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

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

IIRC the last medium tank that you get is pretty good, too. At least on paper. You'll burn through a lot of VEH points upgrading to it.

Feel the same way. Should do the math to figure out how much it may cost to get the upgrade. Maybe tonight. Either way I'll do it soon and get back.

[rustysi]

Ha-43: I'm still researching this engine. It'll be operational 5/44,

Me too. I just expect it to be operational in late Dec. '43.

[rustysi]

Just an FYI, and to be perfectly clear.

As I recall when I started my current game, my 'first turn' took me about a month. The reason was I had become extremely focused on my aircraft production and R&D. To include engines. How was it all to fit together? Lots of planning, notes, and back and forth. TBH, I still think I got it wrong.[:D]

On another note. Now when I look at those notes, I can't make heads or tails as to what I was doing. What a putz I can be.[:D] Should have rewritten them from the start to make them reusable.[:(]

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, it does take a long time to get ready, Rusty.

Been doing turns and RL. I'm about a week ahead. I'll try to get the AAR up to date today.

[PaxMondo]

Mike, you're an empty nester now, no excuses for falling behind!

[:D][:D][:D]

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yeah, it does take a long time to get ready, Rusty.

Been doing turns and RL. I'm about a week ahead. I'll try to get the AAR up to date today.

"There is no try. Do or do not".

[Mike Solli]

Zorch, you're a wise guy. [:D] Pax, I have less time than when my kids were home. [:(]

15 Nov 43

Sub War

Lots of sub action today. It all started off with a midget sub arriving at Mili, just to be sunk by a PF (first time I’ve see one of them).

Off Babeldaob, a PB(!) actually (allegedly) hit the Blackfish, hopefully sending her home.

Off Balikpapan, the Bluefish torpedoed the W-15 and was hit by a DC in return.

Blackfish, Bluefish, what next? [:D]

Just SW of Manus, the I-183 torpedoed the DD Fullam leaving her heavily damaged. In return, she took a depth charge in return causing moderate damage: 28-23(11)-4-0. She joined the steady stream of subs heading back for repairs.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report, for now.

4 Fleet

Continued attempts to isolate Mili are proving fruitful. A sweep of 16 Franks shot down 5 of 16 Hellcats and a later sweep of 2 Georges shot down an additional 2 Hellcats. Other than minor surface ASW assets, there are no enemy naval forces present in the area. Unfortunately, the only surface naval forces I have in the area are 3 DDs. I do have a number of subs in the area. That makes a nice gauntlet his ships must pass through in order to reinforce Mili.

SE Fleet

Same old day here, bombing of Aitape’s troops and Hollandia’s airfield.

Interestingly enough, the US carriers disappeared to the south.

SRA

Saumlaki is the center of Allied attention right now. The 11 Garrison Unit is withdrawing so I’m moving the 65 Brigade from Ambon. In addition, I’m moving a special base force in from Kendari to add a few CD guns should Ted get frisky and decide to invade.

I have a chutai each of Tojos and Rex for air cover there. Ted usually sends small groups of 2/4E bombers escorted by Wildcats (sometimes). The airfield is damaged right now so not many of my fighters are flying CAP. Today he sent 10x 4E then 6x 2E against the port causing minor damage then 3x SBDs put a 500 lb bomb into an xAK that just finished unloading troops in the morning.

Burma

Nothing to report. A couple of sweeps flew against Cox’s Bazaar and Chittagong that found no enemy and my bombers didn’t fly.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: MTB G-155

Current status of damaged carriers:

Akagi: 6# (days of repair remaining), 12-7(7)-2-0, at Truk
Soryu: 22, 17-25(25)-0-0, repair and refit at Kobe
Zuikaku: 9#, 13-51(51)-21(19)-0, at Ulithi
Chitose: 17, 35-8(8)-10(3)-0, at Singapore
Chiyoda: 9, 16-1(1)-2(2)-0, Soerabaja
Chuyo: 52#, 41-9(9)-5-0, Soerabaja, low priority until Chiyoda’s repairs are complete.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Pax, I have less time than when my kids were home. [:(]

I've heard that rumor, can't see how. I have to get up at 0230 to have any time to myself … short my sleep.

Ach, I'll never know. Not with a 9yo at my age... [;)]

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

IIRC the last medium tank that you get is pretty good, too. At least on paper. You'll burn through a lot of VEH points upgrading to it.

Feel the same way. Should do the math to figure out how much it may cost to get the upgrade. Maybe tonight. Either way I'll do it soon and get back.

So, I did take a look at this...

Japan has three AD's when combined. I think she gets a fourth later, but IIRC it looks rather anemic. Two of those have the same TO&E for tanks, the 2nd division is different. Added to that I see that a new LT comes on line at the same time as the Type3. For that reason I assume it will also upgrade as well.

Therefore the 1st and 3rd divisions will cost Japan 2006 VEH points each. The 2nd will cost an additional 2778 points. Total is 6790 VEH points for the three. Not too bad.

To that though you have a number of separate regiments. Some of these are LT units and others have unusual compliments. For the most part though they consist of units of two different sizes. One of ~80 tanks, and the other of fifty something. The first will cost an additional 1000 point (+/- a few). The smaller unit will cost just under 700.

I can only think of about six (three of each) of those 'standard sized' that I referred to above, but even that will add roughly another 5100 VEH points to the mix. So now we're close to 12000 VEH points.

To this one must consider this is the time of the war where Japan will be fully engaged and taking substantial losses. Remember each motorized support lost in battle will cost an additional 15 VEH points. Not to mention a number of other factors. All of which can add to a large drain on Japan's ability to replace/supply VEH points. So, its up to the individual player to determine if she/he is able to replace such losses.

There are a few other 'tanks' I couldn't factor into the mix, as I'm not sure how or where they'll be used. The Type2 CS will be available 12/43, and on 1/45 a Type2 SP and Type4 SP will enter the show.

I know that not all units need be upgraded and what their value will be I've no real idea, but there it is.

Hope some of this will at least be useful for planning purposes.

[rustysi]

Pax, I have less time than when my kids were home.

How in the heck does that happen?[&:][:D]

[Mike Solli]

Rusty, having a wife who's love language is acts of service is the reason, I suspect. She's constantly volunteering for this or that, and by association, I usually get sucked into it. [8|]

Interesting and useful info on tank upgrades. I'm increasing the 6 vehicle factories. We'll see how it goes.

Spoiler: I got the 21 Nov turn last night and ran it. Nice little CAP trap happened that I wasn't planning to do. Gotta wait until I get to that turn to get the details though.[;)] [:D]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Rusty, having a wife who's love language is acts of service is the reason, I suspect. She's constantly volunteering for this or that, and by association, I usually get sucked into it. [8|]

Good on you both, brother. Proud to know you. [8D]

[rustysi]

Rusty, having a wife who's love language is acts of service is the reason, I suspect. She's constantly volunteering for this or that, and by association, I usually get sucked into it.

Fair enough.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Rusty, having a wife who's love language is acts of service is the reason, I suspect. She's constantly volunteering for this or that, and by association, I usually get sucked into it. [8|]

Mmm, I have a similar situation. Scary. My '63 F100 also seems to be part of the "volunteer" brigade. [8D]

[Mike Solli]

That's pretty funny, Tony. [:D]

Anyway, back to the war...

16 Nov 43

Sub War

Quiet day under the seas today. The I-158 caught and badly damaged a xAK a few hexes NE(!) of Darwin. Where was she going?!

5 Fleet

A small carrier fleet composed of Hiyo, Hisshin, Shoho, Ryujo and Hosho totaling 117 Zeros, 18 Judies and 45 Jills finally arrived in the aarea. I also have Yamato, Musashi, Nagato and Mutsu for support and bombardment. I’m planning on invading Umnak to neutralize and eventually take Dutch Harbor.

A couple dozen Jills flew against Dutch Harbor against what turned out to be just a DD and some small craft, sinking a YMS.

4 Fleet

More fighting in the skies over Mili, and it was more even this time. I lost 3 Franks to 2 Hellcats. Other than that, pretty quiet.

SE Fleet

More bombing of Aitape and Hollandia. Other than that, a stalemate at this time. His focus appears to be elsewhere.

SRA

More fighting at Saumlaki. A raiding force of 5 SBDs escorted by 10 Wildcats from Darwin raided Saumlaki. The Tojos and Rexs shot down a Wildcat and all the SBDs for no loss, but most of my fighters were damaged. Another group of 11 Beauforts was hit by the single remaining Rex, shooting down a Beaufort and driving off the rest (probably due to low morale).

A small (I think) US carrier TF showed up between Darwin and Merauke and sent a small force of 14 Avengers escorted by 11 Hellcats. They put a torpedo into a partially loaded xAK at Saumlaki. She’ll sink tomorrow.

Finally, the carriers launched a small force of 7 Avengers escorted by 5 Hellcats found a small bombardment force of 2 BBs 2 hexes from the carriers and put a torpedo into the Fuso. That force was prepared to bombard Darwin overnight. Fuso’s damage is moderate and she’ll go back to Ambon for temporary repairs before heading to Singapore for complete repairs: 15-32(28)-0-0.

Burma

No one flew today.

China

The bombers took out only a few steps.

Other Stuff

Soryu began repairs and refit at Kobe today. 21 days.

The B7A2 Grace R&D advanced to 10/44 (will become operational no later than 4/44).
The N1K5-J George R&D advanced to 3/45 (will become operational 5/44).

[Mike Solli]

17 Nov 43 – Pretty quiet day today.

Sub War

The I-185 caught and sank the damaged APA Harry Lee east of Mili. She took part in the Mili operation.

5 Fleet

A TF of Mutsu and Nagato, a CL and 2DD steamed into Dutch Harbor catching the DD Cushing (Ted calls her DD Boise, she’s been lucky the whole war) and a YMS. They just looked at each other.

During the day, 21 Jills flew against Cushing missing her, again.

The invasion fleet is preparing to move from Adak to Umnak.

4 Fleet

A couple of Fubukis moved to Mili to clear out the two PFs there. My DDs had no torpedoes so it was 5” vs 4” guns. 3 of the 4 ships took 1-2 shells but one PF was left burning brightly.

During the day, 22 Franks swept Mili finding 11 Hellcats, shooting down 4 for the loss of 1 Frank. Apparently, a few more Hellcats were op losses.

SE Fleet

Hollandia was the target of a couple dozen 2E bombers, doing a single point of port damage. *Yawn*

SRA

Saumlaki was visited by 20 Beauforts escorted by a few Kittyhawks and Wildcats. My response was 4 Rex float fighters and a single Tojo. Nothing happened.

Burma

About 40 Helens hit Akyab’s airfield again.

China

My bombers destroyed only a few squads, but damaged 74 squads.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: 58 JNAF AF Unit rebuilt.

Yep, a pretty uneventful day, other than killing the APA.

[Mike Solli]

18 Nov 43

Sub War

The Wahoo sank an Etorofu class escort just off Adak. That damn sub has been in this area the entire war causing far more problems than she should.

5 Fleet

The Yamato and Musashi bombarded Umnak today doing nice damage. They damaged 17(!) C-47s and 3 Bolingbrooks, while killing 28 squads (Nice!) and causing moderate damage to the airfield and port.

A sentai of Sallies hit the troops at Umnak, mainly for recon. The 201 (Sep) Infantry Regiment is the garrision, along with some support units. Hopefully, the 19 Division and 23 Tank Regiment will be able to take it out.

10 Jills took out the YMS at Dutch Harbor. DD Cushing (aka DD Boise) is still untouched.

Tomorrow is the invasion of Unmak.

4 Fleet

15 Nells visited Mili’s airfield lightly damaging it.

SE Fleet

The bombing of Aitape began again with 185x 2E sorties. The carriers are not in this AO though. They will materialize shortly though. [:(]

Hollandia saw a couple dozen 2E sorties.

SRA

My handful of fighters at Saumlaki shot down 2 of 13 Beauforts in return for a single point of runway damage. I continue to move the remainder of the 65 Bde and a special base force there to bolster the defenses, along with extra supply.

Burma

Akyab’s airfield was hit by Helens again, destroying the single Hurricane there as well as causing additional damage to the airfield.

A sentai of Franks swept Ledo again downing 8 P-40N5 Warhawks for a single Frank.

China

The bombers did well today destroying 16 squads while disrupting an additional 43.

Another attack soon.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: CVE Kaiyo, 27 capacity, will carry 21 Zeros and 6 Judies. MKB needs more fighter cover.

The Ki-43-IV Oscar R&D advanced to 8/44 (will become operational 2/44).
The Ki-94r Frank R&D advanced to 9/44 (will become operational 2/44).

[Mike Solli]

19 Nov 43

Sub War

The I-15 took out an xAK off San Francisco. That’s about it for the sub war today.

5 Fleet

Well, the DD Cushing finally met her maker. It’s about time too. She’s been dodging everything I threw at her for well over a year. Four Jills went after her, missing. Then I sent in the Amatsukaze and Totitsukaze for a surface engagement. The 3 ships closed and Totitsukaze launched some Long Lances, then *poof*, Cushing was gone. Brave and very lucky little ship.

Then the invasion of Umnak happened. I was hoping for a nice, clean invasion, but it wasn’t to be. The 19 ID and 23 Tank Regiment landed taking pretty bad disruption in the process. The invasion TF will sit for another turn dropping a lot of supply for the units then depart for safer waters. The units will have to wait a while before they can attack.

Here are the defending forces:

201 (Sep) Infantry Regiment
106 USN Base Force
North Pacific HQ
Eleventh USAAF HQ
802 Engineer Aviation Battalion.

Ted’s response after he saw the replay was: Umnak???!!! I think I surprised him. [:D]

4 Fleet

All quiet here today. There is a US CV TF to the east of Mili moving around with a handful of Japanese subs chasing it. They aren’t doing anything except wasting fuel (which is fine with me). I don’t know the composition of this TF. I suspect they’re waiting for something.

SE Fleet

All quiet here today too.

SRA

Four of 8 Beauforts were shot down attempting to bomb Saumlaki. Definitely the second string here.

Burma

Over Ledo, at a cost of 1 Frank, 4 of 6 US fighters were shot down. No Hurricanes opposed my fighters on the coast. My bombers rested.

I see no land movement here. I really expected to see an offensive here by now. Not that I’m complaining… [;)]

China

My bombers destroyed 7 and disabled 108 squads.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: E Amakusa, Etorofu class, ASW/convoy escort

P1Y2 Francis R&D advanced to 9/44 (will become operational 6/44).

Yep, pretty boring day.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Then the invasion of Umnak happened. I was hoping for a nice, clean invasion, but it wasn’t to be. The 19 ID and 23 Tank Regiment landed taking pretty bad disruption in the process.

It is November in the Aleuteans. Game is programmed to freeze your attackers with the winter surf

[Mike Solli]

20 Nov 43

Sub War

An ASW TF caught I-3 and nailed her near Kavieng sending her home for repairs with moderate damage.

5 Fleet

My invasion force continues to recover from the invasion. This is going to be a while. In the mean-time, a sentai of Sallies and a steady stream of ships continue to bomb/bombard Umnak to keep the Allied disruption up and do destroy supply. They still have supply because I see AAA. They may have a lot because they bombard me with their artillery every day. It rarely, if ever, damages anything.

4 Fleet

In addition to the US CV TF to the east of the Marshalls (CV TF East), there is now another US CV TF that appeared, currently to the SE of the Marshalls (CV TF South). I believe this carrier TF is the one that was hanging around Manus for a time and is composed of CVs Enterprise, Hornet, Wolverine and Gettysburg. The number of aircraft intel shows would support this guess.

Anyway, they found a few xAKLs at Nauru Island and sank them, using some of their precious torpedoes. [;)] I know, you’re going to ask what I was doing at Nauru. Well, there were 2 reasons. One was to get some of the resources there, and the second was a tripwire, which they did admirably. They brought to my attention there was a second US carrier force out there and made them waste 18 precious torpedoes that could come back to haunt them at some point. Maybe….

A fresh squadron of Hellcats arrived at Mili and caught some Franks from above downing 8 Franks for no loss. [:@] At least it was IJAAF pilots lost.

Things are about to heat up… [;)]

SE Fleet

This has (apparently) become a backwater for the time being. Ted is content with bombing the daylights out of Aitape (troops) and Hollandia (infrastructure) off and on. Today, Aitape received 57x 2E sorties.

I’m still vigilant with a slew of subs in the area and KB3 (Amagi, Unryu and Katsuragi, 189 aircraft) at the northern tip of PNG available to counter an invasion of Aitape or Saumlaki in a day.

SRA

In this area I keep seeing a small carrier TF (I think it’s a couple of CVEs, or maybe CVLs) that are hanging around to the east of Darwin. I’m trying to hit them with KB1/2 (Kaga and Shokaku, 144 aircraft) and MKB1 (odds and ends, about 100 aircraft). I’m using my normal tactic of putting KB in front and MKB 2 hexes behind (for their protection). MKB’s Jills are out to a range of 12 hexes to be able to hit the enemy carriers, while KB’s Jills are out 10 hexes. As the enemy TF(s) move around, I modify the distance I want from them, adjust my TFs and adjust the plane max ranges based on where I think the enemy carriers will end the turn. I’d love to get my Judies in at normal range (500kg bombs!) but we’ll see. I also try to keep my ships in a position where they won’t attack any shipping at Darwin (usually some DDs and assault craft there) because there are about 50 fighters stationed there. It’s definitely a ballet going on here.

A small enemy attack at Saumlaki of 3 Beauforts escorted by 10 Wildcats was intercepted by 14 fighters (Tojo and Rex). At a cost of 1 Rex (pilot WIA), they shot down 4 Wildcats and all the Beauforts. Banzai!

Burma

Three more US fighters were shot down over Ledo. This AO is a running sore for Allied fighters. The action is over enemy airbases so the enemy pilot losses is probably low, but I’m sure there is still a slow drain. On the plus side, I am gaining a huge reserve of highly experienced IJAAF pilots, which will come in handy in 1944 and beyond.

China

My bombers destroyed only 3 squads, but disabled another 110.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: 4 South Seas Garrison rebuilt. Had been destroyed on the north coast of PNG.

The lull before the storm. [X(] [;)] [:'(]