Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

You're right. I upgraded them to the TBM-3. Hey, an "F" looks sorta like a backwards "3", so you cannot doubt my grasp on this game. I know what I am doing at all times (except when I set carrier range to 7 and post my carriers 7 hexes from a major enemy airfield with hundreds of crack fighters....or forget that Cold Zone begins November 1...or etc. etc. etc.

[RangerJoe]

...or forget that Cold Zone begins November 1...

That is because you live in the South. If I lived there I would probably wear shorts year 'round - and retreat into air conditioning from 1 May to October 31 . . .

[Canoerebel]

I wear them almost year around, because I'm hot-natured.

In January 2002, I did a tough hike in the mountainous Cohutta Wilderness Area, beginning at an elevation of about 2,000 feet and topping out at about 3,500 feet. The high that day was in the upper 20s and there was snow on the ground and in the trees, with the breeze shaking loose little snows bombs all along the route. I started in shorts and a long-sleeved flannel shirt. I changed out of the shirt (which had become soaked with perspiration) at the high point) into a fresh, short-sleeved one and finished the day that way. My choice of clothing was perfect for that temperature and trail.

[Canoerebel]

Death Star carriers have accumulated remarkably light wear-and-tear, considering they've been at sea continuously for more than 2.5 months, nearly 1.5 of that in Cold Zone weather. Just one CV (Franklin) required pier side work at 3 SYS, 1 FLT damage. A few of the CVEs will also repair 1 FLT damage. The fleet will be ready to move again in about two or three days.

This is the main benefit of using DS so carefully - always at normal speed and usually considerably less than it's full movement allotment per turn. DS can basically remain at sea into perpetuity, if AOs are available. Soon, the AEs will be able to replenish ammo at sea, another help.

I swear I'm willing to use my carriers at flank speed under the right circumstances (and did so late in my game vs. John III). But staying power is critical, and flank speed diminishes that capability.

[HansBolter]

With at sea ammunition replenishment, the bombardment TFs will also take less wear and tear as you can park the replenishment TF in a hex adjacent to the target island with the DS covering.

The bombardment TFs only have a 1 hex distance on the run in and a much shorter run back to the replenishment TF after having moved one movement phase away following the run back out.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Death Star carriers have accumulated remarkably light wear-and-tear, considering they've been at sea continuously for more than 2.5 months, nearly 1.5 of that in Cold Zone weather. Just one CV (Franklin) required pier side work at 3 SYS, 1 FLT damage. A few of the CVEs will also repair 1 FLT damage. The fleet will be ready to move again in about two or three days.

This is the main benefit of using DS so carefully - always at normal speed and usually considerably less than it's full movement allotment per turn. DS can basically remain at sea into perpetuity, if AOs are available. Soon, the AEs will be able to replenish ammo at sea, another help.

I swear I'm willing to use my carriers at flank speed under the right circumstances (and did so late in my game vs. John III). But staying power is critical, and flank speed diminishes that capability.

The machines are looked after but you need to bring a riverboat auxiliary to put on USO shows for the crews!

[RangerJoe]

The machines are looked after but you need to bring a riverboat auxiliary to put on USO shows for the crews!

Extra heating units for a show like this one:

Bob Hope Special August 12, 1944 'Somewhere In The South Pacific'

He did his first show in California in 1941, if I remember correctly, and said that it was the best audience that he ever had.

[Canoerebel]

12/13/44

Uruppu: Allied bombardment unusually effective.

[RangerJoe]

I am not sure but I think that the ratio of destroyed to disabled losses should be about the same as what is in the units hit - given that each device has the same chance as being hit in a given unit. But sometimes one unit is targeted more than another so it may not be uniform across all units but it should be close if they all had the same starting ratio.

That said, [&o] I think that you are correct in that they are cracking!

[Mike Dubost]

I have been catching up on the forums after a brief absence, and I was surprised to note that no one else picked up on the statement about lack of reaction combat. There was a thread on the main AE forum indicating that ASW reaction was not completely coded. Consensus was that the movement part was coded, but not the attack routine.

In other words, this lack of combat is as programed, even if not as intended.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

12/6/44

I-6: This sub approached the western Aleuts from the Kuriles on a straight course about ten days back. My patrols got good detection on it, so two good ASW TFs were vectored right in front of it. One of them reacted but there was never any combat. Then the sub disappeared until today. I gather it isn't carrying Glens, because none of my many TFs in this area have reported detection. There's nothing vital in the way of shipping - just lots and lots of merchantmen and ASW ships. So by and large I'm not concerned about a single sub out here....except that the BB Missouri TF is inbound in a few days, followed a week later by the BB New York and BB Texas TF.

[Capt. Harlock]

Air Losses: Yikes, Navy fighter Armageddon, as I lose 162 F4F-3 and F4F-5!

Sure you don't mean F6F-3 and F6F-5?

If you're really using Wildcats in December '44, I think I see the problem! [:D]

[Canoerebel]

Oops! Yes, I meant F6F models.

I am a graduate of the Greyjoy School of Loose Nomenclature.

[Canoerebel]

12/13/44

Shikuka: Encouraging to see 4+ million supply and 1+ million fuel here, with a lot more fuel unloading tomorrow.

[RangerJoe]

Careful, OpSec. [:-] The enemy might try to capture it for the supplies!

Of course, if you have enough or then your men would not be defeated and let that stuff be captured.

[Canoerebel]

12/13/44

Air Losses: Erik posted heavy CAP near Pegu today, resulting in a series of battles with Allied sweeps and escorted bombing raids. The Allies came out ahead, especially when handicapping the results for quality of airframes. IE, the Japanese losses are mostly good fighters while Allied losses are mostly second-tier.

This campaign has been going on a long time. The Allies have lost a lot of bombers, mainly 2EB, to flak and some to CAP. Overall, though, I think the campaign has been effective in downing Erik's good stuff.

[Canoerebel]

12/14/44

Uruppu: Allied bombardment nets modest results.

Allied 4EB focused today on nearby Shimishura Jima, to keep the airfield suppressed and to keep up the appearance of rapt attention there.

If most of the repairing Death Star ships are ready to go, DS will move out midway to Uruppu, to provide cover for bombarding TFs while waiting for the remaining ships to complete their repairs. I think DS will be ready to proceed on its next major mission in two or three days.

[Canoerebel]

12/14/44

NoPac: Even as Death Star is in port, creating a brief lull in activity, the wheels are turning on a sprawling operation that is simple, low risk, but vital to what's to come.

[Canoerebel]

12/14/44

Uruppu: The Ki-83 is online. I've heard that it's good but I don't recall facing it before. I assume it's tough but not some kind of uber-weapon that shoots down everything that flies.

In this skirmish, IJ fighters on LRCAP encounter a good squadron of sweeping Corsairs. In the past, Japanese fighters on LRCAP don't perform well against good Allied fighters. That seems to be the case here, too.

[RangerJoe]

The Ki-83 is online. I've heard that it's good but I don't recall facing it before. I assume it's tough but not some kind of uber-weapon that shoots down everything that flies.

A twin engine fighter. Two 20mm and two less accurate 30mm cannons. SR3 so if you can find them at a non railroad base, wear them down and then bomb them. Not that nimble but a top speed of 438. I have never faced them but I would presume that it is a bomber killer.

Ha-43 engine. Destroy/damage the engine factories and he can't make the aircraft. [:D]

[Canoerebel]

12/14/14

Thanks, Ranger Joe. My long-term plan is to obtain airfields within fighter-escort range of Erik's engine and aircraft factories (which is the same plan that most every Allied player has, of course).

Voyages of the Starship La Triumphant: Can La Triumphant survive its Long Patrol?