I have forces prepped for Dutch Harbour and Cold bay. At the moment this is a backwater. He probably wouldn´t move the KB up here but he can probably get alot of aircraft up here in really short time from the HI. So this again would be sort of a "hit and run" action since I can´t protect the invasion.
What about that dot base NE of Cold Bay? Develope it and draw his strikes. If he commits enough forces to keep you in line - it is fine as his forces can't be anywhere else. If he doesn't, you advance to the next base under LBA cover.
With enough 4Es, you can close every airfield in effctive striking range. So where you have open airfields, you have a decent chance the he soon doesn't have open airfields any more...
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
I'm in a very similiar situation as you in my PBEM as the Allies in June/42. I'm going to lose China by the fall of 42, the Aleutians are under Japanese control with the exception of Dutch Harbor. New Caledonia, Fiji and many of the Southeast Pacific bases are Japanese held. An invasion of New Zealand seems imminent. Unlike you though, I've had no major fleet actions yet and my navy is largely intact.
I know it seems overwhelming and where do you start? Think of it in terms of building a puzzle, a big puzzle of 5000 pieces say. At first, you look at those pieces and think you'll never get it done. Then you get some areas started and simply build from there. In this case, you already have some areas of the puzzle built, you just need to add to those areas and that will eventually lead to other areas of the "puzzle" you can then begin to fill in.
As others have pointed out, you can build up the dot bases near Kodiak to begin putting pressure on his Aleutian holdings with your 4E's and fighters. Burma will be a grind, but you need to build up your logistics support. As you build up bases the supply flow and ability to stockpile will also improve. Yes, you have a lot of enemy airbases to suppress, but don't let that discourage you. As Historiker has pointed out, mix up your targets, don't try to take them all out at once. One or two at a time and the effect will graduallly take it's toll.
Australia, again, build up your logistics to sustain your operations. Set yourself small goals to accomplish. Seems to me you build up and secure your positions at Perth and Geraldton and then set your sights on Carnarvon, then Exmouth. Build up your airbases then you can start hitting Port Hedland, Broome and Derby. Build up Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and then start putting pressure on Daly Waters.
Applying constant pressure in a way you can sustain is the key here until you recover and can make a big push. It's not glamorous or a quick fix, but hitting and grinding down Japan's ability for sustained operations will pay divends later. Take the time to pound those airfields into rubble, as others have suggested, not doing so in your recent operations around New Caledonia proved problematic, to say the least.
These are just three areas of the puzzle you've already built up, now you simply expand them and keep adding pieces. These areas don't require you to risk a single ship. Set up your LBA and then your naval units can operate under your own LBA umbrella. It's not exciting, or what you may have hoped for, but it is something to build on until your fleet recovers. Don't let the entire situation overwhelm you, pick your battles. Look for the easy pieces to add to the puzzle, that will allow more opportunities to open up for you, then you can tackle the tougher areas of the "puzzle" so to speak.
I hope you don't mind the puzzle analogy, but I find for myself it really does work. It's easy to feel things are unmanagable at this stage, but one step at a time, or one puzzle piece at a time. A little effort and preparation on your part and before you know it, the final few pieces will fall into place and you've finished the puzzle. [8D]
My AAR was literally years of no action, so I understand your concerns about the fun factor. It's still there, you just have to switch gears. Building up logistics for that eventual big push or trashing every airfield in sight can be fun too, if you keep the overall goal in mind.
You may have come out short recently, but I envy the action in your game and the fact you came out swinging. More experience will only make you that much better in the future. Keep it up, you'll recover from this last set back and get more chances to take it to Japan on your terms.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
You have been given a lot of good advice. Develop a plan and start executing it. This game is extremely winnable. Starting at some point in mid-43 you get a CV/CVL/CVE almost every day. Plan now what you are going to do with them.
For instance, B-25C's can strike Darwin (port strikes will usually catch a few surprised ships) from Tenant Creek. And maul any infantry on the ground between those two points.
Good luck and keep swinging.
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond! I really appriciate it! [:)]
Michael,
You are absolutly right about not closing the Airfields. I as usual got impatiant. I had tried to close them down for 3 weeks but weather was preventing this. So I decided to go for it anyway. Next time I will not be so impacient! Lesson learned the brutal way... [X(]
My plan was originally to skip Burma and flank it throught the Adamans. Obviosuly thats not going to happen anymore! I´ve started to shift my forces around to concentrate my unrestricted troops for a push towards Katha and Myitkyina. I´ve also decided to try and push for Darwin! Will post some maps later today! I´ve actually started building up all bases in India and Oz a long time ago. Only Tennant Creek is a bit behind. But I´m sending about 15 engineer units there now!
I´m going to follow your advice in the NoPac but it will take some time to shift lift capacity there. There is a dot base 4 hexes from Cold Bay that is still in my hands. Will try and sneak in some engineers there are start building up the forts first of all.
Tosten,
I hear you! Problem is that my escorts get chewed up in each strike! I loose about 20-30 P40s each time I hit the oilfields. I can´t really afford that right now. His Tojos are really nasty and he has lots and lots of them. Thats what I meant about not being able to close them all!
I actually have two divisions prepped for PM. But the 8 hex range only the P38 can reach and I only have 2 squadrons of them and not the best pools. I could at the very best put 75 P-38s over PM for 2 days before fatigue would be in the 40-50s. I don´t think that would be enough? Remember that the KB is only a day away. I´m also quite short on 4Es atm. Erik seem to think the are invincible but eventhough most get home many of the damaged ones are written off. I have a almost empty group in Oz waiting for planes...
Joseph,
I think you are absolutly right that I have to start applying pressure on him. I had hopes to be able to do that in the SoPac and Burma! SoPac is no longer an option so I guess we will have to go for Burma and Oz then. As I mentioned earlier I actually already build up all bases in Oz and India which is a blessing right now! I´m trying to find motivation in the small things right now but its hard... But Erik deserves me doing my best so I´ll try my best! [:)]
I don't mind the puzzle analogy at all! I think its a good one! [:)]
A lot of the future strategy will depend on what he does in the Hebrides. I´m 95% sure he will counterinvade Tanna. But he mentioned how trashed his troops on Anatom got when I hit with all I had at Suva so he might be reluctant to expose more troops to my bombers. 100 4Es and 100 2Es can strike Tanna at will. So he needs to park the KB there to protect them. Last time he did he lost alot of fighters for almost no damage to my planes. If he starts pulling out I can try and start grinding my way base by base. Going to tack a looong time. But if he is staying I´m going to move everything at Suva to somewhere else. Probably India!
Another question while I´m at it. Should I buy back some of the airgroups from my sunk carriers? They are really expensive but in April I start getting alot of airframes but no groups to fill them with. If I do, will the DB groups scheduled for withdrawal still be?
Again, thank you all for the encouragement and help! Really happy to have it! [:)]
Will post some maps later on my plans for India/Oz. Would love to get some input on that!
I´m currently shifting forces around to concentrate in Kalemyo. I hope I will be able to pull enough supply there to sustain combat and move overland to Katha. The main goal of the operation will be to take Katha and test how much supply I can pull. There is a nice level 4 airfield there which will hopefully help with the pull. If supplies flow I will move on to Myitkyina. If things still look favourable after that I will move think about moving south! But thats far, far ahead!
I should be able to start moving in about 4-5 weeks.
OOB:
Eastern army HQ is prepping for Katha and India Command for Myitkyina. Two Indian Corps HQs will move with the troops to Katha.
The assault will be spearheaded by 18th Brit ID, 6th Aus ID, 27th US ID and 41st US ID. The 17th and 23rd Indian divsion will be in reserve. The 23rd Indian ID is still restricted but I have the PP to buy it out if needed.
The attack will also be supported by 3 armoured brigades, 2 infantry brigades and two small chinese Corps. About all the available AA in India and all engineers I can spare. I will go a bit light on baseforces to begin with but 150 aviation support will follow the combat troops.
I have around 120 Transports ready to airlift supplies if needed.
All in all it should be around 2000 AV not counting the reserves. Will this be enough? Erik will see this coming from half across the globe as he has lots of recon in place. My airforce is listed in earlier posts. I don´t know much about what he has in place. But a guess would be 3-4 IDs? There is 30k troops in Mandalay. and between 2000-5000 in each base. I havn´t been able to recon Rangoon for quite some time. Going to give a go again!
I can probably scrape toghether another 1000 unrestricted AV but that would leave Akyab, Cox and Chittagong a little bit too light to be confortable!
This will be my first offensive in a PBEM...well ever. So if I´m doing something really stupid here let me know!
I hear you! Problem is that my escorts get chewed up in each strike! I loose about 20-30 P40s each time I hit the oilfields. I can´t really afford that right now. His Tojos are really nasty and he has lots and lots of them. Thats what I meant about not being able to close them all!
That's why you don't start your suppression campaign with Magwe! [;)]
The other hexes are maybe LR-CAPing Magwe, they may draw some fighters for an intercept or they aren't protected. All is fine, because each tim, you take out an airfield which can't use for timblerigging any more.
You go after the airfields, not after the planes! The planes will come as a byproduct, but right now, you don't care whether he has 5.000 fighters - if they are far away!
PM:
You don't go for PM as long as you don't know the KB is far, far away, of course!
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
I´m going to follow your advice in the NoPac but it will take some time to shift lift capacity there. There is a dot base 4 hexes from Cold Bay that is still in my hands. Will try and sneak in some engineers there are start building up the forts first of all.
If your referring to Port Heiden, then you may have to cancel that operation. It is accessible only from the north side of the peninsula from the sea, so no shipping is going to get there. Focus on two of three dot bases SW of Kodiak instead.
Another question while I´m at it. Should I buy back some of the airgroups from my sunk carriers? They are really expensive but in April I start getting alot of airframes but no groups to fill them with. If I do, will the DB groups scheduled for withdrawal still be?
Buy back your fighter groups first. Don't buy back the ones that are to be withdrawn. What is the cost per group??
Ouch, good thing you told me! Had no clue! Might be worth trying to airlift something in later on though. Will start with the bases closer to Kodiak first.
The groups cost 180 PP for the 36 plane fightergroups and 90 for the the DB/TBs. So its a hefty price...but it might be worth it when I get the 130 Hellcats per months. But I don´t know how much good the Hellcat is against land based fighter like the Tojo? The stats are quite even. But I have an exellent pool of pilots and 130 planes per months is ALOT. Thoughts?
There comes a point when you have an excess of PP's and not much to buy so I buy out the fighters as soon as I can afford too and the others when the PP's start to add up. I have been down this sorry road many times!
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
Speed and ceiling stats are only part of the story - the Hellcat is much more durable than the Tojo and will take them down in droves if pilot skill is comparable.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
I´ll buy out the fighters as soon as possible! Need to save the PPs at the moment until I know if I have to buy out the 23rd Indian ID. Does anyone know if the withdrawal dates would still remain for the DB groups if the are "resurrected"?
I hear you! Problem is that my escorts get chewed up in each strike! I loose about 20-30 P40s each time I hit the oilfields. I can´t really afford that right now. His Tojos are really nasty and he has lots and lots of them. Thats what I meant about not being able to close them all!
That's why you don't start your suppression campaign with Magwe! [;)]
The other hexes are maybe LR-CAPing Magwe, they may draw some fighters for an intercept or they aren't protected. All is fine, because each tim, you take out an airfield which can't use for timblerigging any more.
You go after the airfields, not after the planes! The planes will come as a byproduct, but right now, you don't care whether he has 5.000 fighters - if they are far away!
PM:
You don't go for PM as long as you don't know the KB is far, far away, of course!
I have tried sweeping several times. He usually gets about 50-80 fighters airborne over the other bases as well. I´m guessing he is using CAP with a range setting of 1-2. So right now I can´t afford the losses. I´m open for suggestion though! I have 250 bombers with nothing to do! That can´t be right? Right? [;)]
I´ll buy out the fighters as soon as possible! Need to save the PPs at the moment until I know if I have to buy out the 23rd Indian ID. Does anyone know if the withdrawal dates would still remain for the DB groups if the are "resurrected"?
It should just reactivate the same device. So yes, it'll keep the same withdrawl dates.
Bombers/Burma:
When you have plenty, then risk them and accept the losses. Even if he shoots down a bunch while defending a well stacked airfield - you still close it down and kill plenty on the ground. Those planes are there to fly, and those pilots are there to dies (psst, don't tell them! [:-])
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
With the service damage after an attack, not all will be airborne again. So you'll get them with more attacks. It seems you always stop your attacks too early. [;)]
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
With the service damage after an attack, not all will be airborne again. So you'll get them with more attacks. It seems you always stop your attacks too early. [;)]
Well, I might be! But obvert is a smart fellow and since all bases are on railways I´m pretty certain he rails them out to rangoon if they are stuck in a base! [:D]
While waiting for a turn from Erik I decided to do a short update.
Burma
The units in Burma is slowly getting into position to the hex NW of Katha. The total AV will be somewhere around 2500 and among them 3 armoured brigades. I revised the forces a bit since I felt mainland India was a little bit to weakly defended. So the 2nd British will be in reserv for the operation instead and the two Indian divisions slated for the task. They will instead continue to guard mainland India. I also have the 9th OZ division arriving in India shortly to form a strategic reserve incase Erik tries something funny.
In 8 days everything will be in place. I hope this will be a nasty suprise to him. Amazingly I still don´t think he has spotted the troops?! He will surly not be able to keep on to Katha and Myitkyina if I can get supply going. I have a feeling he has sent too much to the SoPac area and Burma is underdefended. We will find out shortly! He does have the ability to move troops from China if he can buy them out though.
I discovered a few days ago he had started to rebuild the oil at Magwe so I sent in the bombers escorted by 75 of the craptastic P40E. They suffered badly but saved most of the bombers. But 55 P40 lost stings a bit. Pool is running very low. Luckely I only lost 7 pilots! Unfortunantly severe storms hampered the strike and the results were discouraging and the oil were only knocked down to 25 from 35. His 150 Tojos just eats everything I throw at them alive. He lost 7 of them...
SoPac
In Sopac I still hold on to Tanna by a straw. He has moved some Tojos down there with predictable results. I lost some 50 P39 in his first sweep. God I hate the bloody Tojos. After that I sent in some F4Fs and 25 P38s which did a little bit better but I still had to withdraw after a day of combat. But atleast the losses wasn´t totally in vain. I got 2 marine defense battalions in place unmolested. Predictable enough Eric sent the KB in as soon as he realised what was going on as he has done throughout the game. This is something I hope to take advantage of some day!
If anyone has ANY idea at all what to do about his Tojos I would be glad to hear them. The only thing I have that can get even close to matching them are the P38 and the whooping 20 per month I get will run out fast if I go toe to toe with him. Cosairs have started arriving but from what I have read here on the forum they arn´t much good in AE?
NoPac
Shipping is on its way to start building up bases.
OZ
Getting supply to Tennant Creek looks like a no go. I will continue to to build it up and see if I can get ANYTHING going here. AF is sizze 7 and forts on its way to size 4 but I can´t get anything flowing here from Alice Springs which have 105.000 supply.
I´ve also stepped down army fighter training a bit for now. I have 1100 in the pool right now all trained to 50/70/50. So I started filling the training squadrons with trained pilots to do CAP missions and build EXP. I also sent a bunch of pilots from my non essential front line squadrons back to the pool and filled them with green pilots to build up EXP on cap missions. Mainly in OZ/PH/WC which has seen no action for almost 6 months.
Erik has just moved apartments and I find myself waiting for turns again. So again a small update on Burma.
Here is the situation:
As you can see Erik discovered a few days ago that my troops were moving through the jungle and has reacted strongly. I´m very happy with his reaction since he has almost emptied out central Burma. He has concentrated at Katha but I still don´t think he has enough there to stop me. I´m confident most of his combat troops are Thai units. I also have brough alot of artillary and tanks to help out!
The last two days has for the first time seen the Allies come out on top in the Burma Airwar. On the 22nd he started bombing my troops and on the 23rd I intercepted them shooting down 21 Helens and 16 Tojos for only 3 Hurris. Very happy with that. Hopefully that was some of the pilots from his bombings in China. He has lost some 40 Helens the last few days. Many to flak from the 23rd AA Bde (Thank you Michael for the tip on that unit [:)]!) He keeps on coming so he must really be deperate to slow me down. The bombing havn´t had any noticable effect that I can see besides the 2nd Brit Div being bumped from "move" to "combat" at one point.
I think I really cought him off guard on this one and he admitted in an email he thought it would be a while yet before I would move in Burma. This might end up a huge fiasco but it still feels good doing something besides clicking "end turn" and waiting for 43 to pass. Worst case I just have to withdraw back to India. This atleast gives the benefit of Erik having to split his airforce in Burma a bit. He can´t stop protecting his airfields in Central Burma of I would quickly close them forcing his airforce to far south.
I´ve started moving a division and 2 bdes down the coastal road. This is just a feeler since he might have emptied central Burma. If it looks promising I will shift the 18th Brit and 9th Oz down here aswell. Recon is really busy in the North but I will try and recon the central bases to see if they really are that empty.
My gut feeling is still that he has sent way to much down to SoPac. I know he has 1 div on Anatom and 1 div in Noumuea. Probably 1 more in Carnarvon. I also think he has atleast a division in PM and since he has been using Tulagi as a major base he should have some big formation there aswell. Rabaul will probably have a division aswell? My knowledge of the Jap OOB is almost nil. What divisions should I keep an eye out for? How many unrestricted divisions are there available for the Jap player in early 43? Any imput on this would be greatly appriciated! [:)]
To strenghten my belive I spotted some activity around Nomouea and PM. Could he be trying to extract the divsions he has there to move them to Burma?
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