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You forgot Quincy Carter.

I remember when they were saying he was the answer to the Cowboys... I had a hard time figuring out what the question was.

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

You forgot Quincy Carter.

I remember when they were saying he was the answer to the Cowboys... I had a hard time figuring out what the question was.

I think the question was, "Which scab shall we elevate to the role of starting QB who is bound and destined to break our hearts?"

Bonus answer, "Tavarius Jackson".

Jan. 11/43:

Sub Ops:

SC Ch 2 spots and attacks SS Gurnard near Ponape. No hits are recorded.
SS Kingfish duds on xAK Anyo Maru near Babeldoab.
SS Shad duds on SC Ch 2 near Ponape.
SC Ch 25 spots and attacks SS Kingfish near Babeldoab. One direct and two near miss DC hits are recorded.

The submarine and ASW war is picking up. I've been lucky with Allied duds lately and my ASW ships are finally starting to score more direct hits.

China:

Chinese troops near Chihkiang are bombed again and suffer 0(8) infantry, 0(6) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses.

Chihkiang's airbase damaged with 4 AB, 2 ABS and 10 Runway hits and Changteh's airbase takes 18 AB, 11 ABS and 46 Runway hits.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Bhamo expands fortifications to size 3

Allied:

Nothing

Thoughts:

I'm 2-3 days away from learning enemy troop strength S.E. of Chihkiang. I'm going to have about 3600 AV, a large amount of armour and over 1000 guns. The Chinese seem content to await my assault, although there is a slight adjusting of Chinese unit dispositions behind the line.

Jan. 12/43:

China:

Chinese troops bombed for 0(11) infantry, 0(17) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost.

Chihkiang's airbase damaged with 2 AB, 1 ABS and 20 Runway hits, while Changteh's airbase receives 17 AB, 8 ABS and 65 Runway hits. The 65th Sentai equipped with Ki-30 Ann's is adding a little more punch with 250kg bombs.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Takao expands fortifications to size 3
Kusaie Island expands airfield to size 2
Marcus Island expands fortifications to size 3
Hachinohe expands fortifications to size 2

Allied:

Vladivostok expands port to size 7
Bikin expands airfield to size 7

Thoughts:

Ugh, slow days and quiet turns. Additional Japanese troops and artillery have arrived S.E. of Chihkiang so I launch a bombardment attack tomorrow to see what I'm up against. Then most likely I'll order a deliberate attack. I hope lack of supply for the Chinese will be the x-factor that gives me an advantage.

On second thought:

Ack, why bother bombarding to find out what I'm up against S.E. of Chihkiang. I'm going to attack here regardless so might as well get on with the show. I have 3700 AV and over a thousand guns. The bombers are ordered to hit the enemy again and then we launch the assault. Banzai!

Jan. 13/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Seal attacks the brand spanking new DD Wakazuki near Iwo-Jima, but misses. One near miss DC hit is recorded. I'm going to address getting some air ASW based at Iwo-Jima as the gap between the base and Saipan is an enemy submarine haven.

Burma:

Some action today as Allied bombers target troops at Magwe. The bombers attacked inbetween two fighter sweeps. The raids are as follows:

Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Japanese fighters are based at Toungoo. The Nick's did their job, they sucked down the sweeps and allowed the Tojo's to get the altitude advantage. At least the Nick's are armoured which made a difference in terms of pilots surviving, if not airframes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

The tally for lost aircraft according to tracker was Allied losses of P-40K's (13), P-40E's (5) and B-24D's (1) while Japanese losses were Ki-44-IIa Tojo's (8) and Ki-45 KAIa Nick's (6). Sadly the Tojo's took the majority of the pilot losses with KIA (3) and WIA (4) compared to the Nick's with KIA (2) and WIA (2).

China:

Changteh's aibase hit for 10 AB, 2 ABS and 29 Runway hits. Chihkiang's airbase raid was grounded as was the bombing raids ordered to hit the ground troops. Bad luck, as I was counting on the enemy being hit prior to the deliberate attack, however it didn't matter. [8D]

The deliberate attack went well, in fact better than expected. Supply is definitely hurting the Chinese, as the following combat report shows. I'm sure the concentration of armour also made an impact. It's time to aggressively attack the Chinese.

Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 95534 troops, 1022 guns, 1019 vehicles, Assault Value = 3732

Defending force 63121 troops, 296 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2540

Japanese adjusted assault: 2925

Allied adjusted defense: 1441

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3585 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 378 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 77 disabled
Vehicles lost 50 (6 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
21584 casualties reported
Squads: 662 destroyed, 340 disabled
Non Combat: 621 destroyed, 168 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 34 (15 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Units retreated 9

So the army will turn and march N.E. to cut the main road to Changteh. I have 3200 AV in reserve at Kweilin and Changsha which will deploy to protect the flanks. I will start bombing the other large Chinese formation due west of Changteh. Bart splitting his forces gave me this opportunity and I plan on exploiting it as much as I can. Divide and conquer!

DEI:

Allied B-17E's (36) in three separate raids hit Boela today. I goofed with orders for KI-43-IIa Oscar's based at Ambon to provide LRCAP, so the bombers got a free pass. The raid knocked out half the oil production capacity.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Device Toko Rocket advances R&D

59th Sentai/C converting to Ki-43-IIa Oscar
81st Sentai converting to Ki-46-III Dinah

8th Mongol Cavalry Division arrives at Kalgan

Allied:

Tabiteuea expands airfield to size 4
Luganville expands port to size 6
Shilka expands airfield to size 8

Thoughts:

I see the future. Allied 4E's...period. The game is going to be an air battle for as long as Bart gets positive results from his bombing operations and doesn't need to risk his navy. So, my defensive priority and strategy will be based on denying Allied bombers access to vital airbases that put my industry in peril. That means I redeploy troops/aircraft to the DEI and Burma to get more airbases built up to combat the enemy 4E threat. Now I see the wisdom of taking Northern Australia and pushing as deep into Burma as possible to delay the inevitable.

I may just take a look at what can be done in Northern Australia. Perhaps an invasion of Port Hedland and area to delay Allied buildup efforts and force them to react.

I'll do a proper update for the last few turns later, but have a few moments to kill at work. [:D]

After the successful assault against Chinese forces S.E. of Chihkiang there is now a lot of movement on the Chinese side. There are 19 units now at Chihkiang, inclusive of the 9 just forced to retreat, and 14 units directly east of the base across the river. Changteh still shows 28 units, but there is a movement tick indicating movement west.

Bart indicated he expected the rout of his forces and that reinforcements just didn't arrive in time. That explains the 19 total units now at Chihkiang. He also was surprised at the poor AV of his forces in rough terrain, but I'm sure the supply situation is mainly responsible for that. Another tidbit he shared was that he's lost account of 10 Japanese divisions that have been withdrawn from the frontlines. I'm glad he's somewhat worried about them.

Currently the plan is to still isolate Changteh, but until I learn definitively that the Chinese realize their danger and are pulling out of Changteh altogether, I can't really move otherwise. If it's not a full withdrawal, I'll look to isolate whatever elements I can and defeat them in detail. If it is a full withdrawal from Changteh, then I will consolidate the base, form a river line defence east of Chihkiang and shift the troops for an assault on Tuyun. I really want to force a breach towards Kweiyang in order to threaten a move towards Burma. If I can drive on Kunming that will help my situation in Burma. My entire Chinese strategy now is to facilitate securing the Burma front. The loss of Changteh will deny the Chinese yet another source of supply. [8D]

In North China I'm moving to envelop the large Chinese mob of of 54 units. This is almost pure bluff on my end as I'm not strong enough to seriously threaten destroying that force in the field. I have only 9 Divisions to work with here, but will rely on maneuver to take on smaller Chinese forces and defeat them in detail. I've almost gathered enough air support units to begin bombing operations against Chungking's airbase to cause supply loss, and hit ground targets of opportunity.

I'm starting to look at the big picture and seeing how I can make my operations tie together to form a cohesive defence of the Empire. Reinforcements last turn were substantial in terms of Base Force and Air Support units. These will be quickly distributed throughout the defensive perimeter. The two major areas of focus will be Burma and the DEI. The Kuriles will also be strengthened. Not sure about invading the Aleutians at this point, may be too little too late.

I'm looking at an operation to capture Port Hedland. If I can get the Allies' focus on defending that base, or having to recapture it that may set back any immediate plans for a move into the DEI. Protecting the oil producing facilities are my primary concern at this point. It may be time to redeploy KB. I'm not so worried about stopping Allied moves in the Gilberts or Marshalls anymore, although if the Allies move again soon I will seek a naval battle in some form or other.

I'm getting some timely reinforcements that will help me in the China and Burma fronts. The Tony will be available soon and I hope this airframe will add some punch to my air arsenal. I'll have finished the majority of refits in two weeks and will be joined shortly by the CV Taiho, another CL and some DD's.

Interesting times as I adjust my defence to the realization that I've been seeking the wrong battle against the Allies. I'm 90% certain the entire Allied advance will revolve around using their 4E's exclusively to batter Japan from the air and conserve as much of their fleet as possible, until they can overwhelm me with numbers.

More next time, and as always comments/suggestions/criticisms are welcome!

Just received a new CD I special ordered in November. I'm of the 80's hard rock generation and if anyone remembers a band called Badlands, well I just got "Voodoo Highway" and man, what an album. If I can't kick ass with Japan listening to this band there's absolutely no hope for me. [:D] So here I sit enjoying the music and updating the last few days of the war.

Jan. 14/43:

China:

The bombing of the next stack of Chinese units due east of Chihkiang began today. 173 Japanese bombers in three attacks caused 0(14) infantry, 0(14) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses. Conditions were light rain.

Changteh's airbase was damaged with 13 AB, 7 ABS and 36 Runway hits while Chihkiang's attack was grounded.

Burma:

Allied bombers, B-24D Liberator's (71) targeted troops at Bhamo today in two raids. Damage was light with a total of 0(2) infantry and 1(5) non-combat squads lost.

DEI:

Boela was targeted again and B-17E Fortress' (36) caused 5 Oil hits. Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (10) and Ki-45 KAIa Nick's (3) on LRCAP intercepted and performed poorly. Two Oscar's were downed while only damaging 13 enemy bombers. The 11th Sentai is actually composed of low caliber pilots at the moment, and in hindsight, should not have been committed to LRCAP. They will be withdrawn to the rear and replaced with a more experienced Sentai.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

A cornucopia of reinforcements today. [8D]

Hakodate expands fortifications to size 2
Boela expands port to size 3

AMc Wa 8 arrives at Tokyo
E W-24 arrives at Tokyo
CM Yurijima arrives at Tokyo
SC CHa-50 arrives at Ominato

Endo Det arrives at Nagoya
108th Sentai arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
90th I.F.Chutai arrives at Tokyo

1st Air Division arrives at Sapporo
19th JAAF Base Force arrives at Naha
20th JAAF Base Force arrives at Sapporo
21st JAAF Base Force arrives at Hirosaki/Aomori
1st JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
49th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
55th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
63rd JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
73rd JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
77th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
83rd JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
177th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo
178th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Sapporo

Allied:

Kalemyo expands airfield to size 6
Shwebo expands airfield to size 9

Thoughts:

Burma and China will continue to be the focus for early 1943. I'm going to deploy more fighter units to Burma and more bomber units to China. Burma has me worried, but that's nothing new. Reinforcements are on the way, both LCU's and air units. Two Sentai's, currently training with Nate's and assigned to the 2nd Air Division in Manchuria, will be bought out and equipped with the new Tony fighter next month. They will be deployed to Burma.

The more I look at Northern Australia, the more I like the idea of delaying the Allied build up and future bombing campaign against my forces in the DEI, by taking Port Hedland, Broome and Derby. The DEI will be strengthened while the Solomons will see some troops redeployed to other theatres. The Combined Fleet will remain at Truk until refits are completed and CV Taiho joins the fleet. That means I give myself one more month to react to a possible Allied push in New Guinea or the Solomons, before shifting the bulk of the ships to the DEI and Singapore.

That being said, I must not forget the Kuriles. The new batch of AF Bn.'s will allow me to finally start building up airbases and forts in the theatre. I'm completely reorganizing my defence, as I have a clarity now that I've lacked all game. It may be too late of course, but now that I see my path clearly, at least I won't waste more time.

Industry wise, I'll be increasing armament and vehicle production while scaling back naval production to offset the HI use. Oil is about to reach levels below one million tons, so I will increase oil flow to the Home Islands. I'm getting new tankers on a regular basis and they will be put to immediate use.

Jan. 15/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Seawolf misses the E Hishu near Babeldoab. No ASW attack. E Hishu was escorting a tanker TF.
SS S-36 is spotted near Ontong Java and the DD Yunagi scores one near miss DC hit causing engine damage to the submarine.
SS KXIV is spotted near Donggala by the SC CHa-20. No ASW attack.
SS S-36 misses DD Oite near Ontong-Java. No ASW attack.

Later during the replay I hear the submarine sinking sound, so I got one of the buggers . Most likely from air ASW, which has been effective of late with lots of sightings and reported hits.

China:

Japanese bombers again target Chinese troops east of Chihkiang. In light cloud, 163 bombers plaster the enemy in two raids for 0(31) infantry, 0(15) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 377 casualties. That's more like it!

Chihkiang's airbase was damaged for 5 AB and 13 Runway hits during severe storms. I've noticed no ABS hits lately, none to destroy?

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Fukuoka expands airfield to size 4
Port Moresby expands fortifications to size 3
Kavieng expands airfield to size 2
Manus expands port to size 4

Allied:

Perth expands airfield to size 6

Thoughts:

I'm all out attacking in China. With the success of the last assault against Chinese ground troops in rough terrain, I'm convinced they are seriously out of supply. 2500 AV reduced to less than half in 3x defensive terrain? Yep, they are eating bark at this stage. I'm shifting the reinforcements meant for Changteh west for an assault on the 16 enemy LCU's blocking the main road to Tuyun. Luckily the majority of my reserves in the area are still 100% prepped for Tuyun. The armoured units will redeploy for this assault as well, I think they need to be deployed at the point of attack.

In the north, my movements to push against smaller Chinese formations goes ahead. Contact should be made in the coming days and I'll see if I can cause some cracks. I have five Divisions on the wrong side of the river in the north. I'd like to move in behind the Chinese 52 unit horde, but am scared to launch another river assault, even again just two Chinese LCU's. I haven't done a recon of Chungking lately. There were 28 units last reported there, time to check on their whereabouts.

I'll be in a position to start bombing Chungking and area within days once air support arrives at Sian and Ankang.

I'm enjoying the game at the moment simply because I have a plan now. I wish I'd come to this realization 3 months ago in game time. I had lots of ideas prior to that of course, but the understanding just wasn't there. Now I apply what I've learned to make things as tough on the Allies as I can, finally.

I'll post Chinese theatre screenshots next update to clarify what I'm talking about.

I'm enjoying the game at the moment simply because I have a plan now. I wish I'd come to this realization 3 months ago in game time. I had lots of ideas prior to that of course, but the understanding just wasn't there. Now I apply what I've learned to make things as tough on the Allies as I can, finally.

This is great as I am at the point where I can learn from your realizations and begin to apply those in my game quite a bit earlier. [:)]

I know it's different because of the mod, and I'm not sure what my opponent will do in the next 6-10 months. I've already got some of the areas you've spoken about covered in ENG, but early on there just aren't enough to go around and I'm beginning to worry that if the Allies sudden;y got aggressive in exactly the right location it could cause some long term problems.

I'd love to hear more about your thoughts and plans for defense.

Hi obvert,

I think my main problem was recognizing the nature of my opponent early, but really having no clue on how to apply that in preparing the Empire's defence. I was thinking in terms of offence, but not thinking in terms of what I could do offensively to improve my defence. If you follow? [:D]

I was so focused on trying to bring about a large operation that the Allies would respond to, that I missed out on executing more limited operations that may have garned the same response, and more importantly would have put me in a far better position to defend.

Another thing that contributed to my recent epiphany was following Greyjoy's AAR. It shows that even with Japan invaded itself, the ability for strong resistance stems from a healthy economy. Applying that to Bart's style, I think he's going to go after the oil/fuel first, before any kind of massive assault anywhere close to the Home Islands.

So in my opinion, the S.E. Pacific is a no go for me. The more time Bart spends securing it the better against as weak a force as I can muster, the better. I will focus on delaying any Allied moves into the DEI and Burma, as they seem the more credible threat to undermining my defence then the Allied Fleet taking over the Gilbert and Marshall Island chains. The DEI and Burma is where I'll fight tooth and nail, and in a more limited way, New Guinea.

Now, to try and answer your question. Burma is a must stop for me. If Bart is able to open a direct supply path to China at this stage it will undermine all my progress and effort to starve China. So Bhamo and Lashio must be held. I forsee some massive air battles in the near future. The Allies will start ground pounding me soon and I must limit this as mush as possible. Burma will get the best fighters I have. The Tojo's are redeploying to this theatre, as will the two new Tony Sentai's I will get next month once they start producing.

In China, I need to pick up the pace. The goal is to create a strong MLR and begin buying out LCU's for deployment to the Pacific. I'm not there yet, so the next two months will see all out attacks on the Chinese to cause losses and capture a few more bases, so I can begin to downgrade the troop strength required here. My ability to reinforce the Pacific depends on China, so in hindsight, I'm kicking myself for the river assault that cost me too much time to recover from, and accomplished nothing more than heavy casualities to my forces. I still have a division severely battered, which has only recovered 40% of it's strength back. I'm going to change the plan somewhat for Changteh, I'm going to try and sucker the Chinese into an ill advised attack where my airpower can come into play and lay a severe beating on them. I'll explain more later. [8D]

I think KB is more valuable as a deterrent at the moment. Bart has hinted at his wariness for his next move, worried that KB will be just over the horizon. That's a good thing for me. KB is only getting stronger and when the CV Taiho joins in 24 days, I'll have some serious firepower. I'm upgrading my CV's to the A6M3a Zero as fast as they come off the production line.

So I hold the line in the S.E. Pacific and await the Allies' next move. In the meantime, I'm seriously looking at diverting their attention with a late assault on Northern Australia, excluding Darwin. The DEI will get pummeled by air. I'm going to try and divert the Allies from thinking airbase expansion to defending them instead. If I can push back their ability to bomb the DEI by 3-4 months, that's time I can further improve my defences. I don't think I need to commit a lot of force either. I just need to deny the bases to the Allies at this stage and make them waste time recapturing them. That's my thinking anyway.

I won't invade the Aleutians, although in hindsight I should have very early, just to deny and delay that route of advance to the Allies. I will begin seriously reinforcing the Kuriles though. The recent addition of AF Bn.'s will go a long way to helping fort and airbase expansion. The weakness I have there is air power. I can't get restricted air units based in the Kuriles. I know the work around about changing a bases' HQ, but nothing I've tried has worked. I'm stuck with 5th Fleet despite wanting to switch them to General Defence HQ.

I've been building forts from day one, but as you point out there is a shortage of engineering units. I'm redeploying as many as possible. I have a good network of average forts built up and various airbase/port expansions, but need to now focus on developing those fortress style bases to centre the defence around.

Last is the British Fleet, I haven't seen hide nor hair of them. I think if I force a long drawn out battle in Burma, they will attempt some form of coastal interdiction of Burma, Malaya or Sumatra. I'd like to get a strong enough naval presence in the theatre to counter any such move. I have no indications pointing to this, but I don't think Bart will choose not to deploy them at some stage here if Burma goes badly for him.

I'll be refining my thoughts over time, but I hope this sheds some light on my immediate concerns and the actions I'm taking. I'm seeking battle if given the opportunity, if I can bloody the next Allied operation in the Pacific, it will go a long way to allowing me to take the initiative back in a theatre or two. I just have to be smart about it. A serious naval defeat at this stage would be a disaster for me, not that it isn't most times!

That's a great synopsis. It's hard to know isn't it how to set up for the wave that will come. You have to look at everything, and plan for any kind of assault. I've not done this before, but even though I'm still finishing off Java, and have only just begun in Burma, I'm already pushing to get the defense set up, bases fortified, and looking ahead at the schedule of units arriving to see where they can fit in.

It's fun, but of course you also have to make some predictions about your opponent and let those guide some of the defense.

I still have a little bit of offense up my sleeve, but defending is formost on my mind strangely. I agree that the KB should be in the shadows for now, until you need to commit it or the opportunity is too good to pass up. Even when you want to, you could hold it back and wait until he thinks it's not coming.

I'll be watching to see how your thoughts develop and solidify.

Just a heads up. Bart will be away from Feb. 3-12th so the game will most likely be on hiatus after this weekend. This will give me lots of time to develop my plans for prosecuting the war in 1943.

One thing I haven't mentioned is taking Nemo's advice about pilot reserves. I've been making more effort in getting decent pools built up. I'll post my progress another time, but I've already been adding potential kamikazes into the mix as well. I've also noticed a large number of inexperienced pilots that have found their way into the general reserve pool. These are being manually drawn back out into training formations.

I've also spotted some further problems in aircraft R&D and production capabilities. I'll be fixing this pronto. In particular, I was in for a nasty shock thinking the Tony Ki-61-Ib R&D factories could switch over to the Ki-61-Ic damage free. Nope, different design paths. Both the Ib and Ic become available at the same time (9/43), but the Ic is the better aircraft in terms of firepower (cannons). The Ib should advance a month or two for me though. I'm excited to get the Tony Ia into production, if for no other reason than something new and shiny and not a Ki-27 Nate!

I'm going to start following a few of my units as obvert does. I'll probably stick to one submarine (I-26) and a few fighter Sentai's. Maybe a surface ship or two. I don't want to add too much more to my AE plate.

Is it 5 o'clock yet? This work week has been brutally slow...I'd rather be doing anything else. [>:]

Jan. 16/43:

Sub Ops:

SS S-47 misses SC Ch 29 near Gasmata. No ASW attack launched.

China:

Bombing of Chinese forces near Chihkiang in 5 separate attacks results in 0(15) infantry, 0(48) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squads lost totalling 354 casualties.

Chihkaing's airbase hit for 1 ABS and 17 runway hits. Changteh's raid is grounded due to weather.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Toyohara expands fortifications to size 2

TK Kenwa Maru arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Canton

Allied:

Nothing

Jan. 17/43:

China:

Chihkiang's airbase hit for 4 AB, 2 ABS and 18 Runway hits.
Tuyun's airbase hit for 1 AB, 1 ABS and 5 Runway hits.
Changteh's airbase was spared again due to weather.

Ground troops at Kweiyang were bombed inflicting 1(4) infantry, 0(1) non-combat squads lost.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Tarawa expands airfield to size 2
Kavieng expands fortifications to size 3
Tienshui expands airfield to size 4

A6M3 Zero upgrading to A6M3a Zero at Osaka/Kyoto

DD Hasu beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
DD Kuri beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
E W-2 taken out of commission to begin refit at Truk
E W-4 taken out of commission to begin refit at Truk

SS I-34 arrives at Tokyo

Allied:

Nothing

Thoughts:

Changteh has just been abandoned by the Chinese! See the following screenshot. This makes things a little easier for me, far more so than if I had to fight for Changteh and protect my flanks at the same time. Bart just did me a huge favour.

There is again lots of enemy radio traffic at Noumea. They have to be planning a move soon...don't they? If not, they are very active bringing material into the theatre. I go about my prepartions and await developments in the Pacific, right now China has my attention.

The next turn is sent. Bart and I will probably only get one more turn in before he is away for nine days. It's going to be a perfect opportunity for me to look at defensive dispositions and the reinforcement queue available for 1943. More importantly, where to effectively deploy them.

Random thoughts follow, and specifics will be fleshed out during the next two weeks

Looking over my current dispositions, I have many units poorly situated. For example, I have a few JNAF AF units stationed in the interior of China. These units would be better served in the Pacific to take advantage of their radar warning capability. I have some shipping engineer units based at non-shipping hub locations, while some key ports lack sufficient naval support for efficient loading/unloading operations.

In terms of actual combat troops, I'm still rather thin in the Pacific, although I will start to see more combat LCU's available this year. PP's are thin. It's been hard to conserve them when there are so many shortages of air support and engineering units, and more air units to buy out for deployment to the front.

During the break, I'm going to start posting some planned defensive dispositions of key areas. All feedback and suggestions will be appreciated as to whether troop and fort levels seem sufficient. Two areas I'm looking at specifically will be the Kuriles and Sumatra.

In lieu of the fact I want to safeguard Japanese industry from enemy bombers, I'd like to discuss the pros/cons of a forward defence over one of depth. Just how much strength should be deployed at the outer perimeter to deny the Allies establishing bases within range of Japanese industry. Is it more important to deny bomber bases over ones capable of supporting escort fighters for example?

The Tony Ia went into production last turn. In a month I'll have enough to equip a Sentai for deployment to Burma. Taiho arrives in 21 days. More air support units become available in 4 days, and these are unrestricted!

Last turn some some heavy Allied ASW attacks on my submarines and a spotting of a DD a fair distance N.E. of Baker Island. A rather strange place to encounter one. This has my spidey sense tingling. Is another Allied operation about to happen? If so, I wasn't expecting one from this direction. Hopefully, I'll learn more over the next few days. I'm going to increase naval activity around Truk, mainly transport shipping moving out of the base to alert the Allies. Maybe I can fool them into thinking the Combined Fleet is on the move. I've set a Betty unit to search ESE of Makin Island to try and spot anything potentially brewing out there.

So awaiting the turn. I tried a few things last turn. Set some LRCAP over some of my ground units that had attracted some Allied bombers in China last turn, and also set some LRCAP to try and interdict Allied transport planes arriving over the hump delivering supply to Central China. Interested to know how that will go.

Till next update. It's hard to stay on the first page these days with all the AAR activity! It's nice to see so many matchups being covered.

A recap of the last few turns and then the game is on hold for about nine days while Bart is busy with RL and a skiing trip. That will give me time to take stock and come up with some concrete defensive plans and troops deployments.

Jan 18/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Gato duds on PB Kibi Maru near Siargao. No ASW attack.

A tough day for Japanese submarines!

SS I-6 is spotted by SC's near Vanikoro. SC-704 scores two direct hits with the mousetrap and two near misses. Damage is heavy and the I-6 is limping back to Truk.

SS I-172 whiffs on the DD DeHaven with 4 torpedoes near Baker Island. In return the DD Conyngham scores a direct DC hit and 3 near misses. Damage is moderate and the submarine is heading back to Kwajalein.

SS I-10 is spotted near Vanikoro by SC-708. Another direct mousetrap hit and a near miss cause light damage, but the submarine is ordered to return to Truk.

So three Japanese submarines treated roughly today. The mousetrap is nasty. The enemy SC's will be valuable ships to target with raiders whenever I get the opportunity. I know the DD's are hard targets to hit, but my submarine forces remain completely jinxed when it comes to hitting enemy surface ships. We get a measure of revenge tomorrow though! [8D]

China:

Changteh changes sides before I even drop the paratroops. The base requires no garrison, but reinforcements and engineers are en route to start repairing damage and build up the forts.

Kweiyang's airbase and defenders are attacked today. The ground troops are hit hard suffering 9(32) infantry and 6(9) non-combat squad losses totalling 345 casualties by 77 Sally IIa's. Conditions were light cloud and the release altitude was 8k. The airbase was hit in the afternoon raid under heavy cloud. Damage was moderate with 22 AB, 7 ABS and 28 runway hits from 57 Sally IIa's

Tuyun's airbase was targeted in two raids and damage was light at 4 AB, 1 ABS and 16 Runway hits. 19 Sally IIb's attacked in th emorning under clear sky with a release point of 10k. The afternoon raid was conducted in overcast conditions by 18 Helen IIa's.

A surprise was enemy A-29A Hudson's (12) bombing the 21st Ind. Mixed Bde. near Tuyun. No damage resulted, but it did slow the unit movement to combat mode. No rush.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Ponape expands airfield to size 4
Hengyang expands airfield to size 6

Aircraft Ki-61-Ia Tony advances R&D (Starts production)

Allied:

Ndeni expands port to size 2

Jan. 19/43:

Sub Ops:

Revenge!

SS Gurnard is spotted near Manus by Japanese E Boats. In a sustained DC attack from both the E Kiji and E Sagi, the enemy submarine takes not one, not two, but three direct DC hits and 4 near misses, and is forced to surface! Launching a desperation torpedo attack, which duds, the SS Gurnard is then hit by two 10 cm shells and slips beneath the waves. The sinking sound confirms she was sunk. I got another one!

SS S-27 is spotted at Umboi Island. The E Yomogi reacts quickly with an ASW attack. SS S-27 receives one direct DC and three near miss hits in shallow water. She also avoids the minefield recently placed here.

Dangerous times for submariners on either side. The SS I-6, attacked yesterday, continues to limp towards Truk at 5 kts. Damage control is so far holding her together.

China:

Kweiyang's airbase and ground troops hit again today. The enemy suffers another 0(28) infantry and 0(11) non-combat squad losses totalling 152 casualties. Airbase damage was 9 AB, 7 ABS and 19 Runway hits.

Tuyun's airbase was hit for 1 AB, 1 ABS and 8 Runway hits.
Enemy ground troops in mountainous terrain near Ankang were bombed, suffering 0(2) infantry squad losses.
Enemy troops near Changteh were bombed for 0(2) infantry and 0(7) non-combat squad losses totalling 49 casualties.

No sign of Allied bombers today, and no transports interdicted by my LRCAP.

Depending on the movement of Chinese reserves and how quickly I can transition my attacking troops to Tuyun, I may paradrop two regiments on Kweiyang to attempt to take the base. It would certainly disrupt the Chinese rear. To that end, it may be best to stop bombing the airbase and let it repair so I could reinforce the paratroopers if the base did indeed fall quickly. The enemy troops will continue to get pounded though. The 2x terrain makes a world of difference with the bombing campaign, it's way more effective.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Hankow expands airfield to size 8
Long Island expands port to size 1

The first Ki-61 Tony Ia rolls off the production line.

SS Gurnard is reported to have been sunk near Manus on Jan 19, 1943 [8D]

Well the sub war is going to turn against the IJ now that it is '43.  Watch that your boats don't just turn into allied VP's.  Tactics that work in '42 won't work in '43.
 
Conversely, you start to get a good number of those "E" boats.   Combined with air ASW, you should also be able to rack up a lot of VP's and clear key areas of subs.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Well the sub war is going to turn against the IJ now that it is '43.  Watch that your boats don't just turn into allied VP's.  Tactics that work in '42 won't work in '43.

Conversely, you start to get a good number of those "E" boats.   Combined with air ASW, you should also be able to rack up a lot of VP's and clear key areas of subs.

Hey Pax,

I was worried you'd given up on me. [;)]

As to submarine tactics in 42, nothing worked then so for 43 I have even less expectations. I'm not as uptight about my submarines anymore. In fact I get much more satisfaction hunting the Allied ones. Of all my forces, I probably micromanage my ASW assets the most. I've brought the training levels up for all of my air units set to ASW and handpick replacements from the reserve pools. I also search key shipping zones continually and vector ASW TF's to any sightings. The early E boats for Japan have performed well for me overall, especially the ones rated with ASW 4. Between the air units and my search and destroy approach I've completely cleared a few areas of the map from enemy submarine activity. I'm starting to set up minefields in likely approaches to prevent submarines getting into the DEI and through various straits.

The expectations for my submarines are low. If I get a hit now and then, great, and any intel from them is gravy. They are essentially expendable to me because of the poor performance they've shown all game with lack of sightings, reactions and hits. That doesn't mean I'll simply throw them away either, but I'm only building a few more and that's it.

Given up?  NEVER!!  Just my 2 yo limits my time tremendously and I'm trying to get some time into my game as well.  [:D]
 
Subs:  I mentioned in Mike's AAR that use them a LOT for recon, not really attack.  IJ intel sucks so bad compared to the allies that we have to fill in the gaps.  I use subs, particularly the Glen subs for that.  I go through a lot of Glens, but I get my intel.

Agree with Pax, use subs for recon/screning. If they don't pick up things then you know they aren't there!

Cheers

Rob

That's essentially what I use my submarines for now. I've set up picket lines along suspected routes of advance in order to hopefully give my forces some early warning of enemy operations. I can't venture near enemy ports or suspected shipping concentrations, because Allied ASW simply drives them away or so heavily damages them after one attack they must retire for repairs.

I simply do not expect much, if anything, from my submarines anymore. They've allowed large concentrations of enemy shipping to sail near them or over them without reacting whatsoever in most cases. They are easily spotted, easily suppressed and almost always miss their target when they do launch a torpedo attack. I can't explain the poor performance, but they've been a huge disappointment for me this entire war. I go through the motions of putting them into position to do something worthwhile. I'm still waiting.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

That's essentially what I use my submarines for now. I've set up picket lines along suspected routes of advance in order to hopefully give my forces some early warning of enemy operations. I can't venture near enemy ports or suspected shipping concentrations, because Allied ASW simply drives them away or so heavily damages them after one attack they must retire for repairs.

I simply do not expect much, if anything, from my submarines anymore. They've allowed large concentrations of enemy shipping to sail near them or over them without reacting whatsoever in most cases. They are easily spotted, easily suppressed and almost always miss their target when they do launch a torpedo attack. I can't explain the poor performance, but they've been a huge disappointment for me this entire war. I go through the motions of putting them into position to do something worthwhile. I'm still waiting.

I agree about Allied ASW being a game-changer for the I-boats. I have to be really careful where I put 'em, so that some hotshot Allied AM, PC, PG, DE or DD doesn't d/c 'em to hell.

BUT-if you can find someplace near the front lines to get ships retreating from battle, it's still possible to make the Allies hurt. I've recently successfully intercepted CV "Enterprise" (May 1943) near Sydney (2 TTs and a fuel explosion, IIRC). Also, by hunting likely sea lanes, I found CV Victorious (2 TTs) between New Zealand and Suva. A couple months ago, I had some luck near Karachi and tagged a couple merchants and a CL too. I've also missed ([:@]) shots on an Allied AO and a CA recently.

The Allies can't heavily escort all their convoys everywhere. Find where he's cutting corners and try to pick off a few ships. In the case of Karachi, I had left that 'hot corner' alone for some time. Likely, he underescorted Karachi bound convoys and I yielded a dividend.

What is your SigInt telling you about his convoys? Mine still provides some occasionally useful information-are you checking yours every turn?