Very informative, please keep it up, after you have calmed down!
My Temper Tantrum:
Basically I was sending 2 I-class subs around Singapore to harass the shipping I'm spotting into and out of Rangoon and for some reason they sail through Singapore and hit multiples mines - believed to be 2 each - BOOM and they both sink...
Not only did that make me mad, but then the US CVs appear south of Sorong and hammer my invasion convoy. 5 of the 7 ships were sunk outright, and the surviving 2 PBs will probably sink soon. Not only that, but he mauled the Base Force I was invading with. The BF survived and is on Sorong, but is all disabled - now I need to invade again [:@]
Couple that with a crap-tastic day at work... oh well.. I'm better now and will have my revenge. Now that I know where 3 of his CVs are it will cost him. Midway will be mine - I am already assembling the invasion force and air cover. I plan on landing a full division on it to ensure I take it quickly. Then I plan on holding it in force for a month or so to make my presence a nuisance and then retreat back to Wake - so when he brings in force there won't be anything there to kill.
Ouch, the frustration! Well i hope you will keep on AARíng as its informative AND very fun to read what you both are writing, and the assumptions that are made of the other player's intentions - whether right or wrong =)
Good luck!
A real slow day. Several IJN subs make contact with Allied shipping and fire dozens of torpedoes but they all miss. The subs can't even hit the crippled DD Thracian as she limps to Australia.
Small number of Zeroes sweep into Rangoon air space shooting done several allied planes before escaping without a loss.
A US CV TF appears our of nowhere - ok I thought she was in the area but couldn't react fast enough - and catches a TF at Jaluit unloading troops.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Kongo Maru caught transferring cargo ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Kongo Maru
The US CV TF is brave as she raids Kwajelein port catching a sub and hitting her with a 500 lb bomb. The sub survived but will need a few weeks in repair before being fit for duty.
Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese Ships
SS I-171, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Jan 6th, 1942 -- Day 32
I raced my IJN CV TF towards the escape route of the US CV but they are faster and I wasn't quite in position yet. If he had waited 1 more day I would have pounced and sunk the CV.
This day goes about the same for my subs - many more targets and all misses.
Bombing raids in China and Malaysa eat up supply and slowly wear away at the allied defenders.
An IJN xAK is caught unloading at Kuching by some Swordfish bombers that sneaked through my Cap. the xAK was hit by multiple bombs and quickly sank.
I landed an JAAF AF Coy at Puerto Princessa last turn and captured it this turn forcing the Philippine Base Force to flee into the jungle.
Jan 7th, 1942 -- Day 33
Not a good day. A group of US PT boats attacks my ASW TF at Vigan and mauls it while recieving no damage in return. There were numerous rounds of combat and I was very surprised that I landed no hits on the little craft.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 80,73, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #13, Shell hits 1
PB Shonan Maru #1, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Shonan Maru #2
PB Shonan Maru #17, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
PT-43
PT-44
PT-45
PT-46
PT-47
PT-48
Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 75% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
PB Shonan Maru #17 engages PT-48 at 1,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #1 engages PT-45 at 1,000 yards
PB Kyo Maru #13 engages PT-45 at 1,000 yards
PT-44 engages PB Kyo Maru #13 at 1,000 yards
Bannai, T. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
PT-48 engages PB Shonan Maru #17 at 2,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-48 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-45 at 3,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #1 engages PT-46 at 3,000 yards
PT-45 engages PB Shonan Maru #1 at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PT-45 engages PB Kyo Maru #13 at 2,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-47 at 2,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #17 engages PT-46 at 2,000 yards
PB Kyo Maru #13 engages PT-46 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-48 at 4,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-46 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-48 at 5,000 yards
PT-47 engages PB Shonan Maru #2 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #17 engages PT-47 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-47 at 8,000 yards
PT-43 engages PB Shonan Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
PT-45 engages PB Shonan Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-44 at 8,000 yards
PB Shonan Maru #2 engages PT-43 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...
My subs finally get back into action as I-19 off Hawaii finds an unescorted convoy and puts 3 fish into the xAK Ensley City - which quickly sinks.
IJN I-2 starts the turn by putting a pair of torps into the xAK Ohioan crippling her - I think she sunk, but no reports so far.
More bombing raids against chinese troops further weaken them. RAF and IJA planes bomb each other in Burma and Malaysa scoring hits on both sides.
Another Zero sweep into Rangoon scores 3 Buffalos downed. My zeros are really getting good numbers against the fighters at Rangoon.
IJN Surface Combatants show up and bombard Beaufort to weaken the enemy troops -- this is just the first such bombardment in the days to come.
A Shock attack at Temuloh is repulsed, but forts are lowered and more losses are inflicted then recieved. The defense is weakening [:D]
IJA Tank Regiments (2nd & 7th) push allied troops out of Cabanatuan furthering our Imperial plans for Luzon.
Jan 9th, 1942 -- Day 35
More IJN Warship bombard Singkawang catching some allied non-combat troops in the open as well as damaging the runway. The second rounds of bombarding hammers the troops and craters the runways.
The IJN TF that hit Beaufort last turn hammers it again before sailing off.
My 2 Subs heading to interdict shipping near Rangoon ran through Singapore and had an accident or 2...
Naval Gun Fire at Singapore - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese Ships
SS I-165, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-162, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 140 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Ships
SS I-165, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
SS I-162, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
The 2nd US CV TF showed up in the Timor Sea South of Sorong catching my invasion force there. From the amount of aircraft in the raid leads me to believe there are 2 US CVs operating in the area. [Now I know where 3 of his CVs are]
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
SBD-2 Dauntless x 39
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9
TBD-1 Devastator x 26
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAP Haruna Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
xAP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PB Edo Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Busho Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PB Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Myoken Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Keiko Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
Japanese ground losses:
592 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SBD-2 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
9 x SBD-2 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SBD-2 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Rakuyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Haruna Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Edo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Saiko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Myoken Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Keiko Maru
Only 2 PBs survived the air raid - 1 may live if not attacked again but the other is helpless.
Several hundred troops from a Base Force are now stranded on Sorong and all disabled. I will need to send in more troops to rescue them once the CVs clear the area.
My troops attack Batangas and push the defenders out capturing it - 1 more base falls in Luzon.
Attacks at both Taiping and Temuloh are both repulsed but the allied troops defending them are weakening quickly.
Jan 10th, 1942 -- Day 36
More Naval bombardment - this time at Dadjangas to support the landings there. Allied troops were caught unprepared and suffered.
Another IJN TF hammered Sambas catching both men in the open and 1 Do-24 plane on the runway.
I-166, loitering off Soerbaja, entered the war by sinking the allied ship xAKL Chengtu with torpedoes.
Not to be outdone by I-166, I-123 surfaces and hammers xAKL Halldor with gunfire leaving her burning - reported sunk later
My first antiship air raid by Nells loses 1 to enemy cap and damages the allied xAKs Havildar & Jalagopal. Reports indicate enemy vehicles were seen spilling into the waters of the port - so he is definately reinforcing Rangoon -- looks like that will be the big fight in Burma.
IJN Zeros raid over Rangoon but the allied CAP there won't engage - they must be afraid of us !!!
A failed raid on Vigan port costs the allies 1 of their few remaining P-40Es in the Philippines.
The 14th IJA Tank Regiment leads the assault on Mergui and chase the RAF Base Force out of the area inflicting heavy losses.
I have finally decided on my aircraft for the next year or so. I will list them below by category for you guys to make fun of, ask questions, agree, disagree, etc... please keep comments nice but on the same track please comment. I'm not all knowing and maybe I missed something in my selection.
Fighters:
A6M2 Zero until the A6M3a Zero comes online
Ki-43-Ic Oscar until the Ki-44-IIa Tojo comes online
Fighter - Bombers:
Ki-45 KAIa Nick
Float Fighters:
A6M2-N Rufe
Dive Bombers:
D3A1 Val until the D3A2 Val comes online
Torpedo Bombers:
B5N2 Kate
Bombers:
G3M2 Nell and G4M1 Betty until the G3M3 Nell comes online
Ki-21-IIa Sally until the Ki-49-IIa Helen comes online
Ki-30 Ann
The Tojo comes online 9-42 I believe. So I got 9 months of Oscars. They will mostly be used in Burma and DEI so that shouldn't be a problem. Saving the Zeros for special spots or direct clashes with the US.
Not only that but all of my fighters use the same engine - so changing between models won't be too bad and they all have a Service Rating of 1 - which means I'll actually keep more in the air.
Now come 43 the fighter selection gets tougher as models with armor come into play, but they are a lot harder to keep working (service rating of 3) and have less range. I guess come July or Aug 42 I'll start to make my calls for 43.
Those air choices look OK, but why produce the Ki-30 Ann?
Take a look at the Transports, I don't think the Mavis transport is available until 4/42. You can produce Tinas though, and on the IJA side the Tabby is still the transport of choice (although I noticed the Sally transport ain't bad compared to WITP)
Those air choices look OK, but why produce the Ki-30 Ann?
Take a look at the Transports, I don't think the Mavis transport is available until 4/42. You can produce Tinas though, and on the IJA side the Tabby is still the transport of choice (although I noticed the Sally transport ain't bad compared to WITP)
The Ann as it is a nice and small Light Bomber which I can operate at full efficiency from small airfields (size 1 or 2). It also gives my chinese troops something to use.
The Mavis isn't available until April 42, but it is better than the others so I will be producing engines and such ahead of time so I can quickly convert them all to the Mavis once I have it.
If I remember the Tabby is a nice plane, but doesn't arrive until 1944 now - so its not even a consideration at this point.
Sorry on TABBY, I meant to say TOPSY. That is the IJA plane of choice. Tabby is now for 1944 only, you are correct. Got my code names mixed up.
According to my notes there is a Mavis available 12/41 so until the newer model is available in 4/42 I will use that one. Hmm not sure I like the Topsy's stats. Looking over the planes I do see one I do like - MC-21 Sally. She will be a mini-Mavis with 1 hex less range and more cargo room than the Topsy - perhaps I need 2 types of transports. One long range (Mavis) and one workhorse (short range) - Sally. I will admit the cheaper costs and the ability to keep them flying on the Sally will be a benefit.
Plus if I go with the Sally I will be sharing engines with another plane, whereas if I go Topsy that's a new engine type I need to build.
Sorry on TABBY, I meant to say TOPSY. That is the IJA plane of choice. Tabby is now for 1944 only, you are correct. Got my code names mixed up.
According to my notes there is a Mavis available 12/41 so until the newer model is available in 4/42 I will use that one. Hmm not sure I like the Topsy's stats. Looking over the planes I do see one I do like - MC-21 Sally. She will be a mini-Mavis with 1 hex less range and more cargo room than the Topsy - perhaps I need 2 types of transports. One long range (Mavis) and one workhorse (short range) - Sally. I will admit the cheaper costs and the ability to keep them flying on the Sally will be a benefit.
Plus if I go with the Sally I will be sharing engines with another plane, whereas if I go Topsy that's a new engine type I need to build.
Xargun
The available Mavis is a PATROL; no transport Mavis's can be built until 4/42. This is a problem.
I think you are right on the Sally v Topsy, now that I think of it. The Sally has 1 hex less range, but more payload, and easier to build. I think you are right: Ditch the TOPSY, build the SALLY.
The Thalia isn't bad either, payload is a bit small, but nice range
Recon:
For me Ki-46 II Dinah is the best recon, not Ki-15 Babs. Dinah also upgrades to new version while Babs has no upgrade.
You might want to know that few IJN recon squadrons that are flying C5M Babs (or whatever it is called, navy version of Babs) have no factory assigned for that airplane. One and only possible plane upgrade comes in 1944, so you will either have to get some small production of that plane or ground all squadrons once they run out of planes.
Transports:
For IJA I think MC-21 Sally is the best. Best mix of load capacity and range.
for IJN you will have to wait until April to start production of Mavis transport (as you have already said)
Bombers:
IJA: You don't need Ki-30 Ann, it is too weak and with small bomb load. Since you can upgrade anything you want with PDU on go for Ki-21 Sally until Ki-49 Helen becomes available. Don't worry about replacements for your China theater, you will have plenty of old aircraft since you will be upgrading front line ones with Ki-21. The other option is Ki-48, which is medium bomber with mediocre bomb load, but is the first plane to come with armor.
IJN: Keeping both Nell and Betty seems the best choice for me now. In my game I've converted all to G4M just to find out that as a consequence I have to increase engine production as well... Lots of supplies gone.
Fighters:
Not much to say here, Zero and Oscar until better planes come.
Float planes:
You don't need Glens as Jake can go on subs too (although not historical, but PDU is on so...)
A6M2 Zero until the A6M3a Zero comes online
Ki-43-Ic Oscar until the Ki-44-IIa Tojo comes online
Hi, you are still thinking in WITP terms.
The Oscar is not that bad in the AE and has a much longer range than the Tojo (Ki 44-IIa Tojo production starts 09/1942, Ki 43-IIa Oscar production starts 11/1942).
Ki 44-IIa has max (droptank range) of 20 hexes.
Ki 43-IIa has max (droptank range) of 33 hexes.
And you don't have the same number of A6M airgroups available for long-range missions in the AE as you had in WITP.
