PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[String]

I'd suggest trying to sneak in small 3-4 plane attacks. I've seen it work in some AAR's. More often than not they'll get shot down, but sometimes they'll get through and score a hit or two.

[PzB74]

I've tried that dozens of times String, and all attacking ac have always been shot down.
A CAP of 250+ fighters is impenetrable by anything less than 1000+ ac strikes I'm afraid.
Had a cve in Morotai this time, had hoped to make the enemy cv's react again...but unfortunately no!

[BLurking]

I'm in April '44 in one of my PBEM, and the answer I've found is:
There is no way.
You can't break through the CAP in a stock game.
With v1.8 your subs can be effective, however.
Pop a fish into a carrier, and if the aircraft rebase to an undamaged CV - the CAP disappears due to overstacking.

That's the only way I've seen to get a strike in. Otherwise, I avoid his carrier concentrations.

Sorry, but I've run out of ideas, and I'm sitting at the same stage of the game as you are.

[PzB74]

Yes, I'm having a slight hope that the new RO sub programme will provide me with a dagger!
I have to get Andy to knock his teeth out on my own CAP before launching a super heavy strike.
This will be the challenge.....

IF I sound a bit frustrated, it's mostly because of all the time and effort it takes to train 600 ac and
then have them all shot down in one air battle [8|] Can imagine myself plucking bits and pieces out of the furnace,
rebuilding them and sending them to China for 2 months and then back again! [:'(]

Less bloody air battles and the ability to sneak through a CAP with bombers is what Nick's mod provides me thinks.
If I only could see one or two US carriers burning it would have been worth it all!!

[06 Maestro]

Have you had any luck in developement of the Reppu or A-8?  I have gotten the impression that R&D does not do much to advance a production date, but was wondering about yjr resuts of long term efforts.

[Fishbed]

Yep... Game killers and game killers all the time, for everyone... And this terrible CAP thing with no leaks... Hail to the Nick! [&o]
But after all the suffering of the Allied side, well you'll have hard time ask Mac to consider not having ubercap. He's having his own problems to deal with, Im not sure if he's particularly happy with the pace of things right now...

Well but still two hopes: the carrier groups that get split, and the coming of new planes. I don't know how the Reppu will make it, but I witnessed the Shiden in another thread, man that's a bad boy.

About Kai Island, no plans for a come back?

[pauk]

this battle shows the only real "value" of the KB in 1944 - Andy wouldn't put 100 CAP if you didn't lost a CV battle earlier. What a value[8|]!

Ok, let's see what we can do. I'm afraid not a much, but at least enemy lost 25% fighters. Perhaps this will slow him down for coule of days...

1. On what attitude your bombers were set? You could try set majority of bombers on high attitude (20K+) and your fighters will keep attitude advantage against enemy. I'm afraid that this wouldn't help since Allies get CAP bonus but few more enemy planes would be shot down.....

2. It's clear that you can't penetrate through his CAP so only possibility is keep them on defence (CAP). Your fighters will not have "escort penalty" (fighters perform worse when they escorting then they are on CAP or sweep) and wait for the moment and the place where you can relase your war dogs in big numbers (1000+ ac) - that would be Philippines....


3. I'm suprised with your oil status - 1.2 million seems too low for me. You have less than 15K HI and more than 2 800 oil points - that is enough for 16 800 HI so you should have at least 2 million oil in stocks????

4. Now i understand why you had such a great time in Poland[;)], i must admit that you are really deserved nickname Felix[;)]

[PzB74]

Not expecting any mercy from Andy, he plays well - no question about that!
Just have to drag his soft belly out from beneath his uber CAP Fish [;)]

The Reppu is so far away that I haven't started R&R yet. E.g the Frank was due
8/44. Put 350 ac on research and by 4/44 it's been accelerated to 7/44. Arrival
is accelerated once pr month with a max of 3-4 months. This usually takes place in
the 3-4 months before the is scheduled to arrive - this is my experience anyway.

Reppu and Shinden will arrive too late, will have to put our fait in a large number
of Jacks, Franks and Georges mixed up with Zekes and Oscars in the decoy role.

Think it's doable, Andy will have to move out of range from his LBA one day - and THEN
my friend

No, Kai Island is out - too dangerous and 1.) I can't risk it without powerful KB 2.)
against powerful enemy LBA inc. massive P38 CAP 3. Enemy surface/carrier fleet too close.
So it's a lost cause and will be built to size 5 within 1-2 months.

True, I would need the KB around Pauk, but since it's 'grounded' I got a large amount of
Zekes and Jills/Judys available for pest controll [;)]

Since my bombers are mostly torpedo bombers, they come in at 7k feet. Can tuck in som Sallys
at 30k....

Yes, Andy has to hit my LBA CAP first, and then punished by uber strong strike! If he comes
to a.) PI or b.) Marianas - this should be possible. The good thing is that the big losses
recently hasn't cost me more than the 2 cve's - and as you said - that wouldn't hurt me.
But this was probably the last time I could throw a sizeable force at the enemy before I have
to stock up for the big inevitable mid 44 push against PI or Marianas!

Not really a quartermaster, been moving lots and lots of crude to the Home Island but my ships
have been burning a lot as well. Any advice on how I could increase HI output?

[;)] Yes, I'm a lucky sonofa Pauk!
Need a haircut, then I'll be back and see what Andy's up to...

[castor troy]

yes Nik´s mod is different. I just had an Allied attack with 35 F4F and 24 SBDs on my carriers with 130 A6M2 on CAP. Result 11 SBDs came through to bomb me... In your case this would perhaps mean that a couple of CVs would be out of order or a reef now.

[Przemcio231]

Troy that's how it was the Jap CAP was not That Effective...  look at my CV's vs LBA battle with the Game with Willie using NIK mode... i Was able to buther first wave of Val's , Jack's but the secound wave of Jacks's Betty's and some Val's put 2 torpedos in each of 2 CVL's and one in CLAA Reno... PZb try 2 smaller strikes and with luck even in stock something might get through...

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB


Not really a quartermaster, been moving lots and lots of crude to the Home Island but my ships
have been burning a lot as well. Any advice on how I could increase HI output?

hmm... not sure what went wrong with your crude oil.... in my current PBEM game i have more than 2.800 oil and my stockpiles are around 1.9 million of crude oil. (my HI is about 14 300).

I don't recall that many of your tankers went down due enemy sub actions but i could be wrong.

Regarding HI output i dont think there is magic formula on that. I'm sending conwoys to HI to 3 major ports (Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo) - it is better to have stockpiled resources on three places than one. But even if there is enough materials for HI this is not a guarantee for runing HI (me thinks) at full capacity.

[PzB74]

Gentlemen, I need your help to finish a cunning plan to destroy the enemy fleet [;)]
New development indicates an enemy landing at Morotai or Wasile! The enemy fleet has moved
closer and while the heavies hit both Morotai and Wasile, a huge carrier strike force hit
Wasile which is a size 1(3) base with 264 assault points and 5 forts. An obvious target just
like Kai Island. Morotai is a super fortress...

So I've ordered transport ac to fly in reinforcements to Wasile and stacked Menando with Zekes,
Jills and Judy while Davao got all my long range A6M2s, Oscar IIs, Army and Navy bombers.

The fleet got all its 9 operational battleships in 4 powerful surface groups here as well as 2
CVE CV decoy TFs.

If Andy lands at Wasile - or Morotai - great opportunities will present themselves! Already short of
150 fighters + 50 damaged, he may become vulnerable.

See map at the end of report for complete update!
The crack 55th Div has been teleported from Palau to Jaluit again after we upgraded [:@]
This has opened up my cemented defense line, aargghhh.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/04/44

Air Combat

The heavies destroy 110 damaged ac at Morotai...RIP!

Day Air attack on Morotai , at 43,68

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 8
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24J Liberator x 210

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 6 destroyed
B6N Jill: 14 destroyed
H8K Emily: 5 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 27 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 217
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The heavies also hit Wasile!

Day Air attack on Wasile , at 41,69

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 33
F-5C Lightning x 5
PB4Y Liberator x 15
B-24J Liberator x 65

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is what makes me think Andy is coming to Wasile - 400 carrier strike ac
demolish the 32nd NLF on Wasile.

Day Air attack on 32nd NLF , at 41,69

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
SB2C Helldiver x 168
TBM Avenger x 235

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Enemy closes in on Weda!

It looks like the enemy will land on Weda - most likely on lightly defended Wasile.
We can only hope Andy has underestimaed our strength at Morotai, but this isn't likely.

We can heavily LR CAP Wasile/Morotai and further reduce enemy carrier fighter strength.
Powerful air strikes can be launched only against Wasile/Morotai as enemy cv's will most likely
stay 1 hex further away.

A Combined Fleet surface fleet supported by 2 CVE Carrier Decoy fleets can force an enemy reaction,
split his CAP. Again, losses can become heavy so we MUST plan and execute this well this time! [&o]

[pauk]

hmph, lots of possibilities... and lots of risk...

where is your surface fleet? i guess enemy can apporach to Wasile only from south? in that case you may find his invasion fleet at Wasile port during night phase (if your sc tf can arrive next turn).

I do not know if Wasile have big strategic value. Even if he capture base he must spend some time to expand AF and port. This base will be isolated and i don't see how he could keep Wasile supplied - hm, it seems to me that this attack is decoy...

[PzB74]

True Pauk, we are still awaiting enemy moves....just making plans and moving hardware in case
Andy is serious! Will not committ unless an amph invasion IS mounted.

[Fishbed]

PzB
 
Honestly, I wonder if you should go on with focusing on the carriers man.
Let's face it: only a squattered carrier force may allow your airmen to strike deadly. If there's nothing to do with them and the Uber CAP, well let's destroy something else. His carriers can't cover both themselves and a landing zone without exposing themselves to a surface strike, staying static - so let's strike him everywhere his carriers are not covering, or you'll do nothing but giving him cheap air points and long-trained pilots to chew!

[PzB74]

You are right Fish, and I have already issued a cunning plan to achieve just that! [;)]
Will provide an update shortly - look at this in the meanwhile:

The sub survived, and I now think my subs got a small but fair chance and is rushing more boats
into the area. Bring on the RO program! [:)]

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/05/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

My first sub was detected and promptly sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 42,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 10, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
DD Norman
DD Downes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soooo close, we had deserved a triumph now! [8|]

Sub attack at 41,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-46, hits 10

Allied Ships
CV Franklin
DD Norman
DD Downes
DD Cassin
DD Warrington
DD Duncan
DD Swanson
DD Miller
CV Wasp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This follow up attack damaged the I-46, 46 sys and 54 flood...should make it. Will lay
a few mines before withdrawing.

ASW attack at 41,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-46, hits 14, heavy damage

Allied Ships - clearly a large invasion fleet!
AK Michael C. Kerr
AK John Carroll
AK Henry Villard
AK Cape Friendship
LCVP 592G
LCM 533D
LCM 532A
LCT LCT-148
MSW Bobolink
SC SC-982
SC SC-742
SC SC-703
MSW Velocity
MSW Tumult
MSW Triumph
DE Spangler
DE Neuendorf
DE Manning
DD Spence

Surface Combat

Dispatched another supply ship near Kiska:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kiska Island at 92,35

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
AK Centarus, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Andy bombed most bases in Northern Guinea and Weda today:

Day Air attack on Wasile , at 41,69

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 66
TBM Avenger x 231

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wasile , at 41,69

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 223
F-5C Lightning x 6
PB4Y Liberator x 23
B-24J Liberator x 56

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Babo , at 42,77

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Biak , at 46,77

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 6
P-47D Thunderbolt x 18
A-20G Havoc x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 34

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sansapor , at 44,74

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 5 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manokwari , at 44,75

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 14
P-38J Lightning x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately a Jill group at Menando had not been stood down and this cost 50 ac....

Day Air attack on TF at 41,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 50
B6N Jill x 15

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 17
F6F Hellcat x 230

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 34 destroyed
B6N Jill: 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Kavieng is about to fall....been a marvellous stand! [:)]
Ground combat at Kavieng

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8122 troops, 48 guns, 132 vehicles, Assault Value = 199

Defending force 3926 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Allied max assault: 386 - adjusted assault: 199

Japanese max defense: 16 - adjusted defense: 37

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 9)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Operation 'Lure & Destroy'

Forecast for tomrrow: Clear with Allied invasion of Wasile on Weda.
Plan: Lure the enemy carriers away from the invasion fleet and hit it hard!

Two escort carriers will again be used to get to the vulnerable enemy surface groups and troop ships.

The first will go to Menando, only 3 hexes from Wasile. This should trigger the US carriers.
There are 400 fighters on Menando, set on low CAP and escort missions.

The second will sail east of Morotai - perhaps we even can split up the enemy carriers!
As far as I know Andy doesn't have his strike ac set to naval attack - they refused to attack my
transports yesterday. Guess he's afraid of being 'tricked' into attacking a heavily CAP'ed Tf.

At Davao there are 400 bombers and 200 long range fighters - hopefully these will be joined by
as many of the fighters on Menando as possible. All bombers on Davao got a set range of 8 hexes.
Exactly the distance to Wasile and no longer. So even if the enemy carriers doesn't react, we should
not risk hitting the uber CAP. Last turn Andy used his Wildcats for LRCAP over Wasile. We can handle
them.

So dear Andy, send your battleships and loaded ducklings into Wasile and let the sun shine on the Empire
once again! [:D]

Next turn is in....

[pauk]

uh-huh! lets hope for the best. I'm helping as much as I can - sending my turns to Andy fastest i can to keep pressure on him[:D]

[veji1]

can't wait..... rhaaaaa...

May the brave samurais take some ships with them as they commit the utmost sacrifice for the emperor...

[PzB74]

Good work Pauk [:D]

Just looked at the turn and decided that I had to eat a pizza and watch football afterwards [;)]
Andy took his carriers AND invasion fleet into Wasile. Well, good I though - only half the usual uber CAP.
All we needed was a coordinated strike with (US-Italy 1-1) 6-800 ac!

What happens? All my Zekes at Menando decide to stay home.
Most of my ac at Davao decide to take of in dribs and drabs. Slaughtered to the last milk cow...some 400 ac splahsed.
Mostly Oscars, Sallys, Bettys, some A6M2s, transports etc.

My escort carriers were spotted - no reaction from the enemy!

Guess this is a penalty for overstacking, but it is as I told Andy - a wet dream to get coordinated strikes these days.
Both my bases had 250+ AS and an Air HQ. Morotai managed to launch a biggie, guess it should have been the other way around.

Not sure what to do next - have to think about it. Advice?
Mostly inclined to stand down and go home and wait until Andy invades a place that is protected by more surrounding bases.
One good news: me thinks Andy landed the bulk of his troops on a coastal hex BEFORE Wasile [:D] This may cost him much
frustration and time.

The sub that stalked the Franklin also mined an enemy destroyer. That captain is my only light these days! Except for the
uncoordinators in the US Navy that is [;)]