Matrix Games Forums

Eh?

For implementing the idea that heavy flak is not as effective when being dragged down a jungle trail than when it is deployed in optimal batteries with director commo, etc?

Hey, bring on the flak!
[:D]

Sorry, I guess my joke wasn't punny enough. [NUDGE, NUDGE!] [:D]

Meanwhile in the port of Rangoon...

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

Yeah looks like 100s at least of heavy flak - a.k.a. the NE Indian Mobile Flak Army is comming to town!

(sorry for the bad advice - I let thoughts of reality get in my head waaaay too often - and also I haven't played NikMod in a full PBEM campaign either - in the GuadMod - we didn't have huge stacks like this)

Its possible to 'abuse' the change by uber-stacking. Players should decide if or what restrictions they want to do on stacking AA units , same as with air units.

That or try bombing at a higher altitude. 11k is rather low against a well defended target.

Do you have any suggestions for a reasonable houserule regarding flak?

still fighting...

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

Yeah looks like 100s at least of heavy flak - a.k.a. the NE Indian Mobile Flak Army is comming to town!

(sorry for the bad advice - I let thoughts of reality get in my head waaaay too often - and also I haven't played NikMod in a full PBEM campaign either - in the GuadMod - we didn't have huge stacks like this)

Its possible to 'abuse' the change by uber-stacking. Players should decide if or what restrictions they want to do on stacking AA units , same as with air units.

That or try bombing at a higher altitude. 11k is rather low against a well defended target.

Do you have any suggestions for a reasonable houserule regarding flak?

It varies...depending on the situation (i.e. what playing styles and house rules are in effect) After all it doesn't make alot of sense to overly restrict AA stacking if there are no govenors on stacking airpower for max effort pinpoint strikes. (i.e. Ye Olde 200 plane fighter "sweep" or 200+ plane CAP or 200+ bomber raid at low alt)

If other restrictions are in play i've seen players agree on a max limit of 3-5 AA units per base. Atoll situations might call for more restrictive rules though one workaround for carrier aircraft (DB vulnerability) is to use TB's as high alt level bombers. Allied especially can still be effective here against a strong base if they attack high enough.

Well, we have the "base size x 50"-rule in place regarding how many planes can be stacked in a base hex. With that in mind, would you say that 3-5 flak units per hex is a reasonable houserule?

I try for 2-4 in most bases using Nik mod. I have found that 3 Japanese AA regiments can pretty much butcher (damage) any allied strike. I mainly place 1 for forward bases, 2-3 for major bases behind front lines but within allied air range and max 4 in the in range but must protect at all costs. Kendari, Java, Rangoon, Hong Kong etc.
 
 But then again, it does not take long at 6,000 feet to learn that it is suicide to do so very often. Sure would be nice to see CAP hit an outgoing raid ala BTR after they get shredded by flak. I would love that.

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

Well, we have the "base size x 50"-rule in place regarding how many planes can be stacked in a base hex. With that in mind, would you say that 3-5 flak units per hex is a reasonable houserule?

its reasonable though the Home Islands may want to exclude after mass B-29 raids become possible. ultimately its up to the players. You might first try bombing from above 11k. Even against a larger stack your losses will decrease dramatically at the higher alts, esp if Allied. (like for example 20k)

Another tactic that can be effective if the base has a port (and is bombardable) is the one-two punch. First bombard from the sea....that heavily disrupts any flak units usually which then greatly reduces flak for the a2a phase same turn.

Yeah, Ive had that happen to me at Akyab. Cost me something like 100 Oscars torched on the ground.

Hmm, I think I might try one of those against Chandpur actually. Ive got one supply convoy for Akyab forming around Singapore, and I thought I would escort it with the KB and 4-5 BBs. I could do a bombardment run on Chandpur while I unload at Akyab, and then send in 200 Helens from Mandalay. If I do it right and disrupt the flak, I could either send in the Helens at 6k on runway strikes, or perhaps even try a port attack...Ive seen lots of ships at Chandpur harbor....

Heh, today he tried to sweep the mines at Dutch harbor. A force of 5-6 MSWs started sweeping the mines...under the barrels of my CD unit. 5 MSWs sunk. I doubt he will be trying that again.

He also bombed the base with SBDs and LBs...all in all he lost 6 planes to flak. Bad turn for him, good turn for me.

Still fighting...

SA-2 is leaving port at Singapore.
 
This time it will be a smaller convoy. Just 10 ships carrying supplies and 4 minelayers...and an escort of 6 carriers, 4 BBs including the Yamato, 6 CAs and 30 Destroyers.
 
Man, these SA-convoys are really feeling like the Pedestal convoys, or the PQ-runs. It brings excitement to an otherwise rather dull period of the war.
 
In other news, the allied ground forces entered Akyab yesterday...we shall see if there comes an attack today. I suspect not, Im betting we will see a bombardment attack first. Should give a good indication as to what we can expect here.

Oh, I almost forgot...

Akyab...looks like I'll manage to hold it for now...



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/21/42



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 77768 troops, 780 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1712

Defending force 97597 troops, 979 guns, 327 vehicles, Assault Value = 1720


Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Another bombardment attack today by the allied forces at Akyab. No losses for me. I think akyab is pretty safe for now with fort lvl 9, plenty of supplies and all those units.
 
Im going to pull out the tank regiments from there when my supply convoy has unloaded their supplies. I want to build up a operational reserve for this area.
 
Right now I am in the process of building up reserves on the strategic level, Im gathering that reserve at Manilla, I will let you know what those units are in a few days when they are in place. I am also moving all my Bettys from frontline bases and instead Im keeping them at Truk and Manilla. The idea is that I wont waste a Betty wing in a suicide run against the CV CAP as soon as I spot one of his TFs, instead I will mass my Bettys and attack in force the day after.
 
I am also building up local reserves for the Burma theater and for the Coral Sea theater. Meanwhile the withdrawal from Noumea and the outer perimeter continues.

October is just around the corner. And with that comes both the B-24D and the P-38G...

That means Timor and New Guinea are vunerable to invasions from mid October...

Myself I have to wait until November for the Tojo... I wonder why the dates are so different for Nikmod and CHS. In CHS I get the Tojos in July.
 
Also, in this game I have recieved a wing of 36 Tojos in August...they are still "organizing" off-map. I mean whats the point really?

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

October is just around the corner. And with that comes both the B-24D and the P-38G...

That means Timor and New Guinea are vunerable to invasions from mid October...

The Battle for Timor, or where ever he first lands nearby, is an important one. Due to lack of nearby airbases, he will probably have to commit the carriers unless you leave him an easy hole. So you will have a chance to hit with "rock paper scissors (LBA, Carriers and Surface). I've had success against multiple opponents in this area. But you need to arrive on the scene with all of your players before he captures the hex. So you need to base the fleet somewhere in the area. I've calculated that Palau or Ulithi would be good spots, but I've actually never based the fleet there, not sure why.