Newbie Allies vs. Experinced WitP

[Lecivius]

As another totally random thought regarding Tarawa, by now you have 2 marine squadrons of Coronado supply planes, with another that can be converted.  These are REALLY nice in that you get a lot of them, they are only used by marines, and can resupply by air across a long range, and be supported by tenders.  They also do pretty good in moving smaller ground units.  These guys can help keep Tarawa supplied while your esteemed opponent gnashs his teeth trying to starve you out.  I don't see how he can LRCAP you at this point, so your losses should be sustainable.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

As another totally random thought regarding Tarawa, by now you have 2 marine squadrons of Coronado supply planes, with another that can be converted.  These are REALLY nice in that you get a lot of them, they are only used by marines, and can resupply by air across a long range, and be supported by tenders.  They also do pretty good in moving smaller ground units.  These guys can help keep Tarawa supplied while your esteemed opponent gnashs his teeth trying to starve you out.  I don't see how he can LRCAP you at this point, so your losses should be sustainable.

Mili, Makinn, Nauru. See posts #283 and #286.

Alfred

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

As another totally random thought regarding Tarawa, by now you have 2 marine squadrons of Coronado supply planes, with another that can be converted.  These are REALLY nice in that you get a lot of them, they are only used by marines, and can resupply by air across a long range, and be supported by tenders.  They also do pretty good in moving smaller ground units.  These guys can help keep Tarawa supplied while your esteemed opponent gnashs his teeth trying to starve you out.  I don't see how he can LRCAP you at this point, so your losses should be sustainable.

Mili, Makinn, Nauru. See posts #283 and #286.

Alfred

IJ is devleoping Milli is developing as we speak .. Makinn is going to be harder as the IJ fears the Dutch submarines and it is harder to project ASW everywhere but eventually teh Ij will develop Makinn . Nauru is still empty ..

In the meantime we position forces to support more atoll landings with BF's. I can eventually get more crap in the air and start fighting the war of attrition. Not so much airframes but supply. His foray into Oz is using 10 xAK's a day for example, 5 xAK's to China ,.. So far about 10xAK's of various types move in and out of Marshall's ... I need to drive this demand even higher ..

[Crackaces]

The Allied HQ's are begining to come into theater. I have spent some time this turn dividing the world up into commands. The obvious commands are apparent. 10th AAF for example in India. But I have decided to station this group specifically at Cox's Bazzar and bring Ragoon into range for late '42. 5 Figher groups and the bomber groups are moving into postion. The II fighter group is moving to Ndeni ... You get the picture. This probably should have happened turn one but I just did not have a feel for how the plan would develop. Now its getting solidified at the operational level for 1942 - 1943.

A lot of work this turn operational planning the Gibert's. Three BF's are unloading at Canton Island. Each one is of the 720 troop zero cargo type. I have some CB's coming in 5 days. We are probably going to be forced to execute a mission like Nemo suggested. Bring the CV's in close loaded with nothing but fighters and amphibiously land some CB's on my atolls. FT is not going to work because we need the bulldozers to create airfields. The other possibility is to land on Kuria which is under cover from Nounti build the base over two weeks and move to Albemama .. slower because extracting the CB's and equipment will be under constant threat.

Then there is the hope that the IJ just decide to go somewhere else ...[:D]

Well we have 2 weeks here in Jun to continue to stage these forces. The ADP's are ready to FT when forces arrive.

This turn we will get a feel for how many Nell's can sustain pounding Tarawa ..about 3 -4 are damaged each raid but so far I am not seeing Nell operations losses from these raids yet.

More later ..

[Crackaces]

************************************************* 27 MAY 1942 ************************************
We begin with yet another attack on a CV with duds .. two hits no explosions ...[8|]

Sub attack near Roi-Namur at 130,117

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CL Yubari
CS Chiyoda
DD Kuroshio
DD Asagao
DD Mochizuki
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Gato



SS Gato launches 6 torpedoes at CV Junyo

The IJAAF decide to shift targets ..

Night Air attack on Dacca , at 56,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 13


No damage ..


The IJNAF is very serious about attacking Tarawa:

Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 15



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15


This pilot was left behind with a mission and when his plane was repaired he wnet to work killing 2 Nells ..But his sucess was short lived ..

Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
B4Y1 Jean x 3
B5N2 Kate x 54
D3A1 Val x 60



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 37
Port hits 2

Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 3
D3A1 Val x 7



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4


6 Vals damaged is always good ...

Something I have not been posting is that my boys have been practicing bombing runs on Tulagi in preperation of bombing LYB's in Oz ..plus I wanted some recon on this island ..

Morning Air attack on 82nd Naval Guard Unit, at 114,137 (Tulagi)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
B-17E Fortress x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



We get another tank at Lashio and experience ..:

Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 63,46 , near Lashio

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 49
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)


IN looking at the ASW contacts this turn [many!] it looks like Tarawa will experience multiple Bombardment attacks followed by air raids. I am dropping mines and patroling with the Dutch O class subamrines around Tarawa. The 'KX' class submarines continue concentric rings around tarawa at 8 hex ranage while the USN form multiple patrols in the area. Over 30+ submarines patrol this area looking for targets.

On the surface it looks gloomy for my boys .. but .. I have had 2 Submarine attacks on a CV in 2 days. An anology is playing JTs vs. AA in Texas Hold'em poker. Lots of flops are not very good for the hand and one folds whne the aces make a big bet ..Its 4-1 against ... but there are a few conditions where the Aces are trapped and the rewards are usually the entire stack .. . this is such a condition .. I just keep playing that JTs until it hits and the IJ goes all in ... we bag a CV in the confines of the Gilbert's ...[:D]

In the meantime it looks like the IJ will make this place a very difficult place to reinforce ...The Wasp is sailing to San Diego to join up with the group there ..and join the frey ... July might be interesting in the Gilbert's [;)]

[Lecivius]

I hate dudding on carriers [:(]
 
And since my ignorance is showing, I thought LRCAP was effective proportional to distance.  Am I mistaken?  Otherwise only Makin will pose a serious LRCAP threat.  If I am mistaken, I'll go back to skulking in the shadows.
 
In any event, play on Ace.  Great stuff here [;)]

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

I hate dudding on carriers [:(]

And since my ignorance is showing, I thought LRCAP was effective proportional to distance.  Am I mistaken?  Otherwise only Makin will pose a serious LRCAP threat.  If I am mistaken, I'll go back to skulking in the shadows.

In any event, play on Ace.  Great stuff here [;)]

I have no clue how effective LRCAP is really .. in Burma I have been LRCAP'ing my bases without any success ..or interceptions . but the distance might be the problem ..

Makin has yet to be developed and so far the stuff has come from the Marshall's ..I am thinking this will be the continuing theme along with the KB .. unitl I wack a CV that is ..[;)]

[DOCUP]

LRCAP hasn't been that great for me.  But that just may be me.  Yes every AFBs dream of hitting a Jap carrier in 42 with a TT that goes boom.  The pilot training isn't bad if you look at it as another game.  I'm starting to like it.

[ny59giants]

Allied Command HQs - I would have either the Central Pacific or South Pacific HQ prepping for your next invasion in the Gilberts. Get it to within the magical 18 hexes or closer so it can add a potential 90% increase in Assault Value.

Port Service Units - I would use these six units wisely. If you plan to unload your bulldozers at a base with a small or non-existing port, then I would Fast Transport them in to speed up the process. 30 Naval Support per unit does wonders for unloading Engineer Vehicle and Motorized Support. [:)]

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Allied Command HQs - I would have either the Central Pacific or South Pacific HQ prepping for your next invasion in the Gilberts. Get it to within the magical 18 hexes or closer so it can add a potential 90% increase in Assault Value.

Port Service Units - I would use these six units wisely. If you plan to unload your bulldozers at a base with a small or non-existing port, then I would Fast Transport them in to speed up the process. 30 Naval Support per unit does wonders for unloading Engineer Vehicle and Motorized Support. [:)]

I did try to unload the Pacific Ocean Areas HQ at Tabetituea .. but the KB disrupted the adventure ... Mac is headed to a secret undisclose location ...[:D] But .. Question . I guess I need to RTFM but the HQ's have a 5 hex radius .. there is a different 18 hex radius with amphib effects including what you mentioned?

I have 3 units deployed right now ..2 enroute in Caton Island for further deployment into the Gilberts. One is on Tarawa, One is on Ndeni, one is on Luganville ...

Thanks for the post NY59giants .. discussion is good .. that is a good way for everybody to leatn ..

[DOCUP]

I keep forgetting about the HQs.  I need to find out which HQs have the 18 hex or the 5 hex range.

[ny59giants]

Manual - page 178

Headquarters (8.1.1)

"Command - Helps in several ways. They help in giving a bonus to ground combat. If no Corp HQ is in range of a ground unit, the Command HQ can give a bonus like a Corp HQ if it is in range of a ground unit. If there is a Corp HQ withing range of the battle, and the Command HQ is within 2 times its command range of the battle, it can add up to an additional 90% bonus to the Assault Value of the attacking forces for odds calculations. The bonuses are impacted by the leadership rating of the commander of the HQs. Command HQs are also important for air replacements and upgrades."

[Crackaces]

********************************************************* 28 MAY 1942 ********************************

First I made a really dumb error. I let a returning convoy from Sydney sail on the northside of Tabeteua ... I should have intervined and rerouted the convoy ..

Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 140,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Nightingale, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk



Then .. the Dutch let me down ..

Submarine attack near Makin at 136,124

Japanese Ships
AK Azumasan Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVII



SS KXVII is sighted by AK Azumasan Maru
SS KXVII attacking on the surface

No hits .. here come the airplanes now from Makin ... [:(]

The IJNAF & KB do thier thing ..

Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 13



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 7


Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
B5N2 Kate x 113
D3A1 Val x 108



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 45


Then at SF we do some ASW work .. but the IJN get a DD ..

Sub attack near San Francisco at 218,72

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Reid
DD Lamson
DD Dent
DD Schley

Sub attack near San Francisco at 218,72

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lamson
DD Dent


One redeeming event this turn ..

Submarine attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
DD Nestor


SS-I-9 surfaced after a critical hit and then the 4" guns started pelting her .. she was onfire when she "slipped below the surface". I suspect she is really really sunk.

Where the Nightengale was sunk is distrubing .. that means getting into an island at night only and dropping off BF's. Or .... starting another front ..[;)] Forces are still deploying for the Southwest Pacific under Mac .. we have to see how this develops.

[DOCUP]

Nice you got a sub.  I would love to start putting some dint and holes in a few.  I keep geting reports that my A20s are dropping 500lbers on them.  I think the guys are telling to many stories at the O club.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Nice you got a sub.  I would love to start putting some dint and holes in a few.  I keep geting reports that my A20s are dropping 500lbers on them.  I think the guys are telling to many stories at the O club.

Usually I find within two weeks I get a "sunk" report if the attack really happened and put a bomb home. Then sometime later a report that the sub is really really not sunk. Still a 500 pounder will hurt a submarine cripplng is great becauseit takes forever for them to make it to a port. Every once in awhile in 1942 I see something like above where teh subamrine sufaces and slips away ..

There is a quote in this forum from an experinced player that discusses that DC's get more powerful. I would assume Brit because I do not see anymore improvements in US DD's after they upgrade to ASW 6..

[Crackaces]

************************************ 29 MAY 1942 ****************************************

Alfred is right .. I opened a theater that allows the IJ to use thier strategic assests and have in a way led the IJ player toward better play. My strategic assests needed to support this operation are far below what is required or is being demanded .. and that is without teh resistance of the IJ.

That said, I stubbornly hang on to the hope that my calcualtions are correct. I can hold out at Tarawa long enough to support the operation and have a little war of attrition .. and one of my submarines is going to bag a capitol ship in this very submarine dense environment. I look at the map and lots of subs occupy spaces with enemy ships but .. no contact today ..

That said .. Tarawa takes its lumps ..

Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G3M2 Nell x 13



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

fternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

I was hoping for more operation losses from those Nell's by now ..today 2 Lilly's in Oz are scrapped.

Ok Tarawa ....I have 20K supply on the nose. I will start tracking my estimates of supply loss over time.

Now speaking about Oz .. the IJ has committed a bunch of bombers to the frey ..

Morning Air attack on NW Australia Base Force, at 76,131 (Daly Waters)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 41



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 13 damaged


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Meanwhile we stage 400AV at Tennet Creek. This will take a week of movement ...I sure hope I understand how supply works ...[;)]

There is a bunch of activity in the DEI but to me it is insignificant .. I predict this mop up operation will complete next month and the IJ will head toward taking Cocos Is and points west. I susepct they ... like most IJFB's I have come to know through this forum believe that a god offense makes a great defense .. and then reality comes along in terms of Allied reinforcements ...

More later ..

[Crackaces]

******************************************** 30 MAY 1942 *************************************

My submarines have been effective at one thing so far .. recon. I count 10 BB's in 3 TF's. The IJ has committed a lot of forces to the Gilbert's. The IJ player is doing what Alfred suggested and that is to build Malkin as a base. We will have to figure out a way to build up some bases around Tarawa in the meantime. At least before the supplies run out. The sucessive bombings have used up about 1K of supplies in a week but that included the KB's effort.

The other role for my submarines have not been as effective as I hoped. As one can see I have submarines sharing space with the enemy but no contacts for attacks this turn. I still contend it only takes one torp to change this theater.

As a side note .. Burma is devleoping quite well. We should have what it takes to counter-offense by December. In the meantime we keep attacking units moving in the open.

I let the supply at PH drop a little low .. but convoys are coming as I write this .. for the next 4 turns we should see convoys dropping of good's ...

More later ..

[Crackaces]

There is an excellent thread going on in GreyJoy's AAR. He is playing scenrario #2. [BTW) Why introduce a newbie Allied player to the game using scenrario #2? [8|] The good news is . GreyJoy is kicking butt! [:D]]

Anyway.. we are playing scenrario #1. Following the links I have come to discover that the IJ pilot pool looks like this:

inqistor:

Scenario 1:
year Army Navy
pool 2202 1700
1941 195 150
1942 185 150
1943+ 615 480

The IJ between December of 1941 and June 1 1941 have lost about 2000 aircraft of which about 1K is A2A and flak over my land ... Most of these aircraft are 2 engine bomber type airframes. This I understand from the thread is the total numbers in the school pool and does not include reserve and replacement pools. What this tells me that unless I understand this wrong .. the IJ is about 1/2 was down the starting pool given he is replacing units, and some units have to be training in the field !?! This also tells me that a sub hit on a CV is going to be devastating at this point ..a risk for sure in the Gilbert's...

What will unfold is the ability for the IJ economy to sustain the level of operations out here and in Oz .. and in Burma ... that as a newbie I am quite uncertain ..

Ok more later ..

[DOCUP]

 
Where is Waldo?

[Crackaces]

Where is a damn Dutch sub commander that can get a torp on target when I need it! Note the color difference between submarine tokens and you can see I have the Dutch well positioned ... but they have yet to hit anything ..