ENLIST TODAY (Docup (A) vs Koniu (J) No Koniu

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

22nd Feb

... OP Order
Tasked units will deploy to Tabiteuea Island.  (Which is still in Allied hands)  They will build Ports and AFs first.  Mission is to disrupt the Japanese time table and future operations, by causing to deploy forces to this AO.

If I get lucky and keep this island, I will be happy, but this operation is to side track Koniu from his future operations.  He only has a little more than a month to go before his amphib bonus runs out.  If I can delay landings at PM or anywhere else the mission will be a success.  I will move in a Port SVC Det first then USN BF with AA unit, Sea Bees, and a Marine CD unit.  Carriers will be used to provide fighter cover.  Marine fighters will be added to the carriers.  2 CV TFs of 2 carriers each will attend this operation.  I will have a small SAG along incase some gun power is needed.  Later I will bring in an IR and another AA unit.  I also want to drop troops on another island to build up supporting bases.  I will use APDs, xAPs and xAKs; yes I know about the unloading times.  But this is what I have close by.

Situation:
Intel shows that Tarawa has not been built up.  Shows no AF is present.  Nauru Island is the closest AF, which is 12 hexs away,  I don't think any of his LBA fighters can reach Tabiteuea.  I want to know where the KB and MKB are when I go in.  I suspect the MKB will be at Wake.  KB will be in the DEIs or around Rabaul.

Ok guys tell me what  you think.  Where am I wrong besides the xAPs and xAKs.

1. The unloading rate is an irrelevancy in this instance. Besides, it isn't as if you have anything really better available at this stage.

2. Whether his LBA fighters can reach Tabiteuea turns on the question; are drop tanks available? If drop tanks are available then both the Zero and Oscar have the range, the former having 14 hexes, the latter 12 hexes.

3. In the event that drop tanks are available you have to factor the infrastructure of Mili. That base already starts off on 7 Dec 1941 with a level 1 airfield. Has it been built up in the last 3 months to a level 2 airfield?

4. The real risk is that your carriers will be tied for quite a long time to maintaining the lifeline to Tabiteuea. Recall my comments in Crackaces AAR. Without knowing the medium term commitments of the KB, you could find yourself hoisted with an early carrier clash where the KB will get some assistance from Japanese airfields but you will have no Allied airfields.

Alfred

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP


Situation:
Intel shows that Tarawa has not been built up.  Shows no AF is present.  Nauru Island is the closest AF, which is 12 hexs away,  I don't think any of his LBA fighters can reach Tabiteuea.  I want to know where the KB and MKB are when I go in.  I suspect the MKB will be at Wake.  KB will be in the DEIs or around Rabaul.

Ok guys tell me what  you think.  Where am I wrong besides the xAPs and xAKs.

Three mistakes I did in the same situation ..

1. I did not drop off AA with the Tarawa attack. You are going to have constant air attacks once you drop by ..
2. I really needed to plan dropping on one of the nearby Islands at lest one const bn and one BF to build up a level 1 airfield.
3. I would make sure bases around Tabiteua are secured. At least 2 extra bases that can support the expected calling from the KB..you are not going to come out on top in '42 but .. shooting down say 20 - 30 aircraft can be a winner to discourage further attacks.

I relied way too much on submarines to influece the battle .. now I am haivng to commit my CV's to get more supplies and stuff into Tarawa ..

[zuluhour]

I'm watching closely

[DOCUP]

Alfred you are correct as always.  But what I want is to make him divert his carriers to this area.  I knkow they will prob die there but I want him to waste time and assests.  Mili is still an AF 1.
 
23rd Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Quiet turn.  He mined Suva and I lost a DD from it. 

[DOCUP]

24th Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unkown
 
Bataan
Koniu deliberately attacked here and lost 3,900 to our 1,900.  We are still out of supplies.  He is bombing everyday.  I have subs 2 days away with some supplies.
 
China
Bombings every where my planes aren't.  He deliberately attacked some of our LCUs in a forrested hex.  He lost 2,000 to our 800.
 
Intel says he is prepping a unit for Hilo.  I say bring it on.  I am wondering where all his troops are. 

[DOCUP]

25th Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Bataan
Bombardment attack causes ups 175 KIA's.
 
Rangoon
Our fighters put up one hell of a fight.  9 Hurri IIb's and 3 Hurri IIa's were shot down.  They shot down 13 Zeros, 1 Oscar, and 4 Sally's.
 
Java
Out P40Es got creamed.  lost 13 for none in return.

[DOCUP]

26th Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Christmas Is
We ping a sub with 2 good hits.  Maybe sunk, I heard sinking sounds.
 
China
We loose 21 AC for 9 Oscars.
 
USS Gar sinks a small TK around Japan.

[DOCUP]

27th Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Quiet turn.
 
B17Ds hit an airfield in IndoChina.  5 are lost they take down 2 recon AC with them on the ground. 
 
Gilberts
I have had subs around 2 bases and they have spotted nothing.  I don't think he has moved any units in.  Once I have ships and men in place the Operation will commence.
 
Rabaul
I see 2 big TFs.  Where are they going? 
 
PM
He bombed the AF today and got 2 planes on the ground.  My amphib TF is 4 hexs away unspotted.  I have brought back the P38s and P40s. 
 
Christmas Island
To many subs hanging around.  So I have found another hub for supplies and fuel.
 
Kendri
2 sqds of B17Es and Liberators will attack the port and AF.  5 Ships are in port.  AF has Oscars and Bettys.
 
Rangoon
2 Heavy AA units are heading here. They will help defend the base and when the time comes that the units have to retreat they will be used to help defend them from the Jap bombers.
 
Hilo
Nothing sighted in the area besides subs.  Intel says a Rgt is prepping here.
 
Wake
Nothing sighted here either.
 
DEI
He is now taking backwater bases in Sumatra and the islands around it.  He hasn't prepped or moved anything around for Java.  Maybe hitting all those ships at Pbang did hurt him. 
 
My MLR at the Burma India line is building quit nicely. The bases along the coast are or will be defended heavily.  AA, Inf, Eng and the like are present or heading to these bases.
 
sorry about the long post didn't mean to take you all away from GJs stunning landings.  I must go and catch up myself. See you in the Hairy thread.

[Alfred]

The B-17D model is the exception to the general rule of thumb that Allied 4E are difficult to be brought down by Japanese fighters. The plane has good range but does lack the amount of dedicated defensive firepower compared to the later Boeing products. Hence you have to be a bit more careful flying them without fighter escorts.

Alfred

[DOCUP]

Alfred.  Yes I know about the B17Ds.  I didn't figure he wold have CAP over this AF. 
 
28th of Feb
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Kendri
My 4Es flew in and bombed the port and AF with no opposition.  We hit an xAP and xAKL prob sinking both.  We caught 2 Bettys and 2 recon planes on the ground.  We did mod damage to both port and AFs.  A follow on raid will go in tom.  The 4Es will hit the AF and some 2Es will go after the port at low alt (3,000).  I expect his Oscars to be on CAP.  If I am right (and I'm usually not) the 2Es are closer (Ambon) and will go in first pulling the Oscars down low.  Hopefully to low for the Oscars to get ahold of.  When my 4Es go in at higher alt the Oscars will have to climb to get at them.
 
Bataan
He performed a delb attack and lost 4,000 to our 1,300.  I had just dropped off supply via subs.  Perfect timing.
 
CenPac
After months of nothing in this area, what do I see today 2, 2 ship TFs.  They are either screens for his carriers or patroling.  Intel says that they are PBs.  I am sending a small SAG up to investigate further but it will take a few days to get close. 
 
Christmas Island
We dinged a sub here again.  4 hits with 2 pentration.  I have hit multiple subs here and I'm pretty sure sank atleast 1 maybe 2.  You would think he would stop sending his subs into shallow water with ASW TFs present.  I'm thinking of dropping off some mines here and test them out.  I will say that my DDs are getting some good exp out of this. 
 
Hilo
Still safe and sound.
 
Wake
Nothing also.  Could he be playing with my intel.  Prob with Hilo, Wake maybe not. 
 
PM
One of his subs sighted my amphib TF.  I expect Koniu to attack tom.  I have my P38s, P40Es, P39s flying CAP.  Alt 25,000; 20,000; 10,000 ft.
I expect he will start with sweeps.  The last sweep here, I had 38s at 25k and 40s at 20k and we did fairly well.  Thats why I am doing this.  Rabaul only has about 40 fighters and 60 bombers.  If I get lucky, I might be able to hurt him here. Lets roll the dice.
 
China
Bombings and sweeps. 
 
Christmas happened today got alot of LCUs. They will be going to different spots, more on them later. I need more naval support. 

[DOCUP]

Question guys.  I am pretty sure we just had a sync error.  We just upgraded to the newest beta r4.  I watched a TF get slaughtered by some DDs, but when I get to make my moves they are alive and well.  What do I do?

[DOCUP]

29th Feb

KB unknown
MKB unkown

North West Coast of Oz
3 DD TF sinks 2 of our tankers. 

PM
He loses 13 Zeros while we loose 9 P40Es, 4 P38s, and 3 P39s.  He didn't send in his bombers.

Hilo
Now I have reports of a Div prepping here.  2 different Bdes.  HMMM

Kendri
We lose 10 Hudsons. We hit 2 APs and 3 AKLs. Our 4Es hit the AF taking out several recon and Oscars on the field.

Else where the usual.  So he never saw my other TF get slaughtered now he knows its there, but they should make it to a safe port tonite.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Question guys.  I am pretty sure we just had a sync error.  We just upgraded to the newest beta r4.  I watched a TF get slaughtered by some DDs, but when I get to make my moves they are alive and well.  What do I do?

I posted as cryptically and abstractly as I could referencing you post here, but I followed up GreyJoy's post in the Tech Support form called "Problem". He has been experiencing "sync problems" ..for which I thought he was describing the problem between animation and combat reports, but what you describe is between the combat animation and the results saved in the turn file. This seems to be a different problem in that the new turn does not have the events generated by the combat replay that needs addressing ...

You might post the previous turns and the combat replay file in the tech support forum ...

[DOCUP]

Thanks Crackaces. Koniu and I have already talked about it. He never saw that TF. So he wasn't upset about it. This turn everything is good.

1 Mar

KB ?
MKB ?

There is a TF in the Solomons that has the same composition as the KB or MKB. I just don't see any CVs come up on the intel screen.

PM
no sweeps. Guess I hurt his fighters some.

Queit turn.

CentPac
Our CL TF sank a PB and is going after the other on in the area.

Java
He sent a DD TF after my MGBs. I saw this coming and disbanded them in port.

[DOCUP]

2nd Mar
 
KB unknown
MKB Rabaul?
 
Milne Bay
Looks like this is an invasion force.  5 DMS in one TF, 1 DD in another TF, and 9 ships (2 CLs 3 DDs the rest AP, and AKs).  Escorted air strikes are ordered.  Lets see what these guys can do.
 
PM
Bettys sank 2 AMs.  Zero sweeps. 
 
Kendri
Lost 6 B17Es and 2 Liberators.  They went in uncoordinated.  2 Oscars were shot down.  They did minimal damage to the AF.  P40Es caught and unescorted Betty strike and downed 5.
 
Java
2 Dutch PT boats are sunk.
 
Canton Island
My small SAG sank a PB again.
 
Chansha
I forgot to move my P39 sqd out to a new location and it got smacked by his Oscars.  8 lost for none inreturn.  I just can't win in China.  No movement or attacks here.  Maybe this area will get quiet.
 
Wake
14th Army is now prepping.  I bet he will attack here.
 
Hilo
I think that him prepping units for here is just a ploy.  But I welcome him to try it.

[DOCUP]

Just thinking before I go to work.  I find it strange that he hasn't pushed harder in the game.  No troops at Rangoon or even Pegu and thats undefended.  He hasn't push hard in China.  With Rangoon open China is still gettting 500 supply a day.  No landings on Java yet.  Hmmmm  Where are all his big bad LCUs?  Am I missing something or is this normal?
 
We talked yesterday.  Said I have frustrated him with some of my ops.  HMM What have I done, so I can keep doing it?  One thing that did perk my interest is that he said he lacked a long term strategy.  Maybe this is the problem.  I am learning the game just as he is, maybe I got it a little easier for being on the Allied side. 
 
Just me thinking what are your thoughts readers?

[zuluhour]

fail to plan = plan to fail

[DOCUP]

I forgot to mention, that Koniu shock attacked at Bataan. He lost 3,800 to our 1,300.

I'm thinking about writing some things that I have wished I had done or had done and liked or hated.

Ok I will, I have a few mins.
Wished I had done.
Padang BF has a couple of 5 in CD guns. Would of been nice od had them at Pbang.
Turned replacements on for eng and AA units at the begining of the game.
Moved engs to my supply bases quicker.

Things I'm glad I did.
I put the hudsons and Havocs (USA) on ASW training.
Bought out the transports from China and moved them to DEI.
Mining certain ports have helped.
Wished I could have got the ARs out of either the PI or DEIs.

[zuluhour]

fail to plan = plan to fail

I really had no right to pull that quote. I have had all three of my major plans fail miserably due to less than full understanding of the manual and logistics. You could make an argument that my tactics were developed by a dropout from the Ethiopian war college. However, I do feel that tacticly I have a firm grasp of what works on the ground and in the air compared to those first ninety days. My basic war plan as of the moment is to secure what I deem important, defending it with what I judge expendable or neccessary and plotting foiling or damaging scenarios where possible. The IJN and IJA dictates when and where the Empire chooses to hold superiority over land, sea and air to an extent I have yet to take advantage of.

[DOCUP]

3rd Mar

KB unknown
MKB south of PM

Bataan
Batann surrendered today.  Costing him 2,200 troops.

Java
We loose 9 PT boats and 2 subs.

PM
MKB is just south with a SAG, Minesweeping TF, and amphib TF.  Banshees attacked in the am escorted by 21 P40Es.  14 P40s were shot down for 2 Zeros.  The Banshees got thru because of the heroic efforts of the fighters.  They only scored one hit.  They did hit the CVE Hosho. 10 Banshees were lost returning home from the attack.  Night AF attack by Betty's.  I am sending my B26s out on low naval attack tom morn.  Hopefully they can score some hits.  Subs are in the area and more are on there way.  PM has 352 AV with 2 forts and plenty of supply.  Lets hope these guys don't give up after one attack like the Dutch did.

20 Betty's were lost due to ops.