The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Capt. Harlock]

SBDs out of Ailinglaplap sortied with F4F escorts. Both got chewed up against George CAP at Kwaj,

I don't think F4F's are up to the job anymore in August '43. Can you move some upper-tier land-based fighters there?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

Oh sure, assign me homework [:D]

...and read it all before lunch you slacker! [:D]

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

SBDs out of Ailinglaplap sortied with F4F escorts. Both got chewed up against George CAP at Kwaj,

I don't think F4F's are up to the job anymore in August '43. Can you move some upper-tier land-based fighters there?

I have so many squadrons in the Marshalls that of necessity I'm using some older frames. I think F4Fs are still acceptable in carrier combat and defensive warfare, but they aren't in escort missions (same with P40K and even the Hellcats, at least against good enemy fighters like the George).

All my big carriers and the CVLs have Hellcats. The CVEs mostly have F4Fs with a few using the FMs.

The big carrier fighter pilots are mostly of excellent quality. They are the veterans of the Air Battle of Sabang, which last for months. Since they were fighting over their own base, losses were very low. Experience and skill levels are, correspondingly, very high.

[Canoerebel]

8/11/43

Roller Coaster: Steroid KB basically remains in place, with some combat ships out front. (John must know exactly where my carriers are, and he must have brass gonads, because he's sticking his nose out a bit, I think.) Mini KB moved closer to Tabitutea, retreating a few hexes.

I'm still not sure exactly what John is doing: offense? defense? blocking for an invasion?

I'm not too worried about any invasions since the more important islands are strongly held.

Wasp and Lex surprised me by not gaining a day on the repair process. So I fiddled with their status a bit and got them to where Wasp should be ready in a day and Lex in two days.

Most of the Thin Man TFs (except big CVs) will leave Pearl tonight to get a bit of a headstart. This is a big armada. It's far enough east of Steroid KB where that's not a concern.

No question now that I'll proceed with Thin Man as opposed to Carnival. The Marshalls play a bigger role going forward than the Aleutians will, so shoring up the defenses there with additional supply (plus drawing down islands that are overstacked) is important. Too, this is where the enemy is, and that's where I want to fight. Also, I just prefer the configuration of the Marshalls (circular) to the Aleutians (linear) and proximity to a big port (Pearl).

Circus: More SigInt that 38th Div. is aboard Marus bound for Buldir. It's looking more and more like a counterinvasion is imminent. I don't want to lose any base - they were hard to come by and each has a role to play, but I do feel that the main bases (Adak, Umnak, Dutch, Cold Bay) are pretty much impregnable. So John is revving up a major effort that, to my way of thinking, only holds the prospect of small rewards for him.

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
John must know exactly where my carriers are, and he must have brass gonads, because he's sticking his nose out a bit, I think.

When the time does come to sortie your carriers, I wonder about the possibility of taking a bit of a detour. Say, leave PH to the SE and circle around to the Palmyra/Christmas area, coming in along that vector. If you're predictable, the enemy can beat you.

[paullus99]

Knowing John - he's completely fixated on killing ships and troops. If he's raiding or staging his carriers forward, it's in an attempt to catch and sink ships....to give himself more stuff to crow about.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: jwolf
When the time does come to sortie your carriers, I wonder about the possibility of taking a bit of a detour. Say, leave PH to the SE and circle around to the Palmyra/Christmas area, coming in along that vector. If you're predictable, the enemy can beat you.

I won't be taking a straight line, of course. Subs are one reason. The second is that John won't be sure whether I'm heading for Kusaie or Kwaj/Roi. I have to make a stop first at Jaluit to load a RCT prepping for Roi, so he's not going to know exactly what I'm doing and why. That's where I have a chance to confuse him.

I have considered moving NW as though Wake Island is the target, but I'd have to go pretty far out there and then John would still have the inside lanes to the Marshalls, so I'd accomplish nothing.

I think the best course is to roll up my sleeves and proceed, knowing that the sequence of what I'm doing is going to befuddle John a bit and perhaps cause him to pull the trigger before he really wanted to.

[Canoerebel]

8/12/43

Roller Coaster: Steroid KB remains in the same area while Three Sisters (CAs) bombard Maloelap to modest effect. Mini KB has pulled back well west of Tabituea. Will it move north to join Steroid KB or will John keep it in the Solomons region to handle affairs there? That's a big question.

The Allied invasion armada declined to leave Pearl, because an AO TF hadn't finished loading fuel. All systems go tonight. Wasp and Lex report one day left on repairs. I hope they don't exaggerate. It seems like this has taken two forevers.

Two P38H squadrons are inbound to the Marshalls with a stopover at Suva. I have so many squadrons in the Marshalls and Gilberts that there's not enough room. I'll have to prioritize. A couple of squadrons will probably move to carriers (especially two Hellcats). The Allies will have a large LB fighter presence along with plenty of PBY, Recon, SBD and torp (two TBF, two Beauforts).

So, does John accept battle here?

Circus: SigInt reports 15th Div. at Attu, where I beleive 7th Div. is also stationed. That's one powerful garrison. My objective, once affairs in CenPac are complete, is to take Amchitka and then take control of the sea lanes, preventing John from evacuating his troops while LBA focuses on his bases. This won't be possible if Steroid KB dominates, but it will be quite feasible if Death Star has achieved victory. So much of what's coming depends on the outcome of the looming though not inevitable carrier clash.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: poodlebrain

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

Being August it might be a good time to think really hard where you want your strategic bombing assets should be located when that bombing HR is up. It ends in about 3 1/2 months right?

Just enough time to prep something really special!!

If you dont have the troops for something really special then prep something that will cause John to move in a predictable way and cause the final carrier battle you desire on your terms.

Geography limits strategic bombing targets at this point in the game. The only practical targets are in Burma. All other targets are outside the range of Allied LBA. Strategic bombing of resource centers and light industry on the periphery of the Empire are inefficient use of Allied airpower. Zero VP gained for 1 or 2 VP lost for each aircraft lost, not to mention the loss of experienced pilots, is just not worth it.

So the allies are left with the few targets in Burma. Every experienced Japanese player knows this, and they can make strategic bombing quite costly. Despite that it is worth the effort for the Allies due to its effect on the Japanese economy, and it causes Japan to re-evaluate its desire to defend in northern Burma.

There was a significant change in the last patch that I think many players have ignored or missed. As a result carrier raids on his fringe oil centers are now very possible if he has not got them well defended. Actually at this point a massive carrier raid will probably over power any defended field. You are now able to set you carrier aircraft to "city attack" when you are out of range where you used to not be able to. This allows you to run in and launch the attack instead of having to sit in range for one full turn in order to set the attacks. As a test, I hit Soerajaba and knocked out about 150 oil points in one six ship raid. It works... But I don't know if Dan is allowed to do it under their HR about strat bombing.

[Canoerebel]

8/13/43

Roller Coaster: Steroid KB pulls back a bit. Mini KB disappears from sight. Three Sisters bombard Wotje to minimal effect. A CB and Two Sisters bombard Ailinglaplap to modest effect. Then KB launches massive raids of Judys and Jills (PM phase, so "Naval Strike" was the first option) against Ailinglaplap. This airfield, which hosts a modest number of aircraft, is moderately damaged.

What's John doing? There have been some odd-looking missions the past couple of days. The punch isn't sufficiently powerful to really harm the Allied bases, so I don't think suppression or pre-invasion softening are the missions. These could be diversionary in nature: Look at this (while I organize my secret invasion of the Aleutians, or some such). Least likely of all is the possibility that John simply isn't sure what to do and is reaching for something, anything.

The Allied invasion armada departed Pearl Harbor today without incident (no sub encounters, no reported detection levels). Wasp and Lex finished their upgrades, so the last three carrier TFs will depart tonight (I've temporarily placed CV Victorious in a TF of her own, but I'll reconstitute the arrangements before entering battle).

This mission carries an inherent befuddlement factor due to the priorities, as follows:

1. Supply for the Marshalls bases (to ensure that they have plenty to stand strong in the event that is necessary due to a bad carrier battle result or the carriers moving to NoPac). Hence as the armada approaches the Marshalls - and as John prepares for the move on his bases - the Allied ships will suddenly stop to attend to supply distribution.

2. Load the amphibious troops at Jaluit (several key units prepping for Kwaj and Roi are here).

3. Carrier battle.

4. Invasions of Kwaj and Roi.

The sudden stop and lateral movements will leave John a bit uncertain (at least for a few turns) as to exactly what the Allies are up to. During the confusion, some Allied ships will probe choke points for mines, and APDs will carry out small amphibious operations against dot hexes that will be used for patrol purposes.

Tarawa airfield goes to level four tomorrow.

Circus: No sign of an imminent move on Ulak. BB Maryland TF will arrive at Kodiak tomorrow. Dutch Harbor port goes to level five (working towards six). This plus naval support should allow most replenishment, and AKEs and an AE will come forward prior to Operation Carnival.

[JeffroK]

I'm too late, but was going to suggest beating up on mini KB first.

[Miller]

Personally I think he is looking for the big CV battle, nothing more. Bear in mind any F4F on CAP will give a free pass to most of his Judy's due to their considerably higher speed.

[Canoerebel]

As the carrier depart Pearl, they are carrying in total 1,179 aircraft: 358 Hellcats, 208 F4Fs, 81 Misc Fightes (FM, Marlett, etc.), 285 dive bombers (mix of Helldivers and SBD5s), 234 TBFs, and 13 Swordfish.

This mix will change a bit as I should be able to supplement with some LBA Hellcats once I get within range of the Marshalls.

The Marshalls will contribute about 250 decent fighters in the form of 4 or 5 squadrons of P38s, at least two Corsair, and a mixture of F4Fs, P40Ks, and some Kiwi Kittyhawks. The Marshalls also have TBFs, divebombers, Beuaforts, patrols, and some 2EB and 4EB that will help mainly with NavSearch.

If John combines Mini KB and Steroid KB, he should have roughly 1,100 aircraft. Kausaie and Ponape will contribute, but I'm going to try to suppress Kwaj and Roi using 2EB and 4EB once Tarawa goes to level four (tomorrow).

It's going to be a hot environment.

[poodlebrain]

Who are your TF commanders, and do you have good ship drivers for your CVs and escorts?

[Canoerebel]

I've spent a lot of PP configuring ship captains and TF commanders. For instance, it cost 58 PP to put Bull Halsey in command of the main surface combat TF (with BBs North Carolina and Massachusetts, and likely to take on two or three slow BBs prior to battle).

The three big CV TF commanders are Mitscher, Spruance and Hammond (the latter not well known, but with good numbers).

[obvert]

Mixing slow and fast BBs makes the entire TF more susceptible to strikes from air and sea. If possible I'd try to keep them in separate TFs. Especially if they're going to be fighting at night.

[Canoerebel]

Eric, a bit of clarification on your point. Do you mean embedding slow BBs will slow the TF, therefore making the TF more susceptible to being in range of enemy air (and intercept by enemy combat TFs), or do you mean something more nuanced: that the slow BBs slow down every ship in the TF, impacting the dice rolls for each ship in the TF, thus negatively effecting their performance against individual ships and individual enemy aircraft?

Or is it both?

My concern is that John will have perhaps as many as 10 BBs available. I know he has the four Kongos under Tanaka. He'll have other strong concentrations. The Allies will have two fast BBs (Mass and NC) since Washington and South Dakota are repairing. I'm kinda nervous about two fast BBs going into battle against four or eight enemy BBs.

Do you think I'm better creating a separate slow BB TF?

At the opening of the battle sequence, Haley's BBs will take station at a likely base (probably Maloelap) to cover resupply and to see if John pounces. I think John will prefer to strike at Kwaj or Roi, so the sudden stop at Maloe should catch him by surprise for a day or two as he sorts through information and his options.

[ny59giants]

I agree with Erik. I would have your fast BBs with 8 Fletchers. I would have your modern Cleveland CLs with Fletchers, if possible. If not, then place your best torpedo carrying DDs with the Clevelands. REMEMBER to have the lowest TFs be the one that you want to engage first. I would have a TF with 4 to 8 DDs as my lowest, then the one with CLs, and the highest TF number would be my fast BB in a hex. Use your slow BB in Amphib TF or in a BB TF (bombardment) only, IMO. If you enough supplies at one of your Marshall's bases, create PT Boats and use accordingly. They will eat up his op points and maybe be his SC TF (prior BB TF) will be range in the AM Air Phase.

[Mike McCreery]

The TF is rated by the slowest ship in the group. So if you have a 21 + a 28 knot ship bundled together in a combat group they are going to move in combat as if they both had a speed of 21 knots.

[Canoerebel]

8/14/43

Thanks for the pointers, gents.

Roller Coaster: Steroid KB has pulled back to a point south of Wake Island. No sign of Mini KB. No bomardments or enemy air attacks today.

The lead Allied invasion TFs are now 11 hexes SW of Pearl, with two CV TFs seven hexes SW. No interaction with enemy subs and no signs of detection.

Most of the Allied fighters and 1E strike aircraft in the islands are concentrated at Mili and Tarawa. Other islands have PBYs and recon aircraft.

Circus: Three different subs SW of Attu Island interacted with a large enemy transport TF moving east. The first two subs missed shots at a DMS. The third got a hit on a DD. Additional SigInt that 58th Div. is aboard marus bound for Buldir Island (east of Attu). This could well be the TF involved with the subs. The question is: is this TF truly going to Buldir or is it an invasion force for Ulak? The latter has 3.89 forts (needs about four days to go to four). Arleigh Burke is bringing 5 more Fletchers to the western Aleuts. Their main mission is to try to ward off bombardments at Adak Island. Adak, in turn, is charge with hosting fighters and 1EB set to range two (Ulak). 2EB are similarly configured (range 10) at Umnak.

Elsewhere: Steroid KB in CenPac should mean no enemy invasions anywhere that there's a strong Allied LBA presence. So, for now, I think Oz, Ceylon, India, and Assam are "safe" from major moves by sea.

Most of the shifting of troops to maximize deployment and buidliing of forts is complete now. For instance, the partial evacuation of unneeded support troops made it out of Ramree's hex and are enroute to Akyab, Cox's, etc.