Matrix Games Forums

24 Jan 43 - Pretty quiet day.

Sub War

A DD ASW TF at Adak caught Hake and hit her with 2 depth charges. She's still there (I think) but she's got to be in bad shape.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The daily event at Madang was 2 squadrons of Spitfire and half a squadron of Kittyhawks sweeping. This has been going on for days. I have no planes at Madang. I may ambush them later, but not today or tomorrow.

The 14 Dauntlesses hit my troops at Lunga (unsuccessfully) and were escorted by 6 Wildcats and 9 Corsairs. Prior to that was a sweep by 9 Wildcats. This is another place for an ambush, but the 4Es (30 of them came later in the day) would make it more difficult to do successfully. The problem is that Tulagi's airfield no longer has an AS (I flew it out earlier) and, while the runway is repaired, the service damage is still at 81%. I suspect he's keeping track and will hit the airfield at some point to trash it again.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

I decided to have the 54 Tojos stationed at Akyab fly their CAP out 2 hexes to cover Cox's Bazaar and the frontline. That would be a fortunate decision.

China

The bombing/bombardment destroyed 58 squads today.

Raw AV:
Japan: 3189 (-1) - This isn't really a loss in AV. A beat up division at 50 AV just moved out of the hex. So, the actual increase was 49 AV for the day.
China: 2926 (-67)
Enemy strength: 293k (no change)
Enemy units: 90 units (no change)
Guns: 442 (-20)

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

25 Jan 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

A BB TF bombarded Adak today.

Tomorrow, a Fast Transport TF will begin landing 3k supply and an additional 5k will begin landing the day after. As soon as there is sufficient supply, I'll attack again.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The 32 Spitfires and 8 Kittyhawks swept Madang again, in separate squadrons as is their custom.

Thirty-five 4Es and 14 Dauntlesses hit Lunga's troops today. Still no sign of an invasion fleet. It is interesting that both of the enemy ASW TFs appear to be withdrawing.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Remember when I said I increased the 54 Tojos stationed at Akyab from 0 to 2 hexes for their CAP? Well it must have been a premonition. A bombing force of 16 B-25Cs escorted by 26 P-40Es was intercepted by all 54 Tojos over the front line (the hex just east of Cox's Bazaar). Interestingly, all 54 were present at the start of the battle. (There are 2 Ta-Chi 2 radars in an AAA regiment in the hex for those who are interested.) The 54 Tojos tore into the P-40Es shooting down 17(!) for no loss. This took awhile and there wasn't much time to lay into the bombers. Only 2 bombers were shot down, but the bombing run was ineffective. One Tojo crashed on the way home (KIA). Intel reported a couple more B-25C op losses.

Overall, that was a nice little engagement. Have I said lately that I really like the Tojo even though it doesn't have cannon?!

Finally, I gained 2 elite pilots in this sentai today. I keep 3 in every sentai/chutai so everything above that gets moved into TRACOM. Currently, there are 76 IJA and 86 IJN pilots in TRACOM, mainly fighter pilots but a smattering of others.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 78 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 3242 (+53)
China: 2926 (-67)
Enemy strength: 291k (-2k)
Enemy units: 90 units (no change)
Guns: I am no longer tracking this. I varies wildly. I think the intel guys who give me that data are drunk on saki.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

If you have air support at Tulagi, you can pop in some Rufes or other float fighters for an ambush on his 4Es when you think that he is going to bomb again - this would be especially effective if they are not escorted or Tulagi is swept. It is like the "hokey pokey" where you put a foot in and then take it out.

While the Tojo doesn't have cannons, the machine guns are the same caliber as the Ma Deuce. It may not have the same accuracy or effectiveness but against single engine fighters . . .

If you have the PPs, you can also convert some 1E bomber units to 2E fighters . . .

RangerJoe wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 6:35 pm If you have air support at Tulagi, you can pop in some Rufes or other float fighters for an ambush on his 4Es when you think that he is going to bomb again - this would be especially effective if they are not escorted or Tulagi is swept. It is like the "hokey pokey" where you put a foot in and then take it out.

While the Tojo doesn't have cannons, the machine guns are the same caliber as the Ma Deuce. It may not have the same accuracy or effectiveness but against single engine fighters . . .

If you have the PPs, you can also convert some 1E bomber units to 2E fighters . . .

I've considered all of those ideas, Joe. Right now I have 2 operational Nick sentai (both down there), a little 8 plane chutai that appeared down there with the Nick b that is training sweep for replacements and a 42 plane training sentai at Formosa training replacements. Per Pax's advice, I increased production to 60 per month. There has been no shortage of Nicks in the pool. I may convert a 1E bomber sentai in China to the Nick and use them as strafers.

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 3:44 pm Slowly but surely! I'd really like to get the Frank by April 43!

Facing the Bolts with the Frank is a so MUCH different than without .... so, yeah, Frank in Apr43 is a SWEET!!!!!

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 5:04 pm 25 Jan 43
...Have I said lately that I really like the Tojo even though it doesn't have cannon?!

The Tojo is a great defender (interceptor) through about 4/43. Really, one of the best in the game for either side. It doesn't hold up well against the new '43 US fighters though ... F4U/P47 in particular. But at this point in time, its solid gold in CAP ...


(Generate more and more of those elite pilots ... you need them for your Randy's in the late war).

PaxMondo wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:34 pm

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 3:44 pm Slowly but surely! I'd really like to get the Frank by April 43!

Facing the Bolts with the Frank is a so MUCH different than without .... so, yeah, Frank in Apr43 is a SWEET!!!!!

The next question will be, when the Frank does come, how many of the 18 factories become operational and how many remain R&D?

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:42 pm The next question will be, when the Frank does come, how many of the 18 factories become operational and how many remain R&D?

My answer: depends upon how many active air groups you plan to operate with Frank. At this point, I'm very much on the offensive, so I have a LOT of air groups in motion and supporting things. (Keep in mind a totally different opponent.) 6 RnD means you advance a month every 17 days, 8 means 13 days, 10 is 10 days. Some number between 6 and 10 I'm sure ...

BTW: the difference between the Frank a and r isn't all that much. Sure, you go for it, but it isn't something I agonize over. Getting the a model is a big deal. The r? sure, but not a big deal. At this point, the A7M, the Randy, and the J7W would be the most important aircraft you have left (in that order) to RnD. Grace is nice, but it won't save you from annihilation. Frank/A7M/Randy/J7W ... these can save you in the air war.

PaxMondo wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:56 pm

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:42 pm The next question will be, when the Frank does come, how many of the 18 factories become operational and how many remain R&D?

My answer: depends upon how many active air groups you plan to operate with Frank. At this point, I'm very much on the offensive, so I have a LOT of air groups in motion and supporting things. (Keep in mind a totally different opponent.) 6 RnD means you advance a month every 17 days, 8 means 13 days, 10 is 10 days. Some number between 6 and 10 I'm sure ...

BTW: the difference between the Frank a and r isn't all that much. Sure, you go for it, but it isn't something I agonize over. Getting the a model is a big deal. The r? sure, but not a big deal. At this point, the A7M, the Randy, and the J7W would be the most important aircraft you have left (in that order) to RnD. Grace is nice, but it won't save you from annihilation. Frank/A7M/Randy/J7W ... these can save you in the air war.

Right now I'm planning on adding another fighter sentai to SE Fleet, so I'll have ~120 down there. 3 Air Division, in Burma (mainly) will have about 180 converted to the Frank. So, say 300 total. I think if I have 10 operational, that would do it. One new sentai every 4-5 days would work for me.

Mike Solli wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2026 12:47 am Right now I'm planning on adding another fighter sentai to SE Fleet, so I'll have ~120 down there. 3 Air Division, in Burma (mainly) will have about 180 converted to the Frank. So, say 300 total. I think if I have 10 operational, that would do it. One new sentai every 4-5 days would work for me.

Unless you have done a fair amount of re-sizing, 10 operational factories will give you a full group every 3-4 days max. Having said that, I would definitely keep 10. That would meet my requirements for the rest of the game for Frank. I would allow the other 8 factories to continue with the Frank r model. Once that is done, then you will need to decide: A7M, Randy, or J7W (or some combination of these). That, actually for me, would be the bigger decision.

PaxMondo wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2026 2:31 pm Once that is done, then you will need to decide: A7M, Randy, or J7W (or some combination of these). That, actually for me, would be the bigger decision.

Yep, that is the big question. I would love to have all 3. I already have 18 R&D factories on the A7M. That's taken care of. So, where do the R&D factories come for the other one or two? Originally, I was going to eventually research the two Kamikazes, the Ki-115a and Toka. I probably won't now, or if I do, it'll be late in the game. It all depends on the situation.

Here's where I'll see factories becoming available:

4 Tojo
8 Frank
3 Grace
4 Jill
1 Glen (9 engines left before production stops)

So, over time I see 20 factories becoming available. I suspect it'll be larger, but those are the obvious ones. How do I divide them up over the two planes? Don't know yet.

Mike Solli wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2026 12:45 pm

PaxMondo wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2026 2:31 pm Once that is done, then you will need to decide: A7M, Randy, or J7W (or some combination of these). That, actually for me, would be the bigger decision.

Yep, that is the big question. I would love to have all 3. I already have 18 R&D factories on the A7M. That's taken care of. So, where do the R&D factories come for the other one or two? Originally, I was going to eventually research the two Kamikazes, the Ki-115a and Toka. I probably won't now, or if I do, it'll be late in the game. It all depends on the situation.

Here's where I'll see factories becoming available:

4 Tojo
8 Frank
3 Grace
4 Jill
1 Glen (9 engines left before production stops)

So, over time I see 20 factories becoming available. I suspect it'll be larger, but those are the obvious ones. How do I divide them up over the two planes? Don't know yet.

Some thoughts:

With the A7M already taken care of, you come down to Randy/J7W. Choose Randy first. Why?

I think of it this way: the alternatives to Randy that I might have available are all pretty lousy, no strike that, they are REALLY lousy. The IJN choices have no armor, so your pilot losses are staggering. The IJA choices are too slow to catch B-29's. Unless you think Ted will NOT pursue night bombing (not likely to me), you need to get Randy first. And you're gonna need a lot of them, right? At least 12 groups of NF's in '44.

Allocate RnD to J7W as they become available ... you will want it, but for me Randy trumps it for priority.

PaxMondo wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2026 2:38 pm

Mike Solli wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2026 12:45 pm

PaxMondo wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2026 2:31 pm Once that is done, then you will need to decide: A7M, Randy, or J7W (or some combination of these). That, actually for me, would be the bigger decision.

Yep, that is the big question. I would love to have all 3. I already have 18 R&D factories on the A7M. That's taken care of. So, where do the R&D factories come for the other one or two? Originally, I was going to eventually research the two Kamikazes, the Ki-115a and Toka. I probably won't now, or if I do, it'll be late in the game. It all depends on the situation.

Here's where I'll see factories becoming available:

4 Tojo
8 Frank
3 Grace
4 Jill
1 Glen (9 engines left before production stops)

So, over time I see 20 factories becoming available. I suspect it'll be larger, but those are the obvious ones. How do I divide them up over the two planes? Don't know yet.

Some thoughts:

With the A7M already taken care of, you come down to Randy/J7W. Choose Randy first. Why?

I think of it this way: the alternatives to Randy that I might have available are all pretty lousy, no strike that, they are REALLY lousy. The IJN choices have no armor, so your pilot losses are staggering. The IJA choices are too slow to catch B-29's. Unless you think Ted will NOT pursue night bombing (not likely to me), you need to get Randy first. And you're gonna need a lot of them, right? At least 12 groups of NF's in '44.

Allocate RnD to J7W as they become available ... you will want it, but for me Randy trunmps it for priority.

Yes, get Randy since some nice Japanese ladies might like that!

RangerJoe wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2026 3:11 pm Yes, get Randy since some nice Japanese ladies might like that!

Well, yeah, that's another reason!

26 Jan 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

A BB TF bombarded Adak. I have enough supply offloaded but will not attack until both bombardment TFs hit the base, in a few days.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The Dauntlesses hit Lunga again today. Still no sign of an invasion TF. I have a NG battalion (about 60% effective strength with another 33% AV disabled. I also have a construction battalion there working on the forts. They are at 2.64 with a goal of level 3. I sneak in a Fast Transport ship when I can. Ted keeps hitting the troops with air power. Their disruption is only 13%.

Later, 33x 4E bombers hit the troops at Lunga causing only a couple of disablements.

Eight Kittyhawk IIIs swept Gasmata today. I have only some Emilies there but I'm building up Talasea, two hexes north, into a fighter base to spread out my fighters. I had some Georges and Rufes there on CAP out 2 hexes and 5 of each intercepted the Kittyhawks. Three Kittyhawks were shot down with no loss on my side.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 47 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 3535 (+293) - 110 Division (247 AV) arrived after resting/rebuilding from its abortive shock attack when it moved into Chungking over a river a while back. I have a full strength division (419 AV) 44 miles out. I'll attack when it arrives.
China: 2754 (-86)
Enemy strength: 286k (-5k)
Enemy units: 90 units (no change)
Guns: 440 (-43)

Other Stuff

The A6M5b Zero R&D advanced to 4/43 and is expected to become operational in mid-February 1943. Then I'll start R&D on the A6M5c, the model I want that has armor.