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

[koniu]

23 FEB 42

Carries continuing concentration east of Rabul.
TF spotted north-west of Phoenix Islands is gone. I will Patrol this area for few more days, but i think it was only FoW

Deliberate attack in Bataan. I have taken more losses than allies. I will rest for few days and try again


PM invasion Plan

I will use 1DIV and 4 marine brigades (600AV)
Direct support will be given by SAG and planes from Rabul and MKB.
Landing will be pradated by mine sweep and bombardment.
KB will stay south near Guadalcanal out of allies patrol range and will only intervene if allies bring bigger air or sea forces. If not KB will ride SE cost of Australia.

[koniu]

24 FEB 42

Zeros have sweep Rangoon. 16 zeros to 12 hurricanes lost. Not good result, i will need to focus more on what pilots i have there.
30 Oscars sweep Java. They found 40 P40E`s shotting down 13 of them with no own losses[:D]
Sweep over PM found nothing.

My air force is killing remnants of Sumatra Garrison. 1000 men left. They stuck in mountains without supplies and hope. Every turn i am killing about 200 of them.

KB and BKB almost ready. Troops will start loading tomorrow.

Sub near Sakhalin sunk one of my TK`s, i have also lost xAKL in sea accident.

[Erkki]

If you want comparison... I used 1 div + 144th reg, 1 SNLF, 1 AAA, 1 ENG and 1 JNAF AF unit against (lightly reinforced) PM. I lost 4 xAKs to DC guns that sunk 2-4 days after invasion(+ 1 damaged, having DDs and a CL(which also received a lot of hits) in the TF probably drew most of the fire away from the transports) but the battleship bombardment probably helped suppressed both the guns and defending men enough that almost everyone got ashore safely(7 squads disabled by shore guns + losses to surf) and place fell on day 2. Defending AV was 84(probably 90-95 before bombardments) with following units:

A Coy/NG Rifles
49th Australian Battalion
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th Field Regiment
15th RAN Base Force

The moment the invasion fleet sailed around the end of New Guinea and past Milne Bay, the KB hit Brisbane and made short work of whatever naval units were earmarked for use in a counter strike against an invasion of PM, Horn Island and/or southern Solomons chain.

Also the invasion fleet had target set to Tulagi and no troops were prepped(was during amphibious bonus) so I dont think the Allies were given any SigInt warning. They were almost revealed by a submarine near Rabaul - which saw a PB and a DD at least. PM had no patrol planes, just short range Hudsons and/or Wirraways or something so the approach was safe until the last 24 hours.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

If you want comparison... I used 1 div + 144th reg, 1 SNLF, 1 AAA, 1 ENG and 1 JNAF AF unit against (lightly reinforced) PM. I lost 4 xAKs to DC guns that sunk 2-4 days after invasion(+ 1 damaged, having DDs and a CL(which also received a lot of hits) in the TF probably drew most of the fire away from the transports) but the battleship bombardment probably helped suppressed both the guns and defending men enough that almost everyone got ashore safely(7 squads disabled by shore guns + losses to surf) and place fell on day 2. Defending AV was 84(probably 90-95 before bombardments) with following units:

A Coy/NG Rifles
49th Australian Battalion
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th Field Regiment
15th RAN Base Force

The moment the invasion fleet sailed around the end of New Guinea and past Milne Bay, the KB hit Brisbane and made short work of whatever naval units were earmarked for use in a counter strike against an invasion of PM, Horn Island and/or southern Solomons chain.

Also the invasion fleet had target set to Tulagi and no troops were prepped(was during amphibious bonus) so I dont think the Allies were given any SigInt warning. They were almost revealed by a submarine near Rabaul - which saw a PB and a DD at least. PM had no patrol planes, just short range Hudsons and/or Wirraways or something so the approach was safe until the last 24 hours.

Thanks. Very useful info. I think Docup can have there 200-300AV(i always count little more to have some error margin[:'(]). Recon is showing 12k man and 30 guns so i thinking of taking little more than 600. I have 1100AV in PM.


I think he will try to defend hard PM at lest in air and maybe tray quick surface night rides against invasion fleet. I do not suspect heavy naval opposition, but i do not know were Allied CV`s are (i am suspecting PH or Christmas Island because i have Intel about CVL`s and CVE`s there.

In case he will try to use PM invasion as window to raid Tarawa etc. I am evacuating important ships to Truk. I also have send few PB`s south and east of Tarawa to us them as forward warning units. I can spare few of them if they give me 2-3 day warning about enemy.

[koniu]

This is one of my training squadrons for navy fighter pilots.
Should i wait until they have 50 XP or i need harvest them to reserve and start training new pilots?
How can i speedup training of defense skill.

[Erkki]

Their Defn skill seems to be pretty low - I'd train them for at least a week in strafing or LowN now that they still learn quick...

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Their Defn skill seems to be pretty low - I'd train them for at least a week in strafing or LowN now that they still learn quick...

I will try. I hope they will have Def 60+, this will make them very good pilots.
As i understand training pilots 50+XP or 70+ skill is pointless because it take to much time?

[koniu]

25 FEB 42

PM invasion
MKB in starting position, KB need one more day. I have start loading troops in Rabul. I will use 1 DIV,1 Brg,3 SNLF, 1 AAA,1 ART and 2 ENG units (together 780AV). When all units will be in starting position i will give more details and some pictures.

China
Oscars have found AVG. Loses are 7 Oscars to 23 allied planes (AVG have now 40-50 planes in service)

Java invasion.
I am reckoning and sweeping all bases in Java. What i found is is 60-70k men in ground, and about 45 fighters and 50 bombers. When invasion start i will have 150+ fighters and 200+ bombers. Some bases are undefended but i think they are mined. I will land as close to Batavia as passable to give better air support to landing forces.
For now i am building 2 more AF In Borneo and island between Borneo and Sumatra to use them as reserve in case Docup will to try to close my main AF with B17`s rides.

[koniu]

26 FEB 42

22 B17E`s attack AF in north Indochina. My Zeros made good job. 5 enemy bombers reported shot down or destroyed by ops losses.

Betty`s attack PM AF 2xP40E and one light bomber destroyed. In next turn i will sweep PM. Very often after such ride Docup is trying Air trap.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

26 FEB 42

22 B17E`s attack AF in north Indochina. My Zeros made good job. 5 enemy bombers reported shot down or destroyed by ops losses.

With FOW, my experience is that only 3 B-17's likely were lost ... maybe 4.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: koniu

26 FEB 42

22 B17E`s attack AF in north Indochina. My Zeros made good job. 5 enemy bombers reported shot down or destroyed by ops losses.

With FOW, my experience is that only 3 B-17's likely were lost ... maybe 4.

The same goes for the Allies. But .. what does change is the next raid. Combat Reporter is a very effective tool for tracking day by day combat. Today it's 22 B17E's and a reported "5 losses" tomorrow this group will attack and you might see 20 B-17's .. now you have an idea of 2 losses from the previous raid. I am a AFB, and I get reports of 10 - 15 bombers IJ Bombers damaged [like Betty's] almost every raid, but the count each day and the reported operational losses gives me an excellent picture how effective is the flak and how well the IJ can replace aircraft ...reverse roles and you get the picture Koniu ..

Ok back to rooting for the Allies! [;)]

[koniu]

Combat-reporter is showing only 11 bombers damaged. Info about destroyed planes is from Tracker. I watch closely combat animation and few of B17 were heavily damage with smog, fire etc.

PS. I made mistake they ware B17D and they are rather easy to kill if we compare them to E model or later. But five is alway good even it is FoW.

[koniu]

27 JAN 42

Carriers and landing TF will going to be in starting position for PM invasion tomorrow.

I have watch closely to ships in KB they are attrited little. Sys damage are between 4-10(Akagi), no flood and engine damage. They really need some painting and few days in port. In last ~90 days they spent only 8 days in HK and it was in December +plus few flank speed moves and havy storm last week . After PM invasion they will spend some time in Truk. I will not send them to big shipyard i don`t have time for this.

4E`s attack AF and port in Kendari. i have few damage xAKL`s there but thay as good as dead. I will CAP with Oscars tomorrow if he try again, but few more attacks and i will need to evacuate planes from there.But Kendari make his job.
Planes flying from there sunk CVL, CA, 2xCL and few smaller ships.

Transport TF in PM. Docup is sending reinforcements. I will sweep tomorrow. 34 enemy Fighters spotted. I will not attack ships they are going to be targets for MKB.

Two PB`s TF`s (6 hexes between them) west of Phoenix Islands were spotted by allied planes. This area is out of range of LBA allied patrols so something is there. Long range patrols show nothing. In case of emergency i have all carriers in range of 2 days from there but they supporting now PM invasion.
Only reason i will deley invasion and sand KB to intercept are allied CV`s


In china LCU are resting, After last battle i have almost 3 DIv disabled. I now planing new operation. i thing i will attack little on south.
I really hate china theater. Things are going very slow there and i do not see point of wasting resources to kill Chinese.

[koniu]

28 FEB 42

We decided to upgrade to latest beta.


PM invasion fores on place. They will move next turn. I cant wait any longer. One of TF`s was spotted by plane so I have only one direction - forward.
MKB fleet will sail directly to PM they have 6xDMS to sweep mines, MKB have 94 Fighters and 45xTB, Naval support is given by 2BB,2xCA, 3xCL,16xDD
KB will sail south-west to stop allies reinforcements and raid ports and if necessary give direct support to invasion. Kb have 118F, 125DB and and 130TB. Naval support given by 2xBB, 2xCA, 2xCL and 7xDD


Zeros sweep PM shotting down 9xP40E, 4xP38E and 3xP39D, for 11 A6M`s. Biggest problem there are Lightnings. I have shot down 12 of them. Until June allies will not have reinforcement so they should have 24 more in pool.

Docup send bombers again to Kendari. I have shot down 10xHudson I, and lose 3 Oscars(1 on ground, 2 ops). I will scuttle ships in port they all close to 100 flood and sys damage.

3xDD TF returning from mission in west cost of Australia found and sunk two medium TK`s

TB near Phoenix Islands spotted again by allied plane

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

28 FEB 42

We decided to upgrade to latest beta.

Congrats!!

You will love it. The new UI features Michael has added are imense time savers for both sides. Particularly late war with so many units to manage.

[koniu]

Docup send me massage about sync error.

We just upgraded to r4 beta ind it must be problem source. I waiting for his answer what kind of error he have.

I think we have made mistake in update procedure in this case we will downgrade to latest patch and replay again turn and try update in next one.

There is big probability that Docup update before he play last turn replay and thats is the problem. On my side i am almost sure everything was ok.

I resolve last turn under P5 patch. save game, shutdown game,update, load save under r4 and start to give orders


EDIT:

It looks like it was not update error. In my replay i have sunk 2 TK`s in west coast of Oz. When Dopup play turn replay on his PC he saw two battles one with TK`s and one with second different TF. When he load save second TF was still alive (but he saw hi was sunk in replay)

We decided to play and not redoing turn. Everything in save is ok only replay was out of sync. I have also decided to not tray to find that second TF because he was not spotted by me in game but it was intel from docup.

[GreyJoy]

I've had synch problems since the very first turn... I couldn't find a way to solve the problem so i simply took it as part of the FOW system... and however the combat reply is always accurate

[koniu]

1 MAR 42

PM
Invasion TF, 3 days of target. They have been spotted but only 1 detection point
KB undetected sailing toward Brisbane.

Java
I have send minesweepers to clear landing zones in Java. No mines detected. Docup hide patrol ships in Batavia port.Recon is showing CA in Batavia (8/10 detection of port) i will attack port tomorrow with high fighter support.
Invasion will start in 6-10 days

Philippines
Another day of bombings of Bataan. He lost 200 man and 21 destroyed commbat squads.
I will shock attack him tomorrow

South-east Pacific
One of TB i have send to Phoenix Islands was sunk by enemy CA. I will watch closely to that area. For now i can`t do nothing about it. All carriers are engaged in PM invasion and surface fleet will be in big danger if he have there even one CV.

[koniu]

2-3 MAR 42

2 MAR 42

PM invasion
PM invasion 2 days to target, they are spotted. All forces will keep together only two small SAG`s will sail south and north as forward guard.
KB still undetected, he will sail south west to stop between New Caledonia and Australia

Kendari
Docup send B17e`s and Liberators. 6xB17`s and 2xLiberator shot down for 2xOscars[:D]
Small damage to AF
I have lost 4 G4M`s in air trap over Celebes

Java
Bombers found nothing in Batavia`s port. Mine sweepers found and sunk 2xPT

Philippines
Schock attack in Bataan. I have destroyed or disabled 250 enemy squads. Japanese losses mostly disabled squads. Fort reduced to zero. I will attack tomorrow.

China
Sweep over Changsha 10xP30D`s destroyed. No own losses

Central Pacific
CA New Orleans sunk another PB near Phoenix Islands


3 MAR 42

PM invasion
Landing TF 4 hexes from PM. 11xA-24 Banshee bombers escorted by 21xP-40E attack invasion fleet. 36xA6M`s engage
10xA-24 and 14xP-40E shotted down for 2xA6M`s. One of A-24 score 1000lb hit in CVE Hosho
Minor damages. Carrier still operational. Damages are 28,18(11),2
He will stay in MKB
Few TF`s spotted west of PM. AG,PB, no big ships.

On south KB still undetected but Docup now know i am here. Kate`s form KB spotted big TF south east of Caledonia. 2xBB reported. One of them reported Hit. Intel showing CV`s and CL but no planes in TF. Heading north west
I think it is only SAG. Kate's will be using torps. All fighters on 60% CAP
I need advise what to do. If i sail south and and KB will stay the middle between Oz and Caledonia they should be out of LBA`s. But i do not what to risk and leave PM invasion without hevy escort. if i go so deep south i will be to far to react in time

Java
Bombers attack Soearabaja port hey found and sunk two dutch subs and two xAKL`s
Minesweepers engage and sunk 7xMTB and 1xPT

Ambon
SS sunk allied xAKL

Philippines
Very, Very good news. Bataan Falls
I have shock attack them and won. Units from Bataan need some time to rest and take replacements. They will move to vacation in Manila. I am sending minesweepers to clean mines in Bataan and Manila.


Map of PM invasion area. I will appreciate any advise

[Saros]

Any idea what the TF's at Horn island and off the Ausy coast are?
As for the TF east of Brisbane I have to agree it doesn't look like a carrier force.

At this point in the game KB is not in serious danger from allied LBA, especially with the A-24's all over at Port Moresby so you can mostly discount them.

If he has not seen the KB and only has plane sightings to go on he may keep pushing north to get into position to interfere with the landings he might also hightail it away. I would try get inside of 6 hexes tomorrow so everything is carrying a full load and blow the ships out of the water. The KB is too far away where it is to interfere with any attempt to strike the invasion forces through Torres strait so and extra day south will not make a huge amount of difference. Besides the miniKB seems to be doing a decent job!