Matrix Games Forums

Erik: Well, how shall I put.. "he is sometimes too skilled for my taste" [:D]

ny59giants: Absolutely. It is definately time to start the submarine campaign. At Pearl Harbour 10+ subs were ordered to go into their designated war zones. Instead of setting up patrol zones I used the another new feature. This is "faster" and easier to do and the way I see it very useful. All the submarines around the map were given new orders.

Yeah. Noumea landings are happening already so it is definately time to look forward in the southern areas. We are fighting and we shall prevail.

Noticed that Oz is getting few decent P40E's and Banshee divebombers within weeks time. Very nice.

aprezto: Thank you. I don't know about the "cajones" thing but I do like banging my head to the wall with Dave.

Yeah, point taken. All I suggested that max. brigade size units would have their destination/home base randomized. It would give the game even more variations. I didn't mean to randomize things too much. No, not at all.

Xxzard: Agreed! As said I wasn't applying that the things should be easier from the start and I do like the challenge.

Here is an pic from subs patrol screen. Notice the new things vs old witp. Personally I like these.

China (december 27th & 28th)

As Sardaukar suggested most of the reserve units are on resting mode in order to save supplies.

IJA has conducted several bombing campaigns here with little or no oppositon. In order to deal with this issue AVG (The flying tigers) have entered the scene. It took few turns to transfer them from Burma but now we shall soon see these guys in action.

Initially I thought about leaving them into Burma but since it has been quiet there I changed my mind. Overall the Burmese front is not worth reinforcing at all. I have decent fortifications and supply levels in northern area so it is no pushover. Now lets take a look in China.

Yellow box = Fortfications and strongholds. I have consumed supplies but I think it will pay off since many of these cities have already 3+ fort levels.

Orange arrow = Chinese troop movement

Yellow arrow = Japanese troop movement

Blue circle = Ground battle fought or to be fought.

As you can see after the initial "recon" battles it is time start moving towards inner china. I thought about defending upfront but decieded it is not worth the effort. Instead I'am using quite a few "guerilla" units there in order to harash his supply lines. These troops will be in constant move so they are harder to dislodge.

I'am satisfied on building up forts. Those yellow boxes are no pushovers at all. As soon as we have more PP to spend we shall revamp the whole command/leader structure of the chines armies.

It it is still early days here but you can get an idea what is going on by looking at the pic.

Borneo (27th and 28th december)

We rolled the dice regarding where the landings are going to take place.

Well, it is Singkawang and this invasion TF has heavy escorts with it. I was suprised to see BB Kongo and BB Haruna escorting this invasion.

I had an PT boat squadron defending this base but these guys caused no harm. They have now high sys damage levels and are propably wiped out within next turn. Those PT's have their homebase set on at Singkawang but as you can see Dave threw them "out". Damn!

Blue circle = ABDA PT boat TF
Red circle = Japanese BB's
Yellow circle = CVE Hosho and the invasion TF.

I have forts here at level 2 but I think Dave has pretty much calculated this and planned accordingly.

I will post few screenies from the game. These are dated 29th december 1941.

It will give you an "feel" what has been ongoing. These pics don't need much "explaining"...

...the top aces!

..the "screen" I would love to forget!

..and the new lottery called "FOW". Take your pick how accurate this actually is at the moment! I have my doubts! [:D]

How are the point totals looking so far, are you going to have to go on the offsensive in 42 to try to stave off 2:1?

Where are you using AVG??

"Patrol Around Target" - I haven't used this feature yet and hope it works out good for you. I don't know If I trust the AI that much. [;)]

jrlans: I will post an pic from the score once the next turn arrives.

I'am an offensive minded person so if he gives me an chance to do anything in 1942 than I will do it. Neither of us is really counting "victory" points since the PBEM is kind of an journey.

I guess most of the "oldtimers" from witp think like this.

We didn't ended when he reached autovictory (if I remember correctly) ...and this time around it wohn't be any diffrent.

I have the 1st offensive plan already in motion. I think we shall see how briliant this was when the next turn arrives. If I calculated correctly than you can reach Singkawang from Soerebaja within 2 days time.


ny59giants: That is undecieded. It will remain divided and provide aircover where and when needed.

I do not trust AI either but that function is friendly and it shows what the "AI" has planned. Checked and made sense so why not.. It cannot be any worse than I'am! [:D]

Operation TITAN (launched on december 28th)

Ok. Having encountered those Battleships off the coast of Singkawang I decieded to launch operation called TITAN.

This operation has gathered around most of the ABDA striking power. The idea is to repulse these landings happening at northern borneo and to sunk BB Haruna and BB Kongo.

I thinked this through many times. The conclusion was that high rewards vs possible high losses.

Advantages

+ IJA has only 1 operational airfield near Singakawang. That is Miri. Yes, Dave has lba bombers at malaya but those are busy bombing the dammest out of Singapore.

+ CVE Hosho doesn't have that much in terms of an aircraft and those planes are not modern. This TF has been out at the sea for an longtime now. It might even be short of torpedoes.

+ I have decent recon gathered via patrol aircraft and those PT boats on the base. IJN has only 1 surface combat TF covering the area. (At least I think so)

+ Dave cannot hold out too long with this invasion and I doubt he is going to cancel this either.

+ KB is busy invading New Caledonia and Rabaul. Propably heading towards Truk to rearm before next operations.

Disadvantages

- I have to commit large scale surface combat vessels here in order to gain anything.

- Japanese torpedo aircraft are deadly and accurate.

- The luck factor. Well, it really hasn't gone my way too much. Basically it could cost the 3rd disaster within a months time.


Those where factors to be considered and I decieded to go for it. If this is succesfull operation than we have severely hammered japanese plans when it comes to ABDA region.

Here is the operational thinking and organization behind operation TITAN (see pic below).

If these TF's didn't intercept those BB's or invasion TF next turn than this operation is cancelled. I have no illusions that Dave wouldn't move every single torpedo bomber available into position and.. well you know! [:D]

Basically fingers crossed that the coming turn brings good news.

I had another suprise waiting for him and CVL Ruyho which seems to be sailing towards Kendari.

...now we just wait for the results!

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Where are you using AVG??

"Patrol Around Target" - I haven't used this feature yet and hope it works out good for you. I don't know If I trust the AI that much. [;)]

It's all I've used for my sub operations, and so far, I like it. It shows you the subs patrol range once you click it...so if you don't like what the AI sets for you, you can change it manually (all or part of it).

It's a slick feature and very glad it's in AE.

As promised yesterday. Here is the victory point screen capture. This is date 31st december 1941.

Operation TITAN (29th and 30th december)

The 1st ABDA command operation is over. Our ships managed to engage the enemy 3-4 times near Singkawang.

Bad news is that I have no idea what kind of damage if any we caused. The below reports are only ones that made it into combat.txt file.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Shonan Maru #6
xAK Ryuyo Maru
xAK Teisen Maru
xAK Ayato Maru
xAK Iwaki Maru
xAK Josho Maru
xAK Kuroshio Maru
xAK Meisho Maru
xAK Midori Maru
xAKL Yagi Maru
xAKL Hachirogata Maru
xAKL Fukuyo Maru
PB Nako Maru #2, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-5
PT TM-6, heavy damage
PT TM-7
PT TM-8



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Murakumo
DD Asashio
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS O19, hits 16, and is sunk



O19 bottoming out ....
DD Hibiki attacking submerged sub ....
SS O19 forced to surface!
DD Hibiki firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Akatsuki firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Arashio firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Oshio firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Hibiki firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Akatsuki firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Arashio firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Oshio firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 7
CA Takao, Shell hits 7
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oshio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 6
CL Durban, Shell hits 1
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 3
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Stewart, Shell hits 1



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 89% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Dockery, L.R. crosses the 'T'
CL Dragon engages BB Haruna at 1,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Dragon at 1,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Durban at 1,000 yards
CL Dragon engages CA Takao at 1,000 yards
DD Stewart engages BB Haruna at 1,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Parrott at 1,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Hatsuyuki at 1,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Stewart at 1,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Stewart at 1,000 yards
DD Stewart engages DD Arashio at 1,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Asashio at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 2,000 yards
CL Durban engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
CL Dragon engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Jintsu at 2,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Asashio at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Parrott at 2,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Parrott at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Parrott at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...


That is the initial combat summary. To be honest I don't know what to make of it. This could be FOW in action or true events.

Regarding allied losses. Well, 1-2 CL's will be lost and 2-4 destroyers. The rest of the fleet should be ok.

The bad thing is that Dave managed to unload nearly 4000 infantry units into Singkawang.

Here is an pic from the area...

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

ORIGINAL: aztez
I looked at the reinforcement tables and not too much coming through in terms of these ships.

Aren't the "Queens" comming in??? They should be ... those guys can probably carry about a division a piece!!! They are not around long, so you should plan their use very carefully. There are a few other very large ships which are around briefly. Hunt them up, plan out their time on the map and you will be able to do the things the Allies did historically - which actually involved very rapid movement of large numbers of troops. But you'd better get the STAFF (you) prepared for this - doesn't sound like you're there yet!![:)]

The problem that I have noted with the queens is that they have a large troop load but only a limited cargo load. Seems like 2/3 rds of you average infantry division is cargo so you have to marry fast cargo carriers to the queens to move a division-or move them in two convoys with the bulk of the cargo coming much later.

Takes a lot of planning.

From the combat reports no torpedo hits were scored hopefully when you see the replay some of the follow on surface combatants have more luck, at best you might have sunk a DD and damaged a CA given the comabat .txt

Also how are your TKs fleets looking I am in March 42 and every TK I can scrap together is a blessing. Right now im running large TK fleets out of San Diego, and AK fleets with a mix of fuel, troops and supplies out of LA all escorted by a minimum of 3 to 4 DDs (btw the clemens 4 stackers will make great escorts as either APDs or DE conversions) to luganvile. Also I have thrown every TK with legs into action transporting from Cape Town to Perth and the ausie AKs to move fuel from Perth to Sydney. Even with all this I am still short of fuel in SOPAC

I didn't recieve turn from Dave so next episode will be played out during the weekend.

crsutton: Noticed the same thing. They are fast though and propably wise to use with "load troops only".

In overall terms AE seems to be focused on logistical planning. This is an huge leap form the old witp. Personally I'am still trying to cope with this "issue".

jrlans: We have agreed to keep combat reports OFF so I guess this adds extra FOW into this PBEM. I did notice that those surface TF's collided though and the damage to my ships indicate the same.

Somewhat disappointed though since this was an opportunity that rarely presents itself. The execution wasn't bad but as always we do need some luck to go with it. Basically it was 3 surface TF + PT TF againts those BB's. I wasn't expecting those Nells from malaya either but I think they flew because ships got damaged and tf detection level went up.

The tankers. To be honest I need to pay more attention to them. They are spread around and few are making their runs already to the frontline bases. This reorganization is one of the elements I need to look when we enter january 1942.

Your supply setup seems logical and organized. Definately better than what I got ongoing here.

I know Oz needs fuel. Than again I don't know if the fall of Noumea somewhat changes things. The route to Oz from WC definately needs to be revamped.

I will take an hard look on the new situation before making some adjustments to the grand strategy.

..since the fuel is one key element for the allies is also for the IJN? I mean Noumea is far far ahead of Truk! ..and even Truk is far from home islands. If the fuel is an issue for the japan too than I think he might have stretched too far ahead!

ORIGINAL: aztez

..since the fuel is one key element for the allies is also for the IJN? I mean Noumea is far far ahead of Truk! ..and even Truk is far from home islands. If the fuel is an issue for the japan too than I think he might have stretched too far ahead!

True, but Japan has a central position. So japanese fuel has to make shorter travels than yours, with a greater (although relative) security.

You might want to check some discussion in this topic:

tm.asp?m=2213390&mpage=1&key=

Allied tanker and oiler shortage is historical and will last for a while. So hauling fuel is going to be difficult if you squander your large TKs and AOs. But it'll never be impossible.

Note that you can transport fuel in xAKs, with about 50% cargo space efficiency usually, since it models transportation in fuel drums. Allies will not be that short of xAKs, so it might make sense to use them for fuel hauling too, especially into bases where TKs and especially AOs would be too valuable to risk. Load/unload of fuel from xAK is not very fast, thouhg, since it uses Cargo load rate, not fuel/oil rate which would be 5 times faster.

You can always load fuel to xAKs from Capetown and unload it in Perth. Perth is behind low-capacity railway and fuel will not move well via rail because of that, so you'll need to shuttle it to east Oz from there with ships. Save those low-capacity/low-range Dutch and Brit TKs for that from DEI. Remember to escort them a bit though, you don't want to give IJN subs a field day. Short-range Brit and Dutch DDs are good for this.

I would use the Cape Town to Perth method and then local tankers to Sydney (as fuel wont flow over the rail line [:@] ) however providing air cover with Noumea taken over Sydney will now have to be a priority. In Jan/42 you get some US P40Es that were destined for the DEI that have a prety quick withdrawl time (mid March/42) but if you delay that withdrawl you can get a decent fighter force in OZ as long as you train them up first (thier starting XP is in the 30s and 40s)

As for Japans logistics I have heard that they are short on liquid cappacity at the start but can move enough fuel using AKs to make up for it.