Thanks for sharing your thougths and plans to both of you.
Nemo121's summary is very good, although I'm not so optimistic that in Jan/43 the situation will be turned around. However situation should improve considerably and that is what counts and what is needed. Good luck!
EDIT: wrong year
Definately. I could not have better "teacher" so I'am actually full of optimism. [:)]
We shall see what happens... I think Japanese can carry an punch and inflict some serious damage to the allies. Even though I have blundered quite a few things and created decent handicap for the future months! [;)]
Ok. The 1st turn under the new war cabinet is done. Thankfully, I had a couple of hours freetime so got most of the things sorted out.
Economy
* Mitsubishi production is 100% Off for the time being.
* Naval Yards are completely turned Off.
* The Oscar production is completely halted.
* Tojo, Zero and Tony production increased.
Frontline changes
* Fighters and bombers are withdrawn from frontline action.
* Heavy training grounds for aircraft is established in DEI, China and SRA.
* A lot of bombers are moved into Home Islands for rest and training.
* Around 1000 assault points is moving into Vladivostok from China and more is to come.
* Transport TF system is slowly being reorganized. I will ship some Base Forces into China along with few Small infantry units.
Basically time rebuild frontlines and get the economy sorted out. As Nemo stated it wasn't pretty sight from begin with! [:D][8|]
Looking forward to the results... the only offensive action scheduled at the moment is againts Balikpapan and Samarinda. These bases need to be dealt with swiftly.
I guess an screenshot from the current score is in order. After all this is a new beginning for the mighty Japanese Empire.
1. What are your house rules re: basing Allied bombers from within the Soviet Union? Did you leave it at just "if you get a base force there you can base bombers there." or did you specify it had to be a full base force. I am asking because if you didn't specify that the base force had to be full-sized ctangus can just fly Base Force components in using an air bridge running through the Aleutians, Petropavlovsk and Ohka. I would suggest that you point out men without suitable parts are worthless and so you were talking about shipped in formations.
In addition you then need ship in lots of floatplane units to all of the Kurile islands + Base Forces to support them ( or you can just invade Petropavlovsk with a division to take it and use its airfield and resources to base bombers.
2. Any other house rules which could impact the Allied decision-making process? Do you have any rules re: bomber basing in China or over-stacking?
I'm going to look at the different theatres as and when I have the free time.
First up China and the Pacific.
China:
1. You are expanding a lot of airfields in China. Doing this increases your garrison requirements and many of those airbases aren't needed as well as using up scarce supplies. E.g. Kalgan is a Level 4 AF. Tatung is a Level 3 AF. Why are you expanding Tatung to Level 4? These bases are right beside eachother, obviously it would have been better to expand Tatung to level 4 and leave Kalgan at a much lower level as Tatun is closer to the Chinese hinterlands BUT Kalgan will do. It kills me to see the AF level at Foochow closing on 4 but at least you can use this as a training base for your bombers since so many Chinese units are within 2 hexes but why oh why is the port increasing also? All this does is increase your garrison requirement. A level 1 port there is fine, the level 4 port you have is overkill and expanding it to level 5 is simply excessive.
2. Why are you building fort levels at Yangkung, Paoting, Peking etc? Anything which makes for Peking or Yangkung will have to go through Yangkung first. I know you aren't using much in each of these bases but if we just stopped fortification at the Peking, Paotin and Tientsin you would save approximately 170 tons of supply per day = 5,100 tons of supply per month.
3. Garrisons: Paoting garrison is 188. It requires 80. That's a waste of 100 AV and 1/3rd of a combat capable division. Kalgan is 50 over what is required, Peking 150 over, Tsingtao 40 over, Tsinan 130 over, Suchow 60 over (Haichow doesn't require a garrison and the 30 AV there could free up the 90 AV unit guarding Suchow ), Nanking 30 over, Soochow 105 over, Ningpo should be abandoned the 10 resources per turn aren't worth the 90 AV tied down there. You also have 320 AV tied down at Amoy and Swatow. You get 20 tons of supplies and some resources per turn from this committment. Is that worth committing an entire division? Hell no.
Canton has 1100 AV. It is an urban hex and has level 9 forts. That is a x 12 multiplier. Assume that the Chinese can shock attack with a power of 6,000 AV ( using a 3,000 to 4,000 AV stack ). According to the figures you would need just 250 AV to match this Chinese adjusted AV. Why? Well you get a x 12 multiplier due to forts and terrain but also a x 2 fortifier for having prepped units with an Army HQ in the same hex. So 250 x 24 = 6,000. Let's play it safe and drop the AV to just 500 to give us a margin for error. Well, that frees up another 600 AV for you.
Pull the 1st Independent Brigade into Sinyang and you will have 400 AV sitting behind level 9 forts with 100% prep soon enough. You are guarding the southern route into Hankow with over 2,000 AV. You don't need this force here given that the swamps give you a massive defensive bonus. Pull out maybe 500 of them and use 150 to reinforce the guys at Sinyang to give you a margine for error. What happens to the other 150? Simply, it joins the 450 excess AV at Hangchow and can be used elsewhere.
So, a quick run-through of the garrisons identifies the potential to move roughly 2,200 AV out of Eastern China ( and that's before we even examine the massive stack of forces at Nanchang - 4,400 AV [X(][X(][X(] ) without actually weakening your front lines much at all.
Oh and the 2/3rds of the 20th Division trapped at Pucheng can escape by marching across country to Foochow ( which you will continue to hold ). That brings the medium term saving to 2,500 AV. Your offensive stack at Vladivostok is 2761. So, right here we can pretty much double that offensive stack which would, undoubtedly, be helpful.
4. Mongolian Cavalry Divisions - You have committed a lot of these to nuisance raids against the Soviets along such long paths that they can't possibly make contact for 1 to 3 months ( depending on the raid path ). These divisions have about 500 AV between them. I, personally, use these divisions to garrison places in China as they are often the perfect size to add 30 AV to a particular place when split into their 3 subunits. This would also free another 500 AV in China for the Soviet Union without actually weakening China as you will just be replacing high experience combat units in garrison with low experience Mongolian units. So, we're now up to 3,000 AV for the Soviet Union without weakening China.
5. Forget about attacking Borzya. I would leave a garrison of about 1,200 AV at Hailar and free up the other 600 to reinforce the Schwerpunkt or threaten to invade at Blagovyeschenk.
6. In the meantime you will get 1500 AV to 2,000 AV of the force you have freed up from China and elsewhere and land at Suchan. Attack at Suchan and be sure to Shock Attack and Pursue. The enemy cannot retreat into Vladivostok as you have troops there so they will retreat to hex 66,33. I you have tanks with your landing force then unless ctangus is VERY quick on the take-up he will find that before he knows it Soviet troops are in Vladivostok AND 66,33 and thus all his troops in Vladivostok are pocketed.
You then leave the bare minimum of troops ( about 700 AV ) at Vladivostok, merge both armies and pursue him up to Iman. You should be able to muster, roughly, 5000 AV there and that ought to be enough to take it and again Shock Attack and Pursue. Once you hit an enemy base you cannot take you leave a strong garrison, withdraw the bulk of your army to vladivostok and besiege and take it.
Obviously your best case scenario is that ctangus is smart, realises what is happening and abandons Vladivostok easily. You then simply do the same as before with the exception that he will hold you much farther south than in the first scenario. At this point in time you will unleash your strategic bombing campaign and just obliterate the supply production at every base still in his hands beginning with those bases closest to the front line and working your way backward from there.
P.s. You also need to move your defenders at the western Chinese border forward to 38,37. Currently the Chinese can move to 37,37 and then diagonally into Haiphong or straight into Hanoi. Thus if you let them into 37,37 you have to split your defence and the Chinese will defeat you in detail. Gather the garrisons of Hanoi and Haiphong, reinforce them with an additional 600 AV of forces and create a 1,000 AV block in the woods at 38,37 and you will generate an AV of 3,000 which the Chinese will find really tough to break through using any strategem. At present I'd be terrified of a Chinese attack west. It would succeed so long as they committed 2000 AV to it ( which they could easily do ).
Pacific:
He's going to go for Tarawa and you don't have enough AV there to stop him. Its as simple as that. It may not be the next thing he hits. Personally I would hit you at Marcus Island as I think that's far more strategically valuable and likely to be poorly defended BUT I've read most of ctangus' posts since agreeing to aid you and he does things conventionally. He has a crescent of bases ranging from Johnston to Ndeni which seem to function like a lens focusing on Tarawa. He will hit Tarawa.
You have 2 construction Bns at Truk. They must be FT'ed to Tarawa immediately. I've read your AAR and I can't see why he hasn't hit you yet so I imagine that his invasion must be imminent. Fortunately you guessed right and within two days you will have KB on station ( 600+ planes ). You also have 13,000 tons of AP at Kwajalein. Load them up with your SNLFs ( I think you can fit 5 which is about 300 AV ) and just run those 300 AV to Tarawa ASAP. Also load up the CD guns rom Kwajalein and Jaluit and transport them down. You have the AKs at kwajalein to lift this in 1 go.
With a little luck in 1 week's time you can have 600 AV on Tarawa and Level 5 forts and 2 x CD units.
Two other points:
1. You have loads of subs passing the area but should commit them to the area south-east of Tarawa to kill cripples.
2. You have 54 Bettys/Nells at Majuro but it is a level 3 AF and has no supply. Move them back to Truk.
3. You have at least 100 Zero pilots with Exp greater than 60 ( and a full carrier air wing docked with your damaged CV). Those should all fly to within 1 hop of Kwajalein ready to fly in to provide cover for Bettys and/or replacements for KB.
4. Two major SC TFs are at Truk. Get them to Kwajalein.
This could be the first example of the 1943 etc Japanese strategy of gaining local superiority in various theatres in series.
Oh one other thing...
ctangus is undoubtedly reading your air strength numbers. For this reason I would advise removing ALL of the Bettys from Kwajalein and moving them to Truk or Tinian/Saipan etc. THat way you can easily fly them back in once the Americans are committed but can save them from his preparatory four-engined bomber preparation of bases to the rear of Tarawa.
Also, be sure to keep the CAP over KB at 90% but the naval search level at 0%. The reason is you don't want some sub to be spotted by a Val or Kate and give the entire game away.
Also you have sufficient PP to buy TWO infantry divisions from the Home Islands. I'd do so now and then commit them to action in the Pacific.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
China:
1. You are expanding a lot of airfields in China. Doing this increases your garrison requirements and many of those airbases aren't needed as well as using up scarce supplies. E.g. Kalgan is a Level 4 AF. Tatung is a Level 3 AF. Why are you expanding Tatung to Level 4? These bases are right beside eachother, obviously it would have been better to expand Tatung to level 4 and leave Kalgan at a much lower level as Tatun is closer to the Chinese hinterlands BUT Kalgan will do. It kills me to see the AF level at Foochow closing on 4 but at least you can use this as a training base for your bombers since so many Chinese units are within 2 hexes but why oh why is the port increasing also? All this does is increase your garrison requirement. A level 1 port there is fine, the level 4 port you have is overkill and expanding it to level 5 is simply excessive.
2. Why are you building fort levels at Yangkung, Paoting, Peking etc? Anything which makes for Peking or Yangkung will have to go through Yangkung first. I know you aren't using much in each of these bases but if we just stopped fortification at the Peking, Paotin and Tientsin you would save approximately 170 tons of supply per day = 5,100 tons of supply per month.
...
I believe there is an option that lets you start the game with everything being built/expanded, maybe the game was started with this option in effect? Personally I start with every thing off, no building, no replacements, no upgrades, no nothing. Call me a control freak... [;)]
Regarding chinese garrision requirements I did a xls sheet a while ago where I put the requirements and the chinese LCUs together to get the most efficient coverage. This was for the beginning of the war with probably not the latest CHS revision but still might be useful. If you're interested send me a message and I'll try and dig it up.
If you gained knowledge through the forum, why not putting it into the AE wiki?
[font="times new roman"]Hi Nemo, (The war minister) [:D][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I will do the turn update this evening![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Good questions. I did the turn yesterday and got 1st back this morning. I will start working on it tonight.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Here are the answers:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Russia[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]1). We do have an houserule. Chuck needs to ship US ground units via transport ship convoys so he cannot move them there via air. (This is positive things definitely) Also if he bases US bombers there he cannot exceed the aviation support numbers plus around 50% of the US aircraft needs to be fighters.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]2). We have an stacking limit so basically airfield size * 50 . We can base more bombers [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Also he must turn the replacement off for those units until he receives supplies via ship convoys too. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I have looked at the Petropavlosk earlier. I haven’t invaded since it seems a deathtrap to me but it might be worth it later on.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]China[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]This I might say is still work in progress and a lot of adjustments will be made.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I noticed that I’am seriously lacking aviation support troops. I have plenty of Base forces in Tokyo so some units will be shipped into China. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I did move my airforce into Shanghai. It is now overstacked but will spread out some once I have aviation support in place. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]It seems that Sian, Chengtu and Chungking are the only major resource centers left. I need to work out how take them down. Sian seems easy enough since Chuck has put any CAP into it.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]1). Hmmm. That is an oversight on my part. I will check the bases that are actually needed. Need to keep in mind the airfield x 50 houserule. I will doublecheck everything for sure.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Just need some bases so I can conduct the bombing campaign plus have enough airfields which I can train my airforce.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]2). I didn’t know that those fortifications consume that much supply!!! Ouch! That is what you get playing allies. You don’t have worry about things like this.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]3). I did send some units out of Kaifeng. (I have to consume PP in order to move them into Russia so now I have just under 1000 points left)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Actually I have been concerned with Western China situation. Just could not find decent solution but by looking at the stuff described here I could definitely find solution now. The good thing is that I don’t have consume PP in order to move troops there. (I will check these tonight)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I mean there is a lot of INFORMATION to digest!!! Regarding the garrison values.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]LOL! I do have a lot units in Nanchang don’t I? Chuck actually launched an assault there before and received 1:1 odds. I got scared and move quite a few additional units there. I think I added around 1500 assault value. (Those odds were propably due to lack of supplies. As you can see I don’t have that much in place)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]So, basically you feel I can move 2000 assault value out with no concerns? Intresting indeed. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Hmmm. I really need to look all the bases and garrisons in China as it seems. I mean so much very useful information in this theatre that I have never actually thought about. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]4) Yeah. I think you are correct! Again embarrassing that I haven’t noticed or thought about this.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]5) I never have had any intention about attacking Borzya. I was a bit scared about those 21 enemy units there but I guess I really don’t need all the forces there in the North. Either these troops will go into Vladivostok or Blagovyeschenk…. Need to deciede this.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]6) Shock assault + Pursue is denied with the houserules. So, that wohn’t work so to speak. But I might invade the place though. (Just need to gain proper air cover first) [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]The reason why this place is not invaded was that I thought once the city of Vladivostok is seized these Soviet troops might retreat to Suchan and thus make them trapped and neutralized. (I might be wrong though how the land combat system works)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]That is a devious plan regarding Vladivostok and I need to see this scenario. I mean would this be great success…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I’am still not sure whether he is going for Tarawa. My submarines did spot what seem to be “carriers” few weeks back… and then those vanished.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Actually he might come through Solomons since he bombed Rabaul to dust.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]..but than again I might be wrong so those construction units will serve better in Marshalls or Gilberts.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]As for Betty’s well I think I might move some of them out as suggested. He seems the darker airfield icons which will be not good.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Also Mini KB and entire KB is actually at Marshalls in the moment. (I have forgotten to turn off the the naval searches.. damn.. damn.. rookie mistake) ..also will increase the CAP too. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]If you are correct than I will move those 2 Cruiser TF’s into Marshalls for sure. (This was in the thinking already)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Hmmm. It will be costly for me too… if he comes since Betty’s have to fly unescorted but at the moment gains overseeds since IF the carrier battle comes than I might inflict serious damage to him.. albeit I doubt it will be for free.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Unfortunately PP’s are spent in China. I will try to spare more sooner. (All of my air wings are now also free to be used anywhere which I feel is good)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I will update the turn later tonight once I get home.[/font]
Re: Suchan... Well if you can't shock assault and pursue you can just take Suchan and then move across country to cut off Vladivostok. It will take a month but you can do it. When Jagdfluger landed at Suchan in my game against him I waited for exactly 29 days after he had landed in Suchan and then retreated from Vladivostok. It was either that or lose 2,500 AV of Soviet forces. Once he had troops in Vladivostok and Suchan I was simply unable to stop him and so had to make the choice. ctangus will be in the same situation.
Re; Tarawa... If you make Tarawa look weak enough he will go for it. Believe me in this, only the appearance of strength will scare him off.
As far as those Betties go. Well pull them back to Truk etc and move those good ( 60+ Exp) Zero daitai and sentai down to bases near Kwajalein. That way you will appear weak but the day you spot his ships you will be strong. In addition I counted hexes and Tarawa is within escort range of your nearest Level 4 AF ( 9 hexes ) so you can actually escort 100 Betty-strong strikes to Tarawa and places 120 miles south of it IF you move enough A6M2s into range. Combine escorted Betty strikes with the intervention of KB and you have a winning situation for Japan.
Obviously this is your choice but believe me, if he's going to try for anywhere in the next fortnight it'll be Tarawa. The only problem is that you have to appear weak enough to make him attempt the attack. Oh, one other thing.... It'd be very useful for you if you flew all your available long-range transports to bases 1 hop back from Kwajalein so that when the attack is confirmed they could simply fly into Kwajalein and fly troops from Kwajalein to Tarawa.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Nemo: Hmmm... I will take serious look at Suchan. Just need enough PP to to do the operation. If Soviet would to loose 2500 AV that would be a huge blow to them.
Tarawa... stll skeptical... But look at the screenshot so it seems I might have been wrong!!! I love when submarines provide nice intel [:)]
I did pull some Betty's back and intensified the ASW efforts near Kwaleijin. I don't want to give too information away free.
As for those 60+ Zero's well I really don't have them yet. Those were basically destroyed above the skies at Bangkok. So, Basically Nell's and Betty's are pretty much with their own + Naval carriers supporting them. (Minus CV Soryu which is being repaired at Osaka) . Few Zero's are at Truk but with low exp and low morale these guys would be sitting ducks.
Btw, I'am starting to see what you mean in China. By landing some base forces + a couple of SNFL units I can free quite a lot of troops.
The resource bombing campaign here though is not that easy due to lack of aviation support. Also I do have to wait for the fighters to be build.
Very intresting few turns ahead.
Game date is 10th of August 1942
DEI
Samarinda Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 13
A6M2 Zero x 33
G4M1 Betty x 53
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24
Ki-21-II Sally x 10
Ki-49 Helen x 35
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 14
A6M2 Zero x 33
G4M1 Betty x 46
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23
Ki-21-II Sally x 14
Ki-49 Helen x 35
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3
Ki-48-II Lily x 6
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3
Good. This base was becoming an annoyance! Also, it will now serve as a good training ground for my pilot training program.
Additional ground units are on their way to Balikpapan too.
The problem is this area here now is Kendari. (See screenshot)
Other NEWS A lot of changes have been made into production. We are still way off to start picking up fruits from these. On the bright side I have now Small Tony Squadron at Tokyo + 9 Tony's in the pool. I know this is small but we are getting there! [:D][:D]
Nemo might have been correct. Allies are definately up to something in Southern Pacific. As for what it is.. remains to be seen.
There will major revamp in China and bulk of these forces are send into Russia.
Also I do have to wait for the fighters to be build.
Not for the strategic bombing over China you don't... Let me explain. I think you are focussed on the major resource bases he has CAP over. But if, for example, China had 3,000 resources per turn and you damage 1,500 resources the enemy will be down to half his supply per turn.
It doesn't matter whether those 1500 come from totally destroying his 3 main bases or whether they come from destroying ever 30 and 40 resource small base he has. Just hit him where he doesn't have CAP to keep your losses down and you will see results. Any resources destroyed anywhere in China will have the same overall effect 3 months down the line but if you hit him where he doesn't have CAP you will achieve this same result at a fraction of the possible cost if you went after Changhsa or Chungking.
As to Balikpapan... You have 3,000 AV at Soerabaja, why not use a third or half of that rather than just 8,000 men? If you're going to do something it is worth doing it excessively .
As to the APs etc - Tarawa.... If I were you I'd be moving those planes out ASAP and forming up those convoys today. You won't lose anything by taking these steps if I'm wrong but if I'm right you will gain a chance to hurt him badly.
Still, your choice. I won't suggest it again if you decide against it today.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Nemo: Oh, I did actually notice quite a few enemy cities without CAP. If hit and run tactics are used than I don't see why wouldn't that work out as you said. I will put it in motion... easy punches with great results. I think Sian would be a very useful and juicy target!
This should also ease up the pressure againts Bangkok area.
I have actually destroyed the resources at Changhsa so that is already done.
Hmmm. True. Propably should have send in more but I was somewhat scared about those US 4E bombers at Celebes. Also he does have at least 1 Surface combat TF in the area. Maybe even Force Z.
I did actually pull back bombers into Kwaleijin... might move quite a few of them into even further. KB is not quite at Kwaleijin but it is making good progress! [:)]
...Banzai... Allied might have quite an battle in their hands sooner than later.
Oh.. I forgot to mention this. There are 2 ML TF's heading to Tarawa to do their business. (just in case)
So, if it allies do land within 2 weeks in game time they can walk above mines into shores! [;)] ...Currently Tarawa has some 3000 mines in defense. (That ought to hurt AP's quite a bit)
The biggest things aside game mechanics and such I have learned is an illusion of victory.
I bet Chuck is confident that he has regained air superiority in Russia for good. Now that the fighters and bombers are out I think he feels that the battle is already won and done for... but as Nemo has pointed out... he could not be more wrong... the battle hasn't even begun yet! ...and I doubt Chuck is too pleased to see China neutralized.. not conquered but neutralized.
Confidency leads to assumptions and assumptions leads to defeat.
It always will help to get experienced advice outside the box... me and Nemo are very diffrent kind of players... and thus I have gotten already much more ideas from Nemo than I ever could have playing this by myself without any debate/suggestions and such.
...intresting to notice. As said I will do the next turn and than halt so we can check things out.
3. You have problems with getting supply to Gumma and a couple of other critical economic hubs in Japan. Basing bombers and transports at these hubs and setting them to fly SUPPLY missions will help train your transports AND suck supply to Gumma and these other 2 bases ( this is yet another example of efficiency-killing two birds with one stone, solving an economic problem whilst also aiding training and safeguarding your bomber force ).
Does this means that these transport planes will 'fly' supply missions to the air field they are based on in order to inflate its 'supplies needed' number? In that case I think this should be discussed with Chuck. I'm not saying that I think this is gamey, or that I don't like it, since my opinion is completely irrelevant here, but I know Chuck for a while now, and I think he deserves to be informed about this so that he can voice his opinion.
I bet Chuck is confident that he has regained air superiority in Russia for good. Now that the fighters and bombers are out I think he feels that the battle is already won and done for...
I am 100 % sure that this will NOT be the case. Trust me, he will never be a victim of victory disease. [;)]
VSWG,
1. Simply basing them there will draw supply to their base. Using supply training simply helps train the planes at the same time.
2. This is a work-around because certain critical areas of Japan ( such as Gumma) consistently fail to draw sufficient supply to expand even when they are surrounded by mountains of excess supply in surrounding bases. If the game worked properly to begin with workarounds like this wouldn't be required.
I don't see how something which compensates for a broken game mechanic needs to be discussed.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
VSWG: I'am with Nemo on this one. Nothing wrong to just park aircraft there in order get some supplies into main Japanese aircraft production center.
I'am Gumma has had anywhere between 400-600 supply points there despite putting Home Islands HQ there! Now, that I parked 100 planes there... well almost 20 000 immediately. So, no problems here... why would his workaround be forbidden? Nothing wrong with it period since even HQ's don't draw supplies there and thus it has greatly affected my aircraft production for an year!!! [8|][:(] ...actually I'am the one who should yelling and such... <- a bit too much handicap to give out to allies in CHS.
Oh... I "know" Chuck a bit too and I'am very optimistic about the future battles! [;)]
"... will 'fly' supply missions to the air field they are based on ..." = No.
Japanese Ships
PG Shinko Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Seki Maru
TK Fujisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Kyokuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
MSW Toshi Maru #7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Damn. I forgot to turn these tankers around and tune the CAP. Thankfully only MineSweepers were seriously hit.
Chuck continues to bomb empty bases in Manchuko. We will let him enjoy this for time being.
DEI
As expected allied LBA bombers showed up and flew out of Macassar and Kendari. The results were some AP's hit and damaged.
Other NEWS The tension continues to build up in South Pacific. Again allied recon planes flew againts our installation at Tarawa and Maloelap.
The economy is slowly getting better in terms of aircraft production. Still a lot of things to do before it is adequate. Japanese recieved first Nick fighters... Are these guys useful in CHS?
The sad news came from Singapore. BB Ise is now sunk. The crew were unable to save the Battleship.
Game date is 14th of August 1942
DEI
Balikpapan Coastal Guns at Balikpapan, 31,64, firing at TF 43
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Balikpapan, 31,64
134 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Choun Maru #6, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tsutsukami Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi
AP Jinsan Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Banshu Maru #56, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hanakawa Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Chowa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Banshu Maru #52, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Terukuni Maru
DD Hibiki
Japanese ground losses:
607 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Balikpapan
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13420 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 280
Defending force 5506 troops, 72 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 101
Japanese max assault: 253 - adjusted assault: 59
Allied max defense: 88 - adjusted defense: 85
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)
Japanese ground losses:
568 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
GrrRrrRrr.. ok.. the invasion went as expected.. BUT what wasn't expected was the fact that the TF had not loaded supplies! [8|][:(] ...oh, s#%¤ happens... because of this the assault didn't succeed. Also allied LBA's hit damaged AP's from Macassar and Kendari... well these happy days for them are soon to be over.
China
Wenchow Day Air attack on Wenchow , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 65
Ki-27 Nate x 195
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wenchow , at 50,41
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 67
Ki-27 Nate x 214
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
The pilot training program in full swing! I think things will develop soon enough.
I did bomb the resource centers at Sian but the results were very disappointing. Under 10 hits... well better than nothing I guess.
Southern Pacific
Ok. The allied kept on bombing the Somons. Rabaul seems to be kept closed for good.
Also there is still very heavy recon flights flown againts Tarawa, Majuro and Maloelap. Hmmm... he is going to make some sort of an move in the South soon. The target is an mystery though.. Either it is Gilbert's, Marshalls or Solomons.
Other NEWS The aircraft production is making progress. There is now +30 Betty's in reserve, +20 Tony's and + 15 ZeroAM3's ... not much but we are getting there.
"... will 'fly' supply missions to the air field they are based on ..." = No.
A misunderstanding then. Sorry for the confusion. [:)]
No harm done with that comment! [:D]
..but the "trick" actually does work. Gumma had 500 - 600 supplies earlier. Once the bombers were stationed there ... KABOOM ... 17 000 supplies were drawn! Nemo really knows his stuff! [&o]
I mean I had Home Defense HQ there for months and it did not do any good.
I have kept training my pilots and quite a few of them are nearing 60 exp! [:)]
Allies keep flying recon flights againts Marshalls and Tarawa. These aggressive recons cannot be for nothing. That is for sure... I think it is going to be either Solomons or Gilberts were allied are going to show up next.
At Russia Chuck has kept bombing my empty airbases. Again... Let him enjoy this a bit.
As for economy. Well, still a lot of things to do... but we are getting there.
.
