JFB in charge of the USN??? BtS Lite ver. 4.5 Kitakami (A) vs Falken (J)

[Kitakami]

Ok... Palembang.

First time as Allies, so I have no idea how to do what I want to do. There are more Allied than Japanese troops in Palembang at this point in time, but his reinforcements will arrive before mine. Thus, I made a decision. All my offensive air in the region has been training... until now. This turn I have ordered EVERYTHING to fly:

- 8 Swordfish 2 were transferred to Palembang, and ordered to attack with torps.
- 24 Wildebeests from Singapore, the same.
- 48 Banshees from Batavia will join in just for fun.
- 63 139WH3 have been ordered to bomb Palembang with those pretty 300-Kg bombs of theirs.
- 24 Hudson I & 16 Blenheim IV have been nicely asked to join in.
- Fighters were scrambled to both provide both CAP and escort.

No plan survives contact with the enemy, of course, but I do hope that enough bombers get through, especially against Palembang, that it makes a difference and I don't lose the base this turn. If I do, well, I tried. If I don't, I might get to keep it for a bit more, and make it a royal pain for my esteemed opponent.

We will see. I just hope air losses are not reversed this turn.

[John 3rd]

Damn...you have shot down a TON of IJN Betty/Nell! I cannot say well done because that would be WRONG. Will give you a HUZZAH instead!

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Damn...you have shot down a TON of IJN Betty/Nell! I cannot say well done because that would be WRONG. Will give you a HUZZAH instead!

Thanks I was the first one to be surprised by it!

[Kitakami]

Jan 1st, 1942

All I can say at this point is that Palembang held for one more turn, although the Japanese 4th Div is now landed. It will be a miracle if I can hold on to the base for much longer.

But training and husbanding forces until the right moment paid off. A number of transports were hit by the Banshees, and the Japanese attack fizzled due to the Allied bombing runs. No enemy fighters opposed the bombers, which helped immensely.

Will write more when I get the turn back.

[ny59giants]

Where is 18th UK Division?? I thought you were sending her to Palembang.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Where is 18th UK Division?? I thought you were sending her to Palembang.

Out of fear of the Japanese carriers, I landed it at Benkoelen. That meant taking longer to get to Palembang, but it also meant its transports were not sunk when CarDiv3 sailed north. As things stand, the Recce Rgt is in Palembang, and 54th Bde is one turn from arriving, whith the other 2 Bdes arriving one per turn.

[John 3rd]

HOW does he not have ZEROS flying CAP over everything?

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
HOW does he not have ZEROS flying CAP over everything?

To tell you the truth, my question since turn one has been... how does he not have Zeros SWEEP over everything?

[John 3rd]

Point. He should be CRUSHING your bombers.

Do you like the extra Squadrons of Hurricanes and P-40s in the opening of the Mod? Bet they can seriously help.

[Kitakami]

I am afraid last turn's bomber runs were a one-time affair... I do not think Falken will make the same mistake twice.
As for the extra squadrons, let me put it this way: besides those in the front lines, plus one I lost in Port Blair, I have TWO British fighter squadrons training in Calcutta. That is a luxury I did not expect to have at this point in the war

[John 3rd]

[:D]

...but these Mods are ONLY for the JAPANESE...RIGHT???!!!

[DOCUP]

Your doing a good job, Kitakami.

[John 3rd]

Darned right DOCUP!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Kitakami

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
HOW does he not have ZEROS flying CAP over everything?

To tell you the truth, my question since turn one has been... how does he not have Zeros SWEEP over everything?

Well, by your previous tracker shot I'm thinking his pools are dry for now, since production is still ramping up and there are only (usually) around what, 110 in the pool to start? Maybe less?

Is this mod different, where he should have more to start off?

[Kitakami]

These are the expected airframe levels for Japan. I did not count the airframes in the squadrons, only the differentials from turn one. Expected production is that, what I would expect it to be. It may be higher or lower, depending on Falken's production strategy, but it should give approximate figures. Note that there have not been any JAAF fighter losses yet. That means about two sentai have been upgraded so far.

[Kitakami]

On the other hand, Allied figures are the real ones. You will not a couple of interesting items, I am sure.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Kitakami

These are the expected airframe levels for Japan. I did not count the airframes in the squadrons, only the differentials from turn one. Expected production is that, what I would expect it to be. It may be higher or lower, depending on Falken's production strategy, but it should give approximate figures. Note that there have not been any JAAF fighter losses yet. That means about two sentai have been upgraded so far.

I would not expect it to be so high for any of these models. Since he'll be adding some coming from R & D it would be somewhat reckless to go this high this ealry for any of these IMHO.

My top guess for A6M2 is around 120, and 30 for the IJN bombers.

Oscars though could be up to 100, depending on his commitment to the model for next versions being researched.

Also, it does take some time to ramp this up. The first month is not producing nearly this many planes, and probably not until February are factories all where he wants them in daily output.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: obvert
I would not expect it to be so high for any of these models. Since he'll be adding some coming from R & D it would be somewhat reckless to go this high this ealry for any of these IMHO.

My top guess for A6M2 is around 120, and 30 for the IJN bombers.

Oscars though could be up to 100, depending on his commitment to the model for next versions being researched.

Also, it does take some time to ramp this up. The first month is not producing nearly this many planes, and probably not until February are factories all where he wants them in daily output.

You are probably right on the A6M2, although production starts at 130, so that is probably what it is now. I also agree on the Ki-43-Ic. With all 4 factories repairing one point per day, production could be all the way up to 150. It is probably less, but 120 would not be strange. My point with the Ki-43-Ic was that I have seen none yet, so my esteemed opponent must be planning something.

It is in bomber production that I disagree. B5N2 factories start at 55, with 5 expansions already queued, while B3A1 factories start at 45 with 15 expansions already queued. G3M2 production starts at 22, and G4M1 production starts at 50, so they could have been left at that, although I would do nice, round numbers: 30 and 60. All of that for a cost of 38k supplies.

Now, regarding the Ki-21-IIa, again you are probably right. 30 is more than enough while you wait for the Ki-49. Production starts at 22 planes/month.

One thing about this mod: with less strategic reserves, and more initial production, Japan MUST use its extra assets to seize the resources she needs, or the economy will crash. The name of the game I am playing is delay, delay, delay. A few days here, another few days there (something I could not do in Hong Kong) is what I am aiming at right now. That, and attrite his pilots as much as I can, while preserving as much of my naval assets as I can.

[John 3rd]

That is the EXACT strategy you should play. Japan is up against it and anything you can do to damage and/or delay is a great thing.

[Kitakami]

I don't have the turn with me yet, but Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Oosthaven at 46,97, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Tosa, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
DD Encounter, Shell hits 1

We have no word as to the shape HMS Encounter is in, but there are no reports of her sinking either.