Hunting the Hibiki: Q-Ball (Allies) v Cuttlefish (Japan)

[Mike Solli]

That is incorrect, kaleun.  There is a thread on this.  Someone posted a screenshot confirming that it can happen.

[kaleun]

Interesting; I wish I knew the thread. Makes sense though.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: kaleun

Interesting; I wish I knew the thread. Makes sense though.

Found it! (Sorry for the interruption, Q-Ball.)

tm.asp?m=2249986&mpage=1&key=carrier%2Ctrained?

[Footslogger]

Mike!! Good to see you back!!

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 1,2 1942

The Japanese War Machine grinds on; Luzon was attacked again at 1-2 and held. I am waiting for an attack on Singapore, which I expect to go well for Japan. Not sure why CF is holding back, he is vaporizing 1000-1500 troops a turn via bombardment. We can't hold long.

DEI
Kendari and Singkawang are about to fall, along with Samarinda. The walls are closing in on Soerbaya.

Operation Searchlight
We have decided to launch a Carrier Raid on Sakhalin. If you recall I had debated what to do with my 2 CVs in Pearl, and this is what we are settling on.

OBJECTIVES: We have several objectives for this operation
1. Sink and disperse several Japanese merchant convoys. There will be several operating off Sakhalin.
2. Force the Japanese to commit resources to defense of the North
3. Force CF to aircover any moves on the Aleutians
4. Psychological Warfare: Send the message that nowhere is safe, even right off the Home Islands

RISKS:
1. Risk of intervention by Japanese Navy extremely low; risk of LBA is also extremely low; he is unlikely to be on alert up there
2. Primary risk is revealing location of 2 of my CVs; however, that will not account for all CVs. He can feel safe moving KB around, but nothing else. That still means only one point of attack or Schwerpunkt, which I will concede to him anyway.

So, that's it for SEARCHLIGHT. AOs are moving out, and this will take a couple weeks to set-up. Saratoga and Yorktown have left Pearl under Spruance, with CA/CL and DD escort.

[ny59giants]

I would move out some subs to be on the western flank of your AOs.

As Canoerebel's AAR is showing, not enough recon is going to cost you a lot of ships.

RECON!!! [:D]

[Swenslim]

Interesting to see what happen As japan player I put Mavis squadron on Hokkaido, maybe he did the same.

[Rainer79]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
RISKS:
1. Risk of intervention by Japanese Navy extremely low; risk of LBA is also extremely low; he is unlikely to be on alert up there

I wouldn't be too sure about that. At least one other AAR recently featured such a move so there might be some precautions in place now.

[Canoerebel]

I think Q-Ball is right about the threat level to his carriers - probably pretty low.  He'll almost certainly get in, mess up a few merchants, and get out.
 
Q-Ball, I don't know if Arctic winter conditions would impede a carrier TF at sea, but if so, I believe they end effective March 1.

[kokubokan25]

In my opinion this attack had a great oportunity of success. The japanese LBA based in Home islands had a very low exp level and the glory days of G3M/G4M are now past in the AE.
But my first and main objective would be the resource facilities in Toyohara and in second term the shipping around Sakhalin.

[rattovolante]

I would recommend to invest a lot on (discrete!) recon if you want to try this.
IMO such a plan would only work if the japanese player leaves a huge gap in his defenses! Which isn't unlikely, considering how the trend for japanese players seems to favor over-aggressiveness early on.

But... even a single CVL in Ominato or Wakkanai preparing for a spring Aleutines invasion has a relevant chance to ruin your plan and leave your CVs limping in arctic weather a LONG way from a repair yard... risky, every naval assets in the Marshalls would be vectored to cut your retreat to Anchorage.

PS: More than Mavises at Hokkaido I would be afraid of FPs at Paramushiro-jima and Etorofu. Send some subs scouting there and check if they report floatplanes overhead.

[Q-Ball]

dan, ranier79, ratto, michael, fremen....thanks everyone for the comments.

I can still cancel that operation, as I said I don't expect to sink more than a few transports, but the point is really to rattle the Allies. When you think they could be anywhere, you start planning for shadows. That's when a "Fleet in Being" becomes important, if your opponent thinks you might use it.

Combat Report, Feb 2,3 1942

Nothing new in particular to report; bombarding in Singapore and Luzon, Japs advancing in Burma, and Kendari finally fell.

Repair: You Learn Somthing New

I must have missed this part of the manual, but apparently I can't repair HMS Repulse at Capetown, or at least I can't repair the 15in turret that is out. I am asking the reader: Is this related to Port Size, or Shipyard Size?

If Port Size, I'll move her back on the map and repair.

If this is a SHIPYARD limitation, that means I am 10,000 miles away from a shipyard that can fix that gun. What it would likely mean is that Repulse is going to the West Coast, and joining the US Navy. I can't complain too hard, after all, for most Allied players she is at the bottom of the Gulf of Siam rather than a drydock in South Africa, so could be worse.

You can also see that Prince of Wales will be out for a spell.....

[Canoerebel]

I can't answer your port/shipyard question, but consider sending her to the East Coast from Capetown. That's relatively close and the shipyards should be sufficient there (I haven't actually checked, but surely to goodness they would be - Norfolk oughta be able to take anything).

[drw61]

I believe that the weapons repair depends on the port size (naval support could also have a role in this???)

From the manual page 239

Port Size , Pt Wpns Repair
0 , 0
1 , 25
2 , 50
3 , 75
4 , 100
5 , 125
6 , 150
7 , 175
8 , 200
9 , 225
10 , 250


14.2.1.2. WEAPONS DAMAGE
Notwithstanding the amount of System Damage, repairs to guns (or anything else specifically
listed on the Ship’s Information screen) are also limited. A Gun Repair value is calculated for
each Repair Type and only guns (or other weapon systems) ‘costing’ up to this value can be
repaired. It is possible for a ship to have its hull, engines and systems substantially repaired
without having its weapon systems repaired. A DD, for example, might get hull, engine, and
electronics repairs at a moderate sized port, but must go to a better repair facility for repairs to
torpedo tubes or its primary gun batteries.

[Panther Bait]

[font=arial]There is also the following from the manual.[/font]
[font=arial][/font] 
[font=arial]14.2.4 WEAPON REPAIR:[/font]
[font=arial]Repairs to guns and other weapon systems are also limited. A Weapon Repair Level is calculated for each Repair Type, up to a maximum value. Only guns or weapon systems "costing" up to this level can be repaired at a suitable Port or at an anchorage with suitable available Tenders.[/font]
[font=arial][/font] 
[font=arial]14.2.4.1 WEAPON REPAIR COSTS:[/font]
[font=arial]Weapon Repair points are generated by each Repair Type, independently of their ability to repair other forms of damage. Weapon Repair points are applied to damaged weapon systems in terms of Weapon Repair Costs. [/font]
[font=arial]Weapon Repair Costs are as follows:[/font]
[font=arial][/font] 
[font=arial]Rockets: 0[/font]
[font=arial]RADAR: 90[/font]
[font=arial]Mines/Torps: 120[/font]
[font=arial]Guns: Effect value of gun[/font]
[font=arial][/font] 
[font=arial]14.2.4.2 WEAPON REPAIR POINTS[/font]
[font=arial]The different Repair Types, described above, contribute Weapon System Repair Points, as follows:[/font]
[font=arial]Repair Shipyard - Weapon Repair level is the Shipyard Size (not capacity, but original size) times 20, up to a maximum of 300. [/font]
[font=arial]Tender Repair - Tenders are limited in what weapon systems they can repair (as described in section 14.2.3.2), but to the extent they can repair weapons, their weapon repair points are set to 250.[/font]
[font=arial]Port Repair - To the extent a port can repair weapon systems, its weapon repair points are set to the port size x 25.[/font]
[font=arial]In small scenarios (i.e. not full map), the AI will send damaged ships off map.[/font]
[font=arial][/font] 
[font=arial]Mike[/font]

[Zacktar]

I had the same issue in an AI game -- 15" turret knocked off the Repulse. I wound up sending her to the UK, where it eventually got replaced. I believe it's shipyard size, not port size, that matters.

[Smeulders]

Looking at the parts of the manual posted here, it can be either. What's the effect of the 15in guns, if higher than 250, you'll need a large shipyard, otherwise a lvl 10 port should be enough. 

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Feb 5 and 6, 1942

Thanks Smeulders, Fletcher, Michaal for the feedback...either way, we can't fix it in Cape Town. Repulse is probably going to join the US Navy, which is OK, we can use a fast ship like that.

Singapore
First attack was 2-1 and dropped the forts to 2. We are burning all important papers, and preparing to think of the King in our last stand. Might be tommorow that we surrender.

ZZZZZZZ
Nothing elsehwere. Yet.

[Capt. Harlock]

We are burning all important papers, and preparing to think of the King in our last stand. Might be tommorow that we surrender.

I don't suppose Cuttlefish is actually desperately short of ammo?[:D]

[Q-Ball]

Capt. Harlock: [:D] It would be nice, but I'm afraid not.

Combat Report, Feb 7, 8 1942

Very little happening still. This is driving me mad, as I am certain Cuttlefish and KB are up to no good. KB was last sighted over a week ago; my guess is that they are at Truk, but I have no idea where they are going after that.

Preparations
Pago Pago has most of the 2nd Marine Div there. I am starting to reinfoce Savaii, and have a RCT planning to land at Suva. Planes are also heading down there. I am moving a surface combat TF to Pago Pago, to potentially interdict Japanese Landings in the Ellice Islands

Singapore
Another attack drops the forts....shant be long now. I don't know how I could have held out more; I retreated to Singapore in good order, even rebuilding 9th and 11th Indian Divs, and the 11th was at almost 100% readiness. When the Japs bring 5 divisions like Cuttlefish did, not much you can do. Personally, I think any JFB should make a max commitment to Malaya, and if you do that, the Allies cannot hold past first week of Feb, period.

Searchlight
Operation is starting from Dutch Harbor.