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The rout was on along the front.

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Ground combat at 88,43 (near Kaifeng)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17301 troops, 132 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 629

Defending force 4830 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 186

Japanese adjusted assault: 631

Allied adjusted defense: 265

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2519 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 98 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
98th Chinese Corps

In the DEI, the Japanese captured Samarinda.

Ground combat at Samarinda (65,96)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2687 troops, 27 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Defending force 354 troops, 13 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese adjusted assault: 180

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 180 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Samarinda !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
474 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Miura Det
Yokosuka 4th SNLF

Defending units:
Samarinda KNIL Battalion

On Sumatra, Bob used one of my own tricks against me. He waited until my units advancing on Oosthaven had moved into the clear. Then he launched a mostly unescorted bomber raid on them. Expecting me to respond with LRCAP, he fighter swept the next day. (I have used this same tactic against him a couple times). I suspected he may be up to something similar, but I did not heed my own intuition. He caught 6 Zeros with 20 P-40s and achieved good results.

Afternoon Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 47,95 , near Oosthaven

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

So, another good play by Bob. Air to air losses for the day show 5 Zeros down for Japan. The only fortune to come out of the engagement was that it was over my unit, so I lost only 1 pilot.

Here is an image of Southern Army HQ on the road to Singapore. I like to put Tojo himself in command of this army. His high inspiration helps a great deal in the malaria zone. It does not reduce the effects of the malaria, but the units seem to recover fatigue and disruption quicker with Tojo in command. Later it will be used in rear areas, 6 or 7 hexes from the front to serve as the center of a rally and regroup point, while units at the front still benefit from its command bonus. Also note his high administration skill. I believe this also helps squads within his command radius recover disabled squads more quickly.

Here is an image of one of the engineering units that was shattered in the attack yesterday that took Clark Field. This unit has a high number of disabled, rather than destroyed squads. Here the emphasis is not on gaining replacements, but on recovering disabled squads. This unit just received a new leader: Colonol Goto. He is the typical rear-line army leader: fumbling and indecisive, but he is a very good moving papers around his desk. His high administration skill will help get this unit back into the fight as quickly as possible.

In my opinion, hastening the recovery of units is a key to good Japanese play throughout the war. Early in the war, Japan has much to do and not much time to do it. Units must return to action quickly. Later in the war, Japan is severely outnumbered and does not have enough quality troops to defend its entire perimeter in depth. Every effort must be made to get shattered units recovered and back into the line before the allies can overrun each new position.

Here is one of the most important units that Japan has: 5th Fleet. It is a Command HQ with naval support. The current admiral in charge of this unit is Boshiro. He is one of the best admirals in the Japanese navy. He will not remain in command of this unit after the fall of Bataan. He will be moved out and placed in charge of a TF of fast BBs or the Mogami-class heavy cruiser group.

This unit begins the game in Ominato, where there happens to be a magic move TF of 2 DDs. This magic move TF can be converted to an amphibious TF and ships added to load 5th fleet on turn 1. If you set the TF to "load troops only," 5th fleet will then load and magic move to where you want it. In this case it arrived in Altimon in the Phillipines on December 8th and moved into Batangas 6 days later. Its naval support has been in constant use, as Altimon was the first drop point for troops and supplies moving into southern Luzon. Batangas became the port to use after the allied DDs and PT boats had left Manila, so it then moved to Batangas. As a command HQ, it also lends a combat bonus to land forces in the Phillipines, out to 18 hexes (double its command range). So, it even assisted in the battle for Mindanao.

Here is a strange sight and a look under the hood of my peculiar pilot training program. Here is an image of 9 Topsy transport planes attached to the Kwantung garrison. The pilots currently flying these planes are some of the best fighter pilots in the IJA air force. They are training: general training. Why are some of the best fighter pilots in the IJA training on transport planes in Korea? Well... I have not used political points to buy out the Topsies yet. I will eventually, but I do not need them at the moment, so they stay in Korea. As to why some of the most experienced fighter pilots in the IJA are "general training" on these planes, look at their skill gains. I do not want exp. 77 pilots dying in Oscars because of poor defense. I try to get pilots to 70 defense in training before sending them to front-line units. I also do not want some of the best fighter pilots in the IJA flying Nates, and mostly what I have right now are Nates.

Jan 12, 1941

The I-122 continues its good outing.

Submarine attack near Denpasar at 58,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
TK Talang Akar, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK Talang Akar is sighted by SS I-122
SS I-122 attacking on the surface

Fuel was burning: my fuel.

Chokai and Takao return to Ambon and bombard in support of a ground offensive. Nells from Manado and 45 CV-based B5N2s also provide support.

Night Naval bombardment of Ambon at 76,109

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Chokai firing at Ambon
CA Takao firing at Ambon

2 Naval bombardments and days of bombing are starting to pay off. The bombers now are targeting the infantry unit rather than the coastal guns, and there is some disruption. The attack goes better than expected. The 146th might be able to take this base unassisted. That would be a bonus.


Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3927 troops, 32 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Defending force 3103 troops, 42 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 139

Allied adjusted defense: 124

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Molukken Garrison Battalion
Gull Battalion
Ambon Base Force

The unit marching on Oosthaven continue to come under heavy air attack from the Dutch air force. The initial attack on Oosthaven fails against a base force. It has been a hard road to Oosthaven, and the 4th Infantry Regiment is struggling.

Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 48,96 (Oosthaven)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb
8 x 139WH-3 bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 48,96 (Oosthaven)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
B-339D x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb

Very nice series of posts about units and training. I love that stuff![&o]

For 3 days, recon has been showing a buildup of fighters at Singapore. A large wing Nates of was upgraded recently to the Oscar IC. The mechanics finished work on the last of the planes last night, so, fresh from the factory, the first real action for the Oscar Ic. (There have been 12 in service in Malaysia previously and 12 in China, but the airframe has seen little action in either theater). About half of the pilots have been through the Topsy training program. The other half have not. They handled the new planes well. I was expecting a squadron of AVG, so it was nice for the Oscar to get its first action in against the Buffalos and get the IJA fighters into the war. The navy and the Zero has been carrying the action so far.

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Very nice series of posts about units and training. I love that stuff![&o]

It's tough to post a lot of behind-the-scenes information, since I told Bob he could read the AAR and contribute when he likes. When I think of something that does not give too away too much information and that may help a first-time Japanese player, I think it is a good idea. Try to help build up a base of players who understand the basics. I have learned a lot reading other people's AARs and from their advice, so when I do something unusual or different, I try to share it.

For 3 days, recon has been showing a buildup of fighters at Singapore. A large wing Nates of was upgraded recently to the Oscar IC. The mechanics finished work on the last of the planes last night, so, fresh from the factory, the first real action for the Oscar Ic. (There have been 12 in service in Malaysia previously and 12 in China, but the airframe has seen little action in either theater). About half of the pilots have been through the Topsy training program. The other half have not. They handled the new planes well. I was expecting a squadron of AVG, so it was nice for the Oscar to get its first action in against the Buffalos and get the IJA fighters into the war. The navy and the Zero has been carrying the action so far.

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

This was quite a disappointment for me. The sweep was not surprise, I've been expecting it. What I did not expect is the poor performance of my pilots. Especially if I consider the experience of all participating groups. IJA groups equipped with Nates are not the best groups if I recall, Brits and Aussies should be more than a match for them. If I have had lost the engagement with ratio 2:1 ok, but 11:2? [X(]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus
Here is one of the most important units that Japan has: 5th Fleet. It is a Command HQ with naval support. The current admiral in charge of this unit is Boshiro. He is one of the best admirals in the Japanese navy. He will not remain in command of this unit after the fall of Bataan.

Note that he has poor Land skill, so not giving all bonus it can. It you plan to chnage him later, you can as well do it now, PP permitting ofc.
In general, unrestricted Command HQs are precious to Japan, as there are few in standard scenarios and you need HQ bonus everywhere.

ORIGINAL: Aurorus
They are training: general training. Why are some of the best fighter pilots in the IJA training on transport planes in Korea?

I like doing this, mostly with IJN fighter pilots honing their skill in FP groups. Though this is taking advantage of a loophole of pilots circumventing the penalties and not losing Xp when transfered through "Request veteran->Release pilot" to a different type airgroup. Also, training sweep on 100ft seems to train defence quicker than training other skills, so i prefer pilots with non-maxed-out Staf to do that instead.

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: Aurorus
Here is one of the most important units that Japan has: 5th Fleet. It is a Command HQ with naval support. The current admiral in charge of this unit is Boshiro. He is one of the best admirals in the Japanese navy. He will not remain in command of this unit after the fall of Bataan.

Note that he has poor Land skill, so not giving all bonus it can. It you plan to chnage him later, you can as well do it now, PP permitting ofc.
In general, unrestricted Command HQs are precious to Japan, as there are few in standard scenarios and you need HQ bonus everywhere.

ORIGINAL: Aurorus
They are training: general training. Why are some of the best fighter pilots in the IJA training on transport planes in Korea?

I like doing this, mostly with IJN fighter pilots honing their skill in FP groups. Though this is taking advantage of a loophole of pilots circumventing the penalties and not losing Xp when transfered through "Request veteran->Release pilot" to a different type airgroup. Also, training sweep on 100ft seems to train defence quicker than training other skills, so i prefer pilots with non-maxed-out Staf to do that instead.

Not sure that it is a loophole. Why would a pilot lose experience flying different types of airplanes? Seems to me that they would gain experience. I have a friend who is an amateur pilot, and he has flown everything from home-made biplanes to the large fire-fighting plane we have for emergencies here. He gains experience, by his own testimony, with each different type of plane that he flies.

They are general training at 1000 ft. Any low altitude, i.e. below 5000 ft., training seems to improve defense faster. General training often works as well or better than others, because at times, pilots will gain 2 skill ranks while general training, which offers 2 opportunities to increase defense. General training is not something that I normally do, since I have no control over the skill gains. Most fighter pilots train "air," then LNavB," and then "Straf." Getting 3 skills to 60+ is usually enough to get defense to 70. Later in the war, I will set up remedial training squadrons for those pilots who do not reach 70 def. in the traditional program. As pilots run short, I often pull precocious pilots from the "Straf" and "LNavB" training who have already reached 70 def. In fact, I value defense over even "air" and "experience."

As to Boshiro Hosagaya, believe it or not, he has a high "land" rating for an admiral. Tanaka is the exception with a 71 land rating, if I recall correctly. Most of the admirals are in the 30s, so his 41 "land" is among the best of the admirals. He has a high combined leadership and inspiration. The check to add the bonus is a leadership check, and the inspiration helps units recover: morale, fatigue, etc. Luzon is a malaria zone, and the idea is to take it quickly. It will take several attacks with large amounts of disruption et al to do so. That is why I spent the 30 PPs or so necessary to place him in temporary command of 5th fleet. The commander of 5th Fleet to start the war is dreadful, at everything, if I remember correctly.

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

For 3 days, recon has been showing a buildup of fighters at Singapore. A large wing Nates of was upgraded recently to the Oscar IC. The mechanics finished work on the last of the planes last night, so, fresh from the factory, the first real action for the Oscar Ic. (There have been 12 in service in Malaysia previously and 12 in China, but the airframe has seen little action in either theater). About half of the pilots have been through the Topsy training program. The other half have not. They handled the new planes well. I was expecting a squadron of AVG, so it was nice for the Oscar to get its first action in against the Buffalos and get the IJA fighters into the war. The navy and the Zero has been carrying the action so far.

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

This was quite a disappointment for me. The sweep was not surprise, I've been expecting it. What I did not expect is the poor performance of my pilots. Especially if I consider the experience of all participating groups. IJA groups equipped with Nates are not the best groups if I recall, Brits and Aussies should be more than a match for them. If I have had lost the engagement with ratio 2:1 ok, but 11:2? [X(]

These were no Nates. These were the new Oscar IC. It is a good early war plane: essentially a Zero with less armament. They are under-gunned, but otherwise, better than anything the allies have in early 42.

These were no Nates. These were the new Oscar IC. It is a good early war plane: essentially a Zero with less armament. They are under-gunned, but otherwise, better than anything the allies have in early 42.

I know that were Oscars, but the Nate group pilots if I recall have exp around 60. The same as mine.

btw. I am biased against Japanese planes, they were all crap and I would rather be flying P-40 than Zero [:D]

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

These were no Nates. These were the new Oscar IC. It is a good early war plane: essentially a Zero with less armament. They are under-gunned, but otherwise, better than anything the allies have in early 42.

I know that were Oscars, but the Nate group pilots if I recall have exp around 60. The same as mine.

btw. I am biased against Japanese planes, they were all crap and I would rather be flying P-40 than Zero [:D]

Jajaja... what was wrong with Japanese planes? They were better than allied planes in 1941, early 1942. U.S. and British aircraft research was very good and generally one step ahead of the Japanese throughout the war. The problem with the Japanese aviation research was that it was not focused. They tried many different things and as a result, they have a wide range of aircraft that are not very good. They also had an obsession with fuel economy in their engines, which the British and U.S. did not have. The British and U.S. were concerned with speed. These biases remain in Japanese and U.S. automobile manufacturing to this day. The problem for the Japanese was that "speed kills" as they learned, about 6 months too late, which is why their aircraft designs always arrive about 6 months after the comparable U.S. or British model. As the Japanese player in this game, you can offset this by emphasizing the faster fighter models: especially the Frank.

The Argentines have great respect for the automobiles and engines of two nations in particular: the U.S. and Japan. Though there are many Italian motocycles and French automobiles on the streets here, everyone wants a U.S. or Japanese car or motorcycle. Why? Because they are better.

I am not an expert but the success of Japanese fighters in 41/42 was due to the:
1. really high exp pilots(especially the navy)
2. poor allied tactics in air


If we take P-40 and Zero then Zero had better only climb rate(important) and horizontal turn on low speeds(less important or I would even say useless). P-40 had better max speed, far better never exceed speed(if needed you could disengage and Zero or actually any Japanese plane could not follow you) and far better roll rate(most important for advanced flying/acrobatics). Unless you have been surprised by Zero, especially low and slow(which means you have made something really wrong), your chances to survive/win are good.