Wait... What! (NO Chris)

[Uncivil Engineer]

May 28 - 31

On the 28th 4 Div/A is extracted from Milne Bay to Rabaul; it will now move to Buna by sea and march to Port Moresby. The movement to Buna won't occur until KB is able to cover the landing (Banshees at PM). Cam Ranh Bay port reaches level 7 and Toyohara port reaches level 4 on the 28th. The Toyohara port can now load 8 Aden transports docked, rather than 4 up til now. This will enable the resource backlog there to be reduced quickly.

On the 29th a second Tojo research site reached 30(0), allowing arrival to advance from September to August somewhere around July 10. Chihkiang was captured after half the Chinese defenders departed. His supply there must have been nil, as the relative strengths were 3:2 in his favor prior to his withdrawal.

On the 30th CV Lexington was sighted by a submarine west of Port Moresby; it moved SE on the 31st and is still detected.

On the 31st KB sank CL Raleigh and 2 transports at Luganville. We lost an APD in a fast transport TF moving supply to Buna. We also lost a 1250 TK in an accident near Singapore (there were 8 small TK in the TF). Ningsia was recaptured by 26 Div.

The chart below shows the intended move of KB on June 1, with the hoped for interception of CV Lexington. The Allies know the position of KB due to the action at Luganville, so are both 10/10 detected.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 1

Today the IJN decides whether to convert xAK to AK, and some to TK. Since we lost all of our large AOs to British destroyers on Dec 7, 5 of our 7950 TK will be converted to AO of 6755 liquid capacity. All xAK that can convert to TK will be converted, some now and some as they arrive. All other xAK that can convert to AK will be converted. While this takes 21 to 28 days for each the benefit is worth the time cost.

An xAK in an amphib TF unloads over the beach at 250 points per turn, while an AK unloads at 600 points per turn. None of the Japanese AK have a troop capacity greater than 600, meaning they can unload all troops in one day (450 is the effective unload capability if the TF moves to the destination during the night naval movement phase before unloading). The expansion phase of Japan's conquest is essentially over, but there will be situations where reinforcements greater that what fast transports can deliver will be required. The IJN merchant fleet cannot loiter at any destination too long, else it may be destroyed by Allied surface or air forces.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer
Not planning to destroy Chinese units, but once out of supply they may be destroyed by my opponent. The 13 surrounded and out of supply units 2 hexes NW of Nanning have started attacking; their losses are not severe, but over time they will destroy themselves to respawn at Chungking. I would expect the same to happen at Chihkiang if I can get them totally cut off.

Unit can attack only if it has nonzero AV. And support squads are always the last to die. So you would have a lot of time

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer
None of the Japanese AK have a troop capacity greater than 600, meaning they can unload all troops in one day

There is a lot of merit in AK-t variant which gives around 1500-1700 troop space in stock. Number of troops loaded on a ship is a matter of loading procedures, not ship troop capacity, because troops will be loaded into cargo space too if given time.

[Uncivil Engineer]

There is a lot of merit in AK-t variant which gives around 1500-1700 troop space in stock. Number of troops loaded on a ship is a matter of loading procedures, not ship troop capacity, because troops will be loaded into cargo space too if given time.

True, but I don't like the -t configuration after the early unload bonus - too many troops on the ship and they have to loiter too long to unload. I'm looking for an ability to get in, unload, and get out as quickly as possible.

[RangerJoe]

It is not just the troops but also the equipment which takes up cargo space. So consider using Emily transports for at least some the infantry with you AKs hauling the rest.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

It is not just the troops but also the equipment which takes up cargo space. So consider using Emily transports for at least some the infantry with you AKs hauling the rest.

Emily production starts in July (right now I have 4). I used Topsys, etc. to pull some of the infantry out of Milne Bay before I sent in the ship transports for the rest of the brigade. The Mavises in SOPAC could have been used, as well, but at this point they are more valuable on search.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 1 - 7

Jun 1 - Tina production changed to A6M3; A6M5 research advanced to Feb 43; IJN sub lost at Akyab; BB Arizona TF bombarded Milne Bay

Jun 2 - 2 PTs sunk by IJN cruiser TF at Wyndham, Australia; IJN sub sank xAK with 9 Skytrain on board

Jun 3 - an Allied ship somewhere hit a mine somewhere

Jun 4 - nothing of interest happened

Jun 5 - a British BB TF bombarded Ramree Is., making the airfield and port virtually unusable. Supply is nil and is being flown in from Rangoon, but it's a trickle. Ha-44 and Ha-45 engine research both advanced a month (to Feb 43 and Dec 42 respectively)

Jun 6 - Brits landed at Ramree Is. (14 Brit Bde); a Royal Tank Rgt is adjacent to Ramree to the east; CVL Hermes takes a Betty torpedo while covering the landing; 2 AMc were sunk in port at Derby, Australia by Betties out of Koepang.

Jun 7 - our first CV vs. CV battle occurred in the Coral Sea -

Nagumo/Yamaguchi strike first -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 91
B5N2 Kate x 130
D3A1 Val x 94

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 15
F4F-3 Wildcat x 42
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 14 destroyed, 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Smith
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
DD Anderson
DD Aylwin
DD Downes, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD MacDonough
DD Gridley
CA Northampton
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis
CL Phoenix
CA Portland, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Monssen
DD Drayton
DD Cushing, Bomb hits 1
DD Ellet
DD Bagley
DD Ralph Talbot, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Ammo storage explosion on CV Lexington
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington
Fuel storage explosion on CV Yorktown
Ammo storage explosion on CV Hornet
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet
Magazine explodes on CA Portland
Massive explosion on DD Downes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied CA

The Americans counterstrike -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 90
TBF-1 Avenger x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 23 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
CV Soryu
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kawakaze
CA Tone
DD Hibiki
DD Shirayuki
DD Mochizuki
CVL Ryujo
CA Atago, Torpedo hits 1

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Fuel storage explosion on CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Akatsuki

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CV Shokaku
CVL Shoho, heavy fires

Fuel storage explosion on CV Zuikaku

CV Zuikaku SANK and Nagumo went down with her. Her planes landed at Milne Bay or on CV Hiryu. Junyo and Shoho have 10 flotation damage and significant system damage. Two of the US CVs are reported sunk; if true, all their planes diverted to the many nearby Australian airfields.

Three more PTs were sunk by a cruiser TF near Darwin.

[Bif1961]

I would say Hornet and Yorktown went down if the combat reports on numbers of bomb and torpedo hits are semi-accurate. Since so many planes can divert to nearby bases it will be harder to see losses in the ground loses for possible number of sunk carriers. Since the Lexington is built on a BC hull and took one bomb, with a reported Ammo Storage explosion, I would doubt it went down and will probably make it to port. Depending on it's damages will determine how quickly it can make it to a major port for temporary and then onward to safe port for complete repairs. He has or will shortly have the Wasp but these loses will hurt his attempts at starting a quick counter-offensive, losing the services of 3 carriers.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I would say Hornet and Yorktown went down if the combat reports on numbers of bomb and torpedo hits are semi-accurate. Since so many planes can divert to nearby bases it will be harder to see losses in the ground loses for possible number of sunk carriers. Since the Lexington is built on a BC hull and took one bomb, with a reported Ammo Storage explosion, I would doubt it went down and will probably make it to port. Depending on it's damages will determine how quickly it can make it to a major port for temporary and then onward to safe port for complete repairs. He has or will shortly have the Wasp but these loses will hurt his attempts at starting a quick counter-offensive, losing the services of 3 carriers.

The Yorktown has been confirmed NOT sunk. Only Lexington is still reported sunk, but with FoW it could have been Hornet.

In other news, in his last email he was wondering about the condition of Shoho. I guess he didn't get a report about Zuikaku going down with Nagumo.

Shoho and Junyo are headed back to Truk, then Japan. Zuiho was recently repaired and arrived at Rabaul. She will join the rest of KB (Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Ryujo) in the Coral Sea. As his carriers will obviously head for Sydney for repair (at least the first emergency repairs), I'm tempted to head that way to finish them off. Zuikaku's Vals are at Torokina, her Kates are on Akagi, and her Zeroes are on Hiryu.

In addition to Hermes taking a torpedo off Ramree, BB Warspite also took one. But, at a heavy cost in Nells and Zeroes.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 8 - 13

On the 8th a sub put 2 torpedoes in a burning CA Louisville near Cooktown. A third Tojo research site reached 30(0) and with research currently at 39% research will reach 100 in 20 days, or about Jun 29 (for a one month advance from Sep to Aug).

Nothing of interest happened between Jun 9 and 11.

On the 12th a 2 BB TF covering the redeployment of 4 Div from Milne Bay to Port Moresby by way of Rabaul/Buna left its covering force role to bombard Port Moresby. It sank 2 PTs and a DD going in, did NOT bombard PM probably due to low ammo from the previous battles, then sank another PT going home, while several of the DDs ran out of fuel.

A 4th Tojo research site reached 30(0) at 52% overall; will now reach 100 on about Jun 25 (to advance to August), then 100 again on about Jul 20 (to advance to July).

On the 13th a cruiser TF sank a PT and AMc at Darwin, while Vals from Saumlaki sank an AMc at Bathurst. Recon has shown only 2 units defending Darwin; 38 Div will load transports (currently deployed in 3 brigades at Koepang, Babar, and Saumlaki) and invade Australia at Darwin, only because it's so lightly defended. That will give the Allies something more to worry about!

Manila's airfield reached level 7.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 14 - 17

On the 14th an IJN CM was lost to sub attack. CA Exeter (and others) bombarded Ramree Is. BB Hyuga and CV Junyo (in separate TFs) were both hit by sub torpedoes, but neither torpedo exploded. IJN CV aircraft attacked Noumea port and hit six ships, causing minimal damage.

On the 15th an IJN CL TF (2 CL, several DDs) attacked Allied TFs at Ramree, sinking a lone DE, then several xAP and a DD, before retiring unscathed. However, the fast run in and out caused some engine damage that cannot be fixed at Rangoon, so they're off to Singapore.

On the 16th A6M5 research advanced to Jan 43.

On the 17th Kweiyang was captured; the light industry and resources were totally destroyed.

[PaxMondo]

ouch. hate when nothing is intact … happens though ...

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ouch. hate when nothing is intact … happens though ...

Yes, it would be nice to have a supply source that close to Chungking! I've started big supply runs to Canton, but it takes forever to move forward.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 18 - 25

I tried doing this earlier today, but got timed out.

Jun 18 - Nells from Magwe attacked a Brit TF at Ramree, hitting 3 xAP and sinking 2 of them.

Jun 19 - Started city bombing Sian, targeting manpower and light industry; damage was minimal. A 5th Tojo IIa research factory reached 30(0); with research at 80% now the first advance (Sep to Aug) will happen in 4 days, the second advance (Aug to Jul) will happen in 24 days (~Jul 14).

Jun 20 - Two Chinese corps crossed the river into Kweiyang, shock attacked, and were totally destroyed. Rabaul airfield reached level 7.

Jun 21 - CV Junyo arrived at Yokohama with 38 system, 1 flotation, and 14 engine damage. Putting it in shipyard would increase CV Kaga's repair time from 25 to 41 days, so Junyo will be pierside until Kaga (or other ships) are completely repaired.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 18 - 25 (continued)

Jun 22 - Samah airfield reached level 7. 15 Bde, surrounded and attacked for 10 days near Tienshui (NW of Sian), was destroyed.

Jun 23 - Ha-45 engine research advanced from Dec to Nov '42. Ramree Is. was lost to Brit forces. Part of each of the 4 defenders had been flown out to Rangoon and will rebuild there, saving PP and time. The 6th and final Tojo IIa research factory reached 30(0), moving availability up a few days from Jul 14. And Tojo IIa research advanced from Sep to Aug.

Jun 24 - nothing of interest happened.

Jun 25 - Aichi Ha-60 engines begin production at 120 per month. Two of the 6 Tojo IIa research sites were changed to IIb, then IIc (with armor), and no degradation from 30(0). Tojo IIc is scheduled to arrive Mar '44. That's 615 days from Jun 25, '42; the 2 factories will advance research by one month every 50 days, or 615/50 = 12.3 months total, making arrival Mar '43. Tojo IIb is scheduled to arrive in Jul '43, and will not likely be used. (IIb has a better gun than either IIa or IIc, but no armor). This changes Tojo IIa arrival to 94/4 = 23.5 days, or ~Jul 19.

[PaxMondo]

Tojo IIB does not have better guns, they are actually quite a bit worse. IIC has the best guns on the Tojo line. At least in the stock scenarios. I reread your page 1 and can't find the scenario number you are playing .. Scen 1 ? That 40mm cannon on the IIb only has an accuracy of 2 … meaning it hardly ever fires and rarely ever hits. Generally, your IIb is shot down before it can hit anything. The IIc with the 4x12.7mm isn't too bad because 2x12.7 are C/L, so the accuracy is doubled. One of the best armed IJA fighters is the FRankb model. The C/L 20mm cannon are quite effective against everything.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Thanks for the info - I was only looking at the gun rating, not the actual armament.

But, I did make one BIG mistake - I thought a one year advance on arrival of the IIc was too much (intuitively). It's way less that because my math was incorrect. Should be -

Jun 25 arr Mar 44 +50 days=
Aug 14 arr Feb 44 +50 days=
Oct 3 arr Jan 44 +50 days=
Nov 22 arr Dec 43 +50 days=
Jan 11 arr Nov 43 +50 days=
Mar 2 arr Oct 43 +50 days=
Apr 21 arr Sep 43 +50 days=
Jun 10 arr Aug 43 +50 days=
Jul 30 arr Jul 43

So, rather than a Mar 43 arrival, it will be the end of Jul 43. Based on Pax Mondo's gun evaluation, the IIb will still be skipped.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer
the IIb will still be skipped.

Yeah, most IJ players skip the IIb.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 25 - 30

Might as well rap up this month (I'll append Jun 30 when I get the turn back)

Jun 25 - Sinabang captured.

Jun 28 - Batoe-eilanden captured. A small cruiser TF slipped into Ramree Is. and sank a PG and ML. Was hoping for some transports, but I guess they got out of there just in time. A sub bagged an xAP at Akyab, though. Victoria, BC was mined. Truk port reached level 7.

Jun 29 - the large batch of xAK to AK conversions began to become available. The 30(0) Oscar Ic facility at Tokyo was changed to 0(18) Nick a, then expanded to 0(30). Two Oscar IIa facilities are being researched and will be available soon.

Jun 30 - (waiting)

[RangerJoe]

The Oscar Ic factory could have automatically started producing the IIa version with no extra cost.