BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[inqistor]

Junyo have only 3 System Damage? But it was in Repair Yard only about a week, right? That is pretty quick patching.
Why are you constantly trying to sneak midgets into ports? They have, like 5% chance of survive to even try an attack. And even if successful, it will probably only damage ship. At least do it in some smaller ports, without repair facilities. I do not think, that sort of operations demands ANY Allied attention.

Now, what is exactly deal with monsoon in Burma? Stop all operations, or only specifically jungle? With all those forces it could be useful to get Paoshan. The more bases Allies have to take, to open supply route into China, in the future, the better.

And take a closer look on India coast. If Allies will try now, to transport some Divisions into Australia, and do it by short-cut over map edge... strong, fast raider group somewhere around Java will be priceless then.

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Have upgraded some Tojo's and Oscars to the Tony interceptor. Hope to advance the introduction of the George from July to June and also the Frank from 01/44 to 12/43.

I've decided to disband the TBDs aboard the Junyo, the carrier only carriers 18 torpedoes - that's one torpedo bomber strike.
The Judy with its potent 500kg bomb is a better choice and we get a size 27 fighter unit and 26 SBD unit instead of the usual 19-19-17 configuration.
Our light carriers now have different air group compositions as well: One carriers 27 fighters while another carriers 27 Judys.
The escort carriers will mostly carry fighters.

You certainly get a number of planes early in this scenario compared to scenario #1.

Why have you gone with all fighter/dive bomber configurations? Wouldn't spreading these assets around make more sense? Are you aware that you can customize the size of your various carrier squadrons by right clicking on the "resize allowed" text? Instead of just having 27 fighters on a Zuiho class CVL, for instance, you could pump that up to 30.

[PzB74]

I upgraded the Junyo (4/43 upgrade) and at the same time fixed battle damage; gave critical priority and the entire job was done in a few weeks.

- The midgets is a weapon and I hope to gain some intel; either by attacking or spotting enemy carriers or high value warships.
Now I now more about San Francisco, ac, ships in port, convoy activity.

So may be a bit expensive, but I'm using all weapons we got.

Yep, monsoon stops ground and air combat: bombardments and movement on roads-paths is allowed.
I would consider Paoshan to be included in the monsoon, can anyone confirm this?

That's good advice, a bit short on long range raiding resources in the area, need a few more fleet oilers.

The fighter / dive bomber units are the default carrier units that have been expanded.
Yes I know, but I have a problem when using the manual resize button; the cursor dissappears and the game sometimes crashes.
Tried it again now and managed to adjust size for some carriers (thx for the tip) but had to ALT-TAB in and out to get the cursor back (do this twice and the game crashes).

[kfsgo]

Yes I know, but I have a problem when using the manual resize button; the cursor dissappears and the game sometimes crashes.

Easy way to avoid that - mouseclick on the 'ok' (or 'confirm' or whatever it is, I forget) button after you've entered the new group size rather than just pressing enter.

[PzB74]

Ah, that's great news, thx Kfsgo! [:)]

Last turns have seen sub and anti sub warfare mostly.
Mostly we have been the giving side, we have hit numerous enemy subs with DCs and planes (reportedly) and some have been reported sunk.
We have hit numerous transports, some loaded with fuel. 2 PGs and a destroyer have been sunk.

The only enemy success was a huge tanker (empty) hit by 1 torpedo. It's only 1 day from Shanghai but fires are out of control and I expect her to sink tomorrow in sight of salvation.

So April is about to expire; another CS has been handed over to the yards for conversion. Not sure its worth it, 300 days and no way to accelerate it but we don't know the needs a year from now.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 29, 43

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Lahaina at 187,103

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 7

Allied Ships
xAK Lihue, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC-648
SC-646
SC-644
xAK Nurani
xAK Arcata
xAK Diamond head
xAK Tuscaloosa City
xAK Ohioan
xAK Californian
xAK Arkansan
SC-749
SC-740
SC-709
SC-707

SS RO-68 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Lihue
RO-68 diving deep ....
SC-749 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-740 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-709 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-749 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-749 cannot establish contact with SS RO-68
SC-749 is out of ASW ammo
SC-749 is out of ASW ammo
SC-749 is out of ASW ammo
SC-707 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-749 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Perth at 32,147

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
DD Tenedos, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

DD Tenedos is sighted by SS I-1
SS I-1 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Tenedos
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lahaina at 188,101

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
xAK San Gabriel, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Tui
TK War Sirdar
TK Marpessa
TK Aristophanes
TK Gulfwave
TK Gulfland
TK Halo
TK L.P. St. Clair
xAK Sophocles
xAK Skagerak
xAK Borgfred
xAK Johanne Justesen
xAK La Cordillera
xAK Penrith Castle
xAK Clan Mactavish
xAK Moses Rogers
xAK B. Livingston
xAK Andrew Furuseth
xAK Lipscomb Lykes
xAK Ruth Alexander
xAK West Shipper
xAK Hollywood
xAK Admiral Wood
xAK Admiral Wiley
xAK San Angelo
xAK Mormachawk
xAK Maliko
SC-635
SC-518

SS I-170 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK San Gabriel
I-170 diving deep ....
SC-635 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-518 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 28, 43

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Lahaina at 197,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Zvir, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-22 attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 96,62

Japanese Ships
TK Rikko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC Ch 11
TK Ojikasan Maru
TK Eisho Maru
TK Kurume Maru
TK Ryuei Maru
TK Otowasan Maru
TK Gen'yo Maru
DD Mochizuki
DD Mikazuki
E Ishinui

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa launches 6 torpedoes at TK Rikko Maru
Tinosa diving deep ....
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mikazuki fails to find sub and abandons search
E Ishinui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishinui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishinui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishinui attacking submerged sub ....
E Ishinui fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 27, 43

Sub Attacks

ASW attack near Lihue at 180,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
PG Sacramento, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PC Crawford
PC Morris
PC Kimball
SC-741
AO Saranac
AO Suamico
AO Tallulah
AO Kaskaskia
AO Neches
AK Procyon
AK Arcturus
AK Mercury
AK Almaack
AK Alcyon
AK Titania
AK Libra
AK Cassiopeia
TK Salland
TK Eidsvold
TK Peik
TK Osthav
TK Gulfking
TK Hadnot
xAK Empire Curlew
xAK Empire Condor
xAK Yunnan
xAK Tambua
xAK Singu
xAK Silverteak
xAK Ozarda
xAK Loch Ranza
xAK Kutsang
xAK Howra
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK Port Orford
xAK Adabelle Lykes
xAK Jacob Luckenbach
xAK Utahan
KV Vancouver
KV Chilliwack
KV Auricula
KV Freesia

SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at PG Sacramento
I-26 diving deep ....
KV Vancouver fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Auricula fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Amami Oshima at 97,60

Japanese Ships
E Sagi
PB Teshio Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gar, hits 3

SS Gar is sighted by escort
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Teshio Maru attacking submerged sub ....
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Teshio Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lihue at 180,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 2

Allied Ships
KV Genista
PC Crawford
PC Morris
PC Kimball
SC-741
AO Saranac
AO Suamico
AO Kaskaskia
AO Neches
AK Procyon
AK Arcturus
AK Mercury
AK Electra
AK Almaack
AK Alcyon
AK Algorab
AK Libra
AK Prince Georges
AK Carina
TK Salland
TK Eidsvold
TK Gulfking
TK Hadnot
xAK Empire Curlew
xAK Clan Cameron
xAK Yunnan
xAK Surada
xAK Singu
xAK Shillong
xAK Oakbank
xAK Loch Ranza
xAK Kutsang
xAK Jehangir
xAK Hosang
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK Liberty Glo
xAK Willimoto
xAK Horace Luckenbach
KV Vancouver
KV Chilliwack
KV Auricula
KV Freesia

SS I-26 is sighted by escort
KV Vancouver fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Auricula fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Freesia fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Vancouver attacking submerged sub ....
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Freesia fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Vancouver fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Vancouver fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Vancouver fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Vancouver fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks!

Recon intel from PH!

[PzB74]

ASW blew the valves of the Sargo and a sub claimed a kill.

The

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 30, 43

Sub-ASW Attacks

Sub attack near Palmyra at 169,131

Japanese Ships
PB Fukui Maru
E W-24
E W-21

Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at PB Fukui Maru
Sargo diving deep ....
E W-24 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-24 fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-21 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Anatom at 121,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
xAK Nabesna, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Nabesna is sighted by SS I-168
SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enter the Jack

Good interceptor, poor service rating. The next version has 4x20mm guns and a service rating of 2, that will be a very usefull plane.
- I can't find a single unit that upgrades to the Jack [8|]

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Enter the Jack

Good interceptor, poor service rating. The next version has 4x20mm guns and a service rating of 2, that will be a very usefull plane.
- I can't find a single unit that upgrades to the Jack [8|]

Look for units that upgrade to the George. If you upgrade them to the George, then from there they can upgrade to the Jack. I have decided the the Jack J2M3 model is better than the Georges and I am going to go with that. But you still gotta have some Georges so you can convert some of the Zero groups that will not convert directly to the Jack.

[PresterJohn001]

The N1K1 George can fly higher, 41K.. otherwise i can't see much difference.

[PzB74]

Hm, so since I get the George in 1-2 months the Jack will be delayed accordingly...
Only found a single Zero unit (restricted of course) that upgrades to the George. May be another few out there but I didn't find them.

The Jack J2M4 model is actually a downgrade if you ask me, less gunpower, higher service rating etc.
So stopping on the J2M3 is a sound idea.

Not much to report from the war. Some ASW action.

[CapAndGown]

I am playing scn #1, so things may be different. And I am up to Jan. 1944, so I am ahead of you as far as reinforcements, though not in plane research! But here are the squadrons I have upgraded to Georges so far. (As soon as the J2M3 Jack comes out 2/44 I am going to start upgrading them to that plane.)

Yokosuka Ku S-1, S-2 - these are permanently restricted to the Home Islands
301 Ku S-2; 345 Ku S-1 & S-2; 381 Ku S-1 - all of these need to be withdrawn July 10, 44
341 Ku S-1

Also, 202 Ku S-1 will upgrade to the George N1K2 model, but needs to first get to the A6M5 Zero.

Also, check squadron 1001 Ku U-1. It starts out as a Tina squadron but can upgrade to Zero's (A6M5 required, I believe).

[PzB74]

Excellent intel C&G!

Hm, that Tina squadron is very handy, will be a difficult sacrifice...

Very quiet turns; most look likes the report below!
Monsoon is about to start in Burma; thought we had some house rules but Andy says we don't and that monsoon will reduce supply net with 50%
which will prevent any offensive actions in theatre.

All 4 seaplane tenders have now entered the yards for their conversions to light carriers.
ETA is between 106 and 298 days.

The Taiho is due around end of June, same as 2 escort carriers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 12, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Kweilin , at 76,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub vs Sub

Some days ago..pretty sure this is a confirmed kill.
In my game against Al one of the Jap subs was torpedoed by an enemy sub - and survived!!!

[CapAndGown]

How did you manage to hit that sub? It was not centered in the cross hairs. [:'(]

I thought you were talking about keeping some CS's? If scn #2 is like scn #1, then the Nishin does not come with any planes and I am guessing neither does the Mizuho. Also, the Mizuho is rather slow, so is as vulnerable to being hit as a CVE. I have decided to hang on to the Mizuho as a search platform.

[PzB74]

Used a Fido [;)]

I was, but the CS ships have lost some of their appeal this late in the game - especially since the size 24 Rufe unit was upgradable to the A6M5.
I can drag some AVs with invasion and supply TFs if required and place some Rex float fighters on them.

The Mizuho will probably become the CVE Fleet Flagship.

The decisive factor in the end was the wish to have many smaller carriers by 1944 which will make it possible to launch diversions, raids or KB support missions.
- PS! Even when the Allies achieve carrier supremacy by 1944 they will have to committ their entire Carrier force to support any given operation throughout that year.
We will have a slightly and growing superior enemy carrier fleet waiting for the moment to deliver the coup' de grace to the KB.

This has 2 consequences;
1. The Allies will not be able to launch amph invasions in 2 theatres at the same time as the KB will be superior to the weakest enemy amph fleet.
2. When the Allies perform all out invasions and carrier operations we will be able to hit them in the flanks with smaller raiding forces made up by lower value CVLs.

That's the logic behind it at least.

[CapAndGown]

Hmm. You are saying the allies cannot risk dividing their carriers, but Japan can? [:D]

I can see why you might go for this strategy. But how many planes does the mini/slow KB represent? Alot I imagine.

[PzB74]

Of course they can, but there will be opportunities in 44 when the two sides will have stand offs and Japan will have opportunities to send carriers to
hit the Allied supply trains. If I'm to send 1-2 of the fast light carriers off on such raids I will be needing as many CVL conversions and CVEs as possible to make up the numbers and support the KB.

In 44 I think Japan will have 6xCVEs carrying 170 ac and 6 CVLs carrying 180 ac, 350 in total. The Junyo will be a good flagship for this force, leaving it with ca 400 planes.
This to support the ca 10 full fledged fleet carriers with their ca 700-750 ac.

So if you are about to invade some Jap stronghold with your Marines, how many of your carriers would you bring if you knew you would face up to 1000 Jap ac on carriers plus an unknow number of LBA? Pretty much the kitchen sink I would think cause the margins won't be that great in the first phases of the 44 offensives.

[janh]

Andy is surely going to be putting a better focus to his operations next time. You are probably right that he will keep his CV together now, especially if he goes for Line Islands or Marquesas, which he must do sooner rather than later. But I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks about the same trick you plan to pull off... have a CVL or two split off and raid deep while the major CV forces neutralize themselves...

ORIGINAL: PzB
1. The Allies will not be able to launch amph invasions in 2 theatres at the same time as the KB will be superior to the weakest enemy amph fleet.

I suppose Andy will have one mainly carrier supported amphib OP planned, which likely will be again in or around Line Islands, maybe coordinated with Marquesas. Without isolating or eliminating these bases, he cannot effectively continue towards Marinas, Truk, or Philippines, and his link to OZ is terribly long (and any ship that needs yard time and comes from OZ, would run a terrible gauntlet).

But given Andy is a quite ambitious and aggressive player with tendency to accept some risks, I would bet he plans a second major OPS, one which can be effectively supported by LBA. After Burma is silent now, my guess would be Adamans, and/or more likely the Solomons/NG region. Islands hopping with limited naval resources, just as the Americans started out there in history, but allowing to bring the huge allied LBA to bear -- very quickly. That's what I would do. In fact, done right, both approach vectors would perhaps even unite at the Marinas and mutually support each other?

[PresterJohn001]

Thanks for those insights PzB. Like your thinking on the carriers. What units do you put onto the Japanese CVE's and CVL's without inate airgroups?
Really enjoying this AAR!!

[PzB74]

Andy is probably prepping divisions for the Line Islands en masse Jahn!
- In the mean time I've located new weak spots in the enemy lines [:D]

Soon Andy would like to advance into Northern Oz and try to move further north under cover of LBA, this should take most of 43.
Also think he will make a sprint from Rockhampton and over to Port Moresby in due time.

Not so convinced he will be overly aggressive until he again wields a superior hammer, can't afford another setback - that'll cost him another 3-6 months.
Japan is very strong at this point in the game, before major attrition has set in. The number of crack fighter and bomber units is truly growing huge and the Navy is almost at peak strength.

Thx Prester! [:)]
I like to equip the CVEs and CVLs with single large groups: preferably fighters and dive bombers. Since CVEs don't carry torpedo ordnance its a waste of good TBDs to place them on the
tiny birdfarms. The problem is that I hardly have enough size 30 SBD units to place on the CVEs and CVLs.

[CapAndGown]

Be aware that several of the CVE's will get airgroups on Nov.1, 1943. These are Kate groups. To get them, put the CVE in a port. I am not sure, but I used a port of size 7 and > 20k supply. I also took the group that was already on them off. I think it is the Taiyo class ships and the Shinyo that get air groups. Once you get the group, I would resize it to the size of the CVE and then take it off, fill it with newbies, and start training them.

I take it you are training the Chitose/Chiyoda groups?

[PzB74]

Yep, some CVEs got air groups and they have been deployed while new ones have been expanded and given carrier training.
So I can pick from these any time, just don't have to many SBDs to spare...

War in the East is out!
War in the East
*Heavy chanting, ommma ommma omma[&o][&o]