Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:55 pm

Summary of Operations 6/29/42

Hawaii: Two Jap submarines (one identified as I-26) now off (N and NW) of Oahu. I-26 engaged by both air and surface US ASW forces. AAR of surface ASW action with I-26 follows.

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Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,105 (N of Oahu)

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
APD Manley
DD Conyngham
APD Gregory

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at APD Colhoun
DD Conyngham fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Gregory fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 6/28 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is and Wotje. Detected status of Baker Is shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there, airfield size there is 1(0). No other visible Jap forces or activity at either Baker Is or Wotje.

South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/28 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands

Australia: Allied ASW air patrol attacks and reported hitting Jap submarine off Perth. The Jap submarine remains detected off Perth.

DEI: Sigint entry for 6/28 reports Jap 36 Construction Co is at Kuching (Borneo). 36 Construction Bn had been transferred to Borneo from the Kwantung Army since it was last reported in Manchuria on 5/04.

Philippines: Japanese capture Sibuyan in central Philippines. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sibuyan (80,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6800 troops, 121 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 196
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 94
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 94 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sibuyan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
24th Division (previously at Bataan)

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A Philippine AF recon squadron continues operating from Cebu. The squadron could not be evacuated due to its being in a restricted command, therefore it keeps flying until its eventual elimination. Sightings by planes in this squadron from the 6/28 Combat Events report follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 8 Japanese ships at 79,91 in Davao , Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,91 in Davao , Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 in Sibuyan , Speed unknown

China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2380 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 855
Defending force 18555 troops, 210 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 542

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
10th Group Army
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

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Chinese base force LCU’s evacuated from Kunchang safely reached the Chungking perimeter.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:42 am

Summary of Operations 6/30/42

US 1942 AA Pool (Game Question): This LCU arrived in the Eastern US as a reinforcement this game turn, it contains a large number of AA gun elements and motorized support and is due for withdrawal from the game in 3 days. My questions basically are what this LCU is and the function(s) that it performs.

7/42 Ship Upgrades: Current plans are to skip 7/42 upgrades for the three US fleet carriers (Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet) and defer upgrade to 10/42. The primary reasoning behind the decision is to keep CXAM AS radar on these ships instead of the SC AS radar that would be installed with the 7/42 upgrade - effective range of CXAM AS radar is 84 miles compared to a 35 mile range for the SC radar. The greater range of CXAM radar aboard these CV for detection of incoming Jap planes is more valuable than the relatively small addition of low altitude AA that would be added to these CV in the 7/42 upgrade.

CV Lexington is due to complete 6/42 upgrade and return to service next game turn (7/01). CV Saratoga is scheduled to complete its 6/42 upgrade on 7/05. All escort ships (cruisers and DD’s) completed upgrades through 6/42 and are now available for active operations.

All US fleet CV’s and escorts are currently located on the US West Coast. Immediate plans for the US Main Carrier Force is to concentrate all CV’s and escorts and reform into TF’s for deployment from the mainland US to either Pearl Harbor or the South Pacific theatre.

Hawaii: Several reaction phase moves observed during game turn replay between Jap submarines and US surface ASW near Oahu. Action between US surface ASW TF and Jap submarine I-8 W of Oahu. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Niihau at 176,108 (SW of Lihue)

Japanese Ships
SS I-8, hits 1 (fire in torpedo room reported during the game turn replay of this AAR)

Allied Ships
APD Waters, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)
DMS Wasmuth
DD Kilty

SS I-8 launches 2 torpedoes at APD Waters
I-8 diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/29 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) in port. Port size at Tabiteuea expanded to 3(1), airfield size to 4(3). One or more unidentified Japanese TF(s) detected in Tabiteuea base.

One or more visible Japanese TF(s) also detected at Kwajalein base.

US sub intercepts small Jap transport TF between Truk and Rabaul. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Lihir at 112,117 (S of Truk, NE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Miyako Maru
SC CHa-24
PB Sureboko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

SS Searaven launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Miyako Maru
Searaven diving deep ....
PB Sureboko Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Woodlark Is. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Woodlark Island

TF 166 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 104,133

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

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Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/29 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 9 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul , Speed 13, Moving Southeast

Allied ASW escorts returning to Auckland engaged by Jap submarine. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Auckland at 120,185 (E of Auckland)

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
DD Dent

SS I-19 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Dent
I-19 diving deep ....
DD Dent fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Philippines: Entries in the 6/29 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 5 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 7 Japanese ships, Speed unknown

China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2372 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 862
Defending force 18671 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

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

Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
10th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

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Alfred · Post by **Alfred** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:19 am

ORIGINAL: wneumann

US 1942 AA Pool (Game Question): This LCU arrived in the Eastern US as a reinforcement this game turn, it contains a large number of AA gun elements and motorized support and is due for withdrawal from the game in 3 days. My questions basically are what this LCU is and the function(s) that it performs.

If it is

a CD type
static

it is a reinforcement convoy. Most of these appear at CapeTown or Aden but they also appear at other locations, mainly off map. They provide you, once the "LCU" is "withdrawn" with an injection of devices and other goodies to your pools. See s.8.1.7.1 of the manual.

Alfred

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:16 pm

Alfred,

It is a CD type LCU but it's not static - appears capable of movement, though there's not many places for it to go in the three days it exists in the game. I see no point in moving it... let it withdraw from the game and prepare to receive the goodies from the pools. I have a number of AA LCU's in the mainland US that will love to get the stuff. Plus the 870 Motorized Support squads.

Appreciate your response.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:18 am

Summary of Operations 7/01/42

Hawaii: PBY Catalina air patrol attacked and reported to hit Jap submarine I-8 W of Pearl Harbor off Lihue. I-8 is becoming a “lucky” sub in the IJN, would be a nice prize to end its career and send it to the bottom of the Pacific.

South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing continues at Woodlark Is.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/30 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: AK Nitiran Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 113,156 near Koumac , Speed unknown

Australia: Australian and US troops occupy dot hex base at Portland Roads. This move is intended to counter a possible repeat of the Japanese landing in NE Australia done by Pillager in our previous CHS match (the Japanese landing in CHS done at Portland Roads). Plans are to draw supply into the dot base, then begin construction of fortifications in Portland Roads. No plans at this time to build either an airfield or port in Portland Roads.

Philippines: Entries in the 6/30 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 5 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 8 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown

China: Continued bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2375 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 871
Defending force 18746 troops, 207 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

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Blackhorse · Post by **Blackhorse** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:29 am

ORIGINAL: wneumann

Alfred,

It is a CD type LCU but it's not static - appears capable of movement, though there's not many places for it to go in the three days it exists in the game. I see no point in moving it... let it withdraw from the game and prepare to receive the goodies from the pools. I have a number of AA LCU's in the mainland US that will love to get the stuff. Plus the 870 Motorized Support squads.

Appreciate your response.

Working as Designed (WAD). In the mad scramble after Pearl Harbor, the US rushed a lot of AA units to the West Coast that were only about 1/3rd equipped. It wasn't until the Summer that they filled out. The 'convoy' reinforcement allows that to happen, without messing with the steady-state device production rates.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:00 pm

Blackhorse,

I wasn't aware of the historical aspect, though I can easily see where this has been built into the AE game. Plan to use the AA replacement gun elements in exactly the same way - fill out the flak LCU's to full TOE strength, then ship them out to cover front-line bases. It will probably be a gradual process as I won't begin drawing replacement elements into a flak LCU until after I first expend PP to transfer the LCU to a front-line command (PP cost for transfer of a 1/3 strength LCU being considerably less than that of transferring a LCU at full TOE strength).

Welcome to the thread and appreciate your response.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:03 pm

Summary of Operations 7/02/42

Hawaii: Two detected Jap submarines – one N, one SW of Oahu. No reported combat this game turn.

6/42 Ship Upgrades: CV Lexington completed upgrade this game turn, carrier is returning to active operations. CV Saratoga is due to complete 6/42 upgrade in 4 days though something in the AE game mechanics is imposing occasional stops or delays in its upgrade – Saratoga and Lexington both started their 6/42 upgrades at the same time, Lexington having had stops or delays in its upgrade though not to the same extent as Saratoga.

Two of the three New Mexico class BB’s (Idaho & New Mexico) have started 6/42 upgrades as shipyard capacity that would have otherwise been allocated to 7/42 ship upgrades on the fleet carriers that had been postponed (many US BB and fleet CV’s do require shipyard capacity as they incur some system damage when they enter an upgrade).

US Fleet CV Air Group changes: As of the 7/01 game turn, maximum number of planes in VF (fighter) squadrons increased aboard most of the US fleet carriers. In all cases, the added fighter planes taken aboard were within the rated maximum plane capacities of the individual carriers. I’m not sure whether or not it’s necessary for the carrier to be in a major base (or base of sufficient size) in order to for it to receive the VF fighter squadron plane increase – all my CV’s just happened to be located in US West Coast bases and got the increase immediately. Damn convenient anyway. The VF squadron plane increase is a ship upgrade in itself.

Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-13 (36 ships) departing this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes four LCU’s (627 TD Bn, 30 Field Artillery Rgt, 140 USA Base Force, 177 USAAF Base Force), three USAAF fighter squadrons (75 P-39D total), 96K supply and 62K fuel.

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/01 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru Is. Detected status of Nauru shows undetermined Jap ship(s) in port, no visible evidence of construction to expand airfield or port facilities. No other visible Japanese forces or activity detected at Nauru Is.

Visible Japanese TF(s) detected at Kwajalein base on 7/01 are no longer there (or at least no longer detected).

South Pacific: Combat Events report entry for 7/01 indicates US fleet sub Searaven was attacked (unsuccessfully) by a B5N2 Kate at hex location 111, 117 due south of Truk. As it’s unlikely the B5N2 Kate in question is a land-based plane, this report from SS Searaven can be taken as an early indication the KB has returned to the Pacific and likely has sortied from Truk for parts unknown.

While there remains some possibility from the hex position of this contact the KB could be headed to Rabaul, it is also likely the KB could be headed due south into the Coral Sea or turn to the SE towards Suva or possibly New Zealand. A carrier raid by the KB on the eastern coast of Australia cannot be excluded either. The appropriate alerts and precautions will be underway shortly. Numerous US and Allied submarines are on patrol throughout the Coral Sea and also covering sea approaches to Suva and New Zealand from the W, NW and N. There is a good probability further movement of the KB to the S or SE will trigger additional contacts or detection by other Allied submarines.

Japanese amphibious landing continues at Woodlark Is.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/01 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 7 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 104,133 near Woodlark Island, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 8, Moving Southwest

Australia: Transport convoy EX-10 (16 ships) arrived in Australia this game turn from the Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo aboard convoy EX-10 include US 32nd Infantry Division plus 38K supply. Unloading operations of the convoy should not be impacted by reported or projected movements of KB in the South Pacific.

Philippines: Entries in the 7/01 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown

India: AVG fighter squadrons due for withdrawal on 7/04 were disbanded this game turn at Calcutta. The AVG air group was evacuated to Calcutta from Rangoon and had been in active training status since its removal from Burma. 81 very highly trained fighter pilots joined the US reserve pilot pool.

China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2380 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 875
Defending force 18802 troops, 207 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 552

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
5th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
4th War Area
16th Group Army

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wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:07 pm

Summary of Operations 7/03/42

Hawaii: One detected Jap sub N of Oahu (hex 182, 104), no reported combat though an oil slick was seen at this hex location by several PBY Catalina air patrols.

Japanese Home Islands: Several reported contacts between US fleet submarines and Japanese transports. AAR’s follow. Location of these actions indicate the attacked Jap transports were moving between the Home Islands and bases in the Marshalls. Both the attacks occurred to the E of Iwo Jima.

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Submarine attack near Chichi-jima at 114,77

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinsyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

xAK Sinsyu Maru is sighted by SS Plunger
SS Plunger launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Sinsyu Maru

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Submarine attack near Chichi-jima at 115,79

Japanese Ships
TK Bushu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk, fuel cargo also reported burning)

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

TK Bushu Maru is sighted by SS Sargo
SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at TK Bushu Maru

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/02 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status of Baker Is shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there, otherwise no other visible Japanese forces or activity detected at Nauru Is.

South Pacific: US fleet sub Grayling east of Rabaul spots KB task forces (3 TF’s total, two of them containing CV and/or CVL) at hex location 112, 124. Movement of KB appears to be due south from Truk based on position of this sighting and last game turn’s sighting by SS Searaven seven hexes to the north. Situation map follows.

Allied submarine pens throughout the South Pacific have emptied, adding to the already 20 or so Allied subs already patrolling the Coral Sea and sea areas off New Zealand and Suva/Samoa. Many of the departing subs left 2-3 days ago and already enroute to reinforce those now on patrol. The submarine is my best and cheapest weapon.

Japanese amphibious landing continues at Woodlark Is.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/02 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,156 near Koumac, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 11, Moving Southwest

Australia: Unidentified Jap submarine detected 2 hexes due W of Perth.

Philippines: Entries in the 7/02 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed 10 , Moving Northwest
Stearman 75M sighting report: 10 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown

Unidentified Jap LCU detected in Cotabato (western Mindanao). Cotabato base is undefended and will likely fall next game turn to a Japanese attack.

Southeast Asia: Dutch submarine K-XVIII sighted Jap TF (3 patrol ships, possibly surface ASW) in Andaman Sea west of Victoria Point.

China: Japanese ground assault near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27651 troops, 420 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 883
Defending force 18837 troops, 206 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 556
Japanese adjusted assault: 685
Allied adjusted defense: 1675
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 32 (4 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1069 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
4th War Area
10th Group Army
35th Group Army

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Four unidentified Jap LCU’s entered Lanchow base hex this game turn, a ground assault here is expected shortly.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:39 pm

Summary of Operations 7/04/42

Hawaii: Two Jap subs spotted NE of Oahu, one of the subs attacked by US surface ASW. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 182,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 2 (fire on bridge reported during AAR replay)

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
APD Gregory
APD Manley
DD Conyngham

SS I-26 is located by APD Colhoun
I-26 diving deep ....
DD Conyngham attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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US West Coast: Japanese sub encountered by small US coastal transport convoy. AAR follows.

Perhaps a point to be made from this action is the value of providing ASW escort ships in Transport TF’s moving at sea along coastal areas, entering or leaving friendly ports or passing through sea areas where known Jap submarine ops are taking place.

Even one ASW escort ship (which was true for this instance) in a Transport TF makes a difference - if the two xAKL’s with DM Tracy had been unescorted, one of the xAKL’s would likely have been torpedoed and sunk. Instead the Jap sub got nothing and wasted torpedoes, that a victory in itself for this particular action.

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Sub attack near Los Angeles at 225,77

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships (DM Tracy escorting two xAKL’s)
DM Tracy

SS I-25 launches 2 torpedoes at DM Tracy
DM Tracy fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/03 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there and ship(s) in port, otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity detected.

South Pacific: No further contact reported with KB task forces. I’m considering it unlikely the KB went into Rabaul or continued a due south movement through the Solomon Is chain, either of these moves at risk of detection by coastwatchers. My estimate of KB’s movements is that Pillager turned it to the SE, remaining north of and moving parallel to the Solomon island group. If this estimated path is correct, KB is now moving through a sea area where no Allied subs are currently operating.

I have US submarine patrols on continuous operation at both the primary northern entrances to the Coral Sea near the KB’s projected movement path – between Munda and Rossel Is and the gap between Stewart Is and Ndeni. It’s possible Pillager could move KB to the north of Ndeni before turning southward towards Suva, a likely possibility if the KB’s target is Suva and/or Auckland. The latter movement will take KB into a picket line of US subs operating to the N, NW and W of Suva as well as naval air search from Suva. Available subs that had been in port have already departed their bases and are well enroute to the Coral Sea and sea areas near Suva – these subs could be vectored into the KB’s path.

About 25 US and Allied subs are in the South Pacific theatre, operating entirely in the Coral Sea and in the sea areas between Auckland, Suva and Samoa. Nearly all US S-class subs are in this contingent, along with 3-4 Dutch subs and several shorter ranged US fleet submarines. One of my early conclusions concerning an Allied submarine strategy was to concentrate shorter range submarines and submarines with the best available early-war torpedoes in this theatre – rapid development of submarine bases at Auckland and along the Australian east coast making this possible.

Allied operations in the Suva area and NE Australia are placed on alert for possible approach of the KB.

Japanese capture Woodlark Is. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1419 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 59
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 29 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF (entered the game as reinforcement, new LCU in the known Japanese OOB)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/03 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 7 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville

Australia: Construction of fortifications in Portland Roads dot base is now underway. Portland Roads has been occupied to prevent a Japanese landing in NE Australia (or at least an unopposed landing). Pillager had landed Jap forces at Portland Roads in our previous CHS match - while the Japanese presence in NE Australia in CHS did not turn out to be a major threat, it did require diversion of Allied resources in order to contain it.

New Guinea: Japanese amphibious landing at Biak. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Biak

TF 151 troops unloading over beach at Biak, 87,110

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

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Philippines: Japanese capture Cotabato (western Mindanao). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Cotabato (78,90)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13682 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 481
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 275
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 275 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cotabato !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
5th Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Entries in the 7/03 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 near Sibuyan, Speed unknown

China: Japanese ground assault at Lanchow. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31357 troops, 291 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1141
Defending force 8410 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 288
Japanese adjusted assault: 639
Allied adjusted defense: 239
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1622 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 112 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
595 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
259th Brigade
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force

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wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:20 pm

Summary of Operations 7/05/42

Japanese Home Islands: US fleet sub Shark reports contact with probable Jap surface ASW TF in a night action S of Kobe. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Torishima at 108,66 (NW of Torishima)

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
CL Yubari
DD Akizuki
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS Shark

SS Shark launches 4 torpedoes at DD Amagiri
Shark diving deep ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Pacific: No contact reported with KB task forces this game turn. I’m less than convinced Pillager turned the KB back and returned to Truk unless the sub contacts completely ruined the surprise factor of its (the KB’s) planned mission.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/04 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 10 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay

New Guinea: Japanese capture Biak. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Biak (87,110)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 755 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Biak !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
18th JAAF AF Bn (previously reported on Formosa)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Philippines: Entries in the 7/04 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 80,82 at Sibuyan, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,91 at Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 5 Japanese ships at 79,91 at Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,91 at Davao, Speed unknown

Sigint report entry for 7/04 indicates elements of Japanese 24th Infantry Division have embarked from Sibuyan and are moving to Roxas (Panay). This report indicates a Japanese amphibious landing is already or soon to be underway to take Panay.

Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – three Jap TF’s in port, no ships at anchor, 74 aircraft (32 fighters, 21 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. Light industry, resource production and oil refinery facilities in Rangoon appear to be fully operational. Known Japanese LCU in Rangoon include HQ’s 15th Army and 2nd Fleet, 7 JAAF Base Force, 47 Field AA Bn, 55 Mountain Gun Rgt, 112 Infantry Rgt. This report shows two other Jap LCU’s detected in Rangoon but not identified.

China: Japanese capture Lanchow. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30218 troops, 291 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1062
Defending force 7488 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 215
Japanese adjusted assault: 516
Allied adjusted defense: 147
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lanchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
934 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3184 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 146 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
259th Brigade
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese resume ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2324 troops, 192 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 864
Defending force 18178 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 495

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

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
4th War Area
10th Group Army
9th Group Army
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:40 pm

Summary of Operations 7/06/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/05 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status of Baker Is shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

US fleet sub Sealion reports contact with large Japanese AP off Tinian. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Tinian at 109,96 (SE of Tinian)

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru (one hit, dud torpedo)

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

xAP Yoshino Maru is sighted by SS Sealion
SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Yoshino Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Pacific: US fleet subs Pike and Searaven operating in the sea area SW of Ponape (SE of Truk) reporting multiple contacts with B5N2 Kate air patrols. Whether or not the KB aborted its mission and returned to Truk remains an open question, though two probable if not certain conclusions can be drawn at this point – (1) KB has moved some distance to the N of its previous sighting on 7/03, and (2) Pillager is now aware that US submarines are prowling the sea areas S of Truk. Situation map follows.

Expansion of port facilities at Tahiti completed to the base’s maximum port size = 5, airfield expansion is being started.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/05 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: CM Tsugaru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Koumac is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: AK Noto Maru reported in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 102,132 near Fergusson Island, Speed 8, Moving West

Philippines: Entries in the 7/05 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 8 Japanese ships at 79,83 near Roxas, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown

One or more Jap Amphibious and/or Transport TF(s) detected in Roxas base hex (Panay), these TF likely to be disembarking 24th Jap Infantry Division mentioned in the 7/04 Sigint report. 24 Division had captured Sibuyan on 6/29.

Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – three Jap TF’s in harbor, no ships at anchor, 69 aircraft (23 fighters, 21 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.

India: HQ China Air Task Force command was transferred out of China to Southeast Asia command, then airlifted from Kunming to Ledo last game turn. A leader change on this HQ was made to remove MGen Chennault and transfer him into the leader pool. Plans are for MGen Chennault to be eventually employed with a front-line USAAF Air HQ, likely a combat air command in a Pacific theatre.

No definite plans at this time for future employment of China Air Task Force HQ, though the HQ does have torpedo ordnance which makes it potentially useful outside of China.

China: Japanese continue ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2332 troops, 192 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 878
Defending force 18217 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
9th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:36 pm

Summary of Operations 7/07/42

Eastern US: Transport convoy EC-1 (3 ships) departing Eastern US for Capetown with three fighter squadrons (75 planes total) for eventual deployment with US Tenth AF in the Southeast Asia theatre plus 4300 fuel.

Central Pacific: US fleet sub Pompano near the Marianas spots and attacks several small Japanese transport TF’s moving together, all heading southbound. AAR’s follow.

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Submarine attack near Saipan at 115,95 (E of Saipan)

Japanese Ships
AD Nichiran Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

AD Nichiran Maru is sighted by SS Pompano
SS Pompano launches 4 torpedoes at AD Nichiran Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Saipan at 115,95

Japanese Ships
xAK Somedono Maru
PB Jokuja Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

SS Pompano launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Somedono Maru
PB Jokuja Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Pacific: No further contact reported with KB. 7/06 Operations report entries state that US fleet subs Pike and Searaven on patrol S of Truk were spotted by unspecified Japanese forces, no indication on whether these contacts are or could be the KB. SS Pike and Searaven were the two subs attacked last game turn by B5N2 Kate air patrols. Both subs remain in the same general area where the B5N2 Kate contacts occurred last game turn.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/06 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: AMC Aikoku Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Koumac is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: AK Kirishima Maru reported in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 98,130 in Port Moresby, Speed 0, Moving Northeast

Australia: Unidentified Jap submarine detected off Perth.

Philippines: Japanese LCU (probably 5th Infantry Division) detected this game turn adjacent to Cagayan base hex.

Entries in the 7/06 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,83 near Roxas, Speed unknown
Stearman 75M sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,91 near Davao, Speed unknown

Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – two small Jap TF’s in harbor (both appear to be surface ASW), undetermined number of ships at anchor, 70 aircraft (34 fighters, 14 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.

China: Japanese continue ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2345 troops, 192 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 881
Defending force 18196 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Group Army
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:13 pm

The Big Picture #10a – The World as we know it six months (or so) after 12/08/41

Central Pacific:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – Hold Wake as long as possible. Hold Midway period. Otherwise, not much else to do for now.

July 1942 actual – Wake repelled several Japanese landings and managed to hold out until 1/42. I have no explanation to offer as to how it held out through multiple Japanese attacks before its fall, my original estimate being that it would fall almost immediately in 12/42. Nonetheless it was expected to fall and it did.

Midway is garrisoned and remains in US control. Pillager did not attempt an attack on Midway, this also being the case in our previous CHS game. Some construction activity is underway to gradually expand airfield and port facilities on Midway. For the moment, Midway is a relative backwater in the big picture as there is virtually no naval or air activity in the Central Pacific.

One activity that Pillager engaged in on several occasions during 1942 in our last CHS game was sending the KB on sorties into US-controlled areas of the Eastern Pacific, primarily in sea areas near the Line Islands, Johnston Is and south of Hawaii. The intent of these KB sorties appeared to have been mainly probing attacks with a secondary objective to destroy or disrupt US shipping movements between Hawaii and the South/SW Pacific theatres. The KB sorties in CHS had limited success and did not result in any significant naval actions. Up to this point, Pillager has not sortied KB into the Eastern Pacific in AE since the initial Pearl Harbor attack.

Until recently (6/42) the level of Japanese submarine activity in the Central Pacific in our AE game this time has been considerably less than in our previous CHS match. One possible theory as to why was the heavy toll taken during our CHS game by US surface ASW forces on Japanese subs Pillager sent into US controlled sea areas of the Eastern Pacific, this to the extent where Japanese subs detected in these sea areas had at or near 100% probability of attack if not destruction in the later stages of our CHS game (Pillager perhaps not having a short memory on this matter). In our current AE game, I’ve been largely content to note the presence of and otherwise ignore most Japanese subs as (1) Jap subs so far have minimal or no effect on my transport convoy system, (2) surface ASW warfare at least during the early war period is less effective in AE than in CHS, and (3) I’ve had several actions in AE between Japanese subs and US surface ASW where US ASW ships have been torpedoed and sunk.

My current general position on Allied surface ASW warfare in our AE game is to defer aggressively going after Jap submarines with surface ASW TF’s until later in the campaign when more effective Allied ASW weapons and systems become available, and I have larger numbers of Allied surface ASW ships that can be dedicated exclusively to “search and destroy” missions on Jap subs. Once those two conditions are true, plans are to become considerably more aggressive with employing Allied surface ASW. For now the benefits are limited and most Allied surface ASW activity is largely unnecessary (as Pillager’s subs have minimal impact or damage on my operations).

Up to this point in our AE game, both the Marshall and Gilbert island chains have been quiet with neither Pillager nor I putting a lot of emphasis on operations from these locations. That may change but attention on both sides has focused to the south.

South Pacific:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – Pillager got me here last time. A Japanese outer perimeter in the South Pacific area including Noumea, Suva, Samoa and Canton Is is very hard to crack. My early-game objective here is to prevent history from repeating itself.

There is very little question that Pillager will set up Japanese expansion in the Pacific to reach this outer perimeter line again, it proved to be very worthwhile in CHS and is equally so in AE. And every bit as hard for the Allied command to defend all these points in 1941 and early 42.

The opening Allied strategy in this theatre boils down to three questions… (1) How much time do the Allies have before the Japanese reach this line? (2) How many and what forces can the Allies bring into this area before the Japanese arrive? (3) How many and which of these bases can be effectively defended against a Japanese assault?

(A) In our last match in CHS, Canton Is fell to the Japanese on 1/5/42, Pago Pago was taken around 2/20/42. It would be a reasonable estimate to say events are likely to move at or close to the same pace this time as well.

(B) Even with Allied reinforcements immediately departing for the South Pacific, it’s going be a close race against Pillager.

The closest source for ground forces to reinforce South Pacific bases is New Zealand, however, NZ ground forces start the game in miserable condition with most New Zealand LCU’s having large numbers of disabled elements.

Australia is a possible source with several fully operational ground units that can be immediately dispatched (with PP expenditures) to the South Pacific area. One Australian infantry unit is now under orders for dispatch to the South Pacific and scheduled to depart in the next 1-2 days. Also, an attempt is being made to evacuate Lark Bn from Rabaul before the Japanese reach that location. A South Pacific base will very well be Lark Bn’s new home if I get it out of Rabaul.

Dispatching US forces from either Hawaii or the mainland US to the South Pacific will have to take into account the KB’s location and movement over the next few game turns. Until I can get a handle on the KB’s location and direction of movement, sending anything from here could run into a delay.

Somehow, from somewhere, we’re going to get something down there… How much and what we get down there determines the answer to question (3).

(C) It’s apparent that the Allies will not be able to defend everything, but may be able to defend at least one or possibly more of the major South Pacific bases.

The basis of my overall defensive plan in the South Pacific is to hold a sufficient portion of the Noumea-Suva-Pago Pago-Canton Is line so as to maintain a viable “bridgehead” in any Japanese outer perimeter line Pillager may attempt to form along this axis.

From an administrative standpoint, defense of the South Pacific theatre will be divided roughly into two areas: a Western Area (using mainly ANZAC forces) centered on Suva, and an Eastern Area (with mainly US forces) centered on Pago Pago. Thus, the planned “bridgehead” is projected to center on Suva and Pago Pago. After these two locations, Canton Is will be held so as to maintain an relatively unobstructed line of communications between the US and the South Pacific/New Zealand/Australia. Noumea is the most difficult of the four to defend and also the closest to major Japanese bases at Truk and Rabaul (once this is captured). Noumea will receive the lowest priority and estimates are that it is likely to fall into Japanese control.

Both the Lexington and Enterprise CV task forces are being dispatched into the South Pacific. Along with locally available Allied surface TF’s, these naval forces will be employed to disrupt Japanese invasion forces moving southward as much as possible at least until Pillager gets his ducks lined together and sends the KB south to end the party. Available PT boats at Pearl Harbor are being dispatched to (yet to be determined) bases in the South Pacific to assist in local defense against Japanese surface naval or invasion TF’s.

In short… we’re going to do what we can with what we can get down there without losing most or all of it (though expecting to lose some of it).

July 1942 actual – In the South Pacific, Pillager’s Japanese advance is running behind the schedule he followed in our last CHS game. In our current AE game to date, the Japanese have rather gradually taken Canton Is, the Solomons, Ndeni, Luganville and Noumea with no or token opposition. With KB hanging about nearby, there is so far little point to raising any effective Allied opposition. For the Japanese in this AE match, easy conquests in the South Pacific may be over.
Allied reinforcements from New Zealand and the mainland US have steadily accumulated in both Suva and Samoa with more on the way. The main island positions on Fiji and Pago Pago are already occupied in strength (one US division plus other LCU’s in each location), well supplied and with ample fortifications. Supporting positions on surrounding islands (Savaii, Tongatapu, Niue and others) are already in place or in the process of being set up. Another feature of the Samoa-Suva position is development of Auckland and Tahiti as rear-area support bases. Emphasis has also been placed on creating and maintaining a secure a line of communication from Auckland and Tahiti to the forward positions at Suva and Samoa.

30 US and Allied naval search planes (PBY’s and some Hudsons) are now based on Suva and flying almost continuous patrols covering the N, NW and W approaches to Suva and Samoa. About 40-50% of the total US submarine fleet (including all S-class boats) are now operating in the South Pacific, mainly in a continuous picket line surrounding Suva and Samoa to the N, NW and W as well as numerous patrols in the Coral Sea and its entry points from the north. US fleet subs operating from Pearl Harbor occupy a continuous north-south axis of patrol zones from the Japanese Home Islands, through the sea areas E of the Marianas and surrounding Truk on all sides, with the southern end of this axis extending to the northern sea approaches to Rabaul, the Solomons and Ndeni/Luganville. Pillager’s most recent sortie of the KB ran into three of the US fleet subs patrolling S of Truk and N of the Solomons, one of these subs having multiple contacts from the KB.

Auckland and Sydney currently provide full support and replenishment for Allied sub operations in the South/SW Pacific with Brisbane and Suva available as forward bases for refueling.

Allied LBA has not been employed in any combat role in the South or SW Pacific up to this time, though a network of bases are in place where US and Allied squadrons with mainly PBY and some Hudsons are flying more or less continuous naval search missions. Suva currently has the largest concentration of naval search planes followed by Australian east coast bases and Auckland.

In a manner of speaking, I’m concentrating most of my “eggs” in the South Pacific in one basket (Suva and Samoa) at the expense of others (Solomons, Efate, Luganville and Noumea), but my view has been that I was not going to adequately guard all the baskets anyway. Give unto Tojo what he is going to get anyway (Rabaul, Port Moresby, Solomons, Efate, Luganville and Noumea) and provide him with a wall (Suva and Samoa) to smack into later.

New Zealand:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – Auckland will be developed as quickly as possible into the primary forward operating base for Allied naval forces in the South Pacific.

July 1942 actual – This has largely been accomplished. Auckland is already functioning as the “U-boat pen” of the South Pacific. Auckland has large quantities of supply and fuel brought from the mainland US plus a considerable quantity of resource points picked up from production in Noumea and Suva. As stated earlier, Auckland will also be serving as the primary rear-area support base for forward positions on Suva and Samoa. Plans are to route most LCU’s, LBA, supply and fuel, etc arriving in the South Pacific theatre through Auckland. Auckland also being the primary destination port for the large transport convoys reaching the South Pacific theatre from Hawaii or the mainland US (exceptions of course will be made but Auckland being the general rule).

Rabaul:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – As stated above, plans are to evacuate Lark Bn from Rabaul and re-deploy this unit probably in the South Pacific area.

July 1942 actual – Lark Bn had been evacuated from Rabaul to Suva in 12/41. Lark Bn is also a sub-unit of 8th Australian Division and has since transferred from Suva to mainland Australia for building of this division from its existing sub-units (27 Australian Brigade plus three Bns).

Surviving elements of several other LCU including Rabaul Det Base Force and 2/1 Independent Coy were airlifted from open coastal hexes near Rabaul and Kavieng (after Japanese capture of these bases) to Australia by US and Australian PBY and Catalina squadrons. Both LCU have been rebuilt in Australia to full TOE strength.

Force N (ANZAC cruisers) intercepted the Japanese amphibious TF for Rabaul on 12/21/41 after the Jap transports already disembarked the invasion force. In this action 4 Jap PB plus a half-dozen Jap AK of various sizes were destroyed with no loss or damage to the Allies.

New Guinea and Port Moresby:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – Defense of Port Moresby proper is receiving a lower priority relative to defensive operations in the South Pacific area. However, locally available Allied surface naval forces will be attempting to disrupt Japanese invasion operations as and where favorable conditions exist.

July 1942 actual – Port Moresby and all of eastern New Guinea fell to the Japanese during Feb-March 42. As in the case of Rabaul (above), US and Australian PBY and Catalina squadrons evacuated elements of or full-strength Allied LCU’s from base and open coastal hexes in eastern New Guinea to Australia. Evacuated LCU from New Guinea include Port Moresby Brigade, 15 RAAF Base Force, C and D Coys/NG Rifles – these LCU also being rebuilt to full TOE strength.

While small infantry LCU’s have limited usefulness in most situations, they could later serve a purpose when loaded aboard submarine transports and dropped off at unoccupied Japanese bases.

The Air War:

Overall plans have been to not employ Allied LBA in combat (unless absolutely necessary) until combat-worthy Allied planes are available and issued to squadrons on a sufficiently large scale and a sufficiently large “mass” of trained Allied combat LBA squadrons reach the forward theaters to begin combat operations with a reasonable degree of success.

Up to this point, with the exception of squadrons being used for naval search from forward bases, practically all Allied air units have been engaged in full-time training. My usual training pattern for individual squadrons has been to focus on specialties (air-to-air combat, naval bombing, land bombing, recon/naval search and ASW to a lesser extent). Squadrons operate continuously at a 100% training level until the squadron reaches a fatigue level of 30 or over, then the squadron is stood down until fatigue resets to zero and the process repeated. A considerable pool of pilots with 65-70 or over skill levels in various specialties is now in place. It should be noted here that pilots in many 2E bomber squadrons are in specialized training for low level naval bombing, this with the intent of extensively using 2E bombers on skip-bombing naval attacks (or whatever in AE passes for them).

Until very recently, nearly all US air squadrons starting the game or entering as reinforcements in the mainland US and Hawaii have remained there in training. This mainly for two reasons: (1) pilot training and (2) assigned priorities of PP expenditures and transport capacity for transfer and movement out of the mainland US and Hawaii to forward theatres.

Movement of US LBA squadrons from the mainland US and Hawaii has begun only within the last month or two (in game time). Air units bound for the SW Pacific and a few for US Tenth AF in Southeast Asia are being transported aboard the convoys leaving the Eastern US to Australia via Capetown – the first air units already reaching Australia. Air units for the South Pacific theatre are leaving in convoys from the US West Coast and Pearl Harbor. Current plans are to concentrate arrival of US LBA air forces in the South Pacific at Auckland and dispatch them to forward bases from there. CVE Long Island and possibly other CVE’s will be used to “shuttle” air units from Auckland and Australian bases into forward airfields when this capacity is needed due to flying range limitations and/or possibility of enemy action if squadrons are transported by sea using other means.

Movement of LBA squadrons into forward areas of the Pacific theatres is also being prioritized by aircraft types – fighters and patrol squadrons having first priority, followed by land-based dive and torpedo bomber squadrons. Transport planes will follow, with 4E and then 2E bombers coming last. This is the approximate order in which I expect to be using planes (by type) in forward theatres on a large scale, however, events may intervene and require unanticipated variations to this “script”.

Deployments from the mainland US:

Compared to our last game in CHS, US deployments from the mainland US to the South and SW Pacific theatres have greatly accelerated in AE, probably as much as 18 months or so ahead of the schedule from our last CHS game in many cases.

A number of US naval auxiliary ships (tenders, oilers, etc) from the mainland US and Hawaii are already operating in the South Pacific and from Australia, these ships being combined with many evacuees from the DEI and Philippines. I currently have no time frame in place for US surface combat and carrier naval forces entering the South Pacific, these forces for the moment remaining in the Eastern Pacific or on the US West Coast until I have a definite plan or operation to employ these forces in the South Pacific.

Four complete US divisions are already deployed in the South or SW Pacific – Americal and 32nd Infantry Divisions in Australia, 41st Division on Suva, 40th Division on Pago Pago. The remaining sub-units of US 3 Marine Division will arrive in Australia aboard the next off-map convoy from the Eastern US, once they arrive the full 3 Marine Division will be formed. Other US infantry LCU’s now in the South or SW Pacific theatres include two regiments of 2 Marine Division and several US RCT’s. US 27th Infantry Division is already transferred to the South Pacific command and remains in the mainland US for now while building to its full TOE strength from the replacement pools (now at about 80%) – this unit scheduled to ship out once it reaches full strength. The third regiment of US 2 Marine Division is also in the mainland US building to full TOE strength from replacements. Many US artillery, tank and combat engineer LCU’s have already reached Australia or the South Pacific.

US headquarter, construction and base force LCU’s are also now in the South and SW Pacific theatres with others in various stages of transit.

Many LBA squadrons have departed the mainland US, a few of these already arrived in forward theatres, most of them currently enroute aboard a transport convoy at some point in its transit.

The largest single route for deployments from the mainland US has been the off-map convoys from the Eastern US to Australia via Capetown (the “EX” convoys). Currently, about 200 large long-range US and other Allied transports are operating along this route at different points and stages of transit. Cargo carried across this route is mainly destined for the SW Pacific theatre with a smaller amount for the South Pacific.

Sea transport of most cargoes to the South Pacific is coming from the US West Coast, most of these convoys going directly to the South Pacific from the US West Coast (rather little of this transport traffic passing through or even near Pearl Harbor).

Sea transport convoys from the mainland US to forward areas have been highly organized, well secured and well concealed.

The general procedure I’ve employed for re-assignment and movement of US forces from the mainland US has developed as a sequence of steps outlined below.

(1) PP expenditure to transfer LCU’s and air units from restricted commands as necessary. This step I do first before any replacement elements or planes are added into the LCU or squadron to build it up to full strength. This accomplishes two things – First, the PP cost to transfer command of an under-strength LCU is lower than it is to transfer it after it’s brought up to full strength. Second, elements in the LCU replacement pools are targeted only at those LCU’s that are being prepared to “ship out”. Note that to do this, the replacement option must be turned off on all LCU’s and air units until you actually intend to start their build-up to full strength.

(2) Drawing elements or planes from replacement pools for all LCU’s and air units that are under full strength is done in the mainland US before the LCU or air units departs. The premise of this is that any supply points, etc used to draw replacements from the pools to get an air unit or LCU to full TOE strength is expended from stocks (at their source) in the mainland US rather than from supply points in theatre or at a forward base that had been shipped in from somewhere else and can be better used for other purposes. In those cases where the LCU or air unit must be transferred from a restricted command, step (1) is always completed before the unit draws any replacement pool elements or planes.

(3) Use of sea transport capacity for LCU and air unit departures from the mainland US is organized along the following priority system. LCU’s have highest priority -combat units (Infantry, Tank, Artillery) coming first, then engineer and HQ LCU’s. Departure of air units have had lower priority for the most part due to several factors including pilot training and availability of planes in the replacement pools. Priority of movement for different types of air units roughly follows the order described at the end of the section on “Air War”.

(4) LCU’s and air units ready for departure from the mainland US are moved to the port at which the transport convoy they will be loaded on is being formed. Unless circumstances require an exception, individual LCU’s being transported by sea will be loaded aboard two or more transport ships, this to prevent loss of the entire LCU if one of the ships is sunk. Vacant cargo space aboard transports carrying elements of an LCU is filled with either supply or fuel. In practice, transport ship(s) carrying LCU’s and air units will be placed in a transport convoy rather than these ship(s) moving at sea independently.

(5) All transport ships and auxliaries leaving the mainland US (regardless of destination) are loaded to their full cargo capacity before departure. No wasted space.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:58 pm

Summary of Operations 7/08/42

Pillager had been away on business... thus a brief intermission. Anyways, back to the war (in Pillager's own words).

Game Question (Pilot Training): I have a number of air squadrons where the game is “automatically” transferring pilots into the squadron – these pilots come into the squadron through the squadron’s Group Reserve (pilots are in the reserve pool but are assigned to the squadron). This occurs in both LBA and carrier-based squadrons, and so far occurs exclusively in combat (fighter or bomber) squadrons – I haven’t seen this occur yet in patrol, recon or transport air units. Also note that this situation only occurs in some squadrons.

While I view this as being of little or no problem, the end result is the game keeps these pilots in the squadron’s Group Reserve pool as inactive pilots (probably due to more pilots being in the squadron than the maximum number of active pilots that are allowed in the squadron based on its size). All the squadrons where this situation has happened are currently operating in full (100%) training mode.

What I’ve been doing each game turn is to go through these squadrons and manually activate the pilots from Group Reserve – the AE game later puts them back into Group Reserve status at some point during the game turn’s resolution phase and I re-activate them again during my orders phase.

Question is… Will pilots in a squadron’s Group Reserve train if they are left in Group Reserve while the squadron itself is in training? If so, I’d be quite content to leave the pilots in the squadron’s Group Reserve and let them train there instead of re-activating them each turn.

Comments and/or suggestions from readers appreciated.

Central Pacific: US fleet subs north of Truk report contacts with Japanese planes – these could easily be LBA from the Marianas, though planes from the KB also possible if it is actually moving north from Truk. I do believe some Jap fleet carriers have 7/42 upgrades which makes a northward move (from Truk) to the Japanese Home Islands by part or all of the KB entirely feasible. Entries from 7/07 Operations Report and situation map follow.

SS Sealion observes Japanese Carrier Aircraft at 112,96 near Saipan
SS Sculpin observes Japanese Aircraft at 113,100 near Truk

South Pacific: ASW escort ships heading out to meet an unescorted TK returning to Auckland also meets a Jap submarine in a night action. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Auckland at 119,185 (E of Auckland)

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Kiwi
AM Moa

SS I-19 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Kiwi
AM Moa attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-19 eludes ASW attack from AM Moa
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This entry from the 7/07 Combat Events report appears to be a later sighting of I-19’s float plane in daylight by the same NZ task force in the action shown above.

TF 162 sights Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 123,185 near Auckland

Daily coastwatcher reports from 7/07 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: CM Katsuriki reported in port at Koumac (mine laying operation?)
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 102,133 near Normanby Island , Speed 7 , Moving East
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Koumac is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea

Philippines: Jap LCU (probably 5th Infantry Division) now detected in Cagayan base hex.

Entries in the 7/07 Combat Events report for sightings by planes in the Philippine AF recon squadron operating from Cebu follow.

Stearman 75M sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 79,83 near Roxas, Speed unknown

Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 3 Japanese ships in port, two small Jap TF’s in harbor (one surface ASW, one possible amphibious), 78 aircraft (24 fighters, 15 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.

China: Japanese ground bombardment attack near Kweiyang continues. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2350 troops, 192 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 885
Defending force 18241 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 499

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
21st Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alfred · Post by **Alfred** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:58 pm

ORIGINAL: wneumann

... Game Question (Pilot Training): I have a number of air squadrons where the game is “automatically” transferring pilots into the squadron – these pilots come into the squadron through the squadron’s Group Reserve (pilots are in the reserve pool but are assigned to the squadron). This occurs in both LBA and carrier-based squadrons, and so far occurs exclusively in combat (fighter or bomber) squadrons – I haven’t seen this occur yet in patrol, recon or transport air units. Also note that this situation only occurs in some squadrons.

While I view this as being of little or no problem, the end result is the game keeps these pilots in the squadron’s Group Reserve pool as inactive pilots (probably due to more pilots being in the squadron than the maximum number of active pilots that are allowed in the squadron based on its size). All the squadrons where this situation has happened are currently operating in full (100%) training mode.

What I’ve been doing each game turn is to go through these squadrons and manually activate the pilots from Group Reserve – the AE game later puts them back into Group Reserve status at some point during the game turn’s resolution phase and I re-activate them again during my orders phase.

Question is… Will pilots in a squadron’s Group Reserve train if they are left in Group Reserve while the squadron itself is in training? If so, I’d be quite content to leave the pilots in the squadron’s Group Reserve and let them train there instead of re-activating them each turn.

Comments and/or suggestions from readers appreciated...

Have a read of this thread.

tm.asp?m=2873718&mpage=1&key=inactive%2Cpilots&#2874150

I fear, with the passage of time, my explanation of a couple of months back might not have been phrased elegantly enough but I think the meaning remains.

What you have experienced is the result of actual historical figures joining their historical units. Hence it is a phenomenon prone to be experienced by those unrestricted (or able to to be reattached) squadrons which were deployed to the frontlines. Those squadrons permanently restricted stateside, and which presumably you have 100% on training duties seem to escape this influx of historical personnel.

As to participating in training, my praxis is that yes, only active pilots train. Thus the "value" of the above thread, which will also assist you in not experiencing recividism back to inactivity amongst your pilots.

Alfred

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:29 pm

Alfred,

Thanks for your response. I went out to look at the thread - that and your remarks in here pretty much answers the question.

Actually, I haven't experienced this situation among any squadrons in restricted commands that cannot be transferred out of the restricted command (or the mainland US). It's been almost entirely with squadrons in un-restricted commands or squadrons that can be transferred from a restricted to an un-restricted command.

This phenomena isn't restricted by nationality (I've also seen it in a small number of British and ANZAC squadrons), nor as far as I can tell has anything to do with a squadron's training level (given that I toggle training levels back and forth between 0 and 100 depending on whether the squadron is resting or training "at full speed"). It just does it.

I see a couple options to work around this, at least during the time a squadron with extra pilots is in training...

The first two options involve keeping all the pilots in the squadron, including the extra ones.

(1a) Just keep re-activating the extra pilots in a squadron that are automatically inactivated each game turn, pretty much what I had been doing until now.

(1b) Select a number of pilots in the squadron equal to the number of extra pilots and set these pilots to be inactive - i.e. a squadron with 25 planes and 36 pilots (three over the maximum of 33) would have three pilots selected and set to be kept inactive. As long as the squadron is in full training mode, the three selected pilots for inactivation would likely be those with the highest experience/skill level in the squadron. The inactived pilots would preferably have maximum levels that can be attained in non-combat training - they would derive no benefit from being activated while the remaining pilots in the squadron are training for the current skill. This action would allow me to keep the trained pilots with the squadron (in the squadron's Group Reserve) while at the same time training the less experienced/skilled pilots in the squadron without the manual intervention each game turn required for option (1a).

(2) Send fully trained pilots that are in excess of the number of active pilots allowed in a squadron to the (general) Reserve pilot pool. I have been doing this to a limited extent.

For the short term, I'm intending to look at option (1b).

Alfred · Post by **Alfred** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:50 pm

ORIGINAL: wneumann

Alfred,

Thanks for your response. I went out to look at the thread - that and your remarks in here pretty much answers the question.

Actually, I haven't experienced this situation among any squadrons in restricted commands that cannot be transferred out of the restricted command (or the mainland US). It's been almost entirely with squadrons in un-restricted commands or squadrons that can be transferred from a restricted to an un-restricted command.

This phenomena isn't restricted by nationality (I've also seen it in a small number of British and ANZAC squadrons), nor as far as I can tell has anything to do with a squadron's training level (given that I toggle training levels back and forth between 0 and 100 depending on whether the squadron is resting or training "at full speed"). It just does it.

I see a couple options to work around this, at least during the time a squadron with extra pilots is in training...

The first two options involve keeping all the pilots in the squadron, including the extra ones.

(1a) Just keep re-activating the extra pilots in a squadron that are automatically inactivated each game turn, pretty much what I had been doing until now.

(1b) Select a number of pilots in the squadron equal to the number of extra pilots and set these pilots to be inactive - i.e. a squadron with 25 planes and 36 pilots (three over the maximum of 33) would have three pilots selected and set to be kept inactive. As long as the squadron is in full training mode, the three selected pilots for inactivation would likely be those with the highest experience/skill level in the squadron. The inactived pilots would preferably have maximum levels that can be attained in non-combat training - they would derive no benefit from being activated while the remaining pilots in the squadron are training for the current skill. This action would allow me to keep the trained pilots with the squadron (in the squadron's Group Reserve) while at the same time training the less experienced/skilled pilots in the squadron without the manual intervention each game turn required for option (1a).

(2) Send fully trained pilots that are in excess of the number of active pilots allowed in a squadron to the (general) Reserve pilot pool. I have been doing this to a limited extent.

For the short term, I'm intending to look at option (1b).

Nice idea about (1b) but it isn't going to work out the way you expect it to.[:)]

The problem is that with 36 pilots in the unit, you are 3 over ther extended list. As you know that means you start off with 3 inactive pilots who will not train but what you haven't factored in is that those 3 inactive pilots are like rotten apples in the barrel. Progressively your 33 "active" students will accumulate fatigue and as they reach their fatigue threshold, the program will automatically make them inactive and not replace them with an existing refreshed but inactive pilot. This process will continue until you are down to the TOE of 25 pilots. Hence you will end up with 25 active and 11 inactive pilots. Unless you go in every turn to manually change their status.

Whereas if you keep only 33 pilots in the unit (IOW you send of the 3 surplus pilots off to General Reserve), the program will not deactivate the pilots when they reach the same fatigue threshold as it will were you to have 36 pilots (with 3 inactive).

Summary

1. Unit with 33 pilots, all can be made active and will retain that status.

2. Unit with more than 33 pilots, the inactive pilots act like rotten apples and eventually you will be left with only 25 active pilots.

Alfred

USS Henrico · Post by **USS Henrico** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:05 am

Summary

1. Unit with 33 pilots, all can be made active and will retain that status.

2. Unit with more than 33 pilots, the inactive pilots act like rotten apples and eventually you will be left with only 25 active pilots.

Amen. I regularly have to go through my Allied squadrons in my PBEM game and ship the surplus pilots (>33 in this case) back to General Reserve, else you do wind up up with just the 25 pilots active.

Those historical pilots are a feature I could do without. Usually they aren't fully trained in the skills you want anyway, so they're the ones sent back from the front line squadrons to General Reserve, to be manually pulled into a training squadron with slots available to finish up their schooling.

wneumann · Post by **wneumann** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:56 pm

Alfred, USS Henrico

Thanks for your comments. Looks like what I'll end up doing is transferring fully trained pilots (if any) out of the squadron to the General Reserve pool and keep the rest for training. For squadrons that do not have fully trained pilots I will have to employ some other plan to select which pilots to send to General Reserve.

Note for USS Henrico - in the case of USN fleet carrier squadrons (VF, VB, VS, VT) the historical pilots I'm getting are actually quite good and many of them are fully trained. Not so for the historical pilots coming in for US Army and the other Allied nationalities, these pilots pretty much as you described.

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