PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

Everything seems fine, we will continue as before! [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/44

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Banjarmasin

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 54855 troops, 496 guns, 540 vehicles, Assault Value = 1413

Defending force 6267 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Allied max assault: 1696 - adjusted assault: 1703

Japanese max defense: 36 - adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 340 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
7964 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/44

Air Combat

We sink a destroyer today. Otherwise I'm trying to train my pilots before the enemys
onslaught. Some 500 new type interceptors will be ready soon. In all there are 3300 fighters
and fighters bombers on the map as well as 2400 bombers. Large air reinforcements will arrive
over the next few weeks, including 96 George's in 12 days.

Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 36
N1K1-J George x 117
J2M Jack x 48
G4M2 Betty x 50
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 124
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 72

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 117
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 485
J2M Jack x 101
D4Y Judy x 57
B6N Jill x 36
B7A Grace x 27
G4M1 Betty x 27
G4M2 Betty x 45
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 36
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 144

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 539
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 30
Boomerang II x 12


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,71

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 22
Ki-30 Ann x 3

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 5 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Bebas
DE Cabana
DE Weaver, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK William Glackens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Banjarmasin
Last remnants are wiped out. Support troops only.
A barge convoy brought out elements of a base units and a brigade while we airlifted
an aviation regiment out.

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 54834 troops, 493 guns, 540 vehicles, Assault Value = 1410

Defending force 1060 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied max assault: 1726 - adjusted assault: 1421

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 1421 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
2922 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Noemfoor is still causing the enemy casualties!

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28461 troops, 284 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

Defending force 13556 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Allied max assault: 1042 - adjusted assault: 447

Japanese max defense: 146 - adjusted defense: 34

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
615 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 2
------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

I'm thinking about how I should equipp the KB:

Katsuragi 64
Shokaku 72
Zuikaku 72
Taiho 72
cvl 30
cvl 30
cvl 30

Total ac: 400 (at max capacity)

The KB is now the equal of a single powerful enemy carrier TF.
Should I make it fighter heavy and include kamikaze Zekes among the bomber squadrons?

I will try not to loose this force as it's still strong enough to be reckoned with.

[Mike Solli]

Against the Allied Carrier TFs, it's dead meat. I'd try to find a place to send it where the Allied carriers aren't. Kill some shipping and piss him off. Maybe he'll send some carriers to chase you. If he splits up his carriers and sends some after you, you might be able to ambush some with some LBA.

[AmiralLaurent]

Glad to see you continuing this game !

At this stage of the war, I will mainly put fighters on KB and use 100% CAP (Andy is at 90% IIRC), and then use KB as an air umbrella above you main asset now: your surface fleet. And I will use both combined to strike where the US deathstar isn't.

Also it's time you put them in 'target' mode. Like US CV in 1942, keep only one CV per TF, so US raids will be divided in size by 6 and your CAP has a chance to reach the bombers.

[PzB74]

Thx for the advice!

I'm of course not going to send the KB toe to toe with the enemy death star.
More thinking of having a fast striking force that can 'dance' around an enemy invasion area and threaten Andy's supply train
and provide cover for my surface fleet. Perhaps an 80/20 ratio of fighters/bombers?

The 4 fleet carriers are all 30+ knot ships and can cover a lot of distance in no time.
Not sure I will divide them into single ship TFs; 2 and 2 perhaps....

Andy knows that he will loose 250 Hellcats if he wants to crack a CAP of 300 Zekes [;)]

[ny59giants]

How much air power does Andy have at Pearl??
If you have some Glen equipped subs left find out.  It may be nice to send KB back for a late raid just to remind him that you have some punch left. [:D]
If not, I would use it to raid his supply lines and force him to divert resources to protect his LONG supply chain.

[PzB74]

The idea is goo NY59, but a bit too bold...considered it a year ago when the KB was
strong and mighty. Even then the risk was much bigger than any potential gain.

Think I will have to keep the carriers in the backyard, upgrade their AAA and have
a fleet in being. Perhas another cvl raid against enemy supply lines!

Unfortunately the CV Taiho can't be upgraded, has been fixed in later versions of the
game.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/44

Air Combat

Put some Jack's at Truk. Harvest was limited as the pilots were fatigued
and outnumbered.

Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 27

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 103
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[AmiralLaurent]

I don't think a raid on PH is a good idea. Allied AA in 1944 will kill most of the bombers attacking port and ships will only be damaged and not sunk. That is if they managed to get trough the CAP....

Better to try to raid Allied convoy lines but going between PH and West Coast may be a one-way trip.... I will do that only if the US deathstar is involved around Borneo. The best scenario is this case being the full KB (well, the remains of KB) facing an isolated CV just having arrived in WC and sailing to PH.

But it is still too risky IMOO.

[AdmNelson]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

I don't think a raid on PH is a good idea. Allied AA in 1944 will kill most of the bombers attacking port and ships will only be damaged and not sunk. That is if they managed to get trough the CAP....

Better to try to raid Allied convoy lines but going between PH and West Coast may be a one-way trip.... I will do that only if the US deathstar is involved around Borneo. The best scenario is this case being the full KB (well, the remains of KB) facing an isolated CV just having arrived in WC and sailing to PH.

But it is still too risky IMOO.

I think a raid on Pearl would be bad. I am myself in a game now in 11/44 the Allied player I have not only have a lot carriers repairing at Pearl, but more important is the 500- 800 a/c that could be also there. For any IJN carriers it would probably be a one way trip.

[Ron Saueracker]

I'd use the CVs as long range clubs vs landings not in close proximity to Us CVs or land bases. Only problem with this is the stupid design feature which almost always forces your CVs to react when you don't want them to, despite having react set to zero or when against long odds or even if crippled! Can't trust the game not to impale your ships, despite orders and every possible precaution.

[PzB74]

It is dangerous to actually use the KB from mid 1943 and onwards...for the Jap player that is [;)]
Hit & run missions are on the agenda now. The ocean is big, and as soon Andy committs to a deep strike/invasion,
his supply lines will become long and ardous.

According to my intel most enemy shipping is currently in northern Oz. I'm suspecting a deep strike into the DEI, Malaya,
and northern Borneo. This will most likely happen within a month.

[PzB74]

Moving the Yamatos to the docks to receive their 06/44 upgrade. Expecting almost a doubling
of AA and new radar sets. Most of our ships are now rather well armed with radar and AAA.

Upgraded another crack Lily bomber unit (82 exp) with 27 Randys. Our supply of Oscar II fighters
have again been topped and all Sentais are back on the map.

At Iwo Jima a full Bde has been unloaded, pretty sure we have taken adequate precautions by now.
Don't want the enemy installed at our doorstep. So dam_ned difficult to get rid of unwelcomed visitors
at this time of the year.

Otherwise I'm busy mining Formosa and Okinawa as well as the straits between Borneo and Java.
Most of our Air Force has been withdrawn for some much needed R&R, but there are ca 100 naval bombers
in the frontier bases, looking for unescorted transports and warships.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/03/44

Nothing to report really...

In the save game folder there are text files of Allied and Jap sigint report.
A good counter-intelligenge is much better than no intel at all [;)]

This is what Andy learned today:

SIG INT REPORT FOR 09/03/44

23275 men are based at Taipei.
Radio transmissions detected at Palau.
5th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Palembang.
8th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Taipei.
14th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Babo.
Radio transmissions detected at Hong Kong.
19th Army is located at Morotai.
2496 men are based at Sakashima.
Yosu Fortress is located at Masan.
Ikaiei SNLF is located at Medan.
10th Division is located at Port Arthur.
Kure 5th SNLF is located at Batan Island.
19551 men are based at Luda.
Tsugaru Fortress is located at Aomori.
65th Construction Battalion is located at Batan Island.
Radio transmissions detected at Nagasaki.
Radio transmissions detected at Wake Island.
Hankow SNLF is located at Miri.
8741 men are based at Inch'on.
298689 men are based at Takao. - almost 300k men at Takao...well, then he won't be coming here [:D]

[PzB74]

Ok, tomorrow the Yamato and Musashi both receives major upgrades. Their final AAA suit
should stop at 1962. Not that it's going to save them, the Prince of Wales got 1500 or so in 12/41!!!

There are only 3 more non China/Kwantung Area Divisions due: 2 for Burma and one for the Home Islands.
Our new Manchurian Defensive line will be a rough nut to crack for the Reds in a year.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/04/44

Air Combat

Annoyingly many enemy air strikes all over the Central Pacific...as usual.
The only one of interest: A strike of 22 naval bombers from Palau!

Day Air attack on TF at 47,72

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 16
P1Y Frances x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 7 damaged
P1Y Frances: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK William S. Ladd, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AK James M. Clements
DE Levy
AK Vincent, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Jeremiah M. Rusk

Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Another scaringly quiet turn. Guess Andy is resting his fleet, gathering pilots and supplies
for a major trust ala Bagration in 1944.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/05/44

Ground Combat

Andy can't get rid of the stubborn defenders at Noemfoor!

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27849 troops, 247 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 510

Defending force 12080 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Allied max assault: 480 - adjusted assault: 325

Japanese max defense: 107 - adjusted defense: 31

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yamato after 06/44 upgrade

The 06/44 upgrade of the Yamato's is something you shouldn't skip guys!
Look at all these flak guns and new radar sets [8D] All at a cost of 2 sys damage.

[Redd]

The captain of the Yamato is 1Lt Wirth G? [X(] Now I don't feel so bad about all of my allied ships with jap captains.

[PzB74]

The leader bug caused havoc with most of my commanders.... [:(]

[Redd]

Hey, at least he's got good stats.[;)]

[PzB74]

Must admit I don't care much about names of my commanders anymore [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/06/44

Invasions

Kusaie Island is a small atoll between Truk and Kwajalein. No supplies and only
the remnants of a Base Force Garrison left. The rest of the troops were evacuated.

TF 1036 encounters mine field at Kusaie Island (75,82)
TF 1036 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 75,82

Allied Ships
AK George C. Perkins, Mine hits 1

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1071 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1036 encounters mine field at Kusaie Island (75,82)
TF 1036 troops unloading over beach at Kusaie Island, 75,82

Allied Ships
AK Empire Ortolan, Mine hits 1

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
981 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We lost 10 pilots today, but 12 Super Forts - including 11 in A2A - were claimed.
Not bad for a mediocre Tony Sentai. Oil at Brunei took a beating, but the wells were
already damaged and didn't provide a lot of crude.

Day Air attack on Brunei , at 32,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 21

Allied aircraft
B-29 Superfortress x 164

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged

Oil hits 70
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sweep arrived after the B-29s had visited...

Day Air attack on Brunei , at 32,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Kusaie Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7947 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 206

Defending force 1524 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Allied max assault: 306 - adjusted assault: 120

Japanese max defense: 11 - adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 9)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kusaie Island base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27487 troops, 233 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 487

Defending force 11635 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Allied max assault: 455 - adjusted assault: 296

Japanese max defense: 95 - adjusted defense: 31

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/07/44

Invasions

Andy moves on to Ponape. I had a Frances unit here, but there were no more
supplies at the base, so no strikes were launched.

Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1001
TF 1001 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Henry M. Stephens

Allied ground losses:
141 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Brunei , at 32,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 43
P-47D Thunderbolt x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ponape , at 71,79

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 35

No Allied losses

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ponape , at 71,79

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 31

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Ponape

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Defending force 910 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kusaie Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7689 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179

Defending force 1368 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied max assault: 252 - adjusted assault: 16

Japanese max defense: 15 - adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27231 troops, 224 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 468

Defending force 10646 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Allied max assault: 437 - adjusted assault: 258

Japanese max defense: 77 - adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
165 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ponape

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 910 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Defending force 3680 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied max assault: 56 - adjusted assault: 2

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yamato with Rufe Float Fighters

Since the Yamato's have room for 7 float planes, I thought I could replace the useless
Pete's with 7 Rufes. Does anyone know if this will work? Hardly a war winning invention, but
a small CAP may prevent a stray torpedo bomber from landing a lucky hit.

[PzB74]

Even the Kongo's got a decent AA suit after their 7/44 upgrade: just rounded 1000.
90% of my fleet has been upgraded now, still waiting for the KB carriers to finish repairs.
Even in a size 10 port with 32 repair yard points repairs are agonizingly slow on the Zuikakau.

I've found that only crack 2nd generation interceptors stands a chance against the better Allied
fighters, so I'm trying to increase quality while I still can.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/08/44

Invasions

Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1001
TF 1001 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79

48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Empire Confidence

Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1001
TF 1001 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79

48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK James H. Breasted
AK Henry M. Stephens

Allied ground losses:
229 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub laid mines sinks a troop ladden cargo ship:

TF 1023 encounters mine field at Banjarmasin (27,64)

Allied Ships
DE Seid
DE Cabana
AK William H. Ashley, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* Parts of DAF Aviation is reported rescued
DE William C. Miller
DE Bebas
DE Reynolds

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ponape holds on, a larger garrison there:

Ground combat at Ponape

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Defending force 2623 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kusaie Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7515 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 166

Defending force 1276 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Allied max assault: 252 - adjusted assault: 19

Japanese max defense: 11 - adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26943 troops, 211 guns, 59 vehicles, Assault Value = 457

Defending force 10465 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Allied max assault: 418 - adjusted assault: 368

Japanese max defense: 75 - adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ponape

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2623 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Defending force 3650 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied max assault: 50 - adjusted assault: 2

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to withdraw one of my Kamikaze units: it still came back as a kamikaze unit, but
with a set of crack pilots? As far I understand this is a bug that will be fixed in the
next patch. I have not withdrawn any air units since I learned about the cause of this.

Well, for once a bug that favor the Japs...can't wait to land those 80-90 exp Zekes on Allied
ships [;)]

Crack Zeke Kamis