Kantai Kessen: A Sparrowhawk26 vs J LongLance93

[Besmerello]

As someone who just started a Scen2 campaign as JE, very much enjoying your AAR and visuals, keep it up!

[LongLance93]

As someone who just started a Scen2 campaign as JE, very much enjoying your AAR and visuals, keep it up!

Thank you! Nice to know someone is following, I dont get many comments.

The intention is to win or die with honor!

[LongLance93]

Aichi E13A


Tactical and Operational Formations of the JNAF

With total war against the Anglo-Saxons and their lackeys the need to expand the current organisation is most urgent.

First to reorganize are the land based formations, some will be given a new role, some will even expand in size.

All Attack Squadrons now flying the Mitsubishi G3M will convert to Maritime Patrol role with ASW as a secondary role.

We dont have the resources to expand the use of flying boats to level of coverage needed and we have a new version of the old aircraft in development that is very economical.

All land based Patrol Squadrons using seaplanes will convert to the Aichi E13A for Maritime Patrol and ASW roles and expand in size.

We are developing float equipped fighters to give these squadrons ability to intercept the enemy patrol aircraft and protect their own.



Those squadrons based on seaplane tenders (AVs) will be expanded and divided to operate both Mitsubishi F1M for Target Spotting and Patrol Intercept and Aichi E13A for Maritime Patrol and Recon.


(I dont expand cruiser or battleship units, gamey and they have a purpose, actually several roles.)

[RangerJoe]

Have you considered capturing Sinkawang (sp?) early? Nells and Zeros there could stop the Allies from reinforcing Singapore or withdrawing from it. It will also allow you some control of the Java Sea as well.

[LongLance93]

Have you considered capturing Sinkawang (sp?) early? Nells and Zeros there could stop the Allies from reinforcing Singapore or withdrawing from it. It will also allow you some control of the Java Sea as well.

Yes, it is on the list next now that 3 Air Division is on the Malay peninsula, partly with newest versions of Oscars, and can gain air superiority on its own.

21 Independent Brigade will take Singkawang, supporting landing first at Kuching to get 15 Zeroes there.

22 Air Flotilla has 45 Zeros in total and KB 2 has arrived with 36, also a division of battleships for surface cover.
KB 2 will help to take Singkawang and get 22 Air Flotilla based there, then 21 Division will move to take Palembang.

[Wirraway_Ace]

If they concentrate to Singapore is 5 divisions the minimum needed to crack it?

I use seven divisions if the enemy has retreated generally in good order. My OOB in a Scen 1 game for the assault is:
2nd Div
5th Div
18th Div
21st Div
33rd Div
38th Div
Imperial Guards

[Wirraway_Ace]

We get too keep our Katanas!

JAAF will learn to fly low

JAAF will start to train close air support (CAS) and interdiction, especially at low altitudes, for the units currently equipped with the Mitsubishi Ki-51, it struggles in the current role and with the tactics in use even in the China theater.

With proper training it should do until the Kawasaki Ki-45 is available, all Independent Chutais will convert to the new aircraft as soon as possible.

I am interested to see your experience with using the Ki-45 for CAS. I find it a poor combination of high cost (two engines), light bomb load (2 x 250 kg), modest fire power and modest durability. It has been a long time since I played a PDU ON game, but my memory is of using the Ki-49-IIa for everything until the Ki-67 becomes available.

It is a bit ironic, as the Japanese did not particularly like the Ki-49 while it comes off well in the game. Also, the Japanese were generally quite happy with the Ki-51, yet it is hard to use effectively, as you note.

[LongLance93]

If they concentrate to Singapore is 5 divisions the minimum needed to crack it?

I use seven divisions if the enemy has retreated generally in good order. My OOB in a Scen 1 game for the assault is:
2nd Div
5th Div
18th Div
21st Div
33rd Div
38th Div
Imperial Guards

Thanks!
They dont yet have everything from Malaya there but I will think carefully when I get to Johore.
I dont want to weaken Philippines and want to wrap it up faster than historical.

[LongLance93]

We get too keep our Katanas!

JAAF will learn to fly low

JAAF will start to train close air support (CAS) and interdiction, especially at low altitudes, for the units currently equipped with the Mitsubishi Ki-51, it struggles in the current role and with the tactics in use even in the China theater.

With proper training it should do until the Kawasaki Ki-45 is available, all Independent Chutais will convert to the new aircraft as soon as possible.

I am interested to see your experience with using the Ki-45 for CAS. I find it a poor combination of high cost (two engines), light bomb load (2 x 250 kg), modest fire power and modest durability. It has been a long time since I played a PDU ON game, but my memory is of using the Ki-49-IIa for everything until the Ki-67 becomes available.

It is a bit ironic, as the Japanese did not particularly like the Ki-49 while it comes off well in the game. Also, the Japanese were generally quite happy with the Ki-51, yet it is hard to use effectively, as you note.

I does have range, it is undergunned but many stats are better than a Beaufighter.
Want to try a doctrine where medium bombers night bomb a fighter base, Ki-45s will hit it at 100ft and fighters will sweep it.

If that fails to deliver all will convert to Naval Attack, some will be given to the "Coastal Command" from the start.

Ki-51 might fly to the end in China if the 12.7mm armed version works at 100ft.

[JanSako]

40mm Bofors will slaughter KI-51's at 100 ft... or anything else at that level. Not sure how much difference even armor makes. Make sure to stay away from any base that has an allied AA regiment.

They are great at smashing Chinese on the open ground, but so is anything else. IRL they were liked because they were easy to maintain, reasonable accurate in bombing & good enough to mess up a sub's day even with the 50kg bombs.

[LongLance93]

40mm Bofors will slaughter KI-51's at 100 ft... or anything else at that level. Not sure how much difference even armor makes. Make sure to stay away from any base that has an allied AA regiment.

They are great at smashing Chinese on the open ground, but so is anything else. IRL they were liked because they were easy to maintain, reasonable accurate in bombing & good enough to mess up a sub's day even with the 50kg bombs.

Yes, no intention to attack bases with heavy AA, mainly interdiction in China.

[LongLance93]

The vision for the JNAF LBA perimeter defense is that every fleet with a regional defense mission, 5th, 4th and 3rd are the main ones, has dedicated Naval Air Flotillas, each Air Flotilla has one or more squadron of Nells for Maritime Patrol, Jakes for Maritime Patrol (Night), Betties for Naval Attack (Night) and Rufe/Rex/Jack/George for Interception.

11th Air Fleet will be the Mobile Operational Reserve with Air Flotillas composed of single engine attack aircraft , escort fighters and flying boats for both Maritime Patrol and Attack.

If a raid or assault is being observed by one of the regional fleets the operational reserves will move in their preplanned positions in support, some will be present or close at all times.

This will be an attempt to take advantage of interior lines in an extent Japan never managed historically.

JAAF LBA will also be part of of the planning in those sectors where both are present.

In game terms the objective is to light up the enemy detection levels like a Christmas tree and launch massive air attacks day and night at every possible flight level.

[stuman]

I will be following your AAR closely. I am currently playing as Japan against the AI in preparation for ( hopefully ) my first PBEM later this year. I have made a lot of exploitable mistakes so far.

[LongLance93]

I will be following your AAR closely. I am currently playing as Japan against the AI in preparation for ( hopefully ) my first PBEM later this year. I have made a lot of exploitable mistakes so far.

Thanks!

I am sure I will make many mistakes, I am not an experienced player but I know the history pretty well.

I would not even want play the game engine tuned to the max, the idea is to enjoy how it plays out.

[Encircled]

Just popping in to say I'm reading, and we all appreciate any AARs because we acknowledge that they take time to do

[LongLance93]

Just popping in to say I'm reading, and we all appreciate any AARs because we acknowledge that they take time to do

Thank you, so nice to hear that!

Been very busy and this gives me motivation to update the AAR.

[LongLance93]

大発, "large motorized boat"


Malay Operation 12/16/41

IJA

Southern Army

25th Army

JAAF
3rd Air Division

IJN

Combined Fleet

2nd Fleet
3rd Fleet
6th Fleet

JNAF
22nd Air Flotilla





Kuantan landing gets naval bombardment support and the Sasebo SNLF Company used the Daihatsu landing craft to land in the important Japanese owned mining complex of Bukit Besi north of Kuantan.




Amphibious Assault at Bukit Besi (52,78)

TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Bukit Besi, 52,78



Night Naval bombardment of Kuantan at 51,79

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

CA Kumano firing at Kuantan
CA Suzuya firing at Kuantan
CA Mikuma firing at Kuantan
CA Mogami firing at Kuantan

[LongLance93]

Mitsubishi A5Ms




Philippines Operation 12/16/41


IJA

Southern Army

14th Army
16th Army

JAAF
5th Air Division

IJN

Combined Fleet

2nd Fleet
3rd Fleet
6th Fleet

JNAF
11th Air Fleet

21st Air Flotilla
23rd Air Flotilla





The Mitsubishi A5Ms and Mitsubishi F1Ms are being overwhelmed over Davao by the American air power attacking from northern Mindanao.
Mitsubishi A6M from Palau are preparing to relieve the A5Ms, maybe that will give the JNAF a tactical surprise over the imperialists.


Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 11
F1M2 Pete x 7

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Sanuki Maru-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

[LongLance93]

Type 89 grenade discharger



Guam Operation 12/16/41

IJN

Combined Fleet

1st Fleet
4th Fleet
6th Fleet

JNAF

24th Air Flotilla


Guam holds against the first general assault.



Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1692 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Defending force 804 troops, 0 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 13

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
51st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Guam USN Base Force

[LongLance93]

Mitsubishi F1M after being ravaged by Curtiss P-40s



Philippines Operation 12/17/41


IJA

Southern Army

14th Army
16th Army

JAAF
5th Air Division

IJN

Combined Fleet

2nd Fleet
3rd Fleet
6th Fleet

JNAF
11th Air Fleet

21st Air Flotilla
23rd Air Flotilla


The situation in Davao is dire, the Mitsubishi A6Ms are needed now.




Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
F1M2 Pete x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-40B Tomahawk sweeping at 10000 feet

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
Sanuki Maru-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes




Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes
Sanuki Maru-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Raid is overhead




IR 1 Formosa takes Vigan, more elements of the 48 Division will land in the second echelon.



Ground combat at Vigan (80,73)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3646 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 64

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 64 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Vigan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment