Matrix Games Forums

What is the best way of using HQn? 240 Naval Support squads.



Basically, as I understand it, the positive effect of naval support squads inherent in a HQn, extend to the command radius (halved for each hex of distance).

The Commander's leadership plays no role in the repair, loading, training, or combat performances of other units. Is that correct?

The naval support squads will help repair ships of certain damage in normal and pierside modes only (see Alfred's 101 repair guide https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.a ... r&#2990845 ). The squads are more effective in pierside mode and less effective in ready (normal) mode.

The squads help with loading/unloading of most items, & rearming & fire control.

A HQn can provide 120 integrity repair points (IRP) in pierside in its hex. Well naval squads/2.
A HQn can provide 80 IRP in normal mode. Naval squads /3.
A fully repaired tender ship provides 83 IRP only for pierside mode ships that they can effect.

So, using a HQn with a command radius of 4 allows a HQn at Hiroshima to add some naval support to all ports from Nagasaki (4 hexes) to Osaka (4 hexes). But, could it be better to stage the HQn at a size 10 port (max IRP points) say Fukouka and turn that port into a major system/minor damage repair hub while still providing some loading and repair benefits to Nagasaki and Hiroshima?

One hex HQn at say Yokohma/Tokyo other major loading ports.

What am I missing in their usage? As damage soaks in endgame, absorbing bombardments (aerial, ground, or naval)?

They should also help unload during invasions should they not since they speed up the loading and unloading of LCUs and supplies?

The savaged Val Squadron on Java. Oh well, at least they weren't KB pilot quality.[;)]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

They should also help unload during invasions should they not since they speed up the loading and unloading of LCUs and supplies?

That window is usually awfully narrow for Japan, as the invasion bonus sees you thru most invasions.

I have never used them for that, always preferring the shipping engineer units in that role. Something to think on if I try a Burma invasion. Probably should get them prepping for it no matter what.

Thanks.

Once you capture a base with a Naval HQ already there, it should help speed up emergency repairs considerably without any repair ships including tenders being at that base where they would be vulnerable to bombing. How well they put out IJN ships on fire is another question. Maybe they just bring out some meat and BB sauce.

July 14, 1942

A few days go by, nothing major, but constant skirmishes. Allies send fleets all over for whatever reason, some I let go by as a lot seem merely merchant shipping.

Clear up Etorofu.

Some of the Allied Festungs require more troops which really slow down the Japanese conquests and garrisons. I need more here in the Kuriles but don't have any to spare right now. PP are reserved for the last of the 2nd Tank Division Elements.

Today was a good day with three tank units arriving, including the 10 tank Independent command at Truk, one of my favorites. I will put them into harms way right away! It is the 1st Independent Tank Company.

July 16th, 1942

A mixed day. Sad to see the AO Ondo sink.[:(]

Impressed with how the 11th Sentai contributed to the air battles here -- 11 Beasts shot down for the day:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Namlea at 76,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-17F Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed
B-17F Fortress: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yokohama Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Namlea at 76,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 3 destroyed
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

July 17, 1942

Wow, I didn't think I would get here in such relatively good shape.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59122 troops, 738 guns, 664 vehicles, Assault Value = 1806

Defending force 10364 troops, 44 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 90

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 1169

Allied adjusted defense: 89

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
420 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
12747 casualties reported
Squads: 175 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 926 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 101 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 61 (61 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
56th Division
Imperial Guards Division
33rd Division
2nd Division
6th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
MLD
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Commandement Marine
Soerabaja Base Force

Fifth Carrier Division protects the Long Island Landing.

July 18th, 1942

All of 2nd Tank Division finally bought out and shipping to Singers.

Fifth Carrier Division might be in trouble...but it has the Yamashiro for protection.

Beaufighters[:@]

Afternoon Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Seattle Maru, Shell hits 5, Bomb hits 1
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yubari, Shell hits 23, Bomb hits 4
xAK Toyooka Maru, Shell hits 16
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter Ic bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

July 19, 1942

Divisions on Java, and HQs around, are preparing for a Cox, Akyab Invasion. I am leery of doing it, and thinking instead of landing at Tavoy and marching up thru Moulmein in a frontal push instead. I think the AI will have a better response to that. Thoughts?

Meanwhile the troops are clearing up the Java holdouts, especially the festung at Tjilatjap before moving on towards Burma.

Beasts are bombing the invasion forces gathering at Ambon and Namlea, and here we have a brave Oscar Ic pilot taking on a beast head on. Banzai!

Over at Umboi and Long Island, Carrier Division Five retreats to Manus, and is awaiting another invasion fleet for Finschafen.

Started Emily production, moved 2 tojo IIa r&d to Frank A.

July 24th, 1942

Crafty Allies ignore the carriers and go for easy ships in port...taking Finschafen was supposed to take the pressure off Manus.

Afternoon Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 6 damaged
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Nittai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Toho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AKE Hohuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tokati Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Seattle Maru, Shell hits 8
xAK Toyooka Maru, Shell hits 6
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter Ic bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
5 x Beaufighter Ic bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Port Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb




Slightly off map, the Allies have built up Lunga and Munga to size 1 airfields today! Japan has a lonely naval guard unit at Shortlands.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

July 19, 1942

Divisions on Java, and HQs around, are preparing for a Cox, Akyab Invasion. I am leery of doing it, and thinking instead of landing at Tavoy and marching up thru Moulmein in a frontal push instead. I think the AI will have a better response to that. Thoughts?

correct, if you do a landing, Tavoy would be better conceptually. It just depends on if there is a script to fire now in the defense of Burma ... likely there is. Did Andy consider an Akyab incursion? maybe, but planning for both sides and scripting for it would be involved ... I haven't looked at these scripts is a long time so I actually don't remember.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

July 24th, 1942

Crafty Allies ignore the carriers and go for easy ships in port...taking Finschafen was supposed to take the pressure off Manus.

Afternoon Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 6 damaged
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Nittai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Toho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AKE Hohuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tokati Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Seattle Maru, Shell hits 8
xAK Toyooka Maru, Shell hits 6
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter Ic bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
5 x Beaufighter Ic bombing and strafing from low level *
Port Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Port Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

This is the AI at its best: attacking successfully where you would not expect.

but at least they were Beaufighters (not Dorniers!), which means most of the ships will survive

Well, this is the IJN, not the USN though. I suspect 1/3 will not make it ... [X(]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

but at least they were Beaufighters, which means most of the ships will survive

The Oiler, pretty much full, had to be scuttled. The AKE, with supplies burned for several days until the supplies on her were gone. I hope she survives.

July 28th, 1942

Japanese plans of a forward resupply and repair base at Manus had to be shelved. One of the main reasons was 0 radar...I only had two base forces there a COY size aviation support. It allowed those strafing planes to hit before we could react.

Back to Rabaul or Truk, and more radar sets are on the way.

Looks like I am for a real fight here, and I am leery of sending in the 5th Carrier Division for fear of those Qboats plus the Americans have all their carriers and I have no clue where they are.

Pretty good going Andy! So far the Americans have landed small portions of the 164th Inf Rgt and the 24th (Sep) Rgt. Not looking good for our lonely 84th Naval Guard Unit.[:(]

Carrier Division 2 overseeing the Koepang operation...

and Carrier Division 1 is at Honshu undergoing repairs and upgrades.

Junyo and Hiyo are in reserve at Truk training, although they might get dispatched to Shortlands.

July 29, 1942

Ambush at Shortlands! The moon is full, and the Allies negligent. Where is their surface fleets?