U2 vs Mogami

[Jagger2002]

Wow! Very interesting after action report. I didn't think it was possible to take PM without a lot of luck on the side of IJN.

What about air transport of troops into PM?

Unless the airfield is shut down for a long time frame, air transport can easily move fresh troops into PM. It seems to me that one factor alone should make PM close to impossible to take.

[mogami]

Hi, Japanese LRCAP over PM shoots down a lot of air transports.

[Jagger2002]

Are you guys playing with version 1.00 or 1.11?

I noticed with version 1.00, LR CAP would take down a lot of unguarded Dakotas. Although I didn't really notice what impact CAP had in defending air transports.

However in my 1.11 tests, if PM has any sort of CAP, the loss of Dakotas to Jap LR CAP has been negligible.

I don't think with 1.11 that LR CAP can stop air transport if PM can put up CAP. Which means air reinforcements into PM can't be stopped unless the PM airfield is completely shut down.

If the allies can move a fresh brigade into PM in a couple of days with air transport, I think it would be really tough for the IJN to match the allied reinforcement capability.

Which is one reason I was so impressed with your ability to take PM.

I guess another factor would be the amount of supplies stockpiled in PM early. Lack of supplies would negate the advantage of putting new troops into PM.

[mogami]

Hi, I am interested in learning how many Japanese fighters you believe you can encounter in airbattles over PM

(then I will tell you)

[Jagger2002]

My experience is to see 15-20 zeros early in the game. I haven't seen it attempted later in the game. With additional fighter squadrons and CV fighters available, I could see quite a bit more.

It would be an interesting risk for the IJN CV's to put heavy duty CAP over PM. If the allies realized the Jap players intent and had CV's in the area, he could make a decisive strike against the IJN CV's dependent on their location.

Although I could see quite a few allied CAP as well. Myself I will usually keep around 5 squadrons of fighters in PM dependent on the threat.

Hehe, I am guessing you were massing large numbers of IJN fighters at critical time points?

[mogami]

If the IJN does not want to use the CV bombers yet (waits till fighters at PM have been reduced) he can use the range advantage. A full strength Japanese fighter sweeper over PM can be as high as 248 fighters. (If Japanese player has the CV sometimes you get them sometimes you don't)

[mogami]

Hi, Japane can around May 5th launch a strike with
100 fighters and 50 bombers
but the best method for the very first attack is send only fighters set staggered to 15 16 and 17k

You need the weather to help a little.

You have 2 CV groups 2 LB groups and a small CVL group

send 3 hold 2 in reserve (approx 60 ac) then every day replace tired group with fresh.

after a few days send bombers at night

after a few more days start changing 1 group from night to day

then move CV and CVL to 8 hexes from PM and add their bombers to day attacks

[Jagger2002]

Hehe, sounds pretty good.

I didn't quite realize how much fighter strength could be massed by IJN and air force. I am going to have to test this in a head to head match.

I think the Japanese will have to cut off the air bridge very, very quickly though. The allies can move infantry brigades into PM in a matter of days.

And the US CV's will need to be beat when the invasion fleet moves in.

[mogami]

Hi, The Transports have to be moved to base where BDE are. they tire very fast, no vechicles or heavy equip, and no supply for when they get there unless allied CV are willing to risk battle.

(one of the thing the Japanese must do to capture PM is drive off enemy CV and surface assets)

[U2]

Hi

Since the fall of PM nothing of importance has happened. Still trying to build up a strong defence in Australia and the Nomuea area. I have seen quite a lot of activity around Lunga which means that it is possible Mogami is building up an airstrip there. To early to tell if Lunga or PM will be used in an offensive but Mogami sure does have the resources needed for this but no signs yet. Will keep you posted if anything happens.
Dan

BTW: Noticed that this modest AAR now has over 1300 hits! Thank you!

[mogami]

Greetings, the capture of Port Moresby in essense doubles the logistics required. It takes a while to get the supply system organized. The support units moved and assign areas of responsibilty for defense. 8th Area Army Has been tasked with completing the occupation of NG bases and driving the allied remains away from PM. 17th Army will deploy to Lunga. Observation and emergancy airfields and fueling bases are to be established. Airgroups have to be rebuilt. Ships repaired/returned to Japan. I am only going to maintain enough force to respond to any allied move while keeping the bulk of my forces where they will present the least amount of strain on the supply system and be kept fresh.

[mogami]

Greetings, I am wondering about the differant ways people come up with operational plans in UV. Is it "Well I have this many ships so I'll do this" or "I am going to do this as soon as I have the required resources"

In both games now we are in a period of quiet build up.

Using the game where I am Japan.

I am certain that if the base control status remains the same as present Japan will win the game.
This means the Allies must attack some where or admit defeat.
Time is not a problem in this regard they have over 14 months remaining.
No doubt even with out Port Moresby they possess or will possess in the near future enough bases for offensive operations against isolated Japanese bases.

The Japanese fleet can not protect everything (if it splits to cover multiple bases it will be out numbered at the base the Allies attack.)

It is my conclusion that in this game I must continue the offensive to meet the auto victory conditions. This would have the effect of ending the game before the allies could grow strong enough to reclaim the lead.

[U2]

Originally posted by Mogami

It is my conclusion that in this game I must continue the offensive to meet the auto victory conditions. This would have the effect of ending the game before the allies could grow strong enough to reclaim the lead.

Hi folks

This is indeed disturbing news. I was getting the feeling that Mogami would leave me alone and then set a trap for me when I went on the offensive. Given Mogami's brilliant strategic mind an offensive will be a challenge.
If an offensive will be launched in the near future my guess is that it would come against Australia. I come to that conclusion because with the fall of PM he will be able to support it with land based air. Mogami's most southern Salomons bases are not large enough to support an attack against the Islands around Nomuea. So if theres any offensive directed to that area it must surely depend on CV protection.
I must say that I have been given plenty of time to prepare myself for any Imperial storm. Lets see if it was enough.
Dan

[brisd]

First off, I am playing my first pbem with Scenario 17 as Japan and have sunk both USN CV's with no major losses during first week of game (May 42). I am confident I will capture PM by the end of May (I have more troops there than the allies currently). I may be giving away my stategy to all my opponents but the Japanese should ALWAYS strive for Automatic Victory when possible if the conditions favor it. After Jan 43 the Allies will quickly gain the upper hand and rout your air and naval forces. Occupation of Imperial bases will certainly follow. Personally, I have no desire to face Hellcats, Lightnings and Corsairs...

GO FOR IT!

[U2]

Originally posted by brisd

GO FOR IT!

Hi

Please dont encourage him!:D
Dan

[U2]

Hi

Just wanted to inform you that a BIG and DECISIVE battle for Luganville has started. Unfortunately an update on this will come tomorrow first I think. If this battle becomes the big battle both of us expect the game will be won or lost within 2 gaming days. Time will tell.

Dan

[Huskalator]

Isn' there a pretty major bug if the Japs capture Luganville or is that just in an AI game?

[U2]

Hi

The battle for Luganville is over and as soon as I get the text file from Mog and some time I will post it here. Without giving anything away it is an epic CV battle.

What I do want to post is the AAR and thoughts about the days prior to the battle.

Two days prior to the 25/8 my convoys in the Noumea area had reacted to the presence of carriers and thus withdrew.This sort of gave me a hint that something was about.

Suddenly on the 25th of August 1942 two IJN CVs and 2 CVLs was spotted a few hexes NW of Luganville. A massive wave of 60 Zeros and 60 Vals headed for my AF which was only protected by 24 Cobras. The first raid did not much damage but would grow in accuracy over the coming days. My response was a mixed strike of B-17s, B-25s and B-26s and I manage to score two 500 ILB on the Ryujo and 1 500 ILB on the Shoho. Not much damage but I was satisfied if this exchange could continue for a few days.

26/8

Another massive carrier strike caused heavy damage on Luganville AFB. Luckily for me my engineers fixed that prob within a day. My A/C groups did no harm this turn but I decided to send 48 Wildcats and 30 Dauntless to get better results.

27/8

Mogami send a POWERFULL bombardment TF to Luganville which causes massive damage. This is followed by another strike from his CVs. To my great surprise my engineers are doing one heck of a job there and keeps the AFB operational. My counter strike manages only a 500 ILB hit on the Junyo I believe.

My inability to score hits on his CVs and the fact that his bombardment TF was just one of many waiting to pound my AFB left me with one choice only. REACT!

While the sun was still down 51 USN warships divided into 5 TFs left Noumea bound for an area NW of Luganville. Mogami had left me with no option but to defend that base with my CVs. An epic carrier battle unfolded before us.

Text file of battle will be posted as soon as I possibly can. Thanks again for reading this AAR. 1600 hits is amazing.
Dan

[mogami]

Greetings, I would not pronounce the battle of L'ville over.

Prior to sending any transport TF to land troops it is required to knock out the airfield, remove any surface/CV Tf from area.
This procedure has commenced. How long it will last is unknown.
Every effort will be made and every resource commited to isolating and reducing the defense of the area. I expect the battle to last approx 60 days.

[U2]

Hi

It sure was too early for me to say that the battle was over. Perhaps phase 1 out of many is over but much more to come. Unsure how many days it will take to change Mogami's mind about invading Luganville or to be defeated myself. Too early to tell.
Dan