GC Diary: L0ckAndL0ad (A) vs AI

[L0ckAndL0ad]

October 10-17, 1942

Allied aerial offensive in SWPAC has begun. 5th USAAF's two P-400, two P-38F and three B-17E squadrons were sent to Port Moresby, where they joined Australian Kittyhawks and recon guys (recon modified Buffaloes, IIRC). Yeah, I should've invested much more in recon before starting the op. Even though I found some enemy fighters in the area to sweep, I failed to find any good airfields to strike. As this was my first air offensive in this campaign, I limited all flights by the range of 5, not wanting to touch Rabaul yet. Rabaul is 11 hexes away from PM, and I'd need more P-38s before trying to go there.

I started with some fighter sweeps, within the range of 4 of PM, at 15-17K ft altitude. Between 10th and 13th, 20 A2A victories were claimed, versus 3 of our planes downed. Enemy opposition was decent a/c-wise and consisted mainly Ki-44-IIa Tojo and Ki-45 KAIa Nick, with some occasional A6M2 Zero. Tough birds.

From 14th to 17th, B-17E did their first bombing missions. P-400 were switched to CAP/escort role, while P-38F continued sweeping. Fortresses flew pretty much unopposed, at 7000-1000 ft, and scored good hits on various airfields, but found only a couple of enemy airplanes on them.

On 17th, KB appeared in Bismarck Sea again, in full force. Judging by the reports, there were 7 enemy carriers present. Their CAP flights seriously interfered with my offensive, downing 3 B-17s.

At that point, I decided to stop the offensive. Better targets needed to be found. Additional recon assets should arrive to PM when KB leaves the area.

One more important note. I really really really need more subs in the area. And this time it's not because of the KB. Over the course of the week, I've lost a couple of dozens pilots. These are not CAP flights over a friendly base anymore. Subs are needed in the areas that I'm going to attack. It's pretty dangerous to send them to shallow waters, but it's really important.

Overall stats of this small offensive (claimed):

Japan
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 7 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 17 destroyed, 2 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 4 destroyed on ground

TOTAL: 44

Allies
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 5 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 9 destroyed

TOTAL: 17

Notable reports:

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October 17, 1942
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Morning Air attack on Finschhafen , at 100,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Finschhafen , at 100,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 108 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 89 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Finschhafen , at 100,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 1 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13360.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Tokuda W. in a A6M2 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Late October, 1942

Bringing in the Dutch subs to hunt for KB was a great idea. On October 30, when the Japanese ships came striking from Bismarck Sea again, a bunch of subs were already waiting. Results? 1 torpedo hit on CV Hiryu, 2 torpedo hits on DD Okikaze. And ~20 destroyed IJN carrier planes, thanks to Aussie pilots at Port Moresby. Their supply of Kittyhawk IA is running low so they're switching to Spitfire Vc Trop, which is much more maneuverable.

Anyways...

According to my intel and "recon by fire", there are absolutely no enemy ground units on Tanna & Luganville. The moment I realized that, landing teams were dispatched. 6th Aus Cav Bde landed on Luganville on 31st. And indeed, nobody's home. Tanna should be also re-taken shortly.

So, that's good news, 1st MarDiv can start readying for Guadalcanal.

Bad news, I'm not really sure I want to initiate large scale amphibious ops with 7 (or 6 for now, I hope!) enemy carriers around. I don't think I can ambush them while they keep staying in Bismarck Sea. Unless it'd be several P-38 squadrons + a bunch of Australian Beaufort VIII armed with torpedoes. Plus I've got 64 B-25C in the area, trained for NavB. But cramping them all into PM would be really really tricky due to stacking.

Any suggestions as to how to proceed would be greatly appreciated!

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October 30, 1942
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Sub attack near New Hanover Island at 103,122

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei
CA Maya
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Tatsuta
DD Harukaze
DD Shikinami
DD Nokaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Yukaze
DD Oite

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

SS KXVII launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hiryu
KXVII diving deep ....
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tachikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Oite fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS KXVII eludes DD Nokaze by diving deep
DD Nokaze loses contact with SS KXVII
SS KXVII eludes ASW attack from DD Nokaze
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS KXVII eludes ASW attack from DD Nokaze
SS KXVII eludes ASW attack from DD Nokaze
Escort abandons search for sub


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ASW attack near Umboi Island at 101,123

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo
CL Oi
CL Natori
DD Namikaze
DD Kuretake
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
SS O16

SS O16 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Okikaze
DD Kuretake fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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[BBfanboy]

We need a current map of the lower Solomons to look at stepping-stones to Guadalcanal. E.G. Ndeni and Kirakira can be very useful. Just keep in mind that he cannot defend everywhere so there will be lots more undefended islands to infiltrate. Once you get three or four interlocking airfields to pester his flanks, KB will no longer want to be in the Bismarck Sea.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Map? I can do maps. Here's the attachment.

Ndeni is empty, but I'm not sure if it's free of Betties coverage. They can reach Cooktown these days, but I have no intel on Guadalcanal surroundings. I know 100% there's 70+ a/c on Shortlands, with 50+ fighters. About the same on Rabaul. When I settle a base force on Luganville, I'll gather more info.

[BBfanboy]

That map is way north of the Solomons and won't let me navigate if it is larger - no slider I can use nor does it respond to arrow keys nor grabbing and pulling with the mouse. Anyway, is there no way you can cover a landing at Ndeni with fighter aircraft? Even bring your CVs when KB is known to have left the area?

If he owns it, you could FT some Raider troops in to take it and then fly in or FT in some engineers and air support to establish CAP. You are late enough in the game to have more air strength than the Japanese.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Uhm, yeah, it's a large image, but it opens okay (with scroll bars in a separate window) on my end using Chrome. It's just an image, you should still be able to right click and do a "Save as".

Yeah, during the early days of this campaign I read the forum on topic of old USN flush-deckers. I converted all to APDs and now have something like 26 APD. Should be much safer to use them than regular AP/AK.

But I think I should think of my general strategy first. Why should I even consider re-taking Guadalcanal? It's not worth much VP-wise. It is out of range of Oz coast. It is a valid target within a grand scheme of things, when, say, considering retaking Rabaul and overall control of the SWPAC.

Even then, Rabaul itself is worth little VPs (like 350 or so). That's a cost of approx one capital ship, or couple of cruisers. Historically, Allies started the offensive only after gaining carrier superiority over the enemy. I'm yet to do that.

Thoughts about victory

In the air, my overall goal is to 1) destroy considerable amount of enemy aircraft and their pilots; 2) get planes in range of major Japan industrial targets and military bases.

On the ground, I don't care much about the land itself. Destruction of enemy ground forces is a goal, but not in itself. Only if the cost is relatively low, then it is worth attacking. Taking Burma as an example: terrain is tricky, logistical nightmare, land itself worth little, so defending the border is more cost efficient.

On the sea, gaining carrier superiority is my goal. Then primacy. I should use friendly islands with tons of LBA to gain tactical advantage. But luring the enemy into such ambushes is really tricky. I can't even do that against the AI, how would I be able to do it against the human player in the future is a mystery. I guess I should have longer ranged air units on stand-by in the areas my carriers operate and use them as QRF, relocating when and where needed. I was unable to do that so far, even though I had a fair number of PBYs during my engagement with KB.

Setting up diversionary (or actual) amphibious landings to lure out the enemy CVs might be a good idea. Or staging raids like I did with Wake Island. It also triggered IJN CV reaction. But maybe I should do that in CENPAC, where it's closer to Pearl?

ps: here's a direct link to the image
upfiles/59456/162DBDB7BBAD4AAE84F55B5E08F0B64F.jpg

[BBfanboy]

Well, against a human player you learn their habits and use those against them when you set up an ambush. The AI is inanimate, but it does have habits - the rules set by to programmer as to where it should try and take a base, where it should defend and where it should raid.

You have already smashed a good chunk of the IJN by quashing invasions and raids. Probe to see where it is defending and then set up your ambush. Good luck!

[L0ckAndL0ad]

November 30, 1942

I wasn't doing much of anything for the whole month. Was afraid of spooking/diverting KB from attacking PM again. And KB came.

I had ~ 30 Beaufort VIII (torps), 16 A-24 Banshee (1000 lb), 64 B-25C, 25 P-38F, 25 P-38G, 16 Beaufighter Ic. All, except P-38s were set to Naval Attack @ 10K ft. I wanted to get an alpha strike off. In my experience, separating a strike into several altitude bands, in a busy environment, will most likely result in completely unrelated strikes on different targets. PM is busy with enemy transport TFs and other small craft, so I really did not want to separate by bands. This gives greater risk of uncoordinated strike. But USN usually nails it pretty fine, so I thought USAAF & RAAF could do to.

They did not "nail it" coordination-wise. Long story short, I lost quite a few planes, gaining only one torpedo hit on enemy BB. That's it. Allied subs in the area were unsuccessful in attacking enemy ships.

Well, at least I did not lose any ships.

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November 30, 1942
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 15
A-24 Banshee x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 21
P-38F Lightning x 25
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed by flak
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 9 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 14 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 114 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 90 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
22 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
A-24 Banshee x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
BB Kongo
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 4
P-38G Lightning x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 5
P-38F Lightning x 17
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Umboi Island at 101,123

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
A-24 Banshee x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Boston Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SC CHa-37
SC Ch 21, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Boston Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 21


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Bif1961]

P-38s aren't the best low altitude close escort fighter, they are much better at high altitude sweeping.

[tarkalak]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

That map is way north of the Solomons and won't let me navigate if it is larger - no slider I can use nor does it respond to arrow keys nor grabbing and pulling with the mouse. Anyway, is there no way you can cover a landing at Ndeni with fighter aircraft? Even bring your CVs when KB is known to have left the area?

If he owns it, you could FT some Raider troops in to take it and then fly in or FT in some engineers and air support to establish CAP. You are late enough in the game to have more air strength than the Japanese.

You can try pressing and holding the Middle mouse button (usually the wheel) and moving the mouse around. The window will zip in the direction you moved the mouse. That is another, pretty fast way to scroll.

On Firefox on Ubuntu I see a vertical slider but no horizontal one so I am able to move horizontally with the above method.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: tarkalak

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

That map is way north of the Solomons and won't let me navigate if it is larger - no slider I can use nor does it respond to arrow keys nor grabbing and pulling with the mouse. Anyway, is there no way you can cover a landing at Ndeni with fighter aircraft? Even bring your CVs when KB is known to have left the area?

If he owns it, you could FT some Raider troops in to take it and then fly in or FT in some engineers and air support to establish CAP. You are late enough in the game to have more air strength than the Japanese.

You can try pressing and holding the Middle mouse button (usually the wheel) and moving the mouse around. The window will zip in the direction you moved the mouse. That is another, pretty fast way to scroll.

On Firefox on Ubuntu I see a vertical slider but no horizontal one so I am able to move horizontally with the above method.

Middle mouse wheel did not do the job. Doesn't matter. My questions about starting an approach to GC via stepping stones were answered.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Hi everyone!

So, it’s been several months since I last launched the game. WITP AE requires quite a lot of time and attention to play, even against the AI. But I want to continue.
The best thing about doing an AAR (and that’s one of the reasons I made one) is that you can read it any time you want, no matter how much time have passed. I’m not ready yet to start playing again actively, but I intend to, and want to prepare a plan for my actions.

The time away from the game allowed me to take a step back and look at things with a fresh view. So… Planning, planning, and planning. Current game date: Dec 2, 1942.

Main objective: initiate a sustainable strategic bombing campaign against Home Islands.
Secondary objective: gaining naval supremacy through gaining carrier supremacy.

From reading my notes I see the Japanese currently have 6 CV (431 a/c), 2 CVL (61 a/c), 3 CVE (77 a/c). Maybe more, these are just the ones I have positively identified. That’s 492+77=569 aircraft port strikes (by fleet forces and the baby flattops, respectively).

I have 4 fleet carriers, one of which is a Wasp, so it’s more like 3.5. That’s a total of 346 a/c. Plus 93 planes on CVEs that are scheduled to arrive in a couple of game weeks. There are also replenishment CVEs that I’m yet to try out, but they should not be counted as CVs anyway.

The first Essex is six months away. F6F-3 Hellcats are four months out. I don’t like my current odds. Offensive carrier operations are out of question. Maybe some quick raids, sure, but defensive posture is in order.

Island hopping campaign around Guadalcanal.. BBfanboy suggests looking at taking Ndani and/or Kirakia to populate them with aircraft. I don’t know. Using land-based aircraft against KB is costly and ineffective, if done outside of CV vs CV combat. Getting into carrier combat should only be done when I know there’s only a portion of enemy carriers present. Going against a 8 CV/CVLs with my 4 is just plain stupid. But still, I'll consider further small scale island hopping.

So.. I should wait for an opportunity to strike KB when it is divided and train my forces in the meantime. How do they say? “Exercise tactical patience” to “allow the situation to develop itself”?

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Planning the air raid campaign against the Japanese Home Islands

I’ve spent a day studying Hyperwar and Wiki for historical information. Here’s an outline of a plan I came up with.

Goals
Intermediate targets for the raids are aircraft and engine factories, to gradually gain air supremacy in this war. Other targets will be considered as I gain more experience with such operations. Getting VPs for industry damage is what I’m yet to try in WITP AE, and seeing how VPs earned vs VPs lost for destroyed bombers plays out should give me an indication of how good or bad I’m performing. Nukes are left as valid option for desert.

Preliminary target list (w/ last known values summed up and hex locations)
Nagasaki/Sasebo – Aircraft Factory 117 (102, 58)
Matsuyama – Engine Factory 81 (105, 59)
Hiroshima/Kure – Aircraft Factory 274 (106, 58)
Kobe – Engine Factory 21, Aircraft Factory 21 (108, 59)
Osaka/Kyoto –Aircraft Factory 103 (109, 59)
Gifu – Engine Factory 207, Aircraft Factory 309 (110, 59)
Nagoya – Engine Factory 252, Aircraft Factory 667 (111, 60)
Kanazawa – Engine Factory 41 (111, 57)
Hamamatsu – Engine Factory 31, Aircraft Factory 62 (111, 61)
Maebashi – Engine Factory 76, Aircraft Factory 966 (113, 59)
Tokyo – Engine Factory 374, Aircraft Factory 153 (114, 60)
Yokohama/Yokosuka – Engine Factory 29, Aircraft Factory 33 (113, 61)
Utsonomiya – Engine Factory 113, Aircraft Factory 5 (115, 60)

Target considerations
Industry concentration is the value I’m looking for. Tokyo and Kyoto have the highest HI/LI concentration. Gifu, Nagoya and Maebashi have high Engine/Aircraft Factory concentration. Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kobe have biggest Shipyards. Tokyo is the default/fallback target option.

B-29 mission characteristics
B-29 would be the primary aircraft for these raids. Depending on a model, of which there are three, normal range is 28-31-32 hexes, and extended range is 35-38-40 hexes. For normal operations B-29 requires a level 7 airfield, otherwise it won’t be able to fly missions at extended range.

Historically, it flew raids at what the game considers to be within the extended range. Mission altitude varied with enemy fighter opposition (B-29s flew unescorted until the capture of Iwo Jima) and required target precision and ranged from 12,000-35,000 during the day, and 7,500-15,000 during the night. Operational tempo ranged from one raid per 3-4 days to 10+. The more bombers fly together the better. This would require manual handling instead of using mission/rest levels for continued attacks.

Staging area selection
Bases with minimum Airfield Capacity SPS level of 4 are required, within 28-40 hexes of Tokyo (default target). Several such bases in adjacent hexes would be ideal for better mission coordination while maintaining the spread of aircraft between several fields to decrease their vulnerability and stacking.

Historical usage of Marianas (Saipan-Tinian-Guam) fits these requirements, with Saipan-Tokyo distance of 33 hexes and AC SPS of 4 (Tinian 34/4, Guam 35/5). This is the default option.

The northern part of Luzon (Philippines) can be used too, but reaching Tokyo would be harder from there (range 38-39 hexes). But the SPS of bases there is great (7).

China (another historical option) is logistically very tricky. I don’t think I would be able to pull it off. There’s also a lot of Japanese airfields around that could be used to counterattack and destroy my precious B-29 on the ground. Same considerations apply to Formosa, Okinawa and northern Kurile Islands. But theoretically, it’s doable.

Conclusion
I need to capture Marianas and preferably Philippines. That’s my intermediate game objective. Then launch a campaign of B-29 raids to force the Japanese surrender. Everything I do should support fulfilling this goal.

Questions to the community
What are the good existing AARs that I could read around here that would give me some insight into B-29 raids against Japan? What should I know about the differences in targeting various kinds of industries? Is targeting HI/LI/Oil/Shipyard worthwhile?

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Okay, it took me a while to dig through all the AARs and hundreds of pages of information, but I've found this AAR to reference (as well as this end result). Very good amount of VPs can actually be gained by strategic bombing. Good to know! I really like this idea of Strategic Bombing Campaign. So there's something exciting to look for now for me, yay.

Next up - planning for secondary objective (naval/carrier supremacy).

[L0ckAndL0ad]

So while trying to figure out a way to gain naval supremacy in this war I wrote a couple of pages worth of analysis, but it all looks so obvious that it's not even worth posting here.

Basically, I need to keep fighting, but also gotta "git gud", decreasing my losses & while continuing attritioning of enemy forces... Like that time when I clashed with Yamato without hitting it with air power first. Or when I chased enemy carriers in my waters on full speed when I knew they'd have to come back home anyway.

I've already wiped out almost half of IJN's pre-war naval combat force (except destroyers, they're down to 75% of pre-war numbers). I just need to keep doing that.

One problem. All this time, the enemy had the initiative. He attacked, I just reacted. My own attacks (like those Wake Island raids) did little damage. If the enemy hunkers down and stops exposing his units, I'll have to start pushing. But for that, I'll need to wait, to accumulate more forces. Thankfully, US industry can provide a lot, and it will.

Alright, the hardest part now would be for me to look at all my forces and evaluate them. I had a few things set in motion before I stopped, and I forgot most of it, so I have to figure it all out again...

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Dec 2, 1942

Actual turn in-progress!

Here are some long-term and short-term objectives.

China Burma India Theater
Long term goals: British, Dutch and Indian units are tasked with defending India and the sea route between Arabian Sea and Australia’s west coast. Chinese gotta figure out a way not to collapse completely, and then retake the Chinese territory from the Japanese.
Short term goals: retaking Cocos Island, strengthening India-Burma border.

SWPAC/SOPAC
Long term goals: clearing everything up to and including Philippines, bypassing what can be safely bypassed.
Short term goals: take Ndeni, Baker Island, Phoenix Islands (Canton), Ellice Islands, Tahiti. As soon as practical (might take quite a while).

CENPAC
Long term: taking Marshalls, Marianas.
Short term: nothing.

NOPAC
Long term: defending Aleutian Islands. Retaking Attu.
Short term: reinforcing the island chain with additional forces. Freeing up 22nd Marine Rgt to be available for use elsewhere.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Dec 7, 1942

CBI
I’ve found two Indian Para Brigades (77th and 111th Chindit Bde, 148AV each). I think they are the best candidates for amphibious operations in this region at the moment. 111th is planning for Cocos Island.

British AF squadrons along the Indian border struggle to fly CAP, getting overwhelmed by the Japs. I rearranged couple of reserve training squadrons to reinforce the fly boys.

SWPAC
Japanese planes dominate the skies around Darwin area. 5 out of 6 ships of the Allied supply convoy were sunk by the time they’ve reached the harbor. ~75 P-40K of USAAF 49th FG present couldn’t do much.

CENPAC
Three fast battleships and several brand new Fletcher class destroyers arrived to Pearl Harbor. Can’t wait to use the BBs! Fletchers immediately undergo additional upgrades to improve AAA.

Old BB Nevada and BB Tennessee are sent to San Fran for long duration upgrades (180 and 210 days, probably due to installation of the new 5in DP secondary batteries (5in/38 Mk12 EBR). Should be worth it, though.

NOPAC
B-25 squadron on standby was given a free choice of land and naval targets. Squadron Commander chose to attack Japanese 12th Air Defense AA Regiment that was found on Kiska. No casualties, thankfully. Yeah… Way to go, boys…

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Dec 10, 1942

I've found that all the naval forces I previously sent to Adak were returned back to Pearl. I don't remember why I did that. I think it had something to do with forward basing logistics. I'm fairly new to such techniques (repairs, rearming in the middle of nowhere etc), so I need to experiment more. I'm sending a new force to Adak. This time it'll be 2 CA, 4 CL, and some destroyers.

My hypothetical forward basing concept for Adak: 1 old CL (Omaha class) + 3-4 DD will be patrolling around enemy held area, like Attu. That's a Scouting Force. CAs and one modern CL will stay at Adak and act as QRF. When Scouting Force will have to go back to Adak and repair ops damage, another Omaha class cruiser and some destroyers will sortie out instead. I think 1 AR, 2 AD, and some AOs and AKEs should be enough for small repairs and rearming of CA/CL/DD ships. For any serious repairs I'd have to send the ships to either Prince Rupert, Seattle or Pearl Harbor.

Oh, I'm also sending 8 old electric subs and a sub tender there. Forward submarine basing also needs testing.

If I manage to successfully implement such forward basing concept, I'll repeat it in other areas as well.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Dec 17, 1942

CBI

I decided to start sending routine patrols (1CL 4DD) between Colombo and Diego Garcia, as per my new scouting strategy test.

SWPAC

Aussies in Spitfires rock! KB came to say hi again, from Bismarck Sea. My boys kicked them around like puppies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
B5N2 Kate x 41

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 20
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CENPAC

USS Gar reports hitting enemy light cruiser (CL Katori) with one torpedo in the vicinity of Home Islands.

All 4 USN fleet carriers dully wait at Pearl, dreaming about raiding some enemy base. Three proper CVEs depart from Panama Canal, bound to PH.

NOPAC

SigInt detected enemy construction unit on Attu. B-25s from Adak start daily visits there. Disablements only so far.

NOPAC Naval Force arrives at Adak. 1 CL 4 DD patrol dispatched to Attu area immediately. Other ships successfully undergo local repairs using AR and AD auxiliaries present. CL Helena took 1 point of Major damage during transit and will get patched by a repair ship in 4 days. Other ships should resolve minor repairs in just 1-2 days. That's very much acceptable for future self-sustainable operations. Local fuel depot is completely dry, but 35K of fuel is already inbound, ETA 4-6 days.

West Coast

Midget sub tried sneaking into San Francisco harbor. Newly built USN Sub Chasers were there to respond. But only managed to scare it off. Another Japanese sub is chased around a hundred miles away from the harbor.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Dec 20, 1942

Ugh.. I've postponed this as much as I could, but I have to do this... I'm stuck with figuring out the whole US OOB thing.

So, first, I had to read up all the historical references. Command structure, fleet structure, creation of Pacific Ocean Area/South Pacific/SWPA, Third/Fifth/Seventh Fleets, etc etc. I'm trying to go historical, but not crazy accurate, just to get the idea of why certain things were done in certain way, and to help myself organize forces better.

What I've already done is that I've sent LOTS of ships to Auckland. To create my Proto 3rd/5th/7th-ish Fleet... kinda. Previously, I was REALLY hesitant to create permanent USN presence anywhere outside of Pearl. Cuz I like to concentrate my forces, use a single pool of units that I can easily manage, and to be less vulnerable to get "defeated in detail".

But yeah, I kinda have to learn the ropes of proper force organization and basing. With NORPAC (it is actually NORPAC and not NOPAC, right?) finally getting its own forces, and I tested how it all works, I had to start sorting the SWPA/SOPAC units.

---------------

USN ships I've sent to Auckland:

2 CA, 2 CL, 8 DD - Combat Force (to augment ANZAC Force in the area)

2 CL, 8 DD - Transport Escort Force (the cruisers are Omahas)

9 SC, 4 PC - Local and Area ASW (PCs have greater range, so they're better for area patrols)

1 AR, 2 AD, 3 AO, 4 AKE - Forward Support

12 xAK, 18 xAP, 2 TK - Rear Area Supply & Transport (some ships are British)

---------------

SOPAC logistics chain:

East Coast USA -> Port Stanley -> Auckland (SOPAC REAR HUB) -> Noumea/Espiritu Santo/Efate/Suva and other forward bases

Going Port Stanley -> Auckland is the safest way for transporting Supplies and Fuel with unescorted transports. Even if I'd need escorts, Auckland is the farthest place there is in SOPAC to keep valuable ships (like attack transports, LSTs, LHDs). KB is known to be able to go as far down as to Sydney.

I can dump everything into Auckland, including troops, and then use local transports to move it where it's needed.

---------------

Historical difficulties of separation of command between SWPA/SOPAC/POA don't really help. Me, who had not much clue about it when started this campaign and who shuffled units between various HQs, yeah, that does not help either. I need to have some sort of clear vision behind unit assignments to be able to use them effectively.

So far, I'm not even sure if it's worthwhile to assign units to SOPAC in the first place. Maybe it's more cost-efficient to have everything assigned to POA or SPWA. And also have all SOPAC bases to be assigned to POA...

Currently, 1st and 2nd Mar Divs are under POA, but the SOPAC bases are under SOPAC, as well as various small units are SOPAC.. Ugh...

So I'm stuck figuring it all out..