremen AAR. Hellcats were responsible of destroying every single Zeke (75 exp pilots) of the KB. About 160 of them were shot down in one day! so were able SBDs scracht two or three jap. CVs.

4) I know that your KB is being refitted in Tokyo, but some new AA guns won´t stop waves of SBD if the CAP is wiped out by Hellcats. I think you should send your CVs, and engage American CVs before Hellcats arrive or before US CVs are too many.

5) A good plan should confuse US navy...send the KB to attack his supply lines or something like that. American CV must be destroyed!!.[:'(]

Well, that´s my opinion...I little bit aggresive but I think japs should take the offensive as far as they got the power to do it. However, I understand that you may have some other plans, [:)]. But what are you plans? You have detailed your "strategic view" for the next years but what happen with your tactical plans? This is one thing that worries me...[&:].

Good AAR and good game [:)]

[PzB74]

Another couple of quiet turns...well the garrisons at Lae, Buin and Shortland
wouldn't say so but still.

Now I got 3 carriers with Zekes, Judys and Jills - and no replacements for them.
This is getting awkward! These air groups also need training, avg exp of 60. Not
good enough. But if I train them I losse ac and pilots which can't be replaced for
another 6 months, bah! [8|]

I will consider putting together a strong carrier division and try to hunt a few convoys
soon. Nagumo will get the following ships for the task:
Cv Taiho - 75 ac
Shokaku - 75 ac
Zuikaku - 75 ac
Amagi - 70 ac
Unryu - 70 ac
Total: 340 ac

Would be interesting to play a game of hit and run - if I'm careful it should be possible to
avoid engaging superior enemy forces.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/11/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
PG Yoshida Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Ken is disbanding his fighter-bomber attacks against my barges. He can't get his
fighters to escort em..even Corsairs are vulnerable at 100 feet! Does anyone know whether
this is a bug?

Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG AG-123
AG AG-5162, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All F4U-1 Corsair attacking at 100 feet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/12/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

A sub outside Tokyo!! It scores a dud hit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,44

Japanese Ships
AK Katsukawa Maru
PG Zuiko Maru
PG Toyotsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Gen.Hoepner]

I do not think it's a bug. I try to immagine 15 Corsairs, flying with bombs on their stomache at 100 fts over the waves, looking for barges. 12 ToJos( hey, i'm not talking of 12 nates!!!) come down from let's say 3000 fts....where can the corsars go?? nowhere!
The only real bug here is the overpowered,overarmed, invincible Corsair!

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

The only real bug here is the overpowered,overarmed, invincible Corsair!

Agree with that one!

[PzB74]

The bug is that it's not possible to escort fighter bombers according to Ken! I don't have any (fb's) yet, so I can't
check it out from my side.

Corsairs are perhaps a bit powerful, but it's a part of the challenge. If human controlled updates are on most players will
produce thousands of George and Franks by 44, this will alter the balance in the air to perhaps and un-realistic level if you ask me.
Time will show... It's always the question about too much and too little [;)]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

I do not think it's a bug. I try to immagine 15 Corsairs, flying with bombs on their stomache at 100 fts over the waves, looking for barges. 12 ToJos( hey, i'm not talking of 12 nates!!!) come down from let's say 3000 fts....where can the corsars go?? nowhere!
The only real bug here is the overpowered,overarmed, invincible Corsair!

Yes, it is a well-known fact that when going to attack barges, the USN always made its fighter-bombers cruise at 100 feet, not only during the attack, but to and from it.

This is a artifact of the game.

[PzB74]

I don't think anyone questioned the height the fighter-bombers attacked from. They just need top cover!-)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/13/43

Air Combat

Ken is unsure about whether I got any units at Finschafen..he's not getting any results.
There is in fact an engineer regiment building forts there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Finschafen , at 55,87

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/14/43

Surface Combat

A strange incident. I sent some surface ships to sink a couple of enemy
transports at Woodlark. Unfortunately I had forgotten to change the TF from
fast transport to surface combat [8|] The ships had a load of 24 and actually
unloaded something at Woodlark, but there's nothing to be seen. Ken will be
equally confused <G>

TF 64 encounters mine field at Woodlark Island (59,94)

TF 64 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 59,94

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki
DD Suzukaze
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 24,64

Japanese Ships
PG Sozan Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2
DD Yakaze
DD Hakaze
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
SS Sealion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
PC Showa Maru #5
PG Eiko Maru
PG Edo Maru
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Musashi Maru
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
SS S-35, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 127,59 *annoyed* A couple of small msw's and they locate and damage the I-4 - no torpedoes launched.
My subs became impotent when the sub doctrine got turned on.

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
MSW Tern
MSW Oracle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

This is interesting...Ken has sent his carriers back to Wake:

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18 Hmmmm, what a lovely low number of escorts!
SBD Dauntless x 72
TBF Avenger x 50
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
17 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
36 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
17 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
8 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
8 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: Enemy carriers at Wake Island

I've prepared a surprise for Ken.. Unfortunately Wake is still a size 3 af (89% towards lvl 4).
So I can't place Betty's there yet as they will only drop bombs. The place got support for 120 ac though,
so here is what I did:

A small crack unit of Kate's was moved in (9 ac)
66 crack Tojo's were moved in together with 15 Zero's and 34 highly experienced Oscar II's (avg 78 exp).

I don't expect the Kate's to hit anything, but 100 fighters on CAP can maul the enemy's crack carrier aviatiors
if I'm lucky..

Also prepared a follow up plan although I doubt Ken will stay put long enough.

(1) Nagumo sortied from Truk with the Shokaku, Zuikaku, a light carrier and a strong ca/dd escort. Total 263 ac.
This TF will steam full speed towards Eniwetok and attempt to intercept the enemy carriers if their attack squadrons have
been decimated at Wake. If not they will try to join Ozawa's force that is speeding towards Marcus Island from Tokyo.

Ozawa got the brand new Unryu, Amagi and Taiho as well as the Akagi and a light carrier. They carry a total of 250 ac.
I didn't bring the slower carriers (Junyo, Hiyo and a couple of cvl's).

The only sad thing is that Wake should have been a size 4 af with 60 Zero's and 60 Betty's. Another week and it would have
been ready. I'm pretty sure that Ken will flee back towards Pearl at flank speed tomorrow - and not come back anytime soon [;)]
But perhaps he got his guard down, so let's give it a try!

[PzB74]

Interesting turn... In the AM phase Wake was shrouded in rain. No action.
In the afternoon the weather lifted and 150 carrier ac zoomed in and met 67 fighters on CAP!

The dogfight was quite wild and 9 Oscar II's and 4 Tojo's were lost but shot down 25 enemy ac in
the process.

Surprisingly enugh 9 Kate's took of with a decent escort. The 50 Wildcats on CAP mauled the
escorts pretty badly but all the torpedo bombers got through. It was a very exciting moment
when the USS Essex zig zagged to avoid the long lances. Flak was a killer though, 7 out of 9
Kate's were blasted out of the air...

In all 33 US carrier ac were shot down today!

In the the next post I'll illustrate the follow up plan [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/15/43

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
SBD Dauntless x 63
TBF Avenger x 48
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF Avenger: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 7
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
29 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
7 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
8 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N Kate: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Massachusetts
CV Essex

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Attacking the USS Essex

[PzB74]

This map shows how Ozawa will join forces with Nagumo tomorrow!
The fast carrier TF's both travelled 11 hexes yesterday and it's exactly 22 hexes to hex 77,63
from both Tokyo and Truk [8D]

I'm pretty sure Ken found Wake too hot for his liking today, so I assume that he will be retreating but
it may be possible to overtake him. 2 TF's should be superior to 1, but I must admit that I fear the killing power
of US ack ack guns. It'll be well worth it if I can sink the USS Essex that is.

Ken showed me a picture of the USS Bunker Hill, she will arrive in 90 days with Hellcats.
Nasty, but I did sink her in UV!

[wobbly]

Oh Boy - John on the rampage again!

[PzB74]

Rampage and rampage Al, I try to seize the day but it's difficult as long as you have to be reactive instead
of pro-active.... [:'(]

Ken sailed away from Wake today, no big surprise....) Ozawa and Nagumo will most likely not be
able to intercept the enemy carriers (2?) but there is still a slight chance!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/16/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

Another piece of welcome news: the USS Nautilus has been reported sunk.
Yet another sub joins the crabs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 24,64

Japanese Ships
PG Sozan Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2
DD Yakaze
DD Hakaze
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
SS Sealion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

No sign of the US carriers today either and my destroyers are running low on fuel...
Received air reinforcements:

1 x 27 ac Betty Daitai
1 x 36 ac Tojo Daitai
1 x 27 ac A6M3 Zero Daitai

Finally produced enough Dinah III's to update a 27 ac unit equipped with 'Babes' [:'(]
Also trying to 'scrounge' 27 Irvings so I can receive a 27 ac recon Daitai with this ac.
Still awaiting another 27 ac Topsy Daitai - but these ac are very much in demand and I have
been forced to increase prodction.

My air transports are doing a good job in supplying the smaller bases in the South Pacific.
Too risky to send in ships and my barges don't live very long at all...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/17/43

Air Combat

Ken has 'found' my unit at Finschafen and is now bombing it together with Gasmata, Lae, Buin
and Shortland.

I've decided to move a large naval garrison to Gasmata, don't want Ken to 'jump aboard'
here - too close to Rabaul.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Finschafen , at 55,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
Sunderland x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 12
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 42

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 36
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
48 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
24 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
13 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 13
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 9
B-24D Liberator x 39


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
15 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/18/43

Today we take a look at the maps again...
I've worked out a plan that could enable us to overtake the US carriers that hit Wake Island 3 days ago.
This depends on that Ken hasn't run his ships at full speed!

We also need good weather and a super fast sprint by the Jap carriers.
It is possible that we will end up 5 hexes away from the enemy but this is ok. All Zero's are on 60% CAP with a max
range of 5 hexes. At 5 hexes all Vals and Judys will be able to reach the enemy - all our Kates have been given a max range
of 4. I don't want em to attack the enemy with bombs, they're too good for that. But we do have 30+ Jills that carries torps out to 5 hexes.
If we can slow down an enemy carrier we got it [8D] (It's also possible that the enemy TF performed a refuelling on their way back to PH,
and this could have slowed em down.

This raid is potentially costly but it's an opportunity to destroy an inferior enemy carrier TF.
Our ships are also out of enemy LBA fighter range even though medium and heavies could hit us from Midway. A strong
CAP should take care of them.

If no enemy ships are spotted I will order the ships home if they're too low on fuel.
I've already refuelled 5-6 of my dd's at Wake - I'm trying to keep an emergency quota of fuel at most islands.

Situation map: The hunt for USS Essex

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ok, if you manage to do this i come up to norway and kiss you![&o][&o]