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I’ve read quite a few AARs by the old hands and the main thing I took away was to come up with a plan then only make minor adjustments to it.
I do appreciate the feedback but the plan is baked in now so only minor tweaks from here.

I’m going big on George and Frank research then build. I want to win the war by mid 44 but still have an insurance policy if I fail to do that.

The “research” I’m doing on non-fighter aircraft is mainly so that those factories are ready to produce from day1.

I know I am trying something not seen previously with the Jakes, just to see how it goes.
Where would the fun be if we all just copied each other?!

Mindanao is now clear. SNLF will move next to SE Borneo.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 09, 42
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ASW attack near Dutch Harbor at 171,51
SS I-16 is located by AM Quatsino
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Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55
Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Midway Island at 161,93
SS I-22 launches 2 torpedoes at DM Preble
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 2
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on 1st Burma Division, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on Tenasserim BAF Battalion, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on Tenasserim BAF Battalion, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 50th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 72,58 (Pakhoi)
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Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
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Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 55,51 , near Prome
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Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
G3M2 Nell x 15
Allied Ships
xAP Glenapp, Bomb hits 1
xAP Mijer, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Kota Tjandi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Sabang Base Force, at 44,70 (Sabang)
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Afternoon Air attack on 102nd PA Infantry Regiment, at 80,90 (Malaybalay)
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Afternoon Air attack on Padang , at 44,85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kodiak at 180,40
SS I-3, hits 1
Allied Ships
PC Crawford
SS I-3 launches 2 torpedoes at PC Crawford
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Suva at 131,161
SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Phelps
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Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 86552 troops, 945 guns, 1356 vehicles, Assault Value = 3129
Defending force 17366 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 422
Japanese adjusted assault: 2225
Allied adjusted defense: 133
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1310 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
7439 casualties reported
Squads: 347 destroyed, 243 disabled
Non Combat: 334 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 37 (17 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units retreated 4
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units: All will follow as the road to Sian may be lightly defended.
12th Army
20th Army
1st Division
11th Division
12th Division
13th Division
27th Division
32nd Division
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
10th Mortar Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
28th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
27th Fld AA Gun Co
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
49th Field AA Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
53rd Field AA Battalion
Defending units: All now showing as zero AV.
5th War Area
41st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 53145 troops, 681 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2308
Defending force 64292 troops, 331 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1882
Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kukong (79,57)
Japanese Bombardment attack – the 51st Division just reformed but in doing so all subordinate units lost their field fortifications. I’ll wait until they dig back in to forts 1 before a deliberate attack in a few days.
Attacking force 535 troops, 60 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 786
Defending force 13116 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 406
Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 495 troops, 35 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 418
Defending force 35925 troops, 198 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ningsia (84,33)
Japanese Deliberate attack – will push forward to make contact again
Attacking force 7116 troops, 58 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 236
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese assault odds: 236 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ningsia !!!
Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2632 troops, 108 guns, 254 vehicles, Assault Value = 1403
Defending force 50124 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1522
Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100) – Mountain terrain so I think I need another Division here to capture Bandoeng. The 18th Div may come here before an attack is ordered.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 12855 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 480
Defending force 4649 troops, 116 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 187
Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
4th Division
Defending units:
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Bandoeng Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack – IJA fatigue is still >30 with disruption in the teens.
Attacking force 2887 troops, 202 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 1675
Defending force 25611 troops, 494 guns, 454 vehicles,
Assault Value = 633
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Malaybalay (80,90)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5675 troops, 76 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 206
Defending force 2688 troops, 16 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 87
Japanese adjusted assault: 110
Allied adjusted defense: 52
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malaybalay !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
3495 casualties reported
Squads: 137 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 238 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4
Assaulting units: will now move back to Cagayan to move by ship to SE Borneo or Makassar.
Kure 1st SNLF
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Kure 2nd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Defending units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8434 troops, 82 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 317
Defending force 11109 troops, 97 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 291
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
6th Burma Rifles Battalion
Tenasserim BAF Battalion
1st Burma Division
Defending units:
143rd Infantry Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 58628 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1878
Defending force 70860 troops, 902 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 2304

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Feb 09, 42
Tabar Island is occupied by the Japanese
Task Force 20 lays defensive minefield at Singkep ( 49 , 87) and sets course for Singapore
D3A1 Val from Soryu-2 attacking a Porpoise class SS at 52,96 a KVIII Class class SS is reported HIT
2LT Fujimoto A. of 77th Sentai attains ace status!! The 5th IJ ace of the war.
G4M1 Betty from Takao Ku K-1/A attacking a Triton class SS at 105,124 an Allied CL is reported HIT
17 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting 84th JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
8 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting 17th JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
11 x MC-21 Sally transporting 62nd JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
12 x L3Y2 Tina transporting Yokosuka 1st SNLF from Port Blair
21 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting supplies to Pegu
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ningsia !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malaybalay !!!
Wakkanai expands port to size 4 – to help with NEAF resources and oil imports
Mutankiang expands airfield to size 5
Saigon expands airfield to size 7
Pago Pago expands airfield to size 3
Noumea expands airfield to size 4
Kalidjati expands fortifications to size 1
Group 'Takao Ku K-1 Det' changes name to '4th Ku K-1 '
Group 'Okamoto Det ' changes name to '4th Ku S-1' – I disbanded this unit a day ago and got a decent PP bonus.
Kiyokawa Maru-1 at Hiroshima/Kure takes F1M2 Pete replacements
1st Sentai at Palembang takes Ki-43-Ic Oscar replacements
1st Raiding Sentai at Chiang Mai takes Ki-57-I Topsy replacements
2nd Raiding Sentai at Bangkok takes Ki-57-I Topsy replacements
9th Armored Car Co - some devices have been upgraded at Pingsiang
Misawa Ku K-1 arrives at Chiba – Betty training group,.

ORIGINAL: awaw

@pax, I follow a lot of your discussions, and several other experienced players’ thoughts as well. And I really respect the POV that u guys provided. There is something though, that may have been overlooked wrt to the HI limit that the jap economy can sustain.

My line of thoughts go something along this:
1. A single 1E plane costs 36 HI to build (frame + engine)
2. For IJN, if sqn resize is unlimited, producing an early (and later obsolete) airframe will allow 1x training capacity.
3. Assuming a pilot “graduates” in 4 mths, this gives a HI savings in pilot pool of 5 HI every 4 mths, the plane is therefore effectively HI “free” after 28 mths
4. Crudely speaking, any planes that is produced before 3/42 will earn back its HI by 6/44.
5. There are supply costs involved in maintains training sqn, but largely a pilot will cost so much supply to train to a certain expected quality.
6. Main trade off is that the supply expenditure is earlier rather than later.
7. IJA is another ball game altogether since sqn resize is not an option for them.

My $0.02

ps: I too feel that jdrae appears to like jake a lot, lol. But my commentary is more towards how to manipulate the “zero sum” situation of japan

Except you do not need planes to train. There is no ROI on planes for training … in fact for supply expenditure it is best to have fewer planes.

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

I’ve read quite a few AARs by the old hands and the main thing I took away was to come up with a plan then only make minor adjustments to it.
I do appreciate the feedback but the plan is baked in now so only minor tweaks from here.

I’m going big on George and Frank research then build. I want to win the war by mid 44 but still have an insurance policy if I fail to do that.

The “research” I’m doing on non-fighter aircraft is mainly so that those factories are ready to produce from day1.

I know I am trying something not seen previously with the Jakes, just to see how it goes.
Where would the fun be if we all just copied each other?!

1.) Not sure how you can "win" in mid-44. If you are going for auto-vic, your best shot is 12/42, then 12/43. After that, never seen anyone get close to an auto-vic.

Mid-44 is when the allies are just getting all of their toys, Essex are coming almost every month, TBolts, etc. Not very often that an allied player who pays until '44 quits just when it is going to get fun for him. Or am I missing something here?

2.) if you are focused on Frank/George than how do you have factories/supply to commit to ha-35? Again, I seem to be missing something here.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

1.) Not sure how you can "win" in mid-44. If you are going for auto-vic, your best shot is 12/42, then 12/43. After that, never seen anyone get close to an auto-vic.

Mid-44 is when the allies are just getting all of their toys, Essex are coming almost every month, TBolts, etc. Not very often that an allied player who pays until '44 quits just when it is going to get fun for him. Or am I missing something here?

I am referring to auto victory and agree that the best shot is probably 1 Jan 44 when the ratio needed drops to 3:1, but if I don't win on 1 Jan 44 then I will have to try and force a major point scoring opportunity before things like the Essexes and Tbolts join the party.

This is how I am picturing my progress at the strategic level of trying to break allied will to continue the war. The critical "worm" I will watch as I update the data on the 1st of each month is the trend of the VP ratio line.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo



2.) if you are focused on Frank/George than how do you have factories/supply to commit to ha-35? Again, I seem to be missing something here.

I'm not focussed on Frank/George at the expense of all else. There are diminishing returns on the time that additional aircraft research factories save, so I've picked 8 x 30 research factories for George and 12 x research factories for Frank. Current plan is to move 6 of the Frank factories directly to Frank R once they are repaired and keep 6 on the Frank A to bring them both forward faster.

I prepared this table using the 63% formula that others figured out to estimate the time it takes to repair research factories. This just shows my forecasts for when the fighters I want to build will arrive, but the table to the right also shows the effect on research time of putting more or less research factories on each model.
This table excludes the effect of engine bonus.

Hi Jdsrae, First off i'd like to say i'm jealous of all the traffic your AAR has. I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong. Second, it's hard to know the exact right way to run a/c research and production. I only asked you about going for 500 of the Ha-35 for the production bonus to try to learn. I think you are playing scenario 1 so the Ha-35 is more limited. I'm playing Scenario 2 luckily and the Tojo line uses it as well. That made my decision to go for the Ha-35 bonus easier. I just figure it's worth some extra supply in'42 to be able to get a full year plus out of the Tojo IIc before i could possibly have any Frank. I figured i'd save a lot of airframes and pilot by having my guys flying Tojo IIc rather than any kind of Oscar. I'm about a month and a half ahead of you now and so far i think it's going to work out ok. BTW any ideas for effective use of your SSs. i'm getting poor results lately.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Except you do not need planes to train. There is no ROI on planes for training … in fact for supply expenditure it is best to have fewer planes.

I did some bench tests, it appears the bulk of on map training comes from flying training missions, and one needs planes before doing that? Am i missing anything here?

ORIGINAL: RADM.Yamaguchi

Hi Jdsrae, First off i'd like to say i'm jealous of all the traffic your AAR has. I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong. Second, it's hard to know the exact right way to run a/c research and production. I only asked you about going for 500 of the Ha-35 for the production bonus to try to learn. I think you are playing scenario 1 so the Ha-35 is more limited. I'm playing Scenario 2 luckily and the Tojo line uses it as well. That made my decision to go for the Ha-35 bonus easier. I just figure it's worth some extra supply in'42 to be able to get a full year plus out of the Tojo IIc before i could possibly have any Frank. I figured i'd save a lot of airframes and pilot by having my guys flying Tojo IIc rather than any kind of Oscar. I'm about a month and a half ahead of you now and so far i think it's going to work out ok. BTW any ideas for effective use of your SSs. i'm getting poor results lately.

Doing something crazy like build 180 Jakes/month is one way to attract comments!
There is no one right way to run a/c research or production. There are many wrong ways, but what you prioritise is up to the way you want to try and win the war. Getting any fighter with armour earlier I think is a good idea.
Yes I'm scenario 1 so am not across the scenario 2 differences.
I am thinking I will need a mix of Oscars and Tojos until the Frank arrives.
The only luck I'm having with my SS at the moment is sinking the odd small ASW ship that is trying to sink them.
I think I've only had one or two mid ocean contacts with TK or xAK convoys coming out of the west coast.

Gotta go for now as the offspring are awake and will tear the house apart if I don't feed them!

ORIGINAL: awaw

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Except you do not need planes to train. There is no ROI on planes for training … in fact for supply expenditure it is best to have fewer planes.

I did some bench tests, it appears the bulk of on map training comes from flying training missions, and one needs planes before doing that? Am i missing anything here?

I don’t know for sure, but others have said you don’t need to fill the air group with planes to train.
Intuitively it would be better for the pilots to have a plane each, but they must be doing a lot of learning in the classroom each day or on “simulators”.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_Trainer

I haven't played a lot of games. I don't know anything about the training formula or calculations. I haven't run any tests. But i can say without a doubt that in my game pilots train faster the more planes they have.

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

1.) Not sure how you can "win" in mid-44. If you are going for auto-vic, your best shot is 12/42, then 12/43. After that, never seen anyone get close to an auto-vic.

Mid-44 is when the allies are just getting all of their toys, Essex are coming almost every month, TBolts, etc. Not very often that an allied player who pays until '44 quits just when it is going to get fun for him. Or am I missing something here?

I am referring to auto victory and agree that the best shot is probably 1 Jan 44 when the ratio needed drops to 3:1, but if I don't win on 1 Jan 44 then I will have to try and force a major point scoring opportunity before things like the Essexes and Tbolts join the party.

This is how I am picturing my progress at the strategic level of trying to break allied will to continue the war. The critical "worm" I will watch as I update the data on the 1st of each month is the trend of the VP ratio line.

You have a plan, which is great. TBolts start arriving in late '43, Essexes in mid '43. In total CV A/C, depending upon your exact build plan, the allies will eclipse you in numbers in Q1Y44, but in quality in late '43. Meaning, the allies will be happy to join a CV exchange anytime after they have 'Cats throughout their fleet which is generally by 6/43.

Very, very few IJ players have ever achieved an AutoVic after 1/44. Going for AutoVic requires a completely different strategy than what I outlined previously, so disregard all of my comments on build.

Auto Vic requires you to shoot the moon on production, not RnD. Meaning, you are going to win the war with numbers of aircraft that you can currently build as of 12/41. The only new model(s) that you can consider chasing are Helen and Tojo, and of those most only chase Tojo. The difference between Sally and Helen in an autovic pursuit is minimal. Your best chance of AutoVic is 12/42 followed by 12/43. There have quite a few AutoVic winner in 12/42. The allies have developed some strategies for preventing an autovic in 12/42 now primarily by being able to surge enough forces to OZ/India to prevent a total collapse in either. Your counter is fighters, fighters, fighters. Allied total production numbers in '42 are finite and the IJ can eclipse those numbers by a good margin. The Sally is then able to be effective in ground attacks to compensate for lack of organic arty in the IJ ground forces allowing you to advance rapidly and collapse strongholds efficiently. Taking CK by 9/42 is crucial, followed by Calcutta and/or Sydney/Melbourne by 12/42. Auto Vic follows.

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo



2.) if you are focused on Frank/George than how do you have factories/supply to commit to ha-35? Again, I seem to be missing something here.

I'm not focussed on Frank/George at the expense of all else. There are diminishing returns on the time that additional aircraft research factories save, so I've picked 8 x 30 research factories for George and 12 x research factories for Frank. Current plan is to move 6 of the Frank factories directly to Frank R once they are repaired and keep 6 on the Frank A to bring them both forward faster.

I prepared this table using the 63% formula that others figured out to estimate the time it takes to repair research factories. This just shows my forecasts for when the fighters I want to build will arrive, but the table to the right also shows the effect on research time of putting more or less research factories on each model.
This table excludes the effect of engine bonus.

Two points about this plan, but please refer to my thoughts about AutoVic above. These are only for future reference.
1. using a LOT of RnD factories allows 2 things. First, you get a ton of production right away. 24x30 gets you the ability to put at least 15 airgroups into the new model in the first month. Meaning the benefit of the new model is felt on your front lines almost immediately. Second, it allows you to then keep a large production in place and then shift a portion of you factories back to RnD on the next model up.
2. Hidden, surprise outcome of large RnD stacks: The random nature of repair means you can get a factory to repair VERY early. Once that first factory repairs and actually starts to generate RnD points, things start to happen VERY quickly. Put 24x30 on A7M and the first repaired factory for me generally occurs early '43. By mid '43 there are at least two which means the end date is advancing and the other factories start to repair faster. Most of the early statistical modeling overlooks this aspect and predicts the arrival far later than what actually happens.

Getting George/Jack 3/43 IN NUMBERS is a game changer. Either can go toe2toe with Early Corsairs/Tbolts/Spits/'Cats and you will have numerical advantage. Ditto getting Frank 9/43. Follow those two with one 3rd gen fighter (A7M, Shinden, Ki94, Ki83 you pick it) that can arrive ~9/44 again, in numbers, and you can really change the air war. But this is all a defensive strategy, NOT an autovic one.

ORIGINAL: awaw

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Except you do not need planes to train. There is no ROI on planes for training … in fact for supply expenditure it is best to have fewer planes.

I did some bench tests, it appears the bulk of on map training comes from flying training missions, and one needs planes before doing that? Am i missing anything here?

Only 1 per airgroup and testing has shown that training ocurrs even when there are zero AC. Supply usage is calculated explicitly by how many AC are in the group assigned to a mission (rest does not use supply). training is 0.5 per plane per day IIRC. Thus, having 12 training groups with 48 pilots each with only 1 AC each will use only 6 supply points per day. If each group had 32 AC, then it would be 16*12= 192 supply/day. BIG difference.

ORIGINAL: RADM.Yamaguchi

I haven't played a lot of games. I don't know anything about the training formula or calculations. I haven't run any tests. But i can say without a doubt that in my game pilots train faster the more planes they have.

Testing suggests otherwise. Leader is the crucial determination followed closely by luck.

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

ORIGINAL: awaw

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Except you do not need planes to train. There is no ROI on planes for training … in fact for supply expenditure it is best to have fewer planes.

I did some bench tests, it appears the bulk of on map training comes from flying training missions, and one needs planes before doing that? Am i missing anything here?

I don’t know for sure, but others have said you don’t need to fill the air group with planes to train.
Intuitively it would be better for the pilots to have a plane each, but they must be doing a lot of learning in the classroom each day or on “simulators”.

Yeah, my explanation is class room work. ….

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 10, 42
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ASW attack near Auckland at 117,184
SS I-17 is located by AM Muritai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wenchow at 89,58
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Sub attack near Oosthaven at 49,96 – this is the big news of the day. The first torpedo hit but didn’t explode, followed by two others that did… Damage is pretty bad. Ordered to disband at Toboali to try and put the fires out then we’ll need to run the gauntlet of allied subs to Singapore…
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
SS KXVI launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hiryu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Nauru Island (127,128)
Amphibious Assault at Nauru Island (127,128)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
82 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
xAP Kongo Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma
xAP Koan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Ukishima Maru
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Balikpapan Base Force firing at BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at Balikpapan Base Force
BB Hiei firing at Balikpapan Base Force
Balikpapan Base Force firing at BB Hiei
Balikpapan Base Force firing at CA Maya
Balikpapan Base Force firing at DD Hibiki
DD Hibiki firing at Balikpapan Base Force
Balikpapan Base Force firing at DD Akatsuki
DD Akatsuki firing at Balikpapan Base Force
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Kongo Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Maya firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Koan Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Maya firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Kongo Maru at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Koan Maru at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Koan Maru at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
DD Akatsuki fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Balikpapan (64,97)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
xAP Koan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
DD Inazuma
CA Maya
xAP Kongo Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAP Ukishima Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kodiak at 181,41
SS I-4 is located by YP-401
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Oosthaven at 49,96
SS KXV is sighted by escort
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
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Morning Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on 1st Burma Division, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on Tenasserim BAF Battalion, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on Tenasserim BAF Battalion, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on 100th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100
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Morning Air attack on 1st Burma Division, at 55,55 (Moulmein)
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Morning Air attack on 9th Chinese Base Force, at 72,58 (Pakhoi)
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Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
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Morning Air attack on 50th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)
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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
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Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100
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Afternoon Air attack on Sabang Base Force, at 44,70 (Sabang)
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Afternoon Air attack on 103rd PA Infantry Regiment, at 81,89 , near Butuan
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Afternoon Air attack on Padang , at 44,85
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Afternoon Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
A6M2 Zero x 42
B5N2 Kate x 100
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
xAP Kedah, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Lawoe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Mijer, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS A, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Kajang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kota Tjandi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Glenapp, Bomb hits 1, on fire
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ASW attack near Dutch Harbor at 171,51
SS I-16 is located by AM Quatsino
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Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 53160 troops, 680 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2438
Defending force 64392 troops, 330 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1888
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Ground combat at Kukong (79,57)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 20500 troops, 207 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 789
Defending force 13120 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 408
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Ground combat at 91,38 (near Chengting)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5676 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 191
Defending force 11070 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 313
Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Defending units:
35th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
13th Group Army
83rd Chinese Corps
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Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 495 troops, 35 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 419
Defending force 35960 troops, 198 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1151
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Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2640 troops, 108 guns, 254 vehicles, Assault Value = 1407
Defending force 50216 troops, 313 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1526
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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack –deliberate attack will be ordered next turn.
Attacking force 2887 troops, 202 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 1746
Defending force 25550 troops, 491 guns, 448 vehicles, Assault Value = 633
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
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Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 6955 troops, 94 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 291
Defending force 9096 troops, 82 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 315
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Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 324 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5
Defending force 72 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
2nd JNAF Coy
Defending units:
Wren Det.
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Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)
Allied Bombardment attack – deliberate attack ordered
Attacking force 670 troops, 17 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Defending force 4242 troops, 53 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 164
Assaulting units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Base Force
Defending units:
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
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Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8428 troops, 82 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 314
Defending force 11109 troops, 97 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 291
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Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 58738 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1883
Defending force 74217 troops, 928 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 2432
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Ground combat at Sabang (44,70)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9126 troops, 85 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 324
Defending force 2730 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
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Ground combat at 45,79 (near Sibolga)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4512 troops, 41 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 158
Defending force 681 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Japanese adjusted assault: 220
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 55 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units retreated 4
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
5th/C Division
Defending units:
Medan Garrison Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Medan Coastal Gun Battalion
Medan Base Force

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Feb 10, 42
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CV Hiryu
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CV Hiryu
B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 attacking a Cachalot class SS at 49,96 a 'T' 1940 Programme class SS is reported HIT
18 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting 84th JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
8 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting 17th JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
12 x MC-21 Sally transporting 62nd JAAF AF Bn to Rangoon
10 x L3Y2 Tina transporting Yokosuka 1st SNLF from Port Blair
18 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting supplies to Pegu
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!
Manila expands airfield to size 6
Suva expands airfield to size 5 – allied SOPAC build up is happening.
Oosthaven expands fortifications to size 2
8th Armored Car Co - some devices have been upgraded at Pingsiang
xAP Mijer is reported to have been sunk near Batavia on Feb 10, 1942
39th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo – will move to Southern Area Fleet, somewhere near Balikpapan most likely

Some good news, the fires are nearly out on Hiryu.
Hopefully the water mains at the Toboali Fishing Club help the crew get the fires out before the next turn starts.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 11, 42
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Sub attack near Muntok at 51,89
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 9
Allied Ships
SS O20, hits 10
SS O20 launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 7
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ASW attack near Toboali at 51,91
SS O20 is sighted by escort
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Sub attack near Tawi Tawi at 72,89
SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at PB Daiya Maru
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Night Naval bombardment of Wenchow at 89,58
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Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)
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Pre-Invasion action off Moulmein (55,55)
Amphibious Assault at Moulmein (55,55)
Invasion Support action off Moulmein (55,55)
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TF 172 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97) – DMS and AMc task forces are on the way
Japanese Ships
PB Mikage Maru
PB Kensin Maru

3 mines cleared
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ASW attack near Hengchun at 84,68
SS Perch is located by SC Ch 33
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ASW attack near Donggala at 68,97
Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 1
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Maya
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Sub vs Sub: SS I-168 attacking SS Pollack at 177,104 - near Lihue
SS I-168
Allied Ships
SS Pollack, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Morning Air attack on Ambon , at 76,109
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
B-339D: 1 destroyed
Ambon Patrouille with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100
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Morning Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 72,58 (Pakhoi)
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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98
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Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100
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Afternoon Air attack on 103rd PA Infantry Regiment, at 81,89 , near Butuan
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Pre-Invasion action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
64 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Having a few BB in the task force really does help with suppressing the coastal defence guns, or at least distracting them from the unarmoured ships. These big girls need to rearm their main guns now. AKE are at Davao so they don’t have to travel far.
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CL Katori, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Kamogawa Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Mikage Maru
PB Kunitu Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB AnsyuMaru
xAK Nitiran Maru
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

BB Hiei firing at Balikpapan Base Force
Balikpapan Base Force firing at BB Hiei
CL Katori firing at Balikpapan Base Force
Balikpapan Base Force firing at CL Katori
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Katori firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kyusyu Maru at 8,000 yards
PB Mikage Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kunitu Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kensin Maru fired at enemy troops
PB AnsyuMaru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
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Amphibious Assault at Balikpapan (64,97)
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Pre-Invasion action off Moulmein (55,55)
94 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
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Amphibious Assault at Moulmein (55,55) – 144th Infantry Regt coming ashore. All units of the 55th Div are now back together.
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Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13406 troops, 113 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 479
Defending force 4657 troops, 116 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 188
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 205
Allied adjusted defense: 190
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units: Fatigue and disruption are both <10 so another deliberate attack is ordered for tomorrow. The tanks are ordered to shock as they took no casualties in this one. Another tank regt is moving in from the beachhead.
1st Tank Regiment
4th Division
Defending units:
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Bandoeng Base Force
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Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2865 troops, 248 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 1940
Defending force 64384 troops, 330 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1887
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Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2640 troops, 108 guns, 254 vehicles, Assault Value = 1407
Defending force 50342 troops, 312 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1537
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Ground combat at Bataan (78,77) - deliberate attack ordered for tomorrow
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2895 troops, 202 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 1790
Defending force 25448 troops, 487 guns, 446 vehicles, Assault Value = 624
Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
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Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 336 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!
Assaulting units:
4th Indpt SNLF Coy
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Ground combat at Abemama (136,130) – I’m sneaking forward in 4th Fleet area with SNLF and small PB fast transport task forces. I’m expecting this to cause a reaction from the USN, especially with KB still in the DEI, but am willing to take the risk with these small forces to push the perimeter out a bit further.
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 312 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese forces CAPTURE Abemama !!!
Assaulting units:
5th Indpt SNLF Coy
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Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97) – My luck with capturing industry holds. No damage to Balikpapan industry and a good haul of fuel and oil remains. Lots of resources but not much supply left behind by the Dutch. Base forces, AA units and small auxiliaries are moving in to set this base up for defence.
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4321 troops, 53 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 227
Defending force 1411 troops, 36 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Japanese adjusted assault: 102
Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Balikpapan !!!
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
685 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (16 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 1st SNLF
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Base Force
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Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8433 troops, 82 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 315
Defending force 15904 troops, 149 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 433
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Feb 11, 42
Vella Lavella is occupied by the Japanese
Allied Aircraft sighted over Luangprabang – this is interesting, I wonder if CS is reconning northern Laos on purpose...
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Abemama !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Balikpapan !!!
Kanko expands airfield to size 4
Davao expands airfield to size 4
Chumphon expands airfield to size 6
Kalidjati expands fortifications to size 2
Mizuho-1 converting to E13A1 Jake
SS Pollack is reported to have been sunk near Lihue on Feb 11, 1942
AMc Lawoe is reported to have been sunk near Batavia on Feb 10, 1942
AMc MMS A is reported to have been sunk near Batavia on Feb 10, 1942
AMc MMS C is reported to have been sunk near Batavia on Feb 10, 1942
42nd I.F.Chutai arrives at Sapporo – this unit can upgrade to Nicks and doesn’t withdraw, so they will train strafing and eventually become FB pilots. To run a live test, I will leave them with only 2 aircraft to train on and see how they progress. &#8195;

In a PDU ON game, George is FAR better than Zero.

George is not CV capable, even though I got it in 3/43 in my game. I will get Frank in 9/43, but realized with some minor adjustments 6/43 is QED.

TBolts start arriving in late '43, Essexes in mid '43. In total CV A/C, depending upon your exact build plan, the allies will eclipse you in numbers in Q1Y44, but in quality in late '43. Meaning, the allies will be happy to join a CV exchange anytime after they have 'Cats throughout their fleet which is generally by 6/43.

TBolts will be facing Frank's by that time. As for the Essex CV's, all CV losses being equal to end-43, begging-44, Japan can still maintain CV superiority until mid-44. Provided her 'big picture' is focused. The only ships I accelerate are CVs.

In addition Japan must remember from mid-43, at the latest, she is fighting a defensive war. She needs to stay with the 'confines' of the Empire, especially with her CV's.

ORIGINAL: rustysi

In a PDU ON game, George is FAR better than Zero.

George is not CV capable, even though I got it in 3/43 in my game. I will get Frank in 9/43, but realized with some minor adjustments 6/43 is QED.

TBolts start arriving in late '43, Essexes in mid '43. In total CV A/C, depending upon your exact build plan, the allies will eclipse you in numbers in Q1Y44, but in quality in late '43. Meaning, the allies will be happy to join a CV exchange anytime after they have 'Cats throughout their fleet which is generally by 6/43.

TBolts will be facing Frank's by that time. As for the Essex CV's, all CV losses being equal to end-43, begging-44, Japan can still maintain CV superiority until mid-44. Provided her 'big picture' is focused. The only ships I accelerate are CVs.

In addition Japan must remember from mid-43, at the latest, she is fighting a defensive war. She needs to stay with the 'confines' of the Empire, especially with her CV's.

Too much emphasis is put on the George not being CV IMHO.
The units on the CV's fight maybe once/month in a game. The other units are fighting daily. I'm focused on the latter.

Correct, you want TBolts to face Frank, not Tojo. Frank normally arrives 6 months late … you want it 9/43 or earlier to meet the TBolt head on and in numbers that will win.

CV's: I disagree. IJ can maintain equivalent numbers of CV AC until mid-44, BUT not quality. The allied planes, except TB, are FAR superior. After Q3Y43, the IJ is upside down in a CV fight and cannot fix it unless the A7M can arrive in time. Getting the A7M in numbers and in mid-44 can change everything. I did a 36*30 A7M test some years back and got the A7M 4/44. That allowed me to re-equip the KB entirely with A7M in one month (meaning only A7M's, total fighter trap). +1200 A7M's on CAP did amazing things to the DeathStar. Shredded the DS airgroups and then LBA was able to penetrate and hit the CV's. Can't say how it would work against a capable opponent, but certainly allied players use the same tactic against the IJ players all the time. Won't work with A6M, but A7M, oh yeah. A7M eats F6F all day and comes back for more. Holds own against F4U.