Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Docup(A)-Koniu(J)

[obvert]

48h until all troops from Mandalay and Magwe will move to jungle. I hate leaving 300 oil field in in Magwe but if i can kill 500 enemy men using only 80 bombers imagine what 200 4E will do to me.

He should have shut those oil fields long ago. You're lucky to have had them this long, really.

Yeah. in the clear, moving, you'll lose in the 2,000 range in casualties if he wants to bomb there. I lost about 4.5k in one day recently from 3 divisions in combat mode in the clear. That's insane and silly, but that's the game. It's like an entire brigade going 'poof,' gone.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Yeah. in the clear, moving, you'll lose in the 2,000 range in casualties if he wants to bomb there. I lost about 4.5k in one day recently from 3 divisions in combat mode in the clear. That's insane and silly, but that's the game. It's like an entire brigade going 'poof,' gone.

I will be surprise to Docup when he suddenly find out that 120k troops is gone in single day[:D]. I already have 50% of combat troops, 50% of air support and 100% of artillery and AA and 100% HQ in defense line. Rest is now in strategic mode and all those troop will be railed from plains in single day. They should arrive to defense position in another 3-5 days and start build forts.

ORIGINAL: obvert
He should have shut those oil fields long ago. You're lucky to have had them this long, really.

I newer in our game saw Docup trying to attack base with high CAP. Somehow i think 100+ fighters in base is magical number to stop Docup from offensive movements against that base. And i am sure with all those P-38 and F4U and P-40 as escort he could close any base he wish. For big loses because we are playing beta but he could close that base.

He once try sweep offensive on Mandalay. But after losing ~80 fighters for about 120 on my side in 3 days he end offensive. But it was 6 or more months ago.

[obvert]

In my game with Torsten the oil is at 140 (160), and after one big disaster raid he's bombed mostly at night. It's only 6/42. He is doing it right. Once the base turns over to the IJ, kill the oil. I've only recently been able to get enough CAP to slow him down there, but the P-38 is starting to show up, so he'll be back at it soon.

[koniu]

I ask Docup to not send me turn until Monday because of family staff i have to do during weekend so i am expecting it in few H.
I use that time to plan next moves in Burma

I am ready to abandon plains in next turn with all units at once. But i think i will delay it because enemy troops are holding positions. It will buy me few more days when oil from Magwe will be avaible.

Also i made decision that first thing to do by Japanese bombers after Magwe will switch to allied hands will be bombing of Magwe refineries. I cant allow allies to have those extra supplies every turn. Also if lucky maybe Docup will not switch repairs off and that way he will lose some of his precious supplies.

[koniu]

31 May 43

Not much to rapport.

Burma
Today is last day in plains. Tomorrow only two small units will stay on Mandalay and Magwe.
they will stay there to avoid autoswitch of base.

South Pacific.
Enemy cargo TF in Funafuti (south of Gilbert's)
My cruisers have date tomorrow.

China
Tanks attack enemy forces in Sining and Lanchow. Enemy forces 45 and 200 AV.
Only small week units. Should be easy. In 3 days infantry will arrive and i will start attack.

R&D
N1K2-J Geroge advance to 10/43
Ki-84a Frank advance to 3/44

In few h i will make Empire economy and May summary

[koniu]

May Summary

Only two noticeable actions in that month. First bad news.
I am retreating from central Burma. Situation is not dramatic. I build new defense line in jungle. And i think Docup have not more that 5-7k AV advancing so with forts, jungle, and monsoon season give me good chances that i will be able to hold for some 6 or more months.

I think Burma together with South DEI and Salomon's going to be places of offensive moves of allies.

Now good news. We winn big CV clash south of Gilbert's. Allies lost half of carriers together with BB and many DD. Great day for Japan. But that victory change fgame. Because allies are not going to be able to push trough Pacific in next few months, my focus is moved toward other areas.

Currently i am building defense in DEI, north coast of New Guinea, Marians and Kurilee Islands

Ship loses of May

Japan
1x CA
1x CL
3x DD
1x E
1x SS
4x SSX
3x PB
7x Cargo

Allies
3x CV
1x BB
1xCL
1xCLAA
11x DD
6x SS (only one for sure)
5x SC
1x KV
2x AM
1x ACM
6x Cargo

Air loses of May

Japan
530 planes of all types

Allies
474 planes of all types

Total loses in war

[koniu]

Economy

[PaxMondo]

Economy looks REAL good. Only one suggestion: I'd add another factory to the Ha-43 to try and get that one as soon as you can.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Economy looks REAL good. Only one suggestion: I'd add another factory to the Ha-43 to try and get that one as soon as you can.

Ha-43 should be avaible in 1/44 with current research (4 factories) i will look for another factory. I can use Ha-44 factory (currently shutdown) i use it to build B6N1 bomber and i will not need that engine in future (i think Ki-94II is using that engine but i will not build it).

I was planing to accelerate it as much as passable, and in January `44 double production or more and have 500+ engines before first SAM or Ki-83 start to research. But fifth factory can be good solution to speed things more.

I am little worried with supply level of Empire. 3M i low i think. I use lot of supply to build R&D program. I am not complaining as R&D is working good and many planes will arrive much more faster that planed (N1K2, Ki-84, P1Y2, D4Y3 etc) but that cost me lot of supplies.

If nothing disastrous will happen in next 6-7 months, by end of 1943 i should have 4M of supplies in reserve. I am currently saving 7-10k (depend of day) supply daily and oil reserve should last to end of `43 or little longer so it look promising

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Economy looks REAL good. Only one suggestion: I'd add another factory to the Ha-43 to try and get that one as soon as you can.

Ha-43 should be avaible in 1/44 with current research (4 factories) i will look for another factory. I can use Ha-44 factory (currently shutdown) i use it to build B6N1 bomber and i will not need that engine in future (i think Ki-94II is using that engine but i will not build it).

I was planing to accelerate it as much as passable, and in January `44 double production or more and have 500+ engines before first SAM or Ki-83 start to research. But fifth factory can be good solution to speed things more.

I am little worried with supply level of Empire. 3M i low i think. I use lot of supply to build R&D program. I am not complaining as R&D is working good and many planes will arrive much more faster that planed (N1K2, Ki-84, P1Y2, D4Y3 etc) but that cost me lot of supplies.

If nothing disastrous will happen in next 6-7 months, by end of 1943 i should have 4M of supplies in reserve. I am currently saving 7-10k (depend of day) supply daily and oil reserve should last to end of `43 or little longer so it look promising

Ha-43 - exactly what I was thinking ... get that 500 engine bonus ASAP.

Supply - 3M in mid 43 I think is ok. Figure you have about another 1M to spend on your final AC factories and then that expenditure is pretty much done for the game. Your biggest use/loss from now on will be to allied bombing. Get your supply spread out. Supply loss due to bombing is partly proportional to the amount that is present, so you want to have minimal amounts when he is bombing IF you can. Obviously strongholds have to have a lot of supply, so then you need really high forts to help minimize supply loss.

[koniu]

1-2 June 43

Burma
We bomb enemy troops in two open hexes. First attack go smooth and bombers manage to disable at lest 40 vehicles from cavalry regiment. Second strike was disaster. By mistake bomber go at 2k. 36 Ki-49 shot-down by flak.

Central Burma is now fully eavacuated. All trops on defense positions. Look at map

Morning Air attack on 43rd Cavalry Regiment, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 69

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 40 (3 destroyed, 37 disabled)

and second attack

Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 56,47 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 117

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 65 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 12 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
397 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Rabaul
BB eat two TT taking heavy damage. Ship is in bad condition. 24 sys/61 flood/21 eng. Ship is anchored at Rabaul right now i am sending 10 DD from Truk and i will try to escort BB to Japan. I think 6-8 months in dry dock if ship survive trip.
I have 12 DD, two ASW TFs in hex and i dont even get revenge on that sub.

Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Nagato
DD Tanikaze
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
SS Argonaut

At lest Es in Feni Islands my me little happier

ASW attack near Feni Islands at 108,126

Japanese Ships
E Matsuwa
E Oki
E W-23

Allied Ships
SS Scamp, hits 22, heavy damage



S.Pacific
I send CA TF to engage ships in Funafuti. TF stop one hex from enemy ships. I think i was lucky. Enemy CVE TF sooted 4 hex south of Funafuti. Lucky no air strike. Next day cruiser sunk two cargo ships in night battle and on morning safely return toward Tabiteuea

Night Time Surface Combat, near Funafuti at 138,147, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
xAK Beltana, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
xAK Dundula, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


China
Chinese troops bombard one of my LCU groups. 2000AV Chinese vs. 1300 Japanese AV. Do danger. probably only reckon.

[koniu]

3 June 43

Burma
Some ~40 2E bombers attack troops in Lashio. They miss but it was enough to slow down Tank unit marching toward Mandalay.

Ki-49 attack different units in open hex. This time they fly at 7k and still 7 planes lost from flak. I look that some big % of units Docup have in open are Chinese units. That is good news. That mean he will have difficulties when he try to engage me in jungle.

Morning Air attack on 1st New Chinese Corps, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 33 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

China
Finally ID arrive to Lanchow. Tomorrow ID and tank div will attack.
Docup again send B-35 to attack my tanks in open East of Lanchow. Again they where intercepted by Japanese fighters. 11 Bombers shot down.

Morning Air attack on 9th Tank Regiment, at 84,32 , near Ningsia

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

45 size Gorerge sentai arrive to china today. Orders are to sweep together with fer Tojo units Chinese air force. I think Docup have only green pilots flying on low quality 1 get fighters in China.

Rabaul
BB Matsu manage to reduce flooding by 5 pints. In few days i will be able to evacuate it to Truk.
US bombers bomb Woodlark Island i see TF moving toward it. Probably hit and run landing.

South Pacific.
Docup is doing something in Ellice Islands. He is covering operation with at lest 5 CVE.
I wish i can send there KB but it is to far south to surprise them and KB will nedd to reful first and AO TF is still few days from current KB base.

KB
Anchored in Woleai. Soryu, Junyo and Shoho together with two CAs are sailing to Japan for refits. I transfer some group to Truk. They will fly there mostly training operations. Some fighters rebased to bases in Dutch New Guinea to cover unloading operations there.

All ships should be repaired in ~week and refueled in 4-5 days

[koniu]

4 June 43

China
Lanchow fall. All oil and refineries undamaged. I hope engine will be able to move that fuel toward coast.

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20839 troops, 231 guns, 668 vehicles, Assault Value = 816

Defending force 5936 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 579

Allied adjusted defense: 133

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lanchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2033 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 5

[PaxMondo]

From Lanchow, my experience is that the oil flows fairly easily.

[obvert]

The oil from Lanchow is great for running the rest of China. You may need it there, but if not it will move on.

I'm also seeing interesting things at Urumchi very late now, in mid-44. It seems that once Lanchow was hit and much of the oil destroyed the reserves at Urumchi began to drop. I'l have to look at tracker to make sure i'm not imagining this, but that would be a fantastic result and would help mitigate some other losses to the B-29s.

[koniu]

5 June 43

Burma
Enemy is moving toward hex between Mandalay and Magwe. They should cross hex in 3-4 days.

I also am retreating south from Akyab. All units(infantry, tanks, arty) 1300AV expect one ID manage to move south but one ID and para unit left behind with 2 miles left to march. Unlucky 10 enemy units enter hex today. If they attack they will have to face ~1500 adjusted AV of elite 38th ID. Unit have 82 XP and 99 morale and commader is good, there is also HQ in range. Hex have jungle rough terrain.

China
I just find that i move few small units (arty, Eng) to China from Manchuria without paying PP to change command. I inform Docup about that and i will pay PP for those units today. I will cost me ~400 PP

R&D
Ha-43 Advance to 7/44

I am reading forum threat about George, Jack R&D
I am not sure if i should invest in R&D of N1K5 George. I thinking about moving all those factories to A7M2 Sam or J7W1 Shinden. But Sam and Shinden will not be probably available until early `45 and i can have N1K5 in summer `44. He will not replace K2 because of high SR but can be useful in Home Island defense until Sam show up.

Current Sam, Shinden, Frank and Ki-83 R&D program
All those planes the same as George will be able use engine bonus

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: koniu

5 June 43

Burma
Enemy is moving toward hex between Mandalay and Magwe. They should cross hex in 3-4 days.

I also am retreating south from Akyab. All units(infantry, tanks, arty) 1300AV expect one ID manage to move south but one ID and para unit left behind with 2 miles left to march. Unlucky 10 enemy units enter hex today. If they attack they will have to face ~1500 adjusted AV of elite 38th ID. Unit have 82 XP and 99 morale and commader is good, there is also HQ in range. Hex have jungle rough terrain.

China
I just find that i move few small units (arty, Eng) to China from Manchuria without paying PP to change command. I inform Docup about that and i will pay PP for those units today. I will cost me ~400 PP

R&D
Ha-43 Advance to 7/44

I am reading forum threat about George, Jack R&D
I am not sure if i should invest in R&D of N1K5 George. I thinking about moving all those factories to A7M2 Sam or J7W1 Shinden. But Sam and Shinden will not be probably available until early `45 and i can have N1K5 in summer `44. He will not replace K2 because of high SR but can be useful in Home Island defense until Sam show up.

Current Sam, Shinden, Frank and Ki-83 R&D program
All those planes the same as George will be able use engine bonus

[X(][X(] you're really investing a LOT in R&D boy!

My numbers are HALF of yours...

[obvert]

Looks to be getting some great luck in the repair department as well. My Ki-83, SAM and Ki-84b didn't get going until 2-4/44. I guess more factories mean some are more likely to repair more quickly?

[PaxMondo]

Not that I know of.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Looks to be getting some great luck in the repair department as well. My Ki-83, SAM and Ki-84b didn't get going until 2-4/44. I guess more factories mean some are more likely to repair more quickly?

All bases in Japan that have R&D factory from first days of war having at lest 10k supplies.
I always think that R&D factories repairing the same as normal factories so they need 10k+ supplies to repair, only if they build or not was random. I still don`t know if that is true but i seen no reason to risk that factory will want to repair and i will not have enough supplies in base to repair them.
Also all factories are size 30 (with few exceptions because they start bigger). I read in many topics on forum that 30 size is optimal to repair time and after repair with numbers of points produced.

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

[X(][X(] you're really investing a LOT in R&D boy!

My numbers are HALF of yours...

I see that different. Why accelerate Sam, Shinden or K-83 at all if You will be able to accelerate it only by month or two. If doing it, I want to have them asap(maybe late `44). Also those numbers are not so big. When finally all those factories repair i will have from day 1 240 Sam/month or 150 Shindens. Not that big numbers for production of late `44 early `45.(remember they will replace absolute at that point George)
Also i still will have to use all those supplies to expend production after arrival date of plane, so why not do that now and count for some luck with r&d and start production with already decent numbers of factories.

As for Frank. I will build 205 Franks "a" from 9/43. That will leave me with with six r&d factories moved to "r" version. And i want that plane asap. I think summer `44. I will be best fighter Japan Army have until Ki-83 in early `45. I am also accelerating Frank "b" for his CL guns( autumn `44 i think)