Matrix Games Forums

PaxMondo wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:34 pm

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:51 pm I'm really concerned about supply in this game.

As you should be. Me? It is my No.1 worry in every game as IJ. Everything revolves around it and there isn't ever enough, at least as far I can tell .... I never have enough.

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:51 pm Ted is being pretty frisky in China this game, which a first for him. In the past, he hated and usually ignored it. Not this time around. Also, the stacking limits are being a pain for both of us.

SL's do create additional challenges, no doubt. I've never been able to settle in my mind if they are more realistic or not, but they absolutely do create a new dimension in the game.

The biggest change/difference to me is that they force me, as the IJ player, to be much more organized. I can't just have one stack, I have to create multiple stacks and coordinate their movement carefully. Combine them temporarily for attacks and then immediately disperse them. Rinse and Repeat ad infinitum. And early game China is where this has the most impact, later on anywhere there are CHI/SOV forces ...

One thing though is very clear to me: they are MUCH more a hindrance to IJ as compared to allies. Why? Supply. The allies can afford the supply burn on over-stacking far more than the IJ which basically can tolerate none at all; they are already in a supply deficit.

Anyway, looking forward to the next turn!!!

Same here about supply, Pax. It seems like I have less than in my vanilla games. I'm going to dig up my old spreadsheets and see what it looks like compared to the previous game.

Ok, checked the old game. I'm down about 100k supply from the same time that game. So, considering this mod cuts supply a lot, I think I'm ok. Once the oil fields are finished repairing, I should start stashing supply.

4 Apr 42

Sub War

The I-23 ran into a couple of PCs near San Francisco and ate a DC. She's headed for home and repairs.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Nothing to report. Ted won't fly his fighters as CAP over Pt. Moresby. They escort his bombers hitting 20 Division at Pt. Moresby. I stopped LRCAP over Pt. Moresby because the can't handle the B-17s. I lose a couple fighters and most of the rest are damaged. Not worth it. The damage to 20 Division is minor, but the disruption is preventing me from doing anything. Ted is focused on that division, so I'm trying to come up with a plan to hit him down there. KB comes to mind.

SRA

Boela and Babo were liberated:

Boela:
Resources - 16(4)
Oil - 20(5) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Babo:
Oil - 16(4) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Lost a DMS sweeping the mines at Bataan.

Borneo

Nothing to report.

Java

Captured Loemadjang destroying 12 Dutch units in the process. Only 3 Dutch units remain, 2 on the island east of Soerabaja and one on the mainland that's isolated. This campaign is over.

Burma

Ted pulled his fighters out of Shwebo. I'm working on getting more AS in Burma so I can station more than 1 sentai of bombers there. Once I get that solved, I'll start a bombing campaign of his army more or less isolated at Shwebo in open terrain. He has about 65k troops there.

I'm also going to reinforce 15 Army with 5 Division from Singapore and am going to invade Akyab with 18 Division, also from Singapore. MKB and some BBs will support this effort.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

5 Apr 42

Real quiet turn.

Most of the action was in China. Ted is using his crappy fighters and bombers to hit my troops sitting in Lanchow and Hami. I can't do anything about Hami, but I'm working on building an airfield to level 2 so I can ambush his planes over Lanchow. I got a Zero unit a few days ago and put some good pilots in it and some Zeros. After the Zeros repair, I'll fly it there and have a little fun.

6 Apr 42

Another quiet turn.

I landed a NG at Ambon (with another on the way). I didn't expect to take it with just one NG and I didn't. The second one is a few days out.

Again, most of the action was in China.

I had a nice division sitting in Kukong for the longest time and noticed that Ted started withdrawing the troops there, so I attacked and helped them out. The force included a Corps, BF and 2 HQ. The infrastructure was pretty beat up.
Resources: 15(25)

I also had an independent mixed regiment sitting in Wenchow watching the Chinese there. They decided to attack and threw out the Japanese. I lost a few squads, but nothing serious. I have an army that's moving toward the base. I'll move in from every adjacent hex so they'll surrender when I attack and throw them out.

The Ha-45 R&D advanced to 4/43. It'll be operational 8/42.

7 Apr 42

With the main operations all concluded, things are pretty quiet.

I attacked at Ambon with little damage to either side. I'll wait for the second NG to arrive.

Here's the state of the oil fields:

Palembang: 845(55) - repairing
Medan: 182(28) - repairing
Miri: 191(109) - repairing
Boela: 20(5) - not repairing
Babo: 16(4) - not repairing

All the other fields are fully functional. I have also started all refineries. You guys are right, the extra 300 supply a day in Burma is really important.

My first IJA naval search recon unit is operational and stationed in Tulagi. All the pilots have a minimum of 70 naval search and are flying the Dinah II. Very nice.

Reinforcement
48 JNAF AF Unit - Southern Army - headed to Burma

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 10:45 pm Ok, checked the old game. I'm down about 100k supply from the same time that game. So, considering this mod cuts supply a lot, I think I'm ok. Once the oil fields are finished repairing, I should start stashing supply.

Wow! Only 100K down, yeah, I'd say you're doing great in this mod. CONGRATS!!!

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 11:03 pm 4 Apr 42

SRA

Boela and Babo were liberated:

Boela:
Resources - 16(4)
Oil - 20(5) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Babo:
Oil - 16(4) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Yeah only 14 from Darwin, well within 4E range. Until, if, Darwin is neutralized, can't do anything here. Even then, how long would you hold onto Darwin? maybe a year? not sure the supply would ever be worth it ....

PaxMondo wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 2:52 am

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 11:03 pm 4 Apr 42

SRA

Boela and Babo were liberated:

Boela:
Resources - 16(4)
Oil - 20(5) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Babo:
Oil - 16(4) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Yeah only 14 from Darwin, well within 4E range. Until, if, Darwin is neutralized, can't do anything here. Even then, how long would you hold onto Darwin? maybe a year? not sure the supply would ever be worth it ....

Yeah, I'm debating whether or not to invade Darwin. I've done it in just about every other game. Right now I'm gathering my xAPs at Singapore for invasions along the Burma/India coastline (Akyab (definite), Cox's Bazaar, Chittagong are possibilities). I want to unhinge the Burma "line". Ted has ~60-65k troops at Shwebo. Myitkyina and Akyab are the only other bases Ted controls in Burma. Myitkyina is undefended and will be taken by air assault shortly. I'll probably use 3 of the 4 divisions from 25 Army. 56 is still in bad shape from shock attacking into Singapore. They'll recover soon. I may grab 14 Army to reinforce (16 & 48 Divisions, 65 Brigade). At any rate, I need a lot of shipping to do all that. Decisions, decisions...

This game, I'm going to use naval bombardment and possibly air bombardment (if I ever gat any airfields large enough) to keep Darwin on its heels. It's already at level 4 port and level 5 airfield.

PaxMondo wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 2:49 am

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 10:45 pm Ok, checked the old game. I'm down about 100k supply from the same time that game. So, considering this mod cuts supply a lot, I think I'm ok. Once the oil fields are finished repairing, I should start stashing supply.

Wow! Only 100K down, yeah, I'd say you're doing great in this mod. CONGRATS!!!

I'm being VERY conservative in building forts. The only ones I'm going to max out are the Marianas. The goal is to have at least 2 divisions and 1 brigade, plus an ATG battalion on each of the islands. One division will be a good one and the other mediocre. Also, a couple of heavy arty per base too and a tank regiment. That's a lot of stuff, but with level 9 forts, and sufficient supply, they should hold for a while. Each of the 4 bases has a max troop capacity of 35k. I plan on maxing it out if possible.

One thing I'm going to try is to build the 4 bases to the north to level 2 airfields to house extra fighters to support the 4 main islands.

8 Apr 42

Another pretty quiet day.

Lots of bombing on both sides. Just the usual stuff.

No sub results at all on either side. One thing I like on this mod is that the SCs upgrade to the Mod 2 DC very quickly. They're actually useful. I'm using them as ASW TFs around critical bases.

As I said earlier, 18 Division going to start loading at Singapore to invade Akyab. MKB and the BBs are headed there for support. There will also be a number of CAs involved.

5 Division, 6 artillery units and some engineers will land at Rangoon tomorrow.

IG Division will most likely head for Chittagong once I get more xAPs to Singapore.

Finally, 14 Army (48 and 16 Divisions and 65 Brigade) are at Manilla and are waiting for transport (and a mission). There's a good chance they'll head to the Burma theater as well, whether by to Rangoon or by sea along the coast remains to be seen. I do recall that 65 Brigade is fully air transportable. I'll have to check that out to make sure. They would be a nice surprise to Ted to drop them somewhere to reinforce the parachute unit that takes a base. All but the heavy artillery from 14 Army is destined for Burma as well. The heavy artillery will go to the Marianas.

Reinforcement
17 Port Unit - SW Fleet - I get quite a few of these. Each has 18 Naval Support. This one is going to Singapore.

Mike Solli wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 3:24 pm

PaxMondo wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 2:52 am

Mike Solli wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 11:03 pm 4 Apr 42

SRA

Boela and Babo were liberated:

Boela:
Resources - 16(4)
Oil - 20(5) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Babo:
Oil - 16(4) - I'm not repairing it. Too close to Darwin.

Yeah only 14 from Darwin, well within 4E range. Until, if, Darwin is neutralized, can't do anything here. Even then, how long would you hold onto Darwin? maybe a year? not sure the supply would ever be worth it ....

Yeah, I'm debating whether or not to invade Darwin. I've done it in just about every other game. Right now I'm gathering my xAPs at Singapore for invasions along the Burma/India coastline (Akyab (definite), Cox's Bazaar, Chittagong are possibilities). I want to unhinge the Burma "line". Ted has ~60-65k troops at Shwebo. Myitkyina and Akyab are the only other bases Ted controls in Burma. Myitkyina is undefended and will be taken by air assault shortly. I'll probably use 3 of the 4 divisions from 25 Army. 56 is still in bad shape from shock attacking into Singapore. They'll recover soon. I may grab 14 Army to reinforce (16 & 48 Divisions, 65 Brigade). At any rate, I need a lot of shipping to do all that. Decisions, decisions...

This game, I'm going to use naval bombardment and possibly air bombardment (if I ever gat any airfields large enough) to keep Darwin on its heels. It's already at level 4 port and level 5 airfield.

Totally understand. Darwin was also a standard "take" of mine also. But now? Not always, in fact, in my last 3? games or so, I didn't bother until I decided to go after OZ, and that was after CHI, SOV, and India .... we're talking late '43.

It works for me (remember my opponent though) because actually OZ is close to both fuel and some supply. Compared to other operations like Alaska or even India, fuel is MUCH easier for OZ.

Given the date, yeah, BIG CV battles are going to happen, and frequently. I like to get the fights into the Java sea; Singers is closer for me than his Sydney, Hong Kong about the same, HI about like WC, so a pretty fair fighting ground for me, and of course Palembang is WAY closer to me than his WC fuel ... And the fighting, well of course I prefer easterly and my opponent prefers southerly .... but yeah, lotsa CV's .... and he's got F6F/F4U's + the SBD5 by then against my A7M + Judy/Jill.

9 Apr 42 - Really slow turn, but I'm going back to my template to babble about things here and there.

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Ted and I have been talking about bombers, specifically his heavy bombers. I couldn't remember (and was too lazy to look up) the minimum airfield requirements for his heavy bombers. He told me - 5 for B-17s and 7 for B-29s. He's got 43 B-17Es hitting 20 Division at Pt. Moresby. He told me they were all coming from one base. It's got to be Townsville which is 6(7) today and will be 7(7) tomorrow. I'm considering hitting it with KB to try and get some bombers on the ground. I haven't done anything yet, but will do some preliminary planning after I update this AAR.

SRA

Borneo

Miri Oil: 193(107)

Burma

Ted shock attacked across the river to the west of Paoshan with a Chinese corps against my disrupted and a little bit beat up tank regiment. The tanks held firm losing nothing and disrupting a good chunk of Chinese. I still have an AS shortage in Burma (and most everywhere else too), but I'm shifting Sallies to Chiang Mai to hit the Chinese here in the future. The AS is insufficient to allow this for long, but I should be able to get a few licks in.

China

I have 14 Zeros and 23 very good pilots (64 exp, 70 air) at Chengchow waiting for the airfield to be built to level 2. It's only at 1.03 with 4 engineers there, but more are on the way, along with more AS (only 8 AS right now). So, it'll be a little while before I can ambush the Chinese Air Force at Langchow.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
14 Ku T-1 (18 Mavis), 21 Air Flotilla, headed to western SRA (where 21 AF is stationed) to guard against an enemy incursion. It'll probably be stationed at Java, Christmas Island, or Cocos Island.
14 Ku T-1 Det (2 Emily), 21 Air Flotilla, will convert to Mavis and merge with the main body so I can divide it if needed.
14 Ku S-1 (9 Rufe), 21 Air Flotilla, training in SRA for a while at least. Eventually it'll guard an oil center under attack. (I still don't have any Rufes producing.)

10 Apr 42

Sub War

The Dutch sub O19 has been pestering me around Babeldaob for a long time. She hasn't caused any damage, but she's there and is causing me to spend more time there fiddling with shipping routes than I'd like. I have 4 DDs on ASW chasing her all over the place, and Umikaze finally hit home, hitting her with 2 DCs. She didn't sink, but she's definitely not happy.

The I-174, south of Dutch Harbor, torpedoed and sank an xAKL. Small ship, but every loss helps, especially in this backwater. It'll cause Ted to send more stuff here rather than where it is really needed.

I'm in the process of allocating my subs to AOs. Areas requiring subs:

KB advance guard
Aleutians
Hawaiian Islands
US West Coast
SE Fleet (including around Pt. Moresby, Australian East Coast and Aussie-US shipping lanes)
Australian West Coast
Indian coast
Cape Town entry area
Aden entry area

Here's what I have available:
Glen subs: 15 (one lost so far)
Fleet subs: 25
Midget carrying subs: 5
Minelaying subs: 4
RO class subs: 11

I'll post my final allocation when it's finalized.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Johnston island's troops are all at 100% and the last of the port damage should be repaired in 3 days.

SRA

Palembang Oil: 848(52)

Borneo

Miri Oil: 194(106)

Burma

My ambush of Ted's medium bombers over my tank regiment pushed out of Paoshan was a success. A dozen Oscar Ics caught 2 flights of Blenheim IVs (31 sorties) and shot down 10 bombers for no loss. I'll try it again tomorrow. The pilots are pretty tuckered, so I'll rest 30%.

China

Still maneuvering, but I did kill a HQ all by its lonesome near Sinyang.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

You can rest specific pilots by putting them on Group Reserve. If they are needed, the computer will take them out of reserve.

If you put some of your KB bombers on night attack, then they might hit some bombers. If nothing else, that should increase the fatigue and disruption. You can also arrange an afternoon attack on the airfield if you so desire . . .

If you division at Port Moresby needs supplies, or even if they don't, you can still use Fast Transport TFs to resupply them. Again, the bombardment by the ships would help and if it causes the enemy to bombard after the ship's bombardment, then that works out for you as well especially using up supplies.

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:15 pm You can rest specific pilots by putting them on Group Reserve. If they are needed, the computer will take them out of reserve.

Do this a lot because the computer RARELY chooses to rest my best and most tired on it own, it chooses the least exp to rest .... or at least it always seems to.

Mike Solli wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:53 pm 10 Apr 42

Sub War

I'm in the process of allocating my subs to AOs. Areas requiring subs:

KB advance guard
Aleutians
Hawaiian Islands
US West Coast
SE Fleet (including around Pt. Moresby, Australian East Coast and Aussie-US shipping lanes)
Australian West Coast
Indian coast
Cape Town entry area
Aden entry area

Here's what I have available:
Glen subs: 15 (one lost so far)
Fleet subs: 25
Midget carrying subs: 5
Minelaying subs: 4
RO class subs: 11

I'll post my final allocation when it's finalized.

I always have the same dilemma ... way more places that I need subs versus how many I have ... in re-reading "The Little Ship that Could", Herb often talks about how effective Cantona was with his subs ... he used them extensively in active barrier/shield around his intended targets whenever he ventured forth with his DeathStar ... and when he found the KB, he would flood the area. Once his early dud rate went away, his subs were a real terror ... just offering a differing sub strategy ...

PaxMondo wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:42 pm

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:15 pm You can rest specific pilots by putting them on Group Reserve. If they are needed, the computer will take them out of reserve.

Do this a lot because the computer RARELY chooses to rest my best and most tired on it own, it chooses the least exp to rest .... or at least it always seems to.

I vaguely remember this tactic now that you mention it. I'll start doing it tomorrow. You're right, I often see a handful of pilots in a unit with extremely high fatigue with the rest sitting around playing solitaire.

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:15 pm You can rest specific pilots by putting them on Group Reserve. If they are needed, the computer will take them out of reserve.

Got it, now...

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:15 pm If you put some of your KB bombers on night attack, then they might hit some bombers. If nothing else, that should increase the fatigue and disruption. You can also arrange an afternoon attack on the airfield if you so desire . . .

I have been doing that at Pt. Moresby but haven't hit anything at the airfield yet.

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:15 pm If you division at Port Moresby needs supplies, or even if they don't, you can still use Fast Transport TFs to resupply them. Again, the bombardment by the ships would help and if it causes the enemy to bombard after the ship's bombardment, then that works out for you as well especially using up supplies.

That's a great idea! It never dawned on me that I can use Fast Transport in an enemy held base. I need to try that soon!

PaxMondo wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 4:49 pm

Mike Solli wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:53 pm 10 Apr 42

Sub War

I'm in the process of allocating my subs to AOs. Areas requiring subs:

KB advance guard
Aleutians
Hawaiian Islands
US West Coast
SE Fleet (including around Pt. Moresby, Australian East Coast and Aussie-US shipping lanes)
Australian West Coast
Indian coast
Cape Town entry area
Aden entry area

Here's what I have available:
Glen subs: 15 (one lost so far)
Fleet subs: 25
Midget carrying subs: 5
Minelaying subs: 4
RO class subs: 11

I'll post my final allocation when it's finalized.

I always have the same dilemma ... way more places that I need subs versus how many I have ... in re-reading "The Little Ship that Could", Herb often talks about how effective Cantona was with his subs ... he used them extensively in active barrier/shield around his intended targets whenever he ventured forth with his DeathStar ... and when he found the KB, he would flood the area. Once his early dud rate went away, his subs were a real terror ... just offering a differing sub strategy ...

Yep. I'm currently looking at the stats of my subs to figure out the best place for them. I particularly like the subs that have 8 tubes firing forward. Those scare the hell out of Ted when they find a capital ship. Eight torpedoes fired at a target is just plain nasty.