Matrix Games Forums

Mike, if you don't need them don't risk them. They can sink a few merchies but I find that fast surface ships can be hard to hit and they can shoot down aircraft. Train them up. Allied airpower is so weak in all theaters for the first few months that your ships really incur so little risk. You can almost operate with no regard for bombers. The only ships that it would really hurt to take a hit are your carriers.

By the way, if that was an AM your sub sunk, it was a sweeper not a minelayer. CMs lay mines.

Ah yes, a minesweeper.  Thanks.  I think you're right not to risk them.  I may do what Q-Ball said earlier to pull out some of the trained pilots and fill the units up with rookies.  The only concern with doing that is that then the carriers are pretty much no good at all.  I'm not sure if any of the pilots are good enough to pull out anyway.

Have you 'resized' all of your IJNAF oddball units on the map? There's that oddjob Kate unit that starts on Han Island, the small Val units on the HI, undersized claude units, etc. This might be a great time to rotate your CVEs through your home waters and upsize these small units to 'fit to ship' and get more airframes in the group.

More airframes=more pilots allowed in group to train over time.

Unless absolutely necessary, I wouldn't operate mini-KB at a 40% effective loss of combat power.

Thanks for the input, Chickenboy.  And yeah, I did resize all the Val and Kate units I could and they're training new rookies.

Interesting! Some Comments:

PLANES/CVs: Chickenboy is right. Find those little CV units, load them onto an empty Ryujo, and Re-Size. Ryujo will make them get the largest, and she is sitting in port anyway. Baby KB is a bit short, it is true, for naval strikes, but I would have it handy in the SRA to provide LRCAP cover for a move on Java. Otherwise, training is not a bad idea.

PORT MORESBY: 5th Australian Division? As frustrating as it is to see a pile of Aussies there, this is not a problem; it is an opportunity.

First, make sure you grab Buna; in the event all goes to hell, you can at least walk over the Owen Stanley to safety.

It won't though, because you are smart enough to turn this into an ANZAC kill zone. It is a mistake to commit units this far forward in January for him. He is spending PPs in order to transfer those units to your POW camps. If you're really lucky, he'll keep reinforcing it.

You should be setting up a torp-capable airbase at Lae. Couple that with Zero sweeps, and anything trying to unload at PM is going to have some problems. Keep the airbase closed via Sally/Lilly from Rabaul. Keep some fast cruisers handy to blast anything trying to unload. He doesn't even get fighters until Feb or March, and the first batch are really poor. So air superiority is no problem for you at all.

I don't like pushing back timetables, you're just allowing him to control your tempo. Move fast in the DEI regardless of what he does. I would not divert the 4th Div, but that's just me. Maybe I would. Who knows, you have a better handle on your troop disposition. Either way, I would have some units prepping in Manchukuo for Java targets then to slide in and replace the 4th.

KURILES: Per Canoerebel and Miller, you get a stack of free units if the Allies land in the Kuriles; it's the Home Islands. That changes the picture completely up there; that means that an early Allied landing is likely to be quashed with those units, and probably unadviseable before 1943 at the earliest. Thus, I wouldn't be wasting those Inf Regt. up there right now. Looks like you have other needs.

SIDENOTE: I hate to see those Australian Militia Divisions outside Australia. Australian Militia was barred by law from serving overseas without special dispensation until 1943, and moving large Militia units would cripple an Australian economy already stretched for manpower. Histrically, Bn and Bde deployments were done to NG, but during the war less than a Division's total was out of Australia, and by end of '42 it was all AIF. I almost want to see most of them perm restricted in AE, maybe just a few units available, as some did leave Australia. Mostly, the Militia provided replacements for the AIF.

On the bright side, in AE I have noticed that Australian Militia infantry squads melt away quick in combat.

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Interesting! Some Comments:

PLANES/CVs: Chickenboy is right. Find those little CV units, load them onto an empty Ryujo, and Re-Size. Ryujo will make them get the largest, and she is sitting in port anyway. Baby KB is a bit short, it is true, for naval strikes, but I would have it handy in the SRA to provide LRCAP cover for a move on Java. Otherwise, training is not a bad idea.

PORT MORESBY: 5th Australian Division? As frustrating as it is to see a pile of Aussies there, this is not a problem; it is an opportunity.

First, make sure you grab Buna; in the event all goes to hell, you can at least walk over the Owen Stanley to safety.

It won't though, because you are smart enough to turn this into an ANZAC kill zone. It is a mistake to commit units this far forward in January for him. He is spending PPs in order to transfer those units to your POW camps. If you're really lucky, he'll keep reinforcing it.

You should be setting up a torp-capable airbase at Lae. Couple that with Zero sweeps, and anything trying to unload at PM is going to have some problems. Keep the airbase closed via Sally/Lilly from Rabaul. Keep some fast cruisers handy to blast anything trying to unload. He doesn't even get fighters until Feb or March, and the first batch are really poor. So air superiority is no problem for you at all.

I don't like pushing back timetables, you're just allowing him to control your tempo. Move fast in the DEI regardless of what he does. I would not divert the 4th Div, but that's just me. Maybe I would. Who knows, you have a better handle on your troop disposition. Either way, I would have some units prepping in Manchukuo for Java targets then to slide in and replace the 4th.

KURILES: Per Canoerebel and Miller, you get a stack of free units if the Allies land in the Kuriles; it's the Home Islands. That changes the picture completely up there; that means that an early Allied landing is likely to be quashed with those units, and probably unadviseable before 1943 at the earliest. Thus, I wouldn't be wasting those Inf Regt. up there right now. Looks like you have other needs.

Very interesting comments, Q-Ball.

I resized the units using the Taiyo. Once Ryujo's sys damage is repaired, she's headed back to the Home Islands. I'll resize them again to make them bigger. Good idea.

Have you noticed that the 5 Aus Div's AV is only 42? I'll bet I destroyed a chunk of it when KB destroyed the transport convoy and saw all those bodies floating. You're right. When I saw that, I saw it as a setback. It really isn't one. I may divert the 3 infantry regiments south and keep the 4 Div prepped for Java.

I am sending forces for Buna and Lae. Probably Lae first to get the airfield expanding. The problem I have in the SE Fleet area is that there is nothing but a handful of company or battalion sized units available for expansion. The only large units (2 infantry regiments) are in Pt. Moresby. I'll have to see what's available for Lae and Buna then reinforcing Pt. Moresby. I want to get fighters based at Buna quickly to keep air superiority over PM. I need to have KB move on soon. They are going to have a fuel problem if I don't.

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
SIDENOTE: I hate to see those Australian Militia Divisions outside Australia. Australian Militia was barred by law from serving overseas withtou special dispensation, and moving large Militia units would cripple an Australian economy already stretched for manpower. I just don't think division-sized Militia deployments are realistic. I almost want to see most of them perm restricted in AE.

On the bright side, in AE I have noticed that Australian Militia infantry squads melt away quick in combat.

Who are you talking about? The 5 Aust Div? Are any of the other units militia?

They are all basically Militia. Gull/Lark/Sparrow are AIF units, a Bde of the 8th Aus. Div. But the squads at start are Militia squads. Using them is very kosher. He did the smart thing and pulled back Lark from Rabaul. Port Moresby Bde is only formed from all the small NG Rifle detachments; he must have pulled them all in from Lae area via flying boat. The right thing to do.

The other 2 Inf Bns, and the 5th Div. are all Australian Militia. At this point, they are very weak, as the Australian pool is empty of pretty much everything, so they are Militia with light weapons. At 42 AV that is real bad, though it only starts about 140-ish. You're right, most of it must be swimming with the fishes.....

The gap between the 5th Division, and the 6th Division (a veteran AIF unit) is huge. The 5th Division starts at Townsville, so you could freak him out and land on the NE coast. There isn't much there at this stage.

You have the opportunity to dominate there, be aware that:

1. There is no possibility of seeing an Allied fighter until early January at the earliest, unless it's a refugee from Singapore. In February, 3 P-40 units appears in Australia---at 25 exp, and with a withdrawl date in 60 days! Not helpful. The RAAF starts with no fighters at all, and none until April or so when they start getting Kittyhawks in numbers. It is extremely bleak for Allied airpower in Australia early-on.

2. The only bombers they will have are a few Hudsons until late 1942, and maybe some B-17s if they bring them from Luzon.

In short, unless some USAAF units are loaded onto ships and sent to Australia, there is no possibility of air opposition for awhile over PM. Not to mention, he only has the one puny base force there, and all those units lack engineers. Keeping Port Moresby closed should be a cakewalk.

Q-Ball, thanks for the intel and also for the vote of confidence. In reality, they're not rolling over and dying. You'll see in a minute....

No updates yesterday because we pumped out 3 turns. That's a record for us, I believe. [:D]

2 Jan 42

Reinforcement: III/84 Naval Guard at Saipan - the unit is now complete and will combine at Truk. It will invade Lae (along with other stuff).

Hong Kong

Just bombardment today, but they are weakening. This didn't turn out to end quickly. Gotta continue to grind them down. The 2 bns are basically combat ineffective. It's just the Kowloon Bde that's causing delays.

Philippines

Nothing new to report.

Malaya

I'm now using Oscars to sweep Singapore. The Zeros are at Singkawang. 31 Oscars found 9 Buffalos and shot down 4 for the loss of 1 Oscar.

SE Fleet

I continued to land at Pt. Moresby. It caused a small aerial ruckus. I had a few of KBs Zeros fly over PM and it paid off. I destroyed 5 of 10 Banshees and 2 of 4 Catalinas for no loss. You're right Q-Ball, no fighters. Allied CD damaged the Kashima (slightly) as well as an xAK and 2 PB, sinking another damaged PB. In addition, a PB damaged here yesterday sank. Later in the day, a Dutch sub put a torpedo into Kashima's tough old hide. She'll make it but she'll be out of the war for a time.

China

I attacked a Chinese corps 2 hexes W of Ningpo, pushing it west and killing 1662 for 96 Japanese casualties.

Damaged Ship Update

Ryujo - at Babeldaob requiring about 3 weeks before she can head back to the Home Islands. There's an AR there. She may stay because her major damage is 5 flot and 4 engine.
Hatsukaze - at Babeldaob requiring about 5 days before heading back to repair 11 major flot damage.
Akigumo - two days out of Rabaul, where there is an AR for support. It won't matter though. SHe has 38 major flot and 6 major engine damage.
I-122 - She arrived at Singkawang (level 1 port(!) and disbanded (!) there). Her current damage is 48-93(54)-24(18)-0. We'll see if it makes a difference.
I-123 - She's at Davao and is recovering. She'll be there a while though (about a month). Her current damage is 34-71(71)-15(9)-0.

The 9 Fubuki Is are upgrading at Kobe. They'll be ready to go (with DC racks!) in about 3 weeks. Then they are scheduled for SE Fleet AO.

3 Jan 42

Manado

I landed 2 more SNLFs today to take the base (as a recon base).

Not much hapened other than at PM. I took Cabanatuan, killing 942 for the loss of 175 troops.

The I-122 increased sys damage by 1 to 49-93(54)-24(18)-0. That doesn't look good. [8|]

SE Fleet

I attacked PM. I had planned on bombarding with 2 BB and 2 CL as well as having 75% of KB's bombers support the attack. As it happened, KB didn't fly and the BB TF left for Rabaul without bombarding. [:@] The attack as a disaster. I took 1285 casualties (primarily disruptions - only 1 or 2 squads destroyed) to 573 Allied losses. I'm keeping 4 Div headed to PM for the time being.

4 Jan 42

SE Fleet

I was pissed at the bombardment TF so I turned them around to bombard anyway. It was ineffectual. They're headed back to Rabaul to replenish. The one and only AKE in the Japanese inventory (4 more are converting) is at Rabaul. They'll be back.

By the way, Kashima is repairing at Rabaul. She'll leave for Truk then the Home Islands in a couple of days to repair the 13 major flot damage. Since I'm talking damaged ships, the I-122 had a breakthrough today. She repaired 19 flot damage. She's now at 48-72(54)-24(18)-0. Banzai!

Another Dutch sub put down a damaged PB attempting to crawl back to Rabaul.

KB is still tooling around off PM. The Marblehead found them and attacked. The attack was ineffectual (Marblehead took 2 minor hits to no Japanese damage) but now Ted knows the composition of KB. The fuel situation is not critical, but I'm heading west with KB. They will pay a visit at Darwin and then head toward Babeldaob, where the replenisment TF is waiting to refuel them. Then KB will fall out of Allied sight while I send them to a port to replenish torpedoes. After that, we'll see. Currently, Ted has no idea where Akagi and Kaga are (sitting at Kwajalein).

Hong Kong

I attacked again today. Still not enough to take the place, but wearing them down some more. I got 1:1 odds reducing the fort level once again from 1 to 0 and killed 362 to 255 Japanese casualties.

Singkawang

I have a surface force of 4 CA and 4 DD guarding here. Next door, at Sambas, there was an Allied ship showing up in port. I sent the CAs to bombard and a shell hit the ship (AVP Poolster). One massive explosion later and the port symbol disappeared. [X(] [:D]

5 Jan 42

Beaufort (base to the west of Brunei)

I took it today destroying 1 base force and pushing out the other killing 442 for the loss of 13.

Manado

I took it today killing 529 for the loss of 104. I'll pick up the 2 SNLFs for their next mission (not sure what it is yet).

Good news for I-122! She repaired all her damage today! All that happened at a level 1 port. [X(] About 3 more weeks and she'll be seaworthy enough to head back to the Home Islands for complete repairs. She now at 49-54(54)-24(18)-0.

6 Jan 42

Hong Kong

I may as well start out with some good news. Hong Kong was liberated today! For a total of 152 casualties, I captured 8524 Brits. The best part was that the industry is in great shape:

Manpower: 4(1) - I will not repair the damaged manpower center.
Resources: 60(0)
Heavy Industry: 80(1) - I will repair the remaining HI
Light Industry: 220(0)
Repair Yard: 50(0) - I will eventually increase this yard.

The port is level 8(8) which is good enough for me. In WitP, I always increased this port to level 9. I don't think it's needed here. Now to clear those mines. I wish I had those 7 DMSs...... [8|]

Philippines

Now for the next bit of good news. Clark Field has been liberated! For 385 casualties, I killed/captured 2208 Allies and destroyed the Subic Bay Defenses (static) and the 194th Tk Bn. That's a fair chunk of AV gone. Anyway, they retreated into Bataan leaving a total of 5 units isolated in two separate locations. I'll destroy those 5 units before moving into Bataan and bombing them into the stone age. I'll get some easy experience for the 5 Air Division.

Malaya/Singkawang

The Nells flying out of Singkawang caught an xAKL sailing alone about 4 hexes SE of Singapore and put her down. That was an odd place for that ship.

The Billiton invasion force left Cam Ranh Bay today. They'll arrive in about 4-5 days. There is a whole load of ships to include 5 BBs and ~8 CAs to protect them.

SE Fleet

Stalemate at Pt. Moresby.

The Lae invasion fleet is about ready to sail from Truk.

Other stuff

I lost an xAK to old damage.

7 Jan 42

KB did a drive by of Darwin hoping to find some shipping on it's way to rendezvous with the AOs near Babeldaob. Eight ships were found and 7 were confirmed sunk: 2 CM, 2 AM and 3 xAKLs. A TK was hit by 6 250kg bombs. I doubt she'll survive. There were no plane losses.

That's about all the excitement.

Various invasion TFs are enroute to their destinations.

Was this an example of a drive by air raid?[:D]

Yeah Bruce. [:D] I'd love to see all the little convoys that are going to scatter next turn. I can see only one from KB. It's got 2 TKs and an escort.

Oooh. Tankers for breakfast.[:D]

What's the sitrep in the Phillipines? You took Clark, and some units retreated to Bataan; where are all the Allies, split b/w there and Manila?

I personally think Clark is the key to the PI, and a wise Allied player would plan the last stand there, instead of Manila. But that's just me.

Q-Ball, it's really strange in the Philippines.  I own all of Luzon except Iba and Bataan.  He has 3 units isolated at Iba and another few (can't remember the exact number) isolated at Cabanatuan (the hex NE of Manila) and I own Cabanatuan.  I want to wipe out those two groups and then send some force to invest Bataan.  I am thinking of sending in to Bataan the 65 Bde and 1 infantry division as well as 5 artillery units (the max per our house rule) and bombarding and bombing them to death. 
 
I took Manila on 30 Dec.  He had already evacuated it.