Speedy vs Nikademus - Nik Mod 4.0

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Christmas day 1941 has come and gone. Both the 25/26th December were relatively quiet. Not sue to my respect of the Westeners and their Christmas. Mainly due to things builing up in the right areas. What with the 'historical' start many things need to be moved to the correct places for operational use.

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The only areas that saw action were The Phillipines and Malaya.

In the Phillipines IJA/IJN units at Aparri bombed CVlark Fuield again. This time from 20,000 feet to avoid the havy guns of the Allies. 1 P35A fighter rose and was blown to 101 little pieces. Light damage was caused to the airfields but interestingly it appears Nik is withdrawing from most areas where he can. Looks like a censervative Allied player to me [;)]

Only a few planes are left at Manila.

Same story in Malaya. All planes have been moved to Singapore. The usual air circus entailed with mediums and Buffalo's trying to killed a few 18th Division men at Kuantan. The 64th Fighter Sentai providing CAP once more proved their skill downing 2 Buffalo's and a Blenheim IV for no loss.

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Other than the air war Japanese soldiers captured Alor Star, Kuantan, Moulmein and Jolo over the 2 days.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

With forward air bases now being established and operational (Davao, Kuching, Khota Bharu and Aparri) Japanese air power is beginning to project itself.

The only major landings on 27/28th were by a brigade and 2 large SNLF units at Menado. The Dutch will be overwhelmed tomorrow. The heavy guns of Nagato and Mutsu will blow up anything that moves.

Other than that major land movements are occurring in Malaya and on Luzon. Alor Star was taken today and Lingayen will fall tomorrow.

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No major sea action other than war crimes commited by US subs on my little fishing boats due to them being unable to find any real targets [:D]

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The 27/28th saw a mass of air action on the all major fronts.

In Luzon Japanese air struck out from Aparri targetting Manila's airfields. Intel had reported a heavy flak presence. As such the Lillies and Sallies bombed from 20,000 feet. Only a few bombs fell within the target area whilst the heavy flak was indeed true. 3 Lillies were blown out of the sky.


In Malaya the increasing Japanese air power was reflected by not just Oscars but also Nates being on CAP over the 18th division at Kuantan. The dogged Allies once more sent in Buffalo's and Mediums to bomb my men. My men performed well. 6 Buffalo's, 1 medium and 1 Swordfish were lost for 1 Oscar.

BEST ACTION OF THE DAY -

The first Japanese raids from Kuching were launched today. Sallies escorted by Zero's and Nate's attacked the small airfield at Singkawang where both Martins and Brewsters were reported to be based.

Indeed 3 Brewsters rose to meet my force. The Nate's of the 11th Ftr Sentai are highly experienced (80ish average!) Over the space of 2 days they shot down 4 Brewsters whilst a Zero got another. Go Nate's [:D]

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Over the 2 day period planes losses:

Japanese - 10 (6 due to flak)
Allies - 17 (10 a2a)

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The 29/30th saw more action across the SRA. Now that i've had the time to 'get things where I want them' more operations are in motion..........

Sea war -

A squadron of PT boats had been harbouring at Naga for a few days now. I decided it was time to pay them a visit with a CL/DD force. CL Nagara in the van with 6 DD's for company. The PT were outclassed from the start and 3 of them were blown to bits before the other 3 ran off into the shadows.......

On the return journey an S-Boat decided to say hello and put a fish into Nagara! No problem. She'll be just fine.

BB's Nagato and Mutsu pounded Menado in the night of the 29th whilst further troops disembarked.

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Air war -

During the day of the 29th Nells from Davao bombed positions at Menado to support the upcoming land offensive. No casualties known.

Singkawang was attacked again by Sallies and Nates from Kuching. On both days no significant damage was caused to the air station but 2 Brewsters were shot down over the 2 days.

Malaya saw offensive strikes by both Nik and I. Nik launched Mediums without escort against the 18th Division in Kuantan. Nates were flying CAP and managed to shoot down 3 bombers over the 2 days [8D]

The first air raid since December 7th was launched against Fortress Singapore! 86 Sallies were escorted by 65 Oscars. Their target: the airfields. 10 Buffalo's rose to meet my flyers but the Oscars and their pilots proved themselves superior once more and shot down 5 of them before the rest fled. These boys are doing good. The 64th Ftr Sentai has racked up 25 kills so far. Average experience of 79[:)]

The Salles bombed from 20K feet to diminish the flak effect. 3 were still lost to flak and 22 damaged. Several enemy bombers and fighters were destroyed on the ground. A nice raid [:)]

Losses for the 2 days:

Allied - 21
Japanese - 9

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Land war -

Several places were captured by my glorious forces over the 2 days -

Menado
Lingayen
Georgetown
Sandakan
Zamboanga

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A Nate flying CAP over Kuantan.......

[Nikademus]

Your Nates suck.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

What with the end of December now come and gone I thought i'd post the aircraft losses for last month and the causes lost ratio.

Allies:

Total lost: 395 planes

A2A: 114 = 28.86%

Field: 242 = 61.26%

Flak: 12 = 3.03%

Ops: 27 = 6.84%

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Japanese lost: 167

A2A: 16 = 9.58%

Field: 0 = 0%

Flak: 92 = 55.09%

Ops: 59 = 35.39%

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The ratio's are kind what you would expect for the first month IMO. The interesting thing to note is the clear aeffect flak is having. Iam flying almost every base mission at 15,000 + (20K for Singapore and Phillipines). It has a clear and noticeable impact on play which I like.

The flak affect coupled with the lower capacity on transport/freighters has led to a slower advance than normal by January.

I have just taken Kuala Lumpur and am advancing through Malaya.

I the Phillipines I have the east section of Luzon with a massed battle at Clark soon approaching.

Minadano is mine.

Menado is mine as is Kuching.

Other than a few other minor islands this is it.

Rangoon and Rabaul should both fall tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The 4th and 5th of January 1942 pass by.............

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Sea war -

The undersea war comes to life today. With the £$^E&& SS Pike putting a fish into a Transport at San Jose. All men had disembarked though so no problem there.

On the flip side my APD HK group (Nik knows I love ASW right?[;)]) found the SS Porpoise 180 east of the Phillipines. She was hit by DC's are several piecwes of metal and debris rose to the surface. Won't be seeing her again then [:D]

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Air war -

Clark Field was bombed from Aparri at 20K feet. No Allied planes are there anymore but i'm trying to kill those pesky engineers. From 20K iot's not easy. Think of trying to hit a fly from 5M away with a pistol. Flak as ever claimes a couple of victims......

A couple of AK's were sunk as they tried to flee Tacloban. Nells from Davao left them both (Kanlaon and Latouche II) listing heavily and both would sink later on the 4th.

Mini-KB near Kendari spotted a TF and Kates took off but could not find the git.

Singapore's airfields were bombed from Khota Bharu. CAP is non-existant nowadays and 9 planes were destroyed on the ground. Flak claimed a few victims.

As per norm LBA from Singpore bombed the troops now at Malacca. The 64th Ftr Sentai patrolling above claimed 4 more victims today.

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Land War -

In the Phillipines bioth Tacloban and San Jose fell today with no resistance.

Forward elements overan Malcca with the Commonwealth troops doing a Sir Robin. Run you dogs and starve in Singapore.

Air losses:

Allied: 16 (9 on the ground)
Japanese: 16 (8 to flak)

[Nikademus]

She was hit by DC's are several piecwes of metal and debris rose to the surface. Won't be seeing her again then

Speedy needs to gloat to satiate his wounded pride after unsuccessfully trying to sink his last intended victim with no less than 5-7 asw attacks over two days. Unfortunately for poor Porpose, i forgot to move her last turn giving his APD TF four straight days worth of shots at her.

Ah well......another sub hit one of his transports West of the PI's.......oopsie! troops will need to call a cab to get home.

Yes....come to Fortress Singapore we got guns, butter and a transport full of Hagis. come get some.

[Speedysteve]

LOL [:D]

So really Nik is saying he cocked up so a sub was lost. Nice one. Mac here you come [;)]

As for our latest 2 days -

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Sea war -

The Allies decide to be stupid and try to venture near to Rabaul harbour

Leander, Achilles and Penscola are dispatched by Hiei/Kirishima and Co.

The heavy guns of 4 BB's smash Amboina to bits.

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Air War -

Clark and Manila are bombed from 22K feet with no enemy interference. Slight damage is caused.

G4M's from Kuching fly at low level into Kendari harbour and smack an AK with 2 fish. She either sinks or docks and sinks at a latter date....

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Land war -

Troops storm ashore today at Amboina, Kavieng, Shortlands, Manokwari, Sarmi and Singkawang.

In Malaya men are nearing Johore Bharu - i'm glad you have butter Nik and haggis is good stuff but will it last you months [;)]

In the Phillipuines WIMPY Allied troops are bugging out of Clark to Manila by the looks of it. Pathetic. More starvation coming up I see. Japanese will be in their faces very soon from the east of Luzon.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Hi both. nice AAR .. thanks for doing it, especially speedy as you seem to have 2 going right now

I am curious how you both think the mod is behaving, especially the air combat which was tweaked majorly, I'm playing vs the AI with the mod to try it out and i found a lot less allied a/c killed on the ground at both PH and Clarke. also seemed to lose fewer KB pilots over PH too.

Thnaks for any insight ..[:)]

[Nikademus]

Despite being the nail to Speedy's Axis hammer, i'm pleased with the results so far. The JAAF Oscar/Nate sentais are pretty much doing the job they did over Malaya and the overall air to air losses seem much more realistic to me. I dont think i've yet lost a B-17 to a2a....biggest threat there is destruction while on the ground. The Flak changes are forcing Speedy to bomb at historical altitudes against the better defended bases which in turn reduces the "pummeling" effect of 'round the clock low alt bombing blitzes like those i'm suffering in my 2.0 version game with Kaiser.

Sub losses have been reasonable....when i lose one it tends to be because i forgot to move it as happened last turn. Speedy is very aggressive with high ASW value anti sub TF's.

You will lose fewer bombers over Oahu....because the flak guns there are largely disbaled to help represent the suprise element. Attacking an alerted PH is much more dangerous unless you bomb from high alt.

I'm having to resist committing my CV's too early however. The potential for collateral damage is much greater but KB still retains a serious edge in both numbers and kill potential, mainly due to the hordes of B5N bombers available to him.

[DuckofTindalos]

Come oooon, send in your CV's... You know you want to... All the cool kids are doing it!

[Speedysteve]

Hi Rob/Nik/T,

Agree with Nik. The air war is much more diverse now sith planes having IMO a better chance to aquit themselves as they did early in the war.

The main effect is that Oscar's can now actually do something. They are represented well in that they are manueverable = hard to intercept but also have weak firepower = damages planes a lot rather than directly destroying them.

Also agree on flak. It FORCES you to bomb at a realistically higher level else face losses. Singapore, Clark and Manila are to be respected now in the early war. Later war = most places will need to be respected. As it stands 15,000 is my standard attack altitude now. Clark and Sing are receiving raids at 22,000 feet now.

As it stands these two effects have majorly impacted how the war is prosecuted. In short progress is slower. No longer can you pummel an airbase = immediately obtain air superiority = land near and overcome resistance. Higher flak losses and more so disruption = fewer air raids = takes more time!

CV's - as T says Nik. Please commit them. I want to sink them [8D]

[Nikademus]

Be careful what you wish for Mr Big in Japan.


here's a little slice of CV combat in 4.0 Granted it's against an "Unsinkable" CV in the form of Kwajalein but it still gives some insight. Medium and Large CAP's are no longer a "shield", espeically against the very tough and armored US tactical fighters and bombers. (gee...no problem coordinating 3 CV's in one TF either)

Day Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein at 79,79


Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 21
SBD Dauntless x 68


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akikaze
DD Hakaze, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari
PG Kantori Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hibiki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 82,76

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 27
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M Nell x 20

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 16
F4F-3 Wildcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Case
CA San Francisco
CV Enterprise
CV Lexington
CV Saratoga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell bombing at 12000 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 12000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 12000 feet

actual losses
5 x F2A-3
1 x F4F-3

4 x A6M2
4 x A5M4

4 x G3M (AA fire (1 an assist with A2A))


This is a much more common result now even with A6M's only or in the majority. The tough US fighters can edge the kill ratio due to more damages vs destroyed (there is a real difference now between unarmored and armored fighters) In this case, the defenders edged slightly shooting down 8 escorting fighters in exchange for 6 of their own number. The Japanese pilots though succeeded in protecting their charges.....keeping the defending Wildcat and Buffalo pilots busy and off the backs of the Nells. Fortunately for me, not all the Nells attacked with torpedoes and those that did suffered badly from the TF's strong flak ring. 4 going down in flames for no hits. Overall losses not extreme....a good attack and good results for the Allies in 1/42.....3 CL's blasted in return for a few planes. Results would have been even better hand I not set my TBD's to range 3 (range 4 attack as it turned out) so the TBD's stayed home while the SBD's only used extended range 500lb GP bombs)

[Speedysteve]

Bring it on is what I say

[Nikademus]

Cocky......verrrrrrrry cocky

[:D]

[Speedysteve]

Confident in the ability of my superior airmen and their fighting machines.

You are but mere fodder. You'll see [:D]

[Rob Brennan UK]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

Having done a few more turns im agree that ASW is a lot tougher than before (as japan). finding a lot of manilla based subs in the south china sea but cant sink the buggers at all. Although im not using max effort as i try and cover the early troops convoys a best as possible. ASW A/C sem to find well and attacks are not nearly as succesful as before.

I didnt hang around PH with my subs ss its usually suicide. really should have left a few to test it out.

Jap Dive bombers do seem to suffer horribly , even though sonia have 2 armour now they never come back without holes, but at least they (some) come back as opposed to the early marys etc. they seem to follow thier bombs into the ground [:D] .. although they still work well in china against non city hexes.

Interesting attack at kwajelien .. Nik you got lucky imo [;)]. speedy drop the alt ,, so they all carry torps ! . althogh i'd hate to see the mess an 800kg bomb would do to a wooden flight deck ! ouch.

Carry on having fun !

[Nikademus]

Yes...ASW works very well....however with the patch changes to ASW i'm going to offer a 4.5 version of the mod in conjunction with the 4.0 mod that removes the ASW changes for the time being and let players feel it out.

Yes....Japanese DB's have to be handled with care if your suspecting a base target has heavy AA defenses....TB's can be set to high alt which will reduce losses. Also, if the base has a port, a surface bombardment raid that disrupts the base will kill AA effectiveness for the turn.

Interesting attack at kwajelien .. Nik you got lucky imo . speedy drop the alt

Actually that example came from a 4.0 AI game i'm playing. Against Speedy, i'm more cautious....didn't know where KB was till last turn (in the Coral Sea apparantly, with baby KB northeast of Timor.)

Got to be careful...only have 3 CV's to his 6 right now + i'm still trying to scrape up enough F4F-3's to replace the Buffalos of Lexington's VF......Buffalo vs A6M i dont need to see. [:D]

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Confident in the ability of my superior airmen and their fighting machines.

You are but mere fodder. You'll see [:D]

Pff......your just lucky you have good torpedo bombers with torpedoes that work.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

Interesting attack at kwajelien .. Nik you got lucky imo [;)]. speedy drop the alt ,, so they all carry torps ! . althogh i'd hate to see the mess an 800kg bomb would do to a wooden flight deck ! ouch.

Carry on having fun !

[:D]

As Nik says that wasn't against me. I'd like Nik to try it though.

P.S. Nik KB isn't in Coral Sea [:'(]