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I will look at your numbers more closely later, but you want to expand vehicle production to 180 minimum and up to 230 or even higher depending upon how many vehicles you expect to lose.

Now is the best time to expand to get the best return on your supply dollar. Increase all your factories by 1, rather 1 factory by 10 to get even better return.

The vehicle number really jumps out to me at least.

Is 1944 that bad??
I was planning to increase vehicles, actually my plan was 150 ... but I was worried about the supply situation. I am still worried as 300K at Tokyo is really low, I need to feed operations and I still haven't captured Balikpapan and Tarakan...
with my luck I bet they will come severely damaged

What is the lowest you would go at Tokyo?

The last 10 days or so had been relatively uneventful. but on January 9th there were simultaneous strikes across the SRA:

- Singapore strait crossed, with a great result of 2-to-1 in favor, and fort reduced to 1:

- 21st Ind. Mixed Brigade unloaded at Balikpapan, only 1 PB hit by mines, no damage to CD guns

- Makassar and Kendari invaded, no incident.

Singapore troops will wait for reinforcements and disrupt reduction before attacking again.
Balikpapan, Makassar and Kendari will be assaulted tomorrow

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 77211 troops, 753 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 2242

Defending force 40479 troops, 381 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 582

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1941

Allied adjusted defense: 725

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
5077 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 568 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 57 disabled
Guns lost 29 (1 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2944 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 288 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 128 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 66 (14 destroyed, 52 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
148th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
21st Division
113th Infantry Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
18th Division
2nd Division
5th Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
11th Indian Division
SSVF Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
1st Mysore Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
12th Indian Brigade
110th RAF Adv Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
2nd ISF Base Force
109th RAF Adv Base Force
Singapore Base Force
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
AHQ Far East
223 Group RAF
Malaya Army
224 Group RAF
112th RAF Adv Base Force
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III Indian Corps
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
111th RAF Adv Base Force
5th Field Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kendari (70,106)

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 4
SC Ch 1
DMS W-8
APD Shimakaze

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC Ch 4 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 1 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 20 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-10, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS W-9, Shell hits 1
PB Kiso Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

DMS W-10 firing at Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Defenses firing at DMS W-10
DMS W-9 firing at Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Defenses firing at DMS W-9
4 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Makassar (65,106)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
TB Kamo
TB Hato
xAP Kowa Maru

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

TB Kamo fired at enemy troops
TB Hato fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Makassar (65,106)

TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Makassar, 65,106

15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 15th Nav Gd


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
PB Shosei Maru
PB Nanpo Maru
PB Kamitsu Maru
PB Edo Maru
xAK Meisho Maru

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)

BB Yamashiro firing at Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Defenses firing at BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu firing at Balikpapan MLD Base Force
PB Shosei Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Nanpo Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kamitsu Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Edo Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Balikpapan (64,97)

TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Balikpapan, 64,97

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Ind.Mixed Bde /2
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Ind.Mixed Bde /3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
PB Shosei Maru
PB Nanpo Maru
PB Kamitsu Maru
PB Edo Maru
xAK Meisho Maru

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Yamashiro firing at I Samarinda Cdo
BB Mutsu firing at VI KNIL Battalion
PB Shosei Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Nanpo Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kamitsu Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Edo Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Makassar (65,106)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
TB Kamo
TB Hato
xAP Kowa Maru

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

TB Kamo fired at enemy troops
TB Hato fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kendari (70,106)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 1
APD Shimakaze

SC Ch 1 fired at enemy troops

Either I am doing something very wrong with the invasions, or he is really good at moving engineers to oil centers.

During this game, I have damaged the following oil centers while capturing them:
Miri: 27 + standard 150 = 157
Palembang: 98
Tarakan: 31
Balikpapan: 84

For a grand total, so far, or : 370,000 supply I had to divert from HI and operations to repair oil wells [:(] [:(][:(][:(][:(]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Is 1944 that bad??
I was planning to increase vehicles, actually my plan was 150 ... but I was worried about the supply situation. I am still worried as 300K at Tokyo is really low, I need to feed operations and I still haven't captured Balikpapan and Tarakan...
with my luck I bet they will come severely damaged

What is the lowest you would go at Tokyo?

I guess a lot depends upon how you plan on using your vehicles. I don't know of any JFB that runs with vehicles that low. 180 seems to be the lowest number, and I have seen some horrendous ground combat games where it has gone well over 250.

I would be more concerned with supply on Honshu, sometimes it gets messed up. But the early game demands a lot...from rebuilding oil, r&d, and vehicle expansion. I would put vehicle production right behind setting up my Oscar/Zero/Frank A r&d program and oil rebuilding.

At some point you will be banking 10K supply a day after the initial expenditures on Honshu alone unless you really over expand the economy.

Vehicles are a lot like oil...the sooner you expand them the greater the supply to production ratio.

I followed your advice and put vehicles at 180; Tokyo is at 234K supply and with Singapore a day or two from capture, I will likely need some of this supply for future offensives.

I also increased engines; they are at:

Production
Ha-31: 61(9) = 70 ---> target is 80
Ha-32: 94(16) + 37(13) = 160 ---> target is 180
Ha-33: 102(18) + 37(13) = 170 ---> target is over 300, but still not decided
Ha-34: 30(0) ---> I want to build this to 60 at least, but I am worried about running out of supply
Ha-35: 207(13) + 37(13) + 37(13) = 320 ---> target is 320

R&D
Ha-42: 2(0)
Ha-43: 11(19)
Ha-44: 10(0)
Ha-45: 41(19) + 11(19) = 90
Ha-60 Aichi: 40(0) + 80(0) + 5(0) = 125
Ha-60 Kawasaki: 21(9)
NE turbo: 2(0)
Toko: 2(0)
focus will be on Ha-43 (Sam) and Ha-45 (Frank); I plan to keep increasing them as soon as they repair

Aircraft Production

Engine factories repair 1 point a day, and in realistic r&d max gain is 1 point per day...so building to size 60 costs 30 r&d points lost while the factory repairs or 1/3rd of a month acceleration versus faster initial production. A tradeoff you have to make.

General speaking, early game I don't build any r&d factory for engines past 30 to conserve supply.

I generally like to have 3 size 30 working on the Ha45 and two on the 43. 43 is also the final George I believe.

No good reason to make the Ha42 that I know of. To tell the truth I am curious about the planes that fly that beast -- but perhaps worth experimenting versus the AI and not a pbem.

Good point on the larger than 30 factories, So it might be a good idea to simple kill Ha-42/ Ki-93 and make another 30 factory Ha-45?

EDIT1: Done: killed Ha-42 and Ki-93, made them 30 factory Ha-45/ Ki-84 Frank

Then I will need to choose which one is better: Ha-44, Toko or NE turbo aircrafts, then kill the other to increase Ha-43

EDIT2: Ha-44 is needed for B6N1.
NE turbojet for Kikka or Ki-201 Karyu... all come in 1946.
Toko Rocket is needed for Shusei, coming on December 45
So it really won't matter, by that time it will be game over, I think I will kill Toko


By the way, this is R&D aircraft:
Strong focus on A6M line; including your tip of acceleration Zen Baku for PDU off reasons.

Tsurugi are kind of worthless in pdu off.

Squadrons come 2 months prior to the aircraft build.

All squadrons are sized 10.

There is a strong possibility all squadrons are training squadrons and not eligible for kamikaze attacks.

It would be a a disappointment if they are not allowed to become kamikazes, after all that is what this plane was designed for: A cheap, heavy bomb capable "special unit" plane.

What I saw is that I will get several, around 22, 10-plane squadrons of Ki-9 Spruce that upgrade to it.

Looking at the stats, Tsurugi is less horrible than Spruce. I am not planning of course to accelerate it, but it might make sense to build some. But I haven't touched it, the quantities are set as of the start of the scenario.

That said it might be a good idea to use this R&D line to somewhere else... The questions is, Am I missing anything?

I am accelerating the following:
5x30 on A6M line + 60 building
2x30 on A7M2
1x30 on B6N1
1x30 on D4Y1

2x30 on Ki-43 (a and b) + 100 building
2x30 on Ki-44a
2x30 on Ki-45a
1x30 on Ki-49Ia
1x90 + 3x30 on Ki-84a

I have the rest as of starting scenario settings:
1x9 J2M2 + 1x13 J3M5
1x5 + 1x10 N1K1
1x22 Ki-61a + 1x30 Ki-61c


I also ended killing the Toka rocket. I was thinking about keeping one of the 3 Aichi HA-60s as R&D, the smallest one come as 5(0)... I am happy it is now accelerating HA-60, but maybe I can change it to something else after Oct 42? Maybe bring back the Toka?

Excluding short term Ha-60s, I will have:
2x30 + 1x60 factories on Ha-45
2x30 factories on Ha-43
1x2 NE Turbo
1x10 Ha-44

1x5 ???

Tsurugi is less horrible than Spruce

Not much of an endorsement. [:D]

On some of those late planes the squadrons available are dismal.

Georges go to Karyu. Not many squadrons. And you need the final George first.

Toka rockets come from final Jack. Very few squadrons. I think a few Tojo IIc go for the Army rocket fighter. ki202.

Kikka is interesting, and squadrons exist for it immediately, but a 2 engine kamikaze? How much better is it than a Judy?

Hard to go wrong with 5 size 30 Frank A...some squadrons upgrade to it from the Oscar IIa. Getting the Frank A in mid 43 is sweet.

The Tony line should be looked, but spend carefully here. Screwy upgrade path for factories, and you really want the d and later versions.

Singapore fell and this means the end of Phase#1 and start of Phase#2

- Invasion of Java is full force: Yokosuka 4th SNLFs took Merak. They boarded barges from Osthaven and surprised the Allies. 4th Ind Mixed Brigade is following, by barges (same ones) and air transport

- At the same time, making use of the assets already committed to support Makassar and Balikpapan, I started the invasion of Tjepoe. The idea, overall, is to establish secure beach heads, then cut the island it two, then capture Soerabaja, then the entire South east, then move on to Batavia, and isolate Bandoeng's mountain and keep the siege until it runs out of supply.

- In parallel, I will move on to Pt Moresby, and Timor, followed by a diversionary invasion of Northern Australia.

Allied fleet nowhere to be seen


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 86796 troops, 940 guns, 354 vehicles, Assault Value = 2258

Defending force 32224 troops, 333 guns, 123 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1157

Allied adjusted defense: 335

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
847 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
46181 casualties reported
Squads: 701 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2534 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 106 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 446 (446 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 174 (174 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 26

Assaulting units:
21st Division
148th Infantry Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
18th Division
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
4th Division
5th Division
Imperial Guards Division
113th Infantry Regiment
2nd Division
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
SSVF Brigade
12th Indian Brigade
III Indian Corps
223 Group RAF
109th RAF Adv Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
111th RAF Adv Base Force
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
1st Malay Battalion
224 Group RAF
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
Malaya Army
AHQ Far East
112th RAF Adv Base Force
110th RAF Adv Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Malayan Air Wing
5th Field Regiment

This is Burma:
Objectives here are just to grab Burma, I am not planning any India adventure; or maybe grab Chittagong to shield Magwe's oil

South West Pacific:
KB is pummeling Port Moresby in preparation for invasion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 14 damaged
S.23 Empire: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 6 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui
DD Kagero

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at Port Moresby
BB Hiei firing at Port Moresby
DD Hamakaze firing at Port Moresby
DD Urakaze firing at Port Moresby
DD Shiranui firing at Port Moresby
DD Kagero firing at Port Moresby

Some news as of January 18th:
- Rangoon fell

- Beach heads at Tjpoe and Merak are consolidating with additional reinforcements unloading. Once I have ~2 divisions at Tjpoe, I will march and capture Soerabaja.

- In what looks like a mistake, he abandoned Clark field, focusing all the efforts on Manila. This was God's gift for Japan, as I failed repeatedly to capture this important airfield. Now he has 3 isolated pockets, Manila with the main force, 80K plus troops, Bataan with only 3K to 4K troops, and Subic bay with only the CD guns.
My plan is to grab Bataan and Subic quickly, then clean the mines, then start naval bombing to soften Manila. I can see it falling relatively soon after the bombing starts. We will see, I am not in a hurry here

- Horn island captured; however, I forgot it had coastal guns, and paid accordingly, AMC Aikoku Maru is on heavy fires, it will sink tomorrow. A small xAP, Ukishima maru, is already lost

- Main event: Port Moresby, I successfully unloaded 144 regiment + 2 SNLFs, however, he was waiting on ambush. He had significant number of cruisers waiting, and last turn he unleashed them. KB response was disappointing, and the entire (empty) TF was pretty much wipped out.

Get used to losing ships! [:D] You can breath a sigh of relief they aren't your AK-t!

You don't really need the xAPs, so think of the fuel you will save although they look like the small xAPs which are kind of handy to have around.

To me what really stings there is losing the training cruisers. I know that is how most JFBs use them early on, but they really come into their own in 44 as super escorts and before that they can take a torpedo and live instead of a Tonan Whaler taking one. They are also absolutely great with fuel consumption, less than a destroyer so it never feels bad when you use them as escorts. Not like the Oi!

Don't like losing AMC either.

What was the CM doing in there?

I think the important thing is to learn from it, and also figure out how to do it to the Allies. I hate the Rabaul/PM/SRA areas because they are very prone to Allied slashing attacks like this.

This is how things look for tomorrow.

Exeter, New Orleans and Enterprise spent a lot of ammo, so they will likely be gone.

Australia and New Orleans are intact, and full ammo, they will likely try to catch the KB
Boise received three bombs, it might be out of action

I think KB can handle them, but the biggest risk is what else is he going to send? where is Repulse? where is Pow?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cooktown at 97,138

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Phelps

SS RO-61 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Pensacola
RO-61 diving deep ....
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 54
D3A1 Val x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Enterprise
CA New Orleans
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1
CA Australia
DD Electra
DD Thanet
CA Exeter
CL Glasgow, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan
DD Farragut
DD MacDonough

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pope
DD Van Nes

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 95,132

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 8
D3A1 Val x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Express
DD Le Triomphant, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 89,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Platypus, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,134

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A1 Val x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Townsville, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Townsville

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 25
D3A1 Val x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1
CL Boise, Bomb hits 2
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 1
CL Glasgow
DD Electra, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Enterprise
CA Australia

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on DD Electra
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Electra


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Barker, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Nes, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Pope
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a 'D' Class class DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Barker


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,130, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
CL Kashima, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
CM Tsugaru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Fukui Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Ikunta Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
PB Kaikei Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Kaiun Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Kinsyo Maru #4, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kongo Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hokkai Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kashima Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Horai Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Shanghai Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 2
CA Exeter, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAP Horai Maru at 23,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CL Katori at 23,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages PB Kinsyo Maru #4 at 23,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Kaikei Maru at 23,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages PB Fukui Maru at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA New Orleans at 20,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Kinsyo Maru #4 at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Kashima at 17,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CL Katori at 17,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CL Katori at 17,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Fukui Maru at 17,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAP Shanghai Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages xAP Kashima Maru at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Kashima engages CA Exeter at 13,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA New Orleans at 13,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CL Katori at 13,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CM Tsugaru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Kashima at 9,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Katori at 9,000 yards
CL Katori engages CL Enterprise at 9,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Kaiun Maru at 9,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages AMC Kongo Maru at 9,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CM Tsugaru at 9,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Horai Maru at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 8,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 8,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Kinsyo Maru #4 at 8,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kongo Maru at 8,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CM Tsugaru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CL Kashima at 5,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA New Orleans at 5,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Kinsyo Maru #4 at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Ikunta Maru at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Fukui Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 5,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 5,000 yards
CL Katori engages CL Enterprise at 5,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Fukui Maru at 5,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages AMC Kongo Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAP Shanghai Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CL Kashima at 4,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 4,000 yards
PB Kinsyo Maru #4 sunk by CA Exeter at 4,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Ikunta Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 3,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 3,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CL Katori at 3,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages AMC Kongo Maru at 3,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CM Tsugaru at 3,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages xAP Horai Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages xAP Kashima Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Kashima at 2,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA New Orleans at 2,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages CL Kashima at 2,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CM Tsugaru at 2,000 yards
xAP Shanghai Maru sunk by CA Exeter at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Exeter at 3,000 yards
CL Katori sunk by CA New Orleans at 3,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages PB Kaikei Maru at 3,000 yards
xAP Horai Maru sunk by CA Exeter at 3,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Kashima at 3,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Kaikei Maru at 3,000 yards
CA Exeter engages AMC Kongo Maru at 3,000 yards
CA Exeter engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 3,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAK Hokkai Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Kashima sunk by CA New Orleans at 2,000 yards
PB Kaikei Maru sunk by CA Exeter at 2,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Fukui Maru at 2,000 yards
AMC Kongo Maru engages CA Exeter at 2,000 yards
Good, H. orders Allied TF to disengage
CA New Orleans engages PB Kaiun Maru at 2,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages PB Ikunta Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 2,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages CM Tsugaru at 2,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages xAK Hokkai Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CM Tsugaru , xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Ikunta Maru
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CM Tsugaru screened from combat
CA Exeter engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kongo Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAP Kashima Maru at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CM Tsugaru screened from combat
CA New Orleans engages PB Ikunta Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Hakkaisan Maru at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CL Enterprise engages PB Kaiun Maru at 17,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages AMC Kongo Maru at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CM Tsugaru , xAP Kashima Maru , xAK Hokkai Maru screened from combat
Range increases to 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,130, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CM Tsugaru, and is sunk
PB Fukui Maru, and is sunk
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Ikunta Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kaiun Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kongo Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Hokkai Maru, and is sunk
xAP Kashima Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, on fire
DD Electra, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 16,000 yards
May, C.W. crosses the 'T'
CM Tsugaru , xAP Kashima Maru , xAK Hokkai Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Kaiun Maru , PB Ikunta Maru
DD Electra engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CM Tsugaru , xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Kaiun Maru
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CM Tsugaru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Hakkaisan Maru
Range closes to 11,000 yards
AMC Kinryu Maru engages DD Thanet at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages PB Hakkaisan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages AMC Kongo Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
DD Electra engages PB Kaiun Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Electra engages PB Ikunta Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Electra engages AMC Kongo Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Kaiun Maru
DD Electra engages AMC Kongo Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Electra engages AMC Kinryu Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Electra engages PB Kaiun Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Thanet engages PB Ikunta Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Kaiun Maru
DD Thanet engages PB Ikunta Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Thanet engages PB Hakkaisan Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Thanet engages AMC Kongo Maru at 6,000 yards
AMC Kinryu Maru engages DD Electra at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
DD Thanet engages PB Ikunta Maru at 8,000 yards
AMC Kinryu Maru engages DD Thanet at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Thanet engages PB Kaiun Maru at 11,000 yards
AMC Kongo Maru sunk by DD Thanet at 11,000 yards
May, C.W. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
xAP Kashima Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Kaiun Maru
Range increases to 16,000 yards
Task forces break off...

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Get used to losing ships! [:D] You can breath a sigh of relief they aren't your AK-t!

You don't really need the xAPs, so think of the fuel you will save although they look like the small xAPs which are kind of handy to have around.

To me what really stings there is losing the training cruisers. I know that is how most JFBs use them early on, but they really come into their own in 44 as super escorts and before that they can take a torpedo and live instead of a Tonan Whaler taking one. They are also absolutely great with fuel consumption, less than a destroyer so it never feels bad when you use them as escorts. Not like the Oi!

Don't like losing AMC either.

What was the CM doing in there?

I think the important thing is to learn from it, and also figure out how to do it to the Allies. I hate the Rabaul/PM/SRA areas because they are very prone to Allied slashing attacks like this.

Yes, I am not too concerned about the losses, AMCs are good, but they died doing what they are supposed to do, unloading troops on risky places. I liked the fact that Horn island was captured, as it can become a refuge if KB gets into a fist fight.

I used CM Tsuragu for the additional guns, plus its troop/ cargo capacity. It had already used its mines so not too concerned here.

And yes, that was a smart move, I did something like that in my Allied game, near Pt Blair... the only chance the Allies have early war is to throw major assets and accept losses. That said, I think I can make use of this opportunity to keep inflicting damage to his cruisers; he won't get too many replacements until 1943.

It looks to me you kind of went into PM hastily.

Taluga & Rossel make great float plane bases early on, so you can watch the Oz coast and should be taken prior to PM, in addition to Horn (which you have).

Plus not enough I boats screening the invasion.

That is dangerous water for the KB, and BBs. Don't like to play there at all.

What is your land based air like?