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Mr Fletcher start to dribble in Aug/Sept '42, but be careful with the '42 versions as they have poor experience levels compared to those coming out in '43.

If you don't lose too many of the American pre-war DDs, you have the luxury of setting up roving SC TFs made up of Fletchers. Able to go around 12 hexes at Full Speed is a good thing to have. [;)]

You, guys are doing a good job. I have also seen that he doesn't fly escort with his carrier bombers. I set a trap for them last turn, a small one. I'm enjoying this AAR.

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I have also seen that he doesn't fly escort with his carrier bombers.

It's a bit bizarre really, because it makes his carrier strikes terribly ineffective and expensive. Just this turn we jumped 12 Vals over Kalidjati and wiped them out. It's great for my pilot training though. Check out this Dutch fighter unit, these boys are hard as nails. Never thought I'd see Dutch pilots with these sort of stats.

ORIGINAL: MichaelU

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I have also seen that he doesn't fly escort with his carrier bombers.

It's a bit bizarre really, because it makes his carrier strikes terribly ineffective and expensive. Just this turn we jumped 12 Vals over Kalidjati and wiped them out. It's great for my pilot training though. Check out this Dutch fighter unit, these boys are hard as nails. Never thought I'd see Dutch pilots with these sort of stats.

A few of those guys have poor defensive skills. If you get a chance to let the unit train on Strafe at 100', their defensive skill will rise rapidly. Some people micro-manage their pilots and will move the ones needing specific skills to a rear area unit to train, then bring them back when they are ready.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

A few of those guys have poor defensive skills. If you get a chance to let the unit train on Strafe at 100', their defensive skill will rise rapidly. Some people micro-manage their pilots and will move the ones needing specific skills to a rear area unit to train, then bring them back when they are ready.

I am one of those micromanagers, although not with the Dutch. My US pilots, for example, go through three stages of training before they get to the front lines. They fly escort to get air skill to 70, sweep at 100 feet to get their defense to 60, then fly 100 percent CAP at zero range to get their experience to 60. At that point they are considered ready for the big time. I am just getting to the point where I am stripping the guys who don't meet these criteria out of front line units.

One of the big changes for this mod is the training squadrons, which means you don't have to tie up as many squadrons in the rear trying to get your pilots up to speed.

April 2, 1942

Our aircraft continue to hammer away at Kalidjati, knocking the troops, port and base. We do 187 troop casualties, which is not a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also find that his ships remain in port, despite the hammering they took last round.

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Morning Air attack on Kalidjati , at 50,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Morning Air attack on Kalidjati , at 50,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
A-24 Banshee x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamazuki Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Worried that he may have mined Kalidjati to protect it from our subs, we send a group of Dutch coastal minesweepers to clear the place. While they don't find any mines, they are found by a group of Vals. Unfortunately for the Vals they forgot to bring along any escorts, and are promptly demolished by the waiting fighters.

The Dutch are actually looking pretty scary. As well as now having decent fighter pilots, they are also starting to get serious numbers of aircraft reinforcements. For fighters they get 18 P-40Es and 12 Hurricane IIbs, and for bombers 25 Mitchells. That is not to be sneezed at. The US only get around 75 fighters and 40 two-engine bombers a month at this stage.

Probably the most exciting thing this turn though is a report that enemy ship CVL Nisshin has been sunk. Did that one torp do for her?

Ships hit by torpedo or mine are ALWAYS reported sunk on the sunk ships list - until they aren't!

A sad moment. Our opponent Bill has had to call the game for personal reasons.

It was a blast. The great support from players far more experienced than myself or Mike was vastly appreciated. It made it so much more fun to know we had all these great players looking over our shoulders and prepared to chip in with some friendly advice.

The Mike and Mike show does not end here though. We have discussed for some time the prospect of a game as Japan. Give us some time to psyche ourselves up and we'll back in the fray.

That is too bad. You two were enjoying yourselves. I will make it a point to follow tour next AAR.

too bad it had to end so early hope Bill will be able to take care of the problem. Maybe someone can pick up where Bill left off?

I hate see your game come to an end. I was enjoying your AAR. My game with him as ended also. I hope him the best and well wishes. He helped me with my mod greatly. If you all want I am trying to make the Axis (I say Axis because Germans and Italian are in this one) side a little more forgiving. I'm looking for a new opponent/s to test out the changes. Yes, sorry for the shameless advertisement of my mod.