Fabertong vs Speedy: The view from the Pole

[Mike Solli]

I use Hainan as a training base as well, but thus far only for my bombers. I suspect that will change soon.[:D]

[Mynok]

I've got most of 4 Sentais trained to 70-75 group exp after getting them back in March. It's middle of May now. It works.

[fabertong]

Mynoks training program is good.......however...Speedy only has 5 troop concentrations left in China....all covered by Spitfires and Hurra's and Lightnings....oh my.......

Today Speedy hit Kendari and destroyed 7 Betty's and 5 fighters..............
I've moved 4 Zero sqdrns to Hollandia....destination somewhere near Kendari...next turn they will fly LRCAP over Ken. and we will see what happens....sadly Zeros are rubbish against b-17s.....but my Tony's are to far away....and I don't have enough Jacks......
I'm flying LRCAP (5 sdns) over the railline west of Mytk.........
Also 2 sqdrns flying LRCAP over my northern China Army...which has been bombed from Chunking non-stop......
2xbetty and 1 nell sqdrn...will bomb Darwin this turn........(port and resc.).......

Ok so now follows 4 pages of all my land based fighter groups....... The problem for the Japs. is how to cover everywhere.....

[fabertong]

and more

[fabertong]

etc.....

[fabertong]

and last........

[Mynok]

Speedy only has 5 troop concentrations left in China....all covered by Spitfires and Hurra's and Lightnings....oh my.......

A definite drawback to the conquer China gambit.....

[fabertong]

Without air supremacy......you cannot take China.......which is why I'm pulling out.......

[Mike Solli]

I remember Mogami occasionally talking about how the Japanese can't really contest in the air in more than 2 places, Burma and one other area of the Japanese player's choosing. It looks like you're trying to defend everything.

Edit: Thanks for posting the fighter stats. Very interesting how far they have depreciated in less than 2 years.

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I remember Mogami occasionally talking about how the Japanese can't really contest in the air in more than 2 places, Burma and one other area of the Japanese player's choosing. It looks like you're trying to defend everything.

Guilty, as charged..............but I think if the allies get in the first blow...say at PM...they can then close the airfield....never to reopen....which is why I defend my key bases with multiple airgroups.....Speedy had closed all my NG airfields and it took much hardwork to re-open them..........also I wish I could choose, but the game is such that I play at Speedy's leisure.......I will form big wings(6+sqdrns) for firefighting....when the time comes.....soon.

[Mike Solli]

I understand where you're coming from. In my game (1 Jun 42) he's got hundreds of 2 & 4E bombers against NG and Rabaul. I can't see how I'm going to close down PM (I never tried to take it - big mistake). He bombs away my supply in NG faster than I can send it there. I'm going to send another 4-5 daitai of Zeros there (in addition to the 4 I currently have in the area).

Any suggestions on closing down PM? How did you reopen your airfields?

[fabertong]

I re-opened my NG airfields by leaving him to bomb them.....and pulling back all my Fighter groups...but keep repairing damage............when Tojo's and Tony's arrived....I shipped a mixed froce of 2xZero 1xTony 1xTojo into PM flying the Tojos and Tonies high (15,000ft)......These airgroups can hurt b-17s in the way that just Zero's can't...........June '42 is not too late to take PM....just go in with everything....KB.....BBs and a good 12-15 LRB groups.......+ at leats 3 Divs and support....I've let allies hold PM far too late and they can even close Rabaul by fall of 1942....big mistake........take it this summer.

[Mike Solli]

Interesting. I'll have to reread your AAR.

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Interesting. I'll have to reread your AAR.

Mike....this AAR doesn't start until Dec. 1942.........before that it is all in my, or Speedy's memory.....so a lot of the stuff you'll be looking for is lost in the mists of time...........

[Mynok]

More like the ice of Antarctica..... [8|]

[niceguy2005]

Interisting Faber. I agree with your decision to pull out of China. Let him busy his airgroups blowing holes in your forces, it should still be quite a while before he can threaten you from China and you should have troops to spare in China. Dig in...

I also agree that Japan can't press the air war in more than two theaters, sometimes even just one if you play your cards right as the allies. The trick as Japan, I think, is to avoid the devastating air battles. Japan can't afford to lose too many planes in a day.

I'm working on a strategy against the AI right now in which I use Japans air power on a very, very limited basis. I try to use shore bombardment and overwhelming land force and save my air power for critical engagements. Its too early to tell if it works or not.

[fabertong]

Niceguy......interesting......let me know how this test works out.......

April 7th 1943.......

Speedy today lost 70+ planes over China/Burma....to my 20....as some of my LRCAP groups caught him on the hop......
These groups will now stand down....to avoid the dreaded lightnings.........
Darwin was bombed to very little affect.....1 port fuel hit........will go again today, despite the danger of Speedy bringing in fighters.....
Speedy bombed Kendari again today.......airfield is now closed....but, I have 3 sdrns of Zero's flying LRCAP over Kendari this turn......though Speedy may switch to Koepang....where the Darwin raid came from.....
Another 2 AKs were hit by Speedy's subs.....both will sink.......
Glens have spotted an Allied TF north of Pearl heading east....probably returning from the Kiska invasion.....but the fact that they are this far south supports my "no Kurile invasion" theory.....
Four I-boats left Truk for CenPac recon missions......Speedy is very good at ASW...so how many will return?

[fabertong]

April 9th 1943......
Speedy's lightnings swept Mandalay today.....around 70 aircraft.....my 40ish cap met them...and only 10 returned......Speedy lost 12 aircraft.......I've pulled all air groups out of Mandalay to rest/refit....
Lost an AK to his subs.....
His air attack on Kendari was intercepted by around 20 fighters........2 confimed kills + 6 damaged....I lost 2 planes...
The 3rd AA reg. begen unloading at Wake today.......the island was also mined....up to 800 mines now in place....more to come.....
Speedy also raided Paramashiro.......just dipping his toes in the water, no real strength.....but I moved another 10 Tony's in......

[BaitBoy]

ORIGINAL: fabertong
I've let allies hold PM far too late and they can even close Rabaul by fall of 1942....big mistake........take it this summer.

[:D]

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Bait Boy

ORIGINAL: fabertong
I've let allies hold PM far too late and they can even close Rabaul by fall of 1942....big mistake........take it this summer.

[:D]

Yes, I mean you.........but I'll make you pay........