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

[Mike Solli]

14 Nov 43

Sub War

An Ansyu PB was taken out by the Bluefish just off Balikpapan. I have 2 ASW TFs in that area and am sending another to drive off the subs that are being irritating in that area.

An Aden xAK was sunk by the O23 a hex off Soerabaja. They’re getting pretty bold there too. I have several ASW TFs in the area, but none that close to that port. Gotta move them around to cover more ground.

5 Fleet

My garrison at Adak is composed of 2x divisions and a garrison unit. The garrison unit goes away tomorrow. I’m still debating whether or not to pull one of the divisions for a garrison somewhere else or us it to attack Umnak. I have transports there and a bombardment TF (4 BB) supported by MKB1 about a day out of range. Not sure what to do. We’ll see…

The Sallies caused a little more damage to the airfield and damaged a handful of transports today.

4 Fleet

All quiet today.

SE Fleet

4Es against Hollandia and 2Es against Aitape again.

The US carriers are still sitting at Manus. Some Betties launched a night torpedo attack against the US carriers. 17 of them (of a 45 plane daitai) attacked doing no damage and losing 3 to flak. I did find out there are 4 CVs in the TF: Engerprise, Hornet, Wolverine and Gettysburg. More than I thought. I have 4 CVs available to counter them with a 5th (Kaga) available to add to them. I’m sending subs into the hex to try and whittle down the numbers a bit. It’s definitely worth the risk.

SRA

Saumlaki is the target of the month in this region. There were 35x 4E sorties, all focusing on the port. I’m sure he sees my reinforcements heading there. The airfield is moderately damaged but repairing since he’s focusing on the port right now. Also note that the garrison unit there disappears tomorrow but most of the 65 Bde is there with the rest headed there by air and sea.

Burma

Chittagong was the target of the Helens today, causing moderate damage to the airfield.

I think I figured out what the supply issue was. There is a rail line that goes from Rangoon north then west through Burma. The last couple of bases on that rail line were not getting supply because some of the bases in the center of the line had bumped up supply goals. Once I removed that, supply started flowing to those last few bases. I have a Frank sentai tasked with sweeping Ledo. They finally got the supply to do it today and flew! Initially, only 7 Franks flew and met 5x P-51As and 27x P-40N5s over Ledo, shooting down 1 and 3 for the loss of a single Frank. In the afternoon, 30 Franks flew, meeting 3 Mustangs and 17 Warhawks, shooting down 2 and 10 for no loss! I’m really surprised at how poorly the Mustangs are doing.

China

My next attack is scheduled for about 3 days from now. The assault divisions are flowing back to Chungking. About half of the bombers decided to hit other targets rather than Chungking today. Not sure why that happened. Anyway, only 5 squads were killed at Chungking. I reset all the bombers to hit Chungking again tomorrow.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements:

301 Ku S-1, 13 Air Flotilla, 27 fighters, training
301 Ku S-2, 13 Air Flotilla, 27 fighters, training
341 Ku S-1, 13 Air Flotilla, 27 fighters, training
34 Independent Mixed Brigade, Southern Army, Cocos Island
30 Independent Mixed Brigade, 14 Army, part of 100 Division, Luzon
31 Independent Mixed Brigade, 14 Army, part of 102 Division, Luzon
32 Independent Mixed Brigade, 14 Army, part of 103 Division, Luzon
33 Independent Mixed Brigade, 14 Army, part of 105 Division, Luzon
24 Independent Mixed Brigade, Burma Area Army, Tavoy
29 Independent Mixed Brigade, Burma Area Army, Moulmein
12 Mortar Battalion, 16 Army, part of 27 Independent Mixed Brigade, Java
14 Mortar Battalion, 16 Army, part of 28 Independent Mixed Brigade, Java
3 Amphibious Brigade, NE Area Fleet, Wakkani
11 Mortar Battalion, 25 Army, part of 25 Independent Mixed Brigade, Singapore
2 Amphibious Brigade, 2 Army, Christmas Island, IO
1 Amphibious Tank Battalion, 4 Fleet, Etorofu
2 Medium Mortar Battalion, Southern Army, Saumlaki (if they make it before the invasion I expect to happen)
3 Medium Mortar Battalion, Southern Army, Koepang

The garrison locations are subject to change. I’m thinking of moving one of the brigades from Luzon to Mindinao.

This is the first major infantry reinforcement of the war. My armament pool dropped 5300 and my vehicle pool dropped 1200. They’re both still higher than they were at the beginning of the month. I’m pleasantly surprised at the cost. A few of the infantry units are at full strength and the rest are 82-96%, so they’ll use more from the pool, but it shouldn’t be too tough on the pool. Currently, the armament pool sits at 161,572 and the vehicle pool is 26,380.

I’m really happy about getting 3 more IJNAF fighter units that I can use to train with. They all got a pilot from TRACOM and a good commander. They’re filled out with planes and 36 recruits. Training starts in a couple of days when the morale rises.

The D4Y4 R&D advanced to 12/44 (will become operational 2/44).

[ny59giants]

P-51A is not that good of a fighter. It’s not until the D model comes out can they do something.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

P-51A is not that good of a fighter. It’s not until the D model comes out can they do something.

Ahh, good to know. Well, it's a target that will gain some nice experience for some pilots.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

P-51A is not that good of a fighter. It’s not until the D model comes out can they do something.

I use them to plug holes with LRCAP, but that's about all they're useful for.

Maybe less-than-top pilots doing some escort duties if you absolutely need them to, similar to P-38s.

[Mike Solli]

These guys are on CAP over Ledo. Definitely not performing well.

[rustysi]

An Ansyu PB was taken out by the Bluefish just off Balikpapan. I have 2 ASW TFs in that area and am sending another to drive off the subs that are being irritating in that area.

An Aden xAK was sunk by the O23 a hex off Soerabaja. They’re getting pretty bold there too. I have several ASW TFs in the area, but none that close to that port. Gotta move them around to cover more ground.

Maybe if you could get more air search assets to the area it could help as well, and don't forget a little night search also.

[rustysi]

I’m really surprised at how poorly the Mustangs are doing.

Pilots?

[rustysi]

This is the first major infantry reinforcement of the war. My armament pool dropped 5300 and my vehicle pool dropped 1200.

Good to know the hit wasn't too great.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

An Ansyu PB was taken out by the Bluefish just off Balikpapan. I have 2 ASW TFs in that area and am sending another to drive off the subs that are being irritating in that area.

An Aden xAK was sunk by the O23 a hex off Soerabaja. They’re getting pretty bold there too. I have several ASW TFs in the area, but none that close to that port. Gotta move them around to cover more ground.

Maybe if you could get more air search assets to the area it could help as well, and don't forget a little night search also.

Both locations have multiple surface ASW and air search and ASW assets. I can see them but just can't seem to hit them. I don't post every attack involving a sub (with or against). I just post those that are important (meaning they hit/get hit or give some critical intel).

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I’m really surprised at how poorly the Mustangs are doing.

Pilots?

Could have some impact, but Michael said the A model wasn't all that great. The Frank a is doing very well right now, as is the George 2.

[rustysi]

I can see them but just can't seem to hit them.

Yeah, I get that. Have the same problem. Not sure what to do?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

This is the first major infantry reinforcement of the war. My armament pool dropped 5300 and my vehicle pool dropped 1200.

Good to know the hit wasn't too great.

Yeah, I was a bit worried before I saw the numbers. I have 620 armament factories and 150 vehicle factories running 24/7.

[rustysi]

The Frank a is doing very well right now, as is the George 2.

Great frontline aircraft.[;)]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I can see them but just can't seem to hit them.

Yeah, I get that. Have the same problem. Not sure what to do?

I keep hearing about the late war Japanese E and DDs, those little ones. They have a lot of ASW so I'm hoping for the best. I've only started getting them. I am using the long range Etorofu class as escorts, primarily out of Singapore. The shorter range Es (Mikura and Hirashima come to mind) I'm using in ASW TFs. I don't have many of the later ones yet.

[rustysi]

I have 620 armament factories and 150 vehicle factories running 24/7.

I have most of my armament factories shut off for now, but the pool is above 200k. Vehicles I ramped up to 250, and the pool is ~45k. Plan to shut half off once I hit 50k. Will most likely leave things that way 'til 01JUL43. The result of the proceeding is that my HI pool is probably a bit under where it could be. Currently just under 900k, in late Feb. '43. I think I can double it once I get to where you are in the game. We'll see.

I did it this way based on the anticipated needs later in the game. Lots of ID's added and the type 3 tank. Not to mention the numbers Pax alluded to. Expect heavy costs.

[rustysi]

I am using the long range Etorofu class as escorts, primarily out of Singapore. The shorter range Es (Mikura and Hirashima come to mind) I'm using in ASW TFs. I don't have many of the later ones yet.

Makes total sense to me. Then again what do I know?[:'(]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I am using the long range Etorofu class as escorts, primarily out of Singapore. The shorter range Es (Mikura and Hirashima come to mind) I'm using in ASW TFs. I don't have many of the later ones yet.

Makes total sense to me. Then again what do I know?[:'(]

You mean, what do WE know? [:D]

[rustysi]

I keep hearing about the late war Japanese E and DDs, those little ones. They have a lot of ASW so I'm hoping for the best.

The "super E's".[:)]

I'm using the 1126b beta patch. Pretty sure these were dumbed down in one of the patches, which I believe to be accurate. Japanese ASW got better as the war progressed, but never close to what the US was able to do.

[Lokasenna]

What is your Vehicle production? And Armaments? Your comment about the "hit" taken when a unit arrived concerns me.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I have 620 armament factories and 150 vehicle factories running 24/7.

I have most of my armament factories shut off for now, but the pool is above 200k. Vehicles I ramped up to 250, and the pool is ~45k. Plan to shut half off once I hit 50k. Will most likely leave things that way 'til 01JUL43. The result of the proceeding is that my HI pool is probably a bit under where it could be. Currently just under 900k, in late Feb. '43. I think I can double it once I get to where you are in the game. We'll see.

I did it this way based on the anticipated needs later in the game. Lots of ID's added and the type 3 tank. Not to mention the numbers Pax alluded to. Expect heavy costs.

My HI is 1.95 million currently and rising ~2500 a day. There was something that either Lokasenna or mind_messing said earlier. I'm paraphrasing. It's better to have pools filled out that can't be bombed out rather than a huge HI pool to build things using factories that may or may not be there in 1945. I'm taking that to heart and building out my aircraft and engine pools for future needs. It also saves supply in the long run. Building, say, 600 Ha-45 engines a month for a long time is better than bumping the factory size to twice that and building 1200 a month for half the time. Saves 600k supply in factory size increase and the engines can't be bombed.