Stopping the Juggernaut - Cruft vs Alikchi II (CHS)

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Operation Neck Tie

Now, while <grin> this is a useful operation in its own right I am also hoping that this will draw the US carriers out to play, and be sunk

[:D]

What about divisions on the west coast? They would take a while to get there, but there is also that possibility. Is there something about CHS that slows the transfer of LCU's from the US to the south Pacific?

[Captain Cruft]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Operation Neck Tie

Now, while <grin> this is a useful operation in its own right I am also hoping that this will draw the US carriers out to play, and be sunk

[:D]

What about divisions on the west coast? They would take a while to get there, but there is also that possibility. Is there something about CHS that slows the transfer of LCU's from the US to the south Pacific?

Well maybe. I'm not familiar enough with the Allied OOB to say really. I do know that the 2nd Marine Division is at San Diego but is only at about 50% of ToE.

BTW remember that we are not allowing any HQ changes until January 1942.

Regardless of all that, there just isn't enough AP capacity anywhere east of Australia to ship out a large LCU from the US in December. I suppose AKs could be used but if it were me I'd be using them to cart supplies and planes.

[Captain Cruft]

22 Dec 1941

After last turn's attacks on the Repulse my opponent declared that it would be an "absolute miracle" if the ship survived. Well, he was right. "BC Repulse sinks ..." was delivered to the screen during the night phase, with the hex immediately to the east of Tarakan given as the location.

Cool

--
Otherwise this was a very quiet turn only punctuated by the pesky Manila PT boats making a nuisance of themselves at Lingayen. Luckily for me, of the three convoys unloading there they managed to bump into the one escorted by four destroyers. Two PTs were sunk, another badly damaged and the others slunk away having done no damage whatsoever.

Again, cool

--
Op Neck Tie

The Tarawa landing force should arrive in two turns time, at which point the KB (following the tankers) will be about halfway to Canton Island. The Sasebo 7th SNLF will follow in their super-fast ocean liners about a day behind.

Loss Ratios

Air: 3 - 1
Ships: 4 - 1 (the loss of the Repulse pushes the score back Japan's way)

[Captain Cruft]

23 Dec 1941

This was a very quiet turn apart from one minor but pleasing episode.

Right at the start of the game I ordered the undamaged minelaying sub south of Singapore to go mine the "straits" at Merak. Ships transiting to the west of Java have to pass through this hex BTW. Well, finally today this move bore fruit. Two Dutch ships succumbed to Type 88s, namely PC Beneb and a sub-chaser with an unmemorable number for its designation. In the CHS there is a group of Dutch sub-chasers which start in port at Tjilitjap ...

Cool

--
The air offensive in the PI moves up a gear tomorrow. We are promised Overcast weather so all bombers have been given attack orders. The Nells 'n' Betties of the 21st & 23rd Air Flotillas will have another go at Manila port while the Sallies & Lilies of the 5th Air Division will visit the airfield at Clark Field. These attacks will continue on good weather days until we have cleared the place of ships and planes.

At the same time I am going to start moving troops into Clark Field, where recon shows some 50,000 troops present. The 48th Div, as the strongest unit, will go first from its position to the NE. Once it is there the 65th Brigade and remainder of the 14th Army will follow from San Marcelino.

I tried another Deliberate Attack at Naga today. Got 0-1 odds again It doesn't look like I can crack the place with a single division so I am going to pull over the 38th Div to help out, which was originally planned to go to Clark Field via the Lingayen beach-head.

Loss Ratios

Air: 3 - 1
Ships: 4 - 1

Unchanged for the first time.

[Captain Cruft]

24 Dec 1941

Brit sub SS Trusty sinks an empty AP on the way back to Taan.

A tanker succumbs in port to damaged caused last turn by SS Sargo (second kill for that sub).

SS I-157 is sunk by a mixed Anglo-Dutch-Australian ASW force to the west of Batavia. Six radar-guided depth charges were delivered by the inexperienced Allied crews.

You'd have to say that this aspect of the war is already not going my way

--
In the Philippines the 21st Air Flotilla was socked in at Aparri but the 23rd made up for it with a very nice port attack at Manila. 250kg AP bombs were delivered into 2 subs, 1 AS (woop!), 2 PTs (sunk), AR Dewey Floating Dry Dock (also sunk) and a couple of AKs/APs. There are no fighters on CAP at Manila for some reason which does makes thing easier.

The attack on Clark Field by the 5th Air Division was less successful though, with minimal damage caused to the facilities. This was from 20 Lilies and 20 Sallies, which both only carry two bombs in the CHS (100kg and 250kg respectively). I like this though, it makes upgrades to the Lily II and Helen much more relevant since these planes carry 3 bombs each!

Now while the actual bombage was not much cop I was extremely pleased at the performance of the escorts, being the 50th Fighter Sentai flying the Ki-43b Oscar I. P-40s fled at their presence (low morale) and they actually managed to shoot some down too! Much much better than in the stock scen where the Oscar is basically just a Nate with a few more horsepower.

--
Op Neck Tie

The 61st Nav Gsn lands at Tarawa tomorrow night.

Loss Ratios

Air: 3 - 1
Ships: 3 - 1

[sven6345789]

the KI-83 existed as a prototype in August 1945. It probably would have played a mjor role if the war wouldhave lasted into 1946.

already got answered. didn't read that.

[Captain Cruft]

25 Dec 1941

Tarawa was taken unopposed, as expected. However, it is a good job the Japanese don't celebrate Christmas, because the 61st Nav Gsn unit has precisely no supplies. I keep doing this with my invasion forces and it must stop.

--
Elsewhere it was very quiet. Next turn should be more interesting though. Supplies have arrived at Kuching, so the 35th Brigade will be attacking. Whilst at the same time the Yokusuka 2nd SNLF should be landing at Brunei. They have no supplies either mind you, ROFL.

--
The CVLs (parked near Davao) encountered a Dutch sub today but came to no harm. This reminded me that I had completely forgotten about this TF (yes I am stupid). They will now return to Palau where, due to supplies having been delivered the Ryujo can upgrade its fighters to Zeros. Following which the force will escort the next scheduled landing which is at Manado.

Loss Ratios

Air: 3 - 1
Ships: 3 - 1

[Captain Cruft]

26 Dec 1941

It's amazing what a bowl of rice does for Japanese fighting spirit (not to mention actually having some ammo). Supplies started landing at Kuching overnight and in the "morning" the 35th Brigade stormed the British positions, resulting in a 7 - 1 (forts 3) Capture.

F2/Yamada Daitai (now upgraded to Zeros) has flown in to protect the base. To support them elements of the 22nd Aviation Unit will follow courtesy of the Saigon Tabbies. The rest of the unit and the 22nd Air Flotilla will be transported by ship once I can get some ASW escorts to Saigon.

--
In a remarkable display of synchronisation the Yokusuka 2nd SNLF landed at Brunei today, complete with their total lack of supplies. Due to travelling light they managed to completely unload overnight. I have ordered them to attack tomorrow, hoping that even with no ammo they can overcome the resident base force with a bayonet charge ...

--
Once again the bad weather in the PI prevented a full-scale air attack from all three of my air bases. The 23rd Air Flotilla got the lucky straw as usual and proceeded to deliver some more 250kg AP bombs into the dwindling stock of shipping in Manila harbour. SS S-39 was sunk (first Allied sub loss), the SS Seadragon was hit again and also some transports.

Seeing as how Manila is not offering such a tasty target now the focus of the air attacks will turn again to Clark Field. Where, to my surprise, some A-20B Bostons and B-25C Mitchells have been teleported in via the Player-Defined Upgrades mechanism (B-17s have been "upgraded" to the medium bombers). IMHO this is a good move by my opponent and it definitely proved its worth this turn, with the new planes putting several bombs into APs and AKs unloading in the vicinity. One was so badly damaged I had to scuttle it.

Op Neck Tie

I am getting totally annoyed with myself about the loading troops with no supplies thing. Checking of the Canton Island invasion force revealed that I had also left the Sasebo 7th SNLF bereft. This means I will have to hold the invasion until I can get some AKs out to the fleet. Luckily I just happened to have some 21/22 knot AKs lurking at Jaluit. They are on their way ...

Loss Ratios

Air: 3 - 1 (won't last much longer)
Ships: 3 - 1

[Captain Cruft]

Dec 27 1941

My supposition about the bayonet charge at Brunei was proved correct. 7 - 1 odds and the British base force retreated to Miri. This is very good news because I now have some Oil to ship Not that there are any tankers in the vicinity but that can be remedied ...

--
21st and 23rd Air Flotillas both made it off the ground today and pulled off a reasonable attack on Clark Field. Five planes destroyed on the ground and 38 dents in the runway. Since the pilots are not overly fatigued and we are promised Partly Cloudy weather tomorrow I have ordered another attack. Let's hope the 5th Air Div can join the party too ...

--
Over on the Malayan peninsula I had neglected to report that Georgetown fell a couple of days ago. The British commander seems to be pulling all his northern forces back to form a roadblock at Kuala Lumpur. To which my response is to send the 5th Division and 1st Tank Regt on their way to say hi via Taiping.

Also in rubber land I tried a port attack at Singapore today with the Sallies at Kota Bharu. Like Manila there was still shipping reported to be docked in the port. Unfortunately, for some reason only 11 Oscars turned out to escort the bombers and therefore the attack proved to be a bit of a mixed bag. Although an AK and 3 LCVP barges were sunk 10 Sallies were shot down by the Buffalo CAP and flak combined. Which is an 11% loss, ouch.

--
Op Neck Tie

Still waiting for the fast AKs to reach them from Jaluit.

Loss Ratios

Air: 2 - 1
Ships: 3 - 1

I am starting to consistently lose more planes per day than the Allies. This is possibly because I am attacking though ... ;P

[Captain Cruft]

Dec 28 1941

You may remember the "Battle of Davao" where Force Z and several other ships attempted to break up the landings there. Well, one of the lesser casualties of that battle finally succumbed to float damage today. CA Kinugasa, a Furutuka class cruiser. I had left it at Davao, together with two DDs which are also looking very dodgy, because I considered the chances of making it back to Palau to be zero.

Note: Davao is only a size 2(2) port in the CHS, otherwise I am reasonably sure I could have saved the ship(s). Oh well ...

--
All three air commands in the Philippines bombed Clark Field today, thanks to the fine weather. Unfortunately, the Oscars of the 5th Air Division found themselves somewhat outclassed by the P-40s of the US Army Air Force. They fought bravely though and managed a creditable 1 - 2 loss ratio.

As if to compensate, the 70+ Zeros of the IJN went into "uber-mode" and shot down about 10 Warhawks for no loss. As a result of the attacks nine US planes were destroyed on the ground and 50 odd hits made to the runway. Clark is still operational but we will gradually wear it down ...

--
At Palau, the Sasebo Something-or-Other SNLF has loaded up and is on the way to Manado on the NE corner of Sulawesi. Supplies may or may not travel with it, I'm not sure yet. If not then at least I will have worked out what I am doing wrong and can rectify it.

The landing force will be accompanied by Adm Nishimura's strong cruiser force and covered by the two CVLs, now equipped entirely with A6M2s.

Pilot Pools

The IJA is so far fine, and has 300+ pilots to hand. However, due to things like the Ryujo upgrade the IJN pool is looking a bit thin and is down to 30 something.

Loss Ratios

Air: 2 - 1
Ships: 2 - 1

The Allies continue to make progress in the war of attrition, unfortunately.

[Captain Cruft]

Dec 29 1941

The 55th Div finally made it to Tavoy, where it summarily despatched the resident British base force. In the meantime, the 33rd Div landed at Bangkok yesterday and is now on its way to Moulmein via Rahaeng. ETA is some time around the last week of January.

I am not going to push it in Burma until Malaya has fallen. So the 55th Div will just sit on its ass in Tavoy and build fort. Also, to further restrict myself I will not move any air units into Burma unless I have changed their HQ to Burma Area Army. This is not to mention the possibility of the Grand Fleet turning up and bombarding the coastal airbases to smithereens ...

--
At Kuching all the Zeros and Nells of the 22nd Air Flotilla are now installed. They will commence from next turn to wreak havoc on shipping in the DEI, of which there appears to be plenty.

--
Much to my surprise the Manado invasion force managed to load some supplies before leaving. The key was to add an AK to the combined TF after doing the "Load only Troops until you get Loading Supplies" bit.

--
Finally, Clark Field received another large attack today with very similar results to the last one. Recon is showing a reasonably minimal number of planes left now. Of course my wily opponent has moved some of them out to Cagayan again so we will have to pay another visit there too

Loss Ratios

Air: 2 - 1
Ships: 2 - 1

My guess is that it will be a while before these ratios change again. At least I hope so!

[Lemurs!]

I am glad you are trying the mod, what do you think so far about the air and land changes for Japan?

I think it is hilarious that everyone has noticed my air chages but i have had no comments on the ground changes.

I hope it is enjoyable!

Mike

[Captain Cruft]

Thanks for popping by

It is definitely very enjoyable. FWIW I'm not just trying the mod, the generic game has been deleted from my hard disk. Although I might investigate other scens on AB's glorious creation of a map at some point ...

Air Changes

1) I am in love with the G5N Liz and can't wait to get some into action. Mind you, knowing my luck it will probably turn out to be crap ...

2) I like the reduced Nell/Betty ranges. Indeed I would like to see the "normal" range reduced even further to restrict torpedo strikes.

3) The reduced bomb loads of the IJA bombers is good. As are the equivalent reductions on the Allied side.

4) Zeros still seem a bit too uber. I wouldn't like to say for sure though until they encounter some high exp P-40s or F-4s.

5) I would say that Oscar Is are now just about right. They still lose to modern planes like the P-40 but don't just fall out of the sky anymore.

6) Unfortunately I cannot say the same for Nates and Claudes. These are still both almost totally useless.

Ground Units

I've not paid huge attention to these. Also, there has been no serious land combat in this game yet.

1) SNLFs have 4 eng squads and some additional light arty/AT guns: Obviously I like this since it is a boost to their capaability. However, there is the doubt about whether the engineers can actually build anything which I mentioned a while back.

2) Divisions, Brigades & Regiments have more Infantry Squads: Again I like it but I don't think it will make a vast difference to anything except possibly in China, which I have not looked at.

3) 33rd Division starting in Shanghai: I like this a lot since it helps slow down the advance into Burma. The map plays a huge part in this too of course.

4) Army parachute regiments and air-capable Navy SNLFs: I think these now start out as being completely air-transportable. Which is nice. I'm not sure the ToES are the same though.

5) One thing which is essentially no different from the stock scen are the coastal guns in the various forts and base forces in the Home Islands. These are still mainly 240mm Howitzers and 5in CD guns. Were there no proper big guns installed in Japan at all?

[Lemurs!]

I would be carefull with the Liz as it does take 4 engines so it will suck engines. Plus, its defensive armament is only slightly better than a Helen. However, the bomb load and range do make it an interesting idea for wacking India by night.
Not that i would be planning to do that vs Joe....

The Nates seem to have to be used just right; my best group is a group of 36 Nates with 30kills. The best Nate pilot has 8 kills!
But, if they are not completely rested or they go against planes with armour they are toast.

The SNLF engineers.. I know they do nothing on their own, but they were there and engineers are aditive within a hex.

The Japanese oversize divisions will not stay oversize as their TOE is smaller than what they start with.

On the Coast guns... sigh... I swear Don and i talked about this, they are in the database now, but somehow they did not make it to the unit list. Next version. I promise!

Mike

[Captain Cruft]

Yes you're definitely right about the engines for the Liz. I have had to expand Nakajima production faster than I otherwise would. It seems to be well within overall Japanese capacity to do so though.

You're right about Nates too. They occasionally will have a good day. The trouble is, on the other 9/10 times they just get massacred. I wonder, have you considered whopping the manouverability value way up? It was as I understand it an extremely aerobatic aircraft.

[Lemurs!]

I have this instinctive need for order so i have a hard time making radical changes. Honestly, as far as my math goes the A6M2, Ki43-1 and Ki27b all should have about half a point less mnvr.

I am just trying to get to the point where they can shoot some stuff down.
In my tests the Ki43 and Ki27 are doing better at least but the A6M2 still seems a bit to powerfull.

Mike

[Captain Cruft]

30 Dec 1941

The 5th Division took Taiping today. I have a suspicion that the resident Imperial troops were running away to Kuala Lumpur though so I won't gloat ...

I am inclined to let the 5th Div and attendant arty/tanks rest up for a few days now and garner some prep points for the "Big KL Battle". In addition, we are still waiting for the Imp Gds, which is very slowly hacking its way through the jungle surrounding Victoria Point.

For reference, the 18th Div is positioned in the hex to the east of Kuantan. A move down the rail line to Johore Bharu is on the cards but I will try and synchronise this with the attack on Kuala Lumpur.

--
The 22nd Air Flotilla disappointed on its first day "wreaking havoc" with the shipping in the northern DEI. A solitary Dutch PG was sunk, for which the price was several Nells damaged and bad morale/fatigue all round. Still, I hope and believe that this expedition will put the willies up my opponent in this area.

--
Clark Field and Cagayan were bombed again. Mediocre results but the US air power in the Philippines is now getting to the point where I consider it to not be a threat any more. The various bombers still get the odd hit on my transports though, which apparently delights my opponent no end ...

Loss Ratios

Air: 2 - 1
Ships: 2 - 1

[CapAndGown]

One way to load up supply and troops at the same time would be the following:

form a TF of APs and load only troops
form a TF of AKs and load supplies.
Do not give either TF a destination hex.
Set both TFs to "do not unload."
When the both TFs have loaded the the necessary troops and supplies, combine them and send them on their way, whilst ([:'(]) making sure that you reset their unload status.

[Captain Cruft]

That is now what I will be doing

[Captain Cruft]

31 Dec 1941

This turn was quiet. I can only suppose that all the Southern Barbarians were celebrating the New Year in a drunken fashion.

Tomorrow should be a bit more lively. The 14th Army is now positioned at Clark Field and will have an exploratory Deliberate Attack whilst/while the Manado invasion force should land and bombard.

What is of most interest to me though is how my opponent takes advantage of being able to change HQs. I would be very surprised if the remaining planes didn't disappear from the Philippines for example.

As for myself, I have thrown caution to the winds and moved the Jakes of Chichijima Chutai to Etorofu! No doubt I will find additional uses for the c.1500 PPs I have in the bank later but that will do for now

I am also looking forward to all the Nate, Claude, Sally and Mavis aircraft factories changing over to more useful planes. For interest I will try and note down exactly when it all happens.

Loss Ratios

Air: 2 - 1
Ships: 2 - 1