Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Hmm, have you considered the Akasi or Ehime instead of the Aden? Smaller so you'd need more but you may not need extra naval support. Just a thought....

Exactly. That's what I use in and around the HI.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Also, with the beta, apparently you can have bases horde stuff. Is that only for supply/fuel or can you do that with resources/oil too?

(Sorry for the hijack, Crib.)

Yep, everything has a switch to horde. Just remember though, it doesn't draw material there. It just says once it arrives through normal means it won't leave. Very fine, but very important distinction. This is why it takes so much time and effort to get resources/oil from Fusan. The "pull" to Fusan isn't that strong (no industry really of note to pull these in). You have to use your convoy loading to create the demand. Takes a while for this to work.

[Cribtop]

Resources

Guys, thanks for all the assistance. After looking things over in more detail, it's clearly an issue of not hauling enough into Honshu. There are 2 million resource points at Hakodate and 700K more at Sapporo.

My plans to remedy this are generally: 1) Begin running a convoy from Sapporo to Honshu; 2) Begin running a 3rd convoy from Pt. Arthur to Shimonoseki; 3) Stir up a massive convoy from Tokyo for stop gap work on Hokkaido until we've moved 1 million RS points to Tokyo; and 4) Begin hauling resources from the PI and DEI to Japan.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

That's a good point Pax. Do you know offhand how much naval support a level 9 port needs to load/unload an Aden. And what about a level 10 port? (Just being lazy here.)

Quite a bit. I think it is 300 .. maybe more. I don't use Adens in this role (getting resources to the HI) for exactly this reason. Very hard to get them to unload in one day.
Coming into the HI, mostly I have only 1 day trips. So I like to have 1 day load/unloads. Hakodate/Ominato. Fusan/Fukuoka. 2 convoys each are then always chasing each other, one inbound, the other outbound. Set each one to about 50Kt and you get 100Kt resources flowing into the HI everyday like clockwork. Runs CS, so little to no maintenance once it is set up.

Earlier when I'm coming in from PA or Shanghai, then Aden's will work fine.

The question is how to get Fusan to be the main resource depot of Manchuria/China. I 've built it to level 8, iirc, and still Port Arthur is the main depot. I am currently trying to get everything into Fusan by turning off every convoy from China/Manchuria except Fusan, let resources max out at industry centers and then see where the excess resources go.

Btw, I used your system to haul resources from Hokkaido and it works like clockwork.

[Mike Solli]

I think we may just have to accept the fact that most of our resources from C/M/K will get shipped out of Pt. Arthur. 3-4 convoys should do the trick. It's not really that far. Fusan would be really nice, but the AI just doesn't like it.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Resources

Guys, thanks for all the assistance. After looking things over in more detail, it's clearly an issue of not hauling enough into Honshu. There are 2 million resource points at Hakodate and 700K more at Sapporo.

My plans to remedy this are generally: 1) Begin running a convoy from Sapporo to Honshu; 2) Begin running a 3rd convoy from Pt. Arthur to Shimonoseki; 3) Stir up a massive convoy from Tokyo for stop gap work on Hokkaido until we've moved 1 million RS points to Tokyo; and 4) Begin hauling resources from the PI and DEI to Japan.

I think that'll do the trick, Cribtop. I'd get that convoy from Tokyo to Hokkaido asap though.

[Cribtop]

May 13, 1942

Subs

Vectored to an intercept by Glens, I-25 sinks a good sized TK just off Pearl Harbor today. The IJN sub fleet is finally beginning to make its presence felt. An ASW TF harasses I-173 off Brisbane.

4th Fleet, SE Fleet and 14th Army

No change.

16th Army

Misool occupied. Fuel and Oil are flowing out of Balikpapan nicely.

25th Army

Captured Dutch railcars ship thousands of troops to Bandoeng in preparation for the final attack on Batavia. On Sumatra, we are 1 hex out of Sabang.

15th Army

CF DAs at Kalemyo again, knocking out the 1 fort level but barely obtaining a 1:1. Casualties are a pleasantly surprising 553(3) vs 291(5). Our sweeps won't fly here for the 3rd day in a row despite a good weather report.

China

DA 84, 41 (near Sian) forces the surrender of the Chinese 34th Corps as expected. This action frees up quite a few troops that were pinning the enemy near Sian.

We are continuing to creep behind the enemy 1 hex SE (map) of Wuchang while a second Brigade has arrived to stiffen the defenders in case CF tries another attack.

Industry

We had several RS convoys arrive and thus Tokyo's industry hums back to life. Over the next 48 hours we will have a lot more come in via regularly scheduled convoys. This little breather should give time for some of our special efforts to kick in. The first, a convoy of 18 kt xAKs that left Tokyo for Hakodate will get into action quickly (note that this will not be a permanent assignment of these valuable ships). Next, a 100 ship convoy will leave Tokyo for Hokkaido while 2 new RS convoys will be assigned to Sapporo and Pt. Arthur as discussed.

[ny59giants]

Move any of your Restricted divisions on Honshu up to bases in the NE to help build up those ports. I have one at Sendai building up the port. Use those engineers.

I've stop using Port Arthur as I have Keijo (Seoul) built up and have over three times the resources there.

[Cribtop]

May 14, 1942

Subs

No contacts, but a mini sub plays a role below.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

CF sends 3 CAs, 2 CLs and 4 DDs to bombard Tulagi. This is intended to be a fortified infantry base only, so there is nothing to bombard. However, a brave mini-sub, acting in the monitor role, twice engages the TF before it bombards. No hits by either side in these actions, but it's possible the mini burned up Ops points because the bombardment does virtually nothing.

Of course, the real question is whether this is a probe or prelude to another aggressive action by CF. We will take measures assuming the latter. The next few days will show us his intentions.

14th Army

Tomorrow we load a second regiment to finish Cebu at last.

16th Army

Two B-17s raid Daly Waters and damage the newly installed Sumo Court, formerly the Rugby Field.

25th Army

Gathering for Batavia and marching on Sabang. MKB has cleared almost all SYS damage and stands ready to move out.

15th Army

Bhamo occupied.

China

We hammer two KMT Corps in the open for 421 casualties. Ouch.

[Cribtop]

No update today, but two notes.

First, resources are flowing at a higher rate, and Tokyo is working again. Yokohama is still a little short, but we expect that to clear up as 250K plus resources will begin unloading within 48 hours.

Second, we forgot to point out that Gridley was in the Tulagi bombardment TF. She was previously escorting Enterprise. This bolsters Cribtop Intel's estimate that the Allied CVs are in SOPAC/SWPAC. Even if the Gridley has been permanently re-assigned from CV escort duty, the hand off probably occurred somewhere near Fiji or Oz.

[Cribtop]

May 15, 1942

Kalemyo falls. [:(]

Subs

I-6 is attacked by a PC near Diamond Harbor and takes one penetrating hit in the replay. She's fine but her forward tubes are bent, so back to Singers it is. A Glen spots several merchies at Tahiti, which appears to confirm intel that this is a hub. We have 2 I-boats hovering near Bora Bora and Tahiti to address this. A Wirraway bombs RO-34 near Sydney but misses. An IJN ASW TF harasses Triton near Tokyo again, but no hits.

4th Fleet

Emilys from TB recon Luganville and discover 4 LCUs. Not a huge buildup, but CF is stirring in this region.

SE Fleet

Cribtop HQ orders a response to the Tulagi bombardment in case it is a prelude to something bigger. South Seas Fleet sails due East from Manus and will loiter near Ontong Java. Obviously we have to be careful of USN CVs, but we want the heavies nearby in case CF tries a snap invasion. Today, small Val, Kate and Zero groups base forward to Munda Point (you now see the "point" of building up this base, readers - ok, I apologize for that). An underemployed Nell Hikotai begins to shift from the DEI towards Munda. Intention is to augment naval search capacity towards the Santa Cruz and New Hebrides islands and to have some additional LBA punch near the point of contact (remember we have a crack Betty Hikotai at Rabaul already). We had previously launched a mine laying TF from Truk towards Tulagi, and the brave mini sub is still in place. Finally, we have deployed 2 AMCs with Jakes aboard as early warning ships near the Santa Cruz chain.

14th Army

No change.

16th Army

4 B-17s hit Daly. The local commander is screaming for a base force at Katherine to provide LRCAP. It will soon arrive. Damage from the 4Es is minimal, but in such small numbers we hope to swamp them with fighters and shoot a few down.

25th Army

Tomorrow 38th Division begins to unload at Semarang. The IJA is gathering overwhelming force to dispatch Batavia. Recon shows Christmas Island (IO) is unoccupied.

15th Army

We attack the enemy at Kalemyo with 100 IJAAF mediums, but no joy as an Allied DA takes the base with 10:1 odds, casualties a rather painful 41(0) vs 1683(139). Sigh. We will admit Cuttlefish caught us off balance with these quick counterattacks in Burma.

However, we are about to unleash a hidden plan. Since Day 1 of the war, all Royal Thai Army units save the Cav Division have been prepping for the same base and in rest/training mode. Intention was to increase EXP from their abysmal 25 or 35 to something respectable. We now have the RTA 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and & 7th Divisions at EXP numbers between 47 and 53. They aren't worldbeaters, but they should be able to hold in rough terrain. 3 RTA divisions will soon move into Burma (allowed by our House Rules) to man defensive positions, thus freeing up the 3 IJA Divisions to shift to offensive ops.

Port Blair makes level 3 airfield, which is important as it "de-asterisks" that base, home to a Zero Daitai and a Nell Hikotai.

China

No changes.

[Canoerebel]

"May 15, 1942

"Subs

"I-6 is attacked by a PC by"




Talk about combattus interruptus!

[SuluSea]

Hi Cribtop, looking at your engines, have you thought about changing the Kayaba Argus engine R&D to something of use?

[nashvillen]

I am guessing there was something domestic that caused the interruption.

[Cribtop]

Indeed, gents. Got to come home early today but have to watch the now 5 month old daughter (can you believe it? seems like yesterday when she was born!) We had a little bit of a, err, toxic spill issue to address. [:D]

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

Hi Cribtop, looking at your engines, have you thought about changing the Kayaba Argus engine R&D to something of use?

I am now. [:D]

[Cribtop]

Economy questions

1) Sulu or others, what should I change the Argus engine factory to produce? I have a big immediate need for Ha-33s, but think I have that covered once current expansion is complete.

2) Recall that we've captured the Chinese oil fields at Sian and Lanchow. These are not huge (21 and 90 Oil, respectively), but they are significant. Assuming this oil flows to Pt. Arthur, is it safe to ship a small quantity of oil to the Home Islands, or is this better left alone?

3) Not a question but a note. We now have 47 Helens in the pool and will soon upgrade an IJAAF bomber wing to the Helen.

[Cribtop]

May 16, 1942

Go Rangers tomorrow! CF is a Tigers fan and we're enjoying this great ALCS immensely (me a little moreso as I'm pulling for Texas [:D]).

Subs

S-36 misses a DMS in a troop convoy bound for Java with support units. Our SCs mess with Triton yet again. Good training if nothing else. We may need to move in some DDs to deal with this menace and will definitely put some a/c on ASW out of Yokohama.

4th Fleet

No changes.

SE Fleet

Still moving to respond to CF's bombardment but all quiet so far. 2 more Naval Guards have arrived at Truk and will ship out to bases in Bougainville, which will be a major holdfast when the time comes.

14th Army

Tomorrow we unload a second regiment to dispatch Cebu. CD losses may be bigger than last time, but casualties are the price of victory.

16th Army

5 B-17s continue to bomb ground troops at Daly Waters, but tomorrow a brigade of 21st Division arrives here to secure the defense. We have a fourth armored regiment lurking in the rough desert to the west of Daly. Intention is to zip in behind the Allies if they push another force into the base. So far they are retreating all the way back to Tennant, but Cribtop HQ follows the Boy Scouts motto: "Be Prepared."

Oil and fuel are really moving out of Borneo nicely now under the watchful eye of organic TF escorts, 2 ASW TFs and 2 Lily groups. This is great news.

25th Army

Muntok occupied.

The drama of MTB-11. We have left Tandjoengpinang unconquered (although we are about to attend to it). MTB-11 was the sole survivor of a group of UK PTs that fled Hong Kong. After this epic journey, she put in at Tandj several weeks back. Yesterday she sortied towards Palembang before returning to base. That was enough for Cribtop HQ, so we detailed a Lily group to bomb the port. The first plane hit the brave little ship and obliterated her. I told CF via e-mail to make sure to have an MTB-11 entry along the lines of the final scene of Das Boot. [:D]

In all seriousness, today 4 small SNLFs unloaded at Kendari. They will load up and clean up the DEI as DBCL warriors. Occupied bases will be finished off by the 2 regiments currently at Cebu.

DA Sabang takes the base with 2:1 odds after dropping forts to 0. 5 LCUs retreat with casualties 1138(58) vs 388(1). This action frees up troops to finish a few pesky bases like Tandjoengpinang. More importantly, once we suppress Padang, it sets the necessary pre-conditions for Operation Raging Bull II. MKB is fully repaired, all air groups full, and ready to sortie. Banzai!

15th Army

Raging Bull II will include a visit to Calcutta as recon today shows only 9 fighters but 39 ships in port.

China

26th Division just dropped in behind the 2 KMT corps 1 hex SE (map) of Wuchang. We will shift our IJAAF bombers here while the 26th closes off the only green hex side, thus isolating another Chinese force. More deviously, a small armored car unit is angling to do the same thing to the much larger force "besieging" Wuchang itself. If we pull that off, CF is in real trouble on this front and will have to march to the rescue of his big Wuchang stack just as we are preparing to hit him in South China.

[Cribtop]

May 17, 1942

Subs

RO-33 misses a DD just off Noumea and eats 1 penetrating DC hit in exchange. The enemy was an SCTF consisting of ANZAC CLs and several DDs.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Nells should arrive at Munda in 2 days. Various watchers are patrolling the waters near the extreme SE end of the Solomons.

14th Army

Cebu invaded by a second regiment today. 93% prep results in minimal casualties. We should be able to attack the base tomorrow or the next day.

16th Army

Babeldoab makes level 5 forts.

25th Army

BA Batavia shows raw AS of 1439 vs 616 and we still have 2 Divisions yet to arrive.

We will reconstitute MKB, Tanaka Force and the attending ASW TF. Time to hunt. Then we suspect MKB will hightail it to SE Fleet AO as the signs of an Allied build up there are increasing.

15th Army

We bomb Akyab and get 24% airfield damage. We doubt we can keep the base closed, but it doesn't hurt to try and it might tempt CF into fighting against our hordes of Oscars.

China

Canton makes level 5 forts.

[Crackaces]

How badly hurt is RO-33? Will she make it back? What sort of flooding damage is a "penetrating hit"?