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Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 1:25 am
by PaxMondo
John 3rd wrote: Wed Sep 17, 2025 12:16 am
There will be serious action near Mindanao tomorrow!
Can't wait!!!

Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 2:01 am
by John 3rd
RangerJoe wrote: Wed Sep 17, 2025 1:10 am
One thing that I mentioned to someone else would be to reduce the durability of the Japanese submarines but then give them a 0 day refit to increase their durability. That is just to reduce their cost, the cost of producing submarines should not be 3 times the cost of a destroyer of equivalent tonnage. That could also make it harder to discontinue useful submarine production. I do not know how the mini-submarines are produced but if they also use shipyard points, then the same thing could be done there.
Also, some of the CVEs that in the normal game are being produced were conversions of existing ships, just like the Junyo and Hiyo but I don't know how a person would handle that.
I do like what you have done.
You comment on SS is spot on. Would love that idea.
The CVE conversions are all in-mod now. The big APs are operational right now and can be converted when their time comes. Makes one want to PROTECT the big Japanese APs as much as possible. I use them for the Opening moves--wherever they are--then gather them at Tokyo and put heavy escorts with them. They then shuttle large units around to safe locations for OTHER ships to then deploy...
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 5:14 am
by SierraJuliet
Thanks for the maps.
Zuikaku was flirting with trouble, but the sighting has your carriers heading in the direction you want your enemy to pay attention to.
I wondered how minefields would treat your bombarding TF. One minefield located and your major ships unscathed. I'd trade the CL for the lost DD.
Hoping to see some good results from your eastbound carriers.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 1:21 pm
by John 3rd
I want it to LOOK like I am doing my normal Wake/Midway Operations so he tries to bring something in quickly. Perhaps I can hit a convoy or two and then just set up shop cutting off Hawaii from the West Coast.
The old CL is fine. Doubt if the DD makes it thru next turn.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 8:40 pm
by John 3rd
Got some INTEL from the Allies regarding Pearl Harbor:
reefs commissioned by the IJN:
USS Arizona
USS Oklahoma
USS Nevada
NICE!
Sinking three BBs is a solid beginning...
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 2:02 am
by John 3rd
OK. What are we building presently?

- 12-8-41 Air Building.png (958.03 KiB) Viewed 374 times
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 2:06 am
by John 3rd
2nd Half:

- 12-8-41 Air 2.png (815.98 KiB) Viewed 374 times
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:44 am
by CaptBeefheart
I want to chime in saying I'll be reading this probably once a week. You have very enjoyable AARs and I wouldn't change the format. My only suggestion would be to keep the posting up even after the "happy time" is over, although I understand how your enthusiasm could wane.
By the way, have you been in touch with Canoerebel in a while? Hopefully he's doing well. You two had one of the best ever matches going on back in the day.
Cheers,
CB
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:00 pm
by PaxMondo
John 3rd wrote: Thu Sep 18, 2025 2:02 am
OK. What are we building presently?
So, not knowing your airframes exactly in this mod, I might be wrong here. few comments:
1. I like to build out the Sally 1c. A lot of the 1E bombers in China require the Sally 1c in order to upgrade without PP's to 2E bombers.
2. Since I'm committing the Ha-5 engines to the Sally, I build Thalia instead of Topsy.
3. I don't build the Lilly as the bombload is just too small AND it uses Ha-35 engines which I want for my fighters.
4. I don't build the Dinah I or II. The extra supply expense to operate them (2x) just isn't worth the small increase in range, not to mention they also take double the air field space which also is always at a premium. I just make do with Babs until the Dinah III arrives.
Your air frame progression may preclude some of these comments ... so use as you see fit.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:14 pm
by RangerJoe
PaxMondo wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:00 pm
John 3rd wrote: Thu Sep 18, 2025 2:02 am
OK. What are we building presently?
So, not knowing your airframes exactly in this mod, I might be wrong here. few comments:
1. I like to build out the Sally 1c. A lot of the 1E bombers in China require the Sally 1c in order to upgrade without PP's to 2E bombers.
2. Since I'm committing the Ha-5 engines to the Sally, I build Thalia instead of Topsy.
3. I don't build the Lilly as the bombload is just too small AND it uses Ha-35 engines which I want for my fighters.
4. I don't build the Dinah I or II. The extra supply expense to operate them (2x) just isn't worth the small increase in range, not to mention they also take double the air field space which also is always at a premium. I just make do with Babs until the Dinah III arrives.
Your air frame progression may preclude some of these comments ... so use as you see fit.
I never got that far against the AI but your comments of the Sally 1c does now make sense to build that version and go to the Thalia as the transport. But I think that a lot of people like to convert the 1E bombers to Nicks for more fighters.
The Lily isn't that bad but early on, I agree with the need for the engines for the fighters
and the research bonus. When the Lily gets armored, then it becomes more survivable and I do believe faster than other bombers of that era. When combined with escorts
and/or LRCAP, it might not be a bad combination for smaller bombing raids to try and shoot down enemy fighters while also inhibiting fort production.
I really didn't think like you did about the earlier Dinah aircrafts before this but what you mention does make sense. But then I also realized that the Dinah also costs twice the amount of HI to build plus another engine.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 4:38 pm
by John 3rd
CaptBeefheart wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:44 am
I want to chime in saying I'll be reading this probably once a week. You have very enjoyable AARs and I wouldn't change the format. My only suggestion would be to keep the posting up even after the "happy time" is over, although I understand how your enthusiasm could wane.
By the way, have you been in touch with Canoerebel in a while? Hopefully he's doing well. You two had one of the best ever matches going on back in the day.
Cheers,
CB
He is a good friend and I call Georgia about every 6 months to touch base. He is doing fine and approaching retirement. he is a VERY GOOD man!
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 4:39 pm
by John 3rd
PaxMondo wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:00 pm
John 3rd wrote: Thu Sep 18, 2025 2:02 am
OK. What are we building presently?
So, not knowing your airframes exactly in this mod, I might be wrong here. few comments:
1. I like to build out the Sally 1c. A lot of the 1E bombers in China require the Sally 1c in order to upgrade without PP's to 2E bombers.
2. Since I'm committing the Ha-5 engines to the Sally, I build Thalia instead of Topsy.
3. I don't build the Lilly as the bombload is just too small AND it uses Ha-35 engines which I want for my fighters.
4. I don't build the Dinah I or II. The extra supply expense to operate them (2x) just isn't worth the small increase in range, not to mention they also take double the air field space which also is always at a premium. I just make do with Babs until the Dinah III arrives.
Your air frame progression may preclude some of these comments ... so use as you see fit.
Interesting thoughts Pax. I am headed to the cabin for a three day weekend and will address your thoughts when I get back. We don't have very good wifi at 8500Ft!
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 6:11 pm
by PaxMondo
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2025 7:46 am
by ny59giants
This is not John's first attack on Hawaii, so he should have learned what "not" to do. This will hurt the Allies in such that those BBs are great for soaking up CD gun hits when invading. Losing the CA/CLs will hurt more short term. The issue for the Allied player is adjusting his logistics.
Good luck, but not too much as I'm still Allied Fan Boy at heart.

Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 12:18 am
by PaxMondo
John 3rd wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 4:38 pm
CaptBeefheart wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:44 am
I want to chime in saying I'll be reading this probably once a week. You have very enjoyable AARs and I wouldn't change the format. My only suggestion would be to keep the posting up even after the "happy time" is over, although I understand how your enthusiasm could wane.
By the way, have you been in touch with Canoerebel in a while? Hopefully he's doing well. You two had one of the best ever matches going on back in the day.
Cheers,
CB
He is a good friend and I call Georgia about every 6 months to touch base. He is doing fine and approaching retirement. he is a VERY GOOD man!
Man, pass on the best wishes to CR from all of us.

Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 2:59 am
by RangerJoe
PaxMondo wrote: Mon Sep 22, 2025 12:18 am
John 3rd wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 4:38 pm
CaptBeefheart wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:44 am
I want to chime in saying I'll be reading this probably once a week. You have very enjoyable AARs and I wouldn't change the format. My only suggestion would be to keep the posting up even after the "happy time" is over, although I understand how your enthusiasm could wane.
By the way, have you been in touch with Canoerebel in a while? Hopefully he's doing well. You two had one of the best ever matches going on back in the day.
Cheers,
CB
He is a good friend and I call Georgia about every 6 months to touch base. He is doing fine and approaching retirement. he is a VERY GOOD man!
Man, pass on the best wishes to CR from all of us.
+1
In fact, ask him to post a picture of a tree in your AAR!
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 6:37 am
by CaptBeefheart
John 3rd wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 4:38 pm
CaptBeefheart wrote: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:44 am
I want to chime in saying I'll be reading this probably once a week. You have very enjoyable AARs and I wouldn't change the format. My only suggestion would be to keep the posting up even after the "happy time" is over, although I understand how your enthusiasm could wane.
By the way, have you been in touch with Canoerebel in a while? Hopefully he's doing well. You two had one of the best ever matches going on back in the day.
Cheers,
CB
He is a good friend and I call Georgia about every 6 months to touch base. He is doing fine and approaching retirement. he is a VERY GOOD man!
Excellent! Yes indeed, he's a great guy. Next time you talk, please tell him we miss his great AARs.
Cheers,
CB
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 6:29 pm
by John 3rd
Back from our cabin trip and Mother Nature is seriously giving us some fall rain!
Appreciate the thoughts on CR and will get back to Posting today. Have already gotten a turn in yesterday and one this morning.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 8:44 pm
by John 3rd
I am going to detail the action region-by-region from December 9-11, 1941.
Re: Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 8:49 pm
by John 3rd
Combat Report
December 9-11, 1941
NoPac
The Japanese start with a pair of AMC in the Gulf of Alaska. Why? Don't really know but they are there.
I attempt to get them to Paramushiro Jima where they can be a serious use when the ships are jumped by CL Concord and 4 DD. How did they find the Japanese? Don't know but they do and the AMC are sunk after managing to hit three of the DDs with 1-2 shells each...oh, well...
Adak sees a Fast TF deposit a small Infantry Company, small Base Force, and an engineering unit on the 11th. The island will fall on the 12th. The 3 CL and 5 DD (all the warships in the NoPac head for Paramushiro Jima to grab another load of boys to be deposited up here in this bleak, barren land.