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A busy day indeed.
The A2A losses in this AAR seem pretty sensible - has there been any conscious effort from the team to make the air combat less bloody than in WitP?

ORIGINAL: briny_norman

A busy day indeed.
The A2A losses in this AAR seem pretty sensible - has there been any conscious effort from the team to make the air combat less bloody than in WitP?

no not really...[;)]

New plane tops for Cobras and Kittys. Can you show us the troops at PM please Elf?

Was tis surface combat a mid-ocean intercept? I've read before that mid ocean intercept possibility was greatly increased, did we see a nice example of that here?

I think the point is, first of all, that mid-ocean intercepts weren't possible at all in WitP, while they will be possible in AE.
But it sure would be interesting to hear a bit about the mechanics of mid-ocean intercepts in AE...?
It's one of the features I've really been looking forward too...

ORIGINAL: briny_norman

I think the point is, first of all, that mid-ocean intercepts weren't possible at all in WitP,

They are hard to accomplish, but certainly not impossible.

4 May 42 Pt III: The flock is thinned

At first light, Yorktown and Lex each loose their VB Squadron on the nearer AMPHIB GRU. CARDIV 5 hides to the East about 120nm in heavy Cloud and rain. Each CV TF is aware of the other but no Strikes are launched. Likely due to weather and range.

I did not expect to see CAP over the AMPHIB GRU as they were out in front of the CVs. Turns out Shoho is on Convoy Escort. A total of nine Zekes are encountered and though they cull a few SBDs they can't prevent the IJN's worst nightmare.

The VS's are all on Search 100% oriented in the general direction of the Japs to the NE.



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-2
xAP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Huzi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Asanagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 6


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-2, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
APD Asanagi, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

This is very nice! It sounds pretty damn authentic, too. Especially like the fact that escorts can actually.....escort. And without having to annhilate every enemy plane on CAP, too.

ORIGINAL: briny_norman

I think the point is, first of all, that mid-ocean intercepts weren't possible at all in WitP, while they will be possible in AE.
But it sure would be interesting to hear a bit about the mechanics of mid-ocean intercepts in AE...?
It's one of the features I've really been looking forward too...

mid-ocean intercepts were possible in WITP you just had to figure out what your opponent would do. Against AI, this is no problem at all, in PBEM it is a bit harder.

With the Battle of Coral Sea looming I'll take a moment to reflect on the AAR to this point.

General Trends are that the P-39s and P-40s are taking lots of damage and not going down wholesale as they did in stock. The Zeroes are winning the battle, if you measure success by counting A/C lost, but I think in the long run the PM defenders are doing more harm to the Japs and winning the war. US pilots are lost far less frequently than their IJN opponents. I'll post a screen soon.

US design and durability is having its effect, but both Allied types at PM are more complex Inline A/C with service ratings of 2 so they are remaining damaged a little longer. As a result, ABDA availability rates are poor right now, but the Rikko units are failing to capitalize on virtual Air superiority. This could be a problem as noted by those who suggest more recon. It could also be due to shitty LDRS. We’ll see after this next turn, as I have sacked the entire Rikko leadership!

The Japs have far fewer damaged A/c but I think that is a reflection of Zekes being downed more decisively when they are actually hit by the less maneuverable Allied A/C. They also benefit from a Service Rating of 1 and repair superficial damage more quickly, if they make it back to Rabaul. I had 3 Zekes lost to Ops, no doubt due to Combat damage.

Radar is helping the Allies. Radar detection messages flash across the screen regularly and the intial rounds of combat generally result in a loss or 1 or 2 Escorts before they recover and assert their higher Skill and MVR to eventually eek out a tactical victory. This is the edge that the Allies held the line with in the early months, and it seems to be working in their favor here too.

On that note, the Betties and Nells have benefitted from the Expertise of the Tainan Air Group, as until last night, not a single Rikko had been lost to the PM CAP. This is great! Slowly the Veterans of China are being lost while accomplishing their mission, but this will not always be the case. Particularly as fresh allied units come in with higher EXP and better A/C . Numerically the IJN tend to maintain superiority, but any failure in coordination hurts them as the CAP will have the advantage.

Weather is a factor to keep in mind. Players should weigh the Risk:benefit when weather looks to be a factor as coordination can suffer.

Stand by for this AAR to broaden in scope as CARDIV 5 and the USN draw nearer to each other. Having already viewed the replay I can say this show will not disappoint, but I have a lot of data to pour through before I can post a good AAR. Lots of moving parts!

It was but only if they ended in the same hex. So you could pass along each other in the oppposite direction 100 times it still did not generate an engagement (whereas it worked for subs).

So far it looks like all the new bits in AE are working as planned. GREAT NEWS!!
 
Looking forward to the next installment Elf.

ORIGINAL: csatahajos

It was but only if they ended in the same hex. So you could pass along each other in the oppposite direction 100 times it still did not generate an engagement (whereas it worked for subs).

that´s true

ORIGINAL: TheElf

4 May 42 Pt III: The flock is thinned

At first light, Yorktown and Lex each loose their VB Squadron on the nearer AMPHIB GRU. CARDIV 5 hides to the East about 120nm in heavy Cloud and rain. Each CV TF is aware of the other but no Strikes are launched. Likely due to weather and range.

I did not expect to see CAP over the AMPHIB GRU as they were out in front of the CVs. Turns out Shoho is on Convoy Escort. A total of nine Zekes are encountered and though they cull a few SBDs they can't prevent the IJN's worst nightmare.

The VS's are all on Search 100% oriented in the general direction of the Japs to the NE.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-2
xAP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Huzi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Asanagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VS-2 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 6


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-2, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
APD Asanagi, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet (VB-5 / None)
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Elf, can a single fighter squadron perform both CAP AND LRCAP in the same turn?
(Hoping the answer is "yes".)

ORIGINAL: csatahajos

It was but only if they ended in the same hex. So you could pass along each other in the oppposite direction 100 times it still did not generate an engagement (whereas it worked for subs).

Yeah, that's what I meant by no mid-ocean intercepts. Only by ending the turn in the same hex would two TFs battle it out.
Great that this has been changed - but it still would be nice to hear a little about the mechanics behind interceptions... I assume factors like radar/weather/experience etc. plays a role in whether an interception takes place or the ships bypass each other...?
Perhaps TFs can be set to avoid battle, making an interception less likely, again somewhat determined by things like experience etc...? (sure would be great to have such mechanics...!)

ORIGINAL: m10bob
Elf, can a single fighter squadron perform both CAP AND LRCAP in the same turn?
(Hoping the answer is "yes".)

Yes, but CAP is more effective than LRCAP. It's a trade off.

CAP in general is less efficient in the sense that only a percentage of the percentage assigned to CAP can be airborne and in place at any given time over a 6 hour period. The rest is made up by scrambling either late without radar or early with radar to put it simply.

That isn't to say that LRCAP is useless, it's just less likely to be reinforced due to it's proximity from home base.

ORIGINAL: TheElf

ORIGINAL: m10bob
Elf, can a single fighter squadron perform both CAP AND LRCAP in the same turn?
(Hoping the answer is "yes".)

Yes, but CAP is more effective than LRCAP. It's a trade off.

CAP in general is less efficient in the sense that only a percentage of the percentage assigned to CAP can be airborne and in place at any given time over a 6 hour period. The rest is made up by scrambling either late without radar or early with radar to put it simply.

That isn't to say that LRCAP is useless, it's just less likely to be reinforced due to it's proximity from home base.

Is this true of AE or Witp as well?

5 May 42: CORAL SEA Pt. I

Action starts off on 5 May 42 with the the morning raid against Moresby. Being too far removed to have a significant role in the impending Carrier duel and unaware of the drubbing the AMPHIBGRU's have taken to date, RADM Yanagihara of the 25th Air Flotilla recommends a maximum effort against Moresby in preparation for the next day's landings. 11th Air Fleet, under VADM Tsukahara concurs and Southeast Fleet, VADM Kusaka commanding issues the OPORD. CARDIV 5 will face down the Americans while the Elite Rikko units under new leadership rushed in from the Home Islands silences the PM defenders once and for all.

The Stage is set...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/05/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

The best laid plans...The 25th Air Flotilla strike comes off without a hitch...mostly. The Sweep joins up with the Striking force and their brothers in the Escort under LCDR Nakajima. An additional 9 Nells from Genzan Ku K-2 are ferried in over night to bolster the destructive force of the attack. Unfortunately, visibility in the early morning darkness proves difficult for some and a smaller force is formed of wingmen of opportunity from several elements. Aside from this miscue, by all accounts, a well planned and formed raid with a strong escort...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-21 Zero x 28
G3M2 Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 12

Then reality sets in.

The Moresby defenders are up and waiting. The large raid has been tracked for miles, and all available A/C are scrambled. The 35th PS, just arrived from Townsville effectively doubles the CAP's strength. Though these P-400s are limited to 15k' the Japanese know no different. In short order, and before loss to the CAP 5 Zeroes are caught flat-footed and riddled. The first clash devolves into mass hysteria but the Sweep and Escorts cannot regain the upper hand, but as they have done to this point they are successful in forcing the CAP to expend themselves against them, and the new Rikko Leadership finally make good their attack against the AF at PM.


----The CAP is reinforced several times, but the endurance of the A/C in use has them withdrawing almost as quickly.

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-400 Airacobra x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-21 Zero: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged ---- OUCH, that leaves a mark...No Zero Bonus here...

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 16000 feet (Genzan Ku K-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
1 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 16000 feet (Genzan Ku K-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 16000 feet (Genzan Ku K-2 / 11th Air Fleet)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 16000 feet (4th Ku K-1 / 11th Air Fleet)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 16000 feet (Genzan Ku K-1 / 25th Air Flotilla)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 16000 feet (4th Ku K-1 / 11th Air Fleet)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

The Ad Hoc formation of stragglers reaches the target late, but are fortunate to find the CAP in a lull having just ripped the Tainan Group for 7 of their number. Fortunately the bulk of the Defenders are manning P-400s that can't reach the bombers at 16k', however the 25th Air Flotilla loses it's first Rikko machine, credited to the 36th PS.



Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 9


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 16000 feet (Genzan Ku K-2 / 11th Air Fleet)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 16000 feet (4th Ku K-1 / 11th Air Fleet)
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg AP Bomb

The success of the raid has yet to be determined. 11 land-based Planes are confirmed lost between the two sides, with twice that many damaged. Regardless, the defenders of Moresby are in no position to affect the outcome of the Battle of Coral Sea...

Will it ever be possible for the Japanese player in AE to destroy ac on the ground or to even damage an airfield. All those attacks in this AAR so far have done... well, nothing it seems. [&:] Would just be better to send Zeroes on sweeps without bombers at all, as the bombers seem to be useless. Pretty hard to hit something with only two bombs from 16.000ft.

ORIGINAL: TheElf

ORIGINAL: m10bob
Elf, can a single fighter squadron perform both CAP AND LRCAP in the same turn?
(Hoping the answer is "yes".)

Yes, but CAP is more effective than LRCAP. It's a trade off.

CAP in general is less efficient in the sense that only a percentage of the percentage assigned to CAP can be airborne and in place at any given time over a 6 hour period. The rest is made up by scrambling either late without radar or early with radar to put it simply.

That isn't to say that LRCAP is useless, it's just less likely to be reinforced due to it's proximity from home base.

Thank you, and we all appreciate your concise explanation.

(One can only hope the Brewster Buffalo Bonus will remain intact !)[:D]