Red Storm rising.. Aztez (J) vs Ctangus (A) CHS 155

[Mistmatz]

ORIGINAL: okami

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

ORIGINAL: okami

...
You can also put a fleet of 12 destroyers in the hex to deter bombardment and the fighters will defend these from naval strike. Just set them on patrol with another base assigned as homebase. Place two AO's for refueling.

Okami, whats the reason for placing 12 DD's? Just wondering why this particular number.

Generally I wouldn't recommend such a strategy as it's quite likely that the primary mission of the bombers is naval attack with airfield attack as secondary mission. This means once the DDs are depleted, you are in the same situation, except that you filled up your repair yards with valuable ASW assets for maybe a few gained days.

Japan starts with many destroyers with an endurance of 3000. As strike force units they lack the distance needed for hit and run raids. However each one carries 8 to 12 torpedoes and thus will overwhelm most raiding forces. It has been my experience that in 1942 vs allied raiders Japanese destroyers have a field day. Most enemy raiding forces will consist of less than 10 ships and this put some 9 to 15 torpedoes on each target. I have sank BB's in the past without them getting off a shot. I believe in overkill and leaving nothing to chance and so 12 destroyers. As for the bombers set on naval primary and airfield secondary, that is what the 200 fighters on 90% cap are for. It is also hard to hit destroyers with bombs although not imposible. Get the airfield functional and then remove the destroyers and leave any defence against surface raiders to your Betties and Nells.

Ah, now I understand the purpose of those DDs. I was under the impression you wanted them to bolster AA at the base.

[aztez]

Hi all,

We did one more turn a day ago. (I will post the happenings propably later tonight)

Yesterday was my birthday so no time do much, turned 34 so I'am getting old and grumpy indeed! [:D]... I will keep on working with the turn tonight. Hopefully get something finished soon.


okami: I was wondering too why the exact number of DD's you said was 12. Now I know... that is devious I would say but propably will like charm. [:D] ...add that 200 fighters CAP to it and...Kaboom!! I will try put this trick in use... good stuff!

Nemo: I'am working on the regrouping of my supply convoys, etc. It will take weeks to get them sorted to the level you have described or at least near to it. But definately worth the effort! It would have been much easier to do this from the get go! [:(]

Hmmm. No sign of US CV's in the area? ...I will increase the naval seach levels to see whether this is actually true or not... but you do expect them to show up here?

The invasion of Makassar should begin next turn.. and I will start to withdraw my fighters from Kendari. I might lose some on the ground but lets call this a learning curve too! [:D][8|]

Yeah.. I will try to think the big picture... the problem is that is very much diffrent from allied big picture in many ways.

More details included when I do the turn update!


Mistmatz: That was the exact question I was going ask from okami!!! You thief or at least a copyright violation!! [;)][:D]

[Mistmatz]

Best wishes for your birthday, OLD chap! [;)]

Regarding you're Makassar invasion, have your transports been detected already and how is the weather going to be? Just to remind you of those LBA at Koepang, they will most likely pummel your invasion force rather than going for the Kendari airfield if they get the chance. Maybe time for some LRCAP from Kendari?

[Lecivius]

34?!?
 
Young pup, indeed [;)]

[aztez]

Mistmatz: The landings are taking place at Makassar! [:)] ...more about on the combat report section.

..and thank you! [:D]


Lecivius: Young!!! [:D] ...I wish I were! Thanks! [:)]
 
 
Game date is 29th of September 1942


Russia


North of Vladivostok
 
 
Ground combat at 66,32
 
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 68801 troops, 387 guns, 121 vehicles, Assault Value = 1600

Defending force 6365 troops, 59 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Japanese max assault: 1120 - adjusted assault: 951

Allied max defense: 111 - adjusted defense: 375

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
900 casualties reported
Guns lost 17

Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 66,32
 
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 67681 troops, 372 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1547

Defending force 6097 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Japanese max assault: 1049 - adjusted assault: 1283

Allied max defense: 109 - adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
682 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


Damn! I had hoped that the fortress would have fallen in the 2nd assault. I mean we did achieve 34:1 odds! [X(][8|]
 
Oh, well it should go down within next turn for sure.
 
 
DEI
 
 
Makassar
 
 
TF 100 encounters mine field at Makassar (30,70)

TF 100 troops unloading over beach at Makassar, 30,70
 

Japanese Ships
MSW Yoshino Maru
MSW Tamaura Maru
MSW W.14
MSW W.13
MSW W.12
MSW W.11
PG Shosei Maru
AP Kitano Maru, Mine hits 2,  on fire

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 100 encounters mine field at Makassar (30,70)

TF 100 troops unloading over beach at Makassar, 30,70


Japanese Ships
MSW Yoshino Maru
MSW Tamaura Maru
MSW W.14
MSW W.13
MSW W.12
MSW W.11
PG Shosei Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2
AP Kitano Maru, Mine hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 17 encounters mine field at Makassar (30,70)

TF 17 troops unloading over beach at Makassar, 30,70


Japanese Ships
MSW Rikusen Maru
MSW Kaiyo Maru #3
MSW Kaiyo Maru #1
MSW Hakata Maru #6
MSW Banshu Maru #51
AP Kikuryu Maru, Mine hits 1,  on fire

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Japanese ground losses:
1192 casualties reported


The initial landings have gone well. Few mine hits but nothing serious. The allied LBA's have been contained at Timor. I did issue an ground assault orders for next turn. Lets see whether this base is done for.
 
LBA bombers have hit allied ground troops from Balikpapan.


Koepang
 
 
Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 29,77


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Takao


Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6


A bit unlucky I would say. I was hoping to get some of those B24's on the ground but that was not to be. At least I distrubted his operations a bit though!
 
DD Shinonome was hit by a mine so she is limping towards Java.
 
 
Manado
 
 
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
Swordfish x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Arizona Maru
DD Hibiki, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Kuri, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4746 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Defending force 4819 troops, 23 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Japanese max assault: 216 - adjusted assault: 84

Allied max defense: 49 - adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado
 
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4517 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Defending force 4489 troops, 12 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese max assault: 210 - adjusted assault: 79

Allied max defense: 40 - adjusted defense: 26

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado base !!!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Good. Now this important base is on our hands. I will move in immediately aviation support unit and start building this base up.
 
The sad news is that the famous DD Hibiki is confirmed sunk!
 
 
South Pacific
 
 
Near Truk
 
 
Sub attack at 66,72

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Naganami
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS Triton


[8|] ...that was an close call! That was actually torpedo miss on CV Kaga. The US submarine almost got lucky!
 
 
 
Other NEWS
 
 
Allies continue their heavy LBA pressure at Burma, Southern Pacific and Russia.
 
I'am checking troop locations around the map. Already some units are moving towards their new designated targets.
 
Also I have tweaked economy. The bomber production (which uses Nakajima's) is halted. The reason being that we need those engines to fighters.
 
The supply/transport convoy system is slowly been tweaked too. (It will take quite a few turns to get it sorted)


 

[Nemo121]

Issues:
1. Fighter training missions are occurring at 100 feet and risking needless losses to low-level FlAK. Instead have them fly over at 20,000 feet and dive-bomb at 2,000 feet.
2. Check out the two minelaying convoys heading toward Hollandia and Aitape. Both convoys are mixes of 17 and 18 knot ships and 13 knot ships. So, the speed of the joint minelaying TF is 2 hexes per 12 hours. If you split these TFs so one comprised 13 knot ships and the other comprised 17 knot ships you would end up with one 3 hex per 12 hour convoy and would get 50% mining done with the same ships over a given number of weeks. So, you REALLY need to check your cruising speed mix within your TFs to avoid slowing a convoy down due to 1 or 2 slow ships and losing 1/3rd or half of your efficiency just for that tiny error.
 
 
Re: Soviet Union:
You now have just over 800 front-line fighters available ( and more if you count the A6M2). Convert every squadron beginning with your highest experience ones immediately and get move them toward the Soviet Union. It'll take a fortnight or so for every squadron to be in place. I'll go into details later but with 800 fighters and enough experienced pilots it is time to make a call on the Soviet Union.
 
You should, IMO, be ready in the middle of the month. What I would do if I were you would be to put the maximum number of fighters which the base can take into 3 or 4 bases and just let the Soviets run into a massive 200+ fighter CAP over these 3 or 4 bases. With the way WiTP warfare goes that should net you 600 to 800 planes in a day if he attacks. If he doesn't attack and is scared off then we can always split them and have 50% sweep while the others conduct CAP but the key is to defend well as he will tire of not attacking and "test" the defences some day so long as you refuse to commit and when he "tests" them he will pay for it.
 
 [font="times new roman"]
Oh, the Celebes area is not yet conquered but we are getting there. The strong points here are indeed Timor and Amboina for the enemy. (He also propably has some bombers surrounding bases near Amboina too)
*** Indeed.
 
He is building up his airforce in Burma. Regular visits into Bangkok and Tavoy.
*** Aye, but you don't have the forces to defend everywhere and if you look at what he is accomplishing it isn't all that much. certainly nothing critical.
 
 
In the Solomons the situation is bad! I forgot to update that Chuck actually visited Lae with US BB’s. Nothing to stop him from doing this. He also bombs the bases from Port Moresby and few other bases. (I guess kind of his training program)
*** Well, not really, he is planning to invade all of these bases and advance up the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea... and you are going to be completely unable to stop him. You haven't got enough supplies or built the bases up enough or gotten enough troops on the ground and while you are trying to fix that now you don't have enough time to do so.
*** So you need to slow him down while you build a strong defensive line that you actually have a chance of holding. That's the strategic imperative. Right now you are trying to defend too far forward and when those inadequately prepared bases fall you will lose the troops and planes you need to hold the rear bases and thus those rear bases will fall quickly also.
*** I strenuously advise you to abandon your forward bases in all but name and throw everything into defending a line of bases which CAN be prepared to withstand attack within the next three months. How to choose these bases?
 
Well:
1. they must be bases which are far enough from the front and have sufficient intermediary bases that a methodical Allied advance won't reach them for about 2 to 3 months.
2. preference must be given to bases which are in close concert to other friendly bases and thus can be mutually supporting.
3. EVERY effort must be made to ensure the bases are outside of P-38F range ( 9 hexes ) or, failing that, outside P-40E range. We can defeat the P-38 F monthly pool if we have to but if our bases are within 3 or 4 hexes of the enemy bases we will face the full might of their entire fighter strength and then we are doomed to lose.
4. preference will be given to atolls and wooded or mountainous terrain as that provides significant defensive bonuses.
5. Normally I would always suggest building up 2nd line bases at the same time as first line bases to protect against an enemy who bypasses. You do NOT have that luxury. It'd be nice if you did but the situations in the Solomons is an absolute, unmitigated disaster.
When I looked into it it became clear it was far, far worse than the Soviet Union in terms of helping the Allies bring the war to a swift conclusion. Basically there are almost no supplies, insufficient troops, undeveloped bases and no coherent defensive plan... and there's no time to rectify this short of a line running from Truk to Manokwari. Why? Well Truk has troops but only 3,000 tons of supply. The FIVE bases along the coast of PNG to Hollandia have only 600 tons of supply between them and only 170 AV - which isn't enough to hold one base never mind 5.
 
So what do you do?
1. Fly out units from Truk and the 6 bases along PNG ( including Hollandia ) to Admiralty Island. Also evacuate Kavieng. The units there are starving... e.g. the SNLF there is down to 18% strength due to starvation. Like I said, a disaster.
2. By concentrating these forces here you can have 500 AV in Admiralty Island and enough engineers to rebuild it. You have 2 Engineer Regiments and a construction Bn at Davao and MULTIPLE BFs at Truk. That's enough to put 200 engineers on Admiralty Island and build it up quickly. Once it is a Level 2 airfield ( build the airfields first ) fly in 100 fighters and begin building fortifications. Divert your minelayers from the PNG coast to Admiralty Island.
3. Admiralty island is close enough to the coast of PNG that ctangus will have to reduce it to move along the coast or else face endless torpedo-bomber strikes into the flanks of his convoys as they move northward. So, by concentrating your defence at Admiralty you will slow him a lot more than by giving him 5 or 6 lightly defended bases he can easily take in series.
4. As the airfield closes on Level 6 change the mix by adding another 100 fighters and 100 bombers so that you end up with 200 fighters and 100 bombers and can snipe at his shipping at will.
 
In the meantime you really, really need to comb through your uncommitted areas looking for units. You need to sit down, take a weekend and do this right since it clearly isn't being done. I have found multiple bases where you have no supplies and your units are simply starving to death ( 7th naval construction Bn at Lae has ZERO% effectives due to starvation. Lae has ZERO supplies and all the troops there are just starving to death. I don't mind that they are dying. It is, after all, war BUT they are dying inefficiently without killing Americans and I cannot abide that. ). While Lae can be forgiven as it is at the front line many of the others aren't even frontline bases but ones which should be well-supplied and safe. The pity is that these combat units which are starving are desperately needed at the front and so it is a dual loss.
Another example: Port Arthur has 1 large BF, 1 engineer regiment and 1 construction Bn in addition to a fort. The fort cannot be moved and is enough to defend the base. The BF could be shipped out to the Pacific or somewhere and do a lot of good there, the engineer regiment would be very useful around Vladivostok ( it can reduce fort levels ) and the construction Bn could be shipped out to the Pacific easily enough also. Again, more waste of engineers which are desperately needed building up your front line.
 
 
Here's my suggested front line.
Sarong, Babo, Manokwari, Woleai, Truk, Ponape, Kwajalein, Jaluit, Majuro, Maloelap, Wotje, Eniwetok,Wake, Marcus, Tokyo. Each of those bases should be garrisoned by at least 300 AV, Level 9 forts, at least a Level 4 airfield and 250 aviation support. In addition with MLEs and MLs there should be a minimum of 5,000 mines per base.
 
So, discounting Tokyo that's 13 bases which will require 4,200 AV of troops. Admiralty island is your "delaying base" so that'll take 500+ AV which you will get by evacuating Rabaul and the PNG bases.
 
So, what's available. Tinian and Saipan have 600 AV once you discount the forts and engineers, Truk has about 500, Kwajalein and the bases around it have about 1200 AV, Wake has 300 AV, Davao has 1600 AV present. So, you need 4,200 and in the bases you want to defend OR starving to death in Davao ( they have less than 75% of their supply requirement and are beginning to starve to death ) you have 4,200.
So, you have what you need you just don't have it deployed properly or supplied properly.
 
What about engineers? Well you have engineers all over the place doing nothing. Look at the Phillipines and Japan and ask yourself whether you REALLY need all those construction Bns and Base Forces sitting around doing nothing useful ( sure, some are building up forts etc... although the majority aren't doing anything at all except sitting on their asses )... OR would they be better employed building forts and airfields in the face of the enemy?

E.g. You have 25 IJN or IJA BFs in Tokyo alone. Shake them loose and you will be able to give every one of the bases mentioned 2 BFs = 200 support squads, at least a dozen AAA guns, 20 engineers and some CD guns. They will do a hell of a lot more for you at the front than sitting in Tokyo. Throughout the rest of the Home Islands there are at least another 13 or 14 BFs. Send them out to the defensive line I outlined above also. That'll give you 50% more support squads, engineers, AAA and CD guns per base.
E.g. Phillipines.... Strip it and send most of those BFs and construction Bns to Kendari and similar bases to build up your fortifications there.... Again, there's no point building the 2nd line of defences while your first line is crumbling so quickly that the 2nd line will be over-run before it can be built. Prop up the first line and then when it is stable evacuate half of those engineers and begin building the 2nd line.
E.g. Do the same with the AAA units and CD units. A VERY rough count on my part shows enough CD units to put at least 1 in every one of these bases and enough AAA to put at least two in every base. In addition if you have the time I would suggest trawling through the Kwantung and Chinese Areas Armies for artillery units which can fire against enemy shipping and moving them out to these 13 bases to thicken the defences even more.
 
In terms of fighter defence simple maths gives you the answer: In 3 months time ( my estimate of when this chain of defences should first be seriously tested ) you should have 1800 fighters available. 600 of them will be front-line fighters with another 1200 in reserve training pilots etc. That will give you the ability to defend 3 bases with an almost-impenetrable CAP of 200 fighters per base. If China and the Soviet Union can be neutralised by then that ought to be enough to fight in 3 theatres and there are only four other theatres - Burma, DEI, PNG, eastern pacific. So, not a bad situation then as in each theatre the Allies will have a schwerpunkt and you will be able to put 200 fighters up in defence of that target.
 
 
KB has left Truk and it is on its way towards Tokyo for repairs. I just left 2 cruiser TF’s into Truk area.
*** I'd pull them back. What are you going to do with them? Fight night battles off Rabaul? Why? Rabaul can't possibly hold as you didn't ship enough supplies in and NOW if you ship them in you don't have the CVs to provide air cover for the convoy so enemy bombers will decimate it. No, you can only use your navy under your own aerial umbrella and while, soon, you may hae 200 fighters based in or near Truk you don't have them now. I've looked at your naval dispositions and I really think you are setting yourself up to throw away ships you will miss in 3 months time when it is time to do something a little decisive with your navy ( the invasion of Midway ).
 
 
As for the MLE’s…. definitely not enough. I think we should propably conver 15-20 of them more.
*** No need to go overboard... 6 is enough for now. You can't afford to change 20 over while your convoys are as inefficient as they are. Fix the convoys and then when you need more you will be able to spare them.
 
Midway is definitely doable but not yet I would think.
*** Obviously not although I think it should be pencilled in for January 1943. Before then it won't be possible though since you gutted the carrier fleet in the Solomons.
 
 
Basically I think we should do the following soon… how do we reach this that is a good debate.
1) Solomons are needs to be secured and stabilized.
*** No, they are lost. You don't have enough troops and those you have are completely under-supplied. If you throw more in there now you are just throwing more men to their deaths. Concentrate on building up Admiralty island to slow the march up PNG and buy time for that 13 base defensive line I have outlined and you can stabilise it. Do anything else and unless ctangus plays poorly he will rip your line asunder. I, for example, would simply launch a simultaneous landing on all 6 remaining PNG bases and bring myself up towards Manokwari in one leap since it is obvious they aren't garrisoned or fortified ( none of the air or ports have been built up so it is clear you haven't invested engineers into this region - hence no forts ).
*** The Solomons must be written off. You almost lost your entire CV fleet to no gain there, don't wreck your army and surface combat fleet also.
 
 
2) Russian airforce should be wiped out
*** Yes, you are in a position to do that now. You have 800 front-line planes available. Begin the conversions and then fly them into the Soviet Union.
 
3) Burma/SRA need to be stabilized
Well, continue your limited offensives by taking Amboina etc and also Timor and then FLOOD those front-line bases with all BFs and construction Bns from your 2nd-line bases and begin fortifying them. Throw in 200 AV per base ( for 7 bases- kendari, amboina, menado, Makassar, the two bases in Timor and that base just south-east of amboina ) and that's 1400 AV. That leaves you with a nice 1,500 AV reserve. Split that reserve in half and leave one half in Soerabaja while the other half moves to Tokyo ready to join up with the division planning for Midway. Then in January you will have over 1,000 AV fully prepped for Midway should you actually decide to go. P.s. The 750 which goes to Midway should include every tank unit you have in the Phillipines and DEI.
 
4) ..than time for an offensive… Midway sounds good or maybe Aleutians… or both.
*** Well, Midway first... and only in 3 months time. Until then you have massive amounts of work to do in shipping engineers and supplies out to the 13 bases which defend the PNG to Tokyo line and the 7 bases which defend your southern flank against a thrust coming from Australia.
 
 
5) The mess at Vladivostok should be dealt with. I think once we actually capture the base maybe just stabilize the front and withdraw. Iman would also be good base to have. Than just let him have the rest of Russia. (Just bomb the resources so the giant becomes less gigantic)
*** Well a couple of points:
1. First you have to encircle it... Right now your troops in the hex north-east of Vladivostok don't have sufficient supplies and are still ordered to attack. Inefficient and won't work. Also wasteful of lives.
2. If you can take vladivostok and trap several thousand AV there you will have removed a huge chunk of the Soviet army. If you can mass 7,000 AV in one huge steamroller then you should steamroller as much of the Soviet Union as possible. Why? Well the farther you push them back the more resources and HI you capture, the more you will weaken their armies and, in the long run, the fewer forces you will have to leave behind to keep the Soviets pinned down. So, in the long run the more you take the more Kwantung army forces you can divert to the Pacific. E.g. If you took most of the Soviet Union and could evacuate 3,900 AV you would have enough forces available to double the garrison of every major base in the Pacific AND enough engineers to double or triple the rate of construction of second line bases. Success begets success.
 
As for getting grips with the economy. Well. I know tons of more than what I knew earlier.. Thanks to you! : ) …so it is not that big of an mess.
The monthly strategic discussion sound very good. Set the objectives and discuss it.
*** Indeed. This month's objective has to be sorting out your defensive arrangements. Right now I actually can't understand just what your defensive line is intended to be. You say it is around the Solomons but when I look for it I see only out of supply bases with troops and supplied bases with no troops --- in effect it is a line on a map only as it certainly doesn't exist in-game.
 
Invest a weekend drawing up a list of ALL your engineer, AAA and CD units, parcel them out among the 20 bases I've described ( trying to parcel them out equally but to the nearest neediest bases ) and you will gain dividends for the next several years of this game. You DO need to put in a lot of logistical work figuring this out though and I strongly suggest you don't play a single further turn until you have it figured out and can present a written list on the forum of what BFs, engineer Bns and ground units are going to move to which bases and have ships and units moving to the appropriate ports/bases. Obviously I am only saying this to give you a guide to what I think is necessary. You must do what you think is right but if ctangus realises how weak and disorganised your defences are he could be up next door to the Phillipines well inside of three months and that's the end of the game right there. I don't think he is aggressive enough to realise this though ( which is good for you ) but you can't rely on that and need to set up appropriate defences.
 
P.s. I looked at the turn replay and was surprised to still see training missions occurring at ranges of 4 and 5 hexes despite the fact that I picked this out as your greatest generator of operational losses on at least 2, perhaps 3, previous occasions. Enemy aerial losses are higher than yours now for the first time in a long time BUT instead of being just a bit higher they could be double or triple yours if you would just fly training missions at a range of 0 to 2 hexes and no farther. Also, you'd end up with a significant increase in pilots surviving training and over the course of a year an extra 3 or 4% graduates of the training programme really adds up.
P.p.s. I do understand that all of these issues are just hangovers from the "I have too much of everything so I don't need to worry about the details" mentality which comes from being an Allied player but as Japan you just can't afford to forget to deliver supplies and let a divisions starve to death. That division's loss will haunt you for the next 3 or 4 years if you do that.[/font]

[Nemo121]

A call to the JFB Planning Caucus.


Ok guys, here's a planning exercise.

Concept: Assume that on 2nd January 1943 the invasion fleet is to leave Tokyo harbour bound for Midway. The forces available are listed below. You are free to use as much or as little force as you feel is necessary to take Midway. We do NOT have any intel on Midway and neither will we be getting much intel as we do not wish to tip our hand to the enemy. So, you're going in blind except insofar as the Air Balance number is +65 - indicative of the presence of a bomber squadron and maybe some fighters but not much more than that.
Objectives in order of priority:
1. Take Midway at the minimum cost possible.
2. Suffer as little loss as possible to the IJN.
3. After the invasion Midway should be in position to withstand enemy counter-invasion whether that is immediate or preceded by prolonged blockade.
4. Extra "credit" will be given for plans which utilise as little force as possible so that forces not utilised in this invasion can be utilised elsewhere concomittantly.
5. Extra "credit" will be given for plans which will have a major psychological impact on ctangus and/or cause him to misunderstand our objectives and actual, real weakness.
6. Marcus Island will be expanded to a Level 5 airfield with 250 AV support by January 2nd 1943.


Naval forces: 600 fighters on 7 CV, 2 CVL, 1 CVE, 10 BB (incl Musashi ), 17 CA, 15 CL, 3 CL(18knot ), 4 CS ( 1 slow ), 105 DDs ( at least 80 of which are suitable ), 6 APDs capable of carrying 1500 capacity of troops or a lesser quantity of troops + supplies at sprint speed.

IJA: 300 to 400 fighters and as many Bettys and Sallys etc as you could need. Marcus is 18 hexes away though so not even Bettys can reach Midway from Marcus.

APs: 8 x 660, 2 x 930, 96 x 1110 tonners, 6 x 1660 tonners ( >20knots ), 2 x 1930 tonners ( >15 knots ), 67 x 2000 tonners, 2 x 2510 tonners ( >17 knots ), 11 x 3000 tonners (>17 knots ), 18 x 3110 tonners, 5 x 3130 tonners ( > 20 knots ), 8 x 3300 ( >16 knots ), 3 x 3400 tonners ( > 16 knots ), 16000 tons able to move at >17 knots.
You also have access to 10 x 5500 AKs which can hit 22 knots and any number of other AKs you want but must assume all other AKs can only manage 12 knots.

Each infantry division you want to bring takes 25,000 tons of AP capacity or 130,000 tons of OK capacity. Each Tank Regiment takes 15,000 tons of AK or AP capacity. Each Engineer Regiment costs 5000 AP capacity or 20,000 AK capacity.

Forces which COULD be available are as follows:
Infantry Divisions: You can have a total of 6 infantry divisions available which are not assigned elsewhere. Assume each division has 350 AV. Additional divisions are available but up to a maximum of 4 and their inclusion will result in the plan being viewed as less feasible. Of course a less easily enacted plan which works is far superior to an easy plan which will fail badly.
Tank Regiments: 14 - only 9 of which are released to SAA. You can, of course, buy the others out if you want to. Each Tank Regiment can be assumed to have a strength of 75 AV.
Engineer Regiments: 20 - only 6 or 7 are in SAA as of yet. You can, of course, buy more out if you want. Each Engineer Regiment has an AV of 25.

In addition any Bn-level units, Base Forces, Construction Bns, AAA, CD units etc and ANY air force or navy squadrons which you want can be assumed to be deployable. I just didn't want to get into listing each and every Bn or company committed. Sticking to regiments is enough detail for right now.

If anyone wants to put in a plan they are welcome to either post it to the thread or email it to me privately. In about a week's time I'll post my plan as well as all the alternates and then we can all discuss them - with Aztez making the final decision ( I know Aztez likes getting lots of different opinions and I deplore the lack of long-range thinking so this is my attempt to get the Midway invasion properly planned out and prepared whilst getting a few different views on the table ).

Obviously there's no need for all plans to be ueber-detailed but the more pitfalls and factors you take into account the better really as in WiTP the devil really is in the details. Ideally the plan would feature TF composition and show how you would handle important things such as defending against Allied attacks, what would happen if 6 US CVs showed up on the scene, how you would defend against surface combat TFs etc.

Aztez I think you should really do this task. For anyone else it might just be an interesting task --- I can and will critique IF asked but won't if I amn't specifically asked--- and possibly something they can learn from. Either way it should result in a well-debated and thought-out plan which can only help this game.

[aztez]

First sorry for the lack of updates. It has been busy days RL. [8|] 
 
Never realizes how little spare time the household work leaves you! [:(][:)]
 
 
Nemo: Very good suggestions/advice as usual. I did do the turn and tweaked the following stuff.
 
(I did send the latest turn file to you)
 
Oh, and for the readers... just to let you know. We have agreed to do an monthly objectives analysis on the game with Nemo. This should give you a lot more insight into game and hopefully a lot more ideas.
 
 
* There are now 450 fighters in Mukhden. More are enroute towards Russia. I do agree that it is to our advantage to use these fighters on defensive missions.
 
However might end up having to fly sweep missions too due to the positions of enemy airfields.
 
No bombers have been flown into Manchuko just yet. Lets wait how its plays out first.
 
* I have turned off a lot building programs in Home Islands. This is simply to maximise the supply situation which is not good. (This is CHS so it far greater challenge than in Stock)
 
As you said the supply situation is not great overall.
 
* I have reorganized some supply convoys. At the moment we are forced to use some AK's in troop transport duties. Not enough AP's in right places to move men quickly enough.
 
* Hmmm. I do see your point regarding steamrolling the Russian front. I would say lets go for it WHEN/IF we first seize Vladivostok.
 
* Quite a few construction units are now loaded in ships. These troops are kind of floating reserve now so I can put them in the Southern Pacific and put those troops where they need to be.
 
* Admiralty Island will be build up. Some Base Force units are on their way now. It seems actually quite nice base to have.
 
* Agreed.  There is no point on defending too far in the South. Those bases near Amboina are good. Marshalls is ok. Definately Wake Island and maybe even Marcus Island as you said. (It can be buildup into level 3 airfieldi in AB's map)
 
I will also add to the list the Palau area. Those 3 bases can cause a lot of harm into Allies when he start coming through New Guinea area.
 
* 6 more MLE's are converted at Tokyo. Mines, Mines and more mines are needed.
 
* Those 2 Cruiser TF's are sent to Marianas from Truk. It is much safer this way.
 
Oh.. and those BF units you mentioned were intentionally send to Truk from Tokyo. (To build up the new frontline behind Solomons)
 
* Transport ships are sent into Davao via Balikpapan. Those infantry units will seize Sorong area within the month of October. It might be a bit bloody but what needs to be done... well needs to be done.
 
* Also some supply convoys are heading into Luzon and Davao area.
 
* Changed alltitudes for the training missions in order to cut down the operational losses.
 
 
(a turn update to follow shortly)

[aztez]

Game date is 1st of October 1942
 
 
South Pacific
 
 
Lae
 
 
Naval bombardment of Lae, at 56,90
 
Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho

Japanese ground losses:
564 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 31
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 7


Ok. This is how bold the enemy has become. US BB's sail in and bombard the hell out of the Lae! ... let him enjoy while he can! [:-]


DEI
 

Makassar
 
 
Day Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 30,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Hikawa Maru
AP Kiyosumi Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 30,70
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Yura

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Makassar
 
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21114 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 491

Defending force 6627 troops, 29 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Japanese max assault: 237 - adjusted assault: 124

Allied max defense: 48 - adjusted defense: 26

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Makassar base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
331 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


The 1st objective is secured. The base is in bad shape and engineers are flown into Makassar in order repair the base and thus making it fully operational.
 
Also the base at Morotai was seized by small Japanese infantry unit.
 
 
Russia
 
 
North of Vladivostok
 
 
Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 66627 troops, 353 guns, 118 vehicles, Assault Value = 1504

Defending force 5832 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Japanese max assault: 996 - adjusted assault: 1464

Allied max defense: 96 - adjusted defense: 39

Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
338 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 66,32

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 66343 troops, 350 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 1495

Defending force 5366 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Japanese max assault: 1149 - adjusted assault: 1661

Allied max defense: 71 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 184 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
237 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
707 casualties reported
Guns lost 8


Ok. The static fortress is crumbling. Despite the mediocre supply situation we will continue to assult it next turn. I think it will be toasted for good.
 
As said large IJA fighter assembly is in place at Mukhden.
 
 
Other NEWS
 
 
IJN carriers dodged the allied submarine net between Truk and Marianas. All the ships should make it safely into home harbours.
 

[Nemo121]

Fortifying Aitape and Hollandia is a mistake. Every man you send there delays the creation of fortresses etc at Admiralty Island and the other bases. It is a diversion of effort
you can ill afford.
 
In addition you have to hold the 3 airbases in the Hollandia-Aitape chain running down the back of PNG to be of any use. Hold 2 and let the US hold the 3rd and those 2 airbases will just be bombed until they run out of supply and your troops will be left to starve to death. In other words you won't gain anything except a VERY little time --- and you'd gain far more by investing these troops in Admiralty and the Manokwari defensive belt.
 
 
As ANY player your basic rule should be that there's no point trying to defend something you can't defend in strength. You can't defend Hollandia in sufficient strength to defeat the enemy fighter and bomber sweeps from bases just 3 or 4 hexes away and therefore I think it is just throwing good men after bad. Your choice though obviously but I just see no point in sending men into bases where the garrisons are already starving and where you have no chance of building Level 9 forts and Level 4 airfields before the US invasion fleets arrive.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Grats on the F1 win , lucky git [;)][:D]

[aztez]

Rob: [:D][:D] ...we are one fast nation...[:D]
 
Nemo: I think you are propably correct. No need to to fortify Aitape/Hollandia area. We simply cannot not hold it againts the allied juggernaught.

So, as you said the main focus for the defense will be constructed further up the North. As for the US fleet well We have spotted them indeed.

 
Game date is 3rd of October 1942
 
 
Busy days yet again so haven't had much spare time. I did screw up the combat replay .txt file but instead I have one quite telling screenshot from the turn.
 
IJN submarine spotted the US Fleet near Milne Bay heading North. I can confirm that CV Saratoga is with these TF's and propably more carriers too. I doubt however that Wasp is with them since It was hit in the battle near Lunga. Basically meaning that Chuck is moving 3 US Cv's North.
 
There seems to be also some AP's with this US Armada. Either he is planning an invasion or he is building up Timor area. Not good either way.

[Mistmatz]

Bump. How about an update?

Wont have time to participate in Nemo's call for a plan to seize Midway, but I'm surely looking forward to see anybody elses plans and of course how the war is going.

[Lecivius]

Aye, I was lookng for this as well...

[aztez]

Hi Mistmatz & Lecivius!
 
I do appreciate about the concern! [:)] ...I have just been very busy lately and haven't had much spare time to devote to the game.

We haven't made much progress but here is an update.


Game date is 7th of October 1942
 
 
 
Southern Pacific
 
 
Near Gili Gili
 
 
Sub attack at 55,99
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Maury
DD McCall
DD Gridley


Actually quite significant piece of information. The US CV's are definately around the area. So, thus meaning that the first US Invasion of the war will begin soon. Target is propably Lae but it also could be Buin.
 
 
Other NEWS
 
 
In Russia the static fortress north of Vladivostok was seized. So, basically the road is open now.
 
In DEI enemy bombers continue to harash our ships near Makassar and airfield at Kendari. Those allied bombers actually fly without escorts... well... couple of Brewsters escorting... the sad thing is that these planes are immune to our fighter aircraft! So, in that terms CHS is no improvement at all.
 
I have moved some 400 fighters into Russia. We should begin contesting the enemy air supremacy soon enough.
 
KB is safely at port. Well almost all of it 1 CV and 1 CVL is still sailing towards safety.
 
Heavy recon flights near Parashimo Jima in Northern Pacific. I would assume Chuck is moving troops into Petrapalovsk! Not good... not good.

[aztez]

Game date is 11th of October 1942
 
 
North Pacific
 
 
Paramushiro Jima
 
 
Naval bombardment of Paramushiro Jima, at 82,33 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Nashville
CL Phoenix
BB Warspite
BB Arizona
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Paramushiro Jima, at 82,33

Allied Ships
CL Nashville
CL Phoenix
BB Warspite
BB Arizona
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 8


That two naval bombardments in past 4 days!!! [:-] Also, the recon flights have intensified in Northern sector.
 
I can also confirm that there are US troops at Petropavlovsk. Why? Because US aircraft have flown out of that base in last few days.

Attu is also level 5 airfield. Thus meaning that he propably has 4E bombers lurking there.
 
 
DEI
 
 
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
Hudson I x 6
B-26B Marauder x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tenran Maru, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Shirashika Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Tamatsu Maru, Bomb hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Ryuosan Maru, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported


Things have intensified here. I have lost some AP's here but I can now confirm that Kendari, Makassar and Manado are operational. With additional bases soon to follow. (See screenshot)
 
 
Other NEWS
 
 
Russian airforce stopped their raids againts Harbin. Well, I think he got scared and for good reason. I have some 200 fighters ready to rock and roll there. This is just the first wave of the deployment.
 
In Southern Pacific enemy LBA's continue to hammer Lae and Rabaul area. US CV's are still near Gili Gili. The invasion here is imminent.
 
Production is stabile for now. No need for any major tweaks at least for now.

[Mistmatz]

Thanks for the update, RL haunts each of us from time to time just make sure you stay focussed on the real important things... [;)]

Good to read that your situation stabilizes despite the news from the northern and southern perimeter.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Its almost winter ,, then invading the kuriles is suicide for anyone with a 4x landing casualty modifier so don't be alarmed too much (unless its only a BF defending) [;)]

[aztez]

Mistmatz: Yeah, RL can eat large chunk of the spare time. Two growing daughters and other commitments can haunt for sure! [:)] ...As for the game... well... (more about it on the combat reports)
 
Rob: Propably. Allthough the way things are going he could invade Tokyo for all I know.
 
 
Game date 17th of October 1942
 
 
This whole PBEM is turning into a BAD Beta test for the Japanese side of things... not much is going my way... nightmare after nightmare.
 
It really isn't always easy to find enjoyment out of the game for sure.
 
 
DEI
 
 
I'am moving more engineering units into area. The problem here is that Amboina seems to be immune for my LBA strikes. I have now set my bombers from Manado to attack but these guys have refused to obey orders. Good knows why... the result some needless transport ship losses here.
 
GrrRrr... Just maybe these guys take off next turn. Very frustrating indeed...! [8|] 
 
 
South Pacific
 
 
Lae
 
 
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 56,90
 
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 40
 
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
MSW Colac
MSW Stawell, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Ballarat
MSW Kapunda, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Bathurst, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Shepparton, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
That some positive news. These ships were the spearhead of the allied invasion which is expect to commence next turn. At least 3 US CV's are in the are maybe even 4!
 
The truth is that the base is 110% doomed. Not much interms of supplies nor firepower.
 
 
Russia
 
 
Iman
 
 
Day Air attack on Iman , at 67,31
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 74
A6M3a Zero x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 26
 
Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 24 x 30
MiG-3 x 34
Yak-1 x 21
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 24: 22 destroyed
MiG-3: 22 destroyed
Yak-1: 21 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iman , at 67,31
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3a Zero x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 22
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 59
 
Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 24 x 19
MiG-3 x 21
Yak-1 x 15
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 24: 1 destroyed
MiG-3: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
Yak-1: 1 damaged
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iman , at 67,31
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 74
A6M3a Zero x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 21
 
Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 24 x 16
MiG-3 x 22
Yak-1 x 12
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 24: 6 destroyed
MiG-3: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged
Yak-1: 1 destroyed
 
 
Ok. I was hoping Chuck to assault which didn't prevail. I guess the dark red airfield icon scared him off. Well, I cannot hide forever so went for the sweep... the results.. well it went ok, not great.
 
 
IJN BB Fleet hit hard by Russian Airforce
 
 
Naval bombardment of Suchan, at 66,34
 
 
Allied aircraft
no flights
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
IL-2 Shturmovik: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Isuzu
BB Yamato
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
 
 
Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1
 
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 65,38
 
 
Allied aircraft
DB-3T x 19
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
DB-3T: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamato
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 65,38
 
 
Allied aircraft
DB-3T x 61
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
DB-3T: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
CL Kinu, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
What can I say.... a) The bad weather didn't happen which I expected. b) The bombardment itself was a total joke. c) These 4E Russian torpedo bombers flew from Iman.. hell, I didn't know there were so long ranged torpedo bombers in the game.
 
BB Yamashiro and BB Fuso sunk. BB Yamamoto in 96% certainty will sunk within next turn too.
 
[8|][8|][8|] ....depressing stuff what can I say. Bad play on my part and add -10% of luck there and... well business as usual.
 

[Lecivius]

You may think on this as a bad beta test for the Japanese, but I am learning both from you & Nemo in ideas and mechanics.  And even a learning game can be fun! [;)]