Climb Mt. Niitaka - Xargun vs Mr Kane

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun
I am thinking of pulling my carriers back to Japan and docking them for several months (like 6-12) and offload their air groups to useful places.

Once I no longer hold the initiative and am on the defensive, I do this as well. It is not an easy tactic though, so here are a few hints.

You need to have thought through carefully which places you will fight, and then make sure that AF's of proper size are in place for your air groups to move to.

You need ideally just two, but as few as you can, central locations to "store" your air groups.
Zero/Jill have 36 hex range.
Oscar/Helen have 33 hex range.
All your other aircraft have much shorted legs, they will take 2 or more turns to re-locate.

You need ALL Nettie/Emily/Mavis/Dinah groups on NavSearch/Recon missions only. With appropriate pilots. As you get ready to react, you can replace Nettie pilots with attack pilots.


It takes practice to work all this out, choosing the central staging areas, and then the forward bases is not easy. Tough decisions to be made ...

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Xargun


Can you turn individual devices off so they don't produce? IF so, how?

Of course ... key part of managing the IJ economy.

Intel screen, then Industry/Troop/Resource Pool. Stockpile ALL devices. Then selectively turn off stockpile those very few that you actually want to build. I adjust this in conjunction with what units have replacements turned on. That way I build only what I want and it goes only where I want it.

OMG I can't believe I didn't know this. All that supply and HI wasted. I will seriously need to look deeply into my OOB now.

[Aurorus]

More Nakajima Ha-45. This is the engine for the Frank and a few other important late-war planes. To give you an idea of what you need. Historically, the Japanese built about 360 Franks per month. You will probably want a few more; so 400 at least. I think 450-500 is probably better.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun



OMG I can't believe I didn't know this. All that supply and HI wasted. I will seriously need to look deeply into my OOB now.

you were away a while ... lotta little things ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

More Nakajima Ha-45. This is the engine for the Frank and a few other important late-war planes. To give you an idea of what you need. Historically, the Japanese built about 360 Franks per month. You will probably want a few more; so 400 at least. I think 450-500 is probably better.

So, to summarize, you also need this engine for several other popular aircraft like B7A ... so increasing the Ha-45 production to 650 now is warranted ... this becomes your go to engine replacing the Ha-35. If you build up the Ha-45 now, you will be able to enjoy the engine bonus on a few late war models that you are likely to go after.

As for the Ha-43 vs Ha-44 it isn't that hard. A7M, last George, Ki-83, J7W all use the Ha-43. If you make it to mid '45, you will want a LOT of all of these models and that means a lot of Ha-43 ... you will need at least two engine factories on it ... get the RnD on it going now so you have the engine bonus later .... and the inventory of engines to build ...

The Ha-44 is really only for the Ki-94. The 94 is good, it would be SO much better with 4x20mm instead of those lousy 30mm though. Even so, it is hard NOT to build it. But this is the only model to really consider on the Ha-44 for me.

[Aurorus]

I want to apologize as well. I probably gave you bad advice from the start about devising a strategy for auto-victory before the end-game. As a newer Japanese player against a very experienced allied player, you were probably better off playing for a long-game win and following Pax's recommendations. Also, the long-game seems to fit the style of play that you prefer. You can also learn from this game though (and there are few better opponents to learn from) and be more aggressive, faster on the conquest, and better in the air next PBEM, when you will be a veteran Japanese player.

Stay with it. The war and the game are not over by any means, and as you have seen, the only weakness that Mr. Kane may suffer at times is that he does take risk. As a Japanese player, this is essential and not a weakness. As an allied player, it can be a weakness. The U.S. is best served moving methodically in the later years rather than taking risks. Be patient and try to exploit any unnecessary risks that he may take.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Xargun
I am thinking of pulling my carriers back to Japan and docking them for several months (like 6-12) and offload their air groups to useful places.

Once I no longer hold the initiative and am on the defensive, I do this as well. It is not an easy tactic though, so here are a few hints.

You need to have thought through carefully which places you will fight, and then make sure that AF's of proper size are in place for your air groups to move to.

You need ideally just two, but as few as you can, central locations to "store" your air groups.
Zero/Jill have 36 hex range.
Oscar/Helen have 33 hex range.
All your other aircraft have much shorted legs, they will take 2 or more turns to re-locate.

You need ALL Nettie/Emily/Mavis/Dinah groups on NavSearch/Recon missions only. With appropriate pilots. As you get ready to react, you can replace Nettie pilots with attack pilots.

It takes practice to work all this out, choosing the central staging areas, and then the forward bases is not easy. Tough decisions to be made ...

As always Pax your opinion means a lot to me. I already have some bases in mind to build up in my next game for many reasons.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

I want to apologize as well. I probably gave you bad advice from the start about devising a strategy for auto-victory before the end-game. As a newer Japanese player against a very experienced allied player, you were probably better off playing for a long-game win and following Pax's recommendations. Also, the long-game seems to fit the style of play that you prefer. You can also learn from this game though (and there are few better opponents to learn from) and be more aggressive, faster on the conquest, and better in the air next PBEM, when you will be a veteran Japanese player.

Stay with it. The war and the game are not over by any means, and as you have seen, the only weakness that Mr. Kane may suffer at times is that he does take risk. As a Japanese player, this is essential and not a weakness. As an allied player, it can be a weakness. The U.S. is best served moving methodically in the later years rather than taking risks. Be patient and try to exploit any unnecessary risks that he may take.

No advice is bad - even if I don't listen or take it. Unfortunately I'm one of those that has to learn from his own mistakes more often than listening to other's advice. All opinions and comments are welcome...

[Xargun]

Since I have never played the Allies I have limited information about off-map movement. What are the movement times from say India to the US West Coast? Basically I believe the US CVs have left the Indian Ocean and I'm trying to figure out home long of a window I have before they can be back on he West Coast.

[Xargun]

On the 18th of November, search planes spotted 3 allied TFs of warships SW of Shortlands. When search picked this up in the AM I was happy. I have 2 Sentais of Betties sitting at Rabaul with good pilots and escorts waiting for him to move on Buin and I thought this was it. Unfortunately nothing launched against the ships [:@] In the PM phase I get some launches but everything that flies gets lost in the storms (wish I could predict weather like that) and no attacks are made. GRRR... I had 80 Betties and 60 Fighters just waiting for this chance. I figured since he was spotted he might turn around and flee like he normally does - or if it is an invasion he will be around for a few turns and I'll get another shot. But I was wrong on both counts.

The next turn during the night all three TFs bombard Rabaul and flatten it. My 70ish mines there do nothing (at least I didn't get any reports or noises of mine hits) and the cruisers leveled the base. I was very shocked that a force of US Cruiser and Destroyers could do that much damage.

Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 225 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 36 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 6 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 2 destroyed on ground
H6K2-L Mavis: 26 damaged
H6K2-L Mavis: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 42 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 45 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 10 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 52 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Nashville
CL Phoenix
CL Boise
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
DD Smith
DD Mahan
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap

Japanese ground losses:
1191 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 38 (4 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 117
Port hits 39
Port fuel hits 10
Port supply hits 3


Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 damaged
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 90 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 15 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 18 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 9 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 18 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Conyngham
DD Case
DD Lamson
DD Drayton
DD Cummings
DD Preston

Japanese ground losses:
529 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 27 (3 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 17
Port hits 23
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 2


Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 24 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-I Topsy: 13 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
CL Concord
CL Achilles
CL Leander
DD Tucker
DD Reid
DD Cassin
DD Downes
DD Flusser
DD Perkins
DD Cushing
DD Shaw

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 7


The base facilities are smashed and I lost 180 aircraft to the bombardments.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun
Unfortunately I'm one of those that has to learn from his own mistakes more often than listening to other's advice.

+1

All the AAR's I have watched ... and I still find myself making the same mistakes ... until you actually fall into it, you just can't see it.
BURMA!!! Have I ever mentioned I hate Burma! [:D]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Since I have never played the Allies I have limited information about off-map movement. What are the movement times from say India to the US West Coast? Basically I believe the US CVs have left the Indian Ocean and I'm trying to figure out home long of a window I have before they can be back on he West Coast.

30 - 60 days. it is in the manual on the off map movement....

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
30 - 60 days. it is in the manual on the off map movement....

That I can find - just wanted to make sure the manual was still correct before I look it up.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
30 - 60 days. it is in the manual on the off map movement....

That I can find - just wanted to make sure the manual was still correct before I look it up.

Not aware that any changes have been made to that table. I don't play allies often, and I have not verified those times since initial release ...

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

On the 18th of November, search planes spotted 3 allied TFs of warships SW of Shortlands. When search picked this up in the AM I was happy. I have 2 Sentais of Betties sitting at Rabaul with good pilots and escorts waiting for him to move on Buin and I thought this was it. Unfortunately nothing launched against the ships [:@] In the PM phase I get some launches but everything that flies gets lost in the storms (wish I could predict weather like that) and no attacks are made. GRRR... I had 80 Betties and 60 Fighters just waiting for this chance. I figured since he was

Etc

Oooo ooo oo uch.[:(][:(]

+1 to Mr Kane [:(][:(][:(]

[Bif1961]

70 mines are nothing you would 700+ to have any hope of really hitting anything worthwhile.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

On the 18th of November, search planes spotted 3 allied TFs of warships SW of Shortlands. When search picked this up in the AM I was happy. I have 2 Sentais of Betties sitting at Rabaul with good pilots and escorts waiting for him to move on Buin and I thought this was it. Unfortunately nothing launched against the ships [:@] In the PM phase I get some launches but everything that flies gets lost in the storms (wish I could predict weather like that) and no attacks are made. GRRR... I had 80 Betties and 60 Fighters just waiting for this chance. I figured since he was spotted he might turn around and flee like he normally does - or if it is an invasion he will be around for a few turns and I'll get another shot. But I was wrong on both counts.

The next turn during the night all three TFs bombard Rabaul and flatten it. My 70ish mines there do nothing (at least I didn't get any reports or noises of mine hits) and the cruisers leveled the base. I was very shocked that a force of US Cruiser and Destroyers could do that much damage.

...

The base facilities are smashed and I lost 180 aircraft to the bombardments.

So first off, bombers don't launch .. it happens. Check weather. Doesn't always work, but check it anyway.

Second, USN CL's with those fast firing 6" are REALLY effective at everything ... they are to IJN CA's what Fletchers are to everything: a real menace. Enough said.

From 6/42 onward to wars end, every forward air base must have all weather SCTF protection. Nettie cover isn't enough anymore. Mines/PT's/SCTF's are what's needed. You need any 2 of the 3.


lessons learned. we've all done this at least once. At least you can say it was Mr Kane. I have to fess up that Andy AI has done it to me ... [:@]

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
So first off, bombers don't launch .. it happens. Check weather. Doesn't always work, but check it anyway.

Check Weather? The weather map in game is worthless (unless I'm using it wrong). I know how to click on a hex and check the weather, but how can you expect to do that every turn to check the weather? Is there any other way? Also, just cause it says clear one day, doesn't mean the next won't be storms - is there some way to anticipate these?

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

70 mines are nothing you would 700+ to have any hope of really hitting anything worthwhile.

Really? Ever since Mines in the Pacific I don't think I have ever had 700 mines anywhere. I have mines at the islands off of Yokohoma and have been relatively successful at catching allied subs there. Have killed 2 there so far this game. and not much more than 100 mines.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
So first off, bombers don't launch .. it happens. Check weather. Doesn't always work, but check it anyway.

Check Weather? The weather map in game is worthless (unless I'm using it wrong). I know how to click on a hex and check the weather, but how can you expect to do that every turn to check the weather? Is there any other way? Also, just cause it says clear one day, doesn't mean the next won't be storms - is there some way to anticipate these?

No, you have it.

The weather map isn't useless ... its just what was available in the 40's. a general trend, but it is all you have. And then check the launch and target hexes if you can when important ... In this case my bet is the weather map would have said storms; which means +50% chance in any hex in this quadrant. Then you check your base where you get forecast. Turn on clouds to check current on target hex and base hex. That's all you can do. Tedious, so only do this for important strikes, and a fair amount of guessing. But ... Herb does this so well. Read some of his earlier AAR's where he's done some battle analysis outside of his story lines. He lays out everything he did, and weather was a key part of it ... he's also one of the very best at air strikes in terms of getting them to work when HE wants them to.