Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Should note that I have enough supply now--thank you Langsa--to begin repairing Medan's oil centers. Will allow it to repair 50 and see what that does as my troops continue their advance on Sabang.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Obvert!

Is that the standard number for Soerabaja in Babes? Don't remember changing any of that whatsoever. This set of Mods has been such a collaborative project, I have reams of paper filled with notes from the last 5 years...

That Synthetic Oil factory is the only change in China/Manchuria for Oil/Fuel.

SL?

Do you means hex capacity limits?

I'd have to look, but my version of DBB showed less than that in Soerabaja when I checked a while back and none of the +1 points for many other small bases. Between that increase (if it is one) and the HR on bombing oil centers, you should have made up any industrial deficit in the mod by now or in short order.

SL = Stacking Limits

Make sure you don't exceed them in your race to end the Sumatra battle.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Should note that I have enough supply now--thank you Langsa--to begin repairing Medan's oil centers. Will allow it to repair 50 and see what that does as my troops continue their advance on Sabang.

Have you done maths on what repairing the oil means if you hold it for 1 more/2 more years? You might do that. It pays back fairly quickly any expenditure to repair.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Some other oil producing areas have an extra point

If you opened the game and the opposing side had the base, the display seems to show +1 production a lot if not all the time.

[pws1225]

John - given the events at Langsa, are you still considering an amphibious landing at Sabang in addition to the overland advance?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Obvert!

Is that the standard number for Soerabaja in Babes? Don't remember changing any of that whatsoever. This set of Mods has been such a collaborative project, I have reams of paper filled with notes from the last 5 years...

That Synthetic Oil factory is the only change in China/Manchuria for Oil/Fuel.

SL?

Do you means hex capacity limits?

I'd have to look, but my version of DBB showed less than that in Soerabaja when I checked a while back and none of the +1 points for many other small bases. Between that increase (if it is one) and the HR on bombing oil centers, you should have made up any industrial deficit in the mod by now or in short order.

SL = Stacking Limits

Make sure you don't exceed them in your race to end the Sumatra battle.

I am really hoping to force Dan's troops into Sabang and push HIM past the stacking limit so the base is easier to take.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: pws1225

John - given the events at Langsa, are you still considering an amphibious landing at Sabang in addition to the overland advance?

No point in risking the disaster that an Amphib Operation might cost. Momentum is back to being mine. He is falling back--I do not KNOW why. Langsa SHOULD have been a seige that would have taken TIME. Time is his friend and not mine. With the reduction in the lines, nearly every hex of his perimeter is exposed to shore bombardment. I've got that figured out pretty good now and it really causes havoc with disruption.

An additional reason for not launching that Amphib attack is that the decision opens three ID to use elsewhere. I already have two on the move to form stronger reserves.

He appears unable or unwilling to attempt the rescue of his troops. Counter-landings to re-open the theatre would make sense but I don't get that vibe from him. If he comes back then it will be quite bloody and I'll fight it with LBA and some CVL/CVE support.

The real answer is to open a complete new theatre of operations and that screams Eastern DEI or South Pacific to me. Could be totally wrong but this is what I am planning on...

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

When do you plan to start your game? I can have the update done fairly quickly if needed.

We would rather wait for the next update if one is coming before April.

I don't want to add any more pressure or distraction to this thread, so I will be watching for news if you would be so kind to post an alert.
Thanks again.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

In the realm of watching the economy, I have ordered a cut back in aircraft production. When things were crazy in Sumatra and Burma, I was ratcheting up EVERY fighter I could as well as trying to replace huge bomber losses. A semblance of control has appeared and I have been pulling back (shutting off or changing to research a number of factories) production on Tojo, A6M4, and George. Pools are good and climbing with all of them presently. Will do the same thing in CV Bombers (Judy/Jill) and Army Bombers (Helen/Sally) next month. Shifting research into the next GOOD army bomber. Cannot remember the name presently. FRANK is in great research form and advancing its opening production one month for every two of game time. Betty 2 is just over the horizon and look forward to moderate upgrade though I really want Miss Frances!

Have slowly moved Fighter and Bomber groups away from Sumatra for R&R, upgrades, and training. Desperately need Dan to meet a strong, powerful TRAINED force whenever he appears...

Have to tell you that this post has me worried. [:(]

As I understand you start with less supplies, those supplies in effect bought the new planes and ships or at least enabled them to be built.

Supply is always a precarious thing for Japan, and I worry about the state of your economy.

However, if you are only advancing two months for every one in Frank that doesn't seem to imply a hugely overbuild r&d program.

So any pictures on your economy would be nice; also a picture of the A6M4 would be too!

Keep up the good fight![:)]

[John 3rd]

Have to say that I appreciate the thoughts. Always like hearing from other JFB.

The ONLY advantage I have had with this whole Sumatra Gambit of Dan's is that it has been in my own backyard. Fuel has continued to flow to Japan. There has been a disruption with resources as I have had to use SOOOOOOOOO many AKs this late in the game for troop movement. Now that I don't have to worry about an Amphib Attack at Sabang, I am going to be adding about 100 AK back into the resources hauling chain.

Felt like the Japanese Air Officers fighting off the American attacks at Midway. Production NEVER seemed ENOUGH so I kept adding M4, 5b, George, Tony, and Tojo. Now that things have settled down I can abandon this knee jerk reaction mode and THOUGHTFULLY adjust my totals.

Will try to Post some of the Econ Info fairly soon.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: DanSez

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

When do you plan to start your game? I can have the update done fairly quickly if needed.

We would rather wait for the next update if one is coming before April.

I don't want to add any more pressure or distraction to this thread, so I will be watching for news if you would be so kind to post an alert.
Thanks again.

DEAL! I will re-energize the RA Thread over in the other part of the Forum and Post updates.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

In the realm of watching the economy, I have ordered a cut back in aircraft production. When things were crazy in Sumatra and Burma, I was ratcheting up EVERY fighter I could as well as trying to replace huge bomber losses. A semblance of control has appeared and I have been pulling back (shutting off or changing to research a number of factories) production on Tojo, A6M4, and George. Pools are good and climbing with all of them presently. Will do the same thing in CV Bombers (Judy/Jill) and Army Bombers (Helen/Sally) next month. Shifting research into the next GOOD army bomber. Cannot remember the name presently. FRANK is in great research form and advancing its opening production one month for every two of game time. Betty 2 is just over the horizon and look forward to moderate upgrade though I really want Miss Frances!

Have slowly moved Fighter and Bomber groups away from Sumatra for R&R, upgrades, and training. Desperately need Dan to meet a strong, powerful TRAINED force whenever he appears...

Have to tell you that this post has me worried. [:(]

As I understand you start with less supplies, those supplies in effect bought the new planes and ships or at least enabled them to be built.

Supply is always a precarious thing for Japan, and I worry about the state of your economy.

However, if you are only advancing two months for every one in Frank that doesn't seem to imply a hugely overbuild r&d program.

So any pictures on your economy would be nice; also a picture of the A6M4 would be too!

Keep up the good fight![:)]

+1

Would love to see your R n D. I think it's tough to be switching a lot at this point without being very clear on the next two years of game. It really hurt my economy the first time around to lose so much supply to inconsistent R n D goals and mistakes.

The more you post n these, including pics, the more you're likely to get some support from the experienced here. Lowpe in particular has been doing a lot of work on this stuff.

[John 3rd]

OK. Here is my air production with some Research Screen on it. Most of the Fighters are being built at about half the number listed:

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

OK. Here is my air production with some Research Screen on it. Most of the Fighters are being built at about half the number listed:

When you say "built at half the number" I think you mean that you've turned off some production?

I'm not sure your R & D style, and whether you're trying to move things forward, so take with a grain of salt if not.

My thoughts:

Research

1. No Oscars? The mid-war versions aren't bad escorts with their LR and they work well in low CAP with their maneuver ratings. Also many use them for low naval bombing after the IIa version with the 2 x 250kg. The last two versions aren't bad at all and if you continually upgrade your factories, keeping them R & D then you can push them forward a good bit.

2. No George R & D? This airframe is another nice long path to the end, and in this mod with the souped up speed it's like a 1945 fighter in 43, and just gets better. And doesn't the end of the line have a CV capable version? You could push that forward a lot.

Related to this, why the Sam if you have a CV capable George? (maybe you don't have the N1K4 in this RA, but it is in my version) Much harder to get the Sam forward while the George N1K4 could already be researching and moving forward now if you have R & D in that airframe.

3. I don't see Tony R & D, so you may have some but not much. Again, a better Ki-100 version on a long R & D so you could have pushed that forward a lot. Do you have any researching it?

4. No Judys? The later versions are so good. Maybe you have 1 x 30 R & D?

Production

1. A few airframes seem slightly overproduced. I know Jakes are utilitarian, but that's a lot. Same for Judy recons.

2. I know this mod is all about the idea of the zero being the main airframe. But 425 a month? You have Georges. They fly at 390mph here and should dominate the mid-war Allies.

3. No Oscars?

[savelius2]

I've been reading this and other AARs for months now, but only just registered. I've only played the game briefly and (more importantly) have read both sides so can't comment on a lot, but I really enjoy your updates and attitude on the game. Banzai!

[John 3rd]

Savelius: Welcome to HELL! Appreciate your FIRST Post. I cannot remember when I joined and did mine. As a new player ALWAYS ask questions. A great umber of good people inhabit this forum and they will always jump in to help a rookie/novice.

[John 3rd]

May 17, 1943

The 10th Infantry Division is operating at about 60% strength and that is PLENTY to take hex 44,72. The Allies are now reduced to five hexes of control in Sumatra. The 10th--with considerable air support--drives back an Ind Inf Reg and several other support units in a 7-1 attack: Jpn-115 Cas for 654 Cas, 7 G, and 8 Veh.

Coming up the coast road are three ID about to link-up with the ID already present. They shall easily drive the units present there back without issue.

Map:

[John 3rd]

We always talk about air search and search arcs. Take a look at my coverage from Sumatra and Cocos! Have a similar set of arcs on the east side of Sumatra:





That TF appears to be a DD sniffing around...

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

OK. Here is my air production with some Research Screen on it. Most of the Fighters are being built at about half the number listed:

When you say "built at half the number" I think you mean that you've turned off some production?

I'm not sure your R & D style, and whether you're trying to move things forward, so take with a grain of salt if not.

My thoughts:

Research

1. No Oscars? The mid-war versions aren't bad escorts with their LR and they work well in low CAP with their maneuver ratings. Also many use them for low naval bombing after the IIa version with the 2 x 250kg. The last two versions aren't bad at all and if you continually upgrade your factories, keeping them R & D then you can push them forward a good bit.

2. No George R & D? This airframe is another nice long path to the end, and in this mod with the souped up speed it's like a 1945 fighter in 43, and just gets better. And doesn't the end of the line have a CV capable version? You could push that forward a lot.

Related to this, why the Sam if you have a CV capable George? (maybe you don't have the N1K4 in this RA, but it is in my version) Much harder to get the Sam forward while the George N1K4 could already be researching and moving forward now if you have R & D in that airframe.

3. I don't see Tony R & D, so you may have some but not much. Again, a better Ki-100 version on a long R & D so you could have pushed that forward a lot. Do you have any researching it?

4. No Judys? The later versions are so good. Maybe you have 1 x 30 R & D?

Production

1. A few airframes seem slightly overproduced. I know Jakes are utilitarian, but that's a lot. Same for Judy recons.

2. I know this mod is all about the idea of the zero being the main airframe. But 425 a month? You have Georges. They fly at 390mph here and should dominate the mid-war Allies.

3. No Oscars?

The comment earlier was correct. I have shut off about half of my fighter production lines.

Thanks for the commentary and critique! Always welcome it. For newer players reading this AAR it provides a great chance to see a mid-war scenario and learned about ideas, options, hows/whys. LOVE THAT!

Specific Comments:
1. I have a small build of Oscars continuing.
2. Forward researching the George Models is an excellent thought. Might use 1-2 of the lines currently producing George to do that. Could also shift some of M4 over to that as well.
3. No Tony R&D going currently. Like using the Fighter for point-defense over my AF.
4. Don't have any additional Judy research going. Will think on that as well. Could shift one of my two Judy-R over to that...
5. As stated earlier I was rushing to add airframes at the height of the Sumatra/Burma fight. Now I can do some somber reflection. Think your whole perspective on the George is spot-on. LOVE that plane!

[John 3rd]

May 20, 1943

Damn but Dan is sniffing all along the defense perimeter. I have single ship TF (we don't want to talk about my opinion of the use of SINGLE ship merchant TF as sacrificial lambs to see what is where and test defenses) east of the Marshalls, south of Tabitieau, east of Noumea, along the eastern side of Australia, along the western side of Australia, off Sumatra. Basically they are everywhere. All I am doing is air search. Not tipping my hand until I see something IMPORTANT.

The--potentially--most interesting was not one, not two, but THREE radio direction findings of 'heavy traffic' at hex 158,78. Pretty much center between the Aleutians and Midway. Could be something. Re-Direct two Emily Searches to work out of the Aleutians and Marcus. Have several DDs in the Aleutians and will send them south as well. We'll see if there is anything to those reports.

This extra time has allowed for one return to the Fleet. CV Hiyo returns to service at Singapore tomorrow. She can certainly be used.

Now have three Infantry Divisions ready to move. Two are at Balikpapan and one at Darwin. Each has access to high speed AP/AK. I might load on at Balikpapan and move it to Babeldoap or the Marianas to be a bit more central/eastern.

Just waiting gang...