Climb Mt. Niitaka - Xargun vs Mr Kane

[Xargun]

Despite both Mr Kane and I having family obligation for Easter we are still managing a few turns. The day after the strike at Balikpapan the real KB (near PM) catches an allied amphib task force. Not sure what happened here as KB showed spotted - but it must have given him bad intel or he didn't notice it - FoW on my part? Either way I'll take it.. Another good day to be an airman in the IJN.

[Xargun]

Sinking those amphibs is nice, but here is the best part...





Hope those boys can swim !!

[Aurorus]

Wow. That looks like a division, a base force, and at least one artillery unit on those ships. Was all of that moving to Milne Bay or Port Moresby? Can you tell?

I think your slow pace has sort of confounded Mr. Kane. Many people associate a fast-paced expansion with good play, which is not necessarily the case. This is pretty sloppy, leaving so many troops exposed on ships without air cover, so close to the front.

[PaxMondo]

Congrats!!!

Great job!

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Wow. That looks like a division, a base force, and at least one artillery unit on those ships. Was all of that moving to Milne Bay or Port Moresby? Can you tell?

I think your slow pace has sort of confounded Mr. Kane. Many people associate a fast-paced expansion with good play, which is not necessarily the case. This is pretty sloppy, leaving so many troops exposed on ships without air cover, so close to the front.

Was moving east away from Port Moresby - Maybe heading for Solomons? But he had nothing more than a few AMs protecting it.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Congrats!!!

Great job!

Thanks

[Xargun]

After a day of no air strikes against the remnants of the amphibs... KB (now north of PM) makes two strikes - one in each phase... This time they are at Port Moresby with fighter cover...


AM Phase:

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 19
D3A1 Val x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Cairns, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Echuca, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
ML No. 310
AM Ballarat, heavy damage
xAP Kepong
AM Bunbury, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Ipswitch
xAKL Kuala, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Soerabaja


Then PM Phase:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAKL Regulus, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Soerabaja, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAP Pijnacker Hordijk, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Ipswitch, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Rochussen, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Ballarat, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
ML No. 310
AM Deloraine

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 26 (15 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Guessing I got a tank unit - not sure what else has a ton of vehicles - except maybe a HQ unit with motorized support?

Have heard at least 6 sinking noises since the first encounter with the amphibs so I'm sure the total of sunk ships is increasing - despite what the intel screen says.

KB is good on fuel and bombs / torpedos, so I will stick around at least another day [:D] Plus I just landed two Naval Guards at Buna so I have to provide support.

Also forgot that last turn when the amphibs limped back to Port Moresby at least one ship hit a mine...

[witpqs]

Very well done!

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Very well done!

+1

[&o][&o][&o]

[Xargun]

Bataan FALLS !!!! And about time too. A week of R & R (or so) for my troops and then the rest of the islands will fall.

[PaxMondo]

[&o][&o][&o]

[Bif1961]

What a double whammy you are really making him feel like the historic Allies now.

[Xargun]

I have captured both Balikpapan and Samarinda and the oil / refineries are 100% intact. Mines are cleared and Tankers are docking next turn to begin hauling the fuel home - roughly 150k fuel is awaiting me there.

A small TF is loading an indepedent Coy to take Boela and Babo to add that little bit of oil to my empire now that Ambon is in friendly hands.

Other than Java - most of the initial objectives are secure - except for that island that Kendari is on (forget the name and game not in front of me).

18 allied units await me south of Batavia and recon shows only a single unit in Soerbaja - probably manning the CD guns. I am prepping to land behind his roadblock and encircle them. This will allow me to continue taking Java and Soerbaja without any more major fights -- once Batavia falls which should be in the next attack or two.

Allied sub KXIII was sunk this turn near Palembang where several subs have been hanging out. My ASW TF of 3 PBs drew an attack (which missed) and then PB Nanei Maru hit it with the majority of its Depth Charges - just as it ran out of ammo, the sub was forced to the surface, where the other two PBs hammered it with 8cm shells until she sunk.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

I have captured both Balikpapan and Samarinda and the oil / refineries are 100% intact. Mines are cleared and Tankers are docking next turn to begin hauling the fuel home - roughly 150k fuel is awaiting me there.

A small TF is loading an indepedent Coy to take Boela and Babo to add that little bit of oil to my empire now that Ambon is in friendly hands.

Other than Java - most of the initial objectives are secure - except for that island that Kendari is on (forget the name and game not in front of me).

18 allied units await me south of Batavia and recon shows only a single unit in Soerbaja - probably manning the CD guns. I am prepping to land behind his roadblock and encircle them. This will allow me to continue taking Java and Soerbaja without any more major fights -- once Batavia falls which should be in the next attack or two.

Allied sub KXIII was sunk this turn near Palembang where several subs have been hanging out. My ASW TF of 3 PBs drew an attack (which missed) and then PB Nanei Maru hit it with the majority of its Depth Charges - just as it ran out of ammo, the sub was forced to the surface, where the other two PBs hammered it with 8cm shells until she sunk.

Be careful approaching Java. Java can be a little dangerous. It is close quarters, and there are many ports to hide small SCTFs in to waylay your amphibious groups. It is hard to take full advantage of your carriers here without exposing them.

I like to take Makassar before starting the Java campaign. It is a good base for a naval air HQ, because Betties and Nells and Zeros with drop tanks can cover southern Java from there. It is too far away to use as an effective airforce base, however. Makassar is clear terrain, so it does not require much effort, usually. I also like to take it for an extra recon base, since I like to recon all the small ports as I prepare my invasion to try to eliminate the possibility of surprise.

In the actual war, a small U.S. SCTF did surprise a Japanese amphibious group at Java and inflicted heavy losses.

Also, note Denpasar, isolated on a small island just south of Java. This is a very good airbase, which covers the whole Island with Zeros or Oscars along with Lilies or Sallies. Something to think about as a prelude to Java.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

ORIGINAL: Xargun

I have captured both Balikpapan and Samarinda and the oil / refineries are 100% intact. Mines are cleared and Tankers are docking next turn to begin hauling the fuel home - roughly 150k fuel is awaiting me there.

A small TF is loading an indepedent Coy to take Boela and Babo to add that little bit of oil to my empire now that Ambon is in friendly hands.

Other than Java - most of the initial objectives are secure - except for that island that Kendari is on (forget the name and game not in front of me).

18 allied units await me south of Batavia and recon shows only a single unit in Soerbaja - probably manning the CD guns. I am prepping to land behind his roadblock and encircle them. This will allow me to continue taking Java and Soerbaja without any more major fights -- once Batavia falls which should be in the next attack or two.

Allied sub KXIII was sunk this turn near Palembang where several subs have been hanging out. My ASW TF of 3 PBs drew an attack (which missed) and then PB Nanei Maru hit it with the majority of its Depth Charges - just as it ran out of ammo, the sub was forced to the surface, where the other two PBs hammered it with 8cm shells until she sunk.

Be careful approaching Java. Java can be a little dangerous. It is close quarters, and there are many ports to hide small SCTFs in to waylay your amphibious groups. It is hard to take full advantage of your carriers here without exposing them.

I like to take Makassar before starting the Java campaign. It is a good base for a naval air HQ, because Betties and Nells and Zeros with drop tanks can cover southern Java from there. It is too far away to use as an effective airforce base, however. Makassar is clear terrain, so it does not require much effort, usually. I also like to take it for an extra recon base, since I like to recon all the small ports as I prepare my invasion to try to eliminate the possibility of surprise.

In the actual war, a small U.S. SCTF did surprise a Japanese amphibious group at Java and inflicted heavy losses.
Wasn't that Balikpapan?

Also, note Denpasar, isolated on a small island just south of Java. This is a very good airbase, which covers the whole Island with Zeros or Oscars along with Lilies or Sallies. Something to think about as a prelude to Java.

Good advice!

[Aurorus]

Yes, I believe that you are right. I am thinking of the failed attempt to ambush the Japanese in the Java Sea by a combined fleet of U.S., British, and Dutch CLs and DDs.

[Xargun]

So reading other AARs and seeing discussions it made me think (I can still do that for short periods of time at my age) and I took a look at my fighter plans and noticed I was lacking a dedicated escort for my IJA bombers (particularly the Helen). After looking at my options looks like the only real choice I have will be the IIIa Oscar. I choose that model as I can advance it enough to get it a month or two ahead of the Helen so I can have a stockpile to upgrade to as I start filling out Helen sentais.

The Oscar is an all around crap fighter - but I'm hoping it can keep enemy cap off my bombers long enough for them to drop their bombs and get out. The Oscar will need to do the job until the Frank b comes online in late 43 / early 44.

[Xargun]

Batavia falls !! All defenders are captured. Once I clear all the mines I will have a nice port on Java and can ship in sufficient troops to take the island.


Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12033 troops, 131 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 359

Defending force 5729 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Japanese adjusted assault: 127

Allied adjusted defense: 55

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
365 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6588 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 260 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 8

Assaulting units:
21st/B Division
16th Guards Regiment
21st/C Division
21st/A Div /13
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
15th Nav Gd /5

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Batavia KM Base Force
Roodenburg Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
KNI Zeemacht
ABDA
Marinier Battalion
Batavia Defenses

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

So reading other AARs and seeing discussions it made me think (I can still do that for short periods of time at my age) and I took a look at my fighter plans and noticed I was lacking a dedicated escort for my IJA bombers (particularly the Helen). After looking at my options looks like the only real choice I have will be the IIIa Oscar. I choose that model as I can advance it enough to get it a month or two ahead of the Helen so I can have a stockpile to upgrade to as I start filling out Helen sentais.

The Oscar is an all around crap fighter - but I'm hoping it can keep enemy cap off my bombers long enough for them to drop their bombs and get out. The Oscar will need to do the job until the Frank b comes online in late 43 / early 44.

The Oscar IIIa is not much of an upgrade over the IIb. The biggest advantage to Oscar is the manueverability and the one engine: not the range. You can use Nicks for bomber escort. You lose 2 hexes of range, but you should not be launching a large number of long-range strikes in 1943, because you will not be able to sweep out CAP at long-range. The advantage to Oscar over Nick as an escort fighter is the one engine: which is more efficient production, because escort fighters get shot down, especially when escorting bombers over unswept bases.

I would not bother with research. Your Oscar factories will upgrade to the IIb in May of 43, which is pretty good timing actually. All you get with the IIIa is a little more manueverability: which is nice, since manueverability is the Oscar's thing, but not worth researching. I play PDU:off, so I use Oscar, lots of Oscar, only because I do not have a choice. Given a choice, I would have 2 squadrons of Oscars and the rest Tojos and Tonies, until Frank, not the other way around.

Oh... and a final thing... as to bombing at long range in 1943... the best use of Oscar is not as the escort for the bombers... but as the bomber itself.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

ORIGINAL: Xargun

So reading other AARs and seeing discussions it made me think (I can still do that for short periods of time at my age) and I took a look at my fighter plans and noticed I was lacking a dedicated escort for my IJA bombers (particularly the Helen). After looking at my options looks like the only real choice I have will be the IIIa Oscar. I choose that model as I can advance it enough to get it a month or two ahead of the Helen so I can have a stockpile to upgrade to as I start filling out Helen sentais.

The Oscar is an all around crap fighter - but I'm hoping it can keep enemy cap off my bombers long enough for them to drop their bombs and get out. The Oscar will need to do the job until the Frank b comes online in late 43 / early 44.

The Oscar IIIa is not much of an upgrade over the IIb. The biggest advantage to Oscar is the manueverability and the one engine: not the range. You can use Nicks for bomber escort. You lose 2 hexes of range, but you should not be launching a large number of long-range strikes in 1943, because you will not be able to sweep out CAP at long-range. The advantage to Oscar over Nick as an escort fighter is the one engine: which is more efficient production, because escort fighters get shot down, especially when escorting bombers over unswept bases.

I would not bother with research. Your Oscar factories will upgrade to the IIb in May of 43, which is pretty good timing actually. All you get with the IIIa is a little more manueverability: which is nice, since manueverability is the Oscar's thing, but not worth researching. I play PDU:off, so I use Oscar, lots of Oscar, only because I do not have a choice. Given a choice, I would have 2 squadrons of Oscars and the rest Tojos and Tonies, until Frank, not the other way around.

Oh... and a final thing... as to bombing at long range in 1943... the best use of Oscar is not as the escort for the bombers... but as the bomber itself.

So, I'll take the other side ...

Ki-43 IIIa is ok, IV is what you wanted to RnD from day 1. Too late now (you're at about 1Jun42?) to change, so keep with the IIIa. All you get from IIa to IIb to IIIa is 20mph top speed each model. Useful, but in 42/43 not the key variable. Numbers are, and you can build more than the allies get and put more units at the point of attack. 2:1 sweep numbers is what you need to win, 3:1 will crush the opponent.

At this point, I wouldn't put too much into Oscar, rather put your effort into Frank. You should be able to pull Frank into mid '43 if you can get enough on it. You can afford to invest as you will build a lot of Frank from the day you get it until the end (unlike Oscar). In late game you will be building over 400/mo, so you can easily invest 12x30 factories on RnD for it now. When you get Frank a, keep some moving forward on the Frank r model.

the toughest decision I always have to make every game: will I build the Frank b model? fearsome fighter. Best armament of the IJ in a fast, agile, tough plane with good climb. Very good until late '45, after that just good. Always good against all bombers, including 4E's.