Beware the Dorniers! Scen 17 Tier 3 (Lowpe vs AI (Spoilers))

[Lowpe]

Once the troops are landed on Ambon, the 1st and 2nd Carrier Divisions are desperately needed to support invasion in the Lae area and reinforcing the Umboi defensive line. These Zero pilots will have their work cut out for them in about a weeks time! And if that works out they will need to head back to Java and escort an amphibious invasion of Burma...getting real late.

I hope I don't lose any nice AMC or LSD or AK in this landing at Ambon. I have lost enough already.

[Lowpe]

Butcher's bill:

[RangerJoe]

Too bad you can't repair those Spitfires . . .

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Too bad that you don't get the emergency reinforcements for that.

Long time ago, there was a discussion on that topic, and some experience players said it is not advisable for Japan, because the supply consumption of these poor quality troops will add up a lot to an already supply-starved empire

that said, this is a beefed scenario, maybe the additional troops can help

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Too bad that you don't get the emergency reinforcements for that.

Long time ago, there was a discussion on that topic, and some experience players said it is not advisable for Japan, because the supply consumption of these poor quality troops will add up a lot to an already supply-starved empire

that said, this is a beefed scenario, maybe the additional troops can help

That said, it is also very early. Those troops can train, whether or not they get replacements, and they can also be used in Manchukuo and China for garrisons.

But yes, there will be a supply cost. Maybe Japan should not get the entire amount of emergency reinforcements, maybe just get some for the north.

[Lowpe]

Fortress Tjilatjap.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Butcher's bill:

nothing on the Operational report or combat events?
whoever spotted it, probably put a bomb

how do you deal with fatigue for those squadrons at CAP of many hexes? 60ish % CAP? with forced % rest?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Too bad that you don't get the emergency reinforcements for that.

Long time ago, there was a discussion on that topic, and some experience players said it is not advisable for Japan, because the supply consumption of these poor quality troops will add up a lot to an already supply-starved empire

that said, this is a beefed scenario, maybe the additional troops can help

That said, it is also very early. Those troops can train, whether or not they get replacements, and they can also be used in Manchukuo and China for garrisons.

But yes, there will be a supply cost. Maybe Japan should not get the entire amount of emergency reinforcements, maybe just get some for the north.

I will take those depot divisions every time early, despite the supply cost. I recall they are restricted and you cannot fly them to Manchuko/Korea. Can't remember about getting them to Hokkaido. Their morale and experience is in the 30's. Even behind great forts they are tough to use until you can improve on their poor morale and training. Good for absorbing shore bombardments though.[:)]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Butcher's bill:

nothing on the Operational report or combat events?
whoever spotted it, probably put a bomb

how do you deal with fatigue for those squadrons at CAP of many hexes? 60ish % CAP? with forced % rest?

The first time it happened, the darn Mitchells almost sank a nice oiler. Now Oscars or Zeroes at least intercept, but the merchant ships are easy targets. And as morale gets low, I think the Allies can sense when the fighter cover is below normal and then they strike![:(]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The AI will know if there is no CAP, and will act accordingly

hence against the computer it is good to have anything, even float planes, doing CAP

[Lowpe]

Hosho will live to fight again!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

The AI will know if there is no CAP, and will act accordingly

hence against the computer it is good to have anything, even float planes, doing CAP

Your commanders do to, it is just almost everybody picks high aggression commanders that always fly instead of more reasonable guys that know it is better to scrub the flight.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

The AI will know if there is no CAP, and will act accordingly

hence against the computer it is good to have anything, even float planes, doing CAP

Your commanders do to, it is just almost everybody picks high aggression commanders that always fly instead of more reasonable guys that know it is better to scrub the flight.

Discretion is the better part of valor unless the troops want to run home to mama - without their shield. Or as Thomas Hobbes called it, feminine courage. [;)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

congrats on Hosho!!

that ship has the durability of a rubber duck; but what is important is that it survived

[Lowpe]

June 20, 1942

New map art for a change.

I think the Allies were trying to either resupply or rescue the Dutch forces near Sorong.

The 6th Carrier Division is very weak...good thing there was no Qboat present.

[Lowpe]

Ambon invasion goes weird...

Troops ashore and ships untouched by CD guns...but then the Dutch subs strikes and for some odd reason the 38th division reverts to their old plans.

Odd mix up for sure.

[Lowpe]

China

Can't decide if I like this map or not.[&:]

Progress is slow due to IJA High Command and the decision to keep the Manchuko garrison strong lest the Soviets activate.

[Lowpe]

June 21, 1942

A monster shows up at Batavia....the Jellicoe! I expect only low night experience on the Jellicoe saved me.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Suzuya
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
DD Okikaze
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1
TB Kari

Allied Ships
DD Meredith
DD Walke
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD Shaw, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Defiant, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Jellicoe, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Poor visibility due to Rain with 42% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 42% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
CA Suzuya engages CA Jellicoe at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Defiant at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Shaw at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD McCall at 2,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Hakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Shaw at 2,000 yards
CL Defiant engages TB Kari at 2,000 yards
CL Defiant engages CA Kako at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Defiant at 2,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Hakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD McCall at 2,000 yards
DD McCall engages DD Hakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Jellicoe at 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Defiant at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Shaw at 7,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Shaw at 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Walke at 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Meredith at 7,000 yards
CL Defiant engages TB Kari at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Jellicoe at 10,000 yards
CL Defiant engages CA Suzuya at 10,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Shaw at 10,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Meredith at 10,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Okikaze at 10,000 yards
CL Defiant engages TB Kari at 10,000 yards
CA Jellicoe engages CA Kako at 10,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Jellicoe at 10,000 yards
CA Jellicoe engages CA Atago at 10,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD McCall at 10,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Hakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Meredith at 10,000 yards
CA Jellicoe engages TB Kari at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Jellicoe at 8,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CA Jellicoe
CA Jellicoe sunk by CA Suzuya at 8,000 yards

[Lowpe]

Action east of Wake Island

I have yet to get my artillery and rapidfire AA guns here to anchor the defense. Therefore I have Fuso and Maya leading very small SAG to protect the base, with the very weak Carrier Division 7 responding north from the Marshalls.

I don't think President Taylor can escape[:)]

[Lowpe]

Lots of intel warnings here...

And what timing, one fleet carrier stricken by a torpedo, two in upgrade, and Hosho in drydock.

Not to mention Allied fleets are getting better, and naval engagements don't favor Japan nearly as much...quite a few Japanese surface ships are in repair too.

If they come for Wake, we shall see how well the defense can hold I think and we will conserve our ships for a counter attack.