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PzB,
 
Great to see such a result... Again though I would suggest the conversion of a Betty or preferably an Emily ( or Mavis unit... would be a good way to use up your obsolete Mavis reserves) unit. This will give you range 24 kamikaze attacks and GREATLY complicate the enemy's convoying problems. Imagine how many convoys will have to be covered by LRCAP to prevent you basing an Emily Chutai somewhere along his supply route and getting a couple of free attacks in on uncapped convoys.
 
Two torpedoes also means that anything smaller than an Allied cruiser should be immediately sunk if hit even once. Anything larger than a cruiser will still suffer such heavy damage that it will be in repair yard for a very significant time.
 
Of course if you are prepared to accept shorter range and less damage per hit in return for having more planes for the strikes then bettys or nells could be the way to go.
 
P.s. What was the experience of the Sally unit? The most significant result today was that 6 Sallys on a kamikaze mission can, in the absence of CAP and major AAA fire secure 4 hits. That promises excellent results if you can ever use your fighter attrition technique over a landing site Andy has committed to and MUST cover.

Hey Hoepner,
Could you adjust your avatar to the left a little?

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Hey Hoepner,
Could you adjust your avatar to the left a little?

Perhaps if you adjust your avatar's top a bit upwards... [:D] [:'(]

Few questions:

Are kami units refilling with AC when Kamis are expired? So if you are in the base with enough supplies/close to HQ, next turn you receive ACs?

Is it possible to train Kamis? I dont think so. How effective are 30 exp Kamis?

Can you disband Kami unit into regular unit? After 90 days when it reforms is it again as kami unit?

I am in 08/42 in my only PBEM so I have no clue
[&:]

EDIT: Pzb, nice to see good news early in the morning [;)]

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Hey Hoepner,
Could you adjust your avatar to the left a little?

Better like that?

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Again though I would suggest the conversion of a Betty or preferably an Emily ( or Mavis unit... would be a good way to use up your obsolete Mavis reserves) unit. This will give you range 24 kamikaze attacks and GREATLY complicate the enemy's convoying problems. Imagine how many convoys will have to be covered by LRCAP to prevent you basing an Emily Chutai somewhere along his supply route and getting a couple of free attacks in on uncapped convoys.

IIRC, patrol aircraft can only be set to night naval attack, which, as we known, are a far bit tricky to pull off.

PzB: yes, grumpy ol' japanese fanboy is ready to help with worthless[;)] advices and filling Andy with turns...

HONDA: i was consider that option with bear in Karlovac, but couldn't imagine that i could convince bus driver to stop bus in front of your flat and wait for an hour or two while i drink bear with you:)....

Now, back to war.... i'm interested to about experience of the Sally kamikazes - hope that they weren't crack ones. Sinking few CL or even CA is nice, but not worth sacrificing crack 80+ bomber crews. IMO, crack Army bomber units have their purpose even in middle of 44: ASW, night naval attack, keeping them in reserve and then assigning them for "hammer" strikes against isolated Allied bases (like you did against Zambo-something)....

Now, what to do with Zamboanga? first, you shouldn't allow ZamboAF becomes operational again:

- no enemy fighters on CAP
- no reinforcements could be transfered to that base
- no supply could be transfered...

depending on Andy's moves i would even consider visit with IJN fast ships to bombard this place and help to keep AF closed down. I would continue preparations of Zamboanga invasion waiting till his carriers withdraw - sooner or later he have to do it.

You can't allow Andy to have base in PI - not yet... of course, my other me (paranoic b*std) telling me that i should warn you that Zamboanga invasion was only divertion...perhaps he planing real, good old fashioned, traditional WWII invasion in some other place finally?

Given the position of Zamb..., it is a perfect target for IJN BB. Continue to bombard it to keep the AF closed, flew floatplanes, recon and small Betties units in all the bypassed Japanese bases and that will allow you to have an exact picuture of Allied naval moves, so you will know if the USN is able to oppose you or not.

Then a Kavieng-like counterlanding may be attempted... except that the position here is better because:
1) Allied LBA is farther
2) Allied troops hold the base, so once you will achieve 2 to 1 ratio, the base will fall and all troops surrender (while they still held in Kavieng, as they didn't hold the base....)

You now have two main problems:
1) US CV
2) B-29s that may bomb your bombers on the ground and destroy/damage enough so the AF in Z will reopen.

On a sidenote, Pauk, you are talking about night naval air attacks by high-experience Sallies.... I have never seen level bombers fly night naval attacks, only patrol aircraft. But I will be interested by level bombers doing the same (I have some 90+ exp Sentai/Daitai that I will keep in reserve for that).

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

PzB,

Great to see such a result... Again though I would suggest the conversion of a Betty or preferably an Emily ( or Mavis unit... would be a good way to use up your obsolete Mavis reserves) unit. This will give you range 24 kamikaze attacks and GREATLY complicate the enemy's convoying problems. Imagine how many convoys will have to be covered by LRCAP to prevent you basing an Emily Chutai somewhere along his supply route and getting a couple of free attacks in on uncapped convoys.
...

What looks like an advantage is also a problem for this kind of tactic. At this stage of the war, the huge range of these planes will mostly throw them against well protected high value BB and CV TFs far away instead of attacking the convoys nearby. For a local effect and as threat against convoys smaller mid-range planes should be sufficient.

And just as a threat it could already be sufficient to put any plane (even Recon and float planes) on whatever remote bases as he will just know that there are planes but not know what type of planes. And once he attacks the base and sees just Recon planes you can rotate Kamis in [:'(]

But generally it might be better to preserve and concentrate your Kamikaze groups for big attacks and only once in a while try some harrassment further in his backwaters. How about Glen-Kamikaze subs near San Francisco (at least two to be able to launch offensive strikes; Glen might be substituted with a cruiser/BB float plane) [:D]

It's possible to launch precision kami long-range strikes. I thaught about keeping it for myself (the first thing I ever wanted not to share!) but couldn't. This is not PzBs fight, it ours too! This how I see it:
You take a few glen subs to a remote open seas area where you expect high-value unprotected traffic. Once they spot a convoy this happens:
1. All patrols are stood down exept those glens
2. Long-range kamis are put into forward bases so as to have enough range to hit the convoy
Result: a kami strike into the deep rear on an unprotected target.This way it's possible to localize the target area at the cost of being blind across the map for one turn.
Note: of course, no need to stand down patrols in Singapore if the kamis flying can't reach the outer range of the formentioned patrols.

P.S.
Sally and Mavis have the same effect as kamis because they have the same bomb load value. Sally is a good kami 'cause conventionaly it sucks as a naval attack platform. Mavis isn't around any more probably.

Better like that?

Yes. Now just cut out the guy on the right [:D] and expand the image more!

Chez

Great response [8D]

I don't think it's possible to use Mavis in a Kami role - not allowed to downgrade my Emily groups.
As mentioned, the Sally is a near perfect kami! Pretty useless in its ground attack role, but range and bombload
makes it a deadly one shot Charlie. Anything smaller than a BB will be heavily damaged by even a single hit.

The issue regarding long range Kami strikes is interesting. I find it a bit difficult to implement though. Great advice
Honda [&o] Have to try it! Usually I have problems getting my Bettys to strike from longer ranges than 9-10 hexes.
Me thinks 95% of Andy's carriers are approaching PNG - so a raid with cvls and subs with kami AC may be worth a try.

Ponape is still open, got a Dinah recon unit there, but only minimal supplies. Most bases in PNG are also closed and/or
running out of supply. Northern PNG to Timor is now our main hunting ground. Truk is still a useful fortress though.

The Sally unit that hit the Miami was a mediocre one - avg exp of 60. Felt this would be a representable skill.
Don't want to destroy my high exp (75-80) asw units. By using Sallys it's possible to increase our naval strike potential
greatly. Only when reserves are exhausted will it become necessary to use Frances/Bettys in the Kami role. As mentioned,
Kami units seem to be very accurate. 6 hits by a 60 exp unit is good - even though the target was heavily damaged. Never, or
only rarely seen Army bomber units fly night naval attacks. Not their cup of tea me thinks.

After 'use' Kami units remain Kami units and can receive new pilots and ac and continue their Divine missions.
Kami units can train by using the regular 'Training' setting. According to the manual high exp Kamis are much more
efficient than low skill ones. A mix would probably be a good thing in order to overwhelm the targets defenders.
Must admit that I have no clue about what will happen if a Kami unit is disbanded. My guess is that it will return as a
Kami unit...?

Pauk: Imperial HQ is aware of the fact that Andy most likely will lauch a massive conventional amph invasion soon.
Nevertheless, we will try to knock Zamboanga out and capture it to strengthen morale and resolve among fighting men
both on the battlefield and in this AAR [;)] I'm planning to pound the place silly with large number of bombers and the
heavy hitters of the IJN! No mercy for the bad if they want it [:D] Andy's carriers have already withdrawn from Zamboanga,
that is what created the opening. Guess they will be back rather quickly in order to re-open the place. Have to reduce
supply levels and destroy all port/af facilities in the meanwhile. Troops can also be reduced to tatters in a few days I hope.

I will not convert anymore Kami units for a while, next turn there will be 5 available - in 14 days almost 20! [:)]

In a few days the last IJN carrier reinforcement of the war will arrive: a most mediocre cvl called Ibuki - a 27 ac birdfarm.
I'm accelerating destroyer production, they're quite cheap...unlike subs. I'm also holding Oscar II replacement ac back, even in
mid 44 numerous new Sentais are being formed. They are quite excellent in the Kami role, can casue much death and destruction
from 10 hexes!

I'm actually looking forward to Andy's next big amph operation. He will have to come to me and expose his supply train and carriers for weeks. Imagine the potential for massive air and surface combat attacks! By massing all the surface assets of the Combined Fleet, we can still overwhelm the Yanks! Andy will have to defend his carriers, transports, create bombardment and finally: surface combat TFs.


"All right you little gods. You've had the balls to come this far, now we'll see if you can go all the way! Me, I'm just an ordinary guy! If you've brought your name cards, you might as well donate them to the war effort, because your not going to need them! And if you're still virgins, you better go out and get laid right away!"

Lieutenant-Commander Goro Nonaka

šmrc...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/44

Air Combat

Again Zamboanga was hit hard and we shot down 12 transports.
Also hit ground troops today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 2 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x J1N1-S Irving bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy targetted Davao today: torched a number of ac on the ground, but we shot down
23 Lightnings and 2 were op losses. Our best fighters took rather light casualties.
10 Jacks and Georges.

Day Air attack on Davao , at 41,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22
N1K1-J George x 21
J2M Jack x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 8
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
P-38J Lightning x 78
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-29 Superfortress x 95

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 40 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
J2M Jack: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 18 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
C6N Myrt: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 23 destroyed, 11 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-29 Superfortress: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 116
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zamboanga next!

Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 66

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 82
Ki-49 Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Runway hits 10
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 503rd USA Para Regiment, at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
Ki-21 Sally x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALWAYS the NZ units that are sent into the fray...[:D]

Day Air attack on 3rd NZ/B Division, at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 8
G4M1 Betty x 29
G4M2 Betty x 66
P1Y Frances x 52
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah...should have been a Kami raid! Still, 1 penetrating hit on another Cl and a dd!

Day Air attack on TF at 42,70

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Pensacola, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Vincennes
DD Craven
DD Remey
DD Murray
DD Foote, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Twining
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wrong target.....

Day Air attack on TF at 49,76

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again......

Day Air attack on TF at 49,76

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imagine if this had been a Kami attack....

Day Air attack on TF at 41,70

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3
P1Y Frances x 10

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
F4U-1D Corsair x 1
Spitfire VIII x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 5 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Dickerson
BB Washington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moved another 36 ac Frank group to the PI today and upgraded another Tojo Sentai on Formosa.
Andy's fleet is moved west of Palau now. Lots of carriers, warships and transports. Even LCUs.
This takes time and in a few days a new batch of ground reinforcements will arrive.

Another US sub was reported sunk of Borneo today. We're really putting the hurt on here!

I've sent 1 division and 2 brigades to sea from Manila: they will approach Zamboanga while the
fleet moves closer. It is necessary to blunt the enemys airborne spearhead once and for all.

Todays Air Losses:

Good to see that Japanese air power still has some teeth.  
Is it possible that the invasion force originally slated for the Marianas is now bound for a base within air cover radius of Zamboanga?

No chance to send a little supply to NG bases with planes or barges?

Andy doesn't have any aircover at Zamboanga right now...and it's too small to CAP itself and a fleet!
His closes major base is hundred of miles away from the PI. Will be a long way for damaged ships and supply convoys.
If I was Andy I would occupy a major base closer to Borneo/PI before moving ahead. It's a logistical MUST from my point of view.

Don't think it's worth it Fish, would be zapped asap and the bases all have 100 runway and service AND port damage.
One US bomber raid and all ac and supplies would be lost.

Truk still got 20k supplies though!

A few P38's cost us a lot of ac over Zamboanga today. Still 'closed' and missions
continue. Enemy fleet gathers at Sulawesi: intel reports 1650 ac here now.

Our invasion fleet is gathering of Roxas: should be ready to land within a week.
Some 12k enemy troops on Zamboanga. Guess half of these are base and engineer troops.
Some 6k combat troops means 3k inf at best. Deduct malaria and bombardment effect and
I think a full division should do it.

It feels rather comfortable to have the fleet at sea West of Luzon. Our Air Force is
very strong here within a barrier of islands. Submarines are running shuttle laying mines
at most junctions and shallw water hexes. Hopefully Andy will find some [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Still mines...annoying!

TF 74 encounters mine field at Manila (43,52)

Japanese Ships
DD Matsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

USS Barbero reported sunk today!

ASW attack at 41,43

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 13
MSW W.15
MSW Toshi Maru #8
MSW Banshu Maru #56
MSW W.23
MSW W.6
MSW Wa 22

Allied Ships
SS Sand Lance, hits 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The '9' P38s over Zamboanga cost us some 100 ac today [:@]
Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 69

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 18 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Zamboanga , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 74
Ki-49 Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 7 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Runway hits 2
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 503rd USA Para Regiment, at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd NZ/B Division, at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
J1N1-S Irving x 6
G4M1 Betty x 41
G4M2 Betty x 96
P1Y Frances x 50
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 37

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Dunno why Andy bothers...with these assault values any assault is doomed without reinforcements [:)]

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33298 troops, 196 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 645

Defending force 27517 troops, 144 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 489

Allied max assault: 624 - adjusted assault: 268

Japanese max defense: 348 - adjusted defense: 1789

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
370 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
1182 casualties reported
Guns lost 24
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dunno why Andy bothers...with these assault values any assault is doomed without reinforcements

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Serves the prupose of eating up your supplies. He can replace his, you can't.

Chez