Matrix Games Forums

Question:
 
I am haveing second thoughts here.  Should I just cover one landing at TI or do both as previously planned?
 
I can take TI and have a Lv 2 AF, that can assist with the MB landing. 
 
Or I can grow some balls and go for broke.
 
Let me know what you commanders think.

CAP
I will have 3 Marine fighter groups over the invasion/s fleet/s.  5k, 10k, and around 20k feet.  Koniu likes to bring his TB's with his DB's at 15k.
 
Over my CVs 2k, 5k, 10k, 15k, and 20k.   I am thinking of opening up the range from zero to 3 hexs on a few squadrons so some leaky CAP can help cover the other TFs.  I usually keep my range at 0.

If the KB is/were at Truk you are taking a major risk with only 3 CVs for cover! [X(] Whats the status of KB? Have you sunk any of his fleet CVs?

I did a similar thing as you are doing in my game vs obvert. I also had three CVs for cover and I was 90% he was short 3 CVs too. Ended quite badly for me. Even without KB intervention I would be extremely wary of going up against 160 LB bombers with only 3 CVs for cover. They will blow through your CAP.

I´m a bit of a cautious guy though. But I would certainly scrap the Milne Bay landing for now and settle for TI. With only 3CVs and 3 CVEs you don´t have any staying power.

JocMeister: I haven't sunk any of his carriers.  I am also a cautious guy with wild tendency's.  I am thinking that it might be better to hit TI see if the KB pops up then go for MB with some LBA.  But still not for sure.  I think its time for me to go to bed and sleep on it.  Thanks to all who have posted.
 

Sounds like a good idea. [:)] I try never to do important turns while I´m really tired (I still do all the time! [:D]). When you wake up I would count how many days it would take for KB to move from Truk to strike position at flank speed. Then decide what to do! Always plan for the worst. Its usually what happens! [:@]

206 Aux aircraft are likely seaplanes for search and transports to haul troops to whatever point is threatened. I don't think damaged planes are reported as Aux unless they really are aux.
Since TI and MB do not have airfields the troops must paradrop or use the seaplanes as transports. LRCAP over your landing spot should take a toll if they come. I doubt he will try to fly troops into TI if it currently has none, but he likely would at Milne Bay.

As far as deciding whether to go for both, I think you must consider what the gain is in taking both simultaneously versus the risks of trying to cover two ops. My own choice would be to take TI alone and assess results/reactions. Put more engineers on it and build it quickly. Be prepared for bombardment from the sea [mines/PTs/CD units]. I don't think you can risk a surface combat task force until you have great fighter coverage. Between Netties and KB he can send a lot of torpedo planes! After TI, there are a lot of vacant islands that he will have to worry about so I don't think MB will get much reinforcement.

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

CAP
I will have 3 Marine fighter groups over the invasion/s fleet/s.  5k, 10k, and around 20k feet.  Koniu likes to bring his TB's with his DB's at 15k.

Over my CVs 2k, 5k, 10k, 15k, and 20k.   I am thinking of opening up the range from zero to 3 hexs on a few squadrons so some leaky CAP can help cover the other TFs.  I usually keep my range at 0.

I am not sure you can keep the enemy at bay with a range 0 setting. Think about it - enemy bombers are almost on top of your fleet before you start your intercept, and their fighters run interference before your fighters can take a shot at the bombers. Give your fighters a range of 1 and they get 10 more minutes to engage the enemy. Any fighters off 1 hex in the wrong direction will be back over your fleet when the enemy bombers enter that hex.

Joc and BB: thanks for your thoughts some of it I didn't consider.  Especially the float planes flying in troops.  I took the advise you all gave me and made the appropriate chances.
 
I've decided to go after TI. I don't see any other bombers or fighters in the area but there are a few bases that I haven't reconned.  No sign of the KB or anything.  I did get a heavy transmition message at Truk prob the KB heading out but no signs of them or their planes flying over my subs. 
 
MB TF will sail back towards Oz.  They should be able to make it under LBA LRCAP by the morning.  So CVs will provide CAP for the invasion.  I might be able to get my ships in the hex and drop off some troops tomorrow PM phase.  It's 5 hexs from my TF and they can make 6 total.  So maybe I will have some troops on the ground if he tries to fly in troops.
 
MB and TI will be covered by LRCAP just incase.  This game is so stressfull but I love it.[:'(]

1st Feb
 
No intel on carriers.
 
S. Akyab
Hellens attack our forces just south of Akyab.  18 are shot down by flak with another 3 lost due to ops.  That will teach him.[:D]
 
Coco's
Bombed.
 
Buna
B 24s attack the AF again and it payed off.  27 A6m3a's were destroyed on the ground[X(][:D].   We also plaster Munda and Canal.  Nav search has spotted a 7 ship TF NE of Rabual, intel wennies picked up some radio transmissions about 10 hexs north of that TF also.  Could either of these be the KB?  I would like to know.
 
Maloelap
bombed.  Resupply convoys are on their way.
 
All in all a good day for the Allies.

Did the Sigint report say "Heavy volume of radio transmissions ..."? If so, it is likely a large amphib force or ... KB. At this stage in the war Japan doesn't usually scrape up enough troops to move with a large amphib force.

Either way, seven ships is about the right size for a SCTF for raiding your amphib forces or bombarding your pesky airfields. You might want to play a shell game with your bombers and bases ...[;)]

BB: I have several heavy volume messages. I counted 3 this turn and the KB wasn't part of them  I will move some of my bombers this turn.  The rest are on Oz and can't be touched right now by a SAG.
 
2nd Feb
 
KB spotted at Wewak moving SE.  It's 20 hexs from TI, so a good sprint will put it 5 hexs from my ships.  I do have several subs it will have to run over to get their though.
 
TI
We land unmolested.  I am wondering why Koniu didn't attack today.[&:]  I am not upset that he didn't.  I have enough troops on TI to take it, so we will do a delib attack to take the island tomorrow.  I am pulling out my ships this turn.  I will need to send in support troops but whats on the island now will have to do.  Bombers pound Lae, PM, and shortlands today.

If the KB moves 15 hexs at flank, I should still be out of range of it's strike package.  My only worry is that some of the ships might want to refuel during the move and lag behind.  If they do they are toast.  I don't think Koniu will send it all the way in I bet he moves around 10 hexs or so.  If thats the fact he should run right into my subs.  I am vectoring my subs into likely areas the KB could stop.

Map of the situation

Nice shallow hex approaches to TI! Did you bring some mines?

Good call you cancelled the MB landing! [:)]

Now its just the matter of getting the hell out before he can get to you! Did you land any CD guns with you?

BB: Mines are close by with PT boats.  I want some air cover before I send in what few mines I have.
 
Joc: CD guns will go in with the second phase.  Troops at TI will have to stand tall for now.  I don't think Koniu will launch a counter attack to take the island back.  He may bombard.  He tore up MB in our Canal game.  So I will have mines PT boats and such waiting for him.  Koniu taught me alot in the Canal game probably more than I taught him. 
 
No turn this evening.  I'm left wondering what happened.  Either something bad happened to the Japanese, me or Koniu is working on a sneaky plan.  I got most of my ships at or heading to Cairns.  180 fighters are present with about another 100 close by.  If I think he will make a play to bomb Carnes with the KB I will move my CVs south away from the battle.  I have TT, DBs, and LBs close by that should be able to engage his carriers.  Their is no recon or DL of any Aus bases.   If Koniu goes into the Solomon Sea, he will be entering a kill box of subs.  I don't know how long he will wait around this area. 
 
If he waits at Rabual, I might send in my 4Es.  I should also have better Nav search arc's also.  It will be nice to have an undamaged Lv 2 AF that close to the action.  Once MB is taken PM will become a big bomb crater. Bases from Lae to Buna will be hammered.

Don´t hope too much from mines. They have been almost totally ineffective for both sides in my game. I had some 300-500 mines at Suva but Erik sent in several TFs including a massive BB fleet. Not a single ship hit a mine!

I also havn´t had much luck with PTs. I have lost a bunch but not much luck! Works great as a deterrent though! [:)]

3rd Feb

Carriers around the New Britian area.

TI
Zeros sweep and find nothing. Japan sub puts a TT into a CL leaving TI. DDs put 7 dc hits into the sub. We took the island but supplies are low. I am rerouting 2 xAKs with supply back to TI. I will transport some AS in so we can put up a CAP.

Rabaul
Drastic decrease in fighters and bombers. I know Roi Namur numbers have increased.

Marshall's
Supply convoys moving in. Some air support will be their.

Joc: I have had pretty good luck with mines. PT boats not so much.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Don´t hope too much from mines. They have been almost totally ineffective for both sides in my game. I had some 300-500 mines at Suva but Erik sent in several TFs including a massive BB fleet. Not a single ship hit a mine!

I also havn´t had much luck with PTs. I have lost a bunch but not much luck! Works great as a deterrent though! [:)]

So far it's not the PTs that I'm worried about, it's the modern CAs/CLs also in range![:)]