Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[SqzMyLemon]

Now that I am constantly moving pilots into training units directly from the replacement pool I haven't seen the "x number of pilots advanced" message in at least 9 months of war. So TRACOM, in my experience, will only advance pilots if you aren't messing with the pools yourself. I now use TRACOM primarily for protecting 80+ experienced pilots until I produce better aircraft for them. If they advance any pilots in the training program at all I haven't been seeing it regularly.

I do try and have at least on 80+ experienced pilot in training Sentai's as Mike does. I do notice these units seem to train up faster than others without one.

[Mike Solli]

14 Dec 41

Sub War

My perimeter of subs continues to pay off. Today, the I-155, lurking off Palembang, caught an xAP and put her under. Unfortunately, she was empty.

5 Fleet

The Adak invasion fleet heads in and will land tomorrow. Still no sight of the enemy. Once taken, more troops and engineers will be landed and Adak will be built up. Air power in the form of fighters and recon will be sent. Not sure whether they’ll be IJA or IJN yet nor where they will come from.

4 Fleet

The lost AMC in the Wake invasion fleet caused more problems than originally thought. A good portion of the SNLF was on that ship. The SA upon landing wasn’t able to muster any more than 1:1 odds with bad casualties to the surviving SNLF members and the NG assisting them. I took 320(3) to 80(3) US losses. I’m going to attempt a DA tomorrow after another CA bombardment and (hopefully) full deckloads from KB. Today, KB was socked in by rain and didn’t launch. I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst so I’ve sent the NG allocated to attack Tarawa up north to assist. It’ll take a few days to get there unfortunately.

SE Fleet

The 144 Regiment and Maizuru 1 SNLF are at Truk reloading for the Rabaul invasion. The Gds Bde is still enroute. Supporting them is a surface force of 2 BBs, Kitakami and Oi and some DDs. I will not bombard with BBs. That ends up taking that threat out of the battle for a time. It’s just too hard to replenish them on the fringe without an AKE available. There isn’t one in this area yet.

I am taking all the dot hexes I can in this (and every other) theater. Sorry, but I probably won’t list them unless it’s something critical.

China

Nothing new to report.

Hong Kong

Air and ground bombardment continues today. Two of the Allied battalions are almost completely combat ineffective and the third is about half its original strength. Only the Kowloon Brigade is hanging in there. Another DA will occur tomorrow.

Manchuoko

Today was the start of the 2 Air Division Chinese Air Offensive. I finally got enough AS at Jehol to support the 3 Sally Sentai (81 planes) from this air division. They flew their first mission against Chinese troops in range. More AS is arriving and I’ll add the Lily Sentai (31 planes) when I can. 51 Sallys flew causing 222(0) casualties. I won’t mention this again unless something critical happens. I just mention this tactic because it is a wonderful way to train up INAAF bomber pilots. I use the Ki-21-Ic airframes for this mission. They’re not bad planes and there are 46 in the pool in addition to the 81 in the 3 sentai. All are reserved strictly for this mission.

Philippines

Laoag fell to the Rowboat Corps.

Ted’s forces are pretty much evenly split between Clark Field and Bataan (in addition to the 3 cut off units in the southern peninsula. Japanese forces at Clark Field are the victors of Iba (an infantry regiment of 48 Div, an SNLF and support) vs. the following Allied forces:

71st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion
Asiatic Fleet
USAFFE
1st PI Base Force
South Luzon Force
Subic Bay Defenses

I like this. So far, I’ve destroyed 3 PA divisions. I have the opportunity to trash the above forces and have their remnants withdraw into Bataan. I believe there are 9(?) divisions on Luzon. I also believe one is isolated to the south, leaving 5 remaining, 2 at Clark Field and 3 at Bataan. If I can trash these two (plus the other infantry units here), then I can probably reduce the remainder rather quickly. Once Mindanao is liberated, I’ll move 16 Division back to Luzon to expedite the surrender of the Rabble of Bataan. (If I remember correctly, there were 10 PA divisions and the regular army division. One was on Mindinao and one on another island – Cebu maybe, leaving 9 divisions on Luzon.)

The 48 Div (-) and 65 Bde and their support are marching to the sound of the guns at Clark Field. Once they arrive, I’ll combine the 48 Div and begin to reduce these guys. That should start in a day or two. Until then, ground and air bombardment continues.

The 23 Air Flotilla HQ is loaded aboard xAKs and is headed to Truk. The air units assigned to them will begin the move (by air) to Truk as well. There just isn’t a need for them around the Philippines any longer. The 21 Air Flotilla will continue to support the Philippines (if needed) and will begin to move toward Kendari and Ambon where they will set up security against Allied shipping attempting to evacuate or warships attempting to enter from that area. The 5 Air Division is tasked with bombing the Rabble of Bataan to oblivion. Once the US Air Force is eliminated from the Philippines, I’ll give the bomber units of the 5 Air Division rookies (in excess of their normal, trained airmen) to train additional bomber crews. With no fear of enemy fighters, this works well.

As I fly the 23 Air Flotilla planes to SE Fleet, they will stop over at Babeldaob. I’m going to set up an ambush there. Ted has been attempting to bomb the airfield there every other day or so with B-17s, flying from Borneo I believe. The only fighters there are the Kawai Det, currently flying Claudes. I’m going to pack as many Zeros as will fit there for a bit to see if I can catch one of those raids and possibly shoot down one or two. Just a little pinprick to demoralize him a bit more.

Mindanao

The invasion of Butuan started today with the 146/56 and 2x tank regiments. The 16 Division will land at the base in the NW corner of the island in 2 days. The BB TF and a CA TF are to the west of these invasion fleets screening these forces from potential enemies. I can see only 1 enemy ship near Tarakan apparently heading west, but it may be the Houston or Boise. I hope it is one of them. It’ll be dead meat if it comes.

Burma

Still plodding along…

Currently, the “invasion” consists of 55 Division (-) with 33 Division still loading at Nagasaki. That’ll be a whopping 2 divisions. Not nearly enough. My goal is 4-5 infantry divisions by spring of 42 along with the two tank divisions which form around Jun 42. I will probably send 2 divisions from the 25 Army (I’m thinking 56 & IG Divs) after Singapore and Palembang are liberated. At that point I expect Rangoon to be liberated and can probably ship them. That’ll leave 5 & 18 Divs to defend Sumatra and Malaya. The Burma Army will increase with time as I get more infantry through reinforcements and PP buys.

Then there’s the Royal Thai Army (RTA). One of our house rules is that restricted units must pay to cross national borders. This prevents these guys from leaving Thailand. They’ll be used to garrison Thai cities and the remainder will garrison the Thai/Burma frontier.

The 1 Raiding Regiment is being air transported to Bangkok in preparation for its air assault of Pt. Blair. Once Singapore falls, the 21 IMB will be shipped to Pt. Blair as the garrison.

Malaya

Ted is in full flight everywhere except Georgetown, Kota Bharu and Kuantan. The Aussies in Mersing are fleeing as well. I had moved the invasion fleets to within 2 days sail of Malaya and this turn moved them to within 1 day of all 3 coastal bases. I had initially planned on invading Kota Bharu and Kuantan but now that he’s moving the Aussies out of Mersing, I’m considering invading Mersing and Kuantan. The RAF bomber force is very weak. I estimate he has ~6-9 Blenheim IVs, and a dozen Vildebeest/Swordfish, along with 75-80 Buffalos. I need to make that decision when I get my next turn. If I go with Mersing, I’ll LRCAP it with mini KB and Yamada/Oscars will LRCAP Kuantan. I’ll also escort the Mersing invasion with the 4 CA TF and Kuantan with the 2 CA TF. Once Kuantan is liberated, I’ll station Yamada, Tojos and Oscars there and begin the destruction of the RAF in Malaya through sweeps of Singapore, where the majority of the Buffalos are stationed.

The 3 Air Division HQ will arrive in Alor Star in the next day or two. This will allow me to station the Sallys and Lilys of that Air Division there to begin the bombing of the fleeing ground forces.

Other Stuff

The West Virginia showed up as sunk now! I’m seeing 6 US BBs on the sunk list. I know some are incorrect, so I’m assuming 3, with an outside chance of 4. Either way, that’s still good news.

I’ve been starting conversion of the Ansyu-C xAKLs to PBs as they become available from other missions. I’m down to 8 remaining (of 54!) that have yet to begin conversion. Once complete, I’ll have over 100 of them. It’s interesting that I haven’t seen much at all in the way of Allied subs. I wonder where he’s hiding them???

Just a reminder of my air training program – I train pilots to 50+ experience and 70+ in whatever skill that unit is training. I check the training units on the 15th and last day of the month, except Dec 41, where I’ll just check on the last day of the month. When I check, I’ll cull the trained pilots and replace them with rookies. With one exception, I train each pilot in one skill. The one exception is IJNAF TB pilots. I’m training them in NavT and NavB skills even though it’ll take twice as long. Often, these guys don’t have torpedoes available for whatever reason. I want them to be able to actually hit a ship with a bomb. A bomb is better than nothing….

I usually withdraw my IJAAF bombers from bombing enemy ground forces/airfields in mid to late 42 (for the most part) due to heavy losses. Then they focus on ASW. I’m training ASW and GrdB right now. Later, I’ll add in LowB to prepare for the Kamikazes of 44+.

I converted 12x Toho and 12x Ehime to the –t for troop movement. They’re headed to Cam Ranh Bay to be dispersed out as needed. I intend to convert an additional 24x Toho to the –t soon. About 10-12 of them are enough to transport a division easily. The 14 kt speed of the Toho is very nice too, and can be escorted by the numerous Ansyu-C PBs. I’ll station them with my reserve divisions/brigades around the map for quick movement. I’m thinking Ominato, Truk, Saipan, Singapore and Kendari for reserves. Just initial thoughts. My xAPs will do most of the movement of reinforcements from the Home Islands to major hubs.

I took a look at elite pilots. There aren’t many at this early date. I’m hoping that the 3 AD and 22 Air Flotilla gain some during the air reduction campaigns of Malaya and Java. There aren’t a lot of IJAAF fighters that I want to commit though. The Nates will be used for CAP over friendly airbases and cautious use in Burma. The Oscar Ia goes to Burma. That leaves the Oscar Ib and Ic, the Tojo and Zeros for Singapore. Here are the land based aircraft available:

Oscar Ib: 30
Oscar Ic: 24 (2x 12 plane chutai have been converted to date)
Tojo: 9
Zero: 27 (+9 more from Kawai det which is still at Babeldaob & needs to upgrade to Zeros)

That makes for a total of 90 fighters (+9 additional coming shortly) vs. 75-80 Buffalos. That should do the trick.

[CT Grognard]

Mike, quick question:

I'm relatively confident of this, but if you set a torpedo bomber unit to Training: Naval Attack then they will improve both NavT and NavB skills at the same time (along with Defn of course)?

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Mike, quick question:

I'm relatively confident of this, but if you set a torpedo bomber unit to Training: Naval Attack then they will improve both NavT and NavB skills at the same time (along with Defn of course)?

No. If they use bombs they will train NavB if they use torps they will train NavT. In both cases they will train Defn

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Mike, quick question:

I'm relatively confident of this, but if you set a torpedo bomber unit to Training: Naval Attack then they will improve both NavT and NavB skills at the same time (along with Defn of course)?

No. If they use bombs they will train NavB if they use torps they will train NavT. In both cases they will train Defn

Taken from fb.asp?m=2967871

if the aircraft is carrying a torpedo and the group is configured not to use bombs, and the mission is Naval Attack, then the skill used is SKILL_NAV_TORP;

Semantics but ... the difference is not if they are carrying, but if they are configured. Let me just confirm this with a quick test...

[CT Grognard]

Actually, it does make sense.

Set a torpedo-capable air unit to Training: Naval Attack with "USE TORPEDOES". Even if there are no torpedoes at that base, the training will increase NavT.

Set a torpedo-capable air unit to Training: Naval Attack with "USE BOMBS", and the skill being increased is NavB.

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Actually, it does make sense.

Set a torpedo-capable air unit to Training: Naval Attack with "USE TORPEDOES". Even if there are no torpedoes at that base, the training will increase NavT.

Set a torpedo-capable air unit to Training: Naval Attack with "USE BOMBS", and the skill being increased is NavB.

Confirmed ... I was just concerned that if no Torps were avail then it defaulted back to training NavB ... "if they use" is in my mind a little different from configured ..

[CT Grognard]

Damian, do you know offhand if any changes have been made to low-altitude bombing in the latest beta patches?

I seem to recall something about the payload halving or even quartering below certain altitudes, asside from the morale hit and higher operational loss?

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Damian, do you know offhand if any changes have been made to low-altitude bombing in the latest beta patches?

I seem to recall something about the payload halving or even quartering below certain altitudes, asside from the morale hit and higher operational loss?

I think there has been changes to morale and Ops losses, but I know nothing about the payload changes... maybe someone else can chime in?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Damian, do you know offhand if any changes have been made to low-altitude bombing in the latest beta patches?

I seem to recall something about the payload halving or even quartering below certain altitudes, asside from the morale hit and higher operational loss?

I think there has been changes to morale and Ops losses, but I know nothing about the payload changes... maybe someone else can chime in?

I've been using low bombing with Nates in China and there are few losses if any, no discernable moral lowering, and they have a 90% hit rate as well! They are shown to be dropping the full complement of the meagre payload they carry. They don't cause much damage, but it's training the pilots up at least.

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Damian, do you know offhand if any changes have been made to low-altitude bombing in the latest beta patches?

I seem to recall something about the payload halving or even quartering below certain altitudes, asside from the morale hit and higher operational loss?

I think there has been changes to morale and Ops losses, but I know nothing about the payload changes... maybe someone else can chime in?

I've been using low bombing with Nates in China and there are few losses if any, no discernable moral lowering, and they have a 90% hit rate as well! They are shown to be dropping the full complement of the meagre payload they carry. They don't cause much damage, but it's training the pilots up at least.

Yeah - I probably read someone talking about it rather than it being changed ... [8|]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Mike, quick question:

I'm relatively confident of this, but if you set a torpedo bomber unit to Training: Naval Attack then they will improve both NavT and NavB skills at the same time (along with Defn of course)?

No. If they use bombs they will train NavB if they use torps they will train NavT. In both cases they will train Defn

And experience too.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: CT Grognard

Damian, do you know offhand if any changes have been made to low-altitude bombing in the latest beta patches?

I seem to recall something about the payload halving or even quartering below certain altitudes, asside from the morale hit and higher operational loss?

I think there has been changes to morale and Ops losses, but I know nothing about the payload changes... maybe someone else can chime in?

4E's (maybe 2E's also, can't remember) have their load halved when 1000' or lower in the beta unless they are attack bomber designated. Actually, I think it is based upon the heavy bomber flag, but Michael never said that and I haven't tested to confirm.

[CT Grognard]

That's what I remember - specifically to combat the "massed 4E's at 100' to blast your airfield out of existence" tactic.

[Mike Solli]

15 Dec 41

Sub War

Good news today. The I-169 was heading south to its assigned patrol area and found the CA Pensacola near Ndeni. She put 2 torpedoes into her. I don’t think she sank, but that had to have put a hurting on her.

5 Fleet

We have successfully made an unopposed landing on Adak. The 7 Base Force will take the base tomorrow. Now to find some recon….

4 Fleet

More good news today. Wake fell in a 5:1 DA! Our losses were heavy however at 291(24) to the US losses of 1240(187). We captured 7 Wildcats and 11 Vindicators as well. The ships will hang around long enough to unload the remaining supply and then leave. I am flying the 2 plane Betty unit from Kwajalein in for some naval search. I’ll put some floatplanes there as well for ASW/naval search. In addition, engineers are enroute to start building up the forts. I’m happy with the result here. It could have been much worse. By the way, KB didn’t fly again. I also lost an xAKL to CD guns after it dropped off its supply.

SE Fleet

Kavieng fell to a DA. Losses were 21(0) for me and 41(3) Aussies.

Hong Kong

The DA didn’t quite do it with 1:1 odds and the 1 fort remaining. Two of the Brit battalions are combat ineffective and the third is just about there. The Kowloon brigade is just about to drop below 100 AV. Losses were 571(4) to his 593(60). He’s being worn down. I’m trying another DA tomorrow. My fatigue and disruption are still low. His have got to be high from the attacks and constant bombing and bombardment. Hopefully, this one will do it. A 16 Dec 41 demise would be great. Once Hong Kong is liberated, the artillery will go to Malaya. The 38 Division may or may not depending on how much of the enemy I cut off in Malaya.

China

Nothing new to report.

Philippines

My bombers hit Clark today before my fighters had a chance to sweep. It cost me 2 Bettys and a Nell. I hate when that happens. When the Zeros did show up, they shot down 4x P-40Bs for no loss. An Ann was lost to flak. Today, I’ll start to move the Tainan Daitai toward Truk. The 2, 9 plane chutai will move to Babeldaob and CAP that base in hopes that Ted will send the B-17s for a go at it. The Kawai det (9 Claudes that started the war there) are moving to Malaya where they will pick up Zeros and start to do some real damage.

The 48 Div (-) and 65 Bde will arrive at Clark Field tomorrow. I’ll probably do a DA the day after.

I just realized that there is one Allied unit isolated in the north of Luzon. I believe it is an infantry battalion.

Mindinao

I forgot to attack Butuan today. It’s scheduled for tomorrow. The Dutch Do-24k-1s are a pain in the butt. They carry a hefty 300kg bomb and do a number on whatever they hit. They caught an xAK at Butuan today, but fortunately after her troops had offloaded.

The 16 Div lands tomorrow as well.

Malaya

My invasion fleet is within range of Kota Bharu, Kuantan and Mersing. With the Aussies in full retreat, I’m heading for Mersing and Kuantan. Here’s the OOB for each invasion:

Mersing Initial Landing:
5 Division
41/30 Division
6 Tank Regiment
25 Army HQ
3 Med FA Regiment
3 Mtn Gun Regiment
4 Ind Eng Regiment
15 Ind Eng Regiment
1 JAAF AF Base Force (48 AS)
5 AF Const Bn
4x AA units
Follow Up:
18 JAAF AF Bn (24 AS)
21 JAAF AF Bn (24 AS)
53 Const Co
54 Const Co
55 Const Co

Kuantan Initial Landing:
18 Division
18 Med FA Regiment
3 Mtr Bn
5 Mtr Bn
5 JAAF AF Bn (24 AS)
2x AA units
Follow Up:
23 Ind Eng Regiment
11 Shipping Eng Regiment
1x AA Unit

Also note that the 56 Division (-) is a couple days out.

The RAF bomber force was whittled down more today. Two Buffalos and 5 Swordfish were shot out of the sky for the loss of 1 Nell in the process of sinking an HDML(!) at Georgetown. I estimate 70-80 Buffalos, ~6-9 Blenheim IVs, a couple Blenheim Is, and 8-10 Vildebeest/Swordfish left.

Other Stuff

I think I’ve figured out the overall plan:

Philippines – Holding pattern until 16 Div is freed up
48 Div
65 Bde

Mindinao
16 Div – to Philippines when this mission is complete
246/56 – to Malaya when this mission is complete

Malaya
IG Div – to 15 Army when this mission is complete
56 Div – to 15 Army when this mission is complete
5 Div – to Sumatra when this mission is complete
18 Div – to Sumatra when this mission is complete

Tarakan – Balikpapan
21 Div – to Java w/ 21 IMB

Singkawang – Tobali
21 IMB – to Java w/ 21 Div – eventually garrison at Pt. Blair
1x NG – Singkawang garrison
1x SNLF – Tobali garrison

Kendari-Ambon
2-3x SNLF

Reserves
2 Div
38 Div – after conquest of Hong Kong

Reserves will be sent to Malaya if needed. Eventually, they will supplement the invasion of Java. My initial invasion (21 Div and 21 IMB) are simply to fix his attention there and to split the island in two. All of the armor I can scrounge will accompany them.

Before anyone asks, yes, I do plan on invading Australia. The intent is to use 14 Army (48 & 16 Div, 65 Bde), 16 Army (2 & 38 Div) and SAA (4 & 21 Div). Eventually, 14 Army will defend Australia, 16 Army will defend Java and the SAA divisions will be the SRA reserve. The 25 Army (5 & 18 Div) will defend Palembang and Malaya.

The goal is to have all operations complete (with the exception of Australia most likely) by the end of Mar 42 (when the invasion bonus ends).

[PaxMondo]

Congrats on Wake.

So, interesting, you are choosing Oz over India. Can you share your thoughts on this?

[Cribtop]

Mike, in my experience one division is enough to take Sumatra unless you're playing against Nemo or Canoerebel ([:D]). Two divisions is nice as they can take each end of the island simultaneously. However, if you're not in a hurry or if you need troops elsewhere, one division may be enough.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Congrats on Wake.

So, interesting, you are choosing Oz over India. Can you share your thoughts on this?

Australia is too close to the southern SRA. An air campaign can be waged against oil facilities with 4E bombers. I don't like that. India is too far away for my tastes. While a Japanese player is goofing around over there, the Allied player can raise some serious havoc in the Pacific.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Mike, in my experience one division is enough to take Sumatra unless you're playing against Nemo or Canoerebel ([:D]). Two divisions is nice as they can take each end of the island simultaneously. However, if you're not in a hurry or if you need troops elsewhere, one division may be enough.

Of course, you're right. The sooner I get into Java in force the better. It would probably be better to send one of those divisions to help reduce Java quicker.

[zuluhour]

Man IJ AARs are scareeeee