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nygiants post a ways back about upcoming bombers got me looking at what planes the Allies get during 1st quarter 43, and it is not pleasant, and it will only get worse.[:D]

We have got a nasty fighter in the Corsair. Nightfighters,no worries there as I can't do night. Heavy bombers...ugh. 20 hex extended range...oh my. I am awaiting the pair up of the A6M5c vs Allied heavy bombers...I should get to see that this turn in Burma if I don't miss my guess.

My favorite plane on the list is the Hurricane IID FB packing a 40mm cannon! Cool. I wonder how Tiemanj will use that plane? I can't see it as being very useful, but it is neat.

I have the next generation carrier planes to look forward to, and the the Tojo IIc. Really not much for a while...I am thinking of adding a second size 30 KAId Nick factory, and then as much more Sam factories as I can.

Don't worry so much about the 4Es. They suffer so much in unescorted strikes that they can seldom be used in that role. Georges will shoot them down at a rate of 1:1 after OPs are accounted for.

The biggest limiting factor will be lack of fighters and their low range. But anything within Corsair range will probably feel the 4E wrath!

Jan 14, 1943


The A6M5c was a busy air frame yesterday. They intercepted planes over Burma, suffered from a Lightning sweep over Nauru -- but wonders of wonders it looks like quite a few P-38's went down too! After the Lightning sweeps at Nauru, 4E bombers came in too.

The shore bombardment of Akyab went in, destroying a few planes and damaging 25+ B25s and P40Ks...and they got clean away.

I still can't catch any of his transport planes, there are now 4 units at Tuang Gyi! How disappointing I can't shoot any down.[:(]

The death of the 4th Australian Division...how satisfying.[:)]

I have a full sentai of 42 Oscars on LRCAP at Broome. No sign of any transports.

Burma:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Don't worry so much about the 4Es.

Easy for you to say![:D] It is all I worry about. Well, a little about Lightning sweeps, too.

They suffer so much in unescorted strikes that they can seldom be used in that role. Georges will shoot them down at a rate of 1:1 after OPs are accounted for.

Even at night?

Akyab - Either you follow up with additional bombardment attacks or you send in bombers to destroy those damaged planes. The only way he gets those planes useful again is you give him time to repair the bases and thus the planes OR he evacs them by sea to Chittagong.

B-24s - I disagree with Jocke on their coordination. I can get the first major strike to be over 50% of the total number available. The rest will come in as 12 or 9 plane groups repeatedly, but the first is usually strong enough to get through with acceptable losses. To counter this you have to strike the AF which they come from either in daytime with Oscars as escort for your Helens/Sallys or at night.

ORIGINAL: Spidery

They suffer so much in unescorted strikes that they can seldom be used in that role. Georges will shoot them down at a rate of 1:1 after OPs are accounted for.

Even at night?

Of course not.[:D] They are invulnerable fighter killers at night until NF come along. Not to mention they can destroy your airfields too. In the air and on the ground! I believe Joc's game vs. Obvert they didn't do night bombing at all until start of 1944.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Spidery

They suffer so much in unescorted strikes that they can seldom be used in that role. Georges will shoot them down at a rate of 1:1 after OPs are accounted for.

Even at night?

Of course not.[:D] They are invulnerable fighter killers at night until NF come along. Not to mention they can destroy your airfields too. In the air and on the ground! I believe Joc's game vs. Obvert they didn't do night bombing at all until start of 1944.

Yes. For this reason and that night bombing airfield and ports is WAY too strong in game. If you don't have an HR on this it could be trouble if your opponent decides to go all out on it.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Akyab - Either you follow up with additional bombardment attacks or you send in bombers to destroy those damaged planes. The only way he gets those planes useful again is you give him time to repair the bases and thus the planes OR he evacs them by sea to Chittagong.

B-24s - I disagree with Jocke on their coordination. I can get the first major strike to be over 50% of the total number available. The rest will come in as 12 or 9 plane groups repeatedly, but the first is usually strong enough to get through with acceptable losses. To counter this you have to strike the AF which they come from either in daytime with Oscars as escort for your Helens/Sallys or at night.

Thanks!

I am gathering my fighter and bomber strength in Burma, well back. The moon is waxing, and I would like to hit his airfields at night. That has never really worked for me, but you never know. Also another bombardment force on the way!

Unless I catch his airfield by surprise, I can't force a daytime bombing raid in. Heck, I have only had one or two half decent offensive sweeps.

I am hard pressed to understand the Allied offensive in Burma, he continues to move aggressively forward especially flying in support squads to Tuang Gyi and moving to the east. No thrust at Ramree, which has lvl 3 forts, 96 AV, AA/ART/ENG.

2nd Division is ready for trains at Moulmein, 14th Division is almost at Pegu, 33rd Div is almost at Moulmein, with lots of heavy ART and AA a few days from Moulmein.

ORIGINAL: obvert

Yes. For this reason and that night bombing airfield and ports is WAY too strong in game. If you don't have an HR on this it could be trouble if your opponent decides to go all out on it.

No HR on it, and I have suffered.[:D] However, I also have unrealistic R&D, to offset it a little. Unfortunately, for Japan, my predecessor had a horrendous, absolutely horrendous, r&d program. Don't know what that guy was thinking![:-]

My only recourse has been retreat, fast base switching, and taking it on the chin.

What are the tricks to intercept transport planes? Altitude? Drop tanks to maximize loiter? Numbers. Should I sweep?

I should be shooting them down left and right I think as the Allies aren't protecting the base.[&:]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

What are the tricks to intercept transport planes? Altitude? Drop tanks to maximize loiter? Numbers. Should I sweep?

I should be shooting them down left and right I think as the Allies aren't protecting the base.[&:]

You have to put in LRCAP your planes with long range, There's an algorithm for interception in the tech support forum.
You can read useful informations there:
tm.asp?m=3385105&mpage=2&key=

Many thanks MrBlizzard! Oscars IIa and Oscar Ic from two hex range should do it. Probably no transports at Broome, but in Burma the range can be one. I wlll give it a big try!

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Don't worry so much about the 4Es.

Easy for you to say![:D] It is all I worry about. Well, a little about Lightning sweeps, too.

I say don´t worry too much. [:)] Just remember that your opponent will need local air superiority to effectively use them. That is very hard for the allies to achieve even in late game. And even then (in a PDU ON game) it will only be for a short amount of time before losses will force him to withdraw. And the way your opponent plays I think he will run into big problems with his air force.

You will do fine. [:)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Just remember that your opponent will need local air superiority to effectively use them.

Allies have had air superiority the whole game...but mayhap things are changing!

One squadron of A6M5cs gets thoroughly trashed by Lightnings, but can still intercept the unescorted bombers. Thank goodness for the A6M5c...[:)]

I have noticed that using only one squadron to CAP is about the worst thing you can do for Lightning sweeps as it bears the full brunt of the attack and dive bonus. More than one squadron, and there is a good chance for some good dog fighting.

I am taking Mr.Blizzard's advice and flying LRCAP from one hex away to catch his transports in Burma, and Oscar IIa's in Derby flying over Broome (2 hex range -- that was ny59giants advice). Wish me luck!

In Burma, I have moved fighters back forward into Magwe and environs, and am flying CAP over several airbases with 3 hex ranges hoping to get some bleed over. All CAP is low hoping to avoid big engagements with his sweeping planes and a shot at unescorted bombers flying low over IJA forces in the jungle.

Akyab will get hit with Betties at night; while Tuang Gyi with Nells. Over 50 bombers, I have absolutely no expectation of any success.[:)]

A bombardment force will hit Akyab again tonight LRCAP provided for by some OscarIc.

I would like to attack the chindits in Toungoo, but supply is short and will bombard with the heavy artillery instead and hope enough supply flows forward to enable an attack on the morrow. Nicks will strafe the airfield hoping to prevent forts...surely he can't have enough supply there to build them.

Bombardments and bombers should go in at Broome (which has 7 units and 12,000 dispirited men), while Darwin should be hit with battleships. Paratroops are prepping for Darwin, now too.

The destroyer squadrons are set to go in at Tarawa, I think. At least they jockeyed for position yesterday...funny how the subs aren't spotted there, but the mini-subs are at Mili.

Jan 14t, 1942

In the middle of the night IJN bombers take off for some night bombing...and stray. A few hits are scored by two groups at Tuang Gyi...maybe they will cause some op losses to Allied transports.

The bombardment ships head in at Akyab again...with decent results. Now, to get away!

The skies over Tuoungoo are busy...dogfights galore, but where is the enemy fighter sweeps? Perhaps they are damaged on the runway at Akyab, perchance?