Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Mine Games:

Surprisingly those DMS survive and limp away for repairs after clearing a bunch of mines.

Is this the right way to do it?

No -- use BBs. They are much more effective at clearing the mines. [:D]

Yes, it only takes about 3 months to repair them after they clear a mine...great value!

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Mine Games:

Surprisingly those DMS survive and limp away for repairs after clearing a bunch of mines.

Is this the right way to do it?

No -- use BBs. They are much more effective at clearing the mines. [:D]

Catching up -- continues

Feb 06, 1942

Pesky Air Fleas of Batavia
Small bomber units show up here and scare more than they hit, but occasionally get a strike in on a transport. I have Oscars at Oosthaven CAPing the base and the straights to protect shipping there. This turn I ran in some heavies who were due to retire and refuel.

After wading thru 2 Night Surface actions against PT-boat fleets:
Night Naval bombardment of Batavia at 49,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Kako

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Fires 321
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5
Port hits 1

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
BB Nagato firing at 2nd KNIL Regiment
CA Kako firing at Batavia

I am probably going to trash the place by the time it is over as far as any economic benefit. [:(]

Back around Balikpapan - I caught some fleeing ships
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,98, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
AD Black Hawk, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Sub attack near Bandjermasin at 62,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
TK Francol, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

TK Francol is sighted by SS I-123
SS I-123 launches 4 torpedoes

Feb 07, 1942

Small KB strike
Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Port hits 1

Dutch Sub Stike and Reported Sunk
Sub attack near Singkawang at 54,88

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokuriku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (eventually sinks)[:(]
TB Kamo
SC Ch 8
AG Haguro Maru
xAK Awajisan Maru
xAK Toba Maru
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirayuki

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 4, heavy damage

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

SS KXIII launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Hokuriku Maru
DD Hatsuyuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Shirayuki attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub

Catching up continues ...

Feb 09, 1942

Looking for targets of opportunity:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Denpasar !!!

A nice sized port/airfield with just a couple of joes at the bar in defence.
Amphib forces rush in and land.
Cha--ching.

This will help close down/isolate Soeragaja.

Burma Buzz-saw
I saw that Rangoon airfield was filling up with fighters so I sat down the bombers (good boy, learned something at least) -- and sent in sweeps from Chiang Mai (Army Oscars) and Moulmein (Navy Zeros). The reported lack of Army and Navy cooperation is not exaggerated. [:-]
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 41
Hurricane IIb Trop x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed (AVG)
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 33
Hurricane IIb Trop x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 33
Hurricane IIb Trop x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed


Not great results but -- looking at the total number of planes in the recon (under 40) -- I decide to go back for another bite at this apple

Back at Balikpapan Area
The defeated Allied troops at Balikpapan retreated to Samarinda. Instead of crossing the river and suffering the distruption/shock of it all, I loaded 40th Inf Bde back on ships and Amphib assaulted them:

Amphibious Assault at Samarinda (65,96)
TF 34 troops unloading over beach at Samarinda, 65,96

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Pre-Invasion action off Samarinda (65,96)
19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
xAK Sinko Maru
PB Heiyo Maru
xAK Sinsyu Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Minazuki

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


ARRRGGGH - those pesky Batavia Fleas!!!
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Manzyu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage -- (and sank)

Japanese ground losses: (losing a very good unit)
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

NOTE TO SELF: BE MORE CAREFUL WITH IMPORTANT UNITS ADMIRAL DUMB-ARSE....[:(]


Feb 10th, 1942

It Is The 2nd Bite That Kills
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 still no coordination
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 24
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 - a couple of lost sheep?
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 17
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 - NOW the Army shows up...
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 18
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

The Japanese had better pilots than the Army unit, so is the Oscar Ic that much better of a plane?

40th Bde continues to unload at Samarinda

A little Night Music for the Allies
Night Naval bombardment of Manado at 75,99

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Nachi

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 4

CA Furutaka firing at Manado
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Nachi
CA Nachi firing at Manado

I forgot to post earlier on the 7th of Febuary:
Sub attack near Soerabaja at 57,101

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Torpedo hits 1 [X(]
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

Soryu has damage but can still make 25kts.
KB retired toward Balikpapan to refuel and then to decide which way to go for repairs.
A decision has been made to head toward Hong Kong.


While the KB was retiring from Balikpapan toward Hong Kong (yard time for Soryu)
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,98

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
DD Isokaze
DD Akigumo
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

but in swoops local ASW escorts:
ASW attack near Kalidjati at 51,98

Japanese Ships
PB Nako Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Sealion, hits 6, heavy damage (Tracker reports as sunk)

AND the other bastage who hit Soryu:
Sub attack near Madjene at 63,101

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
SS KXIV, hits 1

ORIGINAL: DanSez

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: DanSez



Thanks. It is all a new day to me (in a wtf am I doing kind of way)...
I had not run into this problem before.
I then checked to see if I could move the Original Invasion Force from Palembang to (any square) and all movement is blocked at this point
I notices a rinky-dink xAK in port in Palembang and wondered if for some reason this was preventing a crossing.

Thanks to all for the answers. I got the next turn off with a DA to clear the base.
I am hoping that supplies will flow from Oosthaven upward to my siege forces after I clear the road as well.

To move across a hex side, you must own that hex side of the hex you are in. Your unit(s) in Palembang own no hex sides at all - so of course they can't move! Your unit in the other base only owns the hex side that faces to the SW (map SW), so that is the only way it can move. After you capture the base, because there are no enemy units there, you will own all the hex sides in that hex and be able to move in any direction (that terrain allows).

thanks for the reply

I have been curious why when troops are marching thru hexes, the hexsides change as you arrive there. In a hex with an unoccupied base, how long do you have to sit in the hex before it just flips or do you have to DA each base (occupied or not) to take ownership?

Also in a calculation of force type exercise, a full Inf division and 3 bde of Art should outweigh an unoccupied base/city structure for hex ownership -- I guess I need to reassess how the game mechanics of this works.

So much to learn and my toes are sore from banging into restrictions in the dark.

The exact calculation (and the degree and source of randomness built into it) have not been revealed to us. But we do know that is basically depends upon nearby friendly and enemy forces. With significant friendly (to the base) forces next door, it might not automatically switch at all. Or maybe a low chance each turn. When you get to an empty enemy base you should always just order an attack. It might switch at the beginning of the turn and make the attack unneeded, or the attack might get the job done at the end of the turn.

Dan, your results from initial sweeps at Rangoon are similar to mine, but I was able to wear him down pretty quickly because the SR of our aircraft is better. Another thing I did that helped was sweep Pegu for a few days instead of directly on Rangoon. His CAP will likely bleed over there a little bit, but won't be in force, so you can get more numbers on your side.

Also might be worth confirming that he's adhering to the 25k altitude limit from your HR.

ORIGINAL: Malagant

Dan, your results from initial sweeps at Rangoon are similar to mine, but I was able to wear him down pretty quickly because the SR of our aircraft is better. Another thing I did that helped was sweep Pegu for a few days instead of directly on Rangoon. His CAP will likely bleed over there a little bit, but won't be in force, so you can get more numbers on your side.

Also might be worth confirming that he's adhering to the 25k altitude limit from your HR.

I am moving up another sentai (Oscar 1b's though) hoping he hangs around another turn or two. I have been trying to use the Oscar Ia/Ib planes in places with lower opposition.
thanks

Catching up on R&D efforts:

As I have stated before I have 5x(30) repaired factories researching Ki-43-IIb (first armored Oscar) and the A6M5c (armored Zero) - and I have 4x(30) repaired factories researching G4M3a (armored Betty)

News over the past few days:
Feb 10, 1942: Aircraft Ki-43-IIb Oscar advances R&D to 1/43.
Feb 12, 1942: Aircraft A6M5c Zero advances R&D to 9/44.
Feb 13, 1942: Aircraft G4M3a Betty advances R&D to 10/44.


This is how I understand R&D so please correct me if I am wrong.

You need 100pts of R&D to advance a plane 1 month. If I have a x(30) factory fully repaired I can expect about 1 point a day. There is some randomness in the background.

So I need 100 days of research from a fully repaired x(30) factory to advance a plane by 1 month.
If I have 5x(30) repaired factories within 100 days I can expect to advance a plane by 5 months.

With the example of the A6M5c - from Feb 12, 1942 advance 100 days to approximately May 23, 1942 and the expected date of getting the first armored Zero will be 4/44.

That is without any consideration of the Engine bonus.
I am not clear on the calculation on when/how the engine bonus applies.

Do you get an extra point per day, which would be like having another x(30) factory fully repaired, to all planes using that engine if you maintain more than 500 of those engines in the pool.

Am I close or still confused?

With all the 'Scoobie Van' stalkers and clandestine selling of politician's souls that passes for the American political process, it makes the nihilist in me long for the day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSOHO3GwEPg

enjoy the diversion while I assemble notes to continue the trials and trips on my first grand campaign

Since the devastating raids on Wake and Kwajalein Islands I have been running subs all the way back to Truk and Saipan for repairs.

The establishment of an effective search has been the effort before moving repair/supply ships closer to danger. Looking back at that dark moment, I lost an interesting Japanese one-off ship: the CM Okinoshima.

Fairly fast, with a float plane -- it was gone before I had a chance to miss it.
Hopefully next game it will have a happier story.

salute'

Feb 12, 1942
Best News of the Day
Japanese forces CAPTURE Samarinda !!!

The Worst News of the Day
A few days back, my disorganized units crossed in peace-meal fashion, causing a Shock attack and heavily disrupting both units. The Royal Thai Army unit took most of the damage.
And furthermore, due to inability to time/move units in a river crossing, those units get booted out of the bridgehead before the relief forces can arrive.

Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21598 troops, 223 guns, 432 vehicles, Assault Value = 738

Defending force 6786 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 202

Allied adjusted assault: 322

Japanese adjusted defense: 21

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2511 casualties reported
Squads: 111 destroyed, 12 disabled (Mostly RTA squads destroyed)
Non Combat: 51 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (26 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Burma Rifles Battalion
6th Australian Division ??? shouldn't they be in Australia???
6th Burma Rifles Battalion
44th Indian Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
107th RAF Base Force
108th RAF Base Force

Defending units:
41st Infantry Regiment
1st RTA Division

At this point I cancelled all crossing.
Question to those who Know: Since I crossed that hex-side once, can I cross back again later and not

I think I killed this one
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 64,97

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinko Maru
PB Heiyo Maru
xAK Sinsyu Maru
xAK Nichiyu Maru
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon, hits 15, heavy damage

SS Seadragon launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Sinko Maru
Seadragon bottoming out ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

Can a sub survive 15 hits?


And another Tune, much sweeter and closer to the heart than the last one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie4cdCpD-f4


Let's end the day with a snapshot:
The Calm Before the DOH!

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Can a sub survive 15 hits?

Depends on the hits. You'd have to check the detail in the combat replay to see how bad the hits are. Since it says "heavy damage" that looks bad for the sub, but I have had subs take several hits (not as many as 15) and come out with surprisingly little damage. The other thing about subs is that if they make it back to a shipyard they repair pretty quickly.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Can a sub survive 15 hits?

Depends on the hits. You'd have to check the detail in the combat replay to see how bad the hits are. Since it says "heavy damage" that looks bad for the sub, but I have had subs take several hits (not as many as 15) and come out with surprisingly little damage. The other thing about subs is that if they make it back to a shipyard they repair pretty quickly.

At an near future point (Feb 20th, 1942), Tracker says I have killed 23 Allied Subs, including the Seadragon. I have put a lot of effort into ASW search and patrol. At least 10 of those are very confirmed dead -- sub sinking sounds, sub forced to surface and attacked by patrols, sub on sub action, etc...

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Can a sub survive 15 hits?

Depends on the hits. You'd have to check the detail in the combat replay to see how bad the hits are. Since it says "heavy damage" that looks bad for the sub, but I have had subs take several hits (not as many as 15) and come out with surprisingly little damage. The other thing about subs is that if they make it back to a shipyard they repair pretty quickly.

If you watch the combat animations you will glean the fact that near misses that cause small damage are recorded as hits.

As few as 2 or 3 penetrating hull HITS are usually enough to doom a sub.

I've seen subs take upwards of 8-10 minor near miss "hits" and easily make port for repairs.

I have had a sub take a huge amount of hits over 20, and survive easily. It all depends upon the type of hit and ordinance doing the hitting.

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: DanSez

Can a sub survive 15 hits?

Depends on the hits. You'd have to check the detail in the combat replay to see how bad the hits are. Since it says "heavy damage" that looks bad for the sub, but I have had subs take several hits (not as many as 15) and come out with surprisingly little damage. The other thing about subs is that if they make it back to a shipyard they repair pretty quickly.

If you watch the combat animations you will glean the fact that near misses that cause small damage are recorded as hits.

As few as 2 or 3 penetrating hull HITS are usually enough to doom a sub.

I've seen subs take upwards of 8-10 minor near miss "hits" and easily make port for repairs.

Does anyone know what the +++ mean in those animations where the near misses cause damage to a sub? Seems like they change in number. Maybe they are the nearness of the near miss?

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

If you watch the combat animations you will glean the fact that near misses that cause small damage are recorded as hits.

As few as 2 or 3 penetrating hull HITS are usually enough to doom a sub.

I've seen subs take upwards of 8-10 minor near miss "hits" and easily make port for repairs.

Yes, I watch the combat and get hopeful when I see reports of 'Internal Explosions' or 'Hull/Side Penetrated' as heavy floatation damage can continue as a ship limps back toward port.

I have also had a few combats where a sub runs into multiple ASW attacks in a turn where pretty small damage sets up the sub for a more devastating second where I see the above occur (explosions/penetrations).

I like to lure the subs into more shallow water when possible. My aggressive opponent tends to follow the bait. I am hoping for a higher than average kill rate.

thanks

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I have had a sub take a huge amount of hits over 20, and survive easily. It all depends upon the type of hit and ordinance doing the hitting.

I think the Durability of the ship is like Hit Points, so a RO-boat would be more likely to sink with 20 hits while a large I-boat might stay afloat and get home.

A couple of those Dutch XV(???) boats have taken a lot of hits and probably survived. But I have forced one to the surface where a DD finished it off and at least three gave me the 'sinking sub' sound effect.

ORIGINAL: obvert

Does anyone know what the +++ mean in those animations where the near misses cause damage to a sub? Seems like they change in number. Maybe they are the nearness of the near miss?

Yes I have wondered about that too - I assumed it meant either 'hits in a row' as in a release of depth charges (how many of them hit), or could mean the points of damage of the blast itself.

Often I see the + signs increase during an attack which makes me lean toward the first assumption.

I had a nice cheat sheet, that I cannot find now, with the meanings of the all the symbols. I will look for it, probably on an old computer.

I seem to remember it might be a coding effect to distinguish identical text reports and not damage done or damage accumulating. But I am no expert[:D], and probably wrong.[X(]